A twentieth century history and biographical record of Branch County, Michigan, Part 109

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

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Thus we observe that Edward Roland Root comes of a noble and worthy ancestry and of a parentage that gave him an excellent heritage. He was ed- ucated in the public schools of Coldwater until he reached the age of fourteen years, when he received from the congressman of his district an appointment to the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis. He successfully passed the various examinations and was mustered into the United States navy as a midshipman on the 25th of September, 1865. He remained at the academy for two years, when failing health caused him to resign an appointment, a much desired and most congenial career. He returned home in June, 1867, and engaged in outdoor pursuits until his health was restored. In April, 1868, he was appointed delivery clerk in the Coldwater postoffice, was ad- vanced to assistant postmaster in July, 1870, and served in that capacity un- til February, 1882, when he was commissioned postmaster by President Ar- thur, holding the office for four years or until April, 1886, so that his connec- tion with the Coldwater postoffice covered a period of eighteen consecutive years. He was later engaged in merchandising in this city for a short period and afterward acted as secretary of the Coldwater Gas Light Company. For ten years, beginning in 1889, he was engaged in the manufacture of cigar

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boxes and in 1900 he accepted the position of secretary of the Wolverine Portland Cement Company, which is his present business relation.

Mr. Root has always taken an active part in public affairs and has served on the Water Works and Electric Light Board, while for seven years he was president of the Board. In 1871 he was largely instrumental in organizing the Coldwater Light Guard Company, and was a member thereafter for many years.

On the 24th of September, 1874. Mr. Root was married to Miss Alice Southworth, a native of Coldwater and unto them have been born three chil- dren, Edith Irene, Rolene Altai, and Flora Elizabeth. The family are communicants of the Episcopal church, of which Mr. Root is serving as ves- tryman and as treasurer of the vestry. He has always been a Republican in politics and has exerted a wide influence in political affairs. His position of prominence in regard to the public interests of his native city is well merited because of his devotion to the general good and his practical and untiring ef- forts in behalf of the municipality and the county.

THOMAS JEFFERSON TURNER, M. D.

Dr. Thomas Jefferson Turner was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. September 21. 1829, and died at Mackinac Island. August 20. 1901. In 1889 he married Flora, the fourth daughter of Roland and Irene (Alden) Root. Dr. Turner was a man of profound intelligence and rare attainments, a schol- ar of marked erudition and a physician and surgeon of distinction. He was a recognized authority on matters pertaining to hygiene and sanitation. He was graduated from the Philadelphia high schools with the class of 1848. and he held a diploma of the Philadelphia Medical College, from which he was graduated with the degree of M. D. in 1851. He also received the degrees of philosophy and of master of arts from the same institution in 1853. was made a fellow of the Academy of Natural Science at Philadelphia in 1854 and a member of the American Public Health Association and a companion of the Naval Order of the United States Naval Commandery. He entered the United States navy as an assistant surgeon December 16, 1853. and was there- after prominently identified therewith as surgeon and medical director until 1891, when he retired. During the Civil war he was fleet surgeon with Far- ragut at the battle of Mobile Bay. As surgeon and officer of the navy he visited nearly every country of the world. Following his retirement from the service he made Coldwater his home, where he was, for some six years. health of- ficer of the city, and there he continued an energetic worker in behalf of local and state health measures, rendering his fellowmen valuable service in this regard.

GEORGE A. RUSSELL.

George A. Russell, taking up his abode in Coldwater in 1902, removed from the farm which he had helped to clear and improve in pioneer days and which had been his home for fifty-five years. He was born in the town of York in Livingston county, New York. May 12. 1836. his parents being George and Caroline (Faxon) Russell, the former a native of New Hamp-

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shire and the latter of Massachusetts. The father was born of a family of nine children and in early life removed to New York, where he formed the acquaintance of Miss Faxon, whom he later married. In the fall of 1837 they came to Michigan, settling in Lenawec county, where they lived for a lit- tle more than six years, when in May. 1844, they came to Branch county, their son, George A., being at that time about eight years old, taking up their abode in Girard township after clearing and improving the farm. He was a cooper by trade but devoted much of his life to agricultural pursuits and spent his remaining days in Branch county. where he died at the age of seventy- seven years. His wife survived him and departed this life at the age of eighty-two years. They were the parents of seven children: Miranda E., de- ceased; George A .; Adaline S .; Benton T. and Mary, both deceased; Lewis C., a resident of Oregon; and Caroline J.

George A. Russell grew to manhood on the old homestead farm, to which he came with his parents when a young lad. As his age and strength permitted he assisted in the arduous task of clearing and cultivating the fields and he lived upon this farm for fifty-five years. In the early days he shared in the hardships and privations usual in a pioneer community, his education being acquired in an old log schoolhouse. He also spent one winter as a stu- dent in the schools of Coldwater and one winter in the schools of Girard. His education was largely acquired through the work of field and meadow and he gained a practical experience of what in later years enabled him to carefully conduct his farm and make it a valuable property. On the 6th of August, 1862, however, he put aside all personal considerations and enlisted as a pri- vate of Company C, Nineteenth Michigan Infantry, for a term of three years or until the close of the war. He carried a gun and knapsack for eighteen months with the rank of corporal and then became sergeant major. He acted in the latter capacity for about six months, when he was promoted to the rank of first lieutenant and was in active command of Company D, Nine- teenth Michigan Infantry, from the time the troops were at Atlanta until they had marched to the sea under command of Sherman. He was also with that company until they had proceeded about fifty miles into the Carolinas, after which he was detached to act as adjutant. On the 8th of May, 1865, he was commissioned captain of Company F, Nineteenth Michigan In- fantry, and as such was mustered out June 26, 1865. He participated in many important engagements and in March, 1863, when near Franklin, Tennessee, was captured and taken to Libby Prison, where he remained thirty days, when he was paroled. He then returned to Camp Chase, Ohio, and was soon or- dered to the front, making his way to Nashville. He participated in the battle of Resaca, Georgia, May 15, 1864, was at Cassville, Georgia, May 19, 1864, and took part in the battles of Dallas, Golgotha, Culp Farm, Kenesaw Moun- tain, Peach Tree Creek, the siege of Atlanta, the siege of Savannah and the battles of Averysboro and Bentonville, North Carolina. He is now a mem- ber of Butterworth Post No. 109, G. A. R., and has been active in military affairs in connection with this organization. His regiment never marched a mile that he was not on duty nor fought in a battle in which he was not also engaged. He made a splendid war record, notable for his bravery and loyalty,

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and his meritorious conduct won him promotion from the ranks to a cap- taincy.

Following the close of hostilities Captain Russell resumed farming and was actively engaged in the tilling of the soil and the care of crops and stock until 1902, when, feeling that he had merited a rest from further labor, he re- tired with a valuable competence to Coldwater, selling the farm which he had occupied for fifty-five years.

In 1872 Captain Russell was married to Miss Isadore Brown, who died seven years later. In 1883 he wedded Arminda Day, who was born in Butler township. Branch county, and is a daughter of Elisha and Roxie (Wonsey) Day. Her grandfather, Chauncey Day, was a soldier of the war of 1812 and he and his son Elisha became pioneer settlers of Branch county, Michigan, removing from New York to this state.

Captain Russell voted for Stephen A. Douglas, but has since been an ad- vocate of Republican principles, unfaltering in his allegiance to the party. He has served as justice of the peace for thirty years, which position he is now filling, and his decisions have ever been characterized by impartiality and fair- ness. Both he and his wife are Methodists in religious faith, although they are not identified with the church organization. As an honored veteran of the Civil war and a worthy pioneer settler he is deserving of mention in the history of Branch county.

IRVING McNALL.

Descended from good old Scotch ancestry. the McNalls can trace their lineage back for hundreds of years in Scotland until about 1760, when mem- bers of the family came to America, settling in the New England colonies. Several of the family were participants in the Revolutionary war, fighting on the side of the colonists. and the paternal great-grandfather of our subject was a general in the American army at this time, his name being James Mc- Nall. One of his sons. Alexander McNall, paternal grandfather of our sub- ject, was born in 1788 in Connecticut, was also in the war of 1812, and later came to the then new state of Michigan, in 1845, stopping first at Coldwater and then coming into Ovid township, this county, where he received from the government one hundred and sixty acres of land in recognition of his war service. He cleared this farm and otherwise improved it and passed the re- mainder of his life here.

One of his sons. Hiram McNall, was born in Avon, Livingstone county, New York, July 13, 1809, grew to manhood in the Empire state, where he was married to Harriet Barnes, a native of the Mohawk Valley, New York. where she was born December 13. 1821, she being the daughter of Samuel and Miranda Barnes. After their marriage Hiram and Harriet McNall lived for a short time at Henrietta, Monroe county, New York, and then, imbued with the idea that there were greater possibilities in the middle west they packed their personal belongings into a one-horse wagon, and in the fall of 1842 arrived in Clinton county, Michigan, where Mr. McNall secured one hundred and sixty acres of new land. Living here until the following spring.

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they were then attracted to Branch county, and came to the township of Kin- derhook, where they purchased land on section eleven and made a home here. Here they passed the remainder of their days, Mr. McNall dying October 28. 1870, and Mrs. McNall passing away in 1851. They were highly esteemed people, a power for good in the community where they passed so many years. Mr. McNall added to his first purchase of land here, and at the time of his death was the possessor of several hundred acres of fine farming land. Hiram and Harriet McNall were the parents of three children, all of whom are living, they being: Celestia Sweetland of Missouri; Harriet Miller of California township: and Irving McNall, the subject of this review.

Irving McNall was born in the township of Kinderhook, Michigan, Sep- tember 10, 1850, and his entire life has been passed here. He grew to matu- rity upon the home farm and early secured a good common school education. On April 28. 1872, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary L. Smith, a native of Defiance county. Ohio, where she was born November 14, 1854. Her parents were Alexander Smith and Harriet Messimore, both natives of Pennsylvania, who were married in Stark county, Ohio. Later they moved to Defiance county, Ohio, where Mr. Smith died May 1, 1874, and where Mrs. Smith still resides. They were the parents of ten children, seven of whom are still living, as follows: Alwilda Scott of Elkhart county, Indiana ; Washington Smith of Hicksville, Ohio, who wedded Ellen Harmon; Mary Smith McNall, wife of our subject; Harriet Miller of Chicago; Russell Smith of Reading, Michigan; and Viola and Marvin Smith of Chicago. The three children who have died were Angeline Shaw, Isabel Smith and Celestia Smith. The following family history of Mrs. McNall is taken from an old family Bible, which is one hundred and seven years old :

Alexander Smith, born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, was a son of Jacob and Catherine (Zembower) Smith, whose other children were Elmer, Milton, Benton, Susan, Rebecca, Sarah, Clarinda, Mary Jane and Eliza Har- riet. Harriet Messimore, mother of Mrs. McNall, was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, a daughter of George and Margaret (Thomas) Messimore, the former born in Maryland, near old Baltimore, November 27, 1800, and his mother's maiden name was Catherine Tiractor. Margaret Thomas was a daughter of Michael and Barbry (Shedron) Thomas, the latter of whom died at the age of eighty-five years. Margaret Thomas was born in Pennsylvania November II. 1800, and died March 26, 1880, aged seventy-nine years, four months and fifteen days. When quite young she emigrated with her parents to eastern Ohio, and was there married April 24, 1823, to George Messimore. They moved to Indiana in 1861, and became the parents of six children, three sons and three daughters, Eliza. Eli, Harriet, Washington, Henry and Mary Ann. all of whom are living. They also had twenty-three grandchildren, three of whom are deceased, and thirty-one great-grandchildren, twenty-six of whom are living, thus making a living generation of fifty-two. Mrs. Mar- garet Messimore was a member of the German Baptist church for about fifty- five years.

After attaining manhood and soon after marriage Irving McNall's first thought was to provide a home for his family, and in 1872 he came into pos-

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session of the old McNall homestead on section eleven. Kinderhook township, where he lived for thirteen years, when in 1885 he purchased his present farm on section one in the same township, where he continues to reside. Here he has devoted considerable time and labor to its improvement, clearing part of it himself. Although always engaged in farming, Mr. McNall has also during the greater share of his life been identified with other enterprises, having been in the meat and poultry business for over twenty years. He is a man of wide reading and keen intelligence, is thoroughly posted on current topics and takes a deep interest in his town and county. Politically he was formerly a Repub- lican. although of late years voting the Democratic ticket. He has served his school district as director for many years.

The union of Mr. and Mrs. Irving McNall has been blessed with the birth of thirteen children, all of whom are living, as follows: Marvin L. married Carrie Mingus, and they live in Chicago. Florence married Albert Strong; they have one daughter. Phyllis, and they live in this township. James G. married Delcie Wheeler; their home is in Steuben county, Indiana, and they have one son, Harold. Jessie married Pardon Ogden, and they have two children, Pearl and Edna, and they live in Kinderhook. Gertrude married Daniel Shiery, their home being in Algansee township. Charles. whose wife, Floy Greek, is dead, married again to Miss Zulah Williams of Findlay, Ohio, and is now preaching in Ohio. Willie married Annie Wood; they have one son, Marvin, and their home is in Denver, Colorado. The re- maining six children of Mr. and Mrs. McNall, who live at home with their parents, are Carl J., Ralph D., Fordest H., Ora A., Calvin B. and Blanche G.

Mr. and Mrs. McNall are still in their prime, and in spite of the rearing of this large family of children they retain their youthful spirits and enjoy life to the utmost. Both are members of the Liberal United Brethren church, and they stand high in the esteem of the people of this portion of the county. They have in their possession a little book, "The History of the Holy Bible." which was published in 1797, two years before General Washington died. This is a valuable souvenir in the McNall family.

JOHN S. EVANS.

John S. Evans, editor and manager of the Sun and the Star of Coldwater, Michigan, was born March 4, 1857, upon a farm in Floyd county, Indiana. Soon afterward his parents removed to a farm near Lawrence, Kansas, where they lived until after Quantrell and his band sacked and burned the town. The family then made an overland trip in a prairie schooner to Michigan, where again they took up their abode upon a farm and John S. Evans became an active factor in clearing the land of the stumps and preparing the eighty acre tract for the plow. There he continued in farm work until nineteen years of age, when the place was sold. Ambitious for an education, he began work by the month as a farm hand to earn the funds necessary to meet the expenses of a course in the Coldwater high school. By working during vaca- tions, teaching winters, boarding himself in town, or walking three miles and doing chores for his board he succeeded in completing the high school course.

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He afterward operated a rented farm for a year and thus was enabled with the money thereby earned to pursue a short literary course in the state uni- versity, followed by the law course, which he completed by graduation, and was admitted to the bar in the spring of 1883.

Mr. Evans entered at once upon the practice of law in Coldwater, and continued until 1897. He was ever a great student of political econ- omy and public problems, early taking his stand on the reform side of the money question, trusts, transportation and temperance ques- tions. In 1896 he engineered a combination of four minority reform party organizations in his congressional district-the strongest Repub- lican district in the state-and with such success that a Prohibitionist was elected to Congress. Mr. Evans was chosen his private secretary and spent two years in Washington during the stirring times of the Dingley bill agita- tion and of the Spanish-American war. Returning to Coldwater in 1899 he resumed his law practice. In July, 1892, he became one of the original stock- holders and legal adviser for the Star Publishing Company, organized in Cold- water. This company established the Star as a temperance newspaper and an editor was placed in command, who conducted the paper until July, 1899, when Mr. Evans found himself in such a situation as to make it necessary that he take an assignment of the stock himself, which he did and assumed con- trol of the paper. He knew absolutely nothing about the publishing or print- ing business, but had had some experience in writing free editorials and occasional articles for the newspapers and magazines. The determination and natural ability which he brought to his work enabled him to make a success of the hitherto unfamiliar venture. In June, 1903. he bought the plant of the Coldwater Sun, which had been established in 1881, the only Democratic paper in the county, and until recently continued to issue the two weekly papers. He has now joined the two, however, publishing semi-weekly, issu- ing the Star on Monday and the Sun on Thursday. The paper as a business venture has proved a success and has a large circulation and is an excellent advertising medium. He has thoroughly equipped the offices with modern accessories of the printing art and has made his paper a popular representative of journalism in this part of the state. An excellent job printing department is conducted and in his work Mr. Evans is assisted by his wife and four chil- dren, who are all stockholders in the enterprise. He admits to the columns of his papers no objectionable advertising at any price.

Aside from his journalistic interests Mr. Evans gives supervision to a fine farm of eighty acres and he owns a summer cottage on the lake. A mem- ber of the Methodist church, he takes an active part in its work and in the work of the Sunday school as well, in which he conducts a large Bible class.

HENRY V. WHITEHEAD.

Henry V. Whitehead, of Coldwater, was born in the town of Bradford, Steuben county, New York, in the locality known as Bradford's Hollow. His natal day was October 2, 1844, and his parents were Henry and Sallie (Carr) Whitehead. The father was born in Vermont and represented an old New

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England family. while the mother was a native of the Empire state. In the family were four children, two sons and two daughters, but only two are now living. About 1846 Henry Whitehead, Sr., removed with his family to Hillsdale county, Michigan, settling in Allen, where he conducted a hotel for a few years, and then turned his attention to merchandising, which he fol- lowed through a long period. In 1865 he removed to Quincy, where he conducted a dry-goods store until his death in 1869, when he was sixty-three years of age. He was twice married, his first wife dying soon after their ar- rival in Michigan. For his second wife he chose Miss Eliza Robinson and they became the parents of three sons and two daughters. Mrs. Eliza Whitehead departed this life in 1865.

Henry V. Whitehead was reared in Allen, Michigan, and acquired his education in the public schools there. He was seventeen years of age when he enlisted in the Civil war, responding to President Lincoln's first call for troops to aid in the defense of the Union. He joined the boys in blue of Com- pany B, IIth Michigan Infantry, being mustered in as a private on the 24th of August. 1861. He served with loyalty and valor for three years and was mustered out on the 30th of September. 1864. He participated in the battles of Stone River, Murfreesboro, Chickamauga and the siege of Atlanta, after which he was taken ill.

Following his return to the north Mr. Whitehead was in business with his father for a time, and the father being a widower took the younger brothers and sisters and removed to a farın in Hillsdale county, settling in the town of Litchfield. Following his father's death Mr. Whitehead went to the west and also spent some time in Illinois. after which he returned to Allen and was in the employ of Henry Shelp, proprietor of a hotel there. with whom he came to Coldwater and has since been a resident of this city. He has a wide acquaintance and his unfailing courtesy, geniality and deference for the opinions of others have made him popular. His political support is given the Republican party.

DAVID PITCHER.

Coldwater, attractive as a place of residence because of its business enter- prise and the many advantages which it offers to its citizens, has become the home of many men who formerly connected with business affairs are now liv- ing retired in the enjoyment of the fruits of their earlier toil. Of this class Mr. Pitcher is a representative and in former years he was engaged in carpentering and farming. His birth occurred in Albany county, New York, about eighteen miles west of the city of Albany, March 14, 1822. His father, Jacob Pitcher. came to Michigan about 1845, locating in Batavia township, Branch county. He was a shoemaker and also a mason by trade and he died in the west when about seventy-four years of age. He had been one of the early settlers of this county, contributing to its pioneer development and aiding in laying broad and deep the foundation for its later prosperity and progress. He married Mar- garet Howe, who died in Branch county in 1861. Of their family of four sons and five daughters all reached mature years, but three of the daughters have now passed away. The sons, however, are all living.

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David Pitcher, the second child and eldest son, was reared in Cayuga county, New York, and there attended school for about four months alto- gether. He is a self-educated as well as self-made man and through reading, experience and observation has greatly broadened his knowledge. In early life he learned the carpenter's and joiner's trade, serving a three years' apprentice- ship, and for a number of years thereafter he was identified with building operations.

In 1847 occurred the marriage of David Pitcher and Miss Melissa Ann Gilbert, who died in 1896. At the time of their marriage they located in the village of Port Burn, New York, and Mr. Pitcher erected a great many houses there. He had a wife and six children when in 1862 he put aside business cares and responded to his country's call for aid, enlisting as a mem- ber of Company F, Ninth New York Heavy Artillery. He served for three years and took part in a number of the most noted engagements of the war. He was slightly wounded at the battle of Cedar Creek, a ball striking his hip. but finding that he was not badly hurt he returned to his place in the ranks and again began fighting. He was detailed for carpentering and repair work because of his previous training in that direction. At the close of the war he received an honorable discharge in Washington and returned to his family in the east.

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A twentieth century history and biographical record of Branch County, Michigan, Part 109

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