USA > Michigan > Mecosta County > Portrait and biographical album, Mecosta county, Mich., containing portraits and biographical sketches > Part 45
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MECOSTA COUNTY.
Director at its organization and is a member of its present Board.
As one of the representative citizens of this County, and a gentleman well worthy the position, we present the portrait of Mr. Darrah in this work.
B
enjamin T. Lovejoy, farmer, sec. 4, Sheri- dan Tp., was born Jan. 16, 1830, in Catta- raugus Co., N. Y. Almon Lovejoy, his father, was born in Connecticut, June 22, 1792, and came of a clear line of Puritan ancestry, and died Nov. 27, 1880. His mother, Hannah (Ames) Lovejoy, was of Welsh descent, born near the extremity of Lake Ontario, in the State of New York, Sept. 18, 1795, and died Nov. 6, 1880.
Mr. Lovejoy was married Dec. 25, 1857, in Paris Tp., Kent. Co., Mich., to Charlotte A. Van Amburgh. She was born May 6 1830, in Oakland Co., Mich., and is a daughter of Matthew Van Amburgh. Mr. and Mrs. Lovejoy have been the parents of four children, born as follows : Almon M., Oct. 22, 1859 ; Abner L., May 19, 1861; James Nelson and George Ben- jamin, twins, born Feb. 16, 1863, and died three weeks subsequent to birth.
Mr. Lovejoy came to the State of Michigan in the fall of 1843, and settled in Hillsdale County. In 1855 he went to Kent County, where he remained 25 years.
On the outbreak of the Southern Rebellion, he felt himself impelled to do all in his power to avert from the nation the impending evils of disruption. He enlisted Aug. 5, 1862, in Co. E, 21st Mich. Vol. Inf., and was in the service three years, three months and seven days. Among other engage- ments in which he took part were the battles of Perryville, Ky., Oct. 8, 1862; Murfreesboro, Tenn., Dec. 31, 1862, and Jan. 1 and 2, 1863. He was transferred to the Invalid Corps on account of dis- ability, and was discharged Nov. 12, 1865, at Spring- field, Ill.
He came to Mecosta County in 1880, and bought So acres of land, where he has since been farming. He has improved his farm to the best advantage ; has 50 acres in tillage, a good frame house, and suit- able farm buildings. He is a Republican and be- longs to the United Brethren Church.
engh Johnson, farmer and lumberman, sec. 6, Chippewa Tp., was born in Middlesex Co., Can., June 18, 1833, and is a son of Alexander and Mary (Nesbit) Johnson. They were natives of Scotland, where the father was born, in February, 1794, and the mother in January, 1806. They came from their native land to Canada in 1820, and lived on a farm until the death of the senior Johnson, which occurred Oct. 4. 1874. In 1882 the mother became an inmate of the family of her son.
Mr. Johnson became " his own man " at the age of 18 years, working as a day laborer on a farin and as a hand in the saw-mills of the vicinity where he grew to manhood. He was married in 1860, to Margaret, daughter of John and Wealthy (Degraw) Whiting. The parents were born in the State of New York, the daughter in Caradock, Middlesex Co., Can. After his marriage, Mr. Johnson operated as a farmer in the Dominion 12 years. He sold out and in July, 1876, came to Chippewa Tp., Mecosta Co., bought 136 acres of land on sec. 6, and engaged exclusively in agriculture until 1882. In that year, associated with his brother, John, he erected a saw- mill and has since been diligently engaged in the manufacture of lumber. The mill has all the most desirable modern fixtures, with a capacity to saw daily 12,000 feet of hard or soft lumber.
Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have been the parents of five children. Three are still living,-Amelia L., Alexander G. and Maggie I .. Two are deceased,- Wealthy A. and Mary E. The family attend the Baptist Church. Mr. Johnson is a Republican.
harles B. Lovejoy, grocer at Big Rapids, was born in Locke, Ingham Co., Mich., May 21, 1844, and is a son of Israel Il. and Mary B. (Hill) Lovejoy. The father set- tled in Locke in 1840, when that and the joining townships were in their primeval con- dition. In order to reach the location of his claim, he was under the necessity of cutting a road through the wilderness a distance of three miles. At that time only half a dozen families were settled in the township, and those at widely distant points.
J
Charles L. Frittle.
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MECOSTA COUNTY.
Lansing was the market for the produce of Ingham County, and the city pioneers were then clearing away the timber, where now the thronging citizens traverse finely graded streets and behold stately and splendid buildings. Mr. Lovejoy, Sr., was the youngest in a family of two brothers and three sis- ters, all of whom are now living, each having an average age of 7711 years. He is a second cousin of the brothers Elijah Parish Lovejoy and Owen Lovejoy, the great Abolitionists. (The former died a martyr to principle on the evening of Nov. 7, 1837, at Alton, Il., and the latter was a conspicuous mem- ber of Congress, who died in 1864.)
Mr. Lovejoy, of this sketch, is the eldest of nine children who attained mature age. (Two sisters and one brother are now deceased). He was reared on a farm, and at 20 years of age went to Albion, Mich., where he took a special course of commercial study at Mayhew's Business College. On leaving school he made his parents a short visit, and with $8.50 as a capital for future operations he set out to Bay City to commence life on his own account. Eight weeks later he went home and entered the employ of George N. Cady, merchant at Albion, at Sio per month and board. Six months later a better situa- tion offered, and he went to Litchfield, Hillsdale Co., Mich., to enter the store of his cousins, F. E. & A. C. Lovejoy, as clerk and accountant, where he remained three years; in 1871 he came to Big Rap- ids, where he engaged as book-keeper five years; in 1876 he formed a partnership with John G. Gill, in the grocery business, a relation which existed 18 months and dissolved. He was for some time em- ployed by various firms in the capacity of account- ant, and Sept. 1, 1883, entered the business house of Cannon & Gottshall, as book-keeper of the Big Rap- ids Iron Works, but only remained until October, 15, 1883, when he went into the general grocery business on his own account.
Mr. Lovejoy was married in Litchfield, July, 10, 1870, to Lucy E., daughter of Hanford B. and Jane Wood. Of their marriage four children have been born, namely, Winfield E., Allie M., Edith M. and Edna J. (twins). Mr. Lovejoy is a member of the Masonic Order and Royal Arch Chapter; has also been a member of the Board of Education of the Fifth Ward five years, and in 1875 was Supervisor of that ward. Ile owns his residence and three lots on North Stewart avenue.
charles L. Tuttle, farmer, sec. 18, Grant Tp., was born in Rochester, Monroe Co., N. Y., Jan. 18, 1836, and is a son of David and Mary Ann Tuttle. His father was born
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Jan. 3, 1813, in New York, and died Sept. 1,
1879. Ilis mother was born in the Empire State Sept. 24, 1815, and died Feb. 15, 1847.
Mr. Tuttle became a citizen of the Peninsular State in 1864. After a stay of a few months at Grand Rapids he went to Cannon Tp., Kent Co., where he remained a year, and after passing a simi- lar period of time in the township of Cortland, in that county, he came to Grant Tp., and entered a homestead claim of So acres. He has since bought So acres across the highway on sec. 19, both tracts being choice land. In 1880 he built a fine dwelling- house on sec. 18, at an expenditure of $2,000.
Mr. Tuttle was married Jan. 6, 1858, to Mary C. daughter of R. L .. and Mary Underhill. The father was born April 27, 1810, in New York, and died Aug. 10, 1854; his father, Samuel Underhill, was born in the same State, in 1777, and died Aug. 17, 1850. The mother was born Nov. 19, 1814, and died April 4, 1852. The grandmother, wife of Sam- uel Underhill, was born in 1780, and died May 20, 1859. Mrs. Tuttle was born at Allen, Allegany Co., N. Y., March 4, 1833. She is the mother of six children : Livingston D., born June 18, 1859; James W., Sept. 18, 1861; Roseltha A., June 11, 1863 (died Sept. 2, 1876); Irving A., July 4, 1865 ; Charles M., July 9, 1870 (died July 26, 1870); Florence 1., Sept. 13, 1871 (died Aug. 30, 1873). Mr. Tuttle is a Republican in political sentiment and was the first Supervisor after the organization of the township. Himself and wife are members of the United Breth- ren Church.
Livingston D. Tuttle, farmer, sec. 19, was married March 7, 1881, to Mary Ella, daughter of Ralph and Sarah A. Walker, born Sept. 7, 1857. There is one child,-Ralph Latham Tuttle,-born April 15, 1882.
In selecting representative men with whose por- traits we wish to embellish this Album, we have cho- sen the subject of this biography, Mr. Tuttle, and present his portrait upon the preceding page.
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MECOSTA COUNTY.
ames P. Cawthorne, farmer, on sec. 36, Wheatland Tp., was born in Flint, Genesee Co., Mich., May 7, 1853. His father, John W. Cawthorne, is an Englishman by birth and descent, and his mother, Myra J. (Calkins) Cawthorne, is a. native of New York. Mr. Cawthorne is a music teacher by profession and has for years combined his labors in that avenue with the other duties of life which have devolved upon him. He finished his preparation for his vocation at the State Normal School at Ypsilanti and began to teach in 1872. He justly deserves the wide local reputa- tion he has earned as a skillful musician and a com- petent teacher, whose success in the latter capacity is acknowledged without qualification. He teaches both vocal and instrumental music. He was married March 2, 1876, to Susie A., daughter of John A. and Ada (Golden) Wood, who was born May 27, 1860, in Chemung Co., N. Y. Her parents are of French and German descent. After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Cawthorne resided with their parents until 1881, when they located on the farm where they now reside. The place was purchased some years previous, and contains 120 acres, with 47 acres under cultivation. Of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Cawthorne are two children : Charles C., born June 3, 1879, and Mabel, Nov. 9, 1882. Mr. Cawthorne is a Republi- can in politics, and is Secretary of the Order of Good Templars. Himself and wife belong to the M. E. Church.
B arnabas Kelley, farmer, sec. 13, Millbrook 'Tp., was born in Canada, Sept. 15, 1841. gå His parents, William and Maria (Samos) Kelley, were also natives of Canada, and about 1869 settled in Wheatland, Mecosta Co., where they now reside. Until the age of 16 Mr. Kelley passed his time at school and as a farm laborer ; after this, until he was 22 years old, he was in the employ of various farmers, and passed one year working as a lumberman. He came to Ionia Co., Mich., in 1865, and worked one year on a farm, coming to Millbrook in 1866. He purchased 40 acres of wild land on sec. 14, and at once commenced
clearing and otherwise improving it. To his original purchase he has added to0 acres, and now owns a valuable farm of 140 acres, with a considerable pro- portion under the plow, and a good house and barn. He has acquired his property by frugality, persistency, and the exercise of good judgment.
He was married in Canada, Jan. 27, 1863, to Mary L., daughter of Samuel and Betsy Fisher, and they have had five children : Almon E., Charles H., William E., Ida A., and Medora D. Mr. and Mrs. Kelley are members of the Advent Christian Church. In politics Mr. K. is an an ardent Republican.
andall T. Capen, retired farmer, resident at Remus, was born in Tolland Co., Conn., 8-12 June 2, 1823. His parents, Philip R. and Julia A. (Fenton) Capen, were natives of Con- necticut and of English descent. During the years previous to attaining his majority, Mr. Capen attended school winters, and spent alternate summers in labor in the cotton factories at Windham and Bozrah. On reaching the age of 21 years he entered Swift's cotton mill as overseer, and afterwards occupied the same position in Fitch's mill, in the town of Bozrah. He was married June 16, 1844, to Julia A., daughter of Geo. H. and Lydia A. (Miller) Armstrong, who was born Dec. 1, 1825, and is of English and Scotch descent. She was liberally ed- ucated in her native State, and in her general deport- ment gives evidence of her New England training. Mr. and Mrs. Capen worked in the cotton mills after their marriage until the fall of 1847, when Mr. Capen had a serious attack of hemorrhage of the lungs, and was incapacitated for labor three years. When sufficiently recovered he engaged in farming, adopt- ing agriculture as a calling in life in 1850, pursuing it diligently until the last few months, when he re- tired from active life and fixed his residence at Re- mus.
In 1850 Mr. Capen went to Jefferson Co., Ohio, where he owned a farm, and operated until the fall of 1859. He then came to Wheatland and bought 120 acres of wild land, built a pioneer's shanty and proceeded after the most approved pioneer style to clear and improve his farm, putting 45 acres in first- class farming condition.
The first election held in the township of Wheat-
Andrew Me harlane.
433
P
MECOSTA COUNTY.
land occurred at the house of Mr. Capen. It was in the fall of 1864, and 14 voters assembled, 13 of them casting their ballots for Abraham Lincoln for Presi- dent.
Mr. and Mrs. Capen have five children, viz .: Cyrus R., born July 5. 1845 ; Charles H., Oct. 15. 1849; Pearl L., Feb. 13, 1855 ; Ellen J., April 19, 1863; Estella R., Sept. 1, 1866. They have re- ceived a good business as well as common-school education. Mr. C'apen is a radical Republican in poli- ties and has held various local offices. He is a member of the 1. O. of G. T. at Millbrook.
corge Brady, farmer on sec. 22, 2Etna Tp., was born in Virginia, Feb. 18, 1823, and is a son of Thomas and Jemima (('ulver) Brady, who were natives of Canada. The date of the father's birth i. unknown, but he lived in Virginia all the early period of his life, and died in Seneca Co., Ohio, in 1839. The mother was born in 1811 and died at the age of 72 years, at the residence of her son, and was buried in the Morley Cemetery. On the death of his father the maintenance of the family devolved on Mr. Brady, and they soon after went to Sandusky Co., Ohio, where they remained until 1847, then going to Fulton Co., Ohio, where they resided until 1856, the date of their settlement at ('roton, Newaygo Co., and after a residence of two years they came to zEtna Tp., where they fixed their residence on So acres, which Mr. Brady had previously purchased. It was all in timber, and Mr. Brady built the usual log house and sought his fortune in the lumber business. The original purchase of So acres is now in a fine state of cultivation, well supplied with modern build- ings except the house, which will soon be replaced by a suitable residence.
Mr. Brady is the oldest resident settler of Etna Tp. He was an inhabitant of the township seven years before its organization. He was married in Fulton Co., Ohio. Jan. 1, 1862, at the age of 28, to Alvira, daughter of John and Permelia (Hadley) Davis, born Feb. 11, 1835; parents were natives of Ohio and of Scotch-Irish descent. Mr. and Mrs. Brady have had eight children, six of whom survive: Eugene, born Jan. 5, 1854 ; Adelbert, May 20, 1856; Adaline, March 6, 1861; William, Aug. 10, 1863;
Isabell, Oct. 23, 1867. Those decased are, Florence, born May 11, 1856, died July 15, 1857 ; a child born Sept. 1, 1872, died Nov. 12, 1882.
Mr. and Mrs. Brady are active members of society, though of liberal religious views. Mr. Brady is still in busy life, and, as a land inspector, has no rival. He is independent in political thought and action.
ndrew McFarlane, farmer, sec. 16, Green Tp., was born in Godmanchester, Can., Oct. 30, 1835, and is a son of Andrew and Margaret (Gray) McFarlane. His parents were natives of Scotland and emigrated to America in early life, locating in Canada, where the father died ; the mother came to the "States " with her children. She is still living and has a home with her son Peter, in Mecosta County.
Andrew McFarlane came to Michigan in 1856. Reaching Grand Rapids by established routes of travel, he found that an almost trackless wilderness lay between him and his point of destination, and in the fall of that year he walked to Mecosta County, and found employment in the lumber camps during that winter. In the spring of 1857 he bought 160 acres of land, paying therefor ten shillings per acre, located near Hersey, Osccola Co., and on it he labored five years. In 1862 he sold his farm and bought a half interest in a mill and a tract of land, and turned his attention and energies to milling and lumbering. He was thus occupied about 16 years, sold out again and interested himself in hotel and mercantile business at Paris, in which he continued six years. In May, 1878, his store was burned, and he determined to devote the balance of his life to agriculture and settled on his present farm. He owns 640 acres of land in Mecosta and Osceola Counties, his home place having 150 acres in the best condition for agricultural purposes.
Mr. McFarlane was married July 5, 1862, to Laura E., daughter of James and Laura I. (Hungerford) Montague, born Oct. 9, 1845. (See sketch of C. H. Montague.) Mr. and Mrs. McFarlane have had five children, born as follows : James A., Aug. 18, 1865; William A., March 28, 1867; Henry (., Feb. 5, 1870; Frederick, Dec. 15, 1882. John M., born Dec. 12, 1863, died Aug. 26, 1866. Mr. McFarlane
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MECOSTA COUNTY.
has always been alive to the public interest of the com- munity of which he is a member, and served his township in several local offices; is at present School and Township Treasurer. Himself and wife are members of the M. E. Church. Politically he is a Republican. We give a portrait of Mr. McFarlane opposite the preceding page.
garry M. Wilder, farmer, sec. 30, Grant Tp., was born March 20, 1837, in Pontiac, Oakland Co., Mich., and is a son of Joel and Hannah Wilder, both of whom were natives of Ontario, N. Y. His father was born Sept. 6, 1794, and died June 28, 1867 ; and his mother was born July 19, 1800, and is now living in Lapeer Co., Mich., where the family settled in 1836.
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Mr. Wilder became a soldier of the civil war, en- listing at Detroit, Aug. 20, 1861, in Co. F, 16th Mich. Vol. Inf. His regiment was assigned to the Army of the Potomac. He participated in the siege of Yorktown, in April, 1862; Hanover Court-House, May 27, 1862; Mechanicsville, June 26, 1862; Gaines' Hill, June 27; White-Oak Swamp, June 30; Malvern Hill, June 30; Turkey Bend, July 1; 2d Bull Run, Aug. 30; Antietam, Sept. 16; Shepards- town, Sept. 19; Fredericksburg, Dec. 13; Chancel- lorsville, April 3, 1863; Middleburg, June 21; Gettysburg, July 1 to 3; Williamsport, July 12; Wapping Height, July 21 ; Bristow Station, Oct. 14; Rappahannock Station, Nov. 7 ; Mine Run, Nov. 27 ; Wilderness, May 5, 1864; Laurel Hill, May 8; Spott- sylvania Court-House, May 18; Magnolia Swamp, June 1; Bethsaida Church, June 2; Petersburg, June 18; Petersburg & Norfolk Railroad, July 30; Weldon Railroad, Aug. 18, 19. 21 ; Preble Farm, Sept. 30; Hatcher's Run, Oct. 27; Dabney Mill, Feb. 6, 1865 ; Hatcher's Run (2d), March 25, 1865.
Mr. Wilder holds the following testimonial from his superior officer:
"Sir: Accept my congratulations and thanks for having so nobly and successfully performed your duty during your perilous term of service, and for having been connected with an organization which has with honor to itself participated in the following
named battles : (See foregoing list.) With many good wishes for your future,
I am respectfully yours,
B. F. PATRIDGE, Col. Commanding 16th Mich. Vol. Inf.'
Mr. Wilder was married Jan. 15, 1863, to Melinda Thompson, of Lapeer Co., Mich., born April 26, 1845. One child was born of this marriage-Don J., March 31, 1866. The mother died April 21, 1866; and Mr. Wilder was again married June 18, 1867, to Lydia E., daughter of L. D. and Nancy Marsh, of Charlotte, Eaton Co., Mich. She was born in Quincy, Branch Co., Mich., May 22, 1849. Of this marriage two children have been born: Del. C., Aug. 17, 1870, and Dio D., May 28, 1872.
Mr. Wilder came to this township in August, 1865, and entered a homestead claim of So acres, where he has since resided. He has held the offices of Justice of the Peace and Road Commissioner, is a member of the G. A. R. and of the Order of Masonry. He was one of 12 voters who organized the township in 1866, and his first wife's death was the first event of that character in Grant. The present Mrs. Wilder taught the first school term of 13 weeks. She re- ceived but $2.20 cash for her services, her patrons paying her in such articles as they possessed. One man settled his proportion with ax-helves, another with part of a harness, another sent his ox-team to work on her husband's farm.
Those people were all honorable, and have made their way in the world, now owning well improved farms. The character of the primary school-ma'am of Grant may be better understood from the fact that she walked twice to Big Rapids and back-15 miles -- to hear political speeches, feeling it her duty to be informed on the popular issues of the day.
3 unson Lamb, farmer on sec. 5, Etna Tp. was born in Wayne Co., N. Y., Oct. 15. 1829. His parents, Isaac and Emeline (Hickok) Lamb, were natives of New York and Vermont respectively. He came to Mich- igan in 1838, and made his first location at Hillsdale, where he was married in 1854, to Clarissa, daughter of Thomas and Mary (Millspaugh) Jolls,
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MECOSTA COUNTY.
natives of the State of New York. Mrs. Lamb was horn Aug. 9, 1840, in Hillsdale Co., Mich., where they continued to reside for eleven years. Mr. Lamb removed in 1865 to Lansing, Ingham ('o., Mich., and there carried on farming 16 years. In 188t he came to Mecosta County and located where he now resides, in zEtna Tp. Of five children born to Mr. and Mrs. Lamb, one is deceased. Noble was born Dec. 29, 1856, and died Feb. 20, 1859 : Mary E. was born Jan. 3, 1859; Alverta was born Dec. 15, 1861; Thomas J. was born April 11, 1864 ; Hattie was born Feb. 9, 1866.
eorge F. Waring, resident on sec. I, Wheatland Tp., a well-driver by calling, was born in Farmington, Ontario Co., Can., Sept. 30, 1836. His parents, Nathaniel and Sarah (Odel) Waring, were natives of the same place. Until the age of 25 Mr. Waring was an assistant on his father's farm, and obtained his education at the academy at Macedon C'enter, Wayne Co., N. Y. He was married Oct. 9, 1861, at that place, to Louise, daughter of Orrin and Betsy (Reed) Lapham, who was born in Macedon, N. Y., Nov. 19, 1842, and educated at the academy in her native town. After completing her education she entered upon the duties of housekeeper for her parents, which post she filled until her marriage. Herself and husband lived with her parents two years. In the spring of 1865 they came to Kalamazoo Co., Mich., and located on a farm in the township of Texas, selling out two years later and taking possession of 75 acres in Oshtemo Tp., in the same county. In the fall of 1870 he went to the city of Kalamazoo and em- barked in the grocery business. In 1874 he went to Plainwell, Allegan Co., Mich., and commenced to operate as a well-driver. In the summer of 1879 he located on So acres of land in Wheatland Tp., and has placed a portion of it under improvement.
Mr. and Mrs. Waring have had three chiktren, born as follows: J. Allyn, Feb. 19, 1870; Minnie L., May 26, 1873; Marion, Feb. 19, 1874. The last named was killed by the cars Oct. 5, 1865. Mr. Waring is a zealous Republican and is now Justice of the Peace and School Inspector. Mrs. Waring is a member of the Presbyterian Church.
enjamin L. Woleott, farmer, sec. 23, Millbrook Tp., was born Dec. 5, 1853, in the State of New York, and is a son o! Henry B. and Ruth (Taylor) Wolcott (see sketch). At the age of 23 years, Mr. Wolcott bought 40 acres of timbered land whereon to establish his home, and as a starting point to build his fortunes. Hle now has 20 acres cleared and under good improvements. He was married in Mill- brook, Mich., 14, 1877, to Alice M., eldest daughter of Solomon and Jane (Reed) Evarts. The father was a physician in Shiawassee County, where he died ; the mother resides with her children. Mrs. Wolcott was born in Vernon, Shiawassee Co., June 9, 1849, where he obtained a good education, and for ten years previous to her marriage was a popular and success- fut teacher.
Mr. Wolcott is a Republican, and has been the in- cumbent of all the responsible official positions in the township. Himself and wife attend the Wesleyan Methodist Church.
ohn Blossom, farmer, ser. 24, Atnat Tp ... was born March 21, 1844, in Jenkins Co .. - & Wis., and is a son of Zenas and Mary (Hunt) Blossom. His parents came to Mich- igan when he was 7 years old, and settled in Allegan County, where he lived until the out- break of the Rebellion. He enlisted in the Eighth Michigan Cavalry, his regiment being assigned to the Army of the Cumberland, under Burnside. Ile was with that command until 1863, when he was transferred to that of Sherman. At Macon, Ga., he was taken prisoner, and sent to the stockade prison pen of Andersonville. After three and one-halt months incarceration, a removal was ordered to Goldsboro, and he made his escape by jumping from the train. He soon found a friendly negro who secreted him in a barn three weeks. He then fell in with Sherman's advanced guard-17th Army Corps- and joined Sherman at Milledgeville, Ga.
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