John Sheldon Ashley and
Eliza M. Campbell Ashley
John Sheldon Ashley was born August 26, 1830, in Richmond, New York to parents Alanson and Persis Pond Ashley.
Eliza was born June 2, 1830, in Renslaer County, New York.
They were married February 23, 1858. They had 3 children, one dying in infancy. They settled in Oakfield Township, Michigan, where John was Oakfield Township Treasurer in 1870 and Justice of the Peace.
Later John was a farmer in the Grattan Township, Michigan and owned considerable property and was also involved in the civic affairs of the time. He was Director for “The Northern Michigan Agriculture Society” organized in 1877 and in 1880 was it’s Division Superintendent.
John and Eliza along with John’s sister, Jane, founded The Washington Club in 1866, by holding a picnic at their home to commemorate the birth of our first president, George Washington. As noted in the minutes of the Club, “One of the monuments related to the memory of this family is the Washington Club, which was organized at the Ashley Homestead on February 22, 1866. This club always had a warm spot in the hearts of both Mr. and Mrs. Ashley and they never failed to be at the annual meetings or picnics up to the time of their deaths.” John was President of the Club for several years, from it’s inception in 1866 until 1878.
Eliza died of La Grippe (influenza) and heart disease on April 18, 1899, in Grattan Township at age 69.
John died, after being confined to his home nearly all winter, in Grattan Township of a weak heart and chronic cystitis on March 19, 1904, at age 73.
From a Memoriam in 1904 at the 38th Annual Meeting of The Washington Club it notes that John Ashley “led a pure and honest life and he will be remembered at these meetings with reverence for years to come until the final history of the Club is written”.
Jane L. Ashley (Adams)
Jane L. Ashley was born on October 25, 1840, in New York to parents Sheldon and Persis Ashley.
She lived with her brother, John Ashley and his wife, Eliza, in Grattan Michigan, and was a Charter Member in The Washington Club in 1866.
She married Francis David Adams in Grattan in 1875 at age 35. They had 2 children, Persis Ellen Adams born March 24, 1875, and George Sheldon Adams born December 20, 1876.
They lived in Lowell, Michigan where Francis was a dealer in agriculture implements and she, a home keeper. Later, they lived for many years in Groton, South Dakota.
Francis David Adams was born in 1838 in Vermont and died January 17, 1899, in Brown County, South Dakota. He was a 1st Lieutenant in Co. D Michigan, Egrs & Mech during the U.S. Civil War. (1861-1865) He is buried in the Groton Cemetery, South Dakota.
Jane died on June 25, 1925, in Kent County, Michigan at age 84.
Henry Neff Anderson, Sr. and
Sarah Woodward Counsman Anderson
Henry Neff Anderson, Sr. was born August 2, 1839, in Altoona, Pennsylvania to parents Samuel and Susannah Weaver Anderson.
Sarah Woodward Counsman was born April 9, 1844, in Altoona, Pennsylvania to Jacob and Sarah Ginter Kunsman. They were married November 20, 1861, and had nine children.
Henry served 3 years in the army in the U. S. Civil War in Company E 77th regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. (1861-1863)
Henry and Sarah came to the Greenville, Michigan area where they joined The Washington Club in 1886. They were active members for many years.
In 1887 they purchased a new home at 511 S. Franklin Street in Greenville. Henry was engaged extensively in the lumber business and laid the foundation of his fortune. In 1887 Henry and his partner shipped by rail on 2002 cars, 22,752,629 feet of lumber, 4,689,750 feet of shingles and 4,473,850 feet of lath.
In 1888 Henry purchased the Greenville Gas Works which manufactured gas using the “Needles Process” and using naphtha in place of coal. It was found that the works were wholly inadequate to supply the need and it was then converted to coal.
In 1892 the newspaper noted that Henry sold his double block of property at 220 S. Lafayette in Greenville where a new building was to be erected near the old brewery.
In 1900 he went west and engaged in the pine lumber business in Aberdeen Washington, where he built large mills. Later he branched out into the redwood timber business at Andersonia, California and built a large plant in that area.
Sarah died March 31, 1902, in Aberdeen, Washington. A Memoriam read in 1902 at the 36th Annual Meeting of Washington Club states that Sarah’s “home was noted for its hospitality, being especially a respite for children and young people who were accorded a hearty welcome”.
Henry died November 6, 1905, in Andersonia. In a Memoriam in 1905 at the 39th Annual Meeting of Washington Club held at the Hotel Phelps in Greenville, it was noted that “Henry was a good man, he had a genial, sunshiny nature, a kindly sympathetic disposition and an attractive magnetic popular personality. He quickly made friends and those friendships lasted for life. He was very charitable and had helped many deserving young men to secure a college education.”
Claudis M. Chittick and
Jennie (Unknown) Chittick
Claudis M. Chittick was born in 1859 in Michigan to parents originating from Canada. Jennie was born August of 1859 in Michigan. They were married in 1882.
In 1883 Claudis, was part owner in Deary & Chittick, General Blacksmiths in Greenville, Michigan. He was also Chief of the Fire Department.
In August, 1888, he received a severe wound in his left eye, a scale or splinter of iron flying into it from the forge. He had it operated on in Detroit in September of that year.
In 1895 Claudis was The Washington Club’s Goatkeeper. “The fishy animal did not have work for two years and was in a very dangerous and turbulent mood when initiating that year’s new members”.
February 20, 1895, the local newspaper noted that Claudis and Jennie attended the Horseshoe Turning Exhibition in Stanton, Michigan. Twenty five horseshoes were turned in 35 minutes, which was record time.
Claudis died in 1925 in Greenville at the age of 66 and is buried there at Forest Home Cemetery. Jennie died about 1920 at the approximate age of 61.
Westbrook Devine (Divine) and
Elizabeth Roosa Devine
Westbrook Devine was born August 4, 1822, in Rochester, New York to parents Abraham and Sarah Rosekrans Devine. His father was a carpenter and joiner.
Elizabeth was born January 9, 1826, in Marbletown, New York to Isaac and Cornelia Roosa. She was united in marriage to Westbrook Devine on January 27, 1845. They were the first settlers in Eureka Township to marry. They had 5 children.
In the written history of the Greenville, Michigan area, it is noted that “When Westbrook was 11 years old, he lost an eye, by an accident, while working in a cotton factory. He left New York in 1843 at the age or 21 for the West. He traveled by the Erie Canal to Buffalo and steamer to Detroit, Michigan, where he bought an ox team and pushed his way through the wilderness. After a toilsome journey of ten days, he reached what is now Eureka Township and settled on 60 acres of wild lands. He was the only white man there.” His farm received many additions until he owned 170 acres.
About 1845 there was controversy as to plans for the location of Greenville’s cemetery, because about every man in town wanted the graveyard near his place and when the matter came before the town board for decision, there was such a conflict of opinion that, as the only method of determining who should locate the burial ground, it was resolved to draw cuts. The task fell to Westbrook who bought of John Green (the founder of Greenville) four acres of land lying west of town for $100. His action in paying so much money for a cemetery site was generally regarded as a wild extravagance and as a clincher, the popular argument pointed to the conclusion that the four acres would never be entirely occupied with graves, because the town would not have people enough to make a sufficient number of deaths probable for at least a century.
Politically, Westbrook was a Democrat in his early life, but later joined the Republicans. “He was a man of fine physique, tall and well-built, being six feet high, and weighting 250#.”
Westbrook was a pioneer and active participant in movements to benefit his county, holding many offices. He was the first Highway Commissioner, Township Clerk, Register of Deeds and Supervisor of the Eureka Township. From 1863 to 1867 he represented his district in the Michigan State Senate. In 1867 he was appointed U. S. Assessor under Andrew Johnson’s administration (17th U. S. President) and held the office for 5 years when it was abolished by Congress. Later, he held the position of President of the People’s Fire Insurance Company.
Westbrook was registered with the U. S. Civil War Draft (1863-1865)
Westbrook and Elizabeth were Charter Members of The Washington Club where he served as President from 1878 to 1888.
Westbrook died September 10, 1888, at the Sweet’s Hotel in Grand Rapids, Michigan at age 66. In a Memoriam at the 22nd Annual Meeting in 1888 of The Washington Club held at the Hotel Phelps in Greenville it was said that “a delegation of members of which Westbrook had been President for more than 22 years boarded the train at Greenville and accompanied the remains to Belding. At Belding, Michigan, another delegation from Washington Club and a large number of friends and citizens were in waiting and escorted the body to the family residence. Although a heavy rain fell the most of the afternoon, a large number of people from the surrounding country came by special train.” He is buried in the Old Belding Cemetery.
Elizabeth died May 10, 1899, at age 74 after a four day illness in Dolan, South Dakota where she lived with her daughter. Her obituary notes that “The last few years of her life she was a great sufferer, which she bore with gentle patience.” She is buried in the Old Belding Cemetery.
In a Memoriam read at Washington Club at the 35th Annual Meeting in 1901, it states that when Elizabeth “was 13 years of age she came to Michigan making her home in the family of her uncle, Charles Broas in Belding. She was united in marriage to Westbrook Divine of Eureka Township, January 27, 1845, commencing married life in the pioneer days when the red man roamed the forest. It was a pleasure for her to relate her early experiences telling of the hardships and privations endured when the country was new, when railroads were unknown and the nearest trading station was Grand Rapids. During those early days she often traveled miles to relieve those in sickness and distress acting both as physician and nurse. She was especially kind to the poor and was ever ready to lend a helping hand to those in need.”
A.J. (Ambrose) Ecker and
Rhoda A. Norton Ecker
A. J. (Ambrose) Ecker was born December 30, 1833, to parents John and Margaret Lodowick Ecker of New York. Rhoda was born April 6, 1840, to Myron H. and Sarah Skinner Norton. They were married in 1858 and had two children, Frank and Roy.
A. J. Ecker & Co. were brokers of loans and real estate in Michigan. He established a private bank, A. J. Ecker, Bankers, which handled large amounts of money from New York City capitalists. He was also postmaster in Smyrna, Michigan in 1861.
He built a new home in Greenville, Michigan in 1876 on the corner of Lafayette and Union Streets at 615. S. Lafayette.
The local newspaper noted in 1896 that the Ecker home, in celebration of William McKinley being elected the 25th President of the United States, illuminated a photograph of the new President in their upper window of their home.
A. J. died May 24, 1916, in Greenville, at the age of 83. His death certificate states that he dropped dead on the street, no autopsy was done, but cause of death was probably stroke or angina pectoris.
Rhoda died of mental insufficiency and arteriosclerosis October 24, 1916, in Greenville at the age of 76. They are both buried at Forest Home Cemetery in Greenville.
John D. Fargo and
Lucy Coe Borden Fargo
The Fargo Residence
John D. Fargo was born November 14, 1817, in Herkimer County, New York to parents Daniel and Margaret Devendorf Fargo. He was the oldest of ten children. When John was 17 , he left his parent’s home to learn the trade of shoemaker and tanner with his uncle in Ohio. He remained there 5 years.
Lucy was born September 9, 1821, in Turnbull County, Ohio, to parents Philo and Abigail Thompson Borden.
He and Lucy Coe Borden were united in marriage on October 7, 1840, and “without means and ambitious to secure a home, the young couple concluded to try a new country, then coming to Fairplains, Montcalm County, Michigan”.
After John began working on a logging job in the remote frontier of Montcalm County, “Lucy, being a true helpmate, accompanied her husband to the log cabin in the forest and cooked for the men. This was beyond the pale of civilization and Lucy did not see the face of a woman for five months. To procure provisions John made shingles nights and hauled them to Ionia, 30 miles away, where he sold them for $1.25 per thousand. They lived in this semi-civilized way for two or three years. When the brothers purchased a tract of land in Fairplains. They worked this land, building a substantial house and a well improved farm with pleasant surroundings.” They had 4 children.
Politically, John was a Republican and held several offices of trust and honor. He was Supervisor for five years for Montcalm County and represented his district in the Michigan State Legislature in 1856.
John was Postmaster in Greenville in 1867 when they joined The Washington Club. They were active members for many years.
John and Lucy moved to their daughter’s home in South Dakota in 1883 where Lucy died December 16, 1888, at age 67. A Memoriam was read in 1889, at the 23rd Annual Meeting of The Washington Club which noted, “Early in December while busy making preparations for a visit to see her friends in Michigan, a visit that was to be extended to the annual meeting of The Washington Club, she was suddenly and seriously ill and the fond anticipations of meeting with her old friends whom she loved so well were abruptly ended” when she passed away.
John died May 20, 1902, in Groton, South Dakota, at his daughter’s home at age 85.
Henry Jacob Green and
Mary Angelina Demorest Green
Henry Jacob Green was born March 1, 1820, in Williamston, Massachusetts to parents Jacob and Rebecca Young Green. Henry’s father died when he was eight years old and soon after his mother, himself and four younger children moved to Genesee County, New York. When he became of age, he worked in a mill for three years and then made his first trip to Kent County, Michigan, but then returned to New York because the country was “too new”.
Mary was born February 28, 1828, in Stuben County, New York to parents Samuel Lucas and Anna Perkins Clark Demorest.
When Henry returned again to Michigan, his early pioneer work was with his sole possession, an ax, clearing land. He and Mary were married on April 28, 1846, in Otisco Township at the Demorest’s residence in the house known as “Upson’s Old Red House”.
Henry was one of the first pioneers who were the first to build a log home in Grattan Center. He built the first frame house and the second frame barn in the township. They lived on the state road just five miles west of Grattan, and had one of the finest farms along that highway. They had six children.
Henry sold his first wheat crop in Grand Rapids for 44 cents a bushel.
Henry was a Charter Member of the Greenville and Vicinity Pioneer Society and one of it’s most worthy members. “He was recognized everywhere as a staid, upright man, always to be found on the side of good citizenship and right living.” Politically, Henry was a Republican.
Henry was registered for the U. S. Civil War Draft (1863-1865).
Henry and Mary were 1866 Charter Members of The Washington Club and were active members for many years. The second meeting of the Club in 1867 was held at the Green’s farm.
Henry died of diabetes mellitus on October 3, 1897, in Grattan at the age of 77. He is buried in Ashley Cemetery.
As noted in a Memoriam written by E. C. Watkins in 1898 for the 32nd Annual Meeting of The Washington Club: “On one occasion, perhaps 40 years ago, I remember to have gone with him from the field to dinner with the hired men. The weather was hot and all were tired. Under such circumstances, I have sometimes noted, a reaction of men to find fault if dinner is not ready and show irritability even toward the “good wife”. But not so our friend, I remember now with a smile, he took the pail from her hand and with cheerful words of sympathy went to the spring for water. I was but a boy at the time, but the lesson was not lost on me and from that hour, I conceived a chivalrous regard for women, wives and home keepers which remains to this day. The incident is in itself small and unimportant and yet it serves to show the character of the man in his domestic relations and comes to my mind across the stretch of years.”
“He could hear music in the running brook and saw good in everything. In those early days when the forest stood unbroken but for the little clearings of the settlers and the lakes and creeks abounded with fish. His farm was always a rendezvous for us boys in our fishing excursions and we often planned to reach there about dinner time. On such occasions he was the biggest boy among us.”
Mary died at her home December 15, 1908, in Grattan at the age of 80. Her death certificate states that she died of stricture of the esophagus, probably cancer. She is buried in Ashley Cemetery.
In a Memoriam at 43rd Annual Meeting of The Washington Club in 1909 held at the Belding Hotel, it states, “In the early days of their pioneer life Mary was truly a helpmate to her husband in clearing their wild unbroken farm and helping build their home, not only for their own immediate family, but for the orphan children who received from her a loving mother’s care and attention”.
Nathan Holmes and
Clarissa H. Bellamy Holmes
Nathan Holmes was born September 23, 1819, in Ohio to parents Ira and Mary Holmes. Clarissa H. Bellamy was born March 28, 1820, in Vermont. Clarissa’s parents moved to Ohio where she met Nathan. They were married on May 23, 1848, then moving to Grattan, Michigan. They had three children.
Nathan and Clarissa came to Grattan in 1850 where he built the only grist mill in town, and was the proprietor for many years. Nathan was also in the flour milling business with Edward Bellamy. They erected a grist mill near it’s embouchure from Wolf Lake. This was the nucleus of Grattan. When J. A. Adams & Bro. bought the mill, Nathan went to Greenville and purchased the Middleton Mill, but was not a proprietor there very long, selling the it back to E.E. Middleton. Then he departed to Ionia for a time and then to Hubbardston where he remained 10 years.
“Norton’s Mill” was built by Nathan and Edward Bellamy in 1851. They produced, with water and steam power, about 45 barrels per 24 hours.
In 1871 Nathan owned and operated “The Boston Mill” in Saranac, Michigan. It was devoted to custom work, had three runs of stone and daily had a grinding capacity of 300 bushels.
Nathan was registered for the U. S. Civil War Draft (1863-1865).
Nathan and Clarissa were Charter Members of The Washington Club and “never missed a meeting in the twenty gatherings they attended”.
Clarissa died unexpectedly at her daughter’s home in Ionia, on December 26, 1884, at the age of 64. She had been ill for some time. Her obituary stated that “She was a genial and companionable woman and was loved by all”.
Nathan died on March 18, 1895, in Grand Rapids at the home of his daughter, Mrs. J. F. Tower, at the age of 75.
In a Washington Club Memoriam read at Nathan’s funeral in 1895, it was stated that he “was a trusted friend who fulfilled the golden rule, loving each his own neighbor like unto his own family circle. If those early days did it mean sore privation and unremitting toil, they also meant the beautiful green valleys of sweetest contentment and a corresponding sleep. All unknown in these days of absorbing work for riches.”
Nelson Holmes and
Abigail S. (Abbie) Lambertson Holmes
Nelson Holmes was born April 17, 1817, in Holmesville, New York. In 1836 Nelson moved to Shelby, Macomb Co, Michigan.
In February 1842, he married Harriett Colton, who was born in 1815. They had one son, Edgar, who, after he reached manhood, was in the hardware business in Belding, Michigan. Harriett died April 17, 1843.
In October of 1844 Nelson married Lucy Bulton. She was born April 24, 1816, in New York.
In the spring of 1846 Nelson came to Grattan, Michigan and located 80 acres of land, and by later purchases increased his real estate to 400 acres. Lucy “partook with him the toils and privations of pioneer life in the wilds of Michigan”. At this time, there were no roads, except what was known as the Old Pontiac and Grand Rapids Road.
Nelson “was one of the prominent pioneers of Grattan Township and was interested in every movement designed to promote the progress of his county and town and add to the prosperity of his fellow citizens.”
Nelson found sale for his farm products in Grand Rapids where he at first took them to market with an ox team, consuming three days at each trip. The improvements of his farm were among the finest in the township.
Nelson and Lucy were 1866 Charter Members of The Washington Club where he served as President in 1889, 1890 and again in 1891.
In 1871 Nelson was Justice of the Peace in Grattan Township. He was also engaged in banking in Greenville, and operated about three years under the firm name of Holmes & Green, and in 1872 with a capitol stock of $300,000 procured the charter for Greenville First National Bank, of which he was made President.
In 1877 Nelson built the first block of brick buildings in the city of Belding and as a business man and a financier, ranked high.
Lucy died August 31, 1882, in Grattan at the age of 66 and is buried in Ashley Cemetery in Grattan Township.
He again entered into marriage on March 26, 1884, with Mrs. Abbie S. Lambertson who was born in Dumfries, Ontario on May 25, 1841, to parents Mr. and Walter and Sarah Wingley White and came with her parents, 3 brothers and 1 sister and settled in Alton, Vergennes Township. She was the widow of Warren Lambertson whom she had married February 20, 1868.
Abbie died in Belding on January 19, 1895, at age 53 after 10 days’ illness of pneumonia. Her newspaper obituary states “The best of care and nursing were inadequate to bring back to health, although at one time she was thought to be much improved.” Funeral services were held at the Belding Congregational Church. She is buried in Alton Cemetery in Lowell, Michigan, “In her death the community have all sustained a great loss. Her Christian life, her home life, her friendship and her generosity were exemplifications of her daily work for good to all both young and old.”
Nelson died July 1, 1896, at the age of 79 and is buried in Ashley Cemetery.
Alanson King and
Catherine Leonard King
Alanson King was born February 15, 1815, in Chenango, New York to parents Anthony and Martha “Patty“ King.
Catherine was born June 16, 1822, in New York to parents Joseph and Margaret Hammer Leonard.
Paraphrasing from a 1887 Memoriam of Alanson: At the age of thirteen Alanson moved with his father to Utica, Macomb Co., Michigan. His early life was spent at hard work in clearing land and getting the new farm in a state of cultivation.
At that time the schools of Michigan were not organized and his education was limited to such studies as were taught in the district school.
A year or two after becoming of age, he made arrangements to take his father’s farm and began his life’s work farming on his own account. Good judgment and hard work marked his earliest efforts.
On the 28th day of December 1843, he married Catherine Leonard of Oakland County, Michigan and in the spring following, moved with his younger brothers and sisters to the town of Grattan. That same year Alanson was one of three members of the Grattan Pioneer Association to erect a log house, the first homes in the area. They had four children. Catherine’s mother, Patty, lived with them as well.
Adjacent to the Ashley tract, in 1844 Alanson purchased a farm of 320 acres and began the process of clearing off the heavy timber and getting the land ready for cultivation.
“No man of that hardy honest, earnest band of pioneers worked harder and no man’s work was crowned with more abundant success. Indeed he worked
too diligently and undoubtedly shortened his life by many years in so doing.
His log heaps were always put up and burned when the weather was dry. He might almost be said to have worked night and day so earnest was he in getting his land under cultivation and in having all kinds of work done in season.
Well remembering, is seeing him late in the night hard at work piling and burning brush and his ax was heard at the break of day felling the forest trees and his cheerful whistle was heard as he followed his team in turning the furrows. His crops were always put in on time, the ground properly cultivated, consequently his crops were bountiful.
He prospered in all his undertakings and in a few years had one of the best farms in that part of the state. He loved farming in all its branches. His reputation among his neighbors was that of an upright intelligent, hard working farmer. He believed in the dignity of labor.”
Alanson and Catherine were 1866 Charter Members of The Washington Club and in May that year, he sold his farm and bought a farm a mile or two north of Ionia.
Later he sold it and moved into the City of Ionia where he lived until his death on December 15, 1886 at the age of 71. He is buried at Highland Park Cemetery there.
Catherine died April 27, 1892 in Odessa, Michigan at the age of 69.
Frank W. (Franklin) King and
Ellen Beebe Ashley King
Frank was born October 4, 1831, to parents Anthony and Martha Holmes King from Rhode Island.
Ellen Beebe Ashley was born September 27, 1836, in New York to William and Hannah Wilcox Ashley from Massachusetts. They were married October 31, 1857.
Frank and Ellen were 1866 Charter Members of The Washington Club.
Frank’s occupation was that of a farmer. In 1870 they lived in Reynolds, Montcalm County, Michigan. When their daughter, Viola, was 15 years old, they moved to Otisco Township.
Sometime in the 1890s they moved to Charlotte, Michigan.
Ellen died July 7, 1903 in Charlotte at age 66. She was struck and killed by a railroad engine with extensive skull, leg, and shoulder injuries.
Frank died in Charlotte, December 22, 1907 at age 76 of paralysis, exhaustion and age.
Dr. Charles M. Martin and
Sarah E. Ecker Martin
Charles M. Martin was born July 4, 1839, in Portage, New York. Sarah was born about 1840 in New York.
When Charles was five years of age, his parents and his siblings moved to Akron, Ohio, where Charles remained until he was 16 years old. In 1855 he came to Ionia County, Michigan with his father’s family. He began his studies in Smyrna with Dr. C.W. Dolley. He attended Michigan Agricultural College (Now MSU) and in 1861 began the study of medicine. He then attended medical college at Ann Arbor and then took a position at Bellevue Medical College in New York where he graduated.
Dr. Martin began his practice of medicine in Greenville, Michigan, at 113 W. Oak Street in the spring of 1864 and soon established a good practice until he moved to Longmont, Colorado, on account of his failing health. After a year, he regained his health and returned to Greenville and resumed his practice.
Charles and Sarah were married March 28, 1865, whereby they had three children, one dying in infancy. They lived at 610 S. Franklin Street in Greenville. They were members of the Congregational Church.
Politically, Charles was a Republican and cast his first vote in 1861 for Abraham Lincoln (16th President 1861-1865) and always remained an active member of that party.
In educational matters Charles took an active part as a member of the Board of Education. “In social relations he was genial and companionable, in business matters, prompt and reliable and as a citizen respected and influential.”
Charles was registered with the U. S. Civil War Draft. (1861-1865)
Dr. Martin and Sarah joined The Washington Club in 1878 and Charles was President in 1895. In later years, Charles and Sarah moved to Seattle, Washington where both Dr. Martin and Sarah passed away.
C.C. (Carpenter) Merritt and
Mary Lina Morehouse Merritt
Carpenter C. Merritt was born August 6, 1839, in Ithaca, New York to parents Carpenter and Sarah G. Cornell Merritt.
Mary was born June 5, 1842, in Binghamton, New York.
Carpenter moved to Greenville, Michigan in 1862. He and Mary were married on September 2, 1867, and in 1871 Carpenter, a funeral director/undertaker, donated the property near Baldwin Lake, where his home had burned down, to be developed into Forest Home Cemetery and built a beautiful community mausoleum located near the entrance. September 1871, the Merritt’s three year old son succumbed to scarlet fever and was the first burial at the cemetery.
The dedication of the Classical Revival style mausoleum was attended by 300 citizens. It was reported that all 156 crypts were sold at the price of $250 each, thereby defraying the cost of the building.
Carpenter and Mary joined The Washington Club in 1883 and were active members for many years. He served as Secretary of the Club for 20 years.
In 1895 Carpenter “Carpie” had the resort named “South Park” located on the south banks of Baldwin Lake, surveyed and platted. This area was a summer resort for mostly people from Greenville. These cottages were built on either side but mostly on the right side of the drive which extends entirely around the lake.
Carpenter died of cardiac failure on February 28, 1903, while at work at Forest Home Cemetery at the age of 63.
From a Memoriam 37th Annual Meeting of The Washington Club in 1903 it states: Carpenter “lived in Greenville forty years and to the last was regarded as the genial, unselfish, whole-souled Carpie Merritt, honored and loved by all who knew him.”
Mary died June 23, 1914, in Greenville at the age of 72. They are both buried at Forest Home Cemetery.
E. E. (Edward) Middleton and
Martha Partlow Middleton
Martha Middleton as Martha Washington
Edward was born November 15, 1829 in Abingdon, England to parents Benjamin and Harriet Hill Middleton. Martha was born August, 1829, in Caulcott, England to parents William and Anna Palmer Partlow. They were married February 25, 1850 at Oxford, England and immigrated to the U.S. that same year, both at the age of 20.
Edward and Martha made their way to the Greenville, Michigan area where they were parents of 7 children.
In 1858 E. Middleton & Sons were the successful owners and operators of the milling plant located on the Flat River. It was five stories high and was equipped with 8 run of stone and 2 pair of rollers. It was one of the largest flour mills with a capacity of 500 barrels per day. A water power of 300 horse power operated the plant and the Middleton brands of flour ranked with the best in the country. Their products were shipped in sacks and barrels to England, Ireland, Scotland, with Edward going abroad each year in the interest of his firm.
The Middleton Commercial Bank was one of the solid financial concerns of the country and Edward was one of the promoters of the T. S. & M.
Railroads. He also owned large tracts of timberland in Washington, California and Oregon.
In 1881 the Middleton’s built a new home at a cost of $10,650 located at 417 N. Lafayette Street. It was the first home in Greenville to be heated by steam. Their old residence became the Freewill Baptist Church.
Edward and Martha joined Washington Club in 1885. He was President in 1898 and passed away that same year on August 5,of pneumonia at age 69.
In a Memoriam in 1899 at the 33rd Annual Meeting of The Washington Club, it was noted that Edward “was modest and retiring in his manners, shunning honors both personal and political. He was a social man, an admirable host, a genial companion and a faithful friend.”
Martha died of senility July 10, 1912, in Greenville at age 82.
Norman Putney and
Maria Robinson Putney
Norman Putney was born October 10, 1821, in Massachusetts to Zadok and Jerusha Belding Putney. Maria was born November 17, 1823, in Massachusetts to Isaac Robinson.
They were married in Southhampton, Massachusetts on May 25, 1847 and Norman’s occupation was that of a boot and shoemaker.
Norman was registered for the U. S. Civil War Draft. (1863-1865)
Norman and Maria were 1866 Charter Members of The Washington Club and were active members for many years.
Maria died of fibroid myocarditis and stroke on September 27, 1905, at Wood’s Corners, Michigan at age 81 after a weeks illness. She was highly esteemed by all who knew her.
Norman died of senile dementia on March 26, 1916, at the State Hospital in Traverse City, Michigan at age 94. They are both buried in Otisco Cemetery, Michigan.
Ezra Satterlee and
Adaline Demorest Satterlee
Ezra Satterlee was born January 14, 1822, in Corinth, Saratoga County, New York. His parents, Ethan G. and Anna Luce Satterlee and 10 of their 11 children began preparations for their trek westward from New York to Michigan early in 1836, the girls making a great tub of applesauce, home made cheese and all kinds of pickles. A neighbor made shoes for the family, as they well knew there would be many miles of walking along the snow trails west.
Ezra, being 15 years of age, began his journey to Michigan with his family when there was sufficient snow for good sleighing. They began in Fortsville, Saratoga County, New York and traveled through Cleveland, Ohio, and along the Erie Canal, taking 22 days from New York to Washtenaw County, Michigan. He came to Montcalm County, Michigan in 1847 where he settled in Eureka Township.
Adaline was born April 1, 1830, in Steuben County, New York. She was the first white female in what is now the City of Greenville, Michigan. She had come to Michigan in 1837 with her parents and then to Greenville to cook in a lumber camp run by John Green, for whom Greenville is named. She lived with her parents Samuel L. and Anna Perkins Clark Demorest from Otisco Township, prior to marring Ezra on June 8, 1852, in Greenville. The couple had six children.
At the county fair, Ezra won Class VI - Fruit, Best bushel of apples and Class I - Horses, best stallion, 2 years and older. Prizes of 50 cents and $1.00 respectively.
Ezra and Adaline joined The Washington Club before 1882 and were active members.
Ezra died on October 5, 1890, at age 68 surrounded by his devoted wife, two sons, one daughter and numerous relatives and friends at his home in Greenville, where he had lived for 43 years. Adaline died May 1, 1915, at the age of 85 in Plymouth, Michigan. They are both buried at Forest Home Cemetery in Greenville.
James Satterlee and
Ella Crossman Satterlee
James Satterlee was born March 4, 1847, in Greenville, Michigan. Ella was born June 2, 1850 in Oakland County, Michigan. They were married on December 19, 1870 in Lansing, Michigan. They had one son, John C. who died in infancy, living only nine months.
James received a Batchelor of Science in Agriculture degree in 1869 and completed work for his masters degree in 1874. He farmed near Greenville from 1870 to 1882.
James was a professor at Michigan Agriculture College (Now MSU) 1883-1884. He moved to New York State and spent four years a clerk for the State Board of Health and was assistant secretary of New York State Agricultural Association in Albany from 1889 to 1891.
They returned to the Greenville farm in 1891 and then retired and took up residence in Lansing in 1909. He spent much of his retirement gardening with his hobby of horticulture.
The Satterlee family donated the “Ella C. Satterlee Sunshine Room” at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing.
Ella died at home March 7, 1924, in Lansing at the age of 74. James died at home in Lansing on August 12, 1929, at the of age 82. They both are buried at Forest Home Cemetery in Greenville.
J.P. (Joseph Peter) Shoemaker and
Sarah Amsden Shoemaker
Joseph Peter Shoemaker was born August 20, 1820 in Mohawk, N.Y. to parents Robert and Catherine Myers Shoemaker. Sarah was born to Thomas and Lydia Chapman Amsden February of 1824 in Ohio.
In 1842 he was engaged in merchandise and buying grain at Republic, Ohio.
Joseph and Sarah were married in 1844 and had seven children. In 1852 they moved to Covington, KY where Joseph was engaged in the manufacture of iron, having charge of a rolling mill.
In 1850 he joined his brother at Sandusky, Ohio, who was chief engineer of the Mad River and Lake Erie and the Little Miami Railroads when in construction, and was with the engineers in locating the road.
In 1855 he moved to Jackson, Michigan, where he was appointed Postmaster of that city, which he held for 2 years. In 1861 he moved to Fairplains, Michigan where he engaged in the lumber business. In 1863 he purchased the remaining interest in that business and became sole owner of 1600 acres of pine and farming land. In 1867 he laid out the village of Amsden. Here in 1877 he built large mills and a store that had a post office established in Amsden. Fire destroyed the mill and a large amount of lumber which was a heavy blow financially to Joseph. He then turned his attention more to farming which he carried on quite extensively until age made him seek rest and took residence in Greenville, Michigan.
Joseph was registered for the Civil War Draft (1863-1865).
Politically, Joseph was a Democrat until 1878 when he joined the Greenback party, was nominated and elected to the Michigan State Senate. He was also a Justice of the Peace for Montcalm County, Michigan.
Joseph and Sarah joined The Washington Club in 1884 and were active members for many years.
Sarah died February 5, 1894, in Wayne County, Michigan at the age of 71.
Joseph died at his home on March 21, 1905, in Greenville at the age of 85. His death certificate states that he died of La Grippe (influenza). He is buried at Forest Home Cemetery in Greenville.
L. (Lawrence) Wells Sprague and
Lydia Ann Rawson Sprague
Lawrence Wells Sprague was born April 6, 1835, in New York. Lydia was born December 20, 1839, to parents Edward and Sarah Spalding Rawson of Vermont. They were married in 1860 and lived at 210 Clay Street in Greenville, Michigan.
Lawrence’s occupation was of a hardware merchant from 1877 and he was the first President of the Greenville Business Men’s Association which was incorporated December, 1887. He served as Montclam County Third Ward Supervisor in 1879, 1887, 1902 and 1912.
He was President of The Washington Club in 1896. He and Lydia were active members for many years.
Lawrence died December 18, 1918, in Greenville at the age of 83. His death certificate states that he died of senility. Lydia died January 6, 1919 in Greenville at the age of 79 of a hip fracture due to a fall. They are both buried at Forest Home Cemetery in Greenville.
R.F. (Rufus Farrington) Sprague and
Mary Jane "Molly" Blanck Sprague
Rufus was born July 12, 1842, in Milan, Michigan to parents Ephraim and Almira Wells Sprague. Molly was born February 24, 1850, in Howell, Michigan to parents Andrew and Rachel Adams Blanck. They were married June 5, 1872 in Howell. In 1876 they constructed a new home at 601 Washington Street in Greenville, Michigan.
Rufus was a pioneer resident of Greenville, he had been actively interested in the founding of several industries, twice mayor of the city, on the democratic ticket for regent of the University of Michigan once, and in 1896 Democratic candidate for governor. He was a member of Leroy Lodge No. 9, Knights of Pythias and a 32nd degree Mason.
Although deprived of more than a common school education through the meager circumstances of his parents, he became in after years, a profound student of all subjects, specializing in political economy. When 18 years old the civil war broke out. He joined Company H, 14th New York Volunteer Infantry as a Corporal. During the first two years of the war he passed through a succession of battles. During the battle of Gaines Hill on June 27, 1862, he was severely wounded in the left torso and was sent North to recover. He rejoined his company in September of the same year and participated in a number of remaining conflicts of the war, particularly in battles of Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. He mustered out of the service on May 17, 1863.
After the war, Rufus began a merchandising business called Sprague Bros. On November 13, 1875, Mr. Huber Toles entered his business and was being a “bully and a bruiser” becoming aggressive. This progressed to where Rufus shot and killed Mr. Toles. He was tried for manslaughter, but because of the large attendance at trial and the publicity of sympathy, of people being strongly in favor of Sprague because he was a kind and trustworthy businessman, Rufus was pardoned.
In June, 1877 he and his brother purchased the hardware business of Lovell Bros. & Green in Greenville, the partnership lasting until 1896. In the meantime, to protect local interests, a group of lumbermen started the Grand River and Greenville Log Running Co. of which Rufus was made secretary and treasurer, shortly after becoming general manager.
Rufus and Molly joined The Washington Club in 1885 and were active members for many years. Rufus was Club President in 1897 and again in 1900.
In 1889 he became interested in a device for promoting the combustion of sawmill refuse. In 1890 Rufus organized Gordon Hollow Blast Grate Co. to manufacture this product.
During his career he was director of Ranney Refrigerator Co. and Commercial State Savings Bank, and several others, all in Greenville.
In 1893 Rufus was director of the new Greenville Telephone exchange which was established to construct a local telephone exchange and furnishing first class telephone and messenger service. This new business occupied a room in the Hotel Phelps.
In 1896, the Sprague’s illuminated their home with brilliant lights as a prominent display celebrating William McKinley becoming the 25th President of the United States.
Molly died November 29, 1921 in Greenville at age 71. She is buried at Forest Home Cemetery in Greenville.
Rufus died at his home in Greenville on May 3, 1923 at age 81 after an illness of a few weeks. The local Masonic Lodge conducted the funeral services with 60 members of the Ionia Knights Templar attending, with burial at Forest Home Cemetery.
A.G. (Aaron) Stockholm and
Mary Browne Stockholm
Aaron G. Stockholm was born in 1827, in Fishkill, New York to parents George and Moriah Schouter Stockholm.
Mary was born March 10, 1828, in New York to parents George and Phoebe Pollock Browne.
Aaron came to Eureka Township, Michigan, in 1847 with his brother John C. Stockholm and bought one hundred and twenty acres. He traveled back to New York to marry Mary Browne, then returned with his new bride to Eureka Township in 1849. In 1862 they had one child, Hettie.
At the Fourth Annual Fair in 1859 sponsored by the Montcalm County Agriculture Society, Aaron won Class III - Sheep, Best Spanish Merino Buck and Class I - Horses, Second Best Roadster, winning $1.00 for each award.
Aaron and Mary joined The Washington Club prior to 1878 and they were highly esteemed and active members for many years. Aaron was the first Secretary of the Club.
Aaron was memorialized in 1884 at the 18th Annual Meeting of The Washington Club held at the Franklin House in Belding, Michigan. He was remembered to be “a faithful companion of his wife, Mary, tending to her and her family. He was a man who through a residence of living a third of a century in Eureka township, filling many offices of trust with single ability and fidelity. He was, in all his relations, public and private, thoroughly honest and upright in life and possessing an unusual degree of confidence and esteem of his fellow men.”
Aaron died April 4, 1883, in Montcalm Co. at the age of 56. Mary died of La Grippe (influenza) on March 27, 1915, in Greenville at the age of 87. Aaron and Mary are both buried in Otisco Cemetery, Michigan.
John C Stockholm and
Almira Stockholm
John C. Stockholm was born October 24, 1822 in Fishkill, New York.
Almira (unknown) was born January 21, 1826, in New York. At the age of 21 she married John.
They emigrated to Michigan in 1847, and settled in the township of Otisco. They were the parents of two children, Helen, who died in 1855 at age 21 and Warren, who died at age 25.
The following is paraphrasing a Memoriam read at John’s funeral: John came to Michigan in 1845 and settled in Eureka Township and became one of the pioneer farmers of the country. He lived upon his farm for 20 years and then moved to Cook’s Corners and engaged in mercantile business with his energy and push, with which he was so bountifully endowed. He was also Postmaster of Otisco in 1865.
“John and Almira joined The Washington Club in 1876 and came every time to it’s meetings and enjoyed to it’s full extent the bond of brotherly and sisterly love which exists in this Club.”
John died at home in Otisco, May 9, 1888 in of “dropsy of the heart” at the age of 66. Approximately 500 people attended his funeral at his home as he was so widely known and beloved.
Almira died September 14, 1891 in Belding at the age of 65. They are both buried in Otisco Cemetery.
A Memoriam read at the 26th Annual Meeting of The Washington Club in 1892, Almira was said to “have a warm grasp of her hand and always a hearty welcome”. After John passed way, “for three years she was permitted to meet with the club until her death”.
James Taylor Jr. and
Mary Jane Gibbs Taylor
The Taylor Residence
James Taylor Jr. was born on January 1, 1823, in Sodus, New York to parents James Sr. and Mary Wilcox Taylor.
Mary Jane Gibbs was born December 1, 1834, in New York to parents John and Ann Norton Gibbs. Her family was one of six families who left Troy, New York to travel to Michigan. It took them three weeks but they finally arrived in the vicinity of Cook’s Corners having come by the Erie Canal, lake and river route to Detroit, from there with four ox teams to their destination.
James and Mary married April 14, 1852. They had two children, John and Helen.
From a Memoriam read in 1901 at the 35th Annual Meeting of The Washington club: “At the age of 13 years of age James emigrated with his parents to Wayne County, Michigan where in his youth he assisted his father in the sturdy duties of a pioneer. As often as possible he availed himself of such schools as there existed, laying the foundations for a business education.”
At the age of 21 he began the of accumulating the means for a home of his own and in 1848 he took up again the pioneer mission, this time in the Flat River valley in Greenville. James was head sawyer in the first lumber mill there, known as the Louck’s mill. Within a short time he became proprietor of the Upper Mills knows as “Crosby’s Mill”. After the burning of the mill he devoted his attention to farming on his 80 plus acres in Eureka Township which was known as a model of it’s kind.
He held the office of Highway Commissioner for 20 years. He was a member of The Washington Club since 1878, the Grange and the Pioneer Society of Greenville and Vicinity. He was an honorable, upright and highly respected citizen.
James died of stroke in the morning while sitting at the table on September 22, 1900, in Greenville at age 77.
Mary suffered slight strokes and paralysis some years before her death which undermined her strength physically and mentally and she lingered a long sufferer of the disease until her death of stroke May 3, 1912, in Greenville at age 78. They are both buried at Forest Home Cemetery in Greenville.
Chester Richard Waterbury and
Frances Jane Ambler Waterbury
Chester was born on August 28, 1838, in New York to parents George and Eliza Brown Waterbury.
Frances was born January 13, 1837, in New York to parents Peter W. and Polly Ambler.
They married and had two children, Edna and Rodney. Chester was a carpenter and a joiner and owned land in North Plains, Ionia County, Michigan. About 1883, Chester must have become incapacitated in some way because Frances, being a woman of the times with few rights, decided to enter into a new business arrangement with a Mr. Andrews.
In June of 1883, Frances filed a claim with the Michigan State Supreme Court for the purpose of procuring a decree cancelling a mortgage note as collateral made by her to a Mr. Andrews, who told her he owned a patent on a special formula for concrete, for which she took out a mortgage on her home for payment for the rights to the business in the sum of $1,000. He told her that he had a contract for building sidewalks for the City of Ionia. She stated that she was misled, cheated and defrauded by Andrews, as he never held a patent and didn’t own the business stated. She further stated that she and her husband were duped and beguiled by Andrews. She was eventually found not liable for the mortgage note.
Chester and Frances joined The Washington Club in 1886 and were active members for many years.
Frances died of a stroke on September 1, 1913, in Ionia at age 76.
Chester died of a stroke at his home at 218 W. Lincoln St., Ionia, October 6, 1918, at age 80. They both are buried at Highland Park Cemetery.
Henry Watson and
Mary M. Vedder Watson
The Watson Residence and Saw Mill
Henry Watson was born January 29, 1836, in Nottinghamshire, England. When he was nine years of age, his father died, leaving a wife and three boys of whom Henry was the oldest. In 1850 their family came to Kent County, Michigan.
Henry struck out on his own when he was fourteen years old working at such jobs as a boy could secure in a new country. Being energetic and reliable, he soon secured a position as sawyer in a good mill, which position he occupied until July 7, 1858, when he married Mary Vedder who was born June 23, 1844 in New York to parents William and Mariah “Polly” Lillie Vedder.
After marrying Mary, he purchased 40 acres of unimproved land in the town of Oakfield, Kent County, Michigan. He had saved $75 with which he made the first payment on the land. Over the years he expanded his land to 230 acres with large improvements, fine buildings and pleasant surroundings. Yet the business of Henry was that of a lumberman, buying a mill property known as the “Underhill Mill” which he rebuilt with all modern improvements. In connection with the mill property he had some 600 acres of land. He also had a lumberyard where he sold his lumber at Brighton, Livingston County, Michigan.
Politically, Henry was a Republican, and was active in local public affairs and while living in Montcalm Township, he became prominent as a leader both in civil and political life. He was clerk two terms, Justice of the Peace 15 years and School Officer 20 years. After he moved to Greenville, he was elected to 3 consecutive terms in the Michigan State Legislature which he served with honor.
He was outspoken and recognized in the House as a temperance advocate and was chairman of the township temperance committee. He was also a friend of equal suffrage in Michigan.
Soon after their marriage he and his wife became Christians and they and their 5 children joined the Baptist Church at Spencer’s Mills of which he was a leading member, serving as deacon for a number of years.
They joined The Washington Club in 1885 and were active members for many years.
Henry died at home in Montcalm Co. on April 25, 1893, at the age of 58. Mary died in 1933 at the age of 89. They are both buried at Forest Home Cemetery in Greenville.
W.B. (Willard) Wells and
Sarah Titus "Sallie" Long Pennell Wells
The Wells Residence
Willard B. Wells was born March 25, 1828, in Hartwick, New York to parents Benjamin and Castine Conklin Wells.
Willard came to Michigan as a youth and worked on a farm, but manifested an ambition to attain a better education. He began reading law in 1853 and after four years of teaching school, was admitted to the bar.
Willard’s first wife was Nancy Davis whom he married in May of 1858, but she passed away a few months later in Ionia, Michigan.
His second wife was Ellen Hatch, born August 30, 1825, in New York to parents Samuel and Drusilla Sears Hatch. She graduated school from Holyoke Seminary in Massachusetts. “She was a lady of finished education and of superior mind”. She taught school in Ionia prior to her marriage to Willard in October of 1861. They had three children. Ellen died after a brief illness August 23, 1874, in Ionia at age 48.
Willard was registered for the U. S. Civil War (1863-1865)
He was editor of the Greenville “Daily Call” and the “Greenville Independent” newspapers. In 1879 he was half owner of the “Greenville Daily News”. The newspaper noted that in 1879 Willard was the Drum Major in a coronet band, “Cowell’s Greenville Band”.
Willard was successful as an attorney but his line of special success was in politics. He served as County Clerk, Prosecuting Attorney and for 8 years as Judge of Probate. He was appointed Consul to Rotterdam, Holland in 1881 under James A. Garfield (20th U.S. President) where he remained for one year.
His third wife was Sarah Titus “Sallie” Long Pennell, who was a widow, from Williamsport, Pennsylvania. They married in 1882 in New York. She was born May 17, 1848.
Willard was then transferred at his own request to Dundee, Scotland where he remained 3 years, returning to Ionia in 1885.
Willard and Sarah joined Washington Club before 1894 and was President in 1902 and was Secretary from 1905-1908.
He found it difficult to settle down to business in his old home and after living there a year or two. He then moved to Vancouver, Washington, where he invested heavily in southern pine timber and a logging railroad.
Willard died January 19, 1908 at age 79 after a few week illness. Sarah died February 21, 1908 just a month after Willard passed away.
