Muskegon Bio Record Part 10

Portrait and Biographical Record of Muskegon and Ottawa Counties, Michigan

Biographical Publishing Company, Chicago 1893

Part 10

Edwin J. Smith

    Edwin J. Smith, an able attorney, eloquent advocate and the present popular Postmaster of Whitehall, Muskegon County, Mich., has for over one year discharged the duties of his present office to the great acceptability of his fellow-townsmen and the general public. Mr. Smith was born at Grand Rapids, Mich., November 14, 1856, and was the son of James W. and Sarah H. Lobdell Smith, widely known and highly respected residents of the Wolverine State. The latter, a native of Ohio, accompanying his parents to Michigan in 1853, made his home in Grand Rapids, where he worked at his trade of a carpenter until 1869. At this latter date he removed to Muskegon, and there continued in business as a carpenter and builder until his death. James W. Smith was a man of excellent business ability, a true patriot, and served bravely as a soldier in the Tenth Michigan Cavalry. Enlisting at the breaking out of the Civil War, he was severely wounded and discharged for disability, but later joined the infantry, and, receiving the well-earned commission of a Lieutenant, served faithfully until the close of the war. He entered into rest in Muskegon in the year 1875. His devoted wife, and mother of our subject, was the daughter of John Lobdell, a pioneer citizen of Michigan, who, arriving from New York in the very early days, kept the Lombard House at Williamston, then one of the oldest and best hotels of the West. In 1860 Mr. Lobdell located permanently in Grand Rapids and was numbered among the prominent hotelmen of that thriving city. Esteemed by a host of friends, the maternal grandfather of Mr. Smith passed away in 1856.

    Mrs. Sarah (Lobdell) Smith survived until April, 1893, and throughout her life of busy usefulness was recognized as a woman of superior attainments, an earnest Christian worker, who gave active aid in the cause of temperance. She was also prominently connected with the Women's Relief Corps, and took a leading part in the benevolent enterprises of her locality. To the two sons and daughters who blessed her home she gave loving care. Fred E., the brother of our subject, single, and a clerk in a store in Muskegon, died in September, 1890. The sister, Effie, now the wife of M. W. Decker, a prosperous contractor and builder of Muskegon, began to teach at the age of fourteen years, and continuing in that vocation, became one of the most highly valued instructors of her present home. The first ten years of Edwin J. Smith's life were spent in the Valley City, but he attained to manhood in Muskegon, there receiving a thorough training in the newspaper offices. His principal preceptor in that line of work was the Hon. George C. Rice, of the Chronicle. While only a boy, our subject wrote a poem entitled "Pantheism," which, widely read, was received with most favorable criticism. At sixteen Mr. Smith furnished a series of articles for the Chronicle, which gained him an extended reputation as a local writer, but at eighteen he decided to avail himself of the opportunity for a thorough education and entered the Muskegon High School, from which he was graduated four years later, having with honor completed a Latin-Scientific course.

    Mr. Smith immediately after leaving school began the study of law under the Hon. F. W. Cook, and was admitted to the Muskegon County Bar. Later, upon motion of the Hon. John Fitzgerald, our subject was admitted to practice in the United States courts. Since 1881 he has been a constant resident of Whitehall, where at the latter date he entered upon the successful practice of the profession of law. May 25, 1882, true to his instincts as a genuine newspaper man, Mr. Smith became the proprietor of the Whitehall Forum, and, aided by this medium, was soon a leading factor in local and State politics. A man of bright intelligence and a liberal Republican, he has taken an active part in the conventions and local councils of his party, and has for years been been Village Attorney of Whitehall. May 7, 1892, appointed Postmaster of Whitehall by President Harrison, our subject has since devoted himself entirely to looking after this branch of Uncle Sam's affairs. The people of the town, appreciating his efficiency, would be glad, regardless of politics, to see the present incumbent serve out his term of office. An energetic citizen, untiring and public-spirited, our subject has been closely identified with all matters of local progress, and it was largely through his determined efforts that the village acquired one of the best systems of water-works in the State. He gave the "Sylvan Beach" its name, organized an improvement company and in various ways materially assisted in needed improvements and enterprises. He was one of the charter members of the Sons of Veterans of Whitehall, of which he was First Sergeant. Fraternally, he is also connected with the Odd Fellows, and has been Chief Patriarch of the Encampment and Vice-Grand of the Subordinate Lodge, as well as secretary.

    Mr. Smith was united in marriage with Miss Minnie S. Floten, an adopted daughter of Attorney Henry Slater, of Muskegon. The pleasant home of our subject and his estimable wife has been brightened by the birth of three children, two daughters and a son. Edna, Euna and Norval. Next to theses promising children Mr. Smith is proudest of his Latin-Scientific diploma, his certificate of admission to the State Bar and his commission as Postmaster, which mark the upward progress of a self-reliant man. Our subject is handy with the pen and captured the "Blodget Special" first prize, in 1891 over sixty-five papers for the best article on the West Michigan Fair. He has unbounded faith in the quick development of Michigan manufactures and agriculture, but he has a particularly strong belief in Muskegon County, which, with her rich resources and splendid lakeboard, he thinks will soon be leading in the van, and in which he has found steadfast friends, without whom he thinks no man can accomplish his purposes.

Warren T. Martin

     Warren T. Martin has been identified with the best interests of Muskegon Township for many years, and occupies a pleasant homestead on section 28. He was born in Cayuga County, N. Y., three miles from the village of Jordan, December 2, 1821. His parents were natives respectively of France and the State of New Jersey, and the father died when W. T. was a child of two years, leaving a family of three children, of whom he was the second. His childhood years were passed in New York, and his schooling was principally obtained there. In his youth he was employed on a farm, also engaged in the sawmill business for many years, and worked on the Oswego River.

    September 22, 1846, occurred the marriage of W. T. Martin to Miss Hannah Breed, who was born in the town of Clay, Onondaga County, N. Y., February 17, 1823. Her father, James Breed, was born in Manlius, N. Y., and was reared in his native place, becoming a farmer. Her grandfather was one of three brothers who came to this country in the "Mayflower." The mother of Mrs. Martin bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Kinney, and was born in Manlius, N. Y., where she was reared to womanhood. In 1817 she became the wife of James Breed, and with him commenced housekeeping in Clay Township, Onondaga County. Not long afterward they removed to Hannibal, Oswego County, where Mr. Breed died at the advanced age of ninety years. His wife had passed away at the age of forty-eight. They were the parents of fifteen children, nine of whom grew to manhood, and womanhood, and eight of whom are now living. Mrs. Martin was the fifth child and third daughter in respect to age. At the age of thirteen she accompanied her parents to Hannibal Township, Oswego County, N. Y., where she was married.

    Immediately after his marriage Mr. Martin located three miles from the city of Osborn, where for some time he engaged in the milling business. In 1854 he came to Michigan and at once located in Muskegon, where he secured employment in a mill. In 1862 he enlisted in the Union army, becoming a private in the Twenty-sixth Michigan Infantry, and serving until the close of the war. He participated in a number of engagements and was sunstruck while under march. He was in Washington, D. C., at the time of the assassination of President Lincoln, and was discharged at that city.

    Returning from active warfare, Mr. Martin located on his farm in Muskegon Township and resumed the peaceful pursuit of tilling the soil. He is the owner of a farm of seventeen acres, upon which are two houses; he also owns five residences at Muskegon Heights. Success has crowned his efforts and he is numbered among the most prosperous of Muskegon's farmers. In his political affiliations he was formerly a Democrat, but is now an adherent of the principles of the Republican party. He has held a number of offices in the town of Norton, Muskegon County, and has served as Justice of the Peace, Township Treasurer, Road Commissioner and School Director. Socially, he is identified with the Grand Army of the Republic at Muskegon.

    Mr. and Mrs. Martin have been the parents of four children, three of whom, Josephine E., Eugene F. and Alison J., are deceased. Their only surviving child is Mary J., who married Joseph Donohue, and is the mother of one child , Ray Martin, now (1893) four years of age. In the social circles of this community both Mr. Martin and his excellent wife occupy high places and have the friendship of all their associates. For fifty-five years Mrs. Martin has been a faithful member of the Baptist Church and is a charter member of the Baptist Church at Muskegon, being only one of the only two survivors among the organizers of the church. Mr. Martin is also identified with this denomination and contributes liberally of his time and means to its support.

Ezra E. Tyler

    Ezra E. Tyler, an enterprising and successful dealer in real estate in Muskegon, Mich., is authority on the values of inside and outside property. In 1883, he purchased thirty-three acres in the suburbs, which in 1889 he platted out in to town lots, now known as Tyler's Addition, and which he has made one of the most desirable portions of the city. Our subject has been numbered among the enterprising citizens of the West for many years, but is a native of New England, and was born in Vermont, March 11, 1848. The remote ancestors of the Tyler family were of English nativity, but early in the history of the United States a forefather settling among the rugged hills of New England founded the branch of the family to which Ezra E. belongs. The paternal grandparents making their home among the Green Mountains of Vermont there reared their family to thrifty industry and usefulness. Laban Tyler, the father of our subject, born, reared and educated in Vermont, married in his native State, and was numbered among the energetic and substantial citizens of his home locality. The mother, Elizabeth (Marden) Tyler, was likewise the descendant of honored ancestors, old-time residents of Vermont, of which State she was herself a native.

    The parents not very long after their marriage removed to Stoneham, Mass., where the devoted mother died in 1876. The father yet surviving, makes his home at Lynn, Mass. Mr. Tyler was only one year old when his father and mother removed to the old Bay State, and there spending the days of boyhood he attended the excellent schools of Stoneham, but before the breaking out of the Civil War emigrated to the West. In 1863 he enlisted in Company H, Third Michigan Cavalry, and was assigned to the division under Sheridan. Our subject actively participated in numerous decisive battles and skirmishes, taking part in the fights of Corinth, Island No. 10 and Shiloh. After nearly three years of faithful service, he was mustered out at San Antonio, Tex., and was honorably discharged March 20, 1866, at Jackson, Mich. After the close of the war, Mr. Tyler returned to Van Buren County, Mich., and after some length of time, employed in traveling throughout he farther West, in 1886 made his permanent home in Michigan, and bought a farm near Mona Lake, Muskegon County, and with energy entered into the pursuit of general agriculture and fruit culture. In 1844, settling in Muskegon, our subject purchased the broad acres which now form Tyler's Addition, a charming suburb of Muskegon.

    Mr. Tyler is politically a Republican, and is interested in both local and national issues, being intelligently posted in the progressive movements of the day. He is fraternally a member of Lodge No. 92, I. O. O. F, and likewise belongs to Phil Kearney Post No. 7, G. A. R. Ezra E. Tyler and Miss Evaline Piper were united in marriage November 18, 1868. The estimable wife of our subject, in girlhood a resident of Kalamazoo, later making her home in Muskegon, is the daughter of Alexander Piper, a pioneer settler of the State, widely known and highly respected. One child, a daughter, Birdie, has blessed the pleasant home. The attractive family residence, located on South Terrace Street, Tyler's Addition, is of modern design, handsomely finished, and surrounded by a fine class of buildings, evidencing the rapid march of improvements in this quarter of the city.

Copyright © 2000 by Patti Norton. All rights reserved.