USA > Michigan > Branch County > A twentieth century history and biographical record of Branch County, Michigan > Part 62
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JOHN R. BLAKE.
John R. Blake, following agricultural pursuits on section five, Union township, is a native of Cayuga county, New York, born on the 8th of December, 1831. His father, John Blake, was a native of Maine, and was of English descent. The possibilities of the new and growing west at- tracted him. He realized that there were vast regions unclaimed which might be made cultivable and productive, and in 1833 he turned his face toward the setting sun, continuing his journey until he had reached Cal- houn county, Michigan, where he made a settlement, living there for two years on his father's farm. He afterward removed to Clarendon town- ship, of the same county, where he resided until old age, passing away when eighty-nine years of age. He was a prominent member of the Free Will Baptist church, took an active part in its work and served as one of its deacons. He married Lucinda Howe, who was born in New York, and was of Welsh descent. She died when eighty-six years of age. They were the parents of six children, who reached mature years.
John R. Blake, the fifth member of the family, was only two years old when his parents came to Michigan, the family home being estab- lished in Calhoun county. He was reared upon the farm in Clarendon township, and he attended the district schools until he had mastered the elementary branches of learning, when he became a student in Olivet College. Later he spent a half year in Oberlin College, in Oberlin, Ohio, and he has also taken a four years course of the Chautauqua Literary Scientific Society Circle. He pursued this at Clarendon and was graduated in 1882. The following year he came to Union City, and soon afterward completed ar- rangements for purchasing the farm upon which he now resides. While in Calhoun county he had taught for several years. proving a capable and successful educator. It was also during the fall of 1861, at Oberlin, Ohio, that he offered his services to the government in defense of the Union. He enlisted in the army and went to the south, but became ill after a short time and returned home.
In 1862 Mr. Blake was married to Miss Nancy L. Hungerford, a daughter of Hiram and Lucinda (Waters) Hungerford. She was born and reared in Michigan, and by her marriage has become the mother of two daughters : Hattie Lucinda, the wife of Henry E. Bronson, of Union township, by whom she has a son, John H .; and Sadie M., at home.
Mr. Blake has never given his political allegiance to other than the Republican party. He cast his ballot for General John C. Fremont and for each nominee at the head of the ticket since that time. He attended the anniversary services of the organization of the Republican party "under the oaks," at Jackson, Michigan, and has rejoiced in the successes which have come to the political organization that has always stood for progress, re- form and improvement. He is a member of the First Congregational church
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of Union City, interested in its development and the extension of its influ- ence and active in the Sunday school work. He has been particularly help- ful in the latter department of church activity and has organized many Sun- day schools in the county, realizing the value of early moral training for the youth, for the Psalmist said: "Train a child up in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it." He has for twenty years attended each state Sunday school convention, also all of the Sunday school conventions of the county and three of the international Sunday school con- ventions and is now a teacher in the Sunday school at Union City, and a deacon in the church. His life has indeed been honorable and upright, prompted by principles and motives that neither seek nor require disguise.
EARL HAZEN.
Earl Hazen, one of the early settlers of Branch county and a retired farmer now living in Sherwood, is numbered among the worthy citizens that Ohio has furnished to Michigan, for his birth occurred in Richland county, of the former state, May 28, 1828. His father, Jabin Hazen, was a native of Pennsylvania, and took up his abode in Ohio during the period of its pioneer development. He came to Michigan in 1837, and cast in his lot with the frontier settlers of Calhoun county, taking up his abode in Eck- ford township. The year 1840 witnessed his arrival in Branch county and he located in what is now Sherwood, but the site of the town was then all covered with a dense forest, there being only about four houses between Sherwood and Union City and the same number between Sherwood and Colon, in St. Joseph county. He purchased land which was all raw and unimproved, not a stick of timber having been cut on the place or a build- ing of any kind erected. He first built a log cabin and in pioneer style began life there. He worked energetically in clearing the farm with the assistance of his sons and as the forest was cut down, acre after acre was placed under the plow and in due course of time abundant harvests were gathered. He lived to be eighty-three years of age and was one of the venerable citizens and honored pioneer residents of the county. He traced his ancestry back to one of three brothers who came from Spain, two of them settling in Pennsylvania. They became separated from the third brother and never heard of him again. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Parmelia Studley, a native of New York, who lived to be about eighty-two years of age. She became the mother of five sons and two daughters, all of whom reached adult years, and Earl Hazen is the eldest of the three now living. His brother, Charles Marion Hazen, resides on the old farm homestead in Sherwood township, and their sister Jane, the widow of Edward Bartlett, is now living in Minnesota.
Earl Hazen was about eight years of age when brought to Michigan by his parents, and was a youth of ten summers when he became a resident of Branch county. During the greater part of the time since he has made his home in Sherwood township, and when a boy he attended one of the old-time log school houses, mastering the branches of learning therein taught, although the curriculum was very limited in that day. His training at farm la-
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bor, however, was not meager, for he assisted his father in clearing the land and cultivating the first crops, remaining on the old homestead until he at- tained his majority. He then started out in life for himself, depending en- tirely upon the labors of his hands for a livelihood. He worked by the day at any employment which he could secure and it was thus that he gained his start in the business world.
In 1851 Mr. Hazen sought a companion and helpmate for life's journey, being married in that year to Miss Elizabeth Webb. He then purchased a tract of land in Sherwood township, about a mile south of the village of Sherwood, where he cleared away the timber, chopping wood on about twenty acres. He then traded that farm for property in Colon, Michigan, where he worked at the cooper's trade for a number of years. after which he purchased a small place in Matteson township, where he engaged in the manufacture of brick, carrying on business along that line very successfully for many years. He also added sixty acres of land adjoining the brickyard, and while conducting that industrial enter- prise he manufactured the brick used in the construction of the house which is now his home. He built his residence in 1875, and it has since been his place of abode. His first wife died in 1864, leaving a daughter, Ella, who is also now deceased. In 1865 Mr. Hazen married Emma Calver, who died March 23. 1903. He has four grandsons and two granddaughters. A. D. Frye. Carrie Frye, Clifford Frye, Charley Frye, and Leo and Theo Frye, twins.
Mr. Hazen now owns forty acres of land in Sherwood township across the road from the old homestead. He and his wife are the oldest settlers in this township, and have been identified with the upbuilding of Branch county from its infancy, for when they arrived here the entire district was almost an unbroken wilderness. Many changes have occurred and Mr. Hazen has favored every progressive measure tending to the permanent good of the county. He cast his first presidential vote for Fremont and has since supported each nominee at the head of the Republican ticket with the ex- ception of the year 1860. when he voted for Stephen A. Douglas. In 1864. however, he supported Abraham Lincoln, and has since been loyal to Repub- lican interests. He has held some of the local offices and he is a member of the Free Methodist church, with which he has been identified for several years. During a long residence of sixty-eight years in Branch county he has become well known, and as one of the pioneer settlers is certainly de- serving of representation in this volume. His life history if given in detail would present an accurate picture of pioneer conditions here. for in the cabin home in which he lived all of the hardships of frontier life were met. and many of the pleasures incident to the settlement of a pioneer district were also enjoyed.
ALBERT SHEPARD.
Albert Shepard, station agent at Bronson. Michigan, enjoys the distinc- tion of being the oldest employe on his division of the road. He was born in St. Joseph county, Michigan, January 4. 1847. His father, Jason Shep-
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ard, a native of New York, came to Michigan at an early day, and in 1856 settled in Branch county. where he lived for nearly half a century, and where he died at a ripe old age, January 2, 1902. He worked at his trade, that of millwright, in Hillsdale and St. Joseph counties, and after locating in Branch county he owned and ran a flour mill at Bronson many years. The latter part of his life was spent in retirement. His wife, whose maiden naine was Mary Miller, was born in New York state and died in Bronson.
At the time the Shepard family moved to Branch county Albert was a boy of nine years. After finishing his studies in the public schools he learned telegraphy and secured a situation as telegraph operator with the Lake Shore Railroad, a position he filled eight years. For the past twenty- seven years he has been station agent at Bronson, thus having been in the service of the road a longer time than any other employe. Among the in- vestments Mr. Shepard has made is a valuable oil well in Marion county, Indiana.
Of his family we record that Mrs. Shepard was formerly Miss Jennie A. Miles, of Coldwater, Michigan. They have three children, namely : Charles A., a station agent at Fremont, Ohio; Grace M., wife of Charles Rockwell; and Bert, a telegraph operator on the Pacific coast.
The mysteries of Masonry Mr. Shepard has penetrated from the Blue Lodge to the Mystic Shrine. He has membership in the Lodge and Chapter at Bronson, the Council and Commandery at Coldwater, and the Mystic Shrine at Detroit. Politically he is a Republican and religiously he harmon- izes with the Congregational church, of which he is a consistent member.
JOSEPH MILLER.
After a long life of industry and usefulness the subject of this review, Mr. Joseph Miller, is spending his declining days in well-earned leisure, living in a comfortable home at California Center. although still retaining his fine farm of one hundred and forty acres on section twelve, Kinderhook town- ship.
Mr. Miller is a native of Highland county, Ohio, where he was born May 1. 1830. His father, Jacob Miller, and his grandfather, Daniel Miller, were both natives of Pennsylvania, and it is supposed that the Miller family had lived in that state for a number of previous generations. Our subject's father, Jacob Miller, grew to manhood in Pennsylvania, and there he was married to Elizabeth Protius, also born in that state. Soon after 1820 they sought a home in the then new state of Ohio, and accordingly made the trip there in the customary primitive manner of the times, locating first in High- land county, where they remained until 1830, then again traveling westward into Indiana. They crossed over the border into Michigan and finding a little settlement at White Pigeon, they decided, as it was then early winter, to spend the remainder of the cold season here. Accordingly they appro- priated an empty log cabin here and stayed for a few months, Mr. Miller in the meantime doing a little prospecting on his own account. Passing over into LaGrange county, Indiana, he found here a suitable tract in Green-
Hattie L. Miller
Sincerely Joseph Miller
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field township and secured a deed from the government. Here he made a home, erecting a log house and beginning the clearing of the land. But Jacob Miller did not live long to enjoy the fruits of his labors, for he died here May 13, 1838, at the age of fifty-three years. Mrs. Miller was left a widow with twelve children to rear. She met her added duties bravely and well, however, and with the assistance of the elder children managed to complete the rearing of the younger children and to help them get started in life. She lived upon the old homestead until her death here August 16. 1869. and it was most gratifying to her to know that at this time all of her twelve children had grown to successful manhood and womanhood and that all of them were married and with homes and families of their own. Mr. Jacob Miller had not only secured the first one hundred and sixty acres from the government, but he also before his death had purchased over five hun- dred acres additional, seventy acres of which was over the border in Branch county. Michigan. After the death of the father and mother this property was divided among the twelve children. Of these twelve children only three are now living: Joseph, our subject: Salome Robbins, of Iowa: and Will- iam. of Illinois. The other nine died in the places named: John, in Iowa : Christinia Young. in Kansas: David, in St. Joseph county, Michigan ; George. in Coldwater: James, in Noble; Adam. in St. Joseph county : Cath- erine Robbins, in St. Joseph county: Daniel, in Sturgis, Michigan: and Henry, in Iowa.
Joseph Miller, our subject, was but an infant of six months when his parents took him to White Pigeon, and after their removal to Greenfield township he grew to young manhood upon the home farm there. He was only eight years old when his father died and he lived at home with his mother until he had attained the age of fourteen, when he began to work for himself, his first wages being ten dollars per month. The first fall after he was twenty years old he purchased forty acres of new land in Green- field township and earned enough money in one summer to pay for it. The following year he was married to Caroline E. Norton, a native of St. Joseph county, Michigan, and the daughter of Trumbull and Lois Alger Norton. Their early married life was passed in LaGrange county, Indiana, but in 1853 he sold out his possessions here and decided to try his fortunes in the far west. They started for Iowa in a one-horse wagon, leaving Indiana in the latter part of August and arriving in Boone county, Iowa, October 12 of the same year. He secured a tract of government land in Perry township. Boone county, and began its improvement. At this time the settlers were very few and far between and the little family experienced all of the hard- ships of life in a new country. In 1857 it was decided to return to Michigan, and this they did, locating in Kinderhook township. Branch county, where they owned two different farms before finally locating on the one hundred and forty acre tract on section twelve, which Mr. Miller still owns. Mr. Miller has expended much labor and money in the improvement of this fine farm and it now forms one of the most excellent farm homes in Kinderhook township. Mrs. Miller died August 9. 1884, leaving behind her a sorrowing husband and mourning children, as well as a large circle of warm friends.
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She had borne her husband eight children, a complete record of whom is as follows : Clarence married Emma McNall and they have two sons, Theron and Earl, their home being in Angola. Indiana. Josephine Bordt died De- cember 8. 1900. She had two children, Claude and Ethel, they living in Kinderhook. Lois Babb lives in Kinderhook and she has three children, Frank, Ella and Ralph. Arminda Ball is a resident of Sanilac county. Michi- gan, where she has five children, Della, Eliza, Minnie, Grace and Edna. Elsie died at the age of two years. Oscar died December 8, 1901. Frank married Vesta Gould and they have one son, Claude, their home being in Coldwater. Bertha Christina died in infancy. Mr. Miller also has five great-grandchildren, as follows: Mildred and Clarence Miller, children of Theron and Florence Myers Miller; Wilma J. Miller, daughter of Earl and Nellie Carruthers Miller ; Mildred and Howard Delos Yates, children of Amos and Ella Babb Yates.
Mr. Miller's second marriage occurred November 10, 1885, when Har- riet McNall Norton became his wife. By her first husband, Alfred Norton, Mrs. Miller had five children, only one of whom is living: Willie, Freddie and Ray died in infancy : Edgar B. died at the age of twelve years; Floyd L. married Alma Hall and they have three children, Audrey L., Jennie May and Oral O., the home of the family being in Chicago. Mrs. Miller was the daughter of two of Branch county's honored pioneers. Hiram and Harriet Barnes McNall, appropriate biographical mention of this family being made elsewhere in this volume under the article concerning Mrs. Miller's brother, Irving McNall, of Kinderhook township.
Mr. Joseph Miller was for many years a leading figure in the affairs of Kinderhook township and he was called to a number of local offices. He was a justice of the peace, township highway commissioner and constable for a number of terms and also served his school district as director for many years. Formerly he affiliated with the Knights of the Tented Maccabees and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mrs. Miller belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church and is also a member of California Hive No. 674, Ladies of the Tented Maccabees, and of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, of which organization she was record keeper for nine years. No residents of this portion of Branch county possess in a higher degree the confidence and true regard of the people in this vicinty than do Mr. and Mrs. Miller. Their home is a most hospitable one and their many warm friends wish for them continued prosperity and happiness for years to come. Uncle Joe Miller is one of the honored pioneers of old Branch county, and he has seen the Indians pass by by the hundreds on the trails.
GEORGE W. CLEVELAND.
George W. Cleveland. who is filling the office of supervisor of Batavia township and makes his home on section thirteen, was born in Lenawee county, Michigan, on the 23rd of February, 1848. His father, Charles Cleveland. was a native of New York, and when a young man came to Michigan. The paternal grandfather, William Cleveland, was a native of England and in
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early manhood crossed the Atlantic to the new world. He established his home in New York and there resided until his removal to this state at an early period in its development. Following his arrival in Michigan Charles Cleveland was married in Lenawee county and there took up his abode, his attention being devoted to general agricultural pursuits up to the time of his death, which occurred when he was a comparatively young man of thirty- six years. He married Miss Emma Purdy, a native of England, who, when thirteen years of age, came to the United States with her parents, the family home being established in Lenawee county, Michigan. She died in Cass county, this state, when thirty-eight years of age.
George W. Cleveland was the fourth in a family of five children, and when seven years of age went with his mother to Cass county. When a youth of twelve years he went to Hillsdale county, Michigan, and the fol- lowing year removed to Ingham county, where at the age of fifteen years he responded to the country's call for aid, enlisting as a private of Company G. Twenty-seventh Michigan Infantry. This was in 1863, and on the 30th of July. 1864. he sustained a wound in the right arm which caused the loss of his hand. He was in the hospital for ten months at Washington and Philadelphia, and was honorably discharged at the Chester hospital in the latter city on the 30th of May, 1865.
Mr. Cleveland then returned to Michigan and located in Branch county. For thirteen years he was upon the road as a traveling salesman, at the end of which time he settled in Batavia township, giving his attention to agri- cultural pursuits. He lived upon different farms for some years and then when his labors had brought him sufficient capital he purchased in 1896 a farm in Batavia township, where he resided for seven years. On the ex- piration of that period, however, he sold the property and bought the place on which he now resides on section thirteen. This is a good property, and under his care and cultivation has been made productive and profitable.
On the 18th of January, 1874. Mr. Cleveland was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Higgins, a daughter of Jamies and Jane (Perkins) Hig- gins, and the widow of Arthur E. Filkins. She was born in Durham. Gray county, Ontario, September 18, 1853, and was sixteen years of age when brought to Branch county, Michigan. By her first marriage she had one daughter. Julia Arlene, who is now a teacher. She took a teacher's course in the Ypsilanti Normal and in the kindergarten department also, and she expects to make teaching her life work. She will also complete the Normal teacher's course. She has taught twelve years and is now in the city schools of Coldwater. By the second marriage there is a daughter, Grace A., now the wife of K. D. Lewis, of Grand Rapids. She received her diploma at the same time as her sister Arlene, and has taught four years in Traverse City, Michigan. Mr. Lewis is engaged in the insurance business, and they have one daughter, Katharine. Mrs. Cleveland is a member of the Episcopal church, as are also the daughters, the former is a member of the Centennial Bay View Literary Circle. Mr. Cleveland has been a life-long Republican, taking an active interest in the work and success of his party, and for four terms he served as treasurer of Batavia township. He has also been justice
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of the peace and a member of the township board, and in 1905 he was elected supervisor, which position he is now filling. He is well known in Branch county, having taken an active interest in political affairs and public life, and his co-operation has ever been on the side of progress, improvement: reform and substantial development. Without any pecuniary or family ad- vantages to aid him at the outset of his career he lias always steadily worked his way upward in business life and his excellent farm is the visible evidence of his life of energy and thrift.
CORYDON M. FENNER.
Corydon M. Fenner, who for fifty-five years has been a resident of Branch county, covering nearly the entire period of his life, is now engaged in general agricultural pursuits on section thirteen, Ovid township. He regards his farm work as abundantly worthy of his best efforts, and his labors have resulted in bringing his place up to a high state of cultivation. His birth occurred in Cattaraugus county, New York, on the 13th of Sep- tember, 1847, his parents being Collins and Lucinda (Meyers) Fenner. The father was born in the Empire state in 1821, and there spent the days of his youth and early manhood. Desiring a companion and helpmate for life's journey he chose Miss Lucinda Meyers, who was born in New York in 1826. In 1848 he brought his family to Michigan, settling in Branch county, and for many years thereafter was closely identified with agricult- ural pursuits, the family home being established and maintained in Bethel township. In his work he was industrious and energetic and all that he pos- sessed and enjoyed came to him as the direct reward of his labor. He was always earnest in his advocacy of the principles of the Democratic party, which he supported from the time he attained his majority until his demise. He became affiliated with the Masonic lodge at Coldwater, and was a devoted member of the Methodist church there. He also organized the first Sunday school in Branch county, and he did everything in his power to promote the moral development of his community, while his own life was guided by honorable principles and characterized by manly conduct. He died in the spring of 1905, in his eighty-fifth year, and was laid to rest amid the deep regret of many friends, for he had a wide acquaintance in Branch county, and wherever known he was respected for his genuine worth. Unto him and his wife were born two sons and four daughters, of whom Phebe is now deceased. The others are: Marbry, Corydon, Charles, Calista and Mary. Two of the children were born in the Empire state and the others after the removal of the family to Branch county.
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