USA > Michigan > Isabella County > Portrait and biographical album of Isabella county, Mich., containing portraits and biographical sketches > Part 20
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63
He was married in 1838, to Miss Sarah B. Rose, who was born Sept. 10, 1825, in Ontario Co., N. Y., the daughter of William and Anna (Barber) Rose, of New York State. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. W .: George E. was born Aug. 11, 1848. and was accidentally killed in his father's saw-
mill, in 1878; Anna A. was born July 12, 1850; and Louella E., Aug. 10, 1860.
In political faith, Mr. Woodin is a Democrat. He was elected Supervisor in 1871, and held the office six consecutive years; and in 1883 and 1884 he was again chosen to the same position. He is a member of the Masonic Order.
„harles Stirling, farmer, section 26, Union Township, is a son of James and Ellen (Murray) Stirling, and was born in Midlo- thian Parish, Scotland, July 13, 1833. When he was 19, the family came to Coburg, Canada, where they resided eight years, and thence they removed to Brockway Township, St. Clair County, this State. Here Mr. Stirling was married, July 2, 1861, to Miss Naomi Brown, daughter of David and Mary (Matthewson) Brown. She was born in London, Canada, March 12, 1845.
In 1867, Mr. S. came to Saginaw and engaged in lumbering and jobbing, he having for three years previous been similarly engaged at Lynn, St. Clair County. While at Saginaw he was also in the ice business. He was burned out, losing about $4,000. In the fall of 1875 he came to Union Township, this county, and settled on So acres of land, where he now resides. This farm he purchased in 1870, and his father lived on it five years, until his death, Jan. 19, 1876. His mother died in Canada, in 1856.
One year after locating here, Mr. Stirling bought 80 acres adjoining his first purchase, on section 27, and at the present time 35 acres of this tract and all of the 80 acres on section 26 are in a high state of cultivation. He has cleared 45 acres by his own efforts, and the various improvements make his farm one of the finest in Union Township. He has a splendid orchard, including six acres, in various kinds of fruit. He is still interested in lumbering, to which he has devoted more or less of his time for 20 years.
Mr. Stirling is a member of the Masonic Order.
His family numbers six. James, the eldest, was born in Brockway Township, St. Clair County, Oct. 5, 1862, and is now in the employ of Doughty Bros., of Mt. Pleasant. Mary was born in Brockway, Feb. 29, 1864, and was married Feb. 28, 1883, to Free Estee, of Mt. Pleasant. Nellie M. was born in Lynn
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Township, St. Clair County, Sept. 27, 1866, is now attending school at Mt. Pleasant, and graduates in June (1884). David B. was born in Saginaw, July 25, 1869. Christina was born in Saginaw, April 27, 1874, and Charles B. was born Oct. 31, 1876. The last three are also attending school.
The portrait of Mr. Stirling is given in this work, as that of a worthy, representative citizen.
charles T. Puchert, farmer and blacksmith, residing on section 10, Lincoln Township, was born in Germany, Aug. 12, 1839. He emigrated to this country when about 17 years of age and located in Huron Co., Ohio.
Shortly after his coming into the country he apprenticed himself to a Mr. Aaron Abbey, to learn the blacksmith's trade. He remained with Mr. Ab- bey for one year and a half, and with his successor (Wm. Becker) for one year, at which time he com- pleted his term of apprenticeship. He then went to work as a "jour " and was thus engaged until July 28, 1862. At that date, he enlisted in Co. A, 55th Ohio Vol. Inf., Capt. C. G. Gambey, and accompanied his company to the Potomac, to which army it was assigned.
Shortly after his enlistment, Mr. P. was taken sick, and after remaining in the hospital for some time he was honorably discharged, on account of disability, Dec. 13, 1862.
He returned home and after convalescence he es- tablished a blacksmith shop in Huron Co., Ohio. He continued to run his shop for a year, and then sold it and once again went to work as a "jour." Mr. P. continued at his trade for a short time and then went to the oil regions of Pennsylvania. He soon re- traced his steps to Huron County and erected another shop, but shortly sold it. In the spring of 1866 Mr. P. opened a crockery store in Wood Co., Ohio, and successfully conducted the same for about a year, then sold it and went to Toledo, same State, and again worked at his trade.
From Toledo, Mr. P. came to Lenawee County, this State, thence to Medina Co., Ohio, then back to Lenawee County, and in 1871 went to Illinois, where he followed his trade for some time. From Illinois he returned to this State and located in Hills-
dale, and in 1875 came to this county and located on 160 acres of land on section 26, Lincoln Township, which he had previously purchased. He afterward sold this land and purchased 80 acres on section 14, same township. While residing on this land, Mr. P. was burned out, sustaining a loss of $500. He then sold and moved to Salt River. From the latter place he went to Hillsdale County, where he remained until 1882, and then returning to this county he pur- chased 80 acres of land on section 10, Lincoln Township, on which he is at present residing. He has been the owner of five farms, on each of which he made improvements.
Mr. P. was first united in marriage, in January, 1861, in Huron Co., Ohio, with Miss Sarah A. Gilson, born in the county in which they were married. They had four children: Albert F., Elizabeth (deceased), Charles E. and Isabella.
His second marriage was to Miss Lucinda Sawdey, of Hillsdale County, this State, who was born Feb. 16, 1847.
Mr. Puchert is a "liberal " in politics, and has held the minor offices of his township. He is a member of the Order of F. & A. M., Lodge No. 288, at Salt River, in which society he has held the office of W. M. for two years.
eorge P. Cullimore, farmer, section 17, & Fremont Township, is a son of Daniel and Sarah (Haines) Cullimore. His father was born in Ireland, of English extraction, and his mother, in Maryland. In his younger days, - his father followed the occupation of a farmer, and also that of woolen manufacturer. He came to America in 1819, landing at Salem, Mass., but soon afterward moved to Maryland. From that State he moved to Ohio, and located in Greene County, where he followed the occupation of farming for six years, and then moved to Whitley Co., Ind. Both father and mother died in the latter named county, the former in March, 1862, and the latter, Sept. 9, 1880.
George P. Cullimore, the subject of our sketch, was born Sept. 2, 1826, in Frederick Co., Md. He lived on the parental homestead, assisting his father in the cultivation of the farm and attended the con-
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mon schools, until he arrived at the age of manhood. He followed farming in Whitley Co., Ind., until Octo- ber, 1874, when he came to this county and settled on 157 1/2 acres of land, which he had purchased in 1865, and on which he has since made his home.
At the age of 26 years, Oct. 31, 1852, Mr. Culli- more was united in marriage with Miss Nancy Per- kins, who was born Aug. 28, 1836, in the State of Ohio. By this marriage he has one son, Daniel J. Cullimore, born Aug. 25, 1853. Mr. Cullimore was again married ; this time for his " life partner " he se- lected Miss Martha E. Garner, to whom he was united in marriage May 24, 1868, in this county. She was born Oct. 25, 1850, in Howard Co., Ind., and is the daughter of James and Sarah (Shanley) Garner, natives of Ohio and North Carolina. The husband and wife are the parents of four children : Sarah I., born Aug. 15, 1872; William G., born March 3, 1875 ; George H., born April 4, 1877; and John A., born May 9, 1880.
Politically, Mr. Cullimore is a Republican. He has held the office of Justice of the Peace one term, and Drain Commissioner, and is one of the repre- sentative men of his township.
eander L. Taylor, druggist at Dushville, is a son of Lorenzo D. and Mary P. (Rob- inson) Taylor. His father was born March 10, 1817, in St. Joseph Co., Mich., was at first a cooper by trade, and afterwards bought an 80- acre farm in Branch County, where he lived until his death, Aug. 3, 1861. His wife was born April 22, 1821, in the State of New York. In 1865, after the death of her first husband, she married Dr. Samuel Green, moved to La Grange Co., Ind., but in 1876 returned to Branch County, where Dr. Green died, Aug. 13, 1880. She was the mother of 11 children, eight of whom are living, and all married except Leander L. She is yet living, with her son, named at the head of this sketch.
The latter was born April 22, 1858, in Branch Co., Mich., and until 17 years of age was with his parents on the farm and attending school. In 1880 he went to school at Fremont nine months; returning to Branch County, he studied medicine six months, and
since the fall of 1882 he has been engaged in the drug business at Dushville. Steady and reliable, he has a growing trade.
In regard to questions of national policy, Mr. Taylor acts with the Republican party.
B yron A. Ackerman, farmer, section 18, Union Township, was born Sept. 6, 1830, in Jefferson Co., N. Y., and is a son of Salmon C. and Emily (Dickerson) Ackerman. His father died when he, the son, was four years old, and, four years later, his mother was again married. She is yet living, in Jefferson Co., N. Y.
Mr. Ackerman became a sailor when he was 15 years old, and followed the lakes eight or nine sea- sons. He rose to the position of mate and sailed in that capacity two seasons. In 1855 he bought 160 acres of land in Adans Co., Wis. He remained there two years, sold out, and went to Des Moines Co., Iowa, where he rented a farm and resided three years. He became a soldier in the second year of the war, enlisting Aug. 13, 1862, in Co. G, 39th Iowa Vol. Inf. The regiment was assigned to the 15th Army Corps, Fourth Division. They joined the di- vision at Corinth and went with Sherman from Chat- tanooga to Atlanta, thence to the sea, and remained with that command until the surrender of Gen. Johnston. Mr. Ackerman was a participant in the battles of Resaca, Marietta, Kenesaw Mountain, Altoona Pass and Bentonville. He was near Gen. John Corse at Altoona Pass, when the latter was wounded and caught him in his arms as he fell. The song, " Hold the Fort," took its origin from the action at Altoona.
Mr. Ackerman was mustered out June 14, r865, and went immediately to Kenosha, Wis., whither his family had removed during his absence in the war. He again resumed his former occupation and engaged as a common sailor two seasons, when he was placed in command of a steam tug, running from Holland, Mich., which he managed five years. His next en- gagement was one season as mate of the "Kate Howard," and the season following as a sailor "before the mast." He then came to Riley Township, Clin- ton Co., Mich., where he spent three years on a rented farm. In 1877 he bought 80 acres of land in
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Nottawa Township, Isabella County. The property was wholly unimproved, and he devoted the next three years to clearing and placing in suitable condi- tion for agriculture, about 20 acres. At the end of that time, he sold out and bought his present farm, which includes 45 acres. At the date of his purchase about 12 acres were improved, and Mr. Ackerman has increased his cleared and cultivated territory to 32 acres. He adopts the principles of the Republican party, and has a tendency to liberalism in political views. He served one term in Nottawa Township as Highway Commissioner.
He was married Dec. 8, 1858, to Sarah A., daughter of Greenleaf and Elizabeth B. (Moon) Bates. She was born April 6, 1840, in Erie Co., N. Y., 22 miles from Buffalo. Their children are- Charles E., born Sept. 10, 1859, in Adams Co., Wis., died Feb. 14, 1863; Alice E., born March 27, 1867, in Kenosha, Wis., was married Feb. 22, 1883, to Rob- ert B. Reynolds; Mary E. was born in Holland City, Oct. 9, 1873.
enry B. Copeman, general farmer and stock- raiser, section 9, Lincoln Township, was born in Brant Co., Ont., March 30, 1859. His parents, natives of New York and Canada respectively, moved when he was very young to Oakland Co., Mich., locating upon a farm. His mother died July 29, 1877, and he, being the youngest, assumed control of half the homestead, consisting of 90 acres. He inherited this place and followed farming here until April, 1880, when he sold and went to Kansas, and thence to Colorado, on a prospecting tour. In the fall of that year he canie to Lincoln Township, this county, and purchased 100 acres of partly improved land. He has since cleared 25 acres, having now an aggregate of 75 acres in a good tillable condition, with a fine residence, recently erected, at a cost of $2,000. He is an active, pro- gressive farmer. Politically, he sympathizes with the " National " party.
March 30, 1881, in Mt. Pleasant, Mr. Copeman was married to Miss Emma Reimer, who was born Jan. 1, 1863, in Northumberland Co., Pa. and when
four years of age was taken by her parents, in change of residence, to Ronald Township, Ionia Co., Mich., where she lived until marriage. She is a member of the M. E. Church. Mr. and Mrs. C. have one child, Lena M., born Jan. 7, 1882.
llen Keen, physician and surgeon, at Dush- ville, is a son of Joseph and Deborah A. (Finch) Keen. His father was born in Clinton Co., N. Y., Aug. 17, 1800, became a farmer, emigrated to Ohio in 1815, and in 1855 to Clinton Co., Mich., where he died Jan. 31, 1877. His (Allen's) mother was born in Tompkins Co., N. Y., July 21, 1816, and is yet living, with her son here mentioned.
Dr. Allen Keen was born Jan. 9, 1844, in Morrow Co., Ohio; remained at his parental home until 1877, when he entered the Bellevue Hospital Medical Col- lege in New York city and attended a six-months course of lectures ; he then came to Dushville, arriv- ing May 7, 1878, and commenced the practice of medicine. In the autumn and winter of 1883-4 he attended a six-months course of lectures at the Detroit Medical College, graduating Feb. 29.
Sept. 13, 1862, Dr. Keen enlisted in Co. A, 23d Mich. Inf., which was placed in the Second Brigade and Second Division of the 23d Army Corps, and he participated in all the battles in which his regiment engaged, the principal being Campbell Station, Knox- ville, Resaca, Lost Mountain, Kenesaw Mountain, Chattahoochee, the Atlanta campaign, Lovejoy Sta- tion, Franklin, Nashville, etc. He was discharged in July, 1865. He is a member of Lodge No. 305, F. & A. M., at Mt. Pleasant, and votes independently in in regard to national and State questions.
Oct. 22, 1871, Dr. Keen married Miss Ellen V., daughter of John G. and Sarah (Fox) Sevy, who was born May 10, 1852, in Clinton Co. Mich. Before her marriage she taught her first term of school in the town of Bengal, Clinton County. She has just closed her eighth term as teacher, in the village school at Dushville. Her father was a native of New York State, born Sept. 14, 1799, followed farming, and died in November, 1855, in Clinton Co., Mich. Her mother was born June 4, 1818, in New Hampshire, and is
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still living, on the old homestead in Clinton Co., Mich. Dr. and Mrs. Keen are the parents of three children : John S., born July 9, 1874; Philip M., March 16, 1876, and Walter, June 3, 1881.
samuel Liechti, farmer on section 34, Ver- non Township, was born near Berne, Swit- zerland, March 18, 1849. He remained at home, working in foundries and saw-mills, until 1872, when he came to America, in com- pany with an older brother. He stopped first at Jersey City, where he followed for one year the carpenter's trade, which he had learned before emi- grating. He then worked in a sugar refinery for 18 months, after which he worked in a rolling mill at Pittsburg, Pa. In the spring of 1876, he came to this State and county. and purchased 80 acres, where he now lives. To this he has added 20 acres, and of his whole farm 50 acres are well improved. He has erected good farm buildings and started a fine or- chard.
He was married March 4, 1876, at Mt. Pleasant, to Mrs. Catharine (Leibbrand) Riethmeyer, a native of Wurtemberg, Germany. She was born March 18, 1831, and came to America when 23 years old. This is her third marriage. By her first husband, George Bosch, she had three children : Katie, born Feb. I, 1858; Mary, June 2, 1860; Regina, March 12, 1862; and by her second, Christopher Riethmeyer, she had two: Carrie, born June 25, 1865 ; and Gottlieb, June 4, 1870.
Mr. Liechti is politically a Democrat. He and wife belong to the Lutheran Church.
ames H. Tinker, farmer on section 18, Sher- man Township, is a son of Sylvester and Mary K. (Kennedy) Tinker, natives of Port- age Co., Ohio. Sylvester Tinker was born July 4, 1807, and died in August, 1855. His wife was born Sept. 21, 1809, and is yet living, with her son, at the mature age of 75.
Their son James was born May 3, 1835, in Portage Co., Ohio, and at 17 went to Illinois. He there worked at coopering during the summer, and attended
school in the winter, for one year. Returning to Ohio, he came thence to Michigan with his parents and located in Allegan County. For three years he worked at his trade in the city of Grand Rapids. The next 12 years were spent on a farm in Allegan County. In 1871 he selected a quarter-section in Sherman Township, this county. He has now half a section of land, 50 acres of which are improved.
He was married in 1860, to Margaret M. Kent, who was born Oct. 28, 1835, in Whitby, Canada, the daughter of William and Harriet (Henderson) Kent. Mr. Kent was born in Vermont, in 1796, and died Jan. 25, 1884. His wife was born in New York, July 25, 1807, and died May 6, 1882. Mr. and Mrs. Tinker are the parents of four children, two of whom are living: Josephine H., born Nov. 1, 1861, and died Sept. 7, 1870; William, born March 31, 1863, died in 1867; Eudora, born Oct. 15, 1865 ; and Marshall, born Sept. 24, 1869.
Mr. T. was Treasurer of his township consecutively from 1871 to 1877, and was also for six successive years Supervisor. He has been Superintendent of Schools. He is a member of the Masonic Order, and is politically a Democrat.
illiam H. Simonds, merchant, section 16 Lincoln Township, was born in Homer Cortland Co., N. Y., Dec. 6, 1837. His father, Benjamin Simonds, was a native of Connecticut, of English descent, a cooper by trade, but generally followed the ashery busi- ness, in New York, until 1872, when he came to Mich- igan and located in Capac. In 1879 he was drugged by some robbers for his money, which then amounted to about $400, and he soon after died from the effects of the drug. He was never able to speak a word after that crime was committed upon him. The mother of William H .- Malinda (nce McDonald)- was a native of Ballston, N. Y., of English descent, and died in her native State, in November, 1860.
Of the children in the above family,-three sons and three daughters,-the subject of this sketch is the eldest. When three years of age the family moved to Eaton, Madison Co., N. Y., and two years later to Pekin, Niagara Co., N. Y., where he attended school and worked with his father in the ashery until 20
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years of age; but from the time he was 16 he de- voted the summer seasons to labor upon his father's farm, "on shares." When he became of age he went to Illinois and worked a year for a farmer in Stephen- son County; then was at Omaha, Neb., where he worked on a farm one season and clerked in a store during the following winter. Then he went, with a view to mining, to Pike's Peak, Salt Lake City, Pike's Peak again, Santa Fe and back to his old home in New York State.
April, 28, 1861, he enlisted in a battalion for the service of the State, and subsequently for that of the general Government, joining Co. K, 28th N. Y. Vol. Inf., Army of the Shenandoah, being under Gens. Patterson, Banks and Hooker. Aug. 9, 1862, at the battle of Cedar Mountain, he was captured, but im- mediately paroled, and he volunteered to take care of the Union and rebel prisoners at Charlottesville. Va. Here he spent, as he says, "40 of the best days of all his life," as he was cared for in an extraordinary manner, considering the exigencies. He was al- lowed many privileges, and given by the rebel officers and citizens several thousands of dollars in confi- dence, which he gave to the Union soldiers passing there on the cars. At the end of the 40 days he was declared exchanged and went back to his regiment, where he remained until the close of his enlistment, in July, 1863, when he was honorably discharged. He was in six general engagements, besides minor battles; was wounded in the left knee at Winchester, Va., May 25, 1862. Returning home, he followed farming a year, then re-enlisted again, in the 23d N. Y. Ind. Battery, of Schofield's Division in North Car- olina. Was in two active engagements, but escaped unhurt ; and was finally discharged, after the close of the war, July 14, 1865.
Spending then a short time in his native State, he came to this county and "took up " 160 acres of wild land, under the Homestead Act, on section 15, Lin- coln Township. After following agricultural pur- suits here for about six years, he went, in April, 187 1, to Salt River, where he followed painting; in the fall of that year he went to Mt. Pleasant, where for five years he alternated between painting and clerking in a store. In the fall of 1881, he came to Lincoln Township, erected a store-house on section 16, and in August following he placed therein a stock of $625 worth of goods, which he has increased with an in-
creasing trade until now he carries a stock of $2,000 and does an annual business of $11,000. He built the first store and the second frame house in the town- ship.
Mr. S. is a charter member of the blue lodge, F. & A. M., at Salt River, has held the minor offices of his township, and in politics is a strong Democrat.
Oct. 1, 1865, in Dowagiac, Mich., Mr. Simonds married Miss Olive C., daughter of Henry and Julia (Chessbrough) Hills, natives respectively of New York and Vermont, of English ancestry. Mrs. S. was born in Dowagiac, June 12, 1843. Harry H. Simonds, their only son, was born Feb. 27, 1877.
dwin R. Coburn, minister, teacher and surveyor, residing at Dushville, Fremont Township, is a son of John F. and Min- erva (Twadell) Coburn.
His parents were natives of New York State, where his father was born June 22, 1807, and his mother Oct. 2, 1812. His father was a minister by profession, and at times followed the occupation of a farmer. He was a prominent citizen in what- ever community he resided, and while living in De- Kalb Co., Ind., he held the position of Clerk of the Circuit Court five years and Register of Deeds seven years. He was also Pastor of the Church of Christ and followed his ministerial labors until the time of his death, which occurred while administering the gospel in 1880. The mother died Oct. 25, 1840, in Auburn, DeKalb Co., Ind.
Edwin R. Coburn, the subject of our notice, was born in Warren, Trumbull Co., Ohio, Aug. 10, 1835. He remained at home until his step-mother's death, which occurred when he had attained the age of 17 years, when he entered the mercantile establishment of Dickerson Bros., at Hicksville, Ohio, as clerk. His education had been acquired in the common schools and under the tutorship of his father, and after clerking in the establishment mentioned for a period of time he entered on the profession of teacher. He continued to follow this until the civil war.
Sept. 23, 1861, he enlisted in Co. F, 44th Ind. Int. He first smelt gunpowder " burnt in anger " at the battle of Corinth. He also participated in the bat-
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tles of Chickamauga and Chattanooga. At the former he was wounded and was detached to survey the National Cemetery at Chattanooga. He was honorably discharged Nov. 21, 1864, having served three years and two months.
After his discharge he went home to Indiana, and followed surveying for some time, and in 1866 came to this county and located at Dushville. He has constantly resided at that place ever since. He has followed the ministerial profession since 1858, and is at the present time a member of the District Mis- sionary Society. He also devotes his time to survey- ing during summers and to teaching winters, in addition to his ministerial labors.
Mr. Coburn was united in marriage Oct. 25, 1858, to Miss Elizabeth Johnson, born Oct. 25, 1836, in Stark Co., Ohio. She was a daughter of David and Margaret Johnson, natives of Pennsylvania, who moved from that State to Hicksville, Defiance Co., Ohio, where they both died.
Politically, Mr. Coburn is a supporter of and be- liever in the principles of the Republican party. He has held the office of Justice of the Peace and School Inspector, and was Postmaster at Dushville for a number of years.
oseph A. Owen, farmer on section 36, Ver- non, was born in Lower Canada, Dec. 3, 1827, and is a son of Amasa and Mary (McNeal) Owen, natives of Vermont and New Brunswick and of Scotch-Irish descent. The father was a farmer and mechanic, and is sup- posed to have been lost on a boat that sunk in Lake Erie, about 1842. The mother died when Joseph was three years old.
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