USA > Michigan > Isabella County > Portrait and biographical album of Isabella county, Mich., containing portraits and biographical sketches > Part 51
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63
The subject of this notice was born in Stark Co., Ohio, Jan. 16, 1830, and was 13 years old when his parents removed to Indiana, where he lived until 1855, engaged in farming. In the spring of that year he came to this county and bought 120 acres of Government land in Coe Township, where he has since lived. He has now 80 acres under cultivation.
He was married in DeKalb Co., Ind., Oct. 8, 1848, to Margaret, daughter of Jacob and Solama (Anthony) Sawvel, natives of the State of Pennsylvania. She was born in Stark Co., Ohio, Aug. 18, 1833. To this marriage were given 15 children, of whom 13 sur-
vive : John F., Edward, Sarah J., Ralph, Mary, Useba, William C., Addie, U. S. Grant, Elmira, Samantha, Nellie and Elma. Charlie and Winnie are deceased.
Politically, Mr. Myers is a Republican.
He was drafted in September, 1864, was assigned to Co. I, 23d Mich. Vol. Inf., and served about nine months. He fought at Fort Anderson, Franklin (Tenn.), Columbia (Tenn.), Nashville (Tenn.), Wil- mington (N. C.) and Goldsboro. He was severely wounded at Town Creek, Feb. 20, 1865, and was honorably discharged at Salisbury, N. C., June 28, following.
esley J. Corbus, M. D., eclectic physician and surgeon at Mt. Pleasant, was born Aug. 17, 1818, in Wayne Co., Mich., eight miles west of Detroit. He is the son of Jo- seph and Sarah (Britton) Corbus, and in 1828 his parents removed to Hillsdale Co., Mich. About three years later they again removed and set- tled in Girard Township, Branch County, where the father became the proprietor by purchase of 160 acres of land. Both parents died on the homestead in Girard.
Dr. Corbus obtained a good elementary education, and at the age of 23 years he went to Millersburg, Holmes Co., Ohio, and taught school two years. He returned to Branch County and entered upon the study of medicine with Dr. Moses E. Chauncey, a practitioner at Girard Center. He spent nearly four years reading for his profession under the instruction of Dr. Chauncey, and commenced his career in the practice of medicine at Warsaw, Ind. He remained in business there about three years and went then to Union City in Branch County, where he operated sev- eral years. His next place of action was at Tekonsha, Calhoun County, where he remained until April, 1863, when he came to Isabella County. He bought 320 acres of land on section 13, Lincoln Township, which was all in heavy timber. He cleared and improved 1 30 acres, erected good buildings, planted orchards, and put everything in the best order for successful agriculture. He has deeded a portion to his children, and retains ro7 acres, with 60 acres cleared and im- proved. He began his practice immediately on be-
ISABELLA COUNTY.
502
coming a citizen of the county, and has been actively engaged in the career of medicine without interrup- tion since that time.
In 1874, Dr. Corbus purchased a farm adjoining the southern limits of the village corporation. On this he erected a fine residence, after which he sold the place, and in December, 1875, he settled in Mt. Pleasant, opened an office and entered upon the vig- orous prosecution of his profession. In 1878, Dr. Corbus went to Cincinnati and took a course of study in the Eclectic Medical Institute, under the celebrated Dr. Scudder. He was graduated there in 1879. His business includes a wide circle of town and coun- try patrons, and is permanently established on the foundation of ability and success. Dr. Corbus is a Swedenborgian in religious views, and belongs to the Masonic Order, Chapter 111, Royal Arch.
His marriage to Christiana Popham occurred Oct. 14, 1844, in Knox Co., Ohio. She was born Feb. 27, 1827, in Pike Township, Knox County, and is the daughter of Francis and Mary (Scoles) Popham. Fol- lowing are the names of the six children born to Dr. and Mrs. Corbus : Mary A., deceased ; Eugene M., a farmer in Oregon ; Joseph, also engaged in agricul- ture in Oregon ; Lydia B., wife of Michael Walsh, a farmer of Washington Territory ; and Francis P., de- ceased.
The portrait of Dr. Corbus is presented on a pre- ceding page of this work.
hilip Servoss, deceased, late resident on section 31, Chippewa Township, was a son of Daniel and Doxy (Briggs) Servoss, na- tives of New York State. The family num- bered seven : Hiram, Charlotte, Philip, Chaun- cey, Olive, Margaret and Christopher; Philip being the second son and third child.
He was born in Herkimer Co., N. Y., Feb. 22, 1818, and was six weeks old when his parents re- moved to Orleans Co., N. Y. Here he lived until .April, 1866, engaged in farming. Coming to Isabella County at the date mentioned (walking from Lan- sing), he bought 80 acres in Chippewa Township, where he lived until his death, April 10, 1881.
He was married in Niagara Co., N. Y., May 20, 1856, to Miss Emma, daughter of Marcus and Deb-
orah (Manchester) Grinnell, natives of the State of New York. Mr. Grinnell came to Chippewa Town- ship, this county (walking from Detroit), in the spring of 1861, and was employed several years as a Gov- ernment blacksmith. He bought several tracts of land and at the time of his death owned 80 acres on section 31, Chippewa. He died Feb. 22, 1884. He held numerous offices,-Supervisor, Justice of the Peace, Township Clerk, and was in other ways prominent in his locality. He was the maker of "Grinnell's Universal Balsam." Mrs. Servoss was born in Orleans Co., N. Y., May 14, 1840, and has been the mother of seven children, six of whom sur- vive: Hiram D., Carrie A., Elmer A., Alonzo D., Mina J. and Earl l'. One died in infancy.
Mr. S. held the office of Highway Commissioner and several school offices. He was a member of the Society of Seventh-Day Adventists, as is Mrs. Ser- voss.
rank S. Sweeney, of the firm of Sweeney & Co., grocers and provision merchants, dealers in crockery, produce and baled hay, at Mt. Pleasant, was born in Scarborough, near the city of Toronto, Ont., Can., Oct. 31, 1851. His parents were Francis and Mary (Fox) Sweeney, and belonged to the agricultural class in the Dominion.
Mr. Sweeney became a clerk in a London grocery house at the age of 15, but left the business shortly after, and at the age of 17 years came to Michigan and made the stave business his work for three years. Then for a few years he was employed as "land- looker," locating land and timber for parties in the Saginaws and Bay City. He next engaged in the manufacture of staves on his own behalf, and carried on the business successfully in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana, as opportunities for profitable transfers pre- sented. Had not the panic of 1872-3 demoralized the markets, Mr. Sweeney would have made a real success of the business. From his thorough knowl- edge of the timber and early experience he was call- ed an expert by many of the leading stave men in the State. In 1879 he engaged in the grocery and produce trade as an assistant in an establishment at Strathroy, Ontario, and in the spring of 1881 located
ISABELLA COUNTY.
503
at Mt. Pleasant, and formed a partnership with James Barry for the prosecution of the business which he has since followed. They purchased two very desir- able lots near the corner of Main Street and Broad- way, and erected the building where they are now operating. It is 20 x 90 feet in dimensions, two stories high, with brick front, and with an addition in the rear 24 × 35, brick fire-proof, with a stone cellar, and utilized as a warehouse. They have also built a ware- house on Main Street, near the Flint & Pere Mar- quette depot, 36 x 55, where they keep a first-class Dederick hay-press, and press and ship hay. Its capacity is one car-load per day. Their business is prosperous and includes extensive yearly purchases and shipments of produce, of which they make a specialty.
Mr. Sweeney was married July 19, 1881, at Strath- roy, Ont., to Maria T. McNulty. She was born in Canada. Mr. and Mrs. Sweeney have one daughter, Eva, born Ang. 9, 1882, at Mt. Pleasant. In matters of religion Mr. Sweeney is a Catholic; in politics a staunch Republican. He was elected Treasurer of his village and surrounding township in the spring of 1883, and re-elected in 1884 by one of the largest majorities in the county. He has made some money, owns some real estate near Mt. Pleasant, and two very desirable building lots on Broadway, in that vil- lage.
harles M. Forbes, farmer and lumber- man on section 20, Chippewa Township, is a son of Levi and Charlotte (Hazelton) Forbes, natives of Massachusetts. The par- ents settled in Canada, where he died. She afterwards removed to her present home in Ingham County, this State.
The subject of this record was born in Canada, March 18, 1836, and was two and a half years old when his mother came to Ingham County. He lived at home until 14 years old, then worked out by the month till 18, and then learned the cooper's trade.
March 12, 1856, in Ingham County, he married Miss Frances M., daughter of Caleb and Margaret J. Hall, natives of the State of New York. She was also born in the Empire State, June 3, 1839. Of six children born of this marriage, three survive,-Date
and Glenn (twins) and Lulu J. The deceased were named Willard, Jane and Levi.
Mr. and Mrs. Forbes came to this county in the fall of 1872 and bought 160 acres in Chippewa Town- ship, where he now has 110 acres in a state of profit- able cultivation. He keeps 13 cattle, 40 sheep and 2 horses. Politically, he is an earnest Republican. He and wife are members of the Baptist Church.
charles C. Whitney, of the manufacturing firm of Jeffords & Whitney, at Mt. Pleas- ant, was born in Hopewell, Ontario Co., N. Y., June 15, 1844. He is a son of Benjamin and Caroline E. (Hall) Whitney, and his father was a blacksmith by trade.
Mr. Whitney was 18 years old when the country was thrilled with the news of the rebellious assault upon Fort Sumter, and, with the multitudes of the young, ardent sons of the Republic, he donned the regulation blue and marched to the help of the en- dangered Union. He enlisted at Canandaigua, N. Y., Nov. 8, 1861, as a private in the 18th Vol. Inf., of the Empire State, under Captain H. H. Frote. Among the battles in which Mr. Whitney was under fire were those at West Point, Va., Gaines' Mill, Sav- age Station, Charles City Cross-Roads, Malvern Hill, second Bull Run, South Mountain, Antietam, Fred- ericksburg (first and second) and in numberless smaller skirmishes common to the fate of war. He received honorable discharge May 28, 1863, at Al- bany, N. Y., and re-enlisted Nov. 10, 1863, in Co. II, Capt. H. C. Thompson, 16th N. Y. Heavy Artillery, and received honorable discharge Ang. 21, 1865, after the close of the war. He was in the engage- ments at Fort Pocahontas and at Fort Fisher. The only casualty he sustained was an insignificant in- jury in the head by a piece of shell, at Gaines' Mill.
On receiving his well-earned release from the ser- vice of his country, he returned to his native State, and in February, 1866, he came to Cambria, Hills- dale Co., Mich. In April, 1867, in company with five other individuals, he came to Saginaw in quest of a location. One of the party was his brother, William T. Whitney (see sketch), and they made their way to the terminus of the railroad at St. John's.
ISABELLA COUNTY.
504
They walked thence to Mt. Pleasant, with which place they made first acquaintance April 10, 1867. Mr. Whitney operated for a time as a carpenter, and later as a contractor and builder. In 1880 he superintended the construction of the Opera-House Block, and in 1881 he formed a partnership with George A. Lance, and the firm entered into a con- tract to erect the Union School building. Its con- struction occupied a year, and at its completion the firm terminated its business relations. The present partnership of Jeffords & Whitney was formed Dec. 25, 1881, and has since been in successful operation. In 1883 they constructed 16 buildings at Mt. Pleas- ant, among them the Unitarian church. Mr. Jeffords was the proprietor of the Mt. Pleasant Novelty Works, and on combining their interests Mr. Whitney pur- chased a half interest in the property. It is utilized in the manufacture of doors, sash, etc. In the winter of 1883-4 they built the mill where they now operate. They employ about 30 assistants, do all kinds of building, furnish plans, specifications and detailed drawings. They manufacture sash, doors, blinds, rough and finished lumber and ornamental scroll work. They own four houses and lots, a blacksmith shop and three vacant lots. Their works include three lumber yards, situated respectively by their mill, on Wisconsin Street and on Main Street. They handle about 3,000,000 feet of lumber yearly, which they ship chiefly to Saginaw and Detroit.
A few months after Mr. Whitney located at Mt. Pleasant, he decided to change his condition in life, and made a marriage contract with Miss Dora E., daughter of George W. and Louisa Howk. Their marriage was celebrated Nov. 17, 1867, in the Method- ist Episcopal church at Mt. Pleasant, and was the first event of that nature within its walls. Mt. Pleas- ant had half a hundred inhabitants, and the privileges of the place were not of the latest and most approved metropolitan order. The only livery in town was a joint affair under the auspices of Moses Brown, who owned a horse, and David Morse, who was the pos- sessor of a harness and a buckboard. With this equip- ment, Mr. Whitney set out to fulfill his pre-arranged program, and when less than two miles on his route to Salt River, where the bride's parents resided, he met a man on horseback, who contrived to collide with his turn-out and dislocate one of the hind wheels. He abandoned the vehicle and returned to Mt. Pleasant and borrowed another buckboard, with
the aid of which he succeeded in accomplishing his matrimonial intentions. He was, at the time, the owner of $146. He paid the minister $5, bought a small elevated-oven cook-stove for $37, a barrel of flour for $24, and paid proportionately for other do- mestic fixtures. The period was not long after the war, and everything in the way of merchandise was high, and had to be transported from St. John's and Saginaw by teams. It should be remarked that the wedding livery of Mr. Whitney cost him $4.
Mrs. Whitney was born July 31, 1849, in Houns- field Township, Jefferson Co., N. Y. George B., eldest child, was born Feb. 8, 1869; Lulu, Nov. 17, 1874; Charles Francis, March 18, 1873 (died in July, 1873); Mary L., Nov. 14, 1874; Charles Frederick, Aug. 17, 1879.
Mr. Whitney is a prominent member of the Orders of Masonry and Odd-Fellows. In the former he is connected with the Royal Arch Chapter and the blue lodge at Mt. Pleasant, and in the latter fra- ternity he has passed all the chairs. He has also represented the local organization at the Grand Lodge four times. He is also a member of the Uni- tarian Church. He owns an attractive and valuable residence at Mt. Pleasant and 30 acres of land on section 3, Coe Township. Mrs. Whitney belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church.
illiam D. McFarren, deceased, late farmer on section 1, Coe, was a son of Thomas and Clarissa McFarren, natives of Wash- ington Co., N. Y .; and was born in the same county April 17, 1815. He lived in that locality until 1849, when he came with his fam- ily to Jackson Co., Mich., where he lived nine years. He then removed to Inghamn County, where he re- mained three years ; and in 1861 he came to Isabella County and bought 160 acres of wild land on sec- tion 1, Coe. He disposed of 80 acres, and of the remainder had under cultivation at the time of his death about 50 acres. His departure from this life occurred Jan. 27, 1884.
He was married in Whitehall, Washington Co., N. Y., March 6, 1839, to Miss Nancy Davis, who was born at the place of her marriage, April 14, 1816. Her parents, Winans and Nancy (Wilson) Davis, were
William Pickand)
-
ISABELLA COUNTY.
507
natives of Washington Co., N. Y. As a coincidence, it is worth relating that Mrs. Davis and her daughter were born and married in the same room. Mr. and Mrs. McF. have had eight children, five of whom survive. Their names are Mary J., James H. (de- ceased), Arvila (deceased), Clarissa, William W. (de- ceased), Seymour C., Leonard H. and Fenner A.
Mrs. McF. is a member of the Presbyterian Church.
rank Davis, farmer on section 15, Coe Township, is a son of Alden and Susan (Casey) Davis, and was born in Isabella County, Aug. 28, 1858. He attended the dis- trict schools in his boyhood, receiving a limited education. Losing his father in the battle of the Wilderness, in June, 1864, he lived at home with his mother until 14, and then went to live with his grandfather, P. D. Harns, with whom he remained until April, 1883. Since then he has been carrying on his own farm, and boarding with Robert Wilson. Politically, he is a Republican.
illiam Pickard, Under-Sheriff of Isabella County, residing at Mt. Pleasant, was born at Tobique, New Brunswick, Oct. 14, 1884, and is a son of John and Margaret (Jones) Pickard. His father was a farmer and lum- berman, and the son was reared to a knowl- edge of both callings. He went to Old Town, Me., when he was 19 years old, and was there engaged in active lumber interests four years. In September, 1868, he came to Isabella County, and after a year's labor in the woods he was placed in charge of the lumber camp of Gulliver, Remick & Whitney, of Detroit. He continued thus engaged between four and five years, when he formed a partnership with his brother, Thomas Pickard (see sketch), for the purpose of engaging in the work of lumbering in his own interest. They purchased timber lands and were diligently engaged in the various avenues pertaining to lumbering until 1880, when the partnership was dissolved. They also trafficked to considerable ex- tent in real estate and carried on farming interests,
but have closed their relations in agricultural matters.
Mr. Pickard has been engaged one winter since that date in lumbering alone.
In January, 1882, he was appointed Under-Sheriff by his brother, and has since devoted his attention to the duties of the position. He owns his residence in block 21, lots 1 and 2, in Bentley s Addition, and is pleasantly situated. He was married in St. Louis to Celestia Walker. She was born in Ohio and is a daughter of John and Catherine Walker. The chil- dren belonging to the household are Charles and Annie.
Mr. Pickard is one of the most popular and genial citizens of Mt. Pleasant, and his portrait in this vol- ume will afford genuine satisfaction to his numerous friends.
+
avid Tucker, farmer on section 14, Coe Township, is a son of Noah and Martha Tucker, natives of Ohio. The parents set- tled in Richland Co, Ohio, and lived there till their death. He died June 18, 1863, and she March 22, 1883. Their family consisted of ten, six sons and four daughters, David being the eldest son.
He was born in Richland Co., Ohio, March 25, 1835, and lived at home, developing into manhood through the usual course of play, school and work on the farm, until 22 years old. At the age of 24, Sept. 1, 1859, he was married to Elizabeth J., daughter of Daniel and Roxana (Lyons) Rising, who were natives of the State of New York. The father died in Sac Co., lowa, at an unknown date; the mother died in Williams Co., Ohio, Feb. 16, 1873. Mrs. Tucker was born in Richland Co., Ohio, Aug. 12, 1841.
After marriage, Mr. Tucker remained for three years in Richland Co., Ohio, removing then to Wil- liams County, same State, where he bought a farm of So acres and remained nearly 18 years. Disposing of that farm, he came in the spring of 1881 to Isa- bella County and bought 60 acres of improved land in Coe Township, where he has since made his home. In 1882 he erected a comfortable dwelling which will compare favorably with any in his part of the county. Politically, Mr. T. is a Republican.
The six children surviving are named Mary J., Warren L., Edward F., Ada E., Martha A. and Jen-
ISABELLA COUNTY.
508
nie M. The deceased were Icabinda, George A., Florence B., Charles E., Eli W., Arthur and Willie B. Mrs. Tucker died Aug. 5, 1882. She was an active member of the society known as the "Church of God." Mr. T.'s parents also belonged to this Church.
ames J. Campbell (deceased), late farmer on section 34, Coe Township, was a son of James R. and Catherine Campbell, and the eldest son in a family of 13 children. He was born in Carroll Co., Ohio, May 30, 1838, and lived in Ohio until November, 1867, when he came to Isabella County. He bought 160 acres of land in Coe Township, and at the time of his death had about 80 acres under cultivation.
He was married in Carroll Co., Ohio, May 3, 1860, to Elizabeth, daughter of George and Elizabeth (Caskey) Moore, natives of Ireland and Ohio. She was born in Carroll County, May 2, 1841, and is the mother of seven children,-George (died when five years old), Kate, Martha, William, James R., Frank and Effie E. Mr. C. died Nov. 28, 1875. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mrs. C. is a member of the Disciples' Church.
-
amuel Blake, resident at Mt. Pleasant, was born Jan. 28, 1816, on Grand Isle, Vt. His parents, John and Philura (Campbell) Blake, removed from their island home on Lake Champlain to the Township of Georgia in Franklin Co., Vt., in 1824, where Mr. Blake attained his majority. He was bred to the calling of his father, that of a farmer, which he pursued many years.
lle was married Jan. 28, 1840, in St. Alban's, Vt., to Amanda Loverin, a native of Greenbush, Can. After a residence of four years in Swanton, Vt., they went to Winnebago Co., Ill., where Mr. Blake be- came the owner by purchase of 200 acres of land, 160 acres of prairie and 40 acres in timber. It was located in what is now Durand Township. In 1858 Mr. Blake rented his property and went to the city of Rockford, in order to secure the superior educa-
tional advantages afforded by its schools. Mrs. Blake died in Rockford, March 12, 1872, aged 57 years. Three children constituted the issue of her marriage : Buel J., Elizabeth (Mrs. W. E. Harrs : see sketch), and Amelia. The latter became the wife of Walter Van Alstyne, of Rockford, and died Nov. 1, 1869, aged 21 years. The son became a soldier for the union in the war of the rebellion. He enlisted in Co. K, 74th Ill. Vol. Inf. His regi- ment was attached to the command of Gen. Sherman, and Buel Blake was in many of the engagements of the corps. He was killed June 27, 1864, at the battle of Kenesaw Mountain. Mr. Blake, of this sketch, became a resident of Mt. Pleasant in 1874.
illiam E. Harris, of the firm of Harris Bros., proprietors of the Mt. Pleasant Flouring Mills, was born April 15, 1841, in London, Eng., and is the son of William S. and Sarah A. (Heath) Harris. In 1852 he and his father came to the United States and proceeded di- rectly to Greenville, Montcalm Co., Mich. His father bought 40 acres of land in the township of Montcalm, and began to prepare for the comfortable location of his family, who followed in September of the same year. He died on the farm in New York, in September, 1854; the mother is still living, at Mt. Pleasant.
In 1859 Mr. Harris went to Greenville to learn his trade. He spent two years in a grist-mill, acquiring all the details of the business, and in 1861 went to Rockford, Winnebago Co., Ill., where he remained nine years employed as a miller. He was married there to Elizabeth Blake. She was born March 12, 1846, in Illinois, and is the daughter of Samuel and Amanda (Loverin) Blake. Minnie, born in Decem- ber, 1869, and Sammie, born in December, 1873, are the names of the two children now included in the family circle.
In 1872 Mr. Harris came to Mt. Pleasant, and, as- sociated with his brother John, bought the site of their mill. It was in heavy timber, and they pro- ceeded to clear and improve the property in genuine frontier fashion. They began building on a small scale, erecting a mill 30 by 40 feet. in dimensions,
509
ISABELLA COUNTY.
with two run of stones. The structure has been en- larged and its facilities increased, and is now 42 by 62 feet in extent, and three and a half stories in height. The fixtures include one run of stones and ten pairs of rollers, affording a capacity of 100 barrels of flour daily. They do merchant and exchange work, and employ five assistants. The firm of Harris Bros. includes the brothers William, John and Henry G., and Warner Churchill, a brother-in-law. The works are usually in operation night and day, and in the fall of the year they ship large quantities of grain. The firm are also interested in the manufacture and shipment of hoops. "The Government Mill Prop- erty," including 100 acres of land, is owned by the Harris Bros.
eorge M. Gould, farmer on section IS. Coe Township, is a son of James W. and Mari- ette (Sisson) Gould, natives of the State of New York, and was born in Ionia Co., Mich., July 17, 1847, in which county he lived most of the time until he came to Isabella County, in the summer of 1865. That year he bought 20 acres on section 18, Coe Township, to which he has since added 77 acres. He has now 50 acres improved.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.