USA > Michigan > Branch County > A twentieth century history and biographical record of Branch County, Michigan > Part 89
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At the time of his marriage Loring P. Wilcox settled on a farm in Sherwood township, and through the summer months devoted his attention to the cultivation of the fields and in the winter season engaged in teaching school. He also conducted a factory in Colon for about a year. His busi- ness interests have ever been capably managed, and as the years passed he accumulated a comfortable competence that now enables him to live retired. He has also rendered capable service in public office. In 1871 he was elected county treasurer and entered upon the duties of the position on the Ist of January. 1872. acting in that capacity for two terms, or four years. He was also under-sheriff for two years and was then elected sheriff for a two-years' term. on the expiration of which period he was re-elected be- cause of the prompt and able manner in which he had discharged his duties. He was supervisor of Sherwood township for four years. township clerk for many years and also justice of the peace, but resigned the latter posi- tion. In politics he has been a life-long Republican, and his fellow towns- men. recognizing his ability and fitness for leadership, have continued him in office during the greater part of his active life. No trust reposed in him
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has ever been betrayed in the slightest degree, and over his official record there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil.
Mr. Wilcox, fraternally, is a Mason and has taken the Royal Arch degrees. He also belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen. His residence in Branch county covers sixty-eight years and he is therefore fa- miliar with its history from pioneer times to the present. The events which to many have become familiar merely from reading the annals of the county are to him matters of experience, or else he has been a witness of the occur- rences. He has always furthered public progress and, rendering active aid in movements for the general good, his efforts have proved far-reaching and beneficial.
Mr. and Mrs. Wilcox, on March 21, 1902, celebrated their golden an- niversary at their home in Sherwood amidst their many friends, children and grandchildren. Fifty golden years had passed over the heads of this worthy and venerable couple, which have been replete with good deeds and right living before God and man.
WILLIAM J. CAMPBELL.
William J. Campbell, whose life exemplifies the term " dignity of labor," and whose purposeful efforts and unfaltering diligence have been the basis of a success which is as creditable as it is desirable, was born on section thirteen, Batavia township, December 23. 1872, and the old homestead is yet his place of residence, being the only child of James and Maria (Spring) Campbell. The father was born in Mendon, Monroe county, New York, May 15, 1820, and was there reared and educated. When a young man he came to Branch county, Michigan, and was married here to Miss Maria Spring, whose birth occurred in Massachusetts, August 23, 1830. They located on a farm on section thirteen, Batavia township, and Mr. Campbell improved some of the place, a part of it having been cultivated ere he took up his abode there. His life was devoted to general agricultural pursuits and thus he provided for his family. In 1850, however, he made the over- land trip to California, attracted by the discovery of gold in that state and the business possibilities which were thereby opened up. He remained for two years in the west, engaged in packing over the mountains, carrying supplies to the mines. He returned to the Mississippi valley by way of the Isthmus of Panama and New York City. He was twice married, his first wife bearing the maiden name of Cooley, but at the time of her marriage she was Mrs. Brooks, a widow. In his political views Mr. Campbell was an earnest Republican for many years and he acted as township clerk and supervisor. All matters of local progress as well as of national importance received his earnest attention and active co-operation and he was well known in the county as a citizen whose aid might be counted upon to further any progressive movement. He died in the year 1898, in his seventy-ninth year, while the mother of our subject passed away in 1900, in her sixty-ninth year.
W. J. Campbell spent the days of his boyhood and youth in Batavia
George Starr
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township and acquired his education in the district schools and in the high school of Coldwater, thus gaining a good practical knowledge to equip him for life's responsible duties. In his early manhood he engaged in clerking in a store in Coldwater, but later he returned to the occupation to which he had been reared, taking up his abode upon the old homestead farm, where he now carries on general agricultural pursuits and stock-raising. He makes a specialty of thorough-bred hogs, largely raising the Duroc Jersey breed. and he now has upon his place ninety head.
On the 19th of September. 1895. Mr. Campbell was married to Miss Elizabeth Stevens, a daughter of Amos and Elizabeth (Miller) Stevens. both of whom were born and reared in England. They became residents of Branch county, Michigan, about 1867, and in their family were four chil- dren, three daughters and a son, of whom Mrs. Campbell was the third in order of birth. She was born in Coldwater, May 5. 1873, and is a graduate of the high school there of the class of 1892. A lady of culture and refine- ment, she has many warm friends in the county. Mr. Campbell exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Republican party, and upon that ticket was elected justice of the peace. He is a mem- ber of the Grange, and his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Campbell is a tenor singer of no little note and his power in this direction renders him a favorite in musical circles, while geniality, kind- liness and deference for the opinion of others have made both Mr. and Mrs. Campbell popular in the county of their nativity. Their home is justly cele- brated for its gracious and warm hearted hospitality and the circle of their friends is almost co-extensive with the circle of their acquaintance.
GEORGE STARR.
In the history of business activity and advancement in Coldwater the name of George Starr figured prominently, for as president of the Coldwater National Bank he occupied a prominent position in financial circles. More- over his business record was such as any man might be proud to possess. for it was characterized by consecutive progress, and at the same time he never incurred an obligation that he did not fulfill, nor make an engagement that he did not meet. He was prompt and reliable and enjoyed the uniform esteem of his business associates.
A native of Lenawee county. Michigan, Mr. Starr was born in the vil- lage of Clinton, September 1, 1838, and died in Coldwater, December 30. 1889. He was the eldest of the three sons who constituted the family of George and Catherine (Ackerman) Starr, The second son, Henry Starr, at the time of the Civil war enlisted in defense of the Union cause and was with Sherman on the memorable march to the sea. After the war he became a farmer in the vicinity of Battle Creek, Michigan. The youngest son, Charles, was a merchant of Three Rivers.
In tracing the history of the father of our subject it is noted that he was born in the province of Bavaria, Germany, and that he emigrated to the United States in 1824. He became an early settler of Clinton, Lenawee county.
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Michigan, where he followed the trade of wagon making. He was married in Detroit, about 1835, to Miss Catherine Ackerman, who was also born in Germany and came to the United States about 1830 with her parents, Conrad and Catherine Ackerman, who settled in Detroit. Soon after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. George Starr took up their abode in Clinton, Lenawee county, where they lived for many years and then passed away, the father's death occurring in 1878, and the mother's in 1884. They were members of the Presbyterian church and were held in highest esteem by all who knew them.
George Starr, whose name introduces this review, was reared in his native town, where he attended school until fourteen years of age, and then in order to secure funds with which to further educate himself he accepted a clerkship in a store and when the object of this labor had been attained he resumed his studies as a high school student in Ypsilanti, Michigan, while later he pursued a commercial course in the same city. In March, 1856, he accepted a position as bookkeeper in the banking house of Crippen & Fisk, of Coldwater. the junior partner being General Clinton B. Fisk, afterward Pro- hibition candidate for the presidency. He remained with that firm for sev- eral years, and finally joined Henry C. Lewis of this city in the establishment of a banking business at Coldwater.
It was in 1865 that the Coldwater National Bank was organized, Mr. Starr becoming a director and the cashier of the new institution. He acted continuously in the latter capacity until the death of Mr. Lewis in 1884, when he succeeded him as president of the bank and remained at its head until his own demise. As a banker and financier Mr. Starr displayed remarkable ability and much of the success of the institution was due to his sound judg- ment and business discernment. A safe, conservative business policy was instituted and has always been followed, and the bank enjoyed a gratifying growth and constantly increasing patronage. Mr. Starr was a Republican in his political views and his interest in the welfare and upbuilding of Cold- water led to his active co-operation in many movements for the general good. He was a man of action rather than theory, and this was manifest during his two terms of service as mayor of Coldwater, when he gave to the city an administration that was characterized by practical effort along the line of reform, improvement and substantial progress. In 1886 he was prominently mentioned as a candidate for state treasurer, and had it not been that a citizen of his own town, the Hon. C. G. Luce, was nominated for governor he un- doubtedly would have secured the nomination had he asked for it.
On the 6th of September, 1860, the marriage of Mr. Starr and Miss Armilla Haynes was celebrated at the home of the bride in Coldwater. Mrs. Starr was the third child of Horace and Nancy (Smith) Dunning, whose family included six sons and four daughters. The father was a farmer by occupation and spent the early years of his life at Penfield, New York, near the city of Rochester, whence he afterward came to Michigan, settling in Allegan county, about 1836, as one of its pioneer residents. About thirty years later he removed to Iowa, in which state his death occurred in 1870. His widow and her children. who were at that time at home, afterward re- moved to Polk county, Nebraska, where she departed this life. She was a
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native of Vermont and both she and her husband possessed rare qualities of heart and mind and were faithful adherents to the teachings of the Baptist church. Mrs. Starr was born in Allegan county, Michigan, December 29. 1839, and her death occurred in Coldwater. March 3. 1904. Her childhood days were largely passed in this city with her aunt. Armilla Haynes Marsh. at whose home she became an inmate when three years old, and there she was trained in a manner that amply fitted her for her future duties in later life. After attending the schools of Coldwater she continued her education in Rochester, New York. In early girlhood she became a member of the Baptist church and throughout her long and useful career she lived the life of an earnest, active and consistent Christian. Greatly interested in benevolent work she became identified with the Woman's Christian Tem- perance Union, of which she served both as secretary and vice-president and also officiated as superintendent of the press work for the Union. She was likewise a member of the Home and Foreign Missionary Societies, the Ladies Auxiliary to the Men's Christian Association and the Chautauqua Literary & Scientific Society. A large portion of her time was devoted to doing good and her efforts were far-reaching and beneficial. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Starr were born the following sons and daughters: John T., the eldest, born in Coldwater. September 15. 1861. married Miss Belle Woodward, a daughter of H. J. Woodward and they now reside in Coldwater. Catherine May. born May 7, 1866, died March 13, 1871. Georgiana Louise, born in Coldwater. resides in the city of her nativity.
In a review of the history of Mr. Starr in which we note the salient features of his career it is seen that he was a successful business man, fair and just in all his dealings and that he was uniformly respected. He began life with limited means but succeeded in acquiring a goodly estate. He provided well for his family and sought to give them good educational ad- vantages. He owned a beautiful and modern residence on West Pearl street. it being of the most attractive homes of Coldwater and stands to-day as a monument to the enterprise and good taste of Mr. Starr.
SARAH MUDGE TURNER.
Sarah Mudge Turner, widow of the late well known citizen of Quincy. Ralph D. M. Turner, was born in Chili, Monroe county, New York, July 17, 1829. She is a daughter of Ebenezer and Lucretia (Heaton) Mudge, her father, whose career is given more extended mention elsewhere, having been a prominent man of affairs in Branch county for more than half a cen- tury.
The marriage of Sarah Mudge and Ralph D. M. Turner occurred on October 19, 1852. Her husband, who was born in Vermont in 1825, was a son of Ralph Turner. The latter. of English ancestry and everywhere held in high respect for the probity of his character and his genuine worth, at an early day moved from Vermont to Ohio, and died at LaGrange, the latter state, having pursued a prosperous career as a farmer. He was a Univer- salist in religion, and as a Whig held various minor offices. He married
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Lucy Carpenter, a native of Vermont. Of their ten children Ralph D. M. Turner was their youngest. In 1857 he moved to Quincy, Branch county, where he farmed three years. In 1861 began a two years' residence in New York City, and after a year spent in Nashville, Tennessee, where he had a brother, F. G. Turner, formerly of Coldwater, he returned to farming at Quincy. At the time of his death in 1877, and for a number of years pre- viously. he had been engaged in the drug business at Quincy. Successful both in business and as a farmer, he left considerable property, and as a rule prospered in his undertakings. Fraternally he was a Mason, was a Re- publican in politics, and was a member of the school board. Having had a broad experience in life, he reinforced his decisive convictions by equally energetic action, and performed his duties with all the ability of a strong character. Toward friends and those needing his help he was charitable in opinion and generous of his means, and throughout life held many to him by strong ties of affection and friendship.
Mr. and Mrs. Turner had six children: Kate is the wife of Lewis Eldridge, who has been a bank cashier for many years and is now in the freight office of the Lake Shore Railroad at Quincy; Karl is deceased; Don is also deceased: Jessie married Charles R. Hannon, a banker of Boston, Massachusetts; Grant is a banker in Council Bluffs, Iowa; and Ralph D. M. is in the nursery business at Council Bluffs, Iowa.
Mrs. Turner's father, Ebenezer Mudge, took a prominent part in the early history of this county. When he moved to his farm near Quincy in 1842 there was no school district in that vicinity, and it was through his efforts that one was organized and a short term of school held there the second year after his arrival. His ability received recognition in his being appointed, without solicitation on his part, a government surveyor, and for several months he was employed in that capacity in the upper peninsula of Michigan. He was editor of the "Quincy Times " for several years. He was an honorable man and lived fair and square to the world. He was a native of Herkimer county, New York, born May 9, 1804, and died in 1897. He was a man of more than passing importance in the executiveness as a citizen, being a local officer at various times, and the formulator of the char- ter of Quincy, Michigan. He was a born teacher and a leader of men.
ELMER E. PALMER.
Elmer E. Palmer, engaged in the practice of law in Coldwater, was born on a farm in Madison township, Branch county, Michigan, June I, 1861. The family is of English lineage and was founded in America in colonial days. The grandfather, Nathan Palmer, was a native of New York and from Huron county, that state, he removed to Norwalk, Ohio. He was a farmer by occupation, always following that pursuit in order to provide for his family and at the time of the war of 1812 he served his country as a loyal soldier. and lived to the advanced age of eighty-two years.
Henry T. Palmer, son of Nathan Palmer, was born in Huron county, New York, and was a young man when he accompanied his parents on their
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removal to Ohio, the family home being established near Norwalk. Having arrived at years of maturity he wedded Miss Mary Plotts, who was born near the city of Buffalo. New York, and was taken to Ohio by her father in her girlhood days, where she afterward gave her hand in marriage to Henry T. Palmer. They began their domestic life upon a farm. and in 1854 re- moved to Michigan, settling in Madison township. Branch county. For many years the father was closely identified with agricultural interests in this part of the state. He died in Branch county, in 1900. at the age of seventy- six years, and is still survived by his wife. who at the age of seventy-six years is now making her home in Coldwater. They were the parents of five children, all of whom are living.
Like the other members of the family Elmer E. Palmer was reared upon the old homestead farm and his early education, acquired in the com- mon schools, was supplemented by study in the village schools of Sherwood and in the graded schools of Union City. Michigan. He afterward engaged in teaching in the country schools for two years.
Mr. Palmer read law in the office of Barlow & Loveridge. where he continued his study until his admission to the bar in 1887. since which time he has been engaged in practice in Coldwater.
In 1890 Mr. Palmer was elected to the office of prosecuting attorney. in which position he served for one term. In 1896 he was chosen by popu- lar ballot to the office of probate judge. and in 1901 he was elected mayor of Coldwater. In official life he was found reliable, systematic and accurate.
In 1887 Mr. Palmer was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Hill. who died in 1895, leaving two children : Harold and Jacquelin. He was mar- ried a second time, in 1900, to Miss Florence Cornell.
JAMES E. DICKEY.
James E. Dickey, successfully and energetically carrying on the occu- pation of farming, was born November 8. 1869. in Coldwater township. upon the farm on which he yet resides. His father. George W. Dickey, was a native of Niagara county, New York, born on the 24th of January, 1845. and when but nine years of age was brought to Michigan by his parents. James and Mary (Appleby) Dickey, both of whom were natives of New York, in which state they were reared and married. removing from there to Michigan at an early period in the development of Branch county. They cast in their lot with the pioneer settlers, and the Dickey family has since been one of the most respected as well as one of the oldest families of this part of the state.
George Dickey, from the age of nine years was reared in Quincy and Coldwater townships and with the family shared in the usual experiences of life on the frontier, far removed from the comforts and civilization of the older east until these were secured through the persistent labor and enterprise of the early settlers. Throughout his entire life he followed the occupation of farming in order to provide for his family and thereby ac -. quired a comfortable competence. The Dickeys lived in Quincy township
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until 1865, when they came to the present family homestead on section thirty- six, Coldwater township, securing one hundred and thirty acres of land, which was cleared and placed under cultivation by George Dickey and others of the family. It was on the 2nd of April, 1868, that George Dickey was united in marriage to Miss Abigal McConnell, who was born in Coldwater township, Branch county, Michigan, July 17, 1848, a daughter of Henry and Phoebe (Whitehead) McConnell, who were prominent pioneer people of the county.
In public affairs relating to the community and its progress George Dickey was deeply and helpfully interested, finding time in the midst of arduous business duties to aid in the work of general improvement. He served as supervisor for eight terms, for township treasurer for two terms, school director and assessor for two terms, and in all these offices was found prompt and reliable in the discharge of his duties. His political support was given the Republican party, and he was a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Select Knights and the Grange. He died April 16, 1887, respected by all who knew him, and leaving behind the record of an honorable, upright life. His wife, who was a consistent member of the Baptist church of Coldwater, passed away May 1, 1901.
In the family of this worthy couple were eight children: Homer, who died at the age of three months ; James E. ; Lillian, born November 23, 1871 ; Mrs. Mary Dubendorf, who was born September 10, 1873, and is living in Ovid; George R., a resident of Coldwater, who was born December 13, 1877, and married Myrtle Olmstead; Lena B., born September 6, 1880; Ray H. and Roy L., twins, born March 18, 1886.
Five of the children, including James E. Dickey, still reside upon the old homestead and since the death of the parents Mr. Dickey of this review has been the head of the family, assisted by his sisters. Seldom does a family remain together in such harmony, but they are all working for a com- mon interest and are making of the farm a splendidly improved property. In his political views James E. Dickey has always been an earnest Repub- lican and is now serving as justice of the peace of Coldwater township and also as school assessor, and to these duties he brings the same fidelity and unselfish spirit which characterizes him in the management of the estate and the care of the younger members of the family.
HON. GEORGE W. VAN AKEN.
Hon. George W. Van Aken, living in Coldwater, is well known as a farmer and buyer of stock and wool and in his business career has dis- played the close application, energy and persistency of purpose which are very indispensable elements in a successful career. He is a native of the Empire state, his birth having occurred in Monroe county, New York, Sep- tember 8, 1828. His father, Cornelius Van Aken, was born and reared in Pennsylvania and was married in New York to Miss Harriett Phelps, whose birth occurred in New York. They located in Monroe county, where they resided until 1833, when they became residents of Lenawee county, Michigan.
10 W Namaken
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In 1837 they removed to Branch county, settling in Girard township, where the father entered a half section of land from the government. The tract was wild and unimproved but he at once began its development and con- tinued its cultivation up to the time of his death. which occurred in 1853. during which period his labors wrought a wonderful transformation in the appearance of his farm. He was a life long member of the Presbyterian church. active in its work and growth and his political allegiance was given to the Democracy. He served as commissioner of highways for several years and whether in office or out of it was always loyal to the public welfare and was a co-operative factor in many measures for the general good. His wife sur- vived him for about ten years, passing away in 1863. They were the parents of ten children of whom two died in childhood, while eight reached mature years.
Hon. George W. Van Aken, the sixth child and fourth son in this family. was only eight years of age when brought by his parents to Branch county and upon the old homestead farm in Girard township he was reared. He attended school, which was held in a little log building such as was common in the early days, and there he mastered the elementary branches of learning. Later he continued his studies in Coldwater and was subsequently a high school student in Hillsdale, Michigan, thus acquiring a good education. In 1851, attracted by the discovery of gold in California, he went by way of Grey- town to San Francisco and for two and a half years remained on the Pacific slope engaged in mining, meeting with a fair measure of success during that period. He then returned by way of the Isthmus of Panama and New York city and on again reaching Branch county he purchased the old family home- stead, on which he carried on general agricultural pursuits until 1891, when he removed to Coldwater and erected his present residence from timber which came from his farm. He now rents his farm property, which comprises one hundred and ten acres of land and brings to him a good financial return. Not content to live a life of idleness he here began buying and selling stock and wool, making large shipments each year. He was also instrumental in organizing the Farmer's Mutual Insurance Company of Branch county and was a director and president of the company for twenty-five years.
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