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 33
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In the above family of four sons and five daugh- ters, the subject of this sketch was the eighth. He lived with his parents, assisting on the farm and attending the common school, until he was 27 years
of age, when he was married, in DeKalb Co., III., May 5, 1873, to Miss Mercy Davis, a daughter of E. R. and Matilda (Huff) Davis, natives of Ontario, and of German and French descent. Mrs. S. was born June 22, 1850. She and Mr. S. are parents of one child, May, born April 2, 1876.
Directly after marriage Mr. Salsbury came to Bay Co., Mich., and a year later to this county, settling on his present place. Of his original purchase of 160 acres he now owns 120 acres, of which 45 is in a good state of cultivation; has also two barns and two dwellings on his place. He is laying well the foundations of a good home. He has held several offices in his township, and in his political principles he is a Republican.
ecatur A. Hare, farmer, section 36, Inger- soll Township, is a son of Frederick and Betsey (Holsted) Hare, who were natives of the Empire State, moved to Lenawee Co., Mich., then to Hillsdale County, where they lived the remainder of their days.
The subject of this sketch was born in Onondaga Co., N. Y., April 15, 1828. In the fall of 1853, when he was 26 years of age, he came to Michigan and purchased a farm in Hillsdale County, and, after cultivating that place two years, he sold out and re- turned to New York State. In April, 1856, he bought So acres of unimproved land in Ingersoll Township, on which he settled two years later. He now has about 30 acres in good cultivation. He also purchased 88 acres in Saginaw County, which he afterward disposed of. In the fall of 1882 he bought a saw-mill in Saginaw County, which he operated until May, 1883.
Mr. Hare has been County Superintendent of the Poor three years, Township Treasurer eight years, Justice of the Peace eight years and School Director three years. He entertains Republican views of national affairs, and both himself and wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church.
In the fall of 1864, Mr. Hare enlisted in the 29th Mich. Inf. and served until he was honorably dis- charged after the close of the war, at Camp Douglas, near Chicago. At the battle of Decatur, Ala., he was taken sick, and was confined in the hospital most
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of the time afterward until the date of his discharge. Oct. 10, 1849, in Niagara Co., N. Y., Mr. Hare was married to Miss Jeannette F., daughter of George and Julia (Stebbins) Brown, her father a na- tive of New Hampshire and her mother of Con- necticut. She was born in Monroe Co., N. Y., Oct. 17, 1827. Mr. and Mrs. Hare are the parents of eight children; the four living are Mary J., George F., Asahel M. and Willie S .; and the deceased are Elizabeth A., Willie D., Joseph C. and an infant.
tephen D. Trowbridge, farmer on section 36, Hope Township, was born in Arcadia Township, Ontario (now Wayne) Co., N. Y., June 15, 1813, the son of Eli and Anna (Dunwell) Trowbridge. His father was of En- ยท glish-German descent, and died in Solon, Ohio, aged 84 ; his mother was of mixed English, Scotch and Welsh blood, and died in Warrensville, Ohio, when 69 years old. They were the parents of five children, all of whom are living. Their names are Stephen, Phoebe, Cornelia V., Samuel A. and Lucretia V. Of these Stephen is the eldest.
He was reared on the paternal farm, and lived with his father until of age, moving when 19 years old with his father to Solon, Ohio, where they settled on a farm of roo acres. On attaining his majority, he endeavored to improve his mind by attending school, teaching in the winter seasons. He attended the academy in Lyons, Wayne Co., N. Y., for a time, but most of his education was received in the com- mon school. IIe planned a thorough course of study for himself, but owing to feeble health was forced to abandon this.
He purchased a farm of 44 acres in Solon, Ohio, soon after he was of age. His wife yet owns 15 acres of that same tract. James A. Garfield (late President) gave her $1,000 to build a house on the same. On this farm Mr. Trowbridge kept a small dairy of 15 cows, and dealt in cheese. lle was financially unfortunate, and lost all his land except the 15 acres mentioned above. He lived on this place from 1834 to 1861.
In the year last mentioned he enlisted in Co. K, 2d Ohio Vol. Cav. His regiment was on duty near Fort Scott, in Eastern Kansas. He was mustered
out at Camp Chase, Ohio, in 1863. His son, Melvin M., was in the same company, but was mustered out previous to the close of his term of enlistment, on ac- count of sickness.
Returning from the army, Mr. T. cultivated for one year the little farin in Solon, and then, in 1864, came to Midland County. Here he filed his claim to a tract of land under the Homestead Act. He then went back to Ohio. Returning to this county in the spring of 1865, he made some maple sugar, and then set about making a permanent home. He has since resided here, with the exception of occa- sional visits to Ohio.
July 30, 1837, was the date of his marriage, in Solon, Ohio, to Miss Mehitabel B. Garfield, daughter of Abram and Eliza (Ballou) Garfield, and sister of the late martyr President. She was born Jan. 28, 1821, in Independence, Ohio, and was the eldest of four in her father's family, whose names were Mehit- abel, Thomas, Mary and James A.
Mr. and Mrs. Trowbridge have become the parents of four children, as follows: Anna E., born Sept. 12, 1838, in Orange, Ohio; Mary E., March 4, 1840, in Solon, Ohio; Melvin M., Nov. 14, 1845, in Solon, and died March 9, 1864, in Bridgeport, Ala., having re-enlisted in the ist Mich. Mech. and Eng; Alta Estella, Sept. 11, 1860, in Solon, and married to John Hawkins, in December, 1880.
Mr. Trowbridge is in political faith a member of the National patry. He is very progressive in his views, and has always taken a brave stand for what he believed to be right. He has been Township Clerk and School Inspector, and was elected Justice of the Peace, but did not qualify. He is a member of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, and his wife of the Disciples' Church. Mr. T. was the tutor of Gen. Garfield when the latter was 16 years old.
rancis Oliver, farmer, sec. 26, Porter Town- ship, was born April 24, 1820, in Yorkshire, Eng., where his parents, William and Rachel (Hutty) Oliver, were born. They emi- grated to Canada, where the father died, in 1876, at the age of 84 years. The mother died a few years ago near Port Huron, Mich., aged about So years. Their family included four daughters and
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two sons. Two of the former and one of the latter are dead.
Mr. Oliver was the eldest child of his parents and lived at home assisting on the farm of his father un- til he was of age. On attaining his majority he came to St. Thomas, Ont., where he became the owner of 100 acres of land and pursued the calling of a farmer until the fall of 1873, when he came to Michigan and purchased 40 acres of land in Porter Township, where he has since devoted his attention to his interests as an agriculturist. He has improved 30 acres and increased the material value of the place by the addition of suitable farm buildings. Mr. Oliver is a Democrat in his political relations, and has been the incumbent of the various offices in his school district.
He was married in January, 1851, to Ann Maugh- ey. She is a native of County Tyrone, Ireland, and was born in July, 1827. She came when in girlhood to Canada with her parents. Ten children have been born of her marriage, named as follows : Catherine, Rachel, Dinah, John, Ellen, Anna, Alice, Mary A., Samuel and Francis. The four last named are dead. The daughters are all married except Anna.
illiam L. Stearns, real-estate broker, resi- dent at Midland City, was born March 30, 1830, in Brunswick, Medina Co., Ohio, and is a son of Daniel and Mary (Mcintyre) Stearns. His parents were both of New En- gland origin. The former was born Sept. 29, 1795, the latter Jan. 18, 1797. They were married Dec. 27, 1826, at Wadsworth, Medina Co., Ohio. The paternal grandparents of Mr. Stearns, John and Lucy Stearns, removed to Medina County with their family and entered vigorously into pioneer labor in the township of Brunswick, where they were among the first of the permanent settlers. To that date, previ- ous comers had made their way to their new homes with ox teams. The transit of the family and effects of the Stearns household was effected by means of a two-horse team, driven by Daniel Stearns from Cleve- land, where they left the boat, to Medina County. These were the first horses driven into Medina County. The McIntyre family were also pioneers of that County.
The family of John Stearns included six sons and one daughter: John M. and Lucy M., eldest born, were twins; William L., Frank M., David E., Daniel M. and Charles W. are the names of the others, and are all living, except the eldest son, who died in 1861, and the father of Mr. Stearns, whose demise occurred Jan. 2, 1873, at Berea, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, whither he had removed with his family in 1844. He was a farmer all his life, but from his tempera- ment and abilities was eminently fitted for a pioneer. The mother of Mr. Stearns is yet living.
The subject of this sketch.was reared on a farm and remained at home as his father's assistant until he was of age. At 21 years old he connected him- self with a construction corps on the Cleveland & Columbus Railroad, and, after its completion, engaged in its service as a fireman. He acted in that capacity on the engine that drew the first pass- enger train over the road. He was in the same employment about two years, during which time he received a severe injury. While engaged in firing on the leading engine, which, in connection with an- other, was drawing a heavy freight train into the city of Cleveland, the boiler of the auxiliary engine burst, killing the engineers on both, and nearly scalping Mr. Stearns. This is believed to be one of the first accidents from a locomotive boiler explosion on record. It occurred in 1846. He was disabled two months. He followed railroading about 12 years, operating chiefly in the capacity of engineer ..
In 1858 Mr. Stearns embarked in a mercantile enterprise at Berea, in which he was still interested when the culmination of partisan issues, created by the misguided and infuriated South, merged into civil war. In 1862, when the rebel forces in Kentucky, under Gen. Bragg, threatened the invasion of Cin- cinnati, Gov. Tod made a requisition for volunteers for the defense of the city. One of its results was the organization of an independent company of sharpshooters, comprising over 100 picked men, under Capt. G. M. Barber. They were designated "Squirrel Hunters," for obvious reasons. (Riflemen understand the technical skill required in the pastime of squirrel-shooting, which is general in the Buckeye State.) Mr. Stearns left his business to enroll in the company, and on its organization was made Orderly Sergeant. The service continued two weeks, and on its dismemberment Gov. Tod conferred upon each of its members a card, bearing the device of a squirrel
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and containing his certified statement of his appre- ciation of their action in responding to his summons. In the fall of the same year Mr. Stearns again en- listed, enrolling in the Fifth Ohio Vol. Inf. He was in a company of sharpshooters under his former Captain (Barber), which was detailed as guard at the headquarters of Gen. Rosecrans.
After the engagement at Missionary Ridge, Mr. Stearns was ordered to Cleveland on recruiting service, with a commission as Second Lieutenant. He enlisted 40 recruits for three companies of sharp- shooters, and organized two full companies. Hle re- mained in Cleveland until Gen. Burnside was ordered to the Potomac, when he joined his command, re- ceiving a commission as Captain of Co. G, 60th Ohio Vol., his command and that of the second company which he had enlisted. doing duty as flank guard. Capt. Stearns took his position April 20, 1864, and was a participant in all the engagements until the fall of Richmond, when he resigned. He was made Major Aug. 20, 1864, after the battle of Stone Tavern, W. Va. He went through the entire period of his service with but slight injury. During the siege of Petersburg he sustained a slight wound.
On obtaining his release from the service of the United States, he returned to Ohio and resumed his business, which he continued until 1874. He had merged his commercial relations in the hardware trade, and at the date named he opened an office for traffic in real estate. He continued to conduct his operations in that line until Oct. 1, 1883, when he opened his present business at Midland. He had been a heavy land-holder in the county since 1875, when he bought about 6,000 acres of land. He has, since that date, operated heavily in real estate in Midland County, and still owns about 2,000 acres of farming lands, one-half of which is situated in the township of Midland, near the county seat. He is the proprietor of the Mineral Spring property on Larkin Street, and owns in connection therewith the boarding and bath houses. The water is justly cele- brated for its medicinal properties and enjoys a large patronage. Mr. Stearns handles all kinds of prop- erty, personal as well as real estate, and manages an exchange business. He owns three dwellings and several building lots in Berea, Ohio, also a homestead lot and a number of vacant lots at Cleveland. He also owns property in the city of Ft. Wayne, Ind. His residence at Midland is attached to the bath
house near the springs. He is a member of the Order of Masonry and of the Odd Fellows.
Mr. Stearns was married in 1854, in Berea, Ohio, to Sarah Caswell. She died at Wellsville, Ohio, leaving a son, who is now deceased. Mr. Stearns was a second time married, in Wellsville, to Mattie, daughter of John and Ann (Malin) Lawrence. She was born in Wellsville, March 31, 1834, and is the mother of one daughter, Minnie. Her parents were early settlers in Jefferson Co., Ohio.
avid A. Mills, farmer, section 23, Ingersoll Township, is a son of Harvey E. and Me- linda (Crampton) Mills; his father was born in Rose, Wayne Co., N. Y., and his mother in Addison, Vt. After marriage they resided in Wayne County until 1840, when they came to Lapeer Co, Mich., where he (the father) died, Oct. 26, 1850. In the fall of 1855 his widowed mother married Alpheus Chapman and settled in Saginaw County, where she died Sept. 30, 1866. By her first marriage there were seven chil- dren : Harvey C., Peter A., Harriet P., Emily E., David A., Jane D. and Harvey C. (2d).
The subject of this sketch was born in Hadley, Lapeer Co., Mich., July 15, 1841 ; attended school only until nine years of age, as then his father died and until 14 years old he had to assist in supporting the family. At the latter age he went to live with an older sister, and about two years afterward his mother bought for him a farm of 80 acres, in Inger- soll Township, where she lived with him until her death in 1866. He then rented a farm in Saginaw County, carried it on two years, and then returned to his farm in this county, where he has since resided,- except six months in Midland. He has sold 20 acres of his place, and now has about 35 acres in a good tillable condition.
In his district he has been Justice of the Peace, Highway Commissioner, Constable, and is at present Deputy Sheriff. Politically, he is identified with the Republican party.
Mr. Mills was married in Saginaw County, Aug. 14, 1861, to Eliza A., daughter of Phineas F. and Mary (Chase) Pierce. (See sketch of P. F. Pierce.) She was born in Erie Co., N. Y., July 23, 1838. Mr.
Jahr Haley
Mors John Haly.
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and Mrs. Mills adopted a young child named Anna B. Jelley, to whom was consequently given their own name of Mills. She grew up in the family and was married, but died three months afterward, at the home of her foster parents.
eorge W. England, section 10, Lee Town- ship, was born in Hocking Co., Ohio, Nov. 21, 1846, and is a son of Titus and Mary J. (Dewhirst) England, natives respectively of Germany and England. The father died be- fore his son was born, and the mother died when he was but seven months old, in Ontario, whither she had gone just after his birth. The orphan, thus so sadly bereft, was cared for by his grandparents until he was 13 years old, when he set out in the world for himself.
First he came to Michigan and began to work for Charles Roe, a drover of Detroit ; then for J. J. Baker, of the same place, operating between Ontario and Detroit; afterward he worked a year in Macomb County, when, Jan. 27, 1863, he enlisted for the war, in Co. G, Eighth Mich. Cav., of the Army of the Cumberland, Colonel Mix commanding. He was in the battles of Knoxville and Nashville, and two days after the general capture at Millbury Creek he was taken prisoner at that place. Attempt- ing escape from the general capture, he lost his weapons and his horse was drowned in a river, and he was hunted down with blood-hounds. After baffling his pursuers for some time he was compelled to climb a tree, where he was taken by rebel citizens. He was first taken to Andersonville prison, then to Charleston and Florence, S. C., and was a prisoner of war for a period of six months. At the latter place he was paroled on a 90-days furlough, and he re-joined his regiment and served till the close of the war, being discharged Sept. 22, 1865, at Nashville, Tenn.
Returning to Macomb County, he married Miss Martha Jane Knowles, a native of Ontario. She was born May 3, 1846, came to Michigan when 18 years old, and was passed 19 when she was married. The children by this marriage were, William, de- ceased, George B. and Margaret. Mrs. E. died on section 2, Lee Township, Sept. 18, 1877, and Mr. E.
was again married Aug. 28, 1878, in Detroit, Mich., to Miss Alzora Thatcher, who was born in Muske- gon, Mich., April 18, 1853, but was brought up prin- cipally in Ontario.
Mr. England now owns 95 acres on section 2, Lee Township, where he settled in 1875; but he now re- sides with Jacob S. Bisbing, on section 10. Mr. E. is a Republican in his political preferences, and is now serving his fourth year as Constable.
john Haley, of the firm of Clason & Haley, liverymen and undertakers at Midland, and senior member of the lumber firm of Haley & Covert, was born Oct. 24, 1845, in County Wicklow, Ireland. His parents, William and Elizabeth (Kehoe) Haley, came to this country and settled in Canada, in 1852. They lived on a farm in the Dominion during their residence there, and came to Michigan in 1871. He died in Mid- land, March 16, 1879, and his wife at the same place Dec. 23, 1879.
In the winter of 1864-5 he came to Michigan and was employed in the lumber woods of Tuscola Coun- ty during that season. In the winter following he came to Midland County, where he was similarly engaged. In 1870 he was employed by John Larkin and took charge of his heavy lumber interests in the woods and on the river. He continued the manage- ment of that business about nine years, when he commenced jobbing in his own behalf, and is still engaged in both capacities. In September, 1883, he formed a partnership with G. W. Covert and entered extensively into lumbering interests. In the winter ensuing they put in 15,000,000 feet. They own 200 acres of land, known as the Eastman farm, which is considered the best property in the county They employ an average force of 125 men in the woods and about 18 teams. He owns, singly, 120 acres in the township of Larkin. The firm of Clason & . Haley own their stables, office and two lots. They usually keep about 20 horses, and livery equipments as their business demands.
Mr. Haley has served two years on the Village Board, and was appointed Supervisor in place of R.
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W. Clason on the election of the latter as County Treasurer. He was married Jan. 18, 1870, in Sagi- naw City, to Mary, daughter of William B. and Joanna Keeley, a native of Canada. They have three children-Lizzie, born Dec. 7, 1871 ; William 1., born Jan. 4, 1875 ; and Anna, born Jan. 8, 1877. l'olitically, Mr. Il. affiliates with the Republican party.
The patrons of this volume will appreciate the por- trait of Mr. Haley, which appears elsewhere. It is that of a popular and public-spirited citizen of Mid- land County. Its value to the family circle is fully completed by the genial likeness of Mrs. Haley, which accompanies that of her husband.
Idridge S. Gotham, farmer on section 16, Larkin Township, is a son of Solomon and Elizabeth (King) Gotham, natives of the State of New York; and was born in Jefferson Co., N. Y., June 6, 1840. He came to Mid- land County in the fall of 1869 and entered 80 acres of Government land in Lincoln Township, which he afterward disposed of. Six years later he purchased 40 acres in Larkin Township, where he now lives, and has 16 acres improved.
Dec. 24, 1860, in Jefferson Co., N. Y., he was united in marriage with Miss Clara Ilowe, daughter of William and Almira ( Kendall) Howe. She was born in Jefferson Co., N. Y., April 14. 1844. George E., Eunice E. and Byron F. are the names of the younger members of Mr. and Mrs. Gotham's house- hold.
Mr. G. is in political belief a Republican. He has been Health Officer, Overseer of Highways and School Director. He and wife are members of the Christian Church.
corge N. Brown, farmer, section 16, Jas- per Township, was born in Hastings Co., Ont., Dec. 7, 1852. For a sketch of his parents, see biography of Charles S. Brown, in this work. When he was 16 years of age he came with his parents to Michigan, to the place where they now reside, where he assisted on
the farm until his marriage, June 1, 1875, to Miss Mary A. Turner. She was born in Madison Co., Wis., Oct 28, 1857, and her parents are Samuel and Grace (McLaughlin) Turner. (See sketch.) When seven years of age she came with her parents to sec- tion 19, Jasper Township.
Previous to his marriage, Mr. Brown had purchased So acres of unimproved land on section 16, Jasper Township, and since his marriage has resided on that place. He has added 40 acres to his original purchase, and of the aggregate he now has 50 acres in an advanced state of cultivation, and the place furnished with good buildings, etc.
In his views of national policy Mr. Brown main- tains the Republican platform, and in his township he has been entrusted with the office of Highway Commissioner. He and his wife attend the Method- ist Episcopal Church.
ohn P. Patterson, late farmer on section 16, Ilope Township, was born in County Antrim, Ireland, in 1818, and died, of Bright's disease, Oct. 22, 1883. He was the son of John and Martha (Watts) Patterson. The parents were born, lived and died in County Antrim, and reared five children, named Fergus Watt, Matilda Jane, David Moore, Mary Ann and John Paul.
'The last named, the youngest of the family, re- mained on the paternal farm in Ireland until 1860, when he emigrated to Petersborough Co., C'an. There he purchased 300 acres and fixed his home for a time. For five years he was engaged in the whole- sale liquor and grocery trade. There he lived until 1868, when he sold out and came to this State and county. He bought 30 acres in Hope Township, and afterwards added 40 acres. All this was in its primitive condition at the time of purchase, but there are now improved all the original 30 acres, and 20 acres of the second purchase.
He was first married in County Derry, Ireland, when 21 years old, to Jane Clark, who died after one year, leaving a daughter, Mary Ann, now the wife of Benjamin Lee. His second marriage occurred in 1842, in County Antrim, to Mary Ann McMullen, daughter of John and Kate (Murphy) McMullen.
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Both Mr. and Mrs. McM. are deceased. Of their 14 children, eight became men and women, and their names are Daniel, Charles, Bridget, John, William, Mary Ann, Katie and Elizabeth. Mrs. Patterson was born about 1827, and has been the mother of 13 children, seven of whom are living. Following is the record : David, born Nov. 22, 1859, in County Antrim ; John P., Sept. 16, 1862, in Petersborough Co., Can .; Win. James, Feb. 5, 1865, in same county ; Charles Alexander, May 6, 1867, in same county; Elizabeth A., Sept. 22, 1868, in Port Hope, Can., and died April 30, 1869; George Thomas, Feb. 16, 1871, in Hope Township, this county; Katie Ann, May 8, 1873, in same township; Daniel, Sept. 23, 1876, in same township. Five others died in infancy.
Mr. P. was politically independent. He was High- way Commissioner one term, and held some school office for nine years.
eorge W. Abbey, jeweler at Midland City, was born March 15, 1849, in Ashtabula Co., Ohio. His father, Eh S. Abbey, was born Oct. 9, 1823, at South Ridge, Ashtabula Co., Ohio, and was the son of Shubal Abbey. The earliest traceable ancestor was Abner Abbey, who was born in 1739, at Amherst, Mass , and married Sarah Sweetland, also a native of the Bay State. He died at the age of 44 years, leaving ten sons and daughters, all of whom reached mature life and became heads of families. Shubal Abbey, his son, was born June 17, 1793, in Granby, Mass. He was a resident of his native State until he was 22 years old, when he came to what was then Salem, Ashtabula Co., Ohio, but is now Conneaut. He went thence to Norwalk, Ohio, where he is yet living, at the age of 91 years. He was married Dec. 25, 1816, to Sarah Sanford, a native of Litchfield, Conn. T'en children were born to them, only two of whom survive. Mrs. Harriet (Abbey) Farnham, widow of Elisha Farnham, is the oldest child; she was born Oct. 24, 1817, at Salem, and now resides at South Ridge, Ohio. Aaron Abbey was born Sept. 11, 1825, at Salem, and is now a resident of Norwalk, Ohio. His father is a member of his family. Eli S. Abbey resided nearly all his life in the place of his nativity,
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