A twentieth century history and biographical record of Branch County, Michigan, Part 53

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

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WILLIAM C. SORTER.

William C. Sorter is numbered among the pioneer residents of Branch county, where he is devoting his energies to agricultural pursuits with good results, making his home on section twenty-eight, Ovid township, where he has a valuable farm. His birth occurred in Steuben county, New York, on the 3d of January, 1837, his parents being Jacob and Hannah (Clark) Sorter, both of whom were natives of the same county. The paternal grandparents removed to New Jersey from the Empire state and there Jacob Sorter was reared and educated. He chose as a companion and helpmate for life's jour- ney Miss Hannah Clark, who also spent her childhood in that locality. In

Murs William Sorter

William & Sorter

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HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY

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. He purchased forty acres and then entered eighty acres of land from the government, buying the remainder from other parties. The place com- prises 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 business 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 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 children, 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, Dele- van and David.

William Sorter of this review was only about a year and half old when brought by his parents to Branch county, so that he was reared amid the wild scenes of frontier life. At the usual age he entered the district school near his father's home. The school house was built of logs and was furnished in primitive manner, and the curriculum embraced but a few branches of study. He made good use of his opportunities, however, and in the school of ex- perience has learned many valuable lessons as the years have gone by. In 1864 Mr. Sorter was united in marriage to Miss Harriet Strong, a daughter of Calvin Strong, a pioneer of Branch county and a farmer by occupation. He also followed mechanical pursuits, possessing considerable ingenuity in that direction. Mrs. Sorter is a native daughter of Coldwater township and there her girlhood days were passed. She has been to her husband a faithful companion and helpmate on life's journey. Their beautiful country residence and outbuildings are most attractive to the passer-by. It is beautifully located and one of the most attractive residences in the township. Mr. and Mrs. Sorter have two of the old parchment deeds. one bearing the signature of President Martin Van Buren and dated October 10, 1840, and the other signed by President James K. Polk and bears the date June 1, 1848. These are valuable souvenirs in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Sorter.

In his political views Mr. Sorter is a Republican and has ever kept well informed on the questions and issues of the day. He regards it the duty as well as the privilege of every American to cast his ballot in support of principles in which he believes and which he deems will prove of greatest good to county. state or nation. He served as township treasurer for one year and he has been chosen as administrator of many estates-which fact indicates that his fellow-townsmen have had trust in him. Fraternally he is

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connected with the Masonic lodge at Coldwater and he and wife are mem- bers of the Methodist church at Kinderhook. He looks at life from a prac- tical standpoint. for there is nothing, narrow or contracted in his nature, and throughout the county he is widely known and highly respected, justly merit- ing the esteem which is given him and which is ever a public recognition of genuine personal worth.

FRED OLDS.

Fred Olds follows the occupation of farming on section twenty-three, Union township, and is numbered among the pioneer settlers of Branch county. His memory embraces the period of early development here when the land was wild and the work of improvement seemed scarcely begun. He was born in Batavia township, Genesee county, New York, June 8, 1831. His father, William Olds, was a native of Vermont and a brother of Joseph Olds, who after residing for some time in New York continued his west- ward way to Branch county, Michigan, where he arrived in 1836. Few, indeed, were the settlers living in this part of the state and he was the third man to locate on Battle Creek road, extending from Hodunk to Union City. He was of English descent and traced his ancestry back to one of three brothers who came from England to America at an early period in the col- onization of the new world.

William Olds, father of our subject, on leaving Vermont became a resi- dent of Genesee county, New York. He was a farmer by occupation and always followed that pursuit in order to provide for his family. He came to Branch county in 1839, settling in Union township, where he secured a tract of land and opened up an excellent farm. The implements in use at that time were very crude as compared to the modern farm machinery and necessitated much manual labor which does not fall to the lot of the farmer at the present day but he persisted in his work of improving his property, which in due course of time became valuable owing to the cultivation he had bestowed upon it. He lived to the very advanced age of seventy-nine years but his wife, who bore the maiden name of Sarah Palmer and was a native of Genesee county, New York, lived to be only fifty years of age. They were the parents of seven children, two sons and five daughters, all of whom reached adult age.

Fred Olds, the eldest son and third member of the family, was a youth of eight years when he came to Branch county, the family home being estah- lished in Union township. In the winter months when the weather was not too severe he made his way to the little log school house and in fact he assisted in its construction. He there conned his lessons, sitting on a rude slab bench. In the summer months, however, he had no opportunity of attending school but remained at home, assisting in clearing the farm and preparing the fields for cultivation. He aided in the operation of his fath- er's land until twenty-three years of age, when he was married in 1857 to Miss Harriet Wilson, a daughter of Peter Wilson. The young couple took up their abode in a little log shanty standing on a half acre of land. Mr. Olds has since lived in this place, although the pioneer cabin has long since

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been replaced by a more commodious and modern residence and his farm has been extended until it now comprises two hundred acres of rich and productive land. He has traveled considerably, visiting San Francisco in, 1874, also going to the Atlantic coast, when he visited Virginia. He has gone to other places and has this gained considerable knowledge of his native country. His travel has been made possible through his earnest labor and he has become a prosperous agriculturist.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Olds were born three children: William, Libbie, the wife of Lewis Adolph: and Maud, at home. Mr. Olds is a stalwart Republican and has assisted in electing each Republican president since the organization of the party. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church and his Christian faith has been a permeating influence in his honorable life. He has lived in Branch county for two-thirds of a century and few . of its settlers today were here at the time of his arrival. He has been an interested witness of the changes which have occurred, assisting as he could in its development and today he is numbered among its respected pioneers, having planned and accomplished a successful business career, while at the same time faithfully performing his duties of citizenship.

SAMUEL I. TREAT.

Long, active and honorable connection with business interests of Cold- water well entitles Samuel I. Treat to mention with the representative citi- zens of Branch county. He was born in Ovid township, this county, Au- gust 19, 1840. His father, Samuel M. Treat, was a native of New York and came to Branch county about 1838, settling in Ovid township, where he took up land from the government. It was wild and unimproved but he at once began its cultivation and in the course of time developed a productive farm, which he continued to make his home until his death at the age of seventy- four years. He married Fannie Ives, a native of New York, who died when their son Samuel was only three weeks old. The babe was then taken to the home of his grandparents, with whom he remained until seven years of age, when his father married again and he returned to the old homestead farm. He acquired his education in the common schools, attending for about three months in the winter seasons, while in the summer he aided in the work of the farm, assisting in plowing, planting and cultivating. He continued to aid his father until twenty-one years of age, when he started out in life on his own account, working by the month as a farm hand.

Samuel I. Treat was thus engaged until 1862, when, feeling that his first duty was to his country, he enlisted in the One Hundredth Illinois In- fantry as a private, serving for more than nine months, after which he received an honorable discharge and returned to Adrian, Michigan. He remained a resident of that place for about two years, after which he came to Coldwater and he has since followed farming and also dealt in hides, pelts, tallow, furs, junk, salt and fertilizers, carrying on this business for about thirty-five years. He also renders tallow and grease. having a large slaugh- tering and rendering plant upon his farm, which is situated just outside the city limits of Coldwater and comprises one hundred and twenty acres.

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Mr. Treat was married to Miss Helen Armstrong, and unto them were born two sons and a daughter, but the latter died in infancy. The sons, Frank and Vernon, are both associated with their father in business. Mr. Treat has always been a Republican since casting his first presidential ballot for Abraham Lincoln in 1860. He keeps well informed on the questions that divide the two great parties and is thus able to support his position by intelligent argument. He now belongs to Butterworth Post, No. 109, G. A. R., of Coldwater, and is interested in his comrades of the Civil war, spend- ing many pleasant hours in recalling the scenes that occurred on the battle- fields of the south. He is equally loyal to his country in days of peace and during the sixty-five years of his residence in this county he has been the champion of all movements tending toward the material, intellectual, social and moral development of his locality. He has lived sixty-five years with- out the use of liquor or tobacco.

Frank W. Treat, the elder son of Samuel I. Treat, was born in Ovid township, July 31, 1869, and is indebted to the public school system of Cold- water for the educational privileges he has enjoyed. In 1888 he went to New York City, where he entered the employ of J. P. Felt, where he spent two years as a clerk, and then for three years was in the employ of George F. Cram, the well known publisher. On the expiration of that period he re- turned to Coldwater, in 1893, and entered into partnership with his father. They have since conducted a prosperous business, making large sales annually, so that a good financial return is secured upon their investment and as the result of their labors and business force. In 1902 Frank Treat was married to Miss Dora Gripman, a daughter of Lindley H. and Jane (Ferguson) Gripman. They have three children, a son and two daughters: F. Lesley, Helen Jane, and Jessie L. Frank Treat is now serving as alderman of the first ward of Coldwater and is a staunch Republican. He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and in social, business and political rela- tions occupies a prominent position in his city, while his personal worth entitles him to the regard in which he is uniformly held.

Vernon I. Treat, the younger son of Samuel I. Treat, was born in Coldwater, January 3, 1875, and after acquiring his education in the public schools responded to his country's call for troops, enlisting as a private of the First Illinois Volunteer Infantry in the Spanish-American war. He went with that regiment to Cuba, participated in the battle of Santiago, returned with his command to Montauk Point, Long Island, and thence to Chicago, where he received an honorable discharge. In 1900, however, lie re-enlisted as a member of Company L, Thirtieth United States Regulars, and was promoted to corporal. He was also made quartermaster sergeant of his company, with which he went to the Philippines, remaining there for nineteen months in active service. He was with the army altogether for twenty-two months and was discharged with the rank of quartermaster sergeant at San Francisco, California, returning to his home on the 3rd of April, 1901. He made a creditable military record and is now numbered with the veterans of recent years who have shown that in her military prowess the United States deserves to rank with the great powers of the

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world. Following his return Vernon Treat began traveling for a Chicago house, buying hides in Wisconsin, Minnesota and the northwest until April. 1904. He then returned to his home and has been active in the management of the business here, associated with his father and brother. He was mar- ried in 1904 to Miss Catherine Stowe, a daughter of Granville Stowe. He belongs to the Spanish-American War Association and to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Coldwater. The family has long been prominent socially in this city, and father and sons are known as reliable, enterprising business men.

FRED P. FRY.

Fred P. Fry, a prominent farmer of Batavia township, living on sec- tion two, is one of Michigan's native sons, and the spirit of enterprise which has dominated this state in its upbuilding and development has been mani- fest in this native son. of Michigan. His birth occurred in Burr Oak, Janu- ary 3, 1858, his parents being Charles U. and Catherine (Wagner) Fry. both natives of Pennsylvania. The father was born in Union county, that state, and when a young man came to Michigan, being married in St. Joseph county to Miss Wagner, who was born in 1837 and came to the west at an early age. Mr. Fry was a blacksmith by trade and he also followed farn- ing. 'On leaving his native state he settled first in Millgrove township, Steu- ben county, Indiana, and afterward came to Branch county, living on sec- tion one, Batavia township, where his death occurred when he was about fifty-eight years of age. His wife passed away in 1903. In their family were eight children, three daughters and five sons, all of whom reached mature years but one. Fred P. Fry was about three years old when he went to Indiana, where he remained until sixteen years of age, there at- tending the district schools. He then came to Branch county and with his father settled on section one, Batavia township, aiding in the arduous task of developing and improving a farm. On the 3rd of January, 1883, he was married to Miss Anna M. Graf, a daughter of Gustave and Magdalena (Piltz) Graf, both of whom were born in Germany. On coming to America the father settled in Auburn. New York, and the mother came to Coldwater. Michigan, when a young woman. They were married in that city and then returned to Auburn, New York, but afterward came to Branch county in the spring of 1862. Mrs. Fry was born in Auburn, New York. August 4. 1861, and was but an infant when brought by her parents to Michigan.

The young couple began their domestic life upon a rented farm in Ba- tavia township, where they remained for a year, and one year was also spent at Eaton Rapids, Michigan, in the hotel business. In 1885 Mr. Fry pur- chased his present farm and took up his abode in a little log house, but this has since been replaced by a modern frame residence. The farm comprises eighty acres and is well tilled, owing to the care and labor which Mr. Fry has bestowed upon the place and the diligence and energy which he mani- fests in all of his farm work. Unto him and his wife has been born a daugh- ter, Florence, who at the age of sixteen years is attending school in the eighth grade, and is also taking music. Matters of local progress and

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national advancement are causes dear to his heart and he has co-operated in jany movements for the general good. In his political views he is a Re- publican, and he belongs to the Grange and to the Knights of the Maccabees. His wife and daughter are also members of the Grange. Mr. Fry is a lover of fine stock, of the Red Duroc breed.

OLIVER MORRILL.

Oliver Morrill, whose name appears on the roll of old settlers in Branch county where he is now following farming, his home being on section twenty- two, Union township, is a native son of Vermont. He was born there De- cember 1, 1826. His father, Jeremiah Morrill, was also born in the Green Mountain state, and he came to Branch county, Michigan, in 1835. One can imagine the state at that time an almost unbroken wilderness, the forests stretching away for miles to the north. The harbors had not been improved and there was little evidence of a growing civilization. The wild woods furnished excellent opportunity for the trapper, and it was thus that Jeremiah Morrill largely earned his livelihood and provided for his family. He mar- ried Rosamond Bryant, also a native of Vermont, and both died when about seventy-five years of age.

Oliver Morrill, the eldest of their three sons, was a lad of about nine years when brought by his parents to the pioneer west. They lived for a time at Adrian, Michigan, spending about two years there, after which they took up their abode in Union township, Branch county, where Mr. Morrill obtained his education in the district schools. He was about twenty-one years of age when he began learning the moulder's trade at Union City, and he followed that pursuit for fifteen years. Later he returned to the farm and has since devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits.

It was in the same year that he was married, having been joined in wed- lock in 1861 to Miss Emily Lake. They have one daughter, Eva, now the wife of Wilbur Warren. They also lost three children.

Mr. Morrill's farm comprises eighty acres of land, which is well im- proved with modern equipments. He has led a busy and useful life, carry- ing on general agricultural pursuits for forty-four years. He has also been identified with the development of the county, aiding in many practical ways in its growth and improvement. He has always favored good roads, good schools and the general progressive development, and in local offices has proved his loyalty to the community. His vote has long been cast for the men and measures of the Republican party, and he is a man always true to his honest convictions. He needs no special introduction to the readers of this volume, having so long resided here, but no history of the community would be complete without mention of this pioneer settler.

ALBERT A. DORRANCE.

Albert A. Dorrance, who is now living a retired life in Coldwater, has been connected with various business and public interests which have had direct bearing upon shaping the policy and molding the history of Branch

A.d. Domani

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county. He is descended from French ancestry and the name was originally spelled D'Orrance. The ancestors of a less remote period, however, came from Scotland. The great-grandfather. Rev. Samuel Dorrance, was a native of that country and a graduate of Dumbarton College. He became a minister of the Gospel and for fifty years was pastor of a church in Windham county, Connecticut. His son, Samuel Dorrance, was a soldier of the Revolutionary war and acted as clerk of his company. He was born in Connecticut and was closely identified with the colonial history of his locality and with the early events of the republic. His son, George Dorrance, was born in Massa- chusetts, whence he removed to Providence, Rhode Island. He became a captain in the war of 1812, his commission being issued by Governor Elbridge Gerry, of Massachusetts, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independ- ence. . George Dorrance was married to Miss Ann Olney Warner, who was probably a native of Rhode Island. She died when her son Albert was about six years of age, and the father passed away about six years later.

Albert A. Dorrance is a native of Albion, Orleans county, New York, his birth having occurred at the family home on the Erie canal. September 8. 1827. He was the ninth in a family of eleven children, and on being left an orphan at the age of twelve years he started out to make his own way in the world, working at any employment which he could secure. He attended school as opportunity offered and at different times was employed in a print- ing office, in a jewelry store and in a drug store at Albion and Rochester. Realizing the value and need of an education he became a student in Brock- port Collegiate Institute. His thoughtful consideration of life, its needs and its possibilities were early manifest and indicated the development of a strong character.

Thinking that he might have better business opportunities in the west Mr. Dorrance came to Michigan in 1848, locating first in Detroit, where for a brief period he was employed in a newspaper office. He was also western correspondent for the New York Tribune. at that time published by Horace Greeley, with whom he was personally acquainted, having been in his employ in the east. From Detroit he went to Jackson, Michigan, where he estab- lished the Jackson Citizen. a newspaper which is yet published, being at the present time the property of Hon. James O'Donnell. Mr. Dorrance continued the publication of the Citizen for about a year, after which he went to Wash- ington, D. C., to accept an appointment under President Fillmore. He did not tarry long in the capital. however, but returned to the New England states and also went to Albion. New York, the place of his nativity. There in the year 1851 he was united in marriage to Miss Juliet S. Gregory and the following year returned with his wife to Jackson, Michigan.

On again taking up his abode in that city Mr. Dorrance established a drug store, but after a year accepted a position at the state prison, serving in that capacity for ten years. He came to Coldwater in the spring of 1868 and again engaged in the drug business, establishing the store which is now conduct- ed by his son. He has also filled various public offices during his residence here. He was for four years postmaster under President Harrison, and during that period established the free delivery system. A member of the board of edu-

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cation for fifteen years, he acted for some time as its president and did effective service in behalf of the public school system of the city. He was also presi- dent of the board of electric lights and water works; also the first president of the board of public works. He retired from active business about 1902 or 1903 and has since enjoyed a well merited rest. Although now well ad- vanced in years, having passed the seventy-eighth milestone on life's journey, in spirit and interests he seems yet in his prime and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day. He was one of the organizers of the Re- publican party at Jackson, Michigan, in the year 1854 and since that time has been active in its ranks. His first presidential vote was cast for Zachary Taylor, and he also supported Fillmore. He then cast a ballot for John C. Fremont in 1856 and has never wavered in his allegiance to the Republican party from that time to the present. He was a delegate to the national con- vention which nominated President William Mckinley at St. Louis, and also to the one which nominated Theodore Roosevelt for the vice-presidency at Philadelphia. In the winter of 1848-9 he was foreman of the state printing at Lansing, Michigan. He was one of the promoters of the Battle Creek and Coldwater electric line, assisting in securing the right-of-way, and his efforts have been of material benefit in promoting public progress and improvement in the state along many lines. He has been a member of the Presbyterian church for about forty years and has held membership relations with the Masonic fraternity for a half century, joining the order in Jackson, Michigan. He attained the Knight Templar degree, is a past eminent commander of the Commandery and also a member of the Grand Commandery of the State of Michigan.

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A twentieth century history and biographical record of Branch County, Michigan, Part 53

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