Portrait and biographical album, Mecosta county, Mich., containing portraits and biographical sketches, Part 49

Author: Chapman Brothers
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago, Chapman brothers
Number of Pages: 684

USA > Michigan > Mecosta County > Portrait and biographical album, Mecosta county, Mich., containing portraits and biographical sketches > Part 49

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Dr. Hendryx is in the enjoyment of an extensive and popular practice. He belongs to the Masonic Order and Knights of Pythias, and is a member of the Northwestern Medical Society, In 1881 he was appointed local surgeon of the G. R. & I. R. R. Co., and in the same year as such for the the D., L. & N.

466

MECOSTA COUNTY.

R. R. Co. He was physician in charge of Mercy Hos- pital three years, and for some time was Surgeon of the 2d Mich State Troops, with the rank of Major, but in October, 1883, was promoted as Brigade Sur- geon, with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He was elected Mayor of Big Rapids in the spring of 1880, previous to which he served two years as Alderman. He has been United States Examining Surgeon on pension claims since 1876, and operates in the same capacity for several insurance companies, among them the Travellers' Accident. He has also a drug store in connection with his office, in which he is as- sociated with A. H. Weber, style W. A. Hendryx & Co. Their stock includes a full line of drugs and druggists' sundries, and is valued at about $4,500, with business amounting annually to $10,000. Dr. Hendryx owns a shingle-mill at Lumberton, Neway- go Co., with a capacity of about 1,000,000 monthly ; shipments are chiefly to Eastern markets. He also owns his residence and two lots on the corner of Spruce street and Warren avenue.

Dr. Ilendryx was married at Big Rapids, Dec. 22, 1875, to Lucy A., daughter of Dr. Guy B. and Sarah A. Shepherd, of Sheboygan, Wis., who was born at Sheboygan Falls, March 7, 1856.

As one of the truly representative men of Mecosta County, not only as a citizen but as a professional and business man, we present the portrait of Dr. Hendryx in this work.

eorge Grimes, deceased, was born in Car- roll Co., Ohio, March 24, 1824. His par- ents, George and Isabella (Smith) Grimes, were long residents of Carroll Co., Ohio, and died there at an advanced age. Mr. Grimes passed all his early life in his native State, and - in the fall of 1868 came to Michigan and bought 40 acres of wild land. Hle built thereon a board house, and at the time of his death had cleared 25 acres. He afterwards purchased 160 acres on sec. 15. He died April 27, 1879. Mr. Grimes was first mar- ried Dec. 3, 1848, to Catherine Wathey, who was born Sept. 7, 1826, and died Oct. 29, 1849. They had one child, Matilda, now the wife of Wesley Carr. Mr. Grimes was afterward married a second time April 13, 1852, in Carroll Co., Ohio, to Eliza J.,

daughter of Peter and Ann (Guthrie) Warren. Her parents were natives of Pennsylvania and went to Carroll County, where they were pioneers, and where they died about the year 1857. Mrs. Grimes was born in Ohio Dec. 1, 1829. All the children of this marriage are living, born as follows : Milton P., July 19, 1853; Lorenzo I)., Oct. 19, 1855 ; Cora A., May 10, 1859. Mrs. Grimes manages the farm left to her by the death of her husband.

acob M. Dubois, farmer, sec. 8, Green Tp., was born in Tyre, Seneca Co., N. Y., Oct. 18, 1826. He is a son of Conrad M. and Susanna (Spear) Dubois, the former a native of Dutchess Co., N. Y .; the latter was born in New Jersey. The father came to Lodi, Wash- -

tenaw Co., Mich., in 1831, where he was a farmer. He went thence to Ionia County, and afterwards to Clinton County, where he died in 1873. The mother died in Mecosta County, Oct. 12, 1874.

Mr. Dubois obtained a reasonable education in the common schools of Washtenaw and Ionia Counties, and remained at home until the age of 18 years, when he set out in life to work for himself. After a few years he returned home and interested himself in the care of the family for a considerable length of time. In the fall of 1855 he came to Mecosta County and worked in the lumber camp of W. S. Utley during the winter, and in the spring of 1856 he located 120 acres of land, under the provisions of the Gradation Act, which has since been his home. Sept. 17, 1861, he enlisted in the Second Mich. Cav., Colonel Gordon Granger commanding. He was in several skirmishes, and at the battle of Perryvillle. In the summer of 1862 he was taken sick and was in Hospital No. 7, at Louisville, for some time, going thence to Quincy, Ill., where he remained a year. In the spring of 1864 he went to Nashville, thence to rejoin his regiment, and passed the last month of his period of enrollment in the service. He received an honorable discharge Oct. 22, 1864.

Mr. Dubois was married June 28, 1865, to Pru- dence A., daughter of Tyler and Mary A. (Bentley) Duncan, who was born at Oswego, N. Y., Oct. 31, 1823. Iler parents were natives of Fulton Co. N. Y., and in 1856 located in Mecosta County,

MECOSTA COUNTY.

467

where they resided during the remainder of their life. The mother died Dec. 28, 1863, and the father March 8, 1867. Politically Mr. Dubois is a Republican. Hle is one of the pioneers of the county, and is considered one of its most reliable

Sapt. James Judkins, Paris, Mecosta Co., was born in Belmont Co., Ohio, March 24, 1825. His father, Dr. James Judkins, was a native of North Carolina, and came to Ohio at an early date, where he followed the prac- tice of medicine for more than 50 years. He was a brother of Drs. Jesse and William Judkins, well known physicians of Cincinnati. His mother, Susan- nah (Boyce) Judkins, was born in Pennsylvania ; both families were Quakers.

The subject of this sketch was educated at the Quaker college, in Mount Pleasant, Jefferson Co., Ohio. At the age of 22 he married Miss Mary A. Dorneck, daughter of John Dorneck, of Salona, Clin- ton Co .. Pa. She was educated in the academy at that place, and afterward went with her parents to Ohio, and settled at Flushing, Belmont Co., where she was married. Mr. and Mrs. Judkins have had five sons, three living and two dead. Judge Byron Judkins, of Hersey, Mich., is their eldest living son ; Lewis R. and Henry S. are telegraph operators. They also have an adopted daughter.

Capt. Judkins is a Republican, and has held differ- ent township offices most creditably for many years. He enlisted May 1, 1864, in the 156th Regt. Ohio Vol. Inf., remaining in service until the close of the war.

Scharles W. Pullman, farmer, sec. 16, Big Rapids Tp., was born in Oxford Co., Upper Canada, Jan. 22, 1856. His father, George Pullman, was of English descent and born in New York in 1829. He was a soldier in the civil war and died in captivity in Libby prison, in December, 1863. The mother, Mary (Cramer) Pull- man, was born in 1837, in Germany, and died in Oxford Co., Can., in December, 1863, in the same month she

was left a widow. She was the mother of three chil- dren : Albert W. was born Oct. 14, 1858, and settled in Big Rapids Feb. 15, 1870, in company with Mr Pull- man of this sketch. George R. was born in 1860 and died the following year.

Mr. Pullman was married Oct. 13, 1880, to Mar- garet A. MeCune, daughter of Samuel and Eliza (McKee) McCune, born Jan. 13, 1861, in Mecosta County. Of this marriage there is one child, George R., born March 6, 1882. Mr. Pullman is a Republi- can in his political views.

obert H. Bovay, farmer, see. 33. Chip- Dewa Tp., was born in Prince Edward Co., Ameliasburg Tp., Can., Jan. 14, 1846, and is a son ot John ard Minerva (Blake) Bovay. His father was born in England, in August, 1792, and his mother was a native of Canada, where she still resides.

Mr. Bovay was reared on a farm and received only a common-school education in his native P'rov- ince. At the age of eight years he was "bound " to William Anderson, M. P. P., and resided under his guidance until between 19 and 20 years of age, when he went to Rochester, N. Y., and thence to the Che- mung River, where he worked two months in a saw- mill; then worked on a farm in Canada six months, during which time volunteers were called out, and he enlisted, going to Prescott, C'an., for a short time ; then was on a farm on Prince Edward Island three months longer, where he had been previously en- gaged. He was then at Saginaw until 1868, in the lumber camps winters, and working at saw-mills during the intervening summers. He then came to Chippewa Tp. and bought So acres of land, which he has since increased to 120 acres. He has placed 40 acres under improvements, and has good buildings.

Mr. Bovay was married May 29, 1873, to Sarah Jane, daughter of George and Mary (House) Con- nor, born in Sheffield, Can., Dec. 26, 1850. Her father was a native of Ireland, and her mother was born at St. John's, N. B. The four children of the family were born as follows : William Albert, March 6, 1874; Alice Lauretta, Nov. 27, 1876; Frankie HI. and Fannie May (twins), Jan. 4. 1883.

- I -

468

MECOSTA COUNTY.

Mr. Bovay is Republican in politics ; was elected District Treasurer, Jan. 22, 1882, and Justice of the Peace in 1883.

homas Sales, farmer, sec. 7, Green Tp., was born in Caroline Co., Va., Aug. 4, 1823. He passed the first 18 years of his life in farming, alternating with other pursuits as occasion demanded. He left home in 1841, and went to St. Louis, Mo., going thence in 1846 to Chicago, where he spent two years in various employments. In 1848 he came to Michigan, to en- gage in lumbering, and passed through Mecosta County, en route to the lumber camp of Delos Blodgett, in Osceola County, and was in the employ of that gentleman until 1858. In that year he bought a farm in the northern part of Green Tp., containing 40 acres of land, where he expended labor and energy for five years, selling the property at the end of that time, and removing just across the line into Newaygo County, where he lived two years. In 1860, he bought the farm on which he is now located in Green Tp, containing 88 acres of unimproved land. He has applied his time and efforts to the clearing and improvement of his farm to the best purpose, and has 40 acres in advanced cultivation, with a fine residence, good orchards and fixtures, generally in excellent condition. He is esteemed among his fellow townsmen, and regarded as a valu- able and public-spirited citizen.

Mr. Sales was married in 1860 to Mrs. Catherine Goose, a native of Germany. Two children have been born to them: Maria L. and William T. Mrs. Sales had seven children by a former marriage : Kate, George, Margaret and Mary, now living, and Henry, Lizzie and Mary deceased.

red B. Wood, physician and surgeon, at Big Rapids, was born Sept. 12, 1844, at Bainbridge, Chenango Co., N. Y., and is a son of Joseph and Sarah (Farnham) Wood. When he was two years old his parents moved to Williams Co., Ohio, and went a year later to De Kalb Co., Ind., where his father died within the

same year. His mother was of Scotch lineage, and by her death six years later her seven children were fully orphaned. The little flock-four boys and three girls-were scattered, never more to gather under the home roof.

Dr. Wood commenced his career as a practitioner after the manner in which children often indicate the bent of their proclivities. He experimented in surgery on small animals, and dosed with harmless compounds such persons as he could induce to yield to his importunities. He began to study early, and when 11 years old went to work for Wm. Mitch- ell, of Steuben Co., Ind., receiving $4 per month the first season, and a dollar additional during the second year. After that he worked for Martin Eldredge two summers, at $7 a month, and went to school winters. He saved his earnings and spent the school years of 1859-60 at Hillsdale College, where he first studied anatomy. In February, 1861, he went to work for Benj. Dygert, of Steuben Co., Ind., and in May fol- lowing enlisted at Angola, in Co. A, 29th Ind. Vol. Inf., for three years' service. He was the second en- rolled soldier from that county, and went out under Capt. J. H. M. Jenkins, rendezvoused at La Porte, Ind., and crossed the Ohio in June, 1861, from Jefferson- ville, Ind., to Louisville, Ky. His first smell of rebel powder was at Mumfordville, Ky., followed by engage- ments at Pittsburg Landing, Corinth (ist and 2d), Shiloh, Perryville, Stone River, Liberty Gap and Chickamauga, where he received a gunshot wound in the head. At Liberty Gap, he was wounded in the leg by a minie ball, and spent a few days in the hospital. On the last day of the fight at Chicka- mauga, Sept. 20, 1863, he was captured and sent to Scott's prison at Richmond; was transferred success- ively to Royster, Pemberton and Belle Isle. Feb. 22, 1864, he was sent to Andersonville in the first Squad that peopled that Golgotha of modern times He was transferred Sept. 7, 1864, to Savannah, and went thence to Millen, Oct. 3, 1864. Nov. 20, fol- lowing, he was returned to Savannah.and exchanged, after spending 14 months in rebel prisons. He added largely to his medical knowledge by doing hospital duty while in captivity. He had charge of the small-pox patients at Richmond, and as sisted in hospital organization at Andersonville, Savannah and Millen. He was sent from An- napolis, Md., to Indianapolis, where he was fur- loughed 90 days, went home and returned in the

John S. Hindnuan.

471

MECOSTA COUNTY.

winter of 1864 to the place last named, to be mustered out of the service of the United States. In the spring of 1865 he resumed his studies at Hillsdale. The next winter he taught school and pursued his medical course with W. Alphonso Wood, of Angola, and in the winter of 1866-7 went to Bellevue (N. Y.) Hospital Medical College, and at- tended lectures.

Dr. Wood came to Big Rapids Feb. 14, 1867, and began the practice of his profession in company with Dr. D. F. Wooley. Mecosta County was in its pioneer days, and the experiences of Dr. Wood dur- ing the next few years present a fair exhibit of the life of a physician in the early history of a lum- ber district. Big Rapids had less than 400 inhabit- ants, but it was the central point of a large section, and the lumbermen, at widely scattered points, de- pended wholly on the physicians there located,- Drs. Wooley, Whitfield and Wood. The sanitary con- clitions in the woods differed from those at local points. The lumbermen were in constant need of medical aid. In addition to accidents, of which there was a large percentage, the exposure and carelessness of the men at work in the woods occasioned a large amount of sickness. In the winter of 1867-8 Dr. Wood entered into a contract with all the lumber- men on the Muskegon and its tributaries north of Big Rapids, by the terms of which each man paid him one dollar monthly, thereby securing medical treatment as his case demanded. Dr. Wood set out on his route every Monday morning, rode on horse- back an average of 68 miles daily, returning Satur- day or Sunday following. He carried with him his medicines and the mail for the lumber camps he ex- pected to visit. The woods he traversed were Indian trails or worse, and the incidents of his jour- neys included such experiences as are common to the early settlement of a lumber section.

In 1870-1 Dr. Wood attended lectures at Rush Medical College, Chicago, was graduated in the lat- ter year, and in 1879 completed another course at Ft. Wayne, Ind. In 1877 he engaged in the drug trade at Big Rapids, and continued the management of that branch of business until April, 1880, when he sold out to Willard Jeffts and went to La Grange, Ind., where he formed an association with W. A. Stewart in the drug business, combining medical practice therewith. In the winter of 1881-2 he at-

tended a course of lectures at Rush Medical College, and again, in the winter of 1882-3, took a post gradu- ate course at the same institution. June 26, 1883, he returned to Big Rapids and resumed his career as a medical practitioner.

Dr. Wood married July 20, 1865, Mary J., daugh- ter of Win. E. and Eliza J. (Thornburgh) Sargent. The parents are of Scotch and Irish descent, and the father became a soldier of the civil war, going into the service as Lieutenant of the same company in which Dr. Wood enlisted. The household of the latter includes two sons: J. Fordyce, born Jan. 13, 1868, and Phonso S., born Feb. 6, 187 2.

ohn S. Weidman, farmer and lumberman, resident on sec. 29, Hinton Tp., was born in St. Clair Co., Mich., May 10, 1852. He is a son of Evan and Harriet (Edgecomb) Weidman, who settled in Hinton Tp. six years ago and still reside there. Unt I the age of 25, Mr. Weidman was attending school and working on the farm, and was also employed on the rivers. He bought 40 acres of timber land in Hinton Tp., in the fall of 1876. In 1877 he was employed in lumbering on the Little Muskegon River and passed seven months in that occupation, then settled on his tract of So acres he had bought for a homestead. He built a frame house, and spent five months clearing his farm, then returned to his lumbering interests on the Big Muskegon, where he was occupied nearly eight months. He has continued ever since to alter- nate farm labors with lumbering. He has added to his farm and other land until he owns 600 acres, with 60 acres under an advanced state of cultivation.

Mr. Weidman was married at Big Rapids, July 3, 1877, to Maggie E., third daughter of William G. and Mary ( Plimpton) Mitchell, who was born in zEtna Tp., Nov. 4. 1847. They have two children,-Ten- ora D., born Sept. 8, 1878, and Mildred A., Ang. 1, 1880. Mrs. Weidman is a member of the Congrega- tional Church.

Mr. Weidman deserves the tribute due to every self-made man. He began in the world only with his hands, his energy and determination as farmer and lumberman, and has reached a social and financial status that compares fairly with the records of other

472

MECOSTA COUNTY.

leading men of Mecosta County, In politics he is a Republican.

We present a portrait of Mr. Weidman in this book.

lonzo Vangilder, farmer, sec. 6, Big Rap- ids, was born Feb. 24, 1824, in Onondaga Co., N. Y., and is the third son of Ransom and Azuba (Vantassel) Vangilder, the former a native of Vermont.

Mr. Vangilder left his native State and settled in Wisconsin in 1846, and resided in that State princi- pally until 1865. He was married at Foud du Lac, Wis., Oct. 22, 1854, to Maria Williams, who was born Jan. 16, 1826, in Onondaga Co., N. Y. In August, 1865, Mr. Vangilder came to Mecosta Co., Mich., and settled in the township of Big Rapids, where he now owns 100 acres of land, with 40 acres in tillage, 20 acres cleared for pasturage and 40 acres of good timbered land.

Mr. and Mrs. Vangilder have had four daughters and two sons: Hannah M., Annis R., Mary E., James R. (died in February, 1881), Clara L. and Grant.

Mr. Vangilder enlisted in the war of the Rebellion Aug. 31, 1864, enrolling in Co. A, 38th Wis. Vol. Inf., on what was known as the "one-year call." Mr. V. was honorably discharged June 2, 1865, the war be- ing practically ended. He is a Republican in poli - tics.

lanson R. Schofield, farmer, sec. 32, Chip- pewa Tp., was born in Orange Co., N. Y., Aug. 10, 1819. His parents, Reuben and Ruth (Kelley) Schofield, were natives of Ver- mont, and removed to the State of New York, where they resided 30 years, after which they located in Branch Co., Mich. After a residence there of five years they again moved, going to St. Joseph Co., Mich, where they ultimately died.

Mr. Schofield came to Branch County with his parents, and was there interested in farming for 20 years, on a farm of 160 acres. His first change of locality was to Black Hawk Co., lowa, and there he

engaged three years in land traffic. He came back to Branch Co., Mich., bought 100 acres of land, and carried on farming two years, when he again sold out and went to Polk Co., Iowa, and there engaged in farming between two and three years. He again liberated himself, and traveled in the Eastern States for a time. On his return he came to Mecosta County, and in the fall of 1875 bought 160 acres of land in Chippewa Tp., and again became practically interested in farming. He has continued to add to his landed possessions until he now owns 640 acres in Chippewa Tp., and is the most extensive land- holder within its limits. He owns also 100 acres of land in the township of Martiny. In regard to the principles of national government he is a Re- publican.

Mr. Schofield was first married in 1840, to Cor- delia Schofield, a native of Orange Co., N. Y., who died in 1841, leaving one child, Anna C. He was a second time married, to Rachel Bates, born in the State of New York. She died in 1857, leaving a daughter who bears her name. The third and present wife of Mr. Schofield was Delilah Bates, a sister of his second wife, by whom he has three children,-Robert R., Essa May and Bertha D.

urelle F. Glidden, Attorney at Big Rapids (firm of Glidden & Marsh), was born in Orleans Co., N. Y., June 12, 1850. He is son of Oliver D. and Adaline L. (Coy) Glid - den. His father was a farmer, and in the fall of 1852 removed with his family to Paw Paw, Van Buren Co., Mich., where he engaged in farming and afterward in mercantile business. Young Glid- den attended the public school until he was 16, when he taught a term or two in the common schools. The following year he matriculated at Hillsdale Col- lege, and was graduated in the Latin Scientific Course, with the degree of B. S., in the class of 1873. Meantime, he had taught a year in the high school at Paw Paw as assistant, and another as Principal of the public schools at South Haven, Mich. During his teaching and college course he had been reading law, and after graduation at college entered the office of Hon. James Gould, of Jackson, Mich., where he continued his legal studies until February, 1874, when he was admitted to the Bar. In March,

MECOSTA COUNTY.

473

1874, he opened an office at Paw Paw, remaining there until September, 1875. when he came to Big Rapids and entered upon the practice of his pro- fession. He formed his present partnership with E. J. Marsh, April 1. 1878. The firm occupy a suite of rooms fitted up for them in the Northern Hotel block. They are rated among the leading attorneys of Mecosta County, and are doing a successful busi- ness. They are also engaged in real-estate operat- tions, which they conduct almost exclusively in their own interests.

Mr. Glidden has figured somewhat prominently in the political arena of the county and district. He is a staunch Democrat, and during the Presidential campaign of 1876 supported Tilden & Hendricks with great zeal, throughout the Ninth Congressional District. He is the Chairman of the Democratic County Committee, and has done much to organize that party in his county. He, with his father, start- ed the Big Rapids Herald, in April, 1875, it being the first Democratic paper in the county, and one of the first in Northern Michigan. Mr. G. is Grand Chancellor of the Order of Knights of Pythias in Michigan, having been elected at the Grand Lodge session at Kalamazoo in July. 1883, and is also a member of the Masonic fraternity.

The marriage of Mr. Glidden to Lynn Van Ant- werp occurred at Edwardsburg, Cass Co., Mich., Dec. 21, 1874. She is the daughter of Simon and Louisa Van Antwerp. There are two children : Coy H., born June 4, 1877, and Grace 1 .. , born March 2, 1880.

on A. Pelton, hardware merchant, at Mor- ley, was born at Grand Rapids, April 3, 1852. He is a son of Aldrich W. and Amanda (Gray) P'elton, the father a native of Canada, and the mother of Troy, N. Y. Upon their marriage they settled at Grand Rapids, Mich., and were among the pioneer settlers where that city now stands. The senior Pelton still resides there ; his wife died in February, 1872.

Mr. Pelton was apprenticed to learn the tinner's trade, where he remained three years, and prosecuted his trade at Grand Rapids until the age of 21 years. when he went to Chicago and there remained two years, working as tinsmith. He then returned to

Grand Rapids and remained nearly eight months, going thence to Cadillac, Mich., and was in the em- ploy of Hicks & Peck for 13 months. This engage- ment was ended By the burning of his employer's store. He went to Cedar Springs, Kent Co., and was there employed four years. In September, 1881, he came to Morley, bought the building and lot he now occupies, and has a fine stock of hardware, agri- cultural implements and farmers' tools, and is man- aging a flourishing and increasing trade, ranking among the first business men of the town.

Mr. Pelton was married at Grand Rapids, Mich. July 5, 1877, to Mary A., eldest daughter of J. S. and Nancy I. (Weeden) Wright, who was born in Walker Tp., Kent C'o., Feb. 12, 1854. They have one child, La Verne A., born April 16, 1879. In politics Mr. Pelton has always been a Republican; has been Village Assessor, and was Township Clerk of Solon Tp., Kent Co., one year, but on removal resigned the post.

acob J. Tallman, farmer, sec. 34, Chip- pewa Tp., was born in the City of New York, July 10, 1831. His father, John J. Tallman, was born in Rockland Co., N. Y., Sept. 10, 1796, and was a farmer, carrying on that business for a number of years, when he sold his farm and went to New York city, where he resided eight years. He purchased a house at Hack- ensack, N. J., and engaged in real-estate transactions until his death, which transpired in 1875. The mother was a native of New Jersey, and & still resi- dent there, in the township of Passaic.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Portrait and biographical album, Mecosta county, Mich., containing portraits and biographical sketches, Part 49

Author: Chapman Brothers Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Chicago, Chapman brothers Number of Pages: 684

Author: Chapman Brothers
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago, Chapman brothers
Number of Pages: 684