USA > Michigan > Isabella County > Portrait and biographical album of Isabella county, Mich., containing portraits and biographical sketches > Part 16
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After marriage, Mr. L. resided in Canada until the following summer, and in July, 1862, came to Clin- ton County, this State. Sept. 1, following, he came to this county and sought employment, which he readily obtained for one year, at $15 per month and board for himself and wife. He then bought 40 acres on section 30, Chippewa, going in debt for nearly all the purchase price. One year later, during which time he worked out by the month, he moved on his land. He continued to work for others, clear- ing his own land as fast as he could. Being fond of hunting, he passed part of his time in hunting and trapping. Three years later he bought another 40 acres, and in two years more he sold his whole 80 and bought 160 acres, where he has since resided. Shortly after locating the last time he took a contract of lumbering, which proved very disastrous, and he found his affairs badly involved; but by untiring en- ergy and perseverance he has surmounted all diffi- culties, and now " in the sunshine of prosperity he can smile at the trials of the past." He has bought from time to time various tracts of land and now owns, in Chippewa Township, Isabella County : 157 34 acres on section 28, 80 on section 29, 40 on
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section 18, 160 on section 15, 160 on section II and 40 on section 10; and in Greendale Township, Mid- land County : 120 acres on section 18, and 27 on section 21 ;- in all, 92434 acres, besides five village lots in Mt. Pleasant and 40 acres in Gladwin County.
In the year 1873 he built the fine brick residence he now occupies, and which was the first brick struct- ure in Isabella County. In 1883 he erected two new barns, and he now has on his place seven barns and two sheds, the latter 66 feet in length. He keeps 100 sheep, 40 cattle, 17 hogs and 6 horses.
Mr. Landon has been President of the Isabella County Agricultural Society for four years, and to him belongs the credit of making that useful organi- zation what it is. He cleared the land, arranged necessary details and advanced the means to put it in running order. He has often been urged to ac- cept offices as the gift of his fellow citizens, but has invariably declined, except in the case of several school offices. Politically, Mr. Landon acts on all occasions with the Republican party. He and wife are active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
We are certain that the citizens of Isabella County will look for Mr. Landon's portrait in this ALBUM, and we therefore give it, on a preceding page.
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eorge Sandbrook, farmer, section 30, Fre- mont, is a son of William and Ann (Bea- ven) Sandbrook, natives of England and members of the farming community : father died in 1881 and mother in 1878. George was born March 7, 1842, in Merthyr, England ; at the age of 12 he began to work on the farm ; in 1867 he emigrated to the United States, landing a tCastle Garden, New York city, and working as a hired gar- dener until the following April; next he resided a year în Wayne Co., Mich., working on a farm; in 1869-70 he cut wood for Charles Lamb in Clinton County ; he then bought 120 acres of primitive land where he now resides, but did not then settle upon it, The following winter he spent at St. John's; in the spring he did some chopping on his land; dur- ing the summer he was at work in Wayne and Oak-
land Counties, and then came again to Isabella County and worked in the lumber woods for M. Stinchfield. He has since cleared about 40 acres of his land, built a good barn in the summer of 1883, and made other improvements. He has been an officer of his school district two terms, and in regard to political questions takes Republican views.
In the month of June, 1871, Mr. Sandbrook mar- ried Miss Carrie F. Bezner, who was born in 1845. Her parents dying when she was an infant, she was brought up in the family of a man named Shaw, in Wayne Co., Mich. She died May 9, 1880, leaving two sons, namely : William M., born in October, 1872; and Thomas, in June, 1874.
herman D. Eldred, farmer, section 13, Rolland Township, is the son of Judson D. and Mary (Dopp) Eldred, natives of New York State, the former born in New Lisbon, May 20, 1819, and the latter in Geneseo, March 24, 1828. The former came to Michigan when a young man, residing at first for a while at Hillsdale, and in the spring of 1866 he settled upon a one- eighth-section of land in Rolland Township, this county. In 1870 he moved to Broomfield Township, and in 1881 he sold and went to Missouri; in a short time he sold out there and returned to Broomfield Township. They are both yet living on the farm he last purchased. Of their 14 children, 6 are deceased.
The subject of this sketch was born Aug. 15, 1852, in Branch Co., Mich.
When 20 years of age he engaged as clerk for T. C. Gardner, general merchant, at Millbrook; also worked some at carpentering. In 1877 Mr. E. came to the farm he now owns, the tract comprising 320 acres; 140 acres of this are now under cultivation. He has good improvements, and one of the best barns in the township, built in 1882. At present Mr. Eldred is Supervisor of the township of Rolland and he has been Highway Commissioner one term. Is a member of the Masonic Order, and in politics is a supporter of the Republican party.
March 24, 1874, Mr. Eldred was married to Miss Jennie, daughter of Champlin H. and Rachel (Slater) Roberts. She was born Oct. 5, 1856, in Susquehanna
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Co., Pa. Her father was born in 1835, and her mother, now deceased, was born in 1836.
Mr. and Mrs. E. are the parents of three children, namely : Alice E., born June 19, 1875; Florence M., Sept. 8, 1879; and Mary B., May 15, 1882.
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ohn Maxwell, merchant at Mt. Pleasant, was born March 15, 1837, in Glasgow, Scotland. His parents, Daniel and Helen (Agnew) Maxwell, were natives of the same country, where they passed their entire lives. His father was born in Stirling, and was a maltster by calling. His mother was born in the South of Scotland.
When Mr. Maxwell was 11 years old he entered into an apprenticeship to learn the trade of a watch- maker. He served five years under his indentures and pursued the business some years longer. He came to the United States in the fall of 1857 and went to West Unity, Ohio, where he opened a shop and continued in business five years. In the spring of 1863 he came to Isabella County and entered a homestead claim of 160 acres of land on section 29, in Lincoln Township, where he resided until the spring of 1870. His farm is valuable, with about 70 acres under cultivation. He officiated as Supervisor of Lincoln two terms and held other minor offices. In the fall of 1869 he was elected Sheriff of Isabella County on the Republican ticket. He held the po- sition a year and on his resignation appointed County Treasurer, to fill the vacancy created by the death of the incumbent, Nelson Mosher. He held the position seven successive years, being thrice re-elected. He established his present business April 1, 1880, in company with J. E. Fessenden. A year later, the connection was terminated by Mr. Maxwell buying the interest of his partner, since which time he has operated alone. He carries a well-assorted stock, suited to his trade, and estimated at $10,000 in value, including dry goods, groceries, boots and shoes, crock- ery, ready-made clothing, hats, caps, etc. His es- tablishment is one of the leading business houses of Mt. Pleasant, and his trade is prosperous and satis- factory. His farm is managed by his son.
Mr. Maxwell was the first President of the village
of Mt. Pleasant, which position he filled two terms. He has officiated several terms as member of the Town Council, and is at present one of the School Board. He is a prominent member of the Masonic Order, belonging to the Royal Arch Chapter and to the lower body, Lodge No. 305, at Mt. Pleasant. He is a charter member of the lodges at that place and at Salt River, and assisted in the organization of both.
Mr. Maxwell was married at West Unity, Ohio, to Mary C. Goll. Two children, John and Ellen, were born of their union. The mother died, and Mr. Maxwell was a second time married in 1879, to M. E. Slater, of Isabella County. Mr. and Mrs. Max- well are members of the M. E. Church.
Conrad Buhrer, farmer, section 12, Rol- land Township, is a son of Jacob and Bar- bara (Bolle) Buhrer, natives of Switzerland. His father was born in 1786 and died in 1847, and his mother was born in 1803 and died in 1875, in Adrian, this State.
The subject of this sketch was born June 21, 1839, in Switzerland ; landed at New York city May 3, 1861, where he remained a short time; next, was three months at Toledo, Ohio, then at Adrian, Mich., awhile, working on a farm, and Toledo again, work- nine months in a sash factory. At this time he con- cluded that patriotism required him to uphold the Union Government by risking his life upon the field of battle, or, what is worse, in the military camp. Accord- ingly, he enlisted in Co. K, 37th Ohio Inf., which served under Gen. Sherman. He was engaged in the battles at Chattanooga, Missionary Ridge, Big Shanty and Marietta, and was wounded at Atlanta, Aug. 24, 1864, in consequence of which he was in the hospital 30 days, at home in Toledo on furlough, and then till the close of the war at Cleveland, Ohio, where he was honorably discharged June 5, 1865. He then worked one year at Toledo, two years at Adrian, Mich., and then he bought 40 acres in Fulton Co., O. On this he lived till Oct. 15, 1879, when he came to his present home in this county. With regard to national questions, Mr. B. is a Republican.
In 1868 he married Miss Frany, a daughter of
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Jacob and Mary (Dinger) Master, natives of Ger- many, who live on a farm in Henry Co., Ohio. Mrs. B. was born July ro, 1850. The children of Mr. and Mrs. B. are : Minnie, born Oct. 20, 1869; Jacob B., April 8, 1871; Mary, June 15, 1873; Lydia, Oct. 12, 1874; Edward, April 19, 1876; William, May 31, 1878; and Alphena, Dec. 20, 1882. .
ewett E. Chatterton, general merchant at Mt. Pleasant, and member of the lumber firm of Walker & Chatterton, was born Dec. 7, 1840, in Mt. Holly, Rutland Co., Vt. He is a son of Daniel and Betsey (Jewett) Chat- terton, who removed to Michigan in 1852. They settled on 160 acres of land in Meridian Township, Ingham County, four miles east of Lan- sing. Their family includes four children : George A. Chatterton, an insurance agent at Hubbardston, Ionia Co., Mich .; Mason D. Chatterton, an attorney at Mason, Mich., and Probate Judge of Ingham County ; Sarah E., the wife of Augustus Sturges, and residing on a celebrated piece of property near the city of Richmond, Va., known as the Hopewell Farm.
Daniel Chatterton was born in 1807, in Mt. Holly, Rutland Co., Vt., and died in Meridian, Ingham Co., Mich., in 1866. Betsey (Jewett) Chatterton was born in 1804, in Littleton, Mass., and died in the same place where the demise of her husband occur- red, in 1877. Her parents were natives of Massa- chusetts, of English descent. The paternal grand- parents of the subject of this sketch were born in Connecticut, and were of English ancestry.
Mr. Chatterton attended the common schools of Ingham County until he was 17 years old. He then became a student in Lansing, and after two years of study he entered the Agricultural College near that city, where he was a student three years, after which he went to Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and pursued a course of commercial study at Eastman's Business College, where he was graduated in 1863. Mean- while he engaged in teaching, and taught six winter terms from 1859 to 1865.
In the year last named he went to Hubbardston, Ionia County, and in company with his brother
George, he established a mercantile business. The relation existed four years, and after his brother's withdrawal Mr. Chatterton continued the manage- ment of his mercantile interests at that point ten years. He came to Mt. Pleasant in May, 1880, and at once established the business interests in which he has since been engaged. His average stock rep- resents an estimated value of between five and eight thousand dollars, and his trade is in a thriving con- dition, requiring two assistants. In March, 1881, he formed a partnership with his brother-in-law, John P. Walker, and they purchased a lumber mill in Mt. Pleasant, Mich. In the operations of this they em- ploy about 25 men. The daily product averages 30,000 shingles, and they expect to cut about 2,000,000 feet of lumber in 1884. They ship their products chiefly to the East. They combine building con- tracts with their other business and conduct a retail yard in connection with the mill. Mr. Chatterton owns four lots in the village of Mt. Pleasant, where he built a handsome brick residence in 1882-3. He also owns three lots, on which he has erected three nice cottages to re it. He is a member of the Order of Masonry.
Mr. Chatterton was married April 28, 1867, to A. Elizabeth, daughter of D. D. and Angeline (Howard) Adams, who was born in Livingston Co., N. Y., July 15, 1841. Her father was born in 1806, in Madison Co., N. Y., and was of English descent. He re- moved to Michigan in 1847, and died in Antrim, in the county of that name, in 1880. His wife was born in 1814, in Connecticut, of English parentage. Her marriage occurred in 1834, and she died in Antrim Township in 1854, leaving five daughters and three sons. Mr. and Mrs. Chatterton have two sons : Howard E., born March 16, 1872, and Harry J., born Nov. 10, 1874.
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alfred L. Young, hardware merchant, Salt River, is a son of John G. and Lydia A.
100 (Artz) Young, natives of Pennsylvania, who settled in this county in 1867 and died in Salt River. Their family comprised ten children. The fourth son, the subject of this sketch, was born in Pennsylvania, June 12, 1850, educated in
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the common schools, and came to Isabella County with his parents in 1867. He was first employed by his father in a grist and saw mill, in which business he was engaged until 1876, when a division was made, he taking charge of the grist-mill, with a younger brother, in the interest of their parents, until the death of the latter. In April, 1883, they sold their interest in the grist-mill and formed a partnership in the the hardware and agricultural implement trade, in which they are succeeding well.
Mr. Young is a member of the I. O. O. F., and in political affairs votes with the Democratic party.
He was married, in Salt River, Aug. 30, 1879, to Miss Clara, daughter of J. E. and Elizabeth (Baker) Morton, residents of Mecosta County. Mrs. Y. was born in Maine, Dec. 25, 1859. They are the parents of two children,-Elton M. and Alfred E.
In July, 1869, Mr. Young met with a serious ac- cident, by which he lost his right arm. In running a belt upon a pulley he was caught by that arm, which was taken off nearly to the shoulder! He had, indeed, a very narrow escape with his life.
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ames Manwell, Supervisor of Fremont Township, residing on section 14, is a son of Robert and Margaret (Scott) Manwell, natives of Scotland and now residents of Can- ada, upon a farm.
The subject of this sketch was born June 20, 1844, in Lanarkshire, Scotland; in 1857 he emigrated to Canada; in 1865 to Portage Co., Ohio; after a time, returned to Canada ; then to Portage Co., Ohio, again ; and in 1876 to Isabella County, settling on section 22, Fremont Township. He, afterward sold this place and bought a portion of sections 13 and 1.1, same township, the amount being 80 acres. Here Mr. Manwell is winning from the soil a livelihood for himself and family, and is exhibiting the example of an industrious and prosperous farmer. He has been Township Clerk two terms, and has been Supervisor since the spring of 1882. Of national questions he takes Democratic views, and he is a member of the Masonic Order, Wabon Lodge, No. 305.
Aug. 17, 1878, Mr. Manwell married Miss Eurana Ilunt, who was born March 20, 1860, in the town of
Fairfield, Lenawee Co., Mich. Her father, Jason A. Hunt, was born in the State of New York, and her mother, Chloe, nee Scovel, was born in Cuyahoga Co., Ohio. They settled in Fremont Township, this county, in 1876, where they at present reside. Mr. and Mrs. Manwell have one child, Menso J., who was born May 4, 1879, in this county.
eorge G. Whitney, of the firm of Whit- ney Bros , liverymen at Mt. Pleasant, was born Oct. 4, 1845, in Ontario Co, N. Y., and is a son of Benjamin and Caroline E. (Hall) Whitney. (See sketch of R. G. Whit- ney.) At the age of 11 years he was appren- ticed to the Empire Drill Company, of Shortsville, N. Y., to learn wood and carpenter work on their machines. He remained in their service until he was 16 years old, when he enlisted. The civil war had broken out a few months previous, and he yielded to the influence which ruled all classes and conditions of men in the North. He enrolled at Canandaigua, in Co. L, 24th N. Y. Vol. Cav., as bugler, and served two years. He was with his regiment in the engagements of the Wilderness, at North Anna River, Cold Harbor, Spottsylvania Court-House, and on the 17th and 18th of Jure, 1864, in front of Petersburg. They were again engaged in the siege of that city Sept. 30, 1864, and afterwards at Hopper's Farm, Farmville, Appomattox Court-House, Stony Creek, and in numberless skir- mishes of minor importance. At the storming of Petersburg, June 17, 1864, he was slightly wounded in the head by a piece of shell, otherwise escaping unharmed throughout the entire period of his service. He was discharged June 11, 1865, at Cloud's Mills, Va. In the month following he came to Michigan and located at Cambria Mills, Hillsdale County, where he pursued the business of a carpenter. In the spring of 188t he came to Mt. Pleasant, where he was similarly engaged a year. In the spring of 1882 he entered into association with his brother, in which they are now operating with gratifying results.
Mr. Whitney was married Nov. 19, 1865, in Cam- bria Mills, to Mary A. Jackson. She was born
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March 19, 1848, in Wheatland, Hillsdale Co., Mich., and is a daughter of Zachariah and Charlotte Jack- son. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Whitney, as follows: Clara, Aug. 30, 1866; Vettie, Oct. 24, 1869 ; Charlie B., Aug. 8, 1872, and Everett, May 20, 1874. The latter was killed at Isabella City, Aug. 25, 1883, by being thrown from a horse he was riding. His foot caught in the stirrup and he was dragged some distance, receiving injuries from which he died.
charles Taylor, residing on section 29, Chip- pewa Township, is a son of Thomas and Mary (Church) Taylor, who were born and lived in England till the father's death. After that event the mother came to America and lived in Orleans Co., N. Y., until her death. Their children numbered three, Charles being the eldest.
He was born in England in October, 1829, and was nine years of age when he came with his mother to the Great Republic. He lived in Orleans Co., N. Y., until 18 years old, attending school and work- ing on the farm. He worked out by the month for nearly four years, and in 1851 returned to England for a six months' visit, partly on business and partly for pleasure. He attended the World's Fair at Lon- don, one of the first of the great exhibitions which have been held frequently since in other cities. After one year more in Orleans County, he came, in April, 1853, to Michigan, and lived in Eaton County about two years. In February, 1855, he came to this county and bought 240 acres in Chippewa Township. He built first a log house, which he occupied about eight years, then a small frame dwelling, in which he lived until 1871 ; and in that year he built his pres- ent residence. He has since disposed of all but 80 acres of his farm, and now has in cultivation 50 acres.
He was first married in England, Jan. 15, 1852, to Miss Ann, daughter of George Franklin, a native of Albion's Isle. She died March 17, 1852. Aug. 26, of that year, he married, for his present wife, Miss Sophronia, daughter of Jesse and Sarah (Trickey) Landon, natives of Canada and Virginia. Mrs. Tay- lor was born in the former country, April 23, 1843,
and has borne to her husband eight children, six of whom survive : Charles W., Warren D., William A., Mary A., Florence A., Rosina, Ella and Sidney. William A. and Sidney are deceased.
Mr. Taylor has been Township Clerk and Justice of the Peace, and is now Township Treasurer, having been elected in the spring of 1883. He takes a deep interest in education, and has held the several dis- trict school offices. Quite early in life, after receiv- ing a common-school education, he began to study for the ministry. In 1853 he was licensed as an exhorter and in 1856 as a local preacher of the gos- pel, for the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he and wife are still consistent members. He has preached effectively at various points in this section, in Eaton County and in Gratiot County.
Mr. Taylor votes the Republican ticket.
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eth S. Richardson, farmer, section 30, Fre- mont Township, is a son of Asa P. and Jane (Staple) Richardson. The former was born in Vermont in 1797, was employed in farming, in lumbering, also locating lines in the wilderness of the Pine-Tree State ; moved with his family to Ohio in 1851, settling first in Lorain County, two years afterward to Montgomery Town- ship, Wood Co., Ohio, subsequently to Jackson Town- ship, same county, and finally, in 1868, to this county, where he lived with his children until his death, which occurred March 30, 1879, at the residence of his son Barnard. His widow, who was born in Maine in 1806, is still living, " hale and hearty," with her son Charles at Dushville. All her 12 children are living and are heads of families, four in Ohio and eight in Michigan.
The subject of this sketch was born Oct. 31, 1826, in the State of Maine; worked at lumbering and farming in his native State until he was 26 years of age, when he moved to Lorain Co., Ohio, and after- ward to Wood County, that State. In 1868 he moved to this county and homesteaded 40 acres ; he subse- quently purchased 120 acres more, and he now has about 60 acres in good cultivation. He has been Township Treasurer two terms, Highway Commis-
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sioner two terms and school officer 13 years in suc- cession. Politically he is a Republican.
Before he left the State of Maine, Mr. Richardson married Miss Emily, daughter of Henry and Isabella Taylor, who was born Aug. 3, 1835, and died April 5, 1857. Two years afterward he married Miss Mary A., daughter of Samuel and Eliza A. ( Ragon) McEwen, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Kentucky, both now residing in Seneca Co., Ohio, on a farm. Mrs. R. was born May 8, 1839. The children of Mr. and Mrs. R. are six in number, as follows: Charles H .. born Nov. 10, 1861 ; Eliza J., Dec. 26, 1863; Emma, Oct. 12, 1865 ; Geo. W., Aug. 3, 1868; Mary L., Dec. 11, 1870; and Cena A., Dec. 21, 1873. The first three were born in Ohio, the last three in Michigan.
illiam H. Kinter, proprietor of hotel, Salt River, is a son of Cyrenus and Jane (Lee) Kinter, who were natives of New York State and Illinois, respectively, and settled first in Eaton Co., Mich., where they lived about 22 years ; they then came and located in Coe Township, where they now reside.
In this family were three children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the eldest son. He was born in Eaton Co., Mich., Nov. 21, 1842, and edu- cated at the common school. In July, 1861, he en- listed in the Fifth Mich. Vol. Inf. and served three years, being in 30 important engagements, from Jan. 9, 1862, to the siege of Petersburg, which continued till April 3, 1865 ; and he was also in numerous skirmishes. He was discharged at Detroit, Mich., and, returning to his home in this county, he was for about a year unable to labor, on account of sick- ness. He then bought a farm of 120 acres in Coe Township, where he resided until 1883, when he purchased the hotel at Salt River, which he now manages. He has about 100 acres of his farm in cultivation.
He was married in Gratiot Co., Mich., July 4, 1869, to Emily, daughter of Amos and Sarah (Rossiter) White, natives of the State of New York, who settled in this county about 1860. Mrs. K. was born in Calhoun Co., Mich., Feb. 27, 1850. Mr. and Mrs.
K., having no children of their own, have adopted a son, whose name is Rollin S.
On national questions Mr. Kinter acts with the Re- publican party.
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ichael Murtha, Register of Deeds of Isa- bella County, residing at Mt. Pleasant, was born May 7, 1844, in Portland Town- ship, Ionia Co., Mich. He is the fourth of nine children born to his parents, Patrick and Ann (Hoy) Murtha, all of whom are living. In 1856 his father removed with his family to Coe Town- ship, Isabella County, and settled on 160 acres of land on section 8, which he afterwards increased by the purchase of 80 acres additional. Both his par- ents died on the homestead.
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