Portrait and biographical album of Gratiot county, Mich., Part 55

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

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In March, 1861, he came to Gratiot County and bought 120 acres of land in Fulton Township, sec- tion 31. He has since disposed of 20 acres, and has

now 60 acres in an advanced state of cultivation. He enlisted during the rebellion in the 13th Mich. Vol. Inf., and served nine months and one day, receiving an honorable discharge at Detroit, Mich.

Oct. 3, 1865, in Richland Co., Ohio, he married Miss Lydia J., daughter of Abraham T. and Thank- ful (Kirby) Huff, natives of New Jersey and Massa- chusetts. Mrs. Kinney was born in the State of New York, March 16, 1833. She died Sept. 21, 1863, having been the mother of four children : Flora J. (died when 16 years old) ; Carrie K., Ida E. and Abraham P. Mr. Kinney is a member of the Bap- tist Church, and is politically a Republican.

The portrait of Mr. Kinney will be appreciated by all, especially those of his neighbors who have worked by his side in carving comfortable homes out the dense forest.

rs. Ellen M. Wolford, wife of Lewis B. Wolford, section 29, New Haven Town- ship, was born in the township of New- ark, Wayne Co., N. Y., July 14, 1845. Her parents, Peter B. and Mary M. Pendell, were also natives of the State of New York, and emigrated to Michigan in 1846. After spending two years in the eastern part of the State, they removed to Ionia County, and in 1857 they came to Gratiot County, then a wilderness. Seeing the situation, Ellen, then 13 years of age, began to devise some plan for her own support. As every family in the vicinity did their own housework and cared not to hire help, she could find nothing within her reach except the profession of teaching, for which she was yet to qualify herself. There were then a few organ- ized school districts in the township of New Haven, which was her home.

According to her decision, she began in May, 1859, to follow her chosen profession, and for 13 long and weary years, through summer's heat and winter's snows, she fulfilled the duties of a pioneer teacher's life. During this time she married George M. Ben- nett, who soon afterward joined the Union army ; but in the spring of 1863 he returned home with the dreadful disease, consumption, fastened upon him, and for seven tedious and painful years his wife had to support the family by her profession. He died in

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the summer of 1870, before the Government had pro- vided for any pension, and the family had been in- creased in 1867 by the birth of their first child, Augusta E. In July, 1870, their second child, Geor- gia, was born; yet Mrs. B. had to support her little ones, providing a nuise, etc., by the means she could carn teaching school ; and she bravely succeeded.

In March, 1871, she went to Ithaca and taught two terms in the village school, and then returned to New Haven Township, continuing her profession. In February, 1873, she married Davis Wiles, and com- menced the duties of a farmer's wife, then entirely new to her. The tide of prosperity then set in, and continued until April, 1877, when Mr. Wiles died, after bequeathing to her the homestead on section 29, New Haven Township. His father and brother resorted to litigation in order to obtain possession of her farm, which remained undecided for four years. This severe trial was a test of Mrs. W.'s bravery, fortitude and patience; but she won in the contest and retained her home. For her judicious manage- ment of this perplexing case, she has received many compliments.

In January, 1881, she married Mr. Lewis B. Wol- ford, and to them one child, Mary L., was born Aug. 12, 1882.

ames Buck, farmer, section 14, Pine River Township, was born Oct. 21, 1837, in C'an- ada, and is the son of John and Isabella (Potter) Buck. His father is a native of Penn- sylvania, and his mother was born in Ireland. They settled in Canada for a time, and after- wards went to Ohio, where they yet reside.

Mr. Buck was an infant of one year or thereabouts when his parents removed to the Buckeye State, where he grew to man's estate, and remained a resi- dent of Medina County until his removal to Michi- gan. In July, 1863, he enlisted in what was desig- nated as Hoffman's Battalion, and was afterwards assigned to the 128th Ohio Vol. Inf. He was in the service two years, and at the close of the war was honorably discharged at Camp Chase, Columbus, Ohio. He came to Gratiot County in February, 1874, and bought So acres of land, chiefly in an un- improved condition, situated on section 17, and now

owned and occupied by Micajah Wood. Mr. Buck owned the place about eight years, and while he resided thereon cleared and fitted for cultivation 40 acres. He sold it in 1883, and purchased So acres, which he now occupies. Of this farm, 45 acres are under improvement. Mr. Buck belongs in political connection to the National Greenback party.

He was married Nov. 2, 1858, in Medina Co., Ohio, to Ilannah, daughter of Seth and Phebe (Clark) Lewis, natives of the State of New York, who settled in Medina County, and still reside there. Mrs. Buck was born in the same county April 25, 1842. Allen D., Jennie .1., Minnie M., John L. and Walter E. are the children belonging to the household. The mother is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

ra W. Montague, farmer, section 11, Ful- chele. ~FFFF ton Township, is a son of Thomas and Harriet (Rice) Montague, natives of Ver- mont, where they lived until the mother's death, Jan. 11, 1851. The father then removed to Ottawa Co., Mich., where he lived until March 5, 1860, when he was killed by the falling of a tree. hia W., the fifth of a family of ten, was born in Ver- mont, Aug. 29, 1832, and was educated in the com- mon schools.

At the age of 20 he left the paternal roof and went to Lucas Co., Ohio, where he worked by the month for two years. He was then at Grand Rapids, this State, for a year, and then at Granville, engaged in lumbering for eight years. Aug. 13, 1861, he enlisted in the ist Regt. Mich. Eng'rs. and Mech's., and served nearly one year, when he was discharged on account of sickness. Returning to Michigan he set- tled on 160 acres in Ottawa County, which he had purchased previous to enlistment. There he lived three years, and then for two years again was em- ployed by the month. In February, 1867, he came to Gratiot County and bought 80 acres of partly im- proved land, where he now resides. He has 60 acres nicely under cultivation.

Aug. 17, 1862, in Ottawa County, he was united in marriage to Miss Amelia, daughter of Samuel B. and Sybil (Seaton) Brown, natives of the State of New York. She was born in Medina Co., Ohio, March 1, 1838. Mr. and Mrs. M. have two daughters :

THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY

ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS R

GRATIOT COUNTY.

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Edna M., born May 23, 1864, and Norma P., Sept. 6, 1874. Mr. M. has held the office of Highway Commissioner, and the various school offices. He and wife are adherents of the Presbyterian faith. Politically he is independent.

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ames Paddock, Probate Judge of Gratiot County, resident at St. Louis, was born in Waterloo, Jackson Co, Mich., March 4, 1842. and is a son of Griffin and Mary (Lin- coln) Paddock. The line of his parental an- cestors is of New York origin, and his grand- father came thence in 1836 to Jackson County, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death. His father was born Oct. 8, 1815, in Camillus, Onon- daga Co., N. Y. He was a man of fine intellect, and studied for the vocation of a lawyer. He became eminent in his profession, which he has followed all his life. He went to Waterloo in 1836, and practiced in the Circuit Courts of Jackson ten years, removing to Ingham County in 1846, where he bought 160 acres of land in the township of White Oak. Soon after he located, he was elected Probate Judge of Ingham County, and moved to Mason to facilitate the discharge of the duties of the position, which he filled four years. He was then elected Circuit Court Commissioner, and served four years, after which he returned to his farm, and still resides thereon. The place is in an unusually advanced state of cultiva- tion, and is highly creditable to the taste and sense of its proprietor. The mother died there Oct. S, 1883.

Until the age of 22 years, Mr. Paddock remained at home. He obtained a solid fundamental educa- tion at the schools of the section where he resided, and was reared to the vocation of agriculture. In 1864, he took charge of his father's farm, and con- tinued its management until 1868. In that year he came to St. Louis, and, associated with James K. Wright, opened an office for the transaction of busi- ness in real estate and insurance. The relation ex- isted about a year, when he was elected Justice of the Peace, and, with the exception of a single year, he has held the incumbency ever since, meanwhile continuing to prosecute his real-estate and insurance

business. In 1870, he commenced to read law with J. K. Wright, and in 1875 was admitted to practice in all the State Courts. He was nominated in the fall of 1880 for the position of Probate Judge, and was elected over the Fusion candidate by a majority of 227 votes. In political connection, he is a Repub- lican of decided type, and has served four years as Clerk of the village of St. Louis. He has served two years as a member of the Village Board of Trustees. He owns a fine residence at St. Louis, a farm of 40 acres in Bethany Township, one of the same dimen- sions in Pine River Township, and a third, contain- ing 120 acres, in Ingham County.

Judge Paddock was married Jan. 1, 1865, in White Oak, Ingham Co., Mich., to Sarah Post. She was born Aug. 17, 1842, in Iosco, Livingston Co., Mich., and is the daughter of William C. and Ursula (Smith) Post. The household of Judge Paddock includes a lively and promising family of five children. The eldest was born June 26, 1868, in White Oak. Ber- tha, Katie, Alice, James, Jessie and an infant yet unnamed were born at St. Louis. Bertha and Katie are deceased.

Judge Paddock's portrait appears on the opposite page. The fine character of its prototype, his stain- less record, and public and private position, render it ameritorious addition to the gallery of portraits of the prominent citizens of Gratiot County contained in this volume.

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amuel Sheller, farmer on section 10, Ful- ton Township, is a son of Henry and Sarah (Gantz) Sheller, of German descent. They first settled in Washington Co., Pa., and re- moved later to Seneca Co., Ohio, where they lived until their death. Samuel was born in Washington Co., Pa., Jan. 24, 1823, and was about ten years old when his parents removed to Ohio. He received a very limited education in the common schools, but only before going to Ohio.

He lived with his father until 24 years old, when he went to Hancock Co., Ohio, where he had a farm of 100 acres given him by his father. He resided there 20 years, and then sold out. After six months in Morrow County, he purchased So acres near Fos-

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toria, in Seneca County, where he lived nine years ; and then traded for !20 acres in Fulton Township, this county, where he now resides. He has 90 acres cleared and in a good state of cultivation.

June 15, 18.48, in Seneca Co., Ohio, he married Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Jacob and Susannah Hartman, natives of Pennsylvania, where Mrs. S. was born, March 19, 1824. By this marriage there have been 11 children, of whom eight survive: Will- iam H., Amos, Mary E., Francis M., Jacob M., Noble R., Chauncey B. and Imo E. The deceased are Samuel H., and two who died in infancy. Politically, Mr. Sheller is independent, with a leaning toward the Republican party.

arl A. Sheffield, hardware merchant at St. Louis, was born in Huron, Erie Co., Ohio, Aug. 31, 1837, and is a son of Augustus and Clarissa (Pangborn) Sheffield. In early life his father was a shoemaker and, later, gave his attention successively to the callings of lumber- man and grocer, and finally was concerned in the erection of an extensive machine shop at Findlay, Ohio, in which he retained his interest for a number of years. Ile died about the year 1864, in Texas, Ohio. The mother was born in Cleveland, Ohio, and is now residing at Findlay. Of a large family of children, four only are living. Mr. Sheffield of this sketch is the eldest; Hattie is the wife of John Bolton, a traveling salesman of Findlay, Ohio; Jean is a tinsmith at Charlotte, Mich .; Clara is the wife of Alvin Nichols, a photographer at Findlay.

Mr. Sheffield was but nine years of age when his parents removed to Findlay, and he was there a res- ident umil he had reached the age of 25 years. He acquired a substantial elementary education, and studied one year at the Wesleyan University of Ohio. In 1857 he began to read law under the direction of Messrs. O'Neil & Blackford, a distinguished law firm of Findlay. He remained in their office two years, when he was admitted to the Bar. He entered upon the duties of a practitioner, but at last combined the labors of a teacher therewith and gave much atten- tion to the latter business. He taught school suc- cessively in Texas, Defiance, Macomb and Ottawa in Ohio, and in the two last named places officiated

two years in each as Principal of the schools. In the fall of 1864 he enlisted at Findlay in Co. A, 178th Ohio Vol. Inf., and was in the service until the termination of the war, serving as regimental clerk. On his discharge from the army he went to Blanchard, Ohio, and opened a hardware store, where he operated about 18 months. In 1870 he came to Alma, Mich., and there established himself in the same business. He is the founder of what is known as Ellison Corners, where he operated about a year and a half. He came thence to St. Louis, where he purchased the interest of Mr. Saint, of the firm of Saint & Shiffer, hardware dealers on Main Street. The new association removed their stock to the Suy- dam Block, and in December, 1871, were burned out, losing $5,000 with no insurance. Two months later they opened their business in the Ringenberg prop- erty under the firm style of Shiffer & Sheffield. In August of the same year Mr. Sheffield became sole proprietor of the business and its relations by pur- chase, and has since conducted his affairs alone. He carries a fine and judiciously assorted stock and is doing a prosperous business, requiring several as- sistants.

He is a member of the Order of Masonry, of the Royal Arcanum and belongs to the G. A. R. Post at Louis, and has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church since his sixteenth year.

The marriage of Mr. Sheffield to Mary, daughter of Hyman G. Coates occurred near Macomb, Ohio, in the year 1862. Following are the names of the children born of this marriage : William (deceased), Arthur, Otie, Grace and Charles (twins), and Mamie.

ewis B. Miller, resident at Alma, was born Feb. 8, 1824, in Fayette Co, Pa. He is a son of Ludwig and Barbara (Baysinger) Miller, who were natives of the same county. Mr. Miller resided in the Keystone State until 1866, devoting his attention to farming. Here he cleared and nicely improved the greater part of a 1 60-acre farm, on which he lived 16 years. At the date named, he came to Isabella County, where he bought 234 acres of land, with 25 acres improved. On this he lived five years, and cleared 90 acres. He

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had 20 acres additional in " stumps," and had erect- ed a suitable and convenient farm house, when he exchanged the estate for property at St. Louis, to which place he removed, and remained there between six and seven years. He also owned So acres of land in Pine River Township, which he managed and labored to improve for four years, when he sold out. Ile exchanged his property at St. Louis for 75 acres in Pine River Township, whither he removed. He remained on it five years, cleared about 30 acres, and fenced the entire property. Among other im- provements, he set out a fine orchard. In the spring of 1883, he sold this property for $3,500, and took up his residence at Alma, where he had previously started a livery stable. In October, 1883, he dis- posed of the last named business. He is now erect- ing a feed store. He is independent in political connections, and has held the various school offices in Pine River Township.

Mr. Miller was married in Fayette Co., Pa., Nov. 28, 1847, to Barbara, daughter of Robert and Eliza- beth Yates. She was born in the county where she was married, Aug. 5, 1823. Of eight children born to Mr. and Mrs. Miller, two died in infancy. The survivors are : Joseph L., Robert, Andrew J., Lud- wig, Ellen and William M.

ohn S. Wright, farmer on section 3, Ful- ton Township, is a son of John and Sarah (Barnaby) Wright, natives of Englard. They came to the United States in the spring of 1853 and settled in Ohio. where they lived about two years. In the spring of 1855 they came to Gratiot County, and settled in North Shade Township, where the father died, April 3, 1876. The mother yet survives.

The eldest son, John, was born in England, Jan. 3, 1837, and came at the age of 16 with his parents to America. He was 18 years old when they settled in Gratiot County. In the spring of 1859 he purchased 40 acres on section 10, Fulton Township, and built a log house. He has since added 115 acres by pur- chase, and has 100 acres nicely improved. In the summer of 1881 he erected a fine brick residence on section 3, where he now resides.

July 3, 1859, in North Shade Township, he mar- ried Angenett, daughter of Isaac and Sarah Garner

and widow of Benjamin Camp. Mrs. Wright's par- ents were natives of New York State, where she also was born, Feb. 23, 1837. She and her husband ale the parents of eight living children : Sarah E., Er- mina M., John S., Emma J, William H., Burt E., Hattie L. and Lillie M. Arthur B. and Henrietta are deceased. Mr. Camp, Mrs. Wright's first hus- band, died in Wayne Co., Mich., in the summer of 1858, and by him she had one son, Adelbert.

Mr. Wright enlisted Sept. 8, 1864, in the 29th Mich. Vol. Inf., and served till the close of the war, being discharged at Murfreesboro, Tenn. He fought at Decatur, Ala., and in a number of skirmishes. He is a member of the Masonic Order, and in polit- ical sentiment is a Democrat.

§ artin V. Smith, senior member of the firm of M. V. Smith & Co., real-estate, insur- ance and loan agents, St. Louis, was born March 24, 1839, in Tioga Co., N. Y., and is a son of Stephen and Eleanor (Van Vliet) Smith. His father was a farmer and a native of Schuyler Co., N. Y. He removed with his family to Jackson County, Iowa, in 1861, and died there in 1865. The mother was born in Schuyler County and died in Jackson Co., Iowa, in 1864.

Mr. Smith was educated in the common schools and reared to manhood on a farm. He accompanied his parents to Iowa and was there engaged in farm- ing until 1865, when he opened a grocery in Maquo- keta, Jackson County, associated with his brother, Stephen S. Smith. This connection existed two years, when he engaged in the business of a livery- man and in purchase and sale of stock in the same place until 1869, when he went to Labette County, Kansas. After a brief delay he went to Springfield, Mo., and spent several years in the stock business' He returned to Jackson Co., Iowa, where he passed some time in inaction, suffering from an affection of the eyes, which rendered close application to bus- iness dangerous. He passed a year at East Sagi- naw, and in the spring of 1877 he came to St. Louis, and in company with William A. McOmber, opened an office as a real-estate agent. Two years later the firm became Smith, Faunce & Brooks, and not long after other transfers of business made the firm

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style Smith, Tripp & Garbut. . Later it became Paddock, Giddings & Smith, which relation soon ceased, and Mr. Smith was again associated with his former partner, Mr. McOmber. The last connection was entered into July 5. 1883, and is still in opera- tion. Mr. Smith is the owner and proprietor of a large and fine residence on Main Street, six lots on Franklin Street, and one on Washington Avenue ; also 40 acres on section 1, Pine River Township, which is all under improvement, with dwelling, barns, orchards and other attractions; also 40 acres of land on section 12, Bethany Township; also So acres in Coe Township, Isabella County, which is under improvements ; also 40 acres on section 12, Pine River Township, in improved condition and under cultivation.

ohn O. Lumsden, lumberman and cashier for A, W. Wright, with whom he is also associated in the lumbering business in the fim of Geo. D. Barton & Co., their mill and yard being located at Alma, was born March 5, 1856, at Detroit. His father, John Lums- cien, was a native of Scotland, and his mother was born in England. The parents were married at Hampton Court Palace, England, and in 1837 came to America. They settled on the banks of the Hud- son River, in the State of New York, and there be- came agriculturists. Two years later-in 1839 -- they came to Detroit and engaged in farming. The farm was situated between Woodward and Cass Ave- nues, and extended one mile south. The father died Feb. 20, 1881, in Detroit. The mother is still resi- dent there. The family included seven children.

Mr. Lumsden was the third son of his parents, and remained under their jurisdiction until he was 14 years old, when he became shipping clerk in the business house of A. W. Copeland. After a service there of five years, he embarked in business on his own responsibility, and opened a produce and com- mission establishment, which he continued to conduct with varying success until June, 188 !. At that date, he engaged as clerk with Mr. Wright in his office at Saginaw City. Six months later, he came to Alma as a representative of the interests of his employer, and

in October, 1882, became associated with him in his lumber mill, which he is still managing.

Mr. Lumsden was married in Detroit Dec. 6, 1882, to Belle II., daughter of Hugh and Mary Louise (Copeland) Johnson. Mr. and Mrs. Lumsden are the happy parents of one child, born Oct. 17, 1883.

They are communicants in the Episcopal Church. Mr. Lumsden is a Republican of the most radical type.

ylvester B. Heverlo, Treasurer of Gratiot County, resident at Ithaca, was born Sept. 7, 1836, in that part of Delaware Co., Ohio, which is now known as Morrow County. He is a son of Barnet and Mary (Smith) Heverlo. His father was descended from Welsh ances- tors, and was born in Delaware; he died in Morrow Co., Ohio. The mother was born in Maryland, and died in the same county in the Buckeye State.

Mr. Heverlo spent the time previous to arriving at the age of 18 years, alternately in attendance at school and in farm labor. At that age he became a pupil at Mount Hesper Seminary, where he remained four years. He engaged in teaching five years and then in sheep-raising on his father's farm. This occu- pation he followed five years. In 1867 he formed an association with several parties in a general mercan- tile business, the firm being known under the style of Clark, Heverlo & Co. The partnership existed a little less than three years, and on its dissolution in 187 1 he moved to Alma and established himself in the grocery trade, which he continued in that avenue solely until 1878, when he added boots and shoes to his stock. In the fall of 1882 he was elected Treas- urer of the county on the Fusion ticket, running ahead of his ticket largely and receiving his election by a majority of 272 votes. While in business at Alma he filled many important positions of trust and responsibility.

Mr. Heverlo was married at Duplain, Clinton Co., Mich., March 5, 1867, to Mrs. K. K. Cobb, daughter of Joseph and Deborah A. Keen and widow of John T. Cobb. She was born in Delaware Co., Ohio. Her only child by her first marriage, Montruel Cobb, is deceased. Three children have been born of her marriage to Mr. Heverlo: Arthur K. (deceased), Jesse F. and Bertha M.

THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY

ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS R L

James Wood

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GRATIOT COUNTY.

ames Wood, farmer, section 29, Pine River Township, was born Jan. 13, 1817, in Mad- ison Co., N. Y. His parents, David and Esther (Hunt) Wood, were also natives of the Empire State, and the father died there. The mother came to Michigan and passed the latter years of her life, dying about the year 1874.

Mr. Wood spent the years of his minority in ob- taining a common-school education and in acquiring a practical knowledge of the vocation of agriculture. He found himself at 21 years of age with his future to make unaided, save by his own merits and exer- tions, and he entered bravely into the struggle. He spent four years as a laborer by the month, after which he adopted the plan of working farms on shares. At the end of three years he found himself in circumstances to warrant his operating more inde- pendently, and he bought 100 acres of land in Mad- ison County, which he managed nearly four years. At the expiration of that time he found it desirable to change his business and he devoted the ensuing six years to operations in a saw-mill and in the manu- facture of cheese boxes.

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Portrait and biographical album of Gratiot county, Mich., Part 55

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

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