USA > Michigan > Mecosta County > Portrait and biographical album, Mecosta county, Mich., containing portraits and biographical sketches > Part 20
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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
Mr. Moore was married i: 1860 to Alida MI., daughter of Asahel and Catherine (Vrooman) Moors. Her father was a native of Virginia, and her mother
MFCOSTA COUNTY.
of New York. Elroy B., oldest child, born June 19, 1862, is devoted to the study of mechanics, and is the object of the proud hopes of his parents. Carl- ton H. was born June 6, 1864; Morrell E. was born Dec. 10, 1865. Bradley T., born March 22, 1870, died Nov. 17, 1882.
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ichael Streeter, farmer, on sec. 14, Hin- ton Tp., is a son of Geo. and Susan (Isen- hour) Streeter. The father was born in England, and the mother in the State of New York. After their marriage they settled in Canada, where Michael was born, June 5, 1843. At the age of 24, Mr. Streeter commenced to carve out his own fortune. He followed different callings until August, 1875, at which date he came to this county and bought 40 acres of forest land, built thereon a log house, and now has 20 acres cleared and under the plow. Mr. Streeter is inde- pendent in politics. He was married in Canada, March 4, 1868, to Harriet, eldest daughter of Alex- ander and Emily (Knox) Watson. The latter were natives of Canada, and the daughter was born there, Oct. 11, 1845. Mr. and Mrs. Streeter have had six children : John W. and George A. (twins), born Dec. 24, 1869; Mary A, born Jan. 1, 1872; Ella B., April 7, 1874; Alexander G., June 15, 1879; Velma, Oct. 9, 1882.
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heney O. Pemberton, farmer, sec. 34, Deerfield Tp., was born in Tioga Co., Pa., Nov. 10, 1831. He is the first son of Orson and Harriet (Scott) l'emberton, the former a na- tive of Ontario Co., N. Y., the latter born in Massachusetts. The father was a farmer and himself and wife spent their lives in Tioga County. Mr. Pemberton was educated at the common schools of his native county and attended the Union Acad- emy at Knoxville. He lived with his parents until June 1, 1850, when he was married and immediately
after secured 120 acres of land in that county, which he owned until the spring of 1863. He then sold it and in the fall of the same year located in Mecosta Co., Mich. He entered 80 acres of land under the State law, erected a log house and made haste to clear and improve his farm. He added to his acreage by purchase until he now owns a tract of 160 acres, a large proportion of which is under cultivation.
On the outbreak of the Southern Rebellion Mr. Pemberton enlisted (in the fall of 1861) in the Forty- fifth Pa. Vol. Inf., and was in the service thirteen and a half months, receiving honorable discharge on ac- count of disability, caused by severe service at the siege of Charleston, S. C., under Gen. Benham.
On returning home he sold his place and settled in Michigan, as stated. He married Eliza J. Boyd, who was born in Allegany Co., N. Y. Mr. and Mrs. Pemberton have 12 children. Two of these, Cyrus and Joseph, are deceased. Those living are: Com- modore C .; Hattie B., wife of E. J. Royce ; Nellie E .; Orson C .; Susan, Mrs. Henry D). Ilanson ; Addie ; Charles; U. S. Grant ; William and Frank.
The family are active members of the M. E. Church, and Mr. Pemberton has always been identified with the Republican element.
lonzo C. Preston, farmer, on sec. 28, llin- ton Tp., is a son of Chester A. Preston, a native of New York, and was born March 17, 1834. His parents came to Livingston Co., Mich., when he was about ten years old. When he reached the age of 22 years he settled in Ingham Co., going eight years later to Shia- wassee Co., and in the spring of 1866 he located in this township. He owns 41 acres of land, with 30 acres under the plow.
He was married Nov. 12, 1854, in Plymouth, Wayne Co., Mich., to Amanda .A., youngest daughter of Joel and Ilannah (Lyon) Newman, born June 3, 1834, in Plymouth. Her parents were born in New York, and were pioneers of Plymouth. Of nine children born to Mr. and Mrs. Preston, five are liv- ing: Hannah A., born Sept. 3, 1855; Mary J., March 18, 1857; Mina A., June 20, 1861; Sarah E., Jan. 4, 1866; Orson B., March 2, 1874. The records of the
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deceased are as follows: Ida J., born Dec. 23, 1858, died June 21, 1867 ; Cora A., 'born Feb. 3, 1864, and died June 25, '67 ; Lizzie M., born June 2, 1868, died June 27, 1869 ; Herbert C., born Feb. 6, 1870, died June 24, 1870. The parents are members of the Church of the United Brethren. Mr. Preston is a Republican, and has been School Director several years.
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hitfield H. Peck, farmer, sec. 28, Deerfiel Tp., was born Sept. 11, 1848, at Newark, N. J., and, in 1852, when four years old, came with his parents, Enos and Harriet (Hurd) Peck, to Greenville, Montcalm Co., Mich., where they died. The father was a native of Connecticut, and the mother was born in New Jersey.
When Mr. Peck was ten years old he was sent back to the State of New York and remained with his uncle, F. B. Peck, ten years. He was then 20 years of age, and resolved upon prospecting to some extent before making a final location, and passed the next seven years at various points in Missouri, Iowa, Kan- sas and Illinois. He then came to Greenville and lived with his brother-in-law about six years. He came to Mecosta County Feb. 25, 1881. ,
Mr. Peck was married Jan. 28, 1880, to Alice J .. daughter of George and Angeline (White) Stewart Her father was born in New York and died June 17 1882; her mother was born in New Hampshire and is now living with her daughter. Mr. and Mrs. Peck have one child, Enos G., born Nov. 2, 18SI. Mr. l'eck is independent in politics.
homas Skelton, of the firm of Skelton & Collins, proprietors of the Central Hotel at Big Rapids, was born at Guelph, Pr. of On- tario, Can., June 6, 1850. His parents became residents of Big Rapids March 7, 1868, and Thomas, then 17 years of age, entered the em- ploy of G. F. Stearns, as store and farm assistant,
and continued in this capacity about 7 years ; Jan. 1, 1875, he became proprietor of the National Hotel at Big Rapids, and in company with James McCormick, opened the house for public accommodation. The association continued until May, 1878. In November of that year he entered into a partnership with Richard Collins, and opened the Central Hotel, where they are still doing business. The house is conveniently situated ; has 30 rooms, and secures a good transient patronage, besides accommodating a number of boarders, and keeps a sample room with liquors and cigars. He was elected Supervisor of the Second Ward in the spring of 1883. He was married Aug. 12, 1874, to Winnifred, daughter of Patrick and Mary Kelley, born at Hartland Center, this State, July 2, 1849. They have had four children, three of whom are living: Sarah L .; John A. (dec.); Mary W. and Arthur E.
dward Gensman, farmer, sec. 33, Deer- field Tp., P. O., Morley, was born in Erie Co., N. Y., April 23, 1842. Adam Gens- man, his father, was a German by birth and came to America when he was 14 years of age : married Abigail Churchill in New York, where, she was born. They settled in Iowa in 1870, where they are still living.
Mr. Gensman remained under the care and guid- ance of his parents until the age of 18, when he went to Vermillion Co., Ill., and engaged as assistant in a cheese factory one year. His next remove was to Livingston Co., Mich., where he remained till 1870 then going to Hamilton Co., lowa. He was there engaged in agriculture seven and one-half years, re- turning to Michigan in October, 1877, when he lo- cated in Deerfield Township and bought 40 acres of partly improved land, where he now resides. In pol- itics Mr. Gensman is independent.
He was married in May, 1865, to .Ann Grady, of English descent. She died, leaving one child,-Ed- mund, born Dec. 13, 1866. He was again married April 30, 1867, to Harriet, daughter of George and Sophia (Gage) Grady, the former a native of Eng-
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land, the latter of New York. There are two children -- Martha E., born May 5, 1868, and George MI., Sept. 2, 1870.
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oseph Cahill, farmer, sec. 3, Etna Tp., was born in Canada, Dec. 25, 1843. He is a son of James and Catherine (Lebo) Cahill, the former a native of Ireland, the latter of Canada, where they spent their lives. Mr. Ca- hill was reared to the pursuit of agriculture, and in 1863 came to Michigan and was em- U ployed as a farm laborer in Oakland County. A year later he went to Saginaw and was there on the river service, engaged in boating. He passed a year there, went back to Canada for a brief stay, and came 10 Mecosta County. lle found employment in Atna Tp., and until 1872 worked as a farm assistant and in the lumber woods. He bought 160 acres of unimproved land, paying therefor $5.75 per acre. His first step toward improvement was the building of a frame house, and he now has 35 aeres under a good degree of cultivation. Mr. Cahill has held the office of Constable one term, and is a member of the Greenback party. He was married in Grand Rapids, May 12, 1871, to Emma M., daughter of William and Mary A. (Plimpton) Mitchell. Her parents are na- tives of the State of New York, and reside in Michigan. Of this marriage four children have been born, viz : Mary A., June 27, 1873; Joseph W., July 13, 1877 ; Thomas O., May 18, 1882 : Rosetta, April 1, 1879. Mr. C. and family are prominent in the Catholic Church.
saac Sedore, farmer, on see. 4, Deerfield Tp., was born in Canada, April 21, 1832. At 23 years of age he left his home and made his way westward, hoping to find an opportunity to build up his fortune with sub_ stantial profit. He came to Mecosta Co., and pre-empted 40 acres of Government land and 40 acres of swamp land, later buying an addi- tional "40," of which he still retains possession, mak- ing a good farm of 120 acres with 60 improved.
Mr. Sedore is a pioneer of Deerfield Tp., and has been a resident of the county since 1857. He is a marked individual in the records of "first things" in his township, as his marriage was the initial event of that character to transpire after its settlement and organization. He was married in 1862, to Elizabeth, daughter of Franklin B. Smith, George Quigley, first white settler of Deerfield, performing the ceremony of marriage under his authority as Justice of the Peace. Mr. and Mrs. Sedore have six children : Su- san, Wm. H., Phebe, David, Melvin and Evaline.
Mr. Sedore is a member of the Republican party. Religiously he is a liberalist.
He enlisted in the late war in 1864, in Co. A, Third Volunteer Michigan Infantry, served until the close of the war, and was honorably discharged.
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rank J. Porter, proprietor of the shingle mill on sec. 27, Hinton Tp., is the son of Thomas and Sarah (Wilkinson) Porter. They were natives of New York and Vermont, first settling in Ohio, and afterward coming to Michigan and locating in Kent County. They now reside at Grand Rapids.
Mr. Porter was born in Medina Co., Ohio, Feb. 27. 1849. He was five years old when his parents came to Michigan, and he remained at home until he was 16 years of age, attending the common schools. After that, until 1876, he was chiefly employed in different shingle mills in this section of country. From 1876 10 1879 he operated the lath mill of Ber- nard & Stewart, at Caldwell, Montealm Co., em- ploying the help, etc. In 1879 he bought a shingle mill at Lakeview, which he managed one year, and in 18So moved it to Hinton Tp, where he now re- sides and manages his mill, which has a capacity of 40,000 shingles daily. Ile bought the timber on 400 acres of land, which he is converting into shingles.
Mr. Porter was married Feb. 28, 1869, in Spencer, Kent Co., to Ella, daughter of Ephraim and Eliza (Lillie) Skinner, who died Feb. 19. 1872. Mr. l'orter was again married in November, 1874, in Greenville, Montealm Co., to Minerva Brown, a native of the State of New York. Of four children born to Mr. and Mrs. Porter, two survive-Adda V., born July 9, 1876,
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and Anna A., born June 22, 1878. The deceased were Thomas E. and Frank. The latter died Sept. 23, 1882. In politics Mr. Porter is identified with the Republican party.
illiam H. Squier, jeweler at Big Rapids, was born in Vermontville, Eaton Co., 9 Mich., July 9, 1857. He is a son of Geo. W. and Sophronia (Dickenson) Squier. His father has been a farmer most of his life; was Treasurer of Eaton County six years, and is dealer in agricultural implements at Charlotte. Wm. H. was reared on the farm of his father until the age of 16, when the latter removed with his family to Charlotte, where the son took a course of commercial instruction. He then obtained a situa- tion with J. N. Thrift, to learn the business which he decided to make his calling in life, and remained three years, going thence to the employ of W. W. Childs, of Jackson, and a few months later returned to his former employer, where he remained but a short time. His next transfer was to Hastings, where he was in the jewelry establishment of Ike Hendershott & Co. three years. In June, 1880, he came to Big Rap- ids and founded his business, which he has since operated successfully, and is gradually building up a permanent and substantial trade. His stock of watches, clocks, jewelry, etc., is valued at $8,ooo; an- nual transactions, $20,000. Mr. S. was married at Hastings, Nov. 20, 1880, to Stella Hendershott, who was born in Irving, Barry Co., this State. They have one child, Gertrude, born Dec. 24, 1882.
ohn B. Merrill, Morley, was born Feb. 15, 1833, in the State of New York. His pa- rents, Waite and Minerva (Whiting) Mer- rill, were natives of New York. Mr. Merrill remained in his native state until he was 28 years old, and in the autumn of 1863, came to Newaygo County, and soon after to Mecosta County, and bought 80 acres of land in Deerfield. This he sold in a short time, and has since been en-
gaged in real estate brokerage to a considerable ex- tent. He owns about 50 acres of land, with some degree of improvments thereon. In company with J. W. Arnett, he has charge of the feed store, lumber interests, etc., of J. M. Carr of Grand Rapids. He has been Justice of the Peace ten years, County Su- perintendent four years, and been the incumbent of nearly all the local offices of his township. He has been a member of the Masonic Order for 17 years, and in the society of Odd Fellows has held all the posts of the lower order, and passed through the Camp. In politics he is a Republican.
Mr. Merrill was married in the State of New York, April 18, 1860, to Eliza Ann, daughter of Amos A. L. and Ann Tuttle, natives of Vermont, where she was born Nov. 17, 1833. Mr. and Mrs. Merrill have had three children, two of whom are living: Mahala, born Oct. 29, 1866, and Alma, July 31, 1869. Ev- erett, was born Jan 9. 1863, and died May 17, 1882. Mr. and Mrs. Merrill are earnest and prominent members of the M. E. Church. Mr. M. has been a Class, leader for some time, and is considered a con- sistent and valuable member of society.
emuel F. Chipman, deceased, was the son of Fitch and Sarah (Spafford) Chipman, na- tives of Vermont, and was born in 1811. He came to Michigan when a young man, and very shortly afterwards, in the spring of 1860, came to Mecosta County. He had no assistance in setting out in life and fortune had not been propitious. He secured 40 acres of land under the State law of Michigan, built a log house and, assisted by his wife, who lent every aid within her power, passed the career of a pioneer in every sense. The county was scarcely in an organized state, supplies were remote and the labor of clearing the land bur- densome; but it was all borne with the patient heroism which always marks the sturdy pioneer element. Mr. Chipman's death occurred Jan. 24, 1863.
He was married in the State of New York in 1830, to Eliza, daughter of Solomon and Anna (Chapman) Sutherland. She lived but a few years, and he was again married, at Genoa, Livingston Co., Mich., May 1, 1849, to Cynthia E., daughter of J. M. and
Ase Brockway.
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Cynthia (Fisher) Abbey, born in New York, Sept. 11, 1824. Five of six children are living. They were born as follows : Alta, April 16, 1852 ; Alexander M., May 5, 54; Lillian E., June 31, '56; Bertha L., March 31, '58: Lemuel F., June 20, '60. Ida Belle was born Aug. 24, '63, and died Sept. 3, '64. Mrs. Chipman resides on the place upon sec. 25 where she came with her husband and located many years ago. She received a good education in the common schools and seminary at Ann Arbor, and though not a com- municant in any Church is a consistent Christian lady.
m. J. Wadsworth, lumberman and farmer. sec. 32, Mecosta Tp. (P. ()., Stanwood), was born in Belmont Co., Ohio, May 1 1838. His parents, Josiah and Anna G TR (Parker) Wadsworth, were of English and and Irish descent, and natives of New York, early becoming residents of Ohio. His father aban- doned the family, and his mother married again be- fore he was 15 years old. At that age he went out into the world for himself. His first employ was as a driver on the canal, which he followed until the fall of 1854, then engaging as hotel clerk; this po- sition affording him a little leisure, he attended school and secured a moderate amount of education. Leaving his situation, he was employed as a farm laborer in Venango Co., Penn., there operating until 1865. In the winter of that year he acted as a team- ster, next embarking in lumber trade and farming.
He was married Oct. 16, 1859, to Delia A., daugh- ter of William and l'ermelia (Hancock) Jay, natives of New York, and lineal descendants of the Jays and Hancocks, of Revolutionary fame. Mrs. Wads- worth was born in Lorain Co., Ohio, Oct. 6, 1843. Her uncle took her to Pennsylvania when she was a mere girl. After his marriage Mr. Wadsworth was interested in oil speculation until the civil war broke out. July 16, 1861, he enlisted in the Third Reg. U. S. Cav., under Lieut. Spaulding. Soon after enlistment he broke his arm and was discharged from the service. As soon as he was sufficiently re- covered to warrant the step, he enlisted again, en- rolling Aug 11, 1862, in the 142d Pennsylvania Reg. Vol. Inf., Co. I, C'apt. Hasson. During the time of his service he was under fire at Fredericks-
burg, Chancellorsville and at Fredericksburg second, and Gettysburg, escaping unharmed. He received his final discharge, Aug. 30, 1865.
He returned to Oil City, and thence to Ohio, where he rejoined his wife and went back to the oil regions, where he was engaged in shipping oil until the sum- mer of 1866. Hle returned again to Ohio and was engaged two years in farming, then coming to Mich- igan and finding a home in Mecosta Tp., in the fall of 1868. He at once entered heartily into the busi- ness of lumbering, and the next year homesteaded a tract of 90 acres of land, where he has since oper- ated as stated.
Mr. Wadsworth is a· zealous and active Republi- can. He has held various township and school offices. Himself and wife are members in full stand- ing of the Free Methodist Church. They have six children, born as follows: William, June 8, 1862; Myrtle G., July 14, 1864; Edith N., April 18, 1868; Percy J., April 26, 1873; Lester V., Sept. 8, 1875. and Harley A., March 10, 1883.
sa Brockway, farmer, resident on sec. 20. Hinton Tp., is the son of Andrew and Elizabeth (Rossman) Brockway, natives of Pennsylvania, where the son was born, June 16, 1830.
When Mr. Brockway was quite young his parents moved to the State of New York, and there he resided until he was 19 years okl. In the summer of 1849 he came to Michigan and settled in Livings- ton County. Six years later he sold his farm and came to Mecosta County, where he bought So acres of wild land in Hinton Tp., on which he now lives. The place is in fine condition, having 75 acres under cultivation. In politics Mr. B. is a Democrat and has held offices of trust in township and school affairs.
He is a pioneer of Mecosta County, having come here in 1855, five years before the organization of the township. His father, Andrew Brockway, was for some years the oldest resident living in the township.
Mr. Brockway was married in Washtenaw County, Oct. 9, 1855, to Lydia S., daughter of Samuel and Rhoda (Vanvelzer) Eaton. Mrs. Brockway was born in Onondaga Co., N. V., Feb. 10, 1836. Four children were born of this marriage, as follows :
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Eva M., Nov. 6, 1856; Emma E., April 16, 1857; Andrew S., July 21, 1861; Ida M., March 18, 1863. We give a portrait of Mr. Brockway in this work.
ilas Wright, farmer, sec. 7, Deerfield Tp., was born in Pennsylvania Dec. 29, 1843. His parents, John and Sarah (Evers) Wright, were also natives of the Keystone State, and in 1863 came to Barry Co., Mich., and a short time afterwards to Allegan County, where the father died soon after, and the mother is yet living.
Our subject received a common-school education and resided with his parents until the age of 27 years. He enlisted Oct. 16, 1862, in the 169th Penn- sylvania Vol. Infantry, and received his discharge in July, '63, leaving the army with health much im- paired by sickness and exposure. In '70 he left Allegan County and came to Mecosta County, where he bought 80 acres of timber land and upon it built a frame house, proceeding to clear and improve his land, of which he now has 50 acres under tillage.
He was married in Canada, March 29, '71, to Sarah T., daughter of James and Amelia B. Bell, nee Ax- ford, the former a native of England, and the latter of New Jersey. They have three children-Frank M., Harry D. and Nora E., born respectively Feb. 23, 72, Oct., 10, '75 and July 4, '78. Mr. Wright is an ad- herent of the Democratic party.
ohn R. Campbell, hoot and shoe merchant at Big Rapids, was born in DeWitt Co., Ill., May 1, 1856. His parents, Barzillai and Rosanna (Sackett) Campbell, went to La Cygne, Kan., in 1865, where they engaged in farming, and became prominent in the social and political circles of that section, Mr. Camp- bell, Sr., being elected in 1877 to represent his dis- trict in the State Legislature.
The first business venture of Mr. Campbell was that of jobbing in canned goods at wholesale at Kan-
sas City, Mo .; after three months he went to New Brunswick, N. J., and officiated one year as book- keeper for the Home Valley Preserving Company. He then went to Indiana, where he engaged in the insurance business. In May, 1882, he came to Big Rapids and formed a partnership with P. Wait, in the sale of boots and shoes, which connection was dis- solved Aug. 1, 1883, Mr. Campbell buying his part- ner's interest. His stock is valued at $4.500, and his business transactions amount to $1,200 monthly.
Mr. Campbell was married at South New Bruns- wick, N. J., Oct. 24, 1882, to Julia Van Deventer, who was born in New Jersey, Oct. 23, 1862.
artin E. Wilson, farmer, sec. 25, Deer- field Tp., was born in Genesee Co., N. Y., July 21, 1836. His parents, Warren and Naomi (Smead) Wilson, were natives of Ver- mont, but located in Genesee County in 1836. Four years later they settled in Ingham Co., Mich., where the mother still resides on the farm which was her first home in the Peninsular State. The father died April 10, 1877.
Mr. Wilson passed his boyhood and youth on the farm under the personal care of his parents, and at 18 went to Newaygo County, where he spent the winter months in lumbering and the remainder of the years was engaged in "breaking." In the spring of 1861 he came to Mecosta County and bought So acres of land, where he still resides. His land was then in a state of nature and he proceeded to put it in proper and comfortable condition for a home for his advanced years. He has 70 acres cleared and under tillage.
Mr. Wilson was one of the earliest settlers of Deerfield, and, from his integrity and constant zeal for the best interests of the public, has become a valuable and trusted citizen of the township. He has been Justice of the l'eace 20 years. In '64 he was drafted into the Union service and assigned to the Fourteenth Mich. Vol. Inf., and was discharged at Detroit, July 10, '65, after ten months' active duty at Savannah, Brier Creek, and Bentonville, N. C., under Sherman. His regiment was mustered out at Lonisville, Ky.
He was married in 1859 to Anna Chipman, who
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was born in Livingston Co., Mich., and died in '73. Two of the three children born to them are living,- Naomi A. and Adelbert E. George is deceased. Mr. Wilson again entered into the bonds of matrimony in '74. He married Eunice 1. Royce, a native of Tioga Co., Pa. They have five children : Vernon R., Martin O., Alice M. and Helen. An infant child is unnamed. Mr. Wilson is a Republican,
ohn G. Gill, junior member of the firm of Roben, Bennett & Gill, insurance, real- estate and loan agents, at Big Rapids, was born in Cornwall, Eng., Jan. 8, 1838. His parents, Richard and Mary (Glanville) Gill, were natives of Cornwall, born respectively in iSoo and in 1802. They came to the United States in 1842, and went to Hannibal, Mo., and two years later to Illinois. They bought a small farm near Galena, where the father also became interested to a considerable extent in lead mines. Mr. Gill there obtained his elementary education, and at 14 years of age became a clerk in a dry-goods store, where he was employed one year. At 15 he went to Madison, Wis., and commenced a course of study in the scientific department of the University, remaining three years. Returning to Illinois. he passed four successive winters in teaching. He acted as clerk on the Mississippi river steamers two summers, and finally entered a claim of Government land in Kansas, which he improved to some extent.
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