Portrait and biographical album of Gratiot county, Mich., Part 26

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

USA > Michigan > Gratiot County > Portrait and biographical album of Gratiot county, Mich. > Part 26

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Mr. Brink was a soldier in the last war, being a member of the 10th Mich. Cav. He died at Camp Nelson, Ky. His widow is yet living, and resides in Nashville, Jackson Co., Iowa. She again married, her present husband being Samuel Evans, of Hubbardston, lonia Co., Mich.

aron Sloan, farmer, section 22, Pine River Township, is a son of Thomas and Basheba (Pitcher) Sloan, natives of Massachusetts. 3. They first settled in New York State, where the father died. The mother afterwards came to Eaton Co., Mich., where she died. Aaron was born in Oneida Co., N. Y., Aug. 10, 1815. Re- ceiving his education in the common schools, he helped his father on the farm until 20 years old, when he started out for himself. To aid him in the battle of life, he had nothing but willing hands and a lov- ing wife. At the age of 21, Dec. 24, 1836, in Wat- erloo, Seneca ('o., N. Y., he had formed a life part- nership with Caroline C., daughter of William and Sally (Hall) Taylor, natives respectively of New York State and Vermont. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor set-

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tled in New York, and afterwards came to Michigan ; and in 1879, came to Gratiot County, where he died, in the fall of 1880. She still survives, at the age of 85.

After marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Sloan removed to Ohio, and in 1846 they came to Eaton Co., Mich. Five years later, they removed to Montcalm County, and in February, 1854, he came with his family to Gratiot County. He bought 160 acres of land in Pine River Township, where he now resides. He has sold part of his farm, and divided part among his children, and now retains 60 acres, all of which is nicely improved.

In August, 1862, he enlisted in the 26th Mich. Vol. Inf., and served eight months, on detached ser- vice. He was discharged at Detroit, on account of sickness.

Mr. and Mrs. Sloan have had five children, three surviving: William H., Hiram L. (deceased), Almi- ra (deceased), Aaron F. and Rachel E. Hiram L. enlisted in the same regiment with his father, after- wards re-enlisting in the Sth Mich. Vol. Inf., and died at Fairfax Seminary, Va. Mr. Sloan has held the office of Highway Commissioner four years. In politics, he is a supporter of the National party.

illiam Towner, farmer, section 24, North Shade Township, is a son of Daniel and Polly (Budlong) Towner, natives of New York State, the latter of New Lebanon. The family were engaged in agricultural pursuits.

The subject of this sketch was born May 19, 1805, in Steuben Co., N. Y .; he lived with his parents until his mother's death, which occurred in 1855, in Livingston Co., Mich. His father died in 1864. William came to this county in 1853, locating on section 24, on a tract of 80 acres of wild land, where he now has 60 acres well improved, and furnished with a good residence, a large barn, etc. His house he erected in the summer of 1880, at a cost of nearly $1,000.

Mr. T. married Miss Diana, daughter of Jacob and Sarah (Kinney) Brink, the former a native of New Jersey and the latter of Connecticut. He died Sept. 25, 1879, and she, Jan. 5, 1857, both in this county.

Mr. and Mrs. T.'s two children have been, Herbert M., born in 1847, and Elvertes, in 1849, and died in April, 1863. Mrs. T. is a member of the Second- Advent Church, and Mr. T., in politics, is a Repub- lican. Herbert has charge of the farm. Ile married Miss Mary B., daughter of George and Barbara Franks. Their two chiklren are, Verna F., born in September, 1877, and Erma V., Feb. 19, 1881.

alfred J. Brooke, farmer and mechanic, sec- tion 30, Emerson Township, was born in Wayne Co., Ohio, Jan. 23, 1833; and was the son of John and Sarah 1. (Brenholtz) Brooke, fe natives of Lycoming Co., Pa., of English and German descent. The father was a carpenter and joiner, but afterwards engaged in farming in Ohio, in which State he died, at the age of 57, and his wife at the age of 67. Alfred J. lived the first part of his life in Wayne and Wood Counties, in Ohio. At the age of 16 he was apprenticed to the blacksmith's trade, under his brother. After serving his time he went into partnership with his brother; and three years later he bought him out and conducted a large shop on his own account, until 1864. In the spring of 1865, he came to this State and county, and pur- chased 40 acres of wild land on section 30, Emerson Township. Here he erected a small house and shop in which to carry on his trade ; but one year later he was prevailed upon to move to the village of Ithaca. He worked at his trade there some time, and then, in the spring of 1878, returned to his farm. He has since devoted himself to the improvement of his farm, and now has So acres, of which 60 are well improved.

March 8, 1856, he was united in marriage at Free- port, Ohio, to Louisa, daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Tucker) Kelly, natives of Rhode Island, and of English and Irish extraction. They moved after marriage to Sandusky Co., Ohio, where Louisa was born, May 4, 1835. At the age of 16, she removed with her parents to Wood Co., Ohio, and there lived until her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Brooke have had a large family,-12 children ; but the death roll is longer than the list of the living, and only five now survive : Dora S., born Aug. 24, 1858; Louis Am-

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broe, May 4, 1860; Alfied J., Jan. 30, 1867; Lillie M., Nov. 15, 1868, and Emma 1 .. , Sept. S, 1873. Those who are now sleeping their last sleep are as follows: a baby which died in infancy: Etta B., born Nov. 28, 1863, died Feb. 18, 1865; Alta L., born May 13, 1862, died May 18, 1862; Joseph M., born March 17, 1870, died Aug. 1, 1870; Wilson, born Jan. 10, 1872, died April 24, 1872 ; Moody, born Aug. 27, 1875, died Sept. 10, 1875.

Mr. Brooke is a member of Ithaca Lodge, No. 1140, K. of H., and in politics is an ardent Republican. Mrs. Brooke is a conscientious member of the M. E. Church of Ithaca.

dwin Hopkinson, farmer, section 20, North Star Township, is a native of Nottingham- shire, Eng., and was born April 16, 1835 ; his father was William Hopkinson, also a na- tive of that country. Mr. H., the subject of this sketch, emigrated to this country in 1854, first locating in Lyons, N. Y., then, in 1865, in Han- cock Co., Ohio, and finally, in 1870, in this county, where he has since lived, and where he owns So acres of good farmning land, following agriculture and raising stock. He was married Jan. 5, 1865, to Miss Eleanor, daughter of James Turnbull (deceased), a native of Scotland. She is a native of Wayne Co., N. Y. Their three children are, Mary E., Elmer E., deceased, and William V.

Politically, Mr. Hopkinson is a Republican.

homas Grover, a prominent farmer, resid- ing on section 2, Arcada Township, was born in Southampton, Eng., June 17, 1839; and is the son of Thomas and Maria (Sher- wood) Grover, natives of Yorkshire, Eng. Thomas Grover was by occupation a carriage smith, and came to this country in 1850, locating in New York State. Two years later he came to this State, where he died, at his home on section 2, Arcada Township, Aug. 27, 1877, at the age of 65. Ilis wife now resides at St. Louis, in this county, at the age of 68.

The subject of this sketch was it years old when

his parents came to this country, and he came with them to Lenawee Co., Mich. At the age of 17, he left the parental roof and worked as a laborer on va- rious farms until he brought up in Linn Co., Iowa, where, at Paris, Sept. 29, 1865, he was married to Margaret, daughter of Alexander and Phebe (Sutton) Burnham, natives of Ohio. They moved to Kansas, and Mr. Burnham enlisted in the Mexican war. He died in April, 1848. His wife now resides in Kan- sas, aged 58.

One year after marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Grover came to Michigan, shortly after returning to Linn Co., Iowa, where he was for a time in the cattle bus- iness. He bought and sold two or three farms, and finally, in the winter of 1878, came to Gratiot County and settled on 90 acres of his father's place. He afterwards purchased 40 acres, and now has in the aggregate 1 30 acres of good farming land, partly im- proved. He has erected a neat residence, and a substantial barn.

Mr. and Mrs. Grover have had nine children, eight of whom survive : P. Maria, Howard A., Anna M., Mary A., Frank N., Thomas S., Perry M. and Henry H. (deceased). In political sentiment, Mr. Grover is not partisan, but at elections he exer- cises his best judgment.

charles C. Proctor, farmer, section 31, North Shade Township, was the son of Jeremiah and Marindia (Carnahan) Proctor, natives of New York, where the mother died. The father died in Clinton County, this State, in 1855, at the advanced age of 76 years.

The subject of our sketch was born Dec. 9, 1815, in Brookfield Co., N. Y., and remained under the parental roof-tree until he was 29 years of age. He followed the trade of a cooper until he moved to Ionia County, this State. Here he remained for eight years, when he came to this county and located, in the year 1855, on 85 acres of land on section 31, North Shade Township, and now has 55 acres of the same under good improvement.

Mr. Proctor may be considered one of the pioneer settlers of the county, and as such he has certainly experienced numerous trials and difficulties in build- ing a home in the then wilderness and battling and overcoming all obstacles.

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He was married to Miss Charlotte E., daughter of John and Julia (McLeod) Nichols, April 18, 1844. Mr. Nichols was a native of Germany, who emi- grated to America at an early day. He was captured by the British and taken to Canada, and escaped by swimming the Niagara River. He died in the State of New York. Mrs. Nichols was a native of New York, and died in the same State.

Mr. and Mrs. Proctor are the parents of two chil- dren : one son, George W., married Miss Lydia Ka- nounse, and one daughter. Julia M., now Mrs. Will- iam Burk.

Mr. Proctor has been Justice of the Peace five years, and also Supervisor. The wife and husband are members of the United Brethren organization, and are respected and esteemed citizens of the town- ship. Mr. P. is a Republican in political opinion.

illiam Stonebrook, farmer, section 24, North Shade Township, is a son of Frederick and Sarah (Cline) Stonebrook, natives of Union Co., Penn., who came to Ohio in the year 1822, settling first in Wayne County and afterward in Holmes County, where Mr. S. died. He was a carpenter by trade. Mrs. S. died in Indiana.

The subject of this sketch was born Aug. 18, 1822, in Union Co., Penn. When he became of age he engaged in chopping for about six months in In- diana; he then returned to Ohio and married ; he moved from Wood Co., Ohio, to Gratiot Co., Mich., in 1865, locating on section 24, North Shade Town- ship, on 160 acres of wild land; of this he has now 95 acres in good cultivation. In the summer of 1883 he erected a fine brick house, at a cost of nearly $2,000.

Mr. Stonebrook married Miss Belinda, first daughter of Michael and Hannah (Shotwell) First ; her mother was a native of New Jersey, and her father of Penn- sylvania : the latter was a brewer by occupation, but also followed agriculture to some extent. After the above marriage, Mr. and Mrs. F. moved from Penn- sylvania to Ohio, locating in Wayne County in 1819 : they are both now deceased. Mrs. F. died in Wayne Co., Ohio, and Mr. F. in Gratiot Co., Mich.

The children of Mr. and Mrs. Stonebrook are,

James H., Elizabeth, Michael, Sarah, Samuel J., Adolphus A. and Margaret J. The parents are members of the Baptist Church. Mr. S. has always been a Democrat in political views, and he has held the office of Assessor of his school district.

3 r's. Catharine A. Walker, residing on sec- tion 25, Arcada Township, was born in Stark Co., Ohio, Jan. 8, 1828; and is the daughter of Abraham and Barbara (Myers) Van Nostrand, natives of Pennsylvania and of German descent. Abraham Van Nostrand re- moved to Stark Co., Ohio, and afterwards to Tuscar- awas County, where he died, in 1843. Mrs. Van Nostrand died in the same county in 1844. Cath- arine was thus left an orphan at 15, and she went to live with her uncle. Sept. 20, 1848, she was united in marriage to John, son of Silas and Margaret (Peo- ples) Walker, natives of New England, and of Irish and English descent. Silas Walker was a mechanic and farmer, and removed to Ohio, where he died a number of years ago, and his wife in 1879, at the advanced age of 81. John Walker was born Sept. 28, 1824, and passed his boyhood days on his father's farm in T'uscarawas Co., Ohio. Here he was mar- ried.

Fifteen years after marriage, and eight years after they came to Michigan, he enlisted, Oct. 4, 1864, in Co. C, 29th Mich. Vol. Inf. He died in the service, July 6, 1865, at Anderson, Tenn. He had made a settlement in 1856, on 80 acres on section 25, Arcada Township, and since his death, with the aid of her two sons, she has nicely improved 70 acres. Samuel L. Walker was born April 25, 1857; and Joshua C. was born Aug. 4, 1859. They are energetic and in- telligent young men, and liked by all who know then. Mrs. Walker has three other children living: Celes- tia Pickard, born Sept. 27, 1849, and now residing at Mt. Pleasant, Isabella County ; Henry L., born Sept. IT, 1852, residing at the same place; and J. Albert, born June 12, 1864, also residing at Mt. Pleasant, Mich. She has lost three children : Mary M., born March 31, 1850, and died Sept. 25, 1852; Margaret J., born Dec. 12, 1854, and died March 26,

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1856 ; and Silas M., born Juue 11, 1861, and died Nov. 19, 1865. Mrs. Walker is a member of the Christian Church, to which also her husband be- longed. He was politically a Republican.

Ifred A. Gross, farmer, section 2, Hamilton Township, is a son of Jonah Gross, de-

a ceased, a native of the State of Massachusetts and where, in the town of Enfield, Hampshire County, Alfred was born, April 14, 1831. The father removed his family to Oakland County, this State, in 1831, and here the son assisted on the farm, attended the common and subscription schools, receiving a fair education and developing into man- hood.

Mr. Gross was married April 15, 1857, to Rhoda M., daughter of Anson Dayton, deceased, and in 1865 came with her husband to this county. They located in the woods and commenced the arduous task, so familiar to the old pioneers of the county, of improving their land for a future home for themselves and children. Their trials and troubles were similar to those of many others identified with the early set- tlement of the county ; energetically did they, each one doing his or her part, battle against all difficul- ties, until at last victory was theirs, and they are now the possessors of 320 acres of land and have four children : Frank J., Warren E., Carrie W., and Lucy, to gladden their hearts in their declining years.

In addition to his landed estate Mr. Gross owns and runs a shingle mill on section 1, Hamilton Town- ship. Politically, he is a zealous Democrat.

illiam Burgess (deceased) was a farmer on section 24, Arcada Township; was born in New York State March 21, 1828, and died in Arcada Township, March 22, 1880, leaving a mourning wife and a family of four. His early boyhood was spent on the farm in his native State, and when a young man he went to Lawrence Co., Ohio. He afterward went to Wood County, in the same State, where he was mar- ried, May 20, 1842.

He came to Gratiot County in 1854. and was one

of the very first settlers in Arcada Township, build- ing the third log house in that township. He was a progressive farmer, an upright citizen, and a pleasant neighbor. He was a member of the Christian Church and a supporter of the Republican party. He was often chosen to office by his fellow citizens, and al- ways gave satisfaction.

His wife, Ruth, nee Hathaway, was the daughter of Daniel and Polly (Marick) Hathaway, natives of Massachusetts, and of English ancestry. Daniel Hathaway was by trade a ship carpenter, learning that work in Massachusetts. He moved to Paines- ville, Ohio, below Cleveland, and afterwards to Wood Co., Ohio, where he died about 1852, at the age of 60. Polly (Marick) Hathaway died in the same county, in 1867. Ruth was born in Geauga Co., Ohio, April 15, 1824, and when 13 years old her par- ents removed to Wood County, where she was mar- ried.

Mr. and Mrs. Burgess had a family of eight, four of whom survive: Mary A., born July 29, 1843; George B., Sept. 8, 1855 ; Willie B., May 4, 1864; and Lora, Sept. 18, 1867. The deceased are : John William, born May 21, 1842, and died June 11, 1842 ; Lora A., born April 21, 1846, and died Sept. 15, 1857 ; Rowena, born May 15, 1850, and died April 18, 1870; John A., born May 15, 1850, and died June 11, 1879. Mrs. Burgess still survives, and is a member of the Christian Church.

artin Grill, farmer, section 30, North Shade Township, was born Sept. 15, 1830, in Pennsylvania. His parents, John and Sarah (Funck) Grill, were also natives of the Keystone State, and the former followed the occupation first of butcher and then of cooper and farmer. In 1839 they left Pennsylvania and came to Ohio and lived for one year in Stark County. In 1840 they moved to Summit County, where they lived until their death, Mr. Grill dying in 1867, and Mrs. Grill in 1876.

Martin Grill remained under the parental roof until he was about 21 years old, when he went to Illinois and for a time was engaged in farming. IFe spent one year in a saw-mill at Decatur, Ill., after which he went to Indiana and stopped with his

THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY

ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS R

A. A. Gross.

Mrs. A.d. Gross.

X AND . DA IONS

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brother for a short time, and after this he returned to his home in Ohio. He remained at home helping his father on the farm and in the mill until he was about 25 years of age. In the mill, our subject did some of the hardest work that ever falls to man to perform, as the mill was kept running day and night for a great part of the year. He was married to Rachel Ludwick, daughter of Samuel and Mary E. (Dick) Ludwick, natives of Pennsylvania. Mr. Lud- wick followed farming in his native State, and later in life moved to Summit Co., Ohio, where they both passed the remainder of their days, the former dying in 1855, and the latter in 1856.

To Mr. and Mrs. Grill have been born ten chil- dren, as follows: Mary S., Hiram W., Amanda E., Eliza J., Henry b., Emma J., Martha, Martin, Charlie W. and Clara E.

Mr. Grill came to Gratiot County in 1868 and lo- cated upon section 30, North Shade Township, where he has a good farm. He is regarded as a man of good judgment by his neighbors, and as being a fair, upright and honorable citizen, as is evinced by the people of his district having chosen him as Assessor for 14 terms in succession.

Mr. G. has suffered twice from the enmity of the elements. July 3, 1859, the lightning struck and totally demolished his father's barn, the contents of which belonged to Martin. March 12, 1871, his house was burned, and almost all the household goods were also consumed.

ohn L. Richards, farmer, section 33, New- ark Township, was born July 7, 1844, in Pennsylvania. He is a son of John and Rachel (Fry) Richards, both of whom were natives of the Keystone State, were there mar- ried and resided 14 years. In 1846 they re- moved to Ohio, and there belonged to the farming class. In the spring of 1871 they came to Gratiot County and settled in the township of Newark, where they still reside.

Mr. Richards was a child of two years when his parents located in the Buckeye State, where he grew to the age of 18 years, engaged in assisting on the farm, and acquiring a fair education in the common schools. Xoused to a sense of the necessity pressing

upon the authorities of the United States Government under the stringencies of civil war, he yielded to his convictions of duty and enlisted Aug. 6, 1862, in the 111th Reg. Ohio Vol. Inf., and served his country under that enrollment three years. He was in the battle of Hough's Ferry, Tenn., and, while on picket guard at Lenoir Station, he, with 51 of his comrades, was captured by the rebels, and conducted to At- lanta, Ga., where they were held two weeks, and then removed to Pemberton Castle, Richmond, and a month later were incarcerated at Belle Isle. They became inmates of the latter place on the first day of January, 1864, and there remained until March 12, when they were transferred to the stockade prison at Andersonville, where their sufferings were in no sense or degree less than those of the myriads who suc- cumbed to the horrors of the place, or of those whose endurance proved equal to such frightful experiences as cannot be equaled on the recorded pages of human suffering. The very name of Andersonville must cause a shudder while time endures! After seven months of horror they were sent to Savannah, and later to Milan, whence, after a month, they were ordered to be transferred to Blockshire, Ga. While on their way thither the train was intercepted, and 250 starved, ragged, forlorn human creatures, of whom Mr. Richards was one, were paroled and sent to the camp at Annapolis. Two weeks later they were furloughed, and Mr. Richards returned to his home in Ohio. In six weeks he was exchanged and rejoined his regiment. His health was too much impaired for active service, and he was on detached duty until the close of the war. On the expiration of his term of enrollment, he was discharged at Cleveland, Ohio, whence he returned home.

Mr. Richards was married Dec. 28, 1865, to Sarah D., youngest daughter of Asa and Jane (Staples) Richardson. The father was a native of Vermont, the mother of Maine. Of this marriage, four chil- dren have been born : Earl C., Alice I., Tacie A., and Laura M.

After his becoming a family man, Mr. Richards continued to reside in Ohio until 1870. In that year, he removed his family and interests to Gratiot Co., Mich., and bought 40 acres of land in Newark Township. Of this he has already cleared and placed 35 acres under creditable cultivation. He is a Republican of unmistakable type, and has served

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his township in several official positions to which he has been elected. He received an appointment in 188o to fill a vacancy as Township Clerk, and has been since twice elected to the same incumbency, which he now holds. A branch of the body known as the Union Prisoners of War Association, desig- nated the Camp of Gratiot County, has been estab- lished therein, of which Mr. Richards is President. Himself and wife are members of The United Breth- ren Church.

y'enry Simmon, farmer, section 16, Hamil- ton Township, is a son of John Simmon (deceased), who resided in Adams Co., Pa , and where the subject of our sketch was born, Aug. 26, 1826.

The father moved to Stark Co., Ohio, while Henry was yet a child, locating on a farm. Here the child remained, developing into manhood while as- sisting the father on the farm and attending the com mon schools, receiving his education in the una- dorned, rudely constructed pioneer log school-house so well remembered by the early settlers of that State.

Mr. Simmon came to this County in 1855, and set- tled on section 9, Hamilton Township, since which time he has constantly resided in the township. He has experienced all the trials and struggles as well as some of the pleasures of the early settler. His home was located in the woods, distant from neigh- bors and friends ; the nights were made hideous by the howling of wolves, the crying of the wild-cat and panther, and the more timid portion of the fan- ily were continually in awe of the visitation of prowl- ing Indians; his cabin contained mother earth for a floor, dry leaves for a bed and the rudely constructed fire-place for cooking; wintered his cattle four years on browse which he procured by chopping down the trees; at one time carried 100 pounds of flour on his back 12 miles to satisfy the hunger of his family. Here he lived and worked and prospered.

Mr. Simmon enlisted in the late war, in Co. 1, 23d Mich. Inf., and was engaged in the battles of John- sonville, Columbia and Nashville. He has been Township Treasurer for five years; is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and the G. A. R.

Dec. 19, 1848, Mr. Simmon was married to Miss Julia A., daughter of John Muffly, of this county. They have had ten children, seven of whom are liv- ing, as follows : Magaret J., Susan, Sarah E., John J., Lucinda, William H. and Eva N.

mery V. Dean, farmer, section 19, Newark Township, was born Dec. 11, 1851, in the State of New York. He is a son of Amos and Betsey (Ludlow) Dean, the former a native of Vermont, the latter of the State of New York, where they settled and resided until 1857, in which year they came to Michigan and lo- cated in Ionia County, where the father died in the following year.

Mr. Dean left home to try the world alone at the age of 16 years, and passed the ensuing ten years as a farm laborer. In 1862 he came to Gratiot County, and, in the summer of 1877, he purchased 80 acres of land in its original condition on section 19 of Newark Township, where he has since resided and operated as a farmer. He has placed 40 acres of his land under improvements and cultivation. He has made creditable progress in placing his farm in a state suitable for successful farming during the brief period it has been in his possession. In politi- cal belief and effort, Mr. Dean is a Republican.

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Portrait and biographical album of Gratiot county, Mich., Part 26

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

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