USA > Michigan > Branch County > A twentieth century history and biographical record of Branch County, Michigan > Part 100
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HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY
King, who died in New York when four years old: Elizabeth King Findley. now living in Clarendon, Michigan; Melissa King Farwell, of Quincy, Michigan; Seth King, of Girard; Helen King Lampman, of Quincy, Mich- igan; Albert King, of Butler; Bertha King Farwell, who died a number of years ago at Hudson, Michigan; Sophronia King Harmon, of Clarendon, Michigan ; and Gilbert King, of Girard.
Mr. Henry King and his family came to Michigan in 1847 and located first in Calhoun county, where they lived for several years. In 1854 they came to Branch county, where Mr. King spent the remainder of his days. Although always a farmer, nevertheless he engaged in various other enter- prises and with his sons conducted a blast furnace near Quincy, this county, using the so-called bog-ore found in this vicinity. This was one of the very first blast furnaces in the interior of the state and was a flourishing indus- try in those days, although now superseded by the larger concerns in north- ern Michigan. After a long life of usefulness, Mr. King died in Butler in 1890, his estimable wife passing away a number of years previously, in 1874.
Mr. Seth King was about sixteen years of age when he came with his parents from New York to Michigan. He was associated in business with his father until he was twenty-three years old, and May 14, 1854. he was married in Homer, Michigan, to Miss Emily D. Card, a native of Lake county, Indiana, where she was born August 30, 1837. Her father was Allen Card, a native of New York state. He was married to Eliza John- son, who was born near Brockport, New York. The father died in 1840, leaving his widow with one child, Emily D. Soon thereafter the family experienced a most tragic accident whereby Mrs. Card and her three-months- old infant son, Silas, born after the death of his father, were terribly burned. the infant dying from the effect, while the mother was so terribly injured that she remained a helpless invalid for the remainder of her life. She died September 29, 1885, and during these forty odd years of suffering she was tenderly cared for by her daughter. Emily, subject of this sketch. During a portion of this time the mother was also hopelessly insane, and but faintly can it be comprehended what trials the faithful daughter passed through.
After the marriage of Seth King and Emily D. Card they lived in Cal- houn county and various portions of Branch county, while for thirteen years they were residents of Iowa. They returned to Michigan and Branch county in 1880, since which time their home has been principally in Butler. Mr. King served in the Civil war, enlisting at Marshall. Michigan. August 16, 1864. in Company A, Twenty-eighth Michigan Infantry, and was with Gen- eral Thomas in Tennessee, and also sent with his regiment to meet Sher- man at Goldsboro, North Carolina. He was discharged in June of 1865. Since the war Mr. King has followed farming as a pursuit. Nine children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. King, as follows: Adell was born in Al- bion, Michigan, April 12, 1855, and died at the age of four months. Edith King Adams was born in Branch county, June 8. 1856, and now lives in Clarendon. Edwin F. King was born in Butler September 24, 1858. and was married to Minerva Lindsley. They have three children, Edna, Lester
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and Ellery. Edna C. King was born in Pulaski, Michigan, July 13, 1860, and died August 28th of the following year, aged thirteen months. Alma King Shafer was born in Butler August 2, 1862, and died May 18, 1897, at the age of thirty-four years. She left two children, Harry and Iva Shafer, who are cared for by their relatives in Girard. Myron L. King was born in Clarendon April 8, 1864, and is married to Luva Lindsay. They have two sons, Ernest and Bertrand King. Mary E. King was born in Iowa, May 13, 1870. Bertrand A. King was born in Iowa, July 30, 1871, and died January 26, 1873. Myrtle King Morrill was born in Iowa May 15, 1874, and now lives in Onsted, Michigan, she having one daughter, Zenda.
Early in the fifties Mr. and Mrs. Seth King began an investigation of modern spiritualism and after a thorough search, coupled with untiring study and careful demonstrations, they became fully convinced that this is the true faith, and they are today most able exponents of this belief. Both are con- scientious to a marked degree, thoroughly incapable of deceit, and they pos- sess that charity and broad-mindedness which makes them true lovers of their fellow beings. Mrs. King possesses undoubted mediumistic powers and for the past eighteen years she has been a speaker by inspiration. She is an eloquent, logical and convicing speaker and her services are in great demand throughout southern Michigan, where she has thousands of warm personal friends, as well as admirers. She has been the means of the up- building of spiritualism in this section and is the president and pastor of the Spiritualists' Society of Branch county, an organization chartered under the laws of the state of Michigan, and with a constantly growing member- ship. With her innumerable household duties and the many cares which have filled Mrs. King's life, it seems incredible that she could have found time to fit herself for her present position as a public speaker, especially as the circumstances of her early life precluded the opportunity for even a meager education. In fact, Mrs. King avers that she has made no such preparation, and that she attributes her powers entirely to spiritualistic con- trol. Indeed, it can be accounted for in no other manner. Mrs. King is a lady of intelligence and rare insight and she seems to be imbued with a desire to benefit mankind. Mr. and Mrs. King are held in the highest regard in the section where the greater portion of their lives has been passed, while they have many warm friends in various portions of the state where Mrs. King has so often been called. The King family is a large one in Branch county, where its members are highly respected, and their annual family reunions call together hundreds of the relatives for a day of communion and pleasure.
MRS. MARY MANN WILLIAMS.
Mrs. Mary Mann Williams is a worthy descendant of pioneer families of Girard township and Branch county and is now occupying a comfortable home at Girard Center. She represents a family long prominent in the annals of this section of the state and the work of improvement and up- building has been greatly conserved by her ancestors. Her father, Peter I. Mann, was born in Schoharie county, New York, February 27, 1815, and
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was a son of Jacob W. Mann, whose birth occurred in the same county on the 13th of February, 1789. The latter was married to Miss Polly Shan- non, likewise a native of Schoharie county, born March 1, 1798. Four chil- dren had been born to them ere their removal to Michigan in 1836. Their remaining days were passed in Girard township, where the father departed this life February 19, 1846, while his wife passed away October 5. 1886. at a very advanced age. They were indeed worthy pioneer settlers of the locality and during the period of his residence here Jacob W. Mann took an active and helpful part in reclaiming this district for the uses of the white man and introducing here all the methods and conveniences of the older civilization of the east.
Peter I. Mann was reared amid the environments of pioneer life, as- sisted in the development of the new home farm in the west and eventually bcame one of the wealthy and influential residents of Girard township. He was married January 13, 1842. to Miss Lavina Grove, whose parents were Peter and Elizabeth (Putnam) Grove. Eight children graced this mar- riage, of whom three died in infancy, while Nina passed away at the age of sixteen years, about a quarter of a century ago. Those who still sur- vive are : Mark H. and Jacob W. Mann, both well known agriculturists of Girard township; Mrs. Belinda Hurst, who is living in Coldwater; and Mrs. Williams of this review. Mr. and Mrs. Peter I. Mann remained for many years valued and respected residents of Girard township and their loss was the occasion of deep and widespread regret throughout the community. The death of Mr. Mann occurred January 8. 1897, while his wife departed this life October 7, 1890.
Their daughter Mary was born in Girard township. October 21, 1844. and has spent her entire life here. In her girlhood days she attended the public schools and was trained to the duties of the household, and on the 2nd of May, 1869. she gave her hand in marriage to John B. Williams, a native of Livingston county, New York, born March 30. 1835. At an early day he came to Michigan and for many years was one of the esteemed citi- zens of this locality. During a large part of his residence here he devoted his time and energies to merchandising in Girard, and became known as one of the representative and respected citizens of his community. He oc- cupied an enviable position in the regard of his fellow townsmen, who fre- quently called him to positions of public trust and responsibility. He served as supervisor, as township clerk, township treasurer and as justice of the peace for many consecutive years and his duties were ever discharged with promptness and fidelity. He was a leading member and active worker in the Methodist Episcopal church of Girard and in this respect as well as in other relations of life found in his wife a faithful helpmate, for their influ- ence was ever given for the betterment of the community. Mr. Williams died June 24, 1905, and his loss was deeply deplored by many who had come to know, respect and honor him for his genuine personal worth.
Mr. and Mrs. Williams were parents of two children, both of whom are living. Glenn Alton Williams, born March 3. 1874, continued his educa- tion in Albion College at Albion, Michigan, and in the Northern Indiana
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Normal School at Valparaiso. With this exception his entire life has been passed in Girard and he is now accounted one of the prosperous young farmers of the township. He was married November 19, 1903, to Anna Wiggins, who was born in Girard, February 19, 1881, her parents being Frank and Annette (Whitmore) Wiggins. Her father died in October, 1893, but her mother is still living in Girard township. Glenn Williams, prominent in community affairs, served as township treasurer in 1903-4, and fraternally he is affiliated with Coldwater Lodge, I. O. O. F., while he and his wife are members of the Girard Methodist Episcopal church. They have a comfortable home on section fifteen, Girard township and are very popular in the community. Ada Williams, daughter of Mrs. Mary Will- iams, is at present local manager of the Girard exchange of the Wolverine Telephone Company and makes her home with her mother at their com- fortable and hospitable residence in Girard Center. She was wedded to Mr. Thomas J. Hubbard, of La Moille, Illinois. He was born and reared in Bureau county, Illinois, and was one of the firm of Hubbard Brothers, who were engaged for a number of years in a wood working plant. Hubbard Brothers, formerly of La Moille, Illinois, are now located at Abington, Illinois. The names of Mann and Williams have for many years been intimately asso- ciated with the history of Girard township and their descendants have just reason to be proud of what has been accomplished by those who have borne the names.
IRA DUFUR.
Ira Dufur, living retired on section nine, Union township, is one of the early settlers of Branch county. He was born in Lower Canada, in the town of Sutton, April 26, 1832. His father, Noah Dufur, was a native of New Hampshire, and was a farmer by occupation. He came to Branch county in 1846, settling in Algansee, where he purchased a tract of land, giving his attention to its cultivation and improvement throughout the remainder of his active business career, but his last years were spent in honorable retire- ment from labor, and he died in Coldwater in his seventy-eighth year. In early manhood he married Miss Polly Bryant, a native of Lower Canada, who lived to be forty-nine years of age. In their family were eight children, five daughters and three sons, all of whom reached adult age.
Ira Dufur, the eldest of the family, was a youth of fourteen years when he came with his parents to Branch county. He was but two and a half years of age when the father took his family from Canada to Ohio, and there he at- tended the district schools of Loraine county until he came to Branch county, where he continued his studies in the public schools of Algansee township. When not busy with his text books he worked in the fields and early became familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. As an incident in the life of Mr. Dufur as a pioneer in Branch county it may be mentioned that he ofttimes was sent by his parents after the cows, which browsed in the forests or bushes. One day when he was in quest of them he thought he saw two little fawns and secreted himself in the brush, and as they came up he sprang out and caught them by the hind legs and took them
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home. They became domesticated and would. follow him about the premises like a dog. This incident is merely given as showing the virginity of Branch county as he first knew it. He remained at home until twenty-three years of age, assisting in clearing the farm. and on December 12. 1855, he was united in marriage to Miss Sophia Lawrence. He then started out in life on his own account. Mrs. Dufur was born in California township, Branch county, her people being pioneer settlers of this portion of the state. After a happy married life of several years she passed away, leaving three chil- dren : Lyman E., who is a farmer of Sherwood township: Byron H., who is living in Denver, Colorado; and Eloise, the wife of Morris Cox of Union City. After losing his first wife Mr. Dufur was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Hobbs. and they have two children, but one died in early childhood. The other is Charles, who is a resident of Manistee, Michigan, and an elec- trician by occupation. Mrs. Dufur was born in Quincy, Branch county. Janu- ary 5. 1842, and is a daughter of Benjamin P. and Jane (Shay) Hobbs. There were five children, two sons and three daughters, and three are living : Mary, wife of James Lyons, a resident of Eaton county, a farmer ; Mrs. Du- fur; and Charles M., a resident of Council Bluffs, Iowa, who is engaged in railroading, and married Miss Mattie Williams. Father Hobbs was born in Pennsylvania in 1811, and died in 1902. He was reared in New York. and came to Michigan at an early day. He was a carpenter by trade, but an agriculturist by vocation. He was formerly a Whig and afterwards a Republican. He was a well educated gentleman, having a college education. and was a strong factor in the settlement of a new country. He and his wife were both teachers and members of the Methodist church, and he was a strong advocate of temperance, having held the first supper in a "logging bee" without the use of whisky, then so common. The mother was born in New York in 1814, and died during the Civil war. She was reared in New York.
After his first marriage Mr. Dufur located in Algansee township, where he purchased and cultivated a farm of fifty acres, making his home thereon for ten years, when he sold that property and bought a farm of ninety acres on section twenty-one, Union township. He then made that place his home until about 1890, when he bought a little farm of ten acres on section nine near the corporation limits of Union City. He rents his land, while he lives retired, enjoying a rest to which he is entitled because of his activity and energy in former years.
Mr. Dufur has supported the Democratic party at many elections, but he also voted for Peter Cooper, and his last presidential vote was cast for the candidate of the Prohibition party. He has long been interested in pol- itics, has frequently attended the county, district and congressional conven- tions, and has always kept well informed on the issues and questions which divide the nation into great political organizations. He and his wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal church of Union City, and his life has been in har- mony with his principles. He has ever favored educational and philanthropic measures and stood as the champion of everything that is right and just be- tween man and his fellowman. His residence in Branch county covers fifty-
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eight years, and therefore he is one of its worthy old settlers who has an inti- mate knowledge of the growth of the county, the transformation that has been wrought here and of pioneer conditions, as well as of later day progress. He has now passed the seventy-third milestone on life's journey and he re- ceives the respect and veneration which should ever be accorded one of ad- vanced years.
DAVID FOX.
David Fox, a well-known representative of agricultural interests living in Girard township, was born on the Ioth of January, 1845, in the village of Girard. His father, Backus Fox, was a native of Penfield, New York, and became one of the early settlers of Branch county. Here he was married in Girard to Miss Julia Williams, also a native of Penfield, whence she came in pioneer times to Michigan. Mr. Fox was a farmer by occupation and took up land from the government, transforming the hitherto wild and unim- proved tract into a well-cultivated and productive farm. He continued to reside in Girard up to the time of his death, which occurred in December, 1885, when he was seventy-three years of age. His wife passed away in Girard in 1890 at the age of sixty-eight years. In their family were eleven children, six sons and five daughters, all of whom reached manhood or woman- hood, namely : Charles, who died while serving in the Union army ; Myron, who also gave his life in defense of his country in the Civil war ; Mrs. Martha Van Blarcon, of Girard, deceased; Edwin P., who is a resident of Cold- water; Lyman, of Girard; Franklin, of Girard; Mrs. Philia Amelia Dake, of Kalamazoo, Michigan ; Mrs. Clara Driggs, of Chicago, Illinois; Mrs. Mary Colson, of Kalkaska, Michigan; Mrs. Marian Wilder, of Cleveland, Ohio; and David, of this review. Four of the brothers were soldiers of the Civil war.
David Fox was reared upon the old family homestead in Girard town- ship, and at the outbreak of the Civil war, when only sixteen years of age, he enlisted in his country's service in Branch county in response to the call for three months' troops, becoming a member of Company C, First Michigan Infantry. He was discharged August 27, 1861, but immediately re-enlisted in Company E of the same regiment for three years. On the expiration of that term he was discharged October 1, 1864, but on the 25th of March, 1865, once more joined the army for six months' service as a member of Company K, Fifteenth Michigan Infantry. Thus he was in the army for almost four years, and he made a most creditable military record, taking part in many im- portant engagements, in which he displayed his valor and loyalty.
Following the close of hostilities Mr. Fox went to California in the spring of 1868 and remained upon a ranch there until the fall of 1872, when he re- turned to Girard, where he has since resided. He now owns and operates a valuable farm of one hundred acres on section eleven. This is improved with good buildings and all modern equipments. He uses the best machinery to cultivate the fields and care for the crops and his farm in every department is neat and thrifty, indicating his careful supervision and progressive spirit.
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He has a comfortable home, tastefully furnished and its hospitality is one of its attractive features.
On the 15th of March, 1868. Mr. Fox was united in marriage to Miss Adelaide Olney. a daughter of Jesse and Betsy (Fox) Olney, who were also pioneer residents of Girard township. Unto our subject and his wife have been born a son and daughter: Jessie C., who was born in California. April 22, 1869, wedded Amos Johnson, and they have two sons, Hugh and Teen : they reside in Chicago; and Myron, who was born in Girard, Novem- ber 19, 1876, and married Belle Ostrom, by whom he has one daughter, Margorie Belle. He lives in Girard.
Mr. and Mrs. Fox are devoted members of the Girard Methodist Epis- copal church, and he belongs to Butterworth Post No. 106, G. A. R., of Coldwater. The ranks of Civil war soldiers are fast being decimated as one after another answers the last roll call. Mr. Fox is among the few who remain to tell the story of- the long struggle for the supremacy of the Union. and few indeed are those who made as creditable a record, for during almost four years he was on active duty, never faltering in his defense of the old flag. At all times he has been equally loyal to his country and her welfare, and the community in which he now lives recognizes him as a representative and valued citizen.
THOMAS DEXTER.
Nearly all of the sturdy pioneers who came from New York and other eastern states to Michigan in the early thirties, forties and fifties. and braved all the hardships and privations incident to life in a new country, have passed away. Theirs were lives filled with arduous labors and stirring incidents, and to them is the present generation greatly indebted for many of the privileges and blessings now enjoyed. Many of these pioneers came here when they were young men, and they grew to manhood here, rearing families of children and making for themselves permanent homes here, where they have passed the remainder of their lives. Living as they did all through the vari- ous stages of development of this section, their personal history is almost identical with the history of the section where their lives have been passed. One of these pioneers is the gentleman named above, who has been a con- tinuous resident of the township of Butler since 1852, and who has wit- nessed all of the changes and improvements which have taken place here during that period.
Mr. Thomas Dexter is a native of Norfolk, England, where he was born November 16, 1829. Mr. Dexter was only seventeen years of age when he decided to try his fortunes in America, where two of his brothers had gone ten years previously. He accordingly made the journey in the primitive manner of the times. and eventually reached Orleans county, New York, in 1847, where his brothers had located. Thomas Dexter's father was Golden Dexter and his mother was Sarah Goose, both natives of England, where they were married, passed their entire lives and where they died. They were the parents of six children. as follows: Robert died in Orleans county, New York. John died in Whitewater, Wisconsin. James died in England.
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Phyllis Dexter Myhill is still living and a resident of Orleans county, New York. Mary Dexter Bargewell still lives in England. All of the members of the Dexter family have lived to be over seventy years of age, they being noted for their logevity, and all have been industrious people.
Our subject, Thomas Dexter, began labor as soon as he was located in Orleans county, New York, principally upon the farm. His first summer's work resulted in his saving forty dollars, and the second summer saw sixty dollars additional saved. With this capital of one hundred dollars the young man, to quote his present words, thought he was fully the equal of John Jacob Astor or any of the then wealthy men of the country, and he at once placed the sum where it would be safe, and where it would bring him good interest. It will thus be seen that early in life he was filled with frugal and saving ideas and that it was his intention to accumulate property.
After a few years spent in the state of New York, where he labored assiduously and saved his earnings, he decided to- join the tide of emigra- tion which had been flowing from the Empire state to Michigan for nearly a score of years, and he accordingly made the trip here, arriving in Detroit in 1852. Three years previously Mr. Dexter had gone as far west as White- water, Wisconsin, where he stayed only a short time, afterward returning to his former home in New York. Our subject found his way to Branch county and Butler in 1852. Here, during the first few years of his stay, he worked by the month and continued his practice of saving, and he soon had sufficient funds with which to purchase land on section two, which he has since added to, owning at one time one hundred and twenty acres thereon. This farm was almost wholly uncleared when purchased by Mr. Dexter, and with his own hands he has made all of the many improvements since. The farm is a fine one, with good buildings and equipped with all of the machinery necessary for its successful operation.
Mr. Dexter was married in 1863 to Melissa McCone, a native of Living- ston county, New York. she being the daughter of Isaac McCone. They were married in Butler and five children were born to them, as follows: A son Fay died in 1898 at the age of twenty-three years. Sarah Dexter married Fred Easton. They have four children, Neleta, Pearl, Thomas and Lula, and their home is in Homer. Golden V. Dexter married Eva Moore and he lives in Butler. Mary Dexter married Claude Hinkley and their home is in Girard. They have three children : Floyd, Ruel and Mildred. Clark Dexter married Alta Curtis, and they have one daughter, Le Moyne. Their home is in But- ler, adjoining Mr. Dexter's farm. Mrs. Dexter passed away in June, 1898.
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