USA > Michigan > Isabella County > Portrait and biographical album of Isabella county, Mich., containing portraits and biographical sketches > Part 47
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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
Mr. Crego was united in marriage, March 13, 1879, with Miss Caroline McGregor. She was a daughter of Hamilton and Eliza (Hazlett) McGregor, natives of New York, and of Scotch and English extraction. They are at present residents of Fremont Township, this county. Caroline was born in Ontario Co., N. Y., Aug. 12, 1857. She came to this State when 12 years of age, and has since lived in Hillsdale and Isabella Counties. She acquired a good education at the common and public schools and taught two terms previous to her marriage.
Mr. and Mrs. Crego are the parents of one child, Ida A., born June 21, 1881. Mr. C. at present is Chairman of the Board of School Inspectors and Highway Commissioner for his township, as well as a member of the Executive Board of the County
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Agricultural Society and General Superintendent for this year. In politics he affiliates with the Repub- lican party.
The portrait of Mr. Crego, on a preceding page, will be considered a necessary addition to our collec- tion in this work.
ames Wilsey (deceased), late farmer on section 17, Coe Township, was born in Dutchess Co., N. Y., Nov. 22, 1811, and was a son of Conrad and Polly Wilsey, natives of the State of New York. He lived in the Empire State until 1845, then came to Jackson County, this State, and rented different farms for about nine years, in Jackson and Washtenaw Coun- ties. In October, 1854, he came to Isabella County and took up 160 acres under the Graduation Act. He at once began to clear the same, and at the time cf his death had about 40 acres under cultivation.
He was married in Jackson Co., Mich., to Lydia, daughter of John and Mary (Craig) Childs. (See sketch of A. F. Childs.) Mrs. Wilsey was born in Medina, N. Y., Aug. 12, 1821. Amos, Hoffman and Lester are the three children added to the family circle.
Mr. Wilsey was a prominent and popular man. He was Probate Judge of this county two terms, Supervisor of Coe Township two years, and Highway Commissioner four years. He was an ardent Demo- crat in his political views. He belonged to the Dis- ciples' Church, to which organization Mrs. W. also adheres.
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harles P. Jeffords, of the firm of Jeffords & Whitney, manufacturers of sash, doors and blinds, all kinds of building material and novelties, Mt. Pleasant, was born in Niagara Co., N. Y., Sept. 27, 1845, and is the son of Horace and Clarissa (Partridge) Jeffords.
He was reared on his father's farm, attending school winters; and when less than 17 years old, Aug. 21, 1862, he enlisted as a private in Battery M, First N. Y. Light Art. He served until June 23,
1865. Besides skirmishes, he fought in about 15 regular engagements, among them being Chancellors- ville, Antietam and Gettysburg. In the fall of 1863 he was transferred to the Southwestern Army, and fought at Lookout Mountain, Resaca, Peach-tree Creek, Atlanta, Savannah and other places with Sherman's army. He was taken prisoner at Fayette- ville, N. C., and sent to the Libby at Richmond, Va. Thence, after 30 days, he was paroled, and he then went home on 30 days' furlough. Rejoining his battery at Washington, he was soon after discharged at Rochester, N. Y.
Returning home, he engaged in farming. He was married in Porter Township, Niagara Co., N. Y., Nov. 5, 1866, to Miss Stella L. Baker, daughter of Warren and Rosalinda Baker. Of this marriage three chil- dren were born, in Porter Township,-Rosa E., Sept. 2, 1867 ; Sarah, Oct. 5, 1870; and Helen C.
Mr. J. had a fine farm of 60 acres, highly improved, in Niagara County, which he sold for $100 per acre. In November, 1879, he came to Mt. Pleasant and entered upon his present business, in company with C. C. Whitney. They have recently built a new mill, 60 x 60 feet, two stories and a basement, on Mill Street, at the foot of Michigan Street. They employ usually about 15 men, and in the building season they employ from 12 to 15 more, they being exten- sively engaged in contracting and building. They have a large yard at their mill, and do both a whole- sale and retail business. Their mill has a capacity for finishing 50,000 feet of lumber per day.
heodore A. Tombs, farmer, section 16, Coldwater Township, was born May 12, 1848, in Kendall Co., Ill., and is a son of Martin A. and Mary (Thomas) Tombs. (See sketch of Martin A. Tombs.)
Mr. Tombs remained under the guidance of his father until he was of age. The family had settled in Coldwater Township in 1868, and on at- taining his majority he bought 160 acres of school land on section 16, in which he has since resided as a farmer. In political faith he is a Republican and has been Highway Commissioner one term. He is now Director of his school district.
Mr. Tombs was married March 3, 1870, to Jennie
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A., daughter of Daniel and Almira A. (Munson) Ride- nour. She was born Oct. 12, 1852, in Brighton Township, Clinton Co., Mich. Ada Almira, born Sept. 17, 1873, and Minnie Alta, born March 22, 1878, are the children now included in the family circle.
eter Gruber, farmer at Salt River, Coe Township, is a son of John and Catherine (Faust) Gruber, natives of Pennsylvania, and was born in Northampton Co., Pa., Dec. 16, 1816. He followed farming in that county till the spring of 1867, when he came to Isa- bella County and bought 160 acres in Coe Township. He has since disposed of 40 acres, and has now about 45 acres under cultivation.
He was married in Clarion Co., Pa., June 27, 1838, to Lydia Machnay, and has had five children, Cathe- rine, John E., Fietta, Mary E. and Jacob M. Mrs. G. died March 11, 1853.
Politically, Mr. Gruber is a Democrat.
ames Swindlehurst, farmer, section 26, Isabella Township, is a native of Canada, where, in Peterborough Co., Ont., he was born July 10, 1851. He lived on the paren- tal homestead, assisting in the maintenance of the family and attending the common schools, until he reached the age of manhood, in 1872. On arriving at that age, Mr. S. came to this State and located at Evart, Osceola Co., where he remained for a short time, and then came to this county. He purchased 80 acres of unimproved land in Isabella Township, on section 26, and entered on the labo- rious though pleasant task of improving the same. His purchase consisted all of wild land, and yet so strong was his faith in the future development of the county, that he threw all his energy into the work of clearing and improving his land and establishing a home for self and family, and now has 60 acres of his farm in a good state of cultivation. Ilis neat resi- dence was built in 1876, and his commodious barn was erected in 1874.
Mr. Swindlehurst was united in marriage, June, 7,
1877, to Miss Ilester A., daughter of Henry and Bellmira (Manning) Yuger, natives of Ontario, Can., where, in Middlesex County, Hester was born July 8, 1860. When 17 years of age, she came to this county and he resided until her marriage.
The husband and wife are the parents of four children, namely : Alice B., born April 5, 1879; Thomas, Aug. 25, 1880; James, Jan. 29, 1882, and William, Nov. 9, 1883. Politically, Mr. S. is a Re- publican and he and wife both incline toward the doctrines of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
charles K. Mitchell, farmer, section 11, Nottawa Township, is a son of Charles K. and Harriet W. (nee Peabody) Mitchell, the former a native of Massachusetts, and the latter of New Hampshire. The father died Sept. 12, 1869, and the mother is still living, in Montcalm County, this State.
The subject of our biography was born in Merri- mac, Hillsborough Co., N. H., Sept. 22, 1832. 1Ie lived under the parental roof-tree, assisting in the maintenance of the family until he attained the age of 18 years, when he went forth amid the trials and troubles of life to battle against vicissitude alone. He first went to Lorain Co., Ohio, where he remained two years, and then removed to Monroe County, this State. He remained in the latter county about six months, and then went to Ionia, Ionia County, at which place he was variously occupied for about one year. He then removed to Montcalm County, where he followed farming and lumbering until 1861. He was for a short time in Monroe Co., Mich., and then went to Wood Co., Ohio, where he enlisted in the United States service the following year. He re- turned to Monroe County after his military service, and managed a store for six months. Removing to Lucas Co., Ohio, he was similarly engaged for two years. He lived the next four years in Montcalm County ; then a little over four years in lowa; and Feb. 13, 1878, he located where since has been his home.
Mr. Mitchell was united in marriage Sept. 22, 1858, near Greenville, Montcalm County, with Miss P'amelia, daughter of Shubael and Clara (Hills) Conant, both natives of Connecticut. The former is
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living in Montcalm County, this State, five miles from Greenville, and the mother died Sept. 17, 1880. Mrs. Mitchell was born Jan. 1, 1838, and is the mother of five children born to her husband, as fol- lows : Charles S., March 21, 1861 ; Clara E., Nov. 4, 1866; George C., Sept. 14, 1869; Letta A., April 29, 1878; Willie A., July 4, 1880.
Mr. Mitchell was a soldier in the late war, enlist- ing Aug. 2, 1862, at Tontogany, Wood Co., Ohio, in the 18th U. S. Inf., and served for two years, seven months and seven days. He participated in the battles in which Gen. Sherman's army engaged dur- ing its march from Chattanooga to Atlanta. He was in Gen. Thomas' corps, and at the battle of Altanta, Ga., Aug. 7, 1864, was wounded in the arm by a shell, that broke the bone and necessitated the ampu- tation of the arm, which was done on the 15th of the same month the battle was fought. He received his discharge March 9, 1865, in consequence of his dis- ability.
Mr. Mitchell has a fine farm of 120 acres on sec- tion 11, Nottawa Township, 40 acres of which are well improved. Politically, he is an adherent of the principles of the Democratic party, and has held the office of School Director of his district.
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R ev. James J. McCarthy, resident Priest of the Parish of St. Charles, at Mt. Pleasant, was born Dec. 28, 1854, at Pittsburg, Pa., and is the son of John and Rese (Tracey) Mc- Carthy. He was educated in the common schools until he was 16 years old, when he was placed at St. Michael's Seminary, near Pittsburg, to begin his preparation for the priesthood. He studied there six years, and went thence to St. Vin- cent's Seminary, in Westmoreland Co., Pa., where he was a student three years. He received tonsure and minor orders, also sub-deaconship from the Bishop at the cathedral in Pittsburg, and afterwards was or- dained deacon, and received priest's orders at Sand- wich College, Ontario.
In September, 1879, he came to Mt. Pleasant to assume charge of the parish in which he has since officiated, including now about 150 families. He is the first permanent priest established over the Church
at this point, and his field of labors extends over a considerable territory, including a Church in Seville, Gratiot County, comprising about 50 families, a mis- sion at St. Louis of 25 families, one in Nottawa Township, of 45 families, and a station in the town- ship of Vernon, where the membership comprises about 40 families. At Mt. Pleasant, Nottawa and St. Louis there are fine church edifices. That in Nottawa was erected in the summer of 1883, and that at St. Louis was purchased in the same season. The multifarious labors of Father McCarthy crowd his time and make heavy draught upon his strength and endurance, while his charges are rapidly growing in membership, especially at Mt. Pleasant, where the building of a fine, large brick church is contemplated.
artin M. Ryerson, farmer, section 24, Coldwater Township, was born May 5, 1833, in Sussex Co., N. J., and is the son of Peter and Elizabeth (Farber) Ryerson. His parents were natives of the same State, and there they spent their lives. The mother died in 1847, and the father married again three years later.
Mr. Ryerson was under the care and guidance of his father until he was 17 years of age, when he went to learn the carpenter's trade with his brother. The latter removed in 1850 to Huron Co., Ohio, accom- panied by his brother, George. He completed his apprenticeship, and just previous to his attaining the age of 21 years, he began the pursuit of his trade in his own behalf, which he followed until the outbreak of the rebellion. The issues of the contest engaged his interest, and awakened his patriotism, and he re- solved to enroll himself among the defenders of his country's flag. Ile enlisted July 2, 1863, in Co. If, 88th Ohio Inf., and was mustered out July 3, 1865. The command was assigned to the department of the Ohio in the Western Army, the regimental head- quarters being at Columbus and Cincinnati, where it was on provost and guard duty during the entire period of Mr. Ryerson's service.
In October, after receiving his discharge, he came to Lenawee Co., Mich., where he purchased 40 acres of land half a mile from the village of Addison, where he worked two years at his trade and carried on agri-
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William J. Whitney
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culture. In 1867 he came to Coldwater Township, where he established a homestead claim of So acres on section 26. He remained about seven years on that property, sold out and purchased So acres on section 30, Gilmore, which is now the property of Mr. Brubaker, to whom he sold the place a year later. He then rented a farm of his son-in-law, which he managed two years. In 1878 he rented 80 acres of land on section 24, Coldwater, leasing the same for five years. At the expiration of four years, in the fall of 1882, he bought the place, of which 35 acres are now improved. He served as Township Treas- urer three terms from the organization of the town- ship.
Mr. Ryerson was married Dec. 21, 1852, to Har- riet Isabella Vantine. She was born July 17, 1834, in Huron Co., Ohio, and is the daughter of Charles and Mindwell (Hurlbert) Vantine. Her mother died Oct. 22, 1867, in Lenawee Co., Mich. Five of the children born of the marriage of Mr. Ryerson are living; five are deceased. The following is their record : Ann Elizabeth, born May 9, 1854, married Hanford Roberts, Sept. 4, 1872, and died Sept. 2, 1877; Charles Melville, born Sept. 24, 1855, died March 10, 1859; Mina Isabella, born Jan. 10, 1858, died Sept. 13, 1861; Frances Jane, born Oct. 11, 1859, married Sylvester Hammond March 6, 1876; Elsie May, born July 4, 1861, married Andrew Hill, Nov. 30, 1879; Florence A., born May 3, 1863, mar- tied Charles E. Wilcox, July 14, 1880; Mary Belle, born June 18, 1866, died Feb. 12, 1867; Willie A., born Jan. 2, 1868, died July 15, 1875; Milo Elmer, May 13, 1870; Clara Helen, July 6, 1872.
illiam T. Whitney, of the firm of Russell & Whitney, at Mt. Pleasant, and County Superintendent of the Poor, was born Dec. 17. 1838, in Hopewell Township, Ontario Co., N. Y. He is a son of Benjamin and Caroline (Hall) Whitney, who were born re- spectively in Vermont and New York. His father was a blacksmith by trade, and later in life became a farmer, which calling he pursued until his death, which occurred in the State of New York. The mother resides at Salt River in Isabella County.
Mr. Whitney was brought up on his father's farm,
and in 1858 he and his uncle, John F. Hall, bought a saw-mill in Middlesex, Yates Co., N. Y. After continuing the management of this two years, they sold out and Mr. Whitney went to Mason Co., Ill., where he operated six months as a farm assistant. Afterwards he went to Cambria Township, Hillsdale Co., Mich., and engaged as a builder until the second call for troops in the war of the Rebellion. He en- listed Aug. 6, 1862, in Co. D, 18th Mich Vol. Inf., Capt. C. B. Van Valer. Mr. Whitney served with his regiment in all the service for which it was de- tailed and was in action in several skirmishes. He was in the detachment which left Decatur Sept. 24, 1864, to reinforce the garrison at Athens. The com- mand included 231 officers and men. When within two miles of Athens they were attacked by a rebel force under Gen. Forrest, and, after five hours' des- perate fighting and pushing toward the fortifications at Athens, they surrendered, as the fort was in the pos- session of the rebels. A few of the command escaped, the remainder were captured, killed or wounded. Mr. Whitney was among the latter and received four gunshot wounds,-in his right leg, abdomen, right fore-arm and left lower leg. He was wholly disabled and was finally discharged from Harper's Hospital, Detroit, May 2, 1865, when he returned to Hillsdale County.
In the spring of 1866 Mr. Whitney came to Mt. Pleasant, where, in company with his brother, C. C. Whitney, he engaged as a builder until 1870. After that date he was variously occupied. He was the proprietor of the Whitney Exchange Hotel in 1882-3 and has since operated in insurance and other light business. In January, 1884, he formed his present association with F. Russell, and the firm are trans- acting insurance business. Mr. Whitney has never recovered from the severity of his injuries received in his country's service. Besides the duties of his official trust as Superintendent of the Poor, he his discharging the obligations of the offices of Secre- tary of the Village Board, Village Clerk, and Clerk of Union Township. He was Township Treasurer in 1879-80. Iłe is a member of Lodge No. 217, 1. (). O. F., at Mt. Pleasant, and belongs to Wabon Lodge, No. 305, Chapter No. 111, R. A. M., and member of Wabon Post, No. 250, G. A. R.
The marriage of Mr. Whitney with Selinda M. Fry occurred Sept. 2, 1858, at Farmington, Ontario
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Co., N. Y. She was born Jan. 17, 1841, in Allegany Co., N. Y., and is a daughter of Obadiah and Luna Fry. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Whitney, three of whom are deceased-Isabel, Hiram B. and Walter. William B. is a printer in Coburg, Can. Irving E. and Wallace remain with their par- ents.
The portrait of Mr. Whitney is presented on another page. It will prove a substantial addition to the collection of portraits of representative men in Isabella County.
zra P. Plowman, farmer on section 32, Coe Township, is a son of William T. and Mary A. (Potts) Plowman, natives of the State of New York, and was born in Oakland Co., Mich., Oct. 15, 1834. At the age of seven, he went with his parents to Clinton County, where he developed into manhood, securing a limited English education.
In the fall of 1854 he came to this county and bought 160 acres in Coe Township, where he now re- sides. He has since sold 40 acres, and of the re- mainder 90 acres are under cultivation.
He was married in Gratiot County, March 3, 1857, to Barbara I .. , daughter of Joseph and Martha (Mc- Kee) Brady, natives of Pennsylvania. Mrs. P. was born in Wyandot Co., Ohio, May 20, 1840, and came to this county with her parents in 1855. Hav- ing no family of their own, Mr. and Mrs. Plowman have cared for and reared three children,-William Small, Salem V .. Richardson and Louisa M. Gifford. Mr. P. has held the office of Highway Commissioner several terms. Politically, he is independent, but he generally supports the Republican party.
illiam H. Gaumer, farmer, section 22, Coldwater Township, was born May 15, 1850, in the State of Pennsylvania, county of Lehigh. His parents, Isaac and Mary D. (Metz) Ganmer, were born respectively in Penn- sylvania and New Jersey. They came to Mich- igan in April, 1855, and settied in Oakland County,
where the father was a renter until 1865, when he removed his family and interests to St. John's, Clin- ton Co., Mich., and rented farms in that vicinity until 1869.
In that year, Mr. Gaumer came to Isabella County and entered a homestead claim of So acres in the township of Coldwater, which he made his residence and lived upon about six years, when he exchanged farms with his father, who owned 80 acres on section 22. On this he resided about eight years, when he sold out and about a year afterward he bought 18 acres on section 22, where he has since lived. In the year 1877, Mr. Gaumer went to Denver, setting out on the first day of January. He returned July 28, 1877, and, during his absence, was engaged in carpentry at Ballarat and Jamestown, excepting a few days, when he was employed in the Smuggler mine at Ballarat.
Mr. Gaumer was married June 19, 1873, to Su- phronia A., daughter of William F. and Lozina (Decker) Baker. She was born Aug. 30, 1853. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Gaumer, as follows: Edna A,, Sept. 7, 1875; Mattie S., May 3, 1877 (died Feb. 21, 1883); Charles E., March 18, 1880; William T., Sept. 30, 1883.
Mr. Gaumer is a Republican in political faith. His father died April 13, 1879, in Coldwater Township, and his mother resides with her daughter, Mrs. Jesse E. Forbes.
ames Tubbs, proprietor of the Loomis House, at Loomis (Wise Township), was born in Chemung Co., N. Y., March 22, 1812. His parents, Lebbeus and Hannah (Matthews) Tubbs, were natives of Orange Co., N. Y. After their marriage they settled in Chemung Co., N. Y., where they passed the remain- ing portion of their lives. The father died July 29, 1843; the mother died about 1853.
Mr. Tubbs has been an agriculturist during the greater part of his active life. He was a resident of his native county until he was 32 years of age. In May, 1844, he settled in Oakland Co., Mich., where he rented different farms for a period of four years, after which he removed to Genesee Co., Mich., and set- tled upon 160 acres of wild land. He spent 16 years
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in its improvement, and at the end of that time sold out and made another transfer to Oakland County. He bought 240 acres of land in the township of Ilighland, and resided thereon until the spring of 1869, when he again disposed of his property and removed to Fentonville, Genesee Co., Mich. He was in impaired health, and he spent one year in that village in comparative idleness to regain health and strength. In the spring of 1871, he purchased a hotel in Holly, Oakland County, which he retained and managed nearly two years. He again sold out, and in the fall of 1873 he came to Isabella County and became the proprietor of the hotel which he is now conducting, and which is the most prominent public house in Loomis. In regard to national affairs, he is a Democrat, and cast his first Presidential vote for Andrew Jackson.
Mr. Tubbs was first married in his native county, in December, 1833, to Charlotte Bailey, a native of the same county. She bore him four children- Robert B, Melinda, Fletcher and Alice G. The second named died when she was 24 years old. The mother died April 17, 1865, in Oakland County. Mr. Tubbs was again married, in the last named county, Aug. S, 1866, to Jeannette Maxwell. She was born Jan. II, 1834, of Scotch ancestry. Mrs. Tubbs is a lady of more than ordinary educational attainments, and was a successful and popular teacher of Oakland County, where she taught 17 terms of school.
„harles T. Russell, Prosecuting Attorney of Isabella County, was born May 17, 1853, in Grand Ledge, Eaton Co., Mich. John W. Russell, his father, was born Aug. 24, 1819, in Oneida Co., N. Y., of English ancestry. He was married in 1841, to Sophronia L. Camp- bell, a native of Canandaigua Co., N. Y., where she was born in 1820, of Scotch parentage. Their fam- ily included seven sons, two of whom became soldiers for the Union. Edwin O. and James Franklin, the two eldest, enlisted in the Seventh Mich. Cav. The latter died May 10, 1865, of disease contracted in the army. He was 19 years old, and passed through much arduous service under Gen. Sheridan in the valley of the Shenandoah and elsewhere. John W. Russell was, in point of fact, the founder of Grand Ledge, where he settled about the year 1844. Among
his first acts was the erection of a saw-mill, and he built the first dam across Grand River. He has always been a man of activity and enterprise, and identified with the progress of the place. He owns a valuable estate of 280 acres near Grand Ledge, where he resides; and he is 66 years old. Calvin C., Oliver E., J. Newton and Fred are the names of his other sons.
Mr. C. T. Russell is the sixth son of his par- ents. He was a student in the district schools, and afterwards studied at the High School in Grand Ledge. He decided on the profession of law for his vocation in life, and on leaving school he engaged in teaching winters and reading law summers. He passed three years in this manner, and was admitted to practice in the State Courts of Michigan, at Char- lotte, Eaton County, Oct. 15, 1877. He came to Mt. Pleasant, where he opened his office for practice, April 25, 1878.
He has met with gratifying success, and has at- tained some notoriety through his connection with noted cases, among which was the trial of Joseph Bucher, at Harrison, Clare County, for murder, in which case he was associated with H. H. Graves.
The following journalistic comments on the man- agement and outcome of this celebrated trial, will present a better exhibit of the forensic abilities of Mr. Russell than later records can do, as they were cotemporary and the public interest in the case was at the time intense.
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