Page 399-400
Levi T. HULL, editor and proprietor of the St. Joseph County Advertiser, is a native of Monroe County, N. Y., born Feb. 14, 1830, his parents being Benjamin D. and Polly (HECOX) HULL. The HULL family are of English descent, but for many generations have been settled in America, in fact long prior to the Revolution. The father of our subject was born in the State of New York, living there until 1838, when he removed from Niagara County to Washtenaw County, Mich., where he rented and ran a sawmill. He died, however, in August of the following year, at Augusta, in that county. His widow survived him but two years dying in Saline Township, in the same county, in June, 1841.
Our subject was thus at an early age thrown on his own resources, and had to make his own way in the world. How well he profited by the lessons of adversity is shown by his subsequent career. Soon after the death of his father he was taken into the family of Austin Converse, in Bridgewater Township, Washtenaw County. Here he lived and worked until 1848, helping to clear and develop a farm in the heavy timber which then covered that county. In the year named, being eighteen years of age, he determined to learn a trade, and entered the office of the Ann Arbor Argus to acquire the trade of a printer. In that establishment he remained until the spring of 1850, when he came to St. Joseph County, and leased the office and business of the St. Joseph County Advertiser, which was then published at Centreville. In June 1851, he removed the paper to Constantine, where he has ever since published it, having subsequently purchased it.
June 16, 1853, Mr. HULL was married to Helen GRAY, daughter of Burr D. and Amy GRAY. The former died in Constantine, in 1871, and the latter in Coldwater, Mich., in 1870, she being at that time staying there temporarily. Mr. HULL was born at Charlotte, Chittenden Co., Vt., July 7, 1831. This marriage has been blessed by the birth of six children, of whom one died, an unnamed infant. The survivors are: Lee G., who followed in his father’s footsteps, and is now foreman in the office of the Herald at Morris, Ill.; Fred A. is employed in the office of the Newspaper Union at Fort Wayne, Ind.; Warren C. is Superintendent of Schools in Albion, Mich.; Helen L. is the wife of Rev. Bastian Smits, pastor of the Congregational Church in Constantine; and Henry B., also a printer, assists his father in the newspaper office.
The entire adult life of Mr. HULL has been passed in Constantine, where he is as well and favorably known as any citizen in this part of the county. His journal, which he conducts in a clean and wholesome manner, circulates largely in the village and county, and exercises a wide influence for good. While Mr. HULL is personally a stanch Republican, his aim is to make a local newspaper which will be a welcome visitor in every family in the county, and in that desire he is meeting with gratifying success.
Mr. HULL has been called by his fellow citizens to fill positions of trust and responsibility. He has been Township Clerk, for about twenty years a Justice of the Peace, was a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1867, Assistant Assessor of Internal Revenue for years, and until the office was abolished; Collector of Internal Revenue for the Second District of Michigan from 1873, until the district was discontinued in 1876, and was Deputy Collector from 1876 to 1881. In all the positions he discharged their duties in a manner highly creditable to himself and satisfactory both to his constituents and his superior officers. As a man he is respected by all who know him, and as an editor his opinions have much weight in the community of which for nearly forty years he has been an honored member.
Page 400-401
Mrs. Mary A. COOK. Too much credit cannot be given to the noble men and women, who, during the early settlement of St. Joseph County, strengthened the hands of their husbands in battling with the difficulties of pioneer life, and bravely encouraged them in their worthy ambitions of subduing a portion of the Great West and providing the way for the advance of a later civilization. As a type of one of these, the lady whose life history we briefly note deserves more than a passing mention. She is now approaching her threescore years and ten, and after a well-spent life is quietly passing her declining years at a pleasant home in Mottville surrounded by hosts of friends, who only name her but to praise.
Mrs. COOK was born in Northumberland County, Pa., Aug. 19, 1820, and is a daughter of John and Catherine (MOYER) HASS. John HASS, also a native of the Keystone State, was born in the year 1777, and pursued the peaceful occupation of farming. He was a good man in all that the term implies, a member of the Lutheran Church, and after the organization of the Republican party became one of its staunchest adherents. His wife, Catherine, was born the same year as himself, and both passed away in 1844, the decease of the father occurring May 15, and that of the mother March 5.
Miss Mary A. HASS was first married to John SHIRTS, by whom she became the mother of two children, who are both residents of Montana; Amelia married John CURR, and is the mother of two children; Tobias married Miss Susan LUBRINK, and he is the father of eight children.
Our subject after having lived a widow some time was married to William COOK, Dec. 8, 1850. Mr. COOK was born in Genesee County, N. Y., in 1804, and died Sept. 7, 1881. He came to Michigan Territory as early as 1833, and for forty-eight years thereafter lived the life of an upright and praiseworthy citizen. Politically, he affiliated with the Democratic party, and socially, was a member of the I.O.O.F. In religious matters he was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which Mrs. COOK also belongs.
To Mr. and Mrs. COOK there were born five children, one of whom, Willard, is a resident of South Frankfort, this State; his twin brother, William, is deceased. Emma is the wife of Samuel EARLY, and they reside with Mrs. COOK; Alice is the wife of John BARKER, and lives at Edwardsburg, this State; Hermeo married William FROST, and they lived in South Frankfort.
Page 401-402
Joseph W. REIFF is a native-born citizen of St. Joseph County, Constantine Township, where he has passed the most of his life, having been the place of his birth, and Jan. 6, 1838, the date thereof, and since early manhood he has been an important factor in developing and sustaining its great agricultural interests as one of the most intelligent and skillful farmers of this community. His farm on section 15, in point of cultivation, valuable improvements and neat appearance, ranks with the best in his neighborhood.
Our subject’s parents, Abram and Catherine E. (RUTTER) REIFF, were pioneers of St. Joseph County, coming here in 1836, when the country roundabout was still in it primitive wildness, it being but sparsely settled here and there in the wilderness, and casting in their lot with the early settlers of Constantine Township who had preceded them. They were natives of Pennsylvania, and after marriage made their home for awhile in Berks County, that State. Three years after settling in this township they returned to Pennsylvania to revisit their old home and friends, and there, amid the scenes of his youth and early manhood, the father of our subject departed this life. To him and his wife had been born four sons: Isaac R., who resides near Constantine Village; Franklin H., who died in Vandalia, Cass County, this State, in February, 1883, leaving a wife and three children; Joseph W.; and Horace, who died when a lad of six years.
The mother of our subject was married a second time in the spring of 1864, becoming the wife of Nathan SYAS. She and her husband settled in this county near the village of Constantine, where he died. Mrs. SYAS died in Vandalia, Cass County, June 12, 1874, while there on a visit.
Joseph was an infant of about six months when his father died, and he was finally brought back from Pennsylvania to his native place by his uncle, George RUTTER, and he was reared to manhood on his father’s farm in this township, where his mother continued to reside until her second marriage. He was educated partly in the common schools, and subsequently had the benefit of one term at a good graded school in the village of Constantine. Since attaining man’s estate he has engaged chiefly in agricultural pursuits with gratifying success, and now owns 120 acres of fine farming land, on which he has substantial set of buildings.
October 1, 1863, our subject took an important step toward the upbuilding of his present home by his marriage to Miss Elizabeth FITZSIMMONS, in Constantine Village. She is, like her husband, a native of St. Joseph County, having been born in Florence Township, March 28, 1844. She is a daughter of William and Anna (MORRISON) FITZSIMMONS, natives of the State of New York. They came to St. Joseph County in 1844, and settled in Florence Township. They afterward removed to Centreville, where Mrs. FITZSIMMONS died Sept. 18, 1846. Mr. FITZSIMMONS is still a resident of Centreville. They had two children: Henrietta, who died when five years old, and Elida, Mrs. REIFF.
Mr. REIFF is possessed of sagacity, forethought and energy, so combined with prudence, thrift, and steadiness of purpose, that his success in his calling was assured from the start, and he is now in comfortable circumstances. He and his wife are people of easy, pleasant manners, and their home, the seat true hospitality, is attractive alike to friend and stranger. Mr. REIFF is influential in public affairs, and takes an active interest in politics, being one of the leading Republicans of this place. He has been Commissioner of Highways for five years, and has been zealous in improving the traveling facilities of this region. He has also held various school offices, and has done what he could to promote the educational interests of the township.
Page 402-403
Norman HARVEY, deceased, was for more than three decades one of the most prominent and enterprising citizens of St. Joseph County, and as one of its pioneers and business men bore a distinguished part in promoting it growth and advancing its agricultural, manufacturing, commercial and financial interests. Coming here in 1833, while still in the prime of early manhood, he at once identified himself with the interests of Constantine Township, and made them his own until the day of his death. Thus, under his eyes and with his energetic assistance the present site of the township that he found in the depths of the forest primeval with a few straggling log cabins as the only evidence of the white man’s presence, has gradually changed to a fine, highly productive farming country, with many pleasant homes and a busy, populous village, where commerce and manufactures flourish.
Mr. HARVEY was a fine representative of an honorable New England ancestry, and he was himself born in that section of the country, June 23, 1807, the pretty town of Rupert, Bennington Co., Vt., being his birthplace. His father, Ephriam HARVEY, was a native of the same State, and his mother, Pamelia HARWOOD, was of a well-known Vermont family. His father was a farmer, and our subject was reared on the old homestead. His opportunities for an education were somewhat better than were accorded to farmers’ lads in the early years of this century, for besides the common-school privileges that he enjoyed in his boyhood, he attended the academy at Salem, N. Y., and diligently pursued a good course of instruction there which amply qualified him for the profession of teacher, and in his younger days he taught school during the winter months for several years. In 1828 his marriage with Rhoda, a daughter of Seth and Rhoda MOORE, of Rupert, was consummated, and in 1833, with his wife and two children, our subject removed to St. Joseph County, this State, where he began the life of a pioneer. By active labor he cleared a valuable farm of 400 acres, two and one half miles north of Constantine, on which he resided twenty-two years. In 1855 Mr. HARVEY removed to Constantine Village, and became extensively engaged in various kinds of business, farming, milling, manufacturing, real-estate and mercantile operations, one and all engaged his attention. He always took a lively interest in any scheme looking toward the advancement of the material interests of the county and township, and as one of the founders of the First National Bank of Constantine was very active in procuring its establishment in this village, and he was one of its Directors until the time of his death. Our subject was scarcely past middle age, in the period of his greatest usefulness, and his friends might reasonably have hoped that he would be spared to them many years longer. But it was not to be, and April 17, 1866, he passed to the life beyond. This sad event was a severe blow to the business interests of Constantine, and in his death many lost a valued friend.
Mr. HARVEY was a man of warm heart and large brain, uniting firmness and dignity of character with great natural sweetness of disposition and suavity of manner, and as he was always genial and helpful to those about him, his friendships among all classes were many and warm. He was, however, seen at the best advantage in his home amidst his loved ones; as a husband, he was thoughtful and tender; as a father, he was affectionate and always devoted to the interests of his children. In his business relations Mr. HARVEY was faithful and trustworthy, and as such a man was needed in the guidance of public affairs, he was often pressed by his fellow citizens to take civic positions, the office ever seeking the man, and not the man seeking the office, and for several years he acted in the various capacities of Supervisor of the township, Justice of the Peace, and was an incumbent of various minor offices. Our subject was never lacking in devotion to his own religious convictions, and also never unmindful of the respect and sympathy due to those who differed most widely from him. In early manhood he united with the Congregational Church at Rupert, Vt., but after leaving his old home among the New England hills and coming to this State, he became an attendant at and supporter of the Reformed Church at Constantine.
The wife of our subject, Rhoda MOORE, was born in Rupert, Vt., in February, 1808, and died in Constantine, March 5, 1863. She born an estimable character and was sincere Christian, whose death was widely mourned. She was the mother of ten sons and two daughters, five of whom now survive, and all resident of Constantine. N. H. and D. M. are farmers; J. M. is connected with the flouring mill and the First National Bank; W. W. is cashier of that bank, and also connected with the mill, and Minerva A. is the wife of George I. CROSSETT, of whom see sketch on another page. Those deceased were named: Charles M., Seth M., Lyman R., William S., Seth M, Rhoda P. and Cephas.
Page 403-404
Hon. Edward W. PENDLETON. This gentleman retired from active business some time since, and is now living at a fine home in the city of Sturgis. He is familiarly known to a large proportion of the residents of this county, having cast his lot with its people in 1852. His earliest recollections are of a modest home in Fulton County, N. Y., where his birth took place Dec. 13, 1825.
Henry and Hannah (WHEELER) PENDLETON, the parents of our subject, were natives of Connecticut and New York respectively, the father being born in October, 1800. He was a farmer by occupation, a man of good business capacities, and lived to attain his threescore years and ten, passing away Oct. 20, 1870.
The father of our subject left the Empire State in 1855, and coming to Michigan, settled in Burr Oak Township, where he became owner of a goodly tract of land. At the time of his death he had disposed of all but 120 acres. He traced his ancestry to England, his grandfather having been Maj. Bayne PENDLETON. He spent his last years in Bur Oak, this county. The father of our subject was independent in politics, and although not a member of any religious denomination, he lived an upright life, aiming perform his duty toward his fellowmen, and socially, a member of the I. O. O. F.
Mrs. Hannah PENDLETON, our subject’s mother, was born in 1804, and died when comparatively a young woman, in 1849, and died when comparatively a young woman, in 1849, in Orleans County, N. Y. She was of English and Scotch descent, and a Baptist in religion. Of her union with Henry PENDLETON there were born eleven children, namely; Sarah L., living near Denver, Col.; Edward W., our subject; Eliza C., Charles H., Jonathan M., James M., William H., Ira W. and Dallas M.; two died in infancy unnamed. Nine of the children lived to mature years, and six are now living.
The subject of this sketch was reared to manhood on the farm, and pursued his first studies in the district school. Later he attended Albion Seminary one term. In March, 1849, he went to California, by way of the Isthmus of Panama, and throughout the winter following conducted a boarding-house in San Francisco. During this time there were two camps in the neighborhood of similar names, one being Culver and the other Collier. The first-named was presided over by the Red Jacket Company, and the latter had been doing some mischief to the Chilians. The latter, in order to revenge themselves, fired into the Culver camp through mistake, killing two of the Red Jacket men, the subject of this sketch being absent at that time in San Francisco; this event naturally created much excitement in that region.
Mr. PENDLETON in the spring following returned to the mines, where he remained one year on a claim which he had taken up, and then returned home, after having been absent twenty eight months. The experiment in the meantime had proved quite profitable. In the fall of 1851 he made his way to Chicago, Ill., where he purchased horses, which he shipped to Albany for sale. In 1852 he came to Michigan, located in Sturgis, and established himself in the hotel and livery business.
On the 1st of October, 1855, our subject having laid the basis of a further competence, was united in marriage with Mrs. Eveline L. (BEARD) MOORE, who was born in St. Lawrence County, N. Y. Jan. 9, 1831. Her parents were John and Persis (PETENGILL) BEARD, natives of Vermont. The father was born in 1795, was a farmer by occupation, and died at his home in Kalamazoo County, Mich., in 1872. The mother, who was born in 1800, survived her husband a period of eleven years, her death taking place in 1883. They were the parents of twelve children, namely: Caroline, Adaline, George, Warren, Samuel P., Eveline L., Louisa E., Holden, Maria A., William J., Dexter and Leverette. They all lived to mature years. Dexter died in the army during the Civil War in 1862, and nine are now living.
Mr. and Mrs. PENDLETON after marriage settled in Sturgis, where they have since lived. Of this union there is one child only, a son., Edward W., Jr., who was born March 6, 1863. He is now a pharmacist by profession. He was graduated from the Military Academy at Orchard Lake in 1883. Both father and son are Knights Templars in Masonry, with which fraternity Mr. PENDLETON became identified as early as 1854, and has been one of the active workers in the order. His estimable wife belongs to Eastern Star Lodge, and has officiated as Grand Matron of the State of Michigan, besides occupying all of the other offices of the order. She has also been State Treasurer for the last six years, and takes a lively interest in matters pertaining thereto. Mrs. PENDLETON is a very intelligent and cultured Christian lady keeping up with her husband upon the leading questions of the day, and coinciding with him in politics, they being both independent.
Mr. PENDLETON was elected to the Michigan Legislature in 1878, and during his term of service was on important committees. He held the office of Justice of the Peace for a period of eight years, and has been prominently connected with the School Board for a long season. He served in 1885 as Deputy Sheriff, and was particularly efficient in ferreting out a gang of counterfeiters who were operating at that time in St. Joseph County. He was one of the prime movers in the building of the public library at Sturgis, which was established in 1884. Of this he was the first President, and was instrumental in securing a permanent fund so that the public should be supplied with free spirit among the temperance people of this county, doing efficient service, and contributing liberally of her time to this most important work.
Page 404- 407 (photo page 405-406)
Henry STULL, a representative farmer and pioneer citizen of Burr Oak Township, came to this section of country when the cabins of the settler were few and far between. His homestead comprises 120 acres of good land on section 17, where he has labored to excellent advantage, and surrounded himself and family with all the comforts of life.
Our subject was born in Mifflin County, Pa., township of Keeler, Jan. 29, 1820, and is the son of Barnhardt and Elizabeth (GOSS) STULL, the former a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter of what was then Union County, Pa. The father was a farmer by occupation. Barnhardt STULL and his excellent wife were people highly respected in their community, and after well-spent lives passed away at their home in Pennsylvania.
The subject of this sketch when a young man twenty-four years of age left his native State and took up his residence in Seneca County, Ohio, locating on a tract of land in Thompson Township, where he carried on farming twelve years. He had, prior to leaving his native county, been married, in 1839, to Miss Elizabeth DECKER, who was born in Union County, Pa., Jan. 25, 1821, and who is the daughter of Henry and Mary A. (WAGNER) DECKER, who were natives of Pennsylvania, and spent their last years, the former in Ohio, and the latter in Michigan. To our subject and his estimable wife there were born four children, namely: Harvey, Amanda, Lovina and Charles. The youngest son is the only child living, and he remains on the homestead with his parents. He was married, in 1875, to Miss Eliza, a daughter of Frederick H. and Clara BASTIAN of Clinger Lake, and they have three children. Charles is the owner of eighty acres lying north of his father’s land, and like the latter, is full of energy and enterprise. Mr. STULL, politically, votes the straight Democratic ticket, and is a member in good standing of the Dutch Reformed Church at Colon.
Page 407- 408
Hon. Jonathan W. FLANDERS, attorney-at-law, is a worthy representative of intelligent, independent and enterprising citizens of Sturgis, where he has lived, a respected and honored man, for more than thirty years. He is a good New England origin, having been born in Colebrook, N. H., April 18, 1822. His ancestors were natives of Germany, who emigrated to Wales, thence, during the reign of George III, came to the United States, and at once took their rightful position among the intelligent, moral and law-abiding citizens of the country. A great-uncle of our subject was at one time a professor in Dartmouth College, and other members of the family have occupied worthy positions, having been educated and upright men.
Ezekiel FLANDERS, the grandfather of our subject, enlisted as a private in the Continental Army when only sixteen years of age, and fought during the entire Revolution. Frances FLANDERS, father of our subject, a native of Sutton, Vt., was a soldier in the War of 1812. After his marriage he lived for some years in New Hampshire, then, desiring a change, in February, 1828, moved with his family to New York, and located in Canandaigua. He remained there until 1841, when he again emigrated with his family still farther West, settling in Fawn River Township, this county, where he engaged in the woolen business. He was a Democrat in politics, and held in office of Justice of the Peace during the last twenty years of his life; also Postmaster for several years of his life; also Postmaster for several years; both of said offices he held at the time of his death. He was a charter member and First Worshipful Master of Meridian Sun Lodge, of Sturgis.
The subject of our sketch was a young child when he left the hills of his native New Hampshire, and his education was begun in the district schools of Canandaigua, N. Y., where he lived until the removal of his parents to this State. For four years after coming to Fawn River our subject assisted his father in his business, then, in 1845, returned to Canandaigua and completed his law studies, being admitted to the New York bar in 1849. After practicing his profession in that State for one year, our subject came to Fawn River and helped his father to build a large woolen factory, and assisted in the management of the business until 1856. August 5, of that year he opened a law office in Sturgis, where he has since been busily employed in his profession. He is the pioneer attorney of this place, and, with the exception of one retired lawyer, of St. Joseph County. He was admitted to practice in this State in 1852, and in the United States Court in 1866. He has a clear, discerning intellect, great decision of character, is an able and fluent speaker, and handles his cases with a high degree of judgement, evincing in the plainest manner close research and careful study in their preparation. His work is never faulty or neglected, but compares favorably with the best efforts of the attorney of the State. Mr. FLANDERS has been retained in many important cases, and while living in Fawn River was counsel for Payne, in the celebrated damage suit, Lee vs. Payne, the case having carried to the Supreme Court. He is also frequently retained in criminal suits, having been, during the war, counsel in the murder case, the People vs. Allen, and in many other important cases.
The marriage of the Hon. J. W. FLANDERS with Miss Elizabeth SUTHERLAND, daughter of the late Josiah SUTHERLAND, of Canandaigua, N. Y., took place Sept. 22, 1857. Mrs. FLANDERS was a woman of rare personal worth, a devoted wife, intelligent companion, a loving, tender mother, and her death, which occurred May 2, 1879, was a sad blow to her afflicted household. She bore her husband one child, John S., who married Miss Henrietta, daughter of William STURGIS, and granddaughter of the late Judge John STURGIS, one of the first settlers of this county. They have one child, Henry I. In politics he is a progressive and aggressive Democrat, and has aided his son in establishing the newspaper known as the Michigan Democrat, published at Sturgis.
Socially, our subject is a charter member of the Commandery, a Masonic order, of Sturgis, and had the order of knighthood conferred on him in the Coldwater Commandery. Although he has several times accepted the nomination for Prosecuting Attorney and for Circuit Judge, at one time running on the Democratic ticket, he cares not for public office. He has also been a candidate for the State Legislature, and in 1884 for Presidential Elector. He is thoroughly honest, square-dealing man, possessing in the highest degree the confidence of his clients, who frequently entrust with him large sums of money to invest for them.
The portrait of Mr. FLANDERS is presented on an adjoining page.
Page 408-409
Frank B. AINGER, publisher, proprietor and editor of the Sturgis Journal, one of the most influential and ably conducted country papers in the State of Michigan, is not only conspicuous as a journalist, but as a leading public-spirited citizen of St. Joseph County.
Our subject was born in Chagrin Falls, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, Aug. 29, 1852. His father, William W. AINGER, a leading lawyer, well-known and patriotic citizen of that State, died in the prime of life in 1861, while recruiting soldiers for the late war. The mother of our subject, whose maiden name was Nancy BRAINARD, was a native of Fremont, Ohio, and a woman of wide information and fertile intellect. To her and her husband were born five children, of whom Frank B. was the youngest. The others are Daniel B., Charles F., Marcia A. (Mrs. ARMOUR) and Clara A. (Mrs. WHEELER). Daniel B. is Adjutant General of Michigan. He was once also a superintendent of railway mails.
Mr. AINGER, of whom we write, went with his parents to Fremont, Ohio, in 1865, and thence to Napoleon, in the same State, in 1867. In the latter town he learned the printer’s trade in the Henry County Signal office, that paper having been established by his brother and uncle. Subsequently our subject went to Maumee, Ohio, in 1873, to accept the position of foreman on the Maumee City Advertiser. In the same fall he went to Bryan, Ohio, as foreman and city editor of the Bryan Press, In January, 1874, he bought the Defiance (Ohio) Express, and conducted it until after the Hayes and Tilden campaign in 1876. In the spring of 1877 he sold that paper, and returning to Bryan, resumed his former position on the Press. In the fall of 1878 he established the Middleville Blade, in Barry County, Mich., and conducted it until the month of December, when he disposed of it in order to accept the editorial and business management of the Charlotte (Mich.) Republican, the property of his brother, the General, who had been appointed Superintendent of Railway Mails. Our subject acted in his combined capacity of editorial manager until April, 1883. At that date he came to Sturgis and leased the Journal for one year, but before the expiration of that time he was appointed railway mail clerk on the Michigan Central, between Grand Rapids and Jackson. After a few months he resigned that position to return to the fields of journalism, buying the Journal, which he has since conducted with signal success. This paper was established in 1860 by Hon. J. G. WAIT, of Sturgis, one of the most prominent business men and politicians in Southern Michigan, nad it was under his management for several years. Mr. AINGER was married in Godfrey, Ill., May 25, 1876, to Miss Hattie N. SIMS, daughter of Robert SIMS, now of Alton, Ill. They have one child, Frank B., Jr. born May 25, 1877.
Mr. AINGER possesses great executive ability, and a varied experience in journalism, and he has given his paper a character and influence that places it among the best journals in the State, and its editorials and other matter are often quoted in the Detroit dailies and State papers. He is President of the Sturgis Improvement Committee, composed of fifty of the most prominent business, professional and moneyed men of this locality, whose object is to advance the interests of Sturgis. While holding this position Mr. AINGER has been very active in advancing every scheme for the development of the town and the surrounding country, and, with his confreres, has assisted in securing all those conveniences and improvements that make this a model town and a very desirable locality in which to make one’s home, besides assisting in the establishment of several manufacturing industries here, and securing the building of the C. & St. L. R. W., thus making Sturgis the market for quite an extensive area of farming country and the junction of three railways. Our subject was the original projector of the Sturgis Electric Light plant, and is a stockholder and director of the company. He has just closed his fourth consecutive year as Deputy State Oil Inspector, having served two years under Gov. Alger and was re-appointed by Gov. Luce.
Page 409
Harrison H. LAWRENCE, a son of one of the earliest pioneers of Michigan Territory, and late a well-to-do resident of Florence Township, was born in Monroe County, this State, Sept. 1, 1825, and when a little lad three years of age came with his parents to this county, of which he has since been a resident. When a youth of fifteen years the father of the family was called hence, and Harrison H. naturally assumed the management of the homestead, remaining upon it until a man of twenty-seven years. In the fall of 1852 he purchased seventy-five acres of land on section 5 in Florence Township, from which he built up a good homestead, and where he spent the remainder of his days, passing away on the 1st of April, 1888, when nearly sixty-three years old.
The subject of this sketch is the son of Jeremiah LAWRENCE, who was born in Connecticut, Sept. 25, 1798. He came to Monroe County, Mich., in 1812, and moved to White Pigeon in 1829, living there five years. In early manhood he married Miss Alpha CALHOUN. He and his excellent wife spent their last days in Florence Township, Grandfather Lawrence dying Nov. 1, 1841. Their family consisted of nine children, three of whom are living: Allen and Horatio in California, and Jeremiah in Florence Township, this State.
Our subject when ready to establish a hearthstone of his own, was married in White Pigeon, Feb. 4, 1850, to Miss Mary A., daughter of Louis and Clara (ANTHONY) GARRISON. This lady was born in Albany, N. Y., July 23, 1831, and was the second in a family of six children. They came to this county about 1836, settling in Constantine Township, where the father was only permitted to sojourn a few years, his death taking place when he was comparatively a young man, at the age of thirty-six years. The paternal grandfather came to this county, and spent his last years in Constantine Township, dying at the advanced age of seventy-six years. Mrs. Clara GARRISON CORWIN is still living, making her home in Three Rivers, and has now arrived at the advanced age of seventy-two years. After the death of her first husband she was married to Edwin CORWIN.
To Mr. and Mrs. Harrison LAWRENCE there were born three children, one of whom, a daughter Lucy, died at the age of fourteen years, nine months and two days. Lorenzo C., the eldest living, was born Dec. 26, 1851, and is occupied at Florence in farming and stock-raising; Jennie May, Mrs. Breese E. MOORE, was born Feb. 6, 1867, and lives with her husband at the old farm.. They are the parents of a bright little girl, Hazel FERN, who was born Dec. 12, 1886. Lorenzo LAWRENCE, a respected citizen and a man of decided views, affiliates with the Democratic party. Besides Harrison H. the children of Jeremiah LAWRENCE were Lorenzo W., Charles A., Wolcott H. (the first white child born in Florence Township), Lucy C., Horatio F., Cynthia J., Jeremiah A. and Althia A. (twins).
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