USA > Michigan > Jackson County > History of Jackson County, Michigan > Part 121
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Mich. Vol. Inf., and served until the close of the war. Mr. and Mrs. R. are worthy members of the U. B. Church, in Waterloo.
Elisha Sandford Robinson was born in Saratoga county, N. Y., March 2, 1801, and is the second son of Peleg and Hepzibalı (Cof- fin) Robinson, the former a native of Massachusetts and the latter of Maine, of English descent. He was reared on a farm until 17 years of age and attended the common schools in Saratoga county, receiving a limited education. He was apprenticed to learn the tanner and currier's trade, which he followed for a number of years combined with shoemaking and also that of harness-making. He was united in marriage Dec. 14, 1823, to Mary Mendel, born in Saratoga county, Sept. 29, 1804; they are the parents of 6 children, viz .: Roxa Jane, born Dec. 12, 1824, now Mrs. A. W. Morey, of Waterloo; John, Oct. 7, 1826, died in California, April 1, 1853; E. Sandford, Jan. 12, 1829, died Aug. 7, 1850; Mary D., Jan. 31, 1831, now Mrs. M. J. Dunbar, of Augusta, Kalamazoo Co .; Harriet M., Aug. 3, 1833, died April 10, 1859. After his mar- riage he resided in New York until the spring of 1843, when he came to Michigan, locating upon the site of his present home, a portion of which he had entered up from the Government upon his first visit to this State, about 1836, and where he still resides. With the exception of a log house and 20 acres partially cleared, it was wild land; he continued to occupy the old log house until build- ing his present residence in 1861. Mr. R. was elected Supervisor in 1846, and held the office for 13 years; after an intermission of two years, was again elected and held the office for four years. In 1850 he was a member of the Constitutional Convention; was Justice of the Peace some 12 years, commencing in 1857, and declined further re-election to that office; was Notary Public con- tinuously since 1850, originally appointed by Governor Barry: also served several minor tp. offices. Mr. R. is a self-made man, a genial old gentleman and esteemed by all who know him.
Michael Ryan, farmer, sec. 5, was born in the County Kilkenny. freland, Ang. 15, 1815, and was the son of Roger and Mary ( Robin son ) Ryan. His father died in Ireland, and his mother in Missis- sippi. At the age of 20 years he emigrated to America, landing in New York, where he engaged as a farm hand; in 1836 came to Michigan and bought 80 acres of State land; returned to New York and worked on a farm until he had earned money enough to pay for his land. In 1841 he was married to Lora A. Merry, born March 19, 1818. In 1842 they started for their new home in Michigan, and commenced to improve their farm, with nothing but an ax and grubbing hoc. Many and long were the trials they endured while improving their farm. Pork and flour were hard to obtain, and the prices were too high for their purse. In 1843 he made one journey to Jackson on foot with 12 pounds of butter, for which he received six cents per pound, making in all 72 cents; made some purchases and had 50 cents left. Early the next morning he started on foot for Ann Arbor, 30 miles distant, for a plow-point,
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
which cost him his 50 cents. The journey was made in one day, 60 miles in all, with nothing to eat from the time he started in the morning until he returned in the evening. Mr. and Mrs. Ryan have raised a family of 7 children, viz .: Roxana, now Mrs. Casper Knauf; Andrew ; Elizabeth E., now Mrs. Eugene Haley; James S., John W., Robert H. and Mary Jane. He struggled through to the years of plenty, and now is the owner of 222 acres of land on which he lives, worth $50 per acre; they are members of the Roman Catholic Church; Mr. R. is a Democrat.
H. F. Siegfried, miller and merchant, Waterloo, was born in Lancaster county, Penn., Oct. 31, 1845; his parents were Stephen and Sarah (Landis) Siegfried, natives of Pennsylvania, German- French descent. His father was a well-known resident and promi- nent merchant of Waterloo; also an active and prominent Mason and Odd Fellow. He died Jan. 5, 1876. Mr. S. came to this State with his parents in 1853. Ile attended the common schools in this county, after which he attended the Jackson Commercial College for two terms, where he completed his education. He was sales- man for Penny & King. of Jackson, for several years; he was also a commercial traveler for a house in Chicago for nearly two years; then returned to Waterloo and entered into partnership with his father in a general store, which continued until the death of his father, since which time he has conducted the business himself, consisting of dry-goods, groceries, drugs, boots and shoes, hats and caps, fancy goods, etc. IFis trade has increased double what it was when he first commenced: the sales amount to $12,000 per annum. He was appointed Postmaster in 1877, but had acted as such for several years previous. He is highly prosperons, having purchased the large property including the store and adjoining dwelling. Mr. S. was united in marriage Nov. 17, 1880, to Miss Elma H. Adams, born in Jackson county June, 1861, a graduate of the Kalamazoo Female Seminary. Mr. and Mrs. S. are worthy members of the M. E. Church in Waterloo.
Clinton A. Skidmore was born Feb. 18, 1835, in Waterloo, Mich .; and is the only son of Amos and Sarah (Johnson) Skidmore, natives of New York, both of English descent. Mr. S. Sr., born in 1821, was married to Sarah Johnson, March 10, 1846; he was one of the early settlers of Waterloo tp. in 1837. They were the parents of 2 children, viz .: Josephine E., born July 11, 1848, now Mrs. J. A. Collins, of Leslie, Ingham Co .; and the subject of this sketch. Mr. Skidmore, Sr., died Aug. 24, 1858. Mrs. S., now Mrs. Boyce, is still living and resides with her son; she was born May 9, 1830. Mr. S., Jr., was brought upon a farm and attended the common school in Waterloo; he has always resided on the old homestead where he was born. He was united in marriage, March 22, 1876, to Miss Emma A. Cain, daughter of J. L. Cain, a well known resident of Waterloo. This union was blessed with 2 chil- dren, viz .: Elsie May, born June 5, 1878; Edith E., June 25, 1880. He purchased the interest of his sister in the estate left by his
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WATERLOO TOWNSHIP.
at her of 150 acres, with good improvements; he erected his resi- dence in 1869. Mr. and Mrs. S. are worthy members of the M. E. Church of North Waterloo.
John M. Strobel was born Jan. 24, 1838, in Germany. His parents were John C. and Christina (Hoeneise) Strobel. He came to this country in 1845, and loeated in Waterloo, on the site of his present home. Here Mr. S. attended the district school and received a fair education; was engaged in work for numerous per- sons in Grass Lake and elsewhere. Was united in marriage April 22, 1866, to Anna Barbara Wackenhut, born in Germany, 1847; they are the parents of 7 children, of whom + are now living, namely: Mary M., born Dec. 10, 1866; Jacob F., May 6, 1868; Emma L., April 4, 1874; Lena M., April 16, 1875; after his marriage, he resided with his parents for two years, then purchased the property from his father. The residence was built in 1865, a spacious brick structure. He was School Inspector for several years, now Moder- ator. Mr. S. owns 120 acres of land.
James Suylandt (deceased) was a brother of the next mentioned, and was born in Pauline, New York, July 19, 1802. He came to Jackson county in May, 1836, and located in Henrietta tp .; thence to Waterloo tp., where he was engaged in farming until his death, Ang. 24, 1877. His wife died March 23, 1852, leaving 8 children; 7 are living. July 18, 1852, Mr. S. married Mrs. Roxana Tate, born in Montreal, Canada, Sept. 3, 1821. daughter of Nathan and Deborah (Stephenson) Walker; they have had 2 children, viz. : Charles and Allie. Mrs. S. had by her former marriage 5 chil- dren, 3 of whom are living; she still resides on the homestead with her son. She owns 160 acres of land which is well improved and worth $50 per acre.
Josiah Suylandt, farmer, sec. 6, was born in Syracuse, New York, Ang. 15, 1812, son of James and Fannie (Winning) Sny- landt, natives of New Jersey; his father was a millwright; Josiah received his education in the common district schools of New York; learned the carpenter and joiner's trade, which he followed many years; was married in 1854, to Mary Marselous, born in New Jer- sey, March 22, 1815, danghter of Henry and Sally (Carr) Marselons. They moved to Obio in 1837, where he followed his trade till March, 1865, then moved to this county, and located on the farm he now owns, consisting of 80 acres of land, which is worth $40 per acre. They have had 11 children. 6 boys and 5 girls; only 2 are living, viz .: Shadrac and David L. Mr. S. is Republican.
J. C. Willmore, farmer, sec. 4, was born in Schuylkill county, Penn., April 22, 1848, son of Thomas and Helen Willmore; father a native of England and mother of Ireland; both are now living. They came to this county in 1850; first located upon 90 acres of land and now own 348 acres, which is under good cultivation and well improved. The subject of this sketch received his education in the common district schools, and was married in 1872, to Eliza Barker, born in Washtenaw county in 1855; she was the daughter
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
of William and Eliza Barker. Their children are Nellie and Willie. Politically Mr. W. is Republican.
Mrs. Sarah Woodward was born in the State of New York, March 23, 1809, the second danghter of Michael and Catherine (Gee) Fraer, and of Dutch-English ancestry. She attended the common schools in Onondaga county, N. Y., and remained with her parents until her marriage, Nov. 8, 1825, to Daniel Woodward a native of Vermont, born Nov. 4, 1804; a cooper by trade. They were the parents of S children, 5 daughters and 3 sons-Harley P., a resident of Parma; Catherine G., died in 1859; Naomi A., now Mrs. David Stevens, of Parma; Daniel O., residing in Kansas; Nathaniel King, a resident of Waterloo; Abigail W., the wife of John B. Quick, of Leoni; Sarah Ann, now Mrs. George Dicey, of Bay City; Mahlia Elizabeth, now Mrs. Chas. Case, of Waterloo. Mrs. W. and family remained in the State of New York some eight years after marriage; also resided in Simcoe, Canada, for some time. In 1841 they came by land to Michigan; they built a house on a sled; herself, husband, and 6 children made the journey drawn by two yoke of oxen. Upon starting they had a cash capital of $33.37, most of which they had upon their arrival in Michigan; they were 16 days making the trip. Her liusband had been to Michigan in 1836, and entered some land, upon which they now located, and where they have since resided. A comfortable brick residence took the place of the original log structure in 1860. Mrs. W. owns 217 acres of land and is comfortable in her declining years, sur- rounded by her numerous descendants. She is a member of the M. E. Church, and has always been a hard-working, industrions woman. Her husband died Oct. 17, 1876.
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