USA > Michigan > Isabella County > Portrait and biographical album of Isabella county, Mich., containing portraits and biographical sketches > Part 32
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amuel C. Zeiter, lumberman, resident at S Loomis, Wise Township, was born May II, 1843, in Erie Co., N. Y. His parents, Joseph and Sophia (Schafer) Zeiter, were na- tives of Pennsylvania and resided in that State a short time after their maraiage, when they removed to the State of New York. In 1855, they came to Genesee Co., Mich., and eight years later became residents of Gratiot County, where they now reside.
Mr. Zeiter was a boy of 11 years when his parents came to Michigan, and he remained at home, assist- ing his father, until he was 19 years of age, when he entered the military service of the United States. He enlisted Aug 11, 1862, in the 23d Mich. Vol. Inf. He was in the service three years, and received an honorable discharge at Salisbury, N. C. He was on continual duty during the entire period as private, Corporal and Sergeant, and received two slight injur-
alfred Ce. Rouladen
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ies. While on picket before Atlanta he was hit in the head by a spent ball, and at the charge at Resaca he was slightly wounded in the right shoulder, but in neither instance was he incapacitated for duty.
On receiving his discharge he returned to Gratiot County, and soon after became interested in lumber- ing, which has occupied his attention since that pe- riod. He settled at Loomis, Isabella County, in October, 1882. He formed a partnership with J. T. Horning, of Flint, and the firm are extensively inter- ested in lumbering. They own and operate a saw and shingle mill and employ a working force of 60 men during the winter season, and about 16 through the remainder of the year. Their mill has a producing capacity of 25,000 feet of lumber daily. Mr. Zeiter is a Republican in political principle.
He was married Jan. 10, 1868, in Gratiot Co., Mich., to Annie J., daughter of Robert and Lucy (Shatton) Webb. She was born Sept. 5, 1850, in Norfolk Co., Can., and is of English parentage. Frankie A., only child, was born June 16, 1871. Mrs. Zeiter is a member of the Baptist Church.
elson Wellman, farmer, section 26, Gil- more Township, was born June 3, 1837, in Wayne Co., N. Y., and is a son of Eli and Harriet (Fowls) Wellman. They were natives of Vermont, and both died in Barry Co., Mich. . the demise of the father occurring in July, 1872, and that of the mother Dec. 28, 1881.
Mr. Wellman accompanied his parents to Barry Co., Mich., when he was 19 years old. His father purchased a farm and he worked as a farm assistant by the month. In 1860 he purchased a farm of his father in Barry County, and he has owned three oth- ers of 40 acres each at different times. He disposed of his Barry County property in March, 1879, and soon after purchased 80 acres of land in Isabella County, under partial improvements. He is a Re- publican in political sentiments, and is now a Justice of the Peace.
Mr. Wellman was married July 6, 1859, to Caroline, daughter of John and Zilphia (Crippin) Duffey. She was born April 26, 1842, and is the mother of six
children, whose record is as follows : Belle was born June 19, 1860; Effie, Aug. 20, 1862 ; Charles W., Aug. 1, 1864 ; Violet, Feb. 7, 1877; Alta V., Aug. 28, 1879; Clyde, Nov. 14, 1883.
Mr. Wellman became a soldier of the United States during the civil war, enlisting April 23, 1862, in the 23d Mich. Inf., and was assigned to Mulligan's Brigade. He was mustered out June 23 following, at Camp Douglas, Chicago, on account of disability.
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Ifred C. Rowlader, farmer and teacher, sec- tion 15, Lincoln Township, was born in Woodland Township, Barry Co., Mich., April 21, 1856. His father, Washington Row- lader, was a native of New York State, is a farmer by occupation, and is still a resident of Barry County ; his mother, Permelia (Myers) Rowla- der, was a native of Pennsylvania, of German ances- try, and died at her home in Barry County, in 1865.
Alfred, the subject of this biographical notice, lived with his parents in his native place until 22 years of age. Having received a good common-school edu- cation, he began teaching at the age of 19, in Ionia County, and taught four terms of school. In the spring of 1878 he came to this county and purchased 80 acres of land, owned previously by Nelson Ives, on section 15, where he now resides. After spending one year on the place, and boarding, he returned to Barry County and married Miss Cora J., daughter of Israel and Elizabeth (Smith) Cooper, natives of New York, of New England ancestry and of German ex- traction. They both died in Barry County, he in 1864 and she in 1867, aged respectively 57 and 42. Mrs. R. was born in Woodland Township above mentioned, March 26, 1858. Being young when her parents died, she qualified herself with a good education, and began teaching at the age of 16, and followed this profession and that of music until she was mar- ried. The young couple immediately settled at their new home in this county, where they have since lived and prospered. Their children now are, Bessie P., born Jan. 5, 1880; Inez L., June 22, 1881 ; and Alfred W., March 10, 1883.
Mr. R. is a skillful farmer, although young, having now about 60 acres in a good state of cultivation, with
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comfortable residence, barn, etc. He has held the office of Township Clerk, and is now Supervisor, being elected to the latter office in April, 1883. On national affairs he is counted in the Republican party.
The portrait of Mr. Rowlader, on a preceding page, is an addition to our collection of which the citizens of Isabella County will certainly feel proud.
ames C. Hammond, farmer, section 26, Coldwater Township, was born Jan. 30, 1857, near St. John's, Clinton Co., Mich., and is the son of Carmi and Mary A. (Willett) Hammond. His parents were born respect- ively in Vermont and New York. They came to Coldwater Township, Isabella County, in the spring of 1876, where his father bought 160 acres of land. His mother died in Clinton County, Feb. 21, 1876, and the demise of his father occurred in Cold- water Township, July 9, 1883.
Mr. Hammond remained at home with his parents until he was of age. He was married July 3, 1876, to Mary M., daughter of G. W. and Esther Brown. She was born Oct. 24, 1856. Following is the record of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Hammond : Willett, April 29, 1877 ; Esther Ann, Nov. 3, 1879; Alma Grace, Sept. 20, 1882.
Mr. Hammond is a Republican in political senti- ment.
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obert Pearson, farmer on section 18, Den- ver Township, is a son of Richard and Mary (Ryan) Pearson, natives of Ireland. The father emigrated to Canada in 1838, and married and settled in the Dominion, where still lives.
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The subject of this biography was born in the county of Holton, Can., April 8, 1842. He received an clementary English educaton, and at 15 years of age went out to work. He was employed for one man, driving a team, for six years and nine months. At the expiration of that time he left Canada and came to Detroit, Mich., where he was employed by the Government as a teamster for seven months,
Then for three summers he followed the lakes as a sailor. During the last season he met with a dis- tressing accident, breaking his right leg, in conse- quence of which he was laid up one year. He then came to Saginaw and worked a winter in the woods, driving logs in the spring ensuing. He was employed for four summers by the Tittabawassee Boom Com- pany, and until 1875 he was engaged in lumbering, logging or some kindred business. At that time he came to Isabella County and bought So acres in Den- ver Township, where he now has 65 acres under cultivation.
He was married in Georgetown, Holton Co., Can., May 6, 1869, to Mary A., daughter of Robert and Jane (Shaw) McCormick, natives of Ireland. Mrs. P. was also born in Ireland, April 6, 1847. She and her hnsband have three children, Jennie, Ella M. and Robert.
Mr. P. has held the office of Supervisor of Denver Township two years, Justice of the Peace four years, School Moderator five years, Township Treasurer two years, and is at the present time Treasurer and Deputy Sheriff. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and is politically a Republican.
oseph A. Graham, farmer and County Sur- veyor, residing on section 15, Isabella Town- ship, was born Jan. 23, 1838, and is the son of Andrew and Maria (Shaw) Graham, natives of Ireland, and of pure Irish extraction. The parents are both deceased, the father dying near Toronto, Can., in 1881, aged 70 years, and the moth- er in the same place in 1875.
Joseph lived with his parents, assisting the father in the maintenance of the family and attending the common schools, until he attained the age of 24 years. During this time he spent two years attending commercial college at Buffalo, N. Y. He completed his course there in 1856, and then entered on the profession of teaching, which he followed seven con- secutive years in his native county.
In 1874 Mr. Graham purchased 80 acres of land in this county, and the following year (1875) arrived here and at once began its improvement. The land was all heavily timbered, and the hand of improve- ment in his neighborhood was hardly visible. He
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nevertheless was firm in the belief that the near future would witness a wonderful development in the county, and, armed with this faith and energy, he began to clear and prepare his land for a future and permanent abode for himself and family. He subse- quently added 40 acres to his original purchase, and of his entire landed interest he now has 80 acres un- der first-class improvement, and on it is a fine orchard of 200 trees. He has erected a large stock and grain barn on his farm, at a cost of $900, and also built a commodious and comfortable residence, and is, with his family, enjoying the fruits of his own energetic labors. Jan. 30, 1862, Mr. Graham was united in marriage at Toronto, Can., to Miss Mary A., daughter of Hugh and Catharine (Cook) Graham, natives of New York and Connecticut, and of North Ireland parentage. She was born in the vicinity of Toronto, Can., Oct. 18, 1838.
The husband and wife are the parents of three children : Hugh A., born Jan. 28, 1863 ; Frederick, born April 18, 1865; Catharine E., born Dec. 14, 1866, died Nov. 7, 1881.
Mr. and Mrs. Graham are members of long stand- ing in the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. G. is a member of the Masonic Order, Lodge No. 305, at Mt. Pleasant. He is the present County Surveyor and has held the position for four years. Politically, he is a Republican, and has creditably held the offices of his township and school district.
Charles W. Gaumer, farmer, section 10, Coldwater Township, was born April 17, 1852, in New Jersey. His parents, Isaac and Mary (Metz) Gaumer, were natives respect- ively of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. In 1855 they came to Michigan, and rented a farm in Rochester, in Oakland County. Ten years later, they rented a place in the vicinity of St. John's, Clinton County, where they remained five years, when they came to Coldwater, Isabella County. The father died April 13, 1879, at the residence of his son ; his mother is still living and is cared for by her daughter, Mrs. Jesse E. Forbes, of this township.
Mr. Gaumer was under the control of his parents during his minority, and in 1881 he became the pro- prietor by purchase of 80 acres of unimproved land.
He has converted about 38 acres from the condition in which it was placed by nature, and has a valuable and profitable farm. Mr. Gaumer belongs to the Republican party in political sentiment.
He was married Sept. 10, 1879, to Florence A., daughter of Jacob and Eliza (Shoemaker) Isanhart, both of whom were natives of Ohio. Her mother died in November, 1876, in Sheridan Township, Mecosta County. Eula, only child, was born Nov. 18, 1880.
eter Conley, farmer, section 23, Coldwater Township, was born June 24, 1833, in County Tyrone, Ireland. His parents were both natives of the Emerald Isle, and emi- grated to the New World in August, 1849. His father bought 200 acres of land in Sheffield, Canada.
Mr. Conley remained with his parents, and in the Dominion, until 1852, when he went to Charlotte, Monroe Co., N. Y., where, and at Clarkson and Brockport in the same county, he remained three years. In 1855 he returned to Canada, where, in company with his father, he purchased 200 acres of land. After a few years, they divided the estate and Mr. Conley sold his half. During his residence in Canada, he had been engaged alternately in Mich- igan and Canada, working as a lumberman and on the Ionia & Houghton Lake State Road, working in the interest of E. Hall. In July, 1871, he sold his property in Canada. Three years previous, in March, 1868, he made a homestead claim in Michigan and returned to the Dominion. Through the species of chicanery known as "jumping," which has wrought so much mischief and against which struggling set- tlers have been so powerless in the whole history of Michigan, Mr. Conley lost his claim, and, on coming to Michigan to make a permanent settlement, he bought 80 acres of land of the Flint & Pere Mar- quette Railroad Company, which he yet owns, and to which he has since added 80 acres by purchase. Of this he has cleared and improved all but 60 acres. Mr. C. is a Democrat in political faith.
He was married June 18, 1873, to Mary Helen, daughter of Jackson and Louisa (Wilson) Alexander. She was born in Minnesota in 1857. The children
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of Mr. and Mrs. Conley are three in number and were born as follows: Richard Arthur, April 16, 1875; Frederick Henry, July 23, 1877; Owen Thomas, Sept. 27, 1880. Two children died in infancy.
ohn Miller, farmer, section 16, Deerfield Township, is a son of William and Rosan- na Miller, both natives of Ireland, who came to Canada in 1830, the former dying there the same year and the mother in 1854. John lived there until 1868, when he moved to Iowa, and ten years afterward he came to this county, purchasing 80 acres from the State and his sons buy- ing 240 acres of land from Brown & Goodale. He has 100 acres under good cultivation.
Mr. Miller was born Sept. 15, 1828, in Ireland; was married April 1, 1853, to Miss Mary Kating, daughther of Nicholas and Julia Kating. (Her father died Aug. 19, 1877.) Mr. and Mrs. Mil- ler have had 12 children, 11 of whom are living, namely : William, born Jan. 19, 1854; Rosanna, March 18, 1855; James, June 7, 1857; John, Feb. 24, 1859; Ella, Feb. 17, 1861 ; Stephen, Jan. 13, 1863; Thomas, Dec. 28, 1864; Mary, Dec. 21, 1856; Sarah, Aug. 15, 1869, Elizabeth, Aug. 2, 1873; Julia, June 2, 1875 ; Eliza, Nov. 9, 1870 ; died Aug. 19, 1872.
Mrs. Miller is a member of the Catholic Church.
homas W. Robinson, farmer, section 8, Wise Township, was born Feb. 13, 1839, in Canada. His parents, John and Margery (Montcreaf) Robinson, were natives of the State of New York.
Mr. Robinson came to Saginaw when he was eight years of age, where he remained four years. In 185 1 he went to Iowa, where he continued to reside until he was 23 years old, and was chiefly engaged in teaming. At the age named he returned to Can- ada and became interested in mercantile business at Hastings, in the county of Peterborough. In 1871 ' he came to Saginaw and engaged as a check clerk in the employment of the Flint & Pere Marquette Rail- road Company. In the fall of 1873 he located at
Loomis, and since that time has been chiefly inter- ested in lumbering. In 1880 he bought 80 acres of wild land on section 8, in which he settled in the spring of 1882. Of this he has cleared and improved 35 acres. Mr. Robinson is a Republican in political sentiment and has officiated eight years as a Justice of the Peace, as School Director three years, and two years as Notary Public. He is a member of the Order of Masonry and belongs to Lodge No. 1772, Knights of Honor, at Loomis.
He was married Feb. 25, 1861, at Norwood, Ont., to Eliza Weston, a native of England, where she was born Feb. 22, 1845. Of seven children born of this marriage three are deceased,-Maud, Ray and Eliza. George W., John S., Thomas B. and Violet A. are living. The mother died Jan. 18, 1876, at Loomis.
anson Wing, farmer on section 34, Vernon Township, was born in Haldimand Co., Ont., aon- May 30, 1839; and is the son of John and Almira (Randall) Wing. The parents were natives of Vermont, of New England descent, and their family included two daughters and five sons, Lanson being the youngest. Both parents died in Ontario, the mother when the subject of this sketch was very young.
For a short time after his mother's death, he was under the charge of his father; and then, with a a brother and sister, he was sent to live with a man named George Brown, where he remained over ten years. He then went to live with a sister, and for some time alternately worked on the farm and at- tended school. He came to this State in 1859, and located at Port Huron, where he followed the trade of carpentry. This he had learned when a boy. In the summer of 1863 he removed to Saginaw, and in the fall of 1865 he came to this county. He re- mained a year at Mt. Pleasant, during which time he worked on the first church edifice in that village, for the Methodists, at that time under the charge of Elder Bradley. He then obtained 80 acres where he now lives. His was the tenth family to locate in Vernon, and that season (1866) was the first when any logging was done in that township. He has im- proved most of his land, and erected the usual farm buildings.
He was married in Ontario, May 25, 1860, to Miss
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Anna Flanagan, daughter of James and Anna (Goslin) Flanagan. The parents and daughter were natives of Ireland, where the latter was born, Nov. 14, 1845. When she was three years old, her parents settled in Ontario, where she lived until her marriage. She is the mother of 11 children, nine of whom survived. Following was the record : Hattie A., born March 15, 1863; John A., April 20, 1867; Anna, March 19, 1869; Lanson, April 17, 1873; Levi F., Feb. 6, 1877; Ellen, Feb. 1, 1879; Freddie and Josephine, Sept. 20, 1881; Thomas, March 6, 1884. Edwin H. was born March 30, 1861, and died Aug. 18, 1873. Mary was born Feb. 8, 1875, and died March 6, 1875.
Mr. Wing belongs to Clare Lodge, No. 333, I. O. O. F. He has been Township Treasurer, and is now Justice of the Peace and School Director. He supports the Democratic party.
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obias P. Horning, manufacturer of lumber and shingles, residing at Clare, was born in Amherst Township, Erie Co., N. Y., March 28, 1843, and lived with his parents until legally of age, alternately attending school and working on the farm. He then came to this State and located in Richfield, Genesee County, where he was engaged in a saw-mill. He was a natural machinist and engineer, and without any special training undertook to run the engine, in which he was successful. After a year at the engine he exchanged his work for that of head sawyer and filer. In 1865 he went to East Saginaw, where he was employed principally as a filer. In the fall of the same year he returned to Genesee County, where he was married; and two years later he came to Isa- bella County and located on section 21, Vernon Township, where he and his brother bought 640 acres of pine land. Two years afterwards he re- moved to Clare and engaged in the manufacture of lumber and shingles, which is his present occupation. In 1878 he erected a grist-mill in connection with his saw-mill; but finding it unprofitable he exchanged it after three years for an So-acre farm in Vernon Township. His present saw-mill has a capacity for
cutting 15,000 feet of lumber and 30,000 shingles daily. He owns also a fine residence.
He was married in Genesee County, this State, ()ct. 2, 1867, to Miss Amelia Reece, a native of that county. Guy R. and Ray R. are the two sons born to Mr. and Mrs. H.
Mr. Horning is politically a " National." He was for two years Township Treasurer, and has been also village President, and has been village Trustee sev- eral years. He is at present Chief Engineer of the Fire Department of Clare.
illiam H. Hanne, farmer, section 9, Deer- 9 field Township, is a son of John and Catherine Hanne, both of German ancestry. (His mother died Sept. 18, 1882.)
He was born in Steuben Co., N. Y., Feb. 8, 1850; lived in the Empire State until 1870, when the family moved to Ohio; a year and a half afterward he went to Kings City Township, McPher- son Co., Kan., and 11 years subsequent to that he came to this county, purchasing 120 acres of land, where he now has 13 acres well subdued to cultiva- tion.
June 12, 1875, he married Miss Charity, daughter of Henry H. and Mary E. (Lauderdale) Stewart. Her father died about three years ago, and her mother is still living, in Fulton Co., Ohio. To Mr. and Mrs. Hanne have been born five children, namely. Homer E., Florence S., William Howard, living, and two who died in infancy.
With regard to political issues, Mr. Hanne votes with the Republicans.
ames Campbell, farmer, section 17, Coe Township, is a son of John and Maria (Tusten) Campbell, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of Pennsylvania, who passed their lives in Chester Co., Pa., she dy- ing in 1837 and he in 1859. They had seven children.
The subject of this sketch was born in the above county May 1, 1830, was reared on a farm and edu-
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cated at the common school. When of age he came to Jackson County, this State, where for two years he worked on a farm by the month. In October, 1854, he came to this county and entered 240 acres of land in Coe Township. He has since disposed of all but 110 acres, and he now has 90 acres in good cultiva- tion, with a good residence and fine farm buildings. He was a pioneer, commencing with a log cabin in the wilderness, and has prospered as an industrious, economical husbandman, having now the essentials of a comfortable home. He has been Pathmaster for several years, and is at present School Director, which office he has held for 15 years. In national politics he is a Democrat, and in religion he, as well as wife, is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
In September, 1864, he enlisted in the 15th Mich. Inf. and served about nine months, receiving an honorable discharge at Washington, D. C. During his military experience he received no wound and met with no serious accident.
Mr. Campbell was married, in Jackson Co., Mich., Jan. 18, 1855, to Euphemia, daughter of John and Rachel (Sloat) Neely, who were natives of New York State. Mrs. C. was born in Manchester, Mich., May 17, 1834. The children born in this family are, Isa- bella, Rachel A., Nettie, George B., Ada and Ella, besides Hattie and Charlie, deceased.
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harles Robbins, farmer, sec. 14, Gilmore Township, was born April 23, 1847, in Montcalm Co., Mich., and is the son of Noah and Eliza (White) Robbins. His father is deceased and his mother is living, in the south part of Isabella County.
When Mr. Robbins became of age, he entered his first papers to a homestead claim of 40 acres of land where he now lives. The entry was made in 1868 and his patent was granted him in 1873. He has placed his entire farm under cultivation. He is a Republican in political connection. He has been twice married. His union with Keziah, daughter of William and Sarah Phipps, occurred June 6, 1872. She was born Feb. 26, 1839, and died Dec. 9, 1879. Following is the record of the children born of this
marriage : Albert P., born Aug. 9, 1873, died Dec. 13, 1879; Alfred S., born July 10, 1875, died Dec. 30, 1879; James was born Sept. 12, 1878, and died soon after birth. Lucy K. was born Dec. 2, 1879, and died nine days later. Three children died within 22 days and the household was desolated with the exception of the father. He was a second time mar- ried March 17, 1881, to Nancy A., daughter of George W. and Esther Jane (Powell) Brown. She was born Nov. 18, 1853. The two children now included in the family circle were born as follows : Melinda, Jan. 28, 1882, and George W., born Feb. 22, 1884.
homas Carroll, farmer and present Super- visor of Isabella Township, residing on section 11, was born in Ireland, March 15, 1847.
The parents of Mr. Carroll, Patrick and Mar- garet (Kelley) .Carroll, were natives of the "Emerald Isle," and of pure Irish blood. The father was a farmer by occupation and followed his calling in his native country, and there died, about the year 1848. The mother also died in the same country, about the same year, within a week of the demise of the father, and when Thomas was only one year old.
Soon after the death of his parents, Thomas was brought by his relatives to this country. They lo- cated in Seneca Co., N. Y., and a few years after their settlement, Thomas was adopted by a Mr. John D. King, a farmer of that county. He lived with Mr. King, working on the farm and attending the com- mon schools until 187 1, when he came to this State and settled in Branch County. Here he worked a farm on " shares" in the county of Coldwater, and then went to Bay City, where he worked for a Mr. H. O. Fisher, an extensive lumberman of that place.
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