USA > Michigan > Genesee County > Portrait and biographical record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola counties, Michigan > Part 52
USA > Michigan > Lapeer County > Portrait and biographical record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola counties, Michigan > Part 52
USA > Michigan > Tuscola County > Portrait and biographical record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola counties, Michigan > Part 52
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
con in IXI, where he remained for four years. In 1×15 he was called to Homer, in 1819 to Mon- roe, where his health became impaired and he took a vacation of a year from Is ministerial work. during which he was associated with A. S. Barnes & Co., of New York City, publishers, and he was given the charge of the firm's business in Michigan. In 1852 he received a call from Flint, which he accepted and was installed pastor December 15, 1851, and elected one of the Regents of the I'ni- versity of Michigan, serving until the expiration of his term of office. His pastorate in Flint exten- ded until January, 1868. In March, 1862, he was appointed Chaplain for the Thirteenth Michigan Infantry by Liov. Hair and joined his regiment on the battlefield of shiloh. He was with his regi ment until just before the battle of Corinth when he was taken with typhoid fever and finally carried to Evansville, where his wife came to care for him. He was discharged on a surgeon's certificate for disability, from diseases which he contracted in the service and from which he has never fully recov- ered, and resumed his pastoral work in Flint.
In January, 1868, the Rev. Mr. Northrop received a call to Grand Rapids and remained there four years and while there was appointed District Score tary of the Board of Church Erection of the Pres- bylerian Church for Michigan, Indiana and Ohio. He attended to this in connection with his church work. In the fall of 1870 he was elected Financial Agent of Wabash (Ind.) College, but declined, continuing his pastoral work at Grand Rapids, a church which when they called him was depressed and discouraged, having a delot of over $11,000 and an unfinished church edifice which cost $10,- 000 to complete, and when he resigned the debt was removed and edifice completed. Mr. North- rup has been Stated Clerk of the Presbytery of Saginaw from its organization till 1870, when the New School and the Old School bodies became united, and until the last two or three years has been chairman of the committee on Home Missions of the Saginaw and later of the Flint Presbytery. In 1873 be resigned his pastorate at Grand Rapid- and since then has been engaged in the Presby. terian home missionary work. He was Chairman of the Synodical Committee of the burnt district
of Michigan and raised funds to build nine churches and did his work gratuitously. He was appointed financial agent of the Michigan Female Seminary at Kalamazoo and with Dr. Pierson's nid raised ×18,000 and thus saved the institution. In Ixix he was one of the founders of the Wegnet- oneng Resort Association, located on the northern shore of Little Traverse Bay and for the past three Years has been President of the Association.
Our subject was married in Waterloo, N. Y., No- vember 16, 1837, to Miss Marietta Wood, who was born in Otsego County, N. Y., in January, 1812. Their union has been blessed by the advent of six children: Henry B., who died at the age of twenty years; Elizabeth. Mr -. E. Smith; Jenny, who died at the age of fifteen; Alice M., Mrs. Wheeling, of Flint; Helen, who died when thirteen years of age. and George W., who died when eleven years of age. Our subject is Past Chaplain of Gov. Crapo Post. C. A. R. Politically he is a Republican. He has always been a strong advocate of temper- ance and delivered his first temperance lecture at the age of eighteen years, and has labored ever since in the cause as he has found opportunity.
Our subject came to this State without a dollar. He began housekeeping in a hut in the woods and used to walk a distance of from live to twenty miles to the places where he was appointed to preach. Ile has held many a revival in a log schoolhouse. While pastor at White Pigeon a lad of fifteen years came to our subject, begging him to do "chores" for bis board that he might go lo school in the winter. The boy came and witnessed a "Donation Party" which gave him matter for many a dis- course in later life. That lad has since been known as the late Gov. Bagley, of Michigan. Mr. North- rop, in the course of his ministry in Michigan, has officiated at more than one thousand funerals dur- ing the last fifty-three years of his labors, and for the last fifteen years he has done all his work gra- laitonsly.
C HAARLES IL. YERKES. This thrifty farmer of Gaines Township, Genesee County, was born in Farmington, Ontario County, N. Y., May 1, 1838. There he grew to manhood und
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lived until the spring of 1861, following farming which has been his life work. During that season he came to Genesee County, Mich., and has ever since been a resident of this township
The marriage of Mr. Yerkes with Miss Addie Brown took place in Vernon, Shiawassee County, this State, although the lady is a native of New York. One hundred and thirty acres formed the line farm upon which the young couple settled on section 33, Gaines Township. Mr. Yerkes has never been an office seeker although be is an car- nest member of the Republican party. During the war he was drafted into the army but as it did not seem expedient for him to go he furnished a sub- stitute.
Joseph Yerkes, the father of our subject, came to Genesee County the same season as did his son and look up his residence in Gaines Township. which remamed his home until August, 1881. when he was called to a higher life. His good wife, whose maiden name was Rosinda Brown. died in Ontario County, N. Y. His father was Samuel Yerkes, and like this son was a native of Pennsylvania. He died in Farmington. Ontario County, N. Y. The family is of German stock and the first representatives thereof in America made their home in Philadelphia. The members of this family are leading representative- in all social circles of the township and their beautiful home is a favorite resort for their neighbors and friend .. Mr. Yerkes' reputation as a man of char- actor and integrity gives him the confidence of the business community.
ILLIAM FOALE. Among the many Brit- ish-American citizens of Mt. Morris Town- ship, Genesee County, none is more wor- thy of our notice than the one whose name heads this sketch. His birth took place June 22. 1828, in AAshburton, Devonshire, England, so that he has now reached the advanced age of sixty-three years, although he does not call himself an old man and is still active and useful in his work. The father, William Fonte, was also born in Devonshire.
Our subject came to this country many years ago and settled in Milwaukee, Wis., July 5, 1818, but after living there for two years returned East and made his home in New York for two years and then in 1853 again came West as far as Toledo, (thio. It was November 1, 1855, when he finally established himself in Michigan, making his home in Flint, where he undertook his trade as a brick and stonemason and a builder. There he con- structed some of the best buildings in the town, among which are the courthouse, the city hall, the Fenton Block, A wannaga Hall, Hamilton's mill, and numerous others of note. He became greatly interested in the country and purchased a farm of two hundred apres, on section 30, Mt. Morris Township.
Upon this well-improved property Mr. Foale went to live in March, 1870, and continued the improvement of the property. The country was then rough, and Indians and wild game abounded. . and as he had the tastes of a huntsman he found opportunity for indulging his love for the chase and practicing as a marksman. He has devoted himself considerably to the raising of thorough- breds and Short horns, besides general stock. He is a member of the Farmers' Alliance and in his early political interests was a Whig, casting his first vote for Taylor. He later embraced the doe- trines of the Republican party to which he is still warmly attached.
Hle of whom we write is identified with the Masonic order and belongs to Lodge No. 129, at Bay City. He entered the order at Flint where he belonged to Lodge No. 23. The good wife, who journeyed side by side with this citizen of Mt. Morris, was in her maidenhood known as Ruth Hart, being a daughter of John Hart, of Lincoln- shire England. Her father died December 28, 1868, at the home of William Foale, at Mt. Morris, and was then eighty-two years of age. He was a carpenter by trade and came to Milwaukee, Wis., in 1815, with thirteen children.
The live children whom our subject has reared to maturity are E. H. Foale, now in the gravel and roofing business at East Saginaw, Mich .; Charles Hart; Mary Hart (deceased); Lillie Hart, now Mrs. David M. Smith; and William Hurt.
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The mother of this household was called from earth October 15, 1890, at the age of sixty-five.
Mr. Foale started in life with almost nothing and now has attained a comfortable competence. owning two hundred and eighty acres of land besides a house and lot in Bay City and Block No. 11, in Flint. He is now engaged in gravel and state rooting in Flint and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of Bay City. in which he also serves as Trustee. Mr. Foale was again married April 11, 1891, to lessie Coutts.
ARVEY SHAVER. There are few residents of Tuscola County better known or more popular in social or business circles than this gentleman, with whose history many important and interesting events are intermingled. He owns and occupies a farm of one hundred and twenty acres on section 20, Juniata Township, and may usually be found at this place industriously engaged in the duties of his calling. A view of his residence, which is an attractive one, is pro- sented in another portion of this volume, and with its pleasant surroundings, the estate forms a picture of rural comfort not soon to be forgotten.
The ancestors of Mr. Shaver have always been distinguished for valor and patriotism. His ma- ternal grandfather, Peter Balinger, who was a native of Herkimer County, N. Y., served as a soldier in the Revolutionary War and was in the troops commanded by Gen. Washington. On the paternal side, his grandfather was Henry Shaver, a native of Germany, whose nine sons all fought in the war for American independence and passed through the war withont bodily injury. Henry Shaver was a millwright by trade and erected four of the first mills that were built in western New York. At the close of the war five of his sons located in the Southern States, and four remained in the North, there becoming influential and pub- lie-spirited citizens.
Harvey was born February 28, 1820, and at the age of eight years accompanied his parents to Niagara County, N. Y. There he grew to manhood on a farm. enjoying but limited educational nd- vantages and amtil he was twenty-six years old he worked for bis father. He established n home of his own February 1, 1845, when he was united in marriage with Rosina Osborn, daughter of Heury Osborn of Herkimer County, N. Y. Five children were born to them four of whom are now living-Menzo, who resides in Bay County; Mil- ton, who lives in Guilford Township, this county; Lilly, who married a Mr. Grumney and lives in Huron County and Alonzo, in Vassar Township. The other child ched in 1861.
In 1868 Mr. Shaver was again married, choosing as his wife Miss Eunice Knapp, n native of Oswego County, N. Y. By this union Mr. Shaver has be- come the father of four children, as follows -- Flora married Mr. Eskerson and lives in Tus- cola County; May became the wife of Alfred Fisk and makes her home in Bay County; Harvey A., .Ir., is still at home with his parents; and one child is deceased. Mr. Shaver came to Tuscola County in 1865 and purchased the land where he now lives and which has been his home ever since its purchase. He has cleared it all with the exception of a small sugar bush which is the linest in this section of country. Politically he is a Republi- can. He served for seven years as a drummer in the New York militia, but has never aspired to political honors. His pleasant home is presided over with dignity by an estimable wife, who is a model housekeeper and makes her home thor- oughly attractive.
4 ARVEY C. WEAVER. The young farmers of Tuscola County have in this progressive young gentleman a line representative who. by force of character and wise management of his interests. has already placed hunself among the substantial members of the agricultural com- munity of Elkland Township. He has acquired
The immediate progenitors of our subject were Joseph and Mary (Balinger) Shaver. Their son . signal success in his calling and has on section 28
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RESIDENCE OF HARVEY SHAVER, SEC. 20., JUNIATA TP., TUSCOLA CO ,MICH.
RESIDENCE OF HARVEY C. WEAVER, SEC. 28., ELKLAND TP., TUSCOLA CO ,MICH.
CASS CITY! ELEVATOR
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RESIDENCE & BUSINESS PROPERTY OF A. G. BERNEY, CASS CITY., MICHIGAN.
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a beautiful farm of one hundred and sixty acres. one hundred of which are under cultivation and in n high state of improvement A view of this homestead, with its principal buildings, is shown in connection with this biographical sketch.
From across the border line in the British pos- sessions Michigan has received many who have be- come her adopted sons and have each in his own line done good service in building up the indus- trial and commercial prosperity of this State. Mr. Weaver was born in Woodhouse Township. Nor- folk County, Ontario, Canada, on December 18, 1854, and is n son of Thomas and Magdalene (Lambier) Weaver. His father and mother were likewise natives of Canada, the former born in Louth Township, County Welland, and the mother Cauga Township, County Hallimand. Thomas Weaver was in his early life a carpenter and joiner und in later years a farmer, being considered one of Elkland's most thorough and efficient citizens. He was successful in his business ventures and at his death September 16, 1891, lett a good property. Ile had taken part in the Civil Rebellion of Canada and served with the Government troops under Col. Clark.
In his boyhood days our subject received good common-school advantages, although after he was large enough to nid in the farm work he devoted his summers to tilling the soil and studied only in the winter seasons. At the age of eighteen he ceased to attend school and has since devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits. In the cultiva- tion of his farm be is thrifty and is one of those who can secure good crops even under disadvan- tageous circumstances. While engaged in general farming he also linds time to devote to stock-mais- ing and breeds only graded stock. He came to Michigan with his parents in October, 1879, being then twenty-five years old, and located on his present estate. Together with his father he owned a tract of forty au res on section 15, Elkland Town- ship, and the latter also owned a fine farm of two hundred avres on section 27.
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Ir his political view - Mr. Weaver is strongly inclined to sympathize with the declarations which are given in the platform of the Democratic party, although he carnestly sympathizes with the prin-
viples and policy of that party he takes only a quiet part in political matters, preferring to devote himself to agricultural affairs and hoping to make his work promote the prosperity of the township by its thoroughness and system. The happy hour which he has ever found with his mother bas proved so congenial that he has not been tempted to establish a home of his home, which is a matter of regret to the friends who so well know his excel- lent qualities.
NSON G. BERNEY. The commercial in- terests of Cass City are largely in the hands of a class of men whose ability and character have done much for this city and promise excellent progress in the future. Among them is the gentleman of whom we now write who has been for some years engaged in mer- chandise and the grain trade here and where stand- ing in the community is high and his standing ex- cellent. He was born in Renfrew County, Canada, March 8, 1835, and is a son of Daniel and Mary E. (Metice) Berney who were both born in Ireland. his father coming thence to Canada at the age of fourteen years and the mother when she was vigh- tren. Daniel Berney was a minister of the Cor - gregational Church and gave to his son an excel- lent common-school education.
Anson Berney attended school regularly until he arrived at the age of fifteen and at the age of eighteen began working for wages in Canada. fol- lowing this line of work for six years. He then began the sale of various publications in his nat- ive county after which he entered upon the man- ufacture of musical instruments abont the year 1×10, and made of this business a good success, pursuing it for some four years. Meanwhile he added a general stock of merchandise and estab- lished himself in Wroxeter, Huron County, Canada, thus continued until 1861, when he came to the State and hrated in Port Samilac, Sanitar County, Mich. There he acted as salesman for a short time and then began traveling. selling musical instru- ments.
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In Jail Mr. Berney entered into the business of general merchandising with Mr. U . Raymond, open- ing up a general stock of goods and coming to Cass City in 1881, where he engaged in the grain business. During the same year be built his first- class grain elevator and four years later bought the elevator which had been built by F. Miller & Co. In both these establishments he carries on a general grain business.
October 8, 1862, Mr. Berney was married to Mary E. Outwater of Rawdon, Hastings County, Canada. She is the daughter of Peter Outwater, a farmer by exempation. As far as the question of tariff goes Mr. Berney is a free trader and his temperance views bring him into the line with the Prohibition party. In religous matters he is Presbyterian and he and his family attend that church.
The attention of the reader is invited to the view which may be found elsewhere in this volume of the residence and business establishment of Mr. Berney.
G OODENOUGH TOWNSEND. A number of notable members of the State Pioneer Associ- ation make then home in Davis Township. Genesee County, and there is none of this number who is more worthy the pen of the biographer than he whose name we have now given, one whose life has been a continuous record of truth and up- lightness, of kindness to neighbors and battling for the right and for the elevation of his fellow- men. He was born October 18, 1812 in Wheelock. Caledonia County, Vt., and is a son of Isaiah and Polly 1. (Woodcock) Townsend who were natives of New Hampshire but came to Caledonia, Vermont. When our subject grew to be nine years old they moved to Addison County, and remained ten years.
In 1832 the parent- moved to Monroe County, N. Y. and settled in the township of Ogden where they followed farming and where the mother died October 18, 1811. The following year the father came to Michigan and made his home with his children. until his death in April, 1850, when he was sixty -live years old. The grandfather Thomas Townsend. of Massachusetts, was a Revolutionary
soldier, who went with Benedict Arnold to Queher and died October 11. 1811. The family originated with three brothers who came from England and settled in Massachusetts and Connecticut, and the great grandfather of our subject belonged to the Massachusetts brauch of the family and was a ship builder and sea captain.
Goodenough Townsend is the oldest in a family of nine children, five of whom are living. He had good educational advantages until he reached the age of twelve years and after that went to school for three months each winter till he was fourteen, and at eighteen attended the Middlebury Acade- my. At the age of twenty-two he began teaching school which he continued for seven years, teach- ing in the log schoolhouses of Michigan.
In migrating to Michigan Mr. Townsend took boat to Toledo and from there walked through fifteen counties of Ohio, Indiana and Michigan to Seneste County, where he look up his present farm from the Government in the summer of 1836 and is now one of the three survivors of the first voters of the township. He built a log shanty which became his home after marriage.
Mr. Townsend was on the 18th of Novem- ber, 1810 united in marriage with Mary A. Fish of Kortright Township, Delaware Comty, N. Y., where she was born February 23, 1819. This lady was a daughter of Renhen and Fannie (Robinson) Fish, and with Mr. Townsend she lived in har- mony and mutual labor throughout more than fifty years. dying April 15, 1891. Her education and native ability brought her to the front among the pioneer women of this county and her beanti- ful Christian character blessed all who came within the reach of its influence. In 1838 she nuited with the Methodist Episcopal Church at Flint and was one of the first seven members in that church at Davison. She ever maintained a firm, unwaver- ing trust and confidence in her Heavenly Father and passed through the dark valley with rejoicing. In the Women's Foreign Missionary Society of her church she was an active worker as she was also in the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, being an earnest advocate of the outlawry of the liquor traffic. She came with her parents to Michi- gan in 1837. She left seven children to mourn
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her loss, namely: Eliza, Mrs. Bara Ransoms; Me- | ject, June 11. 1886. He was born in 1801. He of lanethon W. S .; Fannie E .; George W .; Juliet (. ' wife of Wilson S. Pratt of Oklahoma; Reuben F. and Mary.
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The doctrines of the Whig party commended themselves to the judgment of Mr. Townsend and afterward he became one of the first men to organ- ize the Republican party here and is now a stanch Prohibitionist. He was the first Supervisor of Davison Township, and served for twelve years as Clerk, and also for a number of years as Justice of the Pence, School Inspector and Highway Commis- sioner. He helped to organize the first Methodist Episcopal Society in this township of which he has since been a member. L'pon his richly productive farm of one hundred and sixty acres stands his commodious frame house, which is the abode of peace and comfort. Both he and his excellent wife have been great readers and he is one of the most intelligent men in this vicinity. He believes that his habits of life and his strict devotion to temperance have added years to his prosperous and healthy life.
ILLIAM IL. GIDDINGS is a prominent vit- izen of Adas Township. Grneste County, residing on section 12. He is a native of the Wolverine State, having been born in Macomb County. November 17, 1855. He is a son of Will- iam and Funny (Phillips) Giddings. His father was at native of Connecticut and the mother of New York State. William Giddings, Sr., emigrated with his family, in 1832, to Macomb County and was one of the first settlers there, making their home in the woods before there was a stick cut on the place and before there were roads, There were only Indian trails by which to trace their way through the woods and wolves and bears were numerous.
Our subject was one of three children. he only, however, surviving. His father served as Justice of the Peace and as Supervisor of Ray Township. Macomb County, and when the angel of death finally came it found him at the home of our sub-
whom we write was reared in his native county and there lived until his nineteenth year, at which time be removed to Oakland County with his par- ents and made a stay of several years. I'mtil twelve years of age he was brought up on a farm and then his father became the proprietor of an hotel at Ray Center, Macomb County.
When nineteen years of age our subject began to learn the carpenter and joiner's trade and fol- lowed it for seven years. In company with his father he subsequently ran a gristmill at Oak wood, Oakland t'ounty . which they continued for several years. He married Miss Mary Beardslee, May 6, 1×5%. She was born in Oakland County and is a daughter of James and Jane Beardslee, carly pio- neers of that locality and now deceased. By this union there were three children-Fanny J. (Mrs. N. E. Wortman). Cassius and Leah. For two years he also was engaged in the Lake Superior copper mines. following his trade there as a car- peuter. He then returned to Oakwood, Mich., and for a time was in the foundry business and in 1873 he came to tienesce County and settled on a farm near Goodrich for a short time and then came to his present place. He owns a line traet of eighty acres of land and has twenty acres in another county in this State, He is a self-made man and has been successful throughout his career. He is a Democrat in politics.
Mrs. Gidding- is a member of the Congregational Church. They are both highly respected mem- her- of society and Mr. Gidding- enjoys the fullest confidence of the lavines men with whom he has dealings.
JOHN MCCANDLESH. He whose name ap- pears above was formerly a prominent citi- zun of Atlas Township. Genesee County. and one of its foremost Scotch- American workers, He was born in Scotland, April 1. 1X12. and is a son of William and Labella (Ewing) Me- Candlish, both natives of Scotland. He was reared to manhood in his native country and when a
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