Portrait and biographical album of Gratiot county, Mich., Part 30

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 30

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March 19, 1868, in Bethany Township, Mr. Hol- ton married Miss Dorinda, daughter of Bernard and Dorinda Fox. (See sketch of Bernard Fox.) Mrs. H. was born in Steuben Co., N. Y., April 4, 1848. The children in this family are : Harvey B., lda M., Carrie L., Jessie E., George W. and Fred. N. Jessie died when about three years old.

- rederick S. Kelly, retired farmer and stock-raiser, section 36, Ithaca Township, was born in Wood Co., Ohio, May 16, 1832. His father, John A. Kelly, was a native of Ohio, and was the first settler in Mont- gomery Township, Wood County. When he went there, the Indians were very numerous, and .

numbers of them would occasionally spend the night at his hospitable home. When he "raised " his cabin, he had to go 14 miles for help. In this pioneer home, the subject of this sketch passed his early childhood, and it was but natural for him to ac- quire that pluck and energy with which all successful pioneers are endowed.

Frederick Kelly's mother, Rachel Shawn, was a native of Virginia, came to Ohio when very young, and there lived until her death, in 1840. Her father was a soldier in the Revolution, serving seven years.

Frederick attended the first school in his native township. The school-house was a log structure, 14 X IS, covered with " shakes." The benches con- sisted of the roughest sort of basswood logs, split, and the legs inserted therein so as to form a half-round seat. The fire-place was made of sticks and daub, and the prominence of the corners admitted of the children climbing to its top, which was a fine resort

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for the urchins of that pioneer school. The familiar trick of fastening the door, and then calling out, "Teacher, stay out or treat," was occasionally prac- ticed on Christmas by the mischievous pupils; but on one occasion the master beat them at their game. He took advantage of the peculiar style of the chim- ney, and, by covering its top, smoked them out.

Frederick passed the first 22 years of his life in at- tending school, and in assisting his father to clear their farm and make a comfortable home. Feb. 17, 1853, he was married to Mary Davis, a native of Ohio. Two years later, they came to this State and entered 280 acres of land in Newark Township, this county. June 17, 1866, his wife died at her home in this county, leaving two children: Ella, born Aug. 25, 1857 ; and John, born Nov. 25, 1858.

Mr. Kelly was a second time married, April 18, 1867, to Mrs. Emma Jenner (nee Humphrey), daugh- ter of John and Ann (Best) Humphrey, natives of England. She was born in Sussex, England, April 13, 1841. Her parents were farmers, and she lived at home and attended school in England until 15, when her parents brought her to the United States. Their passage across the Atlantic occupied six weeks. From New York city they went to Levanna, Cayuga Co., N. Y., thence to Springport ; and in the fall of 1863 they came to this county and located in Newark Township. Emma's first husband, Henry Jenner, enlisted Sept. 3, 1862, was taken prisoner at Newbern, N. C., Feb. 2, 1864, and died in the prison pen at Andersonville, April 18, 1864, of small-pox.

Mr. Kelly enlisted, Aug. 12, 1862, in Co. D), 26th Mich. Vol. Inf., commanded by Capt. Lafayette Church, of this county. He enlisted as wagoner, and was soon made "boss" wagoner, which post he held until he was honorably discharged, June 15, 1865, after serving nearly three years.

Jan. 11, 1881, he left his well improved farm of 280 acres in Newark township in care of his son, and purchased his present home of 40 acres on section 36, Ithaca Township, near the village of Ithaca. Here he lives a retired life, devoting a portion of his time to dealing in stock. He has by his second mar- riage one daughter, Fanny, born June 8, 1877, the namesake of her aunt, Fanny Kelly, who was for five months a captive among the Indians of Idaho. Mrs. Kelly's first marriage occurred Dec. 14, 1859; and by this marriage she has two sons: Thomas C.,

born Feb. 12, 1862, and Edward H., born June 5, 1863.

Mr. and Mrs. Kelly are not members of any Church, believing that a high morality, as taught by our conscience, is the best religion. He has held the office of Highway Commissioner for six years, and Township Treasurer for two years, besides minor offices. lle was the second Treasurer of New- ark Township. Politically, he is a zealous member of the National Greenback party.

eter Myer, farmer, section 9, Bethany Town ship, was born in Prussia, Feb. 23, 1821 His parents were natives of the same country and there followed the occupation of farming until the year 1841, when they emigrated to the United States and settled in Ohio, where they both died, the former in 1875, and the latter in 1870.

Mr. Myer remained at home, in his native land, assisting his father on the farm and accompanied them to the States. On arrival in Ohio he engaged himself as a farm laborer for two years to a gentleman in the vicinity of Cleveland, afterward working in a brick-yard two summers and cutting wood in the winters. His next move was to Huron County, where he remained two years working on a farm, and then moved to Williams County, same State, and purchased 40 acres of land. He labored on this land for nine years, when he sold it and came to this county, arriving here in the year 1867. On arriving here, he purchased So acres of land on section 9, Bethany Township, and turned his undivided atten- tion to the cultivation of the same. He has suc- cessfully cleared 62 acres of this land and placed it under good improvement, on 40 acres of which there is not a stump to be seen.

Mr. Myer was united in marriage June 20, 1850, in Cleveland, Ohio, to Miss Julia N. Midlle, born in Germany, Aug. 31, 1821. She came to the United States in 1850, the year she was married.

Mr. and Mrs. Myer are the parents of six children, only two of whom survive, namely: Catherine, who was united in marriage to John Schultes, and is at present living on section 8, Bethany Township; and

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Mary, the wife of Frank Peach, living on section 4, in the same township.

Mr. and Mrs. Myer are both members of the Ger- man Lutheran Church, and Mr. M. has held an of- fice in the Church for many years.

In political opinion Mr. M. is a Democrat.

James M. McKee, farmer, section 6, Ithaca Township, was born in Niagara Co., N. Y., Jan. 14, 1836. Ilis father was Anthony McKee, a native of Orange Co., N. Y., and of Scotch and German extraction. James was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools of his native county. In 1867 he came to Washtenaw Co., Mich., where he worked at his trade of carpenter and joiner during the summer and taught school during the winter. He came to Gratiot County in 1873, taught one winter, and has since been engaged in agriculture, now owning 85 acres of well improved land.

Oct. 22, 1873, Mr. McKee married Miss Mary Killin, daughter of Patrick Killin, and their children are : Belle and Berenice.

Mr. McKee is a Freemason in good standing, having taken nine degrees in the mystic art.

illiam H. Wheeler, farmer, section 12, Newark Township, was born Oct. 9, 1839, in Oswego Co., N. Y. His parents, Sylvester and Hannah (Peck) Wheeler, were natives respectively of Vermont and New York. (See sketch.) In 1852, when he was but 13 years old, his family went to Kane Co., Ill., and after a stay of more than a year they came to Michigan. He re- mained with them until 1863. They came to Gratiot County in 1855, after a stay of six months in Ingham County. Since that date, Mr. Wheeler has contin- ued a resident of Gratiot County. He owns 160 acres of land and has 108 acres under fine improve- ments and in advanced cultivation. Mr. Wheeler is a Republican, and acts for the issues and interests of that party. He has been Director of School District No. 2 ten successive years, and has served four years as School Assessor.

He was married in Greenbush, Clinton Co., Mich., Aug. 6, 1863, to Mrs. Ann 1 .. , widow of George Hawkes, and daughter of John and Ann L. Cook. She is a native of England, and was born Nov. 5, 1839, near Canterbury. Her parents brought her to the United States when she was 12 years old. Her first husband died March 14, 1861, leaving two chil- dren,-Samuel J., born Dec. 11, 1859, and Thomas E., Sept. 6, 1861. Following is the record of the births of six children born to Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler : Alfred W., July 3, 1864; George E., Aug. 29, 1866; Mary J., Dec. 5, 1868; Warren W., April 8, 1870; Cora E., July 29, 1873; Frederick H., July 8, 1876. The family attend the United Brethren Church, of which the parents are zealous members.

ranklin Miller, the first resident lawyer of Gratiot County, was born in Lodi, Seneca Co., N. Y., March 13, 1833. His ances- tors, back to an indefinite date previous to the Revolution, were farmers, and formerly resided in the township of Goshen, Orange Co., N. Y., emigrating to the "lake country " at the close of the war for independence.

He received the rudiments of a common English education in the district schools of the neighborhood, and, commencing at 16, pursued for three years a course of academic studies. The ensuing three years he studied law at Elmira, N. V., and in 1855 he was admitted to practice in the courts of the Empire State. The same year, he came to this State and county, arriving previous to the first election of county officers, when he was elected Prosecuting Attorney,- the first to hold that office in Gratiot. He was the first resident licensed attorney, and at the next elec- tion was re-elected for a second term. Before the conclusion of this terin, however, ill health compelled his resignation ; and in the spring of 1859 he made the overland trip to California, going the next year to Oregon. On the discovery of the gold fields of Ida- ho, he was among the first to settle in that little-known Territory.

In 1871, he returned to Michigan, married, and remained a resident of Gratiot County until 1882, when he went once more to Idaho. He will be long remembered as one of the pioneers of this county.

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He was among those who secured the location of the county offices at Ithaca, and he was the first Post- master of the county seat, which he named in re- membrance of Ithaca, N. Y. He purchased and and brought into Gratiot County its first printing press. He was the original projector of the Michi- gan Central Union Fair Association, and was in var- ious ways instrumental in the progress of the county and county seat.

ohn P. Ruppert, farmer on section 27, Ful- ton Township, is a son of John P. and Christine (Sholler) Ruppert, natives of Ger- many, in which country they died. He was also born in Germany, Sept. 15, 1815, and in 1853 came with his wife and one child to the United States. For three years he lived in the State of Ohio. In the autumn of 1856, known as the "smoky fall," he came to Gratiot County and bought So acres of wild land on section 27, Fulton Town- ship, where he has since resided. He has now 40 acres under the plow.

Ile was married in the " Fatherland," in Septem- ber, 1843, to Miss Anna B., daughter of Frederick and Mary B. (Christine) Buttner, natives also of the old country. She was born there Sept. 8, 1814. Mr. and Mrs. Ruppert have one son, George M., a sketch of whom is given in this work. They have formerly been members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. Politically, Mr. R. is a Democrat.

ohn Richard, Sr., farmer on section 34, New- ark Township, is a son of John and Mary (Poorman) Richard, natives of Franklin Co., Pa. They followed farming all their lives and died in Westmoreland Co., Pa., whither they had removed. The father departed this life in May, 1833, and the mother Dec. 19, 1845.

The subject of this biography was born March 16, ISII, in Westmoreland Co., Pa., and alternately worked on the farm and attended school until 21 years old. At this age he was united in marriage with Rachel Fry, daughter of Michael and Regina (Spillman) Fry, natives of Luzerne Co., Pa. Mr. and

Mrs. Fry followed farming, and died in their native county, the father in 1853, and the mother in 1866. Their daughter Rachel was born May 27, 1815, in Westmoreland Co., Pa., and was the third daughter of a family of 13 children, all of whom are now dead but three.

Mr. and Mrs. Richard moved in 1846 to Ashland Co., Ohio, and in 1854 they went to Wood County, same State. Ilere he worked out a comfortable home from the dense forest. He is a man of iron constitution, and nothing in the way of hardship or toil could daunt him. In the spring of 1871, he moved with his family to Gratiot County, and located on So acres on section 34, Newark Township, where he now resides.

During the late war, he sent four sons into the army, and twice enlisted himself; but was not ac- cepted, on account of his personal sacrifice in risking the lives of his sons. Mr. and Mrs. Richard have been the parents of five sons and six daughters. He is a staunch Republican, and with his wife belongs to the United Brethren Church. They have been Christians 40 years.

John H. Jessup, farmer, section 25, Newark Township, is the son of Isaac M. and Eleanor (Schermerhorn) Jessup. The for- mer was born in Tompkins Co., N. Y., April 5, ISTO ; the latter Nov. 20, 1815, in Rensselae County, in the same State. Their marriager took place in New York, and in 1839 they emigrated to Michigan, and at first settled in Eaton County, going afterward to Wayne County. They maintained their residence there for 15 years, and in the spring of 1853 removed to lonia County, where they are at present located. Four daughters and five sons were born to them : Jane M., Abram M., John H., Alida A., Jacob S., Andrew S., Mary E., Edward T. and Eleanor E. The last named child died when nearly three years old.

Mr. Jessup, of this sketch, was born Dec. 24, 1837, in Rensselaer Co., N. Y. He was 17 years old when his father located in Michigan, and he obtained his education in the common schools of the Peninsular State. On reaching the period of his legal freedom, he found himself with the world before him, to wrest

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success from opportunity, or to wait in listless apathy for the fortune that comes soonest to manly, well- ; directed endeavor. In December, 1860, he came to Gratiot County, and became the owner of 63 acres of unimproved land in Newark Township, of which he is still proprietor. He built the customary log house, and continued its occupancy until 1880. In that year, he completed and took possession of a fine brick residence. To his original farm he has added 85 acres, and is now carrying on successful agricul- ture on 148 acres, of which 123 acres are finely im- proved land. Mr. Jessup belongs to the Republican clement in politics, and has officiated three years as School Director in his district.

In October, 1864, he was drafted, and assigned to service in the 23d Mich. Vol. Inf., and was in the army nine months. He participated in the actions at Franklin and Nashville, Tenn., and at Port Ander- son, N. (. Was honorably discharged from the ser- vice of the United States in June, 1865, at Washing- ton, D. C.

Mr. Jessup was married Dec. 29, 1859, at Lyons, fonia County, to Margaret R., daughter of Amos and Betsey (Grant) Dean, natives of the State of New York, where they were married, and whence they re- moved their family to lonia Co., Mich., in 1854, and in 1861 again removed to Gratiot County, and located in North Shade Township. The father died June 20. 1857. The mother resides in Sumner Township. Mrs. Jessup is the second daughter of her parents, and is one of nine children born to them, viz. : Amos W., Nancy B., Darius E., Ezra J., Thomas H., Emma 1., Rosa M. and Emery V. She was born in Yates Co., N. Y., Aug. 28, 1840. The sons and daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Jessup are named : Charles H., Nettie E . Arthur H., George L., Frank A., William T., Glen (), and Bertha M.

albert Pierson, farmer, section 32, Washing- ton Township, is a son of Silas and Phoebe (Davis) Pierson, natives of Essex Co., N. J. Silas Pierson was a carpenter and joiner, and in 1839 moved to Morrow Co., Ohio, where he and his wife both died. The subject of this sketch was born in Essex Co., N. J., Oct. 13, 1817. When 18 years old, he was apprenticed for three

years to the trade of harness-maker, at the expiration of which time he engaged in farming in Morrow Co., Ohio. In 1853, he removed to Gratiot County, pur- chasing of the Government So acres on section 32, Washington Township. There are now 60 acres nicely improved. In the spring of 1867, he built a large barn, and in 1873 he erected a neat dwelling, at a cost of $1,000.

March 10, 1844, he was married to Lucy J., daughter of Samuel and Maria (Gould) Linscott, natives respectively of the State of Maine and New York city. Mr. Linscott was by occupation a mason.

Mr. Pierson has been Highway Commissioner of his township for three years, and has served occa- sionally on juries. He built the second house in Washington Township. There was at that time no road, and he had to attach paper to stakes, to guide to his place the men to whom he went five miles to ask to help him build. The nearest trading place was Dewitt, Clinton County. He and wife are mem- bers of the Christian Church. In politics he is a supporter of the Republican party.

homas M. Granger, farmer, section 8, Pine River Township, was born March 3, 1841, & in Hartsville, Steuben Co., N. Y., and is the third son of Allen and Margaret (Bover) Granger. His father was born in Vermont, and his mother was a native of New York. They settled soon after their marriage in Canisteo, Steuben Co., N. Y., and they still reside in that county.

Mr. Granger is the third son of his parents and one of ten children born to them. Ile received a common- school education, and at the age of 20 made his entry into the world in an independent capacity, and paid his father $75 for the year's service yet re- maining of his minority. He was empty-handed, but preserved a spirit of determination second to that of no man, the results of which, coupled with persist- ent labor, good sense and judgment, are plainly manifest in his surroundings. He came to Gratiot County in September, 1867, and settled at Ithaca. Ile remained in that place and vicinity nearly eight years. In 187 -. he bought So acres of land in Sum- ner Township, which he continued to improve three

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years, when he sold out and went to Alma. There he built a house and barn and resided about 18 months, when he exchanged the property for 80 acres of land belonging to I'. Richardson, located in Pine River Township, where he has since followed the voeation of farming. He has purchased 17 acres ad- ditional, and has 75 acres under improvement. Mr. Granger is an adherent to the tenets of the National Greenbaek party.

He was married May 11, 1859, in Steuben Co., N. Y., to Mary B., daughter of Burnett and Margaret (Gibling) MeDermott, natives of Ireland, where Mrs. Granger was born, Jan. 5, 1839. Three children- George W., Ella L. and Carrie L .- have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Granger. The only son and eldest child met his death at Fremont, Newaygo County, Dec. 21, 1881, by a terrible accident. He was en- gaged in making what is ealled a " fly switch " at the railroad station where he was employed, and was killed while in the performance of his duty.

The father and mother are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

olla A. Peet, farmer, section 31, Lafayette Township, is a son of John and Betsy (Clark) Peet, natives of Connecticut and New York, respectively. The former was by occupation a farmer, but also worked at the trade of a shoemaker. Rolla A. was born Aug. 18, 1830, in the State of New York, and worked on his father's farm until he was nearly 21 years old. Early in 1851 he went to Ohio, and worked on a farm until he was fully of age. He then married Mary Odell, daughter of Nathan and Betsy (Wright) Odell, and resided for a time in Lorain Co., Ohio. Mr. Peet enlisted in Co. B, First Ohio Light Artillery, in 1864, and was mustered out at Camp Dennison, Ohio, July 24, 1865. Returning home, he engaged in the dairy business one year, then sold his farm and came to Michigan in the spring of 1867. He first settled on 300 acres in Kent County. In 1875 he again re- moved, this time to Lafayette Township, Gratiot Co., settling on the south half of section 31. Of his 320 acres, 100 are cleared and 100 more chopped.

Mr. Peet's first marriage was blessed with six children, as follows: Frank M., born Nov. 22, 1852;

Odell, July 9, 1855 ; Gertrude, June 2, 1859; Louis M., Feb. 27, 1862 ; Benj. J., Nov. 21, 1867 ; Anna, Sept. 17, 1874.

He is liberal in his religious views, and politically he votes with the National party. In 1881, the first Mrs. Peet died, and he was again married to Miss Ida MI. Fuller, a daughter of James and Polly (Schance) Fuller. She was born in Eaton Co., Mich., Sept. 17, 1865, and at the age of five came with her parents to Gratiot County.

As one of the leading and representative agricul- turists and citizens of Gratiot County, we take pleasure in presenting Mr. Peet's portrait in this volume.

eorge G. Nichols, jeweler at St. Louis, was born March 10, 1845, at Plattsburg, N. Y. He is the son of Gardner and Sabra (Martin) Nichols. His father was a son of Levi Nich- ols, proprietor of the Nichols House, at Platts- burg, and was also born in that place. Levi Nichols died at the advanced age of 94. The management of the hotel devolved upon Gardner Nichols before the death of his father, and he conducted it several years. In the spring of 1863 he removed his family to Medina, Lenawee Co., Mich., where he bought a farm of 160 acres of land.

Mr. Nichols was then 18 years old, and he attended the academy at Oak Grove several terms. In Jan- uary, 1864, he determined to risk the fate of war, and enrolled as a soldier. He enlisted in Co. G, 30th Mich. Vol. Inf., and was in the service of the United States six months. He returned to Medina, and after attending school two terms went to Adrian and en- tered the employ of Japhet Cross to learn the de- tails of the jeweler's trade. He remained nearly four years, and Jan. 10, 1870, came to St. Louis in impaired health, to obtain the benefit of the mineral water. After three months he became so much im- proved that he determined to engage in business and opened an establishment at the stand now occupied by MeIntyre's drug store. He conducted the repair business, and as he succeeded in working up a con- siderable degree of trade he added jewelry, and by his good management has firmly established himself

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in his business. He removed to his present quar- ters in May, 1882. In May, 1879, he was burned out on the old site, but with a very slight loss above his insurance. His business is prosperous and he employs his brother, John M. Nichols, as assistant in repairing and engraving. He is also agent for the New American Sewing Machine, No. 7.

Mr. Nichols was married Sept. 27, 1876, at Has- tings, Barry Co., Mich., to Blanche, daughter of A. J. Newton. She was born in Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. N. are the parents of one child, Carrie E., born Nov. 11, 1878, at St. Louis. Mr. Nichols is a member of the Knights of Honor.

euben D. Maxwell, farmer, section 7, North Star Township, was born in Monroe Co., N. Y., June 3, 1834, and is a son of Cyrus Maxwell, who brought his family from Troy to Geauga Co., Ohio, in 1836, and to Monroe Co., Mich., in 1844, where the subject of this sketch resided until after the war. He served one year in that great struggle, in Co. H, Ninth Mich. Vol. Inf .; resided in Ingham Co., Mich., from 1866 to 1879, where he followed farming five years and ran a dray eight years ; then came to this county, where he has since been engaged in agriculture, and now owns 1241/2 acres of good land.

Oct. 29, 1861, Mr. Maxwell married Miss Jane, daughter of Daniel Hillman, now deceased. She was born in Upper Canada, and was brought by her parents to Jackson Co., Mich., when only four years of age (1844). Mr. and Mrs. M. have three chil- dren, namely : Grace, Newton and Ira.

barius Roop, farmer, section 5, North Shade Township, is a son of John and Mary (Mills) Roop, the former a native of New York, and the latter of Canada. Farming was their occupation. Mr. John Roop came when a young man to Toledo, Ohio, near which place he owned a farm. . After a period, he moved 25 miles west of that city, and in 1856 to Montcalm County, this State, where in 1882 his wife

died. He is yet living with his daughter, Mrs. Eva- line Thompson, in Montcalm County.

The subject of this sketch was born March 16, 1832, in Lucas Co., Ohio, near Toledo, remaining with his parents until 22 years of age as a farmer. Spending one year in Indiana, he came to Montcalm Co., Mich., where he remained two years engaged in various occupations. He cleared the land where Carson City now stands. In 1857, he located on a tract of 40 acres on section 5, North Shade Town- ship, to which he subsequently added 40 acres. He now has 78 acres well improved, with house, barn, etc. Mr. Roop has been Justice of the Peace seven years, and School Director a number of terms. He is a Republican, and a member of Ithaca Chapter, No. 70, R. A. M.

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Portrait and biographical album of Gratiot county, Mich., Part 30

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

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