USA > Michigan > Isabella County > Portrait and biographical album of Isabella county, Mich., containing portraits and biographical sketches > Part 15
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Mr. B. is politically an earnest Republican. He has held the minor offices of his township. He and wife are members of the M. E. Church.
onrad Hook, farmer on section 34, Chip- pewa Township, is a son of John A. and Margaret A. (Fladung) Hook, natives of Germany, who came to this country in Sep- tember, 1846, settling in Ohio, and came thence to Isabella County. He died Feb. 2, 1855, and she Jan. 28, 1860.
The subject of this sketch was born in Germany Aug. 31, 1829, and was 17 years old when the fam- ily came to America. The father was a mason in the old country, and his work took him to various places away from home. At the age of 13 young HIook took up the same trade, and traveled with his father to different places, being thus engaged until they emigrated. In this country he followed his trade but a short time, and the same season that he came to Ohio he was, after three months' work in the mines, bound out for three years to the shoemaker's trade. He served his time and worked four years
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more for the same man, having the principal charge of the business, and becoming a man of standing in the community. Directly after his ap- prenticeship he attended for a time an English school, he having received a good education in the schools of Germany. In 1851-2 he made a tour of Ohio and Indiana, visiting many of the important cities and working at his trade. He then returned to Crawford Co., Ohio, and in the spring of 1853 he came to this county and took up 120 acres under the Graduation Act, afterwards homesteading 40 acres more. Here he has since resided, except one year when he worked at his trade at Alma, Gratiot County. He has disposed of all but 80 acres, 50 of which are under cultivation.
He was married at Alma, July 11, 1860, to Miss Mary E., daughter of Henry and Susannah (Bigley) Wolfe, natives of Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Wolfe settled first in Ohio and went thence to Monroe Co., Mich .; and in 1854 settled in Gratiot County, where he died, in Arcada Township, Feb. 8, 1862. She survives and is a resident of Pine River Township. Mrs. Hook was born in Jefferson Co., Pa., Nov. 10, 1841. She and her husband have had two sons: Willie H. A. (died at the age of 14) and George W. T. J.
Mr. Hook is a Freemason and an Odd-Fellow. Politically he is Republican.
arks H. Hillyard, physician and surgeon, resident at Dushville, was born in St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., March 22, 1840. His parents were Jesse and Lovina (Fur- geson) Hillyard, natives of the State of N. Y. His father was a farmer by occupation, and in 1847 moved from New York to Illinois, where he fol- lowed his chosen vocation for three years, and in 1850 came to Hillsdale County, this State, where they are at present living, at the venerable ages of 70 and 63 years respectively.
Marks H. Hillyard, the subject of this biograph- ical notice, was reared on the farm, assisted in the maintenance of the family and received only such education as he acquired by the improvement of his leisure moments in study and attending the district school. He thus labored and studied until
he attained the age of 22 years. On arriving at this age in life, he bade adieu to the old homestead and went forth upon the sea of life to fight its battles alone. He worked at the carpenter's trade during summers and attended school winters.
In the fall of 1863, Mr. Hillyard, true to the promptings of an honest conscience and a heart which beat in unison with the cause of justice, enlist- ed in Co. K, 27th, Mich. Vol. Inf., which was assign- ed to the Ninth Corps of the Army of the Potomac. During the winter of 1863-4, he was engaged in recruiting, when he returned to his company and acted as First Sergeant until his discharge. He participated in all the battles in which his company was engaged, from that of the Wilderness to Cold Harbor, and at the latter battle was wounded, June 3, 1864. The wound disabled him for two months, and at the expiration of that time he rejoined his command. He received his muster-out at the Delano House, Washington, D. C., and was finally discharged at Detroit, Aug. 1, 1865.
On receiving his discharge from his country's service, he returned to Hillsdale County and pur- chased a farm of 40 acres, and there followed the occupation of farming for a period of four years. Nov. 8, 1866, Mr. Hillyard was united in marriage with Miss Abigail Judd, who was born in 1838. She died Feb. 16, 1871, in Hillsdale County, leaving a host of friends, neighbors and relatives to mourn her loss.
After the death of his wife, Mr. Hillyard turned his attention to the study of medicine. He prose- cuted his studies under the instruction of Dr. Levi Stearns, of Hillsdale, and spent a portion of the year 1875-6 attending the Eclectic Medical College at Philadelphia, Pa., and finally graduated and received his diploma in 1879.
Dr. Hillyard located in Camden, Hillsdale County, in the spring of 1876, and there followed the practice of his profession for four years, except the winter of 1878-9 when he was at Philadelphia. While at Camden, the Doctor formed an acquaintance with Miss Anna V. Whaley, a daughter of David and Lydia Whaley, of that place, with whom he was united in marriage, Dec. 7, 1879. She is an accom- plished and affable lady. She was born in Camden, Feb. 18, 1858.
The Doctor came to Dushville, this county, April
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30, 1880, where, with a gratifying degree of success, he has since continued to practice the profession. Politically, he is a Democrat. Socially, he is a mein- ber of Cambria Lodge, No. 259, F. & A. M.
reece
James B. Allen, farmer, section 6, Pine River Township, was born Nov. 1, 1831, in Sen- eca Co., N. Y., and is the son of Cornelius B. and Ann (Peterson) Allen. His parents were natives of New Jersey, and were respect- ively of English and German descent. They first located in New Jersey, and later on in life re- moved to the State of New York. In 1838, they settled in Lapeer Co., Mich., where the father died the next year. The mother died in Eaton County.
Mr. Allen came to the State of Michigan with his parents when he was only seven years old, and when he was 11 years of age he went to Ohio, and there remained three years, when he returned to Lapeer County. On reaching man's estate, he went to Eaton County and acted as assistant in his brother's store two years. He then formed a partnership with A. Howland, and established himself in mercantile business, a relation which existed a year and a half. On disposing of his interests, Mr. Allen came to Gratiot County and invested his means in 320 acres of land in Pine River Township. He subsequently sold 160 acres, and of the remainder has 90 acres under cultivation, with commodious farm buildings.
In all local history, it is nearly impossible to find the periods within one generation so widely contrast- ing as that of the date of Mr. Allen's settling in Gratiot County and his present circumstances, both of which periods are strongly typical. Soon after he located, the well-remembered time known as the starving period came on, from causes too well-known to require elaboration here. Mr. Allen, like all others, exerted every effort in behalf of the suffering, and among other practical deeds established the sale of articles generally required, operating on his farm. In 1859 he went to Alma, and there engaged in trade for nearly two years. He met with financial reverses and lost nearly all his property, but honest effort and careful management have placed him among the substantial residents of Gratiot County.
He was married at Grand Ledge, Eaton Co., Mich.,
June 29, 1854, to Lucy Hf., daughter of Jacob and Betsey Wood. Her parents were natives of New Hampshire, and settled in life in the State of New York. On coming to Michigan, they first went to Oakland County and thence to Eaton County, where the father died in 1877, and where the mother still resides. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Allen : Nettie T., May 12, 1856, and Myrtle H., Jan. 29, 1861. The latter died in Milford, Oakland County, June 23, 1883.
Mr. Allen was for many years an active Republi- can, but of late has allied himself with the National Greenback party. He has served three years as Justice of the Peace. Mr. and Mrs. Allen are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. They have been zealous adherents to the interests of the Christian religion, and contributed of their strength and means to its maintenance. The first preaching in bis part of Gratiot County was done in the house of Mr. Allen, by the Rev. Ellery Hill.
rs. Elizabeth Hursh, widow of John M. Hursh, one of the first settlers of the county, is a daughter of George and Pame- lia Brown, and was born in Rose Township, Wayne Co., N. Y., Sept. 9, 1819. She was reared on a farm, and married in the same township, March 22, 1837. Of her 11 children six were born in New York State, and five in Union Township. Harriet E. is the wife of Ezra Stringer, a farmer of this county; George H. is now in Saginaw County; John D. is a hotel-keeper at Loomis, Isabella County; Helen J. is the wife of Wesley Winter, a farmer of Deerfield Township, this county ; Alonzo is a farmer at Loomis; Amy is the wife of Wallace Mason, of Coleman; Isabella (the first girl born in the county, 1853) is the wife of William Dodds, a farmer of Mecosta County ; Adelaide is the wife of Angus Walker, a farmer of this county ; Emily, Franklin and Julian E. are at home.
The family came to this county in 1853, and bought 80 acres on section 22 of what is now Union Township, at the rate of a dollar an acre. They drove from Marshall, Calhoun County, and cut their own road for the last ten miles. They raised a log house, without lumber for doors, floor, window, or
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glass or other necessity in the construction of a com- fortable residence. They cleared all this farm, and made a nice home. Mr. Hursh had frequently to carry his provisions from Saginaw, at one time thus transporting roo pounds. At the time of his death (Thanksgiving day, 1877), Mr. H. was keeping the Hursh House at Loomis. He kept hotel there for four years, and was previously for a number of years extensively engaged in lumbering.
About 1871, he bought a house and two lots on Church Street, Mt. Pleasant, which Mrs. H. now makes her home. She also has a claim to a quanti- ty of land in this county, at present the subject of litigation.
20 ohn Rowlader, senior member of the firm of Rowlader & Winter, grocers at Blanch- ard, this county, was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, Dec. 12, 1828. When two years of age his parents emigrated with him to the New World and located in Herkimer Co., N. Y. They remained there for six years and then moved to Steuben County, same State. In that county, on a farm, John was reared and educated,-remaining under the parental roof-tree, assisting his father and attending the common schools, until he attained the age of 18 years. On arriving at the age stated, Mr. Rowlader went to Yates County, his native State, and worked two years for farmers by the names of Green and Abbott. He then went to Dansville, Livingston County, and apprenticed himself to a Mr. Zachariah Dildine, to learn the blacksmith trade. He served his apprenticeship four years, and then worked as a "jour " in various localities for a period, when he came to this State and established a general blacksmith shop at Woodland Center, Barry County. The date of his settlement in the place last named was 1850, and the year following he purchased a farm in Woodland Township, same county, and after mar- riage moved upon it and followed his trade, together with the occupation of a farmer. His brother was a partner with him in the business and the connection lasted for 13 years. In 1861 he sold his interest in the farm to his brother and purchased another farm, which he cultivated until Aug. 6, 1862. On that
date he enlisted in Co. A, 21st Mich. Vol. Inf., to serve in the late civil war, and was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland, commanded by Gens. Rosecrans, Buell and Sheridan. He participated in the battles of Perryville and Stone River and other minor skirmishes in which his company were en- gaged. At the battle of Stone River, Jan. 1, 1863, he was captured and after four weeks was taken to Libby prison, where he was confined for about 15 days, when he was paroled. Shortly afterward he was taken with small-pox and was discharged May 6, 1863.
After he was discharged from his country's service he came home, and, after recovery, ran a blacksmith shop in Barry County for two years. He then en- tered on the occupation of a farmer again and suc- cessfully cultivated his farm for a period, when he sold it and purchased a saw-mill. He ran the mill for nine years, then sold it and moved to Seville Township, Gratiot County. From there he came to Lincoln Township, this county, and purchased 120 acres of land on section 19 and So acres on section 15. This was in 1873, and he has subsequently given the farm on section 19, 120 acres, to his two daughters. He improved 70 acres of the 80-acre farm on section 15 and recently sold it for $4,000. He invested $3,000, together with $1,000 invested by his son-in-law, in the business in which they are at present engaged. They are meeting with success in the enterprise and have an increasing and profit- able trade.
Mr. Rowlader was united in marriage, March 23, 1852, at Carlton Center, Barry Co., this State, with Miss Mary Ann, daughter of William G. and Eliza (Robinson) Wooley, natives of New Jersey, and of Scotch and German extraction. The father was a farmer by occupation and came to this State June 18, 1837, settling with his family in Bowne and Cal- edonia Townships, Kent Co. He was the first white man to settle in those townships, and was one of the first white settlers in that county. From Kent County he went, in Feb., 1843, to Carlton Center, Barry Co., and was one of the pioneer settlers of that township and county.
Mary Ann was the eldest of nine children, and was born in Enfield Center, Tompkins Co., N. Y., March 21, 1832. When one year old she was taken by her parents to Ovid Township, Seneca County, same
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State, where they lived until the daughter was five years old and then came with them to this State. This was three months after the admission of Michigan as a State, and Mrs. Rowlader has resided within its boundaries ever since. She was educated in the common schools and in the school of "industry," which necessity required to be taught at home, and at 14 years of age entered on the occupation of a domestic. She followed that vocation for some time, improving her leisure time in study. At the age of 18 years she had acquired a good common-school education, passed examination and entered on the profession of a teacher. She successfully followed her profession, teaching in the common schools of Barry County until her marriage to Mr. Rowlader, as stated.
The husband and wife are the parents of five children, three of whom, Margaret J., Ada E. and Zana E., are living; and Jessie C. and Emma L. are deceased. The father and mother are both mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church and have been faithful and energetic workers in the same for 20 years. Mr. R. politically is a Republican. He is also a member of the blue lodge, No. 304, F. & A. M., at Woodland, Barry County, and of the Royal Arch Chapter at Hastings, same county.
phraim F. McQueen, senior member of the firm of McQueen & Ralph, dealers in drugs, patent medicines, paints, oils, stationery, toilet articles etc., Mt. Pleasant, was born Sept. 30, 1852, in Bridgeton, N. J. His parents, John and Caroline (Lee) McQueen, removed to Hillsdale Co., Mich., when he was three years old, where they are still residents. His father is a painter by profession and is still pursuing that business in Hillsdale.
Mr. McQueen attended school until he was 13 years old, when he entered the drug-store of A. C. Allen to learn the details of the business. After serving his time he served as a clerk some time in Ludington and Jonesville, coming from the latter place to Mt. Pleasant in March, 1882. He soon after formed his present business association with Frank W. Ralph, and opened the store in which they have since transacted business, with satisfactory
results. They have a judiciously selected stock, suited to their patronage. They own the building in which they are located. Mr. McQueen was elected Village Assessor in March, 1884. He is a member of the Masonic Order and belongs to the blue lodge and Royal Arch Chapter at Mt. Pleasant, and the Council at Jonesville.
He was married in Hillsdale, in December, 1874, to Sarah E., daughter of William and Eliza Nowlin. She was born Oct. 29, 1853, in Pulaski, Jackson Co., Mich.
lbert W. Hance, farmer, section 25, Lin- coln Township, is a son of Adam and Mary (Morrison) Hance, whose biography may be found in this work, and was born in Benning- ton Township, Morrow Co., Ohio, Oct. 8, 1841.
Mr. Hance was the oldest of six children and re- mained on the parental homestead, in Ohio, assisting in the maintenance of the family and in the cultiva- tion of the farm, and attending the common schools of the county, until the removal of the family to this State, in 1865. He accompanied his parents to this State at the date named and, with the father, entered on the task of improving their wild land, which in the future was destined to become the property of our subject. They fought against deprivation and want, and, urged on by faith in the future develop- ment of the county and a determination to succeed, they spent no time in idleness but constantly labored to accomplish their aim.
Mr. Hance was united in marriage with Miss Adda, daughter of Philander and Eliza (Beals) Harns, May 20, 1873. Her parents are natives of Pennsylvania, are of Scotch extraction, and reside in Coe Township, this county, where the father is en- gaged in the occupation of farming. Adda was born June 18, 1856, in Coe Township. She remained at home, assisting her mother in household duties and attending school at the log school-house in her native county until the date of her marriage.
Mr. and Mrs. Hance are the parents of two chil- dren, born and named as follows : Luna Bell, Sept. 29, 1874; and Dew F., May 6, 1883. The young couple lived for two years with Mr. H.'s father after their marriage, on the old homestead, and then set-
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tled on his present farm of 200 acres, on section 25, Lincoln Township. He has 40 acres of his place improved, and has recently erected a residence thereon at a cost of $1,000, exclusive of his own labor in the construction of the same.
Mr. Hance, politically, is a believer in and sup- porter of the principles of the Republican party. He has held the offices of his school district, and is a respected and esteemed citizen of the township.
atrick C. Sullivan, of the firm of Manners & Sullivan, blacksmiths at Mt. Pleasant, is a son of Patrick and Mary (Kelley) Sulli- van, and was born in the township of Lowe, Ottawa Co., Pr. of Quebec, Aug. 28, 1855. His parents are still residing in Lowe, on a farm.
Mr. Sullivan learned his trade in Ottawa, Can., which he has followed since he was 19 years of age. He remained in Ottawa less than two years, and went thence to Bay City, Mich., where he engaged in the service of Gates & Fay, operating in the winter season in the lumber woods and during the summer in their mill shops. He went in 1880 to East Saginaw, where he remained until August, when he came to Mt. Pleasant and conducted a blacksmith shop about six months in company with Patrick Mason, after which he associated Wm II. Manners with himself in the same business. This relation is still existing, and they are engaged in general black- smithing and in the manufacture of all kinds of lumber tools. They also do horseshoeing and repair- ing. Mr. Sullivan owns his shop and residence and grounds on Pine Street.
Ile was married Nov. 22, 1883, at Mt. Pleasant, to Libbie M. Carroll, a native of Canada, born Aug. 22, 1859.
zra C. Stringer, farmer on section 30, Union, owns 40 acres on either side of the quarter-line road, the southwest quarter of the northwest quarter, and the northwest quarter of the southwest quarter; and also 10 acres in Deerfield Township. He is a son of Aaron and Mary (Ilunt) Stringer, and was born in
Welland Co., Can., April 28, 1833. He was reared on a farm, and also worked some at carpentry, which he learned of his father.
In 1859 he came to Port Huron, St. Clair County, this State, and worked in the lumber woods nine months. Then he came to Saginaw, where he was similarly engaged for two years. Next he spent a few months at Port Huron, and then was variously employed at Saginaw until the fall of 1862, when he came to this county. He has here followed lumber- ing a number of winters, being first in the employ- ment of John M. Hursh.
In 1863 he bought 80 acres, including the south 40 of his present farm. In June, 1865, he bought the north 40 of his present place, also 100 acres in Deer- field Township, 60 acres on section 25, and 40 on section 26. On his home farm 45 acres are in culti- vation, and on the other tracts 17 acres are improved. He has built appropriate farm buildings, and a nice residence. He is a member of the I. O. O. F.
He was married in Union Township, March 8, 1864, to Miss Harriet E. Hursh, born in Palmyra, N. Y., March 3, 1839, the daughter of John M. and Elizabeth Hursh. The four children born of this marriage are as follows: Nellie, Jan. 24, 1865 ; Alice E., born May 7, 1867; Maud, Sept. 3, 1868, and Earl C., Feb. 20, 1876. The first named was born in Mt. Pleasant; the other three on the farm.
ME
ensselaer G. Whitney, of the firm of Whitney Bros., liverymen at Mt. Pleasant, was born in Ontario Co., N. Y., Feb. 12, 1850. He is a son of Benjamin and Caroline E. (Hall) Whitney. His father was a native of Vermont and a blacksmith; he died in Ontario County, aged 72 years. His mother was born in Ontario County, and is still living, near Salt River.
Mr. Whitney was brought up on a farm, and, on reaching his majority, joined his brothers, William T. and Charles C. Whitney, at Mt. Pleasant. He passed three years laboring as a builder, and in 1879 was elected Constable. While discharging the duties
Juhu, J. Jandon
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of the post (which he held one year) he was also en- gaged in draying. On the expiration of his term of office he was appointed Deputy Sheriff, and has been the incumbent of the office ever since. In 1883, associated with his brother, George G. Whitney, he opened the livery stable which they are still managing. Their business is conducted in connection with the Bennett House, and they keep ten horses and livery accommodations in proportion to their patronage. They run an omnibus line for the benefit of the Ben- nett House, and to accommodate the public. They are also engaged to some extent in traffic in real estate, buy and sell buildings, lots, etc., and now own three houses and five lots. Mr. Whitney is a mem- ber of the Order of Masonry.
He was first married Sept. 2, 1868, in Shortsville, Ontario Co., N. Y., to Sarah L. Beaden. His second marriage, with Mary R. Schuyler, occurred at Mt. Pleasant, in September, 1876. She is a native of Watertown, Jefferson Co., N. Y.
ohn T. Landon, a prominent farmer and lumberman, residing on section 28, Chip- pewa Township, is a son of Jesse and Sally (Trickey) Landon, natives of Canada, where they resided most of their lives. They first settled in Lansdowne, C. W., afterwards re- moving to Pittsburg, C. W., whence after a few years they returned to Lansdowne. The father was by occupation a farmer, but meeting with serious mis- fortunes he lost all he possessed. His wife died in Lansdowne, about 1850, and he died at the same place, in the spring of 1861. Four children born to them grew to be adults, namely : Alfred, Sophronia, John T. and Rosanna.
The subject of this biography, the second son, began life in Lansdowne, April 26, 1840. He was about nine years of age when his mother died, and his father being in somewhat limited circumstances he went to live with a young preacher named James Peck. Here he found a good home for one year. The following two years he worked by the month for $3 and board. He was employed by various indi- viduals until 21 years old, receiving sometimes as much as $to per month. During many of these
years his work brought him in contact with men who drank and had other bad habits, but young Landon stoutly resisted all temptation. To this earl virtue his present standing and success are di- rectly attributable. When young, he was often held fast by thoughtless and evil men who tried to pour whisky down his throat, and who used every means, foul as well as fair, to shake his resolution; but he bravely answered No, and was victorious.
When a little over 21, that is, Nov. 29, 1861, he was united in marriage at Ogdensburg, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., with Miss Martha, daughter of Samuel H. and Rhoda (Ferguson) Andress, natives of Can- ada. Mr. and Mrs. Andress lived in the Dominion until 1862, when they came to Clinton Co., Mich. They lived then successively three months in Clin- ton County, two years in Canada, four years at St. John's, Clinton County, and two years in Gratiot County. They then lived for six years in Chippewa Township, this county, four years on a farm in Den- ver Township, and finally settled in Chippewa Town- ship, where they still reside. Their daughter, Mrs. Landon, was born in Jefferson Co., Can., June 17, 1840.
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