A twentieth century history and biographical record of Branch County, Michigan, Part 61

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

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CHARLES H. NEWELL.

Charles H. Newell, who is the editor of Coldwater's widely read and popular paper, The Courier, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, but has been a resident of Coldwater for the past sixteen years and is well known not only throughout Branch county, but the state as well. After completing a course in the public schools of Cincinnati Mr. Newell went to Oberlin, Ohio, where he continued school work for about three years, and while doing that became interested in journalism, resulting in accepting a position with the Oberlin News. on which paper he worked for about three years, and then returned to Cincinnati, where he continued in the printing business for several years.

In August of 1885 Mr. Newell purchased a third interest in the Plain Dealer, of Wabash, Indiana, and became the editor of that paper, which is one of the strongest and best known Republican papers of Indiana. In the fall of 1889 he purchased The Courier, of Coldwater, in connection with C. W. Owen, and has been identified with that paper ever since. The Courier is the recognized leading Republican paper of Branch county and has done splendid service for its party. It was established in 1882 by Nichols & Moore. who conducted it until 1887, when John N. Foster became its owner, and he in turn, about two years later, disposed of his interest to Newell & Owen. In 1897 Mr. Newell purchased the Coldwater Republican and merged that paper with The Courier, since which time The Courier has advanced from a weekly to an every-other-day publication and is looked upon as a thoroughly reliable publication.

Mr. Newell has been one of the prominent members of the Michigan Press Association, one of the strongest newspaper organizations in the coun- try, serving as an official in that organization almost continuously since be- coming identified with it. At the winter meeting held in Battle Creek in 1903 Mr. Newell was unanimously elected president of the association, the office coming to him wholly unsought, and he served for two terms, only one other member ever having achieved that honor. On two occasions he was elected a delegate to the National Editorial Association.

Politically Mr. Newell is a stanch Republican, but not an office-seeker. He has never been a candidate for political honors, but naturally takes a

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lively interest in the welfare of the party of his choice. He is also an active worker in the Presbyterian church of Coldwater and is a member of the board of trustees and an active member of the choir.

WESLEY LECKNER.

Wesley Leckner, engaged in buying wool at Sherwood, is a native of Crawford county, Ohio, born November 23, 1837. His father, Sampson Leckner, was a native of Pennsylvania and a pioneer of Cass county, Michi- gan, where he located about 1844. He was of German lineage and dis- played many of the strong and sterling characteristics of his Teutonic an- cestry. He followed the occupation of farming, living a life of activity and usefulness and reaching the venerable age of eighty-four years. He married Eliza Fredricks, a native of Pennsylvania, who lived to the age of seventy-nine years. In their family were five children, all of whom yet survive.

Wesley Leckner, the eldest of the family, was a lad of seven summers when he arrived in Michigan with his parents, and upon the home farm in Cass county he was reared. In retrospect one can see him as a farm boy trudging each morning to school through the winter months over a distance of two miles and then connting his lessons in a little log school house. His father was well educated, and assisted the son in his books in his younger days, so that he enjoyed more than the limited advantages afforded by the common schools. He was also trained to habits of industry and integrity, and these elements proved a basic force in his character in later years. He remained at home until twenty-two years of age and was then married to Miss Margaret Early, a daughter of John Early of Cass county. She was born in Pennsylvania, and is the eldest in a family of five children. She was brought to Michigan during her infancy, her parents settling in Cass county, and there Mr. and Mrs. Leckner began their domestic life upon a farm in Porter township. About 1870 he sold his property there. He had become a recognized factor in political circles, and was elected to various township offices and also appointed to some county offices. He served as deputy sheriff of Cass county and he resided at Constantine, Michigan, for a time. In 1880, however, he'removed to Sherwood, where he engaged in the butchering business, establishing the first meat market in the town. Since that time he has also devoted his attention to a greater or less extent to deal- ing in live stock. During the winter he was upon the road for Henry New- land & Company of Detroit, whom he represented for about twelve years. and he was also with White Brothers of Boston for about six years. It was subsequent to that time that he was appointed deputy sheriff of Branch county, and for four years he filled that office. He has also been highway commissioner, and for many years has been a member of the city council of Sherwood. He has ever exercised his official prerogatives in support of general progress and improvement, making a close study of the needs of the county, and doing all in his power to advance the general welfare.

Mr. Leckner is a staunch Democrat, having always advocated the prin- ciples promulgated by Jackson. He has. however, not considered himself

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HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY

strictly bound to party ties and he voted for Abraham Lincoln and has been somewhat independent in his local political affiliation. He has never faltered in support of his honest convictions, but has fearlessly defended his views no matter what the opposition. He was one of the men who incorporated the village of Sherwood and was instrumental in laying out the streets and making many other substantial and permament improvements. He was one of the first members of the village board, and he has ever studied the needs of the town and labored to meet these. He has contributed to its material improvement through the erection of several houses, and he has practical experience in the builder's trade, having at one time served an ap- prenticeship as a carpenter. Mr. Leckner is likewise prominent in the Ma- sonic fraternity. being a charter member of Sherwood Lodge No. 421.

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Leckner has been blessed with four daugh- ters : Clara: Hattie. the wife of S. T. Downs, of Grand Rapids, Michigan : Laura, the wife of R. W. Mead, who is an agriculturist and stockman: and Ida, the wife of William Zimmers, of Burr Oak, Michigan. The last named was a successful and prominent teacher in Sherwood for several terms.

Mr. Leckner is well known in Branch county and has an extensive ac- quaintance in this part of the state. He is now representing the Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Branch and St. Joseph counties, and in this connection has become well known. He is also a dealer in wool, and Fis business interests have brought him into contact with many of the residents of this portion of the state, while his social qualities and genuine worth have gained him warm friendships and high regard. He may well be num- bered among the real promoters and upbuilders of the town of Sherwood, and his name is therefore inseparably associated with its history. He is broad gauged and liberal in all of his views, political, religious and social. He is a man of action rather than theory and while others might argue and debate he has gone to work and demonstrated in practical effort his views upon various questions.

E. H. WILLIAMS.

E. H. Williams, who is engaged in the manufacture of cigars in Cold- water, was born in Quincy, Branch county; March 31, 1855. His father, Daniel G. Williams, was a native of New York, and was a son of Ezariah Williams, who was also born in the Empire state. The grandparents came with their family to Michigan about 1837, locating in Coldwater, Branch county. This was then a pioneer district in which the work of improvement and progress had scarcely been begun, and with the early development of the county the family became closely associated. Daniel G. Williams was oniy seven years of age when he accompanied his parents on their emigra- tion westward. They lived at Coldwater for a time and afterward removed to Port Huron, Michigan, returning, however, to Branch county at a later day. The father now resides in Los Angeles, California. He married Miss Betsy Hayden. also a native of New York, who died when about sixty- eight years of age. Her father, Hiram Hayden, was likewise born in the Empire state and came to Branch county about 1834. He built the sixth

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HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY

house in Coldwater, on what is now Hudson street, and was one of the pioneer settlers of Branch county. By trade he was a cabinet maker, and was one of the early representatives of industrial life in this city. In the Williams family were but two children, the sister, Flora, being now a resi- dent of Los Angeles, California.

E. H. Williams, the only son, was reared in Quincy until about seven- teen years of age, and attended school there. He afterward went to Grand Ledge, Michigan, where he learned engineering, being employed in the fac- tory in that place. For about nine years he continued at Grand Ledge, after which he traveled through the western states and then again located at Grand Ledge, where he spent the winter. He next went to Colorado, where he was engaged in mining for about three years, spending much of the time at Leadville. On the expiration of that period he returned to Coldwater, arriving here about 1884. Since that time he has engaged in the manufacture of cigars and has also conducted the poultry business to some extent. In his cigar factory he employs five men and two women. His special brand of cigars is the Zach Chandler, a five cent cigar, and the Lady Hudson and Our Standard, which are ten cent goods. In his business Mr. Williams has prospered and is now in good financial circumstances.

In 1886 occurred the marriage of E. H. Williams and Miss Ida Young. the wedding ceremony being performed by the Rev. Henry Collin. Mrs. Williams is a daughter of Hiram and Nancy (Weller) Young, and was born in New York near Syracuse, being brought to Coldwater by her parents when about fifteen years of age. There is one daughter by this marriage, Arlie, now the wife of Roy Van Shoick.

Mr. Williams has been a life-long Republican, and is a member of the Masonic fraternity and the Knights of the Maccabees. In Coldwater and Branch counties he is well known, having spent much of his life here. and his genial manner and unfailing courtesy have rendered him popular with a large circle of friends.

MARTIN F. BUELL.

Martin F. Buell, who is now living retired at Union City, was here born on the 6th of October, 1841, and is a son of Justus and Emeline (Blakeman) Buell, who were natives of the state of New York, but became early resi- dents of Branch county, settling in Union City in 1836. The father died in June, 1869, having survived his wife for a number of years. They were the parents of eight children, of whom four reached adult age, namely: Judson IV., Martin F., David B. and Jasper D. The last named, however, passed away in California.

Martin F. Buell was reared and educated in Union City, supplement- ing his public school course by study in Eastman's College at Poughkeepsie, New York, where he completed a commercial course and was graduated in the class of 1866. He then returned to his native town and remained with his parents until the death of his father, when he was appointed administra- tor of the estate. About that time he entered the employ of the Michigan Central Railroad as station agent, and occupied the position continuously from

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HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY

January 18, 1871, to August 16, 1899, covering twenty-six consecutive years. He has since lived retired from active business life, having from his earn- ings and by judicious investment secured a competence that now enables him to enjoy a well earned rest.

At the time of the Civil war Mr. Buell espoused the cause of his coun- try. Hardly had the smoke from Fort Sumter's guns cleared away when he offered his services to the Union, enlisting on the 18th of April. 1861, as a member of Company A. Loomis' First Michigan Battery A. He served for three years and three months. His regiment was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland, and he participated in many hotly contested engagements, including the battles of Stone River. Chickamauga, Perryville, Middle Fork Bridge. Hoover's Gap, Green River. Missionary Ridge and many others. He never faltered in the performance of any duty and was often where the leaden hail fell thickest. At the close of the war he received an honorable discharge and returned to his home in Union City with a most creditable military rec- ord. He was the first one of the boys in Union township enlisted for the service and the last to get a pension. He was a faithful soldier and never in all his service was he off duty, nor in hospital, but always ready to perform his duty as a conscientious and faithful soldier.

Mr. Buell was married January 6, 1869. to Miss Mary J. Perry. a daughter of Edwin and Eliza (Spencer) Perry. of Union City. Mrs. Buell was born in Burlington, Calhoun county, Michigan. April 7, 1846, and has become the mother of five children, but Brownie B. died at the age of three years. Perry J. is represented on another page of this work and the other members of the family are Daisy E., Glynne G. and Benjamin H.

In his political views Mr. Buell is a staunch Republican. active in the work of the party and has been honored by his fellow townsmen with a num- ber of local offices. He has served as supervisor, has been chairman of the school board of Union City for a number of years, also village president for many years and a member of the council twenty-four years. He was one of the building committee at the time of the erection of the new school house, and he is a director of the Union City National Bank. In Masonry he has attained high rank, being now a Knight Templar. His life has been one' of signal usefulness to his native city, for in various public offices he has dis- charged his duties in a most prompt and capable manner and has co-operated in many measures for the general good that have had direct bearing upon the welfare and upbuilding here. In days of peace he is as loyal to his coun- try as when he followed the stars and stripes upon southern battlefields, and at all times he is an honorable man worthy of the regard in which he is uni- formly held.

WILLARD S. HAWLEY.

Willard S. Hawley, one of the early settlers and prominent citizens of Coldwater now living a retired life, was born in Wayne county, New York, October 7, 1844. His father, William B. Hawley, was a native of Ontario county, New York, and became a resident of Coldwater in 1866. Soon afterward he engaged in farming, locating in Girard township, where he

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HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY

spent his remaining days, his death occurring in 1872. He married Lucy Doolittle, also a native of New York. and her death occurred in Coldwater. They were members of the Presbyterian church and his political allegiance was unfalteringly given to the Republican party. He was a man of hon- orable principles and upright life and enjoyed the unqualified confidence and regard of those who knew him. Unto him and his wife were born a son and daughter, the latter being Augusta D. Hawley, a resident of Cold- water.

Willard S. Hawley, the only son, was reared and educated in his native county and supplemented his early school privileges by a course of study in Canandaigua Academy. He has been a resident of Branch county since 1866, at which time he began farming and through a long period was ac- tively engaged with agricultural interests. He placed his land under a high state of cultivation, following the most modern methods in tilling his fields and he also added to his place good improvements.

In 1876 Mr. Hawley was united in marriage to Miss Mary J. Dor- rance, a daughter of A. A. and Juliet (Gregory) Dorrance. Mrs. Hawley was born in Jackson, Michigan, and pursued her education in the schools of that city and Coldwater. She has become the mother of two children : Edith A., the wife of C. C. Schrontz of Meeker, Colorado; and William D., who is a druggist of Coldwater.

In his political views Mr. Hawley is a Republican and in religious faith is a Presbyterian, taking an active part in the work of the church, in which he has served as deacon and trustee. He has lived in the county for almost forty years and has intimate knowledge concerning its growth and develop- ment because of active participation in the events which have shaped its history. He has never sought to figure prominently before the public, yet has ever manifested those sterling traits of character which are the basis of an honorable manhood and awaken admiration and respect.

ROBERT KELSO.

Robert Kelso has cleared and made all of the improvements upon his excellent farm on section fourteen, California township, where he has lived since 1878, in which year he purchased eighty acres of land. He is a native of Indiana, his birth having occurred in Greenfield, LaGrange county, on the Ist of March, 1843. His father, John Kelso, was a native of Philadel- phia, Pennsylvania, born July 10, 1811. His grandfather, Hugh Kelso, a native of Scotland. came to America about the beginning of the nineteenth century and settled first in Philadelphia, whence he afterward removed to New York. Later he came to Branch county, Michigan, and his last days were passed in Union township, but his wife departed this life in the east. In their family were five sons, all of whom came to this part of Michigan. These were: John, father of our subject; David and Henry, who died in Branch county : William, who died in Steuben county, Indiana ; and Matthew, who passed away in LaGrange county, Indiana.

In the year 1836 John Kelso, leaving the east, made his way to La- Grange county, Indiana, where he resided continuously until 1852, when he

Robert Kelso

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HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY

removed across the border into Branch county, Michigan. He owned one hundred and sixty acres of land in LaGrange county and eighty acres across the state line in Michigan. His life was devoted to general agricultural pur- suits, which he carefully and successfully conducted for many years. He was married in the state of New York to Miss Agnes Stewart, who was born in Ireland, May 18, 1812. The Stewarts were of Scotch-Irish descent and the brothers and sisters of Mrs. Kelso were: Samuel, Robert, Thomas, Gib- son, Margaret, Sarah and Rebecca Stewart. Mrs. Kelso was twelve years of age when brought to America by her parents, Thomas and Marjorie (Mc- Bride) Stewart, who were likewise natives of the Emerald Isle, in which country all of their eight children were born. Coming to America they lived in the Empire state for a brief period, and in 1836 removed to Michigan. settling in Noble township, Branch county, where they spent their remaining days.

Mr. and Mrs. John Kelso were for a number of years prominent and respected residents of Noble township, Branch county, where Mr. Kelso actively carried on general agricultural pursuits. He voted with the Democ- racy and his wife was a member of the Presbyterian church. His death occurred in Noble township in 1877 and Mrs. Kelso survived him for ten years, passing away in 1887. They, too, were the parents of eight children. all of whom reached years of maturity, namely : Mrs. Isabelle Depue, who is living in California township; William H., who died in Kinderhook, Mich- igan, in 1904; Mrs. Marjorie Link, who died in Jackson county, Indiana ; Robert, of this review; Thomas and Jolin, who are living in Noble town- ship; Mrs. Mary Dodd, who resides in South Dakota; and Mrs. Saralı Knight, who is also a resident of Noble township, Branch county.

Robert Kelso spent the first ten years of his life in Indiana and then came with his parents to Michigan, the family home being established in Noble township, Branch county, in 1852. The work of the farm early be- came familiar to him and he acquired his education in the district schools. He continued at home until after the outbreak of the Civil war, when on the 7th of August, 1862, at the age of nineteen years, he responded to his coun- try's call and enlisted at Coldwater as a member of Company H, Nineteenth Michigan Infantry. This regiment was assigned to the Second Brigade, Third Division of the Twentieth Army Corps, and he participated in the battles of Thompson Station, Tennessee; Bentwood, Tennessee: Resaca. Georgia: Carsville, Dallas, Golgotha, Culp's Farm, Kenesaw Mountain and Peach Tree Creek, all in Georgia; the siege of Atlanta; the siege of Savan- nah; and the battles of Averysboro and Bentonville, North Carolina. He was with Sherman during the entire Atlanta campaign and was in every battle in which his regiment participated. He was never wounded, nor was he ever in the hospital, but was captured with the entire regiment on the 5th of March, 1863, six regiments falling into the hands of the rebels at Thompson Station. Tennessee. They were taken to Tullahoma. Tennessee. and afterward to Libby prison in Richmond, but were incarcerated for only twenty-one days, at the end of which they were parolled and afterward ex- changed. Thus Mr. Kelso continued in active duty up to the time of the

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close of the war and was honorably discharged on the 10th of June, 1865.

After being mustered out Mr. Kelso returned to Michigan and started out in business on his own account. He was identified with farm labor and in 1878 he purchased his present farm of eighty acres on section fourteen, California township. The place was then uncleared, but he at once began to take away the timber and brush and turn the sod, and in course of time on well plowed fields there were gathered good harvests, and year by year the farm has continued to be a productive tract. Mr. Kelso is a comrade of Eli Alvord Post, G. A. R., of Montgomery, Michigan, and maintains pleasant relations with the boys in blue, with whom he fought during the Civil war. In politics he is a Democrat and has been called to the offices of highway com- missioner and justice of the peace. He has also been a director and assessor of the school district, filling the latter position at the present time. He has made an excellent record both as a soldier and farmer, and upon the battle- fields of the south he displayed unfaltering loyalty to his country and the Union cause.

L. A. WARSABO, M. D.

Dr. L. A. Warsabo has engaged in the practice of medicine in Cold- water for more than thirty years and is well known here. He was born in the city of Mohileff, Russia, February 22, 1848, and was reared in his native land, obtaining a liberal literary education. Determining upon the profession of medicine as a life work he began preparation for that calling and afterward entered Moscow University, from which he was graduated with the degree of M. D., in 1869. He later went to Vienna, Austria, where he broadened his knowledge by wide experience in hospitals, coming under the instruction of some of the eminent physicians and surgeons of that coun- try. He afterward studied a short time in further research and investiga- tion along medical lines in Paris and in 1871 he came to the United States, arriving in Chicago on the 4th of August of that year.

Dr. Warsabo entered upon the practice of his profession in Chicago, but on account of the disastrous fire which swept over that city in Octo- ber, 1871, he came to Michigan. In the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor he spent one year. In 1875 he came to Coldwater, where he has since remained, and he is today a member of the Tri-State Medical Asso- ciation. He was city health officer for thirteen years, discharging the duties of that position in addition to those incumbent upon him through a large private practice.

In 1876, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Dr. Warsabo was married to Miss Kate Garner and unto them have been born three children. He is a Repub- lican in his political views and fraternally is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and with the Masons, having attained the Knight Templar degree in the latter organization. He is also a member of the Presbyterian church. Dr. Warsabo is a man of broad sympathies as is often manifest in his professional service. He is widely and favorably known throughout the community which he has chosen as his place of residence. His unfailing courtesy and his deference for the opinions of others have

John R Blake

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made him popular and without ostentation or display he has labored most earnestly for the welfare of the city as well as for success in his profes- sional career.

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A twentieth century history and biographical record of Branch County, Michigan, Part 61

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