USA > Michigan > Saginaw County > History of Saginaw County, Michigan; historical, commercial, biographical, Volume I > Part 77
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 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99
Hon. George M. Sackrider, merchant, Oakley, Mich., was born in Jackson Co., Mich., Sept. 8, 1842, and is a son of Christian and Jane A. Sackrider. Mr. Sackrider passed his youth on a farın, receiving his education in the Grass Lake union schools. In 1868 he engaged in the mercantile and lumber trade at Mason, Ingham Co., Mich., and in 1870 put a saw-mill into operation at Oakley. In Feb. 1875, he entered into the mercantile trade with S. F. Hoff- man. He was married Jan. 26, 1869, to Ellen E. Clark, who was born at Hamilton, Canada, Nov. 5, 1847, and is a daughter of Peter S. and Ellen E. Clark. Of the 6 children given them, 5 are living-Jane E., George P., Emmett, Charles and Louis. Fred is deceased. Mr. Sackrider lias served one term in the Legislature, and filled varions tp. offices. He is a Mason, a Democrat and a large land-owner.
William Smeaton, one of the most valiant defenders of the Union during the late unpleasantness, was born in Burthshire, Scotland, Oct. 5, 1840. His parents, Alexander and Catherine Smeaton, im- migrated to America in 1855, and first located in New York city. After residing at the latter place one year, they removed to Canada, where William grew to manhood. In 1861 they settled in Saginaw county, and Sept. 1, 1864, William enlisted in Co. C, 29th Reg. Mich. Vol. Inf., and at the battle of Decatur, Alabama, on Oct. 26, 1864, he was severely wounded, and was finally discharged June 5, 1865. He has received quite a sum of " back pay," and draws a pension of $18 monthly. He was married Oct. 1, 1858, to Sarah Patterson, who bore him 1 child, Mary A., wife of Henry Griffus. Mrs. Smeaton died in Oct., 1863, and Mr. Smeaton was again mar- ried. Nov. 9, 1867, to Mary E. Lowe, daughter of David and Sarah J. Lowe, and born at Geneseo, Livingston Co., N. Y., March 23, 1851. This union has been blessed with 6 children, 5 of whom are living-Robert D., Alexander, Ettie A., Mary E. and David. Saralı is deceased. Mr. Smeaton is a loyal Republican.
Alonzo Snow, hardware merchant, Oakley, was born in Vermont, Marclı 18, 1832, and seven years later accompanied his parents to Chicago, Ill., where he was reared and educated. He was married Feb. 8, 1864, to Loie Peck, who was born at Bologna, N. Y., March 23, 1844. Two children have been given them-Edie, born Aug. 4, 1872, and George (deceased). In 1874 Mr. Snow came to Oakley,
750
HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY.
and for two years was engaged in operating a saw-mill, after which he established liis present business. He is a Mason, and a member of the Democratic party.
Samuel H. Whitney, farmer, sec. 10; P. O., Chesaning; was born at Chester, Rutland Co., Vt., April 15, 1831. His parents were John and Sarah Whitney, natives of Massachusetts, the former of whom served in the war of 1812, and died in 1867. Samuel grew to mature years in Ohio. He attended the Geauga Academy, and subsequently went to Texas, where he taught school one year. In February, 1854, he came to Brady tp. During the late war, he was Provost Marshal of Brant, Brady and Fremont tps. He has filled several tp. offices, and is connected with the I. O. O. F. and the Republican party. He was married Jan. 24. 1854, to Maria Patterson, daughter of John and Eliza Patterson, natives of Cayuga Co., N. Y. Five children have been sent to seal this alliance-John M., who married Sarah Shroeder; Jamies F., married to Luna Parker: Adeline E., wife of George Gates; Mary and Alice L. Mr. Whitney was schoolmate of James A. Garfield.
Stephen W. Wickham, son of Josiah D. and Maria Wickham, was born in Onondaga Co., N. Y., July 29, 1837, and when an in- fant accompanied his parents to Washtenaw Co., Mich. In 1840 his mother died, and when seven years of age he went to live with John C. Southworth, of Jackson Co., Mich., with whon he re- mained till of age. On Aug. 9, 1862, he enlisted in Co. K, 3d. Mich. Cav., and was honorably discharged June 10, 1865. In 1871 he came to Oakley, and for six years owned a half interest in the stave and heading factory. In 1879 he opened a grocery store, which he still owns. He was married March 6, 1861, to Caroline Cook, who died in April, 1862. He was again married, Aug. 22, 1866, to Ida F. Converse, who was born in Jackson Co., Mich., Aug. 9, 1850, and is a daughter of Perrin and Mary Converse. They have 3 children-Henry C., Freddie and Judson P. Mr. Wickham is a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the Green- back party.
Chester F. Wright, merchant, Oakley, Mich., was born in Erie Co., N. Y., April 10, 1828, and is a son of Phineas R. and Martha (Richardson) Wright, natives of Vermont and New York. When 13 years old Mr. Wright accompanied his parents to Jackson Co., Mich., where he was raised. "When 18 years of age he bought his "time " (his labor until 21) for $150, and started in business at burning lime, which he continued until 1873, when he sold out, and opened a store at Oakley. He was married, November, 1852, to Abigail Raymond, who bore him 10 children. Three sur- vive-Martha A., Charles C. and Edwin. Mr. Wright is a mem- ber of the I. O. (). F. lodge at Oakley, also of the Encampment. He is Democratic in politics, and an enterprising business man and citizen.
BRANT TOWNSHIP.
This section of the county is mnost favorably circumstanced so far as the quality of its lands, the number of its water-courses, and the purity of its flowing wells may be considered. The settlement of the township has been slow indeed: thousands of acres of its fertile soil are still untouched by the plowshare; other resources are still waiting upon enterprise to offer up their stores of wealth; the land summons the industrious to its embrace, and demands, as it were, that within the next decade the present population of 860 shall be increased centum per centum, the district developed, and its place among the more important sections of the county in- sured.
Francis M. Cobb operates a steam saw-mill in this township, and George Severns a similar mill on the town line.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS.
The undulations of the land are more marked than those of any other portion of the county. The soil is a sandy loam generally, with large tracts of black loam and clay subsoil. Bad river and its tributary streams may be said to course through every section. The main stream has its source in the southeastern sections of Marion, enters the township at the northwest quarter of section 31, and, flowing nortlicasterly, courses through sections 29, 21, 22, 14, and 13. The North Branch of Bad river has its head-waters in the northeastern sections of the adjoining township of Marion. This stream flows in a zigzag course through the northern sections of Brant, and forms a confluence with the larger stream in St. Charles township. Great and Little Potato creeks rise in the township of Marion, and, like Badriver, with which their waters conjoin in section 14 of this township, flow in a northeasterly course. Many rivulets, supplied by the flowing wells, aid in be- stowing upon this portion of Saginaw a fair quantity of good water.
The "flowing," or Artesian, wells of the township are not the least important feature among its physical characteristics. In some places the water forced its way to the surface, and formned for itself, in the course of years, natural channels through which it miglit rush forward to join some parent stream. The average depth of a boring necessary to obtain a supply of Artesian water at any location in the township is said to be from 60 to 300 feet. In some situations the water has been reached at a depth of 25 feet.
(751)
752
HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY.
ORGANIC.
As early as 1857 an application was made to the county board by 19 electors of this township, asking that the territory now known as Brant and Marion should be organized as a township under the former name. The board considered the application during its session of January, 1858, and on the Sth of that month acceded to all which the first settlers demanded in it. The follow- ing is a copy of the act of organization :-
It appearing to the Board of Supervisors that application has been made, and that notice thereof has been signed, posted up and published, as in manner re- quired by law, and having duly considered the matter of said application, the Board orders and enacts that the territory described in said application, as follows, to wit: Township number ten (10) north of range number one (1) east, and town- ship number ten (10) north, of range number two (2) east, be, and the same is here- by erected into a township, to be called and known by the name of the township ot Brant.
The first annual meeting thereof shall be held at the house now occupied by Albert A. Aldrich, on the first Monday of April, A. D. 1858, and at said meeting, John B. Adams, Ezra T. Cogswell and Thomas Berry, three electors of said town- ship, shall be the persons whose duty it shall be to preside at such meeting, appoint clerk, open and keep the polls, and exercise the same power as the inspectors of election at any township meeting, as the law provides.
The 15 members of the supervisors' board present were unani- mous in support of the motion to grant the application.
The first township meeting was held April 3, 1858, at the house of Albert A. Aldrich, with Ezra T. Cogswell, Moderator; Bradley Adams, Clerk; Charles H. Cogswell, Assistant Clerk, and John B. Adams, Ezra T. Cogswell and Thomas Berry, Inspectors of Elec- tion. Two hundred and twenty votes were recorded in the aggre- gate, but in reality there were only 19 citizen voters present: Thomas Berry was elected Supervisor; John B. Adams, Clerk; Ezra T. Cogswell, Treasurer; Bushrod W. Lamb, Bradley Adams, Jason B. Eldridge, Columb. L. Luther, Jason P. Eldridge and Benjamin Colville, Justices of the Peace; Alpheus Oliver and Brad- ley Adams, School Inspectors; Purchase R. Hill, Albert A. Al- drich, Charles H. Cogswell and G. M. Campfield, Constables, and Bradley Adams, Overseer of the Poor. Bushrod W. Lamb was appointed Overseer of the Poor by the township board April 21, 1858, vice Bradley Adams, resigned. The new officer had very little trouble with the office. as there were none so poor as to re- quire his aid, and the township was too distant from the great highways to warrant a visit from the ordinary tramps.
In the following list the names of the principal township officers are given with, the dates of their services:
SUPERVISORS.
Thomas Berry. .1858-'60
Perry Crane 1873
John B. Adams.
1861-'2
Geo. Ward. . 1874-'7
Levi W. Berry
1863
B. J. Downing.
1878
Stephen Crane.
1684-'7
Geo. Ward .. 1879
Winsor Crane.
1868-'9
Giles Mckeon. 1880
Thomas Berry
1870
David J. Webb.
1881
Geo. Ward.
1871-'2
753
BRANT TOWNSHIP.
CLERKS.
Jolın B. Adams. 1858
Giles Mckeon
1868-'70
L. W. Berry 1859
B. J. Downing.
1871-'2
Stephen Crane. 1860
Hamilton Winter. 1873-7
John D. Slider 1861
James Hart.
1878
Charles H. Cogswell. 1862
Franklin Berry. 1863
Perry Crane. .
1864-'7
Adam C. Higler.
1881
TREASURERS.
Ezra T. Cogswell 1858
Columb. L. Luther. 1859-'60
Winsor Crane. .
18:0
Levi W. Berry. 1861-'2
Jason P. Eldridge. .1871
Jason P. Eldridge. 1863
Levi K. Perry
1864
Perry Crane. 1879-'80
L. K. Perry.
1865-'6
Geo. Price.
1881
JUSTICES.
Bushrod W. Lamb, Bradley
Adams and Jason P. Eldridge.1858
Franklin Berry .. .1871
Ezra T. Cogswell. .1859
Columb. L. Luther 1872
Bushrod W. Lamb. 1860
Ira Smith. 1873
Stephen Crane. 1861
Winsor Crane. 1874
Franklin Berry 1875
Ezra T. Cogswell.
1864
Elkanalı Ring.
1876
Stephen Crane
1865
Thomas Perry
1866
James Hart. ...
1878
Geo. Ward ..
1867
Allen McDougal. 1879
Orrin Limbocker
1868
Daniel Thompson
1880
Stephen Crane 1869
James E. Brady, C. L. Luther. . 1881
The officers elected at the annual meeting, April 4, 1881, are as follows: David J. Webb, Supervisor; Adam C. Higler, Clerk; George Price, Treasurer; James E. Brady, Justice for full term; Columbus L. Luther, Justice to fill vacancy; Charles L. Huntley, Commissioner of Highways; Reuben Montague, School Superin- tendent; Joseph Whaley, School Inspector; Wm. H. Smith, Drain Commissioner; Charles Griffith, Charles Sweatland, Francis M. Cobb and Judson Sorrell, Constables.
SCHOOLS.
The schools of the township are seven in number. The number of children of school age is 334. The number reported in attend- ance during the year 1880 was 233. The school property is valned at $2,375. The number of teachers employed is 12, three of whom are male teachers. The total expenditures for the year ending September. 1880, was $1,886.10. The amount derived from the primary school fund is about $150; the balance is derivable from the two-mill tax and direct taxation for school purposes.
Ira Smith. . 1872
Winsor Crane. 1873-'8
Jason P. Eldridge
Winsor Crane. 1879
Hamilton Winter .. : 1880
George Ward 1867-19
Jason P. Eldridge. 1870
Orrin Limbocker 1862-13
Jason P. Eldridge 1877
HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY.
EARLY LAND-BUYERS.
The names of those who patented the lands of the township are as follows :.
John Morgan, sec. 1, Dec. 11, 1850. Alfred Cary, sec. 1, Dec. 11, 1847. Stephen Smith, sec. 1, Sept. 23, 1850. James Dooner, sec. 2, Sept. 23, 1850. Ruby A. Ward, sec. 2, June 3, 1850. G. W. Williams, sec. 2, March 28, 1837. Jas. Fraser, secs. 2 and 3, Mar. 28, 1837. G. W. Williams, sec. 3, March 28, 1837. Hannah Turner, sec. 4, Sept. 23, 1850. Fred. H. Stevens, sec. 4, May 9, 1837. Joseph Reinart, sec. 4, Sept. 23, 1850. Wm. W. Bowles, sec. 4, Sept. 23, 1850. Peter Grogon, sec. 4, Sept. 23, 1850. Hiram Sullivan, sec. 4, rept. 23, 1850. Bradley Adams, sec. 5, June 17, 1854, and Aug. 17, 1855.
Alpheus Oliver, sec. 5, Nov. 5, 1851. John H. Yawkey, sec. 5, Feb. 27, 1854. George Parker, sec. 5, Sept. 5, 1853. Jos. T. Copeland, sec. 6, Sept. 13, 1853. Charles N. Ryan, sec. 6, Dec. 21, 1853. Ezra T. Cogswell, sec. 6, Oct. 21, 1854. Stephen Bernard, sec. 6, Jan 18, 1855. Oti· F. Smith, sec. 7, Nov. 4, 1854. Wm. S. Patrick, sec. 7, Dec. 26, 1854. Sam'l R. Howe, sec. 8, Dec. 22, 1854. G. W Williams, sec. 9, March 23, 1837. James Fraser, sec. 9, March 23, 1837. Gilford Hunt, sec. 9, Feb. 9, 1855. Lewis Pcnoyer, sec. 9, Nov. 23, 1854. Jesse Willes, sec. 10, Nov. 23, 1854. G. W. Williams, sec. 10, March 23, 1837. J. Fraser, secs. 10 and 11, Mar. 28, 1837. John McEachin, sec. 11, Nov. 20, 1869. Sam'I W. Yawkey, sec. 11, Apr. 19, 1854. G. W. Williams, sec. 11, March 28, 1837. 12, 66
Wm. P. Allen, sec. 12, March 2, 1852. James Fraser, sec. 12, March 28, 1837. John S. Bagg, sec. 12 April 17, 1837. Oliver S. Jones, sec 12, March 10, 1853. Orsamus Long, sec. 13, Jan. 16, 1837. Chas. N. Ryan, sec. 13, June 21, 1853. Gard D. Williams, sec. 13, Jan. 16, 1837. Alpheus Williams, 13, 66 14, 6.
Gard. D Williams, 14,
G. W. Williams, sec. 14, March 28, 1837. James Fraser, sec. 14, March 23, 1837. Joseph G. Bagg, sec. 14. April 17, 1837. Gardner D. Williams, Ephraim S. Will- iams. James Fraser, Norman Little, Charles H. Carroll and William T. Carroll, sec. 14, Aug. 25, 1836.
G. W Williams, sec. 15, March 28, 1837. James Fraser, sec. 15, March 28, 1837. Homer Watkins, Gardner D. Williams, Ephraim S. Williams, James Fraser,
Norman Little and Charles H. Car- roll, sec. 15, Oct. 28 and Nov. 28, 1854. Wm. T. Carroll, sec. 15, Aug. 25, 1836. Levi Berry, sec. 15, Sept. 8, 1855. Henry B. Lee, sec. 17, Oct. 27, 1854. Jackson A. Aldridge, sec. 18, Dec. 2, 1854. George Baker, scc. 19, Sept. 12, 1855. Stephen Crane, sec. 20, Oct. 9, 1854. Mynder W. Quackenbush, sec. 20, Oct. 26, 1854.
Charles Miller, sec. 20, Oct. 23, 1854. Josephı J. Malden, sec. 21. Nov. 6, 1837. Duecan Crane, sec. 21. Oct. 27, 1854. Van Rensellaer Durfee, sec. 21, Oct. 27, 1854.
Hiram Bailey, sec. 21, Jan. 9, 1852. Gardner D. Williams, Ephraim S. Will- iams, James Fraser, Norman Little, Charles H. Carroll and William T. Carroll, sec. 22, Aug. 25. 1836.
G. W. Williams, sec. 22, March 28, 1837. James Fraser, sec. 22, March 28, 1837. Patrick Gorman, sec. 22. Nov. 28, 1854. John R. Gront, sec. 22, July 6, 1838. Edmund Green, sec. 22, Oct. 26, 1854. Peter Teachout, scc. 23, May 8. 1855. Hiram T. Ferris, sec. 23, Jan. 7, 1854. Gardner D. Williams, Ephraim S. Will- iams, James Fraser, Norman Little, Charles H. Carroll and William T. Carroll. sec. 23, Aug. 25, 1836. Ephraim Butler, sec. 23, Nov. 28. 1854. George Warren, sec. 23, Dec. 11, 1854. Alb't G. W. Smith, sec. 24, Oct. 19. 1854. Edmund Spear, sec. 24, Oct. 26, 1854. Fred. J. Lee, sec. 24, Oct. 27, 1854. James Allen, sec. 25, Sept. 19, 1853. Wm. R. Tayer, sec. 25, Oct. 14, 1854. Daniel Pierce, sec. 26, Dec. 21, 1854. W. Angust. Smith, sec. 27. Oct. 27, 1854. Pierpont L Smith, sec. 27, Oct. 19, 1854. George Swim, sec. 27, Dec. 8, 1854. George W. Lee, sec. 28, Oct. 19, 1854. Alpheus Oliver, sec. 29, Jan. 19, 1852. H. J. Vanakin, sec. 29, March 15, 1853. Elizabeth Vanakin, sec. 29, Mar. 15, 1853. Charles Ford, sec. 29, Dec. 28, 1854. H. J. Vanakin, sec. 29, May 25, 1853. Lemuel Brown, sec. 29, March 21, 1837. L. D. Calkins, sec. 30, Dec. 30, 1854. Henry H. Lytle, sec. 30, March 15, 1853. Fred. McNeal, sec. 30, Oct. 23, 1854. J. H. Quackenbush, sec. 30, Dec. 12, 1854. Zenas Morse, sec. 31, March 21, 1837. H. J. Vanakin, sec. 31, March 15, 1853. Chas. N. Ryan, sec. 31, April 30, 1853. James O. Stevens, sec. 31, Dec. 9, 1854. Anson Sheldon, sec. 31, Aug. 8, 1853.
755
BRANT TOWNSHIP.
Perry Fleming, sec. 31, Dec. 13, 1854. E. S. Cobb, sec. 33, Dec. 19, 1836. Zenas Morse, sec. 33, March 21, 1837. Harvey Miller, sec. 32, March 21, 1837. B. W. Lamb, sec. 32, Nov. 28, 1854. Solomon Tobias, sec. 33, Dec. 2, 1854. Volney Chapin, sec. 33, May 8, 1854. John Drake, sec. 33, Dec. 14, 1854. Jno. Teachout, jr., sec. 34, April 7, 1855. Leonard Taylor, sec. 34, Dec. 18, 1854. Daniel Pierce, sec. 35, Oct. 14, 1854.
Clem. S. Johnson, sec. 35, Oct. 18, 1854. Isaac M. Chipman, sec. 35, Oct. 27, 1854, Anson B. Chipman, sec. 35, Oct. 27, 1854. Methuselah Jones. sec. 35, Oct. 4, 1853, and Oct. 27, 1854.
Samuel Stickney, sec. 35, Nov. 28, 1854. James C. Fuller, sec. 36, Oct 26 and Dec. 2. 1854.
Willard Currier, sec. 36, Oct. 18, 1854, and Jan. 26, 1855.
Only 10 of this large number of original purchasers ever dwelt on the land. Through them it has passed into the possession of the present occupying proprietary.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
The brief sketches that follow are of pioneers and other repre- sentative citizens of Brant township.
E. T. Cogswell, son of Asahel and Susan (Tyler) Cogswell, was born in 1804, in Scipio, Cayuga Co., N. Y. His parents were born in Massachusetts, of English descent. He came West to Roches- ter in the summer of 1812, abont the time war was declared against Great Britain. He was a farmer's boy and was ready to take a job of chopping or cleaning, or to do anything he could find. He drifted into Orleans county and worked around as a hired man among the farmers, until the spring of 1826, when, having been engaged to a farmer's daughter, he was married and for some time worked with his father-in-law. Getting a little ahead in purse, he hired a farm and commenced life for himself. His history for 25 years following his marriage was full of vicissitudes, and was little else than a continued series of failures. During these years he was alternately in Monroe, Ontario and Wayne counties, on different farms; and either from bad seasons, sickness, or, worse still, from the dishonesty and selfishness of men, soon found himself without any of this world's goods.
At one time he had been sick for several weeks and had not a single mouthful of food in his house for 24 hours, and at day- light in the morning he crawled out to the road, " waylaid " a man in a wagon, and went six miles in his feebleness to a neigh- bor to get something to eat for his starving wife and children, and on returning found his family almost distracted at his absence, and the neighbors had turned out to hunt him. In the spring of 1852 he set out for Michigan, forgetting the things that were behind, though fearing some of them. But the star of ill-luck had moved from above them. He took np 320 acres in Brant and 160 acres in Chapin tps. This appeared to be a fortunate strike. Additions in years following were made to this first purchase; the country grew and the family grew with it; two sons settled on farmis near by; daughters were given in marriage, and 14 years of life crept
756
HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY.
along as well and as smoothly as the average of human life and con- dition usually does. Success had come slowly but surely, and the former days of darkness were not remembered in the present joy of the heart.
Things moved on smoothly and the spring of 1876 came around, and it occurred to them that March would bring around their golden wedding day; and as they had not been given much to . wordly entertainments, they determined to celebrate it in good style. The invitations were sent out, and the morning arrived, and it was a beautiful morning; the guests came amid joy and greetings, and hearty welcomes, and all was ready for the beginning of the festivities, when an unwelcome and uninvited guest niade his appearance among the company and commanded the attention of every one present. That unbidden guest was Death! As the . bride of 50 years arose to repeat the ceremony of her maiden vows there was a shriek and a fall, and Death had done his awful work. Instead of the golden wedding it was the sundering of all earthly ties between Mr. Cogswell and his wife. The guests, after spend- ing most of the day in solemn thoughts and communion with one another. reluctantly, and with grief, left for their homes. Time softened Mr. C.'s grief, and again he took unto himself a helpmeet. He married Mrs. Abigail Woodward, of New York, daugliter of A. P. Merrill. Mr. C. had 4 sons, 2 of whom served in the Union army; one of these, Charles H., is now living near the homestead, and the other, George L., was killed at the battle of Gettysburg. The old gentleman is now 77 years of age, and still works liis farm without help! He is a Universalist and a Republican.
Perry Crane, farmer, sec. 20, was born in Elgin Co., Ontario, Canada, in 1837; parents were Isaac and Saralı E. Crane; subject of sketch was educated in the common schools; in 1858 bought 80 acres of land in Brant tp .; price $300; gave one horse, valued at $100, in part payment, and worked at carpenter's trade to pay re- mnainder; now owns 240 acres and house and barn worth several thousand dollars; was Supervisor one term, Tp. Clerk three years and Treasurer two years; in politics is Republican; in July, 1860, enlisted at East Saginaw in Co. F, 1st Mich. Vol. Inf., and was severely wounded at the battle of Gaines' Mill; while in hospital was captured by rebels and held in Libby prison for 25 days; was then paroled, and after lying in hospital at Philadelphia for five montlis, was discharged July 13, 1863; was married in 1863, to Elizabeth Caughill of Canada; have 5 children-William, Sherman, Ida May, Minnie and Jessie.
Winsor Crane, farmer, sec. 21, was born in Elgin Co., Province of Ontario, Canada, April 8, 1839. His parents were John B. and Mary E. (Henneker) Crane, the former of whom was a native of Canada, and the latter of England. Mr. Crane received a good education in Canada, and on Jan. 1, 1861, settled in Brant tp. where he has since resided, engaged in lumbering and farming. He owns 157 acres of land: is a Universalist in belief. He
757
BRANT TOWNSHIP.
was married in 1864 to Caroline E. Limbocker, a native of Michi- gan, who died in Brant tp., Saginaw Co., May 15, 1865. Mr. Crane was again married in 1868, to Sarah E. McIntyre, whose parents are natives of New York. They have been blessed with + children-Bertha C., Maude M., Blanche E. and Chester M. Mr. Crane is a Republican in politics and has served his tp. in almost all of its local offices, among which are Supervisor two years, Treasurer seven years, Clerk one year and Justice of the Peace four years, etc. He is one of the representative farmers of the county and most substantial men of his tp.
Thomas Minto, farmer, sec. 18, was born at Edinburgh, Scot- land, and is a son of Andrew and Rachel (Ramage) Minto, the lat- ter of whom is a descendant of the old family of McGregors. Mr. Minto was a tobacco manufacturer and in comfortable circum- stances, but having a large family of boys he determined to conie to America, where each could learn a trade, and where wages were more remunerative than in Scotland. In 1851 he landed at Quebec, and the next year settled at Hamilton, Ontario, where for some time he was employed as tinie-keeper at the water works. In 1869 he settled in Brant tp., and bought 120 acres of land, half of which is now under cultivation. He was married in 1839 to Elizabeth McAllister, of Edinburgh, Scotland, who is a descendant of Sir Robert Bruce, and of the noble family of Sutherland. They have 9 children-Andrew, Rachel, William, Eliza, David, Adam, Thomas, James and Jennie. The first 7 are married and doing well, while the 2 youngest reside with their parents. Mr. Minto is a Republican, and himself and wife are members of the M. E. Church.
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.