Portrait and biographical album of Gratiot county, Mich., Part 73

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

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THE "' ORK

PUB I DARY

ASTOR. L. . )X AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS

A.r. Wright

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GRATIOT COUNTY.

hoga Co., Ohio. On this place he settled and lived about ten years, when he sold out. He was for the · "ensuing six years employed in a machine shop at Chagrin Falls, in the same county. He came to Michigan in the fall of 1869, and was engaged in farming in Ionia and Saginaw Counties until January, 1879. In this month he came to Gratiot and settled on So acres of land on section 19, Fulton Township. He has now 60 acres under cultivation.

Oct. 14, 1850, in the State of Ohio, he married Miss Charlotte A. Fish, a native of New York State. She bore him one child, Sarah R., who died when three years old. She herself died Sept. 12, 1870. Oct. 25, 1871, at Lansing, he married for his second wife Sarah J., daughter of Simon and Lydia (Kirby) Jones, and widow of Hugh Naldrett. Mr. Naldrett settled in Newark Township in an early day, and after a time sold his farm and moved to Alma, where he lived seven years. In 1861, he went to Washte- naw County, and three years later he removed to Ionia County. There he died, April 13, 1871. He had been the father of three sons, Thomas H. (died when 19 months old), William T. and Job. Mrs. Bailey was born in Cayuga Co., N. Y., Oct. 16, 1840. Mr. B. is an energetic man, and has made many friends during his few years' residence in the county. Politically, he supports the Democratic party.

mmi Willard Wright, capitalist at Alma, Gratiot Co., Mich., was born July 5, 1822, in Grafton, Windham Co., Vt. His parents, Nathan and Mary (Lamson) Wright, were also natives of the Green Mountain State, where the son passed the years of his life previous to 1850. He obtained a good education in the common schools of his native State, and was engaged in farming some years before he left the Eastern section of the Unit- ed States to establish his fortune in the great West. He spent a year at Detroit, meanwhile examining the respective merits of different localities in the Penin- sular State, He was prevented from carrying out his original intention in regard to business by the death of his brother, with whom he expected to associate himself. He came to Saginaw in 1851, where he en-

gaged in the lumber business and has continued its prosecution until the firm, of which he is the prime factor, is known as one of the heaviest in Northern Michigan. For the last 30 years the relations and business of Mr. Wright have been increasingin mag- nitude and popularity. His partnership connections commenced with Miller and Paine, under the firm style of Miller, Paine & Wright, which relation ex- tended about six years. Soon after its dissolution, he formed a partnership with J. H. Pearson, of Chicago, and they began business operations in the name of A. W. Wright & Co. This association existed almost continuously until Jan. 1, 1883, when the style be- came the A. W. Wright Lumber Company. Their yearly aggregate of lumber products amounts to an average of from 25,000,000 to 30,000,000 feet, and they are the proprietors of about 300,000,000 feet of pine timber at various points. The associate busi- ness connections of Mr. Wright are multifarious, and present one feature of his business principles, which render him a most valuable accession to any busi- ness community. He has ever held himself in read- iness to recognize and foster genuine, unmistakable claims to honest industry and tact, and stands pre- eminent in his character as representative of the ele- ments necessary to the foundation and perpetuity of the business world. The firm of Wright & Davis own and operate a lumber-mill on the Mackinaw Di- vision of the Michigan Central railroad, and cut about 8,000,000 feet of lumber annually. Wright & Ketchum own a railroad, which is utilized in getting out logs for themselves and others, and is known as the Tittabawassee & Hope road. It is 20 miles in extent and is three-feet gauge. Mr. Wright is a partner of Wells, Stone & Co, dealers in lumbermen's supplies, at Saginaw City, and he is also interested in the Sag- inaw Manufacturing Company; which is engaged in almost unlimited extent in its various avenues of bus- iness. It is an incorporated company, with a paid up capital of $150,000, and Mr. Wright is its chief offi- cer. He is also President of the First National Bank at Saginaw.

Mr. Wright has been identified with the growth and progress of Alma. In January, 1882, he began the erection of the now famous Wright House, justly ranking as the finest in Northern Michigan, and of a grade second to none in the State. The hotel is de- scribed in detail in another part of this work. He is senior partner in the mercantile house of Wright,

GRATIOT COUNTY.

722

Schneider & Stuttz, a firm engaged in the transaction of a yearly business represented, approximately, at an aggregate of $100,000. The milling firm of Tuck- er & Wright are producing too barrels of flour daily, on an average. Their mill is supplied with the most approved modern fixtures, among which are In sets of Stevens' Rollers. Mr. Wright is a member of the lumber firm of George D. Barton & Co .. at Alma, and is largely interested in the banking house of W. S. Turck & Co , of that place. He owns extensive tracts of real estate in other parts of Gratiot County, among which are 300 acres of land in Arcada Township, 100 acres of which is under cultivation. He is also the owner of a brickyard located a short distance from Alma, where brick of excellent quality are manufac- tured. A fine piece of land containing ten acres lies contiguous to the Wright House, which the proprie- tor projects converting into a park of a style and character calculated to increase materially the value and attractions of the place.

Mr. Wright was married March 6, 1848, in Rock- ingham, Vt., to Miss Harriet Barton. She is a native of Vermont and was born Sept. 24, 1824. Her par- ents, Jeremiah and Sarah (Willoughby) Barton, were also natives of Vermont. Of five children born to Mr. and Mrs. Wiignt, two survive : Sarah H. and George N .; Annie B., Caroline S. and Arthur P. are deceased.

The portrait of Mr. Wright appears on another page. It will be received with unusual satisfaction, for reasons which are apparent. His well-known character has made him a most valuable acquisition to Alma and to Gratiot County. He will be remen- bered by future generations as the patron of the vil- lage for which he has done so much, and in his efforts to advance the welfare of the place he has stimula- ted emulation in many directions and in many ave- nues of business in the county. He is literally a large-hearted man, gifted with a genius for accumula- ting money ; he is devoid of a talent for hoarding, and realizes his greatest satisfaction in its possession in the uses and purposes which his generosity and public spirit prompt. Ilis nature is affable and he possesses a power of assimilation with other men which devel- ops the warmest social ties among those who know him. He is a Republican in political sentiment and action.

amuel Story, farmer on section 19, Sumner Township, is a son of Henry and Sarah (Scuffham) Story, natives of England, where they followed farming. He was born in Cam- bridgeshire, England, Feb. 23, 1829, and was engaged at home until nearly 21 years of age. In the fall of 1849, he left his native country and came to the United States, first locating in Russell Township, Geauga Co., Ohio. Six years later, in 1855, he came to Michigan and located 120 acres of wild land on sections 19 and 20, Sumner Township, moving in over the Indian trails and cutting his own road from Carson, a distance of II miles. After he got within a short distance of his cabin's location, he had to carry all his household goods, including his cooking stove, on his back the rest of the distance, it being so swampy that his horses could not pull the load further. All their provisions had to be brought from Matherton, a distance of 21 miles, and princi- pally on his back. By energy and perseverance, he has converted the primitive forest into a fertile and productive farm. He has 60 acres in a good state of cultivation, and substantial farm buildings in place of his first log hut and slab stable. Feb. 21, 1883, he had the great financial misfortune to lose his fine residence by fire, including all its contents. Mr. Story is not a man to yield to misfortune, and he is fast recovering from this loss.

March 13, 1849. in England, he was united in mar- riage to Joan Giddings, a native of England. She died at her home in this county, May 20, 1867, hav- ing been the mother of eight children, seven of whom survive: Henrietta A., Henry I., Ruby M. (died Oct. 6, 1883), Edna O. and Ellen I. Sept. 6, 1867, he married for his second wife Mrs. Mary Bradish (ncc MeCumber), born in Eaton Co., N. Y., May 29, 1836. When three months old, she was taken by her parents to Ohio, where she was educated. She taught school two terms in that State, and then came to Michigan, where also she taught two terms.

Mr. and Mrs. Story are active members of the Chris- tian Church at Estella, and Mr. Story has held the office of Elder in his Church for 20 years, besides be- ing Superintendent of the Sunday-school for six years. Hle is a charter member of Elm Hall Lodge

THÉ NO VERKK PUBLIC 3RARY

ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS R

Giles , Brawn

Sara do Bronzo

THE NEW PUBLIC L.Q

ASTOR, LEN X NL TILDEN FOUNDALIINN. R

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GRATIOT COUNTY.

No. 257, F. & A. M., and has held nearly all the offices of the lodge. He is also a member of the A. O. U. W. He has held the position of Highway Commissioner for nine years, and other offices. He is now a Trustee of his school district. Politically, he is a staunch Republican. He and wife are earnest supporters of temperance and other good causes.

iles T. Brown, attorney at Ithaca, was born Jan. 28, 1837, in Green Oak, Livings- ton Co., Mich., and is the oldest son of James M. and Betsey (Borden) Brown, who in 1836 were among the first settlers of Livings- ton County. The parents were both natives of Steuben Co., N. Y. The father was the son of James and Mary (Daily) Brown, who in the early part of the present century were residents of the township of Poultney in Steuben County.

The Browns were from and of Puritanic descent, and the Dailys were Scoth-Irish, emigrating from the north of Ireland shortly after the close of the Revo- lutionary war. James Daily, a great-grandfather of Mr. Brown, was a pioneer in Western New York, and in 1787 erected and operated the first saw-mill west of Crooked Lake in Steuben County.

Mr. Brown's ancestors on his mother's side are all of Puritanic descent. She (the mother, who is now living with her sons in Ithaca) is a daughter of Ez- eriah and Sarah (Tyler) Borden. Ezeriah Borden was born at Whitestown, N. Y., about 1786, and was the son of Ezeriah and Hannah (Calkins) Borden, both of whom were born in Connecticut in Colonial times, and whose families are traced back in Connect- cut history to its earliest settlement. Sarah (Tyler) Borden (maternal grandmother) was a daughter of Peter and Sarah (Palmer) Tyler, both of whom were born in Connecticut. Peter Tyler served his coun- try faithfully during the entire war for American in- dependence, soon after its close locating in Steuben County, where he spent the remainder of his life.

Mr. Brown's early educational advantages were similar to those of most children in the pioneer days of Michigan. In 1841, upon the formation of a school district in that part of the township where they lived, his father took the contract for building the first school- house. It was a rude log structure, with furniture and fixtures of a primitive character to

correspond with the surroundings incident to a new country. In this house the boy received some slight rudiments of an education, attending the schools (such as they were) regularly for several years.

On the death of his father, which occurred in 1851, before the boy was 15 years of age, he, being the eldest son, assumed charge of the homestead, a farm of 80 acres, on which the family resided and continued to conduct its affairs for about three years. About this time he set out to improve his education, attending school the greater portion of the next four years, most of the time at the seminary at Ypsilanti, and the State Normal School at the same place. After teaching two terms in this State, he taught during the year 1859 in Franklin Co., Mo. He then returned to Michigan and spent his time alternately studying, teaching and working on a farm.

Mr. Brown was married March 17, 1861, to Miss E. Jennie Hewitt, of Highland, Oakland Co., Mich. She was born in Windham, Conn., and was a daugh- ter of Benjamin and Annie (Perry) Hewitt.

Mr. Brown enlisted Aug. 1, 1862, at Green Oak, as a private in Co. G, 22d Mich. Vol. Inf, Capt. Henry S. Dean. His health failing, he was discharged for disability, at Lexington, Ky., the following winter, and on his return home, after partially recovering health, he resumed his work as a teacher.

Previous to his enlistment he had read law, at in- tervals, with R. G. Depuy, Esq., of Ann Arbor, and in 1863 he entered the Law Department of the Uni- versity of Michigan, at that place, where he was graduated in the spring of 1865. During that year he was admitted to practice in the Supreme Court, in session at Detroit. Mr. Brown entered upon his career as a practitioner at Ithaca, in the spring of 1866, and almost simultaneously commenced his public life. In the fall ensuing he was elected Super- intendent of the Poor, and was the incumbent of the office several years. In November of the same year, he was elected Circuit Court Commissioner, and dis- charged the obligations of the position two years. He has since been re-elected twice to the same office. In the spring of 1867 he was elected County Super- intendent of Schools, and officiated four years. Two years later he was again elected to that position and served two years. He was the second President of the village of Ithaca, which post he has held three terms, and has been Justice of the Peace several

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GRATIOT COUNTY.

years. In the fall of 1876 he was elected Probate Judge and officiated four years.

At the Republican convention held at Mount Pleasant in the fall of 1880 for the nomination of Senator from this district, the name of Mr. Brown was placed upon the ticket. The honor was unsought, and the action of the convention only became known to him on the return of the delegates. He made a triumphant run against T. A. Johnson, candidate of the National element, and M. H. Stanford, Demo- cratic nominee. He received a flattering support in Gratiot County, running considerably ahead of his ticket. Mr. Brown is now serving as Justice of the Peace and Secretary of the County Board of School Examiners. In addition to the business of his law office, which is considerable, he is operating to some extent as a collection and insurance agent. His resi- dence is situated a short distance from the village of Ithaca, where he owns a fine farm of 160 acres.

The first wife of Mr. Brown died in November. 1871, leaving four children, all of whom are yet living: Bayard T., Annie M., Theodore N. and Bessie J. The second marriage of Mr. Brown occurred Aug. 17, 1873, to Sara L. Watson, daughter of John T. and Harriet L. (Wilcox) Watson, of Ithaca. She was born in Marion, Livingston Co., Mich. Of this marriage four children have been born: James B., Laura V., Alanson W. and Beatrice B.

Mr. Brown is a prominent Mason and belongs to blue lodge and Ithaca Chapter, No. 70. He is a

member of the fraternity of Odd Fellows, and is the Commander of Moses Wisner Post, No. 101, G. A. R. On the organization of that body at Ithaca he was chosen first Commander. Mr. and Mrs. Brown and daughter Annie are members of the Baptist Church.

Mr. Brown has been a diligent student and has quite a taste for literature, which has, however, only been indulged and cultivated to that limited extent which the opportunities of a busy life permit. He has on different occasions written a few poems.

Our space only permits the insertion, as a speci- men, of the following brief selection, which was written in 1882, on the death of his favorite poet :

LONGFELLOWV.

The poet lived, and wrought. and sang, and died; And thongh hi- day had reached its afternoon, And had with fruittil toil been occupied.

Yet men were grieved that he had died so soon ; Then turned they and perused his tuneful song. And all rejoiced that he had lived so long.

No sweeter mn-e than hi- hath over graced Our young Columbia'> fair, far-reaching shore; And none, so free from fault, and pure in taste. Hath e'er essayed such lofty flights to soar: And ages yet unborn shall bless the pen

Of him whose songs have cheered the hearts of men.

Among the many valuable portraits of prominent citizens of Gratiot County included in this volume, that of Mr. Brown will give general satisfaction as that of a man whose merits and abilities have secured the respect and recognition of his fellow- townsmen. It may be found on the page opposite this sketch.

FISTORICAL .. .

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GRAITOT COUNTY.

INTRODUCTORY.

NLY a score and a half of years have passed since the unbroken forests of Northern Michigan were thought of as a possible home for civilized man. The Government sur- veyors reported that it was an irreclaim- able waste and not fit for cultivation in any quarter, the soil being of that char- acter which precluded the propagation of cereals. The rapidity of settlement and enormous crops of everything in the line of cereals demonstrated con- clusively their mistake, for no acreage surpasses Northern Michigan in pro- ductiveness. Notwithstanding the oft repeated tales of want and hardships told by their sires, men of energy, with their families and all their earthly pos- sessions loaded upon a wagon drawn by oxen, pushed their way step by step, through the unbroken forests of Gratiot, until they found suitable locations. With a spirit of heroism have they toiled until the forests were laid low, and their herculean labor is manifest in the broad acres of highly cultivated land, upon which stand palatial residences and outbuildings of the most expensive character. Over the grounds where the red man chased the bounding deer, and the wildcat and wolves held their nightly vigils, may be seen the husbandman gathering the golden har- vests ; where the Indian's wild war-whoop was heard,

stands the stately house of worship. Transportation of goods by ox-teams has given way to the power of steam, and a commerce has been opened up with all parts of the civilized world. Prosperity in a high degree has smiled upon her people, who are fortunate in living in the most heathful, beautiful and produc- tive State in the Union, taking age into consideration.

The history of this county is possessed of no small degree of interest. While other counties were con- nected with the frontier by large bodies of excellent lands, this seemed shut off from the gaze of shrewd speculators by reason of its heavy growth of timber. They were destined to become the heritage of an honest, industrious people, and the income derived from the timber and products of the soil has given many of the first comers a handsome competency.

This was the dark forest primeval ; But the pioneer came in his might, And down through the vast leafy temple Spread gleaming the pioneer's light. With his ax on his shoulder, he came From the hills and valleys away : Where the sun in his splendor uprising Lights Bunker Hill's columns to-day.

No marble-paved cities here shone. No costly built palace here stood; But above and around. the dark forest rose, With majestie, huge pillars of wood. No highway that led through the grove Had bright little flowers scattered there, But narrow paths, skirted with thorns. Their naked feet ready to tear.

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GRATIOT COUNTY.

Value of Local History.

UT few of the present generation realize the great value of local history, living as they do in an age of industry and thrift. The opportunities for speculation, and the haste to become wealthy takes precedence of everything else, and the fact is not taken into consideration that the pioneers are rapidly passing from the scene of their labors, leaving but little time for the compilation of biographical sketches which constitute the heretofore unwritten history of Gratiot County. Their children have heard from the lips of their aged sires, the story of privation and toil of those who were first at the front in the settlement of the county, but their children will lose sight of the facts unless they be recorded in such manner as to become intelligible and kept fresh in the minds of succeeding generations.

Surrounded, as we are, with everything which wealth and taste can suggest, the fact is almost lost sight of that here were the best years of the lives of our ancestry devoted to the development of one of the best agricultural counties in the State. As the expo-

sures, privations, toil and hardships, the pioneers have undergone, are well worthy of a more fitting memorial than can be secured by a granite monument, the design of the publishers is to record a history of in- estimable value to every citizen of the county.

The facts mentioned have been carefully culled from every source; neither pains nor expense has been spared in the compilation of this work, which, although not without error, is as correct as can be made, taking into consideration that much of it was gathered from the pioneers themselves, and men are very apt to be mistaken in data.

Upon local history depends the perpetnation of facts heretofore unwritten, as well as the biographical sketches of every worthy pioneer in the county that could be procured. Each sketch speaks volumes ; and a history of one man's life, perhaps of an entire family, is now recorded where naught can efface or destroy it. From this will all future volumes of like import take their data. Those who have volunteered the information from which this work is compiled, will live in the history of this county as long as time lasts. No manlier hand e'er drew a sword than those who faced privation and danger while engaged in the subjugation of the dense wilderness which once cov- ered this now beautiful land, and to them is this vol- ume dedicated.

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GRATIOT COUNTY.

First Things.

200

ROM the most reliable infor- mation to be obtained, the following items are substan- tially correct regarding the first settlements and other events in Gratiot County :

William McOmber, now a res- ident of St. Louis, came to this county in 1832, and was en- gaged in buying furs from the Indians until their removal to the reservation in Isabella Coun- ty. Excepting the German mis- sionary at the Lutheran mission, he is probably the first white man that settled permanently in the county. His cabin was built near Pine River, about one and a half miles from the site of St. Louis.

The first locations of land were made in 1836, but no permanent settlements were made until 1846, when Arnold Payne settled on section 31, in Fulton Township; N. Sturgis, William Avery and George E. Walker settled on sections 31 and 3'2, in North Shade Township, in 1850.

The first road through the county was known as the " Old Indian Trail," which extended from Maple Rapids to the Lutheran mission above St. Louis.

The first wedding known to have occurred in the county was that of Martin Cramer and Dorinda Sias, both of Pine River Township. This event oc-

curred in 1855,-Sylvanus Groom, J. P., officiating.

The first funeral sermon was preached by Rev Lafayette Church, upon the demise of the four- year-old daughter of Sylvanus and Mrs. Groom. This event also belongs to the history of Pine River.

The above was the first death among the white settlers in the county.

The first postoffice was established at St. Louis, in 1855.

The first convention was held at the residence of L. C. Knapp, on the farm now owned by Mr. Bur- ton, Esq., one and a half miles north of Ithaca, in 1855, and the following named gentlemen were nom- inated and afterward elected as first officials of Gra- tiot County :

Sheriff-George E. Walker;

County Clerk-Orville M. Wood ;

Treasurer-Ralph Ely ;

Judge of Probate-Dr. John R. Cheesman ;

Prosecuting Attorney-Frank Miller;

Circuit Court Commissioner-Stevens E. Longyear ; County Surveyor-Sidney S. Hastings.

They qualified and entered upon the discharge of their official duties the first Monday in January, 1856.

Seven townships were organized in 1855, by ac- tion of the State Legislature, and the following named Supervisors were elected in the spring of that year. They enjoyed the distinction of being the first township officers elected in Gratict County :

GRATIOT COUNTY.

730

North Shade, Hemy S. Lane; Fulton, William Norton ; North Star, Benjamin Crawford : New Haven, Joseph II. Bennett ; Arcada, Francis Nelson ; Emerson, Melancthon Pettit ; Pine River, George Spicer.

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Portrait and biographical album of Gratiot county, Mich., Part 73

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

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