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 58
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
597
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
of the Greenville Business College and is now employed in Milwaukee, Wis- consin, as a stenographer. Floyd is at home. Merland is a graduate of the Sidney high school. The mother of these children, Armeta (Bisbie) Noah, is a graduate of Valparaiso University and followed the vocation of teacher before her marriage. After his marriage, Clarence A. Noah rented his Grandfather Noah's farm for two years and then worked on the farm which he now owns for a period of two years. This place is called "Poplar Lane Farm," and is located one-half mile north of Sidney, Michigan. It consists of eighty acres, all well improved.
Clarence A. Noah is a member of the Ancient Order of Gleaners and has been the secretary and treasurer of this order for the past six years. Politic- ally, he is affiliated with the Republican party, and is at present serving his community in the capacity of township clerk.
JAMES WILLAN ROBINSON.
James Willan Robinson, merchant and landowner of Montcalm county, Michigan, as well as the holder of interests in the West, is well known through- out this section. His birth occurred on September 11, 1855, near Woodstock, Ontario, Canada, and he is the son of Watson and Elizabeth (Livick) Robin- son. Watson Robinson was a native of Leeds, England, and immigrated to Canada when seven years of age. He was reared and educated in Canada and was the father of seven children, three of whom are now living. He died in 1900, at the age of ninety years. Elizabeth (Livick) Robinson was born in Cumberland, England, and was a mere infant when she located in Canada. She died in 1877, at the age of sixty years. Their three surviving children are: Thomas, now living in Canada; Mrs. A. J. West, of Aberdeen, Washington, and James Willan.
James Willan Robinson was but four years of age when he was brought to Saginaw, Saginaw county, Michigan, where he was reared and educated. On October 26, 1878, he was married to Anna Bryant, daughter of George and Agnes (Cameron) Bryant, and four children have been born of this union : Watson B., John L., Willan J. and Thomas Arnold. Watson B. married Dorita McElhimey and they have one child, James. They reside in New York City where Watson B. is an attorney-at-law. John L. is employed in an automobile factory in Alma, Michigan. Willan J. is a merchant of Aberdeen, Washington. He married Evalena Montieth and they have one
598
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
child, Ruth. Thomas Arnold is a student of Columbia University, in New York City. The mother of this family was born in Canada but was reared in Michigan.
James Willan Robinson located in Vestaburg, Montcalm county, Mich- igan, in September, 1879, where he conducted a general store for twenty-one years, also operating a lumber business in connection. He removed to Alma, Michigan, where he now resides, in 1903, conserving his local interests to his agricultural holdings in this section. In his fraternal relations, he is affiliated with the Free and Accepted Masons, in Alma, Michigan. In poli- tics, he votes independently and has served as township supervisor of Rich- land township for four years, as well as in Jonesfield township, Saginaw county. He also served as a member of the Legislature, in the session of 1887, representing the eastern district of Montcalm county.
JUDGE FRANCIS NELSON.
Judge Francis Nelson, one of the most notable and noteworthy residents of Cedar Lake, Montcalm county, Michigan, was the fifth of ten children born to the union of Josiah and Lucy (Rin) Nelson, his birth occurring on July 15, 1808, in Middlefield, Otsego county, New York. Josiah Nelson was born on September 9, 1773, in Massachusetts, and was of Scotch-Irish descent, his father having come from Ireland to New York. This Irish father was a Protestant and an Orangeman and served in the War of the Revolution. The father of Josiah Nelson passed away in Middlefield, Otsego county, New York. Josiah Nelson was a wagon and carriage manufacturer of Middlefield, New York, later removing his business to Seneca county in 1812, and thence to Niagara county, New York in 1826. He was an Anti- Federalist of the early days. His death occurred on December 4, 1847, in Lockport, New York. His wife, Lucy (Rin) Nelson, was born on October 22. 1778, in Connecticut, and was of English-Welsh descent and a Presby- terian in her religious faith. She died on June 13, 1857, in Mexico, New York.
Francis Nelson was instructed as an agriculturist at an early age, remain- ing with his parents until twenty-two years of age, at which time he engaged in the lumber business and learned the practical work of sawyer. He oper- ated a mill for his brother for a short time but soon after his marriage removed to Michigan. In 1833 he was married to Deborah Cotton, daughter
599
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
of Luke Cotton, and of this union six children were born. Deborah (Cotton) Nelson was a native of Batavia, New York, and her birth occurred on Feb- ruary 18, 1815. She was a woman of rare ability and personality and her life was expended in tender service to others and in self-sacrifice for those she loved.
Francis Nelson and his family removed to Palmyra, Michigan, in the fall of 1835, traveling by steamer up Lake Erie to Toledo, Ohio, and from there by team to their destination. It was here that they buried their first- born, a child of eighteen months, and where, later, the father himself was laid to rest. While a resident of this community Francis Nelson operated a mill for three years and then purchased a farm in Madison township, Lena- wee county, Michigan, whereon he built a log house and proceeded to clear and cultivate the land. He was always active in politics and a Whig of the old school and was elected as justice of the peace. He was also a prominent member of the Methodist church and his latch-string was always out to ministers of every faith. After some years he sold his farm and purchased eighty acres in Medina township, Lenawee county, in 1848, remaining until 1854, at which time he found it expedient to seek new fields in order to rid himself of a burden of debt and to provide for his growing family. The farm was accordingly disposed of and the family removed by team to Grat- iot county, Michigan, where one hundred and sixty acres of government land was purchased in what was then Cambria township, but which is now known . as Arcadia township. They arrived at their new destination in October, 1854, having to cut a trail through the forest the last three or four miles. On this place a small clearing was made and a log house was erected, and here were made the first boards ever manufactured in the county, using a pit saw. He was among the first settlers in Gratiot county, his location being in the midst of the Chippewa Indians. He was chosen supervisor at the first election ever held in Arcadia township, and was very active in the county- seat contraversy, being instrumental in making the town of Ithaca, Michigan, the county seat on February 28, 1856. He also helped to organize the county into townships.
In the fall of 1857 Francis Nelson was elected as probate judge of Gratiot county and served in this responsible position for three terms of four years each, holding court each month of the twelve years. He was offered the re-nomination, which he declined. While holding this office his wife passed away, on August 15, 1874. They were the parents of six chil- dren, whose names follow: William S., Wilbur (deceased), Theodore
600
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
(deceased), Sybil, Mrs. Titus J. Andrews, of Alma, Michigan, and Mary, who died in 1875. Mrs. Andrews now lives in the state of Washington. The mother of these children was descended from a long line of eminent clergy, the most notable ancestor being John Cotton, of Boston, England. He was an object of persecution from Archbishop Land, during the reign of Charles I. From these trials he fled to Boston, Massachusetts, which town was named in honor of his old home in England. He was a warm friend of Oliver Cromwell and was the grandfather of Cotton Mather, the dis- tinguished New England divine.
In 1876 Judge Francis Nelson was married to his second wife, Mrs. Ann Burgess, widow of Russell Burgess, of Arcadia. She died in December, 1889. In 1864 Judge Francis Nelson embraced the faith of the Seventh- Day Adventists and became an elder and leader in that denomination, and has written and published several pamphlets in defense of their doctrine. He was the most impartial judge the county ever had and few men had a better understanding of the law than did this man, of blameless character and commanding influence. He helped to build the first court house, and was one of the three partners who erected the first saw- and grist-mill in the county. In 1879 he located in Home township, Montcalm county, Michi- gan, where his son, William S., was platting the town of Cedar Lake. His death occurred in 1896. There was talk of the Lansing & Western railroad building a line at this point but it was developed three miles further west, consequently the land which the Nelsons held did not increase in value to the extent that had been expected. The property of William S. Nelson at one time was about eighteen hundred acres, beside numerous mills and a general merchandise store. Later he engaged in the creamery and stock business, importing the first registered cattle and Shropshire sheep ever brought into the county. He finally sold part of his interests and removed to Fresno, California, where he engaged in the real-estate business, but later removed to Oregon. where he bought and sold timber lands for the Bradleys, of Bay City, Michigan. His death occurred about 1905.
Wilbur, the second son of Judge Francis Nelson, enlisted in the Eighth Regiment, Michigan Volunteer Infantry, and was honorably discharged after he had received a flesh wound in the leg, but soon re-enlisted and received the captaincy of the First Regiment, Michigan Colored Volunteer Infantry, serving in that office until the close of the Civil War. In the battle of James Island he was shot through the lungs but recovered, and later lost a finger in another skirmish. For a time he was engaged in the general merchandise
601
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
business at Ithaca, Michigan, the firm being known as Nelson, Barber & Company.
The third son of Judge Francis Nelson was Rev. Theodore Nelson, who was, in some respects, the most distinguished member of the house- hold, having made for himself a reputation as a minister and instructor not inferior to that of any clergyman in his part of the state of Michigan. He enlisted three times before gaining the consent of his parents to serve his country during the Civil War, but he finally enlisted in Company D, Twenty- sixth Regiment, Michigan Volunteer Infantry, in which company he received the commission of second lieutenant. He was a graduate of the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, and after entering the ministry was for nine years pastor of the First Baptist church of East Saginaw, Michigan. Twice during his pastorate his health failed and his friends sent him abroad to recuperate. It was a common saying in East Saginaw that he was pastor not only of the Baptist church but of the whole city. Later he became president of Kalamazoo College, where he was held in high esteem and had the earnest co-operation of the students.
GEORGE HERMAN.
George Herman, farmer and stock raiser of Home township, Mont- calm county, Michigan, is a congenial, progressive and successful citizen of this section and is well liked by all who know him. His birth occurred on December 31, 1865, in Clarence township, Calhoun county, Michigan, and he is the son of Henry W. and Elizabeth (Courtwright) Herman. Henry W. Herman was born in Fredonia township, Calhoun county, Michigan, and was the son of Peter and Julia (McDonald) Herman, both natives of Canada. Peter Herman was reared and educated in Canada, engaging in agricultural pursuits when he reached a mature age. He was of German descent and came to the United States after his marriage, locating in Cal- houn county and thence to Allegan county, Michigan, where his death occur- red. Julia (McDonald) Herman was also a native of Canada, but of Scotch descent, and her death also occurred in Allegan county, Michigan. They were the parents of three children: Henry W., Mrs. Jane Freeborn, of California, and Belle, deceased.
Henry W. Herman was reared and educated in Calhoun county, Michi- gan, later engaging in the vocation of farmer, which he followed until his
602
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
death, in 1874. He married Elizabeth Courtright, and they were the par- ents of six children, whose names follow: Jessie, wife of William Emery, a retired farmer living in Edmore, Michigan; Lee, of Howard City, Michi- gan; George; Clayton, who died when eight years of age; John E., a farmer of Home township, this county, and Walter, who died when thirteen years of age. After the death of Henry W. Herman, his widow married James Kelicutt, a farmer of Home township.
George Herman was reared in his native township, in Calhoun county, Michigan, until he reached the age of twelve years, at which time he removed with his parents to Eaton county, Michigan, where they remained for one year, thence removing to the town of Albion, in Calhoun county, Michigan. Shortly after the family located in this place George Herman began inde- pendent operations in the agricultural line by working as a farm hand and, at the same time, attending the graded schools, which he finished at Spring- port, Jackson county, Michigan. He was employed by one man for nine years.
On February 18, 1890, George Herman and Edith Pelton were united in marriage, and they became the parents of one child, Lester L., who was born on October 10, 1892. After his marriage, George Herman remained in Springport, Michigan, where he worked as a laborer for three years, subse- quently purchasing an eighty-acre farm near Brookfield, Eaton county, Michigan. This property was unimproved and wild, but it was soon cleared and put under cultivation and remained the property of the family for a period of ten years. The place was then sold and the family removed to their present location, which was then a wilderness of brush and stumps, but is at present a well improved place. George Herman became a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows while a resident of Springport, and now belongs to Empire Lodge No. 39, of Edmore, Michigan. He is also a member of the Edmore Lodge No. 360, Free and Accepted Masons. He is an active Republican and served as highway commissioner.
Edith (Pelton) Herman, wife of George Herman, comes of sturdy pioneer stock. She was born on July 26, 1872, in Spring- port. Jackson county, Michigan, and is the daughter of Henry J. and Julia (Davis) Pelton. Henry J. Pelton was born on March 14. 1840, in Lenawee county, Michigan, and is the son of Jonathan and Susanna (Gilman) Pelton, natives of New York state and Michigan, respect- tively. Jonathan Pelton left his native state to locate in Eaton township, Eaton county, Michigan, where his death occurred in 1849. He and wife
603
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
were the parents of six children: Mrs. Sarah Briggs, of Sanilac county, Michigan; Henry J., now an inmate of the Soldiers Home at Grand Rapids, Michigan; Mrs. Mary Williams, of Portland, Oregon; Joanna, deceased; Martha, deceased, and another child who died in infancy. Henry J. Pelton was reared on the home farm and engaged in agricultural pursuits in Spring- port township, Jackson county, Michigan, until he removed to the town of Springport because of his wife's health. In 1861 he enlisted in the Civil War and served three years and six months, giving brave and efficient service. On October 26, 1871, he was married to Julia Davis, daughter of J. S. and Roselyn (Crawford) Davis, and to them were born these children: Edith; Benjamin, now of Springport, Michigan; Floyd James, who died when three years of age, and Sarah, wife of J. B. Hotaling, of Edmore, Michigan. Julia (Davis) Pelton was born on September 30, 1855, in Jackson county, Michigan, where she was reared and educated. Her parents were natives of Maine and were married in that state, later removing to Michigan, where they engaged in farming until death. Julia (Davis) Pelton died on April I, 1903, and her husband then entered the Soldiers Home, at Grand Rapids, Michigan, for the sake of being near old comrades. He is a Republican in his political views, and a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, at Springport, Michigan.
EDWIN S. ROWLEY.
Edwin S. Rowley, a prominent farmer and landowner of Montcalm township, Montcalm county, Michigan, was born in Erie county, Pennsyl- vania, December 26, 1845. He is the son of William S. and Elizabeth (Johnson) Rowley, who came from Pennsylvania to Montcalm township, Montcalm county, in 1854 and purchased eighty acres of land just west of the eighty-acre farm where Edwin S. Rowley now lives. Mr. and Mrs. William S. Rowley lived on this farm for five years, after which they lived on other farms elsewhere in this township the remainder of their lives. William S. Rowley was a prosperous farmer and well known in this vicinity, being very active in public affairs. Both he and his wife were devout mem- bers of the Baptist church, taking a deep interest in all religious matters. They were the parents of four children, three of whom are living: Edwin S., the subject of this sketch; Gibson H., a banker and farmer in Iowa, and George, a resident of Grand Rapids.
604
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Being nine years of age when he came to Montcalm county, Edwin S. Rowley received practically all of his education in the district schools of this county, which he attended in the winter, working on the farm during the summer. At the age of eighteen, Mr. Rowley started out for himself, farm- ing with his brother, Wallace, on shares, and later sold all of his interest to his brother. At the age of twenty years, he purchased his home farm of eighty acres, paying for it in installments of one hundred dollars, including interest and taxes. This farm is situated four miles north of Greenville, and Mr. Rowley has cleared and improved this land and brought it to its high state of cultivation. He has since added to his original farm until he now owns in all seven hundred and twenty acres in Montcalm county and forty acres in the northern part of Michigan, all of which he has accumulated through his own efforts.
Edwin S. Rowley was married to Anna Eastman, a native of Illinois, and to them was born one son, William S., who is now residing in the West. After the death of Mrs. Anna Rowley, Mr. Rowley married Carrie Chur- chill, who was born in Montcalm township, and to them has been born one son, Stacy E., who married Anna Gronzo, and is a farmer of Pine town- ship.
Mr. and Mrs. Rowley are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and both are active workers and liberal supporters of this denomination. In politics, Mr. Rowley is a Republican and has held the offices of treasurer of the township and school director. Mrs. Rowley is a stockholder in the State Commercial Bank. Mr. Rowley is a self-made man in every sense of the word and is deserving of the high esteem and respect in which he is held by all who know him.
FRED E. CURTIS.
Fred E. Curtis, deputy sheriff of Montcalm county and clerk of the vil- lage of Edmore, in which village he is quite successfully engaged in the hay and feed business, besides which he operates a profitable dray line and culti- vates a tract of twenty acres of land surrounding his home within the cor- porate limits of the village. being also the owner of a farm of forty acres in Home township, not far from the village, which he rents to a tenant, being thus very properly regarded as one of the substantial citizens of Edmore, as well as one of the best-known young men in Montcalm county, is a native
605
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
son of Michigan, having been born in Barry county, this state, on July 25, 1880, son of Lorenzo D. and Catherine (Paddock) Curtis, long prominent residents of Edmore, further details of the history of which family are set out in a biographical sketch relating to Lorenzo D. Curtis, presented else- where in this volume.
Fred E. Curtis was three years of age when he came to this county with his family from Barry county and he grew up at Edmore, receiving his education in the village schools there. He early began to assist his father in the operation of a dray line at Edmore and is still actively engaged in that line. In 1904 he married and about that time acquired a tract of twenty acres of land within the corporate limits of the town of Edmore, improved the same, established his home there and has lived there ever since, being the owner of a very pleasant home. In addition to his drayage busi- ness, Mr. Curtis is also quite profitably engaged in the retail hay and feed business and at the same time cultivates his twenty-acre tract of town land. He also is the owner of a forty-acre farm in Home township, which he rents with profit.
Not only has Fred E. Curtis long been active in the business life of Edmore, but for years he has taken an active part in local political affairs. He is a Republican and for ten years past has held the office of village clerk, a position which he has filled in an admirable manner, and since 1907 has been deputy sheriff for that section of the county, performing his duties in that connection with so much credit to himself that his friends confidently predict that he will be sheriff of the county in due time.
On September 2, 1904, Fred E. Curtis was united in marriage, at Rock Lake, this county, to Edna Eldridge, who was born in Jackson county, this state, daughter of A. B. and Lucelia (Gillett) Eldridge, both natives of Jackson county. A. B. Eldridge was born at Albion, in 1852, son of Clark and Lucinda (VanHorn) Eldridge, natives of New York state, who came to Michigan at an early day and settled in Jackson county, where they reared their family, long being recognized as among the leading pioneers of that section. A. B. Eldridge grew up there ad married Lucelia Gillett, who was born in 1853, daughter of Benjamin and Lydia (Bennett) Gillett, also natives of New York state, who likewise were pioneers of Jackson county, and both of whom died at Albion. To A. B. Eldridge and wife two children were born, both daughters, Edna, who married Mr. Curtis, and Elsie, who lives at Lansing. Edna Eldridge moved to Battle Creek with her parents in 1887 and lived there for three years, at the end of which time she came to this
606
MONTCALM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
county, locating at Cedar Lake, where she made her home until the time of her marriage to Mr. Curtis.
To Fred E. and Edna ( Eldridge) Curtis four children have been born, as follow : Elsie, born on May 25, 1905; Charlotte, October 14, 1907; Alvin, October 24, 1909, and Clyde, September 10, 1912. Mr. and Mrs. Curtis take a proper part in the general social activities of their neighbor- hood and are held in high regard by their many friends thereabout. Mr. Curtis is a member of the lodges of the Masons, the Odd Fellows, the Mac- cabees and the Moose, at Edmore, and of the Elks, at Ionia, and takes a warm interest in the affairs of all these organizations.
PHILIP J. HATCHEW.
Philip J. Hatchew, well-known retired farmer, now living at Stanton, Montcalm county, Michigan, where he is one of the highly respected citizens of the community, was born in Boonville county, New York, on May 20, 1845, a son of Philip J. and Lena ( Reams) Hatchew, natives of Germany
Philip J. Hatchew, Sr., came to America when a young man and settled in New York state, where he followed his occupation as a harness-maker until 1851, and then moved to Kent county, Michigan, where he bought a farm of forty acres, which he cultivated as a general farmer and worked at his trade at the same time. Later, the elder Hatchew moved to Douglass township, Montcalm county, and lived a retired life for the remainder of his days, dying on July 21, 1891, at the age of seventy-two years.
Philip J. Hatchew received his education in the public schools of Kent county, Michigan, after which he became a farmer, working on the home place until about 1875, when he came to Montcalm county and bought eighty acres of land in Douglass township, which he cleared and improved and there made his home as a farmer for about forty years. Mr. Hatchew then disposed of his farm and moved to Stanton, where he secured a beautiful home property, which he has improved and remodeled and where he has made his home since March, 1915.
On October 3, 1868. Philip J. Hatchew was married to Philena Allen, who was born at Dry Prairie, Calhoun county, Michigan, on October II, 1852, they becoming the parents of five children: Hiram D., born on Sep- tember 9, 1869, married to Anna Dakins, he now living at Flint, Michigan, as a cement contractor, with the following children, Glenn, Bessie, Lydia,
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.