USA > Michigan > Lapeer County > History of Lapeer County, Michigan : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 51
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District No. 7 organized in 1878. House located on section 28. Whole number of scholars in 1882, forty-one. The school, however, for the year, numbered fifty-three. Value of property, $440. W. H. Swayze, director.
TOWN OFFICERS.
1856-Supervisor, James S. Deming; clerk, Nathan Bra- zie; treasurer, Calvin Carpenter; number of votes polled, 26.
1857-Supervisor, James S. Deming; clerk, Nathan Brazie; treasurer, Charles Deo; number of votes polled, 32.
1858 -- Supervisor, James P. Keeler; clerk, John Peaslee; treas- urer, Richard Beach; number of votes polled, 39.
1859-Supervisor, N. S. Shippey; clerk, David C. Wattles; treasurer, William Beach; number of votes polled, 43.
1860-Supervisor, David C. Wattles; clerk, Charles Ballard; treasurer, William Beach; number of votes polled, 50.
1861-Supervisor, David C. Wattles; clerk, Guy S. Hopkins; treasurer, John M. Beach; number of votes polled, 62.
1862-Supervisor, Harmon Barnes; clerk, Charles Ballard; treasurer, John M. Beach; number of votes polled, 59.
1863-Supervisor, Charles Ballard; elerk, Robert E. Doty; treasurer, John M. Beach; number of votes polled, 57.
1864-Supervisor, David C. Wattles; clerk, William O. Crosby; treasurer, John C. Wade; number of votes polled, 53.
1865-Supervisor, Jacob Gallinger; clerk, John C. Wade; treasurer, Matthew M. Hedges; number of votes polled, 64.
1866-Supervisor, Charles Ballard; clerk, Solomon Stone; treasurer, Matthew M. Hedges, number of votes polled, 77.
1867-Supervisor, Charles Ballard; clerk, Solomon Stone; treasurer, Nicholas S. Shippey; number of votes polled, 89.
1868-Supervisor, Henry Gallinger; clerk, Solomon Stone; treasurer, Irving Weston; number of votes polled, 108.
1869-Supervisor, Charles Ballard; clerk, Henry Gallinger; treasurer, Andrew Bradley; number of votes polled, 124.
1870-Supervisor, Andrew Bradley; clerk, Charles W. Bal- lard; treasurer, Irving Weston.
1871-Supervisor, Irving Weston; clerk, George Mott; treas- urer, O. P. Weston.
1872-Supervisor, Charles W. Ballard; clerk, Andrew Bradley; treasurer, David C. Briggs.
1873-Supervisor, Samuel B. Scott; clerk, Elijah Mckenzie; treasurer, David C. Briggs. .
1874-Supervisor, John H. Swailes; clerk, Elijah Mckenzie; treasurer, John C. Wade.
1875-Supervisor, John Appleman; clerk, Solomon Stone; treasurer, John C. Wade.
1876-Supervisor, John H. Swailes; clerk, Arthur B. Jackson ; treasurer, John C. Wade.
1877-Supervisor, John H. Swailes; clerk, William O'Neil; treasurer, John C. Wade.
1878-Supervisor, John H. Swailes; clerk, William O'Neil; treasurer, A. S. Shoales.
1879-Supervisor, John H. Swailes; clerk, William Murch; treasurer, John C. Wade.
1880-Supervisor, John H. Swailes; clerk, William Murch; treasurer, John C. Wade.
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HISTORY OF LAPEER COUNTY.
1881-Supervisor, John H. Swailes; clerk, William Murch; treasurer, G. D. Miller.
1882-Supervisor, John C. Wade; clerk, Henry Stewart; treas- urer, G. D. Miller.
1883-Supervisor, John C. Wade; clerk, Elijah Mckenzie; treasurer, Frank Glyshaw; number of votes polled, 291.
The annual report of the school inspectors of the town of North Branch for the year 1882, shows the number of school children to have been 582; number of school buildings, seven. The school inspectors for the ensuing year were George W. Richards, Charles W. Ballard, John Swoish, John Hallard, David W. Craig, George Crawford, W. H. Swayzee.
THE FIRE OF 1881.
The town of North Branch suffered severely from the fire of September, 1881. A list of the property destroyed was made at the time as follows: "Lysander Whiting, new barn, eighty bushels of wheat and eight tons of hay; A. Burgler, barn, wheat and hay; Mr. Baker, house; Frank Swoish, house, barn and contents; Bently, of Arcadia, house and barn; Uriel Townsend's camps at the old Shu- bal Smith mill, burned, also sleighs and camp outfit, loss, $2,000. The old mill was lost and nearly all the houses surrounding. Gil- bert and John Dennis, house and contents, barn and contents, stacks, three hogs, three calves, farm tools, fences, $800, insurance not ascertained but probably none; M. C. Gardner lost barn and contents; John Austin, barn and contents; Edgar Raymond, twenty-five tons of hay on J. Tozier's, barn and contents, property of Walter Johnson; Isaac Slough, barn and contents; Alexander Tebo, barn and contents; W. Lucas, house, barn and contents - nothing saved; Edwin Baker, house and contents, barn and con- tents, $600, insurance not ascertained; Richard Elliott, dwelling, barn and contents, $400, no insurance, Mrs. Elliott burned to death; John Ward, fences, $75, insurance none; John Fuderick, fences, insurance none; S. S. Lee, fences and farm tools, $450, insurance none."
VILLAGE OF NORTH BRANCH.
The village of North Branch or Beachville, as it is sometimes called, is located in the northwest portion of the township, on the P. O. & P. A. Railroad, and is about midway between Pontiac and Caseville.
The village was founded by John and Richard Beach, its nucleus being the postoffice and store kept by the latter as early as 1856.
In 1858, John W. Peasley built the first store on the site of the village.
The first cooper-shop was built by Deo & Mitchell.
The first physician was Dr. Armstrong, who settled here in 1858.
The lumber business was begun by S. S. Lee in 1860.
The first wagon shop was built by Benjamin Switzer.
In 1867, Phineas White began the practice of law.
In 1868, a flouring mill was built and the village began to move onward.
POSTOFFICE.
As already stated, the postoffice was established in 1856, with Richard Beach postmaster. His successors have been as follows: H. C. Sherwood, Dr. A. L. Scott, Irving Weston, and the present incumbent, R. B. Lippincott, who has held the office since 1879.
NORTH BRANCH CHURCHES.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
North Branch Circuit was organized in the fall of 1856 and was
then embraced in the Flint District, Rev. William Tuttle, preacher in charge; Rev. S. Clemens, presiding elder. In the fall of 1857 it was attached to the Romeo District, and the charge was supplied by Rev. James Smith. In 1858 Rev. Lewis Mitchell was appointed to the charge and during his pastorate the first parsonage was built and forty-seven person received into the church including probation- ers.
The successive pastors have been Revs. S. J. Hollenbeck, in 1859; L. S. Ledman, in 1860; W. J. Johnson, in 1861; W. Hage- done, in 1862; A. Gee, in 1863-'64; J. B. Varnum, in 1865-'66; George Deacon, in 1867; A. S. Fair, in 1868-'69-'70; James Withey, in 1871; F. J. Galbraith, in 1872; L. L. Houghton, in 1873; John Westley, in 1874-'75; Samuel Bird, in 1876-177; Will- iam Campbell, in 1878-'79; S. P. Lee, in 1880-'81, who died a few days after his second appointment and was succeeded by Rev. George B. Benedict. The present pastor is Rev. George A. Walker, who was appointed in 1882.
During Mr. Westley's pastorate, a church building was erected in the village of North Branch, 34x60 feet, costing $2,380, which was dedicated during Mr. Bird's pastorate. During the pastorate of Mr. Lee, a house' of worship was erected on section 1, of North Branch Township. It is a neat and commodious structure, 32x- in size. The church which meets here is included in the North Branch charge and has a membership of twenty-six. The church of North Branch village has a membership of over 100. A Sunday school was organized in 1855 which has been continued ever since, having a present membership of about 100. There are also two union Sunday-schools in different parts of the charge.
THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH.
The first meeting looking to the organization of a Baptist Church in North Branch was held Sept. 17, 1865, at the house of Jacob Gallinger, Rev. W. W. Robertson being moderator and clerk. As a result of this and a subsequent meeting at the Dixon school-house, a council of sister churches was invited to assist in the organization of a church. At a meeting of twelve persons of the Baptist faith held at the Dixon school-house, October 15 following, articles of faith and church government were adopted and officers appointed; viz., Jacob Gallinger as deacon and George Richards as clerk. The church was united with the Flint River Baptist Association, con- vened at Almont Aug. 28, 1866.
The first pastor was Rev. Alfred Curry, who was ordained May 8, 1867. April 1, 1870, Rev. Jesse Shaw was called to the pastor- ate, continuing until April 19, 1872. The church was without a pastor until May 11, 1873, being meanwhile supplied by Rev. P. S. McKillop. Rev. Mr. Curry was again pastor for about a year. Rev. William Wilkinson was ordained and became pastor of the church, October 7, 1874. Mr. Wilkinson was succeeded in June, 1876, by Rev. D. W. Leonard, and he in June, 1877, by Rev. J. H. Fair- child, who remained with the church until October 30, 1880. In October, 1881, Rev. A. M. Parmenter, the present pastor, was called.
The first board of trustees was elected February 5, 1872, and regular successors have been duly elected. February 22, 1882, a reorganization was effected to comply with the laws of the State, and articles of association adopted.
The number received by baptism since the organization of the church is twenty-two; the present membership, thirty-three.
A prosperous Sunday-school is held in connection with the church. It was organized in 1871 under the superintendency of Will- iam O'Neil, who continued in charge for ten years. R. C. Dayton is the present superintendent. The average attendance is fifty.
The house of worship of this church is a very plain structure,
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HISTORY OF LAPEER COUNTY.
without spire or belfry, 32x50 feet in dimensions. A neat and substantial parsonage adjoins the church.
SOCIETIES AND ORDERS.
LADIES' LIBRARY ASSOCIATION.
This association was organized February 15, 1877, with fifteen members, under the presidency of Mrs. Fannie Coffron. It has now a membership of about forty and has accumulated a library of five hundred volumes at a cost of over $700. The membership fee is one dollar.
The present officers of the association are: President, Mrs. P. B. Weston; vice-president, Mrs. McCormick; secretary, Mrs. Will- iam Butler; assistant secretary, Mrs. Phelps; treasurer, Mrs. Thomas Lammiman; librarian, Miss Jennie Miller; assistant libra- rian, Miss Gussie Hollinger.
MASONIC.
A dispensation was granted December 4, 1872, by Grand Master Henry Chamberlain for the organization of a lodge of Free and Accepted Masons to which a charter was subsequently issued. The first meeting was held December 27, 1872. The following were the first officers: W. W. French, W. M .; Ira H. Bradshaw, S. W .; C. M. Havens, J. W .; A. B. Weston, secretary; W. Allen, treasurer; D. C. Briggs, S. D .; A. Johnson, J. D .; R. Brownell, tyler. The number of charter members was nine. The following have been successively elected masters of the lodge: Ira H. Brad- shaw, in 1873; D. C. Briggs, in 1874, 1875, 1876, 1877 and 1878; W. W. French in 1879; D. C. Briggs in 1880; Arza Johnson in 1881. The officers elected in 1882 for the succeeding masonic year were: Arza Johnson, W. M .; Frank Glyshaw, S. W .; John N. Deo, J. W .; H. C. Weston, treasurer; J. H. Vandecar, secretary; Will- iam Butler, S. D .; E. Mckenzie, J. D .; George W. Baldwin, tyler. The membership is now forty-eight.
ODD FELLOWS.
North Branch Lodge No. 339, of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows was instituted April 8, 1880, with eleven charter members and the following officers: N. G., A. H. Hoover; V. G., C. R. Arnold; secretary, Robert Mckenzie; permanent secretary, George Sicklesteel; treasurer, Gilson D. Miller. The present membership is forty-six. The officers elected for the first six months of 1883 were: N. G., A. H. Hoover; V. G., T. W. Lammiman; secretary, C. R. Arnell; permanent secretary, G. D. Miller; treasurer, Wilmot Brazie. The latter died May 7, 1883.
A lodge of the Daughters of Rebekah was instituted November 11, 1882, with ten charter members, and the following officers: N. G., A. H. Hoover; V. G., Mrs. Daniel Hollinger; secretary, C. W. Shippey; treasurer, Mrs. C. W. Shippey; O. G., James Manary; warden, Isaac Blackburn; conductor, Mrs. John C. Wade; I. G., Walter Clendenning.
North Branch Encampment No. 99 was instituted July 17, 1883, by Grand Patriarch Alfred Milnes, of Coldwater, Mich., and the following officers were elected and installed, viz., A. H. Hoover, C. P .; A. E. Weed, H. P .; G. D. Miller, J. W .; C. R. Arnell, scribe; A. H. Rankin, treasurer.
KNIGHTS OF HONOR.
A lodge of this order, the primary object of which is mutual life insurance, was organized at North Branch February 23, 1878, with fourteen charter members. Dr. C. C. Hibbard was elected its first dictator. Dr. Hibbard died in the spring of 1878, being the first death in the order for the State of Michigan.
The following were the officers elected for 1883: Dictator, F. S. Porter; vice-dictator, D. Hollinger; assistant dictator, Edward Simmons; reporter, W. Murch; financial reporter, E. Mckenzie;
treasurer, John C. Wade; guide, George W. Dorman; chaplain, Rev. F. J. Galbraith; guardian, Jobn Lammiman; sentinel, J. H. Swailes; medical examiner, A. L. Scott; delegate to Grand Lodge, F. S. Porter; trustees, F. S. Porter, John C. Wade, Edward Sim- mons.
CHOSEN FRIENDS.
Adams Council No. 53, of the Order of Chosen Friends, associ- ated for the purpose of mutual benefits in sickness or death, was in- stituted April 23, 1883, by the Deputy Grand Councilor, of Mount Morris, Mich., and includes twenty members. Its officers are Charles W. Shippey, chief councilor; Mrs. C. W. Shippey, vice-councilor; Walter W. Clendenning, treasurer; David A. Brow, secretary; Dr. William E. Best, medical examiner; Elizabeth McCormick, prelate; A. H. Hoover, marshal; Mary Clendenning, warden; William Fox, guard; John F. Ferguson, sentry.
Motto, "Friendship, Aid and Protection."
KNIGHTS OF MACCABEES NUMBER 274.
Organized at North Branch for mutual protection in case of death or permanent disability or for members having reached the age of seventy years, March 31, 1881, with fifteen charter members; viz., Irving Weston, George Deo, A. H. Rankin, Charles King, N. B. McCormick, G. H. Downer, J. Scott, J. H. Thompson, S. W. How- ard, J. H. Bidwell, George Mckenzie, J. H. Baldwin, G. D. Miller, I. A. Blackburn, E. Doane.
First officers: Irving Weston, sir knight commander; George Downer, lieutenant commander; G. D. Miller, past commander; J. H. Bidwell, record keeper; A. H. Rankin, finance keeper; Joseph Scott, prelate; George Mckenzie sergeant; J. H. Baldwin, picket; Nelson McCormick and J. H. Thompson, guards.
ELM CREEK GRANGE P. OF H.,
North Branch Township, was organized April 18, 1881, having thir- teen members. It now contains about twenty-two members. Its first officers were George Bennett, master; Leonard McArthur, over- seer; Jacob Schell, secretary; Alfred Chase, treasurer; Amos Marsh, lecturer; Harry Pierce, chaplain.
BAND.
North Branch Band, organized in August, 1876, with eight members, now contains fourteen members: A. C. Galbraith, solo alto, leader; L. Kinney, first E flat cornet; George Deo, second E flat cornet; R. C. Dayton, first B flat cornet; R. J. Baldwin, second B flat cornet; William Galbraith, first alto; F. W. Draper, second alto; A. H. Hoover, trombone; S. Stone, first B flat tenor; J. Scott, sec- ond B flat tenor: George Downer, baritone; J. H. Vandecar, tuba; D. Hart, bass drum; Eugene Deo, snare drum; Charles Sicklesteel, drum major.
THE PIONEER BANK
was established by R. B. Lippincott and F. B. Howard in Decem- ber, 1879. It is a private bank with a capital of about $30,000, and does a good business.
NEWSPAPER.
The Observer was established by V. S. Miller in 1875. In 1879 it was sold to F. J. Galbraith, who changed the name to Weekly (Facette and still remains proprietor. The Gazette has a circulation of over eight hundred copies and is well sustained.
MANUFACTURING.
The only interest that approaches near a manufacturing inter- est is in connection with a steam saw-mill owned and operated by George Sicklesteel. The mill was built by Irving Weston in 1872 and purchased by George Sicklesteel in 1879, being 56x72 with a wing 30x40, two stories in height. The machinery consists of a large circular saw sixty-six inches in diameter, edger, slab saw, ma-
RES. OF JOSHUA GILLINGS, DRYDEN TP. LAPEER CO ., MICH.
RES. OF GEO. B. TERRY, DRYDEN TP., LAPEER CO. MICH.
£
189
HISTORY OF LAPEER COUNTY.
chinery for sash and blinds, planer, etc. They manufacture sash and blinds, patent circular hoops, all kinds of household furniture, keep a furniture wareroom, employing about twenty-five men and doing a business of over $20,000 annually. Mr. Sicklesteel also owns a grist-mill, which, with another mill, comprise the mills of North Branch.
INCORPORATION.
The village was incorporated under a charter in 1881 with Charles Ballard as president, and the following officers: Clerk, William O'Neil; treasurer, Henry Stewart; street commissioner, A. S. Sholes ; assessor, John H. Swailes; constable, William Westley.
1882: President, H. C. Weston; clerk, J. H. Vandecar; treas- urer, Henry Stewart; assessor, John H. Swailes; street commis- sioner, William O'Neil; constable, James Nelson.
1883: President, R. B. Lippincott; clerk, J. H. Vandecar; treasurer, G. D. Miller; assessor, John H. Swailes; street commis- sioner, John C. Wade; constable, C. R. Arnell.
Fire department organized in June, 1882, with Daniel Hollin- ger, chief engineer, and James Bidwell, assistant; Isaac Blackburn, foreman engine company; A. H. Rankin, foreman of the hose com- pany. Seneca Falls, N. Y., engine.
Present officers (1883)-Daniel Hollinger, chief; Isaac Black- burn, assistant; Henry Simmons, foreman engine company; Mar- tin Fay, assistant; William Smith, foreman of hose company, Frank Draper, assistant.
The population of the village in 1883 is about 900. There are seven dry goods and grocery stores, three drug stores, two hardware and six grocery stores, two harness shops, two furniture stores, two hotels, one foundry, two flouring-mills, one saw-mill and a sash, door and blind factory, printing office, bank and the other business interests usually found in villages.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
CHARLES BALLARD was born in Franklin County, Mass., in 1812. Went to Trumbull County, Ohio, in 1819, resided in that vicinity till 1854, when he settled in Burlington Township, Lapeer County, being among its very early settlers. In 1860 he made North Branch his home, where he has since resided. Both in Burlington and North Branch he has ever been closely identified in their history, having been supervisor, township clerk, etc. Till within fifteen years he was engaged in farming, being very successful in his voca- tion. Since retiring from the farm he has been dealing in money and at present is the highest assessed man in North Branch Town- ship. In 1840 he married Miss Mary Bowe, who was born in the State of New York in 1819 and died Dec. 14, 1846, since which he has remained single. His family consists of two children-Mrs. Almeda E. Moore, who lives in Burlington on the old homestead and Charles W., who resides in North Branch. His father, Elijah, was born in Franklin County, Mass., in 1787, and died in Trumbull County, Ohio, in 1867. His mother, Sophronia Bascomb, was born in Franklin County, Mass., in 1792, and died in 1869, leaving a family of four-Almeda, Charles, Julia, Mary.
REV. F. J. GALBRAITH was born in Toronto, Ontario, in 1830. Received a common-school education. Settled in Algonac, Mich., in 1865 and joined the M. E. Church as a local preacher by letter from the Wesleyan Methodist Church from Canada and was ordained in 1869, and has ever since been engaged in the ministry. In 1879 he purchased the Weekly Obserrer at North Branch, where he had settled in 1870. The paper now enjoys an extended circulation.
Mr. Galbraith was married in 1856 to Eliza Schell, who was born in Toronto, Ontario, 1837, and died Sept. 5, 1882. Their family consists of Annie M., Albert C., Willie and Nellie.
JOHN CASTLE was born in Westford, Chittenden County, Vt., in 1798. Settled in Michigan, Lapeer Township and County, in 1854, and died in 1880. He had been twice married, first to Hannah Kellogg, who was born in Massachusetts in 1806, and died in 1854, leaving four children-O. J., S. T., H. S., L. K. His second mar- riage occurred in 1855 to Mrs. Vannatter, by whom he had two children-Hannah Tiavidic and Henry, both of whom live in Sagi- naw.
Ozro J., who was born in 1835, owns half of section 6, North Branch Township, and has the making of a splendid farm, and al- though a portion of his land formerly was covered with pine it has a good soil. He has the most of it cleared and good substantial buildings. Married in 1868 Lorinda Vannetter, who was born in 1845, by whom he has three children-Bertha, Roena, Eula. Mr. Castle jobbed in the lumber woods for several years previous to be- coming a farmer.
H. S., who was born in 1840, now resides on section 28, Bur- lington Township, having one of the best improved farms in the township. Since living there he has been highway commissioner, and at present is one of the three county superintendents of the poor for Lapeer County. He enlisted in 1862 and served during the entire time in the celebrated Berdan's First Regiment of United States Sharp-shooters, as sergeant in Company K, and participated in all the engagements in which the Army of the Potomac were. Has been twice married. First in 1870 to Mary Coverdale, who was born in 1846 and died in 1873. Second marriage occurred in 1874 to Mrs. Joanna Coverdale (maiden name McKillop and daughter of Archibald McKillop), who was born in 1846. One child-Sidney A., born August, 1878.
Levi K., born in 1847. Married in 1875 Frances L. Kennedy, born in Oxford County, Ontario, in 1854. One child-Floyd H., born April, 1881. Resides on section 6, North Branch, being a farmer in good circumstances.
H. C. WESTON, born in Otsego County, N. Y., in 1827, in con- nection with his father's family moved to Genesee County, N. Y., in 1831. In 1837 he made Lapeer County, Mich., his home, set- tling at Lapeer City. In 1866 moved to North Branch, and en- gaged in the hotel business for three years, when he settled on his farm on section 5, being part of the village, where he now resides; also, in connection with his son, deals in hardware. He was mar- ried in 1849 to Esther Maria Gates, who was born in the state of New York, in 1829. Three living children, Emily E. Briggs, Jane B. Sholes, George W. Lost one by death, Kittie Maud, who was born May 30, 1872, and died August 26, 1872. Mr. Weston was a member of the first council and the second president of the village of North Branch.
CHARLES W. SHIPPEY was born in Oakland County, Mich., in 1844. Came with his father's family to Metamora, Lapeer County, in 1847, and to North Branch in 1854. Married in 1868 Irene Pemberton, who was born in Clinton County, Ky., in 1850. Three children : Elmer, Nellie, Sarah. He is engaged in the mercantile business at North Branch. His father, N. S. Shippey, was born in Jefferson County, N. Y., in 1821. Went to Oakland County, Mich., in infancy, and was one of the very first settlers of North Branch, Lapeer County, since which he has held different offices of the highest position in the gift of his townsmen. Married in 1842 to Sarah M. Fellows, who was born in Tompkins Co., N. Y., in 1821. His family consists of Charles W., Permelia, born in 1847 and died in 1849, and Priscilla.
J. H. VANDECAR was born in Oxford County, Ontario, in 1855. Went to Chicago in 1872; remained a year, when he settled in La- peer County, and is now engaged in the drug business at North
G
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HISTORY OF LAPEER COUNTY.
Branch. Married in 1880 Annie Mott, who was born at Oxford, Canada, in 1858.
R. B. LIPPINCOTT was born in Burlington County, New Jersey, 1853. Came to Lapeer County, Almont Township, in 1868. In 1872 went to Lapeer City and engaged in book-keeping. In 1876 moved to North Branch and engaged in the hardware business. Was appointed postmaster in 1879, which office he still holds. In connection with Mr. Howard opened the Pioneer Bank at North Branch in December of the same year. Is the present president of North Branch village. Married in 1874 Nettie V. Smith, of Lapeer, who was born in Chatham, Ontario, in 1857. Two children, Edith, Carl Garfield.
JAMES P. KEELER was born in Genesee County, N. Y., in 1812. Settled in Macomb County, Mich., in 1833. Moved to Oakland County, in 1837, and in 1854 settled in North Branch, on section 2, where he now lives. Has been supervisor, justice, and highway commissioner for several terms. Married in 1833 Ann Abernethy, who was born in Canada, in 1808, and died in 1874. Four chil- dren : Britania, who died in 1874; Henry M., who lives on the home- stead; Albert, who died in infancy; Ellen L. Schell.
WILLIAM SKYM was born in London, England, in 1833. In connection with his father's family made New York City his home in 1834, thence to Ashtabula County, O., in 1843. In 1854 settled at Lapeer City, and in the following year located on section 9, North Branch, where he now resides, being a farmer of 120 acres. Married in 1856 Elizabeth Converse, who was born in Ohio in 1839. Four children: Adelbert, who was born in the year 1858, and died and died at the age of three and a half years; Sarah I. Sutherland, who lives at home; Mertie E .; Gertrude I. His father, John, was also born in London, England, in 1816 and died in 1878. His mother, Susan Goodspeed, was born in London in 1813, and died in 1876. Their family consisted of John, Jr., Susan, William and Peter.
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