USA > Michigan > Branch County > A twentieth century history and biographical record of Branch County, Michigan > Part 58
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110
Dr. Gamble was reared and educated in the place of his nativity, com- pleting his literary course there by study in the high school. Determining upon the practice of medicine and surgery as a life work he then entered the homeopathic medical department of the Michigan State University at Ann Arbor and was graduated with the class of 1892. He supplemented his collegiate training by six months' experience in Grace hospital and tiien located for practice in Wellsboro, Indiana, where he was also surgeon for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company and the Chicago & Grand Trunk Railroad Company for about two and a half years, after which he was located
460
HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY
in Winona, Minnesota, for eighteen months, and in 1897 came to Coldwater, where he has since engaged in practice. A liberal patronage has been ac- corded him in recognition of his ability in the line of his profession, and in his practice he displays thorough understanding of the principles of medicine and a ready adaptability of his knowledge to the case in question. He is secretary of the Branch County Pension Examining Board, and is examiner for various life insurance companies and lodges.
Dr. Gamble was married in Tecumseh, October 16, 1893, to Miss Elida DeMere James, a daughter of Alfred and Mary (White) James. They now have two sons : Alfred F. and Lytton D. Dr. and Mrs. Gamble have a large circle of friends in Coldwater, their intelligence and worth gaining them the entry into the best homes of the city. His political support is cast with the Democratic party and he takes an active interest in its affairs, but has never been an aspirant for office, preferring to give undivided attention to his professional duties.
MRS. E. R. G. PARADINE.
Mrs. E. R. G. Paradine, well known in Coldwater, was born in Hills- dale county, Michigan, March 14, 1841. Her father was Orson Randall. who was born in Yates county, New York, August 25, 1807, and came to Branch county, Michigan, in 1844, locating in Coldwater township, where he was engaged in farming. He was married September 15, 1833, to Miss Laura Gilbert, a native of Connecticut, and they became the parents of five children, of whom Mrs. Paradine is the fourth in order of birth. Her father continued to make farming his life work and for many years was a leading agriculturist of Branch county, his death occurring in the city of Coldwater, 1890. Mrs. Paradine was only about three years old when she came to Branch county, where she was reared and educated. She first mar- ried Wenzel Gruner on the 25th of August, 1858. He was born in Reichen- burg, Germany, September 28, 1831, and in 1848 or 1849 came to America and lived five years in New York state and then located in Michigan and became a well-to-do farmer. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Gruner were born the following named: Mina L., deceased; Mary K., the wife of William Mitch- ell of Coldwater; Edna E., the wife of S. T. Vesey of La Grange, Indiana ; Ward C., a resident farmer of Branch county; Benjamin S., who is a tele- graph operator in Alabama; Bartlett, a merchant living in Mount Pleasant, Michigan ; and Starr W., a farmer of Coldwater township. All were born upon the old family homestead in Coldwater township-the farm upon which the father located when he first came to Michigan. Mr. Gruner died April 15, 1885, and February 3, 1897, Mrs. Gruner was united in marriage to William W. Paradine, who was born in England in 1837, and came to the United States in 1856, and in 1860 to Branch county. His life has been that of a farmer.
GEORGE A. TUTTLE.
George A. Tuttle, who for fifty years has been a resident of Branch county, is now engaged in farming on section eighteen, Batavia township. His birth occurred in Marshall county, Indiana, on the 26th of October,
Abrs. L. A. Tuttle.
A Tuttle
461
HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY
1849, his parents being Major and Eliza (Ramsay) Tuttle. The father, a native of Connecticut, removed from New England to New York, and after- ward took up his abode in Indiana, locating at Michigan City. He afterward settled in Marshall county, living there when the Indians were numerous. his attention being given to the cultivation and development of a farm. In 1856 he came to Branch county, this state, settling in Batavia township. where he purchased what was known as the Rogers farm. On selling that place he bought the Fowler farm and he gave the land upon which the church in the locality now stands. At a later date he sold his property and bought the Jones farm in Coldwater township, remaining there for two years, when he sold out and became the possessor of the farm upon which his son George A. now resides. There he spent his remaining days, reaching the very ven- erable age of eighty-four years. He was the oldest Mason of Michigan who was initiated in the order in this state. Mr. Tuttle was four times married, his first union being with Charlotte Barber, by whom he had four children : Timothy and Orson, both deceased: Sarah M. ; and Levi, who has also passed away. For his second wife he chose Eliza Ramsey, and George A. Tuttle is the only child of this marriage. For his third wife he won Mrs. Comings. and Mrs. Lucinda Brown became his fourth wife. There was one daughter by that marriage, Arabelle. now deceased. George A. Tuttle and his sister Sarah are the only surviving ones of the family.
When about eight years of age George A. Tuttle was brought to Mich- igan and in the public schools he acquired his education. He remained with his parents until their death, was reared to the occupation of farming and became thoroughly familiar with the duties and labors of field and meadow at an early age. On the 27th of October. 1892, he was married to Miss Mary Sindlinger, a daughter of John and Caroline (Dingler) Sindlinger, and a native of Burr Oak township, St. Joe county. Two sons have been born of this marriage, Glen and Mark, both of whom are in school.
Mr. Tuttle is the owner of one hundred acres of well improved land. the fields being richly cultivated and yielding good harvests for the care and labor bestowed upon them. He has been a resident of Branch county for almost fifty years and has been identified with its interests in a helpful degree. contributing to the success of those movements which are a matter of public pride. In politics he has always been an earnest Republican and has served as director of schools and at the same time is moderator. He is well known in the county, and his genuine worth has won him friendly recognition from all with whom he has come in contact. He belongs to the First Congrega- tional church at Matteson, has taken an active interest in its work, serving as its treasurer and one of its trustees and as an earnest worker in the Sunday- school. Mrs. Tuttle is a member of the German Lutheran church.
ROBERT FRASER. M. D.
Dr. Robert Fraser, whose capability in his profession ranks him with the leading members of the medical fraternity in Branch county, is perhaps the oldest physician in years of continuous practice in this part of the state,
462
HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY
having for thirty-five years followed his chosen calling in Sherwood. He is also well known as a leader in the ranks of the People's party in this local- ity. He was born in Canada, May 8, 1842, and is a son of William Fraser, a native of Scotland. He was reared and educated in the land of the hills and heather, whence he came to America at the age of twenty-five years. He established his home in Canada, where he was married to Miss Christina Gunn, a native of that country. He died at the age of fifty-five years, while his wife passed away at the age of seventy-five years. They had a son and daughter, of whom Dr. Fraser is the elder.
Having mastered the common branches of English learning, Dr. Fraser continued his studies in the Bradford high school, of Canada, and was grad- uated from the medical department of the Victoria University, in the class of 1865. The same year he came to the United States, settling first in New York, where he remained for five years. In March, 1870, he arrived in Sherwood, where he has since made his home. Desirous of obtaining still greater proficiency in the line of his profession he entered the American Electrical Medical College in 1875, and was graduated in 1876. He did not cease his study even then, but has always been an interested observer of the progress of the medical fraternity, keeping in touch with its advancement through reading and investigation. He has now practiced in Sherwood for thirty-five years and is a beloved family physician in many a household, a cheery manner and ready sympathy, as well as his scientific knowledge, making him one of the capable practitioners of Branch county.
In 1871 Dr. Fraser was married to Miss Jennie Coleman, who was born and reared in Canada. They had two children, but Everton died at the age of eight years. The surviving son, Dr. Robert Carson Fraser, is a graduate of the Detroit Medical College, and is now practicing in Detroit, Michigan.
Dr. Fraser of this review is a Democrat. He was the first president of the village of Sherwood after its incorporation, and filled that office for several terms. He was also a candidate for congress on the People's ticket. and has taken an active part in politics, being deeply interested in the great questions which affect the welfare of the country, as well as in the local political work. He never fails to attend the county conventions, and his opinions carry weight in the local councils of his party.
Dr. Fraser has a good home in Sherwood and an excellent farm of eighty acres in Sherwood township. He has never regretted his determina- tion to seek a home in the United States, with its livelier competition and advancement more quickly secured, and in a profession where individual merit is all that counts, he has won for himself an enviable position, his practice being as large as that of any physician in the county.
ST. MARY'S PARISH.
A few Polish families settled in Bronson, Michigan, in 1861, and at once formed themselves into a little band of worshipers, holding services at the home of James Cunningham, but at first without a priest. In 1863 St. Mary's Parish was organized by Rev. F. X. Schulack, a Jesuit Father,
463
HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY
and in 1865. through his efforts. their first church was built on the south side of the railroad. and for a period of fifteen years he was in charge. Then for four years, until 1884, the church was attended by Rev. Father Charles Korst of Coldwater. The first resident priest St. Mary's had was the Rev. Father Francis Krol. At the end of six years he was succeeded by Father Schulack, who remained until 1892. Then came Father John Lemke, whose death occurred at the end of ten months of service here. Father Casinier Rochowski succeeded him, and was pastor until 1899. The next six months Father Bernard Smijewski presided over the parish. and in September, 1899. came Rev. Father John Bernard Hewelt, who has since been in charge, and to whose efforts is largely due the success of the parish.
The present church and school buildings of St. Mary's each occupy a ground space of one hundred and forty by three hundred feet. The fine church edifice. erected on the ashes of the second church building, is one hundred and twenty by forty-eight feet in dimensions and cost twelve thou- sand dollars, with an additional cost of eleven thousand dollars for furnish- ings. It was built by popular subscription. . The interior decoration of this church is the most noted of its kind in the State of Michigan, the painting having been done by an artist from Rome.
St. Mary's School, erected in 1900. during the pastorate of Father Hewelt, is eiglity-eight by seventy-eight feet, and was built at a cost of twenty-four thousand dollars. From six to ten teachers are employed, and regular courses of study up to the twelfth grade are offered : also typewriting. stenography, music and art needle work are taught. The largest contributor to the building fund of the school was Cicero Holmes.
Father Hewelt is a native of Prussia and was born in 1863. a descend- ant of an old noble family. His education was begun in Germany. In 1870 he was taken to Paris, thence to England and Ireland, and in 1880 he came to the United States, where his studies were continued with the priest- hood in view. He was ordained in 1891 in the cathedral at Detroit. His work at St. Mary's has been characterized by enthusiastic and untiring energy and has been fruitful to a marked degree.
THADDEUS FOLLETT.
Thaddeus Follett, who, carrying on agricultural pursuits, resided in California township, was born in Cayuga county, Ohio, on the 3rd of No- vember. 1861. His father, Reuben T. Follett, was born in Dover, Ohio, on the 15th of August, 1822, and there resided until forty-one years of age. when he came to Michigan, settling in Butler township, Branch county. where for two years he owned and cultivated a farm. He then removed to California township, where he purchased one hundred and sixty-four acres of land on section six, and as he prospered in his work he increased his acreage until his farm, at the time of his death, comprised two hundred and forty-four acres of rich and productive land. His father, Daniel Follett. was a native of Connecticut and in an early day went to Ohio, where he died in 1848. While living in the Buckeye state, Reuben Follett was married
464
HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY
in Cleveland on the 25th of November. 1852, to Miss Julia E. Kelley, who was born in that city October 15, 1832, and was a daughter of Williamn Kelley, who was born near Rochester, New York, and afterward resided in Cleveland, Ohio, where he died in 1839, while his wife passed away in 1840. In their family were eight children, Mrs. Follett being the only one now living. Unto Reuben Follett and his wife were born eight children, and, with one exception, all yet survive, Eva having died at the age of sixteen years. The living members of the family are: Mrs. Emma Thompson. who resides in California township: Charles, who is living in Algansee; Mrs. Lucy Corless, of Ovid; Thaddeus, of this review; Mrs. Nettie Bovee, of Chicago; Mrs. Alta Mitchell, living in Dover, Ohio; Mrs. Birdie Corless, a resident of LaGrange, Georgia. The father followed farming both in Ohio and in Michigan, and he cleared much of his land, on which he made good improvements and erected substantial buildings, thus developing one of the excellent farms of his neighborhood. In his social relations he was a Blue Lodge Mason, and in his political views was a Democrat. He and his wife were attendants on the services of the Presbyterian church. He was an intelligent farmer and esteemed citizen, and his efforts in behalf of public progress were of direct good.
Thaddeus Follett, whose name introduces this review, always lived upon the home farm, and throughout his entire life has carried on general agri- cultural pursuits. He acquired a common school education and in the periods of vacation worked in the fields. He now carries on general farm- ing and also raises good horses. He owns one hundred and sixty-four acres of land on the old homestead, where he is now living with his mother. He married Nellie M. Allen, of Coldwater, and they have one son. Allen T. Follett, who was born May 5, 1895.
Mr. Follett belongs to several fraternal organizations, including the Odd Fellows society in California township, the Masonic lodge in Kinder- hook, and the Modern Woodmen camp in California township. He is an independent voter and has been a member of the township board of review and also school district moderator. He is recognized as a prosperous young farmer and is a man of affairs, who has ever been a keen observer, is well read and is informed upon all matters of general interest.
ISAAC BENNETT.
Isaac Bennett, a pioneer Michigan Methodist minister, was born on Bacon Ridge, Ross township, Jefferson county, Ohio, April 22, 1810. He was the son of James and Lydia Bennett. His grandfather, Isaac Bennett, was a member of the Pennsylvania Militia, and his grandfather, Ludwig Hardenbrook, was a soldier of the Revolutionary war. Several of his uncles were soldiers of the war of 1812 to 1815. His grandfather Hardenbrook and his own parents were Presbyterians. When thirteen years of age his father moved west to Morrow county, Ohio. When twenty years of age Isaac Bennett attended a Methodist campmeeting near Mt. Gilead, Ohio, and was converted and united with the Methodist church. In 1832 he was licensed to preach, Russell Bigelow signing the license as presiding elder.
Rev. Isaac Bennett
465
HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY
In 1832 he was married to Miss Eleanor Barrickman, who died three years later, leaving in his care two children.
At the organization of the Michigan conference held at Mansfield, Ohio. in 1836, he was admitted on trial and ordained a deacon by Bishop Soule, and in 1838 he was ordained an elder by Bishop Waugh. In 1838 he was married to Mrs. Nancy McNaught Hill, widow of George Hill. His itin- erant life began in 1834, when he was employed as a supply on Mt. Gilead circuit. In 1836 he was appointed to St. Mary's Mission, Maumee district, western Ohio, this mission including all of Mercer, Van Wert and parts of Allen and Putnam counties in Ohio, and two appointments in Allen county. Indiana.
In 1837 Isaac Bennett's work began in Michigan, his appointments being in succession, Shiawassee circuit, Ingham mission, Eaton mission, Albion circuit, Litchfield, Coldwater, Manchester, Burlington, Litchfield again. South Albion, Parma and Eaton Rapids, Flat River, Ionia. Grand Rapids (Westside, afterwards Second Street), Lamont. Edwardsburg, Paw Paw, Cassopolis, Allen, Girard, Quincy, Reading. Butler and Kinderhook. At the Conference held at Jackson, in 1872, he was superannuated: forty years from the time he was licensed to preach, and thirty-six years from the time he became a member of the Conference.
Shiawassee circuit embraced all of Shiawassee. Clinton, and parts of Eaton, Genesee, Livingston and Oakland counties. This mission extended west and east as they traveled seventy-five miles, and forty miles north and south ; a four weeks' circuit, thirty-five appointments, he and his colleague, Washington Jackson, each preaching eight sermons and traveling one hun- dred miles per week on an average for the year, making over five thousand miles travel. The larger portion of the settlement of this region began in 1836, there being few roads of any kind. They traveled on horseback and afoot by Indian trails, and blazed trees for guides from place to place, fording the streams.
In 1838 he moved his family from Ohio to Michigan. a distance of three hundred miles, through a sparsely settled country. three weeks of continuous travel. When they arrived at their destination it was almost impossible to find a house. At last they heard of a log cabin in Vernon township, in a small clearing surrounded by woods, and no neighbors near. They moved into this, and as they had brought but little with them, and had no money to buy with. he borrowed tools and made his furniture of boxes and young saplings. thus beginning his home life in Michigan. His work called him from home, and necessarily his wife and little ones were alone most of the time. Days would come and go, then perhaps a white man or an Indian would pass by. The settlement was new, people poor, and sometimes food was hard to get : preachers and other pioneers suffered all the hardships alike. With the exception of the clay and mud in Ohio, the St. Mary's and Shia- wassee mission were practically the same; Ingham mission work was the same, but conditions were better. In Albion circuit, second year, Allen Sta- ples was his colleague. This year at their meetings several hundred were converted, and between four and five hundred. united with the Methodist
466
HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY
church, many joining other churches. Litchfield circuit in 1844-5 included Jonesville, Allen and Reading in Hillsdale county, and Butler, Quincy, Al- gansee and California in Branch county. Coldwater included Quincy, Gilead and Girard. Burlington circuit embraced Tekonsha and Lion Lake in Cal- houn county, Union City and Bronson in Branch county, and Colon in St. Joseph county. Thus it will be seen that Isaac Bennett's work as minister extended the entire length and breadth of Branch county fifty-five and sixty years ago. During his retirement he was active in local church work as preacher and class leader.
He was the father of seven children. Two died in childhood. His oldest son, Simeon, located in Kansas and was known as a free soiler .. He died in 1859. His stepson, William Hill, died in Chicago in 1870, and was buried in Quincy, Michigan. George, the oldest son by his second marriage, was a volunteer soldier in the Civil war, and died in West Virginia, October 25, 1873, and was buried in Quincy.
May 20, 1886, Isaac Bennett lost his best and dearest friend, one who had been his comrade and counsellor, one who had shared with him all his hardships and trials of an itinerant's and pioneer's life, who had stood by his side in sickness and death, and in the darkest hours had been the one that he could always turn to for comfort and sympathy-his wife. She bade him " good-bye " and promised to meet with him across the river. They laid her away by the side of her boys in Lake View Cemetery. March 6, 1890, his daughter, Eleanor Hendee, died in Jackson county, Michigan, and was brought home and buried by the side of her mother.
Isaac Bennett cast his first vote for General Jackson and was known as a Democrat until 1854. In his pocket journal he wrote, " Thursday, July 6, 1854. To-day I attended a political meeting at Jackson to consolidate political parties against the encroachment of slavery. Meeting harmonious. Candidates for state officers were nominated." That was the celebrated con- vention held " Under the Oaks" at Jackson, Michigan, when they organized and gave the name " Republican " to the new party. Forever afterwards he was known as a Republican.
In January, 1899, he complained of a pain in his breast and side. This was the forerunner of his final sickness and death. February 20. a spasm of his heart told him of his condition, he realized that his hour had come and the sands of life were running low. He said to those who were in the room, " I have no time to talk with each one of you, I will pray for you," thus closing his life's work, pleading that those who stood by his side might be permitted to meet with him in Heaven.
The oldest member of the Michigan Conference had passed away and was buried by the side of his wife and children, leaving surviving him two children, Sarah and Hiram.
J. M. GRAY.
J. M. Gray, energetic and enterprising, has displayed in his business life those qualities which always eventually win success, and that his fellow townsmen regard him as capable of controlling public affairs is shown by the
467
HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY
fact that he has been chosen by popular suffrage to the office of township clerk. He was born August 19. 1875. on the farm on section twenty-three. Batavia township, where he now resides, and he represents an old New England family. His father, John M. Gray, was a native of New York. having been born in Westfield township. Schenectady county, on the 29th of September, 1827. He came to Branch county in the '6os and he took up his abode in Batavia township on the farm which is now owned and occupied by J. M. Gray. For twenty-one years he was a sailor on the Great Lakes, hav- ing followed that pursuit prior to the establishment of a home in Branch county. Here he turned his attention to general agricultural pursuits, which claimed his time and energies throughout his remaining days. In his politi- cal views he was a Democrat in early life, but after taking up his abode in Batavia township he became a Republican and was elected and served for some years as justice of the peace, his decisions being characterized by an impartiality that won him high encomiums from the general public. He was also director of the Farmers Mutual Fire Insurance Company and was a member of the Masonic fraternity. He married Mrs. Julia A. (Phelps) Flint, who was born in Wyoming county, New York, on the 18th of March, 1837, and was reared in the place of her nativity. She is still living and re- sides with her son, J. M. Gray, but the husband and father passed away on the 22d of March, 1898. being then in his seventy-first year. In the family were seven children, namely: James R., Nellie, Charles, Elizabeth, Frank. Lydia and John M.
In taking up the personal history of John M. Gray we present to our readers the life record of one who is widely and favorably known in this part of the state. His youth was uneventful. being passed in the usual man- ner of farm lads of the period upon the place where he yet resides. He worked in the fields through the summer months and acquired his elementary education in the district schools, while later he attended the Metropolitan Business College at Chicago for six months. Upon his return home he took charge of the farm which he now owns and has since given unfaltering at- tention to its cultivation and improvement.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.