Concord
Township
History
Pictures contributed by Paul Petosky
From
"The History of Jackson County, Michigan"
The first settler in the township of Concord was
John Acker, who came in November, 1831, with his family. He remained
here alone during the succeeding winter, which set in that month. The
following May William Van Fossen came and put up his cabin; in June
Thomas McG-ee moved into the settlement thus begun, and put up a home
for the accommodation of his family. A colony was formed before the
close of 1832, and thus the nucleus of a prosperous community was
formed.
Up to 1836 Concord was a part of the town of Spring Arbor, when it was
set off into a distinct township, but included at that date all the
territory now comprised within the townships of Pulaski and Concord. In
1837, the next year, however, Pulaski was made a distinct town, and the
present limits of the township of Concord were established. The first
town meeting was held at the store of Ira Jacobs in April, 1836; Thomas
McGee was elected supervisor, and Isaac Van Fossen township clerk.
Since that period the township has grown into great
importance; from very limited beginnings the people have steadily
progressed, until now Concord is one of the richest divisions of a
great and prosperous county. The small political efforts of the people
in the elections of 1832-'34-'36 have been immensely augmented, so that
the political contest of 1880 within the township created much
interest, and at its termination showed the following results: —
Electors—Hancock, 73; Garfield, 221; Weaver, 95. Governor— Jerome, 216;
Holloway, 105; Woodman, 67. Congress—Lacey, 206; Pringle, 61; Hodge,
122. Senator—Goodwin, 246; Wilson, 57; Palmer, 86. Sheriff— Lockwood,
209; Winney, 74; Terry, 106. Judge of Probate—Gould, 210; Powell, 77;
Anderson, 102. County Clerk—Van Horn, 220; Covert, 74; Moe, 95.
Eegister of Deeds—Ray, 255; Town ley, 65; Henshaw, 67. Treasurer—
Ludlow, 216; Wheeler, 76; Townley, 91. Prosecuting Attorney— Sharp,
228; Barkworth, 72; Hewlett, 88. Representative—Bel-den, 214; Chappel,
93; Strong, 71.
The first school was opened in 1835, and taught by
Miss Mary McGee. In the fall of 1835, Isaac and William Van Fossen
erected and put in operation a saw-mill, and in 1837 started a
flouring-mill. Ira Jacobs opened the first store in 1836. In 1838
Andrew Brown erected a flouring-mill on the Kalamazoo river, one mile
east of the town. The first tavern was opened by Jerry Reynolds; it was
located about one mile east of the present village of Concord.
The village of Concord is located on section
27. The Air-Line road which passes through the place renders it
an excellent point for manufacturing purposes. All the various
branches of business are represented here, and some of the merchants
have a very fine trade. There is also a bank in the village,
which is also doing an extensive business. The public school is
well graded, and stands high among the schools of the county. The
Baptist, Presbyterian, Methodist and Universalist churches, the two
former of which were built in 1837, are substantial structures.
In former years the village profited much from the passage of emigrants
over the old stage route between Jackson and Jonesville. Situated
as it is in the midst of a rich agricultural district, there is every
reason to believe that within a very few years the village will raise
itself to the dignity of a town, and hold within its limits numerous
industrial establishments.
The township is well watered, possesses a soil of
sandy loam, capable of producing the best crops. Good timber
exists in abundance, and though the marshes are numerous, a little
outlay would render them capable of the highest cultivation.
The first Free Methodist society of Jackson county was organized in
Concord Township in the winter of 1868, by Rev. E. P. Hart. Rev.
John Billings was the first minister taking charge of the work.
Rev. A. V. Leonardson was sent on the work in 1869, and visited
Napoleon, and during the winter of 1870, Rev. E. P. Hart organized a
society there. Rev. John Campbell came to Spring Arbor and held a
protracted meeting, and a society was formed in 1872. The
organization in Jackson city was effected the winter of 1873.
Societies were also formed in Sandstone, West Concord and Jefferson.
Wilder Lodge, No. 176, I. O. 0. F., was organized
Dec. 14, 1871, with eight members, whose names we cannot fully obtain,
as the records were destroyed by fire Jan. 14, 1877. The charter
officers were: J. W. Hungerford, N. G.; R. H. Hungerford, Y. G.; Isaac
Ormsby, R. S.; G. J. Cole, P. S.; W. I. Hungerford, Treas. The
present officers are: A. W. Severance, N. G.; J. B. Pomroy, V. G.; G.
A. Stahley, R. S.; C. H. Hovey, P. S., and J. Bigelow,
Treas. The number of members at present is 65.
BIOGRAPHICAL
Following are personal sketches of some of the more prominent citizens
of Concord township, whose lives constitute an essential feature of the
history of the community.
******
Jabez ALLMAN, farmer; P.O., Concord; was born in
England Jan. 2, 1823, son of Major and Margaret (Axby) Allman, the
former of German ancestry, and the latter of English; was brought to
this country by his parents in 1830 and settled in Canada; remained
there until 1838, when he moved to White Pigeon, Mich., with his
parents. He learned the trade of harnessmaking at Marshall, and
in 1844 went to Homer and opened a shop for himself. March 12,
1845, he was married to Elizabeth Darling, daughter of Ezra and
Charlotte (Ganunary) Darling; they have had 11 children, viz. :—Amos
E., Edwin L., Charlotte E., William H., Mary L., M. Frank, John W.,
Margaret M., Sarah A., Elmer J., Joseph H. In 1848 Mr. A. bought
a farm of 39 acres on section 32, Concord Township, and he has kept
adding to it until now he owns a farm of 240 acres, worth $65 per acre;
is a member of the M. E. Church, and in politics a staunch Republican.
******
A. M. BAKER was born at Albany, N. Y., in
1838. Soon after his birth his parents removed to Hamilton, N.
Y., where he received his earlier education. When he was 16 years
of age he started West alone; remained in Indiana a short time, and
went to Centralia, Ill., where he was employed in a store. In
1860 he went to Cairo, Ill., where he held a position in the
postoffice; in a short time he received an appointment in the mail
service which he held about three years, when he resigned and went
across the plains to Virginia City, Montana, and engaged in mining and
prospecting, and followed this business three years. In 1867 he
came East to St. Louis by the Missouri river, and in a short time again
entered the mail service, where he remained until 1873, when he came to
Concord and embarked in mercantile pursuits; since that time he has
remained here.
******
Harvey BAKER, P. O., Concord, was born in Genesee
County, N. Y., April 22, 1825, son of Shubal and Lucinda E. (McIntyre)
Baker, the former a native of Connecticut, of English ancestry, and the
latter a native of Massachusetts and of Scotch ancestry; was reared on
a farm. August 21, 1849, he married Emily M. Baker, daughter of
Samuel P. and Mary J. (Fuller) Baker, and of their 13 children, 11 are
living, to-wit: Charles H., Mary E., James F., H. Lafayette, Eva M.,
Frank A., Jessie B., Lawry C., Mertie E., Ernest G. and Grace E.
He came to this county in 1849, lived in Pulaski Township 18 months and
worked at brick-laying and plastering, and in 1851 moved to Concord
Township and settled on section 15, where he still resides. He
has held several offices of trust and responsibility in the township;
in politics a "Greenbacker."
******
William A. BAIN, farmer; P. O., Albion; was born in
Genesee county, N. Y., July 23, 1820; son of Nathan and Abigail (Bean)
Bain, natives of New Hampshire and of Scotch ancestry. He came to
Jackson county in 1837 and settled on section 8, Concord
Township. He was married June 9, 1842, to Catharine Gillespie,
who died April 9, 1853. April 1, 1855, he married Phebe A. Luce,
daughter of Zebulon and Rachel (Tompkins) Luce, and of his 12 children,
5 are living, 2 belonging to his first wife and 3 to the last. In
1873 he moved to the city of Albion for the purpose of schooling his
children, where he remained five years and then returned to his
farm. He has held several offices of trust in the township; in
politics is a staunch Republican.
******
Josiah BIGELOW, farmer; P. O., Concord; was born in
Genesee County, N.Y., May 22, 1825, son of Jacob and Lois (Putnam)
Bigelow, the former a native of Vermont, of English ancestry, and the
latter of New York. He was brought to this county by his parents
in 1836 and settled on section 34, Concord Township. Here the
mother died Oct. 4, 1847, and the father, Oct. 21,1879. Mr.
Bigelow was married Oct. 7, 1847, to Ann Jennett Fitch, daughter of
Gerard and Jennett (Cushman) Fitch, and of their 5 children, 4 are
living, viz.: William F., Mary J., Lois C, Sara E. Mr. B. has held
several offices of trust in this township.
******
W. F. BIGELOW was born in the town of Concord,
Mich., May 16, 1852, where the greater part of his life has been
passed. He received his education at Michigan University,
graduating in 1875 with the degree of B. S.; he studied law at Jackson,
where he was admitted to the Bar; he practiced at East Saginaw, Mich.,
with John J. Wheeler until the fall of 1879, when he came to Concord
and embarked in journalism. He established and now edits Our Home
Enterprise at Concord.
******
Thomas BORNOR (deceased) was born in Devonshire,
England, Aug. 12, 1825, is the son of William and Susannah (Smith)
Bornor, natives of the same place, who emigrated to this country in
1852, locating in Genesee County, N. Y., and remained there three
years, where he worked by the day and month. He had $4.50 in his
pocket when he landed in Genesee County, with a wife and 3
children. In 1855 Mr. Bornor came to Jackson County and settled
in Smithfield, where he remained two years; he then purchased a farm of
60 acres in Concord township; in 1864 traded his land for 120 acres on
section 3 of the same township, where he remained until his death,
which occurred March 7, 1879. He was a member of the school board
for several years. The family consists of 4 daughters and 3 sons,
viz: Phoebe, Elizabeth, William C, Minnie A., Morris G., Edwin T. and
Ida May.
******
Richmond BRIGGS, P. O., Parma, was born in Wyoming
County, K. Y., May 9, 1812; son of Pardon and Betsey (Cook) Briggs, the
former a native of Connecticut, of English ancestry, and the latter a
native of Rhode Island, of English ancestry; was reared on a farm, and
came to this State in 1830; stopped in Wayne County three years, and
then came to this county and settled on section 2, Concord Township,
where he still resides. He was married April 10, 1839, to
Caroline Chapman, who died April 13 1843. He was married again
June 4,1843, to Mary Swift, daughter of Thedosius and Polly
(Winchester) Swift, and their 3 children are William C, George W. and
Louisa I. They also took a girl baby of five weeks old to raise,
which they consider the same as their own; her name is Martha M.
Mr. B. has held the office of Justice of the Peace for nine years.
******
Jesse B. BURROUGHS, farmer; P. O., Concord; was born
in New York, Sept. 15, 1832, son of Jesse B. and Phoebe (Whitford)
Burroughs, natives of Vermont, of English ancestry. He was
brought to this county by his parents in 1833, and settled in Pulaski
Township, and remained there until 1836, when they moved to Concord
Township, and settled on section 36, where the father died June 14,
1859. He was married Oct. 11, 1854, to Harriet D. Roberts,
daughter of Eben and Polly (Stoddard) Roberts, and their children
are—Alice A., now the wife of Edward Bartlett, and Lathian W. In
1863, Mr. B. bought 100 acres of land on section 24, Concord Township,
and in 1879 sold it and bought 160 acres of sections 9 and 16, where he
still resides. He held the office of Constable five years. In
politics he is a Democrat.
******
Franklin A. CARPENTER, P. O., Concord, was born in
Jackson County, Mich., Oct. 30, 1845; son of Alanson and Eliza (Hart)
Carpenter, the former a native of Massachusetts, of English ancestry,
and the latter of New York, of Scotch ancestry. He was married to
Elizabeth Curtiss, Oct. 2, 1871, daughter of Moses and Elizabeth
(Baron) Curtiss. Of their 5 children 4are living—Edward B., born
Aug. 28,1872; Lilian E, born Aug. 18, 1874, and died Feb. 2, 1879;
Nellie I., born May 15,1876; Arthur F., born Sept. 14, 1877, and Sarah
M., born Aug. 29,1880. His father died Aug. 9,1868; he then took
charge of the place, and in 1879 traded it for a stock of hardware and
some village property in Concord. He is a consistent member of
the Baptist Church, and in politics a Prohibitionist.
******
William D. CHAPPLE, farmer; P. O., Albion; was born
in England, July 14, 1832, son of Jacob and Jane (Daniel) ChappLe, who
emigrated to this country in 1841, and settled in Stafford, N. Y., and
remained there until 1860. He was married Sept. 23, 1851, to Emma
L. Lewis, daughter of Richard and Mary (Hearn) Lewis. In 1860
they moved to Wisconsin and remained there until the spring of 1863,
when they came to this county, and settled in Concord Township, in
section 5, buying 65 acres of wood land, which he commenced to clear;
he afterward bought 65 acres more, also wood land; he has now 102 acres
under cultivation. In 1866 he went to Calhoun County and took
charge of the county poor-house, where he remained five years, and in
1871 moved back upon his farm. He has held several offices of
trust in this township. Of his 3 children, 1 is living—Percy E.,
who now holds the position of Assistant Cashier of the First National
Bank at Marseilles, Ill.
******
James M. COYKENDALL, farmer; P. O., Albion; was born
in Yates County, N. Y., March 31,1816, son of Joel and Margaret M.
(Strubell) Coykendall, natives of New Jersey, the former of Holland and
the latter of German ancestry. He was married May 12, 1839, to
Sophia Winfield, daughter of Henry and Mary (Wilson) Winfield. He
came to this county Oct. 13, 1847, and settled in Grass Lake Township,
where he remained until 1854, when he moved to Leoni Township, and
remained there until 1863; then he moved to Concord Township, and
settled in section 6, where he still resides. He is a member of
the M. P. Church, and in politics a staunch Republican.
******
Andrew CUTTER, farmer; P. O., Parma; is a son of
William and Lucy Cutter, nee Calier, and was born Nov. 22, 1824,
in Troy, N. Y., of which place his father was also a native, and his
mother, of Connecticut. Sept. 10, 1842, Mr. Cutter came to
Michigan and settled in Jackson, and in 1852 moved to the farm on which
he now resides, section 12, Concord Township. In June, 1855, he
married Amanda L., daughter of Lewis and Alvira T. (Graves) Band, the
former born in New York, the latter in Vermont, both of English
parentage. Their 2 children are Nellie A., born Jan. 29, 1867,
and W. Louie, born July 4, 1874. In the fall of 1842, Mr. Cutter
became Deputy Postmaster under Hon. G. B. Cooper; also served under
Wilbur F. Storey, now of the Chicago Times. Mr. Cooper's
successor was Deputy a year and a half after James A. Dyer succeeded
Mr. Storey. Under Buchanan's administration in 1858, Mr. Cutter
was appointed Deputy U. S. Marshal by Robert Davis, Davis being
superseded by John L. Butterfield. Mr. C. was reappointed in
1860, for the purpose of taking the census, and took the enumeration in
six townships. Since 1852 he has devoted much attention to
breeding and rearing fine blooded live stock, especially fast horses.
He now owns the famous "Black Cloud," which has a record of 2:2l
1/2 and has a national reputation; the blooded Kentucky horse,
"Joe Baker," and the celebrated Mambrino horse, "Waxey." In
religion Mr. Cutter is a liberalist, and in politics a life-long
Democrat.
******
John, FALLS, farmer; P. O., Concord; was born in
Ireland Aug. 15, 1807, and is a son of Andrew and Rebecca (Little)
Falls, of Irish ancestry. He came to this country in 1825 and
settled in Hunter, Greene Co., N. Y., and remained there until 1832,
when he went to Wayne County, where he remained until 1835, then came
to this county, and settled on section 23, Concord Township, where he
still resides. He was married May 3, 1835, to Mary E. Mead,
daughter of David and Ann (Brown) Mead. He bought 80 acres of
land when he came here, for which he paid $300; he has added to that
until now he owns 332 acres, which are worth about $50 per acre.
His wife died Nov. 28, 1875; of their 10 children 8 are living, viz.:
Rebecca, born March 15, 1836; Caroline, born March 29, 1838; Mary, born
June 29, 1839; Jane, born Sept. 5, 1841; Maria, born May 6,1843; Ellen,
born July 24, 1846; Emily, born Nov. 4, 1849, died Dec. 9, 1854; John
W., born Jan. 1, 1853, died Nov. 21, 1854; George A., born Dec. 12,
1855; Emma, born June 23, 1861. In politics, Mr. F. is a Democrat.
******
William H. FINDLEY, farmer; P. O., Concord; was born
in Calhoun County, Mich., May 21, 1841, son of Gabriel R. and Effie
(Lusk) Findley, natives of New York, the former of Irish ancestry, and
the latter of German. He was brought to this county by his
parents in 1852, and settled on section 32, Concord Township, where the
father still resides. He was married March 25, 1863, to Mary A.
Mann, daughter of Daniel and Miranda (Sears) Mann. Their 3
children are—Millie M.. Bertha M. and Charles C. The same year he
was married he bought 164 acres of land on sections 23 and 26, upon
which he moved. He is a consistent member of the Presbyterian
Church, and in politics a Republican.
******
Hon. W. F. GOODWIN was born at Canandaigua, N. Y.,
in 1812, where he lived until 1842, when he came to Michigan. In
1845 he came to Concord to reside, and followed milling and mercantile
pursuits. In 1867 he was a member of the Constitutional
Convention, and has been elected a member of the Legislature from his
district three times; in the fall of 1880 he was elected State Senator
from his district. He began life poor, but by industry and a
close attention to his business has acquired a fine property and has
risen to prominence in his county.
******
Benjamin F. GRISWOLD was born in Niagara County, N.
Y., March 1, 1824, son of John C. and Betsey (Welsh) Griswold, natives
of JNew York, and of Irish ancestry. He was brought to this State
by his parents in 1825 and settled in Wayne County, where they remained
until 1834, then moved to this county and settled in Concord Township,
on section 1, where the father and mother died. He was married in
1847 to Anna Scott, who died Feb. 15, 1858. He was married July
4, 1858, to Elizabeth Miller, daughter of Peter and Eleanor
Miller. April 3, 1872, Mr. Griswold took his own life; no cause
could be given for this rash act; he was a moral and upright man, loved
and esteemed by his large circle of friends. He left 6
children—Ethel M., Eli A., John C, Anna E., Minnie E. and Grant B.
******
Delos W. HAVILAND, farmer; P. O., Concord; was born
in Dutchess County, N. Y., April 26, 1823, son of Benjamin and Fanny
(Wixon) Haviland, natives of Connecticut, the former of English
ancestry. He was brought to this county by his parents in 1836
and settled on section 10, Concord Township. He was married Sept.
5, 1849, to Eliza French, daughter of William and Priscilla (Loomis)
French. In the spring of 1849 he bought 75 acres of land on
section 34, Concord Township, for which he paid $7.25 per acre; said
land is now worth $100. In politics he is a staunch Republican.
******
Hiram C. HODGE was born at Stamford, Bennington Co.,
Vt., Feb. 22, 1821; son of Warner I. and Sarah (Chesebro) Hodge,
natives of Adams, Berkshire Co., Mass.; their ancestors were English in
the main, with French and Welsh blood intermixed. They removed
from Vermont to Adams, Mass., when H. C. was but two years old and
remained there until 1836, giving their 10 children a common-school
education; 8 of the children lived to maturity. Those who were
old enough, including the subject of this sketch, worked in a cotton
factory several years, their father being the clerk of the firm known
as Anthony & Hoxie. In 1836 the family left Massachusetts for
Michigan, where the father had the year previous entered a quarter
section of land in Pulaski, Jackson Co., which is yet owned and
occupied by members of the family. Mr. H. commenced teaching
school at 15 years of age, devoting all his spare time to study,
preparatory to the study of the law. He commenced his law studies
with the Hon. Fidus Livermore, of Jackson, and completed the same in
the office of Messrs. Tallman & Dean, of Poughkeepsie, N. Y., in
1848. March 28, 1849, he left Michigan for the newly discovered
El Dorado—California. Here he took an active part in advocating
the adoption of a Free State Constitution; held several offices of
trust while there in the county of Nevada, which he helped to
organize. Mr. H. has been quite an explorer and traveler, having
visited and written up for the press, most parts of the
continent. His travels have extended through every State and
Territory of the Union except Alaska, and also Mexico and Central
America. He has been a member of both Houses of the Michigan
Legislature, and served with credit to himself and satisfaction to his
constituents.
Representing the important county
of Jackson in the Senate in 1878-'9, he took an active part in all
important legislation, winning the esteem and confidence of his fellow
Senators. In 1880 he was the N. G. B. candidate for Congress,
running ahead of his ticket. He is now and has been for several
years past, living on his pleasant and well-cultivated farm just west
of the business part of Concord village.
Mr. H. has been a writer for many of the leading
papers of the Union, both East and West, and on his return from
Arizona, where he had been nearly three years, he wrote a work on that
Territory in 1877 which has had a large sale and created a great
interest in that wonderfully rich mineral Territory. He is yet an
active man, full of energy, taking an interest in all public matters,
and although not rich, is in good circumstances and enjoys life and
society His motto is, "Examine all things and hold fast to everything
which is for the good of humanity."
******
Leonard HUMPHREY, P. O., Parma, was born in Wayne
County, N. Y., July 10, 1814, son of Ira and Abigail (Field) Humphrey,
the former a native of Vermont, of Scotch ancestry, and born in 1777;
the latter a native of Massachusetts, of English ancestry, and born in
1789. In 1835 he, in company with his father, came to this county
and bought 160 acres of land on section 3, Concord Township; returned
to New York State in the fall, and the next spring (1836) moved upon
the place where he still resides. He was married Jan. 1, 1840, to
Anna C. Humeston, daughter of James and Lydia (Knapp) Humeston.
He held the office of Notary Public two terms; has been Superintendent
of the Union Sunday-school over 40 years, and is a member of the
Presbyterian Church. In politics he is a Republican.
******
Eli HUTCHISSON was born in Chenango County, N. Y.,
Aug. 15, 1800, son of Ephraim and Martha (Sexton) Hutchisson, natives
of Massachusetts, the former of English ancestry, and the latter of
Welsh. He was married to Huldah Chamberlain March 6, 1825, the
daughter of Elias and Eunice (Aldrich) Chamberlain. They have had
9 children, 6 of whom are living, viz.: Martha, George S., Huldah,
William H. H., Eli T. and Samuel C. The 5th son, William H. H.,
enlisted in the 1st N. Y. Mounted Rifles, in August 1862, and served
until May, 1865; enlisted as a private, and was promoted from
time to time until he was discharged; he held the office of Orderly
Sergeant. Mr. H. came to North Concord station, Jackson county,
in 1865, and took charge of the railroad station, a position he has
held ever since. He held the office of Justice of the Peace in
New York State 30 years.
******
Lot F. KEELER, farmer; P. O., Concord; was born in
this county Oct. 1, 1843, son of Lewis and Damaris B. (Blake) Keeler,
the former a native of Vermont, and of English ancestry, the latter of
New York, and of French and Welsh ancestry. He received a liberal
education, and was married June 14,1871, to Sarah R. Warner, daughter
of John P. and Sarah A. (Heydenbink) Warner. The result of this
union was 5 children, of whom 4 are living, viz.: Lewis W., born April
23, 1872; Fanny E., April 15, 1875; Mabel E., March 29, 1877; and Olive
L., July 26, 1880. At one time, Mr. K. held the office of School
Inspector of Concord Township; he is a consistent member of the
Presbyterian Church and has been the Ruling Elder for the last seven
years; for several years was Superintendent of the Sunday-school.
******
Dr. W. N. KEELER is the oldest resident physician in
Concord, and was born in Cayuga County, N. Y., in 1832, where he lived
during his earlier years. In 1847 his parents removed to this
county, since which time he has remained here. In the year 1853
he graduated at the Eclectic Medical College, of Cincinnati, Ohio, and
at once located at Concord. His genial manners and superior
qualifications have won for him a large circle of friends, and he now
has the leading practice in his town.
******
Horace KNOWLES, P. O., Parma, was born in Livingston
County, N. Y., May 31, 1844, son of Jerod and Levina (Farwell) Knowles,
natives of Vermont. He came to this State in 1865 and stopped in
Genesee County three months, when he came to this county, worked by the
month and earned money enough to buy the undivided half of 80
acres. In March, 1870, he married Miss M. Rice, daughter of Edwin
P. and Sibley H. (Whitney) Rice. The same year he moved upon his
farm. They have 3 children— Laura E., Alvin E. and Blanche.
In politics Mr. K. is a Republican.
******
Samuel MALCOM, farmer; P. O., Concord; was born in
Massachusetts, May 19, 1815, son of Charles and Lucy (Rice) Malcom,
natives of Massachusetts, the former of Scotch ancestry, and the latter
of English. He came to this county in 1837, and settled in
Sandstone Township, where he worked out by the month, and also worked
land on shares. He was married July 14, 1834, to a Miss Kinney,
who died April 15, 1846, leaving 2 children. June 13, 1848, he
was married to Harriet Drake, daughter of William and Elizabeth
(Finley) Drake; 2 of their 3 children are living, and 1 belonging to
the first wife, making a family of 3 children living, viz: Louisa A.,
Hattie L. and Byron D. Mr. Malcom is one of the Trustees of
Corporation of the village of Concord. In politics he is a
Republican.
******
Daniel S. MANN, farmer; P. O., Concord; was born in
this county July 31, 1841, son of Daniel and Miranda (Sears) Mann,
natives of New York, the former of English ancestry. He was
reared on a farm, and received a liberal education. He was
married Oct. 3, 1873, to Ellen E. Keeler, daughter of Lewis and Damaris
B. (Blake) Keeler. Mr. Mann's father came to this county in 1836,
and stopped in the township of Parma, and in 1840 he moved to Concord
Township and settled on section 20; remained there until 1872, then
moved to the village of Concord, where he died May 21, 1876, of heart
disease, after an illness of three days.
******
Lathrop MARSH, farmer; P. O., Albion; was born in
Otsego County, N. Y., Dec. 13, 1813, son of Spencer and Louisa (Wood)
Marsh, the former a native of Connecticut, and the latter of
Massachusetts, and of English ancestry. He came to this county in
1845, and settled on section 18, Concord Township. He was married
in May, 1854, to Eveline Devmaly, who died May 25, 1872. He was
married again to Ann G. Coy, Oct. 30, 1872, daughter of Cyrus and
Rebecca (Bunnell) Coy. He has 3 children—Ida G., Delia G. and
Jennie M. In politics Mr. M. is a Democrat.
******
Erastus G. OLCOTT, farmer; P. O., Parma; was born in
Madison County, N. Y., March 21, 1829; son of Israel and Laura (Adams)
Olcott, natives of New York and of English ancestry. Mr. Olcott
was married Dec. 25, 1852, to Maria E. Taber. He came to this
county in 1856, and settled in Sandstone Township, where he remained
until 1858; he then moved to Concord Township and bought 80 acres of
land in section 3, for which he paid $9 per acre; said land is now
worth $60 per acre. Mr. O. is a Republican.
******
George W. OSBORN, fanner; P. O., Concord; was born
in Greene County, N. Y., Nov.. 2, 1841; son of William and Jane
(Tompkins) Osborn, natives of the same State, the former of English
ancestry. He was brought to this county by his parents in 1856,
and settled on section 18, Concord Township. He was married Jan.
19, 1871, to Emily H. Taylor, daughter of James and Rachel (Leech)
Taylor, and their 3 children are Rachel L, Vola J. and Ralph H.
Mr. O. is a consistent member of the M. E. Church. He owns a farm
of 120 acres on section 14, Concord Township, worth $60 per acre.
******
E. A. PARKER, present manager of Concord Mills, was
born at Batavia, N. Y., in 1822, where he lived until he was 29 years
of age, and where he acquired his education. He learned the trade
of miller at Bushville, Genesee Co., N. Y. In 1850 he came to
Michigan, and located at Jonesville, Hillsdale Co. Since coming
to this State he has been in the milling business at Jonesville,
Litchfield, Grass Lake and Concord, and has acquired the reputation of
a first-class miller.
******
William F. PARKINSON, farmer; P. O., Albion; was
born in Erie County, N. Y., Nov. 9, 1819; son of Sylvanus and Sarah
(Ferris) Parkinson, natives of New York State, the former of Scotch and
English ancestry, and the latter of Irish. He was brought to this
county by his parents in 1836, and settled in Concord Township, section
5. He was married July 9, 1845, to Celinda Gibbs, daughter
of Elmore and Elizabeth (Buel) Gibbs. Their 3 children are
James A., born Sept. 26, 1846, now practicing law in Jackson; John Le
Nam, born Jan. 7,1851, in the grocery trade at Jackson, and Hiram Buel,
born March 4, 1852, still living at home. Mr. Parkinson is a
Republican.
******
William, PASSMORE (deceased) was born in England
Dec. 18, 1811; son of John and Agnes (Buckingham) Passmore, both of
English ancestry. He came to this country in 1852, and stopped in
Genesee County, N. Y., where he remained two years. He was
married March 28, 1852, to Phoebe Kingdon, daughter of Joseph and
Phoebe (Barrow) Kingdon. In 1854 he moved to this State, stopping
in Calhoun County two years, and in 1856 moved to the township of
Parma. The first 12 months he worked a rented farm, and then
worked six months by the day. In the spring of 1856 he moved upon
a farm of 60 acres of his own on sections 4 and 9, Concord Township,
where he died Sept. 24, 1878, leaving 4 children— Charles W., born Dec.
18, 1853; John F., born June 18, 1857; Carrie A., born Feb. 11, 1859,
and Effie M„ born March 1, 1864.
******
Daniel PERRY (deceased) was born in Genesee County,
N. Y., Dec. 3, 1823, son of Daniel and Mamie (Hitchcock) Perry, natives
of Massachusetts, the former of English ancestry. He was brought
to this county in 1832, and settled on what is now known as Moody hill,
near the city of Jackson. In 1834 he moved with his parents to
Concord Township, where Oct. 15. 1851, he was married to Theoda L.
Welsh, daughter of James and Keziah (Barrett) Welsh. The result
of this union was 2 children—Frank S. and Nelson W.; they have an
adopted daughter, Etta M. His father gave him 80 acres of land on
section 14; he bought other pieces adjoining until he owned 200 acres,
worth about $65 per acre. His death occurred April 2, 1871.
******
Joseph PERRY, brother of the preceding; P. O.,
Concord; was born in Pennsylvania Nov. 2, 1813. Nov. 24, 1836, he
married Diana Woodworth. He then in company with his father
bought 360 acres of land on sections 14 and 15, Concord Township, where
his wife died. He was married again, to Rachel Teeter, July 1,
1849; she died Feb. 14, 1881; of their 12 children, 9 are living.
The oldest son died in the army of a gunshot wound received Dec. 31,
1862, at the battle of Stone River. The second son also died in
the service of his country. Mr. Perry held the office of Justice
for four years, and for 15 or 16 years was one of the School Board.
******
Austin POMROY (deceased) was born in Madison County,
N. Y., Jan. 23, 1804, son of John and Deborah (Foster) Pomroy, natives
of Connecticut. He came to this county in 1835 and bought 160
acres of land on section 30, Concord Township; returned to New York
that fall, and April 28, 1836, was married to Betsey Randall, daughter
of Henry and Sarah (Robinson) Randall. They immediately moved to
his farm in this county, where he remained until his death, which
occurred March 23, 1877. He was several times elected to the
office of County Surveyor, and also held various offices of trust in
the township. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church and one
of its Elders for 34 years. He was loved and esteemed by all who
knew him.
******
Lyman B. RAY (deceased) was born in Livingston
County, N. Y., Feb. 14, 1839, son of John and Hannah (Bishop)
Ray. He came to Jackson County in 1864, and bought 120 acres of
land on section 9, Concord Township, for which he paid $22 per acre;
said land is now worth $80. He was married March 10,1864, to Miss
Short, daughter of Josiah and Sarah P. (Carpenter) Short; their 6
children are— G. Walter, born Jan. 12, 1865; J. Norton, born June 19,
1866; Graves J., born Nov. 19, 1870; Ralph L., born Sept. 25, 1872;
Anna M., born Oct. 25, 1874; Lyman B., born May 28, 1879.
******
Mark RAY, P. O., Concord, was born in Bennington
County, VT., July 20, 1814, son of John and Elizabeth (Langdill) Ray,
and of English ancestry, the latter a native of New Hampshire, of Irish
and Scotch ancestry. In 1818 he moved with his parents to New
York, and in 1855 came to this State and bought 160 acres of land in
Macomb County, and then returned to New York. He was back and
forth several times up to 1852. April 6,1843, he married Elvira
J. Hartson, daughter of Alpheus and Laura Richardson. In 1852 he
moved to this county and settled in Concord Township, in section 14,
where his wife died June 22,1859, leaving 2 children— Emily A., born
June 12, 1845; and Frank A., born July 16, 1849. Mr. R. held
several offices of trust in the township, and during the war served as
enrolling officer for Concord Township. He is a Republican.
******
Charles ROOT was born in Wayne County, N. Y., Feb.
16, 1821, son of Daniel and Rhoda (King) Root, the former a native of
Massachusetts and the latter of New York. He was brought to this
county by his parents in 1835, and settled in section 10, Concord
Township. His father was a shoemaker, of whom he learned the
trade, and in 1841 he left home and went to work for himself. In
1844 he opened a shop in the village of Concord with Mr. Malcolm; in
1848 Mr. M. sold his interest to Jerry Reynolds; they continued the
business until 1857, when Mr. Root bought Mr. Reynolds' interest and
continued the business alone until 1874, when Mr. Severance bought a
half interest. Mr. R. has applied himself very closely to
business, having taken but six weeks' vacation since 1844 (he then
attended the Centennial), and in that time he has not lost one day from
sickness. He actually wore a hole through an inch and a quarter
floor with his boot, standing at his cutting board. Mr. Root was
married Oct. 3, 1849, to Lucretia Scranton, daughter of Elnathan and
Lucretia (Andrews) Scranton; the result of this union was 4 children—3
boys and 1 girl. Mr. Root is a member of the Universalist Church,
and in politics a Greenbacker.
******
George S. SCRANTON, farmer; P. O., Concord; was born
in Genesee County, N. Y., Jan 22, 1826, son of Elnathan and Lucretia
(Andrews) Scranton, the former a native of New York and of English
ancestry; the latter of Vermont, of English ancestry. He was
brought to this county by his parents in 1843 and settled in section
32, Concord Township, where the father died Aug. 5, 1855. He was
married Aug. 21,1856, to Elizabeth F. Hodge, daughter of Homer and
Roxanna (Paine) Hodge. He lived on the old homestead after he was
married until 1871, then moved to the village of Concord where he still
resides. They have 2 children—Dan S. and Ella F. He held
the office of School Inspector two terms; is a member of the First
Universalist Church, and is Treasurer of the same; in politics a
Republican.
******
Nathan SHOTWELL, farmer; P. O., Concord; was born in
Genesee County, N. Y., May 14, 1826, son of Isaac M. and Edna (Pound)
Shotwell, the former a native of New York, the latter of New
Jersey. He was married May 2, 1850, to Phebe B. Gardner, daughter
of George W., and Diana (Berry) Gardner. The result of this union
was 5 children—Rozilla P., Ambrose M., Cassius C, Ida A., and Manly
N. He came to this county in 1868 and settled in Concord
Township, on section 22; he bought 106 acres of land for which he paid
$8,000; said land he now values at $100 per acre. He has quite an
afflicted family; his eldest son was born blind and the youngest having
very little use of his arms and lower limbs. The oldest son
graduated at the blind institute at Batavia, N. Y., also in the full
English course at the Normal school in Ypsilanti. He is now
Principal of the literary department of the Little Rock, Ark., school
for the blind; also publishes a bi-monthly paper at Little Rock, called
Our Reporter. Two years ago last winter he was instrumental in
getting a bill through the State Legislature for the relief of the
blind in Michigan.
******
George L. SMALLEY was born in the town of Hampton,
Saratoga Co., N. Y., in the year 1821. Here he lived with his
parents until 1834, when the family removed to Michigan. His
education was received at Concord, Jackson Co., and during the earlier
part of his life worked at mechanical work. In 1854 he went to
Jackson where, in company with his brothers, he embarked in mercantile
business. In 1858 he was elected Sheriff of Jackson County, in
which position he served two terms. At the end of this time he
was appointed Deputy Provost Marshal of the same county and held this
office until 1864, when he resigned. He then went to Chicago,
where he has since been engaged in the manufacture of horse-shoe nails,
and is now Superintendent of the Northwestern Horse Nail Co. He
is also interested in fine stock, and with his brothers, has a fine
farm called "Burr Oak Farm," located in the eastern edge of Concord
village. The prime object of this farm is the raising of
thoroughbred cattle and sheep. They have now nine blooded
Holstein cattle that are exceedingly fine; they also have some
thoroughbred Cotswold sheep. Their farm contains about 400 acres
and has every facility for the development of fine stock.
******
William SPRATT (deceased) was born in Connecticut
June 20, 1788, son of William and Elizabeth (Sealey) Spratt. He
came to this county and settled on section 21, Concord Township, and
remained there until his death, which occurred Sept. 18, 1850; he left
a family of 6 children. He was married to Alma Harvey when he was
about 22 years old. He bought 320 acres of land in this county,
for which he paid $9.50 per acre; said land is now worth $100 per
acre. Albert L. Spratt, a bachelor, and his maiden sister,
Adelia, reside on the old homestead.
******
William H. SPRATT (deceased) was born in Hampton,
New York, March 12, 1812, son of William and Alma (Harvey) Spratt, the
former a native of Connecticut, and of Scotch ancestry. He was
married to Polly Clements Feb. 7, 1833, daughter of Johnison and Lucy
(Worden) Clements; they have had 3 children, of whom two are
living—William H., and Mary M., now the wife of H. K. Billings.
Mr. S. came to this county in 1835 and bought 60 acres of land on
section 20, Concord Township; remained there until 1849, when he sold
and moved upon a farm he had previously bought on section 26, Concord
Township; remained here until 1871; when he moved to the village of
Concord, where he died March 10, 1872. The widow remained in the
village two years after his death, then moved back to the farm, where
she still resides, with her daughter.
******
Tallmadge STEVENS, lumber merchant, Concord, was
born in Newark, N. J., Dec. 8, 1816; son of Ebenezer and Chloe
(Fairchilds) Stevens, natives of Connecticut. In 1840 he went to
Marshall, Mich., where he engaged in the mercantile business, bringing
his goods with him from Connecticut; remained two years and then moved
his stock of goods to Concord, where he continued in the same business
until 1849. In the meantime he built a saw and grist mill in
Spring Arbor; went out of the mercantile business, engaged in milling
until the fall of 1850, when his mill was destroyed by fire. The
value of the mill was $9,000, and there was an insurance of
$3,500. The same year Mr. S. went to Racine, Wis., where he was
engaged in buying grain and wool; in 1851 bought Congress Hall and ran
that until December, 1853, when he sold his hotel and went to Madison
and rented the Capitol House, furnished it at a cost of $18,000, and
had, in connection, a first-class livery stable; remained there two
years, sold his interest for $20,000, then purchased a hotel at Beaver
Dam, which he conducted one year; in 1857 went to St. Louis, Mo., where
he followed the practice of medicine (homeopathy) and farming; remained
there until 1863; ran a hotel at Little Bock, Ark., till 1865, sold out
for $30,000; returned to Kalamazoo, Mich., and engaged in farming and
fruit-growing; in 1868 went to Battle Creek and rented the Potter House
and furnished it; in 1869 sold out and came to Jackson, where he
purchased the furniture of the Marion House, and conducted it until
1870, when he was burned out, saving a small portion of his furniture,
which he took to Greenville and furnished the Webster House, and
remained there until 1873; went to Langston, where he ran a saw-mill
one year; returned to Concord and embarked in the lumber business, and
has remained since. He married for his first wife Louisa
Humphrey, March 8, 1841; she died in Madison, Wis., Sept. 22, 1855,
leaving 3 daughters. For his second wife he married Rebecca
Bigelow, Nov. 15, 1856; there were 2 daughters; of the 5 children there
are 3 living —Mary H., Sarah L. and Hattie P.
******
J. Blake STODDARD was born in this county May 17,
1838, son of Samson and Maria (Blake) Stoddard, natives of New York,
the former of English, and the latter of Scotch and English
ancestry. Dr. Stoddard, the father of J. B., came to this county
in 1830, and settled in what is now the city of Jackson. In 1836
he moved to his farm in Concord Township, where the subject of this
sketch was born; he attended the district schools of the county until
he was 19 years old, then he went to Albion and attended the college
two years; in 1860 took charge of his father's farm, and in 1861 he
enlisted in the 6th Mich. Vol. Inf., Co. I, as 4th Sergeant. He
was at the taking of New Orleans; was wounded at Baton Rouge, Aug. 5,
1862, receiving four gunshot wounds in his legs; said wounds have
always troubled him, having to bandage them until the present
time. He was sent to the hospital at New Orleans, where he
remained until November, 1862, when he was discharged. In the
spring of 1863 he took charge of the old homestead, which he has
conducted ever since. Sept. 26,1865, he was married to Miss E. A.
Ray, daughter of Mark L. and Elvira J. (Hartson) Ray, and they have 1
girl—Rena E., born Nov. 1, 1867. In 1862 he moved from the farm
to the village of Concord, and engaged in the mercantile business until
1877, when he sold to his brother, who still carries on the
business. In politics Mr. S. is a Republican; took the census of
Concord Township in 1880.
******
Albert H. TUCKER, dealer in agricultural implements
and produce; P. O., Concord; was born in Essex County, N. Y., June 7,
1831, son of Calvin and Nancy (Thayer) Tucker, the former a native of
Vermont, and of English ancestry. He came to this county in 1859,
and settled in Concord and engaged as salesman for Dodge & Whitman
until 1864, when Mr. Whitman bought out Mr. Dodge and took Mr. Tucker
as partner. In 1867 Mr. Tucker sold to Whitman, and bought out
Mr. Olmsted, who was with Mr. Dodge; in 1871 he sold to Dodge, and went
into the produce and lumber business; in 1873 he bought a stock of
drugs and groceries of Mr. Morrill, and carried on the business until
1876, when he sold out and went into the produce and agricultural trade
with his brother, which business they still continue. He was
married July 26,1857, to Sarah H. Bigelow, daughter of Jacob A. and
Louisa (Putman) Bigelow; of their 5 children, 4 are living, viz.: Frank
H., born Nov. 3, 1861, died Sept. 18, 1864; Mary H., born Oct. 27,
1865; James A., born Aug. 10, 1868; Rebecca G., born Nov. 4, 1870;
Abram K, born May 18, 1874.
******
Andrew J. VAN WORMER, farmer; P. O., Albion; was
born in Allegany County, N. Y., Jan. 15, 1831, son of Jeremiah and
Eunice (Wattles) Van Wormer, the former a native of New Hampshire, of
Holland ancestry, and the latter of Massachusetts, of French
ancestry. He was brought to this county by his parents, in 1835,
and settled on section 17, Concord Township, where his father died Dec.
5, 1851. Andrew still owns the homestead. He was married
Feb. 13, 1853, to Emily M. Gregory, daughter of Noah and Lucinda
(Hacket) Gregory. The result of this union was 6 children, of
whom 4 are living. He owns a farm of 185 acres and a fraction,
worth $75 per acre; he has buildings to the amount of about
$4,500. He is a member of the Methodist Protestant Church, and
has been their local preacher for the last four years. Previous
to that he had held several offices in the Church, and last fall was
elected Superintendent of the Sunday-school.
******
Uriah WADE (deceased) was born in Massachusetts July
31, 1796; was taken by his parents to New York State in 1800, where he
remained until 1835, then came to this county, and bought 80 acres on
section 33, Concord Township. In the spring of 1836 he moved upon
the place, where his wife died the same year. He was married
again, March 5, 1838, to Mary Gates, daughter of Asa and Mary
(Robinson) Gates. Mr. Gates died Oct. 11, 1871, and his wife Nov.
14, 1879, leaving a family of 10 children. He was a member of the
M. E. Church, and in politics a Republican. Mr. Wade gave
liberally to the railroad, and also gave the right of way through his
place. Oct. 6, 1871, as he was crossing the railroad track, with
his team, the engine struck the wagon and threw him out and injured
him, so that he died five days afterward.
******
Casinnis YOUNG, Jr., farmer; P. O., Concord; was
born in this county May 21, 1843, son of Casinnis and Elizabeth (Young)
Young, and of German ancestry. He was married Dec. 3, 1868, to
Mary E. Rodenbach, daughter of Daniel and Catherine (Webber)
Rodenbach. The result of this union was 1 child, Franklin C, born
Nov. 13, 1870. The father of the subject of this sketch came to
this county in 1836, and settled on section 20, Concord Township, where
the son now resides. He bought 80 acres of land, for which he paid $4
per acre; said land is now worth $85 per acre.
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