USA > Michigan > Branch County > A twentieth century history and biographical record of Branch County, Michigan > Part 63
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Corydon Fenner was only about six months old when brought by his parents to Michigan, and he was reared upon the homestead farm in Bethel township, where he remained until he had attained his majority. He early took his place in the fields, where he worked from the time of spring plant- ing until crops were harvested in the late autumn. During the winter months he attended the public schools and gained a fair knowledge of the common branches of learning. On attaining his majority he was united in marriage to Miss Emma Buck, a daughter of Loren W. and Louisa (Smith) Buck,
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a farmer and carpenter of Branch county, and one of the oldest settlers of this part of the state. Mrs. Fenner was reared and educated here. The year following their marriage the young couple removed to Ovid township, settling on the farm which had been purchased by his father. Mr. Fenner of this review, however, has cleared most of the place and has made all of the present improvements, which are modern in character and attractive in appearance, adding largely to the value of the place. Everything about the farm is neat and thrifty in appearance, and Mr. Fenner is regarded as one of the wide-awake, practical and progressive agriculturists of his com- munity.
Unto our subject and his wife have been born four sons, Loren, Nel- son, Jasper and Roland. Loren was educated in the common schools and also the Angola College, and he is a prosperous farmer. He wedded Miss Alma Crystler. Nelson is a farmer of Bethel township, and wedded Miss Millie Olmstead. Jasper is now a student in the University at Ann Arbor, and is pursuing a course in pharmacy. He taught school two years in Ovid township. Roland resides with his parents. The members of the house- hold occupy an enviable position in social circles and the hospitality of the Fenner home is greatly enjoyed by many friends. Mr. Fenner votes with the Democracy and for one year served as ditch commissioner. Mrs. Fenner has an old copy of a newspaper entitled " Brother Jonathan." printed July 4. 1845. He recognizes the needs and possibilities of the county for material improvement and permanent development, and endorses all the plans tend- ing to further the general good.
KIMBLE PARRISH.
Kimble Parrish, who assisted in building the first mill in Coldwater, and who since that time has been a valued representative of the city because of his activity in business affairs and his sterling personal worth, is now living retired, having passed the eighty-sixth milestone on life's journey. One of the most venerable citizens of Branch county, no history of this sec- tion of the state would be complete without his life record. He was born in Monroe county, New York, April 16, 1818. His father, Abram Parrish, was a native of Connecticut and spent his last days in Monroe county, New York. A farmer by occupation he followed that pursuit for many years in order to provide for his family. He married Hannah Shaw, who was also a native of the Empire state and died there. They became the parents of thirteen children, of whom twelve reached mature years, while one was killed by being thrown from a horse in childhood.
Kimble Parrish, the tenth in order of birth of the family, remained at home through the period of his boyhood and youth, assisting his father in the cultivation of the home farm and gaining a knowledge of the best methods of conducting the business. Lessons of industry and integrity were instilled into his mind and have borne rich fruit in an honorable and success- ful career in later life. In 1836 he sought a home in the west, coming to Branch county, Michigan, and on taking up his abode in Coldwater he began the manufacture of kettles, plows, carving machines and the building of saw
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mills. He assisted in the construction of the first mill in Coldwater and was one of the early representatives of the industrial. life here. He also carried on farming to some extent, hauling his grain to Hillsdale with a team. The unimproved condition of the county can be imagined from the fact that many Indians still lived in this part of the state and there were many wild animals in the forests, while various kinds of wild game could easily be secured by the hunter. The forests were uncut, the streams were largely unbridged and the lands uncultivated, but as the years passed great changes were wrought. Mr. Parrish bore his full share in the work of improvement and in addition to his efforts along manufacturing lines was also connected with agricultural interests. He has owned several farms and has traded quite extensively, and his business interests have been so care- fully directed by sound judgment that as the years have passed he has accu- mulated a handsome competence.
On the 18th of May, 1843, Mr. Parrish was married to Miss Mary Chapman, who was born in Franklin county, New York, June 22, 1817, her parents being Edmond and Polly (Davis) Chapman. She came to Branch county, Michigan, in 1836 with her father, who was one of the pioneers of the county, and who was a native of Massachusetts, while her mother's birth occurred in Vermont. In the Chapman family were two sons and two daughters. Mrs. Parrish being the second child and elder daughter. By her marriage she has become the mother of two children: Lepha, the wife of George O'Keefe; and Rhoda, the wife of Samuel Parsons, of Sioux county, Iowa.
Mr. and Mrs. Parrish have lived for sixty-eight years in Branch county, most of the time in Coldwater, and are therefore numbered among the pioneer settlers. They have celebrated the sixty-second anniversary of their mar- riage, and through the long years have lived happily together, sharing with each other the joys and sorrows, the adversity and prosperity of life. Com- manding the respect of all who knew them, they have a wide circle of friends in the county. Mr. Parrish was the first Whig constable of Branch county, and he has been a Republican since the organization of the party, voting for its first presidential candidate. John C. Fremont. He was at one time a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and for many years he and his wife have been devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he has filled various offices and has also acted as a teacher in the Sunday school. His has been an honored and an upright life. He has been true to the teachings of the church, has been straightforward in his business dealings and reliable at all times in his transactions with his fellow- men. He receives the veneration and respect which should ever be accorded one who has advanced far on life's journey, and all speak of him and his wife in terms of high regard.
LOREN R. BROOKS.
One of the oldest families of Branch county is that of which Loren R. Brooks is a representative. In investigating the history of pioneer times it will be found that his grandfather, Jesse Brooks, settled here at a very
Louisa L Brooks
Soren R. Brooks
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early day and became a factor in the work of early development and im- provement, and from that time to the present members of the family have borne their full share in the work of upbuilding that has wrought the present condition of advancement and civilization in this part of the state. Jesse Brooks was a native of Glastonbury, Hartford county. Connecticut, born March 31. 1791. In early manhood he wedded Miss Marinda Fox, who was born in Hartford county, Connecticut, February 7. 1794. The wedding was celebrated on the Ist of January, 1812, and the succeeding year they removed to Cornwell, Litchfield county, Connecticut, where they remained until ISI8. when they went to Tioga county, New York, there residing for about seven- teen years, when in 1835 they came to Michigan, making their way to Cold- water, Branch county. More than seventy years have come and gone since that time and the traveler of today, looking abroad over well cultivated farms and fine orchards, or visiting the enterprising and thriving towns and cities, can scarcely realize that at the time of Jesse Brooks' arrival here almost the entire county was covered with a dense growth of timber. The little streams were deflected from their course at times by fallen logs or other signs of nature's changes, and only here and there had a clearing been made in the midst of the forest to show that the white man had become somewhat conversant with the district and its possibilities. Jesse Brooks took up land from the government and with the aid of his son, Russell Brooks, cleared and developed a farm. He continued a resident of this county up to the time of his death, and when he was called to his final rest on the 3rd of September. 1872, at the age of eighty-one years, the county mourned the loss of one of its most valued and honored pioneer settlers, for while carrying on his private business interests he had at the same time contributed to the work of general progress and upbuilding. He had long survived his wife, who passed away on the 14th of April, 1846. In their family were fourteen children, but only two of the number are now living: Loren, who resides in Minne- sota : and Mrs. Marinda Weldon, of Reed City. Michigan. After losing his first wife Jesse Brooks wedded Betsy M. Phillips on the 29th of April, 1847, and by that union there was a son and daughter : Francis N. Brooks, who died while serving in the Union army in the Civil war; and Mary L., also deceased.
Russell Brooks, who was the fourth member of the family of Jesse and Marinda Brooks, was born in Chenango county, New York, May 15, ' 1819. He was a youth of about sixteen years at the time of his parents' removal to Michigan, and he soon became familiar with the varied ex- periences incident to pioneer life when the frontier home was separated by long distances from mill and market and other evidences of the older civiliza- tion of the east. He became the active assistant of his father in clearing and developing new land. In early manhood he wedded Mary Jane Barner, who was born in Schoharie county, New York. September 2, 1834, a daughter of Joshua and Sarah Carolina (Wentworth) Barner. Her parents became residents of Batavia, Branch county, Michigan, and the father devoted. his attention to general agricultural pursuits up to the time of his death, which occurred July 14. 1880, while his wife passed away June 7, 1873. They
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were the parents of nine children, of whom seven are now living. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Russell Brooks were born five children, but Jesse A., Charles W. and Orcelia are now deceased. Those who still survive are Mrs. Carolina Hawley, who is living in Union township, Branch county, and Loren R., of this review.
In taking up the personal history of Loren R. Brooks we present to our readers the life record of one who has a wide and favorable acquaintance in Branch county. His birth occurred on the old family homestead on sec- tion 7. Coldwater township on the 15th of May, 1862, and he was reared to farm life, no event of special importance occurring to vary the routine of farming interests for him in his youth. His education was acquired in the district schools and when not busy with his text-books he worked in the fields. In 1883 he went to Missouri, where he engaged in farming until 1886, when he returned to the old homestead in Branch county, upon which he remained for a year. From 1887 until 1900 he was a resident farmer of Union township and then again returned to the old home place on section 7, Coldwater township. Here he owns eighty acres of land and he also has a tract of forty acres in Batavia township. His farm is well improved, and in all of his work he displays a spirit of progress that has placed him in the front ranks among the leading agriculturists of his community.
On the 8th of December, 1885, Mr. Brooks was united in marriage to Miss Louisa L. Ellington, who was born in Bath county, Kentucky, January 28, 1861, and was the youngest in a family of nine children, whose parents were Alvin M. and Lucy Jane (Wilson) Ellington. Her father was born in Bath county, Kentucky, November 23, 1817, and her mother in Virginia, November 1I, 1817, and they were married on the 8th of December, 1842. All of their nine children were born in the Blue Grass state and are yet liv- ing but one. The father, however, died in November, 1890, while the mother's death occurred in 1864.
Mr. and Mrs. Brooks have four children: Ina M., Earl R. and Carl A., all of whom are living at home ; and Carrie, who died December 3, 1894. The parents and children are identified with the Methodist church and take an active and helpful interest in its work. Mr. Brooks exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Republican party and is now filling the office of justice of the peace in Coldwater township, discharg- ing his duties with strict fairness and impartiality. While living in Union township he served as a school officer. He is a worthy representative of a prominent pioneer family and at the same time the position which he has made for himself in agricultural circles would entitle him to mention in this volume.
The lineage of both Mr. and Mrs. Brooks is English and Scotch. Mr. Brooks' grandfather Brooks was the first Sunday School superintendent of the Brooks Sunday School, now known as the " Centennial." He was a class leader in the Methodist church for many years in the county and in the city of Coldwater. In relics Mrs. Brooks has a specimen of needle work on linen. The cloth was woven in linen by her grandmother Wilson, and the silk was gathered from the silk worm, and this piece of handwork was exe-
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cuted October 24. 1810, at the age of fourteen years. Mr. Brooks has an old gourd, used in the household, which is over one hundred years old, and they also have one of the old counterpane and double coverlets, which is fully 100 years old. They also have two old spinning wheels and reeds passed down from their parents and grandparents.
ARTHUR G. COPELAND.
Arthur G. Copeland, actively and successfully connected with agricul- tural interests, his home being on section twenty-one. Matteson township, was born in this township on the 3rd of November. 1849. His father, Rob- ert E. Copeland, was a native of Ireland and came with his parents to Amer- ica when eighteen months old. being a son of Isaac Copeland, who first lo- cated at St. Catherine's, Canada, where the grandfather was afterward killed. Robert E. Copeland, having lost his father, was reared by a Mr. Colt in Niagara county. New York. not far from one of the world's greatest won- ders-the Niagara Falls. He remained with Mr. Colt until about sixteen years of age, when he started out upon an independent business career, work- ing at any employment that would yield him an honest living. When twenty years of age he went to Lewiston. New York. There he was united in mar- riage to Miss Maria Lindley, a native of the Empire state, and in March, 1847, he came to Branch county, Michigan, settling in Matteson township, where he purchased a farm on section twenty-two. This he improved, clearing the fields and cultivating his crops, erecting good buildings and otherwise adding modern equipments to the place, which was all raw land
when it came into his possession. He first built a little log house, in which eight of his children were born, but when his financial resources permitted' he erected a good modern frame residence and the last two children were born on that farm. Upon the old homestead eight of the ten children grew to manhood or womanhood and seven are yet living. The father still sur- vives and, having been born on the 4th of March, 1822, he has passed the eighty-third milestone on life's journey. His wife, however, passed away on the 15th of June. 1896. Coming to Branch county at an early day, the family shared in the hardships and trials incident to pioneer life and the members of the household have taken an active and helpful part in the work of public improvement.
Alma M. Watson was born in Colon, March 16, 1859. Married to Arthur G. Copeland, December 28, 1875. To this union were born three children. Lee, Ellen and Star. She has lived in this community all her life, except about four years in Kansas. She was converted and baptized in early childhood and united with the Colon M. E. church, March 15. 1891. She has always been an earnest Christian, was cheerful, saw and loved the good and beautiful in nature and in people. She loved her home and family. It can truthfully be said, she loved the Lord supremely, and her neighbor as herself. She lived the golden rule. She had been gradually failing in health during the past year or more and it was decided a few weeks ago that an operation was necessary. Her last words while sinking into unconscious- ness were, "Jesus lover of my soul." After the operation she endured her
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suffering bravely and passed into the unseen at 8:15 o'clock Tuesday even- ing, May 22. 1906, aged 47 years, I month and 29 days. Her remains, accompanied by her husband and brother, were brought from Ann Arbor on Wednesday. Funeral services were held at her home. Friday afternoon, Rev. C. L. Beebe, her pastor, officiating. Burial in Lakeside cemetery. While no adult human life is faultless, her life was well balanced, unselfish, and beautiful. The Methodist Episcopal was the church of her choice. She believed and loved its teachings but was tolerant and charitable to all people of whatever belief. Her last words were words of faith and trust in the Savior whom she had known and loved all her life; thus closes another life work.
No stream from its source
Flows seaward, how lonely soever its course, But what some land is gladdened. No star ever rose And set, without influence somewhere. Who knows What earth needs from earth's lowest creature? No life Can be pure in its purpose and strong in its strife And all life not be purer and stronger thereby.
Arthur G. Copeland is the eldest son and second child of the family. He was born in the little log cabin in Matteson township, spent his youth there and was educated in district school No. 9. . He worked in the fields through the summer months and in the winter seasons devoted his time to mastering the branches of learning taught in the home school. He was married on the 28th of December, 1875, to Miss Alma Watson, a daughter of Robert and N. A. (Hunter) Watson. The father was born in Crawford county, Pennsylvania, and was one of the pioneer settlers of Matteson town- ship, purchasing the first land that was sold within its borders, his place being located on section 18, where he opened and developed a good farm. He was a millwright by trade and he did his first farming after his removal to Branch county. His death occurred in the eighty-fifth year of his age. His widow was born in Venango county, Pennsylvania, and is yet living at this writing, in her eighty-third year. Mrs. Copeland is the eldest of five children and was born, reared and educated in Matteson township. At the time of his marriage Mr. Copeland located on the farm where he now re- sides, but in 1878 sold his property and went to Kansas, purchasing a farm in Crawford county, where he remained for five years. On the expiration of that period he returned to this county and again purchased the old home- stead, on which he has since lived.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Copeland have been born two sons and a daughter: Lee, who began teaching when nineteen years of age and has followed the profession for nine years, was born February 23, 1878, and is a graduate of the Colon high school, thus having been well equipped for the profes- sion which he has thus far made a life work. Ellen is the wife of John Staley, a farmer of Matteson township, and for five years she engaged in teaching school. Starr is attending school in Colon.
Mr. Copeland gives his undivided attention to general agricultural pur-
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suits and is the owner of eighty acres of land, which is highly cultivated. He makes a specialty of raising mint oil, and he has also engaged quite extensively in raising strawberries, devoting twelve years to that business. In his business he is active and energetic. and starting out in life for himself empty-handed, the success that he has achieved is attributable entirely to his own labors. In public affairs he has been interested and he cast his presi- dential vote for Peter Cooper, for William Jennings Bryan, and is an advo- cate of the free coinage of silver. He was for five years clerk of Matteson township, for four years treasurer and is now justice of the peace. Both he and his wife hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church at Colon and are well known and highly respected people of their community. Mrs. Copeland's mother, Mrs. Watson, has one of the old deeds executed by Presi- dent Andrew Jackson, and it bears the date July 1, 1836. This is the eleventh of the deeds in the county of Branch.
BYRON W. BRAY.
Byron W. Bray, residing on Section twenty. Union township, is one of Michigan's native sons, his birth having occurred in Hillsdale county, August 30. 1856. His parents are Amos Crandall and Mary Jane (Bush) Bray, both natives of New York. The father was born in Ontario county and in 1851 came west to Michigan, settling on a farm in Hillsdale county. His place was on Athens Prairie and there he remained for about six years. after which he returned to the Empire state. When two years had passed he took up his abode in Quincy, Branch county, where he engaged in gen- eral farming until 1863, when he removed to Algansee township. He was a Republican up to within five years of his death, when he became a champion of the silver movement, believing in the free coinage of silver at the ratio of sixteen to one. He held a number of offices in his town- ship and was always active in support of what he deemed would prove of public benefit. He died in his sixtieth year, while his wife, who was born in Canandaigua county, New York, is now living in Algansee township on the old family homestead. They were the parents of four sons and three daughters, all of whom are yet living with the exception of one daughter.
Byron W. Bray, the eldest member of the family, was a young man when he came to Branch county and here the days of his childhood and youth were passed. He remained at home until about twenty-one years of age save for a period of two years when he was employed elsewhere. He was married in Union township in 1884 to Miss Helen Buell. a daughter of David L. and Amelia (Wood) Buell, both of whom were natives of New York, and were among the early settlers of Branch county, settling here about 1860. Mrs. Buell is the eldest of five children and was born in New York. She was brought to Branch county when about three years old. Mr. and Mrs. Bray have two sons, David Star and Don Carlos Buell.
The home farm comprises one hundred and twenty-six acres and Mr. Bray also operates the old homestead of one hundred and seventy-two acres, also another farm of one hundred and five acres in same township. being thus extensively engaged in general agricultural pursuits. He is also
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one of the large stockholders and the president of the Union City Creamery Company and he manages his business interests with care and fidelity. In politics he has been a life-long Republican, taking an active interest in the work of the party, and he has held various local offices, including that of justice of the peace. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to the lodge and chapter, and he and his wife are prominent and active members of the Order of the Eastern Star. In his life Mr. Bray has dis- played the enterprising spirit so characteristic of the middle west and he owes his business advancement entirely to his own labors, being both the architect and builder of his own fortune.
WILLIAM PECK NORTON.
William Peck Norton, now living a retired life in Coldwater, after many years of agricultural interests, was born in the town of Goshen, Litch- field county, Connecticut, June 21, 1828, his parents being Jeremiah and Mary Ann (Peck) Norton, who were also natives of the same county. The father was a French Huguenot, while the mother was of English descent. He died during the early childhood of his son William, and the widowed mother with her two sons and a daughter afterward removed to Huron county, Ohio, where she located in 1845. There she settled upon a farm, which she continued to make her home until her own demise.
William Peck Norton was educated in the district schools, and when fifteen years of age he began to learn the cabinet maker's trade, while later he acquainted himself with the carpenter's trade. He was seventeen years of age at the time of the removal to Huron county, Ohio, and there he lived for some time. Seeking a companion and helpmate for life's journey in early manhood, he was married on the 3Ist of December, 1851, to Miss Mary Ann Angel, after which they removed to Norwalk, Ohio, where he followed carpentering until the 4th of March, 1857. In that year he and others of the locality left for the territory of Kansas, where they remained for two years. It was a very troublous time in the history of the state, for it was the precipitating of the Civil war, when Kansas was a contested terri- tory of the pro- and anti-slavery people. After two years Mr. Norton removed to Missouri, where he remained for a year, and then returned to Ohio. Again he was identified with the building operations of Norwalk, first as a journeyman carpenter and afterward as a contractor, continuing in that line of labor until 1864, when he went to Nevada and to California. He continued working at his trade in the far west until the spring of 1866, when he returned to his old home in Ohio by the way of the Isthmus route.
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