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 49
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accept a nomination to the Legislature (a nomination being equivalent to an election), but declined, pre- ferring his home and business life to the turmoil of political strife. Neighbors and friends will bear wit- ness that he was a square, honest, upright man; one who held enmity toward no man on the green earth; one who, if he had an enemy in the wide world, knew it not.
Many interesting reminiscences come up, but space will not permit giving them here. From Detroit Mr. Merrill walked to Grand Rapids on his pioneer trip to Michigan, and, if we are not mistaken, John Paige, of Maine, and a Mr. Hersey, who settled in Mecosta County afterward, kept him company. John A. Brooks was building a mill at Newaygo when Mr. Merrill and the men named above reached that point, having followed an Indian trail from Grand Rapids.
Mr. Merrill died at his home in Bridgeton, Dec. 14, 1883, after a lingering and painful illness of some years' duration.
E. W. Merrill, of Muskegon, is a brother of de- ceased, and is one of the early pioneers of the Mus- kegon Valley. One by one they are passing away, and soon the last of those iron men will have passed beyond the vale, leaving a new generation to tread the paths their fathers made for them in the wilder- ness.
euben S. Trask, M. D., practicing physi- cian and surgeon, at White Cloud, was born April 4, 1837, in Elmira, N. Y., and is a son of Alanson and Lucy (Cummins) Trask, natives of Connecticut. After their marriage they settled in the State of New York, after- wards removing to Smithfield, Pa., where they passed the remainder of their lives.
Dr. Trask came to Cassopolis, Mich., when he was 16 years of age, and served two years in acquiring the details of the trade of cabinet-maker and car- penter. He then went to Pennsylvania and worked at his trade until 1865, and as opportunity afforded read for his profession. He first commenced the practice of his profession at Leonard Hollow, Pa., and then came to Barry Co., Mich., where he re- mained until 1870. In the autumn of that year he came to Newaygo County and located at Croton,
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where he operated as a medical practitioner nearly six years. In 1876 he came to Alleyton, and, after pursuing his profession there some years, in the au- tumn of r880 he established himself at White Cloud professionally, and commercially in the drug business, in both which avenues he is still engaged.
He was married in Barry Co., Mich., June 26, 1866, to Lydia M., daughter of Peter and Polly Perhamus. She was born in Pennsylvania. Of five children born to Dr. and Mrs. Trask three are now living. They are Harlan A., Linnie A. and Minnie. Those deceased are Byon and an infant child.
Dr. Trask is a Democrat in politics and Chairman of the Democratic County Committee. He has served his community in various official positions, and always with entire satisfaction. He has been the incumbent of the office of Supervisor of Wilcox three years; has been President of the village of White Cloud ; and also acted two years as Village Clerk of Croton, and was nominated for Judge of Probate in 1880. He is a member of the Order of Odd Fellows. Mrs. Trask is engaged in millinery and fancy goods, and exhibits a fine stock of mer- chandise in the lines of her trade.
As a prominent and representative business and professional man of Newaygo County, we take pleas- ure in presenting the portrait of Dr. Trask. We present it in connection with this sketch, accompanied by that of his wife.
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3 onroe L. Sharp, farmer, section 17, Bea- ver Township, was born Dec. 9, 1855, in Canada. His father, James Sharp, also a native of Canada, is now residing in Mary- land; his mother, Harriet (Richardson) Sharp, born in England, died April 15, 1876.
Mr. Sharp was an inmate of his paternal home and under the guidance of his father until he reached the age of 20 years, when he came to Lapeer County and worked as a saw-mill hand about ten months, after which he came to Newaygo County and bought 60 acres of land in Beaver Township. It was in the midst of a vast wilderness, the forest having never re-echoed the sound of preparation for permanent settlement previous to his location there. He now
has 33 acres under cultivation, with creditable farm fixtures.
He was married in Lapeer County, Aug. 20, 1876, to Jane Saunders, a native of Sanilac County, born Aug. 8, 1860, and is the daughter of James and Eunice Ann (Reed) Saunders, born respectively in Pennsylvania and Canada, and now resident in Ne- waygo County. Jessie R, Nettie M., Elmer W. and Amy A. are the names of their four children. Mr. Sharp acts with the Republican party.
dgar L. Gray, attorney, resident at Ne- waygo, was born Oct. 10, 1833, in Troy, Rensselaer Co., N. Y. His father was a native of the State of Connecticut, is now in his 8Ist year, in sound, firm health, and resides in Grand Haven. His mother's maiden name was Almira Furguson. She was a native of Rens- selaer County, and was a daughter of an officer in the Revolutionary war, who died at the advanced age of 84 years.
Mr. Gray's parents and only sister (Mrs. Jennie E. Wallace), moved from Troy to Pennfield, Calhoun Co., Mich., where his mother died in 1843. The family removed to the (then) village of Grand Rapids, where the father again married, and Mr. Gray attended the academy under the management of Rev. Addison Ballard, and, later, under Franklin Everett, both of whom are still living. He also at- tended for one year what was termed the Branch of the Michigan University, located at Kalamazoo. At the age of 17 years he commenced the study of law, and in 1854 he decided to settle in Newaygo, which was then just platted by Sarell Wood, John A. Brooks and John A. Brooks, Jr. Previous to this determination, he made an extended prospecting trip to Chicago, Rock Island, Davenport, Dubuque and Galena. In calculating chances, Mr. Gray could not see how the broad prairies of the West could be as fruitful of lawsuits as a timbered coun- try, where men make and break more contracts than in a purely agricultural region. About the time Mr. Gray commenced the study of law, Hon. Thomas B. Church, of Grand Rapids, was a member of the Constitutional Convention and endeavored to obtain a Representative for each of the counties of Saginaw,
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Tuscola, Midland, Sanilac, Montcalm and Newaygo, and upon the proposition urged by him made the following remarks :
" Information, sir, has been asked for respecting the counties enumerated in the amendment under consideration, and I propose to furnish a little re- specting one of them. The county of Newaygo, sir, lies north of the county which I in part represent, and embraces, in connection with the adjacent county of Oceana, the principal portion of country com- monly called Muskegon. A river by the latter name runs through it, the course of which is nearly parallel with the Grand River, a river of less length indeed than the Grand River, and of less average width per- haps, but discharging quite an equal amount of water, the Rapids of which furnish an immense water-power, and which intersects a region of great fertility of soil, and also containing extensive and valuable pineries.
" This county now furnishes a large annual supply of lumber for the markets upon the west side of Lake Michigan, the transportation of which now maintains respectable and rapidly augmenting ma- rine. The harbor, at the mouth of the Muskegon River, is rated as the second best upon the Michigan side of the Lake, being upon the lee coast, and con- sisting of a lake about seven miles in length by two in width, of a sufficient depth of water to float the vessels navigating the main lakes. The small lake is connected with the main lake by an outlet sometimes barred by the sand accumulated by the action of wind and wave; but the contemplated improvements by the general Government will remove this obstacle. The erection of a lighthouse has been determined upon at that point, and liberal appropriations for the improvements spoken of are recommended by the surveying party detailed by the Secretary of the Treasury for the examination of the east coast of Lake Michigan.
" Of the population of this district I cannot speak positively. Large additions have been made the past year to the agriculturists, a demand existing for their products on account of the numerous mills in operation upon the river and the people and teams employed about them. I should think that the pop- ulation must now crowd upon one thousand; and taking into account those who are scattered along the lake shore, perhaps it will exceed two thou- sand."
The allusion of Mr. Church to the large supplies of pine timber on the Muskegon River, coupled with his knowledge of the immense resources of that stream, led Mr. Gray to settle in Newaygo. He was at the time the only person then practicing law in the county who had been admitted to the Bar.
Newaygo County had then just entered upon a wonderful career of prosperity-the opening previ- ously to this of the Illinois Canal and the improve- ment of the harbor at Chicago, furnishing an excel- lent market for the pine products of the Muskegon River. Large numbers of lumbermen from Maine and Northern New York, had been and still were locating large bodies of pine lands on the river and its tributaries ; a gang mill had been built at Ne- waygo, and was then being operated by Albert N. Cheney and Lewis L. Arms, of Glens Falls, N. Y., and Amasa B. Watson and A. F. and H. J. Orton, of Newaygo. The village began to grow rapidly, and the pine and farming lands of the county were ab- sorbed by settlers and speculators so fast as to indi- cate that the future prosperity of the village and county was fully assured.
In the fall of 1854 Mr. Gray was appointed County Treasurer, and the same fall was elected Prosecuting Attorney and Circuit Court Commissioner. John H. Swartwout was elected County Treasurer with the understanding that he should appoint Mr. Gray his Deputy, which he did. Mr. Swartwout resigned, and Hiram Butler was appointed who retained Mr. Gray as Deputy. The latter surrendered his trust Jan. 1, 1857, having accomplished much that aided materially in the prosperity of Newaygo County. Every description of property amenable to tax sales had been sold for cash, the county was out of debt, taxes were low and a considerable sum of money was in the treasury.
Mr. Gray continued the practice of law until 1861, when he bid off, either alone or associated with others, several State road contracts, and built the road running from the north line of Newaygo County to within eight miles of Grand Rapids. He also cut and "cross-wayed," where desired by the special commissioner, a road from the village of Newaygo to the northwestern corner of the county. He also made and " stumped " a road ten miles in length from the village to Bridgeton. In company with Duncan McLellan, Esq., now of Big Rapids, he con- structed nine miles of road toward that city, and eight miles from Big Rapids to Cedar Springs. Mr. Gray also built a State Road 16 miles north of Stanton, in Isabella County. He closed the last of these contracts in 1869.
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NEWAYGO COUNTY.
In 187 1 he was elected a member of the House of Representatives, his district being composed of Newaygo, Mecosta, Osceola, Lake and Oceana Counties. During the session a determined effort was made to organize a new county from eight northern towns of Kent County, four southeast corner towns of Newaygo County, and four southwest corner towns of Montcalm County, the new organiza -. tion to be named Russell County, in honor of the Hon. H. C. Russell, later State Senator. Col. Phelps, Mr. Russell's father-in-law, and others urged the measure with great zeal and determination. (Col. Phelps recently died in Detroit, and, in a sketch of him published soon after, the result of the vote upon the measure referred to was erroneously given. The first vote made an exhibit of 36 ayes to 49 noes; on reconsideration the manifest was 34 to 46.) On Mr. Gray's motion to reconsider, the bill was lost and Major Huston moved to lay the vote to reconsider on the table. Thus the bill was killed by parliamentary regime. During the same session a bill was intro- duced that each county sell its own lands for taxes, give deeds, etc.,-in other words, collect and disburse its moneys as any private individual might do. Mr. Gray was the only member who made an extended speech in its favor, and it was carried through the House, but was defeated in the Senate.
William Humphrey was then Auditor General of Michigan, and under his authority many Supervisors in Northern Michigan had assessed and taxed lands lying along the line of railroads. where tracks had been completed. Mr. Gray introduced a successful resolution calling upon the Attorney General for his opinions as to the legality of this action of the Auditor General. The former decided that the lands were taxable, and thereupon a bill was introduced to exempt them for a further period. Mr. Gray opposed the bill in a lengthy speech under suspension of rules, and was assisted by an able argument from Hon. A. B. Riford. The bill passed by only four votes. William A. Howard, D. Darwin Hughes and scores of other advocates of acknowledged ability appeared in behalf of the railroads determined to secure an extension of time.
In 1872 Mr. Gray was elected to the State Senate, and early in the session, Senator Hinds, of Montcalm, introduced a resolution calling upon the Railroad Committee to report whether, in their opinion, the
bill for exemption of railroad lands from taxation, passed in 1871, could be repealed. Senators Wheeler and Gray each made elaborate reports that the law could be legally and honorably repealed, and embraced in a revision of the railroad laws a pro- vision for its repeal, which passed the Senate unani- mously. One thousand copies of the separate reports of Senators Wheeler and Gray were printed at the expense of the State. The Senate bill thus passed being bandied about the House on one pretext and another, a separate bill for taxation of said lands was introduced in the House, passed both branches and became a law.
In 1874 Mr. Gray was re-elected to the Senate and appointed Chairman of the Judiciary Committee. Gov. Bagley had recommended in his message the passage of a tax liquor law, on the ground that prohibition in this State meant free whisky in the large cities and spasmodic strictures in small places. Mr. Gray was made Chairman of the Liquor Com- mittee by special request of the Governor, and he advocated the passage, and constitutionality, of the liquor law of 1875, against such men as Senator Webber, of East Saginaw. The bill passed the Senate by the requisite vote, 17, and the House by 52 votes, one more than the law required. Not a voice was raised in the Senate for the bill but that of Mr. Gray, and at the time of its passage the New York Tribune pronounced it the best law for control- ling the traffic in ardent spirits yet devised. Mr. Gray's position was that the bill would operate as prohibitory in the country, and regulative and restraining in the cities and villages. Several at- tempts have since been made to repeal this law, but without success, thus demonstrating the superior statesmanship of Mr. Gray.
Since his last term in the Senate Mr. Gray has been engaged in the prosecution of his profession. He has also superintended the improvement of a large farm, and engaged to a considerable extent in manufacturing lumber. He was married June 24, 1868, in St. Paul's Church, Detroit, to Julia E. Bisbee, a native of Burlington, Vt., and they have had four children.
The family residence is situated on a bluff close to the banks of the Muskegon River in the village of Newaygo, and is known by the attractive name of " Mistover."
NEWAYGO COUNTY.
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lexander Gracey, farmer, section 14, Day- ton Township, is a son of Robert and Eliza (White) Gracey, who were natives of Scot- land, and settled in North Ireland, where they both died. He was born in Ireland, Nov. II, 1822; came to America in the spring of 1851, first settling in Canada, until the winter of 1860; then came to Newaygo, this county, and worked two years at his trade, blacksmithing, which he had learned in Canada; he then moved to Dayton Town- ship, in the spring of 1863, and entered 160 acres of Government land; half of this he has since sold, and of the remaining 80 acres one-half is improved. On this he has built a fine frame residence.
Mr. Gracey was married in Canada, June 5, 1856, to Mary Ann, daughter of Andrew and Jane (Lemons) McClimons, also natives of the north of Ireland. The living children in Mr. G's. family are : Elizabeth, Mary A. and Margaret A .: two died in infancy; both named Martha Jane.
Mr. and Mrs. G. are members of the Church of Scotland : he is a stanch Republican.
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John F. Maynard, farmer, section 27, Den- ver Township, was born in this county, Jan. 30, 1864, and has since lived under the parental roof. His parents, John and Lois (Camber) Maynard, were natives of Clin- ton Co., England, and emigrated to America in 1854. They first settled in New York, and in the fall of 1856 came to this county and settled on a farm of 160 acres in Denver Township, where they resided until their death. They afterward added 54 acres to the original purchase, and improved the most of it. They reared a family of 12 children, one of whom died at the age of seven years.
The subject of this sketch was reared to farm labor, and was educated in the district schools of his township. Oct. 13, 1883, he was married to Miss Iva Titus, daughter of Charles and Harriet (Falk) Titus, the former a native of New York and the
latter of Michigan. They were married in Allegan County, and afterward moved to Barry County, where Harriet was born, March 13, 1866. When seven years of age, her parents moved to Fremont, this county, where she received her education. Mr. Maynard inherited 60 acres of well-improved land from liis father, and after his marriage settled on the old homestead. In politics he is a Republican.
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ames Corsaut, foreman of the Western Michigan Saw-mill, located at Woodville, was born in London, Can., June 11, 1838, and is a son of James and Millicent (Farrar) Corsaut. He remained under the supervision and instruction of his father until he was 18 years old, at which age he came to Michigan and re- sided in Hillsdale County a short time. He then went to the city of New York and engaged as a sea- man in the coast-sailing service, where he was em- ployed three years. At the end of that time he lo- cated in Livingston County, where he married Miss Martha H., daughter of Elijah and Sarai Bisbee; born in London, Can. He followed farming for two years thereafter, when he turned his attention to lumbering one year, then again purchased a farm ; but, not finding agriculture a congenial pursuit, he embarked in his present business, taking charge of the mill Jan. 8, 1879, since which time he has been actively engaged in furthering the interests of the proprietors.
The family circle includes the following children : Florence A., Charles D., William D., Mabel W. and Rubie M.
orenzo E. Norton, M. D., physician and surgeon in Hesperia, was born in Belmont, Allegany Co., N. Y., Nov. 29, 1848. He is a son of John B. and Stata (Davis) Norton both natives of New York and of English descent. Mr. Norton lived at home with his parents, assisting on the farm until he attained his majority, when he entered upon the study of medi-
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cine under the instruction of his uncle, Benjamin Norton, of his native town. He attended lectures at the University of Buffalo and completed his course at Bellevue Medical College, New York city. After graduating and receiving his diploma in February, 1873, he returned to his native home and remained a year, and then came to this State, and in 1875 located in Alleyton, this county, and entered upon the practice of his profession. He has met with flattering success in the practice of his profession, and is endowed with sufficient energy and studious- ness to place him foremost among the practitioners of the State.
Doctor Norton was married March 7, 1878, to Miss Sarah A., daughter of John and Cornelia (Haight) Grumley, natives of New England. She was born in North Newberg, Shiawassee County, this State, Aug. 2, 1855, and remained at home until her marriage. Mrs. Norton received all the advantages which the common schools afforded. Her parents took con- siderable pains in her musical education, and she, having a desire to excel in that line. threw all her energy into the study and accomplished her fond hope by becoming proficient in the art, and previous to her marriage was engaged in teaching the same.
Mr. and Mrs. Norton have one child, Fanny M., born July 9, 1879. Mr. Norton is now serving in the capacity of Health Officer in his township and prac- ticing his profession.
rank A. Basford, farmer, section 30, Troy Township, was born in Aroostook Co., Maine, June 19, 1837, and is a son of John and Statira (Frisbie) Basford. His father was a native of Maine, and followed the calling of a lumberman until his death, Dec. 23, 1881. The mother was born in New Hampshire, and died Feb. 20, 1883.
Mr. Basford was educated in the common schools of his native county, and was bred to the calling of his father, with whom he worked until he was 20 years of age. He came to Ohio in 1857, where he remained six years, engaged in a machine shop. He went thence to the oil regions of Pennsylvania. One and a half years later he enlisted. The war was an established fact, and the need of men to aid in quell-
ing the Rebellion was the topic of all discussions. Mr. Basford enlisted in December, 1861, in the Sixth Ohio Reg. Vol. Inf. After a service of 20 months he was discharged, and returned to the Buckeye State, where he engaged in farming. He came thence to Ludington, Mich., and engaged with George W. Roby in the lumber business. The association con- tinued seven years. When it was terminated he came to Newaygo County and resumed farming in Troy Township.
He was married in Trumbull Co., Ohio, in 1861, to Julia R. Wiseman, a native of the same county. She died in 1873, leaving four children : Job, John F., Henry S. and Mary. Mr. Basford was again married in 1876, to Mary E., daughter of Anson and Elizabeth (Rhodes) Freeman, born respectively in New York and Pennsylvania. One of the three children born of the latter marriage is deceased,- Milo M. The living are Bessie S. and an infant.
Mr. Basford is a Democrat in politics, has been Township Clerk one year and Supervisor four years.
ames H. Darling, merchant, Fremont, was born in New York, Dec. 13, 1841. His parents, Alexander and Lovina (Carpenter) Darling, were natives of New York, where they were married, and came to Michigan in an early day, settling in Newaygo County where they now reside. At the age of 13 James H. left home and went to live with his grandfather, where he remained four years, attending school nearly two years. At the expiration of this time he purchased a one-half interest in a threshing-machine. Two machines were purchased: one for clover, which was operated during the winter season, and the other during the summer. This business he followed four years. In the spring of 1862, Mr. Darling left the State of New York and came to Fremont. He first bought an interest in a saw-mill, which he has since retained, although the mill has been burned and rebuilt in the meantime. He has bought and sold thousands of acres of land, mostly pine, and now owns a one-half interest in 400 acres in Newaygo County. In 1868 he purchased one- half interest in the store of Reynolds & Clenden- ning, which consisted of general merchandise, and
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was known under the name of Darling & Reynolds. This partnership closed in less than two years, by Mr. Reynolds selling his interest to a man named Floyd Misner, and the firm was known as Darling & Misner. This partnership continued between two and three years, when Mr. Darling bought out Mr. Misner, and has since carried on the business alone. He has the largest store of this character to be found in the county.
Mr. Darling is identified with all the reforms of the day, and is particularly interested in all that per- tains to educational matters. He is President of the Darling Milling Company, which was organized in the spring of 1883; has held the office of Council- man for three years, and is a member of the Masonic Order. He has never wished for office, owing to the pressing demands of his business interests.
Mr. Darling was married in this county, to Alma, daughter of Arza and Adaline Tibbitts, who was born in Canada. Mr. and Mrs. Darling have had three children : Brittie M., Willard, who died at the age of six years, and Ralph, who died at the age of one and a half years.
runa Dake, farmer, section 35, Denver Township, was born in Erie Co., N. Y., April 6, 1823. His parents, Benjamin and Polly (Colby) Dake, were natives of Vermont, and of English and Dutch-Irish ancestry. They first settled in Allegany Co., N. Y., and after- ward in Erie County. Mr. Dake's early education was obtained in the common schools of his native county, and was such as usually fell to the lot of farmers' sons in those days. He labored on his father's farm until 22 years of age, when he left home and came to this State, locating in the town of Richland, Kalamazoo County. He then went to Wyoming Co., N. Y., and married Miss Esther A. Hayes, May 4, 1847. She was the daughter of James Hayes, a native of New England and of English descent, and was born in Wyoming Co., N. Y., March 30, 1828, where she was educated, having lived most of the time with a distant relative. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Dake returned to Kala- mazoo Co., Mich., where Mr. Dake worked in a saw- mill until the spring of 1849, when he removed to
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