USA > Michigan > Branch County > A twentieth century history and biographical record of Branch County, Michigan > Part 59
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On the 28th of July, 1897, Mr. Gray was married to Miss Cora Jardon, a daughter of E. M. and Elsie (Frey) Jardon, the father a native of Ohio. She was only five years of age when she came to Michigan with her parents, who settled in Branch county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Gray have been born four sons: Clare. Lester, Forest and Starr (deceased). Mr. Gray is a Republican, who has always kept well informed on the questions and issues of the day, and greatly desires the success of his party. He was elected township clerk in April, 1905, and is discharging the duties of that office in addition to the supervision of his business interests. He was president of the Batavia Creamery, and is now treasurer, and his farm comprises eighty acres of land, which is devoted to the cultivation of various cereals. Having lived all of his life in Batavia township he has a wide acquaintance. and the active part which he has taken in public affairs has extended his circle of acquaintance and gained for him the merited regard of his fellow townsmen.
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HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY
DE WITT C. SPROUT.
DeWitt C. Sprout, owner of Maple Villa, on section twenty-four, Quincy township, where he has two hundred and twelve acres of valuable farming land, was born in Sandusky county, Ohio, in 1860. His father. John Sprout, was a native of Knox county, Ohio, and was of German-Scotch an- cestry. The paternal grandfather, Samuel Sprout, removed from his native state of Pennsylvania to Ohio, and there John Sprout was reared to the occu- pation of farming, which he made his life work, raising both grain and stock. He was a Republican in his political views and in religious faith was connected with the United Brethren church. He married Catherine Shilling, who was born in Seneca county, Ohio, and was of German lineage, her parents, Andrew and Mary Shilling, being natives of the fatherland. Mrs. Sprout was also a member of the United Brethren church, and her death occurred in 1896, when she was sixty-one years of age, while Mr. Sprout departed this life on the 27th of February, 1905, when in his seventy-first year. They were the parents of two sons, the other being Ulysses S. Sprout, now residing in Seneca county, Ohio.
DeWitt C. Sprout, reared upon the home farm, pursued his early edu- cation in the district schools and afterward continued his studies in Heidel- berg College, at Tiffin, Ohio, and in the academy at Fostoria, Ohio. He engaged in teaching in the country schools for ten terms and through the summer months devoted his energies to farming pursuits. He has always carried on the work of tilling the soil, and in March, 1905, he removed to Michigan, purchasing the Brainard and Babcock farm, known as Maple Villa, on section twenty-four, Quincy township. He has two hundred and twelve acres of land and is extensively engaged in breeding and feeding stock. His is one of the best improved properties of the locality, the build- ings upon his place having been erected at a cost of five thousand dollars.
In 1885 Mr. Sprout was married to Miss Lillie V. Byers, who was born in Seneca county, Ohio, in 1864, her parents being Jeremiah and Sarah (Kimes) Byers. Her father was a pioneer settler of Seneca county, Ohio, and followed the occupation of farming, and Mrs. Sprout was the eldest of their three children, the others being: William, who is living in Girard township; and Dora, the deceased wife of Frank Groves. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Sprout have been born four children: Emerson J., born in 1886; Cora, in 1893; Clarence, in 1890; and Bruce, in 1896. The parents hold mem- bership in the United Brethren church, and Mr. Sprout gives his political allegiance to the Republican party. He has conducted business interests of considerable extent and importance, and although his residence in Brauch county has been of brief duration he has become well known as one of the leading representatives of its stock-raising interests.
HARLOW W. WILLIAMS.
From the age of ten years Harlow W. Williams has been a resident of Coldwater. Almost seventy years have come and gone since that time and great changes have occurred within this period as the county has emerged
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from pioneer conditions to take its place as the center of an advanced civil- ization. Log cabins have given place to commodious and attractive honies. churches and schools have been built, business enterprises introduced and the land has been converted from a wild tract into richly productive fields. Mr. Williams has not only witnessed all this change, but has taken an active part in the development of the county, and his labors have resulted beneficially for the community.
A native of the Empire state, Mr. Williams was born in Royalton town- ship, Niagara county, New York, April 16. 1826. His father. Elisha Wil- liams, was a native of Massachusetts and was there reared. In early life he learned the trade of a hatter, cooper and carpenter and joiner and shoe- maker and he was naturally a mechanic, so that he was well qualified to do various kinds of labor. He was married in Massachusetts to Siba Parma- lee, a native of Connecticut, and they located in Victor, Ontario county. New York, whence they afterward removed to Royalton, Niagara county. and later to Erie county. The year 1836 witnessed their removal to Cold- water. They reached their destination on the 11th of October, and Mr. Williams assisted largely in building up the town. Being a carpenter and joiner, he erected some of the first houses in this place and contributed in substantial measure to the growth and development of the city. He lived to be eighty-three years of age, while his wife passed away when about fifty-five years of age. They were the parents of eight children, four sons and four daughters, all of whom reached adult age, married and reared families of their own.
Harlow W. Williams, the youngest of the family and the only one now living, was but ten years of age when he came to Branch county. locating with his parents in Coldwater. Here he was reared, acquiring his education in the pioneer schools of the village. His mother died when he was but. fif- teen years of age, and he then started out in life on his own account. working at anything which he could get to do. He followed both carpentering and coopering. also did painting and other work. for he seemed to have inherited his father's natural mechanical ingenuity, and was also instructed by him in various branches of labor. He began contracting when a young man, and his life of intense activity continued through many years, but now he is enjoying a well earned rest.
On the TIth of August. 1846. Mr. Williams was united in marriage to Miss Louisa Carter, a daughter of Benoni and Hannah ( Mansfield) Carter. and a native of Monroe county. New York. Her birth occurred in Penfield. October 28, 1830. In the year in which their marriage occurred, Mr. and Mrs. Williams located in Quincy, where he engaged in carpentering as a contractor and builder. He lived in that city for about fifteen years, and in Butler for ten years, making his home on the farm and at the same time continuing his building operations. In 1872 he became overseer of the county farm, which position he filled until 1877. when he was appointed superintendent of the poor by the board of supervisors, and acted in that capacity for three years. He was chairman of the board, and in the dis- charge of his official duties he was ever prompt, faithful and reliable. In
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1877 he took up liis abode again in Coldwater, where he now resides, living retired at the present time. He has contributed in large measure, however, to the substantial improvement of the county, which he has seen developed from its primitive condition. He has erected many school houses and resi- dences and has built many bridges. He has put up a number of houses in Coldwater for himself, selling them on the installment plan, and at one time he was also engaged in the livery business here. He has likewise had other interests, and in the control of his varied business affairs he has shown keen discrimination, strong executive ability and unbounded perseverance. Now in possession of a handsome competence, acquired through his well directed labors, he is enjoying a rest which is richly merited.
In his political views Mr. Williams has always been a staunch Repub- lican since the organization of the party, and has held a number of local offices. He was supervisor of Butler township until he resigned, and was treasurer of Quincy township for about two years. He has always been in- terested in public affairs, and his labors have been resultant factors in pro- moting the welfare and growth of this part of the state, where he has now lived for a period of sixty-nine years. His acquaintance is wide and he en- joys the respect of young and old, rich and poor.
FRANK E. KNAPP.
Frank E. Knapp, superintendent of the public schools at Quincy, was born in Coldwater township, Branch county, Michigan, in 1867, and is of German and Irish descent .. His father, Reuben Knapp, was born in Green- ville, Ohio, while his grandfather was also a native of that state, and was of German lineage. About 1861 Mr. Knapp came to Branch county and he wedded his wife in Greenville, Ohio. He also resided in Texas for a short time. He married Cordelia Houghn, a native of Greenville, Ohio, and of Irish lineage. Mr. Knapp died in the fall of 1893, at the age of seventy years, while his wife passed away in 1875, at the age of thirty-five years. In their family were three children, of whom Frank E. is the second. Mar- tin L., the eldest, is now foreman in railroad car shops in Indian Territory, and Stephen C. is associated with his brother Martin.
Frank E. Knapp acquired his education in the district schools and in the Quincy Union school, and also attended the Michigan State Normal Col- lege, Benton Harbor College and the Michigan State University, at Ann Arbor. In order to educate himself and provide the funds necessary for his academic and college work he taught in different schools in Branch county, his first important appointment in that direction being at Camden, Michi- gan, where he remained for two years. He afterward acted as principal of the schools at Pittsford, Michigan, for six years, and subsequently went to White Pigeon, where he was superintendent of schools for two years. In the fall of 1900 he came to Quincy and has since been at the head of the Educational Society of this place, now having eight teachers under his supervision. The schools are carefully graded, the work systematized and the standard of public instruction is being continually raised, owing to Pro- fessor Knapp's intense zeal and interest in the work.
T
Dus Serien da Balis
Samsun Bater
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HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY
In 1888 was celebrated the marriage of Professor Knapp and Miss Cora H. Allen, a daughter of Charles M. and Mary J. Allen. Her father is a resident farmer of this county, and Mrs. Knapp was born in Reading town- ship in 1873. There are two children of this marriage: Ione Ernestine and Edward Allen. Professor and Mrs. Knapp are prominent and valued mem- bers of the Presbyterian church, in which he is serving as superintendent of the Sabbath school. He is also high priest of Quincy chapter, No. 115, R. A. M., and belongs to the Knights of Pythias fraternity and the Macca- hees lodge. In politics he is a Republican, is serving as a member of the board of school examiners in Branch county and is a member of both the County and State Teachers' Associations. He has become well known as a capable educator and has made consecutive advancement in his profession. having contributed in a large degree to the improvement of the public school system in territories where he has been employed.
SAMUEL BATER.
Samuel Bater is numbered among the early settlers of Branch county and now devotes his attention to general agricultural pursuits on section twenty-three, Batavia township, where he owns and operates one hundred and twenty-five acres, constituting a finely improved farm. He may truly be called a self-made man. for in his youth he was empty-handed and had to depend entirely upon his labor and capable management for the success that he is now enjoying as the years have gone by. His farm therefore is the visible evidence of a life of thrift and industry.
Mr. Bater was born in Devonshire. England, on Christmas day, 1837, his parents being William and Mary (Cochram) Bater, who were also natives of England, where they spent their entire lives, the father devoting his ener- gies to farming in order to provide for his family. He died at the age of seventy years, while his wife was about eighty years of age at the time of her demise. In their family were four sons and three daughters. all of whom reached adult age, while four of the number came to America. Samuel Bater is the fourth in order of birth, and he remained in his native country until sixteen years of age. His educational privileges were limited, for when a youth of eight years he left school and also left home in order to provide for his own support. He worked in England for six cents per day. Realiz- ing it would be with great difficulty he could make a living and gain a com- petence in that country he resolved to try his fortune in America and when sixteen years of age crossed the Atlantic to the new world to enjoy its greater privileges and opportunities. He landed at Quebec, Canada, and thence made his way to Rochester, New York, after which he spent about two years in Batavia, that state. On the second day of his residence there he earned five shillings as a result of his day's labor. The first year he was in America he worked for ten dollars per month, which seemed a princely sum in com- parison with the wage that he had earned in his native land. He hired out by the month to John Moore, and with him went to Jonesville, Michigan, in 1855. In 1859 he came to Coldwater, where he worked at the mason's
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trade or at anything that he could get to do. He assisted in the construction of many business blocks in Coldwater and also worked on the building of the first large school house of that city.
Mr. Bater had been a resident of Coldwater for only a brief period when he sought a companion and helpmate for life's journey, and on the 3Ist of December, 1860, he was married to Miss Lucinda Stafford, a daughter of Hosea B. and Lura (Wilson) Stafford, the former born in Genesee county, New York. while the latter was the first white child born on an island in the St. Lawrence river and St. Lawrence county, New York. The parents came to Branch county in a wagon from Detroit, Michigan. They were pioneer residents of Calhoun county and were married there, and at an early epoch in the development of Branch county took up their residence within its borders and were identified with its early improvement and development. Mrs. Bater was the second in a family of six daughters and two sons, and was born in Burlington township, Calhoun county, Michigan, on the 6th of October, 1841. She was but a child when she came to Branch county, where she has lived all her life. Her mother, who was born in 1818, is also yet living, having reached the eighty-sixth milestone on life's journey.
For about a year and a half after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Bater resided in Coldwater, and then located in Batavia township, on the state road seven miles west of the county seat. Here Mr. Bater purchased forty acres of land and began its cultivation and improvement, but in 1862 he put aside all busi- ness and personal considerations, feeling that his first duty was to his adopted country. He therefore enlisted as a private of Company C, Nineteenth Mich- igan Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war, returning home. He was in many of the principal engagements of that long and sanguinary strife and was with Sherman on the march to the sea and also took part in the grand review in Washington, where " wave after wave of bayonet crested blue " flowed by the review stand where stood the nation's president, watching the victorious army. For almost three years Mr. Bater was on active service. save for the twenty days which he spent in Libby prison, and his regiment was in the front of Atlanta. He also took part in the battles of Resaca and Peach Tree Creek, and for a year and a half he drove a six mule team for the regiment.
Following his return to Branch county Mr. Bater resumed farming and purchased sixty acres of timber land in Batavia township. He then cleared away the trees and built a little plank house, remaining there for two years. On the expiration of that period he sold out and bought a part of his present farm on section twenty-three, Batavia township. It was entirely wild and unimproved. There was not a house or building of any kind on the place. He first built a little shanty in which there was neither window nor door, but in course of time this was replaced by a substantial frame residence. He now has a fine farm, well improved, and every tree and every building upon the place have been put there by him. He first bought forty acres and at different times added tracts of eight, fifteen, ten and twenty acres, paying ninety dollars per acre for the last mentioned. Thus he has added to his property from time to time until he now owns one hundred and twenty-five
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acres of valuable land, constituting one of the highly improved farms of the county.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Bater have been born four sons and two daughters : Charles, who is living in Union township: Mary, the wife of John Yeatter. a resident farmer of Colon township, St. Joseph county, Michigan : Alexan- der. a farmer of Batavia; Harry, a farmer living near Hodunk in Union township; Rose, the wife of B. E. Grove. of Batavia: and Samuel E .. at home. The family is one of prominence in the community and Mr. and Mrs. Bater may well feel proud of the fact that they have reared sons and daugh- ters who have become valued and respected citizens of the localities in which they reside.
Mr. Bater is a member of Butterworth Post, G. A. R .. of Coldwater. He and his wife are numbered among the pioneer residents of Branch county and have been identified with the work that has led to its present develop- ment and advanced position. He has made a specialty of raising fine Shrop- shire sheep and is one of the most extensive dealers along this line. He is also engaged in raising Jersey hogs and deals in horses. In fact. he has some of the best stock in the county. and is a business man of recognized ability and enterprise. He has long been connected with stock-raising interests, and in this connection has traveled extensively over the county. In politics he is an earnest Republican, active in the local work of the party. The life record of Mr. and Mrs. Bater is one deserving of commendation and may well serve as a source of emulation to those who have due regard for the value of character and who wish to attain success by honorable methods. His life, exemplifies the term " dignity of labor," and during the long years of his residence in this county he has never had occasion to regret his determination to seek a home in America, for here he has found good business opportunities and through their utilization has won a desirable competence.
EDMUND AUSTIN.
Edmund Austin, whose home is on section two, Quincy township, was born in Steuben (now Schuyler) county, New York, in 1844. In the same county and state. was born his father, Reuben Austin, and in New York the early English ancestors of the family settled many years ago. Reuben Aus- tin, who was a farmer all his active career, came to Michigan in 1854. and. first as a renter and then an owner, he farmed successfully in Quincy town- ship for many years. He had married in New York and brought his wife and two children with him to this county. His death occurred in 1864. at the age of fifty years. He was a class leader in the Methodist church, and supported the Republican party. He married a native of Vermont, Ruth Shattuck, who died at the age of seventy-six years, in 1898. Her parents were Dr. Benjamin and Mary Shattuck, of English lineage. She was also a member of the Methodist church. Edmund Austin has one brother. Wes- ley J., who is a carpenter and painter in Quincy. He served three years and three months in the Civil war. being one of those who volunteered at Quincy in 1861, and was a member of Battery F, First Michigan Artillery.
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Mr. Austin was reared on a farm, and outside of his attendance at dis- trict school and his regular vocation of farming, he has followed the trade of carpenter to some extent and has also taught school. He married, in September, 1870, Lydia Ann Lockwood. She was born on the farm where she and her husband now make their home, in 1843, and is a daughter of Wesley Lockwood, whose recent death, March 5, 1905, took away one of Branch county's oldest and most esteemed citizens. Of English ancestry, he was born in the state of New York, October 12, 1807, and came to Michigan in 1836. A farmer by occupation, he resided on his eighty-acre faim, on section two of Quincy township, for over sixty years. He was a class leader in the Methodist church over forty years. He married, in New York, Mary Ann Philo, who was born in New York, and her parents dicd in that state. Mr. and Mrs. Lockwood had six children, three of whom were born before the parents moved to Michigan. Charles, Cynthia and William Henry are deceased, the last named having served about three years and eight months in the Thirty-first Indiana Volunteer Infantry during the Civil war. Esther E. married W. J. Austin, a brother of Edmund; Lydia Ann is Mrs. Austin: and Libbeous is a farmer and resides at Jonesville. Mr. and Mrs. Austin have two children : Henry W. is a farmer at Quincy, and Addie G. married J. B. Pessell, manager of a creamery at Butler, Indiana.
Mr. Austin is a steward in the Methodist church in the township of Quincy, and in politics is a Republican. For eight years Mr. Austin owned a farm and resided in Wexford county, Michigan, and during seven years of this period be represented his township on the board of supervisors. At the present time he is serving in the office of justice of the peace, and also as school inspector.
FRANKLIN EATON.
Franklin Eaton, now living a retired life in Coldwater, was born in York township, Washtenaw county, Michigan, December 5, 1840. He is descended from John Eaton of Dedham, England, who came to America in the Mayflower. His father, Jeremiah Eaton, was a native of Plattsburgh Center, New York, and was a farmer by occupation. He remained a resi- cent of the east until 1849, when, attracted by the discovery of gold in Cali- fornia, he made the overland trip to the Pacific coast, traveling across long, hot stretches of sand and through the mountain passes. At length he reached his destination and spent two years in California, engaged in mining and shaving shingles. Upon his return to the east he located in Lake county, Illinois, where he remained for about nine years, after which he established his home in Floyd county, Iowa. Later he returned to Michigan, but after four years again settled in Iowa, and was there drowned in the Shell Rock river in 1857. His wife bore the maiden name of Huldah Howard and was a native of Owosco township, Cayuga county, New York. Her father was Cyrus Howard, who was of Scotch descent. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Eaton were born five sons and a daughter.
Franklin Eaton, the third child and the third son of this family, spent his boyhood days in Illinois, Iowa and Michigan, as his parents removed
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from one place to another. In 1857, when but seventeen years of age, he entered upon an apprenticeship to the blacksmith's trade, and when he had completed his term of indenture he began working as a blacksmith in Ann Arbor. He removed to Coldwater in 1861, but in the same year responded to his country's call for troops, enlisting as a member of Company H. First Michigan Infantry, for three months' service. It was after this that he ยท came to Coldwater, and here he re-enlisted in Company I. Fourth Michigan Cavalry, with which he served until the close of the war. At the time of his second enlistment he became a sergeant and held that rank until hos- tilities had ceased, although he was offered a commission, which he did not accept. He had four brothers, who were also soldiers, and three of them were members of the Fourth Michigan Cavalry. All lived to return from the war, although the youngest was for nine months in Andersonville prison. There are but two of the number now living. William L. being a resident of Hamilton Island, Michigan. Franklin Eaton participated in the first battle of Bull Run, and while at the front he dislocated his right ankle, which has caused him a great deal of trouble since. He was a brave and loyal soldier. often found where the battle raged heaviest, and he participated in the en- gagements at Perryville. Stone River. Kenesaw Mountain, Chickamauga and many others, receiving an honorable discharge at Nashville, Tennessee, and being mustered out at Nashville, Tennessee.
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