USA > Michigan > Isabella County > Portrait and biographical album of Isabella county, Mich., containing portraits and biographical sketches > Part 26
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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
In the spring of 1881, Mr. Hannett was elected · Supervisor of Coe Township, which office he now fills. In politics he is a Democrat, and in social mat- ters he is an Odd Fellow and a Good Templar.
Mr. H. was married, at Maple Rapids, Clinton Co., Mich., Jan. 1, 1869, to Caroline A., daughter of Philip and Mary Burlingame, who was born in Wisconsin, Sept. 22, 1849, and died March 29, 1879; their five children are, Alice E., Emory H., Ella M., Royal J. and Claude H. Mrs. H.'s father is a minister of the United Brethren Church, and is located near Reed City, Mich.
ndrew .J. Clute, of A. J. Clute & Co., lum- ber manufacturers, residing on section 23, Vernon, was born in Erie Co., Pa., July 14, 1847, and is a son of Christopher and Martha C. (McKay) Clute, natives of Pennsylvania and of German descent. The parents now reside in Clare. Of their five children, four are sons and one a daughter, and Andrew is the eldest.
He lived' until 14 years old with his parents in his native county, then four years in the State of Ohio, and then they came to Midland County, this State. He received a good common-school education under his father's care, and on setting out for himself worked at lumbering for four years. Thence he went to Clare, and thence to Sheridan Township, Clare County. In 1876 he selected Isabella County as his home, and in partnership with his father-in- law, William Turbush, erected a saw-mill on section 23, Vernon, which they have since operated. The
mill has a daily capacity of 8,000 feet, and the firm handle annually about 1,000,000 feet of lumber.
He was married in Vernon Township, Dec. 24, 1881, to Miss Ernstine Turbush, who was born in Ingham County, this State, Oct. 7, 1858. She came with her parents to this county when eight years old, and was educated in the public school at Clare. She began teaching at the age of 16, and continued in that vocation until her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Clute have a son, Christopher W., born Nov. 14, 1882.
Politically, Mr. C. is a staunch Republican. .
oren A. Houghton, M. D., physician and surgeon, of Blanchard, is a son of Loren and Esther M. (Scott) Houghton. The mother was born in Vermont, March 27, 1824' and died April 13, 1855, in Woodland Town- ship, Barry Co., Mich. The father was born in New York State, July 30, 1823, and adopting the voca- tion of farmer came to Barry County, this State, in 1852. Ten years later he moved to Ionia County and lived there until 1883. He then returned to Woodland Township, where he now resides, at the age of 61.
The subject of this biography was born Jan. 30, 1845, in Pittsfield, Lorain Co., Ohio. At the early age of 10, losing his mother by death, he went out in the world to take care of himself. He lived with his grandparents until 17 years old, and then commenced working out for $5 per month. A few months later he went to Ionia County, where he alternately at- tended school and worked on a farm, until 22. He then commenced the study of medicine, remaining six months with Dr. Rawson, of Woodland Center, Barry County. For the next two years he studied with Drs. l'erkey and Merritt, of Charlotte. He then took a course at Ann Arbor, and was graduated March 27, 1872 ; when he began the practice of med- icine in Ionia County. In the autumn of 1883 he located in Blanchard, where he is becoming popular and has an enviable practice.
In June, 1873, he married Miss Diana Foster, daughter of Lorenzo and Cordelia (Dusenberry) Foster. Mr. Foster was born Dec. 25, 1821, in New York, and Mrs. Foster was born Sept. 9, 1827, in the same State. They reside in Eaton County, this State.
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Their daughter was born July 30, 1848, in Eaton Co., Mich., and was the oldest daughter in a family of six children, all but one of whom are living. Dr. and Mrs. Houghton have had a family of three : Earl, born Aug. 15, 1875 ; Edwin, born May 4, 1880; and Edith, born May 4, 1880, and died Oct. 24, 1880.
Politically, Dr. Houghton is a National.
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obert Johnston, farmer and stock-raiser, section 14, Isabella Township, and one of the leading and representative men of the same, was born in the vicinity of Ottawa, On- tario, June 23, 1842.
At ten years of age Robert accompanied his parents to Pontiac County, Province of Quebec, where they located on a farm. Here the father con- tinued the occupation of a farmer until his death, March 20, 1859.
On the death of his father Robert became heir to 150 acres, mostly improved land. He lived with his mother until 1865, when he came to this State and engaged in lumbering in different counties for a period and then returned to Canada.
Mr. Johnston was united in marriage with Miss Lorena Leventure, March 12, 1874. She was a native of Renfrew Co., Can., where she was born Nov. 2, 1854. Her mother died when Lorena was in childhood's years and she lived with her father, in her native county, until she attained the age of 16 fyears, and then accompanied him to Upper Canada, where she lived, assisting in the household duties and attending the common schools until her mar- riage.
The husband and wife of this biographical notice are the parents of two children : Clara L., born Feb. 2, 1875; and Percy J., born June 15, 1883.
After his marriage Mr. Johnston came to this State and located in Clare, Clare County, and engaged in the lumber business, which he continued for some months and then moved to Farwell, same county, and continued in the lumber business for two years. At the expiration of this time, July, 1878, he came to this county and purchased 120 acres of land, on sec- tion 14, Isabella Township. He has since added 40 acres to his original purchase and of his entire
landed interest he has Ito acres in a good state of cultivation.
Considering that at the time Mr. Johnston pur- chased his land it was all in its original state of nature, a wild and unbroken forest, he has certainly displayed great energy and perseverance in bringing his farm to its present state of improvement. He spent three winters of his time lumbering, and his estimable wife accompanied him to the camp and did her part to wrest sufficiency from the hand of opportunity.
Politically, Mr. Johnston is a believer in and sup- porter of the principles of the Republican party. He is a member of the Episcopal Church, and his wife of the Presbyterian Church, and are respected and esteemed citizens of the township in which they reside.
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athan S. Parmenter, farmer, section 32, Coldwater Township, was born June 12, 1809, at Brandon, Rutland Co., Vt. His parents were natives of Massachusetts and are both deceased. Their family included three sons and four daughters, all of whom lived to mature years.
Mr. Parmenter remained at home several years beyond the period of his majority, and worked as he found opportunity until he was 28 years of age. When he was 32 years old, he purchased 80 acres of improved land in his native town of Brandon. After conducting the place two years, he sold it, and bought a farm in the town of Chittenden, 12 miles from the former. On this he resided two years, when his father died and he again sold his estate for the pur- pose of residing with and caring for his mother on the family homestead. She lived but two years, and he again bought a farm in Brandon. The place com- prised 85 acres, and he retained its ownership five years. He then went to the State of New York and bought a place in the county of Wyoming, in which he resided 16 years. In 1881 he came to Sherman City, in the township of Coldwater. William W. Parmenter, his son, had previously bought 240 acres of land near Sherman City, and Mr. Parmenter of this sketch came here to reside with him. He is a Re- publican in political principle. He was married May
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19, 1833, to Azubah, daughter of Kenney and Betsey (Walker) Grover. She was born Oct. 30, 1814. Her parents were natives of Vermont and died in Wyo- ming Co., N. Y. Their five sons and five daughters grew to maturity. Following is the record of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Parmenter: Wilson A., born March 29, 1834; William Wallace, Jan. 18, 1837 ; Anna L., Dec 6, 1846; Mary A., May 5, 1848; Emma Augusta, Sept. 16, 1852. The third child (unmarried) died in early infancy.
illiam Turbush, of the the firm of A. J. Clute & Co., manufacturers of lumber, re- siding on section 23, Vernon Township, was born in Albany Co., N. Y., Aug. 30, 1833. He was the third child and second son of a family of four. He lost his father when 14 years old, but his mother lived until 1882.
At the age of 18 he moved to Wayne County, N. Y., and lived there three years, including one season which he passed as a sailor on the lakes. Coming to Ingham County, this State, in 1854, he learned and then worked at, the trade of carpenter and joiner, until 1864.
In August of that year, he enlisted in Co. 1, ist Eng. and Mech., and was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland, under Sherman. He fought at Nash- ville, Tenn., but being employed mostly in mechan- ical work he escaped much actual fighting. Being taken sick the last of December, 1864, he was sent to the hospital at New York city, and while there he was transferred to the U. S. Regular Infantry, in which he served until June 29, 1865. On that date he was honorably discharged.
He returned to Michigan by way of Albany, N. Y., where he paid a short visit to the home and friends of his youth. Arriving in Ingham County, he shortly resolved to come to Isabella County. He moved here Aug. 12, 1865, and entered the first 160 acres of land taken in Vernon Township. This was on section 34. He soon moved into the woods and commenced to improve his land. He has worked at his trade in Mt. Pleasant a portion of the time, and spent one season in "looking" pine land in this and adjoining counties. He has given a son 80 acres, and of the
remainder of his farm he hasunder cultivation 57 acres.
He was first married in the spring of 1854, in Wayne Co., N. Y., to Miss Clara Wells, who was born in Cattaraugus Co., N. Y., in Dec., 1834. She died at her home in Ingham County, this State, in the fall of 1861, leaving three children,-Jesse, Ernest and Ellsworth. The first two are married. He was again united in the bonds of matrimony in Ingham County, in June, 1864, with Mrs. Nancy (Hazelton) Hunt. She was born in Ontario, Can., April 15, 1832, and when six years old came with her parents to Ingham County. By her first marriage to a Mr. Reeves, she had four children,-Elizabeth, Francis E., Stella M. and William (deceased). By her subsequent mar- riage to Mr. Hunt, she has a son, Elmer D., and of her present marriage there has been born one son, George.
Mrs. T. is a member of the Baptist Church. Mr. T. is a member of the F. & A. M. and the A. O. P. SO In political matters he is an earnest supporter of Re-f publicanism.
ichard Goodwin, farmer, section 32, Isa- bella Township, is a son of Richard and Laura (Jones) Goodwin, and was born in the vicinity of London, Eng., Feb. 28, 1834.
The parents of our subject are natives ot England and Wales respectively, and of Eng- lish and Welsh extraction. The father was a farmer by occupation and emigrated with his family to the New World and located in Scio Township, Washtenaw Co., this State. He shortly went to the Empire State and died there, in 1858, aged 63 years. The mother died two years afterward, in 1860, in San Francisco, Cal. Richard was but six months old when his par- ents came to this country and settled in Washtenaw County. When seven years old, he accompanied them to Waterloo Township, Jackson County, and three years later went with them to Ann Arbor.
At this age in life Mr. Goodwin launched his life- boat on the sea of events and went forth to fight the battles of the cold, unthinking world alone. His "roses " grew not without thorns, and, going to, Wash tenaw County again, he went to work as a common laborer on the farm, which occupation he continued
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for ten years. He then went to work for a gentleman in Lima Township, where he worked for 21 years, at the same vocation.
Feb. 4, 1858, in Washtenaw County, Mr. Goodwin was united in marriage with Miss Susan, daughter of Samuel and Catharine (Lacy) Clements, natives of New Jersey and Maryland, and of Irish and English extraction. They came to Washtenaw County in 1826, and were among the first settlers in that local- ity, and Susan was the first white child born in Lima Township, that county, the date or her birth being Nov. 24, 1827.
Mr. and Mrs. Goodwin are the parents of four children, two of whom are deceased. The living children are : Samuel C., born May 28, 1865 ; and Henry C., born Feb. 10, 1868. Charles, born Aug. 7, 1870, died March 22, 1872. One child died in infancy.
After his marriage Mr. Goodwin located a farm in Lima Township, Washtenaw County, and successful- ly prosecuted the occupation he had previously fol- lowed, farming, until the year 1877. In the summer of that year he sold his property in that township and came to this county. He purchased 40 acres on section 32, Isabella Township, all unimproved. When he first came to the township there was but little settlement, and the hand of improvement was hardly visible; and he entered on the task of improv- ing his land under the most embarassing circumstan- ces. He has succeeded in placing 20 acres of his land in a good state of cultivation.
Politically Mr. Goodwin is a Republican. He is at present Justice of the Peace, and has held that position for six years. Religiously his wife is a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church:
athaniel W. Struble, merchant, Salt River, is a son of Henry and Rebecca J. (Mur- phy) Struble. (See sketch of Henry Stru- ble.) He was born in Williams Co., Ohio, Sept. 22, 1852, received a common-school educa- tion and remained at home with his parents till nearly 24 years of age; came to Isabella County in fall of 1868 and assisted his father in the store until Oct. 20, 1875, when he bought out his father. He still owns the place, and is carrying on the mercantile
business with fine success. About a year after com- mencing here he formed a partnership with J. B. Struble, which continued about two years, when N. W. Struble bought out his partner's interest. He after- ward sold out to Isaiah Lomon and engaged in the real-estate business about a year, when he purchased the stock and trade of W. W. & J. B. Struble. After prosecuting business here about one year he sold out to S. S. & B. Smith, and bought the Lomon stock. In July, 1883, he sold a half interest in this stock to J. H. Struble, and the firm is now N. W. & J. H. Struble, who do a prosperous business, averaging $20,000 to $30,000 annually.
Mr. S. is a member of the blue lodge, F. & A. M., and also of the chapter, R. A. M., at Mt. Pleasant ; is also a member of the I. O. O. F. In political matters he belongs to the Republican party.
Jan. 18, 1879, in Salt Rivet, Mr. Struble married Miss Nettie T., daughter of James B. and Lucy H. Allen, natives of Oakland Co., Mich.
Mrs. S. was born in Gratiot Co., Mich., May 12, 1856. They are the parents of one child, Myrtie Pearl, born Nov. 12, 1880.
oseph M. Bradley, farmer, section 24, Isa- bella Township, is a native of this State, and was born in Lapeer County, in March, 1851. His parents were natives of the same county in which our subject was born, and when Joseph M. was about four years of age, came to this county and received a tract of land from the Government, on which they resided until their death, the demise of the father occurring July 25, 1881, and that of the mother July 15, 1875.
Joseph M. Bradley, the subject of our biographical notice, is the third son of 11 children of his parents' household, and remained with them until their death, assisting his father on the farm and attending the Government schools. Since that time he has become possessed of the entire homestead, and now has 55 acres of the same in a good state of cultivation .. By strict integrity and fair dealing with his fellow men, coupled with energy and determination, he has at- tained the highest representative position of his race in the township.
Mr. Bradley was united in marriage, May 15, 1875,
D
Horace, Q. Bigelow
Mary. 6. 73 igelow
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in Isabella Township, this county, to Mrs. Mary Ash- man (nee Williams), born in Saginaw County, this State, in 1856. Her parents both died in this county. The husband and wife, subjects of this biography, are the parents of four children, one deceased. The living are Maria, born Nov. 19, 1876; Matilda J., Feb. 15, 1880; and Samuel, Nov. 25, 1882. Christina, born April 17, 1878, died Nov. 27, 1882. Mrs. Brad- ley had one child by a former marriage,-Lucy A., born April 3, 1874. Both father and mother are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Mr. Bradley, politically, is a believer in and sup- porter of the principles of the Republican party. He has held the office of Township Treasurer three years, and has been School Director for ten years.
orace O. Bigelow, farmer, section 8, Coe Township, is a son of Chandler B. and Amanda (Wright) Bigelow, natives of Colchester, Conn. They settled in Genesee Co., N. Y., where she died. He afterward moved to Mon- roe Co., Mich., in 1851, and died in Dundee, Mich., in November, 1872. There were four children in the family.
The subject of this sketch was born in Bergen, Genesee Co., N. Y., March 17, 1826, and was edu- cated at the common school. At the age of 16 he commenced to learn the blacksmith's trade, but on account of impaired health he quit it before he was of age, and attended a three-months term of select school at Lyons, N. Y. Next he worked at his trade half a year at Watertown, Wis., and then for about five years, on his own account, in Dodge Co., Wis. Returning to Chili, Monroe Co., N. Y., he bought a shop, followed his trade a year, then a year at Dun- dee, Monroe Co., Mich., a year at Blissfield, Lenawee Co., Mich., and then came to Isabella County in June, 1856, entering 320 acres on section 3, Coe Town- ship. Here he erected a log cabin and began the usual career of a frontiersman to establish a home. By the year 1869 he had 60 acres improved. He then sold out and purchased 120 acres of the Mur- taugh heirs, where he has erected fine farm buildings and has 100 acres in cultivation.
Early in 1864, Mr. Bigelow enlisted in the war,
but on account of physical disability was not ac- cepted. In the spring of 1861, he was chosen Supervisor of Coe Township, and served one year. In politics, he was formerly a staunch Repub- lican, but now sympathizes rather with the " Nation- al " party. He has often been urged to accept office, but as often declined. For three or four years he was a director of the Gratiot and Isabella Insurance Company.
Mr. Bigelow was first married, in Chili, Monroe Co., N. Y., Oct. 14, 1847, to Miss Adaline S., daugh- ter of Zebulon and Sophia (Scribner) Phillips. Her father, a native of Massachusetts, died in Church- ville, Monroe Co., N. Y., Jan. 7, 1883, and her mother died in Chili, N. Y., July 25, 1827. By this marriage there were two children, Olney B. and Francis Z. Mrs. B. died Dec. 5, 1852, in Clyman, Dodge Co., Wis., and Mr. B. was again married, in Riga, Monroe Co., N. Y., April 6, 1853, to Mary E Phillips, a sister of his former wife. She was born in Riga, Aug. 21, 1823. By this union there were five children, viz. : Adaline A., Frances E., Chandler B., Zebulon E. and Horace O., Jr.
In presenting the portraits of Mr. B. and lady, we feel assured that all will acknowledge them to be fit examples of the worthy, substantial, industrious pio- neers who deserve to be retained in lasting remem- brance by the citizens of Coe Township and Isabella County.
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enry Trevidick, a prominent merchant of Clare, was born April 3, 1846, in Mt. Clemens, Macomb Co., Mich., and at the age of sixteen left home to make his own way in life, going first to Saginaw, where he was for some time in a planing-mill. He afterwards learned the drug trade. In February, 1871, he came to the site of Clare, then occupied by but one build- ing, and established the first store, selling drugs, etc. To reach his place he had to wind around through stumps and logs in a manner that would cause most people to despair. His first stock was worth $2,500. In 1876 he added a stock of clothing, boots and shoes, etc., and in 1880 he enlarged his store to meet the demands of a growing trade. His is now one of the principal buildings in Clare, being 20 x 80 feet in
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size. He carries a stock worth $5,000, and does an annual business of $10,000.
March 22, 1873, in Jackson County, he was mar- ried to Miss Alice M. Wheaton, who was born in that county Sept. 1, 1853. Four children are now included in the family circle, who were born on the following dates : Clarence H., Dec. 26, 1875 ; Claud W., Feb. 12, 1878; Mabel A., May 10, 1881 ; and Ray, March 31, 1883.
Mrs. T. is a member of the Congregational Church. Mr. T. is in political sentiment a Demo- crat. He has filled the office of Township Treasurer for two terms, and has been School Assessor.
axwell G. Shappee, stock-raiser and farmer, section 24, Lincoln Township, was born in the vicinity of Elmira, N. Y., Oct. 24, 1837. His father, Guy Shappee, was a native of the same county, of French descent, a farmer, and is still living, at the age of 75, in that county; and his mother, Mary, nee Van Gordon, was a native of Chemung Co., N. Y., of German descent, and died in her native county, about 1867.
The subject of this sketch remained at home with his parents, working on the farm and attending school, until the breaking out of the war, when, in August, 1862, he enlisted in Co. C, 141st N. Y. Vol. Inf., Capt. E. G. Baldwin, first of the Army of the Potomac, then, in 1863, of the Cumberland. He participated in all the battles from that at Resaca to the end of Sherman's campaign. At the battle of Peach-Tree Creek, July 20, 1864, he received a gun- shot wound in the right hip. He entered the ranks as a private ; in the fall of 1862 he was elected 5th Sergeant; one year later he was promoted as Orderly Sergeant, and in another year he was commissioned First Lieutenant. Owing to his capture and parole, he was detailed for special duty, and it fell to him to bring home the company in which he first enlisted. In June, 1865, after the close of the war, he was honorably discharged.
Returning immediately to his native home, he was married, Dec. 2, 1865, to Mrs. Ardella A. Fancher, nee Hoover, who was born in Crawford Co., Ohio, April 22, 1843, went to New York when three years
old, returned to Ohio when twelve, and later returned to New York again. She was educated in the High School at Seneca, Ohio, and followed teaching, in both common and graded schools in her native State. After marriage, Mr. S. resumed control of the home- stead and the care of his mother, who died two years afterward. Maxwell was the second son and third child in a family of six children, two girls and four boys. His father spent his time among the other children.
Mr. Shappee, the subject of this sketch, became possessor of the homestead. This he sold, and bought property in Breesport, same county; a year later he engaged in the hotel business, which he continued until the summer of 1873. He then sold out his interest there and came to Michigan, purchas- ing 40 acres of wild land where he now resides. He added by purchase 20 acres to the original tract, and he now has 30 acres well improved, with a comfort- able residence and other buildings. He was formerly reduced by hard times from comparative independence to poverty ; but by his pluck and good judgment he has once more made for himself and family a good home. He has held the office of Justice of the Peace, Township Treasurer two years, and the school offices of his district. With respect to national questions he takes Republican views, and in religion he and his wife are members of the M. E. Church.
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illiam B. Forbes, farmer, section 22, Cold- water Township, was born June 3, 1839, in Niagara Co., N. Y., and is the son of Leander J. and Nancy (Hudson) Forbes. His father was born in Erie Co., N. Y. and is still living, in Clinton Co., Mich. The mother was born in Saratoga Co., N. Y., and died in Clinton Co., Mich. about 1868. Their family included, one daugh- ter and seven sons. The sister was the eldest.
Mr. Foster was the third child of his parents. He spent the first 14 years of his life in his native county, and remained under the home roof during his minor- ity, except two months, during which he was occu- pied as a farm laborer in Oakland County, and one farming season, when he managed a rented farm in Livingston County. On the 14th of October, 1861,
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he enlisted in Co. A, Tenth Mich. Inf. His com- mand was assigned to the Army of the Mississippi and connected with the 14th Corps. In the fall of 1862 the regiment was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland, and was under Sherman in his historic march to Atlanta and the sea. He was mustered out of the army service Feb. 6, 1865, after a long and arduous connection with the military service of the United States. On receiving his discharge he came back to Clinton County and bought a thresher, which he managed one season. In June, 1866, he entered a claim of 80 acres of land, where he has since resided. He has cleared and improved 50 acres, and has placed his farm in a fine agricultural condition. He is a man of sterling traits of charac- ter, spotless repute and acknowledged ability.
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