USA > Michigan > Branch County > A twentieth century history and biographical record of Branch County, Michigan > Part 91
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On December 21, 1899, Mr. Johnson was called upon to mourn the death of his wife. They had become the parents of six children, of whom three died in early life. while three are still living, namely: Gena, the wife of Charles Rice of Girard township, and they have three children, Lena, Glenn and Alfred. Charles, who married Mary Tandler and follows farming in Union township; and Herman, who wedded Annie Schultz and is living on the old family homestead, and they have two children, Loretta and Prosper.
Mr. Johnson has at different times voted the Democratic and the Re- publican tickets. He is practically independent in his political affiliation. supporting the candidates whom he regards as best qualified for office. His interest in public affairs is that of a patriotic and public spirited citizen and he rejoices in what has been accomplished in Branch county. Numbered among its pioneer settlers, he can remember the time when the forests were infested with wild animals and when considerable wild game could be had by the hunter. The trees stood in their primeval strength and only here and there could be seen a cabin to indicate the advance of civilization. In the work of transformation that has since been wrought Mr. Johnson has per- formed his full share as an agriculturist and now in his later years-for
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he has passed the seventy-fifth milestone on life's journey-he is enabled to enjoy many of the comforts and luxuries of life while leaving to his son the active work of the farm.
RICHMOND F. PARKER.
Richmond F. Parker, a retired farmer living at Coldwater, whose care- fully conducted business interests and recognition of opportunities have made him a prosperous citizen, was born at Hinckley, Medina county, Ohio, April 15, 1836, his parents being John and Olive (Foster) Parker. The father was born in Ontario county, New York, March 18, 1793, and the an- cestry is traced back through Stiles, Elijah and Phineas to James H. Parker, who. was one of the several children whose parents were the founders of the name in America. They became residents of the colony of Massachusetts, where they were murdered by the Indians, their children escaping by hiding in the tall grass. The ancestral history is also traceable through many genera- tions in England, where definite information is obtainable concerning Lord Parker of Macclesfield, a direct ancestor of the branch of the family founded in the new world.
Stiles Parker, the grandfather of Richmond F. Parker, was a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church. He married Demmis Caples and subse- quently removed from the state of New York to Summit county, Ohio, accept- ing a pastorate in the town of Richfield, where he remained for several years. He afterward went to Delaware county, Ohio, where his last days were spent. His life was marked by unselfish devotion to the moral elevation of his fellow- men and his influence was widely felt, remaining as a blessed benediction to those who knew him long after he had passed away. The marriage of John Parker and Olive Foster was celebrated in 1813, in the state of New York, where Miss Foster was born in 1796. For some time after their marriage they lived in the Empire state and then removed to Kentucky, settling near Elizabethtown, where the father followed the trade of wagon-making, which he had learned in early life. He was thus connected with industrial interests in the Blue Grass state for ten years and on the expiration of that period became a resident of Summit county, Ohio, where he engaged in building and was also an operator of water power mills. Finally disposing of his interests at that place he came to Michigan in: 1845 and for four years there- after resided in Hillsdale county, where he followed farming. In 1849 he became a resident of Branch county and in Union township he built and again operated a sawmill, but after a brief period he sold that plant and returned to Ohio, where he resided until 1860. He then again came to Michigan, spending his last days in the home of his son Richmond F. in Girard town- ship, where he died in March, 1865. His estimable wife also spent the evening of her life in the home of her son and passed away in 1871. They were industrious, energetic people, possessing many commendable traits of character which won for them the respect and esteem of all who knew them in the various localities in which they lived. They had eleven sons and five daughters, namely : Alpheus B., Huldah L., Matilda H., Simon Peter,
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Paul C .. Minerva L., Ransom R., Olive Marilda, William Stiles, John Wesley, George W., Oliver H., Richmond Foster, Silas L. and Cyrus L., twins, and Martha Jane. Of this family Alpheus and Cyrus died in in- fancy, while the others reached years of maturity and with the exception of Silas all were married. Silas served his country in the Civil war as a member of Company B. Forty-fourth Illinois Infantry, and was killed at the bat- tle of Stone River. He had been mustered in as sergeant and for gallant conduct was promoted through successive ranks to a captaincy. He was leading his command in battle when he was killed. The father was a soldier in the war of 1812.
Richmond F. Parker was nine years of age when with his parents he went to Hillsdale county. Michigan. He acquired a district school educa- tion and remained under the parental roof until he was eighteen years of age, although during much of this time he worked as a farm hand in the neighborhood. In 1854 he began learning the millwright's trade, which he followed in connection with carpentering until 1860, and then with the capital he had saved from his earnings he purchased a tract of land of forty acres in Girard township. Building a log cabin thereon he then began to cultivate and improve his farm and was engaged in general agri- cultural pursuits until after the inauguration of the Civil war, when directed by a spirit of loyalty and patriotism he offered his services in defense of the Union. On the 7th of August, 1862, he became a member of Com- pany C, Nineteenth Michigan Infantry, with which he served until the close of the war, being chief bugler of the regiment and during the last fourteen months of his services he was. stationed at brigade headquarters. He was present at the battles of Resaca, Cassville, Dallas Woods. New Hope Church, Gilgal Church, Culp's Farm. Kenesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, Siege of Atlanta. Savannah, Aversboro and Bentonville. He was also with Sherman on the famous march to the sea and took part in the grand review at Washington, where thousands of victorious Union soldiers marched through the streets of the capital city, carrying aloft the banners of victory as they passed by the stand on which the president reviewed the nation's army. He was mustered out with his regiment on the 10th day of June, 1865, and he still has in his possession the bugle which he carried through that long sanguinary conflict. He is now an honored member of Butterworth post, G. A. R.
Mr. Parker following his return from the war resumed the occupa- tion of farming in Girard township and continued his labors there until 1883, when he sold his property and purchased the farm on which now stands the plant of the Wolverine Portland Cement Company, to which concern he sold his land in 1890. Since that time he has lived retired, en- joying a well earned rest to which his long years of active labor justly en- titles him. Mr. Parker was married January 1, 1857, to Miss Caroline Fauble, who was born in Bristol, Wayne county, Ohio, September 19. 1836. Her father was also a native of the Buckeye state. while her grandfather. Michael Fauble, was born in Germany. His parents brought him to Amer- ica in his early boyhood and by their death soon after their arrival in this
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country he was left an orphan. He was then apprenticed to learn the trade of shoemaking but later turned his attention to farming. He was married in Pennsylvania to Miss Agnes McMahan, a native of that state, and soon afterward the young couple started for Ohio, where Mr. Fauble devoted his attention to the tilling of the soil. He spent his last years in Bristol, Wayne county, Ohio, and lived to be ninety-seven years of age. Mrs. Parker's father was a life-long resident of Ohio and was an enterprising, progressive business man. owning mills and farm lands and giving his personal super- vision to the operation of both. He died suddenly in 1850, while on a business trip to Galesburg, Illinois. His wife, who was born in Jefferson county, Ohio, lived to be eighty-five years of age. She bore the maiden name of Jane Halliwill and was a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Cox) Halliwill, natives of Pennsylvania and Virginia respectively and represent- atives of old and well known families of the east. The maternal grand- mother of Mrs. Parker at one time had the honor of entertaining General Washington at dinner during the Revolutionary war. Mr. and Mrs. Parker have a large circle of warm friends and enjoy the hospitality of many of the best homes of Coldwater and Branch county. He has always been a staunch Republican but has never sought office, although in matters of cit- izenship he is progressive and is today as loyal to the general good as he was when he followed the nation's starry banner upon southern battlefields.
CHARLES W. STAFFORD.
Charles W. Stafford, a prominent farmer residing on section fifteen, Union township, has a tract of land of one hundred and eighty-nine acres which is splendidly improved with modern equipments. A native of Cal- houn county, Michigan, Mr. Stafford was born February 5, 1843. His father, Hosea Stafford, was a native of St. Lawrence county, New York, and on removing to the west settled in Burlington township, Calhoun county, Michigan, about 1836. He became one of the pioneers of that locality and there followed the occupation of farming, assisting in the early development of that portion of the state. About 1848 he removed to Branch county, tak- ing up his abode in Union township, where he spent his remaining days, passing away at the age of seventy-two years. In his political views he was a Whig until the dissolution of the party, when he became a staunch Re- publican. He married Philura Wilson, a native of New York, in which state she spent the first sixteen years of her life and then came with her parents to Michigan, the family home being established in Burlington town- ship, Calhoun county. She is still living at the very advanced age of eighty- seven years. To her husband she was a faithful companion and helpmate all through the pioneer times and in the period of later day progress and development when they were enabled to enjoy many more of the comforts and pleasures of life than they had in their earlier years. In their family were eight children, one of whom died in early life, while another died at the age of eighteen years. Six of the family are still living.
Charles W. Stafford, the third in order of birth and the eldest son, was
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about five years old when brought by his parents to Branch county. He was reared in Union township, acquiring a common school education in one of the old time log schoolhouses. He remained at home until he had attained his majority and during that period assisted largely in the im- provement of the farm. He then offered his services to his country and engaged in the Civil war, becoming a member of Company D. First Mich- igan Light Artillery in 1861. He remained with that command for three years and then veteranized, re-enlisting in the same company and regiment. with which he continued for about ten months longer. He was quarter- master sergeant at the time of his discharge. He participated in a number of important battles, including the engagements of Stone River, Chicka- mauga, Missionary Ridge and others. He was in the hospital at Louisville. Kentucky, for about three months, but otherwise was continuously with his regiment throughout the long term of his service, covering almost four years. He was a faithful soldier, displaying valor on the field of battle and loyalty at all times to the cause which he espoused.
After receiving an honorable discharge Mr. Stafford returned to Union township and resumed general farming, which pursuit he has since fol- lowed with excellent success. He is now the owner of one hundred and eighty-nine acres of rich and arable land which is well improved with good buildings. The place is kept up according to modern farming methods and yields to him a good financial return each year.
On April 28, 1874. Mr. Stafford was married to Miss Margaret C. Harsh, a daughter of Adam and Susanna ( Mintling) Harsh, and they have two sons, Roy and Ralph, who are assisting their father in the improve- ment of the home farm. Mr. Stafford has taken an active and helpful in- terest in public matters, his co-operation being freely given for the support of measures and movements for the general good. In politics he is a staunch Republican and in 1899 was elected supervisor. while for four years he served as township treasurer. He is a member of the Masonic lodge and chapter at Union City, active in its work and in hearty sympathy with the tenets and teachings of the craft. He has been a resident of Union town- ship for about fifty-six years and is one of the men who have made the county what it is today. He has worked persistently and energetically year after year in the conduct of his business interests, and has thereby contrib- uted to the sum total of prosperity in this part of the state. He made a creditable military record and his life history is equally commendable in its business and social relations.
HENRY D. KNAUSS.
Among the leading and reliable families of German descent living in Branch county, none has achieved more notable success or stands higher in the public regard than that of Knauss. Its members have achieved suc- cess in various lines of endeavor and are now leading people here. This family is descended from Dr. Daniel Knauss, who came from Baden, Ger- many, he being the paternal grandfather of our subject. He was a soldier
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in the Revolutionary war, and Mr. Knauss now has a snuff box which he carried while serving in that struggle. He also has a ponderous German Bible which was published in 1765 ; also a Ready Reckoner Calculator, pub- lished in 1794, and a piece of the old Continental scrip money to the value of two-thirds of a dollar. This was printed in 1776. Mrs. Knauss has one of the old-fashioned spinning wheels and reels which is in a good state of preservation. These are well remembered by the pioneer mothers. Dr. Knauss was married in Germany to a Miss Moyer, and soon thereafter they came to America, locating in Pennsylvania, where seven children were born to them, one of these, Solomon Knauss, being the father of our subject.
Solomon Knauss was born in Northampton county, Pennsylvania, De- cember 17, 1790, and he was married to Sarah Moore, also a native of Pennsylvania. The Moore family came originally from England. Solo- mon Knauss and Sarah Moore removed from Pennsylvania to Erie county, Ohio, in 1848, where they passed the remainder of their lives. They had twelve children, three of whom died in infancy, the others being as follows : William Knauss of Erie county, Ohio; Julia Smith and Elizabeth Boyer live in Sandusky county, Ohio; Charles died in Illinois, July 13, 1901 ; Mary Billsmeyer lives at Cambridge, Michigan; Solomon died in 1865; Henry D. is the subject of this review; Samuel is a resident of Coldwater, Michigan; James lives in Kinderhook. Of this family two sons, Charles and James, were in Ohio regiments in the Civil war. The father and mother both died in Ohio, the former June 2, 1865, and the latter July 10, 1875. Solomon Knauss was a highly prosperous farmer in Ohio, owning three hundred and seventy acres of fertile land, and both he and his wife were members of the German Lutheran church.
Henry D. Knauss was born in Union county, Pennsylvania, October 26, 1838, and he was reared upon the home farm, assisting his father in the clearing of the place and remaining at home until he was twenty-two years old. He was married there November 20, 1860, to Permelia L. Drake, who was born in Steuben county, New York, June 10, 1842. Her father was Leonard Drake, who was born in Pompey, Onondaga county, New York, May 14, 1804, and her mother was Elizabeth Cleveland, born in Argyle, Vermont, September 16, 1807. They were married in New York state No- vember 16, 1825, and had nine children, all of whom grew to maturity as follows: Elizabeth White lives in Illinois; Sarah Smith died in Iowa in 1902; Alpheus died in the west; Dyar lives in Iowa; Hezekiah lives in Rochester, Indiana; Permelia is the wife of our subject; Asa and Charles live in Nebraska; Lovina Board lives in Kinderhook. The father, Leonard Drake, died in Kinderhook, October 17, 1892, his wife passing away pre- viously in Ohio, September 9, 1877. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, while her husband was a Universalist.
Henry D. Knauss early learned the essential principles of agriculture and decided upon this as a life pursuit. He owned a farm in Ohio, which! he improved and which he sold and purchased his present fine place of one hundred and sixty-one acres on section two, Kinderhook township, in 1877, coming here on October 9th of that year. Here he has lived ever
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since. with the exception of a year's residence at Fremont. Indiana, this being in 1903. He has cleared a portion of his present farm and made many improvements thereon and it is now one of the comfortable and at- tractive farm homes of this portion of the county.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Knauss has been blessed with the birth of five children, one of whom, a son, died in infancy, the others being as follows : Ida L., married Frank Dewey and they have one daughter, Neva, their home being at Fremont, Indiana: Della, another daughter, married George Lazenby and they live in Coldwater, having one daughter. Bernice ; they have a farm in Gilead, but moved to the city to educate their daughter : Nellie married John Morgan and their home is in Fremont, Indiana. they having one son, Max Henry; Harry, the youngest son, was a student in the Fremont high school and took a year's course at the Indiana Business College. Now he is finishing at the Huntingdon ( Indiana) Business Uni- versity. He shows great business and executive ability and is receiving a most thorough education and training for a business and commercial career.
Mr. Knauss's sterling worth of character has led to his selection upon numerous occasions to fill public positions of trust and responsibility, he possessing the entire confidence of his fellow townsmen. He has been town- ship treasurer and drain commissioner for several terms and has been a school district officer for more than thirty years here and in Ohio. His very sensible political motto is: " Anything for the best interests of the people," and he abides by it. He has been very successful in the line of general farming, specializing in good live stock. and he and his estimable wife are highly regarded in the community where they have lived for so many years.
GEORGE MONROE.
George Monroe, following the occupation of farming on section thirty- six. Matteson township, is a native son of Branch county, his birth having occurred on the 19th of July, 1854, on the old family homestead in Mat- teson township, where his father had located at an early day. He is a son of Jesse Monroe, a native of New York, who was reared in the east but before his marriage came west to Michigan, settling in Branch county. He returned to New York, however, and was there married to Hannah Mer- ritt, the widow of Isaac Mills. With his bride he returned to Branch county, settling in Matteson township where he purchased a farm. Later he bought the farm upon which his son George now resides and took up his abode thereon. At the present time he is living retired from active business cares, now making his home in Bronson. He was one of the pioneer settlers of Branch county and was closely identified with its early development and improvement, aiding in laying the foundation upon which the present prosperity and progress of the county has been built. He was born March 20, 1821, and is therefore eighty-four years of age. He is well known in the county and is respected and esteemed by all with whom he has come in contact. In his business affairs he pros- pered and became the owner of one thousand acres of land. In the family
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were three children : Wallace, who is a hardware merchant living in Bronson; George, of this review; and William, who is engaged as a banker in Bronson. The mother was three times married, her first union being with Mr. Gorham, by whom she had one child, Mary, now the wife of Alexander Anderson, of Michigan. Her second marriage was to Isaac Mills, by whom she had two sons: Delbert Mills, who is living in Batavia township, Branch county ; and Adolphus Mills, who spent his entire life in Matteson township but has now passed away.
George Monroe, the second son, was reared in his native township and was educated in the schools of the townships of Matteson and of Bronson. He remained at home through the period of his youth, assisting in the labors of the farm and gaining a practical knowledge of the best methods of cultivating the fields, so that he was well qualified to undertake farm work for himself after he attained his majority. He was married December 25, 1877, to Miss Lottie Sanderson, a daughter of Joel and Mary (Legg) Sanderson, the former a native of Vermont and the latter of England. They were married in Ohio and came to Branch county, Michigan, about 1845, settling near Fawn River. Mrs. Monroe was born in Greenfield, Indiana, November 15, 1857. Her father located in Ohio, but removed from there to Fawn River, Michigan, and Mrs. Monroe was educated in the schools of Lima and in the La Grange Collegiate Institute at Ontario, Indiana. Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Monroe located upon the farm which is now their home, and where Mr. Monroe has maintained his resi- dence for twenty-eight years. Three sons came to bless this union: Clar- ence, who married Cora Sager, lives in Matteson township, where he owns and operates a farm of one hundred and twenty acres. Irving married Florence Parke, by whom he has one son, Harold Elwood, and they reside on section thirty-six, Matteson township. Carlton J. is living at home with his parents.
Mr. Monroe owns a farm of four hundred and twenty acres, and each of his sons is working one hundred and twenty acres. He also has prop- erty in Bronson valued at twenty-five hundred dollars. He has been a very successful business man, engaged in the raising of grain and stock, and his labors have been attended with a gratifying measure of prosperity, for he is energetic, industrious and practical in all that he does. Mr. Monroe has been a life-long resident of Branch county, always making his home within the borders of Matteson township, and his labors have contributed in sub- stantial measure to the public good. He has always voted with the Re- publican party and is deeply interested in its growth and success. His wife is a member of the Baptist church at Bronson and both are well known people, enjoying the friendly regard and esteem of those with whom they have come in contact.
AUGUSTUS C. MOSELEY.
Augustus C. Moseley, to whom has been vouchsafed an honorable re- tirement from business cares as a reward for his close application and earnest labor in former years, is now living in Burlington township, Calhoun
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county, Michigan. He was born in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. May 6, 1835. His father, Thomas Moseley, was likewise a native of the old Bay state and in his business career followed merchandising and milling. He came to Branch county, Michigan, in 1840, and was a prominent business man here. He established a blast furnace at Union City, which he conducted for several years and he instituted a number of the pioneer enterprises here. He was a member of the Congregational church, taking a most active and helpful part in its work and contributing most generously toward the build- ing of the house of worship. His name headed the subscription list for the sum of five hundred dollars and later he gave an added sum of fifty dollars toward the purchase of the bell. His early political views accorded with Whig principles and upon the organization of the new Republican party to prevent the further extension of slavery he joined its ranks and followed its banners until called to his final rest in his seventy-third year. In early manhood he married a Miss Tillotson and after her death wedded Maria Tillotson, a native of Connecticut, who died in Union City when more than eighty years of age. By the first marriage there were five children and six children were born of the second marriage. A. C. Moseley being the eldest of the younger group.
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