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 45
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Mr. Beaton acquired the details of the boot and shoe business of his father and worked in his shop until he was 14 years old, when he emigrated to the United States. He worked for a time at his trade, and engaged as a miner two years, when he resumed his former occupation. A short time after- ward he worked one summer in a blast furnace, and went to Canada, where he again found employment at his trade. He followed that vocation at various places until 1870, when he came to Newago County and entered a homstead claim of 80 acres of land, in Monroe Township. He is a Republican in politics, and has officiated as Justice of the Peace.
He was married in 1876 to Mary Eggleston, a lady of Canadian birth.
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galvin M. Barnes, merchant in Hesperia, Denver Township, was born in Trumbull Co., Ohio, Oct. 24, 1854. His parents, Elijah and Diantha (Drake) Barnes, were natives of Vermont. When he was ten years old he was brought by his parents to this State and settled in Denver Township, where he received his education in the common schools and worked on his father's farm until the death of the latter, which oc- curred in the fall of 1874. He then took a tour of the Western States, returning in November, 1875, to his home, where he worked on his father's farm sev- eral months. Sept. 25, 1876, he was married to Miss Araminta A., daughter of Ansel F. and Clara A. (Braton) Perkins, who were natives of New York and of English-German ancestry. She was born in Trum-
bull Co., Ohio, Jan. 7, 1860, and in 1868 came with her parents to this county, where she was educated.
After his marriage Mr. Barnes was engaged one year in lumbering in the pines of White River. In 1877 he purchased the stock of goods belonging to Mr. Stone, and established a store of general mer- chandise on a comparatively small scale ; but his trade has gradually increased until he does an annual business of $5,000. He has the largest store in the village, and has purchased 10 acres in town lots. He has been Postmaster seven years, and in politics is a Republican.
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aniel Weaver, merchant and miller, Hes- peria, was born in Berlin, Rensselaer Co., N. Y., April 28, 1811. His parents, Stutt- com ley and Rachel Weaver, were of English de- scent, and natives of Rhode Island. They both died in Michigan, at an advanced age. When but an infant he was taken by his parents to Berk- shire Co, Mass., where he received a district-school education and worked on a farm until he was 18 years old. At that tinie he went to Wyoming Co., N. Y., where he was apprenticed to a carpenter and joiner. After completing his trade he went to work for the man to whom he had been apprenticed, and remained until he was 21 years old. In the summer of 1832 he came to Adrian, Mich., where he lived until the spring of 1838, working at his trade. March 14, 1833, he was married, in Genesee Co., N. Y., to Miss Emily A. Salisbury, daughter of Philip and Clarissa (Curtis) Salisbury, who was born in New York, Sept. 1, 1811. She was well educated and taught school several years previous to her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Weaver returned to Lenawee County, thence to Hillsdale, County, where he worked on a farm, and was also employed by the county to super- intend the building of the court-house. He remained here until 1856, when he moved to this, Newaygo County, and settled on what is now Fremont Center. It was then an unbroken wilderness, and not two permanent settlers within many miles. When the town first started it was named Weaverville, but has . since been changed to Fremont. He first built a saw-mill, then two stores and a grist-mill, and other
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stores soon followed. He then erected a Masonic hall. It is by his earnest efforts that a wild forest has been converted into a beautiful town of 1,000 inhabitants.
In 1866 he moved into Denver Township and lo- cated on section 30, where he has spent an active and useful life. The first year he built a saw-mill, and in the second year laid out the town of Hespe- ria, which has grown to a village of 500 inhabitants. He does an annual business of $12,000.
Dec. 25, 1874, Mrs. Weaver died, leaving four children : Philip, born Feb. 22, 1834; Laura J., Jan. 20, 1839; Leland S., Dec. 12, 1843 ; Daniel L., Feb. 21, 1849; Clarissa, born Feb. 20, 1837, died in 1838; John B., born Feb. 12, 1852, died in 1853. April 27, 1879, Mr. Weaver married, in Ingham County, Mrs. Savilla (Campbell) Walling, daughter of Daniel and Mary A. (Ames) Walling, natives of New York, and she was born in Cayuga County, that State, Sept. 5, 1838. They are members of the Advent Church. Mr. W. is a member of the Masonic Lodge at Fre- mont, and was honored with the office of Master. He was Justice of the Peace 14 years, and Super- visor several terms. In politics he sympathizes with the Democratic party.
rank Zolber, farmer, section 20, Garfield Township, was born in Cusee, on the river Rhine, in Prussia, Jan. 2, 1827. He is son of Peter and Sophia Zolber, and in 1846 he accompanied his parents to the United States. His father bought 80 acres of land in Green Bay, Wis., where they were both occupied some years putting the place into habitable con- dition.
In 1857 Mr. Zolber came to Newaygo. On arrival he was wholly without funds, had not a dollar. He went to work for John A. Brooks, saved his earnings and bought the home where he now lives. He was busy with lumbering until 1874, in which year he became proprietor of his landed estate, comprising 160 acres of land in an entirely unimproved condi- tion. He has cleared 80 acres, erected suitable buildings, set out orchards and otherwise improved the place until he has earned the right to take a just
pride in what he. has accomplished. He belongs to the National Greenback party.
He was married May 10, 1857, in Wisconsin, to Annette Fisholt, a native of Holland. Of this marriage four children were born: Mary, Peter, Frank and Anna. The mother died in December, 1862, and Mr. Zolber was a second time married in July, 1869, to Joanna Hanson. Of this marriage one child, Freddie, has been born. The family are Second Adventists in religious faith. Mrs. Zolber by a former marriage had one son, Charles Hanson, who is now 17 years of age.
ugene B. Slocum, merchant, Hesperia, was born in Cattaraugus_Co., N. Y., Jan. 29, 1855. He is a son of Richard C. and Malana (Barnhart) Slocum, natives of New York and Pennsylvania respectively. His pa- rents moved to White Co., Ind., when Eugene was seven years old, and after remaining there two years came to Dorr Township, Kent County, this State. Shortly afterward they moved on a farm of 160 acres in Denver Township, this county. Mr. Slocum re- mained on the farm assisting his father and attending the common schools until he was 18 years of age, when he embarked in the lumber business on the Muskingum and White Rivers, which he continued until 1879. He then came to Hesperia, this county, and opened a meat-market, which he successfully ran for a year, and then sold and engaged in the grocery and dry-goods business, which he still continues. His stock is estimated at $8,000, and his annual trade amounts to $30,000. He is yet young in the business, but the manner in which he has conducted it is indicative of the indomitable energy he possesses and calculated to place him foremost among the lead- ing merchants of the town.
Mr. Slocum was married March 14, 1880, to Miss Elizabeth J., daughter of James and Margaret (Rob- ertson) Ferguson, natives of Ireland. She was born near Springfield, Ill., Oct. 16, 1859, and came to this county with her parents when she was quite young ; and, having acquired a good education, she was for eight years engaged in teaching, until her marriage.
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They have one child, Nellie, born Feb. 11, 1882. Mr. Slocum is a member of the Masonic Order and of the I. O. O. F. In politics he is a Republican, and in religion a member of the M. E. Church.
Carnet Dingman, farmer, section 21, Mon- roe Township, was born in Shelby Co., Ohio, April 1, 1826. He is a son of James and Frances (Weeks) Dingman, natives of Virginia. The father was a farmer, who reared his son to the same calling. The latter received his edu- cation in the common schools and in 1849 was mar- ried to Mary Sperbeck. Soon after marriage they re- moved to Noble Co., Ind., where they resided until 1867. In that year they located in Kent Co., Mich., and two years later, in 1870, came to Newaygo County, where they settled, in Monroe Township. Mr. Dingman is the owner of 320 acres of land.
Ten children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Dingman, seven of whom are living. They are named James, Delia A., Thomas J., Francis, Barbara, Asa and Adaline G. Those deceased were John M., Jarnet and Ida M.
asper Mundy, farmer, section 26, Garfield Township, was born in Reed, Seneca Co., Ohio, Dec. 7, 1840. His father, Louis Mundy, was born July 29, 1815, in New Jersey, and is now living in Steuben Co., Ind. His mother, Mary (Stevenson) Mundy, was born in New York, near Lake Champlain, in 1818, and died in Seneca County, Sept. 29, 1849.
Mr. Mundy was nine years of age when his father removed to Indiana, and he remained under his jurisdiction until the alarm of disunion summoned the sons of the Nation to the defense of her flag. He enlisted Aug. 25, 1861, at Angola, Steuben Co., Ind., in Co. A, 44th Ohio Vol. Inf., Capt. B. J. Crosthwait. His discharge is dated Sept. 15, 1865. He was in active service at Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Stone River, Chickamauga and at the siege of Corinth, besides numberless skirmishes. He returned to Steuben County, where he engaged in farming about two years,
going thence to Kinderhook, Branch Co., Mich., where he owned a saw-mill in company with William R. Taylor. He sold out a year later and went to Calhoun County, remaining there a short time, when he went to Steuben Co., Ind., once more. In April, 1873, he came to Casnovia, Muskegon Co., Mich., bought a lot, built a residence and remained there two years. In March, 1877, he bought 56 acres of wild land, on which he has since resided. He has cleared 30 acres, built a good barn and made a number of other improvements. He belongs to Post No. 131, G. A. R., located at Newaygo.
Mr. Mundy was married in Indiana, March 15, 1866, to Mary French, daughter of Martin and Elizabeth Arnold, born in New York, Feb. 7, 1842. The family circle includes three children, born as follows : 'Eugene L., Dec. 8, 1866; Eva L., March 2, 1868; Mary E., Feb. 2, 1871.
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eorge Utley, lumberman, Newaygo, was born in Plymouth, Wayne Co., Mich., Jan. 15, 1830, and is a son of Ephraim H. and Sarah (Yerkes) Utley. He was reared after the method common to the education and training of farmers of that period, and in 1849 accompanied his parents to Newaygo County, where they located, in the township of Big Prairie.
Ephriam H. Utley removed from Wayne County to Dewitt Township, Clinton Co., Mich., in 1835, coming thence to Newaygo County as stated. He transferred all his effects preparatory to a permanent settlement. Six loaded wagons were necessary to transport the household goods, provisions, grain, etc., and the procession was substantially enlarged by a herd of 33 cattle. Several families accompanied the head of the expedition, the senior Utley. One in- cident of the route was the camping over night 12 miles south of Croton, where a couch of bedding was made on which more than thirty persons slept. Mr. Utley was the first permanent settler in the township. Aaron Swain was the second to locate with his family within its limits. Alexander Dalziel and family came in the spring of 1850; also B. F. Olney and family, and within the same year Walter
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and Emerson Bonney, father and son, with their families. Theodore Taylor, a single man, also located that year. Egbertson Goodrich, unmarried, came in with Mr. Utley. They organized the first school in the township in the summer of 1850. It was located in the center of section 18, and Mr. Utley of this sketch was a pupil there three winters.
His father bought 640 acres of land, and he remained at home with him, conducting their business jointly, until the father's death, which occurred June 7, 1860. That of the mother took place at Casnovia, Kent Co., Dec. 12, 1878. The business of the Utleys included all the branches in- cident to lumbering and traffic in pine lands. To facilitate their operations they built a steam saw-mill in 1857, which they sold six years later. The products of their mill were in demand in all direc- tions. One bill of lumber was sent to Big Rapids to be used in the construction of a house built there by Zerah French-the first frame-building on the site of the now beautiful city. When the Utley family settled in Big Prarie, John A. Brooks (deceased) was the only fixed resident at Newaygo, where he was vigorously prosecuting his lumber operations.
George Utley was a citizen of Big Prairie 23 years, and during his residence there was actively interested in all its public affairs, promoting the welfare and progress of the township so far as he was able, giv- ing his time and attention to all issues that seemed likely to produce permanent results. He served in the important township offices, was Township Clerk six years, and in the fall of 1870 was elected Sheriff of Newaygo County. He removed to Newaygo in November, 1871, and was the incumbent of the posi- tion four years. On the expiration of his term of service he opened a meat market, which he managed three years. Through all his other business connec- tions he has continued to conduct his lumber opera- tions, and is still heavily interested in transactions in lands, putting in logs, etc. He owns 320 acres of farming and pine lands in Everett Township, and an aggregate of 880 acres in Newaygo County ; also 80 acres of pine land in Osceola County.
Mr. Utley was married in the old "Lansing House " at Lansing, Mich., June 7, 1858, to Lucy H., daughter of Stephen and Olive Hill, of Watertown, Clinton Co., Mich. The birth-place of Mrs. Utley was Plymouth, about two and one-half miles front
that of Mr. Utley. She was born Feb. 2, 1836. Cora, only child, was born in Big Prairie, Oct. 15, 1860, and is now pursuing a literary course of study at the Normal School at Ypsilanti. Mr. and Mrs. Utley belong to the Order of Royal Templars.
oseph Gerber, one of the proprietors of the tannery at Fremont, and one of the active, enterprising and foremost business men of that village, as well as a representative man of the county, was born in Haldimand Co., Ontario, Jan. 12, 1845. When only nine years of age he moved with his parents, Daniel and Mary Gerber, to Valparaiso, Ind. He remained at home until he was 21 years of age. During the meantime, besides working in his father's tannery, he attended college at different periods. At the age of 16 years he began to learn the tanner's trade under the in- struction of his father, and when he arrived at man's estate he was appointed superintendent of his father's tanning business, at Douglas, Allegan Co., Mich. Two years subsequent to assuming this posi- tion he entered into partnership with his father, and, since that period, has had exclusive control of the tanning business, ever proving himself a most careful, shrewd and worthy manager and business man.
Mr. Gerber came to Fremont in September, 1874, and opened a tannery which had previously been built, and of which he has the sole management. He carries on a large and successful business and is accounted one of the safest men in the community. He has held various local official positions, and always to the perfect satisfaction of his constituents. He has held the office of Village Trustee since its or- ganization, with the exception of one year, and was a member of the School Board for six years, and Chief of the Fire Department for three years. He is an active and faithful member of the leading benev- olent societies, and was the first presiding officer in the Fremont Lodge. No. 741, K. of H., and also the first presiding officer in Olive Branch Lodge, No. 14, of Mich., Order of Chosen Friends. He was Worship- ful Master of Pilgrim Lodge, F. & A. M., in 1881-2. In politics he is a Democrat.
Mr. Gerber was married in Canada, March 6, 1870, to Agnes, daughter of John and Mary (Hunsberger)
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Moyer, who was born in Canada, Sept. 29, 1852. They have had four children : Frank, born July 12, 1873; Hary, Dec. 10, 1877; Theron D., born Feb. 12, 187 1, died Sept. 19, 1880; May is deceased.
As a representative and prominent citizen of Ne- waygo County, we take pleasure in presenting the portrait of Mr. Gerber in this Album.
lden H. Angevine, farmer, section 36, Ev- erett Township, was born March 16, 1818, in Rutland, Vt. His parents, Stephen and Sophia (Turner) Angevine, were also natives of that State.
Mr. Angevine became a citizen of Michigan in 1851, when he settled in Newaygo County and bought 160 acres of land in Everett Township. To this he has added, by subsequent purchase, 80 acres more, making his homestead aggregate 240 acres in extent. Of this, 145 acres have been placed under such improvements and culture as might be expected under the industry and thrift of a man of New Eng- land origin, and especially a son of the Green Moun- tain State. He is a Republican, and has been Treasurer of his township eight years, Justice of the Peace four years and held the various school offices.
Mr. Angevine was married in the State of New York to Emmeline Wright. She died in February, 1877, leaving three children-Eugene T., John and Morris.
acob Carlisle, retired farmer, Hesperia, is a son of Ebenezer and Catharine (Forbes) Carlisle, natives of New England, and was born in Oneida Co., N. Y., April 27, 1806. He was educated in the common schools, and re- mained at home until he was 19 years old, when he went to learn the carpenter and joiner's trade, where he remained two years, then began to work for himself. March 20, 1828, in the town of Bristol, he married Miss Hannah Simmons, daughter of Gamaliel and Abigail (Stillwell) Simmons, who were natives of New England, and came to Bristol, Ontario Co., N. Y., where their daughter was born, Dec. 10, 1808. Mr. and Mrs. Carlisle removed to
Oneida Co., N. Y., remaining there till Sept. 22, 1829, when they emigrated to Oakland Co., Mich., and settled on a farm of 80 acres in Novi Township. Here Mr. Carlisle labored hard for four years, then purchased another farm of timbered land, which he immediately commenced to improve. In the spring of 1846 he moved to Clinton County, where he lived six years, thence to Ottawa County, where he tilled a large farm. While living here he received injuries by being struck with a stick with which he was work- ing, that almost caused him to lose his eyes.
In the autumn of 1873, Mr. Carlisle moved to this county and settled in the village of Hesperia, and has since lived in retirement. He has one of the finest residences in Denver Township. He is a member of the Masonic Order, in politics a Jack- sonian Democrat, and himself and wife belong to the Old-School Baptist Church.
eorge H. Peters, farmer, section 36, Ever- ett Township, was born in Livonia, Wayne Co., Mich., March 14, 1841, and is a. son of George and Mary Ann (Stevens) Peters. His father was born Jan. 14, 1798, in Cattar- augus Co., N. Y., and died Aug. 22, 1875. His mother had descended from the genuine Yankee stock of Massachusetts. She was born in 1819 in the " Old Bay State," and is still living, in Eaton County.
In paternal descent, Mr. Peters comes of the sturdy, honest race known as Scotch-Irish. When he was a year old his parents came to Eaton County, where he was reared to manhood. He was married when 21 years of age and resided at home with his parents four years after that event. On leaving the paternal roof he came to Newaygo County and iden- tified himself with the agricultural element of the township of Everett, by the purchase of 40 acres of land. He has labored upon this until he has cleared 30 acres. A subsequent purchase has put him in possession of 40 additional acres, of which he has cleared seven acres.
Mr. Peters enlisted, in 1864, in the service of the United States, and aided in consummating the final extinction of armed rebellion and enforcing the authority of the general Government. He enrolled
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in Co. G, Tenth Mich. Cav., and was mustered out in 1865, at Jackson, Mich. Politically he is a Re- publican.
Mr. Peters was married Aug. 10, 1863, at Kalamo, Eaton County, to Caroline B., daughter of Richard and Charlotte (Dodge) Wilber. She was born Feb. 22, 1843, in Barry County. Her father, who was born in the State of New York, died before her birth; her mother was born in the Empire State in 1817, and was of Holland Dutch descent. She came to Michigan in 1840 and died Sept. 5, 1876. Rin- aldo Burdett was born Aug. 13, 1864; Albert Dex- ter was born Aug. 21, 1874. These are the children of Mr. and Mrs. Peters. The family attend the Church of the United Brethren.
illiam F. Carpenter, one of the most prom- inent agriculturists of Newaygo County, resident on section 25, Ensley Township, was born in Chautauqua Co., N. Y., March 14, 1830. His parents, Timothy and Me- linda (Millér) Carpenter, were natives of Orange Co., N. Y. They were married and resided in the Empire State until July, 1843, when they came to Michigan and located in Plainfield, Kent County. The father died there Feb. 17, 1870. The mother is living and is a resident on the homestead.
Mr. Carpenter was 13 years old when he accom- panied his parents to Michigan, and three years later he went to Chicago, where he passed six months as an assistant in a lumber yard. At the end of that time he fell ill, and on recovery became a clerk in the wholesale and retail grocery house of his cousin, Ca- leb Carpenter. He served in that position about one and a half years, when he returned to Kent County and attended school one winter. The following spring he went to Ottawa County and established lumber interests, where he operated ten years and also pursued farming to a considerable extent. In addition he constructed scows, and during three sum- mer seasons boated on the Grand River. He then went to Lyons, Ionia County, and bought the Ameri- can Hotel, which he conducted in behalf of the traveling public about a year, when it burned, occa- sioning a loss of $8,000 to the proprietor. It was covered by insurance, but owing to a defect in the
policy only a small portion of the amount was recov- erable.
The next business venture of Mr. Carpenter was the purchase of a half interest in a drug store at Muskegon. The remaining moiety was owned by Levi Shockelton, the firm style being Carpenter & Shockelton. This relation continued a year ; then he sold to his partner and bought a stock of grocer- ies and conducted traffic in that line of trade about a twelve-month, when he determined to investigate the probabilities and possibilities of the lumber trade in Wisconsin, and he proceeded thither to look up pine lands ; but, finding a feasible opening for trade, he opened a store in Trempeleau Valley, Jackson County. He continued his operations there two years, sold out and came to Cedar Springs, Kent County, where he opened a general supply store and there transacted business about a year. Meanwhile he bought an undivided half of 440 acres of land on section 25, Ensley Township, on which a steam saw-mill had been located. He made this purchase in the summer of 1868. In the fall of 1869 he dis- posed of his business at Cedar Springs and went to Charlotte, Eaton County, where he established and managed a lumber yard in connection with the saw- mill in Ensley Township.
He again sold out his business in 1871, and after a stay of six months at Pierson, Montcalm County, he settled where he how resides. He added by pur- chase 40 acres to his farm, which already contained 440 acres, and of this he has 200 acres in cultivation, with a standard of improvements which places it in the front rank of farms in Michigan. In 1879 he erected a fine residence, second to none in Newaygo County, and the place is supplied with other farm buildings of proportionate character, among them two fine barns. One of these is 100 feet long by 56 feet wide and has a cupola more than 19 feet in height. He contemplates the erection of two large granaries as lateral accessories to the building, which Gov. Jerome characterizes as the finest structure of its kind in the State. The farm is stocked with 200 sheep, 15 head of cattle, and eight horses. About 15 hogs are fattened yearly on the premises.
Mr. Carpenter was married Jan. 27, 1866, at Au- gusta, Eau Claire Co., Wis., to C. Antoinette, third daughter of Erasmus D. and Hannah (Crouch) Maxon. The parents of Mrs. Carpenter were natives
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of the State of New York and settled in Walworth Co., Wis., when their daughter was five years old. Seven years later they located in the northern part of the Badger State and in the fall of 1872 removed to California, where Mrs. Maxon died, July 4, 1874. Mr. Maxon is still a resident of California. Mrs. Carpenter was born March 7, 1844, in Jefferson Co., N. Y. Two children have been born of her marriage with Mr. Carpenter: Sidney M., June 26, 1870, and Mary, Dec. 28, 1874.
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