Portrait and biographical album of Gratiot county, Mich., Part 59

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

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Returning to Michigan he bought 80 acres in Clin- ton County, which he farmed for five years. Selling out, he then engaged in the hardware and agricul- tural implement business at Maple Rapids, in con- nection with H. J. Ridenour. This partnership

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continned for two years, when Mr. N. bought out the entire business, which he conducted for eight years. He then sold his hardware business, but he continues to deal in agricultural implements.

In the spring of 1882, he bought 100 acres of land on section 32, Fulton Township, and he has now about go acres under the plow. Ile traded his stock of hardware for a farm on section 20, Fulton, consist- ing of So acres, 70 of which are under cultivation.

Dec. 26, 1865, at Avon, Oakland County, he form- ed a life partnership with Miss Aun, daughter of Benjamin and Mary (Postle) Graham. She was born March 17, 18h, in the same county in which she was reared and married. Mr. and Mrs. N. are the parents of three children, as follows: Mary E., born Sept. 21, 1866; Thomas M., Sept. 29, 1868; and Sarah G., April 19, 1871.

Mr. Newton has been Highway Commissioner in Clinton County, was for one term village Councilman of Maple Ripids, and is now Treasurer of that place. He is politically a Democrat; is a member of the F. & A. M., A. O. U. W. and G. A. R .; and with his wife, of Essex Grange, No. 429, P. of H. They are also members of the Christian Church.

oseph Harlock, farmer on section 1, Fulton Township, is a son of William and Mary A. (Welbury) Harlock, natives of England. He died July 30, 1880, while she yet survives. Joseph was born in Boston, England, April 30. 1837, and when 17 years old came to America with an older brother, having received a common- school education. For two and a half years he was variously occupied, and then for a while he worked for a firm in Lansing, this State. For the ensuing six years, he was employed in a carding-mill in the summers, and in other mills winters.

In February, 1864, he came with his family to this county, and bought 40 acres of wild land on section 1, Fulton Township. After completing a log house, and just getting fairly settled, in the fall of 1864 he enlisted in the 23d Mich. Vol. Inf., and served till the close of the war. He fought at Franklin and Nashville, Tenn., and in minor engagements, and was finally discharged at Detroit, this State. Re- turning to Gratiot County, he resumed his occupation

of farming, which he has since followed. He has added 40 acres to his original purchase, and has improved 72 acres.

Dec. 25, 1862, at Lansing, Mich., he married Lod- viska J., daughter of John and Alzina (Peck) Groom, natives of New York State. Mr. Groom died at the age of 50, and Mrs. Groom died at the age of 35. Mrs. Harlock was born in Clinton Co., Mich., Jan. 19, 1846. She and her husband are the parents of seven children : Mary A., born June 19, 18644 ; Orelia .A., Aug. 8, 1866; William J., April 14, 1868 ; Frances E., July 11, 1871; Lillian Pearl, Jan. 8, 1874; Charles D., April 6, 1876; and Myrtie V., Feb. 7, 1878. Orelia A. died when only five years old, April 6, 1871. Mrs. Harlock is a member of the Congre- gational Church. Mr. Harlock is politically a Re- publican.

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eorge W. Clark, farmer on section 12, Ful- ton Township, is a son of Nathaniel and Lucy (Flint) Clark. They were natives of Ot- sego Co., N. Y., where they married and settled. After a few years, in September, 1837, they re- moved to Novi, Oakland Co., Mich., where they resided until their death. They reared a family of nine, of whom George W. was the second son. He was born in Cooperstown, Otsego Co., N. Y., Sept. 27, 1833, and was but four years old when his parents removed to Michigan. He received his education in the common schools of Oakland County, and lived with his parents until he attained his majority. In December, 1854, he came with his wife to Gratiot County and selected So acres of wild land on section 12, Fulton Township.

Ile built a log house and set about clearing his land, and occupied the pioneer cabin until the sum- mer of 1879, when he built the fine residence which he now occupies. He has added 140 acres to his farm by purchase, and 185 acres are now cleared and scientifically cultivated, making really a model farm.

He was first married at Farmington, Oakland Co., Mich., Oct. 13, 1854, to Martha L., daughter of Lewis Norton, natives of the State of New York. Mrs. Clark died April 20, 1877, having been the mother of six children : Wilbur, Wilda E., Burr A., Nora A., Clifton S. and Claude L. Wilbur, Clifton S. and

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Claude L. are deceased. Mr. C. was again married, in Ithaca, Sept. 27, 1882, to Ruth A., daughter of G. W. J. and Sarah . A. (Hills) Willoughby, natives of New York State. Mrs. W. died in Ohio, Jan. 29, 1859. Mr. W. came to Gratiot County in 1869 and settled in Fulton Township, where he lived till his death, which occurred June 3, 1882. The daughter, Ruth A., was born in Occola, Crawford Co., Ohio, Aug. 16, 1853.

Mr. Clark is a member of the Masonic Order, and in politics votes the National ticket. He has been Highway Commissioner three years, and Justice of the Peace four years.

.As one of the prominent citizens and agricultur- ists of Gratiot County, we present in connection with this sketch the portrait of Mr. Clark.

scar F. Jackson, hardware merchant at Ith- aca, and dealer in Ovid buggies, Jackson and Harrison wagons, was born May 11, 1846, in Westminster, Canada. He is a son of An- drew and Elizabeth (Hammond) Jackson. His father was born in Vermont, in November, 1816, and is a millwright by trade. His mother was born in May, 1820, near London, England. In 1857 they came to Almont, Lapeer Co., Mich., where the father pursued his trade. They removed in 1859 to Lapeer, where the senior Jackson is still living. The mother died Dec. 31, 1876, in North Branch, Lapeer Co., Mich.

Mr. Jackson attended the common schools of La- peer and was also a student in the union school of that place until 1863, when, although but 17 years old, he became a soldier. Hle enlisted in June of that year in Co. K, 4th Mich. Cav., Capt. W. H. Smith. He was in the service 11 months, and was discharged from hospital No. 8, at Nashville, Tenn .. on account of disability. His father enlisted in the ist Mich. Regt. Engs. and Mechs., on its organiza- tion, and served until it was disbanded, and on the organization of the 4th Mich. Cav. he enlisted as Commissary Sergeant and served until March 4, 1864, when he was honorably discharged and returned to Lapeer.

On leaving the army, Mr. Jackson went to learn the trade of a tinsmith, in Lapeer, and served three

years. He then went to Flint and worked there at his trade a year, when he returned to Lapeer and engaged in the same occupation until November, 1870, alter which he followed it at North Branch, La- peer County, until April 23, 1871, when he came to St. Louis, Gratiot County, and entered the employ of Wessels & Scriver. He worked two years in their tinshop and three years as book-keeper and sales- man. In 1877 he formed a partnership with A. F. Wright, who was engaged in the same business. They operated together successfully two years, when Mr. Jackson sold his interest to his partner and came to Ithaca in January, 1879. He bought a stock of hardware of G. C. Smith, and has since operated at the same stand. He carries a fine as- sortment of hardware and articles common to the trade, and his annual transactions represent about $12,000. His trade in wagons and carriages is also considerable. He owns his residence and grounds. In 1880-1 he was Trustee of the village of Ithaca, and is a member of the Odd Fellows Order and Royal Arcanum.

lle was married, Sept. 4, 1870, in Lapeer, to Cyn- thia S., daughter of Edward C. and Rebecca Ney, of Oregon Township, Lapeer County, where Mrs. Jack- son was born, April 20, 1853. Gillian, born Sept. 6, 1871, in North Branch, Lapeer County, and Arthur M., born April 23, 1882, in Ithaca, are the names of their two children.

hcodore O. Daniels, farmer, section 16, Fulton Township, is a son of John and Betsy (Ramage) Daniels, natives of Ireland and New Jersey. They settled after marriage in the State of New Jersey, where the father died in January, 1829. The mother came to Michigan many years after, having remarried, and died in Fulton Township, this county, Jan. 9, 1863.

Their family comprised two sons, of whom Theo- dore was the younger. He was born in New Jersey March 17, 1829, and as his father died when Theo- dore was but two months old, he lived with his mother until he attained his majority. He came to Lenawee Co., Mich., in the spring of 1855, and re- mained there about six months, when he went to Van Buren County. In the spring of 1861, he came

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to Gratiot County and bought 40 acres of wild land in Newark Township, where he lived 12 years, with the exception of over two years in the army.

He enlisted Sept. 14, 1863, in the ist Mich. Engi- neers and Mechanics, and was honorably discharged at Jackson, Mich., Sept. 22, 1865. Returning to his home in Gratiot County, he lived in Newark Town- ship until the spring of 1873. Selling out, he then bought 40 acres on section 15, Fulton Township, where he lived eight years. He again sold, and bought a farm of 100 acres, where he resided a year and a half. Disposing of that place, he then bought 125 acres on section 16, where he now resides. He has 100 acres under the plow, and everything about his place betokens thrift and good management.

Aug. 28, 1852, in the State of New Jersey, he was married to Miss Margaret, daughter of Jeptha and Elizabeth (Lemons) Denee, who were of Scotch and Irish descent. Mrs. Daniels was born in New Jersey April 10, 1827. She and her husband are the parents of six children : John S., Martha A., George II., William D., Viola E. and Rhoda S. Mr. Daniels has filled the different school offices, and is politically a supporter of the Republican party. He is a mem- ber of the I. O. O. F. and the A. O. U. W.

charles W. Marvin, M. D., physician and surgeon at Ithaca, was born April 15, 1824, in Sharon Township, Richland Co., Ohio. He is a son of Stephen and Sarah B. (Sherwood) Marvin. The father was born in Fairfield Co., Conn., Jan. 8, 1797. He was a tanner and currier by trade, and married Sarah (Burr) Sher- wood, a relative of the celebrated Aaron Burr, and two months after that event came with his parents, Isaac and Hannah (Hoyt) Marvin, to Richland Co., Ohio. They drove with their teams through Penn- sylvania to the verge of civilization, and cut the last miles of their route through the woods to their loca- tion in Shelby Township. Stephen Marvin located 60 acres of primeval forest land, which is now in- cluded in the site of Shelby. On this he settled, cleared and improved the entire tract, and there reared his family. He died on his homestead, Aug. 10, 1868. His wife was born June 26, 1800, and

died in Sharon, on the place which had been her home for 60 years. Isaac Marvin, Jr., was born February, 1774, and became a pioneer settler of Ohio in 1819. He was married Jan. 8, 1794, and died Oct. 12, 1850, on his farm, which was located a short distance northeast of Shelby. The wife was born Aug. 19, 1773, and died March 27, 1858. Isaac Marvin, Sr., great-grandfather of Dr. Marvin, was born Feb. 10, 1745. The great-grandmother, Rachel (Burns) Marvin, was born Dec. 9, 1746. The ma- ternal grandmother of Dr. Marvin, Deborah (Sher- wood) Moyer, was born Jan. 5, 1783. She was twice married. Her first husband, Daniel Sherwood, was a Captain in the West Indian service. After his death his widow became Mrs. Moyer.

Dr. Marvin spent his youth in acquiring his ele- mentary education, and on arriving at a suitable age assisted in the business of his father. In the winter of 1845-6 he taught school, and then began to read for his profession. In 1847 he entered the office of Dr. H. O. Mack, under whose direction he pursued his studies for some time, and during the winters of 1849-50-51 he was a student at the Western Reserve Medical College at Cleveland, Ohio, where he was graduated in the spring of 1851. He at once began his career as a practitioner at Johnsville, Morrow Co., Ohio, where he remained two years, going thence to Freeport, Wood County, in the Buckeye State. In the fall of 1859 he commenced practice in Perrys- burg, and in the following spring (1860) he came to Gratiot County. He selected a site for a residence at Ithaca, and during the erection of his house he resided with Russell Burgess, his brother-in-law, a farmer, residing three and a half miles northwest from the village. He took up his abode at Ithaca in the fall of 1860, and continued the practice of his pro- fession there until June, 1864, when he was commis- sioned Assistant Surgeon of the 26th Mich. Vol. Inf., and was in that service until the close of the war. He was mustered out with the regiment at Jackson, and resumed his vocation at Ithaca, which he has continued since without intermission. He has ac- quired reputation and popularity in his profession, and is now occupying the position of United States Examining Surgeon for pensioners. He owns a fine farm of 80 acres on section 2, Newark Township, with 45 acres under cultivation. On first coming to the county he took the declared position of a friend

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15 of general education, and has ever since been active in promoting school interests. In 1863 he was elected a school officer, and held one position six years, when he was elected Director, and has dis- charged the duties of that position ever since, having been successively re-elected. He has been one of the most prominent in the establishment of schools, and one of the most successful in placing them in efficient operation. Ile was chiefly instrumental in selecting the site and supervising the construction of the Union School building at Ithaca.

Dr. Marvin was married in Freeport, Wood Co., Ohio, Dec. 18, 1857, to Martha J., daughter of John and Sarah 1. (Brenholtz) Brooke. She was born Sept. 27, 1827, in Hughesville, Lycoming Co., Pa. Louis J., born May 29, 1859; Seymour S., Nov. 7, 1061 (died Nov. 1, 1867); Ella S., Oct. 23, 1866 ; and Burr, July 7, 1871, are the names of the children who have been born to Dr. and Mrs. Marvin. They are members of the Congregational Church at Ithaca, which the Doctor was instrumental in organizing June 7, 1866. He has been one of the official board since that date, and is now Clerk of the society.

The portrait of Dr. Marvin may be found on page 570. His private and public record is such as to render it a valuable acquisition to the Biographical and Portrait Album of Gratiot County.

udwick D. Miller, liveryman, of the firm of Miller Bros., at St. Louis, was born July 27, 1854, in Greene Co., Pa, and is a son of Lewis B. and Barbara (Yates) Miller. His father was a farmer in the Keystone State, and in 1869 removed with his family and interest to Isabella Co., Mich., and bought 235 acres of timber land on seetions 23 and 26, Co- Township. There the family resided about seven years and cleared and otherwise improved 125 acres of the land, putting the place into a first-class condition for profiable agricul- ture. It was afterward sold and the family removed to St. Louis, where they resided four years ; going thence to Pine River, they settled on a farm and re- sided there until 1883, when they went to Alma. The father there erected a building and went into busi- ness, opening a livery stable.

Mr. Miller was variously engaged for a year after reaching his majority, when he went to Jackson, Mich., where he remained nine months. He returned to St. Louis and became assistant in Whitman's livery sta- ble, where he operated until Nov. 8, 1883. On the 28th of January, 1884, he opened a feed and board- ing stable, where he is now established in the livery business, and, March 5, 1884, formed a partnership with his brother, Andrew Miller. They are doing a safe and profitable business, and keep six horses and livery fixtures to suit their patrons. They also mao- age boarding, feed and sale stables in connection with their livery.

Mr. Miller was married in Pine River Township, May 13, 1879, to Cora Olger. She was born near Bellevue, Montcalm Co., Mich., and is a daughter of James and Harriet Olger. They have one son, Floyd, born Aug. 22, 1882, at St. Louis. Mrs. Miller died Nov. 9, 1883.

illaby B. Lathrop, senior member of the milling firm of Lathrop, Kimball & Co., Elm Hall, was born in Jackson, Mich., Aug. 17, 1849; and is a son of George C. and Mary E. (Hall) Lathrop, natives of New York. They trace the family back to 1637, when John Lathrop, a priest in the Angliean Church, was for dissenting and heretical views expelled from the Church. He, in common with many others who wished a place to establish their own religion, came to America, and for nine generations the Lathrops have been one of the prominent families of Puritan New England. George C. Lathrop has been a farmer, and came from New York to Michigan more than 50 years ago. He now resides in Ingham County, at the venerable age of So. His wife is 77. His first location in this State was in Washtenaw County, on the present site of Ann Arbor. Not a house had then been erected, and scarcely a tree cut. Michigan was then a young Territory. Afterward, he settled in Jackson County ; and seven years later he removed to Lansing. After two years more he removed 20 miles from that place, and commeneed to clear a farm for his three sons and five daughters.

When seven years old, the subject of this biograph- ical narrative commenced to make his own way in

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life, spending one year in the American Express Com- pany's office at lonia. Going into the lumber woods, he was there employed until 1876, and then began to take contracts for himself in Montcalm and Osceola Counties. He averaged 2,000,000 feet annually. In September, 1880, he established a flouring mill at Elm Hall; and the following year, receiving Mr. Kim- ball, of Saginaw, as a partner, he added a saw and shingle mill. They do a flourishing business in all departments of milling. They own in partnership, 526 acres of land, 286 of which are improved. At the present writing, there are in the mill-yard over 3,000,000 feet of lumber. In their grocery, which they have besides their mill, the receipts are $50 daily.

Oct. 24, 1883, at Ionia, he was married to Miss Julia Coffin, daughter of Benjamin Coffin. She was born in December, 1863, and receiving a good edu- cation, partly in the graded schools of St. Louis, she began teaching. She followed this four years, and one year later was married. Politically, Mr. L. is a staunch Republican. He is a public-spirited man, and has done much for his community.

ames L. Clark, attorney, resident at Alma, was born Feb. 17, 1855, in Lenawee Co., Mich. He is the son of Cortez C. and Laura (Daily) Clark, and his parents were born respectively in Ohio and New York. Mr. Clark is of Puritan descent, his ancestors having been among the early settlers of Plymouth, and of that company which afterwards made the first settle- ments in the Connecticut Valley, where the grand- father of the subject of this sketch was born. The family were active in the French and Indian wars, and also the two wars against Great Britain. After their marriage Mr. C.'s parents settled in the Buckeye State for a few years, afterward removing to Lenawee Co., Mich. In 1862 they came to Alma, where they lived nine years. In the spring of 1871 they went to Ithaca, Gratiot County, and in 1880 the father de- cided on a removal to Austin, Texas, where his wife joined him the following year. The senior Clark was first married to a Miss Westbrook, of Ohio, by whom he had two children : Caroline and Hattie. She

died, and Mr. Clark contracted marriage a second time, with Laura Daily. James L., Florence M., Del- bert J. and a child who died in infancy constitute the issue of the second marriage.

At the time of the removal of his parents to Gratiot County Mr. Clark was but seven years old. He was a member of the paternal household until his father transferred his interests to Ithaca. On the roth of April, 1865, the people of AAlma were celebrat- ing the fall of Richmond, and Mr. Clark, then a lad of 10 years, stood on the steps of the residence of T. .1. Johnson in company with the children of that gentleman watching the proceedings, when an iron ring, which had been placed between the anvils to make the firing more effective, burst, and a piece four inches in length and an inch in width struck his right hand, another fragment hit his knee and glanced between his legs, injuring a child of Mr. Johnson that stood near. The injuries were severe and resulted in three months' illness which nearly cost him his life. The use of his right hand was permanently de- stroyed. Mr. Clark has been heard to say that this accident, though maiming him for life, was really a blessing, for it forced the consideration of other means of gaining a livelihood than by manual labor, which his surroundings would naturally have led him into.

IIe acquired a knowledge of primary studies at the common school in Alma and attended the State Normal School at Ypsilanti. In 1871 he com- menced teaching, which business he pursued dili- gently until 1877. In July of that year he entered the law office of William E. Winton, at Ithaca, where he read preparatory to his profession until June, 1879. He was admitted to practice at the bar of the Peninsular State in April preceding, and two months later established himself in practice at Elm Hall, in Gratiot County. He remained there one year and removed to Alma, where he opened an office for the prosecution of his business.

Mr. Clark is a prominent member of the Repub- lican party and is largely interested and active in local political affairs. He has been much in public life, and during his vocation as a teacher he was elected School Inspector of Emerson Township, and discharged the duties of the position one year. In 1880, after his removal to Alma, he was elected Cir- cuit Court Commissioner, and in 1882 was re-elected,

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and is still fulfilling the obligations of the office. He was chosen Village Attorney in 1880 and held the position two years. During the campaign of ISSo Mr. C. somewhat distinguished himself as a cam- paign speaker, and it was frequently remarked that he had a promising future before him.

Mr. Clark is a man of brilliant parts, scholarly at- tainments and unimpeachable record. He possesses a cultured mind, whose resources are unusually well disciplined, and he has the satisfaction of knowing that he has made the best use of his opportunities.

He was married June 25, 1879, in Arcada Town- ship. to Florence, daughter of Lafayette and Sophro- nia (Benjamin) Church. (See sketch.) Mrs. Clark was born March 25, 1859, in Gratiot County. Of two children born of their marriage but one survives : Hugh, who was born May 14, 1883. Cornelia was born Oct. 8, 1881, and died Jan. 11, 1882. Mrs. Clark is actively and prominently connected with the Baptist Church.

Mr. C. took an active interest in working up and organizing the L. A., Mt. P. & N. R. R. Co., and upon its organization was offered the position of Sec- retary, but declined it on account of his legal business requiring his entire attention.

The portrait of Mr. Clark, which is presented on another page, is a valuable acquisition to the large collection appearing in this volume. His connection with a prominent family, his own merits as a citizen and his professional capacity make him prominent, and he is distinguished for his inherent traits of character which render his future a foregone con- clusion.

3 artin Carlin, farmer on section 19, Ful- ton Township, is a son of Patrick and Bridget (Moran) Carlin, natives of Ireland. He was born on the Emerald Isle, County Mayo, Parish Bariscole, Nov. 11, 1813, and was about 33 years old when he came to America. He settled in Gratiot County in the fall of 1852, and purchased 80 acres on section 19, Fulton. He now owns roo acres, 55 of which are under cultivation.

He was married in Ireland, in February, 1844, to Mary Masterson, who was born about 1825. To

this couple have been born 12 children : Michael, Martin, Margaret, Mary, John, Edward, Jane, Thom- as, James, Henry, Francis and Annie. Mr. Carlin is politically a Democrat. Ile and wife are members of the Catholic Church.

ames L. Payne, residing in Maple Rapids, Clinton County, was born in the State of New York, Dec. 2, 1825, and is a son of Arnold and Loana (Parker) Payne, natives of New York. (See sketch of D. H. Payne.) He was brought up after the manner of farmers' sons, and followed farming until his services were re- quired by his country.

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Portrait and biographical album of Gratiot county, Mich., Part 59

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

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