Biographical history of northern Michigan containing biographies of prominent citizens, Part 56

Author:
Publication date: 1905
Publisher: Indianapolis : B.F. Bowen
Number of Pages: 966

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cook house, where it stood in the hot sun. The flies did their work, the rest we leave to the imagination, after which the wagon- box, without cleansing, was again filled with mush, which frequently became sour and, when shoveled out of the wagon, frequently had black streaks showing a state of fer- mentation.

There was nothing here to attract our at- tention. We played no games as at Dan- ville. The scenes of today were repeated to- morrow. Many became insane and the rate of mortality ran higher each month that we were there until, in August, two out of every three that were in the stockade the first of the month died before its close. The dead were carried inside the dead line at the main gate at 8 o'clock each morning and left in rows, entirely nude, as what clothing was left was always appropriated by those who had been their friends. They were merely skeletons. I have frequently counted from three to four hundred dead bodies at once. Four-mule wagons would drive in, the dead were thrown upon the wagon by two men; they were straightened around until a load of them was obtained, and so on until all of them were taken out. About September 20th, our cavalry making a combined effort from different points to obtain our relief, the rebels scattered us in different directions. We were placed in box-cars and sent to Charleston, South Carolina. Here we were under the fire of our own fleet for about two clays and those mortar shells, as they raised and then dropped into the city, as viewed by 11s in the night, were truly grand.

When leaving Andersonville we were assured by the rebels that we were this time going to be exchanged. They assured us that there would be no disappointment this

time and that they would take us to Charles- ton, there to be parolled and turned over to our own government, and, from the fact that we knew our fleet lay in the harbor and that we were going in the direction of Charles- ton, we believed what they told us, notwith- standing their having lied to us on previous occasions. On this trip we were not guarded as strongly as on former ones until after reaching Charleston, but we thought the troops that. were there were in defense of the city.

Soon they again placed us in box-cars, telling us that arrangements were made to turn us over to our forces elsewhere. We again became suspicious and, when it dawned on us that we were going to another Andersonville, all hope was gone, despair taking its place. After about thirty-six hours, we reached Florence, South Carolina. Here we found another stockade similar to the one at Andersonville, as it had a stream passing through it and a dead line and cov- ered about ten acres of ground. There was no shelter whatever, and as the cold, driz- zling rains of November came on, thousands who had withstood their experiences in An- dersonville and elsewhere now gave up all hope, most of them dying; for, as we sur- veyed our condition, we saw before us no escape from death. Feeble, emaciated, naked, starving, no shelter and winter ap- proaching, the outlook did not help to en- courage us. Some built earth huts, many others dug in the ground, then excavated a place off to one side for a protection from the elements.

It was not my purpose, when commenc- ing to write this reminiscence of prison life, to draw it out to such a length, but as scene after scene passes vividly before me, I briefly

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF

note them and yet I find, on reflection, that one-half of the circumstances that I might allude to have not been mentioned. But I must close this narrative. Suffice it for me to say that our food and treatment in Flor- ence was similar to that at Andersonville, but the fact that winter was approaching and was now upon us made our lot very much worse and all now abandoned hope, as we could not live in that condition during the winter.

About one acre in one corner of the stockade was, about November Ist, parti- tioned off by itself by lying a pole in some crotches similar to the dead line. This part was called the hospital, although there was no shelter there more than in the rest of the prison. I now made up my mind that my only chance for life was in being parolled and that if any were parolled, it would be the sick in the hospital. I now commenced to plan more than ever to get out and de- cided on trying to get into the hospital. The rebel doctor had the sick-call sounded about nine o'clock each day and those who were not able to walk were brought there. He examined them briefly and, if he deemed them fit subjects for the hospital, they were admitted; if not, they went back. The ad- vantage at the hospital lay not in shelter or in change of food so much as it did from the fact that the sick were prescribed for and furnished with some medicine. At this time I was considerably crippled up from scurvy and rheumatism and decided to make the at- tempt to get into the hosptial. With the aid of two comrades, who befriended me, one on each side and a stick which I used as a cane, I was taken to the sick-call one morn- ing. The doctor, looking me over, said he guessed I could stand it a while longer and

refused to admit me. Soon as I got out of his sight, I dispensed with further assistance of the comrades, being able to go back to my quarters without assistance.

I was afraid to repeat the attempt the following morning, as I feared the doctor would remember me, so I waited for four days, when I again repeated my attempt to get into the hospital. Assisted by comrades and leaning on them, I again appeared before the doctor and this time the ruse proved suc- cessful, as I appeared much more feeble than before. Now, being admitted to the hos- pital, it was necessary for me to keep quiet. The morning of the 26th of December, 1864, three rebel officers came into the hospital part of the stockade, saying they were go- ing to parol five hundred of the sick. The hospital was divided into wards of one hun- dred men each, each man being numbered. The officers informed us that they would parole the first fifty of each of the first ten wards. I did not know what my number was then on account of so many deaths which had taken place. Hope sprang anew within us and yet, as we had been deceived so often, we had many doubts; but the fact that they at once commenced to administer the oath to us and the further fact that it was the sick that was being parolled, gave us great hopes, and my anxiety to know if I should be included among the fortunate few was intense.

To be paroled then, in my physical con- dition, meant life and liberty to me; to miss it, meant sure death, as I could have sur- vived my condition but a few days longer. When the hospital steward commenced call- ing the roll of my ward, No. 9, I anxiously awaited my name until the first forty had been called. With the keenest anxiety I list-

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ened for my name, and when the forty-sev- enth was called I was completely discour- aged. Next the steward said "No. 48, James Greacen, Company I, Twenty-second Michigan Infantry." I then stepped for- ward to the table, signed my parole swearing that I would not take arms for the United States until legally exchanged and notified thereof. No change to the human mind could be more sudden. Hope at once took the place of despondency. As we were parolled, we were taken outside of the stockade and spent that night lying on the pine plains with but few guards, the rebels furnishing us with better and more abundant rations than we had ever received since our capture.

The next morning we were placed on flat-cars, reaching Savannah about four o'clock in the afternoon, where we were permitted to camp in an open field in the suburbs of the city and, while we still had misgivings, yet from the conduct of the rebels in sending only about twenty guards with us and the fact that on reaching Sa- vannah we were furnished with white bread, sweet potatoes and coffee, so that many of us ate more than we should have, gave us renewed confidence. The citizens of Savan- nah flocked around us in large numbers and mingled with the prisoners. Many of them, both men and women, seemed really glad that we were on our way to our homes and that our prison life was over. Much sym- pathy was manifested by them and many kind words were spoken. After again fur- nishing us a good meal for our breakfast next morning, we were marched to the dock through one of the principal streets of the city, while the streets and windows were crowded with the citizens who had gathered to see our wretched condition. Three trans-

ports lay at the dock, which conveyed us down the Savannah river to a point oppo- site Fort Pulaski, where our fleet lay at anchor. About three o'clock that afternoon we stepped off the rebel flagship onto the "General Lyon;" over our heads floated the stars and stripes, which we had not seen for fifteen months and which we could not help gazing upon. Never before or since did that flag seem so dear or mean so much to me.

The Union officers shook each by the hand as we stepped on board, having a kind, pleasant word for all. What a change-a pleasant smile, among friends, as compared with the profane, tyrannical and brutal treatment that we had been so long accus- tomed to. Imagine the contrast. Our offi- cers, who received us in their dress suits, with side-arms, dressed in their best, the . picture of health, of strength and of plenty, and we, in our starved and wretched condi- tion, each one partly naked, what clothing that did cover our nakedness consisting mostly of meal sacks ; gaunt and sunken fea- tures, with hair uncut and unshaved faces and a demoniac look. When taken prisoner I weighed one hundred and eighty pounds; I now weighed ninety-six pounds. Bath tubs and soap were at once furnished us. Our rags, vermin and all, floated down the river, and new suits throughout were furnished us, after which we were furnished with coffee, bread, butter, beef, potatoes and a gill of vinegar to a man, which we were required to drink on account of the scurvy. The amount furnished was very small, though, as the surgeon would not permit us to eat but a certain amount, while our appetite was craving more.

The "General Lyon" weighed anchor the next morning and the next day we were on

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our way to Annapolis, when we nearly went to the bottom in a storm off Cape Hatteras, where, two months later, she did go to the bottom with five hundred parolled prisoners on board. On reaching Annapolis there were thirty dead bodies on board, caused princi- pally by the great storm that we encountered off Hatteras. Here our clothing, which we had drawn but four days before, was de- stroyed and we were again supplied with new clothing, the government paying us four months' pay and giving each of us our sixty-day furlough to our respective homes.

JAMES GREACEN.

SYLVESTER S. BAILEY.

Among the progressive farmers of An- trim county is the gentleman whose name appears above. The statement that im- provements on Mr. Bailey's farm are unex- ·celled on any place in this section of the state is sufficiently indicative of the fact that he is "progressive" in the fullest and broad- est sense of the term. Not only are all the external features of his property in his favor, but to those who have become ac- quainted with the inner side of his person- ality have come without solicitation those feelings of admiration and respect which are invariably inspired by the higher qualities that make up the truest manhood.

S. S. Bailey was born in Steuben county, New York, on December 16, 1856, and is the son of Sylvester S. and Sallie Elizabeth (Dawley) Bailey, natives of Newv York and Vermont, respectively. Sometime after the Civil war the family removed to Hillsdale county, Michigan. During the

great war of the Rebellion Sylvester Bailey enlisted in defense of his country, joining the Eighty-sixth New York Volunteer In- fantry, and laid his life on his country's altar, his death occurring in the Southland on February 22, 1863. The subject of this sketch was given the advantage of such education as could be secured in the common schools and upon attaining mature years adopted agriculture as his life calling. In 1888 he came to Antrim county, Michigan. and bought eighty acres of raw land in Star township. He at once entered upon the task of clearing this land, which in due time he accomplished, and has subsequently added to it from time to time until his landed possessions now aggregate one hun- dred and forty acres, ninety of which he has in cultivation. When this land came into Mr. Bailey's possession much of it was covered with original timber, all of which had to be cleared away before practical farming operations could be commenced. This Mr. Bailey accomplished largely him- self, about one hundred acres of his estate having been thus cleared. All the buildings on the place have been erected by Mr. Bailey and other substantial improvements made. so that, as was suggested in the opening paragraph of this sketch. few farms in this section of the state equal it in the high standard of its general equipment. Mr. Bailey follows a diversified system of farming, giving attention to all the crops common to this section of the country.

In 1870 Mr. Bailey was united in mar- riage to Miss Elizabeth Soper, the daughter of William and Percy (Reynolds) Soper, who were formerly residents of New York state, but came to Michigan and engaged in farming. To the subject and his wife has

MR. AND MRS. S. S. BAILEY.

S. S. BAILEY RESIDENCE.

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been born one child, Maude, who became the wife of John Thumm. They have also adopted a daughter, Irma C. by name, to whom they have given the same attention and care that would be bestowed if she were their own flesh and blood. Alive to all that interests and benefits the public or makes for the good of his fellow men, Mr. Bailey's efforts have been strenuous and fruitful of happy results. He reads much and is well posted on the leading questions of the day. and is highly esteemed by his neighbors and fellow citizens, as he has always shown a disposition to assist in every undertaking looking to the advancement of the commun- ity, morally, educationally or materially.

HEWITT TYLER.

The subject of this sketch was one of the popular business men of Kalkaska, where he conducted a leading livery and feed stable, with equipments and facilities of the best type. He was engaged in the livery business since 1902, when he pur- chased the Hainstock stables and business here, the same being one of the pioneer en- terprises of the sort in the town. Mr. Tyler kept from twenty to twenty-four horses constantly in requisition and took pride in selecting good animals, so that his custom- ers could have proper service, while the car- riages and buggies utilized were of the best standard, including many attractive light rigs, as well as surreys, coupes, etc. Mr. Tyler was also engaged in the feed business. as senior member of the firm of Tyler & Crawford, and for the accommodation of this enterprise he erected a good building,

the firm handling all kinds of feed and hav- ing the best improved machinery for the grinding of the same.

Mr. Tyler was a native of Michigan, having been born in Bowne township, Kent county, on the 23d of July, 1847, and being a son of Loren B. Tyler, who was one of the pioneers of that county, having located in Bowne township in the early days when the section was practically an unbroken syl- van wilderness. He came to Michigan from the state of New York, and here he passed the remainder of his life, having followed the vocation of farming and having become one of the influential citizens of his town- ship. The subject of this sketch passed his boyhood days on the pioneer farm, early becoming inured to hard work and being afforded such educational advantages as were offered by the common schools of the locality and period. When the dark cloud of civil war drifted athwart the nation's firmament he promptly gave evidence of his patriotic ardor, and in 1863, when but six- teen years of age, he enlisted as a private in Company H. Second Michigan Volunteer Infantry, having joined the same as a re- cruit, and he proceeded to the front and was assigned to his place in his company just before the battle of the Wilderness, in which he took part, being there under fire for the first time and securing a veritable baptism of blood. He thereafter took part in the various. engagements and skirmishes in which his command was concerned, and con- tinued in active service until the close of the war, having received his honorable dis- charge in August, 1865, and having been previously confined to the hospital for three months, as the result of illness contracted while at the post of duty. He took part in

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the grand review of the victorious armies in the capital city of the nation and returned home as a youthful veteran of the greatest civil war known in the annals of history.

Mr. Tyler continued to be identified with farming interests in Kent county until 1872, when he came to Kalkaska, which was then merely a little hamlet in the forest. Here he erected one of the first hotels of the town, the Manning House, which is still standing and which is still utilized as a ho- tel. In the establishing of this hotel enter- prise he was associated with his father, who often visited this county, becoming well and favorably known to its pioneers, though he continued to reside in Kent county until his death. Our subject conducted the hotel for a period of twelve years, securing a satisfac- tory support and making the house one of the most popular in this section. He then removed to a homestead four miles east of the town, having secured the land as a sol- dier's claim, and he reclaimed the place and developed one of the valuable farms of this section, making good improvements in the way of buildings, etc. The place comprises eighty-five acres, and he later rented the property, sixty-three acres of the land be- ing utilized for the raising of sugarbeets, which prove a profitable crop, being utilized in the well equipped sugar factory in the city of Kalkaska. Mr. Tyler continued to reside on the farm until 1902, in the spring of which year he returned to the village and engaged in the livery business, in which he afterward continued, the enterprise proving a prosperous and entirely satisfactory one.

Mr. Tyler was one of the well-known and distinctively popular pioneer citizens of Kal- kaska county, his circle of friends being cir- cumscribed only by that of his acquaint-

ances, while he was ever liberal and public- spirited as a citizen. In politics he gave an uncompromising allegiance to the Republican party, and though never an aspirant for of- fice he took much interest in the party cause and in a local way was a delegate to various party conventions. He was one of the val- ued and appreciative members of Colonel Baker Post, Grand Army of the Republic, of which he was recently commander, and he is also affiliated with the Independent Or- der of Odd Fellows, of which he was a past noble grand, while he also represented the lodge in the grand lodge of the state.

In Kent county, Mr. Tyler was united in marriage, by which union was born one son, Sidney, who was associated with his father in the management of the livery business. Subsequently, at Kalkaska, Mr. Tyler con- summated a second marriage, being then united to Miss Rachel Crawford, and they had three children, Belle, who died at the age of fourteen years: Jennie, who is the wife of Henry Hickey, of Kalkaska; and Millie, who remains at the parental home. In the death of Mr. Tyler the community lost a public-spirited, progressive and popu- lar man, and his memory will long abide with those who knew him.

WILLIAM J. TRETHRICK.

Agriculture has been an honored voca- tion from the earliest ages and as a usual thing men of honorable and humane im- pulses, as well as those of energy and thrift, have been patrons of husbandry. The free outdoor life of the farm has a decided ten- dency to foster and develop that independ-

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ence of mind and helf-reliance which char- acterizes true manhood and no greater bless- ing can befall a boy than to be reared in close touch with nature in the healthful, life- inspiring labor of the fields. It has always been the fruitful soil from which have sprung the moral bone and sinew of the country, and the majority of our nation's great warriors, wise statesmen, renowned scholars and distinguished men of letters were born on the farm and are indebted to its early influence for the distinction which they have attained.

W. J. Trethrick, of Alba, Antrim county, is a farmer, and the son of a farmer. He was born in Canada, near Darleton, on December 20, 1845, and is the son of Wil- liam and Eliza (Rowe) Trethrick, who were both natives of England. The father, who was a successful farmer, came to Barry county, Michigan, and followed there his profession, being a respected and esteemed man in his community. His death occurred in 1887, his wife passing away in 1901.

The subject of this sketch was educated in the common schools and his life was passed much as is the average boy's life on a farm. He was early inured to the toil and labor incident to life on a farm and on attaining mature years he followed this oc- cipation. In April, 1884, he came to An- trim county and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land, most of which he has cleared and put in a high state of cultiva- tion. He has so directed his efforts as to gain the maximum success in connection with his agricultural operations, being rec- ognized as one of the progressive and repre- sentative men of this locality and command- ing unqualified respect and esteem. His comfortable home is called "Elm Grove,"

and is a center from which radiates a spirit of gracious hospitality. He has given some special attention to fruit culture and some of his apples took a prize at the Pan-Ameri- can Exposition at Buffalo. His public-spir- ited attitude has gained him recognition in connection with the conduct of the town- ship affairs, and he served eighteen years as treasurer and also a period as a member of the school board. His political proclivi- ties are indicated in the unwavering alle- giance which he has ever given to the Re- publican party, while socially he is a mem- ber of the Grange lodge at Alba. The daughter, Nellie, is a member of the Ladies of the Maccabees, the Daughters of Re- bekah and the Grange.

On March 10, 1875, Mr. Trethrick was married to Miss Charlotte Collins, the daughter of Charles and Mary Jane (Keetch) Collins, of Scotch-Irish descent. To them have been born two children, Maude, deceased, and Nellie, who still re- mains under the parental roof.

EBENEZER ROY.

To a great extent the prosperity of the agricultural sections of our great country is due to the honest industry, the sturdy perseverance and the wise economy which so prominently characterizes the for- eign element which has entered so largely into our population. By comparison with their "old country" surroundings, these peo- ple have readily recognized the fact that in America lie the greatest opportunities for the man of ambition and energy. And be- cause of this many have broken the ties of

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home and native land and have entered earn- estly upon the task of gaining in the new world a home and competence. Among this class may be mentioned Ebenezer Roy, who, by reason of years of indefatigable labor and honest effort, has not only acquired a well-merited material prosperity, but has also richly earned the highest esteem of all with whom he has been associated.

Mr. Roy is a native of Scotland, having been born near Allaway on August 26, 1833. His parents, William and Jean (Swan) Roy, were farming people who came to Canada in an early day and located near Toronto. The subject received his educa- tion in the public schools of Canada and was reared to a farming life. He entered into his work with an enthusiasm born of ambition to succeed and how well he has succeeded is evidenced by the fact that to- day he is the owner of six hundred and forty acres of land. He has done a vast amount of clearing, probably amounting to over eleven hundred acres, in Canada and Michigan, and personally cleared about one hundred acres of his present fine farm, one of the best in the county. He came to An- trim county in 1888 and has ever since been closely identified with the agricultural in- terests of this section. He has made the best of improvements on his place, which is under a high state of cultivation and gives evidence of the careful management and progressive methods which have been brought to bear. He is essentially alert and public-spirited in his attitude and his in- terest in all that conserves the public wel- fare is unabating. In matters political he has ever been found stanchly arrayed in sup- port of the policies and principles of the Re- publican party, though he has never held

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Biographical history of northern Michigan containing biographies of prominent citizens, Part 56

Author: Publication date: 1905 Publisher: Indianapolis : B.F. Bowen Number of Pages: 966

Author:
Publication date: 1905
Publisher: Indianapolis : B.F. Bowen
Number of Pages: 966