USA > Michigan > Branch County > A twentieth century history and biographical record of Branch County, Michigan > Part 105
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Charles H. Hall, now the only living representative of the family, was the second child and eldest son and was but ten years old when his parents came to Branch county. His youth was therefore largely passed in Sher- wood township, and his education was that afforded by the public schools. He assisted his father in the improvement of the home farm until 1864, when at the age of eighteen years he offered his services to the government in defense of the Union and was assigned to Company F, Eleventh Michi- gan Infantry, with which he served until the close of hostilities in 1865. He then returned to the farm in Sherwood township and has been the owner of the old homestead since seventeen years of age. He resided thereon until 1890, when he embarked in the livery business in Union City, but after two years he sold his barn and again took up his abode upon his farm. He still owns the old homestead of forty acres, but has added to it by purchase until within its boundaries are now comprised one hundred and ten acres. For-
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merly his landed possessions were much more extensive, for he had four hundred acres, but one-half of this he has sold, still retaining possession of two hundred acres. As a farmer he has been practical in all of his work. sys- tematic in the development of the fields and by the rotation of crops and the careful supervision of the work he has kept his farm in excellent condition. the fields being very productive ..
Mr. Hall has been married twice. In 1877 he wedded Hattie Bennett, who died, leaving two children, Minnie and Charles Ray. He wedded his present wife in 1899. She bore the maiden name of Emma Filson, and was a daughter of James C. and Sarah (Wagner) Filson. Her birth occurred in; St. Joseph county, Michigan. September 23, 1876, and she was first mars ried to H. E. Corwin, by whom she had a daughter, Lena Belle. Mr. and Mrs. Hall had three children, Jessie Marie. Mildred Irene and Charles Wal- ter, but the little son died at the age of seven months.
Mr. Hall is now practically living retired, having rented his land. He has been a life-long Republican, interested in political work in his locality and for three years has served as constable. He belongs to Kilbourn Post. No. 2, G. A. R., at Sherwood, and he is well known in the county where he has lived for forty-nine years, so that his mind forms a connecting link be- tween the primitive past and the progressive present. He is a man of much force of character and business acumen and through a long and active life there has naught been said against his integrity nor the worthy purposes which have prompted his actions.
JEFFERSON LOWRY.
Jefferson Lowry, deceased, who was at one time a leading and prosper- ous farmer of Branch county, was born in Matteson township on the 22d of November. 1844. His boyhood days were spent in his home locality and the public school system of the county afforded him his educational privi- leges. Throughout his entire life he followed farming and became a suc- cessful and prominent agriculturist. His business affairs were conducted in systematic. enterprising manner and through his well directed labor he won a gratifying measure of success.
Mr. Lowry was also well known as a citizen whose aid could be counted upon to further progressive public measures. He always voted with the Re- publican party and he held various township offices, discharging his duties in a most prompt and capable manner. He was also identified with the Ma- sonic fraternity and in his life exemplified the beneficent spirit of the craft.
On the 21st of November, 1867. Jefferson Lowry was united in mar- riage to Miss Margaret Jones, who was born in Finley, Hancock county, Ohio, December 13. 1844. Her father, Ambrose Jones, was a native of New York and became one of the early settlers of Hancock county, Ohio, whence he afterward removed to Branch county, Michigan, settling in Sher- wood township about 1852. He was a farmer by occupation, successful in his business affairs, and he lived to be about eighty years of age. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary Musson, was a native of New York and
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lived to be about fifty-nine years of age. They were the parents of eight children, three sons and five daughters, all of whom reached adult age and are now living with the exception of one daughter. Mrs. Lowry is the sixth member of this family. She was a little maiden of eight summers when she came to Branch county with her parents, her girlhood days being spent in Sherwood township, where she has always lived. On the 21st of November, 1867, in Colon, St. Joseph county, Michigan, she gave her hand in marriage to Jefferson Lowry and they became the parents of three sons, but the eldest. Clyde, died at the age of eight months. Lloyd J. married Flora James and is a traveling salesman residing in Chicago. Lynn E. married Anna McIn- tire and is a barber residing in Centerville, Michigan. The death of the husband and father occurred December 5, 1903, and was the occasion of deep regret not only to his family but also to many friends, for he was a man of genuine worth who deserved and commanded the respect of those with whom he came in contact. Mrs. Lowry is now the owner of the farm of one hundred and thirty-three acres which she carries on herself. She has been a resident of Sherwood township for fifty-two years and has a wide acquaint- ance in the county. Her farm property is a valuable one, in the midst of which stands a fine brick residence and in the rear are good barns and other substantial outbuildings, while the buildings are surrounded by green fields giving promise of rich harvests. The home is within the corporation limits of Sherwood and Mrs. Lowry has many friends in the village as well as through the outlying districts.
CLARK M. HALL.
Clark M. Hall is a representative of industrial interests in Union City, where he is carrying on a coopering business. He was born in Sullivan county, New Hampshire, November 10, 1846. His parents were Luther and Elizabeth (Russell) Hall, the latter a sister of George Russell of Gir- ard, Michigan, now deceased. Captain George Russell of Coldwater was a son of George Russell. When about ten years of age Mr. Hall went to live with an uncle, R. M. Russell, in Woodstock, Windsor county, Vermont, re- maining with him until December, 1863. When he could no longer content himself at home he responded to the country's call for aid, enlisting in the Union army as a private of the Third Vermont Light Battery. He con- tinued with his command until after the close of hostilities, returning to his home in June, 1865. He was a soldier in the truest sense of the word. He was ever ready to do his duty in defense of his country's honor, and he was present at the siege and battles of Petersburg, Virginia, Wilderness, Spott- sylvania, North Anna and Cold Harbor. His battery was opposite the line of Petersburg, Virginia, when the great mine explosion occurred. and it was the battery which gave the signal for advance. He was with the command under General Grant in the Army of the Po- tomac. He attended the Grand Encampments at Boston, Massachusetts, Chicago and Detroit, also at Columbus, Ohio.
On his return home Mr. Hall again took up his abode with his uncle, re-
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maining with him until April. 1875. when he came to Union City and pur- chased his present cooper shop. He has carried on business on the same site for thirty years here, having a good patronage, which keeps him constantly employed and brings to him a gratifying financial return for his labor. Con- cerning this shop, the following is quoted from one of the local papers :
"The little red school house, so often referred to by those of pioneer days, has found more than its counterpart in the Red Cooper Shop. of this city, by the happy associations and comradeships which center around its old, familiar hearthstone, and which have found expression through the Red Cooper Shop Camp Fire Association. This association was formed a number of years ago and at first membership was confined to old war veter- ans, but of late years many honorary members have been added. and these enjoy the annual reunions fully as much as do the old comrades. The an- nual reunion will be held at the customary rendezvous. C. M. Hall's Red Cooper Shop, on Thursday evening, at which time a banquet will be served in true old camp-fire style, consisting of chickens, ducks, spareribs and wild game, roasted before the mammoth fireplace, potatoes baked in the ashes. and cider and home-made wine to wash them down. The evening will be spent in song, story, reminiscence and heart-to-heart confidences."
January 25, 1877, Mr. Hall was united in marriage to Miss Fannie Tuck- er. a daughter of J. B. Tucker, who was at one time a merchant and miller of Union City and was also vice president of the Union City National Bank at the time of his death. His varied business enterprises, his unremitting diligence and his enterprise constituted him a valued resident here, and he was honored by all who knew him because of his fidelity to manly principles in private life and his close conformity to a high standard of commercial ethics. Mrs. Hall was the second of his three children and was born in Union City, where she obtained her education. She afterward engaged in teaching school here and since her girlhood days has been recognized as a leader in social circles. where true worth and intelligence are recognized as the passports into good society.
Mr. Hall is one of the active workers in Corbin Post, G. A. R .. No. 88, in which he has served as commander. He was really the founder of the Corbin Post in Union City, and he has done all possible to make the post a permanent and live organization. He is a sound Republican and cast his first presidential vote for the soldier president, Grant. He is also treasurer of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Association of southwestern Mich- igan and has served on General Kesey's staff. He was also on the de- partment commandery staff in Detroit in 1891 and his labors have been ef- fective in advancing the cause of the Grand Army of the Republic. He has frequently done equal service on important committees and as officer of the day. He is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, having joined the organization in 1875, his membership being now with the lodge at Coldwater. Mr. and Mrs. Hall are stockholders in the Union City National Bank of Union City, Michigan. Mr. Hall is one whose business career will bear the closest investigation and scrutiny and the period of his residence in Union City, covering thirty years. consti-
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tutes the era of its greatest growth and development. At all times his aid could be counted upon to further public progress, and he stands today as one of the representative men of his community.
P. J. RATHBURN.
P. J. Rathburn, supervisor of Sherwood township and a leading farmer living on section twenty, is a native of Ohio, his birth having occurred in Monroe township, Ashtabula county, that state, on the 26th of February, 1844. His father, Joseph Rathburn, was a native of New York and was a farmer by occupation. He died in Delaware county, Iowa, to which place he removed about 1857. He was a son of Joseph Rathburn, a native of Rhode Island and one of the heroes of the Revolutionary war. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Sarah O. Brown and was a native of Ohio. Her father was Captain Charles Brown, a sea going man who was master of a vessel for some years. His birth occurred in England. Mrs. Rathburn, surviving her husband for some years, died at the home of her son, P. J. Rathburn, in Sherwood township in her eighty-second year. She had become the mother of nine children, of whom six are yet living.
P. J. Rathburn, the fourth member and third son of this family, was a youth of thirteen years when he accompanied his parents to Iowa, but after the death of the father the family returned to Ohio and thus his youth was largely passed in Ashtabula county. He obtained a common school educa- tion and started out in business life on his own account when fifteen years of age, not only providing for his own needs but also aiding in the support of the family. He arrived in Michigan in 1867, at which time he located in Wayne county. In the same year he was married to Miss Margaret Butts, a daughter of George and Maria (Zellers) Butts, formerly of Pennsylvania and early settlers of Ohio, whence they came to Michigan. Mrs. Rathburn was a native of Erie, Pennsylvania. At the time of their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Rathburn located in Mecosta county, Michigan, where he secured a tract of government land and with characteristic energy began the develop- ment of this unimproved place. He continued its cultivation for eight years and then sold out, after which he removed to Ionia county, Michigan. The year 1878 witnessed bis arrival in Branch county, where he purchased a farm in Sherwood township, upon which he is now living. While in the north of Michigan he was engaged in lumbering and farming, but most of his life has been devoted to general agricultural pursuits and he now has a good tract of land of one hundred and ten acres which is well improved. There are substantial buildings upon the place which are surrounded by well tilled fields and he annually harvests good crops as a reward of his care and labor.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Rathburn have been born five children, a son and four daughters: Nathan, who is living in Mecosta county, is married and has four children. two sons and two daughters, Marjorie O., Herbert N .. Harold J. and Mildred ; Cora, the wife of W. E. Harrison of Mecosta coun- ty. and they have one little son. Wayne P. ; Minnie, the wife of Habey Hass
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of Newcastle, Pennsylvania : Effie, the wife of O. F. Thornton of Sherwood township, and they have a little daughter. Evelyn; and Ettie, who married William Baker of Sherwood township, and they have two children, Alethea E. and Paul L. Mr. Rathburn has always taken a great interest in the edu- cation of his children and three of his daughters have been successful teach- ers in Branch county. In politics he is a Republican, interested and active in the work of the party, and while in northern Michigan he served as treasurer of his township for many years and in other offices. He has also filled local positions in Branch county, being supervisor for twelve years of Sherwood township. His interest in public affairs has always been of a helpful charac- ter and he is regarded as a valued citizen in the community in which he makes his home.
EUGENE ENGLE.
Eugene Engle, a practical and leading farmer living on section one, Sherwood township, was born in Chenango county, New York. September 29, 1845, his parents being John and Julia (Frear) Engle, who were like- wise natives of the Empire state, whence they came to Michigan in 1845. settling in Calhoun county. There they lived in the midst of the forest un- til the father had cleared and improved a farm. It was upon the old farm homestead that Eugene Engle spent the days of his boyhood and youth, be- ing the youngest in a family of eleven children. Like the others, he assisted in the arduons task of developing a new farm and in the public schools ob- tained his education.
Mr. Engle was married in Tekonsha, Michigan, to Miss Sarah Ensign, a native of Ohio, after which he began farming on his own account, continu- ing to care for his parents, however, until they were called to their final rest. He then sold his farm in Tekonsha, in 1880, and purchased the place upon. which he now resides on section one, Sherwood township, owning here two hundred and thirty-three acres of land, which constitutes one of the best and most attractive farms of the county. It is splendidly equipped, having a fine residence and commodious and substantial barns. Most of the buildings have been erected by him and the place is very modern in its equipments. while the productive soil makes his business profitable, large harvests being gathered annually. In connection with the tilling of the soil Mr. Engle has likewise been extensively engaged in the raising of sheep, having now a flock of about two hundred head on his place. He also raises cattle and is an excellent judge of stock so that he is enabled to make profitable sales.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Engle have been born eleven children and with the exception of one who died at the age of five years, all are yet living, namely : George, Rosa, Sanford. Nellie. Clarence, May, Frances, Edith, Chester and Howard. The daughter Pearl is deceased.
Mr. Engle was a Republican until 1896, when he voted for William Jennings Bryan. He has frequently been solicited to become a candidate for office, but would never accept political honors. He is independent in his views, connected with no church or society, although at one time he was a member of the Farmers' Organization. In 1900 he was called upon to mourn
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the loss of his wife, and his daughter May now acts as his housekeeper. The history of mankind is replete with illustration of the fact that it is only under adversity and the stimulus of position that the best and strongest in men are brought out and developed and the life record of Mr. Engle stands in exemplification of this truth, proving conclusively that any individual with a reasonable amount of mental and physical power can attain success if he but has the ambition to put forth his best efforts and the will and manli- ness to persevere therein, for Mr. Engle at the age of twenty-one years was without a dollar. He had no extraordinary family or pecuniary advantages to aid him, but has battled earnestly and energetically and by indomitable cour- age and integrity has achieved both character and fortune.
HIRAM CRISSY.
Hiram Crissy, deceased, was a respected citizen of Branch county for many years and his name is now upon the roll of its honored dead. He was born in Binghamton, New York, October 3, 1819, his parents being Abram and Polly Crissy. He was thirteen years of age when he accompanied his father and mother to the West, the family home being established in Mar- shall county, Michigan, where he was reared amid the wild scenes of fron- tier life. The Indians were then more numerous in the state than the white settlers and the great forests were uncut. Wild animals of various kinds were seen and wild game could be had in abundance. Mr. Crissy shared with the others in the hardships and privations of pioneer life but always made the most of his opportunities. He came to Union City in 1852 and here en- gaged in the hardware business. He likewise followed other commercial enterprises here and at one time was a prominent dry goods merchant and was also proprietor of a grocery store, enjoying a liberal patronage in those various lines of business.
In matters of citizenship Mr. Crissey was always public spirited and progressive, doing everything in his power to advance the material, social, intellectual and moral welfare of his community. He always gave his polit- ical support to the Democratic party and kept well informed on the issues of the day, but did not care for office. A very prominent and zealous member of the Protestant Episcopal church, he built a house of worship for that de- nomination in Union City and was its chief support while he lived. His fra- ternal relations were with the Masonic lodge.
In early manhood Mr. Crissy was united in marriage to Miss Martha Corbin, who was born in Charleston, Sullivan county, New Hampshire, Oc- tober 16, 1829. Her father, Ezbond Corbin, was likewise a native of Charleston and became one of the early settlers of Branch county, spending his last days in Union City. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Lucre- tia Howe, was born in Springfield, Vermont. They were the parents of eleven children, of whom ten reached adult age. Mrs. Crissy is the twin sis- ter of Mrs. Isaac Tower, whose husband is represented elsewhere in this work. She came to Union City in 1850 and in 1852 gave her hand in mar- riage to Mr. Crissy. For fifty-five years she has resided here and is one of
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the best known of the early residents of this place. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Crissy were born three children : Ella, who is living with her mother ; Sarah. the wife of Peter J. Pauley of St. Louis, Missouri ; and Frank St. John, who is a farmer of Calhoun county. Michigan, living about a mile north of Union City. There is one grandson, Herbert St. John.
Like her husband. Mrs. Crissy holds membership in the Episcopal church. with which she has been identified since its organization, and her many good qualities of heart and mind have endeared her to a large circle of friends. Mr. Crissy departed this life November 25. 1891, when seventy-two years of age.' and thus the county was called upon to mourn the loss of one whom they had learned to respect and honor and had come to look upon as a representative pioneer and reliable business man. The county benefited by his efforts in its behalf and he was well liked by all who knew him.
FRANCIS J. TOMPKINS.
Francis J. Tompkins is a representative of one of the honored pioneer families of Girard township and no history of the county would be complete without mention of the members of this family. He was born on the old homestead on the 17th of August. 1852. his father being James B. Tompkins and his mother Eliza Ames. The father was born in Schoharie county. New York. June 28, 1804, where his early life was passed. Seeking the opportuni- ties of the West he came to Michigan in the fall of 1830, arriving at Tecum- seh, where he remained until July of the following year, spending a goodly portion of this time in surveying the then unbroken wilderness. He then made his way to Branch county and located in the township of Girard, which was to be his home for the remainder of his life. Here he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land on sections fifteen and twenty-two, and in later years he acquired a large acreage in various parts of the township. Here he has made his home, and here he early made his influence felt in the community and county. Early in the year of 1832 he returned to Tecumseh and married Eliza Ames, the fifth child in a family of twelve children. their parents being William Ames and Polly Brownell. natives of Vermont, where Eliza was horn in the town of Colchester. Chittenden county. March 3. 1813. William Ames was born August 18, 1777. and was a member of the Ames family which gave many prominent citizens to the United States. He died April 4. 1840.
James and Eliza (Ames) Tompkins immediately returned to Girard after their marriage. The township was not then the blooming and fertile country now seen here. Instead there was an almost unbroken wilderness, while bands of the Pottowatomie Indians made this their favorite stopping place. The young couple braved the many privations and hardships incident to pio- neer life, and they made for themselves a comfortable home and raised a large family of children. Three of these children died in infancy. Martin died at the age of twenty years : Emma Tompkins Vanderlip died in 1897 and Will- iam A. Tompkins died July 13. 1905. Those still living are J. Theron Tomp- kins, Francis J. Tompkins and Mrs. Adaline Tompkins Granger. all of Girard. Mr. Tompkins was a competent surveyor and during the earlier years of his
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residence here his services were in almost constant demand. Mr. Tompkins was the first supervisor of Girard township when it was organized in 1834. and he served his township in that capacity for sixteen years. He also filled nearly every other township office repeatedly and represented his county in the state legislature in 1854. His life was filled with good works and his death, which occurred August 1, 1879. was deeply deplored. His wife, who was loved by scores of relatives and hundreds of warm, personal friends, lived to a good old age, retaining her faculties to the last and passing away Decem- her 6, 1902, when nearly ninety years of age.
Francis J. Tompkins spent his entire life in the county of his nativity, working in the fields from his early boyhood days and thus assisting his father in the care and labor of the old home farm. He has never desired to seek em- ployment in other departments of labor but has become a substantial farmer as the years have gone by and now resides upon the old Tompkins homestead, which was among the first properties improved in this portion of the state. In his farm work he is enterprising, systematic and progressive and everything about his place is indicative of the careful supervision of a painstaking owner.
On the 27th of October, 1875, Mr. Tompkins was married to Miss Lizzie M. Tappenden, who was born in Palmyra, New York, March 27, 1860, and is a daughter of Thomas and Amelia (Hollenbeck) Tappenden, who were resi- dents of New York, Illinois and Ohio successively before coming to Michi- gan. In the year 1862 they settled in Girard township. Mrs. Tompkins can trace her lineage to the landing of the Mayflower at Plymouth, Massachusetts. in 1620, the genealogy being as follows: John Alden married Priscilla Will- iams ; John Alden's seventh child, Ruth Alden, married John Bass; John Bass' sixth child, Mary Bass, married William Copeland; William Copeland's ninth child, Mary Copeland, married Ephrian Jones ; Ephrian Jones' second child, Moses Jones, married Dorothy Thayer ; Moses Jones' third child, John Jones, married Nancy Mallory ; John Jones' eighth child, Lucy Jones, married Casper Hollenbeck; Casper Hollenbeck's fourth child, Amelia Hollenbeck, married Thomas Tappenden ; Thomas Tappenden's first child, Lizzie Tappen- den, married Francis Tompkins. Mr. Thomas Tappenden was born in the Empire state, January 19, 1839, while his wife was born at Hillsdale, New York, on the 5th of June. 1840, and died in Girard township August 7, 1874. Mr. Tappenden, however, is still living and yet makes his home in Girard township. While in his native state he followed the business of distilling and since coming to Michigan has devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits. In his family were two daughters and two sons, namely: Mrs. F. J. Tompkins, who is living in Girard; Mrs. Lucy Goff, of Tekonsha, Michigan; William Tappenden, who makes his home in Cleveland, Ohio; and George Tappenden, a resident of Detroit.
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