A twentieth century history of Allegan County, Michigan, Part 33

Author: Thomas, Henry Franklin, 1843-1912
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 808

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In his political affiliation Mr. Stickel is a Republican. He was town- ship clerk for four consecutive terms and has been active in the party, serv- ing as a delegate to various conventions and doing all in his power to pro- mote the growth and insure the success of Republican principles. He is a member of the United Brethren church at East Casco, in which he is serv- ing as a trustee, and his interest in church work has been largely beneficial to the organization. In all life's relations he is honorable and straightfor- ward and throughout the community is known as a most reliable man, worthy the esteem in which he is uniformly held.

MARSHALL BUGDEN, of Casco township, started out in life by working for eight cents per day. He was thus employed for six weeks, his duty be- ing to keep the crows off the cornfield. Today he is accounted one of the substantial agriculturists of the community. Moreover, he is prominent

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and influential in public affairs and his fellow-townsmen have given proof of their evidence and trust in him by frequently calling him to public office.

Mr. Bugden was born in Kent county, England, March 11, 1839, and is a son of John and Mary (Crisp) Bugden, who always remained residents of England. Their son Marshall was the youngest in their family of ten children, and is the only one who ever came to the United States. One brother and two sisters, however, are yet living in their native country.

Marshall Bugden remained in England until nineteen years of age. His educational privileges were somewhat limited for he left school at the age of ten years, after which he was employed at farm labor until he crossed the Atlantic. As stated he earned his first money-eight cents per day-by keeping the crows off of the cornfields for six weeks. Hearing favorable reports concerning the business advantages and opportunities of the new world, he crossed the Atlantic in 1858 and landed at Castle Garden. at the lower end of Manhattan Island. He did not remain in New York city, however, but journeyed at once westward to Kosciusko county, Indiana. where he worked on a farm there until after the outbreak of hostilities be- tween the north and the south, involving the country in the Civil war. He enlisted in August, 1861, from Kosciusko county, becoming a member of Company B, Forty-fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, under command of Captain John Murray and Colonel U. B. Reed. The regiment was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland and Mr. Bugden served for four years, be- ing all of the time with the Forty-fourth Indiana. He took part in the battles of Fort Donelson, Pittsburg Landing, or Shiloh, the siege of Corinth, Stone River. Chickamauga and Mission Ridge. He re-enlisted at Chattanooga and afterward did post duty from that time until the close of the war, being mustered out at Indianapolis, after which he returned to Pierceton, Indiana, where he remained for about one month. He then came to Ganges town- ship. Allegan county, in 1865, and for four years resided in that locality. clearing part of the farm which he purchased on section 33. At length, however, he sold that property and bought his present farm, comprising eighty acres of land on section 15, Casco township. This land he cleared and placed under cultivation, devoting his entire time and attention to gen- eral agricultural pursuits liere. He has, however, made seven trips back to England, since taking up his abode in Michigan, and finds much pleasure in visiting the scenes of his boyhood and in renewing his acquaintance with relatives and friends of former years.

In 1866 Mr. Bugden was united in marriage to Miss Ellen M. Chaplin. who was born in Kosciusko county, Indiana, March 1, 1841, a daughter of Moses P. and Sarah A. ( Morris) Chaplin, who were natives of New York and Ohio. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Bugden have been born five children : Rose M., the wife of Theron Johnson, who is mentioned elsewhere on another page of this work, and who resides in Casco township: Burton C., who is a cooper and operates a part of the old home farm: Marion J., also of Casco township; Jennie, Mrs. Charles Simpson and Edith, who died at the age of five years.

On becoming a naturalized American citizen Mr. Bugden gave his po- litical allegiance to the Republican party, which he supported until Grant's second administration. He then became allied with the Democracy but has recently registered as an independent and does not consider himself bound

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to party ties. He was elected and served for six consecutive terms super- visor of Casco township, being elected on the Citizens' ticket, and for two terms he was a member of the board of review. For sixteen consecutive years he filled the office of treasurer of school district No. 7 and he has always been most capable and loyal in the discharge of his official duties. He is a fine penman and has done considerable clerical work both while in the army and for the township, all of which might be taken as a model of neatness and regularity. The hope that led him to seek a home in America has been more than realized, for in this country he found the opportunities he sought and with a persistency of effort that is one of his marked char- acteristics he has continued in his business life until he is now comfortably situated, having an excellent farm property which returns him a good an- nual income.

WESLEY G. FRY, living on section 9, Casco township, where he is en- gaged in general agricultural pursuits, was born in Ganges township, Alle- gan county, February 3, 1858. His father, Jacob Fry, was a native of Penn- sylvania and of German descent. He followed the occupation of farming as a life work and his father served his country as soldier of the war of 1812. His birth occurred in Ashtabula county, Ohio, December 15, 1828, and he afterward resided near Fremont, in Sandusky county, Ohio. He enlisted from there for service in the Mexican war, and was under com- mand of General Scott throughout the period of hostilities. After the war he returned to Ohio, where he resumed farming and general work. He was married in that state, in April, 1851, and in 1854 came to Ganges town- ship, Allegan county, settling on a farm where the birth of our subject oc- curred. It was a tract of timber land, from which he had to clear away the trees and brush before he could plow the fields. He at first secured forty acres and afterward added to the place until he had about two hun- dred acres, constituting a valuable farm property. He drove to Michigan from Ohio and experienced the hardships and privations of pioneer life in this district. At the time of the Civil war, however, he put aside business and personal considerations and enlisted in 1861 as a member of Company B, Thirteenth Michigan Volunteer Infantry. He went to the front as sec- ond lieutenant and was soon afterward promoted to the rank of first lieu- tenant. The regiment was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland and he participated in the battles of Pittsburg Landing, Lookout Mountain, Nashi- ville, Chattanooga and others. After about two years he left the army on account of disability but subsequently returned to the service as a member of the same company and regiment and was promoted to the captaincy near the close of the war. He was a brave and loyal officer, often inspiring his men by his own valor and loyalty. When the war was over and the country no longer needed his aid he returned to Michigan and after selling his first farm he bought another tract of land in the same vicinity, where he re- sided until 1873, when he removed to Hall county, Nebraska. There he lo- cated a claim but was not long permitted to enjoy his new home, for his death occurred from disease on the ist of June of the same year. His eld- est son was with him at the time but the others of the family were still in this county. Mr. Fry was a Republican in his political views and filled the offices of justice of the peace, township treasurer and highway commissioner,

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HISTORY OF ALLEGAN COUNTY

while his religious faith was indicated by his membership in the Baptist church. His wife, Mrs. Mary (Scrimger) Fry, was born in Dundee, Scot- land, August 10, 1828, and when eight years of age accompanied her par- ents to the United States, the family home being established in Ottawa county, Ohio. The voyage was made on a sailing vessel which was six weeks in reaching the Atlantic harbor. The parents of Mrs. Fry, Alexander and Jane Scrimger, died in Ohio, but Mrs. Fry is still living and makes her home with her son Wesley. In the family were seven children : George W., who is living on a part of the old homestead in Ganges township; Mrs. Mar- garet A. McCarty, of Seattle, Washington; Jason, who died at the age of fourteen years ; Wesley G .; Adelbert, who died in infancy; Mrs. Josephine Hampton, of Ganges township, and Charles F., who is residing with his brother Wesley. They own adjoining tracts of eighty acres each and op- erate the farm as one. Both are still unmarried and they live together.

Wesley G. Fry remained upon the home farm in Ganges township until the death of his father, which occurred when the son was fifteen years of age, and he received his education in the schools of Ganges and Casco town- ships. He then began working as a farm hand by the month and was thus employed until twenty-one years of age, when he returned to the home farm. There he resided until he purchased his present place in 1885. In connec- tion with his brother Charles he bought a half section of land, which they afterward divided, each retaining eighty acres, although they continue working it together. The place is located on section 9, Casco township, and constitutes a well developed farm. It was formerly a mill property with about twelve acres of improved out of the one hundred and sixty. They now have nearly the entire amount under cultivation and they have a fine home standing on the place. Mr. Fry of this review has erected good build- ings and everything about the farm is indicative of his care and supervision. The land was largely devoted to the raising of fruit in former years but Mr. Fry now gives his attention principally to stock-raising.

In community affairs he is deeply interested, and his co-operation can be counted upon to further many progressive public movements. He was elected drain commissioner in Ganges township on the Republican ticket and filled the office altogether for three years. He is independent in politics but his fitness for the different positions have led to his selection for places of public trust and honor. He is now serving for the seventh consecutive term as supervisor of Casco township, having been elected on the Citizens' ticket in a township which is strongly Republican. He was also candidate for county clerk on the Prohibition ticket before coming to Casco township, running for the office in 1884, the same year in which John P. St. John was presidential candidate. Mr. Fry has also been treasurer of the school district No. 6 in Casco township for twenty-one years, or since he took up his abode here. Fraternally he is connected with the Masonic Lodge and with the Royal Arch Masons in South Haven, and he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, his membership being in East Casco Lodge. He is likewise identified with the Ganges Grange.

REV. WILLIAM NELSON BREIDENSTEIN, carrying on general farming and fruit raising on section 8, Casco township, his place being known as Edelweiss, has also devoted much time, thought and energy to the moral

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development of the community, and since June, 1895, has served as pastor of the First Baptist church of Ganges township. He was born in Hanover township, Columbiana county, Ohio, near Chambersburg, December 16, 1842, and is of German lineage. His paternal grandfather, Martin L. Breidenstein, was a native of Baden Baden, Germany, and on crossing the Atlantic to America settled near Antietam, Maryland. His son, Nathaniel Breidenstein, was born in Maryland but was reared and married in Co- lumbiana county, Ohio, the lady of his choice being Anna Mary Eidenier who was likewise a native of Maryland. His birth place was on the old bat- tle ground of Antietam. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Nathaniel Breidenstein were born seven children, four sons and three daughters, of whom one died in childhood. The sons, Martin L. and John, were soldiers of the Civil war, the former in the same regiment with our subject, and the latter of an Ohio regiment. He enlisted for three months' service and participated in the Morgan raid.

William Nelson Breidenstein, the youngest of the family, and now the only survivor, was a youth of twelve years when his parents removed to Eaton county, Michigan, where he remained until August 3, 1862, the date of his enlistment for service in the Civil war. He joined Company E, of the Twentieth Michigan Volunteer Infantry under Captain John Anderson, and was sent to the Army of the Potomac in the Ninth Army Corps, arriving there soon after the battle of Antietam. He took part in the engagement at Blue Springs, in eastern Tennessee and also in the siege of Knoxville. Later he was transferred to the Army of the Potomac again and was in the battle of the Wilderness, also at Spottsylvania and at Cold Harbor. He was under fire from the sixth day of May until the 30th of July, when he was wounded at the explosion of the mine at Petersburg, Virginia, and lost two fingers of his right hand. He was then sent to the hospital at Washington, D. C., and was discharged December 9, 1864. He saw much active military service, in which he displayed marked valor and loyalty. The only furlough he re- ceived was when he returned to vote, thus casting his first presidential bal- lot for Abraham Lincoln.

On the 17th of September, 1865, Rev. Breidenstein was united in mar- riage to Miss Harriet Elizabeth Bly, "the prettiest woman in the state of Michigan." She was born in Brookfield, Eaton county, Michigan, July 19, 1847, a daughter of Samuel and Maria (Potts) Bly, who were natives of Vermont and New York respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Breidenstein remained residents of Eaton county until he entered the ministry in 1867. For thirty-five years he was active as a representative of the liberal United Brethren church and his influence in behalf of moral development and Christian progress was widely felt in different localities where he lived and labored. In 1885 he made permanent settlement in Casco township, Alle- gan county, and in 1887 purchased his present farm. He became owner of forty acres but has since sold twelve acres of the land. His place is situ- ated on section 8, Casco township, and he has there a good home. The entire tract was woodland when it came into his possession save for a small portion of three acres which had been cleared. The entire place is today cultivated and improved and upon the Edelweiss farm he is now extensively and successfully engaged in the raising of fruit. In June, 1895, he accepted the pastorate of the First Baptist church of Ganges township and has since

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filled this position. In his ministerial labor his field has been Eaton, Jack- son, Livingston, Ingham, Clinton, Gratiot, Barry and Allegan counties, and for eight years he served as presiding elder in the state. He has attended the annual conferences of the United Brethren church and was largely in- strumental in re-organizing the Michigan annual conference at the close of the session which resulted in the division of the church. He organized both the churches of that denomination in Grand Rapids and he has long been recognized as one of its able preachers.

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Breidenstein has been blessed with five children, and they also have seventeen grandchildren. Their sons and daughters are as follows: George Edwards, who is living in Casco town- ship; James Weaver, who is married, and with his family resides upon his father's farm ; Carrie Loretta, the wife of Almond Sheldon, of Vermontville, Michigan ; Edna Irene, the wife of George B. Tourtellotte, formerly of Grand Rapids, and Mary Elizabeth, the wife of Calvin Palmer, of Casco township.

Throughout his entire life Rev. Breidenstein has been identified with the Republican party and is in thorough sympathy with its principles and policy. He has served as school inspector in his township and is thus inter- ested in educational progress. In fact at all times he stands for develop- ment and improvement along those lines which contribute intellectual, pol- itical and moral growth and stability. His influence has been of no re- stricted order, and on the contrary his labors have been far-reaching and beneficial, while the seeds of truth that he has sown have brought forth rich harvests in good works and upright living.

AMBROSE C. USHER, a representative of the farming interests of Casco township, his home being on section 22, was born in Manchester township, Boone county, Illinois, January 1, 1857, and is a representative of one of the old families of New York. His paternal grandfather, Levi Usher, was a native of the Empire state and died at the age of fifty years. The father, James Usher, was born at Cherry Valley, Oneida county, New York, in 1826 and accompanied his parents on their removal to Medina county, Ohio. In carly life he worked on the Erie canal in New York and also on the Chicago and Michigan canal. This brought him to the middle west and he eventually purchased a farm of eighty acres in Illinois. After ten years, however, he returned to the Empire state and was married. He then again came to Illinois and for twelve years resided upon his farm, which he brought under a high state of cultivation. On the expiration of that period he sold his property there and came to Michigan, securing eighty acres of land in Allegan county, which he improved, making his home thereon until he died at the age of sixty-five years. His wife bore the maiden name of Mahala Cook and was born at Pavilion, Genesee county, New York, in 1836, while her last days were passed on the old homestead in Allegan county at the age of sixty-five years. In the family of this worthy couple were six children : Ambrose C .; Marcus, a resident of Casco township; Mrs. Alice Bennett, who is living in the same township ; Mrs. Alta May Overhiser, deceased; Harris, of this township; and Mrs. Hattie Johnson, of Casco township.

Ambrose C. Usher was a lad of twelve summers when the family came

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to Michigan and settled on a farm on section 22, Casco township, Allegan county. He continued under the parental roof until sixteen years of age and during that time became familiar with the work of plowing, planting and harvesting. He then started out in life on his own account and was employed in a sawmill and also at farm labor. When twenty-six years of age he and his brother Marcus together purchased the farm upon which Ambrose C. Usher is now living. They had fifty acres of land on section 22 and with characteristic energy began to plow the fields, plant the seed and in due time harvest the crops. After his marriage Mr. Usher of this review purchased his brother's interests and has since made his home upon this farm. At one time he was the owner of a small orange grove in Man- atee county, Florida, and spent two winters there with his family, but sold that property about a year ago. With the exception of those brief periods he has remained continuously upon the old homestead in Casco township and he has nearly his entire farm of fifty acres under cultivation. It is devoted largely to the raising of fruit and in one year he sold four thousand bushels of peaches from his place. In the midst of his farm stands a fine dwelling which he erected and in the rear are found good outbuildings for the shelter of grain, stock and fruit. His place is known as the Maple Hill Fruit Farm and is thoroughly equipped for the conduct of the business which is being carried on.

On the 26th of May. 1886, Mr. Usher was united in marriage to Miss Clara L. Brainard, who was born in Lodi. Medina county, Ohio, October 24, 1867, and came to Allegan county about 1870 with her parents, Thomas and Henrietta (Griswold) Brainard, who were natives of Ohio. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Usher have been born two children. Essie Viola and Clifford. Mr. Usher votes the Republican ticket and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day. That he has progressed in his business life is due to his close application, executive force and firm determination and he is now classed with the representative and prosperous farmers of Casco township.

It will be interesting in this connection to note something of the history of Mrs. Usher's father, Thomas W. Brainard, who owned a finely im- proved farm on section 22, Casco township. He was born in Medina coun- ty, Ohio, in 1833 and is the son of Warren and Laura Brainard. His father was born in Connecticut, January 8. 1790. His parents removing to New York when he was quite young, he spent his boyhood days on a farm in Jefferson county. The means for obtaining an education in those early days were not what they are today and his advantages were limited to the common schools. Warren Brainard was a patriot in the war of 1812. During that struggle the British had placed a cannon ball on top of the barracks at Otsego and Mr. Brainard was given five dollars for procuring the ball on carrying it into camp. After the war he returned home and married the mother of Thomas W. Brainard, whose maiden name was Laura, daughter of Thomas and Polly Cook, natives of Connecticut. As early as 1817, Warren Brainard came west to Medina county. Ohio, where he was one of the pioneers and had the honor of erecting the first house in Westfield township. It was built of logs and in dimensions was eighteen by sixteen feet. The following year his family joined him in his new home. they coming overland with an ox team and sled. The home of Mr. Brain-

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ard was always a pleasant stopping place to the weary traveler and at one time fourteen families received shelter under his roof, many of whom had come for Mr. Brainard to assist them in locating their land.

Warren Brainard, when locating in the Buekeye state, purchased one hundred aeres of unbroken land. After improving thirty-eight aeres he dis- posed of the remainder of his property. While gathering butternuts in 1820 Mr. Brainard accidentally fell a distance of sixty feet, which resulted in his being made a eripple the remainder of his life. He died in Medina county in 1848, firm in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which body he and his wife were elass leaders. In polities he was a Jaek- sonian Demoerat. His parents were Ansel and Edith Brainard, the father being a soldier in the Revolutionary war, who lived to attain the advanecd age of ninety-eight years. His good wife survived him a number of years and died at the remarkable age of one hundred and four years. They were of English deseent, Ansel Brainard's father being one of two brothers who emigrated from England to the United States and settled in Connectieut.

Thomas W. Brainard began to learn the trade of a carpenter after reaching his sixteenth year, received four dollars for his first month's wages and at the end of the second month was given seventy-five eents per day. He followed his trade for twenty years and was successful in that undertaking. On leaving Ohio he moved to Montgomery county, Illinois, where he remained four years. At the end of that time, however, he returned to his native state, where he made his home for twelve suc- eceding years, and in 1870 came to Allegan county, Michigan, where he purchased five aeres of his present property. His farm ineludes thirty aeres which is under the most thorough cultivation and a portion of which is given to fruit raising.

In 1851 Mr. Brainard and Miss Henrietta, daughter of William and Louisa Griswold, were united in marriage. Her parents were natives of New York, and her mother, who is a very active old lady, makes her home with Mrs. Brainard. Mr. and Mrs. Griswold had a family of eleven children. Mr. and Mrs. Brainard have two sons and one daughter : Warren, who married Julia Morris; Frank, who married Alice Godfrey ; and Clara, Mrs. Ambrose Usher. In polities Thomas W. Brainard is a true-blue Republican and has held many offices of trust in his township, among which was that of justice of the peace, he having been the ineumbent of that position for seven years. He passed away in April, 1904, and his wife died in 1900.

WILLIAM VAN BLARCUM is proprietor of the Cloverdale farm, an excellent property situated on seetion 14, Casco township. He is one of Michigan's native sons, having been born in Pittsfield, Washtenaw county, September 29, 1841, and when twelve years of age he came to this county in company with his parents, Nicholas and Mary Ann (Ackerman) Van Blareum, who were natives of New York, and became residents of Washte- naw county, Michigan, about 1840. The mother died when her son William was only about eleven years of age, and the father afterward married again, passing away upon his farm near Otsego, Allegan county, when sixty-five years of age. He was descended from an old New Jersey family of Holland descent. William Van Blareum of this review was the

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A twentieth century history of Allegan County, Michigan, Part 33

Author: Thomas, Henry Franklin, 1843-1912 Publication date: 1907 Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 808

Author: Thomas, Henry Franklin, 1843-1912
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 808