USA > Michigan > Branch County > A twentieth century history and biographical record of Branch County, Michigan > Part 44
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In local affairs Judge Upson was also an influential factor, and twice served as mayor of Coldwater, giving to the city a business-like and pro- gressive administration, characterized by reform and practical improvement. In 1865 he assisted in organizing the Coldwater. National Bank, and was thereafter until his death one of its directors.
On the 4th of August. 1852, Judge Upson was united in marriage to Miss Sophia Upham and they became the parents of two sons and two daugh-
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ters : Alonzo Sydney; Mary, deceased; Margaret, the wife of Morris G. Clark; and Charles Hiram, who died in infancy. Judge Upson figured for many years as one of the distinguished and honored citizens of Branch county and of Michigan. Faultless in honor, fearless in conduct, stainless in repu- tation, such was his life record. His scholarly attainments, his statesman- ship, his reliable judgment and his charming powers of conversation would have enabled him to ably fill and grace any position, however exalted, and he was no less honored in public than loved in private life.
ALONZO SYDNEY UPSON.
Alonzo Sydney Upson, son of Hon. Charles Upson, deceased, was born in Constantine, Michigan, May 25, 1855, and was only a year old at the time of his parents' removal to Coldwater. Here he was reared and educated and has spent his life. When the Michigan Southern Bank was organized in 1872 he became a bookkeeper in that institution, later was promoted to the position of teller and subsequently became cashier, thus receiving ready recognition of his ability. He is now cashier of the bank, a popular officer, whose unfailing courtesy and accommodation to the patrons have secured him many friends, while his devotion and allegiance to the institution have contributed to its success.
Mr. Upson is without political aspiration but gives unfaltering support to the principles of the Republican party. He has, however, served for several terms as treasurer of Coldwater, called to that office by the vote of the people who recognize his capability for the duties that devolve upon him in this connection. He is a member of the Bon Ami Club and holds high social relations.
STEPHEN W. KEMPSTER.
Stephen W. Kempster is now practically living retired in a comfort- able home just south of the city limits of Coldwater, but is still owner of a fine and valuable farm which he improved and which returns to him a good annual income. He stands as an excellent example of the men of foreign birth who in early manhood come to America without capital but possessing laudable ambition and determined energy and through those means steadily advance to the goal of success.
Mr. Kempster was born in Buckinghamshire, England, on the 25th of November, 1847, a son of Joseph and Sarah (Wells) Kempster, both of whom were natives of England, where they spent their entire lives, the father dying there in 1851, while the mother passed away in 1857. They had three children: Stephen; Mrs. Emily Marks, now living in England ; and Mrs. Eliza Peppiatt, a resident of Ovid, Michigan.
In 1867 Stephen W. Kempster came to America with his sister Eliza, locating in Ovid, and although he had no means at the time, he was ener- getic and resolute and his willingness to work secured him good positions, so that in the course of a few years, as the result of his earnings, he was enabled to purchase property, buying land in 1871 in Ovid township. He at once began its development and continued to improve it until 1889, when
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he purchased his present farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Coldwater. In all of his work he has been practical, methodical and progressive, and his labor has been the resultant factor in his success.
On the 16th of December, 1873, Mr. Kempster was united in marriage to Miss Eliza Peppiatt, who was born in Buckinghamshire, England. May 12, 1842, and came to the United States with her brothers and sisters in 1867, settling in Wayne county, Michigan. Her father was Shadrach Pep- piatt, while her mother bore the maiden name of Fannie Bavin, and both were natives of England. They came to Michigan in 1866, settling in Washtenaw county, where the father died in 1901, while the mother passed away in 1891. They were the parents of nine children, of whom two died in infancy. the others being Eliza, now Mrs. Kempster; Mrs. Ann Collyer. who died in Michigan : Mrs. Jane Beyers, a resident of Wayne county. Mich- igan : James, of Colorado; Mrs. Maria Day, Charles and Lizzie, all living in Washtenaw county, this state.
Mr. and Mrs. Kempster have a family of a daughter and three sons: Carrie, born March 26, 1875, attended the State Normal School at Ypsi- lanti, Michigan, and is now engaged in teaching school in the city of Cold- water; Joseph, born January 22, 1877, was graduated in chemistry at the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, and holds a responsible position in the laboratory of the Wolverine Cement Company, at Coldwater; Walter, born August 3. 1880, attended the Michigan Agricultural College at Lan- sing, was married August 15. 1905, to Gertie Baldridge, and now lives upon the Kempster farm in Coldwater township; and Harry, born October 9, 1883. attended the Agricultural College at Lansing, after having gradu- ated from the high school at Coldwater in class of 1904.
In the spring of 1905 Mr. Kempster turned the management of his farm over to his son and purchased a comfortable home just south of the corpora- tion limits of Coldwater, where he and his wife now reside. They have traveled life's journey together for a third of a century, their mutual love and confidence increasing as the years have gone by. Mr. Kempster belongs to Coldwater Grange. He has served as school assessor. but is independent in politics. In 1904 he made a visit to his old home in England, where many of his relatives yet reside. In manner he is unassuming and entirely free from ostentation, but he deserves that praise and credit which are given in recognition of genuine worth of character and successful accomplishment. Coming to America without capital, he has acquired a good competence, has carefully reared his family and given them good advantages, and now is enabled to enjoy a well-earned rest, the fruits of his former toil providing him with life's necessities and comforts.
MIRS. MARY A. STOKES.
Mrs. Mary A. Stokes, now living in California township, was born in Oswego county, New York, April 4, 1827. and has therefore passed the seventy-ninth mile-stone on life's journey. Her father. Gilman Withington, was born in Cheshire county, New Hampshire, March 13, 1805, and was a
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son of William Withington, who came to Michigan in 1833, and in 1836 took up his abode in Branch county, settling in Kinderhook township. Gil- man Withington removed from the Old Granite state to New York, and after living for a few years in Pennsylvania, came to Michigan in the early: 40's, spending his remaining days in Branch county. He was a carpenter and joiner, following these trades in the east, and after coming to the west he devoted much of his time to farming. He married Miss Philinda Gowdy, who was born in Rome, New York, November 3, 1803. Their marriage was celebrated on the 2nd of March, 1826, in the Empire state, and they became the parents of three children, one of whom died in infancy, while Celia E. died in Branch county January 1, 1845, at the age of thirteen years, leaving Mrs. Stokes as the only surviving member of the family. Both of the parents were Presbyterians and then Methodists in religious faith in early life, but in later years joined the United Brethren church. Mr. Withington was a Republican in his political views, and was the first school district officer in Algansee township, which position he filled for many years. His death occurred August 12, 1881, while his wife passed away June 7. 1885. Mary Ann Withington was a young lady of sixteen years when she accompanied her parents on their removal to this state, and she now lives upon a farm adjoining the one which her father purchased and improved on coming to the west. The land at that early day was all uncleared, and although the highways had been surveyed they were still untraveled and the roads were therefore in very poor condition. Amid pioneer surround- ings, therefore, Mary A. Withington was reared. On the 4th of September, 1844, in Algansee township, she gave her hand in marriage to Amos C. Stokes, who was born in Tompkins county, New York, September 4, 1822. His father was John Stokes, also a native of the Empire state, where he was married to Miss Polly Lamphere, who was also born in New York. Four of their children reached manhood or womanhood, namely: Mrs. Lucy A. Burdick, Mrs. Polly Yates, J. Woodbury and Amos Stokes. After coming west the father and his family lived for several years in Indiana and then came to Michigan in 1842.
Amos Stokes was a farmer by occupation and cleared the land on sec- tion eighteen constituting the present home farm of his widow. Unto them was born a daughter, Araminta, whose birth occurred July 27, 1846, and who became the wife of Ferris B. Hanford, July 27, 1862. After his death she was married, on the 19th of February, 1872, to Thomas Copeland, and her own demise occurred on the 4th of March, 189.4.
Mr. Stokes was a justice of the peace and school officer for many years, and his efforts in behalf of public progress and advancement were beneficial and far-reaching. He belonged to the United Brethren church and he gave his political support to the Republican party for a long period, although in his later years he became a staunch Prohibitionist and a most earnest advo- cate of the cause of temperance. For three months he was a soldier of the Civil war. Mrs. Stokes also belongs to the United Brethren church. Since sixteen years of age she has lived in this immediate vicinity and has there-
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fore witnessed many changes here as the work of cultivation and civiliza- tion has been carried forward. She is a great reader and close observer of events and keeps well posted on the questions of the day and upon all matters of general interest, being an especially well informed woman and one well preserved for her years.
SAMUEL W. RICE.
There is, perhaps, no citizen of Branch county who has done more for the material improvement and progress of the county than has Samuel W. Rice, who has personally cleared three eighty-acre tracts of land, reclaiming it for the purposes of civilization and the uses of the white race. He is now the owner of a valuable and well-improved farm of one hundred and ninety- three acres located on section four, Coldwater township, and section three, Girard township. He was born in Wayne county, New York, on the 12th of January, 1823. his parents being Sylvester and Harriet ( Warner) Rice, both of whom were natives of New York, where they were reared to adult age and were married. In their family were nine children: Philetus, who died in Coldwater township. Branch county : David, who died in Toledo, Ohio ; Mrs. Lucinda Smith, whose death occurred in the township of Girard: Eber. who also died in Girard township: Samuel W., of this review : Mrs. Amanda Atwater, who died in Coldwater; Emma Jane, who is a resident of Cold- water: Russell, who died in Coldwater; and Sylvester, who passed away in Girard township. It will thus be seen that of the nine children of the father's family only two are yet living. It was in the year 1844 that the parents, Sylvester and Harriet ( Warner) Rice, came with their sons and daughters to Michigan. The tide of emigration had been steadily flowing westward from New York to this state for several years and. hoping to benefit their financial condition in the new but rapidly growing district, they made their way to Homer, Calhoun county, where they resided for two years. On the expiration of that period they came to Branch county, settling in Coldwater township, thus becoming identified with its agricultural interests. The mother passed away in Coldwater township January 11, 1863. while the death of Mr. Rice occurred in Homer, Michigan, in September. 1875. The children of the family grew to manhood and womanhood here, and in the latter part of the 40's four of the brothers purchased farms in this part of the county, and here they made for themselves and their families com- fortable homes.
Samuel W. Rice, reared to the occupation of farming, early became familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist, and in 1846 purchased land which was entirely wild and unimproved. It had been en- tered from the government by Mr. Dibble, and Mr. Rice at once began to clear and cultivate the tract. At that time this portion of Coldwater town- ship was an almost unbroken wilderness and the work of transforming it into a habitable district was a laborious and difficult one. Personally Mr. Rice has cleared no less than three eighty-acre tracts, a work which few would care to undertake in this state.
On the 6th of November, 1873, occurred the marriage of Samuel WV.
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Rice and Miss Lavonia Kilborn, a native of Sherwood, Michigan, born May 17, 1842, her parents being David and Clarinda (Hawley) Kilborn, both of whom were natives of the Empire state, where they were married. The Kilborns, like the Rices, were pioneers of Branch county, and the first settle- ment was made in the vicinity of Sherwood, where representatives of the name have since been worthy residents. There the father, David Kilborn, who was born in 1797, died in 1870, while the mother, who was born in 1801, passed away in 1881. In their family were eleven children, as follows : Holton, who died in Sherwood; Mrs. Harriet K. Coddington, who is living in Palo Alto, California; Mrs. Eliza K. Coddington, who died in Union City, Michigan; Wallace, a resident of Coldwater township; Mrs. Mary K. Van Dievender, of California, now deceased; George, who died while serving as a soldier in the Civil war; Samuel, a resident of Union City, Michigan; Alden, who passed away in California: and Mrs. Rice. Unto the marriage of our subject and his wife has been born two children. Hattie Rice, born March 3, 1875, was married November 21, 1900, to Charles Culp. They reside in Coldwater township and have two children, Frances Josephine and Walton. William Rice, born January 26, 1879, was married November 21, 1901, to Effa Irene Bennett, born October 6, 1875, a daughter of George and Sarah (Warren) Bennett, both of whom have been residents of Branch county for many years. Mr. Bennett is still living and is a resident of Michigan, but his wife passed away August 12, 1898.
Mr. Rice has spent nearly his entire life in the locality where he yet resides, and has always commanded the high regard and esteem of his fellow-townsmen here. He has followed the occupation of farming and has done much for the development and improvement of this section. His present farm is a fine one, consisting of one hundred and ninety-three acres of fertile land located on section 4, Coldwater township, and section 33. Girard township. It is equipped with good buildings and all necessary machinery and accessories for its successful operation. It is now conducted by his son, William Rice, who is considered one of the reliable and influ- ential young farmers of this part of the county. Although a Republican politically, Samuel Rice has never been an office seeker, preferring to give his time and energies to his business affairs. His parents were members of the Baptist church, and in that faith he was reared, but for some years he has been a professor of the spiritualist belief. His has been a long, useful and active life and he is spending the evening of his days in the conscious- ness of duties well performed, occupying a comfortable home on the farm which he has developed from its primitive state to its present condition of agricultural fertility. His residence in the county covers more than six decades, and he is justly classed with the honored pioneer residents here.
JOHN S. NESBITT.
Each community has its leaders-men who are molding the business development and contributing to the prosperity of their respective localities- and within this age of the world, when there is great competition and when
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new conditions are continually arising, the men who are successful are alert and energetic, quickly recognizing and improving opportunities. Such a one is John S. Nesbitt, cashier of the Union City National Bank. He was born in Northumberland county, Pennsylvania. December 23. 1862. His father. William G. Nesbitt, was of Scotch descent and was also born in Northumberland county, where he was reared and acquired his education. He chose farming as a life work, and upon his removal to Branch county, Michigan, settled upon a tract of land in Coldwater township, where he was engaged in general agricultural pursuits until his removal to Batavia township. Subsequently he sought a home in the far west and died in Vancouver, Washington, in the sixty-seventh year of his age. A zealous and earnest Christian man, he held membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and was active and helpful in its work. He married Statira Scar- lett. a native of Canada. Her father was of Irish lineage, while her mother was of Scotch descent. Mrs. Nesbitt still survives her husband and is now in the sixty-seventh year of her age. They were the parents of two sons and three daughters, all of whom are living, namely: John S., of this review; Lydia, the wife of Rev. Lida J. Wornom, of Camas, Washington : Clara, the widow of Luke Sizer, and a resident of Belleriver, Minnesota : Cora, a twin sister of Clara, and the wife of Edward Boyce. of Ballard. Washington : and R. William. who is living at Palms. Los Angeles county, California.
John S. Nesbitt is the only member of the family now living in Branch county. He was less than a year old when brought by his parents from the east to this county, and here he acquired his early education in the dis- trict schools, supplementing it by an advanced course in the high school at Union City. He afterward engaged in clerking in a dry goods store for three years in Union City, and in 1888 he entered the Union City National Bank as teller, which position he held until January S, 1896. He was then elected cashier and has since acted in the latter capacity. In the intervening years he has made a close and thorough study of the banking business, with which he is now familiar both in principle and detail, and his accuracy. system and close application have rendered his services of value to the bank, while his genial manner and obliging disposition have made him popular with its many patrons.
Mr. Nesbitt was married in 1887 to Miss Lucy Lincoln, a daughter of Oscar L. Lincoln. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, in which he has attained the Knight Templar degree, belonging to the commandery at Coldwater. He is also a Knight of the Maccabees and has been a life-long Republican. He is now active in the local work of the party, serving as chairman of the township central committee, and has held other offices. He was township clerk for two terms, in 1889 and 1890, was president of the village for three years and is now treasurer. Almost his entire life has been passed in Union City and this vicinity, and his history is therefore well known to his fellow townsmen. The fact that his friends are many and that he is popular is an indication that he has displayed many sterling characteristics such as command respect in every land and clime.
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HARVEY MATTISON DOUBLEDAY.
Harvey Mattison Doubleday, a resident of Branch county from pioneer times, now living on section nine, Sherwood township, was born in Yates county, New York, July 7, 1828. His grandfather, Elisha Doubleday, who was of English descent, was born in the Empire state and throughout his business career carried on agricultural pursuits. His death also occurred in the state of New York. His father, Hiram Doubleday, was a native of Onondaga county, New York, and in 1831 he made a trip to Michigan, cov- ering the entire distance to and from this state on foot. It was then that he entered a farm of eighty acres in Calhoun county, and in the spring of the following year he brought his family to the new home, settling on his fart: in Athens township, where he built a log cabin, living in a covered wagon until the pioneer home was completed. He split the boards for the floor out of white ash logs. The little home, small in its dimensions, was sparsely furnished and the family endured the usual hardships, privations and dangers incident to frontier life. The Indians frequently visited this section of the country and various kinds of wild animals and game could be had in the forests. He remained in Calhoun county until the spring of 1837, when he removed to Sherwood township, purchasing land on section four. Here he again built a log house and began the cultivation and improvement of a farm. He continued his work there for a number of years, but his last days were spent in Union City and in the home of his son, H. M. Doubleday, his death occurring when he had reached his eighty-ninth year. Viewed from a busi- ness standpoint his life was successful, for he started out empty-handed and reared a family of six children, while accumulating a comfortable competency. His success resulted from his close application and unfaltering diligence, which enabled him to overcome all difficulties and obstacles in his path. His business affairs, too, were conducted with the strictest honesty, and he was never known to take advantage of the necessities of his fellow-men in any transaction. He always gave his political allegiance to the Democracy and he held many local offices, including those of justice of the peace and town- ship trustee. He married Betsy Wallace, a native of New York, who lived to be about fifty years of age. Of their family of seven children a daughter died in infancy.
H. M. Doubleday, the eldest son and second child, was but three years old when brought to Michigan by his parents and was a youth of eight years when the family home was established in Branch county. When a youth he made his way to the primitive log school house, common at an early day, and therein studied the elementary branches of English learning. He had opportunity to attend school for only about three months in the winter sea- sons, for throughout the remainder of the year his services were needed on the home farm and he continued to assist his father until twenty-one years of age. He then started out upon an active business career, being first em- ployed as a farm hand for the sum of ten dollars per month. He worked in this way on different farms until 1851, when. attracted by the discovery of gold in California, he made his way to the Pacific coast by the water route
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"Idlewild", The Country Seat of Mr. and Mrs. Harvey M. Doubleday.
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and the Isthmus of Panama. landing at San Francisco. He spent three years in that state engaged in mining. He worked by the month for one hundred dollars, and after a residence of three years in the far west he returned in 1854. by way of Graytown, New Orleans and Cincinnati, to Sherwood town- ship, Branch county. While in California he had purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land in Sherwood township, thus investing his earnings in the mines. This property he still owns, and he has also about forty acres across the road on section ten. At other times he has made additional pur- chases until he now has three hundred acres of land in one body, consisting of his home farm and one hundred and twenty acres in Athens township. Calhoun county, another tract of eighty acres in Athens township and one hundred and thirty acres on section twenty-one. Sherwood township, making in all about six hundred and twenty acres of land. He also has an excellent farm of one hundred acres in Kalamazoo county, and is the owner of two houses and lots in Battle Creek. The greater part of this has been acquired through his own labor, his success being the merited reward of his efforts. He is indeed a man of excellent business capacity and his labors have been so discerningly directed along well defined lines that he seems to have realized at any one point the utmost possibility for accomplishment at that point. He has been interested in three different banks, one in Athens, one in Union City, and the Exchange Bank at Sherwood, but he has now severed his con- nection with these different institutions.
In 1857 Mr. Doubleday was married to Miss Nancy L. Blackman, a daughter of Simeon and Emma (Spencer) Blackman, and a native of Con- cord, Jackson county, Michigan, born May 16, 1842. She has spent most of her life in Sherwood township. Branch county, and has become the mother of five children, but only two are living. Hiram S., and Ovid M., who married Flora Hagenbaugh, and lives in Athens township. Calhoun county.
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