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 22
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46
At the expiration of that time he came to Edenville, and engaged in the same business in which he has since continued, with the exception of six months. Eight years after establishing himself in the business, his hotel was destroyed by fire. At that time he had $3,200 in cash and a well-stocked farm of 200 acres. After the fire he felt disposed to try fortune in a more extended sphere, and went to Saginaw, where he bought the Franklin House. Six months later he had tested the abiding qualities of all his ready money and $400 besides, and found the climate not adapted to his abilities. He swallowed his losses and ex- periences, and returned to his farm at Edenville. In one year he made $Soo, and built a part of the hotel he is now managing. He has continued in the same business ever since, with various degrees of success.
He was married at Saginaw June 21, 1864, to Caro- line E., daughter of Alexander and Harriet N. (Bab- cock) Ladow. Her parents are natives of the State of New York, and are residing in Tama Co., Iowa. Her father is a minister of the Baptist Church. Mrs. Moore was born Aug. 19, 1838, in Camden, Lorain Co., Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Moore have had one daugh- ter,-Georgiana, born Jan. 16, 1866, and died March 16, 1872.
Mr. Moore is a Democrat, and is serving his third term as Supervisor of Edenville Township.
imeon Kent, farmer, section 22, Midland Township, is a son of James A. and Rachel (Crane) Kent, natives of New York State, who emigrated thence to Midland County, in 1854, settling in Midland Town- ship, where they have since resided. Of their five children, three grew up to maturity, namely : Harriet, Catherine and Simeon. The two deceased were Eliza J. and an infant.
Simeon was born in Saginaw County, Oct. 21, 1840. In February, 1864, he enlisted in the cause of the Union, in the Ist Mich. Cav., and while engaged in the battle of Winchester, Va., Sept. 19, 1864, he received a bullet wound in his right arm, which necessitated an amputation. He was discharged in June, 1865. Is now a member of the Dwight May Post, No. 69, G. A. R., and concerning political questions takes generally Republican views.
240
MIDLAND COUNTY.
Mr. Kent was married in Saginaw Co., Mich., Sept. 12, 1869, to Sarah E., daughter of William and Amanda (Holt) Morrison, natives of Pennsylvania. Mrs. K. was born in Armstrong Co., Pa., May 1, 1852. To Mr. and Mrs. Kent have been born five children, namely : James A., Amanda J., George L., Gertrude R. and Hattie I.
kaniel Wilcox, farmer, section 28, Midland Township, is a son of Henry and Cath- erine (Collins) Wilcox, who were natives of the Empire State.
He was born in Erie County, that State, Feb. 5, 1822, followed farming a portion of the time, and for 12 years was employed in a hotel and on the lakes as "berth-maker." Four months of the above period, however, were spent in Wiscon- sin. In the fall of 1852 he came to Midland County and purchased So aeres of nnimproved land where he has since resided. He is therefore one of the oldest pioneers of the county. He has sold six and a half acres of his first purchase, and of the re- mainder he has about 60 acres well improved. His is a fine farm.
Mr. Wilcox was married in Buffalo, N. Y., to Mar- garet Derig, a native of Ireland, who came to America when a young child.
Mr. W. has been School Assessor in his district. In polities he is a Republican. Mrs. W. is a mem- ber of the Catholic Church.
ames Whitman, farmer and Iumberman, section 9, Porter Township, was born in Saginaw Co., Mich., May 31, 1843, and is a son of John A. and Lucinda (Cogswell) Whitman. (See sketch.) The parents moved into Midland County when their son was but a year old, being among the first settlers in the county, locating in Ingersoll Township, where he, the father, now resides. James' mother is deceased.
The subject of this biographical notice remained at home until 21, when he set out for himself, pur- chasing a piece of land in Homer Township, which he managed for a year and then lumbered one season
for Horace Jerome, after which he merged into the lumber business with his father. Thus they operated together two years, furnishing railroad lumber and supplies. Then for some time he prosecuted a simi- lar business in company with Mr. Gordon, of Mid- land, then in connection with the Saginaw Boom Company for about seven years.
On leaving them, in the fall of ISSo, he settled on a quarter of section 9, Porter Township, which tract he had purchased two years previously. Here he has improved 40 acres and built a good, large barn, a comfortable residence, etc. He is not married.
Mr. W. is a Republican in his political principles, and has held the minor offices of his township.
dwin N. Burton, farmer, section 12, Eden- ville Township, was born June 20, 1837, in Dexter, Me., and is the son of David and Emeline (Copeland) Burton. The parents were born respectively in Maine and Massa- chusetts, and removed in 1851 to Dexter, Washtenaw Co., Mich. In 1854 the family went to East 'Saginaw and remained one winter, the father operating as foreman of a lumber camp in the em- ploy of one of the heaviest firms of Saginaw. In the spring of 1855 they settled in Midland County, where he completed the period of his minority. He obtained his education wholly in Maine and Wash- tenaw Co., Mich., and, after coming to Midland County, devoted his increasing strength to clearing and improving the homestead and contributing to the support of the family.
When he was 22 years old he enlisted in Co. D. 16th Mich. Vol. Inf., under Col. Stockton, of Flint. The date of his enrollment as a soldier in the service of the United States was Aug. 1, 1861: The regiment was assigned to Butterfield's Brigade, Fitz John Porter's Division, of the Army of the Potomac.
The first service of any importance in which Mr. Burton was engaged was the siege of Yorktown. During the Peninsular Campaign under Gen. Mc Clellan, while the army was lying in the swamps of the Chickahominy River, he was seized with illness, and June 27, 1862, he was sent to the Highgee Hos- pital at Fortress Monroe. Three weeks later he was removed to Long Island (N. Y.) Hospital. He was
241
MIDLAND COUNTY.
discharged thence Oct. 20, 1862, on a surgeon's cer- tificate, by the order of Gen. Brown. On leaving the hospital he made his way to Rochester, Oakland Co., Mich., where he remained six weeks with his sister, being too weak to proceed further. At the end of that time his father came for him and removed him to his home. His disease was of a malarial charac- ter, contracted in the deadly miasmas which laid thousands of Northern soldiers under the sods of the valley in that murderous, fruitless waiting for move- ment, and which was more disastrous to the cause of the Union and resulted in a greater loss of life than active service on the field could have done. Three years elapsed before Mr. Burton recovered his nor- mal strength and endurance. He belongs to the type of politicians distinguished as "War Demo- crats," and has served his generation in many promi- nent and responsible positions. He has been Super- visor two terms, Treasurer five years, Clerk three years, and has been recently elected Justice of the Peace.
Mr. Burton was married Nov. 8, 1868, to Mary M., daughter of Richard and Elizabeth ( McConnell ) Willis. Her father was born Nov. IS, 1816, in Ireland, and is yet resident in Edenville Township. Her mother was born Nov. 18, 1833, in Canada, and died Oct. 14, 1863. Mrs. Burton was born April 3, 1853, in Sparta, Elgin Co., Can. Following is the record of five children born to Mr. and Mrs. Burton: Frank E., born Feb. 1, 1870; Willis A., April 10, 1872, died Jan. 9, 1880; Bessie, March 20, 1874, died Jan. TT, 1880; Emeline A., March 5, 1876; Winfield Scott, Sept. 30, 1880. All the children were born in Edenville Township. Those deceased died within two days of each other, of diphtheria.
+
rancis L. O. Banks, farmer, section 27, Midland Township, is a son of Wright and Ann (Brotherton) Banks, who were natives of Connecticut. He was born in Sherman, Fairfield Co., Conn., Aug. 31, 1830, coming to Oakland Co., Mich., with his parents when 11 years of age. He attended the High School at Pon- tiac. At 18 years of age he began and worked out by the month for five years. In 1851 he came to Midland County and settled on 43 acres of land in
Midland Township, which he had bought three years previously, and where he has since resided. To the original purchase he has added 64 acres, and now has about 75 acres in a good state of cultivation. He has held the offices of School Director and Con- stable, and in regard to political questions he votes with the Republicans. He and his wife are mem- bers of the Baptist Church.
Mr. Banks was married in Saginaw Co., Mich., March 16, 1854, to Miss Margaret E. Cre, a native of Massachusetts, and of Scotch parentage. They have had five children, viz .: Charles, Adelbert R., Clara F., Frederick and William U. Charles and Frederick are deceased.
oel A. Brewer, farmer and lumberman, resident on section 27, Homer Township. was born Aug. 4, 1844, in Allegany Co .. N. Y. His parents, Daniel and Julia A. (Bas- sett) Brewer, were natives of the State of New York, where the former still resides, aged ; 8 years. The mother died in Allegany Co., N. Y., March 17, 1876. Their family comprised nine chil- dren, three of whom are deceased.
Mr. Brewer is the eighth child of his parents in the order of birth, and is the fourth son. He is the only one of the family who has left his native State. He received a fair common-school education, and when he was 17 years old he went South in the em- ployment of the Government. He was present at four of the important battles of the Army of the Cumberland. He was at Nashville the day of Lin- coln's re-election, and heard a speech by Andrew Johnson.
He returned to his home in the State of New York, where he remained but a brief period, going thence to Pennsylvania, where he engaged as a mill assistant for some months. He returned home for a time and again went to Pennsylvania and interested himself in the chances of the oil regions. In 1867 he went back to Allegany Co., N. Y., where. July 15 of that year, he was married to Julia F., daughter of John and Sophia Wirt. Her parents were natives of Canada, of French descent. They became resi- dents of the Empire State in early life, where they married and have since resided. The daughter was
242
MIDLAND COUNTY.
born June 21, 1849, near Rochester. The family re- moved in 1851 to Allegany County. Grant S., born July 4, 1868, and Frank J., born May 18, 1871, are the names of the two children born to Mr. and Mrs. Brewer.
Mr. Brewer pursued the calling of a farmer in Allegany County until the fall of 1880, when he came to Midland Co., Mich., spent one winter as a lumberman, and then purchased his present property of 160 acres, which was all in heavy timber. He has engaged in lambering every season, and em- ployed the remainder of his time in improving his land. He has cleared and placed 20 acres under tillage. Mr. Brewer is a Republican in political sentiment. He has just entered upon his second term as Supervisor, and is also Justice of the Peace. The family attend the Methodist Episcopal Church.
yugh McWilliams, farmer on section 22, Hope Township, was born in Glasgow, Scot- land. Aug. 24, 1832, the son of William and Jane (Kissick) McWilliams, natives of Ireland. The father emigrated with his family to Mon- treal, Can., in 1844. After a six-months' stay there, employed at his trade of stone mason, he went to Kingston, where he was similarly employed a little over a year. He was then accidentally drowned in the Napanee River. Hugh remained with his mother until her death, seven years later, and remained in the vicinity two years longer, working at lumbering, farming, etc.
He then came to this State, and after stopping a few months with William McCrary, in Ingham County, he came on to Midland County. Here he worked a winter in the woods, next spent a summer in a saw-mill at Saginaw, and then settled perma- nently in Midland County. He helped Mr. McCrary build his first log shanty, and of him he bought 50 acres of land, about 1860. He has now 40 acres of this in cultivation, and has a good barn and a small frame house.
March 23, 1862, he married Miss Milly J. Weaver, daughter of Zenas and Elizabeth (Sears) Weaver. Mr. W., one of the pioneers of Hope Township, died in Roscommon County, March 30, 1881, and was brought to Hope Township for burial. Mrs. Mc-
Williams was born Sept. 15, 1845, in Norwich, Can., and has been the mother of seven children, six of whom are living. Following is the record : Ada MI., born May 2, 1871; Eva Lizzie, Oct. 27, 1874 ; Mary Alta, Jan. 23, 1876; Thelbert H., March 21, 1878; Lydia Ann, Dec. 20, 1879; Sadie R., Sept. 9, 1881; Willie F., Feb. 24, 1883. All were born in Hope Township.
Mr. McW. has been Justice of the Peace two terms, and votes the Republican ticket.
rthur Hickling, farmer, section 14, Mid- g land Township, is a son of John and Ma- tilda (Wood) Hickling, natives of England, where they were reared, lived, married, labored and died.
Arthur was born in Nottingham, England, April 28, 1833. He lived in that country until 1861, engaged in the butcher business, and then came to Canada. He settled in Guelph, Wellington Co., Ont., where he followed the same business at which he was engaged in the old country.
In the summer of 1872 Mr. Hickling came to Mid- land City, this county, and opened a meat market, which business he continued for three years, when he was burned ont. He immediately rebuilt and followed the same business until May, 28, 1876, when the same destroying element swept away his property for the second time. Not discouraged, and possessing an abundance of pluck, he again re-built and continued in the same business until June, 1877, when he disposed of it.
Mr. Hickling has been twice married. His first union was with Miss Anna Adams, a native of Eng- land, and occurred in that country. One son, John A., born March 28, 1861, was the only offspring of this marriage. His second marriage was to Mrs. Margaret Warner (nee Highfield), daughter of George and Martha (Foster) Highfield, and was solemnized June 16, 1877, in Midland City, this county. She was born in Lancashire, England, in 1832. ller first marriage was to Mr. Samuel Warner, who died Feb 11, 1875. She is the owner of 80 acres of land, on which the family reside, and has 50 acres of the same under a good state of cultivation. Religiously,
MIDLAND COUNTY.
243
she is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. H. is a Democrat in politics, and has held the posi- tion of Fire Police in Midland City for about a year, as well as a local position in his township.
loyd L. Post, attorney, Coleman, was born April 11, 1857, at Belvidere, Allegany Co., N. Y., and is a son of John and Fannie M. (Gleason) Post, both of whom are yet living. In their family were one sou and two daugh- ters, one of the latter being now deceased.
Mr. Post had a common-school education, read law in the office of Wheaton & Perry at Clare, Mich., for two years, and also at home, and was admitted to the Bar at Harrison, Clare Co., Mich., in March, 1882, since which time he has practiced his profession, being in company with his father in his business matters. Together they own about 240 acres of land, of which 45 are improved. Mr. P. has been Super- visor one year, Clerk of Grant Township, Clare County, one year, and of Warren Township, this county, one year, and Village Clerk one year. Polit- ically he belongs to the Republican party.
March 22, 1884, Mr. Post was married to Miss Isa- bella V., daughter of Michael Doherty, who is now living on a farm in Belfast, Allegany Co., N. Y. Mrs. l'ost is a graduate of that place, is a school and music teacher and is a member of the Catholic Church. She was born in Belfast, Feb. 17, 1859.
ustus B. Johnson, farmer on section 36, Midland Township, is a son of John A. and Sally (Barden) Johnson, natives of New Jersey and Massachusetts respectively ; the former died in Genesee Co., N. Y., in 1859, and the latter in Midland Township, this county, at the home of the subject of this sketch, Aug. 18, 1872. Their family included nine children -four sons and five daughters.
The third son, Justus, was born in Monroe Co., N. Y., May 8, 1820, and lived at home until 17 years of age, receiving a good, common education. He learned the cooper's trade, which he followed mnost of the time until 1869. In the fall of that year he
came to Midland County, and purchased 80 acres of wild land, where he has made his home since the fall of 1871, when his family moved upon the place. He has purchased 160 acres additional, and has now about 60 acres under the plow.
April 4, 1846, in Erie Co., N. Y., occurred his nuptials with Miss Margaret, daughter of William and Elizabeth (Vanderbilt) Wyckoff, natives of the State of New York. Mrs. Wyckoff was a cousin of Cor- nelius Vanderbilt, father of the present railroad magnate. Mrs. Johnson was born in the Empire State, Nov. 17, 1817, and died in Erie Co., N. Y., Aug. 21, 1870, having been the mother of five chil- dren-Charles A., Myron J., Alphonso (died when four months old), Elizabeth S. and Alice S.
Mr. J. is a member of the Wesleyan Methodist Church, in politics is a Republican, and has been Overseer of Highways for three years.
rederick M. Burton, farmer, section 12, Edenville Township, was born April 3, 1849, in Dexter, Penobscot Co., Me. His parents, David and Emeline (Copeland) Bur- ton, were natives of Maine and of English de- scent. The father was born in September, ISor. The mother was born Aug. 14, 1815, and died April 20, 1881, in Edenville Township. The family removed to Webster, Washtenaw Co., Mich., in November, 1851, and there resided until 1854, when they made another transfer to East Sagi- naw, where they passed the winter of 1854-5. The father owned a farm in Washtenaw County during the three years in which he was a resi- dent there, and was foreman of a lumber camp at Saginaw for Tift Jerome the winter previous to his removal. Meanwhile he took advantage of an oppor- tunity which presented of buying the farm on which he has since resided, in Edenville Township, paying therefor 50 cents per acre.
Mr. Burton was not quite seven years of age when his parents settled in Eden Township, and he grew to manhood and obtained a common-school educa- tion under his father's care and supervision. He spent some years in his employ after he was 21, re- maining at home until his marriage. On the occur- rence of that event he purchased 30 acres of unim-
241
MIDLAND COUNTY.
proved land of his father, on which he has since resided, and he now has 15 acres under cultivation. Mr. Burton belongs to the National Greenback party in political affiliation. He has held the office of Drain Commissioner, and has been re-elected for an- other term.
He was married May 13, 1873, to Lizzie P., daugh- ter of Thomas and Elizabeth Ann (Aikens) Grans- den. Her parents reside in Edenville and are respectively of English and Irish descent. Her mother was born Nov. 18, 1814, in Ireland, and her father was born in England, Feb. 14, 1810. Mrs. Burton was born Nov. 27, 1852. Three children have been born of her marriage, as follows: David C., July 30, 1874; Stephen L., Feb. 15, 1876; Mary Rosa, April 14, 1878. Mr. Burton is a Universalist in religious belief; his wife is a Roman Catholic.
gbert Bradley, farmer, sec. 27, Midland, is son of Joseph and Mary ( Emmons) Bradley, the former a native of Connecticut and the latter of New York, who emigrated to this State in 1842, settling in Livingston County, where she died, in June, 1844. He afterward removed to lonia Co., Mich., where he died, Sept. 19, 1880.
Egbert was born in Niagara Co., N. Y., July 30, 1829, and was about 13 years of age when he came to Michigan with his parents. Ile started out for himself in the world when about 20 years of age, first finding employment in a saw-mill at Port Huron for about six months; then ten months in a mill in the Upper Peninsula : then returned to Livingston County ; then followed lumbering and blacksmith- ing about four years in Genesee County. Next, in 1860, he went to Colorado in search of gold, meeting with some success, earning the coveted metal by farming, mining and milling; was there six years. He returned to Ionia County, and in the fall of 1867 came to this county, where he has since re- sided. He now owns 177 acres of land, in Midland Township, besides village property in Midland; has 50 acres of his farm land in a good state of cultiva- tion.
He has held the office of Highway Commissioner two years; is a member of the Masonic Order; in
politics, is a Republican, and cast his first Presidential vote for Gen. Winfield Scott.
Mr. Bradley was married in lonia Co., Mich., Nov. 17, 1867, to Mrs. Hannah, widow of Darius P. Thompson and daughter of John and Hannah Steers, who was born in Homer, Cortland Co., N. Y., Dec. 15, 1845. She had by her first husband one child, named Darius P. Thompson, Jr., and by her present mar- riage has had two children, namely, Mary E. and Joseph R. Mrs. Bradley's father died when she was a child, and her mother resides with the subject of this sketch. She is 76 years old, and blind.
aniel E. Grover, farmer and lumberman, residing at Edenville, was born March 22, 1843. in Detroit, this State. His parents were James C. and Catherine M. (Hough) Grover. The father was a carpenter and joiner by trade, and died at Bay City, Bay County, this State, April 5, 1877, in the 59th year of his age. He descended from that class of Puritans who were known as " Independents," who established the first colony at Plymouth. His family consisted of seven children : three boys and four girls. The mother was born at St. Catherine's, Can., and was of German descent. The family moved from Detroit to Shia- wassee County, this State, where the father followed his trade for three years, and then removed to Port Huron, St. Clair Co., and there followed his trade for two or three years. From Port Huron he went to Point aux Barques, where he remained for two years. During his stay at the latter place be built a saw- mill and was engaged for some time in running the same. His next move was to East Saginaw, where he engaged in the grocery business and worked at his trade for about three years. From East Saginaw he moved to Bay City, where he died, as before stated.
Daniel E. Grover, the subject of this biographical notice, was the fourth child of his father's family. He lived at home under the care of his parents, assisting in the maintenance of the family, and developed into manhood. On arriving at the age of maturity he set forth upon the road of adversity to battle against the trials of life. He engaged in lumbering and running on the rivers for a time, when
Fe
George Miller
247
MIDLAND COUNTY.
he went to Cleveland, Ohio, and worked on the Cleveland & Pittsburg Railroad for two years. From Cleveland he went to Pittsburg, Pa., and worked on the railroad for a time, when he obtained a position on the police force, and served on that for two years and ten months. From Pittsburg he moved to West Bay City, this State, where he remained for two years, and during a part of that time he was Marshal of the City. His next move was to Edenville, this county, where he built a house and where he now resides. He has a farm of 80 acres, which he culti- vates during the summer, and he follows the voca- tion of "lumbering " winters.
Mr. Grover was united in marriage Dec. 25, 1865, to Miss Kate, daughter of John W. and Ellen Grover. Both her parents were of German de- scent, and died in Edenville, her father at the age of 89 years. Mrs. Kate Grover, wife of the sub- ject of this notice, was born in Norfolk Co., Can., May 16, 1844. She is the mother, to Mr. Grover, of seven children, four of whom are deceased. The living are Daisy, James Henry, Samuel L. and Catherine M. The deceased are John Worthington, Geddes and Daniel.
Politically, Mr. Grover is a Democrat. He has held the office of Justice of the Peace, and socially is a genial-hearted citizen and an ardent worker for the interests of the community in which he resides.
eorge Miller, farmer and mill proprietor, residing on section 29, Warren 'Township, and one of the representative as well as self- made men of the county, was born Sept. 20, 1845, in Hagerstown, Wayne Co., Ind. He is a son of Henry and Elizabeth (Sexton) Miller. The father of Mr. Miller went to California when George was only four years of age, in 1849, during the great overland rush to that country. He was ambitious to secure a competency, and, though limited in education, possessed that faculty of push and de- termination which seldom fails to overthrow and con- quer all obstacles. He learned the trade of black- smith and followed the same for a while in the "land of gold," but soon abandoned it and went to San Francisco and Sacramento. He was very successful in California, and sent his family some $3,500; but
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.