USA > Michigan > Gratiot County > Portrait and biographical album of Gratiot county, Mich. > Part 29
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Oct. 17, 1862, Mr. Worthing was married to Mrs. Sybil Metcalf, nee Kellogg, who was born in Bradford Co., Pa., July 4, 1831. By her former husband, her children are : Clara S. P., James H., Francis E. and Levi F. By her present husband, the children are : Sybil L., Mary L. and Barlow A. Mrs. W. is a mem- ber of the Free Methodist Church.
eorge Whitman, farmer, section 29, North Shade Township, is a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Case) Whitman, natives of Adams Co., Pa., the father being born in 1794 and the mother in 1795. The former died in 1869 and the latter in 1844. The father of Mr. Whitman fol- lowed the occupation of a farmer until his death.
The subject of our sketch was born May 25, 1832, in Wayne Co., Ohio, where the parents had moved at an early day. He remained under the parental roof-tree until he attained the age of 19 years, when he went forth upon the oft-traveled road of adversity, to battle against the trials strewn along its pathway. Mr. Whitman was married to Miss Mary Righley, daughter of John and Rachel (Greenhoe) Righley,
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natives of the Keystone State, where the father was born in 1812 and the mother in 1816. Both are de- : ceased, the father dying in Summit C'o., Ohio, in 1856, and the mother in Erie County, same State, in 1882.
Mrs. Whitman, the wife of our subject, was born May 7, 1835, in Wayne Co., Ohio. After their mar- riage the husband and wife moved to Indiana, where they remained for seven years, then returned to Ohio and remained three years, from which State they emigrated to this county, arriving here Nov. 10, 1869; they located on section 29, North Shade Township, securing 80 acres of wild and unbroken land. By good management, coupled with energy and industry, he has placed his land under such a state of culti- vation that he looks back upon the past and wonders how the improvement was ever accomplished. In 1883 he erected a large barn, 40 x 60 feet, which is one of the best in the township.
Mr. and Mrs. W. are the parents of four children, three sons and one daughter. John A., Joseph A. S., Douglas, and Amanda A.
Mr. Whitman has been honored with the position of Constable of his township for two terms; has been Moderator of his school district two terms, and Postmaster six terms. He is also one of the Direc- tors of the County Fair Association, of Gratiot. Clin- ton, Ionia and Montcalm Counties, serving now his second term.
The grandfather of Mrs. W. was a giant in stature, being six feet and eleven inches in height. He was a soldier of the war of 1812, and died in Marshall Co .. Ind., Dec. 15. 1867.
Mr. Whitman in political action, belief and senti- ment is a staunch Democrat.
avid H. Payne, farmer on section 31, Ful- ton Township, is a son of Arnold and Loana (Parker) Payne, natives respectively of Rhode Island and New York. They set- tled after marriage in the Empire State, and in 1832 came to Washtenaw Co., Mich. After a residence there of about four years, they removed to Livingston County, and thence to Ingham County. In the winter of 1846, Arnold Payne, with his wife and 13 children, came to Gratiot County and took
up a large tract of land on section 31, Fulton. He set about clearing his land, and built a log house. On this place he lived until his death, Nov. 24, 1879. His first wife died Feb. 25, 1850. In 1853 he was again married to Mrs. Mary (Bussell) Dickerman, who died Aug. 31, 1865. He owned at the time of his death 120 acres in Fulton Township, the old homestead.
Their family comprised 13 children, the following eight of whom survive : Abigail, James L., Day and Dwight (twins), Eliza, David HI., Albert B. and Thomas R. The deceased are : Alma, Lucy, Mary, Perry and Arnold. The subject of this biographical notice, the 1 1th of the family, was born in Livingston Co., Mich., Dec. 5, 1839, and was about seven years old when his parents came to Gratiot County. He received a common-school education, and remained at home until 21 years of age, when he began to im- prove 40 acres given him by his father. After clear- ing 30 acres he sold out, and bought 40 acres on see- tion 31. This he worked two years, when he again sold, and bought 80 acres on section 32. Two years later he removed to Clinton County, and bought 60 acres in Essex Township, where he lived about eight years. He then sold, and invested in village prop- erty in Maple Rapids, where he erected good build- ings and lived one year, and then traded for a farm in Ionia County, where he lived from February, 1877, to 1880. He then made his last move, coming to this county and buying the old Payne homestead of 1 20 acres, 100 of which are nicely improved.
Feb. 22, 1868, in Lyons, Ionia Co., Mich., he was married to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of James and Bethie (Walling) Youdan, natives of England and New York State respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Y. came to Michigan and settled in Clinton County in 1844, where they lived until 1879, and then removed to Clare County, where they lived until his death, March 17, 1883. Mrs. Y. yet survives. Mr. and Mrs. Payne have four children : Harlan, O. D., Verne and Edith H.
Mr. P. has held the various school offices, and has been Township Clerk in Fulton one year. He has been Highway Commissioner in Clinton County. He is a Democrat, and is a member of the Masonic Or- der, being a Knight Templar. He is also a member of the G. A. R., and he and wife are members of Essex Grange, No. 429, P. of H.
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publican. He has been Supervisor of Washington eight years, Clerk three years and Justice of the Peace six years. He has also been Highway Com- missioner, and has held various other offices.
rastus C. Farrington. farmer, section 30, Emerson Township, was born in Norfolk C'o., Mass., Ang. 4, 1824, and was the son of Harvey and Nancy (Tilson) Farrington, natives of Massachusetts, and of old New England stock. They both died in the Bay State, at an advanced age, about 1868. Erastus worked at home until 16 years old, and was kept so busy with work that his school advantages were very limited. At the age mentioned, he was apprenticed to one Erastus Dupey. of Wrentham, Mass., to learn the trade of making shoes. After one year he re- turned home, and engaged with his father in this business, which they carried on together until he was of age.
At that age, he was united in marriage to Jimima Packard, a native of Maine. Eight years later they removed to Fulton Co., Ohio, and in the fall of 1854 they came to this State, locating on the present homestead, section 30, Emerson Township. For six or eight years after he came here, he followed his trade winters, and farmed during the summers.
March 10, 1866, his wife died, leaving six chil- dren, a seventh dying previous to her demise. Their names are as follows: Eugene E., born Oct. 29, 1853; Nancy E., born June 11. 1857 ; Nellie M., born .Aug. 13, 1859 ; Charles W., born July 18, 1864 ; Alice, born March 26, 1851, and died Sept. 11, 1862 ; Elmer E., born March 15, 1862, and died Aug. 29, 1873: Willie, born Feb. 19, 1866, and died Aug. 4, 1875.
March 25. 1867, he was again married, in Wood Co., Ohio, to Laura, daughter of Jonas and Mary (Carpenter) Carter, natives of New England. She was born in Delaware Co., O., May 16, 1832, but at the age of one year her parents removed to Wood County, where she received a good education. At the age of 17. she began teaching district school, which she followed until 1864, and then devoted herself to the study of art. In 1865 she moved with her parents to this State and county, keeping up her
work as an artist until her marriage, since which time she has lived on the farm.
Mr. Farrington arrived in Emerson Township before an acre of wood had been cleared away, and after securing 40 acres he began to open up the country and make roads through the forest, then un- broken for miles in every direction. He has now 60 acres of very valuable land, most of it well improved. Beginning in a small log hut, he has lived to be able to have a large, well arranged and comfortable resi- dence. He is a member of Ithaca Lodge, No. 123, F. & A. M .; and has been a Master Mason for nine years. In the lodge he has held the offices of J. D., S. D., J. W., S. W. and Tyler. In politics, he is an ardent and influential Republican. He belongs to the Baptist Church, and his wife to the Methodist Episcopal Church. They are socially popular, and few citizens of Gratiot County are more highly esteemed by their neighbors.
oswell Danly, farmer, on section 36, Fulton Township, is a son of Ingalls and Electa (Angell) Danly, natives of the State of New York. The parents first settled in Jefferson Co., N. Y., where they followed the occupation of farming until their death. The father departed this life May 7, 1838; the mother, July 15, 1864. Their family included four sons and three daughters.
The eldest of the family was Roswell, born in Jefferson Co., New York. Oct. 24, 1827. He received a common-school education, and remained at home until 23 years old. After the death of his father, the labor and responsibility of managing the home farm largely devolved upon him. Although his home was with his mother until he was 23, yet at the age of 17 he embarked as a sailor on the lakes, which business he followed 14 years, i. e., from 1844 to . 1858. Shipping before the mast as a common sailor, he gradually worked his way up to the post of mate, then pilot, and for four years commanded a vessel, thus earning the title of Captain, by which he is com- monly known in the community in which he resides. He has a high place in the confidence and esteem of a wide circle of friends. In the fall of 1854, he located 80 acres of land in Clinton County, this
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State, and worked during the subsequent winters at clearing the same. In the summer of 1858, he bought So acres of partly improved land in Fulton Township, on section 36, where is his present resi- dence. He has since added 40 acres opposite his farm in Clinton County, and has to0 acres well cultivated.
Jan. 29, 1851, in Jefferson Co., N. Y., he was united in marriage to Nancy Brougham. Her parents, William and Nancy (Rilyea) Brougham, were natives of the Empire State. Mrs. Danly was born in that State, May 24, 1829. Mr. and Mrs. D. are the parents of four children : William W., Viola J. (deceased September, 1864), James B. and Charles R. William W., the eldest, is at Boyne City, Charlevoix County, engaged in lumbering. He is married, and has two daughters.
Capt. Danly was the enrolling officer of Fulton Township during the war, and has held the office of Supervisor two terms. He is politically an ardent supporter of the Democratic party, and he is a mem- ber of the Masonic Order.
chuyler W. Amblen, real-estate and loan agent at Ithaca, was born July 24, 1826, in Nassau, Rensselaer Co., N. Y. His father, Peter W. Ambler, was born in January, 1802, in Columbia Co., N. Y. The parents of the latter went in his infancy to Nassau. He was of English descent and was reared to the vocation of agriculture, which he made the pur- suit of his early manhood, and later engaged in mercantile life. He went in 1833, to Yates, Orleans Co., N. Y., and in 1839 returned to Nassau, where he was interested a few months in the manufacture of woolen goods. He was a man of deep religious convictions, and in the winter of 1840 was licensed to preach ; he was regularly ordained a minister of the Baptist Church in 1843. In 1846 he bought 60 acres of land in Nassau Township, which he man- aged about eight years and sold in 1854. A few years later he bought the property whereon he died, Oct. 5, 1873. He labored in the interests of religion in Columbia and Rensselaer Counties, in the State of New York. His wife, Polly (Waterbury) Ambler, was of English descent and was born in Nassau, where she died, in April, 1871.
Mr. Ambler was a diligent student in the early years of his life, and, at the age of 16, was placed at Transylvania Institute for the purpose of making a thorough preparation for college; but the plan of his education was never consummated, as his health failed and he was compelled to abandon the project. He was employed for a time on the farm and taught school a number of winters. In 1851 Mr. Ambler bought 200 acres of land in Nassau, and devoted his energies to the pursuit of agriculture until 1858, when he engaged in general mercantile pursuits at Brainard's Bridge, Nassau Township. Soon after the inception of the project he became associated with an individual named Hasting Kellogg, which rela- tion existed and was managed successfully until the spring of 1869. At that date, Mr. Ambler sold his interest to his partner. Ile had sold his farm in 1863, and the disposal of his sole remaining business interest left him free to select a new location, which he was desirous of doing. Ile came to Jackson, Mich., and spent the summer of 1869, there examin- ing the comparative claims of new districts in the l'eninsula State, relative to the choice of a location. He fixed upon Gratiot County and arrived at St. Louis Nov. 6, 1869. He engaged in teaching the winter ensuing, and in the spring of 1870 he became a salesman in the mercantile establishment of Hi- ram Harrington, and continued in that vocation be- tween two and three years. Meanwhile he was elected President of the village and served in that capacity one year (1872). In January, 1873, he came to Ithaca as Deputy County Treasurer, for A. B. Darragh, and discharged the duties of the posi- tion two years. In the fall of 1874 he was elected Treasurer and held the position four years. During the period of his official term he became interested in buying and selling real estate and in negotiating loans. On the expiration of his official obligations, he opened an office for the regular and systematic transaction of business in the avenues named, and has since been engaged in attention to his private af- fairs. He is dealing extensively in real estate, and now owns 700 acres of valuable farming lands in Gratiot County. He also owns town property, in- cluding a fine residence and a dwelling with two lots.
Mr. Ambler has been President of Ithaca three successive years and Trustee for two years. He has also served one year as Justice of the Peace of Em- erson Township.
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His marriage with Miss Charlotte M. Knapp, of Nassau, N. Y., occurred Sept. 14, 1850. She was born in the same place, April 2, 1832, and is the daughter of Isaac and Melinda Knapp. (The mother resides with the daughter.) Mr. and Mrs. Ambler have had eight chiklren, as follows : Mary E., wife of Robert Banwell, a merchant of Belvidere, III. (They are the parents of three children-Fred- die, Charlie and Irvine.) Sarah M. was married to Julius E. Lyon, who is now deceased and left two children-Florence and Lothrop M. She is now the wife of Isaac M. Sayles, of Ithaca, and has an in- fant child. Eva S. was born Ang. 29, 1856, and died Dec. 9. 1864. Irvin S, was born Sept. 27, 1858, and died Nov. 15, 1877. The remainder of those surviving are Nettie L., Inis, Willie and Fanny.
Mr. Ambler is a fair type of the substantial ele- ment of Gratiot County. He has conducted his bus- iness on a basis of integrity and uprightness, and guided his life in a manner that secures to him, at its later meridian, the comfort and content he has earned. Ilis portrait, on another page, is a credita- ble acquisition to the list of similar representative men in this volume.
dward Downs, farmer, on section 13, Ful- ton Township, is a son of John and Mar- garet (Foreman) Downs, natives of Ohio and Pennsylvania. They first settled in Holmes Co., Ohio, and afterward removed to Hancock County, same state, where they at present reside. Edward was born in Holmes Co., Ohio. May 18, 1840. He received a common-school edu- cation, and remained at home until 21 years of age. In May, 1861, he responded to the first call of President Lincoln for troops to suppress the Southern rebellion, and enlisted in the 21st Ohio Vol. Inf., which was a three-months regiment. In August, 1862. he again enlisted, this time in the 99th Ohio Vol. Inf., and he served from that time on to the close of the war. He was in 32 regular engagements, besides numerous skirmishes.
In October, 1865, he came to Gratiot County and bought 65 acres on section 23, Fulton Township. He afterward purchased 40 acres on section 13, where he now resides, and where he has put up a
good dwelling and other farm buildings. He has 80 acres under cultivation.
April 10. 1863, in Hancock Co., Ohio, he was united in marriage to Lucinda, daughter of John and Margaret (Gibson) Chaffin, natives of Virginia and Pennsylvania. Mrs. Downs was born in Hancock Co., Ohio, Aug. 18, 1839, and is the mother of five children : James E., Ella M., Mary E., John L. and Milo V. Mr. and Mrs. D. have adopted as their own child Marcia Cole, and she is known as Marcia C. Downs. . Politically, Mr. D. is a Republican.
saiah Hatfield, farmer, section 36, Newark Township, is the son of Jacob and Catherine (Franks) Ilatfield, the former a native of New Jersey, the latter of Pennsylvania. After their marriage, they located in Wayne Co., Ohio, where they resided more than 30 years. Their family comprised five sons and two daughters, namned as follows : William, Michael, George, Jacob, Isaiah, Charlotte and Sally. Late in life, the parents moved to Medina C'o., O., to reside with their young- est son, and there lived till the father's death. The mother returned to Wayne County, where she died.
Mr. Hatfield was born in Wayne Co., Ohio, April 28, 1822. Ile left home at the age of 16, and en- gaged in farming, afterwards becoming interested in managing threshing-machines, which business he pursued nearly six years. In 1853, associated with his brother Jacob, he went to the State of lowa and bought 590 acres of land, which they sold after one season, and returned to Ohio. They bought 170 acres of land in Medina County, and held its pro- prietorship seven years. Mr. Hatfield sold his in- terest therein in the spring of 1861, and came to Michigan. He bought 80 acres of unimproved land in Newark Township, and disposed later of 40 acres. All but eight acres of the remaining moiety are cleared and under cultivation. He is independent in political sentiment and action, and has occupied the various school offices in his district. He is con- nected by membership with the Masonic fraternity.
Mr. Hatfield was married Aug. 30, 1848, to Mrs. Polly (Weidman) Shank, widow of Michael Shank, and daughter of John and Barbara Weidman. Her parents were natives of Pennsylvania, and after their
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marriage removed to Canada, where the daughter was born Feb. 27, 1821. But one of three children born of her first marriage survives, Mariette. The others were named John and Henry. Three chil- dren have been born of her marriage with Mr. Hat- field : Teresa, May 16, 1856; Adam P., born July 18, 1849, and died March 24, 1850; George, born Feb. 2, 1850, and died Sept. 16, 1856. Mr. and Mrs. Hatfield are members of the Church of United Brethren. Mr. H. was for 30 years a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and has for four years been a minister in the Church to which he now be- longs.
oah Sooy, farmer on section 1, Fulton Town- ship, is the son of Samuel and Rebecca (Tailor) Sooy, who were of Welsh and Hol- land descent and settled in New Jersey. 16 Noah was born in Wayne Co., Ohio, June 10, 1816, and received a common-school education in that county. When 18 years old he removed to Me- dina County, same State, and in the fall of 1866 he made his last, long move to this county, buying 100 acres on section 3, Fulton Township. After residing there 14 years he sold and purchased 77 acres on section 1, same township, where he now resides. He has 60 acres under cultivation.
Ang. 12, 1841, in Medina Co., Ohio, he married Miss Sarah Driskell, who was born in Wayne Co., Ohio, Feb. 5, 1822. They have had seven children, of whom four survive: Elizabeth, Jemima, Avery and Corlis S. The deceased are: Perry, Joseph C. and Benjamin F. Mr. Sooy has been School Di- rector two years, and in politics is a National.
genry Bodfish, farmer, section 12, Bethany Township, is a son of Oliver and Sarah (Walker) Bodfish, who were natives respect- ively of Massachusetts and Maine, first settled in New Bedford, Mass., and afterward in Onon- daga Co., N. Y., where Mr. B. followed agricul- tural pursuits and resided the remainder of his life, his death taking place April 8, 1883. His wife died Aug. 27, 185 1.
The subject of this sketch was born in Onondaga Co., N. Y., April 18, 1843. When 20 years of age lie enlisted in the toth N. Y. Cav., and served a year and a half, participating in the battles of the Wild- erness, Spottsylvania Court-House, Cold Harbor, Weldon Railroad, Vaughn Road, Five Forks, etc .; was at the surrender of Gen. Lec. He was then at his home in Onondaga County a year, and next, in April, 1866, he came to Midland Co., Mich., where he followed milling and lumbering nearly 12 years. In the spring of 1878 he came to his present place, which he had bought eight years previously. At first it comprised 120 acres, but Mr. B. subsequently dis- posed of 40 acres, and a half of the remainder is now in a good tillable condition.
Sept. 6, 1874, Mr. Bodfish was married to Miss Emma, daughter of Seth and Julia A. (Crandall) Gould, natives of Canada. She was born in Cana da, Aug. 18, 1852. The children of Mr. and Mrs. B. are John H., George, Sarah M., Mary G. and Frank L.
Mr. Bodfish is a member of the Masonic Order, and in politics is a " National."
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giram Townsend, farmer, section 31, North Shade Township, is the son of Josiah and Dolly (Parker) Townsend, and was born in Jefferson Co., N. Y., Sept. 23, 1806. ITis parents were natives of Connecticut, where they were engaged in farming. They moved to Jefferson Co., N. Y., where they spent the remainder of their days.
At the age of 21 years, Hiram left the home of his parents and embarked on the voyage of life for him- self. He learned the trade of carpenter and joiner, which he followed for about 14 years. During this period he spent much time of the winters in the manufacture of joiners' tools.
In the year 1854, Mr. Townsend married Miss Louisa, daughter of Amasa and Luna (Townsend) Page. Mr. Page was a native of New Hampshire, and the mother of New York State. Both of them have long since closed life's labors, the former dying in 1860, and the latter in 1858, both in New York. Mrs. Townsend died in 1847, in Jefferson Co., N. Y. Sept. 28, 1848, he was married to Miss Luna Page, a younger sister of his first wife.
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Mr. Townsend moved from New York to Michigan in 1865, and located on section 31, North Shade Township, on a tract of 87 acres of land, of which 65 acres are in a good state of cultivation. The farm is well improved and has upon it good farm buildings. Mr. Townsend is the father of eight chil- dren, viz. : Luna, Erastus, Ambrose E., Eber L., Harlan, Orville H., Frank E. and Ida A. The first four were by his first wife. Politically, Mr. Townsend is a Republican.
ilton H. Davis, farmer on section 16, Ful- ton Township, is a son of William and Sally M. (Cast) Davis, natives of New York State. He was born in Medina Co., Ohio, March 19, 1851, and at the age of 13 came with his parents to Gratiot County. He remained at home until 22 years old, and then pur- chased So acres of Government land in Otsego Co., Mich. Six years later he sold, and bought 85 acres in Fulton Township, this county, where he now re- sides. Ile has 70 acres under cultivation.
Feb. 22, 1873, at Ithaca, this county, he married Sarah, daughter of Peter and Nancy Leddick. She was born in Seneca Co., N. Y., Nov. 6, 1850. This marriage has been blessed with three children : James E., William T. and Nela M. Mr. Davis is a member of the M E. Church, and in politics is a Republican.
oseph E. Holton, farmer, section 14, Beth- any Township, is a son of Joseph and Eliz- abeth (Barnes) llolton, who emigrated from England to America in 1849 and first settled in Jackson Co., Mich., and in 1866 where they now reside, in Bethany Township, this county. - Joseph E., the eldest son, was born Aug. 1, 1842, in England ; remaining with his parents until the war of the rebellion commenced, he enlisted, in August, 1861, in the 8th Mich. Inf .; but, being under 18 years of age, he was soon discharged, by request of his father. In August, 1862, he again enlisted, in the same regiment, and remained in the service until July, 1865, participating in 13 engagements. When
before Petersburg, Va., in April, 1865, he received a gunshot wound in his left thigh.
After his discharge he came to Jackson Co., Mich., and soon entered the commercial college at Albion, Mich., where he graduated. Since 1866 he has re- sided on his present place, where he is the owner of 120 acres of good land, with 57 acres cleared and subdued to a fine tilth. In the spring of 1880 he was elected Justice of the Peace, which office he still holds. Has been also School Director for six years and Commissioner of Highways. He belongs to the " National " party.
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