A twentieth century history and biographical record of Branch County, Michigan, Part 86

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

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REV. EDWIN W. HUGHES.

Rev. Edwin W. Hughes, pastor of the Freewill Baptist church at Kinderhook and interested in general farming in Gilead township, where he owns and operates one hundred and eighty acres of land on sections eleven and twelve, was born in Lenawee county, Michigan, October 23, 1850, his parents being Thomas and Catherine (Bell) Hughes, both of whom were natives of county Down, Ireland. The father went from Ireland to Canada when twenty years of age, and was married in that country. He removed from Canada to Lenawee county, Michigan, prior to 1850 and early in the '50s came to Branch county, where he purchased eighty acres of land on sections one and two, Gilead township. Soon after his return to Lenawee county his death occurred, subsequent to which time the mother and chil- dren came to the new farm which he had purchased and located thereon. They cleared and developed the land and upon this place the mother reared her children unaided. She passed away May 21, 1895. In the family were ten children, of whom Hannah died at the age of thirteen years, while Henry,

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the eldest. died at the age of thirty-three. Eight of the number are vet liv- ing, namely : Alexander R., a resident of Bethel township: Peter \V., who is living in Los Angeles. California: John, whose home is in Kansas: Jacob B., of Kalamazoo: Mrs. Mary Sherman, of Bethel: Mrs. Abigail Bowen, of Coldwater; Mrs. Jennie Carpenter, of Gilead; and Edwin W .. of this review.

In taking up the personal history of Rev. Edwin W. Hughes we pre- sent to our readers the life record of one widely known in Branch county. where his labors as an agriculturist and minister of the gospel have made him a prominent citizen and endeared him to many with whom he has come in contact. He started out in life on his own account when twenty years of age, and when a young man of twenty-two purchased eighty acres of land on section seven. Bethel township, which was partially improved. Later he disposed of that property and bought eighty acres on sections eleven and twelve. Bethel township. almost totally unimproved, which he has since in- creased by additional purchase to one hundred and eighty acres, his present home in Gilead. He cleared a part of this farm and has made all of the improvements thereon. There are good and substantial buildings and well kept fences, together with the latest improved machinery and all the acces- sories of a model farm. He is also a feeder and raiser of cattle, and at the present time is feeding a drove of the Aberdeens, which is one of the finest in the county of Branch. Mr. Hughes is a self-made man in every respect. He had only a common school education which he supplemented by home study and reading, and is now in possession of an excellent library. with the contents of which he is largely familiar. Although he has always followed farming he has also for fourteen years been a minister of the Freewill Baptist church, being ordained about 1890 by the faculty of Hills- dale College. He was pastor of the church at Center Chapel. Defiance county. Ohio, for several months. and for four years has been the pastor at Kinderhook. He has also filled other local appointments and is an able speaker, admired and esteemed by his parishioners. His family have been members of the Freewill Baptist church of Kinkerhook.

On the 20th of February. 1870, Rev. Hughes was married to Elizabeth Upp, who was born in Huron county. Ohio. November 19, 1850. Her father. Jacob Upp. was born in York, Pennsylvania, in 1822, and was taken by his parents to Huron county. Ohio. in 1830. There he married Susanna Croninger. who was born in Seneca county, Ohio. They had eight children : Mrs. Isabelle Gripman, Martin L., Mrs. Hannah Hilton, Mrs. Elizabeth Hughes, Phillip J .. Mrs. Christie A. Hilton. Mrs. Alice Chase and Mrs. Susan Gager. The year 1854 witnessed the removal of the Upp family from Ohio to Branch county. They located in Kinderhook township, where Mr. Upp owned and developed three hundred acres of land. He was not long permitted to enjoy his new home, however, for his death occurred in 1858. Mrs. Upp afterward married again, her second husband being Alonzo Mosher.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hughes have been born five children, namely : Maude, who died at the age of four years; Ida May, the wife of E. G. Davis,

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a resident of Petoskey, Michigan, by whom she has five children; Ruth, Marie, Fay, Edna and Evelyn; Carrie E., who married Fenton Flint, of Ovid, by whom she has a daughter, Blanche; Lola E., the wife of Dr. Benjamin Shepard of Plainwell, Michigan, by whom she has one son, Carlos; and Hugh L., who married Lula B. Keeslar and resides in Gilead township.

Rev. Hughes has spent the greater part of his life in Branch county, and his efforts in behalf of public progress and improvement have been of direct benefit, while his labors in the church have done much to advance the moral development of the community. He is a man whom to know is to respect and honor, for by example as well as by precept he has endeavored to teach the truths for which his church stands.

NATHANIEL PIATT.

Nathaniel Piatt, one of the self-made men of Branch county whose success has resulted entirely from his own able efforts, and whose example should serve as a course of inspiration and encouragement to others, was born in Warren county, New Jersey, May 27, 1826. His parents were William and Hannah (Tindall) Piatt, both of whom were natives of New Jersey, whence they removed in 1830 to Columbia county, Pennsylvania. and in 1835 they went to eastern Ohio. About sixteen years were there passed, and in 1852 they arrived in Elkhart county, Indiana. In their family were eight children who reached years of maturity, but only three of the number ever came to Michigan, namely: Nathaniel; William, who died in Cass county : and James A., who died in Isabella county. Nathaniel Piatt is the only one of the family now living. The father passed away in Elkhart county. Indiana, and the mother's death occurred in LaGrange county, that state. Both were esteemed people and were strong Methodists in religious faith.

Nathaniel Piatt started out in life on his own account in 1848. He had accompanied his parents on their various removals up to that time, and he preceded them in their removal to Elkhart county, Indiana, by a year. He first owned land in LaGrange county, Indiana, and in 1854 came to Michi- gan, where he purchased forty acres of land in Gilead township, Branch county. Later, however, he increased his holdings to one hundred and fifty- nine acres in Gilead and Bethel townships. The place was only partially cleared when it came into his possession, and he made all of the im- provements thereon. He now owns sixty-eight acres on sections thirty-five and thirty-six in Bethel township. He started out in life unaided, with no capital save strong determination and willing hands, but he has accumu- lated property by hard work and is now in comfortable financial circum- stances. He was a director of the Branch County Mutual Fire Insurance Company, with which organization he has been connected for many years, and in affairs in Gilead and Bethel townships he has been an active and in- fluential factor, his labors proving of direct and immediate serviceableness in many connections.

Mr. Piatt was married in Holmes county, Ohio, January 25, 1848. to Miss Nancy Ritter, who was born in Mount Eaton, Wayne county, Ohio,

RK. Triadell

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HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY

January 28, 1827. They had eight children. David Piatt. the eldest, who died in the state of California in 1886, married Patience Mabry and they had a son, George, who was born August 28, 1876, and who wedded Mar- garet Whaley, whose birth occurred August 2, 1882. This marriage was blessed with a daughter, Erta Marie, who was born November 26. 1902. George Piatt and his family now live with his grandfather, Nathaniel Piatt, upon the old home farm. Mrs. Melissa Patch, the second member of the family, lives in Coldwater. Mrs. Lucretia Balcom died in Seattle, Wash- ington, in 1905. Franklin is living in the west. William Albert, a resident of South Dakota, married Mrs. Delilah Perrin and they have five children, namely : Charles, Orva, Rollin, Clyde and Eva. Mrs. Lucinda Benedict died in Chicago in 1898. Ella died in infancy. Mrs. Mattie Green is living in Seattle. The mother of this family departed this life September 29. 1875. and on the 2nd of September. 1876, Mr. Piatt was married to Mrs. A. P. Chapin. in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. She was a most active and interested worker in the church, at one time was connected with the Baptist denomination. but afterward with the Liberal United Brethren. She was a woman possessed of many sterling traits of character, and her death, which occurred in Bethel township, May 22, 1904, was the occasion of deep regret on the part of her many friends.

Mr. Piatt has traveled extensively through the west. He made the first trip in 1856 when there was one little railroad west of the Mississippi river. He now makes annual trips through to the coast and is well posted on the western country, its prospects and possibilities. In community affairs he has been actively and helpfully interested. He served as supervisor for three years, was drain commissioner one year and school officer for many years in Gilead and Bethel townships. Although not a member of any re- ligious society, he is an earnest Christian and one of the chief supporters of the Liberal United Brethren church, being chairman of the building com- mittee which erected Bethel church of that denomination. He has for many years been a member of Tyre lodge, F. & A. M., and was formerly an in- fluential member of the Grange. He is still a well preserved man in spite of his years, having now reached the eightieth milestone on life's journey. His has been an active, useful and honorable career and Branch county has benefited by his efforts in her behalf.

HON. RODNEY K. TWADELL.

Hon. Rodney K. Twadell, whose activity in business was so continuous, whose co-operation in events of a beneficial public nature was so generous and whose personal worth was so widely recognized as to make his death come as a personal loss to a large majority of the citizens of Branch county. passed away on the 25th of January, 1900, when more than seventy-two years of age. His life was exemplary of all that constitutes the good and thereby truly great citizen. As the day with its morning of hope and promise, its noontide of activity, its evening of successful and accomplished effort ending in the grateful rest and quiet of the night, so was the life of this man, and his memory is enshrined in the hearts of many who knew him, while his life

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record furnishes a splendid example for emulation and inspiration. Mr. Twadell was a native of Wayne county, New York, his birth having occurred in the town of Marion on the 7th of November, 1827. Little is known con- cerning the ancestral history of the family save that they came of Scotch lineage, the first representatives of the name having probably crossed the At- lantic while this country was still numbered among the colonial possessions of Great Britain. Daniel Twadell, father of Hon. Rodney K. Twadell, was born in Connecticut and at an early age was left an orphan. By self-sustaining effort he finally became a man not only of affluence but of influence as well in his community. In early manhood he removed from New England to Wayne county, New York, and, as his limited financial circumstances brought about the necessity for immediate employment, he secured a position as a farm hand. Gradually he worked his way upward until he was able to save from his earnings a sum sufficient to justify his purchase of land. He then began farming on his own account and successfully continued in that pursuit until 1849, when his life's labors were ended in death. He was at that time sixty-three years of age. In early manhood he was married in Wayne county, New New, to Mrs. Jerusha (Kellogg) Peckham, who was of New England birth and parentage and who, subsequent to the death of Mr. Twadell, came to Michigan, spending her last days in Branch county, where she died in 1870, at the age of seventy-seven years. By her first marriage she had two children and by the second six children. 1. Of the latter family all reached years of maturity, after which the two daughters, Laura W. and Mary Jane, died of consumption. Those still living are: Mrs. Alma P. Howell, a resi- dent of Wayne county, New York; Charles J. Twadell, who is living in Quincy, Michigan; and Mrs. Helen E. Culver, of Quincy.

Rodney K. Twadell spent his boyhood and youth upon a farm and ac- quired a common school education, devoting his attention to the work of the fields when not occupied with the duties of the school room, so that while improving his mind he also gained a good knowledge of the business which he made his life work. He was united in marriage in 1849 to Miss Mary Culver, a native of Palmira, New York, and a daughter of Paul and Martha Jane (Reeves) Culver, who removed to Michigan in 1849, and two years later were joined here by Mr. and Mrs. Twadell. There was one sister in the family, now Mrs. R. M. Campbell, of Quincy.

Mr. and Mrs. Twadell began their domestic life in the Empire state, but after two years, through the persuasion of her parents, came to Michigan. Being well pleased with the country and its future prospects Mr. Twadell then returned to New York to settle up some business affairs, after which be again came to Branch county and made a permanent location in Quincy township. He purchased one hundred acres of land on section five, north- west of the village of Quincy, to which he afterward added a tract of twenty acres, and the entire amount was still in his possession at the time of his death, although from 1883 until his demise he made his home in the village. In his farm work he was energetic and enterprising, his methods being prac- tical, while his systematic labors and unremitting diligence constituted the basis of his success. He was never dilatory nor negligent in his work, and

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he annually harvested rich crops as the reward for the care and labor which he bestowed upon his fields. He always exercised good judgment in the man- agement of his farm affairs and brought his land under a high state of culti- vation with correspondingly satisfactory financial results. His place was greatly enhanced by good buildings and pleasant surroundings and thus his became one of the model country homes of the township as well as the source of a handsome yearly income, which enabled Mr. Twadell to pass his declin- ing days in ease and comfort. In addition to his farm property he owned a pleasant residence in the village of Quincy and the store building occupied by the firm of Trott & Clark. He also had some bank stock and was one of the stockholders of the Quincy Knitting Company.

In 1872 Mr. Twadell was called upon to mourn the loss of his first wife, who died upon the homestead farm on the 12th of October of that year. Five children had been born unto them, of whom two survived the mother, namely : Frank A., who is a resident of Montana; and Eddy Reeves Twadell, who is living in Nebraska. One daughter, Kittie B., became the wife of George Parkinson, of Quincy, and died May 28. 1899. at the birth of her child, Frances Mary, who survives her. In 1873. Mr. Twadell was again married, his sec- ond union being with Miss Phoebe I .. Culp, who was born in Niagara county. New York, on the 5th of April. 1833. and is a daughter of Nicholas and Phoebe (Rockwood) Culp. Her father was a native of Pennsylvania and her mother of New York, and they became pioneer residents of Branch county. taking up their abode in Girard township in 1840, and there spending their remaining days.

In the public life and interests of Quincy township Mr. Twadell was recognized as a foremost factor of action and influence. In matters of citi- zenship he was intelligent and was a stirring and energetic man in any under- taking he assumed. Frequently called to public office. he filled various local positions and was then called to the higher honors, being elected to the Mich- igan legislature, where he capably served for two terms, being first chosen to the office in 1876 and again in 1878. He was chairman of the committee on agriculture and in various directions acted for the welfare of his county and state. His first presidential vote was cast for Martin Van Buren, then the candidate of the Freesoil party. He was twenty-one years of age on the day on which he voted. Subsequently he affiliated with the Whig party until the organization of the new Republican party, of which he became a stalwart champion, so continuing until 1884, when he took a forward step in behalf of the temperance cause and identified himself with the Prohibition party. During the war of the rebellion he was in hearty sympathy with the Union cause, and although he did not go to the front himself he voluntarily hired a substitute, believing that he personally could do more at home. He ever stood for progress in citizenship and for practical and successful accomplish- ment in all matters relating to the public welfare. For more than forty years he was a devoted member of the Methodist church and was always regarded as an exemplary Christian man, honest and conscientious in all life's relations. while in business life or in official service his reputation was unassailable and his name above reproach. Moreover he possessed a kindly spirit and broad

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humanitarianism, which made him ever willing to extend a helping hand to those in need. His death occurred after an illness of about thirteen months and was the occasion of deep and widespread regret. His funeral services were largely attended, showing the position which he occupied in the regard of friends and neighbors. To know Mr. Twadell was to respect him, and those who came within the closer circle of his friendship entertained for him the warmest regard and most kindly feeling. He held friendship inviolable and he ever stood as a defender of all that is just and right in man's relations with his fellow men. He loved honor and truth, not because honesty is the best policy, but because his life was guided by principles which his conscience approved. Quincy and Branch county benefited by his efforts and by his example, and many years will have passed before the name of Rodney K. Twadell ceases to be remembered and honored in Branch county.

HON. E. E. BOSTWICK.

Hon. E. E. Bostwick is one of the distinguished citizens of Branch county who has represented his district in the state senate, and is now one of the extensive farmers, holding and controlling large landed interests, resides on section seven, Union township. He was born in Onondaga county, New York, May 27, 1840, and is a son of Nathaniel Bostwick, also a native of that county. The mother, who bore the maiden name of Emily Everett, was likewise born in the Empire state. E. E. Bostwick was there reared, and in the common schools of his home township gained his education, which was continued in Cazenovia Seminary and Homer Academy of the Empire state, but before the completion of the course he was obliged to put aside his text-books on account of ill health. He then turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, and thinking that he might have better business opportunities in the rapidly growing middle west he came to Branch county, Michigan, in November, 1864. His capital was very limited, so that he rented a tract of land, but in due course of time he purchased it and it con- stituted the nucleus of his present extensive landed possessions, now covering six hundred and thirty acres. Most of his land is very valuable and pro- ductive, and he carries on general farming, raising both grain and stock. He is one of the largest grain producers of Branch county and his farin presents a splendid appearance with its green fields that give promise of golden harvests. The stock too is of good grade, consisting of horses, sheep and the finest herd of Jerseys in Southern Michigan, and everything about the place indicates the practical and progressive spirit of a painstaking owner. He has been a resident of the county for about forty years and throughout this period has done his full share in the work of public advancement and improvement. In one year he raised a crop of nearly seven thousand bushels of wheat.

In 1861 Mr. Bostwick was united in marriage to Miss Adaline S. James, a daughter of Willis James of Phelps, Ontario county, New York. Both Mr. and Mrs. Bostwick enjoy the warm friendship of a large circle of ac- quaintances. Politically he was for many years a Republican, but is now an advocate of the Prohibition party and also a believer in the free coinage of

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silver. He served as supervisor for one term, and in 1896-7 represented his district, comprising Branch. Hillsdale and St. Joseph counties, in the state senate. He was the first opposition candidate elected from this district since the organization of the Republican party, a fact which indicates his per- sonal popularity and the confidence reposed in him by his fellow men. He proved a capable officer, studying closely the questions which came up for consideration and giving earnest support to those which he believed would benefit the commonwealth. He has long been a prominent member of the Congregational church, contributing generously to its support, taking an active part in its work and serving for twenty-five years as a deacon. By his own exertions he has attained an honorable position and marked prestige among the representative men of the county and with signal consistency it may be said that he is the architect of his own fortunes.

CLARENCE L. OLDS.

Clarence L. Olds, who follows the occupation of farming on section twenty-two, Batavia township, was born on the 7th of October. 1853. in the township which is still his home. His father, Martin P. Olds, was a native of Seneca county. Ohio, born November 14, 1827, while the grandfather, Martin Olds, was a native of Berkshire county, Massachusetts. He became a resident of Branch county in 1834, locating in Batavia township. He entered land from the government on sections twenty-three and twenty-four, and was one of the pioneer settlers of the county, few having taken up their abode in this part of the state at the time he established his home in the midst of the forest here. He aided in reclaiming a wild district for the purposes of civilization and was one of the valued pioneer settlers who assisted in laying strong and deep the foundation for the present development and progress of the county. He was president of the first bank of Branch county, which was a state bank established in the village of Branch, then the county seat. He was also judge of probate and he was representative for Michigan territory in the national congress. In fact his fitness for leadership made him one of the most prominent men of Michigan in early days, and he left the impress of his individuality upon the public life and did much toward molding public thought and action. His early political allegiance was given to the Democratic party, but later he became a stanch Republican and con- tinued to support the men and measures upholding the principles of that organization until his death. He belonged to the Universalist church and passed away at the age of seventy-three years. He had carved his name deeply upon the records of the state and is remembered as one of the hon- ored pioneer settlers of Branch county.

Martin P. Olds, the father of Clarence L. Olds, was about seven years of age when he came with his parents to Michigan. He was educated in the common schools of Batavia township and in his youth assisted in the develop- ment of the home farm, while the experiences and conditions of pioneer life became very familiar to him. He was married on the 13th of November, 1850. to Miss Caroline B. Sprague, a daughter of Isaac and Sabrina (Lyon) Sprague, the former a native of Rhode Island and the latter of Saratoga

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county, New York, where they were married in February, 1826. They lived for a time in Troy, New York, and there the father was connected with mechanical pursuits. Mrs. Olds, their eldest child, was born in Troy, No- vember 27, 1827 and went with her parents on their removal to Penfield, Monroe county, New York, whence they came to Branch county in 1836, settling in Coldwater. Not long afterward they took up their abode on a farm in Batavia township and resided there for some time, after which they returned to Coldwater, where their remaining days were passed. The father attained the age of eighty-two years, while his wife departed this life when seventy-seven years of age. There were nine children, seven of whom reached years of maturity. Mrs. Olds is the only representative of the family now living in Branch county. She has a brother, Levi Sprague, now a resident of Chicago, where he is engaged in the practice of law, while another brother, D. P. Sprague, makes his home in St. Joseph county, Michi- gan. Her sister, Lucina, is the wife of Henry Huff, living in the town of Mendon, St. Joseph county, Michigan.

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A twentieth century history and biographical record of Branch County, Michigan, Part 86

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