A twentieth century history and biographical record of Branch County, Michigan, Part 94

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

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In 1868 Mr. Shaw was united in marriage to Miss Ada E. Carr, a daugh- ter of A. C. and Mary (Vance) Carr, who was born in Bronson, Branch county, Michigan, and there remained until seventeen years of age. Both Mr. and Mrs. Shaw have a wide circle of warm friends in this part of the state, and the cordial and generous hospitality of their own home is greatly enjoyed by their many visitors. Mr. Shaw keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day and is a stanch advocate of Republican prin- ciples. While living in Matteson township he served as drain commissioner

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and at one time he was deputy sheriff of the county. He may well be termed a self-made man and deserves all the praise that that term applies. He de- pended upon his own labors for his education, for he worked for his board while attending school. When fourteen years of age he started out upon an independent business career and has since depended entirely upon his own re- sources. Nothing was given him and all that he has made has come as the result of his persistency of purpose. Today he is the owner of the best resi- dence in the township, and his farm is also equal to any found in this part of the county. His life should inspire and encourage others who are forced to start out as he did, amid unfavorable circumstances, for his record proves that prosperity will come if persistently, earnestly and honestly sought.

IV. B. CHIESMAN.

W. B. Chiesman, filling the position of postmaster in Sherwood, where he is also conducting a shoe business, was born in Madison, Ohio, January 10, 1858, his parents being Benjamin F. and Phoebe P. (Smith) Chiesman. The father, a native of England, came to America when a young man about twenty-four years of age. He was a jeweler and located in Madison, Ohio, whence he afterward removed to Chardon, that state, but he lived to be only thirty-three years of age. His wife, a native of Ripon, England, died in her sixty-sixth year.

W. B. Chiesman is the younger of their two sons. He was reared in Ashtabula county, Ohio, pursued his education in the district schools and in the Normal Institute at Orwell, Ohio. About 1881 he engaged in mer- chandising on his own account at Newville, DeKalb county, Indiana, where he carried on his store until 1890. when he sold out there and came to Sher- wood. Here he established a drug and book store, which he conducted for about six years, when he disposed of that enterprise and turned his atten- tion to the shoe trade, which still claims his time and energies, having a lib- eral patronage which is indicative of his honorable methods and the con- fidence which the public have in his business dealings.

Mr. Chiesman has also figured somewhat prominently in local affairs. He was trustee of his township in DeKalb county, Indiana, for five years and was chairman of the Republican county central committee for four years. He has held office in Sherwood, having been president of the village for three years, treasurer for five years and township clerk for two years, while in 1897 he was appointed by President Mckinley to the office of postmas- ter, which position he yet fills by reappointment of President Roosevelt, now serving his third term. No public trust in him has ever been betrayed in the slightest degree as he performs his public service with the same care and fidelity which he manifests in the supervision of his private business interests.

Mr. Chiesman was married in 1880 to Miss Belle A. Leggett, a daugh- ter of James Leggett, of Montville, Ohio. They have one son, Guy, who is now in his second year at Olivet College. Mr. Chiesman is a member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Sherwood Lodge, No. 421, and he

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also has membership relations with the Knights of the Maccabees of Sher- wood and with the Unitarian church. His life in both its public and private relations has been marked by consecutive advancement and his efforts have been directed along well defined lines of labor. a definite plan of action re- sulting in the acquirement of a competence. His official service marks him as a public-spirited and patriotic citizen and the welfare of the community as well as national progress are matters dear to his heart.

DANIEL LARZELERE.

Daniel Larzelere, who is one of the oldest grain dealers in the state of Michigan, now living a retired life in Quincy, has passed the eighty-fourth milestone on life's journey, his birth having occurred in Seneca Falls, New York, in 1821. In the paternal line he is of French lineage and in the ma- ternal line of Dutch descent. His father. William Larzelere, was a native of the Empire state and traced his ancestry back to one of three brothers who came to America in an early day, fleeing from their own country and settling on Staten Island. William Larzelere was connected with the boat business and was also active in speculation. In 1836 he came to Michigan, settling one mile west of Kenton, in Lenawee county. He was in good financial circumstances, prosperous in most of his business investments. He became prominent in community affairs and was called to various public offices, serving as collector and justice of the peace. filling the last named position for a number of years in New York. His political allegiance was given to the Whig party until its dissolution. when he joined the ranks of the new Republican party. In his religious faith he was a Congregational- ist. He married Mahala Burrows, a native of Seneca Falls, New York, who died in 1885. at the age of eighty-two years. They were the parents of seven sons and one daughter.

Daniel Larzelere, the only surviving member of the family, was but twelve years of age when he began earning his own living. being employed in a store. When a young man of twenty years he embarked in business for himself as a woolen manufacturer in Ypsilanti, and he afterward spent six years as a merchant and miller at Grass Lake. In 1846 he began buying grain, having built a mill, and he has the reputation of being the oldest grain dealer in the state of Michigan. Later he removed to Adrian and accepted the position of chief clerk in the office of the superintendent of the Lake Shore Railroad Company, being at that point for four years. His next home was at Dowagiac, Michigan. where he carried on merchandising. also dealt in grain and wool and built a business block which he afterward sold for ten thousand dollars. He remained at Dowagiac for seventeen years, prospering in his undertakings there. and when he disposed of his business interests he took in exchange for his store four hundred and sixty-four acres of land and the stock upon the farm at Tekonsha, where he carried on general agricultural pursuits for six years. He had previously owned and operated a number of farms. so that the work of the agriculturist was not unfamiliar to him. On leaving the farm he traded his property there for

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HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY

realty in Quincy. This was in the year 1877, and in the following year he engaged in merchandising, since which time he has been a representative of the grain trade at this point and yet makes extensive shipments. He has always led a busy life, and while at Dowagiac his business interests amounted to three hundred thousand dollars annually. While in business in that city he also had six stations where he bought grain-Dowagiac, Decatur, Law- ton, Buchanan, Niles and Clayton. He was a man amongst the farmers who always stood by his word and was ever popular, one who stood four square with the world as an honest business man.

Mr. Larzelere has been married twice. In 1845 he wedded Delia Brewer, of Ypsilanti, and they became the parents of one son, Frank A., who is now living in Quincy. In 1857 Mr. Larzelere was married to Clymena Larzelere, of Adrian, Michigan, and they have become the parents of three daughters: Leora E., the wife of Rev. K. N. Conrad, a minister of the Baptist church, at Newport, New York; Ina M., the wife of William Men- sell. a plumber at Los Gatos, California; and Clymena, who died in infancy. They also have an adopted son, Claude S., who is now professor in the Cen- tral Normal School at Mount Pleasant, Michigan.

Mr. and Mrs. Larzelere are members of the Presbyterian church at Quincy, in which he is serving as treasurer, and in the work of which they take an active and helpful interest. He assisted in organizing the Odd Fel- lows lodge at Ypsilanti, and to some extent has attended the meetings in Quincy. Formerly he was a Republican, but is now a strong Prohibitionist and takes high ground on the subject of temperance. He has often been solicited to accept nomination for office, but has invariably declined, pre- ferring to concentrate his time, energies and attention upon his business affairs. Few men of his years are yet so active in business as is Mr. Lar- zelere, and such a life record should put to shame many a man of much younger years, who, growing weary of the struggles of a business career, would relegate to others the burdens that he should bear. Old age does not necessarily suggest idleness nor want of occupation. There is an old age that grows stronger and better as the years pass, both mentally and spir- itually, and gives of its rich stores an experience. Such has been the record of Mr. Larzelere, who is to-day one of the most honored as well as most venerable citizens of Quincy.

ARTHUR BURROWS.

Arthur Burrows has for forty-three years been a resident of Coldwater, and while he has never sought to figure in public life and thus gain wide prominence, he has nevertheless been a factor in community interests, sup- porting all measures for the benefit and upbuilding of the city and co-oper- ating in many movements which have been effective in advancing the wel- fare of the county.

Mr. Burrows is a native of England, his birth having occurred in Bury St. Edmonds, county Suffolk, December 29, 1827. His parents, William and Sarah (Snare) Burrows, were also natives of the same locality, and

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when they came to America in the year 1837 they settled in Rochester, New York, where their remaining days were passed. their remains being interred in Mount Hope cemetery. They were the parents of eight children, seven sons and a daughter, of whom one died in infancy, while one remained in England, the other five sons and daughter coming to America with their parents.

Arthur Burrows, the seventh in order of birth in the family, was only nine years of age when he crossed the Atlantic, and in Rochester, New York. he was reared and educated, remaining there until early manhood, when he removed to Brockport, New York. about seventeen miles west of the former city. He was there married December 29. 1850, to Eliza J. Grenell, who was born in Greenfield. Saratoga county. New York, October 19, 1827. a daughter of Benjamin and Betsy Grenell, who removed to Brockport, where their daughter spent her girlhood days and acquired her education. The young couple began their domestic life in that place, where they remained until 1862. when they came to Coldwater. Michigan, and since that time Mr. Burrows, as a public-spirited and progressive citizen, has upheld the moral and political status of the community and contributed to its material progress and improvement. He entered business life here as an employe of the firm of Blodget & Company. dealers in furniture and undertaker's sup- plies, with whom he remained for about fifteen years. when, his economy and industry bringing to him some capital, he embarked in mercantile life on his own account. It was in 1885 that he opened his furniture and under- taking establishment, as a partner of A. R. Brown, under the firm name of Brown & Burrows. Later the senior member sold his interest to J. M. Crocker, with whom Mr. Burrows was afterward engaged in the undertak- ing business for about two years. In the winter of 1899 the business rela- tions between them were discontinued and Mr. Burrows opened an under- taking parlor in connection with Charles H. Harris. with whom he con- tinued until April 4. 1902, when he retired from active business life to enjoy the competence which his years of earnest toil. capable management and keen discrimination in business affairs had brought to him.

Of strongly domestic tastes and interested in the home life. Mr. Bur- rows has ever done what he could to promote the welfare and happiness of his wife and children. Only two, however, of the eight children born to him and his wife are now living: Lelia, the wife of J. N. Smith, a rural mail carrier ; and Mattie E .; the wife of William Clark, of Coldwater. Mr. Burrows also has three grandchildren, Fred Burrows, May Sawin and Fred Smith. The members of the family who have passed away are as follows : William A., born May 17. 1854. in Brockport, New York, died in Iroquois. Illinois, December 20, 1881 : Carrie Jane, born August 6, 1857, in Brock- port, New York, died in Coldwater, May 8. 1897: Ida Elizabeth, born in Brockport, February 17. 1859. died May 17. 1884: Harry C., born March 28. 1861, in Brockport, died in Coldwater May 7. 1862: Fred, born January 2, 1864, in this city. died January 7, 1864: Kate S., born in Brockport. New York, March 28. 1861, died August 24. 1885.

Aside from the fact that Mr. Burrows was so long an active repre-

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sentative of business interests, he was also well known in Coldwater because of his participation in public affairs. His position in regard to political questons has ever been an unequivocal one, as he has given a stanch and unswerving support to Republican principles. He has labored earnestly to promote the growth and insure the success of his party, and has been called to render various public services of a responsible character. He has been a member of the United States grand jury and the Branch county petit jury. He was county coroner for six years, supervisor from the first ward for six years and alderman from the first ward for two years. No public trust has ever been betrayed by him in the slightest degree and his public duties have been performed in the same capable and straightforward manner that ever characterized his business dealings. A permeating influence and motive power in his life has been his relationship with the Baptist church, of which he has been a member for sixty years. He has filled various offices in the church, and for a number of years was superintendent of the Sunday-school and he has ever given generously of his means to the support of Christian and charitable work. During a residence of forty-three years in Coldwater he has so lived as to make for himself an enviable reputation in commercial, political and church circles. With a just conception of the duties and obli- gations that devolve upon man, and his possibilities for accomplishment in character building as well as in the material things of life, he has wrought along lines of great good, and is therefore to-day one of the most thoroughly respected and esteemed citizens of Branch county.

DANA P. WHITE.

Dana P. White, who is engaged in the milling business in Union City. is a native of the Green Mountain state, his birth having occurred in Orange county, Vermont, November 1, 1826. His father, Josiah White, also born in that state, was a millwright by occupation and died in his native county when about sixty years of age. The ancestry of the family, however, can be traced somewhat farther back, the family having been established in this country in colonial days. The following is a quotation from Theodore Tilten :

" There was a Mrs. White on board the Mayflower, the mother of the first born child born to the New England pilgrims on this continent. It was a good omen that this historic babe was brought into the world on board the Mayflower, between the time of casting the anchor and the landing of the passengers. A kind of amphibious prophecy that the new born nation was to have a birthright inheritance over sea and land.

" THEODORE TILTON."

" New York, December 22, 1865."

The grandfather, Paul White, lived to the extreme old age of ninety-six years, while his wife Polly was ninety-four years of age at the time of her death, and they had traveled life's journey together for more than seventy years. Josiah White was united in marriage to Miss Zerviah Townsend, also a native of Vermont, who died when about fifty years of age, while her father

D. P. White

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passed away at the age of sixty years. Unto Mr. and Mrs. White were born nine children, five sons and four daughters, all of whom reached adult age.

Dana P. White, the seventh member of this family, and the only one now living, spent his boyhood days in the state of his nativity until fourteen years of age and began his education there in a log schoolhouse. When still but a lad he became familiar with the milling business, and in his fifteenth year he started out to make his own way in the world. He then learned the tailor's trade in Windsor, Vermont, serving a regular apprenticeship, and later he accepted a clerkship in a clothing store at Cambridgeport, Massachusetts, where he remained for a year. On the expiration of that period he entered upon an active business career as a clothing merchant of Windsor, Vermont, but after a year he sold his store there and went to Charleston, New Hamp- shire, where he conducted a similar enterprise for two years. He then again disposed of his stock of goods and removed to the middle west. settling in Davenport, Iowa, where he engaged in the bag and paper business, manufac- turing paper and flour sacks for about six years. He next located in St. Louis, Missouri, where he engaged in the manufacture of vinegar in partner- ship with a brother, continuing there for about a year. This was during the period of the Civil war. From St. Louis he went to Keokuk, Iowa, where he again engaged in the manufacture of flour sacks for thirty-six years, con- ducting a profitable business. When the three decades had passed he sold his interest to his brother and removed to Brooklyn, New York, where he lived. retired for about a year and a half. Settling in Ann Arbor, Michigan, he spent three years in that city, having no active business interests, but enjoy- ing a well carned rest.

Mr. White first came to Union City in 1852, remaining for three years at that time, and it was from this place that he removed to Bridgeport, Con- necticut. There he conducted a clothing and furnishing goods business. after which he went to Davenport, Iowa, as mentioned above. Again he came to Union City on leaving Ann Arbor in 1890, and after a time he purchased a book store, which he conducted for five years. He also had charge of the express and telephone business, and upon selling his store he purchased the Union City mill, which he is now conducting, manufacturing an excellent grade of flour, which finds a ready sale on the market.

In 1849 Mr. White was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Gleason, and unto them were born two children, Mary Addie and Annie Lizzie, twins. The latter is now the wife of Dr. Solon B. Parsons, of Arkansas City, Arkan- sas, and they have six children, three sons and three daughters, Dana, Helen. Mary, Margaret, John and Richard. . Mary A. is the wife of Professor E. R. Miller of Auburn, Alabama, now in Cuba in the employ of the Cuban govern- ment. The mother died June 1, 1881, and on the 17th of May, 1887, Mr. White wedded Susie Easton.

Mr. White is an inflexible advocate of the Republican party, and voted for Fremont, Lincoln and its successive presidential candidates. Prior to its organization he was a Democrat and cast his ballot for James K. Polk. He has been a member of the Masonic fraternity between forty and fifty years. and in his life has exemplified the beneficent spirit of the craft. Long a de-

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voted member of the Congregational church, he is serving as one of its deacons and takes an active and helpful part in its work. His life is a proof of the adage, " through struggles to success," for he started out in life empty- handed and has gradually worked his way upward, making all that he has enjoyed and now possesses through his industry. Although he has passed the seventy-eighth milestone of life's journey he is still an active factor in business life and such a career should put to shame many a man of younger years who. growing weary of the close application and struggles of a busi- ness career, would put upon others the burdens that he should bear. In spirit and interest Mr. White seems yet in his prime and he commands the respect of young and old, rich and poor.

IVILLIS A. MILLER.

Willis A. Miller, who is farming on section one, Batavia township, is numbered among Michigan's native sons, his birth having occurred in Pon- tiac, Oakland county, on the 7th of December, 1852. His father, George Miller, was a native of Highland county, Ohio, born February 18, 1819, and he came to Branch county, Michigan, about 1831, but went to Iowa in 1853, returning, however, to Michigan in 1859. For forty years thereafter he remained a resident of this part of the state, and his death occurred in Coldwater in 1899, when he had attained the venerable age of eighty years. He married Miss Ruth Norton, who was born in Jefferson county, New York, October 16, 1824. Her last days were spent in the home of her son, Willis Miller, where she passed away on the Ioth of November, 1901.

Mr. Miller was an adopted son of these worthy people, becoming a member of their family when only five weeks old, and he was never made to feel that they were not his real parents, but received from them the loving care and attention which are to be expected from an own father and mother. He was a youth of seven years at the time of their removal to Branch county and here he pursued his education in the district schools of Gilead town- ship. He remained at home up to the time of his marriage, March 28, 1888, when Miss Anna Luh became his wife. She was born in Germany and was a little maiden of four summers when brought by her parents to Branch county, Michigan, receiving her education in the common schools. She is a daughter of Carl and Catherine (Gruner) Luh and was reared in Union township, this county. At the time of their marriage the young couple located on the farm which is now their home, and he has since given his attention to the tilling of the soil and the improvement of his property, hav- ing one hundred acres of land, constituting an excellent farm. In fact he is classed with the successful agriculturists of the county, having made most of the improvements upon his place, a fact which indicates his progressive spirit and careful supervision. The farm is neat and thrifty, and in all of his work he is practical, his labors being attended with the success which always comes as the reward of persistent purpose and unfaltering diligence. He has been a resident of Branch county for forty-six years and has taken an active interest in all public affairs, his political allegiance being given to

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the Republican party, for he believes that it contains the best elements of good government. Mrs. Miller is a member of the Presbyterian church, and also a member of Centennial Bay View Reading Circle, being chairman of the division. In 1904 Mr. and Mrs. Miller made a two thousand five hundred mile trip through the states of Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska. Indiana, Missouri and Kansas in their automobile, the " Olds Runabout," four and a half H. P. Their trip consumed three and a half months and was for self-enjoyment. Mrs. Miller's comfortable, cosy home is an indication that she is one of the careful housewives.

JOSEPH PHINEAS FARRAND.

Joseph Phineas Farrand, a veteran of the Civil war and a practical and enterprising farmer of Branch county, was born May 10. 1833, in Elmira, New York. His parents were Charles C. and Nancy ( Christian) Farrand. The father was a native of New Jersey and is descended from ancestors who came to America while this country was still numbered among the colonial possessions of Great Britain. Charles C. Farrand and his brother Harvey removed from New Jersey to New York, where they engaged in the operation of a sawmill for seven or eight years, and the year 1836 wit- nessed his arrival in Bronson township, Branch county, Michigan. He found here a pioneer district with few settlements and little improvement, but he cast in his lot with the frontiersmen who were subduing the wilder- ness, purchasing one hundred and sixty acres of land on section thirty-two, Bronson township. A log house had been begun on the place and he fin- ished that pioneer dwelling, taking up his abode there in 1837. As he pros- pered in his farming pursuits he added one hundred and sixty acres on sec- tion thirty-two, a tract of forty acres on section thirty-three, forty acres on section twenty-nine and eighty acres on section thirty-two, giving him an aggregate of three hundred and twenty acres. He carried on general farm- ing and developed his property into a productive tract of land, from which he annually garnered rich crops. In the early days he served as road com- missioner and laid out many of the roads in the southwest part of the town- ship. He was prominent and helpful in public affairs and his worth was widely acknowledged, so that deep regret was felt at the loss of this honored pioneer settler when he was called to his final rest. In his family were five children : Ebenezer, who died in 1899; Joseph P., of this review; Marie, who died in 1900; Willis, who is living in Sherwood, Branch county; and Catherine Eliza, who died in Kansas in 1893.

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A twentieth century history and biographical record of Branch County, Michigan, Part 94

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