A twentieth century history and biographical record of Branch County, Michigan, Part 88

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

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HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY

Elizabeth Quimby, lives in Ovid; James B., lives in this township; David and Albert live at Seattle, Washington : George W. died September 16, 1902; Wilson S. is the subject of this review; Frank H. is in Seattle, Washing- ton ; Emma J. Vance and Allen W. Paul live in this township. David Paul and his wife were people who stood very high in the regard of the residents of this section, where the greater part of their lives were passed. They reared a large family of children, giving them every advantage possible. The par- ents led long and useful lives, Mr. Paul dying here November 20, 1891, and Mrs. Paul passing away December 13, 1903.

Wilson S. Paul, born February 22, 1860, grew to manhood upon the home farm, securing in the meantime a good practical education, which he has supplemented with wide reading and intelligent observation. He lived at home until he had reached the age of twenty-three years, although he worked for himself after he was nineteen, laboring and working land on shares. He also taught school in 1881-82. He was married, April 10, 1883, to Sarah J. Vance, a native of Maryland, where she was born August 21, 1862. The Vance family came originally from Ireland and a brief review is as follows: The Vances were farmers in their native county in Ireland for many generations, Mrs. Paul's paternal great-grandfather being John Vance, who married Mary Allison. One of their sons, Robert Vance, was Mrs. Paul's grandfather and his wife was Mary Ramsey. They had twelve children, one of whom was Mrs. Paul's father, Alexander Vance. Alex- ander Vance was born in Ireland, November 28, 1833, and he was married there in 1852 to Mary Barnhill. They came to America soon after mar- riage, living in Brooklyn, New York, for three years and then removing to the vicinity of Baltimore, Maryland, where they lived for ten years and where Mrs. Paul was born. In 1864 the family came to Michigan, locating in California township, Branch county, which place has since been their home. Ten children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Vance: Robert, Alex- ander, Martha and Hugh dying in childhood. The others still living are: Ellen Dunlap. Sarah Paul, Matthew Vance and Andrew B. Vance, of this township; William Vance, of Cleveland, Ohio; and Anna McLouth, of Fremont, Indiana. Mrs. Vance died in September, 1888, while Mr. Vance is still living and a resident of this township.

The union of Mr. and Mrs. W. S. Paul has been blessed with the birth of two sons: David Earl Paul, born February 9, 1884, and Ivan A. Paul, born July 8, 1888. Both live at home with their parents. Mr. and Mrs. Paul are members of the United Presbyterian church.

The esteem in which Mr. Paul is held by his townsmen is shown in that he has so many times been called to public office. He was supervisor of California township four years, 1896-97-98-99; township clerk in 1884-85; township treasurer two terms and school inspector for several terms. In ad- dition his well known interest in educational affairs has led to his selection as school officer, he being director and moderator for a period of eight years. In agricultural matters he has also been highly successful. He became an owner of real estate after the death of his father and now has a fine farm of one hundred and forty acres on sections nine and ten, with excellent build-

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ings and complete equipment, the whole forming a model farm home. The Pauls have long been honored residents of this part of the county, and the present living generations are upholding the unsullied name of their worthy ancestors. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson S. Paul have in their possession a parch- ment deed executed by President James K. Polk, dated February 1, 1849. This is the twelfth one of the kind found in old Branch county. They have four old almanacs of 1812. 1813, 18II and 1815, which are souvenirs. Also they have one of the old flax hackles which was used by his grandfather, and it is over a hundred years old. Mr. Paul can also distinctly recall his mother spinning the yarn for the use of a family of twelve, while his first straw hats were woven or braided by his mother and oldest sister. He has often heard his father tell of cultivating corn with the same plow he used in first plow- ing the ground, afterward using a one, or single shovel plow, but never used one with two shovels, though his sons used them as they became old enough to work in the corn.

Mr. Paul was converted at twenty years of age and became a member of the United Presbyterian church immediately. He began teaching in the Sabbath school when twenty-one years old, and has taught most of the time since, having also been superintendent for fifteen years. He has been iden- tified with the First District Convention work for eighteen years. being president two years, and taking an active part in its conventions. He was elected to an eldership at the early age of twenty-four, and has been clerk of session all the time since, a period of twenty-two years.

HENRY RUNYAN.

Henry Runyan, mail carrier on a rural route and a well known resident of Sherwood, was born in Bronson township, Branch county, on the Ist of Mav. 1846. His father. John Runyan, was a native of New York, and came to Branch county about 1837. settling in Bronson township, where he took up land from the government. The fact that much of the land was still un- claimed is an indication of the pioneer conditions which then existed. Com- paratively few settlements had been made within the borders of the county and the work of development lay largely in the future. With other sturdy pioneers, however, he attempted the arduous task of reclaiming the wild land for the uses of civilization and successfully accomplished what he undertook. He was of Scotch and Dutch lineage. In his later years he retired from active business life and removed to Burr Oak. St. Joseph county. He mar- ried Christina Dowe. a native of New York, who lived to be about sixty- eight years of age. They were the parents of five children. three daugh- ters and two sons, and Henry Runyan is the third child and second son.

The subject of this review was reared and educated at Burr Oak. ac- quiring a good education in the city schools. In his youth his patriotic spirit was aroused by the attempt of the south to overthrow the Union, and in 1864. when but eighteen years of age. he enlisted as a member of Company D. First Michigan Light Artillery, with which he served until the close of the war. He participated in the battle of Murfreesboro and Hood's Raid. and was on active duty most of the time until honorably discharged on the 3rd

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of August, 1865. When the country no longer needed his services Mr. Runyan returned to Branch county and later he spent one year in Iowa, liv- ing in Vinton, Benton county. On the expiration of that period he re- turned to this county, where he engaged in farming until he took up his abode in Sherwood. Here he turned his attention to painting and was also engaged in the grain trade for about fifteen years. He led a busy, active and useful life and in all of his trade transactions was known as a reliable man. He was postmaster during Harrison's administration, but at Cleve- land's election was turned out of office.

On the 22nd of February, 1872, Mr. Runyan was united in marriage to Miss Hester Ann Palmer, a daughter of Henry and Mary (Platt) Palmer, who came to Branch county in 1842, locating in Matteson township. It was there that Mrs. Runyan was born on the 3rd of November, 1857. She is a sister of E. E. Palmer and in connection with his sketch on another page of this work the history of her family is given. Mr. and Mrs. Runyan have become the parents of two daughters: Inez, the wife of Seymour Jones, a boss carpenter on the Michigan Central Railroad living in Jackson, this state ; and Jennie, the wife of William F. Lampman, who is engaged in the grocery business in Sherwood

Mr. Runyan has been a life-long Republican and has taken an active part in political work of his community. He has served on the village board, but has not been specially active in seeking office for himself. He has fra- ternal relations with the Masonic Lodge, the Knights of the Maccabees and Kilbourn Post, No. 361, G. A. R., in which he has filled the office of adju- tant since the organization of the post with the execption of a period of two years. He was also its commander for two terms. He is especially inter- ested in the work of the craft and has filled many offices in the Masonic lodge, while in his own life he exemplifies its teachings concerning mutual helpful- ness and brotherly kindness. He has now been on the rural delivery since the route was established in 1901.

H. R. SAUNDERS.

H. R. Saunders, cashier of the Coldwater National Bank, who through- out his entire business career covering twenty-two years has been connected with this institution, was born in the city which is still his home, March 27, 1861. His father, Reuben M. Saunders, is now living retired in Coldwater. He was born in Niagara county, New York, February 13. 1835, and is de- scended from Scotch-Irish ancestry. The great-grandfather of H. R. Saun- ders was Francis Saunders, a native of Canada. His son, Nelson H. Saun- ders, was born in New York and came to Branch county, Michigan, in 1856. Following the occupation of farming he thus provided for his family and for his own support, becoming a prosperous agriculturist of his community. He was a member of the Episcopal church and he died in Batavia township in his eighty-first year. His wife bore the maiden name of Harriet M. Reynolds, and was also a native of New York, while her death occurred in Batavia township in her seventy-second year. She was a daughter of Reuben Reynolds and by her marriage she became the mother of three sons and four

2.H. Mane

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HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY

daughters. Reuben M. Saunders being the fourth child and youngest son. He was reared and educated in the county of his nativity and pursued his edu- cation in the schools at Niagara Falls. His youth was passed on what was called the Whirlpool farm, about two and a half miles from the Falls. In 1855 he came to Branch county, Michigan, where he was engaged in farm- ing. He spent twenty-five years upon the road as a traveling salesman. rep- resenting different lines of business. and he is now living a retired life. en- joying his home in Coldwater.

In 1856 Reuben M. Saunders was united in marriage to Miss Sarah M. Grove, a daughter of Elijah Grove. Sr. She was born in Niagara county. New York, and was brought to Branch county, Michigan, by her parents when about seventeen years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Saunders established their home in Coldwater in 1859 and here they have since lived, while for a half century they have been residents of this county.' A life-long Republican he has never faltered in his allegiance to the party. and yet he has never sought or desired office. He belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen and is well known in the county, his genial manner, deference for the opinions of others. his kindliness and consideration having gained for him the friend- ship of many with whom he has been associated.

Harris R. Saunders, his only son, spent his boyhood days in the city of his nativity, acquired his education in its public schools and gained his business advancement through the opportunities here afforded. He entered the employ of the Coldwater National Bank in 1883, and has been connected with that institution since that date in various capacities. his capability and close application winning him promotion as opportunity offered, until in 1895 he was elected cashier.

Mr. Saunders was married in 1904 to Miss Elizabeth Coombs. He exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Republican party and has served as both city clerk and treasurer.

JOHN H. McLANE.

Since 1868 John H. McLane has been a resident of Coldwater. When he came to this city he purchased his present home at No. 76 North Hudson street, and here he has since resided for more than thirty-seven years, but only during the last ten or twelve years has he been closely associated with the events of the city, for previously he spent the greater part of his time away from here engaged in railroad construction. Perhaps there is no other contractor in railroad building living to-day who has constructed so many miles of railroad as has Mr. McLane, who was in that line of business actively and continuously for a period of nearly a half century. He was born at Mount Morris, Livingston county, New York. September 5, 1826, his parents being James and Nancy McLane, both of whom were natives of Scotland, in which country they were reared and married. They came of Scotch ancestry and one son was born unto them in the land of their nativity. after which they sailed for America in the year 1825. Landing in New York city, they made their way to Livingston county, New York, where they spent their remaining

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days. They had three sons, one younger and one older than John H. McLane, who is now the only survivor of the family.

John H. McLane acquired but a limited education. He left the parental home when eighteen years of age and for one year worked as a farm hand, after which he attended a term of school. He then began his career as a rail- road builder. He was first employed as a grain buyer for a railroad con- struction company then building the Erie railroad in New York, and at that time he was not twenty years of age. He remained for two years in that employ and during that period was called upon to perform various duties for the company, thus gaining a broad experience that enabled him when a young man of scarcely twenty-two years to build, as a contractor, a wall three miles long protecting the Erie Railroad along the Canesteo river. That was his first contract work. Subsequently he worked for others and for himself and soon gained a reputation that made possible the remarkable success with which his career as a railroad builder was attended. In many states, east, west, north and south, he has built miles and miles of railroad, constructing one hundred and fifty miles of the Nickle Plate road from Chicago eastward, which was perhaps his largest contract. Having achieved financial success in that busi- ness and accumulated a goodly estate he decided to return to his early home in Coldwater and retire from business. His success is certainly notable when we take into consideration that he started out in life for himself with no other capital than willing hands and a worthy ambition. He acquainted him- self thoroughly with the great principles which underlie mechanical and civil engineering and his ability as a railroad builder brought him very gratifying prosperity. Born and reared upon a farm, he has always been interested in agricultural life and since his retirement from the field of railroad construction he has become the owner of three large and valuable farms in Branch county, giving much of his time and attention to their management.

Mr. McLane was married in Mount Morris, New York, on the 8th of January, 1849, to Miss Frances E. Scott. She was born in Chemung county, New York, August 24, 1827, and has shared his sorrows and joys as a faith- ful wife for more than forty-six years. She is possessed of sterling qualities of heart and mind and is a zealous Christian, holding membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, and until her health failed her recently she was an ardent worker in various departments of church activity. Because of the absence of her husband during much of the time in the early years of their married life the duty of rearing their three children largely devolved upon her and to her they acknowledge much gratitude for her loving care and attention. They have two sons, Winfield and Scott, and a daughter, Jennie.

Both Mr. and Mrs. McLane attend the Methodist church, and many years ago he was a member of the Masonic fraternity in New York, but never trans- ferred his membership to the local lodge of Coldwater. He has always sup- ported the men and measures of the Democratic party, but has had no political aspiration for himself. He is a man of quick discernment, a ready thinker and possessed of deep convictions. He holds friendship inviolable, and be- cause of his loyalty he is greatly appreciated by those who come within the inner circle of his acquaintance.

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CHARLES J. HARRIS.

Charles J. Harris, of the undertaking firm of C. J. Harris & Company. has been engaged in business in Coldwater for twenty-one years and is well known as a representative citizen here. His birth occurred in Ann Arbor. Michigan, February 4. 1862, his parents being John and Mary (Lawler) Harris, who were natives of New York and were married in that state. whence they came to Michigan in the early '40s. They settled in Ann Arbor, then a small unimportant town, continuing their residence there until 1873. when they took up their abode in the city of Detroit. The mother's death occurred in Detroit, in 1889. when she was sixty-three years of age and the father departed this life in 1900, when sixty-four years of age. He was a carriage-maker by trade. and for many years was identified with the industrial development of the cities in which he made his home. Unto him and his wife were born seven sons and six daughters.

Charles J. Harris was a youth of eleven years when his parents removed to the city of Detroit, and there he was reared to manhcod and attended school. He was also in his early boyhood days a student in the public schools of Ann Arbor, and when his education was completed he began learning the trade of upholstering. serving an apprenticeship of three and a half years. In 1884 he came to Coldwater to accept employment with the furniture firm of Blodgett & Son, with whom he remained for fifteen years. In the meantime he took up the study of undertaking and embalming, and at Lansing he attended the William F. Hoenschue School of Embalming. from which he obtained a certificate in 1891. He is one of the original advocates of a law for licensing embalmers in Michigan, and was the first applicant for such a license, following the passage of such a law. In 1901 he embarked in business on his own account in Coldwater and has been very successful here.

Mr. Harris was married in 1895 to Miss Maud I. Stevens, of Cold- water, and they have one child, Alice E. The parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and are well known socially in the city where they reside, having gained the friendship and esteem of many with whom they have been brought in contact. Fraternally Mr. Harris is connected with the Independent Order of United Workmen and has also attained the Royal Arch degree in Masonry. He belongs to the Michigan State Under- takers' Association, and in his political views is a Republican. He served for one year as city clerk of Coldwater, but otherwise has never sought or desired office, concentrating his energies upon his business affairs and the faithful performance of his duties in public and private life.

PYRL H. GUNSAULLUS. M. D.

Pyrl H. Gunsaullus, M. D., the well known surgeon of Branch county, Michigan, dates his birth in Salem Center, Steuben county, Indiana, May 16. 1860. His parents, Elijah D. and Elizabeth (Conklin) Gunsaullus, na- tives of Ohio, moved into Indiana in 1859 and settled on a farm in Steuben county, where they reared their family. One son, William, is a resident of

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Salem Center, Indiana, and a daughter, Mrs. Ella Helwig, lives in Helmer, that state.

At the early age of fifteen years Dr. Gunsaullus began life for himself. and although he never left his home as a home he was self supporting and carried his own purse from that time on. He received his early education in the country schools of his native county, after which he entered the Tri- State Normal College at Angola, Indiana, where at the end of three years he received the degree of B. S. He also took a business course in that institu- tion, and at intervals while there and after leaving college he taught school, beginning that occupation when about twenty years of age and spending ten years in the work, in the country districts of Steuben and La Grange coun- ties, Indiana. and later in the city schools of Edgerton, Ohio. In the mean- time he began the study of medicine. He pursued a course in the Detroit College of Medicine, graduating therefrom with the class of 1894, and while in Detroit he secured a year's practical experience in Harper's Hospital, which gave him additional equipment for his work. He also spent one year in Angola, Indiana, in the practice of his profession, and coming to Bronson in 1895, he continued in practice and has since remained here, where in addi- tion to his regular medical practice he is also doing a large amount of surgical work. His especially successful work as a surgeon has gained for him an enviable recognition in this line, and he stands to-day as one of the leading surgeons of the county. He is a believer in the American idea of self-made men, of which he is a good example, having risen by his own efforts from the boy of all work on the farm at fifteen to the successive positions of teacher, scientific graduate, Doctor of Medicine, and at the present time an accomplished physician and surgeon. He is one of those busy men, and says he was never "out of a job," but when others complained of no work he always had something to do from a boy up, for if he could not do one thing he always found something else to do.

Dr. Gunsaullus' home on East Chicago street in Bronson is one of the good and handsome residences of the town. He married, in 1898, Miss Nellie Calhoun. a daughter of Merrit C. Calhoun, of this county, and they have one child. Pearl. Fraternally the Doctor is identified with the Maccabees, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America. He casts his franchise with the Republican party and worships with the Christian church, of which he is a consistent member.

LORING P. WILCOX.

Loring P. Wilcox needs no introduction to the readers of this volume because he has long been well known in Branch county. He has been hon- ored by his fellow townsmen with important offices here, and his business interests, too, have been so successfully conducted that he is now enabled to live a retired life. He was born in Naples, Ontario county, New York, June 8, 1830. His father, Newcomb Wilcox, was also a native of the same county and was a farmer by occupation. Seeking a home in the west, he came to Branch county, Michigan, in 1837 and cast his lot with the pioneer settlers of Sherwood township, securing a tract of raw land through a

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trade. The place was entirely wild and uncultivated. but he soon turned the furrows and continued the work of improvement until he had devel- oped a splendid property, making his home upon that farm for about sixty years. His wife died upon that farm and he afterward removed to the village of Sherwood to live with his daughter. His death occurred when he had reached the very advanced age of ninety-three years. He aided in molding the early policy of the county. in promoting its material develop- ment and in upholding its legal and political status, and he held a number of local offices in pioneer times. His wife bore the maiden name of Miranda Stearns and was also a native of Ontario county, New York. She was seventy-six years of age at the time of her death. They were the parents of nine children, of whom two died in early youth. while seven reached manhood and womanhood.

Loring P. Wilcox, the eldest son, was six years of age when he came with his parents to Branch county and in his boyhood days he pursued his education in a log school house at Albion, spending two years there. At a later date he engaged in teaching in Branch and St. Joseph counties, and when not thus engaged his attention was given in undivided manner to the work of the home farm, so that he early became familiar with all the labors that devolve upon the agriculturist as he tills his fields, harvests his crops and raises and markets his stock.

On the 21st of March, 1852. Mr. Wilcox was united in marriage to Miss Belinda S. Lamport, a daughter of Hiram and Altha Lamport. Mrs. Wilcox was born in Erie county, Pennsylvania. March 26. 1830. and was only nine days old when her mother died. She was reared by Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Gilbert in St. Joseph county, Michigan, and to her husband has been a faithful companion and helpmate on life's journey. They became the par- ents of a son and daughter, now living: Clark B .. who is a traveling sales- man residing in Sherwood. and Altha L., the wife of Fred Whitney, agent for the Michigan Central Railroad Company at Union City.

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A twentieth century history and biographical record of Branch County, Michigan, Part 88

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