USA > Michigan > Hillsdale County > Compendium of history and biography of Hillsdale County, Michigan > Part 45
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of that state, who died at her Michigan home in 1878. Of their nine children, only Mary, Daniel, Charles and Jennie are living. The Judge was a Freemason of long standing, even at a very ad- vanced age honoring the craft occasionally by his presence at meetings of the lodges near his home.
Judge Pratt may not inaptly be styled one of the fathers of the town of Hillsdale. He wit- nessed its birth and participated in its growth from a little rural hamlet to its present dignified proportions and splendid development. He lived nearly sixty years among this people, active, honored and useful, and there was not one person but did and does him reverence .. He "survived his own wake" and overheard the judgment of posterity. And that judgment was highly favor- able to him in every relation of life, pronouncing him to have been a good citizen, a faithful, cap- able, upright and an industrious official, a pro- fessional man of superior ability and high integ- rity, a social force of usefulness in exemplifying, in most pleasing manner, all of the amenities of cultivated life.
JOHN HERRING.
At the early age of seventeen, while the hopes and aspirations of youth were still high in his breast, John Herring came with his parents from his native state of New York to the wilds of Michigan, here to be confronted with the priva- tions and dangers of frontier life. He accepted his lot cheerfully, even eagerly, entered upon the strenuous conditions around him with ardor and with the stimulus of having something to fight that was worth conquering. Since then, through- out his long life of more than three score years in this state, he has confronted every difficulty with the same lofty spirit, accepting every oppor- tunity for advancement with the same readiness and quickness of apprehension that marked his course at the beginning. He was born in Cort- land county, New York, on November 8, 1819, and his parents, Samuel and Deborah (Gridley) Herring, were also natives of that state.
The father, a farmer, moved his family to Michigan but two years after it assumed the dig-
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nity of statehood. Their first year in their new home was passed at Homer, then they settled on 160 acres of wild land, which he had purchased in Eaton county. Here he passed the rest of his days, busily occupied in clearing his land, mak- ing it habitable and productive ; here his faithful and devoted wife died in 1894, and he in 1899 at the age of ninety-nine years. They were the par- ents of seven children who reached maturity, of this number three are now living. The father was among the first settlers of the county of Eaton, and, for many years, his house was used as a halting place or tavern for emigrants passing through this region. The entertainment of the traveling public in that early day was at times a difficult problem, and its solution was correspond- ingly profitable.
The shrewd Mr. Herring rapidly accumulat- cd wealth through this means, and it must be said to his credit that he used it with liberality for the improvement and development of the com- munity. He was also engaged in the manufac- ture of maple syrup and sugar which he sold in quantities and exchanged for flour and pork. He took an active interest in local affairs and never withheld his services when any interest of the township required them in a local office or other- wise.
John Herring remained at home, assisted in clearing and cultivating the farm and in the per- formance of various other duties until some years after he passed his majority, then moved to Ho- mer, where he was employed in a mill for two years, at the end of that time purchasing forty acres in Litchfield township, which he cleared and improved, and, some years later, exchanged for the farm he now owns and occupies in Allen . township. On this he erected a sawmill, which he operated for a number of years, greatly to his own profit and to the advantage of the neighbor- hood. After abandoning this enterprise he built a factory on the farm for the manufacture of grain-cradles, and scythe-snaths and horse-rakes, which he conducted until 1888. He also built a flouring mill near the town of Allen, opening also a general store at what is now South Allen, which
he managed for a number of years, and he also erected a gristmill at South Allen.
Mr. Herring was married at Homer, this state, in 1840, to Miss Nancy Brown, a native of Cayuga county, New York, and they became the parents of two children, their sons, William, who is living with his father, and Adolphus, who was killed some years ago by an accident on the home farm. William rendered valuable and appreci- ated service to the cause of the Union in the Civil War as a member of the Seventh Michigan In- fantry.
Mrs. Herring, who was an invalid for many years, died in 1900, and was laid to rest amid the scenes of her early labors and her later triumphs and peaceful life. Mr. Herring was for a long time a Democrat and then a Whig in politics, holding allegiance to the latter party until its dis- solution. He then became a Republican, to which faith he has held fast ever since, but he has never been an active partisan and has never consented to hold office. He has steadily pursued the even tenor of his way, faithfully performing every daily duty, dealing with all men on a high plane of integrity. By all good people he is well es- tecmed as one of the most useful and representa- tive citizens of the township.
MILTON P. HERRING.
One of the honored pioneers of Litchfield township, in this county, whose useful and pro- cluctive life ended on April 21, 1892, on the farm which he redeemed from the wilderness, was Mil- ton P. Herring, who was born at Virgil in Cort- land county, New York, on June 21, 1808, the son of John and Temperance Pomeroy) Herring, well-known and highly esteemed citizens of that portion of the Empire state. His parents were in very moderate circumstances and his early ad- vantages in life were limited. He assisted in the labors on the paternal homestead until he was twenty years old, then started in life for himself as a farm laborer. At the end of his first month of labor, however, he took his wages, ten dollars, and applied them on the purchase of a farm, com- prising fifty acres in his native township. By in-
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dustry and frugality he paid for his land and bought and paid for twenty-five acres additional, which he improved and made fertile and produc- tive.
In 1836 he visited Michigan, and, being pleased with the outlook here, notwithstanding the undeveloped condition of the country, he de- termined to locate in this state. Accordingly he sold his New York farm and moved his family consisting of his wife and one child to Hillsdale county, settling in Litchfield township in Octo- ber, 1837. He purchased 200 acres of land, which is a part of the farm until recently owned and occupied by R. W. Freeman, and to this he after- ward added eighty acres more. (See sketch of Mr. Freman on another page.) About 1865 he sold his farm to Mr. Freeman and moved to the one on which he died, and on which his wife also died, she passing away on June 29, 1899. This farm includes a quarter section of land, and is re- garded as one of the best farms in the township. It is now the property and residence of his sons Milton and Benjamin. On March 5, 1834, Mr. Herring was married to Miss Lucy J. Parker, a native of Virgil, New York, where the marriage occurred. They became the parents of nine chil- dren, five of whom are living: Allen P., who married first with Miss Myra Crandall, who had two children, both now deceased, as she is. He married, second, with Miss Frances Townsend ; they have two children, a son and a daughter. The second son, Noah Herring, married Miss Mary Milson, they have four living children, all residents of Oklahoma. Milton Herring married Miss Nora L. Cook, of Vermont, has one child, a daughter. Flora A. Herring is now Mrs. C. M. Metts, of Grand Rapids. Benjamin Herring married Miss Mary E. Breckenridge, of Litchfield. Milton and Benjamin live on the family home- stead and operate it with skill and industry, keep- ing it up to a high state of cultivation and its im- provements in excellent condition.
Milton Herring was a soldier for the Union in the Civil War and saw hard and active serv- ice, participating in many of the important battles fought by the Army of the Cumberland and by the Army of the Potomac. He was first for a
year, attached to the latter army, and, after con- siderable service with the former, was again transferred to the Army of the Potomac. He fought with credit and courage at South Moun- tain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Va., Vicksburg, Jackson, Miss., Campbell Station, Tenn., Knox- ville, The Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Petersburg, and in many minor engagements. After the war 'he lived for several years in Vermont. Both sons. are Republicans, as was the father. He served as a justice of the peace for the township, and they have been highway commissioners, Benja- min being the present (1903) incumbent of the ยท office. Milton belongs to the Masonic order, the Grand Army of the Republic and the Patrons of Husbandry, and Benjamin is a Knight of Pyth- ias. The oldest son, Allen P. Herring, was also a 'Union soldier during the Civil War, and is a Republican in politics. The sons are worthy ex- emplars of the sturdy manhood, productive in- dustry and upright, progressive and useful citi- zenship for which their father was distinguished.
HILLSDALE CITY GAS CO.
This corporation is the successor of an old and useful company, which furnished light for the city of Hillsdale for more than a quarter of a century, and easily met the requirements of the town in its early history, but this, however, was found to be inadequate in character and equip- ment at a later day, when it was superseded by the present complete and well-managed establish- ment and new plant in 1899. An entire reor- ganization of the company was had and a full set of new mains laid, iron pipes taking the place of the old wooden ones and the capacity of the service being greatly increased. The new company was organized with a capital stock of $30,000 and the following officers : Gordon W. Lloyd, president ; Ernest F. Lloyd, secretary ; Robert Seitz, superin- tendent, the president and his two sons, E. F. and A. G. Lloyd, being directors. Since the reor- ganization occurred the plant has been practically rebuilt and enlarged, a new holder being put in as well as new mains. The system now has six miles of mains laid down and supplies more than
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500 families with light and heat. The old com- pany was founded in 1872 and for many years was a profitable enterprise under the conditions of old-style prices for gas, and having also the light- ing of the city. In 1898 the city established a municipal lighting plant and that, combined with . the demand for cheaper gas, made it impossible to continue the business with profit under the condi- tions of the work and mains. A period of diffi- culty followed, resulting in the property passing into the present lands, by whom it has been prac- tically rebuilt and it is now equipped with every modern appliance and is as nearly down-to-date, in every respect, as is possible in a plant of its capacity. Gas is now sold at rates which will compare favorably with those in any part of the country and its use, in consequence, is largely extending.
Gordon W. Lloyd, the president, is a Detroit business man of large experience in constructive matters. He has been one of the leading archii- tects of that city since 1858, and is the president of the Lloyd Construction Co. of Detroit, which crects gas buildings and machinery of all kinds. His three sons own and operate the gas plant at Adrian, in this state, and give to its management the same care and progressive business sense that characterize that of the Hillsdale enterprise. Their belief in the gas business is that the interest of their consumers is their own interest, and, to the best of their ability, the enterprises are con- ducted on that theory, their aim being to have their plants noted as instances of satisfactory pub- lic service in private hands.
HENRY H. HOPKINS.
One of the leading business men and sub- stantial property owners of Hillsdale, Michigan, is the subject of this sketch, Henry H. Hopkins, a native of the state of New York, born in Yates county, on September 28, 1839, the son of Thomas and Orphia ( Pierce) Hopkins, both natives of the county of Putnam, in the same state. His father was engaged in merchandising; and he also followed the occupation of farming to a limited extent, during the early years of his life.
In 1878 he disposed of his business and property in New York, and removed with his family to the city of Marshall, Michigan, where he and his. wife continued to reside up to the time of their deaths in 1882. During the New York resi- dence of Thomas Hopkins, he was somewhat active in local politics from time to time, and for several years he held various local offices. For the long period of seventeen years he was the court-crier, and was one of the respected citizens and trustworthy officials of that section of the state. The paternal grandfather of H. H. Hop- kins was Jeremiah Hopkins, an early settler of Putnam county, New York, and for many years one of its leading citizens, being also prominent in the circles of the Masonic fraternity. His maternal grandfather, Bizer Pierce, was one of the early showmen of New York state, widely known throughout the Eastern and Middle States. He lived to the great age of ninety-nine ycars.
Henry H. Hopkins, of this review, was one of a family of ten children, four of whom are still residents of the state of Michigan. He re- ceived his carly education, and attained man's estate in New York. After the completion of his education, he first engaged in farming, sub- sequently learning the harness trade, thereafter following the occupation of manufacturing har- ness. Subsequently, he disposed of this business to advantage, and for twenty-five years engaged successfully in selling musical instruments. In 1873 he removed his residence to the city of Toledo, Ohio, and, in 1876, he again removed to the city of Hudson, Michigan, where he re- mained until 1879, when he established himself in his present home at Hillsdale, Michigan. In 1881, he entered upon the manufacture and sale of "Professor Hopkins' Indian blood remedy," which is now fully established as a popular and a reliable medicine, and he has been very success- ful in this enterprise. The remedy enjoys an extensive sale throughout the United States and Canada, and the business is fast attaining large proportions. In the year 1877, Mr. Hopkins was united in marriage at Hudson, Michigan, with Miss Malinda Knapp, a native of Wheatland
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township, this county. Politically, Mr. Hopkins is identified with the Republican party, and takes an active and leading interest in public affairs, although he has never been a seeker for office. By industry, ability, and careful attention to business, he has built up a large, successful and constantly growing business, and he is one of the representative men of the community of his residence.
FREDERICK J. HOWARD.
Born and reared on the farm which is now his home, which is also the product, in its highly developed and well-improved condition, of the diligent and well-applied labor and good judg- ment of three generations . of his family, Fred- erick J. Howard, of Allen township, in this county, is altogether a product and a representa- tive of the section in which he lives, a fine type of the best character of southern Michigan farm- ers. He was born on the paternal homestead on October 2, 1863, the son of Barnard and Annetta (Jefferson) Howard, the former a native of New York and the latter of Ohio. His grandparents, Phineas and Mary Howard, came to this county from New York in 1834 and settled on a tract of wild land, which they took up on a government grant, making the trip hither in an ox cart, en- during on the way great privations and weariness, but resolutely pushing on through every diffi- culty to their desired destination. They found the land without roads or any other conveniences, it being a virgin forest, dense with undergrowth, and the region round-about was yet full of In- dians and wild beasts.
They erected a little log shanty and went to work to clear the land and make it habitable and fruitful. The head of the house had been a soldier in the War of 1812, also a pioneer farmer of his native state, and both himself and wife were inured to the hardships of frontier life, as well as skilled in providing for its necessities and guarding against its dangers. In time the shanty was supplanted by a comfortable log residence supplemented with good outbuildings, and the land was smiling with a rude but substantial
abundance of the proper fruits of diligent hus- bandry. In time also they rested from their labors, the work of development and improve- ment being taken up by their son, Barnard, and his wife, and carried forward on the same plan of steady and systematic progress which had al- ready marked its'course. The grandparents died on the farm, the grandfather in 1873, the grand- mother in 1868, and the new family, consisting of the mother of Frederick Howard (the father having died in 1870) his two sisters and himself. were left as occupants of the homestead, since which time it has been conducted under the ac- tive and careful personal management of Fred- erick J. himself. The mother is now living in the village of Allen with one of her daughters.
Frederick J. Howard was educated in the schools of the vicinity, and, as soon as he was able, he began to make himself useful on the farm, and to this industry he has given the ener- gies and capacities of his life up to this time. In 1886 he was married to Miss Belle Pomeroy, a daughter of Jesse and Rosamond (Wright) Pomeroy, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume. Mr. and Mrs. Howard have one child, their only son, Barnard B. Howard. Mr. Howard is a Republican in politics, but is not an active partisan. He is a Knight of the Maccabees and gives the affairs of the order due attention. But his chief ambition has been to be a good farmer, and to show the fact in his work and in the condition of his farm. In this desire he has fully succeeded, for he is considered one of the best farmers in the county, and his land is among the best cultivated and most highly improved tracts in this portion of the state.
DR. LABON A. HOWARD.
Dr. Labon A. Howard is one of the most capable, popular and serviceable public officials to whom the control of any portion of the public weal of Litchfield township has ever been con- fided, as is attested by his continuous election to the position of school director for a period of nineteen years, the universal approval of his official course, and the great benefits the town
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has derived from the careful and efficient dis- charge of his duties. He was born in Livingston county, New York, on September 22, 1841, the second child of Labon and Jane (Witter) How- ard, who had also two other sons and one daugh- ter. One son died in infancy and one in Chi- cago in 1899, and the Doctor and his sister are residents of Michigan. While he was yet an infant, his parents removed to Avon, in his native state, and there his childhood and carly school days were passed. On the verge of youth he came to Michigan with the rest of the fam- ily, and found a new home in Allen township, this county, where his education was continued in the public schools and completed in the union school at Jonesville. During the first six years after he left school he worked on farms through the summer and taught public schools in the winter.
He then entered the office of Dr. E. M. Shaw. of Allen, as a medical student, and, after ten months of careful reading there, enlisted in the Union army in August, 1864, as a hospital stew- ard with the Fourth Michigan Infantry. The practice he had in this position was of material benefit to him, and, as he had his text-books with him, his studies went on as regularly and industriously as the circumstances would permit. Nine months after his enlistment he was pro- moted to the post of assistant surgeon of the Third Michigan Infantry, and remained in the place to the close of the war. In June, 1866, he was with his regiment on the plains of Texas, and was obliged to march a distance of thirty n ilcs without water, an ordeal that cost the con- mand the lives of three gallant men who suffered sunstroke for want of this beverage. The ex- pedition was undertaken in the pursuit of Gen. Kirby Smith's division of the Confederate army, which held out nearly two months after Lee's surrender.
That fall Doctor Howard returned North and entered the Eclectic Medical College of Cincin- nati, from which he was graduated as a member of the class of 1867. He at once settled at Lich- field, in this county, entered regularly on the practice of his profession, and, on May 10, 1868,
was united in marriage with Miss Carrie E. Stillwell, a native of this county, born in Scipio township, the youngest child of her parents. They removed to Litchfield not long after her birth, and she was educated in its schools, at the union school in Jonesville and at Hillsdale College. After leaving college she was engaged in teaching for a year and then was married. Her parents, Samuel and Cornelia Stillwell, were na- tives of New York, who came to live in this county in pioneer days. Here they acquired the ownership of a good farm, but, late in life, her father went to California and was there killed by a runaway team in 1885.
The Doctor's parents were also natives of New York, the father born in Livingston and the mother in Wyoming county. After their mar- riage they settled in Livingston county, where they carried on a farming industry until 1843. when they removed to Lagrange, and. for two years thereafter, conducted a hotel at that place. The father then purchased a farm in the vicinity of Avon, two years later removing to Perry, remaining there until 1854, when he came to to reside in Michigan and located in this county. The mother died previous to the removal of the family hither, in 1848, at the early age of twenty- seven years. She was the second wife of Mr. Howard, the first having been a Miss Mary Shepard, who left one child at her death, who is also deceased. His third wife was Mrs. Mary Anna Rogers, who became the mother of five children, four of whom now reside in Hillsdale county.
Doctor Howard is connected with the State Eclectic Medical and Surgical Association, of which he was at one time president ; has been medical director of the state organization of the Grand Army of the Republic, is a charter mem- ber of the Grand Army of the Republic post at Litchfield, which was organized mainly through his efforts, and of which he was at the first and for many years afterward the commander. He has risen to prominence in his profession and en- joyed a large and lucrative practice among the best families in the township : but it is with his public career that the people have been most gen-
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erally concerned. He was president of the vil- lage of Litchfield four years, and a member of his district school board three. In 1885 he was elected school director, and he has been regularly reelected at every election since. In this office he has had scope for the exercise of his scholarship, public spirit, breadth of view and philanthropy, giving to the community, which he has so faith- fully served, the full benefit of all his capacities and powers, stimulating public sentiment to healthful and vigorous action in school matters along lines of commendable and judicious prog- ress. Under this stimulus the school property has been greatly enlarged in volume, improved in character and advanced in equipment. The schools have been more thoroughly system- atized, the methods of conducting and teach- ing them have been improved, better text- books and other facilities have been provided, every element of progress and efficiency in them has been evoked and quickened to great- er activity. In addition to his great and con- tinuous usefulness in this department of public work, he has been forceful and influential for good in many others.
He was largely instrumental in securing the incorporation of the village in 1877, and, as its first president, an honorable position to which he was elected for four successive terms, he greatly restrained the liquor traffic within its limits. He also had the park in the center of the town laid out and planted with its beautiful shade trees. He gave liberally to the railroad, was help- ful in securing the location of the F. W. Stock mill at this point, became one of the first invest- ors in the creamery enterprise, and has aided in beautifying and adorning the village with good and attractive buildings, of which he owns sev- eral in addition to his commodious home and the pleasant house occupied by Doctor and Mrs. Atterbury. Both he and Mrs. Howard are grad- uates of the Chautauqua Literary Course and are well-read, cultivated and refined members of the best social and literary circles. They are mem- bers of the Baptist church at Litchfield, in which the Doctor served many years as trustee and in which he was long superintendent of the Sunday-
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