USA > Michigan > Mecosta County > Portrait and biographical album, Mecosta county, Mich., containing portraits and biographical sketches > Part 63
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Charles M. Darrah 936
William E. Hill.
95
ELECTION OF NOVEMBER 5, 1878.
Governor.
Charles M. Croswell 192
Henry S. Smith 729
O. M. Barnes.
311
Representative in Congress.
Jay A. Hubbell 1179
George Parmelee. 744
John Power
306
Register of Deeds.
James M. Colby .
1058
22.4
Simon G. Webster. . . 834
Benjamin Chamberlain 503 County Treasurer.
W. Irving Latimer
1369
446
Richard D. Ladner 923
John Wiseman
63
Prosecuting Attorney.
-
Benjamin F. Graves.
1318
336
Durelle F. Glidden 972
John S. Evans.
55
322
400
30
469
39
463
435
478
390
495
463
458
588
MECOSTA COUNTY.
Governor.
David H. Jerome
1518
539
Frederick M. Holloway . 979
David Woodman. .
248
Representative in Congress.
Jay A. Hubbell
.1592
Edwin S. Pratt.
1020
George Parmelee
91
Senator.
R. Ambler
1735
D. Rutherford
530
G. Fowler.
408
Representative in Legislature.
Martin P. Gale.
1756
John V. Armstrong.
936
Sheriff.
John Shaw
1560
403
Judge of Probate.
William Ladner.
.1632
524
County Clerk.
Lewis Toan .
1849
George B. Dougall .
861
Register of Deeds.
James M. Colby
1486
Homer A. Morey
1 240
County Treasurer.
Edgar Peirce.
1726
Roscoe G. Wakefield .
998
Proscouting Attorney.
Lewis G. Palmer.
1584
Wallace W. Carpenter .
1100
Circuit Court Commissioner.
Churchill H. Thrall.
1846
Wallace W. Carpenter.
181
County Surveyor.
William Jacques.
1620
498
Coroners.
William T. Bliss.
1 624
Gardner F. Cutler
1632
Rufus Kent. .
866
Colonel Ethan Aller
869
Willard S. Whitney
252
Sidney L. Rood.
251
458
763
ELECTION OF APRIL 3, 1882. Circuit Judge.
Ceylon C. Fuller
1 324
353
George Luton
97 1
ELECTION OF NOVEMBER, 1882. Governor.
David H. Jerome.
367
139
Josiah W. Begole.
1228
Daniel P'. Sagendorph.
44
Charles C. Foote.
7
Representative in Congress.
Byron M. Cutcheon
1572
542
Stephen Bronson
1030
State Senator.
Fitch Phelps.
1502
358
Smith Fowler.
. 1 1 44
Representative in Legislature.
Edgar Peirce
1556
Robert Robbins.
1095
Sheriff.
Eli Frederick.
. 1545
Arnold Ely.
.1122
County Clerk.
Lewis Toan. .
1481
597
Richard D. Ladner
884
Charles A. Munn.
295
Register of Deeds.
Daniel W. Stewart.
1527
419
Joseph II. Kilbourne
1108
County Treasurer.
Simon G. Webster.
1705
755
Chauncey B. Hannum
950
Prosecuting Attorney.
Frank Dumon
1473
Lewis G. Palmer.
167
Circuit Court Commissioner.
Churchill H. Thrall.
1575
Oscar E. Mann.
1134
County Surveyor.
Harry I. Orwig.
1622
Samuel S. Mitchell.
1033
Coroners.
Thomas Shaw.
. 1511
363
David C. Fuller.
· 150.4
353
Willard S. Whitney .
.1151
John V. Armstrong.
. 1148
306
44 1
589
Samuel S. Mitchell.
1122
728
484
1665
461
423
988
246
William Warren
1108
818
Stephen W. Foster
1157
572
1205
589
MECOSTA COUNTY.
UST as President Lincoln en- tered upon his first term of office, the attack on and the fall of Fort Sumter was the signal for the loyal people throughout the North to rouse themselves and rush to arms in defense of the flag. Even in Mecosta County, then thinly populated, and on the remote borders of civilization, the feel- ing of enthusiasm was intense. Recruits promptly stepped forth to swell the army of the Union, and departed for the front amidst the prayers of families, friends and fellow-citizens. With cheerful alac- rity the people responded to the successive calls of the President for troops throughout the war. There is something grand in the patriotism animating that people which, after straining its resources for months to meet one call, and hearing the news that 500,000 more are wanted, goes uncomplainingly, eagerly, into the work of raising its quota once more.
What terrible ordeals those troops passed through
during their long and eventful military career, and what magnificent results crowned their service! Vic- tims of swamp and typhus fevers; baffled time and again by the flood ; battling at every disadvantage with the flower of the enemy, on a strange soil, with a hostile population; long denied a victory ; matured plans jeopardized ; fighting all day, marching all night ; advancing until they saw the spires of Rich- mond, then back again within sight of the white dome of Washington; never elated with success. never depressed with defeat ; disaster following dis- aster,-they were buoyant to the close. Smiling through tears they parted with their beloved chief; one brave commander gave place to another, yet gaily they transferred their fealty. Marching to cer- tain death up Mary's Heights on those awful days at Fredericksburg: falling by thousands at Chancel- lorsville; the waves of war sweeping toward their homes, spreading devastation worse than the track of the tornado, they again gave battle to that exultant invader at Gettysburg, and on that renowned and thrice sacred field for three long days they fought and won the victory that turned the tide of war and saved the North from desolation. Back again they follow the unyielding foc, drenching the wilderness with gore; for still another year they bleed, until Richmond falls; the army of Northern Virginia, overwhelmed with numbers, and supplies exhausted,
ـر.
MECOSTA FOR THE Union.
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MECOSTA COUNTY.
590
capitulated, the Confederacy was crushed and the Union preserved! In a few months all that were left of mighty opposing forces, -- victor and vanquished, officers and privates,-returned to their homes, doffed their uniforms, furled their battle-flags, and their deeds passed from the present to the realms of his- tory.
FIRST ENLISTMENTS.
HEN the loyal people of the North were called upon to rally around the stars and stripes, Mecosta County responded with a will. The patriotism of the early settlers of this county was equal to that of any people in the State. May 13, 1861, George French went to Grand Rapids and enlisted in Company K, Third Regiment Michigan Infantry, and soon after- wards returned to Big Rapids for more volunteers. John Shaw, Fred L. Barker, Sidney Fox, James Mc- Allister, Alexander French, James Misner, Robert Misner, Elias Snyder, Fred Schriver and - Cole- man enlisted with Mr. French, and constituted the first squad of volunteer soldiers from Mecosta County. They were mustered into the United States service June 10, 1861, and shortly afterward accompanied their command to the front, where they did their full share toward earning for the "Old Third " its bril- liant record as a fighting regiment. Of the original number, Messrs. French, Shaw, Barker, and James and Robert Misner lived to return home. The lives of the others were sacrificed in defense of their country.
7.
COUNTY AID.
-
HE county authorities, as patriotic as those of every other county in loyal Michigan, early adopted measures for assisting the families of those who volunteered for the Un- ion army. At a special meeting held in Aug- ust, 1862, the Board of Supervisors passed a resolution to pay a bounty to volunteers enlisted in the county, of $50, and also to pay the families of the volunteers seven dollars per month for the wife and two dollars for each child under the age of fif-
teen years. This resolution took effect from its pass- age, and did not apply to those who had enlisted previously, except the support of families which applied to all in the county, regardless of the time of enlistment, and was to be paid regularly, whether the family were in a destitute condition or not.
This was a move in the right direction, because it was not right that the family of a volunteer be obliged to consume the last morsel of food, and wear out the last article of clothing, and the wife com- pelled to take in washing, or engage in some other menial employment to support her family, because her rightful protector and supporter was fighting the battles of his country, before receiving from the county the aid so generously and wisely authorized by the State.
Under the encouragement of this step, a number more volunteers came forward within a month.
DRAFT.
In the summer of 1863 an enrollment was made of those in Mecosta County liable to perform military duty, by E. O. Rose, enrolling officer; and it was found that there were 226 of the first class, and 78 of the second class; a total of 304. Those between the ages of twenty and thirty-five who were married and up to forty-five unmarried, constituted the first class; the married men between thirty-five and forty- five, the second class. Of the total number thus en- rolled, thirty-five claimed to be aliens.
Soon afterward came a call by the President for 300,000 more volunteers before January. The quota of Mecosta County under this call was 32 men. Re- cruits came forward slowly for a while, but in Decem- ber a sum was raised by subscription to pay each volunteer an extra bounty of $1oo. 'T'he quota of several townships were about full, and a draft was continually expected in the remaining townships, which however was postponed several times, until in the spring came still another call for 200,000 men. This necessitated a draft from all the townships but Leonard (Big Rapids), which filled its quota under both calls by volunteer enlistments. The draft took place June 13, and 47 were drawn, as follows :
Richmond .- Henry Zeitler, Christian Schaff, John Pepper, Philip Mosser, Murray Cromwell, John Ger- hardt, Theodore Lotte, Isaac Osborn, Neil Mc- Farlan.
Green .- George Shust, Joseph West, Andrew
591
MECOSTA COUNTY. -
Green, Andrew J. Hyatt, John Dalziel, Ariel Aldrich, George W. Green, William Gibson.
Mccosta .- Franklin Smith, Nelson Ganong, Jolm- son E. Burgess, Hiram Hull, John Davis.
Deer field .- Frederick Hunter, William Segar, Henry Mills, John Clink, Lewis Eckhardt, William Callar, Lewis Swartout, Ellis Davis, Samuel Hutchins, Wil- liam il. Bursse, William Mitchell.
Wheatland .- James McCloud, William Scheidel, John W. Gingrich, George Minkel, John Schneider, Michael Dittel, Dorvil H. Whitney, Randall F. Capen.
Hinton .-- John W. Rose, John Van Dewater, Wil- liam J. Allen, John Bower, Asa Brockway, Bentley Davis.
SUPPLEMENTARY DRAFT.
For various reason; the above draft did not sup- ply the requisite number, and a supplementary draft came off July 1. The Pioneer thus humorously al- ludes to it :
. "A kind of supplementary draft came off this week, and the lucky ones are now being notified. This draft is for the purpose of filling the place of those who reported in Canada instead of at Grand Rapids on the last draft, and also those who were exempt. The town of Richmond seems to have been the most fortunate as to skedaddlers, as a new draft of five men was made there ; and we are informed that three of those drafted before are now in Canada, thus leaving those who remain a chance of being drafted to fill their places. Other parts of the county are in a similar situation."
Those drafted this time were :
Richmond .- Louis Reminapp, Conrad Folmer- hauser, Alex. McFarlane, Thomas Sales, Henry Ger- hardt.
Mecosta .- Henry Myres, Edward Davis, Charles Marsh.
Deer field .- George Gilmore, James Buchner, Mar- cellus T. Nethaway.
Hinton .- William Brockway, Daniel Van Antwerp, John Godfroy.
Wheatland. - Eh W. Gingrich, Adam Kunk- elman.
MORE RECRUITS.
This year, 1864, the Government was determined to crush the Rebellion by force of numbers, and call 1
after call for troops brought forth a cheerful response throughout the loyal North. Hardly was this draft over when 500,000 more were asked, and under this call the quota of Mecosta County was as follows : Richmond, 6; Green, 7; Leonard, 8; Mecosta, 5 ; Deerfield, 6; Hinton, 3; Wheatland, 2.
Leonard, Mecosta and Wheatland Townships raised their quota before March 1, 1865, and Rich- mond, Deerfield, Hinton and Green resolved to await the draft. This, however, never came off, as soon after came the fall of the Confederacy, and all enlist- ments stopped.
THE END.
EJOICING at the end of the cruel war was fully as great in Mecosta County as else- where. Upon the reception of the news of the capture of Jefferson Davis, the citizens of Big Rapids turned out and bought all the powder in town, and fired fifty-two guns. This accomplished, they deemed it advisable to exe- cute the " old reprobate;" whereupon, an image of the ex-president, made of straw and old clothes, was speedily put together and suspended by a rope around the neck from a long pole, in which condition it was conducted to a cart, and after being properly put aboard, was conveyed through the principal streets, followed by a long procession carrying bells, horns, circular saws, and everything from which a noise could be made, that could be got hold of. After marching around for about an hour, the crowd came to a halt in front of Hutchinson's store, and hung the effigy. Speeches were then called for, and short addresses were made by several citizens.
The soldiers in due time returned to their homes and resumed their ordinary vocations.
THE SURVIVORS.
HE brave men who survived this struggle have as true sentiments of patriotism with- in their breasts to-day as when they left mother, father, wife and family for the front. wherever they are found, in all questions of National or State import, it springs forth. It is not spasmodic in its action, blazing forth only, as in
592
MECOSTA COUNTY.
a comet's erratic course, in times of public trials or danger, upon great occasions, and upon great incen- "tive; but it is their rule of conduct, - constant, equable, incorruptible and enduring. Wealth cannot bribe it; power cannot reduce it; ambition cannot blind it; friendship cannot swerve it from justice. Fear cannot intimidate it, nor injustice warp it, nor luxury corrupt or enervate it. We speak only, of course, of the men who volunteered from inspirations of patriotism ; and, since their return from the field, by a conscientious deportment, stirred by these true principles of patriotism, they have earned the general respect of the people, and have filled some of the highest offices in the land ; and as patriotism seeks to be effective to the interests of a State, to vindicate its rights, sedress its wrongs, and secure its prosperity, these can never be better left than with those men who braved death for the Union of States, and that the States' rights might not be trampled upon in the mire of secession and rebellion ;
Men who their duties know.
But also know their right -. and. knowing. Dare maintain them.
SOLDIERS' REUNIONS.
VERY successful reunion of soldiers and sailors was held at Big Rapids on Tues- day, Sept. 10, 1878. Although the weather in the morning was threatening, the attend- ance was large enough to fill Armory Hall. N. H. Moody acted as Marshal, assisted by John Shaw and G. W. Crawford. The procession was formed at 11 o'clock in the following order: City Cornet Band ; Light Guards; Old Soldiers, headed by men who had been commissioned officers-the whole forming a long column. The line of march was northward to Pine street, eastward to Warren avenue, southward to Oak street, westward to State street, northward to Linden street, eastward to Mich- igan avenue, and northward to the Armory.
Three tables, extending the whole length of Arm- ory Hall, with seats for 240 people, were loaded down with edibles of every description. The tables were tastefully ornamented with flowers and miniature
flags, and presented an appearance that did credit to the ladies having the picnic in charge. Dinner was announced at half-past twelve, and after all the seats were filled, a blessing was invoked by Rev. C. A. Munn, formerly Chaplain of the Tooth Regiment Indiana Volunteers. £ As there were nearly a hun- dred people unable to obtain seats at the first table, a second one was prepared after the first had been cleared off.
After dinner came the speaking. The meeting was presided over by E. O. Rose. A brief but elo- quent address by L. G. Palmer, of Morley, then fol- lowed, after which these toasts were offered and responded to :
1. Our Country : One and fueparable. Response by Serg't. Edgar Pierce.
2. The President of the I'nited States. Response by Gen. Bronson.
3. The Army and the Navy. Response by Dougla- Roben.
4. The Stars and Stripes, Response by Col. J. (. ludnut.
5. Michigan in War. Response by J. H. Palmer.
6. Michigan in Peace. Respon-e by Capt. B. F. Grave -.
7. Gen. Grant and hi- Lieutenant -. Response by 1. Il. Palmer.
S. The Rank and File of our Volunteer Army. Re- sponse by Serg't. J. 11. Kilbourne.
9. The Rebel Prison- and their Unfortunate Immate -. Response by Dr. F. B. Wood.
10. Our Fallen Comrades. Response by the audience -ilently rising.
11. The Loyal Women of the Union. Response by Lient. T. J. Owen.
1.2. The Colored Troops. Response by Charlie Scott. 13. The Pres -- The Headlight of American Institu- tions. Response by Lient. E. O. Rose.
11. When Johnnie Comes Marching Home. Response by S. MeVlanathan.
The responses, which were both able and eloquent, elicited frequent applause, and were listened to with marked attention throughout. The exercises were interspersed with instrumental music and singing. The former was furnished by the City Cornet Band, and the latter by a glee club, consisting of E. F. Dewey, S. S. Griswold, S. D. Henderson and Mrs. Campau, with Miss Jennie Mason' at the organ. The pieces selected were the patriotic songs of war times, and the audience joined heartily in the chorus of each. This reunion will long be remembered by the participants as one of the most enjoyable days of their lives.
MECOSTA COUNTY.
593
A permanent organization was effected, with a view to future reunions.
SECOND REUNION.
I second reunion was held on Tuesday, Sept. 23, 1879. and, like the former occasion, was a gratifying success. Something over two hundred veterans, ar- companied by their wives and families, were in at- tendance from the city and surrounding country. At io in the forenvon, a national salute was fired, and shortly afterward the procession was formed for the street parade by Capt. B. F. Brazee, acting as Mar- shal, in the following order: City Cornet Band ; Big Rapids Light Guard; veteran soldiers and sailors on foot; one of the rifled cannon which once formed a part of the equipment of the famous Loomis Bat- tery ; mounted veteran cavalrymen, among the lat- ter being B. C. Allen, who was a private in the war of 1812. Mr. Allen carried a well worn flag, which was the identical flag borne by him in active service, and which he has since preserved as a relic of the last great struggle between England and the United States.
The line of march was as follows: north on Michigan avenue and Osceola street to Waterloo street ; thence west to State street; thence south to Hemlock street ; thence cast to Michigan avenue ; thence south to Pine street; thence east to Warren avenue; thence south to Oak street; thence west to State street ; thence north to Linden street ; thence east to Michigan avenue ; thence north to the Arm- ory. Many business and private residences along the line of march were tastefully decorated, conspicu- ous among the latter being the house of J. P. Huling, which was adorned with a large portrait of Wash- ington, a bust of Lincoln, and a profusion of flags, mottoes and accoutrements of war. The column was halted opposite Mr. Huling's house, faced to the right, and three rousing cheers given for Washington and Lincoln.
Arrived at the Armory, the parade was dismissed, and shortly afterward the seats around the four long tables in Armory Hall were filled. Although pro- vision had been made for upwards of three hundred people, the crowd was so great that only about two- thirds of it could be accommodated at the first sitting.
After an intermission of about an hour, during
which the tables were removed and seats arranged, the crowd re-assembled, filling the ball to its utmost capacity. The stage was handsomely decorated with flowers, flags and various implements of war. Mr. Allen, the veteran of 1812, occupied a position at the front, proudly bearing aloft his old flag. Order being restored, the audience was treated to a medley of National airs by the cornet band, after which Lient. E. O. Rose, President of the Association, delivered a very eloquent address, from which the following brief extract is taken :
" Every man and woman who can say, 'my father (or grandfather) was a soldier in the war of 1812 or in the Revolution,' utters it with a feeling of pride; and in after years our children and grandchildren will experience the same feeling of pride in alluding to the part we took in the great struggle for the maintenance of national unity.
"As we view this vast assemblage, and reflect upon what brings us together. the mind's eye invol- untarily wanders back over the lapse of years to the time when we left our several avocations, and went forth to assist in defending the old flag and the Gov- ernment that floats it. We see the farmer leaving his plow, the mechanic his bench, the merchant his store and the professional man his office; we see them sign their names to the muster roll, and put on the uniform of the army and navy of the United States; we see them finally, with blanched cheek and quivering lip, bidding good-bye to those they love; we hear the gray-haired mother speak in trem- ulous tones as she bestows a parting blessing upon her darling boy; we hear the sister's reluctant fare- well, and the sweet-heart's stifled sob as she bids her affianced good-bye; we hear the wife's agonizing groan as she gazes through blinding tears upon the receding form of her husband and protector; while little children, unable to comprehend the solemnity of the occasion, cling to her skirts with a frightened look and wonder what it is all about. And could you look into the hearts of the men who thus tore themselves from the ties of home, and boldly went forth to brave the perils of a soldier's life, you would find photographed there mental struggles which few but old soldiers can understand. Many of those family partings were the last upon earth, for hundreds of thousands of those who battled for the U'nion found graves in Southern soil.
" In conclusion, let me express the hope that this
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594
MECOSTA COUNTY.
reunion, so pleasantly begun, may be throughout a season of rejoicing. When we go to our respective homes, I trust that each may feel that it was 'good to be here.' May the chain of friendship which was first linked together in the camp, on the march and on the battle-field, be brightened and strengthened. Many of our comrades fill Southern graves ; others are falling by the wayside from year to year, and the day is not far distant when the sods of earth will cover the last of the grand old army of the Union. And as we pass down the declivity of time, each day bringing us so much nearer honored graves, may the love and gratitude of the Nation, and the choicest blessings of heaven and of earth be yours."
After another air by the band, Frank Dumon re- sponded to the toast, "The Union," following which the band played "Ilail Columbia." J. B. Upton then responded to the " Old Flag" in such eloquent words that they are worth recording here.
"When a few years ago the message flashed over the wires, 'The Duke is dead,' every person knew that it meant the Duke of Wellington. When it was announced that the Senator was dead, every person knew that Charles Sumner was no more. And when now we hear the words, 'the old flag,' every intelli- gent, enlightened American citizen knows that they mean the history of the United States as a nation. They mean the high and glorious resolve of our forefathers that this goodly land should be free, and the home of millions of undisputed sovereigns. They mean all the sorrows and grief they bore to secure this grand heritage for their descendants, as well as the joy they experienced in contemplating such a grand and glorious legacy. They mean their heroic bravery, their unflinching devotion to the principles of liberty during all the long years of the war. They mean their victory and elation at Saratoga; their defeat at Germantown; their heroic endurance and suffering at Valley Forge; their unswerving devotion to the just cause; and their grand and glorious victory at Yorktown, wherein they smote and shivered the power of haughty England, and secured for them- selves and us their descendants the priceless boon of independence. They mean the type and symbol of our national growth until the war of 1812, in which it floated proudly over our victorious soldiers on the land and on the sea, and saw England again the suppliant for peace. They mean the daring and the courage of our patriotic soldiers in the war with
Mexico, and their victories achieved therein. They mean the power of a loyal government of patriotic men and women to suppress the mightiest domestic insurrection and rebellion recorded in the annals of history. They mean the heroic resolve, the dauntless courage of our gallant soldiers, many of whom are here now present. They mean the quarter of a mil- lion of slaughtered brothers, husbands and fathers ; the sorrow, the grief, the desolation in thousands of households; the unflinching devotion of our sisters, wives and mothers. They mean the sanguinary as- sault, the deadly affray, the repulses, the victories, during all the years of the war, until the rebellion, in the person of General Lee, laid down the scepter of its power at Appomattox, at the feet of the silent man,-the mightiest, the greatest and the grandest general of the world,-Ulysses S. Grant. They mean thereafter the healing of the nation, and the restoration of the powers of Government. They mean the marching onward of our Government from its infancy until it is recognized as among the leading powers of the earth. They mean the development of our country until it has become the granary of the world-the Egypt where all the sons of want may come to procure the needed sustenance of life. To the loyal and patriotic of to-day they mean a greater love for our institutions, a higher zeal for their sup- port, a more hearty consecration to their maintenance, and a firmer determination to uphold this Govern- ment, because it is 'of the people, by the people, and for the people.' They mean the hearty orthodox prayer of heaven for the defenders, and hell for the destroyers of "The Old Flag.'"
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