USA > Michigan > Branch County > A twentieth century history and biographical record of Branch County, Michigan > Part 45
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Mr. and Mrs. Doubleday have one of the most beautiful country seats in North Branch county. and the home is adorned by works of art. in pic- tures and bric-a-brac. This country seat is known far and near by the name " Idlewild."
They have traveled in the far west a great deal, and in their wander- ings they have selected a large collection of beautiful shells from the Pacific coast, specimens of which are rare, besides different growths of cactus. He has one of the finest specimens of deer's head. shot by his son Ovid, which adorns the walls of the parlor. He has a section of a pine tree in which a minie ball is embedded. This was cut from a pine tree on the battlefield of Chattanooga, a relic of the Civil war.
Among his rare specimens is a seven-legged pig. preserved in alcohol. The deer antlers which deck the hall are proofs of the chase. There is also to be seen a genuine Mexican sombrero, as well as a lariat made of horse hair. These and many other rare specimens of curiosity grace the spacious rooms of this country seat. In the sitting room, upon the wall, hangs a large en- graving of Mr. Doubleday driving a yoke of oxen, in the true pioneer style. These oxen were twins and were reared and broken by Mr. Doubleday and his son Hiram on his farm. This team of oxen won the blue ribbon, and
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when they were marketed for the eastern markets they weighed four thou- sand one hundred and fifty pounds and were said by competent judges to be the finest pair of steers ever shipped from Michigan.
Mr. and Mrs. Doubleday have made two visits to California, spending the winter there, and Mr. Doubleday also went once with his brother and again alone, so that he has four times visited the Pacific coast. His political views are in accord with Democratic principles. He has practically made his home in this county since 1837, covering a period of sixty-eight consecutive years. People of the present period can scarcely realize the struggles and dangers which attended the early settlers, the heroism and self-sacrifice of lives passed upon the borders of civilization, the hardships endured and the difficulties overcome. The tales of the early days will be almost like a ro- mance to those who have known only the modern prosperity and convenience. To the pioneer of the early days far removed from the privileges and con- veniences of city or town, the struggle for existence was a stern and hard one and these men and women must have possessed indomitable energy and sterling worth of character, as well as marked physical courage, when they first voluntarily selected such a life and successfully fought its battles under such circumstances as prevailed in the northwest. To this class Mr. Double- day belonged, but unlike many others he has been permitted to see and enjoy the present prosperity and progress of his adopted county, in which he is now a most honored citizen.
CHAUNCEY M. VAN EVERY.
Among the leading and highly respected citizens of Bronson, Mich- igan, is found Chauncey M. Van Every, whose identity with the business activity of the town covers several decades.
Mr. Van Every was born in Galway, Saratoga county, New York, May 22, 1833, son of Matthias and Rebecca (Crapo) Van Every, the for- mer a descendant of Holland ancestry and the latter of French. His mother died when Chauncey M. was four years old. Matthias Van Every was a native of Greenbush, New York, born August 3, 1809, and was engaged in farming in that state until 1846, when he came to Michigan and settled at Coldwater, where for years he was engaged in the foundry business, and where he died at a ripe old age in 1889. Of his children we record that a son Joseph, who served under General Grant in the Civil war, was killed in battle at Fort Gibson; a daughter, Rebecca M., died in Coldwater, Michigan; and another daughter, a half sister of Chauncey M., is a resi- dent of Saratoga county, New York.
Chauncey M. Van Every spent the most of his boyhood working in his father's foundry at Coldwater. His advantages for obtaining an edu- cation were limited to a few months' schooling during the year, but he made the best of his opportunities both in the school room and in the work- shop. At the age of twenty-one we find him foreman of a foundry at La Fayette, Indiana. After spending several years in the foundry business at La Fayette and Coldwater, he came to Bronson and started a business
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of his own, which he conducted twelve years, during that time having several partners. Returning to Coldwater, he established himself in a foundry business under the firm name of C. M. Van Every and Company. At the end of three years he purchased his partner's interest, and the next four years the business was conducted under the name of C. M. Van Every & Sons. In 1881 he sold out and came back to Bronson, where, the follow- ing year, lie opened up a foundry and machine shop. This business he sold in 1889, and since that date has been engaged in the real estate and insur- ance business. He was elected a justice of the peace in April, 1904.
June 19, 1854, in La Fayette, Indiana, Mr. Van Every married Miss Jennie A. Coffin, a daughter of Nathaniel and Pollie (Woodworth) Coffin. Of the six children born to them, three, Charles. Fred and Florence, are deceased : Walter is a resident of Bay City, Michigan : Chauncey M .. Jr., was until recently superintendent of a cement plant in Bronson; and Clif- ford J. lives in Sioux City, Iowa.
Mr. Van Every maintains fraternal relations with the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons and for years has been one of the active workers in and stanch supporters of the Baptist church.
WILLIAM M. TYLER.
William M. Tyler is one of the prominent old settlers of Branch county, having for many years been a witness of the changes that have occurred as the work of development and improvement has been carried forward. He came to the county when it was a wild district, few settlements having been made within its borders, but time and man have wrought great changes and Mr. Tyler is numbered among those who has ably assisted in the work of general improvement. He now resides on section 14, Batavia township. where he owns a good farm.
A native of New York, his birth occurred in Oswego county on the 9th of March, 1833, and he represents one of the old New England families. His paternal grandfather was Asa Tyler, who was born in Vermont and at an early day removed to New York, where he followed the occupation of farming. His son, Morgan L. Tyler, father of our subject, was born in Oswego county, pursued his education there and was married in that county to Miss Elizabeth Grove, a native of New York. They came to Michigan in 1837, casting in their lot with the pioneer settlers of Branch county. Mr. Tyler took up land from the government in Batavia town- ship and shared in the hardships of frontier life, while developing and im- proving his farm. He continued to own and cultivate that property up to the time of his death, which occurred when he was eighty-two years of age. He was a public-spirited man, and in politics was an old-line Whig until the dissolution of that party, when he joined the ranks of the new Republican party. He served as supervisor of his township both before and after the Civil war, and he was a stanch advocate of the Union and believed in the policy of the administration during the period of hostilities. He had a very wide and favorable acquaintance in the county and is num- bered among the real founders and promoters of this section of the state
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because of the helpful part which he took in reclaiming the district for the uses of civilization. His wife died in Branch county, at the age of seventy- eight years. She was a daughter of John Grove, who was of "low Dutch " descent.
In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Tyler were eight children, of whom William M. Tyler was the second child and second son. He was four years of age when the parents came to Branch county, Michigan, and in the common schools of Batavia township he acquired his education. Through much of the year, however, he assisted his father in the work of the home farm and aided in the development of the land and the care of the crops until 1862, when he could content himself no longer at home while his country's safety was in danger. He, therefore, enlisted in Com- pany C, Nineteenth Michigan Infantry, and eventually was promoted from private to the rank of corporal and afterward was made first lieutenant of Company E, subsequent to which time he received a captain's, commission. He participated in many battles, and at Spring Hill was captured and taken to Libby prison, but was afterward paroled and taken to the rebel hospital, where he remained for thirty-six days. After a few months he joined his company at Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and the next battle in which he par- ticipated was at Resaca, Georgia, where he sustained a flesh wound through the thigh, being then sent to the hospital at Louisville. He rejoined his regiment on the day that Atlanta surrendered, and he afterward took part in the battle of Averysboro and Bentonville, North Carolina. He was at Washington and participated in the grand review, where the victorious army marched through the streets of the city and passed the stand on which the president watched the return of the country's loyal soldiers. He was acting as quartermaster at that time, and he received his honorable discharge at Detroit, Michigan, in July, 1865, after which he returned to his home in Branch county and engaged in farming.
Mr. Tyler was married in 1865 to Miss Parley J. Holcomb, the daugh- ter of Warren Holcomb and a native of New York, whence she came with her parents to Branch county about 1847. Her death occurred in 1894. By this marriage there were five children : Morgan L., of Coldwater township; Warren H., who is living in Batavia township; Charles G., also of that township; Harry, who died in infancy; and Carl, who is at home with his father.
Mr. Tyler located on section sixteen, Batavia tonship, where he en- gaged in general farming until 1891. He then sold out and located, in 1904, where he now resides on section thirteen, Batavia township. He has been a life-long Republican and has always been active in support of the party. His first presidential vote was cast for General John C. Fremont, and he has voted for each presidential candidate since that time, nor has he missed a public caucus or election since the war. He is recognized as one of the strong and stalwart supporters of the party in his locality, and he served for eleven years as supervisor of Batavia township, being the only one to fill the office for so long a term save one other. He was like- wise township treasurer, and his political duties have been discharged in a
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most capable, prompt and efficient manner. He is a charter member of Butterworth Post No. 109, G. A. R., and maintains pleasant relationships with his old army comrades, greatly enjoying the campfires. For sixty- nine years he has been a resident of Batavia township and now he has retired from active work. enjoying a well earned rest from labor. He has passed the Psalmist's span of three score years and ten, having attained the age of seventy-two years, and his life has been an honorable and upright one, while in matters of citizenship he has ever displayed the same loyalty that marked his career as a soldier when on southern battle-fields he aided in defense of the Union.
SAMUEL GARDNER.
Samuel Gardner is numbered among the early settlers of Matteson township and is now following farming within its borders, his home being on section eleven. He was born in the state of New York, September 2. 1835, and is a son of Hiram Gardner, who is represented elsewhere in this work. When about two years of age Samuel Gardner was brought by his parents to Michigan, the family home being established in Branch county on the farm where he yet resides. Here he was reared and his education was acquired in one of the old-time log school houses with its crude desks and benches and its primitive methods of instruction. He remained at home until twenty-one years of age, when he left the farm and went to Illinois. He thence made his way to Kansas and was absent from Michigan for about a year, after which he returned to the old farm, where he has remained continuously since. He aided in clearing the land and the task was an arduous one, but his persistency of purpose has been one of his strong characteristics and in all of his farm work he has displayed a capability and determination that have been commendable and have also been resultant factors in his success. He now owns one hundred and forty acres of land, which is highly cultivated and improved, and he has good buildings upon his place and all modern equipments, so that his farm is in keeping with a model property of the twentieth century.
On the 16th of January, 1871. Mr. Gardner was united in marriage to Miss Emogene Jumph. a daughter of Erastus Jumph, a farmer of Branch county. Three daughters were born unto them.
On the 27th of January, 1895. Mr. Gardner wedded Mrs. Elcena (Green) Smith, the widow of Seth Smith, a farmer of Matteson township, and a daughter of Benjamin Green, who was a native of Jefferson county. New York. Mrs. Gardner was born in Brownville, Jefferson county, and was reared and married there, coming to Branch county in 1865. She taught school in Matteson township for about eight terms and was recog- nized as a capable educator. The three daughters of the family are: Mabel. now the wife of C. L. Wood: Grace and Eva. All were born and reared upon the old family homestead. Mr. Gardner has always been a Democrat and upon the party ticket was elected to the office of justice of the peace. He has a very wide acquaintance, being known to nearly everybody in the
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county, and those with whom he has come in contact recognize his genuine worth and many good qualities, which have awakened their confidence, ad- miration and regard.
JOHN PRIDGEON, JR.
Upon a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section two, Cali- fornia township, resides John Pridgeon, Jr., and his father, John Pridgeon, Sr. The latter was born in Detroit, Michigan, August 3, 1833, and was brought to Branch county, Michigan, by his parents in 1836. His father was Joshua Pridgeon, a native of Lincolnshire, England, in which county the birth of Mrs. Susan Belle Pridgeon, wife of Joshua Pridgeon, also occurred. They were married in England and soon afterward crossed the Atlantic to America, hoping to improve their financial condition in the new world with its broader business opportunities. They settled in Pennsylvania, where they lived for a few years and then came to Michigan, arriving in Detroit about 1825. There they spent eight years, and during that time Joshua Pridgeon came to Branch county and entered a claim from the government of one hun- dred and sixty acres. In 1836 he brought his family here, took up his abode upon his claim and began clearing the land. In connection with general farming he became widely known as a stock-raiser and dealer. He was a breecier of Devonshire cattle and also of blooded sheep and good horses. He and his wife spent their remaining days upon the farm, his death occurring in 1875, while she passed away in 1884. They were typical pioneer residents, sharing in the usual experiences of life on the frontier and extending cordial hospitality to friend and stranger. In the active work of subduing a wild district Mr. Pridgeon took a helpful part and is classed with the pioneer settlers whose labors have made possible the present advanced condition of the county. Unto him and his wife were born seven children, all of whom reached years of maturity, namely: George, who died in this county; Joshua, who died in Hillsdale county, Michigan; John, father of our subject; Samuel, who lives in Isabella county, this state; Abram, a resident of California town- ship, Branch county; Isaac, deceased; and Jacob, who is living in Algansee township.
John Pridgeon, Sr., was a little lad of but three years when brought by his parents to Branch county. and here his youth was passed amid pioneer sur- roundings. He lived here at the period when most of the homes were log cabins, when much of the land was covered with dense timber, and when the work of farming was carried on in but a slight degree. He was married in 1858 to Miss Eunice Lease, a native of California township, whose father was Julius Lease, who came to the county in 1839, and whose mother was a Diamond. There were three children born of this marriage: Benjamin, who is now residing in Seattle, Washington; Henry, a resident of Kalama- zoo, Michigan; and Mrs. Emma Lazenby, of Hillsdale county. After the death of his first wife Mr. Pridgeon was again married, his second union being with Mary Shannon. Their only child is the subject of this review. The mother died in 1875.
John Pridgeon. Sr .. started out in life on his own account when twenty-
bus John Pridyeon
Sur Solo Fridgeon
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one years of age, and soon afterward purchased his present farm of eighty acres. While paying for it he lived at home. He has always carried on general agricultural pursuits, making his home continuously in California township, and his labors have been rewarded with a gratifying competence. He has cleared many acres of new land and has undergone all the difficulties incident to the establishment of a home on the frontier. He saw the first school house built in the township and he lived here when there were no roads aside from the old Indian trails. He went forty miles to mill and also a long distance to market. but the early settlers depended largely upon what they could raise upon their farms, having few of the conveniences and com- forts which are now regarded as essential at this present period of our modern civilization. In community affairs he has been deeply and helpfully interested and has served as highway commissioner. His memory forms a connecting link between the primitive past and the progressive present and he relates many interesting incidents of the early days when the mode of life was very dissimilar to that of the present time. In his farm work he used crude ma- chinery, much of the labor of tilling the fields and caring for the crops being done by hand.
John Pridgeon. Jr., was born June 26, 1872, upon the farm where he yet resides, and it has been his home continuously since. Under his father's direction he worked in the fields and his education was acquired in the district schools. On the 31st of January, 1891, he wedded Miss Mollie Kimmell. who was born in Defiance county, Ohio, on the 2d of January. 1873. Her father, Columbus Kimmell, was born in Richland county, Ohio. in April. 1832, and was of German descent. He wedded Mary Dean, who was born in Richland county in November. 1841. He had lived in Ohio until about 1886, and then removed to Hillsdale county, Michigan, where both he and his wife now reside. They became the parents of eight children, four of whom are now living: Joseph. I. W. and Maude, all residents of Hillsdale county : and Mrs. Pridgeon. John and Mollie (Kimmell) Pridgeon have four children : Glenn D., Lester A .. William Harold and Mary W., con- stituting a bright and interesting family. Mr. Pridgeon belongs to the Cali- fornia Tent of Maccabees, while his wife affiliates with the Ladies of the Maccabees. He is a representative of one of the oldest families of the town- ship, and the work which was begun by his grandfather and continued by his father is still being carried on by him. The name of Pridgeon has long stood for agricultural progress and loyal citizenship and the subject of this review is a worthy representative of the family.
IRA D. JOHNSON.
Ira D. Johnson, one of the well known and highly esteemed business men of Coldwater and Branch county, has spent the greater part of his life here and is known as an upright, reliable and capable man, possessing the regard and confidence of his fellow-citizens. He gives his time and attention to the operation of a flour mill at Branch, a few miles west of the city of Coldwater, and has made it a profitable industry.
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Mr. Johnson is a native of Huron county, Ohio, where he was born October 17, 1847, and both his paternal and maternal ancestors were resi- dents of the Empire state. His father, Dr. Lewis Johnson, was a native of Greene county, New York, born December II, 1820, while the mother, who bore the maiden name of Emily Bainbridge, was born in the state of New York. February 15, 1825. They were married in Huron county, Ohio, May 28, 1840, and there resided until the spring of 1866, when they came to Michigan, where their remaining days were passed. They were the parents of four children, all of whom grew to manhood and womanhood, namely : Mrs. Adeline Purdy, who was born March 26, 1841, and died in Tarrytown, New York, in June, 1886; Ira D., of this review; Mrs. Jennie Kennedy, who was born March 3, 1861, and is a resident of the city of Coldwater; and Loren H., who was born March 23, 1851, and is now living in Idaho. The father, Dr. Lewis Johnson, engaged in the practice of med- icine in Ohio for a number of years, and after coming to Michigan entered the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal church and for some years devoted his time to preaching the gospel. He also carried on farming during that period, living at different times in Butler, Quincy and Coldwater townships, Branch county. He was a man of strong intellectual endowments and lib- eral education and his influence was a potent element for good in the various communities in which he made his home.' Throughout Branch county and wherever he was known he was held in the highest esteem, and his death, which occurred June 16, 1904, was deeply deplored by many who knew him, and who still cherish his memory. His wife passed away May 26, 1899.
Ira D. Johnson spent the greater part of his youth in the county of his nativity, and when about nineteen years of age came with his parents to Michigan. He was reared upon the home farm and has followed agri- cultural pursuits for many years, although at the same time he has engaged in various other business interests. In his early manhood he learned the cabinetmaker's trade, to which he has since devoted considerable attention. In 1871 he went to the west, remaining in Iowa and Nebraska until 1890. Not long after he took up his abode in the west he met and married Miss Mary Irene Card, the wedding being celebrated on the 10th of September, 1873. She was born in Broome county, New York, April 9, 1854, a daugh- ter of Ezra and Lucy (Stoughton) Card, both of whom were natives of Broome county. They were married there and became the parents of four children : Mrs. Ellen M. Bartholomew, a resident of Missouri; Mason L. Card, who is living in Tacoma, Washington; Clayton Card, who makes his home in Grinnell, Iowa; and Mrs. Johnson, of this review. The Card family removed from the state of New York to Wisconsin in 1850, and afterward remained in the middle west, Mrs. Card dying in Iowa, in April, 1873, while Mr. Card passed away there in 1880.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Ira Johnson have been born five children: Loren L. Johnson, born May 5, 1875, and now residing in Coldwater, was mar- ried in Quincy, Michigan, April 10, 1901, to Miss Zae Parkinson. They have one son, Darrell, who was born June 20, 1905. Harry E. Johnson,
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the second son, born February 8, 1878, was married November 15, 1899, to Miss Ethel Chase, and their home is in Batavia, this county. They have two children, Chase, born December 27, 1900, and Ira Dean, born April 15, 1903. Jennie M. Johnson, born December 27, 1879. is at home. Irene E. Johnson, born November 5. 1886, died September 8, 1887. Lloyd C., who completes the family, was born October 16, 1899, and is with his par- ents.
Since 1899 Mr. Johnson has owned and operated the flouring mill at Branch, a few miles west of Coldwater. This property has been placed in excellent shape and Mr. Johnson has built up a fine trade, owing to the satisfactory product of the mill and his straightforward business dealings. The mill is equipped with modern machinery and is provided with both water and steam power, the latter being required only occasionally. The Branch mill has been long in operation, but it has never been more popular with the general public than under the present management, and the busi- ness is now proving profitable, returning to Mr. Johnson and his family a comfortable living. They occupy a pleasant home near the mill.
Mr. Johnson has frequently been called upon to fill positions of public trust and responsibility. He has served as justice of the peace for several terms, both in Michigan and Nebraska, and has been a school officer for many years. He likewise belongs to the Grange, 'and both he and his wife are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He has a wide acquaintance in Branch county and stands high in the esteem of his fellow- men, because of his well known fidelity to every cause he espouses and his allegiance to honorable, manly principles.
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