USA > Michigan > Hillsdale County > History of Hillsdale county. Michigan, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 43
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SAMUEL RIBLET.
JAMES VALENTINE.
( PHOTOS BY CARSON & GRAHAM . )
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HISTORY OF HILLSDALE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
at school during the summer. At the age of twenty, at the solicitation of his parents, he commenced the study of medicine with Dr. A. Beebe, of Erie. The profession not proving congenial to his tastes, he obtained a situation as teacher near Pittsburgh. He filled this position acceptably for three years, during which time he formed the acquaint- ance of Miss Deborah Woods, to whom he was married, Nov. 17, 1833.
Soon after their marriage, they decided to emigrate to Michigan, and, in accordance with this resolution, Mr. Riblet purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land, where he now resides. Here his family of five children were reared. All grew to maturity, and all are inarried ; and the venerable pair, in the forty-sixth year of their married life, can boast of twenty-two grandchildren. Mr. Riblet has been prominently identified with all enterprises and improvements in which his town was to be benefited. He was elected a director of the Northern Central (Michi- gan) Railroad at the first organization of the company, and served in that capacity until the road was sold to the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Company ; and to his un- tiring exertions the people of Litchfield are largely indebted for the location and construction of the road.
The early days were replete with privations and hard- ships, and a full measure was meted out to Mr. and Mrs. Riblet, and, did our space permit, we could pen from their lips many a statement that to the present generation would sound more like fiction than fact. The autumn of 1835 was one of peculiar embarrassment to them, and had it not been for the wise counsel and resolute courage of his worthy helpmeet, Litchfield might have lost a valuable citizen,- as, in consequence of his misfortunes, he proposed to sell the farm and return East.
Mr. Riblet is now in his sixty-eighth year. He has witnessed the transition of a wilderness into a fertile and highly-productive region, and in his own person has typi- fied so admirably the agencies which have wrought many of these changes that no history of Litchfield would be complete without some sketch of his life.
JAMES VALENTINE,
one of the pioneers of the town of Litchfield, was born in Charlton, Saratoga Co., N. Y., May 12, 1803. His early life was uneventful, and did not differ materially from that of other farmer boys. He obtained a good common-school education, and at the age. of twenty-five was married to Miss Annice M. Sprague, of Ballston, Saratoga Co. In 1833 his father emigrated to Michigan with his family, which consisted of his wife and two children, Thomas and . Frederick, the latter being a babe. They first settled in Washtenaw County, in the town of Bridgewater, where he purchased a farm. Some ten years after their arrival the elder Valentine died, and the family moved to the town of Litchfield. The town at this time was a semi-wilderness, and they were the first settlers in that portion of the town. It was here that our subject lived until his death, which occurred Dec. 8, 1867. Mr. Valentine was prominently identified with the early history of Litchfield, and a man universally beloved and esteemed. He was possessed of
more than an ordinary amount of energy and endurance. He acquired a competency, and was considered to be one of the representative farmers of the town. Mrs. Valentine was a native of the town of Providence, Saratoga Co., where she was born July 19, 1804. She has lived to see the town develop from a wilderness into one of the finest agri- cultural sections in the county. She has been the mother of seven children, only two of whom are now living,-Joel M. and Frederick S. Both reside in Litchfield.
GIDEON STODDARD,
the subject of this sketch, was born in the town of Sheldon, Wyoming Co., N. Y., July 4, 1818. He is the son of Jesse Stoddard, one of the prominent pioneers of Litchfield. When eighteen years of age he came to Michi- gan, where he has since resided. Gideon utilized the limited
GIDEON STODDARD.
advantages given him for an education, and shortly after he attained his majority he purchased a farm of fifty-five acres, which was a portion of the land taken up by his father. In 1841, Mr. Stoddard was married to Mary Ann Bush- nell, of Litchfield. Some five years after their marriage Mrs. Stoddard died, and in 1865 he was again married to Mary Swage, of Litchfield. She was born in Mexico, Oswego Co., N. Y., Oct. 23, 1829. The fruits of this last union were two children. Mr. Stoddard is a prominent member of the Congregational Church of Litchfield, and is an ardent worker in the temperance cause. Mr. Stod- dard has never sought political preferment, but for many years has been deputy sheriff.
HON. WILLIAM STODDARD
was born in the town of Sheldon, Wyoming Co., N. Y., Aug. 17, 1821. His father, Jesse Stoddard, was a native of Litchfield, Litchfield Co., Conn. He was a farmer by occupa-
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HISTORY OF HILLSDALE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
tion, and for twenty years a resident of Genesee Co., N. Y. In 1836 he emigrated to Hillsdale County with his family, and purchased from government two hundred and forty acres of land, where he resided until his death. Like many of the prominent and successful men of to-day, William re- ceived the rudiments of his education at the district school, and although the advantages obtained were meagre, still he succeeded well, and acquired an education that fitted him for his subsequent successful career. He adopted the call- ing of his father, and became one of the prominent farmers and stock-growers of Hillsdale County. Mr. Stoddard was called to many positions of trust and responsibility, the duties of which he discharged with fidelity to the trust reposed in him, and with honor to himself and to the satisfaction of the public. In 1867 he was elected to the representative branch of the Legislature, and served on important com- mittees. In 1870 he was elected to the Senate, and re- elected in 1873. For many years he was a member of the Board of Supervisors, and his opinion upon all important matters was sought for and fully appreciated. He was an ardent friend of improvement, and every worthy enterprise found in him a liberal supporter. He was prominently identified with the construction of the Lansing Division of L. S. & M. S. R. R. In his political and religious affilia- tions, he was a Republican and a Methodist.
In November, 1843, Mr. Stoddard was married to Miss Julia E. Eggleston, daughter of Harvey Eggleston, one of the town's first settlers. The result of this union was eleven children, seven of whom grew to maturity. It is not ne- cessary to enlarge upon the character of Mr. Stoddard. He was a man of decided abilities, of great courage, perseverance, and industry, and of marked integrity. A valuable citizen, a benevolent man, a kind friend, and a devoted husband and father.
MILES RORABACHER, M.D.
Hillsdale County is noted for the proficiency and high standard of its medical men, and none occupy a more de- servedly popular position in the profession than Dr. Miles Rorabacher, of Litchfield. A residence of about fifteen years there, during which time he has been in the active practice of his profession, has fully demonstrated his general worth and assigned him a conspicuous place in the history of the medical profession of Hillsdale County. He was born in the town of Salem, Washtenaw Co., Mich., Jan. 28, 1835. His parents, John and Sarah A. (Coone) Rora- bacher, were among the pioneers of his native town. He received an academical education, graduating at the State normal school at Ypsilanti. His education he made practically useful to himself and others by teaching, which occupation he followed several years. In his boyhood he had made a choice of the medical profession as his life's occupation, and at the age of twenty-two he entered the office of Dr. Woodruff, of Ann Arbor, as a student of medicine. He took two courses of lectures at the State Medical College, at Ann Arbor, and completed his medical education at the Homoeopathic Medical College, of New York City, where he graduated with honor. Shortly after his graduation he came to Litchfield and established himself in the practice
of his profession, and since devoted his entire attention to it. He has been eminently successful. The doctor has been prominently identified with all matters pertaining to his profession. He assisted in the organization of the Home- opathic Medical Society of Michigan, and was one of its charter members. He is also a member of the American Institute of Homoeopathy. In March, 1858, Dr. Rora- bacher was married to Miss Julia A., daughter of Philemon Murray, Esq., of Salem. They have been blessed with three children,-Genevieve E., born Nov. 7, 1861 ; Fred. M., born Feb. 6, 1871; Mary Mabel, born Feb. 23, 1873. Dr. Rorabacher is a gentleman well and favorably known, and one who is very highly respected and esteemed. He possesses the necessary qualifications of the successful phy- sician, other than knowledge,-geniality of disposition, and firmness, blended with kindness and compassion. In his domestic relations he is kind and affectionate, a good hus- band, father, and friend, and in every sense a worthy citizen.
WARNER BUNDAY,
son of George and Filena (Fowler) Bunday, was born in Chenango Co., N. Y., April 26, 1800. Warner was the eldest in a family of nine; when in his twelfth year his father died, and he was apprenticed to a blacksmith in Canandaigua, by the name of Sprague. He followed the calling until he was twenty years of age, when, having a keen appreciation of the value of an education, and realizing its necessity, he quit work and spent the greater part of the succeeding four years at the Canandaigua Academy, obtain- ing a liberal education, which he made practically useful to himself and others by teaching, which occupation he fol- lowed many years. In 1824 he was married to Miss Betsey Gardiner, of Canandaigua, and during the same year he started West on a tour of observation. At Buffalo he took passage for Detroit on the "Superior," the third steamboat that ever plowed Lake Erie; he prospected through Mich- igan, and went as far West as La Porte, Ind., and from thence returned to New York. Thoroughly impressed with the beauty and natural advantages of Southern Michigan, he resolved to make it his home, and accordingly, in the year 1835, he emigrated with his family to Hillsdale County, and purchased one thousand acres of land in the town of Somerset, then a part of the town of Wheatland. Here he remained twenty-nine years, and during that time he was prominently identified with the growth and develop- ment of that portion of the county. He constructed a commodious log house, and for many years he kept "tavern," and acquired an extended reputation as a successful landlord, and " Bunday's tavern" was known far and wide.
In 1864 he disposed of his property in Somerset, and came to Litchfield with the idea of retiring from active business. Mr. Bunday has always been a warm friend of education, and has done much to advance educational interests. At one time, while a resident of Somerset, there was a lack of school-books ; Mr. Bunday went to Detroit and purchased a bill of one hundred and fifty dollars, and saw that the supply was kept up. A friend of improvement, no enterprise having for its object the advancement of the
.
M. RORABACHER, M.D.
RESIDENCE OF DR. M. RORABACHER, LITCHFIELD, MICH.
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HISTORY OF HILLSDALE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
material interests of either his town or county, but what has found in him a liberal supporter. Mrs. and Mrs. Bunday are consistent and worthy members of the Congre- gational Church, and both are exemplars of long lives well spent. Mr. Bunday is now in his seventy-eighth year, and still possesses much of his former energy and vigor. He has not only witnessed the transition of a semi wilderness into one of the most prosperous and fertile counties in the State, but in his own person has typified so admirably the agencies that have wrought many of these changes that no history of Hillsdale County would be complete without some sketch of his life, labors, and character.
LABAN A. HOWARD, M.D.
Dr. L. A. Howard was born in Livonia, Livingston Co., N. Y., Sept. 22, 1841. His father, who was a farmer, moved to Michigan, and settled on a farm at Allen's Prai- rie, in 1853, when the subject of our sketch was twelve years of age. From that time until he was eighteen years old he worked on his father's farm summers, and attended school winters. At eighteen, feeling competent to teach, he commenced teaching, and taught some six terms in different parts of the county. He afterwards entered as a clerk and book-keeper in the hardware-store of
Photo. by Carson & Graham, Hillsdale. LABAN A. HOWARD, M.D.
John S. Lewis, of Jonesville, Mich. ; but this business not being congenial he left after three months, and entered the office of Dr. E. M. Shaw, of Allen, and commenced the study of medicine. Here he applied himself dili- gently until the fall of 1864, when he enlisted as private in the 4th Michigan Infantry Volunteers, receiving the appointment of hospital steward when the regiment was organized. Having recruited some twenty-five men, a com- mission was offered him, which he refused, preferring the position of steward. He went to the field with his regi-
ment, where, by faithful attention to his duties in the care and attention of his sick comrades, he was (after about a year's service) promoted to be first assistant surgeon of the 3d Michigan Infantry Regiment, which position he ably filled until the war closed and his regiment was mustered out. He was at the battle of Nashville, when General Hood met his defeat, and where he did good service in the care of the sick and wounded. After this battle he was stricken down with typhoid fever, which came near ending his days. Upon returning from the army, he attended the Eclectic Medical Institute, at Cincinnati, receiving two courses of lectures, and graduating with high honors. He then returned home and settled in Litchfield, where he has remained up to the present time. Soon after his return he became acquainted with and married Miss Carrie E. Stil- well, a resident of Litchfield.
By his own unaided exertions Dr. Howard has built up a reputable practice, and ranks among the first physicians in the county. In 1875 he built a fine store, and stocked it with drugs and medicines; he conducted it with his practice until quite recently, when he sold the store, but continues with his practice. In 1877 he built himself a fine residence, where he at present resides. He was quite active in the matter of getting his village incorporated, and was elected its first president, receiving the support of both parties ; this position he filled acceptably to the people. He is at present vice-president of the State Eclectic Medical and Surgical Society. He is also a prominent member of the First Baptist Church, filling the office of one of the deacons. He is not alone an enterprising, successful phy- sician, but is a man ever ready to give to the needy and afflicted, and who has the respect and esteem of his fellow- citizens.
S. SABIN FAIRBANK.
This gentleman, one of the prominent citizens of Litch- field, was born in the town of Union, Tolland Co., Conn., Oct. 15, 1822. His father, the Rev. Stephen Fairbank, was a native of the same place, where he preached until his removal to Hillsdale County in 1839, Sabin being then a young man of nineteen. The elder Fairbank purchased one hundred and sixty acres in section 17; here he resided until his death. Sabin, as was the custom in those days, acknowledged obligation to his father in his labor until he had attained his majority, when he started in life for him- self as a farm-hand. He soon purchased forty acres of land, and to this small beginning he has made repeated additions, until he has now a beautiful farm of one hundred and fifty acres near the village of Litchfield, a view of which we present elsewhere. April 21, 1853, Mr. Fairbank was united in marriage to Miss Lucretia, daughter of Ira and Rebecca (Calkins) Allen, of Munson, Ohio. They have been blessed with five children,-M. Augusta, born Aug. 4, 1854; Ida R., born Aug. 2, 1856; Ira A., born July 4, 1860 ; Belle S., born April 3, 1863; Roy Wilford, born March 23, 1877. Mr. Fairbank, in his religious and political belief, is a Methodist and a Republican, and is justly con- sidered to be among the prominent farmers and valuable citizens of the town of Litchfield.
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HISTORY OF HILLSDALE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
LITTLE
MILTON P. HERRING.
MILTON P. HIERRING
was born in the town of Virgil, Cortland Co., N. Y., June 21, 1808. He was the son of John and Temperance (Pom- eroy) Herring. They had a family of nine children, Milton being the youngest. The elder Herring being in limited circumstances, our subject's advantages in early life were extremely limited, and he acknowledged obligation to his parents in his labor until he attained his twentieth year, when he started in life for himself as a farm laborer. He worked only one month, however, and took his wages (ten dollars) and applied it as part payment in the purchase of fifty acres of land in his native town. By dint of energy and perseverance he succeeded in paying for it, and added twenty-five acres to the original purchase. March 5, 1834, he was married to Miss Lucy J. Parker, of his native town, where she was born Sept. 23, 1815. In 1836 he visited Michigan, and being favorably impressed with the soil and the natural advantages, he resolved to make it his home, and in pursuance of his resolution he emigrated to Litch- field in the month of October, 1837, with his family, which consisted of his wife and one child. He purchased two hundred acres of land, which is now a portion of the farm of R. W. Freeman, Esq., to which he afterwards added eighty acres. About 1865 he sold his farm to its present owner and occupant, and moved on to the farm where he now resides. The farm consists of a quarter-section, under a high state of cultivation, and is justly regarded as being the best farm in the town of Litchfield, and his finely-cul- tivated fields and commodious buildings attest his thrift and success. Mr. and Mrs. Herring have been blessed with nine children, five of whom are now living. Two of his sons, Allen P. and Milton, did their country service in the war of the Rebellion. The former entered the regular army in 1861, as a member of Company C, 4th Regular Cavalry, the latter as member of the 17th Michigan Infantry, Com- pany H. Both served with credit, and their names will be
MRS. MILTON P. HERRING.
found among the honored list who went to do battle in their country's defense in its hour of peril. Mr. Herring is em- phatically a self-made man. Commencing life with only his natural resources for his capital, he has achieved suc- cess in every department of life, and he is justly entitled to the position accorded him by his fellow-townsmen, as being one of the representative farmers and valuable citizens of Litchfield.
WILLIAM J. BARNARD
was born in Niagara Co., N. Y., Aug. 25, 1821, where he resided until he came to Michigan, in 1864. He purchased the property known as the Judge Packer farm, which is justly regarded as one of the best in the county. It is finely located on the road running from Jonesville to Litchfield, and consists of two hundred and forty acres. It is well adapted to either stock or grain raising, and is under a high state of cultivation. Mr. Barnard is prominently identified with the agricultural interests of the county, and since com- ing to Hillsdale has been prominent in the agricultural so- ciety either as an exhibitor or an officer. He was elected president of the society in 1873, and his administration of its affairs was highly commended. Among the thrifty, en- ergetic farmers of the county, Mr. Barnard occupies a con- spicuous position, and his fine farm, a view of which is pre- sented on another page, attests his thrift and success.
JAMES B. LINSDAY
was born in the town of Van Buren, Onondaga Co., N. Y., March 11, 1825. At the age of twelve his father emigrated with his family to Branch County ; he lived with his father until his majority. The succeeding three years he spent as a farm hand, when he came to Litchfield and purchased fifty acres of partially-improved land. To this small beginning he has added from time to time, until he now owns two
RESIDENCE OF M. P. HERRING, LITCHFIELD , MICHIGAN.
RESIDENCE OF R. W. FREEMAN, LITCHFIELD, MICH.
HISTORY OF HILLSDALE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
169
hundred and thirty acres, under a high state of cultivation, and which is justly considered to be one of the most valu- able and productive farms in the county, a view of which we present on another page. Mr. Linsday is one of the successful, progressive farmers of the county, and his finely-
cultivated fields and commodious buildings attest his thrift and enterprise. In 1852, Mr. Linsday was married to Miss Emeline Mead, of Wayne Co., N. Y., where she was born Dec. 5, 1827. Three children have been born to them,- two boys and one girl,-who are living with their parents.
0
Photos. by Carson & Graham, Hillsdale.
REUBEN W. FREEMAN.
MRS. REUBEN W. FREEMAN.
REUBEN W. FREEMAN.
This gentleman, one of the prominent farmers of the town of Litchfield, was born in Canton, Wayne Co., Mich., Jan. 26, 1835. He was the son of Gideon and Hannah (Huston) Freeman, who were among the pioneers of Wayne County. The elder Freeman was one of the most promi- nent farmers and valuable citizens of his county, and was identified with the construction of the Michigan Central Railroad. He is now living at an advanced age. Reuben was the eldest in a family of eight children, and at the age of thirteen was thrown on his own resources; and in the bitter school of experience learned many lessons that proved serviceable in after-years. He acquired a good common- school education ; and in his twenty-first year went to California, where he was engaged in mining operations for two years, when he returned East. He came to Litchfield and purchased of Milton P. Herring the farm where he now resides, and which is justly regarded as one of the
best in the county. Since his settlement in the town, Mr. Freeman has been prominently identified with it. In his political affiliations he was formerly a Republican, but iden- tified himself with the Greenback party, and received the nomination for representative to the Legislature. The one grand object of his life, however, has been to be a good farmer ; it has been the motive of every effort, and in his chosen calling he has been eminently successful. He is the owner of a beautiful and productive farm of three hundred and sixty acres,-a view of which we present on the oppo- site page.
In June, 1858, Mr. Freeman was united in marriage with Miss Mary L. Mead, of Eaton Rapids, Michigan. She was born in Phelps, Ontario Co., N. Y., and came to Michigan when four years of age. Mr. Freeman is pre- eminently a self-made man ; starting in life with only his natural resources for his capital, he has achieved success in every department of life, and is an example to young men of the capabilities of character and manhood.
22
PITTSFORD .*
THE territory within the limits of this township forms a portion of what is generally known as the Bean Creek Valley. While it does not lie wholly within the imme- diate vicinity of Bean Creek (otherwise and formerly called Tiffin's River) still most of its waters are tributary to that stream. The creek enters this town and makes a wide detour in section 25, re-entering Lenawee County near the north line of section 36. From its location, and from the fact that the rapidly-growing village of Hudson lies just across its eastern border, the history of this town has been intimately connected with the history of the valley, and has received a careful and thorough treatment from the pen of James J. Hogeboom, of Hudson, in his meritorious work on the history of the Bean Creek Valley ; a work from which we have largely drawn in the preparation of this brief sketch. To its author we acknowledge our obligation for the assistance the book has afforded us.
In the year 1833 the whole of Hillsdale County was an interminable wilderness. There were a few scattering set- tlers along the line of the Chicago road in the north part, but this town was still clothed with the dense growth of virgin forest, and not a single monarch of the woods had been laid low by the axe of the settler. Wolves and bears alone disputed with the aborigines for the possession of the forest, and the red deer, alarmed by some unusual sound, bounded fleetly through the thick growth of underbrush until lost amid the forest solitudes, or, overcome by fatal curiosity, approached the gleaming torch of the Indian hunter and fell a victim to his deadly rifle.
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