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 16
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Soon after marriage, Mr. Rockwell went to Fayette Co., Ill., and engaged one year in farming. They then came to Midland, purchased 40 acres of land in Homer Township, on which they resided two years. At the end of that time they returned to Pennsylvania, where they passed five years in the oil regions. Mr. Rockwell purchased 90 acres of land in Crawford County, where he engaged in farming until December, 1882, when he sold out and returned to Midland Co., Mich., and bought 103 acres of land on the same section on which he had formerly rented. It was under partial improvements, and he has added materially to its value and improved his farm build- ings. He is one of the best farmers in Midland County and is highly esteemed and respected for his fine traits of character and abilities. He is a Re- publican and has held positions of trust in the town- ship where he resides. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
homas Cunningham, carpenter and joiner, residing at North Bradley, was born March 14, 1834, in Prince Edwards Co., Ont. He was a son of Robert and Margaret (Tice) Cunningham. The parents both died in Can-
- ada, the father some 16 and the mother some seven or eight years ago. The family of the parents comprised ten children, five boys and five girls, and Thomas, the subject of this notice, was the third from the youngest, or eighth, child. The father was
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a carpenter and joiner by trade, but spent the greater portion of his life farming.
Thomas lived at home until he attained to the age of manhood. His days, prior to majority, were spent mostly on the farm and his labors contributed toward the maintenance of the family. He spent a portion of his time, under the supervision of his father, in learning his trade, and finished the same shortly after arriving at man's estate. He followed his trade in Canada, jobbing and working by the day, for some time.
In the spring of 1874 he came to Oakland Co., this State, and in the fall of that year came to North Bradley, this county, where he has since resided, with the exception of one year that he lived in Flint, Genesee County.
Mr. Cunningham was united in marriage Jan. 10, 1856, to Miss Orilla, daughter of Jabez and Mary (Haley) Tripp. The father died in Canada and the mother is living with her son Charles, in Freeland, Saginaw Co, this State. There were eight children in her father's family, and she was born in May, 1839, in Percy Township, Northumberland Co., Ont. She is the mother, to Mr. Cunningham, of seven chi - dren, three of whom are deceased. The living are Dorinda E., Mary E., Sylvester and Eula; and the deceased, Jesse, Jonathan and Emma C.
Mr Cunningham is independent in politics. He has held the office of Justice of the Peace four years, Highway Commissioner two years and Town- ship Treasurer two terms. He and his wife are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are respected and esteemed citizens of their township.
ohn C. Ostrander, farmer on section 27, Midland Township, is a son of Solomon and Ruth (Childs) Ostrander, natives of the State of New York; and he was born in Gene- see County, that State, July 6, 1816. He re- ceived the rudiments of an English education, and remained at home until 14 years of age. He then (1830) came to Washtenaw County, this State, where he lived three years, and then removed to St. Clair, which was his home until the spring of 1861. At that date he came to Midland County, and in
1865 he bought 63 acres, where is his present home, 40 acres being in a good state of cultivation.
He was first married in St. Clair, to Miss Annie Brat, a native of Canada. She died July 2, 1856, leaving seven children-Edward J. (now deceased), Ruth A., Emma J., Ellen A., Alonzo F., Izza M. and Sarah A. Sept. 20, 1857, at St. Clair, Mr. O. chose as the partner of his joys and sorrows Miss Ursula S., daughter of Francis and Polly (Stevens) Green, natives of the State of New York. Mrs. O. was born in Jefferson Co., N. Y., June 14, 1836, and has borne to Mr. O. three children-Dora F., John E. and Effie E.
Mr. Ostrander is in political sentiment a Republi- can, and he and his wife are members of the Baptist Church.
aniel O'Donnell, farmer, section 13, In_ gersoll Township, is a son of John and Mary (McNulty) O'Donnell, natives of County Mayo, Ireland, who emigrated to Canada in 1831 and passed the remainder of their lives there. The father died in December, 1872, and mother in May, 1882.
Their eldest son, the subject of this sketch, was born in Ireland, Oct. 15, 1824, and was about seven years of age when the family moved to Canada. July 1, 1855, he married Miss Margaret, daughter of Donald and Christina (Forbes) McIntosh, natives of Scotland. Mrs. O'Donnell was born in Port Dover, Canada, Oct. 7, 1837. After marriage Mr. O'Don- nell was engaged principally in mercantile business in Canada, for about eight years, and in 1865 he came to Michigan and settled in East Saginaw, engaging in different pursuits for about 13 years. In August, 1878, he came to Midland County and bought 39 acres of land in Ingersoll Township, where he has since resided, and now has about 15 acres cleared.
Mr. O'Donnell is a strong advocate of the princi- ples of the National party and is a zealous anti- monopolist. He formerly held a commission as Lieutenant in the British army, which office he sold, -according to a practice permissible at that time.
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His father was a Lieutenant Colonel in the British army.
Mr. and Mrs. O'Donnell are the parents of II children, whose names are John M. (who died when eight months old), Mary C., Ignatius D., Margaret E., Eugenia A., Francis J., Teresa C., Charles A., Anna C., Arthur A. and Grace I.
Parents are members of the Catholic Church.
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young Swanton, farmer, section 11, Eden- ville Township, was born Nov. 29, 1836, in Toronto, Can., and is the son of John and Elizabeth Ann (Aikens) Swanton. His father died in Devon's Creek, Can., in 1844. His mother afterwards married Thomas Gransden, and is living in Edenville Township. After the death of his father, Mr. Swanton went to live with a man named Robert Archibald, but he ran away at the end of a year on account of cruel treatment. He then fell under the care of a Catholic priest, who had charge of him one year, but who did not understand the art of managing other men's children, and he abandoned the plan at the end of the time named. Mr. Swanton tells that one important reason the priest dispensed with his presence, was that he kept two kegs of wine, for sacrament purposes, in the room where Young slept; and the quantity of wine which would under ordinary circumstances last ten years, disappeared in as many weeks. The result was that Young was anxious to whip all the boys in the neigh- borhood. He continued to maintain himself until he ar- rived at man's estate, and was married April 11, 1859, to Lucy J., daughter of Thomas and Ann (Pringle) McConnell. She was born June 15, 1841. Of eight children born of this union, seven are living. Fol- lowing is the record of their births: Etta A. was born March 2, 1860; Thomas Y., Oct. 23, 1861; John S., Dec. 25, 1863; George E., Jan. 6, 1865 (died July 30, 1866); Lafayette, July 7, 1868; Flora B., March 14, 1870; Sidney A., April 12, 1874; Bertha, Nov. 2, 1876.
Mr. Swanton came to Midland County in the fall of 1864. He spent the winter here, and in the spring of 1865 brought hither his family. He purchased city lots in Midland, on which he netted $1,000. He resided in that place a year, losing $6,000 indirectly
as the result of Lincoln's assassination, and finally purchased 136 acres of land in Jerome Township. After a residence there of one summer he exchanged the property for 193 acres of pine land. The farm on which he now resides comprised but five acres of chopped land, and he now has 75 acres improved and under tillage and supplied with two good barns. Mr. Swanton is a Republican and has served one term as Highway Commissioner. He has spent many winter seasons of his life in lumbering in his own interests and as foreman of the camps of other parties.
The first wife of Mr. Swanton died Aug. 7, 1880, and he was a second time married June 1, 1881, to Elizabeth, widow of Alexander Kesler. One child was born of her first marriage. The second Mrs. Swanton died March 12, 1884.
dwin P. Powers, hotel-keeper at North Bradley, is a son of William G, and Har- riet (Elrick) Powers, and was born in Franklin, Franklin Co, Vt., Jan. 16, 1833. The father of Edwin was of Welsh descent and was born in Castleton, Rutland Co., Vt., and died in Canton, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., in 1880. His (Edwin's) mother was born in Milton, Chittenden Co., Vt., and is at present living with her daughter in Nicholville, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y. Her father was from Scotland and her mother a native of the Green Mountain State.
Edwin's father followed the vocation of lumber- ing all his life. His family consisted of nine chil- dren, five boys and four girls, and all lived to attain the age of maturity except one. At the present writing there are four girls and two boys living. One son died prior to attaining his majority, and two died while serving their country in the late civil war. One of the latter died of a wound received in a bat- the near Fortress Monroe; he received the wound in his shoulder, which necessitated the amputation of the arm and caused his death after some two weeks of pain and suffering. The other son died of typhoid fever contracted while in the service.
Edwin P. made his own way in the world from the time he was ten years of age. At that time he went to work for a stipulated amount and contributed of his earnings a sufficiency to pay his way. He soon
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began working in a saw-n.ill summers, and spent his winters lumbering, giving all his wages, except suffi- cient to clothe himself, to his parents. He also re- quired a fair common-school education in the schools of Vermont and New York, and continued working as an employe in the saw-mills until 1862.
The late civil war having broken out, and the sym- pathies of Mr. Powers being with the cause of the North, he enlisted in Co. G, 11th N. Y. Vol. Cav. ("Scott's 900"), Aug. 11, 1862. The company was commanded by Col. James B. Swain. It was ordered to Washington, D. C., and on its arrival was detailed for provost duty. One company (Co. A) was President Lincoln's body guard and were all mounted on black horses. Mr. Powers was on pro- vost duty in Washington 18 months and was then sent to New Orleans to guard plantations and hunt guerrillas. The plantations had been forfeited to the U. S. Government and rented to Northern men for raising cotton, and it was necessary for a time to keep a guard to protect their crops and buildings. From New Orleans he was sent to Memphis, Tenn., and at the latter place received his discharge from the service.
On receiving his discharge Mr. Powers returned to St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., and again engaged in the mill business, which he continued until 1876. Dur- ing that year he located a homestead of 160 acres of land in Wisconsin, and finally traded his homestead for the hotel he is at present conducting in Button- ville, or North Bradley.
Mr. Powers was united in marriage, Jan. 31, 1858, at Canton, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., to Miss Sarah A. Foote, daughter of Michael and Margaret (Debar) Foote. Her father was of French and English de- scent, a farmer by occupation and was born in Can- ada. His children were 15 in number, II of whom grew to the age of maturity, and nine of whom are now living. He died June 16, 1865. The mother is of English descent, and is still living in Canton, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y.
Mrs. Powers was born April 4, 1836, in Wadding- ton, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y. She is the mother, to Mr. Powers, of two children, namely : James E., born Jan. 29, 1862, in Hopkinton, St. Lawrence Co., N Y., was united in marriage with Miss Altha Don- aldson, Nov. 1, 1883; and Harriet, born Nov. 3, 1859, in Canton, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., died Jan. 16, 1861.
In national affairs Mr. Powers affiliates with the Republican party. In religion, he and wife were both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and still incline to that belief.
dwin C. Berryman, photographer at Midland, was born June 27, 1859, in Cayuga Co., N. Y. His parents, William and Catherine (Spears) Berryman, removed to Leslie, Ingham Co., Mich., in 1862. His father is a farmer and both parents now reside in Fentonville, Genesee Co., Mich.
Mr. Berryman spent 17 years in Leslie, engaged in securing a fair common-school education and passing a short period in clerking. In April, 1879, he came to Midland, where he passed three years as a salesman in the mercantile establishment of the Reardon Bros. In 1882 he became proprietor of a photographer's outfit and traveled some time. In October, 1882, he located at Midland, where he is engaged in a prosperous business. His artistic work includes all varieties of photography, copying, enlarging and portrait-painting, crayon, water colors, etc. He owns his residence, place of business, a village lot and 40 acres of land in Homer Town- ship.
He was married in Plymouth, Wayne Co., Mich., Sept. 21, 1881, to Miss Della Glympse. She is a native of Plymouth, Wayne Co., Mich. Mr. Berry- man is a member of the Knights of Maccabees.
r. Andrew J. Bowman, resident at Eden- ville, was born July 11, 1836, in Herkimer Co., N. Y. His parents, William and Polly (Chaffee) Bowman, were born respectively in Vermont and New York. They are both de- ceased and their remains are buried in the M cemetery at St. Clair.
Dr. Bowman was reared to the age of 16 years on his father's farnı. He then took the making of his fortunes into his own hands and went to Lakeport on Lake Huron to learn the trade of builder. After two years he returned to St. Clair County, where he tarried but a short time. He went to Detroit, where
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he began the study of medicine with Dr. Stockwell, and afterwards continued his course of reading with Dr. Cornell, of Ionia. He attended two terms of lectures at Ann Arbor, and has been in active prac- tice about 16 years. Dr. Bowman is a Republican in political sentiment. He owns a fine place, with a new house and barn.
He was married Aug. 15, 1883, to Mizeth, daugh- ter of Edwin and Rhoda (Ellis) Fraser. Her par- ents are natives of Canada and are respectively of Scotch and English descent. They live in Hope Township, Midland County, where they have resided about 12 years. Five years previous to that they re- sided in Lincoln Township. Mrs. Bowman was born April 6, 1864, in Strathroy, Can.
charles B. Peer, farmer, section 31, Mid- land Township, is a son of Abraham and Polly (Ballard) Peer, who were natives of the State of New York. He was born in Genesee County, that State, Feb. 11, 1831, and when 14 years old he came to Wayne Co., Mich., where he remained eight years; he then resided in Parke Co., Ind., until 1870, when he came to Midland County and purchased 52 acres of land, where he has since resided, and now has 35 acres under cultivation. He had charge of the County House in 1879 and 1883. Mr. P. is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and in politics is a Democrat.
He was married in Indiana, Aug. 8, 1859, to Miss Lucy Fossett, daughter of Jockway Fosset. She was born in the Empire State, June 3. 1836. Mr. and Mrs. Peer are the parents of one child, Frank- lin, who died when about 18 months old. They adopted Otis J. Davis when he was 15 months old, and gave him their own name of Peer.
lisha S. Day, farmer, sections 1 and 2, Edenville Township, was born Oct. I, 1842, at Lyndon Center, Cattaraugus Co., N. Y., and is the son of Thomas and Dorothy (Smart) Day. His parents are natives of Eng- land and became residents of America previous to their marriage. They now reside at Lyndon Center.
Mr. Day was under the guidance of his father until he was 21 years of age. He remained at his work on his father's farm about six weeks after reach- ing the period of his legal freedom, and received 31 dollars, with which he set out in the world. His first employ was in cutting cord-wood, at two shillings and six pence a cord, and he boarded himself. He next engaged as a farm assistant and worked by the month some time, after which he operated in buying and selling stock in his own interest. The field of his operations was chiefly Canada, whence he shipped his purchases to the State of New York. He con- tinted this business several months, after which he returned home and worked a year on his father's farm. In 1866 he came to Romeo, Macomb Co., Mich., and went to work by the month. In the spring of 1867 he rented a farm for a year.
He was married April 2, 1867, to Justina C., daughter of Snover F. and Eliza (Smith) Chrisman. The parents are both living, near Romeo. She was born March 5, 1844, and died Aug. 15, 1877, of consumption. She and a child were buried in one coffin in the cemetery at Romeo. Three children survive, born as follows: Brice, Oct. 24, 1868; Florence E., March 6, 1872; Clyde Evart, March 29, 1874. Mr. Day was a second time married, April 2, 1878, to Arilla, daughter of John W. and Ellen (Robbins) Grover. She was born April 10, 1840, in Windham, Norfolk Co., Can. Her parents both died in Edenville, Mich. Mrs. Day was the widow of C. J. Axford. The family of Mr. Day in- cludes an adopted son-Freddie Strong-born May 13, 1876, in Massachusetts.
On the expiration of his lease of the first farm, Mr. Day rented one situated two miles distant, on which he operated two years, when he again rented another farm and continued its management five years. In 1875 he purchased 320 acres of land in Macomb County, and two years later made an addi- tional purchase of 54 acres. He remained resident on the place six years. In 1878 he bought 166 acres of land on sections 1 and 2, Edenville, where he now resides. He has also kept a hotel for two years at Edenville, but has leased it for five years to L. G. Porter.
The farm was under partial improvements and has increased greatly in value since it has been under his management. He has erected one of the finest
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houses and most valuable barns in the township. He made a later purchase of 200 acres, which he improved to some extent, and sold in 1883. He now owns 540 acres of land, besides the hotel in the village of Edenville. Among other acts of well- considered and well-directed benevolence which Mr. Day has performed, has been the contribution of $600 to the erection of a church at Romeo, and $200 toward the construction of a church edifice at Edenville.
Mrs. Day is one of the earliest settlers in Midland County. She came to Edenville in the fall of 1866, with her father, mother and husband, making the route from Saginaw to Midland on the "Belle Sey- mour," a steam tug, and thence to Edenville on a scow, which conveyed the family and their effects. The place then contained a hotel, in which the only store in the vicinity was conducted. They bought ten acres of land and the farm on which the family now reside, moved into a shanty and set up hotel-keep- ing therein, until they were enabled to build a suit- able structure for that purpose. After doing so they continued its management 11 years, and then sold it. The principal business of Northern Michigan at the time of their arrival was lumbering, and the hotel was chiefly patronized by the men engaged in the woods. At the dates of opening and closing the lumber season, the resources of the hotel were taxed to the uttermost, as all supplies were transported thither by canoes or scows from Saginaw, there being no roads of any use, and sometimes hundreds of men were entertained in a day. The experiences of Mrs. Day were unusually trying.
g mos Turney, carpenter and builder, resi- dent on section 16, Homer Township, was born June 26, 1837, in Northumberland Co., Ontario. At the age of 11 years, he was bound out to Levi Walker, in the State of New York, with whom he resided one year. He returned to his native province and passed his time in various occupations until he was 16 years old, when he placed himself under indentures with David Turney, his cousin, to learn the trade which has since been his vocation. At the age of 18 years he came to St. Clair Co, Mich., where he was engaged chiefly in
the pursuit of his trade three years, when he came to Midland County. Two years later he returned to Ontario, and spent a year in the en.ployment of the cousin of whom he learned his trade. At the end of that time they formed a partnership and trans- ferred their interests to St. Clair, Mich., where they engaged in an extensive business. Mr. Turney had the care of his father in Ontario, and passed his time alternately in Michigan and in the Dominion until he was married. That event occurred Aug. 22, 1867, when Sarah M. Windover became his wife. (See sketch of John Windover.) She was born June 26, 1849, in Ontario. Five sons constitute the issue of this marriage. They are William H., George, Amos, Reynold and John W. Mr. Turney is a zealous Republican, and has served as Highway Commis- sioner. The family attend the Methodist Episcopal Church.
ames B. Burtless, farmer, section 24, Mid- land Township, is a son of William and Mary (Petty) Burtless, natives of New Jersey. His father came from that State to Central New York when a boy, and drove a cow the entire distance. Both his parents re- sided in New York State until their death. They had eight sons and one daughter.
James B., the eldest of the children, was born in Seneca Co., N. Y., April 8, 1822. At the age of 21 he came to Jackson Co., Mich., and purchased a tract of 103 acres. After improving about 18 acres he sold the place, and a year afterward returned to New York State and worked a farm on shares for four years, when he came again to Michigan and lived one year in Lenawee County. During this time he bought a farm in Branch Co., Mich., and lived upon it almost ten years, when he again sold out, and in February, 1864, enlisted for the Union in the First Michigan Light Artillery, serving till the close of the war. He then bought a farm in Bay Co., Mich., and occupied it till January, 1881, when he sold and came to Midland City, lived with his son, Dr. Burtless, two years, and a few months later he bought 40 acres of land in Midland Township, on which he built a residence and where he still lives.
He was first married in Lenawee Co., Mich , Feb. 25, 1846, to Susanna Cairnes, a native of New
Die Busters ml
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York State. Their children were William E., Hattie and Charlie. Mrs. B. died Dec. 30, 1859, and Mr. B. married Jeannette Cameron Fray, in Sanilac County, Aug. 19, 1874. Latona A. and Erie were the children by this marriage. The latter died when nearly three years old, and the mother in November, 1879. Sept. 19, 1882, Mr. B. married, for his present wife, Mrs. Sarah A., daughter of John and Wilhel- mina Fleming and widow of David Stephens, who died Feb. 19, 1879.
Mr. Burtless, a Republican, has been Highway Commissioner in Bay County, and both himself and wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church.
ohn Haywood, farmer on section 13, Homer Township, was born in St. John's, Can., Oet. 22, 1843, and lived with his parents until 16 years old. During this time they removed to Prince Edwards Island ; and later they went to the State of Maine, where both parents died, the father in 1860 and the mother in 1868.
Commencing as a common laborer at the age men- tioned, he found employment at times in the lumber woods and on the river, and at other times worked at farming. He was thus engaged, in the State of Maine, until the spring of 1865, when he came to Michigan. Here he worked in the woods and on the river until 1877, when he settled on 40 aeres in Homer Township which he had purchased in 1869. He has since devoted his time mostly to farming, and has now 25 acres improved, a fair residence and a good stock and grain barn.
June 29, 1874, at Midland, he was joined in wed- lock with Miss Nettie Fisk, daughter of Mark H. and Mary (Crommett) Fisk, natives of Maine, and of Welsh and English descent, respectively. Mrs. Fisk now lives with her daughter, Mrs. Haywood. She is a lineal descendant of Oliver Cromwell, some one of her ancestors having changed the name to Crommett. Mr. Fisk died in the Pine Tree State June 18, 1858. Mrs. Haywood was born May 14, 1854, in Levant, Penobscot Co., Me. Losing her father when four years old, she was under her mother's care until 20 years old. At that age she came to this State and county, where she was shortly after married.
The family includes two children-Ernest G., born Feb. 5, 1874, and Herbert A., Feb. 11, 1882. Mr. H. has held the offices of Drain Commissioner and Constable, and is in political opinion a Repub- lican.
illiam O. Burtless, M. D., medical prac- titioner at Midland, was born near the city of Jackson, Mich. His parents, James B. and Susan (Carnes) Burtless, set- tled soon after their marriage in Seneca County, N. Y., where they were members of the agricultural class of society. They came to Michi- gan about the year 1845, and in 1847 returned to Seneca County, where they resided three years, re- turning at the end of that time to Michigan. They settled near Coldwater and maintained their resi- denee there a number of years. The mother died about the year 1856. The father is still living, and resides in Midland Township, this county.
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