USA > Michigan > Cass County > A twentieth century history of Cass County, Michigan > Part 50
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Mr. Hardy has five children, two by a previous marriage: Orin, now living in Chicago; Minnie, the wife of Milo Vincent, of Porter, Michigan ; Charles, at home ; Elmer, also of Porter ; and Lester. at home. The father and his four sons are all stanch supporters of the Republi- can party, and Mr. Hardy is interested in general progress to the extent of giving hearty endorsement and co-operation to those movements which are of direct benefit to the community at large and further the material, intellectual and political progress of the community.
ALBERT J. SHANNON.
Albert J. Shannon is the owner of one of the finest farms in Mar- cellus township, situated on an elevation commanding a fine view of Fish lake. Moreover he is regarded as a progressive and popular resi- dent of this portion of Cass county, and is well known as a successful agriculturist and breeder of fine horses. He was born in Huron town- ship, about two miles east of Alton, in Wayne county, New York, January 22, 1844, and is a son of Archibald Shannon, also a native of Wayne county, spending his entire life in Huron township. where he died when about seventy-seven years of age. In early manhood he
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
wedded Miss Mary Hyde, who was born in Rose, Wayne county, New York, and there died, when about twenty-six years of age, a few days after the birth of her son Albert, who was her only child. After losing his first wife the father married her sister, Miss Jane Hyde, and there was one child to this marriage, Lester, who is now living in Huron, New York.
Albert J. Shannon was reared in the place of his nativity and acquired his education in the public schools. He continued his studies in Wayne county until the fall of 1870, when he went to Iowa, spend- ing some time in Marshalltown and various other places. A few montlis passed in looking over a favorable location there, but not find- ing what he wanted he came to Cass county, Michigan, in the spring of 1871, and bought one hundred and twenty acres of his present farın, of which thirty-five acres had been improved. Mr. Shannon cleared the remainder, placed it under the plow, and in course of time gathered golden harvests. He also erected good buildings, and he bought eighty acres of land adjoining, so that he now has two hundred acres in his home place, which is situated on sections 5, 8 and 9, Marcellus township. He also bought sixty acres on section 4 of the same town- ship, and now has an excellently improved property. He has placed under cultivation altogether about one hundred and fifty acres of land, and his well developed farm is indicative of his care and labor, his pro- gressive methods and the determination with which he carries forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes.
In 1862 occurred the marriage of Albert J. Shannon and Miss Jane Gatchell, who was born in Van Buren township, Wayne county, New York, a daughter of Elisha and Margaret (Britton) Gatchell. They have one son, Herbert, who is now living in Calhoun county, Michigan. They have also reared an adopted daughter, Kate Moon, who is mar- ried and resides in Chicago. The home of the family is a beautiful farm. in fact hardly equalled in Marcellus township. The family resi- dence is situated on an elevation commanding a splendid view of Fish lake, the landscape presenting altogether a beautiful picture. In addi- tion to the cultivation and improvement of the farm he is well known as an extensive and successful breeder of fine horses, and has placed upon the market some splendid specimens of the noble steed. His political allegiance is given to the Republican party, and he was its candidate for supervisor. He is active in its ranks, and for two years he served as highway commissioner. For thirty years he has been a Mason and has served as master of the lodge and high priest of the chapter at Marcellus. He is a charter member of the chapter, having joined the organization when capitular Masonry was first introduced into that town. Mr. Shannon is both popular and progressive, a business man of enterprise and in his social relations he displays those qualities which win warm friendships and high regard.
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
EDGAR J. GARD.
Edgar J. Gard is one of the extensive land owners of Cass county, having in one tract three hundred and seventy-three acres, but half be- long's to his sister, Mrs. Fulton, upon which he has lived since 1898. This constitutes one of the valuable farms of the county. It is located on section 20, Volinia township, and is improved with modern equip- ments and accessories, many of which have been placed thereon by the present owner. Mr. Gard is one of the native sons of the township, his birth having occurred here on the 9th of February, 1856. The family name has figured long and prominently in connection with the develop- ment and improvement of this portion of the state. His paternal grand- parents were Jonathan and Elizabeth Gard, who came from Ohio to Cass county in a very early day, locating in Volinia township, where Jonathan Gard entered land from the government. He was a typical pioneer citizen, courageously meeting the hardships and trials of frontier life in order to establish a home for his family and his labor proved a factor in the substantial development and improvement which has fol- lowed the united and concerted labors of the early settlers.
Isaac N. Gard, father of our subject, was born in Ohio, and with his parents came to Cass county, here being reared. educated and married. In fact he continued a resident of Volinia township up to the time of his death, which occurred when he was about seventy-six years of age. His wife, who hore the maiden name of Nancy Shaw, still resides in Volinia township. By her marriage she became the mother of one son and two daughters, namely: Julia, now the wife of Henry Hepworth, of Kansas; Mrs. Orley Fulton, and Edgar J., of this review.
The youngest of the family. Edgar J. Gard was reared in Volinia township and was given good educational privileges, pursuing his studies in the village school of Volinia, also in Decatur and later in the Indiana Normal School at Valparaiso. He was thus well equipped for life's practical and responsible duties by thorough mental training. which stimulated his latent talents and prepared him to meet the business duties and obligations that devolved upon him as he started out in life on his own account. He lived at home up to the time of his marriage, and then settled upon a farm on section 21. Volinia township, where he resided until 1898, when he bought his present farm. the tract compris- ing three hundred and seventy-three acres of rich and valuable land all in one hody, but half of this land belongs to his sister, Mrs. Fulton. He has since given his attention to general farming, raising the various cereals best adapted to soil and climate. He also has good grades of stock upon his farm and the buildings are in keeping with ideas of modern progress. He also owns a sawmill on section 21, Volinia town- ship, which he operates in addition to his agricultural pursuits.
On the 14th of October, 1879. Mr. Gard married Miss Flora War- mer, a daughter of James H. and Rachel ( Rich) Warner. She was
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
born in Cass county, her parents being pioneers of this part of the state. Mr. and Mrs. Gard now have one son, Dana W., who is pursuing his education in the schools of Decatur. Fraternally Mr. Gard is connected with the Knights of the Maccabees, while politically he is a Republican, having never faltered in his allegiance to the party since he cast his first vote. All his life he has lived in this county and he is a typical western man, alert and enterprising. He possesses an indomitable spirit and strong will that have been factors in winning for him his present desira- ble success, enabling him to overcome all the difficulties and obstacles which checker every business career. He is a man of strong convic- tions, quick to discern the best course to pursue. Difficulties vanish before him as mist before the morning sun and he is penetrative and practical in all that he does.
WV. R. KIRBY.
W. R. Kirby, filling the office of supervisor in Volinia township, resides on seetion 21. and his attention is given to the development and improvement of his farm, which comprises a good tract of arable and productive land. He was born in Otsego county, New York, near Cooperstown, December 31, 1843, and is of English lineage. His parents were John and Mary J. ( Rouse) Kirby, the former a native of England and the latter of New York. Mr. Kirby was born in York- shire, England, and was only about two years old when brought by his parents to Michigan, the family home being established in the Empire state, where he was reared. On leaving the east he came to Michigan, settling in Flowerfield township, St. Joseph county. His wife spent her girlhood days in the Empire state and by her marriage she became the mother of eight children, three sons and five daughters, of whom seven reached years of maturity.
W. R. Kirby, the second child and eldest son in the family, was only about three years old when brought by his parents to Michigan. His childhood and youth were therefore passed in Flowerfield town- ship, St. Joseph county, where he was reared in the usual manner of farm lads of that period, working in the fields through the summer months, while in the winter seasons he acquired a fair English educa- tion in the district schools. He continued a resident of St. Joseph county until 1865, when he came to Cass county, settling in Volinia township. He began keeping house on the farm where he now resides, and in 1877 he was married to Miss Mary J. Mack, a daughter of William and Theressa ( Wykoff) Mack. He brought his bride to the farm upon which they yet reside and here he has continuously carried on general agricultural pursuits. Year by year he has tilled his fields, and through the rotation of erops and the careful management of his business affairs he has been able to secure good harvests and to find a ready sale for his products upon the market.
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Mr. and Mrs. Kirby have no children of their own, but have reared two adopted children, Joseph M. and Anna B. Mr. Kirby is deeply in- terested in political issues and questions of the day, and has always kept well informed on subjects of vital interest to the community, the state and the nation. He has voted with the Republican party since attaining his majority and has held various local offices, being first called to the position of path master. He has also been township treasurer for two years, was town clerk for twenty years, and in 1905 was elected super- visor on the Republican ticket. His official record has been creditable and commendable, and no public trust reposed in him has ever been betrayed in the slightest degree. He belongs to Volinia Lodge, No. 227. A. F. & A. M., of which he is a charter member, and he is in hearty sympathy with the purposes of the craft. For more than forty years he has lived in the county and he has been found to be trustworthy in business and progressive in citizenship, while in social relations he is genial, companionable and entertaining.
JOHN HUFF.
John Huff, one of the pioneer settlers of southern Michigan, is living on a farm of two hundred and sixty acres on section 17, Volinia township, and his life of activity and well-directed effort is indicated by his ownership of this property, for he started out in life empty- handed and all that he now possesses and enjoys has been gained through his persistent labor and capable management. His natal day was August 3. 1833, and the place of his birth near Springfield, in Clark county, Ohio. His father, Amos Huff, was born in New Jersey, and in his boyhood days accompanied his parents to Pennsylvania. He was a son of James Huff, of German descent. On leaving the Keystone state he removed to Clark county, Ohio, and was there married to Miss Mar- garet Case, whose birth occurred in Northumberland county, Pennsyl- vania, but who was reared in Ohio. Her father was John Case, one of the pioneer settlers of Butler county, Ohio. Amos Huff came first to Michigan in 1833 but did not take up his permanent abode here at that time. I11 1834. however, he returned with his family to Cass county and identified his interests with those of the pioneer settlers. He secured land from the government, entering a claim in Volinia town- ship, and as the years passed his attention was directed to farm labor, his fields being placed under a high state of cultivation. Not a furrow had been turned nor an improvement made when he took possession of his farm, but with characteristic energy he began the arduous task of cultivation and development, and in the course of years had a valuable property. His life was honorable and upright in all things and he was regarded as an exemplary and devoted member of the Methodist Epis- copal church, in which he served as class leader, while in the various departments of church work he took an active and helpful interest. He
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died in his eighty-fifth year, while his wife passed away when about eiglity years of age. They were people of the highest respectability, and in their death the county lost two of its worthy pioneer representa- tives. They had a family of nine children, six sons and three daughters. and with one exception all reached adult age, but only three are now living, the brothers of our subject being James Huff. a resident of Mountain View, California, and Clark, who is living in Volinia town- ship.
John Huff was only a year old when brought to Cass county and was reared in Volinia township, where he has spent his entire life. He has vivid recollections of pioneer conditions when the homes of the settlers were largely log cabins. There would be an immense fire-place which was used for heating purposes and also served to cook the meals, which were prepared in huge kettles hung from the crane or else in covered iron skillets which were placed among thie coals. The first school house in Volinia township was built in 1833 in the district in which Mr. Huff resided, and there he pursued his early education, mastering the tasks assigned in reading, writing, arithmetic and other elementary branches. His training at farm labor was not meager, for his aid was needed in the development and care of the fields, so that he had practical experience when he started out as a farmer on his own account. He remained at home up to the time of his marriage, which occurred in 1872, Miss Eliza J. Wright becoming his wife. She was a daughter of James and Sarah (Giffis) Wright, and was born in Volinia township. Her parents were pioneer settlers of the county and she was early trained to household duties. Mr. and Mrs. Huff began their domestic life in a log house upon his farm, occupying it until the erec- tion of the present substantial and commodious frame residence in 1882. As the years went by three children were added to the family: Amy and Otis were born in the cabin home, and are still living; and Harley, who died in his second year.
The home farm of Mr. Huff embraces two hundred and sixty acres of land, which through care and cultivation has become very productive. He has placed all of the buildings upon his property, including his modern home, his barns and sheds. He has also fenced the place and has plowed and harvested crops which have found a ready sale on the inar- ket, thus bringing to him an enlarged income each year. He has also been active in public affairs and for four years served as township treas- urer, while for eighteen years he was township supervisor. In all things pertaining to the good of the community he has taken an active and helpful interest, and he was formerly a member of the Volinia Anti- Horse Thief Society, serving as its secretary for thirty years. He yet belongs to the Masonic lodge of Volinia and has the kindly regard of his brethren of the fraternity. A self made man. as the architect of his own fortunes he has builded wisely and well, and his life record proves
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
what can be accomplished when one possesses laudable ambition and unfaltering determination. He started out in limited financial circum- stances but is now one of the prosperous residents of his township.
GEORGE LONGSDUFF.
While "the race is not always to the swift nor the battle to the strong," the invariable law of destiny accords to tireless energy and indefatigable effort a measure of success which is gratifying and desir- able. The truth of this assertion is verified in the life record of such men as George Longsduff, who in his active business career has so directed his efforts that he is now enabled to live retired, making his home in Vandalia. He was born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, on the 16th of March, 1826, and has therefore long passed the psalmist's span of three score years and ten. His paternal grandfather, Martin Longsduff, Sr., was a native of Germany, and in that country was reared and married. Crossing the Atlantic to the new world he became one of the early residents of Pennsylvania. In his family were ten children, of whom Martin Longsduff, Jr., was the eldest. He was a native of the same state and was there reared and educated. He was married twice and in 1834 he removed from Pennsylvania to Ohio. taking up his abode in Union township, Logan county, where he secured a tract of land and improved a farm. He remained a resident of that state for almost four decades and came to Michigan in 1872. Here he spent his remaining days, passing away at the age of eighty-five years. In his religious views he was a Lutheran, and he exemplified in his life his belief in the teachings of holy writ. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Matilda Quigley, and was a native of Hagers- town. New Jersey, where her girlhood days were passed. She was the second wife of Martin Longsduff, his former union having been with a Miss Searfoss, by whom he had one daughter, Elizabeth. By the second marriage there were born eleven children, one of whom died in early youth, while ten reached adult age and four of the number, two sons and two daughters, are still living and are residents of Cass county.
Mr. Longsduff, of this review, is the fifth child and third son in the family. He spent the first eight years of his life in the state of his nativity and then accompanied his parents on their removal to Logan county, Ohio, where he remained until he was twenty-one years of age. His educational privileges were those afforded by the common schools, and when not busy with his text-books he aided his father in tilling the soil, caring for the crops and performing such lahor as was necessary in the development and cultivation of the home farm. The year 1847 witnessed his arrival in Cass county, and he then started out upon an independent business career. He located first in Penn town- ship. and as it was necessary that he provide for his own support he
To Longseluth
Obachet & Longsdubb.
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
began working by the day, making rails. He also engaged in ditching and in other such work as would yield him an honest living and gain him a start in business life. At the time of his marriage he located on a farm on section 14. Penn township, his home being a little log cabin to which he had to cut a road through the woods for two miles. Not a furrow had been turned or an improvement made on the farm, and in the midst of the green forest he began the arduous task of clearing and cultivating fields. In the course of time he had cut down the trees, grubbed out the stumps and plowed his land. The seed was then planted and in due course of time rich harvests were gathered. He also built a good barn and house, and remained upon his farm until October. 1872. He was practical in his methods, systematic in all that he did, and accomplished through energy and determination and assisted by his estimable wife, an excellent work that has contribu- ted to the general agricultural progress of the county and at the same time brought to him a very desirable competence. In the year 1872 he left his farm and removed to Vandalia, where lie has since resided. He began with only eighty acres of land, to which he added forty acres. Subsequently he sold that property and bought one hundred and eighty acres on sections 14, 24, 13 and 23, all, however, being com- prised within one tract. After leaving the farm and locating in Van- dalia he turned his attention to dealing in grain, fruit and stock, and conducted quite extensive operations in those lines of trade. He was ever watchful of opportunities pointing to success and his diligence. well formulated plans and unremitting attention to his business won for him still further success. Within the last two or three years he has given little attention to farming, simply supervising his landed interests. for he has rented his farm. In connection with his other interests Mr. Longsduff was a promoter of the creamery at Vandalia, and is presi- dent of the company. This has proved an important productive industry of the community, furnishing an excellent market for farmers keeping a large number of cows, and at the same time it has been a source of grati- fying income to the stockholders.
On the 9th of February, 1851, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Longsduff and Miss Rachel S. Dodge, a daughter of Joseph and Ann (DePuy) Dodge. She was born in New York, near Baldwinsville. and was about eight years of age when she came with her parents to Michigan, the family home being established in Cass county. She has thus spent the greater part of her life here, and to her husband she has been a faithful companion and helpinate on life's journey, ably assist- ing him by her encouragement and also by her careful management of the household affairs. Unto them was born a son, Charles D., who is now deceased. He married Jennie Mulrine, and they had two daugh- ters. Lucile and Georgiana, both of whom have been well educated in a business way.
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
Charles D. Longsduff, born January 27, 1861, died September 19, 1892, and was buried in Prospect Hill Cemetery, Cassopolis, Michigan. The funeral was conducted by the Masonic order and was one of the largest ever held in the place, which was an evidence of the high esteem his life had merited, and in which he was held by the whole community. He was kind and obliging in all his business transactions with his neighbors, a kind and indulgent father and husband, and is very much missed by the whole community. At his death he left a wife, two daughters and a host of friends.
The daughter, Lucile, is well educated, having attended the Com- mercial College of South Bend. Indiana, and was there employed by one of the responsible firms of the city. She is a fine pianist. Georgiana, the second daughter, graduated in the Vandalia High School in the class of 1906, and was the leader of the class. She passed her teacher's examination in the studies before she was eighteen years of age. It is expected by her grandparents to fit her for the teacher's life. The grand- parents took these little girls and have reared and educated them and cared for them as if they were their own children. Surely they have fallen into good hands, when Grandfather and Grandmother Longsduff have assumed the care and education of them.
George Longsduff is an earnest advocate of Democratic principles, having supported the party since 1840 and taking an active interest in its work and progress. He has been called to various local offices, serving as supervisor for two years, also as a member of the school board and president of the village of Vandalia for about seven terms, during which time he has given to the village a public spirited and prac- tical administration, resulting beneficially along many lines. He has also been a member of the village board for many years, and throughout his official service his course has been prompted by untiring devotion to the welfare of his community. He has long been an active member of the Masonic fraternity, with which he became identified in 1852. He is now the oldest living Mason initiated in Cass county, being the fourth member received into the first lodge of the county. Hle acted as worship- ful master of Vandalia lodge for thirteen years, and has been very earnest and helpful in his work in connection with the craft. He be- came a charter member of the lodge at Vandalia, and both he and his wife are members of the Order of the Eastern Star, in which Mrs. Longsduff is now serving as chaplain, while Mr. Longsduff is its treas- urer. She belongs to the Christian church, in which she is a very active and helpful worker, and although not a member Mr. Longsduff has contributed liberally to the support of the church and has been active in all things pertaining to the good of the county. His residence in Penn township covers fifty-seven years, and he has been identified with the making of the county from an early epoch in its pioneer ex- istence down to the present era of progress and prosperity. There was
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