Portrait and biographical album, Mecosta county, Mich., containing portraits and biographical sketches, Part 21

Author: Chapman Brothers
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago, Chapman brothers
Number of Pages: 684

USA > Michigan > Mecosta County > Portrait and biographical album, Mecosta county, Mich., containing portraits and biographical sketches > Part 21

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

In 1860 he went to Colorado and commenced staking claims near the "Gregory " mines. The spring following he went to Delaware Flats, Brecken- ridge Co, and worked out a placer mine in the sum- mer of 186t. He was in company with James Mc.Allister, and continued his operations until the summer of 1862. At that date he formed a partner- ship with L. W. Woodruff, and went to Bannock City, Montana, where they were among the earliest comers. Here they took up a bar claim, which proved an advantageous project. They went thence to the site of Virginia City, and assisted in platting the city, of which they owned one seventh. They then went to Bevins' Gulch, where they again en-

gaged in successful claim traffic, and in addition established a freight train to and from different points across the plains, consisting of 24 teams of six yoke of oxen each. They managed this latter enter- prise two years. The winters of 1863-4-5 they spent in eastern cities, negotiating mining property. Mr. Gill next went to Des Arc, Prairie Co., Ark., and in company with his brother, R. G. Gill, engaged in the cotton trade. Two years later he went to Kansas, and bought another farm near the locality of his first agricultural investment, which, on leaving Kansas for Colorado, he had transferred to Mrs. Mary Elwell, his sister. He remained in Kansas until 1875, when he sold his farm and came to Big Rapids, and, associated with C. B. Lovejoy, founded a grocery firm styled Gill & Lovejoy. In 1877 the latter sold his interest to N. II. Beebe, and the new firm continued to transact the most extensive business of the kind in the city, until May 1. 1883, doing an an- nual business of $60,000. In June, 1883, he en- tered the house of Roben & Bennett as partner.

Mr. Gill was married in Lynn Co., Kan., Jan. 25, 1868, to Laura E., daughter of Hon. Barzillai and Rosanna Campbell, who was born in Clinton, Ill .. March 19, 1850. They have three children-Cora E., Lewis C. and John G.

ewis Russell, proprietor of the shingle mill on sec. 4, Hinton Tp, is a son of Morris and Calista Russell, and was born at Glens Falls, Warren Co., N. Y., March 27, 1849. His parents are natives of Canada, where they now reside. At the age of 13 Mr. Russell went to work on a farm, and was in the employ of one man three years. His next employment was in a cotton mill in Massachusetts, where he remained nearly two years, and a part of the time officiated as second foreman of the mill. He went back to the Empire State, where he passed a year working on a farm, and spent the year following on a farm in Ver- mont. In 1868 he went to Wisconsin, where he com- menced his career as a manufacturer of shingles, which has since been his vocation. After operating four years in the Badger State, in the summer of 1872

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he came to Montcalm County and there remained nine years. In the summer of 1881 he came to this county and located in the township of Martiny, where he bought and ran a shingle mill one year. He removed his works to Hinton Tp., in the fall of 1882, where he is now operating and employs 13 men. The daily product of the mill is 40,000 shingles.

Mr. Russell was married May 28, 1872, in Green- ville, Montcalm Co., to Isabella, third daughter of Colin and Elizabeth (McCarthy) McIntyre. Her parents were natives of Scotland and settled in Can- ada, where the daughter was born Sept. 23, 1854. Thes came to Michigan about 1867, and have since died. Mr. and Mrs. Russell have had four children: Howard H., born March 3, 1873; Winnie L., born Aug. 12, 1875 ; Harry H., March 20, 1879, and Bessie L, Sept. 27, 1882. Mr. Russell is a member of the order of Masonry and in politics is a Republican.

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ucius L. Osgood, general merchant at Big Rapids, was born in Steuben Co., N. Y., Aug. 22, 1834. His father, Lebbeus Os- good, died when he was about 12 years old, and his mother, Philene Osgood, removed to Penn Yan, Yates Co., N. Y., and there Mr. Os- good learned the shoemaker's trade. He enlist- ed in the service of the United States to quell the Rebellion, in the second year of the civil war, en- rolling Oct. 3, 1862, in Co. C, 44th N. Y. Vol. Inf., as a private soldier, and served until the termination of the war. He was in action at Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Mine Run, Gettysburg, all the battles of the Wilderness, and at Cold Harbor, where he re- ceived a severe gunshot wound in the left hip. He was sent to Little Vork Hospital, Pa., where he was laid up if months. He obtained his discharge at Little York, May 15, 1865. He remained there, and commenced as a dealer in groceries and operated about two and one half years.

In 1867 he came to Big Rapids, and soon after- ward began to sell groceries in the upper part of the city. In 1873 he relinquished his trade and bought a farm containing 60 acres near Paris, Newaygo Co. After carrying on agriculture about two and one-half

years, he sold his place and came back to Big Rapids opened a grocery, and in 1880 located on his present' site, where he is doing a safe and substantial busi- ness. His stock represents a value of $3,000, and his annual sales amount approximately to $18,000.

He was married at Little York, Pa., Jan. 21, 1866, to Mary, daughter of Lawrence and Ricca Markley, born at Little York, Jan. 13, 1844. Mr. and Mrs. Osgood have been the parents of four children, as follows: Lucy P. (dec.), Edwin L., Mary J. and Essie I. Mr. Osgood is a member of the Knights of Pythias. He owns his residence and a city lot.

harles Hinman, farmer, on sec. 14, Hin- ton Tp., is a son of Curtis and Almira (De Witt) Hinman, who were natives of the Empire State, and went thence to Pennsyl- vania, coming afterward to Michigan; they first settled in Oakland Co., but soon after moved to Clinton Co., where they died. Mr. Hin- man was born in Oakland Co., Mich., Oct. 23, 1838. He attended school and worked on his father's farm until the age of 22 years, then leased the farm of his grandfather for two years. The element of war was then abroad in the land, and the patriotic blood that courses in the veins of every man who loves his coun- try beat high to act or die for the integrity of the Union. Mr. Hinman enlisted Aug. 11, 1862, in the 23d Michigan Vol. Inf., and was in the service till the close of the war, receiving honorable discharge June 27, 1865, at Washington, D. C. Among the engagements where he was under fire, were the battles of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania C. H., Cold Harbor, and at the siege of l'etersburg. He was captured at the battle of the Wilderness, but was at once paroled. In that engagement, while storming the defenses of the enemy, he met with an accident that disabled him for several weeks. After the war he went to his home in lonia Co. and resumed the pursuit of agriculture. After a residence of 12 years he sold his farm and went to Clare Co. He purchas- ed 160 acres of land, which he sold four years later, came to Millbrook, Mecosta Co., and bought the hotel property known as the Rowland House, which he soon afterward exchanged for another hotel

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located at Sylvester, Mich. He managed this one year, and exchanged it for 40 acres of land on sec. 26, Ilinton Tp. About the same time he rented a faim near Sylvester, which he managed two years, and in the spring of 1880 purchased 40 acres of land, where he now lives. He has placed it under good cultiva- tion, and erected convenient commodious buildings.

In political sentiment Mr. Hinman belongs to the Democratic party, and is a member of the Order of Masonry. He has been Highway Commissioner two years, and School Director three years. He was married in Clinton Co., Mich., June 24, 1860, to Eliza, eldest daughter of Win. C. and Eliza (Bullard) Ratcliffe, who were of English nativity and came to America in 1841, settling in the State of New York, where the mother died; the father came to Michigan to live with his children, and died in Ionia Co. Mrs. Hinman was born in England, Nov. 5, 1836. Mr. and Mrs. Hinman have had six children, three survive : Stella E., born Oct. 7, 1866; Guy C., July 2, 1872; Alma A., Sept. 20, 1874. In this, as in many other families in Mecosta Co., the diphtheria made cruel ravages. Ella G., born July 23, 1861, died Oct. 20, 1881. She was married and left a son four years old. Fred I., born March 18, 1863, died Oct. 19, 1881, one day preceding the demise of his sister; Rae A., born Jan 22, 1869, died Dec. 22, 1881.

ohn Hunter, farmer, sec 30, Mecosta Tp., was born in Montreal, Dec. 13, 1852. His parents, Robert and Sarah (Curry) Hunter, were born in Ireland, of Scotch parentage, and were there married, coming shortly after the event to Canada.

Mr. Hunter began his battle of life at 16 years of age, in Essex Co., N. V., whither his parents removed. His first employ was as a lumberman, work- ing with a contractor who was "putting in" timber on the Hudson River, and remained until the winter of 1873, when he returned to Montreal Meanwhile his father and family had removed to Mecosta County, and he came hither to Big Rapids, and found speedy employ as a lumberman winters, and a farm hand summers, alternating these occupations three years. His father and notler, resident on sec. 30, Mecosta

Tp., died, and he succeeded to his share of the es- tate. In 1879 he bought 40 acies of wild land in Goodwin Tp., Newaygo Co.

He is an earnest Republican, is the present School Moderator, and in religious faith a Presbyterian.

ylvester H. Gray, senior member of the firm of S. H. Gray & Co, manufacturers of lumber, lath and shingles, at Big Rap- ids, was born at Jersey Shore, Lycoming Co., Pa., Feb. 3, 1846. His parents were Hiram T. and Susan (Minsker) Gray. At the age of 16 he was sent to Wyer's Military Academy, Westchester, l'a. The school was under the manage- ment of Major Echendorf, a graduate from West Point, whose pupils gained unusual proficiency, and a considerable degree of public notoriety for drill ex- hibitions in various places., Mr. Gray was a member of Company B, with the rank of Orderly Sergeant. On completing his course of study he went to Wil- liamsport in the employ of Slonaker, IToward & C'o. as book-keeper and partner. The business of the house was heavy and prosperous, and the relation existed until 1873. In that year Mr. Gray came to Big Rapids, and the partnership of Phippen, Gray & Howard was formed. The concern operated in logs, lumber and pine lands until Nov., 1878, doing a suc- cessful business.

At the date named the present business relation of S. H. Gray & Co. was established. The house is engaged in extensive and prosperous operations. They own a saw-mill on the lower dam, east of the river, where they have a lumber yard and employ 20 hands ; they also own a shingle mill on the west side of the river, above the lower bridge, where 35 men constitute the laboring force. They make 18-inch shingles which they kiln dry, being thereby enabled to facilitate shipping. They manufacture about 20,000,000 annually, and sell chiefly in Eastern mar- kets. The shingles of their make, known to the trade as the 18-inch XXXX, are among the best products in that line. The business of the firm also includes logs, lumber and pine lands.

Mr. Gray was married at Grand Rapids, June 16. 1875, to Antha, daughter of Win. S. and Margaretta

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(Hill) Gray, born in Freeport, Ill., April 8, 1849. They have one son, Vivian, born at Big Rapids, Nov. 17, 1876.

Mr. Gray is a stockholder and director in the Northern National Bank, is Secretary and Treasurer in the Big Rapids Boom Co., and Secretary of the Big Rapids Water-Power Improvement Company.

ohn G. Potter, farmer, sec. 22, Austin Tp. (P. O. Stanwood), was born in Niagara Co., N. Y., Nov. 9, 1849. His parents, Russell

€ and Emmeline C. (Grover) Potter, were natives of New York.

Mr. Potter was reared as a farmer's son, sent to the common schools and trained as farm assistant until he was 22 years old. In 1872 he came to Me- costa County and bought the homestead property of his father-in-law, William H. Olin, about 1877, com- prising 40 acres of improved land.

He was married March 9, 1872, to Susan B., daughter of William H. and Lydia (Corey) Olin, born in Chemung Co., N. Y., April 9, 1854. Her parents were natives of New England.

Mr. and Mrs. Potter have had six children, two of whom are deceased : Stella E., born Aug. 20, 1874, died May 10, 1876; and Alberta, born Aug. 3, 1879, died Oct. 13, 1879. The living children were born in the order named : Florence E., March 28, 1873; Gracie E., July 6, 1877; Claude E., July 13, 1880, and Harry J., July 28, 1882.

Mr. Potter is a Democrat in political faith and ac- tion, and is the present Supervisor of the township.

Frsemus Gross, farmer, sec. 28, Deerfield Tp., P. O. Morley, was born in New Lisbon, Otsego Co., N. Y. His parents were natives of the same State. His mother, Nancy (Pat_ rick) Gross, died in the fall of 1843 ; his father, Ellis Gross, resides in Steuben Co., N. Y.

At the age of 15 Mr. Gross went to Pennsylvania,

where he engaged in farming and lumbering three years, and then obtained work on the Erie Canal. On the outbreak of the rebellion of the Southern States he enlisted in the Thirty-fourth N. Y. Vol. Inf., and served two years, the full period for which he en- rolled, and received an honorable discharge. He was in the engagement at Gaines' Mills, Antietam, Fairfax Court-House and in the battle of the Wilderness. On his discharge he returned to Pennsylvania and at once proceeded to Mecosta Co., Mich., and bought 40 acres of land in Deerfield Tp. It was then in a wild con- dition, but he has nearly his entire acreage in a good state of cultivation, and lately improved by a new frame house. Mr. Gross adheres to the principles ad- vocated by the Democratic party.

He was married Oct. 22, 1869, to Jeannette, daugh- ter of Alanson and Esther A. (Hedges) Rickar. Her parents are natives of New York and came to Me- costa County in the winter of 1865. Mrs. Gross was born May 22, 1849. To Mr. and Mrs. Gross three children were born, as follows : Alphonso G., Aug. 22, 1870; Ella A, June 14, 1873; Mabel A., Dec. 24, 1878.

iram H. Slawson, furniture dealer at Big Rapids, was born in Orange Co., N. Y., March 30, 1810. He was reared on a farm, and at the age of 16 learned the trade of car- penter and joiner, and afterward that of cabi- net-maker, and has since been engaged alter- nately in their prosecution.

Mr. Slawson came to Michigan in the fall of 1848, and worked in a furniture establishment at Grand Rapids about two years, going at the end of that time to Greenville, Montcalm Co., where he was en- gaged in the furniture business about 20 years. He next transferred his interests to Cedar Springs, Kent Co, and in April, 1882, he came to Big Rapids and purchased the stock and fixtures. of E. A. Knight, and is now operating with a fair degree of success.

Mr. Slawson was married in Seneca Co., N. Y Jan. 1, 1835, to Eusebia, daughter of John and Mary Fleming, born in Seneca Co., Nov. 26, 1811. They have had the following named children: Henry, Charles and Morrison, farmers, near Greenville ;

MECOSTA COUNTY.

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William, who is deceased; NNewell S., an attorney at Cedar Springs several years, and who died in Marshall, Texas, in March, 1882; Mary, wife of Joseph B. Hammond, a grocer, in Ionia Co .; Will T., a reporter on the Pioneer Magnet, and a practical printer. Mr. Slawson owns a residence and lot on Henderson Street, two houses with lots at Cedar Springs; also five vacant lots at that place. The family are members of the Congregational Church.

B enjamin F. Rathvon, senior member of the firm of Rathvon Bros., proprietors of the Mecosta Planing Mill, was born at Bertie, Welland Co., Pr. of Ont., Can., Feb. 8, 1848. He is a son of Jacob and Elizabeth Rathvon. The father was a carpenter, and died when Benjamin was seven years of age. The mother removed to Springfield, Elgin Co., Ont., where she was again married, to Reuben Johnson. a magistrate of that place.

Mr. Rathvon returned to Welland County when he was 13 years of age, and was a member of the house- hold of his uncle, a farmer, three years. He then went to Ridgeway, same county, and engaged with Eben Cutler to learn carpentering. He spent five years acquiring his trade, then went back to Spring- field, where he operated as a builder three years, going thence to St. Thomas, and there followed the same occupation. In September, 1880, he came to lonia, and connected his fortunes with those of his brother Charles, and at the end of a year they came to Mecosta village and built their planing mill, at a cost of nearly 84,000. They usually employ ten men, and are doing a first-class business, with gratify- ing success. They combine building with lumbering interests. They expect to add machinery for mak- ing sash, doors, and also furniture. Mr. Rathvon is a member of the A. O. U. W.

He was married May 29, 1871, to Emma .1., daughter of Isaac and Elizabeth Gilbert, born June 15, 1850, in Southold Tp., Elgin Co., Can. Their two children were born as follows: Lewis E. O., at St. Thomas, Can., April 16, 1874; Ilau M., in Spring- field, Elgin Co., Oct. 15, 1875.

ichael Keegan, farmer, sec. 12, Hinton Tp., is a son of James and Lucy (Perent) K Keegan, and was born in Van Buren, Aroostook Co., Maine, April 9, 1848. His father was a native of Ireland and his mother of Canada. They were among the earliest set- tlers in the section of Maine, where they located and reared their family.

At the age of 15, Mr. Keegan and his brother James came to East Saginaw, Mich., and there found employment on the river and in the pines one and a half years. He went thence to Stillwater, Minn., and there engaged in the same business 18 months. He returned to Saginaw for a brief time, and soon after came to Mecosta County, and bought 40 acres of forest land exclusively his own and, associated with another person, purchased an additional 20 acres. He operated as a lumberman until 1871, when he began to improve his land, and soon after added 40 acres, making his homestead 80 acres in all, of which 60 acres are now under tillage with suitable and com- modious farm buildings. Mr. Keegan was united in marriage, in this township, Feb. 4, 1872, to Mary, daughter of William and Sarah (Whitney) Cross and widow of Joseph Moulton. The father was a native of England and the mother of Maine; they now re- side with Mr. and Mrs. Keegan. In politics Mr. Keegan is a Republican.

larence W. Parks, senior member of the hardware firm of Parks Bros., and member of the Council of Mecosta, Morton Tp., was born in Lyons Tp., Oakland Co, Mich., May 18, 1855. Hle is a son of William R. and Ann E. (Dunlap) Parks. His parents removed in March, 1864, to Easton Tp .. lonia Co., and there bought 120 acres of land, resid- ing thercon two years; they then went to Keene Tp, Tonia Co., and became the owners of 80 acres of land. (. W. Parks rented this property in 1877, and man- aged it three years. He came to Mecosta in 18So, in company with C. H. Taylor, to engage in mercan-

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tile pursuits; and they founded a hardware trade. Their relation continued one year, Mr. C. H. Taylor selling his interest to M. F. Strong, of Saranac, who, one year later sold in turn to Robert I). Parks. The building which they occupy was bought by the senior member of the firm, and Mr. Strong. It is 20 x 60 feet in dimensions ; the main store with one adjoining, 24 X 36 feet, is utilized for a tin-shop, store-room, etc. The present firm was established Feb. 1, 1883, and are doing a prosperous business, carrying a stock of about $8,ooo, including hardware, stoves, tinware, sash, doors, crockery, etc., with annual sales of about $25,000. Mr. Parks was elected member of the Vil- lage Council in the spring of 1883 ; he also belongs to the A. O. U. W.

He was married in Vergennes, Kent Co., Mich., Sept. 28, 1881, at the residence of the bride's father, to Agnes E., daughter of Sidney E. and Almira Hoag, who was born May 7, 1852, and was reared on a farm until her marriage. Sidney Hoag's father was a prosperous farmer, and one of the pioneers of Vergennes.

ames Davis, farmer, on sec. 29, Austin Tp., was born in Wales, July 9, 1816. He is a son of Thomas and Ann (Howell) Davis, also born in Wales, where they lived and died. At the age of 16 Mr. Davis went to work as a farm laborer, and in the fall of 1840 was married to Martha, daughter of William and Maryett (Rogers) Harries. Mr. Davis and his wife at once settled on a farm, where they lived and labored until their removal to this country, in the fall of 1857, when they went to Quebec, Canada, thence to Ne- waygo ('o., Mich., residing there two years. In the fall of 1859 they settled on the 40 acres, now their homestead, which they purchased in the earliest days of the township, of which they were among the pioneers.

Mr. and Mrs. Davis have had seven children : Anna E., born Aug. 1, 1838; Edward R., July 7, 1842; William H., Jan. 28, 1844; David D., born Oct. 28, 1846, died in February, 1851; Thomas, born April 11, 1848, died in February, 1851; (these children died of scarlet fever :) Margaret, born March 12,

1850, died in March, 1854; M. Ellinor, born Aug. 24, 1854, died June 30, 1882.

The family attend the Congregational Church. Mr. Davis is liberal in his political views, and in his actions is independent of party issues.

ottlob Vogg, farmer, sec. 18, Deerfield Tp., was born in Germany in 1834. He is a son of Christian Vogg and both his parents were of German birth.

He left the "Faderland" for the United States in '54 and stopped in New York (where he landed) two years. In '56 he went to Massachu- setts and there remained 12 years, removing in '68 to Kalamazoo Co., Mich., and after a stay of two and one-half years came to this county. He soon after purchased 80 acres of land, in an uncultivated con- dition. His industry, thrift and perseverance have ever been manifested and his present circumstances are a significant evidence of what a man may do un- der the free institutions of this country. Sixty-five acres of his land are in first-class condition, and he is en- joying ail the rewards he has so justly earned.

The subject of this sketch was married in '58, in the State of New York, to Friederika Krieger, a na- tive of Germany. They have had eight children, six of whom are living: Friederika C., Geo. W., Henry C., Otto, Caroline and Flora. Lonisa and Paulina died in infancy.

.Mr. Vogg is a member of the Lutheran Church and acts with the Republican party.

illiam S. Gray, of the firm of S. II. Gray & C'o., manufacturers of lumber, lath and shingles, at Big Rapids, was born in Chenango Co., N. Y., June 26, 1820. lle is a son of Bethuel and Cornelia (('arter) Gray, and was brought up on a farm, attending school winters. He left home at 18, and attended the academies at Elmira and Corning.

Samuel S. Mitchell.

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MECOSTA COUNTY.

The first business experience of Mr. Gray was as clerk in a general store in Corning, Steuben Co., N. V. He went two years later to Port Deposit, Cecil Co., Md., in the interests of a lumber firm, having charge of their sales and shipping, nine months. At the end of that time he went back to Corning and opened a mercantile house, operating as a lumber dealer in connection therewith, and manag- ing a saw-mill near that place. He sold out at the expiration of two years and went to New York, where he was clerk in a store on Grand street, going thence to Ithaca, Tompkins Co., N. Y., and there attended the academy one year and taught one term of school. In 1845, he entered the office of Charles Coryell, M. D., and read medicine six months; thence he removed to Somerset, Lycoming ('o., Penn., where he taught school three terms. He then went to Jersey Shore, in the same county, and studied with Dr. Hepbarn two years, supple- menting his office reading with one course of lectures at Philadelphia.

In 1848, Mr. Gray went to Rock Run, Stephenson Co, Ill., and was a medical practitioner there seven years, and engaged in mercantile business, wagon manufacturing and also in farming. He next went to Freeport, in the same county, and there served three terms as County 'Treasurer, and managed three stock farms -- one of 640 acres, in Carroll County, and two others containing respectively 282 and 180 acres. He also owned a small farm near Freeport, and had a hook store there which he owned about a year; he had also a store for the sale of furniture. These establishments were managed personally by parties employed for the purpose.

In 1865 he built a woolen mill, in company with Messrs. Rosenstiel & Sunderland, with which he was connected until 1874, and owned a general store and tailor shop at the same time. In 1876 he came to Big Rapids, and became a member of the firm with which he is at present connected. The company own a saw-mill on the east side of the Muskegon River, and a shingle-mill on the west side. Mr. Gray owns his residence, and is a stockholder in the National Bank, and in the Big Rapids Boom Com- pany, and also is Director and President of the Big Rapids Water-Power Company; has served the municipality six years past as Alderman.

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Portrait and biographical album, Mecosta county, Mich., containing portraits and biographical sketches, Part 21

Author: Chapman Brothers Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Chicago, Chapman brothers Number of Pages: 684

Author: Chapman Brothers
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago, Chapman brothers
Number of Pages: 684