USA > Michigan > Allegan County > A twentieth century history of Allegan County, Michigan > Part 39
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85
His five children are as follows: James H. Tanner died September 23, 1905, aged forty-eight years. He was a farmer of Leighton, north of Way- land, and was the owner of a fine farm. Frances is the wife of Frank Wilcox, of Hopkins township. Viola is the wife of William Wright of Wayland. Herman Tanner is a member of the city police force of Belvi- dere, Illinois. Alice married Leon Kinyon, and their home is in Dorr town- ship.
Mrs. Tanner, who had for so many years been the valued and beloved helpmeet of her husband, passed away March 16, 1896. Mr. Tanner's sec- ond marriage occurred December 28, 1901, when he espoused Mrs. Betsy Sadler, widow of John H. Sadler, late of the township of Dorr. Her maiden name was Betsy Bisard and she was born in Medina county, Ohio, coming to Michigan and Dorr township, Allegan county, when thirteen years old with her parents, David and Rebecca (Hughes) Bisard. They located upon a new farm, which they improved and here, at the age of twenty-two, Betsy Bisard was married to John H. Sadler. Her parents afterward removed to Kent county, where they died.
Alanson A. Tanner cast his first presidential vote for John C. Fremont and he has ever since been a staunch Republican. He was ever active in township affairs and aided very materially in making this section what it is. He has other interests besides his landed property and is a stockholder in the Wayland Bank. As a farmer he held the respect of his fellow towns- men and as a citizen of Wayland he is looked upon as a staunch and solid resident, of good judgment and possessing many warm friends.
GEORGE H. JACKSON is a native of Thimbleby, Lincolnshire, England, where he was born November 26, 1839. His father, Charles Jackson, was born in Anwick, Lincolnshire, England, April 22, 1800, while his mother, Ann Maltby, was born in Sausthorpe, in the same countv. October 29. 1814. They were married in 1835 and lived upon a farm in Thimbleby until com- ing to America in June of 1845. They spent five years in the state of New York and then came to Michigan, Allegan county, settling in the township
277
HISTORY OF ALLEGAN COUNTY
of Wayland. A New York neighbor, Mr. Nathan Green, had come to Michigan a few years previously, and through his representations and inducements Charles Jackson and family came here in October, 1850. Mr. Jackson purchased forty acres of Mr. Green at two dollars and fifty cents per acre, and this place was his home until his death in 1883. This old homestead is still in possession of the family, now being owned by one of the sons, James F. His widow, Ann ( Maltby) Jackson, survived him sev- eral years, she passing away here at the age of seventy-eight years. They were the parents of ten children, six sons and four daughters, all of whom are still living and residents of this vicinity. They are as follows: Har- riet, now Mrs. George Beattie, of Orangeville, Barry county ; Mary L., now Mrs. James Williamson, also of Barry county; George H., the subject of this review : Sarah, now Mrs. Charles Winks, of Lowell, Michigan ; Robert C. and Joseph, of Wayland township: Andrew, of Wayland township ; Emma, one of the leading teachers of Allegan and Barry counties and now teaching near Middleville; she makes her home with her brother. George Jackson : John E. and James F. were both born in and are residents of Way- land township. It is a notable fact that there is just twenty years to a day between the ages of the eldest and the youngest members of this large family. The youngest is now fifty years old. Charles and Ann Jackson brought their family up in industry and taught them the value of honest dealing, frugality and labor. The children have carried these ideas all through life and the result is that now they are all in comfortable circum- stances and with good homes and families of their own.
George H. Jackson worked out for others until he was nineteen years old, his wages going to his father. When twelve years old he received but four dollars per month, and each year thereafter received an additional dol- lar per month until he was drawing the munificent salary of thirteen dollars per month, the highest he ever received. During this time he managed to acquire some education by going to school winters while working for his board. At twenty he, by saving every cent, had acquired about two hun- dred dollars, and his first thought was to invest it in land. His first pur- chase was one hundred and sixty acres, which he secured for eight dollars per acre. It was covered with fine oak and hickory timber, which he burned to get rid of. The first year he broke the forty acres and sowed it to wheat. This crop he hauled by oxen thirty miles to Kalamazoo to market, receiving eighty-five cents per bushel. It took three days to make the round trip. The following year he hauled in the same manner to Grand Rapids, twenty- five miles away, and received from one dollar and fifty cents to two dollars and fifty cents per bushel. Later he received as high as three dollars per bushel for wheat. When only sixteen years old his brother Robert had begun working with him, and this was continued for two years. Then Robert secured an adjoining eighty acres for himself and they cleared this together. Robert enlisted in the army in 1864, serving in the Sixth Michi- gan Cavalry until the close of the war.
George H. Jackson is now the owner of four hundred and eighty acres of land, three hundred and twenty acres of which are under cultivation. He has paid as high as twelve dollars and fifty cents per acre for wild land. and from twenty acres he has sold oak timber alone to the amount of one thou- sand seven hundred dollars. His fine farm is devoted to mixed farming,
278
HISTORY OF ALLEGAN COUNTY
although he has also done considerable in fruit. Much of his income has been derived from live stock, particularly cattle, sheep and hogs. His present house was built in 1876 and is a commanding structure, showing well for a long distance. His other buildings are also substantial structures and equal to the demands of the farm. September 7, 1875, he was married to Mary E. Davis, the daughter of Samuel Davis, a pioneer of Barry county. She died February 7, 1900, since which time Mr. Jackson's sister has acted as his efficient housekeeper. One son, Glenn W., was born unto Mr. and Mrs. Jackson. He is now about sixteen years of age and is a student in the Wayland high school. Mr. Jackson is a Republican in politics, and he has filled numerous minor offices. Ilis religious affiliations are with the Methodist Episcopal church and he is an attendant at the Jackson church near by. In Sunday school work he has always been very active, believing that branch of religious work is most important. Two Sunday schools in this vicinity are benefited by his good labors therein, while he is also always actively alive to all that is important in the line of other church and society work. He is also a member of the Grange at Bowen's Mills.
Mr. Jackson is the possessor of a remarkably fine collection of Indian relics, the most of which have been picked up on his own farm and in this immediate vicinity. He is an experienced practical farmer, and success has come to him through his own endeavors and with the co-operation of his brothers and sisters. He believes that he chose wisely in the selection of his home and that no better place exists for pleasant living than in Allegan county and Wayland township, and he is always alive to those things which will tend to the betterment of the condition of his fellow beings.
JOSEPH JACKSON .- The Jackson family has done a wonderful work of improvement in Wayland and adjoining townships, wresting the land from its natural forest condition and transforming it from a wild section into the fertile and productive farms abounding here. A member of this family who deserves fitting mention in a work of this character is Mr. Joseph Jackson, one of the prosperous and intelligent agriculturists of Wayland township, where he has lived for the past forty years. Mr. Jackson is of English ancestry, his parents. Charles and Ann (Maltby) Jackson, being natives of Lincolnshire, England, where they were married in 1836. Several of their children were born in England, and in June of 1845 they emigrated to America, where our subject was born at Wheatland, Monroe county, New York, October 17, 1845. This place, which is twenty miles cast of Roches- ter, was the home of Joseph until he was five years of age. In company with his brother Robert he first began operations for himself in Allegan county. They each purchased eighty acres of new land adjoining each other and worked together, clearing the most of their farms the first year. As fast as they cleared their land they put it into wheat. They had bought their land on contract at twelve dollars and fifty cents per acre, and they remained in partnership until they had the property paid for. Thus again was it demonstrated that in unity there is strength, for each working alone would have been much longer in clearing up the indebtedness. As the years rolled by Mr. Jackson made additional purchases of land, the most of it new and uncleared. A tract of one hundred and sixty acres was added to the old Hill farm in Wayland township and another eighty acres close by,
279
HISTORY OF ALLEGAN COUNTY
while he also purchased forty acres in Yankee Springs township, Barry county. During his forty years' residence here he has wrested over two hundred acres from the forest and made of it productive land. His first residence was a small frame structure, which supplied a home until com- paratively recently. In 1905 he built his present handsome home, which is a sightly brick structure, equipped with all of the modern improvements and conveniences. It is as fully up to date as a city residence, containing, as it does, bath rooms supplied with hot and cold water. A windmill pumps the water to an elevated tank, from whence it flows to all parts of the house and grounds, while water is also thus supplied to stock tanks in the yards. The idea strictly followed out was to make the home one with all modern im- provements, and this has been admirably accomplished. The improvements cost close to eight thousand dollars, and the whole forms a home of which any man might well feel proud. Here Mr. Jackson has lived for the past forty years, and here he is well content to pass the remainder of his days.
Mr. Jackson's first marriage was consummated in 1870, when he was united with Miss Sophia Riggs. She died in 1875, having borne no chil- dren. In December, 1881, Mr. Jackson was married to Sarah A. Davis, who is a sister to the wife of his brother. George Jackson. Unto them have been born two children, both of whom are at home with their parents. The eldest is a son, William H., and the other is a daughter. Edith May, who is a student in the Wayland high school.
Politically Mr. Jackson is a staunch Republican, and he has served his township three terms as highway commissioner. His has been a busy and industrious life and he has performed his full duty as a citizen and as a man of family. Success has been his because of his application and natural foresight and he has accumulated a fine property, which he and the members of his family will enjoy for many years to come. It is men such as he who form the bulwark of this strong nation and make us the most powerful people upon the face of the globe.
JOHN EDMUND JACKSON is the ninth child in order of birth of Charles and Ann (Maltby) Jackson, those sturdy pioneers of English birth who came from England in 1845 and then a few years later made their way into the new country of Michigan. The parents were most worthy people and they reared a large family of ten children, in the meantime enduring all of the hardships of pioncer life and the arduous labors incident to life in a sparsely settled section. The subject of this review was the first of their children born in Michigan, and this has ever since been his home. The date of his birth was December 18, 1853, and the place Wayland township. His early life was like that of all boys of the day and it contained few idle moments. At the age of seventeen his father, in the parlance of the day, "gave him his time," or, in other words, allowed him to work for himself and spend his wages as he saw fit. To the generation of the present day it seems almost incredible that parents used to enforce the law which gave to them the labors of their children until they reached the age of twenty-one years, but such was invariably the custom of the day, and any child who was excepted from this regulation was considered very leniently dealt with. But John did not waste the opportunity thus afforded him of getting on in the world for himself. He being still a minor, his brother Robert pur-
280
HISTORY OF ALLEGAN COUNTY
chased for him of O. N. Giddings, of Kalamazoo, a tract of new land con- taining eighty acres. The farm cost one thousand one hundred dollars, and the terms of the contract required that he should pay one hundred dollars cash and make a regular payment each year until the entire sum and interest had been paid. In about 1878 he purchased the eighty-acre tract across from his home place. As seems to have been the practice with the sons of the Jackson family, John assisted in the clearing of the farms already acquired by his brothers and they in turn helped him in improving his own farm. The brothers appeared to have had a tacit agreement to work together for a period of twelve years, at the end of which time it was thought that each would be comfortably provided for. But as was natural, the younger members of the family did not accomplish this result until several years after the older ones were well on the road to prosperity. Thus it was not until 1883 that he was enabled to build his house and become settled in a home of his own. When he was twenty-one years old he had about one- third of his land cleared and in condition for the successful raising of crops, and cach year thereafter saw additional land cleared and the productiveness of the place increased. For several years his sister Emma kept house for him, and in this connection it is but justice to state that the success of the brothers of this family is due as much to the co-operation of their sister as to their own efforts, for she was ever ready to aid them with the perform- ance of the duties which always are required of the woman upon the farm.
His marriage to Mrs. Eunice A. (Swift) McCracken was consummated in 1887. He cultivates about eighty acres, raising some grain and devoting a great deal of his attention to cattle, sheep, hogs, etc. He is a believer in well-bred stock and has fine Shropshire sheep and Short-horn cattle. He milks twelve cows, so this dairying feature is an important source of income. During the earlier years of his farming he raised large quantities of grain, which was sold, but later years of experience have taught him the value of giving back to the land all that it produces, hence his turning to the raising of live stock instead. Mr. Jackson is a firm believer in the fact that a man must go into debt in order to win the greatest success, and he attributes a large measure of his well doing to his condition of indebtedness for many years, when he felt compelled to work hard to get even with the world. At the present time he is free from incumbrance and his whole property shows thrift and care.
Six children have been born unto Mr. and Mrs. Jackson, as follows : Harrison E. and C. Edward are students in the high school at Wayland ; Ruth A. is the eldest daughter; Gladys and Gaius are twins; Myrl is the youngest. Another member of the family who has always been considered by Mr. Jackson as dear as his own children is a daughter of Mrs. Jackson by her former marriage, Irma McCracken, who is now a teacher in Wayland township. Besides her common school education she attended the Clarks- ville Academy and pursued a thorough correspondence course, and she now ranks high as one of the successful teachers of Allegan county. Mr. and Mrs. Jackson intend to give all of their children the best of educational advantages, thus equipping them in the best manner for life's duties. Like the other members of the Jackson family, Mr. Jackson is a Republican, although never a seeker after office. He keeps in touch with current events and is considered a man of rare good judgment, a wise farmer and a man
281
HISTORY OF ALLEGAN COUNTY
who commands the respect of the community in which all of his life has been passed.
ANDREW JACKSON .- In the township of Wayland we find that members of the Jackson family are owners of nearly two thousand acres of fine farm- ing land and that all of them are respected members of society, well to do and worthy descendants of that branch of the Jackson family which came to this country from England in 1845. Elsewhere in this volume may be found more extended account of Andrew Jackson's parents. Charles and Ann (Maltby) Jackson, who came to Michigan and Allegan county a few years after their arrival in America and spent the remainder of their lives here. They were fine old English people, and they reared a large family of chil- dren to fill positions of honor in this section.
One of their sons. Andrew Jackson, is the subject of this review. and he was the second child born after their arrival in this country. His birth- place was Monroe county, New York, and he accompanied his parents and the other members of the family when they came to Michigan. He re- mained at home until he had attained his majority. He worked in company with his two brothers, Robert and Joseph, exchanging work as it became necessary, until he had paid for the farm which his father had first secured for twelve dollars and fifty cents per acre. There were eighty acres in this tract, all new land and scarcely a tree cut. It was covered with timber which today would be considered most valuable, but in those days the only thought was to clear this off and prepare the land for the raising of crops. Thus he was forced to burn timber which, if preserved, would bring much money at this time. As fast as the land could be cleared he sowed it to that great staple. wheat, and from the proceeds he succeeded in making the land his own and free from encumbrance. It was not many years before he saw his way clear to buy another eighty acres adjoining, with only a few acres cleared thereon and with this he followed the same methods as with his orig- inal place. He built a residence in 1871. and for eleven years his sister Emma officiated as housekeeper for him, his brother John also making his home here for some time. In 1880 he purchased an additional one hundred and sixty acres in the township of Leighton, on section 35. about one and one-half miles distant, and it serves largely as pasture land, being admirably adapted for this purpose. General farming is followed. and the main prod- ucts are grain, live stock and grass and hay. His home farm of one hun- dred and sixty acres is all under cultivation, and it has been brought to its present high state of productiveness through his own efforts. Mr. Jackson has paid considerable attention to Angus cattle and breeds from a high class Angus male, thus producing the best stock of its kind. Nature has done much for Mr. Jackson's land, it being finely located. and this, combined with his individual efforts, has resulted in a farm of unusual productiveness. His residence is a comfortable frame structure, while his barns and other build- ings are roomy, well-built structures, each well adapted to its particular use.
He was married October 12, 1887 to Miss Minnie C. Hersey, daughter of E. P. and Harriet M. ( Morton) Hersey, who came to Allegan county in 1865 from Ohio, which state was also the birthplace of Mrs. Jackson. Mr. Hersey and Mrs. Hersey are now residents of Wayland. Although Mr. Jackson is a Republican and interested in the success of his party, he has no
.
282
HISTORY OF ALLEGAN COUNTY
political aspirations, finding plenty to occupy his time and attention in the management of his large farm, and he is willing that the offices should go to those who desire them. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Masonic Lodge at Wayland.
The Jackson farm indicates great thrift and care, the whole being well looked after and affording a most comfortable home. Almost every inch of the place is thoroughly known to Mr. Jackson, for it has taken painstaking labor to change it from a forest land into its present condition. Mr. and Mrs. Jackson stand very high in the esteem of the people of this section and their home is dear to them through many tender associations.
JAMES F. JACKSON is the youngest of the ten children of Charles and Ann (Maltby) Jackson, who, natives of Lincolnshire, England, grew up and were married there and were the parents of ten children, five of whom were born before they decided to try and better their fortunes in America. They came to this country in 1845 and spent several years in New York state before coming to Michigan, which they did in 1850. They came to Allegan county and selected the township of Wayland as their future home, estab- lishing themselves upon a farm here, where they spent the remainder of their lives. They were most worthy people and they won the high regard of the people of this vicinity. The six sons of the family were all brought up on the farm, imbibing here industrious habits and learning agriculture. It is consequently no wonder that they all decided to become farmers, and today they are residents of this immediate vicinity, each provided with a comfortable home. Their respective carcers thus far in life are recorded elsewhere in this volume.
James F., the youngest of this family, was born in Wayland January 12, 1856, upon the home farm, where he has ever since lived and which is now in his possession. In fact, his present residence stands directly upon the site of the old home. When he was seventeen years old his father bought the John Hogg farm of eighty acres and paid therefor the sum of three thousand two hundred dollars, and it was understood that if James would pay this sum he could have the farm, as well as the old homestead. His father died February 12. 1883. and the business thus thrown upon the hands of the young man prevented the purchase of the Hogg farm. It was twelve vears before he had the indebtedness cleared, but he traded one forty for forty acres lying on the opposite side of the road and also added another forty acres two miles distant, this latter piece being used as pasture. The home place has about one hundred and ten acres under cultivation. In 1900 he built his present house, a neat frame structure. He also moved the barn to its present location, so that the improvements have all been made by him. It is an attractive place and a fertile farm, and it is managed with all the thrift and care for which the members of the Jackson family are noted. In con- nection with his general farming Mr. Jackson has also grown peaches suc- cessfully. He still has several acres in successful bearing and has demon- strated the profitableness of fruit culture in this locality. He has recently planted another tract to peaches and will engage in fruit growing more or less in the future.
He was married September 27. 1893, to Miss Gertrude Robinson. daughter of W. T. Robinson, who came to this township in 1864. His
283
HISTORY OF ALLEGAN COUNTY
father was Professor H. N. Robinson, the author of several standard text books in mathematics. Gertrude Robinson was born in Wayland township and she was a successful teacher in Allegan and Barry counties for nearly ten years immediately preceding her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Jackson are the parents of two children, Clara G. and Clayton Paul, both of whom are in school and live at home.
In politics Mr. Jackson is an independent in opinions and voting. He is not active in political matters, but rather devotes his whole time and atten- tion to his own private business. He is a member of the Grange and takes a deep interest in all that pertains to the welfare and advancement of agri- culture.
JOSEPH W. BURLINGAME .- The Burlingames were for many years resi- dents of Geauga county, Ohio, where they had comfortable homes, but in the early fifties the spirit of emigration was rife in that section and they, with many others, sought to better their condition by either going farther west or coming into Michigan. Although at the present day it seems strange that the spirit of unrest should so possess the residents of Ohio and eastern states, nevertheless it was this very thing that brought into our own state so many good families. They seemed in the main to be satisfied with their new Michigan homes and here they passed the remainder of their lives, while their descendants still live here and form our very best society. This was the case with the Burlingame family in Ohio, where our subject, Joseph W. Burlingame, was born in the town of Munston, Geauga county, August 20, 1832. He was the son of Harding and Lavina ( Heath) Burlingame, who were also the parents of nine other children, eight of whom have lived in Michigan. In 1856 Harding Burlingame, having lost his first wife and mar- ried again, decided that Michigan offered better facilities for home-making, and accordingly he came here with his family, traveling after the rather primitive method of the times and arriving eventually in Allegan county, which appeared to him a most favorable place to locate. Here he selected a tract of land in the township of Hopkins, one mile cast of where is now Hilliard station and three miles west of Wayland. The one hundred and sixty acres which he purchased was new land, and it required a great deal of labor to place it in condition for the raising of crops. He was assisted in the arduous work by two of his sons, Joseph W. and Phillip, the latter remaining with his father for four years after coming here. Phillip also remained in this section and is now a resident of the county, living four miles east of Wayland.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.