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 15
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he has discharged the duties of his citizenship in the various local township and county and school offices.
lexander Dunn, farmer, section 10, Geneva Township, is a native of Glasgow, Scotland, where he was born Jan. 12, 1843.
The parents of Mr. Dunn were George and Agnes (Curry) Dunn, and were of Scotch de- scent. They emigrated to America when Alexander was five years of age, in 1848, and landed at Quebec, Can. The father purchased a farm in Gray Co., Ont., of 50 acres, but soon sold it and purchased an- other consisting of 100 acres and located about six miles distant from the first.
On the latter named farm Alexander lived and de- veloped into manhood. On attaining his majority he engaged in working on various farms by the month and followed that vocation for four or five years, when he came to this State.
The first work he engaged at on arriving in this State was for the Detroit & Milwaukee Railroad Company, at Linden. He remained in their employ for six or seven months and then went back to Can- ada, on business and pleasure, but soon returned to Birmingham, this State, and engaged in railroading for another season. His next move was to Loomis, Isabella Co., where he worked for the Flint & Pere Marquette Railroad Company one year. After leav- ing their employ, he purchased So acres of wild land from a party who had homesteaded it. There was a small shanty on the place and the trees had been cut on a few acres, but no clearing had been done. Mr. Dunn moved on this land, on section 20, Geneva Township, in May, 1875, and has made it his resi- dence ever since.
June 4, 1873, Mr. Dunn was united in marriage to Harriet, daughter of Peter and Eliza (Shell) De Groat. Her father died while serving his country in the late civil war, and the mother is living with her daughter at Buttonville. Mrs. Dunn was born March 9, 1855, in Dorchester Co., Quebec.
The husband and wife are the parents' of four children, namely: Agnes E., born Aug. 20, 1874;
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Charles H., born Feb. 7, 1876; James Alex., born Nov. 9, 1877 ; and Etta May, born Jan. 30, 1881.
Politically, Mr. Dunn is a Greenbacker. He has held the offices of School Treasurer, and he and his wife are members of the Baptist Church.
illiam M. Wallace, farmer and lumber- man on section 11, Homer Township, was born in the State of New York, Feb. 29, 1840, and when a child his parents moved to Ontario, Can. He lived in that province with his parents until 18 years old, and was then apprenticed to the blacksmith's trade. He served his time, and then worked as a journeyman. In 1872 he came to Michigan, and the ensuing two years he worked in Newaygo County, on the Muske- gon River. In the spring of 1874 he came to Mid- land County, and one year later he purchased ten acres of land on section 11, Homer Township. Here he has since farmed in the summer season, and fol- lowed lumbering in the winters. He is a Republi- can, and has held various school offices.
He was united in marriage Dec. 25, 1862, in Ox- ford Co., Ont., to Miss Mary J. Martin, who was born in that county April 12, 1842. Of this mar- riage there have been born three sons and one daughter; one of the former, and the daughter are dead.
homas T. Richardson, farmer, section 35, Midland Township, is a son of Thomas and Esther D. (Mann) Richardson, the former a native of Massachusetts and the latter of Canada. Mr. Richardson, Sr., died in that Dominion, and his widow came to Midland about 1866, and died in January, 1873.
The subject of this sketch was born in Canada March 26, 1846, and was seven years of age when he came to this State with his mother; at the age of nine he went to live with a farmer in Genesee Co., Mich., until of age, but at the end of four years he left, to work out by the month, which he did for six years. In February, 1863, he came to this county and worked in the woods during the winters and at car-
pentering in the summer time, until 1873, when he moved upon the farm owned by H. M. Ellsworth, where he has since resided. He has been School Assessor of his district for three years, and in politics is a Republican.
Mr. R. was married in Midland City, March 26, 1872, to Mary E., daughter of H. M. and Rosetta (Whittington) Ellsworth, born in Midland Township July 23, 1852. Mr. and Mrs. R. are the parents of six children, namely : Marion A., Arthur T., William M., Morley E., Sarah M. and Leo C.
Mr. Ellsworth was a native of New York State, came to this county in 1850, at first buying 30 acres in Midland Township, to which he added 59 acres by subsequent purchase, and at the time of his death, Sept. 14, 1882, had almost 50 acres under cultiva- tion. He owned also considerable property in Mid- land City. He was County Sheriff four years and Township Treasurer several years. In early times Mr. Ellsworth took considerable delight in the chase. He would often go out in the morning and bring in as many as three deer before nine o'clock. His wife was a native of the Key-stone State. Their chil- dren are, Amanda C., Lois A., Mary E. and Melvina L. Mrs. E. now resides in California.
oseph Hooper, farmer, section 1, Edenville Township, was born Oct. 20, 1843, in Corn- wall, England, and is the son of Edward and Merrell (Higgins) Hooper. The father died in England; the mother resides in Camp- bellford, Can., and has remarried.
Mr. Hooper spent his early life in his native land. He belonged to a class among whom the point of self-sustenance is one of the first prominence in the education of the young. At the age of nine years Mr. Hooper commenced his struggle with life in the capacity of a farm laborer. In 1857 he came to America and settled at Coburg, Can., where he was employed by the month as a farm laborer until 1865, when he went to Monroe Co., N. Y., and engaged as assistant on the seed farm of R. W. Wilson, in the vicinity of the city of Rochester. He served in that capacity five years, and in the fall of 1869 he came to Edenville Township, where he bought, in 1871, an unimproved farm of 50 acres, of which he has im-
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proved 40 acres. The first two years he passed in Midland County he worked a farm on shares.
Mr. Hooper was married Oct. 5, 1865, to Isabella, daughter of A. L. and Harriet (Wait) McAllister. Her father was a native of Vermont, and of Scotch descent. He died July 1, 1861, at Vernonville, Can. The mother was born in Canada, of Welsh parentage, Mrs. Hooper was born Ang. 14, 1841. Mary Emma, eldest child, was born Aug. 12, 1866, in Monroe Co., N. Y. Amelia Belle was born July 16, 1872. Hes- ter Luella was born June 13, 1874. The last named children were born at Edenville, Mich. The parents are members of the Seventh-Day Adventist denomination. Mr. Hooper has been Highway Com- missioner two terms and Township Treasurer one term.
ohn O. Parker, railroader, residing at But- tonville, Geneva Township, was born in Greece, Monroe Co, N. Y., April 21, 1839, and is a son of Henry and Nancy A. (Norton) Parker.
The father of our subject was born Oct. 28, 1804, in New York, and died June 8, 1873, in this county. He was of Welsh, Dutch, French, Danish and Irish descent. The mother was born Feb. 25, 1809, in Pennsylvania, and was descended from the English, Scotch and Irish. She is still living, with the subject of this biographical notice. The father and mother moved from New York to Washtenaw Co., this State, in 1847, and there purchased a farmi of 160 acres. They lived on that farm for ten years, when they sold it and moved to Oakland County, and purchased another on which they resided for seven years.
John O. remained on the farm, assisting the father, until the expiration of the time last men- tioned, and then, for two summers, engaged in farm- ing by the month. He then went to Hampton, Rock Island Co., III., and purchased 40 acres of land in that viciniry, also some village property. He made Hampton his residence for ten years, and dur- ing that time visited Washington, Oregon and the Indian Territories.
When the news was flashed across the continent that Sumter had fallen" and the martyr Lincoln
called for brave hearts and strong arms to battle for the perpetuity of the Nation's flag, Mr. Parker, whose heart beat in unison with the cause of justice, responded. He enlisted in Co. D, Ninth Ill. Cav., Col. Harper. His company was attached to the Fifth Division, Second Brigade, and was under com- mand of Gen. Nelson and Gen. Hatch. He partici- pated with his company in the, battles of Chicka- mauga, Nashville, Corinth, Lookout Mountain, and all through "Sherman's march to the sea." He was in 72 battles and skirmishes, and was wounded only twice during his entire service. His first wound was in the right leg, just below the knee, and was received at Chickamauga. The second wound was a saber cut on the right hand, and was received at the battle of Corinth. Neither of his wounds incapacitated him from service for any considerable length of time, nor was he sent to the hospital. His record as a soldier is certainly a brilliant one, and his escape from death, considering the numerous engagements in which he participated, would seem to be miracu- lous. He was honorably discharged at Springfield, Ill., having been mustered out at Selma, Dallas Co., Ala., Nov. 18, 1865.
On receiving his discharge, Mr. Parker returned to his farm near Hampton, Rock Island Co., Ill. He remained on the farm for about a year, when he went to Chester, Randolph Co., same State, and engaged in buying wood for the St. Louis market. He re- mained in that business for some eight months and lost over $1,ooo at it. His next move was to Ari- zona, where he engaged in herding cattle, in which vocation he remained until the year 1873, when he returned to Hampton, Ill. He only remained at Hampton a short time and then came to Midland, this county. Remaining at Midland three weeks, he went to Averill, and engaged with the Flint and Pere Marquette Railroad Company, laying their track, and continued in its service for 14 months. Oct. 16, 1874, he went to Buttonville, and has re- sided there ever since, in charge of a gang of track repairers.
Mr. Parker was united in marriage, May 9, 1874, to Julia A., daughter of Joseph and Julia A. (Hos- kins). Danoe. Her father died when she was five years old, in Canada. Her mother is still living in Sycamore, De Kalb Co., Ill., aged 60 years. Mrs. D. was born Aug. 7, 1855, in Lansdowne, Leeds Co., Ontario. She has borne Mr. D. three children-Her-
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bert L., Feb. 15, 1875; Luella M., Sept. 1, 1877 ; and Ira J., Feb. 26, 1883.
Mr. Parker is a Republican politically, and is pres- ent Drain Commissioner He and wife are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
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¿mos Braley, farmer, section 35, Midland Township, is a son of Ephraim and Patience (Deranville) Braley, who were natives of Mas- sachusetts, and of American and French de- scent. He was born in Massachusetts Feb. 3, 1820, and at the age of three years his parents moved with him to New York State, where he at- tended school and worked on the farm until he came to Michigan. He first lived in Saginaw County awhile, and then, in December, 1854, he came to this county, where he has since resided. After various purchases and sales from time to time, he now owns a tract of 76 acres in Midland Township, 35 acres of which is in a tillable condition.
Mr. Braley, in political affairs, is a Republican, has held the offices of Assessor and Pathmaster, and, with his wife, belongs to the Wesleyan Methodist Church. He was married in Saginaw County, Nov. 15, 1842, to Miss Marilda Foster, who was born in Oakland Co., Mich., Oct. 12, 1827. They have two children,-Emily M. and Oliver A.
john J. Watts, farmer on section 14, Eden- ville, was born Dec. 8, 1844, in Whitby, Can., the son of John and Flora (Pollard) Watts, of English descent. The father died in Bosanquet, Lambton Co., Can., in November, 1854. The mother died at the same place Sept. 19, 1870. Their family included five sons and three daughters, all of whom reached maturity except one, which died in childhood. They are named Grace, Isaac (deceased), Phœbe, Maria (deceased), Jordan (died in childhood), John J., Richard J. and George.
The subject of this biographical sketch was reared on a farm, and remained with his father until of age.
He then followed lumbering in winter and farming in summer until 1870, when he came to Saginaw Coun- ty, this State. There he was similarly engaged for four years, owning a farm of 200 acres. Selling this, he then came to Edenville Township, this county, and bought his present farm of 136 acres. He pur- chased of two farmers, and each tract had some im- provements. To the value of these he has greatly added. He is unmarried, and his sister, a widow lady, keeps house for him.
Politically, he is a Democrat. He took out his naturalization papers but two years ago. As a farmer and a citizen he stands exceptionally high in his community.
charles Kirby, farmer, section 10, Geneva Township, was born in the town of Law- rence, Lawrence Co., N. Y., March 7, 1833, and is a son of Charles R. and Ann (Warren) Kirby. His father was a native of New Eng- land, of Puritan stock, and died in Plattsburg, N. Y. Charles' mother was born in the Empire State, of Puritan ancestry, and died also in Plattsburg.
When the subject of this sketch attained his legal majority he worked in a saw-mill for five years; then, for four years, he ran a stage, on the John Brown tract in Franklin Co., Northern New York, from Martin's Hotel to Keysville; thence he went to Mill Point, Canada, and worked in a mill three or four months; then for a year he followed teaming for Horton & Wisner at Saginaw, Mich .; next, was in a mill again for four years; and finally, about 12 or 14 years ago, he came to Midland County and worked around for a time in mills and in lumbering. He then located his present homestead, and about two years afterward purchased it. At first he had 80 acres, but he has sold 40 acres, of which 15 are im- proved.
Mr. Kirby is a Republican in his political senti- ments, and he holds the office of Justice of the Peace.
He was married May 18, 1864, to Miss Harriet E., daughter of Henry and Laura (Tripp) Plew. Her father, a Hollander, was born May 6, 1816, and her mother April 13, 1823, and they are living at Clio,
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Genesee Co., Mich. Of the II children in her father's family all are living, and she is the eldest daughter and second child, and was born Feb. 13, 1847, in the State of New York. Mr. and Mrs. Kirby have had five children, only one of whom is living. Viella E., born March 10, 1865, died Jan. 4, 1883; Franklin, born July 10, 1868, died July 5, 1871; Freddie, born Sept. 27, 1870, died Nov. 24, following; Etta May, born May 14, 1873, died June 4, following; and Pely C., born May 30, 1877, is living. As no pain is so intense as the loss of a child, the affliction suffered by this family must be beyond all description, if not even beyond all imagination also.
than Taft, farmer, section 20, Midland Township, is a son of Jesse and Sabra (Aldrich) Taft, natives of Rhode Island, of whose family of four sons and three daugh- ters he was the youngest son.
He was born in Steuben Co., N. Y., March 10, 1830, and at the age of 18 he bought his time, and for 25 years he followed farming in Pennsyl- vania, except the nine months he was in the army. He enlisted in August, 1864, in the 207th Pa. Vol. Inf., and participated in the general engagement at Fort Stedman and the siege of Petersburg. On ac- count of heavy firing, his hearing was partially destroyed. In 1877 he returned to New York State, and about a year afterward, in July, 1878, he came with his family to Midland County and bought 161 acres of land in Midland and Homer Townships. He has since added 88 acres to his estate, and now owns 249 acres. He has about 140 acres in good tillable condition.
Mr. Taft is member of Dwight May Post, No. 69, G. A. R., at Midland, in politics he acts with the Republican party, and in religion both he and Mrs. T. are in sympathy with the Methodist Episcopal Church.
In Pennsylvania, July 3, 1852, Mr. Taft married Mary S., a daughter of Prince and Sally King, who were natives of New England. Mrs. T. was born in Pennsylvania, July 27, 1836, and the children of Mr.
and Mrs. Taft now are Stephen B., Lilis L., Dora A. (who died when little more than two years of age), Jesse P., Ethan E. and Mary R.
illiam C. Plumer is a farmer on section : 22, Midland Township. His parents, Joseph and Jemima (Alley) Plumer, were born in New York, moved from Jefferson County, that State, to Orleans County, and about 1866 came to Oakland Co., Mich., where the former died, in February. 1879; the latter is still living, a resident of that county. Their children were Moses, John, William C., Elizabeth, Mary and Sarah.
The youngest son, the subject of this sketch, was born in Jefferson Co., N. Y., May 18, 1840; from the age of 18 to 24 he was in Wisconsin, employed in a hotel and otherwise; and since 1870 he has been a resident of this county. His present farm of 30 acres he traded for in 1882. He owns 130 acres in Midland County, and has 20 acres under cultivation. He also owns numerous village lots in the city of Midland. Politically he is in sympathy with the Republican party.
He was married in Midland City, Feb. 5, 1872, to Miss Mary A., daughter of Benjamin and Jerusha (Dewey) Dean. (See sketch of Benjamin Dean.) Mrs. Plumer was born in Lee, Mass., March 8, 1854. Her family now comprises three children, viz .: Cecile A., Alice S. and Arthur D. She is a member of the Presbyterian Church.
hilip Flock, farmer, residing at Edenville, was born in Hamilton, Can., July 10, 1827, and is the son of Philip and Ellen (Hoff- man) Flock. The parents were natives of Pennsylvania. The father died in Canada. The mother resides in Waterford, in the Dominion, and is about 70 years of age.
Mr. Flock obtained his education in the common schools of Canada and was under the guidance of his mother until he attained his majority, his father hav-
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ing died previous to that date. He remained and worked on the home place until he was 25 years old. He was married Feb. 5, 1856, to Joanna, daughter of John W. and Ellinor (Robbins) Grover. Her parents were natives of Pennsylvania. They died and were buried at Edenville. Mrs. Flock was born June 10, 1836. Following is the record of the three children born to Mr. and Mrs. Flock: Geddes P. was born Nov. 24, 1857, at Fredericksburg, Can., and has been a salesman in the store of Ralph Dun- ton ten years. He has been Township Clerk seven years. Samuel W. was born Aug. 16, 1858, at Wind- ham, Can. Carrie was born May 21, 1868, at Eden- ville.
Mr. Flock conducted a hotel at Fredericksburg the year following his marriage, and then returned to the old homestead, which he managed two years, after which he engaged in coopering. He employed a force of men to work at the business and continued its management seven years, with satisfactory results. At the end of that time he again spent two years in farming on the family homestead. In 1867 he came to Michigan, arriving at Saginaw on the 15th day of November. Four days later he came to this county and engaged in keeping a hotel at Averill Station. A year after he bought a town lot at Edenville and built a house, where he has since resided. In 1869 he bought 40 acres of land on section 13, Edenville, and in February, 1877, he purchased another 40 acres, in Tobacco Township, Gladwin County. On each of these pieces of property he has made fine improvements. Mr. Flock has been School Director eight years and Township Treasurer one year.
ugald C. McIntyre, farmer on section 31, Midland, is a son of Jacob and Anna (McCall) McIntyre, natives of Pennsylva- nia and Scotland, respectively; and he was born in Elgin Co., Can., Dec. 28, 1840. He lived in the Dominion until 12 years old, then was employed for three years in a pail and tub fac- tory at Detroit, and from 1855 to 1867 followed the lakes as a sailor. The last seven years of this period he held the position of mate. In 1870 he came to Oakland Co., this State, where two years later he bought a farm. This he cultivated until 1876, in the
spring of which year he made an exchange of prop- erty and came to this county, where he has since made his residence. He has a nice farm of 80 acres, half of which is under cultivation.
Nov. 19, 1871, in Northville, Oakland Co., Mich., he was united in the bonds of matrimony with Miss Anna, daughter of George and Barbara Weber. Both parents and daughter were born in Switzerland. Mrs. McIntyre was born Dec. 25, 1853. Carl A., Barbara L. and Willie S. are the children now grow- ing up under the parental care of Mr. and Mrs. McIntyre. The father is in political sentiment a Republican, and he has been Deputy Sheriff, Con- stable and School Director (five terms). He is a member of the Masonic Order. Mrs. McI. is a faith- ful member of the Baptist Church.
S toel E. Dean, farmer, section 1, Ingersoll Township, is a son of Benjamin and Jerusha (Dewey) Dean, natives of Massa- chusetts, and resided in Berkshire County. His father was extensively engaged in various manufacturing interests until about 1862, when he disposed of his interests there, having come to Michigan and settled in Midland, where he became a prominent citizen, a leader in the interests of the county and a safe counselor in public affairs. He died in this county, April 27, 1880, and his widow April 17, 1883. They had six daughters and three sons, namely: Benj. F., Cecile E., Jerusha C., Ger- trude R., Stoel E., Alice B. C., Nelson K., Mary A. and Jessie F. Carrie died in infancy, and the re- maining children grew up.
The subject of this sketch was born in Pittsfield, Mass., Nov. 4, 1847. At the age of 22 he purchased a farm in Berkshire County, which he managed about eight years, and in December, 1877, came with his family to this county and bought 500 acres of land, mostly in the "stump," in the vicinity of Coleman. He settled on his father's old place of 150 acres, which he had deeded to him : 140 acres of this is in good tillable condition. He cut annually about 100 tons of hay, and keeps 70 head of sheep, 25 head of cattle and 5 head of horses. He also owns 60 acres in Bay County, mostly improved. It is claimed that Mr. Dean has the finest farm in Midland County.
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Mr. Dean has been Township Supervisor one year, and politically he sides with the "Nationals."
In Lee, Mass., Nov. 15, 1871, Mr. Dean married Lovica A., a daughter of Luke L. and Annis L. (Chapel) Dennison, natives of the Bay State. Her father died in that State, June 4, 1860, and her mother is still living, a resident of this county. In .frher family were three children,-Charles, Lovica A. and Luke. The daughter was born in North Lee, Berkshire Co., Mass., April 24, 1849. Mr. and Mrs. Dean have three children, as follows: Blanche C., born April 13, 1873; Mabel A., born April 26, 1875 ; and Robert B., Oct. 2, 1877.
lbert Higgins, farmer, section 36, Midland Township, is a son of Harvey and Laura (Whitman) Higgins, who were natives of Con- necticut. (See sketch of Wm. Higgins.) Al- bert was born in New York Oct. 8, 1834, and at 18 years of age started out in life for himself. For nearly six years he worked out by the month on a farm. In the fall of 1858 he came to Midland County and purchased 80 acres of land in Midland Township, on section 26, which he afterward disposed of. He now owns 40 acres on section 36, where he resides and has about 25 acres finely improved.
Mr. Higgins was married in this county Aug. 28, 1862, to Anna, daughter of William and Nancy (Taylor) Fair, who were natives of Ireland. Mrs. H. was born in Canada West, March 15, 1842. Their family record comprises the following children: William A., Rose J. (deceased), Florence M., George A., Arthur A. and Robert J. (deceased).
Mr. and Mrs. H. are members of the Wesleyan Methodist Church, and in political matters he is counted a Republican.
enry Rockwell, farmer, section 23, Homer Township, was born July 7, 1845, in Craw- ford Co., Pa. His parents, Darius and Eunice (Herrick) Rockwell, were natives respectively of Pennsylvania and Massachusetts. They re- side in Crawford Co., Pa., the father being 67 years of age and the mother 64 years old. Of five
sons and five daughters born to them, four sons and two daughters are living.
Mr. Rockwell is the eldest son and fourth child of his parents. He spent the first 20 years of his life working on the farm of his father, and was married Oct. 31, 1864, in the county where he was born; to Lydia Fuller. She was born July 28, 1845, in Chautauqua Co., N. Y., and is the daughter of James and Lydia (Garrett) Fuller, both natives of New York. They died in Crawford Co., Pa. The family circle of Mr. Rockwell includes eight children, born as follows: Seymour E., Oct. 18, 1866; William H., Sept. 17, 1868; Ernest E., May 2, 1872; Cora B., Aug. 20, 1875; James D., Nov. 27, 1878; Orpha L., Feb. 5, 1880; Sarah R , March 21, 1882; George E., Oct. 19, 1883.
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