Portrait and biographical album of Gratiot county, Mich., Part 14

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

USA > Michigan > Gratiot County > Portrait and biographical album of Gratiot county, Mich. > Part 14

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).

Losing his father when he we go vousold, he was obliged to look out for hangelt, and he worked at the month in the walls and among h . com farmers Jan 1, 1855, in his native county, he mu- ried Miss Theda M Noble, born in Wayin Co , Mich .

Washtenaw County.

Mr. and Mrs. Lewis then settled on the farm which he had purchased when 22 years old. He at- terward purchased a larger farm, which he had to give up in the hard times that existed about the open- ing year of the war. In 1863, he moved to Living- ston County, where he rented a farm for three years ; and in February, 1866, he settled on bo acres on section 9, Sumner Township, which he had purchased the previous fall. To this farm he has added ou acres, and more than half of his tarm is well improved and cultivated. He has also at suitable residence and barns.

Mr. Lewis has been in every semve an active min. For rt seasons he ran a threshing-machine ; and he purchased the first machine ever brought into his native township. He has also lumbered extensively, putting in 1,000,00 feet one winter. He has held various offices in his school district, and politically is a Republican. His wife has for 20 years been an active member of the United Brethren Church. Mr and Mrs. L. are the parent, of two children: Her- bert IT., born Feb. 21, 1860; C'ora M., born. March 2, 1807.

Lames T. Hall, resident at St. Louis, Way A son of Abraham and Hannah ( Jo en) Hall The parents were both of pire En_Ihre- traction, und emigrated to the New World . No I 1832 00 '33 Thes first located in Heth mer Co. N Y .. and trom there moved to Oseldi County, Sine State, where the father toll wal the occupation of a finmer teuil his death in 1856 The mother died in the same county mn 15pt

Jam I Hall, the silent of for graphical gothic, w > for in Herkimer to. \ 1. 1 19: When we ver of age he was taken

In that counts, working on In father's firm -

ty and lo ded et Alux @ili Arry 1 : 1

1.1

182

GRATIOT COUNTY.

latter to Saginaw. They were also engaged in the purchase of tracts of timber land on Pine River. The partnership lasted until 1875, when it was mutu- ally dissolved.

Politically. Mr. Hall is a Democrat. In the fall of 1874 he was elected County Register of Deeds, "running against Joseph H. Seaver, of Ithaca, and, al- though the county was conceded to be Soo Republi- can, Mr. Hall was elected by a majority of 104 votes. In 1876 he again ran for the same position, but was defeated.

After his retirement from office, Mr. Hall engaged with the Chicago, Saginaw & Canada Railroad as conductor, and followed that occupation until 1880, when he became Superintendent of the road. He served in that capacity from June, 1880, to June, 1883, when the road was sold to the Detroit, Lan- sing & Northern Railroad. After quitting the above business he commenced the manufacture of patent hoops, at Alma. His machine was one of three in the United States, and cut the hoops from the solid log, at the rate of too per minute. They ship to Chicago, New York city, St. Louis (Mo.), and Sagi- naw City, and are meeting with signal success in the business.

Mr. Hall was united in marriage, June 6, 1867, at Holland Patent, Oneida Co., N. Y., to Miss Catherine L. Hamlin (daughter of Joseph and Delia Hamlin), born in Holland Patent, April 1, 1841. Their union has been blessed with two children: Jessie W., born at Alma, March 10, 1870; and Nina A., born at Alma, in October, 1871.

Mr. Hall held the position of Supervisor of Ar- cada Township four terms -- 1871-72-74-77. Socially he is a member of the Order of Masonry, Knights Templar, A. O. U. W., and K. of H., and has been Trustee of the village of St. Louis one termi-1871-2.

illiam J. Marshall, farmer, section 33, North Star Township, was born in the county of Livingston, State of New York March 30, 1833. He is a son of William and Elizabeth (Chase) Marshall, natives of the Empire State. They moved to Allegany Co., same State, in 1841, and after remaining there two years, in 1843, and when our subject was but ten years old,

came to this State and settled in Ingham County. Here William remained attending the common schools, assisting his father in the support of the family and developing into manhood. In 1856, when 23 years of age, Mr. Marshall left the parental home in Ingham County and came to this county. He first settled on section 9, North Star Township, and now owns 100 acres of good agricultural land on section 33. Nov. 26, of this year, he was unitedin marriage to Sarahı, daughter of Abijah L. and Phebe (Driggs) Clark. The father is deceased, and the mother is still living in Bunker Hill, Ingham County, this State. Mrs. M. was born in Batavia, Genesee Co., N. Y. She received a good education in the common schools of her native county and attending Michigan Central College, then located at Spring Arbor and now being at Hillsdale, Mich. Her desire and aim was to become proficient as a teacher, and so studiously did she apply herself to the accom- plishment of that end that, while but 14 years of age, her knowledge was considered sufficient to enable her to enter upon her labors of imparting knowledge to the young, which occupation she has successfully followed for a number of years, receiving numerous encomiums upon her competency, pro- ficiency and the success of her work. She has taught in Genesee Co., N. Y .; Jackson, Ingham and Gratiot Counties, this State. She taught eight terms in District No. 5, North Star Township, this county, the last term being in the winter of 1881-2.

When the cloud of rebellion arose and threatened the Nation with dissolution, and when every loyal heart beat with a throb of sorrow at the injustice of their brothers in dishonoring the " Flag of our Fa- thers " by their attack on Sumter, our subject joined the ranks of the defenders of the Nation's honor and enlisted in Co. D, 26th Mich. Vol. Inf., Aug. 9, 1862. He was on detail service most all the time during his terin of enlistment and was discharged June 5, 1865, after serving almost three years.

Mr. Marshall has cleared for himself and others over 150 acres of land. When he began in this county he had no team and he had to work two days for the use of an ox team one day. He finally got possession of a yoke of calves and soon had a team of his own. He went to Maple Rapids to purchase flour, a distance of 20 miles, and his conveyance was a two-wheeled cart with a wood-rack on it; he

THE NEW YORK PUBLIC UP APY

ASTOR, LENOY TILDEN FOUNDA . H

GRATIOT COUNTY.

185

walked all the way, and two-thirds of the way he was compelled to go on logs to keep out of the water; and the money he paid for the flour he earned by chop- ping a road four rods wide and clearing two and a half rods wide, at six cents a rod, through a heavy timber. In fact, Mr. M. experienced all the trials so well known to the old pioneers of the county.

Mr. and Mrs. M. have one child living and one dead. Phebe E. (Mrs. George Belding, of North Star Township) is the living child, and William L. died at five yearsof age. They also have an adopted son, Benjamin J. Mr. M. is a member of the Ma- sonic Order.

homus R. Payno, farmer, section 28, Fulton Township, is a son of Arnold and Loana (Parker) Payne, natives of Rhode Island and New York State. They first settled after marriage in New York, and afterwards came to Michigan, locating at Green Oak, Living- ston County. They afterwards removed to Ingham County, and several years later, in 1846, they came to Fulton Township, this county. She died in 1850, and he followed Nov. 23, 1879.

Their family was composed of eight sons and five daughters. Thomas R., the youngest, was born in Ingham Co., Mich., Jan. 14, 18445, and was one year old when his parents removed to Gratiot County. He remained at home attending the common schools and working on the parental farm until 21 years old, except a year and a half spent in the service of his country. He enlisted, in December, 1863, in the 4th Mich. Vol. Cav., and served till July, 1865. May 18, 1864, in a fight at Kingston, Ga., he was wounded in the abdomen. In consequence of this he was transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps, where he served until his discharge.

Returning from the atmy he worked his father's farm on shares until the latter's death. He has owned at different times various tracts of land and in razy he bought So actes on section 28, Fulton, where he now resides He now owns go de res ot land, 70 of which are nicely cultivated He has built a modern residence and barn, which will compare favorably with any in Fulton Township.

He was first married in Fuhon Township, Oct 2 3

1865, to Maggie, daughter of John and Sarah (C'overt) Potes, natives of Pennsylvania and New York State. Mrs. Payne was born in Seneca Co., N. Y., Feb. 5, 1844, and died Aug. 22, 1874, leaving three children. : Newton B., Frank J. and Maggie M. Mr. P. Was again married, in Lenawee C'o., Mich .. Dec. 31, 1874, to Sarah J. Potes, youngest sister of his first wife. She was born in Lyons, Fulton Co., Ohio, Dec. 10, 1856, and is now the mother of one daughter, Myrtic A. Mr. and Mrs. P. are members of the Christian Church. Politically, he is a Republican.

R obert Smith, editor and proprietor of the Gratiot Journal, published at Ithaca, was

1. born April 13, 1841. At the age of 14 years he entered a printing ottice, with a pur- pose to master a knowledge of the " art pre- servative of all arts." He has worked in every sphere known to that business, and is thoroughly versed in all its various details. In 1860 he removed from his home in Syracuse, N. Y., to New York city, where he passed six months as a journeyman printer. He then returned to Syracuse and after a brief stay there proceeded to Rochester, in the same State, where he remained till the winter of 1803 He then came to Lansing, Mich., and obtained employment in the State printing office. In the summer of 1804 he and Il S. Hilton went to St. John's and pu- chased the Clinton Republican. They continued the publication of that journal till 186. Darin_ this period Messrs. Hilton & Smith, in company with t' F. Smith, established the Flint Globe, the latter and Mr. Hilton managing the Gh be, while Robert Smith remained at St. John's and controlled the destiny of the Republican, making it one of the handsomest and best weeklies in Michigan.

In 1860, as alone stated, these gentlemen dis used of both journals, H. S. Hilton and Robert Smith subsequently going to Jackson, Much, where this purchased a two-thirds interest in the Du. (it). They remained there some eight months, whe try severed their connection with that joined Mr. Smith then returned to St. John's again, where temporarily established his hom . The Obw. winter he was induced to take the man ten eytot the job department of the Ligny Si KyNes -

186

GRATIOT COUNTY.

office. He continued in this capacity till the next spring, when his health failed in consequence of a too close application to his duties. He then deter- mined to remove to Minnesota and engage in other business.

He therefore located at Taylor's Falls, in that State, where he purchased a hardware store, and con- tinued its operation for some 15 months, with satis- factory results.

In the fall of 1872, in compliance with the solicitations of friends, he visited Ithaca and pur- chased the Gratiot Journal, since which he has con- trolled its columns.

In September, 1879, while absent at Detroit, the building in which his business was established was destroyed by fire, entailing a loss of $5,000, with an insurance of $3,200. Looking over the situation calmly, he determined to proceed with his business, and before he left Detroit he purchased a new office equipment, and so expedited his movements that he issued his paper without the loss to his patrons of a single copy. He bought the ground property where he is now located, on which a building was in pro- cess of erection, the lower story being well nigh com- pleted, and re-established himself in his business, which he has continued to conduct, with success. He manages a heavy job-printing business. The list of subscribers to his paper numbers upwards of 1,700.

Mr. Smith was married Oct. 5, 1869, at St. John's, Mich., to Miss H. Carrie Scattergood. She is a native of Plymouth, Wayne Co., Mich., where she was born Feb. 8, 1846, and is the daughter of Joshua and Caroline (Baiker) Scattergccd. To Mr. and Mr. Smith three children have been born: Robert, Jr., at St. John's, Oct. 18, 1870; Maud, at Mankato, Minn., Aug. 15, 1872, and Harry M., at Ithaca, Oct. 17, 1876.

illian H Sibley, farmer, section 18, Se- ville Township, was born June 9, 1833, in Columbia Co., N. Y. His parents, Will- iam and Ruth (Vincent) Sibley, were natives of the same county where their son was born. The father engaged in farming in his native State for a number of years, and in 1839 he removed his family to Jackson Co., Mich. They went later to Calhoun County, where, in 1864, the

father died, and the demise of the mother occurred in 1872.

Mr. Sibley was 11 years old when he came to Michigan. He commenced to work by the month as a farm laborer at 14 years old, at $5 per month, and worked for various parties from that time on. He was employed for $zo a month for about two years in Branch County. He then went to Calhoun Coun- ty, where he remained the same length of time, re- turning thence to Branch County. He went again, four years later, to Calhoun County, where he re- mained four years, and then in Branch County again until 1876, when he came to Gratiot County and lo- cated again as stated, and has since been engaged in farming.

Mr. Sibley was married, in 1856, to Laura M., daughter of Solomon and Lydia (Warner) White. She was born June 4, 1838, in Branch Co., Mich., and is the second of a family of two daughters and one son. Her parents were farmers, and her father died in 1849 in Branch County. Her mother lives in the city of Coldwater. Mr. and Mrs. Sibley are the parents of three children : Eva M., George J. and Clara L. Mrs. Sibley is a member of the Baptist Church. Mr. Sibley is a Republican in political con- nection, and has held the school offices of the district where he resides.

homas T. Newton, farmer on section 31, Fulton Township, is a son of Harris and Eliza A. (Perrin) Newton, natives of Ver- mont and New York. Eliza A. Perrin first married George Chipman. After her second

marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Newton settled in Oak- land Co., Mich., where they lived until Mr. N.'s death, Sept. 18, 1863. Mrs. N. then removed to Lebanon, Clinton County, where she now lives. Their family numbered nine-five sons and four daughters.

The second son was Thomas T., born in Oakland County, Jan. 1, 1842. Educated in the common schools, he remained at home until 21 years old, and then went to Whitewater, Wis., and lived six months. He then removed to Michigan. March 20, 1865, he enlisted in the 22d Mich. Vol. Inf., being afterwards transferred to the 29th. He was honorably dis- charged Aug. 20, 1865. In December of the same

187

GRATIOT COUNTY.

year, he came to Clinton County and lived until 1868, when he again went to Wisconsin, and also to Towa. After an absence of eight months, he bought 120 acres of wild land in Clinton County, and built a log house. Two years later he sold, and for three years he managed his mother's farm. In September, 1874, he purchased 200 acres, partly improved, on section 34, North Shade, which he worked for five years. Selling this place, he then bought 160 acres in Fulton Township, on section 31. Ile also owns 80 acres on section 36, North Shade, and has alto- gether iSo acres improved.

March 17, 1870, in Lebanon, Clinton to., Mich., he married Miss Martha, daughter of Benjamin and Mary (Postle) Graham. She was born in Oakland County Dec. 26, 1842. This marriage has been blessed with two children : Maidie, born March 15, 1871, and Georgiana, June 29, 1873.

Mr. Newton has been Justice of the Peace for three years. He was elected Supervisor of North Shade in the spring of 1879, and resigned after serving three months. He is a member of the A. O. U. W., and is politically a Republican. He and wife are members of the Christian Church, and of Essex Grange, P. of H.

Ibridge G. Traver, of the firm of E. W. Traver & Co., manufacturers of, and deal. ers in, coopers' supplies at St. Louis, was born in Columbia Co., N. Y., Nov. 16, 1833. His parents, John J. and Catherine (Coons) Traver, removed to Ann Arbor, Mich., in 1837. where his father bought two farms-one of 56 acres, situated partly within the village corporation; the other, located near by, consisted of So acres. His father's occupation was that of a remover ot lukl- ings, in which business the son was for several years engaged

Mr Praver went to Tyrone, Livingston to., Much. in 1867, and passed the succeeding four years in Farming He removed to Fenton, Genesee County, hom there, and engaged in the manufacture of round hoops He was thus employed till November, 1552. when, in company with his son, E. W. P'river, he Ie moved to St Louis. Continuing in the rond-hoop trade till the following spring, he and his son, as the

firm of E. W. Traver & Co., purchased of Win. Rose the Shook mill, known as the " St. Louis Cooperage." They completely refitted and equipped the building with new machinery, and in the winter of 1883-1 further increased their facilities for manufacturing by setting up a saw mill of large capacity. They man- ufacture each year millions of patent coiled hoop ; each month they turn out hundreds of thousands of round hoops ; and another important branch of their business is the manufacture of soft and hard wood staves. They handle yearly hundreds of thousands of racked hoops; keep constanth on hand barrels and kegy of all sizes and descriptions, and solicit cor- respondence for all kinds of black and tight romper- age. They employ upwards of a hundred men the year round. The capacity of their mill and auxiliary shops is about 20,000 patent coiled houps, 10,000 round hoops and 5,000 sawed staves each duy They have recently improved, as well as me ressed the capacity of, their mill by putting in round-hoop ma- chinery. They are steadily increasing their trade, taking advantage of the aid of each new invention in the way of labor-saving machinery, and may reason- ably expect, at no distant day, to be one of the lead- ing firms of Gratiot County.

E. G Traver, the subject of this sketch, was mar- ried at Ann Arbor Jan. 3, 1856, to Minerva, daughter of Jacob and Namey Snapp. She was born fine s, 1832, in the State of New York. Of their union, two sons were born : Edgar W., Nov. 24. 1850, and Will- iam H., June 19. 1863.

Edward Lake, farmer, Bethany Township, o copies the southeast quarter of the south- west quarter of section 20, and owns also the 3 acres adjo ning on the east Mr. Like was born in Charlotte, ( Interder to. \1.

3 Sept 21. 1923, and grew up as a farmer's sur When six years of the his parents, Heman and Bet- sey (Morgan) Lake, mivel to Humber, lowgeht. Livingston to, Mich, low ing, in agne It ril par- te he went to lown, with my rappel, and til wol teaming, che , there are two years, max. 1 . lowed lumbernie & year at the month of the Me the River, in this State, nett, in That, the treeby

188

GRA'TIOT COUNTY.

moved to Bengal Township, Clinton Co., Mich., bought a farm and for about two years engaged in the manufacture of brooms.

At the last mentioned place, Dec. 7, 1851, Mr. Lake married Miss Harriet, a daughter of Ebenezer and Mary .1. (Sanford) Bliss, who was born in Broome Co., N. Y., Aug. 28, 1830. They have one daughter, Ellen, who was born in Arcada Township, this county, March 5, 1859, and is now the wife of Allen H. Reed, a farmer in Bethany Township, and they also have one daughter, Gertie, who was born in that township, March 29, :882.

Mr. Lake remained in Clinton County about two years after his marriage, then moved into Arcada Township and pre-empted a quarter of section 25, but soon sold it and bought So acres of timber land adjoining, one mile north of Ithaca. Of this he cleared about 30 acres and made other improvements. Aug. 28, 1866, he moved to his present farm, where he purchased 120 acres, mostly timber. Of this he has cleared 70 acres and sold 40. His son-in-law has 40 acres adjoining on the north.

Mr. L. has built a nice residence here, besides barns, etc., and has a good orchard. He is a pro- gressive and prosperous agriculturist. When he first settled in Arcada his nearest neighbor was a Mr. Climer, eight miles distant, near St. Louis. He erected a log house, and himself and family endured the privations and trials incident to pioneer life.

In this family is an adopted son, Willie H., born Dec. 14, 1856, in Indiana, who was taken into this family when 14 months of age.

illiam Creaser, farmer on section 17, Ful- ton Township, is a son of William and Emily (Leerett) Creaser, natives respect- ively of England and Canada. They set- tled in the latter country after marriage, and in the spring of 1868 came to Michigan. A year later they came to Fulton Township, this county, where the father died, Sept. 17, 1873, and the mother March 11, 1881. Their family comprised 13 chil- dren.

The second son, William, was born in Canada East, Aug. 24, 1827. In his early life he attended the common schools, and worked for his father. On

gaining his legal freedom, at the age of 21, he worked out by the month for one year, and then went to Ver- mont for a year. Returning to the Dominion, he bought a farm of about 50 acres, which he worked a year and a half, and then sold. A year later he removed to Canada West, where he purchased a farm and lived for 16 years. In October, 1871, he sold out, and, coming to Gratiot County, bought half a section. Having since disposed of a portion of his land, he now has 150 acres, of which 11o are well improved. In 1880, he built his fine residence.

Jan. 22, 1850, in Canada East, he married Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Brooks) McCombs, natives of Ireland. They emi- grated to Canada, where the father died, March 12, 1 863, and the mother, in June, 1868. Their daugh- ter Elizabeth was born in Canada East, Aug. 12, 1828. Mr. and Mrs. Creaser have had to children, eight of whom survive; Thomas W. B., Emily E., Susan S., Philip W., George A., Lucy A. J., Wilhelm- ina E. and Violet A. Sophia and John R. are de- ceased.

Mr. C. has held the offices of School Treasurer and Inspector, and is politically a Democrat. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

volin Church, farmer, section 23, Arcada Township, was born in Wheatland Town- ship, Hillsdale Co., Mich., Dec. 22, 1853, and is a son of Lafayette and Sophronia (Benja- min) Church (see sketch). When one year old he was brought by his parents to Gratiot County. They settled on section 11, Arcada Town- ship, and here the subject of this biographical notice was reared and educated, working on his father's farm until 17 years old. He then devoted one year to the acquisition of some of the more advanced branches of learning, attending the college at Fen- tonville, Genesee County. When 19 years of age he left home, and for two years traveled through the Scuth and West. Returning home, he remained with his father until 24 years old.

Dec. 9, 1877, he was married to Miss Carrie, daughter of Francis and Hattie (Hurd) Nelson, na- tives of Michigan. Carrie was born in Lenawee Co., Mich., and died in Arcada Township, this

THE NET PIRK PUBLIC LICRARY

ASTUR LENOY AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS H

GRATIOI COUNTY.

county, Aug. 2, 1879, leaving a wide circle of friends to sympathize with her husband. Nov. 22, 18So, he was again married, at St. Louis, to Miss Julia, dau_h- ter of Patrick and Bridget (Rhyne) Fitzgerald, Ha- tives of the Emerald Isle, They follow farming, and now reside in Arcada Township, aged respectively 76 and 54. Their daughter Julia was born in Roch- ester, N. Y., July 5, 1859, and was there reared and educated.

Shortly after marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Church set- tled on So acres of wild land on section 23, Arcada, which he had purchased the previous year. He has since added Go acres to his farm, making 140, of which So acres are under cultivation. Mr. and Mrs. C. have one son, Maxwell, born Oct. 5, 1881. Mr. C. is an enterprising and genial young man, and commands the respect of all who know him. In politics he is a Republican.

on. Archibald Bard Darragh, Representa- tive from Gratiot County, resident at St. Louis, was born Dec. 23, 18440, in La Salle Township, Monroe Co., Mich. He is a son of Benjamin F. and Catherine B Darragh The family legends preserve the patronymic through it- descent and trace it unmistakably to its fo itain head, which was that of one of the Scottish clans. It is immortalized by the pen of Sir Walter Scott in one of his historical romances.

The progenitor of the Darragh families of this connection and generation, founded by inter-marriage a line of Scotch- Irish des enfants, a race signally dis- tinguished tor meritorious traits, mberently honest, intelligent ind possessing the most valuable chiri- teristics mesert to humanity. The line of Mr Durach's descent on the paternal side is obronie, from the fat patent in the nature of the rue ongin It is well known that a peculiar feature of one class of wholer is its Etter contempt for, and umisation of precedents and type 1 min i wint he mik himself, is the canon of its existence; and tru's- wives tables' the present jemenin . .. only to its num diite ane stor , who tedbreed th eastern and offtheastert portions et Permevis tu. Lv mit., Mens

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Portrait and biographical album of Gratiot county, Mich., Part 14

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

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