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 123

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 123

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Simon Kiel, farmer on sec. 19, was born in Holland in 1824. His parents were Evertt and Regina (Ponberg) Kiel. He was educated in Holland, and there learned the trade of carpenter and pursued it from the age of 15 to 25. He then came to America and settled in Waterloo. He was married in 1854 to Eliza Dar- row. a native of New York, of English descent. They have four children-Anna R., Mattie C., Edward Evertt and Nellie E. Mr. Kiel commenced farming in 1856, and in 1861 changed bis peaceful occupation for that of a soldier. He en- listed in the First Vol. Reg. of Mich. Engineers and Mechanics, at Grand Rapids, and served three years and three months, seeing considerable active service meanwhile. He is a Republican, and owns a farm of 80 acres. Mr. and Mrs. Kiel are members of the M. E. Church. The parents of Mrs. Kiel were James B. and Calesta (Gates) Darrow, of Seneca Co., N. Y.

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Arza H. King was born in Cayuga Co., N. Y., in 1816. He was born and bred on a farm, and was educated in the common school. He went to West Brighton, Monroe Co., when about 21, and worked on the farm of his maternal grandfather, A. J. Booth, who owned a considerable tract of land bordering on the city of Rochester, He was married in 1841 to Delilah, daughter of Henry and Mary (Woodward) Garter, and sister of Judge Garter, of California. The same year they came to Michigan, and in 1850 located in Lowell (then Danville). Here Mr. King built a hotel, where he was a popular and successful landlord for a number of years. He then bought a farm in Grattan, and five years after sold it and moved to his present residence in Lowell, where he and his wife expect to spend the remainder of their lives. Both are samples of hale, cheerful, well ordered mature life. Mr. King is a "solid " Democrat, and in Ionia county held the office of Treasurer seven years ; was also Tp. Clerk.

Francis King was born in Livingston Co., N. Y., April 30, 1820; he is a son of James and Amanda (Treat) King, the former a native of Massachusetts and of English descent, and the latter a native of New York and of German descent. They removed to Genesee county, this State, in 1845, where they remained until their death. They had seven children, Francis being the youngest of the family ; he was brought up as a farmer, which business he continued to follow untilhe was 20 years of age, at which time he went into a dry-goods store as clerk; one year afterward he was engaged in the foundry machine shop in the city of Flint seven years; during the same time he was in the mercantile business; he then sold out his interest and bought a farm and attended it six years, a part of the foregoing time in partnership with Dr. E. G. Gale. In 1858 they dissolved partnership; in 1860 he emigrated to Kent county and settled in Ada tp, and went into the general mer- cantile business for two years; then came to Lowell and went into the hardware and carrage and wagon manufacturing business for about nine years, since which time he has been engaged in lumbering. The present firm is King, Quick & King, the latter being a son of Francis. They have three steam saw- mills, and are doing a very extensive business, employing as high as 60 men and paying out as high as $3,000 a month for expenses.

Mr. King, the subject of this sketch, has done a great deal for the building and improvement of Lowell. He was married in the city of Flint in 1845, to Laura Brown, who was born in Livingston county, N. Y., July 14, 1824, a daughter of Chancy and Rebecca Brown, both natives of New York and of English descent. They emigrated to Genesee county, this State, in 1836, where they remained till their death. They have had four children, two living-Francis T., born April 2, 1856, and Helen B., born Oct. 24, 1867. The deceased were Helen B., born Jan. 10, 1852, and died May 24, 1863; and George, born Nov. 11, 1853, and died Aug. 12, 1855. Mr. King started in the world penniless, but by industry, economy and good management he has acquired a large property. He is a thorough business man. We give his portrait in this work.

F. T. King, of the firm of King, Quick & King, manufacturers and dealers in lumber and shingles, was born in Genesee county, in 1855. His father, F. King, is well known as a business man of extended reputation and marked success. F. T. King is the only child and has been more or less associated with his father's business interests from his school-boy days. He naturally acquired the habits of an active business man, and in 1881 entered the firm as junior partner. They are operating four mil's, two lumber and two shingle mills. one situated in Greenville. The capacity of the Lowell lumber mill is about 35,000 feet per day ; the shingle mill turns out 40,007 per diem. The Greenville mill is about the same capacity.

John Kopf, manufacturer and dealer in all kinds of cabinet work, was born in Germany in 1828, and emigrated to America in 1848. He learned the cabinet trade at the age of 12. He worked at his trade 14 years in New York and Massa- chusetts, and came to Lowell in 1855. He began his business on a small scale, engaging chiefly in the manufacture of chairs by hand. His interests have in- creased proportionately to his energy and pluck until it includes three partners, the firm being known as Kopf, Hill & Task; twenty men are constantly employed, and the transactions include both wholesale and retail trade. The saw-mill, planing-mill and wood works are managed by Mr. Task, the finishing and ship- ping by Mr. Kopf, and the local sales department and bookkeeping by Mr. Hill, who has had an extensive experience in commercial matters. Mr. Kopf was married in 1853 to Mary Jane Langs. They have eight children-Ella E., Crissie, Seigle, Gertrude, Myrtle, Edith, Alice, and Charles H. In politics Mr. K. is a

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Republican; is a Sir Knight Templar. In addition to his shops he owns a small farm and a house, which he built at an expense of $2,000.

Wallace Langs was born in the city of. Jackson in 1850. He is the son of Will- iam and Mary (Dunn) Langs, the former a native of Pennsylvania, the latter of Livingston Co., N. Y. He is a self-made man and has a good business education obtained wholly by his own efforts. His present business is in furniture and as funeral director, for which he is eminently fitted by a large experience in cities. He was married in 1881 to Alice J. Beach, born in Ada in 1848. Mr. L. engaged as a clerk 13 years with John Kopf. In 1879 he went into business with Mr. G. Kopf, which relation existed until July, 1881, when H. H. Shepard bought his partner's interest. The name of the new firm is Shepard and Langs. Mr. Langs is a Republican.

Edmund Lee, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in England in 1827. He is son of Edmund and Alice (Platt) Lee. He was educated in the State of New York. In 1853 he went to California, and . after a stay of a few months proceeded to Australia, where he accumulated a sum of money in the gold mines sufficient to give him a respectable start in the world. He has been a great traveler and has seen much of the world. He was married 26 years ago to Janette A. Miller. They have three children-Flora A., Frank M. and Harry H. Mrs. Lee is a member of the Congregational Church. Mr. Lee is a Democrat. He came to Kent county in 1859, and engaged 14 years in Lowell village in mercantile pursuits. He has been Supervisor, and owns 160 acres of land in a state of advanced improvement.

J. Q. Look, druggist, was born in Lapeer county in 1847. His parents, John and Charlotte (Hopkins) Look, were natives of New York, of English descent. They were among the pioneer settlers of this State. Mr. Look, sr., is still living in the village of Lowell, and is pa-t 80 years of age. Mr. Look, of this sketch, was educated in the High School of Lowell, and was engaged in clerking a num- ber of years, during which time he bent his energies to the acquirement of the technical details of his business, and he is thoroughly conversant with every branch pertaining to his interests as a chemist and druggist. In 1870 he opened business for himself, where he is now established, in Union block. He carries a stockof drugs, standard chemicals, druggists' sundries, fancy goods, etc., worth about $6,000. He is reliable in his prescription department, and consequently deservedly popular. Long experience, accuracy and promptness in his business . relations have secured his substantial success. He was married in 1877 to Amanda Blain. They have one child-Eddie.

Cyreno Loveland was born in Erie Co., Ohio, in 1837. His parents, Luther and Lucy Wickham, were natives of Connecticut, of English descent. He acquired his education at Oberlin College, in his native State. He was married in 1857 to Mary A. Stark, a native of Seneca Co., N. Y., of English and Irish descent. They have two children-Robert F., born in 1858, and Ralph J. B., born in 1867. They came to Kent county in 1866, and settled on sec. 27, in Lowell tp., where they own a good farm. Mr. and Mrs. Loveland are members of the United Brethren Church, of which he has been Class-Leader, Steward, Trustee and Sunday-school Superintendent. He is a Republican in political views.

J. B. Malcom, M. D., was born in Canada in 1837. His parents. James Henry and Alvira (Fairchild) Malcom, were natives of Scotland. The Doctor received his literary education in Canada, and studied for his profession at Philadelphia Medical College, taking his diploma in 1867. He followed teaching for a time in Canada, came to this State in 1861, and commenced practice in Ada in 1862. He was married the same year to Abby L. Odell, a native of Vergennes. They have two children-Belle, born in 1863, and Fred A., born in 1865. Politi- cally, Dr. Malcom is a Democrat. His religion is the Golden Rule. He is an earnest and liberal thinker, agreeable in conversation, a great reader, and centers a large proportion of his interest in his children, who are receiving the advantages of a good school. He has made a financial success of the practice of his profes- sion, and is the proprietor of 540 acres of land, and owns a substantial residence and other property, in Lowell and vicinity. He is gradua ly giving place to younger physicians, relinquishing almost wholly to them that portion of his busi- ness which demands attention in the night.

George W. Mallory, M. D., was born in Wayne Co., N. Y., Dec. 14, 1826. His parents, Azariah and Azuba (White) Mallory, were natives of Berkshire Co., Mass., the former of Dutch, the latter of Swiss lineage. He was educated at Albion College, and pursued his medical course at Starling Medical College, Ohio, grad-

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uating in 1851. He practiced in Hillsdale, and six years subsequently in Jackson county. After two years professional labor in Illinois he came in 1871 to Lowell. He has somespecialties, among which is a diphtheria remedy, very nearly amount- ing to a specific. He has made considerable progress in a financial sense, his cash balance being but $10 when he established himself in Lowell. He was married in 1861 to Minerva C. Simpson, a cousin of Gen. Grant. She died in 1864, leaving one son-Henry C. He married Matilda M. Powell in 1866. They have one child-Jacob C. Dr. M. has been identified with Republicans until the prevalence of National principles, which he adopts.

N. L. McCarty (deceased) was born in 1836 and died in 1878 7th November. He was the son of John and Sarah McCarty, natives of Canada, who settled in Keen, Ionia Co., in 1849. Early in life Mr. McC. went to California, where he managed a wheat ranch of 1,000 acres. He came to Lowell in 1866 and engaged in the grocery trade. He was formost among the enterprising citizens of the town, his executive abilities placing him in the front ranks. He was a Republican and a Sir Knight Templar. His estate amounted to $47,000, inventoried property. His first wife was Almedia Pinckney, who died in 1868. He was married Jan. 6, 1869, to Nellie J. Fairchild, a native of New York, of Scotch descent, born in 1843; four children were born -- Loyal Nathaniel, Aug. 22, 1870; Mary Alice (de- ceased), March 6, 1873; Ernest Jay, Jan. 3, 1875 ; and Nellie Almeda, Jan. 17, 1877. Mr. McCarty was among the first to build a brick business block in the village of Lowell, and marks of his enterprise, in various ways, remain for generations of the future to copy after and imitate. We give on another page a portrait of Mr. McCarty.

H. Nash, manufacturer, was born in Hainby, Steuben Co., N. Y., Oct. 24, 1836. He is the son of Ira and Juda Ann (Fero) Nash, both natives of New York, the for- mer of English and the latter of German descent. They came to this county in 1845, and are both living in Lowell. Mr. Nash, sr., was born Aug. 11, 1804, in Butter- nut, Oswego Co., N. Y. Mr. Nash was educated in the common schools of Kent county, and was for many years by occupation a farmer. He disposed of 80 acres of land in Vergennes, and in 1867 commenced manufacturing in Lowell. He em- ploys seven men summer and winter, manufacturing the Lowell ax, Mattock's mill picks, also a general line of "log-running" tools, pond poles, cant hooks and pevy handles, the celebrated Lowell pevy being a specialty. He also does general repairing of agricultural tools, etc. He has been agent for the American Express Company four years. Politically his views are with the National party. He was married in 1858 to Hannah E. Vandusen, a native of Dumfries, Ontario, Canada, daughter of Alfred Vandusen. She was born Aug. 13, 1837, and came to Michigan in 1838. Besides his manufacturing establishment Mr. Nash owns three vacant lots and four lots with houses, in Lowell.

Rev. Charles Oldfield, Pastor of the Baptist Church, Lowell, was born in England in 1834. He is the son of John and Anna (Fields) Oldfield, and was born in the same house as his father, and, singularly, a house leased continuously for a long period by the family. They emigrated to America when their son was very young. He received, in part, his education at Wheaton College, Illinois. His father was a farmer, and the early years of his manhood were spent in the same calling. His conversion took place at 17, but he did not commence ministerial work until 24 years old. He was ordained at Ade!, Dallas Co., Iowa, Sept. 23, 1859. He began preaching at Sac City, Sac Co., Iowa, continued there three years, then received a call and took charge of the Church at his former home, at Downer's Grove, Ill. After four years' work there he was cal ed and officiated as Pastor of the Church at Cedar Springs, Kent Co., Mich. Here his labors covered a period of four years, when he came to Lowell, staying two years, when he returned to his old charge at Cedar Springs, remaining eight years, and in the fall of 1880 again took charge of the Baptist Church at Lowell, of which he is the present Pastor. Mr. Oldfield was married at Waterloo, Iowa, April 22, 1857, to Miss Lucy A. Bicknell, a native of Berkshire Co., Mass., and of English extraction; her family have their genealogy back seven generations. They are in direct line of kin to Zachary Bicknell, who settled in Weymouth, Mass., in 1635. Mr. and Mrs. Old- field have two sons-Carson J. and William C. Mrs. O. is a zealous promoter of missionary work.

Daniel Oliver, miller, was born in Sheffield, England, in 1834. He is the son of David and Sarah (Ripl-y) Oliver. He acquired his education and trade in his native country. He came to Lowell in 1872, and was employed by W. W. Hatch

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HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY.

until he disposed of his mill property to Messrs. Stiff & Stiff in June, 1881, and continues in their employ. He was married in 1855 to Sarah Oldfield, a native of England. They have two children-Alice Amy and Albert D. The father, mother and children belong to the M. E. Church. Mr. O. is Republican in politics.

Milton M. Perry, of Lowell, was the oldest of three sons of William R. and Mary W. Perry. He was born Oct. 23, 1836, at Sparta, Livingston Co., New York. When at the age of 16 years his father and family moved to Moscow, Hillsdale Co., Mich., where they all engaged in farming. In the spring of 1854, while in his 18th year, he commenced and taught his first school in Quincy, Mich. He taught in district schools winters, and attended school summers and autumns at Ypsilanti Union Seminary, under President Joseph Estabrook, and at Hillsdale College until the year 1861, when he commenced teaching in graded schools. He was employed as Principal of the Lowell Union Schools for the years 1862, '63 and '64. During the winter of 1865-'66 he attended law lectures at the State University at Ann Arbor. July 20, 1866, he formed a law partnership with the Hon. T. J. Slayton, which partnership continued about two years. Since his dissolution with T. J. Slayton he has continued in the law, real estate and insurance business in Lowell, Mich. In November, 1868, he was appointed Assistant United States Assessor of Internal Revenue, to succeed his uncle, C. R. Perry (deceased), and retained the office until the law creating the office was repealed. He became a permanent resident of Lowell in 1862; has held different township offices most of the time since; was a member of the Common Council of the village of Lowell six years, and a member of the School Board 15 years. Since reaching the age of 21 years he has been an active Republican worker, and has been a member of the County Republican Committee for four years last past.

L. J. Post was born in Westbrook, Conn , in 1847. He is son of J. C. and Julia A. (Manwaring) Post, both of English descent; the former a native of Connecticut, the latter of Rhode Island. He attended the common school and is by occupation a farm r. He settled in Lowell in 1858, on sec. 14, where he still resides, and owns 120 acres of land well improved, and has a substantial house, built at a cost of $1,800. For several years he has devoted his attention to raising potatoes. His crop in 1880 amounted to 2,300 bushels, and in 1881 had 20 acres planted with that vegetable. He was married in 1868 to Ella C. Carter, a native of Savannah, N. Y , of English extraction. They have three children -Zeno, Wilber and Audie. Mr. and Mrs. Post are members of the Baptist Church. Mr. Post has been Sun- day-school Superintendent for many years, is a Republican in politics, and is one of the most enterprising and energetic citizens of the tp.

The parents of Mrs. Post were Charles B. and Calista (Sheldon) Carter, now of this tp., where they settled in 1855.

William Pullen, merchant, was born in England in 1830. His parents, Richard and Mary (Ticknor) Pullen, left England for New York in 1844, and in 1847 set- tled in Pontiac, Oakland Co. His father was a tailor, and he learned the business in his shop, and first pursued it as an employment in Rochester, N. Y. He worked four years in Pontiac, and during 10 years was cutter in a shop in Grand Rapids. He went to Cannonsburg, and opened a store for the sale of general merchandise, and in 1866 opened business in Lowell. His stock is esti- mated at $10,000, and comprises full lines of hats, caps, boots, shoes and clothing. His character is markedly frank and decided. His candid manner and straight- forward business methods make him very popular. He was formerly Republican in political views, but latterly adopts Greenback or National principles. He served as Tp. Clerk in Cannon, and in Lowell as Village Treasurer and Trustee. He was married in 1855 to Mary Jane Wiley. Of six children four are living- Elizabeth, Ella, William and Annette. Mrs. P. is a member of the M. E. Church.

Reuben Quick, manufacturer and dealer in lumber and shingles, was born in New York in 1834. He is son of Martin S. and Mary (Devina) Quick, both natives of Auburn, N. Y., and of Dutch descent. His education was obtained in . the Empire State, where he was engaged some time as a carpenter and joiner, and learned the business of a pattern cutter in a foundry. He came to Lowell in 1855, and worked as a carpenter until 1862, when he enlisted in the 26th Reg. Mich. Inf., under Captain Avery. After seven months' duty as a private soldier he was appointed Regimental Commissary Sergeant, and was afterward promoted to a Lieutenancy. His health compelled his resignation in 1865. Mr. Quick, asso- cinted with Messrs. Pallison and Smith, built the saw-mill now owned by King,

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Quick & King, in 1871. He has been financially successful in his business vent- ures, and is independent in his political acts, voting as judgment dictates rather than from party considerations. He was married in 1855, in Grand Rapids, to Jennie Barber, born in New York, of Dutch descent. They have three children- Charles, Burtie and Reuben E. The eldest son is bookkeeper for King, Quick & King. Mr. and Mrs. Quick are connected with the M. E. Church.

Arba Richards, M. D. (deceased) was born March 30, 1803, in Hartford, Windsor Co., Vt. He graduated from Castleton Medical College in 1830, and practiced his profession at Wales, Erie Co., N. Y., eight years. He located in 1839 in the tp. of Vergennes, where he performed the offices of a physician in addition to the care of his farm until 1858, when, on account of failing health, he changed his residence to the village of Lowell. He came to the "Western Wilderness " at a time when "pioneer service " was demanded in nearly every calling in life, and Dr. Richards responded untiringly and unselfishly to professional claims upon his attention ; courageously braving all kinds of weather, traversing great distances, holding himself in readiness for duty at all hours of the day or night, making his way frequently through dense forests by paths marked only by " blazed " trees, often performing gratuitous service in the midst of all these perplexities, and unable, until long after his medical knowledge imperatively decreed cessation from toil, to refrain from answering the call of the suffering. In character he was singularly straightforward and conscientious. He became a Ch istian in early life, and his whole career was a marked fulfillment of the " law of Christ." He was zealously radical in all his views, but free from bigotry, and generously tolerant of the opinions of others. He read voraciously and assimilated to a wonderful degree; and though his mind was a storehouse of well-arranged knowledge, he was ever a student eager to keep pace with the progress of the day. He was married in 1835 to Emily Kelsey. Their only child -- Octavia-is the wife of Rev. D. L. Eaton. Dr. Richards died in 1870. Mrs. R. survives him.

George W. Rouse, blacksmith, senior member of the firm of Rouse & Shanley, was born in 1851, in Canada. He is son of Julius and Eliza Jane (Birdsill) Rouse, the latter born in Canada. He learned his tra le in his native province at the age of 17, and came to Lowell in 1873. He is a Democrat.

J. C. Scott, hardware merchant, was born in Oswego, N. Y, in 1828. He is the son of John and Mary (Conger) Scott. His father was a native of England, and his mother is also English by descent. Mr. Scott came to Michigan with his parents in 1844, and located in Grand Rapids. He worked at the trade of his father (sash-maker) until 16 years old, when he learned the trade of brick-mason, which he pursued successfully until 1854, working on contracts as master after the first four years. In 1855 he was married to Olive Littlefield, a native of Ohio, and of English lineage. She is a member of the Baptist Church. Mr. Scott re- ceived no educational advantages beyond those afforded by the common schools. In 1866 he came to Lowell and commenced his present business, of which he has made an honorable success. Starting with about $2,500 in stock, he now carries one estimated at $10,000. Politically he is a Republican, and has officiated as Village Trustee, also as President of Lowell.

William M. Shanley, blacksmith, was born in Detroit, in 1847. He is junior member of the firm of Rouse and Shanley, and has worked at his trade from boy- hood. He came to Lowell in 1878; is a Democrat.

Frederick Snyder, son of Josephi Snyder, was born in New York in 1849. He was educated in the common schools, and reared on a farm, where most of his life has been spent, adding to his agricultural duties some ventures in the lum- ber trade. In 1870 he went West as a scout, in the interest of an English mining company. He returned in 1873, and located on a farm in Vergennes. He has a saloon at Lowell, and in the season operates threshing machines; is an expert in the latter business, which he has carried on seven years. At present is running two threshers.

D. C. Spring, Assistant Postmaster, was born in Greene Co., N. Y., in 1848. His parents, Edmond Y. and Mary (Lake) Spring, were natives of the same county, of English descent. He obtained a fair education at the common schools of his native place, and entered active life as a dry-goods merchant at Denham, N. Y., and finally went into the dry-goods business at Hersey. He came to Lowell in 1870, with a stock of goods. He was married in 1870 to Thekley A. Curtiss, born in New York, of English descent. They have three children-Mary E. E., Onetie and Garfield. Mr. S. is a Republican.

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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 123

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