USA > Michigan > Montcalm County > History of Montcalm County, Michigan its people, industries and institutions...with biographical sketches of representative citizens and genealogical records of many of the old families Volume II > Part 21
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In October, 1864. he then being fifteen years of age, Warren G. Gris- wold enlisted in Company C. Third Regiment, Michigan Volunteer Infantry,
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and saw service in Tennessee and Texas, being mustered out at San Antonio, Texas. on February 10. 1866. Upon the completion of his military experi- ence Mr. Griswold returned home and resumed his place on his father's farm. The next spring he married and for a number of years was engaged as a timberman and general farmer. In 1879 he began farming for himself, having bought a small place two miles south and one mile west of the vil- lage of Crystal, in this county. He did well and gradually added to his holdings there until at the time of his retirement from the farm in February, 1915, he was the owner of one hundred and twenty acres, more than one hundred of which had been cleared and was under cultivation. He sold the place to his son, Lyman, and bought a home in the village of Crystal, where he and his wife are now living in comfortable retirement. Mr. Griswold is an earnest Republican and for years has given thoughtful attention to civic affairs. He has served the public in the capacity of drain commis- sioner and was also highway commissioner for Crystal township for some years. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of the Grand Army of the Republic and takes an active interest in the affairs of those organizations.
On March 21. 1867. Warren G. Griswold was united in marriage to Elvira Rockwell, who was born in Crawford county, Pennsylvania, August 21. 1850. daughter of Charles and Almeda ( Millard) Rockwell, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of New York state, who came to this county in October. 1857, and bought a farm southwest of Crystal, where Mr. and Mrs. Griswold for years made their home and where their son is now living. When the Rockwells settled here there was only a trail leading through the deep timber and Mrs. Griswold has seen the develop- ment of Crystal township from the very beginning of the establishment of a social order thereabout, she being acknowledged to be the only person now living for miles about who has been a resident of that section as long as she. March 21. 1017, will be the fiftieth anniversary of the marriage date of Alr. and Mrs. Griswold. To them ten children have been born and they have thirty-two grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Donna. daughter of Triman Rolfe. Of the ten children born to Mr. and Mrs. Griswold five are still living. fire having died when quite young, three, Erwin. Clinton and Raymond, having died within a week of each other of a combination of scarlet fever and diphtheria, the youngest less than a year old and the eldest not quite five years of age: Franklin Charles, their first- born child. died at the age of two years and six months, and Wesley, the
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third in order of birth, a few days before his fifth birthday. in February, 1880. The living children, in the order of their birth, are as follow : Estella. widow of Watson Roife. is living at Crystal and has eight children. Harley I ... Ernest W., Leo. Truman. Leslie. Hazel. Lucille and Dale; Bertha. wife of Daniel Kidder, lives near the town of Muir. in lonia county, and has eight children. Clifford. Nettie. Grace. Claire. Donald, Raymond. Marion and Frank: Ina. wife of Perry Blount, living two and one-half miles south- west of Crystal. has five children. Alta, Ford. Floyd. Dorothy and Joyce Elaine: Lyman, who bought the old home farm, where he now makes his home. married Ina Rickard and has five children. Beatrice. Lyle. Warren. Cecil and Beulah, living. and two dead, and Eli, living near Muir, in lonia county, who married Edith Dudhope and has six children. Elsie. Elton. Elbert. Eula. Eliner and Enice.
HUBERT S. PRESTON.
Hubert S. Preston. a well-known building contractor and photographer. of Crystal. this county, who for more than fifteen years has served the people of Crystal township in the important public capacity of justice of the peace. is a native-born son of Michigan, having been born at Battle Creek, this state. April 23, 1857. son of James M. and Lucy E. (Canfield) Pres- ton, the former of whom died in that city in 1902, at the age of seventy- eight. and the latter now is living at St. Johns, this state, in her eighty- third year.
James M. Preston was born in the state of New York in 1824, son of Ephraim Preston and wife, who came to Michigan when he was three years old and settled at Battle Creek, which at that time was a small settlement containing but four stores and a mere cluster of unpretentious houses. There James M. Preston grew to manhood and married Lucy E. Canfield, who was born in Vermont and whose mother died when she was a baby, after which her father came to this state and she grew to womanhood on a farm between Quincy and Coldwater. in Branch county. Some years after their marriage. James M. Preston and wife moved to Kalamazoo county, this state, where they settled on a farm in Climax township and there they lived for many years, long past the days of their middle age retiring from the farm and returning to Battle Creek, where Mr. Preston died in 1902. His widow married Wells Sheldon and is now living at St. Johns, this state.
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Hubert S. Preston was but three years of age when his parents moved from Battle Creek to Kalamazoo county, and in the latter place of residence he grew to manhood. there learning the carpenter trade and at the same time becoming a skilled photographer. About 1877 he went to Barry county. this state, where, near the town of Woodland, he began working as a car- peuter. While there he married Ella E. Esterbrook, who died not long afterward, without issue. Later, Mr. Preston moved to the town of Sebawa. in lonia county, this state, where, February 5, 1879, he married, secondly, Clotilda DeCamp, who was born in Noble county, Indiana, August 5, 1857, daughter of Simeon and Anna ( Squires) DeCamp, both of whom were born near the town of Erie. in Washington county, Pennsylvania, the for- mer on April 22, 1824, and the latter. Angust 7, 1824, who, in their early childhood. were taken to Ohio, their respective families moving to that state at that time, and in 1846 they were married, both the DeCamp and the Squires families at that time living in the neighborhood of Columbus. the state capital. About 1854 they moved to Noble county, Indiana, and thence. in the fall of 1866. to this state, settling in the neighborhood of Sebewa, in ionia county, where Mr. DeCamp bought a farm and where both he and his wife spent the remainder of their lives, his death occurring on July 20, 1903, at the age of seventy-nine, and hers. November 13. 1911, at the age of eighty-seven.
Following his second marriage. Mr. Preston remained at Sebewa about three years, at the end of which time he returned to his old home in Kala- mazoo county, where he made his home for eight years, five years of which time he spent carpentering and one year as a photographer. It was during that period that he spent nine months in North Dakota, but not finding things there to his liking returned to Kalamazoo county and devoted some time to finishing his study of the art of photography. In the spring of 1888 Mr. Preston came to this county and located at Crystal, where he ever since has made his home. He had a car built for use as a movable photograph gallery and for four years was engaged in operating the same in and about Crystal. Ile then sold the car, expecting to build a more com- modious one, but just at that time was asked to build a house for a friend and he thus, incidentally, was led to resume his former vocation of car- penter. Demands for his services in this connection continued to be made and for fifteen years he was continuously engaged in building, during which time he constructed most of the better class of houses erected in Crystal in that period. In the meantime. in the spring of 1900, Mr. Preston was
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elected justice of the peace of Crystal township and so admirably has he filled the office that he has been continuously re-elected at each recurring election since and is still serving in that important capacity, his excellent judgment and the thoughtful attention he gives to the cases which arise within his jurisdiction rendering him well qualified for the place of local magistrate. In February, 1911, Squire Preston built a photograph gallery next door to his home and since then has been devoting his attention almost exclusively to the art of photography, although he still does some carpenter- ing.
To Imbert S. and Clotilda (DeCamp) Preston two sons have been born: Arthur J .. born at Sebewa in 1880, and Roy C., at Crystal in 1889. both of whom are ministers of the Gospel. The Rev. Arthur J. Preston, who is a minister of the Methodist church, married Nellie Hinkston and is now living at Bear Lake, in Manistee county, this state. The Rev. Roy C. Preston, who is a minister of the Baptist church, now stationed at Allen, in Hillsdale county, this state, is also a teacher in the public schools and received his training in the normal school at Ypsilanti and the college at Hillsdale. He married Maggie Ellenthorp and has two children, Catherine Evelyn and Irene Bessie.
Squire Preston is a Republican and for years has given close attention to local political affairs. He is a Mason and was senior deacon of the local lodge for about twelve years, also having served as junior warden and as senior warden. Mrs. Preston is a member of the Methodist church and. together with her husband, ever has been active in good works.
ENSIGN B. STEBBINS.
Ensign B. Stebbins, business man. financier, man of affairs and promi- lent citizen, of Carson City, Montcalm county, Michigan, was born at Muskegon, Michigan, on October 24, 1865, the son of Chester H. and Timeline (Pike) Stebbins, both of whom were born in Ionia county, Michigan.
Chester H. Stebbins, following his marriage in Ionia county, lived at Muskegon for some time and then moved to the town of Ionia, a place which was his home until some time later, when he went to Lake View, Montcalm county, where he has since been engaged in the milling business and in general agricultural pursuits. As a resident of Lake View, Chester
ENSIGN B. STEBBINS.
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11. Stebbins has taken an important part in public and official affairs, hav- ing served as village president, as township supervisor and as the occupant of other offices of trust and honor.
Ensign B. Stebbins was educated in the schools of Lake View, Mont- calm county, and after the completion of his educational efforts, he estab- lished a small factory for the manufacture of novelties, a place which, under the able management of Mr. Stebbins, soon became a factory for the mak- ing of furniture. After some years as a manufacturer, at Lake View, Ensign B. Stebbins, in 1905, moved to Sturgis, Michigan, where he erected a modern factory building for the conduct of his business as a furniture manufacturer, Mr. Stebbins engaging successfully in this business at that place for six years, when he sold out and went to Grand Rapids, where he lived for some time. Ensign B. Stebbins came to Carson City, and organ- ized the Farmers and Merchants State Bank, a financial institution of which Mr. Stebbins has been cashier since its organization, in 1915.
In 1885, at Lake View, Ensign B. Stebbins was married to Mattie Fuller, who was born in Hillsdale county, Michigan, the daughter of Lewis and Phoebe (Alley) Fuller, who settled in Lake View about 1880, where Lewis Fuller operated a planing-mill and followed his occupation as a con- tractor and builder. until shortly before his death, when he went to Birming- ham, Alabama, where he died in 1907. Phoebe, the wife of Lewis Fuller, died at Lake View. about the year 1900. To the marriage of Ensign B. and Mattie Stebbins have been born three daughters. Aileen. Hazel and Mil- dred. all of whom live at home: Hazel was educated at Olivet College.
Ensign B. Stebbins is a prominent member of the Free and Accepted Masons, at Carson City, and is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. Mr. Stebbins is one of the esteemed and honored citizens of Carson City and of Montcalin county, his judgment and counsel on matters of business and finance being eagerly sought, and being a man of progres- sive ways, unselfish life and devotion to the interests of the community, he has won for himself a host of friends and admirers among his fellow citizens and associates.
The Farmers and Merchants State Bank, of Carson City, which is an evidence of the ability and efforts of Ensign B. Stebbins, was organized on January 2, 1915, as a state bank, with an authorized capital stock of twenty-five thousand dollars. After the organization of the Farmers and Merchants State Bank. the business of the institution was conducted in temporary quarters, until September 18, 1915, when they moved into their (15b)
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present especially constructed and modernly furnished building, located on one of the choice sites of Carson City.
The building is of brick, is furnished with quartered oak furniture, well lighted and ventilated, heated by steam, and is so arranged that the con- venience of the building makes it a pleasure for the conduct of business. The Farmers and Merchants State Bank, of Carson City, is supplied with safety deposit facilities, with private booths for the use of depositors, is equipped with ladies' rest room, lounges and desks for correspondence and the care of business, and in this modern bank building is a large room equipped with tables, chairs and all furnishings and supplies necessary for the conduct of business, of the holding of meetings or social gatherings.
The affairs of the Farmers and Merchants State Bank, of Carson City. are cared for by the following officers: William F. Adams, president; George Walt, vice-president; Eusign B. Stebbins, cashier, and Paul V. Bretz, assistant cashier. The stock of this banking house is owned by about twenty local stockholders, men well known as farmers and merchants of Carson City and Montcalmn county.
OTIS A. SANFORD.
Otis A. Sanford. well-known manufacturer and owner of the garage at Crystal, this county, and generally recognized as the chief "booster" of that pleasant village, though too modest personally to admit that local distinc- tion, is a native-born son of Michigan. having been born in York township, Washtenaw county. this state, November 20. 1873. son of A. W. and Emma ( Tuttle ) Sanford. He grew up on the paternal farm in Washtenaw county, supplementing his district-school schooling by a course in the high school at Milan, after which, at the age of eighteen, he began work for himself in the capacity of fireman for a cider factory. After a few months of such service he went to Battle Creek, where for a year he was engaged as a fireman in the city waterworks of Battle Creek. after which he went to Jack- son, where for three years he was in the employ of the Collins Manufactur- ing Company as an all-around mechanic. having charge of the electrical equipment of the plant. running a machine and doing such other things as his hand found to do, in the meantime developing a real genius for the intricacies of mechanics.
Mr. Sanford then was attracted by the possibilities presented in the
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fruit belt of California and went to that state, where for two years he was engaged as a foreman on a fifty-acre fruit farm near the town of Newcastle, in Placer county, but not finding things there wholly to his liking returned to Jackson, re-entering the employ of the Collins Manufacturing Company and was thus engaged for two years, at the end of which time he bought a carriage and repair shop on Main street in that city, which he operated quite successfully for a year. He then sold his shop to advantage and for a year thereafter was connected with the work of creating beautiful Cooley park, now the Michigan state Odd Fellow home, after which he came to this county, in 1899. locating in Crystal, where he started a factory for manu- facturing lath and potato crates. He presently added an equipment of plan- ing-mill machinery to his plant, to which he later added a set of buhrs for grinding feed. In 1902 he established the electric-light plant at Crystal and the next year put in a full set of rollers for a flour-mill, at the same time dropping the manufacture of lath and potato crates. He operated the flour- mill until for. in which year he established a general garage and automo- bile-repair shop, which he ever since has been very successfully operating. In 1013 Mr. Sanford added to the equipment of his electric-light plant a powerful storage battery, by the use of which he is enabled to give Crystal a full twenty-four-hour light service with only twelve hours of power. In the meantime he built a handsome residence in Crystal and is now quite comfortably situated there. He was one of the chief organizers of the Crystal Telephone Company and was manager of the telephone system there until July 1. 1915, and in other ways has contributed much to the general advancement of the best interests of that thriving village. Mr. Sanford is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of the Gleaners, in the affairs of both of which organizations he takes a warm interest.
In 180; Otis A. Sanford was united in marriage to Georgiana Mesler, who was born in Jackson county, Michigan, daughter of Charles and Amelia ( Dramer ) Mesler, and who was quite a small girl when her parents moved into the city of Jackson, where they now reside. To Mr. and Mrs. Sanford two children have been born. Leon T. and Milo D.
As an instance of the manner in which Mr. Sanford is regarded by his neighbors in Crystal. the following extract from a recent article in a local newspaper is presented: "Mr. Sanford is a 'booster' for the upbuilding of Crystal and vicinity and it was mainly through his efforts that many of the improvements of the village were brought to a successful culmination. Mr. Sanford is too modest to take any credit for the work, and when asked who
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it was that put through the many improvements he says, 'the boosters of Crystal.' But Mr. Sanford has many friends in Crystal who are willing to give him the credit deserved. The Crystal lighting plant is not surpassed in Michigan, and probably nowhere else. It is run by steam till ten o'clock at night and from then until the steam power starts in the morning the current is furnished by storage batteries, which also are used all day Sun- days. At his garage all repairs can be made, vulcanizing done and mag- netos recharged and a full stock of accessories and tires is carried."
ELI A. ELDRIDGE.
Eli A. Eldridge, well-known business man, engaged in the occupation of a house-mover, of Carson City, Montcalm county, Michigan, was born in Salem township, Washtenaw county, Michigan, May 26, 1859, the son of James and Harriett ( Higgins) Eldridge, natives of Kent, England.
James Eldridge and his wife came to America in 1858, and after a short time at Detroit, they came to a point near the present town of North- ville, where they lived for three years and then moved to Mecosta county, later, in 1863, moving to Crystal township. Montcalm county, where James Eldridge purchased one hundred and sixty acres of uncleared and unim- proved land. This land the elder Eldridge prepared for cultivation and lived the life of pioneers, and as a farmer for the remainder of his life, with the exception of three years as a soldier in the Civil War. James Eldridge was a drainage commissioner of his township for two terms and he was an active member and local preacher of the Baptist church in Montcalm county. James Eldridge died on May 26, 1910; his wife died in December, 1909. James and Harriett Eldridge were the parents of five children: W. E., Addie, Bert. Eli A., and Nettie May, who is deceased.
Eli A. Eldridge spent his youthful days on the home place, was educated in the public schools of his native township, and then he engaged in general work, for about two years, after which he purchased a stump-pulling outfit and followed this line of work for about ten years, during this time Mr. Eldridge having taken out the stumps for the Grand Trunk railway branch in Montcalm county. After clearing forty acres of land which he purchased in Montcalm county, Mr. Eldridge disposed of his stump-pulling outfit and then, in 1896, bought a house-moving outfit and engaged in the house-mov- ing business throughout his locality for two years and then moved to Car-
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son City, where he now lives and cares for an extensive business in his line of activity. Mr. Eldridge is the owner of a choice home property in Carson City, and is also the owner of three other houses and lots in his home town.
During the year 1886, Eli A. Eldridge was married to Ida May Binkley, a daughter of Jacob and Harriett Binkley. To the marriage of Eli A. and Ida May Eldridge were born three children, Eddie, Leon and Harry, all of whom are deceased. Ida May, the wife of Eli A. Eldridge, died, and in 1903. Mr. Eldridge was married, secondly, to Mary Percy McVeigh, who was born at East Plains. lonia county, Michigan, the daughter of B. W. and Mary I. (Vance) McVeigh, the former born in Orange county. the latter at Dundee. Yates county. New York.
Eli A. Eldridge and his wife are active workers of the Congregational church, at Carson City, and are people who are highly respected and esteemed for their part in life and activities of Carson City and Montcalm county.
EDGAR S. BROOKS.
Edgar S. Brooks, prominent merchant and leading citizen of Carson City, Montcalm county, Michigan, was born at Goodrich village. Atlas township. Genesee county, Michigan, on January 28, 1861, the son of Lewis S. and Cordelia ( Rothchild) Brooks, natives of New York state.
Lewis S. Brooks, who was the son of John Brooks and wife, was edu- cated in New York state, lived there until a young man, when he was mar- ried and then. in 1850. moved to Genesce county, Michigan, where he fol- lowed his occupation as a shoemaker and where he condneted a shoe shop, at Goodrich. until the ninetieth year of his life.
After the completion of his education, in the schools of Goodrich. Edgar S. Brooks worked as a farm helper and as an employee of local stores until 1896, when he came to Carson City, and purchased a restaurant. a place which he conducted for about one and one-half years, and then, sell- ing his restaurant business, Mr. Brooks bought the general store where he now is successfully and prosperously engaged in the sale of general mer- chandise. In addition to his general mercantile business, Edgar S. Brooks is a partner of the Carson City Auto Company, a company engaged in the sale of high-grade automobiles and supplies.
During the year 1882. Edgar S. Brooks was married to Emma Barron, who was born in Genesce county, the daughter of Bethnel and Alice ( Kirk-
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patrick ) Barron, natives of New York state, who settled on a farm in Genesee county, about the year 1860, living on the farm for the remainder of their days. To the marriage of Edgar S. and Emma Brooks have been born three children : Roy E., who married Lena Steffey, of Grand Rapids, now a salesman for a Carson City business house, after having disposed of a photographic business which he conducted for about five years; Ray C., a partner with his father, who married Hazel Brice, of North Shade town- ship, Gratiot county, and Ida F., who was graduated from the Carson City high school and now is pursuing a commercial course. Edgar S. Brooks is an interested supporter of the Methodist church of Carson City, a church of which Mrs. Brooks is a well-known member.
Edgar S. Brooks is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, of the Knights of the Maccabees, of the Fraternal Star and of the Mystic Workers. Mr. Brooks has taken an active part in the political affairs of Carson City, having served as village president for two years, for two years served as village treasurer and for two years was a leading and influential member of the Carson City village council.
ZACHARIAS D. RULE.
Zacharias D. Rule, one of the leading merchants of Crystal, this county, is a native of Ohio, having been born in the town of Woodbury, that state, on November 19. 1869, son of Adam H. and Louise (Jacobs) Rule, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of New York state.
Adam H. Rule was a miller in Ohio. By his marriage with Louise Jacobs eight children were born, of whom six were sons who grew to man- hood. The mother of these children died in Ohio and Mr. Rule later mar- ried. secondly. Cordelia Fagley, to which union two children were born. In 1880 he came to Michigan with his family and settled in the deep woods in North Shade township in Gratiot county, where he bought a small tract of land. cleared the same and made a farm of it and there he lived until well past middle age, when his wife died after which he retired from the farm and spent his latter days in the town of Middleton. where he died in 1909.
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