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 31
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Mr. Sias was married at Dover, Maine, in the year 1849, to Eliza Maddox. Samuel W. Sias was the only child born of this marriage. The mother died, and Mr. Sias was married April 10, 1858, to Mary E., daughter of Ahira and Hattie Sinclair, a native of Dover, Maine. Their ten children were
born as follows: Herbert, Aug. 9, 1859, and is a lum- berman in Midland County ; he married Mary E. Emery, and has one child, Arthur; Ella is the wife of Samuel McCravey, a lumberman of Midland ; Hattie was born April 18, 1863, and is a teacher in Midland City; Annie was born March 28, 1865; Lizzie, Feb. 5, 1867; Flora, Nov. 30, 1872; and Edith, Dec. 14, 1877.
Mr. Sias was the proprietor of a fine farm of 100 acres, three miles from Dover, which he sold in 1861, with the intention of seeking a wider field of opera- tion. He came to Michigan and engaged in lumber- ing in the interests of Merrill & Remmick, on the Cass River, in Tuscola County. In June, 1860, he went back to his home in Maine, returning in the winter ensuing to Michigan. This course he repeated until he transferred his family and entire interests to Midland County. He bought out the hotel of John Larkin, which he conducted two years, at the end of which time he sold out and bought 50 acres of land near the village of Midland, where he passed the summers in farming and the winters in lumbering. Mr. Sias now owns 150 acres on the Chippewa River, which is one of the most desirable places in the section, having 100 acres under first-class culti- vation, with creditable buildings and farm fixtures of every necessary description. A part of his original purchase of land is now included in the village of Midland, which was platted by Mr. Sias and sold in lots. He owns also a farm of 163 acres at the mouth of Pine River in Homer Township. Of this, 75 acres are under cultivation, and are devoted to the growth of supplies for his lumber camps. He owns also a tract of 1,000 acres of timber land, where he pursues his lumber interests during the winter seasons, and employs between 100 and 200 men. In the winter of 1883-4 he got out 18,000,000 feet. In 1864 he built a large establishment for milling purposes and the manufacture of lumber and shingles, also as a planing-mill. He managed its various op- erations about six years, when it was destroyed by fire, involving a loss of $15,000. He is a stockholder in the Salt & Bromide Company of Midland, and owns a fine residence in that village.
No more valuable and welcome portraits could be added to this volume than those of Mr. and Mrs. Sias, which may be found on other pages. The name of Sias is one of the most prominent and influential
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in the county, and future generations, including their own sons and daughters, will prize in a peculiar man- ner the pictures of worthy and prominent representa- tives of the name.
ames F. Timmons, deceased, was a far- mer and lumberman on section 24, Porter Township. He was born May 4, 1823, in the city of Montreal, Can His father, Noah Timmons, was a native of England and a farmer by profession ; he died when the son was but ten years of age. His mother, who was born in France, is yet living.
The son remained with her until the age of 17 years, when he entered upon his life of independ- ence. He spent a year at Mt. Clemens, Mich., and then returned to Ontario, where he engaged in lum- bering until 1867, in which year he made a perma- nent settlement in the State of Michigan. He located with his family at East Saginaw, where they spent one year. In the year following, he came to Porter Township and bought 160 acres of land in a wholly wild condition. He was heavily engaged in lumber- ing from the time of his removal hither until his death. On the 17th day of October, 1876, he was engaged in hauling a load of goods from Merrill, and while driving the wheel of his wagon struck a log. The concussion threw him to the ground and he was fatally injured. He did not live to see his home again. His tragie death excited universal and pro- found regret, his character as a man and his estimable traits having won the respect and esteem of the com- inunity of which he was a member. He was a man of more than ordinary intelligence and ambition, and left the record of a life of well-directed effort.
He was a Republican in political principle. The improvements on the property have been increased, and the place is under the management of Frank 'Timmons, the second son, who is a young man of correct habits and morals. He was born in Ontario, Can., March 25, 1857.
Mrs. Hannah (Moore) Timmons, widow of J. F. Timmons, was born at Eardley, Ont., and is the daughter of Eli and Elizabeth (MeCormick) Moore. Her father was a native of Vermont and died at
Eardley, in April, 1870; her mother was born in Ireland and died July 4, 1864. The daughter was married in the city of Ottawa, Can., June 11, 1853. Besides the son named, her family includes a daugh- ter, Charlotte A., born April 11, 1854, who is the wife of John Paenod, a resident of Porter Township, and a native of Montreal, Can. Their marriage occurred June 2, 1870. Eight children have been born to them, as follows : John, Frank, Josephine H., Charles, Margaret, Flora and James. Elenora is deceased.
avid M. Wilcox, farmer on section 33,
Hope Township, was born in the State of New York, Oct. 4. 1845, the son of Stephen A. and Amanda Melvina (Green) Wilcox. The father was of English and German descent, and died of yellow fever while en route to Mex- w ico in the Mexican war, leaving two children, David, and a daughter now residing in Gladwin County. The mother, of English descent, re-married and is now living in Lincoln Township, this county. She has had seven children by her second marriage, five of whom are living.
The subject of this biography was two years old when his father came to Macomb County, this State, and he was reared on the parental farm until the age of 15, when he left home to make his own way in life. For three years he worked in the lumber woods ; and then, Feb. 28, 1865, under the last call of President Lincoln for volunteers, he enlisted in Co. B, 7th Mich. Vol. Cav.,-Custer's old regiment. He was assigned to the Third Brigade, Third Divis- ion, Cavalry Corps, and during his service fought in one battle, with the Indians near Fort Laramie. He was wounded in the calf of the leg by a minie ball in this engagement.
After his discharge, Dec. 24, 1865, he worked for a time in the woods, then on a farm, and then for a year sold liquor at Midland City. Aug. 2, 1868, he married Miss Amelia Fraser, daughter of Edwin and Elizabeth (Lewis) Fraser. She was born May 9, 1850, in the Dominion of Canada, and is one of a family of ten, eight of whom are living. By her marriage to Mr. W., she is the mother of seven chil- dren, one of whom is deceased. The record is as follows: Ora M., born July 23, 1869; Myrtie E.,
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Jan 26, 1871, and died May 30, 1873; Addie A., Nov. 25, 1872 ; Alfleda A., Sept. 24, 1874; Claudie R., Aug. 21, 1876; Fannie A., March 31, 1878; and Merrick D., Feb. 16, 1880, all in Hope Township.
Mr. W. came from Ray Tp., Macomb County, May 20, 1860. He now owns 40 acres of land, of which 20 are improved. He has a good residence, and also keeps a general merchandise store, being the only merchant in the township of Hope. He has been Deputy Sheriff 13 years, Highway Commis . sioner one term, Justice of the Peace three years (is present incumbent), and is now School Director and Postmaster.
erdinand Mccrary, farmer on section 22, Hope Township, is a son of William and Agnes McCrary (see sketch), and was born Jan. 20, 1860, in Jerome (now Edenville) Township, this county. He was married March 6, 1884, to Rosa B. Evans, daughter of J. R. Evans, of Midland City. She was born Oct. 7, 1864, and is the oldest of ten children. Her father was born Feb. 20, 1841, in Green, Trumbull Co., Ohio, and her mother April 9, 1842, in Coldbrook, Ashta- bula Co., Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. McCrary are just starting out on their voyage of life, and their natural good traits and the good will of their many friends insure them success.
imon Gleckler, farmer on section 26, Hope Township, was born Oct. 10, 1845, in Ma- honing Co., Ohio, the son of Henry and Catherine (Beauman) Gleckler. The father was a native of Germany, came to this country when eight years old, and died in Columbiana Co., Ohio, Aug. 7, 1883, at the age of 73. The mother, also a native of Germany, is living with a son and daughter in Columbiana Co., Ohio. The family of 14 included nine sons and five daughters, all of whom are living, and have arrived at years of maturity. All are married but two.
The subject of this biographical narrative was reared on a farm, but has worked in saw-mills much of the time since he became of age, at which time he
left home. He worked one year in Mahoning Co., Ohio, and a year in Genesee Co., Mich., and was then married. He spent two years more in a mill in the latter county, and nearly an equal period in the former. The five years ensuing he was employed in a mill at Coleman, this county, after which he settled on 40 acres of wild land and where is his present home. He has now eight acres improved.
His marriage occurred Oct. 3, 1867, in Flint, Mich , to Miss Margaret Ann Denton, daughter of Daniel and Esther A. (Elvis) Denton. Mr. D. died in Canada in 1867, and Mrs. D. Dec. 7, 1871. Mrs. G. was born in Rawdon Township, Hastings Co., Can., April 9, 1845, and is one of a family of three sons and three daughters, all living. Mr. and Mrs. G. have two children, born in Genesee Co., this State : Eliza Kate, July 18, 1868 ; and Esther, Oct. 27, 1869.
Mr. G. is in political views a Greenbacker. He has been Superintendent of Schools three terms, and is now serving his fourth term as Supervisor. Ile is a member of the Lutheran Church.
ohn Loyer, farmer, section 10, Ingersoll Township, is a son of George and Eva (McLaughlin) Loyer, natives of Pennsylva- nia. His mother died in that State Sept. 30, 1845, when he was an infant; and his father came to Midland County in the fall of 1878, and died in Ingersoll Township, April 20, 1880.
Mr. Loyer was born in Erie Co., Pa., Sept. 26, 1845. In the spring of 1856 he came with his father to Shiawassee Co., Mich., lived there four years, then some time in Livingston County, one year again in Shiawassee County, then in Livingston County again until January, 1863, when he enlisted in the Fifth Mich. Inf. and served till the close of the war, par- ticipating in the battles of the Wilderness, siege of Petersburg, etc. May 12, 1864, at the battle of Spottsylvania, he was wounded in the right shoulder, in consequence of which he was in the hospital about nine months. Being then partially able for duty, he made a special request to be returned to his regiment, although really in too feeble a condition to perform the duties that would devolve upon him.
After his discharge he returned to Livingston Co., Mich., where he remained one year, then spent one
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season in Shiawassee again, then engaged in farming, and laboring in the woods winters, in Saginaw County, until he first came to Midland County, in 1869, and homesteaded 40 acres of land, in Inger- soll Township, where he lived six years. He was then two years in Saginaw County again, nearly one year in Shiawassee County, three years in Saginaw County, and in the spring of 1880 he again came to Midland County. By this time he had disposed of the 40 acres he had homesteaded in 1869, and during the year 1880 he purchased 80 acres of land, some- what improved, where he now resides. He now has about 27 acres under cultivation.
Mr. Loyer has been School Moderator of his dis- trict, and Path-master. In his political views he is a Republican.
He was married in Shiawassee County, Nov. 4, 1866, to Sarah M., daughter of John and Hannah (Fuller) Anible, natives of New York State. She was born in Genesee Co., Mich., July 27, 1850. They have three children, viz .: George P., Gertie A. and Jennie.
® oswell B. Gotham, farmer on section 17, Larkin Township, is a son of Solomon and Elizabeth (King) Gotham, natives respect- ively of New Hampshire and New York ; and he was born in Jefferson Co., N. Y., May 8, 1837. He received a rudimentary English education, but was under the care of his parents only until 11 years old. Losing his father at that age, he was unexpectedly obliged to make his own way in life. Until 16 years old he worked as cook on a scow on the St. Lawrence River.
Next he passed three years in Canada, learning the cooper's trade; and then for three years he fol- lowed the lakes as a common sailor. In August, 1862, he enlisted in the roth New York Heavy Artillery, in which organization he served nearly three years. April 2, 1865, he was taken prisoner, but on the 9th of the same month (the day of Lee's surrender) he was released. After his discharge from the army he returned to his home in New York State, and there remained until October, 1868. On that date he came to this county, and homesteaded So acres in Lincoln Township, which he afterwards
sold and bought 40 acres in Larkin Township, where he now lives, with 22 acres under cultivation.
Oct. 29, 1859, in Jefferson Co., N. Y., he took as the sharer of his name and fortune Miss Julia Far- row, a native of that State. Of 14 children, 11 sur- vive, named Roswell H., Henry E., Lewis A., Caro- line B., Mary E., Byron T., Solomon N., Archibald F., David K., Julia E. and Maggie. The three de- ceased were named Bertha M., Violet A. and Leslie D).
Mr. G. is in political faith a National, and has held the offices of Township Clerk, Justice of the Peace and School Director.
eorge W. Frost, farmer and lumberman, section 3, Mt. Haley Township, was born May 16, 1818, in Oswego Co., N. Y. His parents, Benjamin and Polly (Sprague) Frost, were natives of New England. His father died Dec. 25, 1830, in Oswego Co., N. Y., and his mother in April, 1867, in McLean Co., Pa.
Mr. Frost was about ten years of age when his father died, and upon him devolved the support of his mother, which duty he discharged to the exclu- sion of every other, resigning all chances for an education. In 1840 he was married to Abbie Loops, a native of Pennsylvania. They settled in McLean Co., Pa., and Mr. Frost there engaged in agriculture until 1866, when he came to Midland County. He had been ambitious to interest himself in lumbering, and to that end had previously purchased a pine- lumber tract of 160 acres on Pine River. He set- tled on section 3 of Mt. Haley Township, where he bought So acres of unimproved hard-timber land. He has been extensively engaged as a job lumberman, and during winter seasons has put in two million feet of logs on an average. He has also trafficked in real estate to some extent, and his home place now includes 240 acres, with 120 acres under cultivation. He has accomplished the improvements on his farm by the aid of his sons. He has two good barns and three dwellings on his estate.
Mr. Frost was a second time married, May 14, 1865, at Adrian, Mich., to Mrs. Roseltha (Murphy) Marsh. She is the daughter of Palmer and Soloma (Nichols) Marsh, natives respectively of Connecticut and Massachusetts. The latter died in Pennsylva-
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nia, Jan. 25, 1845. The father resides in this town- ship. Mrs. Frost was born June 10, 1841, in Che- nango Co, N. Y., and when she was three years old her parents removed to MeLean Co., Pa., where she was married to John Marsh. Ellen, only issue of her first marriage, is deceased. Two children have been born of her second marriage : Freddica, Aug. 6, 1876: and Millie, July 26, 1867 (died March 30, 1871).
Mr. Frost is a Democrat in political connection, and has held the offices of Township Treasurer and Road Commissioner several years.
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rson Cady, farmer on section 30, Larkin Township, is a son of Alpheus and Patty A. (Chambers) Cady, natives of the State of New York. The parents emigrated to this State and settled in Lapeer County, where they died, she in 1844, and he Jan. 1, 1864. The subject of this outline was born in Erie Co., N. Y., Aug. 30, 1835, and was but four years old when his parents removed to this State. He lived at home until he attained his majority, and on beginning the career of life for himself went first to Grand Rapids, where he found employment in a livery and sale stable for four years. He then went to Illinois- and rented a farm for two years, at the expiration of which time he returned to Kent County, this State, where he rented a farm for four years. Thence he went back to Lapeer County, his old home, and there ran a stage line 18 months from Lapeer to Pontiac. Selling this, he removed to Bellevue, Ohio, and opened a livery stable, where he was in business two years. Disposing of this, he was next for a year employed in Kentucky by a land and mining com- pany.
He then spent six months more in Lapeer County, and in May, 1867, he came to Midland City, where he was for 12 years in the employ of John Larkin. In 1879 he bought 120 acres in Larkin Township, where he has since lived, having now about 25 acres improved.
June 10, 1860, in Ottawa Co, Ill., he formed a life partnership with Miss Melissa Moses, a native of New York State. Their children have been three
in number-Jennie (died when 21 months old), Jessie and one which died in early infancy.
In political sentiment, Mr. Cady is identified with the Republican party. He has held the offices of School Inspector and Township Treasurer.
rs. Hannah S. Murray, section 36, In- gersoll Township, is the fourth daughter of William and Hannah (Ryan) Spellacy, who were natives of Ireland and passed their entire lives there. They had four daugh- ters and one son.
The subject of this sketch was born in Ireland, March 17, 1835 ; when 14 years of age she came to America and lived one year in Boston, Mass .; then lived about a year in Cleveland, Ohio, about two years in Somerset, Ohio, and finally, in 1858, she came to Midland County, Ingersoll Township, where she has since resided.
She was married in Somerset, O., Dec. 25, 1855, to Edward Murray, a native of Ireland. She adopted a half orphan a year and a half old, namely, Sarah E., daughter of John and Sarah (MeCully) Jelley, whose mother had died when she was only 15 months old. Thereupon the former took the name of Murray. She was married July 4, 1877, to Ed- ward Davis, a native of Saginaw Co., Mich. She has two children,-Orrie E. and Wilbur R.
Mrs. Murray has a farm of 42 acres, on section 36, which she superintends and has in a state of good cultivation.
ames Hanley, farmer on section 29, Jasper Township, was born in Ireland June 4, 1837, and is the son of Hugh and Mar- garet (McLain) Hanley, natives also of the Emerald Isle. The father followed farming, emigrated to America, and just after arriving at Hamilton, Ont., died in 1838, leaving James a half orphan when but one year old. The mother died in Port Huron, Mich., in May, 1867.
Their family numbered ten,-eight sons and two daughters ; and three of the former and both the latter are yet living. Of the survivors James is the
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youngest. He lived with his mother until 24 years old, and March 14, 1861, in Huron Co., Ont., he was married to Miss Margaret Sharp, daughter of William and Elizabeth (Ilunter) Sharp, natives of Scotland and Ontario, and of Scotch and Irish- German extraction respectively. They are now living in Ontario, both in good health; the father aged 87, the mother 78. Mrs. Hanley was born in Prescott, Ont., March 17, 1843, and is the sixth child and second daughter in a family of 13 children, 11 of whom yet survive.
For six years after marriage, Mr. Hanley was en- gaged in agriculture in Huron Co., Ont., removing thence to Oakland County, this State. After a stay there of a year and a half, he removed to Lapeer County, and purchased 40 acres of wild, heavily timbered land. He lived on this place 14 years, brought it to the best possible farming condition, erected good buildings and started an orchard. He sold the place for nearly eight times what it cost him, and in April, 1881, came to Midland County and purchased So acres, mostly timbered, where he has since resided. He has now zo acres cleared and 16 in cultivation.
Mr. H. is in political sentiment a Republican. lle and wife have been the parents of ten children, of whom William, Mary A., Alwilda J. and John E. are living; and James (first), James (second), Mar- garet, George, Ettie and two infants are deceased.
: hineas F. Pierce, deceased, was a farmer on section 35, Ingersoll Township, and was if the son of Phineas and Mary Pierce. He was born in Saratoga Co., N. Y .. Feb. 15. 1842; when quite small he came to Lapeer Co., Mich., and to Midland County in 1857, buy- ing 40 acres of land in Ingersoll Township. He after- wards bought 160 acres and disposed of the first purchase. At the time of his death he occupied 136 acres, owned by his wife. With the exception of about six months spent in Nebraska, he lived in this county till his death.
He was married at Saginaw, Feb. 10, 1862, to Miss Jane D., daughter of Henry and Melinda Mills, born in Lapeer Co., Mich., Dec. 6, 1846, and they have had seven children, namely: Rena J., born July 24,
1866: Eugene F., April 7, 1868; May E., Jan. 24, 1870; Carrie E .. Aug. 29, 1871, and died Aug. 12, ISSo; John W., born Dec. 5, 1873; George H., Aug. 5, 1878; and Harriet B., April 28, 1880. All were born in this county except May E., who was born in Nebraska.
Mr. Pierce enlisted for the cause of the Union, in the fall of 1861, in the Tenth Mich. Inf., and served four years. He was confined several weeks in the hospital during his enlistment.
During his life he held the office of Deputy Sheriff of Midland County, Highway Commissioner, etc.
Charles S. Sanford, farmer, section 27, Jerome Township, was born April 27, 1816, in Madison Co., N. Y., and is the son of Peleg P. and Annie (Skiff) Sanford. His mother was born in Massachusetts, and his father in the State of New York. They died in Painesville, Ohio.
Mr. Sanford was brought up by his grandparents from earliest childhood, and he remained with them until the death of his grandmother, which occurred when he was 16 years old. His mother was living in Chautauqua Co., N. Y., and at that age he went out in the vicinity and found employment as a farmi laborer and also was engaged in shoemaking. He went thence to Ashtabula County, where he was em- ployed at his trade about ten years. In 1864 he purchased 1,000 acres of pine land in Midland County, and 213 acres where Sanford is located. He made the purchase of Benj. Dean, and the later tract was then known as the "Salt-Spring Reserve." It is the location of the first salt well in the State, and this is still flowing. Dr. Douglass Houghton, then State Surveyor and Geologist, who was afterward drowned in Lake Superior, superintended the sinking of the shaft. Mr. Sanford located here in May, 1864, and has since been resident. The place was named in honor of him as original owner of its site.
Mr. Sanford is a Republican in political sentiment, and has officiated in the various local offices. He has been Township Clerk four terms, Justice of the Peace 15 years, has held the offices of the school district, and is at present the Moderator. He is the owner of a hay farm of So acres in Jerome Township.
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The place produces immense quantities of grass, of a coarse quality.
Mr. Sanford was married April 26, 1840, to Eliza B., daughter of Amos and Catherine (Bayham) But- ton. Her parents were natives of the State of New York and died in Ashtabula Co., Ohio. She was born Oct. 22, 1820. Following are the names of the seven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Sanford : Sarepta P., Anson A., William, Adella, Ida, George and Charles.
ohn Windover, farmer and lumberman, resident on section 15, Homer Township, was born June 25, 1830, in Ontario, Can. His parents, William and Mary (Peterson) Windover, were born respectively in the State of New York and Province of Ontario. They belonged to the agricultural class, and were among the earlier settlers of Ontario. They became possess- ors of 200 acres of land in that province under the special act of the English Parliament known as the Ueloilus Grant, which gave 200 acres of land to every settler of that year and the same amount to every child born within the year of the passage of the act. The parents died in the Dominion, each aged about So years.
Mr. Windover obtained a fair common-school edu- cation, and when he was 18 years old he was a com- petent farmer, having been thoroughly instructed in the duties of that pursuit under the guidance of his father. At the age named he became his own man, and left home to take charge of his own fortunes. He first engaged as a farm laborer, and later became interested in lumbering. He became possessor by purchase of 50 acres of land, on which he labored some years, but owing to a flaw in the title he was dispossessed of his estate. He then spent three years on a rented farm. In June, 1873, he came to Midland County, purchased property and remained three years. At the end of that time he purchased 160 acres of land, on which he has since resided and operated, and to which he has added by later pur- chase. His place is well improved and greatly in- creased in value by the skill and judgment exercised in its management. Mr. Windover is a Republican in political principles. He is justly regarded as one of the solid citizens of Homer Township, and holds
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