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 82
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
On August 26, 1880, Dr. Bangham was married to Miss Estella Aus- tin, of Marengo township, a daughter of Theodore N. Austin, one of the early residents of this county. She completed her education in the Marshall high school. Five children were born to Dr. and Mrs. Bang- ham. Of that number, the first born, Austin S., died October 21, 1891, at the age of nine years. The others are : Belle D., Harrison A., Flossie E. and Leila Ruth. Mrs. Bangham died Aug. 29, 1905, at her home in Albion. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which the doctor has been a member for many years, as well as holding the office of church steward and being superintendent of the Sunday school. At the time of the completion of the new church parsonage at Homer, then the finest in the conference, he was a member of the building com- mittee. He has always been deeply interested in church work, and the moral growth of the community, and his efforts in that direction have been most beneficial and effective.
The doctor is a man of large social instincts, and his fondness for that phase of life is indicated by his fraternal affiliations. While a resident of Homer he was a member of Humanity Lodge No. 29, F. & A. M., of Homer, and was the master. He was also a charter member of Homer Chapter No. 130, R. A. M., and was High priest of the chapter for more than twelve years. He belongs to Albion Council, R. & S. M .; Marshall Commandery, No. 17, Knights Templar. He was one of the organizers and a member of Stella Chapter No. 140, Order of the East- ern Star, of which he was the first worthy patron, holding the office for six years. His wife was also a member of that chapter. The doctor was
1160
HISTORY OF CALHOUN COUNTY
a member of Homer Lodge, No. 232, Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, of which he is Past Grand; Homer Lodge, No. 88, Knights of Pythias, of which he is Past Chancellor, and he was also one of the or- ganizers of the Maccabee Tent and the Modern Woodmen Camp at Homer. He is Past Commander of the Maccabees Tent.
Since coming to Albion, he has transferred his membership in the fraternal organization to similar organizations in this city, and in addi- tion has become a member of Saladin Shrine, Grand Rapids.
March 24, 1906, Dr. Bangham was united in marriage to Ruth A. Ludlow, daughter of Frank S. and Mary A. Ludlow. Mrs. Bangham is a graduate of Albion high school, Albion College and the University of Michigan. They have one son Frank Ludlow Bangham, born August 2, 1907.
Dr. Bangham's interest in the welfare of the commonwealth is deep and sincere and his legislative course has shown marked familiarity with existing conditions and a close study of many methods of remedy where reform and improvements are needed. He takes an active part in the business which is transacted in the council chambers of the state and his course has ever been above suspicion. The good of the nation he places before partisanship and the welfare of his constituents before self-aggrandizement. In the senate he commanded the respect of every member and at home, in the county of his nativity, where he is best known, he inspires personal friendships of unusual strength, and all who know him have the highest admiration for his strong mentality, his professional skill, his loyalty in citizenship and his devotion to the public welfare.
CARLTON E. CONVIS. A farmer of note and a citizen of unusual loyalty and public spirit in Battle Creek township, Calhoun county, Michigan, is Carlton E. Convis, who is the owner of a fine estate of one hundred and thirty-seven acres located two miles distant from the city of Battle Creek. He is engaged in diversified agriculture and the raising of stock and has achieved remarkable success during his business career.
A native of Calhoun county, Carlton E. Convis was born in Penn- field township, August 21, 1874. He is a son of Samuel and Harriet (Forshey) Convis, the former of whom was born in the state of New York, whence he came to Michigan as a young man, settling on a farm in Pennfield township, Calhoun county, where he resided during the balance of his life time. He had extensive farming interests in this county and from 1874 to 1893 was a heavy stockholder in the Old Na- tional Bank at Battle Creek. Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Convis became the parents of one child, Carlton E. of this review. F. John Forshey, ma- ternal grandfather of Carlton E. Convis, was born and reared in the state of Indiana. He settled in the vicinity of Harmonia, Michigan, in the early pioneer days and there passed the balance of his life time. He was a man of broad mind and splendid executive ability, took a prominent part in public affairs and was well known throughout the sec- tion in which he resided.
Carlton E. Convis was reared and still lives on the old parental homestead, in the work and management of which he early began to assist his mother, as his father died when he was eight years old, and he received his educational training in the neighboring district schools. Most of his attention has been devoted to the growing of grain but he also raises some stock. He has worked at filling silos at odd times and is decidedly a progressive young farmer. In politics he accords an uncompromising allegiance to the principles and policies for which the party stand sponsor and while he has never been incumbent of any pub-
1161
HISTORY OF CALHOUN COUNTY
lic office he is ever on the alert to advance all measures and enterprises projected for the good of the general welfare. Though not formally connected with any religious organization, he attends and gives his sup- port to the Baptist church at Battle Creek, of which his wife is a member.
In 1897, at Pennfield, Mr. Convis was united in marriage to Miss Clara Lee, a daughter of Alson Lee, who was a prominent resident of Pennfield township, the rest of his life since ten years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Convis have two children, Harriet and Lena Belle, both of whom are now attending school.
CHARLES M. RANGER. In the very early days of the colonial epoch the original American ancestors of Charles M. Ranger, in both the agnatic and maternal lines, were among the citizens of New England, and Virginia colony and in that and each succeeding generation have been found men of virile powers and sterling character. Himself a worthy representative of this old and honored family, Mr. Ranger is now living a somewhat retired life, his activities being confined to the superintending of the old family home, although for many years he was identified with business enterprises in Battle Creek, where he has made his home since 1882. Mr. Ranger was born near Morenci, Lenawee county, Michigan, October 31, 1852, and is a son of Samuel Montgomery and Nancy (Goss) Ranger.
Mr. Ranger's parental great-grandfather, of English descent and a native of Vermont, served as a drummer boy at Concord and Lexington, during the Revolutionary war, and was present at the surrender of Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown. His maternal grandfather, Levi Goss, a de- scendant of Holland Dutch ancestry, who settled in Virginia, partici- pated in the War of 1812. Samuel Montgomery Ranger was born in the State of New York, and as a young man migrated to Michigan, settling on land one and one-half miles west of Morenci, in Medina township, Lenawee county. There he spent his life in agricultural pursuits, his death occurring in 1904, while his wife, a native of Ontario, Canada, passed away in 1888. There were two sons born to them, the younger of whom, Frank N., died unmarried on the old homestead in 1902.
Charles M. Ranger was educated in the district schools of Medina township and the high school at Morenci, subsequently attending the literary department of Albion College, from which he was graduated with the class of 1877, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Quali- fying as an educator, he then became principal of the high school at Morenci, a position which he held for two years, and for three years held a like position at Elk Rapids, but in 1882 gave up teaching to embark on a business career. Coming to Battle Creek he entered the furniture and undertaking business in partnership with William D. Farley, under the firm style of Ranger & Farley, an association which continued twenty-eight years and was ended July 1, 1910, when Mr. Ranger, on account of impaired health, retired from the firm. Mr. Ranger had charge of the funeral directing for the firm, and was one of the pioneer arterial embalmers of the state. He was president of the State Funeral Directors Association, and soon after the license law went into effect was made a member of the State Board of Health, an office which he has held during the past ten years. He is also a member of the Conference of Embalmers Examining Boards of North America, of which he served as president one year. In 1889 he was elected a trustee of Albion Col- lege and has held that position since, being president of the board of trustees for the past five years. Since selling his interest in the furni- ture and undertaking establishment, Mr. Ranger has been practically retired from active business, spending the greater part of the time out-
1162
HISTORY OF CALHOUN COUNTY
of-doors, which he has found very beneficial to his health, and devoting his summers to superintending work on the family farm, a 255-acre dairy farm, of which he is now the owner. His residence is at No. 30 Upton avenue. In political matters a stanch Republican, he has not desired public office, but in 1893 served as a member of the board of education. Fraternally, he is connected with Calhoun Tent No. 54, K. O. T. M. M. of Battle Creek. Mr. Ranger has been a member of the First Methodist Episcopal church here for many years, and for twenty- seven years has been a member of the board of trustees.
Mr. Ranger was married August 20, 1880, in Albion, Michigan, to Miss Lilly N. C. Robertson, who was born in Sheridan township, Cal- houn county, Michigan, three miles west of Albion, daughter of Theo- dore Robertson. She was a graduate of Albion College in 1877 in the same class as Mr. Ranger, and subsequently was employed as a gover- ness and as a school teacher in the Chelsea (Michigan) high school until her marriage. She has taken an active interest in hospital work, being chairman of the Training School Committee for Nurses, and is now second vice-president of the board of trustees of Nichols Memorial Hos- pital of Battle Creek, and is a member and has been president of the Women's League. Her brother, Dr. Robertson, is a well-known physi- cian and surgeon of Battle Creek. Mr. and Mrs. Ranger have had two children : Carl F., born in Battle Creek, graduated from the high school in 1902, and from the M. A. C. in 1906, having taken a course in Mechanical engineering, and now being employed by the Packard Auto- mobile Company, of Detroit, married Miss Bertha F. Root, of this city; and Miss Genevieve, born in Battle Creek, graduated from the high school in 1905, and from Albion College in 1910, was the teacher of mathematics in the high school at Jackson, Michigan. She was married August 21, 1912, to Samuel B. Moffett of Flint, Michigan. Mr. Moffett is in the wholesale grocery business in Flint.
In the municipal prosperity of his home city, Mr. Ranger has taken a lively interest, and has won, both as business man and citizen, the esteem, confidence and cordial regard of his friends, neighbors and acquaintances everywhere.
MERRICK E. CORTRIGHT represents the third generation of his name and family who have called Michigan their home state, and the name is further perpetuated by his children and grandchildren. Born in Clarence township, Calhoun county, on March 2, 1861, Mr. Cortright is the son of Clarendon Isaiah and Martha Orceno (Evans) Cortright, the former born in Buttler township, Wayne county, New York, in 1835, the mother being born in the same state in 1837. Clarendon Isaiah Cortright came to Michigan in 1844 with his parents, Simeon and Mar- garet Cortright, the family settling on a farm near to the place which now represents the home of the Cortright family. Here he was reared to young manhood, the youngest of a family of ten children. He was a farmer all his life, beginning with a farm of eighty acres, to which he eventually added another eighty, and he died on the old homestead in 1903, his widow still surviving and making her home with their son, Merrick E. of this review. Mr. Cortright was inclined to the independ- ent view in politics, and his political activities were ordered accordingly. He was a prominent man in his community, and filled many important offices in the township which for so many years represented his home. He was township supervisor for a number of years and served several terms as township treasurer; he served on the board of highway com- missioners for some years and was justice of the peace when he died.
1163
HISTORY OF CALHOUN COUNTY
Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Cortright, the subject being the only one surviving at this time.
Merrick E. Cortright was educated in the district schools of the township of Clarence, and his first occupation was as his father's as- sistant on the home farm. He was in his father's employ for a number of years, then bought the home farm, to which he added from time to time. He has always been especially prosperous, carrying on a general farming business, and has been and still is one of the prominent men of the township, as men of his name have ever been since the family first became identified with the community. He is a Democrat, and is now a justice of the peace, while he has served on the school board for up- wards of twelve years, the results of his presence on that body being noticeable in improved conditions in the school system of the township. Two years ago Mr. Cortright sold one of his farms to his son-in-law, and he still retains a farm of one hundred and twenty acres, which he con- tinues to operate.
In 1884 Mr. Cortright married Edna Oakley, the daughter of Hick- ford Oakley of Clarence township. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Cortright: Vella Kate, now the wife of Albert Hyatt, and living on the old Cortright homestead; they have two children; and Clarendon O., who shares the parental home.
Beyond his membership in the Modern Woodmen of America, Mr. Cortright has no fraternal affiliations.
JOHN WINTER. Twenty-seven years ago, or in 1885, John Winter, a young Englishman yet in his teens, came to this country to push his way a stranger in a strange land. Though the United States has long been famed as a veritable mine of opportunity, yet like the mine it yields its treasures only to those of pluck, resolution and willing endeavor. These were qualities of character that this young man possessed, together with a large capacity for work, and he has not been denied the merited reward. When he reached Michigan he had $2.03 in the way of money ; today he owns a farm of 120 acres in Clarence township of Calhoun county free of all indebtedness and with good improvements. All of this has been Mr. Winter's own accomplishment, for he has had no as- sistance whatsoever save that which came through his own ability and effort. In recent years he has also assisted his father.
John Winter was born in England on April 4, 1867. His father, Albert Winter, was born in England in 1842 and has spent all of his active years there as a workman in a brick yard. He is still living in England. Mary (Mitchell) Winter, the mother of our subject, was born in England in 1839 and passed to the life beyond in 1910. John Winter spent his youth in England and there acquired the most of his educa- tion, though he attended a night school some before coming to the United States and after coming to Michigan attended the Dean school in Jackson county. He emigrated from England in 1885 and upon his arrival in Michigan he secured employment in completing the erection of a building. Following that he took up work by the month as a farm hand, continuing thus employed for two seasons, and then began farm- ing on the shares. By industry and frugality he finally saved sufficient means to make a payment on a farm and in 1896 bought his present homestead of 120 acres, going in debt for it to the amount of $4,300. This indebtedness has now all been removed and in 1908 Mr. Winter replaced the former dwelling with a comfortable brick farm house. He has been engaged in general farming and also gives considerable atten- tion to the raising of Shropshire sheep. He has not only proved his ability as an agriculturist and business man, but has also attained high
1164
HISTORY OF CALHOUN COUNTY
standing and influence as a citizen. He has served as highway commis- sioner of his township and is now a justice of the peace.
On November 7, 1885, Mr. Winter was united in marriage to Sarah, daughter of Charles and Mariah Booby, both of whom were natives of England. Mr. and Mrs. Winter have five children, namely : Ernest J., now employed on a farm near Albion; William A., who assists on the home farm; Maude, now Mrs. William Miller, of Clarence, Michigan; and Mabel and Theodore R., both at the parental home. In religion Mr. Winter was reared in the Episcopal faith, and in political views he is a Republican. He is a member of his local Grange.
FRANK WATSON ENGLE, who occupies a representative position among the agriculturists of Calhoun county, Michigan, was born on the farm on which he now lives, in Tekonsha township, September 20, 1854, son of James T. and Ella J. (Watson) Engle, early settlers of this town- ship. Further mention of the Engle family will be found on another page of this work, in connection with the sketch of James A. Engle, a brother of Frank W.
Frank W. Engle received his education in the district school near his home and at the Tekonsha high school. Also for a time he attended school at Burlington, Michigan. Farming, has been his life work, though he taught school one term. In 1881, he took over the home place, on a contract from his father, this being the year previous to his father's death. He carried out the terms of the contract, and in time not only paid off the indebtedness, but also bought and paid for a 40-acre tract adjoining his land, making in all one hundred acres, on which he carries on general farming and stock raising. He has an attractive country home, the surroundings of which give indication not only of his pros- perity but also of the culture and refinement of his family.
Mr. Engle was married, in 1883, to Miss Patience E. Crandall, daugh- ter of John A. and Melissa Crandall; and they have two children: Earl J., a graduate of the Ypsilanti Normal School, now superintendent of the schools at Brighton, Michigan; Alice Blanche, a member of the June, 1912, class of the Ypsilanti Normal School. Mrs. Engle and her son and daughter are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mrs. Engle's father died in 1900, and her mother, Mrs. Crandall, makes her home with them.
Although not a politician, Mr. Engle maintains a deep interest in public affairs and gives his earnest support to the Prohibition party.
ERI COWLES, the eldest child of his parents, was born on the estate of his father, Addison Cowles, in Battle Creek township of Calhoun county, Michigan, on the 13th of March, 1839. Among the representa- tive men of this county he takes appropriate rank, for, as noted above, he is a native born citizen and he is one of its most successful farmers as well. Whether we consider the virtues that adorn character, or the benefits which a useful and successful man confers on his community, the subject of this sketch is equally deserving of mention in this work. His father, Addison Cowles, who was a farmer and pioneer settler in Calhoun county, is mentioned more specifically in the sketch of R. B. Cowles appearing on other pages of this volume. His mother was Mary Wells prior to her marriage. The death of the father when Eri was fourteen years of age threw upon his young shoulders heavy responsibili- ties, for it devolved upon him to take charge of the home place and to assist his mother in providing and caring for the other children, un- selfishly performing this filial duty as long as it was necessary. He eventually came into possession of the old homestead, which is his pres-
1165
HISTORY OF CALHOUN COUNTY
ent abode, and owns altogether 150 acres of valuable land, the most of which he cleared. He also has made the splendid improvements to be found thereon, making it one of the attractive and comfortable homes of the township. Besides the lines of general farming, Mr. Cowles has given considerable attention and very successfully to stockraising. He was educated in the district schools in the vicinity of his birthplace and for a number of years during the earlier part of his career taught school in this county.
Mr. Cowles has been twice married. His first wife was Salvania Consadine, whom he wedded in 1865. She was the daughter of Daniel Consadine, a native of Ohio and a wagon and carriage maker by trade. In religious faith and membership she was a Presbyterian. Frank R. Cowles is the only child of this union now living and he resides on his father's farm. The second marriage of Mr. Cowles was in 1875 when Miss Elsie Sprague became his wife. She is the daughter of Argalus Sprague and a member of one of Calhoun county's highly respected families that was established here in pioneer days. She is affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal church. To their union was born a daughter Grace, now the wife of C. C. Miller, a farmer in Newton township.
In political affairs Mr. Cowles is inclined to be independent in his views and supports those men and measures he deems best suited to pro- mote the welfare of the whole people. Long years of exemplary living and a character unblemished have established Mr. Cowles as one of the venerable and most esteemed citizens of Emmett township, and as such and as a worthy pioneer of the county we are pleased to preserve in this form a brief sketch of his life, thus placing his name among the men who have contributed to the wealth and progress of Calhoun county.
AARON E. BLANCK holds distinctive prestige as one of the most prom- inent and influential citizens of Battle Creek, Michigan, where he has resided during the greater part of his active career. On account of the impaired condition of his health he retired from business activities in 1905 but up to that time was engaged in the contracting business here. Many beautiful and substantial buildings stand as a monu- ment to his ability and genius as a builder. He was one of the or- ganizers of the Citizens Electric Company and is a stockholder, direc- tor and chairman of the executive committee of that concern at the present time, having formerly been incumbent of the offices of pres- ident and vice-president of the company. He is also financially inter- ested in the Advance Pump & Compressor Company, the City Bank of Battle Creek; the Michigan Carton Company and the Battle Creek Brewing Company, in addition to which he is the owner of consider- able valuable real estate here.
A native of the fine old Keystone state of the Union, Aaron E. Blanck was born in Allegheny township, Venango county, Pennsyl- vania, February 9, 1847, and he is a son of Samuel W. and Lydia A. (Morris) Blanck, both of whom are now deceased. The father was a farmer in Pennsylvania for a number of years and he also devoted considerable attention to his trade as a carpenter. He was an exten- sive dealer in lumber and logs and after cutting his timber in the Alle- gheny Mountains would float it down the Allegheny river to the Ohio river and thence to market in Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1864 he removed to Canandaiga, New York, there purchasing a tract of land within corporate limits of the town and engaging in farming. Two years later he established the family home at Dexter, Michigan, and in 1866 he came to Battle Creek and purchased a farm in Emmett township, just two and a half miles east of this city. There he continued to reside
1166
HISTORY OF CALHOUN COUNTY
during the remainder of his life time, his death having occurred on March 27th, 1879.
Aaron E. Blanck was the fifth in order of birth in a family of eleven children and he received his early educational training in his native place in Pennsylvania. He early began to assist his father in the work and management of the home farm and was also engaged in the lumber woods in the Allegheny mountains. At the age of sixteen years he began to learn the carpenter's trade, under the tutelage of his father. After the removal of the family to Canandaiga, New York, he attended the academy in that place and subsequently to the removal to Dexter he completed his apprenticeship at the carpenter's trade. In 1873 he rented a farm of two hundred and fifty acres of land in Bedford township, Calhoun county, and farmed the same with re- markable success for a period of three years. In 1877 he went to Sacramento, California, where he assumed charge of a ranch of sev- eral hundred acres, and later he was employed as a conductor on the street railway in Sacramento. In 1878 he returned to Michigan with the intention of again going to California, where he had arranged for a position in the Central Pacific Railroad shops. In the mean- time he was married, and upon the persuasion of his wife and parents, gave up his second trip to California.
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.