USA > Michigan > Isabella County > Portrait and biographical album of Isabella county, Mich., containing portraits and biographical sketches > Part 49
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He was married June 6, 1873, to Emily Love, daughter of Jacob and Anna (Root) Love. The par- ents are now residents of Tioga Co., Pa. Mrs. Rus- sell was born July 10, 1841, in Lycoming Co., Pa., and is the mother of the following three children : Mary Ann, born in Saginaw June 16, 1875; Edwin Lovell,
born in Saginaw, June 4, 1877; and Joseph Adrian, born in Vernon Township, Oct. 21, 1880.
Mr. Russell is in political affiliation a Republican. He has been Highway Commissioner one year, and is a highly esteemed citizen of Vernon Township and Isabella County.
We take great pleasure in presenting the portraits of both Mr. and Mrs. Russell in this ALRUM, on pre- ceding pages.
arvin D. Richardson, of the firm of F. A. Stebbins & Co., proprietors of the Ben- nett House, Mt. Pleasant, is the son of Elias and Lucinda (Doud) Richardson, and was born in Royalton, Fulton Co., Ohio, June 144, 1838. Elias Richardson was born July 3, - 1821, in Royalton, Niagara Co., N. Y. In 1836, in company with five brothers and two brothers-in-law, -Thomas, Butler, Hiram, Elisha and Martin Rich- ardson, and George Welsh and A. H. Henderson, -- he came to Ohio. They left Niagara County and came to the city of Detroit by water. They set out thence for Lucas Co., Ohio, where they settled, each one entering a claim of 160 acres of land. They established a township, which they named Royalton, in memory of that they left, and which is now in Fulton County, then attached to Lucas County. Hiram Richardson is the only one of the brothers who is deceased, and all are living on the land of which they were the original proprietors.
The father of Mr. Richardson is the third son and fourth child of his parents. His wife is a native of the village of Cortland, N. Y., and was born Sept. 2, 1814. Their marriage occurred in Niagara Co., N. Y. Their children were Melissa and Minerva (twins), who were born May 26, 1836. The first named died on the day of birth; the second died June 9, following. Martin and Marvin (twins) were born June 14, 1838. Martin died Aug. 19, 1838. Minerva A. was born April 5, 1840, and is the wife of T. G. Richardson, of Lyons, Ohio; Lovinia was born June 7, 1844, and died July 23 of the same year.
Mr. Richardson passed the years of his minority assisting his father in improving his farm, and when he reached the age of 21 years he went to Lyons,
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Ohio, where he purchased the mercantile interests of Jenks Morey. He managed its affairs alone about six months, when he formed a partnership with James Herrick. At the expiration of a year he sold out and returned to 80 acres of land deeded to him by his father when he attained his majority. He was mar- ried while in Lyons, at Sylvania, Lucas, Co., O., Sept. 3, 1858, to Roby L, daughter of Sullivan and Fidelia (Worden) Johnson. Mrs. Richardson was born in Lake Co., Ohio, July 25, 1841. Her father was born July 1, 1814, in the town of Lunenburg, 'Essex Co., B Vt. Her mother is a native of Manlius, Onondaga Co., N. Y., and was born April 2, 1818. The record of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Richardson is as follows : Lillie, born Sept. 2, 1860, died March 14, 1861; Cora A. (Mrs. F. A. Stebbins : see sketch) was born June 2, 1862; Bettie I .. , March 13, 1866; Minerva P., Aug. 23, 1870, and Reedie E., Jan. 26, 1878.
Mr. Richardson continued on the farm two years, went he went to Lyons, Ohio, and bought the Ex- change Hotel, which he managed 18 months. At the expiration of that time, he sold the hotel property and again embarked in mercantile business, asso- ciated with George W. Edson. The connection ex- isted two years, when Mr. Richardson became sole proprietor by purchase, and continued to conduct his general mercantile interests eight years at that point, when he went to Morenci, Lenawee Co., Mich., and, in company with William Miner, established a large store, and also conducted a series of 14 cheese fac- tories and creameries, located at different points in Southern Michigan and Northern Ohio. The man- agement of their mercantile connections required the assistance of 12 clerks, and they finished daily for market about 300 cheeses. In 1872 Mr. Miner failed, and the entire concern was in the hands of Mr. Richardson, who operated alone until 1873, when the financial crisis which convulsed the busi- ness world caused a shrinkage of values in his possession to the amount of $30,000. Disaster followed financial stringency, and in 1876 he relin- quished his business. In 1877 he came to St. Louis and bought the Commercial Hotel, in company with S. R. Dewey. He took possession of the Leonard House, in that village, which he occupied and con- ducted for the accommodation of the traveling pub- lic six months, while the "Commercial" was being
put in thorough repair. The house was opened Jan. 1, 1878, and Mr. Richardson continued its manage- ment three and a half years, when he sold and went to Detroit, and, in company with Wheeler & Merrill, engaged for a short time in the perfumery business. In 1881 he went to Ithaca, and in company with his son-in-law, F. A. Stebbins, leased the Fox (now Re- tan) House. Later the firm leased the Clarendon House at lonia, and Mr. Richardson went thither, and managed its affairs about two months, when, in consequence of unforeseen circumstances, he relin- quished his claim and returned to Ithaca. Messrs. Stebbins & Richardson came to Mt. Pleasant in May, 1883, and on the 18th of June following they opened the Bennett House. It is the leading house in the pluckiest municipality in Northern Michigan, and is managed in a manner that has secured for it a wide-spread, constant and increasing patronage. It possesses every appointment and facility of modern hotels and secures to its guests home-like and whole- some accommodations of a first-class order. The proprietors are eminently fitted for their business in temperament and character, are genial, affable gentlemen, giving every attention to the comfort of their patrons, and are business men of more than ordinary abilities.
Mr. Richardson secured a good education in his youth and taught several terms of school during his minority. During the civil war he enlisted in the "National Guards," enrolling in the 130th Regt. Ohio Vol., Col. C. Phillips. He was in Company D, under Capt. L. J. Carroll. His term of service continued 100 days, and his regiment received official acknowledgment from President Lincoln for merit- orious services in the Army of the Potomac.
ohn J. Grimm, farmer, section 34, Gilmore Township, was born Feb. 13, 1826, in Greene Co., Pa., and is the son of Chris- topher and Sarah (Parker) Grimm. His father was of German birth and his mother was a native of New Jersey ; both died in Greene Co., Pa.
After he was 20 years of age Mr. Grimm served an apprenticeship of 18 months, learning the trade of shoemaking, to which he devoted several years. He
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began his work in that line in his native county and pursued the same vocation in West Virginia. In the fall of 1865 he purchased 40 acres of land in Coe Township, Isabella County. It was in a wholly wild condition, and he took possession of it with his fam- ily Feb. 28, 1866. In the spring of 1879 he ex- changed his "40 " in Coe Township for 160 acres in the township of Gilmore, on which he has since car- ried on the work of clearing, improving and culti- vating.
He was married Oct. 29, 1854, in his native county, to Elizabeth, daughter of Martin and Nancy (Martin) Fox. The grandsires of Mrs. Grimm were both sol- diers of the war of the Revolution. Her parents are living near Morgantown, W. Va., aged respectively 94 and 88 years. Five of six children born to Mr. and Mrs. Grimm are living. Following is the rec- ord. Oscar M., born Aug. 10, 1855; Martin L., March 18, 1860; William S., May 27, 1862 ; Nancy J., March 11, 1865; Hiram H., April 6, 1872; Clar- ence N. was born May 14, 1869, and died June 23, following.
The parents are members of the Disciples' Church. Mr. Grimm is a Republican in political sentiment.
ictor F. Conlogue, dealer in agricultural implements and manufacturer of harness- makers' goods at Mt. Pleasant, was born Aug. 13, 1847, at Grand Rapids, Mich. His parents, Archibald and Sarah (Franklin) Con- logue, removed from Michigan to Kendallville, Noble Co., Ind., in 1852, and a year later made a second transfer to Rome City, in the same county. The father died there two years afterward.
Mr. Conlogue celebrated his fifteenth birth-day by enlisting as a soldier in the Union Army. He en- rolled at Kendallville, in Co. A, 142d Ind. Vol. Inf., Capt. Ambrose Johnson. He remained in the ser- vice until the end of the war, and received honorable discharge Aug. 6, 1865, at Indianapolis ; and reached home nine days later. His active service included the campaigns in which his regiment figured.
On his return to the life of a private citizen, he re- sumed the occupation of farmer, to which he had been trained, and continued the prosecution of that pursuit in the State of Indiana until 1871, when he
came to Michigan and engaged with Hay Brothers, of Grant Township, Clare County. Ile spent 15 months in the work of clearing land in their employ, with from six to twenty others similarly occupied, their labors resulting in the clearing of about 200 acres of land. In the spring of 1873 he came to Lin- coln Township, in Isabella County, and bought 80 acres of timber land on section 10, where he operated until he had placed the entire tract under improve- ments of the best character, with orchards, good buildings and other suitable farm fixtures. He sold the place in the fall of 1882. The previous spring he came to Mt. Pleasant and engaged as salesman with C. M. Brooks & Co., dealers in agricultural im- plements. In the fall he purchased their entire in- terests and has since continued to manage a prosper- ous business. His stock includes all varieties of farming implements and machinery, wagons, car- riages, harness and other merchandise common to similar establishments.
March 1, 1884, he started a branch store in Glad- win, Mich., where he is doing a satisfactory business. His aggregate stock represents about $10,000, and his establishment is the only one of its kind at Mt. l'leasant. His interests require two local assistants, and he employes three traveling salesmen.
Mr. Conlogue was married Nov. 3, 1870, at Ken- dallville, Ind., to Alice, daughter of Aaron and Nancy Fields. She was born May 13, 1854, in Cuyahoga Co., Chio. The two children now included in the family of Mr. Conlogue were born in Lincoln Town- ship, as follows : Ethel L., Feb. 18, 1874, and Nel- lie G., Jan. 2, 1876.
eorge Gruber, farmer on section 16, Coe Township, is a son of John and Catherine (Faust) Gruber, natives of the State of Pennsylvania. The parents first settled in Northampton Co., Pa., and several years later removed to Clarion County, where they re- mained until their death. He departed this life in 1851, and she Aug. 23, 1872. The father had by this (his second) marriage seven children, in the fol- lowing order: Peter, Christina, Henry, Hannah, John, Andrew J. and George.
The subject of this biography, the youngest of the
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family, was born in Northampton Co., Pa., Oct. 2, 1828, and was nine years old when his parents re- moved to Clarion County. He lived at home until 17 years old, and was then apprenticed for three years to learn the tanner's trade. After serving his time he worked at that trade for a period of seven years. In 1859 he removed to Wayne County, Ohio, where he was employed at different occupations until August, 1862. In that month he enlisted as a pri- vate in the Fourth Mich. Vol. Inf., and served until the close of the war. He was with the Army of the Potomac from the battle of Chancellorsville until the surrender of Lee, and was an eye-witness in the last scene of the bloody drama, when Gen. Lee delivered his sword to Gen. Grant. He was honorably dis- charged at Alexandria, Va. He returned from the army to Pennsylvania, and a short time after, Septem- ber, 1865, came to Isabella County, settling on 40 acres of land on Coe Township, which he had pur- chased.in December, 1863. He built a log house on his farm, which he has since occupied. He now owns So acres, 65 of which are in good cultivation.
He was married in Clarion Co., Pa., Dec. 25, 1850, to Mary M., daughter of Conrad and Sarah (Cratser) Best, natives of Northampton Co., Pa. Mrs. G. was born in Center Co., Pa., May 13, 1830.
Mr. Gruber has held the office of Constable one year, and also the various school offices. He is politically a supporter of the Democratic party. He and wife are members of the German Reformed Church. They took an active part in the Grange movement, and are both Good Templars. Mr. G. is a member of Salt River Lodge, No. 288, F. & A. M.
homas McNamara, dealer in dry goods, boots and shoes, groceries and crockery, hats and caps, in the Hance & Deveraux Block, Mt. Pleasant, is a son of Michael and Mary McNamara, and was born in Wayneport, Wayne Co., N. Y., Dec. 28, 1849. His father, a contractor and builder, living at Lapeer, Mich., was born in Ireland, in 1820. He built two or three miles of the Erie Canal, and also took railroad con- tracts. He came to Lapeer, Mich., in 1856. His wife, born about 1819, in Ireland, is still living. Their son Thomas attended school at Lapeer until
16, when he entered a store as clerk. In 1877 he went to Mt. Clemens, Mich., where he was for three years successfully engaged in the mercantile business in his own interests. In April, 1880, he came to Mt. Pleasant and opened a general store in the old Har- ris building. Thence he removed to the Upton Block, and in January, 1884, he occupied his present location. He carries a well selected stock of from $8,000 to $10,000 in value, and does a flourishing business, employing constantly two or three assistants.
He was married at Mt. Pleasant, June 26, 1882, to Miss Lizzie Dibble, and of this marriage one son, Edward M., has been born, March 26, 1883. Mr. McNamara owns a nice residence and a lot in Kin- ney's Addition, on the corner of Broadway and Kin- ney Avenue. He was for one year Treasurer of the village of Mt. Pleasant.
ames M. Kinter, farmer on section 8, Coe Township, is a son of Cyrenus and Rebecca J. (Lee) Kinter (see sketch of Cyrenus Kin- ter), and was born in Eaton Co., Mich., Aug. 1, 1844. He received a common-school edu- cation in his early youth, and in 1859 came with his parents to Coe Township, this county.
He lived at home until 20 years old, and then for one season rented a farm in Chippewa Township, after which he returned to Coe Township and locat- ed on 80 acres which he had previously purchased on section 8. This was in the fall of 1864. The following spring he enlisted in the 8th Mich. Vol. Cav., serving six months, and was honorably dis- charged at Nashville, Tenn.
Returning home he worked for 14 winters in the woods, workingand improving his farm in the summer seasons. In the spring of 1882, he sold his farm, and bought another of 120 acres on section 8, where he has since lived. He has disposed of ten acres, and of the remaining 110, 70 are in a good state of cultivation.
He was married in Coe Township, May 28, 1863, to Clara, daughter of William D. and Nancy (Davis) McFarren. Mrs. Kinter was born in the State of Vermont, Nov. 8, 1846. One of two children is living, Ida A., born July 18, 1865. James H. was born June
Thomas Rickard
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28, 1864, and died in May, 1866, nearly two years old.
Mr. Kinter is a member of Ralph Ely Post, No. 150, G. A. R., and in political matters supports the Republican party.
homas Pickard, Sheriff of Isabella County and lumberman, resident at Mt. Pleasant, was born Nov. 21, 1842, in New Brunswick. He is a son of John and Margaret (Jones) Pickard. His father was a lumberman in his native province, and later in life came to live with his sons at Mt. Pleasant, where he died.
The mother of Mr. Pickard died when he was but four years of age, and he was placed in charge of his uncle, Thomas Pickard, with whom he remained un- til he was 19 years of age. He was reared a farmer and lumberman, the callings of his uncle, and on be- coming old enough he entered into the full merits of a woodsman's life. At the age of 19 years he re- turned to the home of his father, with whom he con- tinued to reside several years, where he was engaged about 18 months as lumberman. In 1868 he came to East Saginaw, Mich., and entered the employ of Gulliver, Remmick & Whitney, a heavy lumber firm of Detroit. He operated with them two winters, and engaged in the service of Thomas Gulliver, of East Saginaw, with whom he remained two winters. In the winter of 1873 he managed a lumber camp on the Tobacco River, in the interest of B. C. Freese, and, on the termination of that relation, he com- menced business in his own behalf, at first forming a connection with his brother George. They transacted business about three years together, when he became associated with his brother William. They dissolved at the end of two years, and Mr. Pickard has since conducted his lumber interests singly. He is en- gaged chiefly as a contractor, and employs an aver- age of 200 men in the woods and on the river. He is at present operating in the interest of Jerome & Williams, of Saginaw, and has " put in" 23,000,000 feet the past winter. In the winter of 1882 he put in 25,000,000 feet of lumber for Messrs. Jerome & Williams and several other parties, besides operating in his own interests.
Mr. Pickard's election as Sheriff of Isabella County
was a signal personal victory, as he was nominated on the Democratic ticket in a decidedly Republican locality, and polled the largest majority ever recorded in the county. He was nominated in the fall of 1882, and ran against Lyman Estee. He received a flattering majority in Mt. Pleasant, which is strongly Republican.
The marriage of Mr. Pickard to Elizabeth Finch occurred at St. John's, Clinton County. She was born in Gratiot County, July 12, 1858, and is a daughter of Reuben Finch, who resides near Ithaca, Gratiot County. Of their marriage three children have been born : John born Aug. 20, 1876; Frank, Feb. 14, 1878; and Albert B. U., March 16, 1881.
Among the many portraits of citizens of Isabella County, where portraits will afford unmixed satisfac- tion to the patrons of this work, is that of Mr. Pick- ard, which appears on another page.
ichael O'Boyle, farmer on section 10, Coe Township, is a son of John and Mary (Corolly) O'Boyle, natives of Ireland. The parents came to the United States about 1835, and settled in Livingston Co., N. Y. They afterward removed to Lenawee Co., Mich, where they lived 20 years, and about 1859 they located in Fulton Co., Ohio, where they now reside. Their family included seven sons and two daughters, of whom Michael was the eldest son.
He was born in Livingston Co., N. Y., Dec. 25, 1839, and was very young when his parents came to Michigan. He received a limited common-school education, and at the age of 13 began to work on a farm by the month, which occupation he followed until 25. Renting a farm in Lenawee Co., Mich., he worked the same about three years, and then, by a disastrous fire losing all his personal property, he rented another farm for two years. In the spring of 1870 he came to Isabella County and bought 40 acres of land on Salt River, in Coe Township, where he has since resided. He has added 40 acres, and of his whole farm, 60 acres are under cultivation.
He was married in Adrian, this State, Jan. 21, 1867, to Mary, daughter of Peter Stanton, a native of Ireland. Mrs. O'Boyle was born in Adrian, Mich. She and her husband are the parents of Elizabeth,
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Johnnie, Nellie and Kittie. Johnnie died April 2, 1883, 13 years old. He was practicing gymnastics, and was accidently caught in a rope.
Mr. O'Boyle was elected a Superintendent of the Poor in the fall of 1881, of which office he is still an incumbent. He has also held various school offices, being at present Director. He is politically a Den- ocrat; and, with his wife, belongs to the Catholic Church.
hester A. Ward, senior member of the firm of C. A. & W. E. Ward, general merchants at Mt. Pleasant, was born Aug. 26, 1817, in Cayuga Co., N. Y. His parents, Jonas and Julia Ann (Willis) Ward, were farmers and reared their sons on the home- stead place.
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Mr. Ward remained in the care of his mother on the homestead, his father having died about 1828, following agricultural pursuits until he was 18 years old, when he went to Clyde, Wayne Co., N. Y., and entered the employment of his brother-in-law, Smith Ely, as a clerk. He officiated in that capacity two years and engaged in mercantile interests in his own behalf. He continued operations in general trade three years. In 1849 he was elected Sheriff and re- moved to Lyons, the county seat. He officiated as Sheriff three years. On the expiration of his term of office he went to the city of New York and inter- ested himself in the the produce commission busi- ness, in which he was engaged five years. In 1858 he removed to St. Joseph Co., Mich., and opened a general store at Burr Oak, which he managed six years. He was then employed by a New York min- ing company to go to St. Joe lead mines, which were located in St. Francis Co., Mo., as financial manager. He officiated in that capacity between two and three years, returning at the expiration of that time to Burr Oak, where he engaged two years as a clerk. He went to Hamilton, Ont., and remained six months to establish his son in business, after which he came to Stanton, Mich., to take charge of a branch hardware store in the interests of an Ionia firm. He continued in that engagement about two years. Within a year after its termination, in company with Geo. C. Wal- lace, he opened a general mill supply business, in
which he continued two years. At the end of that time he sold his interests and served as clerk one year for Mr. Wallace, after which he went to Blanch- ard, Isabella County, and opened a grocery and pro- vision store. He commenced business there in Feb- ruary, 1879, and remained until June 12, 1880, when he came to Mt. Pleasant and established the business in which he is now engaged, in company with his son William E., and a gentleman named C. Chrysler. The latter closed his relations with the firm four months later. The stock represents a value of $5,000, and the firm are engaged in the transaction of a solid cash business.
Mr. Ward was married in Clyde, May 28, 1848, to Caroline D., daughter of Aaron and Electa Young. She was born in Geneva, N. Y., April 2, 1819. Of four children born of this marriage two are now living : William E., business associate with his father, was born Sept. 15, 1849; John R., born in Lyons, Nov. 27, 1851, is clerking in a wholesale and retail grocery in Syracuse, N. Y .; Thomas C. was born Aug. 19. 1859, and died 12 days later; Mary C., born April 7, 1861, died March 22, 1864.
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oseph A. Struble, farmer on section 32 Chippewa Township, is a son of William W. and Mary (Murphy) Struble (see sketch of W. W. Struble), and was born in Morrow Co., Ohio, Jan. 16, 1848. When quite young his parents removed to Fulton Co., Ohio, and there he lived till 17 years old, attending school and working on the farm. In the fall of 1863 he came with his parents to Isabella County and assisted his father in clearing a farm for three years.
He then married, and after living four months in Salt River, he lived three months on the "Clary farm," about two months at " Indian Mills," and then removed to Broomfield Township, where he engaged in lumbering. He was also employed on the State road two years. Returning to Chippewa Township, for two years he carried on the farm then owned by Marcus Grinnell, after which he moved on his 40- acre farm previously bought on section 32, Chippewa. Here he lived four years. He has bought and sold various tracts of land, and purchased 40 acres of his
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present farm in July, 1881. He now owns 60 acres, most of which is under cultivation.
He was married Dec. 20, 1867, at "Indian Mills," Union Township, to Lucretia T., daughter of Marcus and Deborah (Manchester) Grinnell, natives of the State of New York. Mrs. Grinnell died in the Empire State, Dec. 7, 1846. He remarried, came to this county in the spring of 1860, and settled in Chip- pewa, where he lived until his death, Feb. 22, 1884. Mrs. Struble was born in Orleans Co., N. Y., Oct. 16, 1842, and is the mother of three living children: Helen J., born Nov. 6, 1868; Cora E., March 25, 1872: and Myrtie M., Sept. 30, 1874. Mary J. was born Dec. 4, 1877, and died March 7, 1880; Hattie R. was born April 1, 1881, and died March 30, 1882.
Mr. Struble has held the office of Township Treas- urer two years, and in politics is a Republican. He and wife are Seventh-Day Adventists.
ames N. Vansice, proprietor of the Penin- sular House at Mt. Pleasant, was born Sept. 26, 1830, in the township of Parma, Monroe Co., N. Y. He is a son of John and Harriet (Kipp) Vansice, and was reared on a farm. He came to Michigan on attaining his - majority, and after a residence of one year in Wayne County he proceeded to De Witt, Clinton County, where he became the owner of So acres of farming land. He resided upon the estate about three years, and in 1855 engaged in the management of the Gardner House at De Witt. At the end of a year he exchanged the hotel property for So acres of land in Olive Township, in the same county. A year later he went to St. John's and opened a grocery, which he managed with gratifying results until 1860, when he sold out and became interested in the manufacture and sale of pumps. He served as Marshal of St. John's two years while residing there, and from 1867 to 1875 was engaged in freighting merchandise from St. John's to Mt. Pleasant. Among other business enterprises in which he engaged was that of buying and selling produce.
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