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 29
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He was married May 20, 1871, to Frances Etta, daughter of Jeremiah and Laura E. (Smith) Holmes. She was born Sept. 5, 1850. Her father died Oct. 19, 1868, in this township. Her mother is yet living, with Mrs. Magee. The three children born of this union are recorded as follows: Georgiana E. was born May 19, 1872 ; Alma A. was born June 9, 1875 ; William A. was born Aug. 30, 1878.
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aniel M. Turner, farmer on section 18, Jasper Township, was born in Jefferson Co., Wis., Jan. 29, 1854, the son of Samuel and Grace (McLaughlin) Turner, and re- mained at home until 21 years old. At the age of ten, he came with his parents from the Bad- ger State to Lapeer Co., Mich., and a year later to Midland County. On attaining his majority he be- came the possessor of 50 acres on section 18, Jasper, where he has since made his home.
Jan. 1, 1877, he was joined in matrimony with Miss Ellen McCoy, daughter of Gilbert E. and Han- nah (Russell) McCoy. Mr. and Mrs. McCoy were born in Ohio and Connecticut, of Scotch and English ancestry. ' The former now resides in Jasper Town- ship; the latter died in that township, Nov. 15, 1879, aged 51. Mrs. Turner, their daughter, was born in Ingham County, this State, May 11, 1857, and was two years old when her parents removed to Seville Township, Gratiot County, and five years old when
they removed thence to St. John's, Clinton County. Here she lived 12 years, and received her education. In 1873 she came with her parents to this county. The three children born of her marriage to Mr. Tur- ner were born and named as follows: Nelson, Oct. 1, 1877; Reuben, April 20, 1879 (died Sept. 17, 1879); Gracie, Aug. 22, 1880.
Mr. T. has about 15 acres of his place improved. He is in political views a Republican, and has held the office of Drain Commissioner four years.
ilbert Currie, deceased, formerly a resident on section 35, Midland Township, was born Feb. 20, 1859, in the township of Haldi- mand, in the county of the same name, On- tario. He was the son of John and Mary (McDonald) Currie, natives of Argyleshire, Scotland. The parents grew to maturity in their native land, where they were married. Two years after that event, in 1848, they came to America and settled in Haldimand, where they were farmers. After a residence there of nearly 13 years, they re- moved with their family to Midland County. They had six children, born in the following order: John, June 15, 1847 (see sketch) ; Margaret, Mrs. Cornelius Howard, Dec. 25, 1849; Gilbert, who died three weeks after .birth; Archibald, April 1, 1851, died Feb. 14, 1865 ; Dougald, June 6, 1853 (see sketch) ; and Gilbert, of this sketch.
Mr. Currie, senior, on settling in Midland, bought 53 acres of land, which he increased to 123 acres by two subsequent purchases of 30 and 40 acres re- spectively. It was in an entirely wild condition, and on this farm father and sons labored until the death of the former, which occurred April 2, 1875, caused by an attack of pleurisy. The mother resides with her son Dougald.
Gilbert Currie received a common-school education and grew to manhood under the care and training of his parents. He possessed the sterling traits of the race to which he belonged, and had planned a life of usefulness and effort. On the death of his father he came into possession of 40 acres of land, and was engaged in its improvement with every pur- pose of pursuing the vocation to which he had been bred, when he was summoned hence. He died in Saginaw, April 7, 1881, from the results of an accident.
MIDLAND COUNTY.
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The sudden ending of a strong, young life is a sharp trial for those who have watched and rejoiced in its promise and development, but the after-thought, though it cannot give sudden healing to the wound, is full of rest and peace. The unsullied soul, the proud, hopeful heart, the aspirations of the ambitious nature, all found perpetual purity, unchanging frui- tion and eternal life in the home of endless day to which they were called.
The portrait of Gilbert Currie, which is given on another page, is inserted in this volume by his sister, Mrs. Howard, and his brothers, John and Dougald, as an imperishable memento of their unfaltering love and remembrance of him who has gone just a little before, and awaits them and his mother within the glory and brightness of the spheres.
bram L. Wismer, farmer on section 15, Hope Township, is a son of Abram and Isabella (Lincoln) Wismer, the former of Pennsylvania-German parentage, born Sept. 7, 1812, and the mother born in Canada, of New England parentage, June 25, 1827. The father was by occupation a carpenter and pump manufacturer, and died in Elgin Co., Can., April 27, 1876. The mother died in Billings Tp., Gladwin Co., Mich., Nov. 18, 1877. Abram's grandfather lived to the venerable age of 97.
The subject of this biography was born in Mala- hide Township, Elgin Co., Can., Nov. 9, 1854, and was one of a family of nine-six sons and three daughters. Three of the boys died in infancy. The remainder of the family are yet living. He remained at home until of age, learning his father's trade. He came to this county in 1876, and soon after bought his present farm on section 15, Hope Township. Of this 40 acres he has improved 30, and he has erected a suitable frame house and barn.
May 12, 1878, he formed a life partnership with Miss Ida M. McCrary. (See sketch of William Mc- Crary.) The ceremony was performed at Midland City, by Rev. W. H. Osborne. She was born June 20, 1856, in Onondaga Township, Ingham Co., Mich. To this marriage have been given two sons: William
H., who was born Jan. 23, 1879; and Adelbert J., April 19, 1882,-both in Hope Township. Politically, Mr. W. is a Republican.
eorge Higgins, proprietor of the Sanford House at Sanford, was born Aug. 24, 1839, in Canada, and is the son of John and Josette (Scheler) Higgins. His father died in Springfield, Can.
Mr. Higgins began his contest with the world when he was 11 years old. He has a natural aptitude for the use of tools and early in life learned the business of boiler-making and blacksmithing. He went from the Dominion to the State of New York and came thence to Saginaw, Mich., about the first of March, 1865. He first found employment in a brick-yard, where he continued five months. His next remove was to Tittabawassee, where he operated between three and four years. He went thence to the city of Saginaw and engaged in keeping a board- ing saloon. Eight months later he bought a hotel at Edenville, Midland County. He continued its man agement between two and three years, when the property was destroyed by fire. The entire loss was between four and five thousand dollars. He held an insurance policy of $2,500, on which he realized $2,000. He then came to Sanford and established himself in the business of hotel-keeping in a frame house on the bank of the river. It was situated on the flat and was subject to the interesting vicissitudes common to high water in this section of Michigan. The lower floor was frequently flooded and business suffered accordingly. In 1875 he bought his present location of Charles Sanford, and moved his effects hither in a scow. On his return the following day, he found the water waist deep in the lower story of the house he had left. May 15, 1884, he was again visited by the destroying element, fire, and his hotel was burned to the ground, together with a portion of the furniture. It was insured for $2,500, and the furniture was insured for $500. At the present writ- ing he is rebuilding.
Mr. Higgins owns a farm of 187 acres of land on section 24, of Jerome Township, with 27 acres im- proved. He also owns six town lots in Sanford. He has officiated six terms as Highway Commissioner and as Deputy Sheriff eight years.
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He was married Aug. 16, 1861, to Elizabeth A.' daughter of William Henry and Helen (Hilliard) O'Connell. Her father was born Aug. 15, 1781, in Limerick, Ireland, and died Feb. 5, 1873, in Hamil- ton, Can. The mother was born June 8, 1796, in the city of Dublin, and died Oet. 20, 1873, in the same place where the demise of her husband occurred. Mrs. Higgins was born in Toronto, Can., Oct. 28, 1838. Following is the record of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Higgins : Henry A. was born Nov. 2, 1863, in Springfield, Can., and was married March 14, 1883, at Edenville, to Hattie J. Stratton. The marriage ceremony was performed by Daniel Grover, J. P. George T., the child of this marriage, was born April 7, 1884. Helen J. Higgins was born Aug. 10, 1864, at Georgetown, Can., and was mar- ried Aug. 8, 1883, to W. A. Ryan at Sanford, by J. A. Sprague, Presiding Elder at Big Rapids. Anna Belle Higgins was born Aug. 13, 1871, at Edenville, Mich. Albert Higgins was born Aug. 3, 1873, at Sanford.
atts A. Chatterton, druggist, Coleman, was born Jan. 14, 1856, in Ingham Co., Mich., and is a son of George A. and Jane RE (Thompson) Chatterton, of English and Ger- man descent. His father, a farmer, followed agriculture several years after coming to Mich- igan, sold his farm and removed to Hubbardston, Ionia County, engaging in mercantile business; after a while he sold out to his brother, since which time he has been in the insurance business.
The subject of this sketch received his education in the common schools of Ingham and Ionia Coun- ties ; was ten years of age when his father removed to Hubbardston, where he assisted him two years in the store. When he became of age he went into mercantile business with his uncle; three years after- ward he sold out his interest to him and engaged in the grocery business at Bancroft ; two years after that he sold out again and engaged in general merchan- dise at Leaton, Isabella County, and in two years he again sold and came to Coleman, purchased a build- ing and set up in the drug trade, including books and sundries, and is doing well.
Feb. 16, 1879, Mr. C. married Miss Eva L., daugh-
ter of James and Amanda (Haver) Rummer, of Ger- man and French descent. Her father is living on a farm in North Shade Township, Gratiot Co., Mich., and her mother in Shiawassee Co., Mich., in 1865. She (Mrs. C.) was born Dee. 6, 1858, in the last mentioned county. Mr. and Mrs. C. have one child, Elva L , born March 14, 1884.
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ilbert B. Goff, farmer on section 9, Hope Tp., was born Feb. 27, 1836, in Licking Co., Ohio, the son of Shadrach and Hannah (Grabiel) Goff. The father was a native of Rutland Co., Vt., and of English descent, and died in Licking Co., Ohio, in the fall of 1869, at the age of 63. The mother was of German de- seent and died in the same county as her husband. There were three sons and one daughter in their family, all of whom are yet alive.
The subject of this record remained at home until of age, receiving a common-school education. He then rented a farm for some four years, at the expiration of which time he came to this State and county with a man named Conard and four others, for the pur- pose of hunting and trapping. Conard and Mr. Goff remained, while in a few months the remainder re- turned East. For six years after coning, he boarded with Capt. Marsh, at Midland. He passed four win- ters in hunting and trapping, and devoted the re- mainder of his time to lumbering.
He was united in wedlock April 10, 1866, with Miss Emily A Marsh, daughter of Alvin and Laura A. (Holmes) Marsh. Mr. M. was born in Tompkins Co., N. Y., and Mrs. M. in Onondaga Co., same State, near Syracuse. They moved to Saginaw Co., this State, in the fall of 1854, and came to Midland County in the fall of 1859. They now reside in Edenville Township. Mrs. Goff, their daughter, was born Sept. 30, 1847, in New Hudson Township, Allegany Co., N. Y.
Mr. Goff and wife settled in the spring of 1867 on his farm, which he had purchased in 1861. At the time they made their home there, but six aeres were cleared. He has added 110 acres to his original purchase of 60 acres. Three children have been added to the family circle: Gilbert B., born Aug. 27,
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MIDLAND COUNTY.
1871, in Freeland, Mich .; Ernest A., born March 24, 1873, in Hope Township; and Laura A., born June 19, 1881, also in llope Township.
Mr. G. is politically a Republican, but has uni- formly declined the official position tendered him. He and wife are members of the Seventh-Day Ad- ventists. Ile remembers many interesting incidents of the early years of this county, and regards Mr. John Larkin with especial gratitude, for having in 1863 indorsed a note and thus helped him to get his first yoke of cattle.
osoph E. Opono, farmer on section 5, Lee Township, is a son of George Openo, whose sketch is given elsewhere in this ALBUM. Ils was born in Oakland Co., Mich., May 6, 1854. and lived at his parental home, assisting on the farm and attending school, until he was 25 years of age, when he married Miss Adella E. Taylor, who was born in Milford Township, that county, and one year after their marriage they came and settled where he now resides. She died, of con- sumption, at her home, March 19, 1882, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. She left one child, Lozada 1 .. , who was born May 7, 188o.
Mr. Openo has held the office of Township Treas- urer two years, and is now Justice of the Peace. As to political issues he votes with the Republican party.
ark E. Turner, farmer on section 31, Jasper Township, was born in Pulaski Township, Jackson Co., Mich., May 1, 1841, the son of Henry and Samantha (Baker) Turner, natives of New York and Massachusetts, and of New England ancestry. The father has followed agriculture all his life, came to Jackson County when it was very new and Michi- gan was a Territory, and is now a resident of Jasper Township, this county. The mother died in Jackson County, about 1857.
The subject of this biography is the second child and second son in a family of four children, and was reared in his father's home in Jackson County. He
worked for his father until 25 years old, at which age he was married. This event occurred in his native township, Jan. 1, 1865, and the lady of his choice was Miss Mary Buck, daughter of Samuel and Har- riet (Walter) Buck, natives of New England and of English descent. Mr. Buck is now a resident of na Township, Mecosta County. Mrs. Turner was born in Orleans Co., N. Y., Jan 17, 1847, and came with her parents to this State when seven years of age.
In April, 1865, Mr. and Mrs. Turner came to Gra- tiot County, remaining 18 months ; then they returned to Jackson County for a year, after which they car- ried on farming in _Etna Township, Mecosta County, until 1878. In that year they came to this county and purchased So acres of land in Jasper Township. Hle has now 35 acres improved.
Mr. T. is a Republican and has held the minor offices of his township. To his family have belonged six children, as follows : Ralph, born Dec. 25, 1865 ; Fred, June 18, 1868; Eva, May 10, 1870; Florence, Aug. 5, 1874 (died Sept. 26, 1874); Lewis, June 28, 1877, and Estella, July 10, 1880.
zrn C. Goodspood, farmer, section 32, In- gersoll Township, was born April 11, 181.4, where is now the famous Saratoga Springs. His father, Daniel Goodspeed, descended from English parents, and died in Steuben Co., N. Y., about the year 1850. His mother died when he was but four years old. Hle soon fell under the care of a step-mother, whose treatment of the mother- less child awakened the indignation of the neighbors, by whom his cause was defended and he made the recipient of their kind offices until he was okl enough to contend with the world in his own behalf. He makes this permanent record of the kindness he ie- ceived with a gratitude that has increased with the passing years. When he was 14 years old he went to the county of Tyrone, Pa, where he engaged in farm labor and lumbering four years. He went next to Portage Co., Ohio, and, two years subsequently, to the city of Milwaukee, where he stayed two years, occupied chiefly as a carpenter. At the end of that time he went to lluron Co., Ohio, and pursued the same vocation.
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MIDLAND COUNTY.
He was married Dec. 24, 1840, to Cordelia Cain. She was born in Huron County, Nov. 30, 1825, and has been the mother of eleven chilren, five of whom are deceased. Their names are Elijah E., Edwin E., Daniel E., Mary R., Loretta F., Ada M., Willard, Alfonso and Alonzo (twins) William R. and Rosetta.
The last four are deceased, together with an in- fant, twin child with Willard, the youngest living.
From 1840 to 1865, Mr. Goodspeed worked at the trade of a builder, and also pursued farming to some extent. In the winter of 1863 he became a soldier for the Union, enlisting in Co. C, 38th Ohio Vol. Inf., his command being assigned to the Army of the Cumberland. He participated in the engagements at Buzzard's Roost and Resaca. At Kenesaw Moun- tain he was taken sick, and was sent home on a fur- lough on account of sickness. At its expiration he returned to the hospital, and a week later reported for duty. He was transferred to the Veteran Re- serve Corps, where he remained until he received honorable discharge. Soon after, he came to Michi- gau and pre-empted 160 acres of land in Ingersoll Township. This has been his home since that time, and he has devoted himself vigorously to the work of improving and increasing the value of his home- stead. He has about 20 acres under cultivation, and in 1883 made an additional purchase of 57 acres of wild land. At the time of the settlement of the family everything was in the most primitive condi- tion. Supplies of all kinds were obtained from East Saginaw, at fabulous prices, and life was exempt from no variety of hardship and privation common to pio- neer settlers.
In political connections Mr. Goodspeed is a Dem- ocrat. He organized the first school district in his „township, of which he was Director II years. He has held numerous local offices.
thelbert J. Brewster, Postmaster at Mid- land, was born January 31, 1842, near Coburg in Ontario. His father, Johnson Brewster, is still living in Ontario, where he has passed his life in farming. The mother, Mar- garet (Birney) Brewster, is deceased.
Mr. Brewster was bred to the business of farmer until the age of 19 years, when he engaged in clerk-
ing. He moved from the Dominion to the State of New York when he was 21 years old, and subse- quently proceeded to Ohio. In 1864 he came to Michigan and bought 160 acres of land, on section 27, in Hope Township, Midland County. It was all in heavy timber, and he devoted his time and ener- gies to placing it under improvements. In 1876 he had 75 acres under good cultivation, and the farm was supplied with creditable farm fixtures. In the fall of that year he was nominated for the office of County Treasurer on the Republican ticket, and prosecuted a successful campaign. On account of his official position he removed to town, and in 1878 purchased his present residence. He was re-elected for three terms. After the expiration of his third term he entered into a partnership with John J. Ryan in the sale of hardware and agricultural im- plements. The relation still exists, and their busi- ness has been prosperous from the first. Their stock is valued at about $8,000, and includes all kinds of farming tools, wagons, buggies and carriages of all kinds ; also the different varieties of stationary and portable engines, boilers, etc. Mr. Brewster received his appointment as Postmaster February 4, 1884. He is a member of the Order of Masonry.
His marriage to Mandana McAllister took place in May, 1865, at East Saginaw. She was born in the Dominion of Canada, and is the daughter of Angel and Harriet McAllister. Mr. and Mrs. Brewster have three children, born at Midland-William J., Hettie and Anna.
Mr. Brewster's portrait appears on the opposite page.
oseph Barton, lumberman and farmer, sec- tion 4, Mt. Haley Township, was born Nov. 30, 1838, at Rochester, N. Y. Five years later his parents went to Genesee, Livings- ton Co., N. Y., where they resided four years. He was nine years old when they came to Alle- gany Co., N. Y. After a residence of seven years the family removed to Midland County, this State, where, in October, 1854, his father located 320 acres of unimproved land, in Homer Township. They died there respectively in 1862 and 1871.
At the age of 22 years Mr. Barton became a lum- berman, and has been engaged in that branch of
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MIDLAND COUNTY.
business every winter save two since he came to the State. He was married Jan. 14, 1859, to Lucinda J., daughter of John A. and Lucinda (Cogswell) Whitman. Her parents were born in Vermont and New York. Mrs. Barton is the second white child born in Midland County, and has lived all her life within its borders. At the time of her birth, the county consisted of one township and was unorgan- ized. Following is the record of 11 children born to Mr. and Mrs. Barton : Joseph H., born April 7, 186r ; Julia L., Oct. 6, 1863 ; Ellen, Nov. 17, 1866; Cath- erine, July 2, 1868 ; Roseltha, Aug. 23, 1872 ; Maud A., Dec. 11, 1876; Floyd, July 2, 1880. Clara, born Feb. 20, 1871, died Sept. 4, 1873 ; Cora, born April 18, 1865, died Feb. 10, 1866; two babies died in infancy, one of whom was born Jan. 31, 1882, and died Feb. 25, following.
After marriage, Mr. Barton managed his father-in- law's farm for a time. He afterwards bought 73 acres in Homer Township, where he lived one year and then sold out and followed the lumber business solely until February, 1865, when he bought 40 acres of land on which he has since resided. In 1875 he purchased 20 acres additional. It was all covered with primeval forest at the time of settlement, and all supplies were brought hither in boats on the Pine River. He has placed 58 acres under cultivation.
obert A. Turner, farmer on section 18 Jasper Township, was born in Racine Co., Wis , Sept. 11, 1857, the son of Samuel and Grace (McLaughlin) Turner. He remained with his father in his native county until 12 years old, then came to Lapeer County, this State, for one year, and then, still with his parents, came to Jasper Township, this county.
He lived at home, assisting his father on the farm, until 22 years old, when he was married, at St. Louis, March 29, 1874, to Miss Hattie Keifer, daughter of John Keifer. The latter was by occupation a farmer, and was killed in the late war. His widow now re- sides in Arcada Township, Gratiot County. Mrs. Turner was born near Portland, Mich., in April, 1852.
After marriage, Mr. and Mrs. T. settled on his farm of 50 acres on section 18, Jasper Township, of which he became owner on attaining his majority,
by gift from his father. He has cleared 30 acres, and 20 acres are in cultivation. He is politically a Democrat. He has held the offices of Township Clerk (three years), and School Inspector, and is now Township Treasurer. The four children now in- cluded in his family are named Lillie, Lena, Edith and Ethel. The two last named are twins.
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arshall H. Smith, the efficient and gen- tlemanly clerk at the Oscar House, Mid- land City, was born Dec. 19, 1841, in Warren Co., N. J., about five miles from the Delaware River, and is the son of James M. and Mary A. (Mericle) Smith. The former was born in New Jersey, in 1810, and died in 1880, in his native State. The latter was born in 1812, and died in 1881.
Mr. Smith was reared on a farm and sustained himself after reaching the age of eight years. The Southern Rebellion broke out before he was 2 1 years of age, and just previous to reaching his majority he entered the service of the United States. He en- listed in August, 1862, in Co. B, 31st N. J. Vol. Inf. He was in the army a year and was personally en- gaged in the first battle of Fredericksburg. and the second fight at Chancellorsville, besides being in- volved in numberless skirmishes. He received an honorable discharge, and subsequently passed two years in the pursuit of agriculture in his native State. He then came to Ohio, and passed a year at Fre- mont, after which he came to Michigan.
He was married Jan. 22, 1868, to Ella Thompson, of Lapeer, Mich. She was born in 1850, and is the daughter of Hawley and Betsey Thompson. Of this marriage two children have been born : Clifford H., who was born Oct. 31, 1869, and died Sept. 16, 1879; and Ray, who was born July 18, 1879.
Mr. Smith came to Midland in 1868, and, in com- pany with his father-in-law, he opened a meat-market, which continued in operation one year. His next employment was in the shingle-mill of John Larkin, where he remained less than two years. For four years succeeding he operated as a salesman in the mercantile establishment of Mr. Larkin, since which he has acted in the capacity of hotel clerk. He has managed the duties of his position at the Oscar
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House three years, and has secured the confidence of the traveling public. The guests of the hotel are indebted to his considerate care to a great degree for their comfort and pleasure while availing themselves of its privileges.
illiam Windover, farmer, stockman and lumberman, resident on section 14, Homer Township, was born Jan. 17, 185 1, in On- tario, Can. In 1872 he came with his father to Michigan and located in the village of Midland, where they remained three years, engaged in the lumber business. In 1875, they be- gan the purchase of their now extensive farm in Homer Township, buying 80 acres of fallow land, and not long afterward purchased So acres on section 15. A short time subsequently they bought another So-acre tract on the same section, and in 1882 a fourth "So" was purchased, on section 14. On the latter Mr. Windover has recently erected a good res- idence, at a cost of $1,000. In 1883 he bought 40 acres more, which swelled the aggregate to 360 acres. Of this a goodly portion is well improved. The place has a large stock and grain barn, and is well stocked with a valuable herd of cattle. Mr. Wind- over is a Republican in politics, and is present Clerk of Homer Township. He has served two terms as School Treasurer.
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