USA > Michigan > Isabella County > Portrait and biographical album of Isabella county, Mich., containing portraits and biographical sketches > Part 44
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The parents are zealous members of the Disci- ples' Church.
esley J. Winter, farmer, section 36, Deer- field Township, was born Dec. 30, 1840, in Norfolk, Canada West. His father, William Winter, was also a native of the "Dominion," and died in 1882. Of the 13 children in his family, eight are now living.
When 23 years of age, Wesley came to this county, and for the first few years worked in lumber camps. In 1873 he purchased 40 acres of land, to which he has since added by purchase 40 acres more. Here he has improved 45 acres, and has the am- bition to continue until he has completed a good home.
June 16, 1867, in Union Township, this county, Mr. Winter was married to Mrs. Helen J., daughter of John M. Hursh, the first settler in that township, who died Nov. 27, 1877 ; her mother is still living, in Mt. Pleasant. Mr. W. is a native of New Jersey. In this family have been born eight children, seven
of whom are now living, namely: John Wesley, born Sept. 6, 1868; Richard Asa, Dec. 5, 1870 ; Sterling Asa, July 23, 1873; Hugh Oliver, Nov. 28, 1875 ; Helen Elizabeth, March 4, 1877 ; Paul Emer- son, Oct. 3, 1880 ; Esther Mabel, May 20, 1883 ; and Charles Ernest, born Dec. 22, 1878, died April 14, 1880.
Mr. Winter has been Commissioner of Highways two terms (first in the township), Moderator three and School Assessor five years.
ndrew Jackson, farmer on section 21, Coe Township, is a son of Joseph B. and Han- nah (Hagerman) Jackson, natives of the State of New York. The parents lived in the Empire State until the mother's death, in 1833. He afterwards came to Livingston Co., Mich., where he died about 1863.
The subject of this biography was born in Seneca Co., N. Y., March 4, 1823, and at the age of 10 mov- ed with his parents to Genesee County, same State. Four years later he came with his father to the Pen- insular State. In 1857 he came to East Saginaw, where he followed teaming 13 years. Next, he lived four years in Pontiac, and in December, 1874, he came to Isabella County and bought 40 acres in Coe Township, where he now resides, with about 29 acres cultivated.
He was first married in Livingston Co., Mich., Sept. 3, 1846, to Rosanna McLaughlin, who was born in the State of New York, Aug. 12, 1825. To this marriage have been born seven children, four of whom survive: Mary, Jennie, Theodore and Fan- nie. The deceased are Dillis D. (drowned in Sagi- naw River Jan. 28, 1870), Charles and Ellen. Mrs. J. dying May 22, 1869, Mr. J. was again married, in Saginaw, Mich., Jan. 6, 1870, to Esther E., daughter of Samuel and Angeline (Newcomb) Bishop, and widow of A. G. Lipscomb, who died in 1870. She was born in New Brunswick, March 4, 1824, and has six children by her first marriage : Sarah A., Rinaldo D., Amanda E., Ryerson C., Theresa V. and Araman- tha M.
Mr. and Mrs. J. are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Politically, Mr. Jackson votes the Democratic ticket.
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Edward Bellingas
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eorge House, farmer, section 4, Isabella Township, is a native of England, where, in Somersetshire, he was born Dec. 11, 1828. The parents of our subject were William and Sarah (Stower) House, natives of England and of pure English extraction. His father fol- lowed the occupation of a baker in that country and there died. His mother also died in her native country, in January, 1864.
George was only ten years of age when his father died, and remained under the care of his mother until he attained the age of 16 years. At this age he en- tered the mercantile business, which he continued, with a moderate degree of success, until he attained the age of 24 years, living by himself and keeping " bach."
May 6, 1852, in his native county, Mr. House was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Chancellor, a daughter of William and Mary (Stower) Chancellor, natives of England, of pure English ancestry, and both died in their native country. Elizabeth was born in Walton, Somersetshire, Eng., Jan. 29, 1836, and lived at home in her native town until her mar- riage, as stated. She received the advantages afforded by the common schools of her native country, and ac- quired a good English education.
After his marriage, Mr. House followed the occu- pation of farming in Somersetshire, Eng., and con- tinued that vocation with a fair degree of success until 1869. In the spring of that year he came to the New World and located in Wellington Co., Can. He remained there for a period of one year, when he removed to York Co., Ont., and there followed the vocation of farming for five years.
Mr. House, at the expiration of the time stated, came to Monroe County, this State, and purchased 265 acres of land in that county, and entered on the laborious though pleasant task of improving it. He farmed this land until the year 1879, and then sold it and came to this county and purchased 160 acres on section 4, Isabella Township. He brought his family, consisting of himself and wife and ten chil- dren, and settled on his newly purchased land and began the improvement of a home in the then wilder- ness. There were only three acres of this land from
which the trees had been chopped, and yet with such a combined determination did they one and all enter on the task of clearing and improving the homestead that to-day 90 of the 160 acres are in a good state of cultivation.
Mr. and Mrs. House are the parents of ten chil- dren, born and named as follows: Alexander J. G., born in England, May 15, 1859; Sarah A. S., born in England, Dec. 28, 1860; James George, born in England, Aug. 12, 1862; Henry George, born in England, June 8, 1864; Ferdinand George, born in England, May 6, 1866; Mary C., born in England, Feb. 29, 1868; Eustace George, born in Canada, June 9, 1869; Elizabeth M., born in Canada, Feb. 7, 1872; Emily A., born in Canada; and George, born in Monroe Co., Mich., July 6, 1876. The father and mother are both members of the Close-Communion Baptist Church, and eight of their children are of the same belief. Mr. H. has occupied the position of Deacon in the Church for considerable time.
Mr. House politically is a supporter of and believer in the principles of the Republican party, and has held minor offices in his township. He is one of the representative and progressive men of his township and has met with signal success in his vocation. His family are all industrious, energetic and hard- working, and true representatives of the progressive element of the county.
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ark F. Fasquelle, M. D., physician and surgeon at Mt. Pleasant, was born Oct. 18, 1840, in Detroit. He is a son of the well-known Louis J. Fasquelle, late Pro- fessor of Modern Languages in the University of Michigan. Professor Fasquelle was born in Guinnes, France, in 1808. He was thoroughly edu- cated and studied medicine, but never became a practitioner. He went to England, where he was engaged in teaching, and in 1833 he came to America. He settled in Detroit for a short time, going thence to the vicinity of Pinckney, Livingston Co., Mich., where he purchased a large tract of land, comprising nearly 1,000 acres. He remained there until 1846, when he accepted the Chair of Modern Languages in the University at Ann Arbor, which he continued to hold until his death, which occurred
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Oct. 1, 1862. Professor Fasquelle was married in England to Grace Whiddon, a native of Barnstable, where she was born in 1810. She died at Ann Arbor, in March, 1876.
The family of Professor Fasquelle included four children : Louis W., a physician at St. John's, Clin- ton Co., Mich .; Caroline M., the wife of Alfred Hennequin, Assistant Professor of French at the University of Michigan; and Frances E., a resident of Ann Arbor.
Professor Fasquelle attained permanent distinction through his series of French text books which have been standard works for more than 30 years, and their excellence is fully attested by the fact that they are still in use in many leading educational institu- tions, notwithstanding modern innovations. He was technically conversant with 72 languages and dia- lects. " Fasquelle's French Course " was published in 1850, followed successively by "Telemaque," "Napoleon," " Racine," " Colloquial French Reader," " Juvenile Grammar " and the "The Key to the French Course." His works were published by Newman & Ivison, and afterwards by the successors to that house. Professor Fasquelle was buried in Forest Hill Cemetery at Ann Arbor. No finer tribute to the merits of his methods of instruction could be offered than that afforded by the adoption of the " French Course" in the training of the primary classes in the Chautauqua School of Languages, a movement which establishes their value beyond cavil.
Dr. Fasquelle, the subject of this biography, was educated at Ann Arbor, matriculating at the Uni- versity in 1856, and completed his studies in the classical course in 1860. In 1862 the second degree-Master of Arts-was conferred upon him. During the year 1861-2 he studied in the Medical Department of the same institution. Meanwhile he purchased 160 acres of land in Lodi, in Washte- naw County, where he resided until the spring of 1866. He sold his farm and came to St. John's, Clinton County, and established a shoe store under the firm style of Fasquelle & Wells. The partner- ship soon terminated, and Mr. Fasquelle operated singly until the summer of 1869, when he returned to Ann Arbor. In the fall of 1870 he resumed study in the Medical Department of the University, where he was graduated in the spring of 1872. Heopened an office in the city of Ann Arbor, where he practiced
his profession a few months. On the first of Jan- uary, 1873, he came to Mt. Pleasant and established himself in practice in company with Dr. Miller. Four months later he opened an office independ- ently and has continued to conduct the business of his profession with steady and growing success, his field of operation including a large portion of Isabella and adjoining counties. Dr. Fasquelle is a member of the State Medical Society of Michigan and belongs to the National Health Association.
He was married March 21, 1863, in Ann Arbor, to Julia F., daughter of Seth and Amelia Smith. She was born Feb. 8, 1841, in Connecticut. Grace A., only child, was born May 17, 1869, at St. John's, Clinton County.
In presenting the portrait of Dr. Fasquelle, the publishers of this work take more than ordinary satisfaction. He is a worthy son of an honorable sire,-one whose best work is a part of the peerless educational history of Michigan. The private and professional record of him who represents a name which the world of learning delights to honor, is such as to reflect luster on these pages.
Pyrenus Kinter, retired farmer, living on section 11, Lincoln Township, and one of the representative self-made men of the coun- ty, was born in Genesee Co., N. Y., March 16 1812.
The parents of Cyrenus, Barney and Orril (Thomp- son) Kinter, were of German and Connecticut parent- age. The father was killed in the battle at Black Rock in the war of 1812, and the mother died the year previous.
At the time of the death of his father, Cyrenus was but two or three years old, and was the eldest of two children, brothers. Thus, at an early age he was bereft of father and mother, and thrown on the charity of foster parents. His foster father was a Mr. Peter Powers, and our subject remained in his family until he attained the age of 25 years. Mr. Powers died when our subject was 16 years of age, and Mr. K., being obliged to work toward the support of the family, was debarred from seizing the opportu- nities afforded by the common schools, and only ob-
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tained such education as his leisure moments enabled him.
When Mr. Kinter left the Powers home he came direct to this State and settled on a piece of land in Eaton County, which he had purchased in 1836. He lived on this land about 20 years and improved 60 acres of the 130-acre tract. "Hope" brought him to the State, " Faith " kept him here, and earnest Effort, "the mother of success ," crowned his labors ; but his " roses ," planted in the establishing of his home in this then wilderness, grew not without thorns. He experienced all the trials and difficulties of the early pioneer and yet, being endowed with that energy and perseverance which are so essential to success, he conquered them all, and looking from the present to the past he contemplates the pleasure and happiness which honest effort has accomplished.
In 1859 Mr. Kinter came to this county, and made an exchange of his property in Eaton County, for 320 acres on section 8, Coe Township. This trade was made with Mr. Eben Stewart, and before the organ- ization of the county, and while it was in its wild state. At this time Coe Township embraced the en- tire county. This was just prior to his establishing the Indian Mills near the present city of Mt. Pleas- ant. ard he usually went to St. John's and other dis- tant towns for his supplies.
Mr. K. entered upon the improvement of this land, and, although "clouds of difficulty obscured his star of prosperity ," he relied on his faith and brought all his energy to bear upon his enterprises, and nobly fought the vicissitudes which accompanied him and sits to- day in the sunshine of happiness and plenty.
Mr. K. gave one of his sons 80 acres of land and another 120 acres, equalizing the difference with a moneyed consideration.
In 1882 Mr. Kinter sold the remaining 120 acres in Coe Township to his youngest son, and purchased 40 acres on section 11, Lincoln Township, on which he and the sharer of his toils and trials in the past have settled for a life-time in the enjoyment of the comforts surrounding them.
Mr. Kinter was united in marriage, April 11, 1839, with Miss Jane Lee. She was born near Chenoa, McLean Co., Ill., Dec. 1, 1819. Her parents were Henry and Betsy (Meech) Lee, natives of New York and of Irish descent. The father was a farmer by occupation and moved into Illinois prior to its being
admitted as a State, and settled near Chenoa, in McLean County. Here Mrs. K. was reared and educated. Her " palace " school-room had " mother earth " for a floor, and the open door for a window. The scholars studied their lessons on the " loud " plan, and the louder they studied the more they were sup- posed to learn. When she was 18 years of age, her parents came to this State and settled in Ingham County, and they were the third family to settle in the county. Mrs. Kinter's life has been spent in true pioneer style. She was born in the pioneer days of McLean Co., Ill., and spent her girlhood among the first settlers of that county. Coming to Ingham Co., this State, she spent her womanhood among its ear- ly pioneers ; and even now, while enjoying the com- forts of plenty, she looks back upon the past with many pleasant recollections.
Mr. and Mrs. K. are the father and mother of three children : William H., born Nov. 21, 1842, married Emily White, and is the present proprietor of the hotel at Salt River ; James M., born Aug. 1, 1844, married Miss Clara McFarren, and now resides in Coe Town- ship, this county ; Mary J., born Nov. 9, 1841, died Feb. II, 1865.
Mrs. K. is identified with the Regular Baptist Church.
Mr. K. is a Republican in politics, and has been honored with the office of Highway Commissioner, Justice of the Peace, and other minor offices of his Township.
ohn Yarnell, farmer on section 22, Coe Township, is a son of Jesse and Elizabeth (Schneider) Yarnell, natives of Pennsyl- vania, and was born in the Keystone State, April 22, 1832. He received an elementary education in private schools, and at the age of 17 engaged to learn the carpenter and joiner's trade, at which he has since worked, in connection with farming. He has built 58 barns and 20 houses.
He remained in Pennsylvania until the spring of 1876, when he came to Isabella County, and bought 40 acres in Coe Township. He has of this 30 acres improved.
He was married in Crawford Co., Pa., March 2, 1853. to Sarah, daughter of George and Margaret
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(Helmholtz) Hollabaugh, natives of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Y. was born in the Keystone State, in February, 1834. She and her husband have had nine children, seven of whom survive: Mary A., William H., Mar- garet J., George W., Ellen, Emma E. and Ida R. The two others died in infancy.
Mr. Y. is politically a National. He and wife are members of the United Brethren Church.
ichael Dalton, farmer on section 13, Ver- non Township, was born in Ireland, in August, 1845, and lost his father when three years old. Five years later he came to America with his mother. For ten years he lived in Ontario, and then, having become an orphan, he went to Pennsylvania. He worked in the mines and woods in Mckean and Elk Counties one year, and was then employed for five years in the woods of Minnesota. Next, he followed farming for six years in the Red River Valley. In December, 1878, he came to Michigan and bought 160 acres on sec- tion 13, Vernon, partly improved.
He was married Jan 7, 1874, to Miss Catherine Purkill, who was born in Ontario, in March, 1856. She is the mother of five children, as follows : John H., born April 22, 1875 ; James E., Jan. 29, 1877; Frank D., June 4, 1879; Edwin M., Nov. 22, 1883; and one which died in infancy.
Mr. Dalton is a Republican, and is present School Treasurer. He and wife are Catholics.
illiam H. Wonch, farmer on section 9, Coe Township, is a son of Francis and Catha- rine (Campbell) Wonch. The father was born in St. Catharine's, Canada, and the mo- ther was also a native of Canada. They re- sided in that Dominion until her death, which occurred Aug. 2, 1860. The father then came to Sanilac County, this State, and thence to Isabella County, where he lived 10 years. He then went to Saginaw, where he died, in 1882. Their family com- prised four sons and five daughters, William H. be- ing the eldest one of the nine.
He was born at St. Charles, Can., July 30, 1833,
and resided in Canada until 21, attending the district school and working on the farm. In the fall of 1854 he came to this county and took up 200 acres of Government land on sections 21 and 22, Coe Town- ship. This land he did not occupy, however, and eight years later he sold it. He returned to Canada soon after his first visit to Isabella County, but not permanently. He soon came once more to this county, and bought 80 acres on section 13, to which he has since added 80 acres on section 9. He has in all 80 acres improved.
He was married in Canada, July 2, 1860, to Melinda, daughter of Robert and Christine (Wago- ner) Nutt, natives of America and Germany respect- ively. Mr. and Mrs. Nutt lived several years after their marriage in the State of New York, and then removed to East Missouri, Oxford Co., where they lived until their death. He died July 13, 1865, and she Nov. 22, 1873. Mrs. Wonch was born in Can- ada, Aug. 23, 1837. Eight children born to Mr. and Mrs. W. survive : Robert H., William A., Anna M., Francis B, Alice M., Luman L., George W. and Howard E.
The parents are members of the Methodist Epis- copal Church. Mr. W. is politically a Republican.
on. John W. Hance, Senator from the 24th District of Michigan, was born Aug. 2, 1848, at Marengo, Morrow Co., Ohio. His paternal ancestors were German Quakers, who settled at an early period of the history of America in New Jersey. His father, Adam Hance, was born in Knox Co., Ohio, in February, 18-, there attained to man's estate and married Mary A. Morrison. She is a native of the Buckeye State and descended from Welsh ancestors. Five sons and a daughter (now de- ceased) constituted the issue of this union. In 1863 the family removed to Michigan and settled in Isa- bella County, where they became identified with the agricultural element. The sons are all practical farmers and landholders in this county.
Mr. Hance is the third son of his parents. He had fair educational advantages in his native State and developed rapidly, in early youth, in mental
Billings Walton
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growth. He grew up under the influences of the period of "storm and stress" which preceded the civil war. Morrow County lay in the direct route of the refugees from Southern bondage, and the father and grandfather of Mr. Hance were agents of one of the stations of the " Underground Railroad.' That scene in " Uncle Tom's Cabin " which portrays with inimitable power the depth of feeling and hatred of oppression in the breasts of those who lent every as- sistance to the fleeing victims of the slave element, was a daily repetition under his observation, and im- bued him with the earnestness of purpose and de- cision of character which are his predominating traits. He passed the years of his minority in the discharge of the duties pertaining to his nonage, and at the expiration of that period engaged in teaching, which vocation he followed six years. The char- acter of the work he performed in the sparsely peo- pled districts where he labored, made his value known to the leading men of Isabella County, and to his faithful and laborious as well as able efforts, he owes the position to which he attained in the early years of his manhood. In January, 1875, he entered upon the duties of Deputy County Clerk and Register of Deeds, to which position he had been appointed by Joel C. Graves, who had been elected to that two-fold office in the fall of 1874. The circum- stances of the appointment of Mr. Hance possess a curious interest. He made a visit to Mt. Pleasant previous to the commencement of another term of school, for which he had engaged. Chance threw him in the way of Mr. Graves, to whom he was in- troduced by a mutual friend. Mr. Graves remarked : " I am glad to see you, and I am reminded that 1 had a singular dream last night, in which I was offi- ciating in the duties of the office to which I have been elected, with you as my deputy ; and I propose to make it reality, by tendering you the appoint- ment." Mr. Hance accepted the offer and hastened to release himself from his engagement. In 1876 he was elected to succeed Mr. Graves, who removed to Brownsville, Col., and in 1878 was again elected.
In the fall of 1882 he was placed in nomination on the Republican ticket for Senator from this Dis- trict, which includes Isabella, Gratiot, Midland and Clare Counties. He made a most gratifying run, re- ceiving a majority of 700 votes over the Fusion can- didate. He did effective service in behalf of local
and 'general interests, and was Chairman of Com- mittee on State Public School. He was also mem- ber of Committees on Canals and River and Harbor Improvements, on Banks and Incorporations, and on Federal Relations. Among the important bills intro- duced by Mr. Hance was that which constituted the office of State Agent for the Public School at Cold- water, a measure whose practical benefit has already proven the wisdom of its instigators.
On his removal to Mt. Pleasant Mr. Hance in- terested himself in transactions in real-estate and in lumber traffic, continuing the management of his farm of 160 acres of land, adjoining the village. He has continued his operations in those avenues until he has largely extended his connections and scope, and is one of the substantial and prominent business men of the county. Associated with Mr. Devereaux, in 1883 he built one of the largest and finest brick blocks in Mt. Pleasant. It is 45 x 90 feet in size, two stories above the basement, and is utilized as stores and offices. He is one of the stockholders in the banking house of Brown, Harris & Co., at Mt. Pleasant.
ohn B. Walton (deceased), late farmer on section 4, Coe Township, was born in Ma- comb Co., Mich., Nov. 30, 1833. Losing his mother when quite young, he remained with his father six years longer, and then for ten years he worked at farming by the month. In the fall of 1855 he came to Isabella County and took up 160 acres under the Graduation Act. He built a log shanty and began clearing his land. "keeping bach " for three years.
He was married Jan. 10, 1858, to Miss Artemisia, daughter of Frederick and Anna (Watkins) Blount, natives of the State of New York. Mrs. Walton was born in Troy, Oakland Co., Mich., Dec. 31, 1834, and is the mother of six children, as follows : Mina, born Sept. 16, 1860 (wife of Miles Abbott, and mother of one child, llazel, born Jan. 23, 1884); }'red, April 8, 1862 (married to Lillian Vining, and father of one daughter, Mina, born June 12, 1882); Perry, July 26, 1866; Charles, Dec. 15, 1868; Frank, June 2, 1874: Willard, July 15, 1878.
Mr. W. disposed of 80 acres of his farm, and at
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the time of his death, June 15, 1879, the entire 80 acres remaining had been reduced to a system of scientific tillage. He was a man who stood excep- tionally high in his community. He was for three years Road Commissioner.
We take pleasure in presenting Mr. Walton's por- trait to our readers, on a previous page.
Seott Partridge, cashier in the banking house of Hicks, Bennett & Co., at Mt. Pleasant, was born Oct. 6, 1851, in Pratts- burg Township, Steuben Co, N. Y. His fa- ther, D). Scott Partridge, M. D., was a graduate of Geneva (N. Y.) College, and a physician of marked ability, with every promise of a successful career in his practice; but his death, almost at the beginning of his life of active usefulness, alike put an end to his prospects and the hopes of his friends. He died July 22, 1851, aged 24 years. The mother, Fanny (Weld) Partridge, was next to the youngest in the order of birth in a family of 14 children. She is a native of Steuben Co., N. Y., and resides at "Blood's," a vil- age in that county situated on the Rochester Divis- ion of the Erie Railroad.
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