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 124

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 124

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).

1226

HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY.

Martin Stiff, Lowell Mills, is the son of William and Elizabeth (Tunison) Stift, and was born in 1835 His parents were natives of New Jersey. He was edu- cated in the common schools of Oakland county. His father was a miller, and, to use his own expression, he grew up, as it were, " on a mill-stone." His repu- tation in his occupation is wide spread, his brand on a barrel of flour being a guaranty for its sale. In 1842 he took charge of a mill at Clintonville, and con- tinued its management 14 years. He then bought the Holly Mills, which he operated 24 years, his transactions during the last three years amounting in the aggregate to $900,000, or $300,000 annually. Mr. Stiff is a Republican, and was at one time City Alderman in Holly, but never aspired to official honors. The brothers Stiff are best known for their attention to their business relations. Mar- tin Stiff was married in 1860 to Myra Bartom, born in New Jersey. They have three children-Carrie May, Bertie Grant and Beulah Winnifred.

W. J. Stiff, Lowell Mills, brother of the preceding, was born in 1845. He was educated in the common schools of Oakland county. He learned his father's trade of miller which he has made the occupation of his life. In 1875 he bought a mill in Ionia which proved a profitable investment. He disposed of it in 1881, and bought a half interest in the Lowell Mills. He was married in 1867 to Lois A. Thompson. They have three children-Lulu Grace, Faydell and Roy John- son. Mrs. S. is a member of the Presbyterian Church.

Fidius D. Stocking was born Dec, 24, 1824, at Pontiac, Oakland Co. His father, Jared Stocking. was a wheel-wright by trade, and was known as a superior me- chanic. He moved to Saranac, Ionia Co., in 1838, located at Grand Rapids in 1848, and died at Chicago in 1862. F. D. Stocking is perhaps better known in his old line of business than any other man of the same craft in the State. He has been an expert with the " fiddle " from boyhood, has been in demand in sea- son and out of season wherever the disposition to "tread the mazy," as Dick Swiveller puts it, reigned dominant, and, presumably, the resonant echoes from Stocking's fiddle occupy more than a respectable proportion of illimitable space, where the scientists tell us all dispersed sounds are wandering. His remem- brances of the foot-shaking incidentals would make an interesting volume. He has a sample invitation to a dance written at " Flat River" in 1848, by Mr. J. M. Matthewson, now a lawyer at Lowell, which is a curiosity. A pioneer dance pos- sessed its own individuality, for it included everybody, irrespective of size, age, shape or position, and the incongruous assemblages, when the strenuous duties of the times made relaxation imperative, would cause the dainty beaux and belles who grace the "German " and glide in " Galops " to regard the experiences of their ancestors with respectful consideration. Mr. Stocking exhibits his fiddling account, aggregating from first to last about $12,000. He has worked for $6 a month and swelled his profits on duty nights, to $34. He has lived in Lowell 40 years ; was married in 1557 to Clarinda Robinson, a native of New York, born in 1831, and came to this State in 1835. She is a member of the " family Robinson " 44 of whom took passage for Michigan, in 1835, on one boat. One of Elder Eaton's first jobs in Lowell was tying the matrimonial knot between Mr. and Mrs. S. They have two children-Rodney D., born Oct. 23, 1863, and Addie May, born Aug. 24, 1864. Mr. Stocking has been operating for the last seven years as agent for the Watertown Fire Insurance Company with success.

Chester G. Stone, dry-goods merchant, was born in St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., Dec. 25, 1830. In 1837 his father located in Grand Rapids, where he built, in 1850, the first foundry. Mr. Stone was educated in the schools of Grand Rapids, and commenced preparation for a business life as clerk with Messrs. Rose & Covell, where he remained from the age of 17 to 27. His first business venture was in 1857, in Grand Rapids, as a dealer in boots and shoes, which he continued five years. The succeeding eight years he was clerk in a dry-goods house. He came to Lowell in 1866, and embarked in mercantile business, in which he has been successful. He ranks among the prominent citizens of Lowell, owning a third interest in 640 acres of pine land and a fine dry-goods store in the village. He was married Dec. 16, 1836, to Anna M. Noble. She is of English descent. They are the parents of five children, viz .: Frederic G., Arthur C., Jessie R., Henry A. and Chester A. Mr. Stone is a Republican in politics, and was elected President of Lowell in 1874, and officiated five years.

Irwell E. Strong, jeweler and engraver, Lowell, was born in the tp. of North- fi-1dl. Summit Co., O., Jan. 26, 1846. He was the oldest child of J. A. and Almena P. (Andrews) Strong, who were united in matrimony Aug. 8, 1844, in Hudson,

Dan Nº Chappell

1229

LOWELL TOWNSHIP.

that county, the former at the age of 22, and the latter at 19. She was a daughter of Russel Andrews, of Rootstown, and he is a son of Elisha and Sarah Strong, who were born in Connecticut. Elisha Strong was born Dec. 28, 1785, and died in Claridon, Ohio, Jan. 18, 1861, aged 75 years and 20 days. Sarah Kellogg was born Feb. 21, 1788, and died March 5, 1860, aged 72. J. A. Strong and wife moved to Indiana in 1847, and returned to Ohio, Geauga Co., in the spring or summer of 1849, where they resided until the death of Almena P., July 9, 1853, after which J. A. resided in the tp. of Claridon, living with his second wife, until after the death of his parents, when he moved to Indiana in the spring of 1861, and from there to Vicksburg, Mich., in the fall of 1861. Here he resided 14 years, and then moved to Reading, Ionia Co.

J. C. Train, speculator, was born July 8, 1834, in Vermont. His father, Sylvester Train, was a native of Massachusetts; his mother, Lucinda (Willard), of Vermont. Mr. Train received a common-school education when common schools were more uncommon than now, his first experience being in Ionia county, where he attended a school taught by Mrs. Roxanna White, kept in her own house of one room, doing duty as school, dining, wash, bed, sitting- room, as well as parlor and kitchen, on occasion. It of course did not exhibit all modern improvements. School was dismissed for the preparation of dinner for the family. This structure afforded a satisfactory type of the log cabin of the day, both in architecture and purpose. Mr. Train has spent most of his life in Michigan, his parents moving here in 1840. Indian lads were his playmates, and where Lowell now stands his early memory sees it a wilderness without a human habitation. He was in Whiteside Co., Ill., about 10 years, and in 1867 came to Lowell and established a mercantile enterprise, which he abandoned 10 months after. Since 1868 he has traded in anything that presented fair promise of reasonable profit, and he buys almost everything in the way of traffic-farms, notes, mortgages, wool, horses, etc. He owns 300 acres of land, mostly under tillage ; a warehouse, renting for $1,000 per annum; a block on Main street, 70x71 feet, four stories high, built neatly and substantially of brick. He will complete a new business block the current year at an expense of $15,000. He owns also three other stores on Main street. Mr. Train's thrift and spirit of enterprise are plainly evident in the strides of progress made by Lowell. He was formerly a Repub- lican, but votes the National ticket .. He is Supervisor of Lowell tp., and has been Village Trustee since 1877. In 1856 he was married to Elizabeth Warren a child orphaned from infancy and reared and educated by Charles H. Warren whose home is now with her.

John Walsh, saloon-keeper, was born in Canada in 1847. He is son of John Walsh and Mary (Murphy), both natives of Carlow Co., Ireland. He attended the common schools of the Dominion, and was reared a farmer, in which calling he has spent most of his life thus far. He is a Democrat. Came to Kent county in 1868, and worked by the month at lumbering and various kinds of business until he located at Lowell, which was in 1873, and has kept a saloon since. His premises are always in the best order, which probably is due in some degree to the fact that he is the largest man in town, and the class of men who toss things about keep quiet in his vicinity, from prudential reasons. He was married in 1874 to Johanna Howard. They have one child-Mary Frances.

Wm. J. Webb, M. D., was born April 29, 1850, in Milford, Delaware. His father, John Webb, was of English descent. His mother's maiden name was Elizabeth S. Truitt, of like origin. They were farmers, and William was brought up on the farm, where he lived till he was 17 years of age. Having a keen thirst for knowl- edge, quick intuitions, and a retentive memory, he passed a satisfactory exami- nation and entered Wyoming Collegiate Institute, where he remained one year, and then spent three years in teaching. In 1872, still thirsting for a better educa- tion, he attended Milford Academic Institute to prepare for Amherst College, which he entered in 1873, but on account of ill-health he was obliged to leave in the following February. From here he returned to his home in Delaware, and the same year, 1874, commenced the study of medicine with Dr. J O. Pierce, of Milford In 1876 Dr. Webb entered the Department of Medicine and Surgery of the University of Michigan. Here again his untiring energy was made apparent, for, besides standing at the head of the classes, he earned enough to pay his college expenses and purchase a well-chosen medical library. In June, 1878, he was honored with th" doctor's degree, and the following October he settled in Lowell for the practice of his profession.

1230

HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY.

Dr. Webb is a Royal Templar, a member of the M. E. Church, and, politically, an unmistakable Republican. Such, in brief, is a sketch of a man who has, by the force of his own strong will, risen from a poor farmer boy to be respected in the community and an honor to his profession. He is a cultivated, genial gentle- man whose acquaintance is a pleasure to all who share it; and his high professional standing generous liberality, excellent social qualities and fine literary tastes, render him a general favorite. He is yet unmarried.

B. G. Wilson, contractor and builder, was born in 1832, in Sullivan Co., N. Y. He is son of Job and Sarah J. (Taylor) Wilson, natives respectively of New York and Connecticut, of English descent. He was educated at Kingston, New York, and learned the business of carpenter of his father. He ranks high in his vocation, sometimes working a corps of 30 men. A considerable number of houses in Kent and Ionia counties stand as testimonials of his skill. He owns several houses and lots in this village. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson were married in 1856, at Grand Rapids. They have six children-George L., Charles C., Sarah J., Warren L., Milan D. and Hattie May. Mrs. Wilson and all the children are musicians --- two sons play in Hicks' Lowell band. Mr. Wilson and two sons old enough vote the Republican ticket.

John Wingler, grocer, Lowell, was born in 1846. He is the son of Joseph and Sophia (Freyermuth) Wingler, both natives of Germany. His father was born in Alsace (Ger.), and came to New York in 1840, engaged in firming, and went to Ohio in 1844. He received his education at the Western Reserve Normal School, Ohio, where he graduated with honor. He engaged about 18 months as a 'clerk, and in 1867 his parents settled in Lowell, where they still live. After teaching in Michigan two winters he engaged as a grocery clerk at Lowell, with John Giles. At the end of five years a partnership was formed under the style of Wingler, Bergin & Co., which continued a year, Mr. Giles withdrawing. In 1876 Mr. W. purchased his partner's interest. His business grew until he now has a corps of five clerks. His aggregate sales for 1880 amounted to $70,000. His thorough knowledge of the details of his business, his experience and courteous deference to his patrons, have made his enterprise uniformly popular and successful. He has a limited wholesale trade in addition to his extensive retail transactions.

Charles Winks was born in 1840, and is the son of Amos and Deborah (Tabey) Winks, the former a native of Maryland, of German parentage, the latter born in New York, of English descent. Mr. Winks attended the schools of Kalamazoo and the Gregory Commercial School. He runs the nursery farm of J. D and P. Husted, who carried on an extensive business. Almost the entire acreage (160) of the farm was devoted to the culture of shrubbery, and from 50 to 100 men em- ployed. Since it came into the possession of Mr. Winks he has converted it into a stock farm, although he deals considerably in fruits, having upward of 20 acres in apples and peaches. He enlisted in 1862 in Co. M, 6th Mich. Cav., and was discharged in 1865. He acted as scout under Sheridan, and crossed the plains with Custer ; was in a number of battles, and his horse was shot while he was lead- ing a charge ; was himself slightly wounded twice. He is a man of remarkably quiet temperament and appearance, quite the reverse of his stormy adventurous war record. He was married in 1868 to Sarah Jackson, born in Lincolnshire, England, in 1841. They have three children-Nina, born in 1870; Nellie E., in 1874; and Sarah Emma, in 1880. Mr. Winks was formerly a Republican, but is now an independent voter. He made his first start in the world in the employ of the Michigan State Fire Insurance Co., for whom he did business 13 years.

Edgar L. Wisner, miller, was born in New York in 1850. His parents, Mar- cus L. and Harriet E. (Warner) Wisner, were natives of New York, of German descent. They had two sons-Charles W. and Mr. Wisner of this sketch. His education was obtained in the common schools, and his business experience was principally acquired in the mills of Hatch & Craw, where he acted 10 years in the capacity of bookkeeper in the Forest and Lowell mills at Lowell. He is now owner of the former, valued at $12,000, and does a large custom business as well as a considerable shipping trade. His thorough knowledge of the minutest de- tails of his business enables him to manage it safely and successfully. His mill has a grinding capacity of 150 barrels daily, and he runs four sets of stones night and day. He was married in 1875 to Jennie L. Timothy. They have one daughter -Donna, born Aug. 1, 1879. Mrs. W. is a native of New York, and is of French and English descent.

1231

LOWELL TOWNSHIP.

L. D. Wood, D. D. S., was born in Malone, N. Y., May 25, 1854, and was the youngest of a family of nine children. His father, Nathan Wood, came originally from Vermont and was one of the early settlers in Northern New York His mother, Laura Page, of English descent, was born in Canada, and died when the Doctor was eleven years of age, since which time he has taken care of himself. He attended for a short time the Normal School, at Potsdam, N. Y., graduated at the Ogdensburg Business College, and spent three years at the Dental College of the University of Michigan, where he received the degree of Doctor of Dental Sur- gery in 1881. He is a member of the Michigan State Dental Association, in good standing. Dr. Wood located in Lowell, Mich., for the practice of his profession, in March, 1881. He is a young man of good address and strict integrity, of large business capacity, which, together with true devotion to his calling, and his untir- ing zeal for the cause of truth, combine to render him eminently successful as a dentist, as well as useful to the community in which he may live. Politically he is a Republican.

Fred J. Yeiter, brother of the next mentioned, was born in Ohio in 1838. He was educated in the common schools of Ohio, and trained to the profession of farmer. He settled in Kent county in 1865, and owns 80 acres of good land on sec. 20, Lowell. He was married in 1865 to Elizabeth Eberhart, also born in Ohio. They have seven children living-Catherine, George Frederick, Elizabeth Caroline, Jacob (deceased), Emma Matilda, Joseph Daniel and John David (twins) and Amos Benjamin. Mr. and Mrs. Yeiter are members of the M. E. Church, of which Mr. Y. has been Trustee.

Jacob Yeiter is a native of Germany, born in 1827. His parents were Jacob and Elizabeth (Oberly) Yeiter. He received a common-school education in the log school-houses of Ohio's pioneer period, where the traditionary teachers either yielded to the temptation of convenience or regarded with fear the significant epigram of Solomon to " spare the rod and spoil the child," for Mr. Yeiter was not spoiled by its sparing. The early years of his life were spent in carpentry, but he has since been occupied as a farmer. He was married in Ohio, in 1853, to Caroline Myers, born in Ohio, of German descent. They have seven children -John D., Elizabeth (Mrs. W. A. Reed, of Grand Rapids), Marion (Mrs. John B. Coppens), Frederick S., William W., Lewis M. and Clarence W. Mr. and Mrs. Yeiter have brought up their children with much care, and have reason to be proud of the enterprise of their sons. Mr. Yeiter came to Kent county in 1849, and settled in Lowell in 1853. He has been successful as a farmer, and owns 170 acres of land under good improvements. Himself and wife are members of the M. E. Church.

John Yeiter, brother of the preceding, was born June 5, 1825. His parents emi- grated to America in 1832, and located in Crawford Co., O., where the father died and the mother still resides. In 1850 Mr. Yeiter came to Lowell, and bought 160 acres of wild land at 62 cents an acre, to which he has since added 120 acres. Although beginning with little but energy and industrious habits, Mr. Yeiter has made his farm one of the best in the tp., and has become inde- pendent. He was married April 4, 1840 to Mary Meck, a native of Germany, born March 26, 1825. They have five chidren-Elizabeth, Mary J., Joseph, Lydia and John W. Mr. Yeiter has been Commissioner of Highways. P. O., Lowell.

Joseph Wright, retired farmer, sec. 4, Lowell, was born in Dutchess Co., N. Y., in 1811. His parents, Thomas and Hannah (Jaycox) Wright, were natives of Putnam Co., N. Y. He attended the common school, and has been occupied as a farmer most of his life. He was married in 1835 to Cornelia Vandusen, born in New York, of German descent. They have three children -Austin is a farmer in Ionia county; Justice lives on sec. 4, Lowell, and is a farmer; Louisa married Mr. Shearer of Lowell. Mr. and Mrs. Wright are both Christians Mr. Wright came to this county in 1840, and settled within about a mile of where he now lives. His farm contains 65 acres of choice land.

NELSON AND SOLON TOWNSHIPS.

NELSON TOWNSHIP.

The character of Nelson township is still primitive, notwith- standing the fact that it may be said to comprise three prosperous villages and a contented population of 2,599. Pine was formerly the timber of this township, and in the northeast corner were many large cedar and tamarack swamps. The soil, although in many places light, as the presence of pine denotes, is still very productive, particularly where beech, maple and other hard-wood trees are mixed with the pine. For fruit-raising this town prom- ises to be one of the best in the county. Its streams are Black creek, in the northern part of the township, and Little Cedar and · Big Cedar, in the western part. Pine lake is a fine sheet of water, covering some 100 acres on sections 26 and 35. On its southern shore was a saw-mill. Sand lake, immediately west of Sand Lake village and extending into Montcalm county, is a shoal lake, possessing some claims to the picturesque. In other days, when the land in the neighborhood is cleared of its pine stumps, this lake will hold a much higher estimation in the eyes of the villagers than it does at present. On the east side of the village are a few large ponds, one of which might be styled a lake. The saw-mill of Ware & Co. is located on the southern shore of the larger pond.

EARLY SETTLEMENT.

Scarce 30 years have passed since the present town of Nelson was a dense pine forest. Throughout its length and breadth the woods scarcely gave shelter or food to the denizens of the wilder- ness. To this place, in July, 1851, Wm. H. Bailey came and settled. John S. Jones moved into the township during the same year, and is said to have been the second settler. They were soon followed by John M. and Josiah Towns, Charles H. Leake, George Hoyle, George N. Stoddard, D. B. Andrew, and George Stout, H. M. Stanton, Riley Smith, Samuel Punches, N. R. Hill, John N. and Andrew S. Tindall, John and Elisha Dean, H. D. Streeter, James and Bradford Bailey, Joseph Wood and Thomas Almy, Simpson Anderson, Cyrus Stilwell, Harlow H. Stanton, Moses E. Ross, J. R. Smith, Church Bailey, Peter D. Buck, and Amos Bessey. Many of the wives of these settlers accompanied their husbands and aided in the building up of the township. Mrs. Charlotte Bessey, a lady of 78 summers, is still a resident of the town. Among the first patentees of the township lands were the following named persons : William Hartwell, section 5, Nov. 5, 1853; Smith Barrett, section 7, July 1, 1853; William H. Bailey, (1232)

1233

NELSON AND SOLON TOWNSHIPS.

section 8, May 17, 1851; John Baker, section 12, Nov. 6, 1854; Miles B. Dean, section 15, June 24, 1850; James Butler, section 20, May 26, 1853; George Dean, section 22, June 18, 1851: Mary Whitney, section 23, July 8, 1851; Edward Foot, section 32, Nov. 23, 1852; William D. Nicholson, section 34, Dec. 8, 1852; Orren Goble, section 33, Sept. 2, 1852, and John C. Beardslee, section 34, Sept. 30, 1853.

The first death in the township was that of Mrs. English, who deceased in 1852, and was buried in the center of what is now the public highway, near the Wood's homestead.

Mrs. Kelsey's daughter was the first white child born in the town, her birth having taken place in 1851. Before the close of that year - - Pearson was born, being the first male child of the district.

The first marriage was that of Clayton Wood and Catherine Bailey. The ceremony was performed at Rockford in 1852.

ORGANIZATION, ETC., OF NELSON TOWNSHIP.

The first township meeting was held at the house of Charles H. Leake, April 2, 1855. The township was organized under author- ity given by the Board of Supervisors, Oct. 13, 1854, and the first meeting was presided over by Geo. N. Stoddard, John S. Jones and Geo. Hoyle, Inspectors, and Amos Bessey, Clerk of Election. George N. Stoddard was elected Township Clerk. Simpson Anderson, Samuel Punches, Cyrus Stilwell and Harlow H. Stan- ton received the full vote, and were elected Justices of the Peace. The Commissioners of Highways were Smith Barrett, elected for three years; H. H. Stanton, for two years; Moses E. Ross, for one year. The School Inspectors chosen were H. H. Stanton, for two years; Ithiel R. Smith, for one year. The Directors of the Poor elected were Church Bailey and Joseph Wood. The first Con- stables were Bradford Bailey, Josiah D. Towns, Amos Bessey and Peter D. Buck.

The offiers elected since the organization of the township are named in the following list :-

SUPERVISORS.

George Hoyle. 1855

David B. Stout 1868

Urias Stout.

.1856

H. C. Russell. 1869

Adolph L. Skinner

.1857-60

Mindrus H. Whitney. 1870-75

Benj. F. DeCou. .

1861

David B. Stout. 1876

Adolph L. Skinner

1862

Henry C. Russell 1877

Barton Eddy.

1863

Albert D. Eldridge. 1879

N. R. Hill.

1864-67

John Berridge.

1879-81

CLERKS.

Geo. N. Stoddard.

1855

Moses Taggart .. 1869

Ithiel R. Smith.

1856

Brownell S. Simmons. 1870-71

Brownell S. Simmons.

1857-62

R. Kromer .. . 1872

Otis S. Bush .. 1863

Brownell S. Simmons. 1873

Brownell S. Simmons. 1864-65

Alfred V. Sliter. 1874-75

Riley Smith. 1866

Edward Grosvenor. 1876-77

Henry M. Rudes.

1867

Alfred V. Sliter. 1878-79

Charles J. Hill.

1868

Henry F. Hamilton. 1880-81

1234

HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY.

TREASURERS.

Charles H. Leake .. 1855-60

James L. Bailey 1861-62

David B. Stout. 1863-67

B. F. De Cou .. 1868-69

David B. Stout ..

1870-73

Theodore I. Phelps. 1874

David B. Stout. 1875

Peter Haifley. 1876-77

L. Wright Stiles. 1878

James S. Corvin. 1879

Henry C. Russell. 1880-81

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.

Samuel Punches, Simpson Ander-

son, Cyrus Stilwell, H. H. Stan-

ton .. 1855

Samuel Punches .. 1856

William D. Springham, Wm.

Barkley .. .

1857

Thomas D. Streeter.

1858

Norman J. Painter,

David B.

Stout. . 1859

Brownell S. Simmons. 1860

Riley Smith .. 1861

David B. Stout, Oscar L. Stuart. . . 1852

J. R. Squires, Samuel Punches. .. 1863

B. S. Simmons, H. M. Rudes ..... 1864

W. C. Benjamin, H. M. Rudes.

.. 1865

J. R. Squires, N. R. Hi l. .

1866

Asel B. Fairchild, Hermon D.

Streeter.

1867

B. S. Simmons. 1868 Edward Jewell, J. R. Squires .. . . 1869

J. R. Squires, Mindrus H. Whit- ney . 1870

John M. McChesney

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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 124

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