History of Jackson County, Michigan, Part 101

Author:
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago [Ill.] : Inter-state Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1166

USA > Michigan > Jackson County > History of Jackson County, Michigan > Part 101

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Freeman R. Crosby, physician, was born in Martinsburg, Lewis Co., N. Y., June 27, 1828, son of Jonathan H. and Charlotte Crosby, nee Barnes; father was a native of Vermont, mother of Massachusetts. They came to Jackson county in 1838, and located in Napoleon, where he engaged in farming until his death in 1866. His mother died in 1843. The subject of this sketch, Freeman R., was educated in the common schools and reared on the farm. In 1858 he took up the study of medicine under Dr. N. S. Whiting. He attended courses of lectures at the University in Ann Arbor during 1859-'60 and 1862, and entered the 17th Mich. Reg., as Assistant Surgeon, under Dr. J. D. Bevier, and remained nntil 1864, being at Fredericksburg, Vicksburg, siege of Knoxville. He then returned home to Napoleon, where he took up the practice of medicine two years. He then moved to Henrietta, where he prac- ticed 18 months. He then returned to Napoleon, continuing in the profession. He was married in February, 1865, to Nancy Andrews, who was born in New York. They had 2 children, of whom 1 is living-Mattie W., born in 1869. One died in infancy. Mrs. Crosby died June 3, 1875. % .. ]

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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.

Ralph Covert, Justice of the Peace, was born in the town of Ovid, Seneca Co., N. Y., March 17, 1811, son of Peter A. and Mary Covert, nee Swarthout. His father was born May 2, 1780, in New Jersey, and his mother in Orange county, N. Y., Dec. 27, 1782. His father's occupation was a farmer. He died Sept. 6, 1823. His mother died April 30, 1861. The subject of this sketch was raised on a farm and educated in the common schools. At the age of 16 he took up the study of music, which art he afterward taught. In 1833 he married Margaret N. Moody, who was born in the town of Lodi, Seneca Co., N. Y., Feb. 17, 1816. In 1834 he came to Michigan and located in Washtenaw county, where he opened a new farm on which he continued to live 16 years. He then traded for a farm in Jackson county, consisting of 160 acres, where he lived eight years, when he sold and bought 200 acres west of Stone lake. Here he lived until 1873, when he moved to the village of Napoleon. Their family consists of 4 children-Edward M., John, Henrietta, now Mrs. Stephenson, and Morris H. April 19, 1872, he lost his wife, and married Sept. 27, 1873, Aurelia Lewis, who was born in Akron, Erie Co., N. Y., July 4, 1846, and was the daughter of Geo. and Philida Lewis. She taught school at the age of 15 for three terms, and then took up the dress-maker's trade, which she has ac- complished to perfection. Mr. Covert has held the office of Town Clerk, Road Commissioner and School Inspector. He is now Jus- tice of the Peace, and he has been a member of the M. E. Church over 40 years. His wife is member of the Baptist Church.

Horace Dean, whose portrait will be found on page +35, was born in the tp. of Windsor, Vt., May 11, 1809, son of Noah and Sally Dean, nee Russell, natives of Vermont, the father a farmer. He inoved to the town of Hartford, N. Y., where he carried on farming until his death, and his mother died in the same town. The subject of this sketch received his education in the common schools of New York, and in October, 1832, he came to Jackson county, where he entered Government land, and returned to New York in 1834, and was married to Clarissa M. Shaw, who was born Sept. 3, 1812, and immediately after their marriage they returned to this county, where they continned to farin. He now resides on the same farm he entered in 1832. Their family consisted of 3 children, 1 now living-Jnlins P., and 2 deceased, viz :- Willard F. and Horace. They have 1 adopted child, Hattie, now Mrs. Kendrick. He has held different.offices in the tp .; he now owns 160 acres of land, in Napoleon tp., which is worth $60 per acre. He and his wife are members of the Baptist Church, which he joined in New York in July, 1827.

J. P. Dean, farmer, sec. 2, was born in Jackson county, Mich., Sept. 19, 1835, son of Horace and C. M. Dean, who were among the pioneers of the county. He was reared on a farm and received his education in the common schools of Jackson county. He was an attentive boy, minded his own business and stayed at home with his father. He married in 1859 Miss Lucy Maria Weeks, who was

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NAPOLEON TOWNSHIP.

born in the same county Nov. 20, 1837; brought her to his father's house and continued to live as son and daughter in the same house till 1874, when he moved upon the farm he now owns, consisting of 120 acres, with good house of modern style and everything in abundance around him to cheer and comfort him in his declining years. Their family consisted of 3 children, viz .: Marion L., born June 27, 1863; Nora C., born July 8, 1866; and Villa F., born March 19, 1878, died Ang. 2, 1879. Mr. D. stands at the head of his class among the citizens of Napoleon tp. He is generous hearted, full of fun, and believes that this is a world of enjoyment for the human family, and that each one must look out for himself in this life if he expects to reach that enjoyment necessary to make home pleasant. He is always at the head of any enterprise which is for the good of his fellow-man. He is a member in full stand- ing in the Baptist Church at the quiet little town of Napoleon, and is a Republican, always ready to advance its cause and its in- terests, and is a strong supporter of its leaders.

Charles C. Dewey was born in Boonville, Oneida Co., N. Y., Nov. 16, 1816, the son of John and Anna Dewey, nee Hawley. They came West in May, 1835, and located in the tp. of Napoleon; where he engaged in the mercantile business, in connection with farming. He died in 1871, in his 84th year, and his wife died March 2, 1879, in her 91st year. She embraced the Christian relig- ion, and for 60 years continued to follow its precepts. The subject of this sketch received his education in early life, principally in the common schools, finishing up his studies at Lowville Academy, N. Y .; came with his parents to Jackson county, Mich., and assisted his father in the mercantile business, and worked at farming. In 1848 he was married to Elizabeth Smith, who was born in 1825. Their family consisted of 4 children ; the living are May and Lilla: Emma and Lillian are deceased. He has held the office of Justice of the Peace for 27 years, Township Clerk, School Inspector, and is classed among Napoleon's best citizens. He owns 150

acres of land, besides town property in the town of Napoleon, and at the present time is engaged in merchandising in connection with Win. S. Blackmar. He is a descendant of Thomas Dewey, who was born in Sandwich, Kent, England, near Dover, and emigrated to America in 1633. In tracing down to Charles C. we have the seventh degree of relation, 248th year transcendent. He is also one of the ardent supporters of the M. E. Church.

Reuben H. Deyoe was born in Saratoga county, N. Y., June 24, 1831. His father, Thomas Deyoe, and his mother, Elizabeth, nee Hart, were natives of New York, and had 10 children, 5 of whom are living, the subject of this sketch being the oldest son. The first 10 years of his life were spent on the farm, his father being a prosperous farmer. At the age of 12 years he went into a cot- ton factory to work, his father having lost all his property; from that time he took care of himself, and helped to support the family. He staid in the factory five years, and when he left, there was no

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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.

part of the machinery but what he was familiar with. At the age of 17 he went into a blacksmith shop to learn the trade. After a few months he bought out his employer and ran the shop him- self.

May 22, 1850, he left his native place with his family for Michi- gan. Their journey was tediously slow. They arrived in Spring- port, Jackson Co., Mich., June, 1850. The spring of 1851 he bought his first farm, located two and one-half miles southeast of Springport village, making as first payment a watch, valned at $10, and $10 in work. Then began hard work to subdue and improve his new farm, and make a home for his father and mother. Jan. 28, 1858, he married Sarah Wellington, second daughter of Will- · jam Wellington, of Springport, Jackson Co., Mich. She was born

April 31, 1836. She lived about 13 months, dying Feb. 18, 1859. Soon after his marriage he turned over his interest in the old farm to his younger brother for the support and care of his father and mother, the brother doing his duty faithfully by the old people. The father died July 31, 1880, and at present the mother is ten- derly cared for on the old homestead.

After leaving the old farm, the subject of this sketch engaged in various pursuits, principally farming. On Nov. 3, 1862, he married Kate E. Wellington, of Scipio, Hillsdale Co., Mich. She was born May 30, 1840, in Hanover, Jackson Co., Mich., and was cousin to his first wife. Their family consists of 2 children-Lil- lian S., born July 29, 1866; Jay W., born Nov. 17, 1870, both in the town of Springport, Jackson Co., Mich.

The subject of this sketch enlisted in the army of the Rebellion December, 1863. He joined the old Michigan infantry, then changed to heavy artillery ; was principally doing garrison duty, hold- ing Fort Gaines, Mobile Bay, Ala., 10 months, from there to varions points along the Mississipi river till the close of the war; was discharged Aug. 21, 1865.

For the next seven years he lived in the town of Springport, Jackson Co., engaged principally in farming. In the year 1872 he sold his farm, purchased another north of Tompkins Cen- ter, and in connection with farming sold groceries, and held office of Postmaster for three years. In the fall of 1875 he purchased a large farm on Gravel Road four miles north of the city of Jackson. March, 1877, he sold half his farm and moved into the city, Jack- son; during the next three years he was engaged part of the time in selling groceries and keeping wood-yard in connection with farming. In the fall of 1879 he came to Napoleon, fitted up a brick store near depot, and engaged in the grocery and general provision exchange.

April 4, 1881 he left Napoleon for Dakota, to try his luck at wheat-raising on a big scale. He left his family in Napoleon.

Wm. Dilley, farmer, sec. 2, was born in Erie county, town of Newstead, N. Y., Sept. 29, 1814; son of Strennahan and Aner Dil- ley. His father died when the subject of the sketch was only a

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NAPOLEON TOWNSHIP.

small boy in New York State, and his mother afterward married Cole Quithell, with whom he resided until he had reached the 11th year of his age, when he was thrown upon his own resources for support and raiment. He engaged at different kinds of work, mostly as a farm hand, and received his education as he could get it from most any source. Thus he continued to work and save out of his earnings as much as he could until 1837; was married to Lacenia Hunt. She was born in Otsego county, town of Middle- field, Oct. 10, 1811; after their marriage they continued to live in New York, where he carried on farming and coopering for 12 years, and in 1854 he came to Jackson county, Mich., and bought the farın he now owns, consisting of 160 acres of land, which he has well-improved with good house and $75 barn. Their family con- sisted of 7 children, of whom only 2 are living, viz .: William and Fidelia, now Mrs. Knight; 5 deceased, viz : Polly Ann, Eliza J., Lucenia F .; 2 died in infancy.

His wife and daughter are members of the Baptist Church at Napoleon. Politically he is at the present time identified with the Greenback party.

H. B. Eldred (deceased) was born in Chautauqua county, N. Y., Jan. 9, 1832, and was the son of Carter and Keziah Eldred, nee Brace. They were natives of Herkimer county, N. Y., farmers by occupation, and moved to Jackson county, Mich., in an early day, and located on a farm, where they continned to live until his deatlı. Mr. Eldred was reared on a farm and received his educa- tion in the common schools of Michigan. Oct. 6, 1860, he was married to Belinda Edwards, who was born in Lenawee county, Mich., Oct. 17, 1835. She is the daughter of Andrew and Mary Ann Edwards, nee Burtless, who were also natives of New York, and came to Michigan in 1833, locating in Lenawee county. Her father died April 1, 1841, and her mother now resides with her. Their family consisted of 2 children-Louis H. and Fred O. Mr. Eldred still resides on the homestead, which consists of 360 acres of land, which is well improved and worth $60 per acre. They are members of the Congregational Church at Napoleon. A portrait of Mr. Eldred appears on page 453 of this work.

J. C. Eldred (deceased), who was born in Warren county, Conn., May 27, 1808, was the son of Zenas and Lucy Eldred, nee Carter. They moved to the State of New York in an early day, where they located on a farin, on which they lived until their death. The subject of this sketch received his education in the common schools and remained with his father until his marriage April 13, 1831, with Keziah Brace; she was born in Winfield, N. Y., May 4,1811, and the daughter of Asahel and Katie Brace, nee Curtis. They were natives of Connecticut. After their marriage they moved to Sheri- dan, Chantanqua Co., N. Y., where they farmed for five years; they then sold out and came to Jackson county, Mich., where he entered and bought some 400 acres of land, on which he continued to farm until his death, Jan. 27, 1849. He left a family of 6 children, viz .:

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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.

Henry B., Orlo E., Rufus C., Cynthia K., Zenas C. and George K. After his death she married for her second husband William Cal- kins, who was born in New York, Oct. 17, 1799. He had by his former marriage 7 children, and he continued farming until his death in 1879. She still resides on the old homestead and is now in her 70th year, and has in her possession a few old relics, that were owned by her former relation, over 50 years old, grandfather's knee- buckles and a pair of ear-rings. Of her family there is only 1 son now living, Zenas C., who resides in the city of Jackson. Mrs. Calkins is a member of the Congregational Church at Michigan Center.

Rufus C. Eldred was born May 24, 1835, son of the subject of the preceding sketch. Soon after his father's death he went to reside with an uncle, Fredrick S. Eldred, who at that tim resided in Johnstown, Wis., at present Janesville, Wis. He remained with him until he was 21 years of age, when he went to Minnesota and purchased 160 acres of land. Remained there a year or so, after which he sold his land; from there he went to Nashua, Chickasaw Co., Iowa, where he remained in business four years. While there he formed the acquaintance of Miss Maggie M. Woodbridge, whom he married Jan. 1, 1862, and started directly for his early home in Michigan. He there located on a farm consisting of 205 acres, situated five and one half miles southeast of Jackson city, at what is known as Eldred Station, where he remained until his death, which occurred Sept. 3, 1873. He was well known all through this section, and is highly re- spected by all who knew him. He left 3 small children, namely: Ada H., who was born Dec. 28, 1865; Abbie D., born Feb. 14, 1868; Maggie Mande, born July 21, 1872, died Dec. 30, 1879.

Phillip Farley (deceased) was born near Saratoga Springs, N. Y., May 2, 1818. He was the son of James and Elizabeth Farley, nee Jenkins. They are natives of New York and both deceased. His father was a farmer, and the subject of this sketch received his education in the common schools of New York, remaining on the farm with his father until he was 15 years of age. He then went to the town of Graham, Ontario Co., N. Y., where he com- pleted his education and learned his trade, which he followed nntil he was 29 years of age.

He was married May 12, 1845, to Mary Rogers, who was born in Ontario county, N. Y., Oct. 12, 1845, and was the daughter of Samuel and Mary Rogers, nee Barkin. They were natives of New York, her father died in 1861; and her mother. who was born May 11, 1790, still lives and resides with her daughter, Mrs. F. They continued to live in New York until 1853, part of which time he followed farming on 40 acres of land. They moved to Lenawee county, Mich., where they bought a farm, on which they improved and lived until 1869; they sold out and moved to the present farm, consisting of 156 acres of land, which is nicely improved and worth $75 per acre. Their family consisted of 6 children, viz .:

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NAPOLEON TOWNSHIP.

Laura Dorlisia, born July 28, 1846, now Mrs. A. Hooven; Charles Newton, born Sept. 29, 1848; Mary Jane, born May 2, 1851; Sarah Elizabeth, born June 14, 1856, now Mrs. Jones Vandercook, and Carrie Inez, born April 11, 1861; 1 deceased, Phineas James, born May 25, 1859, and was killed at Battle Creek, Mich., by accident, while standing on the railroad track, Sept. 4, 1879.

Mr. Farley died Oct. 14, 1870, in his 52d year. His widow still resides on the farm; most of her family still remain at home with her.

Elial Gallup, farmer, sec. 32, was born in Erie county, N. Y., March 28, 1821, con of John and Polly Gallup, nee Close. His father was a native of Vermont, and his mother of Ohio. His mother died when he was only four years of age. His father was a soldier in the war of 1812. The subject of this sketch received his education in the common school, and remained at home until 24 years of age. He then cominenced farming for himself; was married in 1842, to Electa Dolph. She was born in the same county and State, March 6, 1824. Their family consists of + chil- dren, viz .: Renben E., Albert H., Harriet E. and Sarah. His father came to Jackson county, Mich., January, 1850, where he bought 270 acres of land, on which he carried on farming until his death, March 4, 1852. Our subject came to this county Dec. 25, 1865, and purchased the farm he now owns, consisting of 85 acres of land, which he has well improved, worth $75 per acre. In politics he is an ardent supporter of the Democratic party.

Allen Green, retired, was born in Rhode Island, Oct. 11, 1789; was the 5th child of Ebenezer and Phebe Green, nee Allen. He died in New York, in 1822, in his 60th year, and his mother died in 1843, in her 93d year. The subject of this sketch received his edu- cation in the common schools of New York, attending the academy in Sangerford, New York, for six months. He then taught school for 16 years in his native State. In 1835, Dec. 23, he emigrated to Jackson county, Mich., where he purchased land of the Govern- ment, and began to open a farm, teaching school during the winter months for three years. He first bought-acres of Government land, and afterward bought of settlers 280 acres. He was married in 1820, to Mary Nichols. She was born in Connecticut, May 10, 1801. Their family consisted of 4 children. The living are-Henry Clinton and Hopy, now Mrs. Leonard Hoskins; deceased,-Mary M., died Feb. 10, 1834, and Allen Ogden, April 6, 1873. He lost his wife June 27, 1879, in her 78th year. He kept the first hotel ever kept in Napoleon in an early day. He divided his property among his children and now resides alone in the town of Napoleon, and is in his 92d year.

Henry C. Greene, was born in Oneida county, N. Y., October, was the 4th child of Allen and Mary Greene. Came to Jackson county with his parents in 1835; received his education in the com- mon schools; attended the Albion College. At 22 he took up the

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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.

general sale of lime and bought wheat. He was married in 1870 to Ellen Shea. She was born in Ann Arbor, Washtenaw county. He now owns 40 acres of land in Napoleon tp., worth $50 per acre, and owns property in the town of Napoleon to the value of $2,000; is a member of the M. E. Church, and also of the A. F. & A. M., No. 301.

J. C. Griffin, farmer, sec. 32, was born in Washington county, N. Y. , March 1, 1817, son of Oliver and Louise Griffin, nee Car- penter. His father was a farmer and contractor in New York. Took the first contract on the Northern canal, in N. Y. State, and threw out the first shovel of dirt from same. He followed his occupation until 1836, when he came West and located in Jack- son county, where he took the trade of shoemaking, which he followed for many years. He then moved to Mason, Ingham Co., where in connection with his son, R. F. Griffin, he carried on the manufactur- ing of boots and shoes until his father's death in 1874, in his 90th year. His mother died in 1846 in her 52d year.

The subject of this sketch grew up under many disadvantages. He received his education principally by odds and ends as he could find time, and when only a boy 11 years of age he worked out by the day and month, and had accumulated up to that time $30, which he had laid away. He came to Michigan with his father, driving through. Much of the time it rained and the mud was deep, and they could drive all day and at night look back and see their camp-fire of the previous night, but by persistent effort they arrived at their destination. He then set out to work for himself, to obtain a home of his own. His first work was in a stone-quarry, for which he received $12 per month, and then on a farm. He continued to work by the day and month until 1843, when he had accumulated some $500. He bought 80 acres of land on sec. 5, in Napoleon tp. for $600. In 1845 he was married to Julia Burge. She was born in Jefferson county, N. Y., April 2, 1826, and was the daughter of Seth and Lucy J. Burge, nee Smith, who came to Jackson county, Mich., in the fall of 1835. Her father died in 1853, and her mother still resides in Muskegon, with her son. After their marriage they moved upon his farm. He has 200 acres, all of which was obtained by his own labor. His farm is now well improved and worth $100 per acre. Their family consists of 3 children, Ursulus A., Elmore L. and Arrabell. His two sons are following after their father's course of life. They are homesteading land in the great West, in Dakota Territory. Mr. G. is an earnest Republican, and one of the organizers of the Republican party.

Silas F. Harvey (deceased) was born July 25, 1800, near Lake Champlain in Vermont, where his early life was spent in mercan- tile pursuits. He came to the Western Reserve in Ohio and was married at Hiram in 1837 to Betsey Henry, daughter of Reuben and Martha (Hawley) Henry, then pioneers of Napoleon, this county. They came to Napoleon in 1839 and settled four miles west of the village. Here were born all but their first child-Augusta P., Oct.

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26, 1838; the next, Cynthia D., March 13, 1841, and Harriet, May 1, 1843, who died in her seventh year; Rhoda L., born Nov. 22, 1846, and Arthur W., Sept. 22, 1851. Mr. Harvey died Christmas morning, 1858, after nearly 60 years of exemplary Christian life. During the 20 years he lived in the neighborhood, he had been the means of maintaining religions worship in the old school-house, and many of the old neighbors remember how his almost inspired words and manner thrilled them the last prayer-meeting before his death. The eldest daughter, then Mrs. Chas. E. Miller, died, and all her 3 children, in the winter of 1870. The second daughter, now Mrs. H. F. Thomas, and the youngest daughter, now Mrs. C. H. Bany, reside in Jackson eity. The son, Arthur W., after graduat- ing at the University and the Detroit Medical College, practiced medicine in the county for a few years. He died, unmarried, at the home of his then eldest sister. The following lines were writ- ten and published at the time:

WE SHALL KNOW AS WE ARE KNOWN.

To the memory of Dr. Arthur W. Harvey, who died In Jackson, Jan. 30, 1876.

We know he died; yet he lives again Away from suffering and pain, In some bright clime. 'Twas only the casket they laid away, The form we loved that was only clay, Which God will raise at some future day, In his own time.

Can he be dead while others live ? He who loved all the earth could give Of happiness and bliss ? Ah, no! but in the angel's land, He lives where the redeemed stand, A pure and spotless white-robed band, In a brighter world than this.

And though our hearts keep asking, why In early manhood he must die, While others stay, A voice comes down through all the years Whispers sweet words to calm our fears, And through the mist of falling tears Shows us God's way.

A way that seems so dark aud still- We wonder can it be God's will, This cruel pain ?- This yearning, longing just to know Where heaven is,-the wish to go With him away ; we loved him so; But all in vain.

No answer comes-no gleam of light : God keeps His plans from mortal sight. Nor tells us why. By faith and not by sight we go Along this earthly path below ; This mystery we may not know Until we die.

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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.

Then we shall know as we are known,- Know why our lives with grief are sown ; Shall know why Arthur died ; Shall see the weary way he trod Was the narrow way marked out by God; Then wait, and bow beneath the rod ; We'll know beyond the tide.

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History of Jackson County, Michigan, Part 101

Author: Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Chicago [Ill.] : Inter-state Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1166

Author:
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago [Ill.] : Inter-state Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1166