USA > Michigan > Gratiot County > Portrait and biographical album of Gratiot county, Mich. > Part 19
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PUBLIC L.
ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS R
Elbook
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Third New York Artillery, and was first sent to New- bern, N. C. He then served in South Carolina for three months, and then returned to Newbern. In March, 1864, he came home on a furlough, after which he reported again at Newbern. He was in the battle at Ross' Mill, N. C., Nov. 2, 1862; Kingston, Dec. 14, 1862; White Hall, Dec. 16, 1862. In the latter engagement he was wounded in the chest by a shell. He was mustered out at Richmond, June 1, 1865, and finally discharged at Syracuse, N. Y. After leaving the service he worked on a farm by the month, and also by the year.
In 1868, he was united in marriage to Mary A., daughter of John and Elizabeth ( Chester ) Allen, natives of Steuben County, and Cayuga Co., N. Y., respectively. Mr. Allen is a farmer and resides in Illinois. Mrs. Allen lives in New York State. Mr. and Mrs. Gower came to Ingham County, this State, immediately after marriage, and a year later they moved to this county, locating on section 30, Elba Township. After seven months they went into the pine woods of Hamilton, where they lived three years. They then lived four years in New York State and one year in Cook Co., Ill., when they re- turned to their farm in this county. They have a family of three children : Edward W., Henry A. ar.d Bertha I. Mr. Gower has held the office of Drain Commissioner, Assessor and Director. Politically he is bound to no party, but votes for the best man.
lisha C. Cook, farmer, section 31, North Star Township, was born in Steuben Co., N. Y., March 3, 1818. His parents were Na- than and Chloe (Cobb) Cook, natives also of that State. The latter dying in 1824, the bereft hus- band came to Michigan, settling in Livingston County, and afterward in Gratiot County, where he made his home with his son Elisha until his death, in the former county, while on a visit there, at the age of 88 years. While residing in this county he hewed the timber for the Presbyterian church which now stands on section 31.
In his early life Mr. Cook, the subject of this sketch, attended school, one year of the time the
Groton Academy, in Tompkins Co., N. Y. He ac- quired the trade of carpentry, mostly by working with his father, who was a millwright. Mr. C. fol- lowed his trade for 20 years. At the age of about 23 he left home and pursued his vocation a number of years in Clinton Co., Mich. In 1852 he went overland to California, where he remained three years, with great benefit to his health, though not meeting with the pecuniary success which he had expected. Returning to Clinton Co., Mich., he followed his occupation several years, teaching school during the winter seasons.
In the spring of 1858, he came with his family- which then comprised a wife and one child-to Gratiot County, and purchased 100 acres of wild land, on section 31, North Star Township, where he now resides. He has since added So acres to his estate, and now has roo acres in a good state of cul- tivation. On his arrival here he built a rough board house, which the family occupied until January, 187 1, when they moved into their present fine residence. Mr. C. has also a fine equipment of barns, etc., upon his farm, and his present circumstances give evidence of industry, economy and prosperity.
Mr. Cook was married July 19, 1855, in Clinton Co., Mich., to Miss Margaret, second daughter of Peter and Elizabeth (Berdan) Lott, natives of New York State who settled in Wayne County, this State, in an early day, and three years afterward moved to Clinton County, where they resided the remainder of their life. Mr. and Mrs. Cook have had five chileren, three of whom survive, as follows: Fremont H., born April 19, 1856; Harriet L., Feb. 4, 1867; and Carrie V., July 22, 1870. Milan, born Aug. 4, 1862, died Feb. 24, 1863 ; and Ida E., born Jan. 8, 1860, died March 13, 1883.
Politically, Mr. C. is a Republican ; and he has held the offices of Sheriff, 1868-72, Supervisor of North Star Township, one year, and Township Clerk, and takes considerable interest in school affairs. He is a member of the M. E. Church and of the Masonic Order.
We take pleasure in giving Mr. Cook's portrait on a preceding page, as he is not only a representative man and worthy citizen of the county of Gratiot, but also one who has proved faithful in all the public official relations in which his fellow citizens have seen fit to place him.
GRATIOT COUNTY.
amuel M. Scott, merchant, resident on sec- tion 22, North Star Township, was born in Essex Township, Clinton Co., Mich., Feb. 13, 1849 ; his father, named also Samuel M., was a native of the State of New York, and is now deceased. The subject of this sketch was brought up on a farm and educated at the common school and at Eastman's Commercial College at Poughkeepsie, New York. He afterward clerked for about 12 years in Nelson & Barber's store at Ithaca, and came to his present location in June, 1883, and established a store, where he keeps a full line of general merchandise, and has a successful trade. lle is a member of the I. O. O. F., and was for two terms Clerk of Newark Township.
Mr. Scott was married Nov. 10, 1878, to Miss Celia J., daughter of A. W. Belding, of this township. Their three children are, Lelo A., Grace R. and Ola .1.
ewel Smith, grocer, Wheeler village, Wheeler Township, was born May 1, 1852, and is the son of John H. and Jane (Castimore) Smith, natives of New Jersey. The father was by profession a millwright, and removed to Trumbull Co., Ohio, in 1845. He came to Gratiot County in February, 1863, and located on section 34, Wheeler Township. He entered 160 acres of land, of which he had improved 50 at the time of his death, March 6, 1872. Mrs. Smith died Feb. 14, 1882.
Newel was married at the age of 18 to Sarah, the daughter of Richard and Sarah A. Ellsworth, natives of New York. She died March 16, 1880, leaving two children,-Nina J. and Amy E. Oct. 12, 1881, he was again married, to Jane, the third daughter of Thomas and Ellen ( Thurlow) Wordel, natives of England, but now resident of Canada. By this sec- ond marriage Mr. Smith has one child,-Nellie M.
Mr. Smith drove the first ox team to Saginaw from this part of the country. He has been very popular among his fellow citizens, has held several local of- fices, and has never been defeated for any office for
which he has been nominated. In the spring of 1875, he was elected Justice of the Peace, which of- fice he held two terms. He was chosen Supervisor in 1876, to which office he was also re-elected sev- eral times, and he has been Supervisor altogether six years. In politics he is a Democrat. He is a mem- ber of St. Louis Lodge, No. 188, F. &. A. M.
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John W. Smith, farmer, section 28, Elba Township, is the second son of Dewey and Phebe (Davis) Smith, natives of Vermont and Ohio, respectively. He was born March 5, 1846, in Wells Co., Ind., and at the age of 22 he left his father's farm to make his own way in life. For about 10 years he worked at lum- bering. He was married in 1873 to Belle, daughter of John W. and Christina (Covert) Sutphin. She was born Dec. 27, 1856, in Livingston Co., Mich., and came to Elba Township in 1874. They are the parents of one son,. Dewey D. Smith, born Feb. 20, 1878.
Mr. Smith's father purchased 160 acres in Elba Township, in 1858, of which he, John W., now owns So acres. In 1879, he erected his large and well ar- ranged barn. He is now actively engaged in farming and stock-raising. He was elected Township Clerk in 1877, and held that position for four years in suc- cession. In 188o, he was chosen Township Treas- urer, which office he filled two terms. He is a mem- ber of Maple River Lodge, No. 76, I. O. O. F. Po- litically, he votes the Republican ticket.
uther J. Dean, farmer, section 15, North Star Township, is a native of the Empire State, where he was born Dec. 11, 1831. His father, Sether, was a native of Pennsylvania, . and removed with his family from Allegany Co., N. Y., to Hillsdale Co., Mich., in the fall of 1842.
Mr. Dean came to Gratiot County in 1855, en- tered 160 acres of land, and assisted his brothers to clear a piece of land and build a house for their father's family. He taught school the first winter, returned to Hillsdale County in the spring of 1856,
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and May 13 following married Miss Lucy, daughter of John McBride, now deceased. He came with his bride into this wilderness and commenced housekeep- ing amid the privations and untoward obstacles of pioneer life. He finished his house and continued hard work until he made for himself and family a comfortable home. He owns at present 82 acres of good land, and is engaged in general farming. Within one year after he was married he lost his house and all the contents by fire. This was a severe blow, but he was not the man to give up the ship of life on that account.
By his first wife Mr. Dean had three children, name- ly : Herbert E., deceased ; Effie M., now the wife of Frank P. Walker, of Ithaca ; and Arthur J. For his present wife Mr. Dean married Mrs. Elizabeth Row. ley, Oct. 16, 1882, who had had by her former hus- band two children, namely : Erastus A. and Ida M.
Mr. Dean, in religious views, is a Baptist; he has been School Inspector several years, and at present is Township Clerk.
saac Wooley, farmer, section 34, Elba Town- ship, is a son of James and Margaret (Chan- dler) Wooley, natives of New Jersey. James Wooley was by occupation a shoemaker. He came to Gratiot County in 1855, and entered 320 acres of Government land on section 34, Elba Township He subsequently gave each of his sons So acres, and he is yet alive, at the advanced age of 93. Isaac Wooley was born Feb. 17, 1829, in the State of New York. At the age of 20 he left home to work for himself, and, going to New York State, he was engaged in farming for six years.
Sept. 4, 1855, he was united in marriage to Martha Whitney, daughter of William E. and Mary (Scott) Whitney, natives of New York. Mr. Whitney was born in Ontario County, and was a minister of the gospel. Mrs. Whitney was born in Niagara County. Mr. and Mrs. Wooley remained in Ingham County. where they were married, until 1859. and then re- moved to Gratiot County. They settled first on 100 acres, but, afterwards selling 20 and buying 15, they now have 95 acres, of which 57 are well improved.
They are the parents of one daughter, boin Dec. 18, 1856.
Mr. Wooley has been Highway Commissioner in his township for three years. He is a member of Maple River Lodge No. 76, 1. O. O. F .; and politi- cally he votes with the Republican party. Mrs. Wooley is an active member of the Free-Will Bap- tist Church.
eneca Sly, Postmaster, and member of the mercantile firm of Glass & Sly, Elm Hall, is a son of George J. and Samantha ( Riggs) Sly, natives respectively of New York and Connecticut. George J. Sly came to Michigan in 1839, and died at Elm Hall, this county, at the advanced age of 72. Mrs. Sly is yet living, at Elm Hall.
The subject of this biography, Seneca, was born at White Oak, Ingham County, this State, Jan. 20, 1842. He worked on the farm, and received a good common- school education, under the care of his parents, until 20 years old. Oct. 18, 1862, he enlisted in Co. B, 26th Mich. Vol. Inf., under the command of Col. Nathan Church, and was sent to the Army of the Potomac. His corps was occupied in the defense of Suffolk, Yorktown and Washington, at which latter place he was discharged for disability caused by disease of the lungs. He was confined to his bed a year. Hearing reports of the healthfulness of Gratiot County, he came here in the hope of improving his physical condition, and engaged as cook in the woods for Fowler & C'leverdon. He was to work "for his board, if he earned it, and more, if he earned it." This work proving beneficial to his health, he began as teamster for the same company. Returning home for a while, he came again to Sumner Township, this county, and carried on farming.
In 1877, he engaged as clerk in the store of Blair & Houck, of Elm Hall, which position he held four years. During this time he was elected Township Clerk, which office he filled with credit four years. For a year more he was in the store of Mr. Beeson. In 1882, he established a grocery of his own, being about the same time Justice of the Peace. He has recently taken a partner, and the firm is now Glass &
r
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Sly. He was appointed Postmaster in July, 1882. 1Ie is also a Notary Public, having been appointed soon after he came to Elm Ilall.
Feb. 22, 1866, at Elm Hall, he was married to Miss Mary 1. Boyd, daughter of John and Elizabeth Boyd, natives of Pennsylvania, where also the daughter was born, in February, 1846. She afterwards came to Ohio, and then to this State, where she was married. Mr. and Mrs. Sly have a family of five: Ettie A., Hattie B., Libbie, Fred A. and an infant. Mr. S. has been an active Republican since the organization of the party. He is J. V. C. in the G. A. R. post at Elm Hall, and he and wife are attached to the faith of the United Brethren Church.
Cohn Mull, farmer on section 5, Emerson Township, was born in Vates Co., N. Y., May 26, 1810, and is a son of Christopher and ('atharine (Bussard) Mull, of German de- scent and natives of Pennsylvania. They followed farming, and died in Livingston Co., N. Y., in 1864, the father aged go, and the mother aged 88. John came, when very young, with his parents, to Canandaigua, Ontario Co., N. Y., and three years later they removed to Mt. Morris, Livingston Co., N. V. In 1826 he went to Nunda, Allegany County, where, Sept. 18, 1832, he was married to Eliza, daughter of Joel and l'atty (Tuttle) Knapp, natives of Connecticut, and of New England parent- age, The former was a tailor by trade. They died in Livingston Co., N. Y., the one Aug. 12, 1855, aged 73, and the other April 11, 1864, aged 88. Eliza was born in Rockland Co., N. Y., on the banks of the Hudson, Jan. 29, 1807, When seven years old she went with her parents to Phelps, Ontario Co., N. Y., and later to Ossian, Livingston County. where she was educated and married.
Shortly after that event they went to Trumbull Co., Ohio, where he engaged in turning wood plates, at that time very fashionable in that country. Two years later, in the fall of 1833, he returned to New York and farmed for nine years. Going once more to Ohio, he resumed his former employment of mak- ing wooden dishes. In the fall of 1846 they came to Lenawee Co., Mich., and farmed for five years. Their next move was to Mason, Ingham County, and
in March, 1861, they came to Gratiot County and settled on 40 acres on section 5, Emerson Township. Mr. Mull has since added 40 acres, and has made excellent improvements.
March 25, 1864, he enlisted in Co. C, 2d Mich. Vol. Inf., and was sent to the Army of the Potomac. Fle participated in five active engagements, among them Cold Harbor, June 3, 1864. While supporting the battery he was compelled to sit within a few feet of the cannon's mouth, which caused the loss of hearing in the right ear, and seeing in the right eye. He was also in the battle of Yellowhouse Station, Aug. 19, 1864, and in the battles in front of Peters- burg, where he was captured March 25, 1865, just one year from his enlistment. Five days later he was paroled, and he received an honorable discharge June 12, 1865. Returning home, he has since de- voted his time to his farm and family.
Mr. and Mrs. Mull have had eight children, of whom five are living,-Ann A., born Aug. 11, 1837 ; Harriet N., Jan. 21, 1842; Mariah E., March 17, 1844; Jennie M., Jan. 3, 1847 ; John S., Oct. 13, 1849. The three not living are as follows: Joel F., born Nov. 25, 1833, and died July 10, 1858; William H., born April 23, 1840, and died in the service of the United States, at Farmington, Miss., Aug. 14, 1862; and Edwin E., born July 14, 1837, and died Aug. 8, 1883. Mr. Mull has held the office of C Justice of the Peace for a number of years, and Highway Commissioner for six years. In politics he is an adherent of the Republican party.
eorge Smith, manufacturer of brick and ....... tile, section 22, North Star Township, was born in Onondaga Co., N. Y., Feb. 22 1837 ; his father, James Smith, was a native' of Cayuga Co., N. Y., and is now a resident of Kalkaska, Mich. He moved with his fam- ily to Hillsdale Co., Mich., when his son George was only six years of age, settling upon a farm, where the latter was reared and educated.
The subject of this sketch came to Gratiot County in September, 1869, and, until about five years ago, followed farming. He is now driving a prosperous business in the manufacture of brick and tile, in connection with farming. His land property com- prises 116 acres.
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GRATIOT COUNTY.
Mr. Smith was married Aug. 18, 1860, to Miss At- lanta 1 .. , daughter of Erastus Shaw (deceased), who was a native of Rutland Co., Vt. She was born in Tompkins Co, N. Y., in 1840, and came to Michi- gan, with her husband, in April, 1861. Their chil- (ren are: Rosa B., deceased, Emma A., Eugene J., Flora V., Addie L., Frank J. and Grant O. Emma A. is the wife of Foshen Hoffman.
Mr. Smith has been Township Clerk, Justice of the Peace a few years, is a member of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry, and, with his wife, is in re- ligious belief a sympathizer with the Baptist Church.
charles R. Slaughter, manufacturer and re- pairer of wagons, Breckenridge village, Wheeler Township, was born in the State of New York, April 13, 1829, and is the son of James and Mary (Voak) Slaughter, natives of New York. The father was a farmer, and also practiced medicine. He moved to Seneca Co., Ohio, in 1841, and died there in 1844. Mrs. Slaugh- ter died in 187 1.
The son was 15 years old when he left home as an apprentice to the carpenter's trade, which he has always followed for a livelihood. At the age of 22, he was united in marriage to Ebaline, third daughter of Michael and Hepsoby (Famulinger) Long, natives of Ohio, in which State they followed farming until their death. Mrs. Slaughter died Dec. 27, 1856. He afterwards married Maria A., daughter of Silas T. and Harriet H. Jewell, natives of Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Both are now deceased, Mrs. Jewell dying March 14, 1852, and Mr. Jewell April 6, 1869, in Ohio.
Mr. Slaughter came to Gratiot County with his wife in 1861, and settled on section 22, Wheeler Town- ship. He first entered 320 acres, but has now 160 acres. He was the eighth white man in Wheeler Township. His first home was a 10 x 10 shanty, when wild animals were abundant. He often went to Saginaw and fetched on his back provisions for his family. They were obliged to go four miles to church. In spite of such trials they enjoyed to a high degree the peculiar pleasures of pioneer life.
Mr. Slaughter has one child by his first marriage, and four by his second: Del L., Ida H., Sarah L.,
Charlie B. and Nellie M. He is a member of North- ern Light Lodge, No. 40, F. & A. M., at South To- ledo, Ohio. In politics be affiliates with the Repub- lican party. Mrs. Slaughter is an active member of the M. E. Church.
orydon Cronkhite, retired farmer, section § 12, Emerson Township, was born in Hoosac, N. Y., Oct. 17, 1803, and with his parents went to Otsego County two years later. When about 14 years old, the family moved to the "Ilolland purchase" in Western New York, and he lived there until 1856, when he came to lonia, Mich. From 1868 till 1881 he lived in Saranac ; and then he came to this county to live with his nephew, Albro Curtiss.
March 12, 1825, at Middlebury, N. Y., he was married to Melinda Fisk. She was a native of War- saw, N. Y., in which State she was educated. Mr. Cronkhite was the oldest of 12 children, and had himself four children, two of whom are living: Jerome, married and living in Illinois; George, a res- ident of Pullman, Ill., and an overseer in the car-shops of that place.
He is a member of the Baptist Church at Saranac, Fonia County. Politically, he was always a Whig, during the life-time of the Whig party ; and now he is a firm Republican.
illlam H. Morrison, farmer, section 31, Elba Township, is a son of William F. and Rebecca (Smith) Morrison, natives of Cayuga Co., N. Y. Mr. Morrison was by occupation a cabinet-maker, and resided in the State of New York until his death, in 1840. Mrs. Morrison removed to Michigan, and died in Eaton County in 1876. The son, William H., was born Jan. 14, 1831, in Orleans Co., N. Y. His father dying when he was nine years of age, he went to live with his uncle, remaining five years. For the next few years he attended school and worked for his board in the winters and labored on the Erie Canal in the summers. He then went to Tompkins Co., N. Y., and learned the blacksmith trade. In 1869,
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he came to Gratiot County, and located on the east half of the southeast quarter of section 31, Elba Township. This was at that time all wild land, but he has now 65 acres well improved.
At the age of 23 he married Mary E. Luttenton, daughter of Almon and Livonia (Blanchard) Lutten- ton, natives of Orleans Co., N. Y. They came to Wayne Co., Mich., in 1839, and located on a farin, where Mr. Luttenton died April 10, 1844. Mrs. Lut- tenton died in the State of New York, Sept. 12, 1869. Mary E. was their third daughter, and was born March 9, 1834. Mr. and Mrs. Morrison have had nine children, as follows : William J., Dwight S., Der J .. Rebecca M., Almon L. (drowned in a barrel July 6, 1869), John W., AAlma L., David F. and Mary E.
Aug. 19, 1861. Mr. Morrison enlisted in Co. F, Third New York Cavalry. With his regiment he participated in the engagements of Ball's Bluff and Edwards' Ferry, and was with Banks' expedition into the Shenandoah Valley. At Elizabeth City, N. C., he was wounded by a musket ball, which he still car- ries in his body. He also fought at Roanoke Island, and other places, and was finally discharged Aug. 28, 1865.
In 1869, he was elected Supervisor of Elba Town- ship; and he has been School Director for a number of terms. He is a member of Genesee Lodge, No. 24, 1. O. O. F., and affiliates with the Republican party.
heldon Wight, of the linn of S. & M. Wight, of Sickels, and whose biography we are pleased to give as a representative man of Hamilton Township, was born in Lorain Co., Ohio, April 22, 1847, and is a son of Leonard Wight, of Van Buren Co., Mich., a native of Rochester, New York.
Mr. Wight's education was acquired in the common schools of his native county, which he attended, and lived at home, developing into manhood. At the age of 20 years, in the fall of 186;, he left the parental hearthstone and went forth to battle against the trials and troubles of life alone, or rather in company with the life companion he had chosen a year previous, and came to this county. He settled on the west half of the southwest quarter of section
4, Hamilton Township, where he has resided 16 years, and is at present living.
Mr. W. established his present business in the fall of 1881, and in 1883 admitted his brother as a full partner. The business, a planing mill and repair shop, is a prosperous one; it is run by steam power ; they have a large single surfacer and matcher, and a small surfacer for moulding and siding ; and they prin- cipally manufacture sleighs, and do a general repair business.
Mr. Wight was united in marriage to Miss Mary, daughter of Abraham Weaver, deceased. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. W., namely : Charley, Alma, Florence, Freddie and Bertie.
In addition to his business, Mr. W. devotes con- siderable of his time to the cultivation of his farm, consisting of So acres, less six acres incorporated in the village of Sickels, and also to an apiary, and prides himself on his success in the last named business.
Mr. Wight was a soldier in the late civil war, enlisting in Co. F, 6th Mich. Cav., was in Kilpatrick's raid toward Richmond, battles of the Wilderness, Cedar Creek, Fisher's Hill, Five Forks, and others, and likewise in all the charges immediately preced- ing Lee's surrender. After the grand review at Washington, D. C., his regiment was ordered to Powder River, Montana, and built Fort Reno.
While at Fort Reno, he was sent as a herder up a ravine about a mile from the fort, mounted on a mule. Seeing a wolf prowling around the herd, he tried his revolver on the animal, but only succeeded in breaking a hind leg. Following the wolf, he emptied his revolver in the chase, and was led about a half a mile over a hill into another ravine. His attention was then suddenly drawn to three mounted redskins, who were undoubtedly hostile in' their intentions. Being unarmed, and perceiving that the ravine he was in led to the fort, he took the shortest cut home. He asserts that if he had not had a good mule on that occasion, he would not now be conducting a wagon shop at Sickels.
Later in the fall the regiment was ordered to Salt Lake, Utah, but Mr. W. and a few others were sent to Fort Bridger, where he wintered. He was one of the 53 who marched back "as a command " and were discharged at Detroit, Mich., July 5, 1866. Mr. W. recollects many reminiscences of the " soldier
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