USA > Michigan > Mecosta County > Portrait and biographical album, Mecosta county, Mich., containing portraits and biographical sketches > Part 15
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guard of the best interests of the future. He early identified himself with the Grange movement, and himself and wife, who co-operated with him in his views and efforts, were charter members of Bedford Grange, No. 65, P of H., located in Calhoun County. They were also charter members of Pomona Grange, P. of H., in Calhoun County, and Mr. R. is still active in its interests. He was one of the founders of a co- operative store at Battle Creek and is one of its stock- holders. Both himself and wife were zealous mem- bers of the M. E. Church, in which he has been a Class-leader eight years.
yron H. Boyd, farmer, sec. 33, Deer- field Tp., was born in Allegheny Co., l'a., ₹ April 28, 1835. Hle is a third child of John and Caroline (Bathah) Boyd, both na- tives of New York. His father was a lumber- man and farmer, and in 1849 went to Tioga Co., Penn., where he followed the same pursuits. He died in Andover, Allegheny Co .; the mother died July 13, 1855, in Pennsylvania.
Mr Boyd was 14 years of age when he went to the Keystone State with his parents, and with whom he remained until he was 22 years old. His first labor on his own account was as a day hand in a saw-mill, and again at Williamsport in the same capacity. In 1865 he was engaged in reconstructing bridges in the town which were washed out by the flood of that year. ·In 1866 he came to Deerfield and bought 80 acres of land on sec. 33, where he proceeded to clear the forest preparatory to establishing a home. He obtained the land for $3.00 per acre, the best timber being re- served. Mr. Boyd has added to his original tract by purchase until he now owns 160 acres on the same section, 80 acres (about 37 of which is swamp land) on sec. 29 and 240 on sec. 22. The swamp land is well stocked with hemlock, cedar and black ash timber.
Mr. Boyd was married July 13, 1855, to Hannah A. Dickens, daughter of Alva and Lucy Minerva (Campbell) Dickens, born Dec. 29, 1836, in Tioga Co., Penn. The father of Mrs. Boyd was born in Rhode Island, the mother in Pennsylvania. The former
died in April, 1863; the latter May 18, 1883. Seven of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Boyd are living: James C., Robert P., Addie V., Fred C., Alma. M., Emma J. and Francis H. Anna Belle is deceased.
Mr. Boyd is active in the interests of the Republi- can party and was a member of the State Republican Convention in 1881. He has held all the important township offices. In religion he is a liberalist.
ndrew Breakley, farmer, on sec. 11, Hin- ton Tp., P. O., Altona, was I orn at Roches. ter, N. Y., Nov. 23, 1844. His parents, Andrew and Catharine (Crass) Breakley, were natives respectively of Ireland and Canada and removed to New York prior to their mar- riage, which took place in that city. Three years after, Andrew Breakley, Sr., moved with his family to the city of Rochester, N. Y., where he was employed by the contractors of the Erie Canal as a stone mason. Mr. Breakley, Sr., was employed in his native country in peddling dry goods and linens and early in his life was a companion of A. T. Stewart. Him- self and wife died at Rochester.
Until he was 16 years of age, the subject of this sketch attended the public schools of Rochester. He began to prepare for the business of a boat-calker and was so employed three years. The work was so severe and the manager so exacting that the proprie- tor himself remarked that "that fellow would not stay a week;" but he persisted and managed to accomplish his business to the entire satisfaction of the parties interested. In 1861 he went to Canada on a visit, but concluded to remain there and was in the en- ploy of his brother-in-law for nearly four years. He visited the city of New York and his old home at Rochester, and in the summer of 1866 came to Me- costa, Mich., and bought 40 acres of unimproved land in Hinton Tp., where he built a log house and began his career as a pioneer. Later on he added 40 acres to his original purchase and now owns a fine farm of 80 acres, with 50 acres under first-class improve- ments. He also owns 40 acres in Millbrook Tp.
Mr, Breakley has been Constable of Hinton Tp.
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for nine years, School Inspector two years, Highway Commissioner two years, Town Treasurer two years, and in the spring of 18So was elected Justice of the Peace, and Supervisor in the spring of 1883, of which positions he is the present incumbent. He has been School Director six years, and is identified with the issues and interests of the Democratic party; him- self and wife were formerly communicants of the English Church.
Mr. Breakley was married in Canada, July 19, 1864, to Matilda, fourth daughter of James N. and Catherine (Flannagan) Decker. The father was a native of the State of New York, the mother of Canada, and are now residents of flinton Tp. Mr. and Mrs. Breakley have had six children-James G, born Nov. 28, 1867 ; Andrew N, July 15, 1872; Edward and Edwin (twins), July 15, 1874; Nellie, Jan. 5, 1880. Ella was born Aug. 9, 1869, and died Oct. 11, 1870.
ohn E. Kirvan, farmer, sec. 34. Morton 'Tp., l'. O., Sylvester, was born in Gray Co., Province of Ontario, Can., Aug. 3, 1862. Ile is a son of Elias and Jane Ann (Breakey) Kirvan. His paternal grandfather was a pioneer of the Dominion, and settled 80 miles from the nearest point of supplies, having to travel that distance in an Indian canoe for necessaries for the family use. The father of Mr. Kirvan was one of 11 children, five boys and six girls. lle came to Michigan in 1870, bought 160 acres of land and en- gaged in the duties of farming. He sold 80 acres and cleared 60 acres of the remainder. lle died Feb. 18, 1879, all his responsibilities devolving on the son. Since the father's death the latter has built a new house and put all the buildings on the place in thorough repair. The farm lies three miles from Sylvester, which, when the family came here, was the nearest point of neighbors and civilization. The mother is still living in firm health and with unim- paired intellectual powers.
Mr. Kirvan is still a young man, but the energy and good judgment he displays in the management of his
affairs promises extended success in the avenues he has already made prosperous.
He was married Dec. 24, 1882, to Minnie Adams, of Hinton Tp. Her father is a man of good stand- ing, and has served his people in several official ca- pacities.
ohn O'Neil, farmer on section 35, Deer- field Tp., was born in Ireland, June 10, 1828. His parents, Patrick and Jane (Garner) ('Neil, were natives of Wicklow Co., Ireland, and emigrated to Canada, where they are still living, in advanced age.
Mr. O'Neil was 18 years of age when he accom- panied his parents to Canada. He was a resident of the Dominion about 15 years and came to Shia- wassee Co., Mich., buying 40 acres of land, which he afterwards sold, and after a year's labor as a farm hand he again bought another farm, of which he dis- posed and came to Mecosta Co., and bought So acres of unimproved land in Deerfield T'p., where he now re- sides ; he has 50 acres under the plow. Mr. O'Neil is independent in political action and, with his family belongs to the Catholic Church.
He was married in 1851 to Mary, daughter of James and Mary Martin. They have had nine chil- ren, five of whom are now living : Patrick, James, John, Michael and Jane; those deceased were Mary. William, Margaret and Ambrose.
avid Quigley is a farmer in sec. 4, Deer- field Tp; P. O. Morley. His parents, George and Jane Quigley, were natives ie- spectively of New York and Wales. They Were married in the Dominion of Canada and re- moved thence to Newaygo Co., Mich., in 1854. After a brief residence there they came to Mecosta Co., and located on sec. 4 of Deerfield Tp. They were the first white settlers of town 13 north, of range
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9 west. now Deerfield, and there took up their resi- dence in 1859. James Quigley, brother of David, was born in 1859, and was the first white child whose birth occurred in Deerfield. George Quigley was acting Justice of the Peace and performed the first marriage ceremony in the town- ship in December, 1862 The contracting parties were Isaac Sedore and Elizabeth Smith. Mr. Quigley afterwards went to Montcalın County, where he now lives.
David Quigley was born in Canada, Feb. 22, 1850, and came to Michigan with his parents when four years of age. His early life was passed amid the pioneer scenes of this section of the l'eninsular State. He has spent all his life on a farm. At the age of 23 he bought, in Deerfield Tp., 58 acres of land, with some improvements, but took possession in 1876 and was there resident until 1883, when he rented a farm containing 60 acres.
He was married in Montcalm Co., in the winter of 1875, to Lavina, daughter of Robert and Jane Pixley. They have two children : Bertie, born July 31, 1877, and Earl R., Sept. 18, 1882. The parents of Mrs. Quigley were both born in New York. Mr. Quigley is a Republican; himself and wife are members of the Methodist Church.
ohn G. Martz, Jr., president of the Big Rapids Manufacturing Company, was born at Newville, Adams Co., Ind., June 26, 1848. Ilis father was a native of Baden, Ger- many, and his mother, Mary (Sauer) Martz, was born in Switzerland. They accompanied their parents from the "fatherland" to America and settled with a German colony in Adams County, at a date so carly that the primeval forests, with their concomitants of wild game, were in their original state.
Mr. Martz is one of a family of eleven children, ten of whom yet survive; the brothers and sisters are Annie, Benjamin, David, Christian, Mary, Daniel, Katie E., Susan and Sarah. Edward G is deceased.
John G is second child and eldest son. When about three years of age his father removed with his family to Fairfield Center, DeKalb Co., Ind., and purchased a farm containing about 600 acres of land, in an un- cultivated state, and in heavy timber. It has been converted into one of the finest places in that section of country.
Mr. Martz obtained his elementary education at the common schools of DeKalb County, and at the age of 14 was sent for a year of study to the graded school of Fort Wayne. After a year at home he went back to Fort Wayne and became a clerk in a grocery and provision store, where he remained a twelve-month and returned to the farm. In 1870 he came to Big Rapids and entered the establishment of Thos. D. Stimson as clerk, and the following summer assisted his brother-in-law, F. E. Ahrens, (since de- ceased) in erecting the Big Rapids Furniture build- ing. In 1872 a stock company was organized, under the title and style of the Big Rapids Furniture Manufacturing Company, which purchased the fac- tory The same year Mr. Martz bought a lot on Michigan Avenue and aided in putting up a building, which was rented to A. Levi. The latter opened a gentleman's furnishing store, and three days later the structure was blown down by the wind, entailing a loss of $1,000. It was immediately reconstructed and has since been occupied by its primal lessee, Mr. Levi.
In 1873 Mr. Martz commenced business as a retail furniture dealer on Michigan Avenue, where he oper- ated until the fall of 1874, when he bought his pres- ent place of business. At the same time he formed a co-partnership with H M. Averill and added up- holstering. Soon after he became sole owner by pur- chase and later sold his entire stock. He made a considerable investment in the stock of the Big Kap- ids Furniture Manufacturing Company, and in the spring of 1876 opened a bakery, which is the leading institution of the kind in the city. In 1880, Mr. Martz became a Director of the Furniture Company, was elected Vice President in 1882, and in the spring of 1882 was chosen to his present position as chiet official. He is also a Director of the Big Rapids National Bank. Prosperity has attended every busi- ness venture of Mr. Martz. The various periods of stringency in general financial affairs have affected him to some degree, but by shrewd tact and careful
Stephen Bronson.
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management through times of peril, he has been enabled to conduct his affairs safely.
Hle was married in Ottawa Co., Mich., May 10. 1876, to Mary Faling; she died in October, 1878. Mr. Martz was again married, at Auburn, Ind., Sept. 1, 1880, to Elizabeth Mader. Their two sons are named J. W., Theodore, and John Arthur.
eneral Stephen Bronson, Mayor of Big Rapids, (1883) is the son of Stephen and Polly (Page) Bronson, and was born in Broome Co., N. Y., Aug. 3, 1817. He was an ambitious, active boy, eager to join in the world's pursuits, and seek advancement through - his own efforts. He was reared as a farmer's son and gave some attention to carpentry. At the age of sixteen he was sent to the Oxford Academy, near his home, and after two years study went to Mon- trose, Susquehannah Co., l'enn., and taught a term of school, and the following winter was similarly engaged at home. In 1840 the family removed to DuPage Co., 111., (Naperville), where both father and son bought farms, that of the latter including 150 acres of land. The next ten years he passed in the varied pursuits of farming, teaching and working as a builder. He sold his farm and went to Chicago, engaging in mercantile affairs, banking and real es- tate for a period of twelve years and was rewarded for his efforts by a satisfactory degree of profit.
He next went to St. Paul, Minn., where he was in- terested in the lumber trade. At the end of a year he sold his mill there and in 1859, in company with several others, he crossed the plains of Colorado and took up a mining claim at (now) Central City; he also staked a claim in the "Gregory" and sold two weeks later for $10,000. He then went to Golden City, where he engaged one summer in lumbering He returned to Illinois for the winter and went back to Denver in the spring with Joseph Chadwick. They erected a large store building during the summer, and returned to Illinois in the fall. The following spring they sold their store located at Denver and also some
mining claims, when they took a finalleave of Colorado.
In the fall of 1861, when the tide of war and dis- union swept the country, Mr. Bror son enlisted as a private in Company C', 12th Illinois Cavalry, serving in that capacity until Feb. 28, 1862, when he was commissioned Captain and went into active service at the front. Ile was promoted to the rank of Major, holding his post until the mustering out of the regiment in the winter of 1863. Hle at once pro- ceeded to raise another company and was elected Captain of Company F, 14Ist Illinois Volunteer In- fantry. The regiment rendezvoused at Elgin, Il1., and Captain Bronson was appointed Colonel by Gov. Yates. After a service of 100 days he returned to Chicago and was murtered out. He proceeded to organize the 153rd lil. Vol. Inf., and was soon after appointed Bre- vet Brigadier General by President Lincoln. His ap- pointment was confirmed by the Senate and he was assigned to the command of the First Brigade of the Division of Western Tennessee, with head-quar- ters at Memphis, and was in active service until the close of the war. He was mustered out Oct. 1, 1865. at Springfield, Ill., after about four and a half years of service. Hle was in action at Harper's Ferry, Antietam, Gettysburg, Chancellorsville, Dumfries and a large number of other engagements. During this period of service he received five commissions.
On leaving the United States service he was the re cipient of many flattering proofs of appreciation from the Department and his fellow officers. General Oglesby, of Illinois, made a personal appeal to the President for a lucrative and responsible position for meritorious service, but General Bronson made no personal exertion to secure any place at the hands of the already overburdened and struggling Government.
After the war closed he went to Texas and bought a large herd of beef cattle, which were driven to the Chicago market and it proved a profitable venture. In the spring of 1867 he came to Big Rapids, and, in partnership with Sumner Stickney, established exten- sive business interests, including trade in lumber and real estate and banking operations. Their invest- ments were profitable and their affairs in promising condition when the financial disturbance of 1873 overwhelmed them and their property sunk to a minimum value. About the same time their saw- mill was destroyed by fire and Mr. Bronson proceeded
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to begin at the foundation once more. His early ex- perience as a carpenter became his best working capital, and with the assistance of a boy he rebuilt the mill of Bronson & Stickney, and they proceeded with their lumber business. About one and a half years after they lost their dam by a "wash out," sold their site and built where they are now operating, putting in steam power.
Gen. Bronson, in addition to his other public rela- tions, has been active in political life. In Colorado, in 1859, he was elected Representative from Golden City Distriet, and officiated as Speaker of the House during a part of the session. In 1868 hewas elected Treasurer of Mecosta County, and held the post two years He has been Supervisor several years and Chairman of the Board ; has been a member of the School Board 12 years, member of the Common Council four years, and, at the municipal election of Big Rapids in the spring of 1882, failed as candidate for its chief office by only three votes. In the fall of that year his name was used by the Fusion element as candidate for Congress. The District was Repub- lican by 5,000 votes, and Gen. Bronson was defeated by only about 2,600 in the general count; he car- ried the city by a majority of 46 votes. In the spring of 1883, he was elected Mayor of Big Rapids on the Union ticket by a majority of 45 votes, run- ning against M. P. Gale, ex-Representative.
Gen. Bronson was married at Naperville, DuPage Co., Ill, Nov. 7, 1841, to Amelia Barker. Of their eight children but four survive. Following are their names: Amasa (dec.); Charles D., of Big Rapids, (clerk for A. S. Hobart); Sarah (dec.); Lucy(Mrs. H. M. Hobart, of Big Rapids); Stephen (dec.); Allie (wife of A. A. S. Hobart) ; Carrie (wife of Frank Beard, merchant at Morley) ; Jessie (dec.) During the ab- sence of General Bronson in Colorado his family re- sided in Wheaton, III., with the exception of his son Charles, who spent two and a half years with his father at Denver. Mrs. Bronson died Sept. 5, 1864, while her husband was in the Union army. He con- tracted marriage a second time at Wheaton, Ill., Feb. 14, 1867, with Kate M. Brown, a native of Vermont, born Nov. 23, 1830. Their children are Mollie, Kate and Harry. The last died March 25, 1878.
It is but just to General Bronson to add that in the community of which he is a member his character is thoroughly appreciated. He is conscientious and
discerning in his opinions, trusted by all parties and believes with all his might in the strength and supremacy of the Government he so zealously de- fended in the time of her peril. Big Rapids is hon- ored by his splendid military career, and his connec- tion with the politics of the city has been of the same type. His first candidacy for Mayor, notwith- standing his defeat, was one of the most marked triumphs on the records of local elections, his nom- ination taking place in special caucus Saturday night preceding Monday's election.
The testimonials above referred to comprise a let- ter, signed by several individuals of acknowledged position, addressed to Governor Yates, and the letter of Richard J. Oglesby, the War Governor of Illinois, and now on file in the Department at Washington, D. C .; also a private letter from Governor Oglesby accompanying his Commission as Brigadier General, United States Volunteers by Brevet. The latter in closing says: "It is a suitable recognition of your valuable services in the late war against Treason and Rebellion and in favor of Liberty and Union. " The recommendations in the letters referred to were based on the desire of General Bronson to remain connected with the military service of the United States and urged his claims on the grounds of his meritorious conduct in behalf of the integrity of the Union.
enry M. Clark, farmer, sec. 26, Deerfield Tp., P. (. Morley, was born in "York" State, June 13, 1843. His parents, Henry M. and Susan A. (Wilcox) Clark, were born in the Empire State and removed thence to Mont- calm Co., Mich., in 1854. The father died June 13, 1861; the mother is living in Greenville, Mich.
Mr. Clark grew to manhood on his father's farm and at 18 went to work for his uncle, where he spent one year. At 19 years of age, inspired by the enthu- siasm to which the entire North was aroused by the outbreak of the Southern Rebellion, he enlisted in the One Hundred 'Thirty-sixth Reg. N . Y. Vol. Inf., for three years, receiving honorable discharge June 13, 1865, at Washington, D. C. His war record exhibits
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the deathless names of Fredericksburg, Chancellors- ville and Gettysburg. His regiment was transferred to the Army of the Cumberland where Mr. Clark was under fire at Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge, and was in the historic " March to the Sea " with Sherman. Throughout the extent of his service Mr. Clark was constantly on duty, excepting 10 days, when he was on "sick leave " with ague.
On being mustered out he came to Montcalm County, and, in company with his brother, bought the old family homestead, containing 120 acres of land. „Ahout the year 1868 he sold out to his brother and bought another farm in the same county, where he stayed three years. On selling the last named prop- erty he went to Greenville and until 1879 was inter- ested in the lumber trade. In that year he came to Mecosta County and bought 40 acres of unimproved land, and now has 16 acres under the plow. Mr. Clark is a Democrat.
He was married in Greenville, Mich., May 1, 1868, to Letitia, daughter of James and Rhoda (Reynolds) Swarthout. Mrs Clark was born in the State of New York Aug. 27, 1843. Mr. Clark's family includes three children, born as follows : H. M., July 6, 1875; George, June 11, 1878, and Maud, May 27, 1880. Two children have gone to the land of the unknown: Frank was born March 23, 1670, and died Aug. 27, 1870; Lewis, born March 9, 1872, died ,Aug. 25, 1872.
homas Lazell, Police Magistrate of Big Rapids, and resident of that city since 1860, & was born Dec 30, 1821, in the village of ('Tiff, Kent Co, England. His parents were Thomas and Lydia (Drake) Lazell, the latter a lineal descendant of Sir Francis Drake, AAd- miral of the British Navy in the reign of Queen Elizabeth. The family history on the mother's side is peculiarly significant and valuable, from the connection of Admiral Drake with the earliest his- tory of this continent. He was the first British ex- plorer of the Eastern Pacific, and bestowed the first English name, New Albion, on the western roasts of North and South America. This was about the year 1578; and the ambitious and successful navigation of
the high seas a few years later touching the Atlantic seaboard, while returning from his career in the West, ruined the initiatory colonization scheme of Sir Walter Raleigh, by carrying the disheartened and desponding colonists back to England. This act retarded the settlement of this continent for more than a quarter of a century, and it is impossible to estimate the ex- tent of the changes made thereby on the Colonial period of the history of the United States.
Mr. Lazell's father was a mason and builder by profession, and supervised the training of his son in the details of the craft, until the latter was sixteen years old, when he was sent to Gravesend to acquire the qualifications of an architect. After two years he became assistant architect of the House of Lords (Parliament buildings) and served in that capacity about one year, when he connected himself with the English navy. During the contest waged by the British Government with China, Mr. Lazell went out with the Nankin expedition in 1842 and tarried in the Celestial kingdom until 1844, when he was transferred to the squadron of the Mediterranean. where he was on duty nearly four years, first being engaged in the suppression of the rebellion in Portu- gal, at Lisbon, in the year of 1847, afterwards being detailed for coast service on the west of Africa ; and here Mr. Lazell underwent the unique experience of a genuine shipwreck. At the expiration of ten months he proceeded to the C'ape of Good Hope, where the flotilla was stationed about five years, and on the out- break of the ('affre war he went to the coast of South- eastern Africa.
In 1853 Mr. Lazell retraced his way to England, left the naval service and at once set out for America. In June of the same year he found himself in Grand Rapids, where he remained until fall, going thence to Chicago, where he made but a brief stay and came to Grand Haven. Here he found ample scope for the pursuit of his vocation, and he operated as a builder until 1860. In that year he decided upon Big Rap- ids as his final destination, and he proceeded hither, via lonia, walking from that point to Big Rapids. He was among the pioneer mechanics of this city, and on his arrival built the house he still occupies on Michigan Avenue. In the spring of 1865 he erected a steam saw-mill north of State Street, the first steam power in the county, and imported a planing machine from Massachusetts. He sold this property
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