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 52
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110
He was present at Iuka, the next battle fought, September 19, 1862; Gen. Price of the rebel forces lost out of 12,000 men, one thousand as prisoners and many killed. The Union loss was seven hundred and thirty killed and wounded. (In saddle and under fire fifteen days.)
One of the hardest fought battles was that of Corinth, Mississippi. October 3 and 4, 1862. Heat was intense and dust dreadful ; for several days in saddle and under fire, night and day. Followed retreat of rebels under Price and Vandorn for seventy-five miles into the heart of Mississippi, capturing many prisoners.
A few of the many other engagements in which his regiment partici- pated might be mentioned as follows:
956
HISTORY OF CALHOUN COUNTY
A charge into Holly Springs, Mississippi, early in the morning of May 7, 1862, capturing whole outpost, 140 prisoners, with horses, arms and equipments-distance traveled was thirty miles.
A charge into Hudsonville, Mississippi, November 14, 1862, capturing one hundred prisoners with horses and equipments.
At Coffeysville, Mississippi, November 29, 1862, capturing many prisoners ; traveled seventy miles.
February 10, 1863, with sixty men crossed the Tennessee river at Clifton one dark night-surprised and captured Col. Newsom of the rebel forces, with sixty-nine men and horses, then recrossed river and delivered them at headquarters, Jackson, Tennessee, the next day.
Grenada, Mississippi, August 14, 1863. Marched eighty miles, cap- tured and destroyed sixty locomotives, five hundred railroad cars, depot buildings, etc., besides capturing many prisoners.
November 29, 1863. Cavalry and sabre charge at Ripley, Mississippi, after marching from Corinth, Mississippi, a distance of twenty-five miles. Fight lasted three days, secured one hundred and fifty prisoners. Ser- geant Dexter, riding by side of Mr. Miller was shot dead. Several killed and wounded.
Jackson, Tennessee, July 18, 1863. In desperate fight with Forrest, the noted rebel raider. The command captured one hundred and seventy- eight prisoners and two hundred and fifty horses; buried thirty-two rebels on the field; a hand to hand fight of three hours. H. H. Miller ran down and captured rebel lieutenant with sword, revolver and equip- ments ;- the sword still being in Mr. Miller's possession. Distance trav- eled was about thirty miles.
Water Valley, Mississippi, December 2, 1862. Lieut. Corbin, Lieut. McEntee and several privates killed, and many wounded after march of seventy-five miles from Corinth.
December 20, 1862. Cavalry expedition from Water Valley, Missis- sippi, to Holly Springs, fifty miles, then to Ripley, Middleburg and Boli- var in pursuit of the rebel general, Vandorn. The pursuit extended one hundred and thirty miles into the heart of Mississippi, capturing many prisoners and horses; in saddle nine days and nights with scant rations and jaded horses.
In June, 1863, accompanied the General Grierson raid into Northwest Missouri. On a dark night crossed the Talehatchie river, by the light of bonfires; made the horses swim across; had fights at Holly Springs and Panola. Captured six hundred mules and horses, six hundred negroes, fifty prisoners from Forrest. Then marched back to Corinth, a total dis- tance of one hundred miles.
Accompanied General Grierson in raid to Columbus and West Point, Mississippi, a distance of one hundred and sixty miles; battled with'Gen. Forrest of the rebel forces at West Point, Pontotoc, Aberdeen, Oaka- lona ; lost and recaptured by sabre charge the First Illinois Battery. In saddle fifteen days. Union forces secured one hundred horses, one thou- sand mules, horses and negroes; burned three thousand bales of cotton; one million bushels of corn and destroyed miles of Mobile & Ohio rail- road. General Grierson's aid and many others killed in this raid. H. H. Miller, acting as Gen. Grierson's orderly, received shot through left boot- leg and another through canteen and clothes near right side, but received no wound.
Early in July, 1864, accompanied General A. J. Smith and Grierson's raid to Hernando, Mississippi, Moscow, Tennessee, Saulsbury, Ripley, Pontotoc and Tupelo, Mississipi, a distance of one hundred and thirty miles. At Tupelo a terrible battle was fought with Forrest. Union loss was seventy-seven killed and five hundred wounded, while the rebel
957
HISTORY OF CALHOUN COUNTY
loss was two hundred and ten killed and eleven hundred and sixteen wounded. Mr. Miller was with advance in severe charge of three hun- dred cavalry at Pontotoc, the Union loss in this charge being three killed and fourteen wounded; rebel loss, seven killed, twenty-eight wounded and forty-two prisoners. In saddle fifteen days; traveled one hundred and fifty miles. Short rations and jaded horses.
August 21, 1864, Mr. Miller was present and took active part in driv- ing out of Memphis, Tennessee, the rebel forces, when city was surprised and occupied by General Forrest. In a charge to save General Hurlbut and General Washburn's headquarters, Colonel M. H. Starr, inspector general on Gen. Grierson's staff, was mortally wounded. Mr. Miller was then the only clerk in his office. Colonel Starr was a noble specimen of manhood and a gallant soldier.
Mr. Miller was with General Grant through Tennessee and Missis- sippi as a member of General Grierson's cavalry throughout the cam- paign of Vicksburg, and miraculously escaped unharmed though in the thick of many a heavy fire of the enemy.
The regiment saw some of the hardest fighting of the war; distance traveled was 10,800 miles, besides marches made by separate companies. Prisoners captured by the regiment, 2,100. Total loss of regiment, four hundred and fourteen officers and men.
November 28, 1863, Mr. Miller received detail as clerk and orderly in inspector's department at General Grierson's headquarters, Memphis, Tennessee, and accompanied General Grierson as orderly on all his expeditions in Tennessee, Alabama and Mississippi.
Mr. Miller has in his possession strong recommendations from the famous Major General B. H. Grierson and his inspector, General M. H. Starr of the. Cavalry Division of the Sixteenth Army Corps: Following are copies of same :
HD. QRS. CAV. DIV. 16 ARMY CORPS. April 4, 1864.
I take pleasure in recommending Mr. H. H. Miller as an honest, in- dustrious man and a good soldier. I am of the opinion that he would make an excellent officer. My opinion is formed from personal acquaint- ance, Mr. Miller having been on duty in my office for six months.
M. H. STARR, Col. and Asst. Inspector Gen., Cav. Div. 16 Army Corps.
HD. QRS. CAV. DIV. 16 A. C. Memphis, Tenn., April 8, 1864.
Respectfully commended. Private Henry H. Miller has particularly attracted my attention on account of his honesty, industry and sobriety.
I trust his application may receive consideration.
B. H. GRIERSON, Brigadier General.
General George B. Halsted wrote him thus:
Memphis, Tennessee, June 1, 1864. HENRY H. MILLER, Co. C, 3d MICH. CAV. :
Sir :- I have the honor to inform you that the examining board has found you fitted for the position of Second Lieutenant in a regiment of cavalry, and recommend your appointment accordingly.
Very respectfully. GEORGE B. HALSTED.
July 4, 1864, received commission as second lieutenant, 4th U. S. Heavy Artillery and served at Columbus and Louisville, Kentucky, also at Pine Bluff and Little Rock, Arkansas, until discharged February 25,
958
HISTORY OF CALHOUN COUNTY
1866, at Little Rock, Arkansas, after having participated in thirty-four battles, in addition to many minor engagements-thirty-four occasions when life with all its youthful hopes was freely offered that the nation might live.
In the spring of 1865, when stationed at Columbus, Kentucky, Lieu- tenant Miller received instructions from Colonel McArthur, who was commanding the post, to take ten picked men of his company and capture a noted guerilla captain, named Cal Clark, who had been giving a world of trouble, then somewhere in west Tennessee. He succeeded in locating and capturing the bushwhacker ten miles east of Columbus in an all night raid, and marched him to headquarters to answer for his crimes.
The captain being home on sick leave, Lieutenant Miller commanded his company from February to November, in 1865, then stationed at Co- lumbus and Louisville, Kentucky. He remained in the service nearly four and one-half years. In the spring of 1864, just after the massacre of the garrison of Fort Pillow by General Forest, the regiment repelled the attack and refused order for unconditional surrender from rebel, General Buford, after which Generals Buford and Forrest made hasty retreat out of Tennessee.
Upon leaving the army, H. H. Miller returned to Lawton, where he was engaged in a general store for one year. He then exchanged the store for a farm in Cass county, nine miles south of Lawton, comprising eighty acres of land, of which forty acres were improved. He lived there sixteen months, then sold the farm advantageously, and came to Calhoun county, where he purchased forty-eight acres of improved land, nine miles south of Marshall, in Tekonsha township. For the ensuing three years he was engaged in farming this land.
In 1872 Mr. Miller sold this farm and bought his present place of ninety acres, of which forty acres are on section ten and fifty acres on section fifteen, in Eckford township. This is all improved land, with house and barn in good condition, and the farm, which is especially fertile, is on the whole, in excellent order.
Mr. Miller was united in marriage on March 18, 1867, to Sarah E. Kennedy. She was born in county Tipperary, Ireland, October 22, 1834, and is a lineal descendant of Baron Kennedy of Kilbaron. Her father, John Kennedy, died and was buried in Ireland. Her mother, whose maiden name was Julia Flynn, came to the United States with her children, when Mrs. Miller was seven years of age. When she was twelve, the family settled in Marshall, and there the mother died in 1850. Mrs. Miller was the fourth child in a family of three sons and two daughters, of whom she alone survives today. Mr. Miller is one of six children of his parents, he being the fifth in order of birth. He and one sister are the sole survivors of the family.
Two children, a son and a daughter, have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Miller. Their son, George H., was born October 9, 1868. He was edu- cated in the Marshall schools and was graduated from the high school in 1888. He pursued the scientific courses at Ann Arbor and was grad- uated from the University of Michigan in the spring of 1893. Subse- quently, for eight years, he successfully followed the profession of teach- ing, and was engaged in the high schools of Marshall, Michigan, and Blue Island, Illinois. At the present time he is ocupying a lucrative posi- tion with Sears, Roebuck & Company, in Chicago, as general manager of their employment department.
The daughter of the house, who was named Winnie B., was born December 18, 1869. She was also a graduate of Marshall high school and was for nine years one of the corps of teachers of the Marshall public
959
HISTORY OF CALHOUN COUNTY
schools until her marriage to Schuyler C. French, September 20, 1898. Her death occurred April 2, 1910.
Mr. Miller has ever been a Republican and cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1860. The cause of education has had for him a peculiar interest and he has served it well as township superin- tendent of schools and as school inspector. He also held the office of township clerk for eleven years.
In addition to his farm in Eckford, Mr. Miller owns a fine residence, centrally located in Marshall, Michigan, where he has lived since 1890.
In the year 1891 Mr. Miller became a comrade in the G. A. R., join- ing C. Colegrove Post No. 166 of Marshall, Michigan. He was com- mander of his post three terms and has held other responsible offices since he became a member of it. In addition thereto, he has held the office of secretary of Calhoun County Soldiers' Relief Commission since 1907, and is still the incumbent of the office. He is patriotic instructor of his post, an office which carries with it much important work, and he has almost continuously held the office of chief marshal for Memorial Day. He has also been honored with the office of colonel of Calhoun County Veteran Battalion, a position which he now holds.
EZRA B. MURDOCK. As one of the representative farmers and stock- growers of his native county Mr. Murdock is entitled to specific recogni- tion in this publication. He is the owner of a fine landed estate of 160 acres, in Marengo township, and the same, with its admirable improve- ments and specially successfull operations, is known as one of the model farms of the county. Mr. Murdock is a scion of a family whose name has been worthily linked with the industrial and civic history of Cal- houn county for nearly 60 years and as a progressive and substantial agriculturist and grower of and dealer in live stock he himself has at- tained to marked precedence, the while he is held in high regard as a loyal and public-spirited citizen.
Mr. Murdock was born on the old homestead farm, in Marengo town. ship, this county, and the date of his nativity was January 27, 1855 He is a son of Ira and Sarah (Bryan) Murdock, both of whom were born and reared in the state of New York, and the latter of whom was a daughter of Ezra Bryan, in whose honor the subject of this review was named. In 1842 Ira Murdock came to Michigan and purchased a farm of 80 acres, in Clarendon township, only a part of the land having been cleared. He traded this for a farm in Marengo township and added to this until it comprised 170 acres. He became one of the prominent agri- culturists and stockgrowers of the county and took special interest in the improving of the grades of cattle and swine raised in this section of the state, his reputation as a successful and enterprising breeder of fine stock having been of more than local order. He was a man of sterling character and indefatigable energy, and he gained definite success and advancement through his own well directed endeavors. He was a Demo- crat in his political adherency and was influential in public affairs in his community, and of their children one son and two daughters are now liv- ing. Ira Murdock continued to reside on his farm until his death, which occurred in 1877, and his wife, who proved a devoted companion and helpmeet, was summoned to eternal rest in 1899, the names of. both meriting place on the roster of the honored pioneers of Calhoun county.
Ezra Bryan Murdock was reared to the sturdy discipline of the farm , and after completing the curriculum of the district school near his home he continued his studies in the public schools in the city of Marshall. After leaving school he returned to the parental farmstead, with the work and management of which he continued to be identified until the Vol. II-23
960
HISTORY OF CALHOUN COUNTY
death of his parents, after which he purchased the interests of the other heirs and thus came into possession of his present and well improved farm. He is aggressive and enterprising in the various departments of his industrial activities, has been specially interested in the breeding and training of fine horses, and has for a number of years conducted a pros- perous business in the buying and shipping of live stock. His love of fine horses has made him an adept in judging values and also in the training of the noble animals, so that his services have been in requisition in the development and exploiting of the powers of a number of fine standard- bred horses owned by others. At the time of this writing he is training for turf purposes the mare. "Blue Bell," which is owned by Richard Conley, a representative horseman of Marshall township. The mare mentioned is a most beautiful animal and is destined to make her mark in racing events.
In politics Mr. Murdock accords a stanch allegiance to the Democratic party, but he has never desired or held public office of any descrip- tion.
In the year 1877 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Murdock to Miss Alice L. Godfrey, who was born and reared in this county and who is a daughter of Charles and Mary (Lyman) Godfrey, her father having been one of the representative agriculturists of Emmett township, Mr. and Mrs. Murdock became the parents of three children,-Charles I., who is a resident of Marshall where he is engaged as traveling salesman for the Marshall Furnace Company; Stella, who is the wife of William Wells, an employe in the postoffice at Marshall; and Roy L., who is engaged in the hardware business at Union City, Branch county.
HARRY E. BURT. Now a prominent, a progressive and a representa- tive resident of Battle Creek, and descended from a long line of ances- tors, Harry E. Burt himself and his career are worthy of note. He is in the eighth generation of the family in America, the progenitors of which, Richard and James Burt, were early settlers of Taunton, Massa- chusetts. Richard Burt appears as one of the forty-six first purchasers, in 1639, while James is first mentioned as a surveyor of roads in 1645, although neither are on the military list of August, 1643. Most of the heads of the various branches of Burts were farmers and iron workers, and all were at some time residents of Taunton or Berkley, which, until 1735, was a part of Taunton. From tablets in Memorial Hall, North- ampton, we find that David, Elkanah, Henry and Joel Burt were minute men from 1775 to 1783; John Burt served in the French and Indian war, 1703 to 1713; Elkanah Burt served under Seth Pomeroy, Major, in the expedition to Louisburg, in 1745, and Joseph and Oliver Burt were sol- diers in the French and Indian war, 1754 to 1763, and all of these were doubtless descendants of David of Northampton. Throughout the early warfare with the Indians, the Burts bore the reputation of being fear- less, hard-fighting men, and many interesting stories of their prowess have found a place in history. It was the custom of the Indians during those days to give their prisoners a chance to display their bravery, and those who showed themselves to be men of courage often were given their liberty. On one occasion, so runs the story, one of the Burts was cap- tured by the Indians and compelled by them to row them across a river, during the crossing of which one of the redmen spat upon the prisoner. The latter promptly arose, knocked the Indian into the river, and thus winning their admiration by his fearlessness, secured his liberty. At another time, when a party of white men were being made to run the gauntlet, a favorite pastime with the hostiles in those days, one of the Burts was knocked to the ground by a club held in the hands of a squaw.
961
HISTORY OF CALHOUN COUNTY
Arising, he gave her such a blow as to fell her to the ground, and con- tinued his way through the gauntlet unmolested.
Mr. Burt's maternal great-grandfather, Samuel Severance, was a native of Massachusetts, and at the age of eighteen years entered the American army as a cook for Gen. George Washington, serving in that capacity until 1781, when he entered the ranks to take the place of his father, who had been drafted. He enlisted March 21, 1781, in a company commanded by Capt. Francis Green, in the regiment of Col. Joseph Vose, of the Massachusetts line, and served until June 8, 1783, when he received Bradford county, Pa., and in 1815 settled at Springfield. He married Azuba Smith, and their children were as follows: Sarah, who married his honorable discharge. Subsequently he removed from Shelburne to David Phinney ; Mary, who married Oliver Gates; Patience, who mar- ried John Harkness; and Clarissa, who married Almond Berry, the latter being Mr. Burt's grandfather. Samuel Severance passed away in 1835.
Ezekiel Burt, the father of Harry E., was born January 21, 1840, in Bradford county, Pennsylvania, and has spent his life in agricultural pursuits, being now a retired resident of Jamestown, New York. He married Mary L. Berry, also a native of Bradford county, who died in Maryland, June 4, 1900, and they had three sons: Caleb A., born De- cember 4, 1861, who died February 13, 1863; Harry E., born May 20, 1866; and Charles F., born March 9, 1868, who is now a resident of New York City, being chief clerk in the United States assay office on Wall street.
The early education of Harry E. Burt was obtained in a little brown schoolhouse in the vicinity of his father's farm in Bradford county, Pennsylvania, and this was supplemented by attendance at the Troy high school. At the age of nineteen years he left the parental roof and went to Elmira, New York, to learn the watchmaker's trade with the leading jeweler of that city, and in 1888 came west to Battle Creek, Michigan. Here his first employment was with N. A. Osgood, then the leading jeweler of this city, located on the present site of the Central National Bank, but after about one year went to Kalamazoo and worked for A. C. Wortley, in whose employ he continued six months. His next location was in Saginaw, Michigan, where for about four years he worked for the jewelry firm of J. C. Watts & Company, and during this time married a Battle Creek girl. Giving up his position he returned to this city and with a partner, Sherman W. Moody, bought out the old Osgood store, in which he had been employed on first coming to Battle Creek, and under the firm name of Burt & Moody did a large business until 1897. On August 7th of that year Mr. Burt became superintendent for the Postum Cereal Co., Ltd., which was then a small but rapidly grow- ing enterprise, which now employs some 800 men. Much of the credit for the growth of this concern must be given to the able management of Mr. Burt, whose importance in the manufacturing field has grown com- mensurately with that of the business with which he is connected. A thoroughly skilled mechanic, with all the true watchmaker's love for his art, he often joins his jewelers in some intricate piece of work, glad once more to feel the tools of his trade in his hands. He is a general favorite with the men under his supervision, who not only recognize his ability, but realize the fact that he is working in their interests and that he will ask nothing of them that he himself is not willing to do. Mr. Burt has not confined his activities to this company, being a director and stockholder in the Advance Pump and Compressor Company since its organization, and a stockholder in the Union Steam Pump Company of
962
HISTORY OF CALHOUN COUNTY
Battle Creek. He is a popular member of the Elks lodge and the Athel- stan Club.
Mr. Burt was married September 15, 1891, to Miss Georgia Haddock, daughter of the late George Wheeler Haddock, of Battle Creek, Mich- igan, a sketch of whom will be found in another part of this work. Her mother makes her home with Mr. and Mrs. Burt. Mrs. Burt was born in this city and educated here, is prominent in the work of the Women's League and the Women's Club, and is a favorite in social circles. Two sons have been born to her and her husband : Harold H., born in Saginaw, Michigan, October 9, 1892, educated in the public schools, the D. U. S., a boy's school of Detroit, and the Howe Military School, at Lima, Indiana, and is now attending the Michigan Business and Normal College of Battle Creek; and Robert C. born in Battle Creek, December 2, 1896, and now attending school here. The Burt home, situated at No. 143 Frelinghuysen avenue, is one of the most beautiful in the city, being of stucco and erected after the architecture of California homes, finished in mission. The family are worthy the precedence which is theirs in social life, exemplifying that innate refinement which dignifies and harmonizes the various associations of humanity.
.
GEORGE WHEELER HADDOCK. The life of a good and just man and the memory of his kindly, noble deeds, are in themselves his true biog- raphy. In the life of such an individual the observer of human char- acter may find both precept and example. He may find in such a life sermons that speak more eloquently and leave a deeper impression upon the heart than any human words. The simple goodness and unconscious influence of such a man is a benediction to all with whom he comes in daily contact. Such were the attributes of the late George Wheeler Haddock, who, although only remembered by those of the older genera- tion, was for a number of years engaged in business in Battle Creek, of which city he was a pioneer jewelry merchant. He was born at Griffens Mills, near Buffalo, New York, March 1, 1838, and came to Battle Creek in 1859, following the trade of carpenter and builder. . During the winter of 1860 he returned to Buffalo, but the west called him back, and he re- turned to Battle Creek, then a city of three or four thousand inhabitants. After his return he clerked for Skinner & Decker, dry goods merchants, a short time, and while with them became interested in watch repairing and engraving. Entering the employ of Solomon Mapes, who ran what was then known as a jewelry shop in the window of Skinner & Decker's store, he mastered the trade, and in 1863 purchased a stock of jewelry goods and materials for repairing and embarked in business in the dry goods store of Clement Wakelee. In 1866 he was married to Miss Frances A. Cady, who came to this city from Rochester, New York, with her mother, Fanny H. Cady, and family, her mother buying and residing on the farm now called "Plumfield."
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.