USA > Michigan > Isabella County > Portrait and biographical album of Isabella county, Mich., containing portraits and biographical sketches > Part 28
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Mr. Graves is a member of the Masonic fraternity and belongs to Wabon Lodge, No. 305, at Mt. Pleas- ant, and St. Louis (Gratiot Co.) Chapter, No. 87. He owns his residence at Mt. Pleasant and about 100 lots in the village of Longwood, north of the former place; also eight acres on section 15, of Union Town- ship, which he designs converting into a vineyard.
Peter . Sanford
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He is connected with a company that owns 1,200 acres of land in the counties of Leelanaw and Em- mett.
The marriage of Mr. Graves with Lulu B. Robin- son occurred April 18, 1871, in Warsaw, Ky. She was born in that city and is the daughter of Frank S. and Martha P. Robinson. Mr. and Mrs. Graves have had six children, two of whom are deceased. Their births occurred as follows: James R., April 18, 1872; Henry, Jan. 12, 1874, and died Nov. 30, 1876; Lulu, Aug. 18, 1876; and died Oct. 14, 1883; Archibald, June 17, 1878; Thurman, Dec. 3, 1880; Nellie, March 22, 1883.
genry Struble, retired merchant, Salt River is a son of John W. and Sarah (Laycock) Struble, who were natives of New Jersey, and settled first in Morrow Co., Ohio, where the former died, about 1834. The latter afterward
- removed to Fulton Co., Ohio, and in 1861 died at the residence of her son Henry, in Williams County, that State. Their family comprised seven children.
The subject of this sketch was born in Morrow Co., Ohio, Nov. 18, 1824, and when ten years of age his father died; he remained at home with his mother until of age, working for the support of his mother and the younger members of the family much of his time until 16 years of age. In the meantime he learned the tanner's trade, and when of age he em- barked in the business with his brother William, in Morrow County, and also in Williams County. The partnership continued about seven years; Henry then carried on the business alone for about five years, when, on account of failing health, he aban- doned the vocation and engaged in the butcher's business for about four years. He then entered the mercantile trade, first in Fulton County and after- wards in Williams Co., Ohio. In three or four years he sold out and returned to butchering for about two years.
In June, 1868, Mr. Struble came to this county and embarked in mercantile business at Salt River, and, although he met with many heavy losses, he prosc- cuted a flourishing trade until 1874, when he sold out to his son, N. W. Struble, and purchased a farm of
40 acres in Chippewa Township, managed it about two years, sold, and moved to Salt River, where he has since resided. He was once elected Highway Commissioner for a term of three years, but, on account of business, he resigned after one year. He has often been urged to accept various public trusts, but has generally refused such positions, never aspir- ing to office. In national affairs he acts decidedly with the Republican party. He is a charter member of the blue lodge of Freemasons at Salt River, also of the Royal Arch Chapters at Mt. Pleasant and St. Louis, and of the Salt River Lodge of Odd Fellows.
Mr. Struble was first married, in Fulton Co., Ohio, to Miss Rebecca J., daughter of Barrett and Guthrie Murphy, who were natives of New England. Mrs. S. was born in Richland Co., Ohio.
In this family were born three children, namely : Nathaniel W., Rebecca J. and Sarah L.,-the latter dying when 18 months old. Mrs. S. died in Fulton Co., Ohio, and Mr. S. was again married, in the same county, to Eliza, daughter of James H. Wickham. She was born in England. By this marriage, there are four children, viz. : Catherine M., Jason H., Albert and Kenneth.
eter Sanford, general farmer, section 3, Lincoln Township, was born near Mount Morris, Livingston Co., N. Y., Nov. 27, 1831. Excepting a few years spent in Canada and Michigan, he remained at home with his parents until 30 years old. Being the eldest of seven children, three boys and four girls, he had in a great measure to care for them and a widowed mother.
He was married in 1855, to Miss Rhoda Ann Campbell, a native of New York, who died at her home in Allegany Co., N. Y., seven years afterward. She had one child, Melvin, who was born May 27, 1857. Two years after her death, Mr. S. came to Michigan and located a quarter of section 3, Lincoln Township. Aug. 22, 1865, he was again married, in Coe Township, this county, to Miss Sarah E., daugh- ter of Isaac E. and Margaret (Withum) Hunt, natives of Ohio, where Mrs. S. was born, in Bennington, Morrow County, June 22, 1845. When 16 years of
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age she came to this State, and devoted some years to teaching. She is a member of the Free Methodist Church. Their children are, Minnie M., born Feb. 15, 1867 ; Hattie E., April 14, 1873; and Floyd I., Sept. 6, 1881.
Mr. Sanford has disposed of half his original pur- chase, and improved 50 acres; has held the school offices of his township, and in politics is a decided Republican.
Mr. Sanford's portrait is given on a previous page.
illiam Horning, farmer on section 36, Vernon Township, was born in Jefferson Co., Pa., Nov. 14, 1848, and went with his parents when six years old to New York State ; three years later, to Lorain Co., Ohio; and in 1866 to this county, locating on the town- ship and section above mentioned. In 1874 he purchased 40 acres of land, all wild, and of this tract three-fourths is now cleared and under cultiva- tion; and he has also erected good farm buildings.
Jan. 1, 1876, in this county, he was united in mar- riage with Miss Angie Matthews, who was born in Richland Co., Ohio, Nov. 8, 1857, and came to Isabella in 1874. Two children have been born : Quincy F., Jan. 27, 1877; and Myrtie M., Nov. 27, 1879.
In political faith, Mr. H. is a zealous Republican.
ames Kinney, farmer, section 3, Isabella Township, was born in St. Nicholas, Prov- ince of Quebec, Canada, June 7, 1856. While quite young he accompanied his parents to Cornwall, Ont., and there lived for seven years. From Cornwall the family moved to Dickinson's Landing, Stormont Co., Can., taking James with them. He lived with his parents in this county, assisting his father in the maintenance of the family and receiving the advantages of the com- mon schools, until he attained the age of 16 years. On arriving at this age, Mr. Kinney left the parental home and engaged to learn the art of cooking, which he readily acquired and followed, being engaged as cook in lumber camps a number of years.
In the fall of 1874, Mr. Kinney came to this coun- ty and purchased 120 acres of land on sections 3 and 10, Isabella Township. He did not settle on this land until the spring of 1881, when he located on 40 acres of the original 120 he had purchased. He has cleared and improved 36 acres of the 40 and the remaining 84 acres is heavily timbered.
On the 14th of November, 1881, Mr. Kinney was united in marriage at Mt. Pleasant, this county, with Miss Mary, daughter of James and Alice (McHaney) Fitzgerald, natives of Ireland. Her father died in Evart, Osceola Co., this State, and her mother lives in Deerfield Township, this county. Mary was born in Ontario, March 11, 1863, and came to this county with her parents, where she has constantly resided since 1878. The husband and wife are the parents of two children ; Frederick J., born Aug. 1, 1882; and Ellen L., born Dec. 23, 1883. They are both members of the Roman Catholic Church, and have been connected with the same from childhood. Po- litically Mr. Kinney is a Democrat.
mos F. Albright, farmer, section 24, Gil- more Township, was born May 15, 1801, in Seneca, N. Y. His parents were natives of Germany ; and the son is the sole survivor of a large family. While he was a babe, his parents removed to Genesee Co. N. Y., where he re- mained a resident until he was 31 years old.
In 1832 Mr. Albright went to Ross Co., Ohio, where he resided four years. While there he buried his first wife, two children, mother and brother. 1Ie was a miller and millwright by trade, and he built and owned several mills in Michigan. He went to Oakland Co., Mich., in 1836, where he remained un- til 1838. His next remove was to Livingston County, this State. He built there a flouring mill, which proved an unfortunate investment, and, not long af- ter his property passed out of his hands he went to Davisonville, Oakland Co., where he remained two years, going thence to Northville, Mich. While liv- ing there he buried his second wife. He made an- other remove to Milford, where he built a flouring mill. He next went to Linden, Genesee Co., Mich., where he spent a year occupied in building a grist- mill. In 1864 he became Superintendent of the
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Government mills at Indian Village in Isabella County, which furnished the milling supplies for the Indians. He operated in that capacity until 1870, when he entered a homestead claim of So acres and has since devoted his attention to farming.
Mr. Albright was married in 1822 to Olive Wheeler, by whom he had six children. Three of these met with death by accident, one by scalding, one by drowning and one by laudanum poisoning. His sec- ond marriage, to Miss Marietta Blackman, occurred in 1837. The issue of this union was four children, the youngest of whom lost his life in the battle of the Wilderness. The third marriage of Mr. Albright oc- curred in 1846, and his wife Lore him seven children. He is a Baptist in religious connection and a zealous Republican in politics. One of the most prominent positions of his life was that of member of the con- vention at Jackson, Mich., when the Republican party was organized. He has held several local offi- cial positions.
than Button, farmer, section 9, Deerfield Township, is a son of Ethan and Lois (Beels) Button, the former a native of St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., and the latter of Connec- ticut. They first settled in Oswego Co., N. Y., where the former died, May 26, 1862 The widow afterward came to this county, and died Aug. 2, 1879, at the residence of her son Ethan, in Deer- field Township. In this family were 14 children, seven of whom grew up, six sons and one daughter.
The subject of this sketch was the 13th in the above mentioned family. He was born in Oswego Co., Jan. 22, 1843, educated at the common school, and at 15 years of age was employed on the Erie Canal, where he continued for 15 seasons. He then settled on a farm in Oswego County, which he had purchased some time previously, and which he car- ried on for two seasons, and then exchanged it, in 1878, for a quarter of section 9, Deerfield Township, this county, where he resides. He has since bought and sold different tracts of land, but he still owns 160 acres, 22 of which is subdued to cultivation.
In Oswego Co., N. Y., Jan. 8, 1865, Mr. Button married Miss Eunice, daughter of Lorenzo and An- nette (Porter) Bartlett, natives of that county, where
they still reside. Mrs. B. was born in the same county, May 30, 1847. The children of Mr. and Mrs. B. are: George L., Annie E., James E., Ida May and Harvey R. One died in infancy. The par- ents are of the Methodist persuasion, and in politics Mr. B. is a Republican.
illiam W. Cox, of the firm of W. W. Cox & Co., druggists at Mt. Pleasant, was born April 12, 1851, in Princess Anne Co., Va, and is the son of Isaac and Virginia (Williamson) Cox. His father was born in Albany Co., N. Y., Sept. 4, 182 1, and was a physi- cian by profession, graduating in 1848, at the Wood- stock (Vt.) Medical College. He died Jan. 23, 1865, in the city of Philadelphia. His mother was born Nov. 12, 1830, in Norfolk Co., Va., and is now living in Berkeley, in that county.
When he was less than two years old the parents of Mr. Cox went to Southampton Co., Va. IIe attended common schools until he was about 14 years old, when he came to Michigan and entered the drug store of his uncle, Dr. W. G. Cox, at Ypsilanti. He remained there five years, meanwhile attending the Department of Pharmacy at the University of Michi- gan, one term. About 1872 he opened a drug store in Detroit, which he continued to manage 18 months. He went thence to Howard City, Montcalm County, where he was similarly engaged two years, after which he went to Norfolk, Va., and was employed in that city four years as a clerk. In April, 1879, he entered the naval service of the United States, en- listing at Norfolk for special duty as first-class apothe- cary. He officiated in that capacity three years, and carne thence to Milan, Monroe Co., Michigan, where he opened a drug store. He continued in business there eight months, when he returned to Norfolk and spent two years as a clerk. In February, 1884, he opened his present business at Mt. Pleasant, where he is now meeting with satisfactory success. Mr. Cox is a member of the Order of Knights of Pythias, the American Legion of Honor, Chosen Friends and Knights of Maccabees.
His marriage to Mary E. Winnigder took place in Berkeley, Va., Oct. 16, 1879. She was born May 17, 1859, in Portsmouth, Va., and is the daughter of Jacob
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and Virginia (Smith) Winnigder. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Cox were born as follows: Clarence B., in Portsmouth, Va., Nov. 18, 1880, and William G., Nov. 9, 1883, in Berkeley, Va.
eorge E. Dixon, farmer on section 8, Den- ver Township, is a son of Joseph and Eliz- abeth (Summons) Dixon, natives of Ireland, who emigrated to Quebec in 1843 and lived there till their death. He was born in Quebec, June 23, 1847, and when quite young went to live with an uncle in Petersboro Co., C. W., where he remained three years. He came to Saginaw in 1865 and was employed in a saw-mill about three years. He then spent a year in Manitoba, and returning to Saginaw was employed on the river handling logs most of the time until January, 1882. He then came to Isabella County and settled on 80 acres of wild land in Denver Township, which he had bought the year previous. He built a good log house and other buildings, and now has 25 acres cleared.
He was married in Saginaw City, Nov. 25, 1875, to Miss Mary A., daughter of Richard and Mary (Raggart) Pearson, natives of Ireland. She was born in Canada, Sept. 25, 1851, and is the mother of one son, George E.
Mr. Dixon is politically a Republican. He and wife are members of the Episcopal Church.
eorge B. Horning, farmer and carpenter, residing on section 36, Vernon Township, ... . was born in Oswego Co., N. Y., March 20, 1846, and is a son of Adam N. and Mary A. (Waldon) Horning, natives of New York, and of German-English descent. Mr. Horning, - Sr., was by occupation a farmer, moved when George was very young to Lorain Co., Ohio, and after several other moves died, in Texas, in 1880. His wife died in this county, in 1872.
The subject of this biography lived with his par- ents, attending the school and growing up after the manner of most farmers sons until 18 years of age. Hle then followed the lakes as a sailor for about
seven years. He was on the "Black Swan" when she sunk near Cleveland, in 1862, and escaped un- hurt with the rest of the crew. The succeeding three years he was employed in a vineyard on the banks of Lake Erie; and in August, 1865, he selected this county as his permanent home. The following year he bought 40 acres on section 13, Vernon. This he did not occupy; but he afterwards bought 40 acres on section 36, where he has since resided, and has improved the whole tract.
He was married Aug. 19, 1870, in Vernon Town- ship, this county, to Catherine Curtis, daughter of Henry and Margaret (Miller) Curtis, natives of Ontario, Can., where the daughter also was born, Oct. 10, 1853. Losing her father when two years old, she lived with her mother until her marriage, coming to this State when 11 years old. Three chil- dren have been born to Mr. and Mrs. H., only one of whom is living. Irvin W. was born March 21, 1876; and Myrtle A. was born Oct. 25, 1879.
Mr. H. is a member of Clare Lodge, No. 333, I. O. O. F., and is politically an earnest Republican. He has been School Inspector, Highway Commissioner two terms and Justice of the Peace. This last office he has held four years.
homas McGuire, farmer, section Ir, Gil- more Township, was born March 10, 1844, in Canada. His parents, Charles and Re- becca (Boyd) McGuire, are natives of Ireland and reside in Ontario, Can. Mr. McGuire re- sided with his parents until he was of age, and when he began his struggle in life on his own respon- sibility, he engaged in lumbering, in which he was in- terested five years. At the expiration of that time, he removed to Saginaw, where he was engaged in similar business ten years. About 1873 he purchased 80 acres of land in Isabella County, of which he took possession Oct. 13, 1878. At the time he located upon it, it was wholly unimproved, but diligent and persistent labor has placed 55 acres in creditable farming condition. Mr. McGuire is a Democrat in political connection.
His marriage to Sarah Mcknight occurred Sept.
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24, 1878. She was born April 10, 1858, and is the daughter of Samuel and Mary (Mills) McKnight. Robert B., only child, was born Nov. 12, 1879.
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ewis C. Hawkins, farmer on section 7, Denver Township, is a son of Jacob and Margaret Hawkins, natives of Steuben and Dutchess Cos., N. Y. His father died in Wayne Co., Mich., Oct. 15, 1861, and his mother yet survives.
The subject of this sketch was born in Wayne Co., Mich., Oct. 14, 1835. He attended the common schools in his youth and lived in his native county until 26 years old, employed in farming. He after- wards removed to Ingham County, where he worked at different occupations nearly 17 years. He then lived a short time in Kent County, and in November, 1876, he came to Isabella County and bought 80 acres where he has since lived. He has about 35 acres improved.
He was married in Ingham County, Mich., Oct. 13, 1861, to Emily, daughter of Alexander and Emily (Bailey) Moore, he a native of Ireland and she of the State of New York. Mrs. Hawkins was born in Schuyler Co., N. Y., Feb. 14, 1846, and is the mother of one son, Claud L., born March 4, 1878.
Mr. H. has been Township Treasurer two years, Justice of the Peace four years, Supervisor three years, and has held various school offices. He is the present Supervisor of Denver. He enlisted Aug. 7, 1862, in the 24th Mich. Vol. Inf., and served till Dec. 31, of the same year. He was honorably discharged for disability.
homas Phillips, farmer, section 3, Deer- field Township, was born in Ontario, Can., Oct. 3, 1834; his father, Matthew Phillips, was a native of Pennsylvania, and died when he (Thomas) was a year and a half old. The latter was adopted by William Cosgrove, of West Gillensbury, Ontario, Can., and lived with him until 15 years old. The next four years he worked by the month, after which he cultivated a rented farm for five years. IIe then was employed by the
month for six years, after which, in his 31st year, he moved to Michigan, arriving in West Bay City May 3, 1865, where he resided five years, and in South Bay City, nearly five years ; in 1874 he came to this county, where, on section 3, he has since resided as a farmer, except one year at Bay City. When he made his present location the only white men within six miles were two lumbermen; so that he is truly a pioneer.
Sept. 27, 1853, Mr. Phillips married Miss Jane Alexander, who was born in Ontario, Can., Nov. 12, 1836. Eight children have been born in this family, six sons and two daughters, namely : Joseph, William Henry, Thomas Albert, Frankie and Annie, living; Mary Jane died March 27, 1865 ; Edmond (" Eddie "), in March, 1872 ; an infant died at birth.
illiam I. Simmons, general farmer, section 13, Lincoln Township, was born in Novi, Oakland Co., Mich., May 22, 1851. His father, Richmond C., was born in Wayne County, Mich., of New England ancestry, and has ever been identified with the agricul- tural interests of Wayne and Oakland Counties ; is one of the most prominent farmers of his county. His grandparents were people of unusual force of character, and possessed a large amount of property in Wayne County, this State. His mother, Huldah (nee Power) Simmons, is a native of the Empire State, of New England ancestry, and is still living, in Oakland Co., Mich.
The subject of this sketch is the eldest of four children,-three sons and one daughter; lived with his parents until 30 years of age; was educated at the Northville union school, at Ypsilanti, Pontiac and Ann Arbor. During the summer he worked on his father's farm until he was 20 years of age, when he began teaching in the public schools. He graduated at the State Normal School at Ypsilanti in 1872, and until 1882 he alternated between teaching and at- tending college. His last school was in the district where he now lives. He has had two union schools, namely, at Farmington, Oakland Co., Mich., and at Pewamo, Ionia County. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and in politics is a Repub- lican.
Sept. 8, 1880, in Plymouth Township, Wayne Co.,
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Mich., Mr. Simmons was married to Miss Hattie E., daughter of John and Sarah (Cumming) Shoesmith, natives respectively of England and Canada, and of English ancestry, who now reside in Ingham Coun- ty, this State. Mrs. S. was born at Almont, Lapeer Co., Mich., Jan. 1, 1857, where she lived until six years old, and then went to Wayne County, where she grew up and was educated. She is a member of the Regular Baptist Church. Mr. and Mrs. S. have one child, Floy L., born May 2, 1882.
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ames Reed is a farmer of Wise Township, re- siding on section 16. He is a native of the Dominion of Canada, where he was born in October, 1842. His parents, James and Margaret (Erwin) Reed, were born in Ireland and emigrated to Canada, where the father died, in 1842. The mother still survives
Mr. Reed remained in his native province of Lower Canada until 14 years old, and then in Upper Canada until 1866, when he came to St. Clair Co., Mich., and resided there 12 years, on a farm of 40 acres which he owned. In November, 1877, he sold his property and came to Isabella County. He re- sided some time at Loomis, but eventually bought a farm in Denver Township. On this he pursued agriculture about four years, when he bought 120 acres of improved and in Wise Township. He has cleared about 18 acres. In politics Mr. Reed is a Republican.
He was married March 25, 1864, in the county of Victoria, Can., to Sarah A. Hook. They have had ten children, eight living. Robert E., William J., Charles W., Margaret J., James H., Almina M., Albert Allen and Alice Ann. The two last named are twins. Mary R. and an infant are deceased.
icholas Phillips, farmer, section 36, Gil- more Township, was born Aug. 25, 1834, in West Kent, England, and is the son of Joseph and Mary (Johnson) Phillips, both of whom were natives of England, The mother died Dec. 25, 1881.
Mr. Phillips emigrated to this country in Novem-
ber, 1855, and he first took up his residence at Marshall, Mich., where he spent six months farming- and chopping. At the expiration of that time he went to Detroit and worked for a butcher seven months. In January, 1866, he purchased 80 acres of land in Isabella County, whither he removed his family Oct. 1, 1868. Not long afterward he entered a claim of 80 acres under the provisions of the Home- stead Act near the land he purchased and where he has since resided. He is one of the earliest settlers of Gilmore Township, and has held various town- ship offices.
Mr. Phillips was married July'5, 1861, to Cynthia Jane, daughter of Isaac P. Terry. She was born Nov. 28, 1844. Following is the record of the six children born of this union : Mary E. was born Oct. 1, 1864; George Edwin, May 14, 1866; Emma Ger- trude, born April 26, 1868; Francis Warren, June 24, 1874 ; Joseph Henry was born Nov. 7, 1862, and died May 1, 1877. Thomas A. was born May 14, 1866, and died June 25, 1870.
eorge M. Quick, carpenter and lumberman, resident at Loomis, was born April 23, 1839, in Canada, and is a son of James and Sarah J. (Loranay) Quick. His parents were natives of Pennsylvania.
The first 20 years of the life of Mr. Quick were passed in his native place, and during that period he attended school, worked at farming and was also occupied in lumbering. At the age mentioned he went to the city of New York, where he remained about three months, and at the end of that time he came to Saginaw County, Mich. He spent three years there in lumbering, and in 1863 he went to Kentucky and other Southern States in the employ of the United States Government, and worked as a carpenter about two years, when he returned to Saginaw County and for a few months followed his trade there. He went thence to Grand Haven, Ottawa County, where he remained until 1869. In that year he again returned to Saginaw County. In the spring of 1871 he came to Isabella County and located at Loomis, where he has since resided with the exception of 18 months, which he spent in Saginaw County and the northern counties of Michigan. Since he became a resident
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