USA > Michigan > Monroe County > History of Monroe County, Michigan : a narrative account of its historical progress, its people, and its principal interests Volume II > Part 19
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Mr. Ceas was united in marriage in Milan township to Miss Lena Baird, of this township, where she was reared and educated, the estim- able daughter of Nelson Baird, of Milan, a well-known citizen and vet- eran of the Civil war. Mr. and Mrs. Ceas had two children: Edna, who is fifteen years of age and now a student in the township schools; and one child who died in infancy. Mr. Ceas is a man still in the prime of life, with his best years before him, and there is no doubt that he will advance still further in the world of business. A man of intelligence, and thoroughly abreast of all that pertains to the welfare of his com- munity, he takes an influential part in advancing his township's interest and is justly considered one of Milan's most representative men. He is a stanch Republican politically.
EDWIN S. HAIGHT. Among the agriculturists of Monroe county, one who occupies a foremost position is Edwin Haight, who carries on exten- sive operations in section 19, London township, a man who has attained high position in educational, public and religious circles. He has the added distinction of being a native son of the county, having been born on a farm in London township, January 5, 1870, a son of George C. and Harriet (Howe) Haight. George C. Haight was a native of New York, from whence he came to London township, Monroe county, Michigan,
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in young manhood, and here engaged in agricultural pursuits. Located in London township he there spent the remainder of his life, dying at the age of sixty-eight years. During the Civil war he served as a mem- ber of the Eighteenth Michigan Volunteer Infantry for three years, and in after life drew a pension for his services, and was a popular comrade of Lucius Taylor Post, Grand Army of the Republic, at Milan. He married Harriet Howe, who was born in London township, daughter of Joseph Howe, an early settler of Monroe county, and she died in young womanhood, leaving three children : Rollin W., Etta A. and Edwin S. Mr. and Mrs. Haight were members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and the children were reared in the faith of that denomination.
Edwin S. Haight was reared on the home farm, where he learned to respect and value hard labor, and his education was secured by attend- ance in the district schools and through much reading at home. At the age of twenty-one years he was married to Miss Lucy Stuart, who was born, reared and educated in London township, and who was for some years before her marriage a popular school teacher in Monroe county. Her father was Nathan Stuart, whose sketch appears on another page of this work, a justice of the peace for years, and an early settler of London township. He had seven children : Henry, Burt, Mary, Cevilla, Lucy, who married Mr. Haight; Kitty, who was a school teacher for some years, and Lorenzo, who enlisted in the Civil war and gave his life in battle.
After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Haight began housekeeping in London township, where Mr. Haight is now engaged in farming. His present property, a finely-cultivated tract of forty-six acres, which is known as Maple Hill Farm and derives its name from the beautiful maple trees which adorn it, is one of the most valuable properties of its kind in this part of the county, having been brought to its present ex- cellent condition through Mr. Haight's hard and intelligent work. He has engaged in general farming and stock raising, and has been success- ful in his various ventures. In political matters Mr. Haight is a Repub- lican, and is considered one of the influential supporters of the party in this section. At various times he has been called upon to fill positions of honor and trust, having served as township treasurer for some years and as school director. He and Mrs. Haight are members of the Meth- odist Episcopal church, and have been very active in its work, Mrs. Haight is a teacher in the Sunday school, while Mr. Haight also acts as a member of the board of trustees of the church. Possessing a fine voice, Mr. Haight sings in the choir, and is also called upon to furnish the music at funerals, weddings and on other occasions.
Mr. and Mrs. Haight have had one son : Rollin S., a bright lad of fourteen years, who is attending school in the township. He finished the eighth grade. The family is well and favorably known throughout this section, where Mr. and Mrs. Haight have many friends.
CHESTER V. DANIELS. History has given us the names of many heroes who sacrificed much to the country's welfare, not stopping to think of personal loss or safety, but offering themselves to the cause of liberty and justice, and through their efforts preserving the solidity of the
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Union. Every veteran of the Civil war commands our respect and honor, in memory of what was accomplished during the dark days of the war between the states. One of the youngest soldiers to enlist in the Union army during that struggle was Chester Daniels, now residing in London township, Monroe county, where he has for many years been engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was born February 15, 1846, in Monroe county, Michigan, belonging to one of the oldest families of the Empire State, and was a son of Charles Daniels. Charles Daniels married Mary Peck, also a native of New York, who died when Chester was three years of age, while the father survived her only five years, passing away at the age of forty years. Left an orphan at the age of eight years, Chester Daniels left the home farm in the woods of Milan township, whence his father had come some years before, and found a home in the family of Matthew Masten, who gave him a district school education, and reared him to habits of honesty and integrity. He was engaged in work- ing on the Masten farm at the outbreak of the Civil war, and when still a lad in his 'teens enlisted in the famous Twenty-fourth Regiment, Volunteer Infantry, which made a record second to none in the great struggle. Among the battles participated in this hard-fighting organi- zation may be mentioned Hatch's Run, Weldon Railroad, Dabney's Mills, Lost Woods and the latter part of the battle of Petersburg, in addition to numerous minor battles and skirmishes. At the close of the war Mr. Daniels received his honorable discharge at Detroit in June, 1865, and returned to the peaceful occupation of farming, in London township.
Mr. Daniels was married to Miss Sarah Moyer, who was born in Pennsylvania, a daughter of Amos Moyer, one of the early settlers of Monroe county. Mrs. Daniel's brother, William Moyer, was also a sol- dier in the Civil war, being a private in the Eighteenth Regiment, Mich- igan Volunteer Infantry, and now resides in Clare county, Michigan. For three years following his gallant army service, Mr. Daniels was em- ployed by Sylvester Woodward, and then spent a short time working in a stone quarry, following which he secured a small ten acre tract in Milan. This he subsequently sold, and in 1881 purchased his present farm, which he has developed into one of the best tracts of its size in the township. This property, which consists of sixty-one acres and is lo- cated two and one-half miles southeast of Milan, has a six-room house in addition to a fine large barn and appropriate outbuildings. He carries on general farming and devotes some attention to dairying and stock- raising, and all of his ventures have proved eminently successful. In political matters he is a stanch Republican, but has not cared to enter the publie field, preferring to give his whole time and attention to his private interests. He is a popular comrade of Lucius Taylor Post, Grand Army of the Republic, at Milan, and holds prestige as a member of the famous regiment that formed the escort for the body of the martyred Lincoln when it was taken from Washington to the president's old home at Springfield. The life of this sturdy soldier, farmer-citizen has been a long and useful one, and he deserves all of the success that has come to him and the regard and esteem that is universally accorded him.
Mr. and Mrs. Daniels have four children, namely : Ida Millage, of Milan township ; Mrs. May Bliss, also of Milan township ; Ora A. Daniels,
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of London township, and Daisy Alma, wife of Louis Cromie, of Detroit, with the telephone company.
HENRY STUART. Among the old and honored residents of Monroe county who are worthy of more than passing mention in a work of this nature, in that they have been residents of the county during its re- markable growth and development during the last half century and have done their share in bringing about the wonderful changes that have taken place here, is Henry Stuart, of London township, whose integrity and ability have been recognized on various occasions by his election to positions of honor and trust. Mr. Stuart was born in Monroe county, Michigan, November 5, 1847, and is a son of Nathan Stuart, an early settler of London township.
Nathan Stuart was born in Genesee county, New York, and was de- scended from a Scotch family whose forebears were chiefs of their clan, and in this country the Stuarts have occupied high positions in public, military and commercial life. Nathan Stuart's father died when he was six years of age, and he was reared in New York, and there married to Rosalind Butler. Among their children was a son, Alonzo Stuart, a soldier during the Civil war in the Eleventh Regiment Michigan Volun- teer Infantry, who was taken sick at Nashville and confined in the hos- pital. His father traveled to the south and brought him back home, where he died a short time afterward, being buried in London Cemetery. He also brought back the body of John Moulton, who had died at Nash- ville. Nathan Stuart died at the age of seventy-five years, honored and respected by all who knew him. A stanch Democrat in politics, he rose to a prominent position in public life, serving as township supervisor, justice of the peace and in various other positions. By his second wife, Mr. Stuart had no children, but by a third union there were children as follows: George, Mary, Ina, Nathan, Sevilla, Lucy, who married Edwin Haight, proprietor of Maple Hill Farm, of London township, and Kitty, the last two named being for some time popular school teachers of Mon- roe county. Nathan Stuart was an active and enthusiastic Mason, with which fraternity he was connected for many years.
Henry Stuart was reared on the home farm, where he was taught to be industrious and honest, and his education was secured in the district schools of London township. When he was twenty-four years of age he was united in marriage with Miss Maria Davis, who was born, reared and educated in Dundee township, daughter of Asa Davis, a prominent citizen and early settler of Dundee township, who participated as a sol- dier in the Civil war, as did also his son, Charles Davis, who served in the Eighteenth Regiment, Michigan Volunteer Infantry, and who now lives in Milan. After his marriage, Mr. Stuart settled down to agricul- tural pursuits, in which he has been engaged to the present time, his ventures having proved eminently successful. His well-cultivated prop- erty consists of sixty-one acres, well-drained, graded and tiled and neatly fenced. On a neatly kept lawn, and surrounded my maple trees, is a modern six-room residence, well furnished and supplied with the latest improvements. In addition, there is a substantial barn, thirty-two by forty-six feet, with sixteen-foot posts, and a fine, modern silo of seventy
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tons capacity. In every way Maple Side Farm compares favorably with others in this part of the county, and its general appearance gives evi- dence of the presence of thrift, ability and excellent management.
Mr. and Mrs. Stuart have had one son, Charles, born, reared and educated in London township, who is now engaged in general farming on a valuable property adjoining that of his father. He married Mary Lamkin, a member of one of the early pioneer families of Monroe county, who was born and educated in London township, and is a daughter of Oliver Lamkin, who is a retired agriculturist of Milan. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Stuart have two sons: Kenneth and Donald. Henry Stuart is a Democrat in his political proclivities, and has served his township very acceptably as highway commissioner and in other capacities. He and his wife are adherents of the Methodist Episcopal church, and have a wide circle of friends throughout Monroe county, where both the Stuart and Davis families are well and favorably known.
MINOR A. CAMPBELL. Monroe county shows some of the best regu- lated and most valuable farms in that part of the state, and they have been made thus desirable by the thrift, industry and perseverance of their owners, who, taking advantage of the various improvements and advancements that have been made during the past several decades, are raising large crops and steadily advancing the high standard of Mich- igan agricultural operations. One of those who has contributed materi- ally to this growth and development, is Minor A. Campbell, of Milan township, who is well and favorably known in Monroe county as a skilled and progressive agriculturist. He was born March 7, 1869, on the old homestead farm of his father in Milan township, Monroe county, and is a son of Samuel Campbell. The latter is a native of New York state, and a son of Harry Campbell, who descended from the famous Camp- bell clan of Scotland, members of which have contributed greatly to the world's military history. James Campbell, a brother of Samuel, served through the Civil war as a Union soldier and returned home in safety, but another brother, Charles Campbell, was not so fortunate, being killed in battle and buried in the south. Samuel Campbell mar- ried Lydia Olds, who died at the age of sixty years, leaving five chil- dren : Frank, living in Milan village, and Charles, Albert, Minor A. and Sam P., living in the township. The father of these sons owns a fine property in Monroe county, and his sons have all turned their attention to agricultural pursuits and are property owners.
Minor A. Campbell spent his boyhood in much the same fashion as other farmers' youths of his day and locality, his education being se- cured in the district schools during the winter terms, while his summer months were passed in assisting his father and brothers in the work of the home farm and learning the principles of the business of farming. At the present time he is engaged in cultivating the farm of his grand- father, Harry Campbell, in Milan township, one of the best properties in this section, which he has brought up to a high state of cultivation. This property is now known as Highland Farm, and has been devoted almost exclusively to the raising of grain and the breeding of stock, although its soil is suitable for any kind of intensive farming. He
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raises large crops, and deals extensively in horses and cattle, and in all of his ventures has been uniformly successful. He has improved his farm with good buildings, including a modern residence of nine rooms, and other buildings of an appropriate nature.
June 22, 1890, Mr. Campbell was united in marriage with Miss Theo- dosia Goethe, daughter of Thomas and Adeline Goethe, both of whom are deceased. They had six children, namely: Theodosia, Thomas, Henry, Burt, William and Alfred. Mrs. Campbell was born and reared in Monroe county, and received her education in Monroe Convent. She and her husband have five children, viz .: Samuel, Grace, James, Lydia and Alfred. Both Mr. and Mrs. Campbell have numerous friends in the vicinity of Milan, and their tastefully furnished home is a center of cul- ture and refinement, where many of the leading social events of the com- munity are held.
CHARLES E. DENTON. The successful life of any financial institution depends largely upon the character of the officials who control its policies, direct its operations and safeguard the interests of its depositors. The banks of Monroe county, as a class, are sound, reliable institutions, and in the care of financiers of experience, who conserve carefully the business of their patrons, a case in point being the Milan State Savings Bank, of which Charles E. Denton is the president. Mr. Denton, who is widely and favorably known in business and financial circles of Monroe county, has been an important factor in the development of this section. He was born in St. Clair county, Michigan, September 21, 1857, and is a son of Daniel and Celesta (Tolan) Denton, natives of Canada. Mr. Denton's parents removed from the Dominion to St. Clair county, Mich- igan, not long after their marriage, and later came to Milan, where Mr. Denton became the proprietor of a sawmill, located opposite the present site of the W. P. Lamkin mill. This pioneer mill was operated by Sam- uel and Daniel Denton for many years, doing a business of an extensive character and being of great value to the citizens of Monroe county, who came for miles around to bring their lumber here. Mr. Denton passed away when his son, Charles E., was nine years of age, leaving a widow and fourteen children, all of whom grew to maturity, and ten of whom are living at this time: Mary, Alonzo, Daniel, Celesta, who is deceased; Rexford, also deceased ; Hattie, Benjamin, Ella, Simeon, Elizabeth, Sam- uel, Lucy, Charles E. and Frank. Daniel Denton was a prominent Mason and an ardent Democrat, and was honored and esteemed as a citizen and a business man. His widow, who survived him some years, was a faithful member of the Methodist church, and was a woman known and beloved for her many kindly and charitable qualities of mind and heart.
Charles E. Denton received his education in the public schools, this training being supplemented in after life by much observation and practical business experience. As a lad he worked on the farm, being reared to appreciate the value of industry and economy, and on attain- ing manhood started to farm in a small way. As he was financially able he purchased more land and fed more cattle and sheep, gradually
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working himself into a position of importance as a shipper of cattle and sheep, his stock being purchased in Chicago and sold to the farmers of Monroe county in small lots. Gradually his business grew, as the farmers could depend upon him to secure stock for them at a reasonable de- gree of profit, and he then began fattening sheep for the markets, a business which he carried on for a quarter of a century.
March 20, 1879, Mr. Denton was united in marriage with Miss Jennie Redman, daughter of Thomas and Lodema (Childs) Redman, of Eng- land, the former of whom died in 1907, at the age of seventy-two years, one of his community's reliable citizens. Mr. and Mrs. Redman had two children: Clara, the wife of George Mangos, residing on the old family homestead, and Mrs. Jennie Denton. To Mr. and Mrs. Denton there were born three children: Ray, who is single and lives with his parents, being engaged in the stock business with his father; Lee, who married Lera Dexter, and has one son, Dexter ; and Ernest, who married Edith Mead. The two last-named sons have nice homes and are engaged in general farming, as well as being interested in their father's stock operations. Charles E. Denton has a fine modern home in the village, with eleven rooms, surrounded by a well-kept lawn and beautiful shade trees, and equipped with furnace heat, hot water and electric lighting system. His farm, a tract of two hundred and forty acres, is one of the best in Milan township, and has been developed to a high state of culti- vation.
The Milan State Savings Bank was organized in 1910, at which time Mr. Denton became one of its heaviest stockholders, and in 1911, he was elected its president, a position he has continued to occupy to the pres- ent time. Under his careful and conservative management the institu- tion has prospered, having gained and maintained the confidence of the people to the fullest degree. A good business man, keen, shrewd and resourceful, his interests are large and have demanded the greater part of his attention, but he has, nevertheless, found time to serve his com- munity as a councilman for ten years, and has been a member of the water board since its establishment in 1908. He has taken an active in- terest in fraternal matters, and belongs to the Blue Lodge and Chapter at Milan. Throughout his career, Mr. Denton's activities have been such as to bring him prominently before the public, and in every capacity he has so conducted himself and his operations as to win the entire confi- dence and respect of his fellow-townsmen.
CHARLES GOODRIDGE. Prominent among the old and honored citizens of Monroe county, Michigan, whose activities have extended over a long period of years, may be mentioned Charles Goodridge, one of the successful farmers of Milan township and the owner of the handsome Yorkshire Farm, who has lived in this section for more than thirty-six years. Like many of Michigan's pioneer residents, Mr. Goodridge was born in England, being a native of Yorkshire, where his birth occurred October 11, 1837. His father was Thomas Goodridge, a prominent citi- zen and faithful member of the Methodist church, who died at the age of seventy-two years. There were four children in the family : George, Vol. II-10
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who still lives in England; Anna, who is deceased; Charles and Jane who still lives in her native land.
Charles Goodridge received his education in the public schools of England, and received a careful rearing, being taught the value of hard work and honesty. At the age of twenty-nine years he was married to Miss Jane Brownbridge, who was born of a good Yorkshire family, daughter of William and Elizabeth Brownbridge. She was reared and educated in England, and has been a faithful wife and helpmate to her husband during all the years that have followed. In 1874, Mr. and Mrs. . Goodridge left England for the United States, the first two years being spent in Livingston county. He then came to his present land in Milan township, Monroe county, where he purchased eighty acres and built a good log house and a substantial barn thirty by forty-two feet. York- shire Farm has been cultivated into one of the best and most productive in the township, and should be a source of great pride to its owner, who with two sons, is carrying on general farming and stock-raising. He uses progressive methods in his work, applying the latest principles and discoveries to the various branches of agricultural operations, and has testified in every way to his ability as a farmer.
Mr. and Mrs. Goodridge have had seven sons and three daughters, viz .: Thomas, Wm. B., Charles, Jr., Ann, George, Lizzie, who lives in California; Fred, also living in California; Arthur, Lillie and Burt. The children have all been given good educational advantages, and in their youth were trained to fill whatever position in life called them. Fred and Lizzie live at Los Angeles, where both have numerous friends. In political matters Mr. Goodridge is a Democrat, but has exercised his prerogative of voting for the man of his choice irrespective of party connection. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and both have been active in the work of that denomination, while members of the family have at all times been ready to further church movements and to act in various capacities in the Sunday school. Although he is seventy-five years old, time has been lenient with Mr. Goodridge and he is still in full possession of his bodily health and vigor and in command of his faculties. He has at all times proven himself a good citizen and one who has the best interests of his community at heart, and as such fully deserves the high respect and esteem in which he is universally held.
SAM PETER CAMPBELL. Farming, with all its branches, has been con- sidered a good line of business since the beginning of the world, but it has been practically only within the last quarter of a century that ,it has been brought to its highest state of development. The advent of scientific methods, intelligent treatment of the soil, crop rotation and the use of modern farming machinery has greatly advanced the oppor- tunities for success in the field of agriculture, and those who have the intelligence and ability to carry on their operations in a proper manner are reasonably sure to accumulate a competence. One of the good, prac- tical farmers of Milan township, who takes advantage of the benefits to be derived from modern methods, and who, as a result, is known as one of his section's leading agriculturists, is Sam Peter Campbell, a lifelong
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resident of Monroe county. Mr. Campbell was born on the farm on which he now lives, in a house that stood less than ten rods from the one he now occupies, October 27, 1872. His father, Samuel Campbell, was an early settler of this township, and is now living at the age of eighty- one years. He was born in Fulton county, New York, a son of Harry Campbell, a pioneer of Milan township, and a descendant of the famous Campbell clan of the Highlands of Scotland, noted for its courage, bravery and loyalty. A son of Harry Campbell, James Campbell, served as a soldier in the Union army during the Civil war.
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