USA > Michigan > Branch County > A twentieth century history and biographical record of Branch County, Michigan > Part 87
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110
Clarence L. Olds is an only son and child. He was educated in the common schools and in the high school of Coldwater and was thus equipped in able manner for life's practical and responsible duties. Having arrived at years of maturity he was married on the 22nd of June, 1871, to Miss Alma Willis, a daughter of George and Mary (Welch) Willis, who was born in Portage county, Ohio. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Olds has been born one son, Mortimer W., who wedded Miss Mary Bowers and resides on part of the old homestead.
At the time of his marriage Clarence L. Olds located upon what is the old home property of the family in Batavia township, and here he has since lived, being engaged in general farming and stock raising. He has four hundred and forty acres of land which he carefully cultivates, and the fields have been placed under a high state of improvement, and return golden harvests for the care and labor bestowed upon them. He has never been known to take advantage of the necessities of his fellowmen in any trade transaction, but by close application and unfaltering diligence has won a gratifying measure of success. He has also been a potent factor in public ¿ife, giving his allegiance to the Democratic party, and upon that ticket he was elected and served for three terms as supervisor, being first chosen to the office in 1896. He belongs to the Masonic lodge of Coldwater and to the Maccabees tent. He has been a lifelong resident of Branch county, and with the exception of three years has lived continuously in Batavia town- ship. A worthy representative of an honored pioneer family, his worth is widely acknowledged by all who know him and his life has been in keeping with the splendid record made by his father and his grandfather. One can- not carry his investigations far into the history of the county without learn- ing of the close and honorable connection of the Olds family with the his- tory of this section of the state, and Mr. Olds like his ancestors has stood as the defender of its best interests and as the promoter of various measures for the general good.
691
HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY
DAVID H. WOOD, M. D.
Dr. David H. Wood, proprietor of the Emergency Hospital of Cold- water, and a skilled physician and surgeon, whose abilities rank him with the leading representatives of the profession in this part of the state, was born in Portage county, Ohio, October 29, 1845. His parents, Samuel and Kerene (Osborn) Wood, were both natives of Maryland, and their mar- riage was celebrated in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, whence they after- ward removed to Portage county, Ohio. Later they became residents of Hardin county, Ohio, where their last days were passed and throughout his life the father devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits. In the family were three sons and two daughters who reached years of maturity.
Dr. Wood was reared upon the home farm to the age of sixteen years and after acquiring his preliminary education in the country schools he con- tinued his studies in the high school of Kenton, Ohio. In 1861 he came to Michigan and at Quincy secured a position in the postoffice, where he re- mained for two years. On the 9th of August, 1863, in response to his country's call for aid, he enlisted as a private of Company B. Fourth Michi- gan Infantry, although less than eighteen years of age. Before going to the front he was detailed to remain in charge of the recruiting office in Detroit, and in the summer of 1864 the regiment was recruited and he was commissioned second lieutenant Company E, Fourth Michigan Infantry, on the 26th of July. On the 2d of December, 1865, he was pro- moted to the rank of first lieutenant, and on the 26th of May, 1866. he was mustered out at Houston. Texas. He participated in the battles of Decatur, Alabama, Murfreesboro, Nashville and other engagements, and he is today a member of C. O. Loomis post, No. 2. G. A. R., thus maintaining pleasant relations with his old army comrades.
For a short time after the war Dr. Wood was upon the road as a com- mercial traveler, and then took up the study of medicine under a preceptor. Later he entered the University of Michigan as a student in the medical department and afterward continued his studies in the Detroit Medical College, from which he was graduated in the class of 1876. He began prac- tice at Macon, Michigan, where he remained for five years, later spending thirteen years in Quincy, while in 1893 he came to Coldwater. He is a member of the Northern Tri-State Medical Society and the Hillsdale County Medical Association, and he has ever kept thoroughly informed concerning the progress that is continually being made in the methods of medical and surgical practice. In April, 1903, he opened the Emergency Hospital, wherein he has since performed many important surgical operations, having well appointed operating rooms and all equipments necessary for the suc- cessful care of the interests entrusted to him.
Dr. Wood has been married twice. In 1870 he wedded Miss Mary Keegan, who died in 1885, leaving a son, Charles L., whose death occurred at the age of twenty-eight years. In 1887 Dr. Wood wedded Mrs. Mar- garet Knowlton, nee Welton. They hold membership in the Presbyterian church and Dr. Wood is also a Knight Templar Mason. His political sup-
692
HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY
port is given to the Republican party and he is a member of the board of education of Coldwater, while for twenty years he has been a member of the pension board, and since 1890 has been local surgeon for the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railway. His interests, however, center in his pro- fession, and his close and discriminating study and his devotion to the duties which devolve upon him have made him a most capable practitioner-one whose abilities find ready recognition in the liberal patronage accorded him.
CHARLES H. YOUNG.
Charles H. Young, owner and editor of the Quincy News, was born in Mount Jefferson, Shelby county, Ohio, in 1858. He is of German lineage. His paternal grandfather, William Young, was a native of Holland, who came to this country about 1752 and settled in New Jersey. His father, Henry D. Young, a native of New Jersey, emigrated from that state to Ohio in 1836, establishing his home near Cincinnati. In early life he learned and followed the cabinet maker's trade and later he conducted a furniture and undertaking business in Cincinnati. About 1845 he removed to Shelby county, Ohio, where he carried on the same line of business. In 1867 he came to Michigan. locating in Quincy, where for more than twenty years he was connected with mercantile interests here as a furniture dealer and undertaker. He retired from business in 1889 and is now living in well earned ease, enjoying the fruits of his former labor. He is a Mason, in- terested in the craft and its teachings, while politically he is a Republican, and upon the ticket of the party has been elected village treasurer and trustee. He has likewise held other local offices and has been found as reliable and trustworthy in public positions as in his business career, wherein he is known as the soul of integrity and honor. He married Eliza A. Blackwood, a native of Shelby county, Ohio, who is now living at the age of eighty-three years. Her parents were William and Anna (Kendall) Blackwood, who removed from Pennsylvania to Ohio about 1810, the father there follow- ing the occupation of farming. In his family were seven children, of whom Mrs. Young is the sixth in order of birth. She is a devoted member of the Presbyterian church. By her marriage she became the mother of three chil- dren : Margaret, the wife of James Haynes, who is living retired in Quincy ; Charles H. : and Anna, now deceased.
Charles H. Young was brought to Branch county in his early child- hood and was a student in the public schools of Quincy. After putting aside his text books he became associated with his father in the furniture business, in which he continued for a number of years, and later he traveled for a furniture house for seven years. In 1889 he began the publication of the Quincy News, a non-partisan paper issued twice each week in seven column folio form. It has a splendid subscription list and a gen- erous advertising patronage, so that the business has proved profitable. Mr. Young has been editor and proprietor since its inception, and is meeting in fair measure the success that is due his efforts and enterprise.
In 1881 Mr. Young was married to Miss Cornelia Clark, a daughter of Thomas and Sarah (Thomas) Clark and a native of Quincy, born in 1865.
@&Smith
Ms QL Smith
693
HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY
Her father was a hotel man, who built and conducted the Quincy House. Both he and his wife were natives of New York and he died in 1884, but Mrs. Clark is still living. They were the parents of five children. but only Mrs. Young now survives. She is a member of the Episcopal church and by her marriage has become the mother of three children: Lee J., Flosana and Harry T.
Mr. Young belongs to the Knights of Pythias fraternity, being a charter member of Quincy Lodge, No. 201. He has always endorsed Republican principles and has served as village clerk, as treasurer, trustee and in other local offices. His interest in public affairs is deep and sincere, and he is known as a champion of every measure which tends to promote the general welfare. He has followed enterprising methods in journalism and has made the Quincy News a credit to the city.
ABRAM L. SMITH.
Among the earliest pioneers of Branch county there were some noble men and women who, coming from the eastern states to the then unknown forests of the middle west, braved all of the hardships and privations of pioneer life, reared large families of children and made for themselves com- fortable homes. These men and women possessed character and untiring perseverance and they were the ones who in a large measure moulded affairs in general, as well as establishing a high moral tone which remains to this day
Such were Benjamin H. Smith and his wife, Content Aldrich Smith, parents of our subject, Mr. Abram L. Smith, who came to Branch county in their early manhood and womanhood and passed the remainder of their lives here, achieving success in all walks by reason of their many sterling traits of mind and character.
Benjamin H. Smith was the son of Benjamin L. Smith, who was born in New York state, September 24, 1729, and it will thus be seen that he was a man of middle age at the outbreak of the Revolutionary war. He took an active part in this conflict and had the honor of being with America's first naval commander, Paul Jones, when the latter first raised the flag of the United States on the high seas, thus marking the establishment of the navy of this country. Benjamin L. Smith was a doughty warrior in times of peace as well as war, for during a goodly share of his life he was noted all through the colonies for his skill in the manly art of self-defense. It is related of him that one day as he and his family were sitting down to the midday meal a stranger appeared and announced that he had walked a distance of one hundred miles for the purpose of trying conclusions with Mr. Smith, to see which was the better man. The stranger expressed a willingness to await the conclusion of the meal, but Mr. Smith thought the matter might better be settled without delay, so, arising from the table, he led the way outdoors, and in the ensuing conflict knocked the stranger down three times in suc- cession, and this, too, without receiving any injuries himself. The stranger expressed his satisfaction, shook hands and was then invited in to dinner, of which he partook with relish before resuming his return trip of one hundred
694
HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY
miles home again. Benjamin L. Smith came to Michigan in a later day and lived to the remarkable age of one hundred and thirteen years and six months, dying on the Smith farm, now owned by our subject, March 24, 1843, and being buried in the little cemetery of West Prairie near the home farm.
Our subject's father, Benjamin H. Smith, was born in New Jersey, April 14, 1798, and he removed to Walworth, Wayne county, New York, with his parents when he was a mere boy. Here he grew to manhood and here he learned the trade of carpenter and joiner, which was to be of great use to him in the new country to which he afterward removed. In Walworth he was married, February 22, 1827, to Content Aldrich, who proved a most capable helpmeet during their long wedded life. A few years after their marriage, in 1830, they came to Michigan, locating first at Ypsilanti, where Mr. Smith worked at his trade for several years, and afterward he spent several months at Battle Creek and Grand Rapids. He purchased one hun- dred and sixty acres of land near Battle Creek. but being unable to obtain additional adjoining acreage so as to make him a suitable homestead, he sold his land and came to Branch county and Girard. When at Grand Rapids that place was a mere Indian trading post, but he felt that it might some day become an important point, and he endeavored to interest his partners in the purchase of land upon which Grand Rapids city now stands, but was unsuc- cessful. He first came to Branch county and purchased property in 1832, and with others located and built the first saw and grist mill at Hodunk. He also erected the first frame house in Coldwater and was interested in various enterprises, including the purchase of about one thousand acres of land in various parts of the state, in the most cases making his purchases direct from the government. One of these purchases was a tract of three hundred and twenty acres in Girard township, which he reserved as a home- stead for his family, and this identical three hundred and twenty acres, issued by grant of President Andrew Jackson, still remains in possession of the Smith family, it now being the home of our subject. In later years he was largely interested in other real estate deals and was largely instrumental in the upbuilding and development of this county.
Although in early years a stanch Democrat, nevertheless, in 1860, he became convinced of the correctness of the principles advocated by the Re- publican party, and cast his first Republican vote for Lincoln for president, remaining loyal to that party until his death. Mr. and Mrs. Smith were loyal and consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and imme- diately after the formation of the Girard Methodist Episcopal society Mr. Smith placed his own home at the disposal of the pastors for a number of years, and here they lived and were made comfortable. After a long and useful life, Benjamin H. Smith died in Girard, September 22, 1879, his wife passing away here April 9, 1882.
Our subject's mother. Content Aldrich Smith, was born in New York state in 1807. Her father was Abram Aldrich, who was born in Wayne county, New York, December 3, 1777, and who died in Girard April 8, 1842, and her mother was Sophronia Lake, who was born August 7, 1777, and
1
"Smithlands" Residence of Mr. and Mrs. Abram L. Smith.
695
HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY
who died in Girard. December 30, 1837. They, too, were among the earliest pioneers of this section, and elsewhere in this volume may be found appro- priate mention of their lives and achievements.
The union of Benjamin H. Smith and Content Aldrich Smith was blessed with the birth of seven children, as follows: Laura Ann Smith Jacoby, born January 19, 1828, died in 1881. Mahlon A. Smith, born June 24. 1830. died July 18, 1892. Sophronia Smith Williams, born June 18. 1833. died in February, 1905. Benjamin H. Smith, Jr., born October 30, 1835. died in 1880. Abram L. Smith is our subject. Irene Smith Clizbe, born May 30, 1841, died in June. 1905. Mark H. Smith, the youngest child, born June 15. 1844, was one of the most brilliant young men of the period in this sec- tion. He left school at the outbreak of the Civil war, when a mere boy, and enlisted in the Nineteenth Michigan Infantry, serving with distinction and succumbing to the hardships of camp life, his death taking place at Dan- ville, Kentucky, in September, 1863, when he was only eighteen years of age. He was buried here.
Of this family it will thus be seen that the only surviving member is our subject. Mr. Abram L. Smith, who was born in Girard township. October 21, 1838. His entire life, with the exception of the years passed at college, has been spent in Branch county and Girard, and here he is known as a man of property and influence. His boyhood was spent upon the home farm and here he early learned those habits of industry and carefulness which were to bring him success in after life. Being early convinced that a young man should secure a liberal education. he finished the common schools and studied for three years at Albion College, then taking a commercial course at a col- lege in Rochester, New York .. Mr. Smith has supplemented this liberal training with a wide range of miscellaneous reading. it being his belief that a broadly developed man should keep thoroughly posted on all current events as well as the advancement constantly being made along scientific and other lines of thought and research. During the life of his parents he remained with them, and previous to the death of his brother. Benjamin H. Smith. in 1880, the homestead and other property was held in common, but after the date named there was a division of the property and the fine old homestead came into the possession of our subject. This, as previously stated, consists of three hundred and twenty acres, although Mr. Smith owns ninety acres in addition, and it is a remarkable fact that the homestead has remained in constant possession of the Smith family ever since purchased from the gov- ernment. Smithland Farm, as it is appropriately called, lies two miles west of Girard Center, consists of the finest prairie land and is classed as the finest model farm residence property in Branch county. The residence itself is a handsome brick structure, built in 1873-4. thoroughly modern in all appoint- ments and surrounded by beautiful and well-kept grounds, while the other buildings upon the place are thoroughly in keeping. being commodious and well built, the whole premises showing that thrift and care common in the city, but rarely seen in the rural districts. The home is adorned with beautiful oil paintings, Mrs. Smith's own handiwork. Mr. Smith gives his personal attention to the operation of his four hundred and ten acres of land and the
696
HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY
place is equipped with all necessary modern machinery for successful oper- ation.
During the past thirty-five years Mr. Smith has given a goodly share of his attention to the breeding of light harness horses, and in this direction he has done a great deal in the way of bettering the equine stock of this and neighboring counties. Beginning with the Morgan breed he has successively . owned and bred the best strains of Hambletonian, Wilkes and Pilot Mediums, among his present stock being the following: Pilotina, a brood mare by Pilot Medium, is the dam of Sphinx Medium, 2:12; Sphinxie, 2:1514; Great Medium, 2:1914 ; and Online (by Online, 2:04), who showed an eight in sixteen seconds when less than three years old. Snip, another brood mare by Magna Charta, is the dam of Oliver West, 2:1714; Irony, 2:2014; and Geraldine, 2:2014. Mr. Smith's stallions include Great Medium, 2:1914, by Great Heart ; Online Medium, a 3-year-old, by Online, 2:04; and Nobby, a two-year-old, by Delacy, by Prodigal, and whose dam is Pilotina.
Mr. Smith is a loyal Republican, his first presidential vote being cast for Lincoln, and he stands high in the councils of his party. Although never a seeker after office, and in fact avoiding holding office except when a matter of duty, nevertheless he has been prevailed upon several times to serve his fellow-townsmen. He has been justice of the peace for the past twenty years, and is at present filling that office. He has also been director of his school district for ten years and has been chairman of the Republican township com- mittee and a member of the county Republican committee for many years. He was a charter member of Girard Grange, secretary of the same during the first seven years, and has been master of the society a goodly portion of the time, a position he still holds. He has been master of Branch County Pomona Grange for six years and he is the president of the Branch County Farmers' Institute Society, holding this position for several years. From the foregoing it will be seen that Mr. Smith has for many years taken a deep interest in agricultural affairs and in the many organizations beneficial to the farmer.
Our subject was united in marriage February 26, 1889, to Miss Evelyn Paddock, who was born in Girard, December 19, 1850. She is the daughter of Ephraim J. Paddock and Almira Fox Paddock, two of Girard township's honored pioneers, and mention of whom is made in this work. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Smith has been a particularly happy one and has been blessed with the birth of one daughter, E. Myra Smith, and it is but natural that their affections and hopes should be centered upon their only child, who is being reared carefully and judiciously and being given every advantage in the way of education and accomplishments.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Smith are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which organization Mr. Smith, like his father before him, has long been an officer. He has also been greatly interested in the work of the Sunday-school and has always been an earnest worker in all movements for the welfare and happiness of the rising generation. That his life thus far has been a highly successful one in many fields is evidenced by his surroundings, by the high standing he holds in the community and county, and by the fact
697
HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY
that he is sustaining and upholding that best of all heritages, a good name, which his worthy ancestors established here when this section was first set- tled.
WILSON S. PAUL.
One of the most familiar names in southern Branch county, and par- ticularly in California township, is that of Paul. Members of the Paul family were among the early settlers of this section, where they had an im- portant influence upon the early history, improvement and development of the township, while today their descendants are numerous in this and ad- joining townships, where they are people of property and influence.
John Paul, the paternal grandfather of our subject, was born in Bal- lybar, county Cavin, Ireland, in 1780. and when seventeen years old came to America with two sisters, Margaret and Nancy, they also leaving a brother, Thomas, and sister, Jane, in Ireland. John Paul was married in 1803 to Jane Allen, also a native of Ireland, born in 1780, who came to America when a child with her parents, John Allen and Elizabeth Riddle Allen, they locating first in Philadelphia and afterward removing to Argyle. Washington county, New York. Here John Paul died, leaving his wife a widow at forty-nine and with ten children. Seven years after his death she removed to Pembroke, New York, and afterward to York. That Jane Allen Paul was a woman of undaunted courage is evidenced by the fact that about the year 1840 she made the trip from Pembroke, New York, to Constantine. Michigan, going on foot from Detroit to Constantine and re- turn, following Indian trails through southern Michigan. The object of this arduous journey was to secure justice and money belonging to herself and children which was in danger of being lost through confidence in others. She was married again in 1849 to David Armstrong, and spent her later years in California township, where she died in 1859. Mr. Armstrong died in Illinois in 1890.
John and Jane Paul had twelve children, of which family our subject's father, David Paul, was a younger member. David Paul was born in Ar- gyle, New York, April 16, 1819. and he grew to manhood there. He was also married there, March 11, 1841, to Jane E. Hall, a native of Argyle, New York, where she was born August 31. 1822, she being the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Hall. David Paul was a resident of New York state until 1844, when he came to Michigan, locating on section sixteen, Cali- fornia township, of this county, where he spent the remainder of his life. He had in early life learned the trade of carpentering, although the most of his time was given to farming, in which he was eminently successful, he being at the time of his death the largest land owner in the township, pos- sessing nearly six hundred acres. Mr. Paul was a leading figure in the early history of California township and he did much in the way of improvement here. He was upon many occasions called to public office, he being an early township supervisor here and holding other offices.
Unto David and Jane Paul twelve children were born, two of whom died in infancy, the others being as follows: John, died in October, 1901;
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.