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 58

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 58

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street, and showed his sense of disgust. Little darkev put his thumb on his nose, and said: 'You was as black as I be till you was biled.' Little nig was a philosopher, and had seen lobsters living and cooked."

The first land cultivated by white men in the township was that on section 20, by John and Malcolm McNaughton, in 1838. The first log houses were erected by Jonathan Thomas and his fellow set- tlers, in 1836. The first of those dwellings erected was that for Mr. Thomas-a small log house, 12x14 feet, with one door, one win- dow and a shake roof.

The first industries of the township were Abner D. Thomas' grist-mill, with a water fall of 30 feet; Jasper Coykendall's saw- mill, on section 1; Richardson's, on section 36, and Patterson's, on section 29. The mill on section 36 was erected and put in opera- tion in 1855; seven years later the grist-mill was built by A. D. Thomas.

ORGANIC.

The first township meeting was held at the school-house of school district No. 1, April 3, 1849, when Roswell C. Tyler was elected Supervisor; Daniel C. Mc Vean, Clerk; Justus G. Beach, Treas- urer; Jared Miller, Norman Foster and Daniel McNaughton, Justices; Roswell Tyler and John Underwood, Overseers of the Poor; Lorin B. Tyler, James H. Truax and Asahel R. Tyler, Com- missioners of Highways; Abijah Poole and John A. Campbell, As- sessors; Jared Miller and Wm. Gibson, S. C .; Salmon E. Platt and Henry C. Foster, Constables. Of all the settlers then in Bowne, 13 received a township office. With the exception of Peter White, Abraham Lowe, Wm. Stewart, John Cobb, Wmn. Wooley, Israel Graves, Frederick Thompson and Jonathan Thomas, all the early settlers were candidates for one or other of the vari- ous offices which the township offered. The following is a com- plete list of the Township Board, from its organization in 1849 to the present time :-

SUPERVISORS.

Roswell C. Tyler 1849-52

Abner D. Thomas 186S-70

A. C. Hill

1853

A. Lewis Coons 1871-72

Daniel C. McVean

1854-56

Abner D. Thomas 1873-74

J. H. Truax .

1857-58

W. T. Remington 1×75

Luke Strickland 1859-61

Lewis Coons. 1876

James H. Truax. 1862

Abner D. Thomas 18:7-79

Luke Strickland

1863-64

David M. S . idmore. 1880

James H. Truax. 1865-67

James C. Johnson 1881

CLERKS.

Daniel C. McVean. .1849-51

Abel Ford. 1865

Austin Waterman

1852

Sherman Colson. 1866

A. B. Waterman

1>53-54

Abel Ford 1867-74

Justus G. Beach. 1855

Frank Coykendall.

1875-76

T. B Chapel 1856

James C. Johnson. 1877-79

M. G. Colson

1857-60

J. R. Brown

1861-64

Geo. Markley 1880-81

587

BOWNE TOWNSHIP.

TREASURERS.

Jus'us G. Beach. 1849

Duncan Sinclair 1868-69

James Thompson. .1850

James M. Nash 1870-71

Levi Ford. . .1851

James W. Buchanan 1872

James R. Thompson. 1852-53

Frank Coykendall. :1873-74

Auldin J. Nash. 1854-55

Edwin A. Bunker 1875-77

J. R. Brown. .. 1856

Oscar F. Bunker 1878

M. A. Holcomb 1857-59

Wm. V. Vanorden. 1879

Levi Stone. 1860-65

Edwin Bunker. 1866

E. A. Bunker

1867

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.

Jared Miller, Norman Foster, Da-

vid McNaughton. .1849

John A. Campbell. 1850

D. C. Mc Vean, Norman Foster. .1851

Justus G. Beach. 1852

Levi Stone .1869

Henry D. Francisco 1870

Stephen Johnson. 1871

Martin A. Holcomb 1872

Levi Stone. 1873

Benj. J. Lee. 1874

Stephen Johnson. J. M. Nash. .1875

John P. Myers. 1876

Wm. J. Thomas 1877

Wm. S. Bouck 1878

Levi Stone, J. R. Thompson. 1861

Luke Strickland, A. Calkins. . 862

Manly G. Colson, J. B. Chapel. ... 1863

James H.Truax, Sherman T.Colson 1864

Levi Stone, Stephen Johnson. .. 1865

William Murray. ... 1866

Stephen Johnson, W. S. March. .. 1867

B. J. Lee, Geo. W. Patterson. 1868

Alanson Calkins. 1853

Jared Miller. 1854

J. Cowell 1855

A. B. Waterman

1856

Levi Stone. 1857

Ira Blackman. 1858

John D. Sinclair. 1859

J. B. Chapel, Albert Hill, Ozi Par- dee 1860

Wm. H. Stone. 1879

John P. Myers 1880

Stephen Johnson, B. Thompson .. 1881

TOWNSHIP HAMLETS.

The village, or rather the little hamlet, of Alto is on the northwest quarter of section 4. Bowne, seven miles south of Lowell, 20 miles southeast of Grand Rapids and 142 miles west of Detroit. There is a postal office in the village, with D. M. Skidmore, Postmaster. At Harris creek hamlet, on section 29, is another postoffice. This village is located near the confluence of the Little Thornapple and Coldwater rivers, 22 miles from Grand Rapids, 13 miles southwest of Lowell and 158 miles northwest of Detroit, by Lansing. Abner D. Thomas is Postmaster. There are one steam saw-mill, a gen- eral store and a blacksmith shop in the little settlement.

Bowne Center, nine miles southwest of Lowell, is situated on the southwest quarter of section 15 and southeast quarter of section 16. Its present population is about 50 people. This place was settled in 1838, by Tyler, Foster and Beach,-names favorably known in connection with the growth and prosperity of the township.

THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

of Bowne was organized June 17, 1854. The persons com - posing the church, were Rev. John Fairchild, Mrs. Mary Fair- child, Mrs. Jane Sears and Mrs. Jannett Miller. Jared Mil- ler was received as a candidate for baptism at the first meet-

Asahel R. Tyler. 1880

John Y. McNaughton. 1881

588

HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY.

ing. The Church worshiped in the log school-house on sec- tion 5, in Bowne, for five years. A frame school-house was built in 1859, when the services were removed to the more convenient house. Since the organization of the Church, they have been served by the following pastors: Revs. John Fairchild, M. W. Alford, Charles Clutz, J. G. Spooner, N. D. Bancroft, J. Ab- bott, A. B. Marsh, D. Osborn, A. Bray, D. Gostelow and O. Kill- gore.

In 1878 the Church and society erected a neat little chapel on section 4. The present membership of the society is 77.

PERSONAL SKETCHES.

In the following sketches, dealing with the principal men among the old and new settlers, may be found a fund of information bear- ing directly upon the history of the township, its early settlement and its progress.

John J. Campbell is a native of Perth, Scotland, and son of John and Isabel Campbell. He left his native land and settled in Liv- ingston Co., N. Y., where he remained 18 months, when he came to this county, located on the farm of 94 acres, where he has been engaged ever since in farming and stock breeding. He was mar- ried in 1832 to Isabel Campbell, born in Scotland about the year 1802. Of four children one survives-Elizabeth, wife of Harvey Gordon, of Nashville. Barry Co. Mrs. C. died April 10, 1859, and March 25, 1862. Jane Gordon, of Livingston county, became her successor. She died Aug. 12, 1874. Mr. Campbell has held the position of Elder in the Presbyterian Church 40 years P. O., Alto.

A. C. Clemens (sec. 36, Freeport P. O.) was born in 1845, in Wa - terloo Co., Canada. His father and mother, Amos M. and Mary (Wismer) Clemens, settled in Gaines tp., where the latter died. The former is still living, and spending his later years in ease, al- ternately at home and at healthful summer resorts. His son was married May 1, 1866, to Salome Bowman, born Jan. 4, 1848. They have one child, Olive M. Mr. Clemens settled on his farm in 1872, then in its original condition. He has cleared about 70 acres, placed it under good improvement, and is free from debt. He had a fall of 25 feet, in a barn, some two years before locating upon his farm, and for a year suffered seriously from its consequences, and has not yet fully recovered. He is an active citizen, cultivating a public spirit, and interesting himself in all projects likely to pro- mote the general welfare. Has held the place of Commissioner of Highways and other minor offices. He is one of the building com- mittee for the erection of the church at Freeport. Himself and wife are members of the Society of United Brethren.

Frank L. Colson, dealer in dry goods, notions, groceries, hard- ware, etc., at Bowne Center, was born Dec. 2, 1850, in Geanga

589

BOWNE TOWNSHIP.

Co., O. His parents, J. L. and Minerva (Tinkhiam) Colson, came to this tp. in 1853, where his father died, leaving his son to " paddle his own canoe;" and he supported himself by day's work, as he found employ, from place to place. In early boyhood he decided on Cleveland as a desirable location, and rigged himself in his most stunning style for a debut in the metropolis of Amer- ica. He had worked a month for a resplendent soldier's coat, whose magnificence lie fondly hoped would equalize the modest claims of his cottonade pants, and serve as a foil for his No. 11 boots. He started on foot, and about three miles out of Lowell he heard a signal which could mean nothing if not to notify him that he was wanted, and he increased his speed to a double-quick, reaching the depot in a state of exhaustion, to learn that the train had passed a half hour before, and beside had no reference to him. He had three hours to wait, and ventured into the depot, where he stretched himself, No. 11's and all, upon a seat, for a much-needed rest. He had scarcely settled himself, when a voice of thunder roused him with an inquiry concerning his temerity in placing those scows on the seat. In a state of terror he fled outside and waited for his train. When it came he climbed aboard, found quarters for his boots, and reached Detroit without further adventure. The yells of the hack-drivers almost lifted him out of his No. 11's, as they answered to his ideal of highway robbers, and after consider- able terror and difficulty, he discovered that the boat in which he was to take passage was going east toward New York. After an ab- sence of two years, he returned to this county, and obtained a situ- ation in Alaska, as clerk, and in 1880 entered upon his present business enterprise. Heis Postmaster. He was married March 15, 1876, to Nancy Morgan. She was born in Calhoun county, April 12, 1852. They have one child.

A. L. Coons, farmer (on sec. 23, Bowne, P. O. Bowne Center), was born Aug. 11, 1836, in Ulster Co., N. Y. His parents, Jacob I. and Hannah (Pardee) Coons, were natives of New York, and of English descent. His father was a soldier of 1812 and is still living; his mother died in 1876. In 1864 they located on the farm of 90 acres, owned by Mr. C. of this sketch. He was educated at the dis- trict schools, has operated all his life as a farmer, by which calling he has accumulated a considerable property. He is a man of prom- inence in the town and has acted as Supervisor three terms. He is a breeder of fine stock and makes short-horn Durham cattle and sheep a specialty. He was married Oct. 9, 1867, to Elizabeth Mc. Naughton, a native of this county. They have 3 children-Newton L., Harvey J. and Frank.

Charles L. Coppens is a native of Belgium. His parents; Francis and Maria Coppens, came to America in 1846 and located in Oakland county, removing in 1852 to Kent county. His father died March 20, 1852; and his mother, July 21, 1880. Mr. Coppens was born March 29, 1842, and in 1865 went to Pennsylvania and engaged with G. H. Anderson as superintendent of his oil wells. After two

590

HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY.

years he returned and engaged in agriculture. He was married April 24. 1872, to Louisa M. Tyler, born, Nov. 3, 1848. They have two children-F. T. and Claude F. Mr. C. owns 160 acres of land, and is occupied with farm interests and raising stock. He is building a handsome residence of white brick, two-stories high, and finished inside with cherry.

George F. Coppens, a life resident of this tp., was born Nov. 27, 1856. He is the son of Francis and Maria (De Smith) Coppens. He was bred a farmer and received a good English education. He was married to Alzina Vanderhoof, June 29, 1879. Her parents were Richard and Mercy (Hulbert) Vanderhoof. They have one child-Lloyd M. Mr. C.'s farm comprises 80 acres. His wife is a Baptist.

George S. Crumback, farmer, sec. 26, Bowne P. O., was born in Oxford Co., Province of Ontario, Canada, March 12, 1843. His father, Geo. T. Crumback, was born in Harrisburg, Pa., June 26, 1809, and was married April 23, 1833, to Hannah Campbell. She was born in Halifax, N. S., Oct. 10, 1814, and became the mother of six children, only one of whom is living. She died Aug. 12, 1851, in Ontario, Can. Her husband died March 30, 1860. Mr. C., of this sketch, grew to manhood in Canada, and learned the carpen- ter's trade, at which he worked up to 12 years ago, when he devoted his energies to agriculture. In 1864 he located in this tp., where he has met with reasonable success. He and his wife are mem- bers of the M. E. Church, in which Mr. C. is Steward. He is al- ways alive to calls of religious duty. He was married Nov. 14, 1869, to Eva, daughter of Joseph and Martha (Hillier) Haddrell. Her father was born in 1791 and her mother in 1793; both natives of England. The former died Oct. 4, 1865; the latter in August, 1871, in Oakland Co. Mrs. C. was born in Wilkshire, England, Feb. 5, 1840. She is the mother of one child, born Jan. 3, 1872. Mr. C. has a farm of 120 acres. Bowne P. O.

Ira Gardner was born Oct. 28, 1825, in Holton Co., Can. He is the son of William and Lena (Muma) Gardner, natives re- spectively of New York and Pennsylvania. They settled in Ionia county in 1844, where both died. Ira found a residence in Ver- gennes in 1849. He was married Sept. 3, 1842, to Sarah J. White. They have one child, Milow H., born July 21, 1853. The son was married Sept. 29, 1874, to Ella V. Streeter, born in Ottawa county Oct. 6, 1857. They have one child, Ora M. . Mr. Gardner owns 70 acres of land. He and his wife are Seventh- Day Adventists. Mr. G.'s father was Elder Levi T. White; mother, Almira (Alger) White, both natives of New York. Came to Ionia county, thence to Kent county, Otisco, where they died.

Joseph G. Godfrey (deceased) was born Nov. 21, 1809, in Otsego Co., N. Y. He is the son of Joshua and Barbara Godfrey. He was married Sept. 2, 1831, to Nancy A. Herrington, a native of Ontario Co., N. Y., born April 21, 1816. Of eight children six are living-William, Barbara, Zara, Melissa, Phebe

591

BOWNE TOWNSHIP.

A. and Joseph L. Mr. Godfrey settled in 1833 in Sandstone, Jack- son Co., where he encountered all the perplexities of pioneer life. He removed to this county in 1855 and died May 5, 1874. He was an honored citizen, esteemed among his friends, and was a consistent member of the M. E. Church. Ilis wife resides with her son, Joseph L., on the homestead. He was born July 8, 1852, in Jackson county, and was married Oct. 24, 1878, to Madora Smith. She was born in Canada, April 2, 1857. They have one child, Austin J. The farm consists of 80 acres, good land.

Lewis E. Haskin, M.D., was born Aug. 10, 1845, in Oakland county. His parents, Harvey W. and Jane (Maynard) Haskin, natives respectively of Vermont and Connecticut; came to Highland, Oak- land Co., where they resided 25 years, removed thence to Sunfield, Eaton Co. He received a good education, and at the age of 18 enlisted in Co. C, 3d Michigan Cavalry. His period of service lasted three years, most of which time he performed hospital duty. He was under Banks, Rosencranz and Grant in the Western army, and received his discharge at San Antonio, Texas. In 1869 he entered the of- fice of Dr. Brown, of Hastings, where he prosecuted the study of medicine three years and attended three courses of lectures at the Detroit Medical College, graduating in March, 1872, He prac- ticed his profession four years at Stanton, Montcalm Co., going thence to Freeport, and in the spring of 1881 located in this tp. where he is having a generous patronage. He was married Jan. 1, 1869, to Alice, daughter of James and Rachel Gray, all natives of England. Her parents located in Eaton county in 1852, where they now reside. Mrs. Haskin was born Dec. 12, 1845. She is the mother of two children-Edward J. and Walter.

M. A. Holcomb was born in Paris, Portage Co., Ohio, Jan. 27, 1826. He is the son of Jarvin and Candace (Delong) Holcomb, the former a native of Connecticut, the latter of Vermont. His parents went to Portage county in 1814, where the father died in 1850. The mother still lives there and alternately with her son. At the age of 18 Mr. H. began to work at wagon and carriage making, which he continued until 1850, when he went to Califor- nia to make swifter fortune in its gold fields. He operated chiefly in Calaveras county, mining and plying his trade. In 1854 he re- turned home, and the same year bought 160 acres of land where he now resides. He enlisted in his country's service in the 26th Mich. Inf. Vol., Co. I, and was wounded at Spottsylvania, after which he was not in active service. He was discharged in 1865 He has held the position of Tp. Treasurer two terms, and. Commissioner of Highways, and was Census Enumerator in 1880. Is a member of the Masonic order, Lodge No. 90; Hooker Chap- ter, No. 73; Ionia Commandery, No. 11. He was married Feb. 7, 1849, to Philancia Patchin, of Geauga Co., Ohio. She was born July 6, 1829, and died Dec. 31, 1879, leaving three children-Den- man D. (now in Dakota Territory), Emily C. and Candace C. Geo. B. died at the age of 17, in 1874.

592

HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY.

James C. Johnson, prominent farmer and dealer in short-horn Durham cattle and Merino sheep, sec. 16. P. O., Bowne. He was born in Erie Co., Pa., Jan. 2, 1840. His parents, Stephen and Cath- arine (McConnell) Johnson, were natives respectively of New York and Ireland. James was reared on his father's farm and received a common-school education. He located in this tp. by acci- dent. He had been prospecting through Illinois, Iowa and Min- nesota, and when near Lowell Station on his homeward route, he remembered a friend in the vicinity, and, procuring a lay-over ticket, he left the train, and after a brief search found the person in Bowne. The country pleased him, and he located land in the year 1861. Soon after he yielded to a conviction of duty, and enlisted in the cause of his country. He was enrolled in Co. M, 9th N. Y. Cav. He served but a short time, and was mustered out on a general order from the War Department. He returned to Michi- gan, and in the fall of 1862 again enlisted in Co. M, 6th Mich. Cav., as bugler. He was in the famous battle of Fredericksburg, and soon after was sick and an inmate of the hospital, from whence he was discharged from the service for disability and returned home, but was unable to resume business on his farm for a year. He has been zealous in the prosperity of the community to which he belongs, has been active in the erection of a church at Bowne Center, and in the establishment of a daily mail. He was Post- master 16 years. July 4, 1864, he was married to Eleanor, daugh- ter of A. J. and Olivia Nash. Her parents came to this State in November, 1865, and Mr. Nash died April 14, 1871. Mrs. Johnson was born May 2, 1847, in Geauga Co., Ohio. They have five chil- dren-Gladys, Lydia, Jennie, Catharine and Henry. Mr. Johnson has filled many public positions in his tp. with credit to himself and satisfaction to his fellow-citizens.

Stephen Johnson, son of Nathaniel and Lydia (Chandler) John- son, was born Jan. 18, 1816, in Onondaga Co., N. Y. His parents were natives of Windham Co., Conn. His father removed to New York in 1779, his mother about 1802 or '3, where they remained until their death. Our subject was reared on a farm and received a liberal education, and commenced teaching at 15. His expe- rience covers a period of 27 years, three in Onondaga county and 21 in Chautauqua, where he removed in 1834. In 1864 he located where he now lives. His tract of land included 220 acres. He was married Nov. 26, 1834, to Catharine McConnell. She was born in Ireland, October, 1817. By this woman eight children have been born, six of whom are living-Orion L., James C., John C., Mary, Robert and Jasper. Mr. Johnson has held the office of Justice of the Peace 14 years, Commissioner of Highways, Superintendent of Schools, etc.

Silas Keeler, farmer and breeder of stock, sec. 20, was born Feb. 18, 1815, at Clifton Park, Saratoga Co., N. Y. His parents, Isaac and Clarissa (Althouse) Keeler, are both deceased. With the ex- ception of 11 years, employed as a carpenter, Mr. K. has been all

593

BOWNE TOWNSHIP.

his life a farmer. In 1854 he settled in Grass Lake, Jackson Co .; and in 1858 in Middleville, Barry Co. In 1878 he, in partnership with his son, bought 240 acres in this tp., known as the McArthur place. (His first venture as a land-holder was the purchase of one acre in 1850.) He was married Sept. 14, 1836, to Aurilla Vincent, a native of Saratoga Co., N. Y., born April 7, 1814. They are members of the Baptist Church and have three children-Isaac A., Mary and Eleanor. Isaac, joint owner in the farm interests, was born Aug. 22, 1837, in Saratoga Co., N. Y., and was married Nov. 27, 1859, to Miss Mary J., daughter of Abram and Mary (Buckley) Meade, born in 1841 in Chenango Co., N. Y. They have two chil- dren-Silas E. and Milton C. Mr. K. began work as a carpenter when 14 years old and continued 28 years. He was once engaged by the Government six months in charge of 100 men, building bar- racks at Nashville, Tenn. Bowne, P. O.

Christian Reller, sec. 13, dealer in dry goods, groceries, hard- ware, queen's-ware, hats, caps, boots, shoes, Yankee notions, etc., was born Nov. 28, 1843, in Waterloo Co., Canada. His parents, Christian S. and Catherine (Miller) Keller, were natives of Pennsyl- vania and settled in this tp. in 1866. At 18 Mr. Keller commenced an apprenticeship of three years at the cabinet-maker's trade, after which he worked as a carpenter and joiner 10 years, when he opened his present business enterprise. His annual sales reach $5,000 and upward. He is Postmaster at Keller P. O. He was married Nov. 14, 1869, to Barbara Schiefele, born April 3, 1848, in Water- loo Co., Canada. Six of seven children are living-Amasa, Sid- ney, Priscilla, Addison, Wesley and Venus. Mr. Keller and wife are members of the Evangelical United Mennonite Church. Mr. K. abandoned the sale of tobacco because of religious scruples.

Cyrenus Lacy was born in Connecticut, Jan. 17, 1832. His pa- rents, Eli and Mary (Chapman) Lacy, removed to Cleveland, O., where they died. He was in the employ of G. W. Calkins 23 years, beginning as a teamster at $13.00 per month and rising to the position of superintendent of the lime kilns belonging to his employer, which capacity he filled 16 years, with a salary of $400. and last six years $1,200.00. He opened kilns in other States and put in operation the first Perpetual Patent Lime Kiln in Ohio. He purchased his farm of 85 acres in this tp. in 1872. He was married Ang. 6, 1864, to . Elizabeth Clague, born May 22, 1837, on the Isle of Man. They have buried four children; two are living-Edward and Susan. Bowne, P. O.

John Lawyer is a native of Wurtemburg, Germany, and was born May 4, 1824. His parents, Christian and Catherine (Foll) Lawyer, came to America in 1836 and settled in Ohio, where they died. He received a good German education; came to this country and set- tled in his present location in 1853. He had about a $1,000, which he invested carefully and managed judiciously. By economy and thrift he has secured an independent fortune and is one of the wealthiest and most influential citizens of this tp. He owns 440

594

HISTORY OF KENT COUNTY.

acres of land, the greater part in a high state of cultivation. H was married in July, 1846, to Rosanna Sites, born in 1822 in Wur- temburg, Germany. Of nine children eight are living-Christian, Jacob, Catharine, David, Emma, Lydia, Daniel and John. Mr. and Mrs. Lawyer are both Church members.

Benjamin J. Lee (sec. 28, Bowne P. O.), was born Nov. 1, 1836, in Mishawaka, St. Joseph Co., Ind. He is a son of Benjamin P. and Mary (Martin) Lee, natives respectively of Vermont and Ohio. He was brought up on a farm, self-educated, not being able to read or write his own name, after which he engaged in teaching several terms of school. In 1855 he came to this county, and Nov. 3, 1860, was married to Miss Almina Lowe, born Jan. 25, 1841, in Niagara Co., N. Y. Her parents, Abraham and Clarinda (Jacobs) Lowe, settled in this county at an early period, and their pioneer ex- perience is recounted elsewhere. Mr. Lowe died Nov. 21, 1861, Mrs. Lowe died Sept. 9, 1872. Mr. Lee is always actively inter- ested in whatever touches the mutual relations of society, has held the position of Justice of the Peace, and is a valuable citizen. He enlisted in Co. I, 26th Mich. Inf., and fought in the battles of the Rebellion. He has a good farm under advanced improvement.

William H. Lee was born Nov. 25, 1842, in Lagrange Co., Ind. He is the son of Benjamin P. and Mary (Martin) Lee. He settled in this tp. in 1865, and was married Aug. 2, 1865, to Nancy, daughter of Eli Johnson. She was born in Ohio, Feb. 21, 1841. Mr. Lee owns 80 acres of well-improved land, acquired by his own industry and good management. Sec. 27; Bowne Center, P. O. In 1864, responded to the call for more men to suppress the so-called confederate States, enlisting in Lagrange Co., Ind., in the 142d Regt. Ind. Infantry, Co. G., assigned to Thomas' command, taking part in the events which transpired in and about Nashville, the memorable fall and winter of 1864.

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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 58

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