USA > Michigan > Isabella County > Portrait and biographical album of Isabella county, Mich., containing portraits and biographical sketches > Part 35
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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
Politically, Mr. E. is an adherent to and a believer in the principles of the Republican party. He has held the official position of School Director and Path Master. His farm consists of 40 acres on section 2, Nottawa Township, and he has some 12 acres of the same in a good state of cultivation.
Charles W. Gardner, farmer, residing at Sherman City, was born July 25, 1847, and is a son of John H. and Isabella D. (Gra- ham) Gardner. His mother died when he was 10 years old, and he grew up under the care of his father and grandfather, learning the trade of blacksmith of the one and that of boiler-maker of the other.
He was but 14 years of age when the civil war broke out, and two years later he became a soldier. He enlisted Nov. 1, 1863, in Co. M, Sixth Ohio Vol. Cav., and was mustered out June 24, 1865, at Peters- burg, Va. He was under Gen. Grant from the time he took command of the Army of the Potomac until the surrender of Gen. Lee. He took part in the battles of Leed's Farm, second action at Malvern Hill, Weldon Railroad, Boyd's Plank Road, Hatcher's Run (first and second), Hicksford, Dinwiddie Court- House, Five Forks, etc. He participated in 17 general engagements, besides being in numberless skirmishes.
After leaving the United States service, he engaged in farming and attending school. After studying about five months at New Harrisburg, Ohio, he en- gaged in teaching one term, after which he spent some time in the pursuit of the trades he had ac- quired. His next engagement was as a farmer, and he spent three years in agriculture, managing the farm of his father-in-law. In 1877 he came to Isa- bella County, and on the 15th day of December he
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settled on 80 acres of land in Sherman Township, which he had purchased April 1, 1870. Since April 1, 1884, he has made his home in Sherman City. He has 20 acres improved and supplied with farm buildings, an orchard, etc. He has been engaged in teaching and preaching, since he came to this county, and is at present laboring in the interests of the Dis- ciples' Church. He has been Superintendent of the Poor of Isabella County one year, Clerk of Sherman Township four years, and has served during the last year as Inspector of Schools. In 1882 he was nomi- nated for Register of Deeds, but was defeated by 69 votes. Mr. G. is a Republican, and in 1880 took the census of the townships of Sherman, Nottawa and Isabella.
Mr. Gardner was married Sept. 1, 1869, to Jeru- sha Maggie, daughter of John and Margaret (Wiley) McGavram, residents of Columbiana Co., Ohio. She. was born Aug. 23, 1849, in Carroll Co., Ohio. Three children were born as follows to Mr. and Mrs. Gard- ner, on the homestead in Ohio: Maggie Belle, Oct. 14, 1870; John F., May 24, 1874; Mary W., Oct. 30, 1876.
olumbus Coles, farmer, section 11, Deer- field Township, is a son of Horace and Laura (Miller) Coles, natives of Massa- chusetts ; his mother died April 16, 1858, and his father Oct. 15, 1882. He was born in Williamsburg, Hampshire Co., Mass., April 26, 1828. When he was 11 years of age the family settled in Bainbridge, Ohio, where he lived with his parents until he was 26 years of age, when he moved to the town of Almena, Van Buren Co, Mich .; but ten years afterward he returned to Ohio, locating in Solon, Cuyahoga County; and nine years after that he moved to this county, where he has since resided, arriving March 29, 1878. He bought 80 acres of wild land, and at this place he is making a home for himself and family, having now 15 acres improved. He is a Freemason (now demitted), a Republican, and, with his wife, is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
March 22, 1855, Mr. Coles married Miss Ann, daughter of Obed Stevens. By this marriage there were four children, viz .: Laurie A., born Aug. 22,
1856; Arthur Orsemus, April. 28, 1859 ; Lyman Mil- ler, June 25, 1860; Albert Eugene, March 25, 1863,- all living. She died June 4, 1863, at Almena, Mich., and Mr. C. again married, Oct. 12, 1866, to Mrs. Mary C. Barker, nee Ballard. She was born Feb. 13, 1837, in Springfield Township, Oakland Co., Mich., and Oct. 16, 1857, married Franklin Barker, who was wounded at the battle of Chickamauga, and in consequence of the wound died, Nov. 6, 1864, at Chattanooga. By her first marriage she had one child, Clara A., born Feb. 4, 1858, and is now the wife of Wm. E. Redfield. By the present marriage Mr. and Mrs. Coles have one child, Eddie E., born Sept. 1, 1867.
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ranklin W. Ellis, farmer, section 31, Cold- water Township, was born Feb. 11, 1844, in Pike, Wyoming Co., N. Y., and is the son of John and Lany (Helmer) Ellis. His father was born Aug. 22, 1808, in Connecticut, and died Oct. 19, 1867. The mother was born Feb. 3, 1810, in Schoharie Co., N. Y., and died March 22, 1881.
Mr. Ellis was a little more than 17 years old when armed rebellion stirred the nation to its uttermost, and he enlisted May 15, 1861, in Co. F, 33d N. Y. Vol. Inf. He was mustered out June 22, 1863, and re-enlisted in September, 1864, in the 25th New York Independent Battery. Among the battles in which he participated were Lee's Mills, Williamsburg, Me- chanicsville, White-Oak Swamp, Malvern Hill, An- tietam and Fredericksburg. On receiving his dis- charge, Mr. Ellis engaged as a miller at Pike until the death of his father, when he went upon the home farm. In 1868 he sold out, and in March, 1869, came to Stanton, Mich. There he rented a house and left the family while he proceeded to Sherman City and bought 120 acres of land of the Flint & Pere Marquette Railroad Company. He removed the family hither in August, 1869. He has 40 acres of land improved, and owns 440 acres in Mecosta County.
Mr. Ellis was married Jan. 4, 1873, to Mary A., daughter of Jesse and - (Price) Bright. She was born June 26, 1854, in Darke Co., Ohio. Her mother died when she was young; her father was born in
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1809, and is living in Mecosta County. Two chil- dren have been born by this marriage : Vernon, April 7, 1874 (died Feb. 17, 1875), Ira J., Aug. 24, 1876.
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red K. Palmer, farmer on section 15, Not- towa Township, is a son of George and Elizabeth (Key) Palmer, natives of Eng- land. The father died March 29, 1883; and the mother is now living in Plymouth, Wayne Co., Mich.
The subject of this biography was born in Plym- outh, Wayne County, this State, Sept. 1, 1857, and lived on the farm with his parents until he arrived at man's estate. Attaining his majority, he commenced working on a farm by the month, which occupation he followed for four years. March 28, 1882, he ar- rived in Isabella County, which he has since made his home. Dec. 15, 1879, he had purchased his farm of 80 acres; and now, in two years, he has made a number of valuable improvements, such as building a good frame house and stable, and has 20 acres cleared.
He was married Dec. 14, 1881, at Plymouth, to Miss Julia A. Perin, daughter of Jesse and Emily A. (Power) Perin. To them one daughter, Katie A., was born Jan. 29, 1884.
Mr. Palmer is politically a Republican. He is now Drain Commissioner of his township.
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rince H. Robbins, farmer on sections 22 0.0 and 23, Gilmore, and mill owner in Clare County, was born May 20, 1829, at Yar- mouth, N. S. His parents, Rufus and Letitia (Wym.an) Robbins, were natives of Nova Sco- tia. The father was born May 21, 1792, and died Aug. 7, 1867 ; her mother died in 1873, her exact age being unknown.
The father was captain of a vessel, and when the son attained his majority he shipped as a seaman in the same boat. He followed the sea as a vocation for 22 years, rising to the positions of mate and captain.
After spending six months in Worcester Mass., he
came to Michigan and first located at Alma, Gratiot County, where he remained about a year and a half, and in 187 1 settled in Isabella County, July 1, 1871, he took possession of 200 acres of land in Gilmore Township, which he had previously purchased. Of this tract, which was in an entirely original condition, he has improved 120 acres. In the fall of 1883 he removed his residence to a point in Clare County near Harrison's Junction, formerly known as Hinck -. ley's Mills, where he has since been engaged in the manufacture of lumber and shingles.
He was married Dec. 19, 1851, to Isabella B., daughter of Robert and Mary A. (Bulwer) Purdy. She was born June 6, 1830. The children now com- prised in the household of Mr. Robbins were born as follows : Eliza E., April 5, 1852 ; Robert W., March 19, 1854; Althea B., Oct. 31, 1856; Catherine A., Sept. 11, 1858; Eva, Sept. 24, 1860; Mary Letitia, Nov. 16, 1863; Henry, March 25, 1866; Rufus, Nov. 16, 1855 (died Jan. 3, 1856); Gracie, May 27, 1875 (died June 23, 1875).
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eorge H. Hersey, a prominent farmer and breeder of stock, resident on section 181, Wise Township, was born Sept. 8, 1853, in Lapeer Co., Mich. His parents, Julius B. and Sarah E. (Pridden) Hersey, were natives respectively of Michigan and England. They settled in Dryden, Lapeer County, where the father is still living. The mother died about Jan. 3, 1872. Their family included the following named children Amelia E. (deceased), John P., Alelia E., Geo. H., Fremont D., Victor C., Vorilla S. and Annie A.
Mr. Hersey passed the years of his early boyhood at school, and at the age of 13 found himself with the problem of making his way in the world on his hands for solution. He passed the following six years as a farm assistant, working by the month as he found satisfactory positions, with the exception of one winter which he spent in lumbering, and a summer season which he devoted to labor in a saw- mill. In the spring of 1875 he bought 40 acres of unimproved land in Wise Township. He built a log house for temporary purposes, and gave his attention to the work of placing his property in creditable faming condition. He has increased his farm to 80
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acres by further purchase, and has 62 acres of the entire tract under culture. He has increased the at- tractiveness and value of his place by the erection of one of the finest barns in Isabella County, second to none for convenience and completeness. It is 30 by 50 feet in dimensions. He keeps on an average 17 head of cattle, 20 sheep, a yoke of oxen and two horses. In political faith Mr. Hersey is a Republi- can, and he has held the offices of School Moderator and School Treasurer, which latter office he now fills.
Mr. Hersey's marriage to Mary A. Jacobs occurred at Romeo, Macomb Co., Mich., April 24, 1873. She was born in Hammond, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., Aug. 24, 1855, and is the daughter of Richard and Betsey (Hammond) Jacobs. Her parents were born respectively in Ireland and in St. Lawrence Co. N. Y. They settled after marriage in the latter place, and later in life removed to Lapeer Co., Mich., and are still resident there. James H., only child of Mr. and Mrs. Hersey, was born March 10, 1876, at Mt. Pleasant.
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ohn A. Drew, farmer, section 8, Deerfield Township, is a son of Orrin and Julia A. (Meeker) Drew, natives of Vermont, both of whom finally located in Shiawassee Co., Mich., where they died.
He was born Feb. 18, 1833, and in October, 1838, the family moved to Lapeer Co., Mich. He lived with them until 1856; then lived in Shiawassee County until 1869, and since then in this county. He first bought a farm of 80 acres, which he occu- pied until 1879, when he sold it and purchased his present place of 80 acres.
Dec. 26, 1859, in Shiawassee County, Mr. Drew married Miss Mary A., daughter of David J. and Mary (Sickner) Tower, the former a native of Ver- mont and the latter of the State of New York. Mr. and Mrs. I). have had 11 children, seven of whom are living, namely : John O., J T, Mary E., Peter James, Joseph Henry, William A. and Laura Ann. David J. died June 26, 1865. Clayton A., March 14, 1859; Anna Estelle, Jan. 19, 1874; and Colonel Benjamin, June 26, 1876. J T was married April
21, 1884, to Lillian Lawrence, and lives in Deer- field Township.
Aug. 27, 1864, Mr. Drew enlisted, in Shiawassee County, in the 29th Mich. Vol. Inf., went to Ten- nessee and Alabama under Gen. Thomas, and partici- pated in the battle at Decatur, Ala., and in several skirmishes. He was mustered out June 27, 1865, on account of disability. Is now receiving a pension of $12 a month.
In regard to political issues Mr. Drew votes with the Republican party.
esse Perin, farmer on section 15, Nottawa Township, is a son of Pheroras I. and Di- ana (Phillips) Perin, both of whom were born in the State of New York and are now de- ceased. He was born in Perington Township Ontario Co., N. Y., Sept. 28, 1821, and June 1, the year following, the family arrived at Detroit, on their way to a new home in the Peninsular State, which was then, however, a Territory.
They located in Oakland Co., Mich., and Jesse was there reared and educated. He lived with his parents until 21 years old and in and about the old home for four or five years more. He then went to the city of Detroit, where he was connected with the milk busi- ness for five years. His next move was to Plymouth, Wayne Co., Mich., where he rented a farm and work- ed it about two years. Returning to Detroit, he fol- lowed the milk business again there for a year and a half, and then went to Rochester, Oakland County where his wife engaged in the millinery business, and he was employed as a huckster. Here he lost his wife by death, March 17, 1863.
Going next to Milwaukee, Wis., he took hischildren to a sister to be cared for, and followed the telegraph business for five years. He then removed to Dear- born, Wayne Co., Mich., and followed for one year the manufacture of lumber and flour. At the expira- tion of that time he exchanged for mills in Farming- ton, Oakland Co., Mich , remaining in the business four years more, in the meantime erecting a saw-mill. The mills at Dearborn coming into his possession by non-payment, he returned to that place for two years. Selling out at the end of that period, he removed
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once more to Plymouth Township, where he lived on a rented farm for five years.
He made his last move Aug. 14, 1882, to Isabella County. He bought a saw-mill at Van Decar, known as the Luke & Rathbun Mill, which he ran until the winter of 1883-4, when he sold to Mr. Van Decar. He is now living on his farm of 40 acres, where he has built a comfortable frame house and barn. He is at present Justice of the Peace.
He was married in 1846, to Emily A. Power, who was born in 1823 and died in Oakland County, this State, in 1863. She was the mother of four children, of whom one daughter, Julia A., survives. She was born Feb. 17, 1859. He was a second time married Sept. 19, 1867, to Mary E. Phillips, daughter of Jere- miah and Nancy (Fifield) Phillips, both of whom are dead. Of this marriage was born a daughter, Lotta A., March 22, 1869.
oseph Miser, farmer on section 5, Coe Township, is a son of George and Sophia (Beidler) Miser, natives of Maryland and Pennsylvania. The parents first settled in Holmes Co, Ohio, and afterward came to this county and settled in Coe Township, on section 5, where he died, Aug. 12, 1866. She survives, and her home is with Mr. Miser. Their family included three sons and five daughters, Joseph being the eld- est son.
He was born in Holmes Co., Ohio, Jan. 28, 1831, and passed his minority in Holmes, Wayne and Tus- carawas Counties, attending the district schools and assisting his father on the farm. He then learned the carpenter's trade, which he now follows, in con- nection with the pursuit of agriculture. In April, 1858, he came to Isabella County, and one year later he bought 40 acres on section 7, Coe Township. He now owns So acres, of which 65 are highly improved.
He was married in Tuscarawas Co, Ohio, Nov. 30, 1854, to Wealthy A., daughter of John Minard. Parents and daughter were natives of Pennsylvania, where Mrs. Miser was born, June 20, 1836. To this marriage, six children have been born: Sevilla J. (died when ten months old), Leander O., Frances Ella, Ida M., Joseph E. and William I).
Mr. M. has been Constable of Coe Township one
year, and Highway Commissioner one year. He was elected the second Sheriff of the county in the fall of 1860, and served two years. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and supports the Republican party.
He enlisted Sept. 28, 1863, in the First Mich. Eng. and Mech., and served until Oct. 6, 1865. He was captured at one time by guerrillas, but was liberated after a short time.
illiam W. Parmenter, farmer section 32, Coldwater Township, was born Jan. 18, 1837, in Brandon, Rutland Co., Vt., and is the son of Nathan and Azubah (Grover) Parmenter. (See sketch of N. S. Parmenter.) At the age of 16 years, Mr. Parmenter com- menced his unaided struggle with life. He had ac- quired the carpenter's trade, and at the time named he made a tour of observation through the Western States, and after traversing through 13 of them he went back to Vermont and stayed two years. He . was married Oct. 8, 1859, to Emily Wood. In 1861 Mr. Parmenter settled at Waverly, Bremer Co., Iowa, and engaged in farming on the estate of his father-in- law. The civil war was in progress, and the history of the Hawkeye State during the course of the rebell- ion is well and widely known. The enthusiasm of the period was universal and a large percentage of the best element of the State hastened, in the early days of the war, to enroll under the standard of the United States Government. Mr. Parmenter enlisted Aug. 22, 1862, in the 14th Iowa Vol. Inf., and was made First Sergeant of Co. B. His regiment was as- signed to the Army of the Mississippi and was in the service along the course of the river. He was in the Red River Expedition under Gen. Banks, and was in Sherman's raid from Vicksburg to Meridian. He participated in the battle at Jackson, Miss., and was at the taking of Fort Derusey under A. J. Smith. At the fight at Pleasant Hill in Louisiana, he was wound- ed twice, a spent minie ball striking him on the left arm, and soon after he was struck on the shoulder by a spent cannon ball. He was sent to the U. S. bar- racks hospital at New Orleans, where he remained three weeks, and was sent thence to Memphis, Tenn. Four weeks later he received a furlough of 60 days, which he spent at his home in lowa. He
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rejoined his regiment at Holly Springs, Miss., and participated in the pursuit of Gen. Forrest in the Ox- ford raid. The command fell back to Memphis, and proceeded to Jefferson Barracks, Mo. Three com- panies of the 14th Iowa accompanied Gen. Ewing to Pilot Knob, as body guard. During the last days of September, 1864, trouble commenced at Ironton, and the rebels under Gen. Price, not long afterward sur- rounded Fort Davidson and Pilot Knob. The fort was evacuated the same night, and the fleeing Union- ists were pursued by the enemy through the Ozark Mountains. They reached Leesburg, where a skir- mish ensued ; reinforcements arrived, and the rebels were repulsed. The regiment was mustered out at Davenport, Iowa, Nov. 22, 1864.
Mr. Parmenter returned to Vermont, took his par- ents and went to Wyoming Co., N. Y., where he re- mained three years. He was engaged in hotel busi- ness, in working at his trade, and finally purchased a boat, which he ran for a time on the Genesee Canal. He sold the latter, and on the 20th day of August 1867, he started for Michigan. He stopped at Stan- ton, Montcalm County, where he worked at his trade three months, and then, in company with A. S. John- son, came to Sherman City. He worked for a time as clerk for Mr. Johnson, when he bought 80 acres of land, and entered a claim of 80 acres under the regulations of the Homestead Act. To this he has since added 80 acres by purchase, and has been chiefly engaged in lumbering winters. He has cleared 20 acres for his farm. He engaged some years in the hotel business, but is now giving his entire attention to farming, and his parents are keeping his house.
Heis a Democrat in political faith.
scar Green, farmer on section 5, Rolland Township, is a son of Abraham and Eva Green, both of whom were born and died in the State of Pennsylvania. They followed farming.
Their son Oscar was born in Clearfield Co., Pa, in 1856, and was orphaned at the tender age of ten. He then went to Meadville, Pa., and engaged in farm work. He came to this State in the spring of 1876, and lived a year in Grand Rapids. Coming then to this county, he located on 80 acres on section
5, Rolland, where he now has 50 acres finely im- proved.
He was married June 14, 1877, to Susan Cum- mings, who was born July 30, 1859, in Hocking Co., Ohio. She is the daughter of William and Harriet Cummings, natives of Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Green are the parents of two children,-Philip H., born Jan. 12, 1878; and Eva G., born April 14, 1880.
Mrs. G. is a Wesleyan Methodist. In political sentiment, Mr. G. is a Republican.
esse J. Struble, M. D., residing at Salt River, was born in Knox Co., Ohio, March 8, 1830, and is the son of John W. and Sarah (Laycock) Struble, natives of Essex Co., N. J. The parents finally settled in Knox Co., Ohio, where they carried on farming until their death. He departed this life Aug. 27, 1835, and she Jan. 23, 1863. Their family numbered seven and were named as follows: Daniel S., William W., Henry, John W., Jesse J., Lewis A. and Jacob P.
The subject of this biography was the fifth son, and was five years old when his father died. He continued to live with his mother until 11 years old, and was at that early age expected to make his own way in life. He was variously employed for the en- suing six years, managing generally by diligence and perseverance to attend school in the winter seasons. From 17 to 20 he worked out and took proceeds of his labor to pay his board, that he might later on be en- abled to study farther. At 20 he began to read medicine, and for the next five years he prosecuted his studies, in the face of many difficulties. He was kindly aided, however, by several physicians, who did all in their power to facilitate his progress. At the age of 25 he began to practice his chosen profes- sion, in Primrose, Williams Co., Ohio, where he resided about eight years, meeting with gratifying success. Persuaded by friends in this county, he reluctantly left Primrose in the spring of 1867. and adopted Isabella County as his future home. Here he has since resided, and has built up an enviable reputation as an efficient and skillful physician.
He was married in Sandusky Co., O., Dec. 12, 1850, to Miss Harriet F., daughter of Walter F. and Mary E. (Foster) Osborne, natives respectively of New
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York State and Pennsylvania. The parents made their home in Black Rock, N. Y., but the father, be- ing a superintendent on the Erie Canal, spent much of his time in the city of Albany. He died Nov. 26, 1842, and his wife now resides in Sandusky Co., Ohio. Mrs. Struble was born in the State of New York, April 23, 1829. She and her husband have been the parents of seven children, five of whom sur- vive: Allen J,, Harriet E., Clarence E., Clark E. and Jay J. Mary E. and Florence R. are deceased.
Dr. Struble is a member of Salt River Lodge, No. 288, F. & A. M., and is politically a Republican.
D. Estee, proprietor of the Exchange Hotel at Mt. Pleasant, was born March 18, 1850, in Chautauqua Co., N. Y. He is a son of Perry H. (see sketch) and Carrie (Dole) Estee, and when he was five years old his parents re- moved to Michigan, where his father bought 160 acres of land, in Coe Township, Isabella County, under the Graduation Act, for which he paid 50 cents an acre.
Mr. Estee grew to mature years on his father's farm and aided materially in its improvement and cultivation during the years of his minority. He be- came the proprietor in his own right of 51 acres of land on section 18, adjoining the homestead of his father. It is in a finely cultivated condition, and has been brought by his own labor and efforts from its original natural state. It is supplied with a good house, barns, and other outbuildings, besides having Valuable and well-selected orchards. It is accredited one of the best farms in the township according to its size.
Mr. Estee was married in Erie Co., Pa., while on a visit to relatives, to Sarah A., daughter of Orlando and Lorinda Miller. She was born in the county where she was married. Mr. and Mrs. Estee have an adopted son-Claude-born in Coe Township, March 18, 1879.
Mr. Estee rented the Exchange Hotel in 1883, taking possession Sept. 18. He has been actively interested in local politics and school matters. He was Deputy Sheriff two years under F. W. Swarts, and filled the same office two years with Charles M. Brooks In the fall of 1883 he was the Republican
nominee for Sheriff and made the campaign against Thomas Pickard, Democrat, who was elected. Mr. Estee ran in advance of his ticket on the home vote and in the townships adjoining. He is a member of the Odd Fellows fraternity and belongs to Coe Lodge, No. 239.
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