Portrait and biographical album of Gratiot county, Mich., Part 23

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

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They have had a family of six, all of whom are alive, married. and have families : Sobrina, born Dec. 22, 1833, Ralph, April 28, 1839, Theodore W., July 25, 1843, Hannah, July 22, 1846, Ellen A., April 7, 1849, and Merritt, Dec. 8, 1854.

Mr. and Mrs. Muscott are active members of the Presbyterian Church. He has held the office of Supervisor for two terms, and Township Treasurer for two terms.

Politically, he has been a stalwart Republican since the organization of the party.

tewart Edgar. farmer, on section 2, Emer- son Township, was born in Dumfrieshire, Keir Parish, Scotland, May 8, 1819; and is the son of John and Jane (Nicholson) Edgar, natives of Scotland. John Edgar was of Scotch ancestry for at least five centuries back. He was a farmer at first, but spent the latter part of his life weighing metal at the iron mines of England, where he moved about 1853. He died in Cletnir Moor, Eng., in March, 1855. Jane Nicholson lived with her parents in her native county, and was there reared, educated, married and died.

The subject of this sketch was educated in the parish schools of his native county, and at the age of 19 began to work as a common laborer in the mines

THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LOWRY

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THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY

ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN F. NDATIONS R

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of his native county and Galway County. In the latter, Oct. 18, 1844, he was united in marriage to Margaret, daughter of Anthony and Mary (McQueen) Dunn, natives of Galway, Scotland. He was a saw- yer by trade, and he and wife died about 1863. Margaret was born in Galway County, near Canmore Castle, May 1, 1830, and was bred and educated there. Nine years after marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Edgar removed to Cumberland Co., Eng., where he worked in the mines. In the summer of 1855, they came to London, Ontario, Can., where he was em- ployed as a railroad section foreman. Later he was stationed in the same capacity at St. Thomas, and remained there seven years. In December, 1862, he came to Michigan with his family, and settled on 122 acres in Emerson Township, purchased two years previously. He has 70 acres well improved, and good farm buildings. He has also purchased 120 acres additional, which is worked by his two oldest sons.

Mr. and Mrs. Edgar have a family of seven: El- len, Jane, Stewart, James, William George Thomas, Mary and John. Politically, Mr. Edgar is a staunch Republican. He and wife are life-long members of the Presbyterian Church of Scotland. They are among the most respected citizens of the township.

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ames Henry, proprietor of the St. Louis Flouring Mills, manufacturer and dealer in lumber, shingles, flour, feed, etc., was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, Feb. 24, 1825. He is a son of William and Sarah A. (Gilmore) Henry, and both parents were natives of the Emerald Isle. His father died there, at the age of 84 years, in the same house in which he was born. His mother died previously, when she was about 42 years old.

Mr. Henry was brought up on a farm and obtained a fair education. At 18 he learned the business of a wagon-maker, and in 1849 left his native country for the United States. He spent two summers on a farm in Yates Co., N. Y., and in 1851 proceeded to Allegany Co., N. Y., where he learned engineering, which he followed three years and then came to Bay City, Mich., and operated in the same capacity one

summer, after which he proceeded to St. Charles, Saginaw County, where he was similarly employed six years. In 186t he went to Giant Co., Wis., and became proprietor of 160 acres of land by purchase. Three years after he returned to Michigan and fol- lowed his trade of engineer in Saginaw County three years. He went to Hemlock City and bought a saw and shingle mill, which the operated to years with satisfactory success, and in 1879 went to Cedar Lake, Montcalm County, where he built a saw and shingle mill and engaged vigorously in the prosecution of lumbering interests. Two years later, the steam boiler exploded, destroying the mill and killing two men. At the moment of the explosion, Mr. Henry was in the mill, standing near the stove, which was about 20 feet from the boiler. The roof fell upon him, but the stove kept it from crushing him to death. He hastened the re-building of the mill and in 60 days it was again running.

In the fall of 1882, Mr. Henry moved to St. Louis, where he had purchased one and a half acres of land, and built a residence. In September of the same year he bought his mill site, which includes about 15 acres, and is largely engaged in the manufacture of mill products. He also owns 400 acres of land in Richland Township, Saginaw County. His flouring mills are 30 x 80 feet, with three stories and base- ment. The wing is 22 X 40 feet in size and two stories high. The mills are fitted with the most modern style of machinery for the production of first- class work, and the power is supplied by six Leff- well turbine water wheels. The fixtures include six run of stones, and the capacity of the works is 125 barrels per day. The flouring and saw mills were owned 24 years by H. L. Holcomb, of whom Mr. Henry purchased them in September, 1882. In De- cember following, the saw-mill burned, entailing a loss of $3,000, without insurance.

Mr. Henry was married in St. Charles, Saginaw County, Feb. 24, 1859, to Jane, daughter of William and Mary Boyst, a native of New York. Four children have been born of their marriage, two of whom are living,-Fred Cook and Myra J. The deceased were William B. and Nellie M. Mr. Henry is a Republican in political sentiment, and, while re- siding in Saginaw County, held the positions of Town- ship Clerk and Treasurer.

Physically, Mr. Henry is a fine sample of manly

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vigor and energetic effort. He has the hashhood of a man who has passed his years of prime and yet retains his powers of strength and endurance to a degree that proves the correctness of his babits and course of life. Both he and his wife have reached a period of existence altogether satisfying from their part of well-directed effort and their Future, which holds higher and better promise than that of youth's fresh flush of hope and ambition. They can rest on the fruition of the years that are gone, which assure the type of those to come. The portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Henry are to be found on pages 250 and 251.

eorge Little, blacksmith, at Sickels, was born in the county of Franklin, and State of Vermont, Jan. 5, 1850, and is a son of Peter Little, of Sweetsburg, Canada, and a na- tive of that county. Mr. Little received the advantages afforded by the common schools of his native country He learned his trade in Ver- mont while quite a young man and has success- fully pursued it until the present time with the ex- ception of about two years.

He came to St. Louis, Mich., in 1880, and after remaining there eight months, went to Ithaca, where he lived for six months. He then came to Sickels, this county, at which place he now carries on his trade.

He was married June 14, 1874, to Miss Katie Golden, and four children have been born to their union, namely : Annie, Ettie, George Thomas and William Henry.

illiam W. Palmer, farmer, section 28, North Star Township, is a native of the Empire State, and was born in Onondaga County, May 27, 1823. His parents, Gilbert and Ann (l'itts) Palmer, were natives respect- ively of Green and Columbia Cos., N. Y., who emigrated to Lenawee Co., Mich., in 1837, settling in the wild woods, amongst savage animals and Indians. Mr. Palmer settled where he now lives in this county

in 1854, and where he at present owns 80 acres of good land. He has given his children 160 acres. He was a blacksmith by trade when a young man, but for many years he has been a prosperous farmer.

July 2, 1845, Mr. Palmer married Miss Lydia M., daughter of Chester and Aurelia (Guthrie) Savage, and of their nine children five only are now living, viz .: Ida 1 .. , Rufus M., Frank G., Roscoe C. and Vere D. Ida L. married Edwin E. Palmer, and lives in Mecosta Co., Mich., in Fork Township; Rufus M. married Charlotte Henry, and lives on part of the homestead ; Frank G. married Llewella Husen, and is a prominent teacher; Roscoe C'. lives in Chicago; and Vere D. is at home, attending school winters and working on the farm during the rest of the year.

Mr. Palmer, the subject of this biographical notice, was the first Treasurer of North Star Township, hold- ing the office five years; has also been Township Clerk one year, School Inspector one year, and is Justice of the Peace. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity.

Wohn H. Bangs, farmer, section it, Arcada Township, was born in De Kalb Co., Ind , May 11, 1847 ; and is the son of Heman and Almira (Chaffee) Bangs, natives of Ver- mont and New York. Heman Bangs removed from Vermont to New York; thence to Michi- gan; and lastly to De Kalb Co., Ind., where he was one of the first settlers.

The subject of this biographical notice remained at home, working on the farm and attending the com- mon school, until he attained his majority. He then came to.Gratiot, and kept "bachelor's hall " on So acres his father had purchased a few years before. Some months later, he returned to his native county, where, Jan. 21, 1869, he was married to Miss Emma De Long, daughter of James and Elizabeth (Fair) De Long, natives of Maryland and Virginia. Emma was born in Allen Co., Ind., Oct. 6, 185 r, went when Io years old to De Kalb Co., Ind., and there was reared and educated.

Immediately after marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Bangs came to Gratiot and settled down on his then unim-

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proved farm. He has now under cultivation 40 acres, and has erected one of the best barns in the township.

Mr. and Mrs. B. have a family of four, as follows : Cora, bom Jan. 16, 1870; Stella, Sept. 1, 1872; L.eota, Oct. 5, 1873; Raymond, Aug. 5, 1877. Po- litically, Mr. Bangs is a Republican. He and wife are members of the United Brethren Church.

acob Schaub, farmer, section 28, Lafayette Township, is a son of George and Sophia (Brandan) Schaub, natives of Germany. They followed farming in the old country until 1852, when they emigrated to America. They farmed in Lorain and Sandusky Counties, Ohio, until their death in the latter county in 1869. Jacob left home at the age of 28, and worked on a farm until he was married, July 10, 1858, to Mary Rice.

In 1876 he removed with his family to Gratiot County, and located on 80 acres of land on section 28, Lafayette Township. He has improved 60 acres. In 1878 he built his barn, and in 1883 he erected a large and well-arranged dwelling-house

Mrs. Schaub was born Oct. 13, 1840, in Sandusky Co., Ohio. She has brought to her husband 14 children : Barney, Anthon G., Christian W., Sophia E., Jacob, Jane, Emma, Willie and Wilson (twins). George, Frank, Albert, Bertie and Alice.

Mr. Schaub has been Moderator of his school district for three years. Politically he is a Democrat.

braham L. Wight, whose Christian name was given him in honor of the martyred Lincoln, who took the oath of office and en- tered on the duties of Chief Magistrate of the Nation eight days after the birth of our sub- ject, is a son of Leonard Wight, who came to Eaton County, this State, in 1858, and settled in the town- ship of Benton, where Abraham was born, Feb. 24, 1861. He lived with his parents in Benton Town- ship, Eaton County, until 1869, when he accom- panied them to Chester Township, same county, and where the mother died in 1874.

Hle received the advantages afforded by the com- mon schools of his county and followed his inchina- tion to learn the wagon and carpenter business by working for his brother, Sheldon Wight. He is now engaged with his brothers S. and M. Wight, in their planing-mill; is present Clerk of Hamilton Town- ship, and a member of the 1. O. O. F.

Mr. Wight owns 40 acres of land on section 5, and devotes as much of his time to its improvement as is compatible with the faithful performance of his other duties. He has four brothers, -Francis, Shel- don, Reuben and Mason, living. His only sister and the eldest chikl of the family, died when she was 12 years of age.

Mr. W. is yet a young man, and, possessing his portion of that indomitable energy characteristic of the young men of the county, supported by a large amount of ambition, is certain to succeed

ambrose B. Angell, farmer, on section 28, Arcada Township, is a son of William and Rhoda (Bonnell) Angell, natives of New York and Connecticut, respectively. They followed farming, and died in Stockbridge, Ingham Co., Mich., the father Jan. 28, 1864, aged 69, and the mother June 6, 1865, aged 64. They were pioneers of Ingham County.

Ambrose B. was born in Orange Co., N. Y., April 15, 1834, and at the age of eight came with his parents to Wayne County, this State. Here he lived six years, working on the farm and attending school. When 14 years old, he moved with his parents to Bunkerhill Township, Ingham County, and settled on a farm. Two years later, he went to Jackson, and for two years he attended the High School in that city. He then attended 18 months at Albion College. Returning to Ingham County, he was for the ensuing four years engaged in teaching, in the common schools. Going back to his father's farm, he worked it, in partnership with his brother Malcolm, until the latter's death, in 1866. For the next seven years, he carried on the farm by himself. Going then to Rives, Jackson County, he purchased So acres of improved land, and commenced farming there.

April 9, 1877, he received a great financial set- back in the form of a fire, that speedily reduced to

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ashes his residence, household goods, barns, live stock, grain and farm implements. His total loss was not less than $4,400. Shortly after this, he sold his farm, came to Gratiot County and purchased 160 acres of partly improved land on section 28, Arcada Township, where he has since resided. He has cleared 60 acres, and now, of his 160 acres, 110 are under the plow. He has commodious farm buildings.

Nov. 24. 1864, at Waterloo, Jackson County, he was married to Elvira J., a daughter of Hiram and Martha (McNeal) Drew, natives of New England, and of Irish descent. She was born at Grass Lake, Jackson County, Dec. 22, 1840, and lived with her parents in that county until her marriage. She attended school at Grass Lake and Leoni, and com- menced teaching school at the age of 16. This she followed till she was 22, and at 23 she was married.

Mr. and Mrs. Angell have a family of six, as fol- lows: Mattie R., born Dec. 30, 1865, Edith E., Dec. 8, 1866, Cora A, Dec. 3, 1867, Florence E., Feb. 2, 1869, Edwin F., March 5. 1871, Willie C., Oct. 19, 1875.

Mr. and Mrs. Angell are active members of the Patrons of Husbandry. He has held the office of Drain Commissioner and Highway Commissioner. Politically, he votes with the Republican party.

ollin W. Maxam, merchant, section 29, Lafayette Township, is a son of Isaac B. and Clarissa (Kellogg) Maxam, natives of New York. Mr. Maxam, Sr., followed farm- ing in New York State until 1849, when he removed to Ohio, and engaged there in farm- ing and stock-raising. Rollin W. was born Feb. 19, 1851. He remained with his father until 21. He then worked one season manufacturing cheese. Coming to Michigan in the fall of 1872, he was for the ensuing three years manager of a cheese factory. HIe then enbarked in farming. In 1878, he came to this county and located on section 29, Lafayette Township, spending the next three years clearing his farm.

Nov. 7, 1881, he was appointed Postmaster of La- fayette post-office. Jan. 1, 1882, he engaged in mercantile business, which he has followed since.

He has a general stock of dry goods, groceries, boots and shoes, and miscellaneous goods. He also has an extensive apiary, and deals in bees and honey.

He was married in 1870, to Ida E. Bissell, daughter of Warren and Charlotte (Bailey) Bissell. They were natives of Ohio. and died the mother in Ohio, in 1854, and the father in Kansas, in 1879.

Mr. and Mrs. Maxam are the parents of three children: Arthur J., Mabel and Arno. Politically, Mr. Maxam is a Republican.

rancis M. Utter, farmer, section 33, Ar- cada Township, was born in Chatham, Medina Co., Ohio, March 10, 1833; and 2 is the son of Amos and Margery (Hamilton) Utter, natives of New York State. Amos Ut- ter was a mechanic and farmer, of English and German descent, and died in Manistee Co., Mich., in October, 1876.

When Francis was six years old, his father re- moved to Shelby Co., Ill., and two years later, in June, 1841, he came to Michigan, locating in Port- land, lonia County. Here he worked on his father's farm and attended the common school, until he at- tained his majority. For the ensuing three years he worked at farming on shares in the summer time, and at lumbering in the winters.

Jan. 1, 1857, in Pine River Township, this county, he was united in marriage to Miss Sophia C. Roberts, daughter of Stephen and Rachel (Stuck) Roberts, natives of New York. They afterwards removed to this State, where Sophia was born, in Pittsfield, Wash- tenaw Co., Mich., April 8, 1840. She was reared and educated in that county, and there lived and cared for her father's household until 17 years old, when she was married.

Shortly after that event, Mr. and Mrs. Utter re- moved to Portland, Ionia County, where they carried on farming for 10 years ; thence to Dallas Township, Clinton County, where they were similarly engaged for 12 years. Mr. Utter was also extensively en- gaged in buying and selling real estate. In March, 1876, they came to this county, where he purchased So acres in Lafayette Township. Shortly after, he sold, and bought 40 acres in New Haven. Here he

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erected a house, and farmed for about three years. He then purchased 160 acres of timbered land on section 33, Arcada Township, his present home, and commenced to improve the same. He has 25 acres carefully improved, and is possessed of sufficient ability and experience to make in time one of the most successful farmers in the township.

Mr. and Mrs. Utter have had born to them four children, of whom three are living: Amos D, born Oct. 14, 1860; Francis M., Sept. 24, 1863; Ceylon A., April 28, 1875. Clara A. was born Oct. 6, 1857, and was fatally scalded by falling into a tub of hot water, March 17, 1861. Mr. Utter has held the of- fices of Director, Assessor, Inspector and Moderator in his school district. Ile is at present Moderator. Politically he is a Democrat.

llen Oberlin, farmer, section 23, Elba Township, is a son of George and Esther (Bowman) Oberlin, natives of Pennsylvania. They died in 1868 and 1863, respectively. Allen was born Nov. 15, 1814, in Lancaster Co., l'a. Leaving his father's farm at the age of 21, he worked by the month until he was 26, when he married Mary, daughter of John and Christina (Baisler) Wulmoyer. They were natives of Germany, and emigrated to America at an early day. Mary Wulmoyer was born April 21, 1821.

Mr. and Mrs. Oberlin moved to Stark Co , Ohio, and remained there a period of ten years. He then went to Medina County, in the same State, living there eight years. His next move was to Indiana, but three months more found him in Lansing, Mich., where his home was for the next eight years. He then located on section 23, Elba Township. At that time they were surrounded by a perfect wilderness, and the howl of the wolf and the scream of the wild- cat became familiar sounds to their ears. Their nearest neighbor in one direction was three miles away, in the other eight. They first entered a large tract of land, but, old age coming on, they have sold most of their land, and now live on a 20-acre place. They are the parents of nine children : Eliza, Rachel, Mary A., Esther (died Dec. 12, 1883), John, George, Christina, Malcolm and Rebecca.

Mr. Oberlin is one of the most prominent citizens

of Elba Township, and is looked up to by his neigh- bors. He has held the office of Highway Com- missioner. He is an active member of the Free Methodist Church, and has always been a supporter of the Republican party.

asper C. Sickels. Postmaster and merchant at Sickels, was born at Howell, Livingston Co., Mich., March 27, 1849, and is a son of Aaron Sickels, an early settler of Wayne Co, Mich., but now of Walton, Grand Trav-

- erse County, this State. When he was seven year, old the family moved to Wyandotte, Mich., and two years afterward they came to Duplain, Clin- ton Co., Mich., where his father was in turn a mer- chant, miller and farmer.

Mr. S., the subject of this sketch, was educated in the common schools, and in 1871 engaged in mer- cantile business at Elsie, Mich., until in 1873, when his health failed and he resorted to agricultural em- ployment until 1880. In November of this year he purchased his present store at Sickels, where he keeps a full line of goods in general merchandise, and is doing a prosperous trade. He also owns a steam saw-mill in the pineries of this and Saginaw counties.

May 5. 1870, Mr. Sickels was married to Miss Mary P, daughter of Elisha Fuller (deceased), and the three children now comprised in their family are, Hattie, Claud and Frankie.

Mr. S. is a member of the Orders of Masonry and Odd Fellowship.

omer Galehouse, farmer, section 25, Elba Township, is a son of John W. and Julia (Wilson) Galehouse, natives of Ohio and Massachusetts. The father was murdered, at Doylestown, Ohio, in 1841; and the mother died in 1843. Homer was born in Wayne Co., Ohio, March 24, 1838. Being left an orphan when only five years of age, he went to live with his grand- parents. At the age of 13, he was apprenticed to the saddle and harness trade, but after two and a half years ill health compelled him to abandon that

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occupation. For the next few years he worked at a number of things, until he finally settled down as a farmer.

In 1875, in the State of Indiana, he joined his for- tunes with Mary Pettyjohn, born April 7, 1843, in Stark Co., Ohio. The same year he removed to Elba Township. this county, finally locating on 80 acres of wild land on section 25. He has now comfortable buil.lings, and 60 acres of well improved land. Mr. and Mrs. Galehouse have a family of seven children, -John D., Charles E., George H., Lucette E., Frank 7 .. , Sarah L. and Mary J. Mr. Galehouse is a mem- ber of the U. B. Church, and votes with the Repub- lican party.

eorge W. Marshall, farmer, section 17, Lafayette Township, is a son of Nathan ₹ D. and Hannah E. (Furner) Marshall, natives of Ohio. They were engaged in farming in that State until 1865, when they came to Michigan. They followed farming in Clinton County until 1878, when they came to Lafayette Township, Gratiot County, and located on section 18, on their present place of 60 acres.

The subject of this sketch was born in Geauga Co., Ohio, Aug. 11, 1855. Ile lived with his parents, at- tending the common schools a portion of the time, until he was 18 years old. He then left home to work on his own account. He was employed on a farm the first year at $18 per month, and the second at $20, and also attended school occasionally until Jan. 12, 1882, when he was married to Ella Phelps. born in Livingston County, Aug. 6, 1865. She is the eldest daughter of James and Elizabeth (Hodges) Phelps, natives of New York and Canada, respect- ively. They came in 1881 to this county, where Mr. Phelps follows his trade of blacksmith.

Feb. 19. 1882, Mr. and Mrs. Marshall located on a tract of So aures on section 17. Lafayette Township, where they now reside. Mr. Marshall has improved 40 acres of his farm and erected a neat and commno- dious dwelling-house.

In the winter of 1883 4, he taught the school in district No. 3. They are the happy parents of one child, Allen B, born Det. 1, 1883. In 1882, Mr. Marshall was chosen School Inspector of his Town-

ship for two years. He is also Pathmaster in his district. Politically he stands on the platforn. of "Anti-Monopoly."

18 ruce Hunter, farmer, section 35, Elba Township, is a son of John and Charlotte (Kenna) Hunter, natives of New York, where the former died. Bruce left home at the early age of 13, and went to work driving team on the New York water-works. Coming to Detroit in 1842, he worked a year as blacksmith. The next four years were spent in Canada. Then he spent a short time in Buffalo, N. Y., 18 months at Cayuga Creek, Niagara County, and two years in Erie Co., N. Y. Coming to Michigan in 1856, he spent 18 months in Jackson County, and then located in Elba Township, this county. He worked two years in Elsie, then returned and sold his Elba farm, then went to Elsie once more. He finally purchased 40 acres on section 35, Elba Township, where he now resides.

In 1853 he was married to Miranda, daughter of Ralph and Margaret Sutphin. Mr. and Mrs. Hunter have a family of six children : William H., Frank, Fred, George, Eva and Florence. In politics Mr. Hunter is a Republican. He has been Justice of the Peace, and has been a school officer for eight years.

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Portrait and biographical album of Gratiot county, Mich., Part 23

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

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