USA > Michigan > Isabella County > Portrait and biographical album of Isabella county, Mich., containing portraits and biographical sketches > Part 39
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
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
In 1859 he located in Union Township, this coun- ty, where he bought 40 acres of land on section 15, which was then in the depths of the forest. He built a frame house, which is still in being and was the second erected on the site of the village of Mt. Pleas- ant. He cleared 20 acres of his farm and remained a resident upon it until 1863.
He was married in May, 1860, to Adelaide M. Ferris. Dexter F. Arnold, only issue of this mar- riage, was born April 15, 1862, and was the first child born in the village of Mt. Pleasant. (See sketch of Dexter F. Arnold.) The mother died in May following. Mr. Arnold was again married Aug. 19, 1863, to Susan E. Foy. Of the second marriage three children were born, one of whom, Walter D., is deceased. Nellie H. and Kinnie are, respectively, the oldest and youngest in order of birth.
Mr. Arnold went to Isabella City in 1864, where he spent a few years operating in lumber. In 1867 he returned to Mt. Pleasant. In 1870 he was ap- pointed County Surveyor to fill a vacancy, and the same fall he was elected to that office, which he held two years, operating quite extensively in lumber. In 1872-3 he opened an abstract office and combined operations in real estate with lumbering. During
eight years he was in partnership with H. Rich and W. D. Arnold, of Ionia, in real-estate business. In 1878 he formed an association with A. B. Upton in the same line, which relation existed about 18 months. He removed to Colorado in 1882.
Mr. Arnold was intimately associated with the de- velopment of the county and city from the date of his becoming a resident of Isabella County. He was elected the first County Clerk after the organization of the county, and served a term as Register of Deeds, when the duties of that position were a part of those of the former office. He was the first Supervisor of Isabella Township, and at that time the county contained but three organized townships; three Su- pervisors then constituted the Board. In 1868 he received the nomination for Representative, on the Democratic ticket; but that party, being in the mi- nority, was defeated. He was Supervisor of Union 'Township eight years, and served from 1870 to 1872 as County Surveyor. He interested himself in every project of substantial benefit to the general public, and threw the weight of his influence into every enterprise that afforded reasonable prospects of ad- vantage to the county and its inhabitants. Through his efforts mainly, the court-house was built, in 1876-7, and he served as chairman of the building committee. He assisted in making the first survey of the village of Mt. Pleasant, while a resident there. He was prominent and active in the interests of the Method- ist Episcopal Church and officiated as Superintend- ent of the Sunday-school, eight years. In 1880 he was elected President of the village of Mt. Pleasant, which he held one year. He was also a member of the Order of Masonry at Mt. Pleasant.
hitney H. Cowles, farmer, section 16, Deerfield Township, is a son of Horace and Laura (Miller) Cowles, natives of Massachusetts. In this family were six children.
The subject of this sketch was born June 20, 1847, in Bainbridge, Geauga Co., Ohio, and remained on the old homestead until 1878, when he came with the family to this county and bought a tract of So acres, where he now has 30 acres well subdued to cultivation, two acres in young orchard, a good frame
ISABELLA COUNTY.
389
house, barn, etc. He is one of the substantial farm- ers of this part of the country. Mr. Cowles' farm is known as " Maple Farm." He hasa sugar grove of 775 trees, and uses the latest processes in the manu- facture of the purest maple sugar. He has marketed 2,000 pounds in one season. His place is known far and wide, and is visited by people from every direc- tion during the sugar-making season.
Oct. 17, 1867, at Chagrin Falls, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, Mr. Cowles married Miss Alvira M., a daugh- ter of John and Sophronia (Harris) Manchester, na- tives of Rhode Island and New York. The former, whose father was a soldier in the- Revolution, fought in the war of 1812, and contributed four sons to his country's service in the late rebellion. He served in the 30th U. S. I., and is one of the very few veterans of the second war with Great Britain who yet survive. He is 88 years old, is hale and hearty, and can jump up in the air and strike his feet together twice as well as any agile farmer's son. He served under Gen. Wade Hampton (grandfather of the present Senator from South Carolina), fought in the campaigns on the border of Canada, and participated in seven battles. He now lives at Mantua, Portage Co., Ohio. In his family were ten children, eight of whom are liv- ing. Alvira M. was born Aug. 6, 1846, in Auburn, Geauga Co. Ohio. To Mr. and Mrs. Cowles have been born five children, four of whom are living, namely : Linnie A., Jan. 23, 1869; John H., May 11, 187 1; Bert E., Dec. 20, 1877 ; and Roy M., May 3, 1880. Ray E., born Aug. 10, 1875, died Aug. 9, 1878. The parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mr. C. in politics is a Republican.
oseph Higgins, farmer on section 35, Coe Township, is a son of Isaac and Phebe (Pope) Higgins, natives of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. They settled in Greene Co., l'a., where they lived until their death. There were eight children in the family,. Joseph being the second son.
He was born in Greene Co., Pa., March 29, 1829, and lived at home until 21 years of age. He con- tinued to live in his native county until he came to this county, in the fall of 1865. He bought 80 acres
of land in Coe Township, where he now resides. He has since added 37 acres to his farm, and now has 40 acres under the plow.
He was married in the county of his nativity, Dec. 16, 1855, to Rhoda, daughter of James and Hannah (Wilson) Fry, natives of Pennsylvania. She was born in Washington Co., Pa, April 20, 1833, and is the mother of six children,-Isasc N., James L., John H., Eliza B., Phebe H. and Samantha J.
Mr. H. votes the Democratic ticket, and with his wife belongs to the United Brethren Church.
- evi B. Quick, farmer on section 31, Coe Township, is a son of Ralph and Calista (Treat) Quick, natives respectively of Bucks Co., Pa., and Seneca Co., N. Y. The parents first settled in Oakland Co., Mich., and in 1871 removed to Gratiot County. The mother died in Sumner Township, that county, in March, 1882. Their family numbered 12, named as follows. Mary E., Nancy S., Charles, Levi B., Ellinor, Corrilla, Gustavus, Edwin O., Frances, Walter, George S. and Lucy J.
The subject of this sketch, the second son, was born in Lyon, Oakland Co., Mich., April 7, 1839. He received an elementary English education and lived at home until he attained his majority. He then worked out by the month for two years.
He enlisted Aug 9, 1862, in the 22d Mich. Vol. Inf., and served nearly three years. He was under fire often, and was in the terrible battle of Chicka- mauga, where his regiment was all cut to pieces. He received a severe wound by a minie-ball in the right side and was confined to the hospital for six months. He was honorably discharged at Detroit, Mich., after which he returned to Oakland County, where he engaged in farming until 1869. He then came to Gratiot County and bought 80 acres in Pine River Township. In 1877 he exchanged for 120 acres in Coe Township, this county, where he has since resided. He has now 80 acres, including 70 acres under cultivation.
He was married in Oakland County, Jan. 2, 1868, to Roxie J., daughter of George and Ann E. (Plow- man) Fawcett, natives respectively of Ireland and Orange Co., N. Y. She was born in Lyon, Oakland
C
ISABELLA COUNTY.
390
Co., Mich., March 31, 1844 By this marriage there have been two children, one of whom died in infancy. George R. was born Jan. 3, 1869.
Mr. Q. was Township Superintendent of Schools for two years. Politically, he supports the Republi- can party. He and wife are members of the Presby- terian Church.
illiam F. Bollman, farmer on section 6, Union, was born in Amherst, Erie Co., N. Y., April 10, 1853, and is the son of Ernest and Augusta (Westfall) Bollman. The parents were both natives of Germany, and died in Amherst, Erie Co., N. Y.,-the father Dec. 25, 1866; and the mother Oct. 12, 1875.
Their son William lived at home until 16 years old, and then commenced the struggle of life alone. He worked on a farm in the summer, and in the winter went to school, working for his board. He bought 40 acres adjoining his mother's place, and worked both farms until her death. Selling out, he then visited Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota, three months in each State. Returning to New York State, he worked a year, and then came to Isabella County and bought his present farm of 100 acres. He has about 40 acres improved.
He was married Dec. 26, 1878, to Miss Mary S. Clare, daughter of Frank and Sophia (Raime) Clare. Mr. and Mrs. C. are both residents of Isabella Town- ship, this county. Mrs. Bollman was born Oct. 14, 1860, and is the mother of two children,-Frank E., born Sept. 10, 1879, and Louisa S., March 27, 1883.
Mr. B. is a Republican, and a member of the Lutheran Church. His wife is a Catholic.
arren W. Parsell, farmer, section 17, Wise Township, was born July 9, 1827, in Day- ton, Cattaraugus Co., N. Y. His parents, John and Huldah (Babcock) Parsell, were both natives of the State of New York.
Mr. Parsell resided in the State of his nativ- ity until 1865, and was engaged in farming. In the spring of that year he bought a farm in Tuscola
Co., Mich., on which he lived eight years. In 1872 he sold that place and purchased another in the same county, which he managed a year and then he sold again. In November, 1873, he bought 40 acres of land in Wise Township, which he has since increased to 80 acres, and now has 30 acres under cultivation. He was the third in order of settlement in the Town- ship of Wise, and built the third house outside the limits of Loomis. He is a Democrat in political faith, and has held the office of Highway Commis- sioner one year. In the spring of 1882 he was elected Justice of the Peace and still discharges the duties of that office.
Mr. Parsell's marriage to Lydia F. Wells occurred Jan. 5, 1859, in Cattaraugus Co., N. Y. She was born in that county, Nov. 29, 1837. Of their union three children have been born : Huldah A., Worden D. and Walter W. The latter died when a few months more than nine years of age.
esse I. Richmond, farmer on section 33, Chippewa Township, is a son of Cyrus C. and Mary (Alley) Richmond, of American and Dutch parentage. The parents settled first in Canada, and in 1866 came to this coun- ty and settled in Chippewa Township, their present home. Their family numbered nine, six sons and three daughters.
The subject of this record was born in Canada, May 29, 1831, and received the elements of an Eng- lish education in the common schools. When about 20 years old he left home and worked a farm on shares for two years. He then bought a farm in Can- ada, where he lived until he came to Michigan, buy- ing and selling several farms. In March, 1877, he came to this county and bought too acres in Chippe- wa Township, where he has since resided. He has built substantial barns and a good farm house on his place, and has 85 acres improved.
He was married in Northumberland Co., Can., Feb. 28, 1856, to Miss Lydia E., daughter of James and Jemimah (Ball) Lowe, who were natives respectively of Canada and Nova Scotia. The father was a par- ticipant in the famous battle of Waterloo. Both he and wife died in Canada; the latter in August, 1842, and the former in January, 1861. Mrs. Richmond
حدود الوازع الأسديالى الاية الكهرو Lewis
Grant
Ida Grant-
395
ISABELLA COUNTY.
was born in Prince Edward Co., Can., Jan. 19, 1839, and she and her husband have been the parents of five children, three of whom survive: George B., Es- tella L. and Mary M. Samuel M. and Isabella N. are deceased.
Mr. Richmond has held the office of Highway Commissioner for two years, and that of School As- sessor seven years. Politically he is a Republican.
ames S. Graham, farmer and Supervisor of Isabella Township, residing on section 22, was born in the County of Peel, Ont., May 22, 1850. His parents were Hugh and Catharine (Cook) Graham, natives of New York and Connecticut, respectively, and of Irish- Scotch attraction. The father was a farmer by oc- cupation and followed that vocation in Peel Co., Ont., where he died, in 1853. His mother is still living, at the advanced age of 68 years, in Isabella Township.
When James S. was three years of age he was left a half orphan by his father's death, he having been thrown from a buggy by the horse becoming fright- ened and running away. He lived with his mother and brothers in his native county, doing his share toward the maintenance of his family and attending the common schools, until he attained the age of 22 years.
In the fall of 1873 Mr. Graham came to this county and settled in Isabella Township, on 80 acres of wild land on section 16, which he had purchased the spring before his coming. He located on this land and at once began to improve it, but soon sold, and engaged in the mercantile business at Calkinsville. The capital required to manage this business was some $5,000, and he conducted the same with a moderate degree of success for two years. In 1877 he sold out his mercantile business, and purchased 160 acres on land on section 23, where he lived until April, 1881, when he sold the same and purchased 40 acres on section 22, and 40 acres on section 15, same township. He has 50 acres of the 80 under a good state of cultivation, and is acknowledged as one of the progressive farmers of the township.
Mr. Graham was united in marriage with the lady of his choice, Miss Margaret I. Johnson, in Peel Co.,
Ont., Dec. 28, 1871. She is a native of Ontario, born in P'eel Co., that Province, April 14, 1848, and there lived, under the protecting care of her parents, until her marriage. The husband and wife are the parents of eight children, namely : William M., born Oct. 5, 1872; Edgar O., Aug. 23, 1879 ; Godfrey E., Sept. 1, 1880; Gracie L., June 7, 1882, and Victor S., Jan. 30, 1884. Oscar A., born Dec. 1, 1873, died April 1, 1875, and Gertrude L., born March 3, 1877, died Nov. 2, 1881.
Politically, Mr. Graham is a believer in and sup- porter of the principles of the Democratic party. He has held the position of Township Clerk, Township Treasurer, and is now Supervisor of Isabella Town- ship.
32
ewis Grant, superintendent of Edmund Hall's lumbering interests in Broomfield Township, is a son of Archibald and Cather- ine (Lord) Grant. His father was born in 1814 in Evonshire, Scotland, and died in 1877, in Canada. His mother was born in 1819, in Ire- land, and died in 1879, in Canada.
Their son, Lewis Grant, was born March 15, 1840, in Scotland, and lived with his parents until 22 years of age. Coming to America with them, he worked first for two years in the lumber woods of Minnesota. Next he was engaged on a farm in the State of New York for two years; and then, coming to Michigan, he engaged with Mr. Edmund Hall, his present em- ployer, working the first year as a common laborer. The succeeding three years he was a foreman, and after that he became superintendent of all Mr. Hall's lumbering operations in Broomfield Township.
He was married in 1875 to Miss Ida Eldred, who was born Sept. 24, 1854, in Hillsdale County, this State, and daughter of Judson and Mary (Dopp) El- dred. Mr. E. was born in Steuben Co., N. Y., in 1821, and is now a farmer in Broomfield, of which town- ship he was one of the early settlers. Mrs. E. was born in the State of Ohio, in 1832.
Mr. Grant is politically a supporter of the Repub- lican party.
As one of the representative business men of Isa- bella County, and a gentleman worthy the esteem and
ISABELLA COUNTY.
396
honor of his fellow citizens, we place Mr. Grant's portrait in this volume. As a fitting companion pic- ture to Mr. Grant's, we place beside it that of his wife.
llis G. Faunce, farmer on section 21, Coe Township, is the son of Alden and Lucre- tia (Coburn) Faunce, natives of Massachu- setts and New York. The parents settled in Trumbull Co., Ohio, where he died, Feb. 22, 1863. The mother yet survives. Their fam- ily consisted of eight children, six sons and two daughters, of whom Ellis G. is the sixth.
He was born in Trumbull Co., Ohio, Oct. 1, 1846, and received a rudimentary English education, liv- ing at home until 1865. The following three years were spent in Michigan and Ohio, and in 1868 he bought a farm of 80 acres in Monroe Co., Mich., where he lived seven years. He then sold, and for a year and a half was employed in a grist-mill in Al- len Co., Ohio. In the spring of 1877 he came to Isa- bella County and bought 40 acres on section 21, Coe Township. He has since added 40 acres, and has under cultivation 42 acres.
He was married in his native county, Nov. 26, 1868, to Syrion L., daughter of Orrin R. and Louisa (King) Gates, natives of Vermont and Ohio. To this union three children have been born,-Eva E., Orrin L. and Leila B.
Mr. F. is a Republican, and with his wife belongs to the Christian Church.
hancy C. Dickerson, farmer and miller, section 13, Deerfield Township, is a son of John W. and Catharine Jane (Appleman) Dickerson ; his father, a native of Pennsylva- nia, died April 5, 1865, and his mother, a na- tive of New Jersey, is still living.
The subject of this sketch was born June 1, 1841, in Lorain Co., Ohio; was in Wisconsin from about 9 to 12 years of age ; in Lorain Co., Ohio, for five years ; in Hillsdale Co., Mich., one year; next, Bowne Township, Kent County, nearly a year; then Ionia
County, five years ; then California three years, where he was in the mines, and a part of the time engaged in engineering; in Ionia County ten years ; and then came to Isabella County, Aug. 20, 1877, pur- chasing a quarter of section 13, where he now resides. It was then wholly unimproved, but he has cleared ten acres and sold 80. In connection with the place is a good mill site. He built the first saw, grist and shingle mills in Deerfield Township. The saw is an "upright," and the grist-mill has two run of buhrs.
Mr. Dickerson was married Jan. 1, 1865, at Ionia, to Miss Hannah Christina, daughter of Oliver and Lydia (Brazee) Decker. They have no children.
Mr. Decker is in political sentiment a Republican.
-0
6
C. Payne, physician, section 28, Nottawa Township, is a son of Barton and Maria (Cronk) Payne, natives of Ontario Co., N. Y. His father and mother are both deceased, the former dying April 10, 1862, and the latter July 7, 1877.
Dr. Payne is a native of this State, and was born in Salem Township, Washtenaw Co., Feb. 17, 1848. He spent his childhood years until he attained the age of eight, in his native county, when his parents moved to Ypsilanti, where they lived for two years and then moved to Shiawassee County. The family remained at the latter place 18 years, during which time young Payne assisted on the farm and attended the common schools and developed into manhood. From Shiawassee County Dr. Payne removed to Eagle, Clinton County, remained five years and four months, and then went to Westphalia, same county, and variously occupied his time for two years.
The Doctor came to this county March 17, 1883, located on section 28, Nottawa Township, and en- tered upon the practice of medicine, a profession he had selected and mastered at an earlier day. Ile has continuously followed the practice of his profes- sion, having located his office at Beal City, Nottawa Township, ever since coming to the county, and has met with signal success.
Dr. Payne was united in marriage, Dec. 25, 187 1, with Miss Frances, daughter of Mary E. McCrum,
ISABELLA COUNTY.
397
who was born Sept. 2, 1855, in Livingston Co, this State ; and their union has been blessed by one child, Minnie, born Oct. 29, 1873.
Dr Payne is a member of the Masonic Lodge at Wacousta, Clinton Co., this State. In politics he is an adherent of the tenets of the Democratic party.
Mrs. Payne is a member of the Methodist Episco- pal Church.
dward Delaney, molder, residing on sec- tion 22, Coldwater Township, was born Sept. 29, 1837, in the city of Rochester, N. Y. His parents, William and Mary (Fagan) Delaney, were natives of Ireland. The decease of his father occurred at Rochester, and his mother died in Prince Edward Co., Ont.
Mr. Delaney is the eldest of six children born to his parents, and he lived at home until he was 18 years old, when he went to learn the molder's trade, and in his journeyman days he went to Adrian, Mich., where he found employ in the car-shops, re- maining there most of the time until 1861, when he enlisted in the military service of the United States. He became a soldier during the first months of the war, enlisting in Co. B, 47th Ohio Vol. Inf. The entire company were Michigan men with one excep- tion, who was from Cincinnati. The regiment was assigned to the 15th Army Corps, of which General Sherman was in command. It was afterwards under Gen. Logan, and Mr. Delaney participated in the battles of Vicksburg and Charleston (W. Va.), be- sides taking part in numberless skirmishes. He received a wound in the left arm while on picket duty near Ripley, W. Va., in September, 1862. He was again wounded at Vicksburg, May 18, 1863, re- ceiving a charge of buckshot in the left ankle, which is still where the rebels planted it. The regiment veteranized at Cleveland, Tenn., and was mustered out of service Aug. It, 1865, at Little Rock, Ark.
On receiving his discharge he returned to Fulton Co., Ohio, and soon afterward came to Gratiot Co., Mich., and resided two years in the village of St. Louis. In 1867 he filed a homestead claim of 80 acres of land in Coldwater Township, to which he removed with his family the year following. He has placed 35 acres under improvements. He is a Re-
publican in political sentiments and has held the office of School Director.
He married Oct. 2, 1864, Viola A., daughter of William F. and Lozina (Decker) Baker. She was born July 23, 1843. Her father died Oct. 30, 1876, and is buried on Mr. Delaney's farm. The mother is living with her daughter. Two children of Mr. and Mrs. Delaney are living: Edward, born Aug. 7, 1880, and Edna Alba, born April 9, 1883. William B. was born May 1, 1876, and died the same day. Viola Edwina was born July 19, 1877, and died on the day of her birth.
The farm of Mr. Delaney contains a boiling spring, which is the object of much curiosity, and around which cluster strange Indian and other traditions. It is an object of great veneration among the red men, who believe it the ancient burial place of their chiefs; and several individuals claim that in its im- mediate vicinity a large sum of money was buried during the second war with great Britain. The issue of water averages 500 gallons per minute. Mr. De- Janey's place was the first that was homesteaded north of the Indian reserve. Copper has been found in the springs on the farm, and will some day prove a source of profit.
cornelius Wolfgang, farmer, section 12, Fremont Township, is a son of Samuel and Mary (Baker) Wolfgang, natives of York Co., Pa. The former, a weaver b vc a_ tion, moved to Ohio in 1834, locating in Champaign County; five years afterward he moved to Clark County, that State; in 1854 he moved to De Kalb Co., Ind., and finally to Goshen, Elkhart County, where he died, in September, 1882. His wife had died in 1855, in De Kalb Co., Ind.
The subject of this sketch was born in Champaign Co., Ohio, May 24, 1834; his parents being in very straitened circumstances, he was placed out at the tender age of six years to be brought up by other people; consequently he was kept at hard work. From the time he became of age until he was mar- ried he was engaged in various pursuits in Indiana. In 1861 he married Miss Caroline Hood, who was born Dec. 24, 1834, in Stark Co., Ohio. Her parents, John and Susan (Hartman) Hood, were natives of Pennsylvania, the former a shoemaker by trade. In
ISABELLA COUNTY.
398
1832 they settled in Stark Co., Ohio, and afterward in De Kalb Co., Ind, where they died about the year 1856.
Mr. Wolfgang came to this county in 1861, settling upon 148 acres where he now resides, and where he has 100 acres well improved, a large barn, comforta- ble residence, etc. He has been Treasurer of his township and Constable, and has held the school offices of his district. He belongs to the Lutheran Church, and in political matters he votes for the " best men."
. The children of the family of Mr. Wolfgang are: Frank, born Nov. 8, 1858; John, Jan. 26, 1861 ; Seright, Jan. 16, 1863, died in 1865 ; Susan, June 26, 1865; and Eddie S., Dec. 2, 1867. The first two were born in De Kalb Co., Ind., and the last two in this county.
yarding Kellogg, farmer, section 30, Lincoln Township, was born in St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., May 17, 1846. The parents of Harding were Shiverick and Maria (Clark) Kellogg, natives of Vermont and New Hamp- shire, of English descent and of New England parentage. The father followed the occupation of a carder and cloth-dresser in his native State, and re- moved to Ionia Co., this State, in 1849, and there fol- lowed the occupation of farming. He was one among the first to settle in Ionia County. While on a visit to the home of our subject in this county, his father died, the date being Nov. 14, 1881. His mother died April 15, 1884, aged 63 years.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.