Allegan County, Michigan - Chapter 5: Centers of Population, 1907 (part 9 of 14)

Henry E. ScuAFiiR was born on the farm on which he now resides, adjoining the village of Hopkins, January 31, 1877, and is a son of George and Margaretha Schafer, who were reared in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The father settled upon the old home farm when it was covered with the original growth of forest trees and there were but two houses in the vicinity. He placed seventy acres of land under cultivation, built three barns upon the place and otherwise improved it, continuing its further development and cultivation until his death, which occurred 111 September, 1905, when he was sixty-eight years of age.

Our subject's boyhood and youth were spent in his father's home and his educational privileges were thus afforded by the public schools. At the time of his father's death he and his brother Amos received through the terms of the will the home farm on condition that they were to purchase the interest of the other brother and sister. After the settlement of the estate Henry E. and Amos Schafer divided the property, Amos claiming as his share one hundred and twenty acres of land in Monterey township, while Henry received sixty acres of the old homestead at Hopkins. Both brothers had remained with the father until they attained their majority, Henry E, Schafer now devotes his farm to the raising of corn, hay and other products. He has recently erected a new house upon the place and has removed two of the three barns to the new location at a cost of fifteen hundred dollars. He now has a well improved property in harmony with the spirit of modern progress along agricultural lines. He keeps everything about his place in excellent condition and the entire farm is characterized by an appearance of neatness and thrift which indicates his careful supervision and practical methods.

On the 23d of December, 1902, Mr. Schafer was niarrie<l to Miss Elfreda Piischel, of Otsego, Michigan, and they have two children. Ruth and Anna. The young coupie are both well known in this part of the state and enjoy the friendship of the large majority of those with whom they have come in contact.

Frank E. Gates, a retired farmer living in Hopkins, was born in Geauga county. Ohio, April 22, 1835, his parents being William and Harriet W. (Bundy) Gates, both of whom were natives of Otsego county, New York. They were married in Ohio, to which state they had removed in their childhood days with their respective parents, becoming residents of the western reserve when it was first settled. Jacob Gates, the grandfather, died in Geauga county in 1816, his being the first death in the township of

I-Iistury Of Allegan County 337

Parkniaii. He settled there in 1S04, and Frank Gates attended the Centennial celebration of the settlement on the 1st of October, 1904. In June, 1854, after a long residence in Geauga county, Ohio, William Gates and his eldest son, Addison, came to Michigan and made a settlement in Cheshire township, Allegan county, about seven miles southwest of the village of Allegan. This was all wooded land and their nearest neighbor, except a Mr, Buck, lived three miles distant. William Gates secured two hundred acres of land from the government, for which he paid the usual price of a dollar and a quarter per acre. Upon the claim he and his son built a log house, after which they returned to Ohio, and on the 4th of November, the family entered the new home, having driven across the country from Ohio with horse teams. There were the father, mother and seven children, and also Z. S. Thompson, whose wife was a sister of F. B. Gates, and settled in the same district. It was a frontier district, for the country was being rapidly settled up and in the same fall several fanners came in. Fine land could be had at a nominal price. The soil was rich and productive and the ground was covered with hardwood timber. When it was cleared away the land was found to be very arable, responding readily to the cultivation bestowed upon it. Mr. Gates remained upon his father's claim for five years, and in 1859 removed to Monterey township, where he had thirty acres of land that had been cleared. He began the further development of the property and placed sixty acres under cultivation. His life was devoted to general farming pursuits and after the war he was for three years connected with his son Frank in carrying on lumbering in this count}-. His last years were passed in the village of Hopkins, and his death occurred in 1890, when he was in his eighty- fourth year. His wife died in January, 1883, when seventy-four years of age. In their family were four sons and two daughters, who are yet living, namely: Emma, the wife of James Holesworth, of South Haven, Michigan ; Abbie, the wife of E. I. Hewson, a merchant of South Haven ; Addison, who is living three miles west of Hopkins with his son-in-law, John Bodine. on the Frank Gates place, known as tlie Chestnut Grove farm ; Frank, of this review ; Austin, a produce dealer of Hopkins, and Augustus W., who is living upon a part of the old homestead farm in Monterey township.

Frank R. Gates, reared and educated in Geauga county, Ohio, came to Michigan with his parents in 1854. He afterward returned to Ohio in June, 1856, and went back and forth two or three times. He was there in 1859 when the family removed to Monterey township, but he soon afterward returned to this county and the greater part of his life has here been passed. On the 19th of January, 1862, in Nelson, Portage county, Ohio, he w.as married to Miss Louisa Bills, who was bom in Hiram, Ohio, June 6, 1840. In March, t86i, Mr. Gates had purchased his present farm property in Monterey township, having at first forty acres and covered with standing timber. Only a little actual farm work had been done, while the house upon the place was a log cabin. To this pioneer home he took his bride at the time of their marriage and there they began life in true pioneer style. As time passed and his financial resources permitted he added to his land until he owned eighty acres called the Chestnut Grove farm. The old log cabin is still a part of the present residence. He built to it, however, on three sides and transferred it into a modern home. It is one of the oldest log cabins of the county, having been built about fifty-five years ago. His life has been devoted to general agricultural pursuits and he placed about seventy acres of his land under cultivation. He did lumbering as a side issue, making general farming his principal means of financial resource. The farm comprises tlie west half of the southwest quarter of section 23, Monterey township and is pleasantly and conveniently located about three miles west of the village of Hopkins. There Mr. Gates continued to carry on the work of tilling the soil until 1890, when he left the farm and came to the village, where he has since lived. He has a neat home here and is now comfortably situated in life.

Mr. and Mrs. Gates have no children of their own but reared a young girl, who came to them when fourteen years of age and lived with them until her marriage. She is now Mrs. George Hoyer, of Trowbridge township. Mrs. Gates is an own cousin of General B. E. Pritchard, of Allegan. For nearly a quarter of a century Mr. Gates has been a devoted and exemplary member of the Masonic fraternity and he and his wife hold membership relations with the Eastern Star Chapter at Hopkins, of which Mrs. Gates is an officer. She is also connected with the Woman's Relief Corps and with the Maccabees, while Mr. Gates is a member of the Grange at Monterey. His political allegiance is given to the Republican party but he has never sought or desired office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs that have been to him a goodly source of reven'ue, bringing him the competence that now enables him to live retired.

Dorr township, though without permanent settlement up to 1845, and with only 124 inhabitants in 1850, has for the past thirty-five years been one of the more populous of Allegan's townships. As the principal occupation of the people, since the lumbering industry declined, has been agriculture, there has been only such concentration of population as a rural community demands, and the two hamlets of Dorr and Moline, on the railroad, are the only places that deserve description in this connection.

Dorr, being the natural center of the township, has existed as a settlement and somewhat of a center for fifty years. Frank Neuman was the first settler, and his wagon shop was the first enterprise to bring other settlers to this point. In 1869 Frank and Clara Neuman platted the village of Dorr on the east side of southeast quarter section sixteen, Dorr township. The survey was made by J. W. Hicks September 20-21, 1869. The plat was laid east of the railroad. An addition was made in the same year just south of the original plat on section twenty-one. Dorr now has a population of about 300, has six stores, a postoffice, and is a shipping and trading point for a considerable territory, especially for the country to the west, where there is no railroad.

When the railroad was completed in 1870 a little village sprang up on the southern edge of the township by the name of Moline, which now, with a population of 175, is a center for many people living in south Dorr and north Hopkins. The village plat was laid in July, 1872. Alfred Chappie,

Ohio, March i, 1845. His fatlier, Abner Curtis Bates, a native of Northampton, Massachusetts, removed to Ohio about 1839 with his brother John Bates. He was a mechanic by trade, but later in hfe followed lumber manufacturing at Cleveland, Ohio. At Chester, that state, he was married to Laura Wellman Baker, of New York birth, and soon after the birth of their son Erastus N. they removed to Cleveland, Ohio, where they resided until their removal to Lena. Fulton county, Ohio, in 1856, while two years later, in 1858, they made their way direct to Dorr township, Allegan county, Michigan. After his arrival here Mr. Bates purchased a farm in the southeast corner of the township, formerly the property of a Mr. Scheiren, where they lived two years and then removed to the northeast part of the township, and there he contimied to make his home until his life's labors were ended in death, when he had reached the age of eighty-one years, although during the last twenty years of his life he was totally blind. His widow survived him for seven years, dying at about the same age. In their family were eight children, namely: Lovisa, who became Mrs. Almen Bisbee and died at the age of thirty-seven years; Marcus an insurance agent at Grand Rapids, Michigan; Elizabeth, who became the wife of Leonard Falconer, and after his death she married Melville Ford and died at about the age of fifty years; K. N., whose name introduces this review: Ward Beecher, a farmer of Benzie county, Michigan: Frank W., who was an agricultural implement dealer at Moline, Michigan, and died at the age of thirty-five years ; Albert C, a mechanic at Benzonia, Michigan and Lucy A., the wife of A. D. Loucks, also of Moline.

Erastus N. Bates worked for others from the time of reaching his majority until the outbreak of the Civil war, enlisting February 18, 1864, as a member of Company C, Twenty-first Michigan Infantry, his brother Marcus being in command of the company. His brother took part in the battle of Chattanooga, was with Sherman on his celebrated march to the sea and participated in the last battle at Bentonville. where he was severely wounded. Our subject was left in the hospital at Savannah. Georgia, for four months, and then joined the army at Washington and took part in the Grand Review. After the close of his military career Mr. Bates returned to Dorr township and purchased eighty acres of land adjoining his parents home, which he cleared and imoroved, and while thus engaged he also taught eight winter terms of school. Soon after his marriage he located upon his father-inlaw's farm, which has ever since continued to he his home with the exception of about eight years when he was engaged in general merchandising fit Moline. Michigan. Previous to embarking in that occupation, however, he had erected a cheese factory there, and he was engaged in the manufacture of cheese for fifteen years. His farm now contains two hundred and three acres. It is known as the old Gilbert homestead, and was cleared and improved by Bradley Gilbert, who took up his abode thereon in 1855, and all the buildings which now adorn this valuable place were built by him. Mr. Bates is engaged in general farming and stock-raising, being an extensive feeder of beef cattle, which he buys when one year old and feeds for one year, they then weighing about one thousand nounds. He feeds ensilage shelled corn. He has a herd of thoroughbred Short-horn registered cattle, and his beautiful farm is known as Maple Ridge. He is one of the repre-

When a young man Mr. Bates became interested in politics, and has ever since been a strong supporter of Republican principles. He served as supervisor of his township for five years, for four years continuously, each time receiving large majorities, and in 1885 he was elected to the legislature, being a member of the sessions of 1885-7. During his first term in that position he was chairman of the committee on towns and comities, while in the second session he was chairman of the committee on municipal corporations. In 1889 he was made financial clerk of the House under Daniel Grossman, the first financial clerk of the state. He assisted Mr. Grossman at the desk in calling the roll, reading bills, etc. Mr. Bates also took an active interest in dairy matters, having been president of the Dairy Association and was responsible for the organizing of the Dairy Commission, which has been of great service to the state. He worked in harmony with the association, and it was urged that he be made the first dairy and food commissioner. He is the present nominee for the Eighteenth state senatorial district, including Van Buren and Allegan counties, both having strong Republican majorities.

Mr. Bates married Flora L Gilbert, a daughter of Bradley and Martha (Bates) Gilbert; and she was also born in Chester, Geauga county, Ohio, but when a child was brought to Michigan by her parents, and nearly her entire life has been passed on the farm where she now resides. The following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Bates: Arthur D., who died when two and one-half years old; Martha Ella, a professional mirse at Detroit; Eustus \ewton. a graduate of the Agricultural College at Lansing, Michigan, in the class of 1905, and now engaged in teaching in that institution: Clara E., the wife of William McRae, secretary of the Young Men's Christian Association in New Jersey ; Forest G., who has spent two years in the agricultural college and is now at home, and Flora L, a student in the .Agricultural College of lousing. The family are membors of the First Congregational church at Dorr.

Eugene A. Daughebtv, supervisor of Dorr township, was born in the township in which he now lives December 21, 1858, a son of Charles and Armina (Inman) Daugherty, both natives of Ohio. In the spring of 1858 they came from Medina county, that state, to Allegan county, Michigan, locating on eighth' acres of land on sections twenty-three and twenty-four, Dorr township. By subsequent purchases Mr. Daugherty became the owner of one hundred and ninety acres, much of which he placed under cultivation, although at the time of the original purchase only about thirty acres had been cleared. Their first residence was a little log shanty located near the site of the present commodious and plea.sant residence, erected in 1875. Mr. Daugherty was, however, more of a lumberman than a farmer, having owned and operated a mill at Dorr for some time. He was also interested in a tract of pine land in Newaygo county. Michigan, which he sold at an advance. Both he and his wife now reside in Grand Rapids, having put aside the active cares of a business life and now enjoying the fruits of former toil. In their family were four children, namely: Julia C, Mrs. Albert Averill. of Wayland ; Chester C, county treasurer of Wexford county. Michigan ; Eugene A., whose name introduces this review, and Stella S., the wife of Vine Harding, a resident of Mackinaw City, Michigan, wliere he is improving resort property. Mr. Daugherty gave his political support to the Republican party, and as its representative he served as a justice of the peace and as a delegate to conventions.

Eugene A. Daugherty received his education in the district schools of Dorr township, and after his marriage he continued to work on the home farm for eleven years, when he purchased eighty acres of land, continuing to operate both this place and the old home farm until six years ago, when he purchased the old Daugherty homestead, thus making him tlie possessor of one hundred and ninety acres of land. His land is under an excellent state of cultivation, a good and substantial residence has been erected, and everything about the place is neat and attractive in its appearance. In addition to his general agricultural pursuits, he is also engaged to some extent in stock raising.

At the age of twenty-two years Mr, Daugherty was united in marriage to Adeline M. Sproat, a daughter of Robert and Sarah Jane (Miller) Sproat, who came to Dorr township some years before the arrival of the Daugherty family, and they were also from Ohio. The daughter Adeline was born in Dorr township, on a farm adjoining her parents present home, and was eighteen years of age at the time of her marriage. The following children have been born of this union, namely: Bessie A., a teacher for some years, having taught for two years in Wayland township and five years in Hopkins township ; Chester C, who died at the age of five years ; Jane, a teacher in Leighton township, and Charles, Clark, Stella, Clarence and Cora at home. Mr. Daughertv is now serving his third year as supervisor of Dorr township, and although a Republican in politics he received at his first election a maioritv of tliirtv-five in this township which usuallv gives a Democratic majoritv of from one hundred to one hundred and fiftv. He also served as a school moderator for eighteen vears, and was twice defeated for supervisor as the Republican candidate. He is a man of enterprise, indomitable energy and liberal views, and is thoroughly identified with the growth and prosperity of the community which has been his home throughout his entire life.

Enw.\RD AvERiLL. - The life history of him whose name heads this sketch is closely identilied with the history of Allegan county, which has been his home for many years. He was born in London. Canada, March 30, 1823, a son of David and Almira (Barnes) Averill, the mother also a native of Canada and the father of New York and of English parentage. David Averill had gone to Canada with his father as a ship carpenter, but subsequently returned to a farm in the township of Greece, Monroe county, New York, where his son Edward was reared to manhood. When the last named had reached the age of twenty years the family removed to Medina county, Ohio, where Edward joined them two years later. In 1847 David Averill came with his family to Michigan, securing a tract of government land on section nine. Dorr township, Allegan county, and later purchasing land in section four adjoining, where the parents lived until old age. They cleared and improved eighty acres of land, and were numbered among the old and honored pioneers of this section of the county.

being then twenty-three years of age, Edward Averill married Miss Mary Branch, also from New York, and who was just twenty-five days older than her husband. For four years after their marriage this young couple lived on her father's farm, but in the meantime Mr. Averill had purchased new land, on which they then located, and there remained for eleven years, clearing the land and erecting the buildings. In the fall of 1854 he came to Michigan and purchased a part of his present farm, and in April of the following year the family came from Ohio and took up their abode in a little log cabin which had been built on the land. Mr. Averill had brought with him to this state a team, but on reaching Grand Rapids sold his horses and purchased oxen, thus continuing on his way to Allegan county. His original tract of eighty acres, for which he paid eight hundred dollars, was covered with a dense growth of timber, consisting of beech, maple, etc., but as there was no market for lumber at that time he was obliged to burn the timber as fast as it was cut from the land. Mr. Averill had done well in a financial way in Ohio, and after coming to this state he was able to hire some of the clearing and other work done. Wheat at first was the main dependence, but he early became a sheep raiser, which finally proved one of the most important departments of the farm work. As the years passed by he was enabled to add to his original purchase of land until he became the owner of two hundred and forty acres in section three. Dorr township, thus making two hundred and forty acres in the home place, while he also owned the same amount in Brron township, Kent county, Michigan. He had paid over seventy-five hundred dollars for his land, thus being obliged to go in debt, but he met every obligation as they came due and at the same time improved his land until his estate was valued at thirty thousand dollars, this being an advance of four dollars for each one dollar he had invested. For many years he operated this entire tract, also dealing in sheep, cattle, hogs, etc., and in 1862 he erected the dwelling which now stands opposite the new one owned and occupied by his daughter.

Wishing to retire from the arduous life which he had led for so many years Mr. Averill moved to the village of Dorr, where he erected a neat and substantial residence, but not content with this inactivity he returned to the farm after one year and erected his present han<lsome dwelling. In the meantime he had begun to dispose of his land to his children, choosing to give to each according to his own judgment. Mrs. Averill died on the 8th of June, 1894, after a happy married life of nearly fifty years. In their family were six children, namely: David B.. who resides near Manton, in Wexford county, Michigan; Mary Loretta. the wife of Lewis W. Yerington, and she owns the farm opposite the old Averill homestead; Luciiis L.. further notice of whom will be found in this sketch : Electa, who died in infancy ; Rosamund, the wife of S. S. Terrill, of Antrim county, Michigan, and Ursula, widow of Eugene Carroll, who was a groceryman in Grand Rapids. Mr. and Mrs, Averill also had two adopted sons, Charles H., who died at the age of twenty-one years, he having been a member of the famih' since two years of age, and Chester C, who became a member of the household when only two days old. He is now married and has eighty acres of land in Byron township, Kent county, given him by Mr. Averill. Mr. Averill also has twenty-one grandchildren, including three who have been adopted, and also four great-grandchildren. In his political affiliations Mr. Averill was first an anti-slavery man and an abolitionist, and after the Republican party was formed he naturally became a supporter of its principles, but during Grant's administration he joined the Greenback party and later became identified with the Prohibitionists. In 1863 he was drafted for service in the Civil war, but paid three hundred dollars for a substitute, and in 1864 he enlisted in the Michigan Engineer Corps. He was with Sherman in his celebrated march to the sea. but on account of injuries which lie received during his service he was sent to the hospital and finally (Hscharged. Before his marriage he had worshiped in the Methodist church, but his wife was a Congregationalist, and he assisted in the organization of the church of that denomination in this township, but this was afterward removed to Moline, two miles distant, and since his wife's death he lias returned to the Methodist church. Mr, Averill has always loved a good yoke of cattle and always kept tliem upon his farm until he gave up an active business life. As a business man he has ever been upright, reliable and honorable, and in all places and under all circumstances he is loyal to truth, honor and right.

Lucius L. Averill. a worthy son of this honored pioneer couple, was born in Medina county, Ohio, September 8, 1850, and from his early boyhood days he has been identified with agricultural pursuits. For five after his marriage he operated a farm in Byron township, Kent county, Michigan, removing thence to Winona county, Minnesota, where he remained for seven years, three years having been spent in the city of Winona and the remainder of the time in the county. Returning thence to Grand Rapids, he worked at the carpenter's trade there for eight years, when, in 1900, he returned to the old homestead in Dorr township, which lie now owns and is engaged in general farming.

Mr. Averill was married November 25, 1874. to Miss Alida V. T-illy. of Kent county, Michigan, and they have three adopted children, Ral]ih P.nrdoin, Leavitt D. C, and Helen E.

Lauren C. Gilbert. - When Lanren C. Gilbert passed away one more name was added to the list of honored dead whose earthly records closed witli the words, "well done." He was born in Chester, Geauga county. Ohio. March 17, 1830, and his life's labors were ended in death on the 25th of September. 1892. The Gilbert family was founded tn this country by three brothers who came from- England and settled in Tolland, Connecticut, where Joel Gilbert, the father of Lauren C. was born. He was there married to Cresilda Crocker, and in 1817, with his second wife, whom he had married at Geneva, New York, he started for Chester. Ohio, making the journey via Lake Erie from Buffalo, but ere reaching their destination they encountered a terrible storm which drove them back to near Buffalo, although they had neared the mouth of Grand river, and thus detained they did not reach Chester until the loth of December of that year. Joel Gilbert died in that city at the age of sixty-two years. He was married a third time in Ohio, and of his eight children, six came to Michigan, namely: Norton, who settled in Byron township. Kent county; Bradley and Lauren, who located on adjoining farms, but the former died in Moline and the latter now resides on his farm ; Warren, who returned to Ohio two years later : Sarah, who became the wife of Nathan Snow and died in Dorr township, Allegan county, and Sabrina, who married Rev. Thomas Clark, a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, who was later superannuated and both died in Dorr, leaving four children.

Lauren C. Gilbert was an excellent example of those who secure their own start in life, for when only nine years of age he began to make his own way in the world, and from that time until he reached his twentieth year he was employed by one man, on the expiration of that period returning to his father. In 1853, in company with his two sisters he came to Allegan county, Michigan, having been preceded by his brother Norton, who came here in 1851, and in 1853 they were joined by the brother, Bradley. I^uren C. Gilbert began his business career in this county with only eighty acres of land, a small part of which had been cleared, and in the midst of the wilderness he erected his little log cabin, his nearest neighbor at that time being a mile or more distant, while their roads were but mere cowpaths. As time passed, however, the land was cleared and developed, improvements were added to the farm, the little cabin home was replaced by a more commodious one of more modern construction in 1870, and all the accessories and conveniences were added. In company with his brother Bradley, Mr. Gilbert at one time owned about thirty cows and they engaged in making cheese, but their stock interests were later increased to about twenty-six cows and they were extensively engaged in the manufacture of that commodity. During his absence in the army at the time of the Civil war his wife looked after the stock, made the cheese and butter and carried them to Grand Rapids to market, a distance of fifteen miles. She then had two little sons, the eldest being but seven years of age and the youngest four. In August, 1861, Mr. Gilbert entered the army as a member of the First Michigan Cavalry, under General Custer, and he received his discharge on the loth of March, 1866, his military career covering a period of four years and eight months. His health was so undermined during his army experience that he never fully regained his former health and vigor, and Jiis life was therefore shortened many years.

In Chester, Ohio, on the 3d of March, 1852, Mr. Gilbert was married to Miss Judith Wisner. a native of that city and a daughter of Rev. Samuel Wisner, a missionary to the Choctaw and Cherokee Indians in Arkansas. After his wife's death he returned to Massachusetts and was married to Amanda Frissell. the mother of Judith. He afterward made his home in Chester, Ohio. Six children were born to Mr, and Mrs. Gilbert, namely : Wallace E., a farmer of Sanilac cotmty, Michigan; Samuel Jasper, who follows the same occupation in Mentor. Ohio: Lauren Dwight, Oliver L. and Frederick C, each owning a part of the old homestead, and Nellie S., who died in childhood. At the time of his death Mr. Gilbert owned four hundred and sixty acres of land, and for seven years thereafter his widow remained on the old homestead, after which she removed to the village of Moline and there resides in a neat little cottage liome in company with her grandson, although she still retains her interest in the farm. Mr. Gilbert was a Republican in his political affiliations, and for a few years served as township clerk, and was also highway and drain commissioner. He was an active worker in the Grange, and since his death Mrs. Gilbert has maintained an active interest in its work, taking pride in its growth and development.

Miles Bradley Gildkrt, deceased, for many \'ears a leading farmer of Allefran connty. was born on the 7th of June, 1827. In 1855 he came to Michigan and took up his abode in Dorr township, Allegan county, purchasing land adjoining his brother Lauren on the north and where E. N. Bates, his son-in-law. now lives. He acquired one hundred and eighty-five acres in the home place and one hundred and twenty acres one-half a mile south, the latter now owned by his son Arthur, and he thus became one of the largest and most prominent farmers in his township. The land was wild and unimproved when he took no his abode thereon, but he worked earh- and late and as the years passed by he succeeded in placing his land under a fine state of cultivation, erected modem and commodious buildings and at the time of his death he was the owner of a valuable homestead. He and his brother Lauren brought with them a herd of cows from Ohio, and from that time until the opening of the Civil war they were extensively engaged in making cheese. But when his countrv needed his services Mr. Gilbert put aside all personal considerations and offered his services to the LTnion cause, serving for one year in the Engineers' and Mechanics' Department. He participated in the Atlanta campaign, was with Sherman on his celebrated march to the sea and also took part in other celebrated battles of the war. At one time he was confined in the hosnital, having nearlv lost his life. His wife's labors were ended in death at the age of seventy-six years. He was proprietor of a storeat Moline, but his time was princinally devoted to his farm and dairv business. His extensive business interests placed him among the leaders in industrial circles, and his was truly a successful life.

On the 2d of April, 1840, Mr. Gilbert married Martha Tane Bates, who was born June o. iSsfi, and died on the icith of January, 1803. She was a niece of Abner Bates, who was well known in this countv. After the death of his first wife Mr. Gilbert married Sarah Bird, a widow residing near his home, and she still makes her home in Moline. Vntn ^Tr. and IVfrs. Gilbert were born the following chiklrcn : .Mmon. who died in childhood : Flora Isador, now Mrs. E. N. Bates; Arthur C, Elmer T-.. who died at the a-'e of forty-four years; Almon, a farmer in Byron, TCcnt cotmtv, Michigan. There was a nair of twins. Albert, who died at six: months old. and Alton at six years old. They also had two adonted children, Martha Cornelia, who lived with them from infancy until her death at the age of seven years, and Delia, who also came to them during her infancy, and she served as Mr. Gilbert's housekeener for a time after his rife's death. She is now the wife of Erie Jones, of Wayland. Michigan. Their home seemed always open to the friendless and the needv. No children were horn of the second marriage. Roth Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert were charter members and liberal supporters of the Congregational church.

Arthur C. Gilbert was born October 26. TR52, at Chester. Geauea countv, Ohio. He remained with his father until his twentieth year, after which he operated the home farm in companv with E. N.. Bates until his marriage. Two years later he located on one hundred and twenty acres of his father's land, taking up his abode in a httle log- cabin which had been built noon the place, but three vears later this gave niace to a more commodious dwelling, and he has added forty acres to the original tract. PTc has placed one hundred and twenty acres of his land under cultivation, and there he continued

At the age of twenty-two years Mr. Gilbert married Miss Emma Anderson, who was born in Sweden, but came to the United States at the age of ten years, and when eighteen years of age she gave her hand in marriage to Mr. Gilbert. They have three children: Roy Ernest, a graduate of Olivet College, and now principal of the high school at Dowagiac, Michigan ; Glen Arthur, a student in the agricultural college, and Inez Martha, a student in the agricultural college in Lansing, Michigan.

Ekglkbrecht Bartz.^No better illustration of the characteristic energy and enterprise of the typical German- American citizen can be found than that afforded by the career of this well-known farmer of Dorr township. Englebrecht Bartz, more generally known as Robert Bartz, was born in Prussia, Germany, August 6, 1837. but when only four years of age he was brought to America by his father Bernhardt Bartz, the family first establishing their home in Lorain county, Ohio. In 1853 they canie to Allegan county, Michigan, where the father secured a farm on section six. Dorr township, the same on whicli their son now makes his home. There the parents spent the remainder of their lives, the father passing away in his sevent\'- ninth year, while his wife, who bore the maiden name of Catherine Greve, survived until about her eighty-second year. Their son Englebrecht remained under the parental roof until he was twenty-one years of age, when he started out in the world for himself on an eighty-acre farm which had been given him by his father, located one-half mile northeast of Dorr. His cash capital at that time consisted of sixteen dollars. In the fall of the same year he was married to Mary Harrish. also from Prussia, but who was only three years of age when brought to America, and she was twenty-two years of age at the time of her marriage. The young couple took up their abode on this wild and unimproved farm, Mr. Bartz having had to make a clearing in the dense woods in order to erect their little log cabin. During the first year he carried on the farm work with a yoke of steers, but after that oxen were used for ten years in clearing the land. He now has sixtv acres of his farm under an excellent state of cultivation, while the little log cabin has long since given place to a modern frame dwelling, and he also has a fine bank barn forty by fifty feet in which to shelter his stock.

Mr. Eartz is one of four brothers, namely: Jacob, who died in 1906, at the age of eighty-two. was an honored veteran of the Civil war and for several years a resident of Chicago, Illinois; John, who died at the age of seventy-seven years, having sold his farm in Allegan county for six thousand dollars ; Joseph, who resides on a farin on the northwestern part of Dorr township, and Englebrecht, whose name introduces this review. All have improved eighty acres or more land, which was given them by their father. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Englebrecht Bartz, namely: John, who operates the home farm, and is immarried ; Martin, a fanner at North Dorr: Elizabeth, who became the wife of Anton Beebe, and died at the age of thirty-three years; Margaret, wife of William Henches, and resides on her father's farm; Englebrecht, employed at Hilliard's saloon, and Emma, wife of Steve Bullman, of North Dorr. Mr, Bartz is a Democrat in his political affiliations, and is a charter member of the North Dorr Catholic church, of which he is one of the principal supporters. He is one of the substantial and well-to-do German citizens of Allegan county, being widely known and highly respected. His residence is located a half mile west of North Dorr, on the line between Kent and Allegan counties, in a beautiful rolling and fertile country, constituting the finest land in Dorr township.

Oliver L. Gilbert. - During the pioneer epoch in the history of Allegan county the Gilbert home was founded within its borders, and on the old homestead farm which they founded in Dorr township Oliver L. was born on the 3d of February, 1867, there spending the days of his boyhood and youth and early assisting in its improvement and development. During the first year after his marriage he continued to work for his father, after which he rented the one hundred and fifty acres which now form his present farm. At his father's death he received as his inheritance the one seventy-acre tract, purchasing the remainder of the other heirs. On the home seventy he has done some clearing, but more extensive clearing antl improving on the other, it having been only partly cleared when he made the purchase, and he has made many other extensive improvements upon both. A county drain passed through the entire place, into which he has tile drains, and in addition to his general farming pursuits he is also engaged quite extensively in raising stock, making Durhanis his choice. One of the principal features of his farm is the dairy, keeping from ten to twelve cows, which he feeds from a silo. He is also a breeder of the Chester White hogs and Barred Plymouth Rock chickens.

On the 26th of February, 1889, Mr. Gilbert was married to Amy Nelson, a daughter of John and Laura Nelson, of Hopkins. Allegan county, Michigan, where Mrs. Gilbert was born on the 3d of October, 1870. Her father was from Canada, while her mother was from New York, and in the latter state they were married. In 1870 they came to Michigan, moving on a farm in Hopkins township, where Mrs. Gilbert was born and lived until her marriage. Her father died at the age of forty-five years, the mother continuing to live on the farm for quite a number of years, but finall}' selling it and moving to the village of Wayland, where she afterwards kept a home, but spent a great deal of her time with her children. She died at the home of Mrs. Gilbert May 26, 1905, aged seventy years. One child has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert, Delcia, a little maiden of nine years. Mr. Gilbert gives his political support to the Republican party, but is not an active worker in its ranks, preferring to give his time and attention to his farming interests. He is a member of the old Congregational church at Moline. while his wife is a member of the Disciple chiu'ch at Wayland, where she belonged when she was married. His fraternal affiliations are with the Knights of the Maccabees at Wayland as are also his wife's. The family have a pleasant home in Dorr township, and are surrounded by many of the comforts of life.

Fred Git-hert.^ - Many years have passed since, the family to which Fred Gilbert belongs became ideiitified with Allegan county, and its various meinbers have won for the name an enviable distinction by their high moral worth. This reputation is in no way diminished in this generation, and our subject, who is accounted among the leading agriculturists of Dorr township, displays in a marked degree the admirable characteristics which the name suggests.

Fred Gilbert was born in the house in which he now lives December 12, 1870, a son of Lauren and Judith (Wisner) Gilbert. Three brothers, Norton, Bradley and Lauren Gilbert came to Michigan from Chester, Geauga county, Ohio, the two brothers, Bradley and Lauren, settling side by side in Ailegan county, while Norton took up his abode in Kent county. In the family of Lauren and Judith Gilbert were five sons and one daughter, but the latter, Nellie, died when only two years of age, and the sons are : Wallace, Jasper, Dwight, Oliver and Fred. When Lauren Gilbert took up his abode in Allegan county he secured eighty acres of land, but as the years passed by his industry and indefatigable efforts enabled him to add to his original purchase until at the time of his death he owned three hundred and twenty acres in the home farm, besides another tract of seventy-three acres, all of which was secured in the early days when land was cheap. In company with his brother Bradley he built and operated a cheese factory on his land, selling his cheese for six cents a pound, but even at that low price he made money, and was thus enabled to buy more land. During the Civil war he enlisted at the first call for volunteers, his military career covering a period of four years and eight months, and after the close of the struggle he went among the Indians in Utah as a member of the First Michigan Cavalry, under General Custer. He died on the farm on which he had lived and labored for so many years on the 35th of September, 1892, passing away in the faith of the Congregational church, of which both he and his wife were consistent members, worshiping in the little old church which stood on a comer of his farm, he having donated the land for that purpose. He was also active in the public life of his community, having served as a supervisor, treasurer and as a drain and highway commissioner.

Fred Gilbert, whose name introduces this review, obtained his education at the Ferris Institute in Big Rapids. At his father's death he received as his inheritance the home place of eighty acres, and in addition he also operates another farm of one hundred and eighty acres. He usually keeps about fifteen cows upon his place, selling his cream to the creamery at Moline. He gives his political support to the Republican party, and religiously both he and his wife are members of the Congregational church at Sloline.

On the 6th of December, 1896, Mr. Gilbert married Miss Ethlyn Turner, a daughter of George Turner, an old and honored veteran of the Civil war and now living at the Soldiers' Home, while his wife resides with her daughter Mrs. Gilbert. Two children have been born to brighten and bless the home of Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert, Oneita and Dorris. In manner Mr. Gilbert is courteous and genial, and among the people with whom he is connected he is popular.

Dwight L. Gilbert. - During his entire life with the exception of nine years Dwight L. Gilbert has been numbered among the citizens of Dorr township, Allegan county. His birth occurred in the parental home near by his present residence April 16. 1862. A sketch of his father, Lauren Gilbert, will be foimd elsewhere in this volume. Dwight L. spent the days of his boyhood and youth on the old homestead farm, there remaining until his twenty-second year, when he went to Sanilac county, Michigan, and in company with his brother Wallace purchased a farm of two hundred acres of wild land, the timber thereon having mainly been killed by a fire three years previously. The purchase price was seven dollars and a half per acre, and for four years the brothers continued to work the land in partnership, but on the expiration of that period Dwight L. Gilbert was married and the land was divided, he receiving as his share one hundred and ten acres, on which he continued to reside for five years. During this time he bad succeeded in clearing about fifty acres, which was mainly devoted to the raising of hay, and the land being flat he was obliged to put in small drains which have since heen made into a county drain. After laboring on that place for nine years Mr. Gilbert sold the land for about three thousand dollars. At this time his father died and he returned to the old homestead in Dorr township, receiving as his inheritance eighty acres of land, and in addition to this he also bought and farmed the old homestead'of his wife's mother, Mrs. Harriet Turner, consisting of seventeen acres. On these tracts he has done much work in clearing, having now about seventy-five acres imder cultivation and he has also put in over a carload of tile drain. His farm lies in a water shed, the water running in two or three directions, but tile drainage has greatly increased the value of the land. The principal feature on this place, however, is the dairy of twelve .cows, for which be has built a large bank barn, has also erected a wind-mill, a silo and has rebuilt his residence. He has two fine apple orchards of one hundred and twenty-five trees of the Baldwin variety, and he keeps both Clyde and road horses for the use of the fami.

On the 15th of September, 1887, Mr. Gilbert was married to Mrs. Nellie Trautman, the widow of Charles F. Trautman and a daughter of Artemas and Harriet Hess. The father was killed during the Civil war, in the retreat from Campbell Station, Tennessee, and the mother afterward became the wife of George Turner, She was born in the house in which she now lives, Mrs. Gilbert was but three years old at the time of her mother's second marriage, and by her marriage to Mr. Gilbert she has become the mother of two children, Norton R., aged seventeen, and Lester C, eleven years of age. She also had one daughter by her former marriage, Grace, now Mrs. Robert Wilson, of Moline, and who was reared and educated bv Mr. Gilbert. In bis poltical affiliations Mr. Gilbert is a Republican. He is a member of the Congregational chnrch at Moline. which was organized mainly through the efforts of Rev. Riley J, Hess, who came froru Grandville to this vicinity and became ibe first minister. During his m!tiisterial labors here he akso purchased the farm for bis son, Artemas Hess, the father of Mrs, Gilbert.

<;il()Ri;k S. TriOM.vs. - One of the prominent and honored early settlers of Allegan coiuity is the gentleman whose name introduces this review. He w.as born in Amsterdam. Montgomery counti'. New York. November 18. 1827, He was reared, however, in Onondaga county, that state, and was early inured to the arduous duties of the farm. His father, William Thomas, was a native of Wales, but came to the United States during his boyhood, first taking up bis abode in Albany, New York, and thence removing to Amsterdam, where he was married to Eleanor Irwin, a native of that city and of English descent. During the infancy of their son George they removed to a farm in Onondaga county, New York, and later removed

When George S, Thomas reached the age of twenty-one years he left the parental home, and in 1849 went to California, via the Isthmus, and for two years thereafter was engaged in search of the precious metal, returning on the expiration of that period to Cortland cotmty, New York, the proud possessor of two thousand dollars in gold. In 1855 Mr. Thomas made the journey to Michigan, first taking up his abode in Kent county, where he was married to Julia Irwin, a second cousin, and the daughter of David and Margaret Irwin, who in 1840 came from New York and settled in Byron township, Washtenaw county, Michigan, where Mrs. Thomas was born on the 9th of August, 1837. The father served in the Mexican war as a member of the First Michigan Infantry, also participated in the war of the rebellion as first sergeant in the Second Michigan Cavalry, and he lived to the remarkable age of one hundred and one years. A picture of him taken in his ninety-sixth year shows a man of about fifty years, with black moustache and a fine head of hair.

After his marriage George S. Thomas spent four years in a store in Byron, Kent county, Michigan, the only one between Grandville and Monterey and the only store in Byron township. He subsequently sold this store and with his wife and child removed to Kansas, first locating in Kansas City, and later went by boat to St. Joseph, Missouri, but shortly afterward returned to Michigan. In i860 he took up his abode in Dorr township, Allegan county, locating on his present home farm, which has thus been his place of abode for over forty-six years. At the time of the purchase the land was covered with a dense growth of timber, but a small iog cabin had been erected, and in this the family took up their abode. In this then wild and unsettled region Mr. Thomas labored to establish a home, and as the years passed exerted a wide influence in the public life, thought and action of this locality. The demand for professional men in this new country led him to take up the study of law, and after gaining a knowledge of its principles by his own research and study he began practicing before the justice courts, in time winning a large clientage. He spared neither time nor labor in his legal investigation and preparation of a case, and his discussions of the legal questions were marked with clearness of illustration, strength of argument and fullness and variety of learning. He stood high in the esteem of the leading lawyers of this county and in Grand Rapids, and made many friends among the best lawyers and judges of this part of the state. Among the many noted cases on which Mr. Thomas was employed may be mentioned that of George Krause, a neighbor of Mr. Thomas, whose land by mistake had been granted by the government to the Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad Company. When it was desired to clear the title the railroad attempted to take possession. Mr. Thomas was employed as counsel, and in company with Judge Padgham, now district judge, and Dr. H. F. Thomas, then state senator, he succeeded in getting a bill of relief passed by the legislature, but it was proved unconstitutional. Member of Congress Williams appealed to Congress, and President Grant issued a new patent to Krause for the land. At this time another company had gone to trial with a verdict against the railroad, and as a result it soon issued a quit claim title to the Krause land.

In 1863 Mr, Thomas was drafted for service in the Civil war, and he paid three hundred dollars for a substitute, although in the following year he enlisted in the First Michigan Engineers and Mechanics, Company I, joining his regiment at Coultersville, Georgia. During the first seven months his company was engaged in cutting cord wood at Vining Station, north of Atlanta, and after the capture his regiment or a part of it with Sherman drove Hood back and returned to Atlanta, where they reorganized and went with Sherman on his celebrated march to the sea, Mr. Thomas being in the command of Colonel Yates. They participated in a skirmish near Savannah, and were short of food until the capture of Fort McAllister, when they were given full rations. While there he was stricken with smallpox, and when the army moved on to Columbia, South Carolina, he continued on the march until sent back to the general liospital at Hiltori Head, where he remained until the 17th of February, 1865, when he was called to Charleston to assist in the defense of that city. There he was attacked with erysipelas and sent with eight hundred of Sherman's men to Johnson's Island and thence to the general hospital at Charleston, and being almost blind he fell from a window and broke his left foot, which was not immediately set, as it was thought he would surely die. Finally recovering, he was sent to Slough Barracks at Alexandria, Virginia, wliere he was discharged in June, 1865. His foot has caused him much suffering since, and it was months before he was able to do a man's work. During all this time his wife had remained at home and cared for tJie farm during his absence. Mr. Thomas now owns one hundred and sixty acres of land, one hundred acres of which is under a fine state of cultivation, and for several years he conducted a dairy. In the early days he was also quite extensively engaged in the making of maple sugar, the sales from which enabled him to purchase his first wagon and also his first pair of bobs.

To Mr. and Mrs. Thomas were born the following children : Winfield Scott, who is engaged in dealing in horses in Soule, Michigan ; Charles R., a farmer of Dorr township; Nellie M., the wife of William R. Taylor, also of Dorr township : Eva ' May, wife of Ernest Gillins, a farmer of Byron township; Jane, the wife of William Swartz, also of that township; George S., a miner and stockman in Montana; Frank, with his brother George, and Dan G., farming on the old homestead. Mr. Thomas gives his poHtical support to the Democratic party, being an active worker in its ranks, and has served in the office of township clerk.

Victor Trautman is a typical American citizen, thoroughly in harmony with the spirit of the republic, and, making the most of his opportunities, lias steadily worked his way upward until he has won for himself a name in connection with the industrial interests of the community in which he resides. He is a native, however, of France, his birth occurring in Alsace on the 28th of November, 1830. In that country his father. Philip Henry Trautman, owned an estate on which was located an old feudal castle four hundred years old, the walls of which were nine feet thick, and in this old ancestral home Victor Trautman was born. His father, who was a tanner by trade, had his tannery located inside the walls of the castle, and this work-shop had a wide reputation all over Europe. When Victor Trautman was three years of age the family crossed the ocean to America, via Baltimore, spending six weeks on an old Dutch vessel, the captain and first mate of which were tyrants and on landing in Baltimore they threw the second mate, who had taken a great liking to young Victor, overboard. This ship was, never heard from after starting on the return journey from Baltimore. After their arrival in America the family made their way to Pittsburg. Pennsylvania, where the father started a brewery, going thence to a farm in Franklin, Stark county. Ohio, but which he lost on account of an old mortgage, and he then removed to Cleveland and finally to a farm in Medina township, Ohio, where his death occurred at the age of sixty-three years. Of his four sons one, Henry, died in Cleveland when past eighty-two years of age, having been a merchant. He was at one time a great infidel but was afterward converted and became a noted preacher of the gospel, being a very popular man in Cleveland and was very prominent in the Masonic order. The second son, Philip, a farmer by occupation, died in Iowa. Charles A. is still a resident of Cleveland, his sister, the eldest of the family, residing with him.

Victor Trautman remained at home until his marriage, assisting liis father in the work of the farm, but when a young man his arm was broken in two places, so that he was afterward hampered in performing hard labor. After visiting various counties he decided to locate in Dorr township, Allegan county, Michigan, having in 1855 driven through along Grand river. After his arrival here he selected eightv acres, for which he paid ioiir hundred and fifty dollars, and on which he built a small frame house which now forms a part of his present dwelling, the latter having been built in 1877. In May, 1859, he took up his abode on this place, which has ever since been his home and where he has lived and labored with such good success. During the first two years here he was without a team, having been obliged to exchange work, but after a few years he succeeded in nlacing his land under cultivation and gradually large crops were raised and garnered. He still owns his original farm of eighty acres, about seventy acres of which is under cuhivation and is watered by fine, large springs and two excellent wells. He is extensively engaged in diversified farming, also dealing to some extent in stock, and he has a fine bank barn. At one time he set out a peach orchard, but this was afterward destroyed by the yellows. He has made of life a success, and were one to seek for its secret it would he found in that persistent purpose which has ever been a motive power in his career.

On the Toth of June, 1857, at the age of twenty-six years, Mr. Trautman was married to T^iicy Columbia Young, who was born in Vermont, and she had reached the age of twenty-two years when she gave her hand in marriage to Mr. Trautman. Their home has been blessed with eight children, six sons and two daughters, namely: William V.. who is engaged lumbering of a tract of twenty-two hundred acres in Arkansas; Charlev. who died at the age of twentv-four years : Elmer, who is serving as agent for the Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad at Cadillac, Michigan: Edear N, ; Walter, with the railroad onerator at Dixon, Illinois; Mary, who died at the age of seventeen years; Lillian, the wife of Tames B. Henning, agent for the North-Western Railroad in Illinois: and Mark Rav. Mr. Trautman gives his political support to the Republican party, and has served in a number of school offices, also as delegate to conventions and as postmaster.

Mr. And Mrs. Phillip Grandv

He has attained prominence in the business circles of Allegan county and has made inany friends in the comnnniity where he has so long; resided.

PHiLLtp Graxdy. - The life record of Phillip Grandy is one of which he may be justly proud. Success is not measured by the height which one may chance to occupy, but by the distance between the starting point and the altitude he has reached, therefore Mr. Grandy has gained success, - a just reward of meritorious, honorable effort, which commands the respect and admiration of all. He was born in Medina county, Ohio, September i8, 1843. When nineteen years of age, in April, 1863, lie came with his father, Martin Grandy, to Allegan county, Michigan. Soon after his marriage he purchased eighty acres of his present farm, the purchase price being eight hundred dollars, paying one hundred dollars down and the remainder several years later. At the time of the purchase the land was in its virgin state, and he was obliged to cut away the trees in order to make a small clearing on which to erect his little log cabin, and it required many years to make all the substantial improvements which now adorn the place. During the first few years after his arrival he worked for others in order to get some ready money, at the same time clearing his land and placing his fields under cultivation. Mr. Grandy has since sold twent\ acres of his farm which now consists of sixty acres, all of which is under a fine state of cultivation. In company with his brother Daniel he also operated a threshing machine for twenty-five years, and on one occasion while thus engaged he was seriously injured by a bridge breaking witli the engine he thus sustaining internal injuries from which he has never fully recovered His present neat and commodious residence was erected eight years ago, and it stands on a beautiful building site, commanding a fine view of the surrounding country, and he also has a fine bank barn for his stock.

Mr. Grandy married Miss Laura Burk. a daughter of Thomas and Betsey Burk, who had located in this county two years before the marriage of their daughter, and she was then eighteen years of age. Four children have been born of this union, namely: Ina, the wife of Charles Levett. of Byron Center : Harley, who resides on a farm adjoining his father's home ; Clara, the wife of Fred Yerington, of Wayland, and Lillie, at home. Mr. Grandy gives his political support to the Republican party.

Salem. The settlement of Salem township dates from 1851. and by i860 the township had only 430 inhabitants. Already by that time a considerable number of these were grouped around the center of the township, known as Salem Center, where Timothy Bliss had entered land in 1858. Among those who settled at that point was James Burnip, who opened a store in the sixties and took such a leading part in affairs that the locality came to he known as Burnip's Comers. Other early merchants there were J. S. Warner, Wells & Dibble. James Briggs. Dr. C. C. Liiidsley, Theodore Castor, W. H. Goodwin. A sawmill was built here about 1859, and for the past forty years the Heck family have been prominent representatives of the milling industry in this part of the county. George and William Heck erected a sawmill and a gristmill on Little Rabbitt river, and Mr. George Heck is still proprietor of the gristmill at the old location.

Population has also centered about two other points in this township, one in the northeast corner, known as New Salem, and the other in the southwest corner, on Rabbitt river known as Diamond Springs.

George Heck, whose residence in Salem township dates from i868, is a native of Ohio, having been bom near Findlay, February 22, 1850. He is a son of George and Martha (Mash) Heck, natives of Pennsylvania, who settled near Findlay, Ohio, in 1840. They were the parents of a large family, the following ten of whom grew to maturity: Catherine, wife of David Sherrick, who lives in Findlay, Ohio; John, of Findlay; Susan, Mrs. Watson, now deceased; Sarah, Mrs. Lytle; William, who came to Michigan with our subject, but returned to Findlay; Mary, Mrs. Gardner, deceased; George, our subject; A. C,, a resident of Findlay; Joseph, of South Bend, Indiana, and Birdie, wife of William Parsons, of New Albany, Indiana.

Our subject upon arriving in Michigan settled at Burnips Corner, and in 1880 built the house in which he now resides. The farm in Ohio where he had spent his youth was sold by our subject's father for eighteen thousand dollars and has since produced in oil over a million of dollars. The first venture in which Mr. Heck was interested in Salem township was that of a saw and flour-mill, which he has run continuously since. A brother was originally interested with him in this business; but after running for a time as a partnership, Mr. Heck bought out his brother's interest and has since conducted the work alone. Mr. Heck, Sr., and his wife, who moved to Findlay after the sale of their farm, have both since died at that place.

On September 20, 1869, our subject was married to Helen Marr Mc- Donald, of Sturgis, Michigan, a daughter of John and Anna (McLaughlin) McDonald. Mrs. McDonald, who settled on a one hundred and sixty acre farm in Salem after the death of her husband, has since become Mrs, Underwood.

Mr. Heck's children are two in number: Joy E., a graduate of the law department of the University of Michigan, and of the Agricultural College at Lansing, now practicing law at Zeeland, and he married Gertrude Powell, by whom he has two children, Joy P. and Helen Mary ; and Flossie, wife of H. A. Dibble, of Allegan, who has a son, Clarence H.

Our subject is a Republican, and has held a number of local offices. He has been tendered by that party the nominations of state representative and state senator, but has not seen fit to accept them, feeling that his duties at home demanded more of his time than he could spare. He is, however, vitally interested in the welfare of his community, and of the party with which he is affiliated, and can always be relied upon in the fight for honest government.

Mr. Heck is in a fraternal way connected with Salem Lodge No. 169, I. O. O. F., of which he has been a member since its institution, in 1871, and is also a member of the National Protective Legion.

Silas Loew, a well known business man of Salem township, where he has resided since six years of age, was born in Monroe county, Ohio, August 19, i86r. He is a son of Frederick and Gertrude (Fauhel) Loew, both natives of Germany, who accpmpanied their parents to the United States at the respective ages of ten and seven years. Christian Loew. grandfather of our subject, located in Monroe county, Ohio. He was a weaver by trade, and resided in Oliio until liis death, which occurred at the age of ninety-three. Frederick Loew was a joiner and cabinet maker, and followed his trade for a number of years in this country. He later bought a farm and beside cultivating this did carpenter work for his neighbors. He died in June, 1905, aged eighty-two years. His family comprised twelve children, eleven of whom are alive: Emma (Mrs. Leweke), of Hopkins; Elisha, a resident of Grand Rapids; Clara {Mrs. Heasley), of Salem township; Josephine (Mrs. Smith), of Cohoctah, Michigan; Commila (Mrs. Moored), of Dighton, Michigan; Silas, our subject; Charles Wesley, a sketch of whose life appears elsewhere; Calvin A., a resident of Shelby, Michigan; Amos W., who lives in Salem township; Fred A,, of Indiana; and Norman, who hves in Salem township.

After working on his father's farm until he became of age our subject went to La Mars, in Western Iowa, where he remained for six months, working in a grocery store. He then returned to the township in which he now lives, and engaged in the hardware business, buying the business formerly- r.un by William Bookwalter and continuing in this line until April of igo6, a period of twenty years. He had in the meantime become interested in the creamery business, and was secretary and acting treasurer of a creamery company for five years. For the last two years he has acted as manager. Mr. Loew was a notary public for five years, during which time he settled a number of estates. He has also engaged in the real estate and loan business, and since selling his hardware store has sold buggies and other vehicles.

Mr. Loew was married, June 3, 1885, to Elizabeth Moored, a native of Salem township, and only daughter of John and Amanda (Reinhammer) Moored, who came to Salem township from Ohio and settled at Burnips Comer. To Mr. Loew and his wife have been born three children : Flossie, now attending school at the State Normal School at Ypsilanti ; Clarence Leslie, at home attending school ; and Leo Miles.

From political preference Mr. Loew ts a Republican and has served as township treasurer for a number of terms. He has also been on the school board as assessor and director for nineteen years. He was recently appointed highway commissioner to succeed Joseph A, Goodman, deceased. Our subject and his family are all members of the United Brethren church.

Cii-^RT-ES Wesley Loew. - -For a period of more than forty years Charles Wesley I.,oew has been a resident of Allegan county, and has been for a number of years the owner of one of the best improved farms in his vicinity. His birth occurred in Monroe county, Ohio, August 31. 1863. He is a son of Frederick and Gertrude (Faubel) Loew. and a brother of Silas Loew. a sketch of whose life appears elsewhere.

Our subject was but two years of age when his parents came to this section of Michigan, and here he was raised, remaining at home with his parents until he was twenty-eight years of age,- at which time he was married and located on his present farm. His marriage occurred February 22. 1892, to Mary Lohmolder, a native of Salem township, and a daughter of William and Caroline (Dendal) Lohmolder, who were pioneer .settlers in southern Michigan. Mr. and Mrs. Loew are the parents of four children - Sylvia, Howard, Virgil and Vesta.

Mr. Loew rented his farm for a number of years, but eventually purchased it, and has built in addition to the buildings already upon the property a fine granary. He has also remodeled and enlarged the house. He is interested in general farming and stock raising, his farm being ideally located for these branches.

In politics our subject is a Republican, and is an earnest advocate of the platform on which this party is based. He is a member of the United Brethren church in his vicinity, and is the treasiirer of the board of trustees of that church.

Christi.an Sutter, a venerable and highly respected citizen of Allegan county, and now living retired, having in former years acquired a competence which now enables hini to rest from further toil, is a native of Switzerland, his birth having occurred in Basel on the 19th of February, 1825, a son of John and Barbara (Imhof) Sutter,

Christian Sutter was reared and educated in his native land and when a young man, having heard favorable reports concerning the opportunities to he enjoyed in the United States, he decided to try his fortune in the new country and accordingly made his way across the Atlantic ocean in a sailing vessel, and went to Richland county, Ohio, where he followed the trade of a cabinet maker, which he had learned before landing in this country. After a time he removed to Detroit, Michigan, where he continued his work of cabinet making until 1847, when he took up the work of ship carpentering, being employed both in Detroit and Buffalo, continuing in the latter place for several years, after which, in September, 1856, he came to Allegan county, where he purchased a farm, upon which not a stick of timber had been cut. He at once set to work to clear his land, plow his fields and plant his crops, and in due course of time gathered abundant harvests therefrom. He had to first make a little clearing before he could build a home, his first place of residence being a log cabin, which was later replaced by a more modern frame structure. This farm Mr. Sutter purchased. Mr. Sutter added to his original purchase from time to time as his financial resources permitted, buying a quarter of section of land, one-half of which Mr. Fleser holds. He likewise cleared and improved this tract and built a good residence thereon in 1871, which has since continued to be his home, although since the spring of 1906 he has lived retired, leaving the operation of the farm to his sons, to each of whom he has given one hundred acres. In addition to carrying on his agricultural interests Mr. Sutter has also been connected with the industrial activity of Allegan county, having in 1866. in partnership with Messrs. Fleser and Pettingall, built a portable sawmill, which they operated during the succeeding six years, doing a large business in their locality.

The only interruption to Mr. Sutter's personal interests was at the time of the Civil war. when, loyal to his adc^ted country, he enlisted in September, 1864, as a member of Company T, Ninth Regiment, Michigan Volunteer Infantry. He was never in any active service on the field, but acted as headquarter's gtiard for General Thomas and also served on picket duty. He received an honorable discharge in January. 1865, after which he returned to his home in Allegan county and resumed his labors along agricultural lines, which he continued until the spring of 1906, when, feel-

On the 5th of May, 1853, Mr. Sutter was happily married to Miss Mary Fleser, who was born in Bavaria, Germany, where her father, Adam Fleser, passed away, after which her mother came with her family to America. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Sutter have been born the following; named : Charies, who lives in Dorr, Michigan, wedded Christiana Mark, by whom he has three children - Hazel, Roy and Lydia. Adam J., who makes his home in Grand Rapids, Michigan, wedded Carrie Burt, by whom he has two children, Walter and Herbert, Christian, Jr., resides at Harthwick, in Osceola county, and he wedded Helen Burt, by whom he has three children, Ula, Mildred and Christian. Fred William, who resides upon the home farm, married Effie Gorden, and they have four children, Isabella Christina, Alberta, Maude and Kate.

Mr. Sutter is a Republican in politics, and taking an active interest In local progress and improvement, his fellow townsmen have called him to a number of positions of public honor and trust, having served his township as highway commissioner, giving an administration highly satisfactory to the general public. In his religious faith he holds membership with the Lutheran church, while in liis fraternal relations he is identified with Salem Lodge No. 169, I. O. O. F., at Burnip's Corner, having joined the order on the 3d of February. 1851, at Erie, Pennsylvania, and is probably the oldest member in point of connection therewith in Allegan county. He was formerly connected with the Grand Army of the Republic at Burnip's Comer until the lodge disbanded.

Mr. Sutter has led a life of activity and usefulness, for, coming here at an early day in the development of this portion of the state he has aided in progress made along agricultural and industrial lines, and during the half century of his residence here has seen many changes as the wild land lias been transformed into productive fields, modem homes have been erected and towns and villages have sprung up, and thus the work of progress is being carried on from year to year. He has now passed the eighty-first milestone on life's journey and is accounted one of the venerable and highly respected citizens of this portion of the state, and the rest which he is now enjoying is well merited.

Henry Weeer, one of the largest taxpayers in Salem township and who has always been an industrious worker and a capable manager, was born in Monterey township, Allegan county, February 17, 1858. His father, Frederick Weber, was born in Nassau, Germany, and was twentyeight years of age on coming to America. He settled in New York city and subsequently moved to Youngstown. Ohio, where he worked in the coal mines, and came in 1856 to Allegan county, Michigan, where he settled in Monterey township. There he lived until two years before his death, which occurred at his son's home, at the age of seventy-two years. The mother of our subject, whose maiden name was Mary Magdalene Ash, died in Monterey township, aged forty-eight, leaving twelve children,

Henry Weber remained on his father's farm until twenty years of age, when he started in drilling wells, erecting windmills and grafting fruit trees. He has consequently become well known throughout his county.

having worked in almost every part of it. In 1884 he located on liis present place, buying at that time eighty acres, which he has since increased to one hundred and forty. The property at the time of his purchase was covered with stumpage and contained a log; house, which Mr. Weber used for a granary. He immediately set about building a fine frame house, and in 1886 built a barn of ample dimensions. In 1889 he rebuilt his house and veneered it with brick.

Our subject is engaged in stock raising and general farming and is in addition the manager of a general merchandise store in New Salem. His son attends to the inside work, while he does the buying and necessary hauling.

In 1883 Mr. Weber was united in marriage to Gertrude Alflen, a native of New Salem and a daughter of John Joseph and Catherine (Schneider) Alflen. Of this union there have been nine children, born in the following seqiience : John Joseph, who has charge of the store at New Salem; Frederick, Mary, George, Kate, Clara, Henry, Jr., Herman and Cecilia.

Mr. Weber is a Republican and since 1892 has held the offices of school inspector and member of the board of review for ten years. He is much interested in all that pertains to the prosperity and common good of his community, but is too busy at the present time with business affairs to give the necessary time demanded of the holder of public offices. He hokls membership in the Catholic church of New Salem, of which body he has been for years a trustee, now holding the office of church treasurer. He is in addition a member of the A'ational Protective Legion and the Saint Joseph Society.

Francis John Buege, a substantial and enterprising citizen of Salem township, has been a resident of Allegan county since 1856. His birth occurred near Buffalo, New York, March 9, 1851. Flis father, a native of Germany, came to America in 1850 and settled near Buffalo, New York, where he followed the occiipation of farming. His mother, Mary (Buntrockl Biiege, was also a native of the "Fatherland," where she was married previous to coming to the United States. Her death occurred in 1870.

Francis Buege and his father. Gottlieb Buege, settled first in section i of Allegan township, where they took up a farm of eighty acres, partiallv cleared, and here they built a comfortable home. In 1866 tliev came to Salem township and took up eighty acres, and subsequently bouglit forty more. Here they resided together until the death of the elder Mr. Buege, which happened in 1898. In 1877 Mr. Buege purchased his father's share of the farm, on which he now resides, and has followed since tlie trade of carpenter in addition to working his farm. In 1906 he built the cement block and brick church for the German Methodist Episcopal church in his district, of which church he is a trustee and recording steward.

On October 20, 1877. Mr. Buege was united in marriage to Christina Eaab, who was bom on the old Raab homestead in Salem township. She is a daughter, of Adam Raab. one of the pioneer settlers of this section, having come in the early fifties. To Mr. and Mrs. Buege the following children were born : Norman W.. a dentist and graduate of the Detroit Dental College, who married Ruby McQueen of Detroit, and is now in

California for his health; Arthur A., who teaches school; Lydia F., who is residing with her parents ; and Otto, Earl and one son unnamed who died in infancy.

In politics Mr. Buege is a Republican and has been the recipient at tht hands of that party of several offices, including membership of the board of review for several terms, school director for the past twenty years, and justice of the peace for eight years. He also holds membership in the National Protective Legion of Burnip's Corner,

Jeremiah V. Leeder, who has farmed on his present place in Salem township for about thirty-eight years, was born in Findlay, Ohio, February 15, 1838. He is the son of Frederick and Mary (Vandermark) Leeder, both of whom emigrated from Pennsylvania to Ohio.

Our subject devotes his time to stock raising and genera! farming and has personally attended to clearing and improving the property, for it was generally unimproved when he purchased it. When he first came to Michigan lumbering operations were conducted in the southern part of the state, and in the winters our subject worked in the lumber camps, but as timber became scarcer this line of work offered less inducements and he. hke a great many others, turned bis attention to agriculture.

In 1859 Mr. Leeder was married to Isabella Robinson, a native of Ohio and a daughter of John Robinson of that .state. Upon her death, which occurred at Salem, she left four children : John and William, who live in Findlay. Ohio; Mary, Mrs. Ballmar, of Strothers, Ohio; and Isabelie, Mrs. Kennedy. Upon the death of his first wife Mr. Leeder was united in marriage to Miss Anne Alspaiigli. who died without issue. His third marriage took place to Miss Elizabeth Campbell, born in Findlay, Ohio, a daughter of Edgar Campbell, who now resides with him on the farm.

Mr, Leeder is a citizen of good repute, is interested in all that appertains to the welfare of his commimity, and is a man !oya! to the tenets of the Democratic party. He is a member of the United Brethren church in his vicinity and has the well-being of that church much at heart.

Aaron Heasi.ey, who owns one of the finest farms in Salem township, was born in Grecnsburg. Pennsylvania, February 24, 1850. He is a son of William and Isabella (Merchant) Heasley, both of whom were born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. Our subject came with his parents from Findlay, Ohio, to Allegan coimty, Michigan, in 1864. and located in Salem township, where they purchased a farm of sixty acres in section 9 and another one hundred and sixty acres in section 20. The elder Mr. Heasley and his wife are still residing in this township.

Our subject remained at home until he became of age, then for twelve years he devoted his time to carpenter work, having in the meantime purchased eighty acres of his present farm, and subsequently added fortv acres thereto, so it now comprises one himdred and twentv acres. This he cleared and improved, building a fine home, a large and commodious barn and a seventy ton silo. Here he gives his time to farming and stock raising, having a fine herd of registered Durham cattle and some Clyde and Hambletonian horses.

Loew. She is the mother of five children: Viola, wife of Dr. J. O. Scott, a dentist of Holland, Michigan, and mother of one daughter, Lillian; Dr. Lauren E., a dentist in Chicago, who married Miss Minnie Bretz, by whom he has had two sons, Claire and Earl ; Hiildah C, Gertrude Isabella, and Pearl Clara, the latter three of whom are still at home.

Mr, Heasley is a Republican and has served on the school board since 1877, with the exception of two years, during which time he was a drain commissioner. He is a highly respected member of the United Brethren church of Salem, of which body he is a trustee.

Monterey. Monterey township was iirst settled in 1836, and though its population had reached the figure 1,533 i" 1880, since which time it has declined somewhat, the town has never supported a village community of any importance The center of the township, about the home of Horace Wilson, the first settler, attracted more settlers than any other one point, and the town meetings being held here some sort of central community existed from early days. George W. Kibby erected a hotel at the Corners in i860, and Andrew Briggs was the first to open a store at that point. In 1880 the principal features of the place were a store, wagon shop, church, school and. postoffice, and the locality has been little changed since then, except that rural

James Madison McAlpine is one of the venerable citizens of Allegan county, having passed the eighty-sixth milestone on life's journey. He now lives in Monterey township, but has retired from active connection with business interests, spending the evening of his days quietly amid friends, who extend him regard, respect and veneration. He was born in New York in 1820, and his parents, William and Lydia (Souls) McAlpine, were also natives of the Empire state, where the father followed the occupation of farming. He was bom in the year 1792 and passed away in 1867. while his wife, who was born in 1790, died in 1869.

James Madison McAlpine was therefore reared to agricultural pursuits and remained under the parental roof until his eleventh year, when he became ambitious to earn a living and hired out as a farm hand. He was thus largely occupied up to the time he attained his majority, and his diligence and faithfulness always secured him good positions. In 1841, when he had reached man's estate, he was happily married to Miss Lucinda M. Granger, a daughter of Noble Granger, who was a native of New York and one of the pioneer residents of Allegan county, Michigan. Following his marriage Mr. McAlpine took his bride to a rented farm in New York, where they lived for four years, when he decided to come to what was then the far west. Accordingly he made his way to Michigan, where he arrived in October, 1845, with his wife and child and thirty dollars in money. His persistent industry has been rewarded and he is now enabled to spend his remaining years in peace and quietness, enjoying the fruits of his early struggle. For many years he was successfully engaged in farming in Allegan county, carefully tilling the soil and so directing his labors that they were crowned with a gratifying measure of success. He now lives upon a little tract of land of ten acres in Monterey Center, Monterey township.

and he also owns two hundred acres of well improved land which he rents and which brings him a good income. In addition to this he has a substantial little capital and all that he possesses has been earned by himself, for he never inherited a dollar. He early learned to place his dependence upon unremitting diligence and perseverance, realizing that "there is no excellence without labor."

In 1905 Mr. McAIpine was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who passed away at the age of eighty-six years. They had long traveled life's journey tc^ether and her death is most deeply mourned by the husband who is left behind. They were the parents of three sons. Martin Van Buren, the eldest, married Ellen M. Kibby, a daughter of George and Emily Kibby, both natives of Monroe county. New York, whence they came to Allegan county in an early day. There are three children of this marriage : Edna, now the wife of Frank E. Berry ; Martin B., and Bella M. William, the second son of the family, died at the age of three years. Harry married Lizzie Noblock and died, leaving four children : Pearl, Keith, George C. and Ford.

Mr. McAIpine was one of the early settlers of Monterey township and has witnessed its development from a wild and uncultivated region into a district whose rich fertility makes it one of the rich farming portions of the state. He has seen forests cleared away and in their stead are now found good farms, while here and there are enterprising towns and villages equipped with many commercial and industrial interests. He has done not a little to aid in the work of transformation and he deserves much credit as a pioneer settler. His political allegiance has been given to the Democracy and he has held various ofEces of trust, serving as supervisor and also as justice of the peace for many years. In all life's relations he has been found faithful to duty, honorable in principle and trustworthy in action, and in the evening of life he can look back over the past without regret. His name is an honored one in Allegan county and his memory will long be cherished after he has passed away.

Ch.\rles Bruck GiDSON, a prosperous and progressive farmer of Allegan county, was born in Hancock county. Ohio, on the 25th of June, 1850. His father, Charles Gibson, was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, and when eleven years of age accompanied his father, James Gibson, on his removal from the Keystone state to Ohio, where he was reared, educated and married, there making his home until 1852, in which year he removed with ox teams to this state, taking up his abode upon a farm in Monterey township, Allegan county, and here made his home until his death, which occurred in 1893. when he had reached the very venerable age of eighty-two years. His wife bore the maiden name of Sarah Beard, and was a native of Columbus. Ohio, born in 1816, and her death occurred in 1889, when she had reached the age of seventy- three. She was a daughter of Bennett Beard, who. on his removal from the Buckeye state, located in Monterey township. Allegan county, and later removed to Salem township, this county, where both he and his wife passed away. In the family of Charles and Sarah Gibson were the following named: William, who died during his service in the Civil war: Mrs. Mary Ann Hinton, who resides in Mecosta county, Michigan ; Isaac T., who lives in Osceola county, this state ;

John Allen, deceased: Lorraine; Thomas, who resides in Allegan county, having a home on the lake shore : George P., who resides in Arkansas ; Charles B.. of this review; Jasper L., who lives in Hancock county, Ohio; Jeremiah Fletcher, who makes his home a mile and a half east of our subject; Sarah, who died at the ag'e of three years, and Clinton Isaiah, who makes his home in Allegan. Our subject's father was serving as highway commissioner at the time Allegan road was laid out, this being the first road in the township, and when only two families had settled in Salem township.

Charles B. Gibson was only two years of a^e when broiight by his parents to this state, the family home being e^^'-ijlished on a farm situated a half mile north of where his own pronertv is now located, where the family remained for three years, after which they took up their abode on the farm on which our subject now makes bis home. Here he was reared to agricultrtral life, assisting his father in the arduous task of clearing and developing wild land, and when not busy on the farm pursued his studies in the district schools near his father's home. The place comprises dne hundretl and twenty acres, which has all been cleared save about ten or twelve acres, which is yet covered with timber. Mr. Gibson remained mider the parental roof, giving his father the benefit of his services until he had attained the age of twenty-five years, when he went to Osceola county, this state, where he remained for two vears. after which he returned to the home place and worked for his father for five years. He then again returned to Osceola county and purchased the farm upon which he had been employed during his previous residence there, and that continued to be his home until .'\nril, 1900, when he again returned to Monterey township, Allegan county, and took up his abode on his present farm, and here he has since been engage<l in general farming and stock raising, and in addition has a fine orchard of apples and peaches, and thus makes fruit-raising one of the important branches of his business. He is meeting with gratifying results iv bis work and now has one of the weH improved and valuable fanns of Allegan county.