USA > Michigan > Branch County > A twentieth century history and biographical record of Branch County, Michigan > Part 43
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Following the close of his military service. in November. 1865, General Parkhurst opened a law office in Nashville, Tennessee, but being unwilling to identify himself with either the radicals. the Republicans or the southerners, he abandoned the idea of remaining and returned to Coldwater in August. 1866. He was then appointed by President Johnson as United States marshal for the District of Michigan. a position which he held about six months. When his name came before the United States senate for a confirmation of this appointment, it was opposed by those who had signed his recommendation because of his chance presence at the Philadelphia Soldiers' Convention, so adroitly captured by President Johnson. In 1868 he was nominated by the Soldiers' state convention for lieutenant-governor of Michigan, in opposition to the Republican candidate, but was defeated at the election. In 1872
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General Parkhurst was unsuccessful on the Liberal ticket for Congress from the third district, but he led all the other candidates on that ticket at the election that year, a fact indicating his popularity and strong following. In 1875 he was again defeated for office when he was the Democratic candidate for state treasurer. In politics General Parkhurst was an uncompromising Democrat, and were it not for the fact that his party is in minority in Mich- igan he would have at various times been honored by election in high political station. He was prosecuting attorney from 1852 to 1855, and was special agent for the United States treasury department from 1867 until 1869. In September, 1886, President Cleveland appointed him minister to Belgium, which position he held until after the installation of President Harrison's administration. In 1893 President Cleveland again appointed him to public office by commissioning him postmaster of Coldwater, and he served as such until 1897, since which time he had lived retired from active participation in political affairs.
As a lawyer General Parkhurst won distinction because of the decided ability and close attention to the litigated interests entrusted to him. He was a deep thinker and close and logical reasoner, discreet in forming an opinion and modest in advancing his ideas, yet firm in their maintenance. Logical, discriminating and comprehensive, he was a formidable adversary at the bar. As early as 1849 he engaged in the insurance business in Coldwater, and throughout the enitre period of his residence in this city he continued in that business, so that at his death he was the oldest insurance agent in Cold- water, if not in Michigan.
He also devoted much time to agricultural pursuits and made judicious investments in farm lands. Beginning in 1870, he was largely engaged for two years in assisting the construction of a north and south rail- road through Coldwater, and the roadbed had been completed, the bridges built and ties on the ground from Mansfield, Ohio, to Allegan, Michigan, when the financial panic of 1873 came on and defeated the enterprise. Gen- eral Parkhurst was also very active in the efforts which secured the erection of the State Public School at Coldwater. He organized and helped build the gas works and was the last original stockholder of the company. In manifold ways he contributed to the upbuilding of the city and to the ad- vancement of the interests of the community intellectually as well as morally.
General Parkhurst was a charter member of Butterworth Post No. 109. G. A. R., had been vice-president of the National Union' Veterans' Associa- tion, commander of the Michigan Commandery of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States, and was a member of the congress of the Loyal Legion held in Chicago in 1885. He was a member of the executive committee of the Society of the Army of the Cumberland. He was president of the Branch County Bar Association, was a member of the American Bar Association, and of the American Historical Society. Since 1881 he had been an active member of the board of directors of the Free Public Library of Coldwater, and since 1884 had been president of the board, having been unanimously elected each year for twenty-two years. From boyhood he had
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been a member of the Protestant Episcopal church, and on the 18th day of April, 1852, with his prospective bride, received the rite of confirmation in St. Mark's church at Coldwater. His ideas of the duties and responsibilities of life were derived from no uncertain standard, and the principles of conduct adhered to in early life became absolute mentors of action and sentiment with him.
General Parkhurst was married three times. In 1852 he wedded Miss Amelia Noyes, a daughter of Samuel P. Noyes. She departed this life July 26, 1861, leaving two daughters. Kate Amelia, afterward Mrs. Frank C. Goodyear, is now deceased, and the younger daughter, Margaret P., is the wife of Prof. William Carey Morey, of the Rochester (New York) Uni- versity. In 1863 General Parkhurst married Miss Josie B. Reeves, of Mur- freesboro, Tennessee, who died in 1871. In 1874 he married Mrs. Frances J. Fiske, nee Roberts, who died in 1900.
Faultless in honor. fearless in conduct and stainless in reputation, the public life of few men extended over so long a period as that of General Parkhurst, and none had been characterized by a more unfaltering loyalty to duty or by a stricter allegiance to the principles which he believed would best further the welfare of county, state and nation.
MRS. SARAH A. SMITH.
Mrs. Sarah Annie Smith, who owns and successfully conducts a gen- eral mercantile store in South Butler, where she is also filling the position of postmistress, was born in Tecumseh, Michigan. November 30. 1843. Her parents were Alexander and Emily A. (Southworth) Dubois. Her father, who was born in Ireland March 22, 1807, came to America with his parents when eleven years of age and settled in St. Lawrence county, New York. He was one of a family of five sons and two daughters: John. Alexander. Charles, Robert, James, Maria and Jane, all of whom are now deceased. After coming to the United States the parents spent their remaining days in New York.
Alexander Dubois came to Michigan at an early day and was married in Washtenaw county, June 1. 1835, to Miss Emily A. Southworth, who was born in Canton. St. Lawrence county, New York, and was left an orphan when only two years old. When eighteen years of age she became a resi- dent of Michigan, where she met and married Alexander Dubois. They had seven children, as follows: Robert, died in infancy. Mary E. became the wife of Charles Perine, by whom she had three children, and after the death of her first husband she married Daniel Hutchins, by whom she had three children: she was born November 13. 1840, and her death occurred June 1. 1892. Jane Dubois, born September 17. 1846. married Charles White, by whom she had one son. Fay White, and her death occurred Oc- tober 7. 1888. Charles Dubois lived in Pulaski, Michigan. Two other chil- dren of the family died in infancy. In 1848 Alexander Dubois removed with liis family from Washtenaw to Jackson county. Michigan, becoming identi- fied with the pioneer development and progress of that part of the state.
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Sarah Annie Dubois spent her girlhood days in Pulaski, this state, and there she was married on the 22nd of April, 1860, to David Smith, who was born there March 10, 1840, and has been a resident of Butler township since 1856. His entire life has been devoted to agricultural pursuits. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have one son, Will A. Smith, who is a cigar-maker of Cold- water. He was born in Butler township, March 17, 1863, and married Mrs. Lavina Burbank, of the same township, who by a former marriage had two children.
For six years Mrs. Smith has occupied the position of postmistress in South Butler and is also conducting a general merchandise store, transacting all the business and largely waiting on the customers herself. In the con- duct of the store she became the successor of Clarence W. Hayes, a young man who lived with Mr. and Mrs. Smith after nineteen years of age till his death. He was born in Van Buren county, Michigan, April 1, 1864. and in 1886 established his store. About the same time he was appointed postmaster, holding the office up to the time of his death, which occurred March II. 1899. He had begun business on a small scale, but gradually increased his stock to meet the growing demands of the trade, and secured a liberal patronage, which indicated his business ability and also the public regard for his business integrity and his earnest efforts to please his patrons. He was a young man of genuine personal worth, and his death was deeply deplored by many friends, for he had the esteem and good will of all with whom he came in contact. Mrs. Smith succeeded to the business, giving her entire time to the store. She is a most industrious lady and without previous business training she has taken up the management of the business and has carefully and successfully carried it on.
ALFRED PARSONS.
There are living in Branch county but few citizens who can boast a continuous residence here of nearly seventy years, and of these few we find none aside from the gentleman whose name introduces this record who are perforining their accustomed duties in the full possession of their physical and mental powers. Mr. Parsons has been a resident of Coldwater township since 1836, so that he has passed more than sixty-nine years in this immedi- ate vicinity. The days of chivalry and knighthood in Europe cannot fur- nish more interesting nor romantic tales than our own western history. Into the unexplored regions went brave men whose courage and endurance were often called forth to meet existing conditions. The land was rich in natural resources-in agricultural and commercial possibilities-and awaited the demands of man to yield up its treasures, but its forests were difficult to penetrate, and the Indians resented the encroachment of the " pale faces " upon their "hunting grounds". The establishment of homes in this beau- tiful region therefore meant sacrifices, hardships and also danger to a cer- tain extent. but there were men and women brave enough to undertake the task of reclaiming the district for the purposes of civilization. From that stage in the history of Branch county with none of the comforts of civiliza-
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tion. through the different stages of evolution to its present state of agri- cultural perfection, Mr. Parsons has witnessed its growth until it now com- prises thousands of fine farms and has become peopled with a happy. pros- perous and contented population.
Mr. Parsons is a native of Somersetshire, England, where he was born October 18, 1828. His ancestors had been residents of that country through many generations, his father being Daniel Parsons, also a native of Somer- setshire, while his mother was Mary Holmes Parsons. also born in that county. They were married there and had a family of three children when they decided to try their fortunes in America. They made the voyage on a sailing vessel, in the slow and primitive manner of the times, and took up their abode in the state of New York, Alfred Parsons being then five years of age. Another child was then added to the family, which now numbered : George W. Parsons, who died in later years, in Pavilion, Kalamazoo county. Michigan : Alfred: Mrs. Lavinia Ball, who died in Kalamazoo county; and Richard, who died in infancy, in New York. The mother also died in that state in 1834, and later Daniel Parsons married Amelia Harrison. In 1835. thinking to have better business opportunities in Michigan than in New York. Daniel Parsons came to Branch county. and the following year he was joined by his family in Coldwater. Seven children were born .of his second marriage. as follows: John, who died in Coldwater: Mrs. Mary Sweezy, who is living in Kalamazoo, Michigan: Mrs. Nancy Dunks, who is a resident of Coldwater: Mrs. Emily Adams, living in Oceana county, Mich- igan ; D. W .. who died in Kalamazoo county; Lewis, who died in Shelby. Michigan; Mrs. Elizabeth Goldsmith, who resides in Vicksburg, Michigan.
It was in early pioneer times that Daniel Parsons came to Branch county. where he met the usual experiences, hardships and difficulties of pioneer life. Bands of Indians were seen frequently, wild animals had their haunts in the forests. and there was much wild game to be had, furnishing many a meal for the early settlers. It was subsequent to his arrival here that Mr. Parsons . married a second time. His wife was also a member of one of the first families of the county and before her marriage she was the first school teacher in the township of Girard. In the development and improve- ment of his farm property Mr. Parsons spent his remaining days, passing away March 4, 1851, while his wife, long surviving him, died in 1895.
Reared amid the wild scenes of frontier life Alfred .Parsons had few advantages in his youth in the way of education or otherwise, but he early developed those sterling traits of industry, self-reliance and integrity which were to bring him success in after life. He early took his place in the fields, and has since been identified with agricultural interests in Branch county, achieving, through his own efforts, all the prosperity and success he has enjoyed.
On the 25th of December, 1866, Mr. Parsons was married to Miss Frances J. Eaton, a native of Dundaff. Pennsylvania, born August 22, 1846. and a daughter of Ward and Elizabeth (Ayer) Eaton. the former a native of Boston, Massachusetts, and the latter of Ireland. In 1851, some years
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before his marriage, Mr. Parsons had purchased his present farm of eighty acres on section thirty-five, Coldwater township, and here he has lived con- tinuously since, with the exception of six years in the early 60's when he made his home in the city of Coldwater. At the time of his purchase his land was a densely wooded tract, and Mr. Parsons personally took up the work of clearing away the timber and preparing the fields for the plow. He has transformed it from a wilderness to one of the best improved farms in this portion of the county, its fertile and productive fields surrounding ex- cellent buildings, while all the machinery and farm implements necessary for the successful operation of the fields and the care of the crops is here found. His labors annually bring to him a good financial return, so that his home is now supplied with the comforts and some of the luxuries of life.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Parsons have been born three children, but only one is now living. Hattie, born November 9, 1867, died December 24, 1889, at the age of twenty-two years; Lewis, born March 18, 1878, died on the 5th of August, of the same year. Harry, born November 28, 1872, was married January 19, 1898, to Miss Pearl Gallup, and they reside on the old homestead, the son assisting in the operation of the farm. The eldest child, Hattie, died of consumption December 24, 1889. She was not long con- fined to the house, and sat up a little every day till within a day or two of her death. She was a warm-hearted, noble, Christian young lady, and was widely beloved, as was well attested by the throng of callers continually at the house during her illness. The funeral occurred at the Scoville school house, Revs. Collin and Martin officiating.
Mr. Parsons, although not of sturdy physique, has always been a hard- working man, and even today, in spite of his age, is as active and alert as many men of younger years. In politics he is a Republican, and although never a politician in the commonly accepted sense of office seeking, he has been prevailed upon several times to act as school officer, officiating as school director and assessor of his school district. Although of necessity a busy man, he has yet found time to broaden his mind and store it with useful knowledge, and he is progressive in his ideas and earnest in support of every forward movement for the benefit of the county where he has now lived for three score years and ten.
ROLLIN A. JOHNSON.
Rollin A. Johnson, who carries on general farming, is a native of Matteson township, Branch county, having been born on the 8th of May, 1850, on the farm on section twelve which is now his home. The name of Johnson has figured in agricultural life and public affairs in this sec- tion of the state for a long period and has ever been a synonym for good citizenship and business integrity. James O. Johnson, the father, was born in Vermont and was a son of James Johnson, Sr., who was also a native of the Green Mountain state and was a farmer by occupation. On leav- ing New England he removed to Ohio and subsequently came to Michigan,
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taking up his abode on section twelve, Matteson township. Branch county, where he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land that was entirely wild and unimproved. He then undertook the arduous task of developing the property, which he cleared and cultivated. He remained upon the farm until he retired, being for long years an energetic, enterprising and pros- perous agriculturist of the community. When his labors had brought to him a comfortable competence that relieved him of the necessity of further work he put aside business cares and removed to Union City, where he lived in the enjoyment of a well earned rest up to the time of his death.
His son, James O. Johnson, Jr., was about twenty years of age when he accompanied his parents to Michigan, and he assisted in the arduous task of clearing the old homestead, working with his father throughout the period of his boyhood and youth. He enjoyed such educational advan- tages as the district schools afforded. and after he had attained his majority he went to Ohio, where he was married to Miss Sarah Lindley, a daughter of Ephraim Lindley, who was a farmer by occupation. In the year 1851 James O. Johnson went to California by way of New York and the isthmus route and remained in that state for three years, when he returned to Mich- igan to find that his wife had in the meantime departed this life. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Johnson had been born four children, three sons and a daugh- ter, of whom Rollin A. was the youngest. Following the mother's death the father returned to Ohio, and there he was married to the eldest sister of his first wife. after which he returned to the old home farm in Matteson township. Branch county, and while living there four children, a son and three daughters, were born of the second marriage. making eight children in all. who were born and reared in Matteson township. Mr. Johnson afterward traded a part of the old home farm for a place on Mill creek, where he remained for about forty years. With the exception of the period spent in California his entire life was devoted to agricultural pursuits and he was found reliable in his business methods and enterprising in all of his undertakings. His political allegiance was given to the Republican party and he heid several township offices. He had a wide and favorable acquaint- ance throughout the county and was a member in high standing of the Masonic lodge at Bronson. He died in his eighty-fifth year, honored and respected by all who knew him. Viewed in a personal light he was a strong man, strong in his honor and his good name, in his business accom- plishments and in his loyal citizenship. He was classed for many years with the leading agriculturists of his community and in addition to the tilling of the fields he also dealt extensively in horses, fine cattle and sheep.
Rollin A. Johnson acquired his education in the district schools of Matteson township and through the period of his youth remained at home. assisting his father on the farm and clearing considerable land. He lived mostly on the place by the creek, which was on section thirteen, Matteson township, and he was early trained to habits of industry, economy and integ- rity, which have proved of the utmost value to him in later life as he has conducted his own business interests.
On the 24th of February, 1876, Rollin A. Johnson was married to
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Miss Josephine Fisk, a native of Matteson township and a daughter of Edwin Fisk, who was a farmer of that locality. Mrs. Johnson was reared and educated in this township and by this marriage there have been born five children, four sons and a daughter. but Daisy, the second child, is now de- ceased. The others are: Carl, Lou, Max and Rex, all of whom were born upon the farm which is now their home.
The second year after his marriage Mr. Johnson removed to the orig- inal homestead property and here he has since lived. He now has one hundred and twenty acres of land, constituting a valuable farm, which has been greatly improved by the care and labor he has bestowed upon it. He has erected all of the present buildings and modern equipments and he uses the latest improved machinery in caring for the fields. He also raises stock, and both branches of his business are proving profitable. In 1901 he was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died on the 2nd of March of that year, and the daughter died three days later. He has an in- teresting family of four sons, who are with him on the old homestead. In politics a Republican, he has taken some part in the work of the organiza- tion and rejoices in Republican successes. He holds membership with the Maccabees Tent at Sherwood and is well known in the county, his genuine worth having gained for him warm personal regard and friendship.
HON. CHARLES UPSON.
In an enumeration of the men who have conferred honor and dignity upon Branch county and whose life record was a credit to the state which honored him, Hon. Charles Upson deserves mention. As lawyer and legislator he won distinction and as a member of congress he proved himself a peer of many of the ablest representatives of the nation. He was born in Southington, Con- necticut, April 19, 1821, and died at Coldwater, Michigan, September 5, 1885.
A son of Ashael and Lydia (Webster) Upson, he was descended from an old New England family. His father, also a native of Connecticut, was a farmer by occupation and was a man of scrupulous honor, exact in all his dealings and faithful to every obligation in life. He and his estimable wife held membership in the Presbyterian church and Mrs. Upson was a talented woman, of strong and sterling characteristics.
Charles Upson spent the first thirteen years of his life at the parental homestead and at the usual age began his education in the district schools. When a youth of thirteen he entered a select school, in which he studied diligently with a view of eventually pursuing a college course. In order to replenish his funds he engaged in teaching school when sixteen years of age, receiving for his services twelve and a half dollars per month, and in accord- ance with the custom of the times he " boarded round " among the scholars. For five or six years he continued teaching at intervals and in 1842 there came to him the consummation of his hope of securing a higher education. In that vear he entered the academy at Meriden, where he pursued a classical course. but finally on account of limited means he abandoned the idea of entering college and resumed teaching. It was about this time that he borrowed a
Charles Upson
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copy of Blackstone, which he read during his leisure. hours, working on his father's farm during the summer months. Determining to make the practice of law his life work, in 1844 he was enrolled as a student in the law school at New Haven, Connecticut. At the end of that year he came to Michigan, spending the winter in Constantine in teaching and reading law. and he was thus engaged in the dual pursuit until 1847, when he was appointed deputy county clerk of St. Joseph county, and in the spring of the same year was admitted to the bar. In addition to the discharge of his official duties he engaged in practice, attending such law cases as were accorded to him by the public. He soon demonstrated his ability, however, and his clientage increased. After two years he was elected county clerk, and in 1850 he was the unsuc- cessful candidate for prosecuting attorney, but in 1852, having been again nominated for the office. he was elected and entered upon a two years' term in that position. Still higher political honors awaited him, for in 1854 he was elected state senator by the Whig party, serving in the upper house of the general assembly with distinction. He was active in molding con- structive legislation and left the impress of his individuality upon the laws that were enacted during that session.
In 1856 Mr. Upson removed to Coldwater, where he formed a law part- nership with Lieutenant Governor George A. Coe. He maintained his deep interest and activity in political matters and in 1860 he was nominated by the Republican party for the office of Attorney General of Michigan. At the gen- eral election he was given the position by popular vote, and in 1862 he re- ceived the unanimous nomination of his party for congress. He was elected that year, re-elected in 1864 and again in 1866, and for six years represented his district in the national legislature. He became an active working mem- ber of the house, with conscientious purpose and representative patriotism sup- porting every measure which he believed would prove of benefit to the country and opposing just as earnestly every interest which he deemed would be inimical to the general welfare. In 1869 official honors came to him in the more direct line of his profession, he being elected circuit judge of the fifteenth judicial district, but three years later he resigned on account of insufficiency of the salary. In every position of public trust he was called upon to fill he maintained his reputation as an able and incorruptible office holder. He was a member of the constitutional convention of 1873, when he assisted materially in forming the organic laws of the state. When Zachariah Chandler was sec- retary of the interior he tendered Judge Upson the position of Indian com- missioner, but the honor was declined. In 1880 he was again elected state senator, and in 1883 he was a prominent but unsuccessful candidate for the nomination for justice of the supreme court of Michigan.
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