USA > Michigan > Mecosta County > Portrait and biographical album, Mecosta county, Mich., containing portraits and biographical sketches > Part 43
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The marriage of Mr. Gay to Rosalie Bailey took place at Newaygo, May 12, 1860. Mrs. Gay is a daughter of John and Julie (LeMay) Bailey, and was born at Vergennes, Vt., Nov. 18, 1843. Her father is dead. Her mother was a second time married, to David Jarse, of Newaygo, whom she survives. Mr. and Mrs. Gay have two children : Fred, born Feb. 21, 1862, and Jessie, born Nov. 6, 1863.
The similitude of the genial face of Mr. Gay in connection with this sketch.
On their own behalf the compilers and publishers of this volume desire to subjoin to the personal rec- oid. of Mr. Gay a permanent expression of their grateful sense of his invaluable aid in the consumma- tion of their work. His own emphatic disclaimer deters a more elaborate specification of the generous assistance he has accorded.
ilbert A. Deeker, saddler, Millbrook vil- lage, was born July 16, 1858, In Kane Co., Ill. His parents, Peter S. and Caroline Decker, reside in Millbrook Tp. At the age of 20 Gilbert A. went to the village of Mill- brook to learn the trade of harness-maker, and was under the instructions of Charles Clements five months, when he bought the stock in trade of that gentleman and embarked in business independ- ently. In the summer of 1879 he disposed of his interests and went to Morley to work at his trade ;
but illness compelled him to abandon his employ- ment for the time being, and after his recovery he worked in different places until the spring of 1883, when he again became the proprietor by purchase of the stock owned by J. A. Tory, to whom he made his sale in 1879. He is now doing a prosperous busi- ness and monopolizes his line of trade in the village of Millbrook. His stock represents a value of $1,000.
Mr. Decker was married in Ottawa Co., Mich., June 27, 1883, to Henrietta, daughter of V. J. Sey- mour, a native of the State of New York. Mr. Decker is a Republican.
ohn Flake, farmer, sec. 25, Fork Tp., was born near London, Ont., March 14, 1829, and is the only son of James and Margaret Ann (Davis) Flake. His father was a native of County Antrim, Ireland, and was a carpenter by trade, which calling he pursued all his life. His mother was a native of New York and is still living, in the village of London, Can. The circum- stances of his father precluded Mr. Flake from the privileges of education, and threw upon him in early life the responsibility of making a fair start in the world. He obtained a situation on a lake boat and followed the calling of sailor on the "unsalted seas" three years, earning $3 monthly as net profit. He continued in the lake service until 1850, when he shipped as a seaman on a vessel going to the Isth- nius of Darien (Panama), and on arrival there went to work on the Panama Railroad. After three months he contracted the malarial fever, from which few es- caped who labored in that enterprise in the pestilen- tial climate of the isthmus, and was sent to New York for treatment. On recovery he made another ocean trip, and on his return came to London, Mon- roe Co., Mich., and entered the sailing service on Lake Huron, Oct. 3, 1864, when he enlisted in the Un- ion army, enrolling in the 29th Mich. Vol. Inf., and remained until the war ended. His regiment was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland, Middle Tenn., and he saw considerable active service in some of the most important engagements during the closing months of the contest, among them Stone River and Decatur. He finally was appointed wagon
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master of his regiment, and contintted to discharge the duties of the post until he was mustered out.
Mr. F. came to Saginaw and worked in the lumber mills about two years, and in the fall of 1867 came to the township of Fork and began lumbering for the firm of Camp & Whitney. He worked in the woods during that winter and in the spring was employed on the drive. In the spring of 1868 he bought his farm, built a house, and is now living in comfortable circumstances, with 60 acres of improved land.
Mr. Flake was married July 4, 1852, to Abigail, daughter of Silas and Mary (Heron) Richmond, and they became the parents of 11 children, five only surviving: Clara A., Christie Ann, Katie, John and Morris. Those deceased are Peter G., Thomas, Hugh, Maggie, James and an unnamed infant. Mr. Flake is a Republican, and belongs to the G. A. K., Post No. 77, at Sherman City, Isabella Co., Mich.
rank Dumon, Prosecuting Attorney of Me- costa County, residence Big Rapids, was born in Nissouri, Canada, Jan. 22, 18.42. His father, John F. Dumon, is a native of the Dominion, born Oct. 1, 1817, and is a farmer. His mother was born Feb. 23. 1823, in Cherry Valley, N Y. In 1847 his parents came to Mich- igan, and settled on a farm in the township of Otisco, lonia Co., where they are still resident.
Mr. Dumon was his father's assistant until 20 years old, when he committed himself to the cause of the Union. lle enlisted Ang. 8, 1862, at Otisco, in Co. B, 25th Mich. Vol. Inf., Capt. Samuel Demo- rest. His command was attached to the Army of the Ohio, under Gen. Burnside, and afterward under Gen. Schofield. He was under fire at Kingston, Knoxville and Mossy Creek, in the East Tennessee campaign ; at Tunnel Hill in the Altoona Mountains ; at Resaca, Dallas, New Hope Church, Lost Moun- tain, Kenesaw Mountain, at the crossing of the
Decatur and Peach-Tree Creek, and Chattanoog,1 River. At the siege of Atlanta, July 22, 1864, he was severely wounded by a shot in the right side, and was sent to a field hospital near Marietta, Gat., and thence successively to the hospitals at Nash- ville, Tenn., Jeffersonville, Ind., St. Mary's and Harper's in Detroit. Ile was discharged from the
last June 7, 1865, and returned home to the farm with health so impaired that active life seemed forever relegated to the past.
In September, 1865, he went to Ann Arbor and entered the Law Department of the University of Michigan, completed the required course of two terms, and was graduated March 27, 1867. He Spent the year following in the law office of Wells & Morse, at Ionia, and in April, 1868, came to Big Rapids, opened an office, and has since devoted himself to the zealous prosecution of his calling.
He was elected Prosecuting Attorney of Mecosta County in the fall of 1868, and re-elected two years later. In 1878 he was the candidate on the Green- back ticket for Attorney-General of Michigan, but the party being in a hopeless minority he was of course defeated. In 1882 he was the successful candidate, on the Fusion ticket, for the office of Prosecuting AAttorney, and ran about 700 votes ahead of his ticket. The popularity of Mr. Dumon is man- ifested by the election statistics. He is successful in his career as a lawyer, and secures general favor by his genial manners and good companionship.
His office is in the Telfer block, on Michigan avenue: he owns his residence and two lots on lves avenue.
He was married Feb. 25, 1869, to Jennie, daughter of Wendell and Jane Benster, of Sylvan, Washtenaw Co., Mich., where she was born May 24, 1849. Their sons, Franklin G. and Frederick B., are both deceased.
ohn Eaton, farmer, sec. 24, Chippewa Tp., was born Oct. 28, 1839, in Ingham Co., Mich. His father, Edward Eaton, was a farmer, and in 1835 brought his family to Eaton Co., from Pennsylvania, of which State he was a native. The mother, Eliza (Cole) Eaton, was also born in the Keystone State, and died in Mecosta County.
Mr. Eaton received from his parents a common- school education and the necessary training for the duties of farming. He came to Mecosta County in 1868 and entered a claim of So acres of land under the homestead act, in the township of Chippew.i. lle now owns 120 acres, and has a fair proportion of
MECOSTA COUNTY.
408
it under improvements. In politics he is a Republi- can.
Mr. Eaton was married May 24, 1866, to Mary A., daughter of Dryas and Sally (Woodard) Moore. She was born in Livingston Co., N. Y., April 2, 1845. They have had six children, Dora I., Emma J., Nel- lie, Nettie, Jasper D. and Berthis.
orris G. Dye, farmer, sec. 30, Sheridan Tp., was born May 14, 1845, in Medina Co., Ohio, and is a son of Amos J. and Deborah (Scranton) Dye, natives of Saratoga Co., N. Y. (See sketch of James R. Dye.) Mr. Dye resided in Ohio until he was 21 years of age, when he came to Michigan and settled in the township where he now resides, March 1, 1866. He entered and proved a claim of 160 acres of land, under the homestead law. It was in an entirely original state, and he has placed half the tract under fine cultivation.
Mr. Dye was married Jan. 17, 1870, to Cynthia Ann Burd. She was born in Jay Co., Ind., Feb. 25, 1850. Her parents, John A. and Susanna (Clyne) Burd, were originally from Virginia, and settled later in Gallia Co., Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Dye are the parents of nine children, all of whom are living, namely : Arthur, Ralph, William, Jacob, Amos, Mary, Anna Lee, Deborah S. and John.
Mr. Dye's politics are not of the rigid type : if a candidate is honest he supports him; if he is in any way uncertain, he votes the Republican ticket. In religious belief he concurs with the United Brethren. He has been Road Commissioner eight years, and held the office of Supervisor during the year 1881.
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elson J. Swager, blacksmith, on sec. 12, Green Tp., was born in Holmes Co., Ohio, July 18, 1823. Ilis father, George Swager. was a native of Bedford Co., Pa., was a farmer, and moved to Michigan in October, 1837, locating in Hillsdale County, where he en- gaged in farming until his death in 1855. The mother, Esther (Sharpe) Swager, was born in Vir- ginia, and died in October, 1848, in Ohio.
Mr. Swager remained in the care of his father un- til he was 20 years of age, when he went to learn his trade at Jonesville, Hillsdale Co., where he spent a year. He then went to Williams Co., Ohio, and was there married to Caroline C., daughter of Jason and Fannie (Hulbert) Welton. He spent three years there, working at his trade, when he came to Greenville, Montcalm Co., Mich., and there followed his business four years. His next remove was to Allamakee Co., Iowa, going a year later to Dunn Co., Wis., where he resided three years. At the end of that time he returned to Williams Co., Ohio. Dur- ing his stay there the war of the Rebellion broke out and, Aug. 10, 1861, he enlisted and was in active service until Sept. 22, 1862. He was wounded May 31, 1862, at the battle of Fair Oaks. He was in the battle of Williamsburg, and on the expiration of his term of service remained there until May, 1865, when he settled in the township of Green, on a farm, and carried on agriculture eight years. Mr. Swager is a Republican in political sentiment.
The family comprises 11 children : Arlina L., Charles C., Liberous, Fannie, Philetus, Zuleka, Mina, George, Allen, Sarah E. and Leonard.
ames H. Groom, farmer, sec. 12, Fork Tp., was born in Saratoga Co., N. Y., Oct. 5, 1839, and is the son of Milton and Cather- ine (Butler) Groom. His parents were natives of the State of New York, where they passsd their entire lives. The father died when the son was two years of age, and he became an inmate of the family of Thomas Wagner. His mother re- mained two years later and resumed the care and charge of her child, retaining her guardianship until he was 13 years of age, when he was bound to John Howes and was under his supervision six years.
At the age of 19 Mr. Groom set out alone in life to make his record among men and secure the re- ward of patient, persistent effort in his struggle with circumstances. He worked by the day and month until the outbreak of the civil war. He enlisted in 1861 in the 77th Reg. N. Y. Vol. Inf., and was dis- charged at the end of four months on account of dis- ability. He returned to the home of his birth, and two years later came to Michigan ; remained for a
Sally M. Rose.
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time in Kalamazoo, came thence to Big Rapids, and after a short residence located a farm of 80 acres in Fork Tp., under the regulations of the homestead act. In political faith and action Mr. Groom is a Republican.
He was married in 1869, to Nancy M., daughter of Peter and Abigail (Freeman) Phenix. They were natives of Pennsylvania and came to Mecosta County in 1867, where they still reside. Mrs. Groom was born in Ohio, May 29, 1842.
ames E. Rose, farmer, sec. 17, Big Rapids Tp., was born in Defiance Co., Ohio, Dec. 16, 1854. Freeman Rose, his father, was born in Pierrepont, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., May 25, 1820, and died Jan. 11, 1883. He was of Irish and English lineage, and moved to Defiance, Ohio, and removed thence to Michigan, settling in Big Rapids Tp., Dec. 20, 1856. His was the fourth family in the township, and their experi- ences exhibit all the characteristics of pioneer life. Freeman Rose married Sally M. Lloyd, March, 9, 1854. She was born in Russell, N. Y., Feb. 9, 1823, and became the mother of four children, two of whom only are living-Mr. Rose of this sketch, and Harriet Lucy (Rose) Fifield, born Sept. 15, 1857.
Mr. Rose holds the homestead on which his father located in the earliest days of the history of Mecosta County. His mother is the object of his special charge, and relates graphically the incidents of her pioneer life in the township. Much of the time she lived alone with only her baby son for companion, her husband being under the necessity of leaving home to find work to support his family. A call at her door at midnight was a frequent experience, and many times she left her bed to admit strangers for shelter and food. Her husband would have aban- doned the place but for her inflexible determination to establish a home here, and when people who were amazed at her resolution and persistent endurance remarked, "I should think you would die here!" she replied, " I did not come to die-I came to live ! " and she has carried out her determination worthily. Let us hope she may live to celebrate her centennial birthday in the county of whose wonderfully rapid progress she has been an eye-witness.
Among those we have selected to represent the pioneers of Mecosta County, in the portrait depart- ment of this Album, there are certainly none more worthy than Mr. and Mrs. Rose, and it is with great pleasure that we present portraits of each of them in connection with this sketch.
eorge Shust, farmer on sec. 21, Green Tp., was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, May 2, 1839. His parents, John and Barbara (Blake) Shust, were born and died in the " Faderland." Mr. Shust came to America when 14 years of age, accompanied by his brother John. They located in Cleveland, Ohio, where they remained three years, engaged as farm laborers, and occasionally obtaining employment in the city. Mr. Shust went thence to Hillsdale, Mich., and there worked on a farm three years. At the ex- piration of that time, in the fall of 1858, he came to Mecosta County, and spent four years as a lumber- man. He then went to Kent County, and returned hither at the end of two years, when he bought the farm whereon he now resides, then in a perfectly wild state, and at once entered vigorously on the work of clearing and improving it. He now owns 160 acres, with about 100 in tillage.
Mr. Shust was married in 1861, to Cynthia Nip- press, a native of Ohio, born Sept 11, 1844. She was a daughter of Robert and Christina Nippress, and ‹lied June 28, 1883. The family comprise five chil- dren, namely: Charles 1., Nelson, Cora E., Chancey L., Della M., George W. and Flora A.
Mr. Shust is prominent in public-school interests in his township, and is a Republican with reference to national affairs.
illiam M. Ferguson, dealer in fancy and staple groceries and gentlemen's furnish- ing goods, at Big Rapids, was born in Tioga Co., N. Y., March 13, 1842. He is a son of Ezra S. and Hannah (Barton) Fer- guson, and was reared as a farmer's son.
He became a soklier for the Union during the first year of the Southern Rebellion, enlisting at
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Owego, N. Y., Ang. 3, 1861, in Co. H, Third N. Y. Vol. Inf., Capt. J. S. Catlin, and served as a private two years. He was in a number of engagements and skirmishes, and was discharged Sept. 16, 1863, at Folly Island, S. C., returning to Owego, where he stayed about six months. He then entered the con- struction corps in the Government service, and spent a year in the South. In the fall of 1866, he came to Big Rapids, and was employed by the lumber firm of F. H. Todd & Co., to scale logs, etc., in the lum- ber woods. He was thus employed about 18 months, and has served several lumber houses in the same and similar capacities.
Nov. 17, 1882, he bought the general stock of goods of J. W. Fearns ; he has added several lines of merchandise, and has since transacted business with sales averaging $50,000 yearly. His stock is worth about $10,000.
Mr. Ferguson is a member of the Masonic fra- ternity. He was married at Binghamton, N. Y., Oct. 28, 1868, to Hettie A., daughter of Benjamin and Betsey Thorn. She was born in Tioga, Tioga Co., N. Y., Oct. 18, 1841. They have two daughters -Lulie M., born Aug. 25, 1871, and Maud B., born March 9, 1867.
Hos Sy ent arry I. Orwig, County Surveyor, residing at Big Rapids, was born at Newport, Portage Co., Ohio, Aug. 2, 1857, and is a son of John and Hannah M. (Hoover) Orwig.
In 1866 his father bought a farm containing 40 acres of land in the vicinity of St. Louis, Gratiot Co., Mich., where Mr. Orwig was reared un- til 1874, when he went to Valparaiso, Porter Co, Ind., and attended the Northern Indiana Normal School and Business Institute two years. He went to the high school at St. Louis, and also studied under private tutors, interspersing his educational course with teaching, which profession he followed six years.
In March, 1881, he came to Big Rapids, and en- gaged with Wm. M. Jacques, City Engineer and County Surveyor. A year later he was appointed Deputy to the latter office, and in the fall of 1882
was elected, on the Republican ticket, to the official position he now holds.
illard A, Whitney, M. D., Big Rapids, was born at Clifton, Monroe Co .. N. Y., Dec. 14, 1844, a son of Willard S. and Mary A. (Whiting) Whitney. He was kept in steady attendance at school until about the time of the Southern Rebellion, when, his interest having become fully aroused by the element of patriotism which pervaded the whole land, he en- listed at Buffalo, enrolling Nov. 22, 1861, in the 24th N. Y. Light Artillery, Capt. Lee, and was in the ser- vice until July 25, 1865. During his long period of military life he participated in numerous encounters with the rebels, of greater or less moment ; among them the battles of Newbern, Kingston, Whitehall, Goldsboro, etc., etc.
In the fall following his discharge he went to Lan- sing, Mich., and was in a private academy under the instructions of Prof. Olds, where he remained 18 months. His father being a physician, the studious boy and youth had gathered a considerable fund of medical information and had, whenever opportunity offered, read medicine systematically. In 1868 he matriculated at Cleveland Homeopathic College, and was graduated in 1870. He began the practice of his profession at Lansing, and went thence to Lock- port, N. Y., where he remained about a twelve- month, and came to Big Rapids in the fall of 1873, where his father, Dr. W. S. Whitney, was already established. Their business interests were con- ducted jointly about one year, when Dr. Whitney of this sketch opened an office alone. He has a satis- factory business as physician and surgeon, and is now County Physician, a post he has held since 1875, with the exception of the year 1882. He is examin- ing physician for the A. O. U. W., and also for the Order of Chosen Friends; is Surgeon of Post French, G. A. R .; Clerk of the Board of Education of Big Rapids; and President of the Northern Michigan Homeopathic Association.
Dr. Whitney was married at Big Rapids, Nov. 1 1874, to Lizzie E., daughter of MIfred L. and Fannic M. Clark, born at Oswego, N. Y., May 16, 1854. Dr. and Mrs. Whitney have one child-Fannie M., born at Big Rapids, Mich., Sept. 25, 1875.
WC Hopkinson
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illiam D. Hopkinson, merchant, at Paris, and whose portrait we present upon the preceding page, was born in Dutchess Co., N. Y., March 14, 1848. His father, William Hopkinson, was a native of Vermont, and by profession a surveyor and civil engineer. 1le came West about 1840, in the pursuit of his business, and assisted in the surveys of Lake and Osccola Counties, and while in the discharge of his duties contracted disease, of which he died in 1860. His mother, Phebe (Scoutin) Hopkinson, was born in the State of New York. She settled in Mecosta Co., Mich., in June, 1862, locating with a family of five children, on a farm in Green Tp., on which she still resides.
Mr. Hopkinson had such advantages for education as the common schools afforded, and took a short course of study in Eastman's Commercial College, at Poughkeepsie, N. Y. He has spent 20 years of his life as a school-teacher, continuing that calling up to the spring of 1883. He opened his mercantile establishment at Paris in May of this year.
He was married in 1872, to Mary A. Dodge, born in St. Lawrence County, N. Y., and is a daughter of Luther and Jane (Norton) Dodge. She is a lady of superior intellectual attainments and has devoted the greater part of the last 15 years to teaching. The graded school at Paris was under the care and man- agement of herself and husband in 1882-'3. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hopkin- son : Cora M., in 1874, and Luther, Aug. 29, 1883.
Mr. Hopkinson held the position of Supervisor in 1879-80. The year 1881 he spent in Dakota for the benefit of his health, and on his return to Michigan in 1882, was re-elected, holding the post until the following spring. He is also a member of the School Board of Mecosta County.
dward P. Strong, farmer, sec. 12, Sheri- dan Tp., was born Sept. 24, 1836, in the State of New York. Ile is a son of Abner Strong, born in 1802, in New York, of English descent, and Marietta (Handy) Strong, born in 1802, in the same State, and of the same line- age. They moved to Burlington, Mich., in 1837.
Mr. Strong became " his own man " at the age of 15, and after working some time as a farm assistant he learned the mason's trade, and afterward that of cooper. He came to Mecosta County in January, 1866, and bought So acres of land, to which he has since added 77 acres, all of which at date of pur- chase was in its original state. The owner ha; placed 90 acres in a good state of cultivation.
Mr. Strong enlisted in the late war, in Ionia County, in Co. B, 16th Mich. Inf., and served three years, receiving his discharge in Virginia, Aug. 12, 1864. He was wounded in the left hand, June 30, 1862, at the battle of Bull Run.
He was married Aug. 7, 1864, in Pennsylvania, to Mary, daughter of Aaron and Eliza (Thomas) How- ard. Her father was of Holland Dutch descent, and both her parents were born in Pennsylvania about the year 1800. Mrs. Strong was born in Schuylkill Co., Pa., April 4, 1840. Mr. and Mrs. Strong now have three children in their household, namely : Nelson A., born Oct. 9, 1868, and Eugenie B, May 31, 1869 ; Mrs. Strong had one child by a former mar- riage, C'lara L., born Aug. 21, 1859.
In regard to political issues, Mr. Strong is a Re- publican.
lbert H. Ganong, farmer, sec. 2, Grant Tp., was born Jan. 22, 1841, in Hector, Tomp- kins Co., N. Y., and is the son of John and Margaret Ganong. The father was a farmer. and was born June 27, 1798, in Orange Co .. N. V., and died Nov. 4, 1873. The mother was born in Tompkins County, in 1810, and died Feb. 17, 1841.
Mr. Ganong was but 26 days old when he was de- prived of maternal care, and was placed in charge of relatives until he was ro years old, when he went to live with a man named J. C. C. Smith, residing in Seneca Co., N. Y., under whose supervision he rc- mained for nine years. He was engaged in the ca- pacity of farm liberer three years.
In the second year of the war of the Rebellion he responded to the sentiment of patriotism that ruled the hour, and quickened into life the young and true impulses of the best blood in the Find, enlisting Aug. 14, 1862, in Co. A, 14ist N. Y. Vol. Inf., and was assigned to the Department of the East, until after
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the battle of Gettysburg, when his regiment was transferred to the Western Department, and was ordered to Chattanooga for the relief of Gen. Rosen- crans. The first engagements there were those of Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge. A heavy battle was fought at Resaca, where the regiment suf- fered a loss of 101 killed and wounded. They pressed on amid continued skirmishing to Altoona Station, where more heavy fighting took place. This was the last active service of Mr. Ganong, as he was attacked with illness and sent to the rear. He did not recover sufficiently to rejoin his command, and was discharged June 1, 1865.
He remained in his native State about six months, going thence to Fayette Co., Iowa, and worked as a farm laborer two years. He came thence to Grant Tp., and was occupied two years in lumbering. In 1869 he entered and proved a claim of So acres, un- der the homestead law, which is one of the best tracts of land in the vicinity, in location and quality of soil.
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