USA > Michigan > Mecosta County > Portrait and biographical album, Mecosta county, Mich., containing portraits and biographical sketches > Part 33
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second wife, and, after her death, was married to Mrs. Polly Tanner.
The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm, receiving a fair education, and remained under the parental roof until he was married to Elizabeth Mc- Gill, May 26, 1871. She was born in Canada, March 28, 1849, and of daughter of Malcolm and Mary E. (Burt) McGill, the former of Scotch lineage and the latter a native of Canada. Mr. and Mrs. Montague have four children, viz: Minnie 1 .. , born June 17, 1872; Nellie, June 2, 1874; James H., Nov. 2, 1876; George H., May 22, 1880. Mr. Montague is a Republican in politics, and is the proprietor of 140 acres of land, now his homestead, with 71 acres under cultivation.
ulius R. Borst, proprietor of the shingle mill on sec. 16, Hinton Tp., was born June 29, 1838, in New York. His parents. lIenry J. and Anna (Vandebogart) Borst, were natives of the State of New York, where his father owned and managed a saw-mill, and brought up his son to the same vocation. Until he attained his majority Mr. Borst alternated study at the common schools with the labors of the mill, and for the nine years that followed he was employed in a lumber mill. He then moved to Pennsylvania where he was employed at Corydon's Dane, on the Alle- gheny River, in a lumber and shingle mill Five years later he went to Allegheny City and passed 18 months there in the same business. He located in Kent Co., Mich., in the spring of 1875, and pursued his occupation about two years, and bought out the mill owned by Peter Benson, located on Pine Lake. five miles west of Cedar Springs. He operated this mill five years, then removed it to Mecosta County, locating on sec. 16 in Hinton Tp., and has since re- sided there, still running the mill, which has a capac- ity of 40,000 feet daily. He has 20 men in his em- ploy and is doing a thriving business. By undeviat- ing attention to business, Mr. B. has earned the reputation of running his mill more continuously than any other mill-owner in the county. He owns 200 acres of timber land in Hinton Tp.
Mr. Borst is a Democrat in political faith. His earnest devotion and loyalty to his country was
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proven Dec. 19, 1863, when he enlisted in Co. A, 50th N. Y. Engs' Reg., which consisted entirely of skilled mechanics. He served until the close of the war, a period of 19 months, and received honorable discharge June 28, 1865, at Fort Barney, Va. He belongs to the Masonic Order, and is a member of Cedar Springs Lodge, No. 213. He was married at Ceres, l'a., Dec. 6, 1861, to Mary, daughter of Henry and Ann (Marilla) Knight, born in Chemung Co., N. Y., Dec. 6, 1840. Her parents were natives of the State of New York, where her mother died. Her father lives with her, a hale old gentleman, aged 76 years. Mr. and Mrs. Borst have had three children : Julius T., born April 29, 1864; James H., July 13, 1866. One child died in infancy.
anson F. Corey, Supervisor of Grant Tp., and farmer on sec. 12, was born in Craw- ford Co., O., April 7, 1841. He is a son of Enos and Eliza Corey, both natives of the Buckeye State. His father died July 17, 1860, and his mother still resides in Ohio.
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Mr. Corey was reared to manhood in his native State, and was a citizen of the same until his removal to Michigan in 1866. In that year he entered and proved a claim under the homestead law, consisting of So acres of land, on which he has since resided, and which he has put in first-class condition, and fur- nished with good and suitable farm buildings. He owns an additional 40 acres on sec. 10. Mr. Corey was a soldier of the war of the Rebellion, and en- listed in September, 1861, in Company K, 23d Ohio Vol. Inf., under C'apt. Sills. His first engagement was at Perryville, and afterward he participated in the fights at Resaca, Peach-Tree Creek, Stone River, Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain and many minor skirmishes, to the siege of Atlanta, where he was wounded. He was then in hospital at Jeffersonville, Ind., until within a few weeks of his discharge, which took place in June, 1864, at Camp Dennison, Ohio.
Mr. Corey was elected Supervisor of his township in 1867, and re-elected in 1883; he served as Town- ship Treasurer in 1881-2; as Road Commissioner from 1867 to 1874 inclusive, and as Justice of the Peace from 1867 to 1871. He belongs to the G. A. R. He was married Nov. 17, 1863, to Margaret, daugh-
ter of Samuel and Sarah English. Her parents are natives of Pennsylvania, and are both living. Of this marriage six children have been born, namely : Naomi A., William Harvey, John Franklin, Sarah Eliza, Samuel Wesley, and Zoe Luella. Mr. and Mrs. C. are members of the United Brethren Church.
2 yman Nethaway, farmer on sec. 24, zEtna Tp., was born in Ontario Co., N. Y., Feb. 3, 1810. His father, James Nethaway, was of English parentage, and his mother-Elizabeth (Neice) Nethaway, was a native of Long Island, N. Y., and was of Welsh extraction.
Mr. Nethaway received a good education in early life for the purpose of becoming a teacher, and at 18 years of age taught his first term at Perry, Genesee Co., N. Y. He came thence to Michigan, and taught during the years 1833-4. He then returned to his home, and having married, himself and wife turned their faces westward and came to Hillsdale Co., Mich., where Mr. Nethaway purchased a farm under the original land patent of 1835. In the year 1850 he went to Sauk Co., Wis., and there engaged three years in farming. Becoming dissatisfied he came back to Lenawee County, and settled at Rollin, in 1853. In 1854 he decided to try the Hawkeye State, and bought a farm in Buchanan County, where he remained eight years. In 1856 he returned to Mich- igan, and settled in Mecosta County. He has been engaged during eleven years in mercantile business in Morley, and upon closing his commercial affairs bought a farm, and now lives in retirement.
Mr. Nethaway was married Sept. 6, 1835, to Lu- cetta, daughter of Jonathan and Mary (Wood) Ralph, respectively of English and Welsh origin, and resi- cents of Woodstock, Windsor Co., Vt. Three chil- dren were born of this marriage, as follows : Mar- cellus T., born May 13, 1836; Cassius Marcus, born Jan. 17. 1848, died in the army fiom injuries received at the battle of Bull's Gap, E. Tenn., April 22, 1865 : was a soldier in Co. D, Third Michigan Vol. Inf. ; Florence A., born in 1849, and died March 10, 1850.
Mr. Nethaway is a radical Republican, and actively engaged in all social and moral reforms. Himself and wife profess no particular creed, but hold to their innate belief that honesty and genuine morality are
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safe girides in their intercourse with the world. Mr. Nethaway has held offices of trust in his town- ship for 15 years. Ile was Postmaster at Big Creek nearly three years, under Lincoln's administration, and was Supervisor of Deerfield Tp. several years, also Treasurer and Assessor several years.
oraec F. Richardson, Township Clerk of Colfax, and farmer on sec. 21, was born Oct. 21, 1848, in Genesee Co., N. Y., and in 1856 came with his parents to Michigan and settled at Benton, Eaton Co.
Mr. Richardson came to Colfax Tp. in 1871, and is chiefly engaged in lumbering interests and managing shingle mills. He was married in 1871 to Mary, daughter of John and Lydia Teachout, of Grand Ledge, Eaton Co., Mich. Of this marriage one child-Clyde E .- has been born.
Politically, Mr. Richardson is a Republican. He was elected to his official position in 1883. P. O., Big Rapids.
avid H. Sanford, dairyman at Big Rapids, was born at Vermontville, Eaton Co., Mich., Sept. 26, 1836. His father, Reu- ben Sanford, came to the township of Ver- montville, with a colony from Vermont, in June, 1836-at so early a period that they were obliged to cut roads through the woods for their teams, the distance of 17 miles. The mother, Susannah Sanford, was the first white woman who went to Eaton County, and she had to do the house- keeping for the settlers.
Mr. Sanford, of this sketch, was born soon after their arrival, and was the pioneer white baby of the township. On reaching their destination, a log cabin was hastily constructed, the weather was warm, and the "chinking " altogether deficient. Ventilation was perfect, and the father said the new comer coukl easily be thrown through the cracks in the walls of the cabin, which was reared in the woods remote from the advantages of civilization; and David HI. had few privileges until 25 years of age, save the rude experiences which have so often made bet- ter men than have the comparative ease and facilities of older communities.
His hard, laborious life fostered in him a spirit of independence which found vent in a prompt re- sponse to the call of his country in her bitterest trial, and he enlisted in Marshall, Calhoun Co., Mich., Oct 21, 1861, in Co. C, First Mich. Engs. and Mechs, and was discharged April 13, 1862, at Louis- ville, Ky., on account of physical disability. The first two summers thereafter he worked as a farm assistant, and went to school winters. In the spring of 1864, his father having sold out in Vermontville, settled at Lowell, Kent Co., and bought a farm, whither his son accompanied him, and was employed in the Grand River Valley nursery one season. In 1865 he went to Greenville, Montcalm Co., where he spent a year in agricultural pursuits, and then turned his attention to carpentry, which occupied his time for six years at Greenville, after which he went to Cedar Springs and followed the same calling three years. He then bought 40 acres in Algona Tp., Kent Co., and there resided three years. At that time he experienced a severe loss by fire, which con- sumed his barn, one horse, and his farming imple- ments. He then gave up farming and went to Greenville, where he commenced the business of a draymaster, and continued in that vocation until September. 1877. He then came to Big Rapids and established himself in the same calling, and is now running three drays steadily, and increasing his draught facilities on occasion. Mr. Sanford has served four terms as Deputy-Marshal of Big Rapids, and one year as Constable. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., Royal Arcanum Ins. Co., and also be- longs to the Encampment.
Mr. Sanford was married at Lowell, July 23, 1865, to Arthalinda Tanner, born in Ontario, April 3, 1848, and they have four children : Emerson, Mary, Susie and Mina. The parents and eldest daughter are members of the M. E. Church.
elson Van Alstine, farmer, sec. 15, Grant Tp., was born June 14, 1843, in Wolcott, Wayne Co., N. Y. About the year 1857 his parents settled in Shiawassee Co., Mich., where they resided 14 years, the father dying in 1861 ; the mother resides in Grant Tp.
Mr. Van Alstine began his career as an agricul-
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turist in Shiawassee Co., in 1864, where he lived five years, then sold his farm and made a homestead claim of So acres on sec. Io in Grant Tp., on which he resided five years. In 1875 he bought 40 acres of choice land on sec. 15, where he is engaged in farming, and is still proprietor of his original tract of land. His farm is well improved and valuable.
Mr. Van Alstine was married Dec. 26, 1864, to Sarah Elizabeth Blyth, of Wolcott, N. Y., and of their marriage five children have been born: James E., William H., Nettie O., Robert Emmet and Dora Isa- bel. Mr. Van Alstine is a Republican in political relations, and has been Constable two years. His paternal and maternal grandsires were both soldiers of the Revolutionary war.
rank G. Rice, farmer, sec. 5, Green Tp., was born in Burr Oaks, St. Joseph Co., Mich., Feb. 9, 1836, and is the son of Gershom and Sarah (Boyden) Rice. His father was a native of Massachusetts, and was a clothier in his native State. He came to Michigan in 1835 and engaged in farming, an occu- pation he followed until 1883, when, having reached the age of 78 years, he retired. The mother was born in Vermont, and died in 187 2.
Mr. Rice remained with his father on the farm until 1862, when he enlisted in the 19th Mich. Inf., ('o. E, and was in the service until the close of the war, receiving his discharge June 25, 1865, at Wash- ington, D. C. Following are the principal battles in which he was engaged: Thompson's Station, Re- saca, New Hope Church, Peach-Tree Creek, siege of Atlanta, siege of Savannah, etc., etc. He did not receive a bodily injury, but has a piece of a rebel shell that startled his peace of mind for a short time and concentrated his thoughts upon the question of his personal security. He was taken prisoner March 5. 1863, and confined at Libby for a few days, being exchanged May 30, 1863. Mr. Rice is a member of the Union Prisoners of War Association of the State of Michigan, and was a delegate to the Convention.
After his return he remained in St. Joseph County until the spring of 1867, when he came to Mecosta County, and worked for some time at the masons' trade at Big Rapids, after which he located on his present farm, containing 160 acres of land, with 70
acres under improvement. He was married at South Albion, Calhoun Co., Mich., April 19, 1866, to Al- meda, daughter of Samuel W. and Sarah (Parsons) Hamilton. She was born Jan. 13, 1836, in Bellevue, Mich. Her parents were natives of Massachusetts, came to Michigan in 1835 and resided in Homer, Calhoun County, until their death,-that of the father occurring in 1851, and that of the mother in July, 1864. Mr. and Mrs. Rice have four children : Boyden H., Jasper F., Frederick E. and Edward H.
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eorge E. Hatfield, farmer and miller, sec. 1, Wheatland Tp., was born in Schenectady Co., N. Y., Sept. 29, 1829. He is the son of Stephen and P'hebe (Priest) Hatfield, natives of New York, of English descent. Mr. Hatfield was educated in the State Normal School at Albany, N. Y., where he was fitted for the profession of teacher, a calling upon which he entered when 20 years of age, and pursued until he was 40 years old. He was married Feb. 10, 1853, in Wayne Co., N. Y., to Lois J., daughter of Orrin and Betsey H. (Reed) Lapham, of New York. She was born in Wayne County, Sept. 28, 1832, and was edu- cated at Elmira, N. Y., preparatory to becoming a teacher, which calling she followed but a brief period before marriage.
Mr. Hatfield was engaged in agriculture summers and in teaching winters, in his native State, until the spring of 1858, when he came to Allegan Co., Mich., there resuming the same alternation of employment. In 1860 he made another transfer, going to Kalama- zoo County, where he remained nine years. In 1869 he returned to Allegan County and embarked in the mercantile business at Plainwell, where he continued to operate until the spring of 1878, the date of his settlement in Mecosta County. He located on 160 acres of unimproved land, where he set himself vig- orously at work, and has brought the place to a com- paratively improved condition; has 45 acres under the plow, and other evidences of successful effort are manifest on the farm. He has erected a saw and shingle mill, the former having a capacity of 10,000 feet per diem, the latter of 40,000 shingles daily. Mr. Hatfield is an ardent supporter of the tenets of the Republican party. The tendency and character- istics of the family are clearly proven by the status
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of the nine children, five daughters and four sons all of whom are following in the footsteps of the parents. Their births occurred as follows: Mary E., Nov. 7, 1853; Carrie P., Feb. 25, 1856; Wm. B., July 12, 1858; Ellen L., Apr. 21, 1862; Ira L., Aug. 16, 1864; Justin K., Oct. 16, 1867; Cora A, May 23, 1870; Julius C., May 11, 1873; Charles E., Dec. 6, 1877. The oldest child is a graduate of Plainwell Academy, Mich.
ohn Freiberg, farmer, sec. 22, Green Tp., was born in Germany, Sept. 21, 1823, and is a son of Gerhart and Dora (Frenke) Freiberg. He was taught in the lower-grade schools of his native country, and afterward learned the tailor's trade, which he pursued 36 years in Germany. In 1876 he came to America, and made his first location at Big Rapids, later on buying his farm in Green Tp., where he has since diligently pursued the business of farming.
Mr. Freiberg was married in Germany, in 1849, to Johanna, daughter of John and Christina (Mann) Bowman, born Aug. 26, 1826. Twelve children have been born of this marriage, nine of whom are living : August F., Albert J., Henry W., Hermann F., Char- lie J., Bertie C., lda F., Emma C. and Huldah A. Those deceased are Anna J., Johanna and Frank. The family are members of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Freiberg is a Democrat.
harles O. Johnson, proprietor of the bot- thing Works at Big Rapids, was born in Norway, April 27, 1852. He is a son of John and Annie Johnson, and in his native country was engaged in farming and in vari- ous other occupations. In the spring of 1873 he came to this country and settled at Big Rapids, where he had friends residing. He found employ- ment as a farm laborer, and soon after made an en- gagement with O. Seman to work on the farm and in lumbering, which lasted five years. He opened a bottling establishment on Hutchinson street, in Jan., 1879, and on the 16th day of July following moved to his present location opposite the Big Rapids Iron
Works. He manufactures soda water and ginger ale, and puts up an average of 10,000 bottles monthly for the trade in this and adjoining counties, Mr. : Johnson was married at Big Rapids, Aug. 8, 1883. to Mary Stange, who was born in Canada, April 3, 1862.
oseph Smith, farmer, sec. 31, Green Tp., was born near Toronto, Can., Aug. 1, 1847, and is the tenth child of William and Esther (Caller) Smith, natives of England, who left the old country and became pioneers of York Co., Ont. The father was a farmer by occupation, and died July 13, 1881. The mother is still residing on the homestead, which has been in the possession of the family nearly 50 years.
Mr. Smith was reared on his father's farm to the age of 14 years, when he commenced to learn the wagon-making trade. After one and one-half years' labor he turned his attention to blacksmithing for about four months, when he resumed farming. In the fall of 1865 he came to Michigan and located first on the Big Prairie, in Newaygo County, where he passed ten years, going thence to Barton Tp., where he also purchased a farm. In he fall of 1879 the bought his homestead, consisting of 65 acres of land, of which he has 35 acres improved.
Mr. Smith was married April 13. 1866, to Nancy M., daughter of John and Minerva Miller, born Jan. 17, 1847, in Kent Co., Mich. Her parents were natives of Vermont. The family includes an adopted daughter, Mabel M. (Haight) Smith. Mr. Smith is one of the most esteemed citizens of the township. Himself and wife are members of the Christian Church, and he is a Republican in his political views.
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corge W. Heald, farmer, sec. 2, Millbrook Tp., was born in Oswego Co., N. Y .. May 27, 1853. He is a son of William and Rosetta (Fitzch) Heald, natives of New York and of English descent. The family removed to Van Buren Co., Mich., in 1858, where Mr. Heald assisted his father on a farm until the autumn of 1863, when another remove was made to lonia County, the father and son operating there as
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lumbermen two years. In the fall of 1865 they came to Millbrook, settled on sec. 2, and started the first grocery in the township, managing farming interests in connection therewith. The grocery business was finally suspended.
Mr. Heald was married May 27, 1880, in Wheat- land Tp., to Maggie, daughter of David and Agnes (Smith) Ruxton, who was born in Huron Co., Can., July 2, 1863; her parents were also natives of Canada. When she was 12 years old she came to Michigan with an elder sister. Mr. and Mrs. Heald have one child, Alfred R., born Jan. 27, 1882. Mr. Heald is a Republican in politics, and owns a farm containing 40 acres of land.
ames Dixon, farnier, sec. 3, Green Tp., was born in Sussex Co., N. J., Dec. 23, 1810. His father, Isaac Dixon, was born in New York, and died in 1813, when the son was but three years of age. His mother, Phebe (Clark) Dixon, was born in New Jersey, and after the death of her first husband became the wife of James Martin, with whom Mr. Dixon remained until 22 years of age, assisting in the farm labors and obtaining a common-school education
He was married Dec. 1, 1832, to Julia, daughter of John and Phebe (Mead) Adams. Mrs. Dixon was born in Sussex Co., N. J., Nov. 22, 1811. After their marriage, herself and husband removed to Steuben Co., N. Y., and were occupied with the duties of farming about five years. Mr. Dixon then " took up" 50 acres of land, where he was occupied with agricultural pursuits until he came West to seek a home. In May, 1862, he came to Mecosta Co., Mich., bought a farm of 80 acres and proceeded to establish his family and put his place in a fair condi- tion for the purposes of agriculture.
Mrs. Dixon died Sept. 14, 1873, leaving two chil- dren,-Harrison, born Nov. 19, 1833, and William, born June 16, 1846. Four children preceded her in their deaths: l'hebe, born March 13, 1836, died Sept. 4, 1841; May E., born Jan. 14, 1839, died Sept. 7, 1841 ; Milton, born Dec. 9, 1842, died Oct. 9, 1870 ; Sarah A., born Jan. 12, 1848, died Sept. 2, 1867. Mr. Dixon was married again May 13, 1875. His second wife was Mrs. Maria M. (Adams) Austin,
sister of his first wife, and born in Sussex Co., N. J.
Mr. Dixon is a Democrat politically. He held the office of Postmaster of Crapo (Osceola Co.) from 1871 to 1882, and is considered one of the solid citizens of Mecosta County.
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eorge I. Hale, farmer, sec. 2, Grant Tp., was born March 19, 1843, in Niagara Co. N. Y., and is a son of Levi and Asenath Hale, both parents being natives of Vermont, where the father was born in 1813; he died in Michigan in 1883. The mother was born in 1813, and is still living in Eaton, Mich.
The parents came to this State when the son was but six months old, and he was under their supervis- ion until he was 19 years of age, when he became a soldier in the Union army. He enlisted August 8, 1862, in Co. D, 7th Mich. Cavalry, and rendezvoused at Grand Rapids until February, 1863, when his reg- iment was sent to the front. Following is the list of engagements in which he took part: Thoroughfare Gap, May 21, '63; Greenwich, May 30; Hanover, May 30; Hunterstown, Gettysburg, Monterey, June 4; Covertown, Smithton, Boonesboro, Hagerstown, Wil- liamsport, Boonesboro (2d), Falling Waters, Sinker's Gap, Kelly's Ford, Culpepper C. H., Raccoon Ford, James' City, Brandy Station, Bucklin Mills, Stevens- burg, Morton's Ford, Richmond, Wilderness, Beaver Dam Station, Yellow Tavern, Meadow Bridge, Cold Harbor, Trevillian Station, Winchester, Front Royal, Leetown, Shepardston, Smithfield, Berryville, Sum- mit, Occoquan, Port Republic, Woodstock, Cedar Creek, Madison C. H., Louisa C. H., Five Forks, Appomattox C. H., Little Laramie, Dakota. He was discharged Dec. 15, 1865, at Ft. Leavenworth, Kan.
On his return from the army he came to Grant Tp. and entered a homestead claim of So acres. Here he has since resided and put his place under good improvements. He was married July 4, 1866, to Alice, daughter of Gideon and Mary Bentley. Mrs. Hale was born in Manchester, Ontario Co., N. Y., Feb. 3, 1847, and is the mother of two children : Lawrence M., born Oct. 19, 1867, and Clarence G., Sept. 5, 1876.
Mr. HIale is a Republican in political principle, has served ten years as Road Commissioner, ard is
Fitch Phelps.
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a member of the G. A. R. He is earnestly interested ) in the cause of education and in the schools of his township .
on. Fitch Phelps was born in Guilford, Chenango Co., N. Y., June 30, 1831. He traces his genealogy to the Phelps family of Tewksbury, Gloucestershire, England. Wil- liam Phelps, Mayor or Bailiff of Tewksbury in 1607, was born about the middle of the 16th - century. The following entry is found in the Regis- ter of Tewksbury Parish, during the season of Lent, A. D. 1599 :
" I granted a license to William Phelps, being then extremlye sicke, to eate fleshe, which license to en- dure no longer tyme than during his sickness.
REV. CURTIES,
Curate of Tewksbury."
William Phelps, his son, was born at or near, Tewksbury, about the year 1590. He emigrated with his wife and five children, and his two unmar- ried brothers, George and Richard, sailing from Plymouth, where the " Mayflower " with the 101 Pil- grim Fathers of 1620 waved her last farewell, on the ship " Mary and John," March 20, 1630, and land- ed at Hull, Massachusetts, May 30. In 1635, he went to Windsor, Conn., where he won a prominent position in the affairs of both Church and State, and where he died in 1672. The family continued to re- side in Connecticut for six generations. Joel Phelps, the father of our subject, was born in Connecticut, but did not remain long in his native State. In the earlier years of his manhood, he was a lumberman on the Hudson River, near Glens Falls, New York. Later in life he removed to Chenango Co., N. Y., and engaged in farming.
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