A twentieth century history and biographical record of Branch County, Michigan, Part 92

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

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Although a native of New England Mr. Moseley of this review was largely reared in Michigan and New York. He was a lad of five summers when taken to Ann Arbor in 1840, and in 1844 he went to Union City, being at that time nine years of age. Later he was brought to this county and was reared upon the place where he now lives. His education was acquired in the early schools of the period and he remained at home until he attained his majority.

On the 6th of November, 1856, Mr. Moseley was united in marriage to Miss Fannie Bowen Corbin, a daughter of Ezbond and Lucretia . (Howe) Corbin. She was born in Charleston, New Hampshire, September 20. 1837. of old Revolutionary stock, who hailed from Connecticut. The early pro- genitors of the Corbins were of French parentage, their history dating back to the time of the Norman conquest, when William the Conqueror defeated the Britons at the historical battle of Hastings in 1066. There are grave-stones yet standing in the cemetery of Woodstock, Connecticut, bearing the follow- ing dates of the deceased Corbins: 1696, 1721 and 1727. Mrs. Moseley and General Corbin of the Philippines are distant relatives. Mrs. Moseley came to Michigan in 1855. Her sisters, Mrs. Isaac Tower and Mrs. Martha Crissy, were then living in Union City, and Mrs. Moseley arrived here when eighteen years of age. At the time of their marriage the young couple began their domestic life on a farm adjoining Union City on the north, the land lying in Burlington township, Calhoun county, and there they have main- tained their residence for nearly a half century. He formerly owned six hundred acres of valuable land in this farm, but has since disposed of much of this, retaining possession, however, of one hundred eighty-five acres. which he now rents. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Moseley were born two children, but both are now deceased.

Mr. Moseley voted for Fremont when casting his first presidential

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bailot, and only once has he voted for other than the candidates at the head of the Republican ticket. He and his wife are members of the Congrega- tional church and have taken an active and helpful interest in its work. Dur- ing a long residence here Mr. Moseley has gained a wide acquaintance, and by earnest purpose and unfaltering diligence in his business affairs he became one of the extensive land owners and prosperous farmers of his community. He and his wife are today enjoying a well-earned rest, having a handsome competency, which supplies them with all of the comforts and many of the luxuries of life.

HENRY HAMMAN.

Henry Hamman, a prosperous and respected farmer of California township, was born in Smithfield township, DeKalb county, Indiana, on the 2Ist of February, 1855. His father, Thomas Hamman, was a native of Stark county, Ohio, born in 1823. He lost his father when but fifteen years of age and then started out in life on his own account, so that he was truly a self-made man, owing his success entirely to well-directed and earnest ef- fort. In the year 1850 he was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Sheuler, who was born in York county, Pennsylvania, and went to DeKalb county, Indiana, in an early day with her stepfather, Adam Hood. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hamman were of German descent. On leaving the Buckeye state, Thomas Hamman removed to DeKalb county, Indiana, in 1847, and there purchased a tract of new land in the midst of the forest, his home being several miles from the nearest neighbor. His dwelling, erected in 1849, was the first frame house in Smithfield township. He was always a leader in the work of agricultural progress and his earnest and effective labors were attended with a gratifying measure of success. From early morning until after sunset he worked untiringly in his effort to clear and improve his farm and in the first six years he cleared and cultivated sixty acres .. He after- ward cleared one hundred and forty acres and as the years passed by he prospered owing to his capable management, his frugality and his unfalter- ing diligence, and at the time of his death he was the owner of three hun- dred and twelve acres of valuable land. In his political views he was a Democrat and could have had various local offices, but many times he refused to become a candidate, not wishing to serve in official positions. However, he acted as school officer for many years and the cause of education found in him, a warm and stalwart friend. He died on the 8th of August, 1897, at the age of seventy-four years and his wife passed away about 1901. They were devoted members of the German Reformed church. In their family were nine children, of whom three died in infancy; Samuel, who died in 1883: Caroline, who died at the age of twenty-two years; John, who is liv- ing in Indiana; Henry, of this review; Thomas and Simon, who are resi- dents of the Hoosier state.

Henry Hamman remained at home until twenty-eight years of age, acquiring a public school education and becoming familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. As the years passed he became more and more proficient in his farm labor and ultimately took

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HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY

charge of his father's farm, which he continued to cultivate until twenty- eight years of age. when he removed from Indiana to Michigan, settling on section sixteen. California township, where he now has a fine farm of one hundred and fifty-five acres. When he decided to remove to this state he was the owner of farm land in Indiana and he traded it for property here. He first had one hundred and twenty acres which had been cleared. but many of the improvements now found thereon stand as monuments to his thrift and enterprise. There was much stone upon the farm and he spent many years in clearing it. He has the four largest stone piles in southern Michigan, one measuring eighty-five by eighty feet and seven feet in height. while another pile is one hundred and fifty-two feet long and thirty feet wide and eight feet high. These stone piles contain three thousand sixty-eight loads of stone. nearly all of which has been picked up by Mr. Hamman. The farm is today a well-kept one with good buildings and the latest im- proved machinery is used to facilitate the work of the fields. An air of neatness, thrift and industry characterizes the place and altogether the prop- erty is a most desirable one.

On the 22nd of February, 1883. Mr. Hamman was united in marriage to Miss Mary Rohm, who was born in DeKalb county. Indiana. September 23. 1864. Her father, Simon Rohm. was a native of Germany and the family became pioneer settlers of Smithfield township. DeKalb county, In- diana. The mother. who bore the maiden name of Mary Harsh, was born in Ohio and was of German descent. There were thirteen children in the Rohm family, of whom five died in infancy, the others being Henry, now a resident of Oregon: Amos. Simon. John, Ezra. Mrs. Lydia Hamman and Mrs. Lucinda Duesler, all residents of Indiana ; and Mrs. Mary Hamman. wife of our subject. The father died in 1880 and the mother, yet surviving him, now makes her home in Indiana. Both were members of the German Reformed church.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hamman have been born four children: Carlton H .. who died in infancy; Viola May, the wife of Charles McMurray, a resi- dent of this township, by whom she has one daughter, Roselene Pearl: Eliza Blanche. the wife of Arthur Hall. a resident farmer of California township: and Estell Starr, living at home. The family belong to the United Brethren church. Mr. Hamman gives his political support to the Democracy and has served as school moderator for several terms. During the years of his resi- dence in this county he has so directed his life as to win the unqualified con- fidence of his fellowmen. Moreover his record proves the value of industry and determination as resultant factors in the winning of success. With lit- tle assistance as he started out in life he has labored persistently and is today the owner of a well-kept and valuable farm.

HENRY E. STRAIGHT.

The roster of county officials bears the name of Henry E. Straight, who is now serving as clerk of Branch county. He is one of its native sons, born in Coldwater township, December 26, 1864. his parents being

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HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY

Willard P. and Mary E. (White) Straight, who were born, reared and married in New York. The father was married twice, the mother of our subject being his second wife. He removed from the Empire state to Branch county, Michigan, and soon afterward his first wife died in the east. Following his second marriage he again came to this county and spent much of his life upon a farm here. He was a well educated man of strong native intellectual force and marked ability and for many years he engaged in teaching in the public schools. His wives were also successful teachers. Mr. Straight departed this life in the fall of 1899, at the age of seventy- seven years, and is survived by his second wife, who is now living in Cold- water. There are three children of that marriage.

Henry E. Straight was reared upon his father's farm and in his youth was a student in the district schools. Subsequently he entered the North- ern Indiana Normal School at Valparaiso, from which he was graduated when about twenty years of age, and later he engaged in teaching school for four or five years. He also spent three years in the Ypsilanti school, after which he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. In the fall of 1904 he was elected county clerk, and is now filling that position in a capable and efficient manner.

Mr. Straight was married in 1900 to Miss Sadie B. De Pue and they have three children. Mr. Straight is a Republican, interested in the success and growth of his party and fraternally he is connected with the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows. Starting out in life with no financial as- sistance he became imbued with a laudable ambition to attain something bet- ter than he had already known and he has steadily advanced in those walks demanding intellectuality, business ability and fidelity, so that he to-day com- mands the respect and esteem of all with whom he has been brought in contact. In the record of his public career or in private life there falls no shadow of wrong for he has ever been loyal to the ties of friendship and citizenship.

GEORGE W. MALLOW.

Branch county has been built up to its present status of wealth and material prosperity, to a highly organized civic community from a pioneer and primitive community in which the settlers had to hew out places of dwelling and cultivable fields from the wilderness and where the first and foremost object was to obtain means of subsistence. Noble township, now one of the richest of the county divisions, both in material wealth and in the quality of its citizens, received in the year 1841 a substantial addition to its citizenship of pioneers in the persons of Peter and Margaret (Peters) Mallow, whose son is George W. Mallow, one of the representative farm- ers of Branch county.

The famous province of Alsace-Lorraine, so often in dispute between the rival nations of France and Germany, was the native home of those par- ents, so that they were of the sturdy Teutonic stock which has entered into American life as one of its most energizing factors. On arriving in Amer- ica the parents came direct to Michigan and settled on the farm in Noble

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township. Branch county, where they removed the conditions of primitive wilderness by persistent labor, where continuing for many years the father engaged in farming, and where the family of children were reared to healthy and worthy manhood and womanhood. At the time of the father's death the following memorial was written: "Mr. Peter Mallow. a brief notice of whose death appeared in last week's Journal, was born in the province of Alsace, then belonging wholly to France. on the roth day of November. 1815. a little less than five months after the battle of Waterloo was fought. He died June 17. 1891, at the age of seventy-five years, seven months and seven days, of cancer in the stomach. On the first day of March. 1838. he was married to Miss Margaret Peters, who was also born and reared in Alsace. one of the old battlefields of Europe. In December. 1839. they came to America, living in New York City until the spring of 1840, when they came to Michigan and settled in the township of Noble, where he lived until the death of his wife, which occurred on the 17th day of July. 1884. at the age of sixty-five years, five months and eight days. Since the death of the companion of his youth Mr. Mallow has lived with his youngest daughter, Mrs. Mary A. Kline, in Bronson township, where he died, and where his funeral service was held. He was the father of nine children. one of whom. the oldest, died at the age of ten years. The others are all settled within convenient distance of the old home, and were all permitted to be present at the funeral service. the five sons and oldest grandson acting as pallbearers. The names of the eight surviving children are Peter. William, Henry. Cris- tina, Sarah F .. George W., Mary A. and John J .. all of whom are married and comfortably settled in life. Mr. Mallow was one of a family of five brothers and sisters, only one of whom, a brother, now survives him. This brother. John, was present at the funeral. Mr. Mallow was one of our pio- neers, having settled in Noble township more than a half a century ago. With others he endured the hardships and privations incident to a new country, and in the end received his due reward. His first purchase in real estate, after coming to Branch county, was an eighty-acre farm in the midst of the dense wilderness that then covered this part of the county. To this he added, from time to time as his means increased. until he became owner of one thousand two hundred acres of fine.improved land. divided into sev- eral farms of convenient size, now occupied by his children. The esteem in which he was held was well attested by the number present and interest manifested, at his funeral. Though the day was dark and rainy. the house was well filled, several of those present coming from long distances. The faces of quite a number of the old settlers were seen in the audience, who know, by an actual experience, what the privations of pioneer life are, and who are now enjoying the peaceable fruits of honest toil. The remains were laid to rest in the beautiful little cemetery in the 'Dutch settlement, where a family lot had been previously prepared and a nice monument erected. It was here that his beloved wife had been previously buried, and now they are quietly sleeping, side by side. Of them it may be said. as of an aged pair in olden time. 'There was Abraham buried, and Sarah his wife.'"

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Born on the farm April 7, 1854, spending his boyhood there in alterna- tion between farm work and farm joys and attendance at the district school, George W. Mallow was a farmer " to the manner born " by the time he had reached majority and soon took charge of the home place and cultivated its fields on the shares. Four years having been profitably occupied in this manner, he moved to his present farm of one hundred and twenty acres, a portion of which is fine timber land, and here a beautiful home with at- tractive surroundings of well cultivated fields and improvements stamp the owner and his family as people of culture and refinement as well as thrift.

A Democrat in politics from the time he cast his first presidential vote for Tilden, he has regularly supported that party, and as a public-spirited citizen he has been chosen to the office of justice of the peace, serving one term. Fraternally he is a member of Mystic Lodge, F. & A. M., at Bron- son.

September 29, 1878, Mr. Mallow married Miss Alice J. Lane, who was born in Akron, Ohio, February 25. 1853, a daughter of Cornelius W. and Margaret E. (Reyer) Lane. In their family were five children, four sons and one daughter, of whom three are living: Mrs. Mallow, the eldest, who was reared in Kent, Ohio. there receiving her education in the graded schools; William Lane, a resident of Bronson, Michigan, and married; and George, a resident of Bronson township. The father, Cornelius Lane, was born in Sussex county, New Jersey, while the mother was born in Spring- field, Ohio, in April. 1828. She was reared in Pennsylvania, and was mar- ried there in Lewistown. With her husband she came to Branch county in March, 1876, and has been a resident of this county since, now residing in Bronson township. At the time of her husband's death the following obit- uary was written: Died, in Bronson, August Ist, Mr. Cornelius W. Lane, aged sixty-seven years. Mr. Lane was born December 10, 1823, in Sus- sex county, New Jersey. At the age of eighteen years he was bereft of his mother, and of his father, Mr. G. W. Lane, in 1854. In early manhood he removed to Snyder county, Pennsylvania, where he resided some years, and was united in marriage to Margaret E. Boyes, July 22. 1849, by whom five children were born. The two eldest died, one at the age of six months, the second in his eighteenth year. . Three are yet living, Alice, William and George. For several months he suffered intensely and that in full con- sciousness, and with the power of another life upon him, entered into that rest for which he had longed during the wearisome days of pain. He was a good man, of warm sympathies, seeking to do his whole duties to others as he could. He was a great reader of papers, of books and of the Bible, and believed in the final salvation of the human family. He was also a member for years of the Masonic fraternity, who, in large numbers, were present at his funeral, and assisted at the services, and thus he passed away as he had lived, surrounded by friends, in trust toward God, in love for humanity, and as if in full view of the heavenly home. A large concourse of friends were present at the services, which were conducted by Rev. Henry Shepard of Burr Oak. No words are needful from us for those whose char- acter is better than any monument. All that he has nourished thus will last,,

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but our heart goes out for those who will miss the placid face we saw so composed for its last rest, while all that animated it lives forever.

One child, Lorana E., has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Mallow, who was educated in the common schools and who passed her teacher's examination at the age of fifteen years, has also been instructed in music, and is a grad- uate student, keeping well informed on the passing current events of the day, In this family is also a niece, Frances R., who has made her home with them since childhood and is loved by them as a daughter. She is a daughter of the late Louisa Eggleston Mallow and Peter, the oldest brother of Mr. Mallow, and was educated in the rural schools. Mr. and Mrs. Mal- low are citizens of Bronson township. who enjoy the high respect of all who know them. Their comfortable home is a home of hospitality and good cheer, and we are pleased to present this full text of Mr. and Mrs. Mallow to be preserved in the genealogical record of Branch county's twentieth cen- tury history.

EDWIN R. CLARKE.

Edwin R. Clarke, for many years one of the forceful and honored fac- tors in commercial circles in Coldwater and one whose influence was not a minor element among the financiers of this part of the state. attained to prominence through the inherent force of his character. the exercise of his native talent and the utilization of surrounding opportunities. He became a capitalist whose business career excited the admiration and won the respect of his contemporaries, yet it was not this alone that entitled him to rank as one of the foremost men of his day in Coldwater. His connection with the public interests of the city was far-reaching and beneficial, his patriotic citi- zenship and his interest in community affairs taking tangible form in his zealous labors for various improvements.

Mr. Clarke was born in Byron, New York, March 22. 1828, and rep- resented an old New England family. His paternal grandparents were Stephen C. and Thirza Clarke, natives of Connecticut. Their son, Anson Clarke, was born in Connecticut, in 1803, and after reaching manhood en- gaged both in farming and merchandising. In 1834 he decided to come to the west and cast in his lot with the pioneer settlers of the territory of Mich- igan. He had previously married Miss Lucinda Stevens. a Vermont lady. who was born in 1803. and who accompanied her husband to Michigan, and surviving him, she died at her home in Adrian, this state, in 1884. She was a devout Christian and discharged all her duties as wife, mother and friend in such manner as to win the deepest affection from all who came within the influence of her gentle and exemplary life.

Edwin R. Clarke came of a sturdy and vigorous New England ances- try and while his parents bestowed upon him little of this world's goods they gave him a strong constitution and a courageous spirit which carried with it a determination and an industry which wrought results. There is little in the history of a man in the bare statement of facts that is of interest. but an analyzation of his history. showing forth the spirit, the motives. the purposes and the aims that have given inspiration. direction and energy

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to that life, is of value. Looked at from this viewpoint, Mr. Clarke's career furnishes important lessons that may well be followed by young and old. He started out upon his business career as a clerk in the store of James Armitage, in Monroe, Michigan, at a salary of fifty dollars per year, and the second year he received seventy-five dollars. He had as the foundation for progress, however, the substantial qualities of prudence, perseverance, industry and faithfulness. Ambitious for success, he eagerly availed himself of every opportunity for honorable accomplishment and in 1850 he came to Coldwater, where he began merchandising on his own account. His capi- tal, saved from his earnings, was small, but he formed a partnership with a Mr. Sackett and established a general store. Not long afterward he pur- chased his partner's interest and became sole proprietor, conducting the store alone for several years, when he was joined by his father-in-law, John T. Gilbert. Later George D. Ford became a partner, both of whom retired from the company, and in 1878 Morris G. was admitted, and in 1881 Ralph E. was admitted to an interest, and the firm style of E. R. Clarke & Com- pany has since been maintained. A short time before his death, which oc- curred in September, 1900, he practically retired from active business cares. He was very successful in his undertakings and amassed a goodly estate.

Though the early years constituted a period of struggle, he was dili- gent and gave close attention to every indication pointing to prosperity. There are some people born to command and Mr. Clarke was one of these. When he made a statement of what he wished done those who served him knew they must obey. Yet he was never harsh or austere, but possessed a spirit of firmness that gave him command over men and proved a strong element in his success. He did not confine his attention entirely to his mer- cantile interests, for he was at one time connected with the Coldwater Wool- en Mills, the Crippen Flour Mills and other enterprises. He was one of the organizers of the Southern Michigan National Bank, of which he served as vice-president, and also became the owner of several valuable farms, and in his latter days gave much attention to the management of his agricultural interests and investments.

While devoted to his business and the acquirement of property, he was yet a most generous man, giving wisely but generously, and instead of al- lowing himself to become sordid and selfish as the years passed by, he devel- oped his humanitarian spirit and found great joy in giving for the benefit of others. He made no display of his charity; on the contrary was free from all ostentation in his benefactions, hardly letting his left hand know what his right hand did. His desire to assist others, however, found its highest expression in his gift to the people of Coldwater of the public library build- ing. In this he showed the business habits of the man. He wished to do something for the people among whom his life had been passed and he be- gan to study out what kind of a building might prove most beneficial to Coldwater. After discussing the subject with prominent men of the city, he secured plans, specifications and estimates of the cost of a library build- ing, and when he was satisfied that his income justified him in undertaking

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the work he informed the library board that with their consent he would erect a suitable building on the ground owned by the city. and bound him- self to the board to build it and present it to the city thoroughly equipped for the purpose intended. This offer was accepted and highly appreciated. He carried out his pledge and it was thus that the city of Coldwater was supplied with a library building that is an ornament, as well as serving a most useful purpose. In other ways he has promoted the public welfare. being the champion of all movements that he deemed would prove beneficial to city or county.

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A twentieth century history and biographical record of Branch County, Michigan, Part 92

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