1875 Personal Histories
"Thanks to Kay Peters Oliver for her time in transcribing these Biographies".
Kay Peters Oliver e-mail at kayoliver@juno.com
JOHN A. BOWEN and his wife, Andalusia (Wright) Bowen were born in New York, the former in Tompkins County, July 13, 1841, the latter in Onondaga County, May 31, 1842. They were married in Adrian, Michigan, September 8, 1862. They have one daughter, Nellie, born February 11, 1868. Harvey and Lodirska Bowen, parents of the subject of this sketch, were born, the former in Onondaga County, New York, the latter in Vermont. They now reside in Michigan. Mr. Bowen?s great grandfather was a Revolutionary soldier, and his great grandmother?s maiden name was Cook; she was a descendant of Cook the great navigator. George and Harriet Wright, parents of Mrs. Bowen, were natives of New York, and died, the former in 1867, the latter in 1859 in New York. Mr. Bowen settled in Fulton County in 1873. Post-office, Morenci, Michigan. Business, farmer and miller, section 16.
TIMOTHY PLUMMER was born in Saratoga County, New York, March 12, 1830. He was married in Michigan June 9, 1853, to Mary, daughter of Nathaniel and experience Parsons, of Maine who was born in Summit County, Ohio, October 9, 1828. Their children are: George W., born May 29, 1859; Mary E., born August 2, 1860; Walter G., born January 1, 1864; and Charles F., born August 21, 1872. Timothy S. and Lucy C. (Green) Plummer, parents of Timothy Plummer, were born, the former in Maine, in 1790, the latter in New York in 1791. Timothy S. Plummer, Sir., was in the war of 1812, and took part in several battles. Mr. Plummer?s grandfather was from England, and settled in Maine. He left a large estate to his heirs at his death. Philemon Plummer, brother to the subject of this sketch, enlisted in the Union army in 1861, served three years, and was honorably discharged. Mr. Plummer settled in Fulton County, in 1853. Post-office, Morenci, Michigan. Business, farmer and dairyman, section 17.
HIRAM W. FORD, son of Samuel W. and Mary (French) Ford, of Connecticut, was born in Courtland County, New York, February 16, 1818. He was married in Seneca County, New York, January 18, 1840, to Sarah, daughter of Daniel and Rachel Willet of New Jersey, who was born in New Jersey, December 26, 1815. Their children are: Samuel A., born November 11, 1840, died November 8, 1862; David C., born December 17, 1843; Francis M., born August 29, 1846; Ira C., born March 30, 1850; Ewing H., born May 7, 1852; Mary R., born March 22, 1856. Samuel enlisted in the 22nd N.Y. Indt. Battery, in 1862. He was taken sick and died in Washington as above date. Francis enlisted in the 128th Regiment O.V.I. September 30, 1864, and was honorably discharged July 7, 1865. Mr. Ford settled in Fulton County in 1844. Post-office, Morenci, Michigan. Business, farmer, section 17.
FLETCHER J. BISHOP was born in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, May 13, 1837. He was married in Morenci, Michigan, August 21, 1866, to Mrs. Julia A. Barnes who was born in New Jersey, November 25, 1842. She was the widow of George W. Barnes who belonged to Company A., 67th Regiment O.V.I. and died in the hospital near Richmond, after a lingering illness, February 13, 1864. Mr. And Mrs. Bishop have four children: Arthur C., born July 22, 1867; William H., born May 1, 1869; Charles F., born October 25, 1870; and James B., born May 5, 1873. Cornelius B. and Catharine Jones Bishop, parents of Fletcher Bishop, were born in Pennsylvania and settled in Fulton County in 1842 where the latter died, January 3, 1851. Henry L. and Eunice Smith, parents of Mrs. Bishop, were natives of New Jersey and settled in Fulton County in 1846. Mr. Bishop enlisted in the Union army in the 3rd Ohio Cavalry, September 25, 1861. He took part in a number of hard fought battles, and was honorably discharged at the expiration of his term, October 31, 1864. Post-office, Morenci, Michigan. Business, farmer, section 17.
FRANK E. and JUDSON BROWN are sons of Adam W. and Marilda (Brees) Brown of New York, but who settled in Fulton County in 1860. They have four brothers: Hosea, Isaac, Daniel and John and two sisters: Mary (Mrs. McMillen) of Chemung County, New York; and Lucinda (Mrs. Handy) of Ottokee, Fulton County. These brothers were born in Chemung County, New York, the former February 14, 1849, the latter February 9, 1852. Hosea, Isaac, and Daniel enlisted in the 67th Regiment O.V.I. in 1862; the first was discharged after three months on account of sickness, the second served two years and died in the hospital at Newark, New Jersey; the third was discharged at the end of one year on account of sickness, but afterwards enlisted in the 13th O.V.C. and served until the close of the war. John also enlisted in the 13th O.V.C., and served six months and died in the hospital at Covington, Kentucky. Post-office, Ottokee. Business, farming.
WILLIAM E. HAUGHTON, son of Stephen and Huldah (Smith) Haughton of Renselser County, New York, was born in Renselser County, October 2, 1831. He was married in Morenci, Michigan, July 4, 1857, to Harriet Z., daughter of Loren and Laura G. Hendryx, the former of New York, the latter of Vermont, who was born in Painsville, Lake County, Ohio, March 14, 1834. Their children are: Ida May, born May 15, 1858; Eva D., born May 9, 1861; Willie D., born April 3, 1872. Mrs. Haughton is a teacher and is at present engaged in her profession. Mr. Haughton was in the Union army in the war of 1861-5. He belonged to the 100-day service, served in Virginia, and was honorably discharged. Mr. Haughton settled in Fulton County, in 1850. Post-office, Lyons, Ohio. Business, proprietor grist and sawmill and farmer, section 24.
ZEBULON GRAY, son of Charles and Mary (Smith) Gray, both of whom were born in Canada, the former in 1805, the latter in 1836, was born in Canada, December 10, 1847, and removed with his parents to Fulton County, November 25, 1864; where his father died April 2, 1874. He was married in Morenci, Michigan, March 20, 1865 to Margaret (Dewitt) Onweller, widow of David Onweller of Stark County who died December 10, 1874 leaving five children: Della and Ella, born August 10, 1866, died March 4, 1867; Orilla A., born September 5, 1868; Howard L., born May 18, 1871; and Zella M., born February 2, 1873. Mrs. Gray was born in Holmes County, Ohio, June 11, 1843. Bernard and Jane (McKee) Dewitt, parents of Mrs. Gray, were born in 1799, and 1802, the former in Maryland, the latter in Knox County, Ohio; the former died in 1873. Mr. Gray enlisted in Company G, 18th Michigan V.I. in August, 1864. He was taken prisoner at Athens, Alabama, and was retained at Macon and Andersonville until the close of the war. David Onweller belonged to Company I, 67th Regiment O.V.I. He enlisted in 1862, served seventeen months, and was discharged on account of sickness. He afterwards enlisted in the 100-day service and was honorably discharged at the close of the war. Henry Dewitt served three years, was wounded in battle and was honorably discharged at the close of the war. Benson Gray belonged to Company F, 7th Michigan Cavalry, served eighteen months, was wounded at the battle of Culpepper, and discharged. He afterwards enlisted in the 18th Michigan V.I. and served until the close of the war. Post-office, Morenci, Michigan. Business, farmer, section 11.
JAMES FLETCHER, son of James and Emily (Navarr) Fletcher, the former born in France, the latter in New York, was born in Quebec, Canada, June 2, 1832. He was married in Toledo, Ohio, January 1, 1861, to Cordelia Olmstead, born in Huron County, Ohio, August 11, 1840. They have five children: James A., born May 10, 1863; Charles, born September 20, 1866; Cordelia, born October 20, 1869; infant (deceased); Susan M., born October 19, 1874. H. and Susan (Nephew) Olmstead, parents of Mrs. Fletcher, were born in Pennsylvania, and reside in Lucas County, Ohio. Mr. Fletcher enlisted in the Union army in the three months? service, in 1861; at the expiration of which time he again enlisted in the same regiment, 14th O.V.I., for three years, took part in a number of hard fought battles, was wounded at Lookout Mountain. AT the expiration of this term of service he enlisted in Company A., 77th Regiment O.V.I., and served until the close of the war. He was three times honorably discharged. Mr. Fletcher settled in Fulton County, in 1866. Post-office, Morenci, Michigan. Business, cheese making, section 11.
JOHN VAN DYKE EMMONS was born at Gravesend, Kings County, New York, October 31, 1828. His wife, Aletta E. (Stryker) Emmons was born in the same place August 18, 1829. They were married in Kings County, New York, September 27, 1848, and settled in Fulton County in 1870. Their family consists of seven children: Hubbard, born January 2, 1850, died July 29, 1850; Jane A. (Mrs. Bennet) born August 13, 1852; John V.D. born May 18, 1856; Teunis, born July 14, 1858; Stephen G., born December 15, 1860; Abraham S., born August 17, 1864; and Homer L. B., born June 4, 1869. Stephen and Jane (Van Dyke) Emmons, parents of John V., were born in New York in 1800 and 1810; the former died August 11, 1874. Teunis and Ann (Hubbard) Stryker, parents of Mrs. E., were born in New York and deceased in the same state in 1852 and 1846. Stephen Emmons, brother of the subject of this sketch, was in the war of the rebellion, served during the war, took part in a number of hard fought battles and was honorably discharged at its close. Post-office, Lyons, Ohio. Business, farmer and gardener, section 24.
Mrs. JULIA E. (FOX) HARRIS, widow of the late Jonathan Harris, who was born in Westchester County, New York, April 1, 1828, and died in Chesterfield Township, Fulton County, July 15, 1870, was born in Erie County, Ohio August 9, 1840. They were married in Sandusky City, November 16, 1863. Mrs. Harris has three children living and one deceased: Mary Jane, born June 24, 1865; Lydia L., born February 18, 1867; Julia S., born January 14, 1869, died January 27, 1869; Frances E., born January 11, 1870. Alvin and Frances (Johnson) Fox, parents of Mrs. Harris were born in Connecticut and died in Erie County, Ohio, the former in 1869, the latter in 1864. Henry and Lydia Harris, parents of Mr. Harris were also natives of New York and reside in Huron County, Ohio. Mr. Harris was in the war of the rebellion three years and received an honorable discharge. Post-office, Wauseon, Ohio. Business, farming, section 35.
ALFRED TODD, son of Harvey and Maria Todd, was born in Fulton County, Ohio, September 18, 1855. He is one of a family of five children: Oliver, born September 26, 1835; Mary J., married I. Smallie, August 20, 1853, and died November, 1854; Catharine, married in 1867 and resides in Hillsdale, Michigan; George, deceased in 1850. Harvey Todd, the father of this family, died April 7, 1874. Before his death he willed the home farm of 57 acres to the subject of this sketch, also one pair of horses. The will was signed by P. Powers and Eustace Legget, justice of the peace. Post-office, Morenci, Michigan. Business, farmer, section 20.
JOHN H. MASTEN, son of Cornelius and Isabella Masten, of Canada, was born in Huntington County, Canada, September 8, 1832. He was married in Michigan June 26, 1859 to his second wife, Phoebe (Taylor) Brink who is a daughter of Henry and Charlotte Taylor of New York, and was born in Sussex County, New York, November 23, 1831. The children of this marriage are: Emma Cornelia, born June 20, 1861; John D., born July 11, 1863. Mrs. Masten?s first husband?s name was Jacob Brink, a native of Ohio. He left four children: Byron, born December 6, 1848; Bartley, born August 16, 1849; Bainbridge, born August 12, 1851; Bradley, born October 3, 1853. Mr. Masten?s first wife was Martha Thayer. She left two children, Isabella A., born March 17, 1858 and James E., born in 1860. Mr. Masten settled in Fulton County in 1855. Post-office, Morenci, Michigan. Business, farmer and mechanic, section 30.
BRADLEY D. RICE is one of a family of five children: Mary Augusta (half-sister), born August 28, 1854 (deceased); Bradley D., born September 19, 1857; Viola Della, born May 9, 1859; Jerry E. (deceased), and Charlotte, born March 3, 1862, sons and daughters of Jerry and Zilph M. (Reasoner) Rice, the former born in Bellevue, Ohio, August 5, 1834, the latter born in New York, May 9, 1834. They were married in Michigan December 7, 1855. The parents of this couple were Hiram and Hannah (Powers) Rice, born in Genesee County, New York in 1804 and 1807, (the former died in Michigan in 1852, the latter resides in Ohio); and Benjamin and Martha (Rounds) Reasoner, also of New York. Mr. Rice?s first wife was Augusta Hobart, born in Elyria, Ohio, died in Kalamazoo County, Michigan, August 28, 1855. Mr. Rice settled in Fulton County in 1875. Post-office, Morenci, Michigan. Business, bookkeeper, section 29.
CHARLES BOURN, and his wife, Julia A. (Baldwin) Bourn were born in Massachusetts, the former in Berkshire County, October 3, 1817, the latter in Windsor, June 12, 1822. They were married in Morenci, Michigan in May 1843. They have one son, Charles L., born January 29, 1850. Set and Phoebe Bourn, parents of the subject of this sketch were born and died in Massachusetts. Elias and Olive Baldwin, parents of Mrs. Bourn were also natives of Massachusetts. The latter died in Morenci, Michigan. Mr. Bourn?s grandfather on his mother?s side was a soldier in the war of 1812. Mr. Bourn settled in the county in 1843. He purchased 120 acres of land in 1840 and resides on the same farm of which he has cleared 100 acres. He has three brothers and five sisters. He has filled the office of constable twelve years, and justice of the peace three years. Post-office, Morenci, Michigan. Business, farming, section 21.
DERWIN E. BUTLER was born in Cataraugus County, New York, May 28, 1822. He is a son of Harlowe and Mary (Hickox) Butler, the former born in West Bloomfield, Ontario County, New York, January 4, 1798 and the latter in the same county, December 28, 1803, died in November 1869. His parents were married in 1820 and had a family of four sons and two daughters who are all living. Three sons, Arastus M., Louis, and M. W. Butler, were in the Union army in the war of the rebellion. Harlowe Butler was seized with the western fever in 1835, and on his way to Ohio in the time of the Toledo war, was seized and taken prisoner. He was retained but a short time. He settled with his family in Fulton County in 1836, and planted a nursery with apple seeds which Darwin E. washed out in Bloomfield and from which the family have eaten apples and drank cider for the past thirty years. They were pioneers, being the fourth settlers in the town. For a long time the family were dependent on the rifle of the father and the eldest son, Darwin. Harlowe Butler was the first justice of the peace in the township, and the first and only county examiner in the county. He issued the first 47 certificates to teachers and held the first lawsuit which was Simmons vs. the State of Ohio for settling on school land. Derwin Butler was married in Fulton County, November 12, 1843 to Aurelia Hibbard, born in Dover Township, Athens County, Ohio, October 5, 1822. Their children are: Randolph Elisha, born May 10, 1846; Ella L., born March 3, 1849, died September 22, 1850; Arthur D., born December 16, 1854; Ernest L., born September 13, 1860 and Minnie May, born November 7, 1866. Elisha was one of the minute men in the war of the rebellion. Arthur D. completed a nice little brass steam engine before he was twelve years old which his mother often attaches to the boiler and runs for the amusement of the children. Mr. Butler?s sons are all either machinists or farmers and good citizens and honest men. Thomas Hibbard, grandfather of Mrs. Butler, was born in Connecticut, June 19, 1745, and died in New York, March 2, 1802. He was chaplain in the American revolution and the father of twenty children. Elisha Hibbard, the 12th child and father of Mrs. Butler, was born in Rutland County, Vermont, January 1, 1789 and died August 11, 1847. Selah (Fairfield) Hibbard, wife of the above and mother of Mrs. Butler, was born in Rutland County, Vermont, December 29, 1788 and died September 26, 1868. She has one brother, Rev. J. M. Hibbard of Chicago and one sister, Mrs. Edwards of Chicago living. Post-office, Oak Shade. Business, machinist, section 21.
GARNER WILLET, son of David and Rachel (Smalley) Willet, of New Jersey, who were born, the former in 1792, the latter in 1796, was born in Somerset County, New Jersey, December 20, 1816. He was of English descent on the father?s side, and Scotch and Danish on the mother?s. He removed with his parents to New York in 1835, and at the age of nineteen took his rifle on his shoulder and started west. He visited Adrian, Michigan and several places in Ohio, led a wandering but rather happy life, viewing the country and killing deer until 1837 when he bought a farm in Chesterfield Township, Fulton County. When he left his father?s home, his fortune consisted of $35 and his rifle so the money to purchase his farm was earned by the sweat of his brow, working on the M.S. railroad and Illinois canal. In 1839 he was joined by his father?s family. In 1854 he sold his farm and purchased where he now lives. He was present at the Organization of Chesterfield Township. He was married April 20, 1845 to Harriet W. Parsons. Their children are: Arthur M., born May 19, 1846; Clay, born April 29, 1850; Clara E., born May 2, 1852; Dwight, born May 24, 1854; Arvilla L., born March 2, 1857 and George W., born July 30, 1867. Mrs. Willet was born in Summit County, April 10, 1825. Her parents, Nathaniel and Experience (Herring) Parsons, were born in Maine in 1787 and 1790. Her grandparents came from England. Mr. Parsons emigrated from Maine to Summit County, Ohio in 1816 and in 1834 to Chesterfield Township, Fulton County, Ohio. He was one of the early pioneers and enduring many trials and privations. The nearest mill was thirty miles distant at Tecumseh, Michigan, the nearest neighbor four miles distant; but obstacles were overcome and the aged pioneers spent the last days of life in abundance and ease. Post-office, Morenci, Michigan. Business, farmer and dairyman, section 8.
GEORGE W. BATES was born in Livingston County, New New York April 4, 1825. He was a son of Hiams and Barsheba Bates, the former of Rhode Island, the latter of Michigan. He was married in Fulton County, Ohio, October 10, 1849 to Mary A. Carver who was born in Connecticut, January 7, 1830. She was a daughter of Increase and Adah Carver, born in Connecticut in 1804 and 1809, now residing in Michigan. The children of Mr. And Mrs. Bates are: Roxie J., born July 22, 1850, died when one month old; Judson A., born July 8, 1853; Roxie E., born September 22, 1855; Mary E., born September 20, 1857; Fred A., born August 26, 1860; Alfred M., born March 17, 1864. Mrs. Bates had two brothers in the war of the rebellion, Gilbert and Albert Carver. The former belonged to the 68th Regiment O.V.I., the latter was in a Michigan regiment, was taken prisoner and died soon after his return home. Mr. B. has been township trustee five years. Post-office, Morenci; settled in the county in 1842. Business, farmer and dairyman, section 22.
JAMES H. TURNER, son of John and Frances Turner of New York, was born in New York City, August 18, 1826. He was married in Chesterfield, Fulton Township, November 3, 1853 to Mary E. Clark, daughter of George and Elizabeth Clark, of Rhode Island who was born in New York March 26, 1834. They have two children: Isaac V.D., born October 3, 1854; and Calvin R., born September 23, 1855. Mr. Turner settled in Fulton County in 1853. He has filled the offices of trustee and member of the board of education for a number of years. Post-office, Morenci, Michigan. Business, proprietor steam sawmill and carpenter, section 12.
JOHN P. ROOS, son of John B. and Elizabeth (Benner) Roos, who were born in Dutchess County, New York in 1791, the former of whom died in 1859, the latter in 1872 was born in Dutch County, New York December 5, 1821. He ws married in Fulton County, Ohio January 25, 1849 to Emily L. Noble born in Genesee County, New York February 28, 1832. Their children are: Libbie E., born July 15, 1850; Eunice N., born October 24, 1857; Olive E., born December 10, 1860; Nettie, born December 5, 1863; Ann E., born October 12, 1869; and Lena May, born December 2, 1872, died January 12, 1873. Dwight and Eunice (Watrous) Noble, parents of Mrs. R. were born in Vermont, the former January 22, 1804, the latter November 12, 1806. Mr. Roos had three brothers in the Union army, James W., Richard and Edward. Edward died in Virginia; the others were honorably discharged. The subject of this sketch settled with his parents in Fulton County, Ohio in 1836. He has been township trustee and assessor twelve years. Post-office, Lyons. Business, farmer and produce dealer, section 24.
"Thanks to Kay Peters Oliver for her time in transcribing these Biographies".
Kay Peters Oliver e-mail at kayoliver@juno.com
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