USA > Michigan > Mecosta County > Portrait and biographical album, Mecosta county, Mich., containing portraits and biographical sketches > Part 53
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arwin B. Kelley, employe in the steam saw-mill of John E. Reiter, at Sylvester, Hinton Tp., was born in Ionia, Feb. 15, 1859. He is a son of Travis and Amanda (Banks) Kelley, natives respectively of New York and Ohio, who came to Michigan, settling first in Hinton Tp., where the father was employed in the steam saw-mill at Sylvester. In the spring of 1881 they went to Isabella County, now their place of residence.
At the age of 18, Mr. Kelley bought half the mill interest of Joseph Misho, and in December, 1881, he sold out to John E. Reiter. He went South in the summer of 1882 and was, there employed a short time in a mill, but returned and entered the employ of Mr. Reiter.
Mr. Kelley was married at Big Rapids, Sept. 17, 1878, to Amelia, daughter of James N. and Cath- erine (Flanagan) Decker, and they have three chil- dren : Mabel, born Aug. 13, 1879; Ida, born June 27, 1881, and an infant, born Sept. 8, 1883. Mr. Kelley acts politically with the Republican party.
ames W. Fuller, builder, residing at Big Rapids, was born in Somerset T'p., Hills- dale Co., Mich., Oct 7, 1844. He is the son of Lewis and Chloe (Lee) Fuller, who moved from Monroe Co., N. Y., about 1835, 10 Michigan and settled in Hillsdale County. In 1854 they went to Hudson, Lenawee Co., and occu- pied a farm they owned there several years, after which they returned to Somerset, where they now re- side. The father is 86 years of age, and the mother is 79 years old this current year (1883).
While living with his parents in Hudson, Mr. Ful- ler fixed upon his calling in life, and at 16 years of age came to Cortland, Kent Co., and worked with his brother Lewis about two years, going next to Chicago and soon after to the Pacific slope, where he passed four years in San Francisco and at other points. In 1871 he returned East and entered at once upon his business as contractor and builder. Among the buildings constructed under his management are the hardware store of S. S. Wilcox, the First-Ward school- house and a number of private residences. He em- ploys a force of 10 assistants. In 1880 he built a planing mill on the east side of the river, near the mill of Hayes & Falardo, which he managed with success nearly three years. He owns a residence and lot on Michigan avenue, and a lot with dwelling one block south; also two dwellings in the Fifth Ward. In 1876 he was elected City Treasurer and held the post one year; in the spring of 1881 he was elected Alderman and officiated two years.
Mr. Fuller was married at Big Rapids Aug. 26, 1874, to Ellen, daughter of Clark Ransom, born in Ransomville, Niagara Co., N. Y. Her parents were early settlers of that place, which received its name from her family. One child, Linnie, born to Mr. and Mrs. Fuller, is deceased.
ndrew Breakey, farrner on sec. 11. Hinton Tp., was born at Rochester, N. Y., Nov. 23, 1844. His parents, Andrew and Catharine (Crass) Breakey, were natives respectively of Ireland and Canada, and removed to New York prior to their marriage, which took place in that city. Three years after, Andrew Breakey, Sr., re- moved with his family to the city of Rochester, N. Y., where he was employed by the contractors of the Erie Canal as a stone mason. He had been employed in his native country in peddling dry goods and linens, and early in his life was a companion of A. T. Stewart. Himself and wife died at Rochester.
Until he was 10 years of age, the subject of this sketch attended the public schools of Rochester. He began to prepare for the business of boat-calker and was so employed three years. The work was so severe and the manager so exacting that the proprie- tor himself remarked that "that fellow would not
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stay a week;" but he persisted, and managed to accomplish his business to the entire satisfaction of the parties interested. In 1861 he went to Canada on a visit, but concluded to remain there, and was in the employ of his brother-in-law for nearly four years. He visited the city of New York and his old home at Rochester, and in the summer of 1866 came to Me- costa, Mich., and bought 40 acres of unimproved land in Hirton Tp., where he built a log house and began his career as a pioneer. Later on he added 40 acres to his original purchase and now owns a fine farm of 80 acres, with 50 acres under first- class improvements. He also owns 40 acres in Mill- brook Tp.
Mr. Breakey has been Constable of Hinton Tp. for nine years, School Inspector two years, Highway Commissioner two years, Town Treasurer two years, and in the spring of 1880 was elected Justice of the Peace, and Supervisor in the spring of 1883, of which positions he is the present incumbent. He has been School Director six years, and is identified with the issues and interests of the Democratic party; him- self and wife were formerly communicants of the English Church.
Mr. Breakey was married in Canada, July 19, 1864, to Matilda, fourth daughter of James N. and Catherine (Flannagan) Decker. The father was a native of the State of New York, the mother of Canada, and are now residents of Hinton Tp. Mr. and Mrs. Breakey have had six children : James G., born Nov. 28, 1867 ; Andrew N., July 15, 1872 ; Ed- ward and Edwin (twins) July 15, 1874; Nellie, Jan. 5, 1880. Ella was born Aug. 9, 1869, and died Oct. II, 1870.
ames McCormick, proprietor of the Sher- man House at Big Rapids, was born in Wyoming Co., N. Y., May 2, 1847. He is a son of John and Catherine (Mercer) McCor- mick. At the age of 21 he came to Michigan and settled at Saginaw, where he found em- ployment in the lumber woods, and afterwards on the river, at rafting. After strenuous labors for a period of six years he commenced to work as a contractor, and cut and put in logs about nine years at Saginaw, going thence to Hartland, Livingston Co., Mich,, where he bought 80 acres of land, which he worked
18 months, and in the spring of 1870 came to Big Rapids, where he took charge of a lumber camp in the woods, for A. J. Bentley, and followed that oc- cupation three years. He went to Evart in 1873 and opened a saloon; four months later he rented the Union House, which he managed six months, return- ing at the end of that time to Big Rapids and fol- lowed lumbering a year, and afterward opened a saloon. In January, 1875, he rented the National Hotel, which he conducted until May, 1881. At that date he purchased a residence and three and one-half lots, of Charlie Lovejoy.
He began the building of his hotel in September, . 1881, and opened it to the traveling public in July, 1882. It is two stories in height, 53 × 96 feet, with accommodations for 70 guests. A bar with the usual accessories is attached to the establishment.
Mr. McCormick was married in Hartland, Livings- ton Co., Mich., Sept. 24, 1866, to Ellen, daughter of Patrick and Mary Kelley, born in Detroit, Mich., Jan 22, 1841. Of this marriage there are three children,-William P., Mary and Elizabeth.
homas Ariss, retired farmer, Remus, was born in Waterloo Co., Ont., Can., July 3, 1833. He is a son of James and Mary (Bacheldor) Ariss, natives of England. Mr. Ariss made his first venture in life as a lumber- man, and spent some years in the woods and in "chopping fallows." He was married Aug. 14, 1854, to Myra Smith, a native of Canada, and they have had nine children, three of whom are living: James was born April 26, 1858; John, April 22, 1860 ; Thomas, April 23, 1862. The mother died, and Mr. Ariss came to Wheatland Tp., in the spring of 1862, and settled on sec. 23, where he bought 160 acres of land and pursued farming.
In 1880 he came to this place and settled, being one of the founders of Remus. He was again mar- ried, March 3, 186-, in Mecosta County, to Cath- erine, daughter of Alexander and Nancy (Campbell) McLeod, who were natives of Scotland. The daughter was born in Russell, Ont., C'an., June 15. 1840. Nine children have been born of this mar- riage, as follows: William F., Aug. 8, 186 -; George, Oct. 19, 186 -; Mary A., April 24, 1869 ; Alvira, July
D. Me Lellan
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17, 1871; Benjamin N., June 25, 1873; William V., May 1, 1875; Emily, Aug 19, 1877; Bruce, March 19, 18So ; Viola, March 4, 1883.
uncan Mclellan, a pioneer resident of Big Rapids, was born in Huntington, Canada, July 15, 1830. He is of Scotch extraction, his father being a native of Paisley, Scotland. Ile is a son of Malcom and Margaret (Currie) Mclellan, and obtained his education in the common schools of his native province. At the age of 13 he began to learn the trade of shoemaker at Huntington, and four years later settled at Grand Rapids, then a small village, where he spent a year. His next remove was to Croton, Newaygo Co., where he worked at his trade four years. In the fall of 1857 he bought 120 acres of pine lands on the Big Muskegon, located about 60 rods from the present site of the village of Paris. Mr. Mclellan moved into the woods to give his personal attention to cut- ting and "putting in " the timber. He lived in a log shanty with " scoops " for its roof and with a punch- eon floor. The timber was cut in the winter and sold, at Muskegon, to John Rudman, a well-known lumberman there, still living. In the spring of 1858 he bought 120 acres of land seven miles north and east of Newaygo, on what is known as Maringo Prairie, and passed the summer in farming. In the winter of 1858-9 he purchased 140 acres of pine land two and a half miles below Big Rapids, and passed the season as he had done the winter previ- ous, in personal supervision of his lumbering inter- ests,-returning to his farm in the spring. His wife was in a decline, and he took her to Chicago for medical treatment, and there spent the summer without any benefit to her, and she died in the fall of 1859. The summer of 1860 he spent on his farm at Maringo Prairie, and in the autumn bought 160 acres of pine land at Byers' Station, built lumber camps and passed the winter of 1860-1 in active business life.
Ilis connection with the history of Big Rapids commences in 1859, when he bought So acres of farm land in the township of Leonard, changed by act of the Legislature in 1865 to Big Rapids. This
property is still in his possession, in addition to a considerable acreage he has since purchased, his homestead now aggregating 320 acres. Mr. McLel- lan went to Muskegon in the spring of 1861 and bought the Forest City Hotel, and continued its man- agement until 1862. The tide of war that over- whelmed the land swept away his individual plans and purposes, as of so many others who realized their privileges under the institutions of the country, and he returned to Big Rapids to enlist in defense of the Union flag. He was enrolled in September, 1862, in Co. I, Sixth Mich. Cav., with Capt. Deane, of Pentwater, going out with his regiment as a sad- dler. He was in active service three years and three months, and in the item of constant, unremitted ser- vice he has an almost unparalleled record. From the date of his enrollment and being mustered into the service of the United States, he personally partic- ipated in every battle in which his regiment was en- gaged. After the virtual collapse of the Rebellion in the spring of 1865, his command was sent to Powder River, Dakota, remaining there until the fall of the same year. He received an honorable discharge at Jackson, Mich., in December, 1865.
In the fall of 1861 Mr. Mclellan purchased two lots in the city of Big Rapids, at that time in a wild state, which he improved and on which he erected the building he now occupies in the year following the purchase. In 1868 he parchased a lot on Mich- igan avenue, which he at once improved, and pro- ceeded to erect a large three-story frame building. It was destroyed by fire a year later, involving a loss of $3,000. In 1868, with E. L. Gray, of Newaygo, as associate, Mr. Mclellan constructed a State road from Big Rapids, southwest nine miles, in the direc- tion of Big Prairie. As a remuneration they received 3,300 acres of swamp lands belonging to the State, a considerable portion of which was well covered with pine. Some hundreds of acres of this are still in Mr. Mclellan's possession. He continued to prose- cute the business of lumberman until 1870, when he bought the tannery property of Robert .A. Moon. which he still owns and operates. The annual prod- uct is shipped chiefly to Boston and amounts in the aggregate to $25,000.
In the same year in which he made his first in- vestment in real estate at Big Rapids, he established a boot and shoe store, which in 1872 he converted
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into a harness shop and still continues its manage- ment.
The gross landed estate of Mr. Mclellan in Me- costa and Osceola Counties is about 1,200 acres, besides 27 lots in the city of Big Rapids. He re- sides in the rooms above his place of business, on South Michigan avenue, opposite the Opera-House block. . He has served two years as a member of the City Council, and he belongs to the A. O. U. W., and also to the Grand Army of the Republic.
Mr. McLellan was married in Grand Rapids, Sept. 25, 1855, to Margaret Lee, born in Massachusetts. Their only child, Mary Ann, died when three months old, and in 1860 the mother passed to the land of silent mystery. Mr. McLellan contracted a second marriage with Adaline, daughter of Abram and Eliza Carr, of Croton, Newaygo Co., in October, 1862. She was born in Vermont in 1834.
The publishers take peculiar satisfaction in pre- senting on another page the portrait of Mr. McLel- lan. He has had a long and successful career in Mecosta County, and his name will ever be associ- ated with the records of the city of Big Rapids. His public and private character will long be revered by this and future generations.
illiam H. Hicks, druggist at Morley, was born July 30, 1849. He is a son of John and Delia A. (Myers) Hicks. His father was a native of England and his mother of Connecticut. At 11 years of age Mr. Hicks went to live with an uncle and accompanied him to Michigan in the fall of 1860, settling in Ionia County. Aug. 4, 1864, he enlisted in the Third Mich. Vol. Inf., and was in the service two years, re- ceiving honorable discharge in Texas. He returned thence to Ionia County and went to school, and was engaged on the farm at the same time. In the fall of 1866 he was employed as clerk in a hardware store in Ionia, and there learned the tinner's trade, following it over three years. He then went to Grand Rapids and not long afterward to Morley, where, about the year 1870, he went into partnership with Nelson Pike. The connection existed about one year, and Mr. Hicks established himself in the hard- ware business at Cadillac, Mich., where he continued
nearly eight years. He sold out and embarked in the drug business. Shortly afterward he came to Morley and commenced a substantial business, tak- ing the lead in the drug trade in that place. His business is in a flourishing state, and he is justly es- teemed an upright and honorable man in his dealings. In politics he is a Republican ; he holds the office of Justice of the Peace, is a member of the School Board, and belongs to the G. A. R. and K. of H.
Mr. Hicks was married in Morley, July 7, 1872, to Hattie M., daughter of Michael and Elizabeth (Forbs) Swanger. Of this marriage three children have been born, as follows: Fred G., July 28, 1873; Percy J., Aug. 30. 1878, and Ivy M., March 12, 1881.
umner Barstow, farmer, real-estate broker and lumber dealer, at Big Rapids, was born in Tioga Co., N. Y., April 24, 1833. He is a son of Charles R. and Charlotte (Coburn)
Barstow. The father was appointed Post- master of Owego in 1849, and Mr. Barstow of this sketch left school and engaged in the office as clerk.
This occupation terminated in 1853, when Mr. Barstow became connected with the N. Y., L. E. & W. railroad, and in a short time rose to the positon of conductor, which situation he retained on several roads successively until June, 1874. His railroad experience was continuous for 21 years, save during the period of his service in the civil war. He en- listed in Owego, N. Y., in April, 1861, as Captain of Co. C, 23d N. Y. Vol. Inf., for a term of two years, and was in action at Antietam, Fredericksburg, and numerous other engagements of greater or less im- portance. He was discharged at Elmira, N. Y., in 1863.
In June, 1874, Mr. Barstow came to Big Rapids, and with his father engaged in lumbering, and the association existed until the death of the latter, Dec. 10, 1880. They purchased pine lands, and placed the lumber on the market. Mr. Barstow owns a a farm containing 365 acres in Norwich, Newaygo Co., and has transferred considerable real estate in the city of Big Rapids. There are in the Third Ward two additions known as "Barstow's, " and a third in the same ward designated "Barstow's Second
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Addition." He is also the proprietor of two stores, and owns six lots with houses. Ile was elected in the spring of 1880 member of the Common Council of the city and resigned after three months.
Mr. Barstow was married in Dansville, Livingston Co., N. Y., Oct. 13, 1857, to Mary F. Dubois, born May 10, 1837. Of their three children, but one, Fred. 1)., is now living ; he is an employe in the U. S. Express office at 82 Broadway, New York, and acts in the capacity of cashier. Edmund P. and Jessie are deceased. The mother died in Alexan- dria, Va., March 5, 1864, and the father was again married in Omaha, Neb., Dec. 20, 1867, to Sarah E. Lewis, born at Cooperstown, N. Y. Of five children three are yet living: Charlotte, eldest daughter, is deceased; Charles L., an infant child who died, Al- Jen and Thomas P. are the names of the children in the order of their birth.
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illiam J. Hyatt, for the last 19 years a prominent citizen of Hinton 'I'p., is the youngest son of Newton and Susannah (nee Cooley) Hyatt, and was born in West Virginia, April 3, 1850. His father was from German ancestry, his mother from Irish, and they had a family of three sons and two daugh- ters. Until nine years of age, Mr. Hyatt, the sub- ject of this notice, was brought up on Little Beaver, in Beaver Co., Pa .; then, in the fall of 1859, he went to Augusta, Carroll Co., Ohio, and when 14 years of age he commenced operation in a portable saw-mill ; in the spring of 1865 he moved with the mill to Me- costa Co., Mich., arriving April 26. This was the first steam mill in the eastern part of the county, Mr. Hyatt being among the first settlers. His prin- cipal occupation to the present time has been steam engineering and milling, and by his reliability in these specialties he has won for himself an enviable repu- tation. He is a gentleman of considerable reading, making an intelligent use of the best works. In 1873 he was Constable in his township.
A few months after he was 17 years of age he was married to Miss Fannie, eldest daughter of Matthias and Magdelana Kassner, and they now have three daughters, namely, Emma Viola, Mary Henrietta and Adella Magdelana.
ames M. Colby, ex-Register of Deeds of Mecosta County, resident in Big Rapids, Tp., was born in Freeman, Cattaraugus Co., N. Y., July 12, 1834, of English ancestry. Ilis parents, James and Abigail M. (Metcalf) Colby, were born in Vermont. The former, a farmer by occupation, died in Wisconsin, where he went in 1843 and resided about 40 years. The lat- ter was born May 30, 1803. She came with her parents to New York in her childhood, going later in life to Wisconsin, and is yet living, at Wesley Station, Kossuth Co., lowa.
Mr. Colby was married in Delafield, Waukesha Co., Wis., to Anna M. (Harris) Jacques, both of English extraction and born in Nova Scotia, emigrat- ing thence in 1844 to Wisconsin. Mrs. Colby was born in Nova Scotia Aug. 12, 1841. Mr. and Mrs. Colby have six promising children, the two eldest of whom were born in Wisconsin, and the other four in Michigan, as follows; Milton J., June 20, 1862; W. T. Sherman, April 5, 1865; Maria A., April 5, 1867 ; Io Vesta, Sept. 17, 1869 ; Alta R., Sept. 8, 1873, and James M., April 13, 1883.
In 1864 Mr. Colby came to Montcalm Co., Mich., and resided at Greenville a year, removing thence to Hinton Tp., Mecosta Co. In 1867 he came to the city of Big Rapids, and in 1878 fixed his permanent residence on sec. 24, of Big Rapids Tp.
Mr. Colby enlisted in the cause of the Union in Delafield, Wis., Aug. 11, 1861, and did valiant ser- vice in his country's defense, until wounded at the battle of Perryville, Oct. 5, 1861.
He is a Republican in politics, and in November, 1866, was the successful candidate on his party ticket for the office of Register of Deeds of Mecosta County, and held the position 16 years. While the incumbent of the post he compiled the set of ab- stracts now in use.
Milton J. Colby, the eldest son, was five years of age when his parents came to Big Rapids. He was a pupil at the schools of the city until he was 17 years old, when he entered the office of his father, Register of Deeds, and served as Deputy during the remainder of the term of office, which expired Jan. 1, 1883. He then re-entered school and was en- gaged in the duties of a student until April 1, fol-
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lowing, when he was employed by Chas. H. Crane, Abstracter, to prepare a sectional index of the lands of Mecosta County. That labor accomplished, he entered the employ of Stephens & Remus, sash, door and blind manufacturers, at the east end of the lower bridge in Big Rapids.
eorge E. Sparks, farmer, sec. 23, Chip- pewa Tp., was born April 25, 1853, and is the son of John W. and Mary E. (Har- ris) Sparks. (See sketch.) His parents were natives of Crawford Co., l'a., and went to Ashtabula Co., Ohio, when the son was but two years of age. When he was 14 years old he ac- companied them to Mecosta County, and until he 23 years of age was the assistant of his father.
Mr. Sparks was married May 7, 1876, to Nettie Buckland. She was born May 16. 1853, in Wyoming Co., N. Y., and the daughter of Timothy W. and Jane (Prey) Buckland. Her parents were natives of Vermont and her mother resides at Hersey, Osceola Co., Mich. Her father was a soldier of the civil war in 1861, and died a prisoner in the hands of the rebels at Salisbury, N. C. No comment is needed upon the manner and means of his death. Salisbury prison pen is the synonym for every species of con- summate atrocity that human ingenuity can devise. Of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Sparks three chil- dren have been born : Edna, Aug. 27, 1879 ; John- nie, born Jan. 13, 1883, and died Feb. 7, 1883, and an infant.
Mr. Sparks is a Republican in his views of National questions. He has held the offices of School Inspector and Justice of the Peace. His farm con- tains 120 acres of land, 40 of which is improved.
dward F. Shankwiler, miller, Big Rapids, was born July 28, 1853, in Seneca Co., N. Y. His father, Dewitt P. Shankwiler, was born in the same county, Nov. 25, 1823, of German lineage. His mother, Mary J. (Thomas) Shankwiler, was a native of the same place, born in 1825.
Mr. Shankwiler was brought up on his father's
farm, receiving a good education and graduated at the University at Rochester, N. Y., in 1872. He came to Michigan in 1877, and, in company with J. P. Burroughs, rented a flouring mill|at Hersey, Os- ceola Co., where they operated a year. Mr. Shank- wiler came to Big Rapids and bought the Mecosta County Flouring Mills, situated on Ryan Creek, one and a half miles southeast of the city, admitting D. L. Garling as a partner. The business has proved a success, its demands requiring three assist- ants. In ,May, 1883, Mr. Shankwiler rented his interest to his partner and turned his attention princi- pally to real estate. He erected and owns a resi- dence on South Ives avenue, is the owner of several city lots, and of 116 acres of land on sec. 24, Big Rapids Tp.
Mr. Shankwiler was married in Seneca Co., N. Y., Feb. 20, 1880, to Annie B., daughter of David and Mary Selmser, born Nov. 9, 1856, at Amsterdam, N. Y. They have two children, both born at Big Rapids; Eleanor May, Jan. 12, 1881, and Donald, Jan. 13, 1883.
aniel Stearns, one of the first settlers in Mecosta County, resident at Big Rapids, was born in Brattleboro, Vt., June 29, 1799. He is a son of Reuben and Annie (Stuart) Stearns. His father was a farmer in Wind- ham Co., Vt., and Mr. Stearns was bred to the same pursuit.
When he reached the age of 21 years he went to Bath, Steuben Co., N. Y., and went to work in a dis- tillery for his brother, remaining one year. He then went to Ellisburg, and, associated with another bro- ther, established the business of cloth-dressing, which existed about five years. He came to Newaygo in 1854, and built the Brooks House, named in honor of its owner, John Brooks, which Mr. Stearns man- aged two years. In 1859 he came to Big Rapids and bought a building on the southwest corner of Michigan avenue and Maple street, which he con- verted into a hotel and ran two years. In 1861, in company with George F. and Daniel E. Stearns, two of his sons, he opened a general store, in which he continued until 1879, when he retired from business. He owns a fine residence and two lots on the corner
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