USA > Michigan > Hillsdale County > Compendium of history and biography of Hillsdale County, Michigan > Part 49
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many in the promotion of its best interests. He worthily won and modestly wore the popular approval he so richly enjoyed, and was, without seeming conscious of the fact, one of the most representative and most highly esteemed men in the county.
WILLIAM MACRITCHIE.
Among the elements of American citizenship, to which it owes much of force and firmness of fiber, as well as much of its fertility in resources and sturdy thrift, none, perhaps, ranks higher in the scale of value than that which has been ob- tained from the Scotch race, which ever makes its mark broad and deep wherever it plants itself, writing its presence and its capabilities in endur- ing phrase. To this race belongs William Mac- Ritchie, of Hillsdale, one of the best-known men of the town, who is concerned in many of its most important mercantile and productive enterprises. He was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, on August 19, 1844, the son of William D. and Elizabeth Elder (MacRitchie) MacRitchie, also natives of Scotland. His father was a surgeon in the em- ploy of the East India Co. and was stationed at St. Helena, going to the island six weeks after the death of Napoleon, thus having an opportu- nity to secure some of his effects. He was retired on a pension after a long service with the com- pany, dying in Scotland in 1863, at the age of sixty-three. He left four sons and three daugh- ters, two of the sons now reside in the United States.
William MacRitchie passed the first sixteen years of his life in Scotland and was educated in the schools of that country. He then was ap- prenticed on board a tea vessel and went from place to place around the world, completing, by a large comparison of nations, climates, customs and peoples, the education which had been cut short by his slender school facilities and the early age at which he was deprived of even these. From his home he came to New Brunswick, from there went to Calcutta, Hongkong and numerous other Asiatic ports, then shipped to Melbourne,
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Australia, where he quit the sea and proceeded to Queensland, where he passed seven years in the gold fields, mining and merchandising, during a portion of the time herding and driving stock, an occupation attended in those days with great hardship and danger. In 1869 he returned, to London, thence went to South America and for a year was engaged in the horse and cattle busi- ness, when he disposed of his interests in this line, and, in company with others, worked his way north on the coast to the isthmus of Panama, from whence . he went to Kingston, Jamaica, and on to New York, where he landed in March, 1871.
After a short stay in the great city he came west to Omaha, soon after to Kansas City, to Fort Scott, and finally to Butler county, Kan., where he entered government land and later pur- chased a tract which he still owns. He remained in Kansas until 1888, engaged in farming and in stockraising. From 1888 to 1890 he lived near Richmond, Va., and, in the year last named, came to Hillsdale, where he has since resided. Here he is now connected with a number of the leading mercantile enterprises of the city, among them the First National Bank, the Alamo Gas Engine Co., the Hillsdale Screen Door Co. and the Omega Cement Co. He was married in Kansas, in 1873, to Miss Emma A. Miller, a native of Illinois. They have seven living children, two sons and five daughters. In politics he is a Re- publican but has never held or desired public of- fice. Neither does he belong to any fraternal or- der. He is one of Hillsdale's most respected citi- zens, one of her leading mercantile factors.
JUDGE MICHAEL MCINTYRE.
That "A good name is better than great riches and good favor is above silver and gold," has not only the sanction of Holy Writ, but of long ages of human experience. The truth of the proverb was impressively and abundantly es- tablished in this section of the country by the admirable life and valued services of the late Judge Michael McIntyre, of Hillsdale city, whose death, on November 14, 1902, was a cause of universal regret and public grief, for his name
is reverently enshirned in the hearts of this peo- ple as a synonym for all that is elevated in man, upright and able in the legal profession, court- cous, considerate and genial in all social inter- course, and broad, liberal and progressive in citizenship. He was for long years of great activity and usefulness in professional and pri- vate life one of the leading and most respected men in the county, and stood forth in the public gaze as one of the best types of American man- hood anywhere to be found. He was faithful, to the last degree, in the performance of every duty, well equipped in cach essential of a complete armor for every contest, ready for every emer- gency in all the relations of life, never wanting to the least extent in two of the great elements of all social virtue, respect for the rights and re- gard for the feelings of others.
Judge McIntyre was a native of Canada, born on April 21, 1842, as the son of Lanty and Isa- belle (Renton) Mclntyre, the former, Irish by birth but of Scotch parentage, the latter a na- tive of Scotland. The parents emigrated to the New World in early life, the father coming to Canada at the age of eighteen. In 1842 they settled at Hudson, Michigan, a few years later removing to Hillsdale, where the father was en- gaged in mercantile business until about 1877, when they moved to Warsaw, Indiana, where they both died. In 1876 Judge McIntyre mar- ried Miss Mary L. Russell, a native of Williams- town, Mass., a daughter of Samuel and Maria L. (Brown) Russell, native respectively in New Hampshire and Massachusetts, pioneers of 1855 in Michigan. They settled at Hilldale on their ar- rival in the state and for a number of years the father was postmaster of this town.
A student at Hillsdale public schools and col- lege, and later of the law school at Ann Arbor, JudgeMcIntyre became finely equipped for his profession. When the Second Michigan Cavalry was organized, he enlisted as private in Co. M, but was soon transferred for promotion to the Third Michigan Cavalry, of which he was ser- geant-major. In 1862 he received two promo- tions, being advanced to second and then to first lieutenant of Co. K in the last mentioned regi-
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ment. While holding this rank he was appointed judge advocate of a general court-martial, which office he held till his muster-out of the army, in 1865, after nearly four years' service. There could be no stronger evidence of his ability than his thus holding his position as judge so long, but he also earned distinction through other efficient service, bravery and daring. He was honored at home first as supervisor, then prosecuting attor - ney, and later, for sixteen consecutive years he most capably held the office of judge of probate. He was emphatically a scholar, an incessant read- er of the best literature, reading for information. Probably no other library in the county contained so many rare, valuable and well-selected books. Few men in the state were better informed On current topics and on ancient history. He hated sham, pretense, was sarcastic to a high degree 111 his comments upon assumed character or qualifi- cations not possessed. No one of worth, even in humble station, that he would not champion. This characteristic made him many friends.
OMEGA PORTLAND CEMENT CO.
This valuable productive institution, the only one of its kind in this county, which has been operating here since the opening of the Twen- tieth Century, has been steadily gaining in the volume of its business and in the breadth and firmness of its hold on the confidence and good opinion of the public generally and of the business world of this section especially. It was organized on February 19, 1899, with a capital stock of $300,000, and the following official staff : F. M. Stewart, president ; Israel Wicks, vice-president ; Charles F. Wade, secretary, treasurer and general manager. These gentlemen and Dr. W. H. Saw- yer, F. A. Roethlisberger and C. E. Lawrence, of this county, W. M. Eaton, of Grand Rapids, Dr. W. H. Lane, of Angola, Indiana, Charles B. Stowe, of Cleveland, and Louis P. Hall, of Ann Arbor, directors. Upon completing its organiza- tion the company purchased 200 acres of land in Scipio township, and, in July, 1899, began the erection of a plant for the manufacture of a fine grade of cement, which they started in June,
1900. The plant has a capacity of 600 barrels a day, and employs from sixty to seventy-five men regularly. The most of the raw material used in its product is found in Hillsdale county, and its market covers the central and middle western states. Its output has a high rank wherever it is known and commands the best prices, the utmost care being used in its manufacture and in keeping its quality up to an elevated standard of excellence.
Charles F. Wade, the secretary, treasurer and capable general manager, and the man on whom its success mainly depends, is a native of Hills- dale county, born at Jonesville, on May 9, 1860. His parents were Mr. James H. and Elizabeth (Sibbald) Wade, the former Irish by his na- tivity and the latter Scotch in birth, and in rear- ing and education a product of New York. His father was for many years a leading merchant of Jonesville, and is now secretary of the State Uni- versity at Ann Arbor. Their son, Charles, grew to manhood at Jonesville and he was educated in the schools of this county. He was associated in business for some years with his uncle, Mr. Sibbald, and, during a subsequent period of eigh- teen years as a member of the firm of Grosvenor & Co., as also cashier of the Grosvenor Savings Bank, resigning that position to take the one he now holds. In this his capacity, fidelity and en- terprise, and the success which has followed his labors, have attested the wisdom of his choice for the place, while the congenial nature of his en- . gagement satisfies his own desires. He was married in 1882 to Miss Minnie A. Curtis, a daughter of William S. Curtis, of Jonesville.
From his young manhood Mr. Wade has evinced an intelligent and helpful interest in local public affairs, and, while he has never sought or desired public office, he has been called to fill sev- eral local positions, important in character if not especially prominent in rank, among them being that of president of the city council. He is an active and serviceable member of the Knights of Pythias, belonging to the lodge of the order at Jonesville. In every walk of life in the county he has many friends and is held in the highest es- teem wherever he is best known. No business
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man in the township in which he lives has a more exalted position in public estimation or a firmer hold on the confidence and good will of the busi- ness men and the community in general.
AZARIAH MALLORY .
Azariah Mallory, one of the builders and mak- ers of Moscow township, this county, whose en- terprise, public spirit and breadth of view ever gave a stimulus to the spirit of progress among the people who witnessed them, was a native of the town of Adams, Mass., born on November 27, 1804. His parents were Herbert and Hannah ( Hoxie) Mallory, devout and conscientious Qua- kers, filled with a religious feeling which pervad- ed their household, was assimilated by their chil- dren, and which had a decided and beneficial in- fluence on the lives of their descendants. While their son, Azariah, was yet a child they moved to Wayne county, New York, where he grew to man's estate and received his education, at the same time getting stature and strengh from his labors on the farm and from his active outdoor life. On January 1, 1826, he was united in mar- riage with Miss Azubah White, like himself a native of Massachusetts, born in Douglass, Wor- cester county, that state, on March 12, 1807, but, at the time of the marriage a resident of Wayne county, N. Y., whither her parents, Abisha and Elizabeth ·(Howell) White, had moved in her childhood. Her father was a soldier in the War of 1812 and died soon after its close. In June, 1837, Mr. Mallory moved his family to Hillsdale county and settled in Moscow township, where he resided until his death in 1853. His widow sur- vived him forty years, dying in 1893. They were the parents of nine children, of whom four are living.
When the family came to their new home in this state they found themselves veritably in the wilderness, almost entirely deprived of the ad- vantages of cultivated life, having all of the priva- tions and dangers of the frontier in their lot. They had not come hither without a knowledge of the conditions, however, and were armed with the proper spirit wherewith to meet and conquer
them. They cleared their land, made it produc- tive, and Mr. Mallory increased his estate from time to time, through his industry and thrift, un- til, at one period, he owned nearly a thousand acres of the best land in the township. But he was not only a man of property and worldly wealth. He was a citizen of liberality, public spirit and breadth of view. To all religious and educational institutions he gave freely of his sub- stance, and to their service he gave his time and energy as freely. He donated land for churches and money to help build them ; his con- tributions to the college at Hillsdale were fre- quent and generous ; and he was present and participated in the ceremonies attendant upon the laying of the corner-stone of that institution. His advocacy of the cause of temperance and his sup- port of every moral agency were pronounced and beneficial, and his general demeanor was of the most stimulating and helpful character. His was the fiber of which the best American citizenship is made and he was highly esteemed as among the best and most serviceable men in the com- munity.
SAMUEL A. MERCER.
Samuel A. Mercer, of Somerset township, one of the prosperous and highly respected farmers of the county, is truly "to the manor born, his life having begun on the land which he now owns and farms, on November 23, 1847, and having been passed so far almost wholly on that place. He is a son of the late Judge William and Sarah (Gamble) Merccr, an extended notice of whom will be found elsewhere in this work. He was educated in the district schools of the neighbor- hood, and, since leaving school, he has devoted his energies to farming, under the supervision of his father while he lived, but since the death of that estimable gentleman under his own effi- cient management. On the death of his father the paternal homestead was divided between Samuel and his brother, John G. Mercer, and since then each has individually cultivated his portion with diligence and a faithful application of intelligence and skill, keeping the land and its products up to the high standard of excellence attained by the
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father in his day. Mr. Mercer was married on January 19, 1881, to Miss Tilly Bilby, a daugh- ter of Leonard and Amelia (Ralph) Bilby of Somerset township.
Her father was a native of the state of New York, a farmer by occupation, an early settler in Hillsdale county, coming hither in 1835, with his father, Robert Bilby, who entered a tract of land in Somerset township, which he cleared and brought to cultivation, later changing his resi- dence to Van Buren county, in this state, where he died. He was a man of prominence and in- fluence in local affairs, who served most valiantly as a soldier in the War of 1812. Leonard Bilby also cleared a farm in Somerset township, in this county, dying in 1865 at his homestead, where his widow is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Mercer have four children, William Ralph, Freely Glenn, Ora E. and Eola L., all living at the family home. In politics Mr. Mercer is a Democrat, devoted to the welfare of his party, although not himself desirous of office. He, however, is actively in- terested in the development and improvement of the' township and gives time and effort freely in behalf of any good enterprise which tends to its advancement. He is well esteemed as a pro- gressive and public spirited citizen, a genial and companionable man, an active force in the gen- eral uplifting of the community in which he lives.
John G. Mercer, a brother of Samuel, was born on the family homestead, where he has lived all the days of his life, which began on December 20, 1854. He, like his brother, was educated in the public schools, since leaving school he has been diligently engaged in farming. He owns one-half of the original homestead farm of his parents, and his father's two sisters live with him and look after his household, as he has never married. He is an excellent farmer, a highly re- spected citizen, a serviceable man and a civic in- fluence of decided value and usefulness. In fra- ternal relations he is active in the order of Odd Fellows and in that of the Patrons of Husbandry, giving to their welfare an intelligent attention, helping to make the meetings of both his lodge and grange interesting and profitable. He is also a Democrat in politics, giving the nominees and
platforms of his party an earnest and active sup- port, but, like his brother, he is content to leave to others the responsibilities and the honors of public office, finding sufficient to occupy his facul- ties in the duties of his farm, honor enough in the general esteem in which he is held throughout the township by all classes of the people.
FRANK L. MASTERS.
One of the leading young Republicans of Hillsdale county is Frank L. Masters now serving his third term in office as county clerk. He has long been an important factor in party manage- ment and policy in the county. . He was born on July 27, 1862, in Williams county, Ohio, the place of his mother's nativity, she having been the first white child born within the limits of that county. Her maiden name was Susan Perkins, and his father, Mr. Ezekiel Masters, a native of Knox county, also in the same state, passed nearly the whole of his life in Williams county, coming hither in childhood with his parents. He be- came a prosperous farmer, rose to consequence in local politics, represented his county in the Legislature of 1862-3 and 1866-7, and filled a number of local offices, giving his allegiance with unbroken loyalty to the Republican party. His father was Robert Masters, a native of Richmond, Virginia, who came to Ohio among its early settlers, and after a long life of industry and usefulness died in Knox county.
Frank L. Masters was the youngest of seven sons and seven daughters born to his father by two marriages. His childhood and youth were passed in his native county, attending school and . working on the farm, until he was fourteen years old. He then was engaged in a clerical capacity in stores, first at Pioneer, then at Bryan in his home county. In 1890 he came to Hillsdale coun- ty and engaged in merchandising at Waldron, continuing this business at that place until he was elected county clerk in ·1898. He was reelected in 1900 and in 1902. He has given universal satisfaction in the discharge of his official duties so far during his tenure of this responsible office. Previous to his election as clerk he filled local or
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township offices of importance, being also always prominent in the management of his party, serv- ing for years as president of the Republican League and as a member of the county central committee.
Mr. Masters was married in Williams county, Ohio, to Miss Viola Barto, a native of that coun- ty, who died in 1895, leaving two children, Fay L. and Paul W. The second marriage was consum- mated at Waldron, Mich., on June 2, 1896, with Miss Lenora C. Gilbert, a native of Michigan. They have one child, Robert G. Masters. Mr. Master's fraternal affiliations are with the Ma- sonic order, through lodge, chapter and comman- dery ; the Knights of Pythias, in which he has filled all the chairs; and the Odd Fellows, in whose proceedings he also takes a deep and help- ful interest. He has proven himself, in every station and relation in life worthy of the confi- dence and respect he has always enjoyed, fully entitled to the place as a leader among his fellows, which, with becoming modesty, he has held.
HON. LEONARD MILLER.
One of the pioneers, and representative men of Hillsdale county, Michigan, was the subject of this brief sketch. Residing on his farm in Fayette township, he was actively interested for many years in the live stock industry, as well as in gen- eral agricultural pursuits, and was well known throughout southern Michigan, held in high es- teem by all classes of his fellow citizens. He did much for the growth and development of that section of the state. He was a native of the . state of New York, born at Romulus, Seneca county, on March 3, 1820, the son of Elisha and Nancy (Baldwin) Miller, natives of that state. His father followed the occupation of farming, and raised a family of three sons. He had the misfortune to lose both his parents while yet a young child, and was early thrown upon his own resources. His early education was received at the district schools in the vicinity of his boyhood home, and he had the benefit of a short term at Ovid Academy, in Seneca county. When he had attained to the age of nineteen years, he resolved
to seek his fortunes in the new country farther to the west, and, in 1839, left his native state and came to Michigan. Here he first located near Moscow, in Hillsdale county, and secured em- ·ployment on a farm at the wages of twelve dol- lars per month. He also was for a short time engaged in teaching, but, resigning his position, he purchased a tract of unimproved land in Scipio township, which he proceeded to improve as fast as his circumstances would permit. He made this his home up to 1864, when he removed his residence to Fayette township, where he be- came the owner of one of the best farms in that section of the county, consisting of some 360 acres of land.
While engaged all his life in agricultural pur- suits, Mr. Miller had other business interests as well, and for many years was largely interested in the buying and selling of live stock. As early as 1848, he purchased a large number of cattle and drove them from Michigan to New York state, where he disposed of them at a handsome profit. The first trip which he made at that time occupied a period of three months. In 1865, he purchased the foundry at Jonesville, which he conducted successfully for eight years, at the same time carrying on his farming and live stock operations. In December, 1854. Mr. Miller was married at North Adams, Hillsdale county, with Miss Abi- gail Pope, a daughter of William H. and Hannah (Kendall) Pope, natives of London, England. The parents of Mrs. Miller left their native land in 1834, and came to the city of New York. After remaining there a short time, they removed their residence to North Adams, Michigan, where they were among the pioneer settlers of that locality. They continued to reside here up to the time of their deaths. Five children were born to them, two sons and three daughters, Mrs. Miller, and her sister, Mrs. Emma Ostram, being the only survivors. Mrs. Miller was born November 20, 1834, at Syracuse, New York, and, when an in- fant, came with her parents to Hillsdale county.
Mr. and Mrs. Miller have had five children, Clara, now the wife of W. D. Winfield, of Butler county, Kansas ; Harvey, a resident of Fayette township, whose wife was formerly Miss Laura
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Allen; Edgar, who married Miss Elizabeth Kes- selring, and is now residing in Scipio township ; William, who married Miss May Mccullough, and is living at Winfield, Kansas; Mabel, still at home with her parents. The family is one of the, his way to the frontier settlements of Michigan, most prominent in that section of the county, established himself first in the county of Calhoun. subsequently removing to Adrian township, in the county of Lenawee, while still later, he moved his residence to Hillsdale county, where he con- tinued to maintain his home until his death on September 13, 1887. their home being noted for the gracious and re- fined hospitality there dispensed. Mr. Miller oc- cupied many positions of trust and honor in the gift of his fellow citizens during his long and active life. In 1860, he served as a member of the State Legislative Assembly, many measures of legislation beneficial to the people of the state owing their origin to his industry and zeal in the public service. For three terms he held the re- sponsible position of supervisor of Scipio town- ship, the duties of which he discharged with ability and fidelity. He also served as a justice of the peace, and held other minor offices. His death occurred on May 18, 1903.
FRANK E. MOREY. D. D. S.
F. E. Morey, a son of Mr. and Mrs. A. H. Morey, was born in Adams, Michigan, on Sep- tember 30, 1867. He graduated from the Dental College of the University of Michigan in 1889, and, since that time, he has practiced his pro- fession at Hillsdale.
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