A twentieth century history and biographical record of Branch County, Michigan, Part 96

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

USA > Michigan > Branch County > A twentieth century history and biographical record of Branch County, Michigan > Part 96

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His first occupation after the war ended was dealing in stock and carry- ing on farm work at Bloomington, Illinois, where he remained for two years. He then went to Chatsworth, that state, and afterward to Wood- ford county, Illinois, whence he subsequently made his way to Nebraska. settling in Buffalo county, and in the west he was engaged in hunting buffa- loes for five years. Returning to the district east of the Mississippi he took up his abode in Branch county in 1876, locating in Matteson township upon a farm of sixty acres of raw land. With characteristic energy he began the cultivation and improvement of this place and he has since added twenty acres to the original tract and now has the entire farm under a good state of cultivation. He has erected all of the present buildings and his farm is

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attractive because of the improvements he has placed upon it, which have also added greatly to its value. The fields annually return rich harvests and he uses the latest improved machinery in planting and cultivating his crops.

Mr. Foote was married in White Oak Grove, Woodford county, Illi- nois, in 1867, the lady of his choice being Miss Lousetta Stephens, a native of Clinton county, Ohio, born March 19, 1848, and a daughter of Jesse and Elizabeth Stephens. Her father was born April 22, 1817, and died on the 14th of August, 1903, while the mother was born May 10, 1816. She was of Quaker lineage and departed this life on the 25th of August, 1887. In the family of this worthy couple were six children, Mrs. Foote being the fourth in order of birth and the third of the four daughters. The family record is as follows: Hannah L., born May 5. 1840; Julia A., September 7, 1842; James, born May 5, 1845; Lousetta Amanda, November 22, 1854; and Charles, October 1, 1859. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Foote has been blessed with four children and three were born in Illinois and one in Nebraska. They also lost one son. William, who was born January 21, 1869, being the second of the family. The others were Edward, born No- vember 13, 1867; Jesse, born May 2, 1871; and Lillian M., born November 19, 1874.

In his fraternal relations Mr. Foote is connected with the Grand Army of the Republic at Bronson and is also a member of the Grange there. He votes with the Republican party, which he has supported since attaining his majority, and has been to a greater or less extent active in political circles. He served as justice of the peace for two years and as drain commissioner for eight years, and in discharging his duties manifested the same fidelity and loyalty to the public good that he displayed when following the stars and stripes upon southern battlefields.

HIRAM BRONSON HAWLEY.

Hiram Bronson Hawley, whose name is on the roll of pioneer citizens of Branch county, now lives on section twenty-two, Union township. He was born in Lewiston. Niagara county, New York, May 17, 1825. His paternal grandfather, Chapman Hawley, also became a resident of Branch county in pioneer times. He was a soldier of the Revolutionary war, loyally aiding the colonists in their struggle for independence. His son, Lewis Haw- ley, was a soldier of the war of 1812. The latter was born in Lewiston, Niagara county, New York, and came west to Michigan in 1836, casting in his lot with the pioneer settlers of Union township, Branch county. Much of the land was still unclaimed, the forests were uncut, the streams unbridged and the fields uncultivated. There were hardships and privations to be borne such as can hardly be imagined by people of the present generation, who know only modern prosperity and progress, and to the worthy pioneers who faced all the difficulties of life here in an early day, a debt of gratitude is due that can never be repaid. The place in which the father lived became known as the Hawley settlement. He continued farming operations in that locality

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until called to his final rest at the age of seventy-three years. He married Charlotte Barnard, a native of Lewiston, New York, who reached the age of sixty-five years. They were the parents of twelve children, all of whom were born in Lewiston.

Hiram B. Hawley, the eighth member of the family, was only eleven years of age when brought by his parents to Branch county, and he was therefore reared to manhood in Union township. In retrospect one can see him as he trudged each day to the little log school house in the midst of the forest to master the elementary branches of learning therein taught. His father's home was also a log cabin constructed without nails. He aided in the arduous task of developing a new farm. His life at that time was indeed a strenuous one, for it was customary to enter the fields at daybreak and continue the work of cultivation until after nightfall. At the age of nine- teen years he began learning the blacksmith's trade, serving a three years' apprenticeship under John D. Zimmerman at Union City. When he had mastered the business he established a shop of his own in Union City and conducted it for about four years, during which time his economy and labor brought him a goodly capital, which he wisely invested in eighty acres of land in Union township. It was all covered with a dense growth of tim- ber, but in the midst of the green woods he resolutely set to work to carve out a home and farm. He first built a log house, in which he lived for a time, but later he resumed work at his trade, establishing a shop at Cold- water, and afterward removed to Colon in St. Joseph county, Michigan. There he also built a shop, which he conducted for a time, when he sold out and again took up his abode on his farm in Union township. He cleared the greater portion of the eighty acres and engaged in the raising of crops for a number of years, but subsequently he once more settled in Coldwater and again engaged in blacksmithing. In seven years he moved fourteen times. In 1850 he located on a farm in Batavia township, and thirty-five years passed before he left that place. In 1885, however, he purchased the farm upon which he now resides on section twenty-two, Union township, paying seventy-five dollars per acre for his land. He has since improved the place in many ways. He had the misfortune to have his house with nearly all of its contents destroyed by fire, but he at once replaced it with a good modern residence that he now occupies.

In 1847 Mr. Hawley was married to Miss Rowena Harris. They have two sons, Walter and Jerome. They have traveled life's journey happily to- gether for almost six decades, sharing with each other its joys and sorrows, its adversity and prosperity. In early days Mr. Hawley gave his political support to the Whig party, with which he was connected until the new Re- publican party was formed, when he joined its ranks. He was a staunch advocate of the Union cause, and he had four brothers who were soldiers in the Civil war, but only one is now living. Mr. Hawley has been a resident of Branch county for nearly seventy years and is truly one of its pioneer set- tlers. In early days he hauled flour from Union City to Jackson with an ox team, getting fifty cents per barrel. It required about five days to make the trip. Through his own energy and perseverance, and the assistance of

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his estimable wife, who has indeed been a helpmate to him, he has had a prosperous career and is now the owner of a valuable farm property, pos- sessing a competence that supplies them with all of the comforts and many of the luxuries of life. His mind forms a connecting link between the primi- tive past and the progressive present, and few men are better informed con- cerning the pioneer history of this section of the state than H. B. Hawley.

EBER J. DAVIS.

Eber J. Davis, superintendent of the large plant of the Wolverine Port- land Cement Company at Quincy, was born in Ovid township, Branch county, July 2, 1865, and his business career has been mainly connected with the county of his birth. He is a son of the late George Davis, who, a native of Cayuga county, New York, died in 1901 in his seventy-ninth year. The grandfather, Robert Davis, was also born in New York state, being of English descent. George Davis came to Michigan in 1851, and was a re- spected and prosperous farmer of Ovid township until his death. Starting in life with an ordinary education, and being in the main a self-made man, he prospered by the application of industry and good judgment in his affairs, and was able to leave his family in good circumstances. He was a Demo- crat in politics, but never aspired to office.

George Davis married Marietta Zeluff, who, now living at the age of sixty-five, is one of the oldest natives of Ovid township. Her father, Joseph Zeluff, a native of New York and of English descent, came to Michigan in 1831, locating on a farm one mile south of Coldwater, the place being now owned by Mr. Beidelman, and from there moved to Ovid township, and kept his home there until his death at the age of about sixty years. Mr. and Mrs. George Davis had two sons, the younger, Nelson G., being an employe of the Lake Shore Railroad and living at Batavia.

Mr. E. J. Davis was reared on a farm, attended school in the country, and at an early age began learning the trade of carpenter, which he fol- lowed altogether twenty-four years, most of the time as a contractor and builder in Chicago. In 1894 he became foreman carpenter for the Bronson Port- land Cement Company at Bronson, continued in that capacity a year and a half, was then in a similar position with the Wolverine Cement Company eight months, and for three years following was again with the Bronson company as superintendent of their plant. In 1902 he transferred his home and busi- ness to Quincy, when he became superintendent of the Wolverine Cement Company's plant at this place. He is an energetic and capable manager of affairs and men, and has filled his position in Quincy and elsewhere with very creditable success.

In 1892 Mr. Davis married Ardella A. Smith. She was born in Bethel township in 1864, and her parents, Hiram H. and Mary (Smead) Smith, both now deceased, were early settlers of this county, her father hav- ing come here from his native state of Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Davis 'have no children of their own, but their home has been blessed with the presence of a daughter by Mrs. Davis' first marriage, Maud L. Fenner, who is now

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capably filling the position of stenographer in the main office of the Wolver- ine Cement Company at Coldwater. Mr. Davis has identified himself pub- lic-spiritedly with the town of his present residence, and is now serving as a member of the village council. In politics he is a Republican, and is affiliated with the Masonic fraternity.

J. D. MOSHER.

J. D. Mosher, secretary of the Farmers' Mutual Insurance Company at Coldwater, was born in Coldwater township, his natal day being February 8, 1860. His father, Edwin Mosher, was born in Cayuga county, New York, and came to Michigan with his father. James Mosher, in 1835, when six years of age. Here he was reared amid the environment and conditions of pioneer life. acquiring his education in one of the primitive schools of the period. He was married in Coldwater township to Miss Ellen Whitney, a native of Ontario county, New York, and they began their domestic life upon a farm in Coldwater township. Later they removed to the city, but subsequently lived in Kinderhook township for a long period. In their last years, however, they were residents of Coldwater, and both died at the age of sixty-nine years. Mr. Mosher voted with the Democracy and was well known in the county as a man of good business capacity, of loyalty in citizen- ship and of devotion and fidelity in friendship. Unto him and his wife were born two children, but the daughter, Rita L., died at the age of forty-one years. She was the wife of S. W. Weage, a stock buyer of Coldwater.

Mr. Mosher, the only son and now the only surviving member of the family, was seven years of age when his parents took up their abode upon the home farm in Kinderhook township. He attended the common schools near by and afterward continued his education in the high school of Fremont and in Hillsdale College. Later he taught in the district schools of Branch county, proving a capable educator because of his ability to impart clearly and readily to others the knowledge that he had acquired. He was also called to public office by his fellow townsmen who recognized his worth and ability. For six years he served as township clerk of Kinderhook township and was holding that office when elected county treasurer in 1892. He then took up his abode in Coldwater in order to discharge the duties of his new position, and for four years he was the guardian of the public funds, retir- ing from office as he had entered it, with the confidence and good will of all concerned. In 1898 he was made secretary of the Farmers' Mutual Insur- ance Company, previous to which time he had been engaged in general insur- ance business, and was therefore well qualified for the important duties that devolved upon him in connection with his new position. He had also been bookkeeper in a hardware store for some time, and at the present writing he is with the Farmers' Mutual Insurance Company, having an office at Cold- water, from which point he superintends the work that devolves upon him. He also owns a well improved farm of one hundred and seventy-six acres in Kinderhook township.

In August, 1898, occurred the marriage of Mr. Mosher and Miss Mar-

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thena Hastings, a daughter of John and Mary (Mckinney) Hastings, and a native of Tecumseh, Michigan. Mr. and Mrs. Mosher have one son, Edwin H.

Mr. Mosher votes with the Republican party and firmly adheres to its principles. He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and to the Knights of Pythias fraternity, while his wife is a member of the Presby- terian church. Although he is still a comparatively young man, he has lived for forty-five years in Branch county, and may therefore be classed with its early settlers. Since attaining his majority he has spent much of his time in public office, and over the record of his career there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil.

CHARLES L. BURNETT.

George Washington said that "farming is the most useful as well as the most honorable occupation of man," and the truth stands to-day and has stood through all the years which have run their course since the senti- ment was uttered by the father of his country. Mr. Burnett, a representative of agricultural interests in Branch county, is now living on Section 14, Union township, upon the farm where occurred his birth on the 17th of November. 1844. His father, Orris Burnett, was a native of New York and came to Branch county in 1835, casting in his lot with its pioneer settlers. He took up his abode in Union township, where he purchased land for ten shillings per acre, and he built thereon a shanty, after which he erected a log house. Still later this pioneer home was replaced by a frame dwelling, and when some years had passed he built a still more commodious and modern frame house. The changes in his residence indicate his progressive spirit. which is manifest as well in all of his farm work. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and a man whom to know was to esteem and honor. He married Miss Diantha Millerman, and they became the parents of eight children, all of whom were born in Union township with one excep- tion.

Charles L. Burnett, the fifth child and third son in this family, spent his boyhood days in his parents' home, obtaining his education in Union township. He remained under the parental roof until after the outbreak of the Civil war. He was not quite seventeen years of age when he responded to his country's call for troops, enlisting on the 17th of September, 1861. as a member of Company D, Fourth Michigan Light Artillery. He served for the full term of three years and then re-enlisted, becoming a veteran of the same company, with which he continued until after the cessation of hos- tilities, making his entire term three years and ten months. He was with the western army and participated in many of the hotly contested engage- ments, whose result led to the splendid success which ultimately crowned the Union arms. He took part in the battles of Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, Stone River, Hoover's Gap and many minor engagements. He was one of the youngest members of his regiment and was in active continuous service, no soldier of twice his years displaying greater valor and loyalty than did Mr. Burnett. He may well be proud of his army record.

& Le Brunett

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Following his return from the war Mr. Burnett resumed the occupation of farming in Union township, and in October. 1866, he secured a companion and helpmate for life's journey by his marriage to Miss Lorana Morey, a daughter of Alfred and Annice ( Bickford) Morey, who was one of the early settlers of Union township, and at his death the following lines were written : "On Monday afternoon, Alfred B. Morey, one of the pioneer residents of Union township, died at his home about two miles south of this city, on the Coldwater road, at the advanced age of seventy-eight years and six months. The cause of his death was paralysis, from which he had suffered for several years past. Mr. Morey was born at Harpersville, Ohio, and came to Michigan when twenty-five years of age. He had lived on the homestead where he died for twenty-eight years. He was twice married, the first wife being Annice Bickford. To them was born one child, Mrs. C. L. Burnett. who is still a resident of this township. In the second marriage he espoused Lucy A. Eddy, who with two sons, Frank E. and Allen J., still survive him. The funeral took place from the home at one o'clock Wednesday afternoon. Rev. H. S. Mills, pastor of the Congregational church. officiating. Inter- ment was made in Riverside cemetery and thus was laid to rest one who had been honored and esteemed in the community during all the long years of his residence here." Mrs. Burnett's mother died when she was eight years old.

Mr. and Mrs. Burnett began their domestic life upon section fourteen, Union township, where they have since resided, Mr. Burnett giving his time and attention to general agricultural pursuits and also to some extent fol- lowing the carpenter's trade. He has one hundred and ten acres of land and is a well-to-do agriculturist, having gained a gratifying measure of success in the conduct of his business interests.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Burnett have been born three children: Ardell. the wife of C. E. Brooks. of Union township: Carrie B., the wife of Ed Sander- son, of the same township: and La Verne, who died at the age of nineteen vears. The death of La Verne Burnett, of Union, November 9th, was a remarkable instance of typhoid fever, where the temperature remained normal during the ten weeks' illness of the patient. In this case the thermometer of the physician did not indicate the ordinary symptoms of the disease. Dr. Wood, of this city, was called in the case and diagnosed the disease as typhoid poisoning without the fever. Such cases are very rare. the first one reported in medical journals being by Dr. Liebmister. of Berlin, in 1869. During the Franco-Prussian war a number of similar cases were reported, but they occur so seldom that many physicians who practice for a lifetime never have the opportunity to prescribe for a patient with this disease. The post mortem disclosed the typhoid lesions in the lower intestines, which showed that the diagnosis of Dr. Wood was correct.

Politically Mr. Burnett is a Republican, having given his allegiance to the party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He has served as highway commissioner for five years and has held other local offices. He belongs to Corbin Post. G. A. R., No. 88. and Mrs. Burnett belongs to the Women's Relief Corps No. 25. at Union City. She is also president of the

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East Union Aid Society, whose object is to aid the poor and needy. Mr. Burnett is well known in the county where the circle of his friends is con- stantly increasing as the circle of his acquaintance is extended.

MRS. MOSES T. ABEL.

Mrs. Moses T. Abel lives upon a fertile farm of one hundred and ten acres located upon section four, Girard township, which place has been her home for the past forty years. Her maiden name was Celestia A. Bradley and she was born in Girard township July 31, 1837. Her father was Addini- ram Bradley, who was born in Sandersfield, Berkshire county, Massachu- setts, October 29, 1799, where he grew to manhood. There he was united in marriage with Sally Fegles, who was born in Massachusetts, March 21, 1804. They lived for a number of years in the state of New York before coming to Michigan, where they were among the early pioneers. They were the parents of three children, one son and two daughters, as follows: Alvah G., who was born in New York state October 21, 1824, and who died in Genesee county, in that state, October 7, 1833, when he was only nine years of age. Emma Bradley, the elder daughter, was born in Wyoming county, New York, January 16, 1831, while Celestia Bradley Abel, the younger daughter, is the subject of this sketch. Addiniram Bradley and his wife were among the most highly esteemed residents of this vicinity, and they always exercised a power for good in the community. Mrs. Bradley died in Tekonsha, January 25, 1859, and her husband survived her for many years, passing away May 15, 1883. Deacon Bradley, as he was familiarly known, was an active and zealous member of the Tekonsha Baptist church, of which he was an officer for many years, and his memory is still honored and re- vered by many relatives and friends.

The elder daughter of the Bradley family, Emma, was married to Moses T. Abel in Girard, April 18, 1847, and they were the parents of three children, one of whom died in early childhood. The two still living are as follows : Lovina is married to Edwin French, of Marshall, Michigan, and they have five children: Mabel wedded Bert Mitchell, and has one little son, John Earl; Merton, Ernest, Ida and Ray. Delina is married to Nelson Shedd, of Tekonsha, and five children have been born to them: Clyde. George, Glenn, Leon and Dorne. Emma Bradley Abel died in Girard, De- cember 16, 1859, and March 4, 1860, Mr. Abel was married to his deceased wife's sister, Celestia A. Bradley. To them six children were born, all of whom are living with the exception of one daughter, Emma, who was born July 4, 1870, and who died April 13, 1876, at the age of six years. The other children are as follows: Elmer was born May 25, 1861, and is married to Ida Foster. They have two children: Nettie and Elmer. Eugene was born July 2, 1863. and is married to Anna Finney, and they have one daughter, Eva Belle. Fred was born March 24, 1865, and is married to Laura Annis. They have three children: George, Ethel and Frank. Willbur C. was born April 28, 1868, and is married to Stella Hadlock. They have four children : Hazel, Clayton, Alfred and Marie. Lena Abel was born January 28, 1873,

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and is married to Alfred Hadlock, and for the present they are living with Mrs. Abel upon the home farm. Edah Abel was born July 18, 1877, and is married to Clark McDonald, of Union City, Michigan, and they have one son, Louis. The four sons are all residents of Tekonsha, where they are en- gaged in business on their own account. Here they have comfortable homes of their own and are counted as prosperous and influential citizens.

Mr. Moses T. Abel was a native of Newport, Herkimer county, New York, where he was born November 10, 1819. and he came to Michigan in an early day. he being the only member of his family to emigrate westward. He had two brothers and one sister, all of whom are now dead. He located upon the land now owned and occupied by his widow, and here he made a home for himself and his loved ones. When he secured possession of the land it was in a perfectly wild state, not an acre cleared, and all covered with the virgin forest. He cleared the land, erected suitable buildings and brought the farm under a good state of cultivation. The remainder of his life was passed here, and before his death he had created a most comfortable farm home. Mr. Abel was always a farmer, and although he was not a member of any fraternal or religious society, nevertheless he was known as a temperate, industrious and most estimable man, possessing in a marked degree the con- fidence and esteem of his neighbors and fellow townsmen. He died October 17, 1893, leaving behind him that best of all heritages, a good name.

After his death Mrs. Abel, although previously unversed in business affairs, soon adapted herself to the changed conditions and carried on the management of the farm, which she personally controls at the present time. She has cared for her children and the children of her sister, has raised and educated them and now sees them all with comfortable homes of their own. She continues to make her home upon the old homestead, although she spends many happy days in the families of her grown-up sons and daughters. Mrs. Abel is a member of the Baptist church of Tekonsha and she possesses the confidence and regard of a very large circle of friends.

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A twentieth century history and biographical record of Branch County, Michigan, Part 96

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