USA > Michigan > Allegan County > A twentieth century history of Allegan County, Michigan > Part 13
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On the 9th of June, 1861, at Burr Oak, St. Joseph county, Michigan, Judge Padgham was married to Miss Eliza C. Landon, whose parents had removed to that township from Niagara county, New York, about the year 1854. The judge was formerly a member of the Odd Fellows' Society, with which he united in 1872, at Plainwell, Allegan county, while later he be- came a member of the Knights of Pythias fraternity in the village of Alle- gan. He is associated with the Episcopal church at Allegan, having been a member and vestryman for more than twenty-five years, while at the present writing he is junior warden of the church of the Good Shepherd. Born and reared upon a farm, he followed agricultural pursuits until he
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entered upon a career as a teacher in Centerville and since that time he has always taken great delight in getting away into the country whenever possible. While in the active practice of law he was largely deprived of that privilege but since taking his place on the bench he has endeavored to spend as much time as possible on his farm, which he owns, within a mile of the courthouse of Allegan, and it is a great pleasure to him to look over the place there, the fields and the stock, watching the growth that comes on from the time of early spring planting until crops are harvested in the late autumn and thus getting near to nature's heart. His life has been one of continuous activity, in which has been accorded due recognition of labor. Starting out in life ere he had had but limited educational privi- leges working at farm labor for several seasons and then becoming im- bued with a laudable ambition to obtain something better, he has steadily advanced in those walks of life demanding intellectuality, business ability and fidelity, and today commands the respect and esteem not only of his community but throughout the state wherever he is known.
HAROLD C. WEEKS .- The business interests of Allegan find a worthy representative in this native son of the village, who is now conducting abstract and real estate offices. He was born on the 3d of October, 1847. and is a son of Alanson S. Weeks. and a grandson of Samuel and Susan- nah Weeks. Alanson Weeks was born at Wheelock, Caledonia county. Ver- mont, January 10, 1811, and obtained such education as was afforded through the meager facilities of that day. At the age of fourteen years he was apprenticed to the trade of a painter and chairmaker, serving his time with Ira Church as his master. In the spring of 1834. in company with his brother, Corridon, he started for Michigan, traveling with a horse and buggy. The journey covered four weeks and was unmarked by an inci- dent of special importance. They arrived in Detroit on the 12th of August, 1834, and there attended the funeral obsequies of Governor Porter, the last territorial governor of Michigan. After a short residence at Detroit they started westward their destination being Kalamazoo, then known as Bron- son. There Mr. Weeks remained during the autumn and winter. working at his trade. In the spring of 1835 he made his first visit to Allegan, and being favorably impressed with its natural resources and advantages, de- cided to make his home here. Accordingly he purchased a farm on section 5. Trowbridge township, and then returned to Kalamazoo, where he re- mained until the spring of 1836, when he purchased property in the village of Allegan and made a permanent settlement.
The following year, 1837, Alanson S. Weeks was married to Harriett N. Peckham, who was also a native of Vermont, born in Franklin county in 1819. About 1827 her father removed to Canada, and in 1836 Mrs. Weeks came to Michigan in company with her brother-in-law, J. P. Aus- tin. She was a noble type of the pioneer women and endured cheerfully all of the hardships and privations of the early days. She died in 1855, at the age of thirty-six years, leaving her husband and four children to mourn her loss, the youngest being a babe of but two months. For seven years the father cared for his children alone, attending to his household duties after the day's work in the fields was done. To his children he was a father in all that the name implies. He early taught them lessons of morality and
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industry, and thereby to him they are largely indebted for the enviable posi- tion they held during their lives among the representative men of Allegan county. The eldest son, William C. Weeks, enlisted as a private of the Union army in the spring of 1862, becoming a member of Company 1, 5th Michigan cavalry. He participated in many of the decisive battles of the war and was promoted to the rank of first lieutenant. At the battle of Five Forks he was severely wounded, losing a foot, and, being captured, was confined in Libby prison from March, 1864, until August of the same year. In July, 1865, he was mustered out and returned to Allegan, where he re- sided until his death. In 1868 he was elected register of deeds and dis- charged the duties of the position with credit to himself and to the sat- isfaction of the people, while in 1871 he was re-elected to the same position. For many years he was closely identified with the interests of Allegan and was elected president of the village in 1876. The second son, Harrison S. Weeks, entered the Military Academy at West Point, at the age of eighteen years, and was graduated with high honors at the age of twenty-two. He was then commissioned a second lieutenant in the 8th United States cavalry and was stationed for some time at Fort Union, New Mexico.
In his political views Alanson Weeks was originally an old-line Whig but afterward became a stalwart champion of the Republican party. He was everywhere known as a man of unquestioned integrity, who had many virtues and few faults. He was one of those citizens whose identification with any community would always prove productive of good. He be- came a pioneer resident of Allegan and his labors and influence were valued factors in promoting general progress and improvement. He is today held in loving memory by many who knew him and it is with pleasure that we present to our readers this record of his life. He died October 18, 1880.
Harold C. Weeks, the third son of the family, acquired his early edu- cation in the schools of Allegan and afterward attended Olivet College, at Olivet, Michigan, pursuing special courses. Subsequently he engaged in clerking in a drug store and contemplated learning the druggist's business, but on account of ill health he turned his attention to the real-estate busi- ness. In 1870 he purchased the abstract records of Allegan county in con- nection with his older brother, William C. Weeks, and he has since been engaged in the abstract and real-estate business. In connection with other interests along those lines they follow agricultural pursuits on a large scale and also engaged in the breeding of Durham cattle, some of their stock being equal to the best Kentucky bred. Mr. Weeks of this review still owns the farm of seven hundred acres which is located about two and a half miles from the village of Allegan and gives considerable time and attention to the care and improvement of that property. He has dealt extensively in real estate, negotiating many important property transfers.
In 1874, in Allegan, occurred the marriage of Harold C. Weeks and Miss Rose Mix, a daughter of the late General Elisha and Amelia ( Ed- monds) Mix, who are represented elsewhere in this volume. Mr. and Mrs. Weeks now have one child, Alice M., who was born in Allegan, and in the social circles they occupy an enviable position, the hospitality of the best homes being freely accorded them.
Mr. Weeks is a Republican in politics, who was trustee of the village board for six years. He has always taken an active part in the welfare of
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his township, his village and his county, and is held in high esteem. His business affairs have been carefully conducted and success has resulted as the reward of his enterprise, diligence and careful management. He rep- resents one of the old and prominent families of this part of the state and fully sustains the honorable family record.
DR. WILLIAM E. ROWE, who practices along modern scientific lines, having a large patronage in Allegan and the surrounding country, was born in Van Buren county, Michigan, in 1857. His father, Dr. Sylvanus Rowe, was born in Steuben county, New York, and died at Lawrence, Van Buren county, Michigan, at the age of seventy-nine years. He was a graduate of the Eclectic Institute of Medicine at Cincinnati, Ohio, of the class of 1848, and practiced first in Leclair, Scott county, Iowa, while later he established his home in Lawrence, Van Buren county, Michigan. He was a physician of much skill and ability and won a liberal support from the public. In the diagnosis of his cases he was most careful and accurate and in admin- istering remedial agencies he seemed to secure the best possible results. He was also a leader in public affairs of his township, and has been the pro- moter of many measures and movements which have been of direct benefit. He delivered many campaign addresses and was an earnest worker in be- half of the Republican party, believing firmly in its principles. For several years he served as president of the village board and exercised his official prerogatives in support of general improvement and progress. He married Helen Carpenter, a native of Essex county, New York, who died in Law- rence, Michigan, at the age of seventy-nine years. Their only daughter and younger child was Mrs. Effie Agrell, of Chicago.
Dr. Rowe, the only son, was educated in the public schools of Van Buren county, and after pursuing a high school course he entered the University of Michigan, from which he was graduated in the class of 1879 on the completion of a course in medicine and surgery. He then practiced for eight years in his native village of Lawrence, after which he came to Allegan, where he has remained continuously since, making a specialty of abdominal surgery in addition to a general practice. His knowledge is comprehensive and he continually keeps abreast with the advancement made by the medical fraternity through research and investigation.
In 1887 Dr. Rowe was married in Allegan to Miss Emma H. Rowe, a daughter of Anson and Julia (Look) Rowe, of Iowa. In his political views the doctor is a stalwart Republican, and has served as county physician for ten years. He is a member of the lodge and chapter of Masons, and is a past master in the former. He was one of the leaders in the organization of the Maccabees tent, and was at one time its commander. He is public spirited and has not confined his attention alone to his professional duties but has also become connected with various manufacturing interests which have had direct bearing upon the growth and commercial activity of the village. He is willing at all times to aid in furthering any good enterprise, and what he has done for Allegan makes him numbered among its repre- sentative men.
GENERAL ELISHA MIX, whose name is on the roll of Allegan county's honored dead, was a distinguished soldier who won his title by gallant
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service in the Civil war. Moreover, he possessed that sterling strength of character which prompted him when a young man to brave hardships and privations uncomplainingly in an effort to secure a livelihood during the hard times which were felt throughout the country, and in his later years he carefully and capably conducted business interests that gained for him a goodly measure of prosperity, and at the same time won for him the respect and confidence of those with whom he was associated. He was born in Watertown, Connecticut, in 1818, and was the eldest son in a family of ten children, whose parents were James and Lucy (Steel) Mix. The father was a native of West Hartford, Connecticut, served as a soldier in the war of 1812 and held many important positions of public trust in West Hartford, where he was regarded as a most upright and honest man and valued citizen. In early life he learned the trade of cloth dressing, which he followed for a number of years. He had several sons who distin- guished themselves, both in commercial affairs and in the military service of their country.
General Mix was reared in Watertown, Connecticut, to the age of eighteen years, after which he accompanied his parents on their removal to New Britain, Connecticut. During the hard times of 1836 he walked to Cayuga county, New York, where he worked for one season as a farm hand. The succeeding year he returned to his father's home at Terryville, Connecticut, where he was employed in a trunk lock factory for a consid- erable period. In 1840, his health becoming impaired, he shipped before the mast for a sea voyage on a Liverpool boat, thinking that he would be benefited thereby. He afterward enlisted for the Florida war, and subse- quent to that period of hostilities he returned to Terryville, where he en- tered the employ of a contractor as foreman, being thus engaged until I845.
In the meantime, in 1843, General Mix was married to Miss Amelia Edmonds, daughter of James and Eliza ( Pickwick) Edmonds, who was the eldest of eight children and the only one living in Allegan county. In 1846 General Mix removed with his family to New Haven, Connecticut, to take charge of a clock factory, and there remained until 1854, when he came to Michigan. Here he took up the occupation of farming, in which he was continuously engaged until 1862. He had watched with interest the progress of events in the south following the outbreak of the Civil war, and no longer able to content himself at home while his country's honor was imperiled, he enlisted in the Eighth Michigan Cavalry. Soon afterward he was promoted to major, later to lieutenant colonel and then to the full colonelcy and command of his regiment. He was brevetted brigadier general for long and meritorious service and was mustered out in September, 1865, after the close of the war. For a time he was in command of a large force in central Tennessee and at all times he was a brave and gallant officer, inspiring those who served under him with much of his own courage and zeal. He was respected by all with whom he came in contact and served with distinction in various commands during his long and active connection with the army.
When the war was over General Mix again came to Michigan, where he remained until 1874, when with his family he returned to Terryville, Connecticut, where he resided for four years, engaged in the lock manufac-
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turing business. On the expiration of that period he again came to this state and was for some years engaged in surveying and lumbering. His last years, however, were spent quietly in Allegan in the enjoyment of rest, which was richly earned and well merited.
To General and Mrs. Mix were born three children, of whom two are living-Rose, the wife of Harold C. Weeks, who is mentioned elsewhere in this volume; and Elisha, who married Fannie A. Williams, a direct descendant of a passenger on the Mayflower. They have five children, Mosely W., Ralph W., James E., Laura A. and Clara.
The death of General Mix occurred October 10, 1899, and thus passed away one of the distinguished officers of the Civil war and a man whom to know was to respect and honor. In his business life he was thoroughly reliable, winning his success through industry and merit, and in citizenship he stood for progress and improvement, for patriotism, for civic virtue and for civic pride. In his family he was a devoted husband and father, reserving his best traits for his own fireside, and there his loss has been most deeply felt, although his memory is still honored and cherished by all who knew him. Mrs. Mix still resides in Allegan, where she is much esteemed.
EZRA BRACKETT .- The unostentatious routine of private life, although of vast importance to the welfare of a community, has not figured to any great extent in the pages of history. But the names of men who have distinguished themselves by the possession of those qualities which mainly contribute to the success of private life and to the public stability, and who have enjoyed the respect and confidence of those around them, should not be permitted to perish. Their example is more valuable to the majority of readers than that of heroes, statesmen and writers. Such are the thoughts that involuntarily come to our minds when we consider the life of him whose name introduces this sketch and who is today one of the most prominent and leading citizens of Allegan county. Ezra Brackett was born in Convis, Calhoun county, Michigan, January 17, 1848, and is a repre- sentative of one of the old and prominent pioneer families of that county. His grandfather, Ezra Brackett, was a soldier in the war of 1812. being commissioned Captain of Light Infantry. His father. Ezra Brackett, was born in Elbridge, New York, and came to Michigan in 1837, shortly after the territorial government, settling in Calhoun county, where, in the midst of the wilderness, he cleared and developed a farm of one hundred and twenty acres. He cut the first tree upon the place and the stump was left standing. Mr. Brackett of this review remembers in his childhood days of playing around that stump, which stood in the dooryard, and is still to be seen there-a mute reminder of the forest which once covered the district and of the work done by the pioneers in clearing the land. At the time of Ezra Brackett's arrival there were only three other men living in the neighborhood, and all of the hardships and privations of pioneer life had to be endured. He had to take his grain and other products of his farm in a pack on his back to Albion, a distance of nineteen miles, and in the same way he brought back provisions for his family. subsequently he worked on the construction of the Michigan Central Rail- road from Jackson to Marshall, and also worked on the Erie canal at
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Lockport and measured every stone there on the construction of the locks before coming to the west. His educational privileges were extremely limited, for up to the time that he had attained the age of fourteen years he had attended school for only two terms. He was, however, a self-made man and self-educated as well, for by reading, observation and experience he added greatly to his knowledge. He was a most interested student of ancient history and was considered an authority upon the subject, for he informed himself concerning the events which marked the world's progress in former years. He was a most highly esteemed and respected citizen and was very active in the welfare of his town and county. He held many offices of trust in his township and his fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, accorded him the honor and distinction that was due him. In politics he was a Republican, and he wielded a wide influence in community affairs, ever standing for justice, truth, right and progress. He died in 1889, at the age of eighty-four years, having been born in 1805. and thus passed away one of the prominent early residents of Michigan. who aided in reclaiming the state from the rule of the savages and utilizing it for the purposes of civilization. In early manhood he wedded Miss Mary Davison, who was born in Trenton, New Jersey, and was a daughter of John Davison, a merchant and banker of that place. She was born in 1807 and died in 1882, at the age of seventy-five vears. In the family were eleven children, but only three are now living-Charles, who resides upon the old homestead, which he owns; Albert, who is located at Findlay, Ohio, and Ezra, who is the youngest of the family.
Ezra Brackett remained in his native place to the age of seventeen years, and in the meantime acquired his preliminary education in the district schools. He afterward enjoyed the advantages of study in Olivet College, at Olivet, Michigan, and subsequently continued his education in Milton College in Wisconsin. In early manhood he engaged in teaching school for three years in Illinois, Indiana and Michigan, and then entered the ministry of the Seventh Day Adventist church, preaching for five years in the last two mentioned states. On account of ill health he then retired to his farm and subsequently he purchased a farm in Monterey township, Allegan county, which comprised one hundred and twenty acres, and was pleasantly located about eight miles north of the village of Allegan. When he made the purchase about two-thirds of the farm was under cultivation, and in addition to carrying on general agricultural pursuits he also had a good sized apple orchard. He subsequently sold this place and bought another, where he makes a specialty of raising stock, and in the days when Merino sheep were largely raised he was one of the most extensive sheep owners of the county and still has a few upon his place. He is likewise a breeder of thoroughbred horses and cattle, making a specialty of Shetland ponies, Percheron horses and Red Polled cattle. His farm is well stocked and in fact is equipped with every modern accessory and convenience known to the model farm of the twentieth century and comprises two hundred and forty acres. In 1895 he moved to the village of Allegan and purchased property, residing in one of the most modern residences in the village. He goes to and from his farm each day to superintend the work, which is carefully conducted and brings him an excellent financial return.
On March 26, 1873. in Monterey township, Allegan county, Mr.
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Brackett was married to Miss Ella M. Lav, whose birth occurred in Allegan May 27, 1853. her parents being George T. and Mary ( Barber) Lay. Her father was born October 28. 1822, near Lockport. in Niagara county. New York, and was a son of Abner Lay, who removed to that place from Vermont when a young man, at which time western New York was a dense wilderness. He afterward took an active part in the war of 1812, being engaged in a number of battles in the vicinity of Buffalo and Black Rock. He married Mehitable Talbot, a native of Massachusetts, and a lineal descendant of one of three brothers who were among the earliest settlers of the Bay state.
George T. Lay, father of Mrs. Brackett, was a youth of ten years when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Erie county. Penn- sylvania. and at that tender age he assisted his father in clearing the homestead, enduring with the family the many hardships and privations of pioneer life. He remained there until twenty-one years of age. when he left the cleared and well improved farm in Pennsylvania to seek his fortune farther west. He first made his way to Jackson. Michigan, at that time the terminus of the Michigan Central Railroad, and carrying his satchel in hand. he then traveled on foot through different towns and finally arriving in Allegan in May, 1844. The best outlet Kalamazoo then had for her flour was by shipping it in keelboats to Allegan and transferring it from boats above the dam to boats below and thence down the river to Lake Michigan. Mr. Lay took passage on board the keelboat Pioneer and spent his first summer in Michigan sailing up and down the Kalamazoo river. He next became connected with the lumber trade and for the succeeding nine years worked at it in all of its branches, from taking the tree from the stump in the forests of Allegan county to retailing the lumber on the docks at the head of Lake street, Chicago. After residing in Allegan for a few years and exercising great economy as well as industry he became able to purchase one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 25. Monterey township. Instead of paying for his land immediately he used what means he had in hiring men to chop down the trees. He also worked in this way himself and thus succeeded in soon clearing one hundred acres. The first and second crops raised thereon paid for the land and cleared the farm of all indebtedness. and he continued to add to his holdings until he had acquired about fourteen hundred acres. On the 5th of October. 1851. Mr. Lay was married to a daughter of Chester and Nancy Barber. She was born in Old Canaan. Connecticut. July 14. 1825, and at the age of nine years accompanied her father's family to Freedom, Portage county, Ohio. and thence to Allegan in 1844.
Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Lav remained in Allegan until after the birth of their first child. May 27. 1853. It was this daughter who, at the age of twenty years, became the wife of Ezra Brackett. Mr. Lay was very successful in life and very prominent and influential in public affairs in Monterey township. He also proved an important factor in different industries of the county and his business integrity was above question. He died at his home in Allegan March 13, 1901.
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