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 17
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ohn A. Cornet, farmer, section 36, Den- ver Township, son of Robert and Susanna (Smith) Cornet, natives of Ontario, Can., was born in the Township of Hope, Canada, Sept. 19, 1859. His father died when he was an infant, and he was left to his own resources at a very early age. At the age of eight he engaged on a farm in the neighborhood until the fall of 1877, with the exception of one year that he was engaged in a woolen factory. He then came to this State and located in Whitehall, Muskegon County, where he was engaged in lumbering one year, then came to Fremont and went to lumbering on White River.
April 5, 1882, at Hesperia, he was married to Miss Laura Miller, daughter of Jacob and Eliza (Zigler) Miller, natives of New York city, who was born Nov. 12, 1862, in Denver Township, where she was reared and educated. After her marriage, herself and hus- band settled upon her father's farm, where they still reside. They have had two children, twins, born April 19, 1883; Frank E. survives; Fanny B. died Aug. 25, 1883. Mr. C. is a member of the Orange- men's Association, of Ontario, Can. In politics he is a Republican.
haddeus L. Waters was born in New York, June 29, 1835. His parents, Harvey and Sarah (Dunning) Waters, were also natives of New York, where they were married and immediately went to Ohio. After living in that State for nearly 18 years, they moved to Hillsdale Co., Mich., where they passed the re-
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Philip . Hoffmann
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mainder of their lives. Thaddeus spent his boy- hood days in Ohio, attending the common schools of that State, and at the age of 18 years came with his parents to Michigan. He taught' school the last year he lived in Ohio and for two years after he came to Michigan. In the spring of 1855 he came to Fremont, this county, purchased 40 acres of wild land, and at once commenced to clear it and build a log house. He spent most of his time in locating lands, and nearly all of the old settlers were con- ducted through the vast forest, there being no roads leading to the north and west.
Mr. Waters was married in Fremont, this county, May 27, 1855, to Laura J., only daughter of Daniel and Emily A. (Salisbury) Weaver, the former a native of Massachusetts and the latter of New York. They were married in the latter State and went at once to Michigan, then a Territory, settling in Adri- an. In 1855 they came to Newaygo County, where Mr. Weaver built the first log house of Fremont, which was used as a hotel, store and postoffice; it was also used as a school-house, and the first couple ever married in Fremont was married in this same log house, the couple being Mr. and Mrs. T. L. Waters. The house was built on the lot nearly op- posite the new brick school-house on Main Street. Mr. Weaver also built the first frame house in the town, which now stands directly opposite the brick school- house, and the first frame barn, which stood on the spot where the brick school-house now stands. Mrs. Weaver died in Hesperia, this county, Dec. 22, 1879; Mr. Weaver still resides in Hesperia.
Mr. and Mrs. Waters have had five children ; Al. pha F., born Jan. 20, 1857 ; Theron D., May 1, 1856; Albert J., July 4, 1860 ; Frankie E., Aug. 3, 1868, and Hiram J., March 30, 1878. Mr. Waters enlisted Aug. 15, 1862, in Co. G, 2d Mich. Cav., and served nearly three years. He was in the battle of Perry- ville, Ky., Thompson's Station, Tenn., and the battle of Chickamauga. At the last named battle, Sept. 20, 1863, he was taken prisoner, and was retained until the close of the war, being confined at Richmond, Va., two months, Danville, Va., six months, and ten months in that terrible prison at Andersonville, where so many of our brave soldiers were sacrificed; he was in the last squad of men that passed out of that dismal den of horrors. He received a bayonet wound in the hip by a rebel guard, while in Danville. He now receives a pension, which he justly deserves.
Mr. Waters has been engaged in surveying since 1867. He surveyed and laid out the town of Hes- peria, this county. He has held the office of Town- ship Clerk three years, and is now Drain Commis- sioner of Sheridan Township. Mr. and Mrs. Waters are members of the Seventh-Day Advent Church. In politics Mr. Waters is a prominent member of the Greenback party.
hilip P. Hoffman, farmer, section 35, Ash- land Township, was born May 18, 1830, in Prussia, also the native country of his par- ents, Philip P. and Mary M. Hoffman. The son received the degree of education common to his class in Prussia (which is much more thorough than in this country) up to a certain age, when the final disposal of young men is determined upon, either to the trades or military life, save in time of war, when no choice can be enjoyed.
Mr. Hoffman was apprenticed at the age of 15 years for two and a half years to acquire the trade of a builder, at which he worked until he was of age, when he was drafted into the German Government service and remained two years. He stayed at home but a short period after his discharge, and in the spring of 1854 came to the United States and set- tled in the city of Newark, N. J., where he operated as a builder until the fall of 1858, when he set out on a prospecting tour through the "Great West." He finally stopped at Milwaukee, and in the spring of 1859 came to Muskegon, and remained until the sum- mer of 1860, when he came to Bridgeton and entered the employ of I. D. Merrill as "shingle-packer," and continued in that occupation until 1870. Mean- while, in 1863, he purchased 80 acres of land on sec- tion 35. Of this he took possession in all the high hopefulness and ardent anticipation of a man who brings the efforts of his life and all his expanding en- ergies to bear upon the one purpose which gives promise to the future and makes labor sweet and pri- vation endurable,-the building up of a home and domestic ties. Mr. Hoffman enlisted all the forces of his warm Teutonic nature in the crowning event of his life and devoted his best energies to preparing a
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home for the bride whose promise he had won, and to whose precincts she would soon bring the grace and beauty which in his sight was pre-eminent to that of all others of her sex in the world. But she was also fair to the angels of God, and shortly before the date ap- pointed for her marriage she was called hence to an undying youth and a life of fadeless promise in the realms of eternal beauty. Loyal to the love of his young, hopeful manhood, Mr. Hoffman has passed his years in the sacred observance of the vows to which he considers himself bound by the early death of his promised wife, and, after he had reconciled him- self to an occupation of the place which once meant so much to him, he devoted his succeeding years to rendering it beautiful and attractive. He is living in quiet, reserved retirement, hoping for reunion and the fulfillment of his delayed happiness and companion- ship.
In political sentiment he is a Republican.
The portrait of Mr. Hoffman appears on another page in this volume.
heodore S. Frey, Treasurer of Newaygo County, resident at Newaygo, was born in Crawford Co., Pa., Jan. 26, 1835. He is a son of Simeon and Mary (Lewis) Frey. His father is of German descent, and was born June 15, 1813, on the same farm he now occupies, in Crawford Co., Pa. The mother was born in the same county, of Welsh parentage.
At the age of 22, Mr. Frey bought a farm of 50 acres in Ashtabula Co., Ohio, where he resided until 1867, when he removed to Ensley Township, Ne- waygo County, and located on a farm which he had obtained in exchange for the property named. He remained a resident of Ensley until January, 1883, when he was elected County Treasurer. He removed to Newaygo in April, 1883, and bought the residence he now occupies.
He was married at Lineville, Pa., April 2, 1857, to Rachel V., daughter of Smith and Mary Line, born in Lineville, Aug. 23, 1836. Of their marriage four children have been born: Alton S., Simeon Wilber, Mary L. and Flora Adella.
At the age of 18 Mr. Frey attended the Allegheny College in Pennsylvania and took a course of theo- logical study. After completing his preparation for the ministry he was ordained at Youngstown, Ohio, and has continued the labors of a preacher, either local or circuit, ever since, in addition to his duties as a farmer and in his public capacities. After coming to Ensley he was received into the M. E. Conference, with which he was connected six years. He has been engaged in ministerial work most of the time since he came to Newaygo.
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augustine White, farmer, section 22, is a son of Thomas and Elizabeth White, natives of Ireland and Pennsylvania respectively, and was born in the latter State Dec. 7,1849. At the age of seven years he came with his par- ents to Cass Co., Mich., where he lived most of the time until the spring of 1878, when he came to Newaygo County and purchased 80 acres of wild land on section 23, Sheridan Township ; he purchased an additional 80 in 1883, and has 60 acres, on which he now resides, under improvement. He was mar ried in St Joseph Co., Mich., to Isabella Stevens, daughter of Charles and Harriet Stevens, natives of Ohio and residents of Sheridan Township. They have three children : May H., Lou E. and Charles T. Mr. and Mrs. White are members of the Advent Church, and in politics he is a Greenbacker. Mr. White owns altogether 240 acres of land in Sheridan Township.
imothy Everington, farmer, section 16, Dayton Township, son of Joseph and Ann (Pacy) Everington, was born in England June 12, 1833. He remained in his native country until 21 years of age, when he came to America, first settling in Canada, where he lived about 8 years, then came to Newaygo County, this State. He was employed about three years in chopping and lumbering, then purchased 80 acres of wild land on section 16, Dayton Township, where he
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now resides, and has 40 acres under good cultivation.
Mr. E. is a charter member of the local grange of Patrons of Husbandry, and in politics is a Republi- can.
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acob Miller, farmer, Denver Township, is a son of Jacob and Catherine Miller, natives of France, and was born in that country Aug. 25, 1831. He came to America when 19 years of age, and lived in Erie County, N. Y., four years. In the winter of 1855 he came to Newaygo County and took up 40 acres of Govern- ment land in Denver Township. He has since added 120 acres to his farm, and has 100 under cul- tivation. Mr. Miller was married Dec. 24, 1854, to Eliza Sigler, a native of New York city. Her par- ents died when she was seven years old, and she went to live with an aunt until 17 years old, then lived in Cattaraugus County until her marriage.
Mr. and Mrs. Miller have had five children, three of whom are living: Laura A., George L. and Willie G .; John died in infancy, and Frank died at the age of 11 years. Mr. Miller has held the office of Highway Commissioner one year, and School Di- rector three years. In politics he is a Republican.
In the fall of 1882 he rented his farm in Denver Township, and now resides on the farm of his brother, George Miller.
ohn H. Canovan was born in Greene Co., N. Y., June 27, 1842. His parents, John and Maria (Plank) Canovan, lived in New York 15 years ; father was a native of Ireland and mother of New York. They came to Mich- igan in 1854 and settled in Kalamazoo County, where they still reside.
John H. came to this State with his parents when he was 12 years of age, and remained at home until he was 21. He was engaged in various occupations for eight years, and since that time has been engaged in farming. He is now manager of the farm of Crepin, Murphy & Son, in Sherman Township. Oct. 18,
1874, he was married, in Newaygo County, to Re- becca E., daughter of Willis and Mary Covell, who was born in New York Sept. 30, 1853. Her parents were natives of that State, and came to Michigan in 1855, first settling in Kent County, and afterwards removed to Newaygo, where Mrs. Covell died, in 1872. Mr. Covell still lives in Newaygo. Mrs. Cano- van was but two years of age when her parents canie to this State, and remained at home until her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. C. have one child, James H., born June 27, 1875.
Aug. 28, 1864, Mr. Canovan enlisted in the ist Regt. Mich. Eng. & Mech., and served ten months, receiving his honorable discharge at Washington, D. C. After his return from the army he resumed his farm labor. The farm of which he is now sole man- ager contains about 400 acres, and seven men are constantly employed. Mr. C. is a Democrat.
genry Bromley, merchant, and farmer on sec. 27, Denver Tp., was born in Sandusky Co., Ohio, Jan. 1, 1847. His parents, George W. and Magdalena (Kasamoer) Bromley, were of English and German descent, and natives of New England. In 1856 they moved to Steuben County, Ind., where their son Henry was educated in the district schools. When the latter was 16 years of age he enlisted, Nov. 21, 1863, in the 129th Ind. Vol. Inf., Co. A, of the Army of the Cumberland, commanded by W. H. Cole. He participated in six heavy battles : Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain, Atlanta, Franklin, Nashville and Kingston, N. C. He escaped without injury or imprisonment, and was honorably discharged Aug. 29, 1865. He returned home to Steuben County and purchased 20 acres of land in Scott Township, and then alternated between farm work and attending school until the fall of 1868, when he came to Michigan and settled in Kinder- hook Township, Branch County. Jan. 6, 1876, he was married in Grand Rapids, to Miss Eliza Quincy, daughter of Joseph and Julia (McCarty) Quincy, natives of New York, who was born in the city of Rochester, March 11, 1855. He then returned to Indiana and worked on his land three years, after which he came to Newaygo County and settled on a
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farm in Denver Township. He purchased 45 acres of timbered land and has it all improved. In 187 1-2 he owned and operated a saw-mill in Montcalm County, this State.
In the spring of 1881, Mr. Bromley engaged in the mercantile business, and has a fast increasing trade. They have one child, Bertha, born July 10, 1879. Mr. B. is now Postmaster at Denver, and has been in Government employ for some time. In pol- itics he is a Republican.
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W. Wilcox was born in Branch Co., Mich., Dec. 3, 1844; his parents, Caleb and Maria Wilcox, were natives of New York, who came to Michigan about 1835, first settling in Jackson County, then in Branch County, then Kent, and finally in Newaygo County, where they died. Mr. W., the subject of this sketch, has lived at home most of his life, and in company with his sisters, Caroline and Irene, owns 40 acres of land, all in good cultivation. He has held the offices of Overseer of Highway and Con- stable. In political affairs he is a National.
Aug. 20, 1861, he enlisted in the 8th Mich. Inf., and after serving three years was honorably dis- charged, at Petersburg, Va. He was in the battles of Gettysburg, the Wilderness, Antietam, Sharpsburg and a score of other battles. He was slightly wounded in the hand by a minie ball in a skirmish near Savannah, Ga.
'benezer Dobson, shoemaker, and farmer on section 34, Denver Township, is a son of James and Esther (Bull) Dobson, natives of Orange County, N. Y .; was born in that county Aug. 22, 1817. Soon after this event, his father moved to Bradford County, Pa., and lo- cated upon a farm, where he lived until his death, which occurred when Ebenezer was four years old. The latter assisted his brothers in taking care of their widowed mother until he was 13 years old, when he went to work for a neighbor. He remained
with him one year and then returned home. After a few months he went to work for a farmer, where he enjoyed some school privileges and a good deal of hard labor. In the summer of 1836 he apprenticed himself to Mr. Alva Cooley, of the town of Wysox, to learn the shoemaker's trade. At the expiration of two years he commenced to work for the proprietor, and was the principal manager for several months. He then spent some time in school, worked on a farm for a brief period, and in the fall of 1840, came to Michigan, Jackson County, where he worked at his trade about three years. He then went to Oak- land County, where he was treated by a physician two months for a sciatic and spinal affection. In September, 1861, he came to Newaygo County and settled in Denver Township, where he has since re- sided.
Mr. Dobson held the office of Township Clerk six terms, when Dayton Township extended nine miles from east to west and 2 1 miles from north to south. He was Postmaster at Panama in this county nine years. He is a member of the M. E. Church, a strong advocate of temperance principles, and in politics a Republican.
3 rs. Cynthia C. Carlisle, Hesperia, was born in Cattaraugus Co., N. Y .. March 4, 1850. She is a daughter of Reuben and Anna E. (White) Dake, natives of New York. Mrs. Carlisle attended the common schools of Cattaraugus and Allegany Counties, and lived at home with her parents until the fall of 1870, when she came with them to the State of Michigan, locating in Denver Township, this County. Here she was married, Sept. 25, 1870, to Mr. J. L., son of Jacob and Hannah (Simmons) Carlisle. Mr. Carl- isle was born in Oakland County, this State, May 14, 1843, and remained with his parents until he was 19 years old, when he began to learn the mason's trade. He soon completed his scholarship, and was known and acknowledged as a skillful workman.
In June, 1862, he enlisted in Co. E, 21st Mich. Vol. Inf., and participated in many hard-fought bat- tles. In one of these numerous engagements he was disabled for duty, and on application received an
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honorable discharge and returned home. Here he soon recuperated, and again enlisted in the defense of his country. Again he met with an accident, and this time it left him a cripple for life. While being transferred from Nashville to Chattanooga the train was wrecked, and Mr. C. was among the unfortu- nates. His thigh was so badly crushed he was com- pelled to have the limb amputated. After he was discharged he returned home, and after a long spell of illness he sufficiently recuperated to resume again his trade, which he worked at until 1874, when he became stage-driver between Hesperia and Fremont. This position he held until July 1, 1883, and on Aug. Io of the same year was drowned in White River.
Mr. Carlisle left four children to the care of his beloved wife, all living, and born as follows: Edith M., Sept. 14, 1871; Charles I., May 1, 1873; Min- nie, Dec. 13, 1876; John, June 3, 1878.
Mrs. Carlisle is an active worker and member of the M. E. Church.
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eil McCullom, farmer, section 6, Dayton Township, was born in Scotland, Oct. 10, 1841. His parents, Duncan and Isabella (Campbell) McCullom, were natives of Scot- Jand, and came to America in the fall of 1856, settling in Oceana County, Mich., where they passed the remainder of their lives. Mr. McCullom lived at home until 22 years of age, then rented a farm of his brother in Dayton Township, upon which he lived most of the time for three years. In the spring of 1865 he bought 122 acres of land in the above named township, to which he has since added 50 acres, and has about 120 acres in a fair state of cul- tivation, where he now resides.
He was married in what is now Denver Township, Dec. 24, 1864, to Sarah A., eldest daughter of Isaac H. and Susan A. (Sheldon) Cogswell, who were na- tives of New York, and came to Michigan in 1852. They afterward came to this county, settling in Den- ver Township, on section 28. Mr. Cogswell was one of the oldest settlers of Newaygo County, and filled many prominent positions in the county and town- ship, being Probate Judge six years, and Supervisor of Dayton Township several years. He afterward moved to Oceana County, where he lived until his
death. Mrs. Cogswell is a resident of Lansing, Mich.
Mrs. McCullom was born in New York, June 20, 1843 and came to Michigan with her parents, and remained at home until her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. McCullom have had seven children, viz: Maria, Archibald, Isabella, Henry and Duncan C. are living, Mary and Annie are deceased. Mr. McCul- lom is a member of the Masonic lodge ; was a char- ter member of Hesperian Grange, No. 495, P. of H., and in politics belongs to the National party. Him- self and wife are inembers of the Presbyterian Church.
amuel T. Evens, son of Samuel B. and Keturah (Lippincott) Evens, was born Dec. 13, 1843. His parents were natives of New Jersey, and were living there about the time William Penn settled in Pennsylvania. The mother is deceased and the father resides with his oldest daughter. Samuel remained at home with his father until he was 20 years of age, then went to Indiana for a few months, and afterward came to Michigan, where he purchased 55 acres of wild land on section 28. He afterward exchanged this land for 179 acres, with 100 acres under cultiva- tion, where he now resides.
Mr. Evens was married in 1868, in Niles, Mich., to Mary C., daughter of Uel and Jane (Barnhouse) Dragoo, natives of Virginia, who came to Michigan in an early day. Mrs. Evens was born in Berrien Co., Mich., in 1854. Children are : Lilly B., Nel. B., Keturah M. and Clyde L. Mr. and Mrs. Evens are members of the Church known as the " Baptized Believers." Mr. E. is a Republican.
enry C. Hawley, physician and surgeon, Hesperia, was born in Rensselaer Co., N. Y., Aug. 11, 1830. His parents were natives of New York, where they married and lived un- til 1857, when they moved to Indiana, and both lived to an advanced age. He attended school at the Academy in Saratoga, and assisted his father in the millwright trade until he was 20 years old,
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then apprenticed himself to learn the pattern-mak- ing profession and served three years.
June 6, 1850, he was married, in Rensselaer County, to Miss Clarissa McGill, daughter of John and Sarah Jane (Hermonce) McGill, natives of New York, who was born in that State May 30, 1833. She was edu- cated at Troy, and remained at home until her mar- riage. They moved to Aurora, Ind., in the fall of 1852, where he followed his trade for a short time, thence to Louisville, Ky., where he remained three years. He then moved to Seymour, Ind., thence to Hardinburg, where, in 1858, he commenced to study medicine, under Dr. Alfred Force, of that place. He remained here until the spring of 1861, when, owing to the ill health of his wife, he came North and settled in the vicinity of Hesperia, this county. Here he began to practice his profession. The country being new, he was compelled to visit his pa- tients by following a trail through the woods on foot; many times he has been obliged to creep through the woods where a horse could not go.
Mr. and Mrs. Hawley have had 14 children, II of whom are living. There were five girls and nine boys; one of the former and two of the latter are deceased ; of the living, three are married-two daughters and one son.
Mr. H. is a member of the Masonic Lodge No. 346, of Hesperia, of the Newaygo Chapter, R. A. M., of Newaygo, and the Muskegon Commandery, K. T., No. 22, of Muskegon; also a member of the I. O. O. F., 334, of Hesperia, and the I. O. G. T. He has been Justice of the Peace 18 consecutive years, Su- pervisor 10 years, and County Surveyor six years. In politics he is an active and an influential Republican.
ames Spencer, farmer, section 2, Dayton Township, was born in Scotland, Dec. 13, 1832. His parents, James and Jane (Christian) Spencer, were natives of that coun- try, where the father died ; the mother subse- quently came to America, and now resides with a son in Sherman Township. James was 22 years of age when he came to America. He lived in Canada four years, and came to Michigan in the fall of 1858. He spent four years in St. Clair County, and in the
fall of 1862 came to Newaygo County and purchased 80 acres of partly improved land, where he now re- sides ; 70 acres are in a fair state of cultivation.
In January, 1859, he was married, in St. Clair County, to Ruth A., daughter of John C. and Anna Ostrander, and they have had eight children : James, Edward O., Edith M., John, Alexis, Charles F. and an infant. One child died in infancy. Mr. Spencer in politics is a Republican.
eorge Miller was born in France, March 3, 1837, a son of Jacob Miller, a native of the same country, who died there. He emigrated to America in the fall of 1866, and purchased 120 acres of land in Dayton Town- ship, this County, where he now lives and has about 40 acres under cultivation. Politically, Mr. M. is a Republican.
uy C. Pond, merchant, Ætna village, was born in Onondaga Co., N. Y., July 4, 1812. His parents, were Levi and Samantha (Lawrence) Pond, natives of New England, who moved to New York in a very early day. He was brought by his parents to this State, and they located at Brockport, Livingston County, where he was reared and educated. When 16 years old he was apprenticed to Mr. Mitchell C. Gardner, of that place, to learn the blacksmith trade, where he re- mained three and a half years. After this he estab- lished a general blacksmith shop of his own in the town where he had learned his trade, and at the same time gained a reputation as a skilled workman. He worked at his trade 15 years, then moved to Detroit and opened a grocery, and afterward, to Capac, St. Clair County, where he carried on a general store on an extensive scale for over three years, when he had the misfortune to lose his whole stock and store by fire. He then moved to Cedar Creek, Muskegon County, and followed farming nearly four years. In January, 1869, he moved to Ætna, where he worked at his trade until 1882, and then opened a store of general merchandise,
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