A twentieth century history and biographical record of Branch County, Michigan, Part 50

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

USA > Michigan > Branch County > A twentieth century history and biographical record of Branch County, Michigan > Part 50

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In the place of his nativity Mr. Johnson, of this review, spent his . boyhood and youth and was a district school student. He remained with his father until he was of age, assisting him on the farm. He also worked by the day for one summer and he gained a practical knowledge of the best methods of carrying on agricultural pursuits. Before he left Ohio he was married to Miss Sylva Van Dusen, who died, leaving four children : Ella May, the wife of Jerome Hawley, of Traverse City, Michigan; Della, the

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HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY

wife of Adelbert Martin, a resident of Batavia township; Kenneth, de- ceased ; and Melvin A., who is living in Batavia township.

In the year 1866 Mr. Johnson removed to Hillsdale county, Michigan, and in 1871 came to Batavia township, Branch county, locating where he now resides. Since that time he has carried on general farming, having eighty acres of land which he now rents. It was upon this farm that his wife died on January 10, 1898, and on the 4th of April, 1901, Mr. Johnson was married to Mrs. Lottie Hoffman, the widow of Dr. D. Hoffman, of McConnelsville. Ohio, and a daughter of Enoch and Juliet A. (Hall) Dye. She was born in Smithfield, Jefferson county, Ohio, and has been three times married, her first union being with James T. Hood, by whom she had one son, William Hood. Mrs. Johnson is a direct descendant of the great Dye family of Ohio, who has a claim on a large estate in Scotland and England.

Mr. Johnson votes with the Democracy where national issues are in- volved, but at local elections casts an independent ballot. He has served as highway commissioner in Batavia township, but the honors and emolu- ments of office have had little attraction for him. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, with which he has been identified since twenty-one years of age, his membership being now in Tyre Lodge of Coldwater.

FRANK N. WILLIAMS.

Frank N. Williams, one of the ablest insurance men of the county, was born June 10. 1867, in the city of Coldwater, where he yet makes his home, having spent his entire life here. His father, W. Job Williams, was born in Dewitt, Onondaga county, New York, on the 14th of February, 1840. His paternal grandfather, Simon Zelotes Williams, came to Micli- igan in 1835, locating in Gilead, Branch county, but subsequently returned to the Empire state in 1838. Once more, however, he took up his abode in Gilead in IS42, and afterward removed to Coldwater, passing his remain- ing days there. The Williams family came originally from Wales, and the branch to which our subject belongs is descended from Roger Williams, who landed with the Pilgrims and was prominent in the settlement of New England, where he was known as the " apostle of peace." He settled in Massachusetts. but because of his religious faith was driven to Rhode Island with others who held similar views. He became the founder of the colony of Rhode Island and also of the city of Providence. Major Williams, an ancestor of our subject, was an aide to General Washington. Job Williams. the great-grandfather, settled in Dewitt, Onondaga county, New York, and thence representatives of the name came to Michigan, founding the family in this state.

WV. Job Williams, father of our subject. arrived in Branch county in 1842 with his parents and lived in Gilead for twenty years. He afterward spent five years as an agriculturist in Ovid township and then came to Cold- water, having resided in this city since twenty-six years of age. He is a member of the Masonic lodge and is well known here as a representative citizen and a man of many good qualities and characteristics. For two years

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he has served as city marshal. He married Miss Harriet Stowell, who was born in Ovid township, this county, on the 4th of August, 1845. The Stowells originally lived in Connecticut and New Hampshire, and at a later day the family was founded in New York, whence representatives of the name came to Michigan, settling in Branch county. The marriage of W. Job Williams and Harriet Stowell was celebrated in Bethel township, March 23, 1862, and for thirty-eiglit years they traveled life's journey together, but were separated by the death of the wife on the 20th of Decem- ber, 1900. They were the parents of three children: Samuel Zelotes, Frank N. and Mabel M. Williams, all of this county.

Frank N. Williams acquired a common school education and first en- gaged in business for himself in 1889. He continued merchandising for thirteen years, selling harness, carriages and bicycles. He then owned and conducted livery stables for three years, but disposed of his business in that line in 1903, and has since devoted his energies to the insurance business, representing both accident and life companies. He is to-day agent for the Mutual Benefit Life of Newark, New Jersey, and the Aetna Accident In- surance Company of Hartford, Connecticut. He has been eminently suc- cessful in every line of business in which he has directed his energies, and is to-day considered one of the ablest insurance men of the county.

On the 4th of March, 1898, Mr. Williams was united in marriage to Miss Estelle Rawson, who was born in Coldwater, April 28, 1869, and is a daughter of James M. Rawson, whose birth occurred in Weedsport, New York, February 13, 1836. The Rawsons are of English descent, tracing their ancestry back through Edward Rawson, who in 1636 was a resident of Newberry, Massachusetts, and served as secretary of the Massachusetts colony. James M. Rawson came from New York to Michigan in 1847, locating in Bethel, Branch county. Through much of his life he was en- gaged in business as a traveling salesman. He served as a soldier of the Civil war, enlisting in 1864 in Company C, Twenty-eighth Michigan In- fantry, with which he continued until after the close of hostilities. He was married in Centerville, this state, to Miss Charlotte E. Nichols, who was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, January 24, 1845, and is still living in the city of Coldwater. Mr. Rawson, however, died in this city, September 29, 1903. He lived an upright, honorable life and won the merited esteem of his fellowmen. Mrs. Rawson has membership relations with the Cold- water Assembly, a religious organization. Unto this worthy couple were born five children, all of whom are residents of Coldwater, namely: Mrs. Lottie M. Hawes; Mrs. Estelle Williams; Mrs. Bernice Brant; Mrs. Bessie Deuser ; and Paul J. Rawson.

In his political views Mr. Williams is a stalwart Republican, but has never been an office holder nor desired official preferment as a reward for party fealty. Fraternally he is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America and socially with the Arion Club of Coldwater. He is exceedingly popular, having many warm friends in the city in which his entire life has been passed. Here he owns a comfortable home, which he built, and he has

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been very successful in his business career, despite obstacles that would have utterly discouraged many a man of less resolute and determined nature and laudable ambition.

CHARLES HOMER SAGER.

Charles Homer Sager, interested in general agricultural pursuits, his home farm being in Bronson township, was born in 1842 in Bronson town- ship, his parents being George and Emily Jane ( Blanchard) Sager. The father was born in the state of New York. May 2, 1824, and they were mar- ried at Burroak, Michigan. George Sager had come to this state with his father, John Sager, in 1835. and the grandfather had purchased a tract of land of one hundred and sixty acres on the Chicago road, now known as Johnson's place. There. as a pioneer settler, he began the cultivation and improvement of his farm, which he continued to make his home up to the time of his death. In his family were seven children: George. Zid. Isaac. John. Mary Ann, Katherine and Eliza.

George Sager. the eldest son in this family, lived upon the old farm homestead until eighteen years of age, when he started out in life on his own account. Through two and a half years he was employed by Mr. Lock- erby in Burroak, after which he married Miss Blanchard of that place. He then took up his abode on the old Frye farm in what is now known as the Dutch settlement. This place comprised one hundred and twenty acres, and he continued its cultivation until about 1852. when he sold that place and bought three hundred acres on section twenty-eight. To this he afterward added one hundred acres adjoining, and there he carried on general farming and stock-raising, making a specialty of dealing in sheep. He was industrious and persevering, and the large farm which he acquired showed that he was very successful. In all of his business dealings he was straightforward and honorable, as well as energetic, and he won for himself a creditable name. He died in January, 1899, while his wife passed away about 1889. They were the parents of eleven children: Mary Jane. Homer. Margaret. George H., Louisa N .. Rosellie. Isaac. Albert. Lucy. Carrie and Joseph.

Charles Homer Sager began his education in the district schools and remained upon his father's farm until 1861, during which time he assisted in clearing the land, plowing the fields and harvesting the crops. He was a young man of nineteen years when, in response to his country's call for aid, he offered his services to the government and was assigned to duty with Company B. First Michigan Regiment. This command was attached to the Army of the Potomac, and he participated in all of its battles, includ- the engagements at Fredericksburg, Bull Run and Fair Oaks. He was wounded at Moline Hill, where he had his forefinger shot away, and he also had a leg broken at Fredericksburg. He likewise was struck by a ball at Antietam and, because of his wounds, received an honorable discharge.

Mr. Sager was married in 1863 to Miss Martha J. Woodhull. a daugh- ter of Stephen Woodhull, after which he rented a tract of land and was thus engaged in farming for several years. In 1865 he removed to Kansas,

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settling in Ottawa county, where he spent two years and then returned to Michigan, living for five years in this state at that time. About 1872 he again went to Kansas, where he continued until 1878. when he went to the Indian Territory, and there leased one thousand acres of Indian land. He farmed there successfully and continuously for twenty-one years, or until 1899, when, on account of his father's death, he returned to Michigan. While in Kansas and in Indian Territory he had operated a threshing ma- chine and was extensively engaged in the raising of wheat. Following his father's death he received as his inheritance one hundred and ten acres of the old homestead, and he is now operating this farm, being recognized as one of the substantial and progressive agriculturists of his community. His land is productive, and owing to the care and labor which he bestows upon the place he now harvests large crops, which bring him a good financial return).

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Sager have been born eight children: Luther L .. who married Lillie Bonner, of Kansas, by whom he had seven children, has always been associated with his father in business; John is living in Branch county : Abraham was killed in Tacoma, Washington, in 1901; Cora is the wife of Clarence Monroe, a resident of Matteson township; the younger members of the family are William McKinley, Maggie, Charlie and Frank. are deceased, but William McKinley.

Mr. Sager is a Republican in his political views, but has never sought or desired office, giving his attention to business affairs that have made him an experienced and prosperous farmer.

JAMES RICHEY.

Among the many good men who have spent their entire lives in Branch county, none left a better life record or were held in higher esteem than the gentleman named above. the late James Richey. Mr. Richey was born in Ulysses county, New York, June 29. 1832, and he was only five years of age when he accompanied his parents from the state of New York to San- dusky county, Ohio, this taking place in 1837. The Richeys came from Penn- sylvania and were of Dutch descent, our subject's father being Isaac Richey. while his mother was Aseneth Carpenter, whose people came from the eastern states. Isaac Richey and Aseneth Carpenter were married in New York state and they were the parents of eight children, only three of whom are now living: Harriet Terry, of Nevada, Indiana: Charles Richey, of Cali- fornia : and Ellen Munger, also of the state of California. The parents, after a residence of several years in New York state, removed to Sandusky county. Ohio, where they lived for twenty years, and then afterward came to Branch county, Michigan, where they passed the remainder of their days in the town- ship of Kinderhook.

Their son. James Richey, accompanied his parents from New York state to Ohio, and from there to Michigan, and he lived at home until his marriage. with the exception of the period of his enlistment in the Civil war. He grew to manhood in Sandusky county, Ohio, and there it was that he responded to the call of his country at the outbreak of the great conflict, enlisting in the

The Residence of Mr. and Mrs. James Richey

Camy Wichtigy

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jatter part of 1861 in the Seventy-second Ohio Infantry, and serving until April of the following year, when he was disabled by a gunshot wound which incapacitated him from a soldier's duties and, in fact, crippled him for the remainder of his life. He was sergeant of his company at the time of enlist- ment and served as such until his discharge.

A few years after the close of the war Mr. Richey was married, December 21. 1868, to Alvira Depew, but their union was of brief duration, for she died July 25 of the following year. Mr. Richey's second marriage was con- summated April 26, 1878, when he was united with Miss Mary E. Flint, who was born in the township of Eckford, Calhoun county, Michigan, July 26, 1846. She came from one of the sturdy and highly respected families who came from the east in the early thirties and made for themselves comfortable liomes in the then untrodden middle west. Her father, Aseryl Flint, was born in Roxbury, Vermont, March 26, 1807. and her mother was before marriage Saloma Sumner, who was born in Middlebury, Vermont. February 12. ISII. They were married in Vermont and were the parents of the follow- ing children, all of whom grew to maturity, they being as follows: Jane Jones is a resident of Kinderhook: Samuel A. passed almost his entire life in Clar- endon. Michigan, where he was one of the leading men of Calhoun county. where he died in 1900; Salome and Harriet both died in Ovid township. this county, the former in 1897 and the latter in 1892: Albert lives in Ne- braska; Rollin died in Kinderhook, in 1904: Julia Ann died here in 1902 ; Mary E. Richey is the widow of our subject; Henry P. lives in Kinderhook : Olive Dawes lives in Jamestown, Indiana: Emma Marshall is a resident of Ovid, this county.

Aseryl Flint and his family came from the east in 1835 and first located in Michigan, in the township of Eckford, Calhoun county, where they lived until 1851, then removing to Branch county and Kinderhook township, where the parents passed the remainder of their lives. Mr. Flint's first purchase of land here was something over two hundred acres, for which he paid one thou- sand dollars. This land was almost wholly uncleared and unimproved, and. in fact, this entire region was in a virgin state, with dense forests, poor high- ways and neighbors few and far between. The members of the Flint family were, however, industrious people and they worked with a will in making themselves a home here. The parents were people of high character and they proved important factors in the early history and development of this part of the county of Branch. Mr. Flint was a deeply religious man, with high ideals, and his life was an open and unsullied book. Of good physique and industrious habits, it is related of him that frequently. after a long and hard day's work, he would take advantage of a moonlight night to continue his labors, such was his ambition to provide comforts for his loved ones and to attain a competence. He was a consistent member of the Methodist Epis- copal church and a man who possessed the respect of all who knew him. He did not live long after coming to Branch county, however, to enjoy the fruits of his labors, for his death occurred here May 3. 1856. Mrs. Flint was thus left a widow with nine children under the age of eighteen years and with a

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farm to manage. With rare courage she attacked the problem, keeping her children together and managing her affairs with unquestioning faith and remarkable executive ability. This she continued to do during the remainder of her long and useful life and before her death she had the satisfaction of seeing all of her children married and with families and comfortable homes of their own. She was truly a most remarkable woman, one of a thousand. and when her death came, September 17, 1899, she left behind her hundreds of sorrowing relatives and friends. She was an intensely religious woman, joining the Methodist Episcopal church when she was but a young girl, and leading a thoroughly Christian life through its eighty-seven years' duration. Her business affairs were conducted with unerring judgment and only a few days before her death she was engrossed in their details.

With parents of such sterling worth of character it is no wonder that the Flint children grew to be men and women of importance here, where so many of the family still reside. Mr. James Richey spent the greater portion of his life in Kinderhook township, and here he held a very high place in the regard and confidence of the people. He purchased his farm on section eleven, Kinderhook township, before his marriage, and although the place was cleared of timber, nevertheless there'were few improvements in the way of buildings, etc., and there remained plenty of work to do in making a home here. Each year witnessed improvement in the farm and before long it was one of the comfortable and attractive homes of this vicinity. He was oft- times selected as judge in the Branch County Fair Association on stock, wool and grain.

That Mr. Richey was a man whom the people looked up to as honorable, capable and trustworthy. is plainly evidenced by the many times he was chosen to fill positions of trust and responsibility. In fact, his fellow-towns- men had implicit confidence in him, and they knew that in his hands their interests would be well and carefully guarded. He was supervisor of Kin- derhook township for no less than fifteen years, and his valuable experience in this line led to his being placed upon the more important standing and special committees of the Branch County Board of Supervisors. He always looked carefully after the interests of his own township and also showed unusual capability in the transaction of the general business of the county. Mr. Richey was also township clerk for several terms and held other local offices, always performing his public duties faithfully and well. He was also director of the Branch County Mutual Fire Insurance Company for many years, and he was always interested in any movement tending toward the bet- terment of the people and the improvement of his town and county. He was a stanch Republican and his advice was always sought in the councils of his party. Fraternally he was affiliated with Tyre Lodge, F. & A. M., of Coldwater, and was one of the honored members of the Butterworth G. A. R. Post at Coldwater, Michigan. Mr. Richey's death occurred November 20. 1903, at the age of seventy-two years. He is survived by Mrs. Richey, who still occupies the farm home in Kinderhook township.

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HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY

JAMES S. OGDEN.

Branch county has numerous beautiful farm homes, but none of them surpasses in neatness, beauty and general utility that of the gentleman named above, which is located on section two in the township of Kinderhook. The whole place, in fact. reflects the character of the owner and his family, who are among the well-to-do and highly respected residents of this part of the county.

The Ogdens are of English descent, the paternal grandfather of our subject being John R. Ogden, who came from England in the beginning of the nineteenth century and settled in the state of New York. His wife was Harriet Parker, who died in New York state, her husband dying later at Davenport, lowa. One of their children. Wyman Ogden, was the father of James S. Ogden, and from him is the present branch of the Ogden family descendied. Wyman Ogden was born in Hornellsville, Steuben county, New York, April 21, 1819, and he was married in Bingham, Potter county, Penn- syivania, July 18, 1841. to Amanda M. Gifford, who was born at Cio. Alle- gheny county, New York, December 28. 1826. Her parents removed from New York to Pennsylvania, and there it was that she met Wyman Ogden, who was then in his young manhood employed in rafting timber down the Allegheny river. Soon after marriage they located in Steuben county. New York, and in 1855 they came to Michigan and Branch county, locating in Algansee township, where Mrs. Ogden died November 21, 1861. They were the parents of eleven children, four of whom died in infancy, the others being as follows: Edward S. died in Andersonville prison during the Civil war; Henry J. is an inmate of the Soldiers' home at Grand Rapids, Michi- gan; Pardon G. lives in Kinderhook: Levi F. lives at Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan; James S. is our subject ; Wyman P. lives at Belvidere, Illinois ; Charles S. is a resident of Wexford county, Michigan. After the death of his first wife, the father, Wyman Ogden, removed to Angola, Indiana, where he married Mary A. Sowle, by whom he had two children : Allen E., who lives at Angola, Indiana, and Cora D., who is a resident of Allegheny, Pennsylva- nia. Mary Sowle Ogden died in Pennsylvania in 1901, while Wyman Ogden passed away here at the home of his son, July 22, 1904, where he had been liv- ing for several years. William Ogden was a stonemason by trade, although he also owned and operated farms during the greater part of his life. In addition to his farm in Algansee township he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of new land in Wexford county, Michigan, which he cleared, living there a number of years. In Wexford county he was township clerk, treasurer and highway commissioner for repeated terms and was a man of influence and high standing. Fraternally he was a Blue Lodge Mason and in early life he belonged to the Methodist Episcopal church, although later belonging to the Liberal United Brethren church. Our subject's mother was a member of the Methodist Episcopal society and the Eastern Star.

James S. Ogden was only two years of age when he accompanied his parents from New York to Michigan, and he lived in California and Algan- see townships until twenty years of age, also being in Wexford county for

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three years, assisting his father in clearing the new land there. He learned the trade of stonemason, at which he has worked nearly all his life, although at the same time operating his farm. His first ownership of land was in Algansee township in 1879, and he purchased his present farm on section two, Kinderhook township, in February, 1881, since which time this place has been his home. His first purchase here was sixty acres and later pur- chases have increased it to one hundred and sixty acres. Although this place was not cleared by Mr. Ogden, nevertheless he has made great improvements thereon in the way of buildings, fences, hedges, etc., it being now most at- tractive.

Mr. Ogden was married December 25. 1879, to Mary A. Burdick, who was born on this farm March 2, 1855. Her father was Beriah L. Burdick, who was born in Brattleboro, Vermont, March 17, 1802. and his parents in turn were Pardon Burdick and Polly Lewis, both residents of Vermont. Mrs. Ogden's mother was Lucy Ann Stokes, who was born October 24, .1819. Mr. and Mrs. Burdick were married April 26, 1846, in Steuben county, Indiana, and lived there some years after marriage. They came to Kinder- hook in 1852 and passed the remainder of their lives on this farm. Mrs. Bur- dick dying October 30, 1863, and Mr.' Burdick, December 31, 1875. Botlı were respected people, and Mrs. Burdick was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. The Burdicks had six children, as follows: Oscar died in early childhood; Albert lives in Gilead, this county; Frank P. lives at Fremont, Indiana; Clark died in San Francisco, California; Mary A. Ogden is the wife of our subject, and J. B. resides in Chicago, and was shipping clerk of an express company a number of years, eight in total, and is now employed with a large firm on the south side.

The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. James S. Ogden has been blessed with the birth of three children: Ernest C., Elsie D. and Ray E. The two sons live at home with their parents, while Elsie, the daughter, is the wife of William Hoyt. They live in this township and have one daughter, Margaret. Einest C. Ogden, the eldest of the children, although past his majority, still resides at home and he is interested with his father in the management and operation of the farm. He was born October 2, 1883, and has secured a good practical education. He is an energetic young man, thoroughly posted on agricultural matters and much of the responsibility of conducting the farm falls upon his shoulders. He is a member of Greenleaf Lodge No. 349, F. & A. M., and that he stands high in the regard of its members is plainly shown by the fact that the first year of his membership he was chosen as secretary of the lodge, a position which he still retains, and is now justice of the peace of the township.

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A twentieth century history and biographical record of Branch County, Michigan, Part 50

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