USA > Michigan > Branch County > A twentieth century history and biographical record of Branch County, Michigan > Part 93
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In politics Mr. Clarke was a Republican, but never sought or desired political preferment. He was ever a staunch friend and supporter of school and church interests and although not a member, regularly attended the serv- ices of the Presbyterian church. His interest, however, centered in his home and family and he desired above all else to be a worthy example to his chil- dren and that they should grow up to be a credit to their name and the city in which they lived. They have come to cherish his memory as something most dear and precious, and it is also enshrined in the hearts of many friends, while the community regarded his death as a public loss and one to be deeply deplored.
Upon reaching manhood and when ready to establish a home of his own, Mr. Clarke sought in marriage the hand of Miss Sarah E. Gilbert, of Monroe, Michigan, whom he wedded in 1850. She was born in Canastota, New York. in 1832, and still survives her husband. Her parents were Jonathan T. and Elizabeth (Morris) Gilbert, the former a native of Con- necticut. He came to Michigan with his family during the girlhood of Mrs. Clarke, who remained under the parental roof until the time of her marriage. She had long been a member of the Presbyterian church and her fidelity to her church and friends has won her uniform esteem. As a dutiful wife she was to her husband a source of much help and comfort. Unto the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Clarke were born four children: Eva F., the wife of A. H. Powell; Morris G., a merchant of Coldwater; Ralph E., who is with his brother in business; and Mabel, the wife of W. N. Wor- cester, and died in 1885. leaving a daughter, Sarah C. The sons became partners of their father in the mercantile enterprise and at his death suc- ceeded to the business, which they have continued to conduct under the old style of E. R. Clarke & Company, being composed of Morris G., Ralph E. and E. R. Clarke, Jr. They are numbered among the prominent and worthy citizens of Coldwater and are gentlemen of the highest integrity, now en- joying a prosperous business career.
Edwin R. Clarke will long be remembered as one of the most promi- nent and respected residents of Coldwater. While he accomplished much in the business world and ratified his friendships by kindly sympathy and thoughtful consideration for others, his greatest depth of love was reserved for his family.
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WILLIAM W. SNIDER.
William W. Snider, president of the village of Union City, and active in its commercial circles as a dealer in dry goods, carpets and millinery, has in the course of a successful business career developed and strengthened his latent energies and so conducted his affairs that he has advanced individual success and at the same time has promoted public prosperity. He is a native son of the middle west and a typical citizen of Michigan, energetic, far- sighted and alert. He was born in Albion, June 29, 1857. His father, Peter Snider, was a native of the state of New York, where he remained until his removal to Michigan at an early epoch in the development of this state. He located at Albion, where he engaged in merchandising. He mar- ried Harriet A. Ketchum, whose birth occurred in Calhoun county, Michigan, and who now resides in Homer, surviving her husband, who passed away in Homer at the age of eighty-two years. They were the parents of two sons, the younger being Fred, who died in Homer when about forty-one years of age.
William W. Snider spent the days of his childhood and youth in Albion, acquiring his early education there and afterward spending two terms as a student in Hillsdale academy. He entered upon his business career in Homer as proprietor of a general store in 1888, and while there residing he was appointed postmaster under President Harrison and was retained through the administration of President Cleveland, acting in that capacity for five years. He was also township clerk for nine years, and was president of the board for two years. He likewise served as a member of the council for one year, but resigned when appointed to the position of postmaster. He came to Union City in September, 1895, here entering into partnership with M. J. Rowley, now deceased. In 1900 he purchased his partner's interest and has since conducted business alone. He has also been express agent for the American Express Company for eight years and acts in this capacity in connection with the management of his store, which is a well equipped estab- lishment. He carries a large and carefully selected stock of goods, and be- cause of his study of the public needs and desires, his straightforward busi- ness methods and his reasonable prices, he has secured a liberal and gratifying patronage.
In community affairs, active and influential, Mr. Snider has had not a little to do with molding the public policy of Union City during the period of his residence here, and in 1904 was elected president of the village board, to which position he was re-elected in the spring of 1905, having rendered capa- ble and satisfactory service during his first term. He has attained the Royal Arch degree in Masonry and has membership relations with the Knights of the Maccabees. While in Homer he became a charter member of that or- ganization and served as finance keeper for nine years. He was also cashier of the Exchange Bank at that place.
Mr. Snider was first married in Homer to Miss Ella C. Sabin, and after her death he wedded Rae Turner, the wedding being celebrated in June, 1888. Progress and patriotism might well be termed the keynote of his character,
MITunder
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as in his business life he has made consecutive advancement, seeking out new methods all the time for the enlargement of his activity, while in public office he has been actuated at all times by a genuine interest in the public good and a sincere desire for the welfare of his community.
GEORGE R. SANFORD.
The gentleman named above has led a remarkably active and useful life. has been engaged in pursuits of a widely different character, and he is now passing his declining days upon his farm on section ten, Girard town- ship. Here, in spite of his eighty-one years, he continues his habits of activ- ity, is in the full possession of his physical and mental faculties, and still carries an air of boyish good nature and jollity seldom seen in a man of his years and experience.
Mr. George R. Sanford is a native of the Empire state, he having been born in Marion, Wayne county. New York, March 3. 1824. His father was Stephen Sanford and his mother was Emma Russell, both natives of New York state, and both coming from the best old eastern stock which has done so much in the settlement of the middle west. His father was a vet- eran of the war of 1812, and he lived to the good old age of eighty-seven years, while the mother was eighty-two years old at the time of her death.
George R. Sanford was their youngest son, and he early manifested those traits of mind and character which were to make him a leading figure in the communities in which he was to make his home. He passed his early life in Wayne county, New York, and here he attained a good common school education, which was supplemented with a course of study at Wal- worth Academy. He taught school in that vicinity and when scarcely past his majority he purchased a farm which he paid for from his earnings as a teacher and a farmer.
He was married at Walworth, New York, November 8, 1854. to Miss Mary Barnum, daughter of Eli and Clarinda (Thompson) Barnum, who was born in Dutchess county, New York, January 13, 1825. Soon after their marriage. they located at Fairport, New York, where Mr. Sanford became the owner of large tracts of land which he platted into farms and town lots. At one time he was considered one of the most extensive and enterprising real estate dealers in the interior of the state of New York, and he was at this time known as one of the leading and most highly esteemed citizens of Fairport, where he was called upon to fill positions of public trust and responsibility. Ever willing to aid his friends in business ventures, and possessing thorough confidence in his business associates, he was led to en- dorse paper and to back financial enterprises to such an extent that he was brought into financial difficulties, and the greater portion of his property was taken in assuming the liabilities thus incurred. With undaunted energy, however, he decided to go into the west and seek to recoup his fallen for- tunes, and in the spring of 1880 he came to Girard, where he operated sev- eral farms for a period of three years, afterward returning to New York state, where he remained for two years. He then returned to Michigan and
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located in Calhoun county, where he lived upon several farms which he rented and owned until 1898, when he purchased his present productive farm of eighty acres on section ten, Girard. Here Mr. and Mrs. Sanford have a most comfortable home.
The union of Mr. and Mrs. Sanford has been blessed with the birth of five children, one of whom died in infancy. The three still living are Eli B. Sanford, who is on a ranch in Montana; Emma, the wife of F. B. Gleason, a young business man of Batavia, New York; and May C., the wife of C. O. Strong, of Burlington, Michigan ..
Mr. and Mrs. Sanford are members of the Tekonsha Presbyterian church, of which society Mr. Sanford is also an officer. The worthy couple have many warm personal friends in this portion of the state who hold them in the highest regard and esteem on account of their many sterling and lovable traits of character.
CAPTAIN LUCIUS M. WING.
Captain Lucius M. Wing president of the Coldwater National Bank and active in promoting and conducting varied business interests which have contributed to public prosperity as well as to individual success, was born on a farm in Coldwater township, Branch county, Michigan, February 27, 1839. His parents were Barnabas and Lucetta (Titus) Wing, the former a native of Vermont and the latter of New York. The father was reared in the Green Mountain state. and in early manhood he went to the Empire state, where he was married. About 1830 he brought his wife to Branch county, settling in Coldwater township, where he became the owner of a farm which he conducted in connection with the manufacture of brick, having about three miles east of Coldwater the first brick yard of the county. Both Barnabas and Lucetta Wing died in this county, the former passing away in 1868. They had but two children, Lewis and Lucius M. After losing his first wife the father married again, and there was a son and a daughter by the second union. In his political views Barnabas Wing was originally a Whig, and upon the dissolution of that party he gave his support to the Republican party. As a pioneer he took an active and helpful interest in everything per- taining to the development and improvement of the county and his labors along agricultural and industrial lines contributed to the material growth and progress of this section of the state.
Lucius M. Wing was reared upon his father's farm and pursued his education in the district schools of Coldwater. When about twenty-one years of age he began farming on his own account, and also operated the brick yard established by his father, but in 1862 he put aside all business and personal consideration that he might respond to the country's call for aid, the Civil war having been inaugurated. He enlisted as a private of Company C, Nineteenth Michigan Infantry, but was soon promoted to the rank of second lieutenant, later commissioned captain of his company and was placed on staff duty, thus serving during the last year and a half of the war. He remained with his command until the close of hostilities, and was
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HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY
a patriotic soldier and faithful officer, making for himself a most creditable military record during the three years of his connection with the boys in blue.
Following the close of the war Captain Wing resumed farming, and a year later was elected sheriff of Branch county, at which time he removed to Coldwater. He became a factor in the business life of the city as one of the stockholders in the industry conducted under the name of the Ameri- can Cigar Company. He retained his connection with that enterprise for thirty years and the business proved very successful, so that he secured a good profit upon his investment. He was also interested in a stock farm in the county and he became president and general manager of the Wolver- ine Portland Cement Company. Since 1892 he has been a factor in finan- cial circles, having in that year become connected with the Coldwater Na- tional Bank, of which he was chosen president in 1896. He has since been at the head of the institution and has inaugurated a safe conservative policy that makes this one of the leading and reliable concerns of the state.
In 1868 Captain Wing was united in marriage to Miss Adeline M. Knapp and they have two sons-Philip L. and Sigmund L. The parents affiliate with the Episcopal church, and Captain Wing is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and the Loyal Legion, thus maintaining social rela- tionship with those with whom he fought upon the battlefields of the south. He has always given his political support to the Republican party, and it was upon that ticket that he was chosen sheriff of the county, to which posi- tion he was re-elected at the close of his first term. He was also mayor of Coldwater for one year and he exercised his official prerogatives in behalf of needed reform and improvement. giving to the public a very satisfactory administration. His public service as an official, his business career and his private life are characterized by unfaltering devotion to duty and by the faith- ful discharge of every obligation that devolves upon him.
JACOB W. MANN.
A life-long resident of Girard and Branch county is the gentleman named above. As his name indicates, Mr. Mann is a descendant of one of the oldest families of this section, his ancestors having done much in the development and upbuilding of this prosperous region.
His father was Peter I. Mann, who was born in Schoharie, Schoharie county, New York, February 27, 1815, where he passed his early years. Peter I. Mann was the son of Jacob W. Mann-this name having been handed down to the grandson, who is the subject of this sketch-and Polly Shannon Mann, also a native of Schoharie county, New York, where she was born March 1. 1798. Jacob and Polly Shannon Mann were married and the parents of four children when they came to Michigan in 1836 and settled in the township of Girard, where the remainder of their lives was' passed. Mr. Mann died September 19. 1846, while his wife lived to a good old age, passing away October 5. 1886.
Mr. Peter I. Mann grew up with the then new township of Girard, and
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became one of its wealthiest and most influential citizens. He was married January 13, 1842, to Lavina, daughter of Peter and Elizabeth (Putnam) Grove. and eight children were born to them. Three of these children died in infancy; Nina died twenty-five years ago at the age of sixteen years; Mark H. Mann is a prosperous Girard farmer; Belinda Mann Hurst is a resident of the city of Coldwater; Mary Mann Williams lives at Girard Cen- ter: while another son, Jacob W. Mann, is the subject of this sketch. Mr. and Mrs. Peter I. Mann lived to a good old age, and their deaths were deeply deplored, Mr. Mann dying January 8, 1897, Mrs. Mann's death pre- ceding this, October 7, 1890.
Mr. Jacob W. Mann, our subject, was born in Girard, January 8, 1847, and his entire life has been passed here. He has always been engaged in farming, and is counted as one of the solid and substantial citizens of this community. He was married at Jackson, Michigan, March 25, 1870, to Miss Emma Prentiss, who was born in the township of Coldwater, June 8, 1845. She was the daughter of Curtiss Prentiss, a native of Penfield, New York, where he was born April 13, 1813, her mother being Clarinda Fox, also a native of New York state, where she was born about 1815. The Prentiss and Fox families were of good old Empire state stock, where they were among the leading people. Curtiss Prentiss was the only member of his family to come to Michigan, and when he arrived here in 1836 Girard and Branch county were not the blooming and fertile sections now seen here. Instead there were unbroken forests and no means of transportation aside from wagon roads and bridle and foot paths. For many years he was engaged in the transportation of goods, suupplies, etc., through this por- tion of the state, making frequent trips as far as Detroit for supplies for the little colony of people located here.
His marriage to Clarinda Fox was blessed with the birth of five chil- dren, two of whom died in infancy, the three who grew to manhood and womanhood being: Mrs. Jacob W. Mann, of Girard; Edson D. Prentiss, of Mason county, Michigan; and Charles E. Prentiss, who died in Allegan county, Michigan, April 18, 1902. The mother died in Union township Jan- uary 28, 1853. Mr. Prentiss was married to Emma Andrews, of Branch county. To them were born six children, three of whom are now living, as follows: Mrs. Charles Hollenbeck, of Tekonsha, Michigan; George D. Prentiss, of Burr Oak, Michigan; and Mrs. Hattie Sanford, of Girard. One daughter, Clara Prentiss, died in November of 1901. Curtiss Prentiss was a resident of this county until 1884, when he removed to Burr Oak, St. Joseph county, Michigan, where he died January 16, 1896, and where Mrs. Prentiss is still living.
Mr. and Mrs. Jacob W. Mann are the parents of one daughter, Edna, who was married October 12, 1892. to Artemas A. Perry. They have one daughter, Bernice, who was born October 30, 1895, and one son, Carleton, who was born July 10, 1898. The family reside in a most comfortable farm home in Girard.
Soon after the marriage of Jacob W. and Emma Prentiss Mann they
June. C. Tompkins
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HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY
made their home on a farm in the northern part of the township of Girard, where they lived for ten years. In 1882 they removed to their present home on section sixteen, Girard. The place consists of one hundred and twenty acres of fine farming land adjoining the village of Girard, with suitable buildings and a modern and attractive house and grounds. Mr. Mann is affiliated with the Masonic fraternity, being a member of Tyre lodge, Cold- water, while Mrs. Mann is a member of the Girard Methodist Episcopal church. Both stand high in the regard and esteem of the residents of this section, where their entire lives have been passed. The names of Mann, Prentiss and Fox have for many years been intimately associated with the history of Girard township, and their worthy descendants feel justly proud of the ancestors and relatives who have passed to their well-earned rewards.
WILLIAM A. TOMPKINS.
William A. Tompkins, deceased. was for many years a respected and representative farmer of Girard township. The student of history cannot carry his investigation far into the annals of Branch county without learning of the close and beneficial connection of the Tompkins family with this part of the state. four generations of the name being residents of Girard town- ship, so that from the period of primitive development down to the present they have contributed to the substantial progress and improvement of this locality.
William A. Tompkins was born in this township July 6, 1836, and was among the first white native children here. His father, James B. Tompkins. long considered the leading citizen of Girard township, was born in Schoharie county, New York, June 28, 1804. and having arrived at years of maturity was married to Miss Eliza Ames, who was born in the town of Colchester. Chittenden county, Vermont. March 3. 1813. They were among the first settlers of Girard township, Branch county, casting in their lot with its pioneer settlers and sharing in the hardships and privations which constitute a chapter in the life history of all who locate on the frontier. The father was a surveyor and made all of the first surveys in this township and county, thus assisting materially in the development and progress of the community. He also furthered many interests for the public good, and was a man whose up- right life and honorable character won him the respect and admiration of all with whom he came in contact. He died August 1, 1879. and his wife, long surviving him, passed away on the 6th of December, 1902. at the advanced age of ninety years.
William A. Tompkins was reared on the old family homestead amid the scenes and environments of pioneer life, and early became familiar with the labors that constitute the life of the agriculturist. He was indebted to the public school system for the educational privileges he enjoyed. and he spent nearly his entire life in his native township. although he lived at Elk- hart, Indiana, for a few years, at Clarendon, Calhoun county. Michigan, for two years and at Coldwater for one year. The greater part of his business career was devoted to agricultural pursuits. and at the time of his death he
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HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY
was one of the largest landowners in Girard township, his holdings embracing nearly four hundred acres of fertile land, constituting a very valuable and attractive farm. It was splendidly equipped with modern improvements and conveniences and a commodious home, pleasantly located, indicated great care and good taste.
Mr. Tompkins was married twice. On the Ist of December, 1859, he wedded Sabra Matthews, by whom he had one son, Frank, who is now living in Oberon, North Dakota. He is engaged in farming and is also district veterinarian for the state of three counties. On the 27th of December, 1874, Mr. Tompkins was again married, his second union being with Mis's Irene C. Millard, who survives him and lives upon the home farm on section II, Girard township.
Throughout his business career Mr. Tompkins was found reliable and honorable, and his record was in keeping with his father's history, for he, too, was classed with the prominent and representative citizens of his com- munity, and in matters of public progress was deeply interested to the extent of giving hearty support to all measures which he believed would prove of general good. At the time of his death the following lines appeared in one of the local papers :
"William A. Tompkins died quite suddenly at his home in Girard, Thursday, July 13, 1905. He was born in Girard township, July 6, 1835. and was the second son of Mr. and Mrs. James Tompkins, who settled in Girard township in 1831, and of a family of nine children only three are now living-Mrs. Adeline Granger, Theron and Frank Tompkins, all resi- dents of Girard township.
"With the exception of a short residence in Elkhart, Coldwater and Clarendon, Mr. Tompkins has always been a resident of Girard township and was classed as one of its wealthy farmers. What changes he has seen come to pass in that now beautiful township. When a child it was almost a wilderness, with an occasional log cabin dotted here and there, with a larger population of Indians than white people, and now beautiful farms are seen everywhere.
" Mr. Tompkins was a highly respected, substantial citizen and will be missed much in the community. He will be especially missed in the Baptist church, as he was a friend and liberal helper. Rev. F. R. Randall preached the funeral sermon at the Baptist church yesterday at three p. m., and the remains were laid at rest in the Girard cemetery."
WILLIAM E. SHAW.
William E. Shaw, residing on section twenty-four, Batavia township, was born in Ovid township, Branch county, November 27, 1846, and is the youngest of a family of ten children, seven daughters and three sons, whose parents were Christopher B. and Charlotte (Bagley) Shaw, both of whom were natives of England. Having crossed the Atlantic to America, the father took up his abode in Ohio, and from that state came to Branch county, Michigan, in 1845. He died November 26, 1849, having been for but a
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HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY
brief period a resident of this part of the state. His widow, however, long survived him, and her death occurred in Coldwater in 1893, when she was in her eighty-eighth year. Of their ten children two died in Ohio, while eight reached adult age.
William E. Shaw was partly reared in Coldwater, where his parents located when he was but a year old. He there remained until nine years of age, when his mother took up her abode on a farm in Batavia township. His education was acquired in the schools of Coldwater, in Litchfield, and in Jonesville, Michigan, spending two terms at the last named place. Having put aside his text books he began learning the miller's trade at the age of sixteen years, and he followed that pursuit for ten years, spending five years of the time in Litchfield. He was also at Constantine, at Jackson and Hills- dale, Michigan, and for four years operated the Hodunk mill. He then began farming in Coldwater township and remained there for eleven years, carrying on general agricultural pursuits on the corporate line. He after- ward spent one year in Edgar, Clay county, Nebraska, where he bought a farm, but when a year had passed he sold that property and returned to Cold- water. Not long afterward he purchased a farm in Matteson township, where he lived for three years. He had charge of the state school for one year and he was foreman of the Dewey Stave Company at Toledo, Ohio, for one year, working under L. P. Aldin, who was superintendent at that time. He then returned to Matteson township and bought another farm, remaining on the same for twelve years. On the expiration of that period he traded that property for a farm in Bronson township and then traded for a farm in Hillsdale county and took up his abode in Litchfield township. There he lived for eight years, when in 1902 he sold the property and re- turned to Coldwater, purchasing a tract of ten acres on Grand street. A year later he traded this for what was known as the James Peterson farm, where he now resides, having two hundred and thirty-seven acres of land, which is very productive, responding readily to his cultivation. There is also a mod- ern house upon the place, and the farm is well improved in all of its equip- ments, good machinery being utilized in the care and cultivation of the fields. He is now successfully engaged in general farming and stock raising and is justly regarded as an enterprising, progressive citizen, who is practical in his business methods and owes his success to his close application, untiring diligence and keen business discrimination. He today owns one hundred and fifty head of sheep, seventy-five head of hogs, ten head of cattle and five head of horses, and he has a well equipped farm that in its attractive appear- ance shows that he is in touch with the most advanced methods of farming.
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