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 37
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A lbert T. Mudget, lumberman, located on section 33, Croton Township, was born in Verinont, Feb. 23, 1850, and is the son of Orrin and Mary (Chambers) Mudget.
At the age of 17 years Mr. Mudget began to work in a saw-mill and continued in that occupation about six years. The year 1874 he was engaged in lumbering, and in the spring of 1875 he' bought 40 acres of land in Allegan Co., Mich., and made agriculture his pursuit for five years, when he sold out and engaged in mercantile business in the same county, which occupied his time and energies for nearly 18 months. He disposed of his business, and in the summer of 1881 came to Newaygo County, where he first bought a half interest in a lumber mill
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located in Croton Township. He has recently become sole proprietor by purchase, and continues to conduct his business with energy. The mill has a producing capacity of 20,000 feet of lumber daily.
Mr. Mudget was married in Hopkins, Allegan Co., Mich., Sept. 22, 1872, to Mary E., daughter of Jack- son and Emma (Adams) Baker. She was born in Allegan County, Feb. 7, 1855. Four children have been born of this marriage, namely : Albert J., Rosa B. and Carl S. are living. Clinton T. died when six months old.
Mr. Mudget is a Republican in political adherence. Mrs. M. is a member of the Church of the Disciples.
ames E. Stockton, farmer, section 36, Big l'rairie Township, was born in Guilford, Ct., Dec. 26, 1826, and is a son of Isaac and Sylvia (Dickinson) Stockton. His father was born in New Jersey and his mother was a native of Connecticut.
Mr. Stockton was first married at Marshall, Mich., to Eliza Lewis. Five children were born to them, all of whom are living. Their names are William F., Stephen, Sylvia A., Susan Cornelia and Adelia Sophia. The mother died in Iowa in 1867, and Mr. Stockton was again married, in Homer, Calhoun County, March 8, 1868, to Mrs. Lucy (Saunders) Pryor, widow of William Pryor. She had three children by her first marriage, as follows: Willard (dec.), William, Bertie and Louie Wesley. Mrs. Stockton was born June 1, 1845, in Albion, Mich. Of her marriage to Mr. Stockton three children have been born: Jane Elizabeth, Mary Emmeline and Annie Katie.
Mr. Stockton became the master of his own fortunes at 12 years of age, and has been all his life a farmer. He lived in Albion at the time of his first marriage, and was there resident ten years. He went to Cass County and eight years later removed to Allegan where he resided two years, after which he removed to Iowa. After the death of his first wife he returned to Albion. After his second marriage he came to Newaygo County and bought 80 acres of land, of which he has cleared 33 acres and placed it under fine improvements. He is an adherent of the Democratic party.
oel G. Cook, farmer, section 29, Denver Township, is a son of Noah and Anna (Ware) Cook, of Cattaraugus Co., N. Y., and was born Dec. 3, 1825. He remained at his father's home till 40 years of age, working on his father's farm. He married Miss Caro- line Davis, daughter of Abraham and Nancy (Carter) Davis, natives of Greene Co., N. Y., where their daughter was born, Dec 12, 1826. They moved to Oneida County when she was but a year and a half old, where she was educated and married. Mr. and Mrs. Cook remained upon the homestead, with the exception of two years, until they emigrated to this State. They afterward returned to their native county and remained until 1866, when they removed to a dairy farm in another part of the county. In 1879 they came back to Michigan and settled on a farm of 84 acres in Denver Township, where he has since resided.
Mr. and Mrs. Cook are the parents of eight chil- dren, seven of whom are living: Linda M., born Nov. 25, 1850; Adelbert D., June 10, 1852; Mercy A., Nov. 29, 1854 ; Norton M., Jan. 14, 1856; M. G., June 23, 1859; Erwin J., May 10, 1865 ; Bertha C., Feb. 21, 1868 ; Elva A., born March 20, 1862, died March 7, 1863. In politics Mr. Cook is a Re- publican.
acob F. Treiber, farmer, section 10, Ash- land Township, was born Jan. 22, 1838, at Ludwigsburg, Germany, and is a son of Gotleib and Elizabeth (Ziegler) Treiber, both of German nativity and descent.
He remained in his native country until 1853, obtaining his education and working on his father's farm. In June of that year he came to the United States and first settled in Wayne Co., Mich., afterwards removing to Sparta, Kent County, where he was employed in farm work until the outbreak of the civil war. He enlisted July 11, 1861, in the First Mich. Vol. Inf., Co. H. The regiment joined the Army of the Potomac, and Mr. Treiber was in action at Gaines' Hill, in the seven days' battles be-
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tween Richmond and Harrison's Landing, also at Gettysburg, Antietam and many others, the entire number of engagements reaching 31 in the aggregate. He was discharged Feb. 12, 1864, and immediately re-enlisted, receiving his final discharge July 9, 1865. He was promoted during his first period of service to the rank of Corporal and held the post two years. Bravery in action again advanced him, and he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant, Sept. 1, 1864, and continued in the position until the end of the war.
Soon after being discharged he came to Newaygo County and settled on his present farm in Ashland Township. He was married April 21, 1867, to Sarah Ann, daughter of Peter and Mary (Engles) Egolf, natives of Ohio. Mrs. Treiber was born in Whitley Co., Ind., May 7, 1850. Her parents removed to Michigan in 1866 and settled in Newaygo County.
After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Treiber located on 160 acres of land in Ashland, of which they retain 80 acres, 40 acres of which are under improvements. Of six children born to them four are living, who were born as follows : John W., July 10, 1869; Margaret C., July 29, 1874; Julia F., March 1, 1876; Rosina, Jan. 8, 1878. The deceased were, Charles P., born Feb. 29, 1868, died May 27, 1878; and Mary E., born July 29, 187 1, and died Feb. 22, 1874. The parents are members of Ashland Grange, No. 545, and belong to the Lutheran Church. Mr. Trei- ber is an adherent of the Republican party and has held the post of Township Clerk.
ewis Vanderwater, farmer, sec. 28, Bar- ton Township, was born Dec. 24, 1827, in Clarkson, Monroe Co., N. Y., of which State his parents, John and Elizabeth (Knowl- ton) Vanderwater, were natives. His father died there in 1834, and the mother died in 1844, in Michigan.
Mr. Vanderwater grew up in the training com- monly bestowed upon the sons of farmers, and when he was 22 years of age he came to Detroit, Mich., where he learned the moulder's trade, which he fol- lowed until the date of his enrollment as a soldier in the army of our Government. He enlisted Aug. 5, 1862, in the 22d Wis. Vol. Inf., and was discharged at the end of the war, his papers bearing date of
June 20, 1865. His regiment was attached to the corps commanded by General Hooker, and partici- pated in all the engagements from Nashville to the sea. Mr. Vanderwater returned to Wisconsin and from thence came to Grand Rapids. He remained in the latter place but a short time, locating in Ne- waygo County in the spring of 1866. He "took up" a claim under the. Homestead Act, cleared and improved the land and has since resided upon it.
He was married in Ottawa Co., Mich., in 1855, to Mary, daughter of George and Susan (Gladfield) Foringer, a native of Crawford Co., Pa., born April 3, 1835. The parents died respectively in 1841 and 1861. The family of Mr. Vanderwater includes two children,-George B., born Dec. 30, 1856, and Wil- lis H., May 31, 1861.
In political sentiment Mr. V. is a Republican.
alexander M. Seeley, farmer, section 20, Big Prairie Township, was born in Fairfield, Franklin Co., Vt., Jan. 29, 1815, and is a son of Seth C. and Ann (Bradley) Seeley, both of whom were natives of Connecticut. The father was born in 1789, in Bridgeport, of English descent. The mother was born in 1788.
Mr. Seeley resided in his native State until he was 17 years old, when his parents removed to Monroe Co., N. Y., where he remained until he attained to man's estate. On finding himself in legal freedom he came to Michigan and settled in Jackson County, where he lived two years. In 1837 he went to Ionia County, where he became the proprietor of 160 acres of land, on which he operated 16 years. He sold his estate, and in 1854 came to Newaygo County and made a permanent settlement on 160 acres of land, all in a state of nature. . He has placed 80 acres in a fine state of cultivation. He has been a resident of Big Prairie nearly 30 years, and during that time has been Justice of the Peace upwards of 20 years continuously. In political affiliation he is a Repub- lican.
Mr. Seeley was married at Jackson, Mich., Aug. 31, 1836, to Harriet E. Moon. She is a daughter of James and Susannah (Pool) Moon, and was born July 24, 1817, in the State of New York. As nearly
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as can be ascertained, her parents were born respect- ively in 1784 and 1789, the father of English, and the mother of Welsh parentage. Following is the record of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Seeley: Almeron S., Mary E., Truman C. (dec.), Harvey K. (dec.) and Clarissa E.
ames R. Rice, lumberman, resident at the village of Croton, was born in Ontario, Can., Sept. 1, 1846, and is a son of Wil- liam and Catherine (Culp) Rice. The former was born May 4, 1819, in County Down, Ire- land; the latter is of German descent and was born April 23, 1819, in the Province of Ontario.
Mr. Rice came to Michigan when he was three years of age, his parents settling in Croton Town- ship, in 1849, where he grew to man's estate and was married at 20. years of age. On assuming .the re- sponsibilities of a family man he engaged in lumber- ing on the Little Muskegon River, and has continued the pursuit of that calling with little intermission since. In political affiliation he is a Republican.
He was married July 15, 1866, to Christina E. Erickson. She was born Dec. 25, 1844, in Sweden, and is the daughter of Andrew and Charlotte (Olson) Erickson, both of whom were born in 1824; the former is still living; the latter died in 1854. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Rice, six in number, are all living. They are named Ida C., Lillie M., Florence B., Alma Rosella, William A. and David R.
Qimon P. Smith, farmer, section 34, Ashland Township, was born in London, Ontario, Jan. 16, 1820. His parents, Jesse and Elizabeth (Fairchild) Smith, were natives of the Dominion and members of the agricultural community. There the son grew to manhood, and from 12 to 18 years of age worked during the summer seasons on his father's farm, and during the winters attended the conimon schools. In the spring of 1838 himself and parents came to Michigan and located where Grand Rapids now stands. The now magnificent city was then an Indian village, contain-
ing, besides the aborigines, but four white families. Mr. Smith was a resident there for 15 years, and in March, 1865, came to Newaygo County and located on 160 acres of land he had previously purchased, on section 34, in Ashland Township. He experienced all the hardships incident to a pioneer settler in the depths of the uncut forest. By his own unaided efforts he has placed 65 acres of land under improve- ments suitable for profitable farming, besides erecting good and substantial buildings.
Mr. Smith was married Oct. 18, 1843, to Sarah J. Daum, of Grand Rapids. Her parents were natives of New York, where she was born Nov. 28, 1828. They emigrated to Grand Rapids and their daughter resided there until her marriage. She died at her home in Ashland Township, Nov. 4, 1876, leaving two children, viz: Mary A., Aug. 20, 1844, and Wes- ley E., Dec. 30, 1851. James, born Dec. 23, 1849, died Jan. 3, 1850.
Mr. Smith is a Democrat in political connection, and for many years has served his community in a public capacity.
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August H. Hertzer, M. D., section 10, K Big Prairie Township, was born Aug. 25,
1829, in Saxony, Prussia, which was also the native 'province of his parents. His grand- father, John Godfrey Hertzer, was of princely descent, coming in a direct line from the barony of Hertzer, and born about 1743. The father, John Godfrey Christian Hertzer, -was born Aug. 4, 1799. The mother, Carolina Elizabeth Hertzer, was born Aug. 25, 1805.
Mr. Hertzer was brought up in accordance with the customs of his native land, and served two years (from 1849 to 1851) in the Prussian army. He landed in New York April 28, 1853, and after a stay of one week there went to Long Island and remained until the fall of that year, when he went to Luzerne Co., Penn., and soon after removed to Buffalo, N. Y. His next remove was to Livingston Co., Mich., where he resided three years. He went next to the Province of Ontario, and from there came to Pontiac, Oakland County, whence he came to Newaygo County, for a permanent residence. He reached
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here Aug. 12, 1871, and entered a claim of 160 acres, and has since bought 80 acres additional. Of this, 80 acres are cleared and under cultivation. His farming land includes 40 acres on the prairie, all under improvements.
In political affiliation Mr. Hertzer is a Democrat. He claims to be a double-dyed Yankee, having taken out naturalization papers May 18, 1856, at Buffalo, N. Y., which were destroyed; and he was under the necessity of taking out a second set, which were made by Hon. C. C. Fuller, and filed by Mr. Cole, County Clerk.
Mr. Hertzer was married in Germany, to Apollonia Barth. She was born on the Midder River at Saul- heim by Mainz, June 22, 1819. Of six children born of this marriage one is living,-Caroline, born July 7, 1853, on Long Island. The mother died in Livingston Co., Mich. Mr. Hertzer was married to his present wife Feb. 9, 1865, at Detroit. She was born in Meisenheim in the county (Landgrafschaft) of Hesse-Hornburg, March 13, 1843, and was the widow of Charles Mitchell, by whom she had one son,-Carl, born Oct. 29, 1863, in New York. The maiden name of Mrs. Hertzer was Charlotte Henri- etta Feickerth, and she is the daughter of William and Magdalena (Illges) Feickerth. Mr. and Mrs. Hertzer have nine children, namely: John August, William August, Lusina, Fritz August, Apollonia, Sarah, Henry August, Della and Godfrey August.
Mr. Hertzer was an allopathic physician in his native country, and in regular practice until he came to America; has continued the exercise of his pro- fession more or less since. His grandfather was in the Saxony recruits of Napoleon's army, and with his chief at Moscow and at Leipsic; was a regularly trained and educated soldier.
giram Dobson, farmer, section 3, Dayton Township, is a son of James and Esther Dobson, natives of Orange Co., N. Y., and was born in New York city, Jan. 28, 1816. When he was quite young his parents moved to Pennsylvania, where his father died. He afterward came with his mother to Michigan, and he bought 80 acres of land in Dayton Township, where he now resides, and has nearly 30 acres in a
good state of cultivation. In 1871 his mother died, and now lies buried in the graveyard which is in close proximity to her late home. In politics Mr. Dobson is a Republican.
alter M. Race, Postmaster and Township Clerk, resident at Croton, was born in Taghkanick, Columbia Co., N. Y., Jan. 15, 1842. His father, John W. Race, was also a native of the same county and was born of German and Holland Dutch parentage, Feb. 22, 1803. Margaret (Thompson) Race, the mother, was born in 1808, in the same place, of German lineage.
In 1868 Mr. Race came with his parents to Kent Co., Mich. He received his elementary education in the common schools of his native State, and in 1864 was graduated at Hobart College at Geneva, N. Y. He at once entered upon the study of medi- cine, reading three years in the office of C. S. Hoyt, M. D., at Potter Centre, Yates Co., N. Y. On com- ing to Michigan he engaged in teaching and dis- charged the duties of a pedagogue 14 miles south of Grand Rapids. He attended medical lectures at Ann Arbor, and opened his career as a practitioner in Kent County, where he operated until 1871. In that year he came to Croton, and in connection with his practice embarked in a mercantile enterprise, and continued the management of both one year, when he returned to Kent County and resumed his practice, following it until the fall of 1879. At that date he returned to Croton and engaged in local practice and as a clerk in a store. He became owner of an interest in the mercantile business, which he retained until 1882, when he sold out. He has since applied his time and energies to his profession and the duties of his official positions, which, be- sides those named, includes those of Justice of the Peace. He received his appointment as Postmaster under President Garfield's administration. In polit- ical relations he is an ardent Republican, and has always taken an active and zealous interest in the issues of his party.
Mr. Race was married March 30, 1871, in Big Prairie Township, to Sarah J. M., daughter of John
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and Eunice (Goff ) Krusen. She was born in Kalamo Township, Eaton Co., Mich., Sept. 19, 1852. Her father was born of German lineage March 16, 1820, in New Jersey ; her mother was born Jan. 27, 1824, in Licking Co., Ohio. The three children, born to Mr. and Mrs. Race, are all living. Their nanies are Hubert DeForest, Edna Earl and Myrtle Maud.
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B. Jewell is a son of Joseph and Asenath (Cross) Jewell, who were natives of Otsego Co., N. Y., and died in Allegany County, same State. He was born in Tompkins Co., N. Y., June 23, 1826. He attended the common schools of his native county and also the Rushford . Academy at Rushford, Allegany County. Like many other young men, he wished to see more of the world, and at the early age of 18 he left home to battle for himself, although this was not in accordance with the wishes of his parents. At the age of 20 years he went to learn the carpenter and joiner's trade, and worked eight months at four dollars a month-the hardest work he ever performed. After this he went to Ithaca, N. Y., where he was engaged in boat-building one season, then returned to Allegany County and followed his trade the most part of his time until 1856. In the spring of that year he came to this county and settled in Newaygo, where he worked at his trade until the summer of 1859, then moved to Muskegon and worked one year ; and finally came to Fremont and settled on his farm of 240 acres, which he had purchased in June, 1855. He resided on this farm 22 years. He cleared 100 acres, and built fine buildings, having three barns on his place. He still carries on his farm, but in September, 1882, he moved to the vil- lage of Fremont, and into a fine new house, built mostly with his own hands.
Mr. Jewell was married in Hume, Allegany Co., N. Y., Nov. 5, 1848, to Mary, daughter of Henry A. and Polly (Bosworth) Turner, natives of Wayne Co., N. Y. Mrs. Turner died in Allegany County, and Mr. Turner came to Michigan to visit a daughter, where he died after an illness of four weeks. Mr. and Mrs. Jewell have three children: Archibald D., born Aug. 22, 1852; Cornelia I., Sept. 3, 1860,
and Hugh B., Sept. 9, 1863. Mr. J. has held the office of Supervisor six years. He was elected to the Legislature in the fall of 1876, by the Republi- cans, over A. T. Squier, the Democratic nominee. He is President of the Patrons' Mutual Fire Ins. Co., of Newaygo, Oceana and Muskegon Counties; also President of the Union Agricultural Society, of Hes- peria. He was the first and second President of the Newaygo County Agricultural Society.
When Mr. and Mrs. Jewell first moved upon their farm, their nearest neighbor was nearly three miles distant, and for six weeks Mrs. Jewell did not see a white woman. They passed through all the hardships and vicissitudes of pioneer life, in which Mrs. Jewell has been a faithful assistant and sharer.
Mr. Jewell is the author of a brief sketch of Day- ton Township, which was published in the local papers in 1876 and forwarded to Washington, D. C., for reference. He is a relative of ex-Postmaster- General Jewell.
eorge Rupp, farmer, section 16, Ashland Township, was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, Dec. 2, 1829. His parents, George and Catharine (Kaiser) Rupp, were born and passed their entire lives in "Das Faderland."
Mr. Rupp was educated under the compulsory . school system of his native land, and at the age of 14 years was apprenticed for three years to his uncle, to acquire a knowledge of weaving linen. After the
completion of his indentures he worked at his trade until April 1, 1851, when he was conscripted for the army and served until Oct. 10, 1854. On obtaining his release from his military obligations he emigrated to the United States, and came direct to Ottawa Co., Mich.
He was married in that county Dec. 31, 1857, to Margaret, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Farling) Siebert, who was born in Germany, Feb. 29, 1840. She came to the United States when she was 13 years old, and settled in Ottawa County, where she was married. In the spring of 1858 Mr. and Mrs. Rupp came to Newaygo County and bought 80 acres of wild land in Ashland Township. Mr. R. has brought his manhood's strength and his inherited
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disposition to industry and economy, as well as the indomitable energy of his nationality, to bear on the purpose with which he sought the New World, and in his farm and surroundings exemplifies the method by which a man may turn his resources of health and ef- fort into substantial results. He has cleared 60 acres of his land and erected thereon a good resi- dence, with other accessory farm buildings.
He enlisted Feb. 8, 1865, in the Tenth Mich. Cavalry, under Col. Trowbridge, which was assigned to the Army of the Tennessee. Becoming disabled soon after his enlistment, he saw no active service, and was honorably discharged Nov. 11, 1865. He is an earnest Republican and a member of the Ashland Center Lodge, No. 362, I. O. O. F. He also belongs to the Lutheran Church.
The five children of the household "were born as follows : George, June 14, 1862 ; Charles H., Feb. II, 1867; John A., Jan. 5, 1871; Mary E., April 17, 1874; Minnie T., June 12, 1876.
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L. Cavender, merchant at Croton, was born Aug. 14, 1840, in Leoni, Jackson Co., Mich. His parents were Dennis and Mary (Burch) Cavender; the former was born in 1818, in Ireland, and died in 1873 in Croton. The mother was born in 1828, of Scotch parentage, in Tioga Co., N. Y.
Mr. Cavender was a resident of Jackson County until he was 15 years old, when he came to Newaygo County. He passed the years between 1855 and 186- in various occupations to secure a livlihood. In 186- he enlisted in Co. H, Third Mich. Vol. Inf., Col. Pierce. He enrolled for three years and was in much active service. At the battle of the Wilder- ness, May 5, 1864, he was severely wounded and lost his left foot. He was sent to the hospital at Washington, where he remained six months, and after receiving his discharge he was appointed Government Policeman, and acted as such at the Patent Office building for five years. In 1870 he came back to Croton and was variously engaged until he embarked in his present enterprise. He engaged a part of the time in farming, and managed a livery stable and stage and mail route. He operated three
years as mail contractor. His stock of goods includes drugs, notions. hardware, groceries, tinware and clothing, and his patronage is constant and gradually extending. He belongs to the National party and has served two terms as Constable.
Mr. Cavender was married Jan. 5, 1868, to Mary, daughter of Dennis and Annie Brady, both of whom were born in Ireland. Mrs. Cavender was born Dec. 28, 1844, in Baltimore, Md. Four children were born of her marriage to Mr. Cavender, all living. They are, Eugene, Annie, Elsie and May Belle.
homas McDonell, dealer in wines and liquors at Alleyton, was born Jan. 1, 1851, at Waukegan, Ill., and is a son of John and Mary McDonell. The parents were natives of Massachusetts, and removed in early life to Illinois.
Mr. McDonell came to Muskegon, Mich., when he was 13 years of age, where he passed one summer ; and for a period of nine years afterward he was a laborer in the lumber woods. In May, 1875, he established himself in his present business at Alley- ton. He was married in January, 1877, to Celia, daughter of George Mann, a native of England. One child, born to Mr. and Mrs. McDonell, died in infancy. John, only surviving child, was born Nov. 5, 1878.
Mr. McDonell is a Republican in political senti- ment, and has been Township Treasurer one year.
charles W. Peets, farmer, section 16, Ash- land Township, was born Feb. 2, 1829, at St. Thomas, Ont. His parents, Charles S. and Permelia (Willey) Peets, were born in Massachusetts and Vermont respectively, the former of a pure line of Colonial Puritan descent. The families of each settled in Canada, where they were married. In 1831 they went to Middlesex County and located at Glencoe, on the river Thames, where the son was educated and labored with his
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