USA > Michigan > Isabella County > Portrait and biographical album of Isabella county, Mich., containing portraits and biographical sketches > Part 34
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Mr.' Faulkner was married at Ovid, Clinton Co., Mich., June 6, 1882, to Annie Denison. She was born June 26, 1861, near that place, and is the daughter of Jared and Fannie Denison. Fannie, only child, was born June 10, 1883, at Mt. Pleasant.
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esley Ellis, farmer, section 31, Coldwater 9 Township, was born Jan. 11, 1833, in Pike, Wyoming Co., N. Y. He is a son of John and Lany (Helmer) Ellis. His father was born Aug. 22, 1808, and died Oct. 19, 1867 ; his mother was born Feb. 3, 1810, and died March 22, 1881.
On leaving home when he attained his majority, Mr. Ellis became a farm assistant, working by the month for five years in the same employment. He enlisted May 15, 1861, in Co. F, 33d N. Y. Vol. Inf., and was mustered out June 22, 1863. He re-enlisted in September, 1864, in the 25th N. Y. Independent Battery. He was in the battles of Lee's Mills, Wil- liamsburg, Mechanicsville, White Oak Swamp, Mal- vern Hill, Antietam, Fredericksburg (first and second) and South Mountain. During his period of enlistment
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he was slightly ill and was sent to the general hospi- tal, when he ran away, and, after two days' travel and two nights' camping out, he caught up with his regiment. The date of this escapade was when Burnside took command after the battle of Antietam, subsequent to crossing the Potomac. The battery did garrison duty at Brashear City and at New Orleans, but was in no active engagements.
On his return to his home in Wyoming County after he was discharged, he engaged in farming in connection with his brother, on a farm which they owned together. A year later he sold out to his brother and came to Stanton, Montcalm Co., Mich., where he remained two years at work in shingle and saw mills. March 1, 1879, he came to Isabella County and wrote to his brother Frank, who joined him here, and together they bought 120 acres of land on which they have since resided. Mr. Ellis owns So acres of the original tract, and has 50 acres im- proved. He is a Republican in politics and has served one year as Supervisor of Sherman Town- ship.
Mr. Ellis was first married Dec. 24, 1866, to Jean- nette Phelps, of Wyoming Co., N. Y. Mr. Ellis was a second time married Nov. 19, 1878, to Arvilla, daughter of Obadiah and Abigail (Fay) Russell. There have been no children by either marriage.
obert Neelands, farmer on section Ir, Not- tawa Township, is a son of Andrew and Jane (Howey) Neelands, both natives of Ireland. The father now lives in Canada, where the mother died, in December, 1864. Their son Robert was born in Ontario, Can., Dec. 4, 1855, and lived with his parents on the farm until he came to man's estate. He then, at the age of 22, came to this county, about the first of April, 1878. For the ensuing year and a half, he worked by the month at farming, and then he passed a winter in Canada, and then he located permanently in Isa- bella County. He worked by the month for three years more, and then settled on his farm of 40 acres, purchased in the fall of 1880. He has 25 acres improved.
He was married Dec. 20, 1882, to Annis M. Har- rison, daughter of John D. and Almira R. (Frazier)
Harrison. The parents are of English and Canadian ancestry, respectively, and are residents of Isabella County. Mr. and Mrs. N. are members of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church. He is in political sentiment a Republican, and has been School Treasurer of his district.
onathan Tanner, farmer, section 32, Cold- water Township, was born Sept. 27, 1841 in Ontario, Canada, and is the son of James and Sarah (Sumner) Tanner. His parents are natives of England, and are both living in Coldwater Township. Their family includes 13 children, three daughters and ten sons.
Mr. Tanner was bound out by his parents when he was seven years old, but ran away before the ter- mination of the first year of his indenture, because of ill usage. He spent the period of his minority in working out by the day, month or year, and when he was 21 years of age he rented a farm, which he man- aged two years, after which he again became a day laborer, and was thus employed two years, except when his daily time and strength were absorbed by the ague, which he had in one of its severest forms In 1866 he came to Isabella County and entered a homestead claim of 80 acres, on which he has since resided. He has since increased his landed posses- sions by the purchase of 40 acres additional.
The experiences of the family in the early days of their settlement were those common to all the pio- neers of this section, but now and then an incident occurred which was out of the common order of things. The family of Mr. Tanner occupied a shanty, and at the time referred to, it was also occupied by a neighbor, pending the erection of her home. Mr. Tanner was felling a tree in the vicinity. The wind was blowing hard and caused the tree to take an un- expected direction toward the shanty. He called to his wife to fly with the children. She caught up one child and the other woman seized two others and ran. The tree fell and Mrs. Tanner was caught be- tween the branches. She was slightly injured in the shoulder and the child was so much hurt that he lay unconscious three da s and three nights. There was no physician nearer than Mt. Pleasant, and Mr. Tan- ner ran to the home of a neighbor-James Johnson-
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who hastened to Mr. Brubaker, three and a half miles distant, the latter having a set of medical books and an assortment of medicines. The child showed no signs of life for two hours, and medicine was forced through his clinched teeth. He was ill for a year, but finally recovered.
Mr. Tanner is independent in political faith and action. He has served four years as Highway Com- missioner, and one year as Constable.
He was married Jan. 15, 1863, to Mary Ann, daughter of John and Charlotte (Edwards) Boughen. The father died in Canada in 1872, and the mother resides at Mt. Pleasant. Both were English by birth. Mrs. Tanner is one of ten children born to her par- ents,-two sons and eight daughters. The record of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Tanner is as follows : Ernest Albert was born Feb. 21, 1866; William James, Feb. 16, 1864 (died Oct. 3, 1865); Minnie Jane, July 15, 1869; Anna Maria, June 22, 1872; Melvin John, May 28, 1875; Charlotte Laura, Feb. 16, 1877 ; Martha Augusta, March 29, 1879; Elmer, March 15, 1881 (died April 3, 1881).
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A ndrew J. Miller, farmer on section 7, Pol- land Township, is a son of Barnett and Margaret (Nusebaum) Miller. His father was born in the year 1834, in Tuscarawas Co., Ohio; his mother was born in Ohio in 1836 and died in November, 1866. Mr. Miller, sen- ior, was a farmer in Ohio until 1860, when he re- moved to Indiana. After a time he returned to Ohio, and now resides in Defiance County. He had by his first marriage nine children, and by his second three.
The subject of this biography was born Nov. 24, 1851, in Tuscarawas Co., Ohio, and lived with his parents until 15 years old. Losing his mother at that age, he went out to battle with the world and worked by the month for three years. He then came to Michigan and worked for three winters. In the spring of 1874 he came to Isabella County, was mar- ried and located on a farm of 1191/2 acres. He has 60 acres nicely improved.
His wife's maiden name was Libbie Pratt. She was born Aug. 1, 1858, in Montcalm Co., Mich. Her parents, Nathan and Charlotte Pratt, followed farm- ing. The father was a soldier for the Union in the
late war, fell at Chattanooga and is buried in the National Cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. Miller are the par- ents of two children,-Lawrence B., born May 17, 1874, and Alice E., born Nov. 24, 1881. The par- ents are members of the Wesleyan Methodist Church. Mr. Miller has been Moderator of his school district two terms. Politically, he is a Democrat.
esse H. Jordan, farmer on section 30, Den- ver Township, is a son of William and Mary (Garlock) Jordan. His parents were born, married and for a time afterwards lived in Cherry Valley, Cattaraugus Co., N. Y. They moved thence to Schuyler County, where the father died. The mother afterwards removed to Allegany Co., N. Y., her present home. Their family of eight were named Julia, Catherine, William, Lu- cinda, Jesse H., Andrew, Charles A. and Norman.
The subject of this biography was born in Schuyler Co., N. Y., Nov. 9, 1826, and alternately attended school and worked on his father's farm. Leaving the paternal roof at the age of 20, he worked out for three years, after which he bought a farm of 50 acres in Schuyler County, which he carried on for three years. He continued at farming until the spring of 1865, when he came to Ionia County and bought 80 acres of partly improved land. A year later he sold, and bought another farm in the same county, which, after seven years, he traded for an So-acre farm in Clinton County. He lived there three years, when, disposing of his Clinton County property, he came, in November, 1878, to Isabella County and bought 160 acres of wild land in Denver Township, where he has since lived. He has disposed of half his land, and of the remainder 70 acres are improved. Soon after settling in this county, he built a good farm house, which he now occupies.
He was first married in Yates Co., N. Y., Dec. 27, 1848, to Matilda, daughter of James A. Swarthout. The father was a native of New York State, and the daughter was born in Yates County, Oct. 9, 1829. Of this marriage five children were born,-James (died when four years old), Alice H., Charles M. (died Sept. 9, 1880), Wellington A. and Franklin O. His wife died in Denver 'Township, this county, Sept. 12, 1880, and he was again married, March 14, 1881,
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to Sophia R., daughter of Conrad and Elsie G. (Reeves) Young, and widow of E. G. Battles, who died Dec. 23, 1873, leaving three children,-Ida G., Elsie A and Minnie N. The first and last of these three are deceased. Mrs. Jordan was born in Seneca Co., N. Y., Aug 4, 1839.
Mr. J. has been Township Treasurer two years, Justice of the Peace four years, and in the fall of 1883 was elected Coroner, which office he now holds. He is also Deacon of the Baptist Church, which was organized in Denver Township in May, 1879. Mrs. J. is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Jordan votes the Republican ticket.
8 enjamin A. Cohoon, farmer on section 19, Coe Township, is a son of Lidick and Martha (Pickard) Cohoon, natives of the State of New York. The parents came to Jackson Co., Mich., in 1847, where she died. He remained there until the spring of 1861 and then came to Isabella County, where he now resides.
The subject of this narrative was born in Onon- daga Co., N. Y., Aug. 10, 1837, and was 10 years old when his parents came to Michigan. Remaining with his father until 23 years of age, he then worked at lum- bering on the Muskegon River for eight months. Sept. 9, 1861, he enlisted in the Eighth Mich. Vol. Inf., and served until June 13, 1866, at which time he was discharged. He was captured at the battle of Secessionville, on James Island, June 16, 1862, and was kept a prisoner for four months. He was again taken, Aug. 6, 1864, at the battle of the Wilderness, and he was not released until March 1, 1865. Dur- ing his first incarceration, he was for a few days in the Libby, but spent most of the time at Columbia, S. C. The second time, he was at Danville, Va., Andersonville, Ga. (five months) and Florence, S. C.
Returning from the service, he settled in 1867 on 80 acres on section 19, Coe Township, which he had bought the year previous, and on which he now re- sides, with about 45 acres under cultivation. He was married in Jackson County, June 17, 1867, to Eudora, daughter of William and Lydia (Page) Gal- lap, natives of the State of New York. Mrs. C. was born in Jackson County, Dec. 29, 1842, and has been the mother of eight children, six of whom survive :
Leonora, Ransom M., Lillian E., Mabel, Henrietta L. and Cora E. The other two died in infancy.
Mr. C. has been School Director for two years and Pathmaster. He is a member of Ralph Ely Post, No. 150, G. A. R., and is politically a Republican.
Charles B. Shaver, Superintendent for A. B. Long & Son, at Blanchard, is a son of John and Mary (Rose) Shaver, natives re- spectively of New York and Delaware. His father was born in Delaware Co., N. Y., in 1826, and has followed lumbering most of his life. His mother was born in 1831. They came to this State in 1870, locating in Emerson Township, Gratiot County. They afterwards removed to St. Louis, where they yet reside.
Their son Charles was born Aug. 7, 1855, in Steu- ben Co., N. Y., and lived with his parents until 16 years old, when he commenced work in a mill in Gratiot County. He was afterwards for a time in the employ of Whitney & Stinchfield, as a foreman. He then came to Blanchard for A. B. Long & Son, of Grand Rapids.
He was married Dec. 6, 1883, to Miss Lena A. Roberts, who was born May 2, 1864, the daughter of E. D. and Ora A. (Pierson) Roberts. The parents were born in Bangor, Me., in 1822 and 1836, re- spectively. The father has followed lumbering much of his life and now lives in Mecosta County. Mrs. Shaver is the third daughter in a family of two sons and three daughters, all of whom are now living. Politically, Mr. S. is a Republican.
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eorge Miller, farmer on section 9, Coe Township, residing at Salt River, was born in Ontario Co., N. Y., Oct. 23, 1816. His father, a lawyer, died when George was about six months old. His mother married again, and lived at Port Huron until her death. He was the only child of his father, and was bound out to a man by the name of Robert Purchase, in his native county. It was agreed that he should have his board, clothes and schooling, and $roo when he
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should become of age; which contract was faithfully performed.
He then came to Michigan and lived for several years in Lenawee and Hillsdale Counties, buying his first farm in the latter for $1.25 per acre. He came to Isabella County in 1854 and bought 320 acres of Government land at 50 cents per acre, and has since resided in this county. He now owns 160 acres of land, including village property, 100 acres being nicely improved. He built the first steam mill in this county, selling the same afterwards for $5,000.
He was married in Ionia Co., Mich., in October, 1854, to Mary, daughter of Peter and Margaret Chaf- fin, natives of the State of New York. Mrs. Miller was also born in the Empire State, 1834. She and her husband have been the parents of nine children, eight of whom survive: Wm. O., James W., Flora, Emeline, Margaret C. (died in April, 1883), Betsey, Josephine, Blanch and Katie.
Mr. M. was one of the first School Inspectors of his township. He has since invariably declined offices? on account of the demands of his private business. Politically, he supports the Democratic party. He and his sons keep some fine blooded stock, and own the well-known stallion "Sunburst.'
About 1859, during the hard times, Mr. M. bor- rowed a large sum of money at Saginaw, paying 25 per cent interest, by means of which many were kept from suffering. He employed deserving men to work for him, paying them in provisions, which he bought with the borrowed money, and making no profit on the cost of the same.
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dwin S. Crowley, farmer on section 32, Union Township, is a son of Lyman and Clarissa (Crook) Crowley, and was born near Wales, Erie Co., N. Y., Oct. 22, 1837. He lived on his father's farm until 19 years of age, and then learned the carpenter's trade, at which he worked a portion of the time for ten years.
In the spring of 1859 he went to Black Hawk Co., Iowa, where he followed his trade and also worked a farm of 40 acres, which he purchased. He was there married, March 16, 1864, to Miss Leah French, a na- tive of England. She died Feb. 28, 1865, leaving a son, Oriie, born the same day. He came to Union
Township, this county, in September, 1866, and bought 80 acres where Charles Stirling now resides. After clearing about 55 acres and making other im- provements, he sold this place and purchased what is now known as the Bamborough farm, 100 acres. Here he lived a year and then went to Fayette Co., Iowa, where he followed his trade somewhat more than a year. He then moved on his present farm, in October, 1875. He has 80 acres on section 22 and 20 acres on 23, all under cultivation, 50 acres being cleared by his own efforts. His farm is pleas- antly located, being but a mile from the county seat, and is one of the finest places in Union Township, having a good orchard, a fine residence, two sub- stantial barns, and other improvements to correspond.
He was a second time married, in Lincoln Town- ship, this county, Oct. 22, 1868, to Miss Emily Cas- well, who was born near Cleveland, Ohio, Feb. 12, 1849, the daughter of David and Rosina Caswell. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. C., as follows: Lettie was born Oct. 22, 1869, and died July 30, 187 1 ; Ernest was born May 21, 1872; Le- land, April 8, 1877 ; Myrtie, Dec. 8, 1880; Vernon, July 15; 1883.
oseph D. Raymond, a prominent farmer and lumberman, residing on section 13, Isa- bella Township, was born in St. Clair Co., Mich., April 18, 1852, and is a son of Nicholas and Sophia (Rivers) Raymond, natives of France, and of a pure French family. The senior Raymond was by occupation a blacksmith, and died in St. Clair Co., Mich., in June, 1854, when Joseph was but two years old. The mother is still residing in that county, at the age of 79.
The subject of this biography was reared under the care of his mother and step-father (David Moore), remaining with them until 18 years old, and received a good English education in the common schools. Leaving home at the date mentioned, he was engaged in the lumber woods of Midland County till the fall of 1878, when he selected Isabella County as his home. The following spring he purchased 40 acres on section 16, Denver Township, and subsequent investments gave him a total of 1,280 acres of heavily timbered land. He has continued in the business of lumber-
Rufus J. Glaz
Haver Glap
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ing to the present time; and it will give an idea of the extent of his operations to state that he has put in this season (1883-4) upwards of 3,000,000 feet of logs. In 1883 he purchased 140 acres of well im- proved land on section 13, Isabella, where is his present home. Sept. 28, 1880, at Mount Pleasant, he was united in marriage to Miss Emily McLachlin, daughter of John and Catherine McLachlin, natives of Scotland. Mr. McL. came to this country when quite young and is now a farmer in Isabella Township, this county. Mrs. Raymond was born in St. Clair Co., Mich., Oct. 1, 1861, and came in 1872 to this county, where she has received most of her education. To Mr. and Mrs. R. have been given two children: Eunice E., born Aug. 5, 1882; and Daniel J., born Dec. 26, 1883.
In political faith, Mr. Raymond is an active sup- porter of the Republican party. He and wife adhere to the tenets of the Presbyterian Church.
ufus F. Glass, farmer, section 24, Gilmore Township, was born Nov. 2, 1819, in Le- roy, Genesee Co., N. Y. His parents, Rufus and Nabby (Webb) Glass, were natives of Connecticut and died in Genesee County.
Mr. Glass received the training of a farmer's son, and remained under the guidance of his father until he was of age. He then acquired the details of the builder's trade, which he followed 25 years. He lived a portion of that period in his native county and in 1841 came to Michigan. He purchased 80 acres of land in White Lake, Oakland County, of which he retained the proprietorship five years. He disposed of the property by sale and bought 80 acres near Howell, Livingston County. He owned and managed this 18 years, and in December, 1867, came to Isabella County, where he has since resided and owns 160 acres of land, with 60 acres under improve- ments. He was elected the first Justice of the Peace of the township and held the position 12 years. He was also the first Supervisor in the township, and served in that capacity four terms. He was the first Superintendent of Schools under the township law and is now County Superintendent of the Poor. In 1880 he was Census Enumerator of two towns in Isabella County ; and is now School Inspector, a
position he has held several terms. Mr. Glass is a Republican in political views.
In 1872 he had an unusual experience, which merits record. He set out from Mt. Pleasant with an ox team and wagon and found the bridge over . the Chippewa River had been washed away by the high water. He was informed by parties in the neighborhood that fording was practicable, and he made the attempt. He was hardly into the water before he found himself floating down stream in his wagon box, and the oxen swimming in the direction from which they came. On reaching some float- wood, Mr. Glass jumped upon it and made his way to land on the same side of the river he had left, while the box moored itself on the opposite side. He paid a man a half a dollar to swim across and at- tach a rope to the recreant box, by which means Mr. Glass obtained possession of his property once more.
He was first married May 7, 1844, to Harriet C., daughter of Nathan and Susan (Higbee) Rasco. She was born May 18, 1822, in Orange Co., N. Y. The record of the children born of this marriage is as follows : Herbert, June 2, 1845; Caroline Rosa- mond, Oct. 16, 1846; Egbert, July 19, 1848; an un- named infant child was born Jan. 15, 1851, and died seven days later. The mother died soon after. The marriage of Mr. Glass to Harriet Ann, daughter of Solomon and Susan (Chambers) Gould, occurred April 11, 1852. She was born Feb. 26, 1831. Ot five children born of this marriage three are living. The record is as follows: Algernon Sidney, born April 26, 1853; Clarissa, April 29, 1855 ; Florence, Nov. 21 1858. Hampden was born Sept. 5, 1857, and died Sept. 30 following. Rufus was born Dec. 25, 1860, and died March 22, 1875.
Amid the worthy constellation of protraits in the ALBUM OF ISABELLA COUNTY, we are proud to place those of Mr. and Mrs. Glass.
icero Kimball, of the firm of Kimball Bros., wholesale and retail marketmen at Mt. Pleasant, was born Oct 10, 1844, in Erie Co., N. Y. He is the son of Samuel and Caroline (Parker) Kimball, who reared their nine children on a farm.
Mr. Kimball came to' Mt. Pleasant in the spring of
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1869 and worked one summer as farm assistant with Wallace Preston. In the following fall he opened a shop on Broadway, where he followed his present business for four years. The shop was destroyed by fire in 1875, entailing a loss of $2,000. The spring of the same year, a livery barn belonging to him burnt, causing a loss of $500. He then started a livery stable and stage line from Mt. Pleasant to St. Louis, which he conducted one year. He managed the same business between Clare and Mt. Pleasant the year following. In January, 1877, he formed a partnership with his brother Adelbert, bought the site where they are now established and erected the building they occupy. Their stock includes all varieties of articles common to similar establish- ments, comprising also fish and game, and they are transacting a thriving business. The present busi- ness of the Messrs. Kimball requires three assistants.
Mr. Kimball was married Jan. 4, 1870, at Mt. Pleasant, to Adelle, daughter of Saxton Jackson. She was born in Holland, Erie Co., N. Y. Lelah B., born Oct. 2, 1873, and Bessie M., born May 1, 1875, are the children now included in the family circle.
Mr. Kimball belongs to Wabon Lodge, No. 305, at Mt. Pleasant. He has served several years as Under- Sheriff and two years as Village Marshal.
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obert Ervin, farmer, section 2, Nottawa Township, is a son of Samuel and Eliza (Synnott) Ervin, natives of Ireland. The father emigrated to this country when seven years of age, and the mother when she was 16 years old, and they are both still living.
GUL
Robert was born in Gray Co., Can., Sept. 2, 1855. He remained under the parental roof-tree in Canada, assisting his father in the maintenance of the family, until he attained the age of 14, in 1869, when he ac- companied his parents to this State, and settled with them in Sanilac County. He remained in that county for two years, and then moved to Midland County, and variously occupied his time for five years, when he came to this county. He arrived in March, 1877, and worked at various occupations for three years, until the spring of 1881, when he moved upon his present farm, where he has since lived.
Mr. Ervin was united in marriage with Miss Clista,
daughter of Joseph and Abigail (Green) Boucher, July 8, 1878. Her mother died March 27, 1875, and her father is still living.
Mrs. E. was born Sept. 26, 1860, in Brant Co., Can. The husband and wife have been blessed with two children, born and named as follows : Samuel Joseph, Aug. 9, 1880; and Abigail R., March 25, 1882.
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