USA > Michigan > Branch County > A twentieth century history and biographical record of Branch County, Michigan > Part 54
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Mr. and Mrs. Dorrance became the parents of a daughter and two sons : Mary J., the wife of W. S. Hawley; Ralph G., who is engaged in the drug business in Chicago; and Albert J., who is a druggist of Coldwater. In the evening of life Mr. Dorrance is now living retired and well merits the rest that is vouchsafed to him, for his has been an active, useful and honorable career. His name is closely associated with many events of importance, es- pecially during the earlier epoch in the history of the commonwealth, and at all times his course has been actuated by honorable principles and untiring devotion to the general good.
CLARENCE C. JONES.
Clarence C. Jones, since 1899 connected with the Wolverine Portland Cement Company at Quincy, is a native son of this city, born in 1870. His father, John H. Jones, was born in the state of New York and in early manhood followed the occupation of farming, but afterward turned his at- tention to merchandising. He came to Michigan in 1854, settling on a farm in Branch county in Quincy township. He then carried on general agricultural pursuits with good success until 1884, when he took up his abode in Quincy, where he engaged in buying and selling live stock and wool, continuing in that department of business activity up to the time of his death. He was industrious and skillful as a farmer and in commercial
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pursuits was enterprising and sagacious, accumulating as the years went by considerable valuable property. He became a stockholder, director and the vice president of the First National Bank of Quincy and his own name was an honored one on commercial paper. Fraternally he was a Mason. interested in the craft and in sympathy with its teachings. In politics he was a Republican, and several times represented his township on the board of supervisors. He was also chosen to represent his district in the lower branch of the state legislature for two terms and in the senate for two terins. He gave careful consideration to the questions which came up for settlement and was instrumental in securing much wise legislation which has proven of direct benefit to the commonwealth. He was also connected with constructive legislation and his official career was characterized by an unfaltering devotion to the general good. Following his retirement from the office of state senator he was made president of the village board of Quincy and again was returned to the board of supervisors, whereupon he served for several additional terms. He married Miss Susan C. Warfield, who was born in New York and was a daughter of William H. Warfield, a native of Maryland, who removed from that state to the Empire state, where he engaged in tilling the soil. Mrs. Jones was one of two children, the brother being William H. Warfield, who is a retired farmer now living in Canandaigua, New York. Mrs. Jones was a member of the Presby- terian church and died in that faith in 1886 at the age of fifty-seven years, being survived for ten years by her husband, who passed away in 1895 at the age of sixty-six years. In their family were five children, but the first named is deceased. The others are : Clinton W., who is in the railway mail service and lives in Quincy : Addie E., the wife of Arthur Pessell, an em- ploye of the Southern Pacific Railroad Company, living in Los Angeles. California ; Herbert M., a farmer residing in Reading township: and Clar- ence C.
In the district schools Clarence C. Jones began his education, which he continued in Quincy and in a business college at Valparaiso. Indiana. Fol- lowing the completion of his education he devoted his attention for a num- ber of years to clerking in clothing stores in Quincy and Jonesville. He afterward took charge of a set of books in the mill at Jonesville, and later he returned to Quincy, where in 1897 he embarked in the grocery business, conducting his store for a year. In 1899 he entered the office of the Wolverine Portland Cement Company, at Quincy, where he has remained to the present time, covering a period of six years, and he is now one of the stockholders and directors of the company.
In 1892 was celebrated the marriage of Clarence C. Jones and Miss Lena M. Berry, who was born in Quincy in 1872, and is a daughter of L. D. and Mary (Redding) Berry, both of whom were residents of Quincy. Mrs. Jones has a half-sister, Nellie. She is a member of the Episcopal church. while Mr. Jones belongs to the Masonic Lodge and to the Knights of Pythias fraternity. He is a stalwart Republican, active in the work of his party in this locality, and in 1894 was chosen village treasurer, while in 1896 he was elected justice of the peace, and at this writing is serving his second term as
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president of the village. Interested in its welfare and progress, his adminis- tration of office is practical and at the same time lacks not that progressive spirit which works for improvement along substantial lines.
A. J. DORRANCE.
A. J. Dorrance, proprietor of one of the oldest established drug stores of Coldwater, was born in Jackson, Michigan, December 22, 1856, his parents being A. A. and Juliet S. (Gregory) Dorrance. He is the youngest of three children, and attended the Jackson city schools until about twelve years of age, when he came to Coldw iter and continued his education here. He began in the drug business with his father in 1873 in the capacity of clerk, and so continued until he became proprietor. He carries on business along both wholesale and retail lines and the house sustains an unassailable reputation for its progressive and honorable business methods. In 1890 A. J. Dor- rance was united in marriage to Miss Anna J. Williams, who was left an orphan in early girlhood and was reared by her grandmother, Mrs. S. C. Williams, of Buffalo, New York. Her girlhood days were passed in South Carolina, and her education acquired in that state was completed by gradu- ation from Aiken Academy. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Dorrance have been born seven children : Francis, Mary, Albert, Catherine, Elsie, Julia and Ralph.
Mr. Dorrance is a Republican, firm in his advocacy of the party and its principles, and yet without political aspirations for himself. He has resided in Coldwater from the age of twelve years, and has a wide acquaintance both in business and social circles. The fact that many of his warmest friends are numbered among those who have known him from boyhood is an indication of an honorable life and the proof of his activity and capability in business is found in the excellent success which attends his efforts. He has wrought along modern business lines, and energy and keen discrimina- tion are accounted his dominant qualities.
F. J. DUNKS.
F. J. Dunks, who is now engaged in the real estate and loan business in Coldwater, is numbered among the citizens who have long resided in Branch county and have witnessed its development from the early days. His mind forms a connecting link between the primitive past and the progressive present and his influence and labors have been no unimportant element in pro- moting public progress.
Mr. Dunks was born in Monroe county, New York, September 13, 1835. His father, Edwin H. Dunks, was a native of New Hampshire, born in 1805. and from the Old Granite state he removed to Batavia, New York. He was a farmer by occupation, and in August, 1853, he came to Coldwater, Michigan, where he was engaged in loaning money. He died in the eighty- first year of his age, one of the respected and honored pioneer residents of this part of the state. His political views accorded with Republican prin- ciples, and his religious faith was that of the Baptist church. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Jane Wright, was born in Genesee county, New
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York, in 1809, and died in Coldwater, Michigan, in 1882 at the age of seventy-three years. They were the parents of two daughters, now deceased, and two sons, the brother of our subject being Edward J. Dunks of Muskegon. Michigan.
F. J. Dunks, the eldest of this family, and the only one now living in Branch county, spent his boyhood days in Monroe and Orleans counties, New York, and pursued his education in the schools of Albion. that state. He was eighteen years of age when he came to Branch county, Michigan, and a short time before he attained his majority he returned to New York, purchasing a farm in Orleans county, whereon he made his home for a year. He then sold that property and again came to Branch county, purchasing a tract of land near Coldwater, which he still owns. He was married in October, 1862. to Miss Nancy Parsons, a daughter of Daniel and Amelia ( Harrison) Parsons, the former a native of England, and the latter of Philadelphia, Pennsyl- vania. The mother came to Coldwater in 1829 with her aunt, and they cast in their lot with the pioneer settlers of this part of the state. There were only three white families living in what is now Coldwater, but the Indians were numerous, and their wigwams could be seen here and there in the forests. Much wild game, including deer, turkeys and prairie chickens, could be had, and wild animals were very numerous. The homes of the few settlers were mostly log cabins and the work of improvement and progress seemed scarcely begun. Mr. Parsons came to this county in 1836, and was married here in Coldwater. There were six children born of that union, of whom Mrs. Dunks is the second in order of birth, her natal day being July 21, 1841. She has spent her entire life in this county and has a very wide acquaintance here. At the time of his marriage Mr. Dunks located on his farm, four miles northeast of Coldwater in Coldwater township. The place was all covered with timber, and their home was a little log cabin eighteen by twenty-four feet. With characteristic energy he began clearing and developing the land. As soon as the trees were cut down and the brush cleared away he plowed his fields and planted his crops, and in the course of time had improved an excellent farm property of one hundred and sixty acres on which he erected good buildings, also built fences and added other modern accessories and equipments. He lived upon that farm for twenty years and still retains possession of the old homestead. In 1882, however, he removed to his pres- ent home at No. 336 Grand Avenue, and he owns forty-six acres of land within the city limits of Coldwater. For twenty-three years he has been engaged in the loan and real estate business here, and while upon the farm he devoted much of his attention to shipping live stock, being one of the leading representatives of that line of business in the county. He made a specialty of fancy cattle and was very successful. He has also prospered since coming to Coldwater, and has negotiated many important realty trans- fers and advantageously placed many loans. At the time of his marriage he started in life in debt, but soon discharged each financial obligation which devolved upon him, and through unfaltering perseverance, capable manage- ment and unrensitting diligence he has steadily advanced to a position promi- nent in business circles in Branch county.
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The home of Mr. and Mrs. Dunks has been blessed with a son and two daughters: E. Wilford, who married Lottie Philips, of Chicago; Nellie L., the wife of Captain E. D. Legg, a lumber merchant of Coldwater; and Anna L., the wife of Frank Purdy. of this city. They have three grandchildren : Hazel Legg, Louis Legg and Ferris Purdy.
Mr. Dunks cast his first presidential vote for John C. Fremont, and has since given his allegiance to the Republican party. He is numbered among the pioneer settlers of Branch county and his wife has for even a longer period resided here. Great changes have occurred as pioneer conditions have been replaced by evidences of an advanced civilization. Practical in his methods, and public-spirited in his relation to the county, he has given valued support and co-operation to many measures for the general good. For years he has been an important factor in the development of the natural resources of the state, and in the control of his private business affairs he has also con- tributed to the general prosperity. He is a man of distinct and forceful indi- viduality, and in business and social relations in private life he has commanded and enjoys the trust and good will of his fellow-men.
HON. ASAHEL BROWN.
Hon. Asahel Brown, long a leader in public thought and action in Branch county, is now numbered among her honored dead, but he left the impress of his individuality upon the laws of the state during active connection with its legislative department. As the champion of many progressive public measures he so advanced the general welfare that the people, appreciative of his worth, felt the deepest regret when he was called from the labors of life.
Mr. Brown was born in Stafford, Monmouth county, New Jersey, April 9, 1803, and died in Coldwater, June 8, 1874. His parents were Abner and Hannah (Birdsall) Brown. The father was also a native of Stafford, New Jer- sey, and was born March 14, 1772, while the mother's birth occurred in the same place, September 22, 1781. A few years after their marriage, about 1806, they removed to Monroe county, New York, where they spent their remaining days, Mr. Brown following the occupation of farming. Both were sturdy people of strong intellectuality and high moral character. They reared a family of seven children, of whom Asahel was the eldest, and all lived to mature years, namely : Asahel, Harriet, Rebecca, Abner, Jacob, Desiah and Mary.
Asahel Brown enjoyed only limited educational advantage in his youth, for his services were needed upon the home farm, and he assisted in the opera tion of his father's land until his thirtieth year, but though he had little op- portunity of attending school he was throughout his entire life a student, and through the avenue of books, papers and a wide and varied experience he be - came a well-informed man. In his later years he made a close study of the questions bearing upon the welfare of his country, its social, economic and political conditions, and displayed in his conversation and public addresses a breadth of knowledge superior to that of many college-bred men.
In 1826 Mr. Brown was married to Miss Deborah Comstock, a daughter
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of Jesse and Rachel Comstock, prominent pioneers of Monroe county. New York. Their daughter was born in Farmington, Ontario county. New York. July 15, 1808, and her death occurred in Algansee township, Branch county, Michigan. December 30, 1881. The children of this marriage were: J. Wes- ley, Emily. Rachel C. and Hannah C., twins. Othelia. Omar B .. Combe A. and Omar C. The four eldest were born at Perrinton. New York, and in 1833 Asahel Brown started with his wife and children for Michigan. making the journey westward by wagon. He settled on a tract of land in Palmyra township. Lenawee county, but in the year 1836 removed to Algansee town- ship, Branch county, where he took up his abode upon a tract of land. which he developed into a productive farm. In all of his labors he was prac- tical and enterprising and sought out better methods and improved conditions.
It was in political life, however. that Asahel Brown became best known and did most effective work for his state. His early allegiance was given to the Whig party and he afterward became a Republican. His practical dealing with public questions and his undoubted honesty made him influential with the people, who naturally chose him for their leader. By popular ballot he was elected to most of the important offices within the gift of his fellow townsmen. For twenty-one consecutive years he served as supervisor and for many years was justice of the peace, in which position he rendered deci- sions that were strictly fair and impartial. In 1849 he was nominated on its ticket as a candidate for the state legislature but was defeated. the county being largely Democratic. In 1850 he was elected a delegate to the constitu- tional convention and assisted in framing the organic law of the state. In the same year he was chosen state senator, to which office he was re-elected in 1858. and to each question which came up for settlement he gave earnest consideration. becoming a stanch champion of every bill which he believed would prove beneficial to the interests of the commonwealth. Again in 1867 he was elected a delegate to the constitutional convention. He was greatly opposed to slavery, was a man of firm convictions and decided in his opinions and to these he gave forceful and earnest expression. He could always present his views with fairness, and by his undoubted sincerity he gained the respect of all who met him and many times won the support of their opinions. He was an effective worker on committees and while in the senate and in the constitutional convention did able work in constructing legislation. Notwith- standing all this he was rather retired in disposition nor did much to seek political preferment. In early life in religious faith he was a Universalist and his wife held membership with the Methodist church. In later years. however, both attended the Congregational church. They were among the honored pioneers of Branch county and bore all the hardships and trials inci- dent to a life on the frontier. They left the impress of their individuality for good, however. upon the community and are yet remembered by many of the older residents of the county as among the pioneers to whom much credit is due for the impetus which they gave to development and substantial upbuild- ing here.
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J. WESLEY BROWN.
J. Wesley Brown, the eldest of the eight children born unto Asahel and Deborah (Comstock) Brown, is now living a retired life in Coldwater. He was born in Perrinton, Monroe county, New York, August 27, 1827, and with his parents came to Michigan in 1833, remaining in Lenawee county until their removal to Branch county in 1836. He was reared upon the home farm amid pioneer scenes and environments and was educated in one of the primitive log schoolhouses such as were common in the districts at that time. He remained at the parental home and aided in the arduous task of developing: a new farm until he was twenty-four years of age, when he started out in life on his own account on a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in California township given him by his father. This land was entirely in its primitive condition, not a furrow having been turned or an improvement made, but Mr. Brown and his young wife, whom he had married October 8, 1851, and whose maiden name was Helen E. Tripp, settled upon this farm and engaged earnestly in its development and cultivation, remaining thereon until the fall of 1858. At that time they took up their residence in the city of Cold- water, where they have since lived. Mr. Brown subsequently sold his farm and having already a large experience in commercial lines, having been a mercantile clerk for three years, he turned his attention to merchandising in 1861 as a partner of H. J. Woodward, under the firm name of Woodward, Brown & Company, but in less than a year he sold his interest in that busi- ness. For a few months thereafter he was associated with Uri Blodgett in the furniture business. His next venture was in the hardware trade, which he entered in 1866 as a member of the firm of Mockeridge, Green & Company. This relation was maintained for three years, at the end of which time Mr. Brown disposed of his interest in the business and retired from active life. He has never sought political favors but has always given his support to the Republican party. He and his wife attend the services of the Episcopal church, although they are not communicants therein.
Mrs. Brown was born in Worcester, Otsego county, New York, De- cember 21, 1833, and is the youngest of two children, whose parents were David and Sally (Flint) Tripp. Mr. and Mrs. Brown have one son, J. Bird- sall, who makes his home with his parents and is engaged for the greater part of the time in looking after the interests of his father's farm lands and other real estate. Mr. Brown is honored as one whose business career will bear the closest investigation and scrutiny and who in all life's relations has been found true to the varied duties that have devolved upon him in connection with public and private interests.
DAVID TRIPP.
David Tripp, a pioneer resident of Branch county, was born in Decatur, New York, July 1, 1807. In tracing the ancestry we learn that David Tripp, Sr., was born February 21, 1768, and died on the 28th of November, 1828. He married Miss Mary Dickinson, whose natal day was June 1, 1772, and
Mas At thesley Brown
& Healey Brown
Residence of J. Wesley Brown.
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who departed this life on the Ioth of June. 1847. Their children are as follows : Lovina, Patience, Polly, Nancy, Nathan. Elizabeth, Robert, Han- nah, Emily, David, George, Stephen, Marcia M., Reumah and Celestia.
Of this family of fifteen sons and daughters David Tripp, whose name introduces this record. was the tenth in order of birth. Having arrived at years of maturity he married Sally Flint, a daughter of S. Phineas and Par- melia (Houghton) Flint. She was born in Otsego, New York, November 26. 1808. and died October 9. 1879. The marriage was celebrated in 1829. and in the year 1836 they left New York for the west. After landing at To- ledio, Ohio, they proceeded thence with ox-teams to their destination in Branch county, Michigan, arriving here in the month of July. They settled in Kinder- hook township, where Mr. Tripp took charge of an unimproved tract of land from which he developed a fine farm, making his home thereon for many years. He became a prominent and wealthy agriculturist, and died October 2, 1875, respected by all who knew him. His political support was given to the Democratic party and he served as supervisor and justice of the peace. A pioneer of the county, he was classed among the industrious and worthy citizens who laid the foundation of civilization in this part of the state. He came here when the red men were still numerous in the county and undertook the task of reclaiming the district for the purposes of civilization. His labors were practical and have borne fruit in the improved conditions which are here seen today. He and his devoted wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal church and were earnest and zealous supporters of the cause of Christianity in the early years of their residence here.
VIRGIL U. HUNGERFORD.
Virgil U. Hungerford, a prosperous and representative farmer, living on section twenty, Algansee township, is one of the native sons of the county. for his birth occurred in the village of Algansee, in 1869. His father, Henry WV. Hungerford, was born in Oakland county, Michigan, in 1834, and was of English lineage. His father was Matthew H. Hungerford, a native of New York, and a son of Eliphalet Hungerford, who came from England to this country and settled in New England. Henry W. Hungerford was a student in Hillsdale College, and engaged in teaching school in this state until the outbreak of the Civil war. He had become a resident of Branch county about 1856, and purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land on section twenty, Algansee township. After severing his connection with the teacher's profession he devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits, but during the dark days of the country's peril, when the disloyalty of the south threatened disruption of the Union, he defended the stars and stripes. Twice he volunteered and was rejected on account of physical disability, but at length was accepted as a member of Company G, Ninth Michigan Infantry, and served for about four months, or until the close of the war. A man of genuine worth. of upright principles and moral life, he was for many years a faithful member of the Congregational church, in which he served as deacon. In his political views he was an earnest Republican and filled the
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office of school inspector, while for several years he was township clerk. He married Sophia M. Mabbs. who was born in New York city, and is living at the age of seventy years, her birth having occurred April 14, 1835. Her father, William Mabbs, came from England in 1834, and established his house in New York City, whence he afterward came to Michigan, settling in Hillsdale county, in 1840. He was a representative of the English middle class and came to the United States well supplied with funds, having been a prosperous soap manufacturer of his native land. He deposited a large sum of money in a bank in New York city, but the institution failed and he therefore came to Michigan a poor man. Here he turned his attention to farming and the manufacture of brick. He married Hannah Hill Stace, a native of London, England, who for seventeen years prior to her death was blind. Mr. Mabbs passed away in 1870, at the age of seventy-eight years, while his wife died in 1880, at the advanced age of eighty-seven years. They were members of the Congregational church and in their family were eight children : John, who was an engineer in the new Board of Trade building in Chicago, died in 1904; William and Vennette are both deceased; William Bagley is a statistician of Lansing: Austin is the owner and operator of gold mines in the west and makes his home at Deadwood, South Dakota; Robert is a retired farmer, living in Allegan, Michigan; Hannah is the de- ceased wife of Henry Sadler, a resident farmer of Allegan county ; Henry, who studied for the ministry, became a soldier of the Civil war and died in a hospital at New Orleans, Louisiana; and Sophia was the youngest and became Mrs. Hungerford. She is still living at the age of seventy years, having been born on the 14th of April, 1835, but Mr. Hungerford departed this life January 31, 1901. In their family were two sons and three daugh- ters: Virgil U .; Bertha E., wife of E. D. Conkling, a farmer of Kinder- hook, Michigan; Mary G., the wife of L. H. Draper, of Algansee; Volney R., superintendent of schools at Decatur, Michigan; and Emily E., who is a graduate of the high school of Coldwater of the class of 1896, and of Olivet College, of the class of 1904. Volney is also a graduate of those institu- tions.
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