A twentieth century history and biographical record of Branch County, Michigan, Part 55

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

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Virgil U. Hungerford spent his boyhood days in the usual manner of farm lads of the locality and his early educational privileges were supple- mented by study in the schools of Quincy and of Ypsilanti, Michigan. He taught a graded school in California, Michigan, and in other places, being identified with the profession for ten years, but his energies are now devoted to general agricultural pursuits and stock-raising, and in his chosen vocation he has become very prosperous, being now one of the substantial farmers of the community. He is now also associated in the firm of Perry & Hunger- ford, real estate dealers.

Mr. Hungerford was married, March 29, 1891, to Miss Lillie May Bovee, a daughter of Clark Bovee, and she died July 30, 1891, at the age of twenty-one years. Five years later he wedded Clara M. Marshall, whose birth occurred in Ovid township, in 1875. Her father, Albert Marshall, was a native of Canada, and came to the United States in his boyhood days with his mother. Here he wedded Emma Flint, of Kinderhook. Mr. and Mrs.

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HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY

Hungerford have become the parents of three children: Gladys L .. born in 1898; Ruth, in 1899; and Helen. in 1901.

Mr. Hungerford is a member of the Odd Fellows Society and of the Modern Woodmen Camp, while his wife belongs to the Congregational church. In politics he is a Republican, and is serving as school inspector and deputy sheriff of the county.

GEORGE HERMAN COLE.

Branch county offers excellent opportunities to the farmer. for the land is rich and productive, responding readily to cultivation, and thus in the care of his property Mr. Cole is meeting with good success. He has a farm on sections nineteen and thirty, Ovid township. comprising one hundred acres. He is one of the citizens that the Empire state has furnished to Mich- igan, his birth having there occurred on the 27th of May, 1851. His father. George W. Cole, who came to Branch county in pioneer times and followed the carpenter's trade here. was born in New York in 1812, and was married there to Miss Louisa Ransier, likewise a native of that state. As the years passed their marriage was blessed with ten children. four sons and six daugh- ters, namely : Jonathan and Alphonso, both deceased; Watson; Helen, who has also passed away: Francis: Delia and Mary, deceased; George Herman ; Adelaide, deceased; and Adeline, twin sister of Adelaide.

George Herman Cole spent the first three and a half years of his life in his native state and then came with his father's family to Michigan, their home being established in Bethel township. Branch county. They settled upon a tract of land of forty acres, which the father cleared and cultivated. Later he sold that property, in 1860. and removed to Ovid township, where he bought eighty acres of timber land, which he also partially cleared. The members of the household early became inured to the arduous task of clear- ing and cultivating new land and shared in the hardships and privations inci- dent to pioneer life before this district was connected with the older east by a network of railroads that bring to the county all of the comforts and conveniences known to the older civilization. The father was a Democrat in his political views and his death occurred January 14. 1891.

George Herman Cole had been reared to farm life, while in the district schools he obtained his education, pursuing his studies in the winter months, while in the summer seasons he aided in the labors of the farm. At the time of his father's death he obtained possession of the old home place by purchasing the mortgages. He was married in Ovid township in April. 1873. to Miss Louisa Treat, whose birth occurred in this township. August 19. 1854. Her father, Henry Treat, was a well known farmer and early settler of the community, who came to Branch county from New York when the work of improvement and progress had scarcely been begun in this part of the state. Mr. and Mrs. Cole now have a family of two children, Marion and Ivy, and they also lost two, Henry and Leo, who were the first and third in order of birth, respectively. All were born in Branch county.

Politically a Democrat where national issues are involved, Mr. Cole votes independently at local elections, but has never been an aspirant for

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public office, preferring to give his undivided attention to his farm work. He had no inheritance to aid him as he started out for himself, nor have condi- tions been peculiarly fortunate in his business career. He has won success, however, through earnest labor, early realizing the truth of the admonition of the old Greek philosopher, "earn thy reward, the gods give naught to sloth," he has labored untiringly year after year until he has gained that prosperity which always comes as the reward of persistent, energetic effort.

HORACE DENHAM.

Horace Denham, of Quincy township, who has lived since boyhood in this county, was born in Ontario county, New York, November 23, 1856. His father, Cornelius, who was born at Conway, Massachusetts, and who passed away in this county in the winter of 1905, at the age of eighty-seven, was the fourth of five children, all deceased ; namely, Elijah, William, Luther, Cornelius and Lucinda, wife of Callister Mellen. The Denhams are of the New England stock. Cornelius Denham married Sarah Blodgett, who, a native of Ontario county, New York, died in 1900, at the age of eighty- two, and was one of the seven children of William and Lydia (Mapes) Blodgett, the former a native of New York and the latter of New Jersey. Uri Blodgett, of Coldwater, is a brother of the late Mrs. Denham. Cor- nelius Denham and family came to Branch county in the spring of 1865, locating in the southeast corner of Butler township, where he lived till death. He was one of the extensive and prosperous farmers of the county, owning three hundred and twenty-five acres, and also handled a large amount of live stock. Starting in life with a common school education, he prospered by industry and was a man of influence and worth in all the relations of life. He was a Republican, without aspirations for office, and indeed was of a retiring and modest disposition which shunned all ostentation, his life work being successfully accomplished by quiet means.

Though reared on a farm Mr. Denham had good educational advan- tages. His attendance at district school was supplemented by study at Hills- dale College, but when school days were over he returned to the farm and has followed the vocation of agriculture with increasing success all the remaining years. He has lived in Quincy township since 1889, where he owns a first-class farm of eighty acres, besides eighty acres in Butler town- ship. His home is on section two, where he has a beautiful and comfortable country residence.

Mr. Denham married, in 1889, Miss Cora Van Orthwick, who was born in Butler township in 1869. Her parents, Aaron and Helen (Nichols) Van Orthwick, are well known citizens of Butler township. Her father, of Hol- land ancestry, came to Michigan in 1860, first locating in Coldwater town- ship, and then in Butler. He was born in New York state, while his wife is a native of Quincy township. Mrs. Denham has two brothers, Charles, in Butler township, and Jay, in the grocery business at Quincy. Mr. and Mrs. Denham have one child, Claude, now fourteen years old. Mrs. Denham is a member of the Methodist church,, and his politics is Republican. Besides his farming interests he is a stock-raiser of considerable importance.

Residence of Prosper C. Johnson.

......

Prosper de Johnson

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HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY

PROSPER C. JOHNSON.

Prosper C. Johnson, a member of the real estate firm of Johnson & Kanauss, carrying on a business second to none in the county, was born in Erie county, Ohio, on the Ist of September, 1838, his parents being James D. and Ida (Squares) Johnson. Both parents were natives of the state of New York and removed thence at an early date, settling first in Loraine county, Ohio, and afterward in Erie county, where the mother died in 1847. They had become the parents of eight children, six sons and two daughters, all of whom reached mature years. In 1850 the father. then a widower, came to Michigan with his children and settled in Union township, Branch county, where he resided for many years. He died at the advanced age of eighty-five years, after having led a busy, useful life as a farmer. He was one of the pioneers of the county and in the early days endured all the hardships and privations incident to settlement on the frontier. When he came to Branch county he purchased under contract a small tract of land, on which he was able to make a payment of only twenty-five dollars, and had not the contract been renewed by the former owner he would not have been able to retain possession of this place, because he had not the money necessary for the succeeding payments. In time, however, he was enabled to triumph over the difficulties and obstacles which surrounded him in his pioneer days and to develop a good home for his family.

Prosper C. Johnson was only twelve years of age when the father brought his children to Branch county, and with the others he was reared amid the environments and scenes of pioneer life. early becoming familiar with the arduous duties and labors incident to the development of a new farm. He chopped wood many long days for fifty cents per day and he worked for his father and other farmers of the locality. He received at times only ten dollars per month for his services, but this was considered then a very good wage. He had limited school advantages, his opportunities being confined to short winter terms in the pioneer country schools and throughout the remainder of the year he had to work diligently in order to contribute to the support of the family.

In 1863 Mr. Johnson was united in marriage to Miss Sarah A. Hulben, and he then settled down in life as a farmer. taking up his abode in Girard township, where he purchased forty acres of land. He had to incur some indebtedness, because he had not capital sufficient to make the entire payment. Earnestly and diligently he began the work of improving his property, and by good management and frugality was soon enabled to clear his farm of all financial obligation. He continued the work of cultivation and improvement and as his financial resources increased he extended the boundaries of his place until he owned in one body two hundred and fifty-five acres, compris- ing one of the best improved and most valuable farms in Branch county. His wife was indeed a faithful helpmate to him in all his troubles, and after sharing his joys and sorrows, his adversity and prosperity for thirty-one years she was then called to her final home in 1894.

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Two sons and a daughter were born unto their marriage. They were reared on the farm and were given every possible educational opportunity, for Mr. Johnson realized the disadvantages to which he had been placed in life because of a limited education, and in order that his children should not suffer from the same lack he and his estimable wife made many sacrifices. His sons reside in Coldwater, where one is a lawyer and the other a business man, and the daughter and her husband reside on the old homestead farm. In 1895 Mr. Johnson was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Ida Cole, nee Palmer.

In 1901 Mr. Johnson decided to retire from the arduous duties of farm life. He had resided for thirty-seven years on the same place and from early youth had labored hard in the fields and meadows. His efforts, however, had been attended with pleasing success, and he had provided well for his wife and children. who, having now grown to years of maturity and needing his help no longer, Mr. Johnson decided to take up his abode in Coldwater, where he located in 1901. It was his intention to retire altogether from active busi- ness cares and enjoy an ease and rest that he had justly earned, but having led a most industrious life he found that indolence was utterly incompatible with his nature and he needed something to engage his time and attention. He then decided to enter the field of real estate operations and a year after removing to Coldwater he began dealing in real estate. Later he entered into partnership with Samuel Kanauss, and today the real estate firm of Johnson & Kanauss conducts a business second to none in the county, nego- tiating annually many important realty transfers. In politics Mr. Johnson has always been independent. He is a self-made man and no citizen of this county is held in higher respect than he. His worth is widely recognized by his fellow citizens, and his example is well worthy of emulation, showing what can be accomplished by strong purpose, indefatigable energy and reso- lute will. He is entirely free from ostentation and display, but in his life has shown forth many sterling traits of character whereby he is justly en- titled to the confidence and esteem of his fellow men.

CHARLES E. SWAIN.

Charles E. Swain, a retired farmer of Sherwood, traces his descent back to ancestry honorable and distinguished, for the first representatives of the family in America were of English birth and came to the new world on the Mayflower with the little historic band of Pilgrims who sought in the freedom of the new world opportunity to worship according to the dictates of their own conscience. Mr. Swain was born in Niagara county, New York, December 19, 1838. His father, Joseph G. Swain, was a native of New Bed- ford, Massachusetts, where he pursued his education and was reared. When a young man he went as a sailor on the high seas and followed that life for about thirty years. He was married in Geneseo county, New York, to Miss Louisa Dewey, a native of that county. Later he purchased a farm in Niagara county, where he resided until 1846, when he came to Branch county, Michigan, settling in Union township. He owned at different times a num-

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ber of farms in that township and continued to engage in agricultural pur- suits until his death, which occurred when he was about sixty years of age. In the family were four sons, all of whom reached manhood, were married, reared families of their own and are yet living, namely : Charles E. ; William Warren, who resides in Carthage, Missouri; Martin, of Union City. Mich- igan ; and Albert, of Bear Lake, Manistee county, Michigan.

Charles E. Swain was only eight years of age when he came with his parents to Branch county, and in the midst of the forest in Union township he was reared, his educational privileges being such as were afforded by the common schools at an early day. He remained at home until nineteen years of age, when he removed to Iowa, settling near Davenport, where he lived for a year. He next went to Linn county. Missouri, where he resided until 1858, when he again came to Branch county. It was in that year that he was married in this county to Miss Mary Helen Studley, who died, leav- ing five children: Frank, who is mentioned elsewhere in this volume; Fred A., a resident farmer of Union township; Edwin, deceased ; Orville, a dealer in cigars in St. Paul, Minnesota ; and Joseph W., who is a painter of Iowa City, Iowa.

Mr. Swain was married on the 19th of February, 1873. to Miss Harriet Billings, a daughter of N. A. and Elizabeth (Rowe) Billings. Mrs. Swain was born in Sherwood township, her parents being among the pioneer set- tlers of this county, where they arrived in 1836. The father came to Mich- igan from Saratoga county, New York, while the mother was a native of St. Lawrence county, New York. Mr. and Mrs. Swain have become the parents of a daughter and son : Mary, who is now the wife of Arthur Morris of Constantine, St. Joseph county, Michigan : and Aldredge, who married Hattie Kline and is living in Sherwood.

Following his first marriage Charles E. Swain returned. in 1858. to Missouri, where he remained until 1861, when he again came to Branch county, settling in Union township, where he was engaged in general farm- ing until 1872. In that year he took up his abode in Sherwood, where he has since resided, and he worked at the carpenter's trade for about eighteen years, doing business as a contractor and builder and erecting many houses in Branch county. a number of these being in the village of Sherwood. He owns a farm in Sherwood township, and is now living retired in the enjoy- ment of a well earned rest. His life in former years was one of intense activity and his labors were discerningly directed along well defined lines until he gained a competence that now enables him to put aside further business cares.

Mr. Swain has been a life-long Republican and served as supervisor of Sherwood township in 1875 and 1876. He was also township clerk for sev- eral terms and highway commissioner for several years. He likewise held the office of township treasurer for a year, was a member of the village council and acted on the school board until he declined longer to fill the office. He has been a member of the Masonic fraternity for thirty-five years. of the Grange for thirty years, and he and his wife are charter members of the Eastern Star. With little assistance at the outset of his career he has

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worked his way steadily upward, placing his dependence upon the substantial qualities of energy and determination, together with unfaltering diligence. He has a wide acquaintance in the county in which so many years of his life have been spent, and his friends recognize in him the possession of those qualities which in every land and clime command respect and admiration.

LEONARD DANIEL CLARK.

Leonard Daniel Clark, deceased, was for many years a highly respected citizen of Branch county. He was born in Ohio, November 25, 1825, and spent the first twelve years of his life in his native state, receiving his early education in the district schools. In 1837, the family moved to Michigan and settled in Branch county. Here the youth was three miles distant from school, the way led through the woods, and so wild was the country at that time that it was not an unusual occurrence for him to be chased by wolves as he walked to and from school. He learned the trade of shoemaker of his father, which he followed for some years, then bought a farm of two hundred acres and, until 1892, was engaged in agricultural pursuits. That year he sold his farm and came to Bronson, where the rest of his life was passed in retirement, and where he died April 22, 1905, at the ripe age of eighty years. He built and owned a fine brick block and two residences in Bronson. For years he was a trustee of the Farmers' Insurance Company, and he was identified with Mystic Lodge, A. F. and A. M.

Mr. Clark was married in 1848. Mrs. Clark, who survives him, was Dorothy M. Brower, a daughter of Aaron Brower, a New Yorker who came as a pioneer farmer to Branch county, Michigan. The fruits of their mar- riage were six children, namely: Myron Clark, who is engaged in the gro- cery business in Bronson; Helen, wife of Lucien Driggs, of Lansing; Mary, deceased; Eugene, a dry goods merchant of Bronson; and Aaron and one unnamed that died in infancy.

SAMUEL AND WILLIAM SHERER.

Among the prosperous and highly regarded residents of southern Mich- igan we find a number of German descent whose ancestors came to this country in the last century or the century previous and first settled in Penn- sylvania, many of them afterward removing from there to Ohio in an early day, and from there to Michigan. It is also a notable fact that these descend- ants of the sturdy Germans are now among our very best farmers, nearly all of them well-to-do, with large farms and excellent buildings, while they rank as our very best citizens.

Such are the members of the Sherer family, of whom we find a number in the southern part of Branch county, notably in California township. This branch of the Sherer family is descended from one William Sherer, who was born in Germany and who, upon coming to this country, located in Pennsyl- vania. He was only twelve years old when he left Germany and he was attracted to America by the fact that an elder brother had preceded him here several years. William grew to maturity in Pennsylvania, and there

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HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY

early learned the trade of shoemaking, which he followed more or less throughout his life, although he was a farmer in later years. In Pennsyl- vania he was married to Catherine Myers, who was also of German descent, and they had four children when they decided to try and better their for- tunes in the then new state of Ohio. They lived for several years in Seneca county, and later removed to Sandusky county, where the parents passed the remainder of their lives, William Sherer dying there January 18. 1842, and his wife dying at the age of eighty-three years. Both were members of the Lutheran church and they were people of high standing in the communities wherein they had lived. Eleven children were born unto them, two of whom died in infancy, the others being as follows: George. Henry and William died in Sandusky county, Ohio; John died in Quincy, Michigan : Samuel and David, both still living, are residents of California township: Benjamin lives in Ohio; Jeremiah died in the west. It will thus be seen that of this large family of children only three are now living.

This review concerns one of the sons, Samuel, who was born in Fair- field county, Ohio, January 17, 1824, just previous to the removal of his parents from there to Seneca county. Samuel grew to manhood upon the home farm, and when twenty years old started out for himself. He was married April 11, 1852. in Sandusky county, Ohio, to Catherine Babione, who was born in Ohio. September 26. 1824. During his early manhood Mr. Sherer was engaged in various enterprises and also worked in mills for some years. Soon after marriage he purchased eighty acres of new land in Cali- fornia township, this county, although he did not come and make his home here until about three years thereafter. This land he improved, and he made for himself and his family a most comfortable home here. In addition to this he also owns eighty acres of land in sections eleven and fourteen. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Sherer, all of whom are living. as follows: Daniel lives in Lester, Michigan: William is one of the subjects of this review: John is in Toledo: Samuel E. lives in Cali- fornia township: Mary Haight is also a resident of this township. The mother, Mrs. Sherer, died September 6, 1888. She was a most estimable woman and was a member of the Lutheran church, to which her husband also formerly belonged. At her death the following obituary notice was written :

"Catherine Babione was born in Fremont, Ohio. September 26, 1834, and died September 6, 1888, at her home in California, Michigan. She was married to Samuel Sherer. April 16. 1852, and came to this place in 1853. She was the mother of five children, all of whom were present at the funeral. She united with the Lutheran church in Ohio and had her chil- dren all baptized there. Her death was caused by paralysis. She was sick four days, being unconscious nearly all of the time. but the day before she died she became conscious, knew those around her, and on being asked if she was prepared to die, replied 'Yes.' She leaves a husband, five children, four brothers and a host of friends to mourn her loss. The funeral was held at the Presbyterian church and was conducted by Rev. Mr. Boyd."

Politically, Mr. Sherer has always been a Democrat, although never a

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seeker after office. His life has been a long and industrious one; he has been wise in the rearing of his children, and he has so conducted his life as to win the approbation and regard of his fellow-citizens. He is passing his declining years upon the old home farm, where also reside his son Will- iam and family.

William Sherer, the second child in order of birth of Samuel and Catlı- erine Sherer, was born in the township of California, October 10, 1856, and his entire life thus far has been passed here. Growing to maturity as he did upon the farm, he learned the value of industry and gained a good practical knowledge of agriculture. He was united in marriage, January 3, 1886, with Miss Addie Back, who is a native of Kansas. Her father is Alvin Back, and her mother is Josephine Morris Back, a native of Stark county, Ohio, where she was born August 5, 1847. Mr. Back was born in Williams county, Ohio, January 29, 1842. The home of the Backs has been in Will- iams county, Ohio, with the exception of a few years' residence in Kansas, until a year ago, when they removed to Ray, Indiana, where Mr. and Mrs. Back still reside, although Mr. Back still retains his farm in Williams county. Mrs. William Sherer is their only child.

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A twentieth century history and biographical record of Branch County, Michigan, Part 55

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