Portrait and biographical album of Gratiot county, Mich., Part 35

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

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In 1871 he built the court-house at Ithaca. On the sixth day of June, 1874, his mill, which occupied the present site of the Journal office, was destroyed by fire, entailing a loss of $7,000, with no insurance. The business community of Ithaca felt the importance of his works as an accessory to the growth and pros-

perity of the place, and contributed a little over $1,000 for his relief, which enabled him to construct the building in which he is now actively pursuing his business. It is 40 x 60 feet and two and a half stories high. The wing is 12 x 30 feet in dimensions and the engine house is 16 x 24 feet. He manufactures furniture, sash, doors, blinds and frames, and dresses lumber. He erected in his own interest the buildings used for the Masonic hall and the Journal office, which he afterward sold. In August, 1882, he formed a business association with Irving C. Wright and dealt in furniture. This connection existed until Aug. 17, ISS3.

Mr. Beckwith has been prominent in local politics in the township of Emerson, where he has acted in the capacities of Clerk and Justice of the Peace. He belongs to Ithaca Lodge, No. 123, Ithaca Chap- ter No. 70, and the Council of Royal and Select Masters, No. 33, Masonic Order. He is a charter member of the organization known as the Knights of Honor.

His marrige with Emily R. Lane occurred July 7, 1848, at Colchester, Delaware Co., N. Y. She was born at Neversink, N. Y., Aug. 30, 1826, and is a daughter of William S. and Rachel Lane. Eight children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Beckwith, three of whom are living. Josephine H. married George W. Helt, and has two children-Clark and Althia. Charles L. is in his father's employ. He was married April 22, 1878, to Flora Brooks. They have two children-Sylvia M. and William H. Grace G. was married Dec. 24, 1883, to Walter L. Hilborn, one of the editors of the Times. The family of Mr. B. attend the Baptist Church.

eorge W. Hearn, of the firm of Hearn & Grote, marketmen at Alma, was born July 12, 1856, in Oakland Co., Mich. He is a son of Edward and Mary A. (Polten) Hearn. Mrs. Hearn's first husband was William Salomon, and to this marriage was born one son, John W., now residing in Corunna. Mr. and Mrs. Hearn were natives of England, and came to the United States in May, 1853. They settled at first in Wayne Co., Mich., and afterward removed to Oakland County.

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They went thence to Shiawassee County, where they yet reside.

Mr. Hearn was under the parental guidance until he reached the period of his legal freedom, devoting his time to study in the common and graded schools and in assisting in the farm labors. At the date named he began to work by the month as a farm laborer, and a part of the time as a butcher. He spent three years in this manner, when he gave up farming to devote his whole attention to the meat business. He came to Alma in 1878, and was em- ployed in a meat-market for three years. In 1881 he established himself in that business in company with his brother, Charles W., which relation continued until January, 1884. Charles W. then sold his inter- est to Henry W. Grote. Mr. Hearn is a member of the Order of Odd Fellows, and is a Republican in political sentiment.

He was married at St. Louis, Mich., May 26, 1881, to Josephine, daughter of Nelson and Fidelia Rogers, natives of the State of New York. She was born in Alma, Aug. 9, 1866.

onroe J. Bosserman, general farmer and mechanic, section 16, New Haven Town- ship, was born in Hancock Co., Ohio, April 18, 1856, and was a laborer on his father's farm until 23 years of age. Having obtained a good education, he taught school in his 20th year; the next two years he was learning the carpenter and joiner's trade; then he went to California, Colorado Territory, Kansas, Missouri and home in Ohio again, resuming his trade and taking contracts. Having bought 40 acres of land in his native county, he pursued farming until April, 1882, when he sold out, came to Gratiot County and, in company with his brother, purchased 100 acres of improved land where he now resides, on one of the best sections of the township. His works prove him to be a skillful farmer and carpenter, and his conduct in the community shows him to be a kind and oblig- ing neighbor. In political matters he is a Repub- lican.

Nov. 6, 1879, Mr. B. was married, in Hancock Co., Ohio, to Miss Lucy A. Krabill, who was born

Aug. 6, 1881, in Seneca Co., Ohio, and moved to Hancock County, that State, when ten years old. Mr. and Mrs. B. are members of the German Baptist (" Dunkard ") Church. Their children are: Oliver B., born Nov. 3, 1880; and John E., Jan. 8, 1883.

eorge W. Abbott, teacher, resident at Al- ma, was born April 26, 1848, in Jackson Co., Mich., and is the eldest son of Jacob and Mary (Thornton) Abbott. The parents were natives of Ohio, and settled first in Jackson County, where the father was engaged in farming. They came to Gratiot County in the fall of 1883, where they are now resident. Their family consisted of three sons and two daughters.

Mr. Abbott is the eldest son of his parents, and during the years preceding his majority he passed his time in obtaining an education and assisting his father in the labor of the farm. After reaching man's estate he devoted the alternate seasons of the ensu- ing eight years in working on the farm and attend- ing school. He next entered the college at Hillsdale, and after a period of study there he went to the State Normal School at Ypsilanti, his course at both insti- tutions covering three years. He then entered into the business of teaching, and has pursued that voca- tion in Jackson, Hillsdale, Ionia and Gratiot Coun- ties.

Mr. Abbott is keenly alive and active in all matters of reform, especially in temperance work, to which he is ardently devoted. He belongs to the Sons of Temperance, and to the Order of Good Templars. He is liberal in religious views and is an adherent of the Republican party.

illiam Franklin, farmer, section 20, North Shade Township, is the son of Samuel and Sarah (Muns) Franklin, natives of England. The former was a soldier in the British army some 23 years. He served in the numerous wars and was finally discharged and became a pensioner of the English Government. Both parents died in their native country.

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Mr. Franklin, the subject of this sketch, was born Sept. 29, 1829, and remained with his parents at home until he was 26 years of age. At that age he came to the New World, landing in New York. He then came to Detroit, Mich., and remained in Wayne County for six years, when he came to Gratiot County, and located upon 40 acres of land on section 20, North Shade Township. To his original claim he has since added 140 acres, and he now has about 70 acres under cultivation. He has been largely en- gaged in stock-raising, and has one of the best equipped farms in the county. In 1876 he built a large barn, and in 1883 he erected a residence, at a cost of about $2,000.

In 1856 Mr. Franklin was united in marriage with Miss Ellen, the eldest daughter of James and Honor (Dean) Watts, natives of England. Mr. Watts was a farmer by occupation. He died Nov. 12, 1883, in his native country. Mrs. Franklin was born in England, March 14, 1831, and came to America Dec. 19, 1857. Mr. and Mrs. Franklin are the parents of six children, as follows: Ellen, Mary, John, Anna, Addie and William.

Mr. Franklin and his wife are members of the Baptist Church, at Carson City.

ames Knowles, farmer on the east half of the southeast quarter of section 17, Beth- any Township, is a son of Willard and Mirum (Nearpass) Knowles, and was born in Jackson Co., Mich., April 25, 1836 : was brought up on a farm. When he was 17 years old, the family moved to Sauk Co., Wis., where they resided a number of years, and where his father bought 40 acres of land.

In the last mentioned place, May 4, 1850, he was married to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Henry and Mary (Staples) Oler, and a native of Ohio. By this marriage six children have been born, four of whom are living, namely : Charles, Mary E., Albert and Alineda. The deceased are William and Lewis. Mrs. K. died Aug. 4, 1874, in Wisconsin, and Mr. Knowles again married, June 7, 1877, Mary Thomas, a native of Wisconsin, who was born in 1850. By this mar- riage there have been three children,-Leonard, Rosa and Ernest.

Mr. Knowles returned to Jackson County, this State, in the fall of 1878, for one year, and then came to Bethany Township, this county, and purchased his present farm of 80 acres, 30 acres of which are well improved.

While a resident of Wisconsin, during the war, Mr. K. was drafted for the army, attached to Co. H, 6th Wis. Inf., and served bravely, engaging in the battles at Hatcher's Run, South Side, Yellow House, Lee's surrender, etc., besides a number of skirmishes. He was discharged at Jeffersonville, Ind. During the service he was slightly wounded in the right shoulder, by a minie ball.

He and his wife are members of the Baptist Church.

F. Covert, of the firm of Retan & Covert, proprietors of the Retan House at Ithaca, was born Feb. 4, 1846, in Seneca Co., N. Y. He is a son of Joshua and Rebecca (White) Covert. The father was born in 1817 in Seneca Co., N. Y., is one of the descendants of three brothers who came to America from Holland in the latter part of the 17th century. They settled respectively in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York. From the latter Mr. Covert is descended. His mother was born in 1819, in New Jersey ; both parents are yet living, in Ovid, Clinton Co., Mich.

Mr. Covert was educated in his native county, where he resided with his parents until he was 16 years old, when they moved to Munday, Genesee Co., Mich. There his father bought 160 acres of land, in an unimproved condition and covered with oak timber. The place was sold 13 years later and was justly considered the finest in the township, hav- ing been the field of the unremitted labors and cares of the father and his five sons. The family removed to Ovid Center, where Mr. Covert, senior, engaged in the drug business one year and then retired.

At the age of 22 years Mr. Covert engaged in the sale and shipment of cattle, in company with James Fires. This enterprise was conducted two years with success, when the same parties opened a meat market at Ovid. This relation and business existed seven years. On its discontinuance, Mr. Covert established himself singly, and continued to operate until April 25, 1883. At that date, associated with his father-

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in-law, H. K. Retan, he bought the Fox House at Ithaca, which they remodeled and converted into the Retan House. It is the leading hotel at Ithaca, and has a capacity for 60 guests, and is doing a fine busi- ness. The popular and gentlemanly proprietors have secured an excellent reputation for the home and its management. Mr. Covert is the owner also of a fine home and three lots at Ovid. He is a member of the Masonic Order, and also belongs to the Order of A. O. U. W., an insurance organization. He was a mem- ber of the Village Council of Ovid two years.

Mr. Covert was married at Ovid, Oct. 14, 1872, to Harriet, daughter of H. K. Retan. One son-Leroy J., was born at Ovid, Sept. 19, 1874.

ehu E. Parkinson, farmer, section 9, Pine River Township, was born Nov. 16, 1816, in Greene Co., Pa. He is a son of Jona- than and Elizabeth (Whitlock) Parkinson, both natives and life-long residents of the Keystone State.

Mr. Parkinson is the youngest of the children be- longing to his father's household, and he received such education as was afforded by the common schools of the section where he was born and reared. He was an industrious and ambitious boy, and at 19 years of age he took a farm to work on shares, which he continued to manage four years. For some years subsequent he rented different farms, and also be- came proprietor of several by alternate purchase and sale. In June, 1866, he came to Gratiot County, and bought 80 acres of land in Pine River Township, all in an entirely original condition. He afterwards bought 80 acres additional on section 4, and has 110 acres under most creditable cultivation. His fertile fields and premises arranged and kept in fine order, together with his elegant brick house, which he erect- ed in 1880 on section 9, all attest his prudence, judg- ment and good management. Politically, Mr. Par- kinson is in affiliation with the National Greenback party.

While a resident of Pennsylvania, he lived in close proximity to the Virginia border, and being a Politizer he suffered many indignities and much persecution, which in nowise tended to diminish his loyalty to his political faith. On the organization of

the Republican party he adopted its principles, and furthered its issues with all the zeal of his nature. On the outbreak of the rebellion, his sympathies were strongly with the North, and in September, 1861, he enlisted in the 6th W. Va. Vol. Inf. He remained in the service over three years. The regiment was principally occupied in keeping open the communi- cations between Grafton and Parkersburg, and also with Wheeling, besides doing special duty in giving all possible attention to the guerrillas that infested the mountains of West Virginia, a species of warfare involving the regiment in many petty engagements, which were fraught with more danger than impor- tance. Mr. Parkinson was the first who safely con- ducted a party of contrabands, 13 in number, from bondage to freedom, piloting them through the mili- tary lines at the peril of his life, as the act was an infringement of military orders, and if detected the perpetrator was liable to be shot for disobedience. He received honorable discharge at Grafton. Mr. Parkinson is a gentleman of well-known philanthropy and generosity, and enjoys in an unusual degree the confidence and esteem of his fellow townsmen and neighbors.

He was married Feb. 27, 1837, in Greene Co., Pa., to Sarah Bradford, a native of that county, where she was born Oct. 8, 1815. Of this marriage, 12 children have been born, of whom six are living : Mary J., Henry J., Minerva, Nancy, Sarah A. and Clarinda. The deceased were as follows: Robert, Eli, a child that died in infancy, Rebecca, Elizabeth and Pau- lina. The family attend the M. E. Church.

ohn A. Sias, farmer, on the southwest quar- ter of the northwest quarter of section 15, Bethany Township, is a native of the Em- pire State. He was born in Cattaraugus Co., N. Y .. March 14, 1849, and is a son of Solomon and Emily Sias. In 1859 his parents came to Pine River Township, this county, coming up Pine River from Saginaw in a canoe, with a family of seven children. His father purchased 20 acres on section 2, Pine River Township, and resided there some years. He died at the residence of his daugh- ter, Ann Woodmansee, Feb. 4, 1884. His first wife died in New York, and his second wife is yet living.

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He was a manufacturer of saleratus, potash, pearl- ash, etc.

Mr. John A. Sias, the subject of this sketch, bought 40 acres north of St. Louis, in the fall of 1877, resided there about six months, and then came to his present place, where he owns 40 acres and has 30 acres in cultivation.

He was married in Ithaca, this county, July 5, 1875, to Miss Nancy E., daughter of John G., and Esther Thompson. She was born in Ohio, Jan. 8, 1848. Their two children are Bessie, born May 9, 1876, in Pine River Township; and Katie, born in Bethany Township, July 10, 1877.

*omer Burns, farmer, section 23, Arcada Township, was born in Rutland Co., Vt.,

* Sept. 11, 1817, and is a son of Stephen and Rhoda (Record) Burns. Stephen Burns was a native of Scotland, and by occupation a farmer. Coming to this country early in life, he settled in Vermont, where he died when Homer was but two years old. Rhoda Record was a native of Vermont, of New England parentage, and of English and Ger- man descent. After Mr. Burns' death she married again, and she died in the State of Wisconsin, about 1873.

When he was six years old Homer's mother and step-father removed to Chenango Co., N. Y., and five years later they went to Cheshire Co., N. H. Homer's step-father, a blacksmith, not treating him kindly, at the age of 1 1 he set out to care for himself. He was employed at various things until 22 years old, in Cheshire County, and then went to Oneida Co., N. Y., where for nine years he worked in a pail fac- tory. June 27, 1843, at North Bay, Vienna Town- ship, that county, he was married to Caroline M., daughter of Benjamin B. and Caroline (Hosmer) Murray, natives of New York and of Scotch descent. They followed farming, and moved to Hillsdale Co., Mich., where Mr. Murray died, July 2, 1873, at the age of 78, and Mrs. Murray, March 29, 1883, aged 72. Caroline was born in Oneida, Vienna Township, Oneida Co., N. Y., March 2, 1826, and died in Ar- cada Township, this county, April 2, 1881, aged 57 years and one month, leaving a family of four chil- dren. For 16 years previous to her death she had

been an invalid, but she bore her sufferings with true Christian fortitude, and complained, not even to her family, of her lot. She was a professing Christian, and died as she had lived, a kind-hearted mother and an affectionate wife. To her husband and sons and daughters, her loss is irreparable, and Gratiot County has lost one of its noblest pioneer women.

In 1847, Mr. Burns and family settled in Fayette Township, Hillsdale County, and seven years later they came to Gratiot County, locating on 180 acres on section 25, Arcada. Their land was then covered with the primitive forest, and not a stick had been cut from it. They built the second log hut in the township. During the first 18 months after his arrival the immigrants were so numerous that Mr. Burns spent 100 days of that time in helping new comers to build their dwellings. He has retained 140 acres of his original purchase and has roo acres in a high state of cultivation. Though advanced in years he is active and energetic and one of the en- terprising citizens of the county.

Mr. and Mrs. Burns have had five children, three of whom survive : Caroline A., born April 19, 1847 ; Benjamin H., March 24, 1854; Charles E., Sept. 2, 1856. Charles A. was born March 23, 1845, and died when four months old ; Adella R. was born Oct. 26, 1860, and died Feb. 9, 1883. Mr. Burns has held all the various school offices at different times and is now Assessor. He has been in office ever since his coming to the county. In political senti- ment he is a Democrat.

lder William S. Everest, minister and farmer, section 11, New Haven Township, was born in Sweden, Monroe Co., N. Y., Oct. 23, 1820. His father, Silas Everest, was a native of Vermont and a soldier in the war of 1812, and his grandfather was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. Mr. E. is of the fourth genera- tion in America from the old French Huguenot fami- lies of Normandy. His father was a mechanic, and died in 1858, aged 71; and his mother, Dora, nee Surgis, was a native of Connecticut, of Welsh descent, and died in 1854, in Oakland Co., Mich.

The subject of this sketch was taken with the family to Orleans Co., N. Y., when two years old,

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GRATIOT COUNTY.

where, in a village, he was reared and educated until 13 years of age, when the family removed upon a farm ; one year later (1834) they settled in Wayne Co., Mich., in a comparatively new section of the country.

July 2, 1843, Mr. E. married Miss Eliza, daughter of Henry and Maria (Worden) Balwin, natives of Dutchess Co., N. Y., of New England parentage and of Holland Dutch descent. Mrs. E. was born in the towhship of Rose, Wayne Co., N. Y., March 15, : 1827, and was brought to Michigan when only nine years old, the family settling in Wayne County. A year later they removed to Royal Oak Township, Oakland County. In this place Mr. E. remained, taking care of his parents until the death of his mother, when the remainder of the family moved to Montcalm County, this State, in 1854. Three years later his father died, and he resided there until Oc- tober, 1872, except the years 1864-5, when he was engaged in the ministry at Ithaca. At the date above mentioned he sold out his farming interests in Montcalm County and settled on the quarter-section where he now resides, and where he has made im- provements and established a comfortable home. The cultivated area comprises 90 acres.

Elder Everest began the public Christian ministry, in the Regular Baptist Church, in 1850, and has un- interruptedly continued in the ministry since that time. His wife has been an active member of the same Church for 34 years. The Elder is a staunch Republican, has been Township Supervisor, School Superintendent, Highway Commissioner, etc., and is a charter member of the blue lodge, F. & A. M., at Carson City.

The children of Mr. and Mrs. E. are: William H., Edward E., Anna E,. Worden J. and Ada E., besides one deceased, Maria.

& Polamore R. Moulton, farmer, section 31, Pine River Township, was born July 8, 1838, in Jackson Co., Mich. His parents, Warren C. and Caroline (Woodward) Moulton, were natives of the State of New York, and after their marriage settled in Jackson County, where they still reside.

Mr. Moulton remained a resident of his native county until he was 22 years old, and in the fall of 1863 came to Gratiot County and bought the farm where he now resides, consisting of 40 acres, chiefly in a state of nature. He has increased his property by an additional purchase of 20 acres, and has 30 acres under improvement and fine cultivation, Mr. Moulton is an outspoken adherent of the Republican party.

He was married in Jackson Co., Mich., Dec. 24, 1862, to Mary J., daughter of B. B. and Ardelia Elli- son, residents of Pine River Township. Mrs. Moul- ton was born in Jackson Co., Mich., April 11, 1845. Of this union, one child has been born, Carra B. She died Nov. 12, 1880, when nearly 17 years old. The parents attend the M. E. Church.

ames Greeley, farmer, section 20, Bethany Township, occupying the west half of the northwest quarter of the section, is a son of Philip and Polly (Garland) Greeley, and was born Dec. 31, 1814 ; was reared on a farm. His father was a Deputy Sheriff of Penobscot County, and was thrown from his horse and killed, leaving a wife and six children, in good circumstan- ces.

The subject of this sketch was the third in the family of children. When 18 years of age he left home and began in the world for himself. He went to Boston and for three years did odd jobs with a team. He then went to Maine and bought a farm of 50 acres in Garland, where he resided until 1853. He was married in Hampden, Penobscot County, May 23, 1836, to Miss Sophronia Dow, a daughter of Amos and Hannah Dow, who was born in Hampden, Aug. 14, 1812. Of the seven children born of this marriage, four are living, viz .: Henry C., bom in Garland, June 14, 1837, and died June 1, 1863; Mary, born July 18, 1829, is now the wife of Martin R. Weeks, a carpenter in St. Louis, Mich .; David, born Nov. 4, 1841, now in the lumber business in Foxcraft, Maine, and manufacturing spools ; Sophro- nia G., Oct. 23, 1844, died March 27, 1857; Lucy W., July 19, 1847, and died April 10, 1871 : Amos D., Sept. 16, 1849, now at home; and Charles F., July 7, 1855, now in the employment of Wright &

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Ketchum, a lumber firm of Saginaw. The first two were born in Garland, David in Hampden, and the last two in Kenduskeag.

Mr. Greeley followed farming in Maine until April, 1876, when he came to Midland City, Mich., remained nearly a year, then pursued farming two years in that county, and finally, in 1879, came to his present place, purchasing 80 acres, where he has 30 acres cultivated and made a number of improvements

lexander Johnston, farmer, section 36, Pine River Township, was born Sept. 27. 1831, in Scotland, of which country his parents, Joseph and Jane (Morrison) Johnston, were also natives. Mr. Johnston was 19 years of age when he came to America. He went first to the State of Pennsylvania, and three years later to Canada. He resided 12 years in the Domin- ion, and in the spring of 1866 he came to Gratiot County. He bought 60 acres of land in an unim- proved condition, on which he built a small frame house, and at once proceeded to the work of clearing and improving. He has placed 50 acres in a fine state of cultivation. Mr. Johnston is independent in political views.

He was married July 12, 1856, to Maria, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Black) Thompson, natives of the North of Ireland, where Mrs. Johnston was born, Dec. 25: 1833. Of this union seven children have been born, five surviving : Mary J., Margaret E., Sarah E., Annie M. and George A. William and Joseph are deceased. The parents coincide with the Presbyterians in religious belief.

dney H. Dobson, farmer on section 32, Arcada Township, was born in Adams Township, Hillsdale Co., Mich., Sept. 25, 1847, and is a son of John and Julia A. (McCurdy) Dobson, natives of New York. They now re- side on a farm in North Shade Township, this county. Adney came to that township with his parents when seven years old and was there reared. Being on a new farm and in a new country, more hard work

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Portrait and biographical album of Gratiot county, Mich., Part 35

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

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