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 22
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Mr. Snover was reared to manhood in his native town. He obtained a solid elementary education in the common schools and at 17 matriculated at the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, where he pursued a classical course of study, covering a period of four years, and was graduated there in 1869 with the degree of B. A. In the fall of the same year he entered the Law Department of the Univer- sity, where he was graduated in 1871. He set out for the West to select a location for establishing him- self in the prosecution of his business, and after prospecting a short time he opened an office at Wichita, Kan. He remained there a year, returned to Romeo and taught school there in the winter of 1873-4.
In the fall of 1874 Mr. Snover came to Port Aus-
tin to engage in the management of the High School as Principal, in which position he officiated two years. In August, 1876, he purchased the interest of Robert W. Irwin in the law and real-estate busi- ness of Winsor & Irwin, the new firm taking its present style. It is one of the leading law associa- tions in this part of Michigan, and, besides its extensive legal relations, it is engaged in the transac- tion of a real-estate business of large dimensions. They own 20,000 acres of land, and besides the pros- ecution of their own affairs in real estate they act as agents for other parties. They represent the insur- ance companies known as the Fire, London & Liver- pool and Globe, the Home of New York and the Union of San Francisco.
Mr. Snover is a Republican. In the fall of 1880 he was the candidate of that ticket for Judge of Probate, and was elected to the position by a ma- jority of over 600 votes. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity.
His marriage to Nellie E. Williams took place at Port Austin, Aug. 27, 1879. Edward S., only child, was born at Port Austin, May 25, 1880. Mrs. Snover was born at Port Austin and is the daughter of Ortice B. and Maria A. (Hanford) Williams. (See sketch of O. B. Williams.)
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onrad C. Brack, merchant at Sebewaing, was born Dec. 17, 1854, in Germany, which is yet the home of his parents, John and Augusta Brack. He received the educa- tion for which the laws of his country provide, and attended school until he was 14 years of age. For a time succeeding his abandonment of study he followed agricultural pursuits, remaining at home until 1872, the year in which he emigrated to America. On landing in the United States, he came at once to Sebewaing, where he remained for a time with relatives. Eventually he entered the employ of John Mullerweiss as salesman in a mercantile estab- lishment. He officiated in that capacity three years, when he transferred his services to the interest of John C. Liken & Co., where he was occupied about 18 months. At the end of that time he re-engaged with
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his former employer and remained with him one and a half years. After this he became a farm assistant, in which line he operated five months, when he opened a store in his own interest at Kilmanagh .. He conducted his affairs there nearly four years and removed his stock of general merchandise in 1883 to Sebewaing, where he is doing a fairly successful busi- ness. He is a Republican in political faith and connections.
Mr. Brack was married Oct. 21, 1879, at Sebe- waing, to Amelia Luckhard. She was born Aug. I, 1856, at Sebewaing, and is the daughter of Frederick and Catherine Luckhard, natives of Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Brack are Lutherans in religious faith.
ohn H. Flint, farmer, residing on section 21, Verona Township, was born April 10, 1831, in Yorkshire, Eng., and is the son of Edward and Isabella (Hewson) Flint. When he was four years old, the family emigrated to Canada, the father buying a farm near Ottawa, on which the family resided until 1843, when they removed to a farm in Orford Township, Kent County.
Mr. Flint left home when he was 14 years old and spent some time in a distillery. He also learned the business of millwright and has devoted many years of his life to its prosecution. In February, 1866, he came to Forestville, Sanilac County, where he spent 14 months, coming thence to Verona Town- ship, where he joined the pioneer settlers and bought 160 acres of land. He still retains 80 acres, having given 40 acres to each of his two sons. He has 40 acres under cultivation. Among the buildings which he has assisted in erecting are the Star Flouring Mills at Sand Beach, a saw-mill at Pt. Crescent, and the old "Irwin House " at Bad Axe, the first hotel in the town, besides other buildings, including the first dwelling house for James M. Skinner, and a residence for Edmund Cole, the first Treasurer at Bad Axe.
Mr. Flint has served 16 years as Justice of the Peace in Verona Township. He has witnessed the virtual total destruction of his property in Huron County twice,-in 1871 and again in 1881. In the
first fire he lost his house and barn and their con- tents, fences, etc. At the last his experience was repeated in the loss of an elegant house, a good barn, with orchards, fences, grain and implements, besides sheep, hogs and poultry,-all aggregating $3,000 in value. He had nothing left save horses and cattle.
The marriage of Mr. Flint to Susan Pangborn oc- curred April 10, 1855, in Toronto, Can. Mrs. Flint was the daughter of Thomas and Eliza Pangborn, and was born at Toronto, Little York Tp., Can., Jan 31, 1837. William H. Flint, the elder son, was born in Orford Township, Sept. 23, 1858. He was educated for the ministry at Detroit, was ordained at the Methodist Protestant Conference at Columbia- ville, Lapeer Co., Mich., and is officiating at Attica, Lapeer Co., Mich. He was married near Caro, Tus- cola County, to Cecilia England. They have two children-Katie M., born May 24, 1881, and Susan Pearl, April 18, 1884. Thomas E., younger son of Mr. Flint, was born Jan. 16, 1861, and is a carpenter and farmer, residing with his father. The mother died in Verona, June 21, 1884.
eorge Kerr, a prominent farmer and busi_ ness man of Meade Township, resident on section 6, was born Sept. 10, 1839, in Haldimand Co., Ont. He is the son of Alex- ander and Elizabeth (Readie) Kerr, both of whom were natives of Ireland. They emi- grated from their native country to Ontario, in 1836. The father died March 24, 1857 ; the mother is still living, in the Dominion.
Mr. Kerr is the second son and the third of a family of ten children born to his parents. He re- ceived a common-school education and remained at home until he was 25 years of age, and was engaged in farming. He came to Huron County in the fall of 1864, and he spent four years as a farm assistant, and as a clerk in a store at Port Crescent. In 1868 he became a land-holder by the purchase of 80 acres of land in Meade Township, where he has since resided with the exception of the winter of 1874-5, which he spent at East Saginaw. About three-
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fourths of his acreage are cleared and under cultiva- tion.
Mr. Kerr is also interested to a considerable ex- tent in the fire-insurance business and deals in real estate.
He is a Republican in political views, and is present Chairman of the Republican Board of Meade Township. He has held the office of Clerk of his township ten years, and has officiated as Justice of the Peace, School Superintendent and in other posi- tions.
Mr. Kerr was married at South Saginaw, Mich., June 10, 1868, to Julia (Maynard) Lang, widow of John Lang. She was born in the city of Watertown, Jefferson Co., N. Y., Sept. 30, 1849, and is of French parentage. Seven children have been born to her- self and husband, as follows : Nellie E., April 13, 1869; Emma J., April 29, 1871 ; George E., Sept. 27, 1874; Hattie J., Dec. 15, 1876; James Abram Garfield, Oct. 31, 1881. George A., born Feb. I, 1873, died July 15 of the same year; Annie B., born Oct. 7, 1878, died Feb. 28, 1884.
The first husband of Mrs. Kerr lost his life by drowning in the Pinnebog River, April 14, 1867. One child was born of the first marriage,-John A., March 29, 1867. Mr. and Mrs. Kerr are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
J. Ludington, farmer, section 22, Rubi- con Township, was born April 5, 1847, in Geauga Co., Ohio. His parents, William and Betsey (Temple) Ludington, reside in Huron County. The former was born in Vermont, the latter in Ohio. They came to Michigan in 1855, and have lived in the township of Rubicon since their removal to the State.
Mr. Ludington has been engaged chiefly in lum- bering until about 1880, when he turned his atten- tion exclusively to the development of his agricul- tural interests. He owns 230 acres of land, and has 100 cleared and improved. He has been successful in all his business ventures, but has suffered heavy losses in both the fires that have devastated the " little peninsula " of Michigan. In that of 1871 his saw-mill, buildings and lumber were consumed,
inflicting a loss of $5,000. The mill was situated at Forest Bay. His loss in the second fire was $1,400.
He is a Republican in political affiliation and has served his township two years as Supervisor, and as School Director six years.
The first school in the township was taught by Thomas Nichol (afterward a minister of the Metho- dist Episcopal Church), and Mr. Ludington was a pupil therein.
Mrs. Ludington was born Oct. 1, 1852, in Canada, and is the daughter of John Atkinson. Her father is living in Lexington Township, Sanilac County. Her mother died when the daughter was a young girl. She was married in October, 1869, to Mr. Lud- ington, and they have had four children, as follows : W. Bertie, April 11, 1871 ; John P., July 15, 1873; Lottie, March 17, 1875; Arthur, March 27, 1883. They were born in Rubicon Township.
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charles E. Thompson, Register of Deeds of Huron County, resident at Bad Axe, was born July 9, 1845, in Port Huron, Mich. His parents, John D. and Mary A. (Lock- wood) Thompson, removed in 1854 to Huron City. Mr. Thompson remained in Huron County from the age of nine years until the attain- ment of his majority, obtaining meanwhile a fair elementary education. In 1866 he went to Detroit and became a student in Bryant, Stratton & Gold- smith's Commercial College, and completed the en- tire curriculum of study. He obtained a position as 'book-keeper in the business establishment of Thomas S. Donahue at New River, Huron County. After a year of service in that capacity, he went to Port Hope and passed two seasons in a saw-mill and in lumber- ing. His next employment was for Robert W. Irwin, of Sand Beach, as clerk and book-keeper. In the winter of 1871-2 he entered the telegraph office at Port Hope. In the spring following, he went to Huron City as accountant in the service of R. B. Hubbard & Co., where he was employed until his name was brought before the people for the position of County Clerk. In the fall of 1876, he was placed in nomination by the Republicans of the county for,
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the position, and scored a triumphant success over the opposition candidate. He was re-elected in 1878. He was elected in 1880 to the position of County Treasurer, and discharged the duties of the office during one term. He received his election to his present incumbency in the fall of 1882, being re- elected in the fall of 1884. He is a member of the Order of Masonry and is a Knight Templar. His pleasant residence has 15 acres attached, and he owns also 5914 acres near Port Hope.
Mr. Thompson was married May 13, 1872, to Elizabeth McDonald. She was born near Brucefield, Ont. The children which have since been added to the household of Mr. and Mrs. Thompson were born as follows : Charles A., Feb. 21, 1873; Anna Grace, Sept. 20, 1880; and Florence E., Feb. 28, 1883.
In presenting the likeness of Mr. Thompson in this work, we do so with a firm belief that all who see it will recognize one of the representative and energetic citizens of the county.
dward Heaton, farmer and stockman, res- ident on section 26, Chandler Township, where he was one of the pioneer settlers, was born Jan. 10, 1833, in Lincolnshire, Eng. He came to Michigan in the fall of 1860, and located 320 acres of land on sections 26 and 27, in Chandler Township, under the provisions of the Graduation Act. His land was located at a more remote point of the "bush " than any other at the date of his settlement. He was occupied in lumber- ing for some time after he located, and at the same time made improvements on his farm. He raised the first grain in the township of Chandler, and owned the first team of horses, and the first wagon. He brought his first farming implements from Detroit and Lexington, and at the latter place he purchased a fanning-mill, the first and only one in that section of Huron County for many years.
His farm of 200 acres, in an unbroken body, is all fenced, and 30 acres is devoted to pastures. The major portion is worked for crops. The place con- tains three good stock and grain barns, and a fine residence, erected at an expense of $2,000. He makes specialties of Durham cattle and Cotswold sheep, and is rearing a good breed of horses.
The parents of Mr. Heaton, Isaac and Sarah (Tock) Heaton, were born in Lincolnshire, Eng. The father died in his native shire in 1835, near the place of his birth. The mother came to the United States in 1882, and resides with her son. She made the ocean passage when she was 80 years old, and is still in possession of her mental and physical facul- ties to a surprising degree, being apparently in per- fectly firm health.
Mr. Heaton was two years old when his father died, and he lived with his mother until he was 15 years of age. He was an only child, and early awakened to the fact that the maintenance of his mother devolved upon him. He obtained a good situation, which he held until his majority, and soon after was married in Lincolnshire, Eng., to Harriet Thomas. One of their two children died. Isaac, born Dec. 30, 1853, was married June 26, 1876, to Rose Ligthall. The family came to Oxford Co., Ont., in 1853, where the mother died, Nov. 15, 1855.
In December, 1865, Mr. Heaton was married, at Detroit, to Catherine Irwin, and they are the parents of six children, born as follows : Sarah, July 31, 1866; Joseph, Nov. 9, 1867 ; Mary, March 3, 1870; Edward, Dec. 5, 1874; Elizabeth, Sept. 3, 1876; Irwin, May 17, 1879.
Mrs. Heaton was born Aug. 22, 1842, in North- umberland, Eng. Her father, Robert Irwin, was a native of the some county, was a blacksmith, and died near where he was born, in 1881. Her mother, Mary (Thompson) Irwin, is living in Northumber- land, Eng., and is 70 years of age (1884). Mrs. Heaton came to Ontario, Can., in the spring of 1865. The family are communicants in the Episcopal Church.
Mr. Heaton is a Republican of tolerant principles, and has been Supervisor of his township two years.
ohn Kinsh, farmer, section 4, Bloomfield Township, was born Oct. 31, 1826, near Brockville, Ont. His parents, John and Ann (Crampton) Kinsh, were respectively - of Irish and Welsh descent, and are both de- ceased. The father was 76 years of age at the time of his decease; the mother died when she was 78 years old.
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At the age of 23 years, Mr. Kinsh commenced a long course of journeying in the Western States and Territories, California, Washington Territory, and in British Columbia. After traveling through 19 States and Territories, he returned to the Dominion, where he was associated with a business firm in a mercan- tile enterprise 10 years, located at Carleton, 28 miles west of Ottawa. He acted as salesman in the estab- lishment five years, and after the loss of about $14,- ooo through his partner. he left Canada. He came to Huron County, bought 85 acres of land in Bloom- field Township, and has lived here ever since. He paid cash for his farm with the remnant of his for- tune which he saved from the wreck of his mercan- tile business in Canada. It was the last of $10,000 he had made in California in mining. In the fire of 188I his accumulations on the farm all vanished save a cradle and a rake which he had left in the harvest fields.
Mr. Kinsh is a Republican in political persuasion, and in religious opinion is an Episcopalian. He has been School Assessor nine terms. He was mar- ried Nov. 13, 1872, in Carleton Place, Quebec, to Margaret Burke. Six children have been born of this marriage: Edmond, May 4, 1874; Theresa, Nov. 14, 1876 ; Otis, June 30, 1877 ; Samuel, Jan. 31, 1879; Wallace, Sept. 27, 1881; Ellen, Feb. 4, 1884. Mrs. Kinsh was born Nov. 8, 1851, and is the daughter of Edmond and Mary (McCarthy) Burke. Her parents are deceased. She is a Roman Catholic.
john Geiger, farmer, section 25, Sand Beach Township, is a son of George and Barbara Geiger, who passed their entire lives in their native land, Germany, in which country John also was born, Jan. 30, 1834. In the spring of 1854 he emigrated to Canada and purchased a farm, in company with his brother, but in two years they were obliged to give it up. In 1861 he came to this county and "took up " 40 acres of land in Sherman Township, to which he afterward added 40 acres more. This tract he occupied six years and then exchanged it for an 80-acre tract in
Sand Beach Township, which he has since retained, having it nearly all in a good state of cultivation.
Oct. 29, 1863, is the date of Mr. Geiger's enlist- ment as a soldier for the Union, in the Second Mich. Cav .; and after serving 22 months he was honorably discharged, without having received any injuries. He had a sun-stroke, and has since been troubled with the rheumatism. In politics he is a Republican, and in religion both himself and wife are members of the Lutheran Church.
He was married to Christina Barfitt, in Canada, March 14, 1858. She is a lady of French nativity. The four children in the family of Mr. and Mrs. Geiger are named Mary, George, Maggie and Lena. Mrs. Geiger is the daughter of Peter and Elizabeth (Hauter) Barfitt.
obert Gotts, farmer, section 24, Lake Town- ship, was born May 12, 1839, in Norfolk County, England. His parents were born in the same country, of German ancestry. He left his native land to become a resident of Ontario when he was 18 years old. He came thence, two years later, to Michigan, and remained three years in Wayne County, operating as a laborer. In 1864, he came to Huron County, where he en- tered a homestead claim of 160 acres of land. He does an extensive business in market gardening, and was State Enumerator for Lake Township in 1884.
On coming to take possession of the property of which he had become the proprietor without personal examination of its location, etc., he found it situated remote from the limits of civilization, and no roads of any character in its vicinity. He "barked out " a road for a distance of three miles. He opened a clearing, built a log shanty, and lived solitary and alone for two years.
In 1866, he was married, in his own cabin, to Han- nah Davison. Their nine children are all living and are named : Charlotte M., Morton M., Horatio W., Horace S., Wesley J., Susan A., Robert E., Sarah A. and Jeannette L. The parents of Mrs. Gotts were natives of the States and Ontario, respectively. Her father died in the State of New York in 1878. Her
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mother is yet living. She was born near Georgian Bay, Ont., April 23, 1848, and came to Huron County about three months previous to her marriage. Mr. Gotts is one of the earliest settlers in what is now Lake Township. He has been active and effi- cient in the development of all local interests, and has afforded material service in the progress of edu- cational matters and in other avenues pertaining to the wholesome growth of a community. He is a prominent member of the Order of Good Templars, is a Prohibitionist, and one of the organizers of that element in Huron County. He is Chairman of the County Committee. In religious matters, he and his wife are active and zealous. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which Mr. Gotts is a Steward. He was Clerk of the late Con- ference (1884). He has officiated in all the local offices of the township except that of Supervisor, and has held several at the same time when there were few settlers after the organization. He was Justice of the Peace eight years, and is present Clerk (1884), which position he has occupied eight years.
homas Weir, farmer, section 34, Sand Beach Township, was born in Canada, Sept. 1, 1849, where he lived until he was 16 years of age, when he came to Huron County and for eight years was employed by J. Jenks, in the woods during the winter and in the mills during the warmer portion of the year. After a residence of three years in Iosco Co., Mich., he bought the quarter section where he now resides. He has since disposed of 50 acres, and 50 acres of the remainder are cleared and in a good state of cul- tivation.
With reference to national issues, Mr. W. is a Re- publican.
He is the fourth son in a family of seven children of Robert and Eliza (Hall) Weir, natives of Ireland, who emigrated to Canada, where they resided until their death. He was married, in White Rock Town- ship, Dec. 29, 1873, to Hannah, daughter of Francis and Ellen (McCann) Landra, who were natives re-
spectively of Canada and Ireland. She was born in Canada, Feb. 25, 1854, and in the family of Mr. and Mrs. Weir are now the following children : Ellen R., born Nov. 25, 1877; Annie E., born Jan. 22, 1879; George W., born Jan. 31, 1881; Thomas A., born March 26, 1883.
& charles S. Nims, farmer, section 19, Sand Beach Township, is a son of Reuben and Sophia (Whiton) Nims, natives of Franklin Co., Mass., who lived in that State a short time after marriage, then 25 years in Ver- mont, and in 1854 came to Sanilac Co., Mich., lived one year there, and finally removed to Romeo, Macomb Co., Mich., where Mr. N. died Feb. 2, 1869, and where his widow still survives, at the age of 85 years. They had nine children, named Sarah S., George W., William R., Frances G., Hannibal H., George R., Charles S., Jerome W. and Edward L. The second born died when he was five years old.
The subject of this sketch was born Jan. 6, 1838, in Huntington, Vt., attended the common school until 14 years of age, then attended Oberlin (Ohio) College three years, and finally a course of law at Harvard University in 1862, graduating in 1864. He was admitted to the Bar in Boston, in 1863, the year before he graduated. He at once came to San- ilac County and formed a partnership at Lexington with Watson Beach, which continued 18 years. Dur- ing this time Mr. B. took charge of the law business while Mr. Nims edited the Jeffersonian. While re- siding at Lexington Mr. N. was elected two terms as County Superintendent of Schools, and was Circuit Court Commissioner several terms. He also held minor offices in the gift of his townsmen.
In the fall of 1882 he came to Huron County and and formed a partnership with J. and G. W. Jenks, the firm name being J. & G. W. Jenks & Co. He is also the manager of a farm of 400 acres south of the Sand Beach village, and Secretary and Treasurer of the Huron Dairy Salt Company. In reference to political affairs Mr. Nims acts with the Republican party, and in regard to religious views he, as well as his wife, is a member of the Congregational Church.
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Mr. Nims was married in the township of Sand Bank (Rock Falls), Nov. 22, 1865, to Mary E., daughter of Jeremiah and Relief (Heustis) Jenks. (See sketch of J. Jenks.) Mrs. N. was born at Crown Point, Essex Co., N. Y., Sept. 25, 1846. The chil- dren in the family of Mr. and Mrs. N. are, Charles H., Mary E. J. (died when one year of age), Wolton E. and Marion R.
Mr. Nim's brother, Hannibal H., was a member of the roth Mich. Inf., Second Lieutenant of Co. K, and afterward transferred to Co. C, and promoted as Captain. He was killed in the battle of Jonesboro, Ga.
harles G. Learned, one of the most ex- tensive agriculturists of the Huron pen- insula, resident at Port Austin, was born Dec. 13, 1816, at West Troy, Albany Co., N. Y. His father, Edward Learned, was a na- tive of Roxbury, Mass., and married Betsey Crawford. She was born in Ireland and died in Pittsfield, Mass. The senior Learned was a practical business man and operated many years in the State of New York as a contractor on the public works, building canals, aqueducts, water works and rail- roads, and died in Albany Co., N. Y.
Mr. Learned commenced his career as a business man in 1835. Two years before attaining his major- ity, he took a contract in his father's name to build one mile of aqueduct on the water-works of the city of New York, at Dobbs' Ferry. When he arrived at the period of his legal freedom he had made his first $10,000. He was one of the builders of the Erie Canal, and constructed two tunnels on the Boston water-works; also five miles of the aqueduct connected therewith. After taking the contract for the latter, his father became interested in its fulfill- ment. He was also engaged as a contractor in the construction of the dry dock and buildings at Brook- lyn, for which he quarried the necessary building material in Maine. He was interested in the build- ing of the Harlem Railroad near Croton Falls, N. Y., and in other similar enterprises until 1859. In addition to his operations as a contractor, he was
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