USA > Michigan > Allegan County > A twentieth century history of Allegan County, Michigan > Part 60
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HISTORY OF ALLEGAN COUNTY
purchased one hundred acres at two dollars and a half per acre. In 1849 they built a log house, men from that vicinity helping in the raising. The house still stands, in a remarkable state of preservation, and was his mother's home until Thomas Ronan built the house in which he now lives, in 1875, at which date his mother came to live with him. On February 14, 1850, his father was out chopping wood and was killed by a falling limb from a pine tree which had lodged against a dead oak and which he was attempting to dislodge. He was about forty-four years of age at the time he was killed. This sad accident left the widow in a new and only partially settled country, dependent on herself, and with the two young boys, Patrick, aged sixteen, and Thomas W., aged fourteen, to care for. The few neighbors that they had, however, rallied to their assistance and helped to clear the farm and get things into shape for working until the boys became a little more familiar with what was demanded of them.
In 1856 Patrick, the elder brother, went to Kansas and took up some land. He took part in some of the disturbances that occurred at that time in Kansas and received a blow on the head from which he never recovered and which was the result of his loss of reason. He was placed in an asylum in 1865 and remained there until his death, which occurred in 1896. In 1857 Thomas left the farm and worked out by the month at Gull Prairie, receiving the munificent sum of thirteen dollars per month. For splitting rails he received fifty cents per hundred and for chopping wood twenty cents per cord. But by his energy and economy he managed to make and save enough to pay for his farm in 1862 and to have one hundred and fifty dollars in cash remaining. His mother lived to be ninety-four years of age and died in January, 1887. In 1863 Mr. Ronan started to improve his new farm and resided there until 1874, when he sold the place for three thousand six hundred dollars. In that same year he bought his brother's interest in the old home place. In 1875 he built the new house before referred to. This house was then considered and is still a fine home, and was a great improvement over the old log cabin. In 1878 Mr. Ronan decided to abandon farming as a means of support and started a business, dealing in stocks and real estate. He has owned several tracts since that time, over six hundred acres at one time in different farms. His home farm contains one hundred acres, which he now rents. He was married the first time to Eliza Jane Fisher, of Prairieville, Michigan, who was a teacher in Barry county. She is now dead. They had three children: Mary, wife of Mat- thew Parker, of Middleville, Michigan; Bertha M., a teacher in the high school at Mount Pleasant, Michigan, and a graduate of the State Normal School ; and Fred H., who died in his third year. He married for his second wife Alice Seibel, and for his third wife Clara MacDonald, of Detroit.
As a young man Mr. Ronan set his mark at the possession of twenty- five thousand dollars, and by integrity and thrift has had the satisfaction of more than passing that figure.
MARTIN TOWNSHIP.
GEORGE V. GOUCHER, now making his home at Watson's Corners, where he is following the mason's trade and where he has been connected with various commercial and industrial enterprises, has spent almost his entire life in Michigan. He is a native of Genesee county, New York, born
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November 1, 1843, and comes of English ancestry. The Goucher family was established in America by three brothers who emigrated from the fatherland in colonial days, and two of the number went to put down the Algerian pirates and were never again heard from. The paternal grand- father of our subject, John Goucher, was a native of the Empire state and there spent his entire life, passing away at the extreme old age of ninety- eight years. He served as a soldier in the war of 1812. His son, who also bore the name of John Goucher, was born in Plattsburg, New York, in 1807, and was there married to Miss Malinda Taylor, also a native of the east, and they became the parents of George V. Goucher, whose name introduces this review. The parents removed to this state at an early epoch in the development of this country, and the family home was estab- lished at Maringo, Calhoun county, in 1844, where they made their home for almost a decade, subsequent to which time they took up their abode on a farm in Watson township, Allegan county, where both passed away, the father having reached the age of seventy-six years, while the mother died about a year after coming here, after which the father was married a second time.
George V. Goucher was less than a year old when brought by his parents to this state, and was a lad of ten years when he accompanied them on their removal to Allegan county. He pursued his education in the district schools near his father's home, and when not occupied with his studies assisted his father in the work of the fields until he had reached the age of fourteen years, at which time, his father having married again, the son left home and began making his own way in the world. He was employed for two years at farm labor, and when sixteen years of age enlisted for service in the Civil war in July, 1862, becoming a member of Company I, Fifth Michi- gan Cavalry, under Captain Williams and Colonel Alger. The company was mustered in at Detroit, where they remained until the fall of that year. when they were sent to Washington. Mr. Goucher was a participant in many of the most important and hardest fought battles during the struggle. including the engagements at Gettysburg, battle of the Wilderness, Spott- sylvania, Brandy Station, Winchester, Cedar Creek and many others, and altogether took part in sixty-three battles, being the only one in his regiment who took part in every movement. He was three times taken a prisoner. and his service in the army lacked but eleven days of covering a period of three years. He participated in the grand review at Washington, and was mustered out of service on the 3d of July, 1865.
Mr. Goucher at once returned to Allegan county, where he began learning the mason's trade, which he has followed to a greater or less extent since that time, although he is now practically living retired. In connection with his trade he also conducted a store at Watson's Corners for about six years, his wife assisting him in the management of the enterprise. For one year he also conducted a meat market in connection with his other interests. As he prospered in his business affairs he accumulated a competence suf- ficient to justify the purchase of land, owning at one time a farm of forty- six acres in Watson township. He has made his home in the village of Watson's Corners for the past thirty years, first making a purchase of nine- teen acres in this place, but he has since disposed of a portion of this and now has eight and a quarter acres, in the midst of which stands a fine home,
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which is occupied by himself and family, and by his careful management and close application to his business interests in former years he is now enabled to rest from the more arduous duties of life, although he still follows his trade to some extent. He has lived in this state for more than a half century and is one of the three surviving members of nine children born of his father's family.
Mr. Goucher established a home of his own by his marriage May I, 1867, to Miss Martha Fassett, who was born in Niagara county, New York, November 29. 1842, and who in 1854 came to this state with her parents, Jerome and Mary A. (Heirspool) Fassett. The father was a native of Vermont and died in this state when fifty-four years of age. The mother was born in Northamptonshire, England, in 1823, and at the age of nine years accompanied her parents, Edmond and Elizabeth (Westfield) Heir- spool, on their emigration to America, the family home being established in Lockport, New York. Mrs. Fassett still survives her husband and now makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. Goucher. Unto our subject and his wife have been born two sons and one daughter: Verner J .. now a resident of Otsego, Michigan; Frank, of Watson township; and Gertrude, now the wife of Arthur Layton, also of Watson township. They are also rearing a little daughter, Leeta, whom they adopted at the age of four months, and who is now a little maiden of ten years.
Mr. Goucher has been a lifelong Republican and cast his first presi- dential vote for Abraham Lincoln, and he has supported every Republican candidate since that time. He has taken a very active and helpful interest in local political affairs, having served for twelve years as justice. of the peace, and he was for four years deputy under Sheriff Hay and his suc- cessor. He has been a representative of the county Republican committee from Watson township for many years, and at the present writing is acting as treasurer of school district No. 2. Keeping in touch with his old army comrades, he is identified with G. B. Wheeler Post, G. A. R., at Martin. He also belongs to Watson Lodge No. 266, I. O. O. F., being the first member to be initiated in the new hall in 1877. He is also identified with the Protective Legion, at Martin. In the community where he resides Mr. Goucher is honored not only for his progressive citizenship, but as a veteran of the Civil war, in which he performed such faithful and meritorious service in defense of the Union cause. He and his family are numbered among the best people of Watson township, where they are highly esteemed.
JAMES E. KENT is one of the old settlers of Allegan county, having since 1847 lived in Watson township. He was born in Whitby, Ontario, Canada, December 4, 1837, and traces his ancestry back to William Kent, who emigrated from Essex county. England, nearly one hundred and fifty years ago. He married a Pennsylvania woman of Holland descent, whose maiden name was Tamer Brower. To them were born eleven children, five boys and six girls, ten of whom lived to maturity, Jeremiah dving in infancy. The four boys were Robert. John, James, and William, who was the youngest of the family. He was born August 7. 1796, in Highgate township, Franklin county, Vermont. He married Harriet Henderson, who was born in Onandaga county, town of Schoys, New York. They settled first in the township of Whitby, Canada, where they remained until
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1839, when they moved to the township of Franklin, Lenawee county, Michigan, thence to the township of Watson, Allegan county, in June, 1847.
The first of the family in Michigan, however, was James Kent, who removed from Ohio to Allegan county in 1845, settling north of the village of Otsego on a farm now occupied by Albert Gates, where he remained for about a year and then removed to what is now the township of Watson, where he owned one thousand five and a half acres of land.
William S. Kent was the second of the family to locate in Watson township, moving from Lenawee county in December, 1846. In the early spring of 1847, accompanied by his two oldest sons, George and William, he removed to Watson township, where he chopped and logged four acres of land and on the clearing erected a house into which the family moved, the parents continuing to spend their remaining days there. The family brought with them four cows, two of which were high grade Durhams, also a pair of yearling steers, which grew to be the ox team that James Kent drove for a long time. They also brought a drove of hogs and a three-year-old colt, and at that time there was but one other horse in Wat- son township. Farm implements were exchanged for sheep, but sheep did not prove profitable because they continually wandered away, and in his boyhood James Kent spent many a day in herding them but drove them home in less numbers each time until they were nearly all gone. On one occasion he found his sheep nine miles from home. Stock of all kinds was inclined to wander in those days as there were no fences or anything else to hinder them. The family experienced the usual hardships and trials of pioneer life. There was much illness in the county in an early day and at times nearly all of the members of the household would be ill with bilious fever or ague. There were many wild animals in the county and on sev- eral occasions bears attacked the hogs.
James E. Kent was only eighteen months old at the time of the arrival of the family in Michigan, at which time their home was established at Franklin, in Lenawee county. As stated, they removed to Watson town- ship, Allegan county, in June. 1847, locating on a farm on section 15, which adjoins the present home of our subject. Here James E. Kent has resided continuously since. He remained at home until his marriage but before eighteen years of age he bought his present farm, comprising eighty acres on section 15. It was all woodland and he performed the arduous tasks necessary to bringing this under cultivation. He now has a fine farm well improved, upon which are substantial buildings which he has erected, for he is a carpenter and joiner by trade and is an excellent workman in those lines.
There were many pleasures to be enjoyed in early times and Mr. Kent found one of his chief sources of recreation in playing the violin, in which connection he was often called upon to furnish music at different social gatherings. He remembers playing for a party in 1847 when only ten years of age and for a quarter of a century he furnished music at social functions all over the county and also in Grand Rapids. He has ever been a great lover of music and especially of the violin.
Mr. Kent has been married twice. On the 7th of November, 1858, he wedded Mary Monroe, who was born in Easton, New York, August 21, 1836, and came to Otsego, Michigan, with her parents, Otis and Frances
1
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Monroe. She died May 1, 1883, in the house which Mr. Kent still occu- pies. There were nine children of that marriage, of whom two died in childhood. The others are James M., who is the present supervisor of Watson township, serving for the fifth consecutive year. He has also served as township clerk for two years and he is married and resides upon the farm adjoining his father's. Hattie Frances is the wife of J. C. Yeakey, of Wayland. Frank E. is an engineer on the Pere Marquette Railroad and resides at Grand Rapids. Carrie is the wife of A. C. Fassett, of Grand Rapids. Maggie is the wife of James A. Brooks, of Sears, Osceola county, Michigan. Mamie is the wife of Frank Taylor, clerk of Watson township. Effie is the wife of James Masterson, of Hopkins. Fred E., a twin of Frank E., died in infancy, and Georgiana also died in infancy. For his second wife Mr. Kent chose Augusta Nichols, whom he married March 29, 1884. She was born in Gun Plains township, Allegan county, Decem- ber 4. 1853, is a daughter of Chauncey P. and Harriet (Hazelton) Nichols, and has always lived in this county.
Mr. Kent is a stalwart Republican, casting his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln. His views are also somewhat socialistic and he ever works for reform and improvement. He has been a member of the Masonic fraternity since the age of twenty-two years, belonging to Otsego Lodge No. 78, A. F. & A. M. He likewise belongs to Watson Grange Lodge No. 144, which he assisted in organizing on the 12th of December, 1873. He was likewise a stockholder in the Grange store of Allegan for thirty years and was one of its directors for a number of years. For six decades he has been a resident of Allegan county and deserves prominent mention among its pioneer citizens.
PERLEY E. LONSBURY .- An excellent farming property of one hundred and twenty acres, situated on section 17, Watson township, is the birthplace of Perley E. Lonsbury, his natal day being February 4, 1857, and this prop- erty has continued to be his home to the present time. The Lonsbury fam- ily was established in Michigan at an early day, the grandfather of our subject having removed from New York to this state, their location being Lenawee county. The father of our subject, Nehemiah K. Lonsbury, was born near Catskill, New York, April 1, 1818, and when quite young was taken by his parents to Wayne county, that state, where he lived until a youth of seventeen years, when he accompanied his father's family to this state, remaining with them in Lenawee county, during the succeeding two years. In 1837, when a youth of nineteen years, he packed his few belong- ings and made his way to Allegan county, walking the entire distance, much of the journey being through the forests, for much of the country was still in its wild and uncultivated state at that early epoch. He had some relatives living in this section of the state and he at once made his way to where they were located, and soon after his arrival here he entered a claim of one hundred and twenty acres of land from the government. He at once began the work of clearing the land, plowing the fields, planting the seed and in due course of time he gathered rich harvests as a reward for the labor he had bestowed upon the land. He made all of the improve- ments which are here seen at the present time and it is today a valuable and well improved property. He endured many trials and hardships during
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that pioneer period, and he took a deep and helpful interest in much of the development and progress which was carried on from year to year. Mr. Lonsbury was married in Allegan county, when twenty-four years of age, to Miss Lucy Ann Miner, who was born in Canada, September 23, 1817, and when she was very young her parents, Clement and Lucy Miner, removed to Monroe county, New York, where she was reared and edu- cated, and there the family made their home until 1837, when they took up their abode in Lenawee county, this state, where the father died at a comparatively early age. His widow survived for a long period, when she, too, passed away in Watson, Allegan county, at the advanced age of eighty-four years. In the family of Mrs. Lonsbury were fifteen children, of whom nine reached mature years, while six of the number died before they reached the age of nine years. Both Mr. and Mrs. Nehemiah Lons- bury passed away in this county, the latter dying May 15, 1895, while the death of the former occurred January 8, 1889. They were highly respected people in the county where they so long made their home, being numbered among its pioneer settlers.
Perley E. Lonsbury aided his father in the development of the home property, and was early traincd to habits of industry and economy. He has always made his home on his present farm, this property being inher- ited by him upon his father's death, and here he continues to carry forward the work which was begun by his father alnost seven decades ago. In addition to his agricultural interests Mr. Lonsbury is engaged quite exten- sively in the raising of stock, and makes a specialty of Shropshire sheep, having imported the head of his herd from Canada. He has met with very gratifying success in both his farming and stock-raising interests and his property constitutes one of the good farms of Allegan county.
Choosing as a companion and helpmate for life's journey, Mr. Lons- bury was united in marriage to Miss Laura J. Wismer, the wedding cere- mony being performed January 16, 1879. She is a native of Canada, born August 17, 1858, and she accompanied her parents, Jacob E. and Sarah Wismer, on their removal from that country to Michigan. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Lonsbury has been born one daughter, Beatrice M., who is still under the parental roof.
Mr. Lonsbury, following in the political footsteps of his father, gives stalwart support to the Republican party, and although reared in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which the parents belonged, he holds membership with the Christian denomination, at Watkin's Corners. Both he and his wife are hospitable people and enjoy the warm friendship of many with whom they are associated. The place on which Mr. Lonsbury has always resided has become endeared to him through the associations of his boyhood and youth, and his is one of the well kept and attractive homes of this section of the county.
RANSOM AARON LAYTON .- During a period covering almost a half century, Ransom A. Layton was connected with agricultural pursuits in Allegan county, and by reason of the honorable and straightforward meth- ods which he ever followed he had gained the confidence, good will and esteem of all with whom he was associated, so that his death, which occurred August 2, 1898, was the occasion of deep regret among his many friends, as well as to his immediate family.
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Mr. Layton was born in Genesee county, New York, July 16, 1841, a son of Francis and Margaret Ann ( Wagner) Layton, both natives of New Jersey, where they were reared and married. They later removed to the state of New York, where the mother died when the son was but four years of age, and when a little lad of nine years he was brought to this state by his father, the family home being established at Cooper, in Kalama- zoo county, and the latter passed away at that place when he had reached the extreme old age of eighty-four years. Ransom A. Layton was reared and educated in Cooper, and upon starting out to make his own way in the world he worked at farm labor near that place until he had saved a sum sufficient to justify his entrance upon business on his own account. when he came to Allegan county, and purchased a tract of eighty acres in Watson township, and later, as he prospered in his undertakings, he added an additional tract of eighty acres, thus coming into possession of one hundred and sixty acres, constituting a valuable and well improved farm. He was an industrious and very hard working man, and in addition to his farm labor he worked in a sawmill during a long period, being employed for a half day and half of the night in the mill, while the remainder of his time was spent in the operation of his land. His farm was entirely unim- proved when he made the purchase, but in due time he had it cleared of the timber and placed the fields under a high state of cultivation, and added to his possessions from time to time until at his death he left a valuable estate of one hundred and ninety-five acres. He also made all of the improvements upon the place, including a fine home and good outbuildings, and he always manifested the progressive spirit which has been the domi- nant factor in the upbuilding and development of agricultural interests in this great state.
Desirous of establishing a home of his own, Mr. Layton was married in 1868, the lady of his choice being Miss Hannah Elvira Leach, a native of Solon, Cuyahoga county, Ohio, whose birth occurred August 26, 1848. When five years of age she was brought to this state by her parents, Justus and Mercy D. (Mason) Leach, both of whom were natives of New York. Both are now deceased, having passed away in Allegan county.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Layton were born three daughters and one son, as follows: Margaret Edith is the wife of Luther Decker, a resident of Hopkins, and she is the mother of seven children: George Oren, Lee, Maude, Roy, William, Annie and Leota. Arthur J., of whom more extended mention is made below, is the next in order of birth. Alta is the wife of Simon Fox, of Bradley, and they have two daughters, Pearl Myrtle and Juanita. Bell Ethel makes her home with her mother on the old homestead farm. Mr. Layton gave his political support to the Repub- lican party, and while he was loyal to the best interests of the public, he was never active as an office seeker, preferring to give his undivided time to his business affairs, whereby he met with gratifying success.
He may, without exaggeration, be called a self-made man, for, start- ing out in early life in the humble capacity of a farmer being employed by others, through his industry, economy and careful management he worked his way year by year until he was the possessor of a valuable property of one hundred and ninety-five acres, so that his family were left in very com- fortable circumstances when he was called to his final rest. To know him
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was to respect him, and his many friends vet cherish his memory, for he was a man of excellent character and was ever ready to lend a helping hand to every worthy cause. His widow still survives and makes her home with her daughter on the old homestead. She is an estimable lady, well liked by all her associates, and now in the evening of life she is able to enjoy the comforts of a good home and property which was left her by her husband.
Arthur J. Layton, the only son of his father's family, was born on the farm which is still his home, March 26, 1874. He was early trained to the work of the farm, assisting his father in the various tasks which are necessary in the successful conduct of agricultural interests. When not employed in the fields he pursued his studies in the district schools near his father's home and thus acquired the education which fitted him to face the responsible duties of life, so that at his father's death, which occurred when he was a young man of twenty-four years, having in the meantime received ample school and farm training, he was capable of assuming charge of the home property. Prospering in his undertakings, he acquired the competence that enabled him to purchase a half interest in the prop- erty, and he is today numbered among the young and prosperous farmers of Allegan county.
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