A twentieth century history and biographical record of Branch County, Michigan, Part 49

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

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HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY

for him warm regard. He married Elvira Saxton, who was born in Malone. Franklin county, New York, October 8, 1823. and is now living in Quincy. She was a daughter of Ebenezer and Lois ( Brigham) Saxton, in whose fam- ily were eight children, while her husband was one of a family of four chil- dren, of whom one is now living, Alva Graves, who is a music teacher resid- ing at Battle Creek, Michigan. Mrs. Graves was of English lineage. Unto this marriage there were born five children : Elmer E., Lillie, Ella and Bur- ton O., all now deceased.

Henry A. Graves, who was the fourth in order of birth, began his edu- cation in the schools of Quincy and continued his studies in Valparaiso, In- diana. He taught for five years in the district schools of Quincy township. and was superintendent of schools in the state reformatory of Connecticut at Meriden for a time. In the spring of 1883 he embarked in the grocery busi- ness in Quincy, successfully conducting a store until 1895. He also had the agency of the United States Express Company. In the fall of 1895 he sold the business and in the spring of 1896 went to Fostoria, Ohio, where he took charge of the United States express office. After remaining at that place for two years he returned to Quincy and again engaged in the grocery and express business. He had a well appointed store, which he conducted until January. 1905, when he sold out to his son-in-law, George P. Comstock. and John R. Norcutt, but retained the agency of the express company, and is now conducting the office at this point. Mr. Norcutt is now out of busi- ness in Quincy, and Mr. Graves has charge of the United States Express Company, and the firm is now Comstock and Company, Mr. Graves being the company.

On the 10th of August, 1881, Mr. Graves was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Boon, a daughter of Rodney and Hannah (Carr) Boon of Rose- ville, Illinois. She died June 16, 1892. in the thirty-fourth year of her age. leaving a daughter, Nellie E .. who is now the wife of George P. Comstock. On the 27th of September. 1893. Mr. Graves was married to Miss Lulu D. Smith, a daughter of J. C. and Viola Smith of Cleveland, Tennessee. Mrs. Graves was born in Quincy, Michigan, July 10. 1870. and there were two children by this marriage: Howard A., born March 14, 1895: and Mar- guerite Viola, who was born November 14. 1897, and died January 1I, 1900.

Mr. and Mrs. Graves are members of the Presbyterian church. in which he is serving as one of the trustees, and for a number of years he was super- intendent of the Sunday school. In the work of the church he has taken a deep and helpful interest. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity. Mt. Ver- non Lodge No. 166, in which he has taken the York Rite degrees: Quincy Chapter No. 115. Royal Arch Masons; Mt. Moriah Council No. 6. at Cold- water, and Jacob's Commandery No. 10. Coldwater: and Saladin Temple. A. A. O. N. M. S .. Grand Rapids, and belongs also to the Knights of Pythias fraternity. Quincy Lodge No. 201 : the Woodmen Camp No. 1066, and the Eastern Star No. 12, and has filled all of the chairs in subordinate lodges. In politics he is a Republican and has been a member of the council, also village treasurer and township treasurer and township superintendent of schools. He is now serving as township chairman of the Republican com-

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mittee, and has received his commission as postmaster of Quincy. He is recognized as one of the local Republican leaders, and has also been very active and helpful in church work. He is popular with many friends and esteemed by all who know him, and is justly regarded as one of the repre- sentative citizens of Quincy.

CHARLES W. BENNETT.

Charles W. Bennett, at one time prominently connected with business interests in Coldwater and now living retired, was born in the town of Rollin, Lenawee county, Michigan, August 14, 1838, his parents being Hiram Har- rison and Caroline A. (Holmes) Bennett. The father and mother were both natives of the state of New York, the former born near Schenectady and the latter near Batavia. They were married in Michigan and settled in Lenawee county, there living for about eight years, after which they removed to the township of Butler, Branch county, where they arrived in June, 1845. Sub- sequently they took up their abode in Quincy, where the mother died in 1890 at the age of seventy-six years, while the father passed away in Coldwater in 1897, at the age of eighty-three years. The remains of both were interred in the cemetery at Quincy. Through much of his life the father followed farming and he also worked at carpentering and at the builder's trade, pos- sessing much natural mechanical ability. His political support was given to the Whig party in his early life and afterward he became a staunch Re- publican. He was one of the most prominent members of the Baptist church of his locality and was one of three men who established the first church of that denomination in Butler township. He led an active and consistent Christian life and the honorable principles which permeated his career made him a man respected and esteemed by all who knew him. His wife was also a member of the Baptist church and a most estimable lady. This worthy couple had but two children, Charles W. and Minerva Adaline, the latter the wife of Joel Rowley of Coldwater.

Charles W. Bennett was reared upon his father's farm and obtained his education in a little log schoolhouse such as was common in pioneer districts. When twenty-one years of age he began teaching school, but followed that profession for only two years, when, after the outbreak of the Civil war, he responded to the country's need, enlisting on the 15th of August. 1861, as a private of Company G, Ninth Michigan Infantry. He was made a sergeant before the company left the state and afterward received several promo- tions, being commissioned captain on the 26th of October, 1863, of Company F. Thirteenth United States Colored Infantry, while on the 2nd of Decem- ber, 1865, he was brevetted major " for faithful and meritorious service dur- ing the war." He participated in a number of the most sanguinary engage- ments. including the battles of Murfreesboro, Stone River, Chickamauga, Nashville and others of less importance, and was honorably discharged with his regiment on January 10, 1866, having been connected with the military service of his country for nearly four and one-half years. He is now a mem-

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ber of Butterworth Post, No. 109. G. A. R .. of which he has served as com- mander.

Following his return from the war Mr. Bennett took up his abode in Quincy, where in 1866 he engaged in the grocery and drug business. He followed merchandising there until 1893, but during the last ten years con- fined his attention to the drug and book trade. having disposed of his grocery stock. That he enjoyed a liberal patronage and a successful business is indi- cated by the fact that he continued actively in commercial circles for twenty- seven years. Selling out in Quincy in 1893 he removed to Coldwater. where he now makes his home. In 1870 he had established at Quincy, Michigan. the Bennett Newspaper & Magazine Agency, which was the pioneer enter- prise of this line in the world. He conducted the business to a recent date. but in 1904 sold out.

Mr. Bennett was married in Quincy. Michigan, in 1868, to Miss Minnie J. Sheldon, a native of Ohio and a daughter of the Rev. Barbour N. and Maria Jane Sheldon, a history of whom is given elsewhere in this work. Both Mr. and Mrs. Bennett are prominent and zealous members of the Presbyterian church, and the captain is a Republican in politics, active in support of the party from early manhood. He has held a number of minor offices and was postmaster of Quincy under the administration of President Harrison. Well known in Branch county as a progressive, energetic and enterprising business man, he has also gained a wide acquaintance as a musician, and was the organizer of the Quincy band. He is likewise the com- poser of thirty-eight vocal selections, and in musical circles his reputation ex- tends far beyond the limits of this county.

DELIVAN SORTER.

Delivan Sorter, who is engaged in general farming in Ovid township, was born in this part of Branch county on the 8th of May. 1846, his parents being Jacob and Hannah (Clark) Sorter, both of whom were natives of Steuben county, New York. The paternal grandparents removed to New Jersey from the Empire state, and there Jacob Sorter was reared and edu- cated. He chose as a companion and helpmate for life's journey Miss Han- nah Clark, who also spent her childhood in that locality. In pioneer times they came westward to Branch county, arriving in Michigan in 1838, at which time they settled in Ovid township upon a farm of forty acres. All around was the forest and it was only here and there that a settler had made a little clearing and begun the development of a farm. Mr. Sorter cut away the trees, plowed the land and tilled the fields, and in due course of time had his entire farm under cultivation. He lived upon that place for three years and a half and then purchased what has since been known as the Sorter farm, entering eighty acres of land from the government and buying the re- mainder from other parties. The place comprises two hundred and sixty acres of land, the greater part of which is under cultivation. Mr. Sorter bought and sold various farms in the county and capably conducted his busi- ness interests with the result that as the years passed he acquired a handsome competence. In politics he was always earnest and active in support of the

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HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY

principles of Democracy and he did everything in his power to promote the growth and insure the success of his party. His death occurred in 1882, when he was eighty years of age, and thus passed away one of the honored pioneer residents of this section of Michigan. In the family were eight chil- dren, three of whom were born in New York, while five were born in Branch county. All were sons, and the eldest died in infancy. The others were George, William, Henry, Andrew, James, Delivan and David.

Delivan Sorter spent the days of his boyhood and youth in Ovid town- ship and assisted his father in clearing and cultivating the old homestead. He had the opportunity of attending the district schools and thus qualified for life's practical and responsible duties. His active labor in the fields also prepared him for carrying on the farm work when he took charge of his own property in later years. He now has fifty acres where he resides, and twenty acres additional in the township, and his farm labors are characterized by a thorough understanding of agricultural methods and by unremitting dili- gence in the promotion of his work.

In 1875 Mr. Sorter was united in marriage to Miss Esther A. Merrill, a daughter of Joseph S. and Mary A. Merrill. Mrs. Sorter was born in Ovid township, near the Quinby schoolhouse, on the 28th of September, 1854, representing one of the pioneer families of this part of the state. Her father was a native of Maine and when fifteen years of age left New England and went to Ohio, where he remained until 1848. He then came to Branch county. which was largely a wild and unimproved district at that time. He settled upon a farm of forty acres, then covered with timber, and cleared most of that place. In 1851. however, he went to California, attracted by the discov- ery of gold in that state, and there he remained for about two years search- ing for the precious metal. Returning to Branch county he bought another farm in Ovid township, becoming owner of two hundred acres of timber land, which he cleared through hard work. No one who has not performed a similar service can understand the arduous toil involved in such a task. One by one the trees have to be felled, the stumps grubbed out and the brush cleared away or burned. Then follows the work of plowing, harrowing and planting, and thus the task of cultivating the fields is carried forward until rich harvests are garnered as a reward for the former toil. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Joseph S. Merrill were born three children, two sons and a daughter. The mother, however, died when Mrs. Sorter was only about a year old. and the father afterward married again, his second union being with Mrs. Sallie Hanford Summers, the widow of Thomas Summers, who by her former marriage had one daughter, Teresa. By the second marriage there was one son, Levi. Mrs. Sorter's father was married a third time when Mrs. Louisa J. ( Hibner) Grover became his wife. She was the mother of two children, a daughter and son, Laura and Frank, who were born of her former marriage, while by Mr. Merrill she had two sons, J. S. and Allen Ozias, the latter now deceased. Mr. Merrill was an earnest Republican in his political views and was a well-known man, who had a wide and favorable acquaint- ance throughout the county. He died October 17, 1879, when well advanced in years, leaving behind him an honorable name.

حمد حى

luns.s. F Phillips

John, H. Phillips

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HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY

At the time of their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Sorter settled upon the William Sorter farm, where they lived for a year and then spent the succeed- ing three years upon their present place. On the expiration of that period they returned to the old homestead and Mr. Sorter devoted two years to the care of his aged father and the management of the property. The father died in his eightieth year, and thus passed away an honored and pionecr resident of Branch county. He had given his political allegiance to the Democracy, and at the time of his death he was the owner of fifty acres of land in Ovid township in one tract and twenty acres in another tract. Mr. Sorter of this review has devoted his entire life to agricultural pursuits, and in his work is practical, energetic and persistent-qualities which always in- sure success. In politics he is largely independent, voting for men and ineas- ures rather than party.

JOHN F. PHILLIPS.

Many of the successful men of this country have achieved success while conducting agriculture along with other lines of business, giving a portion of their time to each avocation and becoming adept in each. One of these is the gentleman named above. Mr. John F. Phillips, who occupies a comfortable farm home on section sixteen, Kinderhook township.

Mr. Phillips is of English birth, he having been born in Cornwall, Eng- land. May 6, 1844. The Phillips had been residents of Cornwall for many generations and the first of the family to leave the mother country and come to America was the paternal grandfather of our subject, who settled in Hast- ings county, Canada, where he spent the remainder of his life. Our subject's father, John Phillips, was also born in Cornwall. England, where he grew to manhood and married Elizabeth Roberts, a native of the same place. They were the parents of three children, when, a few years after the departure of the senior Phillips, they decided to also try their fortunes in the new country. They made the voyage in 1850 and likewise located in Ontario upon a new farm. The father died two years after their arrival and the son. John F .. was brought up by strangers, he being only eight years old when his father died. John Phillips and Mary Roberts Phillips were the parents of five children, as follows: Peter died in Hastings. Canada: John F. is the subject of this review : Mary Honey, Susan Holmes and Josiah Phillips always made their home in Ontario, and of the family only John F. and Mary Honey are living. The mother also died in Ontario in 1880.

John F. Phillips lived in Canada until 1865 and then went to Lockport. New York. He had learned the trade of carpenter and joiner in Canada and after going to Lockport he worked at his trade in shops there for several years. This was followed by two years' work upon a farm not far from Lockport. after which he worked at his trade at Charlottesville, New York. until 1871, when he came to Michigan, locating first at Kinderhook Corners. where he remained for two years. His first purchase of land was fifty acres. which comprises a portion of his present farm, and in later years he increased this to one hundred and eighteen acres. The place was but little improved! and he cleared the land himself, working also at his trade when opportunity

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offered. It is an acknowledged fact that no carpenter or contractor in this portion of the county has so many good buildings to his credit as has Mr. Phillips. He has been engaged in construction in all the southern townships of Branch county, as well as in the northern townships of Steuben county, Indiana, and his buildings have stood the test of years.

Mr. Phillips was married, March 30, 1871, to Emma Ketchum, who was born in Niagara county, New York, February 8, 1846, and who died here January 10, 1887. Two children were born unto them : Mertie is the wife of Frank Whaley and their home is in Kinderhook; they have one daughter, Mildred. The other daughter, Nettie L., is the wife of Francis Flandemeyer and they live in Coldwater, Michigan. Mrs. Phillips' parents wcre George Ketchum and Mary Jane West, natives of western New York state, where Mrs. Ketchum died, her husband afterward coming to Michigan and dying at Flint December II, 1905. Three of the Ketchum children are still living: Mrs. L. J. Skinner, of Flint, Michigan; William I. Ketchum, of New Fane, New York; and Charles Ketchum, of Lockport, New York.

The second marriage of Mr. Phillips occurred November II, 1888, when he was united with Miss Alice A. Hess, a native of Alabama, New York, where she was born May 5, 1859, her father being Phillip Hess, born in Ger- many, and her mother being Mary Lawrence, a native of Royalton, New York. Mr. Hess was born March 31, 1821, and Mary Lawrence was born December 6, 1823. They were married at Buffalo, New York, and were the parents of nine children, all of whom grew to maturity, as follows : Charles H. lives in South Dakota; Frances Ross died in South Frankfort, Michigan; Homer died in Orleans county, New York: Mary Martin lives in Kinderhook; Nellie died in New York state; George P. died in Genesee county, New York ; Iona J. Thompson lives in Genesee county, New York; Martin K. lives in Kinderhook: Alice Phillips is the wife of our subject. Mr. and Mrs. Hess were esteemed people and both members of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Hess died April 19, 1902, while Mrs. Hess passed away Novem- ber 20, 1897. Tracing their genealogy still further we learn that the father of Mr. Hess was George Hess, while the father of Mrs. Hess was Alvin Lawrence, whose wife was Abigail Parker, both being of English descent. The marriage of John F. Phillips and Alice Hess has been a particularly happy one, and it has been blessed with one son, Clare J., whose birth occurred September 28, 1895. He lives at home with his parents and is attending school.

In addition to his business as a builder, Mr. Phillips also finds a great deal of his time occupied with other outside matters, he having been admin- istrator of many estates and dealing considerably in real estate of various kinds. At the same time he manages his farm after the best and most ap- proved methods and we find it a model in condition and general appearance. being supplied with excellent buildings and all needful machinery for opera- tion. The whole premises possess a remarkable neatness of appearance, the owner being methodical and having an eye for beauty as well as utility.

Although of necessity a very busy man, nevertheless Mr. Phillips finds time for fraternal and social duties and he is a member of the Masonic order,

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Greenleaf Lodge No. 349. and the A. O. U. W. in Kinderhook. Mr. and . Mrs. Phillips are also members of the Methodist Episcopal church in Kin- clerhook.

THOMAS W. MACK.

Thomas W. Mack, who for more than half a century has resided in Branch county, was born in Conneaught. Erie county, Pennsylvania, July 20, 1833, his parents being Joel and Marcia ( Ward) Mack, the latter an adopted daughter of Thomas Ward. The father. Joel Mack, was a native of the Empire state and after residing in Pennsylvania for some time re- moved to Ohio in 1835. settling in Florence. Erie county, where the family remained for twenty years, but the father passed away at the age of thirty- three years. The mother and her children came to Michigan in March. 1854. and Mrs. Mack afterward married again, becoming Mrs. Johnson. She died in Girard Center in 1883 at the age of seventy years. They were the parents of five children: Cordelia, who died in infancy: Joseph, who died at the age of seven years: Truman, a farmer of Girard township: Joel, an agri- culturist living in Union township; and Thomas W .. of this review.

Thomas W. Mack spent the days of his youth largely in Florence, Erie county, Ohio. and early learned the value of industry and perseverance as effective factors in a business career. Before leaving Ohio he was married on the 16th of November. 1853. to Miss Eleanor Packard. a daughter of Jere- miah and Patience (Orvis) Packard, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Connecticut. Mrs. Packard passed away May 10, 1835. in Pennsylvania, while the death of Mr. Packard occurred in Huron county. Ohio, October 25. 1865. They had two children: Mrs. Mack: and Caro- line, who became Mrs. Daniels and always made her home in Ohio, but died in New York city. May 6, 1865, having gone there on a visit. Mr. Packard after the death of his first wife was married March 28. 1836. to Minerva Hvde, and they had three children: Melissa Lance, Schuyler Packard and Riley Packard, all of whom are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Mack have be- come the parents of three daughters: Patience Minerva, who was born in Union township. August 7. 1857, died there June 21, 1862. Patience Philena. born in Girard township, February 20, 1866, died in Union township. April 15. 1876. Elsie, born in Union township. September 30. 1854. was married September 5, 1870, to Charles Edwin Perry. a native of Fredonia, Calhoun county, where he was born January 18. 1848. He was a farmer by occupa- tion and spent nearly his entire life in Girard township. During the period of the Civil war he enlisted on the 2nd of September. 1864. in Company C. Twenty-eighth Michigan Infantry, and was discharged May 26, 1865. at the · close of hostilities. At the battle of Nashville he contracted a lung disease and never fully recovered, dying from the effects April 6, 1889'. at his home in Girard township. He left a widow and two daughters: Clara M., who was born May 24. 1872. and is the wife of Boyce Wagoner. of Girard town- ship, by whom she has one son. Roland; and Orpha J. Perry, who was born June 2. 1875. and is the wife of Frank Johnson, of Albion. Michigan. They have three children : Harold Edward. Gladys Elinor and Leila Bernice.

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Mrs. Perry now lives at Girard Center and occupies an enviable social posi- tion there. She belongs to Butterworth Corps. W. R. C., at Coldwater. Avondale Hive, L. O. T. M., at Tekonsha, and is also a member and active worker in the Girard Methodist Episcopal church.

Mr. and Mrs. Mack have been continuous residents of Branch county for fifty-one years, living in Union township until October, 1902. when they came to Girard to spend their remaining days. Following their arrival in this county Mr. Mack purchased forty acres of new land in Union township. which he cleared and cultivated. He also purchased and aided in clearing two other farms there, and he still owns eighty acres of valuable and pro- ductive land on section thirteen, Union township. He has followed black- smithing for many years in connection with agricultural pursuits and has long lived a life of untiring activity and enterprise. He found here a new and un- developed region and assisted in its reclamation. His efforts have aided in transforming the wild land into productive fields and at all times he has furthered progressive public measures which have been the source of sub- stantial upbuilding and progress in the county. An upright man, he has en- joyed the confidence and esteem of all with whom he has come in contact, and his life record is an indication that honorable effort wins not only suc- cess, but also the high regard of one's fellow men.

ADISON P. JOHNSON.

From an early period in the development and upbuilding of Branch county Adison P. Johnson has resided within its borders and his home is on section two, Batavia township. He was born in Huron county, Ohio, on the 3Ist of October, 1833. His father. Hezekiah Johnson, was a native of Green county, New York, was there reared and became a carpenter and farmer. His father was born in Yonkers, Connecticut, and removed to the Empire state at an early day. Hezekiah Johnson, after his marriage, left New York and went to Huron county, Ohio, about 1830, there residing for a long period, after which he came to Michigan about 1864, settling in. Quincy township, Branch county, upon a farm which remained his place of residence up to the time of his death. He passed away at the age of eighty-four years, leaving to his family the priceless heritage of a good name and also a comfortable competence. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Cornelia Frayer, was born in New York and reached the very venerable age of ninety-five years. In their family were eleven children, nine of whom grew to manhood or womanhood, Adison P. Johnson being the seventh child and sixth son.

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A twentieth century history and biographical record of Branch County, Michigan, Part 49

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