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 37
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In politics he is in sympathy with the Republican party.
In Watertown, Ont., April 3, 1874, Mr. Dean was married to Miss Jane, daughter of Henry and Jane (Smith) Baker, natives of Ontario. Mrs. Dean was born in Erin, Ont., July 13, 1856. Mr. and Mrs. Dean are the parents of six children, born as follows : Edna N., Jan. 10, 1875; Carrie O., Nov. 12, 1876; Ward A. R., April 19, 1878; Cecile E., Nov. 19, 1879; Jessie F., Dec. 20, 1881 ; Nelson K., Jan. 3, 1884.
The portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Dean appear on preceding pages.
ouis H. Wesson, farmer, section 14, Homer Township, was born Sept. 6, 1845, in Flint, Genesee Co., Mich. His parents, Leonard and Elizabeth (Sherwood) Wesson, were natives respectively of Massachusetts and Michigan, and of English and Welsh descent. His father was a druggist and conducted his interests in that branch of merchandise at Flint, Saginaw and Pon-
tiac. He is now engaged in the culture of small fruits in the city of Flint. The mother died at Flint, June 6, 1854. She bore seven children,-six sons and a daughter. Two of the former are deceased.
Mr. Wesson is the second child and eldest son of his parents. He attended the union school in his native city until he was 16 years old. The civil war had awakened in his young mind an interest in the great issues before the country, and he enlisted in January, 1862, as a bugler in Co. G, First Mich. Vol. Cav., under Col. Broadhead. The regiment was as- signed to the Army of the Potomac, and Mr. Wesson was in all the engagements in which the regiment was involved throughout the entire campaign. He spent two years in the capacity of bugler, and in February, 1864, he was detailed private Orderly to Gen. Ward, and held the post six months, when he was transferred to the Army of the Shenandoah Valley, as private Aid to Gen. Wright. On the 26th of September, 1864, while private guard over a building near Harrisburg, he was captured and taken to Libby prison, at Richmond, where he was incar- cerated for five months and suffered all the oft-told hardships and privations of that modern Bastile. The effect upon him was to reduce his avoirdupois from 150 to 70 pounds. In February, 1865, he was paroled, and immediately received a furlough of 30 days, which he spent among his friends. He re- joined his regiment the night previous to the surren- der of Gen. Lee, and was present on that memorable occasion. The regiment proceeded to Wheeling, W. Va., and thence went to Leavenworth, Kan., where they remained 30 days. At the expiration of that time they went to Salt Lake City, and were there engaged in defending and protecting United States mail routes and officials. Mr. Wesson received an honorable discharge July 5, 1866, having been four years and six months in the military service of the United States. He had participated in about 40 important battles, besides numberless skirmishes, among which were about 60 frays with the Indians, while engaged in frontier service.
Mr. Wesson returned to Flint, where he was em- ployed for a time as a clerk in a store. Later, he interested himself in engineering and farming, and extended his operations in the former to Petrolia, Can. He again took up his abode at Flint, and in 1872 came to Midland Co., Mich., and spent three
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years in the occupation of builder, when he took possession of a small farm held by his wife on section 14, in Homer Township. It was in a wholly unim- proved condition, as was the surrounding country. Mr. Wesson was placed his entire acreage under im- provements and creditable cultivation. In the cyclone of Sept. 6, 1882, his house and barn were entirely destroyed, necessitating the construction of new farm buildings.
He was married Oct. 23, 1872, at Midland, to Mrs. Sarah Fineout, daughter of Henry and Gertrude (Sawyer) Tice. Her parents were natives of the State of New York, where they passed their entire lives, the mother dying in 1845, and the father in 1872. Mrs. Wesson was born Nov. 20, 1838, in Sullivan Co., N. Y. She grew to womanhood in the place of her birth, and came to Michigan in 1869. Willie L., born Sept. 16, 1874, and Blanchie M., born Dec. 9, 1876, are the names of the two chil- dren of Mr. and Mrs. Wesson. Their mother is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Wesson belongs to the Order of Odd Fellows, and is a member of Dwight May Post, No. 69, G. A. R. He is a Republican of the most decided type, and cast his first vote for President in Libby prison, in November, 1864. The proudest inheritance he can leave to his son is the fact that he exercised the right of a freeman for the first time in favor of Abraham Lincoln in defiance of the rebels who held him in the jaws of death. He was United States Census Enumerator for his district in 1880; has served three years as School Assessor, and five years as Township Clerk.
ohn P. Balch, Jr., is a general farmer on section 9, Jasper Township. He was born in Trumbull Co., Ohio., June 5, 1858, and is a son of John P., Sr., and Elizabeth (Savage) Balch. (See sketch.)
The subject of this sketch was the fourth child and third son in a family of eight children. When two years old the family settled on section 20, Jasper Township, this county, where he grew up to years of maturity. Sept. 7, 1881, at St. Louis, Mich., he married Theresa Davis, a daughter of E. and Matilda (Huff) Davis, natives of Ontario, and of
German and French descent, and now residents of Jasper Township. Mrs. B. was born in Ontario, Aug. 14, 1858, and was 21 years of age when the family settled in the above named township. Mr. and Mrs. Balch have one child, Mabel A., born Feb. 15, 1884.
A year after his marriage Mr. B. located on his So-acre tract on section 9, Jasper Township, where he has commenced substantial improvements.
In his political status he is counted a Republican.
con. James Van Kleeck, attorney at Mid- land City, and Representative from Mid- land, Gladwin and Roscommon Counties, was born Sept. 26. 1846, in Exeter, Monroe Co., Mich., and is the son of Robert Van Kleeck. His earliest traceable ancestors were of the sturdy race known in the primary history of the State of New York as "Holland Dutch," and were pioneers of Dutchess County in the Empire State. They were royalists, and when the Colonies revolted they betook themselves to Canada. Barnabas Van Kleeck, paternal great-grandfather of Mr. Van Kleeck of this sketch, married in the Dominion and reared his family, consisting of five sons and two daughters, -Barnabas, Peter, John, Jeremiah and Robert, Mer- cy and Cecilia. Robert Van Kleeck was the son of Barnabas (2d), and was born Aug. 25, 1807, at Van Kleeck's Hill, a village in Prescott Co., Ont., in whose cognomen is perpetuated the family patronymic. He married Catherine McManus, who was born in Buf- falo, of Irish descent, and removed in 1832 to La Salle, Monroe Co., Mich., and later to Exeter in the same county. He returned to Canada in 1837, to participate in the revolt against the British Govern- ment known to history as the "Patriot War," or Mackenzie's Rebellion. He came back to the Penin- sular State when the futile attempt to secure inde- pendence proved a failure. His children are all living. Cecilia, the eldest, is Mrs. Moses Fountain, of Monroe Co., Mich. ; Eliza is Mrs. William Simons, and is a resident of the same county ; Judith (Mrs. David Potter) lives in Washtenaw Co., Mich. ; Kate (Mrs. Herbert O. Brown) resides in Van Buren Co., Mich. Their mother died in 1848; their father's demise occurred in January, 1881.
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Mr. Van Kleeck is the only son born to his par- ents, and is the fourth child in order of birth. He secured a good preliminary education in the common schools of Monroe County and studied at the High School in the city of the same name.
He was a mere lad when the Civil War broke out, and early within the first year of its existence he made an attempt to become a soldier. A very boy in fact and appearance, his application was rejected ; but a few months later he made a more successful assault on the sympathies of the enrolling officers, and in June, 1862, found himself in regulation blue and brass buttons, and duly recorded as a soldier for the Union, in the 17th Mich. Vol. Inf., Co. D. The command was assigned to the First Brigade, First Division, Ninth Army Corps. Mr. Van Kleeck re- ceived his credentials of bravery on the field of An- tietam, Sept. 17, 1862, where he was wounded in the left side by a missile supposed to be a minie-ball. The wound was similar in character to that of Presi- dent Garfield, and was very severe, the shot lodging in proximity to the dorsal vertebræ, where it still "holds the fort." He was reported killed, and the surgeons decided that he could not live. He was eventually transferred to the general hospital at Fred- ericksburg, whence he was discharged in January, 1863. He was practically disabled for several years, and when sufficiently recovered resumed his studies in the High School at Monroe.
In 1868 he entered the Law Department of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, where he was graduated in 1870. Soon after that event he was nominated for the position of Register of Deeds for Monroe County, running against Col. Constant Luce, formerly Colonel of his regiment, but was unsuccess- ful. In the same fall he came to Midland City and opened on office for the practice of his profession. In the spring following he was elected Clerk and Attorney of Midland City. In the fall of 1872 he was elected Prosecuting Attorney, in which office he has served six years, being re-elected three alternate times, in 1872, 1876 and 1880. In 1882 he was nominated to represent the district in the Legislature of Michigan, at a Republican Convention held at Midland City, and took the field against H. H. Wood- ruff, nominee of the Independent-Republican ele- ment, and Dr. Aldrich, Fusion candidate. He ran ahead of his ticket in his own county by 600 votes,
and made a successful campaign by a majority of 400 votes in the District. He served on Committees on Judiciary and State University, and discharged his duties with credit to himself and honor to his constituency.
Mr. Van Kleeck was married July 3, 1872, to Juliet C., daughter of Thomas J. and Juliet (Clarke) Carpenter. She was born in Orion, Oakland Co., Mich. (See sketch of T. J. Carpenter). Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Van Kleeck, as follows : Edith, July 5, 1876; James C., May 28, 188t, and an infant.
harles M. Card, farmer on section 16, Hope Township, was born in Old Hick- bridge, Berkshire Co., Mass., Dec. 16, 1825, the son of Elisha and Susanna Card, natives of Rhode Island. The father died Dec. 16, 1860, and the mother in 1844. Mr. Card's paternal and maternal grandfathers were both Revolutionary soldiers.
The subject of this biography was reared on a farm, and, leaving home at 18 years of age (1843), went to Medina, Orleans Co., N. Y., to learn the wagon-maker's trade. He remained there until 1848, and then went to Utica, where he worked at his trade for two years. In that city, Jan. 28, 1849, he formed a life partnership with Miss Jane Olds, daughter of Martin and Mary A. (Prim) Olds. Both parents are now deceased, having ended their lives in Can- ada, whither they had emigrated from England. Mrs. Card was born in the last mentioned country, Oct. 29, 1826.
After marriage, Mr. C. removed to Medina, where he was employed at his trade two years. His next move was to Kingston, Can., where he lived through one winter; and then he moved to Wolf Island, Can. Here he worked at his trade for a time, and then on a rented farm for two years. At the expira- tion of this time he purchased 40 acres of land. He lived at this place altogether seven years; then sell- ing out, he lived in Kingston again from spring to fall. Thence he went 20 miles to Camden, and lived two years in that village and five years on a farnı in the vicinity, which he purchased. He then made his last move to his present home in this county, in 1868. He purchased 120 acres of wild
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land, and had to cut down trees before he could find a space to build a house. He now owns 60 acres. He is a Democrat and has been School Treasurer. He and wife are members of the "Church of God."
The following is the record of the six children added to this family : Mary Jane was born Oct. 24, 1849, in Utica, N. Y., and married John Partridge ; Maria S. was born Aug. 25, 1851, in Medina, Orleans Co., N. Y., and was married April 3, 1869, to George Erway; Leander W. was born Dec. 15, 1853, on Wolf Island, Ontario, Can., and was married in 1878 to Phebe Rooker; Maggie A. was born Nov. 26, 1857, on Wolf Island, and married Amos A. Has- kell; Harriet E. was born Feb. 11, 1860, at Camden, Can., and was married in March, 1882, to William Rooker; Charles M., Jr., was born March 11, 1867, at Camden, Can., and was married April 20, 1884, to Irzettia Burgess.
eorge Smock, farmer, section 19, Jasper Township, was born in Livingston Co., N. Y., March 16, 1838. His parents, Adam P. and Eleanor (Vanderbeek) Smock, were natives respectively of New Jersey and New York, and of New Jersey ancestry for several generations. His father, a farmer during life, and now aged 72, and his mother, aged 65, are living with him.
George was about three years old when his parents went to Allegany Co., N. Y. He visited Gratiot Co., Mich., in 1857, but continued an inmate of his parental home until of age, when, Sept. 24, 1862, he married Miss Emily, third child and second daugh- ter of Thomas and Mary (Craig) Martin. (See sketch of Andrew J. Martin.) She was born in Por- tage Co., Ohio, March 24, 1841, and came to Michi- gan with her parents when 20 years old. After marriage, Mr. and Mrs. S. owned and occupied an So acre farm in Pine River Township, Gratiot Co., Mich., till the summer of 1871, when they came to this county and settled on a quarter of section 19, where, they now reside. Here Mr. Smock has im- proved 65 acres and erected fair farin buildings. In his township he has been Highway Commissioner, Health Officer, etc. In political matters he is a staunch and active Republican, and he belongs to
the I. O. O. F., at Salt River. He is a popular citizen.
Mr. and Mrs. Smock have had five children, namely : Willis, born Feb. 27, 1864; Oscar, April 7, 1866; Freddie, June 26, 1875; and an infant, March 16, 1884; and Minnie, born April 25, 1868, died Sept. 19, 1875.
amnel D. Shaffner, farmer, section 11, In- gersoll Township, was born in Pennsylvania Dec. 19, 1847. His parents, Henry and Abbalenia (Willman) Shaffner, were natives of Switzerland. He lived in Pennsylvania until ISSo, engaged in farming and lumbering, and in February of that year he came to Midland County, first buying a tract of 60 acres, to which he has since added 40 acres. He now has about 12 acres under cultivation.
Mr. S. has held the office of School Director, and in the spring of 1884 was elected Drain Commis- sioner. He is a Republican, and in respect to relig- ious belief he belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church, as also does his wife.
Mr. Shaffner was married in Pennsylvania, Aug. 10, 1869, to Frances M., daughter of Thomas and Mary J. (Mann) Craven, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of the Empire State. Mrs. S. was born in the Key-stone State, Nov. 11, 1851 ; and to Mr. and Mrs. P. have been born three children, namely: Lauren O., Annie M. and Thomas H.
Mr. S. enlisted in July, 1864, in Co. D, First Bat., Pa. Vol. Inf., and served until November of the same year.
elson Hitsman, farmer and lumberman, section 21, Lee Township, was born in Russell Township, Ottawa Co., Ont., March 17, 1845. When ten years old he went to St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., with his parents, and two years later he left home and was employed in various occupations. He bought 40 acres of land, and when 21 years of age he sold it, left that county, and came to Lapeer Co., Mich., afterward moving to
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Tuscola County, where he bought a farm of 120 acres, worked it for seven years, then managed a farm in Lapeer County again for two years; then, in 1876, he went to Clay Co., Kan., and about three years later he returned to this State and purchased 80 acres of timbered land on section 21, Lee Township, where he has since improved 30 acres. In politics Mr. Hitsman is a Democrat, and he has held the minor offices of his district.
Mr. H. was married in St, Lawrence Co., N. Y., Sept. 6, 1863, to Miss Eliza A. Lanway, who was born in that county June 1, 1848. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Hitsman are : George L., born Aug. 24, 1864; Mary E. E., March 26, 1869; Dora R., June 17, 1880; and William N., who was born July 1, 1873, and died Feb. 3, 1875.
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H. Ketcham, junior member of the lumber firm of Wright & Ketcham, resident at East Saginaw, Mich., was born Feb. 22, 1845, on Staten Island, N. Y., and is a son of Ira G. and Fannie M. Ketcham. His father, a farmer, settled in DeKalb Co., Ill., where he reared his son to the age of 20 years, instructing him in agri- cultural pursuits. In 1866 the latter came to Sagi- naw, Mich., where he engaged heavily in lumbering in the interests of Ketcham, Edsell &? Dunning. The enterprise lasted ten years, when he became connected with the lumber firm of Wright & Co. After four years the present business relation of Wright & Ketcham was formed, and has since continued. The senior member of the firm is the most prominent man in the Saginaw Valley, Ammi W. Wright. The lumber interests of the firm in Midland County are extensive. They own 10,000 acres of hard and soft timber lands, and instituted their business at the point where the village of Ketcham stands, May 1, 1881. They commenced business to secure a large amount of pine lumber for themselves and also in the interest of Messrs. Rust & Hay, of Saginaw. During the last three years they have placed 100,000,000 feet of lumber on the banks of the Tittabawassee River, and have 125,000,000 feet to secure, which will require be- tween three and four years. They constructed a
narrow-gauge railroad in 1882, built of iron rails, 20 pounds to the yard ; but the track is now laid with 30-pound steel rails, the old ones being utilized for branches and siding. The road is about 22 miles in extent, and its rolling stock includes three coal-burn- ing engines and 75 log cars. The road is in use about nine months in the year. It is deemed more economical and safe to use coal-burning engines in a wood country. The facilities afford a banking capacity of about 300,000 feet of lumber daily. The working force during the winter includes about 500 men. During the summer the operations require about 100 men, making an average of 325 men through the year. The yearly running expenses amount to $200,000.
Ammi W. Wright, who is now a resident of Sara- toga, N. Y., formerly lived at Saginaw, where he still has extensive business relations. He owns a saw- mill there and is President of the Wright Lumber Co., of Wellstime & Co., of Wright and Davis, of Otsego Co., Mich., and is a member of the lumber firm of Giles, Gilbert & Co., of Montcalm County. He holds large interests in Gratiot County, and is the principal owner of real estate at Alma, in that county, where he owns the Wright House, one of the finest establishments for the entertainment of the traveling public in the State of Michigan. Mr. Wright has large landed interests in Minnesota, and owns considerable property in Minneapolis. He is a heavy stock owner in the First National Bank and the Home National Bank at East Saginaw, and also in the bank at Alma. He is a partner in the firm of Taylor, Wolfenden & Co., of Detroit, and is heavily concerned in the Lansing, Alma & Mt. Pleasant Railroad, now in process of construction. He is one of the most notable examples of what one man may accomplish who sets out in life with empty hands and a head sufficiently well balanced to recognize and grasp opportunities,-a much better capital than inherited wealth. It has placed him among notable millionaires and incited him to widely diffused and varied business investments. Among these is an ex- tensive sheep ranch in Texas. Mr. Wright is about 63 years of age.
The village of Ketcham is the outgrowth of the operations carried on there by Messrs. Wright & Ketcham. The mercantile establishment of the firmn and the postoffice are under the management of James G. Ketcham, brother of one of the proprietors.
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rwin Inman, farmer on section 28, Hope Township, was born in Ray Township, Macomb Co., Mich., June 22, 1854, the son of Charles and Amanda M. (Green) In- man. The father was born in October, 1826, in New York State, and the mother in 1825, in the same State. They now reside in Lincoln Town- ship, this county. Their family include Erwin H., Luella, Oscar F., Winslow J. and Orville B .; and Mrs. Inman has two children by a former marriage,- David M. Wilcox and Sarah Wilcox.
The subject of this sketch commenced when only 16 years of age to earn his own support. He worked in the lumber woods in the winters, and on neighboring farms in the summer seasons. In 1876, shortly after reaching his majority, he purchased 40 acres where he has since lived.
July 4, 1877, in Lincoln Township, he was mar- ried to Miss Emma J. Conner, daughter of Isaac and Laura (Brown) Conner. Mr. and Mrs. C. are residing on a farm in Grout Township, Gladwin County, and have had nine children, of whom Brit- tannia is deceased. She was the eldest. The living are Martha, Mary A., Rhoda, Emma J., Margaret, Lillian, Philip R. and William N. Mrs. Inman was born Sept. 11, 1861, in Mariposa, Can., and is the mother of three children, as follows: Charles W., born Oct. 19, 1878; Isaac C., April 15,1881; and an
infant, Feb. 23, 1884. All were born in Hope Town- ship.
Mr. I. is a Greenbacker, and in religious inclina- tion belongs to the Church of God.
ohn Haley, farmer, section 26, Mt. Haley Township, was born Jan. 15, 1842, in Frontenac Co, Ont. His father, John Haley, died in July, 1862, and after that event, his family, including his wife, one daughter and two sons, came to Saginaw County. In the spring of 1868, they removed to Midland County and fixed their residence on 160 acres of land, for which Mr. Haley had entered his claim in the previ- ous year. It was all in heavy timber and the owner has sold So acres of the original tract, and finely im- proved a portion of the remainder. Its soil is of the best character. The mother died in November, 1875.
Mr. Haley was married Oct. 12, 1870, in East Saginaw, to Alice Howley, a native of Ontario, where she was born, Feb. 18, 1842. Eight children have been born of this marriage, all of whom are living but one.
The family belong to the Roman Catholic Church, in which they are in full and regular standing. Mr. Haley is a Democrat, and has held the most important local official positions. He has been Treasurer and Justice of the Peace, and has officiated as Drain and Highway Commissioner.
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-40-16 HISTORICAL 27
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MIDLAND COUNTY.
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INTRODUCTORY.
NLY a few years have passed since any attempt has been made to convert the unbroken forests of Northern Michigan into an agricultural district and homes for civilized man. The early surveyors which Government sent out to make the survey of this part of the State reported that it was an irreclaimable waste and not fit for cultivation in any quarter, the soil being of that character which pre- cluded the propagation of cereals. The rapidity of settlement and enor- mous crops of everything in the line of cereals demonstrated conclusively their mistake, for no acre- age surpasses Northern Michigan in productiveness. Notwithstanding the oft-repeated tales of want and hardships told by their sires, men of energy, with their families and all their earthly possessions loaded upon wagons drawn by oxen, pushed their way step by step, through the unbroken forests of Midland, until they found suitable locations. With a spirit of heroism have they toiled until the forests were laid low, and their herculean labor is manifest in the broad acres of highly cultivated land, upon which stand palatial residences and outbuildings of the most expensive character. Over the grounds where the red man chased the bounding deer, and the wild-cat and wolves held their nightly vigils, may be seen the husbandman gathering the golden harvests ; where the Indian's wild war-whoop was heard, stands
the stately house of worship. Transportation of goods by ox teams has given way to the power of steam, and a commerce has been opened up with all parts of the civilized world. Prosperity in a high degree has smiled upon her people, who are fortunate in living in the most healthful, beautiful and pro- ductive State in the Union, taking age into consider- ation.
The history of this county is possessed of no small degree of interest. While other counties were con- nected with the frontier with large bodies of excellent lands, these seemed shut off from the gaze of shrewd speculators by reason of its heavy growth of timber. They were destined to become the heritage of an honest, industrious people, and the income derived from the timber and products of the soil has given many of the first comers a handsome competency.
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