USA > Michigan > Gratiot County > Portrait and biographical album of Gratiot county, Mich. > Part 46
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And yet, with all their patriotism and valor, with all their heroic deeds on land and sea, with a faith in the destiny of their country which stood side by side with the faith in their Creator, with a faith and credit built up of sterner stuff than ever bivouacked on the world's wide battle-field, and yet its paper absolute money failed ; $500 would not buy a pair of boots to protect your patriot fathers' feet from the frozen ground as they marched forward to liberty or death. My God, what a commentary on absolute money ! We are told that the pensions of the soldiers of to- day's Republic are to be paid in this absolute money. If so when another centennial birthday comes to the Republie, some grandson of yours will stand here, where a grandson of the old'Revolution stands to-day, and will show to that generation, as you see to-day,
the utter worthlessness of a dollar, so called, created out of nothing."
Dr. Kennedy is enthusiastic on the subject of rev- enue reform and is violently opposed to a protective tariff. He has written a good deal on the tariff ques- tion for leading journals of the country. One paper, on " Orange Culture in Michigan," first published in the Detroit News, has been republished in a large number of newspapers throughout the country, and published in pamphlet form by many of the free- trade clubs. It is styled by the New York Times " an exquisite burlesque on protection."
Dr. Kennedy was married Jan. 22, 1872, in Dela- ware, to Mary Reybold, the daughter of William Reybold. The Reybolds have long been known for their energy, enterprise, integrity and wealth. She died at St. Louis, March 22, 1878, and left three children : William, born May 28, 1873; George, May 23, 1876; and Mary, March 17, 1878. Dr. Kennedy was again married, Oct. 16, 1883, at Ghent, Ky .. to Amanda, daughter of Hiram Froman, one of the most enterprising and successful agriculturists in the Ohio Valley. Mrs. Kennedy was born in 1859, in Kentucky.
The people of Gratiot County will doubtless be grati- fied to see the portrait of Dr. Kennedy in this work, and it is accordingly given, on a preceding page.
ames McClelland, merchant at Sethton, was born in Seneca Co., Ohio, May 2, 1849. His parents were natives of Pennsylvania and of Scotch ancestry, and moved to Seneca County in an early day. He remained with his parents laboring on the farm and attending school until 19 years old, when he entered Heidel- berg College, at Tiffin, Ohio, and laid the foundation for a good practical education. After two years' at- tendance at this institution, he took a preparatory course at the State Normal School, Republic, Ohio, contemplating teaching as a profession. He com- pleted a collegiate course at Oberlin, Ohio, and then a commercial course. Next he learned telegraphy. and was operator at Bloomfield, Ohio, a year, then managed his father's farm and homestead for six years, and then came, in 1870, and purchased So acres of wild land in North Shade Township, this county,
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where he commenced improvements. After clearing 40 acres he sold out, in November. 18,3, and estab- lished a general merchandise store, at what is known as Sethton postoffice, New Haven Township, with a stock of more than $1,ooo. He has since increased his stock, adding agricultural implements to his trade, and his business amounts annually to nearly $15,000. Mr. McClelland has held the office of Justice of the Peace. In politics he is a Republican.
March 31, 1876, Mr. McClelland was married, in Morrow Co., Ohio, to Miss Mary McWilliams, a na- tive of Woodbury, that county. She was born May 14, 1856, and died Sept. 4, 1882, at her home in New Haven Township, leaving a husband and a large cir- cle of friends to mourn her death. She was a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church, as is also Mr. McClelland.
imothy D. Aekles, farmer, section 24, North Star Township, was born in Onondaga Co., N. V., Aug. 13, 1835, and is a son of Tart- elus Ackles, a native of the same State. Mr. Ackles remained at home, on the parental farm, assisting in the maintenance of the family and attending the common schools until he arrived at the age of 19 years, when he set forth on the voyage of life to fight the battles of adversity alone.
Possessing an abundance of energy and persever- ance, two necessary requisites to success; and, follow- ing the dictates of an ambitious determination to " possess a goodly share of this world's goods," and realizing the rapid growth which Michigan was des- tined to make, he selected this State for his home.
He arrived in Clinton County in the spring of 1854, and in the following fall came to this county. He experienced all the trials and adversities which en- countered the early pioneers ; and, possessing the true weapons with which to battle against them, an indom- itable will combined with energy and pluck, success- fully overcame them and added to his landed posses- sions until he now owns 282 acres of land, with a goodly portion under cultivation, and " comfort sitting in the lap of plenty " smiles at the trials of the past.
Mr. Ackles was married Aug. 20, 1865, to Abigail Fox, daughter of Jacob Fox, deceased. Three chil- dren have been born to them, and the Angel of
Death has thrown her arms around them all and borne them to a better home.
Mr. A. is a member of the Masonic Order and is one of the representative men of his township. He is now and always has been an active Republican. He has held several local offices in his township and school district.
Charles Westfall, of the firm of Westfall & Co., druggists at Ithaca, was born in Lyon Township, Oakland Co., Mich., Nov. 5, 1852, and is the son of Philetus and Lydia (Knapp) Westfall. His father was born April 1, 1822, in Phelps, Ontario Co., N. Y., and is now resident on his farm near Ypsilanti. His mother was born in Salem, Washtenaw Co., Mich., June 7, 1829, and is still living.
Mr. Westfall remained in his native township until he was 14 years old, where he was a pupil at school. In 1866, his parents removed to Ypsilanti, where he became a student at the Normal School. He was engaged in study there until he was near his majori- ty, and he was graduated in the full English course. He went home to his father's farm, and stayed until the spring of 1882. In May of that year, he formed a partnership with Byron S. Knapp, and established his present business at Ithaca. The firm have a good repute, and are meeting with gratifying success.
Mr. Westfall was married Nov. 26, 1872, to Ella, daughter of Nelson and Caroline Fowler, born in Superior Township, Washtenaw Co., Mich., June 17, 1853. One daughter, Myrtie, was born in Canton, Wayne Co., Mich., Aug. 24, 1874.
erry D. Pettit, liveryman, at Alma, was born April 6, 1848, in Allen Co., Ohio, and is the son of Melancthon and Jane (Thorpe) Pettit. His parents were born respectively in Niagara Co., N. Y., and Wayne Co., Ohio. The father was a farmer by occupation and, soon after his marriage, settled in the Buckeye State. In 1855 the family came to Gratiot County. The mother died Jan. 25, 1865, the father Aug. 5, 1866. Mr. Pettit come to Gratiot County with his parents
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when he was seven years old. In 1863 he became a soldier for the Union, and was one of the youngest men in actual military service from the Peninsular State being but 15 years old. He enlisted in what proved to be one of the most celebrated regiments engaged in the war-the Fourth Mich. Cav. He served nearly two years and was in the engagements at Selma, Ala., and Double Bridges, Ga. He was in many skirmishes and unimportant actions, and also participated in the pursuit of Jefferson Davis in his flight from Richmond.
He returned from the army to Gratiot County and remained at home while his parents lived. For some years after their deaths, he was variously engaged at different points. He had bought meanwhile So acres of land in Emerson Township, on which he located in 1874. He continued the pursuit of farming until 1881, when he sold part of his farm and came to Alma. He at once opened an establishment for the prosecution of the business in which he has since been engaged. He is a Republican in politics. He has been Justice of the Peace in Emerson Town- ship, and in the spring of 1883 was elected Constable of Arcada Township. In the summer of the same year he received the appointment of Village Marshal of Alma. He is a member of Moses Wisner Post, No. 101, G. A. R.
Mr. Pettit was married at Ithaca, April 6, 1874, to Cora A., daughter of Merritt and Fanny (Swan) Brown. She was born Aug. 26, 1854, in Niagara[Co., N. Y. Mr. and Mrs. Pettit have two children-Roy E., born April 15, 1875, and Clara J., born Dec. 6, 1877-
erdinand Montigel, of the firm of J. M. Montigel & Co., at Alma, was born in Erie, Pa, Nov. 22, 1854, and is a son of J. M. and Anna Barbara (Segrist) Montigel. (See sketch of J. M. Montigel). Mr. Montigel re- ceived an education in both German and Eng- lish, and when he was between nine and ten years old went to Ashtabula, Ohio, whither his parents re- moved. In March, 1871, he came to Alma and learned the details of the business in which his father engaged. In 1875 he became a member of the firm of J. M. Montigel & Co., founders and ma-
chinists. He is a man of industrious and energetic business habits and has gained an enviable position in society and business circles. He is a member of the Masonic Order and is in political views a Repub- lican.
ames A. Stuttz, merchant and member of the house of Wright, Schneider & Stuttz, resident at Alma, is a descendant from Ger- man ancestors. His parents were both born in Germany, whence they emigrated with their respective families in youth. On reaching America they settled in Detroit, and after some years went to Canada, where they married and settled. The family of Jacob and Mary A. (Vetor) Stuttz comprised 14 children, eight daughters and six sons, of whom James A. was sixth in order of birth.
He was born June 12, 1852, in Rochester, Essex Co., Canada, and resided in the Dominion until he was 15 years of age. He passed the time previous to that age in acquiring his education at the common schools, and was also instructed in German.
In 1868, although a mere youth, he entered upon his struggle for place and advancement in life. He obtained a position as cashier in the dry-goods estab- lishment of S. Kirchner, at Detroit. He operated in that capacity about a twelvemonth.
He was employed successively by Freedman Bros., J. Lowrie & Sons. With the latter he remained nine years, and at the expiration of that period re-entered the employ of Freedman Bros., with whom he has served one year. He operated in their behalf a second year, when, in November, 1880, he engaged with Taylor, Wolfenden & Co. as manager of the silk department in their new store. In June, 1882, he resigned his situation and came to Alma, where he became junior partner in the firm with which he is still connected. The business of the concern in- cludes general merchandise and traffic in grain. The annual transactions represent $100,000, exclu- sive of grain.
Mr. Stuttz is a Republican in political faith and connections.
The publishers of this volume take great pleasure in presenting the portrait of Mr. Stuttz on another page. He holds deserved rank in the generation whose interests his efforts serve to advance.
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lexander McDaid, farmer, section 28, North Star Township, and an early pioneer of the same, was born in County Londonderry, Ire- land, Sept. 13, 1828. He is a son of Joseph McDaid, deceased, native of Ireland, and he emigrated to the United States and settled in Chester Co., Pa., in 1846, from whence he moved, in 1849, to Hancock Co., Ohio, and in the fall of 1854 came to this State and settled on section 28, North Star Township, this county, where our subject has resided ever since. On his arrival in this county he entered the west half of the northeast quarter of sec- tion 28, Government land, on which he is now living.
The difficulty of establishing a home in the woods and clearing his land amid the adversities so common to the early pioneer, were successfully overcome by honest effort and ambitious aim, and Mr. McDaid remembers the past with smiles of satisfaction and content.
Mr. McDaid was married March 17, 1849, to Ele- anor, daughter of Thomas Bartrim, and seven chil- dren have been born to their union, six of whom are living, namely: Joseph T., George M., Mary A., Margaret J., Warren A. and Cora M. The second son, John J., was drowned in Bad River, Saginaw County, this State, in 1873, and while in his 21st year.
Mr. McDaid is a member of the I. O. O. F., and an acknowledged representative man of his township.
obert J. Bittner, farmer, section 22, La- fayette Township, is a son of Karl and Joanna (Horzick) Bittner, natives of Prus- sia, where they lived until their death. He was born March 20, 1828. At the age of 24 he came to America, and settled in Macomb Co., Mich., where he lived for eight years. He then spent several months in the State of lowa. Return- ing to Macomb County, he shortly went to Shiawas- see County. Sept. 14, 1861, he enlisted in the Eighth Infantry. He served three years, and was discharged in front of Petersburg, Va., Sept. 23, 1864. Among the many engagements in which he was present were James Island (S. C.), the second battle of Bull Run,
South Mountain (Md.) and Antietam. He was wounded in the last engagement. After his dis- charge he came to Shiawassee County, and in the spring of 1865 he came to Gratiot County. He bought 80 acres of land on section 22, Lafayette Township, where he now resides. He has 42 acres under cultivation.
He was married April 5, 1866, in Lafayette Town- ship, to Jennie C., daughter of Ebenezer and Nancy (Bickford) Brownell, natives of New York. Mr. Brownell died in that State, and Mrs. Brownell still resides in Chautauqua Co., N. Y. Mrs. Bittner was born in New York, April 15, 1838. Mr. and Mrs. Bittner have had one son, Julius R., born Sept. 5, 1867.
Mr. Bittner is a member of Moses Wisner Post, No. 101, G. A. R., at Ithaca. In politics he is a Republican.
athan Boyer, farmer, section 7, Arcada Township, was born in Maumee, Ohio, Oct. 7, 1840, and was the son of Daniel Boyer, a native of Schuylkill Co., Pa. The father was a gunsmith by trade, and worked at that in Pennsylvania, then in Ohio, and then in Michigan. He died in Pine River Township, near Alma, in this county, Aug. 3, 1874, aged 63 years. Nathan's mother was Savila Holcomb, a native of New England and of Scotch ancestry. She died when Nathan was quite young, in Medina Co., Ohio, whither the family had removed in 1840. After his mother's death, Nathan and his father went to Wyan- dotte County, and in the fall of 1855 they came to Alma, this county. At that time Alma contained three dwelling-houses and a log store, and was sur- rounded for miles by an unbroken forest. Here he passed his boyhood from 15 to 21, attending the common schools of Pine River Township.
Aug. 7, 1862, he enlisted in Co. D, 26th Mich. Vol. Inf., and was assigned to the Army of the Poto- mac. He participated in some heavy skirmishes, but escaped unhurt. After 14 months he was de- tailed to the Brigade Commissary department, where he served till the close of the war, being honorably discharged June 4, 1865. Returning home, he was married, Feb. 21, 1866, to Rosanna Winslow, who
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was born in Ionia County in 1847, and died in Alma, Nov. 3, 1867. He was again married, in Pine River Township, to Flora E., daughter of William and Teresa Jane (Norton) Hayes, natives of New York. He was of Irish and German descent, and she of French and English. They followed farm- ing, and came to Michigan in 1848, stopping at Ann Arbor. At that place Flora E. was born, April 24, 1 850, and not many years later they moved to North Plains, Ionia County, where they lived 15 years. In that county she received her education. Afterward they came to this county and located in Pine River Township.
In the summer of 1870 Mr. and Mrs. Boyer located on 40 acres on section 7, Arcada Township. He has since added 40 acres, and has improved 68 acres. He erected a good house and barn, the former of which was burned March 21, 1873. This was a se- vere loss, but by perseverance he has conquered, and has rebuilt his house.
They have a family of three children : Dora Ar- minnie, born May 4, 1870; William Daniel, born May 4, 1872; and Herbert Merle, Aug. 31, 1882. Mr. Boyer is in politics a Greenbacker. Mrs. Boyer is a member of the Christian Church.
dward A. Chase, farmer, section 9, North Star Township, was born in Greene Co., N. Y., July 4, 1826, and is a son of George Chase, now deceased, a native of the same county, and a farmer and mechanic, who re- moved with his family to Livingston Co., N. Y., in 1830. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools of the county last named. He came to Ingham Co., Mich., in 1852, thence to Ionia County in 1856, and the fol- lowing year to this county, settling where he now resides, in what was then wild woods. He lived in an extemporized shanty until fall, then built a log house. His wife helped clear and plant the garden spot. They planted their first corn with an ax; it came up nicely within six days after planting.
Mr. Chase enlisted in the late war, in Co. G, 23d Mich. Vol. Inf, bu!, being an invalid much of the time, he was kept at light-guard duty around the hos- pital. In his township he has been Justice of the
Peace 12 years, and has been Superintendent of the Poor about 14 years.
Mr. Chase was married Oct. 25, 1850, to Miss Su- san, daughter of Richard Baldwin (deceased) ; she was born in Lancashire, England, Aug. 16, 1826, and came to America with her parents when 11 years of age. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Chase are, George B., Hattie (deceased), Richard, Cora (de- ceased) and Ella.
evi Leonard, farmer, section 3, Pine River Township, was born April 6, 1828, in Penn- sylvania, and is a son of Lot and Elizabeth (Mosher) Leonard, both of whom were natives of the Keystone State, where they resided all their lives.
Mr. Leonard continued to live in his native State, engaged in milling, until November, 1874, when he came to Gratiot County, and he has since been occu- pied in farming. In the same year of his removal hither, he settled upon the farm he now owns, con- sisting of 40 acres of land, all of which is now im- proved. He belongs to the National Greenback party.
He was married Dec. 31, 1863, in Greene Co., Pa., to Mary J., daughter of Jehu E. and Sarah Parkin- son. (See sketch of J. E. Parkinson.) She was born in that county March 19, 1839. George C., Annie M. and Barnett P. are the names of the three chil- dren that have been added to the family circle. The mother is a member of the Disciples' Church.
illiam A. Moore, farmer, section 34, La- fayette Township, is a son of Ezra A. and Mary (Wrigleworth) Moore, natives of Clarefield and Center Counties, Pa., respect- ively. Ezra A. Moore was by occupation a farmer, and lived in Pennsylvania until 1864. The family then removed to Ohio, and farmed in Medina County one year, and Sandusky County two years. In the spring of 1867 they came to Michigan and settled on the northwest quarter of the northwest quarter of section 34, Lafayette Township, this county. Mrs. Moore died July 11, 1868; Mr. Moore
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married again, and is still living, in that township. The subject of this sketch was born Nov. 9, 1852, and lived with his parents until 18 years of age, working on the farm and attending the common schools. He then went to live with H. R. Wilcox, on section 6, Lafayette Township, and learned the carpenter's trade. This he followed altogether for seven years. Sept. 16, 1877, he was united in mar- riage to Louisa, daughter of E. H. Burgin, of Lafay- ette Township. The following spring he purchased So acres on section 34, and has since followed farming.
Mr. and Mrs. Moore are the parents of two boys : Merton A. and Frank G., born Dec. 22, 1878, and March 4, 1883. Mr. Moore is a young man of en- terprise, and is very popular in his community. He was elected Township Treasurer in 1878, and again in 1879; in 1880 was chosen Supervisor, and 1882 was appointed to a vacancy in the same office. Politically, he is a member of the National party. He belongs to the Masonic Order and to the Grangers.
onathan Courter, farmer, section 7, Arcada Township, was born in Yates Co., N. Y., July 26, 1827, and is the son of David and Fanny (Sutton) Courter, natives of New York, and of New England parentage, though for- merly of Irish and German extraction. They followed farming, and died in this county, the father Nov. 12, 1871, aged nearly 65, and the mother in the spring of 1881, aged 73 years and 10 months. Jonathan lived in his native county till four years old, then in Cattaraugus Co., N. Y., until 16 years old, attending school and working on the farm, and then came with his parents to Ionia Co., Mich. The family were early settlers of Orleans Township, in that county, and Jonathan being the eldest son, and there being no school in his neigh- borhood, he spent many years at work that most boys usually spend in study and play. Ile worked early and late, to help his father get their farm in good condition, until he was 21.
Dec. 25, 1848, he was married to Sarah A. Barton, who was born in Oakland County, Oct. 10, 1830. She died Sept. 28, 1856, leaving two children to com-
fort her husband: David F., born Oct. 18, 1850; John S., born Nov. 7, 1851. He was again married, in New Haven Township, this county, April 11, 1858, to Esther, daughter of Joseph and Catherine (Gin- gery) Wiles, natives of Pennsylvania and of German descent. The mother died at New Haven Center, Jan. 23, 1874. The father is still living on the homestead at the same place, at an advanced age. Esther was born Oct. 10, 1846, and passed her maidenhood in Wood Co., Ohio, and in New Haven Township, Gratiot County.
Immediately after marriage Mr. and Mrs. Courter settled on his homestead on section 7, Arcada Town- ship. This consists of 170 acres, of which 100 are nicely improved and under cultivation. They have had a family of nine children, three of whom are not living. The living are: Alexander, born Jan. 10, 1859; Katie, Nov. 21, 1862; Rosa, March 25, 1864; George, March 7, 1868 ; Belle, April 11, 1875; Melville, March 2, 1877. The deceased are: Ida, Myrtie and Arthur.
Mr. Courter enlisted Nov. 4, 1864, in Co. F of the 10th Mich. Vol. Inf., and was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland. He did not serve in any active engagement, but was on garrison duty. He was honorably discharged July 19, 1865, at Louisville, Ky. He has been Assessor of his school district for two terms. In politics he is an ardent Republican.
ohn A. Federspiel, farmer, section 25, La- fayette Township, is a son of Balthaser and Catherine (Conrad) Federspiel, natives of France. They came to America in an early day, and located at Buffalo, N. Y. She died in 1877, and he is still living, with his children in Michigan. John A. was born in Buffalo, N. Y., Sept. 29, 1840. He left home at the age of 14, and worked at farming and other things until he was 20, and then was in a saw-mill one year. In 1862 he came to Michigan, and was employed in the woods during the winter seasons until 1872, when he bought 120 acres of wild land on section 25, Lafayette Township. He put up the necessary farm buildings and set about clearing and improving his farm, and now has about 80 acres under cultivation.
He was married in Niagara County, N. Y., Oct. 8,
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1861, to Catherine Biggy, daughter of Philip and Mary (Gugarty) Biggy, natives of Ireland, where Mrs. Biggy died. Mr. Biggy first came to Canada, and then, after six months, to Lockport, N. Y. After several years there he went to Chicago, where he died. Mrs. Federspiel was born in Ireland, April 10. 1840. Mr. and Mrs. Federspiel are the parents of nine children : Anna E., born Nov. 26, 1862; Will- iam A., born May 25, 1864; Charles C., born July 23, 1866: Ella E., born June 5, 1869; Ada F., born June 19, 1872 ; Orin J., born March 11, 1875 ; Elmer B., born July 30, 1879; Melvin 1 .. , born Sept. 26, 1879; and Clarence A., born April 30, 1881.
Mr. Federspiel was Treasurer of his township for two years, School Treasurer three years, and was also elected Drain Commissioner to fill a vacancy. In politics he is a Republican. Mr. and Mrs. Feder- spiel are adherents of the Catholic Church.
gatus E. Wright, farmer, section 19, Pine River Township, was born June 26, 1859, in the same township, of which he has been a resident all his life. He is a son of Fred- erick and Sarepta (Fox) Wright, and belongs to a family which has been identified with the history of the progress of Michigan since the termin- ation of its Territorial days.
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