USA > Michigan > Midland County > Portrait and biographical album of Midland County, Mich. containing portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county > Part 13
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In 1870, Gov. Begole was nominated by acclama- tion for the office of State Senator, and elected by a large majority. In that body he served on the Com- mittees of Finance and Railroads, and was Chairman of the Committee on the Institute for the Deaf and Dumb and Blind. He took a liberal and public- spirited view of the importance of a new capitol building worthy of the State, and was an active mem- ber of the Committee that drafted the bill for the same He was a delegate to the National Republi- can Convention held at Philadelphia in 1872, and was the chosen member of that delegation to go to Washington and inform Gen. Grant and Senator Wilson of their nominations. It was while at that convention that, by the express wish of his many friends, he was induced to offer himself a can- didate for the nomination of member to the 43d Con- gress, in which he was successful, after competing for the nomination with several of the most worthy, able and experienced men in the Sixth Congressional Dis- trict, and was elected by a very large majority. In Congress, he was a member of the Committee on Agricultural and Public Expenditures. Being one of the 17 farmers in that Congress, he took an active part in the Committee of Agriculture, and was ap- pointed by that committee to draft the most impor- tant report made by that committee, and upon the only subject recommended by the President in his message, which he did and the report was printed in records of Congress ; he took an efficient though an unobtrusive part in all its proceedings.
He voted for the currency bill, remonetization of silver, and other financial measures, many of which, though defeated then, have since become the settled policy of the country. Owing to the position which Mr. Begole occupied on these questions, he became a "Greenbacker."
In the Gubernatorial election of 1882, Mr. Begole was the candidate of both the Greenback and Dem- ocratic parties, and was elected by a vote of 154,269, the Republican candidate, Hon. David H. Jerome,
receiving 149,697 votes. Mr. Begole, in entering upon his duties as Governor, has manifested a spirit that has already won him many friends, and bids fair to make his administration both successful and pop- ular.
The very best indications of what a man is, is what his own townsmen think of him. We give the fol- lowing extract from the Flint Globe, the leading Re- publican paper in Gov. Begole's own county, and it, too, written during the heat of a political campaign, which certainly is a flattering testimonial of his ster- ling worth :
" So far, however, as Mr. Begole, the head of the ticket, is concerned, there is nothing detrimental to his character that can be alleged against him. He has sometimes changed his mind in politics, but for sincerity of his beliefs and the earnestness of his pur- pose nobody who knows him entertains a doubt. He is incapable of bearing malice, even against his bit- terest political enemies. He has a warm, generous nature, and a larger, kinder heart does not beat in the bosom of any man in Michigan. He is not much given to making speeches, but deeds are more signif- icant of a man's character than words. There are many scores of men in all parts of the State where Mr. Begole is acquainted, who have had practical demonstrations of these facts, and who are liable to step outside of party lines to show that .they do not forget his kindness, and who, no doubt, wish that he was a leader in what would not necessarily prove a forlorn hope. But the Republican party in Michigan is too strong to be beaten by a combination of Demo- crats and Greenbackers, even if it is marshaled by so good a man as Mr. Begole."
This sketch would be imperfect without referring to the action of Mr. B. at the time of the great calamity that in 1881 overtook the people of Northeastern Michigan, in a few hours desolating whole counties by fire and destroying the results and accumulations of such hard work as only falls to the lot of pioneers. While the Port Huron and Detroit committees were quarreling over the distribution of funds, Mr. Begole wrote to an agent in the "'burnt district " a letter, from which we make an extract of but a single sentence : "Until the differences between the two committees are adjusted and you receive your regular supplies from them, draw on me. Let no man suffer while I have money." This displays his true character.
MIDLAND COUNTY,
MICHIGAN.
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حث تثاث سعر ٢٠ ___
BIOGRAPHICAL
こぐ叫ぶロシマー
MIDLAND COUNTY.
175
INTRODUCTORY.
HE value of history lies, in a great degree, in the biog- raphy of the personages con- cerned therein. The annals of the settlers delineate the pioneer period, while those of the later residents exhibit the progress of the country and the status of the present generation. Midland County gives a vivid illustration of these statements; but its won- derful pioneer era laps upon its present period in a manner so grad- ual that there is really no dis- tinctive line of demarcation. Many of those whose efforts gave the country its earliest impetus may still be seen upon its thoroughfares ; many of the characters in the day of its first things are still on the stage, and watch with keen-eyed alertness the manipulations, successes and reverses of the present day, still jealous for the reputation of the county and eagerly solicitous for her substantial and permanent progress.
The compilers of these records strive to establish their claim for biographical integrity, preparing the matter from the stand-point of no man's prejudice. The full scope of the personal record here is to demonstrate the exact relation of every individual
represented to the generations of the past and of the present.
Succeeding ages sweep away the debris of human errors and perpetuate the real greatness of a com- munity. Character stands out statuesque, and events cluster about individuals, forming the grandest and truest historical structure of which any age is capable. Only biography can fitly represent the foundation, progress and ultimatum of local history, and portray with perfect justice the precise attitude and relation of men to events and conditions.
Midland County is justly proud of her pioneer record, and, so far as possible, the publishers have endeavored to honor the representatives of that pe- riod as well as those of to-day. Labor and suffering, undergone in the light of hope and the earnestness of honest effort and toil, established this county in permanent prosperity, and is rounding up a period of glorious completeness. Her villages are creditable, and her agricultural community is composed of the best classes.
In collecting the following sketches the purpose has been to collect the main points of personal record, through which the enterprise of decades to follow may complete a perfect and continuous histori- cal outline from the earliest settlement of the county to the present time.
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MIDLAND COUNTY.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
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ON. HENRY HART, Judge of the 21st Judicial Cir- cuit of Michigan, resident at Midland, was born May 13, 1840, in China, St. Clair Co., Mich. His line of descent is purely Amer- ican, the ancestors of his parents having been born in the State of New York. His father, Silas S. Hart, was a native of Long Island, and was born July 20, 1804. His mother, Maria (Hart) Hart, was born July 27, 1807, in the western part of the Empire State. Her demise occurred in June, 1875. The death of the father took place in September, 1870.
Not long after the event of their marriage the parents of Judge Hart settled in St. Clair Co., Mich. The Peninsular State was then in its Territorial days, and they were among the pioneer element whose labors and efforts established the prosperity and rank of one of the best sections of Michigan. They located in primeval forest, built a humble home and devoted the strength of their lives to the progress and advancement of the place of their choice, and the community of which they were a
part, which they lived to see in a condition that creditably rivaled the old-settled places in the East. They reared their family of five children in the pur- suit of labor on the farm, which was alternated by attendance at the common schools.
At the age of 15 years Judge Hart went to Mt. Clemens and became a member of the household of R. P. Eldridge, attorney. He remained there about 20 months, engaged in alternate labor and study. He became respectably proficient in scholarship and engaged in teaching a district school in the winter prior to his reaching the age of 18 years. He pur- sued that calling six winters, spending the remainder of the years in the pursuit of agriculture, save one summer' when he attended school at St. Clair. He determined upon the profession of an attorney and returned to Mt. Clemens, where he read law under the direction of Mr. Eldridge, and in the fall of 1863 he matriculated in the Law Department of the University of Michigan, where he was graduated in the spring of 1865 with the degree of B. LL. In July following he fixed his residence at Midland, where he entered upon his career as an attorney and in a brief time secured a substantial practice and a firm hold on the confidence of the community, to which he proved a valuable accession.
Judge Hart was married Feb. 4, 1869, to Maria Parsons. She was born April 17, 1844, in China,
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and is the daughter of William and Lavinia (Weeks) Parsons. Two children, Ray and Mary, constitute the issue of this marriage, the one born April 21, 1872, the other Feb. 27, 1876, at Midland.
His public life commenced in the fall of 1866, when he was appointed Justice of the Peace to fill an unexpired term. In the fall of 1866 he was elected Prosecuting Attorney of Midland County, and in 1868 was re-elected to the same position. In the fall of 1870 he was elected Circuit-Court Com- missioner, and two years later was his own successor by re-election. He was elected Representative from his district in the autumn of 1874 and dis- charged the duties of the position through the session of the winter of 1874-5. His personal service in the Legislature included the Chairmanship on the Committee on Municipal Corporations, and he officiated as a member of the Committee on Enroll- ment and Engrossing of Bills.
In the spring of 1875 he resigned his post as Representative to render himself eligible to the posi- tion of Circuit Judge, which he has since held con- tinuously. His circuit includes the counties of Midland, Isabella, Clare, Gladwin and Gratiot.
The character and career of Judge Hart afford a lesson of intense significance to the aspirants of the times. The traits by which he is characterized have won for him his unwavering popularity, and substan- tiated his position in public life from the outset. His course has been marked by no comet-like brilliancy or spasmodic prominence. He has kept the even temper of a man of inflexible principle, sound judg- ment and manly dignity. The two latter character- istics make him eminent on the Bench. His bearing is always compatible with the character of the posi- tion he occupies, and his perfect self-poise secures the utmost degree of harmony in the sessions over which he presides. The advocates who plead in his courts acknowledge the power and the influence of his unwavering demeanor; and his entire official record is marked by the traits which distinguish him. His deliberation amounts nearly to dilatoriness, but the character of his decisions is evident from the favor they meet in the higher tribunals. He is an excellent jurist, an impartial judge and an admirable exponent of law. The rectitude of his private character, his dignified solicitude for the faithful dis- charge of the trusts confided to him, his manner and
methods in the management of his judicial obliga- tions and connections, render him conspicuous. His official position sought him out at the threshold of his prime, and his character and acts have made his subsequent career one of credit to himself, and re- flects honor upon his constituency.
ustice C. Perry, mechanic and farmer, sec- tion 20, Lee Township, was born in Chau- tauqua Co., N. Y., July 18, 1827 ; when he arrived at the age of nine years, the family moved to Ashtabula Co., Ohio, and in that county, when of age, he married Miss Eliza A. Herrick, who was born in Hampshire, Mass., Dec. 14, 1829, and whose parents were New Englanders, of English ancestry. At the age of ten years she was taken by her parents, changing residence, into Berkshire County, same State, afterward to Ashta- bula Co., Ohio, where she remained with them until her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Perry are now the parents of six children, all living and married, and residing in this and Isabella Counties. Their names are Theo- dore, Flora, Charlotte, Charles, Medora and Ellen.
After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Perry settled in Colebrook, Ashtabula Co., Ohio, where Mr. P. fol- lowed his trade as carpenter, which he had learned as a regular apprentice when a youth. During the war he enlisted for the Union, in Co. E, 6th Ohio Cav., in the Army of the Potomac, his company being commanded by Capt. Wm. J. Gray. He was in the service 27 months, the whole time as Sergeant, being in all the engagements of that division of the army until he was wounded at Aldie, Va. His horse being shot under him, he fell and his right hip was put out of joint. Shortly afterward, Jan. 15, 1865, he was dis- charged for disability.
Returning from the war he located again at Cole- brook, where he remained until the spring of 1880, when he came to this county and settled upon a quarter of section 20, where he now resides, which he had purchased in 1875. Here he has made con- siderable improvement, and deeded most of the place to his children. He and his wife are members of the Old-School Baptist Church, he is a Republican in his political views, and he has held the minor offices of his township.
MIDLAND COUNTY.
I79
achariah N. Hewitt, deceased, was born Sept. 11, 1834, at Prattsburg, N. Y., and was « a son of William A. and Hannah C. (Hyatt) Hewitt. His father was born Nov. 25, 1812, at Saratoga, N. Y., a lawyer by profession, and one of the first settlers of Clinton Co., this State; he moved to this State when Zachariah was about 18 months old. and here died, Feb. 12, 1863. The mother, who. was born March 15, 1813, in Orange Co., N. Y., was married a second time, to the youngest brother of her deceased husband, and is at present living at Maple Rapids, Clinton Co., this State. Their daughter, Mrs. Fannie M. Brown, was the first white child born in Clinton County.
Zachariah remained at home until 17 years of age, when he went forth upon the sea of time to battle against the elements of disappointment and ad- versity alone. He engaged in "driving" logs on the Muskegon River for a time, and then worked at his trade, blacksmithing, which he had learned pre- viously. He continued to work at his trade, lumber- ing more or less during winters, until 1856. Jan. 17 of that year he was united in marriage to Miss America L., daughter of Theodore P. and Abigail A. (Bristol) Hoyt. She was born May 17, 1837, in Bristol, Ontario Co., N. Y., and is the mother, to Mr. Hewitt, of two children, namely : Ambrose T., born Jan. 4, 1857, in Maple Rapids, Clinton Co., this State, and Fon N., born Feb. 16, 1869, in the same place. The father of Mrs. Hewitt was a native of Hooperstown, in the Empire State, born Aug. 25, 1816, and died July 2, 1873. The mother was born Feb. 28, 1817, at Smithville, Chenango Co., N. Y.
After marriage Mr. Hewitt worked his father's farm for a year, then engaged in a grocery store at Maple Rapids, and continued the business for about two years, until 1859, when he sold the same. April 22, of the latter date, he started overland for the land of gold. His intention on leaving home was to go to Pike's Peak, but en route he heard so many discouraging reports of that place that he changed his mind, and meeting with some friends from Gratiot County on the way to California, he accompanied them. On arriving at the latter place he engaged in mining, and followed the same for
some three years and nine months, when he returned home by water. On his arrival home he rented a grist-mill, which he ran for a short time and then purchased an interest in the same and continued to operate it for about three years. At the expiration of the latter date, he rented the mill and went to Pike's Peak, was gone less than a year, and return- ing, ran his mill for a time, then sold it and pur- chased a saw-mill in Maple Rapids. He ran the saw-mill for two years, then sold it and purchased a grocery in Maple Rapids ; conducted that business for about a year, when he sold it to the party who owned the building. His next move was to Ten- nessee, when he came home and engaged in the brick business near Maple Rapids for a season.
May 1, 1878, Mr. H. moved to Gratiot County, and located in Bethany Township. It was on a wild, unimproved piece of land, and he erected a frame house and commenced clearing and improving the land. He remained on that place three years, then exchanged it for a stock of goods in Brecken- ridge, Gratiot County. He conducted the mercan- tile business at that point for about 18 months, when he moved his stock of goods and family to Button- ville, this County, where his family are at present residing. He came to Buttonville Nov. 1, 1882, and soon after arriving was taken sick. His sickness affected his mind, and on June 7, the following year, he left home and wandered into the woods, since which time nothing has been seen of or heard from him. Diligent search was made, and he was tracked to the woods, but there all trace of him was lost, and his grave is supposed to be under the shade of the pines.
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ohn Frederick Rose, farmer, section 16, - Geneva Township, was born near Berlin, Prussia, March 20, 1836, and is a son of John and Mary (Spencer) Rose, both the latter of whom died in their native land, Prussia.
The subject of this sketch landed at New York city April 20, 1873, went to Welland, Canada, and followed farming, most of the time on rented ground, then came to this county, arriving at North Bradley March 1, 1880, where he settled on a quar- ter-section of unimproved land, which he had pur-
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MIDLAND COUNTY.
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chased the previous February on a visit here. Of this tract he has since deeded 40 acres to his son, August, and has about 20 acres cleared.
Nov. 2, 1862, Mr. Rose married Miss Mary Ann, daughter of Jacob and Mary Ann (Wolf) Hoffman. Her mother died about 40 years ago, and her father about seven years ago, in Germany. Mrs. Rose was born Oct. 25, 1835, near Berlin, Prussia; and the children born to her and Mr. Rose are : August, born March 1, 1863; Charles W., April 26, 1870; Otto Arndt, Dec. 7, 1872; May Ann, Feb. 11, 1875 ; John Frederick, Dec. 25, 1860, died, near Berlin, his native place, Oct. 30, 1866 ; and Anna, born June 22, 1865, near Berlin, died May 25, 1870. The first three above mentioned were born at the old Prussian home, and May Ann was born in Canada.
Mr. Rose was in the war of 1866 between Austria and Prussia 16 weeks, but in no battles ; was also in the Franco-German war of 1870-1, engaging in the battles of Metz, Strasburg and Sedan, and was sta- tioned at Chalons, guarding prisoners. He was in the last war about nine months.
In his views of American politics, Mr. Rose main- tains the platform of the Republican party; is now holding the office of School Moderator, and both himself and wife are members of the German Epis- copal Church.
illiam Mixer, residing at Midland City, is a son of William and Fanny (Dickerson) Mixer; and was born in Ellisburg Town- ship, Jefferson Co., N. Y., Feb. 22, 1821. His minority was passed on a farm, attend- ing school in the winter seasons. Attaining his majority, he left home, and having learned the ship carpenter's trade near Sackett's Harbor, he followed this for a number of years. About 1854 he came to Marine City, St. Clair County, this State, where he was similarly engaged for two years. At the expira- tion of this time he rented a farm a mile and a half north of Midland City, but was soon after burned out, losing his household goods and clothing and part of his crops. In the fall of 1865 he came to Mid- land City and built a residence on Larkin Street, with four lots, where he still lives. He followed teaming for three or four years, then was appointed
Deputy Sheriff, which office he held several years, and he is now Constable. For the last two years he has been chiefly occupied in training horses, in which he is very successful.
He was married in Jefferson Co., N. Y., to Miss Adeline Read, daughter of Samuel and Sally Read, and a native of Jefferson County. Three daughters have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Mixer. Hattie is now the wife of Rev. Benjamin Reeve, pastor of what is known as the Penoyer Farm Church (M. E.) at Saginaw. Addie is the wife of William Cook, a farmer of Midland Township. Blanche, who is still at home, is a teacher in the city schools.
yron Burch, attorney, at Midland, was born Oct. 12, 1850, in London, Canada. His father, Lewis Burch, was born in the State of New York, Aug. 8, 1825. He was a farmer and bridge-builder, and died Nov. 26, 1860. The mother, Julia (Freeman) Burch, was born Aug. 15, 1826, and is yet living, in London, Canada.
Mr. Burch came to St. Clair Co., Mich , in his boy- hood on a visit to friends, and several repetitions of his visit awakened in him a liking for the regulations and customs in that section of the Peninsular State, and he finally came to Brockway and engaged one year in teaching in the vicinity. He taught one winter near Lakeport in the same county, and went thence to Ypsilanti, for the purpose of obtaining the advantages of the State Normal School. He studied there three terms, alternating each with teaching. He went next to Amadore, Sanilac County, where he taught school one year. He also operated in a like capacity at Ruby, St. Clair County, and returned to Amadore, teaching a year at each place. As oppor- tunity had served, he had passed considerable time in reading law with Messrs. Devine & Wexon, of Lexington, and also at Port Huron. In the fall of 1875 he went to Ann Arbor, where he entered the Law Department of the University and completed the required course of study. He came to Midland in the spring of 1876 and became associated with M. H. Stanford, with whom he remained until the fall of 1877, when he opened his present office. Meanwhile, in September, 1876, he was admitted to
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practice in the State Courts of Michigan at Port Huron. His legal practice is extended and pros- perous, and he combines therewith transactions in real estate and operates as an insurance agent, rep- resenting the following companies: Fire Associa- tion and Insurance Company of North America at Philadelphia, Traders' of Chicago, Northern Insur- ance and Norwich Union of England, and the Grand Rapids Insurance Company. Associated with Dr. W. E. Burtless, he owns upwards of 2,000 acres of land in Larkin Township, and has other heavy real- estate interests. In 1878 he acted as Attorney and Clerk of the village of Midland. He is a member of the Masonic Order.
The marriage of Mr. Burch to Lena Cline occurred June 15, 1872, at Port Huron. The three children which constituted the issue of this marriage were born as follows: Lewis, June 6, 1874, at Amadore ; Floyd, June 8, 1876; Edna was born Jan. 8, 1881, and died Sept. 1, 1882. The two youngest were born at Midland.
B. Simons, farmer, merchant and shingle manufacturer, residing at Coleman, Warren Township, was born Oct. 19, 1846, in Ayl- mer, Ont.
The father of Mr. Simons, John K. Simons, was born Oct. 19, 1810, in West Flamboro, Can., and died in Aylmer, Ont., in June, 1868, and was of Scotch descent. The mother, Margaret (Hopkins) Simons, was born June 22, 1812, in East Flamboro, and is of English and German descent. She is living with her son, the subject of this notice, with whom she has resided for seven years. The father's family consisted of eight children, all of whom lived to the age of maturity except two. One died at the age of four years and the other in in- fancy.
T. B. Simons, the subject of this biographical notice, remained under the parental roof-tree until he attained the age of 17 years, when he came to this State, but shortly afterward, on the death of his father, returned to Canada and assisted his mother in conducting a bakery, which his father had left, for a few years.
In 1870 he came back to this county, and with
the exception of one year has resided here ever since. He was united in marriage July 3, 1876, to Miss Mary E., daughter of S. W. and Lorinda (Ben- nett) Hubbell. Her father's family were the second to locate on the present site of Coleman, this county, Ira Adams and his family being the first, and only settling three days previous to Mr. Hubbell. The railroad was not completed to Coleman when Mrs. Simons' parents settled there, and the hand of im- provement was hardly visible. He (Mr. Hubbell) brought the first shingle mill to that place (Mr. Ira Adams the first saw-mill), and the family of Mr. Hubbell underwent all the trials of pioneer life. They lived in a tent for six weeks, and during the entire time were not discommoded by rain. Mr. Hubbell's family consisted of 15 children. He lived in Coleman for seven years and then moved to Tuscola Co., this State, where he is engaged in farming.
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