USA > Michigan > Biographical history of northern Michigan containing biographies of prominent citizens > Part 34
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On the 3d of April, 1858, Mr. Hartwell was united in marriage to Miss Ann Trot- man, daughter of Aaron and Martha (Rowse) Trotman. The Rowses were na- tives of England, the family home having been in Waltshire, and they emigrated to Canada in 1842, where they followed the pursuit of farming. Later they removed to what is now Bay City, where Mr. Trotman (lied. To the subject and his wife have been born five children, namely : Martha E., now deceased, was the wife of Walter Car- michael, a farmer and carpenter ; Alfred, deceased; Earnest H., who operates a farm in Canada, married Miss Alice Harper; Lula, deceased; Alice is the wife of M. D. St. John, a salesman in a store in Oregon.
Personally Mr. Hartwell is a gentleman of pleasing presence, genial in 'manner and conversation, and his social qualities as well as his sterling characteristics have made him popular with a large class of people. He is honest and truthful in all his dealings and
conscientious in his work as a farmer, and owns one of the best homes in the township. Mr. and Mrs. Hartwell are active members of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he has been an officer for many years. Mrs. Hartwell's father was a local minister in the Methodist Episcopal church, and Mrs. Hartwell has been a member since she was thirteen years old. All of the children are also members of the same church.
JAMES MILLS.
Antrim county figures as one of the most attractive, progressive and prosperous sec- tions of the northern part of the lower penin- sula of Michigan, justly claiming a high order of citizenship and a spirit of enter- prise which is certain to conserve consecu- tive development and marked advancement in both material and civic affairs. The sub- ject of this sketch is one of the sterling pioneers of this county, where he has main- tained his home since 1868, having come here when the locality was practically an un- broken forest and having contributed in no insignificant way to the industrial and po- litical development of the county, becoming an influential factor in business circles, as a successful farmer, and lending his aid in the support of all measures for the general good. Aside from the considerations thus noted, he is also a member of one of the sterling pioneer families of the state, and has made his home within its confines from the time of his birth to the present, while it was his to render to the nation the valiant service of a true and leal son of the republic at the time when the integrity of the Union
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was placed in jeopardy through armed re- bellion. As one of the highly esteemed and truly representative citizens of Custer town- ship, we here enter a resume of the career of Mr. Mills.
James Mills was born near the city of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw county, Michigan, on the 4th of June. 1843, and is a son of Stephen and Clemmy (McKnight) Mills, both of whom died in that county, while both were natives of the state of New Jersey. They became the parents of seven sons, all of whom are living, namely : George, James, Clark. Elmer, Myron, Charles and Frederick. The father was a mason by trade and followed the same as a vocation for a number of years, while he also became one of the prominent and substantial farm- ers of Washtenaw county, where his death occurred in November, 1896. He was at the time the owner of a farm of one hundred and thirty acres, the same being valued at fifty dollars per acre. The mother died about 1898. They were both Methodists.
To the sturdy and invigorating discipline of the old homestead farm the subject of this sketch was reared, and his educational advantages were such as were afforded in the excellent common schools of the locality. He was still associated with the work of the farm at the time when the tocsin of war was sounded by the thundering of rebel guns against the stanch ramparts of old Fort Sumter, and in August, 1861, in response to President Lincoln's first call for volun- teers, Mr. Mills enlisted as a private in Com- pany H. Eighth Michigan Volunteer In- fantry, with which he continued to serve until practically the close of the war, mak- ing the record of a faithful and valiant soldier, while it may be said that the history
of his regiment is practically the history of his military career. He served for a time under General Burnside and later his regi- ment was assigned to the Army of the Po- tomac. He took part in the second battle of the Wilderness and many other spirited engagements, including that at Cold Harbor, where he was wounded in the right shoul- der, the injury being so severe as to neces- sitate his remaining in the hospital for six months, at the expiration of which he re- ceived his honorable discharge, the war being near its close. He returned to his home in the summer of 1865 and resumed his labors in connection with farming, to which he there continued to devote his at- tention until 1868. in the spring of which year he came to Antrim county and took up government land, in Custer township, while he forthwith began the task of reclaiming the same to cultivation, the tract having been covered with the native timber at the time when he secured possession of the same. He spared himself no effort in the connec- tion and with the passing of the years he developed one of the valuable farms in this now opulent and attractive section of the state. His first residence was a primitive log cabin in the midst of the forest, and he at one time owned three hundred and twenty acres of land in the county, while he still retains in his possession two hundred acres, of which eighty acres are under cultivation. A substantial and commodious residence adorns the homestead, and on the place is a fine barn forty by seventy-two feet in di- mensions. Mr. Mills gives his attention to diversified agriculture and to the raising of the various horticultural products and fruits best adapted to the soil and climate, while every department of his farming enterprise
ELONA HERALD.
Faster By Zitella Cocke
in New England Magazine
DREARY, weary was the earth, And sad and sore of winter's pain.
The trees lifted their leaflessboughs In prayer, and prayer was all in vain. Stillness of death in field and wood, The stream in bondage pitiless, The sod, bereft of life and joy, Lay sullen in its hopelessness.
There was no pity in the sky, There was no mercy in the air, No radiance in the sunset cloud,
But gloom and menace everywhere; When, hark !- a bird-note, sweet and clear, The prophet robin calls in glee To stream and field and woodland drear The miracle, so soon to be!
And lo, the dead old earth awakes, And every root and bough and bole Thrills with a new life's ecstasy, And pulses with a throb of soul; And shall it be denied to man To rise from gloom of death's dark night, When nature beckons year by year To Resurrection, Life and Light!
When Faster Comes
By Marjorie Mckeown in Detroit News
HIS year Easter comes on April. 20. The earliest it can occur is March 22, and the latest April 25-so the feast this year favors the later date. It is a very rare thing the fam nemir as antly a
NCEL
THE CENTER OF THE HARDWOOD TIM
NCELONA. MICHIGAN. T april 17. 1924
JAS. MILLS, 80, DIES AT HOME IN CUSTER
Mr. Mills Was a Pioneer of this Section, and a Veteran of the Civil War.
James Mills, 80, one of the early pio- neer settlers of Custer township, died at his home Wednesday, April 16, 1924.
Mr. Mills had been in very ill health during the winter with heart trouble; complications of this disease and his ad- vanced age were the causes of his death. About 20 years ago he was seriously in- jured at Bellaire by being struck by a passenger train and for some time his life was despaired of.
Mr. Mills was a veteran of the Civil War and was one of the four surviving members of the G. A. R. Post at this place. The three members now remain- ing are John W. Wallis, Charles Odell and Frank Bradley.
Mr. Mills is survived by three sons, Edward S., Charles and Clark, and one daughter, Lydia, all of whom reside here.
The funeral will be held from the home Friday afternoon, at 2 o'clock. Rev. J. B. Seymour will conduct the service.
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has received that discriminating care and supervision which has conserved the best results in the matter of tangible returns, since our subject has not failed to avail hin- self of improved methods and accessories _ and is ever ready to stand as exponent of progressive ideas. He has been a member of the school board of his district for many years, but has never had aught of ambition for political office of any description, though taking a proper interest in public affairs of a local nature. In politics he has ever given his allegiance to the Republican party, and fraternally is identified with General Lyons Post, No. 86, Grand Army of the Republic, at Mancelona.
In 1870 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Mills to Miss Maria Loaks, who was born in this state, being a daughter of Jabez and - Loaks, the former of English and the latter of Irish lineage. Mr. and Mrs. Mills have five children, namely : Edward, who remains at the parental home, is the owner of three hundred and twenty acres of land in this county and is one of its suc- cessful and prominent young men; John, who married Miss Clara Jackson, is like- wise one of the prosperous young farmers of the home county; Lydia, who completed a course of study in the high school in Bel- laire, is a successful and popular teacher in the district schools of her home county ; Charles is engaged in farming near Lansing. the capital of the state, and Clark remains with his parents and is attending school.
In matters pertaining to the general wel- fare Mr. Mills is found reliable and helpful, and in business affairs he is energetic. prompt and trustworthy, while he has a good fund of that quality which is so often lacking in the business world,-common
sense. He guides his life in all its relations according to the strictest principles of in- tegrity and honor, and thus he well merits the high esteem in which he is so uniformly held in the county which has been his home for so many years. It is signally consist- ent that in this publication be incorporated this tribute to his worth as a citizen and pioneer.
SOLOMON DEWEY.
Most of the successful men of America are self-made, and it is one of the glories of our republic that this is true. It shows that opportunities are afforded to the citi- zens of our great republic and that they possess the courage, determination and strength of character and make proper use of the advantages which surround them. Solomon Dewey deserves credit for what he has accomplished, and that he has not been denied a due reward for his well directed endeavors is shown in the fact that he is today the owner of one of the valuable farm properties of Antrim county, his well im- proved homestead being located in Custer township.
Mr. Dewey is a scion of stock which has been identified with American history from the colonial era to the present time, and is himself a native of the old Empire state of the Union, having been born in Steuben county, New York, on the 22d of August. 1849, and being a son of William K. and Camilla L. ( Preston) Dewey, both of whom were likewise born in the state of New York, the former in 1810 and the latter in 1817. When the subject was about four years of age his parents removed from the Empire
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state to Michigan, settling in Jackson county, where they remained about four years, at the expiration of which they re- moved to St. Joseph county, where they passed the remainder of their lives, the father's death occurring in 1863 and that of his wife on July 21, 1888. He was a car- penter by trade and for many years was a successful contractor and builder, being a man of marked business ability and sterling character. In early life he was a Democrat in his political proclivities, but he trans- ferred his allegiance to the Republican party soon after its organization and thereafter continued to support its cause until his death. He was a son of Solomon Dewey, who died in New York state, in 1849. William K. and Camilla L. Dewey became the parents of five children, namely : Alonzo, Alice S., William, Solomon and Melissa.
The subject of this review secured his educational training in the common schools of his native state and that of Michigan and he has devoted the major portion of his in- dependent career to agricultural pursuits. He continued to reside , in St. Joseph county, this state, until 1893, when he came to Antrim county, where he purchased land and began developing and improving the same. He now has a fine farm of two hundred and four acres, of which ninety acres are under a high state of cultivation, while he has erected good buildings and made other excellent improvements on his place. Mr. Dewey gives his attention to diversified agriculture and also raises con- siderable live stock, while he makes a spe- cialty of the growing of potatoes, for which this section of the state is widely celebrated, and of this product he secures from five hundred to twelve hundred bushels a year.
In the stock line he gives preference to the Chester White swine, in which line he has some fine specimens. A considerable quan- tity of fruit is raised on the farm, and on the place still is retained excellent timber of the original native growth.
A stanch Republican in his political ad- herency, Mr. Dewey keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the hour and is able to give a reason for the faith that is within him, being ready to support his po- sition by intelligent argument and being at all times public-spirited and liberal in his attitude. Though he has never sought of- ficial preferment, his interest in educational affairs has been such that he has consented to serve as a school officer in his district. In a fraternal way he is affiliated with the Grange.
On the 21st of August, 1869, Mr. Dewey was united in marriage to Miss Mary M. Coler, who was born in Ohio. Her parents, Henry and Eliza (Kinch) Coler, were born in Pennsylvania and were both of German extraction. Mr. and Mrs. Dewey became the parents of nine children, all of whom are living except one, the names, in order of birth, being as follows: Harriet, William H., Alice M., Solomon J., Ion V., Lillie M., Blanche E., Samuel and Myrtle, the last named having died at the age of eleven years. Harriet was first married in 1888 to C. H. Griffith, who is deceased, leaving three children. She afterward married John Fralick and they are now living in Kalkaska county. Alice married C. C. Weaver and lives at Mancelona, this county. William H. married Della Miner and lives in this township; they have two children, both boys. All of the rest of the children are at home with their parents. Mr. Dewey is by trade a
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blacksmith, which trade he has followed for many years, and still works at it in winter seasons.
ORSON B. ORCUTT.
A quarter of a century has elapsed since the subject of this review took up his resi- dence in Antrim county, and during this in- terval he has continued his efforts and la- bors in an untiring and well directed way and is today the owner of a fine farm in Custer township, while he is honored as one of the loyal and upright citizens of the county and as an able exponent of its agri- cultural interests.
Mr. Orcutt is a native son of the Wol- verine state and has here passed his entire life, while the name which he bears has been identified with American history since the middle of the eighteenth century, his paternal progenitors in the new world hav- ing come here from England, first settling in Connecticut. Mr. Orcutt was born in St. Joseph county, Michigan, on the 30th of August, 1848, and is a son of James and Elizabeth (Tridwell) Orcutt, the former of whom was born in the state of New York, in 1812, while the latter was born in the province of Ontario, Canada, in 1825. The subject's paternal great-grandparents, Caleb and Chloe Orcutt, were married October 30, 1766, and to them were born the follow- ing children: Eleanor, born October 19, 1767; Mehitabel, January 17. 1769 ; Chloe, September 3, 1771; Roxa, March 15, 1773; Bethiah, January 23, 1774; Daniel, Decem- ber 17, 1775; Rebecca, April 10, 1779; Bas- sett (the subject's grandfather), September
27, 1782. The last named became the father of the following children : Chloe P., Caleb, William, Orson, James, Daniel and Bassett. Great-grandfather Caleb Orcutt was born August 19, 1743, and died November 7, 1804; Chloe, his wife, was born July 17, 1746. The father of our subject was a mechanic by vocation and also became prominently concerned in the lumbering business, having passed fifteen years in the dominion of Canada, where he purchased a tract of five hundred acres of pine land, cut- ting the greater portion of the timber on the same. From Canada he came to Michi- gan in 1869, and from 1881 until 1891 he was a resident of Antrim county, his death occurring 'in the latter year, in Isabella county, where he had shortly before located. He was a man of inflexible integrity and commanded respect and confidence on the part of his fellow men. In politics he was a stanch Republican, and both he and his wife were believers in the doctrines of the Methodist church. They became the par- ents of eight children, namely : Clarissy, born June 21, 1845. died September TO, 1847: Orson B., who is the subject of this sketch ; Henry C., who is a successful farmer in Lake county. this state; Emma D., who is the wife of Edward Wilcox, a farmer of Branch county, Michigan; Eva, who is the wife of Alonzo Johnson, a farmer of Isa- bella county ; William Major, who married Sarah Holmes and who is a farmer near Bellaire, Antrim county; Mary E., who is the widow of Frank Johnson, of Lansing, the capital of the state, where she still re- sides ; and James J., who resides at Hough- ton Lake, Roscommon county. The loved mother passed to the life eternal in 1882.
Orson B. Orcutt, to whom this sketch is
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dedicated, secured his early educational dis- cipline in the common schools of St. Joseph county, and early in life began to learn the lessons of practical industry and self-reli- ance, so that he became well equipped for fighting the battle on his own responsibility. He gave his attention to various occupations during his youth and finally decided that the art of agriculture offered attractions worthy of his efforts, and through his association with the same he has gained independence and definite prosperity. He came to Antrim county in 1880 and here secured a tract of land which he reclaimed from barren waste. the greater portion of the land being covered with the native timber at the time when he secured possession. His attractive home- stead comprises one hundred and ninety- seven and one-half acres, of which about forty acres are under cultivation. Evidences of his industry and good management are seen in the substantial buildings which he has erected and in the fine appearance of the farm and the excellent crops which he raises each year. In addition to the general cereal products usually grown here, he has a fine orchard of apple, cherry, plum and peach trees, while he also makes a specialty of raising potatoes, in the production of which staple tuber this section of Michigan has the highest reputation. For five years Mr. Orcutt was engaged in the general merchandise business in Bellaire, the county- seat, but he finds his present vocation more to his liking, and is known as one of the substantial and representative farmers of this attractive sections of the Wolverine state. He has ever shown a lively concern in public affairs of a local nature and has been called upon to serve in various offices of trust and responsibility. He was incumbent
of the office of supervisor of Custer town- ship for six years, was township clerk for three years, and for ten years was a valued and zealous member of the school board of his district. In politics he accords an un- wavering allegiance to the Republican party, in whose cause he takes much interest as a local worker in the ranks. In a fraternal way he is identified with the Grange and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
In the year 1882 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Orcutt to Miss Adaline Kauffman, daughter of Jacob R. and Lydia (Miller) Kauffman, both of whom were of German descent. The mother died in this county in 1900; the father is now living in this county. Mr. and Mrs. Orcutt have one child, Orrin J., who was born on the Ist of November, 1883, and who is associated with his father in the management of the home farm, having been accorded good edu- cational advantages.
JOHN W. ELLISON.
We now take under review the career of one of the sterling pioneer citizens of Antrim county, where he has resided for the past thirty years and where he has ever commanded unequivocal confidence and es- teem. He is one of the successful and in- fluential farmers of Custer township, where he owns one of the most attractive and pro- ductive farms in this favored sections of the state. Mr. Ellison rendered valiant service to the Union cause during the war of the Rebellion, and during his entire life he has manifested the same loyalty of spirit that led him to follow the old flag on the
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battlefields of the South. Thus it may be seen that he is peculiarly worthy of repre- sentation in a work of this province, his character, services and long residence in the county making him thus eligible.
The old Keystone state of the Union figures as the place of Mr. Ellison's nativity. since he was born in Kingston, Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, on the 23d of April, 1846. He was the second in order of birth of the nine children of Samuel A. and Martha (Tompkins) Ellison, the former of whom was born in the state of New York. in 1800, while the latter was born in Penn- sylvania, in 1826. The father of the subject was a cooper by trade, and followed the same as a vocation during his entire active business career. In 1856 he removed with his family from Pennsylvania to Medina county, Ohio, and later removed to Summit county, that state, where he passed the re- mainder of his life, his death occurring in 1866, while his devoted wife passed away in 1861. Both were consistent members of the Baptist church and their lives were lived in harmony with the faith which they pro- fessed. Rev. John Ellison, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was a clergy- man of the Methodist Episcopal church and one of its early workers in the state of New York. His mother was a sister of John Wesley, the honored and distinguished founder of the Methodist Episcopal church.
John W. Ellison, whose name initiates this article, passed the first ten years of his life in the state of Pennsylvania, where he received his preliminary educational dis- cipline, thereafter continuing his studies in the public schools of Ohio, to which state his parents removed, as has been noted in this context. He continued to reside in
Ohio until 1863, when he came to Michigan and located in Allegan county, where he was residing at the time of the outbreak of the war of the Rebellion. In 1863 Mr. Ellison enlisted as a member of Company E. Tenth Michigan Volunteer Cavalry, with whichi he continued in active service until victory had crowned the federal arms and the in- tegrity of the Union became assured, his honored discharge having been granted in November, 1865. His command was as- signed to the Army of the Cumberland, and he participated in many of the important battles incidental to the progress of the great fratracidal conflict. He took part in the engagements at Greenville, Blue Springs, Carter Station and Henry Court House, Tennessee : Salem, North Carolina ; Madisonville, Tennessee, and many others, and was ever found at the post of duty. while it was his good fortune to escape serious illness and severe wounds. He took part in the Stoneman and Gillman raid, dur- ing which the troops marched two thou- sand miles, the manoeuvers continuing from February until June. Mr. Ellison retains a deep interest in his old comrades in arms and signifies the same by his affiliation with Major Webber Post. No. 206, Grand Army of the Republic, at Bellaire.
After the close of the war Mr. Ellison returned to Michigan, being identified with agricultural pursuits in Allegan county until 1874, when he came to Antrim county, where he has ever since resided, so that he is well entitled to be considered a pioneer of this section of the state. He now has a finely improved farm of one hundred and ninety acres, in Custer township, and one hundred acres of the tract are under ef- fective cultivation, being given over to the
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raising of the various cereals and horticul- 1878 the subject consummated a second marriage, being then united to Mrs. Eliza- beth A. Trombley, widow of Frank D. Trombley. She was born in the state of New York, being a daughter of Noah J. and Lydia (Wood) Chapin, the former of whom was born in Massachusetts, on the 13th of April, 1814, while the latter was born in the state of New York, on the 2d of April, 1814. Their marriage was solemnized in the old Empire state, where they continued to reside until 1853, when they came to Michigan and became pioneer settlers at tural products best adapted to the soil and climate, while he also raises a very con- siderable quantity of fine fruit each year, having a good orchard and also propagat- ing the smaller fruits. He gives attention also to the raising of live stock, and finds this department of his farming industry a duly profitable one, for he is unremitting in his attention to the work of the farm, is energetic and progressive and is one of the model farmers of this section, everything about his homestead indicating thrift and prosperity. He has improved two farms Old Mission, on Traverse bay. There they in this county, and has personally accom- plished the clearing of more than one hun- (red acres of land. He has erected sub- stantial and well appointed farm buildings, including a large and handsome residence, and his home is one of which he may well be proud. Mr. Ellison has always given his aid and influence unreservedly in the sup- port of enterprises and undertakings tend- ing to forward the material and civic pros- perity and progress of his home county, and while never an aspirant for the honors or emoluments of public office he has been a stalwart advocate of the principles and poli- cies of the Republican party. He served for six years as highway commissioner of his township, and was for more than a dec- ade a school official of his district. Both he and his wife attend the Methodist Episco- pal church in Bellaire, and fraternally he is identified with the local organization of the Grange.
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