A twentieth century history and biographical record of Branch County, Michigan, Part 41

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

USA > Michigan > Branch County > A twentieth century history and biographical record of Branch County, Michigan > Part 41

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Ruel D. Rawson

Edward M. Brown

E. M. Brown

1904-Clarence C. Jones

R. D. Rawson

Davis H. Houghtaling

1905-C. C. Jones

R. D. Rawson

VILLAGE OF BRONSON. Clerk Andrew S. Parrish

Treasurer

Joseph E. Earl

1879-Dr. W. Byrns

1880-Christopher G. Babcock William I. Beesmer 1881-Christopher G. BabcockWilliam I. Beesmer William I. Beesmer

1882-Oscar B. Nichols

William I. Beesmer

1883-Milo Clark 1884-Milo Clark

William I. Beesmer

1885-George W. Ellis

Franklin H. Keyes

Adelbert B. Clark

Alonzo Ruggles

Perry L. Crawford

Randall D. Powers Adelbert B. Clark

Adelbert B. Clark

1894-C. M. Van Every, Jr.

1895-A. B. Leonard

1896-Frank M. Rudd

1897-C. M. Van Every, Jr. Albert M. Shepard

1898-Robert M. Sanderson Albert M. Shepard 1899-Robert M. Sanderson Albert M. Shepard

1900-C. M. Van Every, Jr. Milo Thompson

1902-Albert M. Shepard 1903-Jacob F. Werner

1904-Jacob F. Werner 1905-Jacob F. Werner

William H. Davis

Glenn L. Keyes

1886-George W. Ellis

1887-George W. Ellis

1888-Henry P. Mowry 1889-Burt M. Fellows 1890-Burt M. Fellows 1891-James N. Fisk 1892-James N. Fisk

1893-Albert M. Shepard

Albert M. Shepard Albert M. Shepard Burt M. Fellows

George E. Robinson George E. Robinson Arthur D. Lindsey

R. D. Rawson

325

HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY

VILLAGE OF UNION CITY. Clerk Treasurer

President

1866-Silas H. Nye

C. W. Saunders J. T. Leonard

1867-Silas H. Nye

C. W. Saunders

J. T. Leonard

1868-Henry F. Ewers

C. E. Ewers

J. T. Leonard

1869-Solomon Parsons

J. T. Leonard

E. L. Lee

1870-Ezra Bostwick

James T. Leonard

Hiram Crissy

1871-Henry F. Ewers 1872-Marc A. Merrifield

D. J. Easton

Ira W. Nash

1873-Ezra Bostwick

D. J. Easton

Jerome Bowen

1874-Ezra Bostwick

D. J. Easton

W. P. Hurd

1875-Ezra Bostwick

D. J. Easton

C. E. Ewers

1876-Silas H. Nye

David J. Easton

Charles E. Ewers

1877-S. H. Nye

D. J. Easton

Charles E. Ewers

1878-Charles W. Crocker

Henry F. Ewers

D. J. Easton

1879-C. W. Crocker

D. J. Easton

Henry T. Carpenter

1880-C. W. Crocker

D. J. Easton

H. T. Carpenter

1881-John I. Copeland

D. J. Easton

H. T. Carpenter

1882-John I. Copeland

D. J. Easton

H. T. Carpenter

1883-Martin F. Buell

D. J. Easton

H. T. Carpenter

1884-Martin F. Buell

D. J. Easton

H. T. Carpenter

1885-D. J. Easton

E. H. Brooks

1886-D. J. Easton

E. H. Brooks

1887-D. J. Easton

Grove A. Church

H. T. Carpenter H. T. Carpenter H. T. Carpenter

1888-Ira E. Hitchcock

D. J. Easton

H. T. Carpenter

1889-Martin F. Buell

D. J. Easton

H. T. Carpenter

1890-Martin F. Buell

D. J. Easton

H. T. Carpenter

1891-Thomas B. Buell

D. J. Easton

H. T. Carpenter

1892-Martin F. Buell

D. J. Easton

H. T. Carpenter

1893-George K. Whiting

D. J. Easton

H. T. Carpenter

1894-John S. Nesbitt

D. J. Easton

H. T. Carpenter

1895-John S. Nesbitt

D. J. Easton

H. T. Carpenter

1896-John S. Nesbitt

D. J. Easton

H. T. Carpenter J. S. Nesbitt

1898-Frank C. Rheubottom T. F. Robinson

G. K. Whiting

1899-David J. Easton

Tom F. Robinson

G. K. Whiting

1900-G. K. Whiting

T. F. Robinson

C. H. Lowell

1901-Leo L. Johnson

T. F. Robinson

C. H. Lowell

1902-D. D. Buell

T. F. Robinson

F. H. Whiting

1903-A. R. Barrett

George Styles

F. H. Whiting .

1904-W. W. Snider

George Styles

G. K. Whiting

1905-W. W. Snider

George Styles

G. K. Whiting C. H. Lowell

VILLAGE OF SHERWOOD.

Clerk Treasurer

Elgin Barton

D. R. Spencer

1888-Robert Fraser

Elgin Barton

E. W. Gordon

1889-Robert Fraser

C. E. Nelthorpe

E. W. Gordon

1890-L. P. Wilcox

Elgin Barton

G. H. Seymour

1891-G. H. Seymour

L. I. Watson

E. E. Alliger

1906-W. W. Snider

George Styles

President

1887-Robert Fraser

1897-Frank C. Rheubottom T. F. Robinson

Hiram Crissy

J. T. Leonard

326

HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY

1892-G. H. Seymour

C. E. Swain

W. B. Chiesman

1893-C. B. Harrison

C. E. Swain

W. B. Chiesman

1894-J. W. French

C. E. Swain

W. B. Chiesman

1895-J. W. French

H. Hass

W. B. Chiesman

1896-J. W. French

F. Hicks

W. B. Chiesman

1897-A. W. Morris

F. Hicks

James Swain

1898-J. F. Alger

F. Hicks

Frank Thoms

1899-L. M. Daniels

L. E. Lowry

C. E. Nelthorpe

1900-L. M. Daniels

E. S. Easton

H. J. Klose

1901-W. B. Chiesman

E. S. Easton

Earl Warner

1902-W. B. Chiesman

E. S. Easton

Earl Warner

1903-W. B. Chiesman

E. S. Easton

W. F. Lampman

1904-L. M. Daniels

E. S. Easton

W. F. Lampman

1905-L. M. Daniels

E. S. Easton

G. H. Seymour

1906-J. W. French

E. S. Easton

G. H. Seymour

Cyrus G. Luce

327

HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY

HON. CYRUS GRAY LUCE.

No compendium such as the province of this work defines in its essential limitations will serve to offer fit memorial to the life and accomplishments of the honored subject of this sketch-a man remarkable in the breadth of his wisdom, in his indomitable perseverance, his strong individuality, and yet one whose entire life has not one esoteric phase, being an open scroll, inviting the closest scrutiny. True, his have been " massive deeds and great " in one sense, and yet his entire life accomplishment but represents the result of the fit utilization of the innate talent which is his, and the directing of his efforts in those lines where mature judgment and rare discrimination lead the way. There was in him a weight of character, a native sagacity, a far-seeing judg- ment and a fidelity of purpose that commanded the respect of all. A man of indefatigable enterprise and fertility of resource, he carved his name deeply on the record of the political. commercial and professional history of the state, which owes much of its advancement to his efforts.

Governor Luce was born in Windsor. Ashtabula county, Ohio, July 2, 1824, and died at Coldwater, Michigan, March 18, 1905. His parents were Walter and Mary M. Luce, his paternal ancestors settling at Martha's Vine- yard, Massachusetts, at a very early day in the colonization of the new world, and about 1720 his paternal grandfather removed to Holland, Connecticut, where his father was born. The latter was a soldier of the war of 1812, and about 1815 settled on the western reserve in Ohio. His mother was a Vir- ginian by birth, and her father was of English lineage, but becoming an aboli- tionist he removed from the slave state of Virginia to Ohio, establishing the family home in the latter state.

Governor Luce was reared upon a farm in the state of his nativity amid pioneer conditions and environments until twelve years of age, when he ac- companied his parents on their removal to Steuben county, Indiana, where they cast in their lot with its first settlers. He attended one of the pioneer country schools and supplemented his early education by a course in an academy located at Ontario, Lagrange county, Indiana, where he resided for three years. Arriving at man's estate he chose the occupation of farming as a life work and located on a tract of land in Gilead township, Branch county, Michigan, and from that time afterward to the day of his death he was always interested to a greater or less extent in agricultural pursuits, finding therein a good source of livelihood, his labors bringing him a gratifying financial return.

In early life Mr. Luce was a warm admirer of Henry Clay and he cast his first presidential ballot for Zachary Taylor, in 1848. The first office that he ever held was that of supervisor of his township, being elected thereto in 1852, his services covering a period of ten years by reason of his re-election. He was one of the organizers of the Republican party in his county, and in 1854 he was elected upon the Republican ticket to the Michigan legislature. In 1858 he was the successful Republican candidate for the office of county treasurer and in 1860 was re-elected. In 1864 he was called by popular

328

HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY

suffrage to the offce of state senator, and in 1866 was again chosen for that position. while in 1867 he became a member of the constitutional convention and assisted in framing the organic law of the commonwealth. In 1879 he was appointed state oil inspector by Governor Crosswell, and by reappoint- ment of Governor Jerome in 1881 he continued as the incumbent for four years. Still higher honors awaited him, for in 1886 he became the standard bearer of his party in Michigan and was elected governor, being again elected in 1888. His administration is a matter of history and forms a record that is creditable alike to the state, its constituents and himself. His course was characterized by an unfaltering devotion to the public good and by honest purpose. He may have made some mistakes, for who does not, but his allegiance to high ideals no one questioned, and his administration was in many respects beneficial.

Mr. Luce was at various times connected with mercantile establishments and also with other business concerns, industrial, commercial and financial. At the time of his death he was the vice-president of the Southern Michigan National Bank, and his energies and well directed labor proved a potent factor in the successful conduct of many important business interests.

In 1849 Governor Luce was married to Miss Julia A. Dickinson, a native of Massachusetts, who came with her parents to Branch county in 1836. They had five children: Elmira; Emery Greeley, a farmer of Gilead township; Dwight D., deceased; Florence A .; and Homer D. The mother died in 1882 and the following year Governor Luce married Mrs. Mary E. Thompson. He departed this life at the venerable age of almost eighty-one years. Honored and respected in every class of society he was for a long period a leader in thought and action in the public life of the state and his name is inscribed high on the roll of fame, his honorable and brilliant career adding lustre to the history of Branch county and of Michigan.

CHARLES F. CARPENTER.

Charles F. Carpenter, register of deeds of Branch county, was born in Constantine, St. Joseph county. Michigan. October 2, 1852, his parents being Frederick and Eunice (Smith) Carpenter, both of whom were natives of New York. In that state they were married and soon afterward came to Michigan, settling in St. Joseph county, where the father became locally prominent and influential. He was sheriff of the county at the time of his death, and in the discharge of all public duties and obligations he was prompt, reliable and efficient. His widow afterward became the wife of G. W. Collins, a farmer of St. Joseph county, Michigan, and in the home of his step-father and on the farm Charles F. Carpenter was reared. The mother died in Coldwater, in 1903.

Charles F. Carpenter was but two years of age when his father died. In his boyhood he became familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. He attended the common schools of the neigh- borhood and afterward enjoyed the privilege of a year's study in Colon Seminary. Entering upon his business career he followed house painting

329

HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY

for five or six years and in 1871 he came to Coldwater, where he accepted a clerkship in the dry goods store of W. S. Allen. A few years later he entered the employ of J. B. Branch & Company, of Coldwater, remaining in the service of that firm for twenty-five years-a fact which indicates in un- mistakable terms his fidelity and capability. His able services contributed in substantial measure to the success of the house and he had the entire confidence as well as the good will of those whom he represented. He re- signed his position in order to enter upon the duties of the office of register of deeds, to which position he had been elected in the fall of 1904 upon the Republican ticket by two thousand majority. On the Ist of January. 1905, he began the administration of the affairs of this office for a two years term and his course has indicated that the trust reposed in him was well placed.

In 1878 Mr. Carpenter was married to Miss Rose B. Sheldon, an es- timable lady, who died February 17. 1901, amid the deep regret of all who knew her. She was widely and favorably known and in addition to thie social qualities which rendered her a favorite she was also a factor in public office in the county. acting for twelve years as probate register under Judge Norman A. Reynolds, after which she filled the office of deputy county clerk for four years. All who knew her recognized her as a woman of superior qualifications, excellent executive ability and strong force of character. She had. too, the truly womanly qualities of kindliness, generosity and consid- eration for others and thus endeared herself to all with whom she came in contact. She was a devoted and consistent member of the Episcopal church. and for eighteen years was a member of the church choir. At the time of her death the following appeared in the Courier and Republican :

"In the death of Mrs. Rose Carpenter Coldwater loses one of its most lovely characters. and her demise will be mourned by all. Of an amiable disposition. she had none but kind words and loving thoughts for all. Her home was her throne, and how kindly she ruled her realm. In the family she was all that a wife should be. To her friends she was true, to the sick and suffering helpful ; for the sorrowing she always had a word of comfort and hope.

" Passionately fond of music, she was at all times ready and willing to lend the melody of her glorious voice on all occasions, whether in the church, in the social circle, or at the last obsequies of some one who had gone before. For a number of years she sang in the Methodist choir, but for several years past was a member of the Episcopal choir, where she ably as- sisted in building that organization up to the very front of the choirs in this city.

" In social circles she was a general favorite, her bright. sunny ways. her genial manner. her sweet, loving thoughts, always made her a welcome guest. She never had other than a kind word or a pleasant recognition for all. whether rich or poor, high or low, and her death will cause sadness in many a household where her virtues were known. To the sorrowing hus- band and mother the hearty sympathy and condolence of all will be extended.

330

HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY

But her work is done, her tasks all finished, and she has gone where suffering is unknown and the weary are at rest.

" She had been in public life quite a number of years. A beautiful writer, her books and records were always commented upon favorably, and her ac- commodating, cheerful. willing ways made her liked by all who had any business to transact in those offices."

" Rose Sheldon was born March 9, 1855, in Batavia township, and had lived in this city since 1865. July 18, 1878, she was married to Charles F. Carpenter, who survives her, together with her aged mother, Mrs. Laura Sheldon. She died at 10 o'clock Sunday night, February 17, 1901. On Sunday, February 10th, she occupied her usual place in the Episcopal choir and sang a solo very sweetly. At 12 o'clock that same night she was stricken and a week later, almost to the hour, had entered into that sleep that knows no waking. Sunday forenoon Dr. Smith, of Toledo, assisted by Drs. War- sabo, Wood and Baldwin of this city, performed an operation, but the dis- ease-strangulation of the bowels-had advanced too far for the operation to be of any benefit. A few hours previous to her death she sang part of the solo she sang the previous Sunday evening in the church. She was pre- pared to answer the final summons and was conscious and brave to the very last."

Mr. Carpenter is also an Episcopalian and is a Royal Arch Mason, his life being in conformity with his profession in connection with these two beneficent organizations. During the years of his residence in Coldwater he has commanded the respect of all with whom he has been associated, and having closely allied his interests with those of his adopted country he has proved a valued citizen.

FRED W. DOOLITTLE.

The well improved farm of Fred W. Doolittle, situated in Girard town- ship, Calhoun county, is an indication of his life of thrift and enterprise, . for in his record consecutive and honorable effort has been crowned with gratifying prosperity. He was born in Clarendon, Calhoun county, Michi- gan, June 27, 1858, and is a son of James A. and Nancy (Wells) Doolittle, both of whom were natives of the Empire state. The father was descended from the Doolittle family which has been prominent in the east for a num- ber of generations, while its representatives are now scattered all over the United States. The original ancestors came to America from England. William Doolittle. the grandfather, died in Clarendon, Michigan, many years ago. It was in that city that the parents of our subject were married, and there they remained until called from this life. They were leading and influ- ential people of the community, held membership in the Baptist church at Tekonsha, Michigan, and were highly esteemed by all who knew them.

Mr. Doolittle spent his early life on the home farm in Clarendon, where he lived until twenty-four years of age. His education was acquired in the public schools and he received practical training in the farm work, so that he was well equipped for successful agricultural work when he entered busi-

331

HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY

ness life on his own account. At the age of twenty years he was married on the 28th of September, 1878, to Miss Ida A. Phelps, a daughter of Je- rome B. and Lucinda (Nichols) Phelps. Her paternal grandfather. Henry Phelps, was one of the early settlers of Tekonsha and Calhoun county, and he had lived in New York prior to that time and his ancestors had resided there for many years. It was in the 30's that he became the founder of the family in Michigan, and his death occurred in Calhoun county many years ago. Jerome B. Phelps, however, is still living on the old home farm at Te- konsha, but his wife passed away about ten years ago. She was a daughter of Charles Nichols, who came from Pennsylvania and settled at Tekonsha at an early day. Mr. and Mrs. Doolittle have become the parents of four children : Edith, who died in infancy twenty-two years ago; Clifford, living on one of his father's farms in Girard township, and who married Murel Pell, by whom he has a daughter Ethel; and Earl and Pearl, who are on the old homestead with their father.

Fred W. Doolittle is one of the leading farmers of Girard township, and owns two hundred and eight acres of valuable land on sections three. ten and two. He has lived in this township for twenty-two years and his first purchase of land comprised eighty acres, to which he has since added until he now has valuable holdings. He has made a specialty of stock feed- ing and cattle dealing. and in the management of his business interests has met with very gratifying success. His farm is now a valuable property im- proved with excellent buildings and everything about the place indicates that he is in touch with the most progressive ideas of farming. In com- munity affairs he is interested and has served as school director, while fra- ternally he is connected with the Masons and the Ancient Order of United Workmen, belonging to the respective lodges at Tekonsha. He possesses a strength: of purpose and persistency in business affairs that have made him a representative agriculturist of this community and his life record reflects credit upon the state of his nativity.

EDWIN R. BATES.

Edwin R. Bates, a farmer and representative citizen of Ovid township, living on section eighteen, was born at the place where he still resides, his natal day being October 26. 1849. His father, Joshua M. Bates, also de- voted his attention to agricultural pursuits and was one of the early settlers of Branch county. His birth occurred in Otsego county, New York. Decem- ber 31, 1805, and he removed with his parents when a lad of three years to Newstead. Erie county, New York. where he grew to manhood. On the 3Ist of December, 1828. he was united in marriage to Miss Lydia Card, and to this union five children were born, two dying in infancy. In April .. 1836, he concluded to go west and try the realities of a pioneer life in a new coun- try. He started on foot for Michigan, walking the entire distance, arriving at Coldwater on the 16th of the month. After locating eighty acres of land on section eighteen in Ovid township he returned to his home for his family. After disposing of his place, which constituted a quarter of an acre of land,

332

HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY

he came with his family to Michigan, arriving April 30, 1837. The fol- lowing April his wife died, leaving him with three small children alone in a new country, the eldest child being but nine years old. On the 6th of April, 1840, he was married to Miss Olive A. Bates, of Farmington, Oakland county, Michigan. To this union eight children were born, four dying in infancy. Being an early settler, Mr. Bates passed through all the privations and hardships of pioneer life in a new country, going barefooted in the sum- mer and wearing cowhide shoes in the winter. With his strong arms he wielded the ax and felled the giant oaks until he brought his farm under a good state of cultivation, adding forty acres in 1863. Although his trials and hardships included sickness and death in the family he managed to keep his farm free from debt, and through his whole life he never had a lawsuit. On the 18th of July, 1869, Joshua Bates became ill with diphtheria and died on the 30th of the month, leaving a wife and six children to mourn his loss. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. Hilam Scofield and the remains were laid to rest in West Ovid cemetery.

Olive A. Bates, the youngest daughter of Josiah and Betsey Bates, was born in Pownal, Bennington county, Vermont, May 2, 1815. She resided with her parents, assisting in the general household work and attending school until she acquired a good education. After the death of her father she came with her half-brother, Benjamin Stevens, to Michigan and settled on a farm in Oakland county in 1832. She taught several terms of school in Farmington and Levona townships, boarding with the patrons. Ofttimes she would have to walk two or three miles to her boarding place through snow and rain, receiving as a compensation for her work only two dollars per week in the summer and three dollars per week in the winter. She was a great reader and well informed on almost any subject. She read the Bible three times through consecutively. She announced her allegiance to the cause of Christian religion when young and was a Presbyterian in faith, but coming here in an early day was unable to unite with the church of her choice. In 1840 she gave her hand in marriage to Joshua M. Bates and came with him to Ovid, Branch county, here residing until her death, which occurred at the home of her son, Edwin R., December 5, 1884. She was the mother of eight children, four dying in infancy. She was a faithful wife, kind and indulgent mother and a good neighbor, ever ready to lend a helping hand in time of sickness and sorrow and always ready to give alms to the needy. When the time came for her to depart this life it could be truth- fully said, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things. I will make thee ruler over many things. Enter thou into the joys of thy Lord." The funeral service was conducted by the pastor in charge of the Methodist Episcopal church, and interment made in West Ovid cemetery by the side of her husband who had preceded her to the final home.

Edwin R. Bates spent the days of his boyhood and youth upon the old homestead farm. in Ovid township, and has continued to reside here through the period of his manhood, carrying on the active work of the fields. At the time of his father's demise he came into possession of forty acres of land.

333

HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY

He has made all of the improvements upon this place and has since extended the boundaries of his property by the additional purchase of seventy-four acres. Year after year the work of plowing, planting and harvesting is car- ried forward by him, and he annually harvests rich crops as the reward of the labor which he bestows on the fields.

On the 21st of October. 1871. Mr. Bates was married to Miss Mary Cole, a daughter of George M. and Eliza Cole. of Ovid township, who were farming people, settling in Branch county at an early day. They made their way westward from New York and cast in their lot with the pioneer residents of this part of Michigan. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Bates was born one son. Royal E .. whose birth occurred November 26. 1875. The wife and mother died March 4. 1883, and Mr. Bates was again married on the 31st of December. 1887, his second union being with Mildred Cornell, who was born in Lenawee county, Michigan, on the 24th of March. 1862, and is a daughter of Albert and Martha Cornell, both of whom are natives of Lenawee county. Her father devoted his entire time and energies to agricultural pursuits save for the period of the Civil war, when he joined the Eighteenth Michigan Infantry for active service in the field. He was on the Sultana at the time it blew up. By the second marriage of Mr. Bates there is one son, Harold W., born July 21, 1889.

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A twentieth century history and biographical record of Branch County, Michigan, Part 41

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