USA > Michigan > Mecosta County > Portrait and biographical album, Mecosta county, Mich., containing portraits and biographical sketches > Part 38
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Clarence L. Northrup.
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depot. His stock comprises a collection valued at $7,000, and his yearly transactions reach a figure of $12,000. Mr. Wiseman belongs to the Order of Odd Fellows at Big Rapids.
larenee L. Northrup, senior member of the firm of Northrup & Malone, attorneys and real-estate dealers, was born in North Adams, Hillsdale Co., Mich., June 28, 1844, and is a son of Jabez S. and Mary A. (Mon- roe) Northrup.
He traces his paternal lineage to the Colonial period of this nation's history, when several brothers of his patronymic came from England to Connecti- cut. A descendant of these, Daniel Northrup, moved to Saratoga Co., N. Y., previous to the war of the Revolution. Lewis Northrup, son of Daniel, was born there Jan. 15, 1768, was married September 15, 1792, to Robah Smith (born in Milton, Saratoga C'o., N. Y., May 20, 1772, and died Oct. 3, 1838), and died May 9, 1853, leaving four sons and one daugh- ter. Most of their descendants yet reside in Sara- toga and Fulton Counties in the Empire State. Jabez S. Northrup, third son, was born in Galway, Saratoga Co., April 20, 1803. lle began teaching at the age of 18, and continued in that vocation many years. From 1821 10 1825 he belonged to the State militia, and was assigned to the Governor's staff, with the rank of Lieutenant. He was married Nov. 11, 1829, to Huldah Smith, and removed with his family seven years later to the (then) Territory of Michigan, and bought a considerable tract of land in Ilillsdale County, most of which is the present site of North Adams. His wife died in 1842, leaving four daughters. May 3, 1843, he married Mary C'elina, eldest daughter of Lester and Lorena (Rolfe) Monroe, born Dec. 28, 1821, and by this marriage he became the father of seven sons and one daugh- ter. Lester Monroe, was born April 16, 1796, at Cooperstown, Albany Co., N. Y., and was the son of David and Anna (Andrus) Monroe. The former was born Sept. 26, 1768, and was cousin to James Monroe, fifth President of the United States. The Monroe stock is of Scotch origin, and its represent- atives are diffused through both sections of this country. David Monroe and Anna Andrus were
married Jan. 16, 1794. The latter was born Oct. 23, 1771, and died June 12, 1817. The former died July 31, 1837, leaving a large family of children. Lester Monroe served with distinction in the war of 1812, participating in the battles of Lundy's Lane, etc., and at the close of the war retired to private life. Ile was married Sept. 12, 1817, to Lorena Rolfe, born April 9, 1801, of parents made conspicu- ous by the fact that they were survivors of the Wyoming massacre. In 1836 Lester Monroe moved with his family to Pittsford, Hillsdale Co., Mich., and is now living in that county, aged 87 years.
Mr. Northrup of this sketch is the eldest son. His father removed to Jefferson, Hillsdale County, and bought a valuable farm near Osseo, where he was reared and educated with care, his father and step-sisters being experienced teachers. The under- lying element governing his father in the rearing of his children was to leave them as a heritage "liberal education, good business habits and strict religious principles." Mr. Northrup was but 17 years old when civil war in all its blind fury and with all its ineffaceable disasters shook the nation throughout its wide extent. The studious, reflective boy, whose every impulse had been disciplined to revere his country, and to regard her integrity as almost of divine origin, was inspired with the same ambition that led the sons of the North to rise as one man and rescue the nation from the consequences of the in- furiated folly of the South. In March, 1862, he left school and hastened home. No remonstrance of parent or friend availed aught to change his deter- mination to dare the fate of war and die, if need be. in the cause of home and country. He enlisted in Co. E (Hillsdale Light Guard), Fourth Michigan Vol. Inf., and was soon in front of Yorktown, his regiment having been assigned to the Army of the Potomac. He saw much hard service in that se- verest, most disastrous campaign of the war, the l'eninsular struggle under Mcclellan. He was in action through the Seven Days' Battles, was with Pope in his short career with the Army of Virginia, and fought at Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancel- lorsville, Gettysburg, the Wilderness and Spottsyl- vania Court-House. At the last, the Fifth Army Corps, to which his regiment was attached, led the advance; and during the struggle of May 10, 1864. he sustained a dangerous gunshot wound, lying siv hours on the Geld before he was discovered and
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taken to Emory Hospital, at Washington. When sufficiently recovered he was sent to the York (Pa.) Hospital. His period of enlistment expired before he was wholly recovered, and he received his discharge March 18, 1865, after more than three years' arduous service. After the expiration of his term of service he was in the Government employ until the Rebel- lion was crushed and peace restored, when he again traversed the fields where he had before met only uncompromising conflict.
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Mr. Northrup passed the next two years in farm- ing and study and as telegraph operator. He was united in the holy bonds of matrimony April 6, 1867, to Katie Maud, youngest daughter of George and Lanie (Fox) Wilson, born at Kalamo, Eaton Co., Mich., Oct. 2, 1849. Her father was born in England, and her mother in Montgomery Co., N. Y., and were pioneers of Eaton County, where they located in 1837. Mrs. Northrup was educated at Marshall, Mich., and is a lady of earnest, Christian character, of retiring habits, and well known only to those who see her in her private walks of life. She belongs to the Congregational Church, and is a quiet worker in the Sunday-school.
Mr. and Mrs. Northrup have had four children, viz. Vannie P., born Dec. 25, 1868; Vernon W., April 3, 1870 ; Vera Maria, born May 16, 1875, died July 30, 1876; Veda Maud, March 24, 1878.
After his marriage Mr. Northrup went to Sherman, Wexford Co., Mich., where he remained but a short time, and returned to Eaton County, going back to Sherman a few months later, and there employing his time as a farmer, speculator, teacher, and sales- man in a store, meanwhile reading for the profession of law. He was admitted to the bar in 1874, and soon after entered into partnership with the Hon. T. A. Ferguson. While at Sherman he served as Deputy Sheriff, acted several years as a member of the Board of Supervisors, and was the first County Superintendent of Schools. In 1875 he went to Traverse County and taught school a year, going thence to Benzie County, and in June, 1876, he located at Benzonia, the county seat. He was ap- pointed Deputy County Clerk, and the same year was elected Circuit Court Commissioner of Benzie County, which office he hekl six years. He was also Village Clerk of Benzonia three years. In 1878 he was elected Prosecuting Attorney of the county, and
re-elected in 1880. During the campaign preceding his second election, the opposing candidate said of him : " I consider him the most industrious, care- ful and painstaking lawyer in Benzie County. His standing as a citizen in the community is well evi- denced by the remarkable number of offices of profit and honor he has been chosen to fill by the suffrages of his fellow-citizens."
The records make a rare exhibit concerning the private character, professional ability, manly integrity and stainless reputation of Mr. Northrup, which need no stronger testimony than the names of Judge McAlvey and Hon. A. H. Dunlap, of Manistee, Judge Hatch, of Traverse City, Judge Goodrich, of South Frankfort, Hon. I). C. Leach, M. C., Colonel Fowler, of Gov. Begole's staff, and Gen. Cutchen.
In the fall of 1882 Mr. Northrup sought a wider field of effort, and made a prospecting tour of the Upper Peninsula and Wisconsin, and a few months later visited lowa, Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska; but he resolved to adhere to his first love, and in April, 1883, removed to Big Rapids and opened a law office in the Opera block. Not long afterward he formed an association with G. R. Malone, a young attorney of high character and unmistakable promise, under the style of Northrup & Malone, Lawyers and Real-Estate Brokers. The business of the concern is in a thriving condition, and the established probity and worth of the gentlemen at its head are extending its scope and giving permanency to its purposes.
We take great pleasure in presenting the portrait of Mr. Northrup in this work.
dward Haslem, farmer, sec. 16, Green Tp., was born in Queens Co., Ireland, Dec. 8, 1830, and is a son of John and Ann (O'Con- nor) Haslem. His father died in Ireland when he was but six years old, and his mother came to America in 1847, and located in Cayuga Co., N. Y., going thence to Noble C'o., Ind., where she re- sided until her death, which occurred in 1870.
Mr. Haslem attended school in his native country, walking five miles to obtain the privilege. He ac- companied his mother to the United States and re- mained with her in New York until 1852, when he
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came to Michigan and settled for a time in Washte- naw County. He came to Mecosta County in the fall of 1855 and located a farm in the township of Green, where he was one of the first residents, and assisted in the organization of the township in 1858. He bought a farm of So acres where he now resides, 40 acres of which are well improved.
Mr. Haslem enlisted in the war for the suppression of the Southern Rebellion, in September, 1861, in the Second Mich. Cav., and was in the service three years and two months. Among the engagements where he was in action were, Island No. to, Corinth, Murfreesboro, Chattanooga, Missionary Ridge, Look- out Mountain, Dalton, Resaca, Big Shanty, Buzzard's Roost, Marietta, Atlanta and Chickamauga, besides numerous skirmishes. He was wounded at Spring Hill, Miss., and also received a slight wound in the left shoulder at Frankfort. He was discharged in 1864, at Nashville, Tenn., and on his return home resumed his farming.
Mr. llaslem was married in the fall of 1864, to Mary, daughter of Patrick and Mary (McNally) Montague, born in County Tyrone, Ireland, in 1837. Iler parents brought her to the United States when she was three months old. After a stay of consider- able time in New York they came to Washtenaw Co., Mich., and resided there until death. Mr. and Mrs. Haslem belong to the Roman Catholic Church, and have seven children : Mary, James H., Margaret, Frank Edward, John W., Catherine Agnes and Emma Florence.
eorge Brackett, proprietor of the Brackett House, Big Rapids, was born in North Hermon, Me., Jan. 7, 1844. He is a son of George and Eleanor (Kelley) Brackett, and was reared a farmer, that being the vocation of his father.
At the age of 17 he became a soldier for the Union, and enlisted in Bangor, Me., Nov. 23, 1861, in Co. A, 13th Maine Vol. Inf, under Capt. Fred A. Stevens, and was in the service a little more than three years. Among his war experiences were the fights under Gen. Phil. Sheridan, in the Shenandoah Valley, up the Red River with Banks, at Pleasant Hill and Sabina Cross Roads, at the taking of Fort Esperanza, in Texas, and in 1863 was in Washing-
ton during the attempted raids. He was in 13 engagements and in numerous skirmishes, receiving his discharge Jan. 7, 1864, at Augusta, Me. On his return to his home he engaged as a drover and butcher until November, 1867, when he came to Big Rapids, and engaged four years in lumbering. He was then employed at the Big Rapids Furniture Factory, and at the end of one year was made fore- man, which position he held five years.
In 1876, Mr. Brackett built the hotel where he is now operating, and rented it until 1879, when he opened a furniture store therein and managed it until the fall of 1880. It was then remodeled into a hotel, to which purpose it has since been devoted. The house has 30 rooms for guests, also a saloon with liquors and cigars. He also erected a building adjoining, where he keeps a restaurant and bakery.
Mr. Brackett was married in Croton, Newaygo Co., to Ellen Stengel, a daughter of Joseph and Ellen Stengel. They are the parents of five children : Fred. T., Lillie B., Cora, Edna and Charles P'. George Arthur is deceased. Mr. Brackett is a mem- ber of the Masonic fraternity.
ersons T. Carpenter, farmer on sec. 21, Etna Tp., was born in Clinton Co., Sept. 21. AGIR 1838. He is a son of Benjamin and Luna (Spicer) Carpenter, who were natives of New York, and moved to this State soon after their marriage. Mr. Carpenter was under the pa- rental guidance until eleven years of age, when, be- ing a restless boy with an ambition to advance in the world, he was allowed to take his fate into his own hands, and labored as he was able to find employ- ment until the fall of 1856; then he returned home and spent a year, attending the district school three months. In 1857 he became a sailor, and was on a "merchantman " until 1859. His next permanent occupation was as a soldier of the Union army. He enlisted in the Third U. S. Artillery, Co. K, and was in the service four years, his regiment being at- tached three years to the Army of the Potomac, dur- ing which time he was under fire in 12 engagements, escaping entirely without injury, and receiving hon- orable discharge July 29, 1864. Immediately there- after he went into the Navy as an ordinary seaman,
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was wounded and taken prisoner at Red Bluff, Ga., whence he escaped by taking " French leave," mak- ing good his voluntary flight by the aid of his trusty " understandings."
On leaving the service of the United States in 1865 he came to Wayne Co., Mich., and engaged in agriculture, which he followed until 1871, then came to Mecosta County and settled at Morley, residing there eight years. During this time he was in ac- tive official duty as Township Clerk, City Marshal and in various other positions. Meanwhile he had purchased a farm on sec. 21, in the western part of the township, and in 1880 he settled upon it to pass the remainder of his life. He was married Nov. 21, 186-, to Amelia, daughter of Thomas and Mary (Michel) Lovesy, who was born in Livingston Co., Mich., June 4, 1843. The five children of Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter are all living and were born in the following order: Henry J., Oct. 3, 186 -; William F., Sept. 21, 1868; Gracie, Aug. 8, 1870; Effie, April 21, 1873; Frank, Aug. 13, 1876.
B artlett H. McMullen, M. D., practicing physician at Morley, was born in Stratford, & Can., Sept. 15, 1857, son of John S. and Margaret (Holland) McMullen, who were born in Canada and came to Michigan in 1860, settling at Saginaw and moving after- ward to Bay City, where they are now resident. Dr. MeMullen has been a resident of this State since he was three years old. He remained under his father's care until he was 17 years of age, acquiring his primary education. He entered the Medical College at Detroit, and studied there nearly five years. He received his diploma and entered upon practice, which he prosecuted six months, then came to Me- costa County and settled at Morley, where he has since resided, and has a large and continually grow- ing practice. He is esteemed in his profession and is rapidly gaining popular confidence. The Doctor is a Republican and a charter member of Excelsior Lodge, K. of II, No 1830, at Howard City, Mich. Ile was married at Morley, Mich., Sept. 7, 1882, to Alice M., eldest daughter of Geo. W. and Eliza (Adams) Sams. Her parents were natives of Illinois, but went to Ohio in its pioneer days, coming thence
to Michigan, where they are yet living. Mrs. McMul- len was born Dec. 22, 1864. Dr. McMullen has held the post of School Superintendent, and is now Health Officer of Ætna Tp.
pencer Niekens, barber, at Morley, was born May 2, 1840. His parents, Nathaniel and Sinnia Nickens, were natives of the Eastern shore of Maryland, and in that State and in Virginia Mr. Nickens passed his early life.
In the summer of 1864 he came to Grand Rapids, and the first year was employed as porter in a hotel, and was next engaged in learning his trade. He founded his business at Cedar Springs in the spring of 1870, and has since followed his present profes- sion. He is a respected citizen of Morley, is a mem- ber of the Order of Masonry, and belongs to the Knights Templar.
In politics he is a Republican ; a man of liberal views, and an endorser and follower of the principles of the Golden Rule. He is radical in his views of temperance and morality.
The great-grandfather of Mr. Nickens was a soldier of the war of 1812, and was Color-bearer of his regi- ment. When the civil war broke out, he, having no employment, and his love of the Union very strong, went into the employ of Gen. Birney, and during three years acted as his valet. Mr. Nickens is a fine type of what his race has become since the terrible conflict that placed it on an equality with other men. He proves that, notwithstanding the perplexities of his color and profession, a man may, through moral qualities, take fair rank with more pretentious indi- viduals.
aniel L. Welch, farmer on sec. 27, Deer- field Tp., was born in Wayne Co., N. Y., April 9, 1838. His parents, Lyman H. and Judith (Stansell) Welch, were natives of the Empire State, where the mother still lives; the father died in the fall of 1839. Daniel 1 .. made his initial essay in life at the age of 17, and was variously occupied until the age of 32, when he fixed upon agriculture as a vocation in life. He
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bought 50 acres of land in Montcalm Co., Mich., which he sold in 1879, and purchased 40 acres in Deerfield, where he now lives. His farm was partly improved, and he speedily put the place into the best condition.
He was married in August, 1865, to Susannah M .. daughter of Howland and Harriet (Conkling) Soule, natives respectively of Pennsylvania and New York. They settled in Lenawee Co., Mich., in the fall of 1845, removing thence to Montcalm County, where they yet live. The two children of Mr. and Mrs. Welch are deceased. Otto A. was born March 1, 1873, and died Oct. 25, 1881. An infant died at birth.
Mr. Welch is an adherent of the Democratic party.
rederic Pfistner, farmer, sec. 26, Mecosta Tp., and whose portrait we give upon the opposite page, is a son of John and Jen- nie (Rusler) Pfistner, natives of Germany, where they were married and reared their children. Mr. Pfistner was born in Germany, Feb. 7, 1834, and remained at home until he was 19 years of age. He studied nine years in the excellent schools and colleges of Germany, acquiring a fine education, particularly in languages. On completing his studies he came alone to the United States, and landed at New York in the spring of 1853, going thence to Chicago. After paying his railroad fare thither he had but three cents left, and he borrowed $3 of a chance acquaintance with which to pro- cure food while on his journey. Upon his arrival at the Garden City he pawned his trunk to obtain the money to reimburse the confiding stranger. He took passage for Muskegon, and the gentleman who ad- vanced the sum he needed, on learning the circum- stances released his claim, and the captain permitted him to work out his fare to his destination. He arrived there friendless and penniless, but immediate- ly found employment in getting out timber, for which he received a dollar a day, and was enabled to repay the sum of his indebtedness. He had worked two months, when he contracted the fever and ague and was compelled to remain idle four months. After he
had paid his expenses he had $3 left, and set out for Big Rapids on foot. He found lodging in a lumber shanty, and had in his pocket one dollar to supply his needs until he could secure work. This he soon accomplished, engaging to work for the Long Bros., in the lumber camp of that company a few miles above the present site of the city. He worked for Shaw & Ives two summers, helping to clear up the land where the city of Big Rapids now stands. He remained in the employ of Long Bios. until the following spring, then returned to Muskegon and took a job of lumber driving, which occupied him some months. On its termination he went to Osceola County and worked with a man three years.
After the completion of the three years' service above mentioned, Mr. Pfistner came to Mecosta County and purchased 160 acres of valuable land in Mecosta Township, whereon he settled, and has since added 500 acres to his landed estate. Two hundred acres of this has been put into a good con- dition of cultivation, and the entire property is justly rated the finest in Austin Tp. The farm buildings are of the best, and his residence, acknowledged the most valuable in the township at the time of its con- struction, cost SS,ooo. The farm is stocked with 51 head of cattle, 150 sheep and 50 hogs. Mr. Pfistner was married Oct. 18, 1860, to Mrs. Mary Yager. daughter of Jacob and Mary (Lute) Roosh, and widow of Lorence Yager, who was killed Nov. 19, 1859, by the falling of a limb. He left one child- Herman-born May 31, 1859, and died Nov. 1. 1881, of typhoid fever. Mr. and Mrs. Pfistner have had seven chillren, three of whom are deceased : Emma and Alice (twins), born June 8, 1872, died Dec. 21. 1881; Fred., born June 22. 1875, dlied Jan. 22, 1882. The record of births of the children living is as fol- lows: Mary, June 8, 1861; Amelia, July 31, 1863; Jennie, June 6, 1866; Ida, Feb. 8, 1869.
Mr. Pfistner is a Democrat, and has hell several school and township offices. Ile built the first school-house in the township, and, conjointly with his neighbors, secured a school two years before the organization of school districts in the township.
In religious views Mr. Pfistner's family affiliate with the German Lutheran Church. -
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ohn Rierdon, farmer and tanner, Morley, was born in Exeter, England, Sept. 24, 1842, and emigrated to America with his parents, Thomas and Betsey (Osborne) Rier- don, natives of England. On coming to this country they settled in Ontario County, Can., in July, 1843, where they resided until death. Mr. Rierdon was but ten months old at the time he was brought to the Dominion, where he lived until 25 years of age. In 1867 he came to Grand Rapids and was employed as a teamster two years. In 1870 he obtained a situation as inspector of lumber at Pierson, Montcalm Co. and filled the position two years. In the fall of 1873, he was engaged by Alex. Stewart & Co., to keep a boarding-house and act as general overseer of their mill, in the township of Etna, in this county, a duty he discharged 18 months. He purchased 40 acres of unbroken timber land one mile west of Morley, on section 26, in 1876, built a frame house and began to improve his land. June 27, 1879, his house and nearly all its contents were destroyed by fire. He then erected a house in Morley, which he afterward bought.
Mr. Rierdon was educated in the common and grammar schools of Canada; has held several town- ship and other offices, and been active in advancing the interests of Morley. He was married in Toronto, Canada, to Mary J., daughter of Thomas and Cecelia (Hutton) Smith, born in Fond du Lac, Canada. Her father died in the spring of 1864, and her mother removed to Port Hope. Canada, and still resides there. Mr. Rierdon is a Republican, and is at pres- ent Supervisor of Morley.
enjamin G. Tagg, farmer on sec. 32, Deer- field Tp., was born in Allegan Co., Mich., 8 Sept. 16, 1859. He was educated and reared to the age of 18 years in his native county, and on leaving home came to Deer- field, Mecosta County. He is a son of Ben- jamin and Elizabeth (Pickles) Tagg, natives of Eng- land, who emigrated to America about the year 1850, and found a residence near Rochester, N. V. They
lived there five years and removed to Allegan Co., Mich., where they are yet living.
Mr. Tagg left home at the age of 18 to engage in agriculture on his own responsibility. He bought 80 acres of wild land in Deerfield, Mecosta Co., built a log house, and proceeded to improve his land after the customary methods, and now has a well located and profitable farm. He was married May 6, 1879, to Annie C., daughter of Robert and Mary Little. Mrs. Tagg was born May 6, 1857. She was the mother of two children-Florence E. and George R. The latter died in early infancy, and the mother passed from earth March 17, 1883.
scar T. White, minister, and farmer on sec. 16, Mecosta Tp., was born in Crawford Co., Pa., Sept.6, 1848. His father, Jerome White, was a native of New York, and his mother, Lovinda (Lasner) White, was born in Pennsyl- vania, of French descent. At the age of 16 Mr. White found himself at liberty to hew out his own career in the world. and went to Dodge Co., Minn. His first employment was as a farm laborer eight months: he then went to Wisconsin, where his stay was brief. Home ties and influences still held him, and he returned to his native State, where he was mar- ried, May 10, 1867, to Caroline E., daughter of Mir- anda and Jesse(Armsbery) Main, natives of New York, who was born in Erie Co. l'a., Jan. 29, 1847. The newly married pair settled in Crawford Co., Pa., on at farm, and there remained until the winter of 1871,
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