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 28
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Mr. Cracit is the youngest of the children born to
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his parents, and was but three years old when the family settled in Van Buren Co., Mich. Fourteen years later they became residents in Midland County and settled on a small farm in Homer Township, on which they are yet resident with their son. It is nearly all improved and cultivated. Mr. Cradit is a member of the National Greenback party.
His marriage to Amy E. Fulmer occurred Oct. 16, 1873, in Midland City. She was born Dec. 15, 1856, in Montgomery Co., N. Y., and is the daughter of Levi and Rhoda (Fineout) Fulmer. She removed to this county when she was eight years old, with her parents. The children now included in the family circle are Rhoda, born Oct. 29, 1878; Fred, June 11, 1881, and Levi, June 6, 1883. The parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which Mr. Cradit is Second Steward.
illiam Mccrary, farmer on section 22, Hope Township, was born June 14, 1824, in County Antrim, Ireland, the son of Robert and Grizzie (Magee) McCrary, and came to Clark's Mills, Can., from the Emerald Isle, in 1834. His father purchased a farm of 65 acres, where he lived until death. The mother also died on this place.
The subject of this sketch was one of a family of seven,-six sons and one daughter,-all of whom grew to years of maturity. He lived on the home- stead until 25 years old, and then he bought 160 acres of land, which he had commenced to pay for when 22 years of age. March 1, 1853, he came to this State; and for one year he worked a farm on shares in Ingham County. Jan. 12, 1857, he moved to this county with his family, and for one year boarded with David Burton, in what was then Jerome, but is now Edenville Township. During a part of this year he was again in Ingham County, harvesting his wheat sown the year before. The remainder of his time. however, he devoted to building a log house for his family, and clearing his land in Hope Town- ship, which he had secured in the following manner : " Hank " Ashman, a half-breed lawyer of Midland City, told him to go on an even section, settle on a certain tract, and take his chances in buying the land when it cante into. market. This happened three
years later, and he then paid for 160 acres at 50 cents per acre. He now has a fine farm, with suit- able farm buildings.
Nov. 24, 1854, was the date of his marriage to Miss Agnes McWilliams, daughter of William and Jane (Kissick) McWilliams. Her father was drowned in Napanee River, Canada, when Agnes was five years old, ard the mother died seven years later, at Clark's Mills. Mrs. McCrary was one of a family of seven,-two sons and five daughters,-and was born Dec. 2.1, 1838.
The eight children of Mr. and Mrs. McCrary are as follows: Ida M., born June 20, 1856, in Ingham Co., Mich., and married May 12, 1878, to Abram L. Wismer; Ferdinand W., born Jan. 20, 1860, in Jerome 'Township, this county, and married March 6, 1884, Rosa B. Evans; Alice M., born Feb. 23, 1862, in Lincoln (now Hope) Township, married April 14, 1878, to Henry Wismer, and died Feb. 10, 1884, of spinal disease; Lydia A , born Aug. 5, 1864, in Lin- coln (now Hope) Township; Ina E., born July 22, 1867, in Lincoln (now Hope) Township; William H., born July 6, 187 1, in Hope Township; Elva A., born Oct. 29, 1872, in Hope Township; Almon J., born Feb. 7, 1874, in Hope Township, and died Nov. 1, 1880.
Mr. McCrary is in political faith a Republican. He has been Highway Commissioner one term, and School Director one year. He and wife were bap- tized in the Church of England.
aniel Mckinnon, Jumberman and farmer on section 12, Homer Township, was born Aug. 12, 1842, in Scotland. When he was three years old he accompanied his parents to America, and settled in Ontario, Can., whence, after a short residence, they removed with their family to Port Huron, Mich. They are yet residing there, aged respectively 75 and 62 years.
Mr. Mckinnon came to Midland County and en- gaged in lumbering, which has since been his chief occupation. In the spring of 1868 he bought 80 acres of land, to which he has added by subsequent purchase until he now owns a tract of 240 acres, of which 70 acres are well improved and cultivated. Mr. Mckinnon is a Republican in political views.
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He was married Dec. 6, 1868, in Midland, to Isa- bella Mckinnon. She came to this county the year she was married, and is a native of Canada. Nine children have been born of this marriage, three of whom are deceased. The living are, George, Charles, Daniel, John, Christina M. and Rebecca Ann. Those deceased died in infancy. The family attend the Presbyterian Church.
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ohn W. Ostrander, farmer, section 26, In- gersoll Township, is a son of Cornelius and Elizabeth (Van Arsdale) Ostrander, na- tives of New York State. He was born in Dutchess Co., N. Y., Sept. 13, 1829, where he lived till the spring of 1853; then was engaged in farming for ten years in Oakland Co., Mich. In February, 1863, he came to Midland County and settled upon 80 acres of land in Ingersoll Township, which he had bought the previous fall. Three years afterward he returned to Oakland County and re- inained there until November, 1871, when he came again to his farm in Ingersoll Township, where he has since resided, and has 40 acres improved, and a good farm. He has been Constable two years, and in his views of national affairs is Democratic.
Mr. Ostrander was married in Cayuga Co., N. Y., May 20, 1851, to Martha A., daughter of Jacob and Rosanna (Bower) Smith, who were natives of the Empire State. Mrs. O. was born in Cayuga Co., N. Y., May 20, 1834. Their children are, Adrian E., Elbert E .. James D., Jacob H., Charles R., Byron R., Carrie R., Lillie J. and Willie C. The last men- tioned died in infancy.
thbert B. Emory, M. D., section 26, Inger- soll Township, was born in the county of Holton, Ont., June 11, 1849. His parents, Aaron D. and Jane (McVanNorman) Emory, were natives respectively of New Jersey and Canada, and now reside at Hamilton, Ont.
In his early life Dr. E. attended the common schools and other institutions of. learning, mostly the Homeopathic Hospital College at Cleveland, Ohio,
where he graduated, in 1881. In 1875 he came to Midland County; settling on a quarter section of land, which was a part of a tract of 700 acres, which had been taken up by his father in 1855. Since that time he has been a resident here, except three years in college, 1878-81. With his own hands he has cleared 50 acres, and put the ground in a good, tillable condition. He has bought a lot at Lee's Corners, on which he has erected a good residence and where he now resides. Since 1880, with the ex- ception of a few months spent in college, he has practiced medicine, with good success. He has been Justice of the Peace three terms, and is now serving a fourth term. He has also been Health Officer for the past three years. He has also taught school one winter, in Ingersoll Township. He is a member of the society of Orangemen, Good Templars and Sons of Temperance, and both himself and wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church, where for five years he has been Superintendent of the Sunday- school. Is Chairman of the Republican Township Committee.
At Burlington, Ont., Feb. 21, 1871, Dr. Emory married Eliza J., daughter of Capt. William and Matilda (Corey) Hall, who were natives respectively of Ireland and Canada. She was born in the county of Wentworth, Ont., June 11, 1851. Dr. and Mrs. Emory have had five children, namely: Florence M. M. M., Nellie C. L., Dunham W. B., Sarah E. V. and Ethbert B. Dunham died when three years old.
karding Mills, farmer on section 26, Hope Township, was born in Nova Scotia, Sept. 17, 1827, the son of Peter and Phebe (Wil- liams) Mills. The father was born in Nova Scotia, about 1795, and the mother in the same Province, in 1799. Both died in Southwould Township, Elgin Co., Can. Of their 14 children, · six sons and four daughters grew to maturity.
On arriving at the age of 21, Ilarding accepted employment in a ship-yard, where he worked two years. Though he had not served an apprenticeship, he was familiar with the use of tools. At the end of the two years, he followed his parents to Elgin County, and rented farms for seven years. Next, he came to Macomb County, this State, arriving Oct. 5,
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rog;, where for those years Me rented farms on shares, and also worked &e grave. roads Jan 1, 1861. he came to IM's county. bela five days on the way. The more was made with two module teams of horses and one single. He Do _ 34- acces where Pe ow tres, anderile Gradual or Act; at. L 12:4 also pos saleaded &o acute; or section 36. Ta's land was is an entirely wild state. and now te has redeemed 75 acres to cultivation, and mas good nome
He ane joined in marriage Mar 15, 18:1. O Mies Lavinia E. Allen. daughtercí William and Margaret Foster Allen. Di :. and M:s. A. were zatives of Nova Scotia of English and New England descent, respectively, and seared a fly of two sons and seven daughters. Mrs. Mills was bom May e. 18gz. a Nova Sovia, and has been de poner of six chil-
record. George MIT lam was born .April 19, 1852, or Egen Co. Can. and ded March 29 11;2: Melada I was born Feb. 1. 15:2, in Elen Co. Car: Me- - a C was bord Feb. it mig; is BE- ConCa. and died Feb. ag 21;2; Mas H. was bort Jan 23 180o. in Maco L Co., Mit and ded Marc .. 1. 1863. in this commey: Herrera A, was Dom A.g. 23 1862. i Hope Townsnis. this county: W.land I. was tomp Seal 6. 186; is the same lowas-
M. M. ( politica y a Replicas. He has been Justice of the Peace wo temos, Township Terasser several terms, Comme Coromer four vermos, and was the Census Enaruerano: fo: bis sub-distnet in :bbc. He and wife adhere to the Bayes: fa-
illiam Phillips, . ... set. 11. Homer Township, was bor Masch 4. 1ing. i Ontario. Can. His parents are vill resi- dent there. and aged respectively ; Band -2
serred .
ala Sam : 10;4 : case "> Mioligan and bought
this is antes are waingro ed and med ". good farm bulldogs. destroyed bis bald - ctoci: but he has ze-
political news.
Mr. Philips was married March 2. 1524 00 May
1516. Four c More have been bom of ... . com. as follows: Wile. Feb. ; , 18 ;; ; Exett Fa. 1 ;. 13 ;; ; Bempartir. Feb. 2. 1600: Sarah. A_g 7, 1882.
eorge Openo. general farmer oa section 5. Les Tomalip was born in Haslag 13. Germany. Nov. 22. 1826, and was poste years
America After Uring fix jean Dear Roches- mer, N. Y. his father came to Michigan and located in Milford Towns ", Oakland Courir, a: with que och two lug houses had been elected in chat :washe was therefore the ated semled the.
county was wild. Georges perec's were Joseph and Mary (Noel Openo, of Gerar nativity and anentry. who occupied a quarter-semion of land .. Oakland of jing aged 8;, and the lames in ibbq, aged 6%.
be was carried, in Milord Township. Galland Coursy. to Miss I.": E. da.,hier of James and Mary (Beld) Which wastes of the old Granite State and of New England axeny. M.s. O. was born in the state of New York, best 18. sage and was serel casco age we brought to removal of the family. to Oakland Co. Mica
After mandage. M :. O. condioled core ide is Out- Cd farming. Qual sigy. when Required to . donner and purchased ent adre. cwas only ść acres with almost za posred.
seit sover. as follows: Joseph E. on May 6. It ::: Thedome J. Fox 26. 1856: Clemen: 1. Ap- 25. 18:1; Edwin G.Ott 24. 1800: Henry T. March 16. 1663: and Clara A., May 6. 156 ;. Mes.
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Openo died at her home in this township (Lee), Sept. 26, 1882, and Mr. O. was again married, in Lee Township, March 27, 1884, to Mrs. Loudema A. Shinn (Reeder), nee Kee, a native of Trumbull Co., Ohio, where she was born May 9, 1832. She was first married, in that State, to Samuel Shinn, afterward to Draper Reeder, both of Ohio. By her first marriage she had two children, Lorena and Lewis, both of whom are now married. She came to Midland County in 1883. Mr. and Mrs. (). are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church; he is a Democrat, and has held the offices of Drain Com- missioner three years, Justice of the Peace four years and Treasurer. Is now Justice of the Peace.
ohn P. Balch, farmer, residing on section 20, Jasper Township, was born in the vil- lage of Nunney, in West Somersetshire, Eng., Sept. 8, 1815. Nunney is an old and historical place, and contains a baronial castle built by one De La More about 1,100 years ago. It is 66 feet in height, and its walls are from 10 to 12 feet thick. Oliver Cromwell's army de- spoiled it and left it in a ruined condition, after a severe bombardment, to render it of no farther use to King Charles.
In this village Mr. B. attended school for a time; but in 1824 he entered an academy on the road lead- ing to Bath, where he studied seven years. He then returned to help his father (Henry Balch) in the business of butchering pork and dealing in groceries. He shortly afterwards visited London, then was at home for a time, then went to London once more, for business experience.
lle first came to America in the year 1830, with his father, landing at New York June 10; and after traveling in the State of New York till Sept. I, re- turned to England. His father was in good circum- stances, and decided that he could do well enough for John in his native country ; so the latter remained with his parents until 32 years old. He was in Lon- don at the time of the proclamation of the queen, and also at her coronation, in 1837.
At the age mentioned, he assumed entire manage- ment of the business, and a little later his father died,
aged 62. A year after, Mr. Balch was married, his choice being a second cousin 17 years old. She was Elizabeth Savage, eldest of 11 children of Richard Savage. The wedding ceremony was performed in Trinity Cathedral, Bristol, Dec. 19, 1848. The fol- lowing year, Mr. B.'s mother died, aged 72.
He carried on the business " inherited " from his father until November, 1849, when he held a two- days auction to sell out, and started with his wife to seek a permanent home in the United States. They sailed from London Jan. 9, 1850, and arrived at New York March 2. The first year they lived at and near Warren, Trumbull Co., Ohio, and at Youngstown and Coitsville, in the same State.
April 5, 1852, Mr. B. set out for California, leaving his wife near Warren with an English family. He arrived at the Golden City May 5, and after a stay of 17 months in California, returned home at the so- licitation of his wife. He came by way of Nicaragua, and the spring following took a farm in Pulaski, Western Pennsylvania, on shares. Leaving this in the fall, he rented another farm in Coitsville, Mahon- ing Co., Ohio, where he remained several years, en- gaged in the manufacture of cheese and butter. He made $900 in two years.
He then lived for two years at Braceville, between Warren and Cleveland, after which he decided to visit the Peninsular State, with a view to making a permanent home here. When he arrived at St. Louis, Gratiot County (1861), he found five houses and a mill. He located the following year in what is now Jasper Township, in a rough and unsubdued region, and bought 200 acres of land under the Graduation Act, at 25 cents per acre. He resided on this land (section 18 and 19) until he received the deed for his tract, when he exchanged it for his present place on section 20. His wife and five children came the fol- lowing spring. After making his location, he took up the trade of shoemaking, without any previous in- struction, and for 16 years he devoted a portion of his time to making boots and shoes, succeeding re- markably well, in consideration of the circumstances.
For six years after his first settlement, he and his eldest son carried on their backs all their supplies, flour, etc., which was tedious work, there being then no chance for "lifts" on the road. He generally carried 45 to 50 pounds of flour at a load, over a dis- tance of nominally eight miles, but which afterward
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proved to be nine or ten. Strict economy was neces- sary to enable the family to secure a comfortable home in this new country, and all worked hard. They suffered at times from that common affliction of new comers, fever and ague. Their nearest neighbors were Alson Bailey and his son B. B. Bailey, four miles southeast. Six miles to the north were Thomas Martin, William T. Depue. M. S. Depue and father, Nicholas Depue. engaged in hunting and trapping. When these few neighbors assembled, on rare occa- sions, their pleasure was as great as only pioneers can appreciate. The only others seen by Mr. Balch's family were chance travelers, who were of course like angels' visits. "few and far between."
He early tried dairying, which he had followed successfully in Ohio. Purchasing five cows, he made cheese as fast as he was able. finding a ready sale for the same at 25 cents per pound. He also made a considerable amount of butter.
Mr. Balch had no team until he reared some steers. and much of the clearing of his land was ac- complished by hand labor. Industry and economy have met their due reward, and Mr. B. is now re- spected as one of the substantial citizens of his town- ship and county. He is one of whom the younger generation now growing up can well take lessons.
The family of Mr. B. numbers nine. Charles. Laura, Albert. John P. ard Henry were born in Ohio; and Fred R .. William, Valentine and James B. in this county.
At the first election which Mr. B. attended in this county (1565). he was chosen Supervisor, which office he retained for three successive years. He has also been School Inspector and Treas rer. and is now Justice of the Peace.
R obert J. Crawford. miller on section 25. Larkin Township, is a son of Daniel ard Catherine (Smith) Crawford. natives of Ireland, ard was bom in Hamilton, On :.. May Ic. 1535. He came, in 1855. 10 Gene- see Co., this State, where he lived four years, and then he purchased 80 acres in Larkin Township, this county. where he has lived since, with the ex- ception of a year and a half in the West. He is now
foreman in the saw and shingle mill of D. P. Waldo.
July 22, 1861, in Buffalo, N. Y. Miss Carrie V. Cody, a native of Ohio, became Mrs. Crawford, and of this marriage there is one daughter, Laura. Polit- ically, Mr. C. votes with the National party.
oseph J. Winslow, farmer, section 35, In- gersoll Township, is a son of Loring S. and Mary (Brown) Winslow,-the former a native of the Empire State, and the latter of the Green Mountain State. After marriage they lived in Barnard, Vt .. until the fall of 1867. when they came West and settled in Ingersoll Township, on land which le had entered from the Government during the administration of Franklin Pierce. He lived in this township until his death, which occurred March 20, 1876. His widow sur- vives, and is a resident of Ingersoll Township. Their seven children were all sons, named Joseph J., Charles H., Loring S .. Jr .. Curtis J. (sketch else- where), John E., William G. and Franklin P.
The eldest of the foregoing was born in Barnard, Vt., May 17, 1844, attended the common and high schools of his State to the age of 18 years, when, Sept. 17, 1862, he enlisted in Co. G, 16th Vt. Regt., as fifer, and served in that capacity till August, 1863. when he was mustered out. After passing nearly a year in Vermont, he re-enlisted in the Ninth Vt. Regt, about sept. 15. 1864. and served till the close of the war. being one of the first Yankee soldier, to carry a musket i .to the city of Richmond when that place fell into the hand of the Union forces. During his first term of enlistinent he was confined in the hospital about three weeks with lung fever; but dur- ing his second enlistment he was not of duty a single day on account of sickness. He was in the terrible battle of Gettysburg. Pa., Chapin's Farm, Va. and the last battle before Richmond, on the Williamsburg road.
After his discharge from the army. he spent a year in his native State, and for nearly a year was engaged with his father on marble work, levering gravestones. He came to Midland County ir. March. 1666, and bo ght 80 acres of unimproved land in Ingersoll Town-hip, where he has since resided, and has about 25 acres weder good calisation.
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Mr. Winslow has been Constable three years, Justice of the Peace 1876-80 and 1883 to the present time, Township Supervisor 1880-1 and 1882-3. Al- though liberal in his temperance views, he has been President of the " Red-Ribbon Club." In his politi- cal views he is a Democrat.
Mr. Winslow was married in Richland, Saginaw County, June 12, 1870, to Miss Mary S., daughter of Gilbert and Dolly (Gibbs) Smith, who were natives of Massachusetts and New York respectively. Mrs. WV. was born in Niagara Co., N. Y., May 25, 1851. Mr. and Mrs. W. are the parents of five children, namely : Lena R., Nellie J., Joseph L., Dolly M. and Ida C.
andrew J. Shively, farmer, section 30, Jas- per Township, was born in Trumbull Co., Ohio, Sept. 13, 1844. His parents were Peter and Hannah (Flick) Shively, still residents of that county. He was brought up, attending the common and select schools and working on his father's farm, until 22 years of age, when, April 4, 1861, in Mahoning Co., Ohio, he married Miss Pris- cilla Anthony, a native of that county, born Feb. 26, 1839. She became the mother of one child, Ida P., Dec. 9, 1861, and soon afterward died. Sept. 15, 1864, in the same county, Mr. S. was again married, to Miss Mary F. Folk, a daughter of John and Mary (Calhoun) Folk, who were among the first of the white race born in Trumbull County, which at that time was twice its present size, including what is now Mahoning County, the present residence of her par- ents. She was born in Southington Township, Trum- bull County, Feb. 19, 1846, and was educated in the schools of her native place.
Mr. S. continued in agricultural pursuits in the above county a little more than a year, then moved to Portage County, that State, and followed farming and lumbering two years; then, in Mahoning County, engaged two years in lumber, flax and tow, then he lumbered alone for five years longer, then in farming again for two years, when, in 1879, he came to Mich- igan and purchased 147 acres, on section 30, where he now lives. This tract was then all in heavy tim- ber; and he has since cleared about 35 acres, and put about 20 into good, tillable condition. He has
on his place a remarkable well. It is 41 feet deep and throws water up four feet above the surface of the ground.
On national questions Mr. Shively maintains Dem- ocratic views. Mrs. S. is a member of the Presby- terian Church.
olon T. Hutchins, farmer, section 26, In- gersoll Township, is a son of Perley and Percy (Peake) Hutchins, who were natives of Vermont and passed their lives there.
The subject of this sketch was born in the Green Mountain State, March 1, 1820, lived in his native State until 25 years of age, then ten years in Massachusetts, in various pursuits, then about five years in Vermont again, then three years in Genesee Co., Mich., and in November, 1856, came to Midland County, purchasing 80 acres of unim- proved land in Ingersoll Township, to which he has since added 80 acres, and now has about 45 acres under cultivation.
Mr. Hutchins was married in Nashville, N. H., May 4, 1848, to Joanna, daughter of George and Ellen (Blake) Cooley, of English ancestry. She was born in Lowell, Mass., May 1, 1825. To Mr. and Mrs. H. have been born five children, namely : Al- bert A., George H., Byron R., Edward C. and Eva E. Albert A. died Sept 6, 1865.
In regard to political affairs, Mr. H. is counted Democrat.
illiam Magee, farmer, section 1, Jerome Township, was born May 16, 1842, in Canada, and is the son of John and Mar- garet (Cronkright) Magee. His parents were born in the State of New York and are de- ceased.
Mr. Magee was, from the age of six years until he reached mature life, a waif on the tide of humanity, and managed as well as he could to support himself. On arriving at a suitable age, he engaged in work in the lumber woods, spending the winter seasons in that employment, and farming summers. He also spent one year in a store at Port Rowan, Canada.
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George Miller
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In 1860 he came to Saginaw, and attended school in the winter and worked during the next summer on a farm. After spending a year in Saginaw, he returned to Canada, where he spent five years in the lumber. woods, working on a farm and as salesman in a store. In the spring of 1866 he returned to Michigan and settled in Midland County, where he has since re- sided. He first purchased a farm located two miles from that on which he now resides, of which he re- tained the ownership about one year. He has owned two other farms successively, and in May, 1871, took possession of the place on which he has since lived. It was partly improved at the date of his purchase, and at the present 60 acres are in creditable cultiva- tion. Mr. Magee has served two terms as Highway Commissioner, and eight terms as Supervisor, and is still filling the position.
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