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 26
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The father of Abraham was born in West Troy, N. Y. He was a loyalist in 1777, and when 16 years of age joined Gen. Burgoyne's army on its re- treat to Canada. He afterward located in Canada and followed the vocation of farming until the time of his death.
Abraham remained at home until he attained the age of 16 years, when he commenced to learn the carpenter's trade. He successfully finished his ap- prenticeship, and has followed his trade, more or less, all his life. He also owned a farm in Canada, which he cultivated in addition to working at his trade.
In the fall of 1866 he moved to Saginaw City, this State, rented a house and worked at his trade for three and one-half years. From that place he moved to Coleman, this county. In the summer of 1870 he purchased a large lot in Coleman and erected a house on it. During the building of his house, he had no place for himself and family to stay in except a little, old establishment covered with hem- lock boards. The first rain that came was in the night time, and it poured down on their beds to such an extent that they were compelled to sit up all night and hold over them umbrellas, which they were ex- tremely lucky to have.
Mr. Fraser purchased a farm of 40 acres adjoining the corporation of Coleman, and has 25 acres of it improved. He is one of the earliest living settlers of Coleman, and experienced many of the hardships of pioneer life.
In September, 1841, he was united in marriage to Eliza, daughter of John and Hanna Platt. Her par- ents are both dead. She also died, about a year after marriage, leaving an infant child to the care of the father, but who soon followed the mother to the better land. About 13 months after the death of his wife Mr. Fraser was married to Miss Mary Pratt, a sister of his former wife. She was of German de- scent, and departed this life in 1866, leaving to the care of her husband seven children, namely : Clarissa, Helen, Abraham, Sophia, Edward, Jane and William.
In March, 1867, Mr. Fraser was married a third time, the lady of his choice being Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Isaac and Harriet (Brock) Frazer. Her parents were of Scotch descent. Her father is living in Ontario, Can., and her mother died there.
Mr. Fraser is independent in politics. He has held the office of Town Clerk one term, Highway Commissioner four terms, Justice of the Peace two terms, School Inspector two terms, and was Poor Master when that office existed.
Mrs. Fraser is a member of the Methodist Episco- pal Church, and both are respected and esteemed citizens of the township.
W. Crissey, editor and owner of the Mid- land Republican, was born in New Canaan, Fairfield Co., Conn., Oct. 5, 1843. When he was less than two years of age, Theodore Crissey, his father, removed with the family to Michigan, the trip occupying about two weeks. After a few months spent in Hillsdale County, pur- chases of wild land were made in Barry County, and pioneer family life was entered upon. The home was for 18 years or more in Johnstown, of that County. Some schooling was obtained in the little red school- house, and at 18 or 19 years of age the subject of this sketch spent a few months in the public school of Battle Creek.
At 18 he began teaching, in which occupation several winters were spent. The winter of 1864-5
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was passed in Little Rock, Ark., in the employment of "Uncle Sam." Subsequent years were largely occupied in teaching, alternated with attendance at the State Agricultural College and the State Normal School, at the latter of which he graduated in the classical course in 1872. For the next three years he was employed in the public schools of Detroit as l'rincipal of large grammar schools. This position was resigned at the close of the school year, in June, 1875, to accept the position of Superintendent of Public Schools of Flint, then a city of about 9,000 inhabitants. This position was held for five years, at the end of which time a re-appointment for the sixth year was declined. In the summer and autumn of 1880, several weeks were spent in conducting and giving instructions in teachers' institutes in different parts of the State. In December, 1880, he pur- chased the Midland Independent, having decided to undertake a line of work which for some time he had desired to engage in. Changing the name of the paper to The Republican, he began its publica- tion with the year 1881, and has continued it until the present writing (July, 1884), without the omission of a single issue, making it the leading paper of the county. It is now permanently located in the large and convenient rooms on the second floor of the new postoffice block. The proprietor has fully iden- tified himself with the interests of Midland, having all that he possesses invested here.
llet P. Embury, general merchant at Cole- man, was born in Grand Blanc, Mich., Jan. 13, 1856, and is a son of David and Mar- tha (Morse) Embury, still resident at that place, on a farm. His father was born Dec. 7, 1817, in the town of Avon, N. Y., of Irish and German descent. Ellet's mother, a relative of the great S. F. B. Morse, the founder of telegraphy, was born Jan. 12, 1818, in the town of Eaton, Madison Co., N. Y., of Puritan stock.
The subject of this sketch remained at home, as- sisting on the farm until he was about 25 years of age, attending school in his younger days and teach- ing three winter terms after he was of age; also, clerking some in a store at Grand Blanc and Judd's Corners ; then worked his father's farm one year, and
finally, in 1883, came to Midland County and bought out J. & F. L. Post, and Dec. 22 opened out in his present business, in which he is succeeding satis- factorily. He is a Democrat in his political princi- ples, is a Justice of the Peace, and a member of the Congregational Church.
Mr. Embury was married Dec. 31, 1879, to Miss Addie M., daughter of Benj. M. and Margaret (Dumigan) Knapp, who reside in Eaton, N. Y. Mr. K., of American descent, is a No. 1 carpenter and joiner. Mrs. E. was born at the last mentioned place, June 12, 1863.
m. R. Button, farmer and saw-mill pro- prietor, residing on section 12, Geneva Township, and one of the representative as well as self-made men of the county, was born Feb. 18, 1828, in Tompkins Co., N. Y., and is a son of Amos and Catherine (Baham) Button.
The grandfather of Mr. Button was a Revolu- tionary soldier, was seven feet in height, with a foot 16 inches from heel to toe, and a boot seven inches wide on the ball of the foot. The father of our sub- ject was a native of Vermont. He raised a family of six boys and five girls, who all grew to manhood and womanhood before his demise, which occurred March 7, 1880. The mother of our subject was a native of the Green Mountain State, and was a de- scendant, as well as the entire family, of the old Puritan stock. She died in December, 1849.
Wm. R. Button, the subject of our biographical notice, remained at home assisting in the mainte- nance of the family until he attained the age of 17 years. On arriving at that age he engaged during the summer seasons in sailing on the lakes, and spent his winters at home attending school. His father moved from Tompkins County to Stockton, Chautauqua Co., N. Y., where he purchased a small farm on which the family lived for five years, when he sold it and moved with his family, in 1840, to Ashtabula Co., Ohio.
Wm. R. purchased six months of his time, prior to his attaining the age of maturity, from his father, for $50, and also contributed liberally from his earn- ings on the lakes to aid the father in purchasing a farm. He also purchased a farm of 50 acres, four
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miles from Geneva, and paid for it from his earn- ings. He continued to follow the vocation of a sailor, and became commander of a vessel. His earnings increasing, he hired a man to clear and im- prove his farm, and continued his vocation until the late civil war. He then went on his farm, and rent- ing some additional land near his own, engaged in the dairy business. He kept some 35 cows and cor .- ducted the business in such a manner as to meet with signal success. He subsequently sold his farm and purchased another containing 50 acres just out- side the village of Geneva. On this farm he erected a fine house in 1864, at a cost of $3,500.
In 1868, Mr. Button rented his farm and came with his family to what is now Buttonville, this county. He was quick to see the advantages which the county afforded to men of industry and judgment for the making of money, and, having faith in its fu- ture development, he engaged with four others, un- der the firm name of Button, Mason & Co., and pur- chased all of section 12, Geneva Township, less 120 acres. The firm erected a saw-mill on their land, which was destroyed by fire Thanksgiving night, Dec. 14, 1873. Inside of 60 days they had another, larger than the old one, erected and running. It consisted of one planing, two shingle, one lath and a circular-saw mill, and is yet standing, although in poor condition, as a monument of the past. Ma- son & Co. held their interest in the property only for about a year, when Mr. Button purchased it just pre- vious to the fire above mentioned. He now owns 50 acres of land and 50 village lots in Buttonville.
Mr. Button was united in marriage Sept. 16, 1849, in Geneva, Ashtabula Co., Ohio, to Sarah Jane, daughter of Henry and Farilla (Wood) Harris. The parents were natives of New York, of Puritan de- scent, and died in Geneva, Ohio. Mrs. Button was born in the State of New York, Dec. 10, 1829, and accompanied her parents to Madison, Ashtabula Co., Ohio, when she was six months old, where she lived until her marriage. She is the mother of the follow- ing children to Mr. Button : Albert M , born Jan. 7, 1853, in Geneva, Ohio (see sketch); Fred William, born in Geneva, Ohio, April 9, 1861, and the present owner of 4 acres of land, in Geneva Township, this county. (See also sketch of the latter.)
Politically, Mr. Button is a Republican. He has held the office of Justice of the Peace two terms,
Supervisor part of a term, and the different school offices. . The subject of this sketch experienced all the trials incident to immigration and settlement in a new country, when he came with his family to this State. He moved from Cleveland to Detroit by steamboat, then by wagons to Saginaw. On arriving at the latter place he disposed of a span of his horses for $500, and came on to this county in his wagons. While at Saginaw, Albert, their oldest boy, was taken with the measles, and Mr. Button sent his wife and two children by " rail " to "Red Keg," now Averill. Mrs. B. arrived at the hotel at Averill and the next morning was told by the " host " "she must move out, as the boarders would not remain unless she and her children left." In the meantime Mr. Button arrived with his teams from Saginaw, and took his wife and children to Sanford, where he left them in a log house belonging to Charles Sanford, his family having moved out a few days previously. There happened to be an old stove and an old straw tick left in the house, and the mother, with her two sick children, the youngest child having taken the measles also, remained there all alone and unpro- tected for an entire week. The father went on his land, where Buttonville now stands, and entered on its improvement and made occasional trips to his family. The last time he went home (or rather to the log house), to see his family, he was taken with the measles, and on his recovery he removed his family to the camp located on the present site of Button- ville. These were only a few of the trials he encountered, yet, being endowed with that spirit of determination which, when backed by energy and perseverance, conquers all obstacles, he succeeded.
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rville B. Hosner, a farmer residing on sec- tion 28, Hope Township, was born in Mon- roe Co., N. Y., July 4, 1836, the son of Hugh and Elia (Sutfan) Hosner, natives of New York, and of English-German and Dutch extraction, respectively. The father was a farmer and mechanic, and died in Thornville, Lapeer Co., Mich., Jan. 29, 1881, aged 68. The mother is yet living, on the old homestead in Lapeer County, her son Oliver renting the same. Two sons and five
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daughters were included in their family, and of these Orville is the second.
He was three years old when the family came to Oakland County, this State, where they lived ten years on a new farm of 90 acres, four and a half miles west of Romeo. His father then sold this place, and purchased another two and a half miles north of Romeo, where the children all grew to maturity. Or- ville was 24 years old when he married and came to Midland County.
He arrived in Hope Township May 3, 1860, with but $5 in ready money, and purchased 160 acres un- der the Graduation Act on section 24, township 16 north, I east, at a cost of 25 cents per acre. He afterwards bought 80 acres adjoining, at the same price. He had visited this county the fall before his removal, and with his brother-in-law, Charles In- man, made the selection. When he came here to stay, he came with his wife and Charles Inman in a wagon, through Flint, the journey occupying six days. The team belonged to Mr. Inman, who sent it back to Oakland County by his step-son, David M. Wilcox, while he remained and boarded with Mr. and Mrs. Hosner. His wife boarded with Nelson Fraser while he built a shanty. The roof was covered with basswood bark, and the floor was made of split bass- wood logs. The erection of this occupied him about one week, and he was assisted by Charles Inman, Nelson Fraser and William McCrary. In this shanty Mr. H. lived four years. He then sold his place to Francis Green, returned to Romeo and lived one winter with his father.
The following spring he came again to Midland, leased the lot opposite John Larkin's store, and built a store and dwelling. Here for three years he dealt in groceries, and then he exchanged his lease and goods for a farm of 60 acres three miles up the Titta- bawassee River, then in Midland, but now in Homer Township. After seven years he sold this and re- moved to the farm where Mr. Stanford now lives. This he purchased of John Larkin, and 40 acres ad- ditional he bought of Sidney Gould, and 80 acres of a Mr. McCune. Here he resided four years and a half, and then, Feb. 16, 1877, he sold and moved to his present farm of 100 acres. At that time 50 acres were improved, but now he has 90 acres subdued.
He followed lumbering and camped ont in Hope Township one winter 16 years ago. He has been in
lumbering business altogether 15 winters, sometimes gaining and at other times losing; but on the whole he has come out ahead. He is one of the substan- tial farmers of Hope Township.
ITis marriage occurred Nov. 1, 1859, and the lady of his choice was Miss Anna E. Green, daughter of Francis and Polly (Stevens) Green. Mr. G. was born Nov. 19, 1800, was in early life a preacher of the Baptist denomination, and later a farmer, and now resides in Lincoln Township, at the venerable age of 84. Mrs. Green died at the residence of her daughter, Melvina Inman, March 4, 1880. Their daughter, Mrs. Hosner, was born May 12, 1843, in Fort Ann, N. Y.
The three children born of this marriage are all living : Orville Clyde was born Feb. 17, 1861, in Lincoln (now Hope) Township; Ara E., born Oct. 23, 1863, in same township, married Feb. 2, 1884, to George E. Guinan ; Mary Irene, Jan. 1, 1876, in Mid- land Township.
Mr. H. has been Township Clerk two years, and Supervisor of Homer Township one year. He is politically a Republican.
e obert Potter, farmer, section 26, Porter Township, was born Oct. 8, 1839, in York Co., Ont. His parents, Alexander and Letitia Potter, were Scotch by descent and were born in Ontario. The father died about the year 1874; the demise of the mother oc- curred in 1872. Their children numbered five sons and three daughters, and are all living.
Mr. Potter is the only son of his parents whose feet have wandered from his native soil. He resided at home and assisted on his father's farm, attending the common schools until he was 18 years old. At that age he became a laborer on the farms of his na- tive place, and passed two years in that manner when he settled on Lake Erie in Norfolk Co., Ont., where he engaged as a sawyer in a mill on Otter River. He remained thus employed one year, and at the end of that period he traveled through Indiana and Illinois, stopping at Elgin in the Prairie State, where he spent some time as a farm assistant. He returned to Saginaw City, Mich , by way of Wash- tenaw County, and engaged as an engineer in a saw-
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mill. He spent seven years in that occupation, and meanwhile secured a homestead claim of 160 acres of land in Porter Township, this county, filing his first claim in 170. Later, in that year, he built a shanty thereon, and secured a man and his wife to keep his house. In the spring of 1873 the shanty. with its contents, was destroyed by fire. Undaunted, he erected another place of shelter, and April ;, 1875, he was married at St. Louis, Gratiot Co., Mich., to Alice, daughter of Andrew and Sophia (Hannah) Hannah. Her parents are natives of Ontario and Scotland, and are now living. Alice was born in Haldimand Co., Ont., April 24, 1858. Her parents removed to East Saginaw when she was nine years old, and later came to the county of Mid- lar.d. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Potter, one of whom is deceased. Arthur W. was born March 14, IS;6; Charles, Nov. 22, 18So ; Laura. Jan. 20. 1SS3. A child died in infancy, un- named.
Since his marriage Mr. Potter has resided with his family on his homestead, which he has improved and greatly increased in value. Among other farm fix- tures of a most creditable character, is a commodious and practical farm house. The family attend the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Potter is a Republican of inflexible principles and wide influence. In 18;6 he was elected Justice of the Peace, and has served eight years in that office; is still the incumbent of the position. He has been Highway Commissioner one year. and during the years 1878-81 he served as Supervisor, officiating as Chairman of the Board in the two last years named. He has been Township Treasurer two years, and is at present School Director, which office he has held five years.
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harles H. Winslow, merchant, Lee's Cor- ners. is a son of Loring S. and Mary (Brown) Winslow, the former a native of Ver- mont and the latter of the State of New York. He was born in the Green Mountain State, April 7, 1846 ; in the spring of 1867, when 2 1 years of age. he came to Midland County, where he has since resided most of the time, engaged in the woods and on the river. In January. 1883. he bought out the store and stock of his brother, C. J. Winslow,
and has since been carrying on a very successful trade.
Politically, Mr. Winslow is a Democrat in his views and voting. He was Constable one year in Saginaw County.
He was married in Ingersoll Township. Sept. 13, 1874. to Miss Harriet F., daughter of Job and Sarah E. (Mann) Chase, natives of New York State. She was born in Lapeer Co., Mich., April 4, 1849. The children of Mr. and Mrs. W. are Lanra H., Loring S., Charles H., John W. and Julia F.
evi Fulmer, carpenter and joiner, and farmer on section 10, Homer Township, was born May 23, 1830, in Sterling, Cayuga Co., N. Y. His father, Jacob Fulmer, was a native of the State of New York and was of Dutch descent. He died at 63 years of age, in St. Joseph Co .. Ind. Polly (Stockwell) Fulmer, his mother, was a native of the Empire State, of New England parentage, and died in St. Joseph Co., Ind., aged 68 years. Of their family of eight children, but two are living.
Mr. Fulmer is the fourth child and son in the order of birth. He remained under the home roof until he was 22 years of age, when he apprenticed himself to learn the occupation of builder. He served two years, and then operated as a journeyman carpenter until the date of his enrollment as a soldier of the Union. He enlisted in August, 1863, in the 97 th N. Y. Vol. Inf., in Co. H. The command was under Gen. Warren, in the Army of the Potomac. He was in several important actions, and was also on several occasions detailed for special duty. With the exception of the fatigue and privations common to army life, he escaped without injury, and was hon- orably discharged July 18, 1865. He went to Os- wego Co., N. Y., on being released from military service, and soon after came to Midland County. where he purchased the section of land on which he has since pursued the occupation of farming. His land was in primeval forest, and he experienced all the perplexities which never fail to annoy and render severe the days of pioneer existence. But he pur- sued the work of improving and cultivating his farm until he has placed it in creditable condition. He is
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a member of the Republican party and has served five years as Township Clerk, three years as Treas- urer and four years as Justice of the Peace.
His marriage to Rhoda Fineout occurred Nov. 4, 1855, in Oswego, N. Y., where she was born, June 3, 1830. Her parents died when she was about 20 years of age. She had resided with them and after their death she made her home with her sister. Two children have been born of her marriage, as follows : Anna, Dec. 15, 1856, and Mary A., Feb. 4, 1861. The parents are members of the Methodist Episco- pal Church, in which MI. Fulmer has been active since his connection therewith. He is at present Class- Leader.
illiam T. Depue, general farmer, section 31, Jasper Township, was born in Trum- bull Co., Ohio, Dee. 16, 1830, the eldest of three children, all of whom are yet living. His brother is Marshall S., whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume, and his sister is Mrs. Julia Fields, of St. Louis, Mich. Their par- ents were the first settlers in the west half of Mid- land County, their father building the first house, a log cabin, in the first part of April, 1856, which still stands as a monument of pioneer pains and pleas- ures. Originally its floor was made of puncheons, and there was not a sawed board in the whole structure. The door and table were also made of what might be called " split and hewed boards." The latch and hinges were all wood, and the roof was made of "shakes," held on with "shake-poles." Mr. Depue, Sr., with his two sons, Marshall S. and Wm. Tracy, purchased the whole of section 31, Jasper Township.
When 19 years of age the subject of this sketch left home and his native county for Illinois; a year afterward he returned home; in the fall of 1854 he went to Iowa, and in the fall of 1855 he came to Midland County, engaging in the trade of carpenter and joiner, which he had learned while in Ohio and lowa. At Freeland Station, Saginaw County, he built the five-ton boat which carried the provisions donated to " starving Gratiot " during that memorable period by the cities of Detroit and Saginaw. These articles of food were so eagerly received that they
were all delivered from the boat within a few hours after its landing.
For three years after his arrival here, Mr. Depue was variously engaged, on Pine and Chippewa Rivers. He and Joseph Miser built the first school-house on the Indian reservation in Isabella County. In July, 1859, he returned to Ohio, and on the 14th of that month, in Trumbull Co., Ohio, he married Miss Sarah C. Martin, a daughter of Thomas and Mary (Craig) Martin. She was born in Portage Co., Ohio, June 1, 1836, the eldest of five children,-two sons and three daughters. The two children of Mr. and Mrs. Depue are: Ida, born April 17, 1860, in Jasper Township, and married in Coc Township, Isabella County, Aug. 16, 1881, to Wm. H. Ney, a farmer of Jasper Township, this county; and Lucy, born Oct. 18, 1862, also in Jasper Township, and Nov. 10, 1880, married Eli E. Oswald, also a farmer in the same township.
Directly after marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Depue com- meneed house-keeping at his home in this county, where he now owns 180 acres of good land, with 80 acres well improved, with the necessary farm build- ings, etc.
Mr. D. secured the organization of Jasper Town- ship, in 1860, then six miles wide east and west, and eighteen miles long north and south. He was elected Supervisor, and served four years. He has also held the offices of Township Clerk and Justice of the Peace, as well as the less important offices of his township. In his political views he sympathizes with the National Greenback party. He has seen military life, enlisting for the Union Dec. 20, 1864, in Co. A, 15th Mich. Inf., Army of the Cumberland, and being discharged Sept. 9, 1865, after a service of nine months.
ames Hughes, general farmer, section 2, Porter Township, was born in England, April 7, 1839, and when he was a year old the family emigrated to America, and lived in Licking Co., Ohio, on a farm, until the parents died, in 1871-2.
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