USA > Michigan > Ionia County > History of Ionia County, Michigan : her people, industries and institutions, Volume II > Part 31
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WILLIAM H. MATTISON.
Former Sheriff William H. Mattison, vice-president of the National Bank of Ionia, and one of the best-known retired farmers in this county, who has been living comfortably retired at his pleasant home, 304 Rich street, Ionia, since 1903, is a native of New York, having been born on a farm in Rensselaer county, near the city of Troy, that state, September 20, 1836. son of AAllen J. and Lucy P. (Thomas) Mattison, natives of New York, who later became honored residents of lonia county, where their last days were spent.
Allen J. Mattison was born in Rensselaer county, New York, in 1798. son of Allen and Jemima ( Johnson ), Rhode Island Island Quakers. the former a native of Scotland and the latter of England. The elder Allen Mattison was a soldier in the patriot army during the Revolutionary War. a member of General Greene's command, and was a participant in the battle of Bunker Hill. His family in Scotland spelled the name Mathewson, but upon coming to America he altered the spelling to the form which ever since has been followed by his descendants. Upon coming to this country he and his wife first settled in Providence, Rhode Island, but about the year 1818 established their home in Rensselaer county, New York, where the remainder of their lives were spent, his death occurring in 1854. They were the parents of four sons, David, Job, Ebenezer and . Allen J., the latter of whom was born and reared in Rensselaer county, where he married Lucy P. Thomas, daughter of Dr. Samuel and Dorcas Thomas, also natives of New York state, four of whose children, Samuel, Rowland, Towner and Lucy, grew to maturity.
Following his marriage, Allen J. Mattison settled on a farm in the neighborhood of his old home in the vicinity of Troy and there he reared his family. In 1867, influenced by the good word his son, William H., the subject of this biographical sketch, who had come to this section of Mich- igan several years before, sent back regarding the possibilities of this region,
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the elder Mattison and his family came to lonia county, settling in Ronald township, where Mr. Mattison bought a farm of three hundred acres in partnership with his son, Daniel, who still owns the old homestead, and there he and his wife spent the remainder of their lives, long being regarded as among the foremost residents of that community. Allen J. Mattison held several public offices and was a man of much influence for good in that sec- tion of the county. lle and his wife were earnest members of the Christian church and active in the various beneficences of the same. They lived to celebrate their "golden wedding," the death of Mr. Mattison occurring in 1882, he then being eighty-four years of age. His widow survived him for some years, she being ninety-one years of age at the time of her death. having been born on December 17, 1800. They were the parents of seven children, namely: Jeffrey T., who died in California, where he went in 1849 and prospered in gold mining, and there died suddenly; Sarah J .. deceased : Hamilton A .: Lucy P., who married Daniel J. Green, of lonia ; Marilla P., deceased. who was the wife of J. S. Tibbetts; William H., the immediate subject of this biographical sketch, and Daniel J., who now owns the old homestead farm in Ronald township and is one of the best-known and most substantial farmers in that part of the county.
Hamilton A. Mattison was a soldier in the Civil War, enlisting in the Twelfth Regiment, New Jersey Volunteer Infantry. He was promoted from second lieutenant to first lieutenant, captain and major, and during the latter part of his service was inspector-general on the staff of Gen. Nelson ... Miles. After the war Hamilton A. Mattison settled at Evansville, Indiana, where he became a prominent lawyer and served as city attorney, prosecut- ing attorney and district judge of the circuit court. He has recently moved to lonia where he is making his home with his brother, the subject of this sketch.
William H. Mattison was well reared on the home farm in Rensselaer county, New York, receiving an excellent education and for four years taught school in New York and also in Michigan. Upon the three-months call in 1861 for volunteers to serve in the Union army during the Civil War he enlisted and was drilled with his company for four or five days. at the end of which time he received an honorable discharge on account of defective hearing. In 1862 Mr. Mattison came to Michigan, locating in the Palo neighborhood in Ronald township, this county, where he went to work as a farm hand, for which service he received fifteen dollars a month. During the winters he taught school in the district schools of that township, and was thus engaged, working on farms during the summers, for three years,
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at the end of which time he bought a farm of two hundred acres in Ronald township. He married in the fall of 1866 and established his home on that farm and there resided for about forty years. As he cleared and improved his place, prospering in a material way, Mr. Mattison added to his holdings by the purchase of an adjoining "forty" and it was not long until he was recognized as one of the most substantial farmers in that neighborhood.
From the very beginning of his residence in this county, Mr. Mattison has taken an active part in civic affairs. He is a Republican and early began to be recognized as one of the leaders of the party in his district. For eleven years he served the public very efficiently as township supervisor and also served with equal efficiency as school inspector, highway commissioner and township treasurer, thus holding office in Ronald township for many years. In the fall of 1876 Mr. Mattison was elected sheriff of lonia county and so capably did he perform the duties of that office that he was re-elected and thus served two terms, during which time he made his home in lonia, the county seat. At the close of his term of service in the sheriff's office, in 1881. Mr. Mattison moved back to the farm and remained there until 1903, in which year he sold the place and moved back to lonia, where he has lived ever since and where he and his wife have a very pleasant and comfortable home. For years Mr. Mattison has taken an active interest in affairs hereabout, in addition to looking after his extensive farming inter- ests and upon retiring from the farm continued his connection with some of the enterprises with which he was connected. He is vice-president of the National Bank of lonia and is chairman of the board of directors of the Farmers Mutual Fire Insurance Company of lonia, in which well-established concern he has been a director for nearly a quarter of a century, and he is held in high regard in financial and commercial circles hereabout.
On November 14, 1866, William H. Mattison was united in marriage to Zilpha Van Wormer, who was born in Steuben county, New York, August 10. 1840, daughter of Valentine and Anna (Cleveland) Van Wormer, both natives of New York state and both of whom spent all their lives in that state, the former, born on October 22, 1812, dying on June 19. 1879, at the age of eighty-five. They were the parents of seven children. Zilpha, Mary, Fayette, Emery and Emily ( twins) and Eugene and Eugenia (twins). Valentine Van Wormer was the son of Lawrence and Anna (Staley) Van Wormer, natives of Mohawk county, New York, both of whom lived to ripe old ages, and who were the parents of fifteen children, seven of whom, John, Henry, Mary, Janet. Anna, Betsy and Susan, lived to maturity. Mrs. Anna Van Wormer was the daughter of Ephraim and
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Hanna ( Watkins ) Cleveland, the former a native of New York and the latter of Connecticut, farming people, both of whom lived past middle age, and who were the parents of ten children. Andrew. Anna, Eunice, Cynthia, Mary, Myron, Ephraim, Elvira. Jennie and Abigail.
Mr. and Mrs. Mattison are devoted members of the Methodist church. in the affairs of which they ever have taken a warm interest, and they are held in high esteem by their many friends throughout the county. Mr. Mattison is a Mason of high degree and takes much interest in the affairs of that order. He is a member of the blue lodge of the order at Palo: a mem- ber of the lonia Chapter. Royal Arch Masons: Ionia Council. Royal and Select Masters: fonia Commandery No. 11. Knights Templar, and of Saladin Temple, Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, at Grand Rapids.
ISAAC P. HOAG.
Isaac P. Hoag, head of the firm of Mansfield, Hoag & Company, pro- prietors of the Prairie Creek mills at Ionia. this county, and one of the best- known business men in that city, is a native son of Michigan, having been born on a pioneer farm in Parma township. Jackson county, this state, May 22. 1856, son of David and Mary ( Peckham) Hoag, prominent members of the prosperous Quaker settlement in that county, whose last days were spent there.
David Hoag was a native of Rensselaer county, New York, and was reared on a farm in Pittstown township, that county. His parents, Asa and Elizabeth ( Norton ) Hoag, were earnest members of the Friends church and he was reared in that faith. He married Mary Peckham, of Troy. New York, daughter of Samuel Peckham and wife, also earnest Quakers, the former of whom was a plowmaker and helped to develop the first cast- iron plow manufactured by the Starbuck company, of Troy, New York. Samuel Peckham's wife, who was an Osborne, also was of Quaker stock. In 1844 David Hoag and wife came to Michigan and joined the John Mott Quaker colony in Jackson county. David Hoag bought a tract of land in Parma township, that county, three acres of which had been cleared, and there he and his wife established their home, spending the balance of their lives there, becoming substantial and influential residents of that community. Mr. Hoag cleared and improved his place and at his death left a substantial
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inheritance of two hundred acres of well-improved land, now owned by his son, the subject of this biographical sketch.
Isaac P. Hoag grew to manhood on the farm on which he was born and when twenty-one years old came to lonia county and entered the employ of the Prairie Creek mill at Ionia, where he learned the details of the mill- ing business. He spent ten years in the service of that old mill and then, in 1887. went to California, where he spent nine years, at the end of which time he returned to fonia and resumed his place in the Prairie Creek mill. with which he ever since has been connected and of which he long has been the general manager. In 1880, three years after entering the mill, he became financially interested in the same, and upon going to California disposed of that interest. Upon his return from the West in 1897 he resumed his interest in the mill, the firm thereafter being known as Mansfield & Hoag. Mr. Hoag then assumed the general management of the mill and ice business.
In 1909, Mr. Mansfield, Mr. Hoag's partner, died and the firm of Mansfield, Hoag & Company is now composed of Mr. Hoag and Joseph VanSycle, who have since acquired the Highland Park cemetery. together with about one hundred and fifty acres of adjoining farming lands.
In 1880 Isaac P. Hoag was united in marriage to Nellie A. Simmons. who was born at Buffalo, New York, daughter of William Simmons and wife. Her mother died when she was an infant and in 1869 her father came to Michigan, settling in Ionia county, where he farmed the rest of his life. To Mr. and Mrs. Hoag one child has been born, a daughter. Hazel M. Mr. Hoag was made a Mason in 1879 and takes a warm interest in the affairs of that ancient order.
JOHN R. DOUGHERTY.
The late John R. Dougherty, for years a well-known and influential farmer and banker of the Lyons neighborhood, this county, an honored veteran of the Civil War and an active participant in the civic affairs of lonia county, was a native of the great Empire state, born in Cayuga, county, New York, December 17, 1842, son of James and Sarah ( Loomis ) Dougherty, both natives of that same state, who came to Michigan in 1854, settling in Lyons neighborhood, where their last days were spent. James Dougherty's father was a native of Ireland who came to this country when
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JOHN R. DOUGHERTY.
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a lad of fourteen and his mother was a native of Scotland, who died when James was a child.
James Dougherty died shortly after coming to this country and upon John R. Dougherty, who was twelve years old when he came here with his parents, fell the task of helping to support his widowed mother, who lived until July 19, 1876. This he did by working on farms in the neighborhood of his home at Lyons, in the meantime completing his schooling by atten- ding school in the winters. and remained at home until his enlistment, in August, 1862, when not yet twenty years old, in the Eighth Regiment. Mich- igan Volunteer Infantry, with which he served until the close of the war, being mustered out as a first lieutenant, to which rank he was raised in May, 1865. He was with Burnside in all the campaigns of that general and took part in the siege of Knoxville, the battles of South Mountain. AAntietam, Fred- ericksburg, Blue Springs, Petersburg and numerous other important engage- ments. He had married the year he entered the army and upon the conclu- sion of military service returned home and for a year thereafter was engaged in farming in the Lyons neighborhood, after which he and Frank Gleas- on conducted a general store at Lyons and was for some years engaged in that business in that village. In 1868 he bought an unimproved farm just south of Lyons and in 1876 erected a house on that farm and moved to the same, at the same time selling his interest in the store to Mr. Gleason and on that farm, to which he gave the name "Sunnyside Farm," he spent the rest of his life, his death occuring on June 1. 1910.
Not long after selling his interest in the store Mr. Dougherty started the John R. Dougherty Bank at Lyons and remained at the head of that institution until he sold it to S. W. Webber & Company. In the meantime he continued to make his home at "Sunnyside Farm," a fine place of two hundred and forty acres, one and one-fourth miles south of Lyons, and gradually improved the same until it was regarded as one of the best farms in the county. Mr. Dougherty gave much attention to the raising of pure- bred live stock, particularly Polled Durham cattle and became one of the best-known cattlemen in this county. He was active in all public enterpri- ses, ever promoting such movements as were designed to advance the com- mon good. Although not a church member he was one of the most liberal contributors to the work of erecting the Methodist church. He was a Repub- lican and for years looked upon as one of the leaders of that party in this county, though never an office seeker. On one occasion, however. very much against his wishes, he was nominated as representative in the Legislature (21a)
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from this district and though he opposed the nomination and spent no time in making a canvass, he came within ten votes of election.
John R. Dougherty was twice married. In 1862 he was united in mar- riage to Melissa J. Truesdell, who was born in Brown county, New York, daughter of Samuel and Parthena Truesdell, early settlers of this county. She died in 1894, and on March 6, 1895. Mr. Dougherty married, secondly. Mrs. Lois J. ( McNeil ) Dunn, widow of William H. Dunn, who was prom- inently connected with the railway shops at lonia until his death in 1893. William H. Dunn had been a resident of lonia since 1873 and was one of the best known citizens of that place. He was a stanch Republican and a member of the Masonic fraternity, as well as of the Grand Army of the Republic. Responding to Lincoln's first call for volunteers, he went to the front with the First Regiment, Michigan Volunteer Infantry, for the three- months service and upon the completion of that term of service re-enlisted and served to the close of the war as a member of the Eighth Michigan Cavalry. In 1873 he located at lonia and spent the rest of his life in that city. After his death his widow made her home with her parents most of the time until her marriage to Mr. Dougherty.
Mrs. Lois J. Dougherty is a native of this state, having been born at Lawton, Van Buren county, daughter of George P. and Amanda J. ( Harper ) McNeil, the former of whom was born at Owega, Tioga county, New York. in 1828, and the latter at Milan, Erie county, Ohio, in September. 1834. George P. McNeil was about eighteen years of age when he came to Mich- igan with his parents, Francis McNeil and wife. the family settling at Law- ton, in VanBuren county. There, in December. 1851. he was married to Amanda J. Harper, who was but eight years of age when her parents. Sam- uel and Nancy ( Spears) Harper, came to Michigan from Ohio and settled in the Lawton neighborhood. George P. McNeil was a carpenter and 'for some time after his marriage followed that trade at Lawton, but later became a conductor on the Michigan Central railroad and for twenty-five years was thus engaged, making his home meanwhile at Jackson and at Battle Creek. Upon retiring from the railway service he for a time made his home at Chicago, but later returned to Lawton, the home of his youth, where his death ocenred five or six years later, February 16, 1898. His widow is now making her home with Mrs. Dougherty in the latter's beau- tiful home at Lyons.
Mrs. Dougherty is a member of the Church of Christ ( Scientist ) and takes an active interest in the services of the same. Years ago she became a
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member of the Order of the Eastern Star and upon moving to Lyons after her marriage to Mr. Dougherty transferred her membership to the chapter at that place and continues to take a warm interest in the affairs of that order. She also has been for years very active in the work of the Woman's Relief Corps and is past vice-president of that organization for the depart- ment of Michigan, as well as a former instituting and installing officer of the same.
WALTER L. WINCHELL.
Walter L. Winchell, of the firm of Winchell & Stone, furniture and undertaking, Fonia. Michigan, was born in Ionia on November 1I, 1866. He is the son of Monroe B. and Caroline ( Moffett) Winchell. Monroe B. Winchell was a native of Ballston township, Saratoga county, New York. Mrs. Winchell was a native of Cuyahoga county, Ohio. They were the parents of the following children: Walter L., who is the subject of this sketch; Mildred, who is at home; George, who is a physician in Ionia; Laura, who is the wife of J. Ernest Dodds, of Detroit, Michigan; Clarence, who lives in Ionia, and Mary, who is the wife of Edward Conroy, of Ionia township.
Monroe B. Winchell grew up a farmer boy in Saratoga county, New York, and attended the district schools there. When he was twenty years of age he came west with his brother, Addison E., and located in Fonia township and worked out for a few years. He then bought a farm of forty acres on which he placed improvements and planted a fine orchard and engaged in the fruit and nursery business for about thirty-seven years. He sold twenty acres of his farm to his son, Walter, and they worked together for a few years. He still owns twenty acres. His wife died in 1903, at the age of fifty-seven years. She and her husband were both members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
The father of Caroline (Moffett) Winchell was James Moffett. His wife was a Miss Neal. He was born in Ohio and she in Maryland. He was a millwright by trade and ran a machine shop in Cuyahoga county, Ohio. He moved into Kent county, Michigan, in 1850. coming overland from Ohio with an ox-team. The country there was a wilderness then. He engaged in farming in Kent county the rest of his life. He died at the age of eighty years, and she, at the age of seventy years. They had a large family, consisting of the following children: Albert, Theron, Arabel,
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Abigail, Helen, Exine, Clarissa, Caroline, Charlotte, Emma, Diantha, and one that met death by accident.
The father of Monroe B. Winchell was Leorango Winchell. His wife was Mary (Castle) Winchell. They were both natives of Massachusetts. In young manhood he was a clothier, but after moving to New York he engaged in farming, which he followed for the remainder of his life. He was born in 1800 and died in 1886. His wife died at the age of sixty-six years. They were the parents of the following children: Theodore, Lemuel, Addison, Phoebe. Mary Louisa, who died in infancy: Monroe B., who was the father of the subject of this sketch, and Mary. The paternal great-grandparents were of Holland-Dutch descent. They died in Massa- chusetts. They had a good-sized family: Lorenzo. Solomon, Erastus. Timothy, Betsy and other daughters.
Walter L. Winchell was raised in Ionia. He attended the public schools here. He also worked on his father's fruit farm. At the age of twenty he went to Dakota and spent three years. While there he took a claim and proved up on it. He afterward sold his farm and returned to lonia and went back on the farm with his father, and bought twenty acres of the old home place and went into the fruit business, which he continued for about twelve years. He was appointed to a position at the state reform- atory and worked there as an officer for five years. After this he formed a partnership with Orin Stone and embarked in the furniture business, and a year later they added the undertaking business, which they have continued up to the present time, under the firm name of Winchell & Stone.
On March 16, 1804. Walter I. Winchell was married to Ada E. Town- send, of Ypsilanti. She was a daughter of James Townsend. She died in December, 1896, at the age of twenty-six years. She was a member of the Christian church ( Disciples). On June 3. 1903, Mr. Winchell was mar- ried to Eliza A. Phillips, the daughter of Eli and Mary ( Fenstermaker ) Phillips. To this marriage the following children have been born: Ruth. Monroe and Florence.
Eliza A. ( Phillips) Winchell was born in Easton township, lonia county, on May 24. 1875. Her parents came from Ohio to Michigan at an early date. and both are now dead. They were the parents of the follow- ing children: John, James, Levi. George, Ensign, Herman, Joshua. Jason, Chetro, Sarah, Eliza, and a daughter who died when young. Mr. and Mrs. Winchell are members of the church of Christ ( Disciples). He has been an elder in the church for more than fifteen years. He has been a member for more than twenty-five years, and his wife has been a member for many
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years. Mr. Winchell belongs to Ionia Lodge No. 36, Free and Accepted Masons, and to Ionia Lodge No. 175, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, also to lonia Lodge No. 548, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Mr. Winchell is a Republican in politics.
GEORGE A. BUCK.
George A. Buck, of Portland, Ionia county. Michigan, one of the largest landowners of the county, owning seven hundred and six acres in Portland and Danby townships in partnership with his brother. Bart Buck, was born in the town of Avon. Lorain county. Ohio, on July 8, 1858. being a son of Hart and Elizabeth Duffell. For a detailed history of the Buck family, the reader will please refer to the sketch of Edwin A. Buck, brother of George A., presented elsewhere within this volume.
George A. Buck grew up on the family homestead in Portland town- ship and received his elementary education in the district schools near his home, later attending the Portland schools. After finishing his studies he engaged in school teaching, laboring in this manner for eight years and passing the summers in work on the farm. When a young man, he and his brother, Edwin A .. formed a partnership for the buying and selling of live stock and also farming. Edwin withdrew from the farming interests in 1896. but George continued with the other brothers to farm the place and he and Edwin continued together in the stock business.
On August 4, 1897, George A. Buck was united in marriage with Mary White and to their union have been born two children. Harold W. will graduate from the Portland high school with the 1916 class and Evelyn Elizabeth is in the first year of high school work. Immediately after mar- riage. George A. Buck and his bride made their home in Portland, living on the same street with Edwin A. Buck until 1908 when George A. removed to the place which has since been his home.
Mary White Buck. wife of George A. Buck, is the daughter of Edwin and Emily ( Morehouse ) White, the former born in Genesee county, New York state, on August 11, 1832, and was in his turn a son of James and Jane White, both of whom were born in the state of New Jersey. James White's parents came from Ireland to New Jersey, one child being born on the water while they were en route to this country, while Jane, his wife, was the child of Seoteh parents. When Edwin White, father of Mrs. George Buck, was
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