USA > Michigan > Hillsdale County > Compendium of history and biography of Hillsdale County, Michigan > Part 55
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George R. Travis was taught from his child- hood habits of systematic industry on his father's farm, and, as soon as he left school, he began business for himself as a farmer, an occupation which he has followed with steady diligence ever since, having been one of the highly esteemed land owners and tillers of the soil, both as boy and man, for nearly half-a-century in Moscow town- ship, having justified his title to the excellent rep- utation he enjoys as a farmer and an upright and useful citizen. In 1868 he was united in mar- riage with Miss Adeline Holley, also a native of Hillsdale county, and a daughter of Benja- min and Lydia (Coryell) Holley, who were among the earliest settlers in this part of the state. Her father has been dead for a number of years, but her mother is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Tra- vis have one child, their daughter, Annah, the wife of Charles T. Kimball, of Moscow township. Mr. Travis himself was one of five children, all of whom are living and residents of this county. He has been a lifelong Democrat but has never taken any especially active part in political cam- paigns or sought office. He belongs to the Pa- trons of Husbandry, holding membership in the grange at North Adams. He is a valued mem- ber and serviceable trustee of the Methodist Epis- copal church at Moscow Plains, taking a leading part in the management of church affairs.
DR. GEORGE W. UNDERWOOD.
Dr. George W. Underwood, deceased, late of this county, one of the pioneers of Hillsdale, con- tributed in many substantial and enduring ways to the progress and growth of the town and to the establishment of some of its most valued institu- tions. He was a native of Enfield, Mass., born there on March 30, 1814. His parents were Kingsley and Elizabeth (Allen) Underwood, also natives of Masachusetts, where they passed the
whole of their interesting and useful lives, rearing a large family, of whom not one is now living, meeting with fidelity and cheerfulness the daily duties of their calling. The father, a manufac- turer of garden hoes, after many years of service- able industry, passed away from life, as did his wife, both being laid to rest in the soil on which they had lived and labored with such beneficial results.
Doctor Underwood entered Amherst College in 1833 and remained there three years. In 1836 he went to Union College at Schenectady, N. Y., and was graduated from that institution in 1837. In 1840 Amherst conferred on him the degree of Master of Arts, and during the same year he took a course of instruction in theology at East Windsor, Conn., afterward preaching for three years in the Congregational church. In 1843 he came to Michigan, settling at Hillsdale, then noth- ing more than a municipal infant, where he èn- gaged in the drug business, an enterprise which he continued for many years, retiring therefrom in 1865. During most of the time he was also interested in farming, owning a large and valu- able farm not far from the city. He took much interest in agriculture and was twice president of the county agricultural society, to whose use- fulness he made large and appreciated contribu- tions. He was also the first mayor of Hillsdale, and, by his wisdom, breadth of view and firm- ness, he gave its political life great vigor, steadi- ness and progressiveness and established its mu- nicipal being on a firm and broad foundation. As a means to the intellectual improvement of the community and for the greater culture of its peo- ple he greatly desired the establishment of a col- lege in the town, laboring assiduously to secure one until his efforts and those of other public spir- ited men were crowned with success.
To the commercial advancement of Hillsdale Doctor Underwood gave much enterprise and ju- dicious expenditure of his capital. He built the first business block erected within its limits, com- pleting it in 1848, and, later, he erected a large brick store and office building and opera house. In politics he was a Republican, loyal to his party and always desirous of its success, but he could
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not be called an active partisan or an office-seeker. Twice he bowed beneath the flowery yoke of Eros, marrying, on the first occasion, in 1840, with Miss Mary M. Dickinson at Enfield, Mass. Their family consisted of three sons, all now deceased. This wife died on August 18, 1855, and, in 1856, he married Mrs. Jane Woods. They had two children, one, a son who was killed by accident, the other, a daughter, being now Mrs. Mary D. Lyons, of Hillsdale. Ever throughout his life Doctor Underwood was an ardent and most zeal- ous advocate of the cause of temperance, and by his labors in this behalf, he was of great service to many individuals, as well as to the community in general. 'He died in 1884 and his widow passed away in 1898. Both are buried at Hills- dale, the town of which they were so long hon- ored citizens and highly esteemed representatives.
HORACE N. TURRELL.
Horace N. Turrell, one of the pioncer mer- chants and leading business men of Litchfield, owner of the Exchange Bank, several business blocks and residence properties in the town, and one of the prime movers in the public and social life of the community, is a native of Cuyahoga county, Ohio, born on July 28, 1834. His parents were Nelson and Emma (Hawley) Turrell, both New Englanders by nativity, the former born near Burlington, Vt., and the latter at Litchfield, Conn. They moved to Pennsylvania soon after their marriage and from there a few years later to Ohio. Then, in 1835, they came to Michigan and settled in Lenawee county, where the father entered 400 acres of government land on which the hand of the husbandman had never rested, which he redeemed from its natural wildness and made comely and productive through his system- atic and well-applied industry. He resided on this domain until 1858, when he removed to Hills- dale, where he remained until 1862, then took up his residence at Litchfield and assisted in found- ing the mercantile enterprise now conducted by his son, Horace N., with which he was connected until his death on March 5, 1895. He was instru- mental in establishing the creamery in the town
and also in installing the telephone service here, and he was connected with the erection of several of the larger buildings which now adorn Litch- field. His widow survived him for three years, dying in 1898. They were the parents of nine children, of whom two sons and three daughters are living.
Their son, Horace N. Turrell, was educated mainly in the schools of Hillsdale, finishing at the college in that city and with a year's course at the agricultural college. After leaving college he was engaged in teaching for a number of years, following this pursuit in Hillsdale and Lenawee counties and at Ann Arbor. He also clerked for awhile in Lenawee county. In the spring of 1863 he settled at Litchfield, and, in conjunction with his father founded the mercantile establishment which he now conducts, which they managed jointly, under the firm-name of N. Turrell & Son, until his father's death in 1895. In 1894 he added banking to his business operations, for this pur- pose establishing the Exchange Bank of Litch- field, of which he is sole owner and manager, which does a large general banking business. Both his store and his bank were the first of their kind in the village, and both have won the guer- don of the enterprise and public spirit of which they are the expression. They are conducted on a high plane of uprightness and business capacity, having the confidence and approval of the com- munity in full measure.
In political faith Mr. Turrell is a devoted Re- publican, as an enterprising and progressive citi- zen he has given the community in which he lives the benefit of his wisdom and breadth of view by highly acceptable service in several local offices. He has been the president of the village and the town clerk, also a member of the board of review and the school board, on the latter of which he still renders efficient and appreciated service. In 1861 he married Miss Phoebe Bundey, a native of this county, and, of their five children, three are living, Minnie A., wife of D. R. Hawley, of Litchfield ; Ida M., wife of H. N. Cole, of Battle Creek ; Bernice P., wife of F. P. Parker, of Litch- field. Their mother died on November 13, 1900, and, on June 10, 1902, he married with his second
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wife, Mrs. Della Aldrich, of Somerset township. He is a member of the Masonic order and the Congregational church ; both he and his wife are valued members of the best social circles of the town and of the surrounding country.
CHARLES T. VAN AKEN.
Charles T. Van Aken, of Hillsdale, Michigan, is one of the substantial farmers of this county, in which he has passed nearly thirty years of his life. He was born at Hudson, this state, on De- cember 14, 1855, the son of Nathaniel and Julia A. (Rumsey) Van Aken, natives of New York, who became residents of Michigan in 1852. The father, a prominent employe of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad for many years, serving it in the important capacity of track-mas- ter, was accidentally killed in 1856, at the age of twenty-seven, having been born at Clarkson, N. Y., on January 5, 1829. His only child was his son, Charles T., of this review, whose grandfa- ther, John M. Van Aken, a New Yorker by birth, became a railroad contractor and died in Hillsdale county, Mich., in 1851.
Charles T. Van Aken grew to manhood and was educated in this state, receiving some school- ing also in Indiana. He was one of the early students of Hillsdale College, and, in 1873, he came to Hillsdale to reside, starting here, in part- nership with Mr. Knight, a boot-and-shoe empor- ium, conducted under the name and style of G. W. Knight & Co., which prospered from its in- ception. In 1884 Mr. Van 'Aken sold his inter- est in this establishment and went to South Oma- ha, where he was a pioneer, and there started an enterprise in the same line, which he conducted successfully until he sold it in 1895. He then re- turned to Michigan and, again locating at Hills- dale, purchased farms near the city which he is now superintending. He was married, in 1880. to Miss Frances A. Cook, a daughter of Hugh and Anna (Lyon) Cook, pioneers and highly re- spected citizens of this county until death ended their labors a few years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Van Aken have three children, Bertha, Grace and El- sie. Mr. Van Aken is a Democrat in political
faith ; in fraternal relations he belongs to the Ma- sonic order.
HUGH COOK, the father of Mrs. Van Aken, who died in 1895 at the age of seventy years, came to Michigan as a young man and bought government land, the patent for which is still in possession of the family. He was born in Penn- sylvania in 1825, the son of Samuel and Cather- ine (Albright) Cook, also natives of Pennsyl- vania, but residents of New York from their early married life until they came to this state, where, after a short residence in Lenawee county, they settled in Allen township, this county, and cleared a farm from the original woodland and devoted their energies to its improvement until 1854. At that time they moved to Hillsdale township, where they died, the father in 1866, and the mother at an old age. They were highly respected as pio- neers and as good citizens, performing with credit every duty of life, helping others by their exam- ple and by their active aid. Their family con- sisted of five children, three sons and two daugh- ters, all of whom are now deceased. Their son, Hugh, an industrious and skillful farmer, also acted as a salesman in this country for Eastern mercantile establishments. He was a progressive and public spirited man, who gave active and val- uable assistance to every enterprise that seemed likely to advance the interests of the county.
He was one of the founders and most zealous supporters of both Hillsdale College and of the County Agricultural Society, and, with great en- ergy, pushed the construction of public highways in the county. In 1855 he was married in New York with Miss Hannah Lyon, a native of that state, a member of one of its oldest families. She preceded her husband to the spirit world by two years, passing away in 1893. They had but one child, their daughter, Frances A. Cook, now Mrs. Charles T. Van Aken. Mr. Cook was a Republi- can in politics and during his long life in this state filled with credit many local offices. He and his wife were faithful members of the Baptist church, zealous workers in all its active charities and benevolent organizations. Their citizenship was elevated and elevating, their sense of duty strong and stimulating, their dispositions sunny and in-
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spiriting. Among the good people of Michigan who were active in building up the state and pro- moting its welfare in every way, none were more highly esteemed in life or are held in greater rev- erence in memory than this good couple, whose names are suggestive of every worthy attribute in human nature throughout a large extent of country.
Mr. Cook was a great lover of things fun- ny or humorous, always seeing the bright, sunny and the comic and ridiculous sides of life and heartily enjoying and appreciating all kinds of jokes. He had a happy and jovial disposition, and his fund of merriment and anecdotes added a keen zest to the warm hospitality of his home.
CORVIS M. BARRE.
Corvis M. Barre, of Hillsdale, president and general manager of the Hillsdale Screen Co., and vice-president of the First State Savings Bank. was born on a farm in Ripley township, Huron county, Ohio, on November 29, 1848, the son of John and Amy (Stout) Barre, the former a na- tive of New York and the latter of New Jersey. They were married in Niagara county New York, and soon after removed to Ohio, settling in Hu- ron county, where they were among the earliest pioneers, and where they passed the remainder of their lives, the father being prosperously en- gaged in farming.
Their son, Corvis M. Barre, was reared on the farm and educated at the public schools of the neighborhood and also at Milan (Ohio) Normal School. When he was fifteen years of age he en- listed in the Union army, beginning his term of service in May, 1864, and remaining in the field until the close of the war. He then taught school in his native state for a period of six years, and. in 1871, came to Michigan and located at Read- ing. Here he engaged in raising and handling liye stock and dealing in grain until 1878.
In the fall of 1878 he was elected to the dual offices of county clerk and register in chancery, a position which he held for six successive years with credit to himself and advantage to the peo-
ple, having had two reelections, three terms in all. In 1892 he was appointed by President Har- rison as U. S. consul at , Valparaiso, Chili, and held the office until removed by a subsequent hos- tile administration. This post is a very impor- tant and responsible one, requiring the utmost care and tact in the management of its duties, the port being the best on the Pacific coast. It is almost unnecessary to add that in Mr. Barre's charge every phase of official duty and propriety was strictly observed and every public interest diligently cared for. Before accepting this posi- tion, he had had seven years experience in active practice of the law, having done the necessary preparatory reading while in the clerk's office and he was admitted to the bar in 1885.
AAfter his return from Chili Mr. Barre re- sumed his professional activity and continued it until 1902, when he determined to give his atten- tion wholly to the business enterprises with which he had become connected, one of these being the Hillsdale Screen Company, which he organized in 1900, of which he was the president and general manager, another being the First State Savings Bank of Hillsdale, which he helped to organize in: 1902, and of which he has been a stockholder and the vice-president from its foundation. To these enterprises he has given close and careful attention, and under his intelligent and progres- sive influence they have thriven and flourished with a steadily increasing ratio, until they are now among the soundest and most esteemed institu- tions of the county.
In politics Mr. Barre has been a firm and active Republican from his young manhood, and has given his party devoted and loyal service. He belongs to the Masonic order through all the gra- dations of the craft up through symbolical, capit- ular, cryptic and templar Masonry in the York Rite. He is also very active as an Odd Fellow.
In August, 1882, he was married to Miss Kate E. Mitchell, a native of Hillsdale county and a daughter of Hon. C. T. Mitchell, a sketch of whom will be found on another page of this work. She died in March, 1885, and in April. 1891, he was married to his second wife. Mrs. Carrie A. (Boutwell) Woltmann, a native of Wisconsin.
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Conviom Bang
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but for many years a resident of Hillsdale. Among the tried and proven citizens of the coun- ty none stands higher or is more justly esteemed than Mr. Barre.
CHARLES S. VEEDER.
Charles S. Veeder, of Hillsdale, the pioneer · broom manufacturer of this county and southern Michigan, carries on his business on a scale of magnitude somewhat surprising to those who have no direct knowledge of its proportions. His life began at Fonda, Montgomery county, New York, on January 19, 1844, and his parents were Peter and Eveline (Schuyler) Veeder, also na- tives there. His grandfather was Aaron Veeder, a New York farmer, who closed a long life of ac- tive usefulness in his chosen vocation in his na- tive state. Peter Veeder was also a farmer, and he conducted a prosperous business in New York until after the death of his wife in 1846. He re- moved his family to Illinois in 1856, and there, after some years of steady industry, his life ended, dying in 1871. Nine of his children reached maturity, Charles S. Veeder being the only one resident in Michigan. His school days were passed in New York and Illinois, and his educa- tion was received in the public schools.
In 1861 Mr. Veeder came to this state and soon thereafter enlisted in Co. G, Sixteenth Mich- igan Infantry, being enrolled at White Pigeon. His regiment was a part of the Army of the Poto- · mac, one of the fighting regiments that was at the front in all the campaigns of that great fight- ing organization. It participated in the sanguin- ary and hotly contested fields of Yorktown, the Seven Days' fight before Richmond, Second Bull Run, Antietam, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Pe- tersburg, Richmond and many intermediate and interesting engagements. His company was on the skirmish line near Appomattox, and received the flag of truce which opened the way for the surrender of General Lee and was of the fortu- nate army that witnessed the surrender at Appo- mattox. Mr. Veeder took part in forty battles and skirmishes, yet was never wounded nor ab- sent from duty. He was discharged from the
service in August, 1865, and later took part in the Grand Review in Washington, coming out of the service with the rank of first lieutenant, to which he had risen by meritorious service.
Mr. Veeder returned to Michigan, passed a few months at Adrian College, then turned his attention to printing, working in the office of the Hudson Post for a time, after which he engaged in farming. In 1873 he began the manufacture of brooms at Hillsdale, at first doing all of his own work in the business. In 1876 he built both his present factory and his home, and, from that . time, he has carried on his industry on a larger scale. He now employs nine men, the factory having a capacity of 6,000 dozen brooms a year. This number he makes and sells in Michigan, Indiana and Ohio. His product has a high rank in the market, there being a demand for more than he can supply. In 1869 Mr. Veeder was married to Miss Nettie M. Lauder, a native of New York, and they have two children, Edwin J. and Stelle E., wife of S. R. Ramsay, of Hills- dale. In politics Mr. Veeder was an active work- ing Republican from his early manhood until 1896. Since that time he has affiliated with the Democratic party. He has not sought public of- fice but has capably served as alderman from his ward in Hillsdale. He is an Adventist in relig- ious faith, and also is a square, upright man, well posted in current events, who carries on a profit- able business and enjoys the respect of all who know him.
FRANK H. WALSH.
Frank H. Walsh, of Allen township, is a brother of Joseph J. Walsh, farther mention of whom will be found on another page of this work, and is one of the two sons of John and Susan (Wheellock) Walsh, who helped to clear and cultivate the family homestead and he now lives on this and owns a part of it. He was born on this estate on November 12, 1857, and was reared amid its inspiring scenes and invigorating labors, drawing his stature and his strength from its fer- tile soil, and, returning with interest to that por- tion of our mother Earth in his productive toil,
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the bounty which she bestowed. He received a limited education at the schools of the neighbor- hod, but he has since enlarged it with many use- ful lessons from his experience and with many wise conclusions from his close and judicious ob- servation. His father died in 1886, on May II, and his mother is still living on the homestead with himself and his brother Joseph. From his childhood he has been engaged in farm work, and, by study and intelligent application of his knowl- edge and judgment, he has become a model farm- er, who has put into visible results on his farm the evidence of his skill and industry in his line of enterprise.
.Mr. Walsh was united in marriage withi Miss Bessie Lane, in December, 1890. She is a native of Linn county, Mo., and a daughter of Acie K. Lane. Their union was blessed with two chil- dren, their son, Leon K., and their daughter, Bes- sie A. The mother died in 1897, and, on March 20, 1902, Mr. Walsh married a second wife, Miss Emma Hillman, a native of Iowa, whose parents, Albert and Sarah Hillman, are now residents of Branch county, in this state, where they have been living for many years. One son has been born to this union, Harold F., born on March 30, 1903. In political allegiance Mr. Walsh is an unwaver- ing Democrat, always giving the principles and candidates of his party loyal support, but he is in no sense a self-seeking politician and has never desired or accepted office in any capacity. He is a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal church, standing well in the regards and good will of his neighbors and friends and among all classes of people in the community in general. He is one of those substantial and useful citizens of the township, who are ever deeply concernea in its progress and development.
JOSEPH J. WALSH.
Joseph J. Walsh, a prosperous and highly re- spected farmer of Allen township, is descended from a long line of Irish ancestors, who were conspicuous in all the trials and triumphs of their race in County Wexford, of their native isle, whether engaged in the quiet and fruitful pur-
suits of peace or leading the fortunes of their clan in war. His parents were Jolin and Susan (Wheellock) Walsh, the father emigrating to the United States in 1835, the mother coming over in 1850, with his grandfather, Michael Walsh. Michael and Joseph J. Walsh made their way al- most directly to Hillsdale county by way of the Erie canal to Buffalo, then across the lake to . Detroit, coming from there to the land on which Joseph now lives. The father, John Walsh, was then a young man, one of five brothers who are now all dead. Their father entered a large tract of government land in Allen township, this coun- ty, and his sons aided in the clearing- of it and in the bringing of it to fertility, making it comfort- able and comely with rich improvements. When Michael died, the sons still worked together, con- tinuing their joint occupancy and operation of the farm until 1861, when they agreed on a division, each taking his portion of the land and becoming its sole manager.
John Walsh resided on his portion until his death on May 11, 1886. His widow still survives, and with their two sons is living on the family homestead. She is now seventy-four years old. The father, originally a Episcopalian, in religious affiliation, late in life became a Methodist. He was a Democrat in politics, but not an active par- tisan and never sought or held office. His son, Joseph J. Walsh, was reared on the farm and re- ceived his education at the district schools near his home. He has been engaged in farming all of his life, and has learned the industry of agricul- - ture from its elementary principles up to its most advanced development. His farm fully shows the benefit of a systematic application of intelligence and a wise breadth of view to an industry too often deemed to need no forethought of mental activity in its operations.
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