A twentieth century history and biographical record of Branch County, Michigan, Part 80

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

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MARC A. MERRIFIELD.

In this enlightened age when men of industry and enterprise are con- stantly pushing their way to the front those who have gained success may properly claim recognition and especially in professional life where ad- vancement depends upon individual merit. Mr. Merrifield. prominent as an attorney of Union City, was born in Teconsha township, Calhoun county, Michigan, March 29, 1840. His father, Lewis Merrifield, came to this state in 1833 as one of the pioneer settlers of what is now Hodunk. Branch county. He accompanied Abraham Aldridge and was at that time eighteen years of age. He found in this part of the state a wild, unsettled dis- trict, the forests being uncut and the streams unbridged, while much of the land was still in possession of the government. He was married in Calhoun county and was there engaged in the milling business for many years, thus becoming an active factor in industrial life in his part of the state. He married Charlotte Hayden, who was a native of New York, and removed to Michigan, in 1835, in company with her parents. Her father, Alpheus Hayden, was a pioneer settler of Calhoun county and thus in the paternal and maternal lines Marc A. Merrifield is descended from ancestry actively connected with the substantial improvement of his native state during the epoch of its early development. His father died in his eighty- seventh year, while the mother was eighty-five years of age at the time

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of her death. They were the parents of four children, of whom three are now living.

Marc A. Merrifield, the eldest of the family, was reared in Calhoun county and pursued his early education in a select school. He afterward attended Hillsdale College, where he was pursuing his studies at the time of the outbreak of the Civil war. He had watched with interest the progress of events in the south and all the patriotism of his nature was aroused by the firing on of Fort Sumter. He resolved to strike a blow in defense of the Union and on the 3d of June, 1861, joined the boys in blue of Com- pany E, Fourth Michigan Infantry, as a private. He served for two years and was then honorably discharged on account of disability.

Following his return home Mr. Merrifield resumed his studies and preparing for the bar, was graduated from the law department of the Mich- igan State University, at Ann Arbor, with the class of 1867. He then came to Union City in the employ of the Michigan Air Line Railroad in 1868, remaining with the company as its attorney until the transfer of the road to the Michigan Central Railroad Company. He continued with the latter corporation for a short time. He has been a resident of Union City for thirty-seven years and has continuously practiced at the bar of Branch county, being connected with much important litigation in his district. He stands to-day as one of the leading criminal lawyers of the county, strong in argument, logical in his deductions, clear in his reasoning and presenting his case with a force that never fails to impress court and jury and seldom fails to gain the verdict desired. He has been retained as the defense in a number of noted criminal cases and his power as an attorney is widely recog- .

nized by the profession and the general public.

Not alone to this line, however, has Mr. Merrifield become recognized as a citizen of value in Branch county, for in many other ways his labors have been far-reaching and effective in promoting general progress. He is a stanch Republican and has taken an active interest in the work of the party, but is without political aspiration for himself. He, however, con- sented to accept the candidacy for the mayoralty and was elected and was also city attorney for thirty years. In the Grand Army of the Republic he has a wide acquaintance throughout the state and has held various offices in the local post and the state department. He is likewise a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the Independent Order of United Workmen and in his life exemplifies the beneficent spirit upon which those organizations are based. On the 30th of May, 1884, he was called upon to deliver the memorial address at Hillsdale in behalf of the college, in which many years before he had been a student and at that time the honorary degree of Master of Science was conferred upon him.

Mr. Merrifield has been married twice. In 1872 he was joined in wed- lock to Miss Celia Clark and they had two children: Don C., who is now a prominent actor of the city of New York; and Fannie C., the wife of John Cohen, a business man of Chicago. The mother died in 1877, and Mr. Merri- field has since married Hattie E. Hayner, by whom he also had two children, of whom one died at the age of a year. The surviving daughter, Zella, is a

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graduate of the Ypsilanti Normal School and is now engaged in teaching in the public schools of Union City. She also taught for one year in Holland. Michigan, and has become widely recognized for her capability in this direc- tion. Mr. Merrifield is the owner of considerable valuable realty in Union City and is also a stockholder in some of its institutions. He has contributed in substantial measure to public progress and improvement and his co-opera- tion can always be counted upon to further every movement that has its base in the growth and development of Union City. He favored the estab- lishment of the various factories of the town which have contributed so largely to its commercial prosperity and he has even sacrificed his own in- terests for the general improvement. He ranks high in the regard of his fellow townsmen and professionally and socially his position is one of prom- inence.

THERON ELTING.

The Empire state has furnished a large percentage of citizens to Branch county-men who have been active and influential in the work of public improvement and progress here. To this class belongs Theron Elting, who was born in Ulster county, New York. May 7, 1849, and is now devoting his energies to agricultural pursuits in Girard township. His father, Jehu Elting, was a native of Lloyd, Ulster county, New York, born July 19, 1819, and his early life was passed in Ulster and neighboring counties. In 1839 he came to Michigan but after suffering for a year with ague he returned to New York. There he was married in Ulster county in November, 1845, to Miss Rachel Palmitier, whose birth occurred in Lloyd in 1818. Both the Elting and Palmitier families have been residents of the Empire state for several generations. When changes had been wrought in Branch county so that residence here was more desirable Jehu Elting returned to Michigan in June, 1859. He located first, however, in Washtenaw county, where he remained one summer and then came to Girard township, Branch county, where he afterward made his home. He first bought eighty acres of land on section five and as his financial resources increased extended the boun- daries of his property until prior to his death he owned two hundred and ten acres of valuable and productive land. His political allegiance was given to the Democracy and he advocated the principles promulgated by Jeffer- son. Father Elting was an ardent supporter of the Greenback question and an admirer of Peter Cooper, and our subject cast his first presidential vote for Peter Cooper, the great exponent of Greenbackism. He had been prom- inent in community affairs in New York and while living in that state had served as justice of the peace there for seventeen years. His death occurred in Girard township, February 5, 1897, while his wife passed away in the same locality on the 22nd of March, 1872. They had six children, namely : Two who died in infancy in Ulster county, New York; Theron, of this re- view; Frank, who is living in Tekonsha, Michigan, where he is engaged in the postal service; Rachel, who makes her home with her brother Ther- on; and Hattie, who died in Girard township in 1889.

Theron Elting was a youth of about ten years when his father re- turned to Michigan and with the exception of the brief period spent in Wash-

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tenaw county has since been a resident of Branch county and has long been numbered among Girard township's successful and intelligent farmers. He is indebted to the public school system for the educational privileges he en- joyed, while under his father's direction he received ample training in the work of the farm. His entire life has been given to agricultural pursuits and he now owns one hundred and sixty acres of land where he resides, this tract including the old family homestead. The soil is rich and alluvial and the productive fields annually yield good harvests, so that he is continually adding to his income through the sale of his crops. Fraternally he is a Mas- ter Mason and he also belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen. His political support is given to the Democracy but he has always been with- out political aspiration. The Eltings have for many years been among the most highly esteemed residents of Girard township and Branch county and Theron Elting of this review is a worthy representative of the family.

BRADLEY O. MOORE.

Prominent among the solid and influential residents of Branch county and Butler is the gentleman named above, who in times of both peace and war has proven himself a faithful and loyal citizen, ready in time of war to go to the defense of his country's honor, and in times of peace proving himself a law-abiding man who is interested in the welfare of the common- wealth and the betterment of his fellow beings.

Bradley O. Moore was born in Groveland, Livingston county, New York, February 16, 1839. and this place was his home until he was eighteen years of age. His father was Isaac Moore and his mother was Nancy Ogden. both being natives of the Empire state, where the greater portions of their lives were passed. They were the parents of nine children, as follows : George W. Mcore is still living and a resident of Mt. Morris, New York. Homer Moore died while a resident of Butler, May 30, 1893. Adeline Moore Bartlett died in Mount Pleasant, Jowa. Chester C. Moore was a victim of the Civil war, enlisting in the First New York Dragoons and be- ing captured at the second battle of Bull Run. He was confined in the noted prison at Andersonville, where he died from the result of wounds and pri- vations. James Moore lived and died in the home town of Groveland, New York, as did also another brother, Jennings Moore. Mary Ann Moore died in the state of New York in infancy. Edwin Moore was a resident of Mich- igan, Nebraska, Missouri and other places in the west and died in 1900 in Oregon, where he had lived for about fifteen years previously. Bradley O. Moore is the subject of this sketch. The father of the family, Isaac Moore, died in Detroit, in 1845, while in Michigan on business, while the mother, Nancy Ogden Moore, died in Groveland, New York, in 1847.

It will thus be seen that our subject was but a mere lad when he suf- fered the loss of both his parents and he was early thrown upon his own resources, thus developing an independence and a sturdiness of character which has no doubt aided greatly in his success throughout life.

Bradley O. Moore found occupation in his home town until he ap- proached his majority and then, being attracted by the tide of emigration

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HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY

which had been flowing for several years from the Empire state to Michigan, he resolved to try his fortunes in the then almost untrodden middle west. He came to Michigan alone in 1856 and was a resident of Saginaw for sev- eral months when that place was but a mere hamlet as compared with the present flourishing city located there. From there he went to Hillsdale county. where he lived at Jonesville for several years, employing himself at different occupations. although principally upon the farm. Soon after coming to Branch county he purchased in 1861 eighty acres of land on section twenty-two, Butler township, and afterward secured forty acres addi- tional on section sixteen and decided to make his home here.

Then, soon after the outbreak of the Civil war. he responded to his country's call and July 22, 1862, enlisted in Company G. Eighteenth Mich- igan Infantry. He was with the Eighteenth during its campaigns in Ken- tucky, Tennessee and Alabama and served during the remainder of the war, a goodly portion of this time as a non-commissioned officer, his discharge occurring July 11, 1865, at the close of the conflict. After the war he was so disabled as to incapacitate him for hard labor for a period of about a year. which time he spent in the state of New York. Returning to Mich- igan, he was married. June 23. 1868, at Quincy. Michigan, to Miss Anna . Ball, a native of Tekonsha, Calhoun county, where she was born June 9, 1849, her father being Elisha Ball, who died in Butler, her mother being Sarah Rogers, who afterward married Edward McDonald, she dying in Nebraska. There were seven children in the family, as follows: Eliza- beth Lord died in Iowa. Eli Ball died in early childhood. Charles Ball is still living in Nebraska. Adeline McDonald died in Butler. Abbie McCone is still a resident of Nebraska, as is also Adelia Ball. Anna Ball Bradley is the wife of our subject.

Four children have been born to Bradley O. and Anna Ball Moore. as follows : Minnie was born October 7. 1869, and is married to Robert McArdle, of Clarendon, Michigan. Bertha was born August 25. 1871. and is married to Lewis Johnson, of Butler. They have two children, Forest and Rhea. Chester C. Moore was born April 1, 1877, and lives at home, where he is a most capable assistant to his father in the management of the farm. He has a great natural bent for mechanics and the place contains a great many mechanical contrivances which have been established by him. Lulu M. Moore was born April 24. 1885, and her home is with her par- ents. although she has been absent for the greater portion of the time for several years, attending school at Coldwater and also at the Michigan State Normal College at Ypsilanti.

Bradley O. Moore has often been called upon to fill positions of public trust and responsibility, his fellow townsmen delighting to thus do him honor, not alone from personal regard and friendship, but also by reason of the fact that in his hands they know that their interests will be well and carefully guarded. Mr. Moore has filled several terms as supervisor of his township and he was also township clerk, township treasurer and a school officer for many years. During the greater part of his life he has been a stalwart Republican, although of late years he has often joined the ranks of

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independent voters. By perseverance and untiring labor, coupled with a keen insight and good business ability, he has prospered financially, his fine farm of one hundred and twenty acres on section twenty-two, Butler town- ship, being one of the most fertile in this section. Mr. Moore has with his own hands cleared the most of this large farm and he has erected here most commodious structures and a modern residence. The whole place is most thoroughly equipped, including a complete system of water works, and it is a model farm home. Mr. Moore is also largely interested in western tim- ber lands, his property of this character in the state of Oregon being quite valuable.

During his life Mr. Moore has witnessed the development of Branch county and the township of Butler from an almost unbroken wilderness to its present state of agricultural perfection, and in this section, where he has passed the greater portion of his life, he possesses the regard and esteem of the entire community.

HORATIO NELSON BIDELMAN.

Horatio Nelson Bidelman, whose life has been devoted to agricultural pursuits and to dealing in horses, the latter branch of business now claiming his attention, has manifested in his business career an activity of spirit and persistency of purpose that have proved strong elements in winning success. He was born in the town of Shelby, Orleans county, New York, July 4, 1836. His paternal grandparents were Henry and Catherine (Becker) Bidel- man, natives of Herkimer county, New York, and of German lineage. His father, Abram Bidelman, was born in Herkimer county, New York, March 9, 1800, and died in Orleans county on the 6th of June, 1868. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Lucinda Michael, was also a native of Her- kimer county, born in 1802, and her death occurred in Orleans county in 1870. They were members of the Christian church and Mr. Bidelman gave his political support to the Democracy. A farmer by occupation, he always followed that pursuit in order to provide for his family. Unto him and his wife were born seven children: Samuel, who now resides in Barry county, Michigan, at the age of eighty years; Louisa, who became the wife of Arthur Johnson, of Niagara county, New York, and died there: Julia Ann, who married Wallace Acer and died in Orleans county, New York; Jane, who married Roderick McDonald and also departed this life in Orleans county; Horatio N .; Clara, who is the wife of Henry Williams and resides in Cold- water ; and Lorenzo, who is living in Orleans county, New York.

Horatio N. Bidelman spent his boyhood days upon his father's farm and was educated in the country schools. He started out in life for himself when eighteen years of age and attracted by the business opportunities of the west came to Branch county, Michigan, arriving here with only ten shillings in his pocket. He made the trip in company with his eldest brother Samuel in 1855, with whom he lived for some time. He has remained continuously a resident of Branch county and during the half century that has since come and gone he has been active in business affairs and has also been the cham- pion of progressive public measures,

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HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY

As a companion and helpmate for life's journey Mr. Bidelman chose Miss Ann Eliza Williams, whom he wedded on the 14th of February, 1861. She was born in Quincy township. Branch county. December 20, 1840, her parents being Alpheus and Sylvia (McLain) Williams. Her father, who was born in Vermont, August 28. ISO1, died in this county October 10. 1877. He had become a resident of Michigan in 1836, at which time he took up his abode in Quincy township. It was on the 30th of September. 1827, that he married Miss Sylvia McLain, who was born May 21, 1804, and she died in Branch county on the IIth of February. 1883. about six years after her husband's death. Mr. Williams followed the occupation of farming and assisted materially in the pioneer development of this part of the state. His early home was a log cabin which stood in the midst of a forest. for at that time much of the land was covered with the native growth of timber and the work of improvement seemed scarcely begun. Desirous of making a home for his family in a locality which would offer good business and educational advantages he became a co-operant factor in all measures for general prog- ress. Unto him and his wife were born seven children: Daniel, who died in Minnesota ; George and John, who died in Coldwater: Henry and Edward. whose deaths occurred in Quincy township: Monroe, who died in Iowa; and Mrs. Bidelman, who is the only surviving member of the family.

After his marriage Mr. Bidelman and his bride began their domestic life on a farm in Quincy township. He first operated land on the shares and when he had saved a small sum of money he purchased a little tract of land upon which he made partial payment. Laboriously and earnestly he sought the means to discharge his indebtedness and soon had his farm clear of all financial obligation and as his resources increased as the years went by he added to his possessions. He was afterward for a short time in the livery business in Quincy, but selling out there he returned to his farm, where he began dealing in live stock in connection with carrying on general agri- cultural pursuits. He has handled many fine horses and has matched and sold some splendid teams of fine driving stock. In 1879 as a partner of Harlow Williams he entered the livery business in Coldwater and after one and a half years he purchased his partner's business, conducting the business alone for ten years. On the 18th of December. 1889, his barn was destroyed by fire and he sustained a heavy loss, but the strength of his character was here manifest in the courageous manner in which he erected a new and better livery barn. This was conducted for several years by his son Emmett A. and Mr. Bidelman still owns the property. He has continued to deal in horses and finds this a profitable source of income because he is an excellent judge of stock.

Mr. and Mrs. Bidelman have but one child. Emmett A., who is now a resident of San Bernardino, California. He was born on the old home farm in Quincy township. Branch county, November II, 1861. He mar- ried Miss Ida Weaver and to them have been born three children. Irene E., now deceased, Hallie J. and Elizabeth A. Mr. and Mrs. Bidelman spent the winter of 1904-5 in California, visiting their son and also viewed many points of interest in the state. His political allegiance is given to the Dem-

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ocracy and he is fraternally connected with the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He owns and occupies a nice brick residence at No. 48 North Monroe street and as one of Branch county's pioneer settlers is deserving of mention in this volume.

RUSSELL B. HOLLENBECK.

For the past forty years the name of Hollenbeck has been associated with the history of the township of Girard and this portion of Branch county, where members of the family of this name have resided. The first Hollenbeck to locate here was Caspar Hollenbeck, who came with his fam- ily from New York state in the spring of 1866. Caspar Hollenbeck was born in Columbia county, New York, February 21, 1806, his ancestors hav- ing been residents of the Empire state for several generations. He grew to manhood in his home county, which is on the border line between the states of New York and Massachusetts, and he was united in marriage at Hills- dale, Massachusetts, October 10. 1833, with Miss Lucy Jones, a native of that place, where she was born March 19, 1813. Her parents were natives of Massachusetts, as also were her ancestors for several generations pre- viously, they bearing a direct and unbroken line of ancestry back to the landing of the Pilgrim fathers. Caspar and Lucy (Jones) Hollenbeck passed their early married life in Columbia county, New York, where Mr. Hollen- beck was engaged in farming, and where their four children, two sons and two daughters, were born and where they grew to manhood and woman- hood.

Impressed with the attractions offered in the middle west, Mr. Hollen- beck and his family came to Michigan, arriving in Girard in the spring of 1866. Here he became the owner of considerable land and followed his former pursuit of farming. He was a man who stood high in the regard of his fellow townsmen and his death, which occurred December 4, 1889, was deeply deplored, as was also the demise of his estimable wife, her death occurring here November 26, 1890.

Of their four children, only the two sons survive, Russell B. Hollen- beck, the subject of this sketch, and his brother, Truman Hollenbeck. Tru- man Hollenbeck was born in Columbia county, New York. September 15, 1834, and he was also for many years a resident of Girard, although now living in Coldwater. Jane Eliza (Hollenbeck) Arnold was born in Colum- bia county, New York, October 11, 1836, and died in Girard, August 15, 1872. The other daughter, Wealthy Amelia ( Hollenbeck) Tappenden, was born in the same county June 5, 1840, and died in Girard, August 7, 1874.

Russell B. Hollenbeck was born in Columbia county, New York, Octo- ber 10, 1838, and he was twenty-eight years of age when he came to Mich- igan. He was married in Palmyra, Wayne county, New York, to Miss Fannie J. Whitmore, who was born November 23, 1840, and their mar- riage was blessed with the birth of three children. A son, Frank, died in Girard, January 7, 1874, at the age of nearly three years. A daughter, Mida, is married to B. E. Hall, of Girard. They have two sons, Harold and Russell. Jessie, the other daughter of Russell B. and Fannie Hollenbeck,

Harriet & M'brary.

All leary

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HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY

is married to Truman Taylor, also a resident of Girard. They have two daughters, Lucile and Lois. The wife and mother, Fannie ( Whitmore) Hollenbeck, died in Girard, March 26, 1893, at the age of fifty-two years.

The second marriage of Russell B. Hollenbeck was consummated No- vember 20, 1900, when he was united with Mrs. Buella Cook Lamkin, the adopted daughter of Charles S. and Priscilla Cook. She was born in Me- dina county, Ohio, March 11, 1863, and she passed the early portion of her life in Ohio. She has three children by a former marriage, Florence A. Lamkin, of Colon, Michigan; and Edgar Lamkin and Celia Lamkin Garthe, of Cleveland, Ohio.

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A twentieth century history and biographical record of Branch County, Michigan, Part 80

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