History of Jackson County, Michigan, Part 102

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

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Then trust in Jesus, dry your tears ; He is better far than all our fears; It is all right. No pain can come to Arthur there, Temptation can not come, nor care, No shadows in that land so fair, --- No gloom of night.

Arthur has gone; his work is done; Life's battles fought, the victory won ; While we must wait. It matters not how rough the way, How wild the storms, how dark life's day, If the path but lead along the way To heaven's gate.

There we shall meet loved ones at last, Earth's wrongs made right, all sorrows past --- Each heart all purified. We'll meet the loved again in heaven, Where sweetest ties can ne'er be riven, Where angels live and crowns are given, Where all are satisfied.

C. D. T.

B. P. Hawley, miller, cider and jelly manufacturer, was born in Greene county, town Baltimore, N. Y., July 15, 1837, son of James P. and Nancy Hawley, nee Vanstyke. He was raised on a farm, and educated in the common schools of New York. At the age of 20 years he commenced to do for himself, working out by the month and day; came to Jackson county and worked one year for J. V. Carmer, then commenced to farm for himself; worked on shares two years; bought 40 acres of land, afterward adding 40 more, on which he farmed five years; sold out and followed blacksmithing and wagon-making two years; followed threshing during the fall and in the winter. Manufactured the Hawley Grape-Vine Grain Cradle five years; sold out, and in the spring of 1875 built the mill, at a cost of $5,000, consisting of two run of burrs; the following year he added to his mill the cider and jelly machines, at a cost of $2,000, and can manufact- ure 100 barrels of cider per day. During the year 1880 he made up 29,000 bushels of apples, which made 3,600 barrels of cider, and 10,000 gallons of jelly. The mill has a capacity of 100 bushels of wheat per day; 200 of corn and oats. He was married Jan. 18, 1861, to Mary R. Hawley, daughter of C. L. Hawley; she was born in this county, Jan. 18, 1838. Their family consists of 3 children-Erwin, Arthur and Homer. His mill and home property is worth at a fair valuation, $9,000. He is a member of the A. F. & A. M. at Napoleon, and is identified with the Republican party and its interests.

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NAPOLEON TOWNSHIP.

Frank J. Hawley, butcher, was born in Greene county, N. Y., June 25, 1848, son of James P. and Elizabeth H. Hawley, nee Bedell. His father was a farmer and a native of Connecticut; his mother of New York. His father moved to New York when young, where he was raised on a farm and educated in the common schools. In 1860 he moved to Jackson county, where he continued to farm until his death, in April, 1866. His mother moved to the village of Napoleon, where she now lives with her son Frank, who was educated in the common schools of Jackson connty. He con- tinned to follow farming until 1877, then took up the butcher trade in Napoleon, and continues to carry on the same in connection with Russeil Talmage.

Charles L. and Henry, sons of Lyman and Jerusha Hawley, were natives of Connecticut. Their father was born Dec. 8, 1787, and died April 20, 1875, in his 88th year; their mother was born Jan. 5, 1788, and died in 1848, in her 62d year. Charles L. was born in Leyden, Lewis Co., New York, May 9, 1811, and Henry was born March 26, 1813. They were educated in the common district schools of their native county. In 1834 their father came to this county, where he carried on the trade of carpenter and joiner, which occupation the sons followed. They continued to work at their trade with their father for many years, until their father's health failed; they then continued the business alone. They bought 40 acres of land and carried on farming during summer, and worked at their trade during the winter months. In 1850 they commenced the manufacturing of the grape-vine cradle; they fitted up a shop with engine, and have continued the business to the present time, finding ready sale for all they can make. They now own 215 acres of land, which is worth $75 per acre. March 5, 1837, Charles L. was married to Emily Griffin, daughter of Oliver and Louisa Griffin, natives of Massachusetts; she was born Sept. 30, 1831; their family consisted of 1 daughter-Mary R., born Jan. 19, 1838, now Mrs. Perry Hawley. July 7, 1880, Mrs. H. died. Henry was married Sept. 18, 1844, to Amelia M. Griffin, sister to his brother's wife; she was born May 18, 1825, in New York, and they had 1 son- Wallace A., born March 11, 1848, and was married Jan. 10, 1871, to Mary E. Russell, born in New Jersey, and died May 30, 1871. They have always lived together in the same house, and eaten at the same table. They have spoons that have been in constant use over 100 years, and a tobacco box that was carried 'in the old Revo- lutionary war by Phineas Carrey.

Silas P. Hutchinson, retired, was born in New York, May 20, 1811; son of Amaziah and Betty A. (Mack) Hutchinson, who were classed among the early settlers of Ithaca, on the head of Cayuga lake, in 1813; he emigrated to Ohio, where he died in 1823. He was a fuller and dyer by trade, which he carried on until his death; he was in his 60th year. His mother died in Ohio, in 1852, in her 75th year. The subject of this sketch received his first schooling in the common schools of Ohio; attended the academy at Worth.

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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.

ington, Ohio, three months during the winter season; at 17 years of age he returned to New York, and attended the academy at Ithaca for three years; he then clerked in a store for one year; he bought an interest in the store and carried it on five years; sold out his interest and moved to Franklin county, Ohio, where he again followed the same business five years; he again sold out his stock of goods and moved to Calhoun county, Mich., for a short time; carried on blacksmithing at Manchester, with other branches of business until 1849; came to Napoleon, where he again took up the mercantile business, which he followed 20 years; gave up the business, on account of his deafness. He was married in 1833, in New York, to Armenia F. Crane, who was born in 1810, and died in the town of Manchester, Mich., in 1846. Their family consisted of 3 children -- Engene W., enlisted in the 1st Reg. of Michigan, Engineers and Mechanics, in 1861, and died in May, 1862, at Huntsville, Alabama; Lyman A. was drowned in the mill pond at Manchester, in 1844, while at play on the staging; and one daughter, Frances A., now Mrs. B. F. Hawley. In 1847, Mr. Hawley was again married, to Mary Ann Davis, born in Franklin county, Ohio, Dec. 31, 1818. They have 2 children: Dwight W., born in October, 1850, and S. P., born in August, 1855. Mr. Hawley is living a retired life in the village of Napo- leon; both are identified with the Baptist Church at that place.

John S. Lee, blacksmith, was born in Erie county, Penn., Feb. 18, 1852; son of Perry and Rebecca (Blake) Lee, natives of Penn- sylvania. His father was a blacksmith by occupation, and John S. in early life learned the same trade, under his father's instruction. He received his education in the common schools of Mill Village, Erie Co., Penn., where his father still resides. He continued with his father until he had obtained a thorough knowledge of his trade, when he commenced for himself. He came to Napoleon and purchased property to the value of $1,600, on which he now liyes. His mother resides with him. Mr. Lee also has a brother, Win- field, who was born Feb. 24, 1847, and is a painter and engineer. Mr. Lee has a good shop, where he is prepared to do all kinds of work in his line. In politics he is neutral.

Isaac I. Lewis was born in Scottsville, N. Y., Jan. 7, 1834, son of Thomas J. and Dolly (Derby) Lewis. His father was a farmer; he emigrated to Jackson county in 1836, and located in Napoleon tp. ; purchased 80 acres of Government land, and lived here until his death in 1863. His mother died in 1845. Isaac received his education in the common schools of this county; was only two years of age when he came here. . At the age of 16 he began to learn the carpenter and joiner's trade, which he followed for three years, then purchased a farm and turned his attention to farming for two years; worked at his trade and manufactured wagons, sleighs, cutters and buggies three years; exchanged his farm for town property and followed milling two years; built his mill and commenced the lumber business and planing-mill and carpentering; in four years discontinued the Inmber trade and added a saw-

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NAPOLEON TOWNSHIP.

mill; then added a second engine, with which he used to saw dur- ing the winter months and thresh during the summer. At the present time it is in the best of order. He was married in 1856 to Louisa M. Gallup, who was born in this county Dec. 24, 1839. They have had 5 children; the living are-Minnie F., now Mrs. Myron J. Laflare; Horace M. and Morris H., twins, and Nellie. Eugene died in 1862.

Rev. Frank S. Lyon was born in Fairfield county, Conn., Dec. 7, 1848. In his infancy his parents moved to Tompkins county, N. Y., where he was reared to manhood and educated at Tru- mansburg Academy and Madison University, at Hamilton, N. Y. He was ordained a minister of the gospel according to the usages of the regular Baptist Church at Attica, Seneca county, O., April 4, 1872, where he remained as the Pastor of the Baptist Church three years, the Church prospering under his ministry. In 1875 he accepted a call from the Baptist Church at Manchester, Wash- tenaw Co., Mich., to which place he removed, and completed a successful pastorate of about three years. At Manchester he was for weeks hovering on the line of the valley of death under a very severe attack of typhoid fever; during his convalescence he was called to the pastorate of the Baptist Churches of Napoleon and Brooklyn, Jackson county; accepting the call, the brethren of said Churches removed him and his family to Napoleon, amply providing for them, where he now resides, having been pastor here over three years, accomplishing much good and holding the esteem and confidence of the community at large, and the love and respect of the Church of which he still holds the pastorate. Soon after his ordination Elder Lyon was married to Miss Hattie A. Crawford, daughter of W. J. Crawford, M. D., of Tiffin, Seneca Co., Ohio, Oct. 9, 1872. The fruits of this marriage are 3 children-Mary E., William C. and Florence. Rev. F. S. Lyon is the eldest son of Charles and Mary Lyon, who bore 6 children, 4 of them boys, and 2 girls, all of whom are grown to man- and womanhood and in active pursuits of life. The mother is living, and is a vigorous woman, but the father gave himself to his coun- try to maintain right and liberty in 1861; was taken prisoner by the rebels and starved to death in Andersonville prison Feb. 10, 1865, leaving his family with a humble home but no means of support save the pension of the common soldier. These circum- stances threw Frank S. Lyon on his own resources, and without aid he worked and obtained his education by perseverance and trust in God. He is of a vigorous physical make-up, of bilious- sanguine temperament, stands nearly six feet high, dark com- plexion, weighs 170 pounds, of good mental make-up, a strong, useful man, successful in winning souls and building up Churches under his charge; only 32 years of age. We may reasonably expect of him usefulness and prominence.

C. D. Morse, farmer, sec. 36, was born in Nunda, Livingston Co., N. Y., June 4, 1835, son of D. D. and Susan (Van Winkle) Morse, who were natives of N. Y. The subject of this sketeh re-

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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY

ceived his education in New York, and learned the trade of wheel- wright with his father, for whom he worked until coming to this State. He was married to Mary C. Noble. She was born Dec. 15, 1844, and was the daughter of Leonard and Anna Noble, who came to the State of Michigan and located in Livingston county in 1835. In 1873 they moved back to Connecticut, and her mother died Feb. 8, 1875, and was brought back to the State of Michigan for burial. He now owns 121} acres of land, which he has well improved, and worth $60 per acre. They are both mem- bers of the Baptist Church at Napoleon, and politically he is a Republican.

D. D. Morse, farmer, sec. 32, was born in Essex county, N. Y., Dec. 18, 1809, son of Dr. D. and Pearl (Marks) Morse. They were natives of Hartford, Conn., and moved to Eastern New York in an early day, where they located on a farm, and resided until 1819; they moved to the western part of New York, where they continued to farm until their death. The subject of this sketch received his education in the common schools of New York; in those days they had to labor under many disadvantages which the rising generation of to-day knows little of, and by his diligence in study he attained a good business education. He worked at home with his father until he was 13 years old. He then worked for three years in a cotton factory, where he learned the trade of wheelwright, which he followed from 1825 to 1854. He was married in 1833 to Susan Van Winkle. She was born in New Jersey, March 18, 1810. They had a family of + children. 2 of whom are living-Charles D. and Clara S., now Mrs. Wright. In the spring of 1854 they came to Jackson county, Mich., and bought a farm of 80 acres, where he engaged in farming. His wife died Feb. 10, 1872, and he was again married, May 7, 1873, to Emeline Barrett, who was the widow of John E. Drake. She was born in the town of Mason, Hillsborough Co., N. H., June 28, 1817. She had by her former marriage 4 children. He and wife are members of the Baptist Church; he is a Republican in politics.

Court R. Palmer, farmer, was born in Madison county, N. Y., Oct. 14, 1833, son of Joshua G. and Esther Palmer, nee Randall. His father and mother were natives of Connecticut, and came to New York in an early day, where they lived until his mother's death in the town of Lexington, Conn., in 1839. His early occu- pation was that of a farmer. He died at the home of his son, who is the subject of this sketch, Jan. 16, 1868. Mr. P. was raised on a farm in New York State, and educated in the common schools, and in 1863 came to the State of Michigan, where he bought land on sec. 1, where he now resides.

He was married in 1863 to Miss Augusta Carr; she was born in Michigan. Their family consists of 3 children-Lewis Grant, Walter Sherman and Herbert Frink. He is Supervisor of bis tp., and the owner of 172} acres of land. Is a member of the Baptist Church at Napoleon, and a leading citizen in the tr .. and one who

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NAPOLEON TOWNSHIP.

has used his ability to aid in the collection of the matter pertain- ing to the tp. history of Napoleon.

Martin F. Palmer, farmer, was born in Madison county, N. Y., March 1, 1839, son of Joshua G. and Esther Palmer, nee Randall. His father was a farmer in York State, born in Connecticut; his mother of the same nativity. His father died in 1868, his mother in 1849. The subject of this sketch was raised on a farm, and came to the State of Michigan in 1854. He returned to New York, and was married in 1856 to Mary Farley. She was born in Madison county, N. Y. He returned to his home in Michigan, where he continued farm.ing He made several changes, when in 1869 he lo- cated on the present farm, consisting of 109 acres, and 25 acres on Stone lake. The family consisted of 4 children-Llewellen, Edward E., Charles M. and Maria, deceased. His present weight is 375 pounds, and has weighed 396. His wife weighs 225, and one son that weighs 250, an aggregate of 850 pounds. Mr. P. claims to be the first man in the State of Michigan that started to make the famous cider jelly, which he first made in 1862. He converted 500 barrels of cider into jelly in 1880. They are all members of the M. E. Church at Napoleon.

Henry Pelham, farmer, sec. 35, was born in Delaware county, N. Y., Feb. 20, 1834; was the son of Richard and Abigail (Every) Pelham. They were natives of New York. IIe came to Jackson county, Mich., in the fall of 1835, and located in Columbia tp .; he was one of three who built the Brooklyn Mill. He was educated in the schools of Jackson county, and remained with his father until he was 21 years of age; he then was married, in 1855, to Ellen Bolton. She was the first white female child born in Branch county, Mich., May 1, 1830, and was the daughter of Abram F. and Lydia Bolton. They had a family of 6 children, 3 of whom are now living-Walter B., Charles W. and James H .; Deceased-Mary L., Richard B., and Aby A. Mrs. B. previous to her marriage, was a school-teacher, her husband being one of her pupils. Mr. P. bought the first steam thresher brought into the tp., and has been engaged in threshing since 1861. He and wife are members of the Baptist Church at Napoleon.

Albert H. Reed, M. D., physician and surgeon, was born in Wash- tenaw county, Michigan, Nov. 25, 1842, son of Nathan and Mary (Wilber) Reed; his father was a native of New York, and a farmer. He emigrated to'Jackson county in 1833, where he engaged in farm- ing. His mother died Sept. 8, 1858; she was in her 37th year. The subject of this sketch received his education in the schools of his native county. Enlisted in the 24th Michigan Infantry in 1865, and served until the close of the war, when he returned home and engaged in farming, which he followed for two years. He entered the State University at Ann Arbor, Michigan, and graduated from that institution in 1870: he then commenced the practice of medi- cine in the town of Jefferson, Columbia tp., where he continued for two and one-half years, and in April, 1876, he came to Napoleon,

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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.

where he now has a large practice. He was married in 1867 to Julia A. Phelps. She was born March 28, 1845, in New York. Their family consists of 1 child-Jessie, born May 17, 1873; they are members of the Congregational Church at Napoleon.

Wm. H. Rexford was born at Hartford, Washington Co., N. Y., Jan. 3, 1821. He was the son of Roswell and Eunice Rex- ford. When but six years old he, with his parents, removed to Johnsburg, Warren Co., N. Y., where he remained until he was 17 years of age, when he returned to his native town. His educa- tion was obtained under the disadvantages incident to the times. He was married to Harriet N. Lane, of Crown Point, N. Y., Dec. 5, 1839. She was born at Fisher's Field, N. H., Jan. 8, 1821, and was the daughter of Robert and Betsey Lane. They settled at Johnsburg, where they resided until 1844, when they came to Michigan,-a trip not so quickly or easily accomplished then as now. And it was only after a long and tiresome journey by canal, and an extremely rough voyage on Lake Erie, that they landed at Detroit on a beautiful Sabbath morning in July. From thence they came to Grass Lake by rail, and from there to Napoleon with teams. Where may now be seen fertile farms and comfortable houses, they found a forest and occasionally a log house. But time and labor have made the "wilderness blossom as the rose. " His occupation is that of farmer and mechanic. In politics he has ever taken a deep interest, being originally a Whig. He was one of three who first voted the Abolition ticket in his native town, and has had the satisfaction of witnessing the fulfillment of the promises of the party platform. Since the organization of the Republican party, he has ever identified himself with its interests. He has discharged the duties of various town offices satisfactorily, and has also filled important Church offices. Both he and his wife have been members of the Baptist Church since an early day. With all their toilsome efforts to cultivate and beautify their home, they forgot not the command to "multiply and replenish the carth." Their family consisted of 9 children, 7 of whom are now living, the eldest being Jennie M., now Mrs. J. T. Schofield; Roswell B .; Nellie A., now Mrs. S. T. Hooker; Alma L., now Mrs. A. McColl; Alta M., now Mrs. H. R. Tibbetts; Arthur F., and Cora E.

W. H. Riley, farmer, sec. 35, was born in Cayuga county, N. Y., Jan. 5, 1819, son of Sylvester and Abigail Riley, nee Brown. They were natives of Connecticut, and he was a farmer. Settled in New York about 1816. In 1836 he moved to Jackson county, Michigan, and located in Napoleon tp., where he entered Govern- ment land, and farmed until his death in 1861, at the age of 77. His mother died in 1859, in her 69th year. The subject of this sketch received his education in New York State, and located in this county at the age of 16; remained with his father until he was of age. In 1842 he was married to Jane Mix. She was born in Tompkins county, N. Y., Aug. 30, 1822, and was the daughter of Daniel and Elsie Mix, nee Miller. They were natives of New

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NAPOLEON TOWNSHIP.

York, and moved to Jackson county in 1835 and located in Napo- leon tp. Her father died Jan. 15, 1878, and her mother, Jan. 16, 1879. The family of Mr. R. consisted of 8 children, of whom 7 are now living-George F., Sylvester A., Mortimer R., Nettie, Ella, Rosa, Willie, and Ida Jane (deceased.) He now owns 120 acres of land, on which he lives, being the old homestead of his father's, and worth $50 per acre. Politically, he is Republican.

Tomma H. Russell, son of Tertilles and Anna Russell, was born Nov. 2, 1823, in Dutchess county, N. Y .; in 1825 his parents moved to Tompkins county, in 1831 to Cuyahoga county, in the State of Ohio, and in 1835 to Napoleon, Jackson Co., Mich. He lived with his parents on a farm of 80 acres, bought of the Government, until 21 years of age. The five years fol- lowing he attended district school in winter and worked by the month as a farm hand during the summer, running a threshing machine through the fall months. At the end of that time he rented a farin for three years. The death of his father occurred Aug. 26, 1850; from that time worked the homestead in addition to the farm rented. Tomma H. Russell was united in marriage to Mary A. Robinson, Jan. 21, 1852. His wife was a danghter of Rev. Robert Robinson, of Addison, Pa. His mother died Sept. 24, 1852; after her death bought out the heirs of the old homestead. There were 11 children, 4 girls and 7 boys. His wife, Mary A. Russell, died Dec. 27, 1859, leaving 1 daugh- ter. The death of 2 little girls, Alnia and Laura, occurred pre- vious to this, during the year 1859. T. H. Russell was married to Myra B. Hendy, daughter of Col. John Hendy, of Elmira, N. Y., on the 26th day of March, 1862. The result of this union was 5 children, 4 boys and 1 girl, only the eldest, Arthur A., and the youngest, Clara A .. remaining; the twins, Carl and Carlton, died in September, 1870, and Lewis G. in February, 1872. T. H. Russell now owns a farm of 161 acres of land, worth $75 per acre; carried on farming, and for the last three years has bought wheat at Napoleon with C. C. Smith.

J. T. Schofield was born Aug. 1, 1835, at Winsted, Litchfield Co., Conn., and came to Michigan in 1837; was married to Miss Jennie Rexford, Sept. 25, 1862, who was born Dec. 8, 1840, at Warrensburg, N. Y., and came to Michigan in 1843. Willie E., their eldest son, was born at Napoleon, Mich., March 5, 1864, and Lena A. was born Ang. 7, 1865, at the same place. J. T. purchased 90 acres of land on sec. 19, in the winter of 1862, which he owned until May 28, 1870, when he bought the Napoleon Hotel, which he has since occupied, excepting two years. In connection with this hotel, he is also engaged in the sale of agricultural implements, etc.

A. R. Smith, stock dealer, Napoleon, was born in St. Lawrence county, N. Y., March 25, 1842, son of Benjamin and Rosanna Smith, nee Crabbe. They are natives of New York, and resided there until 1867, when they came to Jackson county, Mich., where

988

HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.

they located in the town of Napoleon. The subject of this sketch was educated in the schools of New York, and came to Jackson county in 1865, where he engaged in farming for a number of years. He then sold out his farming interest and engaged in the stock business. He ships to Detroit, Chicago and Buffalo, has shipped during 1880 40 ears of stock; handled during the year 1880, 3,000 sheep, 1,000 hogs, besides a number of horses. He was married in 1863 to Louisa Keene; she was born in Onondaga connty, N. Y., in 1844. Their family consists of 2 children- Cora L., born Jan. 10, 1866, and Willie R., born Oct. 10, 1872. He now resides in the town of Napoleon, and is a member of A. F. & A. M.

C. C. Smith, farmer and grain dealer, sec. 32, was born in Aurelins, Caynga Co., N. Y., Nov. 25, 1815, son of David and Tamaisa Smith, who was born in Connectiont and moved to New York in an early day. His mother died when he was only 14 years old, and his father four years later, leaving him almost alone in the world. His education was obtained in the schools of New York.

In 1834 he learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed for many years. In 1840 he was married to Harriet Van Winkle, who was born in 1819. They came to Michigan in 1852, and located in Jackson county, where he bonght a farm of 195 acres. Their family consisted of 9 children, S of whom are living-Eliza J .; Caroline, now Mrs. W. Homes; Antoinette, now Mrs. Steven Allen; Emeline, now Mrs. Richard Bronk; Susan, now Mrs. Arand Bonker; Grace, now Mrs. Vernon Cromwell; Charlotte, now Mrs. Luman Dunton, and Lucy. He lost his wife April 27, 1860, and married in 1861 Mrs. Eusebia Butler, who was born in Adams- ville, Washington Co., N. Y., in 1818. She had by her former marriage 2 children -- Geo. William and Charles H.(deceased). Mr. S. has a farm under good cultivation and worth $75 per acre. They have been identified with the Baptist Church for many years. He is an ardent Republican.

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History of Jackson County, Michigan, Part 102

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