Portrait and biographical album of Gratiot county, Mich., Part 24

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

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orace Spear, farmer, section 35, Lafayette Township, is a son of Calvin and Charlotte (Stone) Spear, natives of Vermont and Can- ada, respectively, and was born Feb. 23, 1832. At the age of 17, he left home, and began to care for himself. In 1849, he came to Sanilac Co., Mich., where he remained a short time. He then went to St. Clair C'o., Mich., after a year return- ing to Sanilac County. Thence be removed to lonia County, in 1863. His next move after a number of years, was to Lawrence Co., Tenn., where he re- mained one year and then, returning to Michigan, settled in Gratiot County, in the year 1878. He first located on section 28, Emerson Township, and then, after three years, removed to his present residence, on section 35, Lafayette Township.

GRATIOT COUNTY.

In his 22d year, he was married to Mary A, West- ervelt, who was born in Canada, Jan. 15, 1838. She was the daughter of Garrett and Lucinda (Pollard) Westervelt, natives of Canada. Mr. and Mrs. Spear are the parents of six children : Delila J., Minerva, William A., Ida 1 .. , John A. and Alfred II.

Mr. Spear held the office of Highway Commis- sioner, in St. Clair County, one year, and he has also held various school offices. He and Mrs. Spear be- long to the Free Methodist Church, in which they are active workers. Mr. Spear has a license as a local preacher of the gospel, and occasionally leads services for his denomination.

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Jacob J. Muffly, farmer, section 9, Hamilton Township, was born in Stark Co., Ohio, Nov. 6, 1837. He is a son of John Muffly, of this Township, who brought his family to this County in 1855 and settled on the above named section and where he and our subject now live. They settled in the woods and were sub- jected to all the trials encountered by the early pio- neer settlers of the county. Wild animals predomi- nated in abundance and, "although they were con- sidered a necessity to supply the craving appetites of hungry, ambitious and energetic individuals," the howling of the wolves, the crying of the panther and wild-cat were no pleasant sounds to listen to, and grated harshly on the ear, at least of the feminine portion of the household.

When the shot which started a nation fiom its peaceful sleep of years, was thundered from rebel guns upon Fort Sumter, and our martyred President called for loyal hearts to battle for the perpetuity of the " Flag of our Fathers " and the preservation of our nation's honor, the heart of our subject beat in unison with the cause and he enlisted in Co. F, 29th Mich. Vol. Inf. He was in the battles of Decatur, Murfreesboro and others, and was honorably dis- charged Sept. 6, 1865.

Mr. Muffly was married Aug. 2, 1866, to Miss Mary, daughter of Zoroaster Moss, deceased, and five children have been born to their union, four of whom, John L., Birdsey A., Charles H. and Annie are liv- Ing. Mrs. MI. was born in Waterloo, Jackson Co.,

Mich., in 1847, and is a cousin to ex. Gov. Blair, of this State. Mr. and Mrs. M. are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. They have a fine farm of So acres, on which they are at present living and pleasure and happiness surround the family hearthstone.

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orace S. Taylor, farmer, section 20, Arca- da Township, was born in St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., Feb. 7, 1818; and is the son of James and Tabitha (Borland) Taylor. James Taylor was born in Orange Co., N. V., of Irish and English descent, and was by occupation a farmer. He died in Cleveland, Ohio, at the age of 87. Ilis wife died in Litchfield, Medina Co., Ohio, also at an advanced age.

The subject of this sketch remained with his father on the farm and attended school, first the common schools, and then the Gouverneur Academy of St. Lawrence County, and taught until 23 years old. He commenced teaching at the age of 21, and fol- lowed that for three years. lle then removed to Medina Co., Ohio, where he farmed and taught select school until 1854. He then became a railroad con- tractor, and after a time became connected with a saw-mill. In the spring of 1867 he came to this State and county, and purchased 120 acres of partly improved land on section 20, Arcada Township, and devoted himself to farming. He has made rapid im- provements, has erected new barns, and now has about one-half his farm in a state of high cultivation. Though becoming advanced in years, he is a progress- ive farmer, and actively devoted to building up his township. He takes an especial interest in all things pertaining to schools and in all benevolent and econ- omic projects.

Oct. 5, 1852, at Penfield, Lorain Co., Ohio, he was united in marriage to Maria, daughter of Orrin and Abigail (Hickok) Starr, natives of New York, and of English descent. The Starrs have an interesting and valuable genealogical record, which traces the family back to Dr. Comfort Starr, of Kent, England, 1635. The book is a quarto, and contains 579 pages. Maria Starr was born in Harpersfield, Delaware Co., N. Y. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor have had a family of three,

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two of whom survive, as follows : James L., born Jan. 19, 1856; Abbie E., born July 29, 1867; Emma S., born Sept. 8, 1857, and died May 18, 1870. Mr. Taylor is a member of the 1. O. O. F. lodge at Me- dina, Ohio. He is highly esteemed by all his num . crous friends, and has been often asked to hold of- fice. Ile has been for some time Superintendent of Schools. In political sentiment, he is an ardent and influential Greenbacker, and uncompromisingly op- posed to any and all monopolies. In 1880, he was unanimously nominated for Representative, by his party, a high compliment to Mr. Taylor's ability and popularity.

obert Gladson, farmer and stock-raiser, section 17, North Star Township, was born in Oakland Co., Mich., June 5, 1844, and is a son of John Gladson, deceased, a native of England, who moved with his family to Clinton Co., this State, in 1854, and a few years afterward to this county. Mr. Robert Glad- son was a soldier in the late war for 18 months, being a member of Co. 1, 27th Mich. Vol. Inf., and taking part in the battles of the Wilderness and Spottsyl- vania. In the latter engagement he was wounded in the right shoulder. He was married June 26, 1870, to Miss Amanda J., daughter of John Garver (dec.), and they have five children, as follows : William N., Ralph E., Ellen M., Altha E. and Edith S.

Mr. G. is a Republican, and has been Constable two years, and held other offices. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic.

homas Derry, farmer, section 3, Hamilton Township, is a son of Thomas and Mary A. (Johnson) Derry, natives of England, where Thomas, Jr., was born, in Cambridgeshire, Jan. 26, 1832.

Mr. Derry received the advantages of a select- school education in his native country, and emigrated to the United States, with his parents, in 1854, settling in Wayne Co., N. Y.

In 1866, Mr. Derry left the parental home, and, following the inclination of his ambitious disposition

to better his financial condition in life, came to this State, arriving in this county in January of that year, and has resided here ever since. IIe settled in the woods, and had but two acres of land cleared on which to raise a sufficiency to sustain himself and family; yet, being endowed with that spirit of push, pluck and energy so necessary to success, he met and successfully conquered all difficulties.

Mr. Derry was united in marriage to Miss Mary A., daughter of John Swails, deceased. Mrs. D. was born and brought up on the banks of Lake Ontario, on the identical farm on which the British troops landed during the war of 1812.

Mr. and Mrs. D. are the parents of nine children, namely : Albert, Herbert A., Frank, Emma, Agnes. M., Willis, Lewis, Annie and Frederick. Albert married Miss Mary Williams, and one son, Earl, has been born to them. Emma married a brother of Miss Williams, and to them has been born a son, named George William.

Mr. Derry owns 441/2 acres of land, which is under the best of cultivation, with a large barn and com- modious residence. He is a member of the Pres- byterian Church, of which denomination Mrs. D. has been a member since she was 16 years of age.

Herbert A. Derry, son of our subject, is one of the enterprising business men of the township, and is engaged in lumbering.

Mr. and Mrs. D. made a visit to the old homestead in Wayne Co., N. Y., in 1883, and spent a pleasant vacation among their relatives and friends.

eorge B. Andrus, hotel-keeper, Brecken- ridge village, Wheeler Township, was born in Batavia, N. Y., March 28, 1827; and was the son of James and Hannah (Dodge) Andrus, natives of New York. Mr. Andrus, Sr., was engaged in farming and running a saw-mill in New| York until 1856, when he came to Michigan. Mrs. Andrus died in 1857, and Mr. An- drus in 1860, both in Kalamazoo County.

The subject of this sketch remained at home until he was 21, when he commenced to care for himself. He worked on a farm and in saw-mills until he was 26 years old, and then married Elizabeth, daughter

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THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY

ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS R L

Elius . Lower

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of William and Mary A. (Vandorn) Young. She died in April, 1862, leaving two sons,-Auburt and Lewis. Mr. Andrus was again married, to Mary P. Doty, the widow of Benjamin Doty. She was born Dec. 25, 1841, the daughter of William M. and Annis Russell, natives of New York and Pennsylvania. They came to Pompei, this county, in April, 1876, where he kept a hotel one year. He pursued the same calling one year at Ithaca, and then removed to Breckenridge, where he is still in the hotel busi- ness. Mr. Andrus has four children by his second marriage : Jewett E., Minnie, James .A. and Kittie A. In politics he is a Republican.

lias Sower, physician, clergyman and far- mer, section 1, North Star Township, is a native of York Co., Pa., where he was born April 5, 1810. He is a son of Henry Sower, deceased, a native of Frederick Co., Md .; the latter was a son of John Sower, who came from Germany many years ago and settled in Maryland. The father of our subject was a soldier in the war of 1812, and moved his family from Maryland to Centre Co., Pa., in 1815. Here the son attended the com- mon schools, assisted on the farm and grew to man- hood. In 1835 Mr. Sower moved to Holmes Co., Ohio, where he remained for one year and then went to Seneca County, same State. He remained here for four years, until 1840, when he went to Richland County. and after remaining there ten years engaged in various occupations, he returned to Seneca County. He remained there until 1854, when he came to this county and entered 320 acres of Goverment land on which he is now residing. His trials were similar to those of Michigan's pioneer settlers, and he ener- getically met them, with all the determination of an individual whose great ambition was to succeed in life, and conquered them.

He arrived in this county, after having entered nis land at the Land Office on Oct. 6, 1854, in the afternoon of the 9th of December, the same year. Eight inches of snow was on the ground and he and

his family slept in their wagon for an entire week before the customary " log cabin " was erected. At last the round log shanty was completed, 14 x 20, and he and his family moved into their " palace." fle began to chop, roll and burn the logs and cleared a small patch on which to raise a crop, and success- fully continued his labor until want was driven from the door, and plenty entered, and, taking her seat by the side of comfort and happiness looked back upon the past with satisfaction and content.

The Doctor read medicine for a number of years before coming to this State, not with the intention of practicing but more for his own edification, yet his knowledge of medicine soon became known to his neighbors and the indisposed would not accept No for an answer in response to their earnest request to call and administer to their ailments. He therefore en- tered on the practice through no desire on hi; part, and yet, after following the same for a few years, he became so infatuated with the profession he has con- tinued it ever since. He had nothing to feed his horses when he first came here and was compelled to sell them, and for four years followed the profession by walking to his patients. He was what might be called "the father of the neighborhood." He ad- ministered to their wants, cured their diseases, made their coffins, preached their funerals and placed the dirt upon their graves.

Mr. Sower was married May 1, 1832, to Margaret Bitner, who died Aug. 1, 1851. They had ten chil- dren, eight of whom are living, namely: Susan, Lydia, John H., Catherine, Daniel, Lovina, William and Samuel. One daughter, Mary J., after reaching womanhood and marrying, died from the effects of a sun-stroke, leaving the children to the care of the husband. Mr. S. was again married, June 8, 1854, to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of John Klingomon, and four children have been born to their union, two of whom, Sarah E. and Almira, are living; one son, David E., twin brother to Sarah, died in his 20th year, and another in infancy.

Dr. Sower was licensed as an exhorter in 1840, and July 27, 1843, was licensed to preach the gospel from a Methodist standpoint. Aug. 28, 1853; he was ordained Deacon by Bishop T. A. Morris, of Mt. Vernon, and received the Elder's ordination at the hands of Bishop Scott at Grand Rapids, Oct. 5, 1862. He and his wife are both members of the

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Church and the Doctor has been an active member for 54 years.

Dr. Sower's life-long friends will prize this work more highly for the portrait of the pioneer, which is given on a preceding page.

artey S. Evitts, farmer, section 32, North Star Township, is a native of Trumbull Co., Ohio, where he was born Jan. 10, 1834, and is a son of Bela Evitts (deceased), a native of Connecticut. He was brought up on a farm, receiving his education in the common school. When only four years old his parents emigrated, with the family, to this county, settling, in June, 1854, in North Star Township, where he has since made it his home. Ile was a pioneer, witnessing all the features of a frontier life and having his share of their experiences. Deer, wolves and bears were plentiful when he settled here. He now owns 80 acres of fine farming land, where he humbly wins from the soil his livelihood.

Mr. Evitts was married Feb. 28, 1861, to Miss Margaret Bartrim, a native of Ireland who was brought to this country when six years of age. Her father was Thomas Bartrim, now deceased, who set- tled first in Pennsylvania, then, in 1849. in Ohio, and finally, in 1854, in this county. Mr. and Mrs. E. have five children, viz. : John L., Alva H., Clara M., George B. and Mary E.,-all at home.

esse Pepple, farmer, section 17, Emerson Township, was born in Hancock C'o., Ohio, Dec. 15, 1842 ; and was the son of Jesse and Mary (Tipple) Pepple, natives of Pennsyl- vania and Ohio, and of Pennsylvania German descent. The former died in Michigan in 1869, and the latter in Ohio in 1857. Tesse, junior, passed his youth in working on his fathers farm summers and attending school winters. At the age of 20 he apprenticed himself to a pump-maker at Findlay, Ohio. Serving out his term, he formed a partnership with his employer, and remained in that business until September, 1867. He then came to Michigan, and purchased 40 acres of unbroken for-

est land, erecting the log house so familiar to pio- neers. He has since added 40 acres to his farm by purchase, and has improved 43 acres of the whole. Ile has a good residence and farm buildings. For five years, he also followed pump-making, in connec- tion with farming.

He was married, Aug. 11, 1864, at Findlay, Ohio, to Susan Beard, daughter of Adam and Delight (Smith) Beard, natives of New England. They are farmers, and live in Hancock Co., Ohio, where their daughter was born, Oct. 12, 1842. Mr. and Mrs. Pepple have had two children, but both died in in- fancy.

Mr. Pepple is a member of Emerson Center Lodge, No. 375, 1. O. O. F. He is an enterprising farmer, and popular in his township. He held the office of Highway Commissioner for a period of 10 years, and that of School Director for nine years. In 1880, he was chosen Supervisor of Emerson Township. He held that office two years, and in 1883 was again elected. Politically, he is a staunch Republican.

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arks Allen, farmer, section 29, Emerson apoyoY= Township, was born in Delaware Co., N. Y., July 13, 1836 ; and is the son of Isaiah and Elsie (Peck) Allen. natives of New York, and of Yankee and German descent. His father came to Michigan when about 50 years old, and located in Emerson Township, where he died, at the age of 64, and his wife, at the age of 58. Parks Allen left his native county when quite young, and went with his parents to Seneca Co., N. Y., then seven years later to Steuben Co., N. Y. He worked on his father's farm, and attended the district schools as much as he could, until the fall of 1854, when he emigrated to Michigan with his parents, and helped to make a home on 160 acres of heavy timber land in Emerson Township. They were the third family to settle in Emerson, and the first to sow wheat. They sowed five acres, and from that stumpy field gathered 40 bushels per acre.

Oct. 22, 1861, the subject of this sketch was mar- ried, in Emerson Township, to Minerva, daughter of Ralph and Jane (Terry) Bellows, natives of New York and Michigan, respectively. She was born in

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Genesee Co., Mich., Oct. 22, 1843. She afterwards lived in Calhoun and Eaton Counties, and at the age of 18 had made such progress in her education that she was qualified to teach in the common schools. She engaged in teaching in this county, and con- tinned at it until her marriage.

Mr. and Mrs. Allen settled on 80 acres of the old homestead on section 19, Emerson Township, and resided there until the spring of 1882, when they moved into their magnificent residence on section 29. This dwelling was planned and built by the owner, and does credit to his taste. They have been the parents of seven children, of whom five are living: Ella J., born April 8, 1863; Ernest R., April 10, 1867; Percy C., Jan. 21, 1877 ; J. Alton, Feb. 17, 1879; Blanche G., Jan. 21, 1883. Ray P. was born Feb. 1, 1873, and died May 5, 1874; Pearl was born June 7, 1876, and died July 13, the same year.

MFr. Allen now has 240 acres in his farm, with 170 acres under high cultivation. His place is one of the model farms in the county. He is personally popular, and has held the office of Assessor for six years. In politics he is a liberal Republican.

oseph Scudder, farmer, section 18, Lafay- ette Township, is a son of Embree and Rebecca (Every) Scudder, natives of New York. They were engaged in farming in that State until the year 1835, when they came to Lenawee County, this State, and located on 80 acres. They afterwards removed to Ingham County, where Mr. Scudder died June 11, 1861, and where Mrs. Scudder still resides. Joseph was born April 13, 1831, in the State of New York. At the age of 21 he began farming on his own account, and mar- ried Mahala Every, who was born in New York, the daughter of Abram and Charlotte Every, also natives of New York. In 1853 he removed to Ingham County, this State. Mrs. Scudder died in 1861, and in 1863 he married Elizabeth Every. In 1879 he came to Gratiot County, and purchased roo acres of land. He has improved 54 acres of this.

While in Ingham County Mr. Scudder held all the township offices at different times, except that of Clerk. He was Supervisor for six years. In Lafay- ette Township he enjoys the respect and confidence of all who know him. He is a member of the Ma- sonic Order, and affiliates with the National party.

rederick Homister, farmer, section 10, North Star Township, was born in Meck- lenburg, Germany, Oct. 15, 1834. He is a son of Christian Homister, native of the same country in which the son was born, and who, with his wife and two children, emigrated to America and located ten miles west of London, Can- ada, in 1855.

In 1857 the family moved on a farm, in the neigh- borhood of their first location, and here Frederick as- sisted his father and attended the common schools until 1866, when he came to Wyandotte, this State, and remained 18 months, occupied in hauling the rock to pave Michigan avenue, and then returned to Canada. In 1876 he returned to this State and located in this County, and has constantly resided here ever since. On his return, he brought a steam saw-mill with him, erected it on his farm and oper- ated it continually until the present time. It has a 35-horse-power engine, with boiler 12 x 4 feet and containing to six-inch flues, and does excellent work.

Mr. Homister was married Dec. 24, 1856, to Miss Mary L., daughter of James Turner, deceased, and 12 children have been born to their union, namely : Emma (Goodhall) Charles, John W., Rosa (White), Sarah A. M., Minnie E. C., Frederick L., Frank W., Mary E. L., James H., Nelly A. and Hattie V.

The father of Mrs. IF. died in the fall of 1862; her mother is still living, with the son, at an ad- vanced age.

oshua M. Davidson, farmer, section 25. Elba Township, is a son of John L. and Mary R. (Merritt) Davidson, natives of Ohio. Mr. Davidson, Sr., was a farmer by oc- cupation, and died in Ohio, March 12, 1873. Mrs. Davidson came to Gratiot County the same year. The son was born April 23, 1837. At the age of 20 he began to work at the shoemaker's trade, which he followed for 15 years. At the age of 25 he was united in marriage to Elizabeth Bell, daughter of John and Marilda (Mead) Bell. Mr. Bell was engaged a portion of his life as a minister

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of the gospel, and a portion in the tannery business. He died in 1878. Mrs. Bell died in 1867. They were both natives of Ohio, born in Richland and Huron Counties, respectively. Mr. Davidson came to Gratiot County in 1880, and located on a tract of 40 acres, 18 of which are now well improved Mr. and Mrs. Davidson are the parents of four children, -Rosa B., Mary V., Allena L. and Minta M.

Mr. Davidson enlisted in Co. C, 65th Ohio Vol. Inf., Oct. 12, 1861. After his muster in, he went with his command to Louisville, Ky., arriving in De- cember, and was assigned to Gen. Wood's command. Losing his health and becoming unfit for duty, he was discharged, Aug. 6, 1862. He was sent to Camp Chase, Ohio, and thence went to his home in Huron County. He is a member of the G. A. R., and of the 1. O. O. F. Politically he is a Republican. Mrs. Davidson is an active member of the M. E. Church.

Ibro Curtiss, farmer on section 12, Emer- son Township, was born in Wyoming Co., N. Y., Oct. 17, 1839 ; and is a son of Wat- erman F. and Sylvia (Cronkhite) Curtiss. The former was a native of Massachusetts and of English descent. He followed farming in the State of New York until 1859, and then came to Ionia Co., Mich., where he died, six miles from the city of Jonia, Aug. 2, 1861, at the age of 55. Mrs. Curtiss, the daughter of Jacob and Basheba (Surdam) Cronkhite, was born in Otsego Co., N. Y., Nov. 18, 1806. When ro years old she came with her parents to the " Holland purchase," and lived and was edu- cated in what is now Wyoming Co., N. Y., where she was also married. At the age of 77, and in compar- atively good health, she now lives in Emerson Town- ship with her children.

The subject of this sketch passed his youth in at- tending school and working on his father's farm. In February, 1862. he came with his mother to this county, and entered So acres of land in Emerson Township. He has since added 120 acres; and of his whole farm, 140 are well improved. In place of the dense forest, he has now a fine farm, and very large and convenient farm buildings, his dwelling alone costing $2,000. Before making these improve- ments, however, he spent nearly two years in the ser-

vice of his country. He enlisted in Co. A, 8th Mich. Vet. Vol. Inf., Dec. 29, 1863, and served under Col. Ely, in the Army of the Potomac. He participated in all the battles of that army during the campaign of 1864-5. At the battle of the Wilderness, June 6, he was wounded in the right arm by a ball ; and at Petersburg he was struck by two spent balls, one entering the foot, and the other between the shoul- ders. He was discharged at Detroit, Aug. 14, 1865, after an honorable service.

He was united in marriage, June 29, 1876, at St. Louis, to Lucy L. Woodward, daughter of Allen and Almira (Lewis) Woodward, natives of New York. Mr. Woodward enlisted in a New York regiment in 1862, and served till the close of the war. Lucy was born in Erie Co., N. Y., Sept. 20, 1857, and came with her parents when three years old to Washtenaw Co., Mich. One year later her mother died, and her father returned to Erie County. After four years they came to Ionia County, and then, in the spring of 1873, he came to Gratiot County and located on a farm of 40 acres.

Mr. and Mrs. Curtiss have two children : Blanche A., born April 11, 1877 ; and Roy W., born March 5, 1882. They are members of the Baptist Church. He has held several school offices in his district, and votes with the Republican party.

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Portrait and biographical album of Gratiot county, Mich., Part 24

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

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