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 51
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The date of George Smith's nativity was June 15, 1843, and his birthplace was Albany county, New York. That locality was the home of his childhood and there he attended the district schools until the time of the family emigration to Michigan. After the establishment of the home in Calhoun county, he attended the Marshall public schools, until he had reached an age at which it was advisable that he share the labors of the farm with his father. He was eighteen years of age when the Civil war began and his youthful patriotism was such that he at once enlisted in the service of his country, joining the 16th Michigan Infantry, under the regimental command of Colonel Stock- ton. His first discharge was in February, 1862. He re-enlisted in August of the same year in the 20th Michigan Volunteer Infantry, Colonel O. B. Cutchin commanding the regiment. His regiment was ordered to the front and was stationed in front of Petersburg, where a rather prolonged time was spent in guarding that place. During this engagement Mr. Smith was shot through the right breast and arm, the wound proving to be such a serious one that he was taken to a hos- pital. Here he remained until he had to some extent recovered his strength, whereupon he returned to Marshall. Here after practically completing his convalescence, he returned to his regiment. In all he served forty-four months.
In 1869 Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Sarah M. Van Voorhees as his life's comrade. She was the daughter of Isaac and Maria (Mead) Van Voorhees, her parents settling in Calhoun county in 1847, among the early pioneers. She was at that time but one year old, her birth having occurred April 5, 1846, in New York City. Her home was in Fredonia township before her marriage. During the years of her life with Mr. Smith, two children have been born to them, who are named as follows: Frederick W., Charles C. The three hun- dred-acre farm which was the home of this family became an attractive and productive one under the care of Mr. Van Voorhees, who improved it in various features, both as to convenience and good appearance.
Since his retirement from the activities of life, Mr. Smith has been honored by election to the office of city treasurer, and has served as city supervisor. In politics he is a pronounced Republican but his atti- tude toward those entertaining different views from himself is always one of respect. He retains his active connection with the Grand Army of the Republic, as a member of Colegrove Post, No. 166. His inter- esting reminiscences of the exciting years of national upheaval, as well as his clear and kindly outlook on all present affairs of public interest, make his residence at 721 East State street an attractive rendezvous for those of his appreciative friends who treasure the opinions and philosophies of those who have lived.
PHINEAS H. LANG. In partnership with his son-in-law, Phineas H. Lang is cultivating a well improved farm of two hundred and eighty
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acres, the same being located in Le Roy township, Calhoun county, Michigan. Mr. Lang is a self made man in the most significant sense of the term. His success, in life is due entirely to his unremitting labors and conscientious devotion to duty. He is a man of honorable and straightforward principles and is everywhere accorded the perfect con- fidence and high esteem of his fellow citizens.
In Piqua, Ohio, June 25, 1860, occurred the birth of Phineas H. Lang, the son of George and Mary (Maston) Lang, both natives of the Empire State. The father was born in Rochester, New York, on Feb- ruary 22, 1812, and there was reared to maturity. They became the parents of eleven children, of which number Phineas H. was the youngest and five are living at this time. William is engaged in farming on the Post farm in Newton township; Libby is the wife of Mr. Dixon; and Mary is the widow of Mr. Riley. George Lang removed with his family from New York to Ohio, but he remained in the latter state only a short time. He came to Michigan soon thereafter, and located in Kalamazoo county, where he eventually accumulated sufficient of this world's goods to enable him to purchase a farm, on which he lived during the remainder of his life. He raised his family there and when he died was well situated from a financial viewpoint. He passed away in 1882, aged seventy years. He was a Democrat in politics and in his religious adherence, was a Meth- odist, as was also his wife. His eldest son, Rowe Lang, enlisted in a Michigan regiment at the time of the War of the Rebellion, and met his death on the field of battle at Bull Run.
Phineas Lang was but a child at the time of the family removal from Ohio to Kalamazoo county, Michigan, and he received a fair education in the district schools. At the early age of twelve he started out on his own responsibility, and his first occupation was riding a horse hitched to a cultivator, his remuneration for that service being five cents daily. In 1902 he had so far advanced financially that he purchased a farm of eighty acres in Washtenaw county, but it so happened that he never resided on that place. Later he bought his present estate in Calhoun county, which originally comprised one hundred and twenty acres. He purchased the place on credit and worked another farm on shares to earn the money to meet the payments, and eventually found himself clear of debt in that connection. Since 19- he has been asso- ciated in farming enterprises with his son-in-law, P. M. Voyee, and to- gether they own and operate a fine estate of two hundred and eighty acres. In politics Mr. Lang is an uncompromising Republican. He is not a seeker after public office or honors, and the only office he has held in the township is that of Moderator of the Blackett school in Newton township. While not formally connected with any religious organiza- tion, he attends and gives his support to the Congregational church, of which his wife is a member. In a fraternal way, he is affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America at Sonoma, and for several years was con- nected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
In 1887 Mr. Lang was united in marriage with Miss Anna Smith, a daughter of Oscar and Anna (Miller) Smith, the former of whom was born in Ohio, as was also Mrs. Lang, her birth occurring in the year 1863. The Smith family came to Kalamazoo county and there the parents passed the remainder of their lives. Mr. and Mrs. Lang have one daughter, Agnes, who is the wife of P. M. Voyee. Mr. and Mrs. Voyee have three children-George, Ruth and Helen Gladys, here named in the respective order of their birth.
JAY C. SNYDER. The name of Snyder is a well known and respected one in Clarence township of Calhoun county where a member of each of
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three successive generations of the family has been numbered among its most prosperous and worthy citizens. Jay C. Snyder is the present repre- sentative of the family in this community and has well upheld the prestige of the family name for honor and useful citizenship.
He was born April 2, 1869, in Clarence township, where also was born . his father, Myron Snyder, whose nativity occurred in February 15, 1841. Myron Snyder is the son of John B. Snyder, who with his wife, Betsey E. (Collins) Snyder, came from New York to Calhoun county, Michigan, in 1839 and settled in Clarence township. Here John B. Snyder became the owner of a farm of 160 acres, on which he resided until his death. He was one of the first supervisors of Clarence township. Myron Snyder re- mained a resident of Clarence township until his retirement from the farm in November, 1911, at which time he removed to Albion, his present abode. He was educated in the district schools of this locality and until he reached manhood he assisted in the duties of the home farm. After his father's death he bought the interests of the other heirs in the estate and became the owner of eighty acres, to which he added by subsequent purchases until his holdings aggregated 370 acres. He started in business life without capital save for those qualities of character which are more valuable assets than money in the achievement of success, and retired from active life a man of substance. In politics his allegiance is given to the Democratic party. He served as supervisor of Clarence township seven years and also served as township treasurer a number of years. He took as his wife and helpmeet Miss Cornelia J. Southworth, whose parents, John H. and Emeline (Granger) Southworth, came from New York to Michigan in the early '40s and located near Tekonsha.
Jay C. Snyder, whose name introduces this review, is the only child of his parents. He received his education in the common schools of Cla- rence township and was reared to the occupation of farming. He was as- sociated with his father on the home place until the latter's retirement in 1911, at which time he bought his father's 200 acre farm and has since re- sided on it. Besides the general lines of agricultural industry he gives special attention to the raising of beans. In political faith he too is a Democrat and he has served as supervisor of Clarence township six years and as treasurer four years, which is convincing evidence that he enjoys the same high standing and confidence in his community which were also accorded his father and grandfather. Fraternally he is a member of Springport Lodge, No. 284, Free and Accepted Masons.
In 1886 Mr. Snyder was united in marriage to Harriet B. Sine, daugh- ter of John and Mary Sine, the former a native of Germany and the lat- ter of New York. The father was but four years old when his parents immigrated to the United States and settled in Michigan, and the mother also accompanied her parents to Michigan when she was but a child. They were married in this state and resided here the remainder of their lives. One daughter, Mildred B., came to Mr. and Mrs. Snyder and left them at her death on January 28, 1911, when just blooming into young womanhood, being then seventeen years of age.
DR. ARTHUR H. KIMBALL. A leading member of the medical profes- sion of Battle Creek during a long and active career, the late Dr. Arthur H. Kimball stood high in the ranks of the fraternity, and in his death, which occurred August 6, 1894, the profession lost an honored member and the city a valued and valuable citizen. Dr. Kimball was born Octo- ber 23, 1850, in Corinth, Vermont, and was a student and later a tutor in Barre Academy, in his native state. He graduated in medicine from Dartmouth College, New Hampshire, in 1875, and later completed a post- graduate course in Bellevue Hospital, New York. The doctor began the
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practice of his profession at Cummington, Massachusetts, where he re- mained seven years, and in 1883 came to Battle Creek, being here engaged in practicing medicine and surgery up to the time of his death. He was a close and careful student, keeping fully abreast of the various changes and conversant with the discoveries made in the sciences of medicine and surgery, and accordingly built up a large and lucrative practice. A Democrat in political views, he served Battle Creek very acceptably in the office of health official, and while a resident of Cummington, Massachusetts, acted in the capacity of school director. He died at his home at No. 196 Maple street, and his widow now resides in the family residence, which was built by the doctor. Dr. Kimball took an active interest in the work of the various medical organizations, and was a mem- ber of the Calhoun County Medical Society, the Michigan State Medi- cal Society and the American Medical Association. He was a prominent Mason, and belonged to the Athelstan Club of Battle Creek and to the Independent Congregational church.
On September 15, 1876, Dr. Kimball was married to Marion B. Baker, in South Dennis, Massachusetts, she being a native of that place, where she was educated. Two sons were born to this union : Dr. Arthur S., a well known physician and surgeon of Battle Creek, a sketch of whose career appears on another page of this work; and Frank Hamilton, who died in Battle Creek, May 17, 1906, and left a widow, who has since died in California. They had one son, Oliver Arthur, who is now living with his maternal grandmother in Los Angeles, California. Mrs. Kimball spends her winters in the South and West, last winter being spent in St. Petersburg, Florida, and the summer months in her home in Battle Creek. She is a lady of culture and refinement and has many friends in social circles of the city.
GEORGE W. JENKINS. Farming, with all its branches, has been con- sidered a good line of business since the beginning of the world, but within the past quarter of a century it has been developed in a remark- able degree, and at this time offers a splendid field for the man of energy, perseverance and ability. In this class stands George W. Jenkins, of Clarendon township, a man who has been in a remarkable degree the architect of his own fortunes, and who owes his present success in life entirely to his own efforts. Mr. Jenkins was born in New York, August 17, 1851, and is a son of Alfred and Mary A. (Lillie) Jenkins, natives of New York. The Jenkins family originated in Wales, from which coun- try three brothers, John, James and William Jenkins, came to the United States during early colonial days, and settled in Chautauqua county, New York. The grandfather of George W. Jenkins, Joseph Jenkins, of New York, served as a soldier during the War of 1812-14, and during his later years came to Clarendon township, Calhoun county, Michigan. where he and his wife, Roby (Simmons) Jenkins, spent the remainder of their days. On the maternal side, George W. Jenkins is descended from Adam Lillie, a native of Germany and common laborer, who emigrated to the United States and spent the rest of his life in New York. Alfred Jenkins was born in 1817, in New York, and came to Michigan in 1852, settling in Clarendon township, where he purchased a farm of forty acres. This wild land he cleared from the brush and timber, and erected a log house, in which the family resided for twenty years. He died in 1905, on the old homestead, having been the father of five children, of whom three are living and George W. is the eldest of these. He and his wife, who was born in New York in 1823, were good Christian people and faith- ful members of the Disciples church, and in his political views Mr. Jenkins was a Republican.
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Willand S. Cells
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After completing his course in the district schools of Clarendon town- ship, George W. Jenkins entered Holbrook Academy, Lebanon, Ohio, and there spent two years. On graduating from that institution he be- gan teaching school, and so continued for some five years, but eventually removed to Nebraska, where he took up a homestead, and there remained eight years in farming and stock raising. Selling his homestead, Mr. Jenkins returned to Calhoun county and purchased his present farm, now a tract of eighty acres, all being under cultivation. In addition to carrying on general farming, he raises considerable stock, and in all his ventures has been evenly successful. A Republican in politics, he not only takes an interest in the success of his party, but gives attention to aiding in the advance of affairs in his township. He is a member of the Ancient Order of Gleaners and with his wife is a faithful attendant of the Methodist Episcopal church.
In 1886 Mr. Jenkins was united in marriage with Mrs. Lucinda (Moore) Craig, daughter of Stephen Moore, a native of New York, who came to Michigan in the early 'fifties and spent the rest of his life in agricultural pursuits in Calhoun county. Mrs. Jenkins died in Novem- ber, 1906, without issue, and in 1908 Mr. Jenkins was married (second) to Mrs. Anna (Hundy) Hadley, daughter of Reuben Hundy, a native of Canada, who spent his last years in Calhoun county, being a shoe- maker and market gardener. The family is well known and highly esteemed in Homer township, occupying a pleasant home and being pos- sessed of numerous warm personal friends.
WILLARD S. EELLS. While the development of a city depends first of all on its business, that is, work it has to do in the world and the pur- pose it must fulfill, there is another factor, only second if not equal in importance, and that is the proper housing of the inhabitants. To stimu- late an interest and desire for good comfortable homes is a work which any philanthropist might well undertake. In a large measure this has been the regular business of Mr. W. S. Eells in Battle Creek for the past fifteen years, and through his agency hundreds of residents have found homes and helped to raise the general living conditions of this widely known city of homes.
Mr. Eells was born in Battle Creek, February 20, 1873. His father, Calvin B. Eells, who died in this city December 20, 1908, was born in Herkimer county, New York, on December 19, 1834. He was educated at West Winfield, Herkimer county, in a private school, and his cousin, Leroy Bliss, also was born there. Well educated, Mr. Eells taught school during his early manhood for some years, and for five years he was a member of the Home Guards in the New York State Militia as orderly sergeant of his company. For many years he was a traveling salesman, and also sold bankrupt stocks in the East. After several years of ardu- ous traveling in the south he came to Battle Creek for his health, and after his recovery remained here as a permanent settler. He bought some city property in the shape of houses for renting purposes on Good- ale avenue and later purchased sixty-five acres of land in Battle Creek and Bedford townships, which was his regular home until his death. This property now joins the city limits and is reached by the Upton avenue car line. It constitutes a very desirable property today, and is located next to the Post Land Company's addition. It is still owned by the heirs of Calvin B. Eells and it is the plan and intention of Mr. W. S. Eells to plat it in a few years and sell it for residence lots. Calvin B. Eells had the distinction of being a participant in the historic meet- ing under the oaks at Jackson where the first organization of the Re- publican party was affected. He had ability as a public speaker and
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during his considerable activity in politics made stump speeches in many places. The father of Calvin B. Eells was Joseph Eells, who served with distinction as a captain in the war of 1812. The family is one of Welch origin. Calvin B. Eells first came to Michigan in 1865, locating in Battle Creek, Calhoun county, where he lived for nine years, then moving to Battle Creek township. On July 3, 1871, he married Miss Mattie Benton, who was a daughter of Felix Benton, whose father was a Revolutionary soldier. Thomas H. Benton, her cousin, was a senator from Missouri prior to the Civil war period. She was born and educated at Middlebury, Vermont, where she attended Mid- dlebury College and a Female Seminary in that place. She came to Michigan with a group of Seventh Day Adventists who came to Battle Creek as colonists, and she taught school in the township, and she was a resident at the old Health Reform Institute, the original of the present Battle Creek Sanatorium, while Calvin Eells was regaining his health there. In this manner an acquaintance was formed which culminated in their marriage on the date mentioned above. Two sons and two daughters were born to them: Mary J., who lives at home in Battle Creek; Willard S. of this review ; Charles F., who lives on the farm; and Mrs. Bessie Jones of Jackson, Michigan. By a previous marriage, Mr. Eells had one daughter, now Mrs. W. W. Clement, of Faribault, Min- nesota. She was born in New York state. The children of his second marriage were born in Calhoun county and here educated. The mother, who still survives her husband and resides at No. 41 Orin street, is one of the oldest members of the Seventh Day Adventist church.
When Willard S., was about six weeks old his parents moved out to the farm near the city, and there he spent his youth. He attended the city schools and also took a private business course and studied real estate law with W. S. Powers and Henry F. Jacobs. He has been dealing in real estate for the past eighteen years, and with one excep- tion, is the oldest real estate dealer in continuous business in this city. In 1897 he opened his office, and has continued in the business since that time. His partner at that time for a year was John Walters, and the firm was known as Eells Real Estate Co., but since the termination of that association in a year after its birth, he has been an independent factor in the real estate business of the city. His specialty has been the building of houses to sell on the easy payment plan, and in this way he has furnished opportunities to almost countless families to secure their own homes. He is the owner of considerable realty in the city, and during the present year (1912) has begun another active campaign of building. The magnitude of this enterprise is indicated by the fact that he and another real estate man of the city, Mr. I. W. Schram, have jointly ordered through a local lumber company an en- tire train load of building material. Unlike most real estate men Mr. Eells choses the sites near the business district for his building opera- tions, instead of the outlying tracts. This middle field has often been overlooked to the detriment of a growing city, and while his operations have proved profitable, they are also productive of benefit to the per- manent prosperity of Battle Creek. ' Mr. Eells office is at No. 6 East Main, street, and his home, a fine modern residence, is at No. 384 Upton avenue, where he has lived for seven years. A bachelor, he has lived alone and kept his own house without the aid of a housekeeper for eighteen years.
Mr. Eells is a very enterprising man as an advertiser, and relies on board publicity for the promotion of his business. He is one of the leading citizens of Battle Creek, and has played an important part in the history of the city in the years that he has been identified with its
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development. As charter member of the Battle Creek Real Estate Board, he was recently chairman of the committee of three to revise the by-laws and constitution and provide for the incorporation of the board. He was the administrator of his father's estate, and a considerable part of his business has been in the administration of estates and trusts. For many years he has helped to sustain and been an active worker in the Young Men's Christian Association. Politically, his actions have been independent of party, and his support may be depended upon to go to the best man.
HENRY H. MILLER was born at Middleport, Niagara county, New York, December 24, 1836. His father, Etheny E. Miller, a native of Con- necticut, was born July 12, 1795, and was a stone mason by trade. He removed from his early home in his native state to Crown Point, New York, where he lived for some time prior to taking up his abode in Mid- dleport. In 1838 he came from the latter named place to Wayne county, Michigan, and, locating near Ypsilanti, Michigan, he worked at his trade there for several years. In his old age he went to spent his last days with his daughter, Mrs. Jesse Smith, at Lawton, Michigan, and died there February 14, 1856. His wife, whose maiden name was Nancy C. Smith, was a native of Crown Point, New York, born about 1820. She died in Wayne county, when her son, Henry H. of this review, was two years of age.
Thus early deprived of the loving care of a mother, Henry H. Miller was taken by his aunt, Hulda L. Robbins, of Niagara county, New York, and was reared by her. He was given good educational advantages, first attending the district school, then studying at Lockport Union school, and he subsequently took the teacher's course at the Normal school at Ypsilanti in this state. He took up the work of teaching at Lawton, Michigan, in 1858, and continued to be thus engaged there until 1861. He also taught school in Eckford township, having charge of the school there for four winters after the close of the Rebellion.
When the war broke out Mr. Miller enlisted with Company C, Third Michigan Cavalry, on September 17, 1861, and below is given an account in brief of his actual experiences throughout the war, he having taken part in nearly all the engagements of his regiment in the Army of the Tennessee and Mississippi.
He left Grand Rapids with his regiment November 28, 1861, for St. Louis, Missouri, the regiment being in command of Colonel R. H. G. Minty.
In March, 1862, he was in an engagement at New Madrid and Island No. 10, Missouri, and was in saddle and under fire for twenty days.
After surrender of Island No. 10 by the rebels, and assisting in round- ing up seven thousand prisoners, he went with regiment up the Tennessee river and took part in the siege of Corinth, which lasted until the end of May. (In saddle and under fire for twenty-one days.)
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