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 23
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before he had secured a sufficiency he was taken sick and died. His death occurred in 1858, some eight years after he arrived in the "Golden State," and none of his family saw him from the time of his de- parture from his home in Indiana.
George Miller, the subject of our biographical notice, remained with his mother in Wayne County, assisting in the maintenance of the family and attend- ing the common schools, until he attained the age of 18 years. On arriving at that age, he learned the painter's trade and followed it for five years. He then engaged as an employee in a saw-mill at New Lisbon, owned by his brother. He remained with his brother in the mill for three years, and in the fall of 1869 came to this county.
He and his brother erected a steam mill on the Tittabawassee River just below Sanford, and he was actively engaged in operating it for two years. He sold the mill at the expiration of the time mentioned, to Benj. Dean, and went to Coleman.
In 1871, Mr. Miller purchased a portable mill and erected it at Coleman, in this county. He added to its capacity nearly every year until Oct. 11, 1883, when it was destroyed by fire. The mill property was worth about $6,000, and was insured for only $2,700, causing a net loss in its destruction of $3,300.
In the winter of 1883, Mr. Miller erected another, larger and more costly mill than the one destroyed by fire. He runs about seven months during each year, and his mill has the capacity to produce about $4,000 worth of stock per month. It is a saw-mill, shingle-mill and hoop-mill. The saw-mill has a ca- pacity of about 1,000 feet an hour; the shingle-mill 40,000 shingles every Ir hours, and the hoop-mill 12,000 hoops every 11 hours.
The mother of Mr. Miller died in Bloomington, 111., in June, 1863. She was the mother of 11 chil- dren, eight boys and three girls, all of whom, except one, lived until they attained the age of manhood and womanhood. Two died while fighting for their country's flag in the late civil war. One son was wounded at the battle of Chickamauga, Sept. 19, 1863, and died on the 21st of the same month. An- other son died, after leaving the army, from disease contracted while on duty.
Mr. Miller was united in marriage Oct. 31, 1870, to Miss Catherine Adella, daughter of Charles C. and Eliza B. (Burton) Sanford. Her father is still living,
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at Sanford, and has attained the venerable age of 65 years. The mother died some six years ago. Mrs. Miller was born Dec. 244, 1851, at Geneva, Ashtabula Co., Ohio. The husband and wife were the parents of two children : George Ora was born Aug. 31, 1871, in Coleman, this county, and died at Sanford Nov. 22, 1874, of scarlet rash. Cora was born June 5, 1874, in Sanford, and died Oct. 29, 1879, at Coleman.
Politically, Mr. Miller is a believer in and sup- porter of the principles of the Republican party. He has been Justice of the Peace four years, Supervisor three terms, Township Treasurer one term and High- way Commissioner two terms. He was a Democrat until the tariff question was introduced into politics, and then joined the Republican party. Socially, Mr. Miller holds a high position in the estimation of the citizens of his township. He possesses that push about him which adds to the development and pros- perity of the community in which he resides and makes many warm and true friends.
ITe owns the three farms in Warren Township ad- joining the village of Coleman, comprising 330 acres. He has 170 acres of this land improved, 40 acres in wheat and 60 in meadow. Mr. Miller was the first man to manufacture shingles and hoops in the town -. ship, and has done much to advance the interests of the same.
The portrait of Mr. Miller, which appears on an- other page, is a fitting addition to the BIOGRAPHICAL AND PORTRAIT ALBUM OF MIDLAND COUNTY. He has been prominent in the best interests of his town- ship and county since he became resident therein, and has contributed his influence and effort to the substantial progress of both.
androw Fransen, farmer, section 34, Jerome Township, was born Jan. 10, 1844, in Ring- ster, Denmark. His parents, Nels and Anna (Hansen) Fransen, are nativesof Denmark, and emigrated to America in 1869. They made their first location at Bloomfield, Saginaw Co., Mich., where they remained one year, and in 1870 settled in Jerome Township. The father died May 2, 1884, and the mother survives.
In that year Mr. Fransen entered a homestead claim of So acres, of which he took possession in the
spring. The entire tract was in a wild condition, and he has improved about 30 acres. Mr. Fransen is a Lutheran in his religious connections; is now serving as Justice of the Peace.
He was married Dec. 15, 1877, in Midland, to Helen, daughter of Samuel and Mary Ann (Nugent) Winters. The mother was born at Rockville, Md. The father was born May 5, 1809, at Emmettsburg, Frederick Co., Md. Mrs. Fransen was born April 14, 1852, at the last named place. The children born of her marriage are recorded as follows: Mary Ann was born Jan. 21, 1881; John Thomas was born May 31, 1882. An unnamed infant died a week after birth.
B enjamin F. Slough, farmer, section 32, Porter Township, was born May 23, 1828, in Lycoming Co., Pa. Benjamin and Es- ther (Smith) Slough, his parents, were natives of the Keystone State, of German ancestry. They belonged to the agricultural class and died in their native State,-the one in 1862, the other in 1849. Their family comprised seven sons and two daughters. Two of the former are deceased.
Mr. Slough is the sixth child of his parents, and accompanied them, when he was six years old, to Snyder Co, l'a., where he passed the years of his minority in obtaining his education in the common schools. On attaining to the period of his legal freedom, he went to work as a canal-boat builder, in which he was employed five years. For some time thenceforward he operated as a carpenter and joiner at Freeport, Illinois, and he traveled at odd times through 15 States. In 1854, he went to Summit Co., Ohio, and again engaged in the construction of canal boats on the Ohio Canal. He came to Midland Co., Mich., in 1856, and at once entered a homestead claim of 160 acres in Porter Township, where he was the first permanent settler. There was not a single thoroughfare in its whole extent, and when Mr. Slough built his house, which was the first within the township limits, he was under the severe necessity of obtaining all supplies from St. Louis, Gratiot County, a distance of 12 miles, and of paying for them at extravagant rates. The route. was made by water and over Indian trails. This kind of life continued six years before they could obtain a team. On set-
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tling on his estate he abandoned his trade and has since given his attention wholly to the improvement of his property. He claims one of the best farms in the township. on which he has improved 40 acres and erected suitable and creditable farm buildings.
Mfr. Slough was married March 29, 1859. at Iree- port, Ill., to Sarah J. Holmes, who was born in Car- roll Co., Ohio, Oct. 13, 1832. She went in her child- hood with her parents to Seneca County, where she was educated and reared to womanhood. Her par- ents still reside there, aged respectively 75 and 76 years. One child born of her marriage is living .- Mrs. Ida S. Kime. (See sketch of J. W. Kime.) She was born Nov. 27, 1862. Lillie D. (Slough) Kime was born Aug. 17, 1865, and died Sept. 4, 1830.
Mr. Slough is independent in political views. and has been Township Treasurer, besides having held the minor local offices.
enry Raymond, farmer on section 15, Hope Township, was born at Port Huron, St. Clair Co., Mich., April 11, 1846, the son of Nicholas and Sophia (Lavier) Raymond. The father. a blacksmith by occupation, died when Henry was 12 years old. The mother still lives at Port Huron.
The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm, and left home to make his own way in life when 15 years old. He commenced by working by the month as a farm laborer. He has been in this county since May 3, 1866. Shortly after coming, and before he was 21, he bought 40 acres of William McCrary. He afterwards sold this and bought 58 acres of Amasa Rust, in what is now Edenville Township, which he at once set about improving. In 1867, he settled on his presen: place of 80 acres in Hope Township.
Jan. 31, 1864, in Jerome (now Edenville) Town - ship, he was united in wedlock with Miss Rosaltha Erway, daughter of Daniel and Hilah (Clark) Erway. Mr. E. is dead; Mrs. E. resides with her son Sylves- ter. Mrs. Raymond was born Aug. 9, 1846, in the State of New York.
Of this marriage six children are living, and three deceased. Ettoile L., born Nov. 13, 1864, died Aug. 19, 1866; Effa V. was born Jan. 14, 1868; Sophia L., Dec. 13, 1869; William Isaac. July 5, 1872; next
in order, two infants died when two days old; Hilah R. was born March 24, 18;8; Henry Garfield, Oct. 10, 1880; and Jesse H., Nov. 6, 1882.
Mfr. K. is a Republican. and has been Highway Commissioner.
harles Overton, farmer, section 14. Mid- land Township, is a son of Thomas and Elizabeth A. (Temple) Overton, natives of England and America respectively.
Charles Overton, the subject of this sketch, was born in Onondaga Co., N. Y., June 26, 1846. He lived in his native State, where he followed the occupation of farmer, until 1866, when, in November of that year, he came to Midland City, this county. and for three year, engaged as an employe in the lumber woods. After that he wa, variously em- ployed in Midland City, until 18-8, when he moved upon the farm of 45 acres on section 24, Midland Township, which he had purchased when he was 18 years old, and on which he at present resides, and of which he has about 20 acres improved.
Mr. Overton was married July 2, 18;6, to Sarah A., daughter of George and Harriet Morgan, natives of England, in which country the daughter was born, Sept. 22, 1847. Religiously, she is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Politically, Mr. O. is a believer in and supporter of the Republican party.
: lexander J. Raymond, farmer on section 14, Hope Township, was born in Wayne Co .. Mich., March 4, 1837, the son of Nicho- las and Sophia (Lavier) Raymond. Mr. R., Sr., was killed in Kimball Township, St. Clair Co., Mich . about 1850, by the falling of a limb of a tree. His widow was subsequently married to David Moore, and now lives just outside the corporation limits of the city of Port Huron. Her living chil- dren by Mr. Raymond are named Henry, Sylvester, Richard, Julia and Joseph D .; and by Mr. Moore, Eber B .. Louisa and Elvira.
Although his father was by occupation a black- smith, Alexander worked while a boy on a farm. At
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the age of 16 he set out for himself. In September, 1854, he came to Edenville Township, this county, and commenced working in the woods for Tift Jerome, in whose employ he remained most of the time for 15 years. He was in Edenville from Sep- tember to March, then in St. Clair County during the summer, returning to this county in the fall. The ensuing three years he traveled through a number of the Western States, working at lumbering, farming, etc., after which he worked two years at lumbering in this county, and on the river.
In the spring of 1860 he bought So acres of land under the Graduation Act, paying 25 cents per acre. He built a shanty and commenced to improve his place, but in this he was interrupted by the breaking out of the civil war. Aug. 13, 1861, he enlisted in Co. D. 16th Mich. Vol. Inf., under Col. Stockton and Capt. Benj. Fisher. He was assigned to the Third Brigade, First Division, Fifth Army Corps, under Gen. Fitz John Porter. With the exception of three months in hospital, from a wound, he served entirely throughout the war. He was wounded at Gaines' Hill, June 27, 1862, in the left middle finger, which was amputated just below the middle joint. He participated in Mcclellan's Peninsular campaign, and was with Porter when the latter was ordered to assist Pope, at the second Bull Run, but disobeyed orders, resulting in his dismissal from the army. He fought in the Fifth Corps, under Gen. Warren, from the battle of the Wilderness to the surrender of Lee; fought at Gettysburg, Antietam and Fredericksburg; and was mustered out July 25, 1865, when he re- turned to his farm in Edenville. Thence he subse- quently removed to Hope Township. He now owns 721/2 acres in the latter township, of which 25 are improved.
February 14, 1864, while home on a veteran fur- lough, he was married to Miss Carrie A. Burton, daughter of David and Emeline (Copeland) Burton. Mr. B. is living on a part of the old homestead with his son Edwin. Mrs. B. is deceased. Mrs. Ray- mond was born Oct. 13, 1844, in Penobscot Co., Me. She is the mother of nine children, as follows: Ada E., born Nov. 12, 1865 ; Alfred J., Oct. 26, 1866; Nelson E., June 18, 1868 ; David N., April 6, 1870; Joseph A., April 26, 1872; Clyde W., May 25, 1874; Guy M., March 21, 1876; Royal J., May 5, 1878; Julia A., June 25, 1881. The first four
were born in Edenville, the last five in Hope Town- ship.
Mr. Raymond has been Supervisor three years, and Township Treasurer an equal period; also Highway Commissioner between two and three years. In political sentiment he is a Republican.
He was the sixth white man to settle in what is now Edenville Township, the five before him coming in the following order : Abraham Egbert, Jacob Hagar, John Hoose, Daniel Bowman, Zenas Weaver.
hilip Woodeoek, farmer, section 32, Mid- land Township, is a son of Isaac and Nancy (Seeves) Woodcock, who were natives of Canada. He too, was born in that country, July 10, 1846, and lived there until October, 1868, when he came to Midland County and pur- chased 60 acres where he has since lived and now has almost 45 acres in a fine state of cultivation.
Mr. W. was first married, in Midland City, May 9, 1870, to Elizabeth Smith, who was a native of Homer Township, and they had two children, Elda and Wil- liam, the latter dying when an infant. Mrs. W. died July 26, 1872, and Mr. Woodcock was again mar- ried, in Midland City, May 12, 1883, to Eunice, daughter of William and Elsie Jose.
Mr. W. has been School Moderator, and in politics is a National.
lbyn L. Bellinger, farmer, section 36, Lee 'Township, was born in St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., July 17, 1845. The parents of Mr. Bellinger were Christopher and Clarissa, na- tives of the Mohawk Valley, N. Y., and de- scendants of the early German settlers of that valley. The father followed the blacksmith's trade for a livelihood and he and his wife both died in St. Lawrence County.
Albyn L. Bellinger, the subject of our biographical notice, is the only living son and the youngest child of his father's family of nine children, six boys having died previous to the birth of our subject. He lived on the parental homestead, assisting his father and attending the common schools, until he attained the
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age of 17, with the exception of two years. During the latter period he attended the academy in Gouve- nour, the same county.
At this period in his life, the nation was startled from her peaceful sleep of years by the firing on Sumter, and our martyr President calling for brave hearts and. strong arms to defend the cause of justice, Mr. Bellinger responded. He enlisted in Co. B, 106th N. Y. Vol. Inf., which was attached to the Army of the Potomac, Sixth Corps, which was com- manded by Gens. Sedgwick and Wright respectively. He participated in a large number of active engage- ments and was in some of the most hotiy contested battles of the war. Among the engagements in which he took part were the battles of Belmont, Martinsburg, Culpeper, Kelly's Ford, Locust Grove, Cedar Creek, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, Petersburg and Monocacy. At the latter engagement he was taken prisoner and sent to Danville, Va., and from there was removed to Libby Prison. He was incar- cerated in these two prisons for seven months, when he was paroled and joined his regiment in time to witness Lee's surrender. After the latter event, he participated with his regiment in the pursuit of John- son until his army surrendered, when his regiment returned to Washington, D. C., and June 29, 1865, Mr. B., with the rest of his companions in arms, re- ceived an honorable discharge from his country's service.
Mr. Bellinger then returned to his native home and shortly afterward, July 5, 1865, at Ogdensburg, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., he was united in marriage with Miss Hannah Davison. She was a daughter of Samuel and Rebecca (White) Davison. The parents were of Scotch descent and nativity, and emigrated to Canada at an early day, where they were married and where the daughter was born, Feb. 17, 1845. Mrs. B. lived in Canada until 18 years old, and then went to St. Lawrence County, two years previous to her union with Mr. B.
After marriage, Mr. Bellinger followed the occupa- tion of farming, in St. Lawrence County, for six years, when, with his family, he went to Ontario. He re- mained at the latter place about two years, when he removed to Porter Township, this county and State, and purchased 90 acres of land. He made consider- able improvement on this place, then sold it and moved to Jasper Township. He lived in the latter
for some time, during which period he spent two years lumbering on the Chippewa River, and at vari- ous other occupations, and then removed to Lee Township, where he is at present residing. He has a well improved farm of So acres on section 36, and in addition to its cultivation he devotes his winters to lumbering.
Mr. and Mrs. Bellinger are the parents of two chil- dren, Rutledge R., born Oct. 15, 1866; and Gertrude, born Aug. 8, 1873.
Politically, Mr. B. is a staunch Republican ; and he has held the offices of Justice of the Peace, Deputy Sheriff, Superintendent of Schools and is at present a Supervisor. Socially, he is a member of the I. O. O. F., of Lindsay, Ont , and is identified with the edu- cational interests of his community.
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illiam Dunning, farmer on section 22, Hope Township, was born at Saginaw, Mich., April 15, 185 1, the son of Ransom and Christina (McDonald) Dunning. Mr. Dunning, Sr., was a native of Connecticut, and died at Midland City Nov. 19, 1880. The mother was born in Scotland, and died six miles from Saginaw, in Jamestown Township, June 16, 1868. Malcolm, John and William are the names of their three sons.
Their third son, William, was reared on a farm until 15 years old, then followed lumbering in the winters and worked on the river in summers, until Dec. 2, 1880, when he arrived in Hope Township, this county. Here he has since made his home. He moved into the house of his father, the latter having died the month previous, and is now living in the oldest log house in Hope Township, his father having bought it of Zenas Weaver. While Mr. Weaver was building this house, a wolf came to the window hole, put his feet on the sill, looked in quietly and went away. Mr. Dunning bought 40 acres of land of Mr. Weaver, and 60 of James Riggs.
He was married July 3, 1875, to Lizzie McPeak, daughter of Richard and Margaret (Cane) McPeak. Mr. McP. died Aug. 14, 1869, at Saginaw, and Mrs. McP. is now living at Saginaw, on the old Pennoyer farm, which has been cut into lots. Mrs. Dunning
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was born Feb. 12, 1858, near London, Can., and was the third of eight children, named John, Mary A .. Lizzie, Maggie, Teresa, Rosa M .. Amelia (deceased) and Richard.
Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. D., as follows: Frankie, May 5, 1876, in Saginaw City: Clissie, March 18, 18;8, in Saginaw City: and Lydia, Oct. 15. 1882, in Hope Township.
Mr. D. has been Township Treasurer for two terms.
rthur W. Dorr, farmer and lumberman. resident on section 3. Porter Township, was born Jan. 9, 1828, in Piscataquis Co., Me. Ilis parents, M. D. and Eliza (Lowe) Dorr. were natives of Maine and belonged to the agricultural class. Their family included 11 children, four of whom are deceased. The father now resides at Dover, Me., and is S4 years old. The mother died when she was ; 1 years of age.
Mr. Dorr is the second son and fourth child of his parents. He followed the pursuits common to his native county, working on his father's farm and in the lumber woods until he was 23 years old, when he went to California. He made the journey by sea and was five months and 20 days en route, landing at San Francisco April 20, 1853. He went to Eldo- rado County, in the Golden State, where he engaged in placer-mining. He experienced the vicissitudes of the miner's life with results which enabled him to embark in the lumber business, which he did in the same county, and also managed a hotel three years. He was occupied in his various enterprises in Eldo- rado County until the fall of 1869, when he went to Soloma County, in the same State, where he spent three years as a carpenter and builder. Returning to Eldorado County, he remained there until the fall of 1873, when he returned to his native State. After a short stay there he came to Michigan and engaged in lumbering on the Pine River in the interests of his brother-in-law, S. L. Wiggins, of East Saginaw. In 1875 he bought the farm he now owns and man- ages, consisting of 240 acres of stump land, on which he at once began the work of improvement. He has 65 acres under the plow, a comfortable residence and one of the most commodious and conveniently arranged barns in this section. In political affilia-
tion Mr. Dorr is a Republican. He has been Town- ship Clerk six years, and in 1879 was appointed Postmaster at the place now known as Bradford.
The first marriage of Mr. Dorr occurred May 16, 1863, at Genoa, Nev., to Eliza Brown, a native of London, Eng. She came to California from her native land when she was 23 years old. She died in California, Nov. 28. 1872, aged 33 years, 6 months and 16 days. Four children survive her-Ella M .. born May 20, 1864; Arthur D., June 20, 1366; Frances M .. March 28, 1868, and Harry R., July 22, IS;1. Mr. Dorr was a second time married July 9. 1875, in Saginaw Co., Mich., to Mrs. Sarah E. (Ful- ler) Hart. She was born Dec. 23. 1827, at Free- dom, Me. Her parents removed to Dover, Me .. where she grew to womanhood and became the wife of Peleg Hart, who died in February, 1871, leaving one child-Edna M., born May 15, 1865. Mr. and Mrs. Dorr are members of the Congregational Church.
onathan Pierce, " mine host " of the Ex- change Hotel in Coleman, was born Feb. 19, 1821. in Oswego Co., N. Y. He was a son of Benjamin B. and Polly (French) Pierce. His father was born in August, 1785, and died Jan. 10. 1875. Jonathan's grandfather was one of the early settlers in the Wyoming Valley, Luzerne Co .. Pa., and his wife and three children were among the 300 who in July, 1778. were massa- cred by the Tories and Indians. The family of Jonathan's father embraced five children, of whom our subject was the third child from the eldest. He lived at home and assisted on the farm during the summer months. and occupied his time winters in lumbering and teaching school, until he was 27 years old. He was also engaged in the lumbering and wood business in Oswego County until 1869. The following year. 1870, Jonathan came to Midland City, this county. He engaged in partnership with a gentleman in the milling business at that place, but in the fall of the same year he went to Coleman and erected a steam saw-mill, which was destroyed by fire in 1874. It was supposed to have been the work of an incendiary. His family did not arrive until the fall of I8;1. While the station house was being built at Coleman he boarded the railroad men,
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his wife doing the cooking and sending the meals to the hands.
Mr. Pierce was united in marriage April 13, 1848, in Cortland Co., N. Y., to Miss Celista, daughter of James and Lois (Johnson) Burnham. Her parents died in Cortland County. She was born Dec. 9, 1824, in Cortland Co., N. Y.
Mr. and Mrs. Pierce are the parents of four chil- dren living, and one deceased. The living are Lois A., born Oct. 13. 1849; Priscilla A .. Feb. 13. 1854; Clifton J., Dec. 25. 1858; Effie C., March 2, 1861 ; Leila B., Jan. 20, 1870, died Feb. 5. 1881.
ester M. Bailey, lumberman, section 34. Jasper Township, is a son of Benson B. and Mary (Ludlow) Bailey. (See sketch of Benson B. Bailey.) He was born in Seneca Township. Lenawee Co., Mich., Oct. 29, 1856, and was eight years old when he came with his parents to this county, where he now resides. Here he grew up, assisting on the farm and attending school. After he became of age he commenced limbering on Pine River, and has followed the busi- ness ever since. At li, home he has a very fine piece of paperty, oni y 85 acres on section 34 and 440 acres n Montcalm Co., Mich. Fifty acres of the former Vace is ill a good state of cultivation.
In his political view -. Mr. Bailey is a zealous Re- piblican. He is a member of Lodge No. 144, I. O. O. F., a: St. Louis.
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