USA > Michigan > Branch County > A twentieth century history and biographical record of Branch County, Michigan > Part 74
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58S
HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY
GEORGE CARTER.
George Carter, whose property interests include two hundred and twenty acres of rich farming land in Bethel township, and who is also the owner of one of the beautiful residences of Bronson, was born in Bethel township, Sep- tember 9, 1861. His father, John N. Carter, came from Schoharie county. New York, to Michigan in 1843. He was born in May, 1817, and having arrived at years of maturity, wedded Mary Maples in Lenawee county, a daughter of Christopher Maples, of New York. He was a carpenter by trade and followed building operations in the Empire state, but attracted by the possibilities of the new and growing west he came to Michigan in 1843, first settling in Lenawee county, near Hudson, where he worked at his trade. In 1843 he removed to Bethel township, Branch county, where he invested in eighty acres of land on section sixteen. Settling on this place, he cleared away the timber and built a log house, continuing the work of cultivating and improving his farm until he had made it a good property. Later he bought two hundred and twenty acres on section fourteen. This he also cleared and placed under a high state of cultivation, making it his home until 1868, when he traded that farm for a place in Hillsdale county, Michigan. He had in 1867 bought eighty acres of land on section fifteen, Bethel township. After trading his home property he removed to Hillsdale county, but remained there for only one month, when, desiring to return to Branch county, he traded his farm for eighty acres on section seventeen, Bethel township. Upon the latter farm he resided until 1887, in which year he removed to a farm on section seven of the same township, where he owned one hundred acres of land, and in addition to this he had eighty acres in Batavia township. He carried on general farming, raising good crops and also cattle, sheep and hogs. He built several homes and other buildings on the various farms which he owned and was an energetic, enterprising and wide-awake business man. At length he distributed his land among his children, dividing his property prior to his death, which occurred in February, 1891. His widow survived him until 1894, when she, too, passed away. They were the parents of eight children : Sarah, who died at the age of eighteen years; Charles, now living in Hills- dale county : Eliza, the wife of Gilford Barnes, of Bethel township; Hervey, who made his home in Bethel township, where he died in August, 1904; John, who is living in Batavia township; Adelia, the wife of L. Fox, of Bethel township. Michigan; Emma, the wife of Fred Hoskins, who is living in Bethel township; and George, who completes the family.
In his youth George Carter attended the district schools and acquired a good practical education. He was trained to farm work under the direction of his father, whom he accompanied on his various removals, so that he was well qualified to undertake the care of his farm when his father gave to him a tract of land of eighty acres on section seventeen, Bethel township. He re- ceived this gift in 1887, in which year he was married to Miss Dora Schaff- master, the only daughter of Christopher Schaffmaster, of this county. The young couple began their domestic life on the farm which Mr. Carter had received from his father, and here they have since lived. They have become
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the parents of three daughters : May, Grace and Anabel, the sunbeam of the family circle. May is now a student in the Bronson public schools, being now in the eighth grade, and she has taken instrumental music. Grace Rolene is in the second grade of the Bronson schools. Mrs. Carter was born April 23, 1864, and was reared and educated in the Bronson public schools.
As the years have passed, Mr. Carter has added to his property, purchas- ing eighty acres of land on section eighteen and afterward an additional tract of forty acres on the same section, which, in addition to twenty acres on sec- tion seven, makes his realty holdings in land of two hundred and twenty acres. He has a fine home on his place, and his outbuildings are commodious and substantial, furnishing ample shelter for grain and stock. In 1902 he built the largest barn in Bethel township, it being thirty-two by one hundred feet, with a ten-foot basement. His farm is well equipped with the latest im- proved machinery, and everything on the place indicates the supervision of a progressive and painstaking owner, who keeps thoroughly in touch with progress in agricultural lines. In 1905 he purchased the residence of Henry Powers in Bronson. He carries on general farming, feeding all his grain. and annually sells a large amount of stock. He has been very successful in his business because he is well equipped by experience and energy for his work, and a gratifying measure of prosperity is attending his efforts. He is a mem- ber of the Branch County Mutual Life Insurance Company. In his political views he is independent. For eleven years he has served on the school board. doing effective service for the cause of education through the employment of competent teachers, and his support of progressive measures in behalf of the educational system. In all of his business dealings he is found reliable. and his life record proves the force and value of industry and perseverance as factors in winning success.
L. D. HALSTED.
[Since this sketch was compiled and corrected, Mr. Halsted has passed away, in the spring of 1906.]
The name of L. D. Halsted is closely interwoven with social develop- ment in Coldwater. of which city he has been a resident for sixty-nine years, honored and respected by young and old, rich and poor. No record of this city would be complete without mention of his life. He was born in Tomp- kins county, New York, July 11, 1820, and was a son of Robert H. and Catharine (Stout) Halsted, the former of English lineage and the latter of Holland descent. The father was born in the Empire state and by occupa- tion was a tanner and furrier. He married Miss Stout, a native of Tompkins county, New York, and they became the parents of five children. About 1823 the father moved with his family to Waterloo, New York, and there both parents died.
After the mother's death, which occurred when he was ten years of age. L. D. Halsted went to Havana, New York, where he remained until sixteen years of age, during which period he learned the tailor's trade. He then came to Coldwater, Michigan, in 1836, finding here a small village contain- ing only seventeen houses, which were scattered over much of what is today
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HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY
Chicago street. On reaching Detroit on the journey westward Mr. Halsted arranged with a merchant of Branch county, Michigan, to ride with him to Coldwater, and made the trip seated upon a barrel of salt. Because of the bad roads he was obliged to walk much of the way. He carried with him a little bundle, which contained his clothing, a thimble, about a dozen needles and one dollar in money tied up in a bandanna handkerchief, but on the way the bundle was lost from the wagon, so that he reached his destination with- out capital or clothing. save that which he wore. He at once solicited work, however, and in due course of time developed a good business. After about six months he made arrangements to purchase a lot, for which he agreed to pay one hundred dollars, but at no one time was he able to pay more than five dollars. The unsettled condition of the city may be indicated by the fact that he was offered a lot by James Hanchett, who then owned a building ad- joining the lot where Kerr Brothers' hardware store now stands, but. Mr. Halsted would not accept the offered gift because he deemed the lot too far from the business district. He made it a rule of his early manhood to save something each year from his earnings, and in 1844 he was enabled to add a stock of ready-made clothing to the little tailor shop. For many years thereafter he was proprietor of a clothing store and eventually he purchased ? farm, which he operated for a year. At the end of that time, however, he was satisfied with his labors as an agriculturist and returned to the clothing busi- ness, in which he continued until he sold out about 1893 and retired from active business life.
Early in the '6os George McNeil came to Coldwater from Detroit. He was an experienced tobacco manufacturer and formed a partnership with Mr. Halsted in that business. They rented a three-story building and began the manufacture of fine cut and smoking tobacco and cigars, this being the pioneer enterprise of the kind in Coldwater. The firm enjoyed a large retail trade and also soon secured a good wholesale patronage. In fact, their business grew so rapidly that they were obliged to employ two forces of men and work night and day. Mr. Halsted was appointed government inspector of cigars and stamp agent. All cigars made in Branch, St. Joseph, Calhoun and Hills- dale counties had to be brought here and inspected by him. He attached gov- ernment stamps and appraised their value, but after a time Mr. Halsted felt that his increased business duties were too much for his health and disposed of his interest in the cigar and tobacco factory. This occurred about the time of the close of the war, and it was then that he removed to his farm in Quincy township. There he raised from one hundred to three hundred bushels of cranberries each year, which he took to the Chicago and Cincinnati markets, receiving seventy-five cents per bushel. Following his retirement from the clothing store Mr. Halsted devoted some attention to real estate operations and was soon the owner of more houses than any other one man in Coldwater. The income from these supplies him with all the comforts and many of the luxuries of life.
On the 8th of March. 1843, Mr. Halsted was married to Miss Laura A. Lake, who dicd September 24. 1857. In December, 1858, Mr. Halsted wed- dled Elizabeth Marsh, the widow of Homer A. Loomis and a daughter of
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HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY
Emerson and Maria (Dickenson) Marsh. Mrs. Halsted was born in Massa- chusetts, January 17. 1830, and came to Branch county, Michigan, when eight years of age. She has since lived in this county. By her first marriage she had two children, of whom one is living, Ella, now the widow of W. R. Rus- sell of Washington, D. C. By the second marriage there is also a daughter. Laura M., now the wife of T. W. Dunn, of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Mr. and Mrs. Halsted are prominent members of the Presbyterian church, and his life has been in entire harmony with his professions. He has never used to- bacco or liquor in any form, and in all of his business dealings has been thor- oughly reliable and honorable. His political allegiance has been given to the Republican party since its organization and he is today the oldest voter of Coldwater. He has never sought or desired office: in fact, has constantly re- fused positions of political preferment. He was, however, trustee of the church for twenty-five years, and his wife was a member of the church choir for thirty-four years. He has been a resident of Coldwater for almost the psalmist's allotted span of life. and throughout the entire period he has commanded the unqualified respect and regard of those with whom he has been associated. His labors have been of great and permanent benefit to Coldwater, as he has contributed to its commercial prosperity and has been a co-operant factor in many measures instituted for the general good. Old age does not necessarily indicate helplessness nor want of occupation. There is an old age which grows stronger mentally and spiritually as the years pass by, giving out of its rich stores of wisdom and experience. Such has been the career of Mr. Halsted-an inspiration to the old and to the young-an example well worthy of emulation.
BENJAMIN BERNARD GORMAN.
Benjamin Bernard Gorman, whose active business life has brought him into close connection with interests bearing upon the welfare and progress of the city of Coldwater, is now serving as postmaster. He is a native son of Branch county, having been born in Bethel township, April 27. 1854, his parents being Peter A. and Sarah Jane (Palmer) Gorman, the former a native of New York city and the latter of Mercer county, Pennsylvania. They were married in the Keystone state and came to Branch county, Michigan, in 1851, spending their remaining days here. Mr. Gorman was the first in his township and one of the first in the county to enlist for service in the Civil war, joining the army in response to the first call for three-months troops. While in the army he contracted a heavy cold, which eventually terminated inis life. He was only six weeks in the army when he became ill, and never recovered his health, living less than a year thereafter. He followed the occu- pation of farming and died at the age of thirty-two years. His wife's death occurred when she was about sixty-seven years of age, and of their two sons. Edward Winfield Gorman died in this county July 14, 1897. Following the death of her first husband Mrs. Gorman became the wife of Eli Baldwin, and they had one son, Dr. William H. Baldwin, now engaged in the practice of medicine in Quincy, Michigan.
Benjamin B. Gorman was reared upon a farm in his native county, and
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HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY
having acquired his preliminary education in the district schools he spent two years as a student in the public schools of Bronson, and one in Butler, Indiana, and he taught for two winters in the district schools of Bethel township, Branch county, thus entering the field of active business life. He was after- ward called to the office of town clerk, in which capacity he served for two years, while for five years he was supervisor. In the fall of 1888 he was elected county treasurer and discharged the duties with such promptness and fidelity that he was re-elected, his incumbency covering four years. His official service has ever given satisfaction to his constituents and the general public, and his course has ever justified the trust reposed in him. He still owns the farm upon which he was born, and is interested in general agricultural pur- suits. In 1892 he was again called to public office, being appointed deputy register of deeds, and in 1893 he succeeded to the office by reason of the death of M. B. Wakeman, who died while filling the office. In 1894 he was elected to the same position, serving for two years, but in 1896, when the Democrats carried the county, he was defeated-the only time when a cardi- date that he has not won the election. He is a staunch Republican, unfalter- ing in his advocacy of the principles of the party, and with the entire ticket he was defeated. After retiring from the office of register of deeds he was on the 5th of July, 1897, made clerk of the state public school at Coldwater, and in September, 1897, he became acting superintendent of the school, the super- intendent having resigned, discharging the duties of that position until 1898. During the two succeeding years he was engaged in the grocery business, when he sold his store. He was commissioned postmaster February 15, 1902, and has since held the office. During his administration the delivery service has been increased from one rural route to nine, and an additional city carrier has been employed, making five in all. His administration of the duties of this office has been practical and businesslike, and he gives to the public a prompt and efficient service. He has twice been chairman of the Republican county committee, and under his management the entire Republican county ticket was successful.
In 1876 Mr. Gorman was married to Miss Susie I. Jones. They have a daughter living, Elsie L., and have lost one daughter and one son, Carlton L., the latter dying at the age of twenty-one years, shortly after his return from college, while the daughter, Winnie Bernice, died when she was but three years of age. The family have a pleasant home in Coldwater, and its hos- pitality is enjoyed by a large circle of friends. Mr. Gorman, genial, courteous and affable, is widely known and popular in Coldwater and the county, and his public service, like his private life, commends him to the regard and ad- miration of those with whom he comes in contact.
STEPHEN NEWMAN.
Stephen Newman, who is the owner of valuable property interests in Branch county, his home being in Coldwater township, where for many years he has been actively engaged in farming, was born in Staffordshire, England. on the 14th of December, 1836, his parents being William and Mary (Cope) Newman, who always lived in England. He had four uncles
Ann Mania Newman
Stephen Newman
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HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY
and two aunts on the paternal side and three of the uncles came to Michigan while the fourth took up his abode in Rochester, New York. It was Thomas, John and Joseph Newman who settled in the southern part of this state,. while James retained his residence near Rochester. The two aunts were Mrs. Elizabeth Thorpe and Mrs. Sarah Allen, of England. All of the representatives of the family in this generation are now deceased. John Newman was for many years a prominent and leading farmer of Branch county. He came from England to the new world in 1836 and after devot- ing a few years to agricultural pursuits in New York made his way west- ward to Branch county, where he successfully carried on agricultural pur- suits and as the years passed by accumulated a handsome competence. Three brothers of Stephen Newman are yet living in England, but he was the only representative of his immediate family who came to the United States.
Stephen Newman spent the days of his boyhood and youth in his native country, acquired his education in the public schools there and in early life followed different business pursuits. He was married on the 28th of August, 1864, to Miss Ann Maria Bushell, whose birth occurred in Birmingham, England, on the 17th of August, 1836. Her parents were James and Diana (Shaw) Bushell.
A few years after his marriage Stephen Newman came to the United States with his little family, attracted to the new world by the opportunities which were described by his uncle, John Newman, who was then a resi- dent of Coldwater township. Stephen Newman had only sixty cents when he arrived in Branch county, but he at once became assistant to his uncle John, who was already a land owner here. When he had acquired suf- ficient capital Mr. Newman of this review made his first purchase of land, becoming owner of eighty acres in Coldwater township in connection with his uncle. Through untiring labor and unremitting industry supplemented by capable management he has accumulated considerable property and now owns two hundred acres of valuable land in the home farm which has been placed under a high state of cultivation. The well tilled fields surround good buildings for the shelter of grain and stock and there is also a fine residence on the place. His uncle never married and made his home with Mr. New- man of this review until his death, which occurred on the 4th of May, 1901. He was one of his uncle's legatees and now possesses the greater part of his property in addition to that which he has acquired through his own efforts.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Newman have been born four children: Albert Edward, who was born in England, March 23. 1866, married Emma Tucker- man and resides in Assyria, Barry county, Michigan, where he is following the occupation of farming. Agnes, born July 15, 1873, died September 12, 1877, at the age of four years. William James, who was born April 28, 1875, and lives in Coldwater, married Rose Ryder and they have one daugh- ter. Ada Harriet. Helen, born June 9, 1880, is the wife of Arthur E. Van Aken and they reside in Battle Creek, Michigan. Mr. and Mrs. New- man have carefully reared their children, giving them good educational ad- vantages and thus fitting them for life's practical and responsible duties.
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Their son, Albert E., was educated at the Indiana Normal College in Val- paraiso, Indiana, while their daughter Helen attended the Coldwater High School, also pursued a commercial course in Battle Creek, Michigan, and filled good positions in that city up to the time of her marriage.
While living in his native country Mr. Newman became a member of the Odd Fellows society and held all the offices of the local lodge. He and his wife are Episcopalians in religious faith, being communicants of the church in Coldwater. In his political views he is a Republican and has served as school director of his district but otherwise has held no offices, preferring to give his time and energies to his business affairs, in which he has met with a gratifying measure of success. Both he and his wife are people of natural culture and refinement, who occupy an enviable position in social circles here. Their home, which is a short distance east of Coldwater, is a most comfortable one, but Mr. Newman expects soon to give the man- agement of his farming interests to others and remove to the city, there to enjoy a well earned rest in honorable retirement from labor.
AARON O. FOX.
Aaron O. Fox, who is engaged in general farming on scction nine, Ba- tavia township, was born in Summit county, Ohio, February 18, 1852, and is the second child and eldest son in a family of three sons and two daughters, whose parents were Levi and Susan (Steinmetz) Fox, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. The maternal grandfather, Casper Steinmetz, was a native of Germany. The paternal grandfather was Peter Fox, who was born in England and when a young man crossed the ocean to the new world, settling in Pennsylvania. Levi Fox was born in Lancaster county, Pennsyl- vania, where he spent the days of his boyhood and youth and was married. About 1850 he removed to Summit county, Ohio, where he followed the occu- pation of farming, and there his death occurred when he was fifty years of age. His wife long survived him and departed this life at the advanced age of eighty-four years.
Aaron O. Fox, who spent his youth in the place of his nativity. was in- debted to the common-school system of Summit county for his early educa- tional privileges, while later he spent two ycars as a student in Buchtel Collegc at Akron, Ohio. Wlien twenty years of age he engaged in teaching school, following that profession for some time. In 1881 he came to Branch county, Michigan, settling in Batavia township, where he engaged in teaching school and farming. He had fifty acres of land, which he cultivated until 1893, in which year he purchased an adjoining tract of eighty acres, so that his farm now comprises one hundred and thirty acres. In that year he gave up the work of teaching and has since devoted his attention exclusively to general agricultural pursuits.
In 1876 Mr. Fox was united in marriage to Miss Ellen Kauffman, a daughter of Abraham and Anna Kauffman, and a native of Ohio, born near Canton, Stark county. She pursued her education there in the public schools. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Fox have been born three children: Jessie, now the wife of Eugene Worden, a merchant at Union City, Michigan; Ina, the wife of
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HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY
Lee Bort, a well-known farmer of Kinderhook township, Branch county ; and Lola, at home.
Mr. Fox is a believer in Republican principles, feeling that the platform of that party contains the best elements of good government. He has held many local offices, such as school inspector and supervisor, being chosen to the latter position for three terms, his last term being in 1904-5. He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, with which he has been identified for many years, and he is one of the active and enterprising farmers of the town- ship and county, having made a creditable business record, characterized by diligence and honesty.
ALFONSO C. JUDD.
Alfonso C. Judd owns and operates a farm of ninety acres on section twenty-three, Matteson township, and the place is productive. annually yield- ing him good harvests. Mr. Judd is a native of Ohio, his birth having oc- curred in Lake county on the 19th of October. 1847. His father, Jotham Judd, was a native of Connecticut, his birth having occurred in Farmington, where he was reared and educated. He removed with his parents, Jotham and Hila ( Bristoll) Judd, to New York, settling at Canaan, New York, which was the first town across the state line. Having arrived at years of maturity Jotham Judd was married to Miss Eliza Bardeen, and unto them was born a son, Willard B. For his second wife the father chose Henrietta Simons, to whom he was wedded in 1844. She was born in Massachusetts. October 24, 1823, and unto this marriage were born two sons, the elder being Orrin S. Judd, a resident of Anderson, Indiana. He was engaged in farming throughout his entire business career, and he passed away in 1874, when sixty- four years of age. He belonged to the Baptist church and took an active and helpful part in its work. In politics he was a Democrat and he served as township clerk in Ohio, while for seventeen years he was postmaster at Perry. Lake county, Ohio. He also acted as station agent at that place for eight years. His widow still survives and now makes her home with her son Alfonso.
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