USA > Michigan > Branch County > History of Branch county, Michigan, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 76
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" Arr No. 29, section 21. All that part of the county of Branch designated in the United States survey as township number five south
Wisner, Asa R.
Lampman, Abraham l'.
Weatherwax, John T.
Warren, Alanson D. Warner, George V.
Weller, Linus.
1847. Jesse Bowen.
1855. Moses V. Calkins. ..
Norris, Jacob.
Rossman, Solander.
Richardson, George W.
Ford, Daniel R. Fniler, Zina.
Shelp, Henry.
304
HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Supervisors.
1858. Moses V. Calkins.
Charles E. Bowers.
R. U. Floyd. Jay Taylor.
1860,
Moses V. Calkins. 6.
Richard S. Wood.
1854. John Ilager.
1840. Jacob Shook. 1856. L. B. Ramsdell.
1862. Charles E. Bowers.
R. U. Floyd,
1863. = 66
Hiram II. Bennett.
=
1864. 66
Ira S. Lampman. George W. Clark.
1864. Barzilla 11. Calkins.#
1865. .6
Jos. A. Weatherwax.
1866.
Daniel Clark.
F. M. Bissell.
1867.
Tra S. Lampman.
A, B, La Fleur.
1868.
B. O. Moorc.
1869. Moses V. Calkins.
1870, A. A. Van Orthwick. 44
1871.
John W. Henry. Joseph A. Bowen.
1872.
Marcus M. Calkins. ..
1873. Barzilla H. Calkins.
Horace B. Powers.
1874. A. A. Van Orthwick. Thomas Sinclair.
66
1875. Bradley O. Moore.
J. E. Moore.
1876. John M. Davids. A. W. Eaton.
1877. Bradley O. Moore. Dwight L. Burbank.
1878. John M. Davids. Thomas Sinclair.
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE,
1839. Charles C. Hayes.
1861, Jesse Bowen.
1842. David Decker.
Joel D. Lindsay.
184-1. Daniel Shook.
1862. II. B. Powers.
Timothy M. Newton.
M. M. Fox.
1845. Jesse Bowen.
L. Lampman.
1846. Hiram HI. Bennett. David Decker.
1863. Moses Iloskins. Francis H. Ross.
IS47. Iliram Il. Bennett.
1864. John M. Davids.
1848. Charles E. Bowers.
1865. Ira S. Lampman.
1849. Abraham P. Lampman. John T. Wisner. 1850. David Decker. 1868. L. B. Ramsdell.
1851. G. R. Culver.
1869. John M. Davids.
1853. George Elmore. John M. Davids. Fra Allen.
1870. Horace B. Powers.
187t. Cornelius Denham. Jacob J. Bush.
1854. Moses V. Calkins.
1855. John M. Davids.
Horace B. Powers. Gardner Herrick.
1873. John M. David.
1856. Richard U. Floyd.
1857. Duncan McIntosh.
1858, Jesse Bowen.
1859. Horace B. Powers. Jesse Bowen.
John M. Davids.
1860. Richard U. Floyd.
1878. Wallace Allen.
ASSESSORS.
1839. Jesse Bowen.
1845. Joseph Ilager. Chauncey Day.
1846, Joseph Hager.
1840. John Lampman.
Hiraiu II. Bennett.
B. D. Swart.
1847. Duncan MeIntosh. Ilenry S. Lampman.
1841. Charles C. Ilayes. John Lampman.
1848. Charles C. Ilayes. Richard U. Floyd.
Charles Evens.
1849. John T. Weatherwax. Charles C. Hayes.
1842. John Hager.
John T. Weatherwax. 1850. Joseph Ilager.
1843. Jesse Bowen.
Charles C. Hayes.
1844. Joseph Hager.
1851. John T. Weatherwax.
John T. Weatherwax. Joseph Hager.t
* To fill vacancy.
Since the date last mentioned the supervisors have performed the duties of assessors.
HIGHWAY COMMISSIONERS.
1839. Henry S. Lampman.
1853. Milo White.
David Decker. John S. Lampman.
1861. Moses V. Calkins.
Charles W. Bennett.
David Decker. Henry S. Lampman.
1858. W. R. Kisson, F. H. Ross.
1841. Jacob Shook. George Lockwood. 1859. Lorenzo D. Ramsdell.
David Decker.
1860. Dwight L. Burbank.
1843. Ilenry S. Lampman.
Thomas I. Edwards.
1862. Lawrence Decker.
George Lock wood.
O. W. Wright.
1844. Ileury S. Lampinan. John Hager. George Lockwood.
1845. T. J. Rossman. Duncan McIntosh.
1865. Thomas I. Edwards. Romanto Lake, William H. Taylor.
John Hager. 1866. Dwight L. Burbank.
1846. Duncan Melatosh.
1868. Thomas P. Evaus.
T. J. Rossman.
1869. Dwight L. Burbank.
Johu Ilager.
1870. Iliram Burlison.
1847. Milo White. Ira S. Lampman.
Benjamin A. Rogers.
1872. Edward W. Perry. John O'Neil. 1873. Edward W. Perry.
1848. B. A. Rogers. Milo White. John Lampman.
1874, Lawrence Decker.
1875. Edward W. Perry.
1849. Duncan McIntosh.
1876. John Bignold.
1850. Daniel Shook.
1877. Aaron A. Van Orthwick.
1851. John Hager. 1878. Daniel Clark.
WAR LEGISLATION.
" To the Township Board of the Township of Butler : We the under- signed, electors of the township of Butler, respectfully request the Township Board to eall a special town-meeting, for the purpose of voting on the subject of raising a tax for the payment of a bounty to encourage enlistment on the credit of said township. (Signed) Wil- liam H. Hlager, Horace Curtis, Sylvester Rogers, Levi Curtis, Jr., Henry Curtis, William Wiltse, Josiah McDonald, Daniel Clark, Row- land MeDouald, John McDonald, Edward McDonald, G. L. Germond, E. Wiltse, William Rogers, Stephen Mann, R. Lake.
" We, the Township Board of the township of Butler, on request made by twelve or more electors of said township, do hereby order that a special township-meeting be hell for the purpose of voting on the subject of raising a tax to pay hounties to volunteers who may culist and he credited to said township of Butler. The said special meeting to be held on Thursday, the 19th day of January, 1865. Given under our hands this 9th day of January, 1865.
" B. II. CALKINS, " H. B. POWERS, " IRA L. LAMI'MAN,
Twp. Board."
At this meeting 85 votes were cast in favor of bounty and 26 votes against bounty. It is unknown how much money was raised at this period for the payment of bounties. Feb. 24, 1864, $1600 was paid to volunteers.
STATISTICAL-1839 vs. 1874.
The following is a complete list of those assessed for taxes in 1839 :
Charles C. Ilayes, section 2, 80 acres. Ira Sheldon, section 6, 70 acres. Ira Dennis, section 6, 80 acres. David Decker, sectiou 9, 160 acres. Lyman Rogers, sections 2 and 3, 120 acres.
Lyman Putnam, section 3, 80 acres. John S. Heath, section 10, 180 acres. Henry S. Lampman, section 14, 80 acres, 2 oxen, t eow.
Benjamin Rogers, section 15, 80 acres. Thomas J. Rossman, section 14, 160 aeres.
..
Thomas J. Rossman.
Charles C. Hayes.
1872. Moses V. Calkins. IIenry S. Delamater.
1874. Ilorace B. Powers, Ilomer Moore. Charles White.
1875. M. T. Lucas.
1876. O. D. Curtis. 1877. John M. Davids.
Torrence C. Dery.
Town Clerks. Treasurers. 0. 11. Hadlock.
1859. Jesse Bowen.
1857. William Rossman.
1861. Charles E. Bowers.
1863. Dwight L. Burbank.
1864. Ilarlow Williams.
1871. Lawrence Decker.
1866. Horace B. Powers. J. Pardee.
Daniel Dresser.
Milo White.
PHOTOS BY KINDMARK COLD WATER
DAVID 'LINSDAY.
MRS. DAVID LINSDAY
RESIDENCE OF LUCINDA R. LINSDAY, BUTLER, BRANCH CO.,MICH.
305
HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
David Lindsay, sections 14 and 15, 150 acres, 2 oxen, I cow. John Hart, section 15, 10 neres.
Charles Kennedy, section 15. 40 acres.
Milo White, scetions 19 and 20, 480 acres.
Alanson Rogers, section 22, 80 neres.
Dan Casey, section 23, 88 acres.
Charles M. and Asa R. Wisner, seetion 24, 80 acres.
Daniel Shook, section 26, 160 acres.
S. 1 .. Willner, section 25, 80 acres.
Ellis S. Tillson, section 25, 10 neres.
John T. Wisner, sections 25, 26, 35, and 36, 500 acres.
Richard S. Wood, section 31, 80 neres.
Tyler MeWhorter, scetion 35, 100 acres.
George Lockwood, section 36, 120 acres.
William P. Deyoe, section 34, 40 acres.
Allen Purdy, section 34, 80 acres.
Merrill Morehouse, scetion 35, 80 neres.
lesse Bowen, section 36, 200 neres.
Jacob Shook, sections 26 and 27, 480 acres, I wagon, 2 oxen, 1 cow.
Solander Rossman, sections 12 and 13, 240 acres, I wagon, 2 oxen,
1 cow.
1874.
Population.
1,389
Farmers ..
265
Aeres in farm lands
19,641
Acres of wheat growing, June, 1874
2,780
..
harvested in 1873.
2,328
corn ..
1,373
Bushels of wheat
27,462
=
corn
67,177
other grains harvested in 1873
14,000
Tons of hay
Pounds of wool sheared in 1873.
12,605
=
pork marketed in 1873
17,131
44
butter "
57,725
fruit dried for market in 1873
25,113
Barrels of cider made in 1873
429
Pounds of maple-sugar made in 1873.
6,719
Valne of fruits and vegetables sold in 1873
$5,000
Ilorses over one year old in 1874.
630
Mules ...
26
Milch eows in 1874
769
Cattle over one year old, other than oxen and milch COW8
624
Swine over six months old in 1874.
876
Sheep 4
2,761
sheared in 1873.
2,654
Mills and factories.
Operated by steam
3
Persons employed. 30
Capital invested.
$11,000
Value of products.
$35,000
SCHOOLS.
The first school-house was built upon Shook's Prairie in 1838. Charles M. Wisner was the first teacher, and taught in the school-house mentioned during the winter of 1838- 39. Miss Rhoda Hewett, of Quiney, taught school in the same house during the following summer. Two or three more log school-houses were erected soon after ; but schools and school reports did not flourish to any extent until within a very recent period.
From a school report, for the year ending Sept. 2, 1878, are taken the following statisties : Number of districts, 7; frame school-houses, 5; stone, 2; seating capacity of, 380. Value of school property, 83700. Children of school age, 388 ; attending school during the year, 371. Male teachers employed during the year, 4; female, 10. Months taught by male teachers, 12; by female, 39. Paid to male tenehers, $420; to female, 8581.
Receipts .- Total resources from moneys on hand Sept. 3, 1877, two-mill tax, primary-school fund, tuition of non-
resident scholars, district taxes for all purposes, and from other sources, $1580.95.
Expenditures .- Teachers' wages, $1001; repairs of school buildings, $86.50 ; all other purposes, $276. Amount on hand, Sept. 2, 1878, 8184.11.
MASONIC.
Butler Lodge, No 88, F. and .f. M .. was organized under a dispensation from the Grand Master in 1855, and immediately commenced work as a Masonic lodge. The hall first occupied was situated over Gardner Herrick's store, Ilerrickville. In the dispensation, Bro. Gardner Herrick was named as Worshipful Master, Bro. Peter Swart, Senior Warden, and Bro. Milo Cragin, Junior Warden.
The first election of officers was held December 19, 1855, which resulted as follows : Gardner Herrick, W. M. Peter Swart, S. W .; Miles Warren, J. W .; Lawrence Decker, See .; David Lindsay, Treas .; Alonzo Mead, S. D .; George W. Elmore, J. D ; Jotham G. Casey, Tyler ; Frederick Herrick. Steward.
The lodge received its charter in 1857. Bro. Gardner Ilerrick was continued as master of the lodge until 1859, when, in consequence of his removal from the township, Bro. Peter Smart was elected master. He was succeeded by Bro. Miles Warren, who was master in 1860.
At the election of officers in December, 1860, Bro. Aui- brose Lampman was elected worshipful master, and was re- elected, and filled the office continuously until 1873, when, declining to serve longer, John C. Ilager was elected mas- ter, and served for a period of eighteen months; Bro. Ambrose Lampman was then again eleeted master, and has been continued as such to the present time.
In 1867 the lodge was incorporated, and purchased the building occupied, also a lot in Herriekville. The building was removed to the lot, and considerable money expended in repairing and furnishing. This property was sold in 1875, and in 1877, in connection with Butler Grange, the lodge purchased a lot in the centre of the township, and caused to be constructed upon it a hall 20 by 40 feet, two stories in height. It cost about $1000. The upper story is owned by the Masonic lodge, the lower by the Grange society.
Regular communications are held Wednesday evenings, on or before the full moon in each month.
Present Officers .- Ambrose Lampman, W. M .; John C. Hager, S. W .; Rowland MeDonald, J. W .; Charles Bogue, Sec. ; llorace B. Powers, Treas. ; Samuel R. Van- dekarr, S. D .; Madison T. Lucas, J. D .; Silas C. Purdy, Tyler.
PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY.
Butler Grange, No. 88, Patrons of Husbandry, was organized Oct. 10, 1873, with Ambrose Lampman and wife, A. W. Eaton and wife, John W. Rogers and wife, William I. Farwell and wife, Walter R. Kesson and wife, Ezra Lott and wife, Thester HI. Cook and wife, Charles D. Kennedy and wife, Horace G. MeIntosh and wife, Nathan B. Dresser and wife, Edward W. Perry and wife, Orval P. Geer, and Miss Maggie Rainey as the charter members.
Thester Il. Cook was elected Master, and Ambrose
39
potatoes
7.735
1,814
cheese made in
125,220
Aeres in fruits in 1873. 565
Work oxen.
306
IIISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICIIIGAN.
Lampman, Secretary. They were continued in the same offices until 1876, when Ambrose Lampman was elected Master, and A. W. Eaton, Secretary. During the years 1877 and 1878, Thester II. Cook served as Master and Ambrose Lampman as Secretary.
Officers for 1879 .- John M. David, Worthy Master ; Charles H. Chase, Overseer; Charles D. Kennedy, Lec- turer; Thester H. Cook, Steward; Thomas P. Evens, Asst. Steward; Mrs. John M. David, Chaplain ; William I. Farwell, Treas. ; Nathan B. Dresser, Sec. ; Walter R. Kesson, Gatekeeper ; Mrs. Emeretta Warren, Ceres ; Mrs. Charles H. Chase, Pomona ; Mrs. Ira V. Kesson, Flora ; Mrs. Charles D. Kennedy, Stewardess.
Until the completion of their new hall in 1877, the grange meetings were held in the town-hall, which is situ- ated one-half south of the centre of the township.
RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.
The Methodists were the first to hold meetings and to organize a religious society in the township. As carly as 1838, Reverends John 11. Pitzel, William H. Penfield, and James Clizbe preached in the school-house on Shook's Prairie .* Among the members of the first class in Meth- odism formed here were Jacob Shook and his wife Polly, Mrs. Aaron Armstrong, William P. Deyoe and wife, Daniel Shook, John T. Wisner and wife, and Henry Shelp.
During the past forty years religious societies of different denominations have had their rise and fall in the township. The latter result caused mainly by dissensions among them- selves and their antagonism to the progressive spirit of the age. About 1854 the Baptists erected a church edifice at Dayburg,-the first and only house of worship ever built in the township,-and for a brief period they were strong in numbers and seemingly prosperous. But at the present time not a vestige of the society can be found.
The church edifice, which will scat about 200 persons, still remains. It is contemplated to repair it thoroughly and use it as a union church, open to all religious societies.
FIRST FREE-WILL BAPTIST CHURCH ..
The first society of this church was organized at the school-house in Butler Centre, April 10 and 11, 1858, by a council of ministers and delegates from surrounding churches, represented by Revs. F. P. and O. D. Angier, of llillsdale ; II. Cook and II. B. Ilayes, from Cook's Prairie ; Edwin Rosecrantz, from the Clarendon church ; and - Warner, from the Litchfield church.
The first members were as follows: Gardner Herrick, Louisa L. Herrick, Stewart Wilcox, Mrs. Wilcox, John Busley, Anna Busley, William Rogers, Elanor Rogers, S. V. Pierce, John Hall, Cynthia Wood, Barbary Percopine, Mahala Starkweather, Harriet Floyd, Caroline E. Brown, and Mahala Warren. This organization maintained an ex- istence until about 1861 or 1862, when it died out.
The present society was organized at the school-house in Whig Centre, Sept. 7, 1867. Revs. Elijah Cook, John
Ashley, Bro. John Blake, and Father West composed the council ; Rev. E. Cook presided as moderator, Rev. John Ashley as clerk. Upon inquiry, it was ascertained that eight brothers and ten sisters desired to go into the organi- zation, and Rev. E. Cook extended the right hand of fel- lowship. The society then adopted the name of " The First Free-Will Baptist Church of Butler." John Busley was chosen Deacon ; M. R. Thompson, Clerk ; William Vicory, Treas. ; and Rev. John Ashley, Pastor.
The members of this organization were William Vicory, S. V. Pierce, M. R. Thompson, Richard Storms, Benjamin Abrams, S. Wilcox, D. M. Casey, J. W. Rogers, A. J. Macomb, Thomas J. Rossman, William Rossman, M. T. Lucas, G. Coleman, Nathan Haight, Anna Busley, Ange- line Vicory, Ann M. Storms, Harriet Wilcox, Elizabeth Abrams, Eliza Casey, Ezra Rogers, Polly Rossman, Adel- phia Rossman, Eunice Thompson, Melissa Van Giesen, Laura Ford, Mary Lucas, Sarah Haight, Flora Carmichael, Jordan, and Mary J. Cory.
Since Mr. Ashley, Revs. Boynton, Ensign, Ilolt, Dick- inson, Marshall, Caville, and Limbocker have successively assumed the pastorate of this church. No pastor at the present time. Present membership, 50 ; pupils in Sabbath- school, 40; John A. Lampman, Sunday-school superin- tendent.
The Methodist Episcopal and other religious denomina- tions, hold meetings in school-houses in various parts of the township, but we have no data concerning them.
Our thanks are due to Henry S. Lampman, Jacob Shook, George Lockwood, William Rossman, Richard D. Decker, Peter Shook, Ambrose Lampman, and many others, for their uniform kindness and courtesy, and the valuable informa- tion received from them.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
DAVID LINSDAY.
The ancestors of David Linsday were among the early English settlers of Massachusetts. As early as 1790, Isaac Linsday, the father of David, emigrated to Onondaga Co., N. Y., and settled at Camillus. Hle erected the first frame house in that locality, kept the first tavern in Camil- lus, and died at an advanced age. His son David was the youngest of seven children, and was born at Camillus on April 30, 1803. Ile was reared a farmer, received a good common-school education, and at the age of nineteen was united in marriage to Miss Anna Dayton, of the same place. Soon after his marriage he removed to Hastings, Oswego Co., where he built a saw-mill, and was engaged in the lumber business at that place for ten years. In 1826 his wife died, leaving him with three young children,-named Joel D., James B., and Susan, who died in infancy. Oct. 14, 1827, he was married to Miss Lucinda K. Kennedy. In the winter of 1836 he made a visit to Michigan in quest of a location for a home. He purchased one hundred and sixty acres of government land in the present township of
Rev. Ira Bonner, a Christian, also preached bere at a very early day, in John Hart's log house, and, it is claimed, was the first preacher.
307
HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Butler, Branch Co., made a small clearing, erected the body of a log house, returned to New York, and in the fall of the same year moved his family and settled on his new farm. For some years before leaving New York he had been in the habit of preaching at varions places to the sect known as Christians, and after his settlement in Butler he hekl himself in readiness for all calls of that nature. He preached the first funeral sermon, married the first couple, was the first justice of the peace, and the first supervisor in the township of Butler. The first town-meeting held in Butler was at his house, at which there were fourteen voters. lle was magistrate for a number of years.
In those days he was known as a Whig, but on the dis- ruption of that party and the organization of the Republican party he became a staunch adherent of the latter. He con- tinued all his life a farmer-preacher, acknowledging no creed, but " taking the Bible as the man of his counsel," and - its precepts as the rule and guide of his conduct in all his transactions with mankind. By his second union he was the father of five children, named Anna K., Minerva D., --
CHARLES R. BOWERS.
CILARLES E. BOWERS.
Henry Bowers, the father of our subject, emigrated from New Hampshire and settled at Salem, Washtenaw Co., Mich., where he died in 1878, at the age of eighty years. His widow is still living, at the age of seventy-eight years. They were the parents of six children, named Eliza- beth, Charles E., John S., Caroline, Hudson, and Viola. Charles E. was born on the 28th day of March, 1826. Ilis boyhood was spent in obtaining a fair education and in farm labor. In after-years he was engaged in teaching district school in the winter season, and in working at farming in the summer.
He taught several terms in Washtenaw County, and afterwards in Branch County. In 1847 he settled on eighty acres of wild land in the township of Butler. Hle erected a small frame house, and improved his lands during the summer and taught school in the winter for a number of years. He became attached to one of his pupils, Miss 1
Achsah F., John K., and Tyler H. Of these, Anna and Minerva alone are living. Anna is the wife of Horace Powers, and resides on their farm in Butler. Minerva is the widow of Charles E. Bowers, who, in the great Rebel- lion, was a Union soldier. On the march of his command through Georgia he was taken ill, became exhausted, and fall out of the ranks. He was supposed to be dead, and the pain and anguish of the widowed and orphaned hearts at home were augmented by the uncertainty of his fate.
After eleven long years of uncertainty it was ascertained, by letters from the Southern lady who found him in a dying condition, that he was cared for and kindly nursed until his death. The old pioneer preacher and farmer, David Linsday, died on the 24th day of March, 1862, leaving his widow the old home-farm, and in good, comfortable circumstances. The venerable lady resides with her daughter, Mrs. Bowers, in Butler. To the relatives and friends, and the patrons of this work, we dedicate this brief notice of old Father and Mother Linsday, and on another page is presented the por- traits and a view of the old home of this old pioneer couple.
MRS. CHARLES E. BOWERS.
Minerva D. Linsday, daughter of the old pioneer preacher of Butler, and they were united in marriage Jan. 1, 1852.
Mr. Bowers was a man of much consideration, and highly respected and esteemed by his fellow-townsmen, who mani- fested their confidence in his ability and worth by keeping him for many years in an official position in his town, such as inspector of schools, clerk, supervisor, etc. In 1864 he entered the army, and, on the " March to the Sea," strayed from his command, and for eleven long years his fate was unknown by his sorrowing widow and friends at home. But, after years of uncertainty, the full history of his sad death was revealed. He became sick and exhausted on the march through Georgia, and, delirious with fever, wan- dered away from his comrades. He was found by some people in almost a dying condition, and was taken to the house of Mrs. Bryson, the wife of a Confederate soldier. This kind lady procured a doctor and nursed him uutil his death, which occurred in November, 1864. He gave Mrs.
308
HISTORY OF BRANCH COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Bryson the address of his family in Michigan, but, owing to some mistake in the name, the several letters she wrote to Mrs. Bowers never came to hand, and in after-years, by advertising in the Detroit papers, the whole sad story came to light. He was buried in the cemetery at Conyers, Ga., but was afterwards removed to the National Soldiers' Cem- etery at Marietta, Ga.
At the time he entered the army he left his wife and one son, named Don Juan. Two weeks after his departure for the war his wife gave birth to a daughter, to whom she gave the name of Jane L. At the age of seven months the babe died, leaving the mother and little boy alone in the world. Mrs. Bowers still lives on the old home-farm, and is in comfortable circumstances. Her son, who has grown up into an intelligent young man, lives at home with his mother, and old Mother Linsday is also an honored member of the family.
The numerous friends and relatives will be pleased to find in this work the portraits of Charles E. Bowers and his esteemed widow.
DWIGHT L. BURBANK.
The ancestors of Mr. Burbank were among the early settlers of the Connecticut Valley. Joseph R. Burbank, the grandfather, was a millwright, and in early life was married to Esther Metealf. They were the parents of Roby, Lucius, George, Theodosia, and Clarissa. Lueius was born in Suffield, Conn., in 1798, and in his boyhood obtained a fair education. Hle engaged in selling stone- ware, which he delivered from a wagon at the towns throughout the country. In 1825 he was married to Miss Prisca Thwing. He continued in the stone-ware trade until 1830, when he removed to Geauga Co., Ohio, where he bought and settled on a farm. His death occurred Oct.
6, 1846, at the age of forty-eight. His venerable widow is still living at the age of seventy-seven years, and is an honored and cherished member in the family of her son, Dwight. They were the parents of five children, named Edwin, Dwight L., Hiram, Oscar, and Clarissa, who are at this time all living.
Dwight L. was born at Suffield, Conn., March 8, 1829. He was reared on a farm in Geauga Co., Ohio, and ob- tained a good education in the English branches. When Dwight was seventeen years old his father died. He then began active life on his own account, and when he was twenty-one he came to Michigan, where he worked in a saw-mill and at teaming for two years. Then, with a part- ner, he bought and operated a steam saw-mill for one year. He then bought eighty acres of wild land in the township of Butler, about six miles north of the village of Quiney. April 22, 1853, he was married to Julia A., daughter of William Rogers, an old settler of Butler. Ife soon after built a log house, and was busy enough elearing and im- proving his land. In 1864 he entered the army, and served until the close of the war, when he was honorably discharged. He was in the 14th Michigan Iufautry, participated in many battles and skirmishes, and was in Sherman's famous " March to the Sea." He was wounded in the arm at the fight of Silver Creek, N. C. Ile has been successful as a farmer, and has a finely-cultivated farm, with comfortable and convenient barn and out-buildings.
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