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 51
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eorge Luton, attorney and counsellor at law, resident at Newaygo, was born Dec. 18, 1844, at St. Thomas, Ont. He is the eldest son of his parents, William and Eliza- beth (Crane) Luton, who are still living in Canada. His father was born in 1822, in Elgin Co., Canada, and his mother was also a na- native of the Dominion. She is a daughter of Frank Crane, who was a native of Vermont. William Lu- ton, paternal grandsire of Mr. Luton, of this sketch, came to America just previous to the second war with Great Britain and settled in Elgin County, Canada.
Mr. Luton received a substantial preliminary edu- cation, and at the age of 17 years commenced teaching. He pursued that vocation five years, when he matriculated at Osgood Hall, Toronto. He passed the severe examination with much credit and was articled for five years. A successful candidate is regarded as entitled to great honor as a scholar, but he has only reached the threshhold of an arduous labor and struggle. His matriculation admits him to membership in an association whereby his position is assured and the way paved to five years of unre- mitting mental toil. The curriculum of regular study is prescribed, and four scholarships are opened to contestants. In these the studies are also arranged, the successful candidate receiving $120 for the first year, $160 for the second, $200 for the third and $240 for the fourth. Mr. Luton passed the first two years without extra effort .. He entered as a contest- ant for the third year and was distanced by a com-
petitor by six-tenths of a question on the examination. Nothing daunted, he undertook the struggle for the scholarship of the fourth year, and won the honors and money over his competitor of the previous year. His grade in the regular course which he read for his profession, averaged less than one below the standard of one hundred. In 1872 he passed the rigid exam ination of "Trinity term," and within the year settled at Newaygo. He formed an association with Edgar L. Gray, which relation continued with successful results four years. . In 1876 Mr. Luton opened an office alone, and has since managed his business singly. He occupies at present an elegant office in the "Courtright."
Mr. Luton is the present Secretary of the Newaygo County Republican Committee. In 1876 he was elected Prosecuting Attorney and continued to hold : the office by re-election until Jan. 1, 1883. He holds
fair rank in the legal fraternity of Northern Michigan, and is chiefly distinguished for his quiet, dignified, unostentatious manners and his attention to his busi- ness relations. He is characterized by calmness of deliberation, reflective judgment and clear under- standing of the details of his profession. As an ad- vocate he is dispassionate and effective ; in forensic debate he exhibits fine logical powers and a wide scope of legal knowledge. He is non-aggressive, builds nothing at the expense of others, and possesses traits which must eventually lead to distinction for which he can very well afford to wait.
eter Graves, farmer, section 20, Everett Township, is the son of Alfred and Hannah (Andrews) Graves, and was born in Salem, Monroe County, Mich., May 15, 1845. His parents were natives of Pennsylvania.
At the age of 18 years, Mr. Graves found himself released from his allegiance to paternal authority, and became interested in the lumber trade in Michi- gan. He found constant employ in the woods and on the water courses, and operated as a lumberman about 10 years, afterwards giving his attention to agriculture. In 1867 he entered a homestead claim of 120 acres of land on section 20, in Everett Town- ship, and subsequently bought 1 20 acres on section 34. He is now clearing and cultivating these tracts of
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land, and has 80 acres in tillage. He also owns 200 acres of pine land on sections r7 and 18, where he is pursuing his lumber interests.
Mr. Graves was married in Moniteau Co., Mo., July 1, 1877, to Mary F. Wright, born March 6, 1855, in that State. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Graves,-Lula M., Gertrude H., Blanche Walton R. The last named died when two years old.
Mr. Graves is a thoroughgoing, active temperance man. In early life he formed the liquor habit, which is as easy in Northern Michigan as the proverbial " falling off a log," which saying, it is suspected, had its origin uuder the peculiar circumstances of local- ity,-logs being always at hand and candidates for that kind of immortality being nearly as plentiful. But Mr. Graves learned, not too late, the folly of sacrificing his manhood and the results of years of honest, worthy endeavor, and abandoned his perni- cious habit. He met with a loss of $7,000 in conse- quence of his unfortunate proclivity, in 1877, and from that date made a new departure in life.
Politically, he is in affinity with the Democrat party.
hilip H. Weaver, miller, and farmer on sec. 30, Dayton Tp., is a son of Daniel and Emily, (Salisbury) Weaver, natives of New York, and was born in Lenawee Co., Mich., Feb. 22 1834. When he was five years of age his parents moved upon a farm in Hillsdale County, where he lived until he attained his majority. Dur- ing this time he alternated between working on the farm and attending school. In 1856 his father moved to Newaygo County and settled in Dayton Township, on the present site of the village of Fre- mont. Here Mr. Weaver was married, April 13, 185-, to Mary E., daughter of Ezra and Cynthia (Philips) Dickinson, natives of Connecticut, and she was born in DeKalb Co., Ind., April 30, r838. She moved to Defiance Co., Ohio, with her parents when she was quite young, where she received her educa- tion. They then returned to Indiana, and after a lapse of two years moved to Newaygo County, this State, settling in what is now Fremont village. After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Weaver settled on a
farm Mr. W. had previously purchased, in Dayton Township, on section 32. He put many improve- ments upon the farm, and in the spring of 1864 they returned to Fremont, living there and working on the farm until May, 1873, when he moved to Hespe- ria, where he has since resided, running a saw-mill and working his farm.
Mr. and Mrs. Weaver have five children : Emma A., born Jan. 26, 1857; Ella L., June 22, 1858; Lettie A., May 4, 1861; Leland S., Aug. 31, r863; Mabel F., Jan. r5, r879; Lucy M., an adopted daughter, was born March 27, 1873. Mr. Weaver is a member of the Chapter R. A. M., of Newaygo and Hesperian Lodge, No. 246. He was the first Clerk of the original township of Fremont, and has held various school offices. In politics he is an active Greenbacker. Mrs. Weaver is a zealous member of the First-Day Advent Church.
dwin R. Haight, farmer, Denver p., is a son of Hiram and Sarah (Swain) Haight, natives of New York, and of German- Welsh descent, and was born in Bradford Co., Pa., March 17, 1839. When he was seven weeks old his parents emigrated to this State, settling in Newberg, Shiawassee County, where he was educated and lived until 17 years old, when he came to this county and located in Big Prairie Town- ship. He was engaged in lumbering until the spring of 1861, when he moved to Denver Township, and settled on 80 acres of land, which he began to clear and to make a home for himself. He afterward bought 60 acres more, adjoining, and now has 55 acres under tillage. Residence, section 31.
June 7, 1863, Mr. Haight was married to Miss Esther Ann Dake, who was born in Barry Co., Mich., July 9, 1846. Her parents, Benjamin and Clarissa Dake, were natives of New England, and of English and Dutch ancestry. Mrs. Haight was educated in her native county, and at the age of r4 years moved to this county with her parents, who settled in Den- ver Township, where she was married.
Mr. H. enlisted in the 3d Mich. Inf., Co. B, Aug. 20, r864, belonging to the Army of the Tennessee. He participated in the battle at Decatur, Ala., and Murfreesboro, Tenn. At the former place, the battle
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had commenced when he arrived there; his com- pany was ushered off the cars and went immediately into action. Scarcely a day passed that he was not in some engagement. At Cumberland Gap he was taken sick with that terrible complaint, diarrhea, and was sent to the hospital at Nashville, Tenn., where he remained some time, and was finally discharged at Detroit, Aug. 18, 1865. He immediately came home and settled on his farm, where he has ever since been actively engaged in the various pursuits of farm life.
Mr. and Mrs. Haight have had two children : Ada L., born Oct. 19, 1876; Adelbert, born May 3, 1870, died April 12, 1879. Mr. H. is a member of the I. O. O. F., and is Secretary of the lodge. Mrs. H. is a member of the Baptist Church, in which she has been an active worker 20 years.
rederick J. Maynard, farmer, section 27, Denver Township, is a son of John and Lois (Camber) Maynard, who were natives of Clinton Co., England. They emigrated to America, and after spending two years in New York, came to Michigan and settled on the farm where Frederick now resides, in the fall of 1856, and where he was born Nov. 2, 1862. He spent 12 winters in the district schools of this place, and since that time has labored hard and earnestly to assist in cultivating his father's large farm. His father bequeathed him 70 acres of finely improved land, and he is classed with the best farmers of the county. His honesty and integrity have won for him an excellent reputation. In politics he is a Re- publican.
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John W. McNabb, M. D., Fremont, was born in Wyandot Co., Ohio, Jan. 20, 1846. His parents, James J. and Eliza Jane (Mc- Kim) McNabb, were also natives of that Statc, of Scotch and Irish ancestry. His father was a minister of the M. E. Church. They moved to Indiana when the subject of this sketch was about six years of age. Mr. McNabb died in Miami Co, Ind., Oct. 2, 1852, and his widow Oct. 10, 1864.
At the age of five years John W. lost the use of his left leg by paralysis. At the age of 17 he entered the Methodist college at Fort Wayne, Ind., attending one year, then two years at Wabash College, Craw- fordsville, Ind. He next taught school for a while, and then entered the office of Dr. C. Hector, at Rochester, Ind., commencing the study of medicine. He thus passed about three years, and then one year in the medical department of the University of Michigan. Next he practiced his profession a year at Sebastopol, Ind., and then, in the spring of 1870, came to Newaygo County, residing in Hesperia until 1875. In August of this year he came to Fremont, where he has since remained, in the successful prac- tice of his profession. In the fall of 1878 he was elected to the Legislature, over Edward Edwards, by almost 300 majority. Politically he is a National. He is a member of the Order of Odd Fellows.
Dr. McNabb was married in this county, July 1, 1873, to Miss Fannie, daughter of Sullivan and Mary Armstrong, the former a prominent and well known citizen of Newaygo. The Doctor has had one child, Kenneth, who died when four months old. Mrs. McNabb died July 27, 1880.
ill Courtright, proprietor of " The Court- right " at Newaygo, was born July 3, 1854, at Grand Rapids. He is a son of Aaron and Teresa M. (Barker) Courtright, both of Welsh extraction. He was a pupil in the schools of his native city until he was 14 years old, when he was sent to New Brighton, Pa., to at- tend the Kenwood school. There he remained until he was 16 years of age, when he returned to Michi- gan.
His father owned a tract of land in Sparta Town- ship containing 204 acres, and to this the family removed in 1870. In 1872 they came to Newaygo. The senior Courtright bought the Brooks House prop- erty of William Addis, which he conducted some years as a hotel, his son acting as clerk. In 1879 the latter leased the billiard and restaurant rooms attached to the hotel, and in September, 1880, he rented the entire establishment. It contained ac- commodations for So guests, and the enterprise
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proved profitable until April, 1883, when the de- struction of the building occurred in the fire which swept away the most considerable portion of the vil- lage. The proprietor was involved in a loss of $4,000, with $1,000 insurance.
Mr. Courtright rented the Raider Block and pro- ceeded with his business as "mine host," and at once entered vigorously upon the work of construct- ing the substantial and elegant structure which bears his name. Seven months from the disaster, in No- vember, 1883, the opening of the hotel for the accom- modation of the public took place. The entire cost of the establishment and fittings has been about $25,000. It is built of brick, is two stories high with a basement, and has a frontage of 195 feet, with a wing 80 feet deep. The first floor is devoted to hotel purposes chiefly, and the second floor affords handsome and elaborate quarters for 100 guests. All the appurtenances of a first-class hotel may be found with appropriate fixtures. The furnishings are all new, and in the latest style, the entire estab- lishment being one of the best in Northern Michi- gan.
The proprietor is a "born " landlord ; the manage- ment of the house is faultless, everything being con- ducted on an inflexible system. Order and cleanli- ness prevail throughout, and, as a hotel and accessory to Newaygo, the building is the most noteworthy of the many that add grace and comeliness to the village, which less than a year ago showed such unsightly traces of ruin and devastation.
ohn Pittwood, architect and builder, resi- dent at Newaygo, was born at Ringsash, Devonshire, Eng., Feb. 15, 1843. John and Elizabeth Pittwood, his paternal grand- parents, passed their lives, died and were buried in the parish of Ringsash. Their only son, William, married Jane Stevens, of the parish of Winkleigh, Devonshire, Eng., and to them were born three children : John, Mary Elizabeth and William Henry. The last named died Nov. 6, 1847, in Eng- land. William and Jane Pittwood, with their two children, emigrated to America in the spring of 1849. They had a stormy passage, and were on the ocean nine weeks. They landed at Quebec and made their
way to Oakfield, Genesee Co., N. Y., where they set- tled on roo acres of land. There their daughter died, on the first day of October, 1849, in the fall subsequent to their arrival. They lived there in prosperity about two years, and Aug. 1, 1851, another son, William Henry, was born. The mother died March 14, 1852. The father sold his farm and made a prospecting trip through the Western States. He finally bought 86 acres of land in Sandstone, Jack- son Co., Mich. He returned to New York and was married to Sarah B. Draper. In the fall of 1855 they took possession of their new home in Michigan. On this they remained two years, going thence to Homer, Calhoun County, where they bought 100 acres of land. They made another removal to Litchfield, Hillsdale County, where six children-three son's and three daughters-were born to them. One son died there in early childhood. Later, the family removed to Battle Creek, where Mrs. Pittwood died, Jan. 10, 1884. The father still resides there.
Mr. Pittwood, of this sketch, enlisted, at Litchfield, in the civil war, in April, r86r, under the first requisi- tion for troops, in Co. H., Fourth Mich. Vol. Inf., Capt. Funk, of Jonesville. He sustained the loss of his left thumb by a gunshot wound at Fairfax Station during the first battle of Bull's Run, and received his discharge in consequence. He returned home and re-enlisted in the First Reg. Mich. Engineers and Mechanics, under Col. William P. Innis, enrolling as Chief Bugler of the regiment and as a member of the regimental band. He served in that capacity until his period of enlistment expired, in November, 1864. He was in the battle of Stone River, or La Vergne, and in numerous skirmishes. He was dis- charged at Atlanta, Ga., and returned home. After a short visit he joined the construction department of the army and was engaged in bridge building in Kentucky, Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee until Lee's surrender, when he returned home and was employed in his vocation. He came to Newaygo in 1872 and established himself in the calling in which he has since continued.
Mr. Pittwood was married Dec. 24, 1866, to Martha E., daughter of Samuel and Deborah (Woods) Rib- let, a native of Litchfield, born Oct. 19, r843. Her family is one of the oldest and best known of Hills- dale County, being the lineal decendants of a French nobleman, who, in consequence of his embracing the
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Frauesterno patino At
Eliza Grovesteen
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Protestant faith, had his property confiscated and was exiled under penalty of being burned as a heretic. He suffered many indignities, and, in company with others, went to Germany, where he married and reared a large family. Two of his sons, Christian and Bartholomew, emigrated to America and settled in Northampton Co., Pa., where John Riblet, son of Christian, and great-grandfather of Mrs. Pittwood, was born, in 1758. In the beginning of the war of the Revolution, he entered the service as First Lieu- tenant in a regiment of riflemen, but was soon after taken prisoner and confined three years on board the British man-of-war, "Roebuck." After his release he married and settled near Hagerstown, Md., where Solomon Riblet, fatlær of Samuel, was born, in 'Au- gust, 1782. In the year 1800; John Riblet moved with his family to Erie, Pa., where he commanded the body guard of Commodore Perry during the building of his fleet. Solomon Riblet was Captain in a regiment of minute-men, and served with distinc- tion.
Samuel Riblet, father of Mrs. Pittwood, was born in the town of Harbor Creek, Erie Co., Pa., Feb. 22, 18II. He was taught the rudiments of a German education by his grandfather, and attended the dis- trict school during the winter months. At the age of 17 he went to Erie to complete his education at the academy at that place. He was obliged to teach winters in order to obtain funds to defray his expenses. at school during the summer. He obtained. a situa- tion as teacher near Pittsburg, which he filled accept- ably three years, during which time he formed the acquaintance of Deborah Woods, to whom he, was married Nov. 19, 1833. A son, .S. K. Riblet (see sketch), was born and soon after they decided to em- igrate to Michigan; and, in accordance with this res- olution, they left Pittsburg and moved West in one of the emigrant wagons since called "prairie schoon- ers." After their long and tedious journey they set- tled on 160 acres of land on the Kalamazoo and St. Joseph trail, near Litchfield. They were there when the Indians were yet so numerous that it was a fre- quent thing. for 500 or more of them to collect on their farm. Here their children were reared and all grew to maturity, and here the venerable couple lived together 44 years, the mother dying Dec. 21, 1879. The father still lives, on the old homestead. He was married Jan. 15, 1882, to Mrs. Clarinda Hartwell.
Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Pittwood: Mary Jane, Ethelyn D., William Henry and John S. Mr. Pittwood is a member of the Order of Masonry, belonging to Newaygo Lodge, No. 131. He owns his residence and 40 acres of land, on sec- tion 6, Grant Township, 40 acres on section 1, Ash- land, and 40 acres on section 8 in Deerfield, Mecosta County. Mrs. Pittwood was a teacher in the union school at Litchfield, three years prior to her marriage.
Mr. Pittwood is a man of exceptional native gen- ius, and is possessed of natural and acquired abili- ties in his profession far exceeding those of many who make greater pretentions. His traits of char- acter render him one of the most estimable citizens of Newaygo.
ohn M. Grovesteen, deceased, was born March 25, 1825, in Dutchess Co., N. Y.
. His parents were natives of Germany and
Ireland, and his mother died when he was five years old. His father married a second time and passed the remainder of his life in the Empire State.
Mr. Grovesteen went to the State of Wisconsin when he was 18 years old, and five years later came to Pere Marquette, Northern Michigan, for the pur- pose of engaging in the lumber woods. He returned to Wisconsin after two years, and spent a few months, coming thence to Muskegon and Newaygo Counties, Mich. He worked for some time in both the latter at blacksmithing, and passed two winters in the woods scaling logs. "His next business vell- ture was the purchase of So acres of partly improved land in Dayton Township, for which he paid $Soo. This farm he occupied five years, sold out and moved to Big Prairie. He there became proprietor of 160 acres of land, which he held until his death. Later he bought 160 acres of wild land in Everett Town- ship, where he established his homestead and erected a good house, which remained his abode during the remainder of his life.
Mr. Grovesteen met his death Feb. 2, 1883, by accident, being struck by a falling tree. He was a decided Republican, and a prominent man in his township. His stability and reliability of character made him generally esteemed, and he spent many years of his life in public official capacities. He was
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Supervisor of Everett Township four successive years, and Justice of the Peace five years. He belonged to the Masonic Order. He spent four months during the war of the Rebellion in the employment of the Government, working at his trade of blacksmith, with headquarters at Chattanooga. He was obliged to resign his post on account of ill- ness.
Mr. Grovesteen was married March 25, 1857, in Big Prairie, to Eliza, third daughter of Jotham and Diantha (Garrett) Hall. The parents were natives of the State of New York, and came to Michigan during its pioneer period, finally settling in Big Prairie, where the father died. The mother was again married, to Daniel Von Sickles, and resides in Big Prairie. Mrs. Grovesteen was born in Marshall, Calhoun Co., Mich., July 31, 1837. Ten children were born of her marriage, seven of whom survive: William, Jennie B., Lydia A., Edna, Emma P., Calista N. and Mary E. Charles N. was drowned at the age of four years and seven months: John died of diphtheria, aged nine years and ten months. Mattie died of diphtheria, in her infancy.
The portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Grovesteen may be found on pages 470 and 47 I.
avid Powers, farmer, section 23, Garfield Township, was born in Houghton, Norfolk Co., Can., March 4, 1856. His father, James Powers, was born in Ireland and died at St. Thomas, Canada, in 1866. His mother, Fanny (Pearl) Powers, was born in Nova Scotia and died in Bayham, Canada, when he was a small boy.
He remained in Norfolk County until he was 17 years old and came to Newaygo Dec. 27, 1862. His father had been here previously and was well-known, having been employed as clerk in several stores. Mr. Powers readily found employment in the lumber woods, and gave his attention solely to lumbering until 1873, when he moved upon his farm which he had purchashed in 1870, consisting of 40 acres, in its original state. He has added 40 acres to his first tract and has that amount under good improvements. He owns also 80 acres in Brooks Township, in com- pany with Morris Angevine, 120 acres in Croton
Township, and 80 acres in Reynolds, Montcalm County. Mr. Powers is a member of the blue lodge of Muskegon, and of the Royal Arch Chapter, No 131, at Newaygo.
He was married at Newaygo, Oct. 13, 1873, to Rosa, daughter of Moses and Marsaline Molonson, who was born in Croton Township, May 13, 1856. The household includes two children: Elgin M., born Sept. 8, 1874, and Elmer A., April 7, 1879.
ugustine Henry Giddings moved to the g village of Newaygo from the city of New 1000 York in the year 1857. He was born in the town of Sherman, Fairfield Co., Conn., and, it living, would have been about 50 years of age. The place of his nativity is situated .n a pict- uresque portion of that State. In the days of his early boyhood he lived in what is termed the Housa- tonic Valley and a few miles east of Pawling, Dutch- ess Co., N. Y. His father sold his farm at Sherman and removed to Berkshire Co., Mass., where he pur- chased another farm, in the vicinity of Great Barring- ton. The son was sent to the village school in that place until he was 16 years of age, when he was placed at Union College, Schenectady.
Judge Giddings was never married, and there is an authenticated story from which an inference may be drawn. He had two young lady friends, both of whom were attending school at the Washington Semi- nary in the State of Connecticut. For one of them he had formed an ardent attachment. She may be called Sophia.º In a memorable letter to her in which he addressed her as " Dear Sophia," and ended with " Ever yours," etc., he made considerable effort to do the occasion full justice, and quoted poetry largely. As a crowning effort he inserted the following, quoting from memory, and incorrectly : -
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