USA > Michigan > Gratiot County > Portrait and biographical album of Gratiot county, Mich. > Part 25
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eonard H. Randall, farmer, section 8, Lafayette Township, is the son of Isaac R. and Mary (Webster) Randall. They were natives of Vermont, where they followed farm- ing until 1839. Mr. Randall died in Vermont and Mrs. Randall died in Washtenaw County, this State, in 1849. Leonard H. was born March 4, 1834. He left home when 15, and worked by the month until June 9, 1857, when he married Emily J. Burgin. She was born June 9, 1841, and was the second daughter of Ebenezer H. and Sophronia C. (Keneson) Burgin, natives of Vermont.
When Mr. Randall first located here, he entered 80 acres, but he has since added So acres to that. Of his 160 acres, 60 are now well improved. In 1875, he built his neat dwelling-house and his large barn.
Mr. and Mrs. Randall are the parents of seven
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children : George W., Eugene .A., Fred .A., Hattie A., Mary S. (died March 7, 1869), Eddie C. and Minnie S. Mr. Randall has been Highway Commissioner in his township, and has been Pathmaster for a number of years. He is a National, in politics. He and wife are consistent members of the Baptist Church.
- illiam Kipp, druggist, Breckenridge village, Wheeler Township, is a son of John and Elizabeth A. (Leamon) Kipp, natives of Dutchess Co., N. Y., and Frederick Co., Md. Mr. Kipp. Sr., was by occupation a farmer, and came to Michigan in 1861. He first located in Genesee County, afterwards coming to Gratiot County, locating in Pine River Township. William Kipp was born March 4, 1846, in Frederick Co., Md., and came with his parents to Michigan. At the age of 16, he commenced teaching school, having received his own education at home. In 1877, he engaged in mercantile life, in Breckenridge, now keeping a full line of drugs and groceries.
Feb. 13, 1870, he was united in the bonds of matrimony to Sarah M. Swawze. They have now a family of four children : Edith A., George, Charlie J. and Albert S. Mr. Kipp is an enterprising man, and well liked by all who know him. He was elected School Inspector in 1883, for a term of two years. Politically he is a Republican.
heron L. Knapp, farmer on section 14, Ar- cada Township, was born in Geneva, Ash- tabula Co., Ohio, Aug. 25, 1853, and is a son of Lucius C. and Mary (Searles) Knapp. Lucius Knapp is now a resident of Live Oak, Fla., and his occupation in life has been car- pentry. His wife died in Arcada Township, this county, Sept. 17, 1858.
When the subject of this narrative was nine months old his father took him to the State of Pennsylvania, afterwards moving to this State and county, where he settled on section 25, Arcada Township, in 1854. They were one of the very first families to locate in Arcada. After the death of his mother, Theron was taken by his father to New York State, where he
lived with an uncle until 10 years old. He then re- turned to his father in Michigan. Two years later the latter moved to St. Louis, where Theron lived with his father until 21 years of age, and where he was educated, in the graded schools.
At the age of 22 he engaged for two years with J. R. Livingston in the capacity of salesman for his pumps. He then began to cultivate the farm of 92 acres on section 14, Arcada Township, which had been willed to him by his mother in October, 1857. When he began, the land was all wild and covered with timber. He now has 45 acres in good condition for tilling, and good farm buildings. He has con- siderable stock on his place and on the uncleared portion of his farm is some valuable timber.
Oct. 23, 1880, he was married, at St. Louis, to Miss Elizabeth Fry, of German descent. She was born in Green Co., Penn., Aug. 11, 1855, and came to Mich- igan, 1865. Mr. and Mrs. Knapp have one son, Al- bert, born June 15, 1882. Mr. K. is in politics a supporter of the National party. He has been Over- seer of Highways, and is now School Director. Mrs. K. is a member of the Christian Church.
ohn H. Durkee, farmer, section 11, Arcada Township. was born in Rutland Co., Vt, Feb 21, 1820, and is the son of Elias S. and Betsy (Sweet) Durkee, natives of New York, and of English and German extraction. They followed farming, and lived most of their lives in New York.
John's father dying in 1827, he was early left to himself in learning the ways of the cold world, being the oldest of the children. He lived for four years with a gentleman in the neighborhood, and then returned home, working at various things for a time. He then once more worked for a neighbor of his mother's, and his time was thus spent, on a farm in summer and in the mills in winter, until his marriage.
Feb. 20, 1840, in Orleans Co., N. Y., he formed a life partnership with Jeannette, daughter of Peter and Sarah Helms, natives of Germany. She was born in New York State, Dec. 17, 1819, and died April 25, 1853, having been married 13 years, and leaving to Mr. Durkee four children, none of whom are now living. He was again married in Lenawee Co.,
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Mich., July 26. 1857, to Mrs. Philena (Nevins) Mont- gomery, daughter of Nathan and Martha (Smith) Nevins, natives of New York State. She was born in the vicinity of Buffalo, in that State, March 17, 1832. She lived with her parents until her first marriage, and by this she has one daughter: Lillie, born Sept. 21, 1855.
Mr. and Mrs. Durkee lived in Lenawee County until the spring of 1883, when they came to Gratiot, and purchased So acies. They have during their brief residence here won hosts of friends, and are esteemed as worthy citizens and kind neighbors. They have hau four children, two of whom are living : Anna, born Dec. 24, 1867, Fred, born Nov. 21, 1871, Clara A., born March 15, 1859, and died Sept. 20, 1882, Ida M., born Oct. 11, 1863, and died .April 22, 1865.
They are members of the M. E. Church. Politically, Mr. Durkee is a Republican.
eremiah Dancer, farmer, section 21, Wheeler Township, was born in Jackson, Mich , July 16, 1849, and is a son of John and Jane (Powell) Dancer, natives of Steuben Co., N. Y. They were farmers, and came to Livingston Co., Mich., in 1843. They after- wards removed to Jackson County, where Mr. Dancer died, in 1867. Mrs. Dancer is still living, in Wash- tenaw County, having married Nor. H. Newton, in 1875. Jeremiah left his home in 1873, and engaged in farming, which he has followed ever since. In the spring of 1877, he came to Gratiot County, locat- ing on 80 acres, on section to, Wheeler Township. Here he lived three years. Returning to Jackson County, he farmed there for one year, then sold his farm, and came once more to this county, settling on 40 acres on section 34.
lle was married, Nov. 6, 1877, to Harriet, daughter of Wm. R. and Cornelia (Vedder) Bradford, natives of Jackson Co., Mich., and of New York, respectively. Mr. Bradford is a farmer by occupation, and came to Gratioi County in 1870. fle settled on 160 acres on section 17, but has sold all but qo acres, Mr. and
Mrs. Dancer are the parents of two children : Freddie and Florence,
In politics, Mr. Dancer is a Republican.
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ames Turner, farmer, section 10, North Star Township, and one of the early set- tlers of the township, and whose success is attributable to his own indomitable energy, was born in Mecklenberg, Germany, June 4, 1849. He is a son of Joseph Turner, deceased, who emigrated to America with his family in 1859, locating in Canada, where they remained until 1860, when they moved to this State, and settled in Lyons, Ionia County. In 1864 they moved to this county, and a year afterward, in 1865, the father died.
Mr. Turner can look back with pride at his victory over difficulty and adversity. He encountered in- numerable trials in the establishing of his home in the woods, a half mile from any road, and in clear- ing his land and during the time procuring the nec- essaries of life, yet triumphed over all. He now owns a farm of 120 acres all under fence, and 75 acres cleared and under cultivation. His residence is a two-story brick, with main building 18 x 26 and wing 17 x 24 feet, and, when compared with the "log cabin" in which he formerly lived, is certainly, an emblem of perseverance and energy. His barn, 40 x 62 feet, with 20-foot posts, stands as a monument of the work of his own hands, and is another link in the chain of prosperity indicative of his past labors.
Mr. Turner was married Oct. 26, 1876, to Nancy E., daughter of Frederick Huntley, and three chil- dren have been born to this union, two of whom are living, namely : Nellie May and Myrtie Belle. Mrs. Turner came from Canada to this county, in 1874, and followed the vocation of teacher and taught eight terms, and was recognized and acknowledged as a very proficient and successful teacher. Mrs. Turner has a sister, Marie E., who came to this county a year later than herself. She also taught school, but, as she was beginning her third term, her health failed her. She has now been an invalid four years, during which time the farthest she has been from home is two and a half miles. Mrs. Turner
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has five other sisters living, and one deceased, and also two brothers.
The mother of our subject is still living, with her . children, and has attained the advanced age of 86 years. She is the mother of 12 children, of whom James is the youngest. Though she has lived to such an advanced age, she is active as a young lady of 18; and even now she practices her idiosyncrasies by going into the field and doing the work of a man, and in the fall of 1882 shucked 500 bushels of corn, unaided by any one. She is aware it is unnecessary for her to do manual labor, yet she possesses the spirit of energy inculcated in the minds of her chil- dren, and cannot remain idle, and prefers out door labor to indolence in the house or even household labor.
Mrs. Turner's father died Jan. 7, 1882, in the township in which they reside. He was well read in the affairs of the day, informed in ancient and modern history, and respected by all who knew him. His widow, Mrs. Turner's mother, still resides in the township to which they came eight years ago.
eorge B. Burgess, farmer, section 24. Arcada Township, is a son of William and Ruth (Hathaway) Burgess, natives of Ohio (see sketch), and was born Sept. 8, 1856, in the house he now lives in, being probably the first white person born in Arcada Township. He was the sixth of his father's family, and was born about a year after the family came to this county, in the third log house in the township. For several years after his birth, his parents were obliged to fol- low a trail to get to the nearest town, which was at that time Maple Rapids. It required years of close economy and hard work before they could, through the produce of their farm, obtain many of the comforts of life.
Until 23 years old, George worked for his father, and attended the common schools as he best could.
March 4, 1879, he was united in marriage to Martha M., daughter of Daniel and Lorana (Silver- thorn) Tyrrell, natives of Ontario, Canada. They followed farming, and came in 1867 to Arcada Town- ship, where Mr. Tyrrell died, March 2, 1872, and Mrs. Tyrrell, July 16, 1878.
Martha M. was born in Ontario, Canada, Jan. 29,
1858, and when eight years old came to this county with her parents, and lived on section 26, Arcada Township, until their death. She then lived in the family of William Burgess, until her marriage.
Mr. and Mrs. Burgess settled down on the old homestead, and now live in the log house built by his father He now owns 40 acres on section 24. 'They have two little ones: Elmora, born Jan. 5, 1881, and Ruth L., born June 5, 1882.
In politics, he is a Republican.
eorge W. Skinner, farmer on section S, Emerson Township, was born in Morrow Co., Ohio, Feb. 14, 1832; and is a son of David and Abigail (Bewley) Skinner, natives of Ohio, and of English and German extrac- tion. They followed farming, and died, the father in Van Wert Co., Ohio, in 1879, aged 81 ; and the mother in Morrow Co., Ohio, in August, 1852, aged 51.
The subject of this sketch passed his youth in at- tending the common schools, and in working on his father's farm. When of age, he came to this State, and for three years was engaged in fishing in Lake Huron and Saginaw Bay. He then went to Livings- ton County, and thence to Denver, Col. For the next 15 months he worked in the gold mines in Cal- ifornia Joe Gulch, Buckskin Joe Gulch, and at the head waters of the Arkansas. Sept. 8, 1861, he en- listed in Co. C, ist Col. Cav. He served in the western army, and was engaged generally in skirmish- ing with the enemy, in Texas and all through the Southwest, in guarding the Unionists, and in keeping the Indians quiet. He escaped unhurt, and was honorably discharged Dec. 3, 1864. Returning to this State, he went first to Livingston County, and then to Saginaw, and in the spring of 1865 he came to Gratiot County, and located on So acres in Bethany Township, which he had entered in 1856.
In that township, May 1, 1866, he was united in marriage to Harriet A., daughter of John and Eliza (Knapp) Mull, natives of New York, and of New England parentage. She was born in Ossian, Liv ingston Co., N. Y., Jan. 21, 1842, and when only two years old she went with her parents to Trumbull Co., Ohio. Two years later they came to Lenawee Co.,
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Mich., where she commenced attending the public schools, and when she was 10 years old they moved ", again, to Ingham County, where she completed her education. The family came to this county in 1861. Six years after marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Skinner moved to Emerson Township, where he purchased So acres. He has since sold jo acres, and bought 40 more on section 5. Most of his land is now nicely improved. He has just completed a large barn.
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They have two children : Frank, born April 1, 1867 : and Jennie L., born Aug. 5, 1870. Mr. Skin- ner is a member of Emerson Lodge, No 377, I. O. O. F., and of Moses Wisner Post, No. 101, G. A. R. In politics he is an earnest and influential Repub- lican.
illiam W. Wooley, farmer, section 34, Elba Township, is a son of James and Margaret (Chandler) Wooley, natives of New Jersey. Mr. Wooley, Sr., was a shoe- maker by trade, and removed to Gratiot County in 1855. The subject of this sketch was born Sept. 27, 1830. At the age of 14 he left home, and worked at farming and other things, until 1862. August 16th of that year, in Clinton County, he was married to Mary M. Dodge. His father, when he came to Gratiot, located 320 acres of Government land on section 34, Elba Township, and he subsequently gave 80 acres to each of his children. Mr. Wooley has brought 65 acres of his farm to a state of good cultivation. In 1877 he erected a substantial barn on his place. He has also a very neat dwelling-house.
Mrs. Wooley was the eldest daughter of her father's family, and was born April 6, 1841, in the State of Vermont. She was the first school-teacher in Elba Towrship, and taught in District No. 1. She after- wards taught several terms of school. Mr. and Mrs. Wooley are the parents of two children: Maud E. and Maggie D. Another child, Minnie B., died Aug. 28, 1870, aged two years, three months and one day.
Mr. Wooley enlisted in the service of the country during the rebellion, but was discharged for disability before entering the field. In civil life he has held a number of positions of honor and trust. Soon after his township was organized, he was appointed
Treasurer, and he was afterwards elected several times to the same office. He has held the office of Highway Commissioner, and in 1870 he was appointed Supervisor of Elba Township to fill a vacancy. He has also held the office of Assessor in School District No. 1. Politically he is a staunch Republican.
erry Shaver, farmer, on section 17, Emer- son Township, was born in Delaware Co., N. Y., Nov. 19, 1822, and was a son of Jacob I. and Sally (Kinch) Shaver. The former was a native of Delaware Co., N. Y., and of Dutch descent. He came to this county in 1856, locating a land warrant of So acres on section 2, Emerson Township, and remained here till his death, July 21, 1873, at the age of 77 years and three months. Mrs. Sally Shaver was a native of Con- necticut, and of New England parentage. She was married to Mr. Shaver in Delaware Co., N. Y., and died in Emerson Township, at the age of 77 years and two and a half months.
At the age of two, Jerry went with his parents to Seneca County, where he lived until 16, attending school and working on his father's farm. Thence he went to Steuben C'o., where, May 30, 1846, he was married to Ursula, daughter of Richard and Cordelia (Reid) Sawtell, natives of New England, and of English descent. Richard Sawtell was a physician, and died in the State of New York, in 1842; Mrs .. Sawtell died in Gratiot County, in 1865. Ursula was born in Chenango Co., N. Y., Sept. 27, 1826. Receiv- ing her education in her native county, she went to Steuben County in 1842. Six years after marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Shaver came to this State, and settled first in Ingham County, where they lived until the fall of 1856. They then came to Gratiot County, and located on section 17, Emerson Township, securing 80 acres by the Graduation Act. He has since purchased 40 acres additional, and has 70 acres well improved. They came into a dense wilderness, and suffered severely during the "starving time " of 1857.
They are the parents of four children, two of whom are living : Ilerman D., born March 2, 1848, J. Frank. born June 2, 1864, William, born Jan. 10, 1847, and died Feb. 7, 1847, Mary A., born July 21, 1850, and died Jan. 10, 1870.
In politics Mr. Shaver is a liberal Democrat.
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THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS R
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Daniel
griffett
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aniel Griffeth, farmer on section 8, Emer- son Township, was born in Montgomery, N. Y., Jan. 9, 1820, and is a son of Dan- iel and Lois (McNeal) Griffeth, natives of Wales and Scotland, respectively. They were married in Canada, and he became a hatter by trade. In 1814 they removed to the State of New York, where the mother died, in 1835. The father afterwards came to this State, and he died in Man- chester, Washtenaw County, in 1847, 63 years old.
The subject of this sketch attended school and worked on a farm until 20 years old, when he set out alone for Michigan, and located in Marshall. He afterwards returned to New York for one year. In May, 1846, on the breaking out of the Mexican war, he enlisted as a private in Co. F, 8th New York Inf., under Gen. Worth. He participated in three actions : Cherubusco, Aug. 19, 1847 ; Molino del Rey, Sept. 8, 1847, and the storming and capture of Mexico, Sept. 12, 13 and 14, 1847. He escaped unhurt in all these engagements, and was honorably discharged with the rank of Orderly Sergeant, in August, 1848, at Jefferson Barracks. Returning to Michigan he engaged in farming in Oakland County.
Dec. 19, 1849, he was united in marriage, in Inde- pendence, that county, to Nancy M., daughter of Hiram and Betsy (Placeway) Burgess, natives of New York and Vermont. They came to Oakland Co., Mich., in 1837, and later to this county, where the father died, April 9, 1879, at the age of 77, near St. Louis. Mrs. Burgess still lives, enjoying a ripe old age of 77, and is active and intelligent. Nancy M. was born in Allegany Co., N. Y., Nov. 4, 1830; and came with her parents to this State seven years later. She was educated in Oakland and Livingston Counties.
Two years after marriage Mr. and Mrs. Griffeth removed to Wayne County, and Dec. 18, 1856, they came to this county and entered 80 acres in Pine River Township. Five years later, most of which time they lived in the town of St. Louis, they re- moved to Emerson Township and settled on 120 acres of heavily timbered land. Surrounded by miles of unbroken forest, they encountered many hardships before they finally succeeded in making for themselves a comfortable home. He has added
40 acres to his farm, and of his 160, 100 acres are now admirably improved and cultivated. Mr. Grif- feth is an intelligent farmer, and with his kind- hearted wife deserves this happy home. They have had a large family, and of their 12 children nine are living. Their names and the dates of their birth are as follows : Mary J., Oct. 8, 1852 ; James A., Jan. 3, 1854; Emery L., Dec. 28, 1855; Ann Maria, May 26, 1858; Isadore L., Jan. 22, 1861 ; Hattie A., March 24, 1863; Hiram A., Sept. 26, 1865; Nancy M., Oct. 9, 1867 ; Florence A., June 2, 1870. These three are sleeping their last sleep: Hiram Andrew, born Dec. 2, 1850, and died March 4, 1852; Daniel A., born June 25, 1873, and died July 3, 1879; and a baby, which died in infancy.
Mr. and Mrs. Griffeth are active members of the Baptist Church, she being the first person baptized in Pine River. He is one of the old pioneers who have helped to make Gratiot what it is, and deserves to be remembered by posterity. He built the first frame house north of Pine River, and drove the first team from St. Louis to Midland. In politics he is one of the most active supporters of the National Greenback party.
Mr. Griffeth's portrait is given on the opposite page.
ordis Smith, farmer on section 27, Pine River Township, is a son of Ira and Zada (Hitchcock) Smith, natives of Connecticut. They removed to New York State, and in 1 855 came to this State and county, locating in Pine River Township. The mother is still living in that township. The father died there Feb. 22, 1878, at the age of 85. They had a family of seven.
The subject of this biography, Gordis, was the third son of the family, and was born Sept. 7, 1832. Starting out at the age of 20 to make his own way in life, he came West and spent three years in differ- ent States, and then returned to New York. In the fall of 1857, he came to Gratiot County; and for nearly six years following, he was employed in the woods and otherwise. By several different payments, he bought 160 acres of land in Pine River Township, where he now resides. He has now nearly 100 acres well improved.
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AApril 19, 1864, in Pine River Township, he was married to Mrs. Jane M. (Bilger) Rice, widow of Elijah B. Rice, who died Nov. 19, 1861. She was born in Washington Co., N. Y., April 13, 1828, and is the daughter of Samuel and Matilda (Freeman) Badger. They were natives of New York State, and died in Washington County, that State, March 15, 1870, and Dec. 2, 1836, respectively. The daughter married Mr. Rice in New York State, and came with him to Pine River Township, this county, in October, 1854. Their first meal of victuals here was eaten in the woods, and they had to cut their own road from Gen. Ely's, two miles away. Mrs. Smith had by this first marriage one childl, George T., born Sept. 4, 1858.
Mr. Smith stands high in his neighborhood, as a farmer and a citizen. He is politically a Repub- lican.
dward Graham, farmer, section 30, North Shade Township, is the son of John and Rachel (Dean) Graham, natives of Ver- mont, from whence they moved to York State and located on a farm in Yates County, where the mother died about 1845, and the father in 1871.
The subject of our sketch was born in Yates Co., N. Y., Aug. 20, 1828, and remained at home on the farm until he was 16 years of age, and then lived with his brother until he attained his majority. When 26 years of age he came to this State and lo- cated in Coldwater, Branch County, where he re- mained one year ; then went to Calhoun County and remained there about a year, when he removed to Hillsdale County and engaged himself for a period of two years.
Mr. Graham, at this period in his life, concluded to visit the famous Pike's Peak, but after making preparations for the journey, and having started on the same and reached Ilinois, he abandoned the idea and returned to this State, locating on 40 acres of land on section 30, North Shade Township, this county, to which he has since added 20 acres.
Mr. Graham was united in marriage to Miss Rhoda, daughter of Hiram and Hannah (Cornish) Chappel, July 4, 1853. She was born May 20, 1835, in Yates Co., V V. Mrs. Graham has not known the where-
abouts of her brother for a number of years. Her mother died in Chenango Co., N. Y., in 1870.
Mr. and Mrs. G. have had two children, William H., born Oct. 17, 1866, and John E., born Aug. 21, 1872.
Politically Mr. G. is a Republican.
uther M. Stites, farmer, section 24, North Shade Township, is a son of Benjamin and and Phebe (Nickson) Stites, natives of New Jersey and farmers by occupation, who settled in Fulton Co., Ohio, and afterward moved to Lenawee Co., Mich., where they yet reside.
The subject of this sketch was born Feb). 5, 1858, in Fulton Co., Ohio, and was therefore but four years old when the family moved to Michigan. He mar- ried, Sept. 12, 1880, Miss Effie J., daughter of Luther J. and Amanda L. (Townsend) Brink, and born April 25, 1862, in Gratiot Co., Mich., being one of the first born in the township of North Shade. In political matters Mr. Stites is a Democrat.
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