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 36
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eorge Backart, farmer and miller, resid- Is ing at Croton, was born in Schupheim, Baden, Germany, Aug. 19, 1808. His parents, Michael and Fronia (Miller) Backart, were both natives of the same place ; the former was born in 1781 and died in 1853: the birth of the latter occurred in 1784, and her death in 1856, in Germany.
Mr. Backart was a resident with his father in the land of his nativity until he was 16 years of age. He received the compulsory education regulated by the law of Germany, and attended school from the age of six to fourteen years. When he was 16 years old he was apprenticed, in conformity with the custom of the country, to learn the trade of blacksmith, and consumed two years in acquiring the details of the business. Three years following the expiration of his indentures he worked in various places ; at the age of 22 years he established himself independently in his own shop. He operated until 1834, when he disposed of his business, came to the United States, and settled in Oneida Co., N. Y. He bought 40 acres of land, where he carried on farming seven years. He sold out in 1841 and went to Dupage Co., Ill., where he again engaged in farming, becom- ing proprietor by purchase of 60 acres of land. In addition to his agricultural labors he managed a saw- mill on Dupage River, owned by another man. He was thus engaged 10 years. In 1850 he sold his property in Illinois and settled in Croton, Nov. 4, that year. The place was then known as "Muskegon Fork," and Mr. Backart was accompanied by Warren Smith and Alpheus Fowler. The two latter had
purchased a saw-mill of John F. Stearns, which they proposed to operate. It was built about. 10 years previous, and was the first mill erected in this section. The purchase included 300 acres of land. Mr. Backart came for the express purpose of man- aging the mill, but declined to invest his means in the property until the second year, when he purchased a third interest. The saw-mill was in complete run- ning order. Smith & Fellows sold out in the course of a few years to other parties, but Mr. Backart con- tinued to hold his proprietorship. . He finally disposed of his interest in the mill, but has continued to hold his land claim. He reserved his right to the water-power, and in 1857 built a saw- mill, which in 1861 was remodeled into a grist-mill, which he has since conducted as such. He has purchased and now owns another mill in the imme- diate vicinity. He owns two houses in Croton village, one of which he occupies. He also owns 250 acres of land in the vicinity of Croton village.
Mr. Backart was one of the first permanent settlers where Croton village now stands. Himself, Warren Smith and John A. Mills were the parties instrumental in the platting of Croton, and in having the same recorded. The survey was made by John Alma, in November, 1854. Jefferson Morrison and Robert P. Mitchell were also interested in the founding of the village, which was incorporated in 1869. Mr. Backart is a Democrat in political principle and action, and has been closely connected with municipal affairs in his township. He officiated ten years as Supervisor, and six years as Treasurer, and has held other offices of less importance. He was appointed Postmaster under President Fillmore, and again under President Buchanan.
Mr. Backart was married in his native place, April 19, 1830, to Mary Adeline Backart, who was born in the same place, Sept. 7, 1810, and is the daughter of Sebastian and Annie Magdalena (Schneider) Backart. Her parents were both born in Schupheim, Germany, the father in 1779, and the mother in 1791. Sebastian Backart was a soldier of the allied forces in the wars of Napoleon Bonaparte, and just previous to the battle of Waterloo contracted camp typhoid fever. He recovered, but his wife took the disease and died in 1814. The husband survived until 1848. To Mr. and Mrs. Backart eight children have been born, namely: Mary Magdalena (dec.), Mary
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Elizabeth, George (dec.), Charles F. (dec.), Mary Eliza, Julius S., Mary Jane and Alice Evaline. The family are Lutherans.
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ames McLeod, proprietor of the Commer- cial Hotel at White Cloud, is the son of Alexander and Nancy (Campbell) McLeod, and was born June 15, 1843, in Russell Co., Can. His parents were natives of Scotland, came to Canada in the first years of their married life, and there resided until their deaths.
Mr. McLeod has been a resident of Newaygo County since he attained to the period of his legal freedom. He resided at Newaygo five years, and was variously occupied while there. He removed to Sherman Township, where he became the proprietor of 80 acres of unimproved land, and of this he cleared 40 acres. In the fall of 1873, he came to White Cloud, and opened the White Cloud Hotel, which he conducted seven years ; and on selling out he built the home where he has since been engaged in min- istering to the wants of the traveling public. In his capacity of landlord he must be recorded as the pioneer, as he gave the first meal as a public host in the village of White Cloud. He is independent in politics, and has held the post of Councilman. He is a member of the fraternity of Odd Fellows.
He has had five children, three of whom survive, born as follows: David L., Sept. 29, 1863; Laura, March 22, 1868, and Archie, June 7, 1881.
aniel T. Swain, farmer, section 29, Barton Township, was born in Shiawassee Co., Mich., Aug. 10, 1846, and is a son of Aaron and Betsy A. (Baker) Swain. The father was a native of Vermont and the mother was born in Crawford Co., Pa. They came to Newberg, Shiawassee Co., Mich., where they resided until 1849, when they removed to Big Prairie, Ne- waygo County, and there resided until their deaths, which occurred respectively in 1876 and 1879.
Mr. Swain was reared to the calling which he has pursued all his life, and was married Dec. 8, 1872, to
Louisa, daughter of William and Sarah Ann (Thomp- son) Whipple, born in Cayuga Co., N. Y. They have five children : Nina M., Edith L., Aaron P., Lucy E. and Archie L.
After his marriage Mr. Swain "homesteaded " a claim of 80 acres of land in Norwich Township, where he lived a number of years, and on selling out his property he purchased 40 acres of land in Barton Township, which has since been his home. In political faith Mr. Swain is an adherent of the principles and issues of the National party. While a resident of Norwich Township he officiated as Justice of the Peace, and in other positions of trust.
ames B. Mallery, farmer, section 31, Sherman Township, was born in Columbia Co., N. Y., Sept. 9, 1826. His father, Mathew Mallery, was a native of Connecticut, and his mother, Sarah (Cleveland) Mallery, of New York. After their marriage they settled in Columbia Co., N. Y., and in the fall of 1845 settled in Hillsdale Co., Mich., where the mother died in 1854, and the father ten years later. James remained in New York until 19 years of age. His education included habits of industry and frugality, with the rudiments of knowledge gathered at the district schools of his county. He came with his parents to Hillsdale County, and remained with them until 26 years of age. From 1853 to 1855, he was engaged in farming and coopering. In the winter of 1855, he came with his family to Northern Michigan, leaving his wife and child 16 miles north of Grand Rapids, while he pushed his way through the forest in search of land for a home. He took up 240 acres of wild land under the Gradation Act, in what is now known as Sherman Township. He stayed two weeks and helped build a log house, when the snow was two feet deep on a level. This was on the very spot where Mr. Weller's residence now stands in Fremont. He then returned for his wife and child, and they, accompanied by an aunt, proceeded to their new home in Newaygo County.
After chopping an acre of timber, he had inflam- mation of the eyes, which confined him to the house about two weeks. About the same time Mrs. Mallery's aunt was taken sick, and was obliged to
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return home, leaving Mrs. M. alone. In the fall of 1855, he settled on his present farm of 100 acres, where he resides, and has 50 acres under cultivation. In 1865 he rented his farm in order to assist Wm. L. Stewart, his father-in-law, in conducting the " Stewart House " at Newaygo. He remained there eight years, then returned to his farm.
Mr. Mallery was married in Cambria, Hillsdale County, Feb. 24, 1853, to Susan L., daughter of Wilkes L. and Frances (Hopkins) Stewart, the former a native of Massachusetts, and the latter of New York. They were married in the last named State, and came to Michigan for their wedding tour. They settled in Macomb County, where Mr. Stewart was engaged in farming, milling and various other pursuits for 14 years. He then removed to Living- ston County, where he remained till September, 1846, when he went to Hillsdale County, and remained there until 1855, engaged in farming. Mr. Stewart met with financial reverses in Macomb County, and lost nearly all his worldly possessions; but by untir- ing perseverance and industry he succeeded in regaining a portion of his property. He left Hillsdale in 1855 and came to Newaygo County, where he took up land quite extensively, and has resided in this county ever since. He made the change in order to benefit his children. Mrs. Stewart died Nov. 29, 1877, and Mr. S. now resides with his daughter, Mrs. Mallery.
He was one of the first three Justices of the Peace in the old township of Fremont. Willard Wilder and Sarah Ann Bernhard were the first couple married in that township, and the ceremony was performed by Mr. Stewart, on the 4th day of July, being the first day he held the office. He married Benjamin Ish under a tree at 3 o'clock in the morning. Mr. S. is now in feeble health.
Mrs. M. was born in Macomb Co., Miclı., Sept. 7, 1831, and was the eldest daughter and third child of a family of seven children. She lived with her parents until her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Mallery have one child, Fannie M., born Jan. 23. 1854, and is the wife of George B. J. Raider ; Mr. and Mrs. Raider have two children, namely : Clifton, who was born July 13, 1875, the day of the year also on which his father and great-grandfather was born ; and Fred, born July 19, 1877.
Mr. Mallery has held the office of Township Clerk
17 years, Supervisor one year; has been School · Inspector, and held other, smaller offices in the gift of the people. He is now Clerk of Sherman Town- ship; is a member of the Masonic Order, and in politics is a Greenbacker. Himself and wife are members of Fremont Grange, No. 494, P. of H.
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Clark N. Young, Editor of the Hesperian News, and Principal of the High School, Hesperia, was born in Shelby, Orleans Co., N. Y., March 23, 1852. His parents, William and Anna E. (Beebe) Young, were natives of New England, of genuine Yankee descent. They emi- grated to Calhoun Co., Mich., in the fall of 1853, where they now reside. Clark N. was reared on his father's farm, working hard during the summer and attending district school in the winter. He formed studious, economical and industrious habits, and when 18 years old was granted license to teach, in which pursuit he was very successful. Thus he con- tinued, tilling the soil in summer and teaching in winter until he was 21 years of age. He then entered the college at Albion, Mich., where he took a special course preparatory to teaching the higher branches in the graded schools. Here he continued two years. In the spring of 1875 he returned to his native county and again became engaged in teaching winters, and being "on the road " summers. He went to Barry County in 1878 and taught one year, and Dec. 30, 1879, he was married, in Hillsdale, this State, to Dora M. Stebbins, of Nashville, Barry County, who was born in Ontario, Can., Nov. 7, 1856. Her parents were Henry E. and Olive (Shelden) Stebbins, natives of New York and Canada respect- ively.
In March, 1880, Mr. Young engaged with the Nashville News, of Nashville, Mich., and during the two years of his sojourn here he acquired the art of printing, and his ability as an editor was developed. He established a paper of his own in Nashville, called the Nashville Olio; but better inducements being offered in Hesperia he transferred his stock to this place, and in September, 1882, established the Hesperian News, the first number of which was issued Sept. 29, 1882. Although several newspapers
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have been previously started, they became defunct in a very short time; but the News is bound to suc- ceed. Mr. Young was solicited to take charge of the High School in Hesperia, and he now performs the double duty of teacher and editor. They have had one child, Otto, born Nov. 22, 1880, and died Nov. 16, 1882. In politics Mr. Young is inde- pendent.
ames R. Odell, druggist at Fremont, son of Jonathan and Mahala (Prouty) Odell, was born in Hillsdale Co., Mich., April 21, 1841. His parents were natives of New York, where they were married, and soon after re- moved to Michigan and settled in Hillsdale County. They remained there for several years after the death of his father, which occurred in 1854, when his mother came to this county and settled in Fremont, about the year 1867.
James R. remained under the parental roof until 16 years of age, attending the common schools. He then learned the carpenter and joiner's trade, which he followed for nearly five years previous to the breaking out of the rebellion. In September, 1864, he enlisted in the 11th Mich. Cav., and, after serving till the close of the war, was honorably discharged at Knoxville, Tenn. He participated in several engage- ments, and was at the capture of Salisbury prison, N. C. After his term of service had expired he re- turned to Hillsdale Co., Mich., and worked at his trade a short time, when he was taken very sick with typhoid fever, in consequence of which he was unable to work for eight months. After his recovery, in the spring of 1866, he came to Fremont where he worked at his trade about two years. He purchased 90 acres of wild land in Sheridan Township, upon which he worked during one summer and was after- ward employed in a general store in Fremont, owned by John Delamater. In two years he purchased a one-half interest in the store, and the firm was known as Delamater & Odell. This partnership continued for about six months, when Mr. Odell sold out his interest to John De Haas, but remained as clerk until the store was destroyed by fire some two years later. He assisted in settling up the business of the firm, and during the following winter was engaged in lum-
bering, and was also afterwards in the employ of John DeHaas for a short time. Afterwards he and his brother bought out the stock of drugs and gro- ceries owned by Dr. Root and son. This partner- ship.continued about two years, when he bought out the interest of his brother in the drug department, and in another year sold his own interest in the grocery department to his brother. For a short time the drug store was carried on by Odell & Manly, when the latter withdrew, and the business is now conducted by Mr. Odell, who is the leading druggist of the county. He commenced in 1877 to build the fine brick building he now occupies, and moved his stock of goods in February, 1878.
Mr. Odell was first married in Hillsdale Co., Mich., March 3, 1861, to Mary, daughter of Francis and Minerva (Smith) Morse, a native of Michigan. She afterward died, October, 1864, leaving one child, born Dec. 27, 1863. Mr. Odell was again married, in Hesperia, this county, in the year 1867, to Alice, daughter of Daniel Joslin, and they have had three children : Mary, Eva M. and Pearl; the former is deceased. Mr. Odell has held the office of Town- ship Clerk for ten consecutive years; is a member of the Masonic Order, and has filled various offices in his lodge, having served two years as Master, and is also Commander of Henry Dobson Post, G. A. R. In politics he is identified with the Democratic party. He has been a member of the Village Board, serving as President or Trustee since its incorporation ; was also member of the School Board when the graded system went into effect, and is still a member of the same.
gorace C. Jenne, farmer, section 5, Dayton Township, is a son of Joseph H. and Sa- loma (Knight) Jenne, who were natives of Massachusetts and afterward settled in New York. He was born in the latter State, June 6, 1830. At the age of 10 years he went to live with a relative, and remained until he was 18 years of age, being employed the most of this time on the Erie canal. He came to Michigan in the fall of 1855, and the following winter lived in Allegan County. He came to this county in the spring of 1856 and bought 160 acres of land in Dayton Town-
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C.W. Stone
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ship. He now owns a farm of 65 acres, 35 of which are well improved.
He was married in New York, in August, 1851, to Amelia Jones, who was a native of that State, and they have one child, John H., who is now a resident of Muskegon. Nov. 2, 1863, he enlisted in the 4th Mich. Cav., and served nearly two years, receiving his discharge at Nashville, Tenn. He was with Gen. Wilson in his cavalry raid from Nashville to Macon, Ga .; is a member of J. A. Dix Post, No. 9, G. A. R., and in politics is a Republican.
Y
con. Charles W. Stone, Representative from Newaygo County, was born June 2, 1833, in Warrensburg, Warren Co., N. Y., and is the eldest son of Samuel and Sally (Moore) Stone. The father was a son of John and Mary (Col- lins) Stone, and grew to maturity in Warrens- burg, married there and reared a family of 10 chil- dren. He was a native of New Hampshire, and died in Warrensburg in 1878. The mother was born in Eastern New York and died in Warrensburg, in Feb- ruary, 1883. The elder Stone was an honest, hard- working man, and left to his sons a better heritage than most men do, who earn for them immunity from effort and freedom from the struggle necessary to humanity in order to develop its greatest and best. The boasted glory of the West was made pos- sible by the stringencies which held former genera- tions at the East. John Stone was born in the old Granite State, and resided some years at Weare, Hillsborough Co., N. H., removing thence to Cam- bridge, N. Y., and, later, to Warrensburg, where he spent his life in honor and usefulness and died at the age of 92 years. His wife was also a nonogena- rian at the time of her death.
The boyhood of Mr. Stone was passed in the manner common to the children of the place, period and generation in which he was born. Industry, frugality and the necessity of utilizing every moment were so impressed upon him as to become in a sense instinctive traits. He obtained little educational discipline in the schools, and, when he found himself a man in the eyes of the law, he also found himself in undisputed possession of the privilege of making
his own way in-the world. His years of labor during his minority had trained lim in a complete knowl- edge of every detail in the manufacture of lumber ; and in the early summer, when independent man- hood brought with it the added need of immediate effort, he began to seek a service with which he was familiar. An opening in Florida attracted his atten- tion, and he found encouragement in the project, but must wait until November before he could go to a tropical climate with safety. Opportunity meets her ardent seekers more than half way, and intelligence soon reached him that a company at Glens Falls were engaging men for the lumber woods of Northern Michigan, and he made his way to that place. He applied to Albert M. Cheney who, with Lewis L. Arms, of Glens Falls, and Eliphalet Wood, of Chi- cago, had established the business and interests still known under the style of the Newaygo Company. To Mr. Cheney young Stone stated his case, but he was received with a shake of the head. He accepted the repulse without comment and reached the door, but before he opened it he was re-called. "I think there. is something in you and will give you a chance," was Mr. Cheney's sententious remark ; and in a few days he was on his way to Newaygo County. The village of that name consisted of only a few houses, and its principal business interests were in the hands of John A. Brooks and the Newaygo Company.
Nine dollars represented the cash capital of Mr. Stone when he found himself in the field he had sought. His first work was scaling logs for the Ne- waygo Company on the land belonging to James and William Barton. He continued in the employ of the Company twelve years, engaged mostly in utilizing his time for the best interests of his employers. The year following his settlement in Newaygo County (1855), he bought 160 acres of unimproved land in what was then Fremont Township. He made his purchase under the Graduation Act, paying 75 cents per acre therefor, and in it invested his first earnings in Michigan. The entire tract is still in his posses- sion ; and, under the changes in the municipal condi- tions incident to the settlement and organization of the county, its described location is now on section six, Garfield Township. At the time of Mr. Stone's settlement Fremont comprised the territory now in- cluded in the townships of Dayton, Sherman, Sher- idan and the western half of Garfield, then belonging
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to Sherman. The division and several organizations were made in 1866, and Mr. Stone was made first Supervisor of Sherman, and, with the exception of one year, held the position successively until his nomination for County Treasurer, in 1878.
He was married May 10, 1858, in Caldwell, War- ren Co., N. Y., to Mary, daughter of John Eddy. Two children-Frederick C. and Clara J .- have been born of this union. The family resided in the vil- lage of Newaygo about 15 years, when they removed to the farm, of which 100 acres is cleared and in ad- mirable condition, with farm fixtures and general ar- rangement of a character which puts the place in the front rank among the best in the county. On being elected to a county office, he removed to the village, where he resided until the summer of 1883, when he again removed to his farm. Besides his homestead and house and lot in Newaygo village, he owns 400 acres of timber land in the county.
Until the organization of the National Greenback party Mr. Stone was a Democrat and pursued a straightforward, well-defined, but non-aggressive pol- icy, that secured the respect of his peers and the confidence of all parties. He never possessed the peculiar instincts of a wire-puller, nor exhibited the traits which characterize a ring politician of the per- iod. Nor is he a man of the stamp, so common to the nineteenth century, of such marvelous type that the contingencies of decades of public affairs seem to have been created expressly to develop. Verily, the possibilities within the range of political inge- nuity increase in direct proportion to the lapse of time! Mr. Stone's election to the positions he has held and is still holding present a feature in Newaygo County local politics, which do the good sense and sound judgment of her voting community eminent credit. The county officers, as a rule, are selected for peculiar ability and fitness for the work to be ac- complished. In 1878 Mr. Stone was elected County Treasurer and was re-elected in 1880. He was nominated in 1882, before the expiration of his sec- ond term, by the National Greenback element of the county as its Representative in the Legislature of Michigan. The campaign and its results were most flattering to the candidate and satisfactory to the con - stituency who presented him for the position, without knowledge or effort of his own. His election was secured solely through the general confidence in his
character and abilities, and was peculiarly significant from the fact that he ran against two candidates, --. Edward E. Edwards, the then incumbent and Repub- lican nominee, and George W. Nafe, the candidate of the Democrats. In the House he was made mein- ber of Committees on the State School for the Blind, Deaf and Dumb, on Supplies and Expenditures ; and, in the varied services to which he was called, dis- tinguished himself as the protector of the interests of his constituency and by the consistency of his ac- tions as a representative of the class to which he considers it his best prerogative to belong.
Mr. Stone was first Master of the Grange at Fre- mont when it was organized, and also of the first County Grange. He has been a member of the Ma- sonic Lodge of Newaygo over 20 years. On the or- ganization of the Patrons' Mutual Fire Insurance Company for the counties of Newaygo, Muskegon and Oceana, Mr. Stone was made its first Presi- dent and Treasurer. He discharged the duties of the latter position until January, 1883.
Mr. Stone's portrait may be found on page 340. Its fitness as an accompaniment to this sketch (plain and matter-of-fact as the latter is neccessarily, from the modest pretentions and the unassuming charac- ter of the gentleman whose life and similitude are here perpetuated), will be acknowledged by all, and both will be a source of satisfaction to the people of Newaygo County, among whom he has expended the best years and energies of his life.
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