USA > Michigan > Calhoun County > History of Calhoun County, Michigan, a narrative account of its historical progress, its people, and its principal interests, Volume II > Part 20
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GEORGE W. MELLEN. If peace tribunals and councils of arbitration accomplish the desired evolution in the international attitude regard- ing the bearing of arms by nation against nation, then will the old soldier become a rarity indeed. But never will America cease to rever-
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ence her patriots who have so courageously borne arms in her behalf. The historian points with pride to every old soldier and among these records with interest the chief facts in the life of George W. Mellen.
This worthy farmer is of Scotch-American ancestry. His parents, Phillip and Aurora (Best) Mellen, were New Yorkers, who were born in 1807 and 1811 respectively. Phillip Mellen, who was a cooper, left New York for the newer civilization of Ohio, later taking up his resi- dence in Michigan, where he bought a farm of 80 acres on which he lived until his death.
George W. Mellen was born in 1837. He began life in the rural surroundings, which ever since have been his chosen habitat. His earli- est agricultural experience was gained through farming on shares in Kalamazoo county. In 1856 he removed to Barry county, where he bought a farm of 40 acres, which he retained and lived on for one year. His success was such that at the end of that time he bought another farm doubling the first in size in Calhoun county. This he again sold, buying again with a second expansion of his property, to the extent of 96 acres. He now owns a farm of 140 acres, well tilled and improved.
Mr. Mellen's estimable help-mate was the daughter of Jonah and Orenda (Isham) Outman, the former a New Yorker, the latter a native of Vermont. Like Mr. Mellen's parents, they too, changed their resi- dence first to Ohio and later to Michigan. Mr. Outman who was of French descent was a particularly successful man for his day, becoming the possessor of 240 acres of land. His family was of the good old- fashioned kind, numbering eleven children. Mrs. Mellen was born on April 16, 1841.
The younger generation of the George Mellen family consists of two daughters. The elder, Orende, was married to John H. Underwood, a shoemaker of Battle Creek, whose death occurred February 21, 1910. Mrs. Underwood now resides with her parents. The second daughter, Phebe, is the wife of Mr. Bert Miller, a farmer of Athens township.
The family of George Mellen was brought up in the Methodist faith, Mr. Mellen is independent in politics, always weighing the relative value and fitness of men and measures in any issue. He is popular with his neighbors and associates, having been for forty years a mem- ber of the Athens Masonic lodge, in which he has served as junior warden. He is wide awake and interested in all live topics of the day, although he is now rich in years and in memories of the time when as a private of Company A, Sixth Michigan Regulars, he served his country in many battles, including the siege of Mobile. May his days be long in the land.
CHARLES A. PARLIN. A member of one of the pioneer families from Ohio who have in past years done much for the building up of Michigan, is Charles A. Parlin. He is, however, of New England blood, his father, Aaron Parlin, having been born in Tyngsborough on April 30, 1798. His mother, Fidelia Isham, was a native of Norwalk, Ohio, the date of her birth having been May 6, 1817. Their marriage oc- curred at the latter place on the 22d of January, 1838. Of the six children of this family, only three are living at this date. The two sisters of the subject of this biography are Mrs. Martha F. Alvord, a widow, who resides in Orange county, California, and Miss Ellen L. Parlin, who lives in Athens township.
Aaron Parlin in his earlier manhood was engaged in teaching. For a number of years he was an instructor at Milan Seminary and also for some time in the public schools, subsequently being called to the prin
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cipalship of the Milan Seminary. For his health's sake he turned to work permitting him more out-of-door life and spent some time in canvassing through an extensive region. He was eventually attracted by the agricultural possibilities of this section of country, and in 1858 settled on the farm of 80 acres on which his son, Charles Parlin, now lives. At the time of its first occupation it consisted entirely of woods, which Aaron Parlin cleared and upon which ground he erected the first buildings. Here he lived until his death, on September 6, 1872. He was in religious denomination a Methodist, and as to political party a Republican. His wife outlived him many years, dying in the same locality on July 18, 1893.
Charles Parlin, who was born in Plymouth, Ohio, August 20, 1848, was a boy of ten years at the time when the family removed to Michi- gan, and his childhood experiences were those of the typical pioneer's son of that period and place. He attended the district school until of an age when it seemed advisable for him to give all his time to assist- ing his father on the farm and to gather experience which should be of benefit to him in his own future work. In his youth his love of horses and his skill in estimating their worth and possibilities was more than ordinary.
His landed interests have since become paramount, however, and his property has been increased to a gratifying extent.
The marriage bond between Charles A. Parlin and Clarissa Jones- who was a daughter of Oliver and Hanna (Dirr) Jones, early pioneers of Waukeshma township, Kalamazoo county, was sealed on July 28. 1872. Mrs. Parlin's family had been originally of Pennsylvania and later of Ohio before their coming to Michigan. Since her marriage to Mr. Parlin, seven children have come to them. Charles DeWitt lives at Burlington, in this state; Fred O. at Middlebury, Indiana; Gertie, who is Mrs. E. Tuttle, in Athens township ; Martha B., now Mrs. B. M. Converse, also in Athens township; the twins, Eland D. in Athens town- ship, and Everett I., at home; Nellie, the youngest daughter, is also still with her parents.
On this farm where his children have been reared Mr. Parlin has spent practically his entire life. He now owns 365 acres in Athens township. He is very widely and favorably known in this vicinity and and is especially active in the life of his fraternal order, which is that of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His membership is in Lodge No. 326 at Athens. He has passed all chairs in this order and has three times attended Grand Lodge. Politically he is a Democrat. For six years he held the office of township treasurer and has also served as pathmaster. In both offices he proved himself a capable incumbent. In the latter case he was especially vigorous, accomplishing three hundred and sixty days' work on the highways.
FRANK W. RICHARDSON. On his finely improved farm of one hun- dred and sixty acres in Athens township, Calhoun county, Michigan, Frank W. Richardson is most successfully engaged in diversified agri- culture and the raising of fine cattle and horses. At one time he dealt quite extensively in trotting horses, breeding and selling them. He is a citizen of prominence in his home community and manifests a keen interest in all matters projected for the good of the general welfare.
Mr. Richardson was born on the farm on which he now resides, the date of his nativity being the 9th of May, 1854, and he is a son of Henry and Mary Ann (Bailey) Richardson, both of whom were born in England, the former in Lincolnshire, October 16, 1808, and the latter in Leicestershire, December 12, 1819. Henry Richardson was the young-
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est in order of birth in a family of twelve children and his people were hotel keepers in England. He came to America in 1838, at the age of thirty years, and settled in Rochester, New York, where he found employment in a butcher shop. In that place, on the 4th of May, 1843, was solemnized his marriage to Miss Mary Ann Bailey, who bore him four sons and two daughters, three of whom are living, in 1912, namely, -Henrietta, now Mrs. Welton, of Climax; James, of Trinidad, Colo- rado; and Frank, the immediate subject of this review. In 1843 the Richardson family removed to Calhoun county where the father bought a tract of forty acres of land, which he cleared and began to farm. With the passage of time he gradually increased his original holdings and at the time of his demise, November 8, 1891, he was the owner of a fine estate of one hundred and sixty acres of most arable land. He was a Republican in his political proclivities and both he and his wife were Baptists in their religious faith, having been charter members of the North Athens Baptist church. Mrs. Richardson survived her honored husband for a number of years and she passed away February 18, 1906.
Frank W. Richardson passed his boyhood and youth on the old. homestead farm and during his early life that estate was practically virgin wilderness, the home being a little log house. His preliminary educational training consisted of such advantages as were offered in the neighboring district schools and after reaching years of maturity he devoted his attention to farming operations. After his parents' death he bought out the other heirs to the home farm, where he now devotes his undivided attention to general farming and stock-raising. He is a horseman and at one time handled trotting stock. In politics he is an uncompromising Republican and he has acted as administrator for various estates. He and his wife are members of the Baptist church and in a fraternal way he is a valued and appreciative member of the Knights of the Maccabees.
February 6, 1878, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Richardson to Miss Lois M. Jacobs, a daughter of Robert and Helen (Monk) Jacobs, the former of whom was long a prominent farmer in LeRoy town- ship. Mr. Jacobs died August 13, 1876, at the age of forty-two years; and his cherished and devoted wife died February 6, 1899, aged sixty years. Mr. and Mrs. Richardson are the parents of two daughters, namely,-Jessie, who is the wife of Ernest Leggett has four children ; and Mae, who is Mrs. Edwin Hill. Mr. and Mrs. Hill reside in LeRoy township and they likewise have four children.
PETER J. HOUVENER. A prominent and particularly intelligent farmer of Burlington is Peter J. Houvener, a native of Barry county, and the son of Holland parents. His father, Peter Houvener, was born in Holland on April 11, 1835, and his mother, Elizabeth Johnson, on October 22, 1839. They were married in their native country in the year 1862, and there several of their children were born. In 1872 they came to the United States and immediately after landing came to Barry county, where they settled on their first farm-one of ninety-six acres. Mr. Houvener, senior, remained here throughout the rest of his life, which closed in 1904, his wife surviving him three years. They were people of a splendidly vigorous type and were the parents of twelve children, all of whom are still living.
Peter J. Houvener, the fifth child of his parents, was born in the Barry county home of Peter and Elizabeth Houvener, the same year as that in which the family was transplanted to this country. the date of his birth being May 25, 1872. He was educated in the public schools
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and in the high schools of Prairie View and Richland, Kalamazoo county. In 1892 he was graduated from the latter school. He soon after married and began his independent activities.
Mrs. Houvener, nee Sarah J. Louden, is a daughter of William and El Dorado (Smith) Louden, her father having been a prominent farmer of Barry county. He died in 1908, but both her mother and her grand- mother, the latter ninety-two years of age, are still living. Since the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Houvener, six children have come to en- liven and bless their home. They are named Archie J., Jay J., Henry C., El Dorado, Hazel E. and Pauline Margaret. All are still in the parental home.
Twelve years of Mr. Houvener's active career was spent in farm- ing. He then engaged in the livery business for five years in Delton. In 1909 he traded his interests in that line for a farm of 130 acres in Burlington township, Calhoun county. The years have brought him steady progress in a remunerative way and in the esteem of his fellow- men. As a loyal Republican he has been conspicuous in local politics, having served for four years as a deputy sheriff and being the present incumbent of the office of overseer of highways in Burlington town- ship.
Mr. Houvener is an unusually well-read man for one engaged in a pursuit which makes such demands on one's time as agriculture. He is analytic in mind and very observant of surrounding conditions. He often writes for newspapers and articles of his have been frequently used by publications.
GUY FISK. It is an indisputable fact that there are no nobler pro- fessions known to man than the tilling of the soil for the production of food for mankind, and the fine and delicate task of husbanding the unformed minds of youth. Those two vocations have for nearly half a century been the mingled pursuits of Mr. Guy Fisk, who is well known both as a farmer and teacher throughout this region. No one understands better than he the problems of the rural school, which has from time to time during his life been the chosen field of his pedagog- ical endeavors and achievements.
The parents of the subject of the present sketch were Putnam Fisk and Eleanor Failing Fisk. Both were born in New York state, the former being a native of Yates county in that commonwealth. After their marriage they resided for a time in the same county, until in the year 1866 they removed to Park township, St. Joseph county, Michi- gan. Here Putnam Fisk purchased a farm of 160 acres; a second farm was later bought. He died in Centerville, Michigan, in February, 1904. He was a loyal Republican in politics and his eldest son, Samuel, gave up his life in the service of the national demand that all men be free and equal. Enlisting at the early age of 17 in Company C of the 6th Michigan Heavy Artillery, the young patriot served for eighteen months and died during the struggle. The family were connected with the Methodist church and active in the work connected therewith.
Guy Fisk, the fifth of his generation of his family, was born on February 2, 1857, while the family were still in Yates county, New York. His intellectual training was derived from the district schools of Branch and St. Joseph counties and in the public schools of Athens, where it was completed.
His first independent enterprise was the farming of 65 acres which he had purchased in the northern part of Athens township. Since 1876 he has followed teaching at various intervals, always returning to it with renewed freshness and zest and winning approbation often de-
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nied to younger men. He is at present engaged in teaching the Pine Creek school of LeRoy township.
Mrs. Fisk was formerly Miss Bertha Nixon and her marriage to Mr. Fisk occurred in 1876. Her family were prominent farmers of Athens township and conspicuous among its early settlers. Her parents were Thomas and Frances (Blinston) Nixon and their family num- bered three children, of whom Mrs. Fisk is the second.
Guy Fisk's well-known enthusiasm over higher education has doubt- less been enhanced by the fact that he has successfully reared a fam- ily of four children. One daughter, Maud, is now the wife of Newell Billington; Eleanor, was married to William Wooley; Ernest, lives in Battle Creek, and Gladys at home is a senior in the Athens high school (1913).
The family are members of the Baptist church of Athens, both Mr. and Mrs. Fisk being consistent and active in all that pertains to their religious life. He has been very popular in fraternal circles, being a member of the Maccabees, of the Modern Woodmen of America, of the Grange, and of the Masonic order, in the Athens Lodge. Politically, Mr. Fisk has been frequently called upon to do public service as a staunch Republican and a loyal citizen. He has served as Township Supervisor, as Township Treasurer, as an official of the Board of Re- views, and as County Treasurer. He has two times been elected to the last-named important position of trust.
JOHN NICHOLS. The late John Nichols, one of the founders and for many years president of the Nichols & Shepard Company, was born at Liverpool, Onondaga County, New York, January 1, 1814, and died at his home 258 Maple street in Battle Creek, April 15, 1891.
It falls to the lot of a very few men in the world that their life in- dustry and character became the foundation on which rests the material prosperity of a community. Mr. Nichols was in that class, and it can truthfully be said that his achievements as manufacturer and business leader have for half a century been one of the cornerstones of Battle Creek. He was one of the remarkable men of the last century whose work was largely creative and who kept to the forefront of the un- precedented advancement in all lines of material civilization. Per- sonally he was a man of untiring industry, great executive capacity, in- domitable energy and perseverance, so that in directing his enterprise into new fields he never faltered before the untried obstacles that often barred the way. Business sagacity was less an element in his success than solid ability to do and direct others in doing.
The late Mr. Nichols was the son of Eliakim and Sally Nichols, early settlers of western New York. The environment of his youth and the facilities of the age did not admit of his receiving much schooling in the modern sense, but he improved fully the opportunities he had. Owing to the limited circumstances of the family, he began. seeking his own fortune when thirteen years old, and at Palmyra, New York, be- came apprentice to the moulder's and iron foundry trade. In time he was master of his trade, and it served as the basis for his subsequent independent career. When he was twenty years old, in 1834, he as- sumed the responsibilities of a home, and was married to Miss Nancy C. Galloway, of Marion, Wayne county, New York. They had an un- usually long and happy wedded life, continuing some years beyond their golden anniversary, and Mrs. Nichols passed away December 26, 1892.
In the year following his marriage Mr. Nichols moved to Michigan, which was still a Territory, and settlement had only partially progressed over the southern counties of the present State. He lived on a farm
John Michitz
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near Clinton, Lenawee county for one year. He then moved to Detroit and accepted a responsible position with the State of Michigan in their shops in that city for the building of what is now the Michigan Central Railroad. In the Presidential campaign of 1840 he was one of the most active and enthusiastic Whigs in the county, and in the later years of his life his reminiscences of early politics never failed to entertain the circle of his intimate friends. He continued in business in Detroit, for a time, but in 1848 became a permanent resident of Battle Creek.
In this town with whose industrial progress he was for so many years identified he first opened an establishment for the manufacture of stoves, plows and other farm implements and iron castings. Later his factory in addition turned out engines, sawmill and gristmill ma- chinery. After a brief visit to California in 1850, when he "crossed the plains" with his company of five men, with three wagons and twelve horses, he returned and formed the partnership with David Shepard, which was the beginning of a firm name that has continued for more than sixty years and has an international reputation wherever agricul- ture flourishes. Their earliest output was one of the crude types of grain threshers in use during the decade of the '50s. They made a good ma- chine, however, and they invented great improvements which soon made it the leading threshing machine of its day and generation, and their business has ever since kept abreast of the inventions and facilities of each succeeding decade. It was largely owing to the genius and prac- tical business talent of Mr. Nichols that the product acquired its pop- ularity, and in a few years the old shops on Canal street were unable to fill the orders for the "Vibrator" threshing machine as it was called. Then in 1870 an increase of capital was made, a stock company or- ganized and the extensive works were built on the present site in the eastern part of the city, where the railway station on the Michigan Central and the Grand Trunk bears the name Nichols Station.
Beyond the notable achievement of building such an industry, Mr. Nichols possessed a generous public spirit and in many ways showed his interest in the welfare of the community. He was the first one to undertake the building of homes for the working men, and it was his joy and pride to furnish the ways and means to his employees for the building of comfortable homes which nearly all of them now own and enjoy. Enterprises for the extension of the city as a business center obtained his cordial co-operation, and the Nichols Memorial Hospital is a monument to his substantial interest in the cause of humanity and charity. From being one of the most ardent supporters of the old Whig party, he afterwards gave the allegiance equally loyal to the Re- publican principles. Though for many years a factor in politics, he never sought office and exerted his influence through his prominence as a private citizen. His robust and generous nature and his straight- forward, open-hearted manner of dealing, made him a great favorite among all the employees of the extensive industry of which he was president. He was the father of three children. His daughter, Mrs. Helen N. Caldwell, died March 8, 1903, and a younger daughter Mary Elizabeth Nichols died in 1854. His son, Hon. Edwin C. Nichols, is president of Nichols & Shepard Company, and continues the varied influences and work begun by his honored father.
Mr. Nichols was a great lover of the forest and streams and an ar- dent sportsman in pursuit of large game. It was his special delight in the autumn of each year to take a party of invited friends into the wilds of the north and west for a hunting season. For forty-four suc- cessive years did he follow this most interesting habit and the "Vi- brator" hunting party of which he was host and directing spirit,
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with its multitude of people, its great pack of hounds and the camp equipage and supplies for entertaining most royally his friends and the passers-by for many weeks, was one of the notable events of each season. Although not a great killer of game himself, he was extremely fond of offering the charms and comforts of his hunting camp to those who were so fortunate as to be his guests, and no locality was too dis- tant and no natural obstacle too great to be overcome in his pursuit of this his yearly recreation. Many scores of men in Michigan and else- where will recall with interest and pleasure his generous hospitality in these regards.
HON. EDWIN C. NICHOLS. One of the really big men of Battle Creek today, one of the men who has had a guiding hand in her affairs for many years and has helped to bring wealth and honor to her name and to give her a more than local reputation, is the Honorable Edwin C. Nichols. He is not only a dominant figure in the industrial life of the city but he has figured largely in the political and social affairs of Battle Creek, and wherever his influence has been felt, it has been for the betterment of conditions, and for the advancement of whatever cause he has championed. He is the president of one of the largest manufacturing companies in Battle Creek,-the Nichols and Shepard Company, manufacturers of threshing machinery, and is vitally in- terested in other important industries in the city. Quite characteris- tic of the generosity and broad-mindedness of the man is the follow- ing, clipped from the Evening News of Battle Creek, for the first day of January, 1912: "You want me to write a New Years Greet- ing and wish. It will be Industrial Peace and Prosperity for every manufacturing concern in this city. Abundance of work at good wages for every man and woman who is employed. Health, peace, happiness and prosperity for each and every person in this growing city. In re- gard to my making a wish, will say that I made one some years ago, and the wish has come true.
"Years and years ago I made the wish that I might live to see the day when the Nichols and Shepard machines would be recognized all over the world, and Battle Creek should have fifty thousand people. It has come true-but will wish all a happy New Year."
Michigan is the native state of Edwin C. Nichols, for he was born in Lenawee county, in the town of Clinton, on July. 20, 1838. His father was the late John Nichols, an account of whose life is given else- where in this volume. The Battle Creek Schools furnished Edwin C. Nichols with his education, and the business, of which his father was the founder, gave him his early experience in the latter field. He was brought up in this business, and starting in at the bottom learned it thoroughly in every detail. He is now president of the Nichols & Shepard Company, as has already been mentioned. This company was founded in 1848, and during the sixty-four years its existence has been of great importance to the industrial world. The first plant of the company was a small shop on Canal street, and there the founders of the company might be seen working side by side with their em- ployees in the machinists department. John Nichols and his partner, David Shepard, had unlimited faith in the ultimate success of their ideas, and by their close attention to even the smallest detail of busi- ness, they lived to realize their expectations and witness with pardon- able pride the achievements of a life time of work and energy. Since 1857 Hon. Edwin C. Nichols has been identified with the company, and to him is due the credit for the later successful enlargement of the industry. The officers of the company are: Edwin C. Nichols, presi-
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