Compendium of history and biography of Hillsdale County, Michigan, Part 51

Author: Reynolds, Elon G. (Elon Galusha), 1841-
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: Chicago, [Ill.] : A.W. Bowen
Number of Pages: 554

USA > Michigan > Hillsdale County > Compendium of history and biography of Hillsdale County, Michigan > Part 51

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

William O'Meara grew to manhood in Hills- dale and received his education in the schools of the city. After leaving school he learned the

trade of painting and paperhanging, and, after completing his apprenticeship, he conducted a general painting and paperhanging business. In. 1889 he opened a retail store, having a complete stock of wall-paper, paints, etc., took his brother Matthew in as a partner, and they have been since then carrying on a very flourishing business, meeting, in a satisfactory manner, the wishes of a large and continually expanding body of patrons. In addition to this enterprise, Mr. O'Meara gives attention to others in which the welfare of the community is involved. He is a stockholder in the shoe factory and connected with other bene- ficial mercantile undertakings. Some years ago he served a term as an alderman from the first ward of the city and performed his duties with such satisfaction to the people of his ward that he was again chosen in 1901 to represent them, al- though not seeking or desiring the office. He is also a member of the city school board, and gives to the affairs of that body a close and con- scientious attention and the full benefit of his public spirit, intelligence and breadth of view. At Coldwater, in 1886, he was united in mar- riage with Miss Ella Fitzpatrick, a native of this state, like himself of Irish ancestry. They have two children, William F. and John H. O'Meara. In politics Mr. O'Meara is an active and loyal Democrat, zealous in the service of his party, and wise in directing its activities. In fraternal relations he is a Knight of the Maccabees, hold- ing membership in the Hillsdale tent.

HON. LEMUEL S. RANNEY.

Prosperous in business, active and influential in politics, prominent and well esteemed in of- ficial life, warmly welcomed in social circles, Lem- uel S. Ranney is one of the best known and most representative citizens of Hillsdale county. He is a native of Ashfield, Franklin county, Mass., born on January 17, 1831, the son of George and Asah (Sears) Ranney, also natives of Massachu- setts. The father, a farmer in his native state, moved to Michigan in 1836. Here he followed lumbering on Grand River, but, after a short res- idence in this state, returned to the East, locating

304

HILLSDALE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

at Phelps, N. Y., where he died in 1842. The next year the mother came back with her younger children to this county and settled in Allen town- ship, where she purchased 160 acres of land and where she died in 1869. The family consisted of eight sons and one daughter, of whom only the daughter and two sons are now living. The paternal grandfather was George Ranney, a na- tive of Chatham, Conn., and a West India trader. He was a soldier in the Revolution, having a brother who served also in that service. After that war he settled in Massachusetts and passed the remainder of his life in farming. He was born in 1746.

Lemuel S. Ranney passed the first five years of his life in his native state, the rest of his child- hood and youth at his father's home in Michigan. He was educated in the public schools, and, when he reached a suitable age, he was apprenticed to a shoemaker. In 1850 he moved to Illinois and afterward to Madison, Wis., working at his trade in each place. In 1852 he went overland by way of the Platte River, South Pass and Salt Lake to California, making the trip with teams and occu- pying five months in the journey. He remained in California three years, mining with success, re- turned to Hillsdale county in 1855, from whence in 1859 he made another trip overland to Califor- nia, driving one team from Hillsdale to Sacra- mento, where he remained until spring and then went to Virginia City, Nev. In 1861 he made a trip through Oregon and Idaho, then through Washington to Walla Walla, from there return- ing to Nevada, where he remained until 1866. In that year he once more returned to Michigan, making the trip by water, and here he has since lived. He has been engaged from time to time in farming, has been active in politics and occu- pied with official duties in various ways. He was supervisor of Hillsdale township for six years, alderman for two years and city supervisor for the first and second wards for four years.

In 1875 Mr. Ranney was chosen to represent the county in the lower house of the Legisla- ture, and, in 1895, he was elected county superin- tendent of the poor. In 1882 he married Miss Margaret Gilmore, a native of Michigan, and

they have one child, S. Owen Ranney, now at- tending school. Having come to the county near- ly seventy years ago Mr. Ranney takes higli rank among the oldtimers. He has been much interest- ed in preserving the record of their achievements, being for years the secretary of the Pioneers' So- ciety and active in gathering and recording those interesting events and incidents connected with the early history of the county which were fast fading from memory. He has been a lifelong Republican, always zealous and helpful in the service of the party, holding membership on its county central committee for many years, work- ing assiduously for its success in every campaign. He is an active and a working Mason in lodge, chapter and commandery, and has filled the high- est offices in these organizations.

RUSSELL S. PETERSON.

Conducting a prosperous farming industry on the paternal homestead, where he first saw the light of this world, and where the whole of his life so far has been passed, Russell S. Peterson is a representative citizen of Hillsdale county, a good "type of the wise, who soar but never roam, true to the kindred points of heaven and home." He was born on the farm he now occupies in Hillsdale township on July 3, 1855, his parents, Lafayette and Elizabeth (Granger) Peterson, be- ing natives of New York state. The father came to Michigan with his parents when he was but ten years old, his wife's people coming some time later. The Petersons arrived in 1836 and Rus- sell's grandparents settled with their young fam- ily on a farm five miles west of Hillsdale, where they kept a tavern and gradually cleared their land and brought it under cultivation. In this work their son, Lafayette, assisted in the intervals between his short and irregular terms of school.

When Lafayette Peterson was old enough to take charge of a farm, he bought the one on which he has ever since lived, where he now makes his home with his son. He made the purchase in 1848, and, at that time, the land was an unbroken expanse of dense woods, not having an acre fit for immediate cultivation. By close attention, dili-

305

HILLSDALE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

gent labor and determined perseverance he made it in course of time a model farm, one of the choice estates of the township. His wife died on February 24, 1883, leaving their only child, Rus- sell S. Peterson, the immediate subject of this sketch. He, like his father, was reared and edu- cated in this county, and at an early age began to work on the farm. He was of material assist- ance in clearing and improving the place. It now represents almost the whole labor of his life and is very creditable to the outlay.

In 1879 Mr. Peterson was married to Miss Emma King, a native of Niagara county, New York, and a daughter of John F. King, whose sketch appears on another page of this volume. They have one child, their daughter, Hattie K. Peterson. In political faith Mr. Peterson is a loyal Republican, but he has never been an ac- tive party worker, having no desire for official station of any kind. He is content to carry his unostentatious and serviceable activity forward in behalf of every good enterprise for the advan- tage of the community and the county, also to push his own business to its best and highest de- velopment, leaving affairs of state and all political contentions to those others, who have a taste for such engagements, but, so far as the requirements of the duties of good citizenship are involved, he tries to fully perform them with fidelity and con- scientiousness.

ALONZO P. RAWSON.

Born and reared in Michigan, passing all of his mature years among its people, Alonzo P. Rawson, of Adams township, this county, has been closely identified with the history of south- ern Michigan through its most eventful period of existence and he has contributed essentially and largely to the growth and development of the section. He first saw the light of this world in Lenawee county, on May 4, 1848, his parents be- ing Henry H. and Mary J. (Cornelius) Rawson, natives of Dutchess county, New York, where the father was engaged in farming until 1840, when he came to Michigan, to settle on a partially cleared farm of eighty acres, which he purchased

in Lenawee county, on which he resided until his death in August, 1895. His widow died on this farm near the last of December, 1902. The father was a Republican in politics, a man of force and influence in his county, and, during the Civil War. he filled the important position of deputy revenue collector. He was also town clerk for many years and supervisor for a definite length of time. The grandfather, Theodore Rawson, was also a native of Dutchess county, New York, also an emigrant ' of the early days to Michigan, here settling in Lenawee county, where he passed the rest of his life engaged in gardening and small farming.

Alonzo F. Rawson was one of the seven chil- dren, all sons, in his father's family, four of whom are now living, three residents of Hillsdale coun- ty. He received his education in the schools of Lenawee county, where he was reared on his fa- ther's farm, and, when he reached the age of twenty-two, he came to Hillsdale county and purchased sixty acres of land, the nucleus of the farm of eighty acres on which he now lives. His business through life has been farming, to this he has given his best energies, his closest and most

careful attention. He was married, in r869, with · Miss Harriet Tuttle, a native of Adams township, where the marriage occurred, a daughter of John and Margaret (Alsbrough) Tuttle, early settlers in Adams township. Mr. and Mrs. Rawson have had two children, only one of whom is living, their daughter,'Alice A. Rawson, who is residing at the parental home. Mr. Rawson has been a Republican in politics during all of his mature life, and has twice served as township treasurer. He is a member of the Free Baptist church, being also highly respected and well esteemed through- out the township and wherever he is known.

CLAYTON A. POWELL.

When he had been a member of the bar of this state but little over a year, Clayton A. Powell, of Hillsdale, had, even as a young man, so impressed the people of his county with his legal ability and his force of character, that he was, in 1902, elected prosecuting attorney of the county, and, by his course in the office since his election, he has fully

306

HILLSDALE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

justified the confidence and public esteem which selected him for the position. He was born in Jackson county, this state, on March 1, 1875. the son of Thomas and Louisa (Strait) Powell, na- tives of New York state, where the father was a prosperous and enterprising farmer. The family came to Michigan and lived in Jackson county until 1879. when they removed to Hillsdale county and located in Jefferson township, where they still reside. Their son, Clayton, and a daughter com- prise the family.

Mr. Powell grew to manhood in Jefferson township, of this county, and was educated at the schools of Pittsford and at the high school and college at Hillsdale. After leaving college he was a popular teacher for four years, beginning his pedagogical labors when he was but seven- teen. In 1897 he began the study of law in the office of Henry B. Graves, Esq .. of Detroit, and at the same time attended the Detroit Law Col- lege, from which he was graduated in 1900. Hc then took a trip of several weeks through the West. on his return from this settling at Hills- dale, where he began the practice of his profes- sion in June, 1901. In September. 1902, he was nominated by his, the Republican party, as its candidate for the office of prosecuting attorney, being elected by a handsome majority. Since then he has been engaged in the active discharge of his official duties, performing them with credit to himself and with benefit and satisfaction to the people of the county. He prepares his cases with care and exhaustive study, presents them with skill and good judgment and supports them with learning, eloquence and force. And, while he is earnest from conviction and a high sense of duty, he never violates the utmost requirement of pro- fessional propriety.

Mr. Powell was married on November 20, 1901, with Miss Mattie A. Calder, of Detroit, a daughter of Rev. J. G. Calder, a prominent Bap- tist clergyman of that city. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, the order of Odd Fel- lows and the Foresters. Having already firmly established himself well up in the ranks of his profession, in his practice displaying a high order of ability and skill, being also well esteemed in

business and valued in social circles, with his vigor of body and mind and his worthy and com- mendable ambition, he would seem to have a bright and very promising future before him.

HARVEY RANSOM.

This highly esteemed pioneer of Hillsdale county, the builder of a large part of the town of Jonesville, was a native of Cortland county. New York, his parents being Hubbell and Char- lotte (Grover) Ransom, the father born and reared at Grand Isle and the mother in Massachu- setts. His father secured a common-school edu- cation in his native county and there learned his trade as a carpenter. Soon after completing his apprenticeship, he removed to Cortland county, and, in that region of the great Empire state, then new and slightly developed, he rose to prominence as a contractor and builder, remaining success- fully employed until 1837, when he followed the march of empire westward and came to Michigan. He located at Jonesville, in this county, then scarcely more than a new-born bantling, where he found his mechanical services in great demand, for there was a steady tide of emigration in this direction, and the need of houses was continual and pressing. He erected for himself the first framed dwelling built in the village and was soon engaged in building similar ones for others. As there was constant and remuncrative work for him at his trade he sought no other occupation, but was employed at this until his death on Au- gust 27, 1862. He was an active and devoted member of the Masonic fraternity, a charter member of Lafayette Lodge, No. 16, at Jones- ville and its first treasurer. His wife passed away in 1844, and he never remarried. Of their eleven children, their son, Harvey, was the third in the order of birth, being born on July 7, 1814. .

Harvey Ransom was reared and educated in his native county and there learned his trade as a carpenter under his father. He accompanied his parents to this state in 1837 and was here asso- ciated with his father for many years in contract- ing and building, they putting up many of the best and most imposing structures erected for

337

HILLSDALE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

residences and business purposes now standing in the town. He was married .in New York state, on November 28, 1838, to Miss Lydia B. Goss, a native of Brattleboro, Vt. They had two chil- dren, William M., now a respected resident of Jonesville, and Angelia H., who died on Octo- ber 3, 1894. Mr. Ransom died on December 23, 1883, and his widow followed him to the spirit world on January 9, 1889. In political faith he was a Whig until the death of that party, then became an ardent Republican, remaining one to the end of his life. He took an active part in pub- lic local affairs, and for twenty-four years was under sheriff and constable in his township. He served as a carpenter and as a general mechanic for several months in the Civil War, being dis- charged on account of sickness while his com- mand was at Ringgold, Ga. In fraternal relations he was an Odd Fellow and a Freemason, belong- ing in the latter to lodge, chapter and council. His religious affiliation was with the Protestant Episcopal church.

WILLIAM M. RANSOM, the only surviving son of Harvey Ransom, is a native of Jonesville, where he was born on October 16, 1842. He re- ceived his education in the public schools of the town, and was for a period of twenty-one years here connected with the drygoods trade, serving for twelve and one-half years of the time as a clerk in the employ of Van Ness & Turner, and for the rest of the time, until 1882, being the head of a mercantile establishment of his own. In the year last named he gave up merchandising and turned his attention to the insurance busi- ness, in which he has since been pleasantly en- gaged. The first two years of his connection with this line of activity were passed in Kansas City, Mo., and since then he has carried it on with increasing patronage and energy in his na- tive county, doing a general insurance business, dealing also in real estate and kindred lines of commercial enterprise. He is a Republican in politics, and for sixteen years he has served and is now still serving his people faithfully as a jus- tice of the peace, being four times reelected to succeed himself in terms of four years each. He has served at various times for several years each,

as township treasurer, township clerk, and also as city clerk. On September 21, 1865, he married with Miss Caroline Turner, of Logansport, Ind. They had three children, two of whom are living, their daughters, Nina L. and Angie T. May B. died suddenly on August 10, 1888, at the age of twenty years. Mrs. Ransom died on November IO, 1879, and Mr. Ransom was married a second time, on May 14, 1884, when Miss Josephine A. Ackerly, a New Yorker by nativity, became the bride. He is a zealous and enthusiastic Free- mason, belonging to the blue lodge, the royal arch chapter, of which he is a past high priest and now the very capable and popular secretary, and to the council of royal and select masters.

CHARLES H. ROY.

Descended from a long line of thrifty farm- ers, Charles H. Roy, the present capable and pop- ular register of deeds of Hillsdale county, fol- lowed the family vocation for some years after leaving school, and was, while doing so, as good a representative of the farming element in the community as he is now of the public officials, who grace and render efficient service to the county. His life began on February 17, 1849, in Bradford county, Pa., whither his parents, John A. and Hannah (Jones) Roy, moved from their native state, New York. They lived on a farm in the Keystone state, there flourished until death, and both are buried there. Mr. Roy's grandfa- ther, Alexander Roy, a native of Orange county, N. Y., also moved to Pennsylvania and died in Bradford county, after a long life of usefulness as a prosperous farmer.

Charles H. Roy was the first born of five chil- dren, the only one living in Michigan. In the public schools of his native state and New York he received his preliminary education, and fin- ished his course at a private school in Elmira. In 1868 he came to Hillsdale, Mich., and took a course of instruction at the Hillsdale Business College, at its conclusion returning to New York, where he remained until 1880. He then re- turned to Michigan, and, locating at Jackson, was a traveling salesman of agricultural implements

308

HILLSDALE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

for four years. In 1884 he settled on a farm he Ringgold, sealed their devotion with their lives. purchased in Moscow township, personally con- ducting its operations until he was elected regis- ter of deeds for the county in 1900. He at once took up his residence at Hillsdale to attend to the discharge of his official duties, but he did not dispose of his farm, which is a fine property, highly cultivated and well-improved.

In politics Mr. Roy has been a lifelong Repub- lican, laboring assiduously in all of its campaigns for the success of his party. For years he has served as chairman of its township committee and as a member of the county central committee, and, in both positions, he has been highly appreciated as a wise counsellor and a stimulating force. In 1874 he was married to Miss Libby J. McGowan, a native of this state. They have three children, Nellie L., Edna L. and Emma A. Mr. Roy is a member of the Masonic order, belonging to Hills- dale Lodge, No. 176, at Hillsdale. He is active and zealous in behalf of the welfare of his lodge and takes interest in the proceedings of the craft in general. In the performance of the important duties of his office, as well as in the social amen- ities which pertain to it, he is winning favorable comments on every side, being careful, skillful and conscientious, serving all those who have oc- casion to seek his official services with prompt- ness, grace and courtesy.

WILLIAM M. RUTAN.

The history of the proud old commonwealth of Maryland is glorious in peace and war. Her soldiers in the Revolution met the scarlet uni- . forms and glittering steel of Great Britain on every field from Bunker Hill to Yorktown and never disgraced her name. In the subsequent struggle with the mother country, in which Amer- ican freedom and independence were established on the sea as by the Revolution it was on the land, her people bore an honorable part, and their me- tropolis was the only Atlantic seaport of conse- quence not captured by the enemy. In the short, but sharp and decisive, conflict with Mexico, she gave a long list of heroes to the cause of our com- mon country, some of whom, like Watson and

In our great Civil War her valor and her treas- ure were under tribute to both sides, both being freely poured out for the cause to which they were dedicated. In civil affairs she has been no less progressive and conspicuous in behalf of ev- ery element of national greatness and strength. It was on her soil that the banner of religious lib- erty was first unfurled and her firm and far-sight- ed policy firmly secured for the country the great northwestern territory of which Michigan was a part. And, when the hour was ripe, many of her people came hithier to help occupy, fructify and civilize the vast domain and there establish in it the mighty states that have since done so much for the elevation and comfort of mankind.

Among the natives of Maryland who have found a home in this state and aided in developing its resources and expanding its greatness, William M. Rutan, now of Somerset Center, and his par- ents are entitled to a high regard. Mr. Rutan was born in Allegany county of that state on Jan- uary 30, 1846, the son of Stephen and Rebecca (Welch) Rutan, also native there. The father, a farmer, moved from his native state to Pennsyl- vania, and later from there to Ohio, where the family lived until 1855, when they came to Michi- gan. Their first year in this state was passed at Hudson in Lenawee county. They then moved to Hillsdale, then to Wheatland township, locat- ing finally in Somerset township, where they en- tered government land and went to farming. Prospered in their venture, they were rapidly sub- duing the wilderness when intruded the Civil War. In 1863 both the father and his son, Wil- liam, enlisted in Co. K, Twenty-seventh Michigan Infantry, their regiment being in the Ninth Army Corps of the Army of the Potomac. Mr. Rutan's father and his brother, John, died from sickness. He took gallant part in the battle of the Wilder- ness, the Seven Days fight before Richmond, at Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, where he was wounded, the North Anna River, the two days' fight in front of Petersburg and many smaller en -. gagements. After the close of the war he partici- pated in the Grand Review in Washington, and was soon after discharged at Detroit.

309

HILLSDALE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

He then returned to his Hillsdale county home and resumed the farming operations which he has successfully conducted since, except during one year which he spent in California. He has 200 acres of excellent land improved with good buildings, equipped with the necessary appliances of the most approved pattern. His farming is conducted on a large scale in the most progres- sive manner, and it has secured for him a high standing as a man of enterprise and intelligence. In 1874 Mr. Rutan married in this county with Miss Clarinda Taylor, a daughter of Philetus and Caroline (Dibble) Taylor, very early settlers in the county, and they have been blessed with eight children: Orpha married with Orim Parish ; Avilla, now Mrs. George Boker; Arlie, wife of Jay Pullen ; Ina, Archie, Rantie, Zella, Donald, all living, most of them still brightening the home household with their presence. Mr. Rutan's mother died in Hillsdale county in 1894, aged sev- enty-four years. In politics he is a Republican, but he is content with the post of useful private citizenship, in which he is well esteemed, here finding abundant opportunity for the exercise of the breadth of view and public spirit for which he is well and widely known.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Compendium of history and biography of Hillsdale County, Michigan, Part 51

Author: Reynolds, Elon G. (Elon Galusha), 1841- Publication date: 1903 Publisher: Chicago, [Ill.] : A.W. Bowen Number of Pages: 554

Author: Reynolds, Elon G. (Elon Galusha), 1841-
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: Chicago, [Ill.] : A.W. Bowen
Number of Pages: 554