USA > Michigan > Allegan County > A twentieth century history of Allegan County, Michigan > Part 16
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At the usual age Dr. Young entered the public schools of his native town and passed through successive grades until he had completed the high school course by graduation. He afterward studied dentistry for a year in Hastings, having determined upon its practice as a life work, and later he attended a dental college in Chicago, being graduated in 1891 from the Chicago Dental College. In April of the same year he came to Allegan and opened an office, since which time he has successfully practiced with a constantly growing patronage. He keeps in touch with the most advanced methods of the profession, has a well equipped office and in his work dis- plays the peculiarly delicate mechanical skill, the knowledge of scientific principles and the business qualifications which are indispensable concomi- tants to success in the dental profession. He is also interested in various industries of Allegan and is now sole owner of the plant operated under the name of the Allegan Foundry & Machine Company. At the present time this plant is being enlarged, so that its scope of business will be even greater than before. He is likewise secretary of the Baines-Mosher Cabinet Com- pany, manufacturers of kitchen cabinets, and likewise is secretary of the Rowe Brothers Manufacturing Company. He was one of the organizers of
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all of these different concerns and is financially interested therein. He is a man of sound judgment, keen foresight and unfaltering energy.
Fraternally Dr. Young is a Mason and also represents the Knights of Pythias, while his political allegiance is given to the Democratic party. He is recognized as one of the leading citizens of the village, willing at all times to aid any interest for the public good, while his co-operation in its com- mercial and industrial life has been of utmost benefit to the town.
ORIEN S. CROSS, an able member of the Allegan county bar, who since 1902 has served as county prosecuting attorney, was born in Bangor, Michi- gan, in 1873. His father, Cornelius W. Cross, a native of Ohio, came to Michigan prior to his marriage and settled in Bangor. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Addie Wilson, was born in Wisconsin, and died in 1887, at the age of forty-three years. In their family were seven children, namely ; Perley W., Orien S., Merl H., Melvin L., Harry, Amasa and Hugh.
Orien S. Cross pursued his early education in the schools of Bangor, and later attended the University of Michigan, where he was graduated from the Law Department in the class of 1896. His ambition was to be a lawyer and he realized that a good foundation was eminently essential, so he decided to pursue the study of law further. He returned to the University and took a post-graduate course and secured his second degree from the University in 1897, obtaining a Master's Degree of Law. He entered upon the practice of his chosen profession in June, 1897. at Paw Paw, Michigan, while in October of that year he removed to Allegan, where he has since practiced with much success. A liberal clientage was soon accorded him, for he demonstrated his ability to successfully cope with the intricate problems of the law and to present his cause in a clear, forcible and logical manner that never fails to impress court or jury, and seldom fails to win the verdict desired.
In September, 1898, he formed a partnership with Horace H. Pope. and under the firm name of Pope & Cross their law business was carried on until June, 1906, at which time the partnership was dissolved by mutual consent. In April, 1900, Mr. Cross was appointed by the common council of the village of Allegan to the office of village attorney, and he was reap- pointed in 1901. 1902 and 1903. In July, 1902, he was nominated by the Republicans as their candidate for the office of prosecuting attorney, and was elected at the November election without opposition, the Democrats not placing any candidate for the office on their ticket. He was re-elected to the same office in 1904. He discharges the duties of the office without fear or favor, and has been unusually successful in securing convictions in his cases. His official reports to the attorney-general show that one thousand two hundred and eighty-four persons have been convicted while only nine- teen cases were lost by a verdict of not guilty. The crimes of which persons were convicted include burglary, bribery, horse-stealing, forgery, murder and other serious crimes. He prepares his cases with great thoroughness and skill, is logical in his argument, strong in his deductions, and his devotion to his client's interests is proverbial.
Mr. Cross is a valued member of the Masonic fraternity and the Knights of Pythias and other local orders. Interested in community affairs he is a member of the Allegan fire department and one of the directors and
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the attorney for the Allegan Board of Trade, he stands for progress in all that pertains to the welfare of the county and city.
JOSEPH E. YOUNG .- The industrial interests of Allegan county find a worthy representative in Joseph E. Young, the senior partner of the firm of Young & Stratton Brothers, proprietors of a flour and grain mill. He is a wide-awake, alert and enterprising business man, watchful of opportunities and conducting his interests along modern lines resulting in success. He was born in Pipestone township, Berrien county, Michigan, in 1847. His father, Jacob V. W. Young, a native of the Empire state, came from New York to Michigan with his father, Joseph Young, and settled in Calhoun county. Following his marriage, which was celebrated in this state, he re- moved to Berrien county and worked on the river as a boatman for a few years. After remaining in that county for some time he returned to Calhoun county and subsequently took up his abode in Kalamazoo county, where he engaged in farming until his life's labors were ended in death, when he was seventy years of age. He married Mahala Ferguson, who was born in Ken- tucky and died at the age of seventy-four years. In their family were four children, Joseph E., Mrs. Mary Isted, De Witt and Mrs. Nina Barry.
Joseph E. Young acquired his education in the common schools of Kalamazoo county, and prepared for life's practical and responsible duties by learning the miller's trade at Augusta, where he was employed for fifteen years. He then started in business on his own account at Howland, Kala- mazoo county, and subsequently, in connection with his brother-in-law, Luther Stratton, purchased a mill in Bedford township, Calhoun county, where they engaged in the manufacture of flour for eight years. On the expiration of that period Mr. Young, in 1888, came to Allegan, and with another brother-in-law, C. L. Harvey, purchased a flour mill, which they conducted under the firm style of Young & Harvey for eight years. Mr. Young then went to Reed City, Michigan, where he operated a flour mill for six months, when he returned to Allegan and purchased another mill here in connection with Frank E. Stratton, a brother of his former partner, Luther Stratton. The firm name of Young & Stratton was then assumed. They were successful in the conduct of this enterprise and later F. S. Stratton, a brother of F. E. Stratton, joined the firm, and the style was then changed to Young & Stratton Brothers, at which time they also enlarged the mill and added many modern facilities. It is now equipped with the latest improved machinery known in the manufacture of flour and they continue to do an extensive business in the conduct of a flour and grain mill. The partners of the firm are enterprising men, thoroughly con- versant with the trade, and in the management of their business show keen discrimination and unfaltering enterprise.
In 1877, in Kalamazoo county, Michigan, occurred the marriage of Joseph E. Young, and Miss May Stratton, a daughter of Asa Stratton, of that county. They now have three children. Gertrude, who was born in Kalamazoo county, is the wife of William Howe, a resident of Allegan township, and they have one child. Ida, born in Calhoun county, is the wife of Ned Killian, who is principal of the high school at Leadville, Colo- rado. Vern, born in Allegan, is at home. The family attend the Presby- terian church, and Mr. Young is a Republican in politics. He has served
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as supervisor of the village of Allegan, and for the past ten years has been a member of the school board, in which capacity he is still serving. He possesses an enterprising spirit which enables him to overcome difficulties and obstacles, and realizing that "there is no excellence without labor" he has put forth strenuous effort toward the upbuilding of a business which is now large and profitable.
ALBERT D. WETMORE, deceased, who for many years was actively and successfully engaged in general agricultural pursuits and stock-raising in Allegan county, was born in Otsego county, New York, in 1833, a son of Chester and Mary (Dumont) Wetmore, the former a native of Connecticut and the latter of the Empire state. In the year 1836 they emigrated to Michigan, taking up their abode in Allegan county when this section of the state was an almost undeveloped wilderness. They first settled in Gun Plains township but after a year removed to Allegan township, taking up their abode on section 4. The father is remembered as one of the most enterprising and public-spirited of the pioneer residents of the county, and in his death, which occurred in 1872, the community lost one who for years had labored for its upbuilding and who wherever known was held in highest honor and respect. He was a consistent and devoted member of the Baptist church and was a stanch adherent of the principles of the Democratic party. His wife passed away in March. 1868.
While not a wealthy man, Chester Wetmore endeavored to give his children liberal educational advantages that they might be well equipped for life's important and responsible duties and thus, after completing his pre- liminary studies in the district schools, Albert D. Wetmore was accorded the privilege of attending the State Normal School at Ypsilanti. On attaining his majority he received from his father eighty acres of land, which he at once commenced to improve and later, as his financial resources increased. he added to his holdings. When twenty-three years of age he visited Kansas, Nebraska and Iowa on a prospecting tour but returned to Michigan, feeling better satisfied than ever before with the Wolverine state. In the fall of 1861, putting aside all business and personal considerations, he en- listed in the defense of the Union. as a private of Company C. Thirteenth Michigan Infantry, and was ordered to the south, where he engaged in general skirmishing until the severe battle of Pittsburg Landing. With his regiment he participated in seventeen battles and skirmishes, including the siege of Corinth and the different engagements on the march to the sea under the command of General Sherman. He was at the battle of Stone River and Crawford's Springs and in the siege of Chattanooga, and for meritorious service he was promoted to the rank of sergeant and afterward to lieutenant in 1864. He was constantly in active duty with the exception of four months, when he was ill in the hospitals in Nashville and Louisville. He escaped, however, without wounds, and after a most honorable and creditable service of nearly four years he returned to his home and resumed agricultural pursuits.
Soon after the war Mr. Wetmore was married in 1866, to Miss Eliza- beth M. Hudson, a daughter of Joshua and Louisa (Wilson) Hudson, of Rochester, New York. They had three children. Chester, who is a grad- uate of the University of Michigan of the class of 1888, taught school in
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Allegan for some time and in 1891 went to California, where has has since engaged in teaching, being now located at San Francisco. Mary R. is a graduate of the University of Michigan, in which she won the degree of M. D. and she is now a teacher in the Agricultural College at Lansing, this state. Elizabeth H. is a graduate of the Ypsilanti State Normal School of the class of 1892, was a teacher at Traverse City, Michigan, for two years and at Stevens Point, Wisconsin, for four years, while since 1898 she has been successfully engaged in teaching in the schools of Allegan.
Mr. Wetmore, the father, filled many offices of trust and honor during his lifetime. His political allegiance was given to the Democracy, while fraternally he was connected with the Masons and with the Grand Army of the Republic. He possessed keen discrimination and excellent executive force and allowed no obstacle or difficulty to bar his path to success if it could be overcome by honorable and persistent effort. All who knew him re- spected him for his fidelity to a high standard of conduct and manly prin- ciples and his name was ever one to awaken respect throughout the com- munity.
ELISHA A. POST is an inventor and undertaker, residing in the village of Allegan, having established his present undertaking business here in 1896. He was born in New York in 1855, and is a son of Albert Post, likewise a native of the Empire state. Having arrived at years of maturity the father wedded Nancy Crowner, a native of Washington county, New York, and in the year 1861 they removed with their family to Michigan, settling in Van Buren county, where the father, who was a wheelwright by trade, followed that occupation to the time of his death, which occurred when he was seventy-three years of age. His wife survived him and reached the advanced age of eighty-six years. In their family were eleven children, of whom five are still living: Chauncey, who resides in Van Buren county ; Harrison, a resident of Pennsylvania : Mrs. Lucinda Holmes, also living in Van Buren county ; and Elijah J. and Elisha A., twins. The brother of our subject is a graduate of the Hahnemann Homeopathic Medi- cal College, of Chicago, and is now conducting a sanitarium in Benton Harbor, Michigan.
Elisha A. Post, whose name introduces this record, was a youth of six years at the time of the removal of the family to Michigan. His carly educational privileges were supplemented by study in Chicago and in early life he engaged in the milling business on his own account in Kalamazoo county, Michigan. Subsequently he removed to Van Buren county, where he was also engaged in the milling business and later he conducted a hard- ware, furniture and undertaking store in that county. In 1896 he removed to the village of Allegan, where he established his undertaking business and here he has received a good patronage. He possesses considerable inventive genius and has invented and now manufactures the following articles: A paper casket known as the antiseptic paper casket of gal- vanized steel ; a detachable handle for caskets ; and a galvanized grave vault. He also has a patent on an endless steel spring for buggies, and all of these he manufactures.
In 1877. in Van Buren county, occurred the marriage of Mr. Post and Miss Emma Lossing, a native of Indiana. Their two children, Clara N.
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and Naomi B., were both born in Van Buren county. Mr. Post is a Republican and served for two terms as alderman of the village. He is, moreover, an enterprising citizen, public-spirited and much esteemed for his devotion to the general good as well as for his individual character which manifests many sterling qualities. His success has been by no means the result of fortunate circumstances but has come to him through energy, labor and perseverance directed by an evenly balanced mind and by honor- able business principles.
ALLEN L. WHITBECK .- On the roster of county officials of Allegan county appears the name of Allen L. Whitbeck, who is now serving as sheriff, in which connection he has made a creditable record, winning the commendation of the general public. He was born in the state of New York in 1862. His father, Cornelius Van Allen Whitbeck, who came front New York to Michigan in 1865, settled in Manlius township, Allegan county, where in the midst of the forest he cleared a farm and set out thirty-one acres to fruit, including peaches, plums, pears and cherries. He also fol- lowed general farming and there carried on his business interests until his life's labors were ended in death, when he was fifty-two years of age. He married Betsy Barrus, a native of New York, who died at the age of sixty-two years. In their family were five sons and two daughters, of whom four are yet living. John Van Allen, the eldest, who was sheriff of Allegan county for four years, his term expiring in 1900, is now following farming and fruit growing in this county. William, who is a fruit raiser, fruit dealer and commission merchant, is now and has for the past two years. been sergeant-at-arms in the state capitol at Lansing.
Allen L. Whitbeck, whose name introduces this record, was reared upon the home farm in this county, having been brought to Michigan by his parents when only three years of age. His education was acquired in the public schools and after putting aside his text-books he followed farming on the old homestead, which he still owns and operates. He successfully conducted his agricultural interests until elected sheriff of Allegan county in 1905, since which time he has left the hard, active work of the fields to others, while he is discharging the duties of his office in a most capable and loyal manner. He is a very popular man, genial and cordial in dispo- sition, and is much respected throughout the county. His political allegiance is given to the Republican party and for some time he has been recognized as one of its local leaders. He served as treasurer of his township for four years, or two terms, and was state trespass agent for four years.
Pleasantly situated in his home life. Mr. Whitbeck was married in 1883. in Fennville. Michigan, to Miss Linda Jane Truax, who was born in Wayland township, Allegan county, a daughter of William and Mary (Briggs) Truax, both of whom are residents of Wayland township, although the father has practically retired from active farm work. In their family were six children, namely : Mrs. Whitbeck ; Henry A .; Emma E., the wife of George Haves : Ellen L., the wife of John Van Blois ; Mary K .. the wife of Dr. H. J. Turner ; and William Watson. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Whitbeck were born four children, of whom three are living. Claud Van Allen, Anna Frances and Mary Reno.
Mr. Whitbeck is a member of the Masonic fraternity and has served
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as master of the blue lodge. He is well known in Allegan county, where his entire life has been passed and where he has so directed his labors as to win a gratifying measure of business success, and at the same time gain the respect and good will of his fellow citizens.
EDWIN P. WYNNE, numbered among the progressive and enterprising young farmers of Allegan township, was born in that township August 19, 1870, and is a son of Brown Wynne, whose birth occurred in Holland. He came to America at the age of twelve years in company with his parents, the family home being first established in New York. Brown Wynne removed from the Empire state to Michigan prior to his marriage and has since followed farming. He settled first in Allegan township and carried on agricultural pursuits there until 1861, when his patriotic spirit was aroused and he offered his services to the government, joining the boys in blue of the Sixth Michigan Heavy Artillery. He served for four years, or until the close of the war as a private, participating in many important engagements and at the battle of Port Hudson he was wounded in the hip. After the war he returned to Allegan county and purchased a farm, to the development and improvement of which he gave his attention for a number of years. He then sold that property and removed to Monterey township, where he resided until 1886, when he returned to Allegan town- ship and bought one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 17, his time and energies being devoted to the tilling of the soil and the care of the crops upon that place until 1905, when he removed to the village of Allegan, where he is now living, retired at the age of sixty-six years, having through his former connection with agricultural interests acquired a comfortable competence. He wedded Mary Foster, who departed this life about ten years ago. Their children were: Nellie, the wife of Samuel Simpson, by whom she has two children, Cecil and Leonard; Edwin P., of this review ; and Grace, the wife of Glenn Seabright, and the mother of two children, Winnie and Mart.
Edwin P. Wynne has always resided in Allegan county and his life record is therefore well known to many of its citizens. After acquiring a public school education he devoted his entire time and attention to farm work and has always been thus engaged. He is a young man, progressive and enterprising, and now resides upon the farm, which his father settled on when he removed to Allegan township. He married Miss Stella Blanchard, of Valley township, and they have one child, Grettelle. Mr. Wynne is a Republican, voting for the candidates of the party since age conferred upon him the right of the ballot. He is well liked in the com- munity where he is recognized as a public-spirited citizen and as a diligent and wide-awake business man, whose qualities argue well for his future success.
EUGENE D. NASH, justice of the peace in Allegan, was born in New York, November 6, 1842, and is a son of Augustus W. and Susan L. (Demmon) Nash, the former a native of Massachusetts, who removed from New York to Michigan and settled in Cass county, while later he took up his abode in Van Buren county, making his home at Paw Paw. He married Miss Susan Demmon, a native of New York, and a granddaughter of Lewis Morris, who was one of the signers of the Declaration of Inde-
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pendence. She lived to the age of seventy-two years, and Augustus W. Nash reached about the same age. In their family were seven children, of whom four yet survive. Albert, living in Salt Lake City, Utah, was postmaster there during President Harrison's administration. He was also state senator for four years and is a very prominent and influential resident there. Charles resides in Otsego, this county. Eugene D. is the third of the family. Clayton is a deputy United States marshal, now in Washington, D. C.
Eugene D. Nash acquired his education in the schools of Paw Paw, and in 1863, in response to the country's call for aid, enlisted at the age of twenty years as a member of Company C, Thirteenth Michigan Volunteer Infantry. He joined the army as a private for three years, or during the war, and was under General Sherman's command on the march from Atlanta to the sea. He saw other arduous service and was mustered out at Washington, after participating in the Grand Review, which marked the close of the war in 1865, where company after company, battalion after battalion, and corps after corps marched by the reviewing stand, on which stood the president and other distinguished men of the nation to greet the return of the victorious army.
When the war was over Mr. Nash came to Allegan county and engaged in lumbering. He also operated the shingle mill at Bravo, and subse- quently became station agent for the Pere Marquette Railroad at that place. He likewise acted as telegraph operator and resided there for twenty years, proving a popular official of the road, always courteous to its patrons and faithful to the corporation which he represented. He afterward became supervisor of his township and was the postmaster at Bravo for some years. He likewise had a fine fruit orchard in that locality and thus his attention was devoted to various interests in all of which he was found faithful and diligent. Called to the office of county treasurer he served for two terms, from 1896 until 1900, and in the former year removed to Allegan, where he has since resided. In 1904 he was appointed justice of the peace, which office he still holds, presiding over his court in capable manner, his decisions being characterized by strict fairness and impar- tiality. He also derives a good income from his farm and fruit orchard of one hundred acres at Bravo. He is much esteemed as a prominent and influential man in affairs of the village and county and his devotion to the general good is above question.
Mr. Nash was married in 1861, at Decatur, Michigan, to Miss Amelia Buck, who was born in New York. They have two living children and have lost two. Those still surviving are: William A., who was born near Paw Paw, in Van Buren county, Michigan, and Mary Ella, also born in Van Buren county, and is the wife of John Collins, a resident of Oregon, by whom she has one child, Amelia.
Mr. Nash has always been a stalwart Republican in politics and is regarded as one of the most prominent and active workers in the party ranks in this locality. He belongs to Charles J. Bassett post, No. 56, G. A. R., at Allegan, and before removing to this village served as com- mander of the post at Pennville. Ere he attained his majority he donned the blue uniform of the nation in defense of the old flag and has ever been equally loyal in his support of the country and her institutions. Those
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