USA > Michigan > Isabella County > Portrait and biographical album of Isabella county, Mich., containing portraits and biographical sketches > Part 36
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letcher M. Tubbs is a farmer of Wise Township, resident on section 17, and was born Aug. 25, 1838, in Chemung Co., N. Y. He is the son of James and Charlotte (Bailey) Tubbs, whose sketch may be found elsewhere. His parents came to Michigan in 1843, and he continued to reside at home mainly until 1874. In the fall of 1872 he accompanied his family to Isabella County, and for the next three years he acted as his father's assistant in a hotel at Loomis. In 1875 he bought 120 acres of wild land on section 17, in Wise Township, where he has since resided, with the exception of three years which were passed in Genesee County.
In political connection Mr. Tubbs is a Republican. He is a member of the Knights of Honor, and be longs to Lodge 1772, at Loomis. He was the pioneer agriculturist of Wise Township, and raised the first crop of wheat and oats within its limits, and built the first frame house and barn outside the cor poration of Loomis.
Mr. Tubbs was married in Holly, Oakland Co Mich., Oct. 22, 1860, to Louisa Van Valkenburg, a native of Genesee Co., Mich.
dward Drum, farmer on section 9, Coe Township, is a son of John and Ruth (Bennett) Drum, natives of the State of New York. The parents settled in Franklin Co., N. Y., where they lived till their death. The subject of this narrative was born in Frank- lin County, July 15, 1819, and remained at home until 21 years old, attending school and assisting his father on the farm. At the age of 23, he bought a farm in his native county, on which he lived seven years. Selling out, he rented for two years, and then he bought a farm in St. Lawrence County, same
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William Bruin feln
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State. There he lived until December, 1864, when he sold, came to Isabella County and bought 157 acres of wild land in Coe Township. He retains 67 acres, of which 50 are under the plow.
He was married in the county of his birth, April 7, 18.13, to Jane M., daughter of Jacob and Margaret (Grant) Hollenbeck, natives respectively of New York and Canada. Mrs. Drum was born in Dundee, L. C., Dec. 26, 1823. She and her husband have had six children, three of whom are deceased. The living are David, Ruth and John H. The dead are Har- riet, Luella and an infant.
Mr. D. has been Pathmaster about five years. Politically, he supports the principles of the Repub- lican party. He and wife are members of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church.
kaniel J. Hopkins, farmer, section 28, Nct- tawa Township, was born in West Green- wich, Center Co., R. I., Sept. 6, 1855. His father, Arnold Hopkins, is a native of Connecticut, and his mother, Almira (Billing- ington) Hopkins, of Rhode Island.
The parents remained in Rhode Island until Daniel was 14 or 15 years of age, when they moved, about 1870, to New York State, and located in Liv- ingston County. Here the subject of this sketch lived about six months, when he left home to battle against the trials so often encountered in the onward march of progress. Without aid or assistance, and accompanied only by his ambition and determination, he launched his life-boat on the sea of the world, and went to Castile, Wyoming Co., N. Y. He there followed the occupation of farming, working from farm to farm by the month for a period of about five years, and then, March 8, 1875, came to this State and located at Portland, Ionia County.
In June, 1877, Mr. Hopkins purchased 40 acres of land in this county, and in October of the following year he came and located on the same, and now has 28 acres of the farm in a good state of cultivation.
Mr. Hopkins was united in marriage, March 2, 1874, at Portageville, Wyoming Co., N. Y., to Eliza- beth Campbell, daughter of Daniel and Lucy (Dana) Campbell, the former of whom is living in New York
State, and the latter died in 1873. She was born July 17, 1854.
Mr. and Mrs. Hopkins are the parents of three children, born and named as follows: Minnie Allen, Sept. 20, 1875; Carrie May, July 23, 1878; Arthur Adelbert, Nov. 11, 1882.
Politically, Mr. H. is an adherent to and believer in the doctrines and principles of the Democratic party.
illiam Broomfield, farmer and lumber- man on section 31, Broomfield Township, was born in Ontario, Can., Oct. 2, 1832, and is a son of Neil and Catherine (Mc- Levin) Broomfield, natives of Argyleshire, Scotland. The parents came to America and settled in Canada in 1831.
Mr. Broomfield acquired a limited education in the schools of his native locality, and by experience and observation has gained a practical education of unusual value. In 1849 he went to Lockport, Niagara Co., N. Y., and he was there employed some time in a shingle mill. Thence he went to Hamil- ton, Ont., and engaged in the manufacture of shin- gles. After some months he made a prospecting trip through Western Canada, and in the spring of 1853 he came to Sanilac, where he continued in the busi- ness of shingle-making. He was there three years, and in the spring of 1856 he journeyed through the western country. He visited his home in Ontario, and remained until 1861, when he came to what is now Broomfield and settled on his present place. He held his land only by right of " squatter sover- eignty," as the Homestead Act was not then in ex- istence. He kept himself posted, however, as to matters affecting the interests of the class of land- holders to which he belonged, and on the passage of the above mentioned measure by Congress, he en- tered the first claim under its provisions in Isabella County, in May, 1864.
His landed estate now includes 460 acres, of which 260 are under improvement. All his buildings are first-class, and his beautiful residence cost him $2,500. In politics, Mr. Broomfield is a Republican. He has been State Road Commissioner by appoint- ment, and has held the office of Supervisor for ten
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years. He is a member of the Order of Masonry. Hs was married in Ontario, in April, 1859, to Miss Ellen J., daughter of Marshall and Mary (Jackson) Macklin. She died Oct. 31, 1868, of typhoid fever, leaving three children: Ida, born March 1, 1860; Nellie, March 15, 1861; and Marshall, June 17, 1863. His second marriage occurred in Ontario, Can., March 17, 1870, to Elizabeth, daughter of Mal- colm and Agnes (Cameron) Malloy, natives respect- ively of Scotland and Canada. Mrs. Broomfield was born April 11, 1840. Three of six children born of this marriage are living : Catherine, April 1, 1871 ; Neil, Jan. 14, 1873 ; and Archibald, July 3, 1875.
A portrait of Mr. Broomfield is given in this work, appearing on a page in proximity.
ichard Hoy, farmer on section 16, Coe Township, is a son of Patrick and Cathe- rine (Pentleton) Hoy, natives of Meath Co., Ireland. The parents came to the United States in 1827, and settled first in Vermont, and later in St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., where they lived until their death. He departed this life in May, 1857, and she, Feb. 28, 1857. Their family included seven sons and four daughters, Richard being the youngest son.
He was born in Ireland, March 8, 1827, and was brought in infancy by his parents to this country. At the age of seven, he was taken by his sister Margaret, with whom he lived two years, and he then lived for seven years on a farm with a man by the name of Jenison. Next, for one year he was employed in a woolen mill at Ogdensburg, N. Y. He then went to Burlington, Vermont, and was employed in a mill from 1846 to 1860, at the expiration of which time he took a trip through the New England States, visiting different mills. His next enterprise was a grocery at Winooski Falls, Vermont, which he conducted one year. Selling out, he removed to Clinton Co., N. Y., where he was employed in a mill about one year. In 1852, he went to California, in search of gold and health, remaining on the Pacific slope until Novem- ber, 1855. He then returned to the East, arriving in Isabella County the following month, and taking up 120 acres on section 16, Coe Township. He built a log house and frame barn and shed, and continued
to improve his place until 1864, when he sold and re- moved to Vermont. There he bought a farm on which he remained one year ; and again selling out, he returned to Isabella County and settled on 80 acres on section 7, Coe Township, which he had pre- viously purchased. Here he erected good buildings, and improved about 65 acres, residing on the place until February, 1882, when he sold again, and bought 40 acres on section 16, where he now resides. He has 30 acres under cultivation.
He was first married in the State of Vermont, Oct. 8, 1849, to Louisa Gleason, a native of Waterbury, Vermont. They had one daughter, Louisa C., who died Oct. 10, 1878, nearly 28 years old. His first wife dying Nov. 11, 1850, he was again married, in Waterbury, July 12, 1856, to Cornelia V., daughter of Daniel and Betsey (Williams) Woodward, natives of Vermont. Mrs. Hoy was born in Vermont, July 9, 1832. To this union have been born four children : Annie A., Mary C., Fred R. and Frank P.
Mr. Hoy has been Township Clerk two years, Su- pervisor two years and School Inspector several terms. He has also served the county with credit. He was elected the first County Treasurer of Isabella County, serving one term. He held the office of Probate Judge four years, and was also Superintendent of the Poor for two terms. Politically he is a supporter of Democratic principles, and he is a member of the Masonic Order.
shauncey Kyes, farmer on section 6, Coe Township, is a son of James and Cas- sandana (Williams) Kyes, natives of New York and Vermont. The parents first settled in Royalton, Genesee Co., N. Y. In 1830 they came to Calhoun Co., Mich., where they died, she in the summer of 187 1 and he Jan. 16, 1876. Their family comprised five sons and four daughters, Chauncey being the eldest son.
. He was born while his parents resided at Royalton, April 8, 1823, and was seven years old when the family removed to Michigan. His father being in meager circumstances, and having a large family, Chauncey was early expected to contribute to his own maintenance. At the tender age of eight, he began to drive cattle 'and perform such other light work as he could get to do. At 15, he commenced
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working by the month for others, often visiting his parents in the meantime. When 21 years old, he entered the employ of the Michigan Central Rail- road, with which he remained for three years. He bought 40 acres of land in Calhoun County, on which his father settled, and retained it five years, when he gave it to his father. He then bought a farm in Jackson County, which he worked for three years, and then sold, being unfortunate in his health. In the fall of 1856 he came to Isabella County, bought 40 acres on section 6, Coe Township, to which pur- chase he soon added 40 acres more. He at once built a log house and set about making for himself a home. At the present time he has 50 acres under cultivation.
He was first married in Jackson Co., Mich., Oct. 14, 1844, to Huldah Wright, a native of New York. Mrs. K. died April 20, 1864, having been the mother of three children,-Marvin H., Warren M. and Ida L., all of whom are deceased. Mr. K. was again married in Chippewa Township, this county, Feb. 3, 1870, to Catherine Jane Oathout, a native of New York. She died June 15, 1879, and Dec. 23, 1882, he married for his present wife Alta L., daughter of Henry D. and Margaret E. (Mudge) Rice, natives of Vermont and Michigan, respectively. Mrs. K. was born in Leslie, Ingham Co., Mich., July 18, 1864.
Mr. Kyes has been Constable one year, Highway Commissioner five years, and politically supports the Republican party.
ohn L. Nichols, farmer, section 22, Not- tawa Township, is a son of William H. and Sophia I). (Otto) Nichols. The father was born in Columbia Co., N. Y., of Holland par- entage, and died in Wayne Co., N. Y., in 1882 ; and the latter was of the people known as Pennsylvania Germans, was born in New York State, and died in Wayne County, N. Y., in 1878.
The subject of this biography was born in Clyde, Wayne Co., N. Y., June 4, 1852, and lived with his parents until he attained his majority. He came to Isabella Township, this county, in the fall of 1876, and for two years taught school in the Government's Indian school at Nipissing. In the fall of 1879, he
took up his residence on his present farm of 40 acres purchased in the summer of 1877. He has about eight acres improved. In 1883 he purchased 40 acres more in partnership with his brother.
He was married March 5, 1872, at Rose Valley, Wayne Co., N. Y., to Miss Anna M. Stewart, daugh- ter of John and Jane (Graham) Stewart, natives re- spectively of Canada and Ireland. Both parents are now living. Mr. and Mrs. Nichols have four chil- dren of their own: Fritz G., born Sept. 24, 1873; Roy Eugene, June 2, 1878; Patience, Feb. 8, 1880; and Hope Eunice, April 7, 1883; and one adopted daughter, Cora Ellen Sixbury, born Sept. 8, 1871.
ewis Richards, farmer, section 36, Gilmore Township, was born Oct. 4, 1844, in Green Bay, Wis., and is the son of Julian and Margaret (Satemaux) Richards, natives of Wis- consin.
At the early age of eight years Mr. Rich- ards commenced life on his own responsibility. He became a clerk in a store at Fort Howard, Brown Co., Wis., and remained in that business until he was 15 years old, when he went to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, and was employed in a blast furnace in the Lake Superior region three years, engaged in melting iron. While there the civil war broke out and he became a soldier. He enlisted Aug. 2, 1862, in the 23d Mich. Vol. Inf., and was mustered out in February, 1863, on account of physical inability. His command was attached to the Western Division of the army and Mr. Richards was in very little active service. On receiving his discharge he went to Ypsi- lanti, Washtenaw County, where he worked two years by the month as a farm laborer. He spent the sub- sequent five years working by the day.
In the fall of 1868 he came to Isabella County and settled upon a tract of land he had purchased in 1866. It comprised . 80 acres of land, and 40 acres are now under advanced improvement. Mr. Richards has spent 11 years on his farm and three years in the south of Michigan, variously occupied.
He was married July 4, 1868, to Sarah Matilda, daughter of John A. and Betsey E. (Sones) Harriott. She was born Oct. 27, 1856. Five of eight children
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born to Mr. and Mrs. Richards are living. Their record is as follows : Eva Estella, born Sept. 10, 1876; Lulia O., March 30, 1878 ; Catherine O., July 2, 1879; John A., April 25, 1881 ; Ernest J., July 23, 1883 ; Isabella was born April 24, 1870, and died May 18, 1873; Mary E., born Sept. 4, 1874, died Feb. 4, 1875 ; Nellie Belle, born Jan. 13, 1875, died March 13, 1876.
Mr. Richards was the first Township Treasurer of Gilmore and has been School Moderator. He is in- dependent in local politics and affiliates with the Republican party on public matters. He has been a local preacher of the Methodist Episcopal Church during the last three years.
illiam Miles, farmer on section 34, Chip- ? pewa Township, is a son of David and Ellen (Marooney) Miles, natives, he of Ire- land and she of the State of Michigan, though of Irish parentage. The parents settled first in Redford, Wayne Co., Mich., where they lived till the mother's death, Aug. 15, 1847. The father owned a valuable tract of land near Detroit, but after his wife's death he became discouraged and led a sort of roving life. Losing his property and his friends, he died, in Livingston Co., Mich., about 1873. Their four children were named John, Daniel, William and Bridget.
The subject of this biography was born in Wayne Co., Mich., Aug. 15, 1844, and was three years old when his mother died. The children were kept to- gether about five years, when William went to De- troit to live with his grandfather, with whom he had a good home until able to care for himself. At the age of 12 or 13 he went to work for a farmer at $3 per month. He labored three months, but receiving no wages he left the place with only three cents in his pocket, with which, boy-like, he bought a fish- hook and line. Going to Livingston Co., Mich., he worked out by the month four and a half years, four years with one man. During this time he had the privilege of attending school during the winter sea- sons.
In October, 1862, he came to this county and was occupied in hunting until the following spring and
then worked the ensuing summer in Livingston Coun- ty. Returning to Isabella County, he was employed from 1863 to 1867 in the woods and in farming. In December of the latter year he bought 80 acres of wild land on section 34, where he has since resided. He has under cultivation 40 acres. Besides his farm, he now owns in this county 107 acres, mostly pine.
He was first married in Coe Township, this county, Oct. 23, 1864, to Laura A., daughter of Jacob and Eliza E. (Liddle) Middaugh, natives of the State of New York. Mrs. Miles was born in Eaton Co., Mich., Oct. 18, 1845, and bore to her husband four children, named Florence M., Charlie I., John G. and Winona V. His wife dying Oct. 18, 1881, Mr. Miles was again married, at Salt River, this county, Dec. 2, 1882, to Addie, daughter of Peter and Isa- bella (Donald) Hollenbeck, natives of Canada and Scotland. Mrs. Miles was born in Canada, March 24, 1861.
He has held the office of Highway Commissioner two years. Politically, he has always supported the Republican party, casting his first vote for Abraham Lincoln. He and wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church.
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eorge W. Ruthruff, farmer on section 31, Broomfield Township, is a son of David and Nancy (Trayer) Ruthruff, natives of Pennsylvania. The father was born in 1799, and died in 1858, in Branch Co., Mich. The mother was born in 1805, and died in 1871, while living with a daughter in St. Joseph Co., Mich.
The subject of this outline was born Oct. 2, 1834, in Niagara Co., N. Y., and lived at home until of age, receiving a little schooling. Attaining his majority he left home and worked on a farm by the job. In 1858, in Branch Co., Mich., he married Miss Ann E., daughter of Michael and Ann E. (Cooper) Blass, natives of New York. Mrs. R. was the second daughter of a family of five children, four of whom are yet living, and was born June 16, 1842.
Eleven years after his marriage, Mr. R. went to the State of Nebraska, where he lived two years. He then lived in Branch County, this State, until 1868, when he came to this county and located on 80 acres on section 31, Broomfield. He has now 45
I no Cole
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acres in a creditable state of improvement. In 1881 he erected his substantial barn. He is intending soon to erect a new dwelling.
The family circle includes five children, three sons and two daughters, born as follows: Mary R., March 14, 1859; Elmer M., Jan. 10, 1862; Nellie M., July 18, 1868; Clarence E., Nov. 6, 1874; and Uriah J., April 25, 1877.
Politically, Mr. R. is a supporter of the Demo- cratic party. He was elected Highway Commis- sioner in 1880 and 1881.
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rrin E. Ford (deceased) was a farmer, re- sided on section 13, Fremont Township, and was born July 22, 1832, in North Madison, Lake Co., Ohio. His parents were Dexter and Lucy (Mckinstry) Ford. The father was born Sept. 13, 1805, in Massa- chusetts, and was a machinist by occupation. The mother was born in the same State, Jan. 12, 1803. The parents lived in Lake Co., Ohio, and there reared a family of three children, Clorinda R., Orrin E. and Reuben D. The father died in Lake Co., Ohio, and the mother died in Hillsdale Co., Mich., in 1855.
Orrin E. Ford, the subject of this biographical notice, was reared under the parental roof-tree and received the advantages afforded by the common schools. He remained with his parents until the breaking out of the late civil war, when he enlisted in Co. B, First Mich. Vol. Inf., which was assigned to the Army of the Potomac. He participated in the seven-days battle before Richmond (commonly known as the battle of the Wilderness), and was there wounded by having two fingers shot off. He was then sent to Washington, and, becoming indisposed, was sent to the hospital. He remained in the latter place for some time, when he was sent to Philadel- phia, where he remained for six months, and was then discharged on account of disability, having con- tracted a chronic disease.
After his discharge, Mr. Ford came to this State and lived with his family in Hillsdale County, for two years. He then moved to this county and located on section 24, Fremont Township. He entered on
the task of improving his land, determined to make it a permanent home for himself and family, and after laboring for 18 months on the farm passed to the land beyond the grave, his death occurring Aug. 29, 1869.
Mr. Ford was united in marriage with Miss Mary E. Pease, Dec. 31, 1855. She is a daughter of Henry and Nancy (Scott) Pease, natives of New York, and was born in Washtenaw County, this State, May 5, 1837. The father was born Oct. 6, 1805, and died Nov. 22, 1875, in Isabella County, this State, and the mother was born in Wayne Co., N. Y., in 1812. They were father and mother of six children, one boy and five girls, and only one of each sex survives.
Mr. and Mrs. Ford are the parents of three chil- dren, all girls, namely: Josephine C. A., born Dec. 1, 1858, in Hillsdale County, this State, and is the wife of Henry L. Brainard; Jennie J. A., born Feb. 10, 1861, in Woodbridge, Hillsdale County, and is the wife of Stephen Moody; Lucy C. S. was born Feb. 1, 1866, in this county. The father was a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church while living, and the mother is and has been a member of and an active worker in the same Church for a number of years.
eorge W. Cole, general farmer, section 10, Lincoln Township, was born in St. Law- rence Co., N. Y., Oct. 2, 1842. His parents, Benjamin and Eunice (Calkins) Cole, were natives respectively of New York and Pennsylvania, of English ancestry. His father was a farmer and died in this county, in June, 1876, and his mother is still living, in Union Town- ship. This family moved first to Ohio, and four years later to Allen Co., Ind., where for 12 years young George worked with his father on the farm and attended school. In August, 1866, they moved to the present homestead, then an unbroken wilder- ness. They took possession of a quarter of section 10.
Subsequently, Mr. George W. Cole bought half of this of his father, of which he now has 70 acres in a high state of cultivation ; he also has erected several good farm buildings, and made other improvements.
Politically, Mr. C. is a staunch Republican. He has held the office of Township Clerk, Commissioner
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of Highways, and other offices. In religion, he, as well as his wife, is a Seventh-Day Adventist.
Aug. 12, 1866, in Allen Co., Ind., Mr. Cole mar- ried Miss Rebecca J., daughter of Samuel A. and Margaret (Burrell) Watters, natives of Ohio, where also Mr. C. was born, April 23, 1849, in Crawford County. She was two years old when the family moved to Allen Co., Ind., where she grew up and was educated. Mr. and Mrs. C. are the parents of six children, all of whom are living, namely : Harriet A., born July 3, 1868; Warner S., Dec. 13, 1870; Rosetta M., July 23, 1873; Vernon D., Feb. 12, 1874; Joseph W., Sept. 15, 1879; and Elmer M., April 23, 1883.
Mr. Cole's portrait appears on a preceding page.
evi B. Van Decar, a prominent farmer, mer- chant and mill owner, residing on section 14, Nottawa Township, is a son of Funda and Lucy (Bailey) Van Decar, natives of the State of New York. The father has been dead 29 years, and the mother lives at Ballston Spa, New York.
The subject of this notice was born Sept. 12, 1848, at Waterford, Saratoga Co., N. Y., and received an elementary education in the district schools. Grow- ing up, he learned the brick-mason's trade, after which he removed to Macomb Co., Mich., in the year 1868. He subsequently worked at his trade at Romeo, Imlay City, Oxford and Lapeer, and in 1879 came to Isabella County. While living at Imlay, the family lost their dwelling house and contents by fire, -which calamity was repeated three years later at Oxford.
Arriving in this county, he purchased 120 acres of land in Nottawa Township, to which farm 80 acres have since been added. About half his farm (100 acres) is under cultivation. He is now a general merchant and lumberman, as well as farmer, and in his store is the postoffice of Van Decar. He has a saw-mill, in which he first used a threshing-machine power; but his business having greatly enlarged, he has increased the capacity of his mill by putting in larger power. The village of Van Decar has been started four years. Ile has strong hopes that the
Toledo & Ann Arbor Railroad will pass through the place.
When Mr. Van D. first came to his present farm he built a log stable, in which he lived two months ; then built a log house on the site of his present store. He opened his mercantile business with a $75 stock in a lintel in the back part of his house, and his wife attended the store while he cleared the land. He hauled the goods from Mt. Pleasant, with a pair of Indian ponies hitched to the hind wheels of a lun- ber wagon, taking 450 pounds at a load. The roads were so muddy that he had to unload five times be- tween Mt. Pleasant and his destination. For the first few years his trade was principally with the In- dians, bartering goods for furs.
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