History of Kent County, Michigan, together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships, educational, religious, civil, military, and political history, portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens, Part 122

Author: Leeson, M. A. (Michael A.); Chapman, Charles C., & Co. (Chicago)
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago : C.C. Chapman & Co.
Number of Pages: 1434

USA > Michigan > Kent County > History of Kent County, Michigan, together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships, educational, religious, civil, military, and political history, portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 122

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

C E. Clark, of the Lowell Woolen Mills, was born at Elgin, Ills., in 1853. He is the son of C. A., founder of the Lowell woolen mill, and Maria (Abbott) Clark, . natives of Ohio, who emigrated West and located in the northern part of Illinois. In 1867, Mr. Clark, sr .. moved to Lowell, and the same year built the Lowell woolen mill. In the sketch of these mills, given in the review of the manufact- uring industries of Lowell. the enterprise of Mr. Clark is noticed.

William S. Coleman, hardware merchant, was born in Rochester, N. Y., in 1855. His father, William E. Coleman, died, leaving his son, 14 years of age, the sole support of his mother and sister. The fact that besides discharging the duties thus devolving on him he has accumulated means to establish himself in an hon- orable and lucrative business position is sufficient to mark his character as one worth the consideration of other young men with their future liv. s before them to make or mar. At 26 Mr. Colemau is senior partner in a sub tantial and well- established business enterprise. In 1871, he engaged as clerk with Enos & Brad- field. hardware merchauts of Lowell, remaining three years, when he attained a position in a Detroit wholesale hardware e tabli -hment, where he remained four years, then returned to Lowell and formed present partnership. The firm of Cole- man & Thomas opened out business September, 1880 ; are doing an exten- sive business in hardware. Mr. Coleman is a Republican in politics, is an independent thinker, and liberal toward the opinions of others.

Marcus D. Court, farmer, soc. 16; P. O., Lowell; was born in Wayne Co., N. Y., March 10, 1844, and is a son of Earz W. and Malinda Court, the former a native of Cayuga Co., N. Y., born April 24, 1806, and the latter a native of Onondaga Co., N. Y., born Feb. 5, 1823. Marcus was reared on a farm, and Sept. 16, 1861, enlisted as a soldier in Co. B, 75th Reg. N. Y. Vol. Inf. He participated in the following battles, viz .: Corney's Ridge, Port Hudson and Sabin Pass, where he was taken a prisoner, and was confined in prison 10 months, after which time

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HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY.

he fought at the battle of Cedar Creek and other engagements, numbering 14 in all. Dec. 8, 1864, he was honorably discharged, and then he returned home and in 1869 he came to Michigan and located on his present farm.

Aug 7, 1870, he was joined in marriage to Frances L. Dewey, born in Wayne Co., N. Y., Feb. 26, 1848. Three children were added-Earl W., born Aug. 27, 1876; Chas. H., born May 3, 1879, and an infant, born Aug. 12, 1881. Mr and Mrs. Court are members of the U. B. Church, of which society Mr. C. is Class- leader. Mr. C. is a Republican in politics, and he and his brother, John H., own 79 acres on sec. 16. Mrs. Court's parents were Charles J. and Sarah (Barber) Dewey, both of Wayne Co., N. Y.

Augustus Dare, proprietor of the Dake House, was born in Canada, Oct. 29, 1819. He is son of Augustus and Deborah (Bull) Dake, the former born at Hart- ford, Conn., and the latter in New York, both of English descent. Mr. Dake was educated in the public schools of the Dominion, and was trained on a farm. He has been much of a traveler and has experienced all the changes of fortune. In 1850 he went to California, where he spent sometime In 1862 he made a second journey to the Golden State, when he engaged in mining and speculation. He has seen himself the possessor of $150,000. In 1869 he returned to Michigan and com- menced business as a hotel-keeper in Kalamazoo, in which calling he has been mostly engaged since. After several changes he located at Lowell, where he re- ceived a liberal proportion of the patronage of the traveling public. His long ex- perience as a landlord has eminently fitted him for his business. He was married in 1842 to Lucretia Swain, born in New York. They had four children, Theo. S. (living in San Francisco), Chancy R. (resident of Nevada), Charles A. (Ionia, Mich.) and Sara A., living at home. Mr. Dake's second wife was Mrs. Esther (McLane) Young.

Mr. Dake commenced the hotel business in the town of Wheatfield, Niagara Co., N. Y., in 1847, and has been, with the exception of four or five years, engaged in the same business ever since, at various points.

E. T. Denny, blacksmith, was born in New York in 1850. His parents, Joseph W. and Adelia (Degan) Denny, were natives of Canada, of French descent. He went to school in New York, and has worked at his trade since he was 17 years old. He was married in 1871 to Louisa Dennis, and they have three children- Bertha May, Otto Ray and Cassa Leone. Mr. Denny came to Lowell in 1864 and opened a shop, where he has since done all varieties of business incident to his calling. His shop is on Water street. Mr. Denny has recently added to his busi- ness a carriage and wagon shop, connected with which he does general job work and repairing.

James S. Dougall, grain dealer, was born in New York in 1843. His parents, Thomas and Elizabeth (McMaiten) Dougall, were both of Scottish descent. He was educated at an acdaemy in New York, and has been occupied a large pro- portion of his life in his present business. He came to Lowell in 1872, and was married in 1874 to Helen McLain, a native of Vergennes. They have one son- Homer A. Mrs. Dougall is a member of the Congregational Church. Mr. Dougall's father was a farmer, and he was brought up to the same vocation. He enlisted in 1861, in the 44th N. Y. Reg. Vol. Inf., Co. H ; the regiment known as the " Ellsworth Avengers." He was in the seven days' battles with Mcclellan, and was taken prisoner at Malvern Hill and sent to Libby. He was wounded, his foot having been torn completely off by a cannon bail. His regiment was made memorable by the circumstances of its formation, being composed of men from every portion of the grand old Empire State, which sent a recruit from every town and ward to make up its numerical strength of 1,076 men, none of whom were less than five feet eight inches in height.

Rev. D. L. Eaton, Congregational clergyman, was born in the town of Ash- burnham, Worcester Co., Mass., July 4, 1822. His parents, Josiah and Polly (Read) Eaton, were natives of Wales, but came to America before the birth of their son. Mr. Eaton received a thorough practical education at Oberlin College, where he finished his preparatory course in 1845, and in 1847 graduated with honor from the Theological Department of the University of Ohio. He was con- verted at the age of 17, and united with the Congregational Church. Previous to his entering upon his studies, he was engaged in the manufacture of a variety of chair, known as the Boston rocking-chair. His ministerial work was begun at Oakwood, Oakland Co., Mich., and he has a record as a fearless, outspoken sol- dier in the service of Christ, and in the vicinity of his present home has done

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LOWELL TOWNSHIP.

much to advance the cause to which he so early pledged his energies and abilities. The temperament of Mr. Eaton is such as to invest his solemn calling with an atmosphere of cheerfulness, and he attracts devoted friendship by his warm, hearty interest in the well-being of society. Mr. Eaton commenced his labors in Oakland county in 1847, where he continued eight years. He preached in Liv- ingston county four years, and came to Lowell in 1860. He was obliged to re- linquish the duties of his calling for a time, when he resorted to the Northern woods for rest and freedom from mental toil. He has been twice the - pastor of the Congregational Church at Lowell, but is at present supplying pulpits else- where, mentioned in the Church records of the county. He has been interested in the political progress of his country, being first identified with the Whigs and later with Republicans. His first wife was Helen, daughter of John Look, a pio- neer of Lapeer county, who died in 1853, leaving a daughter, Charlotte, now Mrs. S. E. Parrish. He married the second time Octavia Richards, only daughter of Arba Richards, M. D. She was born at Wales, Erie Co., N. Y., in 1837. Mr. and Mrs. Eaton have two children-Alice and Roy. Mrs. Eaton is a lady of cult- ure, familiar with books, and is quietly literary in her habits and tastes.

William J. Ecker, manufacturer, was born in 1834 in Ontario, Canada, Niagara Co. He is the son of Peter and Catharine (Philips) Ecker, of German descent, natives respectively of New York and Pennsylvania. At the age of 13 Mr. E. began to work at his trade-carpenter and joiner-which he has steadily pur- sued, until he has become an extensive contractor and builder, operating with a considerable corps of assistants. He came to Lowell in 1855, and ranks among its pioneer element: In 1873 he formed a business connection with his present partner, and started a planing-mill, supplied with all the facilities common to such enterprises, and are carrying on extensive operations in planing, matching, and re-sawing window and door frames, sash and blinds and moldings. The firm style is Mason, Ecker & Company. Mr. Ecker enlisted in 1863 in the 6th Mich. Cav., Co. M, under Captain Harvey Vinton, and saw active service in several well- known engagements, among them the Battle of the Wilderness. He was in- jured severely by his horse falling, and received a pension until five years ago, when he received his claim. He was married in 1856 to Jane A. Pearsall, a native of Michigan. They have had four children-Frank R., Mary C., Ida J. and Will (deceased).

William H. Eddy was born in New York in 1832 His parents, Edward and Susan M. (Hills) Eddy, were natives of New York, descended from English an- cestors. He attended the common school in his native State, where he learned the cooper's trade, which he has connected with numerous other branches of wood- work, being a natural genius. He was a soldier in the war for the Union, and served in Co. C, 50th Reg. N. Y. Vol. Engineers. He was promoted to Sergeant, and was in the service from his enrollment in 1862 until the surrender of Lee, without a day's illness. He settled in Lowell in 1866. He was School Director while the new school-house was being built, and has always taken an active part in educational matters. He interested himself in the rejuvenation of the Public Library, and his exertions and influence have increased its capacity to about 500 volumes. He is quite proud of his title of " Stepfather of the Library." He was married in 1854 to Martha Fox, born in 1832 in Rome, N. Y., of German and English descent. They have three children living-Franklin D., Minnie B. and Jessie M. The son is married and is Railway Postal Clerk on the Michigan Southern railroad. Mr. and Mrs. Eddy are members of the Baptist Church. He has been Deacon 12 years.

E. A. Forman was born in Wayne Co., Mich., April 5, 1838. His parents were natives of New York, of Dutch descent. He was educated at the Agricultural College at Lansing, and learned the trade of a harness-maker in the city of Jack- son. In 1861 he enlisted in Co. D, 5th Mich. Inf., but was discharged the next year for disability. Recovering his health he re-enlisted the fall of the same year in Co. A, 23d Mich. Inf. He was elected Sergeant, and was successively pro- moted to the position of Orderly Sergeant, Quarter-master Sergeant, 2d Lieutenant Co. B, 23d Reg., and 1st Lieut. Co. A, which station he held until the close of the war. In 1868 he came to Lowell and worked at his trade seven years as a jour- neyman, and two years after operated as principal in the same direction, when he formed a business relation under the style of Aldrich & Forman, for the purpose of engaging in butchering. They have a most attractive place of business and are driving a brisk and prosperous trade.

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HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY.

J. B. Goodsell, dentist, Lowell, was born at Bath, in the Stateof New York. He is the son of Jolin and Matilda (Nash) Goodsell, both natives of New York. His father was born in 1800, and is of English descent, and settled in 1814 in Ver- gennes, where he is still living, the oldest man in the tp., and with all the activity of middle life He still manages all his business and has charge of his large farm, which he has transformed from forest into fruitful fields. Dr. G. studied in the common schools and attended select school in Grand Rapids, where he began the acquirement of his profession in the office of Dr. Brown, at Lowell, and graduated at the Wisconsin Dental College in 1881. He began independent practice at Laingsburg, Mich., in 1869, which he prosecuted successfully nearly nine years. He practiced at Mt. Pleasant two years, and then transferred his business to Lowell. He is laudably ambitious in his chosen work, which he pursues indus- triously and satisfactorily to his patrons. In 1865 he was married to Mary E. Davis, and has two children, a son and daughter, Lizzie Valtina, born 14th of February, 1869; and John O., born March 23, 1862.

Robert Graham was born in England in 1828. He is the son of Robert and Catherine (Robinson) Graham. His father died when he was about three years old. His mother lives in Lowell with a second husband. He came to Detroit, Mich., in 1850, in 1853 went to Ypsilanti, and in 1854 he came to this tp. and bought 160 acres of land south of Lowell village. He chopped on his land winters and worked at Grand Rapids summers at his trade as house plasterer and builder, in which he was a much more than ordinary proficient. He has made his busi- ness very profitable and owns a valuable business block in the village, besides 80 acres of land, and has partially retired from active business. In 1862 he sold the farm, and formed a partnership with Isaac N. White, in the boot and shoe busi- ness at Lowell, having the postoffice in connection. During all the years of the Rebellion Mr. White was Postmaster and Mr. Graham acted as deputy, having an equal interest.

He was married in 1863, to Emma E., daughter of Carter Post, a leading citizen of this county. From this union there were three children. Mrs. Graham died in 1873, and in 1875 he married the widow of Edwin P. Shaw (nee Elizabeth Fuller). They have one child. Mr. Graha'n is at present identified with the National party. He has served as Justice of the Peace ; as Village Trustee, five years; and as School Director, six years; and is now acting as the Street Com- missioner of Lowell village.

A. B. Grant, M. D., Homeopathic Physician and Surgeon, is a native of Colum- bia, Herkimer Co , N. Y .. and was born Jan. 15, 1849. His father, David Grant, was born in the same tp., and was from German parentage. He died in Spring Arbor, Jackson Co., March 7, 1873, and was by occupation a far ler. His mother was a native of Otsego Co., N. Y., and was a descendant from Roger Williams. She still survives. The Doctor is the youngest of a family of seven children, two being dead. Dr. Grant received a common English education, and taught school in Jackson Co., Mich. He received his medical education at Cleveland, Ohio, and Detroit, Mich. He has held the office of Corresponding Secretary of the Hontoeopathic Medical Society of the State of Michigan for the past three years. He practiced his profession at Lyons, I nia Co., Mich., until October, 1878, when he succeeded Dr. Amos Walker, and located permanently at Lowell. Nov. 19, 1873, he was married to Miss Ada C. Fellows, daughter of John A. Fellows, of Sandstone, Jackson Co., Mich. Her father is a native of New York, and a well- to-do farmer, living six miles west and north of Jackson city. Her mother, Laura Janette Emery, is a native of Vermont, and daughter of Dr. John W. Emery, a sur- geon of more than ordinary prominence in earlier years, and now a resident of Paw Paw, Mich., being over 80 years of age. Dr. and Mrs. Grant have two so s-Bur- dette F., born July 4, 1875, in Sandstone, Jackson Co .; and Heman E., born Nov. 13, 1878, in Lowell. The Doctor and lady are members of the Congregational Church, of Lowell.

J. C. Hare was born in Jefferson Co., N. Y., in 1843. His father, Daniel Hare, was a native of England ; his mother, Ann (Martin) Hare, was born in Ireland. His education was obtained in the common schools, and early in life he fitted for his vocation as marble-cutter, which he has pursued with marked success. In 1873 he opened business on a considerable scale in Lowell, operating alone until May 14, 1881, when he associated with him W. F. Sandle. He was married in 1866 to Catherine Curry, a native of Canada, of Scotch and English parentage. Miss Blanche Hare is their only child.

N & While arty

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LOWELL TOWNSHIP.

Sylvester P. Hicks, attorney, and collection and loan arent, was born in Michi- gan Jan. 15, 1844. His parents, John and Jane ( Winegar) Hicks, were natives of New York, of English and German descent respectively. He studied at Kala- mazoo College, and graduated with honor in 1867. He is a thorough classi al . scholar, and at 16 won the Sherwood prize in declamation. He was engaged three years in the High School of Douglas, Allegan Co., Mich., and seven years in the same position in Lowell. He has a State certificate granted in 1870, signed by Oramel Hosford, State Superintendent at that time. He enlisted in 1861, but his father refused consent and his enrollment was nullified. In '62 he enlisted in the Mich. Cav., and after the general mustering out of cavalry in '63 he enlisted as a marine in the U. S. Navy, where he continued until the close of the war. He was on the flag-ship " Black Hawk" when it burned. The band, of which he was a member, jumped 36 feet to the water with the loss of but one

man. In the land service he was under Gen. Hancock. He was married Jan. 2, 1871, to Emma Dwight, born in Massachusetts, of English descent. Mrs. Hicks belongs to the Baptist Church.

Hon. Milton B. Hine was born in Meredith, Delaware Co., N. Y., in 1838. He is the son of Demas and Sally (Noble) Hine, natives of Connecticut, and of Eng -. lish descent. He was educated in the common school and the Delaware Liter- ary Institute, at Franklin, N. Y. By occupation he is a farmer, as was his father, though he was a practicing physician. Dr. Hine had three sous, in whose in- terest he came to Kent county in 1845, to locate homes for them, and he purchased three tracts of land. All these sons are now business men in Lowell. In 1847 . Dr. Hine removed his family to this county, and the same year Milton Hine and his brother, M. N., also came. The former settled on sec 30, in Cannon tp., where he lived until 1880. The farm includes 238 acres of land, most of it in a

high state of cultivation. It is stocked with thorough-bred short-horn Durham

cattle and fine grades of sheep.

He has 105 acres in another part of the tp.,

making an aggregate of 343 acres. He has been President and Treasurer of the Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Co., of Kent county, since 1871, and is Grand Master of the Patrons of Husbandry, also Sir Knight Templar in the Masonic

fraternity. In the fall of 1878 he was elected to the Legislature from the 25th Senatorial District on the Greenback ticket, and served his term with honor to himself and credit to his constituents. In 1880 he placed his lands in charge of his son-in-law and went to Lowell with the intention of retiring, but not finding rest in idleness, he entered business life as a dealer in boots and shoes. His firm is known as Hawk & Hine and is doing a profitable business. He was married in 1850 to Polly Ann Hartwell, of New York, and has two daughters, both mar- ried and living in Cannon. Previous to the organization of the Greenback party Mr. Hine was a Democrat. He is respected by all parties as a man of sterling integrity and spotless record. Mr. Hine died Sept. 1, at his home in Lowell, after an illness of about four weeks, of typhoid fever.

Martin N. Hine, brother of the preceding, Assistant Cashier of the Lowell National Bank, was born in 1829 in Delaware Co., N. Y. He was educated in the schools of his native county and in the high schools of this State. He learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed until 1863, when he embarked in the drug business and changed three years later to engage in mercantile opera- tions. continuing five years. He came to Michigan in 1847, locating in Cannon tp., and to Lowell in 1855, and has seen the village grow from a few houses to its present proportions, himself aiding in its progress by the erection of several buildings. He owns a comely and substantial residence in the north of the vil- lage. He is Director and stockholder of the bank where he acts as Assistant Cashier; has made his own financial success. In politics he is a Democrat. He was married in 1855 to Lucy J. Tilton, a native of Massachusetts. They have three children-George, eldest son, graduated from the medical department of Michigan University in 1881; Frank W., second son, graduated from the law de- partment at Ann Arbor in 1881, and entered the law office of Stewart & Sweet to acquire the practical part of his chosen profession. They have one daughter, Nellie J. Mr. Hine is satisfied that, in giving his sons the advantages of the best schools, he has made the wisest possible application of his money for their good. He has two brothers in active jife in Lowell, whose sons are also in busi- ness here, and the name is numerically and substantially represented. Mrs. Hine died Aug. 18.

C. D. Hodges, liveryman, was born in Vergennes in 1846. His parents, Sylvester and Martha (Gould) Hodges, were born in New York, of Irish parentage. He

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HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY.

attended the common schools of Kent county and the High School at Lowell. He is the owner of 80 acres of land (sec. 20), Lowell, and pursued the calling of farmer until 1830, when he opened a livery. He keeps 14 good horses. He was married in 1868 to Eliza Perrin. He enlisted in the 5th N. Y., "Col. Ellsworth " (Reg.) and was discharged at the close of the war. Mr. H. is a Democrat in politics.

Fred. H. Hlosford was born Oct. 11. 1848, in Ohio. His parents, Franklin H. and Amelia (Dimock) Hasford, were born respectively in Massachusetts and New York. He was educated at Oberlin College, and took a course in 1879-'80 at the Grand Rapids Commercial College, and has made teaching one of the pursuits of his life. He has taught 19 terms in Kent county, and had a considerable experi- ence elsewhere; has had a successful and satisfactory career as an instructor. He votes with the National party. He came to this county in 1868 and located in this village. He was married in 1873 to Mary A. Stevens, a na ive of New York. They have three children-Clarence E., Cora L. and Edna B. Mr. Hos- ford is at present engaged with John Giles & Co as bookkeeper.

Samuel Houghton was born in Portland, N. Y., in 1839. He is a son of Henry Seymour and Elizabeth (Betts) Houghton, natives of New York, of English de- scent. He was educated in an academy, in Western New York. He enlisted in 1861 in the 17th N. Y. Inf., was detailed as clerk in the Adjutant General's office in Washington, and remained as clerk in the War Department 18 years, when he resigned on account of failing eyesight. He settled permanently in Lowell in 1879, and purchased a farm of 80 acres, on sec 30. He finds the life of a farmer a pleasant one and is endeavoring to make his place a model in èvery particular. He was married in 1863 to Louise A. La Monte, born in New York, of English an- cestry. They have four children-Albert S., Florence J., Walter (. and Frank L. Mrs. Houghton is a member of the M. E. Church; Mr. H. is a Republican. Matthew Hunter, retired farmer, was born in England in 1821. His parents, Robert and Mary (Green) Hunter, came to America in 1828, and settled in New York, coming to Kent county in 1855. . His father was born in 1804, and is still living at Lowell. Matthew came to Lowell in 1856, and settled on sec. 20, where he owns 104 acres of land well improved. He spent 16 years in Canada, five of which were devoted to lumbering and running a saw-mill. With this exception his life has been spent in agriculture. Mr. Hunter was married in Can- ada in 1846, to Mary Farmer, born in 1829, in Canada, of English and Irish parent- age. They are Baptists by religious profession, and have eight children, viz. : Robert, William Grant, Sarah, Alice, Ida Caroline, John E., Willard M. and Walter A. (twins), Ulysses. The first four are married. The men of the Hunter family are stalwart and athletic, most of them being above medium size. They are of gentlemanly bearing, and the families represent the best class of society. All are in fair circumstances. Mr. Hunter, of this sketch, is a brother of Squire Robert Hunter.

Chandler Johnson, retired farmer, was born in 1820, in Onondaga Co., N. Y. He is the son of Nathaniel and Lidia A. (Chandler) Johnson, and a remote relative of Zachariah ( handler on the mother's side. She was born in Woodstock, Wind- ham Co., Conn. Mr. Johnson was educated in the common schools of New York, and at the Fredonia Academy. In 1870 he settled in Lowell village, but has not engaged in anything permanently ; has engaged somewhat in speculative enter- prises with fair success. He owns one-half interest in the Music Hall block. He is a Republican, and in New York held nearly all tp. offices. He was married in 1846, to Eliza Frost, of New York. They have four children: George C. is a carpenter and joiner in Lowell: Ellen is the wife of Arthur Hill, a hardware dealer in Corry, Erie Co., Pa .; Nathaniel F. has a grocery and provision store in Ne- braska, and Andrew B. is engaged in the same business in Lowell.

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History of Kent County, Michigan, together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships, educational, religious, civil, military, and political history, portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens, Part 122

Author: Leeson, M. A. (Michael A.); Chapman, Charles C., & Co. (Chicago) Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Chicago : C.C. Chapman & Co. Number of Pages: 1434

Author: Leeson, M. A. (Michael A.); Chapman, Charles C., & Co. (Chicago)
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago : C.C. Chapman & Co.
Number of Pages: 1434