Portrait and biographical album of Gratiot county, Mich., Part 51

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

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R., Harry, Frank and Harry. The three last named died in infancy.

Mr. Porter received a good education in the place of his birth, and when he was 20 years old interested himself in learning the details of the business which he has since followed. He worked at it a year in Vermontville and one year at Charlotte. In April, 1879, he settled at Alma and established his busi- ness, which has been prosperous and increasing. He acts and believes in political matters in accordance with the principles of the Republican party.

He was married June 29, 1881, at Alma, to Ella E., daughter of Reed Latimer. Mrs. Porter was born in Schoharie Co., N. Y., and her parents were natives of the same State. Olive T., only child, was born Jan. 1, 1883, and died July 10, of the same year. Mr. Porter belongs to the Congregational Church.

illiam L. Litle, carpenter and joiner, sec- 9 tion 17, New Haven Township, was born Ontario, Canada, Dec. 2, 1837. His parents, Ralph and Miranda (Purchase) Litle, are natives respectively of Canada and New York, and are now residing on a farm in North Star Township, this county.

When It years of age, the subject of this sketch moved with his parents to Hillsdale Co., Mich., where he worked with them upou a farm until of age, ex- cept two years, which he devoted to the trade of car- penter and joiner, under the instruction of John Rush, of that county. He was subsequently under the supervision of a carpenter named Potter for a year, after which he prosecuted the trade independ- ently for for some time.

Nov. 17, 1861, Mr. Litle married Miss Sarah E. Smith, who was born in Williams Co., Ohio, Nov. 15, 1847, and when eight years old came with her parents to Hillsdale Co., Mich., remaining with them there until her marriage.

After marriage, Mr. Litle became a contractor for building, and he erected many houses in that county, from 1861 to 1869, when he moved to North Star Township, this county, purchasing 40 acres of land and, in connection with. farming, followed his trade. In April, 1873, he exchanged this land for So acres

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of unimproved land where he now resides, and moved upon it. To this he has added by purchase So acies, and of the quarter-section he now owns he has 50 acres in good cultivation, and the place well furnished with the necessary farm buildings, etc.

Mr. Litle has been Road Commissioner and School Director. In politics he is a decided Republican, and in social affairs a member of the Masonic blue lodge at Ithaca.

The children of Mr. and Mrs. Litle are five in number, and all living, viz .: Fred E., born Aug. 31, 1862; Clara E., March 23, 1864; Lillian A., Aug. 19, 1865 ; Huldah E., June 29, 1869, and Charles J., Sept. 6, 1877.

Ifred A. Wood, grocer and provision dealer at Ithaca, was born Nov. 12, 1839, at Genoa, Cayuga Co., N. Y. He is a son of Jesse Y. and Harriet (Teed) Wood, both of whom were born in Dutchess County, in the State of New York, in 1798 and 1802, respect- ively. The father was one of three brothers who came from England.

Mr. Wood spent the first 16 years of his life in ac- quiring his education and assisting in the blacksmith shop of his father. At that age he went to Syca- more, DeKalb Co., Ill., and learned the jeweler's trade, which he followed as a vocation five years. When armed rebellion involved the land in civil war, he returned to his native place, and enlisted in Co. G. Frith N. Y. Vol. Inf., Capt. Lewis W. Husk. He served two years and ten months, and was in the en- gagements at Harper's Ferry (where his regiment was captured by the rebels), Wilderness, Fairfax Seminary, Cold Harbor, and many others of greater or less importance. He was discharged at Philadel- phia.

Three brothers of Mr. Wood were in the Union service. Luther Wood was wounded in the wrist during an action and sent to the hospital, where he contracted small-pox and died. Edwin L. Wood was drafted and assigned to the 76th N. Y. Vol. Inf., and died while in the service. William F. Wood enlisted in the 9th N. Y. Heavy Artillery, and sur- vived the war.

Six months after Mr. Wood's return to Genoa from

the battlefield, he came to Charlotte, Eaton Co., Mich. Within a year he opened a jeweler's shop, which he continued to manage four years. In 1870 he came to Ithaca and established himself in the same line of business, and, three years later, was appointed Postmaster. He discharged the obliga- tions of the position seven years, his wife acting as assistant. In 1873, he received the appointment of Deputy Sheriff under Wm. II. Pratt, which position he held four years. His appointment as Under- Sheriff with George L. Patch followed, and he re- mained in ths office four years more. In November, 1880, he was elected Sheriff on the Republican ticket, and was placed in nomination in 1882 for the same position, but was defeated by the Fusion candi- date. In the spring of 1882, he was appointed Deputy United States Marshal.

Among the many clever arrests made by Sheriff Wood is that of Thayer and Lewis for passing counterfeit one-dollar pieces at several business places in Ithaca. The former was arrested May 12 at Ithaca while passing the bogus coin. Under a severe pumping by Sheriff Wood, he made a clean breast of the whole business, telling where he lived, who made the money, etc. Armed with this information, Sheriff Wood and Constable Pettit went to Thayer's home on section 3, Elba Township, disguised as timber " lookers." Rapping at the door of a small hut situ- ated in the woods away from anybody, they were met by the lady of the house, Mrs. Thayer. The lady was asked if Mr. Thayer was at home. After an answer in the negative, they told her they heard he had some oak timber to sell, and if she had no objec- tions they would look the timber over. They then passed into the woods, taking the dimensions of trees with a log rule they had with them. After nearly a half hour they heard the report of a rifle, and shortly after another, when they espied the man with the gun, who moved in an opposite direction ; but Wood and Pettit still continued their new vocation as tim- ber buyers, and finally succeeded in entirely gaining the man's confidence, for he came to where they where, when he was asked, "Is this Mr. Thayer?" " No, Mr. Thayer is away from home." At this, the officers paid no more attention to him, as he carried a Winchester rifle on his shoulder, but continued to estimate timber, all the time carrying on conversation with him, when finally Sheriff Wood spoke of his gun, what a splendid-looking piece it was, at the same

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time reaching for it. It was handed him, and after viewing it he handed it back. Then Pettit did the same thing, except handing it back ; but, instead, he covered the hunter with his own weapon, Sheriff Wood at the same time placing the handcuffs upon him. Ile begged not to be handcuffed, nor to be taker to the house. He was left in charge of Pettit while Sheriff Wood proceeded to search the house, where he found four sets of dies for one-dollar pieces, and one set of steel dies for 25-cent pieces, brush, acids, etc., while upon the person of the prisoner were found 12 bogus dollars and a burglar's key. United States Marshal Matthews complimented Offi- cers Wood and Pettit very highly upon their capture of the prisoner, and said : " It was very seldom that such a neat haul was made by any officials, even those highly skilled in the business."

Soon after coming to Ithaca, Mr. Wood bought the old Postoffice building, where, Dec. 1, 1882, he opened the business he has since pursued. He car- ries a full line of staple and fancy groceries, and is engaged in a successful and popular trade.

Mr. Wood is a member of Ithaca Lodge, No. 123. and Ithaca Chapter, No. 70, in the Order of Masonry ; of the Rising Star Lodge of Odd Fellows at Ithaca ; of Moses Wisner Post, G. A. R., and of the Union Prisoners of War Association.

His marriage with Mary J. Haines occurred Der . 14. 1865, at Lodi. Kane Co .. Ill. She is a daughter of James and Margaret (McKinley) Haines, and was born in Kane County, Jan. 14, 1847. Mr. Haines fought for the Union during the war of the rebellion. He enlisted in the 124th Ill. Vol. Inf., and was in much active service. He died at Vicksburg soon after the battle fought at that place.

Mr. and Mrs. Wood have had four children, whose record is as follows: Effie, born Jan. 14, 1869, in Charlotte, died May 21, 1873, at Ithaca ; Alfred C., born May 3. 1874 ; Jessie, .April 8, 1881 ; and Cassie, Sept. 8, 1883. The three last were born at Ithaca.

The portrait of Mr. Wood, which appears on the opposite page, is that of a man whose career in life typifies the best element on which to found substan- tial relations in society and the community at large. Ife has served his generation in all laudable capaci- ties and emergencies, as the details recorded in this sketch manifest, and has accomplished the duties of his manhood and citizenship in a becoming and

worthy manner. The portrait of his estimable wife is given as a suitable and worthy companion picture to that of Mr. Woods.

2003

ylvester B. Prichard, merchant, at Ithaca, was born Jan. 26, 1826, in Nelson, Portage Co., Ohio. He is a son of Ephraim and Hannah (Seely) Prichard. The father was born Feb. 25, 1790, at Great Barrington, Mass., and died in Nelson, March 21, 1864. The mother was born in Cherry Valley, N. Y., July 28, 1799, and died Ang. 18, 1866, in North Star Township, Gratiot County.

Mr. Prichard was reared on a farm and received a common-school education. In November, 1851, he began peddling for a livelihood, and continued 10 follow it on foot for about 18 months, when he bought a horse and increased his lines of goods ac- cording to his increased facilities, including groceries, Yankee notions, dry-goods, boots and shoes and tin- ware. His business prospered under his careful management, and at the end of six years he drove a double team and carried, in addition, a line of light hardware. He continued the same branch of busi- ness seven years longer, operating almost exclusively in Ohio. In February, 1866, he came to the town- ship of North Star, in Gratiot County, and remained two months with his mother, who had removed thither in May of the previous year. He returned to Ohio, settled his business and returned to North Star to remain permanently. He bought, on coming to Gratiot County, 80 acres of land in Newark Town- ship, which he afterward sold. Soon after his return, Aug. 4, 1866, he bought the site of his present place of business of John Jeffrey, and built the store he now occupies and where he is engaged in a prosper- ous business. He opened his mercantile interests at Ithaca ten months later than Wilbur Nelson began operations in the same line, and is consequently the second oldest merchant in that place. He built his dwelling on St. John's Street in 1872.

Mr. Prichard was married, May 25, 1869, in Rock Creek, Ashtabula Co., Ohio, to Emily J., daughter of Willian. B. and Hannah Hunt. She was born June 25, 1839, at Hart's Grove, Ashtabula Co., Ohio. Two children have been added to the household of

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Mr. and Mrs. Prichard: Lee W., born March 4, 1870, and Blair S., born March 16, 1878. The latter died Aug. 29, 1881. Ile was crushed beneath a falling barrel of sand, pulling it over upon himself while trying to climb on the top of the same.

ehemiah Lamb, farmer, section 36, Elba Township, is a son of Thomas B. and Clarinda M. (Gardner) Lamb, natives of New York. Thomas B. Lamb was a phy- sician, and came to Michigan in an early day. Nehemiah left home to make his own way in life, at the early age of 13. He first went to Wis- consin, remaining from September, 1858, to March, 1859. He then lived in Illinois until May, 1861, when he enlisted in Co. B, 12th Ill. Vol. Inf., serving seven months. In September, 1862, he came to Hamilton Township, Gratiot County, and engaged in the practice of medicine and in farming. The 12th of July, the following year, he re-enlisted in Co. D), 26th Mich. Vol. Inf., and served the remainder of the war. His regiment was engaged in all the battles of the Army of the Potomac, and Mr. Lamb did his full share of the fighting. He then practiced medi- cine with his father in Oakland County, and by him- self in Wayne County, until 1878, when he came to Gratiot County and settled at his present residence. He is now principally engaged in farming, and is at present building a large dwelling-house.

Dec. 18, 1872, he was married to Caroline, daugh- ter of William and Mary (Odell) Rodgers, natives of New York. He is a member of the 1. O. O. F. and the G. A. R., and in politics is a Republican. Mr. and Mrs. Lamb are active members of the Baptist Church.

oseph Greer, farmer, section 23, Newark Township, was born May 30, 1826, in Co- lumbiana Co., Ohio. He is a son of Thomas W. and Catherine (Rhodes) Greer, the former a native of Pennsylvania, the latter of Virginia. Their family included nine children, four sons and five daughters. Mr. Greer is the third son.

He was engaged in farming with his father after he had passed the period of his early boyhood, until he

was 25 years old. In November, 1854, he came to Michigan and bought 160 acres of wild land on the section of the township where he now resides. He is a "dyed-in-the-wool " Republican, and in the civil war indicated his claims as a friend of his country by responding to the summons of her rulers in her time of need. He enlisted in July, 1862, in the 26th Regt. Mich. Vol. Inf., and continued in the service, until Feb. 16, 1864. Ile lost his right arm in the first battle in which he engaged, receiving the injury Nov. 23, 1863, in the fight at Mine Run, Va., and was discharged on recovery. He is in receipt of a pension. He has held the various school offices of his district and has been Township Treasurer four years.

Mr. Greer was married Oct. 23, 1851, in Wyan- dot Co., Ohio, to Lydia, daughter of John and Eliza Hawkins. The father was born in Rhode Island, the mother in New York. Mrs. Greer is the only daugh- ter, and was born July 7, 1832, in Knox Co., Ohio. Of her marriage with Mr. Greer, nine children have been born, of whom one, Thomas W., is deceased. He died Jan. 7, 1876. The living are : Eliza C., James W., Maria A., Mary J., Carrie S., Clara S., George W. and Bertha E.

ason Kingman, farmer, on section 20, Fulton Township, is the son of Justus and Patty (Chatman) Kingman, natives of Ver- mont. They first settled in Madison County, N. Y., and afterward removed to Tioga Co., Pa., where he died, in 1830. She died four years later, in Onondaga Co., N. Y.

The subject of this biography, Jason Kingman, was born in Cortland Co., N. Y., June 11, 1819, and was in years old when his parents removed to Penn- sylvania. When he was 16 years old, having lost both his parents, he was obliged to make a start for himself, and for two years he was employed in farm- ing for others. He then went to sea as a common sailor, and followed that life until 1853, when he came to Lenawee Co., Mich. For two years he was engaged in making pearlash. In 1855 he bought a farm in Lenawee Co., Mich., which he worked for a short time. Selling this place, he purchased a farm

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in Fulton Co., Ohio, where he lived eight years. In the spring of 1864 he came to Gratiot County and bought So acres of land on section 20, Fulton. He has since disposed of 30 acres and has 40 acres im- proved. In the summer of 1883 he built a finely- planned residence.

In Adrian, Lenawee Co., Mich., in December, 1855, he married Miss Mary J. Cooley, who was born in Orleans Co., N. Y., Jan. 13, 1834. Her parents, Justus and Clarissa (Baker) Cooley, were natives of the State of New York, and came to Michigan in an early day, settling in Medina, Lenawee County, where they yet reside.

Mr. and Mrs. Kingman are active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a member of the Masonic Order. Politically, he has always sup- ported the Republican party, but being very pro- nounced in his temperance views, he casts all his influence with the Prohibitionists.

ucius J. Van Leuven, proprietor of Van Leuven's Hotel and lumberman, resident on section 6, Seville Township, was born Sept. 26, 1828, in Waterloo, Albany Co., N. Y. He is a son of Nicholas and Mary P. (Dela- mater) Van Leuven, both of whom were na- tives of Albany Co., N. Y. The father followed the calling of a farmer, and located in Washtenaw Co., Mich., where he became the proprietor of 40 acres of land on which he resided about 30 years. In a very early day in the history of the county, he came to Gratiot, and located on 160 acres of land in Sumn- ner Township. The farm was entirely in a state of nature and he cleared 20 acres. The mother died on the homestead in 1873; the father died Feb. 22, 1875, while living with his son in Seville Township.

Mr. Van Leuven became his own master at the age of 19 years, when he bought his time of his father. He became a farm laborer and worked for $6 a month. He was thus occupied two years, and then was apprenticed to learn the daguerrean art, as it was then styled, and he spent two years in its acqui- sition ; but he decided not to prosecute it as a busi- ness, and accepted an offered situation as clerk in a grocery, where he remained a year. He returned to

Washtenaw County and spent two years in the pur- suit of agriculture. In the autumn of 1854 he came to Gratiot County and located on section 3, Sumner Township. He pre-empted 120 acres of land, on which he resided about three years, when he went South and spent a year in Missouri ; after which he returned to Michigan and lived in lonia County nearly two years. He then came to Seville Town- ship, Gratiot County, and located 160 acres on sec- tion 6. He bought afterwards another tract of 160 acres, and subsequently So acres adjoining, in Mont- calm County. The addition of 100 acres more in Gratiot County, lying adjacent to his former acreage, makes him the possessor of a magnificent farm of 500 acres. He has been extensively engaged in farming and lumbering ever since he came to Gratiot County. He also owns a saw-mill. In all his busi- ness affairs he has managed judiciously and is now the owner of a fine estate and has valuable business connections, which render him one of the most sub- stantial of the farmers of Gratiot County. Politically he is a Republican, and has served his township in the capacities of Justice of the Peace and Ilighway Commissioner.

He was married to Mary, daughter of Reuben Dela- mater, and widow of Calvin Sweet. They have two sons and three daughters. Their names are: War- ren, Elton, Laura, Ida and Myrtle.

euben Botsford, farmer, merchant and Postmaster, New Haven Center, was born in Whitby Township, Ont., Canada, Jan. 27, 1827. His parents, Geshem and Prudence (Plumb) Botsford, were natives respectively of New York and Canada, of New England parentage. Both are deceased, Mr. B. dying while sailing on Lake Ontario.

Reuben remained at home until of age, obtaining a common-school education, learning the shoemaker's trade. Four years later he learned the trade of tan- ning. In prosecuting the latter business he injured himself physically, so that he had to return to shoe- making. He gradually passed into the mercantile business, which he followed for six years, and then returned to shoemaking again for three years. Next he purchased a farm of 50 acres in St. Clair Co.,

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Mich., which he improved to some extent, but spent most of the time for four years in lumbering. In 1870 he came to this county and settled on 40 acres in Fulton Township, where he conducted a shoe- shop in addition to his farm. Ile sold out in a few years and bought a quarter of section 13, New Haven Township, and several years later still, he purchased a quarter of section 15, same township, which is now his farm. He has since sold So acres to his sons, and 40 acres of the remainder he has under good improvements. He was appointed Postmaster in 1880, and established a general store, commencing with a small stock, which is constantly increasing according to the demands of his growing trade. In politics Mr. B. is a Republican, and as a citizen, offi- cer, farmer, etc., he stands high.

Mr. Botsford was married in Whitby Township, Ont., Can., Nov. 2, 1845, to Miss Martha Lambkins, a native of England, who was born Feb. 2, 1830. She is a member of the Regular Baptist Church, in which denomination Mr. B. is a Deacon.

everett H. Town, grocer at Breckenridge, Wheeler Township, is a son of Lorin and Fidelia (Barns) Town, natives of New York. Lorin Town was by occupation a millwright and miller. He and wife are both dead. The sub- ject of this sketch was born Aug. 10, 1840, in Madison Co., N. Y. While still under 21, he enlist- ed, April 29, 1861, in the 12th N. Y. Vol. Inf. He was discharged the same year. Sept. 16, 1863, he re-enlisted, serving in Co. G, 16th New York Ileavy Artillery. The following spring he was attached to Co. A, Ist N. Y. Mounted Rifles. Ile was also on detached service, at the headquarters of Generals Butler, Cary and Smith. In 1865, he returned to New York, and being prostrated with sickness, did not return to the army. In the fall of 1872 he came to Gratiot County, and engaged in the hoop business with Warren Crandall.

At the age of 28, he was married to Hannah Hicks, daughter of John W. and Ann Hicks, natives of Montgomery Co., N. Y. They are the parents of four children : Judson J., Fidelia A., Burr E. and Lena M. Mr. Town entered the grocery business in 1879. He now keeps a full line of general merchandise,

and has a thriving trade. He is a member of the 1. O. O. F. and of the K. of II. He has held the office of Township Clerk for two terms. In politics he is a radical member of the National Greenback element.

Mr. Town's portrait may be found on the opposite page.

scar Morse, farmer, section 15, Arcada Township, was born in Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, near Cleveland, April 16, 1827 ; and is the son of Nehemiah and Olive (Underwood) Morse, natives of Pennsylvania and New York, and of New England ancestry. They followed farm- ing, principally in Ohio, and died, the father in that, State, in 1840, and the mother in Minnesota, in 187 8.

The subject of this biographical notice lived at home until two years after his father's death. Then at the age of 20, he began to work as a common laborer among his neighbors, giving the pecuniary pro- ceeds of his toil to his widowed mother, for her sup- port. In the winter of 1849, he came to Michigan, and first found employment in lonia County.

In that county, Nov. 9, 1851, he was united in mar- riage to Miss Mary A., daughter of Abraham and Mary (Weston) Keefer, natives of Pennsylvania. They removed from that State to Ohio, where, in Stark County, June 30, 1830, the daughter, Mary A., was born. She was educated in the graded schools of her native county, and lived with her parents un- til her marriage.

Mr. and Mrs. Morse remained in lonia County un- til February, 1855, when they came to Gratiot Coun- ty and located on 160 acres on section 15, Arcada Township. This was then wild land, and the coun- try, for miles around, was covered with an unbroken forest. No roads were cut, and the only means of traversing the country was by following the In- dian trails. Their first habitation was a small log house, and was among the first of those pioneer cas- tles built in their neighborhood. Before erecting this dwelling, Mr. Morse passed his first night in the township in the house of Homer Burns (see sketch). He attended the first "town meeting " of Arcada. His primitive log hut is now supplanted by a com- modious residence, and he has one of the finest barns in the township. He has a large and productive

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orchard, and his farm, which has been improved prin- cipally by his own efforts, reflects credit on his man- agement. He is a truly representative citizen. He and wife are pleasant neighbors, and their many friends hold them in high esteem.

Mr. and Mrs. M. have been the parents of two daughters, both of whom are now deceased: Jennie, born Aug. 26, 1852, and died April 26, 1875; and Melissa, born April 26, 1854, and died May 1, 1871. In political sentiment, Mr. Morse is a Democrat.

ames B. Wheeler, farmer, Wheeler village, Wheeler Township, was born Aug. 6, 1829, in Steuben Co., N. Y., and was the son of Joseph and Sarah (Kennedy) Wheeler, natives of New York and Vermont. Mr. Wheeler, Sr., died in December, 1860, and Mrs. Wheeler in August, 1879, in Steuben Co., N. Y. James B. began

to work for himself at the age of 23, and was em- ployed on a farm in New York until April, 1861, when he came to Gratiot County. He settled on section 28, Wheeler Township, on 320 acres, but now has 107 acres, having sold a portion. When he first came here he found an unbroken wilderness, there being no house nearer than St. Louis on the west, and seven miles to the east.

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Portrait and biographical album of Gratiot county, Mich., Part 51

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

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