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 23
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64
24I
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
bride. After a few years' residence in the Hawkeye state, Mr. Stearns moved to Missouri and in 1873 came to this county, locating at Sheridan, where he followed his trade as a carpenter until long past middle age and was quite successful. His wife died in 1880. But two of their children now are living, the subject of this sketch having a sister, Ellen, wife of M. F. McNaughton, of Sheridan. this county.
Having been but five years of age when his parents came to this county, Wesley J. Stearns has spent practically all his life here and is one of the best-known men in the county. He received his education in the Sheridan schools and after leaving school worked for two summers in the employ of a washing-machine company, after which he went to the state of Wash- ington. He presently returned to Sheridan, however, and there bought a meat market, which he operated for fourteen years, at the end of which time he bought the farm in Evergreen township on which he now lives and has lived there ever since. Mr. Stearns for years has been interested in the civic affairs of Montcalm county and has been active in politics. His first public office was that of treasurer of Evergreen township, in which office he served for two terms. He then was elected township supervisor and for five years gave proper attention to the duties of that office and two years later was elected treasurer of Montcalm county, on the Republican ticket, serving four years in that important office, his term of office expiring on January 1, 1915.
On April 10, 1890, Wesley J. Stearns was united in marriage to Anna Gallagher, who was born in Canada, but who had been a resident of Sheridan since she was twelve years of age, that having been her age when her par- ents located there, and to this union three children have been born: Vera, a graduate of the Sheridan high school and of the Stanton Normal School, who is now a teacher in the schools of this county; Morris, a graduate of the high school at Stanton, who is now cashier in the office of the auditor- general of the state of Michigan, at Lansing, and Ronald, a graduate of the Stanton high school, who is inspector of automobile tires in the Morgan Wright establishment at Detroit.
.As suggested above, by the statement that he was elected to the office of county treasurer on the Republican ticket, Mr. Stearns is an ardent Republican and is now serving that party as chairman of the county central committee, previous to which service he had been for four years the secre- tary of the committee. and is thus known as one of the most active party
(16h)
242
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
workers in this part of the state. Mr. Stearns is an active, energetic and enterprising citizen and is concerned in various enterprises hereabout. among which may be mentioned the Mutual Insurance Company, of Montcalm, Jonia and Clinton counties, of which he is the president. He is a member of Pearl Lake Lodge No. 324. Free and Accepted Masons, and is past master of that lodge, as well as a member of Stanton Chapter No. 110. Royal Arch Masons, of which he is now king. Mr. Stearns has a wide acquaintance throughout this and neighboring counties and is held in high regard by all who know him.
FRED GUNTHER, SR.
Fred Gunther, Sr., a native of Wurtemberg, Germany, and the son of Matthias and Anna Marie ( Link ) Gunther, was born on March 7. 1848. He grew to manhood in his native country, where he learned blacksmithing and wagon-making, at which he worked until he came to America in 1869. After arriving in the United States he worked for some months at Oakland. in Livingston county. New York. He later went to fonia, Michigan, where he worked for John Childs for five years in the carriage shop. On Octo- ber 14. 1875. he came to Carson City and purchased a blacksmith shop. where he made carriages and wagons, in connection with his general work as a blacksmith. At this time the lumbering industry was at its height, the mills were busy and the woods alive with the lumbermen. During the day Mr. Gunther was busy with the heavier work and at night he made iron corks for the bottom of the men's shoes. He continued at this work until 1908, when his sight and general health became such that he was no longer able to continue at the work. He still retains the old shop, which he uses as a warehouse, in connection with his business as an implement dealer, in which he and his son are partners. He was for six years a member of the village council and has been active in the development of the town.
On July 6, 1873. Fred Gunther, Sr .. was married to Sophia Davis. a native of Prussia, Germany, where she grew to womanhood and after which she emigrated to Ionia, where she lived until her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Gunther are the parents of the following children: William F., Fred. Jr .. Lottie. Alfred. Clara. Frank and Mabel. William F. married Nora Cooper. they live in Carson City and he travels for the Johnson Harvester Company. Lottie was first married to Clem Neldred. who died, after which
243
MONTCALM COUNTY. MICHIGAN.
she married F. E. Boleski, of Alma. Fred. Jr., married Alta Perrin, a daughter of Tobias and Catherine ( Reese) Perrin. They live at Carson City where he is engaged in business with his father. Alfred is engaged in the furniture and undertaking business at Carson City. Clara is at home. Frank, born on October 12, 1890, lives in the home town where he assists the father in his business. He married Grace Albough, on June 24, 1914. Mabel is at home.
Mr. Gunther has seen the town grow from a small trading point with few buildings and but little business. Today there are but few residents of this thriving town who were here when Mr. Gunther first came. In Mr. Gunther one finds the honest, hard-working and progressive citizen, who has made a success of life in a new country. His character is above reproach, his habits the best and he is held in high regard by all who know him.
PROF. EARL J. AELICK.
One of the best-known young educators in Montcalm county is Prof. Earl J. Aelick, superintendent of the schools at Sheridan, this county. He was born at Ionia, Michigan, on February 10, 1885, son of Andrew and Isadore (Galloway) Aelick, former well-known residents of Douglass town- ship, this county, who now are living in Orange township. Ionia county.
Andrew Aelick was born in Canada, December 15. 1850. When ten years of age he was thrown largely on his own resources by reason of the accidental death of his father, who left a widow and a large family of children none too well provided for in the matter of world's goods. Begin- ning at this tender age to work for himself. Andrew Aelick worked for one man on a farm for seven years, the greater part of his carnings being given over to his widowed mother. In 1873 he came to the United States. and for some years followed the rugged life of a timber man, in time becoming head sawyer. In 1881 he married and continued his labors as a head sawyer until 1888. in which year he bought a farm in Douglass town- ship, this county, on which he lived until in May, 1912, at which time he moved to Orange township, Ionia county, this state, where he is now living, enjoying fully the ample rewards of his life of industry. During his resi- dence in Douglass township. Andrew Aelick was looked upon as one of the most progressive and substantial citizens of that section of the county and for some time served as township treasurer. He is now clerk of the town-
244
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
ship in which he lives in Tonia county. He and his wife are members of the Methodist church and he is a member of the Masonic lodge at Stanton and also of the Gleaners and Maccabees. Mrs. Aclick was born in Berlin town- ship, lonia county, this state, on November 10, 1863, daughter of James and Cordelia (Heater) Galloway, the former a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter of Ohio. To the union of Andrew and Isadore (Galloway) Aelick there was but one child born, Earl J., the subject of this biographi- cal sketch.
Earl J. Aelick was reared on the farm and received his elementary education in the district schools of Douglass township, this county, being the first pupil to complete the eighth grade in the county. Following his graduation from the grade school he entered the high school at McBride, from which he was graduated with the class of 1904, after which he entered the ranks of Montcalm county's progressive teachers and has ever since that time been thus engaged. In the meantime, Professor Aelick spent somnie time at Ferris Institute and at the Michigan State Normal at Mt. Pleasant, enlarging his equipment for his high calling. and has been very successful in his school work, earning a high reputation both as a teacher and as a superintendent of schools. For two years after entering the service of the board of education, he taught in district schools. For three years he then was in grammar work in the Lake View school, after which he was called to take the principalship of the schools at Trufant ; later was made principal of the Pierson schools, where he served for three years, and then was called to take charge of the schools at Sheridan and has been superin- tendent there for the past three years. During this time the non-resident attendance at the Sheridan school has doubled, and during his administra- tion two of the largest classes in the history of the school have been grad- uated.
On November 24. 1904. Prof. Earl J. Aelick was united in marriage to Mary E. Cook, who was born on a farm in Grattan township. Kent county, this state. daughter of Ruins R. and Elizabeth ( Brown) Cook. the former of whom was born on that same farm and the latter in Ionia county. Rufus R. Cook died on August 10. 1905. To Professor and Mrs. Aelick two children have been born. Marguerite L., born on August 27. 1900. and Rufus Cook. September 12, 1913. Professor and Mrs. Aelick are members of the Congregational church and take an active part in the social and cul- tural life of Sheridan. where they are held in high regard.
Professor Aelick is a Republican and takes a good citizen's interest in
245
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
political affairs, though not what may be called an active worker in politics, although his voice and influence ever are exerted in behalf of the cause of good government. He is a member of Pearl Lake Lodge No. 324, Free and Accepted Masons, and of Progress Lodge No. 342, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, at McBride, and takes a warm interest in the affairs of these two popular orders.
GEORGE RILEY GIBBS.
George Riley Gibbs, well-known business man and highly-respected citizen of Carson City, Montcalm county, Michigan, was born in Knox county, Ohio, on August 26, 1842, the son of Robert and Miriam ( Ames) Gibbs, natives of Cannonsburg. Washington county, Pennsylvania, and of the state of Delaware, respectively.
Robert Gibbs was descended from Robert Gibbs, who was the first governor of South Carolina under the British crown, and who was one of three brothers who came to America in the early days of American his- tory. The Gibbs family of England was one of prominence, a representa- tive of this house having served his country as secretary of state, and another having been a cardinal of the Catholic church, while another was a noted sea captain. For many generations the Gibbs family was recognized by a crest and a coat-of-arms, in England, and this family has taken a place of note in the affairs of their country since the eleventh century.
Robert Gibbs, father of the subject of this sketch. was the son of Robert Gibbs, who moved from South Carolina, where he was the owner of a large tract of land, having been a prosperous planter of that state. Robert Gibbs, Jr., when a young man, moved with his family to Nobles- town, Pennsylvania, where he lived for some time and then went to Seneca county, Ohio, living there until February, 1855. when he moved to the wilderness of Isabella county, Michigan. where he secured land and lived for some time and then moved to lonia county, where he secured forty acres of land located in Sebewa township, and there lived for the remainder of his days.
Robert Gibbs was married to Miriam Ames, who was the daughter of John and Sarah ( Cheney) Ames, both the Ames and Cheney families hav- ing been prominent in the affairs of New York state. Miriam Ames came to Ohio with her parents, where her father secured a large tract of land, on which he lived for the remainder of his life.
216
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
George Riley Gibbs received his early education in the public schools of Pennsylvania and in the public schools of Seneca county, Ohio, after which he lived in Isabella county, Michigan, and later came to Ionia county. where he worked as a farmer for some time in the summer months and attended school in the winter. After the completion of his school days. George Riley Gibbs learned the blacksmith trade, an occupation which he followed until September 15. 1861, when he enlisted in Company D, Ninth Regiment, Michigan Volunteer Infantry, a command with which Mr. Gibbs served until October. 1864. during his service being engaged chiefly in the duties of blacksmithing and in the care of wagon trains which supplied the troops of the Fourteenth Army Corps. As a soldier, Mr. Gibbs had many close calls from death; was a sufferer with typhoid fever on two occasions and at one time, after injuries received in a wagon train wreck, he was compelled to suffer many hours of hardship and privation before he was able to secure medical attention at a hospital which was located forty miles away, and to which he was transported on a two-wheeled ambulance. George Riley Gibbs fought in some of the most severe engagements of the Civil War and has one of the most honorable records of service.
After his discharge from the army, in October. 1864. George Riley Gibbs returned to Portland, Michigan, where he resumed his work as a black- smith and where he followed the business of a wagon-maker for a short time and then engaged in the duties of his business at Maple Center, near the town of Lyons, a place where Mr. Gibbs remained until 1867. when he returned to Portland, and for the next five years worked as a blacksmith with an old employer.
During the month of May. 1873. George Riley Gibbs moved to Carson City, Montcalm county, and engaged in his business as a blacksmith and wagon-maker, until the year 1887, when he retired from active business, as a result of failing health. In April, 1889. Mr. Gibbs was appointed to the office of postmaster of Carson City, an office which he occupied most satis- factorily for eight years. Later, George Riley Gibbs entered the insurance and loan business field and now he is one of the successful and able men engaged in this line of work in Montcalm county. In addition to his other insurance duties, Mr. Gibbs, for about seventeen years, has served as solicitor for the lonia, Montcalm and Clinton County Mutual Fire Insur- ance Company.
On July 5. 1866. George Riley Gibbs was married to Mary A. How- land, of Grand Ledge, who was born in Ohio. the daughter of Aretus and
247
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Eliza ( Aleen ) Howland, early settlers in Grand Ledge, Michigan. To the marriage of George Riley and Mary A. Gibbs were born four children: Mamie, who is deceased; Frank H., a traveling salesman of Clinton, Iowa, who married Nettie McPherson and to whom have been born six children; Mabel, who is the housekeeper for her father, and George R., Jr., who is a licensed public accountant of Detroit, who married Grace Till, of Williams- town, Michigan. Frank II. Gibbs and his wife have three grandchildren.
George Riley Gibbs has been prominent in the public life of Carson City and of Montcalm county, having served as assessor and having been a member of the street and water commission. Mr. Gibbs is a pioneer Mason of Montcalm county, having identified himself with this organization in the year 1865. He joined the lodge at Portland, where he took nine degrees. Mr. Gibbs was master of Carson City Lodge No. 306, for ten years. George Riley Gibbs is one of the honored men of Masonry in Carson City, his por- trait now adorning the walls of the lodge hall.
THOMAS DAVIDSON DOW. D. D. S.
Dr. Thomas D. Dow, well-known and successful dentist of Stanton, this county, who has been engaged in the practice of his profession in that city since 1900, is a native of the British Dominion across the border to the north, having been born in Teeswater, Ontario, August 14, 1876, son of Thomas and Margaret A. ( Davidson) Dow, the former of whom was a son of Thomas and Margaret ( McDonald) Dow and the latter was a daughter of Thomas and Eliza (Campbell) Davidson, the former a son of George and Mary (Stuart ) Davidson and the latter a daughter of James and Eliza ( Reid) Campbell, the former a son of Alexander Campbell and the latter a daughter of Samuel Reid, son of William Reid, all of Scottish birth or ‹lescent.
Doctor Dow's paternal grandfather. Thomas Dow, came to this side of the water from Banffshire, Scotland, with his parents, Thomas and Jane (Dow) Dow, in 1832. he then being but six years of age. the family settling in Canada, and it was there the grandfather grew to manhood, married Mar- garet McDonald and reared his family. The third Thomas Dow was mar- ried at Detroit, the Reverend Worthington, rector of St. John's church, offi- ciating. July 26, 1874. to Margaret A. Davidson, who was born in Bally- mena parish, County Antrim, Ireland, May 1, 1856. and who was about six-
248
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
teen years of age when she came with her parents to this side of the water in 1872, the family settling about six miles east of Sarnia, Ontario, and was temporarily residing in Detroit when she married Mr. Dow. After his mar- riage Thomas Dow moved to Teeswater, Ontario, where he made his home until 1880, in which year he moved to Caro, in Tuscola county, this state, where he spent the remainder of his life, his death occurring on June 4, 1910. He was born in Fergus, Ontario, on October 31, 1853, and was a skilled mechanic, a vocation he followed all his life. He was a Republican and he and his wife were devout members of the Baptist church, with which church the latter, who is still living at Caro, is still connected, long having been an earnest exponent of all good works in that place. Three sons were born to Mr. and Mrs. Dow, of whom the subject of this sketch is the eldest, the others being James, born on July 13, 1878, who died in 1888, and Will- iam, May 22, 1881.
Thomas Dow, fourth of the name in his line. was three years old when his parents came to Michigan and his youth was spent in the village of Caro, with the exception of two years, 1888-90, spent in Sebewaing, in Huron county. Upon completing the course in the Caro high school in 1893 he began teaching school and was thus engaged for four years at East Dayton. Fair Grove and Watrousville, all in Tuscola county. In the fall of 1807 he entered the University of Michigan and was graduated from the dental department of that institution in 1900. During his college days Doctor Dow paid considerable attention to athletics and still holds the half- mile indoor track record for walking. Upon receiving his diploma. Doctor Dow came to this county, opened an office for the practice of his profession at Stanton and has been thus engaged there ever since, having built up an extensive and profitable practice.
On August 24. 1903. Dr. Thomas D. Dow was imited in marriage to Marguerite C. Shutt. daughter of Mrs. S. P. Youngs, of Stanton, and to this union two children, daughters, have been born. Margaret Elizabeth, born on January 16. 1005. and Constance Rachel. May 8. 1900. Mrs. Dow was born in Ohio, and after the death of her father. Sanford A. Shutt, came with her mother to this county. the latter being engaged as a teacher in the Stan- ton schools, the daughter continuing her schooling, and was graduated from the Stanton high school in 1899. Doctor and Mrs. Dow take an active inter- est in the social life of Stanton and are held in high esteem by their many friends there and throughout the county.
Doctor Dow is a Republican and is now an alderman of Stanton. Te
249
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
also is secretary of the school board and in other ways exhibits his interest in the general affairs of the city. Tle is a Royal Arch Mason and is a mem- ber of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in the affairs of both of which organizations he takes a warm interest. The year after locating at Stanton, Doctor Dow was placed in charge of the "Marine" band there and has been director of that popular musical organization ever since. ITe is the owner of the office building in which he is located in Main street and is regarded as one of Stanton's substantial citizens.
CLARENCE A. SWEET.
Clarence A. Sweet, the son of Hartwell Prentice and Alta M. ( Burt) Sweet, was born on January 1. 1879, at Carson City.
Hartwell P. Sweet was born on September 30, 1852, at Marshall and was one of a family of ten children of William Allen. Jr., and Maria ( Far- rar) Sweet. William Allen, Jr., was the son of William Allen, Sr., who was the son of Paul. the son of Capt. Silas Sweet, who was a captain on a merchant ship and later moved to Vermont, so that his sons would be away from the influence of the water and not become sailors. The son, Paul, was born on April 1. 1775. and married Rebecca Chadwick, who was born on July 21. 1778, and was the daughter of John and Mary ( Allen) Chadwick. Mary ( Allen) Chadwick was the daughter of William Allen, born on Octo- ber 1, 1727, and Jane Spooner Allen, born some years before. William Allen was of an old Vermont family and related to Ethan Allen, of Revolutionary fame. William Allen Sweet, Sr., the son of Paul and Rebecca (Chadwick ) Sweet, was born at Bedford, Vermont, in 1805, and went to Colburn, Canada, . where he married Marie Farrar. a native of Vermont, who had gone to Canada with her parents, Prentice and Elizabeth (Osgood) Farrar. Pren- tice Farrar was the son of Stephen Farrar, who was born on September 8. 1738, and was the son of Deacon Sammel Farrar. Stephen was a graduate of Harvard and the first minister in New Ipswich, New Hampshire. He was married to Eunice Brown, of Waltham. He died in 1800. Deacon Samuel Farrar was born on September 28, 1708. and was the son of George and lydia ( Barrett) Farrar, the former of whom died in 1783. George, who was born on August 16, 1679, and married Mary Howe, was the son of Jacob Farrar, who was born in England in 1642, and emigrated to Lancas-
250
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
ter in 1658. He married Hannah Hayward, and some years later was killed in King Philip's War.
William A. Sweet. after many years' residence in Canada, became involved in the rebellion of 1838 and found it convenient to leave that terri- tory and move to Marshall, Calhoun county, this state, where he worked at his trade. that of a cabinet-maker, and remained there until 1866, when he bought a farm near there, where he spent the remainder of his life, he having died in 1881. His wife died in Carson City in 1893. They were the par- ents of the following children: Harriet Elizabeth, Louise, William Allen, B. Frank. Kate, Hartwell Prentice, Jane, Lilly, Tom and Charles. Harriet was born at Colburn, Canada, in 1835, and became the wife of Orlando G. Post. Louise was born on October 19. 1838. and is the widow of Major James A. Strong. She now resides in Chicago. William Allen was born at Marshall, April 27, 1841, and served in the Civil War in Company I, Third Michigan Cavalry, from September 2, 1861, to March 15, 1866. After the war he was surveyor of Calhoun county for six years, after which he came to Carson City, where he practiced law and was county surveyor for three terms. B. Frank was born at Marshall on September 21, 1843. He was first liuetenant in the Fourteenth Michigan Light Battery in the Civil War. He now resides in Carson City, where he was engaged in the drug business from 1873 until 1901. Kate was born near Marshall and is the wife of Charles W. Hinkle. Jane, the widow of S. W. Davis, lives at Bay View and at Petosky.
Hartwell Prentice Sweet grew to manhood near Marshall and spent much of his younger life in travel. From 1871 to 1873 he was in Califor- nia, where he followed his trade. that of a painter. He now resides in Car- son City. On November 1, 1877, he was married to Alta M. Burt, who was born on March 19, 1861, in Gratiot county, a short distance east of Carson City. She was the daughter of William and Mary ( Bemis) Burt. Her father was of a family of early pioneers of Gratiot county. In early life he became a marine engineer and was thus engaged at the beginning of the Civil War He enlisted in the Twenty-first Regiment, Michigan Vohinteer Infantry, and served as a brave soldier until his death on the field of action. He is buried in Tennessee. Mrs. Alta Sweet was a native of Ohio.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.