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 40
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Oscar Wilson remained on the farm belonging to his father until he was twenty-five years old. After his marriage he took up his residence on the farm in Eaton county, where he remained for five years. He bought the Horatio Sanborn farm in Sheridan, Montcalm county, which he managed
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for five years. Before coming to Bloomer township, where he now resides, the subject of this sketch was occupied for nine years with farming on a place near Charlotte. The farm now occupied by the subject of this sketch consisted originally of one hundred and sixty acres, but since the time of the purchase forty acres have been added. It represents the latest designs in modern farm improvement, including stock buildings and drainage systems. Mr. Wilson is a breeder of Holstein cattle, of which he has thirty head.
In public affairs, Mr. Wilson has always played a prominent part. He was foremost in the movement which had for its purpose the construction of a drainage system from Butternut creek to Carson City. The work has greatly increased the value of the land it drains and has added materially to the industrial prosperity of Butternut. While the plans of its projection were in course Mr. Wilson sacrificed both time and personal expense to bring the subject before the people of his community.
The marriage of Oscar Wilson to Alice McClintick took place in 1877. She was born in Richland county, Ohio, and is the daughter of Jacob and Harriet ( Swisher ) McClintick. Jacob McClintick, who was of Irish extrac- tion, followed the occupation of a farmer, and died just two years after his marriage. His wife, who was Harriet Swisher, a native of Pennsylvania, came to Ohio with her parents in the pioneer days and settled near Mans- field. After the death of her husband, Mrs. McClintick married David Dil- lon and continued to reside at Richland. Ohio. Until she was twelve years old, Alice McClintick lived at home, then came to Charlotte to make her home with an aunt. She received the advantages of a high school education and after completing the course qualified for the profession of teaching. Before her marriage to Mr. Wilson she taught for four years in the public schools of Charlotte.
Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have become the parents of the following children : George B., who married Irene Walsh, and who lives with his family of three children, Alice. Florence and Winston, on his father's farm; Harry, who was killed in an automobile accident in July, 1913, was survived by his wife, who was Eva Fitzpatrick. and one daughter, Louise; Hazel, who became the wife of Charles (). Squires, resides in Chicago, where her brother, Don M .. also sides: Margaret, who lives at home, where she teaches school, attended the normal school at Mt. Pleasant. and Marie, who became the wife of Don C. Conklin, lives in Redlands, California, and has a son, Calvin. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson attend the Congregational church and are prominent in the social affairs of Butternut and vicinity.
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FRED D. BRIGGS.
The late Fred D. Briggs, of Langston, Pine township, this county, was one of the greatest factors for the progress of the community. He was born on April 7, 1861, in Handy, Livingston county, Michigan, and was the son of Nathan N. and Hannah D. (Lang) Briggs. Nathan Briggs was the son of Benjamin Briggs, who was one of the founders of the Briggs family in America. This family was formerly of England and Ireland and the descendants came from New York to Michigan, about 1837, locating in Montcalm county. Hannah D. (Lang) Briggs was the daugh- ter of Daniel Lang, who was the founder of the town of Langston, in line township, Montcalm county, Michigan. The Lang family also were from England and Ireland and migrated from New York to Michigan, in the early days, being among the first settlers of Montcalm county.
Fred D. Briggs was but two years of age when he came with his parents to the town of Langston, Michigan, where he was reared and where he remained until his death. His education was received in the schools of Greenville, Montcalm county, Michigan, only a few miles distant from his home. Almost immediately upon the completion of his student days he accepted a position with R. F. Srague, manager of the Grand Rapids & Greenville Lumber Company, in the capacity of bookkeeper. In 1882, Fred D. Briggs and E. O. Bellows engaged in the general merchandise business, but after a short time Fred D. Briggs purchased the entire stock and con- tinued to manage the trade alone until his death, on April 16. 1915. The political views of Fred D. Briggs were strongly Democratic, as were those of his father, Nathan Briggs. He was very active in all local elections, and held all of the township offices, being township supervisor for eight years prior to his death. His fraternal relations were with the Knights of the Maccabees, Modern Woodmen of America, and the Ancient Order of Gleaners, all of whom mourned his loss sincerely and with deepest sorrow.
On June 19, 1895, in Montcalm county, Fred D. Briggs was united in marriage to Mabel Stickney, daughter of Summer and Kate (Fisk) Stickney, and four children blessed their union: Fred N., born on May 10, 1808: Mabel T .. , June 27, 1902; Vivian, April 30, 1908, and Barbara, June 29, 1912. Mabel Stickney was born on February 20, 1877, in Big Rapids, Michigan, and after her marriage became a true helpmate to her husband, gaining the goodwill and respect of all who know her. Her father was of Scotch descent and her mother English, and both were in business
FRED D. BRIGGS.
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together, having been registered pharmacists. They came to Montcalni county, Michigan, in 1886, from the town of Big Rapids, Mecosta county, Michigan, where the father had been in the banking business in connection with his drug shop. He installed the first stock of drugs in Mecosta county, and was very prominent in that locality.
THOMAS J. CLIFFE.
Widely known in this business relations and personally held in high esteem as a man of character and integrity is Thomas J. Cliffe, whose birth took place in Michigan, near Detroit, on November 6, 1834. Ilis parents, Thomas and Rhoda ( Javens) Cliffe, were both natives of England, and shortly after their marriage came to this country. In his native country, Thomas Cliffe, Sr., was employed in a drug store and for some time con- ducted a general store near The Potteries, Staffordshire, England. After arriving in America, which was probably in 1832, he and his wife settled on a farm near Detroit, which they bought. Five years later the couple returned to England, where they remained a year. Upon returning to this country Thomas Cliffe again took up the occupation of farming, but his happiness in this work was saddened by the death of his wife.
.At the time of his mother's death, Thomas Cliffe, Jr., was six years old and was taken by a family in Canada. who kept him for two years. He was then passed on to another family and as soon as he was able was sent out to work. From earliest childhood Thomas Cliffe, who is now one of the most prosperous farmers of the community in which he lives, has been obliged to support himself. At the age of fourteen he worked for the sum of eight dollars a month, but the meager pay was compensated by the kind- ness of the members of the family with whom he lived. After he reached the age of twenty-one he learned the stone-mason's trade, in which line he became musually skillful and which held his attention until he was thirty- six years old.
In 1857 Mr. Cliffe came to Montcalm county and bought a piece of land consisting of forty acres, which is located one mile south of his present home, in the southern part of Bloomer township. At the time of the pur- chase the land was covered almost entirely with timber, which Mr. Cliffe used to build a cabin. He cleared half of the land and went to Palmyra,
(27b)
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Michigan, where he remained a year. In 1861 he bought the farm which he now occupies, which is located west of Bloomer Center. The farm con- sisted of fifty acres, to which Mr. Cliffe added forty acres more ten years later. During the first years of his occupancy of this farm, he was obliged to work at the mason's trade, as his earnings on the farm were not large.
The marriage of Thomas Cliffe to Martha Ann Howe was solemnized on December 15, 1855. Mrs. Cliffe, who was born on June 10, 1833. in Foxcroft, Maine, is the daughter of James and Cynthia ( Jackson) Howe. the former of whom was born in New Brunswick and the latter was a native of Maine. Before Martha Ann Howe was nine years old her parents moved to Mentor, Ohio, and later to Toledo. Her father died when she was nine- teen years old in Adrian, Ohio, where for some time he had made his home. To Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Cliffe the following children have been born : Sarah, the widow of Marshall St. Clair, who resides with her parents; Libby, who became the wife of George Evey, of Colorado Springs; Nina, who married Daniel Bell, also of Colorado Springs; Otis, who resides near Lake View, of this county; George I., of Bloomer township; a boy, Owen, died when he was fourteen, and a daughter died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Cliffe, who have been married sixty years, attend the Methodist church, where they are loyal members of the congregation.
George T. Cliffe, the son of Thomas J. Cliffe, was born on the farm where he now resides, west of Bloomer Center, in Montcalm county. After completing the course offered in the public schools of the community in which he lived, George I. Cliffe attended the State Normal School, at Ypsilanti, where he qualified for the profession of teaching. He taught school during one year and at the end of that time took up the occupation of farming, on his father's place. Later he bought eighty acres, adjoining his father's land, on which he lived for three years. At the present time he owns one hundred and thirty acres of improved farm land and resides in one of the two houses which have been erected on his father's farm.
On April 29, 1896, George T. Cliffe was united in marriage to Bertha Cooper, who was born just one mile east of her present home and who is the daughter of Thomas J. and Emma (Crowner) Cooper. Thomas Jeffer- son Cooper was born on February 18. 1846, in Jefferson county, New York. His parents, Edward and Elizabeth (Winner) Cooper, were both natives of New York. Thomas Cooper attended the high school at Antwerp, New York, which was known at that time as the Antwerp Liberal Literary Insti- tute. At the age of twenty-one he came to Montcalm county and settled on
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a farm two miles south of Carson City, which consisted of eighty acres. He lived on this farm until March, 1911, when he moved to Carson City, where he now resides.
On November 20, 1867, Thomas J. Cooper married Emma Crowner, a native of Jefferson county, New York, and the daughter of Joel and Antis (lamb) Crowner. . The children born to this union are: Clarence, who resides in Evergreen township, and who married Deborah Corey; Cora, the wife of Otis Cliffe, of Lake View; Bertha, the wife of George I. Cliffe; Loslie, who marrid Gay Johnson and who resides on his father's farm, and Mildred, who became the wife of Fred Mitchell and who lives near Bloomer Center. Mr. Cooper is a prominent member of the Methodist church, which he has attended since he was eighteen years old. In 1901, after the death of his first wife. Mr. Cooper married Maria H. Brice, a native of North Shade township. Gratiot county, Michigan, and the daughter of William and Rebecca ( Harlow) Brice, both of whom were natives of Kent county, England, where Mr. Brice was a shepherd. He became well known in North Shade township, where for four years he served as county treasurer. On the 23rd of February, 1907, he died in Ithica. By his first marriage the following children were born : Richard, Maria and Ella; and by his second wife. John N. and Celestia were born.
George Cliffe and his wife have always been devout members of the Methodist church and contribute generously to its welfare. They have become the parents of one daughter, Joy Maric.
GEORGE E. CORNELL.
George E. Cornell, the well-known and popular merchant of Six Lakes, Montcalm county, Michigan, was born in the state of New York, in Catta- iaugus county, on his father's farm, December 7, 1876. He is a son of Merritt B. and Mary ( Henderson ) Cornell, both natives of the state of New York. M. B. Cornell was born in Cattaraugus county, August 25, 1847, being a son of Brownell and Rachael ( Ellis) Cornell.
Brownell Cornell was one of the pioneers of Cattaraugus county. He was born in Onondaga county, New York, in 1800, where he was educated and grew to manhood. He married in his native county and with his family went to Cattaraugus county about 1840. He secured a tract of wild land which was all timbered and set about clearing it. In later years his farm
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became quite valuable, being on the line of the Erie railroad, but in the early days he was far distant from a market, the nearest being Buffalo, forty miles away. Brownell Cornell lived on that farm until his death, at the age of seventy-seven years, in 1877, while his wife lived until 1882, and died at the age of eighty-three. She was a daughter of Benjamin Ellis, of Cherry Valley, New York, where she grew to womanhood. She was twice married. her first husband being George Worden, and they made their home after marriage in New Albany. Cattaraugus county. She had four children by Ar. Worden, namely: Elizabeth, Amanda, Emeline, deceased, and Jeanette. After being widowed she married Brownell Cornell and bore him three children: Merritt B., Amenzo and George, all deceased.
Merritt B. Cornell grew up on his father's farm in Cattarangus county. receiving his elementary education in the schools near his home. He later attended Chamberlain Institute in Randolph. New York, and for fourteen years engaged in teaching school. Mr. Cornell married in his native county in 1873 Mary J. Henderson, born in New Albion, of the same county, May 30, 1857. a daughter of Benjamin Harrison and Betsy Henderson, and to that union were born six children, five of whom are living. These are George Emmett, Grace, Ralph, Amenzo and Alta. Grace is the wife of A. J. Doty. of Harbor Springs, Michigan; Ralph is a farmer of Belvidere township, this county ; Amenzo remains at home, and Alta married J. J. Leach, and also lives in Belvidere township.
Merritt B. Cornell went to Iowa in 1867 and remained there about six years. He then returned to his native county and remained there until 1894, when he came to Montcalm county, Michigan, locating in Belvidere township. The first year he rented land of S. R. Hillman and then bought a forty-acre tract, later adding another of the same size. The land was partly improved, some of the timber had been cut, but the stumps remained and the land was not ready for cultivation. There was a small house, which he rebuilt, adding barns and other outbuildings and greatly improving the entire place.
Merritt B. Cornell is an active worker in the ranks of the Prohibition party, but has never aspired to office. He is interested, however, in the local affairs of his party and for the past three years has been a member of the school board, as well as truant officer. Both Mr. Cornell and his wife are active workers in the United Brethren church at Six Lakes and he is a mem- ber of the board of trustees. Many years ago Mr. Cornell became a Free and Accepted Mason, but is not now active in the work of the order.
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George Emmett Cornell received his education in the public schools of Cattarangus county. He was eighteen years of age when his parents brought their family to this county. He was reared on a farm but engaged for a number of years in teaching school. He taught his first term in New York and fourteen years in Belvidere township. nine years being passed as princi- pal of the Six Lakes schools. In 1902 Mr. Cornell, in partnership with Martin Wilder, started in the general merchandise business at Six Lakes, which partnership continued for two years. Mr. Cornell then disposed of his interests to Mr. Wilder and about two years later opened another store for himself and has since given his entire attention to his business. He has a stock of general merchandise, including groceries, hardware, ladies' and gents' furnishings, dry goods, etc. He is progressive in his ideas, has a fine stock of goods and does a lucrative business. Personally, he is a popular man, congenial and possessing such characteristics as enable him to deal with patrons in a way satisfactory to all.
George E. Cornell was married on June 15. 1902, to Lillian Wilder, born at Colon, in St. Joseph county, this state, September 2, 1883. She is a daughter of Martin F. and Emma ( Ensign) Wilder. Martin Wilder was born on February 22. 1860, at Griggs Corners, Ashtabula county, Ohio, a son of Rufus and Betsy Elizabeth ( Wilder) Wilder, and was brought to this state when a small child. He grew up in St. Joseph county, where he received his education and was married on December 2, 1882. Emma Ensign, his wife, was born at Battle Creek, Calhoun county. this state, a daughter of Samuel and Susan ( Smith) Ensign. To their union were born three children, the eldest of which is Lillian, wife of George E. Cornell; Lizzie, wife of William R. Love, and Martin, Jr .. who is still at home. Mr. Wilder is a blacksmith by trade and worked in Colon and vicinity for about fifteen years. He moved to Greenville. this state, where he remained about ten months and then went to Stanwood, where he stayed two years. He came to Six Lakes in 1911 and went into the general merchandise business. He later on disposed of his stock of goods and was on the road for a time as traveling representative for an implement house and in the spring of 1915 he went into the restaurant business in Six Lakes.
George E. Cornell and wife are the parents of two children, Lucile, born on January 20, 1906, and Margaret. October 27. 1908. Mr. Cornell gives his political support to the Republican party and is one of its most active workers in this section. For the past eight years, with the exception of one year. he has been township clerk of Belvidere township and takes
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much interest generally in local matters. He is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, the Maccabees and the Gleaners, all through the local lodges at Six Lakes. Both Mr. and Mrs. Cornell are members of the Con- gregational church and take an active part in the affairs of same. Both are members of the Eastern Star.
WILLIAM R. BENNETT.
Among the successful farmers and well-known citizens of Douglass township. Montcalm county, Michigan, is William R. Bennett, who was born in Brant county, Ontario, Canada, on October 27. 1863, a son of Josiah B. and Martha ( McClellan) Bennett, the former born in Beverly township, Brant county, Canada, a son of Thomas and Sophia ( Neff ) Bennett; the latter born in Simcoe county, Ontario, a daughter of Samuel Mcclellan and wife.
Josiah B. Bennett. following his school days in Canada, learned the trade of a carpenter, which he followed in his native community for some time and then moved to Waterloo county, Ontario, living there for two years, after which he went to Brant county, making his home there until 1881. About this time the elder Bennett moved to Michigan, and located on a farm of eighty acres, which he secured in Douglass township, this county. clearing and improving this land and living as a general farmer for the remainder of his days. Josiah B. Bennett died on August 5, 1903; his widow, Martha, died on October 18, 1903. Josiah B. and Martha Bennett were the parents of five children: Jeremiah A., of Douglass township; John J., of Big Rapids, Mecosta county, Michigan ; William R., of Douglass township, this county; Josiah, who died in 1899, and Hattie, who now is Mrs. James Berrington, of Hillsdale county, Michigan. Josiah B. Bennett was a member of the United Brethren church, in Canada, and politically was a Tory in that country, although he did not take an especial part in the political life of Michigan, further than to exercise his right of suffrage. Mrs. Bennett was a member and worker of the Wesleyan Methodist church, of Montcalm county.
William R. Bennett had completed his education in the schools of his native county, and was sixteen years of age when he moved, with his parents to Douglass township. Montcalm county, Michigan, where he lived and worked on the home farm until after his marriage, when he secured forty
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acres of the home farm and became an independent farmer. On his farm Mr. Bennett proceeded to place the necessary improvements, and has added land until now he owns eighty acres, which is well cultivated and well cared for by this progressive farmer. In addition to his general farming, Mr. Bennett makes a specialty of raising good grade live stock.
On March 28, 1907, William R. Bennett was married to Mrs. Josiah Bennett, widow of a brother, Josiah, who died in 1899. Mr. and Mrs. William R. Bennett became the parents of one child. Bessie May, born on March 14, 1910. By her former marriage, Mrs. Bennett is the mother of three children : Ruby, born on August 16. 1894. now the wife of Benjamin Rickets, a painter of Alma, Montcalm county; Margie, January 11, 1896, and Luella, June 26, 1898.
Mrs. Bennett was born in Simcoe county, Ontario, Canada, on June 24, 1873. a daughter of Thomas and Anna Jane ( Simmons) Connor, the former born in County Cork, Ireland, in 1833; the latter born in Ireland on June 4, 1840.
Thomas Connor came to America and settled in New York state about 1851, and after living there for some time he moved to Canada and located near Toronto, where he was married and where he lived as a shoemaker, until April 1881. when he moved his family to Montcalm county, Michigan, and bought eighty acres of uncleared and heavily-wooded land, which they cleared and improved. He died in November, 1882, and his wife died in May, 1893. Ann Jane, the wife of Thomas Connor, was but three years of age when she came to America with her parents, William and Mary Simmons, and located near Quebec, Canada, where Ann Jane grew to maturity and was married. Thomas and Ann Jane Connor were the parents of nine children : Thomas, who is deceased; Robert, of Nebraska; George, of Albion, Michi- gan; Charles, of Nebraska; Mary, who is the wife of Andrew King, of Douglass township, this county; Henry, who lives near Norwalk, Iluron county, Ohio; Dorothy, the wife of William R. Bennett; Anna, the wife of Henry Petrie, of Lansing, Michigan, and Maud, who is deceased.
Dorothy, the wife of William R. Bennett, came with her parents to Montcalm county, Michigan, when eight years of age, was educated in the schools of this community and later became. the wife of Josiah Bennett, after whose death she became the wife of William R. Bennett. Mrs. Bennett is a member of the Baptist church at Edmore.
Mr. and Mrs. Bennett are among the highly respected people of this community, numbering a host of friends among the residents of Montcalm county and vicinity.
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JOHN WESLEY GAFFIELD.
John Wesley Gaffield, of Six Lakes, Montcalm county, Michigan, well known as ex-sheriff of the county and retired business man, was born in Northumberland county, Ontario, Canada. April 2. 1853, a son of John and Mary ( Moore ) Gaffield. Both of Mr. Gaffield's parents were born in New York state, his father in 1815 and his mother on April 17, 1833. Mr. Gaffield's father was engaged in farming all the active years of his life and died in 1907. at the advanced age of ninety-two years. His mother, how- ever, still lives and makes her home in Winfield township, being wonderfully strong and active for her eighty-three years. John Gaffield was twice mar- ried, his first wife being Sarah Heth, who bore him five children, namely : Bartlett, of Canada; Byron, deceased; Charles, of Lakeview, Michigan ; Martha, deceased, and Mary ( Mrs. Bibby ), of New York state. The sec- ond Mrs. Gaffield had two children, the elder being John Wesley, the immediate subject of this sketch, and Benson 1 ... who lives on the old home farm in Winfield township. this county.
John Wesley Gaffield remained on the home farm of one hundred and sixty acres until 1893, when he moved to Lakeview, and then upon being elected sheriff of Montcalm county he moved to Stanton, the county seat. He took his office on January 1, 1906, and served for four years. In 1911, after the expiration of his term of office, he moved to Six Lakes and went into the general merchandise business. He bought out Fayette Rice and also operated the grain elevator and flour-mill. After disposing of his inter- ests in the store in August, of 1914. he continued to operate the mill with the assistance of his two sons, under the firm style of J. W. Gaffield & Sons. On May 16, 1915, he sold the elevator to Wallace & Orr, of Saginaw, and is now practically retired from the more active duties of life.
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