Allegan County, Michigan - Chapter 5: Centers of Population, 1907 (part 14 of 14)

He was married in Cass county in 1867 to Miss Susan Jones, who was born in North Carolina, March 12, 1843. Their children are: Lavina Jane, the deceased wife of Frank Turner; William Isaiah, who is married and is upon the home farm with his father ; Joseph F., who is living in Copper township, Kalamazoo county, and Charles, who also resides in the same locality.

In his political views Rev. Mr. Cross has always been a stalwart Republican and takes an active interest in the party and its work. He belongs to B. F. Chapin Post, No. 287. G. A. R., of Cheshire township. Always a hard worker, he is an industrious and a self-made man, who owes his success to his own efforts. He has been called the Booker T. Washington of Allegan county and has a marked influence with his people, and his efforts are always put forth on the side of right, progress, truth and justice.

James Winchell. who is the second largest land owner in the township of Cheshire and reputed its wealthiest man, is one who has unaided made his way through life, performing all of its duties as they presented themselves and ever acquitting himself honorably. In time of peace he gave his attention to his usual avocations, working industriously and accumulating property, and when the call came he bravely went to the front and defended his country's honor. Then, the conflict settled, he returned sadly disabled to his peaceful labors, handicapped, to be sure, from his physical disability, but never complaining, and by his industry and energy succeeding where many a physically perfect man has failed.

James Winchell is a native of the township of Lee, Oneida county, Xew York, where he was born March 24, 1835. His parents were John and Nancy (Richards) Winchell, both of whom were New Yorkers by birth, the former being a native of Oneida county and the latter of Broome county. They were the parents of ten children, four of whom died in infancy, the six to reach maturity being as follows : Henry served two years and three months under General Crook and was a sergeant in a cavalry company. He was shot and killed at Cloud Mountain. Seth, the second son, also served over two years in the same conflict in the One Hundred and Forty-second New York Infantry. He was shot through the left arm'at Fort Fisher, North CaroHna, January 16, 1865. After the close of the war he was accidentally killed while assisting at a barn raising in the state of New York. Marriette married, and both herself and husband are deceased. Elmerine married Arthur Higham, of Crispan, New York. The parents, John and Nancy Winchell, spent their entire lives in the state of New York.

James Winchell was reared upon the home farin in New York, where he remained until the opening of the great Civil conflict. Then he enlisted in December, 1861, in Company D, Berdan's First Regiment of Sharpshooters. He was in the battles and skiniiishes at Yorktown, Newport, Hanover Court House. Gaines Mills, Fair Oaks and others, and in the seven days' fight at Gaines Mills he lost his left arm, this being in 1862. Here also he was taken prisoner and remained a captive for thirty days, finally being exchanged and returned to his former home in New York. There he remained until 1870, when he thought to better his fortunes in the West. He came to Michigan and settled in Allegan county, selecting a home in Cheshire township. His first purchase was one hundred and twenty-nine acres, to which he afterward added eighty acres. This land was unimproved, with the exception of forty acres which had been cleared and a shanty built. Undeterred by the loss of one of his arms, he set resolutely to work and continued the improvement of the place which was to be his home for so many years thereafter. Although it seems almost incredible, nevertheless it is a fact that he performed all kinds of work upon the farm, even chopping and logging unaided and guiding the plow and other tools. Each year saw considerable improvement in the place, until today it is one of the model farm homes in this part of the county, with broad and fertile fields, a handsome and commodious dwelling house and the best of barns and other buildings. The farm is beautifully located upon the banks of Swan Lake, which is a popular summer resort, and the residence stands facing the lake, with only the highway running between it and the shore, thus giving a magnificent view of the waters.

Mr. Winchell was married in 1865 to Matilda Simon, daughter of Hartman and Amelia (Houghton) Simon, who were natives of Baden, Germany, where they were married and where their daughter was also born, December 2. 1844. She came to America with her parents when she was only three years old, they locating in New York state, where the remainder of their lives were passed. There also the daughter met and married James Winchel!, and to them were born four children, only one of whom, Amelia, is now living, her home being in Wisconsin. Those who have passed away are as follows: Charles D., the eldest, died here in December, 1905, leaving a widow, but no children: John D. died in infancy, and James, the youngest, died at the age of twenty years. The wife and mother passed away in April, 1899.

And now, after a long Hfe of activity and usefulness, James Winchell is enjoying a well-deserved rest from arduous labor, although he still keeps employed in various ways. All his life he has been a stanch Republican, casting his first presidential ballot for Fremont and continuing to vote for each Republican candidate for President. He has always taken an interest in politics and has been called upon to fill numerous positions of trust and resfH)nsibiIity. He was township collector in New York state for several years and in his Michigan home served as highway commissioner for no less than ten terms. As a man of affairs he is often consulted by others and his fellow townsmen have a very high opinion of his good judgment. Of late years he has leased his fine farm, although maintaining a home here with the tenants, and the cold winters almost invariably see him in California for the season.

Marcus A. Ferris, who is one of the largest land owners in the town- !hip of Cheshire, as well as one of its most intelligent and progressive farmers, is a native of this township, where he was born December 17, 1857, and where he has lived ever since upon the same farm, which is located on section seventeen. Mr. Ferris is justly proud of his ancestry and a suitable review of the same in this connection is most appropriate. His father. Hon. Richard Ferris, was the seventh in a family of nine children and he was bom in the town of Butler, Wayne county. New York, August 7, 1822. Until he was eighteen years of age he remained upon the farm of his father in the Empire state, and then he began life for himself. In 1842 he decided that the middle west, which was in those days called the far west, was the place for a young man to achieve success, and accordingly he went into Indiana, stopping at Mishawaka, where he stayed for some time, working summers on a farm and the remainder of the year in a sawmill. Then he came to Michigan and worked for some eight months in Cass county. By this time he realized that a man without education was greatly handicapped in the contest for a comfortable livelihood, so he returned to Mishawaka and attended a select school during one winter and in the spring went to work again in the millyard, his wages at this time being only twenty dollars per month. His employer, William Milburn, soon realized that there was ability in the young man and he promoted him to head sawyer and finally gave the entire mill into his management. Here he remained constantly from 1845 ^ntil 1851, with the exception of one year passed in study at Notre Dame University, where he acquired much useful knowledge. April 19, 1851, Mr. Ferris married Miss Hannah Milburn, a sister of his employer. He passed one summer in a sawmill at Lawrence, Michigan, teaching school in the winter, and then returned to. Mishawaka again, where he purchased an interest in a new sawmill which had been established there. After operating it a short time he returned to Lawrence and bought an interest in another sawmill, which he operated until 1854. Then selling this property, he came into Allegan county and settled upon a four hundred and eighty acre tract of new land in Cheshire township, where he built a log house of unusually large dimensions and began to clear his land.

In the spring following his arrival he built a sawmill and ran it successfully for a number of years, when it burned. Nothing daunted, he erected another mill, b«t when the water power which operated it failed a few years later he gave up lumbering operations altogether and devoted his entire attention to farming. He sold a portion of his tract of land, reserving three hundred and forty acres, and in a few years he had two hundred and forty acres of this under cultivation and had many improvements. His house, which was erected in i860, was for many years the finest dwelling in the township, and his other buildings were on a par with it. In later years he devoted a great deal of attention to raising fine stock in the way of sheep and draft and coach horses, and he did much to improve the class of live stock in this vicinity.

It was but natural that a man of Mr. Ferris' ability and energy should take a prominent part in the public affairs of his township and coimty, and for years he was considered one of the foremost men of this section. In educational affairs his deep interest led to his selection as a school officer and he served his district faithfully in this direction for many years, also acting for a number of years as township school Inspector. He was also township clerk here and in Lawrence township. Van Buren county. Mr. Ferris was during the most of his life an ardent Republican and his first presidential vote was cast for Henry Clay, In the early history of Cheshire township he was a power for his party and he did much to give the township its long continued Republican majorities. In 1870 he was chosen as representative from his district in the state legislature, and here his sterling qualities were evident. He was chairman of the committee on lumber, a member of the committee on prisons, and also a member of the joint committee of both houses appointed to visit the penal and reformatory institutions of the state.

Although his affiliations were for so many years with the Republican party, nevertheless Mr. Ferris was always deeply interested in temperance work and he did great good in this direction. Ever obedient to the dictates of his conscience, he thought he saw great financial relief in the free silver movement and he bravely differed from his party on this question and during the remainder of his life advocated the free silver doctrine. Mr. Ferris was reared as a Catholic, although in his later years he was not affiliated with this faith. He was an organizer and fatihfu! member of the Allegan County Pioneer Society, and for many years a meeting of this organization was not considered complete without his cheerful presence. He had had much to do with the history of the township and county and he possessed a most interesting fund of reminiscence. He spent the remainder of his life upon the farm which he had made, and here he died May 28, 1904. Mrs. Ferris was a most capable helpmeet for her worthy husband during his long and successful career. She was an earnest member of the Church of England and was noted for her generous and charitable deeds. Her death preceded that of her husband, she passing away November 15, 1900. They were the parents of four children, as follows;

William M. is a resident of this township ; Mary E. married Robert O'Brien and she is now deceased; Marcus A. is the subject of this review, and Joseph G. is deceased.

Marcus A. was reared upon the home farm and this has been his home ever since. Witli his father's example before him it .is no wonder that he became a capable man and a good farmer. He is the present owner of the old homestead of two hundred and forty acres and he has continued the improvements started by the senior Mr. Ferris until now "Swan Creek Stock Farm" is one of the finest places in Allegan county. Ahhough it has always been a general purpose farm, the present owner is determined to make it in the future a model dairy farm, and here we find some excellent strains of Jersey and Holstein cattle. Mr. Ferris was married in 1890 to Miss Florence V. Motter. who was born in Lee township, April ig, 1870. She is the daughter of George and Mary J. (Smith) Motter, who were natives respectively of Ohio and Indiana. They were married in Indiana and came to Lee township in 1866. with a family of five children, two more being born after they became residents of this section. They passed the remainder of their hves here, where the wife and mother died at the age of forty-eight, the husband and father passing away at the advanced age of seventy-two.

Mr. and Mrs. Marcus Ferris have had seven children, as follows: Hannah B., Joseph G.. Harold, Carl, Henry Howard, Jannette and Richard. All are living with the exception of Henry Howard, who was accidentally drowned when two and one -half years old.

Mr. Ferris was always a Republican until the advent of Bryan, since which time he has advocated the doctrines of this brilliant westerner. He has never accepted public office, although his counsel and good judgment are eagerly sought on many matters. He is a member of Deer Lake Grange and the Cheshire K. O. T. M. He is devoted to his family, and his fine farm and his home is one of the model farm places in the prosperous county of Allegan.

JuDSON D. Wedge, who is engaged in general fanning on section 8, Cheshire township, was born near Forestville, Ontario, Canada, Avigust 18, 1875. His paternal grandparents were both natives of Toronto. Canada, and were representatives of old Ontario families who located in that portion of the countri- during the pioneer epoch in its history. The Wedge family is of English lineage, but was founded in America at an early day. The parents of our subject were Jordan and Hannah (Parker) Wedge, who were likewise natives of Ontario but now reside upon a farm near Carsonville, Michigan. Their children were two in number - Judson D. and Pearl Arthur.

In taking up the personal history of our subject we present to our readers the life record of one who is widejy and favorably known in Allegan county. He was reared upon a farm in the place of his nativity until thirteen years of age, when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Sanilac, Michigan, near Carsonville, there remaining from the fall until the following spring, when at the age of fourteen years, he went to Chicago and became connected with the commission business, being for eleven years an employe in the wholesale fruit house of Parker Brothers.

He became thoroughly familiar with the trade in principle and detail and for three years he engaged in business for himself in the metropolis, on the txpiration of which period he sold his interest to other members of the firm. The business is still conducted under the style of Hall, Wedge & Carter. In 1901 Mr. Wedge had purchased his present fann in connection with his father and brother an<l removing from the city to Allegan, he ictively began farm work. After two years he purchased the interest of (he other members of the firm in this property and now owns and conducts the farm alone on section 8, Cheshire township. The entire place is under cultivation with the exception of a ten-acre sugar bush, and there are good buildings and inany modern equipments. In connection with general farming lie carries on the dairy business and is also engaged in raising hogs and sheep. In all departments of his work he displays keen discrimination and has secured a goodly measure of success that shows he is a man of considerable adaptability, for leaving mercantile life he took up farmwork, with which lie was at that time largely imfamiliar. and soon through experience, observation an<l study, learned the best methods of caring for the fields and the stock.

Mr. Wedge was married in Chicago, January 25, 1896, to Miss Elizabeth Freund, a native of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, and a daughter of Mr, and Mrs. Peter Freund. Her parents were natives of Germany and came to the United States in early life. They were married in this country and unto them were born fourteen chiklren^seven sons and seven daughters. All are now living, most of them being residents of Fond du I-ac. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Wedge have been born four children - Wilmont Emerson, Howard Stanley, Elmer Clayton and Harvey Alvin. I'oth Air. and Mrs. Wedge hold membership in the United Brethren church at Chicora. and his political allegiance is given to the Republican party, but he is not actively interested in politics to the extent of seeking office, as he prefers to concentrate his energies npon his business interfsts, in which he is meeting with signal success.

Wiu.iAM HiiMMETT. who for a quarter of a century was identified with the farming interests of Allegan county, was a native of England, in which coimtry he was reared and educated. There he provided for his own support by working in the factories, and shortly after his marriage, believing that he might have better business opportunities in the new world, he came to America with his wife and one child. He remained in the Empire state until 1855, spending the greater part of the time in Niagara coimty, and then came to Michigan, settling on a farm of eighty acres on section twenty-one, Trowbridge township, Allegan county, where he spent his remaining days, liis time and energies being given to the work of tlic farm in its various branches. When he purchased the farm it was covered with the native growth of timber. He cleared away the trees and placed the fields under the plow, his cultivation transforming the soil into a very productive tract of land.

Mr. Hemmett was married in England to Miss Mary Riordon, a native of Ireland, who died here in 1872, at the age of sixty-five years. In their family were eight children - Sarah, who was born in England and is now deceased; John, who was born in New York and enhstcd in February, 1864, as a member of the First Michigan Light Artillery, his death occurring August 22, 1864, in the hospital at Atlanta, Georgia; William, a resident of Nebraska; Esther Helen, who died at the age of three years; Mary H. ; Thomas, who died when but nine months old ; Thomas G., now living in Nebraska, and Margaret, who became the wife of James Kent and died in 1879. The death of the father occurred on the farm in 1880, when he was about sixty-five years of age. He was a self-made man who came to the new world practically empty-handed, but he worked diligently and persistently and his labors resulted in the acquirement of a good farm property which has remained in possession of the family to the present year. In 1906 his daughter Mary disposed of it.

William D. Russell, engaged in general farming on section twentynine, Trowbridge township, is a native of the Empire state, his birth having occurred in Covington township, Livingston county, July 28, 1842. He was only five years of age when brought to Kalamazoo county, Michigan, by his parents, Lester and Adaline B. (Hotchkiss) Russell. The father was bom in New York in 1814, and spent his entire life in that state and in Michigan. During the greater part of his business career he was a millwright but also conducted a fanu and spent his last days in Otsego township, Allegan county, where he passed away in his eighty-fifth year. He was regarded as one of the best millwrights in this part of the country and possessed considerable inventive genius which resulted in the manufacture of useful devices along the hues of his work. He held membership in the Adventist church and was a gentleman of upright purpose and high principles. His wife died prior to the removal of the family from New York to Michigan, leaving two children, William D. and Leroy. the latter now deceased. The father was five times married, his first wife being a sister of the mother of our subject. By another marriage he had a son and daughter. He lost all his wives by death.

At the time of the removal of the family from New York to Michigan a settlement was made in Cooper township, Kalamazoo county. The journey was by way of the lakes and thence across the country to their destination. The voyage was such a rough one that it left an indelible impression upon the mind of William D. Riissell, who, however, at that time was only five years of age. After living for two or three years in Kalamazoo county the family came to Allegan county, settling in Otsego township. After a number of years the father built a mill on Pine creek on the Kalamazoo river and in his youth William D. Russell assisted his father in the work of the farm and of the mill, remaining with him until twenty-one years of age. He then purchased a tract of land at Otsego, where he engaged in farming for a number of years. Later his father purchased a mill and tract of land in Monterey township, and Mr. Russell of this review was with him for a few years. He then came to Allegan township and after spending four years on a farm within its borders removed to Trowbridge township on the 1st of April, 1880. He has since resided upon his present farm, comprising forty-seven and a half acres of land on section 29. The greater part of it was covered with timber when it came into his possession and there were no buildings. Today it is a well improved property al! under cultivation and liis dwelling is the best in the township. He has given his time and attention to his farm work and his labors find visible evidence in his splendidly improved property. On the r5th of July, 1906, he lost his home by fire but has since purchased a fine residence adjoining.

In i866 Mr. Russell was united in marriage to Miss Emma G. Randall, who was born near Ada, in Kent county, Michigan, August 25, 1848, and died in Kalamazoo, meeting her death in an accident on the 4th of January, 1904. She was a daughter of Ursula Randall, and by her marriage had one son, Clifford A., who is now living in Otsego township. He wedded Delia Odell, a native of Trowbridge township, and they have three children, Harold, Mildred and Hollis. On the 15th of Atigust, 1906, Mr. Russell was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Mary A. Cummins, a daughter of Joseph White.

In his political views Mr. Russell is a stalwart Republican but without aspiration for office. He belongs to the Seventh Day Adventist church at Allegan and is serving as one of its deacons. Closely associated with industrial and agricultural interests in this county for many years he has lived a life of activity and his prosperity is the measure of his ability, making him one of the representative and leading farmers of Allegan county,

Fked B. McCarn is living on section 18, Trowbridge township, where he carries on general agricultural pursuits. His father, Myron H. McCarn, was born at Lansing, Tompkins county. New York, August 25. 1827, and was a son of Henry and Sarah (Williams) McCarn, who were natives of western New York. The father had seventeen children. There were two children born of his first marriage and fifteen children born of the second marriage.

Myron H. McCarn was only five years of age when his parents removed from the Empire state to Potter county, Pennsylvania, where he resided until 1850. He was at that time twenty-three years of age. He had in the meantime been engaged in the lumber and milling business as an employe but in 1850 he determined to seek his fortune in the gold fields of CaHfornia and went to the Pacific coast by way of the Isthmus of Panama, spending four years in the Golden State. He engaged in prospecting for a time and afterward operated a sawmill, having been employed as a sawyer in the east. He now has in hts possession a ring made of gold which he dug from the mines in California and which he had made in New York city. In 1854 he returned to Potter county, Pennsylvania, and after about a year came to Michigan. He then spent a year and a half in traveling in this state, in Wisconsin, Illinois and Kansas, and in the last named state worked in a mill. Subsequent to that time he returned to his old home in Potter county, Pennsylvania.

In 1859 Mr. McCarn was married and removed to Knox county, Illinois, settling in the vicinity of Galesburg, where he devoted three vears to farming. In February, 1863, he arrived in Allegan county, Michigan, and located at Otsego. Here he was identified with industrial interests as a carpenter and mill man, spending about nine years in that way. In March. 1872, he came to Trowbridge township and settled on his present farm. where he has since resided, covering a period of thirty-four years. He now has one hundred and twenty-one acres of land on section t8. This was covered with timber when he made the purchase but the greater part of it is now under a high state of cultivation and has good buildings upon it. The entire work of development and improvement has been done by Mr. Mc- Carn and his sons. For the past eight years, however, he has not been active in the work, which has been left to liis sons, owing to his ill health.

In politics Mr. McCarn has always worked along lines of reform, first with the Republican party, afterward with the Democratic party and subsequently with the Populist party. He is one of the best read men in the community and is thoroughly informed concerning the political questions and issues of the day. He is also a man of broad general information and is entirely self-educated. He spent his days at work and his nights at reading and thus he has acquired a broad fund of knowledge. His fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, have frequently called him to public office. He has served for several terms as justice of the peace, has also been drain commissioner, was assessor and for four \'ears acted as county drain commissioner. His fraternal relations were with the Masonic lodge and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows until he became too old to attend the meetings and take an active part in those societies.

In 1859 Mr. McCarn was united in marriage to Miss Ann Ingraham, who was bom in Albany county, New York, November 21, 1834, and who died May 13, 1906. She was a daughter of William and Sarah (Hyier) Ingraham, also natives of the Empire state. Removing to the middle west they settled first in Illinois and afterward came to Allegan county, Michigan where they spent their last days.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Myron McCarn have been born seven children, of whom William H. is represented elsewhere in this volume. Charles, the second of the family, was bom in Knox county, Illinois. September 25, 1862, and is now living on the old homestead. Fred B., who was born in the village of Otsego, Michigan. August 12, 1866, now owns a good farm adjoining the old home property. The place formerly comprised eighty acres but he has sold thirty acres and now retains possession of fifty acres, and it is to him that we are indebted for the history of his honored father, who is one of the prominent pioneer residents of this portion of the state. Forest E., the fourth member of the family, died in infancy. Archie C. bom in Otsego, April 21, 1870. is married and resides in Iowa. He also owns a farm of forty acres in Trowbridge township. He and his brother Fred B. are now partners in a mercantile business in Tama, Iowa, which is conducted under the firm style of McCarn Brothers. Adelbert and Herbert are twins, and were born in Trowbridge township, October g, 1872. The former is living in his native township, while the latter is a resident farmer of Cheshire township and both are married.

Wir.LiAM H. McC.\HN, who resides on section 7, Trowbridge township, where he is engaged in general farming, was bom in northern Illinois on the 29th of September, t86o. and when about two years of age was brought to Otsego, Allegan county. Michigan, by his parents, Myron E, and Anna (Ingraham) McCarn, the former a native of Tompkins county. New York, and the latter of Albany county, that state. They were reared and married in the east, after which they removed to Illinois and, as stated, . came to Allegan county in 1862. Here the father turned his attention to .

farming and now resides on section eighteen, Trowbridge township. In the family were six sons, namely : William H., of this review ; Charles' and Fred B., who are assisting their father on the home farm ; Archie, of Tama, Iowa; Adelbert, of Trowbridge township, and Herbert, who is Hviiig in Cheshire township, Allegan county. The last two are twins.

William H. McCarn spent his early boyhood days in Otsego township and when twelve years of age accompanied his parents on their removal to Trowbridge township, where he has since resided. He remained upon the old homestead farm until his marriage, when he came to his present farm, which comprises one hundred and forty-eight acres of land on sections 7 and 8, This constitutes an excellent farm property, many of the improvements having been placed here by the present owner. He has erected one of the best dweUings in the township and the other biiildings upon the place are in keeping with his residence. He carries on general agricultural pursuits and is also a director in the Allegan Creamery and Cold Storage Company.

On the 22d of March, 1883, Mr. McCarn was married to Miss Lucy Colburn, who was born in Trowbridge township, January ij, 1860, and has always resided within its borders. She is a daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Wright) Colburn, of Trowbridge, natives of New Hampshire. Both were pioneer settlers here arid died in Allegan. Unto Mr. and Mrs. McCarn have been born four children, Lillie, Floyd, Nora and Myron.

In bis political views Mr. McCarn is a Republican and has held some minor offices but prefers to give his undivided atterition to his business affairs. He has always followed the occupation of farming and in this work has found ample opportunity for the exercise of his native talents. As the years have passed he has prospered and his labors have resulted in the acquirement of a comfortable competence, making him one of the substantial residents of the community.

Harmon W. Calkins. - A resident of Allegan county since 1855, Harmon W, Calkins, in the period of his manhood, has been identified with industrial and agricultural interests and is now living upon a good farm on section 2\. Trowbridge township, where he is successfully engaged in raising and dealing in Shorthorn cattle, in which connection' he is widely known, being one of the leading cattle dealers in this part of the state. A native son of Michigan, he was born in Richmond, Kalamazoo county, January 5, 1846, and was a lad of eieveii years when he came to Allegan county with his parents. Chauticy W. aind Corilelia'E. (Eld^ed) Calkins, natives of New York and Vermont respectively. They were married in Kalamazoo county, Michigan. The father was a merchant and wool buyer and spent the greater part of his life at Richmond and Allegan. For eighteen years be was superintendent of the Allegah county poor farm and proved a moSt capable official. When he came to this coiitity there were no roads in this part of the state and he made the joutiiey on horseback through the forest from his old home iri Kalamazoo county to SaiigatUck'. He was a man of irreproachable integrity and honor. Who lived a cdrtsisterit Christian life and had many friends. He served as deacofl in the Baptist cliurch of Alle'gan, in thtwdrk' of which hetoofc an active part. His p6Iitical siippdrt wiis given the Democracy until Cleveland was the nominee of the party. He was ever a man of firm convictions and never faltered in a course which he believed to be right. He died in Allegan in 1895, at the age of eighty-five years, while his wife passed away in 1885, when about seventy-five years of age, dying at the home of her daughter while visiting in Ohio. Her remains, however, were brought back to Allegan for interment. In the family of this worthy c6uple were three children : Almeron E., a miller of Allegati ; Harmon, and Aristena R., the wife of A. L. Spitzer, president of a bank in Medina, Ohio.

Hamion W. Calkins, coming to Allegan at the age of eleven years, spent twenty-five years in tliat city, where in his youth he attended the public schools and later worked more or less in his father's store. In early manhood he learned the machinist's trade and after spending three years in the employ of others, he established the Gage foundry in 1865. It was first conducted under the firm name of Fowler, McQueeny & Calkins, afterward McQtieeny & Catkins, and later of Calkins & Company, at which time the partners were our subject and his brother. After about eight years spent in the above associations Mr. Calkins of this review sold out and purchased a farm of eighty acres and later added to it sixty-five acres. Later he sold that property and bought one hundred and twenty acres, which he also disposed of at a later date. He is now' the owner of eighty acres of choice land on section 21, Trowbridge township, and he gives his time exclusively to raising and dealing in Shorthorn cattle, always having a number of head of fine stock tipon his place. He has exhibited his stock at various county and state fairs for the last forty years, principally in Michigan and Ohio and annually wins from one hundred and fifty to one hundred and eighty dollars in premiums.

On October 29, 1868, Mr. Calkins was married to Miss Cynthia Maria Stone, who was born in Dunham, Canada, January 19, 1848, and came to Michigan with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. George W, Stone. Mr. and Mrs. Calkins now have eight children: Lottie, the wife of Wilham J. Delano, of Hastings, this state; Lena, the wife of Dr. S. B. Stedgeman, of Vermontville, Michigan; Chauncy, at home; Hugh, who is pastor of the Disciples' church at Owen Sound, Ontario ; Elsie, the wife of Martin Blair, of Watson, Michigan ; Abhie, the wife of WiUard Brest, of Trowbridge township ; Avis, in the abstract office at Allegan, and Lrdia, at home. Mr. Calkins has given his children excellent educational privileges and four of them have pursued courses of study in the State University at Ann Arbor, while the family record is one of which the parents have every reason to be proud.

In his political views Mr. Caikins is a Democrat and has a citizen's interest in the questions and issues which divide the two great parties, but has held only school offices. The cause of education indeed finds in him a warm friend^one who is ready to do anything in his power for the betterment of schools. He is a member of the Disciples' or Christian church in Trowbridge township and assisted in building their brick house of worship. Fraternally he is connected with the Knights of the Maccabees! Men who know him recognize his high principles", unswerving 'integrity and fidelity to duty. He has resided in the county for more than half a centufy and his labors have been a helpful element in general growth and development.

acres of land, in addition to which he has forty acres of section 4, of the same township. The extent of his holdings and the importance of his agricultural interests indicate his life of activity and well directed effort.

A native of Summit county, Ohio, William A. Raber was born near Akron, October 24, 1862, a son of Louis E. and Katharine (Sarah) Raber, who were natives of Stark county, Ohio, and were of German descent. The father died at Plainwell, Michigan, at the age of fifty-eight years, while the mother died at the home of her son Andrew C, when sixty-two years of age. They were the parents of five children, namely: Mrs. Martha Dreisbach, of Summit county, Ohio; Mrs. Rose Belle Zellars, who died about four years ago ; Mrs. Katharine Blakeley, of Plainwell, this state ; William Albert, and Andrew Curtis Raber, who is living in Allegan township.

When only about five years of age William A. Raber was taken by his parents to Portage county, Ohio, where he remained until he reached the age of twelve years. He then accompanied the family on their removal to Plainwell, Michigan, and resided in that locality until eighteen years of age. The succeeding decade was passed at Martin, this state, where for five years he engaged in farming and for a similar period conducted a repair shop, having learned and followed the blacksmithing and wagon-making trades in earlier life. For seven years he has resided upon his present farm, having two hundred and forty-three acres of rich land, which he has placed under a high state of cultivation and upon which he has made many good improvements, including the erection of first class buildings, while his farm work is carried forward along most progressive lines.

On the 14th of September, 1882, Mr. Raber was married to Miss Hattie Delano, a native of Martin, Michigan, born November 22, i860, and a daughter of Luther and Maryette (Anderson) Delano. The former, a native of Macedon. Wayne county. New York, was born September 9, 1816. His father was Israel Delano and his mother's maiden name was Martha Rogers. She was a daughter of General William Rogers of Revolutionary fame. Both parents were of Yankee origin, and both were members of the Baptist church. Their son was named after Rev. Luther Rice, the first great Burmah missionary, and the latter, Mrs. Maryette Anderson Delano, was born in Mayfield, New York, in 1830, came wilJi her parents to Plainwell, Michigan, when four years old. Her childhood playmates were Indians. Her father, Judge John Anderson, was the first white man to build a house in what is now the village of Plainwell. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Raber were born three children : Hazel M., the wife of J. Bentley, of this township ; Zella W., who died in March, 1904, at the age of fourteen years, and Roger Z., at home.

Mr. Raber exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Republican party, but is without aspiration for office. He belongs to the Knights of the- Maccabees, and is a typical citizens of the middle west, who by the utilization of his opportunities has advanced from a humble financial position to one of affluence, winning thereby the admiration and respect of his fellow townsmen.

Ransom M. Brodock, whose home farm is pleasantly located on .section 22. Trowbridge township, not far from Allegan, was born in Hudson, Lenawee county. Michigan, October 18, 1847. His father, Harry B.

Brodock, was a native of Penfield, New York, born in 1812, and he died January 24, 1896, upon the farm which is now the home of our subject. At an early day in the development of Michigan he became a resident of Adrian, where he worked at shoemaking for a number of years. He afterward removed to Hudson, this state, where he established a shoe business and still later he entered one hundred acres of land in Hillsdale county, Michigan, near Hudson, which he improved, continuing its cultivation and development until his removal to Allegan county. In 1864 he enlisted from Hudson as a member of Company F. of the Fourth Michigan Infantry, which was assigned to the Army of the Potomac. He was wounded in the battle vi the Wilderness, and being thus unfitted for further field duty was honorably discharged about a year later. He was familiar with all of the experiences of pioneer life in Michigan, and in the early days would go to Adrian on horseback for siipplies for his shoemaking business. He was also a great hunter and found ample opportunity to indulge his love of the sport because deer and other kinds of wild game abounded in the forests. His political allegiance was first given to the whig party and upon its dissolution he joined the ranks of the new Republican party. He took an active interest in everything pertaining to the welfare of the community, poiitical and otherwise, and during the greater part of his life held local offices in Hillsdale county. Soon after the war while mowing with a team he fell from the seat of the mower and had his right hand cut off by the knives of the mower. He lost his first wife after about a year of married life and subsequently married Julia A, Smith in Adrian. She was a native of New York and had accompanied her parents on their removal to Michigan, her brother being at that time proprietor of the largest shoe house in Adrian. Mrs. Brodock died in Hudson when about fifty-six years of age. In the family were four children: Henry M., who is now living in Douglas, Michigan, where he follows carpentering: Julia A., the wife of Marvin Gillet, of Douglas; Ransom M., and Jennie F,, the wife of Charles Pratt, of Detroit.

Ransom M, Brodock spent the first twenty-eight years of his life in Lenawee and in Hillsdale counties, living with his parents upon a farm or in the city. When sixteen years of age he began learning the mason's trade, which he has followed to a greater or less extent since that time. In 1879 he came to his present place of residence on section 22, Trowbridge township, in company with his father, his mother having previously passed away. He has since lived upon this farm, comprising one hundred acres of land on section 22. It was partially cleared when they took possession of the property but was in bad shape, owing to its neglect by former occupants. Mr. Brodock has remodeled some of the buildings and has erected others and he now has a well improved property, devoted to the raising of grain and stock. He has also followed the mason's trade to some extent and has lived a most active, energetic life, earning a good living throxigh his well directed efforts and also accumulating a comfortable competence for a rainy day.

In 1879, soon after locating upon his present farm, Mr. Brodock was married to Miss Sarah M. Maynard, who was born in Cass county. Michigan, in 1850, and died upon the old home property here June 9, 1904. She was a daughter of Truman and Lucv Maynard. who were natives of New York.

Mr. Brodock exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the RepubHcan party and has always taken an active interest in politics. He belongs to the Odd Fellows' lodge at Allegan, with which he has been identified for the past nineteen years. Starting out upon his business career at the age of sixteen years he has worked persistently and energetically as the years have gone by and his diligence and indefatigable energy have been strong elements in his success.

James Morton Reynolds, a representative of the farming interests of Trowbridge township, living on section 19, was born in Moscow, New York, October 20, 1852, and during his infancy was brought to Allegan comity by his parents, William and Eliza (McMaii) Reynolds, who settled on the lake shore. The father was a native of New York, and died when his son James was only seven years of age, he being at that time about thirty years of age. The mother afterward removed with her family to Monterey township and later gave her hand in marriage to G. B. Wilcox. She survived to the age of sixty-seven years, and died upon the fann which is now the home of our subject. By her first marriage she had live children: Eliza Jane, now the wife of Charles Streator, of Lake county, Michigan; William H., who is living in Battle Creek township; James M., of this review; Charles Edgar, of Allegan, and Albert Nelson, a resident of Allegan.

James Morton Reynolds has practically spent his entire life in this county. He was reared in his mother's home, and at the age of fourteen years began working for others by the day or month. He was principally employed at farm labor and as opportunity offered he attended the district schools during the winter seasons, thus acquiring the education that fitted him for the transaction of business. In 1880 he was united in marriage to Miss Hattie Judd, a native of Heath township, this county, who died in 1882, at the age of twenty years. She left one son, Glenn B., who is a car inspector for the Fere Marquette Railroad Company.

After losing his iirst wife Mr. Reynolds removed to his present farm, which was then owned and occupied by his mother, and here he has since resided. The place comprises forty acres of good land on section 19, Trowbridge township, and has been greatly improved by the present owner. He has recently erected a fine barn and has set out a peach orchard of seven hundred trees, making fruit the special feature of his farming. His entire time is devoted to the improvement of this place and it gives every evidence of his care and supervision.

In igoi Mr. Reynolds was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Richendy Elizabeth (Everett) Ross Bush, who was born in Suffolk, England, March 15, 1854, and when six months old was taken by her parents to Auburn, New York. She was married in Ann Arbor, Michigan, to Theodore Ross, by whom she had five children. She afterward married Sylvanus Bush, of Bloomingdale, Michigan, by whom she had one child. She is a daughter of John H. and Richendy (Jackson) Everett, both natives of Suffolk, England, The mother died in Auburn, New York, at the age of thirty-five years, while the father's death occurred in Chicago in 1903, at the very remarkable old age of one hundred and four years. He was

Mr. Reynolds takes a public- spirited interest in community affairs and gives his political support at the polls to the Republican party, but has never sought or desired office for himself, preferring to concentrate his time and energies upon his business affairs, in which he is meeting with signal success.

James Almond, who since 1877 has made his home on section eight, Trowbridge township, and has placed the greater part of the improvements upon the farm, was bom in Yorkshire, England, February 21, 1832. His parents were Samuel and Sarah (Ellis) Almond, who were likewise natives of Yorkshire, and there spent their entire lives, as had their parents before them. The mother belonged to an old family connected with the Society of Friends, or Quakers, but married outside of the church. The father and brothers of our subject were engaged in the manufacture of woolen cloth in England, The family numbered eight children, but James Almond is the only one who ever came to the United States. Owing to business losses in the woolen manufactory caused by the falling off of trade owing to the Civil war in the United States, James Almond left his native country and crossed the Atlantic to America. He made his way to Michigan, and in 1877 purchased a farm of one hundred and ten acres on section 8, Trowbridge township. He still retains fifty acres of this and has sold sixty acres to his son, who afterward disposed of the property and removed to Calhoun county. Mr. Almond has made the greater part of the improvements upon the property and it is now an excellent farm, equipped with many modern conveniences and accessories. His entire time and attention has been devoted to general agricultural pursuits and in this work he has met with a gratifying measure of success,

Mr. Almond was married in 1856 to Miss Anna Bosfield, who was born in the vicinity of her husband's birthplace in Yorkshire, England. They were the parents of five sons and three daughters when they came to the new world. They traveled life's journey together for almost a half century and were separated by the death of the wife on the 22d of August, 1905, when she was seventy-six years of age. Their children were as follows: George, who is now proprietor of a jewelry store in Winnipeg, Canada; Fannie, the wife of Joseph Walker, of Trowbridge township ; John, living in San Francisco, California; Sarah, the wife of Frank Sprague, who is connected with the postoffice in San Francisco; Fred, also living in that city ; Martha, who died at the age of fifteen years ; Samuel, a resident farmer of Calhoun county, Michigan, and Stead, who is a milkman of Battle Creek, Michigan.

Mr. Almond gives his political allegiance to the Democracy and has always kept well informed on the questions and issues of the day. For the past twenty years he has served as justice of the peace and his decisions have been strictly fair and impartial, as is indicated by his long continuance in oifice, which is also proof of the confidence and trust reposed in him by his fellow townsmen. He holds membership in the Baptist church at Allegan and for twenty years has served therein as deacon. His life is honorable and upright, his actions manly and sincere, and he deserves and receives the good will and confidence of all who know him.

Stei'hen Opell is the owner of valuable farming interests in Allegan county and is one of the prominent and infliiential citizens who has been active in public life and has wielded a wide and beneficial influence in affairs relating to the county's progress and upbuilding. His life record began at Seneca Falls, in Seneca county, New York, April 30, 1835, his parents being Benajah W. and Caroline E. (Smith) Odell, natives of New York. The mother died in Ohio when her son Stephen was about thirteen years of age, and the father's death occurred in Allegan county when he was in his sixty-seventh year. By his first marriage he had seven children, and there were also seven of the second marriage.

Stephen CWell was the second in order of birth. He had one brother, Charles Odell. who served in the Civil war, being a member of the Mechanics' and Engineers' Corps. When only about two years of age Stephen Odell accompanied his parents on their removal to Huron county, Ohio, the family home being established near Norwalk, where he remained until fourteen years of age, when the family home was established in Trowbridge township, Allegan county, Michigan. They settled upon a tract of wooded land near the center of the township in 1849, and our subject has since resided in this township with the exception of a period of about four and a half years spent in the Civil war. In his younger days he worked in the woods felhng trees, and also in the harvest fields swinging the cradle and raking and binding the grain, all of which work was done by hand. At the time of hostilities between the north and the south he espoused the Union cause and demonstrated his loyalty by enlisting on the 9th of October, 1861, as a member of Company A, Third Michigan Cavalry, under Colonel Kellogg, and later under Colonel Misner. He participated in a number of important engagements, including the battles of Corinth. luka, Pittsburg Landing, the Mississippi campaign to Island No, 10 and other engagements. He aided in destroying the rolling stock of the railroad between Jackson and Corinth, a distance of five hundred miles, and for two months he was absent from his regiment on account of illness. On the expiration of his first term of service he veteranized in the same company and regiment and was stationed at San Antonio, Texas, after about nine months after the close of the war. after which he was mustered out at Jackson, Michigan, in March. 1866. He returned to his home with a most creditable military record, having ever faithfully discharged the duties that devolved upon him whether in the active field of duty or on guard <luty.

When the country no longer needed his aid Mr. Odell returned to Allegan county and resumed farming in Trowbridge township. At one time he spent five years in the village of Allegan in order to educate his children in the town schools, and while there residing conducted a feed business. For twenty-three years, however, he has resided on his present farm on section 20. Trowbridge township. The place comprises eighty acres on this section and also five acres on section 29, on which his dwelling stands. He had one hundred and sixty acres in this farm until he sold a part of iffoliis son. He has owned a number of different farms in the township, buying and selling at diiTerent times and generally meeting with good profit in these ventures.

in this county November 4. 1904.. She came to Michigan with her widowed mother. She was a daughter of Asa and Elizabeth Fairchild, but her father passed away in the Buckeye state. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Odell liave been bom nine children: Mayton V., of Trowbridge township ;Xarohne E., the wife of John H. Wurtz, of Pennsylvania; Arthur, who is also living in Trowbridge township; Adelia, the wife of Chfford Russell, of the same township; Flora, at home; Ella Tyler, who died at the age of thirty-two years; John, of Trowbridge township; Nina V., the wife of Theodore Rueault, of New Mexico, and Ernest E., at home.

In his political views Mr. Odell has been a life-long Republican since casting his first presidential ballot for John C. Fremont. He has voted for each candidate at the head of the ticket since that time and has served in various local offices. For three or four terms he was highway commissioner, was township treasurer for one term, and for several years has been school director. In his fraternal relations he is connected with C. J. Bassett Post, G. A. R., of Allegan, and thus maintains pleasant relations with his old army comrades, delighting in the reminiscences of 'field and camp life. He is looked upon as one of the respected and substantial citizens of Trowbridge township, and has a good farm and home as the result of his enterprise and untiring labor in former years. He has now passed the Psalmist's span of three score years and ten and is respected by all who know him.

James J.vckson Russell is numbered among those men of sterling worth whose activitv and perseverance constitute the basis of their success, and upon these qualities he has builded his prosperity, becoming one of the substantial farmers of Trowbridge township, his home being on section 29. He was born in Potter, Yates county, New York, May 9, 1841, a son of John and Ruth Ann (Andrews) Russell. The father was born in the North of Ireland and was educated for the law. After coming to America he practiced for some time in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His wife was born in Rhode Island, and both died before they were forty years of age. In 1844 they removed from Potter, New York, to Italy, Steuben county, that state, and afterward to Naples, New York. While living in the last mentioned place the death of the father occurred, and when nine years of age James J. Russell, of this review, came to Michigan, landing at New Baltimore in 1852. He crossed Lake Erie on a vessel known as the Buckeye State. He made the journey alone in 1852, and later was joined by his widowed mother and her family, who arrived in the fall of the same year. She died in the village of New Baltimore the following year. In the family were five children, of whom James J., of this review, is the eldest. The others are: Ruth Ann, a resident of Saybrook, Connecticut; George M.. who is engaged ii! the manufacture of cigars in Detroit; Spencer, who is interested in a water cure at Mount Clemens, and Henry E.. who was a soldier of the Civil war. He enlisted from this state as a member of the Twenty-fourth Michigan Infantry, and at the time of the assassination of Lincoln stood guard over the corp.se of the martyred President. On the 1st of May, 1873, Spencer B. Russell, a brother of Henry E. Russell, purchased the Mount Clemens Press, and Henry E. first became assoc' with his brother in the publication of the paper, the association being ri tained until 1888. In September, 1895, Henry Russell established the Mount Clemens Advertiser, but afterward sold out. In 1889 he and W. J. Morris made the first experiment on a daily paper in Mount Clemens by beginning the issue of what was then called the Remny Leader and is now the Daily Leader. Mr. Russell retired from the business at a later date. In 1903 with several others he took up the Advertiser and issued a daily publication for some time. He was not only a practical printer, but was an editor and writer of superior ability. He was bom in Yates county. New York, January 18, 1849, and died April 12, 1906.

James Jackson Russell, whose name introduces this record, has been dependent upon his own resources from the early age of nine years. Coming alone to Michigan, as before stated, he worked in Macomb county upon a farm at four dollars per month and for two winters attended school in that county. In 1859 he came to Allegan county by boat, landing at the mouth of the Kalamazoo river. He spent the winter in that locality and went to work at a wage of thirteen dollars per month in the Dwtcher lumber mill. He was employed there at different periods until he became head sawyer at a wage of four dollars per day. He sailed on the lakes in the summer and worked in the mills in the winter months, thus alternating for three or four years. He was married in 1863 and for two years afterward continued to work in the mill. In 1864 he came to Trowbridge township and purchased one hundred and fifty-seven acres of land, upon which he lived for a year. He then returned to the lumber woods in order to obtain ready money that might be used in carrying on his farmwork. He came to his present farm in 1873 and has resided here continuously since, having sixty-five acres of land which is pleasantly located on Lake Emerson and the Paw Paw road. About twenty acres were cleared when it came into his possessicm. He cleared the remainder, erected the buildings thereon and has transformed it into a rich and productive farm. The land was originally covered with fine black walnut and white wood timber. Emerson Lake is a fine summer resort, and in addition to cultivating his fields Mr. Russell conducts a boat livery and has a fine grove and picnic grounds upon his place. He also entertains summer boarders and this branch of bis business is proving to him a gratifying source of income.

On the 1st of August, 1863, Mr. Russell was united in marriage to Miss Juliette Kent, who was born in South Hero, Vermont, August 8, 1842, and came to Watson, Michigan, when seven years of age, while two years later she removed to Allegan county in company with her parents, James W. and Ann S. (Allen) Kent. Her father was a native of Plattsburg, New York, bom February 16, 1814. He followed the blacksmith's trade from the age of nineteen years until his demise, which occurred January 26, 1885. His wife was born at Grand Isle, Vermont, March 13, 1810, and died in this county, October 25, i86g. She was a descendant of one of seven brothers of Scotch birth, who came to the United States in colonial days and was a relative of Colonel Ethan Allen, the distinguished leader of the Green Mountain boys in the Revolutionary war. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Kent were bom seven children: Sylva, now deceased; Eunice; William, who died at the age of two years ; Mrs. Russell ; James W., of Allegan ; Mrs. Amanda Gates, of Monterey, and David, of Trowbridge township. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Russell has been blessed with four children:

Annie, who died at the age of one year; EveHne, who died when four years of age: Frank E,, who is living in Almond, Michigan, and Myrtle M., the wife of Arthur Newton, of Trowbridge township.

In his political afiiliation Mr. Russell is a Republican and has served as drain commissioner for two years. His wife is a member of the Christian church and he assisted in building the house of worship and .contributes to the support of the church. Starting out in life empty-handed when but a lad of nine years, he has made steady progress toward the goal of prosperity and owes his success entirely to his own labors and the assistance of his estimable wife, who has indeed been a faithful companion and helpmate to him on life's journey. The years brought him earnest, arduous labor, but he persevered in his undertakings, proved his ability and worth to all by whom he was employed and gradually made advancement until he was enabled to purchase and improve a farm of his own. He now has a good property in Trowbridge township and is comfortably situated in life.

Samuel Gagex Stockdale, who for fifteen years has owned and operated the farm on which he now resides on section g, Trowbridge township, has, during this period, Converted it from a tract of wild land into fields of rich fertility and productiveness. He is a native son of England and came to Allegan county when eight years of age. He was born in Norfolk, England, November 6, 1863, a son of Charles Stockdale, who was also born there. He came to Michigan with his family about 1871 and purchased a farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Otsego township, together with a house and twelve acres of land near the Otsego school. He followed farming throughout his entire life. In his native country he had operated three hundred acres of rented land for a number of years and he brought with htm to America about seventeen thousand dollars, which he had made from his farming interests in the old world. He lived only about three years after coming to this country and died at the age of fortyfive. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary Gagen, and was a native of Norfolk, England, died at that place when her son Samuel was but six years of age. In the family were eight children : Elizabeth and Joseph, both deceased; Mrs. Lottie Welch, of Trowbridge township; Mrs. Rachel Hoyer, of the same township; Mrs. Mary Wade, of Grand Rapids: Samuel, Mrs, Rebecca Dwam, of Minnesota, and Charles, of this township.

Samuel G. Stockdale, reared in England to the age of eight years, then accompanied his father to the new world and at his father's death came to Trowbridge township to live with William Hemmitt. After a few years he began working by the month as a farm hand and later went to Nebraska, where he spent six years on a cattle ranch, returning to Allegan county in 1886. He then went to live on the old home place in Otsego township and fifteen years ago came to his present farm on section 9, Trowbridge township. It was mostly covered with stumps when he took it and today it is a well improved farm with good buildings and well tilled fields - -visible proof of his life of activity and energy.

Mr. Stockdale was married March 31, 1888, to Jennie Fisher, who was born in Jackson county, Michigan, January 21, 1866, a daughter of David and Olive (Van Nest) Fisher, the former a native of New Jersey and the latter of Hillsdale county, Michigan. Mr. Fisher died at Grand Rapids,

Michigan, and his wife at Kalamazoo. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Stockdale have been born five children : Flossie Olive, Mary, Joseph, Rachel and David, all yet at home. The parents are highly esteemed in the community where they reside and their friends are many. Mr. Stockdale votes with the Republican party and is a pubhc-spirited citizen, interested in the general welfare to the. extent of giving helpfnl aid to many measnres which have for their basic element the good of the commimity at large.

E. P. J.^MES, a well known and respected citizen of Fennville, is living a quiet and retired life in that place, after a career of nsefiihiess and industry, the last twenty-eighf vears having been spent as a resident of Clyde township.

Mr. James' birth occurred in 1832, in Ohio, where he lived seven years, and the family then moved to Indiana, where he was reared and where he received his education. There he lived up to the time of his removal to Michigan, which happened in 1878. Preceding this date he was imited in marriage to Miss Helen M. Pratt, a native of Indiana, who was born there in January. 1840. Out of a family of nine children they have but six remaining: Mary E., born in May, 1863; Lulu, born in 1866: Dolly R., March, 1871; Eell. Januarv, 1874: John, October, 1877. and Jesse, born in July. i88r.

Out subject is a son of James R. and Livina (Ward) James, who were the parents of twelve children, three of whom are now living, namelv, John, Benjamin and E. P.

During the dark days of the Civil war our subject moved by a spirit of patriotism and loyalty to the flag of the Union, became a volunteer soldier in the Army of the North, enlisting February 16, 1864, as a private in Company H. One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Indiana VoUmteer Infantry, and during his period of service participating in the following battles: Resaca, Altoona Pass, Dalton, Kenesaw Mountain, Burnt Hickory, Franklin, Nashville, and some minor engagements. He was overcome by the heat while in the army but was fortunate in returning to his home unwounded and without having at any time been taken prisoner.

Mr. James had five brothers in the service of the north: Benjamin P., captain of Company H, One Hundred and Twentv-ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry: Reuben, first lieutenant in Company G. of the same regiment; Zebedee. an orderly in the One Hundred and Twenty-eighth Indiana; John, an orderly sergeant of Company H, same regiment, and Joseph, a musician. He had also two brothers-in-law and three nephews in the Federal army. His father, James R., was a soldier in the war of 1812, and his grandfather, Zebedee, fought in the War of the Revolution. Such a war record is as remarkable as it is rare, and Mr. James may well lie proud of his association with a family that has contributed so many men to their country's defense, to say nothing of his own military record, which ended with his honorable discharge in 1865.

During his residence on his farm in Clyde township, which consists of forty-eight acres of fine farming land. Mr. James has not been too busy to lend his aid and counsel to the public affairs which concern every com- munity, and which many, through indifference, perhaps, so often neglect, and has served in the following public oflGces : As a member of the board of review, on which he served for seven years; postmaster for a term of two years; highway commissioner for one year, and as a school director. He now rents his farm, preferring to pass his remaining years quietly and leave to younger men the toil and competition which he so eagerly entered in his youth, but from which the limitations of advancing years now debar him.

William Green, who follows farming in Clyde township, is one of the pioneer settlers of Allegan county. He was bom in Franklin county, Ohio, in 1831, where he resided until grown, following agriculture from his youth. In 1852 he moved to Indiana, where he resided until 1862, enlisting on August 4th, of that year, as private in the Eighty-eighth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He was with Sherman's command on that historic March to the Sea, and in addition participated in the battles of Perryville, Snake Creek Gap, Resaca, Stone River, Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain, Peachtree Creek, Atlanta, Jonesboro, Missionary Ridge, Kenesaw Mountain, Big Shanty, and numerous other engagements of minor importance, and was honorably discharged from the service on June 20, 1S65.

Mr. Green moved to Michigan October 20. 1867, and located at Fennville, purchasing at the same time forty acres of unimproved land in Clyde township. This he put under cultivation as rapidly as possible, and built fine and commodious buildings. Later he saw the value of low or marsh land for the production of mint, and with this in view purchased eighty acres of ground, which he cleared and now devotes to the growth of this aromatic herb.

Our subject was married to Miss Maria Richmond, to whom five children were born: Lydia E.. Louisa A., William C. (deceased), Benjamin (deceased), and Leonard H. As would be naturally expected from one who served so long in the Union army, Mr. Green is vitally interested in the Grand Army of the Republic, and holds his membership in Jacob G. Frv Post No. 46.

Erasmus Johnson, of Clyde township, whose postoffice is on rural free delivery route No. 3 from Fennville, can point with pride to twenty-six years of continuous residence in Allegan county. He is a native of Denmark, his birth occurring in that country in 1861. His parents were Nels and Marie Jansen. both Danes, whose family consisted of seven children. three of whom emigrated to America, viz.: Andrew, James (deceased), and Erasmus.

When Erasmus Johnson first came to this country he purchased twenty acres of land, which he inmiediately set about to improve, building a house and the necessary outbuildings. Here he resided until 1896, when he bought his present property, consisting of ninety acres of valuable farming land, devoted to general produce and peppermint. In 1904 he built a fine modern house upon his property, with barns and other buildings in keeping, and equipped with all the latest improvements available, making the farm a particularly desirable place of residence. He has a select herd of cattle besides his horses, which are all fine draught animals.

United States in 1884, They have two children, Louis N. and Kate E. Mr. Johnson and his wife are members of the Lutheran church. In affairs which concern the pubhc weal he is always vitally interested, and is a loyal and respected citizen of his community.

H. O. Peterson, like many another of our industrious fanners throughout the middle west, is a native of Sweden, his birth occurring in that country on Jime 16, 1844.

He is a son of John and Ann Peterson, both Swedish, whose family consisted of seven children, three of whom came to the United States. Of the three who came to this country our subject is the sole survivor. He arrived in America in 1865, stopping at Chicago for several years, .but subsequently moving to Saugatuck, Michigan, and in 1873 purchasing his present property in Clyde township. This property is now a well cultivated and productive farm of forty-four acres, devoted to general farming and frint raising. When Mr. Peterson purchased this land it was unimproved, and his constant effort has been to make it one of the best farms for its size that thought and labor could produce. One has but to look at the modern and convenient buildings, the well-kept fruit orchards and the general thrifty appearance of everything connected with the place to see how far he has succeeded in his desires. He has planted with his own hands about one thousand peach, plum, pear and cherry trees, to say nothing of a thousand or more currant bushes, and everything on the farm receives his personal attention in so far as time permits.

In 1873 our subject was united in marriage to Miss Susan Judy. Their children were eight in number, of whom seven are still living, the following being the order of their birth: Anna, wife of W. Bebee; Willis H: Mabel, now Mrs. Richards; Edith, wife of S. Purdy; Rose, Mary and Cecil.

Frkp T. Rasmusren, in common with many of the successful farmers and business men of Allegan county, is a son of Denmark, in which country he was born in 1872. His parents, Haus and Metta Rasmussen, both natives of Denmark, were the parents of five children, four of whom came to the United States, viz. : Carl, James, Fred T. and Peter C. AH of these have become citizens of this country.

Mr. Rasmussen emigrated to and settled in Clyde township in 1895, and has since remained there, purchasing in 1898 a farm of sixty acres of farming land formerly the property of James Johnson, deceased. This farm is devoted to general produce. Our subject is at present a director of the Pearl Creamery, located at Pearl, in this same county, and which is doing a thriving business, with fine prospects for the future.

In 1898 Mr. Rasmussen was married to the widow of James Johnson, who had by her former marriage five children: Ts^elsie H., Marie F., Andrew, Arthur and Jennie M. Since becoming the wife of Mr. Rasmussen there have been bom to her two children, of whom one, Ravmond L, is living.

George W. Perham, a progressive farmer of Clyde township, in which he owns three hundred acres of valuable and productive land, was born in Vermont in 1858 and resided there until in 1878, when he moved to Michigan and tooic up his abode at Pearl, in Allegan county. He is a son of

Mr. And Mrs. Ii. O. I'Eterson

Joseph and Rhoda (Hewey) Perham, and is one of a family of twelve children, eight of whom hved to reach maturity. Three of that number are now living: Mary-, Joseph and George W., although the latter is the only one of the three resident in Michigan. One of the brothers, Henry, was in the Civil war as a member of a Vermont regiment, and died while in the service. A brother-in-law, Daniel W., was also in the Federal army during that war.

While still a resident of Vermont, Mr. Perham was married to Miss Elma M., the daughter of Franklin and Elizabeth (Pulsipher) Severens and sister of Judge Severens, of that state. One child has been born to them, a daughter named Carrie E., now the wife of Ralph N. Leverich and the mother of two children : Leon and Inez.

The farm on which Mr. Perham now resides has been in his possession about eight years. He is extensively engaged in mint culture, devoting one hundred acres to the growing of that herb. In addition he also owns and operates a distillery, in which he distills his own peppermint and that of his neighbors, finding it more satisfactory and lucrative to prepare the essential oil for the market than to sell the dry herb. All the buildings on the farm were built by the present owner and are of modern construction and of neat appearance.

Our subject is connected by membership with Saint John's Lodge, No. 41, of the Masonic Order of the State of Vermont, and is a respected and creditable member of the same.

Anders Anderskn. who farms within the bounds of rural free delivery route No. 3, of Fennville, Clyde township, became owner of his present property, "Maple Hill Farm," in 1906.

Mr. Andersen was born in Denmark, in December, 1861, and is the son of Soren and Kirsten Andersen, natives of Denmark, who were the parents of five children, two of whom emigrated to the United States. Our subject came in 1883 and located in Chicago, where he remained up until the present year, 1906. He was engaged in a number of pur.siiits while residing in that city, working in a soap factory for three years, being an employe of the street railway company for three years and being in business for himself for seventeen years as a retail milk dealer, earning thereby more than enough to purchase his present farm. Like so many of his countrymen who have come to America, Mr. Andersen is a loyal and faithful citizen of the country of his adoption.

In 1890 our subject was united in marriage to Miss Annie Catherine Jorgenson, who was born in Denmark in January, 1865, and emigrated to America in 1882. They have one child, a daughter, Alice C., who was Ijorn in i8gi.

Mr. Andersen is a member of the Danes Brotherhood and the Tribe of Ben Hur, and was for a number of years a member of the Milk Dealers' Association, of Chicago, of which body he was secretary. Mr. Andersen's residence in the United States has been one of thrift, hard work and capacity, and his friends bespeak for him a still greater success in his new field of labor.

His parents were David and Caroline (Junke) Walters, both of German birth, who came to this country in 1849. They were both passengers on the same vessel and became man and wife after reaching America. In 1854 they came to Michigan and located in Clyde township on August 4th, purchasing eighty acres of land in sections 7 and 8 of that township. David Waiters was a man well known and highly respected by all who knew him. In politics he was a Democrat and was elected to the office of township clerk in a strong Republican township, which office he held for eighteen years. He died in 1890, his wife following him in 1899. They were the parents of six children, all living, who were born in the following order : William : Lissetta, now the wife of Horace Hutchins ; Charles F., now a resident of Montana: Carrie, who became the wife of James Palmer, of Spokane. Washington ; Henry J., and Julius D., at present living in Deer Park. Washington.

The subject of this sketch learned the trade of shoemaker when a young man and followed the trade successfully in Fennville for thirty-six years. In 1899 he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits and is now engaged in fruit farming. The farm on which he now lives has been his property since 1876 and is planted to a diversity of fruits, all in fine condition, in addition to three acres on which he raises peppermint. In 1871 he was married to Alpha, daughter of Newton and Harriet Arnold, and of this union were born three children, the following being the order in which they were bom : Carl J : Rose, now wife of John H. White, and "Babe."

Mr. Walters is a loyal member of the Democratic party and has been honored with numerous public offices, among them that of drain commissioner for a term of two years, dog warden for two years and marshal of Fennville for the same length of time.

WiLUAM H. Stlcox. - Perhaps no man in Clyde township has done more for the improvement of his neighborhood than William H, Silcox. He is a man of large experience and a close student of men and affairs, and his influence in his community has done much to bring it into the prosperity which now obtains there.

Mr. Silcox is a native of Ohio, having been born there October 30, 184Q, receiving his early training and schooling in that state. He is a son of William and Mahala Betraum Silcox, whose family comprised eleven children, three of whom moved to Michigan. Our subject, however, and John, a manufacturer of Detroit, are the only ones that remained in the state. In 1859 William Williams and James Reed took up one hundred and sixty acres each in Clyde township, being among the first white men to become land proprietors in that township. Thev did not, however, become residents of the state. In 1865 a brother of our subject came to Michigan and purchased the Reed one hundred and sixty, acres, but after remaining a couple of years sold out and moved back to Ohio.

In 1868 William H. Silcox moved to Clyde township and purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, and in 1874 purchased and occupied his present farm, which consists of three hundred acres of the best farming land in the county. Of this farm seventy acres are planted to pepper- mint, and beside this mint culture - which is extensive and lucrative - Mr. Silcox deals in genera! produce and maintains a dairy of twenty-five head of fine cattle.

His marriage took place to Estella W. daughter of Joshua and Nancy Calvin, of Ohio, who has borne him eight children: Calvin, who married Miss Susie Perry; Geraldiiie, now the wife of R. Clum ; Effie; May; Belle, wife of B. Holtoii; Burr, Kate and Iva.

Mr. Silcox has held the following public offices: Justice of the peace, commissioner of highways, moderator of the school board, of which he has been a member for a number of years, and assessor, in which capacity he has served for the past twenty years. In a social way he holds membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which organization he is a worthy and respected member.

Petrr C. R.^smussen. who is a respected farmer of Clyde township, was born in Denmark in 1869 and emigrated to this country in 1889. His parents, Hans and Katherine Rasmussen, both natives of Denmark, are the parents of five children, four of whom came to the United States, viz. : Carl, James, Fredrick and Peter. These brothers are all loyal citizens of the country of their adoption and enjoy the confidence and respect of their fellow citizens in their several communities.

Our subject returned to his former home in Denmark in 1891 and while there married Miss Hannah Nelson, who returned with him to be mistress of his new home in Michigan. Three children were bom to them, two of whom are living - W. C. and Leonard T.

Mr. Rasmussen has resided on his present farm since 1898. at which time he purchased the property of John Vanderburg. At that time the farm comprised eighty acres, but twenty have since been disposed of. The property is a particularly desirable one, and the manner in which it is kept up and the modem and convenient buildings which grace it show Mr. Rasmussen to be a man of taste and progressive ideas.

The Pubhshers, in acknowledging their indebtedness to the Editor, Dr. Thomas, whose interest in every department of the undertaking and influence directed toward the securing of proper material insure to the public the value of this volume as a history of the county, take this opportunity in the closing pages to give a brief sketch of his life and career.

Dr. Thomas' father was Rev. David Thomas, a pioneer Methodist minister in the Michigan conference. For a number of years following the early settlement of this portion of the state he rode his circuit from place to place, preaching the gospel almost in the wilderness, keeping the spiritual truths alive in the midst of the hardness and prosaic actuality of pioneer existence. He exercised much influence over the Indian population that remained here after the general removal of the tribes to the west, and after his home was moved to Allegan Dr. Thomas often entertained in his house the dusky friends of his father, whose kindly work among them they never forgot.

Bom in Jackson county, Michigan. December 17, 1843, Mr. Thomas entered Albion College at the age of sixteen, and two years later interrupted his schooling to go to the war. Enlisting in the Seventh Michigan Cavalry, he saw service at the battle of Gettysburg, in Gen. Kilpatrick's raid on

Richmond, in the battle of the Wilderness under Sheridan and his raid on Richmond, and in the Shenandoah Valley campaign, in the siege of Petersburg, and at the close of the war continued with his command during the summer of 1865 in the Indian and frontier service. He was promoted to rank of second lieutenant in 1864.

Graduating from the medical department of the University of Michigan in 1868, after a year's practice at Constantine, this state, he located in Allegan. It will be remembered that the railroad came to Allegan in that year, that the lumber industry was still a flourishing business, that population was increasing more rapidly than at any time before or since, and that prospects in every direction were exceedingly bright. Allegan was already the county seat of a large county ; it was at the head of navigation on the Kalamazoo, and far enough from Grand Rapids to become an independent city. These prospective advantages appealed to Dr. Thomas, as to many others, and he entered upon professional and business connections that have been almost unbroken for nearly forty years. He has been in active practice except during his terms in the legislature during the seventies and his two terms in Congress during the fifty-fourth and fifty-fifth sessions, though for the past ten years he has attended to only such professional business as came to him.

In January, 1907, in rect^nition of his splendid public record, Dr. Thomas was appointed surgeon of the Soldiers' Home at Grand Rapids, to succeed Dr. H. W. Mills. This position carries with it the military rank of major. Dr. Thomas will have entire charge of the medical department of the home, supervising the physicians connected with the Home,' Though retaining his property interests in Allegan, Dr. Thomas takes up his residence at Grand Rapids on January 15th.

Dr. Thomas has been identi6ed with Allegan county in many ways. For many years he has been one of the leading physicians in practice and also taking part in the work of the fraternity in general. His business activities have led him into extensive real estate investments and also various enterprises at Allegan. He is now president of the Allegan Creamery Co. and has done much to promote the dairy interests of the county, besides lending his influence to the improvement of general agriculture. Politically he has been a factor in Allegan county and western Michigan for over thirty years, and to a greater degree than many has kept pace with the progressive spirit of politics and governmental policies in state and national affairs.