USA > Michigan > Isabella County > Portrait and biographical album of Isabella county, Mich., containing portraits and biographical sketches > Part 38
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One year after marriage Mr. Burr moved to Jack- son County, this State, where he remained for two years and then removed to Pontiac, Oakland Co., where he engaged in the dairy business. While in this he milked 44 cows and supplied more than 160 families with milk.
In the winter of 1869 Mr. Burr removed to this county and purchased 80 acres of heavily timbered land, on section 30, Lincoln Township. He ex- perienced the obstacles and trials of the early pio- neer, but with a firm faith in the future development of the county and an abundance of determination, he overcame them all and has at the present time 70 acres of his land in a good state of cultivation. He
has lately erected a residence on the farm, costing him $2,200, and his hearthstone is surrounded with peace, plenty and happiness. Mrs. Burr is connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Politically, Mr. Burr is inclined to the principles and doctrines of the Republican party. He held the office of Supervisor in 1879, also Justice of the Peace and other minor offices of his township.
illiam B. Bowen, farmer on section 16, Coe Township, is a son of James and Jane (Westfall) Bowen, natives of Rhode Island and New Jersey. The parents settled in Bradford Co., Pa., and afterwards removed to Oswego, N. Y., where he died. She died in Coe Township, Aug. 15, 1879, at the advanced age of 88.
Their family comprises 11 children. William B., the eldest son, was born in Bradford Co., Pa., June 28, 1815. He received a rudimentary English edu- cation in the common schools, and at the age of 16 went out to work by the month, which he did until he was 25 years old. He then rented a farm in Monroe Co., N. Y., for two years, and then another farm in the same county for one year, when he came to Columbus, Ohio, and was for a year overseer in a mill. In 1843 he came to Lenawee Co., Mich., and bought a farm, which he worked a year and then sold. He built a house in Adrian, in which he lived four years, his occupation being teaming and lumber- ing. He afterwards bought and sold several farms in that county. In October, 1854, he came to Isa- bella County and took up 80 acres of Government land on section 9, Coe Township. He built a log house, and returned to Lenawee County for his family, who came on in February of the following year. After four years' residence, he removed East with his family, with the purpose of educating his children, and lived 12 years in 'Tioga Co., Pa., en- gaged in lumbering and in mercantile pursuits. He sold his Isabella farm in 1860. In 1870, he returned to this county and bought 40 acres on section 16, where he now resides. Nearly all of this farm is now under cultivation.
Dec. 2, 1840, in Monroe Co., N. Y., he was united in marriage with Sarah H., daughter of Elisha and
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Rosina (Lawrence) Stewart, natives of Rensselaer Co., N. Y. She was born in Sweden, Monroe Co., N. Y., Dec. 7, 1818. Of their six children, only two survive,-Eugene S. and Rosina J. The deceased are Alice C., Emma R., Delphine and Emeline R.
Mr. B. was the first Supervisor of Coe Township, to which office he was elected in the spring of 1857. He has been Highway Commissioner three years, Drain Commissioner three years and a school officer two years. He is a Good Templar, and a strong temperance man. He is a Republican, and with his wife belongs to the Baptist Church. Of this religious society, he has been for 16 years Deacon, and is now Clerk and Treasurer.
arvey J. Koons is a farmer on section 22, Deerfield Township. His father, George Koons, was a native of Pennsylvania, and died in April, 1853. His mother, Chloe (Wei- mer) Koons, also a native of the Keystone State, is still living, in Athens, Athens Co., Ohio.
In the last named county, Dover Township, Har- vey J. was born. When 23 years of age, he came with his mother and step-father to this county, arriv- ing May 29, 1864, and settling on his present farm, where he has lived ever since, with the exception of about six years in Saginaw and Ohio. He once ex- changed the farm for a house and lot in Ovid, Clin- ton County, this State, but shortly afterward ex- changed again, taking possession of his present place a second time.
March 23, 1868, on the " Mission Farm," by Father Sheldon (a missionary to the Indians), Mr. Koons was married to Mrs. Louisa, widow of Harris H. Caldwell, and the children since born to them are: Frank Ami, born Jan. 12, 1869; and Lucy Lil- lian, Aug. 23, 1875. Mrs. K., whose maiden name was Boyden, was born Oct. 10, 1836, in Macomb Co., Mich., and when four or five years old moved with her parents to Dryden, Michigan, where, 10 or 12 years afterward, June 18, 1854, she was married, and moved to Volga City, Clayton Co., Iowa. Eight years afterward they moved to Maple Rapids, Mich., and one year later moved to this county, homestead- ing a quarter section of land in the township of Lin- coln. Mr. Caldwell commenced working for I. E.
Arnold, and during the ensuing winter was drowned in the Chippewa River, near the Bradley bridge. His children were, Herbert C., born Oct. 8, 1856, and Alice J., Aug. 1, 1859.
On the preceding page is a portrait of Mr. Koons, as that of a representative citizen of Isabella County.
nthony Mckay, farmer and stock-raiser, section 19, Lincoln Township, was born in Northumberland Co., N. B., on the Mira- michi River, Nov. 22, 1822.
The parents of Mr. Mckay were Donald and Zilpha (Rogers) Mckay, natives of New Brunswick and of Scotch extraction. Mr. Mckay's paternal grandfather was a member of the 74th Highlanders, a regiment the members of which, after serving against the rebellious colonies, settled in New Brunswick, on land given them by the king. Donald McKay's occupation was that of a lumber- man, and he continued to follow the same in his native country until the time of his death. The mother is supposed to be still living, in California.
Anthony lived at home, in New Brunswick, assist- ing his father in the maintenance of the family and attending, as time would permit, the common school, until he attained the age of 17 years. He spent the greater portion of his time until he had attained the age stated in "log-driving " on the St. John's River, and has driven them 300 miles. When 17 years of age he left home and engaged in the same occupation in Maine. He continued this in Maine for a period of 17 years, and during that time worked for the well known lumberman, E. G. Dunn, of that State, a por- tion of the time as manager of their drive.
In the fall of 1857, Mr. Mckay came to this State and located in Gladwin County. While there he engaged himself to Newell Barnard & Co., lum- bermen, eight miles above the mouth of the Tobacco River, and was in their employ until 1859, when he went to Gratiot County and worked for Joshua Dunn, of Seville Township. He afterward bought a tract of 300 acres of land in that county, and in the year 1874 exchanged the same for 80 acres in this county, Lincoln Township, section 19. To this he has added 80 acres by purchase, and of the 160 he has 65 acres
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in a good state of cultivation. He has erected a good residence and substantial barn on his land, and has met with signal success in his agricultural affairs.
Mr. McKay was united in marriage in July, 1868, in Gratiot Co., this State, to Miss L. Cranfield, a native of the State of New York, where she was born Nov. 1, 1840. She is a member of the United Brethren Church. Mr. and Mrs. M. have two ad- opted children, named Lydia and Phineas respect- ively. In politics Mr. B. is a supporter of and believer in the principles of the Republican party.
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edward E. Alvord, farmer on section 28, Coe Township, is a son of Justus and Hannah (Thorpe) Alvord, natives of the State of Massachusetts. The parents re- moved from the Bay State to New York, and later settled in Williams Co., Ohio, where he died, Sept. 9, 1868, and she July 31, 1871. Their eight children were named : Mary, Hiram B., David H., Justus H., Edward E., Nathan 4., Eli L. and Henry D.
The subject of this notice, the fourth son, was born in Allegany Co., N. Y., April 18, 1831, and was 11 years old when his parents removed to Ohio. He lived at home until 22 years old, then worked out by the month one year, and then for two years followed different occupations. Next, he bought a farm in Hillsdale County, where he lived four years. Rent- ing it for two years, he then returned to Williams County and carried on his father's farm. He then lived on his own farm a year and a half, when he sold, went to Iowa and bought 320 acres of wild land in Linn County. After two years' residence in the Hawkeye State, he returned to this State and bought 80 acres in Pine River Township, Gratiot County. He lived there 18 months, and in the spring of 1869 sold and removed to Salt River, this county. Forming a partnership with Henry Struble, he opened a general provision store.
After eight months, he bought out Mr. Struble, and conducted the business alone for a year. Disposing then of his business, he was for four years engaged in various pursuits, principally jobbing. He soon
after bought 160 acres of wild land on section 28, Coe, but continued to reside at Salt River, on account of educational advantages, until July, 1880. He then moved on his farm, where he has since made his home. He has now 46 acres in a highly satisfactory state of cultivation.
He was married in Medina, Lenawee Co., Mich., Feb. 29, 1856, to Belinda, daughter of Jabez and Keziah (Birkhime) Jones, natives respectively of Vir- ginia and Pennyslvania. She was born in Ross Co., Ohio, March 16, 1832. Seven children have been added to the household, of whom the following five survive : Henry D., Hannah K., Mary C., Sarah J. and Ella M. Abraham L. and Edward S. are deceased.
Mr. and Mrs. Alvord are members of the Univer- salist Church. Politically, he has heretofore been a Republican, but he now supports the National party.
ackson Alexander, farmer, section 26, Coldwater Township, was born July 4, 1827, in Washington Co., Pa., and is the son of John and Mary (Harden) Alexander, both of whom were natives of the Keystone State. The father was born in March, 1797, and died April 27, 1881. The mother was born Nov. 30, 1800, and died Jan 19, 1884. In 1829, the par- ents removed to Jefferson Co., Ohio, where the fa- ther purchased a timbered tract, which he put in fair agricultural condition, with the aid of his son, whose labors were necessary to that work, and the main- tenance of the family from a very early age.
At 18 years of age, Mr. Alexander became hisown master, and he went to Stark Co .. Ohio, where he spent three years as a farm laborer. In 1854 he went to Elkhart Co., Ind., where he engaged in job work, both laborious and profitable. He was married May 15, 1856, to Louisa, daughter of John T. and Nancy (Carpenter) Wilson. Her parents were natives of Ohio, where they passed their entire lives. Mr. and Mrs. Alexander soon after their marriage set out for Fillmore Co., Minn., with the purpose of es- tablishing a home on the prairies, but the country not meeting their expectation they returned to Elkhart,
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Ind., where they passed the ensuing three years in farming.
Mr. Alexander became a soldier in the second year of the civil war, enlisting Aug. 10, 1862, in Co. G., 74th Ind. Vol. Inf. The regiment was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland, and was in action in most of the battles and skirmishes from Chattanooga to the surrender of Joe Johnston. The principal en- gagements were at Perryville, Tullahoma, Chickamau- ga, Peach-tree Creek, Jonesboro and Kenesaw Moun- tain. Mr. Alexander received two wounds during the first day's fight at Chickamauga; one in the neck from a stray shot in a flank movement by the rebels, early in the day, and a second, about four in the af- ternoon, in the right arm above the elbow. He was mustered out of the service June 21, 1865, and re- turned home.
He spent a year on a rented farm, and the last days of October, 1866, came to Isabella Co., Mich. He at once entered the first papers on the property which has since been his home, and in May, 1867, he returned and built his house. In September following, he came hither with his wife and three children.
The journey from Elkhart with a team was a meni- orable one and characteristic of the variety of in- cidents in pioneer life. The distance traversed was 200 miles. They made the route without mishap until near Schafer's tavern, 27 miles north of Ionia, at the edge of a piece of pine woods, 17 miles in extent, which they reached one day about noon. They cooked their dinner, and hoped to get through the woods before dark. There was no road ; only a blazed tree now and then marked the route which wound in every possible direction to avoid trees. At dark they had traversed but half the distance, and they encamped on the bank of the Pine River. After breakfast, they set out, but had gone only half a mile when one of the hind wheels of the wagon "dished" inwards and forced five spokes out of the felloe. A man passed them soon after, and with his aid Mr. Alexander bound staves on the wheel rim and started on. The wheel soon gave out again, and Mr. A. cut a sapling and bound the larger end to the front axle. On this he rested the hind axle while the bush end of the sapling dragged on the ground. This failed to work well, and the draught upon his team being too great he concluded to leave his family and seek as- sistance. He walked seven miles to the house of a
Mr. Garnett, where he could obtain a wagon but no team. So he returned for his team, hoping to be back with the wagon to his family before dark. He started back, but in the night, which overtook him before he had made much progress, his team stopp.d, and Mr. Alexander found a fallen pine obstructed the route. Further progress was impossible and he sat in the wagon all night, his thoughts busy with his wife and children six miles away, whom he knew to be in mortal terror of bears and Indians. The first streak of light found him on the way to his family, whom he found in safety, and his wife engaged in cooking the morning meal. They had suffered much from terror during the early part of the night, but fa- tigue overruled fear and, commending herself and her sleeping children to Him who was her only stay, the wife and mother at last fell asleep. They moved forward to Mr. Garnett's, where Mr. Alexander spent two days in labor, to pay for the use of the wagon to convey them to their destination.
Their claim was located near that of Mr. H. A Brubaker, where they hoped to obtain shelter, until a roof could be put on their own house. They reached Mr. Brubaker's about 10 o'clock at night, received a cordial welcome, and, after a substantial supper, re- tired to the bed of their huts. The kindness and en- couragement they met with were a great relief, and lifted a heavy burden from their hearts. Mr. Alex- ander returned the rented wagon and took his own to Millbrook for repairs. He set out for Elkhart for another load of goods, which he obtained, and when within five miles of his home, on his return, the oth- er hind wheel gave out. He left his load, obtained a wagon from Mr. Brubaker, and, in company with his wife, went back for his goods, which he found all there save a dish of wagon grease. They loaded up and started back, but had gone but half a mile when the wagon tipped over. Darkness set in before they were ready to move on again, and Mr. Alexander took the lead, while his wife drove the team. Half a mile from home they were met by Mr. Brubaker with a lantern and a basket of lunch. This permanent re- cord of kindness received from their friend but poorly expresses their sense of an indebtedness which was its own reward. In a few days the family of Mr. Al- exander were under the shelter of their own roof and entered upon their struggle in the wilderness.
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County, Mr. Alexander paid $34.50 for a barrel of pork, while the next year he could buy fresh pork for $11 a hundred ; for flour he paid the first year $18 a barrel, for seed potatoes $1.50 a bushel, and for wheat, $2.50 a bushel.
Following is the record of the children, eight in number, born to Mr. and Mrs. Alexander: Mary Ellen, Ang. 10, 1857, at Fillmore, Minn .; Hattie Margaretta, May 10, 1860 ; Frances Elizabeth, Oct. 4, 1862 ; Lulu Lorenia, March 9, 1867 (died the day following). The three last named children were born in Elkhart, Ind .; Aliee Carrie was born Feb. 6, 1871 ; Jessie Blanche, June 15, 1874 ; Amy Adell, July 22, 1876; Harvey Maynard, Dec. 29, 1879 (died Jan, 7, 1880). These four were born in Coldwater Town- ship.
saac B. Christie, lumber inspector, resident at Mt. Pleasant, was born Dee. 16, 1844, in Kemptville, Can., and is a son of Robert and Maria (Boyd) Christie. His father had extensive lumber interests in Canada, and was a heavy manufacturer in the Dominion. He is still interested in the same business in the North- west, and in addition to his lumber traffic he is also a principal stockholder in a banking house at Duluth and in one in Manitoba.
Mr. Christie's first venture was when he was 14 years old, when he went to Buffalo and engaged as a book-keeper in the grocery house of Beebe Bros., where he remained about 18 months. He was a precocious scholar and completed a course of study in the Normal School at Toronto and graduated at Bates' Commercial College in the same city. After leaving Buffalo he traveled to different portions of the country and has visited nearly every section of the United States. He engaged as Principal of the Listowel, Ont., school, where he officiated six years. On the termination of his duties there he came to Saginaw and commenced business as a lumber in- spector, with which business he was wholly familiar from his early associations with his father's transac- tions in lumber. He has continued the pursuit of inspector and sealer and issues his business card as : "I. B. Christie, Lumber Inspector. Trespasses carefully computed and timber estimated. Office,
with Leaton & Upton, Mt. Pleasant." He is the only inspector in Isabella County and has his cre- dentials from the Saginaw Inspecting Company. He is ranked among the best of his profession in the Saginaw Valley.
homas Parrish, farmer on section 12, Broom- Township, is a son of Harrison and Mar- garet (Smith) Parrish, natives of the State of New York. His mother was born in 1821 and died in 1854. His father is living and oe- cupied as a drayman in Bay City.
The subject of this sketch was born Aug. 9, 1845, in Livingston Co., N. Y., and is the only one living of his father's three children. He came to this county in 1871, and located 40 acres on section 12, Broomfield, after working for a time in various lum- ber camps. He was married Oct. 10, 1882, to Miss Eunice Millard, daughter of Hiram and Cornelia Millard, the former of whom is deceased, and the latter lives in Canada. Mr. P. has by a former mar- riage one son, James, born June 9, 1868, in Wayne Co., Mich. Mr. P. has been Pathmaster in his dis- triet; and is politically a Democrat.
ohn Delo, farmer, section 19, Fremont Township, was born in Germany, on Thanksgiving Day, 1817. His parents, Frederick and Christina Delo, were natives of Germany, where they both died. The son came to this country in 1852 and landed at Quebec, Can. From Quebec he went to Hamilton, Hamilton Co., Can., and was there engaged in work- ing on the Great Western Railroad for a time, when he crossed the Niagara and was occupied in labor at various things for some time and was there taken sick. His means having been exhausted, he was sent to the poor house. He remained there for a month and, on recovery, crossed the river into Can- ada and engaged in cutting eord wood and splitting rails. He remained in Canada, variously occupied, until 1861, when he came to this State and county and located on an So-acre tract of land. He had great faith in the future development of this county
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and threw all his energy into clearing and improving his land. Subsequently he added, by purchase, 40 acres to his original tract, and now has about 100 acres in a good state of cultivation. In 1876 he built himself a large barn, and in 1879 erected a residence on his land which cost him $2,000. That honest effort brings reward, one can see in the prosperity attained by the subject of this notice. From want and penury he has attained a plenty, and, sitting around the hearthstone of content, he smiles at the trials of the past.
Mr. Delo was first wedded in Germany, where his wife died, leaving him two children, Fred and Charlie. He was again married, the lady of his choice being a Miss Caroline Hire, to whom he was married in 1854, and by whom he has had eight children, namely: John, Minnie, Mary, William, Caroline (deceased), Hettie, Emma and Asa.
'The father and mother are both members of the Methodist Church. Politically, Mr. Delo is a Re- publican.
ichael Roberts, farmer on section 10, Coe Township, is a son of Joseph and Mary (Toomey) Roberts, natives of Ire- land. The parents came from the Emerald Isle to Quebec, Can., and later to Detroit. After a short stay in that city and in Windsor, they went to Oakland Co., Mich., where they resided two years. In the fall of 1855 they came to Isa- bella County and settled in Coe Township, where they lived until their death. She departed this life in November, 1865, and he in March, 1867. Their family numbered seven, and Michael was the youngest.
He was born in Ireland, Jan. 6, 1846, and was about five years old when his parents came to Can- ada, and nine years old when they settled in this county. He lived with his parents until their death, and inherited the farm of 160 acres on section 10, on which he now lives, with 100 acres under good cultivation.
He was married in Hubbardston, Mich., Feb. 23, 1868, to Catherine, daughter of Michael and Susanna (Ilines) Lestrange, natives of Ireland. Mrs. R. was born in Monroe Co., N. Y., April 30, 1851, and is
the mother of four children,-Joseph W., Michael, Susanna and Agnes.
Mr. R. is a Democrat, and, with his wife, is a member of the Catholic Church.
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eorge W. De Puy, farmer on section 7, Union, is a son of Elias and Judith (Brookins) De Puy, both of whom were born in the State of New York, and died in Mont- calm Co., Mich. He was born in Lysander, Onondaga Co., N. Y., Nov. 2, 1830, and lived with his parents until 27 years old.
On attaining his legal majority, he formed a part- nership with his father, under the name of E. De Puy & Co. Their business was farming, and running a saw and grist mill. In the spring of 1858 he came to Ionia Co., Mich., and rented a farm, on which he lived until the winter of 1860-1. He then went to California by way of New York and Panama. He had a very rough passage, and was 22 days in mak- ing the trip from New York to San Francisco. The first summer after his arrival he worked at farming near Sacramento, and the ensuing winter he was in a quartz mill. The next summer he was employed at farming near Virginia City. He worked nine months for the Ophir Mining Company; then a year in Dum & Coover's gold canyon; and then a year and a half in a quartz mill a mile and a half from Carsor. City.
Returning to the Peninsular State, in 1864, he bought a farm of 80 acres in Ionia County. After a time he came to Bloomer Township, Montcalm County, and bought 160 acres, 40 of which were improved. On this place he remained until 1874, when he exchanged for his present farm of 240 acres, 130 of which are improved. Politically, Mr. De Puy is a Republican.
He was married Feb. 18, 1857, to Miss Louisa L., daughter of John W. and Catherine (Appleton) Dickerson. The latter is yet living, but the former died April 5, 1865. Of four children born to Mr. and Mrs. De Puy, two are living, and two deceased. Anna L. was born Jan. 23, 1857, in Bridgewater Township, Williams Co., Ohio; Ida Jane was born Oct. 8, 1858, died in the same county, December 8, 1859, and is buried in Muir; Elmer Ellsworth was born July 22, 1865; Burton C. was born Aug 29,
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1868, and died Aug. 29, 1869, in Bloomer Township, Montcalm County.
Mr. De Puy's portrait, as that of a representative of the substantial farmers of Union Township and Isabella County, is a valuable addition to the picto- rial galaxy of this ALBUM.
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rving E. Arnold, a pioneer settler of Isa- bella County, now resident at Salida, Col., rete was born March 19, 1835, in Herkimer Co., N. Y., and is the son of Dexter and Olive (Kim- ball) Arnold. The same year, 1835, his father and family removed to Ionia County and lo- cated on the present site of Ionia. In 1857 Mr. Ir- ving Arnold settled in Isabella County. Soon after, he contracted with the Government to build five school-houses and two churches for the use of the Indians in this county. This contract was carried out with difficulty, as nails, sash, doors, glass, etc., were brought up the Saginaw River in an Indian canoe.
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