USA > Michigan > Huron County > Portrait and biographical album of Huron county Michigan, Containing biographical sketches of citizens also a complete history of the county, from its earliest settlement to the present time > Part 17
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Mr. Geltz bought a piece of improved land in Gore Township, which he has labored upon until he has placed 50 acres in good tillable condition, with a good log house and new frame barn, of modern construction.
Mr. Geltz is a Democrat, and has served four terms as Supervisor.
He was married Sept. 14, 1873, to Henrietta Schultz. Six children have been born to them,- Minnie, Peter, Ida, Emma, Charles and Otto. Mr. and Mrs. Geltz are members of the Lutheran Church.
C Charles Schubel, farmer, section 7, Huron Township, was born July 19, 1835, in Prussia. His parents, Joseph and Lucinda Schubel, are both [deceased. The mother died in Prussia, in 1851, after an illness of three years. Her death occurred in the same year in which her two sons-Charles and Fred-emi- grated to the United States. The father and a sister followed to the States the next year, and the family settled in Lexington, Mich.
Meanwhile, the son, who is the subject of this sketch, had settled in Huron County, and the father resided with him. The latter was residing here dur- ing the fire of 187 1, and suffered so much from the heat and smoke that he went to Lansing to remain for a time with his son Fred, who had settled in that city, and he died very suddenly a few weeks after effecting the change.
Mr. Schubel was bred to the calling of a farmer. His father's family came to Lexington, where the male members found ready employment as woods- men. Mr. Schubel worked for Langdon Hubbard at that point for three years in the saw-mill and lumber woods, and went to Huron City to continue to operate in the interests of Mr. Hubbard from that point. He worked as foreman in a saw-mill for him until 1871. Meanwhile he had bought his farm and was clearing it during his service for Mr. Hubbard, by the aid of hired assistants. The family took possession of the place several years previous to the occupancy of the present proprietor.
Mr. Schubel is a Republican in political views and connections. He has been Supervisor several terms, and is now (1884) filling that position. He has officiated four years as Justice of the Peace.
He was married Aug. 17, 1861, to Mrs. Lucinda Bopp, whose first husband was drowned in a mill-
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pond at Huron City. He left four children-John, Fred, George and Rosa. Mr. Schubel is a member of the Lutheran Church. His wife is a Catholic.
oger Paterson, farmer, section 1, Grant Township, was born in February, 1826, in Scotland, and he is the son of Alexander and Mary Paterson, both of whom were na- tives of Scotland. They lived in that country until the death of the father, in 1827 ; in 1842 the mother came to Canada with her children. She resided there during the remainder of her life, her death occurring Oct. 11, 1865.
Mr. Paterson has been a farmer all his life, with the exception of seven seasons, which he passed as a sailor on the lakes, and " lumbered " in the woods in winter. Mr. Paterson put in about 30 years of lum- bering after he left the lakes. He was 14 years of age when he accompanied his mother to Canada." He resided there until the spring of 1879, when he came to Tuscola Co., Mich., and during the following summer he came to Huron County. He bought 160 acres of land, which is still in his possession. About 70 acres of his estate are under improvement. Po- litically he is a Democrat.
Mr. Paterson was married in Ontario, March 10, 1857, to Isabella Leitch. They have eight children Alexander, Mary A., Neil, Isabella, John, Catherine, Betsey and Peter. Mrs. Paterson was born Aug. 14, 1834, in Scotland. She and her husband belong to the Presbyterian Church.
lark Haywood, one of the prominent and leading lumber producers of Huron Coun- ty, resident at Port Hope, has been iden- tified with the development of the business interests of this section of Michigan since 1857. He is engaged in the production of lumber and shingles at Haywood Vale, in the town-
ship of Sand Beach. He owns and manages a saw- mill at Sand Beach, is a member of a firm at Cleveland, Ohio, which was established in 1881, and includes, besides himself, his sons E. C. and C. D. Haywood, and a nephew, N. J. Haywood. He is one of the representative farmers of Huron County, and is the owner of several thousand acres of pine lands at different points therein. His residence at Cleveland is 594 East Madison Avenue.
Mr. Haywood was bred to the vocation of farming. In July, 1845, he went to Bath, in Grafton Co., N. H., where he embarked in a mercantile enterprise, continuing its successful management about 10 years. He enlarged his business connection later, by engaging in the manufacture and sale of lumber, and still later became interested in a local enter- prise for the manufacture of potato starch. In 1854 he formed a partnership with W. R. Stafford and opened an extensive mercantile establishment at Lexington, Sanilac Co., Mich., in connection with heavy lumbering operations. Demaline Leuty, now a banker at Cleveland, Ohio, became a clerk with them, and in 1857 was admitted to a partnership. The Hon. B. W. Jenness, U. S. Senator from New Hampshire (now deceased), was also a factor in the firm. Senator Jenness closed his connection with the business in 1875. In October of the same year, Mr. Haywood removed to Lexington and the firm built a saw-mill at Port Hope, where they produced lumber, shingles and lath. The Lexington enterprise was closed in 1877 by a division of the property, and the partnership was wholly severed in 1878, having been continued after the adjustment referred to through the connection with the lumber yard at Sand Beach, of which enterprise Mr. Haywood be- came the owner by purchase in the year named. He is a fourth owner in the Bay City & Cleveland Transportation Company, whose facilities for con- veying lumber (in which it is chiefly engaged) include two barges and a steam tug.
The agricultural interests of Mr. Haywood are of a type which make them important. His farm of 360 acres, situated half a mile south of Sand Beach Harbor, is under fine cultivation, and is justly rated as one of the most valuable in Huron County. It is under the management of James Kearnes. Mr. Haywood also owns a farm of 200 acres located near the village of Port Hope, which includes 150 acres under a high order of cultivation. He is the pro-
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prietor of a tract of 1,200 acres in the western part of Sand Beach Township, of which 100 acres is im- proved and cultivated, and is a piece of real estate in no sense less valuable than those before men- tioned. He employs a working force of ten men throughout the year, a number which is materially increased during the agricultural season.
Mr. Haywood has been for many years connected with the Masonic fraternity. While in business at Lexington, he served several years as Postmaster during the administration of James Buchanan.
Mr. Haywood was born Nov. 20, 1815, in Spring- field, Vt. He is the son of Nathaniel and Mary (Durant) Haywood, and in 1822 removed with his parents to Haverhill Township, Grafton Co., N. H., where his father bought a farm. Mr. Haywood's marriage to Ellen M. Clark occurred in February, 1845, at Landaff, N. H. She was born Sept. 20, 1820, at Landaff, and is the daughter of Daniel and Mary (Merrill) Clark. Following is the record of seven children, of whom Mr. and Mrs. Haywood became the parents. Their names are Arthur H., deceased ; Mary C., deceased; Alice M., widow of F. J. Haines, an attorney of Cleveland, Ohio, and she resides with her father; Eben C., Mattie, Ella M. and Charles D. The last named was born in Michigan, and all the others in Bath, N. H.
Charles Odell, of the mercantile firm of Odell & Co. at Bad Axe, was born Feb. 23, 1822, near the United States boundary in the Province of Quebec, and is the son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Van Vliet) Odell. He learned the trade of shoe-making, and in 1839 he went to London, Ont. After pursuing his trade there a short time he bought 25 acres of land, and conducted farming in connection with the busi- ness of his shop about 10 years. He went thence to West Williams, Ont., and became the proprietor and manager of a farm of 50 acres, on which he resided until 1862 ; he then sold out his agricultural interests and opened a store for the sale of general merchan- dise in West Williams. He continued to conduct his mercantile affairs there until November, 1881, coming
then to Bad Axe. He at once proceeded to the establishment of his commercial interests, and he built the structure in which he has since transacted business. On opening his trade he associated with himself his son, Hiram H. Odell, and son-in-law, C. T. Collins. The firm has since been engaged in the prosecution of a profitable and increasing business. Their stock includes dry goods, groceries, boots, shoes, crockery, glassware, flour, feed and Yankee notions.
Mr. Odell was married in London, Ont., July 25, 1863, to Lydia A. Woodman. Mrs. Odell was born in Buckston, Maine. Four of eight children born of her marriage are living. Hiram H. was born near London, Middlesex Co., Ont., March 9, 1854. Wil- liam R. was born Aug. 21, 1856, and is a farmer in Canada. Abigail was born Aug. 26, 1847, and is the wife of Charles T. Collins. Aphia E. was born Aug. 28, 185 1, and is Mrs. James Sadler, of West Williams, Ont. Mrs. Odell died at West Williams, March 31, 1874.
James P. Grice, of the firm of Grice & Sons, proprietors of the Verona Mills, and re- siding at Verona Mills, was born July 12, 1852, near Hartford, Conn., and is the son of James G. and Jane (Mason) Grice. (See sketch of J. G. Grice.) His parents re- moved to Forester, Sanilac Co., Mich., in 1856. His father is an engineer and machinist, and was in charge of the steam mill of Adams, Kelley & Co. at Forester about eight years. In 1864 he came to Rock Falls, Huron Co., Mich., where he operated as engineer for Pack, Jenks & Co. The senior, Grice in 1870, leased a site for a shingle mill at Sand Beach and erected a structure for the purpose named.
Mr. Grice, of this sketch, had become a practical engineer, and took charge of the engine in the mill, retaining its management until the fire af 1871, and then came to Verona Mills and put in order a mill for the use of Messrs. Ballentine, Puddock & Co., which M. Grice and son purchased in 1883.
In 1877 Mr. Grice was appointed an assistant at the Government works at Sand Beach, where he
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was in charge of the diving outfit. He remained in the position five years. At the end of that time he formed an association with his brother, W. M. Grice, at Lexington, and established a general repair shop, which they conducted one wear. In January, 1884, he bought the quarter interest of his brother, Joseph O. Grice, in the flouring mill with which he is now connected. The mill has been recently built, and operations were commenced thereon in the fall of 1883. The mill is completely equipped with all modern fixtures, has two run of stones and a producing capacity of 300 bushels in 24 hours.
The marriage of Mr. Grice to Jennie Moore occur- red Sept. 27, 1882, in Sand Beach. She was born Oct. 19, 1864, in Pickering Co., Can., and is the daughter of Edwin and Lois (Sparks) Moore. Jennie M., born in Lexington, June 20, 1883, is the only child of Mr. and Mrs. Grice.
ohn C. Pangborn, farmer, section 20, Ver- ona Township, was born Nov. 18, 1851, at a place in Canada situated northeast of Toronto. His parents, John and Barbara (Shier) Pangborn, came to Verona Township in 1862 and bought 160 acres of land on section 35. On this they resided until they had cleared and otherwise improved 80 acres, when they sold the place. They are both living at the home of their son.
Mr. Pangborn bought a farm in 1879, which in- cluded 40 acres of land. The home farm now con- tains 120 acres, with 70 acres under cultivation Mr. Pangborn cleared 68 acres himself. He also built his barn and a part of his residence. In 1881 he lost his barn, all the year's crop of grain and hay, together with his fences and much miscellaneous property, such as the progress of years accumulates in the possession of every farmer. He rebuilt his barn, and in the fall of 1883 repeated privately the experience of two years before, losing his barn, grain, hay, im- plements and all his farm fixtures, except a wagon and a set of harness. The loss in both fires was about $3,000, with no insurance.
Mr. Pangborn was married Jan. 12, 1880, at Sand Beach, to Ellen, Daughter of William and Susannah (Conboy) Taylor, a native of Canada. Two children have been born of this union,-Alton C., Jan. 8, 1883, and Morton C., Dec. 29, 1883. Mr. Pangborn was Treasurer of his township in 1881-2.
aniel Sinclair, farmer, section 1, Grant Township, was born July 22, 1843, in Ontario. His parents, Donald and Rachel (Lyman) Sinclair, were natives respectively of Scotland and Canada. They were married in the Dominion, settled there in 1841, and are still the residents of that country.
Mr. Sinclair has spent seven years of his life as a sailor on the lakes. In 1868 he first came to Huron County. He bought 80 acres of land in Grant Township in 1878, and made a homestead claim of 80 acres additional. Of this about 88 acres are now under cultivation.
Mr. Sinclair began his business life wholly empty- handed. His energy and industry has placed him in fair rank with the agriculturists of Huron County.
The first marriage of Mr. Sinclair, to Ellen Kanard, took place at Carson City. Ellen was the name of the only child born to them. The mother was a native of Canada, and died May 29, 1878. Mr. Sinclair was a second time married Dec. 15, 1880, to Rosanna Keeler. Their only child, Daniel, was born June 27, 1884. Mrs. Sinclair is a native of Canada, and is a member of the Baptist Church
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illiam H. McDowell, farmer, section 22, Colfax Township, was born June 22, 1832, O at West Point, N. Y. His parents, John and Ann (Simonton) McDowell, were natives of Belfast, Ireland, and came to the Domin- ion of Canada at an early date in their lives. After their marriage they settled in the State of New York, and later on went to Ohio. They finall re- -
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turned to Canada, whence they made another transfer in 1862 to Bay City, Mich., where the senior Mc- Dowell put in operation the first foundry established in that city. The parents both died there.
Mr. McDowell is the eldest of six children. He acquired a good education and was under the pa- rental roof until he was 23 years of age. He was instructed in the business of a foundryman by his father, and at 14 began to work at molding, which he followed nearly 11 years. He came from Canada to Bay City in 1867, where he passed two years operat- ing as a molder. In 1869, he returned to Canada and engaged in farming, in which he was occupied until 1878. In that year he came to Huron County and bought 720 acres of land in the township of Colfax. He still retains the ownership of 520 acres of land, which comprises 145 acres improved and cultivated. He is a Democrat in political connec- tion and has served in several official positions in Colfax.
His marriage to Barbara McNaughton occurred May 27, 1856. She was born in Chippewa, Ont., and is of Scotch descent. Nine children have been born of this marriage, seven of whom survive. Their births occurred in the following order: John W., Anna, Mary, William H., Samuel, Bella M., George N. Emma is deceased, and another child died in infancy. The mother is a member of the Presbyte- rian Church.
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enry E. Facer, farmer .on section 8, 21 and 15, Rubicon Township, was born June 15, 1830, in Port Huron, Mich. His parents, Lewis and Susan B. (Baker) Facer, were among the earliest settlers in the State. His paternal grandfather was a well-known fur trader among the Indians, as agent for the Hudson's Bay Company. His father was born in Zanesville, Ohio, in its earliest pioneer days, and was employed by the United States Government to carry the mail between the place of his birth and Chillicothe, Ohio, when the portion of the Buckeye State where they were located was frontier ground and the Indians troublesome. The mail carrier was often captured, but, on being recog- nized as the son of an Indian trader, was released.
He afterwards became a baker, and while following that business he supplied the garrison stationed at Port Huron. He also engaged in mercantile busi- ness and lumbering, and later in hotel-keeping. He was the founder of Lake Port in St. Clair County, and at the date of his starting the settlement there was engaged in lumbering for Major Hanna, of Port Huron. He sold his interests there at the time of the oil excitement of that region, taking advantage of the boom created. Mr. Facer, of this sketch, sold 15 acres of land for $1,500, for which he had paid but $120. The father died at a point in St. Clair County three miles below Port Huron, in the fall of 1863, and was 84 years old. The mother died at Birchville (Lakeport) in St. Clair County, in the fall of 1865, aged 73 years.
On reaching the period of his legal freedom, Mr. Facer obtained the appointment of light-house keeper on Presque Isle, in Lake Erie, and discharged the duties of the position three years. He next engaged as a ship and house carpenter at Detroit and Imlay City, in company with Joseph P. Arnold, a skilled mechanic, and after working with him two seasons he devoted his time exclusively to building, which he pursued for 16 years.
In the fall of 1861 he came to Sand Beach. He operated as a builder through two summers and engaged in lumbering winters, for Pack & Carrington. In 1863 he came to Port Hope and entered the employ of W. R. Stafford, where he was occupied two years. At the end of that time he engaged in lumbering for Howe & Clark, of New River. He spent three years in their service, after which he went to Huron City and passed nearly three years in the employ of L. Hubbard, working as a builder sum- mers, and in lumbering winters, engaging during the seasons of spring in driving logs on the river.
He afterward came to Port Hope, where he has since resided. The outlook for the future of that place seemed promising, and he invested $4,000 in property there, buying nearly one entire block, with the expectation that the Harbor of Refuge would be established there; but, like other bright outlooks of modern times, that failed to "materialize," and property depreciated accordingly.
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In 1870 he bought 80 acres of land, of Stafford, Hayward & Jeness, and has improved about one-half of the property.
Mr. Facer was first married April 19, 1853, to
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Mason Robinson
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Marietta Bryce, who was born July 11, 1833, and was the daughter of Thomas and Mary A. (Hodg- man) Bryce. Her father died about the year 1847, and her mother's death occurred in 1883, when she was 74 years of age. Mrs. F. died in March, 1863, and Mr. Facer was again married in 1865, to Ann Jane, daughter of David and Susanna (Taylor) McClure. Her parents are natives of Scotland, and are now living, in Worth Township, Sanilac Co., Mich. Mr. Facer has had six children by each wife : nine are living, named Thomas B., Omar D., Winfield S., Nettie, Eva, Eber B., Frederick, Carrie and Harry. In his views of national questions Mr. F. adopts Republican principles. Both himself and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church.
atson Robinson, farmer, section 18, Sigel Township, is a leading citizen of Huron County. He was born Jan. 27, 1813, in Gio. R= Yorkshire, Eng., and is the eldest son of ten children born to his parents, Thomas and Mary (Willin) Robinson. They were na- tives of England and emigrated in 1819 to Canada, settling in the county of Peterboro, where they lived during the remainder of their lives. Their children were named Isabella, Watson, Thomas, John, Mar- garet, Mary and George W.
Mr. Robinson was six years of age when his par- ents emigrated to Canada, and he remained with his father, aiding in the farm labors, until he reached his majority. His father gave him 100 acres of unim- proved land in the Dominion, and he took posses- sion of the place and was occupied in its improve- ment until 1849, when he bought a farm in Oxford Co., Ont., on which he lived 12 years.
He came to Michigan in the winter of 186r and became the proprietor of 80 acres of land in Sigel Township, Huron County, under the provisions of the Homestead Law. He is now the owner of 370 acres of land, in the townships of Sigel and Verona, and has improved 40 acres. In the fire of 1881, all his buildings and crops, besides a considerable quan- tity of other property, were destroyed. His loss was about $5,000. He found himself, on the morning
following the destruction of his accumulations, without a hat, covering for his feet, and practically destitute of clothing of any character. But he was enabled to replace his house the following fall, and is in a fair way to retrieve all his losses.
He was married in November, 1833, in Peterboro Co., Ont., to Elizabeth, daughter of John and Mary Livick. Ten children have been born to them, in the following order : Mary, Thomas, John, Jane, Margaret, Willin, James, Elizabeth, Jane (second) and James (second). Mary is deceased, also Jane (first), Willin, James (first) and Elizabeth. The four last named died within the same month, of malignant sore throat. The mother died in Gratiot Co., Mich.
Mr. Robinson was a second time married in the winter of 1866, in Sigel Township, to Charlotte Har- per. They have had four children,-Watson, Jr., George W., Josephine and Maria. The third child died in infancy. Mrs. Robinson was born in Oxford Co., Ont., Sept. 13, 1844, and is the daughter of Robert and Ann (Tribe) Harper, who were natives of Norfolkshire, Eng.
Mr. Robinson is independent in political belief and action. In August, 1878, he received the nomina- tion for the Legislature from Huron County on the Democratic ticket, but withdrew his name previous to the election on account of his views on financial questions. He has served three times as Supervisor, three times as Township Treasurer and has been twice elected Justice of the Peace.
As the subject of the foregoing sketch is a promi- nent and representative citizen of Huron County, on account of his intellectual abilities and integrity of character, the publishers take great pleasure in ·placing his portrait in the collection given in this ALBUM.
'ohn R. Bodey, section 29, Grant Township, is one of its earliest settlers. He came here in the fall of 1863 and entered a claim of 80 acres, of which he took possession. He erected a shanty and set about clearing his land, meanwhile working as a farm laborer until October, 1864, when he entered the
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army of the Union, and served about nine months. The war having come to an end, he returned to Huron County to his farm, where his family had re- mained during his absence. He has continued the work of improvement on his farm and has extended his acreage until he is the owner of 120 acres with about 60 acres under improvement. Mr. Bodey is a Democrat in political opinion.
He was born April 26, 1831, in Putnam Co., Ohio, and is the son of Henry and Susan (Comer) Bodey, both of whom were born in Virginia. They settled in the Buckeye State after their marriage, where the mother died. The father removed after that event to Randolph Co., Ind., where his life terminated some years after. Their family numbered 11 children.
Mr. Bodey is the fourth son and fifth child. He lived in his native State until he was 19 years of age, when he went to Allen Co., Ind., and resided there until his settlement in Huron County.
He was married Dec. 2, 1855, in Allen County, to Lydia A. Baxter. Six children have been born of this union-Samuel F., Mary L., Lydia J., Sybil O., Joseph D. and Oliver A. Sybil was the first white child born in Grant Township. Her birth occurred Jan. 24, 1864. Mary died when she was two years of age. Mrs. Bodey is a member of the Advent Church. She was born on Long Island, N. Y., May 1, 1836. Her parents, Thomas and Lavinia (Young- love) Baxter, were natives of the State of New York.
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Joseph Hubbard, farmer and butcher, resi- dent on section 33, Gore Townseip, was born Dec. 20, 1843, in Lincolnshire, Eng. His parents, Joseph and Susanna Hubbard, were both of English blrth, his father having been born in England about 1817, and died when his son was a child. The mother was born in April, 1823, and is still living, in Lincolnshire.
Mr. Hubbard left Liverpool for the United States Feb. 28, 1866, landed at the port of New York, and reached Port Hope March 17th. He engaged in farming and lumbering and passed two winters in the vocation last named, in which he lost $1,700. Mr. Hubbard endorses the views of the National
Greenback party, and has discharged the duties of the position of Town Clerk several terms.
He was first married in October, 1866, to Susanna Hubbard. One child was born of this marriage, which lived about a month. The mother died in December, 1873, in Ontario. She was the daughter of John and Mary Hubbard. Mr. Hubbard was a second time married April 12, 1875, to Hannah, daughter of Robert and Mary (Gambel) Campbell. Her mother died in Scotland. The demise of her father took place in Gore Township. Five children have been born of the last marriage : Harry, Joseph, Robert J., William and Mary.
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