USA > Michigan > Ingham County > Lansing > Past and present of the city of Lansing and Ingham county, Michigan > Part 62
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Mrs. Wilcox was born December 21, 1837. Her parents came to Michigan in 1857 from New York; they were born in Vermont, Oc- tober 3. 1799 and January 6, 1804, respect- ively. They settled on a small farm seven miles north of Jackson, and here, in connec- tion with the work of the farm, the father conducted a cooper shop, this being his trade. To them were born eleven children: Sophia L., September 5, 1824, wife of Emer- son Moore, lived in Jackson; Orlando, De- cember 19, 1825, died in infancy; Amanda M., January 31, 1828, wife of Lucius Um- stead ; Alonzo D .. died September 11, 1831, was sharpshooter in an Illinois regiment and died of blood poison from a wound in the hand received from falling in a trench, while fighting for his country; James A., August 2. 1835. lives at Stanton, Michigan; Polly Ann, our subject's wife; Cynthia A., March 29. 1840, wife of George Jackson, White Oak; William W., born December 27, 1842, served during the war in a Michigan regi- ment and died of consumption after the close of the war ; Willis W., December 31, 1844; Agnes. September 15, 1847, died in 1875, and Orlando, No. 2, enlisted in Co. A, of the 25th Michigan Infantry, and died at Louis- ville, Ky., November 19. 1862.
Two sons came to bless the home of Mr. and Mrs. James A. Wilcox, Noyce Andrew, born in Stafford, N. Y., February 18, 1859, married Carrie, daughter of John W. and Zelpha Ann (Fish) Gifford, who were early settlers of White Oak township. Mrs. Wil- cox was born August 26, 1846. To Mr. and Mrs. Noyce Wilcox were born two boys, James. July 28, 1882, and John, August 27, 1884. The second son of our subject, James A., born July 2, 1874, died February 14, 1877.
Mr. James Wilcox cast his vote and in- fluence with the Democrat party as did also the father of Mrs. Wilcox. Her parents
WILLIAM W. WILSON (Deceased)
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were members of the Christian church. Mrs. Ann Wilcox, the highly respected widow of our subject resides on the farm, and the son, Noyce Andrew, is in charge of the place. She is a lady of many good qualities of heart and mind and her friends are only numbered by her acquaintances.
CHARLES S. WILSON.
If it is a good thing to have been born, it is vastly better to have been well born. Charles S. Wilson of Aurelius township may congratulate himself that both experiences were his July 1, 1845. His parents were natives of Yorkshire, England. Abraham Wilson, the father, was born in the year 1795 and the mother, Mary (Shaw) Wilson, September 22, 1801. The parents with two children constituted the family. Wm. W. Wilson, the eldest son, was born Nov. 24, 1842, the same year that the family located in Ingham county. He grew to young man- hood upon his father's farm, receiving such advantages for education and social culture as was common to the boys of his time in a new country with pioneer surroundings. Patriotism, love of country, seemed to have been inbred with him, for at the age of 18 years he answered the call of the immortal Lincoln for men to defend the nation's hon- or, and during the summer of '61 he signed the rolls of muster of Co. I, of the 11th Michigan Volunteer Infantry to serve for three years or during the war. The regi- ment left the State December 9, 1861, under command of Colonel Wliliam J. May, with orders to report at Bardstown, Ky., where it remained during the winter, suffering se- verely from disease.
Young Wison followed the fortunes of his command through the year 1862, meet- ing the enemy at Fort Riley, Nashville, on
the 3Ist of December. The command was also hotly engaged at Murfreesboro. In his report of the operations of the 11th Mich- igan, at the last named battle. Colonel Stoughton wrote, "When near the cleared fields to the right of Murfreesboro Pike the regiment was rallied and held the ground for twenty or thirty minutes, it was then marched about half way across the open field. when the orders came to charge back into the cedars. My regiment promptly obeyed 'orders, rallied on the colors and charged back into the woods with great gallantry checking the enemy by the sudden and impetuous at- tack." January 2, 1863, the regiment was again engaged in battle at Stone River, sup- porting a battery. Colonel Stoughton's re- port of this engagement says among other very complimentary things, "I cannot speak too highly of the conduct of the troops under my command. They fought with a coolness and bravery of veterans and obeyed my com- mands under the hottest fire with the pre- cision of the parade ground." The loss in this battle was severe for this command. This soldier, boy that he was, was with his regiment at Elk River. Tenn., July 6, at Davis' Cross Road September II, and was wounded and captured during the fierce con- flict of Chickamauga, Ga., September 19-20. The loss to the Union army in the two days' struggle numbered in killed, wounded and missing. 15,851, while that of the enemy, in round numbers, was 17,000. Young Wilson was among the first prisoners confined in Andersonville prison, that awful hell of hor- ror. His naturally rugged constitution en- abled him to endure the privations and tor- ture for nine long weary months, when his young life went out and he was buried with 13,000 of his unfortunate comrades in the long trenches just outside the stockade. While today he sleeps in the National Cem- etery at Andersonville with a little marble
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slab above his pillowless head to mark the No concourse with the world outside, no last resting place of a brave boy and a true word from friends at home, soldier, his friends have placed in the family By pale disease and scanty food, reduced to skin and bone ; plat a suitable monument to his memory, ap- propriately inscribed, "Sleep on. brave boy, No hopeful ray of liberty, no gleam of Free- dom's light, until the dawn of the eternal day strikes through the rifts of the tent, come forth To penetrate the prison gloom or cheer the dismal night. clothed in immortality and renown."
By his unselfish devotion to the honor of the stars and stripes, William Wilson said with another, "My country, my all, claims every passion ; her liberty henceforth be all my thought for her. my life I willingly re- sign, and say with transport that the gain was mine."
During the months of his confinement in Dansville prison pen, William Wilson wrote the following, which he christened the "Prisoner's Refrain." It got into the mail and in distribution on board a transport was thrown out having been written upon a frag- ment of the fly-leaf of a monthly journal. It was picked up by a stranger, who mailed it to a Michigan congressman. It was finally published in the Detroit Advertiser and Tribune, and through this medium came under the eyes of his friends at home. The pathos is indeed impressive, taken in con- nection with his lingering death from ex- posure and starvation. W. W. Wilson died June 17. 1864. .
I wish that Stanton, Edwin M .. and General Halleck, too.
Were in this place that they might see how prisoners live and do;
That they might feel the woes of want and live on prison fare :
That they might eat of prison bread and breathe the prison air.
That they upon the floor might lie in winter time so cold :
Without a blanket, bed or fire, their gar- ments thin and old ;
Have we no friends in Northern homes who pity our sad lot?
Or are all kindly feelings gone and mercy's claims forgot ?
Must we within these prison walls remain from day to day,
Until we, by relentless death, are called - from earth away?
Where are our many brethren then, are they all dead and gone?
Are we of all a numerous race left on this earth alone?
During the fifteen years that Abraham Wilson lived after coming into Ingham coun- ty he was persistent. industrious, and frugal. He had felled and cleared away the forests from forty acres of heavily timbered land. He had bought on until his farm embraced two hundred broad acres. Charles S. was but twelve years of age when his father died in 1857, and he became the main dependence of his widowed mother. He had always a liking for books and made the most of his opportunities for an education. He attended the district schools until he "mastered the three R's." afterwards attended the Union school at Monroe, and later, the Lansing Academy. He taught for several winters, carrying on the farm during the summer months. At one time, in Mr. Wilson's early life, he had a strong desire to enter the legal profession, but his environments seemed to be against such action. He was needed at home.
Charles S. Wilson was united in mar-
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riage to Miss Jennie A., daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Holcomb of Aurelius town- ship, March 4, 1869. Mr. Wilson readily recalls the date of his marriage, it being the day of General Grant's first inauguration as President of the United States. Mrs. Wil- son's father was a soldier in the War of the Rebellion and gave his life in defense of his country's cause. Two children came to brighten the lives of Mr. and Mrs. Wilson, Minnie E., born November 25, 1869. Minnie was an adopted daughter, she married Dean Matison of Aurelius, and died while in the prime of young womanhood, August 20, 1894, leaving an infant daughter, Eva, who lives with her Grandmother Matison; Wil- liam W., named for his uncle who died in Andersonville, was born October 24, 1884. He has completed his schooling and is assist- ing his father in the management of the farm. A young man of industrious habits and good promise, he is a member of the Gleaners at Aurelius.
Mr. Wilson has made all the modern im- provements upon the old homestead, which he owns. The land has been thoroughly tiled, has good, tasty farm buildings, and many modern appliances for successful farming operations. Mr. Wilson takes special pride in his fine grove of black wal- nut trees planted by himself the Centennial year.
Wherever known, Mr. Wilson is recog- nized as a public spirited citizen, interested in every enterprise calculated to develop the moral and intellectual growth of the com- munity in which he lives. A man of excep- tional social qualities, a true friend and a good neighbor.
Mr. and Mrs. Wilson are members of the North Aurelius M. E. church and cheerfully contribute of their substance for its support and maintenance.
Mr. Wilson's mother died October 19, 1880. She was a woman of many virtues and sterling worth. Fortunate indeed, for the young man who grew to manhood under the benign influence of her active Christian life. Among the pioneer experiences of the family, Mr. Wilson relates that when they moved to this county, his mother in company with a cousin made the journey on foot from Dexter, Washtenaw county, to their present home, covering the distance of 48 miles through the woods, in two days. The cousin is still living at Corunna at the advanced age of 90 years. He also recalls the fact that "Uncle" George Webb owned the only lum- ber wagon in the community at the time the Wilsons located here. Among the district school teachers, who were an inspiration to Mr. Wilson in his early school days and who later came into prominence in State and Na- tional affairs, are the Hon. S. L. Kilbourne and Hon. M. V. Montgomery of Lansing. Mr. Wilson's early experiences as a farmer boy in a new country have led him to have a high regard for the old pioneers who carved out the way for the coming generation. He believes a monument should be erected to perpetuate their names and deeds, and he would cheerfully contribute to a popular sub- scription for this purpose. Mr. Wilson shows his fraternal nature by the various organizations of which he is an honored member, as follows : the Masons, the Chap- ter, the Council and Commandery. Eastern Star, the Grangers, the Gleaners, and Knight Templar. He has the distinction of being the only member of the order of Knight Templars in his township. In politics, Mr. Wilson calls himself an independent voter, casting his ballot for men and measures rather than following party lines and party dictation. He at one time was candidate for the office of Register of Deeds. Has
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served his school district as Treasurer for 15 years, has often been tendered other po- sitions but declined acceptance. Mr. Wilson is a farmer, and in love with his avocation, and, therefore, has made a success of it. His is one of the pleasant farm homes in that locality. Mr. Wilson is an entertaining con- versationalist, being well read, and having at his command a ready flow of good Eng- lish. He enjoys confidence of the public to a marked degree. His word esteemed as good as a Government bond. That he, with his good wife, may live yet many years to enjoy the fruits of their mutual labors, is the wish of their many friends.
GEORGE M. WESTFALL.
The narrative that relates the life history of our subject is chiefly connected with rural residence and agricultural-occupation. It be- gan in a little pioneer home in Michigan, which was made by his parents, Jacob and Eliza (Myers) Westfall, both natives of New York. Our subject was born May 22, 1841, in Wayne county, Michigan.
Jacob Westfall was a farmer, and came to Michigan about 1830, and located on eighty acres of unimproved land at Ply- mouth, Wayne county. They moved into the little log house and cleared sixty acres. Our subject's parents were married at Ply- mouth, where the father later died.
George M. Westfall is the second of three children : Mary Elizabeth, born in 1839 and died in 1902, was married to William Nic- hols ; our subject ; Jane, born 1843, married James Ewing, and lives at Jackson.
Mr. Westfall received his education in the common district school, and started out for himself in 1859. or at the age of eight- een years, when his grandfather willed him eighty acres of wild land, his present home. A portion of this he cleared. and in 1870
bought forty additional acres of improved land, now owning one hundred and twenty acres, where he lives. As was the father, so is the son, a Democrat.
The marriage of George M. Westfall and Miss Elvina Whited, who was born in 1849, took place in June of the year 1873. Mrs. Westfall's father, Mitchell Whited, and mother, Emeline (Barnes) Whited, were married in Ohio. The father came to Mich- igan and settled on forty acres in Iosco township, Livingston county, and later add- ed thirty-five acres to the original purchase. At the time of his death the father lived in Mecosta county. This was in February of the year 1897. and the mother died in 1852. Mrs. Westfall is one of three children.
To Mr. and Mrs. Westfall have been born two children: Guy, Feb. 7, 1874, married Emma Owen, to whom one child was born, Wilbur, March 17. 1896; Dora E., born Sept. 6. 1878, married Herman Reithmiller, who lives on a farm in Stockbridge town- ship. Guy and his wife are at home with Mr. and Mrs. Westfall, a family of high character and many friends.
HARVEY H. WHIPPLE.
Harvey H. Whipple was the son of Ran- dolph and Clarimon Whipple, who came from the State of New York and settled in the Township of Ingham near Dansville, when this country was practically an un- broken forest. All the hardships incident to a pioneer life were woven into the experience of the Whipple family. The tract book in the county register's office, shows that Ran- dolp W. Whipple located his land June 25, 1836. He died near where he had lived for fifty-seven years, February 3, 1903, aged eighty-eight years. His first wife died when Harvey was but a little boy. Harvey grew to
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manhood under the paternal roof, securing such education as was to be gleaned from the district school, which was located on the corner of his father's farm.
He was united in marriage August 22, 1869, to Martha, daughter of John A. and Laura ( Carter) Sawyer, and soon after com- menced farming upon a farm inherited by Mrs. Whipple from her father's estate. Here they remained for twelve years, and were "prospered in basket and store," when they sold out and located upon section 2 of Ve- vay township, erected a substantial brick house, built barns and made other needed improvements. Mr. Whipple was a hard working man and devoted himself to his private business, always finding time, how- ever, to do a neighborly act, or helping the less fortunate. While yet in the prime of life, with his young family of four sons and a daughter in his home, he passed away July 3, 1899.
The children's names and dates of birth, are as follows : Arlo C., born December 29. 1874: Cary A., born September 24, 1876; Earl D., born January 22, 1880; Ford G., born June 27, 1882, and Iva L., born July 25, 1885.
Politically, he was enthusiastically a Re- publican, and rejoiced in the victories of his party. Mr. Whipple was known as a public spirited citizen, favoring every enterprise looking to the betterment of society.
Mrs. Whipple's father worked by the month for $12.00 per month for a time after coming to Michigan. Her mother was a tailoress by trade, and manufactured the garments worn by the male population for miles around.
As an evidence of the wild state of the country, Mrs. Whipple remembers having heard her mother say that she had seen bear tracks on her porch in the morning, and that she made butter and sold it for six cents per
pound, to help pay off the indebtedness on the farm. Their nearest post office was at Dexter, Washtenaw county, and the postage was twenty-five cents a letter. When this had to be paid at this end of the route, it called for sacrifice. When the family started in at housekeeping, the dining table was made of split logs, laid on pins which were driven in the side of the log house.
It is questionable whether with all the luxuries and comforts of the well-to-do peo- ple in this county today, there is real .hap- piness and contentment to a greater degree, than there was in the homes of the early pioneers.
The old pioneer is fast passing away. another decade and he will live only in his- tory. Farewell, old pioneer, your memory will live in the hearts of those who reap where you have sown, long years after the grass is green upon your final resting place ; farewell !
DR. A. B. CAMPBELL (DECEASED).
"Man is man's best book, the last page whereof is written in death."
Alexander B. Campbell was born near Belmont, Ontario, Canada, May 13, 1852, and died at Mason, Michigan, October 29. 1891. Mr. Campbell's parents, Faquard and Mary Campbell, were natives of Can- ada. Their family consisted of eight sons and four daughters.
From early boyhood Mr. Campbell was a lover of books, or what might be termed a natural student. Having a fair opportunity to satisfy the demands of his nature in this regard, he early laid the foundation for a good education. In some respects, his was a remarkable family. Of the eight brothers, seven fitted themselves for the successful practice of medicine and surgery. Our sub- ject entered the medical department of the
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Michigan University, from which he gradu- ated with distinguished honor in the year 1875 ; the year following he took a course in the Cincinnati Medical College and the same year settled in Mason and engaged in the practice of his chosen profession, suc- ceeding his brother, Dr. W. W. Campbell, who had built up a splendid practice, but had decided to go west and locate in Atchison, Kansas. His genial ways easily won for him friends. Without any seeming effort on his part, he built up a large and lucrative practice. For years he was the recognized leader of his profession in the city. He was the friend of the poor and gave to them without stint the benefit of his learning and skill, and this, too, many times without hope of compensation. He was a strong, manly man,-a true friend, fixed in his ideals and purposes, yet kind hearted, affable and yield- ing in his relations with others. To enjoy a social hour in his presence was invigorating. His fund of knowledge was large and read- ily at his command. He had learning not common with men of his profession-indeed not common among men. In conversation, he was sparkling and oftentimes witty and full of variety. He would often bring out, in common conversation, bits of history, full of interest and instruction. He was a stu- dent in the broadest sense of the word.
The man who sways the multitude by the power of his eloquence, or who leads armies to battle, is not more needful in this world than the kind and charitable physician, who feels his neighbor's woes and comes to his relief. Few men do so much good and fewer still carry so much comfort and hope into the homes of the afflicted-such was Dr. A. B. Campbell. His physique was the natural mold for a man of his mental ability. Strong and robust of form, standing six feet and two inches and easily carrying two hun-
dred and forty pounds, he was a powerful man.
The added years of his experience served to extend the knowledge of his skill, until the demands upon him were too much for even one of his strong and vigorous consti- tution. It is only a plain statement of facts to say that he gave his life for the love he bore his friends and his profession.
His social nature and love of his fellow- men led him to join several fraternal organ- izations. He was a Knight Templar, a Maccabee and K. of P. He was also a member of the State Medical Society. In politics, our subject was a Republican.
Dr. Campbell died in the full equipment of his mental vigor, his star was yet in the ascendency. No death occurring in Mason has ever created more universal and real sor- row-the people mourned-they knew they had lost a friend.
One has thus apotheosized life and death :
"Life is a complete circle, a continued sunrise, in which we behold the splendors of each new day ; but finally there comes a time when man passes to the circumference of the earth's circles, when a shadow covers him, and he marches forth into the splendor of an eternal morning."
DR. GERTRUDE CAMPBELL.
Gertrude, only daughter of James R. and Orpha P. Dart, was born in Bradford, Pa., in 1866. She received her early school training in the Village of Webber- ville, Ingham county, where her father lo- cated when she was but eight years of age. Later she attended the St. Mary's Academy at South Bend, Ind., for the term of one year, and also the Somerville School at St. Clair, Michigan, for three years.
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Miss Gertrude was united in marriage to Dr. A. B. Campbell of Mason, at Webber- ville, in February, 1887. Mrs. Campbell is a lady of exceptional character and culture, of strong and pleasing personal presence, and in every way a most suitable companion for a man of Dr. Campbell's intellectuality.
Less than five years of happy wedded life passed all too soon, a great shadow fell across the threshold of their beautiful home. Kind friends came and tenderly bore away the manly form of her loved and loving hus- band. She was left with a comfortable com- petence, sufficient to meet all her necessary wants in life, and more, she could live in ease. The influence of the life gone was upon her-she resolved to do. Arranging her business affairs, she entered the medical department of the Michigan University, from which her husband had received his diploma, and for four years diligently pur- sued her studies, graduating therefrom in 1896. She was also for a year upon the house staff of the Woman's Hospital of De- troit. Finding herself well equipped for the practice of her chosen profession, she opened the office made vacant by the death of her husband, and her success was assured from the first.
Dr. Gertrude Campbell has enjoyed a very liberal patronage, both in city and country, and numbers among her patrons many of the best families in the community, visiting many homes where Dr. A. B. Campbell was once a familiar and welcome guest.
Our subject's father, James R. Dart. is one of the well-known men of affairs in Ing- ham county ; he was for many years exten- sively engaged in the manufacture of staves, stave-bolts and heading at Webberville. He was for four years Sheriff of the county. and is at present a resident of Mason, and a
member of the common council. Mr. Dart is a Republican of the pronounced sort.
Dr. Campbell has two brothers, both resi- dents of Mason : R. C., assistant cashier of the Farmers' Bank, and A. R., who is en- gaged in the furniture trade, under the firm name of "Dart and Field."
Dr. Campbell has a membership in the Maccabees, Eastern Star and the Grange, in all of which organizations she takes an active interest. She is also a member of the Ingham County and State Medical Societies, also of the American Medical Association. She has for many years been a member of the Mason Tourist Club -- the literary or- ganization of the city. The doctor is a highly prized member of the Presbyterian church of Mason and is liberal in her con- tributions towards its support. While she is among the busiest of busy women, she always has time for a pleasant greeting. Hosts of friends wish for her all the joys that can come from contributing to the hap- piness of others.
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