USA > Michigan > Ingham County > Lansing > Past and present of the city of Lansing and Ingham county, Michigan > Part 51
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J. W. McCurdy was a lieutenant in Co. G of the 12th Michigan Infantry. Five brothers of Mr. Champion served in the Civil war. R. B., J. S. and George W. served in Co. I, 14th Ohio Infantry, all were in active service during the war. None were seriously wounded in battle, while R. W. served in the Tooth Ohio Infantry and T. J. in the Mississippi Marine Brigade.
WALTER M. PRATT, ALAIEDON TOWNSHIP.
The subject of this brief biography is a native of Ingham county, having been born in the Township of Aurelius, January 17, 1857. He was the son of Lemuel and Lucy Pratt. Lemuel Pratt was a native of the Empire State and came to Michigan with his parents when but two years of age. The family settled in Jackson county and here young Pratt grew to manhood. At the age of twenty years he struck out for himself. came to Aurelius, where he settled and spent the active years of his life. He died in 1898.
He had one brother, Darius, and three sisters. Walter M. was the oldest of nine children born to his parents. His early years and advantages were those common to coun- try lads of his time: but having been born with a good degree of ambition and push, he early sought and found employment. His first business venture was clerking in a gen- eral store at Aurelius Center, where he re- mained for seven years, acquiring in the meantime an experience in business methods that was of great value to him in later years. He afterwards for some time clerked in a grocery store in Mason, and later embarked
Mr. Champion was formerly a Democrat. but since 1853 has been a Republican. He is a firm believer in the philosophy and in the trade for himself and continued in the
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business for twelve years, when in the year 1897 he sold out and engaged in farming, which business he has followed with grati- fying results to the present time.
In the year 1887 occurred an important event in the life of Mr. Pratt, it being his marriage to Miss Emma B., youngest daughter of Davis and Harriett (Traver) Fitzsimmons of Alaiedon township. Mr. Fitzsimmons was a native of New York State, his early home being at Elmira. He came to Michigan more than half a century ago. He was a man of many good qualities of heart and mind, and by the uprightness of his life and character won many warm friends. At the time of his death he was the possessor of a fine farm of two hundred acres of land with good substantial build- ings. Soon after the death of his father-in- law. Mr. Pratt came into possession of one hundred and twenty acres of the Fitzsim- mons homestead, including the buildings.
To Mr. and Mrs. Pratt have been born three children, two of whom are living : Bern- ice, born August 20, 1892, died in infancy ; Lucile, born January 31, 1892, a student in the Mason high school; Morrice born Jan- uary 2, 1904.
In fraternal relations Mr. Pratt is a Mason and a Maccabee. In politics he affili- ates with the Republican party, believing its policy best adapted to the needs of the peo- ple and the community.
Twice, while a resident of Mason city, Mr. Pratt was elected a member of the Com- mon Council and served with general satis- faction. Since his residence of Alaiedon, he has headed the ticket for the office of Super- visor.
Our subject is engaged in general farm- ing, and stock raising, and by characteristic pluck and energy is making a success of his business. The family are held in high es- teem by their fellow townsmen.
FRANK T. COLLVER, LANSING.
Frank T. Collver, proprietor of a large and rapidly expanding industry devoted to the manufacture of shirts, underwear, collars and cuffs, and ladies' shirt waists, has achieved a remarkable success, considering that he is still comparatively a young man and that he started in business with no capi- tal, but his own brains, and pluck and de- termination. He was born in Clyde, Ohio, on the IIth of February, 1869, his parents being Anthony A. and Mary E. Collver, both resident natives of that place. His father was by occupation a telegraphic operator.
Our subject graduated from the Clyde high school, but at the age of fourteen left home and started to work in a grocery store in the village, his wages being three dollars and a half a month. Later he spent a year and a half in Detroit engaged in the same line of work, going thence to Kansas City, where he secured the position of shipping clerk for the Huston Chemical Works. Re- turning to Detroit he again became connec- ted with the grocery business for a short time and then, at the age of eighteen, he be- gan to learn his trade under F. L. Albert- son of that city. At first his wages were five dollars per week, but at the end of five years, when he felt that he had thoroughly mastered the business and was justified in founding an establishment of his own, they had been advanced to fifteen dollars.
January 1, 1892, Mr. Collver came to Lansing, and soon after formed a copartner- ship with Mr. T. H. Giardin, under the firm name of Giardin and Collver, shirt manu- facturers.
Mr. Collver started his present manufac- tory April 15, 1895, he being then twenty- six years of age. He commenced business in a small room about the size of his present
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office, with one foot-power machine; but by hard work and good management the enter- prise soon commenced to grow so rapidly that he was obliged to secure more com- modious accommodations. Accordingly, in June, 1897. the business was transferred to 103 Washtenaw street east, where its pros- perity continued, and after about six years on July 6, 1903, it was moved into the quar- ters which he now occupies, in dimensions twenty-two by ninety feet. At that time it seemed that he had amply provided for all contingencies, but his business has again outgrown his room.
Mr. Collver now has an operating force of eighteen girls, each of whom has a ma- chine run by electricity. All his appliances are of the latest and his help the most skilled that can be obtained. Fully $30,000 worth of goods can be turned out of the factory annually, the establishment itself being valued at $10,000.
Our subject enlisted in the Spanish-Amer- ican war as second lieutenant of the 35th Michigan Volunteer Infantry. He was ab- sent in the service ten months, being mus- tered out at Augusta, Ga., on November 31, 1899. The ranking officer of the regiment was Colonel E. M. Irish. After his return to Lansing the National Guard was reor- ganized, and Mr. Collver was appointed bat- talion adjutant under Major P. L. Abby. He was commissioned first lieutenant, but resigned in July, 1902.
Mr. Collver has attained prominence in the order of Elks, having served as Exalted Ruler. He is also a member of the Masonic Lodge No. 66, the Modern Woodmen, the Maccabees and the Michigan Knights of the Grip. In politics he is a Republican, but has had neither time nor the inclination to be more than a voter.
As to family matters, it may be added that our subject is the second of four children.
His older brother, Charles, was born in Jan- uary, 1867. Of his two sisters, Grace and Louella, the former was born in February, 1871.
On July 22, 1898, Mr. Collver was mar- ried to Miss Agnes M. Gilbert, daughter of Joseph and Rachael Gilbert. His wife was the third in a family of four children, her three brothers being Alonzo, Frank and Wil- liam. Her father was a funeral director and died in 1867, her mother surviving him twenty-three years.
E: CULVER.
Among the reliable business men of Mason and having the field practically to himself in his line of trade is Elias Culver, the well-known jeweler. His stock of fine gold jewelry, diamonds, imported cut-glass ware, china, and endless variety of imported bric-a-brac is equal in quality to many of the first-class houses in the larger cities.
Mr. Culver came to Mason in the year 1868, and opened up a place of business as a jeweler, with his kit of tools and bench only. By a system of fair dealing and reliable work, he soon won the public confidence. and from the outset his business has in- creased annually, until "Culver's at the sign of the big watch" is head-quarters for every- thing in his line. He has educated his pa- trons to desire the best, and take no other. He never deals in shoddy goods of any kind.
Mr. Culver was born in Hamburg. Liv- ingston county. Michigan, Nov. 16. 1847. His parents. Capt. John C. and Lucy Hale Crowl Culver, were natives of Lennox, Madison Co., N. Y., and were united in marriage December 31, 1840, and the same year came west, and located in Hamburg, Michigan, where he erected a flouring mill, and milling became the business of his life.
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The old phrase "an honest miller" may well have been applied to him.
To them were born four children : Marien, the oldest; Elias, being the youngest, his mother dying when he was but a mere infant of a few weeks.
Capt. Culver was remarried October 7, 1848, to Miss Martha White Hollister, who bore him three children. Mrs. Culver, widowed by the cruel fate of war, still lives, and is a cherished inmate of the home of her son, Dr. Sidney H. Culver, of Mason. Our subject is justly proud of the record made by his family during the great Civil War. His father, John C. Culver, recruited a com- pany during the months of August and Sep- tember, 1862, and among those whose names were enrolled were his two sons, Christopher Lupton and Steven Cogswell Culver. Capt. Culver was assigned to the 26th Michigan Volunteer Infantry, Co. E. One familiar with the record of Capt. Culver as an officer and a soldier, referring to his social stand- ing among the men of his command, and their esteem for him said, "He seemed more a father to those under him than a military commander." Being the senior in years of most the officers in line, his counsels were heeded, and his advice given weight. Strange, indeed, are the fates of war, Capt. Culver through his efficiency, and fatherly care for the young men under his command, won a place of high esteem by officers and men throughout the entire regiment. He followed the fortunes of the 26th,. from the day of muster into service to the day of his death. He was the first man in the regiment to fall in battle. The regiment engaged in a scouting expedition near Wind- sor. Va., May 23, 1863, his company hav- ing been posted along the edge of the woods, Capt. Culver made a personal reconnaissance in front, and became an easy mark, and fell mortally wounded and died the day follow-
ing. He was buried with military honors in the old cemetery at Suffolk, Va.
"When the body death hath riven
Grant that to the soul be given Glories bright of Paradise."
Of the two sons Christopher Lupton was every inch a soldier, he received several pro- motions, and at the time of his discharge January 9, 1864, for disability contracted in the service, was sergeant major of the regi- ment. He died after a lingering illness, March 22, 1865, and was laid at rest in the village cemetery of his old home town. Steven Cogswell, familiarly known through- out the command, as "Stevie," was a great favorite among the officers and men, and . was much of the time detailed about regi- mental headquarters. Camp life proved too strenuous for his constitution, and after some months in the hospital at Washington, D. C., July 23, 1865, only a few days before the white dove of peace settled down upon the flag of the nation, his young life went out ; and truly for his country he died :
"As those who fell, amid the rain of shot and shell."
Of the children by the second marriage : Lucy A., born August 11, 1849, is the wife of G. F. Barr, and resides in Huntington, N. Y .; Charles Edward, born November 28, 1852, died September 4, 1863. It will be remembered that the loss of this young son was but a few months after the death of the husband, and father. Sidney H., born No- vember 22, 1856, a resident of the city, has enjoyed a large practice in his profession as physician and surgeon for many years and ranks among the first of the city's practition- ers today.
Capt. Culver and wife were many years actively engaged in church work, as mem- bers of the Episcopal church at Hamburg.
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Elias Culver received his early education in the village school of his native town, and later attended college at Ann Arbor for three years, from which he graduated. It was while attending school that he learned his trade as a jeweler. In 1881 he married Miss Nellie A., daughter of John A. Barnes of Aurelius township, an estimable young lady, who has been a helpmate, indeed, dur- ing all the intervening years. Two children have been born to them, both dying in in- fancy.
In his political affiliations Mr. Culver is in full sympathy with the party with a record. Although in no sense a politician, he has served his ward as Supervisor for two terms, and later was elected Mayor of the city by his Republican admirers. He is identified with the Foresters in which he car- ries insurance. He has been a Master Ma- son for thirty-eight years. A charter mem- ber of the K. P. Lodge of this city. All of these fraternal organizations have frequently honored him with official positions. Mr. and Mrs. Culver are in sympathy with the Presbyterian Society, to the maintainance of which they contribute their support.
Mr. Culver's home is among the most at- .tractive of Mason's pleasant residences. With the business affairs well in hand, and having just passed the meridian of life many years of business and social pleasures should yet await him, and his good wife, who is in full sympathy in all of his activities.
MONMOUTH I. COVERT.
A native of Ingham county, Monmouth I. Covert was born upon the farm where he now resides, on the tenth day of January, 1843. His father, Mahlon Covert, who was born in 1808 in Seneca county, New York, emigrated westward in 1837 and settled in Leslie township. Ingham county, upon a
Government claim comprising two hundred acres. This land was totally unimproved and presented but slight indication of its valued prepossessing appearance of the pres- ent day. The children of this generation can hardly realize the magnitude of the un- dertaking which confronted them in the clearing, tiling and opening up to cultiva- tion the then wood and swamp land. Cour- ageous of heart were these hardy pioneers, who gave up the comforts of the older east, who left home accompanied by their faithful wives and plunged into unknown forests to hew out their own fortunes and prepare a habitation for posterity. Prior to the emi- gration here, he was united in marriage in New York state to a Miss Sallie Chandlers, who was there born in 1811. This marriage took place in 1830. Two children had been born to them ere their removal westward, Samantha and Ansel. Arriving here after an eventful overland trip from Detroit, he at once proceeded to prepare a place of habita- tion for them by erecting a little log cabin, the primitive dwelling of pioneer times. Here he and his good wife moved their family. Two children were born to them in this locality, Mary A., and our subject, Monmouth. With characteristic energy the father began at once to clear this land and place it under cultivation. The wooded and swampy lands, by degrees, gave way to green fields and profitable harvests, and as the years went by, accompanied by reason- able prosperity, the little log cabin, which had been the scene of many joys and sor- rows, gave way to a more commodious dwelling, as a home of more modern times was erected in 1855. This house still stands and is yet one of the good, substantial homes of the county. Mahlon Covert was a staunch Republican, affiliating with the old Whig party until the Republican party organiza- tion. He was public spirited and took a
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helpful and active interest in the moral de- velopment of his community. He was one of the original founders of the First Baptist church and contributed generously to its maintenance throughout life. He also served as Supervisor for two years. He departed this life at the good old age of eighty years, honored and respected by all who knew him. His wife and helpmate on life's journey long survived him, as she died in 1900 at the age of eighty-nine years.
The subject of this review is the youngest of the family of four children. He received his early education in the common schools of his native county, attending . during the winter months and assisting his father upon the home farm. At the age of twenty-three years he took charge of the old home place, . and has here lived his entire life. Early learning the responsibilities of an agricul- turist, he was able and capable to manage his farm property and is classed today as one of the enterprising and successful agri- culturists of this locality. An important event occurred in the life of Mr. Covert on the 17th day of September, 1865, when he was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Root, a native of Wayne county, Michigan, and a daughter of Stephen Root and Cather- ine VanLeuven Root. Stephen Root and his wife were natives of New York state and emigrated to Michigan at an early day in its pioneer history. For long years they resided in Wayne county, until called to their home beyond.
The union of our subject and wife has been blessed with a son, Vinton E., born October 9, 1867, now a resident farmer, owning sixty acres adjoining the old home place. He married Eva Hasbrouck, a daughter of Luther Hasbrouck, one of the substantial citizens of this community. Our subject affiliates with the Republican party and has taken an active interest in local poli-
tics, served as Supervisor for ten consecu- tive years, with the exception of one term and for four years was Coroner of the coun- ty. Both he and his wife are members of the Baptist church and to the maintenance of this society they have long given their moral and financial support. Mr. Covert is also a member of the I. O. O. F., Foster Lodge at Leslie, and has filled all the chairs of this order.
Honored and respected by all who know him, Mr. Covert may take a just pride in what has been accomplished by the Covert family in the making of the history of Ing- ham county.
ANDREW RICHMOND.
All honor should be rendered to those members of society, who, by hard work and determined activity, coupled with an unfail- ing energy, have developed the resources of a new country, and double honor should be paid them, when to their records of industry we can add the story of their true integrity, pure lives and beneficent kindness to others.
Andrew Richmond was born in New York, in the Township of Bergan, Genesee county, September 9, 1826, and is the son of Morris, who was born in New York, February 6, 1793, and Louisa (Winans) Richmond, also a native of New York, her birth having occurred in 1808. The father was a farmer, gunsmith and carpenter, and worked at the gunsmith and carpenter trade in New York, and in the spring of 1829 came to Michigan and located on one hun- dred and sixty acres of wild land in Scio township, Washtenaw county. Here he built two log houses, one for the brother who came with him, and worked at the car- penter trade some, and with the help of his sons cleared the land. Indians inhabited the forests and plenty of wild game was to be
MR. AND MRS. ANDREW RICHMOND
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found. He lived on this farm until his death, when he owned ninety acres. Our subject's parents were married in 1833 and were mem- bers of the Baptist church. The father was a staunch Democrat.
Andrew Richmond was the second of ten children, four of whom are living: Ruth, born in 1824, dead; our subject; David, dead ; Morris, born in 1829, died on the old farm in Washtenaw county in 1887; Delia, lives in Chicago; Horace, 1838, dead ; Eliza, living in Washtenaw county, Michigan; Lemuel, died at sixteen years of age; Mary Ann. dead ; and Mary, born in Detroit.
Our subject was early educated in the dis- trict school, but has added to this meager education by extensive reading. He started out for himself at the age of twenty-one years, chopping wood and working by the month, and lived at home. The father died when our subject was twenty-one years old, and he remained with the mother and helped to pay the debts. He learned the cooper trade and worked at it part of the time until he was twenty-six years old.
In 1855 our subject came to Stockbridge township and bought eighty acres of wild land. He cut away the trees to build their log houses and improved it generally, and nineteen years ago built the present frame house and cleared seventy acres of the eighty. Later. he bought eighty acres more, twenty of which he has cleared.
Andrew Richmond was united in mar- riage with Mary Warfle, January 1. 1851, and to them two children were born, one liv- ing: Wilmot H .. Born June 13, 1853. died December 13, 1901. He was married to Lavina West and they were parents of five children : Wesley. Nora, Lottie, An- drew and Mary. The second child was Mark G., born October 23, 1854. who mar- ried Martha Jennings, to whom two chil- dren have been born : Harry and Ella. The
mother of these children died November 5, 1856, and the father was again married February 15, 1857, to Rosaltha Wilcox, who was born January 25. 1838, and is the daughter of Abram Wilcox, born February 5, 1807, and Phœbe (Rix) Wilcox, born July 19, 1816. Mrs. Richmond's parents were married in Canandaigua county, N. Y., February 6, 1829. They came to Mich- igan in 1843 and settled in Bunker Hill on eighty acres of wild land, there being not even a road to the place. Fifteen acres of this land he soon cleared and built a double log house, and, while erecting this pioneer home, death came to him, in 1850. He was an upright and honest citizen. The mother died in 1866.
Mrs. Richmond was the first of six chil- dren. The others being, James, born in 1840; Harriet, 1841; Wilbur, 1843: Mar- garet, 1845 and Louisa, 1847. After the death of Mrs. Richmond's father, the mother was married to Orange Pemberton, and they were the parents of one child, Lucy Ann. Mr. Pemberton died and she was again mar- ried to Wolcott Teachout, and to them was born one child, Frank.
To Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Richmond have been born seven children, five of whom are living: Abram, October 17, 1858, married May Turk : Emogene. April 26, 1860, died September 3. 1866: Edwin B., November 18, 1862. died August 27, 1866; Arthur L., born July 14, 1867, married Phila Town- send, to whom two children have been born, Leslie and Lawrence. Arthur has been Town Treasurer for two terms; Jay, April 29, 1869. married Clara Townsend and they have two children. Orla and Lyle: Edith, December 30, 1872, married Benjamin Hol- land. and they have one child. Vida ; Clar- ence, August 30. 1880. married Susie Hague and lives with the parents and works the farm. Our subject is not particularly active
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in politics, although he votes the Republi- can ticket his first vote being cast for Fre- mont. He was once elected to the office of Justice of the Peace, but did not qualify. He is strictly a temperance man, never hav- ing used either liquor or tobacco. He is a member of the G. A. R. and at one time was connected with the Patrons of Industry. He is also an active member of the Method- ist Protestant church.
In the year 1864 Andrew Richmond en- listed in the 8th Michigan Cavalry and joined the regiment at Lexington, Ky. He was present at the last siege of Nashville, was sick with typhoid fever and rheumatism and was in the hospital at Jeffersonville, Ind., from December until the following July. He was discharged and mustered out from the hospital July 6, 1865. The grand- father, Sylvester Richmond and his brother, Ethan, were soldiers in the French and In- dian war. Mrs. Richmond's great grand- father, Rix, was a soldier in the Revolution- ary war and was a brother of King George III. Our subject's grandfather, Demming, was high sheriff under the King in New York previous to the Revolutionary war. Our subject's great grandfather on the father's side came from England, and on the mother's side from Germany.
Mr. and Mrs. Richmond are worthy de- scendants of their illustrious ancestors.
CHARLES H. CHANDLER.
The gentleman whose name is at the head of this sketch is the proprietor of one hun- dred and fifty acres of as fine land as there is in Locke township. This is cultivated to perfection, and the latest and improved methods in agriculture are employed. There is upon it a home, a place of comfort, where one may live and learn to appreciate how good it is to be born in the latter part of the
nineteenth century and to be a citizen of the United States.
Our subject was born in this State, Febru- ary 10, 1854, being the son of George Byron and Susan P. Chandler, the latter's birth oc- curring September 2. 1829, in Grandville, N. Y., and the father's in the month of April, 1834. The father when a young man followed the fortunes of a sailor and also taught school for a time. The parents of our subject were married June 30, 1853, at Whitmore Lake and located in Livingston county. George Chandler first bought land in Shiawassee county in 1857, and upon this forty acres of wild land, he cleared a spot for a house and made many improvements. He later sold this farm and moved into a rented house where he lived for one year, and in 1859 bought the property where our subject now resides.
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