USA > Michigan > Isabella County > Portrait and biographical album of Isabella county, Mich., containing portraits and biographical sketches > Part 41
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eorge A. Ruse, farmer on section 32, Coe Township, is a son of Aaron and Elizabeth (Shedenhelm) Ruse, natives of Ohio and Maryland. The parents first settled in Seneca Co., Ohio, where the father died, in December, 1864. The mother came to Michigan, and three years later returned to Seneca County, where she died, in August, 1876. Their family consisted of three sons and three daughters, George being the youngest of the six.
He was born in Seneca Co., Ohio, June 22, 1845, and received a common English education. He hired out by the month at the age of 12, and alter- nated that with attending school until 18 years old. Adopting the vocation of agriculture, he came, in February, 1869, to this county and bought 40 acres on section 33, Coe Township. Selling this, he re- turned to Seneca Co., Ohio, and bought So acres, which he worked for five years. He sold out once more, and came again to Isabella, buying 80 acres on section 32, Coe, where he now resides. He has 55 acres under cultivation.
He was first married in the county of his nativity,
to Martha, daughter of Samuel and Mary King. She was also a native of Seneca County. They had one child, which died about five months old. Mrs. R. dying, he was again married, in Seneca County, to Eliza, daughter of John and Margaret (Miller) Ruch, and widow of John Woodmansee, who died Nov. 11, 1868. She had by the first marriage three children, -William L., Cora B. and Margaret C., the first of whom died in infancy. To Mr. and Mrs. Ruse have been born three children,-John A., Letta M. and Irena F. John A. died when two years old.
Politically, Mr. R. is a Republican. He and wife are members of the United Brethren Church.
esse H. Wood, farmer, section 34, Gilmore Township, was born Dec. 12, 1838, in Greene Co., Pa., and is the son of William and Hannah (Hartley) Wood. His parents both died in Isabella County. Mr. Wood re- mained under the home roof until he was of age, when he was married, and rented a farm in his native county, on which he lived five years. In February, 1864, he enlisted in the First W. Va. Cavalry, and remained in the service until the close of the war, receiving his discharge in the latter part of July, 1865. At the first engagement in which he was under fire, he was under Gen. Averill, near Winchester, in the Valley of the Shenandoah. He was also at the famous battle of Winchester. His command was attached to the corps of Gen. Custer, and later of Gen. Sheridan, and in the spring of 1865 was assigned to the Army of the Potomac, where the regiment was in action at Five Forks, and was pres- ent at the surrender of Gen. Lee.
His marriage to Martha J., daughter of David and Sarah (Boler) Leonard, took place Aug. 25, 1858. Mrs. Wood was born July 26, 1842, and the five sons and two daughters she has borne are all living. They were born in the following order : Thomas T., Nov. 17, 1860 ; Hiram L., Oct. 29, 1863 ; William W., Jan. 17, 1867 ; Hannah L., Oct. 7, 1869; James Edward, July 21, 1872 ; Henry H., Sept. 13, 1875 ; Mary Effie, Dec. 24, 1881.
Mr. Wood is one of the earliest settlers of the township in which he resides, locating upon his land at the same time with Rufus F. Glass, Nicholas
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Phillips and Asa Leonard. He has served one term as Supervisor and seven terms as Township Clerk.
During the 12 years in which he has been resident he has been engaged in the duties pertaining to the various school offices. Mr. and Mrs. Wood are both members of the Disciples 'Church.
charles E. Coon, farmer on section 12, Coe Township, is a son of Simeon B. and Clar- issa (Sanford) Coon, the former a native of Lodi, Dutchess Co., N. Y., and the latter of Wayne, Steuben Co., N. Y. The parents lived in the last mentioned place until 1844, when they came to Portland, Ionia County, this State. There were at that date few white settlers, and the numerous Indians roamed freely through their native forests. He died in that place Dec. 19, 1862, and she followed him Aug. 2, 1873. Their family includ- ed four sons and three daughters, the following six of whom grew to be adults: Charles E., Mary A., Annis, Catherine, Simeon and Fred.
The subject of this sketch, the eldest of the family, was born in Wayne, Steuben Co., N. Y., Nov. 4, 1834, and was ten years old when his parents came to Ionia County, this State. During his boyhood he had many interesting experiences with the Chippewa In- dians. At one time an Indian offered him 16 silver dollars for one pint of whisky, which young Coon de- clined to accept. He received the elements of an English education at the common schools of his neighborhood, and assisted his father on the farm as he grew to man's estate, until he was 27 years old. He then bought a 40-acre farm in Sebewa, Ionia County, which he worked, in connection with other pursuits for three years. Disposing of his Ionia Coun- ty interests, he came, in April, 1865, to Isabella County and bought 200 acres of wild land in Coe Township, on which he built a house and barn and set about clearing a farm. The result shows the re- ward of industry and intelligence. He has 125 acres in a state of high cultivation, and progress is seen in every quarter.
He was married at Watertown, Clinton Co., Mich., Aug. 28, 1863, to Temperance, daughter of Peter and Jane (Hazelton) Allen, natives of New Jersey and New York, in which latter State Mrs. Coon was also
born. Eight children have been added to the house- hold, five of whom survive: Clarissa S., Charles A., James E., Frank and Annis F. Frederick B., Lucy J. and Haryey L. died in infancy.
Mrs. C. is a member of the Baptist Church, while he inclines to the Universalist faith. In politics he has been a Republican, but now adheres to the tenets of the National party. He is a free-trader.
Mr. C. visited New York in June, 1878, and pur- chased the well known stallion " Bashaw, Junior" (sired by Greene's "Bashaw"), which has had a fa- mous record. He once trotted a mile in 2:32, after trotting ten heats. He was at one time purchased by Miss L. A. Gould (127 W. 41st Street, New York city), for $9,000. He is now in Aberdeen, Dak., in the possession of Levi Reid. He is the sire of some very fine horses in this county.
yugh Graham, farmer, section 15, Isabella Township, is a native of Canada, where, in Peel Co., Ont., he was born March 15, 1844. The father of Mr. Graham died when he, the son, was nine years old, and he lived with his mother, attending the common schools and aiding in her support, until he attained the age of 22 years. On arriving at this age he went to York Co., Can., and worked in the machine shop of Mr. John Abel, located at Woodbridge. He con- tinued in that vocation for four years and then re- turned to Peel County. After remaining in that county for a short period he came to this county and purchased 60 acres of wild land, on section 15, Isa- bella Township. This was in the fall of 1874, and the hand of improvement was hardly visible in the portion of the township in which he located. But 11 acres on his place had been chopped. He nevertheless had faith in the future development of the county, and with a firm determination to establish a perma- nent home for himself and family, he threw all his energy into the laborious though pleasant task of making a home; and of his original purchase of 60 acres, 45 acres are at the present time well in- proved; and he has erected thereon a stock and grain barn, together with other necessay buildings.
Mr. Graham was united in marriage Dec. 6, 1866, in York Co., Ont., to Miss Elizabeth Baldwin. She
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was born in Peel Co., Ont., Jan. 6, 1846, and is of English extraction. When ten years of age her par- ents moved to York County, where Elizabeth was reared and educated in the common schools, and where she lived until her marriage.
Mr. and Mrs. Graham have been the parents of three children, one of whom is deceased. The liv- iag are Hugh W., born March 29, 1869; and Emily C., March 5, 1878. Laura, born April 30, 1870, died Nov. 8, 1881. The father and mother are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. G., politically, is a Democrat. He has held the office of Township Clerk and Deputy Sheriff, and is a re- spected and esteemed citizen of his township.
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ohn Morrison, farmer on section 20, Chip- pewa Township, is a son of David and Cynthia (Dodge) Morrison, he a native of New York, and she of New England. They set- tled in Schenectady Co., N. Y., where he died May 6, 1838, and he Feb. 20, 1855. Their family numbered eight, John being the youngest.
He was born in Schenectady Co., N. Y., May 6, 1833, and remained with his parents until of age, al- ternately working on the farm and attending school. He attended both the common schools and a select school at Schenectady. Attaining the age of legal freedom, he worked out by the month from March to February, and returned home five days before his fa- ther's death. The latter had a life lease of his farm and had become badly involved by going security on notes, etc. John was appointed administrator of the estate, the duties pertaining to which office occupied him for a year and a half, during which time he car- ried on the farm. He then worked out for a year, and in March, 1858, came to Michigan, where he worked one season at carpentering, in Lenawee Coun- ty. In the fall of 1858 he rented a farm, but after putting in a crop of wheat he returned to Schnecta- dy Co., N. Y., for the winter. The following spring he came with his family to Lenawee County ; and af- ter seven years' renting he bought a farm in Seneca, that county. There he lived until May, 1882, when he left his farm in charge of his son, and came to this county, arriving on the 15th of that month. He
bought 280 acres in Chippewa Township, where he has since resided, having at present 120 acres under the plow.
He was married in Schenectady Co., N. Y., March 20, 1856, to Miss Alexina, daughter of John and Mary M. (Crossfield) Young, natives of Schenectady and Schoharie Counties. The parents settled in the form- er county, where the father died, in July, 1883. The mother survives. Mrs. Morrison was born in Duanes- burg, Schenectady County, April 28, 1833, and is the mother of three children : Wallwin J., born Feb. 5, 1858; Erwin D., Nov. 30, 1859; and Henry W., Dec. 22, 1861.
Mr. and Mrs. M. are prominent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he has been class-leader four years, Steward 11 years and Super- intendent of the Sunday-school five years. Mr. M. supports the Republican party, but is a strong tem- perance man and prohibitionist. He is now Deputy Township Clerk, Health Officer and School Inspec- tor.
afayette Oathout, farmer on section 19, Chippewa, is a son of Sands and Lurancy (Stewart) Oathout, natives of Chemung and Madison Cos., N. Y. The father died Oct. 23, 1882; the mother is a resident of this county, aged 74. Their family comprised four sons and four daughters, Lafayette being the youngest of the children.
He was born in Genesee Co., N. Y., Oct. 21, 1851, and at the age of 13 came with his parents to Isa- bella County. In the fall of 1874 he bought 40 acres in Chippewa Township, where he has since resided. He has added 40 acres to his first 40, and now has 60 acres under cultivation.
He was married in Chippewa Township, Dec. 10, 1876, to Miss Ella, daughter of Joel and Henrietta (Claywell) Thatcher, natives of Vermont and Penn- sylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Thatcher came to Gratiot County, this State, about 1858, and six years later settled in Lincoln Township, this county, where they now reside. Mrs. Oathout was born in Gratiot County, June 1, 1859. She and her husband are the parents of three daughters,-Florence A., Grace M. aud Helen J. Politically, Mr. O. is a Republican. -
G. N . Sanjorat
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Mr. O.'s mother has been a member of the Presby- terian Church since 18 years of age.
Mr. Oathout's older brother, Elliot D., was a mem- ber of Co. K, Eighth Mich. Vol. Inf., was taken a prisoner of war by Forrest's men, and starved to death at Andersonville.
sharles W. Richardson, of the firm of Allyn & Co., dealers in dry goods, gro- ceries, etc., Dushville, was a son of Asa P. and Jane (Staples) Richardson. The fa- ther was born in the State of Vermont, April 29, 1797. He followed the occupation of farming and lumbering, in the State of Maine, win- ters, and occupied his time summers in exploring land in that State. Living there until 1851, he moved to Ohio and located on a farm in Lorain County. He lived there for two years and then moved to Wood County, same State, where he fol- lowed the same vocation for seven or eight years. In 1870 he came to this county and located, with his son, on section 19, Fremont Township. He after- ward lived with his children until his death, March 30, 1879. The mother was born in the State of Maine, June 25, 1806, and is yet living, with her son, at the advanced age of 77 years. They were the parents of 12 children, four of whom are living in Ohio and eight in this State.
Charles W., the subject of this biographical notice, was born Dec. 3, 1845, in Franklin Co., Maine. He remained under his parental care, attending the com- mon schools and assisting his father on the farm, until he attained the age of 18 years. On reaching this age in life he enlisted in Co. G, roth Ohio Vol. Cav. His command was under Kilpatrick and did gallant service for the Union. He participated in all the battles in which his company was engaged, prominent among them being Ringgold and Resaca. The company participated in many minor engage- ments and skirmishes and Mr. R. passed through them all without receiving any serious wounds. His regiment was finally discharged at Lexington, N. C., Aug. 24, 1865, and he returned to the home of his parents in Wood Co., Ohio. During that year he was united in marriage to Miss Eliza, daughter of Theo- dore and Catharine Inman. Her father was born in
New Jersey, in 1831, and her mother in Buffalo, N. Y., in 1834. The daughter was born Feb. 1, 1853, in Sandusky Co., Ohio.
Mr. Richardson came to this county in 1870 and located on 40 acres of wild land. He has since in- creased his acreage to 200, and, disposing of a por- tion, now owns 120 acres, a goodly portion of which is in a fine state of cultivation. He has also a half interest in a store at Dushville, and a half interest in a branch store at Two Rivers.
When Mr. Richardson first came to this county he was scarcely worth $25, all told, and yet by con- tinual and laborious exertion he has secured a com- petency, and around his hearthstone content sits in the lap of plenty. He and his wife are the parents of five children, four girls and one boy, namely : Fannie M., Mary E., Lura B., Alta M. and Orrin H.
Mr. Richardson politically is a believer in and supporter of the principles of the Republican party. He has held several offices of trust in the township and school district in which he lives, and is a re- spected and esteemed citizen thereof.
eorge H. Sanford, general farmer, section 17, Lincoln Township, was born in Portage Township, Allegany Co., N. Y., Sept. 1, 1832 ; was three years of age when the family came to this state and settled in Liberty Town- ship, Jackson County, on a farm, in pioneer times. Here the subject of this sketch grew to man- hood, as a farmer.
April 14, 1853, he married Miss Elizabeth R. Begel, who was born in Howard Township, Steuben Co., N. Y., Dec. 25, 1832. When she was two years old her people moved to Hanover Township, Jackson Co., Mich., where she lived until her marriage, re- ceiving a common-school education, and teaching school from the age of 16 to 20, the time of her mar- riage. The children of Mr. and Mrs. S. are, Clar- ence F., born Oct. 24, 1854; Herbert A., March 18, 1860; and Fred C., June 11, 1864. The eldest, a deaf mute, graduated at the Asylum for the Deaf and Dumb at Flint, Mich., June 30, 1870. The other two are students at Hillsdale (Mich.) College, con- templating graduation at the State University at Ann Arbor after completing their course at Hillsdale.
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A year after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Sanford located on a farm of r50 acres in Moscow Township, Hillsdale County, a farm given him by his father; and four years afterward they returned to Jackson County, and eight years still later they moved to Flint, in order to give their son an education at the State institution there. While residing in that city, Mr. Sanford was engaged in insurance, real estate, lumber and lending money. In the spring of 1870 he came to this county and located 400 acres of timber land, on sections 16, 17 and 20, Lincoln Township. He then owned also 1,000 acres of pine land in other parts of the State. His land property at present com- prises 440 acres at his homestead, 280 of pine land in Sheridan Township, Clare Co., Mich., and 40 in an- other part of the same county. Of his homestead, 200 acres are well improved.
Mr. Sanford is a reliable and leading Democrat, has held the office of Township Clerk one year, and other offices.
In presenting Mr. Sanford's likeness on a previous page, we record permanently the features of a sub- stantial farmer and a worthy citizen.
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yexter F. Arnold, resident at Mt. Pleas- ant, was born April 15, 1862, in the village where he has grown to manhood. He is the son of Irving E. and Adelaide (Ferris) Arnold, and was the first child born within the present limits of Mt. Pleasant. (See sketch of Irving E. Arnold.)
Mr. Arnold secured all the advantages of the com- mon schools of his native place, and at 17 was placed in the High School at Saginaw City, where he was a pupil 18 months. On his return to his native place he entered the abstract office of W. N. Brown, becoming silent partner. He remained in that con- nection until the spring of 1882, when he formed a partnership with Fred Russell in the transaction of insurance business. The firm sold their business during the following winter to Hopkins & Lyon, and Mr. Arnold taught school one term at Sherman City. He engaged in the same business the same length of time, in district No. 5, in Coldwater Township, in the vicinity of Sherman City. His next engagement was in the office of Hopkins & Lyon, where he re-
mained in active duty until September, 1883. His present position is with W. I. Cutler, in his real-estate and abstract business. Politically, Mr. Arnold is a Democrat. He is the present Clerk of the village of Mt. Pleasant, having been elected in the spring of 1884.
ansom Kyes, farmer on section 6, Coe Township, is a son of James and Cassan- dana (Williams) Kyes (see sketch of Chauncey Kyes), and was born in Livings- ton Co., N. Y., Oct. 27, 1827. He was but three years old when the family came to the Peninsular State, and he lived with 'his parents un- til 18 years of age. He received a rudimentary English education, and was for one season employed as fireman on a lake steamer. During the two years following, he was engaged in a hotel at Parma, Jack- son Co., Mich. He rented a farm for two years in Calhoun County, at the expiration of which time he bought a small farm in the same county. Three years later, he sold, and in April, 1855, he came to Isabella County and purchased 200 acres in Coe Township. On this, his present residence, he settled with his family the following May, and his home has been there continuously except five years, when he lived at Mt. Pleasant, as Sheriff of the county. He now owns 180 acres of land, of which 150 are in an advanced state of cultivation.
Aug. 12, 1849, in Jackson Co., Mich., he was united in marriage with Harriet, daughter of Ezekiel and Margaret (Gillett) Livingston, natives of the State of New York. Mr. and Mrs. Livingston moved to Michigan in an early day, settling in Jack- son County, where he died, in August, 1844. She afterwards removed to Gratiot County, and died in January, 1863. Mrs. Kyes was born in Schoharie Co., N. Y., Oct. 14, 1827, and she and her husband have been the parents of seven children, three of whom survive,-Benj. F., Douglass L. and L D. The four deceased are Charles, Josephine, Lillie Dell and Hattie.
Mr. K. was elected Sheriff of Isabella County in 1866, and held the office four years. He has also been Constable and Road Commissioner, and has
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held the various school offices of his district. l'oliti- cally he supports the National party.
In September, 1864, he enlisted in the roth Mich. Cav., and served till the close of the war, when he was honorably discharged at Knoxville, Tenn. He fought at Strawberry Plain, Tenn., Henry Court- House and High Point, N. C., and in numerous skirmishes.
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eorge Murtha, farmer on section 9, Coe Township, was born in Ionia Co., Mich., Jan. 20, 1849, and is the son of Patrick and Ann (Hoy) Murtha, natives of Ireland. (See sketch of S. P. Murtha.) He received a com- mon-school education, coming to this county with his parents when seven years old. He has re- sided in Coe Township, and owns 40 acres of land, 28 of which are under cultivation.
He was married in Chippewa Township, this county, July 1, 1876, to Maria, daughter of Henry and Eliza (Wickham) Struble, natives of Coe Town- ship. Mrs. Murtha was born in Williams Co., Ohio, Nov. 14, 1858, and is the mother of three children,- Mabel N., Winnifred and Leslie.
Politically, Mr. M. is a worker in the ranks of the Democratic party.
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olomon Wolfe, farmer on section 34, Chip- pewa Tp., is a son of Henry and Susanna (Bigley) Wolfe, natives of Pennsylvania, where the father died, Feb. 27, 1862. The mother resides in Gratiot Co., Mich. Solomon was born in Clarion Co., Pa., Nov. 17, 1837, and received but little schooling. He has a good practi- cal education, gained by observation and experience. He lived at home until 32 years of age, with the ex- ception of the time spent in the army.
He enlisted Aug. 7, 1861, in the Eighth Mich. Vol. Inf., and served till October, 1862. He was present at the capture of Fort Pulaski, Seabrook Ferry and James Island. At the last named engagement his skull was fractured by a rifle shot, and the same day his left leg was broken just above the knee by a
minie ball, which was never extracted. In conse .. quence of these wounds he was honorably discharged.
Returning then to Gratiot County, this State, in 1867 he bought 80 acres in Chippewa Township, where he now has 35 acres improved.
He was married in Pine River, Gratiot County, June 17, 1868, to Julia A., daughter of Amos and Matilda Johnson, natives of Nova Scotia. Mr. John- son resides now in Gratiot County, but Mrs. J. is de- ceased. Mrs. Wolfe was born in Canada. To her and her husband seven children have been born : Mary E., Frederick W., Ximonia R., Foster W., Fan- cier W., Nina R. and Martha I ..
Mr. Wolfe is a Republican, is a member of Ralph Ely Post, G. A. R., and belongs to the F. & A. M.
illiam E. Ward, of the firm of C. A. & W. E. Ward, general merchants at Mt. Pleas- ant, was born Sept. 15, 1849, in Clyde, Wayne Co., N. Y. His parents, Chester A. and Caroline D. (Young) Ward, removed to the city of New York when he was but a boy, where they resided about five years. They after- wards came, in 1858, to Burr Oak, St. Joseph Co, Mich., and remained until the fall of 1867. The son spent his boyhood years in attending school, and at 13 years of age began to aid his father as a clerk in his store, where he was thus occupied about two years. His next engagement was in the postoffice and express office, where he was employed over a year. He spent some years operating as a clerk for various persons, and in the fall of 1867 he went to St. Francis Co., Mo., as clerk in the store of a New York mining company, who were interested in the St. Joseph lead mines in that county. He served as a salesman in their store about a year, when he took charge of a gang of men who were employed in the sieving department, engaged in separating the metal from the ore. This engagement lasted about a year, when he returned to Burr Oak, and went thence soon after to Branch County, where he en- gaged as a clerk at Coldwater. He returned a year later to Burr Oak and not long after proceeded to Cleveland, Ohio. He found employ in the dry and fancy goods store of Hower & Higbee of that city, where he operated several months. He went thence
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to Hamilton, Can., where he spent 14 months in busi- ness for himself. His next remove was to Stanton, Montcalm County, this State, where he again engaged as a salesman and operated in that capacity between two and three years. He turned his attention next to the business of a lumber inspector and scaler, in which he was occupied two years. In 1879 he went to Blanchard, Isabella County, and associated with his father in the management of a grocery and pro- vision store. In June, 1880, they came to Mt. Pleasant, and, in company with Christopher Chrysler, opened the business in which he and his father are now engaged. Mr. Chrysler terminated his connec- tion with the concern after about four months, when the firm style became C. A. & W. E. Ward. Their business, though of recent establishment, is already thriving and popular.
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