USA > Michigan > Ionia County > History of Ionia County, Michigan : her people, industries and institutions, Volume II > Part 19
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.April 18. 1912. Lida { Brooks) Miller married, at Syracuse, New York, Mr. James Taylor, of Wingate, Westhoughton, Lancashire, England, for many years philanthropic worker in India and Africa.
Dwight Z. Brooks married, August 29, 1895, at Sparta, Michigan, Adine Hutchins Hinman, a descendant of John Alden, of "Mayflower" fame. No children.
FRED E. CAHOON.
Fred E. Cahoon, a well-known and prosperous farmer of Boston town- ship, this county, proprietor of "Pleasant Hill Farm," a well-kept and profit- ably cultivated place of one hundred and thirteen acres in section 12, of that township, is a native of Wisconsin, having been born at Baraboo, in Salt county, that state, October 16, 1862, son of Willard and Caroline ( Hicks) Cahoon, both natives of Lorain county, Ohio, who later became promi- nent residents of this county, where their last days were spent.
Both Willard Cahoon and his wife were reared on farms in Ohio and were there married, shortly after which they moved to Salt county, Wis- consin, where Mr. Cahoon bought a considerable tract of land and also engaged in the saw-mill business at Baraboo, where he remained until 1865. in which year the family came to Fonia county. Willard Cahoon bought an eighty-acre farm in Keene township and was also engaged in the brick busi- ness at Saranac, at the same time being interested, as a partner, in a meat market in the same village. In 1877 he bought the place where his son, the subject of this sketch, is now living, the old Vosper place, and there estab-
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lished his permanent home, continuing to retain the Keene township farm. which he had increased to two hundred acres, and established an extensive hopyard. Willard Cahoon was a progressive and up-to-date farmer and prospered in his operations. His wife died in March, 1909, and his death followed something more than a year later, August 7, 1910. They were the parents of four children, namely: Jesse S., who lives in Keene town- ship, this county ; Fred E., the subject of this biographical sketch; Lewis M .. of Keene township, and Kittie, wife of Dr. George M. Gould, of Valley Ford, Washington.
Fred E. Cahoon received a high-school education and at the age of twenty years engaged in partnership with his father, in the mercantile busi- ness at Bonanza and Lake Odessa, this county, and was thus engaged for three years, at the end of which time his father sold his interest in the busi- ness to S. A. Watt, of Saranac, and the store was merged with that of the latter at Saranac. There Mr. Cahoon continued in partnership with Mr. Watt for three years, at the end of which time the partnership was dis- solved, Mr. Cahoon retaining the boot and shoe business, which he continued at Saranac for ten years. He then moved his stock to Ishpeming and was engaged in business in that city for three years and nine months, after which he moved to Ionia, where for three years he was in business. Then, on account of his father's failing health, he returned to the Saranac neigh- borhood and for some time was engaged in managing the elder Cahoon's affairs, in the meantime, however, continuing his boot and shoe business. Later he moved his stock to Matchwood. Ontonagon county, and was engaged in business there for four years, at the end of which time he sold the store and bought a ranch of one hundred and sixty acres at Matchwood. Ontonagon county. While operating that ranch the condition of his wife's parents' health required the removal of himself and wife to the farm of the latter's parents, the okl Amasy F. Lee homestead, and he bought this place shortly after moving onto it. In addition to his extensive farming and live stock inter- ests, Mr. Cahoon is actively identified with other interests and for some time has been the local agent for the DeLaval cream separators, for the Farmers Mutual Fire Insurance Company and for the Indiana Silo Com- pany. He is a Democrat and for three years served as clerk of Keene town- ship. ever being active in general public affairs, a live "booster" for all worthy home enterprises.
On November 25, 1885, Fred E. Cahoon was united in marriage to Cora L. Lee, who was born in this county, daughter of Amsy F. and AAugusta Lee, prominent residents of this county, and to this union four
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children have been born, as follow: Sheldon and Maurice Amasy, who live in Matchwood and own the ranch there, each owning eighty acres: Gladys Augusta, a graduate of the Saranac high school and of the State Normal School at Ypsilanti, who is now a teacher in the public schools of Battle Creek, this state, and Arthur Edward, who is connected with the plant of the Packard Automobile Company at Detroit. Mr. Cahoon is an active member of Boston Lodge No. 146, Free and Accepted Masons, of which lodge he was secretary for seven or eight years, and is also a member of Hooker Chapter No. 73. Royal Arch Masons, of Lowell. He also is active in the affairs of Keene Grange No. 270 and for several years was secretary of that popular organization.
GEORGE W. AMSDEN.
George W. Amsden, cashier of the State Bank of Pewamo, this county, and one of the most energetic young business men of lonia county, is a native son of Michigan, born at Alma, this state. April 2, 1888, son of Arthur D. and Agnes A. ( Halstead ) Amsden, now living at Saginaw, this state, where Mr. Amsden is engaged as chief musician of the Thirty-third Regiment Band, Michigan National Guard.
Arthur D. Amsden was born at Joliet, Illinois, a son of Capt. Albert and Mary Catherine ( Joslin ) Amsden, and was about two years old when his parents came to Michigan and settled at Lyons, in this county, where he grew to manhood and married. Ile early became a printer, but all the time was pursuing his musical studies and became a master of band instru- mentation. At Lyons he married Agnes .A. Halsted, who was born in that village, daughter of Wallace and Demeris Halstead, pioneers of that place. and some time later moved to Oshkosh, Wisconsin, thence to Youngstown, Ohio, and from there to Springfield, Massachusetts, where he was engaged as chief musician of the Second Regiment, Massachusetts National Guard, for about four years, at the end of which time he returned to Wisconsin and was further engaged in musical pursuits at Marinette until he was called to take charge of the Thirty-third Regiment Band, Michigan National Guard, then stationed at Menominee, and was there located until regimental headquarters were transferred to Saginaw. since which time he has made his home there, continuing to direct the regimental band, now known as the Thirty-third Regiment.
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George W. Amsden was two years old when his parents left Alma and moved to Wisconsin, and during the further changes of their residence he maintained his place in the various schools which he attended and was gradu- ated from the high school at Marinette, Wisconsin, in 1907, though his home was across the river in Menominee, this state. From childhood he had been carefully trained in music and while in Menominee was principal musician in the band of which his father was chief musician. After his graduation from high school he located in this county and became assistant cashier in the private bank of Webber & Ruel at Pewamo. After the death of Mr. Webber, he and Mr. Ruel bought the Webber interest in the bank and continued the same under the firm name of Ruel & Amsden, bankers, Mr. Amsden acting as cashier. On February 15, 1916, the bank was incorporated as a state bank and Mr. Amsden continues as cashier of the same and a member of the board of directors. He also is a partner in the bank at Hubbardstown, which is operated under the firm name of Cum- mings, Ruel & Amsden, and is recognized as one of the most energetic young bankers in this county. For some time he served as treasurer of Lyons township and has also served as clerk of the village of Pewamo. He is a member of Pewamo Lodge No. 405, Free and Accepted Masons, and takes an active interest in lodge affairs.
On November 30, 1911, George W. Amsden was mited in marriage to Maude Somers, who was born in Pewamo, daughter of Charles P. and Alma H. ( Bissell ) Somers, both natives of the state of New York. Charles Philip Somers was born in South Dover, Dutchess county, New York, Octo- ber 16, 1843, son of Frederick and Roby ( Marcy ) Somers, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of New York state. During the Civil War he was employed in the Hotchkiss shot and shell factory at Sharon, Connecticut, and upon the completion of that service came to Michigan, locating at Portland, this county, where he spent the winter with an uncle. He then went over to Lyons and was engaged in the photograph business there for a year, at the end of which time he began clerking in the Webber store there and was thus engaged for several years, after which he went over to Pewamo and bought the MeFarlane hardware store, which he oper- ated for twelve or fifteen years, or until 1900. when he sold the store and engaged in farming at the north edge of the town and was thus engaged until his retirement in 1913. It was in 1869, shortly after engaging in business at Pewamo, that Charles P. Somers was united in marriage to Alma Harriet Bissell, who was born in Yates county, New York, in 1850. daugh- ter of Nicholas and Eliza A. (Snyder ) Bissell, who came to Ionia county
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about 1860 an dlocated on a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in section 12, Lyons township, where they established their home. There Nicholas Bissell died and his widow married Benjamin F. Hunt and moved into Pewamo. After the death of Mr. Hunt his widow made her home with the Somers family and with them spent the rest of her days. Ten acres of the old Bissell homestead is now a part of the corporation of Pewamo and of the original homestead Mr. Somers now owns one hundred and eighteen acres. He is a Republican and has served as clerk and treasurer of Lyons township. He is a Mason and takes a warm interest in Masonic affairs.
To Charles P. and Alma H. (Bissell) Somers six children have been born, five of whom are still living, one, a daughter, Nellie, having died at the age of eighteen years. the others being as follow: Cora, who married George Burhams and lives at Lansing, this state; Louis C., who married Marjorie Hetz, of Muskegon, and now lives at San Bernardino, California : Bessie, who is employed in the Cummings bank at Carson City, in the neighboring county of Montcalm: Jay, who married Maggie Gee and lives on a farm one mile south of Pewamo, and Maude, who married the subject of this biographical sketch.
Mrs. Amsden graduated from the Pewamo high school, atended the Mt. Pleasant State Normal two terms, taught school in Pewamo in 1908-09. was a pupil in the New England Conservatory of Music at Boston, Massa- chusetts, for one year. Returning to Michigan, she took up school work at Muir, where she taught in the grammar department for one and one-half years, when she resigned to marry Mr. Amsden. She is at present actively engaged in teaching piano and voice.
WILLIAM HENDERSHOT.
William Hendershot, veteran blacksmith at Lyons and one of the best- known residents of lonia county, is a native of the great Empire state, but has been a resident of this county since he was eighteen years old. He was born in the village of Jerseyville, in Ontario county, Canada, June 19, 1843. son of Abram and Charlotte (Van Sickle) Hendershot, the former also a native of New York state and the latter of Canada. Abram Hendershot was a blacksmith and his son William literally grew up at the forge, becom- ing an expert smith even as a boy, also learning wagon-making.
In 1862, he then being eighteen years of age, William Hendershot
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came to Michigan, with a fine determination to "grow up with the country," and located in Ionia county, where he has lived ever since. He had no difficulty in finding plenty of work and soon became recognized as a definite fixture in the community up about Muir. After he had been here about six years he married and established a shop of his own at what then was known as Prine's Corners, now Fox's Corners, in the southeast part of Ronald township, about three miles from Muir. Later he moved his shop to Wood's Corner's, in the same township, and there he did very well. That was before the days of the railroad in that section and there was much wagon travel past his shop, a constant feeder for business in his line. After awhile conditions seemed more promising at Palo and he moved his shop to that point and was located there for a time, later moving to Vickeryville, thence back to Ronald township and on April 1. 1899, to Lyons, where he set up his present shop and where he has been engaged in business ever since. During his long residence in the northeastern part of the county, Mr. Hendershot has seen much of the growth and development of this region and has taken no small part in the work of promoting that development. In his earlier days here he was acquainted with most of the pioneers and when in a reminiscent mood can narrate some very interesting stories of the old busy logging days.
Mr. Hendershot has been twice married. It was in 1868 that he was united in marriage to Julia Warren, who was born near the town of Water- town, New York, daughter of William Warren and wife, who had come to this county, settling in Ronald township, near Literary Hall. To that union four children were born, as follow: Minnie, who married Fred Brown. now living at Charlotte, this state, and has two children, Gladys and Ronald : George, who married Edith Gardner and now lives at Grand Rapids: Frank. who married Hattie Greeland and now lives at St. Johns, and Bertha, who died when about six years of age. The mother of these children died in 1879 and in 1880 Mr. Hendershot married, secondly, lda Wilson, who was born in Jefferson county, Ohio. Her father. a soldier of the Union during the Civil War, died in that service. She grew to womanhood in Ohio and then came to this county. To this union two sons have been born, Harry H., born in 1881, who is associated with his father in business at Lyons, married Cora Gardner and has one child, a daughter, Maxine, and Oscar Clyde, who married Belle Herman and is now living at St. Johns.
Mr. and Mrs. Hendershot are members of the Baptist church and take an active interest in the various beneficences of the same. Mr. Hendershot is a Mason and both he and his wife are members of the Lyons chapter of
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the Order of the Eastern Star, of which Mrs. Hendershot is now worthy matron, taking a very useful part in the affairs of that organization. Mr. Hendershot also is a member of the local "tent" of the Knights of the Maccabees and in the affairs of all these organizations takes a warm interest.
JOSEPH SPITZLEY.
One of the most enterprising farmers and stock raisers of Portland township, lonia county, is Joseph Spitzley, who was born on February 1. 1876, in the above named township and county, a son of Anthony and Catherine (Smith ) Spitzley. The father was born in the Rhine country. Germany, and when nine years old his parents brought him to America. locating in Clinton county. Michigan, where he grew to manhood and attended school. His father took up eighty acres from the government, which he developed and on which he and his wife spent the rest of their lives. After his marriage Anthony Spitzley bought land in lonia county where he spent about sixteen years, then, his parents having died, he pur- chased the old homestead, where he has since resided. Catherine Smith. mentioned above, was born in Westphalia, Germany, and her parents brought her to the United States when she was two years old, the family locating in Portland township. Ionia county, Michigan, just across the county line from the Spitzley family, and there Catherine grew up and attended school. To Anthony Spitzley and wife eleven children were born, eight of whom grew to maturity, and seven are now living, namely: William resides in Portland township: John lives in Ionia ; Theresa is the wife of Peter Thelen and they live near Lowell; Joseph is the subject of this sketch ; Frank is with his parents on the homestead; Clara is the wife of John Ilufnagle and they live in Clinton county; Susan is the wife of Anthony Goodman and they live in Danby township, lonia county.
Joseph Spitzley grew up on the home farm and attended the district schools, remaining at home until he was married on October 17, 1899, to Catherine Hufnagel, a daughter of Anthony and Helena ( Hanses ) Inf- nagel. Her mother was the daughter of John Hanses, who was one of the first settlers of Westphalia township. Clinton county, and he named both the township and the village. Helena was born in that township, reared and educated there. Anthony Hufnagel came here from Westphalia, Ger- many, when a poor boy, making the trip alone, and he met and married
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Helena Hanses in Westphalia township, Clinton county. After his mar- riage he moved to the Lake Superior region, in the northern part of Mich- igan, but later returned to Clinton county.
At the time of his marriage Joseph Spitzley moved to an eighty-acre farm in section 24, Portland township. Ionia county, where he remained thirteen years, finally adding a forty-acre tract to his original farm, which he still owns, then bought a farm of one hundred and six acres in 1913 where he now lives in section 27. He has kept his land well improved and has a good home and numerous substantial outbuildings. He carries on general farming and stock raising extensively, making a specialty of Ohio Improved Chester hogs. His family consists of six children, namely : Anthony J. is attending high school; Mary K. is attending school; Leona S., Elizabeth and Katherine are all in the local graded schools, and Helen T. is at home.
Politically, Mr. Spitzley is a Democrat. He made the race several times for township supervisor and once for township treasurer. He is at present vice-president and manager of the Portland Telephone Company and is a stockholder in the same, also a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator Company of Portland. He and his family belong to the Catholic church in Portland.
AUGUSTUS FREDERICK KLOTZ.
Many German born citizens have come to lonia county, Michigan, and by good management have become owners of valuable farms. One of this number is Augustus Frederick Klotz, of Orange township, who has been very successful both as a general farmer and raiser of blooded live stock. He was born in Wurtemberg. Germany. December 1, 1838, and is a son of John C. and Frederica ( Treiber ) Klotz. Augustus F. Klotz spent his boy- hood in his native land and there received his primary education. He was fourteen years old when his parents brought him to the United States. locating near Plymouth, Michigan, where his father worked out by the month for two years, then, in the fall of 1855 bought forty acres in section 23. Orange township, lonia county, which land is now owned by the subject of this sketch, and the father located on this land in the autumn of 1855. over sixty years ago, and here the father spent the balance of his life, dying in 1894, his wife following him to the grave three days later. They were the parents of six children, three of whom survive, namely: John W. lives
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in the town of Portland: Rosina is the wife of Alexander Gibbs, of Orange township, Ionia county, and Augustus F., who is the eldest of the three. He grew up on the farm where he worked when a boy, and received his English education in the district schools here. His brother, John, served awhile as a soldier in the Union army during the Civil War. In the spring of 1866 Augustus F. Klotz settled on his forty acres and began farming for himself. a few years later buying the adjoining forty acres of his brother, John, and he has continued to reside here ever since, or for a half century, during which he has cleared, improved and developed his land into as fine a farm as may be found in the township. After the death of his father he bought the homestead of forty acres, which he later gave to his son, when he started in life for himself. He and his son own land consisting of two hundred and twenty acres, all in section 23, Orange township. In connec- tion with general farming he raises large numbers of live stock, specializing on Durham cattle and Poland China hogs, his place being known as the "Orange Dale Farm," in which his son, Fred Klotz, has an interest.
August F. Flotz was married on February 25, 1866, to Sarah A. Nich- olson, a daughter of Hiram and Susan ( Moore ) Nicholson, who came to lonia county from New York state, but were married in Oakland county, Michigan. They were of English and German descent. He was born in Batavia county and his wife in Herkimer county, New York. They came to this state when young. He was a surveyor and met her while on a trip through Michigan, she having previously moved to Oakland county with hier parents. He subsequently became county surveyor. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Klotz. Nellie R., born on January 9. 1867, died on October 12. 1900: she was the wife of Andrew B. Goodwin, an attorney of Carson City, Michigan. Alta F., born on February 3. 1875, died on June 2. 1882. A. Fred, born on May 23, 1879. married Ruby Davids, lives on the home farm, which he operates for his father. He was supervisor of Orange township during 1912 and 1913. and was township clerk for two years previous. He has one child, Mildred Margaret, born on June 5, 1905. and she is now attending school.
Mr. and Mrs. Augustus F. Klotz are members of the Methodist church of Orange, and he has always taken a very active interest in church work, and has been a member of the board of trustees for a number of years and is now a steward, while his son, Fred, is a trustee. The son is also a member of the Grange, Portland Lodge No. 174. Augustus F. Klotz has been a member of the Orange Grange for a number of years. Politically he is a
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Republican, and he cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln. He has never sought publie office, but was elected highway commissioner in 1881 and served one term.
REV. ELAM EDGAR BRANCH.
The Rev. Elam E. Branch, pastor of the First Baptist church of lonia and editor-in-chief of this volume, is a native son of Michigan, having been born at Alamo, in Kalamazoo county, this state, March 3, 1871, son of the Rev. Elam and Helen E. ( Nelson) Branch, the former also a native of Michigan and the latter of the state of New York, both now deceased.
The Rev. Elam Branch was born on a farm in Van Buren county, this state, January 31, 1842, son of Eaton and Wealthy ( Clark ) Branch, natives of New York state and pioneers of Van Buren county, this state, who were the parents of six sons. Ira, Elam, Francis, Luther, William and Eaton. The elder Eaton Branch became a well-to-do farmer and a man of large influence in his community. He lived to be upwards of eighty years of age. His wife, who preceded him to the grave, died at the age of fifty-four. Elam Branch, the second in order of birth of the six sons above enumerated. was reared on the home farm and early turned his attention to the ministry of the Congregational church, becoming one of the best-known missionary preachers in the Michigan home field. He married Helen E. Nelson, who was born at Gaines, New York, daughter of Moses and Nancy Jane ( Beck- with ) Nelson, also natives of New York state, who came to Michigan at an early day and became pioneers of Jackson county, later moving to Van Buren county, where they spent the remainder of their lives, well-to-do and influential farming people. Moses Nelson lived to be eighty-four years of age. His widow lived to the great age of ninety-one. They were the parents of six children, Valeria L., Marcus S., who was killed in battle while serving as a soldier of the Union during the Civil War; Dayton and Edgar, who died in early infancy; Delos, who died in childhood, and Helen E.
To the Rev. Elam and Helen E. ( Nelson) Branch three children were born, Jesse M., who died in 1890; Amanda, widow of Frank H. Lawton and now residing at Ellsworth, this state, and the Rev. Elam E., the imme- diate subject of this biographical sketch. Rev. Elam Branch, who was an officer in the Union army during the Civil War, died in 1874 and his widow married, secondly, Lyman Cooper, to which union one child was born, a daughter, Iva M., who married Charles Thomas, of Ellsworth, this state.
EBranch
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Mrs. Cooper died at the home of her son, the Rev. Elam E. Branch, at lonia. March 20, 1912. she being sixty-six years of age. During the lifetime of her first husband she was a member of the Congregational church, but after his death she united with the Baptist church and was an active and earnest member of the same the rest of her life.
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