USA > Michigan > Mecosta County > Portrait and biographical album, Mecosta county, Mich., containing portraits and biographical sketches > Part 34
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He married Hukla Dean, a native of New York. His people were highly respected for that sort of integrity, strength and purity of character that con- stituted marked virtues among the agricultural classes in the earlier years of our country. They had a fam- ily of 14 children, the youngest son and 13th child being the subject of this sketch. He was raised on the farm, and obtained his rudimentary education by attending the district school kept a short dis-
tance from his father's house, finishing with an aca- demic course at Richburg, Allegany Co., N. Y. Here, at the age of 21, he engaged in the milling busi- ness for two years. He then embarked in the mer- cantile business, which he followed four years at Friendship, Allegany Co., N. Y., and at Brock- wayville, Jefferson Co., Penn. In the summer of 1862 he went to California, where he spent five years in the valley of San Mateo, in agricultural pursuits and in speculation. In 1863, he was appointed Provost Marshal for the county, enrolling it for army draft. On returning, in 1868, he located in Colfax, Mecosta Co., Mich. Here he purchased a fine tract of pine land, built a mill and engaged in lumbering. As an adjunct to the business he has cleared up a large farm, making his home on the shore of Clear Lake, five miles from Big Rapids.
Mr. Phelps has always been an ardent Republi- can, one who does not swerve from the views and principles which are promulgated and advocated by those acting with him in that political organization. He has never been an office-seeker. His career is that of a practical business man, intensely devoted to his private interests, and participating in public affairs only as an incident, with no effort to secure advancement. In 1876 he was the regular nominee of the Republican Convention for Member of the Lower House of the Legislature. The district com- prised the counties of Mecosta, Osceola and Lake. Elected by a handsome majority, he took a promi- nent part in matters before the House, and did thorough and conscientious work for his constituents. Was member of the Committees on Railroads and the University. In 1878 he was re-elected to the House from Mecosta County, the State having in the meantime been re-districted. At this session he was Chairman of the Committee on the University and member of the Ways and Means Committee . His second term in the House was marked for the active interest and zeal he manifested in working for the cause of temperance. Ilis sincerity, added to a fearlessness of temper which never shrank from the expression, on suitable occasions, of his real opinions and sentiments, gave weight to what he uttered, and left no one who heard without strong convictions of his earnestness.
In the year 1882, he was the Republican candidate for the Senate from the 27th District, comprising the counties of Mecosta, Osceola, Wexford and Manistee.
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It is a fact worthy of mention that he was the unani- mous choice of the Convention, there being not a dis- senting voice, and his nomination was by acclama- tion. He was elected by a majority of more than 1,000 votes over the opposing candidate of the com- bined Democratic and Greenback parties.
In the Senate, Mr. Phelps was prompt, regular and constant in his attendance upon the sessions of that body and the meetings of his committees. He introduced but few bills, believing that there are too many matters of little importance brought before that body, which serve only to pass away time and length- en the term of the session. He proposed an amend- ment to the State Constitution by a joint resolution giving members of the Legislature a salary instead of a per-diem, and forbidding the use or acceptance of free railroad passes. It was adopted by the Legis- lature, and will be submitted to a vote of the people in 1884. He was Chairman of the Committee on the State House of Correction at Ionia, member of the Committees on Public Health, Library, Geological Survey, Appropriations and Finance.
Mr. Phelps is favored with a superb physical con- stitution, and combines strictness of moral principles with energy and decision of character. He has made profitable investments, become interested in remunerative enterprises, won honorable success in business and secured a competence, as the product of personal industry and good judgment, put forth in a field wisely selected. He was married Oct. 13, 1857, to Miss Harriet Wellman, a woman well edu- cated and accomplished, a native of Friendship, Allegany Co., N. Y., and of English ancestry on the side of her father, and Scotch on that of her mother. Her father, Arba Wellman, an enterprising and pros- perous merchant in Friendship, was born in Vermont ; her mother, Esther Burt, was born in New York State.
Mrs. Phelps is well educated and accomplished, amiable and kind, and accordingly has rendered her home one of contentment and happiness for her hus- brand and inviting to friends.
As one of the most honored representative citizens of Northern Michigan, we take pleasure in present- ing the portrait of Mr. Phelps in this Album.
dwin J. Marsh, attorney at Big Rapids, of the firm of Glidden & Marsh, was born at Howell, Livingston Co., Mich., May 29, 1850. His father, Z. H. Marsh, by profession a physician, was born in Montague, Franklin Co., Mass., and his mother, Luthera Marsh, was born in Dana, Mass.
Edwin attended the public school at Howell until 19 years old, when he entered Cornell University, at Ithaca, N. Y. At the end of the first year he left Cornell for Michigan University, entering the Soph- more Class of the Literary Department. His health compelled him to leave the University at the end of the year, and in hopes of recovering the same he join- ed an engineer corps of the A., T. & S. F. R. R. Co., and remained west until 1872. Returning in the winter of 1872 to Howell, he entered the office of H. H. Harmon and studied law; attended law lec- tures at the University of Michigan, and was ad- mitted to the Bar in 1874. In 1875 he removed to Big Rapids, in company with N. W. Carpenter, with whom he opened an office for the practice of law. At the end of a year he entered into a partnership with D. Roben, which existed about one year. Af- ·ter the dissolution of this partnership, he remained alone in the practice of his profession until 1879, when he became associated with D. F. Glidden, his present partner.
In 1876 he was married to Alma, daughter of J. W. and Alvira Burr, of Ionia Co., Mich. They have one child, Frank B., born March 4, 1880.
ohn Le Duke, boot and shoe dealer at Big Rapids, was born in East Hawkesbury, Pr. of Ontario, Feb. 21, 1843. He was reared a farmer until the age of 20, when he began to acquire the details of the shoemaker's trade at East Hawkesbury. In October, 1867, he came to this city and commenced the prosecution of his trade, and in 1873 established himself at his pres- ent stand. He has a full line of all goods common to the trade, valued at $5,000, with an annual business amounting to $20,000. His real estate in Big Rap-
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ids is considerable, consisting of two stores on Mich- igan avenue, one of which is his stand of business; the other is occupied by Aylsworth & Ladoucer, clothiers ; four stores on the same block north of his own location, his residence on Rust avenue, and two vacant lots on Michigan avenue, near Hemlock street.
Mr. Le Duke was married at Syracuse, N. Y., Jan. 2. 1867, to Julia, daughter of Martin Harris.
saae Wambold, farmer and carpenter, resi- dent on sec. 28, Wheatland Tp., was born in Montgomery Co., Pa., Nov. 24, 1823. His parents, John and Margaret (Gangler) Wam- bold, were natives of Pennsylvania and of German descent. They went to the State of New York when the son was 18 months old, and he remained under their personal supervision until the age of 14, when he became assistant of an elder brother, who had assumed control of the homestead farm. He worked four years as a farmer, and at 18 was apprenticed to learn the carpenter's trade. He only served a part of his time, but went into business for himself. He was married Nov. 19, 1844, to Ilar- riet J., daughter of Alonzo and Hannah Mace, and they have one child, Cornelia A., born April 30, 1852. lle went to Dodge Co., Wis., in the spring of 1854. where he followed his trade ten years. In 1864 he came to Berrien Co., Mich , and bought a small farm, which he worked in connection with his profession, and afterward went to lonia, thence to Wheatland Tp, where he "took up" 160 acres of land under the homestead act, which had then just gone into effect. He has since resided here, and dur- ing the time has been twice married, both wives dy- ing shortly after marriage. He was married to his present wife, Oct. 9, 1875. She was Mrs. Sarah Schiedel, daughter of James C. and Elizabeth (Bear) Smith, and was born June 29, 1832, in Water- loo Co., Ontario, Can., of which county her parents were also natives. She was an orphan at the age of seven years, and was cared for by an aunt until her marriage.
Mr. Wambold began to teach school in the winter of 1869, in Wheatland Tp., a profession he has since pursued to some extent. He is independent in poli- tics, has been Justice of the Peace 16 years, and
served one term as County Superintendent of Schools. He has been Township Clerk, and held nearly all the minor local offices. He is now Justice of the Peace, Supervisor and School Inspector, and belongs to the Masonic Lodge at Big Rapids.
ust. Zetterstedt, dealer in foreign and dom- estic liquors, cigars, etc., at Big Rapids, was born in Sweden, April 20, 1837, a son of Emanuel and Mary Zetterstedt. In 1852, when he was 15 years old, he was placed in a mercantile establishment to serve a regular term of years, under instructions preparatory to a commercial life, and at 21 he was at the head of an establishment for the sale of general merchandise, liquors, and the variety usually found in that class of business in the countries. This he managed until 1864, when the entire town (Ronneby), built wholly of wood, burned down, and he suffered total loss of everything. Mr. Zetterstedt came to the United States and to Big Rapids in 1871, having received while at home reports of the place which recommended it as having for him a future of promise. lle was em- ployed on a construction corps of the G. R. & 1. railroad, and was connected with the repair force about three years; then went to Grand Rapids and was engaged in the freight department. In 1878 he came to Big Rapids and was employed by P. Erikson about two years. He opened his present business in the fall of 1880.
Mr. Zetterstedt was married at Big Rapids June 4, 1882, to Anna Peterson, a native of Sweden, born Sept. 12, 1855. They have one child. The family attend the Lutheran Church. Mr. Zetterstedt is a member of Kronan's Collding, a Swedish society.
enry T. Albro, farmer, ser. 36, Big Rapids Tp., was born in Greenfield, Wayne Co .. Mich., Jan. 5, 18.11. The place of his birth is now within the limits of the city of Detroit. He is a son of Clark and Catherine (O'Neil) Albro, the former born July 5, 1819, at C'oriland, N. Y., of French and English extraction. The mother was a native of County Tyrone, Ireland, born in 1821, and first came to the United States when
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very young. Her father was a sea captain, and she was on the Atlantic Ocean, chiefly, until she was six years old. She died April 26, 1883, at Detroit.
Mr. Albro was married May 9, 1867, to Cynthia R., daughter of William and Rosanna Butler, of Eng- lish and German descent on the paternal side, and on the mother's, of Scotch and French origin. Mrs. Albro was born in Detroit, Mich., Jan. 15, 1852.
Mr. Albro came to Mecosta County in September, 1867, and took up 33 acres of Government land on sec. 36, on which he now resides, and has a good portion under fine cultivation.
harles Rathvon, of the firm of Rathvon Bros., proprietors of the Mecosta Planing Mill, was born in Welland, Ont., March 11, 1850. He is a son of Jacob and Eliza- beth (Alward) Rathvon. The father was a carpenter and joiner, and a native of Canada ; he died in 1855, in his 34th year. The mother was a native of the Dominion, and died in Elgin Co., Can., July 20, 1883, aged 54 years. Until he was 18 years old Mr. Rathvon was engaged as a farm as- sistant, and was after that employed with his brother in working as a buikdler, in which occupation his brother had extensive interests. Four years later he went to New York and found employment as a builder at Tonawanda, where he operated four years. One summer he spent in the employment of the Government, building lake shore survey stations. His next remove was to St. Thomas, Can., and two years later he went to St. Johns, Clinton Co., Mich., and was employed by the St. Johns Manufacturing Co., two years. In August, 1881, he came with his brother, Benjamin, to Mecosta village, and engaged in contracting and building. They built a planing mill in November, 1882, and are now turning out the customary products, planing, matching, siding, ceil- ing, moldings, etc. They generally employ about ten men and operate considerably in contracting and building.
Mr. Rathvon was married in Welland Co., Ont., June 26, 1872, to lda .\. Hershey, daughter of George and Sarah Hershey, born at Loville, Can., in October, 1850. Of this marriage three children have been born, as follows: Cora B., at Welland, April
18, 1872; Ida May, at Tonawanda, N. Y., Feb. 6, 1874, and Gracie, at St. Johns, Mich., Dec. 10, 1879. The parents attend the M. E. Church.
A sher L. Canaan, Treasurer of Grant T'p., and farmer, sec. 21, was born March 25, 1850, in Buck Tp., Hardin Co., Ohio, son of Jehu and Sarah L. Canaan. Both parents were natives of Ohio; the mother died July 3, 1879, in Grant; and the father is still living, in Michigan. The latter was a soldier in the civil war and served two years and ten months in Co. B, 118th Ohio Vol. Inf.
Mr. Canaan began, when he had reached the age of 13 years, to grapple with the world on his own account, and worked nearly three years as black- smith. In 1874 he bought 70 acres of timber land, where he has since resided; has the farm partially cleared and in tillage, with a comfortable home. The place is increasing in value from the fact that it is situated in one of the best belts of country in Mecosta County, and the land is of the best quality.
Mr. Canaan was married Aug. 10, 1873, to Mary E., daughter of Ira and Mary A. Hays. Her father died Feb. 27, 1881. He was a minister of the United Brethren Church four years, and died of apo- plexy. She was born in Canada West Dec. 28, 1858, and is the mother of three living children, born as follows : Milton A., Nov. 19, 1874; Jessie A., March 1, 1879; Ira J., Oct. 24, 1882.
Mr. Canaan is a Republican in political senti- ment and has been Constable nine successive years ; was delegate to the Republican County Convention and District Convention in 1882. His maternal grandfather was a soldier of the war of 1812. He and his wife are both members of the Church of United Brethren, Grant Mission.
8 ion H. Compton, farmer, sec. 31, Colfax was born in Lapeer Co., Mich., March 10, 1857, and is a son of L. and Mary (Bur- nett) Compton. The father was born in Hun- ter, Green Co., N. Y., May 10, 1859, and is of German descent. The mother was born in Monroe Co., N. Y., Feb. 13, 1839.
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Mr. Compton was married Dec. 24, 1882, to Flora M. MeCamly, born at Big Rapids, May 31, 1859. Ile settled in Big Rapids Tp., April 1, 1871, where he has since been engaged in farming generally and making a specialty of fruit and gardening. He is a Republican in political sentiment.
artin Luther Briggs, farmer and lumber- man, residing on sec. 33, township of Deerfield, is the third son of Samuel and Clarissa (Smith) Briggs. His father was a native of New York and went to Pennsylva- nia about the year 1830. He settled there and improved a farm, and in 1832 married his first wife, Mary Dickens, of Tioga Co., P'a., She died in 1849, and two years later he married Mrs. Clarissa D. Hill, of the same county, and who was the mother of our subject. The elder Briggs died Ang 9, 1867. The mother survived her husband nearly 13 years. She died May 17, 1880.
Mr. Briggs was born May 17, 1853. He acquired a common-school education in his native State, and at 17 set out to begin his single-handed struggle with the world. Ile spent four years in the business of a lumberman and came to Mecosta Co., where he pur- chased the farm he now occupies, consisting of So acres of wild land, which is fast reaching a good con- dition of improvements. Mr. Briggs passes about three-fourths of his time in the woods in his lumber- ing interests. He is a member of the Masonic fra- ternity and an adherent to the principles of the Re- publican party. Mr. Briggs was married Sept. 23, 1883. to Miss Ida M., daughter of James and Susan Harden, of Deerfield, Mecosta Co. She is a native of Chenango Co., N. Y., and was born May 3, 1863.
m. E. Overton, dealer in general hardware at Big Rapids, was born in Henderson, Jef- ferson Co., N. Y., June 1, 1826. 1lis parents, Elisha and Ruth Carter, were na- tives of the Empire State. Mr. Overton was reared on a farm and obtained a good educa- tion at the common schools, finishing with two years study at Belleville Union Academy, in his na-
tive county. In 1846, when he was 20 years old, he went to New Bedford, Mass., and took charge of a sash and door factory owned by Wm. Wilcox and David R. Pierce. Ile remained in this position 12 years, returning to Henderson, where, in company with his brother Joshua Overton, he bought 700 acres of land and for a period of eight years pursued agri- culture. He then went to Adams and established himself in the cabinet and undertaking business, which he continued to manage until September. 1877. He came to Big Rapids soon afterward and opened a hardware trade, firm of Overton & Grenell, in the building now styled the Canada House. In the fall of 1880 the business was moved to the stand it has since occupied. April 17, 1881, Mr. Grenell sok his part of the stock to Messrs. Cox and Cole, who re- moved their share in about six months. The stock of Mr Overton represents about $16,000, and his an- nual business amounts to $55,000. He also owns an interest in the Big Rapids Water-Power Improvement Co., besides his residence and two city lots.
He was married in Henderson, to Frances Salis- bury, born in Ohio. Hattie, the elder child of Mr. and Mrs. Overton, is the wife of C. D. Stimson, Ium- ber merchant of Muskegon; Eugene, the only son, is book-keeper in the business of his father.
Mr. Overton was elected Mayor of Big Rapids in 1882, and has served two years as member of the School Board.
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ames E. Philley, liveryman, Millbrook vil- lage, was born April 27, 1852, in the State 4 of New York. He is a son of Silas and Patty (Thompson) Philley, who were natives of Scotland and Ireland respectively, and were married in the Empire State; in 1863 they came to Ohio, when Mr. Philley was eleven years of age, and he remained with them six years. In the fall of 1868 he came to Michigan and was in the employ of the G. R. & I. R. R. Co. seven years, in different capacities. In the spring of 1875 he went to Petoskey, Mich., and there opened a saloon, sell- ing out soon after and engaging in lumbering, in which he was occupied five years. le came to Millbrook in the spring of 18Si and commenced the prosecution of his present business, to which he has since given his energetic attention.
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Mr. Philley was married in Hinton Tp., Oct. 14, 1882, to Sarah, daughter of Levi and Mary Menera, a native of Canada. She came from the Dominion to Michigan with her parents, and before her marriage was engaged as a teacher. In political faith Mr. Philley is a Republican; in 1882 he was elected Constable, and in 1883 was re-elected to the same office.
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acob W. Pattison, M. D., practicing phy- sician at Millbrook, is a son of Oliver and Huldah (York) Pattison, the former a native of Ireland, and the latter of the Dominion of Canada. They were married in Canada, and resided' there some years. During the war of 1812, the father was taken prisoner and con- veyed to Buffalo, N. Y., where he claimed American citizenship and was released. He afterwards became a resident of Erie Co., N. Y., where himself and wife completed their lives.
Dr. Pattison was born in Erie County, Oct. 8, 1821. At the age of 11 years he began life as a laborer, and was occupied in various ways until he was 18 years old. He became assistant in a hardware store, and was in the same employ nearly two years. The deficiencies of his education pressed upon his under- standing, and he accomplished much hard study nights, and at other times as opportunity presented. lle wishes to record his sense of obligation to an Irish gentleman named Whalen, who took an interest in his progress and assisted him with private lessons. At the age of 23 years he began teaching, which occupation he followed three years.
Early in life he had decided upon his present call- ing, and devoted his leisure to preparatory reading. His circumstances prevented his attending lectures, and he turned his attention for the time being to the hardware business, forming a partnership with his brother, which relation existed two years. On its dis- solution he conducted affairs alone one year, when he sold out and resumed the study of medicine. In the winter of 1856-7 he attended his first course of lectures, at Buffalo, N. Y., going afterward to the University of Victoria, Ontario, where he received his diploma and Government right to practice medi- cine in Canada.
In 1860 he went to AAnn Arbor, where he entered
the Medical Department of the University of Mich- igan, and in 1862-3 he again attended lectures at Buffalo. In the spring of 1864 he came to Bay City and practiced one year, going thence to Lapeer, and operated there a twelvemonth, when he located in Montcalm County, and continued to prosecute his profession five years. In August, 1871, he came to Millbrook, where he has established an extensive practice, being spoken of far and near as an able and experienced physician. In addition to his medical practice, he is the sole representative of the drug trade at Millbrook.
Dr. Pattison has served several appointments as Health Officer, and held the position of Justice of the Peace one term. He was married in Canada, in the spring of 1845, to Mary, daughter of Ambrose Pattison. She died in the winter of 1857, leaving four children : Melissa, Ida, Ambrose and Appleton J. Dr. Pattison was again married Feb. 22, 1861, to Margaret Carpenter, of Buffalo, N. Y., and their four children are, Ida M., Jennie E., Thomas O. and James G.
8 enjamin F. Corey, Justice of the Peace, and farmer,sec. 11, Grant Tp., was born g& Dec. 4, 1842, in Crawford Co., Ohio : at the age of 19 he became a soldier for the Union, and enlisted May 19, 1861, under the first call for troops. He served three months and on his discharge again enrolled for three years' service or during the war. After two years of severe service and hardship he contracted camp diarrhea and was discharged for disability. He in time recov- ered his health to some degree, and as soon as he could pass muster he again enlisted, Feb. 2, 1864, and was in the army to the close of the war. His final discharge bears the date of July 12, 1865. Fol- lowiug is the list of his engagements: Rich Moun- tain, Winchester, Port Republic, Wilderness (seven days' fight), Chickamauga, Resaca, Chattahoochee River, Atlanta, Nashville (repulse of Hood), Savan- nah (with Sherman), Columbia, Fayetteville, Raleigh and Bentonville.
Mr. Corey was married Feb. 4, 1864, to Eliza E. Peoples, of llardin Co., Ohio. She was born May 15, 1844, and is the daughter of James and Nancy Peoples, both of whom are still living. Mr. and Mrs.
MECOSTA COUNTY
Corey have had five children : Ida Jane, born Nov. 18, 1867, and died Feb. 16, 1876; Eliza A., bom May 4, 1866, is now the wife of Wm. Downs; Wil- liam, born May 4, 1868; James, July 4, 1870, and Otis F., July 3, 1878. Mr. Corey is a Republican, and has held his present position six years. He owns a fine farm of So acres, which he has placed in fair condition for farming purposes. Mrs. Corey belongs to the M. E. Church.
lbert A. Vollmer, grocer, Big Rapids, is a native of Milwaukee, Wis. His father, Francis Vollmer, was born in Baden, Ger- many, Oct. 4, 1824. His mother, Rasina (Grass) Vollmer, was born Oct. 4, 1827, at i Strasbourg, then belonging to France, but now a city of Alsace, ceded to Germany May 10, 1871. The parents came to the United States in 1830, and were married at Milwaukee, Wis., April 13, 1847, and still reside there. Five children were born to them: Joseph E., Albert A., Mary E., Isadore D. and Ivo V. Albert A. was born May 28, 1852, and grew to manhood in the Cream City. He went to Evanston, Ill., in 1877, and established himself in the grocery business, operating with satisfactory results. In Feb- ruary, 1882, he settled at Big Rapids and founded his present business. He carries a stock of goods worth $5,000, and his transactions annually amount to $35,000.
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