History of Jackson County, Michigan, Part 90

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

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John W. Knight, a prominent farmer and stock-raiser of Grass Lake, was born Oct. 15, 1840, and is the oldest living son of Joshna G. and Patience (Smith) Knight, natives of New York State and Vermont respectively. They were early pioneers of Michigan, having entered land in DeWitt, Clinton Co., in 1836, and during the same year located 320 acres in Grass Lake, npon which they imme- diately settled, having made the journey overland from New York State with two yoke of oxen. Mr. K. was a Captain in the militia, and an influential man in his day; was born March 11, 1805, and died May 17, 1854. Mrs. K. died May 24, 1875. John W. re- ceived a fair education in the common school, and was a pupil in the Grass Lake Academy several terms. He was connected with the mercantile house of Lord & Fargo for two years; also with the firm of Smith, Knight & Shelley for a term of years. He was married in Howard, Livingston Co., Mich., Jan. 1, 1861, to Miss A. C. Lake, who was born in that county Oct. 22, 1840, and whose parents were early settlers in that locality. Mr. and Mrs. Knight have had 3 children, of whom 1 is living, Harry Joshua, born Jan. 25, 1879. Mr. Knight has served as Con-

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GRASS LAKE TOWNSHIP.

stable; was Tp. Treasurer two years about 1877-'8; was elected Justice of the Peace one term, about 1870-'4; Tp. Commissioner two years, 1878-'9; since his marriage has resided upon the old home- stead, having purchased the interest of the other heirs to his fa- ther's estate in 1875.

Miss Lois A. Longyear was born in Ulster county, N. Y., Nov. 10, 1815, and is the daughter of Jacob C. and Lois (Barber) Long- year, who were among the early settlers in Grass Lake, locating upon the old family homestead two miles north of the village in 1836, where they resided until their death. Mrs. L. died Oct. 24, 1857, and Mr. L., six days afterward. The latter was a farmer during his lifetime, holding some minor tp. offices. Mr. and Mrs. Longyear reared a family of 8 children, 3 of whom sur- vive, namely: Lois A., the subject of this sketch, now residing in the village of Grass Lake; Eli B., born Dec. 25. 1820; and Jacob, born May 24, 1828, all residents of Grass Lake.

G. C. Lord was born in Cayuga county, N. Y., Aug. 22, 1820, and is the son of David E. and Mary (Fargo) Lord, natives of Lyme, Conn., and of English descent. George C. received quite a liberal education at select schools; also attended the Academy in Ann Arbor, his parents having come to Michigan in 1825. At the age of 21 he commenced clerking in a general store which he continued about two years, then purchased a farm in Sharon, Washtenaw Co., which was his residence about eight years. He was mar- ried Dec. 9, 1847, to Delia E. Osborn, who was born in New York State in 1827. This union was blessed with 8 children, of whom 5 are living, viz .: Florence E., born May 7, 1850, now Mrs. James Goss, residing in Dakota; Sophia, March 26, 1852; Mary P., March 1, 1856; Harriet, Dec. 14, 1861; and Darril, born Dec. 16, 1863. About 1850 Mr. Lord was a resident "of Cass county, Mich., two years, engaged in mercantile business; removed to Grass Lake in 1852, where he built a store and entered into a general mercantile business, which he continued until 1878; is now in connection with the firm of Smith & Shelley, extensively engaged in the purchase of wheat, wool, pork, grass-seed, etc. Mr. L. has been a member of the Board of Education for the past 16 years; also a member of the society of the Congregational Church, and a Trustee for many years.

John Malnight is a native of Vienna, Austria, where he was born Feb. 7, 1835; his parents were John and Mary (Brenneis) Malnight. Ile received a fair education in the government schools of his native city, and at the age of 12 was apprenticed for three years to the tailor's trade. Upon completing his apprenticeship he traveled through the principal countries of Europe three years; emigrated to America in 1853; remained two years in Rochester, N. Y .; trav- eled extensively through Missouri, Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota before locating in Jackson in 1856; was foreman entter in one of the principal clothing honses there for three years. Sept. 18, 1859, Mr. Malnight was united in marriage with Mary

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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.

Eupper, who was born in Wurtemberg in 1838. They have 6 children, 3 daughters and 3 sons. In June, 1861, Mr. M. removed to South Haven, Mich., where he commenced the merchant tailor- ing business, ill health in his family causing his removal to a milder climate. The following 12 years he resided in Chelsea, Washtenaw Co. In 1861 he came to Grass Lake, where he has since resided, and where he conducts an extensive and popular tailoring establishment. Mr. M. was Trustec of the village two years, and for the past six years has been Village Clerk; was Town- ship Treasurer in 1878. Hle owns and occupies one of the finest residences in the village, built by him in 1869. Himself and family are members of the Baptist Church.

Dennis Marrinane was born in Ireland, Dec. 4, 1806, son of Timothy and Margaret (Cassidy) Marrinane. His educational opportunities were limited; was engaged as a farın hand until emi - grating to America about 1826; remained in the State of New York, employed on the public works; went West to Illinois, where he was employed on a canal, and was returning to the Eastern States when an acquaintance whom he mnet in Michigan advised him to locate a piece of land and settle upon it, which counsel he acted upon. He entered 120 acres, where he has continued to live since 1833. Mr. Marrinane has been twice married. His first wife was Catherine Loughlin, and their 6 children are all living and married, with the exception of Timothy, who is now residing with his father. About 12 years after marriage, Mrs. Marrinane died. In 1848 Mr. M. was married to Mrs. Peter Whisple, who was born in Dutchess county, N. Y., and was a daughter of Peter Soper. Mr. Marrinane was School Director one year.

Jonah Miles, a native of Leicestershire, England, was born March 2. 1828, the third son of William and Mary (Adcock) Miles, who emigrated to America the fall of 1835, and came direct to Michi- gan, stopping temporarily in Ann Arbor; came to Grass Lake the same season, where Mr. Miles entered 400 acres of land, having no improvements whatever. Their first winter was passed in a hastily constructed shanty, in which they suffered many privations during the long and cold season that followed. William Miles died about 1861, at the age of 70. Mrs. M. died the spring of 1876. Jonah attended school in a log building in Grass Lake, his youth being passed in filling the duties incident to country life. After becom- ing of age he engaged in railroading, filling that occupation four years. Himself and three brothers purchased the homestead of their father in 1851, conducting it jointly seven or eight years. Mr. Miles was married Sept. 9, 1859, to Mrs. Mary Christmas, a native of Canada, and daughter of an early settler in Detroit; she was born Feb. 24, 1832. When married to Mr. Miles she was the mother of 1 daughter -- Lelia J. Christmas, now Mrs. Nathan Strong, of Grass Lake. Mr. and Mrs. Miles are the parents of 3 children, 1 of whom is living, viz .: Levi E., born Feb. 12, 1870. Mr. Miles is a substantial citizen of Grass Lake tp.

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GRASS LAKE TOWNSHIP.

John Martin Musboch, a native of Wurtemberg, was born Sept. 5, 1830, son of George and Katherina (Giner) Musboch. He received his education at the government school, and was appren- ticed to learn the baker's trade. In 1851 he was drafted into the German army; served one year, and after a personal interview with the king of Wurtemberg, was given a discharge from the army for the purpose of joining his parents, who were about to emigrate to America. The family came to this country in 1853, locating in Waterloo tp. Mr. M. worked at farming in Grass Lake for several years, after which he purchased a small place near Francisco; sold out there, and in connection with Mr. Dwelle, bought the farm upon which he now lives. March 16, 1860, he was married to Mrs. Meranda E. Soper, daughter of William B. Quick, one of the pioneers of Jackson county. Mr. and Mrs. N. have 1 son-George William, born April 30, 1863. Mr. N. is the owner of 200 acres of land. Himself and family are attendants at the Baptist Church.

Charles H. Nichols was born in Yates county, N. Y., Dec. 1, 1834. He came with his parents to Michigan in the spring of 1835. His father was Harvey R. Nichols, and was born in 1802; his mother was Nancy A. (Raymond) Nichols, of Connecticut; his father located in Grass Lake in the fall of 1835, on the site of the present home of Charles II. IIe improved the place, erected build- ings, and spent nearly all his life there. He died in 1876 and his wife in 1879; both were members of the Universalist Church at Manchester. Mr. N. received a common-school education, and was brought up on a farm; he remained with his parents until his marriage in 1861, with Augusta E. Greenman, born in Troy, N. Y., in 1838; they have had 3 children, namely: Eugene R., born Feb. 1, 1863; I. M., born Oct. 5. 1870; Bert C., born March 20, 1873. After his marriage Mr. N. located in Grass Lake, purchased a farm, which he conducted for one year, then sold out and entered into the mercantile business in Norvell, Mich., where he conducted a general store four years; sold out there about 1867, and removed to Manchester, Washtenaw Co., and engaged in the clothing busi- ness; he remained there nine years; returned to the farm in the spring of 1877, where he resides at the present time. Mrs. N. is a member of the M. E. Church.

Erastus G. Nichols was born in Tioga county, N. Y., Feb. 22, 1817; his parents were Solomon and Margaret (Stevens) Nichols, the former a native of New York, and the latter of Virginia. He followed farming pursuits, and was educated in the common schools. He remained at home until his marriage, Jan. 3, 1839, with Harriet Lanties, by whom he has had 12 children, 9 sons and 3 daughters. Mr. N. had 3 sons in the war for the Union, 2 of whom laid down their lives. Amos and Aaron were members of the 8th Michigan Vol. Mr. N. came with his parents to this county in 1830, and located in Grass Lake; he entered 80 acres of wild land and re- mained there four years; afterward moved to Waterloo, where they lived the rest of their lives. He spent most of his life in

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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.

Waterloo and Henrietta until his removal to Grass Lake in the fall of 1873. Mrs. N. died April 12, 1880, aged 57 years, 4 months, 10 days. Mr. and Mrs. N. are both members of the M. E. Church.

Mrs. A. W. Palmer was born in Steuben county, N. Y., Oct. 22, 1824, the eldest child of Silas and Ann Eliza (Shoemaker) Gorton, natives of New York State, and of English-French ancestry. Her parents came to Dexter, Washtenaw Co., in 1829, and afterward removed to Monroe county, Mich., where Mrs. Palmer was a pupil at the district school; she afterward taught at Raisinville two years; attended at Boyd's Young Ladies' Seminary several terms, and received quite a liberal education. In the summer of 1842 she vis- ited the old home in New York State, and after an absence of one year returned to Michigan, and Feb. 1, 1847, she was married to William Palmer, who was born in Herkimer county, N. Y., in 1821. They had 4 children, as follows: Emma P., born Sept. 29, 1852; Frank and Fred E. were born Sept. 19, 1856; Frank died Feb. 11, 1859; and Nettie, born June 8, 1862. Mrs. Palmer con- tinned to teach school in Dexter some three years after mar- riage. In 1851 the family removed to Grass Lake, first locating on the South Plains, where they remained three years. In 1854 Mr. Palmer purchased the farm upon which the family has since resided; it contains 180 acres, is very productive and finely situ- ated on the west side of the lake from which the township takes its name. Mr. Palmer was a carpenter and builder by trade; a member of the Congregational Church in Grass Lake, and leader of its choir for several years; also an influential and successful business man. He died March 24, 1870. Mrs. Palmer is a con- sistent member of the M. E. Church, and a lady noted for her intel- lectual ability and refinement of character.

Rev. John Patchin was born in Ohio Dec. 8, 1820, son of Elizur and Betsy (Tomlinson) Patchin, who settled in Ohio in 1807. Mr. Patchin attended the common school until 1836, when he entered the Farmington Academy, of which institution his first teacher- Daniel Branch-was subsequently Principal. Mr. Branch was the preceptor of Mr. Garfield at Chester. After two years' study at Farmington he attended the Cortland Academy; taught school during the winters to be enabled to meet expenses of tuition during the summers. In September, 1841, he entered Oberlin College, completed a round of studies, and graduated Ang. 26, 1846. The day after his graduation he married Miss Elizabeth P. Wakely, of Oneida county, N. Y., and a graduate of the same class. They are the parents of 7 children, of whom Charlotte A., now the wife of Rev. Mr. Beckford, of Roolstown, Ohio, is the eldest. The other children are-Frances, born in 1851, deceased 1865; Florence A., born in 1854; 4 younger children now reside at Grass Lake. Rev. Mr. Patchin was Principal of the Raisin Institute in 1847-'8, then in a prosperous condition; then procuring a license to preach, took charge of the Congregational Church at Wheatland, Hillsdale Co .; was Principal of Leoni Collegiate Institute, and preached before the Congregational society of the district; in 1851 he was appointed

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GRASS LAKE TOWNSHIP.

Pastor of the Congregational Church at Grass Lake, and also Prin- cipal of the Academy. His labors at Grass Lake were of a most important character during four and a half years. He subsequently lived at Lodi, Washtenaw Co., nine years, and afterward traveled through the States of Michigan, Illinois, New York and Ohio. After an absence of 24 years he returned to Grass Lake and took charge of the Congregational Church there, Dec. 1, 1879.

Mrs. Lorenda M. Pease was born in Chenango county, N. Y., Nov. 27, 1805, daughter of Samuel and Phoebe (Morgan) Keyes. She attended the common schools of Niagara county, N. Y., to which place the family removed in 1809. She remained with her parents until Jan. 15, 1828, when she married W. H. Pease, who was born in Seneca county, N. Y., in 1805. Mr. Pease and wife traveled West in 1829, and arrived at Grass Lake about September of that year, and located their present home, now within the cor- porate limits of Grass Lake, then a dense wilderness. She has seen as many as 300 Indians pass in a day. The nearest neighbor east was 19 miles distant; David Keyes had opened the first house of entertainment half a mile west of Grass Lake. Mr. Pease was a member of the Legislature while the capital of the State was at Detroit; he was elected Supervisor for seven terms, the first of which was held at Ann Arbor; he was the first ticket agent at Grass Lake, and held the position for 11 years. At the period of his death, Nov. 13, 1866, he owned 250 acres of land, and was among the prominent men of the tp. Oscar F. Pease is the only surviving child, and he resides upon the old homestead.

Edward Pelton was born in Otsego county, N. Y., Sept. 11, 1840, 2d son of Jewett T. and Caroline E. (Copernoll) Pelton, na- tives of the State of New York, and of English-German descent.

With his parents, Edward came to Michigan the fall of 1846; at- tended school until 16, and afterward worked at farming. March 9, 1865, he married Miss Kate E. Bovell, born in Saratoga county, N. Y., Feb. 11, 1841; they are the parents of 3 children, 2 of whom snrvive-Willie J., born Dec. 2, 1865, and Kittie E., born July 3, 1868. Mr. P. was elected Justice of the Peace in 1880; is an active worker in the temperance cause; also a licensed local preacher of the M. E. Church.

John C. Phelps was born March 23, 1813, in Tompkins county, N. Y., the 2d son of Noah and Hannah (Swick) Phelps, the former of New York State, the latter of Virginia; the family are of Ger- man origin. John C. acquired an ordinary common-school educa- tion, remaining with his parents, occupied in farming pursuits, until coming to Michigan in the spring of 1835. He first settled in Rives tp., where he purchased wild land, which he occupied two or three years, then returned to New York State where he was married Sept. 19, 1837, to Martha M. Rapplye, born in Seneca county, N. Y., in 1816. They are the parents of 11 children. of whom 7 are living, as follows: Jeremiah R., born April 2, 1840; John C., April 2, 1843; Sarah O., July 20, 1845; Alice G., Nov. 30, 1850; Martha and Mary, born Oct. 12, 1854, and Chas. G.,

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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.

born May 15, 1858. Mr. P. returned to Michigan after his mar- riage, stopping in Washtenaw county, where he lived, with the exception of some six years' residence in Rives, until locating in Grass Lake in 1865. In the spring of 1868 he purchased the place where he now resides. Mr. Phelps has always declined public office; himself and Mrs. P. are members of the Baptist Church.

Joseph Powell was born in Washington county, N. Y., Jan. 29, 1802, second son of Joseph and Gillin (Scovil) Powell, ofIrish-English descent. He moved with his parents to Rome, Oneida Co., N. Y., in 1810; there attended the common school, and received a limited educa- tion. They lived in Rome five or six years, then moved to Wayne county, the same State. Mr. P. was married in Galen, Wayne Co., 1822, to Miss Annie Osgood, born in Washington county, 1806. They have had 7 children, namely: Polly, born Nov. 11, 1823, now Mrs. Calvin Preston, of Ingham county; Ira, born March 31, 1826; George, born July 30, 1828, and died in September, 1864; Mary Ann, born March 12, 1831, and died in 1851; James, born March 22, 1833, in Erie county, N. Y .; Sarah, Maria, and John Stuart, born in Erie county, N. Y., April 29, 1836; the former died at the age of 14, in 1850. John S. enlisted in the 24th Mich. Cav., participated in several engagements, and was in the battle of Gettysburg July 1, 1863. Mrs. P. died May 20, 1874; was a member of the M. E. Church, at Francisco. After his marriage Mr. P. resided in varions places in Wayne and Ontario counties, N. Y. He moved to Grass Lake in March, 1839, and purchased a farm north of Francisco, where he lived 12 years; moved into Francisco in the spring of 1853, where he has since resided. He is an original member of the M. E. Church at Francisco, also a charter member of the county pioneer society.

Mahlon H. Raymond, M. D., was born June 19, 1836, at Sharon, Washtenaw Co., Mich., son of Cyrus and Lorena (Dickenson) Raymond, of New York State; was educated in the district school until 15 years old, when he entered Albion College; subsequently taught school, and varied the monotony of such a profession by the study of medicine. In 1859 he graduated at the medical college of the Michigan University, and then commenced his practice. In September, 1862, the Doctor was appointed Assistant Surgeon in the 26th Mich. Vol. Inf .; was promoted Surgeon in April, 1863, and served with the regiment till the close of the war. Returning to Grass Lake, he resumed his professional labors, but seized upon the winter of 1868-'9 to advance in knowledge, and attended medical lectures in New York city. He married Miss Jane E. Gould April 6, 1859, who is the mother of Miss Nina L., born May 18, 1860. He was elected member of the Legislat- ure in 1878, declined a second nomination, and was President of the village for three terms.

Mrs. Jane Rice was born in Scotland, Jan. 9, 1800, eldest daughter of Alexander McCandlish and Grace (Simpson) McCand- lish. She came with her parents to America in 1802 and settled

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GRASS LAKE TOWNSHIP.

in the Mohawk valley for two or three years; then removed to the city of Albany; thence to Ontario county, in 1816. She received a fair education in the common schools, and was united in mar- riage April 11, 1819, with Job Rice, of New York, born June 26, 1799. They were the parents of 9 children, of whom 3 are living, viz .: Edward A. and Sarah L., born Oct. 3, 1830, the former a resident of Jackson city, and the latter of New York; Celestia Susan, born July 21, 1842, was united in marriage April 12, 1867, to Chas. S. Avery, born Jan. 13, 1839, in Greene county. They are the parents of 3 children, viz .: Emma Jane, born Aug. 27, 1869; Willie D., Aug. 2, 1871; and Grace May, Nov. 13, 1878. Mrs. R. remained in New York for a good many years. In 1834 she came to Michigan, and suffered many privations. Mr. R. had entered the land abont 1831; he lived in Grass Lake 13 years, in Calhoun connty four years, since then in this county-10 years in Parma. About 1861 Mrs. R. returned to Grass Lake, where she has since resided. Mr. R. was an active supporter and a member of the Baptist Church; he died March 29, 1875. Mrs. R. was an original charter member of the Baptist Church in Grass Lake. Mr. Avery enlisted in the 12th Mich. Vol. Inf., December, 1861, and participated in several engagements; re-enlisted Jan. 14, 1864, and served until mustered out at Niles, Mich., in 1865.

Wm. F. Riemenschnider was born in Washtenaw county, Mich., Sept. 1, 1850, eldest son of William and Christina (Keiser) Riem- enschnider, both natives of Germany. Mr. R. was educated in the common schools in Sylvan, Washtenaw Co., Mich., and also at- tended the Baldwin University at Berea, O., two years, where he completed his education in 1870. In the spring of 1871 he engaged in mercantile business in Francisco; entered into partnership with C. H. Felt; continned the business since under several firm names, now conducting it individually; he keeps a general store, dry-goods, groceries, etc .; he has a much larger trade than when the business commenced; is also Postmaster, station and express agent. Mr. R. was united in marriage with Miss Elvina Lands, June 17, 1874; she was born in Jackson county, Oct. 24, 1850. They are the parents of 2 children, 1 of whom is living-Lavera E., born Oct. 23, 1878. Mr. and Mrs. R. are members of the English M. E. Church. Mr. R.'s parents located in Sylvan, Wash- tenaw Co., in 1847, where his father still resides. His mother died in 1861. He erected a handsome structure in 1877, adapted to the wants of his increasing trade.

Jacob Riethmiller, a native of Wurtemberg, was born Nov. 8, 1839, a son of Jacob M. and Kate (Heydlauff) Riethmiller. He was a pupil at the government school constantly during his youth, continuing to live with his parents until 21 years of age; was then employed by others as a farm hand, until emigrating to America in 1867. He stopped at Schenectady, N. Y., some little time; came to Ann Arbor fall of 1867; worked at the carpenter's trade one

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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY

winter; the following two or three years worked as farm hand at various places in Jackson county; in 1874 he commenced business at Grass Lake as dealer in groceries, provisions, wines, liquors and cigars; his business has steadily increased. Mr. R. built a hand- some residence in 1877. He is a lover of fine horses, of which he keeps several. Mr. R. was married Feb. 19, 1874, to Mary Simp- BO11.

Edmund Robinson, well-known farmer and stock-raiser, of Grass Lake, was born on Long Island, N. Y., in 1819. the oldest son of Shepard and Elizabeth (Raynor) Robinson, natives of the State of New York, and of Scotch and English ancestry. The family came to Washtenaw county, Mich., in 1837, where Edmund acquired a schooling in the English branches; was brought up on the farm and remained under the parental roof until his purchase of a place in Sharon, Washtenaw Co. Dec. 18, 1845, he married Miss Lucy Dewey, a native of Oswego county, N. Y., born in 1827. Mr. and Mrs. R. are the parents of 2 children-Florence A., born Oet. 4, 1846, died Jan. 10, 1857; Frank E., born April 6, 1849; the latter resides with his parents. He was married Nov. 25, 1873, to Cora A. Felt, and they are the parents of 1 son-Clarence Ed- mund, born Oct. 12, 1879. In 1852, he purchased his present home. He is a Director of the Eastern Jackson Fire Insurance Co .; was largely instrumental in erecting the Congregational church in Grass Lake; has done much to develop the county, and is one of its successful and influential citizens.

Samuel E. Sackrider was born March 17, 1826; his parents were Christian and Jane Ann Content (Esmond) Sackrider; the former was born in New York March 8, 1792: the latter was born April 11, 1804. They cameto Grass Lake in 1840; located on 160 acres three and a half miles north of the village, then wild land, which they improved. They raised a family of 6 sons and 1 daughter. Six of the children are living, all residents of Michi- gan. Mr. Sackrider died in 1864; Mrs. S. is still living. Samuel E. was educated in the common sehools; brought up to farming pursuits; remained with his parents nntil of age; followed rail- roading for some 15 years; lived West for about 10 years following his marriage, which took place in 1852, with Ariadne McConanghy. They have 2 children-James Rolland, born June 6, 1863. and Ada Maria, born Jan. 23, 1855. Mrs. Sackrider died in 1872.

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History of Jackson County, Michigan, Part 90

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