USA > Michigan > Allegan County > A twentieth century history of Allegan County, Michigan > Part 15
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In addition to his business interests George E. Jewett was president of the Farmers' Mutual Insurance Company for Allegan and Ottawa counties and was adjuster of the same for many years prior to his death. He also acted as director of the Allegan County Co-operative Association for fifteen years and was chairman of the executive committee. He was classed with the foremost farmers of his county and he was connected with the Patrons of Husbandry in various ways, taking their products and ship- ping them and assisting them in bettering their financial conditions. In politics he was a Prohibitionist, being a stanch advocate of the cause of temperance. During the Civil war. while incapacitated for field duty on account of an accident to one of his eyes, he gave liberally of his money and time for furthering the cause. His life was noble, his actions manly and sincere, and his fidelity to high principles was above question. All who knew him entertained for him warm regard and his memory is still cherished by many friends as well as his immediate family.
CLARENCE H. ROWE, who in 1906 was appointed to the position of superintendent of the county farm, was born in Watson township, Allegan county, October 4, 1877. His father, Charles Henry Rowe, is also a native of Watson township, while the grandparents came from New York to Michigan and settled in Allegan county at an early day. Charles H. Rowe was married to Miss Delia Pulsifer, likewise a native of Watson township, and they still reside upon a farm in that township. Three children have been born to them, namely: Ira, a farmer living in Trowbridge township, who married Edith St. German, and has two children, Harold and Erma; Edith, the wife of Delbert Pressley, of Hopkins township, by whom she has one child, Lilla ; and Clarence H.
In the country schools of Watson township Clarence H. Rowe acquired his early education and was reared upon the home farm, where he remained until twenty-five years of age, when he left the parental roof and was employed as a farm hand in various localities until April, 1906, when he became superintendent of the Allegan county poor farm. He is a practical agriculturist, understanding thoroughly the best methods of tilling the soil and producing crops, and he is thus well qualified for the position which he is now filling.
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In 1901, in Monterey township, Mr. Rowe was married to Miss Edna Keel, who was born in that township, where her father, John Keel, settled at an early day. Mr. and Mrs. Rowe now have an interesting little son, Bernard, who was born in Hopkins township. In his political views Mr. Rowe is a stalwart Republican, while fraternally he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His entire life has been passed in this county and he has always followed farming and is accounted one of the enterprising and progressive young agriculturists of the community.
IRA G. THORPE, at one time a prominent representative of the educa- tional interests of Michigan and now a school commissioner residing in Allegan, was born in Girard township, Branch county, this state, June 12, 1861. He is a son of George P'. and Ellen ( Whalen) Thorpe, the former a native of New York and the latter of Ireland. They now make their home at Mill Grove, Allegan county. He came to this county in 1878, settling on section 21, Valley township, and in 1881 he removed to the vicinity of Mill Grove, settling upon a farm which is now the property of his son Ira. He still lives upon the place, which he has devoted to the cereals best adapted to soil and climate. He was married in early manhood to Miss Ellen Whalen, who at the age of about forty-five years became a resident of Allegan county. Seven children grace this marriage: Anna, now the wife of Elliott Pullman ; Ira G., Mary, Morris W., who wedded Flora Peet, and lives upon the farm now owned by our subject; Albert, who makes his home in Kalamazoo, Michigan; Jennie, the wife of Scott Day, also living in Allegan; and Frederick, who is located in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Ira G. Thorpe acquired his early education in the Branch county district schools in Cornell's district to the age of fifteen years, after which he became a student in the brick school near Union City, and later attended the Union high school. He completed his early education in this county and in 1879 began teaching in school No. 4 in Valley township. In the succeeding fall he attended school in Allegan, after which he again engaged in teaching at district No. 4 in Valley township. Two years later he went to teach at Mill Grove, where he remained for five terms, and then to district No. 2, in Heath township. In the summer of 1885 he attended the Wayland Normal School, where he studied under Professor J. W. Humphrey. In the fall of 1885 he taught the Dunningville school and thence went to Diamond Springs, where he engaged in teaching for four years. There he met Miss Carrie A. Collins, who was teaching there, and who became his wife in 1887. She was a daughter of Chester C. Collins, an early settler in Michi- gan and a farmer by occupation. Mrs. Thorpe was born in Allegan and was a competent teacher in her early womanhood. In the meantime Mr. Thorpe attended a normal school at Wayland, and during his vacations he taught in various schools. He afterward became principal at Hamilton.
In the fall of 1892 Mr. Thorpe entered the Normal School at Ypsilanti as a student and graduated in 1896 on the completion of a four years' course, receiving at that time a life certificate as a teacher. He studied very hard, acquainting himself with branches of learning in which he had never had opportunity to familiarize himself before, and out of a class of two hundred and sixty-five he was chosen as instructor in the history department for the coming year at the college. During that year he pursued three
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post graduate courses on as many subjects. In 1897 he became superin- tendent of the Martin school in this county, continuing as such until 1900, when his health failed him and he retired to his farm. In 1903 he was elected school commissioner of Allegan county, which office he now holds, his ability being widely recognized. As a public educator he gained rank among the foremost representatives of the profession in this part of the state, and in the schoolroom was an excellent disciplinarian, at the same time imparting clearly and readily to others the knowledge that he had acquired.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Thorpe have been born three children : Ralph C., who was born in Ypsilanti; and Avis Ione and George Ira, both of whom were born in Allegan. The family attend the Methodist church and Mr. Thorpe holds membership with the Maccabees. In politics he is a Repub- lican, and while on the farm, from 1900 until 1903, he was supervisor of his township for two years, and also township clerk and school inspector in Heath township in 1886 and 1887. He regards a public office as a public trust-and no trust reposed in him has ever been betrayed in the slightest degree. He has faithfully performed every duty that has devolved upon him of a public nature and in his life he has displayed those sterling traits of manhood that everywhere command confidence and regard.
MILTON D. GRIFFITH is the owner of an excellent farm of one hundred and eighty acres in Allegan township, the greater part of which is under cultivation, and in addition to tilling the fields he has a fine fruit orchard of apples, which is carefully cultivated and adds materially to his income. He is also making a specialty of dairy farming, and this branch of his business is proving profitable.
A native son of Michigan, Mr. Griffith was born in the township of Springport, in Jackson county, in 1853, and is a son of Marshall Griffith, a native of Vermont, who came to Michigan when twelve years of age with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Griffith, who settled in Jackson county at what is now called Springport. The grandfather there purchased and improved three hundred acres of land and was one of the prominent citizens of those days. He acted as postmaster for many years and was influential in public affairs, leaving the impress of his individuality upon the upbuilding and progress of the county. He cleared most of his farm with the assistance of his sons and he also found time and opportunity to further the moral development of the community. He helped to build the Griffith Methodist church at Springport and was very active and helpful in church work, while in all life's relations he was highly esteemed for his many good qualities.
Marshall Griffith, father of our subject, was reared upon the old home farm in Jackson county and later purchased a farm in Springport township about a mile from his father's place. He bought his land from the govern- ment and it was all wild and unimproved when it came into his possession, but with characteristic energy he began its development. He married Cynthia Benson, and they afterward removed to Tompkins township in Jackson county, which is now regarded as the homestead property of the family, the place being now occupied by Melvin Griffith, a brother of our subject. After living thereon for a number of years the father sold the
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property to his son Melvin and removed to Eaton Rapids, where he resided for two years, when, in March, 1905, he passed away, at the age of eighty years. His widow and some of her children now reside upon the old home farm in Tompkins township, Jackson county, Michigan. Mr. Griffith was an active member of the Methodist church of Tompkins, and lived an earnest, consistent Christian life. In the family were five children, three of whoni survive: Milton D., of this review; Rev. Arthur A. Griffith, who is a minister of the Methodist church, and Melvin.
Milton D. Griffith was reared upon the old homestead in Springport township to the age of fifteen years, when he removed with his father to the farm in Tompkins township, there remaining until twenty-five years of age, when he started out in life on his own account. Going to northern Michigan he engaged in lumbering and in milling in the employ of others, but subsequently he returned to the homestead farm in Tompkins township, Jackson county, where he carried on general agricultural pursuits until 1902. He then came to Allegan township and purchased eighty acres of land, to. which he added in 1906 a tract of one hundred acres, so that he is now the owner of an excellent farm of one hundred and eighty acres, the greater part of which is under cultivation. He annually harvests good crops and he also has a fine fruit orchard, containing apples. He likewise keeps forty five head of cattle and is making a specialty of dairy farming, and in the summer season makes about fifteen pounds of butter per day.
Mr. Griffith has been married twice. In 1875 he wedded Julia Mason in Jackson county, Michigan, and unto them were born three children, who are yet living : Herman, Hubert and Earl. In 1900 he was again married, his second union being with May E. Chamberlin, a daughter of the late Joseph Chamberlin, who is mentioned on another page of this work. Mr .. Griffith has led a very busy life and through earnest toil and economy, by capable management and diligence he has gained a place among the sub- stantial farmers of his community and is much esteemed for what he has accomplished and for his genuine personal worth.
HENRY LEWIS GREEN, whose public-spirited interest in the general welfare has been manifest in his devotion to the duties that have devolved upon him in a public connection, and who is justly classed with the repre- sentative men of Allegan county, was born in Bethel, Branch county, Michigan, in 1841. His father, Silas Green, was a native of Seneca county, New York, and on leaving the Empire state went first to Ohio and subse- quently came to Michigan, settling in Branch county in 1835. There he took up a claim of one hundred and sixty acres of land, which he cleared and farmed, making his home thereon until about 1850, when he removed to Barry county, where he again purchased a tract of land and followed farming until 1853. He was then called to his final rest, passing away at the age of fifty-three years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Howe, was a native of Ohio, and died at the comparatively early age of thirty-seven years. In the family of this worthy couple were seven children, of whom Henry L. was the fourth in order of birth. Only three of the number are now living, namely: Mrs. Martha Bronson, Mrs. Hannah E. Lawrence, of Birmingham, Ohio, and Henry L.
On the old homestead farm Mr. Green, of this review, spent his carly
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boyhood days. He was only thirteen years of age, however, at the time of his father's death. He afterward returned to Branch county, Michigan, where he was employed in various ways, scorning no occupation that would yield him an honest living. At the time of the Civil war, however. he put aside all business and personal considerations and offered his services to the government, enlisting with the boys in blue of Company B, First Michigan Infantry, in 1861. He joined the army as a private for three years and on the expiration of that term he re-enlisted as a veteran in March, 1864. It was his intention to serve until the close of the war, but on account of illness, in March, 1865, he was honorably discharged. He made a most creditable record as a soldier and had the usual experiences, hardships and privations of military life.
After being mustered out he again returned to Barry county, Michigan, and purchased the old homestead there. He then continued farming in that locality until 1880, when he went to northern Michigan, where he remained for seven years, taking up one hundred and sixty acres of land. He after- ward sold this place, having in the meantime secured a farm of forty-seven acres. The year 1888 witnessed his arrival in Allegan, and since 1899 he has continuously filled a public office, serving during this period as township clerk. In his political views he is a stalwart Republican, unswerving in his advocacy of the party and its principles. He is also a devoted member of Charles J. Bassett Post No. 56, G. A. R., in which he has served as senior vice commander.
Mr. Green was married in 1868, in Hastings, Barry county, to Miss Mary McClellan, who was born in that place and is a daughter of John Lewis McClellan, who located in Barry county during the early epoch in its history. Mr. and Mrs. Green have become the parents of four children. George Ernest, who was born in Hastings, Barry county, married Mabel Leman, by whom he has one child, Lyle, who was born in Chicago. Mary Effie, a native of Hastings, became the wife of W. A. Swartout, and had two children, Charles Vere and Cecil Ernest, both born in Emmet county, Michigan. Her second husband is Dr. C. W. Young. Henry Aldine, also a native of Hastings, Michigan, wedded Mary Strayer and has two children. Lillie May and George H. Olla Belle, born in Hastings, is the wife of Malcolm Harper and has one child.
Mr. Green is accounted one of the valued public officials of Allegan, being most faithful and loval in the discharge of his duties. Over his political record and private life there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil, while his military service alone would entitle him to representation in this volume.
WILLIAM W. WARNER, whose practice extends to various courts and embraces a large clientage, makes his home in Allegan, and is numbered among the leading members of the bar of this county. He was born in Hampden county, Massachusetts, November 11, 1840, a son of Theron and Myra (Hubbard) Warner, who were likewise natives of the old Bay state. The father was a farmer by occupation, but for twenty years was in public life, filling many important positions of trust at New Marlboro, Massachu- setts, his continued service being evidence of his ability and fidelity. He died in New Marlboro at the age of sixty-four years. after which his widow
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1-
came to Michigan and passed away in Allegan at the age of seventy-four. Of their family of six children three are yet living-Mrs. Mary L. Goodrich, Mrs. Carrie E. Goodrich and William W. One son, Henry E., was killed in the siege of Port Hudson during the Civil war on the 27th of May, 1863. He had enlisted as a member of Company K, Forty-ninth Massachusetts Infantry, the regiment being commanded by Colonel William Francis Bartlett, who afterward became major general and who was a brave and distinguished soldier, making a record worthy of note. He was honored by the placing of a bronze statue in the rotunda of the state house in Boston, Massachusetts.
William W. Warner benefited by the excellent public school system of Southwick, Hampden county, Massachusetts, in his early youth and after- ward entered East Hampton Academy. In the fall of 1861, when not yet twenty-one years of age, he offered his services in defense of the Union, enlisting as a member of Company H, Thirty-first Massachusetts Regiment. He served until January 27, 1865, when he was honorably discharged, having done active duty with the Department of the Gulf, in which he saw much arduous and onerous service. Following the close of the war he came to Allegan, Michigan, in November, 1866, and from 1869 until 1871 was a law student in the University of Michigan, being graduated in the latter year from that institution. He was also admitted to the bar in 1871 and returned to Allegan, where he has since practiced his profession, advancing until winning an honorable position among the representatives of the bar in this county. He is also a solicitor in chancery and he practices in all the courts and has had a practice in obtaining pensions for old soldiers and in the conduct of government claims. He is likewise engaged in the real estate business and in mortgage loans.
In 1872, in Allegan, Mr. Warner was married to Miss Mary E. Goodrich, a native of this village and a daughter of Dr. Osman D. Goodrich, a distinguished pioneer physician of Allegan county. Her father was a native of New York and was graduated from the Berkshire Medical Insti- tute at Pittsfield, Massachusetts, in 1834. Soon afterward he took up his abode in Huron county, Ohio, where he entered upon the practice of his profession, and in March, 1836, at the earnest solicitation of the Hon. Elisha Ely, one of the pioneers of Allegan, he decided to remove to this place and did so in May of that year. Shortly after his arrival his wife and child were taken ill, and this, in addition to other hardships and priva- tions, rendered his early experience in the county bitter indeed. There was but one house within ten miles of Allegan, and north and south of the village was an unbroken wilderness. There was not a dwelling before the shores of Lake Michigan were reached. Pioneer life and its attendant privations, in connection with his arduous duties as a physician, involving long rides through the summer's sun and winter's cold, made sad inroads upon his health, and in September, 1845, he was obliged to relinquish his practice and bend his efforts toward the restoration of his own health. He therefore went to Berlin, Hartford county, Connecticut, and resided there and in New Haven until September, 1855. During his residence in the east he investi- gated the principles of homeopathy and adopted its practice. Upon his return to Allegan he again established himself in his profession, becoming the first homeopathic physician in the county. His practice became large and
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important for a pioneer community, and though it involved many personal risks and hardships he never faltered in the performance of any professional duty. He was frequently obliged to ford streams and to follow Indian trails through the forest. His wife was Emeline Dickinson, of Berlin, Harper county, Connecticut, who died in 1872. The following year he married Jane E. Shepard, who passed away in 1879. By his first wife he had two sons and one daughter.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Warner has been born a daughter, Lillian, who was born in Allegan, and is a graduate of the classical department of Ann Arbor high school, and is further pursuing her studies at the University of Michigan. In politics Mr. Warner was a Republican until 1896, since which time he has voted with the Democracy. He served as school director, was for six years on the township board, and has been civil magistrate for eight years. He regards a public office as a public trust and is ever most loval and faithful in the discharge of his duties. He belongs to Charles J. Bassett Post No. 56, G. A. R., of which he has served as commander. In all life's relations his course has been such as to win him honor and respect, while in his professional career he has gained a gratifying measure of success.
GEORGE W. CADY makes his home in the village of Allegan. He was born in Portage county, Ohio, March 28, 1837. His father, Peter Cady, was born in Canada, and died in Allegan. He removed from Ohio to Michi- gan in 1856, settling in Monterey township, where he followed farming. Subsequently he took up his abode in the village of Allegan, where his last days were passed. His wife bore the maiden name of Hannah McIntosh. and is a native of Portage county. She still survives her husband and makes her home in Allegan.
George W. Cady acquired his education in the public schools of Ohio, and in early life followed lumbering. He came to Michigan with his parents and continued actively in the lumber business until 1861, when with the country's other loyal sons of Michigan he offered his services to the government and enlisted as a private in the Third Michigan Cavalry for three years. He served his full term and then re-enlisted, remaining at the front in the same regiment until the close of the war. He was under command of Generals Grant. Rosecrans and other distinguished leaders and was mustered out in Texas, having in the meantime participated in many important engagements, which had direct bearing upon the final outcome of the war.
When the country no longer needed his services Mr. Cady resumed lumbering, in which he continued for two or three years, when, his labors having brought him sufficient capital, enabled him to purchase a farm. He then became owner of a tract of land in Monterey township, Allegan county, whereon he devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits until 1880. when he removed to Allegan township and followed farming. His farm is just south of the village of Allegan and he also has a fruit orchard. Upon this place he continued to reside until 1904, when he went to the village of Allegan, where he still resides. He yet owns his farm, however, and gives to it his personal supervision.
Mr. Cady was married in 1868 in Allegan to Miss Elizabeth Moon, who was born in Van Buren county, Michigan, a daughter of Robert Moon.
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Unto them have been born two children: Rose, the wife of John Stegeman, Jr., by whom she has two children, Clara and Louise ; and L. Y.
Mr. Cady is a public-spirited man and withholds his aid and co-opera- tion from no movement that is intended to benefit the community. In 1898 he became superintendent of the county poor and has held the office to the present. While living in Monterey township he was supervisor and was also supervisor for Allegan township at one time, discharging his duties with promptness and fidelity in these various connections. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity and to C. J. Bassett Post No. 56, G. A. R., in which he is a past commander, and has held other offices. He is as true and loyal in citizenship in days of peace as when he followed the old flag upon the battlefields of the south, and as one of the progressive residents of Allegan county and a veteran of the Civil war he well deserves mention in this volume.
CLARENCE W. YOUNG, D. D. S .-- Among the representatives of profes- sional life in Allegan is Dr. Clarence W. Young, now successfully engaged in the practice of dentistry. His life record began in Hastings, Barry county, Michigan, in 1869. His father, H. Oscar Young, also a native of this state, was born in Battle Creek, and is still living, being now engaged in business as a contractor and builder at Hastings. In the period of the Civil war he enlisted as a member of Company C, First Michigan Engineers and Mechanics of Michigan, and served for three years and three months, being honorably discharged on the 6th of June, 1865, after the close of the war. He was made sergeant in his company and did faithful and capable service for the Union. After the war he returned to Hastings, where he has resided continuously since, and for a long period he was identified with its building operations. He married Miss Annie E. Hams, who was born in New York and also survives. However, they have lost two of their four children. Those still living are Clarence W. and William A., the latter a native of Hastings and now a merchant of Bellevue, Michigan.
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