USA > Michigan > Hillsdale County > Compendium of history and biography of Hillsdale County, Michigan > Part 76
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industry and unyielding duty. Early in lifc, she was obliged, by the limited circumstances of the family, to work out from home and carn her own living, and it was during her fidelity in this serv- icc that she met her future husband.
Mr. Hopkins was a man of public spirit and enterprise, who always gave active and service- able support to every commendable undertaking · for the good of the community. He served a number of years as highway commissioner, and, in 1860, was elected supervisor of Sonicrsct town- ship. For a period of ten years thercafter he held this important office, administering its affairs with credit to himself and to the advantage of the township. In 1874 he was again spoken of for the position, but he withdrew from the caucus of his party in order that another man might be selected. He was a director of the Farmers' In- surance Co., and he was also for many years on the managing committee of the county fair. Dur- ing the Civil War he was very diligent in collect- ing supplies for the soldiers in the field and in oth- erwise upholding the cause of the Union. From the organization of the party hic was a Republican in political faith and always gave its principles and its candidates an carnest and loyal support. At his death he owned about 700 acres of land and a large amount of property, although he had made liberal distribution to members of his fam- ily. Mr. Hopkins was a leading man in his town- ship, universally respected as a wisc counsellor, an upright and straightforward business man, a far- seeing and progressive citizen, a moral force of great and lasting valuc. Mr. and Mrs. Hopkins were the parents of one child, their daughter, Martha, now the wife of Amasa Chandler, of Somerset, in this county.
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LUDD CHANDLER, the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Hopkins, was born in Somerset township, Hillsdale county, on February 5, 1861. His par- ents are Amasa and Martha (Hopkins) Chandler, the former a native of New York, and the latter of Hillsdale county, this state. The father, a farmer, came to Michigan with his widowed mother when he was young. They located in Somerset township where he married, for years there followed his chosen occupation, and, with
MR. AND MRS. S. D. HOPKINS.
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his wife, is now enjoying a well-earned ease and quiet in a retired life at Jerome. They are the parents of two children, their sons, Ludd and Jay. The younger one was reared at home, and, on reaching years of maturity, married with Miss Amanda McCurdy and is now the father of two children.
The elder of the sons, Ludd Chandler, was reared by his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Hop- kins, and, after leaving school, he took charge of his grandfather's farm, which he is still ·efficient- ly conducting. On September 9, 1883, he married with Miss Ida Aldrich, also a native of Hillsdale · county, a daughter of Benjamin F. and Elizabeth (Van Alstein) Aldrich, the former a native of New York and the latter of Michigan. The fa- ther came to this state with his parents in infancy. and was reared and educated, as was the mother, in this county. Mr. Aldrich was a leading busi- ness man, who actively engaged in the manufac- ture of brick and tile for a number of years and has held many offices of trust and responsibility, notably that of school director, in which he ren- dered efficient service to the cause of public educa- tion. He and his estimable wife are attentive friends and supporters of the Methodist Episco- pal church, prominent in its works of benevolence. He is a Republican in politics, having for years been active in the service of his party. Their only offspring is their daughter, Ida, Mrs. Ludd Chandler. Mr. Chandler owns 680 acres of valu- able land, commencing his business operations with 280 acres. He has an attractive residence, a good barn, and is filling his grandfather's place in the confidence and service of the community.
BEN R. ALWARD.
Scarcely anything in the business life of America is more striking or suggestive than the opportunities it affords to young men of capac- ity and enterprise, and the decided adaptability to its requirements which they exhibit. All our life from youth is a preparation for more respon- sible and important work, for it is all active and exacting experience, requiring readiness and quickness of perception, clearness of vision and
broad and responsive resourcefulness. The age is rapid, does not halt for studious reflection, and those who are embarked on its hurrying currents must work with the tide or be left behind. One of the impressive illustrations of this truth pre- sented by the business circles of Hillsdale county is found in the career of Ben R. Alward, of Cam- den, the owner of the private bank of that village, which is one of the best known and widely useful financial institutions of the county. Mr. Alward had a continued and thorough course of prepa- ration for the banking business under the direc- tion of a master of fiscal affairs, and his course since he became the head of the bank which he operates has demonstrated that the lessons given to him were not wasted and that his vocation was wisely chosen.
Ben R. Alward was born in Camden town- ship, Mich., on December 4, 1876, the son of John B. and Ella R. (Stewart) Alward, a sketch of whom will be found elsewhere in this volume. His education was begun in the public schools of the township and completed by a course of three years 'at Hillsdale College. In the intervals be- tween the terms of the schools he was attending he was employed in the office of Orson D. Ches- ter, whose business interests were extensive and varied. After leaving college it became necessary for young Alward to take the place of his father as the cashier of Mr. Chester's bank, a position long held by the father and which he was obliged to give up by failing health. He resigned in the fall of 1895, and the son served as cashier from that time until the death of Mr. Chester on No- vember 7, 1902. Mr. Alward then established the Bank of Camden as the successor of Mr. Chester's bank in the popular favor, and he has since conducted it with increasing popularity and an expanding business. It is a private banking institution, with sufficient capital and flexibility and breadth of spirit and management to meet the requirements of the community, having a liberality in accommodation that makes it a val- uable adjunct to every phase of the industrial and commercial life in the midst of which it is conducted. Its security is well established, its methods are modern, its resources good and ex-
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pansive and its facilities have scope for rapid and accurate work at all times.
In addition to his business activity Mr. Al- ward exhibits a commendable practical interest in the general affairs of the community, giving to its public and social life a due share of his time and attention, and materially aiding by his per- sonal efforts and influence all undertakings for its advancement or the welfare of its people. He is a zealous member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to Camden Lodge. In all parts of the county he is looked upon as one of the rising men of southern Michigan, elevated and clevating in his citizenship, and worthy of the high esteem in which he is universally held.
RUFUS F. SEELYE.
Rufus F. Seelve is a native of Pittsford town- ship, Michigan, born on June 6. 1838, on the farm which is now his home and on which his whole life so far has been passed. His parents were Elijah and Sarah O. (Fancher) Seelye, the father being a native of Vermont and the mother of New York. They were married in 1835. and. after ten years of happy wedded life, the mother died, in 1845, leaving two sons. The second wife was Miss Mary M. Hall, of Rochester. N. Y., who lived but a year and died, leaving one son as her offspring. In 1847 Mr. Seelye was united with his third wife. erst Miss Lydia Kelsey, of Herkimer county. New York, who became the mother of two sons. Seymour K. and Alexander H. Seelye, now residents of Chicago. The ekler Scelye was a prominent and influential citizen of this county from his first arrival. He was the first supervisor of Pittsford township, serving from 1836 to 1838, again filling this office in 1840 and a third time in 1849, while, in 1839, he was elect- ed to the lower house of the State Legislature.
He was active in church affairs, helped to found the First Presbyterian church of Bean Creek, now the Congregational church of Hud- son, and was one of its first elders. He continued to serve this organization either as an elder or a deacon for a period of forty years, during all of this time being a very potent and important fac-
tor in its work and progress. By industry and thrift he succeeded in redeeming from the forest one of the best farms in the township, converting the wilderness tract into a pleasant home for his family. His useful life ended on April 10, 1876. after a long career in public service and private industry, in which he proved himself ever a safe counsellor for the general weal. afirm and faithful friend to every worthy man who sought associa- tion with him or came in contact with his strong and helpful character. He was a Democrat until the organization of the Republican party when he transferred his political allegiance to this new or- ganization, which, throughout the rest of his life, . icceived his loyal and earnest support.
Rufus Seelye reached manhood on the pater- nal homestead without incident worthy of note. He attended the district schools and finished his education in books with a course of instruction pursued in a business college in Chicago. He re- mained at home until the death of his father, then purchased a portion of the home farm, on which he has since continuously dwelt. In December, 1873, he was united in marriage with Miss Gert- rude A. Brooks, a native of Oneida county, New York, the daughter of John S. and Julia ( Web- ber) Brooks, who came with their family to Hills- ciale county in 1868, where both have since died. Mr. Seelye has always been a Republican in poli- tics, serving the township as supervisor for seven terms beginning in 1878 and for a number of years as clerk. He and his wife are members of the Congregational church at Hudson, of this re- ligious body he has long been a deacon. By his upright and consistent life he has well maintained the traditions of his family, and, in the respect and confidence of the community, he has won and now holds the same high place his father held.
WILLIAM C. JOHNSON.
Born in western New York when it was a part of the almost unbroken wilderness, and moving from there to northwestern Ohio when it was in the same condition. William C. John- son, of Camden township, in Hillsdale county. passed all of his childhood, youth and early man-
RUFUS F. SEELYE AND WIFE.
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HILLSDALE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
hood on the frontier, and imbibed the full free spirit of its wild life, exhilarating freedom and ready and resourceful self-reliance. Losing his father when he was but eleven years old, and be- ing thus obliged to start in life for himself at an age when most boys are still in school, and pre- paring for life's battle rather than engaging in it, the success he has had and the substantial gains he has made in his life work, are entirely the result of his own enterprise, nerve and capac- ity. Mr. Johnson was born on January 1, 1835, in Orleans county, N. Y., the son of Amos C. and Betsey (Hicks) Johnson, the former being a na- tive of Vermont and the latter of Orleans county, N. Y. While yet a boy the father came to the home county of his future wife and was there reared, educated and married. In 1843 he moved his family to Williams county, Ohio, and settled near Hillsdale county. Michigan, close to the boundary line of the state. There he died in September. 1846. Later in life his widow mar- ried again, and finally passed away from earth at an advanced age in Indiana.
After the death of his father and the second marriage of his mother, William Johnson was thrown entirely on his own resources, and at once took up the burden of earning his own livelihood with energy and spirit. He was employed on farms in the neighborhood of his home. and gradually got farther and farther from the family hearthstone. The winter of 1853 he passed in the woods near Rockford. Ill .. getting out timber for the railroads, and thereafter worked in vari- ou's places in Michigan and Ohio, until he deter- mined to settle down to regular farming for himself. and, to this end. in partnership with his brother, bought forty acres of land in Camden township, of this county. At the beginning of the Civil War he sold his interest in this land and in the fall of 1861 enlisted as a private in Co. K. Eleventh Michigan Infantry. He served for three years and one month, was promoted first corporal and later sergeant, and. although his regiment was in much of the hardest fight- ing that the Army of the Cumberland. to which it was attached. was engaged in, he escaped un- hurt and without being taken prisoner, or suf-
fering any great inconvenience beyond the or- dinary hardships and privations of an army in the field or on the march. But he saw many a gallant comrade fall by his side and witnessed death in some of its most horrid forms, having many close calls himself. He was in the hottest of the fight at Stone River. Chickamauga and Missionary Ridge, and took part in many more engagements of importance as well as numerous skirmishes and small contests.
After the war Mr. Johnson returned to the pursuits of peaceful production in his rural home. and for some years owned a threshing outfit, which he operated in the useful service of the farmers as far away from home as the interior of Iowa, where he sold it. In 1868 he made a trip to Kansas with the intention of locating there, but, being discouraged by the ravages of the hordes of grasshoppers, he returned to Mich- igan and settled on the farm he now owns in Camden township. He was married in January, 1855, to Miss Clarissa Myers, a native of Wayne county. N. Y., and a daughter of Joshua and Jane ( Penoyar) Myers, being a sister of Christo- pher and Walter Myers, of all of whom sketches appear on other pages of this volume. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have had two children, their daughters, Rebecca J., who died at the age of fourteen, and Lorinda I., the wife of Jacob H. Laughlin, of Reading. In political faith Mr. Johnson is an earnest and uncompromising Re- publican, but he is not an active partisan. He served for five years as a justice of the peace, and was the postmaster at South Camden for nearly seven. Both Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are mem- bers of the Liberal United Brethren church, and take an active part in its works of benevolence.
FRED M. WIGENT.
Fred M. Wigent, one of the prominent, ener- getic and successful farmers and stockgrowers of Camden township in this county, was born in the region where he now lives, and has passed the whole of his life so far in its development and improvement. His life began in Camden town- ship February 5. 1862, and he is the oldest son
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of Andrew J. and Belinda (Foust) Wigent, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere. He was reared on his father's farm to habits of industry and frugality. His education was received in the district schools and at such times as he could be spared from the work at home, for there was plenty to do and the aid of all the household was required in the busy seasons. When he reached the age of twenty-one he bought fifty acres of land and began farming on his own account. Two years later he purchased fifty acres more, and ten years after that 160 more. All of this he has cleared and reduced to productiveness, and he has also worked several winters in the woods getting out lumber and firewood, in connection with his farming operations. During the last few years he has' devoted considerable attention to raising stock, especially sheep, of which he has fed large numbers ; and for two years he has been extensively engaged in dairying, having twenty-seven milch cows of high grade. In order that all his stock may be properly cared for and the feed he raises for them may be always abun- dant and in proper condition, he has a silo on his farm with a capacity of about 120 tons. Every- thing about his place indicates that there is a master spirit in control of it, and his success is the legitimate product of his energy, capacity and good management. His life work has been in accordance with his tastes and he has put in it all the enterprise and skill of a very progressive man. On October 5, 1882, he was married to Miss Elva Throop, a native of Steuben county, Ind., the daughter of AAllen and Chloe ( Dickin- son) Throop, natives of New York. Her father died in 1876, in her native county, where her mother is now living on the old homestead. Three
children have blessed their union: Carrie, who is the wife of Frank Shaub, of Camden town- ship ; and Homer and Ralph, who are living at home. Mr. Wigent is a Democrat in politics, but he is not an active partisan in local affairs, giving his vote to the candidate he deems best fitted for the office. He belongs to the Odd Fel- lows at Camden, the Maccabees at Reading, and the Modern Woodmen and the Patrons of Hus- bandry at Montgomery. As he is a man of thrift.
vigor and enterprise in the management of his own affairs, so he displays the same qualifications in reference to those of the community, being one of the most progressive and useful among the public-spirited men of his township, and holding by his merit a high place in the regard and good will of his fellowmen in all parts of the county.
WM. E. RESSEGUIE.
A representative and prominent citizen of the city of Hillsdale, Michigan, is William E. Resse- guic, who is now one of the heads of the city government, representing the Fourth ward as an alderman and a member of the city council. He is a native of the state of New York, born on August 5. 1849. the son of William and Laura (Hart) Resseguie, both natives of the Empire state. His father, who was of French Huguenot ancestry, followed the occupation of farming in the state of New York up to the year 1860, when he removed his residence to the state of Michi- gan, and established himself at the city of Kala- mazoo, where he remained up to the year 1864, when he disposed of his property in Michigan, and returned to his former home in New York state.
In 1872 he was again influenced to go to the western country, and once more removed to Michigan, settling at Grand Ledge, in the county of Eaton. Here he continued to reside up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1896. He was a highly respected citizen of that locality, and during his residence there held various posi- tions of trust and honor. The mother is still living, and makes her home at Grand Ledge. To this worthy pair were born six children, three of whom still survive. The family are of French extraction.
William E. Resseguie, the immediate subject of this sketch, grew to manhood in his native state of New York, and received his early edu- cation in the public schools of the vicinity of his place of nativity. After the completion of his term of education he was apprenticed to learn both coopering and painting, and followed these employments up to the year 1880, when he dis-
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posed of his property in New York, removed his residence to the state of Michigan and settled at Grand Ledge, where he remained in the active pursuit of his former occupations until 1881. He then removed to Coldwater, where he accepted a position in the employ of B. H. Calkins, and there remained up to the year of 1897. He then re- moved his residence to the city of Hillsdale, there accepting a position with the F. W. Stork Mill- ing Co. as its head cooper and is still holding this position.
On January 1, 1869, at Medina, New York, Mr. Resseguie was united in marriage to Miss Hannah Goose, a native of England. To this union have been born six children, Laura E., Lena E., Lillian M., Frank B., Anna B. and Henry E., and their home has been one noted for its many evidences of affection and refinement.
Fraternally, Mr. Resseguie is affiliated with the Masonic order, having attained chapter relations, and takes an active interest in the fraternal and social improvements and welfare of the com- munity where he resides. Politically, he is closely identified with the Democratic party, and is an active and leading member of the local organi- zation of that party. He was elected in 1901 on the Democratic ticket to represent the Fourth ward of the city of Hillsdale in the city council, and he has ably and faithfully discharged the re- sponsible duties of that position. He is held in high esteem by all classes of his fellow citizens, and greater honors doubtless await him, if he cares to accept them.
EDMUND C. DAVIS.
The capable and obliging county treasurer of Hillsdale county, who retired from office on Jan- uary 1, 1903, is a native of the county, born at Wheatland, on November 15, 1845. His parents were Homer C. and Minerva (Smith) Davis, natives of New York, the former of Saratoga county and the latter of Livingston. The father was a farmer and cooper, who came to Michigan in 1839 and purchased a farm of forty acres in Wheatland township, Hillsdale county, which he cleared up and afterwards sold, then bought
120 acres in Amboy township, where he made his permanent home and where he and his wife passed away. He filled several local offices with ability and credit, among them that of justice of the peace in Wheatland township and that of township clerk in Amboy, holding the latter for seventeen years. He was one of six children, three sons and three daughters, all now deceased, he being the only one who ever lived in Michigan. His father, Elihu Davis, was a native of Dan- bury, Conn., and was engaged for many years in the wholesale and retail grocery business in New York city. He was a colonel of the New York militia in the War of 1812, making an excellent record in the service, and some years after its close he died in Orleans county, New York.
Edmund C. Davis is wholly a product of this county. Here he was born and reared, in its pub- lic schools he received his education, from its soil he drew his stature and his strength, and, when armed resistance threatened the existence of the Union and the contest grew arduous and the condition of affairs serious, he obeyed a call to the field with the warlike spirit of his ancestor, and enlisted in February, 1864, as a member of Co. B, Twenty-fifth O. V. V. I., and creditably represented the county in the service. His regi- ment was in service in the Virginia and South Carolina campaigns, and he participated in many important and hard-fought engagements, notably those at Honey Hill, S. C., on November 30, 1864, and Gaines Mills, same state, on December 2 fol- lowing, at both of which Mr. Davis was slightly wounded. After the war the regiment was sta- tioned at Columbia, S. C., and did duty over the state during the carly part of the reconstruction era. It was mustered out of the service at Colum- bus, Ohio, in June, 1866, the subject of this sketch holding the rank of first corporal.
Mr. Davis returned to Hillsdale and a short time afterward removed to Kalkaska county, where he entered government land and started to improve it. He soon sold it, however, and came back to this county, purchasing the old home- stead, which he still owns. While living in Kal- kaska county he held the office of supervisor for two years and served three years as township
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clerk of Amboy township and seven years as its supervisor. In the fall of 1898 he was elected county treasurer of Hillsdale county, and was re- elected in 1900.
The interest of Mr. Davis in the cause of agriculture induced him to serve as one of the directors of the county fair for six years. In all of the positions he has held he gave satisfactory service to the people and won for himeslf their cordial commendations. In politics he is a life- long Republican, and for ten years he has served his party as a member of its county central com- mittec. His fraternal affiliations are with both the Grand Army of the Republic and the Odd Fellows, and in the latter organization he has filled the chairs in his lodge.
Mr. Davis was married on July 24. 1872, to Miss Bettie Culver, a native of Branch county, this state. They have five children, Homer, Gert- rude M., wife of C. P. White, of Battle Creek ; Dolly M., Mrs. R. I. Havens, of Cincinnati, Ohio ; Fern A. and Winifred L. Davis. In every rela- tion of life Mr. Davis is highly respected by all who know him, and he is one of the best known men in the county.
CAPT. CHARLES H. GORSUCH.
Born and reared in Ohio, and at the dawn of his young manhood being summoned to the de- fense of his country against armed resistance, serving with commendable fidelity and bravery through the most gigantic and sanguinary war of the century, bearing patiently. and with resolute endurance. some of the most trying, arduous and dangerous parts of the service and wearing still the marks of its burdens, and, since the close of the Civil War, being successfully engaged in the inspiriting contests of peace in both rural and city life, in farming and in trade, Capt. Charles H. Gorsuch, now of Waldron, Michigan, has had a wide and varied experience, and has well learned its lessons of worldly wisdom and self-reliance.
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