History of Calhoun County, Michigan, a narrative account of its historical progress, its people, and its principal interests, Volume II, Part 40

Author: Gardner, Washington, 1845-1928
Publication date: 1913
Publisher: Chicago New York, The Lewis publishing company
Number of Pages: 838

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 40

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

After completing the course of study at the Ann Arbor High School, Henry A. Shurtleff began preparing himself for a professional career under the tuition of Dr. Frothingham, a well-known physician, and subsequently entered the Medical Department of the University of Michigan, from which he was graduated with the degree of M. D., in the fall of 1879. Dr. Shurtleff immediately began practice with his former preceptor. Dr. Frothingham, in Ann Arbor, but after a time removed to Partello, where he remained for many years, having built up a large and remunerative practice. Coming from there to Marshall in 1909, the Doctor has ben equally as successful here, his patronage in the city and its suburbs being extensive and lucrative, his natural

875

HISTORY OF CALHOUN COUNTY

talents, industry and skill classing him among the more able trust- worthy physicians of this section of the county.

The Doctor is a member of the Calhoun County Medical Society, and of the Michigan State Medical Society. Fraternally he belongs to Saint Albans Lodge, No. 20, Free and Accepted Order of Masons; and to Lafayette Chapter, No. 4, Royal Arch Masons. In politics he affili- ates with the Republican party. Dr. Shurtleff married Stella Thomas, who was born in South Haven, Michigan.

EDGAR H. GRANT. A man of sterling integrity and worth, pos- sessing superior business ability and judgment, the late Edgar H. Grant was for many years actively and prominently identified with the best interests of Marshall, being an important factor in promoting its manufacturing and commercial interests, and in advancing its pub- lic welfare. He was born, July 18, 1854, in Marengo township, Cal- houn county, a son of Lachlin Grant, and his death, which occurred June 21, 1908, deprived Marshall of one of its most useful and valued citizens.

Receiving his early education in the schools of his native district, he remained with his parents until sixteen years of age, when, in search for remunerative work, he came to Marshall. Energetic and ambitious, he had no trouble in securing good situations, and after being in the city three years entered the employ of Phelps & Dobbins, manufacturers of hot air furnaces, with whom he remained eleven years. The following seven years Mr. Grant was similarly employed on his own account, being in partnership in business with Mr. S. F. Dobbins. In the meantime, making use of his inventive talent and ability, Mr. Grant had been laborng to perfect a folding bath tub, which he had invented, and which he finally had patented. Mr. W. E. Bosley became inter- ested in the invention, and a factory for the manufacture of these tubs was erected on South Kalamazoo avenue, Marshall, where it is still in operation, each year turning out a large number of combination folding bath tubs, which are readily sold in all the leading cities of the Union.

Taking a genuine interest in public matters, Mr. Grant filled various offices of trust and responsibility most ably and efficiently, giving the same care and attention to the welfare of the people that he did to his private interests. In 1894 he was elected as alderman from the Fourth ward, and served for two years, declining a re-election in 1897 in order that he might accept the nomination for mayor. Being elected to that high position, Mr. Grant held the mayor's chair two terms, during which time, in connection with Mr. George H. Southworth, he had the good fortune to secure to Marshall the Municipal Water Works Plant. The plant, which was then owned by an outside syndicate, had been placed in the hands of a receiver. The city had previously offered the owners $70,000 for the plant, the offer being refused by the syndicate. An ad- vertisement stated that a receiver's sale would be held in June, and that one of the terms dictated that $15,000 in gold should be deposited before a bid would be accepted. Mr. Grant secured the aid of Mr. Southworth, who was on hand to comply with all requirements. The date of the sale was postponed until September, where Messrs. Grant and Southworth again stood ready to meet all demands, and were suc- cessful in securing the water works for the small sum of $42,000, which was about one-half its real value. Mr. Grant immediately brought the matter before the City Council, which confirmed the sale, and or- dered the issuing of bonds to raise money to buy the plant from Mr. Southworth, who had paid the purchase price. During Mr. Grant's last

876

HISTORY OF CALHOUN COUNTY

term as mayor, plans and specifications for a sewerage system throughout the city were adopted, his entire administration having been one of in- telligent progress and civic improvement.

In 1901 Mr. Grant was appointed one of the electric light and water commissioners, and at his death was serving his seventh year as a mem- ber of the Board of Electric Light and Water Commissioners, for two years having been its chairman. While a member of that body, he in- duced the city to raise $16,000 in bonds to improve the electric light and water plants, and his idea of using electricity for power at the Water Works has already saved the city thousands of dollars.

Mr. Grant married, November 5th, 1877, Mary Jane Flemings, who, with their two sons, Royal F. and Glenn E., survive him. Fraternally Mr. Grant was a member of St. Albans Lodge, No. 20, Ancient Free and Accepted Order of Masons; of Lafayette Chapter, No. 4, Royal Arch Masons; and of Marshall Commandery, No. 17, Knights Tem- plar.

ROYAL F. GRANT. Energetic and enterprising, Royal F. Grant is an excellent representative of the successful business men of Marshall, and is well known throughout the city in connection with the Peerless Fixtures Company, of which he has been the secretary and treasurer since its formation. The oldest son of the late Edgar H. Grant, of whom a brief sketch appears elsewhere in this volume, he was born, No- vember 11, 1878, in Marshall, Michigan, which has always been his home. He is of pioneer stock, his paternal grandfather, Lachlin Grant, having been an early settler of Marengo township, Calhoun county, in which the birth of Edgar H. Grant occurred.

Securing a fine record for scholarship as a boy, Royal F. Grant com- pleted the course of study in the Marshall grammar and high schools, and in 1896 was graduated from Cleary's Commercial College, in Ypsi- lanti. Returning home after receiving his diploma, Mr. Grant entered the employ of his father, and continued with the Folding Bath Tub Com- pany for several years. In June, 1909, he assisted in the organiza- tion of the Peerless Fixtures Company, which was incorporated under the state laws, with a capital of $25,000, with the following named offi- cers : W. E. Bosley, president; G. E. Grant, vice-president ; and Royal F. Grant, secretary and treasurer. This firm, which was established in 1890, and incorporated in 1909 is carrying on an extensive and highly lucrative business as designers and manufacturers of counters and fixtures, more especially for use in grocery and general stores, em- ploying a large force of men in the factory, and selling its goods throughout the United States.

Following in the footsteps of his honored father, Mr. Grant is a Democrat in politics as far as state and national affairs are concerned, although in local matters he votes for the best men and measures re- gardless of party restrictions. For two years he served as city recorder, and is now chairman of the Electric and Water Board Commissioners, which is composed of two members beside himself, the others being Francis S. Deuel and Collin Sinclair. Fraternally Mr. Grant is a mem- ber of Marshall Lodge, No. 179, Knights of Pythias; and the Knights of the Maccabees; and St. Albans Lodge No. 20, A. F. & A. M.

In 1901 Mr. Grant was united in marriage with Grace Westfall, a daughter of Mrs. Mary E. Westfall, and they have one child, Myron E. Grant.

HENRY A. BUNNELL. Belonging to that class of men who have gained a position of import among their fellows through the exercise of their

877

HISTORY OF CALHOUN COUNTY

own powers and abilities, Henry A. Bunnell, one of the leading farmers of Clarendon township, has been a resident of Michigan for about a half century. During this time he has witnessed marvelous changes in this part of the country, in seeing it grow from an untamed, timbered wil- derness, to a prosperous farming community and center of education and commercial activity. Mr. Bunnell was born in the state of Penn- sylvania and is a son of Stephen and Hannah (McCray) Bunnell also natives of the Keystone state. The father, who was born in 1819, was a son of William Bunnell, an early settler of Pennsylvania, who spent his last years there in agricultural pursuits. In 1862 Stephen Bunnell came to Michigan, setting first in Tuscola county, where for some years he was engaged in conducting a sawmill and in handling timber. In 1870 he went to Colorado to give his attention to mining, but during his latter years went to Massachusetts, and there his death occurred. In politics Stephen Bunnell was a Republican, but did not care for public office nor position. He and his wife, who was born in 1824, had a fam- ily of seven children, Henry A., of this review being the third in order of birth.

Henry A. Bunnell received his early education in the district schools and completed his training at Ypsilanti. He then taught school for a number of years and for six years was superintendent at Homer, sub- sequently removing to Carthage, Missouri, where he remained one year in school work. In the meantime he had carefully saved his wages, in- vesting a little money judiciously, and in 1878 was able to make the first payment on a farm of one hundred and eighteen and a half acres. He pursues a course of mixed farming in connection with stock-feeding. His property has been greatly improved by the erection of good, sub- stantial buildings, fitted with modern appurtenances, and the entire property gives evidence of the presence of excellent management. Mr. Bunnell is regarded as one of the substantial men of his community, and the able manner in which he has handled his own affairs has caused to be placed in his care the settling of a number of estates. This is evidence of the confidence in which he is held by those who know him, and that he has retained that confidence is clearly evident. A Republican in his political views, he has served as township inspector and member of the board of county school inspectors. He and Mrs. Bunnell are members of the Presbyterian church, she being especially active in religious work and belonging to a number of societies in connection with the work of the church. For some years she was engaged in teaching school in Homer, being a graduate of Mt. Holyoke Seminary, in Kalamazoo.

In 1875 Mr. Bunnell was married to Miss J. Emma French, a daugh- ter of George H. French. who came to Calhoun county in 1835 and set- tled on a farm in Tekonsha township. In 1839 he moved to Homer, where he was engaged in mercantile business, from which he retired about two years prior to his death, which occurred in 1898. Mr. and Mrs. Bunnell have three children: George F., a traveling man whose home is in Fort Worth, Texas; Sarah Louise, who married Roy D. Gard- ner, cashier of the Calhoun County State Bank, of Homer; and Charles A., engaged in the tin and plumbing business at Homer.

LUKE R. HAUGHEY. At Kalamazoo, Michigan, lives a man whose life has been one of more than usual interest and adventure and con- tinues to be remarkable in that, in the evening shadows now enveloping it, robustness of body is equalled by lucidity of mind. A veteran of two great wars in which the United States has participated, and an In- dian fighter when the frontiers of civilization were threatened, Luke R. Haughey has a world of experiences to draw on, and to the present

878

HISTORY OF CALHOUN COUNTY

generation these are more interesting, because personal, than the pages of romance.

Luke R. Haughey was born near Belfast, Ireland, May 15, 1820. When a lad of fifteen years he left his native land for America, two of his sisters also crossing the Atlantic Ocean but probably not at the same time. When he landed in the United States the Erie Canal across the State of New York to Buffalo, was in course of construction, then deemed a stupendous engineering feat, and the youth secured work and was more or less so employed as a canal laborer until 1846. In the mean- while his sisters had acquired homes at Joliet, Illinois, and it was while on a visit to them that he was given a position as lock-tender on the canal at that point and there joined other young men when war with Mexico demanded that a military force should be sent to the border. He became a member of Company D, Sixth United States Infantry, which command was hurried to the front and landed at Point Isabel, near Vera Cruz, and then marched overland to join the forces of Gen- eral Winfield Scott, at Puebla. The first real battle in which Mr. Haughey took part was that of Contreras, where, the American troops overcame the Mexicans and then marched on to Churubusco. The victor- ies which followed the American army and the distinction which was won by its commanders, are matters of history, but the heroism and valor which made conquest possible, can never all be sufficiently told.

With the victorious army under General Scott went Private Haughey and it was in storming the defenses of the city of Chapultepec that he won admiration from his comrades for his daring. Perhaps there have been few more gallant and courageous attacks, in any subsequent war, than that made on the castle of Chapultepec. This fortification, guard- ing the gateway to the capital of Mexico, was located on a high rock and its situation, with its mighty stone parapets bristling with cannon, was supposed to be impregnable. Nevertheless it was apparent to General Scott that that castle must be reached and among the 500 men chosen from his command, on account of their known intrepidity, was Private Luke R. Haughey, and he was one of the one hundred volunteers who, with a ladder on his back, in the face of artillery, rushed down the hill- side, and planted his ladder against the rocks. With a rush he, and his comrades, scaled the wall and fell upon the surprised Mexicans. The party had planned that half of the number should rush across the inside of the garrison and close the gates before the Mexicans could es- cape, while the troops were entering on the other side, and Mr. Haughey was one of the number who accomplished this dangerous mission. He became a marked man and had his capture been effected otherwise than on the day before General Scott took possession of the city of Mexico, he might not be living today in his ninety-second year, to modestly recall those historic days.

As a Mexican soldier, Mr. Haughey, after his two years of service, was entitled to a bounty of 160 acres of government land and this he proceeded to locate in the northeastern part of Kalamazoo county, Michi- gan. On this land he built a log house and having married some years previously, moved his family on it. In spite of this attempt at improve- ment, it was a wild and lonely spot. As a farmer Mr. Haughey was not particularly successful, never having been trained to agricultural pursuits and having a natural love of adventure and a somewhat roving spirit as so often is combined with great physical courage. In 1861, when a call resounded throughout the country for the gathering again of a great military force, Mr. Haughey found it irresistable and a few months afterward enrolled his name as a member of Company H, Seventh Michigan Volunteer Cavalry. Before he left for the front he

879

HISTORY OF CALHOUN COUNTY

moved his wife and children back to their former home in Kalamazoo, with the thought that in the town she could better bear his absence and care for their little ones. This, however, did not prove to be the case for times were hard and although her courage and resourcefulness never failed, she soon realized that she must return to the desolate farm and there try, in some way, to provide food and raiment. None will ever fully know the heroism of her life. She strove and struggled with wind, weather, sickness and misfortune but with it all never lost her beautiful faith in an All-seeing, loving Heavenly Father, whose pro- tecting care she daily, yes hourly, sought for her children. These chil- dren naturally, in their early years, had but meager educational oppor- tunities, but this lack she patiently supplied as far as was in her power and the religious faith she implanted has never left them and they ac- knowledge its controlling force in their lives. The absence of her hus- band and his constant position of danger, was a source of constant distress and a son has tenderly and vividly told to others of his recol- lections of her, when she would return to the waiting family with a let- ter from her husband, after a walk of sixteen miles, to the post-office and back, to secure the precious message telling of his safety.

In the meanwhile Mr. Haughey was bravely and cheerfully per- forming a soldier's duties and during his three years of campaigning was never wounded, never sick for one day and was never out of the ranks for any purpose. He served in the army of the Potomac, under such commanders as Custer, Kilpatrick and Sheridan-great warriors all-and was present on many notable occasions, was in the battle of the Wilderness, participated in the mighty struggle and slaughter at Gettysburg, saw General Sheridan dash into Winchester and witnessed the surrender at Appomatox. With many testimonials as to his valor as a soldier and with the rank of first sergeant, Mr. Haughey returned once more to private life but scarcely remained long enough to take up home responsibilities before he joined his old commander, General- Custer, in the West and took part in the Indian warfare that antedated the peaceful settlement of our western frontiers. He remained in the West for some time, fortunately returning just prior to the great tragedy on the Rosebud. Upon his return once more to his farm he again en- deavored to adjust himself to agricultural life but it was difficult to · gain the right perspective after so many years of absence and soldier- ing and his efforts at farming and stock raising did not succeed. A man may be a highest type of success in one career while in another he may be a complete failure. The time came when this hero of 130 battles was dependent upon his government pension as his sole independent source of income, a pension justly earned and all too small in considera- tion of his public services.

In 1853, at Kalamazoo, Michigan, Luke R. Haughey was married to Miss Mary Talbott, who was born in County Kildare, Ireland, February 11, 1835, and died in Kalamazoo, Michigan, November 2, 1906, when aged seventy-one years. Her father was a man of comfortable means in Ireland but he was led to believe that the United States offered still better advantages for his children, and hence, in 1838 he disposed of his possessions in County Kildare, and with his family came to America and located in what was then the small hamlet of Brunson, which has developed into the city of Kalamazoo, Michigan. In many ways both he and wife were unprepared for the conditions that met them and in a short time both died, six children surviving them, Mrs. Haughey being then eleven years old. Through misplaced confidence she never re- ceived any portion of the forty-acre farm her father had bought and im- proved. From the above early age until her marriage she provided Vol. II-18

880

HISTORY OF CALHOUN COUNTY

for her own necessities while attending school and as a young woman was noted for her beauty, her household capacity and her deep seated piety, a fervent, trustful and devoted member of the Roman Catholic Church until the close of her life. To this marriage nine children were born but only seven reached mature years, these being: Mrs. Anna Baumann, who is a resident of Kalamazoo, Michigan; W. H., who is a prominent physician and surgeon at Battle Creek, Michigan; Mrs. Ellen Bellenger, who survived marriage but a short time; Minnie, who is the wife of Dr. Grace, a physician in practice in Oklahoma; J. Charles, who is in business at Tonica, Illinois; and Mrs. William Clark, of Kalama- zoo, Michigan. Mr. and Mrs. Haughey passed the anniversary of their fiftieth year of marriage but no celebration was held as at that time the health of Mrs. Haughey was precarious. The life of Mr. Haughey has bridged a great span in the history of his country and, venerable as he is, he still takes a keen interest in all that concerns its welfare, not deeming himself any hero, but nevertheless our present peace and pros- perity rest on just what such men accomplished in the earlier day.

W. H. HAUGHEY, M. D. In the professions that make up a notable element of public life and usefulness, at Battle Creek, Michigan, that of medicine and surgery, as elsewhere, occupies a foremost place, and in no section of the country has scientific progress been more eagerly followed or more intelligently adopted. Old ideas and antiquated meth- ods no longer rule the profession here, and there are practioners at Battle Creek who have accomplished much in promulgating general medical knowledge along lines of their own scientific discoveries, and have performed miracles in surgical practice. A credit to his profes- sion and an honor to his community in his enthusiasm, good citizen- ship, moral standards and personal life, whose twenty-four years of continuous residence here has been one of usefulness and beneficence, Dr. W. H. Haughey, secretary of the board of councilors of the Michi- gan State Medical Society, may justly claim attention.

Dr. Haughey was born at Kalamazoo, Michigan, July 6, 1856, and is a son of Luke R. and Mary (Talbott) Haughey. The father was born near Belfast, Ireland, May 15, 1820, and still survives, a veteran of two wars in the United States and a hero in both. The mother was born in County Kildare, Ireland, near the Dublin line, February 11, 1835, and her life closed at Kalamazoo, Michigan, November 2, 1906, when her age was seventy-one years. Of this mother, who was a woman of rare character and of wifely and parental devotion beyond compare, her son has said: "All that I ever have been, all that I now am, all that I ever may be, I owe to my mother." Her parents came from Ireland to America in 1838, settling at what is now Kalamazoo, Michigan, but later moving on a small farm. Her mother died shortly afterward and at the age of eleven years she was fatherless. Her childhood was thus burdened with grief but perhaps the hard discipline of those early years partially strengthened her for the bearing of sorrows yet to come. At the age of eighteen years she married and became the mother of nine children. Circumstances entirely beyond her control brought about hardship and privation during their youth, military service kept her husband from the home fireside through many years of anxiety, and it was not until age had reached her that peace and comfort came upon her. A devoted and faithful member of the Roman Catholic Church, she was not only diligent in her own religious life but set the example and explained the precepts which her children benefitted by and which have supported them in times of stress. Of her nine children seven lived to maturity, these being: Mrs. Anna Bauman, of Kalamazoo,

881

HISTORY OF CALHOUN COUNTY

Michigan; W. H., of Battle Creek; Mrs. Charles L. Yeo, of Battle Creek; Mrs. Ellen Bellenger, who died soon after her marriage; Min- nie, who is the wife of Dr. Grace, of Oschelata, Oklahoma; J. Charles, of Tonica, Illinois; and Mrs. William Clark, of Kalamazoo, where all were born and educated.

Luke R. Haughey left Ireland when he was fifteen years of age and after reaching the United States worked on the Erie Canal then being constructed between Albany and Buffalo, New York. He was sent to Joliet, Illinois, as lock-keeper on the canal there and from that point he enlisted for service in the Mexican War, his commander being Gen- eral Winfield Scott. For two years he served in Mexico and gained dis- tinction for his valor. At the battle of the city of Mexico he was taken prisoner but as the United States troops entered the city on the follow- ing day, his imprisonment was speedily ended. After he returned to Kalamazoo his marriage took place and as he was entitled to a bounty of 160 acres of government land in Kalamazoo county, he settled on that and partly cleared it. When civil war was precipitated he again awoke the military ardor and enlisted as a private in Company H. Seventh Michigan Cavalry, in the army of the Potomac, in which he served for three years. After the close of the Civil War he accompanied one of his old commanders, General Custer to the Indian country and had re- turned to his family just prior to the massacre on the Rosebud. For some years he lived on his farm in Ross township, Kalamazoo county, Michigan, but his present home is with his daughter, Mrs. William Clark, at Kalamazoo.

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

History of Calhoun County, Michigan, a narrative account of its historical progress, its people, and its principal interests, Volume II, Part 40

Author: Gardner, Washington, 1845-1928 Publication date: 1913 Publisher: Chicago New York, The Lewis publishing company Number of Pages: 838

Author: Gardner, Washington, 1845-1928
Publication date: 1913
Publisher: Chicago New York, The Lewis publishing company
Number of Pages: 838