Portrait and biographical album, Mecosta county, Mich., containing portraits and biographical sketches, Part 30

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 30

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Mr. and Mrs. Swisher have had nine children : Joseph M., Roscoe P., Enos, L. G., William, A. O., Arnold, Stukey, Nathan R. and Lou. B. Arletta M. is deceased. Mr. Swisher is a Republican in politics, and has been Treasurer of Wheatland nine years. He is a member of the Order of Good Templars, and himself and wife belong to the M. E. Church.

illiam T. Jones, manufacturer of lumber, shingles, etc., resident at Morley, was born at Waterdown, Wentworth Co., Up- per Canada, March 10, 1847. His father, Ezekiel Jones, was a native of Ireland, and emigrated to Canada when he was 11 years of age. He reached man's estate, and married in the Dominion, where he resided until 1851, in which year he came to Michigan and settled in Croton, Ne- waygo County, where he interested himself in lum- bering, and kept a hotel until his death in 1854. This journey to Michigan was made by Mr. and Mrs. Jones and family in a wagon, the distance from

Waterdown being 400 to 500 miles. Jane (Thomp- son) Jones, mother of the subject of this sketch, re- turned to her native province after the death of her husband, and is still living at Waterdown.

Mr. Jones obtained a fair education in the schools of his native town, and there commenced his busi- ness life, working as a salesman in a mercantile house six years, after which he established himself in busi- ness with a partner, under the firm name of Jones, Burns & Co., for the sale of general merchandise. He sold out at the end of three years and came to Michigan, locating at Morley. He at once engaged in the lumber trade, and, under the firm name of Cook, Pendleton & Jones, began the manufacture of shingles. This relation lasted one year, when Mr. Pendleton withdrew, and the business was maintain- ed by Messrs. Cook & Jones until the death of the former in 1882. Since that event Mr. Jones has con- tinued to conduct the business in his own interest. He is also associated in the proprietorship and man . agement of a grist-mill at Morley, with William Hugh.

The personal history of Mr. Jones is marked by the same qualities which characterize the records of so many of the substantial citizens of Mecosta County. He inherited thrift and energy, was trained to indus- trious habits, and built up his business and fortune by economy and the exercise of good judgment in his operations. He enjoys the confidence of the com- munity where he lives, and has ably discharged his obligations as the incumbent of various township offices. He has belonged to the Masonic fraternity since 1868, and is a member of the' Lodge "Strict Observance," No. 27, and Royal Arch Chapter No. 2. at Ilamilton, Ont.

Mr. Jones was married in Mecosta Co., Mich., Aug. 24, 1881, to Elizabeth, daughter of the late John T. and Sarah A. J. (Dow) Cook, the former a native of Connecticut, the latter born in Boston, Mass. Mrs. Jones was bom in Earlville, III., Sept. 14, 1843.

Politically Mr. Jones has always been a member of the Republican party, and has labored for its ad- vancement and prosperity.

As a prominent and representative citizen of Me- costa County, and a gentleman worthy the position, we place the portrait of Mr. Jones in this Album.

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ames Hullinger, druggist, Mecosta village, was born in Orleans Co., N. Y., March 6,

1842. His father, Dr. William Hullinger, was a practicing physician for 40 years. He was a pioneer of Hillsdale Co., Mich., and was connected with its settlement and the found- ing of the village known as Basswood Corners. He cut seven linden trees, from which he constructed a house-the nucleus, as it proved, of a village of respectable dimensions, which received its name from the variety of wood which entered into the con- struction of the first house erected on its site.

Dr. Hullinger was a man of adventurous character, and spent much time in travel. He went to Cali- fornia in 1849, setting out from Reading, with four yoke of oxen, traveling with them on foot from Port Sarnia, at which place he left his company, and reached the land of golden promise six months in ad- vance of the cattle. He went four times to Califor- nia, once to Pike's Peak, and once to the Black Hills He is now living in retirement, at Munica, Ottawa Co., Mich.

At the age of 17 Dr. Hullinger went to Hillsdale College, and after two years of study there enlisted in the Union army, enrolling in the Fourth Mich. Vol. Inf., under Col. Dwight A. Woodbury. He was discharged June 20, 1864. During its period of ser- vice the regiment to which he belonged was in 42 engagements. He was detailed as Hospital Steward, and passed the time of his enrollment in the dis . charge of the duties of that position.

On his return from the war he entered upon active preparations for the calling of a carpenter and builder, and was engaged at Stanton two years in the manufacture of shingles. He was making fair prog- ress in that business, when a disastrous fire destroy- ed his mill, and he was obliged to seek employment at his trade.

He came to Mecosta, Mecosta County, reaching there the 20th day of October, 1879. He imme- diately set about the erection of the building in which he now prosecutes the business that he established, on his location in the village of Mecosta, sheltering his stock of merchandise in a small shanty near his store, until the latter building was in readi- ness for use. His stock was valued at $600: it now

represents $2,000, and includes all goods common to a first-class drug store, and suited to the local de- mand. His annual sales amount to $8,000.

Mr. Hullinger was married to Vanchie, daughter of Z. B. and Jane A. Stillson, born in Huron Co., Ohio. Two sons-Bailey, born June 6, 1866, and Otto K., born Sept. 16, 1870-are included in the household. The eldest son is his father's assistant in the drug store.

Mr. Hullinger is a member of the A. O. U. W., and himself and wife belong to the Presbyterian Church. He has been Superintendent of the Sunday- school three years.

A lexander Thompson, farmer; sec. 14, Green Tp., was born in Scotland, July 28, 1814, Å and is a son of John and Jeannette (Twed- del) Thompson, natives of " Auld Scotia," where they lived and died,-the father in 1816, when the son was but two years old. Mr. Thompson remained at home with his mother until he was 34 years old, occupied with the business of cloth-making. He came to the American continent in 1848, landed at New York, then went to Gault, Can. He returned to the "States" at the end of the year and located in Mercer Co., Pa., where he found em- ployment at his trade. He worked there 18 months, then went to the factories at Indianapolis, where he remained four years. In the fall of 1854 he went back to Scotland and was there employed as a wea- ver. In 1858 Mr. Thompson was married to Agnes, daughter of James and Margaret (Richmond) Mor- ton, who was born in Ayrshire, Scotland, Nov. 21, 1825. Her parents were natives of that place, and there lie buried. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson have had four children ; John, born April 12, 1859; James M., March 21 1861; Margaret M., Jan. 18, 1863 (now Mrs. John Lord); Jeannette, June 21,1867, died May 19, 1882.

Early in the fall of 1861, Mr. Thompson, with his wife and two children, sailed for the United States. They landed at New York and then went to Trum- bull Co., Ohio, where he followed his occupation un- til the spring of 1868, when he came to Mecosta County. He located at once upon a farm containing

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160 acres of land. Forty acres of his orignal tract are now under cultivation. Mr. Thompson is a Re- publican of the most faithful type.

atthew Dopp, farmer, sec. 25, Wheat- land Tp., was born July 12, 1840, in Lorain Co., Ohio, and is a son of John and Permelia (Reynolds) Dopp, who came to Michigan in 1843. He was cared for by his parents until he was nine years old, when he went to live with a neighbor. When 11 years old he began a life of labor, finding employ- ment on farms as best he could. He was just entering manhood when the civil war broke out, and, not long after he had passed his minority, he yielded to the influences which swayed the entire nation, and became a soldier, enlisting in the First Michigan Cavalry, Aug. 22, 1861, under Col. Broadhead. He saw much active service, being in action at Win- chester and Cedar Mountain, as well as in numerous minor engagements. He was discharged Dec. 18, 1863 and re-enlisted within the same month in the same regiment, with Col. Tower commanding. He was in the Army of the Potomac, and was in much hard service, receiving his final discharge March 22, 1866. He was wounded once, and once taken pris- oner, being sent to the famous " Libby " at Rich- mond, Va., but was exchanged after three months confinement.

After being mustered out he came to C'ass Co., Mich., and July 31, 1866, was married to Hattie, daughter of Worden and Louisa (Spicer) Wells. After that event he located in Kalamazoo County, and a year later came to Mecosta County, where he has since been a resident. He is a farmer, on 40 acres of land in Wheatland Tp. Children : Laura J., born Sept 24, 1872 ; Mary A., May 5, 1878; John R., June 15, 1880; Hattie P., Aug 17, 1882.

athaniel Mitehell, farmer on sec. 26, zEtna Tp., was born July 29, 1840, in Yates Co., N Y. He is a son of James and Susan (Weston) Mitchell, and until he was 21 years old he remained at home occupied with agricul- tural matters on his father's farm. In 1861 he came to Mecosta County, and, becoming interested in the fate of the Union, he enlisted Jan 4, 1865, in the roth

Michigan Infantry, and served until the close of the war. He was in action only twice during the period of enlistment. Previous to entering the army he was actively interested in farming projects, and on return- ing he again threw all his energies into the plans and purposes of his life. He owns So ocres of land, with 20 acres under tillage. Hle is a Democrat and is at present serving his township as Overseer of High- ways.

Mr. Mitchell was married in 1861, to Emily M., daughter of David and Electa (Woodford) Ackerman, of Newaygo County, who was born Feb. 24, 1839. Freddie O. Mitchell, adopted son, was born Feb. 15, 1876. They are Universalists.

illiam H. Bump, farmer, sec. 25, Wheat- land Tp., was born in Wyoming Co., N. Y., Oct. 7, 1832. He is a son of William and Anna (Baker) Bump, natives of New York. All the education he obtained was acquired before he was 12 years old. At that age he be- gan life for himself as a farm assistant, working for the common compensation of the kind of labor he was able to perform-$3 per month. This career was followed until the fall of 1849, when, in company with his parents, he emigrated to Waukesha Co., Wis. On reaching there he readily found employ- ment, and was in various positions as a farm laborer for the six years following. He was married Oct. 7, 1855, to Marcia J., daughter of James and Marcia (Bull) Klock, natives of New York, who was born in Oneida Co .. N. Y., June 29, 1836, and in her child- hood accompanied her parents to the Badger State. After his marriage Mr. Bump was engaged in the lumber trade, together with other pursuits, until the period of the Southern rebellion. Before the revolt of the slavery element had attained a year's growth he became a soldier. He enlisted Jan. 18, 1861. in the three-months service, enrolling in the Fifth Wis. Reg. Vol. Inf., Co. F, Captain Bean. At the expira- tion of three months he returned to his former em- ployment as a farmer and lumberman, operating until Aug. 1, 1862, when he again erlisted, in the 28th Wis., Co. F, in command of Col. Lewis. Aftera ser- vice of 13 months he was discharged for disability, and on rejoining his family he resolved on a transfer

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to the county of Mecosta. In the spring of 1863, he bought a farm in Wheatland Tp., containing 120 acres of land, and moved here with his family. He has since purchased 60 acres additional, making a tract of 180 acres, 85 of which are under the plow. Mr. Bump is a progressive farmer, and is managing his agricultural interests to the best possible advan- tage. He is a liberal Democrat in political principle, and is present Constable of his township.

Children : Fannie A., born Aug. 1, 1857 ; Anna S., Dec. 24, 1860; William J. G., May 18, 1861 ; Mary E., Sept. 22, 1867 ; Geo. F., March 1, 1866, died March 23, 1866.

ewis Swarthout, farmer, sec. 36, Deerfield Tp., was born in Ontario Co., N. Y., June 9, 1833. He is a son of James and Rhoda (Reynolds) Swarthout, natives of the Em- pire State. His father was a farmer and went to Erie Co., Pa., where he remained three years, then returned to Seneca Co., N. Y., where he died, in July, 1847. Mr. Swarthout was brought up in Seneca County in the manner common to farmers' sons of that day. After the death of his father, he in 1850 moved to Erie, Pa., and in 1856 came to this county and took up a homestead under the State law of Mich- igan. This was several years previous to the organi- zation of the township, and the forest was in its primeval candition. Mr. Swarthout has cleared and cultivated So acres of land.

In March, 1861, a meeting was held for organization purposes, in which was represented the present towns of Hinton, Etna, Millbrook and Deerfield. The delegates were George Gilmore, Samuel Rose, George Brady. Lysander Quigley, George Quigley, Lewis Swarthout, Elam Sanborn, Frederick Luther, Frank linton and George Hinton,-ten in number. The meeting was held at the house of Frederick Luther (¿Etna Tp ), and Mr. Rose was appointed clerk, and also elected Township Clerk, with George Gilmore, Supervisor. Mr. Swarthout has held various school and township offices.

He was married Sept. 16, 1854, to Charlotte E. Trowbridge, who was born in the State of New York, and their children are Charles E., Alpha T., Minnie, Frank and Bert; James M. and Jessie N. are de-

ceased. Mr. Swarthout has acted generally with the Democratic element. He now resides at Lake View, Cato Tp., Montcalm Co., Mich.

dgar O. Phelps, farmer, on sec. 13, Hin- ton Tp., is a son of Joseph and Louisa (Hogle) Phelps, natives of Vermont, and pioneers of the State of New York. Mr. Phelps was born in Vermont, Jan. 13, 1830, and lived in the Empire State until the age of 20 years, when he went to Canada and there engaged in farm- ing about 20 years. In the fall of 1870 he came to Michigan and settled at Grand Rapids, working nearly two years in the pineries. He came to Me- costa County in 1872 and purchased 80 acres of forest land in the township of Hinton, most of which is now under tillage. Mr. Phelps is an adherent of the Democratic party and its interests. He was mar- ried in Canada, May 10, 1852, to Sarah, daughter of John and Polly (Johnson) Burrison, natives respect- ively of Vermont and Canada. The mother died May 27, 1879, at the hospital at Ann Arbor, whither she went for treatment for a tumor. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Phelps are all living and were born as follows: Charles E., Oct. 12, 1853 : William E., Jan. 13, 1855; James H .. in March, 1857 ; Edgar O., Jr., in 1859; Truman N., May 21. 1863.

lexander N. Tompkins, Jumbermen, resi- dent at Altona, Hinton Tp., was born in Canada, Aug. 12, 1848. His father, Geo. L. Tompkins, was a native of the State of New York, and the mother of Canada ; in 1867 they came to Michigan and located in Ottawa County, coming thence to Big Rapids, where the mother died, in March, 1871; the father is living in Wexford County. At 14 years of age Mr. Tompkins was apprenticed to learn the I:lacksmith trade, but after eight months was compelled to abandon the project on account of difficulty with his eyes, and he remained at home one summer. The next season he worked on a farm and after that was engaged in lum- bering for two years. When he was 19 years old, in the fall of 1867, he came to Michigan, and in the fall

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of 1868, to Mecosta County, where he has since lived, engaging in milling and lumbering. He is now operating the shingle mill owned by H. J. Brown in Altona and employs nine men. He is working under a four years' contract and the mill product is about 35,000 shingles daily. Mr. Tompkins is identified with the Republican party, and is a member of the I. O. O. F.

Mr. Tompkins was married at Cadillac, Mich., in November, 1877, to Martha E., second daughter of Levinas and Velinda (Scouten) Engle. Her parents were natives of the State of New York, who came to Allegan Co., Mich., in its pioneer days and afterwards went to Wexford Connty, where they now reside. Mrs. Tompkins was born in Allegan County, July 24, 1854, and after she was 14 years old supported her- self until her marriage. One child was born of this marriage-Carrie, July 23, 1879.

oraee Roach, farmer and lumberman, on sec. 19. Deerfield Tp., was born March 22, 1820, in Argyle, Washington Co., N. Y. He is a son of Edward S. and Betsey (Reed) Roach, natives of Vermont, who settled in New York in pioneer days. They afterward 'came to Michigan and located in Monroe County, and later, in Calhoun County, going thence to Barry County, where after a residence of 12 years the father died. Ilis death occurred in the spring of 1871 ; the mother is still living, with a son in Barry County.

Mr. Roach remained under the care of his parents until he was 16 years of age, when he came to Mich- igan, and resided in Whiteford five years, then re- turned to the State of New York, coming back to Michigan five years later when he purchased 80 acres of land in St. Joseph County, for which he paid 83 an acre. Hle built thereon a small frame house and proceeded to improve his property. He was enabled two years later to purchase an additional So acres adjoining, which he increased in five years to 240 acres of farming land of a high grade. This was his home nearly 13 years. In 1857 he exchanged this property for 500 acres of timber land in Cass County, on which there was a steam saw-mill, having a capacity of 12,000 feet per diem. The mill was

destroyed by fire a year later, and was without delay replaced by a more valuable structure, with a capac- ity of 15,000 feet daily. This mill Mr. Roach man- aged two years, employing 10 men. lle made a second exchange of property in 1860, for 200 acres of improved land with good buildings, and situated ad- jacent to his old farm in St. Joseph County. This he operated six years, and sold for $13,000. He then removed to lonia County, and passed six years in lumbering. He made a purchase of 180 acres of land in lonia County, under partial cultivation, and also 640 acres of pine land in Montcalm County. Hle combined the business of a clothier in lonia with his other interests, hiring laborers to perform the farm duties.

In 1872 he disposed of his entire property by sale, and bought 400 acres of pine land in the township of ·Etna, Mecosta Co., and also a shingle mill in Morley, which he operated until 1879. He again sold out all his interests and bought 200 acres in Deerfield Tp., with limited improven.ents. Of this latter purchase 120 acres are under a good state of cultivation.

Mr. Roach was married in Detroit, Oct. 20, 1845, to Caroline E., daughter of Charles and Polly (Burt) Macomber, natives of the State of New York, who came to Michigan in 1844, locating in St. Joseph County, where the father died in 1875. Her mother resides at Three Rivers, Mich.

Mr. Roach saw the first train of cars that passed from Albany to Schenectady, and was also an observ- er of the first train which ran in the Peninsular State, going from Toledo to Adrian. The latter was ren- dered a conspicuous event by the fact that hundreds of Indians were present on that occasion. Mr. R. is an outspoken, zealous Republican, has often been proffered offices of trust in the various localities where he has resided, but always declined. The family attend the M. E. Church.

hristian F. Mynning, Supervisor of the Fifth ward at Big Rapids, and grocer by vocation, is a native of Denmark, and was born Jan. 21, 1850. He came to America m the fall of 1871, and located at Big Rapids, where he was variously employed until Octo- ber, 1882, when he formed a partnership with Thomas

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P. Mortenson, in the grocery trade, which relation still exists, and the firm is transacting a lucrative and increasing business. Their store is owned by Mr. Mynning, and the stock comprises full lines of goods common to the trade.

Mr. Mynning was married in Denmark, Sept. 19, 1871, to Johanna Sorenson. They have four chil- dren-Charles, Holker, Soren and Mary.

Mr. Mynning was elected to his present position in the spring of 1881, and re-elected in the spring of 1883. The family attend the Lutheran Church.

rederick Walch, farmer, sec. 13, Wheat- land Tp., is the son of Michael and Mar- garet (Wolf) Walch, both of whom were natives of France, and of German descent. He was born in the Province of Auvergne, France Aug. 20, 1839. He received a fair education in German, and was a laborer on the rail- road and canal which were then in process of build- ing through the section where he was born and reared. He left his native land in the spring of 1857, and came to Ontario, C'an., where he was a farm laborer. He was married in Waterloo Co., Ont., in March, 1863, to Margaret, daughter of Jasper and Margaret (Horn) Otterbeign, natives of Germany, where Mrs. Walch was born, Aug. 15, 1844. Her parents came to America and located in Waterloo Co. when she was ten years old. After his marriage Mr. Walch was a farmer in Waterloo County until 1865. In that year he removed to Montcalm Co., Mich., and settled at Greenville. He was there employed four years in a saw-mill. In 1869 he came to Wheat- land Tp., and bought 40 acres of wild land, to which he has since added So acres. Of this land he has by his own exertions placed 60 acres under the best improvements.

Mr. and Mrs. Walch have buried five of their nine children. The four surviving are as follows: Philip, born Feb. 14, 1862; Margaret, Oct. 2, 1865; Fred- eric, Nov. 15, 1872; Dora, Feb. 18, 1879. John died in infancy ; Angeline, born July 5, 1868, died in August, 1880; Michael, born Oct. 21, 1870, died Oct. 31, 1876; Laura, born Jan. 1, 1875, died July 25, 1879; Lillie M., born Nov., '76, died Aug. 1, 1879.

Mr. Walch has not yet procured his papers of citizen- ship; himself and wife are members of the German Lutheran Church.

eorge Helms, farmer on sec. 23, Deerfield Tp., was born in the Keystone State, Jan. 3, 1810. His parents, Conrad and Mary (Swaggart) Helins, were born in Pennsylvania, and removed to Muskingum Co., Ohio, where they were among the first settlers. They went thence to Whitley Co., Ind., where they round- ed the period of their lives. Mr. Helms passed nearly 30 years of his life in the Buckeye State. Removing thence, he came to Mecosta County and purchased So acres of land, with nine acres cleared, and an orchard of 50 apple-trees. He has been a thrifty and judicious farmer, and has 40 acres under . the plow. He afterward purchased 120 acres more, which he has since sold He has been an active and zealous Republican since the organization of the party.

Mr. Helm was married in 1834, in Muskingum Co., Ohio, to Sarah, daughter of William and Eliza- beth (Gougar) Linton, natives of Pennsylvania. Of 1 1 children born to Mr. and Mrs. Helms, three died in infancy-Henry W., James H., and Wesley C. The record of those yet surviving is as follows : Geo. W., born Oct. 20, 1838; Joshua H., Dec. 11, 1840; Catherine E., April 24, 1845; Hibbard (., Sept. 6, 1846; Cassius M. C., June 23, 1849; Wil- liam H., June 16, 1851; John 1 .. , Jan. 30, 1854; Charles C., April 29, 1858.

ohn H. Foster, mason and builder, and dealer in masons' supplies, Big Rapids, was born Feb. 11, 1842, at Franklin, Me. lIe is a son of Joseph W. and Harriet (Scam- mons) Foster, and after he had attained the age of 17, spent four years in learning his trade under the supervision of William D. Moore, in Franklin. October 15, 1861, he enlisted in Co. M, First Maine Cavalry, Capt. P. M. Brown, and was in the service nine months, during which time he was in

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one of the heaviest engagements of the war -that of the Shenandoah Valley-during the retreat of Gen. Banks He was discharged at Williamsport, Md., and returned to his engagement with Mr. Moore. A year afterward he went to Calais, Me., spent a year there in pursuit of his trade, and worked a year successively at Richmond, Va., and Portland, Me. lle went from the latter place to New York City and vicinity, and there and at Jersey City he constructed a number of fine residences.

In 1870 he settled at Big Rapids, where he has since carried on his business, and engaged in lumber- ing on tracts of pine land which he purchased, and put the timber on the market, and operated to a con- siderable extent as a contractor, employing 50 men in the busy seasons. Among the buildings of his erection at Big Rapids, are the Baptist Church, the Water Works, Northern Hotel block, two Telfer blocks, Collins block, the Union School house, Wil- cox hardware store, etc., etc. He belongs to the Masonic Order, has been Alderman five successive years, Superintendent of the City Water Works, and Street Commissioner two years, and is now a mem- ber of the School Board.

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Portrait and biographical album, Mecosta county, Mich., containing portraits and biographical sketches, Part 30

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