USA > Michigan > Mecosta County > Portrait and biographical album, Mecosta county, Mich., containing portraits and biographical sketches > Part 50
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Mr. Tallman was bred on his father's farm and in the city of New York, where he attended the public schools. At the age of 25 years he came to C'ass Co., Mich., and found employment in the town of Porter, where he remained five years. Ile was the owner of 40 acres of land, which he purchased and put into an improved condition.
Three years afterward he sold this and went to Kalamazoo, where he resumed his occupation of laborer by the day and month, which he followed two years. Taking advantage of an opportunity that offered, he went to Middle Tennessee, to engage in bridge building on a railway, and after a stay of six months returned to Kalamazoo, where he worked at
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the Seminary about 18 months. After three months' residence at Big Rapids, he moved upon his farm, which he had "proven up," containing 80 acres of land; this he began to clear and prepare for the pur- poses of cultivation.
Mr. Tallman was married March 31, 1858, to Mrs. Electa Irene (Tyler) Truesdell, widow of Ali- merin 'Truesdell, who died in Sacramento city, Cal., in 1851. Of her marriage with him two children were born, one of whom died in infancy. The sec- ond, Jonathan Alimerin Truesdell, was born in 1850, and died Jan. 14, 1882.
Mrs. Tallman was born in Onondaga Co., N. Y., July 16, 1829. Her father, Job Tyler, was born in Onondaga Co., N. Y., and was a farmer, as also a minister of the M. E. Church five years, when he became a convert to the tenets of the Seventh-Day Baptist Church, and entered its ministry, continuing his labors until his death in 1851. The mother, Sally (Davis) Tyler, was born in Vermont, and died April 21, 1877. Mr. and Mrs. Tallman have had two children : Milford J., born July 19, 1863, and died July 27, 1865; Josephine Alida, born April 4, 1866.
Mr. Tallman is a Republican in political senti- ment. He has been Justice of the Peace four years, and has officiated in the positions of Constable, Township Treasurer and School Assessor of Chip- pewa Township.
@ ugene F. Burdick, teacher, residing on sec. 3, Hinton Tp., is a son of Reuben S. and Lavinia (Bailey) Burdick, natives of the State of New York, where they now reside and where their son was born, June 20, 1850. He spent his youth in the common schools and finished his course of study at Aurora Academy, Erie County. He taught school in his native State, and on attaining his majority came to Mecosta County and located in Hlinton Tp. In the spring following he bought a small tract of land, on which he built a frame house, where he now resides. Since coming to the county he has been engaged in teach- ing, and has earned an enviable reputation in his calling.
He was married April 5, 1874, in the house which he now occupies, to Evaline, youngest child of Emery
and Ruby (Pettingill) Hewlett. Her parents were natives of the State of New York. They moved thence to Indiana and afterward to Michigan, finally settling in this County, where the father died in 1876. The mother is now residing in the Township of Wheatland. Mrs. Burdick was born in Berrien Co., Mich., Feb. 26, 1858. She is the mother of two children,-Gertrude E., born Aug. 3, 1881, and Reu- ben R. born April 26, 1883. Mr. Burdick is a Re- publican and has held the office of Notary Public
ames Johnson, farmer and miller, resident at Paris, this county, was born in Sandusky Co., Ohio, Oct. 28, 1834, and is a son of Lewis and Abigail (Stults) Johnson. The father was born in Ohio, of Irish parentage, and moved to Jay Co., Ind., when the son was but seven years of age, afterward removing to Port- land Co., Ind., where he died. His mother was born in Virginia, and died in 1880, at Winchester, Ind.
Mr. Johnson remained with his parents until he reached the age of 19, working on the farm and learn- ing the trade of machinist. When he left home he went to Fremont, Ohio, and worked as a machinist and millwright until the outbreak of the civil war. He enlisted in 1861, in the 7Ist Ohio Vol. Inf., sta- tioned at Fremont, and was seized with an affection of the eyes which, after three months, caused his dis- charge. Afterward he enlisted in the same regiment, and was in the service nine months, when he was again discharged, on account of sickness.
On leaving the army he went to Ohio, bought a saw-mill and interested himself in lumbering, operat- ing until Sept. 1, 1864, when he enlisted a third time, enrolling in the 64th Ohio Vol. Inf., the regi- ment being attached to the command of Gen. Thomas, and was in the service until the termination of the war. Returning to Ohio, he resumed the pro- fession of millwright. In 1868 his place of business was burned, and he lost everything. He came at once to Mecosta Co., Mich., and located at Paris, where he followed the callings of millwright and miller. In 1875 he bought a farm on sec. 15, where he is now engaged in agriculture, and continues to manage his mill for the accommodation of the coun- try trade.
Mr. Johnson was married to Bridget Mulholland, a -
AttVincent.
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native of Ireland, and daughter of Owen ard Bridget Mulholland. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Johnson, three of whom are living, viz: Francis, Mary Ellen and Sarah Jane; James is de- ceased. In his political principles, Mr. J. is a Demociat.
ol. Nathan H. Vineent, resident at Big Rapids, was born in Allegany Co., N. Y., Dec. 5, 1839. His parents, David and Freegift (Saunders) Vincent, resided 50 .years on a farm in Almond Tp., Allegany Co., N. Y., and died there in the fall of 1866, the demise of the father occurring three months before that of the mother.
A few months after Col. Vincent had attained his majority, the country was convulsed by civil war. It roused to activity every sentiment of loyal patriotism existing in the North; it taught men how strong were their own unrecognized love and fealty for home and country; it brought to the altar of the Union the best blood in the land, and developed to the awe-struck and wondering nations of the earth the imperishable character of American institutions.
Col. Vincent enlisted Aug. 29, 1861, in IFornells- ville, N. Y., in Co. D., 86th N. Y. Vol. Inf., Capt. D. S. Ellsworth, and his regiment was mustered into ser- vice at Elmira. After six months' service as a private, he was promoted to the rank of Corporal, and suc- cessively to those of Sergeant and Sergeant Major, and Feb. 15, 1863, was commissioned Second Lieu- tenant. May 3, following, he was promoted to be Captain of his Company. His commissions as Major, Lieutenant Colonel and Colonel followed in swift succession, and after a command of eight months he brought the regiment to Elmira, where it was mus- tered out, .Aug. 5, 1865.
On leaving Elmira the 86th N. Y. Regt. proceeded to Washington, and was engaged during the winter building fortifications for the defense of the Capital. Early in the spring it was assigned to detached ser- vice in Washington and Georgetown, and did provost guard duty until the return of the Army of the Poto- mac from the Peninsula Campaign under Mcclellan, when it joined the army at Manassas Junction, and was assigned to the command of Fitz-John Porter.
It was first in action at Bull's Run (2d), where an engagement lasting only 15 minutes (Aug. 29) cost the regiment upwards of 200 men. Col. Vincent was wounded below the knee, and was sent to the hospital, where he remained until the following morn- ing. As the coming daylight streaked the east, he discovered that the Union forces had moved to the heights at Centreville, and the rebels were advancing to occupy the ground held the previous day by the Federal soldiers. He pressed two fence pickets into service for crutches, and made his way to a ruined bridge, erept across on a stringer, and joined the army.
lle recovered in time to participate in the destruc- tion of Fredericksburg. May 2, 1863, he was again under fire at Chancellorsville, at the close of what is on record as exceeding in disaster any previous campaign in which the Federal army had been engaged.
The loss in officers of the 86th at Chancellorsville was terrific. General Whipple, on the first day, led a reconnoitering force toward the left from the point held by the right wing (Howard's corps), and at- tacked the rear guard of Stonewall Jackson. Mean- while the latter made his daring flank movement with his advance, and utterly routed the right wirg. After some hours' severe fighting, Gen. Whipple fell back to an open field in the vicinity of the position whence the " right " had been driven. It was after nightfall, and the rebel pickets surrounded the field on three sides, a portion following in the rear of the withdrawing force and closing in, while the other sides were guarded by pickets from Jackson's force holding the former position of Gen. Howard. The night was thus spent, and at break of day it was dis- covered that the enemy's pickets had not joined on the side nearest the Union forces, and the beleaguered troops under Gen. Whipple availed themselves of the promise thereby afforded, and made a precipitate bolt, followed by the rebels. The soldiers crossed a ravine and met Gen. Hooker with his forces, who joined battle with the troops under Jackson. Whipple's men moved to a position to support Hooker's batteries, but were obliged to cross the ravine on the right to intercept the enemy marching on the Union lines. Under the severe fire to which the 86th was subjected, the Lieutenant Colonel com- manding was killed, the Major severely wounded, the senior Captain killed, and Captain Ellsworth of
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Co. D fell at the side of Col. Vincent. Whipple's men came up into the road, but an enfilading fire compelled them forward toward the batteries which they had previously supported, to find them fallen back to the Chancellor House, whither they follow- ed, and while yet heated and panting were ordered back to the relief of a regiment that had been cut off. The destruction of officers had been so great that it was next to impossible to determine who was the legitimate leader, and Col. Vincent, the junior Sec- ond Lieutenant, assumed command, led back the regiment, rescued the organization and flag, but lost more men of his own force than he saved of the regi- ment he delivered. He was covered with blood from a scalp wound, and while standing among the battle- stained men, Gen. Whipple came up and advised him to go to the rear. Col. Vincent expressed his deter- mination to abide with the regiment. His General marked him for promotion and moved on. A few
minutes later they were once more in action, below the Chancellor House, where Col. Vincent received another scalp wound, a slight injury in the right arm, and another in the right hip. Gen. Whipple was shot, and his duty devolved on others.
The regiment was next engaged in a fight at Bev- erley's Ford, whither they went on a forced march, and did effective service, capturing the rebel head- quarters, with papers outlining Lee's plans for carry- ing the war into Maryland and Pennsylvania. The rebel chief found himself unexpectedly on the eve of battle, and his hopes scattered like autumn leaves when it became certain that two years of indecisive war had lulled his sagacity blinded his judgment, and inveigled him into premature battle.
The 86th N. Y. Regt. was prominent through the Gettysburg campaign, where it did heroic service in repulsing the impetuous attack of the corps of Gen. Longstreet, July 2, 1864. Being in Sickles' corps, he participated in several actions along the route of the Orange & Alexandria railroad, and in the valley of the Shenandoah. It was transferred to the command of Gen. Hancock, and went into action at the battle of the Wilderness, May 5, having 770 equipped men. The struggle ended seven days later, but at roll-call at the close of May 10, only 50 men of the 86th re- sponded to their names.
Col. (then Capt.) Vincent was disabled »by gun- shot wounds in the left arm and thigh, and was off
duty three months. His left arm was badly shat- tered, and has never recovered. He was an inmate of Seminary Hospital at Georgetown, until sufficiently well for furlough. At the end of 60 days he went to the Convalescent Hospital at Annapolis, Md., and was sent thence on detached duty to Camp Gilmore Concord, N. H., where he was occupied in the duties attendant upon the assignment of recruits. In November he made application to be relieved, and joined his command before Petersburg. On his way he stopped at Albany, and received his intermediate and final commissions from Gov. Seymour, and assumed command of his regiment as its Lieutenant Colonel. Soon afterward he became Colonel in verity, and took part in the closing conflicts of the spring of 1865, among them Hatcher's Run, Peters- burg (final battle), and the other engagements in pursuit of Lee, until the surrender of the latter to the Federal authority at Appomattox Court-House. The regiment went thence to Beeksville Junction, and on to Washington for the Grand Review.
Col. Vincent bears on his body seven scars-the ineffaceable credentials of his bravery on the field. The regimental flag of 1864 is preserved at Albany, N. Y., with the record of the year and the following statements : "This flag was received at Brandy Sta- tion, Va., in March, 1864:" and " Four Color-bearers have fallen beneath its folds." This was but one of several flags carried by the "86th " during the war.
Col. Vincent returned to Hornellsville, where he went into business as a real-estate broker, and oper- ated three years, officiating also as policeman and ticket agent of the Erie railroad. In May, 1868, he came to · Big Rapids, where he purchased a lot and built a residence, which he sold soon after, and bought the well-known Stimson farm, containing 280 acres of land, situated on the north border of the city of Big Rapids, and lying on secs. 3 and 4, Big Rapids Tp. On this he moved, and followed farm- ing about 11 years. He has made considerable im- provements, and still owns the place. In 1881, he bought 25 acres adjoining his farm. In the spring of 1883 he sold 21 acres of the southern extremity. He also owns two lots in the rear of the Northern Hotel, each 240 x 60 feet; two lots adjoining, front- ing on State street, 50 x 150 feet, on one of which he proposes to erect his residence. He is engaged in breeding trotting stock, in which he takes great pride and satisfaction.
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Col. Vincent was married at Hornellsville, N. Y., Feb. 16, 1864, to Angeline Ellsworth, sister of Capt. Ellsworth, and a daughter of Horace and Susan Ellsworth, born in New York, Dec. 22, 1841. Mr. and Mrs. Vincent have two children : Clara A., born at Hornellsville, May 7, 1865, and Daniel H., born at Big Rapids, Sept. 7, 1869.
In the fall of 1876, Col. Vincent was elected Sheriff of Mecosta County, on the Republican ticket, and was re-elected to the following term. He served two years afterward as Under-Sheriff, and is a mem- ber of the Order of Masonry, and several insurance societies. He is the present Deputy United States Marshal. He was an actor in the organization of the city of Big Rapids, and was a member of the com- mittee which framed its charter.
A recent writer says a man's temperament is his fate. The statement probably amounts to a truism in the case of Col. Vincent. It is always impossible to estimate the exact degree to which a man's traits of character are inherent, or to determine whether they are the result of education and circumstances. The question is too broad for present discussion, but its interest in this individual case is no less intense, awakened as it is by a career and position which must lead every careful observer to reflection, and due weight must be accorded to innate tendencies, train- ing, and the influence of events. The father of Col. Vincent was such a man as made the period in which he lived a most significant era, from its bear- ing upon that which lay in the immediate future. The Whig party, of which he was an adherent, reached its ultimatum during his active life, and the element of which he was the type, in its quiet but in- flexible and unswerving methods, made the political history of this people during the last 40 years a grand possibility, and an illustrious certainty.
The character of Col. Vincent was molded by that of his father. The reflective habits of the latter trained him in such directions that in the simultane- ous advent of civil war and his legal freedom, he found the opportunity of his life. The disaster of the first Bull Run engagement brought the nation face to face with a most portentous fact. The culmina- tion of a colossal national wrong was precipitated upon an apathetic people. The sentiment of the Englishman who scornfully informed the parties at Big Rapids with whom he was negotiating, where
news was received of the disaster at Bull Run, that their business was off because they had no country, was identical with that which filled the North with unutterable shame, and awakened her hidden heroes to a sense that men were needed at the front. The young Vincent, in the first flush of his untrammeled existence, only saw one fact,-that the time to act had come, and the emergency demanded promptness and self-abnegation. The story has already been told in brief, but in the cause wherein was the. ele- ment of success is contained a lesson that the young men of this generation might consider with profit. In a cursory review of the facts of his career he was asked concerning the governing impulse of which he was conscious. "I only realized an earnest desire to understand my duty," was the response which merits permanent record, both as an exponent of its author's character and in what it may mean to others.
On reaching his post of duty, his incompetency in military detail led Col. Vincent to strive in every way to remedy the defect, and he devoted all the time and opportunity he could control to that pur- pose. His apparent proficiency in acquiring the details of military tactics obtained his rapid advance- ment through the non-commissioned grades of promo- tion : his bravery in action did the rest. Like poets, leaders are born.
The grandest development of the civil war was the exhibit to the world of what stuff Americans are made ; how quiet men, moving in humble walks in life, rise to heights reached by few others under the impelling power of an unheralded emergency. Fore- thought and self-knowledge are the foundation of Col. Vincent's achievements, in whatever avenue he acts. He needs no eulogy : his record is his crown of fame, but its luster pales in the glory of his perfect and pre-eminent manhood. His portrait on page 476, enhances the value of this volume.
llen Chapin, merchant at Morley, is a son of James and Mary A. (Rice) Chapin, the father a native of Massachusetts and the mother of New York. At the age of 12 years Mr. Chapin left home to enter upon his life work alone. He was engaged in farming and other occupations until 18 years of age, when he rented a large dairy farm in Illinois, which he man-
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aged one year. His parents had moved to Michigan where they were pioneers, and Mr. Chapin has passed e his life at different points in Michigan, Ohio and In- diana. In the fall of 1868 he came to Morley and has since resided here uninterruptedły. He carries on a general merchandise business, with an average stock of $5,000. He is also owner of 40 acres of land in the township of Deerfield, 20 acres of which is cleared. He is independent in political sentiment and action, and has occupied the positions of Town- ship Clerk and Village Trustee, and has declined several offices to which he was elected.
Mr. Chapin was married at Logansport, Ind., June 12, 1862, to Carrie, daughter of William and Nancy Warner, who was born Jan. 9, 1845. They have one child, Frank, born Feb. 29, 1864.
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enson McDuffie, farmer, sec. 18, Big Rap- ids Tp., was born in Harrison Co., Ky., in 1823. His father, Enoch MeDuffie, was a native of the same county and State, and his mother, Catherine (Pope) MeDuffie, was born in New Jersey. They removed to Ohio and two years later fixed their residence in Rush Co., Ind., where the father died in 1840. aged 45 years. The mother married the Rev. James Stallard, after two years of widowhood, whom she outlived, dying at the age of ; o years.
After the marriage of his mother, Mr. McDuffie went West and stayed about two years in and about Fort Des Moines, lowa, He returned to Indiana and in 1846 married Miss L. J. Beckner. Of their marri- age eight children-six sons and two daughters- were born, two of whom are deceased.
In 1864, Mr. MeDuthie became a Union soldier. and was in the campaign under Gen. Sherman. He returned at the close of the war to find his wife a hopeless sufferer under the ravages of consumption, of which she died in 186 ;.
Mr. M. Duffie was again married in 1868, to Elvira. youngest child of Andrew and Jane ( Day ) MeFarlin, born in Ohio, in 1835. Her father was born in .. County Tyrone. heland. in 1;s2. His parents came with their family to America in 1;96, and the son Andrew Fecame a soldier in the war of iste.
Mr. Ma Daffy care to Mecosta County in 18;1 and established himself in the township of Big
Rapids. He is the present Township Clerk, and has held the position six years. Mrs. McDuffie is serv- ing the township as School Inspector, and is the first łady incumbent of that office in Mecosta County, re- ceiving her appointment from the Township School Board.
alorus W. Bruce, editor and proprietor of the Big Rapids Current, was born in Lestie, Ingham Co., Mich , March 26, 1843. His father, William Bruce, was a native of Massa- chusetts, born Sept 12, 1818, and was a black- smith by trade. His mother, Diantha C. (Rice) Bruce, was born in Vermont, Dec. 22, 1822.
Mr. Bruce, in early life, was for a brief season em- ployed in his father's shop, after which, until the age of 19. he interested himself in agriculture.
On the outbreak of the Rebellion he shared the enthusiasm of the hour, and, despite the fact of his minority, enrolled himself as a private soldier in Co. A, 17th Mich. Inf .. Capt. L. L. Comstock. He was in the service IS months. and was in action at Fredericksburg and Vicksburg. At the battle of Campbell's Station, Tenn .. Nov. 16, 1863, during Longstreet's advance on Knoxville, he received a severe wound, which resulted in the loss of his right leg. He, with 19 others, was captured by the rebels, and placed in a field hospital. He was carefully nursed by Mrs. Nancy S. Galbraith, a Union widow lady ; and when the country was once more at peace he made a practical exhibit of his gratitude by secur- ing to her from the general Government a just remuneration for her services. Mr. Bruce was discharged at Detroit, March 4, 1864.
The use and advantages of a more extended edu- vation to one in his circumstances became a fixed conviction during his illness. and on recovery he entered college at Adrian, Mich .. and there pursued his studies until 186;, when he obtained a position as clerk in the office of the Auditor-General at Lansing. He discharged the duties of the situation continuously until May. 18;c. At that date he came to Big Rapids and estal lished himself in business as a book and stationery dealer. He continued his trade until the aut mn of 18;6, when he sold his interests.
During the session of 18; 1. he acted as Engrossing and Enrolling Clerk of the Michigan House of Rep-
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Eli. Frederick.
Anna. Frederick.
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resentatives, at Lansing, and while absent at his post his name was placed on the Union ticket of Big Rapids as a candidate for City Recorder. He was elected and served one year. At the Legislative Assembly of 1877, he was elected Postmaster of the two llouses.
In June, 1877, Mr. Bruce commenced his career as an editor, by the purchase of the Record, at Howard City, Montcalm Co., which he managed until 1879. On the 6th of February of that year, associated with W. F. Slawson, he founded the Big Rapids Current, and soon afterward sold the Howard Record. After a partnership of a few months he purchased the interest of Mr. Slawson.
The Current is a creditable representative of the Republican press, and is ably and consistently con- ducted. It is the official newspaper of the county, is quarto in size, and has eight pages of seven col- umns each. It has the largest circulation in the county, and, mechanically, is an evidence of the good taste of its manager. It is printed on a fine Camp- bell press. The office receives a considerable amount of job patronage.
Mr. Bruce was married in Green Tp., Mecosta Co., Oct. 22, 1873, to Maria, daughter of Jesse A. and Caroline Barker. She was born in Cascade 'Tp., Kent Co., Mich., Dec. 19, 1847, whither her parents came to Mecosta County in 1855, as pioneers. They made the journey to Green Tp. from the city of Grand Rapids with an ox team, coming all the way through the woods. Mrs. Bruce was educated at Grand Rapids and Muskegon, and began her labors as teacher at the age of fifteen, and continued them until her marriage. Herself and sisters were prominent among the pioneer educators of Mecosta County. Mr. Barker, her father, was Chairman of the first Board of Supervisors of the county, and was its first l'robate Judge.
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