A twentieth century history and biographical record of Branch County, Michigan, Part 81

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

USA > Michigan > Branch County > A twentieth century history and biographical record of Branch County, Michigan > Part 81

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Mr. and Mrs. Russell B. Hollenbeck live in a most comfortable home on section twenty-two, Girard township, where Mr. Hollenbeck owns and operates a handsome farm of one hundred acres of fertile land. He has developed this farm from its former rough and uncultivated condition to its present state of agricultural perfection, with the excellent buildings and the beautiful shade trees, while with his own hands he performed a goodly share of the labor required in the building of the home which he has occupied for the past thirty-seven years. It is but natural, then, that he should love the spot above all other places on earth, and that here he hopes to spend the remainder of his days. Although, like his father before him, an old-time Democrat of the Jeffersonian school of politics, Mr. Hollenbeck, believing that both of the great political parties of the present day have drifted far from their original beliefs and declarations. has during the past decade been a Prohibitionist. Mr. and Mrs. Hollenbeck are both members and active workers in the Girard Methodist Episcopal church, while fraternally Mrs. Hollenbeck is affiliated with the Daughters of Rebecca. Both are earn- est Christians and a power for good in the community. The old strain of Puritan religious belief inherited from his sainted mother shows in Mr. Hollenbeck. With him, religion is not merely a creed for Sundays, but is carried into his everyday life. He is filled with love for his fellow men, while the benefits of his belief have been so many and are so fully appre- ciated that he desires all of his fellow men to be similarly blessed. Mr. and Mrs. Hollenbeck are refined and educated people and their home life is a particularly happy one.

ALEXANDER C. MCCRARY.

Alexander C. McCrary, whose life record proved that success and an honorable name can be won simultaneously, leaving his family at his death a handsome competence and an untarnished record, was a native of the Empire state, his birth having occurred on the 9th of March, 1815, in Hector, New York, which was then in Tompkins county. His grandparents were Alexander and Eunice (Armstrong) McCrary, the former a native of Cayuga county, and the latter of Orange county, New York. Their last days were spent in Hector township, Schuyler county. Their third child was Joseph McCrary, whose birth occurred in Goshen, Orange county, October 24, 1778. Having arrived at years of maturity he married Abigail Culver, who was the first white child born in Bath township, Steuben county, New York, her natal

644

HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY

day being January 13, 1795. She was a daughter of Phineas and Phebe (Breese) Culver, the former a native of New England, while the latter was born in the Empire state. Her father died in Hector, Schuyler county, and Mrs. Culver passed away in Chicago.

Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Mccrary began their domestic life in Hector township, Schuyler county, where they resided until 1836, when they sought a home in Michigan, locating in Henrietta, Jackson county. There they spent their remaining days, the father passing away on the 14th of February, 1856, while his wife died on the 18th of February, 1863. They had twelve children, Phineas C., Alexander C., John B., Elias R .. Polly A., George W., Phebe A., Andrew J., Lawrence H., James N., Harriet and Mary J., while one son, Joseph, died in infancy, all the others, however, reaching the age of maturity.

Alexander C. McCrary spent his early youth in the state of his nativity and when but a lad began earning his living, owing to financial reverses which his father sustained. He worked at any pursuit that would yield him a sufficient financial return to provide him with the necessities of life and re- mained in New York until twenty years of age, when he came to the west, removing from Penn Yan, New York, to Ann Arbor. Michigan. He there se- cured a situation in a hotel conducted by Adelphos Gulley, in whose employ he remained for eighteen months, after which he removed to Tekonsha, where he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. As soon as possible he pur- chased land on his own account, becoming owner of a tract of eighty acres, which he bought with money saved from his wages in former years. He worked for others at times and at still other periods he gave his energies to the improvement of his own property, and thus his time was passed until his marriage, when he had a new incentive for developing his home farm. Be- fore his settlement at Tekonsha he had wedded his wife and then went to Lima and worked there about two years, whence returning to Tekonsha, and began on the new farm in the forest.

On the 5th of November, 1836, Mr. McCrary wedded Miss Harriet Eliza Dean, theirs being the first marriage celebrated in Tekonsha after the organization of the township. The parents of Mrs. McCrary were Perly A. and Phebe (Brown) Dean, natives of Connecticut and Norwich, Vermont, respectively. They first settled in Benton, Yates county, New York, where they remained until October, 1835, and then came to this county and settled in Tekonsha, where they lived until their decease, that of the mother occurring May 30, 1878, and of the father March 28, 1880. Their family consisted of five children, Harriet E., Nelson N., Leonard, Chester and Jane. Mrs. McCrary is the eldest of the parental family, and was born in Benton, Yates county, New York, September 9, 1818. She has borne to her husband a family of eight children, who are recorded as follows: Calvin, enlisted in August, 1862, in Company M, Fifth Michigan Cavalry. in which he became a non-commissioned officer. He was killed May 28, 1864, at the battle of Cold Harbor, being shot through the head, and his remains were buried in the churchyard known as Salem's Church, close by the battle-field ; Adelaide lives at home, and Adelphos died when ten years of age; Marion became

645

HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY

the wife of Edward Wirt Watkins, of Sherwood township: Leroy married Miss Alice B. Moyer, and resides in Union township: Frank is a resident of Kansas City, Missouri ; Laura A. died when a babe of fourteen months ; and Clay is a resident of Union township.

Mr. and Mrs. McCrary began their domestic life in Tekonsha township and were residents of that locality until 1848. with the exception of a year and a half. In the fall of 1848 they removed to Lima. Washtenaw county, and later in the same year took up their abode in Sherwood township. In the meantime the family circle had been increased by the birth of five children, and the parents and children became residents of a farm on section seven, which had first comprised seventy-six acres of land. As the years passed and his financial resources increased, however, Mr. McCrary extended the boundaries of this property and also invested in other tracts until his landed possessions at one time aggregated twelve hundred acres. He afterward disposed of much of that but in his later years retained possession of five hundred acres of very valuable land. He was a successful agriculturist, raising good crops and at the same time having fine stock upon his place, making a specialty of the raising of horses and hogs. He con- tinued in Sherwood township, Branch county, until February, 1874, when he removed to Union township and there resided up to the time of his death.

While living in Tekonsha Mr. McCrary was called to various positions of trust and responsibility and was very faithful, loyal and efficient in the discharge of his official duties. After removing to Union township he be- came one of the directors of the Union City National Bank. His political allegiance was given to the Republican party and he was deeply interested in its success. He passed away May 11. 1898. and his loss was deeply re- gretted by many friends. He had become widely known in the county as one of its representative agriculturists, a man whom to know was to respect and honor. Throughout his active life he had displayed diligence and per- severance, supplemented by integrity and straightforward dealing. Many of the now successful men of the day are those whose paths are strewn with the wrecks of other men's fortunes, but Mr. Mccrary was never known to take advantage of the necessities of his fellowmen in any business dealing. He was just to all and his life record largely embodied the golden rule. He never sought public notoriety, but was content to do his duty day after day to his family, his friends and his community. His life is in many respects worthy of emulation, for it proves the value and sure rewards of character. In the cemetery at Union City there stands a magnificent monu- ment to the memory of Mr. Mccrary, with a perfect statue of marble of the worthy old gentleman, sacred to his memory and erected by his son Roy.

The form once erect in its manhood and pride. With firm tread that appeared on the street, Whose hardy frame time and tempest defied, Now lies a wreck at our feet. But death was the victor ; we bow to his will, --

The golden bowl's broken, the brave heart is still.

646

HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY

He fought the fierce fight in the battle of life With courage majestic and grand,

And many that fell by his side in the strife He raised with a generous hand. True love for mankind in his actions we trace;

Success crowned his efforts in every place.

His course is now run, and we lay him to rest, With hearts full of tenderest love;

A Brother and Friend, the kindest and best, We commend to the Father above.

We trust in His grace, but with sorrow-dimmed eye,

Hoping one day to meet him, we bid him good-bye.

May II, 1898.

HIS BROTHER, L. H. MCCRARY.

MRS. ALEXANDER C. MCCRARY.

It is meet and fitting that due reverence and respect be paid Mrs. Alex- ander C. McCrary, one of the pioneer mothers of Branch county, whose en- graving appears opposite her most worthy husband, Alexander C. McCrary, these beautiful steel engravings being placed in this work by their two sons, Clay and Roy, whose worthiness, business acumen and high social and busi- ness standing is so well known in northern Branch county, as well as the sister county of Calhoun. Mrs. McCrary was in every respect the worthy helpmeet of her husband and for nearly sixty-two years shared his toils and privations, his joys and sorrows, and during the first years of their married life, while living in their humble log cabin home in the wilderness, she endured hardships and privations that would paralyze the young wives of the present generation. With her family of little children she often remained, for a week at a time, alone, and attended to her household duties as well as the duties upon the little primitive farm, the husband being called too far to return to his home from his distant work till Saturday nights. It was no easy task to keep house then as it is at the present time. Her furniture was all home made, and a single room served for a kitchen, dining, parlor and sleeping room. Her cooking utensils consisted of a bake kettle and an iron skillet, and all the food was cooked over the coals in the rude stone fire- place. The Indians often called at her cabin door and she traded them bread and flour for venison and other wild meat. Fear never entered the breast of this hardy and sturdy pioneer mother. At one time when a severe storm blew the roof from her cabin she lived several days with the blue sky for shelter, until her husband returned and replaced the roof. Many travelers who were seeking homes in the western country stopped at their rude, but welcome, cabin for something to eat or a night's lodging, and not one was ever turned away empty handed from her door, and that habit of doing for others followed her through her whole life, as hundreds who have partaken of her bounty can testify. She survived her husband about two and a half years, and passed peacefully from this earth March 5, 1901, at the home

647

HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY

of her son Clay in Union township, and the writer believes that in that better land she has joined the partner by whose side she toiled for over three score years. The following poem, written and composed by Mr. McCrary's brother, Lawrence Hubbard Mccrary, is a just tribute to a devoted wife and loving mother :

TRIBUTE TO MRS. A. C. MCCRARY.

Once more o'er our faces the tear drops are stealing, With sorrowful hearts we greet the fair dawn; Each hour passing by our loss is revealing- A fond, loving mother and sister is gone.

As we look in the past, when cares were around us, Her cheerful voice ever did lighten the way :

And the smile that she gave when in sadness she found us, Drove the gloom from our hearts and turned darkness to day.

Her sympathy reached to the poor and the needy, The naked were clothed, the hungry were fed ;

And hundreds to whom she gave bounty so freely Were praying for blessings to rest on her head.

Alas! She has left, gone, her presence endearing : No more in this world to feel gladness or pain ;

But one glorious thought our hearts is now cheering- In that bright land of sunshine we'll meet her again.

L. H. MCCRARY.

B. F. GREEN.

Seldom do we find a man of eighty years of age with a sturdy physique. mental attributes, unimpaired and inventive genius. apparently as good as in early or middle age, but such an one do we find in the person of B. F. Green, of Union City, the subject of this sketch. Mr. Green was born in Watertown, Jefferson county, New York, in 1822, and there he grew to manhood, learning in the meantime the machinist's trade. In 1849 he moved to Ogdensburg, New York, and was engaged in the distilling business there and at Prescott. Canada, for nearly thirty years, having charge of extensive distilleries in these two places the greater portion of the time. He came to Michigan in 1869, where, with the exception of one year spent in California, he lived until coming to Union City in 1886. Here he established a machine shop on a small scale, but he has added to the equipment from year to year until now it is one of the best in this portion of the state, sup- plied, as it is, with the latest improved machinery for the rapid turning out of work. Mr. Green has always had a great bent for mechanics, and has worked at this trade more or less all his life. As a practical gunsmith, he is unequalled and this branch of business is well patronized. His love for a gun led to his frequent practice as a marksman and for a number of

6+8

HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY

years he was one of the most expert shots in the east. In 1879 he defeated the crack shots of the eastern states in several contests, and even to-day, at his advanced age, is no mean opponent. Mr. Green, although engaged in the distilling business for so many years, has never indulged in intoxicating liquors and has never touched tobacco. His excellent and temperate habits are no doubt in a great measure responsible for his sturdy condition today. Associated with Mr. Green in the machine shop is Mr. Lewis Wilcox. who has had a valuable experience in this line under the direction of Mr. Green. Mr. Wilcox has lived in Union City sixteen years, and has worked a goodly share of the time in the shop. He is a thorough mechanic. Mr. Wilcox is a member of three local Masonic orders, and has a wide acquaintance in this vicinity. He was married six years since to Miss Bertha Lilly, and they have one child.

ROY MCCRARY.

Roy McCrary, formerly identified with agricultural interests, but now for many years living retired, enjoying a well earned rest, makes his home in Union City. He is a native of Tekonsha, Calhoun county, Michigan, born on the 12th of October, 1847. He is the fifth child and third son of Alex- ander Cole and Harriet Eliza (Dean) McCrary, who are mentioned on another page of this volume. He accompanied his parents on their removal to Union township when a young lad. and at the usual age entered the com- mon schools, acquiring a knowledge of the branches of learning which qualify one for the performance of the practical and responsible duties of a business career. He continued to assist in the cultivation and improvement of his home farm up to the time of his marriage.

On January 21, 1872, Mr. McCrary wedded Miss Alice V. Moyer, and unto them were born three children, two daughters and a son: Alta May, who was one of the youngest to ever graduate in the Union City school, graduating at the age of seventeen, is now the wife of William Waffle, of Athens township, Calhoun county, Michigan; Effie E., the wife of Claud Felker, of Lockport township, St. Joseph county, Michigan; and Alexander C., at home and in the high school. On the 22d of August, 1904, Mr. McCrary was again married, his second union being with Elizabeth Nelson, a daughter of Lewis and May Givin Wilcox, and the widow of Frank B. Nelson, of Sherwood, Michigan. By her former marriage she had two

daughters : Iva Blanch, a graduate of the Sherwood High School and formerly a teacher, is the wife of Otto Bennett, of Sherwood township, and Reah, who is at home with her mother and in high school.

Mr. McCrary has devoted his entire life to agricultural pursuits and is now the owner of three valuable farms to which he yet gives personal super- vision, although he leaves the active work to others. One of these is located in Sherwood, one in Madison, and a third in Union township, and he has given his daughter a farm of one hundred and sixty-seven acres not far from Fisher Lake, in St. Joseph county. He is one of the stockholders in the National Bank, at Union City and one of the directors of the First National Bank, at Three Rivers, Michigan. His success is the crown of well directed effort. He has probably passed on the highway of life others

649

HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY

who started out with more advantageous equipment than he, but he possessed earnest purpose and diligence and as the years have gone by has so directed his labors that he is now the owner of valuable land as well as bank stock. Indeed he is one of the substantial citizens of the community and his success is very creditable. In politics he has been a life-long Republican. He has. erected one of the most costly and beautiful monuments for his father, in the Riverside cemetery at Union City, Michigan.

CLAY MCCRARY.

Clay McCrary, the proprietor of the Sunnyside farm on section six, Union township, is also connected with other business enterprises of Branch county that show him to be a man of marked capability, enterprise and keen discernment. He was born in Sherwood township. June 22, 1855. His father. Alexander C. McCrary, is mentioned on another page of this work, being one of the pioneer settlers of the locality who aided in laying broad and deep the foundation for the present progress and prosperity of this section of the state. Clay Mccrary was reared on the old family homestead in the usual manner of farm lads until eighteen years of age, working in the fields through the summer months, while in the winter seasons he attended the public schools. acquiring a good practical English education. At the age of eighteen he came to Union township and was engaged in assisting his father on the farm.

In 1893 occurred the marriage of Clay Mccrary and Miss Carrie M. Woods, a daughter of Jesse A. and Angeline (Webster) Woods. The young conple began their domestic life on a farm in Sherwood township where Mr. McCrary carried on general agricultural pursuits until 1896, when he located on the farm where he now lives on section six, Union township. He has a valuable property of two hundred and forty acres in Sherwood township. while a rich tract of eighty acres constitutes the Sunnyside farm. He rents much of his land and gives little attention to the raising of grain, but is one of the prominent horse dealers of the county, buying and selling a large number of horses each year and as he is an excellent judge of stock he is enabled to make judicious purchases and profitable sales. He has also ex- tended his efforts to other lines of activity and his opinions are regarded as valuable in matters of business judgment. He is one of the stockholders of the Union City National Bank, a stockholder in the Peerless Yeast Manu- facturing Company of Union City and in the creamery of Union City, Michigan.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. McCrary have been born three children, but Nora, the eldest, died at the age of eight years. The others, Bertine A. and Joseph C., are attending school in Union City. Mr. McCrary is a staunch Re- publican, interested in the growth of the party, yet without political aspira- tion for himself. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and has also taken the Rebekah degree at Leonidas. With the exception of three years, from 1878 until 1881, during which time he was engaged in merchandising in Burlingame, Kansas, he has always lived in Branch county. so that his history is well known to his fellow citizens and the fact that

650

HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY

many of his staunchest friends are those who have known him from his youth to the present time is an indication that his has been an upright and honorable career. He has applied himself earnestly to the conduct of his business in- terests and his perseverance, unremitting diligence and sagacity have been strong elements in his prosperity.

MRS. POLLY A. DUNN.

The ladies of America have played a most conspicuous part in the history of the nation, both local and national. The old Empire state of New York has populated the middle west with more of her sons and daughters than possibly any other of the states north of Mason and Dixon's line.

The worthy lady whose name heads this review is a daughter of the state of New York, having been born January 1, 1821, in the township of Junius, central New York, near the site of the Cornell University. She, when but a little maiden, removed with her parents to the township of Lodi, thence to Ann Arbor, Michigan, in the autumn of 1836. She wedded Oscar Otis in October, 1841. He was an engineer by occupation, a man of kindly disposition and one who was honored and respected by all who knew him. He died March 28, 1858, leaving two children: Emma, the wife of Rev. Dr. Wilkinson, and Frank, who became a sea captain and for several years was considered one of the best navigators of the sea. He died at Port Tampa, Florida, July 23, 1898.

During her widowhood Mrs. Otis plied her needle to support herself and children, and to pay for the home which sheltered them. On February 17, 1862, she married Aretus Dunn, a well known business man of Ann Arbor, who had made a snug fortune in California in his younger days. He died June 4, 1895, leaving his widow with plenty of this world's goods. It is not out of place to say here that Mr. Dunn was one of these big hearted men who made legions of friends wherever he was known, and in the latter years of his life his old friend, Leland Stanford, offered to send his private car for him if he would visit him in his California home, but on account of his failing health, Mr. Dunn was obliged to decline the offer. Mrs. Dunn lives in her elegant home on Washington street, Ann Arbor, with her daughter and son-in-law, and although four score years and five have passed over her head, still her form is erect and her mind as bright as most of the people half that age. She has been favored in more ways than this, having never been obliged to consult a dentist, her teeth being as sound as when she was twenty years old, and her curly hair is the envy of all the girls who know her. But now, past the age of an octogenarian, her sun is fast setting beneath the western horizon of life, and soon her days will be numbered, but the good life she has led and the kind deeds she has done will be as monuments to this good woman's life and memory.

LEMANDER JAMES.

Lemander James, who carries on general farming on section twenty-six, Matteson township, here first opened his eyes to the light of day on the 28th of October, 1851, his parents being William and Nancy Jane (Gillen)

S& Dunn

65L

HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY

James, both of whom were natives of Ohio. The father was an old settler of this county and for many years devoted his energies to farming in Matte- son township. He was born in Ohio in 1822 and was reared in that state, coming to Branch county in 1846. He settled on what is now known as the James farm, purchasing one hundred and sixty acres of raw land, which at that time was covered with timber. This he cleared and improved, placing it under cultivation. He was married in Branch county to Miss Nancy Jane Gillen, a native of Ohio, born in 1825, and in that state her girlhood days were passed. She came from Ohio to Branch county at an early period in the development of this part of the state and the only child of her marriage was Lemander James. The father was a life-long Republican, and had a wide and favorable acquaintance in Branch county. In citizenship he was progressive and public-spirited and his co-operation was a resultant factor in general progress. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity of Bronson, and his life was in harmony with the teachings of the craft. He died upon the old homestead farm in 1871, while his wife departed this life in 1874.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

A twentieth century history and biographical record of Branch County, Michigan, Part 81

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