Chesaning  Township

Chesaning History  |  Chesaning First Land Owners  |  Chesaning Legal Cases | Biographical 1  |  Biographical 2

BIOGRAPHICAL 1.

Following are sketches of some of the pioneers and representative citizens of Chesaning village and township:

Charles Bailey, school-teacher; P. O., Chesaning; was born in Province of Ontario, Canada, July 27, 1838; parents were Charles and Lucinda Bailey; former died May 24, 1859, and the latter in January, 1880; subject of sketch was reared in Canada; received education in St. Thomas Academy; taught school eight years in native land and New York; came to Saginaw county in 1870; was married April 19, 1869, to Johanna Burson, daughter of Abner and Agnes Burson, natives of Virginia and Ohio; wife was born at Kalamazoo, Mich., Jan. 26, 1839; 1 child—Alice E. born at Port Burrow, Canada, July 25, 1870; subject is member of I. O. G. T. and P. of H; owns farm of 70 acres on secs. 22 and 27.

George W. Bentley, farmer, sec. 6; P. O., Chesaning; was born in Madison Co., N. Y., Oct. 18, 1840. His parents are Robert and Eliza Bentley, also natives of New York. In October, 1862, Mr. Bentley enlisted in Co. D, 23d Reg. Mich. Vol. Inf., and during his two years' service, participated in over 20 engagements. He was honorably discharged in September, 1864. He settled on his present farm of 80 acres in 1880. He was married Aug. 6, 1861, to Charlotte, daughter of Hiram and Lucy Anthony. Mrs. Bentley was born in Madison Co., N. Y., in 1848. They have 2 children—Eva, wife of George Summers, of Bay City, and George M. Bentley votes with the Republican party.

H. J. Bentley, merchant, Chesaning, was born in Ontario Co., N. Y., March 19, 1821. His parents, Thomas and Sallie (James), Bentley, were natives of Saratoga Co., N. Y. Mr. Bentley was reared to manhood on a farm, receiving a common-school education. In November, 1856, he came to Chesaning, and opened the second store in that place. In 1861 he removed to Saginaw City, but soon returned to Chesaning, where he has since resided. Mr. Bentley has been engaged at various times in the salt, lumber and hotel business. He was married in June, 1847, to Jane A. Wendell, who was born in Niagara Co., N. Y., April 3, 1824. Her parents are John A. and Elizabeth (Parrott) Wendell. Three children have been given to this union—Effie A., wife of William H. Hayne, was born Jan. 22, 1849; Alice E., deceased wife of W. H. H. Chapman, was born Aug. 19, 1851, and died Sept. 2, 1874; Marion D., who died at the age of six months. Mr. Bentley was once Deputy Postmaster of Chesaning, and at present is a member of the R. A. M. and I. O. O.F. societies, and Democratic in politics.

Mr. Bentley has sold goods in Chesaning village for the past 22 years, and is now carrying on a general store. The average stock carried is about $5,000, and consists of dry-goods, groceries, hats, caps, boots, shoes and jewelry. His sales average about $10,000, per annum.

Henry P. Blakeslee, farmer, sec. 24, was born in Steuben Co., N. Y., Sept. 3, 1840; parents were Dr. E. L. and Irene W. Blakeslee, natives of Massachusetts and Long Island. Subject of sketch was reared in New York; education received at district schools; on Aug. 25, 1862, enlisted in Co. D, 136th Reg. N. Y. Vol. Inf.: was wounded in shoulder at Resaca, and discharged May 25, 1865; came to Michigan in October, 1867, lived at Chesaning two years, then purchased present farm of 80 acres; was married Oct. 10, 1860, to Clarissa Walker, daughter of Jacob and Clarissa Walker; wife born in Wyoming Co., N. Y., March 21, 1839; have 4 children—Fred. H., Jerome R., Elmer A., and Cynthia J; subject is Republican.

Arthur S. Burrows, grocer, Chesaning, is the first son of Walter and Mary Burrows, and was born in Chesaning, June 13, 1857. His parents were of English ancestors. His father died when he was seven years of age. He attended school in Chesaning till 17, and until 19 on a farm, when he obtained employment as clerk in the store of J. W. Manning; with him he remained one and a half years, then opened a grocery store for himself and is doing a good business. He carries a stock of $2,000. Annual sales amount to $20,000. Jan. 1, 1880, he was married to Cora Wagner, daughter of V. arid Mary (Seeley) Wagner, born in York State, Feb. 17, 1859. In politics he is an advocate of Democracy.

Samuel S. Carson, was born in Hamilton Co., O., June 26, 1834; son of Samuel and Elizabeth Carson, the former of whom served in the war of 1812 and was son of a Revolutionary soldier; subject of sketch was raised in Seneca Co., O., and educated at the Republican Academy; in September, 1862, enlisted in Co. I, 123d Reg'. O. Vol. Inf., serving until he was honorably discharged, March, 1863; sense of hearing was somewhat injured during war. In October, 1864, came to this county; owns 160 acres of land on sec. 7; previous to war was a school-teacher for many years; is Republican in politics; was married March 19, 1861, to Sabria Miller, who was born in Ohio, Sept. 23, 1842, a daughter of John and Sarah A. Miller; of 7 children given them, 6 are living—Roselia, wife of George W. Bennett, William S., Hattie, Ettie, Samuel H. and Ethel.

George Washington Chapman was, without doubt, descended from Ralph Chapman, born in England in 1615, and who at the age of 20 years, being then a resident of the Parish of St. Saviors, Southwark, County Surrey, emigrated to America, as will appear from consulting the list of passengers who passed from the port of London for the year ending at Christmas, 1635. Upon his arrival in America he probably settled at Duxbury, Mass., although no mention is made of him until 1640. Ten years afterward he became a resident of Marshfield, Mass., and lived there until the time of his death, which occurred in the autumn of 1671. He had a daughter Mary, who married, in 1666, William Troop. This name, though variously spelled, occurs in the family of George W. Chapman many times. His Great-grandfather Throop, when he was a boy, he well remembered seeing. This ancestor, at the age of 91, rode on horseback from Reedsborough, Vt., to Belchertown, Mass., to visit his relatives. George, although very young at the time of this visit, took much pleasure and interest in the old gentleman, and years afterward related to his children many amusing incidents of the early life of his ancient progenitor. Throop Chapman had a number of children, among them William, who in turn, had among others, Daniel, the father of George, who was born Dec. 23, 1782, and died at Canton, Mass., April 12, 1867. He married May 25, 1809, Nancy Smith, who was born in Walpole, Mass., Jan. 9, 1790, and died March 9, 1838. Their second son, George, the subject of this memoir, was born at Belchertown, Hampshire Co., Mass., Nov. 15, 1812.

Mr. Chapman passed his youth in his native town, where, at a very early age, he learned from his father the trade of wheelwright, and soon became a skillful workman, obtaining that practical information which enabled him in after years to apply his naturally mechanical mind so successfully, and devise and invent many improvements in the implements and machinery which he employed in his chosen vocation. In early manhood he engaged in the construction of railroads, and a greater portion of his ever active and busy life was passed in this manner, sometimes as a superintendent, sometimes as a contractor, and, indeed, almost every position required in building railroads has, at one time or another, been filled by him. Nearly every State east of the Mississippi and north of the Potomac bear the imprints of his handiwork. His first experience in building railroads was during the year 1835, when he was at work on the Boston & Providence road, near Canton, Mass. In the year 1836 he went to Philadelphia, Penn., where, at this time, his cousin, Mr. William Otis, invented the steam excavator (since so generally and successfully used for the construction of railroads and canals, and in deepening rivers and harbors, one or more having been used on the Saginaw river, for years). Mr. Chapman superintended the entire construction of the first excavator, and with his own hands built the wood-work. The first attempt to work it was between Baltimore and Washington, on what is now part of the Baltimore & Ohio railroad. Several weeks were spent in a vain attempt to make the excavator work. At length Mr. Chapman persuaded his cousin to permit him to attach what has since been known as "the arms;" the first trial was satisfactory, and from that time the excavator was a success. While engaged in the construction of the Washington & Baltimore branch of the Baltimore & Ohio railroad, he made a brief visit to his native State, and was married Nov. 3, 1836, to Miss Abigail J. Whipple, who was born in Pelham, Mass., Jan. 26, 1815. She was the daughter of Mr. Joseph Whipple, a well-to-do farmer, and a near relative of Commodore Abraham Whipple, of Revolutionary fame. Early in 1837 Mr. Chapman was employed at New Worcester, Mass.; subsequently he took contracts on the Eastern railroad at Chelsea, near Lynn, Mass. His next employment was upon the Boston Albany railroad, at Richmond, near Pittsfield, and at the Summit cut in Washington tp., Berkshire Co., Mass.

In the autumn of 1841, in company with his younger brother, Wellington, he traveled through Ohio and Michigan, and while stopping at Owosso, Mich., the brothers were induced by A. L. and B. O. Williams to visit the "Big Rock Reservation," riding on horseback through the forest along the banks of the beautiful Shiawassee river; they at length came upon the cleared fields of the Indian reservation, and were so charmed with the location that they both concluded to purchase lands here. George chose the northern portion of sec. 21, on the east side of the river, and his brother directly opposite; this was the first sale of land by the Government in the tp. of Chesaning, then constituting a part of the tp. of Taymouth, which included all the southern portion of Saginaw county. Mr. Chapman's farm was a favorite resort of the aborigines. Nearly all the flats or bottom lands had for years been planted with corn by the Indians, and on the dry, sandy upland may still be seen some of the holes where they buried their winter store. On the upper side of the flats, and near the river bank, was a large burying-ground, and near by a thrifty orchard of apple-trees, supposed at date of purchase to be about 80 years old. Tradition relates that these trees were planted by an old squaw, who made holes in the ground and then threw in the entire cores of the apples containing the seeds; the trees grew in clusters, thus confirming the tradition. The second year Mr. Chapman lived on his farm these trees bore over 300 bushels of apples, 621 bushels being harvested from a single tree.

In October, 1842, Mr. Chapman moved his family hither, occupying, the house (still standing) the first night without either door or windows, and a roof only partly covered. The family were lulled to sleep by the hooting of owls and the howling of wolves. The succeeding winter was what has since been known as the "hard winter in Michigan," and in common with all the new settlers, he "browsed" his cattle, as neither hay nor fodder of any kind could be obtained; his horse ran with the Indian ponies, and subsisted by pawing away the snow with his feet and eating the long, dry grass of the flats. During the next year or two several families settled in the neighborhood, and a new tp. was organized, and christened. Northampton by Mr. Chapman. About this time Mr. Chapman and Rufus P. Mason erected and presented to the settlers the first school-house built in Chesaning. After a residence of nearly five years in Michigan, Mr. Chapman became weary of a life in the wilderness, and seeing his children growing up without the advantages of an education, returned in August, 1847, to the New England States. Soon thereafter we find him at work with a steam excavator at West Claremont and Cornish, N. H., and subsequently on the Vermont Central at "Slip Hill," near Montpelier. In January, 1850, he moved his family to Wells River, Vt., and during that year was engaged on the Passumpsic railroad, in company with A. P. Balch. In company with his brother Oliver he had contracts on the New Jersey Central railroad at Bray's Hill and at Bloomsbury. In the fall of 1852 he went to Canada and was engaged with Balch, Zimmerman and others on the Great Western railroad, between Suspension Bridge and St. Catherines, employing two steam excavators, near the "Red House." His family resided in the village of Thorold, Ontario. Subsequently, with Sidney Dillon, he had a contract on the Philadelphia & Erie railroad near Jersey Shore, Lycoming Co., Pa. While residing here the dwelling-house was burned to the ground, destroying a large portion of the furniture and nearly all the family wearing apparel. Mrs. Chapman's aged mother narrowly escaped front perishing in the flames.

In the spring of 1859 Mr. Chapman returned to Michigan, and since then the family have continued to reside on the farm purchased on his first visit to Chesaning. Mr. Chapman's last railroad contract was on the Marietta & Cincinnati line, where, as one of the firm of Dodge, Balch & Co., he had work amounting to more than $2,000,000, building an extension of 16 miles from Loveland to Ludlow Grove the latter a suburb of Cincinnati—and between Chillicothe and Parkersburg, West Virginia. Many heavy grades were cut down, deep ravines filled up and tunnels made through Filcher and Vanderwalker hills.

Mrs. Chapman's health having failed, and he being somewhat advanced in years, abandoned railroads about 15 years before his death, and Nearly all the remainder of his life was passed on his farm—making frequent visits to his relatives in the Eastern States. During the years 1866–'8, in company with his son-in-law, George W. Hipple, he was interested in the lumber business, owning a steam saw-mill and quite an extensive tract of pine land in the tp. of Albee, Saginaw Co.

Mr. Chapman was of a sanguine temperament, and happy disposition, fond of jokes and an adept at repartee, and woe to the victim who sought to bandy words with him, for Mr. Chapman invariably "turned the tables" upon his adversary and came out victorious.

In politics he was an earnest, uncompromising Republican, and in days prior to the organizing of that party an avowed Abolitionist of the Garrisonian school, having been a reader of the Liberator from nearly the first to the last number printed, and never hesitating to advocate the cause of the slave; and in later years, after the emancipation, it was his pride and glory that he had ever been an Abolitionist.

He died suddenly on the morning of Feb. 17, 1881, in the 69th year of his age.

The following is a list of Mr. Chapman's children: George Lyman, born at Lynn, Mass., July 29, 1837; married Serena C. Vincent, of Washington Co., Ohio, Jan. 10, 1866; his children are Serena May, born May 30, 1869, and Florence A., Oct. 11, 1871. Helen Abigail, born at Richmond, Mass., June 8, 1839; married George W. Hipple of Lock Haven, Penn., Dec. 2, 1858. William H. H., born at Washington, Mass., Nov. 9, 1841; married Alice E. Bentley, of Chesaning, April 14, 1870, who died Sept. 2, 1874, and his children are George Henry, born April 6, 1871, and Estella Maud, Dec. 28, 1872; he married Helen A. Judd, of Pontiac, Mich., Dec. 23, 1875. Nancy Cordelia, born at Chesaning, Mich., May 1, 1845; married Albert B. Clough, of Dansville, Mich., Sept. 12, 1867; her children are Mary Lizzie, born Nov. 2, 1868; Helen, born June 14, 1873. James W., born at Claremont, N. H., Sept. 22, 1847; married Josephine Granger, of Oakland Co., Mich., Aug. 10, 1872; his child is Maud M., born April 24, 1873. Elizabeth A., born at Thorold, Ontario, Sept. 19, 1853, died in infancy. Oliver D., born at Jersey Shore, Penn., Jan 9, 1859.

Wellington Chapman. As will be seen in the history of Chesaning village and tp., he was early identified with its settlement, dating back to the autumn of 1841. He is a native of Hampshire Co., Mass., and was born on Sept. 20, 1814. His ancestry is given above, in the sketch of his brother. He learned the trade of a wheelwright from his father, whom he assisted until 20 years of age, when he went to Worcester, Mass., where he worked at car-building; and in 1835, with his cousin "Otis," worked on the construction and finishing of the Boston & Albany R. R. Subsequently Mr. Chapman was largely interested in car-building, and in the construction of railroads throughout the Middle, Eastern and Western States—at times as superintendent for other parties, at other times as contractor. Among those railroads were the Providence & Stonington R. R, at Kingston and East Greenwich, Rhode Island, then in the construction of the Delaware & Schuylkill canal, which work was finally abandoned; the Philadelphia & Norristown R. R., and the Valley R. R. He was also engaged on the Worcester & Springfield, in Massachusetts. This road was afterward merged into the Boston & Albany. In all the above Mr. Chapman was acting for other parties as superintendent or "boss" of construction at different places.

He next took a contract at Charlestown, Mass., to build 100 railroad cars; after finishing about one-half of them, he sub-let his contract to other parties, and took a contract for excavating a portion of the railroad; after working on his contract one year, the railroad company temporarily suspended operations, when he went to East Boston, Mass., and superintended work on excavations for other parties for one year, and then resumed work on his former contract on the Boston & Albany R. R., which he completed. Then he took and completed contracts on the Taunton & New Bedford R. R., and then assisted his brother, O. S. Chapman, in completing contracts on the Boston & Albany R. R., at Washington. At the end of this year, 1841, he came to Chesaning (in company with his brother, George Washington Chapman) and entered land on what was then called "the Big Rock Indian reservation."

Mr. Chapman remained in Chesaning until 1847, and assisted in the organization of the tp. The year above named he returned with his family to New England and resumed railroading, being one of the firm of Boody, Dillon & Co. They took contracts on the excavations to be made on the Hartford & Fishkill R. R., Mr. Chapman having entire management of the work. They had one contract on this road that was stipulated to be finished in 15 months from the time work commenced. It consisted of 45,000 square yards of rock, some 10,000 yards of which lay under one foot of water. The deepest cut was 60 feet. The contract was completed in just 15 months, and is said to be the largest amount of rock ever taken from one solid cut, in the same length of time, in the United States. Subsequently he had contracts on the Ashuelat R. R., and Danbury & Norwalk R. R. He then went to Ohio, and contracted and completed 10 miles of the Marietta & Cincinnati R. R., including the east approach to the Pelcher tunnel, and 10 miles therefrom toward Marietta, including all open excavations and stone work for bridges. This took five years to complete.

He then went to Worcester, Mass., and lived two years, at the end of which time he returned to Chesaning with his family. Since then he has been interested at different times in construction of the following railroads: the Newark & New York, at Bergen Heights, N. J., and the Hartford & Fishkill R. R. in Putnam. Co., N. Y. In company with his two brothers, Oliver S. and E. Chapman, he built the eastern approach to the Omaha bridge on the U. P. R. R., at Council Bluffs, Iowa, since which time he has lived a comparatively quiet life on his farm, which consists of 340 acres on secs. 9 and 10 in Chesaning.

Mr. Wellington Chapman was married in 1838 or '39 to Sarah Gray, who bore him 2 children. She died in 1848, and in 1849 he was again married, to his present wife, Sarah Ann Dickman. By this union there were also 2 children.

In politics Mr. Chapman is a Republican.

Mr. Chapman's children are—Albert W., born Aug. 28, 1842; Eliza, deceased; Julietta Eliza, born March 12, 1849; and Charles E., deceased. Albert W. married Lucy Case, and had 2 children, Sarah A., born May 20, 186–; and Albert W., Jr., Nov. 1, 1870, and died Sept. 2l, 1877; Julietta married Edward C. Walden, and has 2 children. Charles W. C., born Dec. 17, 1879; and Edward C., March 12, 1881.

Calvin Chase, a pioneer of Chesaning tp., was born in Chittenden Co., Vt., May 18, 1805. His parents, Jonathan and Mehitabel Chase, were natives of Worcester Co., Mass. Mr. Chase passed his early life in agricultural pursuits, receiving only a limited education. In the spring of 1859 he came to Saginaw county and located land on sec. 14, Chesaning tp. He was married, in September, 1845, to Huldah Lacy, by whom he had 4 children. Only 1 is living—Harriet, wife of I. O. Thompson. Mrs. Chase died, and Mr. Chase then married Amanda, daughter of Henry and Nancy McLean, natives of Dutchess Co., N. Y., where Mrs. Chase was born in 1826. Of their 7 children, 5 are living—Calvin O., who married Susannah J. Darling; Orville D., married to Alice A. Patterson; Helen A., wife of Leonard Zintel; Orlando A., husband of Eliza Kent; and Diantha C., wife of Conrad Swantz. Mr. Chase is a member of the Baptist Church and the Democratic party.

Calvin O. Chase, with whom he now resides, was married May 12, 1872, to Susannah J. Darling; they have a family of 3 children—Carrie A., born Jan. 25, 1876; Frank O., born Feb., 2, 1878; Cora E., born Aug. 8, 1880. Nellie May was born May 9, 1874, and died Jan. 15, 1881. Mr. C. O. Chase is a Democrat in politics. He resides on sec. 14, Chesaning tp.. where he owns a farm of 120 acres of land.

Amasa C. Christian, grocer, Chesaning, Mich., was born in Lake Co., Ohio, July 18, 1854, and is a son of Samuel C. and Laura Christian, the former a native of London, Eng., and the latter of Chautauqua Co., N. Y. When Amasa was six years of age, his parents removed to Hillsdale Co.. Mich., and a year later to Hazelton, Shiawassee Co., where he grew to matured years, receiving a common school education. In 1879 Mr. Christian opened a grocery store at Chesaning, where he continues to do a fair business. On Dec. 20, 80. he was married to Mary A. Kellogg, a school-teacher, who was born at Wheatfield, Ingham Co., Mich., Feb. 13, 1853. Mrs. Christian is a member of the Baptist Church, and Mr. C. votes with the Republican party.

Mr. Christian carries a stock of staple and fancy groceries, and averages sales amounting from $6,000 to $8,000 per annum. Also a wholesale dealer in barrel hoops, handling $4,000 worth a year.

James S. Colby, retired farmer, Owosso, Mich., was born in Oswego Co., N. Y., March 14, 1824, and is a son of Daniel D. and Elizabeth Colby, natives of Onondaga and Van Rensselaer counties, N. Y. Mr. Colby was reared on his father's farms, receiving as good an education as the district school afforded. In 1844, when 20 years of age, he came to Livingston Co., Mich., and opened a cooper shop at Pinkney, which he operated for seven years. In 1853 he was landlord of the Pinkney Hotel, and in 1854 purchased 240 acres of land in Shiawassee county. and a subsequent purchase increased the tract to 320 acres. In 1875, he retired from active life, and located at Owosso. He married Eliza Nelson, and of the 6 children given them, 5 are living—Gaylord F., Clarence D., Rudolph J., Lilian L. and Nellie. William is deceased. Mr. Colby's father resides at Oswego, N. Y., aged 82 years. His mother died in August, 1874, aged 74 years.

Ralph D. Curtis, was born at Pompey, Onondaga Co., N. Y., July 19, 1808, son of Comfort and Catherine Curtis, natives of New York; subject was reared on a farm; educated at Gaines' Academy, Orleans Co., N. Y.; also took lessons in portrait painting; graduated in 1828; went to Oswego, N. Y. and worked at painting for eight years; in 1844 went to Flint, Mich., lived there until 1865, then went to Upper Canada and disposed of a farm he owned; subsequently came to Chesaning, where he still resides; was married Oct. 1, 1834, to Alice Ann Wood, a native of Onondaga Co., N. Y.; 2 children given to this marriage—Ralph Edwin, born at Oswego, N. Y., July 15, 1838, was a soldier in the late war, received wounds at Richmond, Va., July 9, 1864, and died at City Point; Mary Louisa, born May 1, 18—, and died Oct. 1, 1841; wife died in November, 1850, aged 30 years; subject is a member of Republican party. Mr. Curtis has followed the business of portrait painting since the age of 19 years, nearly continuously, though at times has followed farming, and has owned in this tp., three farms.

Ephraim Damon, farmer, sec. 20; P. O., Chesaning; was born in Windsor Co., Vt., April 3, 1817; parents were Loring and Rebecca (Esterbrook) Damon, natives of Vermont and New Hampshire; subject was reared on a farm; received a good education; at 18 years of age went to Bellows Falls and learned the carpenter's trade; in 1855, came to Chesaning; entered 40 acres of timbered land on sec. 20; sent for family same year; was married Dec. 15, 1841, to Amanda Cole, daughter of Hezekiah Cole, of Vermont; wife born in New York, Aug. 9, 1817; 4 children born to them, 3 living—Orion W., Brazill M. and Leroy L.; the first was a soldier in Co. F, 16th Reg., Mich. Vol. Inf., and is now station agent for C. S. R. R., at Detroit; second son was also a soldier; subject of sketch is a member of Masonic fraternity and Greenback party.

I. B. T. Damon, Chesaning, was born in Hampshire Co., Mass., July 2, 1826. His parents were Jotham and Naomi Damon, also natives of the "Bay State." Mr. Damon was educated at time Franklin Institute, of Shelburn Falls, where at time age of 20 years he could speak six different languages. His father was a wealthy man, and Mr. Damon built a factory in Massachusetts, which he operated for two years. After following shipping for one year, from Connecticut to New York, on his own vessels, the came to Wayne Co., Mich., and for two years traveled for the N. Y. C. R. R., from Hamilton, Canada West, to Chicago. After a year's service as manager of the financial department of the Detroit Free Democrat, he obtained the position of tobacco collector with Scotten, Gram ger & Lovett, of Detroit, remaining with them for 17 years. He was engaged in business at Memphis and Lansing, Mich., and for some years was engaged in farming in Jackson and Lenawee counties. In September, 1879, he came to Chesaning, where he has since resided. He was married Nov. 28, 1853, to Mary M. Souster, who was born at Matilda, Canada, in July, 1826. 5 children were born to bless this union, only 1 of whom is living Mary E. Mrs. Damon died Sept. 10, 1866, and May 31, 1867, Mr. D. was united in marriage to Lovina Bates. They have 4 children—Walter A., Eva A., Cora B. and Alice. Mr. Damon is a Republican.

Albert Doane, of the firm of Caster & Doane, lumber manufacturers, Chesaning, was born in Allegany Co., N. Y., Jan. 11, 1841; parents were Horace and Amy (Mills) Doane; subject of sketch was reared on a farm; in 1873 accompanied his mother to Saginaw county; had previously lived seven years in Huron Co., Ohio; father died in 1862, and mother, May 22, 1873; subject was married to present wife Elvina (Stout) Doane. Sept. 6, 1879; wife is a daughter of Spencer and Amy Stout; was born in Shiawassee Co., Mich., Feb. 2, 1853; 4 children by first wife, 3 living—Lucy M., Edith I. and Emma E. Subject owns farm of 80 acres on sec. 27, and is a Republican.

Joseph N. Eldred, M.D., Chesaning, Mich., was born in Onondaga Co., N.Y., Oct. 3, 1837, and was a son of Joseph and Phoebe Eldred. When four years of age Dr. Eldred accompanied his mother to Genesee Co., Mich., and five years later went on a farm near Pontiac. After five years of farm life, he went to Ypsilanti, and received a good education in the seminary and State Normal school of that city, working during the summer months, and attending school in winter. In 1858 he began the study of medicine under Dr. Fox, of Hartland, Mich., remaining with him three years. In the meantime he graduated from the medical department of the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, and commenced his professional duties in the tp. of Cohoctah, Livingston Co., Mich. On May 2, 1862, he removed to Chesaning, and for many years was the pioneer physician of that place. In 1868, in company with Wm. H. Niver, Jr., he opened a drug store, where he remained for two years. Partnership was then dissolved, and Dr. Eldred opened a drug store for himself, where he has since remained. He was married Aug. 27, 1861, to Eliza B. Tubbs, who was born at Brattleboro, Vt., Sept. 7, 1839. They have 3 children—Burt C., born June 18, 1862; Wells B., born Sept. 25, 1867, and Ralph M., born Nov, 9, 1878. Dr. Eldred is Democratic in politics; is a member of the Village Board of Trustees. He is a Mason, and served the chapter as High Priest, for a term of five years, also a member of the St. Bernard Commandery.

Lyman O. Ford, Chesaning, was born in Erie Co., N. Y., April 9, 1S47, and is a son of Charles and Amy Ford. on Feb. 14, 1865, when but 18 years of age, he enlisted in Co. I, 9th Regt. Mich. Vol. Inf., and at Nashville, Tenn., was seized with the smallpox, and was confined in the hospital of that city until June 9, when he was discharged from further service. He now draws a pension of six dollars per month. He was married Oct. 5, 1873, to Jane E. Stevens, who was born April 27, 1817, and is a daughter of Joseph and Mary Stevens. They have 3 children—Charles K., John H. and Ransom L. Politically, Mr. Ford is a Republican. He is now engaged in the grocery business at Chesaning.

William French, farmer, sec. 4, son of Edmund and Fanny French, was born in Province of Ontario, Canada, Jan. 20, 1841; was reared amid rural scenes, and received district-school advantages; was married June 15, 1860, to Caroline Brooker, born in Kent, Eng., Jan. 28, 1841; parents, Stephen and Betsey Brooker, came to America in 1850; subject has 5 children—Edmund, Nelson, William, Amelia and Phoebe; subject settled on present farm of 40 acres in August, 1871; himself and family associate with Baptist Church congregation; grandfather, Nicholas French, was a soldier in the Continental army under Washington.

Elmore B. Frink, farmer, sec. 14; P. O., Chesaning; was born in New York, April 8, 1836; parents are Henry and Maria (Griswold) Frink; former was born in Windham Co., Conn., Jan. 16, 1796, was soldier in war of 1812, and died June 6, 1847; mother was born in Caledonia Co., Vt., Dec. 31, 1805; subject was reared on a farm, and received a common-school education; on Aug. 6, 1862, enlisted in Co. G, 108th Reg. N. Y. Vol. Inf., and was discharged May 2, 1865; was married Dec. 28, 1859, to Elizabeth Stowell, daughter of Ezra and Phoebe Stowell, wife was born in Monroe Co., N. Y., July, 1844; of 5 children born 4 are living—Hattie C., wife of Morris Rogers; Lillie B., Grace A. and Clarence B.; subject settled in Chesaning tp. in 1876; owns 80 acres of land; believes in doctrines of Republican party.

David Gould, of the firm of Gould, Osborn & Co., manufacturers of lumber, Owosso, Mich., was born in Cayuga Co., N. Y., Sept. 23, 1827, and is a son of Ebenezer and Valetta Gould, natives of Granville, N. Y. Mr. Gould was reared on a farm, and in 1842 accompanied his parents to Owosso, Mich., where he resided eight years, and during which time the learned the machinist's trade. In 1850 he went to Detroit, and worked at his trade for four years. He was engineer on the lakes for one season, and from 1849 to 1852 operated a machine-shop at Flint. In the latter year he removed to St. Charles, and erected the first sawmill at that place. In 1853, when St. Charles tp. was organized, he was elected its first Supervisor, serving one term. In 1854 he located at his present home in Owosso. Mr. Gould was Superintendent of the Lansing division of the J., L. & S. R. R. for five years, and has been identified with the lumber interests of Saginaw county for 17 years.

P. Gould ranks among the old and most respected citizens of Chesaning tp. He was born in Wayne Co., N. Y., Sept. 3, 1814, and was a son of Rev. Joseph and Mehitabel (Deuell) Gould, natives of Washington Co., N. Y. Mr. Gould grew to matured years on a farm, receiving a good education. His mother died when be was 15 years of age, and in 1837 he removed to Ann Arbor, Mich., and worked as a mechanic for two years. While living at Ann Arbor he purchased a farm of 300 acres in Oakland Co., Mich., and paid $1,400 on it, when it was discovered that the deed was worthless, and he thereby suffered the loss of nearly all his hard earnings for years. From Ann Arbor he went to Battle Creek, and three years later purchased 137 acres, which, by subsequent purchases, he increased to 300 acres, and sold it for a good profit. His next venture was owning a third in a saw-mill in Albee tp., living at Owosso two years, when he moved to Chesaning. At the end of five years he bought a farm of 160 acres. With the exception of two years spent at Flint he has since resided at Chesaning. He built the first grain elevator at Chesaning, and owns 20 acres of land within the village limits. He also owns a business block, the upper story of which is used as a hall for the I. O. O. F. Mr. Gould is a member of the Republican party.

Chesaning History  |  Chesaning First Land Owners  |  Chesaning Legal Cases | Biographical 1  |  Biographical 2

Chesaning History  |  Chesaning First Land Owners  |  Chesaning Legal Cases | Biographical 1  |  Biographical 2

BACK TO LIST OF TOWNSHIP HISTORY 1881

Source: History of Saginaw County Michigan, By Michael A. Leeson, Damon Clarke, Published 1881 Chas. C. Chapman & Co., Chicago pages 795-834.

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