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 29
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Mr. Reed was Township Treasurer for several years. He died Sept. 7, 1881. Mrs. Reed still re- sides on the farm, a portion of which she cultivates.
evi W. King, Attorney and Justice of the Peace, Hesperia, was born in Orange Co., Vermont, Feb. 28, 1833. His parents were Nathaniel and Almira (Bean) King, natives of New England, who moved to Ionia Co., Mich., where they died at the advanced ages of 84 and 76, respectively. When he was three years of age his parents moved to Washington, Orange Co., Vt., where he received a fair education in the common schools; also attended Barrie Acad- emy. At the age of 21 he comnienced life for him- self. He first came to St. Joseph County, this State, and settled at Three Rivers, where he followed his trade, that of cabinet-maker, which he had previously learned in Chelsea, Vermont, where he had been ap- prenticed to a Mr. Cross.
June 1, 1857, he married Mary E. Finch, and they settled in Jones Co., Iowa, where he worked on a farm and taught school. Hethen moved to Hastings, Mich., and worked at his trade until 1863, thence to Kent County, remaining a short time, thence to Mecosta County, where he worked on a farm till 1874, then moved to Hesperia, this county, where he has since resided. They have had six children : Ada A., born Sept. 20, 1858; Frank W., Sept. 26, 1863 ; Archie V., Sept. 8, 1873; Henry H., born in August, 1860, died in October, 1862 ; El- mer E., born April 14, 1862 ; died in Octo- ber, 1862; Fannie, born in August, 1868, died in December, 1869. Mr. King is a member of the I. O. G. T .; is Justice of the Peace and Notary Pub- lic. In politics he is a Prohibitionist.
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ustus Giles, farmer, section 16, Ashland Township, was born in Essex Co., N. Y., Feb. 8, 1845, and is a son of John and Cynthia (Finch) Giles. The father was of English de- scent, the mother of a line of ancestors directly traceable to the Colonial Puritans, and was a daughter of a captain in the war of the Revolution. The parents of Mr. Giles removed in his boyhood to St. Joseph Co., Ind., where he was reared and ed- ucated. He came to Michigan in the summer of 1860 and engaged as a lumberman. In 1861 he lo- cated in Bridgeton Township, this county, remaining until Feb., 1866. He was married in Bridgeton, Nov. 8, 1863, to Elizabeth J., daughter of William and Polly (Bigsby) Whittington. Her parents are of mixed Scotch-Irish and English descent, and are living in Muskegon County. Mrs. Giles was born April 1, 1847, in Niagara Co., N. Y., and came to Eaton Co., Mich., when she was eight years old, and soon after to Kent County, where she received her education. Later she came to Bridgeton.
In the month of February, 1865, Mr. Giles entered into a contract with the United States Government to manage a supply train at St. Joseph, Mo., which position he filled until July following. He had previously purchased his present farm, consisting of 40 acres of land, and at the date last mentioned he located thereon. He has put nearly the entire tract
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under improvements and erected good and substan- tial farnı buildings. Mr. Giles is a Democrat in political faith, but is not of the demagogue order. He belongs to the Order of Odd Fellows, being con- nected with Lodge No. 362, at Ashland Center.
The children are: Frank, born Aug. 13, 1864; Lizzie, May 8, 1866; Ettie, Jan. 31, 1873.
Charles Monroe, farmer, section 3, Dayton Township, is a son of Philetus and Mary A. (Larkins) Monroe, and was born in Sum- mit Co., Ohio, January 26, 1847. His par- ents moved to the State of New York, and afterward to Michigan. In the spring of 1864, his father purchased 160 acres of land, which Charles assisted in cultivating. This farm is now owned by T. C. Grundy.
In Dayton Township, Nov. 9, 1873, he married Kate, daughter of Lyman and Mary Britton. Their children are: Charles B., Willie R., Georgie F. and Ora B. Mr. Monroe is a Republican.
dward H. Hertzer, farmer, section 34, Goodwell Township, is a Prussian in nationality, being born in the province of Saxony, Feb. 26, 1836. His parents, John Godfrey and Caroline (Hall) Hertzer, were both natives of Saxony.
When he was 15 years of age Mr. Hertzer came to the United States, landing at the port of New York and residing five months on Long Island. He proceeded at the end of that time to Pennsylvania, and two years later returned to the Empire State, locating in Erie County, about one mile east of the city of Buffalo. Eight months afterward he came to Livingston Co., Mich., where he resided until 1872, in which year he settled on section 34, Big Prairie, (now Goodwell) Township. He entered a claim under the Homestead Act, of 120 acres of land, all in a state of nature, and within six years placed 75
acres in first-class agricultural condition, with good buildings and other creditable improvements. He is a cooper by trade and naturally apt in the use of tools. He is a Protestant in religious belief and practically neutral in political proclivities.
Mr. Hertzer was married in Livingston Co., Mich., in August, 1863, to Barbara Thumser. She was born in Germany, March 22, 1836, and was the daughter of Nicholas and Catherine Thumser, both Germans by nativity. Of six children born of this marriage five are living. Following are the names of all : Hannah, Edward, John, Charlie, Emma, Louie. The mother died April 25, 1874, leaving her six children, the oldest of whom was 14 years old and the youngest eight months. The eldest daugh- ter has since deceased, inflicting another irreparable loss.
enry H. Fellows, farmer, section 24, Ash- land Township, was born in Allegany Co., N. Y., Dec. 16, 1840. His parents, Erastus and Ruth (Smith) Fellows, were natives of New York and New Jersey, and came West to Ohio when the son was in infancy, locating in Seneca County. The father died in 1846, and the son soon after became master of his own fortunes, and passed his earliest years in employment suitable to his tender age. At 14 he engaged as a farm laborer by the month, and continued thus to operate until the fall of 1860, when he came to Michigan, and a year later secured 80 acres of Government land, which has since been in his possession.
He enlisted March 31, 1864, in the 27th Mich. Vol. Inf., Co. E., and was attached to the army of the Potomac, under Col. Fox. He was in every engage- ment from that at Spottsylvania to the surrender of Lee's army. In August, 1864, he was attached to the command of the forces engaged in the destruction of the Weldon railroad, and was struck in the left side by a minie ball, which passed entirely through a song book in a pocket opportunely placed, and imbedded itself midway in a copy of the New Testament, which he also carried. He sustained no injury beyond the shock of concussion and a cracked rib. He was honorably discharged Aug. 9, 1865.
He returned to Ashland Township and busied him-
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self in improving his property, being the first man to cut timber on the section where he is located. He passed the sunimers in farm labors and during the winters engaged in the lumber woods. He has also operated extensively in real estate, holding for spec- ulative purposes a comparatively large acreage. He is a skillful and successful apiarist, having been en- gaged in bee-culture three years.
He was married in Ashland, in 1862, to Melissa, daughter of Apollos and Lucinda (Gibbs) Lambson. She was born in Coldwater, Mich., and came to Ne- waygo County with her parents. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Fellows are seven in number: Oramel H., born May 5, 1864; Allen, June 29, 1866; Ancil, July 15, 1868; Minnie M., May 21, 1870; Paulina M., March 4, 1872; Apollos M., June 8, 1875 ; Ethel L., Dec. 11, 1882. Mr. Fellows is a decided Repub- lican and himself and wife belong to the First-Day Adventists.
zra Coon, farmer, section 7, Big Prairie Township, was born June 30, 1814, in Malta, Saratoga Co., N. Y. His father, Jeremiah Coon, was of English lineage and was born in the town of Half Moon, Saratoga Co., N. Y., Aug. 3.1, 1785, and his mother, Sally (Talmage) Coon, was a native of Malta, born about 1791, of English parentage.
Mr. Coon came to Michigan in 1833 and stayed one year at Trenton, Wayne County. Then he re- turned to his native State and remained until 1837, when he again came to Michigan and prepared for a permanent settlement, by the purchase of 80 acres of land at Gibraltar, Wayne County, where he was interested in farming until 1847, when he sold his farm and removed to Branch County. He was a resident of Coldwater, about 30 years, and in 1878 came to Newaygo County. He bought his home- stead of 87 1/4 acres of land and has since given his time and energies to its cultivation and improvement. He is an adherent of the principles and issues of the National party.
Caroline (Parks) Coon was born at Chatham, Co- lumbia, Co., N. Y., Jan. 2, 1824. She is the daughter of Jame H. and Sally (Rowland) Parks, both of
whom were natives of New York. The father was born in 1793 and died Aug. to, 1865. The mother was born about 1803, and died Sept. 19, 1876, in Lyons, Wayne Co., N. Y., where her husband died a few years earlier. Mr. and Mrs. Coon were married June 28, 1843, in Lyons, and have been the parents of four children. They are James T., Frank P. and Willis Fitch, living. Ada W., only daughter and third child, is deceased.
ohn W. Hewett, butcher and dealer in groceries and provisions, at Woodville, was born in Cayuga Co., N. Y., Feb. 16, 1837, and is the son of George W. and Mary (Farley) Hewett, natives of the State of New York.
Mr. Hewett was educated in the common schools and was principally reared on a farm. In 1880 he came to Newaygo County and entered into his present occupation at Woodville. His business has grown extensive and profitable, including a large section of the surrounding country, where he supplies the numerous lumber camps.
He was married in 1857, to Hannah C., daughter of Stephen G. and Esther (Cone) March. She was born in Ontario Co., N. Y., and of her marriage to Mr. Hewett five children have been born : Ralph W., Flora, Charles, Etta and Mary. Leslie and Geroula are deceased.
In political affairs Mr. Hewett is a Republican.
eorge B. Jones, farmer, section 15, Barton Township, was born in Tioga Co., N. Y., Nov. 5, 1845, and is a son of James and Sophronia (Stanton) Jones. His father was born Oct. 15, 1805, in Broome Co., N. Y., and was, by calling, a wagon-maker. In 1857 he located in Big Rapids, Mecosta County, and there followed his occupation until his death, which occur- red May 8, 1881. The mother was a native of Tioga Co., N. Y., and died Feb. 14, 1857. The
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family were among the early settlers of Mecosta County.
Mr. Jones obtained his elementary education at the common schools, and was afterward a student at Williams College. He came to Mecosta County June 14, 1858, and for several years was variously engaged. He enlisted at Newaygo, Feb. 22, 1862, in the Third Mich. Cav., Co. E, Col. John K. Mis- ner, and was in the service until March 22, 1866. Among the many actions in which he participated were Farmington, Corinth, Hendersonville, Brooni- ville, Bay Springs, Oxford, Coffeeville, Tallahatchie River, Panola, Jackson, Tenn., where the rebels were routed and 300 stands of arms and 250 prisoners captured. At the close of the war Mr. Jones re- turned to Michigan, engaging as a land prospector. In 1869 he built a livery barn at Big Rapids, man- aged the business one year, and sold to Joseph Cook. He resumed his former pursuit of "land-looker," which has been his occupation since that period. He became a resident of Barton Township in 1873. Mr. Jones was married May 10, 1871, at Grand Rapids, to Mary, daughter of Francis and Mary (Carrigan) Tower, a native of Toronto, Can., where she was born April 3, 1847. Foliowing are the names of the five children of Mr. and Mrs. Jones : James F., Mary S., William B., John E. and Char- lotte. Mr. Jones is an adherent to the tenets of the Republican party.
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rank Whitney, meat market, Hesperia, was born in Muskegon County, this State, May 19, 1858. He is a son of Orin and Mary E. (Cook) Whitney, natives of Ohio, who emigrated to Kent County and thence to Muskegon County, this State.
Mr. Whitney lived at home and assisted his father on the farm, also attending school, until 1881. April, 19 of that year, he was married to Miss Addie, daughter of Robert and Anna (Hoffman) Robinson, natives of Scotland and Ohio respectively, and came to Muskegon County, this State, where Addie was born Oct. 6, 1862, and where she received the ad- vantages of a common-school education.
After his marriage, Mr. Whitney went to farming for
himself, in Newfield Township, Oceana County, and remained in that County until July, 1883, when he came to Hesperia, this county, and established a meat market, and where, by honest and fair deal- ing, he has gained the confidence of the people and is doing a good business.
By their union they have had one child, Annie E., born Sept. 24, 1882. Mr. Whitney is a member of the I. O. O. F. In politics he is a supporter of the Greenback party.
ussell Bush, tanner, and farmer on section 32, Denver Township, is a son of John and Lydia (Armes) Bush, who were natives of Massachusetts, and direct descendants, on both sides, of the ancient Puritan families. He was born in Greenfield, Mass., April 2, 1803; and when he was eight years old his parents moved to Addison Co., Vermont, and settled on a farm, where he went to school until his 16th year, when he was apprenticed to Saxton Warner, a tanner in the town of Bristol, and served four years, or until the day he was 21 years old. He then left Bristol and worked at his trade three years, when he emigrated to On- tario, Can., locating in Beamsville, where he estab- lished a bark tannery, which he operated five years. He afterward entered a tannery and saw-mill in the vicinity of Toronto, which was destroyed by the over- flowing of the river on which it was situated. Be- coming discouraged at his loss, he removed to the village of Jordan, in the spring of 1842, near the town of St. Catharines, where he built a larger tan- nery than any of the preceding ones, and carried on a more extensive business. He remained here until 1849, then returned to his old location, then known as Port Credit, in the vicinity of Toronto, where he conducted a large hotel until 1856. In the winter of that year he came to Eaton County, this State, settling in the township of Vermontville, where he worked a farm 14 years. In June, 1870, he came to this county and settled in Hesperia, and established a hardware store, in which he was engaged until 1880. He then moved upon a farm of 80 acres in Denver Township, which he had previously purchased, and where he is now living a retired life.
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Sept. 1, 1831, in Canada, Mr. Bush was married to Miss Mary Stillwell, daughter of David and Nancy (Lucas) Stillwell, natives of England, who was born in New York city, Jan. 11, 1811, and died July 14, 1883, leaving an aged husband and three children to mourn her loss. She was a woman of powerful intellect, kind and genial, and had won a large circle of friends. Their children are : William S., born July 28, 1832 ; Lewis, Oct. 10, 1834 ; Harmon K., Sept. 6, 1836. In politics Mr. Bush is a Repub- lican.
eorge W. Rull, farmer, section 14, Ashland Township, was born in Washtenaw Co, Mich., Jan. 9, 1833, and is a son of Daniel D. and Catherine (Church) Rull, natives of New York. Mr. Rull came to Michigan in the fall of 185 1 and located in the village of Newaygo, where he interested himself in the business of lum- bering, in which he has operated to a considerable ex- tent to the present date. He was engaged seven years with the celebrated lumber firm of Wilcox & Company, of Chicago, acting as a "scaler." In 1867 he purchased 80 acres of land in Ashland Township, all in heavy timber. He has devoted his efforts to clearing and improving it since 1879, and now has 63 acres under cultivation, with handsome residence and substantial farm buildings.
Mr. Rull is a Republican in politics, belongs to Lodge No. 254, I. O. O. F., at Newaygo, and rejoices in affording to the observation of the public a fine sample of the genus "bachelor."
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obert Fisher, farmer, section 18, Big Prai- rie Township, was born Feb. 2, 1837, in Oakland Co., Mich., and is the son of Christopher C. and Mary (Wilber) Fisher, both of whom were born near Saratoga Springs, N. Y. The father was born in January, 1792, and was a soldier of the war of 1812. He was of Dutch lineage and died in Oakland County, in 1867. The mother was born in 1801 and died in 1857, in
the same county where her husband died ten years later. She was of New England Puritan descent.
The family removed to Ann Arbor when the son was four years of age, going two years later to Ypsi- lanti and thence to Holly, where they lived 18 years. The death of the mother occurred in 1857, which event disrupted the home circle. The place was sold and Mr. Fisher set out for himself in life. He liad spent some time working by the month and learned the cooper's trade, after which he worked at carpentry in order to perfect himself in the use of tools. The spring following the death of his mother he came to Newaygo, where he established his home. He owns 100 acres of land, with 90 acres in ad- vanced cultivation, with good and suitable buildings and other improvements. He belongs to the Repub- lican element in politics.
Mary E. (Barton) Fisher, wife of Robert Fisher, is the daughter of Hon. James Barton of Big Prairie. (See sketch). Their marriage occurred Sept. 26, 1861, in Big Prairie Township. Arthur Fisher, adopted son, was born Aug. 29, 1866.
illiam H. Ostrom, farmer, Brooks Town- ship, section 15, was born March 25, 1837, in Lima, N. Y. He is a son of Abram and Jerusha (Porter) Ostrom. The father . was born in 1794, of German origin, in the State of New York, and died in 1838. The mother was also a native of the Empire State, born of English parentage in 1799, and died in 1873.
Mr. Ostrom was an infant of nine months when his father died, and remained under the management and care of his mother until he was 11 years old, when he was confided to the control of a man named Nelson Wellman, with whom he was to reside until he was 18 years old. The contract was terminated two years earlier, and, after working a season by the month in his native State, he came to Michigan, in 1854, being 17 years of age. He made a location in Lansing and operated there as a farm laborer until one year before the outbreak of the Southern Rebel- lion, when he went to Conway, Livingston Co., Mich.
He became imbued with the spirit which impelled the North to contend with the element that had
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determined to force disruption at all costs, and in September, 1861, he enlisted in Co. K, Ninth Mich. Vol. Inf., for three years or during the war. On the requisition for veterans being made, he responded, and was discharged to re-enlist in December, 1863. He received his final discharge in September, 1865, at Jackson, Mich., and went to Lansing and engaged in farming.
He bought his farm in Brooks Township in 1879. It consisted of 80 acres of unimproved land, of which 35 acres are now under cultivation. He has erected substantial farm buildings, and set out a well selected assortment of fruit-trees. In political relations Mr. Ostrom is a Republican, and he belongs to Post " Samuel Judd," G. A. R., at Newaygo.
Mr. Ostrom was married Aug. 2, 1860, at Lansing, to Mary, daughter of Moses and Ruth R. (Wood) Gidley. She was born Aug. 2, 1844, in Ohio. Her parents were born in the State of New York, her father being of French descent and born Nov. 23, 1815, and died Dec. 10, 1866. Her mother is still living, at Grand Ledge, Mich. Clara B., Ida M., Charlie P. and William H., Jr., the four children born to Mr. and Mrs. Ostrom, are all living.
otham J. Hall, farmer and lumberman, section 25, Goodwell Township, was born July 25, 1842, in Grand Rapids. His father, Jotham Hall, was born in Vermont in 1803 and died in Big Prairie, in 1861. Dian- tha (Garrett) Hall was born in 1807 in the State of New York and survives her husband.
Mr. Hall came with his father's family from Kent to Newaygo County in 1853. He was 20 years of age when his father died and remained on the home farm until he attained his majority. The winter after he became legally free to pursue his own inter- ests, he engaged in lumbering, which he has followed winters since. He united his business interests with those of his brother-in-law, Joseph Graham, and they prosecuted the various departments of lumbering together five years, and also owned land together. Mr. Hall eventually sold his landed interest to Mr. Graham and bought 40 acres in Newaygo and 80 acres in Mecosta Counties. The two bodies of land
are adjoining and about 30 acres are under improve- ments. In political relations Mr. Hall is a Republi- can, has been Justice of the Peace and held other minor offices.
He was married Oct. 3, 1872, to Emma, daughter of William and Permelia (Hancock) Jay. (See sketch.) Mr. and Mrs. Hall have five children, viz .: Florence I., Antoinette, Ambrose L., Bessie May and Rebina.
ohn H. Randall, farmer, section 11, Bar- ton Township, was born March 13, 1854, in Ottawa Co., Mich., and is a son of Earl Douglass and Charlotte (Strong) Randall. His father was born in New York and followed the pursuit of a carpenter most of the years of his life. He located with his family near Grand Rapids, Mich., and was a resident there a number of years. In 1857 he came to Newaygo County and entered a homestead claim of land in Barton Town- ship, when it was in a wild condition and no resi- dents north of the point where Mr. Randall selected his farm. After locating his claim he went to Raven- na, Muskegon County, and engaged as a builder there until 1859, when he returned to his farm. He became a soldier of the war of the Southern Rebell- ion, enlisting in Co. A, 13th Mich. Vol. Inf., and was under Sherman while that general, with his daunt- less soldiers, was marching through to Georgia. At Savannah he was seized with the dreadful camp diarrhea and died Dec. 21, 1864. His wife is a na- tive of Pennsylvania and now resides at Paris, Me- costa County.
Mr. Randall of this sketch obtained a good ele- mentary education in the common schools of Otta- wa County, and afterward went to the union school at Lamont. He was engaged one term in teaching and then spent a year in study at the Agricultural Col- lege at Lansing. He again engaged in teaching, in which employment he spent seven terms in the ag- gregate. In 1874 himself and a brother returned to the farm and entered upon the work of clearing and improving.
Mr. Randall was married April 15, 1877, to Mary Louisa, daughter of Grantson and Nancy (Barber)
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Hall. Their children were born as follows : Charles A., Jan. 12, 1878; Elmer, Oct. 20, 1880; Edith Al- ma, Jan. 31, 1883. Mr. Randall has adopted the platform and issues of the National Greenback party, and is prominent in his generation in political action. He has held the post of Township Clerk three years.
illiam L. Murphy, farmer, section 9, Big Prairie Township, was born in Hastings Co., Canada West, and is the son of Wil- liam and Betsy (O'Bryan) Murphy. The father was born in Ireland, 12 miles from the city of Dublin, about the year 1800. The mother was born at Hastings about 1820. They were the parents of three children, of whom Mr. Murphy of this sketch is the eldest.
He came to Michigan in the fall of 1865, first stopping at Grand Rapids, and until the year 1874 was exclusively occupied in lumbering, plying his vocation the entire length of the Big Muskegon River. He resided nine years at Big Rapids. In 1874 he purchased his farm of 120 acres on which he has since resided and has 80 acres under cultivation, with good buildings and improvements. He is a Democrat in political principles.
Mr. Murphy was 'married Sept. 2, 1867, to Mrs. Loretta (Haight) Doyle. One daughter, Sarah Eliz- abeth, was born of their marriage Nov. 8, 1868, and died Oct. 31, 1878.
Mrs. Murphy is the daughter of Hiram and Sarah (Swaine) Haight, and was born Oct. 15, 1832, in Bradford Co., Pa. She was married March 13, 1854, to William Doyle. He was born of Irish parentage March 13, 1829, in Canada. He became a citizen of the United States and accepted the responsibili- ties of his adopted nationality by enlisting in defense of its imperiled flag. He enrolled Aug. 10, 1862, in Co. K, Third Mich. Vol. Inf., was wounded at Fred- ericksburg May 2, 1863, and died Oct. 15, 1863, in Lincoln Hospital, Washington, from the consequence of his injury. Mr. and Mrs. Doyle became the par- ents of six children, three of whom are living, as follows : William Edwin, Lillie Loretta and Stephen Douglas. Mrs. Murphy's mother was born Nov. 8, 1804, in Plymouth, Chenango Co., N. Y., and died March 18, 1877.
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