A twentieth century history and biographical record of Branch County, Michigan, Part 51

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 51

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Although following a line of general farming, nevertheless Mr. Ogden and his son have specialized somewhat in Hereford cattle in an effort to im- prove the stock of this vicinity, in which they have been very successful.

James S. Ogden has the thorough confidence of his fellow townsmen and he has been frequently called to serve them, being supervisor of his town- ship in 1898-99 and 1900; township treasurer from 1885-87 and elected again in 1906, and assessor of his school district ever since 1884. Politically

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HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY

he is a Democrat. Mr. Ogden was also a charter member of Greenleaf Lodge No. 349, F. & A. M., and besides being W. M. of the lodge for five years, has filled ail the other chairs, including the office of secretary for four years. He is also affiliated with the I. O. O. F. and the K. O. T. M., while Mrs. Ogden is a member of the L. O. T. M.

SOUTHERLAND MOORE SEELY.

Southerland Moore Seely, now deceased, was born August 15, 1826. near Middletown, Orange county, New York. He was the ninth in a fam- ily of ten children born unto Holly and Elizabeth (Moore) Seely. The father was a native of Goshen, Orange county, New York, born August 7. 1787, and was of English and Scotch lineage, although the family was es- tablished in New England during an early period in the colonization of this county. The mother of our subject was of Quaker parentage and was born at Cornwall, New York. September 16, 1790. In the year 1829 Holly Seely, having sustained heavy losses through fire, removed his family to Newburg, New York, and afterward to Sussex county, New Jersey, and there conducted a tannery. It was during their residence in Sussex county that the wife and mother died in 1835. After her death Mr. Seely never at- tended school, and all his schooling came between his fifth and eighth years. The father afterward married again and later removed to Tunkhannock. Pennsylvania, where he also conducted a tannery. About 1832 the family came to Michigan, settling near Ypsilanti, and not more than a year later Southerland M. Seely started out in life for himself.

He left a home where he had no advantages or hope for an education and when thirteen years of age began the battle of life for himself as a poor boy. The facts of his career disclose wonderful success as he steadily made his way upward undeterred hy obstacles and difficulties in his path. He became both wealthy and well informed. Going to Erie, Pennsylvania. he accepted a position as errand boy and general helper in a hotel and after three or four months he went to Georgetown. Pennsylvania, where he remained for a short period and was again employed in a hotel. At Moga- dore, Ohio, he was employed for two years in a tannery, after which he was foreman there, remaining until 1844. In the following year he went to Mendham, New Jersey, where for a short period he worked in a tannery and afterward he was engaged in the boot and shoe business with Lewis A. Thompson, who subsequently became his father-in-law. This busi- ness relation was maintained until 1852, when on account of ill health he withdrew and turned his attention to the business of purchasing western horses and shipping them to the eastern market. Soon afterward, however, he pur- chased a stage coach line running from Coldwater to Marshall, Michigan. and used his horses on that line. He then planned a mail route from Mar- shall to Fort Wayne, Indiana, and in this manner extended the stage route. devoting his energies to the business until 1859, when he sold out and en- gaged in purchasing and selling horses again. To this he gave his time until after the outbreak of the Civil war. His next enterprise was a tan-

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nery at Coldwater, and in the winter of 1863-4 he removed to New York City, where he engaged in dealing in bonds, stocks and mortgages. That business claimed his energies for several years and he was so successful that he amassed a large sum of money. He was perhaps the most noted capitalist that has lived in Branch county. In 1871 he returned to Coldwater on ac- count of declining health and continued his residence here until his death, October 16, 1899.

Mr. Seely traveled extensively both in America and abroad and gained that culture, knowledge and experience which only travel can bring. His conversation was enriched with many interesting reminiscences and anec- dotes of his journeys, and he was a most congenial companion. Though he was never a church member he attended the services of the Presbyterian church and was a very charitable man, giving freely of his means to those who needed assistance and to worthy benevolent objects.

It was on the 7th of April, 1853, that Mr. Seely was united in marriage to Miss Sarah J. Thompson, a daughter of Lewis A. Thompson of Mend- ham, New Jersey, who was born there in 1833 and now resides in Detroit. She is a member of the Presbyterian church. Mr. and Mrs. Seely have two daughters: Annie, who is living in Coldwater; and Mrs. W. N. Wor- cester, of Detroit.

The life history of Mr. Seely is notable in the fact that he rose from a very humble financial position to one of affluence. His business discern- ment and judgment were rarely at fault. He seemed to understand intri- cate business problems almost at a glance and he knew how best to utilize his opportunities so as to produce the greatest results. Nor was his path strewn with the wreck of other men's fortunes. He was just and upright in all his dealings and the secret of his prosperity lay in his close applica- tion, his indefatigable energy and his keen sagacity. In his life he displayed the sterling traits of character of friend, father and husband, being always loyal to those with whom he enjoyed social relations, while to his family he was most devoted.

CHARLES C. FENNER.

There is no better criterion of the worth of a locality as a place of residence and an indication of the advantages it offers its citizens than the fact that many of its native residents remain within its borders. Mr. Fen- ner is one of Branch county's native sons and is today a representative agri- culturist here. He was born in Bethel township, August 18, 1858. His father, Collins Fenner, was a native of Chautauqua county, New York, born February 28, 1821. In his youth he learned the shoemaker's trade and followed that pursuit while living in the east. He married Lucinda Myers, and on coming to Michigan he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. He reached Branch county in pioneer times, when the settlers were few. It was only here and there that a log cabin was seen in the midst of the forests, indicating that the seeds of civilization had been planted that were in due time to bring forth rich fruit in splendid farms with all modern equipments. Mr. Fenner entered from the government eighty acres of land on section

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HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY

fourteen, Bethel township, and with characteristic energy he began clearing this place. He built a log cabin and in true pioneer style began life here. As he cleared his land he turned the first furrows in the fields and in due course of time rich harvests were gathered. He kept adding to this land until he had one hundred and ninety acres in Bethel township, constituting a valuable farm, the greater part of which was under a high state of culti- vation. He raised cattle and draft horses in connection with the improve- ment of the fields and was numbered among the progressive and practical agriculturists, his labors being of material benefit in the development of this part of the state. He died April 19, 1905, at the venerable age of eighty-four years, and thus passed away an honored pioneer settler who in his locality was respected by all who knew him. His widow still survives him and yet makes her home with her children. Mr. Fenner was a well read man, keeping informed upon the questions and issues of the day politically and otherwise. He voted with the Democracy, but had no political aspira- tion for himself. preferring to give his undivided attention to his business affairs, whereby he provided a comfortable home and living for his family. He had six children: Marby, who married A. R. Groves and is living in Coldwater: Corydon, a resident of Ovid township; Phebe, who became the wife of P. A. Buck, of Bronson, Branch county, and died September 5. 1892, at the age of forty-one years, eleven months and twenty-three days. leaving two children, Percy C. and Otis Buck; Calista, the wife of Charles Russel, of Ovid township: Charles C., whose name introduces this review : and Mary, the wife of George Fowler, a resident farmer of Coldwater town- ship.

Charles C. Fenner is indebted to the district school system of Branch county for the educational privileges he enjoyed in youth, his time being divided between the duties of the school room. the pleasures of the play ground and the work of the farm. Under the direction of his father he was well trained in all of the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist and assisted him in the operation of the old homestead up to the time of his marriage. In 1889 he was united in marriage to Miss Emma Norton, a daughter of Ansel Norton. He then lived on the Norton farm for twelve years and came into possession of the home farm about 1886. He had operated this land in the meantime and he received as an inheritance one hundred and ten acres of land, to which he afterward added by pur- chase a tract of forty-two and a half acres on section thirteen, so that he has at the present time one hundred and fifty-seven and a half acres of rich and arable land. Here he carries on general farming but all of the grain that he raises he feeds to his stock, having sheep, hogs and horses upon his place, all of good grades. He sells annually considerable stock, receiv- ing therefrom a good income. He is likewise a stockholder of the Creamery Company at Batavia and was the first man to sign the paper promoting this enterprise. From the beginning he has been one of its directors. In 1901 he built a fine residence on his farm, comprising one hundred and fifty-seven and one-half acres and the place is richly furnished, making a most attractive

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HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY

home, its hospitality being greatly enjoyed by the many friends of the fam- ily.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Fenner have been born five children: Lulu Maud, who is now living in Coldwater; Clarence, Glema, Gladys and Eunice, all at home. The members of the household occupy an enviable position in the social circles in which they move. In politics Mr. Fenner is a Demo- crat, interested in the growth and success of his party. He was elected supervisor in 1898 and has since held that office with the exception of the year 1902. He was on the school board for a number of years and as a public official is always true to his duty, which he discharges with prompt- ness and fidelity. His business record is alike creditable, for he is straight- forward in all of his dealings, never taking advantage of the necessities of his fellowmen and he has found that diligence and enterprise constitute a safe and sure basis for the acquirement of a competence.

EDMUND W. QUICK.

E. W. Quick, whose landed possessions comprise one hundred and two acres in Noble township, is a native of England, his birth having occurred in Devonshire in April, 1835. His parents were James and Jane ( Waller) Quick. The father was a farmer by occupation, always following that pur- suit in order to provide for his family, which numbered seven children. His death occurred in England and E. W. Quick is the only representative of the family that has sought a home in America. He acquired a good education in the schools of his native country and was reared to farm life, lessons of industry, perseverance and integrity being early impressed upon his mind, so that in later years they have borne rich fruit. He continued on the old home- stead until he had reached the age of twenty-two years, when, desiring to profit by the better business opportunities of the new world, he bade adieu to friends and native country and sailed for the United States. He did not tarry on the Atlantic coast, however, but came at once to Michigan and since 1858 has been a resident of this state. He married Miss Mary Martin, a daughter of Phillip Martin. who was born in Devonshire, in 1839, came from England in 1858, and they settled in Gilead township. There they lived for three years, and in 1861 Mr. Quick rented a farm, which he cultivated until 1863, when he invested his savings in a tract of forty acres on section twelve, Noble township. He then took up his abode on this place, and soon there- after built a house and barn. As the years have passed he has added other equipments and now has a well improved property. In 1870 he bought fifty acres of land and subsequently added twelve acres, so that one hundred and two acres are now comprised within the boundaries of his place. He raises both grain and stock, feeding the former, and he has a good place, thoroughly in keeping with modern ideas of progressive agriculture.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Quick have been born seven children: Frank, who is now living in Daisy. North Dakota: Jessie, who became the wife of Luke Peachey and died in 1891; William, who is living in Daisy, North Dakota; Agnes, who married John Woodard and is a resident of Page, North Dakota ;

Nors & W Quick

8 TH. Quick

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HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY

Phillip, a physician practicing in Olivet, Michigan; Albert, who is in the mail service running out of Branson; and Sidney S., who is engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He was educated in Perdue University, and graduated in the class of 1906. He married Miss Grace Kellett, and they have one little son, Garrette Wayne. Mrs. Quick was born in La Grange county, Indiana, November 22, 1878, and is a daugh- ter of Robert and Jane (Kelso) Kellett. All of his sons are prospering in life and the family is one of which the parents have every reason to be proud.

In his political views Mr. Quick is a stalwart Republican and cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1864, having in the meantime taken out his naturalization papers. He has been called to several public offices, serving for two terms as supervisor, also for two terms as treasurer of the township and as a member of the school board for twenty-six years. and there is no man in the community who is more thoroughly interested in the welfare and upbuilding of the county than Mr. Quick. He is loyal to American institutions, having a deep attachment for the land of his adoption. He has never regretted his determination to seek a home in the new world. for here he has found good business opportunities, and as the years have passed he has prospered in his undertakings. He has justly earned the proud American title of a self-made man, the only title which our liberty-loving people acknowledge, and as the architect of his own fortunes has builded wisely and well.

SAMUEL WATERS.

Some of the leading and most influential citizens of the prosperous county of Branch are its farmers, who, although still in their prime have made for themselves and families comfortable homes here and who are re- garded as men of prominence in their town and county. One of these is the gentleman named above, Mr. Samuel Waters, who has already achieved a large measure of success in life.

Mr. Waters was born at Buffalo, New York, October 30, 1852, he being of English descent, and the only member of his family born in Amer- ica. His father was James Waters and his mother was Elizabeth Cooper, both natives of Lincolnshire, England, where they spent their early mar- ried life. James Waters was always a farmer, and in England had charge of large farms, an avocation which he followed after coming to this coun- try. He and his wife were the parents of nine children when in 1851 they decided to try their fortunes in America, and they located first at Buffalo. New York. Their means were very limited upon their arrival, but the Eng- lish pluck and persistence won a way for them and they continued to grow in prosperity year after year. They lived at Buffalo for three years and then removed to White Pigeon, Michigan, where they remained for five years, going from there to Ohio and finally to Fremont, Indiana, where the parents died, the father in 1879 and the mother in 1881. Both were esteemed people and members of the Reformed church. Of their ten chil- dren, all but two, Thomas and Jane, are living, as follows: Mary Spade, of Kinderhook; Eliza Kellogg, of Missouri; William, of Ohio; James, Mor-

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ris, George and Phillip, of Indiana; and Samuel, of Kinderhook, Michigan. All have made homes for themselves and are well-to-do as regards this world's goods, and all have families of their own.

Samuel Waters was reared upon the farm and as the youngest child he lived at home during the life of his parents. He was married October 30, 1877, to Miss Elizabeth Grimm, a native of Steuben county, Indiana, where she was born January 24, 1855. Her father, William Grimm, was born in Stark county, Ohio, in June, 1832, and her mother, Mary A. Keller, was born in Randolph county, Ohio, in 1835. They removed to Steuben county, Indiana, in an early day and spent fifty years of their lives there, where the mother died December 12, 1903, and where the father still resides, at Fremont. They were the parents of four children, all of whom are living: Elizabeth Waters, wife of our subject, and Henry, Ellwood and George, all residents of Steuben county, Indiana.

The early married life of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Waters was spent in Fremont township, Steuben county, Indiana, but in 1888 Mr. Waters pur- chased his present farm in California township, Branch county, Michigan, which has since been their home. The farm at first contained one hundred and eighty-three acres, forty acres of which has since been sold, and it has been transformed into one of the comfortable farm homes of this section. Mr. Waters has cleared nearly thirty acres of the farm and has made many notable improvements in the way of building, etc., including one of the finest barns in the township, which is to be speedily followed by a residence of modern construction.

A son and a daughter have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Waters. Bert, the eldest, married Olive Powelson, and they have two daughters, Violet and Marian, their home adjoining that of their parents. The daughter, Linnie, resides at home.

Mr. Waters has been an industrious and intelligent farmer and success has crowned his efforts. He is a Prohibitionist in politics, although never a seeker after office. His interest in educational matters has led, however, to his selection as moderator of his school district for six years in succes- sion, a position which he still holds. Mr. and Mrs. Waters are members of the Liberal United Brethren church and they stand high in the regard of the residents of this section.

EDWIN BOSWORTH CHURCH.

Representing a family of prominent connection with American life and affairs from the early colonial period to the present, Mr. Edwin B. Church, of Quincy, Michigan, has himself lived up to the best traditions of the Church ancestry and is one of the best known and most influential citizens of Branch county. Born in Bristol, Rhode Island, in 1844, he comes of truest New England stock, and on both his father and mother's sides is re- lated to men of more than ordinary prominence in every-day life as well as public activity.

William Henry Church, his father, also born in Bristol, was a descend-

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ant of Benjamin F. Church, whose participation in the Revolutionary war is a treasured part of the family annals. An earlier Church had been com- missioned lieutenant of militia at Bristol by none less than His Majesty George the Third. The connection of the Church family with America began early in the seventeenth century, when they came from England and made settlement in the town of Bristol near Mt. Hope, Rhode Island. The prevailing occupation of the family in its various, generations has been farm- ing and stock-raising, William Henry being also a farmer. He received his education in private schools at Bristol and Providence. and became one of the largest landholders in the state of Rhode Island. He died at Bristol il: 1898. aged eighty-three years. He had come west and been in Grand Rapids in the fifties, and visited his son at Quincy in 1870. He was a member and active worker in the Congregational church, in politics was a Republican of strong convictions but without aspirations for office. and being a man of quite remarkable executive ability and force of character he held a position of distinction in his community.

William H. Church married Susan M. Lincoln, who was born in Bristol in 1817, and died in 1876. in her fifty-ninth year. Her father was a farmer and a native of Connecticut. WV. H. Church and wife had eleven children, namely: Sarah Ann is the wife of George Burt, a farmer at Raynham, Massachusetts: Susan Maria is the widow of James Herrendeen. in Wash- ington, D. C .; William Albert resides on the old Rhode Island homestead where he was born. The fourth member of the family is Edwin B. Church. Henry Francis is a retired stock dealer in Providence, Rhode Island. Charles. the sixth, died in infancy. Emily Lincoln lives in Bristol. Clara Medora is the wife of Dr. William J. McCaw, of Providence. Alice Southworth. residing in Bristol, is the widow of George Easterbrook. Carrie Percis is a resident of Washington, D. C. Benjamin Bradford died at the age of fifteen.

Mr. Edwin B. Church spent his early life in the town of Bristol, was reared on a farm, learned its duties and before coming west farmed.for his father. His education was received in the schools at Warren and Bristol. From farming he directed his attention to the trade of machinist, which he followed at Taunton, Massachusetts, and Providence. In the meantime, in 1862, he had responded to his country's call for soldiers, and. enlisting at Bristol in the Twelfth Rhode Island Infantry, Company E, he served nine months. He participated at Fredericksburg under Burnsides. and thence the regiment was ordered to Kentucky in pursuit of John Morgan, the Rebel leader. At the close of his term he was returned to Providence and mus- tered ont.

Mr. Church has been a resident at Quincy and identified with its wel- fare since 1867, in the fall of which year he came from the east to perma- nently make his home in the Wolverine state. Opening a meat market in Quincy, he also bought and shipped stock with this village as his head- quarters, and continued in that general line of business. especially in buying and shipping stock. for thirty odd years. His interests have been constantly expanding ever since his location here. About 1871 he bought a little farm

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of ten acres in section sixteen of Quincy township, conducting this in con- nection with his other business, and since then he has added to his farm until it now contains almost two hundred acres. In 1880 he was one of the organizers of the First National Bank of Quincy, being at the present time the second of the original organizers living. He still retains his interest in the institution, being a director and also for the past ten years vice-presi- dent. In politics a Republican, he has often served on the village board, and is a member of the Baptist church of his town.

In 1870 Mr. Church married Adaline (Broughton) Burdick, widow of George W. Burdick. Mrs. Church was born in Quincy township, this county, three miles west of the town of Quincy, in 1836, and is one of the oldest living native-born residents. Her father, John Broughton, was a maker of history in this county, esteemed and highly honored both as a citizen and in private life. He was born in Rutland, Vermont, and died at the age of eighty-five years, in 1879. His ancestry was traced to three Broughton brothers who came from England in an early day and made settlement in Vermont. John Broughton was a farmer, having come to Michigan and settled at Quincy in 1835. For about a year he kept a tavern midway between Quincy and Coldwater, and thereafter was a resident of Quincy. He traded extensively in lands, investing heavily in government lands, and retained large amounts of it until his death. Quincy is partly built on two farms owned by him on the west side of the town, and he also had a farm on the east side, part of which has also become absorbed into the village. Although a farmer by stated occupation, he gave much of his time to real estate dealings. As a pioneer of the county he was identified with the formation of the village of Quincy, and was always ready to support, if he did not take the lead in any enterprise that meant the progress and substantial welfare of the town. The Quincy Methodist church honors him as one of its first and most actively influential members. When there was no church in town his house was the meeting place for the worshipers in that faith, and in fact the society was organized in his home. The site of the present church edifice was donated by him, and his interest and activity were constant factors in the religious and moral advancement of the town in his lifetime. In politics he was a stanch Republican from the organization of that party until his death. He married Elizabeth Wingert, a native of Pennsylvania and a daughter of Jacob Wingert, a tailor, who afterward lived in New York state. Mr. and Mrs. John Broughton were the parents of seven children, namely: Eleanor Eliza, now deceased, was the wife of William Chappell. an army officer; Adaline, the present wife of Mr. Church, and who by her first marriage had three children, George and John, both deceased, and Fannie Church Parsons, about whom there is further mention elsewhere; Sarah, John George, and William, an artist, all of whom are deceased ; and Martha A. is the wife of Silas S. Daish, a retired grain dealer in Washington, D. C., and they have two children-John B., a prominent lawyer in Washington, national representative, and May E., who married Thornton Lockerson, an insurance man in Philadelphia. Mrs. Church is a

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A twentieth century history and biographical record of Branch County, Michigan, Part 51

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