Portrait and biographical album of Gratiot county, Mich., Part 56

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

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The agricultural capacities of Michigan after her admission as a State, increased in popularity with augmenting speed and strength, and Mr. Wood de- termined to make a venture in a portion of the State which seemed to offer rich promise, and he decided upon Gratiot County as a desirable point, from its proximity to civilization and its apparent resources. He came hither in the spring of 1855 and bought 160 acres in Pine River Township, on which he es- tablished his homestead and where he has since resided. His land was all in primeval forest and he set himself vigorously to the work of clearing and improving, and now has one-half of his original acreage in the finest state of culture. Mr. Wood is a Republican in political sentiment and action, and has served his township three years as Road Com- missioner.

The marriage of Mr. Wood to Deborah Cornell occurred April 4, 1841, in Dryden, Tompkins Co., N. Y. She was born April 3, 1820, in Madison Co., N. Y., and is the daughter of Elijah and Eunice Cornell .. She is a sister of the late Ezra Cornell,

founder of the University at Ithaca, N. Y., which will bear an honorable name through successive gen- erations to come, in a perpetuity whose endurance will rank only with its merits. Ten children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Wood, as follows: Eunice C., April 25, 1842; Daniel C., Jan. 29, 1844: W. Irving, Dec. 31, 1846; Alice E., June 30, 1848 (died Dec. 10, 1873); Ella F., May 22, 1850; Corydon L., Sept. 30, 1852; Frederick, Jan. 29, 1855 ; Edith M., Oct. 13, 1857 (died March 31, 1858); Ida J., March 8, 1859; Lucretia M., Aug. 15, 1862. W. Irving became a soldier and lost his life in defense of his country, Jube 18, 1864.

Ilow sleep the brave who sink to rest, By all their country's wishes blest!

The portrait of Mr. Wood appears on the last page. It is the likeness of a man who has wrought success and an honorable name by his integrity and useful- ness in his generation, and by undeviating effort in the line of duty and honor.

homas J. Gulick, physician and farmer, section 27, Lafayette Township, is a son of Henry and Rachel (Manning) Gulick, na- tives of New Jersey and Pennsylvania, respect- ively. They first settled in Ohio, and then after two years moved to Davis Co., Ind., where they remained ten years, and where Mrs. Gulick died Sept. 4, 1820. Then he removed to Seneca Co., N. Y., and finally came to Hillsdale Co., Mich., and passed the remaining eight years of his life with his son Thomas. The latter was the second of seven children, and was born in Davis Co., Ind., Sept. 4, 1820. Until 24 years of age, he worked hard on his father's farm, and his education was consequently very limited. Perceiving the advantages to be de- rived from a good education, he obtained one as he best could. He is a self-made man, made what he is by close application. Often did he sit up nights to study by the light of a pine knot. He had three uncles who were physicians, one of whom, Hon. Je- hiel H. Halsey, an ex-Congressman from New York, rendered Thomas assistance by good advice and pecuniary loans. On leaving home. he went to Bradford Co., Pa., where he was principally engaged in farming for two years. The next eight years he

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passed in Seneca Co., N. Y. In February, 1854, he came to Hillsdale Co., Mich., where he followed farming until 1867, when he went to lowa. There he lived on a farm for a time. Returning to Hills- dale County, he remained there till February, 1874, when he came to Gratiot County. He bought 160 acres, nearly all wild land, on section 27, Lafayette Township, where he has since resided, farming and practicing medicine. Ile has about 50 acres under cultivation.

He was first married in Seneca Co., N. Y., Sept. 8, 1844, to Phebe Jane Pollard, a native of New York. They had two children, Mary E. and Benjamin F., the former of whom died at the age of 16. Mrs. Gulick died May 24, 1859, and he was again married in Hillsdale Co., Mich., Sept. 24, 1859, to Mary E. Barber, a native of New York, born Sept. 26, 1831. This union has been blessed by four children, -Henry, Rachel E., Thomas J. and George N.

Dr. Gulick was Health Commissioner three years, and State Road Commissioner one year. He is a member of the Masonic Order, and is in politics a Jacksonian Democrat. For 15 years, he was an ef- ficient minister of the gospel, though he at the same time followed other occupations for a livelihood.

ohn M. Montigel, senior member ot the firm of J. M. Montigel & Co., at Alma, was born Dec. 3, 1822, in Germany, and is the son of Ferdinand and Regina E. (Dold) Montigel. His parents were born, married, lived and died in Germany.

Mr. Montigel remained in his native country until he was 32 years old, when he came to the United States and settled in Erie, Pa. He was employed in a foundry there, and continued to reside at that point ten years. In 1863 he went to Ashtabula, Ohio, bought out a foundry, and established himself in business. He continued the management of his affairs there eight years and sold out. In the fall of 1875 he came to Alma, and commenced operating in his present line of business, which includes a foundry, wagon and carriage works, and a general repair shop. He is associated with John F. Schwartz, and the firm is known as J. M. Montigel & Co. The

concern transacts a degree of business yearly that is represented by $20,000 in the aggregate.

Mr. Montigel was married in Erie, Pa., March 5, 185-, to Anna Barbara Segrist. She was born March 26, 1825, in Switzerland, and came to the United States about the year 1850. They have had three children : Ferdinand, Martin and Wilhelmine. Mr. Montigel is a Republican in political sentiment and action, and both himself and wife are members of the Congregational Church.

Rouglass Hyatt, farmer on section 2, Fulton Township, is a son of James and Elizabeth (Sutphen) Hyatt, natives of New Jersey and Pennsylvania. They first settled in Yates Co., N. Y., where she died. He died in 1875. m Douglass was born in Yates Co., N. Y., Oct. 10, 1824. He received his education in the common schools, and remained with his father until 30 years of age. He then worked his father's farm on shares for seven years.

Coming to Gratiot County in the spring of 1866, he bought 40 acres of wild land on section 2, Fulton Township, and at once set about building a log cabin and improving his land. He has since added 40 acres, and of his whole farm 50 acres are now well cultivated.

Sept. 25, 1853, in Ontario Co., N. Y., he was mar- ried to Miss Susan, daughter of Robert and Sophia (Yakely) Robinson, natives respectively of Scotland and Orange Co., N. Y. Mrs. H. was born in Albany, N. Y., July 14, 1835. They have seven children : Alphena I., Harriet I., Libbie M., James L., John H., Nettie S. and Albert D. William U. and Charles E. are deceased. He is a member of the Masonic Order, and is politically a Democrat.

ames W. Howd, clerk and manager of the loan and real-estate office of Gen. Nathan Church, at Ithaca, was born July 5, 1841, in Wayne Co., N. Y., and is the son of John W. and Elizabeth (Sutherland) Howd. His father was born in the State of New York, of English and Scotch ancestry, and during the early part of his

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Them Hodges

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life was a carpenter and joiner by trade. In 1845 he removed his family and interests to Branch Co., Mich., and bought 120 acres of land six miles west of Coldwater. On this the family resided some years and made important and valuable improve- ments. In 1851 they removed to a farm of So acres located near Rome Center, Lenawee Co., Mich., which they owned and occupied one year. At the end of that time the senior Howd bought a grist- mill located on the river Raisin, six miles northwest of Adrian, called the Warsaw Mills, which he man- aged nearly one year, and afterward engaged in buy- ing and shipping cattle, sheep and hogs. Sept. 3, 1854, he came alone to Gratiot County, and bought 225 acres of land on section 18, North Star Town- ship. He employed assistants and built a log house and arranged to occupy the place with his family. He settled there with his wife, two sons and three daughters in the spring of 1855. He helped to organize and had the honor of naming the township. The father and sons went about the work of clear- ing away the forest and put 60 acres in first-class condition. When the Southern Rebellion broke out their agricultural affairs were in a most promising condition. The sentiment which pervaded the whole North was shared by the settlers of Gratiot County, and Mr. Howd, of this sketch, enlisted Aug. 13, 1861, at Ovid, Clinton County, enrolling as a private in Co. D, Ist Mich. Cav., Capt. J. B. Parks. He was in the service three years, and was in several engage- ments previous to November, 1862, when the com- pany was placed on detached duty as "Provost Guard," at Alexandria, Va., where it remained until August, 1864. Mr. Howd was mustered out at Washington, D. C., receiving his discharge at Detroit. On his return to his home he was appointed Under- Sheriff by David Bailey, Sheriff, and occupied the position over two years. In 1866 he associated with Giles T. Brown, in the prosecution of pension and bounty claims. This relation existed about two years. In 1870 he was appointed Deputy County Clerk, under Gen. Nathan Church. Two years later he was elected Justice of the Peace and filled the office several years in succession. This office he had also held from 1867 to 1870. His next appoint- ment was as Deputy County Clerk, under William B. Scattergood, where he officiated for six years, having entire charge of the office during the last year of Mr. Scattergood's term of office.

In ISSI he entered the service of General Church in the business in which he is now engaged, and in which he has since continued. Upon the organiza- tion of the township of Ithaca in 1881, he was elected Justice of the Peace for a short term. Being re-elected in 1882, he is still the incumbent of the office. He is a member of the blue lodge, Masonic Order, and belongs to the fraternity of Knights of llonor. He is also a member of Moses Wisner Post, No. 101, G. A. R.

Mr. Howd was married Aug. 12, 1866, at Alma, to Emma G., daughter of William and Lois A. Moyer. William C., eldest child, was born Nov. 2, 1867, and died Sept. 10, 1868. Lois E., born Sept. 26, 1870, and James G .. born July 9, 1881, are the surviving children.

Mr. Howd owns his residence and two lots there- with ; also several business lots in Ithaca, npon one of which he has erected a business building, two stories in height, 22 by 65 feet in dimensions. He owns also So acres on section 4, Newark Township, a half interest in 160 acres on the same section, besides 40 acres on section 15, Lafayette Township.

lvin Hodges, deceased, late farmer on sec- tion 8, Fulton Township, was born in Wyo- 100 ming Co., N. Y., Nov. 3, 1834, and is the son of Alanson and Lucy (Pool) Hodges, both of American ancestry. He was the second son of a family of five children, and lived with his parents until he attained his majority.

In 1855, he came to Eaton County, this State, where he was engaged in farming until December, 1864. He then came to Gratiot County and bought So acre's on section 8, Fulton Township. During his life, he added largely to his estate by purchase, and also sold some land. He was at times the possessor of 600 or 700 acres of land, and at the time of his death owned 430 acres, 200 of which were under cultivation. He had also erected good farm build- ings. For 10 or twelve years he dealt in staves, in connection with his other business.

April 7, 1860, in Barry Co., Mich., he took as the life partner of his joys Miss Amelia, daughter of Jacob and Mary (Dills) Van Volkenburg, natives of the State of New York. The father died April 5,

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1870 ; the mother yet survives. Mrs. Hodges was born in Ontario Co., N. Y., Nov. 26, 1833. She and Mr. H. had two children: Ada A., died July 6, 1875, when 13 years old ; and Estelle M., died April 13, 1873, aged 18. Mr. Hodges held the offices of Highway Commissioner, Township Treasurer and School Treasurer. He was politically a Republican, and was at the time of his death a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows' fraternities. His death occurred March 18, 1882, at his home in Fulton Township.

As one of the worthy representative pioneers of Gratiot County, as well as of Michigan, we present Y the portrait of Mr. Hodges in connection with this sketch.

acob H. Miller, millwright and miller, sec- tion 34, Pine River Township, is a son of Henry and Barbara (Scease) Miller, natives of Somerset Co., l'a. They were married and first settled in Pennsylvania, and afterwards removed to Tuscarawas Co., Ohio, where they resided until death. Their family comprised 14, seven of each sex. Jacob H., the subject of this biographical notice, was born in Tuscarawas Co., Ohio, Nov. 19, 1823, and was the fifth son. He re- ceived a common-school education, and when 16 years old was employed by his oldest brother in a flouring mill for three years. For the ensuing two years, he was overseer in his father's and brother's mill; and he has been similarly engaged to the pres- ent time. He came to Gratiot County in the winter of 1867, and built the first flouring mill of any con- sequence in Alma, for James Gargett. He also built the mill now used as a hoop-mill by F. Il. Hamlin & Co.

July 3, 1843, in Holmes Co., Ohio, he was united in marriage to Sarah, daughter of Abraham and Susanna Troyer, natives of Pennsylvania. She was a native of Holmes Co., Ohio, and was born March 24, 1822. Mr. and Mrs. Miller have had nine children : Mag- dalene, Susanna (deceased), Barbara, Daniel A., Jacob H. (deceased), Benjamin, Jane, Thomas W. and Sarah E. (deceased).

In the spring of 1883, he traded his village prop- erty for his present farm of 38 acres, 15 of which are

under cultivation. In the spring of 1881, he was elected a Trustee for the village of Alma; but he re- signed after serving one year. He is a member of the Masonic Order, and politically is a staunch Re- publican.

evi Ceasar, farmer on section 24, Fulton Township, is a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Hoffer) Ceasar. He is of German and Swiss descent, and was born in Northumber- land Co., Pa., Nov. 14, 1814. When he was ten years old his parents removed to Wayne Co., Ohio, where they died. In February, IS41, he removed to Fulton Co., Ohio, where he lived 13 years.

In 1854 he came to Gratiot County and bought So acres of wild land on section 24, Fulton Township, where he now lives. He has put upexcellent build- ings, and now owns 126 acres, of which 96 are under cultivation.

In April, 1840, in Wayne Co., Ohio, he married Miss Angelina Cane, a native of that county. She bore him one son, Henry W., and died about 1845. Feb. 18, 1848, he married Catherine, daughter of Philip and Catherine Brodbeck, natives of Germany. She was born in Maryland, Sept. 20, 1832. Mr. and Mrs. C. have had seven children, six of whom sur- vive: James F., Matilda A., Sarah C., Alma G., Al- vin A., Ida A. and Eda A. Alma G. died when two months old. Mr. C. has held the office of Superin- tendent of Highways for several years, and has also been School Inspector. He and wife have formerly been members of the United Brethren Church. Po- litically he is a Democrat.

arcus Bancroft, farmer, section 13, Ar- cada Township, was born at Nelson, Port . age Co., Ohio, within a few miles of Hiram College (Pres. Garfield's alma mater), Sept. 28, 1834, and is the son of Austin and Nancy (Morris) Brancroft, natives of Connecticut, and of English ancestry. The Bancroft family is dis- tantly connected with the historian Bancroft. Aus- tin Bancroft has been a farmer, and still resides in Portage Co., Ohio, aged 76.

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Lydia M. Peel-

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GRATIOT COUNTY

The subject of this sketch lived with his parents until of age, obtaining a fair education in the schools of his county. March 4, 1857, he was united in marriage at Ravenna, Ohio, to Cynthia Hannah, daughter of David and Cynthia (Mills) Hannah, na- tives of Connecticut, and of Irish and English de- scent. They followed farming, and are both dead, the mother dying when the daughter was but six months old. The latter was born in Nelson, Portage County, Feb, 15, 1839, was there educated, and there lived until her marriage.

Mr. Bancroft farmed in his native county until Feb. 9, 1865, when he enlisted in Co. E, 196th Ohio Vol. Inf., under Captain Baker. The company served under Gen. Winfield Scott Hancock, in the Army of the Cumberland. He was honorably dis- charged at Baltimore, Sept. 11, 1865, after nine months' service. In the fall of 1866, he and family came to Ithaca, this county, where he worked the following winter. May 3, 1867, he purchased So acres of timbered land on section 13, Arcada Town- ship. He has put 60 acres under the plow, and erected a comfortable residence and barn. They have two children : Jennie, born July 15, 1869, and Hallie A., born May 13, 1871. Mr. Bancroft is an able farmer, and a good citizen. lle votes with the Democratic party.

osciusko P. Peet, of the firm of Peet & Johnson, liverymen at Ithaca, and Sheriff of Gratiot County, was born Oct. 19, 1843, Vw in Rochester, Lorain Co., Ohio. His father, John Peet, was born Aug. 5. 1801, on Long Mountain, Conn., and was of mixed English and Welsh lineage. He was a shoemaker in early life, and in later years became a farmer. He died at Jamestown, Ottawa Co., Mich., March 3, 1881. The mother, Betsey (Clark) Peet, was born in 1803, in Penfield, Monroe Co., N. Y., and died in Rochester, Ohio, Feb. 4, 1860. They had 13 children, 12 of whom grew to maturity.

Mr. Peet is the 12th child of his parents, and ac- quired a fair education in the common schools, and when he was 19 years old he went to the academy at Savannah, Ohio, where he studied one year. Two of his brothers, Charles D. and Rolla A., enlisted in

the spring of 1863 as soldiers for the Union, enrolling in Co. B, ist Ohio Light Artillery. Mr. Peet also enlisted Aug. 24, 1864, as a private in Co. I in the same regiment, Capt. Hubert Dilger. He was dis- charged June 13, 1865, and returned to Rochester, where, in the following spring, associated with his brother Rolla, he embarked in dairy business and stock-raising. They spent a year in the manufacture of butter and cheese and sold out. In the spring of 1867 they removed to Kent Co., Mich., where Mr. Peet bought 84 acres of land on section 6, Bowne Township. A year later, he bought 140 acres on sec- tion 31, Lowell Township, and there resided until the fall of 1872, when he exchanged property with his father, who had bought and settled on a farm of 50 acres in Jamestown, Ottawa Co., Mich. Mr. Peet resided there until the spring of 1875, when the exchange was reconsidered, and the places passed into the possession of their original owners. In the fall of that year, Mr. Peet engaged to teach a winter term of school (an occupation he has followed several terms) at Centerville, Caledonia Township, and then exchanged his farm for 320 acres of land on section 31, Lafayette Township, Gratiot County. It was all in timber, and he proceeded to clear and improve 100 acres, on which he has placed farm buildings and fixtures of the most creditable character. He devotes most of the acreage to the production of hay, and with his brother, R. A., and N. G. Peet, his cousin, is interested in the raising of Holstein stock. lle owns a fine young registered thorough-bred heifer, which he bought when she was two years old, at Meadville, Pa. He is also engaged in raising fine blooded horses.

Mr. Peet belongs to the National Greenback party. and in the fall of 1882 he was elected Sheriff of Gratiot County by a majority of 187 votes on the Fusion ticket. He moved to Ithaca Dec. 22, 1882, and in the summer of 1883 he formed his present business relation with D. C. Johnson, and erected the building they now occupy as a livery stable. It is 40 x 80 feet, and is two stories in height. Their business is in a flourishing condition. Mr. Peet has held the offices of Township Supervisor two years, Clerk one year, School Superintendent two years, School Director a long time, and numerous minor offices. He is a member of the Knights Templar, Masonic Order.

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GRATIOT COUNTY.

Mr. Peet was married April 8, 1864, at Adrian, Mich., to Lydia M., daughter of Isaac J. and C'la- rissa .1. (Rising) Sage, the former a native of New York, and of English and Welsh descent. She was born Jan. 3. 18447, in Huntington, Lorain Co., Ohio. She was the youngest of cleven of her father's children, and the youngest of nine children born to her mother. Her parents moved to Ohio in 1818, where her father died about 20 years ago. Her mother is still living and residing in California, at the advanced age of 75 years. Mrs. Peet attended a . course of a year and a half at college, at Savannah, Ohio, with a view of taking charge of the female de- partment of her brother's medical infirmary in Cali- fornia. The six children of Mr. and Mrs. Peet were born as follows : K. Rolla, Dec. 29, 1864, at Rochester, Ohio, where also a daughter, L. Amarette. was born Jan. 11, 1867; Susie E. was born Dec. 8, 1868, in Lowell, Mich .; ( D) was born Dec. 22, 1873, at Jamestown ; J. Raymond was born Nov. 3. 1877, in Lafayette Township; James O. was born in the same township Aug. 10, 1881.

The portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Peet on preceding pages are those of citizens of Gratiot County who have-been active in the best general interests of their generation, and who have achieved success by effort and perseverance in laudable enterprises.

arren W. Baker, farmer on section 9, Ful- ton Township, is a son of Philip S. and Hannah .1. (Pearl) Baker, natives respect- ively of Westchester Co., N. Y., and Connect- icut. They lived first in Tioga Co., N. Y., then in Huron Co., Ohio, and then in Lorain C'o., Ohio, where the mother died. The father died in Erie Co., Ohio.

The subject of this narrative was born in Tioga Co., N. Y., Jan. 13, 1823, and was ti years old when his parents removed to Ohio. He received a good common-school education, and lived under his father's roof until 27 years of age. He then rented a farm for a few years, after which he went to Fulton Co., Ohio. There he bought a farm on which he lived two years. In the fall of 1854 he came to Gratiot County and bought 120 acres of wild land on sec- tion 10, Fulton Township. Here he built a log

house and lived until the spring of 1865. In the fall of that year he purchased 162 acres on section 9, where he now resides. He has since added 78 acres, and has improved 200 acres of his farm, which is well cultivated.

Feb. 24, 1850, in Erie Co., Ohio, he married Cor- nelia A., daughter of William and Margaret (Lewis) Rosecrans, who was born in Steuben Co., N. Y., Oct. 27, 1834. This marriage has been blessed with five children : John C., Clara A., Oscar M., Lewis L. and Edwin N. In political sentiment, Mr. Baker is a Democrat. He is a member of the I. O. O. F.

ames H. McNall, farmer, section 20, La- fayette Township, is a son of John and Lura (Kellogg) McNall, the former born in Canada in 1801, and the latter in Massachu- setts in 1816. During their wedded life, they settled in Niagara Co., N. Y., where he is still living, at the advanced age of 83. The wife died in 1860. It was in Niagara County that James H. was born Jan. 28, 1839. In his youth, he attended the common schools of his neighborhood, and also spent two years at the Gasport Academy, and two years at the Genesee Wesleyan Seminary in Lima, Livingston ('o., N. Y. His home was with his parents until he was 26 years of age, when he bought a farm of 60 acres in his native county. After cultivating this for a short time, he sold out and bought another farm, 100 acres in extent, in the same county. He resided here it years, and then sold again, removing to Mid- dleport, and engaging in mercantile life for three years. Disposing of his interest in this business, he came with his brother in April, 1881, to Gratiot Coun- ty, and settled in Lafayette Township. Here he had previously bought a farm of 360 acres, which he has since divided with his brother. He now owns 160 acres, about 70 of which have been under the plow.

Fle was married in Middleport, Niagara Co., N. Y., Nov. 10, 1864, to Harriet E., daughter of Benjamin F. and Harriet (Waterman) Freeman, natives of Niagara County. The latter died when the daughter was but two years old, but the former is still living. Mrs. McNall was born Aug. 12, 1845, in Kent Co., Mich., where her parents owned 1,000 acres of land, and where they lived about two years.

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Mr. and Mrs. McNall have two children : Laura A., born Aug. 23, 1866, and Benjamin F., born May 17, 1874.

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Portrait and biographical album of Gratiot county, Mich., Part 56

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

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