USA > Michigan > Isabella County > Portrait and biographical album of Isabella county, Mich., containing portraits and biographical sketches > Part 53
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esse D. Frost, farmer on section 15, C'oe Township, is a son of John J. and Marga- ret T'. (Adamy) Frost, natives of New Jer- sey and New York, and was born in Che- mung Co., N. Y., July 22, 1828. At the age of seven, he came with his parents to Portage Co., Ohio, going thence to Crawford Co., Pa. In the latter county he lived continuously from that time till April, 1876, when he came to this county and bought
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120 acres on section 15, Coe Township. Of this farm he has now 60 acres under cultivation.
He was married in Venango Co., Pa., Jan. 1, 1862, to Nancy E., daughter of William and Jane Shank, natives of Pennsylvania. Mrs. F. was born Feb. 23, 1844, in the county in which she was married. Mr. and Mrs. Frost are the happy parents of five chil- dren : William J., Diana E., Samuel E, Maria J. and Robert J.
Mr. F. is politically a Democrat. Mrs. F. is a conscientious member of the United Brethren Church.
ree Estee, resident at Mt. Pleasant, was born Dec. 12, 1856, in Coe Township, Isa- bella County. He is a son of Perry H. and Carrie E. (Dole) Estee, who reside in Coe Township. He was one of the first children born in that section of Isabella County, and is a member of one of the most prominent representa- tive pioneer families of Northern Michigan. He was reared on his father's farm to the age of 16 years, attending winter terms of school. After reaching that age he engaged alternately in teaching and at- tending at the union school of Mt. Pleasant and the Commercial College at Grand Rapids. In 1876 he began to read law in the office of S. W. Hopkins, of Mt. Pleasant, and in the fall of 1877 he entered the Law Department of the University at Ann Arbor, where he was graduated in the spring of 1879. After taking his degree he taught one term of school, and in 1879 went to Greenville, Ohio, and, associated with J. C. Royan, opened a law office. The relation closed in February, 1881, when he returned to Mt. Pleasant. He devoted the autumn of 1880 to canı- paign duty for the Republican party in Ohio.
On returning to Mt Pleasant he formed a partner- ship with S. W. Hopkins. The connection was dis- solved in the fall of 1881, since which date he has managed the business of his office singly. He has officiated two years as School Examiner, and is at present Justice of Peace and School Inspector. In 1882 he was named by the popular voice for State Senator, but peremptorily declined, although his nom- ination and election were practically secure. In addition to the regular business pertaining to his profession, he is managing collections and real-estate
interests. He owns considerable property at Mt. Pleasant, including his fine residence, which he built in 1882, and two lots connected therewith, a house and two lots on Fancher Avenue and Illinois Street, besides two business lots on Main Street.
Mr. Estee was married Feb. 28, 1883, at Mt. Pleasant, to Mary, daughter of Charles and Naomi Stirling. She was born Feb. 29, 1864. Mr. Estee is a ready and fluent speaker, and is known as an active and influential advocate of the principles of his polit- ical connection in the local campaigns. He possesses brilliant literary abilities, and has been for a number of years a frequent contributor to various journals. His abilities and characteristics are winning for him a substantial recognition among business men, and he is secure of future advancement in his profession and business relations.
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unis W. Swart, for 16 years a resident of Mt. Pleasant, and for two and a half terms Sheriff of Isabella County, is a son of Tunis and Rhoda (Riggs) Swart, and was born in Orleans Co., N. Y., Feb, 27, 1836. While he was an infant, his father moved to Michigan, settling in Homer Township, Calhoun County, and soon afterward buying a farm of 80 acres in Claren- don Township, same County, where he died, Oct. 17, 1855. His wife died in September, 1857, at the same place.
The son was reared on that farm, and when 17 years old learned the cooper's trade, which he fol- lowed in various places for 12 years. He came, in October, 1865, to Mt. Pleasant, and bought 20 acres on section 26, Union Township, where he resided two and a half years. His residence was next in Mt. Pleasant, as Sheriff of the county. In 1871 he opened a grocery and provision store, which he carried on until 1880. In the summer of 1878 he built a fine brick store on the corner of Main and Michigan Streets, 22 12 x 70 feet in size, two stories and a base- ment, with a barn in the rear. In this building he did business for the last two years before he retired He has also built a fine brick residence, on two lots on Main street, south of his store, and owns a dwell- ing and lot on the corner of Washington and Wiscon-
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sin Streets, and five acres on section 22, near the corporation.
He was married in Clarendon Township, Calhoun County, April 1, 1860, to Miss Laura J. Willett, who was born in Lenawee County, June 6, 1842, the daughter of William S. and Marian W. ( Alger) Willett. One son has been born to them, Fred H., Feb. 12, 1871.
Mr. Swart is a member of the Masonic fraternity. He has been Constable of his township and village several years, and has held school offices. He was elected Sheriff in 1868, and was again chosen in 1876. Between those two dates he was for one year appointed Sheriff in place of John Maxwell, who was chosen County Treasurer. He took to Jackson the first convicts from Isabella County. They were two men sentenced for three years.
eorge H. Freeman, farmer on section 21, Coe, is a son of James and Phebe (Wood- ward) Freeman, natives respectively of London, England, and the Dominion of Can- ada. The parents lived a number of years in Canada, and came to Midland Co., Mich., in 1869. Three years later they settled in Coe Town- ship, this county. which is their present home. Their family included six sons and one daughter, George being the fifth son.
He was born in De Gore, Can., June 22, 1852. For various reasons his educational privileges were few, and he worked most of the time after he was old enough to be a steady hand at heavy labor. At the age of 20 he started out on his own account. He worked for others for a time, and in the fall of 1872 came into possession of 40 acres, mostly wild, in Coe Township, where he has since lived. He has added 40 acres by purchase, and now has a fine farm of 80 acres, 60 of which are improved.
lle was married at Salt River, Dec. 24, 1871, to Miss Mary E., daughter of Jesse and Eliza Hutchin- son, residents of Coe Township. Mrs. Freeman was born in Wayne Co., Ohio, Jan. 21, 1853. To her and her husband five children have been given, -Franklin,
Bertie, Lydia M., Olive E. and Elmer. Franklin died when about eight months old.
Politically, Mr. F. is a firm supporter of the Re- publican party.
. illiam W. Struble, ex-Judge of Probate of Isabella County, resident at Mt. Pleasant, was born Nov. 6, 1822, in Morrow Co., Ohio. He is a son of John W. and Sarah (Laycock) Struble. His father was a farmer and a native of New Jersey ; he died in Morrow County, Aug. 27, 1835. The mother was born in New Jersey and died in Fulton Co., Ohio, Dec. 29, 1862.
Mr. Struble was reared to the same calling his father pursued all his life, and when he reached the age of 16 years, went to learn the tailor's trade. He served an apprenticeship of four years in Lexington, Richland Co., Ohio, and followed the same vocation two years as a journeyman. In May, 1843, he open- ed a shop in Galena, Delaware Co., Ohio, and contin- ued to conduct his business there three and a half years.
He was married Sept. 12, 1843, in Lexington, tc Mary Murphy, who was born Aug. 8, 1821, in Union town, Pa., and was the daughter of Baruch and Cath- erine Murphy. She became the mother of 11 chil- dren, and died Oct. 24, 1878. Nine of the sons and daughters live to hold her in sacred, loving re- membrance : Sarah, the eldest child, is deceased; John B. is one of the proprietors of the Salt River Flouring Mills ; Joseph A. is a farmer in Chippewa Township; Mary S. is the wife of Joseph Oklits, of Mt. Pleasant; Harriet is Mrs. W. W. Fosgitt, lumber dealer near Sutton's Bay, Mich .; James P. is a farmer in Union Township; Franklin L. is engaged in farm- ing in Coe Township; Elmer E. is the manager of the homestead in Chippewa Township; Ulyses S. is a farmer. From Galena Mr. Struble went to Mor- row County, and was there engaged in the business of tanner about four years, and returned then to Fulton County, where he operated with success about five years. He then sold out and bought a farm in the same county. where he engaged in agriculture until his removal to Isabella County, in October, 1864.
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lle bought 160 acres of timber land, which he placed in a high state of cultivation. He has given 40 acres to each of his two eldest sons, and still holds 80 acres as a homestead. He resided on his prop- erty in Chippewa Township until 1882, when he re- tired from active farming and moved to Mt. Pleasant, where he is snugly situated in a dwelling he owns there.
Mr. Struble was nominated for Judge of Probate in the fall of 1870, on the Republican ticket, and made a most successful campaign against Richard Hoy, receiving a majority of 425 votes. He discharged the duties of the office with credit to himself and satis- faction to all concerned. He was a second time married Oct. 23, 1881, to Catherine Converse, of Chippewa Township. She was born in Ontario Co., State of New York, Oct. 11, 1833, and her parents were among the pioneer settlers of Hillsdale Co., Mich.
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illiam M. Williams, farmer on section 26, Coe Township, is a son of William R. and Betsey (Gibbs) Williams. The father was born in St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., March 31, 1814, and the mother was born in the same county, in April, 1817. They came from New York to Michigan, and lived in Ingham County five years. In the spring of 1860, they came to Isabella County and located on section 35, Coe Township, where he died, June 29, 1881. She survives. Their family included 11 children, nine of whom grew to be adults There were four sons and seven daughters, William being the third son.
He was born in St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., May 18, 1850, and was five years old when his parents came to Michigan, and 10 years old when they settled in Isabella County. He-received a rudimentary educa- tion in the district schools and worked on the farm and in the woods until 24 years of age.
He was married in Pine River Township, Gratiot Co., Mich., April 10, 1878, to Lovina, daughter of George and Agnes (Lockey) Wooley, natives of Can- ada. She was born in Clinton County, this State, Sept. 13, 1861. Of this marriage one daughter, Bes- sie, was born June 12, 1879.
Mr. W. bought his present farm of 40 acres on
section 26, Coe, in 1875. lle has 30 acres improved. Politically, he is a Republican. Mrs. W. is a member of the Presbyterian Church.
ichael Schafer, farmer, section 28, Notta- wa Township, is a son of Leonard and Lena (Christ) Schafer, the former a native of Germany and the latter of this State, where, in Clinton County, they both died.
The subject of this record was born in West- phalia, Clinton County, this State, March 4, 1855. He remained under the family roof-tree, assisting in the maintenance of the family and attending the com- mon schools, until he attained the age of manhood, when he went forth to fight the battle of life alone, and came to Isabella County, this State.
In 1876, he, in connection with his brother, pur- chased 200 acres of wild land in Nottawa Township, 30 of which are now in a good state of cultivation.
Mr. Schafer was united in marriage June 23, 1879, with Clara Mutz, the daughter of Valentine and Frances (Pauli) Mutz, both natives of Germany and at present living in Lansing, this State.
Mrs. Schafer was born April 4, 1855, near San- dusky, Ohio. The union of Mr. and Mrs. S. has been blessed with two children, Frankie, born Dec. 1, ISSo, and Peter W., born March 29, 1883:
Mr. S. is at present Moderator of his school dis- trict, and himself and wife are members of the Catholic Church.
ohn C. Hardgrove, farmer on section 30, Chippewa Township, is a son of Washing- ton and Priscilla (Clark) Hardgrove, na- tives of Pennsylvania. Their family includes four sons and four daughters, the subject of this biography being the eldest son.
He was born in Carroll Co., Ohio, Sept. 18, 1830, and received the rudiments of an English education at the district school. As soon as he was old enough to work he began to help his father, and he remained at home until 27 years old. He was married in the county of his nativity, Oct. 7. 1857, to Miss Phebe, daughter of William and Sophronia (Sturgeon) Black- ledge. Mr. and Mrs. Blackledge were born in Greene
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Co., Pa., and died in Carroll Co., Ohio. Mrs. Hard- grove was born in the latter county Sept. 26, 1832, and has had eight children, seven of whom are liv- ing,-Mary E., Franklin A., Frances R., George W., Emma C., Melvin H. and Corban. Hiram B. died Feb. 7, 1882.
Mr. H. is a Republican and has held various school offices in his district. He came to Isabella County in September, 1867. Of his 160 acres, 80 are in good cultivation.
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Herbert Soper, farmer on section 7, Coe, is a son of Ira and Olivia (Dane) Soper, natives of the State of New York, and now residents of Flint, Genesee Co., Mich. He was born in Orleans Co., N. Y., Dec. 17, 1846, and at the age of seven came with his parents to Genesee County, this State. He lived at home until the spring of 1876, when he came to Isabella County and bought 80 acres, mostly wild, where he now re- sides. He has 32 acres under cultivation.
He was married at Flint, Sept. 25, 1872, to Miss Cynthia I., daughter of Alonzo and Mary Hemstreet, natives of New York. Mrs. Soper was born in the county of her marriage, March 29, 1847. The three children added to the family circle are Harry W., Edith O. and Kittie M. J. Herbert died when a a year and 27 days old. Politically, Mr. S. is a Re- publican.
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enjamin Whitney, deceased, a relative of several residents of Isabella County, was born in the State of Vermont, Nov. 14, 1802. Leaving that State at the age of 13, he spent some time in Batavia, N. Y., and then went to Ohio and lived in Rainsville several years. He then settled in Ontario Co., N. Y., where he followed blacksmithing and farming, and for a time was employed in driving stage for his father.
Hle was married in Ontario Co., N. Y., Dec. 24, 1832, to Caroline E., daughter of Thomas and Annie (Ralston) Hall. Mrs. Whitney was born in Steuben
Co., N. Y., Feb. 27, 1815, and bore to her husband nine children, as follows: Clarissa E., Emily J., William T., Hiram B., Charles C., George G., Albert N., Rensselaer G. and Mary C. Hiram B. died March 18, 1864, while on his way to Yorktown, as a member of the 16th Heavy Artillery. His body was embalmed and sent back to his mourning parents.
Mr. Whitney enlisted Feb. 17, 1864, in Co. E, Eighth Mich. Vol. Inf., and served 18 months. He fought at the Wilderness, Cold Harbor and in numer- ous other engagements; and while in a skirmish near Petersburg he was shot through the left hand by a minie ball. With other wounded and disabled men, he walked ten miles to City Point, Va., where his wound was dressed and he was sent to Washington, D. C., and afterwards to Philadelphia. He was as- signed to the invalid corps, where he remained till Aug. 7, 1865, when he was discharged and returned to his home.
He died of heart disease, Feb. 8, 1874, in Yates Co., N. Y., while on a visit to his daughter, Clarissa E.
avid C. Vroman, farmer on section 27, Coe Township, is a son of Tunis and Elizabeth (Craig) Vroman, natives of the States of New York and Maine. The parents first settled in Orleans Co., N. Y., and afterwards re- moved to Jackson County, this State, where the mother died. The father yet lives in that county. Their family numbered eight, and David C. was their second son.
He was born in Jackson County, May 24, 1836, attended school until 17 years old and remained at home until 23 years old. In February, 1859, he came with his wife to Isabella County and bought 120 acres on section 27, Coe Township. He has since disposed of 80 acres, and has improved 55 acres.
He was married in Jackson County, this State. July 1, 1858, to Julia E., daughter of David H. and Chloe (Sanford) Goldsmith. Parents were natives of Tompkins Co., N. Y., and the daughter was born in Monroe Co., N. Y., Sept. 13, 1841. Florence M., William H., Walter L., Zada A. and Raymond W.
Charles & Bournan
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are the names of their five children. Zada A. died when a little over one year old.
Mr. and Mrs. V. are members of the Disciples' Church. Politically, he is a Democrat.
Charles E. Bowman, lumberman and agri- culturist, resident at Loomis, Wise Town- ship, was born May 30, 1844, in Niagara- Co., N. Y. His parents, Daniel and Jane (Denster) Bowman, were also natives of the State of New York. The former was born Sept. 14, 1817, the latter May 19, 1817. The senior Bowman was a shoe- maker by trade, and while a resident of his native State worked at that business, and also as a tailor. In 1850 he removed with his family to St. Clair Co., Mich., and located 120 acres of unimproved land. He placed 40 acres under creditable cultivation, and erected thereon suitable and necessary farm build- ings. After eight years he sold the property and removed to Midland County, settling in a part now included in the township of Edenville. Associated with Timothy Jerome, a brother of the ex-Governor of Michigan, he built a saw-mill, which was run by water power. Two years later he sold his moiety to his partner and devoted his attention solely to lum- bering and agriculture. In 1865 he removed to the State of Missouri.
Mr. Bowman is of mixed English and Highland Scotch extraction, his father and mother having been respectively of parents descended from those nation- alities. On attaining his majority he engaged in lumbering. His capital was invested in a span of horses, and he operated on the Tittabawassee River as a contractor in the avenues common to the busi- ness, to which he devoted his energies about two years, when he purchased 81 acres of wild land in Edenville, Midland County, and began clearing it for a homestead. He placed 45 acres in first-class cultivation and built thereon a house and barn. He still retains its ownership, but after a residence there- on of some years, he removed to Isabella County to follow his lumber interests. He located on sec- tion 10, Wise Township, where he has since resided and vigorously prosecuted the business of lumbering. He owns 200 acres of land, which he is fast placing in a highly creditable state of cultivation.
In political views and connections, Mr. Bowman is a Republican. He has discharged the duties of several local offices, and is now School Assessor. He is a member of the Order of Masonry, and belongs to Corning Lodge, No. 335, at Farwell, Clare Co., Mich.
Mr. Bowman is a substantial citizen of his town- ship and county, one of the class of men whose zealous industry and persevering prosecution of in- flexible business methods is fast placing this section of Northern Michigan in fair rank with other portions of the Peninsular State. His portrait is given on the opposite page.
He was married Oct. 11, 1868, to Julia, daughter of Nicholas and Sophia (Lavere) Raymond. She was born Jan. 10, 1851, in St. Clair, Mich. Her father was born in 1813, in the Province of Quebec. He came to Michigan when he was but 18 years old, and followed the business of a blacksmith until his death in 1853. That event was the result of accident, from a falling limb off a tree from which he and his son were peeling the bark, striking him on his head. He survived five hours. Her mother was born May 20, 1817, in Detroit, and is still living, at Port Huron, St. Clair County. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Bowman are five in number, and were born as fol- lows: Wallace E., Nov. 6, 1869 (died Dec. 19, 1870); Warren G., Jan. 3, 1871 ; Elmer D., Nov. 18, 1873; Eber A., Jan. 17, 1878; Bessie May, May 6, 1884.
ohn Russell Doughty, editor and proprietor of the Isabella County Enterprise, was born at Henrietta Corners, Monroe Co., N. Y., within ten miles of the city of Rochester. His birth occurred Sept. 24, 1842, and he is the son of George W. and Emeline (Storm) Doughty. When he was two years old his parents removed to Van Buren Co., Mich., where his father engaged in mercantile pursuits at Paw Paw; he is still living there, aged So years. The mother died at Paw Paw in 1878.
Mr. Doughty received all the educational advan- tages afforded by the place where he grew to mature years, and he eventually entered the printing-office of I. W. Van Fossen, at Paw Paw, where he re- mained between two and three years. He afterward
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went to Kalamazoo, where he obtained a situation in the printing-office of the Kalamazoo Telegraph. He remained there as assistant about three years, and at the expiration of that time he went to Poughkeep- sie, N. Y., where he was employed on the Daily Eagle; he went thence to the city of New York and passed some months in a book and job office.
The place grew irksome; and, yielding to an in- clination to see home and friends, he returned to Paw Paw, where he purchased the stock of a boot and shoe establishment. He continued the management of the business upwards of a year, when he sold out and again interested himself in printing, entering the True Northerner office at Paw Paw. After a short time he again went to Kalamazoo, and later to St. John's, where, associated with a Mr. Phillips, he pub- lished the Clinton County Republican. Eventually he sold his interest to Mr. Phillips and returned to Paw Paw. Shortly after, he went to St. Joseph and was there engaged for a few months in the pursuit of his vocation as printer, returning on the termination of his engagement to Paw Paw.
While at home he received a communication from Albert Fox, publisher of the Enterprise at Mt. Pleas- ant, asking him to proceed to that place to take charge of the paper, as his failing health incapacita- ted him for the duties and labors of the position. Mr. Doughty responded to the summons and spent 18 months as assistant and manager of the interests of the journal. At the end of that time Mr. Fox died, when the paper passed by purchase into the hands of Mr. Doughty. He succeeded to its pro- prietorship in July, 1873. The journal is now in its 20th year; it has the largest circulation of all papers in the county and is conducted in accordance with the principles declared in its motto. It is published in the "interests of the Republican party and of Isa- bella County." Its popularity is growing with the in- crease of improvement and population of Isabella County, and its business interests are gradually widening. A considerable job and book printing business is connected with the work of the paper, which is an important addition to its scope and is rapidly extending.
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In 1875, his printing-office, with all its fixtures, was destroyed by fire, entailing total loss, as there was no insurance. The plucky editor was nothing daunted and ordered a new outfit from Detroit, set
up an office in the parlor of his private residence and issued his paper on the regular day of the following week. In January, 1884, he reduced the subscrip- tion price of the paper to $1 a year.
Mr. Doughty was married May 24, 1874, at Mt. Pleasant, to Eva Craig Graves, daughter of Judge L. and Virginia Graves, residents of Warsaw, Gallatin Co., Ky. Mrs. Doughty was born at that place Dec. 1, 1852. She is thoroughly educated, having been a student at Oxford Female College, Butler Co., Ohio, and at the "Acade.ny of the Most Holy Rosary " at Louisville, Ky. She is assistant editor of the Enter- prise. The family includes three children,-Lorenzo G., Ole W. and Virgaline, aged respectively eight, six and three years.
ion. Isaac A. Fancher, formerly a resident « of this county but now of Detroit, is a son of Jacob Schuyler and Eunice (Alger) Fancher, and was born Sept. 30, 1833, in Florida, Mont- gomery Co., N. Y., where his parents passed - the latter portion of their lives. His father died in 1838, and his mother for some time afterward lived at Braman's Corners, about a mile and a half from Schenectady, N. Y .; but, returning to Florida, N. Y., she finally died at her daughter's, Olivia Caroline. In their family were four children, namely, Olivia Caroline, Richard, Isaac Alger (subject of this sketch) and Orrin Hatch. Richard and Orrin are deceased.
Mr. Fancher, during his early boyhood, attended the summer schools, as the school-house was too dis- tant for him to attend in winter. From the age of 11 to 15 he had to work on the farm; then for one year he attended school at Duanesburg, Schenectady Co., N. Y., boarding with his sister Olivia; next, was on the farm again until he was 19 years of age; then, being anxious to obtain a better education, he at- tended the Princetown Academy in his native county for a three-months term, and the following year two terms more. Afterward he attended the Amsterdam (N. Y.) Academy for a school year, closing in June, 1856. In September following he left his native State for the West, spent a short time in Kilbourn City, Wis., taught a winter term (1856-7) of school
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