Portrait and biographical album of Gratiot county, Mich., Part 47

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

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Frederick Wright was born in 1814, in Wayne Co .. N. Y. He was reared to manhood in his native State, and in 1837 removed to Jackson Co., Mich. He was trained to the pursuit of agriculture and devoted himself to that calling in the township of Parma, where he settled and became a part of the pioneer element. He passed 21 years of his life in that place, actively engaged in aiding the growth and prosperity of his township and county. He wa; prominent in public affairs and contributed materially to the rapid development of that section of the Peninsular State. In 1858 he came to Gratiot County and purchased 500 acres of wild land in Pine River Township, where he spent the remainder of his life in striving to benefit his generation, and left a record of usefulness and merit which will live long in the memories of his neighbors and fellow-townsmen. He died May 1, 1880.

Mr. Wright aided his father in his agricultural

labors as soon as he reached a suitable age and ac- quired a good education in the common schools. ITis father died just previous to his attaining his ma- jority, and he succeeded to the management of the farm. It then included 240 acres of land, 100 acres of which are in tillage and constitute, with the farm fixtures, a place which ranks in value with those of similar dimensions in l'ine River Township. Mr. Wright is an adherent of the National Greenback party.

The marriage of Mr. Wright with Lillie E. John- son occurred Oct. 13, 1878. She was born in the State of Iowa, May 29, 1859. and is the daughter of Theron A. and Julia Johnson. (See sketch of T. A. Johnson.) Pearl, only child of Mr. and Mrs. Wright, died at the age of two years.

"Two little childish hands, folded soft and silently; Two little curtained eyes, looking out no more for mne ;

Two little waxen cheeks, dimple-dented never more ! Two little trodden shoes, that shall never touch the floor;

Shoulder ribbon, softly twisted; apron folded, clean and white,-

These are left me, and these only Of the childish presence bright."

In the portrait of Mr. Wright, which appears on another page, is a representative of the family whose energy and enterprise have been the source of inesti- mable value to the development of Gratiot County, and the mantle of his ancestral thrift and virtues has fallen upon one who will preserve them worthily.

Cornelius S. Randolph, farmer, section 8. Pine River Township, is the son of Josiah and Esther Randolph, and was born in War- ren Co., N. Y., Nov. 14, 1811. His parents were also born in the Empire State, and first settled in Warren County. They came to Michigan to spend the closing years of their lives with their son, and died in Lenawee County.

Mr. Randolph was 23 years of age when he came to Michigan, and he spent 13 years in Lenawee County engaged in farming and teaching. After that time, he devoted himself exclusively to agriculture,

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and continued to operate there until the fall of 1882, when he came to Gratiot County and bought the farm he now owns. It consists of 40 acres of land.

Mr. Randolph was married June 10, 1838, in Len- awee County, to Margaret C. Barber. She was born Dec. 13, 1808, in Catlin, Chemung Co., N. Y. Silas, Thomas, Martha, James, Cornelius and Henry are the names of the six children born of their marriage. The parents are members of the Baptist Church.

Charles Butler, farmer on section 20, Ful- ton Township, is a son of Asa H. Butler, a native of New England, and was born in the State of New York, May 12, 1826. He lost his mother when quite young, and conse- quently but little is known of her. She left seven children, and Charles was left to care for himself to a certain extent. He received a limited education in the common schools. When seven years old he went to the State of Ohio, where he lived until the spring of 1864, when he came to Gratiot County and settled on 80 acres in Fulton Township, which he had bought the fall previous. He has most of his land now under cultivation.

Oct. 11, 1857, in Fulton Co., Ohio, he married Miss Emma, daughter of John and Laura C. (White) Stitt, natives of Massachusetts. Mrs. Butler was born in Portage Co., Ohio, July 25, 1836. Mr. and Mrs. B. are the parents of six children : Walter W., Della L., John S., Clara E., Lois B. and Melvin C. Della L. died when two and a half years old.

Politically, Mr. Butler is a Democrat.

illiam F. Thompson, proprietor of the tub factory at Ithaca, was born at Massena, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., March 1, 1832. He is a son of Peter S. and Keziah (Fen- tress) Thompson. His father was an Eng- lishman by birth, and was graduated from Ox- ford. He became a tutor, and spent some years as a teacher in his native land. In 1816, he came to the United States and settled in Virginia, where he fol- lowed the same calling, and was there married. In

1828, he removed with his family to Massena, N. Y., and there engaged in teaching. Later on he went to Potsdam, N Y., where he was employed as sexton of Trinity Church 18 years. He afterwards went to Colton, in the same county, where he died at the age of 72 years. The decease of the mother, who was a native of Virginia, occurred when she was So years old. They were the parents of but two children, the elder of whom was a daughter, Jane S., the wife of George Dove (deceased), a farmer near Potsdam.

In early life, Mr. Thompson commenced a career of active Inisiness. He was but 17 years of age when he engaged in lumbering and milling, and soon after bought 120 acres of heavy timber land. He brought his property through the various processes of clearing and improving until he had the satisfaction of seeing it comparatively one of the finest farms in that section, and it was for some time the home and support of his parents, and the place where his father died. After that event, in 1864, he came with his mother to Howard City, Mich., and there built a mill for the manufacture of lumber, shingles and butter tubs, and associated with his sister's son, W. S. Dove, he bought a pine tract of 1, 100 acres, under the firm style of W. S. Dove & Co. On this they have since been engaged in lumbering, and have nearly com- pleted it. The mill and land is still in their posses- sion. The mother returned to New York, and passed her remaining years in the care of her daughter at Potsdam.

In the fall of 1882, Mr. Thompson came to Ithaca and bought a grist-mill of J. H. Seaver, which he has remodeled and fitted for the prosecution of the enter- prise in which he is now engaged. He is doing a prosperous business, and employs about 40 assist- ants. The works produce between five and six hun- dred tubs daily. In the winter of 1882 and 1883, he manufactured over 1,000,000 feet of lumber. The markets for the tubs manufactured are principally Chicago, St. Louis and Kansas City. While at Howard City, Mr. Thompson was a member of the Council seven years, and served three years as Su- pervisor of Reynolds Township.

He was married while living at Colton, St. Law- rence, N. Y., Oct. 21, 1855; to Harriet Knapp, of Pierrepont, in the same county. Six children were born of the marriage, two of whom are yet living : William F., now foreman in the office of the Jackson

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Enterprise, and Maud S., a young lady of 13 years. The mother died at Howard City, and Mr. Thompson was again married at Howard City to Annis S. Bush, of Pierson, Montcalm County. One daughter, Beulah, has been born of this marriage.

8 ernard Fox, farmer, section 13, Bethany Township, is a son of Peter C. and Elizabeth, nee Shults, Fox, and was born in Palatine Township, Montgomery Co., N. Y., Jan. 27, 1814. His father followed the voca- tion of blacksmithing, and our subject worked at that occupation for some time and then learned the tailor's trade. He was occupied in the latter trade in Bath, Steuben County, for several years until 1853, and then returned to his former trade of black- smithing.

Mr. Fox was married Sept. 2, 1835, to Miss Do- rinda, daughter of Col. Henry and Anna, nee Blair, Kennedy. She is of Scotch descent, and second cousin of ex-Gov. Austin Blair, and was born in Bath, N. Y., Oct. 13, 1813. Mr. and Mrs. Fox were the parents of ten children, eight of whom are living, namely : Hiero B., born Dec. 26, 1836, now a farmer in Pierre, Dak .; Elizabeth A., wife of Frank B. Myers, of Ithaca, born July 21, 1838; Sarah V., wife of David C. Rounds, farmer, in Lafayette 'Township, this county, born Aug. 9, 1841; Clarence K., farmer adjoining the parental homestead, born March 30, 1845; Dorinda, wife of Joseph E. Holton, farmer in Bethany Township, born April 4, 1848; Evangelia E., wife of Joseph Hutchison, farmer in Calhoun County, this State, born May 23, 1850; Leander M., farmer in Branch County, this State, born Jan. 29, 1853; Dewitt C., born Sept. 5, 1855 ; Peter W., born Sept. 6, 1839, died June 18, 1841, and Eleanor, born June 10, 1843, died Feb. 18, 1856.

Our subject moved to this State in May, 1854, and located in Ingham County. In 1855, he procured 200 acres of land, under the Graduation Act, on sec- tion 13, Bethany Township, this county, on which he is at present residing.

In 1857, Mr. Fox moved on this land and entered on the arduous though pleasant task of clearing and improving his home. He experienced all the trials

of the early pioneer, and being endowed with a large amount of energy and perseverance conquered all obstacles. He built the customary log cabin, which still stands near his present residence as a living tomb of the trials of the past. He cleared over 60 acres of his land and subsequently sold all he had with the exception of the lot on which his residence now stands, and where he and his life companion are living a retired and quiet life.

Mr. Fox is one of the citizens of the county who never asked or received the charity of the friendly outside world, but always contributed to the suffer- ing around him, and more than a few have cause to look with gratitude upon his charitable donations.

In recognition of his integrity and ability, he has been honored with offices of trust. He was Super- visor, Township Clerk, and Justice of the l'eace, and is recognized as one of the representative men of his township.

The eldest two sons of Mr. Fox were soldiers in the late war, and Mrs. F.'s father was a Revolution- ary soldier under Gen. Sullivan, as Colonel. Her eldest brother, John Kennedy, was in the war of 1812, as Major, and was captured at Queenstown.

Ifred Burnett, farmer on section 29, Fulton Township, is a son of Nelson and Jane (Foreman) Burnett. They were born, reared and married in Dutchess Co., N. Y., and after- wards removed to Monroe County, same State.

They lived there 18 years, and then removed to Livingston Co., N. Y., where Mr. B. died Feb. 26, 1845. His wife yet survives. The family comprised three sons and six daughters.

The third son, Alfred, was born in Dutchess C'o., N. Y., June 25, 1832, and was about three years old when his parents removed to Monroe County. Los- ing his father when 13 years old, he worked out by the month until 20 years of age. When 21, he came to Oakland Co., Mich., and worked a farm on shares one year. He then lived in Livingston County until 1868, when he came to Gratiot County and bought 60 acres on section 29, Fulton, where he now resides. He owns So acres, 62 of which are under cultivation.

Dec. 10, 1854, in Livingston Co., Mich., he married Miss Susan J., daughter of Philander T. and Betsy

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(Wood) Utter, natives of Ontario Co., N. Y. She was born in Hopewell Township, same county, May 16, 1837. Mr. and Mrs. Burnett have four children living: Celia B., Mary J., Flora E. and Marion A .; and four deceased : James E., Julia M., Adelbert N. and Ada E.

Mr. Burnett has been an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church ever since his connec- tion with it, holding official relations for 26 years. He first held the office of Steward for four years, then Class-leader and Superintendent of Sunday-school five years. This was prior to his coming to Fulton. Since his residence here, he has held the offices of Trustee, Steward, Superintendent of Sunday-school, and has been Treasurer of the Board of Trustees ever since its organization. One important work of his Christian life was the raising of funds and the soliciting of aid for the erection of the first Methodist Episcopal Church edifice at Fulton Center. He was also one of the finance and building committee. When discouragement seemed to overshadow the enterprise, he pushed forward with great vigor the labor of raising money, and said so long as he could get $50 a day, he would not give up the work. Thus, by faithful and persistent labor, the object desired was accomplished, the contract let, and the work begun. He continued with fidelity the collecting of money and paying off the debt, finally completing it, and leaving money in the treasury. Among the heaviest donors were Sidney Sessions, Addis C. Gillett, W. W. Dalgliesh, Charles Kellogg, Alfred Burnett, Jason Kingman and William Kellogg.

harles W. Hicks, see. 32, Bethany Tp., was born in Schuyler Co., N. Y., July 29, 1842, and is a son of David and Mary (Buck) Hicks- He was brought up as a farmer's son. Sept. 9, 1861, in Elmira, N. \'., he enlisted in Co. C, 50th Regt. Eng'rs. and Mech's., and served until April, 1863, in the mechanical department, building bridges, etc. He then returned to New York and was married, June 26, 1864, to Esther M., daughter of Virgilius and Sylvia (Dodge) Sweet ; she was born in Richmond Township, Tioga Co., Pa., Jan. 16, 1847. In January, 1868, they came to Gratiot County, set- tling upon 40 acres, where they now reside. His

land at first was mostly timber, and a log house was the only building upon the place. He has now about 35 acres under cultivation, and is an indus- trious, economical farmer. He is a member of the G. A. R.

There are nine children in this family, as follows : Cora W., born in Steuben Co., N. Y., July 13, 1866; Arthur W., born in Gratiot County, June 13, 1868; Edna A., Nov. 23, 1870 ; Clara A., Oct. 30, 1871 ; Esther M., June 26, 1873; Lula S., May 5, 1875; Louisa E., Feb. 7, 1878 ; Charles W., May 19, 1881, and Seely D., Dec. 17, 1883. All except the first are natives of this county.

ames B. Allen, farmer, section 6, Pine River Township, was born Nov. 1, 1831, in Seneca Co., N. Y., and is the son of Cornelius B. and Ann (Peterson) Allen. His parents were natives of New Jersey, and were respectively of English and German descent. They first located in New Jersey, and later on in life removed to the State of New York. In 1838, they settled in Lapeer Co., Mich., where the father died the next year. The mother died in Eaton County.

Mr. Allen came to the State of Michigan with his parents when he was only seven years old, and when he was 11 years of age he went to Ohio, and there remained three years, when he returned to Lapeer County. On reaching man's estate, he went to Eaton County and acted as assistant in his brother's store two years. He then formed a partnership with A. Howland, and established himself in mercantile bus- iness, a relation which existed a year and a half. On disposing of his interests, Mr. Allen came to Gra- tiot County and invested his means in 320 acres of land in Pine River Township. He subsequently sold 160 acres, and of the remainder has 90 acres under cultivation, with commodious farm buildings.

In all local history, it is nearly impossible to find the periods within one generation so widely contrasting as that of the date of Mr. Allen's settling in Gratiot County and his present circumstances, both of which periods are strongly typical. Soon after he located, the well-remembered time known as the starving period came on, from causes too well-known to re-

THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY

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quire elaboration here. Mr. Allen, like all others, exerted every effort in behalf of the suffering, and among other practical deeds established the sale of articles generally required, operating on his farm. In 1859 he went to Alma, and there engaged in trade for nearly two years. Ite met with financial reverses and lost nearly all his property, but honest effort and careful management have placed him among the substantial residents of Gratiot County.

He was married at Grand Ledge, Eaton Co., Mich., June 29, 1854, to Lucy H., daughter of Jacob and Betsey Wood. Her parents were natives of New Hampshire, and settled in life in the State of New York. On coming to Michigan, they first went to Oakland County and thence to Eaton County, where the father died in 1877, and where the mother still resides. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Allen : Nettie T., May 12, 1856, and Myrtle H., Jan. 29, 1861. The latter died in Milford, Oakland County, June 23, 1883.

Mr. Allen was for many years an active Republi- can, but of late has allied himself with the National Greenback party. He has served three years as Justice of the Peace. Mr. and Mrs. Allen are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. They have been zealous adherents to the interests of the Christian religion, and contributed of their strength and means to its maintenance. The first preaching in this part of Gratiot County was done in the house of Mr. Allen, by the Rev. Ellery Hill.

Passius M. Gardner, farmer, section 8, New Haven Township, was born in Cayuga Co., Ohio, Feb. 6, 1848. His parents, Nelson P. and Nancy (nee Wood) Gardner, were natives of New England. His father, a carpenter and joiner by trade, and also a farmer, resides in Lyons Township, fonia Co., Mich.

Cassius M. remained with his parents until 20 years of age, when he went to work in a saw-mill in lonia Co., Mich. In the fall of 1872, he came tothis county and purchased 40 acres of unimproved land, five acres only being cleared, where he began as a farmer and has since been successful. He now has 32 acres in good cultivation, has made many im- provements and has demonstrated himself to be a

progressive, practical agricultunist. In political af- fairs he is a Greenbacker, and among his fellow citi- zens he has held the offices of Road Commissioner and School Director, with satisfaction to the people.

Mr. G. was married in the township of Lyons, Jonia County, Oct. 16, 5869, to Miss Nellie Dykeman, who was born in Yates Co., N. Y., Aug. 29, 1849. IIer parents were natives of that State, of German and English descent. The children of Mr. and Mrs, Gardner are, Eva, born Jan. 15, 1871; and Bennie. March 12, 1873.

benezer W. Kellogg, a leading agricultur- ist of Gratiot County, resident on section 17, Newark Township, was born in Hadley, Mass., Feb. 6, 1815. His father, Giles C. Kel- logg, was also a native of Hadley, and was a prominent personage in the Bay State in his generation. He was graduated from Yale College in the class of 1799, and studied for the profession of law, which he pursued during the whole of his active life. He was Register of Deeds of Hampshire County and was an efficient officer for 21 years. He represented his native town ro years in the Legisla- ture of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. He was in retirement 20 years before his death, which event occurred when he was 85 years of age. His wife, whose maiden name was Martha Hunt Warner, belonged to a distinguished family. Her father, Noahdiah Warner, was an officer of the Revolutionary War, and served from Bunker Ilill to the surrender of Cornwallis.

Mr. Kellogg attended the common schools of his native town and afterwards completed his education at Hopkins' Academy, an institution which is still in existence, and has a world-wide and enduring fame.

On leaving school, Mr. Kellogg turned his atten- tion to farming. Massachusetts offered little to an agriculturist of extended aspirations, and he came to Michigan to prospect somewhat. He left Hadley in August, 1839, and had but little intention of settling permanently or remaining long. In passing, it may be remarked that he has not since been East farther than the city of Buffalo. He settled in Cambridge, Lenawee C'o., Mich. He and his wife owned go acres of partly improved land, which Mr. Kellogg culti- vated 12 years, and, among other improvements, set

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out a fine orchard, that section being peculiarly suited to the successful culture of fruit. He sold the place in 1853, and in the summer of 1854 bought 320 acres of wild land in Gratiot County, paying therefor 50 cents per acre under the regulations of the Graduation Act, a law which provided for the sale of Government lands, the prices ranging from 25 cents to $1.25 per acre, according to the length of time such lands had been in market.

Mr. Kellogg entered upon his career in Gratiot County in true pioneer style, beginning with the build- ing of a primitive log cabin, in the depths of the woods, to which he removed bis family in May, 1855. He applied himself with all his vigor and energies to the work of clearing and improving, and has since added 180 acres by purchase. The noble farm of 500 acres exhibits one-half its acreage in tillage of the most creditable character. The fine residence, which supplanted the log cabin in 1876, and the barns and other farm buildings, are in keeping with the reputation of the owner as a progressive farmer.

Mr. Kellogg is a Republican in political sentiment and connections He has been fiom the first inter- ested in the progress of Newark Township and Gra- tiot County. He was elected second Supervisor of his township in 1858, and has been elected to the position 13 times, which he once held 7 years in suc- cession. ITe was Chairman of the Board four years. He has been Township Clerk and officiated in most of the minor local offices. In 1859 he rented his farm and removed to Lansing, to obtain rest and re- cuperate his impaired health, as well as to give his children better educational advantages. The family remained at the capital two years.

Mr. Kellogg was married in Cambridge, Lenawee County, March 3, 1842, to Adaline L., eldest daugh- ter of Abraham and Rebecca (Johnson) Butterfield.

Mrs. Kellogg was born Sept. 17, 1817. Of three children born of her marriage to Mr. Kellogg, two survive. They were born in the following order: Mary R., Jan. 22, 1843; Francis E. B., March 31, 1847; Hugh J., May 23, 1851 (died Nov. 24, 1869).

Mary R. was married to Charles W. Howland and resides in Newark Township, on section 18.

Francis was married Feb. 1, 1881, to Sarah E., daughter of Chester and Sophronia (Wade) Howland. Her parents were natives of New York, and were lineal descendants of John Howland and John Car-

ver (the first Governor of Plymouth Colony), both of whom were among the list of Pilgrims who came in the Mayflower in 1620. Mrs. Kellogg was born Feb. 5, 1855, in Hudson, Lenawee County. The young couple have two children and are cherished inmates of the Kellogg homestead.

The portraits of Mr. Kellogg and his estimable wife are presented on adjacent pages.

eorge M. Ruppert, farmer on section 27, Fulton Township, is a son of John P. and Anna B. (Buttner) Ruppert (see sketch of John l'. Ruppert). He was born in Germany, May 25, 1852, and was about one year old when his parents came to America. He was edu- cated in the common schools, and has continued to live with his parents until the present time. In 1878, he purchased 40 acres, mostly wild, on section 26, Fulton, and now has about 12 acres improved.

Jan. 2, 1881, at St. Louis, Mich., he married Miss Pauline, daughter of Chambers and Phieta (May) Garte, of German ancestry. This marriage has been blessed with one child, Nettie A. Mrs. Ruppert is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr Ruppert votes the Democratic ticket.

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¿bram M. Jessup, farmer on section 26, Arcada Township, was born near the city of Albany, in Greenbush Township, Renssel- aer Co., N. Y., Feb. 8, 1836, and is a son of Isaac M. and Eleanor S. (Schermerhorn) Jes- sup. Isaac Jessup was first a cabinet-maker and painter, and afterwards a farmer. He now re- sides in lonia County, this State, at the age of 73. Eleanor S. Schermerhorn was a native of the " Hol- land purchase " in New York State, and was of Hol- land descent.

When Abram was only four years of age, he was brought by his parents to Wayne Co., Mich. The family afterward moved to Charlotte, Eaton County, but later returned to Wayne Co. When he was 19 years old, the family removed to lonia Cuonty and

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settled in North Plains Township. His education however, was received while in Wayne County.

Jan. 1, 1863, he was married to Amanda J., daughter of Sylvester and Hannah (l'eck) Wheeler, natives of New York State. They have always fol- lowed farming, and they now reside in Newark Town- ship, this county. Amanda was born in Oswego Co., N. V., March 14, 1838, and moved with her parents at the age of 15 to Campton, Kane Co., Ill. They moved to Mason, Ingham Co., Mich., 15 months later, and afterwards came to Gratiot County, locat- ing on a farm in Newark Township. Her parents now live in that township.

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Portrait and biographical album of Gratiot county, Mich., Part 47

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

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