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 27
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Oren A. Rowland received very little education, being forced to sup- port himself while very young. He engaged in the lumber woods for several years, later interesting himself in agricultural pursuits. On July 4. 1862, he was married to Phoebe Covell, and to them were born fourteen children. eleven of whom are now living: Seymour, Joseph. Charlotte, William, Gusta. George, Meda, Oren. Tra, Charles and Berthia The three who died were: Samuel, who passed away, aged thirty-seven years: William A., who died aged two years, and James S., who died aged seven weeks. Phoebe
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Covell was born on August 17, 1845, in the state of Vermont and removed to New York state when a child of nine years. After her marriage she came to Michigan with her husband and they located on their present farm in 1860. their first house having been built of logs. The place was virgin timber when they first occupied it, but it was gradually cleared and they later erected their present house. The family are members of the Free Methodist church of Coral, Michigan. Oren A. Rowland being a trustee of this denomination. Although a former member of the Democratic party. he is now an active Prohibitionist.
EDWIN D. GREENHOE.
Edwin D. Greenhoc, for the past two years an insurance agent and real-estate dealer of Sheridan, and for twelve years a barber, was born in North Plains township, lonia county, on April 17, 1869, and is the son of George M. and Mary MI. (Greenhoe) Greenhoe.
George M. Greenhoe, the son of Andrew B. Greenhoe, is a native of Summit county, Ohio, and his parents located, as early settlers, in lonia county, after their children were large enough to care for themselves. Andrew Greenhoe and wife, after moving to lonia county, purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land, which was cleared and improved by then, after which they sold the place and later moved to Bushnell township. Mont- cahn county, making their home with the son, George M.
George M. Greenhoe, after his parents left the home in Ohio and came to Michigan, remained in his native state and worked for others on the farm. after which he came to the home of his father in Michigan and here enlisted, in June. 1862, in Company I. Twenty-first Regiment, Michigan Volunteer Infantry. He served during the war and received his honorable discharge in June, 1865, and returned to the home of his parents. In November. 1866, Mr. Greenhoe was married to Mary M. Greenhoe, the daughter of Henry and Hannah Greenhoe, both of whom were natives of Ohio, and came to Michigan as permanent residents in 1866. To them have been born four children, all of whom are living: Edwin D., the subject of this sketch; Delbert S .. a farmer in Evergreen township: Orman R .. and Zerah M., carpenters of Sheridan.
Edwin D. Greenhoe remained at home until eighteen years of age. attending school in the district and assisting in the general work of the
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farm. After leaving the home place he learned the trade of a shingle- weaver and worked for Neff Brothers, east of McBride, for several years. after which he worked at various places, but always at his trade, until he was twenty-four years old, when he returned to the old home. He assisted with the work of the farm and was engaged in the lumber business and did some trading.
On November 24. 1805. Edwin D. Greenhoe was united in marriage to Jennie I. Ludwick, the daughter of John IT. and Sarah ( Greenhoe ) Lud- wick. For one year thereafter he worked upon the farm of his father and then for two years he was with his father-in-law in the lumber business in Mecosta county. In roof he engaged in the barber business at Sheridan. and continued his shop until 1913. when he sold out and engaged in the insurance and real-estate business, which business he conducts at the present time.
To Mr. and Mrs. Greenhoe have been born two children: Otto L., who is in second year high school at Sheridan, and Helen L., who died on April 24. 1906.
Mr. Greenhoe is an active member of the Republican party, having held the office of town president, member of the council. assessor, and is now serving his second term as village treasurer. Mr. Greenhoe is a mem- ber of Pearl Lake Lodge No. 324. Free and Accepted Masons, and the Sheridan Camp No. 7312. Modern Woochmen of America. He is at present secretary of the board of education of the Sheridan public schools.
CARL F. HANSEN.
Conspicnous among the residents of Montcalm county, Michigan. is Carl F. Hansen. who, by his indomitable effort, has won for himself an enviable place in the respect of his fellow citizens. Handicapped with a limited education and forced at an early age to become the arbiter of his own destiny. he has acquired an honorable competency while still young enough to enjoy the fruit of his labors. His birth occurred on January 24. 1867. in Denmark, and at nine years of age he began to support himself. acting as cattle herder during the summer months and attending school in the winter. When he was nearly twenty years of age he was given a ticket by his brother-in-law. said ticket being the means of bringing him to Green- ville, Michigan, on May 13, 1887. He then removed to Gowen, Michigan.
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where he was employed in the woods for some time, following which he was engaged as a clerk in the store of a Mr. Thompson, remaining in that posi- tion for several years. After a short time spent in Cadillac, Michigan, he returned to Gowen, and in 1892 made a trip to his native land of Denmark, where he remained only a short while. When he returned to Michigan he accepted a position as manager of Thompson's store, remaining there for a period of eighteen years.
In April, 1896, Carl F. Hansen was united in marriage to Anna Soren- sen, a native of Maple Valley township, and they were the parents of one child. Hilda, who was born in April, 1900. Atma ( Sorensen) Hansen passed away in 1906, leaving the husband and young daughter to mourn their loss.
In 1911 Carl F. Hansen purchased the bank which he still owns and manages, and is the possessor of country property and city real estate, all of which he has gained through honest endeavor. He is a member of the Danish Lutheran church, also of the Danish Brotherhood. In his fraternal relations, he is affiliated with lodge No. 500. Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and in his political views he is a stanch Democrat, serving his com- munity as postmaster during President Cleveland's last administration. He has also acted as justice of the peace and in many ways been of service to the citizens of this locality.
THOMAS BATY.
Thomas Baty, the son of John and Jane ( Scott) Baty, was born in Perth county, Ontario, Canada, on June 23. 1862, and now lives on his farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Winfield and Maple Valley town- ships, his residence being in Winfield township.
John Baty was born in England near the boundary of Scotland. There he spent his early boyhood and later emigrated to Canada with his parents. Jane ( Scott ) Baty was born in Scotland and came with her parents to Canada when but a child. The elder Scotts and Batys lived and died in Canada.
Thomas Baty grew to manhood on a farm in Canada and on December 21. 1884. was married to Matilda E. Ebel, the daughter of William and Wilhelmina ( Crappce ) Ebel. The former born in Montreal and the latter was of German descent, she having been born in Hanover, where she grew to womanhood and emigrated to Montreal at the age of nineteen. There she met and married William Ebel. Mrs. Ebel is still living at Stratford,
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Canada, Mr. Ebel having died some years ago. To this union were born nine children, eight of whom are still living: William, Lonis (deceased ), Wilhelmina, Matilda. Sophia, Ernest, Herman, Louisa and Charles.
John and Jane Baty were the parents of eleven children, ten of whom are still living: Richard, Jane (deceased ), Robert, John, Marion, wife of Oliver Jones; Eliabeth, wife of David Ross; James; Margaret, wife of Joseph Woodhall; William; Isabella. wife of Thomas McGorman, and Thomas.
Thomas Baty and wife for two years after their marriage lived on the home farm of his father, after which they rented for one year and then moved to Howard City, where they remained for sixteen years, Mr. Baty being engaged in carpenter work. In 1903 they rented a farm in Maple Valley, and in 1912 they purchased their present farm where they reside.
Mr. and Mrs. Baty are the parents of eight children, as follow: Wil- mena, living in Detroit; William and Tina Bell. both of whom died in infancy: Marian, who died at the age of twelve: Cleal and Charles, at home; Margaret, who died at the age of fifteen months, and Darwin, who is in the eighth grade of the district school.
Mr. Baty is a Republican in politics, and while interested in selecting the best men to office he has taken no prominent or active part in the politi- cal affairs of his community.
JOHN L. PENNY.
John I. Penny is one of the prosperous and influential citizens of this section and stands high in the respect of his fellow men, not alone for his honesty and integrity but for his progressive ideas as well. lle is the son of William and Mary Penny, and his birth occurred on October 23, 1848, in Union county, Pennsylvania. William Penny was a native of Ireland and was the son of Thomas Penny. also a native of that country. Ile emi- grated to American with his parents, who located in Lancaster county, Penn- sylvania, later removing to Union county, of that state. Mary ( Yoder) Penny was a native of Pennsylvania, and a resident of Union county, where her marriage occurred. Her birth occurred on April 22, 1822, and her death in February. 1004. her husband having died in 1858. They were the parents of seven children, four of whom are now living: Harry is a resi- dent of Pennsylvania : Mary J. is the wife of Seth Howard; John L., and
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(lara, who is the wife of William Gundy, living in Union county, P'em- sylvania.
John 1 .. Penny remained a resident of his native county until he reached the age of twenty-one years, having attended the common schools of that locality until he was eighteen years of age. In the fall of 1871 he removed to Maple Valley. Michigan, traveling by the way of Chicago, Illinois. On May 5. of the same year, he was mited in marriage to Addie E. Fralick. and of this union two children have been born : Arthur W. and Mertie .M. Arthur W. is a graduate of the local high school and of the State University of Michigan, and is now a prominent attorney of Cadillac. Michigan. His birth occurred on May 5. 1875. while that of his sister was on April 20. 1877. She is a graduate of the common schools of Montcahn county. and is the wife of Albert Ede. The mother of these children is a native of Ohio, removing to this county when she was five years of age.
John 1 .. Penny and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, of Mckinley, Michigan. He has always been very active in church work, as well as in fraternal relations and is a member of the Knights of the Maccabees, in which order he carries insurance. In political views, he is a Republican, being much interested in local politics. The farm which he owns consists of one hundred and eleven acres of well improved land and is located two and one-half miles from Trufant. Michigan.
FRED S. PICKELL.
Fred S. Pickell, a farmer living on his farm of eighty acres, southwest of Stanton, was born in Jackson county on December 23, 1868, and is the son of Edson and Cornelia ( Belcher ) Pickell. Edson Pickell was born in Pennsylvania in 1842 and lived there till he was ten years of age, when he came with his parents, Isaac and Mary ( Williams ) Pickell. to Jackson county. Michigan, where he grew to manhood. Mary Williams was born in Eng- land and came with her parents to the United States when but a small girl. Isaac Pickell was of German descent. his forefathers having come to the United States at an carly date. Isaac Pickell and wife both died in Jackson county some years ago. To them were born eleven children, all of whom are dead excepting Frank, who lives in Jackson county.
Edson was the fifth child of his father's family and he remained at home until 1861. when he was eighteen years of age, at which time he
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enlisted in Company D. First Regiment, Michigan Volunteer Infantry. He served with distinction during the war and was mustered out at Jefferson- ville, Indiana, in the fall of 1865. Hle returned to Jackson county, where he was married soon after to Cornelia Belcher, and to this union were born three children : Charles, a barber at McBride; Seth, a farmer near McBride, and Fred S.
The wife and mother. Cornelia Pickell, died in 1872 and on July 5, 1873. Edson Pickell was united in marriage to Rose B. Mesler, who was born in Lake county, Ohio, and married in lonia county, Michigan. She was the daughter of William and Rachel B. ( Beam) Mesler, both of whom were natives of New Jersey. William Mesler was the son of John and Permelia ( Snow) Mesler. John Mesler was a native of Germany and came to America as a small boy, while Permelia Snow was a native of France and came to the United States as a small girl and settled in New Jersey with her parents, where she and Mr. Mesler lived and died.
William Mesler and Rachel Beam were married in New Jersey, where they lived for some years, after which they were residents of Lake county. Ohio, for five years, when they moved to Oakland county, Michigan, where they resided for four years before taking up their residence in Sidney town- ship. Montcalm county. Here Mr. Mesler homesteaded eighty acres of land and here they made their home until their deaths. They were the parents of thirteen children, two of whom are still living: Rose, who was born on December 10. 1855. and Edward W .. of Sidney, born on June 24, 1862.
Shortly after their marriage, Edson Pickell and wife settled in Mont- calm county, where Mr. Pickell followed teaming for a time, after which they purchased the home farm in 1875. Here he made his home until his death, on August 10, 1909, in Sidney township, where his son, Fred S., now resides. Mr. Pickell was a prominent Republican and for five years he was a justice of the peace of Sidney township and was a school officer for twenty-five years. He was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic Post No. 37. Stanton. Michigan.
Fred S. Pickell was married on February 1, 1909, to Edna Fleck, the daughter of John and Hettie ( Morgan ) Fleck. John Fleck was a native of Fairplain township and was the son of John and Mary ( Butterworth) Fleck, who were natives of the state of New York and came to Montcalm county with their parents. They were married in the county and here made their home until their deaths.
John and Hettie Fleck were the parents of four children, all of whom
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are living: Edna Fern, the wife of Fred S. Pickell; Cecil May, at home; George, a resident of McBride, and William, at home.
To Fred S. Pickell and wife have been born two children : Murl Servill, born on August 9, 1909, and Thelma Leona, who was born on November I, 1910.
Mr. Pickell operated a threshing outfit for about twenty-five years, in which line his father had also been engaged. He now carries on general farming. In politics, Fred S. Pickell is a Republican, but has not cared to hold office.
ANDREW BRACE GOODWIN.
Andrew Brace Goodwin was born in Ronald township, Ionia county, on January 11, 1865, and was the son of Andrew M. and Cornelia (Talcott) Goodwin. Andrew M. Goodwin was born in 1834 in the state of New York and moved with his parents, Chauncey and Sallie ( Hubbard) Good- win, to lonia county in 1840. The Goodwin family have been residents of the United States for many generations, Ozias Goodwin having come to Boston from London in 1632 and later settled at Hartford, Connecticut. Andrew M. Goodwin was the son of Chauncey, who was the son of Jesse, Jr., the son of Jesse, Sr., who was born in Litchfield, Connecticut, on Sep- tember 3. 1737, and later served in the company of Lieut. Thomas Bidwell, in the Eighteenth Regiment of the Connecticut Militia, which was stationed at New York from August 19, 1776, to September 8, of the same year. He was also a corporal in the company of Amaser Mills, in the regiment of Col. Roger Enos, which was organized for duty on the Hudson river. Jesse, Sr .. was the son of Abraham, the son of Nathaniel, the son of William, who was the son of Ozias, who with his brother. William. came to the United States from England. The family connection has been traced to 1519, when they lived in Braintree, Essex county. England.
Among the prominent descendants of the Goodwin family is Judge Daniel Goodwin, of Detroit, who was chairman of the Constitutional con- vention of 1850. Another of the family is James Junius Goodwin, at one time a partner of J. Pierpont Morgan, who prepared an exhaustive history of the Goodwin family.
After taking up his residence in Michigan, Chauncey Goodwin devoted the rest of his life to farming in Tonia county, where Andrew M. grew to
ANDREW B. GOODWIN.
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manhood and received his education in the common schools of the state and where he spent his life as a farmer, having died in 1865.
Cornelia ( Talcott ) Goodwin, the wife of. Andrew M., was born in Madison, New York, in 1835, and was the daughter of Ebenezer and Ruby S. ( Risley ) Talcott. The Talcotts came to Michigan, settling in lonia county, where the mother died in 1869.
Andrew Brace Goodwin is one of a family of three children : Charles 1 .. of Orange township: Ida M .. widow of Robert B. Catt, who lives on the old home farm. and Andrew Brace, who was but a baby when his father died and but three years old at the death of his mother. The brother, Charles, is a man of much force and influence in the community, having been register of deeds in lonia county for two terms and a member of the board of supervisors for six years. He is a graduate of the Michigan Agricultural College and is active in all public affairs.
After the death of the parents. of young Andrew he lived with relatives until he was about fourteen years of age when he went to work on a farm and attended school, later graduating from the Michigan Agricultural Col- lege in the class of 1888, after which he lived on a farm for three years and then read law with Chaddock & Sculley, at Ionia, and was admitted to the bar in 1894. After his admission he came to Carson City where he has been engaged in the profession and where he has been eminently successful.
Mr. Goodwin is allied with the Democratic party and is very active in its campaigns. Ile takes a great interest in all public affairs and is an influence for all that is good and progressive. He has held many minor local offices and at the present time is the efficient postmaster of his home town. For some years he was the secretary and later the treasurer of the central committee.
On September 4. 1889, Andrew B. Goodwin was married to Nellie Rose Klotz, a native of lonia county, and the daughter of Augustus F. and Sarah ( Nicholson ) Klotz. Her father came from Germany with his parents and located in Jonia county, where he has lived the life of a farmer. Sarah ( Nicholson ) Klotz was reared in fonia county and there the daughter, Nellie Rose, lived until her marriage, after which she lived in Carson City until her death in 1900.
Mr. and Mrs. Goodwin were the parents of three children: Harold Klotz. Raymond Irving and Andrew Fred. Raymond and Andrew are at home. Harold assists his father in the postoffice. Mr. Goodwin belongs to the Masonic order and is secretary of his lodge in Carson City. The family are active and prominent members of the Methodist Episcopal church
(19h)
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and before the death of Mrs. Goodwin she took much interest in all church work. Harold married Gertrude E. Alsap and is now keeping house in Carson City.
JACOB W. DURST.
Among the citizens of Canadian birth whose services have contributed to the material progress of Montcalm county, Michigan, is Jacob W. Durst. who has followed the occupation of a farmer here for a number of years and whose loyalty to the county in which he resides is of the most insistent order. Ile was born on October 11. 1866. on a farm in Perth county, Ontario, Canada, and is the son of Daniel and Caroline ( Brunner ) Durst, both of whom were natives of Canada. Daniel Durst was the son of Adam Durst, who was born in Germany, and who came to Canada, after his mar- riage, where his family was reared. The parents of Caroline Brunner were also natives of Germany, who settled first in Canada and later in Montcalm county. Michigan, where they passed away.
Daniel Durst lived in Canada for a number of years after his marriage, where eight of his children were born. The family came to the United States in 1886. locating in Maple Valley township, of Montcalm county. where Mr. Durst bought eighty acres of land. Mrs. Durst died in 1889. and her husband continues to reside on the home place. Daniel Durst and his wife became the parents of the following children: Jacob W., the subject of this sketch: Adam, who died after reaching the age of manhood ; Mary. who became the wife of B. M. Burt, of Maple Valley: Daniel, who resides in Pierson township: Ellen, the wife of Charles Foss, of Owasse, Michigan : John, who lives near Coral, in Maple Valley township: Frank, who is living in Maple Valley township: Edgar, who is a resident of the place just men- tioned, and Pearl, who is the wife of George Snow. of Maple Valley. Mont- calm county.
Jacob W. Durst. after gaining the educational advantages offered in his native county. assisted his father in the work on the home farm, where he obtained the most valuable experience in his chosen field of endeavor. The subject of this sketch remained at home until his marriage, which took place in 1801. when he moved to the farm he now occupies. The farm is located in section 18. Maple Valley township, Montcalm county, and con- sists of one hundred and twenty acres, eighty acres of which Mr. Durst pur- chased before his marriage. On this farm he follows the lines of general
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farming, devoting a great part of his time to the raising of high-grade stock. Mr. Durst is a man of high principles, who has attained success through his devotion to duty and his ability to meet the problems of the soil. He enjoys a wide acquaintance among the citizens of the community in which he resides and is looked upon as a man to whom worthy recognition is due.
The marriage of Jacob Durst to Nettie Backart, the daughter of Julias and Luck Backart. took place in February, 1801. Mr. Backart was a native of Germany. The following children have been born to this union: Ralph J .. who married Florence Curtis, and who has one child, Iris Vivian; Car- rie, Lucy, George and Donald, all of whom are living with their parents.
In political affairs, the subject of this sketch gives support to the prin- ciples of the Republican party. He is also an enthusiast on educational affairs, and is acting as director of the school district in which he resides. an office he has held for the past three years.
BERNARD NORTON.
Bernard Norton, a well-known general merchant, liveryman and dealer in produce, coal and wood at Trufant, this county, is a native son of Mich- igan, having been born in the neighboring county of Kent on August 25. 1873, son of Edward and Jane (O'Brien) Norton, both natives of Ireland and pioneer residents of the section in which they lived in Kent county.
Edward Norton and his wife came to the United States not long after their marriage and settled in Kent county, this state. They were without material means, but both possessed stout hearts and willing hands and they set about making a new home in the woods and were so diligent in their affairs that at the time of his death Edward Norton was the owner of a fine farm of one hundred acres and his family had been reared in substantial comfort. He and his wife were earnest members of the Catholic church and their children were reared in that faith. There were eight of these children. of whom seven are now living, those besides the subject of this biographical sketch being James P .. a farmer, produce dealer and elevator man, of Mosley. Kent county, this state; Charles F., head of the firm of Charles E. Norton & Company, dealers in women's furnishings, carpets and draperies at Grand Rapids. this state: George A., who owns and operates the old home farm in Kent county; Catherine. wife of Daniel Weaver, of Grand Rapids: Celia. wife of Neil Pelnode, of Muskegon, this state, and
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Jennie V., wife of Roy Howard, of Grand Rapids, all of whom are doing well their respective parts in life.
Bernard Norton was reared on the home farm in Kent county, receiv- ing his education in the district schools of his home neighborhood, and carly began his career in business. At the age of twenty-two he married Kath- erine O'Donnell, who was born in New York state and who had come to this section of the state in her girlhood with her parents, and not long after that event began his career as a business man in Trufant. Mr. Norton is engaged in the produce, coal and wood business and is besides the owner of the livery stable at Trufant and the owner of the warehouse at the same place, being quite successful in his several ventures and regarded as one of the most substantial citizens of that place.
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