A twentieth century history and biographical record of Branch County, Michigan, Part 108

Author: Collin, Henry P
Publication date: 1906
Publisher: New York : Lewis Publishing
Number of Pages: 1198

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AMBROSE LAMPMAN, M. D.

Dr. Ambrose Lampman, who was formerly actively identified with the medical profession but is now giving his attention largely to agricultural pur- suits in Butler township, was born in Greenville. Green county. New York. January 1, 1829. His father, Abraham P. Lampman, was also a native of that county, as was the grandfather, Peter Lampman. The former was mar- ried in Green county to Miss Mary Brandow, also a native of that locality. Both the Lampmans and Brandows had for several generations been prominent there and both families were of old Dutch ancestry. In the year 1848 Mr. and Mrs. Abraham Lampman came to Michigan with their family, settling in Butler township, Branch county, where the mother died on the 18th of April, 1860, while the father's death occurred on the 30th of August of the same year. They held membership in the Presbyterian church, were earnest Christ- ian people and were always true to their belief. Mr. Lampman gave his undivided attention to agricultural pursuits for many years and was also active in community affairs, serving as justice of the peace both in Michigan

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HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY

and in New York. In their family were the following named : Epenetus, now living in Quincy, Michigan; Luman, who died in Bethel township, Branch county, in 1890; Mrs. Elizabeth Delamatter, who died in 1897; and Ambrose.

Dr. Lampman received a liberal education and after completing his literary course in Olivette College he pursued a medical course in Cincinnati Eclectic College. He then located for finishing or preparing himself for prac- tice in Homer, Michigan, where he remained for six months, and he likewise engaged in practice in Butler township for twenty years together with the occupation of farming. In recent years, however, he has done little as a practitioner save for the medical aid given to his family. He first owned sixty-three acres of land on section thirty-four, Butler township, of which he became owner in 1855. This he cleared and improved and as the years have gone by he has added to the property and placed thereon all modern equipments.

In Calhoun county. Michigan, on the 7th of March, 1855, Dr. Lampman was married to Miss Helen King, who was born in Michigan, September 27. 1838, and whose family history is given in connection with the sketch of Seth King on another page of this work. Dr. and Mrs. Lampman have had thir- teen children. Charles, horn October 14, 1855, died December 6, 1896. He married Julia Dresser and they have two children, Lura and Claude. Clara Amelia. born April 4, 1857, died on the 22d of October of the . same year. George W., born April 23. 1858, married Ella Fox and they live in Butler and have five sons : William, Leon, Elmer, Clarence and Bryan. Florence A., born August 21, 1859, is the wife of Charles Parks and they have two sons : LeRoy and Burton, both of whom are married. The next member of Dr. Lampman's family was a son, who died in 1861 when but ten days old. Ambrose Epenetus, born May 18, 1863. and now living in Butler township, married Susie Rassford and has six children: Harry, Eddie, May, Charles. Louis and Frances. Jane died when a month old and one son died when a week old. Andrew B. Lampman, born March 20, 1869, is living in northern Michigan and married Amy Talent, by whom he has six children: Ethel, Vivian, Marie, Arthur, Ellen and Helen. Carrie May, born August 21. 1873. is the wife of William Fultz. Arthur E., born December 4, 1875, died April 4. 1877. Leon L., born September 16, 1877, died November 26, 1879. Bursey H., born July 18, 1881, is the wife of William Randerson, a resident of Quincy, Michigan.

Dr. Lampman has for many years been a member of the Quincy Detective Association. In politics he is a Democrat, figuring prominently in local polit- ical circles. He is a gentleman of liberal education and strong intellectual force. He has ever been a great reader and has thus continually broadened his mind, storing it with much valuable information. He to-day owns a large and fine farm which he operates, and in his work he has been quick to adopt modern methods promising to prove of practical utility: His work has been attended by a gratifying measure of success. and in all life's relations he is honored, for the motive forces of his life have been such as to command respect and confidence.

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HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY

JOSEPH G. ELDRED.

In tradition the descendants of the Eldreds came from King Ethelred of England, and this genealogy is handed down from generation to generation.

Joseph G. Eldred, who has been identified with building and farming operations in Branch county for many years and makes his home in Quincy township, was born in Ontario county, New York, on the 2nd of January, 1841, coming to Michigan with his parents when a youth of eleven years. His father, Robert Eldred, was also a native of the Empire state, born June 10, 1804. He was reared there and was married in Candice, New York, on the Ioth of May, 1827, to Miss Amelia Peabody, whose birth occurred in that state, April 21, 1808. The Eldreds and Peabodys have been residents of New York for several generations and were people of importance there, the Pea- bodys being especially prominent and cultured residents of the Empire state.

Robert Eldred and his wife were the parents of ten children when they came to Michigan in 1852. These were: Mrs. Sally Walker, who is still living in Girard ; Alvah D. Eldred, who died in Tekonsha, Michigan, January 30, 1903; Mrs. Mary Markham, who died in Girard, April 23, 1872; Isaac, who died in New York at the age of fourteen years; Lewis S. Eldred, who is living in Tekonsha; Joseph G., of this review; Mrs. Almira A. Bartlett, a resident of Girard ; R. Elon Eldred, of Tekonsha; Albert M. Eldred, residing in Colon, Michigan: and Mrs. Louise Shedd, who also makes her home in Tekonsha. The mother, Mrs. Amelia Peabody Eldred, died April 27, 1860, and on the 29th of January, 1861, Robert Eldred married Laura Peabody, a half sister of his first wife. Mr. Eldred was a man of genuine worth, highly esteemed in business and social circles and in public life as well. He died March 21, 1886, and his second wife passed away July 17, 1890. The home farm of the family in Michigan was in Tekonsha township on the boundary line of Branch county.

Joseph G. Eldred was reared to manhood on the old homestead farm, early becoming familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist and at the outbreak of the Civil war, when twenty years of age, he enlisted for service on the 23rd of August, 1861, as a member of Company E, First Michigan Infantry. On the 17th of February, 1864, he was honorably discharged, but on the same day re-enlisted and served until after the close of the war, being mustered out on the 9th of July, 1865. He was chief bugler and principal musician of his regiment and as such was a non-commissioned staff officer. The First Michigan Infantry was assigned to the Army of the Potomac and Mr. Eldred participated in forty great battles of the Civil war, in the Army of the Potomac and was present at the surrender of Appomattox by General Lee to Grant, April 9. 1865. He was wounded at the Battle of Fredricksburg, December 13, 1862. He made a splendid record as a soldier.

In early life Mr. Eldred had learned the carpenter's trade, and he has constructed many buildings in this part of the state, both in and outside of Branch county. At the same time he has always carried on farming, and at the time of his marriage established his home in Girard township. It was after his return from the war that he was married on the 22nd of February,

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HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY

1866, to Miss Thirza L. Millard, who was born in Webster, Monroe county, New York. December 24, 1843, a daughter of Noah M. Millard, who was born in Rhode Island on the 21st of May, 1803. and died in Girard township, May 23, 1880. Her mother bore the maiden name of Cynthia A. Almy and was born in western New York, August 27, 1807, while her death occurred in Girard township, Branch county, January 15, 1866. They were married on the 28th of October, 1827, and they had six children, all of whom have passed away, with the exception of Mrs. Eldred. Her maternal grandfather, Peter Almy, was a native of Germany, came to this country in the latter part of the eighteenth century and served as a soldier in the war of 1812. Her paternal ancestors came from Wales and one of these. General Maxwell, was a notable figure in the Revolutionary war.

After living for a year in Girard township Mr. and Mrs. Eldred removed to Tekonsha, where they lived for three years, and then took up their abode on their present farm on section three, Quincy township, where Mr. Eldred owns forty-five acres of good land, improved with excellent buildings. Everything about his place indicates thrift and care. From his father he inherited a love of fruit raising, and upon his place are many choice varieties of grapes. pears, peaches and other fruits.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Eldred have been born seven children, of whom five are living. two having died in infancy. Coralyn. born May 25, 1871. died on the 25th of September of the same year. Leroy M., born April 24, 1867, was married March 10, 1894. to Laura E. Jordan, and they reside in Butler. where he is engaged in carpentering and farming. Edith M., born April 22, 1869. is a graduate of the state normal school at Ypsilanti and is engaged in teaching in Whitehall, Michigan. R. Ray, born September 24, 1872, who is a graduate of the Kentucky university and is a missionary of the Church of Christ in southwestern Africa on the Congo, was married August 4, 1901, to Lillian Byers, and they have two children, who are with them in Africa. William Gay, born September 18. 1874, was married July 25, 1904, to Marie Pickering, and is engaged in preaching for the Church of Christ at Fulton, Kentucky, after having been educated in the Kentucky University. Laura C., born November 30. 1878, was graduated at the state normal school at Ypsi- lanti, Michigan, has engaged in teaching school and is now attending a train- ing school for missionaries in Brooklyn. New York, with the intention of going to Japan as a missionary. Blanche L., born August 21, 1881, died on the 15th of October following.

In politics Mr. Eldred has always been a Republican and has served as highway commissioner for one year and as school officer for many years. He has been a member of the Church of Christ and has been overseer of the Quincy Society for thirty years. He is an able speaker and exponent of that faith, and the members of his household are also members of the church, taking an active and helpful part in its work. Industry and perseverance in business life. loyalty in his military experiences and devotion to his church, his family and his friends have made Mr. Eldred one, of the honored and respected residents of Branch county.

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HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY

CHARLES PIERCE.

Charles Pierce, living on a farm on section ten, Batavia township, owns here two hundred and twenty-seven and a half acres of land, but largely rents the farm, thus leaving the active work of the fields to others. He was born in the southeastern part of Batavia township on the 27th of December, 1843. His father, Zolva Pierce, was a native of New York, born near Buffalo, whence he came to Branch county as one of its pioneer settlers. That the work of progress and improvement had scarcely been begun is shown by the fact that much of the land was still in possession of the government and by entering a claim Mr. Pierce secured his farm. With characteristic energy he began the cultivation of the fields and continued active farm work up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1853. He married Miss Catherine Olm- stead, a native of New York, who is still living in her eighty-second year. They were the parents of four children, of whom three are yet living, Charles being the eldest of the family.

Upon the old family homestead in Batavia township Mr. Pierce spent the days of his boyhood and youth, starting out in life on his own account when only twelve years of age. He walked to Colon, carrying his possessions, which were extremely limited, consisting only of a few articles of clothing. He worked for a Mrs. Gordon for two years for six dollars per month driving oxen. He was employed by the day or by the job and later he engaged in rail- road work. Subsequently he began buying wood and later he worked on the Erie canal. He also spent two summers on a lightning rod wagon and later he engaged in trading in horses. This was his first real start upon an inde- pendent business venture. While in the lightning rod business he was in the employ of Ives G. Miles, of Coldwater. Later he turned his attention to deal- ing in timber, buying land from which he would sell the timber, and to the present time he continues in this line of trade. He also conducts a wood yard in Coldwater and he is today the owner of three hundred acres of timber land in Tennessee. He located on his present farm about 1873 and has improved the place in many ways, remodeling the house and building one of the large barns of the county, one hundred by thirty-six feet. He has two hundred and twenty-seven and a half acres of land which he rents to others. His life has been characterized by unremitting diligence and his perseverance has been the means of bringing to him a creditable and gratifying measure of success.

Mr. Pierce has been married twice. On the 14th of August, 1869, he wedded Miss Mary A. Smith, a native of Batavia township and a daughter of Levi and Maria Smith. She died September 7, 1891, leaving four children. Glenn Otis, born November 1, 1870, is a traveling man of Coldwater, suc- cessfully representing the Standard Wall Paper Company of New York. Or- ville, born May 20, 1873. is deceased. Nellie, born April 20, 1876, is the wife of Ed F. Able of Elkhart. Indiana. Mabel, born August 22, 1884, has also passed away. On the 14th of August, 1893. Mr. Pierce was again married, his second union being with Miss Lucinda Early, a daughter of Samuel and Margaret (Gray) Early. They have one son, Harold Early Pierce, who was born April 27, 1895, and is now attending school.

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HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY

Mr. Pierce is a Democrat in his political views and is well known in the county because of the active and helpful interest which he has taken in public affairs. He belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen at Coldwater. He began life a poor boy and what he possesses has been honestly and ear- nestly won. He has given close attention to business and is a self-made man in every sense of the word, deserving all of the praise which that term implies. His life record proves what can be accomplished by earnest. unfaltering ef- fort and may well serve as a source of encouragement and inspiration to others who have to begin life as he did without capital or the aid of influential friends.

DWIGHT E. YOUNGS.

Dwight E. Youngs. who, when the tocsin of war sounded, was found as a loyal advocate of the Union cause, manifesting his fidelity upon the battle- fields of the south, is now living a retired life in Union City. He was born in Smyrna, Chenango county, New York. October 2, 1831. It is believed that his great-grandfather was a native of Scotland and the founder of the family in America, and it is definitely known that John S. Youngs, the grand- father, was of Scotch lineage. Curtis S. Youngs, the father, was born in Lanesboro, Berkshire county, Massachusetts, and became a carpenter and joiner. He came to Branch county in 1836, locating in Union City, and assisted in erecting some of the first frame buildings here. The following year he brought his family to his new home, having determined to make it his permanent place of residence, and with the exception of two years spent in Coldwater, when he filled the office of register of deeds, he resided continu- ously in Union township. Ralizing the needs of a new community and its possibilities he so directed his labors that he became an important factor in the early improvement and development of this part of the state, and his fellow townsmen recognizing his ability and trustworthiness called him to public office. He was the first supervisor elected in Union township and held other local positions. He was a member of the Congregational church, active in its work, living in constant harmony with its teachings, and in the faith he died in his eighty-fifth year. His wife bore the maiden name of Lucy Lincoln and was a native of Bath, Maine. She came of English lineage and lived to be eighty-three years of age, while her mother had passed the eighty-fourth mile- stone on life's journey when called to her final rest. Mr. and Mrs. Curtis Youngs were the parents of six sons, of whom one died in infancy, while another, Fred C., died in 1862, aged nineteen years, upon the battlefields while serving as a defender of the Union cause. The eldest brother, Melvin L. Youngs, was born April 8, 1826, and died in June, 1902. He was a prominent Mason, having joined the organization in Union City. In 1856 he removed to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and was appointed grand lecturer of the state, which position he held for more than forty years, acting in that capacity up to the time of his death. He was widely known in Masonic circles throughout that and other states and did much for the dissemination of the basic prin- ciples of the order which had their foundation in mutual helpfulness and brotherly kindness. John S. Youngs, born October 11, 1828, died in 1898.

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HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY

He was a banker of Coldwater for a number of years, carrying on business as a partner of Justin Lawyer. He was also a leading contractor and railroad builder and spent much of his life in Flint. Michigan, in the abstract business. Sidney M. Youngs, born June 17, 1840, in Union City, was for about twenty years a resident of Allegheny, Pennsylvania, and also lived at Vancouver, British Columbia. Subsequently he returned to Michigan and now makes his home in Bellaire, this state.

Dwight E. Youngs, the third member of the family, was in his sixth year when he arrived in Union City, and here he remained until fourteen years of age, when he went with his mother's sister to Worcester county, Massa- chusetts, spending eight years in the east, during which time he attended school for three months in the year. while the remaining nine months were devoted to farm labor. On the expiration of that time he returned to Union City and soon afterward became actively engaged in farming in Union town- ship.

As a companion and helpmate for life's journey, Mr. Youngs chose Miss Emily Denny, and they were married on the Ist of May, 1854. She was reared by an uncle and aunt. Peter and Thankful Davison, her parents having died during her early girlhood. Mr. and Mrs. Youngs began their domestic life upon a farm and he continued to engage in agricultural pursuits until the 24th of August, 1861, when he enlisted in response to his country's call, becoming a member of Battery D, First Michigan Light Artillery, with which he served until July, 1862. He was then honorably discharged on account of disability. He was sergeant in the battery and was injured in the service. Returning to his home he resumed farming in Branch county, where he con- tinued until 1866, when he returned to Worcester county, Massachusetts, and was there engaged in the manufacture of cheese. Later he again came to Michigan, settling in Hillsdale county, where he conducted building operations as a builder and joiner. In 1877 he returned to Union City to care for his aged parents and continued with them until they were called to the home beyond. He is now living a retired life and is well known as one of the valued and representative residents of this place.

Mr. Youngs has taken quite an active and helpful part in public affairs and has filled the following offices: Marshal of the village, constable of the township, justice of the peace for eight years and notary for several years. He is a charter member of Corbin Post, No. 88, G. A. R., in which he has served as commander and has filled all of the other chairs. He is quite well known as a local historian and has written much of the history of Union City. He was also appointed historian by the Grand Army Post and has recorded the names and the war history of all of its different members.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Youngs was born one daughter, Laura, born February 10, 1855, at Union City, Michigan, and died February 4, at White Cloud, Michigan, and one son, who is yet living, Charles S., whose birth occurred September 24. 1878, and is now located in Belding, Michigan, where he fol- lows the printer's trade. The wife and mother died November 1I, 1903. In his religious faith Mr. Youngs is a Spiritualist. Although he has not resided continuously in Branch county he has been a witness to its growth and devel-

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opment for two-thirds of a century, nor has he taken an unimportant part in advancing public measures. He is thoroughly informed concerning what has been accomplished here from pioneer time to the present and events which are to many others matters of record or of history are familiar to him as a wit- ness or as an active participant in what occurred and aided in moulding the public policy or shaping the destiny of the county.

EDWARD ROLAND ROOT.

Fortunate is the man who has back of him a history honorable and dis- tinguished, and happy is he if his lines of life have been cast in harmony there- with. Mr. Root in the paternal line is descended from an honored pioneer family of Michigan, and in the maternal line traces his ancestry back to John Alden, who came to America on the Mayflower. Edward Roland Root was born in the city of Coldwater, Michigan. April 17, 1851, the second son of Roland and Irene ( Alden) Root. His father was born in Skaneateles. New York, December 26, 1813. and died at his home in Coldwater. August II, 1885. He was the fourth in order of birth in a family of eight children, whose parents were Edward and Sally (Cole) Root. He was reared upon the home farm and acquired a good common school education, remaining with his par- ents until he attained his majority. He then removed to Huron county, Ohio. and was engaged in teaching school at Norwalk. While in that city he also clerked in a dry goods store and was married there to Miss Harriet Chapin, a native of Canandaigua, New York, but at that time a resident of Norwalk. In 1835 he came to Michigan and was a prominent factor in the early history of Branch county. At the time of his arrival he was but twenty-two years of age. Coldwater was scarcely more than a village, but he identified his inter- ests with the new town, giving his attention to general merchandising. As the years passed he was known as a successful merchant, miller and farmer. A man of fine intelligence and scholarly tastes, he did much to advance the educational progress of Coldwater, and it was ever his aim, no matter how great the inconvenience to himself, to secure for his children the best educa- tion possible. He took a deep and helpful interest in all public measures for the general good and he served as a member of the Michigan legislature, as a magistrate and in other positions of honor and trust. Following the outbreak of the Civil war Roland Root literally "left the plow in the furrow" and en- listed, in April, 1861, in defense of the Union cause, becoming a member of Company A, First Regiment of Michigan Artillery, Loomis' Battery. He was promoted from successive ranks to that of first lieutenant and was in active service in West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee and Alabama.

In I84I was consummated the second marriage of Roland Root. at which time Miss Irene Alden became his wife. She has long survived him and is now (1905) eighty-three years of age, her home being in Coldwater. They became the parents of the following-named : Aurella Melita : Martha Matilda; Harriet Chapin: Edward, who died in infancy: Edward Roland : Flora; Jean Fisk : Fred Hamilton : and Elizabeth Jessie.

Mrs. Roland Root was born at Ashville, New York, June 26, 1822, and

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HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY

with her parents removed to Coldwater, Michigan, in 1834. She traces her ancestry in direct line back to John Alden, the progenitor of the family in America, who was born in England in 1599, and as a member of the Ply- mouth colony crossed the Atlantic on the Mayflower in the year 1620. The romantic epoch of his history has been immortalized in Longfellow's poem of the "Courtship of Miles Standish." Tracing the line down through to his sec- ond son, Joseph Alden : to his second son, Deacon Joseph Alden ; his second son, Eleazer Alden of Ridgewater, we come to David Alden, who was the fourth son of Eleazer Alden, and a native of Ashfield, Massachusetts. He was the great-grandfather of Mrs. Root and the father of Isaac Alden, who was like- wise a native of Ashfield. Dr. Hiram Alden, the sixth son of Isaac Alden, was born in Ashfield, Massachusetts, October 28, 1792, and removed from New York to Coldwater, Michigan, in 1834. He was a well educated man, who rose to prominence and for three years, 1835-6-7, represented his district in the state legislature, acting as speaker of the house during his last term. The projected interests in the Michigan Central Railway then enlisted his services and it was while engaged as commissioner for that organization that he contracted the fever that terminated his life at Deroit on the 26th of No- vember, 1838. He had married Melita Huntley, and of their eleven children Irene (Alden) Root was the fourth. She was about twelve years of age when she accompanied her parents to Coldwater and from the days when this dis- trict was an almost unbroken wilderness down to the present she has made Coldwater her home. During this period she has witnessed its transformation from a small hamlet with less than one hundred inhabitants to a beautiful little city of nearly seven thousand population. She has long been a member of the Baptist church and a consistent Christian in word and deed. Although be- loved and revered by successive generations of friends and neighbors her rarest qualities are best known to the inner circle of her own home.

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A twentieth century history and biographical record of Branch County, Michigan, Part 108

Author: Collin, Henry P Publication date: 1906 Publisher: New York : Lewis Publishing Number of Pages: 1198

Author: Collin, Henry P
Publication date: 1906
Publisher: New York : Lewis Publishing
Number of Pages: 1198