USA > Michigan > Isabella County > Portrait and biographical album of Isabella county, Mich., containing portraits and biographical sketches > Part 25
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He was married at St. John's, Clinton County, to Miss Josepha, daughter of Levi and Hannah (Pull- frey) Longwood. Her father was born in Seneca Co., N. Y., in 1800 ; her mother, in Pennsylvania, in 1811. Her father died in St. John's, May 2, 1878; her mother is yet living, at the same place. Their daughter, Josepha, was born April 24, 1849, in Seneca Co., N. Y., and was the fourth daughter of a family of seven, five of whom are yet living.
Mr. Briggs is a member of the I. O. O. F. and the G. A. R. He has been a Constable almost constantly ever since 21 years old, and Marshal of the village of Blanchard for a time. He resigned to accept a position as Trustee of the village. In the fall of 1883 he was appointed a Deputy by Thomas Pickard, Sheriff of the county.
Politically, Mr. Briggs supports the Republican party.
avid Switzer, watch-maker and jeweler at Mt. Pleasant, was born Sept. 11, 1840, in Elgin Co., Can. His parents, William and Eliza M. (Cowell) Switzer, were both natives of Canada and are still living there.
Mr. Switzer was reared on his father's farm, and in 1864 went to Fingal to learn his trade. His employer afterwards removed to Wardsville, whither he accompanied him, as he had not completed his preparation for business. In 1871 another move was made, to Byron, Shiawassee Co., Mich., under the same circumstances. Not long afterward, Mr. Switzer succeeded to the business and continued its prosecution at Byron nearly three years. In 1873 he came to Mt. Pleasant, where he remained but a
short time, going thence to Alma, and engaging in business there eleven months ; after which he again came to Mt. Pleasant and established himself per- manently. He is the pioneer resident jeweler and has been engaged in a prosperous business in his line from the first.
Mr. Switzer was married Oct. 8, 1876, at Mt. Pleasant, to Matilda A. Brown, a native of Canada. One of two children born of this marriage is living, but unnamed. Daisy D. was born Feb. 14, 1881, and died Oct. 31, 1882.
Mrs. Switzer had two children by a former mar- riage, one of whom, Marshall H., is living, and one, Willie, is deceased.
Mr. and Mrs. Switzer are members of the Presby- terian Church, of which Mr. S. is Trustee. He is active in Sunday-school matters.
ames A. Converse, farmer on section 12, Vernon Township, was born in Oneida Co., N. Y., Nov. i, 1834, is a son of Thomas D. and Elisheba (Kirkland) Converse, natives of New England. He is the elder of two sons, and when 13 months old was taken by his par- ents to Jefferson Co., N. Y. Here he lived at home until 24 years old, receiving a good education at the Belleville (N. Y.) Union Academy.
At the age mentioned, he left home and engaged as traveling salesman for a New York wholesale es- tablishment. His route extended over various parts of the Empire State. In the fall of 1868 he came to Michigan. Spending one year in Shiawassee County, he came thence to Isabella and pre-empted 80 acres, where he now lives. It was then entirely wild. He had to go to Mt. Pleasant, a distance of 15 miles, for mail and marketing. The only work animals in the township at that time were an Indian pony and an ox team. For the first four years of his residence here he carried on his back all the sup- plies he purchased for home use. There was no work in his immediate neighborhood, and as money was scarce and times were hard, he would frequently take a cake of maple sugar and a loaf of bread and travel for days in search of employment. He gave what time he could to the improvement of his own
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farm. He has erected necessary farm buildings and brought under cultivation 45 acres.
He was married in Jefferson Co., N. Y., Feb. 20, 1858, to Miss Elina M. Burnham, daughter of Emer- son and Emily (Ellsworth) Burnham, natives of New England. She was born in Ellisburg, Jefferson Co., N. Y., Nov. 7, 1839, and lived at home until her mar- riage, receiving a good common-school education. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. C .: Mary E. (Brown), born Aug. 23, 1863, and married Sept. 20, 1883; and Julia E., born Dec. 19, 1875.
Mr. C. is politically a supporter of the Republican party, and has been Township Clerk of Vernon two years. He and wife are members of the Baptist Church.
homas Judge, farmer and lumberman, section 11, Fremont Township, is a son of William and Catharine (Kelly) Judge, natives of Ireland. His father was born in 1811, came to Canada in 1830, and died in 1865, in Topeka, Kansas. His mother was born in 1818, and is yet living in Topeka, Kansas.
The subject of this sketch was born Dec. 15, 1829, in Ireland; was six months old when he ac- companied his parents across the sea to this country ; remained at home till he was 23 years of age, assist- ing on the farm ; in 1869 he came from Canada to this county, settling on 200 acres of wild land where he now resides and has 150 acres in a good state of improvement. In 1882 he erected a fine brick resi- dence, at a cost of $4,000. He has also large barns and other commodious farm buildings, and he owns . good live stock. He has just (March, 1884) con- pleted a job in the lumber line, putting 2,000,000 feet on the track of the Mackinaw Division of the Michigan Central Railroad. In regard to national questions Mr. Judge is Democratic. He has been School Assessor six years and Township Supervisor.
At the age of 23, Mr. J. married Dora Tighe, daughter of James and Mary Tighe, natives of Ireland. Ifer father was born in 1801, and died in 1839, in Ireland ; and her mother died April 27, 1880, and is buried in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery. In their family were seven children, all of whom are deceased except two. In Mr. Judge's family 12 children have
been born, all living, as follows: James B., June 27, 1852 ; Thomas, Nov. 27, 1853 ; Mary, March 3, 1856; William, Oct., 13, 1857; Catharine, Sept. 15, 1860; John, Dec. 1, 1862; Dora, Dec. 16, 1863 ; Sarah, Nov. 27, 1866; Charlie, Feb. 14, 1868; Anna, March 16, 1870 ; Celia, Feb. 22, 1872; and Daniel F., Dec. 15, 1876. Four of the above are heads of families.
cyrus H. Thompson, jeweler, at Mt. Pleas- ant, was born May 1, 1818, in Newstead, Erie Co., N. Y., and is a son of Heath and Margaret (Anderson) Thompson. He was left fatherless when a little more than eight years of age, and his mother became the wife of a man named Samuel Miles, who removed with his family to Orwell Township, Ashtabula Co., Ohio.
Mr. Thompson acquired a good elementary educa- tion at the common schools, which he had attended until he was 16 years old. He subsequently entered Jefferson Academy, where he studied one term, and was a student some months afterward at Farmington Academy. He taught one term after leaving school, and at 18 went to Ashtabula to learn his trade, at which he served three years, most of the time at Cleveland, Ohio. At the end of the time mentioned, he went to Ashtabula and opened a shop, where he operated three months, going thence to Marshall, Calhoun Co., Mich. He worked at his trade there a few months, and in 1839 went to Jackson, where he conducted his business six years. During that time he purchased a farm in the township of Leoni, adjoin- ing the city, and after a brief residence upon it he went to Adrian. A few months later he went to Lansing, then in its early days. He bought a lot in that small "city," which was all in timber, cleared it up and erected his dwelling. He located his store therein and managed his business there until the winter of 1849-50, when he went to Coldwater and formed a partnership with Henry N. Moore, a rela- tion which existed nearly three years. He next bought a two-thirds interest in a large brick store and continued in his business alone. In the fall of 1860 he exchanged his property for that of a similar char- acter at Marshall, Mich., and continued its manage- ment until 1875. In October of that year he came to Mt. Pleasant and established the business in
Ale Uredu bu
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which he is now engaged. His stock comprises a well selected assortment of clocks, watches, plated goods and jewelry. His business includes repairing and engraving. Mr. Thompson owns considerable town property in Mt. Pleasant.
He was married June 4, 1843, in Leoni Township, Jackson County, to Paulina, daughter of Daniel and Catherine (Coon) Maxson. She was born in Ben- nington, N. Y., Aug. 28, 1824. Following is the record of the seven children that have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Thompson : Cynthia Priscilla married first Wil- liam H. Wells (of Marshall, now deceased) and is now the wife of I. E. Wilcox, of Mt. Pleasant; Alice is deceased; Cyrus H. is a jeweler at Marshall; Ella G. married William H. Bryan, of Chicago (now Postmaster, cxpress and station agent at Ravens- wood) and died in r874; Eva is the wife of Samuel A. Foster, of Mt. Pleasant; May V. is the widow of Frank H. Dusenberry; Lizzie, the youngest, is deceased. The family attend the Presbyterian Church.
A lbert C. Vredenburg, general farmer and stock-raiser, section 13, Lincoln Township, was born in Ingham Co., Mich., April 4, 1846. His father, George W., was a native of Newark, N. J., of German parentage, was a farmer, and died in Jackson Co., Mich., June 17, 1863; his mother, Rebecca (nee Williams) Vreden- burg, was a native of New England, of English de- scent, and died in Pennsylvania in 1852.
Albert C., the second son in the above family of four children, was three years old when his parents moved from this State to l'ennsylvania; they lived six years in Jefferson County, that State, during which time his mother died, and he came with his father to Jackson Co., Mich., in 1855, settling near the city. Here young Albert received a good education. When he was 16 years old his father died, and when 18 he threw himself into the jaws of death for the salvation of his native land, enlisting in Co. G, 29th Mich. Vol. Inf., Sept. 9, 1864, commanded by Col. Saylor, of the the Army of the Cumberland. He was in the battles of Decatur, Ala., November and December, 1864, of Murfreesboro, T'enn., and many others. During his term of service he was promoted Corporal, and was honorably discharged Sept. 20, 1865.
He then made a tour through Wisconsin, came to this county and purchased a quarter of section 14, Lincoln Township, made some improvements upon it and sold it. Previously, however, he had bought 80 acres on sections 13 and 14, to which he has added 50 acres by purchase, and the whole 130 acres arc in a good state of cultivation. He has three large stock and grain barns, which cost nearly $1,500, and his large residence cost $1,300.
Mr. V. is a member of the G. A. R. post at Salt River, holding now the office of Surgeon. In his township he has been Highway Commissioner, Su- pervisor two years, and held other minor offices. With regard to national questions he votes with the Republicans.
Nov. 12, 1866, at Mt. Pleasant, this County, Mr. V. married Miss Martha J., daughter of Benjamin and Eunice (Calkins) Cole, the latter being natives respectively of New York and Pennsylvania, of Eng- lish ancestry. They were early residents of Lincoln Township. The father, a farmer, died in June, 1877, aged 69; the mother is still living, at the age of 68, at Mt. Pleasant. Mrs. V. was born in Ohio, Oct. 8, 1849. When she was two years old her parents moved to Allen Co., Ind., and in 1866 to this State, where she has since lived. Mr. and Mrs. V. have four children, namely : George H., born Nov. 21, 1868; Perry HI., Aug. 29, 1872; Mary A., Oct. 5, 1877 ; and Fannie M., Sept. 29, 1879.
Mr. V.'s portrait is given in this volume, as that of a truly representative agriculturist.
ames Ayling, general farmer and dealer in blooded sheep, section 6, Lincoln Town- ship, is a son of John and Sarah (Trusler) Ayling, natives of England, who came to Amer- ica in 1856, settling in Freehold, Warren Co., Pa., where they passed the remainder of their lives, the former dying in 1876 and the latter in 1880.
James, the subject of this sketch, was born in Surrey, England, Jan. 15, 1823, was 14 years old when the family emigrated to this country ; remained at home, working on the farm, until 22 years of age, when he was married. In the spring of 1867 he moved to his present place, then comprising but 80
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acres, to which he has since added by purchase 60 acres; and here he has erected, by his own hands, a small residence and several good farm buildings.
Mrs. Ayling is a member of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ; Mr. A. is an active and influential Republican, has held the offices of Super- visor two and a half terms, Township Treasurer two terms, Justice of the Peace four years and minor public positions.
Jan. 19, 1845, in Warren Co., Pa., Mr. Ayling was married to Miss Margaret, daughter of William and Jane (Cochran) Baker, natives respectively of France and America, who were married in Pennsylvania. Mrs. A. was born in the township of Baker (named after her grandfather, the first settler), Allegheny Co., Pa., May 25, 1828. In this family have been born the following 11 children: Sarah J., born April 23, 1846; Mary A., July 20, 1847 ; Rensselaer, April 12, 1850, died Feb. 19, 1872; John W., July 1, 1852; Ella R., Aug. 25, 1853; Herman J., May 15, 1855; Charles L., March 13, 1858, died Oct. 11, 1867; Henry H., March 13, 1859; Jesse G., Sept. 5, 1861, died Nov. 20, 1861; Estella M., Oct. 16, 1864; Minnie G., March 17, 1866, died Oct. 5, 1867.
illiam L. Faunce, farmer, section 10, Coe Township, is a son of Alden and Lucretia (Coburn) Faunce, the former a native of Massachusetts and the latter of New York. They first settled in Trumbull Co., Ohio, where he died ; Mrs. F. is still living.
The subject of this sketch was born in the above mentioned county, Feb. 20, 1845, was educated at the common school, and two terms at an academy ; at the age of 20 he started out in life for himself, en- gaging in farming most of the' time he remained in Ohio. In Septeniber, 1875, he came to this county, and, in company with Lewis Hutton, purchased the " Reynolds Mill," ran it for 13 months, sold it and bought 40 acres on section 10, Coe Township, to which Mr. F. has since added 46 acres. He now has 57 acres in good cultivation. Mr. Faunce is an esteemed citizen in his community. He was elected Treasurer of Coe Township in April, 1882, and was re-elected in April, 1883; he is also School Assessor.
In politics he is a Republican, and in religion both, he and his wife are members of the Disciples'Church!
Mr. Faunce was married, in Trumbull Co., Ohio Sept. 23, 1875, to Miss Agnes, daughter of Joseph and Ann Young, natives of Scotland. Mrs. F. was born in Trumbull Co., Ohio, Oct. 23, 1850. Their three children are Annie L, Garfield and an infant.
homas J. Fordyce, resident at Mt. Please ant, was born in the village of Clinton Greene Co., Pa., Sept. 4, 1834, and is the son of John W. and Sally (Bane) Fordyce. His father is a native of Greene County, where he was born Feb. 13, 1813, and in early life was a tailor by profession. He is now a resident in section 27 of Coe Township, this county, where he owns 40 acres of land. His mother was a native off Washington Co., Pa., and died in May, 1880, in Coef Township.
Mr. Fordyce was reared to the age of 17 years of his father's farm in Pennsylvania, and at that age he went to Preston Co., W. Va., and passed between six and seven years in railroading, about two-thirds: of that time as superintendent of a construction corps He was married while there, Aug. 22, 1856, to Eliza- beth Turner, daughter of Z. C. and Sarah Turner. She was born Jan. 7, 1835. After his marriage Mr. Fordyce engaged with James Kane as foreman in the lumber woods of West Virginia and operated in that capacity until the spring of 1864, when he engaged as assistant superintendent of the Preston County Candle & Gas Coal Company.
He remained with them until Sept. 30, 1865, when he came to Isabella County. He made the route by stage from St. John's to St. Louis and thence through the woods to Coe Township, where he bought 40 acres of timber land on section 26. On this he resided about eight years and cleared nearly 30 acres. He sold the place in 1872 and bought 80 acres of land on section 11, of Coe Township, 40 acres of which were improved and under cultivation. The place was in his possession but one year, as he sold it in' the spring of 1873.
In the fall of 1872 Mr. Fordyce was nominated opk the Republican ticket for Sheriff, and was elected over Cornelius Bogan by a majority of 273 votes. He
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was re-elected in 1874, and a year after the expira- tion of his term of office he moved to a farm of 80 Sacres in Chippewa, which had previously come into his possession by exchange. Sixty acres of the place was under cultivation and he continued to reside on and manage it until Jan. 1, 1884, He moved into Mt. Pleasant Feb. 1, following, and has since con- tinued to reside there. He owns two residences and lots in town, situated on Bennett's Addition. He is a a member of the Order of Masonry and belongs to the fraternity of Odd Fellows. He has held numer- ous township and school offices and has officiated as Constable.
rlando B. Thayer, farmer and blacksmith, residing on section 22, Vernon Township, was born in Binghamton, Broome Co., N. Y., June 12, 1846, and is a son of Joel L. and Mary B. (Ashcraft) Thayer. His father was a native of New York, followed farming and died in Isabella County, Aug., 6, 1881. His mother, also a native of New York, yet lives in this county. Of their three children, Orlando was the eldest. The two others were named Clarence R. and Roddie.
He lived in his native county till he was nine years old; then four years at Lansing, this State; five years in Eaton County ; and ten years at Mason, Ingham County. In March 1876, they came to this county and located on section 12, Isabella Town- ship. In March, 1879, Mr. Thayer exchanged the 80 acres in Isabella for 80 acres in Vernon, which is now his home. He has now 30 acres improved and suitable farm buildings.
He was married at Eaton Rapids, Sept. 22, 1869, to Miss Melissa Disenroth, daughter of John and Anna E. (Fearer) Disenroth, natives of Germany. The daughter was also born in the " Fatherland," April 4, 1847, and came with her parents to America when seven years old. She lived some years in New York State, and then came to Ingham County, which was her home until her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Thayer have four children living, who were born as follows : Delphernia, Sept. 30, 1872 ; Leroy, Sept. 23, 1874; Lewis, Aug. 20, 1876; and Lorenzo, June
10, 1878. Roddie J. was born July 20, 1870, and died Feb. 15, 1881.
The parents are members of the Baptist Church. Mr. T. is a Republican and has held various local offices.
eal Morrison, farmer, section 11, Isabella Township, was born in the vicinity of Montreal, Canada, Feb. 3, 1832. He remained on the parental homestead, assist- 16 ing his father in the maintenance of the family, until he attained the age of 20 years. On arriving at this point in life he began working in the lumber woods and continued that vocation for two years. He then "ran " logs and lumber on Lake Erie for several years, after which he returned to his former occupation in Haldimand Co., Ont., and successfully continued the same for a period of seven years.
In 1864, Mr. Morrison came to this State and located in Macomb County, and again entered on his chosen occupation. He continued farming in that county until the year 1876, when he came to this county and purchased 80 acres of land, unim- proved and heavily timbered, on section 11, Isabella Township. He immediately began the improvement of his homestead, determined to make it a pleasant home and a remunerative investment. He has cleared and improved 75 acres of his land, erected thereon a large stock and grain barn and a good resi- dence, and is content with the accumulation of his own industry.
Oct. 7, 1857, Mr. Morrison was united in mar- riage, in Ontario, with Miss Sarah Gormley, a native of Ireland, where she was born Aug. 14, 1837. Her mother died when she was three years old, and she accompanied her father to the New World, where, in Haldimand Co., Ont., they located and where she lived until her marriage.
Mr. and Mrs. Morrison are the parents of eight children. The living are: Jane, born Aug. 4, 1858; Christina, Sept. 17, 1860; William, Oct. 8, 1862; Peter, Oct. 28, 1864; Neal, Jan. 24, 1867; Sarah, April 2, 1874; and Jane, March 16, 1880.
Mrs. Morrison is a member of the Roman Catholic Church, while Mr. M. is a Presbyterian. Politically, he is a believer in and supporter of the principles of the Democratic party.
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lvah D. Weston, mason at Dushville, is a son of William and Lydia (Miner) Weston, natives of the Empire State, residents for a time in Branch Co., Mich., from 1852 to 1877 in Hillsdale County, since which time they have resided on an So-acre tract on section 12, Fremont Township. Mr. Weston, the father, was born Feb. 25, 1812, and has been a farmer all his life. Mrs. W. was born in 1827. Mr. W. has had 13 chil- dren, four by his present wife.
The subject of this biographical sketch, Alvah D., was born June 30, 1854, in Hillsdale Co., Mich. At 20 years of age, he commenced and served a two years' apprenticeship at the mason's trade, since which time he has followed that business. In 1877 he came and settled in Fremont Township, on section 13, remaining there a year; was then one year in Mecosta County, and then located at Dushville.
In 1875, Mr. Weston was married to Miss Nancy, daughter of Ashley and Cordelia (Hunt) Wilson. Her mother died in 1870, in Lenawee Co., Mich., and and her father, a farmer, is a resident of Mecosta County, where he owns a farm. There are six chil- dren in his family, three sons and three daughters, all heads of families. Mrs. Weston was born March 11, 1857, and she and Mr. W. are the parents of three children, viz : Fred E., born May 17, 1876; Oren B., April 28, 1878 ; Grace, June 28, 1880.
With reference to political questions Mr. W. is a "National," and religiously both he and his wife be- long to the Methodist Episcopal Church.
ohn L. Markley, blacksmith at Vernon City, was born in Germany, Oct. 24, 1817, and lived in the old country until 35 years of age. He learned his trade of his father, and at the age of 18 went out to work at the same, traveling over a good part of Germany. He received a good education in the schools of his native country. He was married at Frommare, Feb. 14, 1849, to Miss Anna M. Appler, who was born in Germany, May 12, 1827. She is the mother of 11
children,-seven sons and four daughters. Six of the children are living.
Coming to the United States at the age of 35, he first located in Tuscarawas Co., Ohio. He established a large wagon and blacksmith shop, in which he did an extensive business for nearly twenty years. In 1862 he had visited this county and selected 80 acres in Vernon Township; and when the F. & P. M. rail- road was built through his farm, he left Ohio perma- nently, to settle here. He laid out 40 acres in village lots, and named the place Vernon City. At that time no house was nearer than four miles. His house, a large frame one, was made at Flint, already to be put up as soon as hauled on the railroad to his future home. It was the first plastered house in the county. He afterwards erected a blacksmith shop, which he operated for a time. This he abandoned, however, to give his time to improving his farm and starting the village. He is a shrewd business man, and had been very successful in his residence in Ohio, but was opposed by several unfavorable circumstances, of which one was the impossibility of reconciling his wife and children to a life in a new country. He has given half his property to his wife, but still owns 20 acres in village lots. Politically, he is a Democrat.
homas Hannett, real estate and lumbering, Salt River, is the son of John P. and Mary Hannett, natives of Lower Canada. They died in the Dominion ; the former was drowned in September, 1849, and the latter died in 1854. Their family consisted of four boys.
The second son, the subject of this sketch, was born in Canada, Sept. 11, 1843. His school privileges being limited, his mental force was concentrated upon such practical education as he would gain by experi- ence ; and this has been considerable, as he has great energy and perseverance. He was about six years old when his father died, and at the age of ten he went to live with a farmer, until he was 17; he was then apprenticed for three years to learn the black- smith's trade, but, being very apt, he became profi- cient in a short time, and did not remain as an appren- tice the full term of three years. After working as a journeyman about two years, he started in business for himself, in Canada, but soon sold out and went to
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the oil regions of that dominion, where he was en- ployed at his trade, and also engineering, for about two years. In 1868 he came and located in New Haven Township, Gratiot County, purchasing a farm and residing upon it about three years, when, about 1872, he moved to this county and purchased a farm of 400 acres in Coe Township; after owning this about five years he sold the whole tract except 80 acres on section 13, which he still retains. He also owns 40 acres on section 36, 40 on section 1, 160 on section 12, 27 in Lincoln Township, and property in Salt River. About 70 acres of his land is in cultiva- tion and productive of good crops.
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