USA > Michigan > Biographical history of northern Michigan containing biographies of prominent citizens > Part 88
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In the management of his business 'affairs Mr. Hilton displayed conspicuous ability and at the time of his death he was not only in independent circumstances, but ranked among the financially successful and reliable men of his part of the county. In 1886 he erected at considerable expense a commodious modern residence in which he
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always took great pride, as it is one of the most beautiful and comfortable rural dwell- ings in the county of Charlevoix. Standing on an eminence overlooking Lake Michi- gan, two miles distant, it commands an ex- tensive and romantic view of both water and land, the country immediately surrounding being gently rolling, with forests and im- proved farms, to lend variety to what is pro- nounced one of the most beautiful pieces of natural scenery in the northwestern part of the state. Mr. Hilton was a man of com- manding presence and impressed all with whom he came in contact by the force and influence of his personality. His intelli- gence and sound judgment were frequently consulted by his neighbors in business mat- ters and his advice, always directed by good common sense, was more than once effective in settling disputes, adjusting differences and preventing useless and expensive litiga- tion. The life of Mr. Hilton was eminently useful and his death, which occurred on Jan- uary 6, 1893, was deeply deplored by the large circle of friends and neighbors who had learned to value him for his many es- timable qualities. His character always bore the closest scrutiny, his aims and purposes were essentially laudable and free from the slightest suspicion of hypocrisy and from the beginning of his career until the end thereof he exemplified a high and intelligent type of American citizenship.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Hilton was blessed with one child, a daughter by the name of Carrie F., whose birth occurred in 1862 and who departed this life on the 29th day of August, 1900, at the age of thirty- eight years. Carrie Hilton spent her life with her parents and was an intelligent, charming young lady, of beautiful Christian
character, whom to know was to esteem and love. After finishing the elementary branches of study in the public schools, she completed the high school course in the city of Pontiac, following which she spent five years in educational work, earning during the time an enviable reputation as a capable and popular teacher. She was also an ac- complished musician and as such her serv- ices were in great demand, not only in her immediate locality, but elsewhere through- out the county, having taught classes in sev- eral towns and villages, in all of which her name is cherished and her memory revered by those who profited by her instruction. Miss Hilton's sweet disposition, as well as her culture and refinement, won the high re- gard of all with whom she mingled, while her kindness to the needy and suffering and her gentleness in the home circle and else- where made her indeed a ministering spirit whose influence was always noble and up- lifting and whose life, measured by the high- est standard of womanhood, contained noth- ing to criticise, but much to commend. For many years she was active in religious work and a leader in the church and Sunday school and she was also prominent in Ma- sonic circles as a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, which she served at in- tervals in important official positions, be- sides representing it a number of times in the grand chapter of the state. While ac- tive in these various lines of endeavor and prominent in other enterprises for the bene- fit of her kind, her chief pride appeared to center in the home, a spot to her dearest and happiest on earth and in which her gentle graces and kindly ministrations shone with a luster peculiarly bright and alluring. Her tastes were largely domestic and, while cul-
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tured so as to grace the most refined social circles, the household was essentially the sphere in which she reigned supreme, mak- ing all other attainments secondary to the rare accomplishment of its successful man- agement. Miss Hilton was deservedly pop- ular and her death not only left a void in the home which can never be filled and a wound in the heart of her surviving parent which can neither alleviate nor heal, but caused a feeling of sadness akin to personal loss throughout the community in which she was so widely known and so greatly beloved.
A number of years ago Mr. and Mrs. Hilton took to their hearts and home a young boy of seven years whom they subse- quently adopted and to whom they gave the name of Henry Hilton, an appellation by which he has since been known. They reared him to habits of industry, gave him the best educational advantages the public schools afforded and, when he grew to man- hood gave him a good start in life besides providing well for his future. He married some years ago a young lady of Charlevoix county by the name of Nora Van Dusen and is now the father of two children, Orville David and Myron LeRoy.
Since her husband's death Mrs. Hilton has remained on the farm and looked after its management, an undertaking to which the greater part of her life has been devoted. She possesses business ability of a high order, as is attested by the success with which she has conducted the various inter- ests, and at this time she is independently situated, as far as finances are concerned. owning one of the finest and most valuable farms in the county of Charlevoix, and a home which for beauty and attractiveness is second to few rural homes in the state of
Michigan. With ample means at her com- mand to indulge her tastes, notably among which is that of traveling, she spends consid- erable time in going from place to place, visiting all parts of her own state, and of recent years her tours have included the leading cities and other points of interest throughout the Union. With a fine mind which has been broadened and otherwise educated by contact with the world, she has become a valuable member of the commun- ity, being amply qualified to meet the duties and responsibilities of life, while her char- acter and influence have ever made for the good of those with whom she associates. In religious and benevolent enterprises she has long been an efficient organizer and able leader, and as a charter member of Charle- voix Chapter, Order of Eastern Star, her work has been especially effective in building up that excellent society and extending its in- fluence. She is also popular in the best so- ciety circles of her neighborhood, number- ing her warm personal friends by the score and wherever known her name is honored in that it measures up to a high standard of character and represents what is noblest and best in womanhood.
CHARLES C. CRANE.
There are noble, imperishable lessons in the career of an individual who, without other means than a clear head, strong arm and true heart, directed and controlled by correct principles, conquers adversity and wins, not only pecuniary independence, but, better still, the respect and confidence of those with whom his active years have been
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passed. Among this class is the subject of this brief article, Charles C. Crane, of Pio- neer township, Missaukee county, Michigan. Mr. Crane was born at Shanesville, Mercer county, Ohio, on April 18, 1854, and is the son of Lewis L. and Zilpha (Townsend) Crane. The father was a native of Ohio and died in Lorain county, Ohio, at the age of seventy-six years, while his wife, who was born in New York state, died in Pioneer township, Missaukee county, Michigan, at the age of sixty-six years. The subject is the fourth born of their six children and spent the early years of his life in different places in Ohio, receiving a fair education in the common schools. He also spent several years in Minnesota and for about six years prior to coming to Missaukee county he was employed at the harness-maker's business in Lorain county, Ohio. While living there he was married and in June, 1885, he brought his wife and their one child to Missaukee county, Michigan, and settled in section 15, Pioneer township, where he has since re- sided. His first purchase was forty acres, but he has added to this until he now owns one hundred and fifty-seven acres, of which he has forty acres in a high state of culti- vation.
On December 10, 1879, in Lorain county, Ohio, Mr. Crane was married to Miss Maggie A. Nesbitt, who was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on December 8, 1860, the daughter of David and Elizabeth (Boyd) Nesbitt. Her father was a native of Ohio and her mother of New York, the father's death occurring in Monroe county, Indiana. The subject and his wife are the parents of three children, Mary E., the wife of Joseph McManus, and Lee C. and Alice E. Mr. Crane has been honored by election to
several public offices, having served as su- pervisor of Pioneer township, township treasurer, justice of the peace and school director. Mrs. Crane is an active and con- sistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church and, with her husband, supports every worthy movement for the betterment of the community.
HON. HIRAM S. LAMB.
The life history of him whose name heads this sketch is closely identified with the history of Missaukee county, Michigan, where he has for many years been an hon- ored and respected resident. His life has been one of untiring activity and has been crowned by a degree of success attained only by those who devote themselves indefati- gably to the work before them. Judge Lamb is a native son of the Wolverine state, hav- ing been born on a farm near Livonia, Wayne county, Michigan, on January 28, 1838. His parents were Rev. Samuel and Adeline W. (Babcock) Lamb, the former a native of Connecticut and the latter of New York. The father, who was a Baptist clergy- man, died in Casselton, Barry county, this state, in the sixty-seventh year of his age, while his wife's death occurred in the same place, in her sixty-eighth year. They were the parents of twelve children, of whom the subject is the seventh child in order of birth. Because of the itinerary character of his father's profession, the subject of this sketch was compelled to change his place of resi- dence a number of times during his young manhood. He remained at home until reaching the age of eighteen years and was
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then for several years employed at farm labor in various places. In 1863 Mr. Lamb enlisted in the defense of his country's in- tegrity, joining Company I, Fourth Regi- ment, Michigan Volunteer Cavalry, and served about one year, when he received, by special order, an honorable discharge be- cause of disability. He had married before his military service and upon his discharge returned to Barry county, where he re- mained until 1877, when he came to Mis- saukee county and first located in what is now Bloomfield township. In November, 1878, he settled on his present farm in Pioneer township, where he has since re- sided. He is the owner of about forty acres of good land, of which he cultivates twenty- five acres and on which he has erected a good set of neat and substantial farm build- ings. He raises all the crops suited to the soil and climate and has met with marked success as an agriculturist.
On October 19, 1862, in Barry county, this state, Mr. Lamb wedded Miss Amanda V. Linsea, who was born in Stark county, Ohio, May 27, 1844, the daughter of Abram and Hannah (Wier) Linsea. Her parents were both natives of Pennsylvania, and set- tled in Casselton, Barry county, this state, in 1845, where they remained during the re- mainder of their lives. The father died at the age of eighty-two years, while the mother was eighty-one years old at the time of her death. Of their eight children Mrs. Lamb is the seventh in order of birth. She was reared in Barry county, this state, and was given a good education in the common schools. To the subject and his wife have been born the following children : Carrie I. is the wife of George H. McBrian; Alma Irene is the wife of Austin Ashbaugh ; Edith
Estella is the wife of William W. Norton ; Earnest L., deceased, and Zephney W., de- ceased.
In politics Judge Lamb is a pronounced Republican and takes a decided stand on all questions affecting the public welfare. His abilities and high character have been recog- nized in his election to the office of probate judge of Missaukee county, in which posi- tion he served a full term, and in the fall of 1904 he was appointed to the same posi- tion to fill the vacancy caused by the death of the incumbent, Hon. Francis E. Wright. He also served for several years as super- visor of Pioneer township and as justice of the peace, performing the responsible duties of these offices to the marked satisfaction of his fellow citizens. Judge Lamb is an or- dained minister of the Church of Christ and has been a preacher of the Word since 1895. In his fraternal relations he is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, and Morey Center Grange, No. 1029, Patrons of Hus- bandry. In the life story of the subject of this sketch, briefly outlined above, there are no striking chapters or startling incidents, but it is merely the record of a life true to its highest ideals and fraught with much that should stimulate the youth just starting in the world as an independent factor.
SAMUEL T. LAMB.
In taking up this brief review of the life of the gentleman whose name appears above the biographer calls attention to one who has by a life of earnest and consecutive endeavor won for himself the sincere respect
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of all who have come in contact with him. Mr. Lamb is a native of Centerville, Ap- panoose county, Iowa, where he was born on September 30, 1859. His parents were Charles S. and Sarah E. (Davis) Lamb, the former a native of New York and the latter of Tennessee. They came to Missaukee county, Michigan, in 1879 and settled in sec- tion 30, Pioneer township, where they have since been honored and respected residents. They were the parents of eight children, the subject of this sketch being the second born of the number. Samuel T. Lamb accom- panied his parents to Missaukee county in 1879, having in the preceding years acquired a fair common-school education. Since coming to this state he has followed farm- ing chiefly and is now the owner of seventy- one acres of good tillable land, of which he has fifty acres actually in cultivation. He has improved the place by the erection of all necessary farm buildings and substantial fences and the general appearance of the place indicates the owner, to be a man of good taste and sound judgment. He gives his attention to a diversified system of agri- culture and has met with a well-deserved success.
On June 10, 1888, at Manton, Michigan, Mr. Lamb was united in marriage with Miss Mary E. Falkinburgh, a native of Indiana and daughter of Eli and Mahala ( Haines) Falkinburgh, both also natives of the Hoos- ier state. To Mr. and Mrs. Lamb have been born six children, namely : Charles W., Hiram S., Jr., Samuel T., Jr., and Reta M., all of whom are living, and Maude, who died in infancy, and Virgil E., who died at the age of five years. Socially Mr. and Mrs. Lamb are members of Morey Center Grange, No. 1029, Patrons of Husbandry, and of
the Ancient Order of Gleaners. In all cir- cles in which they move they have won and retain in the highest degree the respect and confidence of all who have come in contact with them. Every movement looking to the advancement of the best interests of the com- munity receives their warm support and in- fluence and they have been active in all things that have promised to elevate the general standard of their locality.
HORACE E. SANDERS.
In briefly touching upon the life record of the subject of this sketch, no attempt shall be made to give extravagant praise, but simply to note a few of the more important events in the career of one who has at all times and under all circumstances en- deavored to do his full part in all lines of activity in which he has been a participant. His has been a true, useful and honorable life-a life characterized by perseverance, energy, broad charity and well defined pur- pose.
Horace E. Sanders, who resides on and cultivates a fine farm situated in section 22, Pioneer township, Missaukee county, Michi- gan, is a native of the old Empire state of the Union, having been born in Tioga county, New York, on May 27, 1848. His parents were Robert and Jerusha (Munn) Sanders, he a native of New York state and she of Pennsylvania, and they were the par- ents of nine children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the eldest. Horace E. Sanders was reared in Bradford county, Pennsylvania, and there secured a fair edu- cation in the common schools. He was
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reared to the life of a farmer and was early prosperity, but, what is far better, the confi- taught the lessons of industry, economy and self-reliance, which have so largely con- tributed to his subsequent success in life. In March, 1878, Mr. Sanders came to Mis- saukee county, Michigan, and purchased a farm in section 22, Pioneer township, on which he now resides and where he is suc- cessfully carrying on a general system of agriculture. He is up-to-date and methodical in his operations and is considered one of the enterprising and progressive farmers of the township.
Mr. Sanders was married in Bradford county, Pennsylvania, on April 10, 1872, to Miss Persis V. Gleason, who was born in that county and is the daughter of Benjamin and Jerusha E. (Russell) Gleason. Her father was a native of Connecticut and her mother of Pennsylvania and they were the parents of four children, of whom Mrs. San- ders was the first born. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Sanders : Maggie B. and Walter A., both natives of Bradford county, Pennsylvania, and Iver D., born at Pioneer, Michigan. Mr. and Mrs. Sanders occupy a high place in the esteem of their fellow citizens, a consideration richly earned by them, for they have at all times en- deavored to give their support and influence to all movements looking to the betterment of the community.
JAMES R. SPRAGUE.
Among the leaders in the agricultural in- dustry in Missaukee county, Michigan, is James R. Sprague, who by a well-ordered course of living has not only reaped material
dence and regard of his associates. Mr. Sprague is a native of Genesee county, New York, where he was born on March 28, 1857. His parents were James and Adeline (Nor- ton) Sprague, both natives of New York, who came to Michigan and settled in Barry county, where their deaths occurred, at which time he was about fifty years old, and his wife sixty-nine years. Of their seven children, the subject was the fourth born. James R. Sprague was six months old when the family came to Michigan and has lived here ever since. He was reared to manhood in Barry county and there received a good common-school education. In the fall of 1883 he came to Missaukee county and set- tled on section 31, Pioneer township, pur- chasing forty acres of timbered land. He cleared and improved this tract and increased his holdings to one hundred and sixty acres, of which forty acres are in a high state of improvement. He has erected first-class buildings and otherwise brought the place up to a high standard of perfection as an up- to-date farm, devoting his attention to a general line of agriculture, in which he is meeting with large success.
Ou February 22, 1881, in Barry county, this state, Mr. Sprague wedded Miss Mary E. Chase, who was born in that county on December 4, 1859, the daughter of Elnathan H. and Sarah M. (McElwain) Chase. Her parents were both natives of New York state and came to Pioneer township, Missaukee county, in 1883, and here died, the father at the age of fifty-six years and the mother when seventy years old. Mrs. Sprague was the eldest of their three children. They adopted a boy to raise, Fred S. Mr. Sprague stands high in the community
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where he resides and has been honored by election to the office of highway commis- sioner of his township. He is a member of the Knights of the Modern Maccabees and, with his wife, belongs to the Ancient Order of Gleaners. They were both active mem- bers of the Patrons of Industry during the life of that organization and at all times have taken a deep interest in the welfare of the township. They have won and retain the warm and loyal friendship of a large cir- cle of acquaintances over a wide range of country. Mrs. Sprague's father served in the Civil war in Company A, Michigan In- fantry. He was a prisoner and thus con- tracted the disease that afterwards caused his death.
GEORGE O. INGERSOLL.
In making mention of the well-known and highly esteemed citizens of Missaukee county, Michigan, who by honest and in- dustrious lives have accumulated property and attained prominence in their locality, George O. Ingersoll, the present treasurer of Bloomfield township, demands attention. He was born in Coe township, Isabella county, Michigan, on November 8, 1864. His parents were Isaac and Jane (Tripp) Ingersoll, the former having been a native of Connecticut and the latter of the state of New York. Their deaths both occurred in Coe township, Isabella county, Michigan, his at the age of nearly sixty years and hers at the age of about forty years. They reared a large family, twelve children in all, and of these the subject of these lines is the tenth in order of birth. George O. Ingersoll was reared to manhood in his native township
and was there given the advantage of at- tendance at the common schools. He took up the vocation of farming upon attaining mature years and was so engaged until March, 1890, when he came to Missaukee county and purchased forty acres of land in section 36, Bloomfield township. As he has prospered he has added to the original tract until he is now the owner of one hundred acres, of which he has improved and placed in cultivation about thirty-five acres, raising thereon all the crops suited to the soil and climate. He owns a neat and convenient residence, a good barn and all the necessary outbuildings for the protection of his crops, stock and implements. His fields are care- fully tilled, the fences well kept and due attention is paid to the best methods of mod- ern farming. While living in Isabella county Mr. Ingersoll learned the carpenter's trade and since coming to Missaukee county he has worked at this a great deal, having assisted to erect some of the best residences and barns in this locality.
On the 12th of January, 1890, in Coe township, Isabella county, this state, Mr. Ingersoll was united in marriage with Miss Edith E. Thayer, a native of Wisconsin and a daughter of Elmer and Jane (Green) Thayer. To Mr. and Mrs. Ingersoll have been born three children, Hazel B., Walter R. and Clyde A. Strong, reliable, capable men like Mr. Ingersoll are the ones who most faithfully bear the responsibilities of public office and he has served his fellow citizens in the capacities of supervisor of the township and its treasurer, having served three years in the former position and being the present incumbent of the latter. His fra- ternal relations are with the Patrons of Hus- bandry, holding membership in Morey
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Grange, No. 1029. Whatever success has attended Mr. Ingersoll's efforts is due en- tirely to his own energy, industry and ability. His reputation is that of a man of business integrity and he is esteemed by all who know him.
HAZELTON A. SCHRYER.
Among the men of sturdy integrity and reliable traits of character who have con- tributed their quota to the advancement of the upbuilding of Missaukee county, Michi- gan, mention may most consistently be made of him whose name appears above. Mr. Schryer was born in Ottawa, Canada, on the 30th of July, 1859, and is the son of Washington and Lucy (Jones) Schryer, also natives of Ontario, Canada. They removed to Michigan, and her death occurred at Otsego. Allegan county, when she was about forty-five years old. Of their five chil- dren, the subject of this sketch is the young- est, and he was about ten years of age at the time of the family removal to Michigan. Until he was fifteen years old he lived with his father in Barry and Allegan counties, re- ceiving at the same time a good, practical education in the common schools. Of an in- tensely practical make-up, he has not been content with the elementary education thus received, but has throughout his life been a liberal reader and a close thinker, applying his attention to a wide range of subjects, so that he is now considered a well-informed man. At the age of fifteen years Mr. Schryer went to Manton, Wexford county, this state, where he remained for four years and then went to Nebraska, but that section of the country not coming up to his ideas, he re-
turned to Michigan one year later and for three years lived'at Byers, acting during that time as agent for the Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad Company. Going then to Kalamazoo, he was employed by W. R. Coats as foreman in the construction of a system of water works, after which he went to Big Rapids, this state, and was employed in a machine shop and electric plant there for three and a half years. In the spring of 1890 he came to Missaukee county and set- tled on the farm on which he now lives, lo- cated in section 33, Bloomfield township. During about ten years of this time he has been employed at Cadillac and other places in machine shops and also spent about four- teen years in running a locomotive in Wis- consin and Michigan. He is the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of land, which is improved with a good set of farm build- ings and all the other accessories of an up- to-date farm. He carries on general farm- ing operations, raising all the crops common to this lattitude, and has been fairly success- ful in his operations.
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