Portrait and biographical album, Mecosta county, Mich., containing portraits and biographical sketches, Part 57

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 57

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).

He was married at Big Rapids, Dec. 23, 1880, to Ella E., daughter of Newman G. and Jane Capen, a native of Wisconsin. They have one child, New- man G. Mr. Denney is independent in political sentiment and action, and is a member of the Odd Fellows fraternity.

chauncey Warren, farmer, sec. 32, Austin Tp., was born in Erie Co., N. Y., July 21, 1823, and is a son of Joseph and Fanny (Watson) Warren, natives of Vermont. He was occupied on his father's farm until the age of 23, when he went to Ontario, Can., in the fall of 1846, and there engaged in a saw-mill. He

was a resident of Canada 18 years, and was married there Aug. 13, 1849, to Catherine, daughter of Daniel and Susan (Winegarden) Roberts, natives of Pennsylvania, respectively of Welsh and Dutch ex- traction. Mrs. Warren was born Sept. 1, 1827. During his stay in the Dominion, Mr. Warren was chiefly engaged in lumbering. He came to Newaygo County in 1864, and thence to Austin Tp., where he entered a claim of So acres of land, bo of which are well cultivated, with valuable buildings. Here has been the homestead for 21 years, and here the heads of the household expect to pass their sunset days.

The family includes two children : Adelbert }., born Feb. 11, 1859, and Rosetta E., March 11, 1868. Three children are deceased : William II., born Oct. 7, 1850, died April 29, 1851 ; C'hailes, born July 30, 1852, died Feb. 28, 1853; Alvaretta, born Nov. 1. 1854, died June 14, 1882.

avid M. Benjamin, lumberman, resident at Grand Rapids, was born at East Livermore, Me., July 28, 1834. He is a son of David and Catharine C. (Stanwood) Benjamin, and was, until the age of 16, brought up on a farm and attended the common school. He then entered the academy at Farmington, where he studied two terms, going successively to Litchfield and Westbrook, attending the academy in those places the same length of time.

His first business venture was at East Livermore, where he was station agent on the Androscoggin River. After a year there he engaged as a lumber- man on the Penobscot River, and acted in that capacity until he was 28 years old. He came to Muskegon, Mich., in October, 1862, where he had a year before invested in pine lands, and operated in lumber. In the summer of 1864 he erected a large steam saw-mill, fitted with gang-saws and all the most approved appurtenances pertaining to similar establishments. The works were among the most extensive in that city, having a cutting capacity of 2.40,000 feet daily. He conducted his business alone until 1873, when he entered into partnership with O. P. Pillsbury and Daniel W. Bradley. The firm style at present is O. P. Pillsbury & Co., and in- cludes the senior member named, Mr. Benjamin, and

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W'm. H., Edward and James W., sons of D. W. Bradley. The house is operating extensively in lumber traffic, and have offices at Muskegon and Milwaukee. Their timber tracts include 15,000 acres of pine lands in Michigan, 60,000 in Wisconsin and a considerable acreage in Minnesota. Their house and jobbing forces combined number about 200 men. The firm have a large planing-mill at Mil- waukee, with a working capacity of 25,000,000 feet annually. They own about 9,000 acres of pine lands in Mecosta County.

Mr. Benjamin was married in Portsmouth, N. H., June 16, 1869, to Annie Louise, daughter of Andrew J. and Annie Kitts, born in Southampton, N. H., April 16, 1848. They have one son, Fred W., born at Grand Rapids, Jan. 23, 1878. Mr. Benjamin is a Democrat in his political views.

asper E. Bisbee, grocer and druggist, was born in Allegany Co., N. Y., July 29, 1843, a son of Alanson and Mary C. (Bagley) Bisbee, both of whom were natives of Albany Co., N. Y. The father was a farmer and in 1858 located in the town of Campbell, lonia Co., Mich., residing there until his death in 1863. The mother died in 1860.

Mr. Bisbee was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools; he obtained a situation in a store at Saranac, Ionia Co., Mich., and acted as clerk there one year. after which he learned the art of boot and shoe making, which he followed as a vocation some years. Ile went next to Newaygo County. where he worked during one summer, engaging in the fall with another party, and spent the next three years in travel and in giving public entertainments with the troop. On the termination of this business he resumed work at his trade in Newaygo, which he pursued some time He next operated some months as a clerk in a hotel.

Mr. Bisbee was married in 1869, to Sarah E., daughter of Elias and Euphemia (Thompson) Seran- ton. Her parents were natives of Ohio and she was born in that State. In the family are three children : Earl E., Glen W. and Frank 1 ..

Mr. Bisbee located in Paris in 1870, where he pur- sued his trade some years and established a heavy

business for the locality, which he sold out and then devoted his attention one year to farming, after which he returned to Paris and embarked in the enterprise he is now pursuing. In political faith he is a Dem- ocrat, and has held the office of Deputy Sheriff.

ay D. Robinson, wholesale and retail dealer in meats of all varieties at Big Rapids, was born at Romeo, Macomb Co., Mich., July 11, 1850. Ilis father, H. Robinson, was born in Cayuga Co., N. Y., and located in 1833, in Romeo, being the third settler in Macomb County, whither he and his father, Henry Robinson, made their way through the woods with an ox team, cutting the road as they proceeded. Mr. Robinson's father was a giant in statue and strength, standing six feet and three inches in stockings, and the object of great interest because of his power to lift immense weights.

The mother, Nancy Robinson, was born in Penn- sylvania, 12 miles northwest of Pittsburg, and is now living with her son at Big Rapids, aged 59 years.

Mr. Robinson received a common-school educa- tion, and when 14 years old went to Cincinnati and entered the river service. His first employ was as a cabin boy on the " Robert Burns," a passenger steamer. He attained to the post of second clerk, and was absent from his home four years. On re- turning he established himself in mercantile business at Holly, in company with W. A. Taylor. Their op- erations were successful, and they were soon en- abled to add a wholesale department and established warehouses at Saginaw City. They continued to conduct their business with satisfactory results until the general depression of 1876, when the shrinkage of values in all avenues of trade involved them in heavy loss, when they brought their affairs to a ter- mination. He went afterward to Deadwood, Dak .. in company with Eli Hammond, and they trafficked in miners' supplies, horses and merchandise of varied character, operating profitably for two years. Mr. Robinson hecame connected with the notion house of Jacob Brown at Detroit, where he remained two years, going thence to Chicago, where he was en- gaged with Keith Bros., who kept a gentlemen's fur- nishing goods establishment. After two years, in

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1881, he came to Big Rapids, where his family re- sided for a year previous. Ife opened his present business Nov. 3, 1881, and carries a well assorted stock of $5,000 to $6,000 ; the annual business trans- actions amount to about $30,000. Four assistants are employed. He owns eight acres of land on the border of Big Rapids, where he has a stock yard, pasturage, etc.

Mr. Robinson was married Jan. 8, 1874, in Holly, to Ella (., daughter of Solon and Vanda (Bunker) C'ooley, born in Pontiac, Mich., July 22, 1855. Fred- die J., only child, was born in Holly, Sept. 25, 1874. The mother died at Big Rapids March 16, 1883.

rank S. Maxon, farmer, sec. 32, Deerfield Tp., was born Nov. 28, 1850, in Jackson Co., Mich., and is a son of F. D. and 2 Meriba (Dunham) Maxon, both of whom are natives of New York.

Mr. Maxon received a fair education at the common schools of his native county, and a thorough training for his vocation of agriculturist. In 1875 he purchased 40 acres of land in the township of Deerfield and settled thereon, engaging since in farm- ing and putting his place in the best possible con . dition.

Mr. Maxon was united in marriage in the State of Missouri, Feb. 18, 1872, with Lorania, daughter of Eli and Mary (Wray) Maxon, both of whom were natives of Virginia. Mrs. Maxon was born Feb. 12, 1856, in Nodaway Co., Mo., and has become the mother of five children : Charles A., born Dec. 20, 1872; William L. and Wilson R., twins, born June 25, 1876; Lewis E, March 18, 1878; Edgar H., Nov. 1, 1881. In political principle Mr. Maxon is a Republican.

hester W. Comstock, Cashier of the Big Rapids National Bank, was born at Alex- andria, Jefferson Co., N. Y., Oct. 30, 1856. Hle is a son of Daniel F. and Dollie E. Com- stock. In April, 1871, his father removed his family to Big Rapids, remaining until 1874, when another removal was made to Cadillac, Mich., where the senior Comstock established a

banking house, Chester W. officiating as cashier five years. On the return of the family to Big Rapids in 1879, both father and son engaged in the lumber business.

The National Bank of Big Rapids was founded in 1883, and opened June 4 of that year, Mr. Comstock being elected its Cashier. It is a home institution, the stock being chiefly owned in Mecosta County.

homas B. Pitman, farmer, sec. 11, Deerfield Tp., was born in Canada, Sept. 25, 1852. His parents, John and Mary A. (Hewett) Pitman, were natives of Canada, and came to Michigan in 1868, residing at Saginaw two years, and, coming thence to Mecosta County, settled in Deerfield Tp., where they are now living on sec. 11. Mr. Pitman accompanied his parents in their migrations and bought 40 acres of unimproved land adjoining the tract owned and occupied by his father. He built thereon a board house and now has 23 acres of land under cultivation. He was married in the township of Deerfield, Oct. 29, 1874, to Georgiana Van Gordon, a native of the State of New York, where her parents are now living. Mrs. Pitman died July 2, 1879, leaving one child-Harry W .- born Dec. 5, 1875. Mr. Pitman attends the M. E. Church, and is independent in politics.

Ifred S. Mason, postal clerk on the Chicago & West Michigan railroad, resident at Big Rapids (route from Big Rapids and Hol- land), was born in Ellicott Tp., Chautauqua Co., N. Y., Sept. 16, 1828, and is a son of Martin and Polly (Griswold) Mason.

The father of Mr. Mason was a farmer, and he was reared to the age of 16, in the habits and pur- suits common to farmers' sons. The family had re- moved to Jamestown, two miles distant, and at the age named he went to learn the trade of harness- maker, serving an apprenticeship of three years, after which he established himself at Jamestown and continued in business until the outbreak of the Southern Rebellion.

He responded to the first call for troops and en-

Joseph West.

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listed at Jamestown in Co. B. 72d N. Y. Vol. Inf., in the Sickles Brigade. On the organization of the company in April, 1861, Mr. Mason was elected Second Lieutenant, and while on the Potomac, Nov. 5, 1861, was promoted to the rank of First Lieuten- ant. He was discharged at Yorktown, May 20. 1862, for disability. He returned to Jamestown and assisted in raising the 112th Reg. N. Y. Vol. Inf.

He came to Big Rapids in the fall of 1862, mainly to recruit his impaired health. He interested him- self in the lumber trade, and was for some years as- sociated with the Green Brothers in buying pine lands and " putting in " logs, transacting a heavy business. In 18- they purchased the property which is now the site of the Fairman and Newton block, on which a hotel was in process of erection. They completed the building and it was named the Mason House. It was one of the first hotels in the county and became prominent from its connection with the history of the progress of Big Rapids.

In the fall of 1874 the same association took a contract to grade 14 miles of the G. R. & I. R. R., four miles south of C'adillac, six miles north from the Manistee River, and four miles from the north branch of the Boardman River in Kalkaska County. This was accomplished in the autumn of 1874 and the following spring. They then contracted to grade and bridge seven miles west of Reed City on the F. & P. M. R. R., which undertaking was finished in the fall of 1876. The force usually employed num- bered about 250 men and the required teams. The Messrs. Green & Mason carried on lumbering winters and building State roads summers, thus operating two years on what is known as the East Tawas & Houghton Lake State road, of which they built 12 miles. This was the last business venture of the company, the partnership relations being brought to a close at the same time with the completion of the job. In January, 1880, through the influence of Jay Hubbell, Mr. Mason was appointed to his present position of Mail Agent.

Ile has been a Republican ever since the organi- zation of the party, and has been quite prominent in the field of politics. He was elected Sheriff of Me- costa County and served two years. He belongs to the Order of Masonry, is Master of Big Rapids Blue Lodge and Paste High Priest of the Royal Arch Chapter of that city. He owns a fine residence and lot on lves avenue.

Mr. Mason was married in Jamestown, N. Y., Feb. 27, 1854. to Amanda A., daughter of W. D. and Hannah (Belden) Green. (See sketch of W. D) Green.) Mrs. Mason was born in Rensselaer C'o .. N. Y., May 13, 1831. Jennie, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs Mason, is the wife of (. W. Cunningham, book-keeper in the Big Rapids National Bank. She was born in Jamestown, N. Y., Jan. 15. 1859. (See sketch of C. W. Cunningham.)

Joseph West, farmer, on ser. 27. Green Tp. was born in Wiltshire. Eng., Nov. 7, 1829. His parents, William and Sarah ( Bimester) West, were English by birth and belonged to the agricultural class in their native country. ITe was the only son, and when two years old his father died. The education of Mr. West is such as is acquired by the majority of men similarly situ- ated in youth. His father and stepfather were men of the class who bear the brunt of the world in their native land,~those on whose efforts and needs the so-called upper classes thrive ; and his labors were necessary for the family support. Thomas Beasent was a widower with children when he became the husband of Mrs. West. In 1853 Mr. Beasent came to the United States and settled in Mecosta County. the children on both sides accompanying him. Mr. West married Mary Ann Beasent, Oct. 23, 1851 ; she was a daughter of Thomas and Mary (Gay) Beasent, and born Oct. 27, 1836. Mr. Beasent died in Mecosta County.

Mr. West obtained employment as a lumberman . few months after coming to America, and in the spring of 1854 came to Big Rapids and soon after located on sec. 33, in Green Tp., where he bought So acres of land ander the Gradation Act, paying 75 cents per acre. There he labored and resided until 1867, when he purchased the farm where he now re- sides, containing 160 acres of land. Mr. West is Republican and an honored citizen of Green Tp. His thrift and persevering industry have met with the reward of well directed effort, and he is in the possession of substantial evidence of the wisdom of his purposes in life. The land-holder is a sovereign by primal kinship to the first man, endowed divineh with all the lands of the earth.

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William L., eldest son of Mr. West, was born in 1852, in England; married Clara Hovey, of Green Tp., and lives in Dakota. The remainder of Mr. West's children were born in Michigan. Eliza M. married William Dalziel. The others are: Charles E., Anna J., George W. and Eddie. Chester E. and Louisa are deceased.

We give a portrait of Mr. West in this volume as one of the pioneers of Mecosta County.

cyrus F. Richardson, farmer, sec. 8, Big Rapids, was born in Ohio, April 11, 1838. His father, Luther Richardson. was born in Maine ; his mother, Rachel Richardson, was a native of Ohio. His parents came to the State of Michigan in 1843, and he was reared to manhood at Grand Rapids.

At the age of 22 years Mr. Richardson came to Mecosta County and worked at lumbering one sea- son. In the spring of 1861 he bought So acres of land, where he established his home and has since pursued his calling of agriculturist. He has placed 60 acres of his farm under good cultivation, has a handsome residence and good farm buildings. He enlisted in the Union service Aug. 15, 1864, in Co. L, First Mich. Reg. Engineers and_Mechanics, and was discharged June 6, 1865. He is a member of the M. E. Church, has held the office of Township Treasurer four successive years, and is at present Justice of the Peace.

He was married Nov. 9, 1860, to Maria Youard, of Grand Rapids. She was born in Ontario, Can., July 21, 1840. Her father was drowned when she was four years old ; her mother is still living. Children : Mary J., born Nov. 17, 1861; died Nov. 30, 1882 ; Luther J. C., Oct. 2, 1863; William T. S., May 17, 1866; Minnie L., Oct. 27, 1868; Rachel M., Jan. 3, 1873; Kittie, Sept. 16, 1876, died May 31, 1879.

B enj. J. Shourds, farmer, sec. 1, Wheatland Tp., is a son of Jonathan and Sophronia (Jones) Shourds, who were natives of New York, and descended from French and English ancestors. Mr. Shourds was born in Wayne Co., N. Y., March 6, 1838, and was reared at home to the age of 21 years. He obtained

his education at the academy at Macedon Center, in his native county, and on attaining his majority be- gan to work the homestead farm with his brother. He was married in Wayne County April 12, 1866, to Sarah 1)., daughter of Orrin and Betsey (Reed) Lapham, natives of the Empire State, who was born at Macedon Center, Wayne Co., N. Y., April 12, 1836, and was chiefly there educated, finishing her course of study at the Union College at Buffalo, N. Y. After marriage Mr. Shourds was engaged in farming in Wayne County until 1868, when he re- moved to Lenawee Co., Mich., locating in Palmyra, where he engaged in running a lath and planing mill. In the fall of 1869 he went to Allegan Co .. Mich., and embarked in the mercantile business. In the fall of 1879 he returned to his native State and managed the farm of his father-in-law until the death of the latter, when Mr. Shourds came back to Michigan. He located on a farm of 120 acres in Wheatland Tp., which had been partly improved. where he has since been actively engaged in farm- ing. He is a Republican in politics, and is a mem- ber of the Order of Masonry. Mr. Shourds belongs to the Baptist Church.

giram R. Reynolds, farmer on sec. 20, Me- costa Tp., was born in Williams Co., Ohio, ent Nov. 2, 1851. He is a son of Reuben and Delilah (Osmun) Reynolds, natives of Vermont and New York respectively. Mr. Reynolds re- mained with his parents until he reached man's estate, and for several years after attaining the age of 21 years worked as a farm laborer. In 1874 he pur- chased a farm in Fulton Co., Ohio, where he op- erated seven years, and in the spring of 1882 bought a farm of 102 acres in Mecosta Tp. on the Big Muskegon River.

He was married Dec. 11, 1874, in Fulton Cc., Ohio, to Ida M., daughter of Stephen and Sophia (Henderson) Green. Her parents were of English descent, and she was born in Paulding Co., Ohio, Dec. 22, 1854. She was adopted at the age of three years by Mr. Chancy Lane, of Fulton County, who cared for her until her marriage and has made her the legal heir of his estate. The five children of Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds were born as follows: Lula 1 .. , Nov. 20, 1875; Medora A., Oct. 31, 1877 ; Bazil

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B, April 8, 1879; Geo. A, Sept. 16, 1880, and Goldie, May 5, 1873. Mr. Reynolds is a Republi- can.

oseph Gaunt, farmer, sec. 26, Deerfield Tp., was born in Monroe Co., Mich., Sept. 3. 1834, and is the son of Harrison and Mary A. (Rushworthy) Gaunt, who were na- tives of England.

Mr. Gaunt has been a farmer all his life, ex- cept four years, when he was employed as a black- smith. He was married in St. Joseph Co., Mich., Feb. 20, 1862, to Mary E., daughter of Nelson and Jane (Austin) Wells, natives of New York Mrs. Gaunt was born in Michigan, Sept. 11, 1839. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Gaunt: Minnie J .. Dec. 13, 1862; Ida M., Jan. 16, 1866; John W., July 23, 1869. Mrs. Gaunt had one child by a former marriage, Edward, born Aug. 3, 1859.

assel Bowen Hughes, resident at Big Rapids, was born at Camillus, Onondaga Co., N. Y' , Oct. 4, 1828. When he was 12 years of age his father moved to Bellevue, Mich. He married Addale D. Holden, of that place, Feb. 13, 1848.

In 1850, in company with James Holden, David Thomas and J. J. Cook, he started for California, influenced by the gold-mining excitement which was then at its height. They drove their teams to La Salle, Ill., and then took a steamer to St. Louis, Mo., and from there to St. Joseph, where they arrived about the ist of May, and made arrangements with other parties to travel together for protection and assistance. May to they started with a train of 10 or 12 wagons, 40 men and about 50 horses. They reached Salt Lake City about the 25th of June, hav- ing made 1,200 miles in about 45 days. July 6, they left their camp at Salt Lake and continued their march, reaching the Sacramento River on the 104th day from the Missouri River. They put their spare horses on a ranch, and started for the mines. They made their first camp at " Rough and Ready," a min- ing town in Nevada County, where they worked in

the mines until the rainy season, when they sold their horses and joined a company that had discover- ed a quartz vein at Brown's Valley, on the Lower, Yuba River. They expended considerable money, dug a large amount of rock that turned out well, and built a mill which, when nearly completed was car- ried away by a flood. They abandoned the claim. Mr. Hughes then engaged in operating some mines and a mining store, which was quite successful for a few months, until the mines failed. In the spring of 1852 he went to work by the day for a mining con.pany at Park's Bar, Yuba River. He received $5 a day, and worked about three months. About Sept. 1, he took the steamer " General Scott " at San Francisco for Panama; arriving, he crossed the isth- mus to Aspinwall and took the steamer " Ohio " for New York. When off Cape Hatteras a gale drove the steamer into Charleston, S. C. Many passengers left, but he remained. He arrived home about Oct. 1, 1852.

llere he engaged in mercantile business until the breaking out of the rebellion in 1861, when he, on the first day of November of that year, entered the service as Second Lieutenant of Merrill's Horse, and passed the following winter in tents, in Northwestern Missouri, where the regiment was engaged in keeping down the rebels. In the summer of 1862 he was promoted First Lieutenant, but still remained on the regimental staff, where he had been assigned to duty in the beginning. He was regimental Treasurer and Ordnance officer during his entire term of service. During the summer of 1862 the regiment was actively engaged against the guerrillas. The winter of 1862-3 was passed at Warrenton, about 160 miles from St. Louis, and the next summer in fighting the guerrillas, with an occasional battle with more regular forces.

June 1, 1863, he was promoted Captain, and the same month marched to Iron Mountain, under com- mand of Gen. Steele; they marched against and cap- tured Little Rock, Ark., and engaged in several severe battles and skirmishes. Passed the winter in camp at Brownsville.

In the spring of 1864 he marched with his division from Little Rock, for the purpose of forming a june- tion with Gen. Banks near Shreveport, La., which was not accomplished, on account of the inability of the latter to reach that point. The expedition returned to Little Rock after an absence of o days, which had been almost a continuous battle. He

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then with his regiment joined the division of Gen. Thomas at Chattanooga, where he served until the end of the war. It is a notable fact that during all his service he rode the same white horse, and although engaged in many conflicts neither himself nor horse, which he still owns, received any serious injury. Col. Merrill, the commander of the regiment, also used the same horse from the beginning to the end of the war.

On returning home at the close of the contest he again engaged in mercantile business at Bellevue, Mich., until 1876, when he went into the employ of the Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad Company, at Big Rapids, Mich.

Mr. and Mrs. Hughes have no children. He rep- resented Eaton County in the Legislature of Michigan in 1871.

Mr alter McFarlan, farmer, sec. 19, Grant Tp., was born March 14, 1814, in Arcadia, Wayne Co., N. Y. His father, Walter McFarlan, was born in Glasgow, Scotland, May 1, 1774, and remained in his native country until he was 19 years old, coming to the United States in 1793. He followed the profession of a calico printer in Scotland, and when he settled in New York he became a farmer. He adopted the new country with all his might, became a "minute man " of 1812, was keenly alive to the issues that arose day by day brought forward for popular consid- eration, and exerted all his energies to aid the op- pressed and relieve suffering of whatever type. When the British invaded the county of which he was a citizen, he held himself in readiness to answer her cry of distress, and was on duty when the in- vaders burned the village of Sodus, in Wayne County. He was an early adherent to the anti- slavery cause in New York, and on coming to Wayne County, Mich., became an essential factor in the operations of the Underground Railroad, of which he was known to be a "conductor," and without question aided as much as any other one man in securing safety and ultimate freedom for the slaves of the South who sought escape from bondage, and placed themselves under his guidance and protection. Ile was a zealous worker for temperance, and was a

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Portrait and biographical album, Mecosta county, Mich., containing portraits and biographical sketches, Part 57

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