USA > Michigan > Mecosta County > Portrait and biographical album, Mecosta county, Mich., containing portraits and biographical sketches > Part 51
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In 1872, Mrs. Bruce was appointed to the charge of the money-order department of the postoffice at Big Rapids, under her uncle, Thomas Lazell, Post- master. The abilities of Mrs. Bruce are in requisi- tion co-ordinately with those of her husband in the publication of the Current, in whose profits and responsibilities she is with him equally interested. Mr. and Mrs. Bruce have one child, Carrie C., born at Big Rapids, Jan. 13, 1876.
Mr. Bruce is a zealous member of the M. E.
Church, and has been Superintendent of the Sunday- school since 1871, except during his brief residence at Howard ('ity.
li Frederick, Sheriff of Mecosta Co., resi- dent at Big Rapids, was born near North Liberty, Knox Co., Ohio, Aug. 24, 1843, and is a son of Christian P. and Esther (Divel- bess) Frederick. When he was 14 years old his parents moved to Richland Co, Ohio, where his father bought a saw and grist mill, and, in addi- tion to the management of these, followed agricul- ture.
Mr. Frederick was trained to active habits, and at the age of 17 commenced to prepare himself for the vocation of blacksmith, which he followed about two and a half years. In 1863, he yielded to the influ- ences which controlled men and events, and enlisted at Mansfield, Richland Co., Ohio, in Co. G, 7 Ist Ohio Vol. Inf., and served in the ranks until the close of the war. He was in action at Pulaski, Franklin and Nashville, besides being in a number of skir- mishes, and was discharged at San Antonio, Texas, Oct. 16, 1865. He returned to his home and trade in Ohio, and pursued farming to some extent.
In the fall of 1868 he came to Big Rapids and opened a blacksmith shop, in company with a Mr. Chellis, which they managed about 18 months. Mr. Chellis was succeeded by James M. Parkhill and the last relation existed about four years, the firm selling out their business in 1874.
Mr. Frederick bought a half interest in the carriage and wagon manufacturing establishment of L. C. Lincoln. The concern continued to transact busi- ness until the fall of 1882, when Mr. Frederick was elected Sheriff of the county on the Fusion ticket, running against Arnokl Ely. His majority was 433 votes, showing an advance of nearly a thousand votes ahead of his ticket.
He was married in Big Rapids Jan. 24. 1870, to Anna, daughter of James and Susan Cooper, a native of England, born Aug. 24. 1850. They have three children: Harley E., Cora M. and Lora E. Mr. Frederick is a member of the Order of Masonry and belongs to the fraternity of Odd Fellows. He has been Supervisor of the Second Ward two years and
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He is of a speculative turn of mind, and has always been engaged more or less in handling real estate, which is now his sole business. He owns his residence on State street, So acres of farming land on sec. 22, Grant Tp., So acres in Newaygo, and a house and three acres of land in Walworth Co., Wis. He belongs to the fraternity of Odd Fellows, and is a member of Post French, G. A. R.
Mr. Jacques was married in Ottawa, Waukesha Co., Wis., April 5, 1871, to Alice 1., daughter of Thomas and Alvira Boone, a native of Iowa. They have one daughter, Nevada P., born in Wisconsin, Jan. 28, 1876.
Mr. Jacques has given a great deal of time and interest to the science of fish culture. He has stocked a number of the water courses of the county, and in 1874 established a trout fishery on sec. 24, Big Rapids Tp., starting with 10,000 eggs. A year later he was compelled to abandon his scheme on account of his fish being stolen.
ames Martin Denney, farmer, sec. 30, Sheridan Tp., was born Aug. 11, 1817, in Gallia Co., Ohio. He is a son of William F. and Mary Ann (Fulk) Denney, born in North Carolina, respectively in 1794 and 1791. The former was of Scotch and Welsh descent, and the latter German. In 1831 they settled in Jay Co., Ind.
Mr. Denney was married Sept. 20, 1842, to Lois E., daughter of Nathan and Laura (Miner) Scranton, born April 5, 1820, in Cortland Co., N. Y. Her father was a native of Rhode Island, and of Welsh descent. Her mother was born in Connecticut. Mr. and Mrs. Denney have had 11 children, as follows : John S. (dec.) , Mary A., William T., James M. (dec.) , Nathan, Laura, Joshua (dec.), Jordan, Henry F. (dec.), Lois L. E. and Riley S.
Mr. Denney came to Michigan in August, 1865. He first located on sec. 21 of Wheatland Tp., and came thence to the section where he now resides. Everything was in a state of nature, and he has re- claimed the land from a dense forest and established himself comfortably. He has served two terms as Justice of the Peace, and filled other offices.
He is an old-line Democrat, and belongs to the Methodist Church. He owns 120 acres of land, 30 of which are under good cultivation. His timbered land includes pine of first-class quality.
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ather Henry W. Grimme, Priest in charge of the Parish of St. Mary, at Big Rapids, was born at Hanover, Germany, July 3, 1849. He is a son of Joseph and Margaret Grimme, and when 16 years of age accompa- nied his parents to the United States.
His early education was obtained in his native land, and on his arrival in this country he was sent to Mount St. Mary's Seminary, at Cincinnati, to pre- pare for his vocation, the priesthood. After ten years' arduous application to his studies, he was placed in charge of the Roman Catholic Church at Wyandotte, Mich., where he officiated three years and three months. He then went to Otisco, Ionia Co., and after a brief tarry there, in December, 1880, he came to Big Rapids, and entered upon the duties of his station here. The society includes the members of 150 families, and has doubled since the beginning of his labors as parish Priest.
His mission stations are at Cedar Springs, Morley, Ensley, Croton, Fremont Center, Newaygo, Hesperia, White Cloud, Reed City, Evart, etc. He is popular among his people, and liked by the community.
Attached to the parish buildings is the Convent of the Sisters of Mercy, including about 15 sisters. The school belonging to their quarters was discon- tinued for a while, owing to the destruction of the convent by fire, but has since been re-opened in con- nection with the Church.
illiam P. Montonye, one of the earliest comers to Big Rapids, is a son of Hiram and Elizabeth (Shafer) Montonye, and was born Dec. 7, 1835, at Forty Fort, Luzerne Co., Pa. At 15 he left home and proceeded up the west branch of the Susquehanna River to Lock Haven, where he passed three years in the occupation of Jumberman, when he arranged to per- fect himself in the details of the carpenter's trade,
William. La
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and spent two and a half years in the prosecution of this calling.
In the spring of 1858 he came to Big Rapids. While en route he reached Grand Rapids and paid three dollars to be conveyed to this place. He was accompanied by other travelers of similar destination ; and soon after leaving Grand Rapids he and one of his companions became disgusted with their tardy progress, and made their way on foot, outstripping the stage by several hours. At that date there were but two residences on the west side of the river. He worked as a carpenter at Big Rapids and bought of Zera French a block in the Third Ward; also some lots in the First Ward, and continued to work at this trade until the advent of the civil war.
Yielding to the influence which swayed the entire North, Mr. Montonye enlisted, Feb. 22, 1862, in Co. E, Third Mich. Cav., Capt. Lattimer. His regiment was attached to the Western army, and he was in active service at the battles of Shiloh, luka, Corinth (first and second), and was taken prisoner at Rocky Ford, Miss. He was first sent to Mobile, and suc- cessively to Richmond, Andersonville and Savannah. He spent eleven months in captivity, undergoing all the horrors whose unparalleled activity stand out in bold relief on the events of modern warfare. At the expiration of that period he was exchanged, and in June, 1865, was discharged from service, at Baton Rouge, La.
On his return to Big Rapids he embarked in mer- cantile traffic, in company with Charles Shafer. Their store was located on part of the site of the Furniture block, and the business relation existed three years, when Mr. Montonye sold hisinterest and built a livery stable on Michigan avenue, in com- pany with George B. Jones. Two years later he sold to his partner, and since that time has been operat- ing in scaling logs for various lumber firms.
Mr. Montonye resides in the Fourth Ward, on Woodward avenue. He owns 15 acres of land in that precinct, and two city lots and barn on Maple street, rented and occupied by an omnibus line, and also owns the dry-goods store on Michigan avenue, tenanted by S. Wildberg. He was married at Grand Rapids, to Amanda Eggleston, a native of Connecti- cut. She died at Evart, Osceola Co., and Mr. Mon- tonye was again married at Big Springs, Ottawa Co., in January, 1883, to Mrs. Lydia Demond. He he-
longs to the Order of Masonry, and during the first year of his residence here was elected Constable, holding the office one year.
on. William Ladner, Probate Judge of Me- costa County, residing in Mecosta Tp., whose portrait is given on the opposite page, was born in Cornwall Co., England. Ile is a son of James and Jane (('hirgeoin) Ladner, natives of the county of Cornwall. The father was born Dec. 15, 1807, and died Sept. 21, 1882; the mother was born Nov. 22, 1812, and died Jan. 26, 1876. The record of their ten children is as fol- lows: William, born Nov. 1, 1834; Richard 1)., April 1, 1837; Herbert, June 15, 1839; Jane E., June 8, 1841 ; James, May 21, 1843; Frank, Feb). 25, 1845 ; Thomas, May 3, 1847 ; Henry, Oct. 8, 1849 (died Sept. 24, 1878); George, Sept. 4, 1851; Emily A., Oct. 10, 1853 (died in May, 1875). Mr. Ladner's parents came to America in 1851, with eight children, and settled on a farm in C'annon Tp., Kent Co., Mich., where the father and mother died.
William was kept in school until his parents came to the United States. His father purchased a farm of So acres in the township where he located, and his son became his assistant, remaining on the home place until he was 20 years of age. He then came to Muskegon and interested himself in lumbering, operating winters and engaging in farm labor sum- mers. In 1856 he settled in Mecosta County and bought a timbered tract, So acres in extent, in Mecosta Tp., then an annexation of the township of Leonard (now Big Rapids). Mr. Ladner brought his inherited energy and perseverance to bear upon the portion of wilderness of which he had become the possessor, and added to its dimensions by purchase, until he now has a valuable farm of 440 acres, with 240 acres under the best improvements.
Mr. Ladner has been identified with the interests of his township since his first location therein, and has held most of the positions of trust in the man- agement of its local affairs. In 1876 he was placed in nomination by the Republicans of the county for Probate Judge, and received a decisive majority over Dr. Gruber, of Altona, opposition candidate. In the fall of 1880 he was again the successful nominee of
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" his party, running against Wm. Warren, of Hinton Tp. Judge Ladner has been a member of the " Masonic fraternity 20 years. He resides on his farm, located five and a half miles from Big Rapids, and drives to the city during the sessions of court.
He was married in the township of Big Prairie, Newaygo Co., Mich., Aug, 21, 1860, to Lucy A. Howe, daughter of Samuel and Margaret Howe, who was born in Pennsylvania, March 12, 1843. Their family includes seven children: Linnie, Fred, Harry, James, Eugene, Allen R. and Florence. Judge Ladner has never had occasion to call a physician to treat his children, and has always man- aged his affairs so judiciously that he has never needed the services of a lawyer.
illiam Miller, farmer, sec. 10, Grant Tp., was born in Glasgow, Scotland, April 15, 1838. His parents, John and Mary Mil- ler, came to the United States in 1842, and settled at Mooers, N. Y., where the mother lived but a short time. Not long after her death, the father returned to Scotland, and there passed the remainder of his days. After the death of his mother Mr. Miller went to Canada, and there found a home with a farmer, with whom he remained until he was 15 years old.
In 1853 he returned to Mooers, N. Y., and three years later went to Orwell, Vt. He remained two years in the Green Mountain State, and then went to Nunda, Livingston Co., N. Y. Three years afterward he returned to Orwell, where he was married Sept. 14, 1859, to Emily, daughter of John and Susan Rogers, who was born in West Haven, Vt., Oct. 11, 1839. Her father is still living, in Grant Tp. Her mother died April 16, 1875, in Orwell.
Mr. Miller enlisted Dec. 16, 1863, in Co. K, 11th Vt. Heavy Artillery, and was detailed for duty at Fort Totten, Washington, D. C., where he continued until the following spring. In May, 1864, his regi- ment was sent to the front, and he was first initiated into the merits of war, with all the accompaniments of fierce battle, at Laurel Hill, Va. The fights at Petersburg and Cold Harbor followed in swift suc- cession, and his command was sent on to guard the Weldon Railroad. The force was captured by the
rebels, taken to Libby Prison, and held there a week, when they were transferred to Danville, and thence to Andersonville, arriving in time to witness the exe- cution of six Union soldiers for the crime of stealing from their comrades in bondage, a proceeding which received the sanction of the Confederate and United States authorities. On Sherman's appearance within the borders of Georgia, the prisoners were removed to Millin, where they were retained a short time, and then taken back to Andersonville, where, two weeks later, the stockade was broken by heavy rains, and the captives were sent to Savannah. Four weeks later they were remanded for the third time to Andersonville. In November, Mr. Miller was sent again to Savannah to be paroled, and while waiting suffered all the miseries of cold, nakedness, disease and exposure, froze his feet badly, and lay on the ground in the bitter atmosphere without covering. When he was sent to the parole camp at Annapolis, Md., he was in so exhausted a condition that he was carried from the steamer on a stretcher. He re- covered somewhat, and received a furlough of 60 days. When the time expired he joined the Union forces once more, returning just in time for the final assault on Petersburg. His discharge papers bear date June 17, 1865.
In the fall of 1868 Mr. Miller came to Michigan and entered a homestead claim of 80 acres of valu- able land, on which he is now resident. He is a member of the G. A. R. The Miller household in- cludes two children : Mary E., born Sept. 16, 1862 ; and Julia, July 30, 1880.
orest W. Aldrieh, wagon-maker, Millbrook village, was born in the township of Mill- brook, Aug. 28, 1860. His father's family were the first white settlers in the township, removing there in 1859 and settling on sec. 14. His mother, Sarah J. (Decker) Aldrich, is still living, and is a sister of l'eter, James and John Decker. (See sketches). Leonard Aldrich, her first husband, and father of Mr. Aldrich of this sketch, died, and Mrs. Aldrich was married to J. S. Denney, brother of W. F. Denney, who died leaving seven children. She was married a third time, to Hazen Aldrich, brother of her first husband, and lives on
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sec. 1. F. W. Aldrich was the oldest of three chil- dren, and was the first white child born in the town- ship, receiving his name, Forest, from the forest in whose depths his conscious existence commenced. He obtained such education as the facilities of that period afforded, attending school as opportunity served, until the age of 17 years. In 1877 his parents removed to Montcalm County, where he was employed two years in a shingle mill ; he afterward returned to Millbrook, where he has since been en- gaged in the manufacture of wagons, and manages a repair shop. He is independent in politics.
B enjamin F. Woolworth, Morley, harness- maker, was born in St. Joseph Co., Mich., Aug. 29, 1846. He is a son of Benjamin and Sarah Woolworth, the latter born in Pennsylvania, the former in New York. Mr. Woolworth was apprenticed in 1869, to learn the trade which he is now pursuing. His engage- ment lasted three years, and he entered the employ of the L. S. & M. S. R. R. Co., and there continued eight years.
In 1879, with a capital of $90, he established his present business at Morley, and now owns a fine stock of goods peculiar to his line of trade, and is free from debt. In politics Mr. Woolworth is a Re- publican. He was married at Elkhart, Ind., about 1873, to Lizzie Ross, whose parents were of Swiss nativity. Charles H. and Frederick B. are the names of their children.
li Hathaway was born in Lewis Co., N. Y., July 25, 1820; he is a son of Henry and Lucy (Seavill) Hathaway, natives of New York : they settled in Kalamazoo, Mich., in 1842, the father died in Allegan Co., Mich., and the mother came to Mecosta County, where she died in 1880.
Although his advantages for an early education were limited, Mr. Hathaway managed by his own ef- forts to obtain sufficient learning to enable him to teach school, which he did several terms. He has
followed farming principally through life. He was married in Allegan Co., Mich., in 1850, to Sarepta, daughter of Silas and Polly Nicholas; she was born in Berrien Co., Mich., in October, 1828. They have had the following children: Mary, wife of Timothy laughy; Lina, wife of William King; Henry; Ed- ward E .; Lucy; and Matilda, deceased.
Mr. Hathaway is an uncompromising Republican and prohibitionist. He has held nearly all the town- ship offices; was Justice of the Peace several years. Ile is a member of the M. E. Church. He came to Mecosta County in 1869, settling in Big Rapids, and now owns a farm of 60 acres, in Green Tp.
tephen R. Crandell, Assistant Postmaster at Big Rapids, was born in West Stock- bridge, Mass., Jan. 30, 1836. He is a son of Stephen W. and Harriet (Frisbee) Crande!I. His mother died when he was a few weeks old, and soon afterward his father removed to Columbia Co., N. Y., where he was placed in charge of Mrs. Starks, of Whiting's Pond. He remained with her until he was three years old, when his father was again married, and he was taken to Hud- son, where the family resided.
He received a good common and select school education, and at 18 secured a position on the West- ern railroad, where he remained 14 years, acting in the capacity of foreman of section corps. He was next employed as engineer on a "stationary," where he operated one year.
In 1866 he bought 50 acres of land in Tioga Co., N. Y., near Owego, which property he held two years. Disposing of his interests at the North, he bought land in Virginia, and entered the employ of the Point Lookout & Washington R. R. Co., and became Superintendent of road construction in Maryland, where he operated about 18 months. He next en- gaged with the Fredericksburg & Gordonsville R. R. Co, to construct five miles of track; but the projectors failed, involving Mr. Crandell in a loss of $8,000.
This disaster compelled him to begin his career anew, and he went to Washington, where he entered into the service of contractors, and was employed one year on the public works. lle then returned to
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New York and engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1879, when he came to Big Rapids and accepted his present position under his brother, C. W. Crandell. (See sketch.) He is a member of the Order of Masonry, and was elected Treasurer of the City of Big Rapids, April 2, 1883.
Mr. Crandell was married in November, 1857, in Canaan, N. Y., to Mary A. Anderson, a native of the Empire State. The wife died, leaving one daughter, Harriet, wife of George Michaels, residing near Owego, N. Y. He was married a second time in Cheshire, Mass., Dec. 25, 1860, to Ella Jenkins, a native of Berkshire Co., Mass. Four sons have been born of this marriage : E. Burdette, Stowel A., Fred- die W. and Ellis M.
infield S. Tucker, merchant, Stanwood, was born in Southfield, Oakland Co., Mich., Nov. 18, 1852. His parents were Ransom D., and Maria (Dexter) Tucker, the former a native of Vermont, and of English descent ; the latter a native of Massachusetts, and also of English ancestry. His father died in Oakland County, in February, 1877 ; his mother was killed by the cars, Sept. 28, 1883. Winfield S. was the eldest of two children, and was reared on his father's farm.
His chances for an early education were limited, yet by his own studious efforts he obtained a suffi- cient education to fit him for almost any commercial position in life. He worked on the farm during the summer season, to earn means to enable him to at- tend school during the winter.
When 18 years old he learned the art of telegraphy, and first operated at Milford, Oakland Co. He fol- lowed this occupation eight years, four of which were on the F. & P. M. railroad. He came to Mecosta County in 1877, entering into the mercantile business at Stanwood, which enterprise he still follows.
He was elected Supervisor of Mecosta Tp., in 1876, which position he still holds and fills accept- ably. He was appointed Postmaster in 1877, and is the present incumbent ; is also a Notary Public.
He was married in this county, July 18, 1874, to Mary, daughter of William T. and Sarah A. (Davis) Russell, who was born in Rock Co., Wis. Her
father was a native of Pennsylvania, and her mother of New York ; both were of German descent. They emigrated to Mecosta County in 1868, where they still reside.
Mr. and Mrs. Tucker have had three children : Anna L., born Aug. 10, 1882; two died in infancy. Mr. Tucker began his business career without any means, but by industry and frugality has acquired considerable property, and bids fair to become one of Mecosta County's most useful citizens.
illiam W. Smith, farmer, sec. 8, Fork Tp., was born in Lenawee Co., Mich., Dec. 18, 1838. His father, Freeman H. R= Smith, was born Nov. 6, 1812, in Pennsyl- vania, and came to Michigan in 1834, where he was a farmer, until his death, Oct. 12, 1864. His mother, a member of a well known Vermont family named Terrill, was born in the Green Moun- tain State, Nov. 14, 1811, and died Nov. 22, 1860.
Mr. Smith received a common-school education, and was an assistant on his father's farm until his marriage with Phebe Sanford, which occurred Oct. 14, 1860. Mrs. Smith was born in New York, and died in Michigan, June 6, 1864. Their first child, Augusta A., died in infancy. A second daughter, Cora E., is now Mrs. B. F. Laraway.
Mr. Smith was a second time married April 20, 1867, to Frances Amelia, daughter of Everett W. and Mary Jane (Sweezy) Horton, who was born in Orange Co., N. Y., Aug. 16, 1839. Her father was born in Wallkill, same county, Dec. 28, 1816, and her mother was born July 24, 1819, in New Jersey. They came to Michigan and located in Woodstock, Lenawee Co., in 1848, and are now residing there. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have two children, Mary Annora and William Evert.
Mr. Smith was a farmer in Lenawce County until the spring of 1878, when he removed to the county of Mecosta, and located 80 acres of land under the homestead act, in the township of Fork, where he has with vigor and success prosecuted the work of clearing and placing his farm in a condition suitable for the best type of farming. It was heavily tim- bered, and the manual labor necessarily severe ; but the reward is in proportion to the effort, the farm ranking now among the best in the township. It has
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an unusually good spring, which by means of a "hydraulic " sends living water to the house. There are other springs on the farm where required. The first place of shelter erected on the land was a tent, where he and his wife lived several weeks, until he made a clearing and built a log house, in which he still resides.
Politically, Mr. Smith is a Republican. He is one of the most prominent citizens of the township, and has held all the local offices of any importance.
dwin H. Kenriek, druggist, Millbrook vil- lage, is a lineal descendant of Philip Hen-
C ry, who was born in the city of London, in 1631, and educated at Westminster, and was one of the 2,000 clergymen who left the Church of England in 1662 in consequence of the pass- ing of the "act of uniformity."
Our present subject has in his possession the en- tire chain of genealogy extending back through more than 250 years, but was himself born in Allegany Co., N. Y., Aug. 25, 1845, and is a twin brother of Edward A. Kenrick, of Hillsdale Co., Mich. He is of English descent in the paternal line, his father, Edward Kenrick, being a native of Worcestershire, England, where he was born Feb. 10, 1801. His mother, whose maiden name was Sarah Wilcox, was of Rhode Island stock, but born at White Creek, Washington Co., N. Y., April 28, 1811, and was at the time of her marriage with Edward Kenrick the widow of Abraham Kalder. After their marriage the parents settled in Allegany Co., N. Y., and in 1855 came to Hillsdale Co., Mich., where they are yet living.
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