Portrait and biographical album of Gratiot county, Mich., Part 40

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

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He zealously set to work to improve his land, ex- periencing most of the privations of pioneers. He brought his flour 22 miles. He has by industry and economy added 40 acres, and the majority of the land is well improved. He has also a comfortable resi- dence and farm buildings.

Oct. 20, 1858. he was united in marriage in his native county to Miss Mary Ryckman, a native of the same county, born July 29, 1839. She is the mother of one daughter, Bina J., who was born April 29, 1860. She was married March 13, 1879, to Charles E. Slingluff, who was born in Crawford Co., Pa .. Dec. 3, 1854. Ile came to this State when 23 years old, and now works his father-in-law's farm.

Mr. and Mrs. Slingluff have a son, Marley, born Jan. 1, 1880.

Mr. Medler has been Road Commissioner, and has held other minor offices. In politics, he is a Na- tional.

oseph Wesley Fullerton, farmer on section 12, Sumner Township, is a son of John B. and Achcy (Moody) Fullerton, natives of New Jersey and New York, and was born in Sharon Township, Washtenaw Co., Mich., Feb. 23, 1839. His father being a farmer, he worked at home until 24 years old, when he was married, in Addison Township, Lenawee Co., Mich., July 3, 1863, to Miss Jane E. Bragg, born in New Hampshire, May 11, 1838. Her father was by occu- pation a blacksmith, and followed his trade in New Hampshire until a year after the birth of the daugh- ter, Jane. He then moved to Licking Co., Ohio, and three years later came to Michigan, locating in Som- erset, Hillsdale County. Her mother dying when Jane was 11 years o'd, the latter was left to care for herself, and she worked as a domestic until her mar- riage.

Mr. and Mrs. Fullerton remained in Hillsdale County six years, and in December, 1869, came to Gratiot, locating 40 acres of timbered land on section 12, Sumner Township. He has now improved 30 acres. They have two children, Fred and Eva. Mr. F. has held the various offices of his school district, and politically is a Republican.

He enlisted Aug. 16, 1861, in Co. C, 7th Mich. Vol. Inf. He served in all the engagements of the Peninsular campaign, and was honorably discharged in the spring of 1863.

illiam Spurgeon, farmer, section 24, New- ark Township, was born in England, July 6, 1828. His parents, Stephen and Ann (Warren) Spurgeon, were natives of the same country and there reared their children-two sons and four daughters.

Mr. Spurgeon was the eldest child and remained in the place where he was'born until he was 22 years

THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY

ASTOR, LENOX AND T LDEN FOUNDATIONS R L

Elbringe Strunbelin

GRATIOT COUNTY.

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old. In 1850 he emigrated to Canada and there en- gaged in farming three years, when he went to Niag- ara Co., N. Y., and there passed the same length of time in the same employ. In 1854 he removed to Oakland Co., Mich., and rented a farm on which he remained three years. He resided in the county six years. Meanwhile, in the summer of 1855, he came to Gratiot County and bought So acres of Government land on sections 34 and 35 in Newark Township. In January, 1862, he removed his family, then including his wife and one child, to his possessions in Gratiot County, then in a wholly original state of nature. Here he has expended his energies with certain judg- ment and success, and now 60 acres of his farm are in a condition of advanced cultivation. In political faith he is in sympathy with the Republican party.

Mr. Spurgeon was married Aug. 30, 1860, in Oak- land County, to Julia, eldest daughter of Crowell and Mary A. (Arthur) Moore. They were natives respect- ively of Nova Scotia and New York. Mr. Spurgeon is the eldest of three children-two daughters and one son-and was born in Canada, July 16, 1833. To herself and husband seven children have been born : Arabella, Willmina, Charles W., Stephen M., Lottie A., Susie M. and Willard H. Mrs. Spurgeon departed this life March 15, 1884. She was taken with a congestive chill and in 20 hours had left husband, children, relatives and friends to mourn their loss. She was a loving wife, a kind mother, a generous friend and a true Christian woman. Mr. Spurgeon belongs to the Baptist Church; Mrs. Spur- geon is a member of the Church of United Brethren.

2 Ibridge Franklin, farmer, North Star Town- ship, was born in Lenawee Co., Mich., Jan. 14, 1840; his parents were John and Lucy (Carter) Franklin, natives of the State of New York. His father came to Lenawee County in 1835, when Michigan was a territory, remain- ing in that county until 1854, when he moved to Gratiot County and located in North Star Township, building the third house in the township, on section 33. Here he lived until his death, which occurred in 1873. His widow is still living, and resides in this township.

Mr. Franklin, the subject of this biographical

notice, was 14 years of age when he came with his parents to this county ; he remained with them until he was of age, when, the great war having com- menced, he enlisted, in August, 1861, in the 5th Mich. Vol. Inf., and served as a faithful soldier 15 months, being in the battles of Williamsburg, Va., and Fair Oaks. In the former engagement, May 5, 1862, he was slightly wounded in the breast, and in the latter, May 31, 1862, severely in the thigh. After five months at the hospital he was honorably dis- charged, Oct. 29, 1862, and returned home. His brother Luther enlisted in the same company as El- bridge, slept in the same tent, ate at the same mess, and fought in the same battles until the battle of Gettysburg, when he fell, a martyr to the cause of the Union. He then proceeded to improve So acres of land, which he had bought on section 32, where he now resides, and also worked on his father's farm; but in September, 1864, he again enlisted, this time in the Sth Mich. Vol. Inf., and served to the close of the war, being a participant in the siege of Peters- burg, Va. Returning home, the subject of this sketch built the house which he now occupies. He has 170 acres of land, one-half of which is culti- vated.

Sept. 11, 1864, in Ingham Co., Mich., Mr. Frank- lin was married to Miss Wealthy, third daughter of Lewis and Sarah Shaver, natives of the State of New York, who settled in Emerson Township, this county, in 1856. Mr. S. died in 1869, and his widow is still living, a resident of that township. Mrs. Franklin was born in New York State, March 22, 1845. The children of Mr. and Mrs. F. are Florence W., Luther E., Lewis T. and Grace O.

Mr. F. is a staunch Republican and temperance man, as a citizen setting an intelligent and consistent example for the community. He has held the offices of Township Clerk four years, Superintendent of Schools one year, and School Inspector four years. In the fall of 1864, he was elected Coroner, but being at the front, fighting for his country, he did not qualify. Mr. Franklin has been an educational man, having taught school 18 consecutive winters in this county. He is a member of the Masonic Order, of Moses Wisner Post, No. 101, G. A. R., and, with his wife, of Liberty Grange, No. 391, P. of H.

Mr. Franklin's portrait is given in this work, as one of the representative citizens of the county.

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GRATIOT COUNTY.

corge H. Steele, foreman and general man- ager of Steele's mill on section 28, Hamil- ton Township, was born in Orleans Co., Vt., May 16, 1851. He is a son of William Steele, a native of Scotland, who came to Vermont when a young man, where he died, in March, 1861.

Mr. Steele was raised on his father's farm until he was 15 years of age, at which time he left the paren- tal home to battle against the trials of life alone, and came to St. John's, Clinton County, this State. Here he engaged in the sash, door and blind department of Steele's manufactory, and remained four years. For the next four years, he was engaged in the flour- ing-mill business. In December, 1879, he went to Detroit, where he was variously employed until April, 1881, when he came to this county.

He was married Aug. 1, 1871, to Dora, daughter of Bingley Russell, of Ithaca, this county. She was born in Ionia Co., Mich., July 8, 1854. To this marriage three children have been born; namely, Rena H., Eda M. and George Glen. The mill that Mr. Steele operates was built in 1866, and rebuilt and furnished with new machinery in the spring of 187 1.

"acob Lewis, farmer, section 36, Wheeler - Township, was born in June, 1844, in Wex- ford Co., Ireland, and is a son of John and Jane (Livingston) Lewis, farmers in Ireland, where Mr. Lewis died Nov. 27, 1855, and Mrs. Lewis died Dec. 23, 1878. At the age of 20, Jacob came to America, landing at Portland, Me., and was engaged in lumbering for 18 years. He was also the owner of a saw-mill in Saginaw Co., Mich. In 1881, he came to Gratiot County, locating on sec- tion 36, Wheeler Township. He has a farm of 240 acres, of which 110 acres are now nicely improved. He has erected a very fine residence and two large barns, built in 1878 and 1881, respectively.

In the year 1880, he was married to Elizabeth, daughter of George and Mary (Pierce) Lewis, natives of Ireland, where the father died Oct. 18, 1857, and where the mother yet resides. Elizabeth was born

in September, 1843, in county Wexford, Ireland, and came to America in 1880 with her husband, who had crossed the waters to find his lady love. They are the parents of one son, John G. E., born July 11, 1881, in this county. Mr. Lewis belongs to the Episcopal and Mrs. Lewis to the Wesleyan Methodist Church. He has held the office of Highway Commissioner in Wheeler Township, and during his brief residence in the county has acquired the esteem and confidence of a large circle of acquaintances. Politically he is an earnest supporter of the Republican party.

obert T. Barrus, farmer, section 25, New- ark Township, was born Jan. 16, 1822, in Onondaga Co., N. Y. His parents, William K. and Mary A. (Neal) Barrus, were natives of the same county, were there married and there the father died, Sept. 4, 1842. The mother died in Clinton County, Mich., March 18, 1871. The family comprised Robert T., Lucinda J., Calvin P., James C., John W., Mary E., Abigail A., Caroline, Sarah E. and Eunice.

Mr. Barrus was the eldest son of his parents and grew to the estate of manhood in his native State, where he was engaged in farming until 1866, when he came to Clinton Co., Mich. He bought 40 acres of wild land. Three years later he sold out and came to Gratiot County. In the winter of 1870 he bought 40 acres of partly improved land in the township of Newark, where he has since resided.

Mr. Barrus was married in Cayuga Co., N. Y., Dec. 17, 1845, to Harriet A., daughter of Nathaniel S. and Huldah M. (Tuttle) Ludington. The father was a native of New York and the mother of Vermont. They settled, after marriage, in Oswego County and afterward removed to Onondaga County, where the mother died, April 25, 1872. The father died in Ohio. Mrs. Barrus was born June 10, 1827, in Os- wego County. She was seven years of age when her parents made their removal and she resided there until her marriage. To Mr. and Mrs. Barrus six children have been born, three of whom survive- Maria A., Edwin R. and Anna H. William P. and Herbert E. died in infancy. Lois A., a daughter, was born May 4, 1860, in Cayuga County and died

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Feb. 2, 1880. She was as a child studious and am- bitious, and, in addition to a course of study in the common schools, she attended the High School at Ithaca. At 16 she began her career as a teacher in Newark Township and continued the labors of her chosen calling in Newark, North Star, and Lafayette Townships in Gratiot County. She contracted a se- vere cold in her school-room, which resulted in typhoid-pneumonia. A complication of diseases fol- lowed and she died, after nine weeks of unremitting suffering. She was taken back to her native county for burial. She was warmly regarded and esteemed in both her social relations and her capacity as teach- er. In religious connection she was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

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eorge W. Aldrich, farmer, section 26, La- fayette Township, is a son of Asquar and Betsy (l'arbell) Aldrich, natives of Ver- mont and Massachusetts respectively. His father left his farm in Massachusetts in 1813, and settled near Detroit. He there was en- gaged in farming for a number of years, and then removed to Macomb County, where he died in 1845. George W. was born May 27, 1828, at Detroit. He was married Aug. 16, 1853, to Martha A. Sturgis, born April 4, 1836, a daughter of Benjamin and Car- oline (Olmstead) Sturgis.

Mr. and Mrs. Aldrich began to keep house in Oak- land County, where he was engaged in farming for a year and a half. They then lived two years in Liv- ingston County, and a short time in Shiawassee, Genesee and Clinton Counties. They then came to Lafayette Township, Gratiot County. They entered 160 acres of land, but afterwards sold 40 acres to one of the sons. Of their farm, 100 acres are well im- proved. They are the parents of eight children : George R., Anna D., Ira B., Emma J., Nora B., R. T., Charles E. and Robert G .; the last died July 23, 1880.

Mr. Aldrich served one year during the war, en- listing in Co. D, 6th Cavalry, Sept. 6, 1862, and being discharged Aug. 29, 1863, at "Convalescent Camp," near Alexandria, Va. In civil life, he has been Township Clerk, Highway Commissioner, Spe- cial Commissioner and Justice of the Peace, and has

held various school offices. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and of the G. A. R. He and his wife are Spiritualists.

tephen T. Sprague, farmer, section 3, Pine River Township, was born in Onondaga Co., N. Y., Oct. 23: 1828. His parents, Samuel and Phebe (Secoy) Sprague, were na- tives respectively of New York and Massachu- setts, and removed from the Empire State to Fulton Co., Ohio, about the year 1849. The father was a soldier in the second war with Great Britain, and died while on a visit to his native State in Janu- ary, 1857. The mother died in Hillsdale Co., Mich. Their family included eleven sons and one daughter. Seven are now living.

Mr. Sprague went to Ohio when he was 13 years old, there obtained his education, and was under his father's care and guidance until he was 20 years old. On leaving home, he was engaged as a farm assist- ant, and worked by the month one and a half years. He next rented a farm, which he conducted two years, after which he bought 40 acres of land in Will- iams Co., Ohio. He expended the labor of two years in its improvement, when he sold it, and again rented a farm in Fulton County, which he continued to manage two years. He came to Gratiot County in February, 1863, and purchased 80 acres of land in Pine River Township, located on sections 10 and 3. He drew lumber from St. Louis, and built a frame house on the section last named, and proceeded with the work of improving and cultivating his land. He bought 80 acres later, which he disposed of, and of his remaining tract has about 60 acres under im- provement. Mr. Sprague has contributed to a large degree to the improvement of the county in which he resides. He has cleared 1 10 acres of land, chopping the timber thereon with his own hands. He is a Democrat in political connections.

He was married March 10, 1853, in Lenawee Co., Mich., to Susan, daughter of Eli and Annie (Thomas) Packer. She was born March 13, 1826, in Clinton Co., Pa., and her parents were also natives of the Keystone State. Mrs. Sprague is a lady of creditable literary attainments, and has had some experience as a teacher. The household includes seven children : William T., Letitia A., Alice L., David H., Hadsell

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L., Ellen D. and Thomas C. The fourth child, David H., died when he was eight months old. The ' parents are members of the Disciples' Church.

orenzo Blackman, grocer, Wheeler village, Wheeler Township, is a son of Ansel and Sarah (Higgins) Blackman, natives of Mas- sachusetts and New York, respectively. They emigrated to Lorain Co., Ohio, where they faim- ed until their death, his occurring in April, 1855, and hers taking place in November, 1865. Lorenzo was born in Erie Co., Ohio, April 29, 1830. At the age of 19, he started out for himself, working on a farm until the war. In March, 1864, he enlisted in Co. G, 72d Ohio Inf. He followed his regiment through all its career, was engaged at Greentown, Tupelo, Nashville, Spanish Fort and other places. He came through without a wound, and was dis- charged at Columbus, Ohio, Sept. 19, 1865. He then came to Gratiot County, and located on 80 acres on section 17, Wheeler Township. He has 35 acres well improved. He is now engaged in the grocery busi- ness, carrying a well-assorted stock, and having a growing trade.

He was married in 1850, to Rachel Furman, daugh- ter of Benjamin and Mary Furman, natives of New York and Connecticut. Mr. and Mrs. Blackman are the parents of seven children,-Mary J. (deceased), Lovina E., Sabra D., Evaline, Juliet, Nora M. (de- ceased), and Wilbur. Mr. Blackman has been High- way Commissioner of his township three years, Clerk · two years, Supervisor one year, and Treasurer six years.

illiam C. Jenkins, farmer, section 17, La- fayette Township, is a son of Richard L. and Ann (Lake) Jenkins. Mr. Jenkins, P Sr., was a native of England, and emigrated to the "Great Republic " in 1Soo. Landing at New York, he was in a woolen factory for seven years, then a sailor for seven or eight years, and then in the woolen business again. The re- mainder of his life he followed farming. His wife

was a native of New York State, and died July 27, 1866.

The subject of this sketch was born Oct. 23, 1838. He remained with his parents until he was 28 years old, and then came to Clinton County, this State, where he lived ten years. He then came to Lafayette Township, locating first on section 19, and after a year moving to his present farm on section 17. He found it in a primitive state, and is rapidly converting it into a well improved farm.

June 29, 1869, he was united in marriage to Lucia J. Steenburg, an only daughter. They have been parents of four children, but one of whom survives, named Lee W. The other three died within a few days of each other: Ann E., Oct. 4, 1879; Joseph L., Sept. 30, 1879, and Buell J., Oct. 17, 1879.

Mr. Jenkins calls himself a Greenbacker politically. He has held the office of Commissioner of Highways for one term. He is liberal in his religious views.

oseph Wright, one of the representative men and pioneer settlers of Hamilton Township, resident on section 18, is a na- tive of Clinton County, this State, where he was born April 9, 1836. He is a son of Joseph Wright, deceased, a native of the State of New York, who came to this State at an early day and located in Oakland County and afterward removed to Clinton County, where our subject was born. Mr. Wright remained under the parental care, assisting in the support of the family and developing into manhood. He received the advantages afforded by the common schools of his native county and at- tended the State University at Ann Arbor and suc- cessfully prosecuted his studies.

In 1854, following the dictates of an ambitious de- sire, and relying on the combined elements so neces- sary to the success of the early pioneer, energy and perseverance, he came to this county, arriving Nov. 29, 1854, and entered on the arduous though pleas- ant task of establishing a home. Aided by that en- ergy and determination so early inculcated into his mind, he laboriously entered on the task of improv- ing his land, and now has 160 acres, the greater por- tion well improved. He has held the office of Supervisor two terms, Township Clerk two terms,

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Highway Commissioner two terms and Justice of the Peace eight years.

Mr. Wright was married Sept. 5, 1855, to Hannah, daughter of Tartelus Eckles, and one child born to them, Charlotte N., is deceased. They have reared and educated two nieces of Mrs. Wright : Charlotte E. Robinson, born May 26, 1857, in North Star Town- ship; and Sophronia V. Eckles, born April 19, 1863, in Washington. Charlotte was taken by Mr. and Mrs. W. when ten months old. After receiving a good education, she taught school ten terms, previous to her marriage, which occurred April 19, 1881, to Fremont H. Cook, of North Star Township. So- phronia was taken at the age of six, and lived with Mr. and Mrs. W. until her marriage, Aug. 8, 1882, to Henry J. Goodhall, of Hamilton Township. Mrs. Wright is a regular attendant on the United Breth- ren Church.

ohn Schmidt, Jr., merchant, Wheeler vil- lage, Wheeler Township, is a son of John and Christiana (Rascher) Schmidt. The former was a tax-gather and pass-master in Germany, where he died in 1854; and the lat- ter died in Germany in 1849. John was born Nov. 1, 1835, in the old country. At the age of 13, he came to America. Landing at New York, he first went to Toledo, where he spent 18 months learning the blacksmith's trade. The following summer he spent as mule driver on the Wabash Canal. He then enlisted in Co. D, 82d Ill. Inf., and served three years. He was engaged in 18 different battles, and was wounded in the battle of Dallas, Ga. He received his discharge at Chicago, July 3, 1865. Thence he went to Dallas City, Hancock Co., Ill., and from there he came to Michigan in March, 1866, locating on sec- tion 9, Wheeler Township. He sold his place, 120 acres, after improving 50 acres, building a good house and starting an orchard. When Mr. Schmidt settled on his place, there were no roads of any kind, and in after years he often went to St. Louis when the roads were almost impassible. In 1878, he entered upon mercantile life, and now has a large stock of dry goods, groceries and general merchandise.

In 1858, he was united in marriage to a widow lady, Christiana Wolfrom, whose maiden name was

Sibble, a native of Germany. They are the parents of one son-Edward, born in 1860. Mr. Schmidt has been Constable and Drain Commissioner of his township. In former years, he has supported the Republican party ; but now he is classed as an inde- pendent.

dam Gwinner, farmer, section 6, Ithaca Township, was born near Darmstadt, Ger- many, June 24, 1821, and his father, John M. Gwinner, was a native of Frankfort, and emi- grated in 1830, with his family, to America, locating in Cumberland Co., Pa., and in 1833 removing to Seneca Co., Ohio, where he died in 1857.

Mr. Adam Gwinner came to Gratiot County in March, 1882, where he now owns a valuable farm of 77 acres, besides 14 acres within the corporation limits of Ithaca (known as Gwinner's addition). Mr. G. is a genius, being able to turn his hand to almost anything. Nov. 12, 1846, he married Miss Hannah, daughter of Austin McKinzie and a distant relative of McKinzie, the great Western explorer. She is a native of Carroll Co., Md. To Mr. and Mrs. G. have been born the following children : Philip, Melinda, Mandey, Mary E., Franklin, Esther and Emma.

mery Crosby, farmer, section 22, Lafayette Township, is a son of John and Harriet (Owen) Crosby, natives of Connecticut. The father was at an early age taken by his parents to Albany Co., N. Y., where he was reared, and where he farmed until his death in 1867. The son was born in Albany, N. Y., Jan. 26, 1819. At the age of 19, he married Nancy M. Miller. In 1844 they removed to Wayne Co., Mich., where they lived three years, Mr. Crosby being engaged in teaching and preaching. In the same vocation, he lived at different times in Lenawee and Hillsdale Counties. In August, 1856, they removed to North Shade, Gratiot County, and located on 200 acres on section 32, arriving Aug. 16, 1856. He improved 20 acres of this farm.

In the spring of 1858, he was elected to the office

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of Supervisor for North Shade Township. In the autumn of that year, he was nominated and elected County Clerk on the Republican ticket. He removed his family to Ithaca in February, 1859, and assumed the duties of his office. He opened the first set of Circuit Court books kept in Gratiot County. During all the sessions of court for the first year or more, he carried the books and files of the County Clerk's office to Alma and return on his back, a portion of the way through the wilderness. For a time after the expiration of his term of service, he served as Deputy Probate Clerk.

His first wife was buried in the year 1872. He was again married in 1877, to Elizabeth Morton, who was born in Huron Co., Ohio, Jan. 30, 1833, the daughter of Benj. K. and Catharine (States) Holiday, natives of New York and West Virginia respectively. Mr. Crosby had by his first wife two sons, James F. and Lott V. ; and Mrs. Crosby has by a former mar- riage two daughters, Cindona M. and Mary S. In 1873, Mr. and Mrs. Crosby removed from Ithaca to Lafayette Township on section 22, and now live on a farm of 200 acres owned by William P. Stacy.

Mr. Crosby has been several times Superintendent of Schools in his township. He belongs to the Christian Church, and his wife to the Seventh-Day Adventists. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and the Masonic Order. Politically, he is a Republican.

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Portrait and biographical album of Gratiot county, Mich., Part 40

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

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