USA > Michigan > Mecosta County > Portrait and biographical album, Mecosta county, Mich., containing portraits and biographical sketches > Part 23
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He was married at Rockford, Kent Co., Mich., Nov. 8, 1867, to Sarah Jane, daughter of John and Rosanna (Blancha) Probasco, born April 2, 1842, in Huron Co., O. The parents were natives of New Jersey, and are both deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Davis have three children : Ada M. J., born Oct. 2, 1868 ; John Wilham, March 6, 1870; and Frank E. B., June 20, 1872. In politics Mr. Davis is a Democrat.
ohn W. Thomas, carriage and wagon maker at Altona, Hinton Tp., was born in Eng- & land. Nov. 16, 1831. His parents, John and Rebecca (Webb) Thomas, were natives of England, where the mother died. The father came to Canada and passed the remainder of his life; his death occurred in 1879. Mr. Thomas came to America with his father when he was 14 years of age. The circumstances of the elder Thomas were such that he was enabled to give his children a good education, and he sent his son John to the common schools, and afterward to an academy, until he attained the age of 16 years, when he was apprenticed for five years to learn the trade of wagon and carriage making. After fulfilling his indenture he worked as a journeyman till 1850. In 1855 he left Canada and came to Michigan, locating at C'ro- ton, Newaygo Co., where he established himself in the prosecution of his trade, and continued wagon and carriage making for 15 years. He sold his business, and went to work for his brother-in-law, Aaron Austin, as general assistant, keeping books, lumbering, etc., for six months. After a brief visit to Canada, he resumed his labors in the woods, for Mr. N. Thurston, for a short time. He was then em- ployed by the G. R. & I. Railroad Co., and while in
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their service received an injury. On recovery he was occupied with his trade for a time, and then bought 40 acres in Barry Co., Mich., where he was resident six years. He bought his place in good faith, sup- posing he had the right of every man to hold what he paid for; but the event proved his title poor, and he was obliged to abandon the farm, and sustained a loss of $300. He lived a year at Stanwood, Mecosta Tp., and bought 32 acres of land in the township of Deerfield, which is still in his possession. In the spring of 1879, he came to Altona and established his present business.
Mr. Thomas has been married twice, and is the father of seven children. Those living are Ida. Adelaide and Drusilla. The deceased were Wil- liam and Jane, and twin children who died in early infancy. Mr. Thomas is a Republican, and was Constable three years while a resident in Newaygo County.
illiam O. Lake, Assistant Postmaster at Morley, was born at Port Rowan, Can .. March 5, 1855. His parents, Robert (). and Margaret (Redker) Lake, are also natives of Canada, where they at present reside.
When Mr. Lake reached the age of 11 years, he was employed as clerk in a store by Alexander Fer- guson, and there worked about 18 months. After- wards he was variously employed until the fall of 1872, and then came to Bay City. In the spring of 1873, he came to Morley, and was employed by Nel son Pike as clerk. Six years later he formed a part- nership with D. C. King in a mercantile enterprise, which relation existed until the summer of 1881, when the business was closed. In the spring of that year he made an extended trip to Colorado, return- ing the same fall, and engaging temporarily at Morley and Muskegon, in miscellaneous interests. While his affairs were connected with those of D. C. King in 1880, they built a shingle-mill in the western part of AEtna Tp. They managed it about IS months and sold to J. E. Thurkow. Jan 1, 1883, Mr. Lake assumed control of the postoffice at Mor- ley. In April of the current year, he was elected
Township Clerk, and in the same month succeeded to the editorial chair of the Morley Advance. In politics he is independent, and is a member of the Order of Odd Fellows.
Top ... ood & Gale. This is one of the most ex- tensive and important of the business firms of Big Rapids, and its components are Thomas Hood and Martin P. Gale. They are manufacturers of pine lumber, chiefly, shingles, etc., and ship their products throughout the
East. Their interests are widespread and various, comprising saw-mills, landed property, etc. Their steam saw-mill at Remus, Mecosta Co., pro- duces 50,000 feet of lumber daily, and they employ in the mill and woods about 1oo workmen. In 1871 they bought the mill in upper Big Rapids, built by the Tioga Manufacturing Co., which they sold in May. 1883. A mill owned by them in Leroy, Osceola Co., was sold in May, 1882, and Messrs. Baker & Stearns, of Big Rapids, are under contract with then. to supply 20,000,000 feet of sawed lumber.
Messrs. Hood & Gale own 15,000 acres of land in Lewis County, N. Y. ; also a two-thirds interest in 13,000 acres of farm lands in Oregon County, Mo., besides considerable tracts in different parts of this State. They hold a two-fifths interest in the Big Rapids Wagon Works, a stock company which com- pletes half a dozen wagons a day, and of which Mr. Gale is Treasurer. They own one-fifth of the water power of the lower dam at Big rapids, and are stockholders in the Northern National Bank, of which Mr. Gale is a Director.
The office of the concern is in the Northern Hotel Block. This magnificent structure, wholly the prop- erty of Messrs. Hood & Gale, is one of the most significant exhibits of the character of the spirit which has endowed Big Rapids with its marvelous prestige. Its architecture is unique, and the tout en- semble challenges the admiration of every beholder. It is situated on Maple street, with a south frontage of 300 feet, and the west end running back on State street. It is 40 to 140 feet deep, built of white brick. is two-stories high, and no expense was spared in rendering it beautiful and substantial in every detail.
R. Fairew.
MECOSTA COUNTY.
One hundred and forty feet in the center of the first Hoor is occupied for hotel purposes, and the remain- der, both east and west, is devoted to business offices. The second floor is divided into parlors and sleeping apartments. It is lighted throughout by gas, and heated by steam. The aggregate cost was $70,000.
erdinand Fairman, senior member of the banking house of Fairman & Newton, Big Rapids, was born in the township of Lyme, Jefferson Co., N. Y., July 15, 1833. His father, Geo. W. Fairman, was born in the year 1812, near Ottawa, Canada ; is a farmer by occupa- tion and resides in Jefferson County. His mother, Mary A. (Fox) Fairman, was born in Lyme Tp. ; her parents were pioneer settlers of Jefferson Co., and were originally from the northeastern part of the State of New York, on Lake Champlain.
Mr. Fairman was brought up and educated as was the custom among the agricultural communities of that locality and period. lle was a boy of energy and spirit, and early in life determined to make the most of such advantages as presented themselves. By the time he was 18 years of age he had acquired a solid and available education, which he turned to account by teaching school winters. alternating with farm labors summers, until he reached the age of 26 years, when, in company with Alpheus Parker, he commenced a general mercantile business at Alexan- dria in his native county. The firm title and style was Parker & Fairman, and the relation existed until the winter of 1865. At that date be purchased the interest of his partner, conducting the business alone until 1871, and with a fair degree of success. Sell- ing his stock, he removed to Adams, Jefferson Co., in order to secure better educational advantages for his children, and because of his own impaired health. He spent the two years following in traveling through the South and Southwest, prospecting for a business location.
He was afterwards impressed with the feasibility of Big Rapids as a business point, and in the sum- mer of 1873 invested in real estate in that city. He removed his family to this pla purposing to enter
largely into real estate brokerage. The financial demoralization that swept the country about that time unsettled his plans, and he accepted a proffered situation as cashier of the Exchange Bank, where he officiated one year. His health was still pre- carious, and in the winter of 1874 5 he went to Texas to obtain the advantages of the genial cli- mate, and interested himself in the purchase of lands. He came back to Big Rapids in the spring. and in the autumn of 1875, in partnership with Samuel T. Potter, of Jefferson Co., N. Y:, opened a banking house under the firm name of Fairman & Potter. The partnership was dissolved in January, 1879. and Mr. Fairman conducted the banking business alone until November, 1881, when he admitted Mrs. M. J. Newton, of Jefferson Co., to an interest with himself. Mrs. Newton retired Aug. to, 1882, her son, Samuel 1 .. Newton (the ward of Mr. Fairman), succeeding to a one-half interest, and also to a moiety in the Fair- man & Newton Block The business of the house has since been prosperous and its relations constantly increasing. Its advantages are based upon years of experience and ample capital, together with the stability afforded by the character and record of the gentlemen who regulate its relations. The business qualifications of Mr. Fairman, as well as his methods, well-known and tested by those with whom he is con- nected in his financial transactions, are such as to warrant the confidence which they inspire.
In 1876 Mr. Fairman Joaned a considerable sum of money to the parties controlling the Big Rapids Iron Works, securing himself by mortgage. The af- fairs of the concern became involved and Mr. Fair- man foreclosed in 1878. He at once entered upon the duty of utilizing the power and fixtures and man- aged the business with entire success, and by his systematic methods and forethought built up a cred- itable trade. He sold the establishment in October. 1881, to Messrs. Cannon & Gottshall. In i879. the disastrous fire of October 19, destroyed the new Mason House Block, and in 1880 Mr. Fairman pur- chased its site and erected what is known as the Fairman & Newton Block, naming it in honor of the young man who, in 1882, became his associate in the banking house. Mr. Fairman has been for some years, and still, is operating quite extensively in reat estate, on his own behalf and in the interest of other parties.
He was married July 3. 1855. to Julia M Waters,
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daughter of Andrew and Catharine Waters, who was born at Alexandria, Jefferson Co., N. Y., July 3. 1834. Mr. and Mrs. Fairman have three children : Thyrza J. is the wife of E. W. Hudnutt, of the Fal- con Planing Mills; George F. is acting as cashier of in the bank of Fairman & Newton; Jessie M. is the youngest child! and lives with her parents.
We place the portrait of Mr. Fairman in this Album in connection with this sketch.
ohn M. Crocker, senior member of the firm of Crocker & Hudnutt, architects, con- ' tractors and builders, and proprietors of the Falcon planing mill. has been a resident of Big Rapids since 1875. He is a son of Wm. H. and Mary A. (Holloway) Crocker, and was born in the city of London, Eng., July 28, 1848. His parents came to the United States when he was two years old, and went to Milwaukee, Wis., where his father operated as an architect and builder until 1858, putting up some of the principal build- ings of the "Cream City." In the year named the family removed to a faim in Manitowoc, Wis., where the parents yet reside.
Mr. Crocker naturally inclined to mechanical arts, and at 12 years of age commenced to prepare for the vocation of his father, in whose shop he was trained seven years, meanwhile obtaining an education. He first went to the union school at Milwaukee, and afterwards to the common schools at Manitowoc, and also attended the union school at Ypsilanti, Mich.
The civil war broke out when he was 13 years old: and the consequent discussion of the absorbing topic, and intense feeling which pervaded all classes at the North, aroused the boy's spirit, and in June. 1864, he enrolled at Manitowoc as a private soldier in Company G, 39th Wisconsin Vol. Inf., under C'apt. Patchen. He was in the service six months and participated in several engagements. His reg- iment was detailed to guard Memphis, and was in- volved in some severe skirmishes with the rebel Gen. Forrest. He was discharged at Milwaukee. When 19 years old he went to Grand Rapids and com- menced his career as a contractor; remained eight years and left a substantial record of his work there in the form of a number of fine buildings. During
the period of his residence at Grand Rapids, he ful- filled a number of contracts for stair-building in Chicago. On coming to Big Rapids in 1875 he at once entered upon the prosecution of his trade, and erected the brick school-house, and the magnificent dwelling of Thomas. D. Stimson, corner of Elm Street and Warren avenues, now owned by Wiltre Stickney. He also constructed the building for the Northern National Bank. Not long after locating here he formed a partnership with E. W. Hudnutt, bought the planing mill of C S. Hanks, and com- menced the manufacture of sash, doors, blinds, mouldings and building materials generally. Their rapidly extending business has necessitated two ad- ditions to the establishment. As evidences of the enterprise and architectural skill of the firm, Big Rapids boasts of the Smith Block, the Northern Hotel, Hood, Gale & Co's Block, Telfer, Morrissey & Stickney's Block, and Furniture Block, Fairman & Newton's Block, the Mercy Hospital, Moody and Moore's Livery Stables, and a number of fine res- idences. They employ at this writing 53 men, and find demand wholly for their products within the limits of the State.
Mr. Crocker was married at Coldwater, Mich . Dec. 23, 1877, to Dorą A. Stout, a native of the State of New York. He was a member of the School Board at Big Rapids two years, and belonged to the Common Council the same length of time.
saac W. Pierce, member of the Council of Mecosta village, was born in Naples, Onta- rio Co., N. Y., Jan. 2, 1833, and is a son of Jeris and Rachel (Watkins) Pierce. His father was a farmer and carpenter, and came to Michigan about the year 1835 and settled in Leonidas, St. Joseph Co. He entered a claim of 160 acres of timbered land, and was a pioneer of that community. He made a small clearing, built his log house and labored until he cleared about 120 acres. His children were small, and at first couldl be of but little assistance ; but as time passed on. their interest in the improvement of the homestead grew with their years, and they lent no inconsiderable aid to the development of the place.
2.49
MMECOSTA COUNTY.
When 19 years old Mr. Pierce turned his face westward to the golden promise of the Pacific coast. He made his first essay in placer mining in the Ameri- can River, and operated similarly on the Middle Fork of Feather River, in Butler Co., Cal. He finally engaged in stock business, going at last to Long Val- ley, Nev., where he was associated with Abner Stimpson, William Prosser and John Ferris, and en- gaged in rearing and shipping stock two and one- half years; they then sold out, and all returned to California except Mr. Prosser. Shortly afterward Mr. Pierce went to Idaho City and engaged actively in mining for nine and a half years, with fair sue- ress. In the fall of 1866 he returned to Leonidas. resumed his trade, and there has operated as a builder. In March, 1881, he came to Mecosta vil- lage. In the spring of 1883 he was elected Treas- urer, and member of the Village Council. He owns his residence and three lots on Franklin street. in the southwest part of the town; also 40 acres of farming land in Martiny Tp., located one mile north of the village of Mecosta.
Mr. Pierce was married in Leonidas, Jan. 3, 1867. to Carrie, daughter of Henry and Louisa Porter. born at Naples, Ontario Co., N. Y., Sept. 5, 1839. They have one child-Frank J. born in Leonidas, Oct. 30. 1867.
R euben N. Hall, farmer on sec. r, Hinton Tp., is a son of Gardner and Theory (Nott) Hall, and was born March ir, 1819, in Jefferson Co., N. Y. Ilis father was a native of Rhode Island, and the mother of Vermont: they were married in the State of New York. Mr. Hall passed the first 20 years of his life at school and on the farm. At zi he engaged him- self to learn the trade of tanner and currier, which occupation he followed until the fall of 1863, when he came to Ionia Co., Mich. He has made agricul- ture the pursuit of his life, and followed it in the counties of lonia and Montcalm, until the summer of 1881, when he purchased 40 acres of improved land on sec. i. of Hinton Tp. In the springof 1882, he moved his family from Monteahn County. In the winter of 1882 he bought 120 acres of land, chiefly in heavy timber, sec. 12. Having sold 40 acres to
his son, his landed estate in Hinton Tp. mnchides 120 acres.
Mr. Hall was married in the State of New York, July 15, 1844, to Lydia, daughterof James and Melin- da (Kinney) Heald, natives of Vermont, who was bom in Essex Co. N. Y., April 29. 1823. Of five chil- dren born to Mr. and Mrs. Hall, only three survive: Ellis W., born March 7. 1849; Genevra, bom Feb. 16, 1855, and Augusta C., Sept. 4, 1856.
In politics Mr. Hall is independent.
ames P. Weaver, farmer and carpenter. sec. 34, Austin Tp., is a son of William L and Elizabeth (Townsend) Weaver, natives of New Jersey and of German descent. They became residents of Canada in early life, and were married there. Mr. Weaver was bom in
- the Province of Ontario, Can., Maich 18, 1818. He was a pupil at school, and an assistant on the farm of his father until he reached the age of 19, when he came to Michigan and located at Kalama- 200, where he began to learn the art of carpentering. at which he worked until 1839. He then went back .to Canada for a brief stay, but on solicitation deter- mined to remain. His parents lived in the city of London, Ont., and he stayed with them, finding plenty of employment at his trade. His father died March 11, 1849, and he succeeded to the care and responsi- bilities of managing the farm and family affairs. This he did, meanwhile following his cccupation, until the spring of 1865, when he came to this county and purchased So acres of land in Austin T'p., besides entering another So acres under the home- stead law, making a most valuable farm, ranking fairly with the best locations in Austin Township.
Mr. Weaver was married in London. Ont , March 12, 1843, to Drusilla, daughter of John and Sarah (Burley) Austin. The parents were natives of New Jersey, and of German ancestry. Soon after their marriage they went to Canada and settled in To- ronto, Ont., where Mrs. Weaver was born, Dec. 25. 1825. She was well brought up, and received a fair degree of education. She has been the mother of six children-two boys and four girls, One son and one daughter are deceased. The remaining son and
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three daughters are settled in life, with promising families : The following are their names and dates of birth. Emmeline, Jan. 12, 1842; John, Dec. 10, 1840; Cynthia, Feb. 25. 1838; Josephine, May 10, 1858.
In his native city Mr. Weaver was a member of the Common Council, incumbent at times of several offices, and was a Lieutenant of the local militia. He has no political tendency whatever, but has been Treasurer for several years, Justice of the Peace three years, etc., and is now District Assessor.
At its organization, the township was named for the brother of Mrs. Weaver-Aaron Austin-now a resi- dent of Mecosta village.
cohn A. Rose, deceased, was a son of An- drew W. and Ormilla (Perry) Rose. His parents were pioneers of the State of New York, where they passed their lives engaged in farming. John A. was born in Ulster C'o., N. Y., March 13, 1821. He was an inmate of the paternal home until 24 years of age. His circumstances were such that he was never able to attend school a single day in his life; but gathered together such education as he could, and made the most of his powers of observation, quickened into keenness by his consciousness of his lack of early opportunities. He came to Michigan in November, 1866, and purchased 120 acres of land, on which he resided until his death, which occurred Aug. 10, 1875. Since that event Mrs. Rose has sold 80 acres and with the assistance of her sons carries on the re- mainder.
Mr. Rose was married Nov. 8, 1844, in Aurora, Erie Co., N. Y., to Emily E., daughter of Amasa and Polly (Welch) Freeman, natives respectively of New York and Connecticut. She was born in Onondaga Co., N. Y, June 16, 1817. After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Rose settled in Erie Co., where they were en- gaged in farming until their removal to Michigan. All of the seven children born of this marriage yet survive. Emily E. was bom Ang. 19. 1845; John T., July 5. 1847 ; Levi A., March 16, 1849; Theo. L.,
June 27, 1851; Polly, Dec. 13, 1853; Rosetta, Aug 24, 1857 ; and Andrew J., Nov. 22, 1859.
ohn E. Reiter, proprietor of steam saw- mill at Sylvester, Hinton Tp., was born in New Jersey, Aug. 18, 1851. His parents were John B. and Mary A. (Burns) Reiter. The father was born in Baden, Germany, and the mother was a native of Ireland. They were married in New Jersey, whither they emigrated from their respective countries, and later removed to Pennsylvania, where the father is still living, and where the mother died, June 11, 1834. Mr. Reiter went to Pennsylvania, with his parents, and was there engaged in farming, lumbering, and attending school, until 18 years of age. In 1876, he attended Eastman's Commercial College three months. In 1877, he came to this county, and became one-half owner by purchase of the steam saw-mill located at Sylvester, and owned and managed by Joseph Misho and Darum B. Kelley. He bought the interest of the latter. This was afterward burned, and in the summer of 1882 he erected the mill which he now operates. Its capacity is 10,000 feet of lumber daily: Mr. Reiter is a Republican in politics, and has been School Director two years. lle is interest- ed in the progress of the temperance work, and lends his influence to all reformatory measures.
Mr. Reiter was married in Reed City. Mich., Sept. 20, 1878, to Jane, daughter of James and Catherine (Flanagan) Decker. (See sketch of James Decker.)
ohn A. Bell, farmer and lumberman, sec. 6, Deerfield Tp., was born March 3, 1826, in Canada. He is a son of James and Amelia B. Bell. His father was born in Eng- land and came to Canada in 1814, where he married and passed his remaining years. Mr. Bell's mother was a native of New Jersey.
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MECOSTA COUNTY.
Mr. Bell remained under the paternal roof until the age of 23, engaged on the farm and fitting for fu- ture usefulness. After managing his father's farm for two years, he purchased 200 acres of land with lim- ited improvements, on which was a saw-mill. lle carried on the farm and engaged in lumbering, and operated in this two-fold method five years, when he sohl out and bought another farm of roo acres, which he occupied four years, and again sold out. In the fall of 1861 he came to Michigan, and was engaged in lumbering in Mecosta County about nine years, when he bought 280 acres of land, chiefly unim- proved, with the most primeval type of buildings, They have passed to the oblivion of destruction and decay, and have been replaced by others which rank with the finest in the country. An additional pur- chase of 160 acres adjoining his estate has increased his landed possessions to 440 acres, 340 of which are under a good state of cultivation. Mr. Bell is a Re- publican of no uncertain type, and though often urged to permit the use of his name in the interests of his township, has always declined.
He was married in Canada, Nov. 6 1850, to Mar- garet Johnson, a native of Canada. Four of six children from this union are living: Wm. . \, born June 30, 1852 ; James P., June 14, 1855; Theodore A., Dec. 14, 1858, and Emily A .. Ang. 29, 1861. Mary 1 .. , born April 24, 1857, was married Jan. 23, 1878, to Arthur Allen, of Mecosta County, and died Aug. 9, 1883. One child died in infancy. Mrs. Margaret Bell, the mother, died Feb. 22, 1866, at her home in Mecosta County. Mr. Bell again contracted marriage in Canada, Oct. 30, 1866, with Sarah, daugh- ter of Angus and Sarah (McDougall) MeCollum. Her parents were natives of Scotland who emigrated to Canada at an early period of their lives. Her father is yet living in Canada, where her mother died about 1873. Three of the children of Mr. and Mrs Bell are living,-Sarah .A., born Jan. 8, 1878; Clinton R., born Jan. 23, 1876, and Edith C., born Nov. 22, 1879. John A. was born Jan. 23, 1873, and died May 11, 1876.
The family are communicants of the Episcopal Church, and are esteemed and worthy members of society, and lend every effort to elevate its standard.
ites Olin, farmer, sec. 22, Austin Tp., was born in Chemung Co., N. V., April 13, 1837. His parents, William 11. and Lydia (Corry ) Olin, were natives of New Eng- land. Giles grew up under the guidance of his parents, and remained under the paternal roof until his marriage to Lydia, daughter of David and Sarah (Bennett) Moulter. This event occurred Feb. 2, 1856. Mr. Moulter was born of German parentage, and his wife was of mixed Scotch and Irish ancestry. Mrs. Olin was born in Chemung Co., N. Y., Sept. 20, 1836. After marriage Mr. Olin passed two years as a common laborer. He then purchased 25 acres of forest land, and resided there- on until the spring of 1862, when the family came to Mecosta County, and he bought 120 acres of land in Austin Tp .; to this he has added 40 acres, and now owns 160 acres of land, in one of the best locat- ed sections of the township. Fifty acres of this are under cultivation, and the owner has erected good and suitable buildings thereon.
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