USA > Michigan > Newaygo County > Portrait and biographical album of Newaygo County, Michigan : containing portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county also containing a complete history of the county, from its earliest settlement to the present time > Part 15
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beth (Roberts) Belden, the former a native of Ohio, the latter of Virginia. Mrs. Reynolds was born June 2, 1839, in the Old Dominion, and is the mother of five children : Jefferson D., Carrie B., Addie M. Oscar Rex and Claude A.
heron C. Schanck, farmer, section 1, Bridge- ton Township, was born June 6, 1835, in Livingston Co., N. Y. He is a son of Henry and Rachel (Harriott) Schanck, natives of New Jersey and of Holland-Dutch descent. The father was a saddler by trade, which he followed in his native State some time previous to his removal to the State of New York.
The mother died when her son was but a few days old, and he was taken in charge by a family named Robinson, in the town of Springwater, Livingston County, by whom he was reared and educated. His foster-parents reinoved to Michigan previous to his arrival at man's estate, and he resided with them four years in Richmond Township, Macomb County, un- til the fall of 1856, when he established himself in the business of stave-making in St. Clair County, afterwards removing to Sanilac County, where, and at other points, he continued to conduct the same enter- prise until 1864, when he engaged in rafting on the Mississippi River. He made a brief tour through Canada and afterwards returned to Michigan, where he again engaged in the lumber trade and rafting logs on the Muskegon River, until the summer of 1870, when he made a permanent settlement on the farm whereon he now resides, and which he pur- chased from the United States Government. He has made some improvements, but has devoted him- self chiefly to the river service, pursuing the lumber business.
Mr. Schanck was married at Wales, St. Clair County, March 17, 1860, to Barbara A., daughter of Richard and Catherine (Blackader) Kilgour. The parents were natives of Scotland, where the daughter was born, Dec. 2, 1841, in the vicinity of Glasgow. Her parents came to the United States when she was four years old and located on Lake Erie, afterwards going to New London, Ontario, and thence to Port Sarnia, where they resided three years and removed to St. Clair Co., Mich. Following is the record of
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the children of Mr. and Mrs. Schanck: Amelia A. was born Dec. 12, 1861; Mary C., Nov. 8, 1863; William H., Feb. 2, 1866 (died Aug. 30, 1867) ; Or- lando S., Nov. 4, 1870 ; Richard C., June 19, 1873 ; John H., Oct. 2, 1876. The eldest daughter is a popular and successful teacher. The parents are devoted adherents to the doctrines of the Second Ad- vent Church. Mr. Schanck is a Republican and has held the office of Assessor for the School District.
ames M. Dean, farmer, section 9, Sheridan Township, is a son of Francis and Marga- ret (De Long) Dean, the former a native of Connecticut and the latter of Delaware. He was born in Tompkins Co., N. Y., April 7, 1831. At the age of 21 he left New York and came to Newaygo County, where he has since resided. In the spring of 1879 he purchased 60 acres of partly improved land in Sheridan Township, where he is now living, and has 35 acres under cultivation.
He was married in Bridgeton Township, Aug. 5, 1855, to Amanda, daughter of Benjamin and Betsey Whitman, all natives of Vermont. Mr. and Mrs. Dean have had five children, four surviving: Frank E., Alma J., Willard E. and Gertie R. Arthur died when five years old. In politics Mr. Dean is a Nat- ional, and himself and wife are members of the Bap- tist Church.
rank W. Barbour, farmer, section 25, Norwich Township, was born at Pontiac, Oakland Co., Mich., Nov. 20, 1840. He is a son of Theron W. and Abigail (Gates) Barbour, the former a native of Rutland, Vt., and the latter born in Shoreham, Addison Co., Vt. The father came to Michigan in May, 1830, and located at Pontiac, where the family resided for 20 years, then removing to Farmington in the same county. In 1869 they removed to Big Rapids, where the mother died, April 21, 1881.
Mr. Barbour obtained his education at the com- mon schools and academy at Novi Plains, attending the latter three years. After leaving school he was variously engaged for a time until he went to study dentistry under the supervision of Dr. J. A. Jackson, with whom he remained one year, going thence to
Mount Clemens, Macomb Co., Mich., where he re- sided four years. He was then engaged as foreman and general manager of the Detroit & Lansing Plank Road, and after a service of eight years went to operate in the same capacity on the Detroit & Saline Plank Road. There he remained 11 years, after which he came to Newaygo County and bought 80 acres of land, all in heavy timber, which he began without delay to improve, and has now a fair propor- tion of his place in good cultivation.
Mr. Barbour was married Aug. 29, 1863, to Hattie D., daughter of George and Hannah M. (Sowles) Matthews. Her father was born in Connecticut, April 17, 1799, and died April 20, 1871 ; her mother was born Jan. 8, 1811, and died June 17, 1881. Mrs. Barbour was born in Mason, Ingham County, Dec. 11, 1846. Subjoined is the record of the seven children born to the household: Arthur, born Dec. 24, 1865 ; Maud, March 30, 1866; Frank R., Oct. 12, 1869; Nellie J., Dec. 28, 1871; Albert W., June 7, 1875; Robert F., Feb. 17, 1879; Stephen S. W., Dec. 15, 1881.
Mr. Barbour is brother-in-law of S. S. Wilcox, hardware merchant at Big Rapids.
O. Brown, proprietor of the Forest House, Hesperia, was born in Cortland Co., N. Y., Dec. 9, 1843. His parents, Jesse and Mary (Ostrander) Brown, were natives of New Eng- land, and of German and Welsh English and Irish descent. John was educated in the town of Scott, Cortland County, and when 18 years of age, Aug. 9, 1862, enlisted in Co. D, 157th N. Y. Vol. Inf., under command of W. O. Dunbar, and was confined to the Army of the Potomac, acting as drummer boy. He was afterward transferred to the Department of the South, where he played the cym- bal in the cornet band till the close of the war. During all the engagements in which the regiment was called into action, this band was detailed to the dangerous post of "stretcher bearer." At the battle of Gettysburg he was captured while on duty; was held four days ; was re-captured by the Union forces and placed in a hospital, where he served four months as nurse, and was afterward again placed in the ranks as musician. He was honorably discharged
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July 10, 1865, and returned to his home in New York. Soon after, he purchased a farm upon which he worked for a time, then sold out and followed the vocation of teaching, in the common schools of his county. In 1867 he came to Michigan and located in Pontiac, Oakland Co., and commenced to travel as salesman for Seymore Miller, of Cortland Co., N. Y. He was afterward in the employ of a Chicago *house for a while, then abandoned that vocation and taught school again, this time in the vicinity of his home in Oakland County.
About this time Mr. Brown became acquainted with Miss Dorothy A. Patch, and they were afterward married. Her parents were Anson B. and Emily (Sutherland) Patch, natives of New England, and she was born Oct. 31, 1849, in Macomb Co., Mich. When she was very young her parents moved to Oak- land County, and she remained there until her mar- riage. Mr. Brown then engaged in the sewing-ma- chine business, which he has since followed until February, 1882, when he became owner and proprie- tor of the Forest House in Hesperia, this county:
Mr. and Mrs. Brown have four children: Ida M., born May 9, 1871 ; Eda B., Oct. 3, 1872 ; Jessie A., Oct. 16, 1874; Newton E., Sept. 9, 1877. In politics Mr. Brown is a Republican.
A bram J. Hoag, farmer, section 33, Nor- wich Township, was born near Cape Town, Can., July 13, 1847, and is a son of John H. and Isabella (Spankey) Hoag. The father was a native of England, and the mother of Scotland. They settled in Oxford Co., Can., where the elder Hoag died and where the mother still re- sides with a part of her children.
When a boy of 11 years he left home and obtained employ as a day laborer on a farm, afterward engag- ing to work by the month. He came to Jackson Co., Mich., in 1862, where he followed the same pursuit. He was there married, May 8, 1872, to Kitty J., daughter of Joseph and Fannie (Walton) Longdon, born in England, Jan. 28, 1847. A year after his marriage he located in Norwich Township, Newaygo County, where he bought 80 acres of land, to which he afterwards added 40 acres more, and of the entire
tract 50 acres are under cultivation. In political sentiment he is a Republican, and has officiated as Constable; is a member of the Free Methodist Church.
The family includes one child-Elizabeth May, born Dec. 24, 1878.
cassius M. Woodard, merchant at Grant Station, Ashland Township, was born Sept. 21, 1856, near the city of Grand Rapids Kent County. His parents, Amos and Ruth (Congdor.) Woodard, were early residents of that county, and were there married. They removed with their family to Muskegon County in 1860, and engaged in agriculture in Moreland Town- ship. Three years later they returned to Kent County, went again to Muskegon County (Casnovia), and afterwards to Cedar Creek Township in that county.
Mr. Woodard obtained a good practical education during the seven years he reniained in Cedar Creek Township, and at 18 years of age became a teacher in the common schools of Newaygo, where he labored four years. In 1878 he went to the Commercial College at Valparaiso, Ind., where he completed a full course of study according to the curriculum of the institution. He then went to Grand Rapids, where he embarked in the grocery business. In 1880 he established himself in trade in general merchan- dise in Bridgeton, transferring his interests later to Ashland Center. He made a permanent settlement at Grant Station in October, 1882, where he has since operated prosperously, and is gradually extending his radius of business relations. His stock includes all varieties of merchandise, to meet the local demand, representing a cash value of $5,000, with annual transactions aggregating $12,000. In addition he has established a tin shop, the trade therein requiring two assistants.
In political sentiment Mr. Woodard is a Republi- can, and has always been active in local politics. He has been Superintendent of the public schools and Justice of the Peace for some time. He is connected with the Masonic fraternity at Newaygo and with Lodge No. 362, I. O. O. F., at Ashland Center.
Mr. Woodard was married in Grand Rapids, Sept. 24, 1879, to Mattie, daughter of Calvin and Emily
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(Woodard) Sutliff. (See sketch.) She was born in Bridgeton, May 6, 1859, and received her education in her native township. She was an industrious student, working with a purpose, and at 15 years of of age she commenced teaching, in which profession she proved herself capable, efficient and successful. The household includes two children, born as fol- lows: Claude M., March 20, 1881, and Dennis E., Aug. 31, 1882.
enry T. Maynard, farmer, section 27, Den- ver Township, son of John and Lois (Cam- ber) Maynard, was born Dec. 12, 1860. His parents were natives of Clinton County, Eng., and after coming to this country lived in New York two years, where his father was en- gaged as a miller. They then moved to this State and settled in Newaygo County on section 27, being among the first settlers here. After a useful and well-spent life in preparing a home for a large family, they both died, leaving a vast circle of friends to mourn their loss.
Although a young man, Henry has had all the experiences of a pioneer. He secured a fair educa- tion in the district schools of his township, and the remainder of his time has been spent in cultivating his farm of 80 acres. He is a hard worker, and has inherited the good qualities of his honest parents. In politics he is an active Republican.
illiam Turner, farmer, section 27, Nor- wich Township, was born in Cayuga Co., N. Y., March 20, 1832. His father, John Tur- ner, was born in New York, and in his native State was a "renter." Later in life he moved to Oxford Co., Can., and there engaged a number of years in farming, removing thence to Laporte Co., Ind., to a farm near Valparaiso, Ind., where he spent the remainder of his life. He left a large family of children, with whom the mother, Sy- rena (Smedley) Turner, returned to Canada, where they were reared and contributed to maintaining and
holding the household together. Mrs. Turner after- ward married Joseph Smith.
The family lived remote from schools and their circumstances prevented the children from obtaining much education ; but their experience and observa- tion supplied a large degree of this deficiency. Mr. Turner remained at home assisting his mother in her cares until he was 22 years of age. He was then married, Sept. 18, 1858, to Hannah, daughter of Christopher and Jane (Smith) Stockdale, natives of England. Mrs. Turner was born in Lower Canada, Feb. 7, 1830, and of her marriage to Mr. Turner two children were born, as follows : Delilah, Sept. 6, 1862, and Lydia, May 17, 1868. The latter died July 21, 1882.
After marriage Mr. Turner continued to labor as a farm hand. He managed a place owned by Homer Ranney and devoted to dairy purposes, and after remaining in his employ eight years he resolved on turning his energies to his own account. He came to Michigan, arriving in the woods of Newaygo County Sept. 9, 1874, and bought 40 acres of land, which he proceeded to improve. He cut the forest trees and destroyed them by fire to obtain a field for a crop, built a log house and has expended years of hard labor in preparing a home for his family. He has now 80 acres of land, with 25 acres improved.
Charles N. Alvord, carpenter, builder and farmer, section 27, Ashland Township, was born March 5, 1831, in Allegany Co., N. Y. His parents, Elias and Cynthia (Price) Alvord, were born in Cortland Co., N. Y., where they were married and resided some years, remov- ing thence to Allegany County. The father of Mr. Alvord was a builder by profession and the son grad- ually acquired the details of the same calling, at which he worked under his father's instructions until he was 23 years old. Soon after he had reached that age he went to Mckean Co., Pa., where he was mar- ried, Dec. 25, 1853, to Mary E., daughter of Elister and Margaret (Culp) Hargrave. The father was born in England, the mother in New England. Their re- spective families settled in McKean Co., Pa., where they were married, and the daughter was born, Feb.
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14, 1832. She received a substantial education and when 17 years old began teaching in the common schools of her native county, continuing five years in that employ, when she was married. Mrs. Alvord is a lady of fine intellectual attainments and worthy traits of womanly character.
The year following their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Alvord located in Kalamazoo Co., Mich., and after working a year at his trade Mr. A. worked as a farmer in the townships of Prairie Ronde and Texas in that county, until the spring of 1863, when they came to Newaygo village, where Mr. Alvord established a meat-market and grocery, which he continued to con- duct until 1867. He built a sash and door factory, where he carried on an extensive and prosperous business, selling out a year later. In September, 1869, he settled on an improved farm, in Ashland Township, containing 80 acres, most of which is now in a state of advanced cultivation. He has recently erected handsome and substantial farm buildings, at an expenditure of $2,000, and his new residence, just completed, cost about $3,000. He has further im- proved his farm by setting out an orchard of 200 choice varieties of fruit-trees, and, altogether, has ar- ranged his place and farming interests with good judgment and sound sense. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Aivord,-Chester L., April 4, 1856; James Walter, Jan. 31, 1858; Nancy E., March 24, 1860; Everett N., June 23, 1862.
Mr. Alvord is a decided adherent to the tenets of the National party, and has held various township and school offices. The family attend the M. E. Church.
illiam Dickinson, farmer, section 36, Den- ver Township, is a son of Philip and Phebe (Hutchinson) Dickinson, natives of Connecticut and of Welsh-English ancestry. He was born in Litchfield Co., Conn., Nov. 29, 1819. When he was ten years old his parents moved to Trumbull Co., Ohio, where he worked on a farm for II years. He then returned to his native county and married Miss Caroline Hart, after which he engaged for several years in the manufacture of charcoal. He then returned to Trumbull County and settled on a farm, where his
wife subsequently died. His second wife was Miss Sarah Barnes, to whom he was married Nov. 5, 1858 Her parents, Elijah and Diantha (Drake) Barnes, were natives of New York, where they were married and subsequently moved to Fowler, Trumbull Co., Ohio. Mrs. Dickinson was born at the last named place, Oct. 24, 1848. Mr. and Mrs. Dickinson moved to this county in the spring of 1863, settling in Denver Township, where Mr. D. purchased 80 acres of land on section 36. He afterward purchased 120 acres more, and has 60 under improvement.
Aug. 23, 1861, Mr. Dickinson enlisted in Co. A, 4Ist Ohio Inf., and served in the Army of the Cum- berland, commanded by Gens. Buell and Nelson. He was in the battle of Corinth, and came home on leave of absence July 24, 1862. He has held the office of Highway Commissioner several years, and in politics is a Greenbacker. Their children are : Ida M., born June 8, 1859; George O., Aug. II, 1863 ; Frank, July 23, 1866 ; Gertrude, Feb. 14, 1869; Alice, Sept. 4, 1871 ; John, Jan. 20, 1873; Willie, Sept. 1, 1875 ; Orley, Sept. 1, 1877 ; Philip, July 12, ; 1879; Chester, born Sept. 16, 1860, died June 22, 1876; Willie, born Sept. 16, 1858, died July 22, 1862; Sherman, born March 14, 1865, died Aug. 13 I866.
illiam Darling, the son of James and Mar- ? garet (Misner) Darling, was born in Tompkins Co., N. Y., May 19, 1822. His father was a native of Scotland and mother of Germany. They came to America in an early day and settled in the State of New York, where they passed the remainder of their lives. William remained at home until about 30 years of ยท age, working on his father's farm. He came to Mich- igan in the fall of 1858, and purchased 160 acres of land, to which he has since added 40 acres of pine land and has about 90 acres in good cultivation where he now resides. He was married in the State of New York, Aug. 31, 1852, to Mary A., daughter of Jonathan and Susan Purdun, of French descent. Mr. and Mrs. Darling have had six children, viz. : Alice D., Lafayette, Dora A., and William Darling, Jr. ; Mary J. and Dora Ann are deceased.
Mr. Darling affiliates with the Republican party.
Williams Me Dieron
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Mrs. Harriet & Sierson
NEWAYGO COUNTY.
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He held the office of Justice of the Peace, Dayton Township, which position he resigned after serving two years. He was a charter member of the Fre- mont Grange, No. 495, P. of H.
illiam M. Pierson, farmer, section 35, Ashland Township, was born July 2, 1828, in Steuben Co., N. Y. His parents were Moses L. and Lydia (Fluent) Pierson. The name represents old English stock which is traced back to the original settlers of the American Continent. The parents emigrated to Portage Co., Ohio, in 1838, and three years later, in the fall of 1841, to De Kalb Co., Ind.
Mr. Pierson was a member of his father's house- hold until he was 21 years of age, and obtained all the education possible in a new country, working in the meanwhile on his father's farm. After attaining his majority he pursued the career of a common laborer at various places until he came to Michigan, in the fall of 1852. He came to Casnovia, Muske- gon County, and found employment as a farm assist- ant until 1859, when he became a pioneer settler of Ashland Township, where he was one of the first to put his shoulder to the wheel of local government. He was present at the first town meeting, and was elected to the post of Constable, but, disliking the situation, he did not qualify. (The spring follow- ing his arrival in Muskegon County he assisted at the organization of the township of Casnovia.) He built the " palace of the pioneer " on his tract of land and has placed 105 acres under improvement, with credit- able and suitable farm buildings. He is a typical Michigan farmer, and takes a just pride in what he has accomplished by the united efforts of hands and head, figurative of strength and judgment. He persistently declines office to which he has been re- peatedly elected, and enjoys the esteem and respect of his townsmen for the uprightness and integrity of his daily life and bearing toward his generation. Mr. Pierson enlisted Sept. 9, 1861, in the Second Mich. Cav., Co. E. His regiment was attached to the Western Division under General Halleck, and after some active service Mr. Pierson was discharged on his surgeon's certificate of disability, his papers bear- ing date of Feb. 17, 1862.
Mr. Pierson was married March 18, 18-, in Cas- novia Township, to Harriet, daughter of Drayton and Zilpha S. (Loomis) Moore, natives of New England, of genuine Yankee stock. Mrs. Pierson was born in Portage Co., Ohio, May 7, 1836. Soon afterward her parents went to Medina County, Ohio, and in the autumn of 1844 to De Kalb Co., Ind. She was 17 when her family settled in what is now Mus- kegon Co., Mich., where she was married.
Mr. and Mrs. Pierson have eight children, born as follows : Drayton H., Feb. 5, 1856 ; Louisa C., May 22, 1857 ; Milon C., March 11, 1859; Rachel W., Feb. 26, 1861 ; Lewis B., July 19, 1864 ; Dennis V., July 14, 1868; William W., Sept. 15, 1872; Julius A., Oct. 6, 1875. The happy family circle is as yet in- tact, the dark-winged destroyer having never cast his gloomy shade over the brightness of paternal and fraternal love and hope; and long may he with hold his blighting visitation. The parents are de- voted adherents to the United Brethren Church. Mr. Pierson is an unmistakable Republican.
As pioneers. eminently worthy the place, we insert in this volume, in connection with this sketch, the portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Pierson.
S almon P. Odell was born in Reading, Hillsdale Co., Mich., May 6, 1846. He lived at home most of the time until 20 years of age, attending school until 17 years old, then working at carpentering. In the spring of 1863 he first came to Newaygo County, remaining oaly a short time, then returned to Hillsdale County. In the fall of 1864 he enlisted in the 30th Mich. Inf, served nearly six months and received an honorable discharge at Jackson, Mich., June 17, 1865. This regiment was raised for State duty, and, although mustered into the U. S. service, was not called into the field. He again came to Newaygo County in the spring of 1867, and purchased 40 acres of wild land in Sheridan Township. He built a board house and cleared only a portion of the land, when he sold his property to the Railroad Com - pany and moved into the village of Fremont, engag- ing in business with his brother, J. R. Odell, dealer in drugs and groceries. He afterward took the stock
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of groceries, and for a short time carried on the bus- iness alone. He then sold out his stock, and after a short service with the Chicago & West Michigan Railroad Company, entered the employ of his brother, where he still continues.
Mr. Odell was married in what was then Sherman Township., but now Garfield, at the residence of, and by, Benjamin Alton, Esq., to Adelaide M., daughter of Elijah and Fidelia Fox, a native of Trumbull Co. Ohio. They have one child, Maurice, born June 9, 187 1.
Mr. Odell has held the office of Township Clerk one year, and Deputy Marshal about three terms. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and has passed the chairs ; he is also a member of Henry Dobson Post, G. A. R., and the Order of Chosen Friends. In politics he is neutral.
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illiam A. Anderson, farmer and miller, 9 section 36, Denver Township, is a son of James F. and Catherine (Forbes) Anderson, natives of Ontario, Can., and was born Dec. 12, '40, in Wellington County, in that dominion. He was educated in the select schools of his na- tive county, and during the summer seasons worked on his father's farm, principally, until 20 years of age, when he entered the employ of Dr. C. Beadle, of St. Catherines, as retail agent, serving six months, then as collector for the same firm, in the nursery business, until 1863. His travel was extended over various portions of the Province.
Mr. Anderson then came to this county and set- tled in Denver Township, where he was very extens- ively engaged in lumbering, disposing of many thousand feet of lumber annually, until 1878, when he turned his attention to farming. He has 80 acres of fine land, of which 40 are improved. Dec. 25, 1864, he was married in Denver village, to Mrs. Phebe (Stone) Barnhard, daughter of Aaron and Amanda (Dickson) Stone, natives of Connecticut. She was born in Litchfield County, Sept. 10, 1840. When she was 13 years old her parents moved to De Kalb Co., Ind., and lived three years, thence to this State, locating in Denver Township, where she lived until her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson have
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