Portrait and biographical album of Gratiot county, Mich., Part 13

Author:
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago, Chapman brothers
Number of Pages: 856

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In 1870, Gov. Begule was nominated by acclama- tion for the office of State Senator, and elected by a large majority. In that body he served on the Com- mittees of Finance and Railroads, and was Chairman of the Committee on the Institute for the Deaf and Dumb and Blind. He took a liberal and public- spirited view of the importance of a new capitol building worthy of the State, and was an active mem- ber of the Committee that drafted the bill for the

same He was a delegate to the National Republi- can Convention held at Philadelphia in 1872, and was the chosen member of that delegation to go to Washington and inform Gen. Grant and Senator Wilson of their nominations. It was while at that convention that, by the express wish of his many friends, he was induced to offer himself a can- didate for the nomination of member to the 43d Con- gress, in which he was successful, after competing for the nomination with several of the most worthy, able and experienced men in the Sixth Congressional Dis- trict, and was elected by a very large majority. In Congress, he was a member of the Committee on Agricultural and Public Expenditures. Being one of the 17 farmers in that Congress, he took an active part in the Committee of Agriculture, and was ap- pointed by that committee to draft the most impor- tant report made by that committee, and upon the only subject recommended by the President in his message, which he did and the report was printed in records of Congress ; he took an efficient though an unobtrusive part in all its proceedings.

He voted for the currency bill, remonetization of silver, and other financial measures, many of which, though defeated then, have since become the settled policy of the country. Owing to the position which Mr. Begole occupied on these questions. he became a "Greenbacker."

In the Gubernatorial election of 1882, Mr. Begole was the candidate of both the Greenback and Dem- ocratic parties, and was elected by a vote of 154,269, the Republican candidate, Hon. David H. Jerome,

receiving 149,697 votes. Mr. Begole, in entering upon his duties as Governor, has manifested a spirit that has already won him many friends, and bids fair to make his administration both successful and pop- ular.

The very best indications of what a man is, is what his own townsmen think of him. We give the fol- lowing extract from the Flint Globe, the leading Re- publican paper in Gov. Begole's own county, and it, too, written during the heat of a political campaign, which certainly is a flattering testimonial of his ster- ling worth :

"So far, however, as Mr. Begole, the head of the ticket, is concerned, there is nothing detrimental to his character that can be alleged against him. He has sometimes changed his mind in politics, but for sincerity of his beliefs and the earnestness of his pur- pose nobody who knows hin entertains a doubt. He is incapable of bearing malice, even against his bit- terest political enemies. He has a warm, generous nature, and a larger, kinder heart does not beat in the bosom of any man in Michigan. He is not much given to making speeches, but deeds are more signif- icant of a man's character than words There are many scores of men in all parts of the State where Mr. Begole is acquainted, who have had practical demonstrations of these facts, and who are liable to step outside of party lines to show that they do not forget his kindness, and who, no doubt, wish that he was a leader in what would not necessarily prove a forlorn hope. But the Republican party in Michigan is too strong to be beaten by a combination of Demo- crats and Greenbackers, even if it is marshaled by so good a man as Mr. Begole."

This sketch would be imperfect without referring to the action of Mr. B. at the time of the great calamity that in 1881 overtook the people of Northeastern Michigan, in a few hours desolating whole counties by fire and destroying the results and accumulations of such hard work as only falls to the lot of pioneers. While the Port Huron and Detroit committees were quarreling over the distribution of funds, Mr. Begole wrote to an agent in the "'burnt district " a letter, from which we make an extract of but a single sentence : "Until the differences between the two committees are adjusted and you receive your regular supplies from them, draw on me. Let no man suffer while I have money." This displays his true character.

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BIOGRAPHICAL

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GRATIOT COUNTY.

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INTRODUCTORY.

N THE strength of the his- tory of a section of country lies the biographical rec- ord of its settlers and later residents. The annals of the one class delineate its pioneer period ; those of the other represent its progress and the status of the generation whose experien- ces constitute the period closed by the era of its collated records. Gratiot County is fortunate in its day. Its won- derful pioneer era laps on its present period and the registration is complete. Many of those whose efforts gave the county its earliest impetus may still be seen in its thoroughfares. Many of the characters in the day of its first things are still on the stage and watch with keen-eyed alertness the manipulating of the present, still jealous for the repute of Gratiot, and eagerly solicitons for her sub- stantial and permanent progress

The projectors of these record, strive to establish fit one clum for its biographical integrity It is prepared from the stand-point of no man's prejudice or biased opinion. To demonstrate the cvut reli- tion of every individual represented to the general-

tions of the past and present is its fill scope in personal record.

Succeeding ages sweep away the debris of human errors and perpetuate the real greatness of a com- munity. Character stands out statuesque and events cluster about individ tals forming the grandest and truest historical structure of which any age is capa- ble. Only biography can fitly represent the found .- tion, progress and ultimatum of local history and portray with perfect justice the precise attitude and relation of men to events and to circumstances.

Gratiot County is justly proud of her pioneer record, and, so far as possible, the compilers of the biographical sketches have striven to hot or the rep- resentatives of that period as well as those of to-day. Labor and struggle, performed in the light of hope and the earnestness of honest endeavor, established the county on a permanent basis, and is rounding up a period of glorious completeness. Her villages it creditable and her agricultural community is com- passed of the best grades of humanity.

In the following skete hes but one parque hasbeen kept in view to collect floating threads of per i. record, through which the enterprise et decul's follow may complete a perfect and computers . Hal line from the earliest settlement of the only

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You tuty A Church

GRATIOT COUNTY.

BIOGRAPHICAL,

EN. NATHAN CHURCH, senior member of the bank- ing house of Church, Bills & Co., Ithaca, was born in Ionia Co., Mich., Nov. 22, 1840. He is of English an- cestry, and is the son of Lafayette and Sophronia ( Benjamin ) Church. His father was born July 5, 1816, in Niagara Co., N. Y., near the shore of Lake Ontario, and was the youngest of nine children-seven sons and two daughters. Four of the sons and one daughter are yet living, their ages ranging from 84 to 68, and the average age being 74.

The name of Church is quite a prominent one. Some of the family have rendered service to the Gov- ernment, to literature, theology of science, in almost every decade of the history of this country. The father of Lafayette, Willard Church, was a soldier of the Revolutionary war, serving gallantly under " Mad Anthony " Wayne, and was one of the few survivors of the hardships endured by the prisoners of war on the prison ship Jersey. He was a near relative of Col. Benjamin Church, famous in the King Philip war. Four of the seven sons above referred to be- came ministers in the Baptist Church, and Phurcell is Church, D. D., now living at Tarrytown, N. Y., Is

well-known in theological circles as the author of a number of able and useful religious works. He was for a number of years editor of the New York Chron- icle, which was afterwards merged with the Exam- iner, and became The Examiner and Chronicle. Two of his sons founded the Galaxy (since bought out by the Century), and now publish the Army and Naty Journal. Leroy Church, another of the seven broth- ers, was for some years editor and publisher of the Chicago Standard, a Baptist newspaper well-known throughout the West.

Lafayette Church (who has a more detailed sketch elsewhere in this work) came to Michigan in 1836. and was one of the pioneers of Fonia Cointy. In 18447, he removed to Wheatland Township, Hillsdale County, and in 1854 he made his final location in Arcada Township, this county, upon land purchased of the Government, where he resides, Leing ane of the eurliest pioneers of the county While engaged in agriculture, he was abo a worker for Christianity, having been ordained a minister in the Baptist Church He was thus do ily in cupied until the full of 1862, when his patriotic impulses led him to offer his services to the Government, recess. ing authority from the Governor of the State He. with his son Nathan and Mr. Turck, et Almis, maise 1 a company of volunteers from among the best pole in the county, and this was made OF 1, 20th Mich. Vol Inf., of which he was commissioned Captain.

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GRATIOT COUNTY.

The regiment rendezvoused at Jackson, Mich., where it was the recipient of much attention from the pat- riotic citizens and press. (Before leaving for the front, it was presented by the ladies of Jackson with a beautiful blue silk banner, which was carried into many a hard-fought engagement during the war. The blood-stained remnant is now preserved among the battle-flags in the State Military Museum at Lan- sing.) On reaching Washington, the regiment was assigned to provost duty at Alexandria, and it was thus engaged until the following spring, when it was ordered to Suffolk to aid in resisting the advance of Gen. Longstreet. Its signally gallant services in the field from that time until the close of the war-no- tably from the Wilderness to Appomattox-made it one of the best-known organizations in the service, being particularly famous as "skirmishers." Capt. Church served with his company until April 2, 1864, when he was appointed Chaplain of the regiment, and held that position until the close of the war. Since his muster-out, he has led a quiet life at his home in Arcada Township.

The subject of this biography, Nathan Church, at- tended the common schools of Hillsdale and Gratiot Counties until he was 16 years old, when he entered Kalamazoo College. After a partial course of study in that institution, he became assistant in the office of his father (who had been elected County Treas- urer), and for some time had entire charge of the business of that office. After three years with his father, he taught school for a time at Ithaca and St. Louis, one term in each village. He was also for a short time clerk in the store of John Jeffrey, one of the earliest in the county, in which was also located the village postoffice.

It was, however, in the late civil war that he found the opportunities for which he was most naturally fitted. An eager, ambitious youth, the series of events before the firing on Sumter had deeply interested his ardent mind, and three months before he was of age he was enrolled in the volunteer army. Aug. 12, 1861, he enlisted in Co. C', 8th Mich. Vol. Inf., and when the organization of the company was perfected he was made Sergeant. He served in that company until Jan. 17, 1862, when, suffering terribly from rheumatism, he was discharged for disability at Beau- fort, S. C., coming home upon crutches. The next summer, having partially recovered his health, he,

his father and William S. Turck raised a company by their joint efforts, which was mustered in as Co. D), 26th Mich. Vol. Inf., and of this company Lafay- ette Church was, as above mentioned, commissioned Captain, Nathan Church First Lieutenant, and Wm. S. Turck Second Lieutenant. Lieut. Church's com- mission was dated Sept. 1, 1862. On the arrival of the regiment at the seat of war, it was assigned to provost duty at Alexandria, Va., and soon after Lieut. Church was detailed as Aid-de-camp upon the staff of Gen. Slough, Military Governor of Alexandria, which position he held until his regiment was ordered to Suffolk. April 15, 1863, he was promoted Adju- tant of his regiment, and one year from that date was commissioned Captain. He served with his regiment at the siege of Suffolk, Va., in the Blackwater expedi- tions, the second campaign on the Peninsula in 1863, and in the Second Army Corps (Hancock's) through the memorable campaigns of 1864 and 1865.

In the great battle of Spottsylvania Court-House, Va, May 12, 1864, in which 4,500 prisoners, 25 flags and 22 pieces of artillery were captured, his regiment was in the front line in the assault, and was the first to reach the enemy's works-at the deadly " angle "- which were carried after a desperate hand-to-hand fight. Adjutant Church (not having yet been mus- tered in as Captain) was with two or three non-com- n.issioned officers, the first to scale the works. His regiment lost about one-third of its men in this bat- tle, seven of the nine color-guards being killed or wounded. His conduct on this occasion attracted the attention of Gen. N. A. Miles, then commanding the Ist Brigade, ist Division, 2d Corps, who detailed him at once upon his staff. He served upon this gallant General's staff until the close of the war, except some portions of the time when in command of his regiment, holding successively the positions of Aid-de-camp, Brigade Inspector, Division Inspec- tor, Engineer Officer Ist Division, and Adjutant General of the Military District of Fortress Monroe.

He was appointed to the rank of Major Sept. 12, 1864, having previously been brevetted as Major of United States Volunteers " for gallant services before Petersburg, Va .; " and Lieutenant-Colonel, March 7, 1865, for "conspicuous gallantry and meritorious services " in the campaign terminating in Lee's sur- render at Appomattox. The 26th, under his com- mand, occupied intrenchments before Petersburg, and,

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GRATIOT COUNTY.

during the closing months of 1864 and the early part of 1865, was engaged in alinost daily fighting, except while in winter quarters. It was in the skirmish line on the 9th of April, when Lee surrendered, and through its lines, Gen. Grant, with a flag of truce, carried out part of the important ceremony. His regiment was mustered out June 4, 1865, but he was retained in the service of the United States by spe- cial order of the War Department, and assigned to duty as Assistant Adjutant General of the Military District of Fortress Monroe. This positon he held until Nov. 7. 1865, when he was relieved, at his own request. While here, his duties brought him frequent- ly in contact with Jefferson Davis at that time a pris- oner in that fortress

Gen. Church was not only a brilliant officer of un- usually quick perceptions and commanding presence, but was distinguished for being reckless of his per- sonal safety.

A newspaper account by an eye witness states that at Sailor's Creek, Col. Church, mounted upon a white horse, led two regiments, his own and the 14oth l'a. Vol., in an assault upon entrenchments occupied by a superior force of the enemy, and that, being the only mounted officer, he reached the works several yards in advance of his men. The prisoners captured in the works outnumbered the attacking party. His gallant conduct in this affair elicited much comment.

On the suggestion of Gen. Miles, he was appointed a Captain in the regular army at the close of the war, Inuit this commission he declined.

Returning to the employments of peace. Gen. Church formed a partnership with Wilbur Nelson, and the two opened a general merchandise store at Ithaca This connection was prosperous and lasted until 1872, when, having become interested in lum- bering and real-estate speculations, he sold his inter- est in the store to Gilbert C. Smith. In 1866, soon after entering mercantile life, he founded the Gratiot Journal, of which for one year he was editor, and joint proprietor with Daniel Taylor. In December of 18-2, he purchased a saw mill in Arada Town- ship, four miles north of Ithaca. This is still owned by him, together with 1,200 acres of timberedl addin that vicinity and a large amount of other land through- out the county He employs at present go mel, In sawing, planing and manufacturing lumber, shingles, hoops and staves The banking hope of Church.

Bills & Co. was organized in 1877. the first of the two firms doing a banking business at Ithaca Gien Church still deals largely in real estate, and this, with his other interests, make him one of the bistest men in the community.

He has been an earnest supporter of the vario - railroads projected for Gratiot County He has de- voted both time and money to bring Ithaca into rail communication with the ofiter world, and his friends truly say that without his efforts Gratiot's con ty-seat would to-day be without a railroad. He held the position of Postmaster at Ithaca for seven years, and County Clerk two terms, or four years. He was largely instrumental in organizing the Gratiot County Agricultural Society, and was its first President.

Dec. 25, 1866, at Tecumseh, Lenawee County, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary H., da ighter of Hon. Perley and Caroline (Brown) Bill. she was born May 17, 1848, in that village, and grad mated it the State Normal School, at Ypsilanti, in the class of 1866. To this marriage five children have been born : Carrie Helen, Jan. 5. 1868; Leroy B., July 20. 1869; Clarence N. and Gaylord P. (twins), Antg 12. $71 ; and Edgar N., Aug. 1, 1874 Gaylord P died when about a year old.

Gen. Church is politically a Replithean, out while he is influential in his party, he is in no sense a wire- puller or office-seeker. His title as General is given him by reason of his being appointed Quartermaster General on the staff of Governor Jerome, in 151, which rank he held for two years. He is a remarka- bly active, clear-headed and successi il hame> man, a public-spirited citizen, and has worked ettectively for the welfare of Ithaca and Gratiot County His many good qualities are so universally estremed that all will be pleased to see his portrait, sven opposite the beginning of this sketch

ohn L. Richard, farther, section ;;. New- atk Towi slop, was beur Jily ;. 15$1.

Rachel (kiv) Richard, ladb et sians were

1,5 mines of the besser. so, were flash men ned and readed 18 years 10 postes

GRATIOT COUNTY.

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class. In the spring of 1871 they came to Gratiot County and settled in the township of Newark, where they still reside.

Mr. Richard was a child of two years when his parents located in the Buckeye State, where he grew to the age of 18 years, engaged in assisting on the farm, and acquiring a fair education in the common schools. Roused to a sense of the necessity pressing upon the authorities of the United States Government under the stringencies of civil war, he yielded to his convictions of duty and enlisted Aug. 6, 1862, in the ITIth Reg. Ohio Vol. Inf., and served his country under that enrollment three years. He was in the battle of Hough's Ferry, Tenn., and, while on picket guard at Lenoir Station, he, with 51 of his comrades, was captured by the rebels, and conducted to Atlanta, Ga., where they were held two weeks, and then removed to Pemberton Castle, Richmond, and a month later were incarcerated at Belle Isle. They became inmates of the latter place on the first day of January, 1864, and there remained until March 12, when they were transferred to the stockade prison at Andersonville, where their sufferings were in no sense or degree less than those of the myriads who suc- cumbed to the horrors of the place, or of those whose endurance proved equal to such frightful experiences as cannot be equaled on the recorded pages of human suffering. The very name of Andersonville must cause a shudder while time endures! After seven months of horror they were sent to Savannah, and later to Milan, whence, after a month. they were ordered to be transferred to Blackshear, Ga. While on their way thither the train was intercepted, and 250 starved, ragged. forlorn human creatures, of whom Mr. Richard was one, were paroled and sent to the camp at Annapolis. Two weeks later they were furloughed, and Mr. Richard returned to his home in Ohio. In six weeks he was exchanged and rejoined his regiment. His health was too much im- paired for active service, and he was on detached duty until the close of the war. On the expiration of his term of enrollment he was discharged, at Cleve- land, Ohio, whence he returned home.

Mr. Richard was married Dec. 28, 1865, to Sarah D., youngest daughter of Asa and Jane (Staples) Richardson. The father was a native of Vermont, the mother of Maine. Of this marriage, four chil- dren have been born : Earl C., Alice I., Tacie A., and Laura M.

After his becoming a family man, Mr. Richard continued to reside in Ohio untit 1870. In that year, he removed his family and interests to Gratiot Co., Mich., and bought 40 acres of land in Newark Town- ship. On this he has already cleared and placed 35 acres under creditable cultivation. He is a Repub- lican of unmistakable type, and has served his town- ship in several official positions to which he has been elected. He received an appointment in 1880 to fill a vacancy as Township Clerk, and has been since twice elected to the same incumbency, which he now holds. A branch of the body known as the Union Prisoners of War Association, designated the Camp of Gratiot County, has been established therein, of which Mr. Richard is President. Himself and wife are members of the United Brethren Church

Imon Townsend, fariner, section 31, North Shade Township, is a son of Josiah and Dolly (Parker) Townsend, natives of Mas- sachusetts and Connecticut respectively. They both died in the State of New York, the father in Wayne and the mother in Jefferson County. Almon was born in Jefferson Co., N. Y., Jan. 7, 1804, and remained under the parental care until he was 21 years of age, when he bought 200 acres of land in his native county. lle improved 160 acres of this land, and there made his home for a period of 28 years, when he sold it and moved to Wayne County, same State. There he remained, farming and stock-raising, for five years, until 1865, when he again sold out and came to Hubbardston, Ionia County, this State, and lived for about one year. From this point he moved to Clinton County, this State, and entered upon the arduous task of clearing and improving a new farm, which he successfully ac- complished, and erected a house and barn thereon, at a cost of some $2,000.

Mr. Townsend was united in marriage to Miss Chloe, daughter of Gad and Sally Chapin, residents of Jefferson Co., N. Y., Sept. 28, 1828. The father and mother died in their native county at an early day, and the wife passed away from earth in Aug- ust, 1880.

GRATIOT COUNTY.

In 1881, Mr. Townsend removed from Clinton to this county and settled on 80 acres of Government land on section 31, on which he is now residing.

Mr. Townsend was again married, his second wife being Mrs. Emma S. Myers, daughter of John and Lorinda (Wales) Robbins, natives of Massachusetts and New York respectively.

The father has constantly followed the occupation of farming, and is at present living in Clinton County, this State. The mother died in Jefferson Co., N. Y., in 1845. Mrs. Emma Townsend, the wife of our subject, was born in Lewis Co., N. Y., April 17, 1834, and is the mother of four children, namely, Ardella 1., Dempster E., Jerome W. and Orrin A. The hus- band and wife are members of the Methodist Epis- copal and Christian Churches, respectively.

Mr. Townsend is a man of iron constitution, hale, hearty and enjoying life at So years of age. In po- litical opinion and belief he is a staunch Republican.

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4. ohn Lewis, farmer and stock-raiser, section IR o, Suinner Township, was born in Salem Township, Washtenaw Co., Mich., Feb. 21, 1833, and is probably one of the oldest natives of Michigan now living in Gratiet County. Ilis parents, John and Jane ( Lewis) Lewis, were natives of Sterben to., N. Y., and of Dutch ancestry They followed farming, and coming to Michigan in 1828, were among the first settlers in Washtenaw County. Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti were then small villages. The first newspaper, the Emigrant, was started a year after their arrival. Indians were It- merous. John was a strong young fellow, and as he grew up he helped fell the timber ind dear their 1 mm of the seres. It is likely that these pioneer expert. entes have had their effect on his after lite, in mich ing him better able to face the coll world

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Portrait and biographical album of Gratiot county, Mich., Part 13

Author: Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Chicago, Chapman brothers Number of Pages: 856

Author:
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago, Chapman brothers
Number of Pages: 856