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 30
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He was married Aug. 16, 1877, in Midland City, to Mattie Starks. She was born March 4, 1854, in the State of New York, and was brought to Michigan by her parents when six months old. Ella, born June 17, 1878; Sopronia, Oct. 16, 1880, and Wil- liam, Feb. 12, 1883, are the children born of this marriage.
illiam H. Mills, farmer on section 27, Hope Township, was born in Ontario, Can., Sept. 29, 1851, the son of Samuel and Sarah (Fillmore) Mills. The parents are of English descent, natives of Nova Scotia, came to Ontario in 1859, and to Midland County in 1861, where they yet reside. Their son William was ten years old when the family came to the Peninsular State, and has since made his home
in Hope Township. He has now a farm of 70 acres, 30 acres being now in cultivation.
June 11, 1877, is the date of his marriage to Miss Annie Ostrander, daughter of John C. and Anna (Pratt) Ostrander. Mrs. Mills was born in St. Clair Co., Mich., March 8, 1859, and when between two and three years old she lost her mother, and she therefore grew up under the care of her father and a step-mother. Mr. and Mrs. Mills have been blessed with three children : Ernest W., born Nov. 19, 1878; Estella R., Nov. 10, 1880, and Clayton D. W., Aug. 2, 1883. All were born in Hope Township.
Mr. M. has been Township Clerk two terms, and is now serving his third term as Township Treasurer.
kiram G. Thornton, farmer, section 2, Je- rome Township, was born in Monroe, Ash_ tabula Co., Ohio, April 9, 1840, and is the son of Isaac and Rachel A. (Goodsell) Thornton.
- The parents were natives of Massachusetts, and the father died in Erie Co., Pa. The mother is living in Ashtabula Co., Ohio.
When Mr. Thornton was 12 years old, the family removed to Erie Co., Pa., and settled in Greene Town- ship, where his father bought So acres of land, hav- ing sold his farm of 80 acres in Ohio. On this Mr. Thornton remained until he was of age, when he engaged as a farm laborer by the month.
Five days after he reached the period of his legal freedom, the assault on Fort Sumter sent a thrill of amazement around the world, and five months later, in September, 1861, he enlisted in Co. E, 29th Ohio Vol. Inf., and was mustered out during the last days of December, 1863; within the year he re-enlisted, or veteranized, and was in the service until June, 1865. His first battle was at Winchester, under Gen. Shields, followed by the engagements at Port Republic, Cedar Mountain, Bull Run (2d), South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. The regiment was then assigned to the corps of Gen. Hooker, Maj. Gen. Sherman commanding. Mr. Thornton was in the battles of Lookout Mountain and Buzzard's Roost. In the latter engagement he was wounded below the right knee, and, in falling, broke three ribs. He was in the siege of Atlanta and started with Sherman for the sea, but three days later
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was captured and was held prisoner at Florence until near the close of the war. He was paroled about the time of the surrender of Gen. Johnston, and was kept in the woods about two weeks at Goldsboro, N. C. He went thence to Wilmington, N. C., whence he proceeded to Annapolis, and from there was sent home on a furlough. He was so much emaciated that on leaving Annapolis he was removed from the the boat on a stretcher. On reaching home he be- came ill from small-pox, which he survived as he had done the privations of prison life. On recovery he returned to Camp Chase, Ohio, where he received his discharge.
He bought a small farm in Ashtabula County, which he continued to manage five years, and in 1874 he removed to Midland County, where he en- tered a homestead claim of So acres in the township of Edenville. On this he resided six years and received his patent from the United States. He then removed to the place known as the "Ox-Bow Farm," which he worked one year, and at the expir- ation of that time he returned to his own property. He now owns 138 acres, with 30 acres improved. Mr. Thornton is a Republican and has served four terms as Township Treasurer.
He was married about the last of December, 1865, to Tasa M., daughter of J. D. C. and Tasa (Brown) Hinkle. Her father was born Jan. 27, 1803, in Maryland, and died in February, 1881, in Kentland, Newton Co., Ind. Her mother was born Oct. 5, 1 809, in Onondaga Co., N. Y., and died in December, 1879. Mr. and Mrs. Thornton have become the parents of six children, recorded as follows: George A. was born May 14, 1866; Nettie M., Dec. 31, 1867 ; Tasa A., June 27. 1870 (died when three years old); Clare B., Sept. 21, 1874; Charles D., Oct. 12, 1879; Hattie M., Nov. 6, 1882.
ohn C. Howley, farmer, section 27, Mt. Haley Township, was born Dec. 25, 1845, in Leeds Co., Ont. His parents, Hugh and Catherine (Carey) Howley, were natives of Ire- land and are deceased.
Mr. Howley left his native province when he was 16 years old and became a lumberman in the woods near Port Austin, Huron Co., Mich. After a
time he returned to his former home, whence, not long after, he returned to Michigan and located at Saginaw, where he resumed his former occupa- tion of lumberman.
His marriage to Lauretta T. Goodspeed occurred at Saginaw City, March 23, 1877. She is the daugh- ter of E. C. and Cordelia (Cain) Goodspeed, natives respectively of New York and Ohio. The father is of New England parentage, the mother of Irish an- cestry. (See sketch of E. C. Goodspeed.) Mr. G. is 70 years old; his wife is 59 years of age. Their family record includes the names of eight sons and three daughters. Four of the former and one of the latter are deceased. Mrs. Howley is the seventh child in order of birth, and second daughter. She was born in Williams Co., Ohio, Jan 22, 1859, and came to Midland County when she was six years old. She was an eager and ambitious scholar, and at the age of 14 years became a teacher, in which avenue she labored until her marriage. Two children have been born to her and her husband. Hugh, only living child, was born July 4, 1879. An infant died April 14, 1878.
Mr. Howley owns 40 acres of land in Mt. Haley Township, and has improved 20 acres. In his politi- cal tendencies he is a Democrat and has held the minor local offices in the township.
Cornelius Howard, farmer, section 31, Mid- land Township, was born Feb. 16, 1842, in Dryden, Lapeer Co., Mich. He is the son of Nelson and Theresa (Beardsley) Howard. The former was born in 1817, in Canada, and after his marriage removed to Lapeer Co., Mich., where he reared his family.
Mr. Howard, of this sketch, grew to manhood on his father's farm and became a soldier during the first year of the war, enlisting in December, 1861, in the Michigan volunteer service. He was on active duty until in August, 1862, when he was seized with illness and transferred to the hospital at Keokuk, Iowa. His father left his home to proceed thither, going to Detroit to take the cars. When near the city the team took fright and ran away. Mr. How- ard, senior, was thrown from the wagon, and received what was supposed to be a slight injury on his head.
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He boarded the cars as he had planned, and reached Keokuk, two days later, where he died, Sept. It, three days after his arrival and five days after sustaining a seemingly insignificant injury.
Mr. Howard was discharged two days after his father's death, and returned to Michigan. In the fall of 1864 he removed to the township of Midland. He at once interested himself in the erection of a shingle-mill, the first structure of the kind in Mid- land County, in which he was associated with his uncle, Theodore Howard. They made the first sawed shingles in this county. Mr. Howard is the proprietor of a farm of 40 acres, situated on section 31. In political views and connection he is a Re- publican of decided type. He is at present School Director in his district.
Mr. Howard was married May 19, 1865, to Miss Margaret Currie. She was born Dec. 25, 1848, in Canada, and is the daughter of John and Mary Cur- rie. (See sketch of Gilbert Currie.) Following is the record of the children now included in the family of Mr. and Mrs. Howard: Franklin G. was born March 1, 1867 ; William H., March 14, 1869; Charles W., Sept. 3, 1871; Cornelius, June 22, 1874; Archie, Sept. 22, 1878; Mabel, Jan. 1, 1881 ; James, Jan. 19, 1884.
acob Henry Wismer, farmer on section 27, Hope Township, was born in Yarmouth, Ont., May 9, 1853, the son of Abram and Isabella (Lincoln) Wismer, the former of Penn- sylvania-German parentage, born Sept. 7, 1812, and the mother born in Canada, of New Eng- land 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 Township, Gladwin County, Nov. 18, 1877. Jacob Henry's grandfather lived to the ven- erable age of 97.
After the death of the father, the family decided to try Michigan as a home, and the three sons, with their sister Almira, settled in Gladwin County, where J. Henry and Abram L. bought 160 acres in partner- ship, Sept. 15, 1876. Mrs. Wismer followed them from Canada six months later, but died after six months' residence at her new home. In the spring of 1878, Mr. W. sold his interest in that farm, and
purchased 40 acres elsewhere. He cleared this place and sold it, and in the meantime he rented 90 acres where he now resides. After four years he bought the same. He has now 72 acres improved, a comfortable home and good farm buildings.
April 14, 1878, he was married to Miss Alice Mel- vina McCrary, daughter of William and Agnes (Mc- Williams) Mccrary. (See sketch of Wm. Mccrary.) She was born Feb. 23, 1862, in Lincoln (now Hope) Township, and died Feb. 10, 1884, of spinal disease, leaving one son to her bereaved husband,-Freder- ick, born Aug. 1, 1882, in Hope Township.
In political opinion, Mr. W. is a Republican.
ilbur Lanphierd, farmer, section 24, in the Township of Jerome, was born Oct. 18, 1843, in Bolton, Canada. He is a son of Thomas W. and Eliza (Davis) Lanphierd. His father was born Jan. 9, 1810, in New Hampshire, and died Aug. 7, 1883.
He was a physician and spent his life in the practice of his profession. His mother was born April 12, 1820, and resides with her son, O. S. Lan- phierd, in Lincoln Township, Midland County. The parents lived for a number of years in Canada, and went in 1845 to Jefferson Co., N. Y., and about a year later went to Livingston Co., Mich., where they remained about two years. At the end of that time they went to Highland, Oakland Co., Mich., and a year later settled at Rose's Corners in the same county. In 1854 they removed to Genesee Co., Mich.
The civil war broke out a few months before Mr. Lanphierd was 18 years old, and not long after that period arrived he became a soldier. He enlisted Dec. 9, 1861, in Co. I, 10th Mich. Vol. Inf., and was mustered out Feb. 5, 1864. The regiment veteran- ized the following day and was again mustered out July 19, 1865, at Louisville, Ky., after the close of the war. The command was attached to the West- ern Army. The first battle in which his regiment was engaged was at Farmington, near Corinth. The command remained in that position until about the middle of August, and afterwards was stationed on the routes and bridges of the railroads running to Nashville. The regiment was cut off from supplies
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for two months and foraged for maintenance. It was under Gen. Nagley while stationed near Nashville, and was afterward transferred to the Army of the Cumberland and assigned to the First Brigade, Sec- ond Division, 14th Army Corps, under Gen. Thomas. Mr. Lanphierd was in the action at Stone River, Mission Ridge, and in the campaign under Sherman from Chattanooga to Atlanta, and thence to the sea. He was present at the surrender of Joe Johnston and marched to Washington, where he participated in the Grand Review.
Leaving the army, he came to South Saginaw, where he worked in a mill for three years, and then he came to Lincoln Township, this county. Home- steading So acres of land, he remained there five years. Selecting this place, he lived the five years ensuing in Larkin Township. Since then he has re- sided on section 24, Jerome Township, except a year and a half in Oregon Township, Lapeer county.
Mr. Lanphierd was married April 3, 1864, to Hes- ter, daughter of William Henry and Lavinia (Cogs- well) Bassett. Her father was born Dec. 28, 1802, and died Jan 24, 1880, in Oregon Township, Lapeer Co., Mich. The mother was born Feb. 18, 1804, and died in June, 1861, in Oregon. Mrs. Lanphierd was born May 11, 1845, at Mt. Morris, Genesee Co., N. Y. Following is the record of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Lanphierd : Idella E., Dec. 27, 1864; Wm. R., born Aug. 1., 1866, died five days later; Alibella, born Aug. 3, 1868, died Aug. IS of the same year; Charles F., born June 9, 1870, died Sept. 15, 1870; Charles E., born Oct. 27, 1874; Andrew J., born Aug. 13, 1876. Mrs. Lanphierd is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
ohn Suiter, general farmer on section 19, Lee Township, was born in Oneida Co., N. Y., Jan. 19, 1856. His parents, John and Caroline Suiter, were natives of Germany, and are now living in Oneida County, aged re- spectively about 70 and 60 years. His father is a farmer.
Young John set out in the world for himself at the age of ten years, at farm labor. Feb. 10, 1876, he married Miss Susan E. Higbee, who was born in Lewis Co., N. Y., Dec. 11, 1854. By this marriage
were two children: Burtie J., born Feb. 4, 1877, and died May 1, 1880; and Claude, born Feb. 6, 1880. Two years after their marriage they emigrated from the Empire State to this county, and subse- quently purchased So acres on section 8, Lee Town- ship. His wife died May 3, 1883, and June 18, fol- lowing, he married Mary E. Wright, daughter of Charles H. and Sarah (Scott) Wright, natives of Can- ada and of Scotch descent. Mrs. S. was born in Leavenworth Co., Kan., July 4, 1868. When she was a year old her parents moved to Ontario, about two years afterward to Lapeer Co., Mich., and thence, in 1883, to this county.
In March, 1884, Mr. Suiter located on section 19, Lee Township, where he owns 40 acres of land and has commenced clearing.
In his political views Mr. S. is a Republican, and he has held the office of Township Clerk ever since the organization of the township. He has also been honored with other official positions, and in May, 1884, was appointed Postmaster of a new office on section 19.
ohn McGregor, farmer and lumberman, residing on section 17, Midland Township, is a son of William and Ann (Lochead) McGregor, natives of Scotland. They emi- grated to Canada at an early day in the years of their lives, and there married, lived, labored and died. John McGregor, the subject of this sketch, was born in Glengary Co., Ont., Feb. 1, 1831. He lived with his parents, assisting in the mainte- nance of the family and attending the common schools until he attained the age of 20 years. On arriving at that age he went forth upon the sea of time to battle against the trials of life alone. He had served an apprenticeship at the carpenter's trade previous to the age of 20, and followed that trade more or less until 1861, when he came to East Saginaw, this State. He was variously occupied at the latter place until March, 1864, and then came to Midland City. On his arrival he purchased, in part- nership with Alex. Findlater, a hotel, which they con- ducted for about a year together, when Mr. F. pur- chased Mr. McGregor's interest. He then erected a hotel of his own, which was known as the " McGregor Hotel," and continued as "mine host" for about two
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years, when, Jan. 28, 1867, it was destroyed by fire. He then engaged in lumbering, which business he has since followed.
Mr. McGregor was married June 24, 1851, to Miss Jane, daughter of James and Agnes (Miller) Sproul, natives of Scotland. She was born in Stormont Co., Ont., and is the mother of 13 children by Mr. McG. The living are Agnes, William, Mary J., John, Mar- garet A. and Elizabeth J. Those deceased are James S., James, Ellen, Catherine, Daniel, Robinson and Elizabeth.
In 1875 Mr. McGregor moved to Gladwin County, this State, where he remained for about five years. While residing there he was County Treasurer for two terms, and was the first County Treasurer of the county. He was also Justice of the Peace and held minor offices. Socially, he is a member of the I. O. O. F., and religiously, is a member of the Episcopal Church. His wife belongs to the Presbyterian Church. Politically, Mr. McGregor is a believer in the doctrines of the Democratic party.
zaniel L. Chamberlain, lumberman, Inger- soll Township, resides with L. B. Cham- berlain. (See sketch of the latter.) He was born in Midland Co., Mich., July 11, 1859; at the age of 16 he went into the woods, and ever since that time he has been engaged in lumbering, either in the woods or on the river.
In his political views, Mr. Chamberlain is identi- fied with the Republican party.
christopher Kranick, farmer on section 17, Jasper Township, was born in Germany, May 15, 1850, the son of John and Jane (Rhodes) Kranick, natives of Germany. The father is now a resident of Tuscola County, this State; the mother died in her native country.
When seven years old, Christopher came with his father to America. They stopped for a number of years in New York State, and in 1868 came to Mich-
igan and settled in Fremont Tp., Tuscola County. Here our subject resided until his marriage. This event took place at Columbiaville, Lapeer Co., Mich., Oct. 16, 1875, and the lady of his choice was Miss Sarah McLain, daughter of John and Sarah (Gal- linger) McLain. The parents are of Scotch descent, natives of Scotland and Ontario, respectively, and now reside in Lapeer County. Mrs. K. was born in the Province of Ontario, Feb. 18, 1857, came to La- peer County with her parents when 15 years old, and resided there till marriage.
Four years after this event, Mr. K. and wife came to this county and settled on 40 acres on section 17, Jasper, 30 acres of which are now improved. They have two children,-Florence, born Nov. 1, 1878, and Ernest, born Jan. 22, 1880. In political views, Mr. K. is a Republican.
illiam Phetteplace, deceased, was a farmer on section 14, Ingersoll Township. His parents, Eddy W. and Annie (Wheeler) Phetteplace, were natives of New England. He was born in Chenango Co., N. Y., Jan. 4, 1818, and lived in his native county until about 21 years of age, when he taught school four years in Jamestown, Chautauqua County, that State, and one term in Carroll, same county. Next, he taught school three years in Nashville, Tenn., and then spent two years in Oakland Co., Mich., teaching one winter; then for nine months he followed various pursuits in Wyoming Co., N. Y .; then followed farm- ing for five years, with an older brother, at Rushford, Cattaraugus Co., N. Y., teaching two winter terms in that village; next, he followed farming and teaching for four years at Lafayette, McKean Co., Pa .; then farming again for nearly four years in Erie Co., Pa .; finally, in 1860, he came to Saginaw County, and in March, 1864, homesteaded 80 acres of Government land on section 14, Ingersoll Township, this county, where he settled and lived till his death, which oc- curred Nov. 18, 1883. He had about 25 acres under cultivation. He had previously disposed of 40 acres of his land, and at the time of his death owned but 40 acres.
He had been Supervisor of Ingersoll Township seven years, Drain Commissioner, Justice of the Peace three terms, one of the County Overseers of
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the Poor two years, and was largely interested in all educational and other public interests of his com- munity. He was a staunch Republican in his views of national affairs.
Mr. Phetteplace was married in Oakland Co., Mich., May 18, 1844, to Maria Wellmon, who was born in Chautauqua Co., N. Y., May 1, 1823. Mr. and Mrs. P. had seven children, named Eddy W., James W., Minerva, Phebe, Mary A., Sarah and Lizzie E.
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ohn S. Johnson, farmer on section 20, Lar- kin Township, is a son of James and Nancy A. (Sabins) Johnson, natives of New York, and was born in St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., Feb. 27, 1836. His education was only such as was afforded by the common schools of his neigh- borhood, and he remained in his native State until 1873, when he came to St. Clair Co., Mich. Two years later, he came to Midland County ; and in 1877 he homesteaded 40 acres in Larkin Township, to which he has since added 40 acres, and has now 12 acres improved.
Feb. 26, 1863, in Jefferson Co., N. Y., Miss Sarah J. Van Koughnett became Mrs. Johnson. Her par- ents, Josiah and Elizabeth (Frink) Van Koughnett, were natives of Canada. Mrs. Johnson was born in Ontario Aug. 20, 1837, and is the mother of six chil- dren, named Edwin D. (died when two years of age), Frankie E., Ada M., Melzer E., Mina A. and Cora O.
Mr. J. is a supporter of the National party. He has held the offices of Justice of the Peace and School Assessor. He and wife are members of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church.
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dwin D. McCune, farmer on section 20, Jasper, is a son of Samuel and Mary (Dennis) McCune, natives of Kentucky, and of Irish and Pennsylvania-German de- scent. The former was an agriculturist, and died in Stark Co., Ind., March 2, 1883. The latter is still a resident of that county.
The subject of this biographical sketch was born in Putnam Co., Ind., Aug. 29, 1848, and remained under the parental care until he arrived at the age of manhood. He then went West, and after a time visited Missouri. In Livingston Co., Mo., Dec. 21, IS7 1, he married Miss Mary Wallace, who was born in the vicinity of Dubuque, Iowa, Nov. 8, 1849.
Mr. and Mrs. McCune proceeded to Stark Co., Ind., thence after a year to Grand Haven, this State, and one year later they came to Coe Township, Isa- bella County. Here he carried on farming four years, when he purchased 40 acres in Jasper Township, this county. On this place he has since resided, and he now has 15 acres improved.
Mrs. McCune is a member of the Baptist Church. Mr. McCune is politically a Republican, has been Township Clerk four years, being the present incum- bent, and has filled other local offices. He and wife have four children living-Katie, Charles, Gracie and Mary; and two deceased,-William and Daisy.
ohn G. Bowers, lumberman and farmer, resident on the northwest quarter of section 13, Homer Township, was born April 7, 1853, in Rochester, N. Y. He is the son of John M. and Maria (Layton) Bowers, natives of Germany. His father died Oct. 14, 1879, in Bay Co., Mich., at the age of 70 years; and his mother resides in Unionville, Tuscola Co., Mich., 73 years old. Their family included eight children- two sons and six daughters. Three of the latter are deceased.
Mr. Bowers is the youngest child of his parents and lived at home in the beautiful city of the Genesee Valley until he was of age. He remained there until he was 25 years old and fitted for the vocation of butcher. He entered into partnership with the man with whom he served his apprenticeship, the relation continuing two years. In the fall of 1878 he came to Huron Co, Mich., where he purchased 200 acres of land and was a farmer there two years. In 1880 he went to Bay County and engaged in lumbering some time, when he proceeded to Tuscola. Two years later he went to Saginaw, where he remained one year. In ISSI he came to the county of Mid- land and purchased 115 acres of land known as the
(Samuel Sius -
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" Rod. Russell farm," where he has since resided and operated as a farmer and lumberman. In the latter calling he has extensive relations, which may be es- timated from one season's work of putting in seven million feet of lumber. When he came to the town- ship of Homer, he owned a team of horses and $45 in cash. In July, 1883, he paid for the farm whereon he resides, and has 45 acres improved He is the type of man whose efforts and ambition are fast developing Northern Michigan into one of the finest agricultural regions in this country.
Mr. Bowers was married March 4, 1878, at Poch- ester, N. Y., to Julia A., daughter of Hezekiel and Jane (Stevens) Hull. Her parents were natives of Pennsylvania and of English descent. The daugh- ter was born June 15, 1856, and was left motherless when only six months old. Her father removed when she was but 13 years old to Rochester, N. Y. Mr. Bowers is a Republican in political faith and has occupied the position of Treasurer two years. The family attend the Presbyterian Church.
S amuel Sias, farmer and lumberman, resi- dent at Midland City, was born July 4, 1822, in Belfast, Maine, and is the son of Samuel and Ann (McLean) Sias. His parents removed in the year of his birth to Dover, Maine, where his father engaged in the two- fold business of farming and lumbering. He became a lumberman at a very early age, going into the woods as a teamster when he was eight years old, and operated in that capacity in his father's interests several winters. As he grew to maturity he occupied various positions, and at the age of 20 was in charge of a lumber camp. At the age of 24 years he was in business in his own behalf, and has pursued the calling of a lumberman every winter up to the pres- ent time.
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