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 22
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Mr. Turner attended the common schools during the winter months only, and remained with his mother until he was 18 years old, when he set out for himself in life, obtaining employment as a farm hand. He was married in 1865 to Martha, daughter of Christopher and Jane (Smith) Stockdale, who was born Jan. 2, 1843, in Oxford Co., Can. Her parents were natives of England. Of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Turner, George D. and Nettie are living ; Mary and LaFayette are deceased. Mr. Turner re- sided in the Dominion one year after his marriage, re- moving thence to Ingham Co , Mich., where he bought 30 acres of land, which he improved and occupied as
a homestead six years. In the spring of 1871 he moved to Newaygo County, and bought the farm he now owns in Norwich Township, containing 80 acres of land, and at once entered upon the labor of its im- provement ; 40 acres is now well improved-all accomplished by his own hard labor. In politics Mr. Turner is a Republican, and has held the position of Highway Commissioner.
ouis Reinoldt, farmer, section 16, Ashland Township, was born Aug. 28, 1827, in the city of Hamm, Prussia. His parents, John H. and Clarissa (Heinunk) Reinoldt, were na- tives of the same place, where the father was a brewer. He worked under the directions of his father until he was 14 years old, when he engaged with a man in the distillery business in his native place, with whom he remained two years. In 1843 he set out to travel through Europe, to visit the leading establishments on the continent of a similar character and to perfect his knowledge of the busi- ness of a brewer. He visited many of the principal cities and took thorough instructions in the details of his calling. He returned in February, 1847, and be- came foreman in his father's distillery, which position he retained until August, 1848. In that year he em- igrated to the United States and located on a farm in the vicinity of Rochester, N. Y. Later he made a trip to Detroit, Milwaukee and Cincinnati, returning to Rochester, where he entered upon an engagement in a brewery and later in the wholesale liquor estab- lishment of J. H. Martin. He finally resorted to the occupation of farmer, and was married Nov. 18, 1852, in Monroe County, N. Y., to Polly, daughter of Louis and Catherine (Byer) Baker, the former a na- tive of Germany and the latter of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Reinoldt was born Aug. 1, 1835, in Greece, Monroe County, where she grew to womanhood and was married. Mr. Reinoldt pursued agriculture there until the fall of 1855, when he came to Michi- gan and managed a farm in the vicinity of Detroit three years, coming thence to Newaygo County. He purchased 40 acres of unimproved land, to which he has added So acres by subsequent purchase, and has cleared and otherwise improved 95 acres, placing it in a highly creditable condition, with handsome
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house and barn. The family includes eight children: John H., Frank, Harvey L., Moritz, Fred., Peter, George and Mary ; Sophia is deceased.
Mr. Reinoldt lends his influence to the Greenback party, and is an active member of the Order of Pat- rons of Husbandry, Grange No. 545, at Ashland Center. He was its first Master and has been an of- ficer since its institution. He also belongs to the Order of Good Templars.
lexander Lawrence, farmer, section 28, Norwich Township, was born in Oxford Co., Can., July 22, 1836, and is the son of Samuel and Susanna (Kipp) Lawrence, both of whom were natives of the Dominion. Mr. Lawrence obtained his education at the common schools of his native county, and was trained by his father to the calling of farmer. At 20 years of age he found him- self at liberty to engage in active life on his own ac- count, and entered upon the pursuit of cooper, for 15 years.
He was married Aug. 9, 1865, to Charlotte Hoag, and of their union four children have been born : Myrtie E., Anna M., Nora I. and Harris A.
The family located in Newaygo County in 1867, settling in Norwich Township when it contained but three permanent resident householders. He entered a claim under the Homestead Act, consisting of 120 acres of land, of which he still retains possession. In political tendencies he is a Republican, and has held the office of Township Treasurer four years.
red A. Ganson, merchant, at Lumberton, was born at Jackson, Mich., April 25, 1856, and is the son of James H. and Polly (Roberts) Ganson, natives of the State of New York. His father was a pioneer of Jackson, and resided there until 1856, when the family re- moved to Allegan County, where they now reside. One of the longest streets in Jackson has the family name.
Mr. Ganson acquired his education at the com-
mon schools and seminary at Allegan, and spent the years of his minority under the guidance of his father, attending school until he had reached 2I years of age. He went to Oakland, Clinton Co., Ohio, to acquire the art of telegraphy, and made that his pursuit for three years. He first had charge of the office at Hamilton, on the C. &. W. M. R. R. (then the Grand Haven road); from there he went to Fillmore, on the same route, and thence to Hol- land. He stayed at the latter place nine months, and was then attached to the extra force of the same company. In September, 1881, he came to Lumber- ton and officiated as operator until December, 1882, when he embarked in his present business enterprise, in company with Archibald Campbell. He is en- gaged in keeping a general store and is doing a prosperous business.
Mr. Ganson was married in 18-, to Ida E., daughter of Joseph and Charlotte Cook, born in 1857, in Allegan County. He has held the office of Township Clerk of Norwich, and is now Deputy Postmaster.
ilber T. White, farmer, section 21, Ash- land Township, was born March 20, 1846, in Walker Tp., Kent Co., Mich. His par- ents, Milo and Mercy (Ford) White, were born in New York and Vermont respectively. In early life they went to Ontario, Can., where they were married, and immediately after that event they loca- ted in Walker Township. It was about the year 1832, when Grand Rapids consisted of two Indian trading posts, and Mr. White built the first saw-mill north of the present site of the city. He was promi- nent in social and official circles, and operated ex- tensively in lumber and as an agriculturist in Kent County until 1864, when he came to Newaygo County and purchased 160 acres of land on section 21, in Ashland Township, whither he removed his family af- ter preparing for them a comfortable and suitable home. Here he spent the balance of a useful, honor- able and well-ordered life, occupying positions of prominence and influence in Church and society until his death, Feb. 24, 1873. He left a memory that is still cherished by those who knew him, and
6 A Sutiff
Emily Ho Suttiff
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honored and brightened by the four children who survive him. Mercy (Ford) White, his wife, died Nov. 19, 1865, after a long and distressing illness, which made her an invalid during many years, and called for the exercise of patience and endurance, such as characterized the wives and mothers of the pioneer class to which she worthily belonged.
Mr. White passed the early years of his life as a laborer on his father's farm and obtaining his edu- cation. He accompanied his parents to Ashland Township in 1865, and on his father's death succeeded to the proprietorship of 80 acres of the homestead, where he is engaged in prosperous and practical farm- ing. He was married Feb. 23, 1874, in Newaygo to Eva A., daughter of William and Polly (Bigsby). Whittington, natives of New York. Mrs. White was born in Eaton Co., Mich., May 17, 1854. Her par- ents removed to Casnovia, Muskegon County, when she was four years old. She was an eager student and made the best use of her educational opportunities, entering the profession of teaching at 15 years of age and continuing to follow it until her marriage. The two children of Mr. and Mrs. White' were born as follows : Elsie A., May 15, 1875, and Bertha L., March 10, 1877. Mr. White is an active Republican and has officiated in the local offices of his township. He is Secretary of Lodge No. 362, I. O. O. F., at Ashland Center.
& alvin A. Sutliff, farmer, section 12, Bridge- ton Township, was born in Monroe Co., N. Y., Jan. 29, 1828, and is a, son of Rans- ley and Catherine (Barnhart) Sutliff. His parents were of New England origin and of mingled Scotch and Dutch lineage. His fa- ther was a soldier of the war of 1812, and is now drawing a pension for services rendered his country at that period. When he was three years old they re- moved to Erie Co., Pa., and soon afterwards, in the spring of 1833, came to Michigan, and after a stay of one year in Lenawee County went to Hillsdale County and settled on a farm in Reading Township. Mr. Sutliff was reared and educated in that place, attending the schools there until 1843, when his par- ents made another remove, this time going to Clinton
County. They are now living in Isabella County, and enjoying good health, aged 87 and 80 respect- ively.
Mr. Sutliff remained with his parents until he was 22 years of age, when he decided on his course of life, and in the fall of 1849 initiated his struggle with the world by setting out for Newaygo, then in the depths of an almost unbroken forest. He spent two years in various employments in the vicinity, and in 1857 established his residence on the farm which has since been his homestead. He entered a claim of 320 acres of timbered land and immediately brought every energy to bear upon its improvement. The apparent results show what a persevering deter- mination strong hands and zeal may achieve. His homestead now includes 270 acres, 100 acres of which are under the best possible improvements, with fine farm buildings and attractive surroundings. He also owns 240 acres of land on sections 2 and 11 in Bridgeton Township, which are yet in a compara- tively unimproved state.
Mr. Sutliff has been a man of exceptionally vig. orous physical ability, which has been his best capi- tal in the new country to which he removed before its municipal prerogatives had been regulated. He assisted at the township organization, was elected Township Treasurer and has served 13 terms in that capacity. He has ever been keenly alive to every enterprise that seemed to justify reasonable attention, and has made an impression on his day and genera- tion that will outlive him. He is an inflexible Re- publican, and a member of the Blue Lodge, No. 131, of Newaygo.
Mr. Sutliff was married May 27, 1855, to Emily H., daughter of S. M. and Lucina (Caswel!) Wood- ward, both of whom were natives of New York. The daughter was born April 13, 1839, in Allegany County, and five years after her birth the parents settled in Kane Co., Ill., where she attended school until the fall of 1852, when the family came to Mich- igan and settled in Bridgeton Township. Both par- ents have recently deceased, the 'mother at the age of 67, the father at 70 years of age. They were members of the Methodist Church, of which Mrs. Sutliff is at present a member. £ Her father and
mother were also members of the Methodist Church.
Thirteen children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Sutliff, ten of whom survive : Mattie E. was born May 6, 1859 ; Albert E., March 18, 1861 ; Flora E.,
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Dec. 24, 1862 ; Solon D., Oct. 16, 1864; Frank A., Aug. 29, 1868 ; Lotta G., June 21, 1870; Nellie M., Sept. 5, 187 1 ; Jessie E., Aug. 29, 1873; Milan R., June 19, 1876; Charles A., Dec. 14, 1880 ; Ellen E., May 28, 1856 (died Nov. 20, 1857); Nettie, Aug. 4, 1866, died Sept. 23, 1880); Libbie E., Feb. 1, 1874 (died Nov. 8, 1874).
Mr. Sutliff has been quite extensively engaged as a lumberman ever since he became a resident of Newaygo County. As a type of his operations it may be stated that in the winter of 1864 and for the next seven years following he put in on an average one million feet of logs annually.
With eminent satisfaction, the publishers present the portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Sutliff as types of the agricultural community of Newaygo County. They belong to one of the classes referred to in the para- graphs which introduce the biographical department of this work,-the pioneers, whose stability of char- acter, inflexible integrity and fixedness of purpose placed their generation in the foremost ranks of the element which has given this section of the Peninsular State a basis destined at no distant day to yield sub- stantial evidence of its real prosperity.
alter S. Platt, editor of The Indicator, Fremont, was born in Mansfield, Ohio, July 24, 1846. His parents, Thomas and Ann Platt, were natives of New Jersey. He left home at 14 years of age, proceeded to Angola, Ind., and remained a little over a year, learning the printer's trade. He then en- listed in the 9th Ohio Cavalry and served about 18 months. After his return he went to Kendallville, Ind., where he remained about five years in a print- ing office. In 1870 he came to Pentwater, Mich., where he resided two and a half years, and was afterward editor of the Pentwater Times about nine months. He then came to Fremont, this county, and in the spring of 1874 established The Indicator, which he still edits.
He was married at Kendallville, Ind., April 25, 1868, to Laura A. Bates, a native of Indiana, and they have two children, Jennie and Pauline. - Mr. Platt was appointed Postmaster of Fremont in 1875,
and held the office about eight years, when he re- signed. He is a member of the Masonic Order, and is Adjutant of Henry Dobson Post, 182, Grand Army of the Republic. Politically, he is a radical Republi- can.
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ohn Hirdning, farmer, section 27, Garfield Township, was born in the city of Phila- delphia, April 4, 1836, and is son of George and Catherine Hirdning. His mother died when he was two years old. His father mar- ried again and in 1839 removed his family to Sandusky, Ohio, which was then in its incipiency. The senior Hirdning remained there until 1854, when he went to Australia.
Mr. Hirdning was married May 20, 1858, to Har- riet Reitz, a native of Pennsylvania, who was born Sept. 7, 1839. Of II children born of this marriage nine are living: Charles E., George, Rosa E. (wife of Henry Shady), Emma B., Chester N., Wallace O., Hattie M. and Mary G. John F. and an unnamed infant are deceased. Soon after marriage Mr. Hird- ning came to St. Joseph Co., Mich., where he rented a farm for a time, afterwards becoming owner of one, upon which he resided 11 years. In 1872 he came to Newaygo, where he was variously occupied and also bought some land, on section 22, which two years later he took possession of and remained a resi- dent until the fall of 1878, when he bought his pres- ent estate, consisting of 120 acres, all in heavy timber. He has now 34 acres under cultivation.
eorge Carrington, merchant at Trent, Muskegon Co., Mich. (and also farmer, sections 33 and 34, Ashland Township), was born in Leicestershire, England, April 6, 1831, and is the son of John and Mary (Abe- shaw) Carrington, and of unmixed English lineage. His parents emigrated to the United States in 1840, and located in the town of Marcellus, Onon- daga Co., N. Y., three years later removing to Greece
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Monroe Co., N. Y., where Mr. Carrington grew to man's estate.
Our subject was possessed of an active, ambitious temperament and a desire to take advantage of the privileges and possibilities accorded to every man un- der the institutions of the American Government. He could not but contrast the improvement in the conditions of his family in a land of social and polit- ical equality with their state in the land they had left; and his ambition was fired to make an honest attempt to place himself on the grade accorded to successful effort, incited by a laudable desire to attain heights reached by men of no greater worth or capacity. On reaching his majority he went to California and engaged in gold-mining, at which he was occupied three years with satisfactory results. He then sold his claims and returned to his parents' home in the State of New York. He fixed upon Michigan as a favorable point for a location and in the spring of 1858 settled in Ashland Township. He bought 160 acres of land, to which he has since added by pur- chase 26 acres. Of this tract he has put 70 acres in first-class condition for farming, with all necessary buildings and a suitable residence.
In 1870, Mr. Carrington desired to extend his bus- iness connections, and in November he suspended ag- ricultural pursuits and founded a mercantile business at Trent. His initial stock represented a cash value of $700. The correctness of his judgment in the selection of a business and locality is substantiated by the fact that he is at present carrying a stock worth about $6,000, and doing an annual business of $15,000, with every prospect of a further proportion- ate increase of trade. But he has never lost his love for agricultural pursuits, and when his commercial affairs reach a status assuring their safe management by delegated parties, he contemplates a return to his first love, for the purpose of placing his home in at- tractive and satisfactory condition to pass his sunset of life and to experiment in scientific farming.
Mr. Carrington was married Dec. 16, 1857, in Greece, N. Y., to Sarah, daughter of Thomas and Mary (Davis) Mitchell. She was born in the vicinity of Hastings, England, Jan. 12, 1837, and her parents were also natives of that country. They came to the United States in her infancy and settled in Monroe County. To Mr. and Mrs. Carrington three children have been born, as follows : Libby, Sept. 28, 1858;
Jennie, May 31, 1869; and Anna, born Nov. 4, 1869, died in infancy. The mother is a lady of gentle, af- fable character, alive to the necessities of those about her, kind, sympathetic and charitable. forming opinions in the law of love and exercising toward all the spirit of lovely benignity she acquired in its full- ness during a trial of almost unexampled acuteness, having been during 17 years an invalid and suffering the distress attendant upon active disease. She has to a certain degree recovered her health and devotes her renewed strength to the benefit of those with whom she is associated.
Mr. Carrington is a thorough type of his national- ity and an essential American, adopting the charac- teristics of the people of whom he is one by assimi- lation and retaining his British traits of gayety and good fellowship. He is bluff and hearty, considerate and energetic, and public-spirited to the last degree. He is a true gentleman in the best acceptance of the term, and holds an elevated position in the estimation of those with whom he is brought in contact in busi- ness or society. He is an adherent to the principles of the Republican party and belongs to the Order of Masonry. One of his connections in the latter is with the Blue Lodge, No. 131, at Newaygo, and the other with the Royal Arch Chapter of Sparta, Kent County. He is also actively connected with the Order of Odd Fellows, Lodge No. 302, at Trent.
Obert W. Rutherford, of the firm of Ruth- erford & Misner, Fremont, is a son of Walker and Jeanette (Wrathie) Rutherford, natives of Scotland, and was born in that country Jan. 14, 1850. When only four years of age he came to America with his parents, remained with them until he was 20 years of age, and then entered the employ of J. H. Darling as clerk, where he remained six years. He afterward engaged in the lumber trade one season, and was then employed as clerk by the "Patrons' Co-operative Co.," and remained with them about three years. Jan. 1, 1880, he formed a partnership with R. E. Misner, for the purpose of carrying on the grocery and provision, and boot and shoe trade, under the firm name of Rutherford & Misner, and still continues in that business. They
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have a good trade and enjoy the confidence of the community.
Mr. Rutherford was married in Fremont, Feb. 20, 1872, to Medora, daughter of Ephraim and Mariette Misner, natives of New York, where Mrs. R. was born, and lived with her parents until her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Rutherford have had one child, Will- iam E., born April 14, 1875. Mr. R. has been Township Clerk of Dayton Township two terms, and is now a member of the City Council. In politics he is a Republican.
illiam H. Hoag, farmer, sec. 4, Goodwell Township, was born July 13, 1847, in Canada, and is the son of Henry H. and Isabella (Sparks) Hoag. The father was born in England and the mother in Scot- land.
Mr. Hoag was reared on a farm and educated in his native place. He was married Sept. 4, 1873, to Alice, daughter of Joseph and Abigail (Reed) Bat- terson, born May 28, 1850. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hoag : Hattie M., Charles H., Alice P. and Mertie E .. Mr. Hoag came to Michigan in 18- and settled in Jackson County, where he resided until 1874, when he settled on 40 acres of land now constituting his homestead. He is present Township Treasurer of Goodwell, and himself and wife are members of the United Brethren Church.
illiam M. Wheeler, farmer and mechanic, section 29, Grant township, was born in Fleet, Province of Quebec, Dec. 14, 1835. His parents, Henry and Eliza (Williams) Wheeler, were of English and French de- scent, and natives of New York. In 1839 they removed to Elyria, Ohio, and six years after to Grand Rapids, Mich.
Mr. Wheeler enlisted at Grand Rapids, Aug. 9, 1861. His command was assigned to the Army of the Potomac, and he was in the service of the United States until Jan. 21, 1862, when he was honorably
discharged on account of disability. In May, 1863, he went to Albion College, where he devoted two years to the study of such branches as were best adapted to the foundation of a solid education. He continued to pursue his course of advanced study until the spring of 1871, when he returned to Grand Rapids.
He was married Oct. 5, 1873, to Emma R., daughter of Elisha and Mahala (Wilkinson) Mutch- ler. The parents and daughter were born in Penn- sylvania, the birth of the latter occurring May 31, 1856. Her father died when she was an infant, and her mother moved with her family to Wisconsin, and five years later to Grand Rapids, where she died in 1869, and where the daughter resided until her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler remained in the latter city three years, when they went to Alpine, Kent County, and soon after came to Grant, Newaygo County. They located in November, 1877, on 40 acres of wild land, to which they have added ten acres by subsequent purchase, and have 17 acres improved. To them have been born two children: Francis L., Nov. 9, 1876, and Henry W., July 31, 1873.
Mr. Wheeler gives his support to the Greenback party, and is the present Clerk of Grant; has held other important local offices.
charles I. Rathbun, jeweler, Fremont, was born in Adrian, Mich., Sept. 20, 1841. His parents, Thomas R. and Hannah E. (Davis) Rathbun, were natives of New York and came to Michigan in an early day, set- tling first in Lenawee County, and afterward remov- ing to Branch County, where they now reside. His father was one of the most prominent business men of Adrian. Charles I. attended the common schools and afterward Adrian College. When the civil war broke out he enlisted in the Ist Regt. Mich. Inf., Co. K, for three months. This company was known as the Adrian Cadets, and the regiment was the first from Michigan to respond to the President's call for troops. Being small of stature, Mr. R. was made the " right general guide" of the regiment. He was in the engagement when Alexandria, Va., was taken, and
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also at the first battle of Bull Run. He has several mementoes of the battle of Alexandria ; prominent among them is a piece of the rebel flag which floated over the Mansion House; also three of the buck shot that were fired at Col. Ellsworth, which he dug out of the casing of the door, and a piece of the oil-cloth which was covered with his blood. He was slightly wounded at the battle of Bull Run. At the expiration of his term of enlistment he went to New York and re-enlisted in the IIIth Regt., Co. E. as Sergeant, and served three years, receiving an honorable dis- charge. He was in the battle of Harper's Ferry when Miles surrendered and his entire regiment were taken prisoners; in three months they were ex- changed, and were again in the field. He was in the battle of Gettysburg, where he was severely wounded in the foot with a grape-shot, and was in the hos- pital at Fort Schuyler, N. Y., 11 months. He was in the battle of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, and the siege of Petersburg when Lee surrendered; he was slightly wounded in the battle of the Wilderness.
After his discharge Mr. Rathbun came to Adrian, Mich., remained a short time, then went to Buffalo, N. Y., where he worked two years at his trade (jeweler), which he had previously learned. He then went to Elkton, Ky., where he lived six years, then came with his family to Pentwater, Mich., where he opened a store and operated about one year. In the summer of 1874 he settled in Fremont, where he now resides and follows the occupation of watch- maker and jeweler. He is the leading merchant, in this line, in Fremont. While living in Kentucky, Mr. R. was burned out by the Ku Klux, and lost all his household effects, tools, etc.
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