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Darwin G. Bell
Darwin
G. Bell, an extensive land owner of Muskegon County, and a resident
of Casenovia, was born in Rossie, St. Lawrence County, N. Y., February
20, 1845, being a son of David and Lacy A. (Blodgett) Bell His grandfather,
David Bell, was born and reared in Vermont, and in early manhood was united
in marriage with Miss Chloe, daughter of Asa Carpenter, and niece of Gov.
Benjamin Carpenter. They became the parents of ten children, of whom two
sons, David and Emer, and seven daughters attained to maturity. In politics,
Grandfather Bell adhered to the principles advocated by the Whig party.
He followed farming pursuits until his death, which occurred in Jefferson
County, N. Y.
David Bell, the father
of our subject, was born in Vermont July 28, 1806, and was but one year
old when his parents located in Rutland, N. Y. In his youth be gained a
thorough knowledge of agricultural pursuits, which be followed in his native
State. In 1851 he came to Michigan and settled in Hillsdale County, whence,
three yearn later, be removed to Casenovia Township, Muskegon County. He purchased one hundred
and sixty acres of heavily timbered land on sections 20 and 29, but was
not permitted to enjoy the rich fruition of his labors in witnessing its
development into one of the finest farms in the county, for he was removed
by death February 25, 1855. As did his father, he identified himself with
the Whig party.
The mother of our subject
was born in Franklin County, Mass., in the village of Heath, April 17,
1812. She still survives, being the wife of John Brown. Her parents, Samuel
and Susanna C. (Whipple) Blodgett, were natives of Massachusetts, the father
having been born near Lexington. In 1828 be removed to New York, and followed
farming operations in Jefferson County until his death, at the age of seventy-four years
In religious matters, he was a Free-Will Baptist. He was twice married
and by his first union had twelve children, five sons and seven daughters.
His second marriage was childless. He was a son of Timothy Blodgett, a
resident of Massachusetts and of English descent, who served in the Revolutionary
War.
In the parental family
there were nine children who attained to mature years, three having died
in childhood. Those who reached manhood and womanhood were: Goodloe H.,
a resident of Battle Creek; Helen M., who married and is now deceased;
Ambrose D., of Mississippi, who enlisted in the Third Michigan Infantry,
and served for four years and four months; Emer A., who served in the Third
Michigan Infantry, and was killed in the second battle of Bull Run; Chauncey,
who served in the Third Michigan Infantry in the Commissary Department,
and now lives in Mississippi; Darwin G., of this sketch; Annette, who is
married and lives in Missaukee County; Mrs. Emma J. Jackson;
and Inez, Mrs. Seaman, who is deceased.
Our subject acquired
his education in the High School at Battle Creek and at Battle Creek College.
He taught four terms of school in Fremont and Chester Townships, and at
the age of twenty-four years he went to Big Rapids, where he received the
appointment of Surveyor of Mecosta County. He also engaged in the real-estate
and insurance business there, and for two years served as City Engineer. For eighteen
years he has made his home in Casenovia, with the progress of which his
name is inseparably associated. He served as County Surveyor for one term,
and for fourteen years has been surveyor for the Western Michigan Lumber
Company.
The real-estate interests
of Mr. Bell are extensive and remunerative. He is the owner of twenty acres
on section 29, forty acres on section 20, and forty acres on section 21,
Casenovia Township; he owns an interest in four hundred and eighty acres
in Moorland Township, being the sole owner of one hundred and forty acres;
he is also the owner of a one-half interest in five hundred and forty acres. In addition,
be has valuable property in the village of Casenovia. Politically, he is
a Republican, and socially is identified with the Independent Order of
Odd Fellows.
In May, 1875, Mr. Bell
was united in marriage with Miss Jennie Northrop, who was born in Seneca
County, Ohio, and is a daughter of William H. and Sarah (Tompkins) Northrop,
natives respectively of Steuben County, N. Y., and Seneca County, Ohio.
Mr. Northrop is s farmer by occupation, and during the late war enlisted
in the Third Ohio Infantry. In 1868 he came to Muskegon County, Mich.,
where be still resides. His wife died in May, 1890, at the age of sixty-one.
They were the parents of four sons and one daughter. The grandfather of
Mrs. Bell was Eben Northrop, who lived and died in Steuben County. Our
subject and his wife are the parents of four children: Claude V.,
Clyde C., Fay and Cora M.
George
Nelson Johnston
Through the good management of his farming affairs in general, the subject
of this sketch has demonstrated the fact that skill and labor combined
produce the beat results. He and his brother are the most extensive and
successful mint growers in Muskegon County, and he has for ten years or
more occupied a farm in MoorIand Township, consisting of two hundred and
forty acres, of which one-hundred and forty are in a high state of cultivation.
As a farmer and business man, he stands high in the confidence of the people,
whose regard he has won by honorable dealings and genial courtesy.
Born in Haldimand County,
Canada, our subject is the son of James and Mary Ann (Yocum)
Johnston. He is of Irish descent, his paternal
grandfather, John Johnston, having been born in the Emerald Isle, whence
he emigrated to Canada at an early age, and engaged in farming there until his death, in 1862, at the age of
eighty-one. His wife, whose maiden name was Susan Stewart, was a native
of Canada, and died about 1865, at the age of seventy-three. The maternal
grandfather of our subject, Henry Yocum, was a native of Pennsylvania,
but passed the most of his life in Canada, near Niagara Falls. He died
in 1869, at the age of nearly eighty. He was a wealthy and successful farmer,
a prominent citizen, and one of the first settlers along Lake Erie. The
maternal grandmother, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Gould, was born in
Canada, of German parentage, and died in 1855, at the age of fifty years.
Longevity has been a prominent characteristic of this family through several
generations. The great great-grandmother of our subject on the maternal
side was Mary Stewart, who attained the ripe old age of one hundred and
six, and a perfect image of her, as she appeared at that age, has been
preserved in wax.
The father of our subject,
James Johnston, was born in the State of New Jersey in 1801. When a mere
boy he acted in the capacity of teamster to the Government service during
the War of 1812. At the age of thirty-two he moved to Canada, and
after a residence there at nearly twenty-four years he removed to Berrien
County, Mich., whence, in 1865, he came to Muskegon County and settled
in Eggleston Township, making his permanent home there. His death occurred
October 28, 1871, when he was in his seventieth year, and after he had
suffered severely for a number of years. He was a member in good standing
of the Old-School Baptist Church of Ashland, and was s man of good habits
and lofty principles, whose entire life was devoted to the faith of which
be was a follower.
The lady who In 1836
became the wife of James Johnston was Miss Mary Ann Yocum, a native of
Rainham, Haldimand County, Canada, born on the 2d of August, 1816. She
was a noble Christian wife and mother, beloved by all who knew her, and
her life was a blessing to many. She passed from earth December 8, 1891,
at the age of seventy-five.
Our subject commenced
in business for himself at the age of about twenty-two years, and for some
time thereafter he engaged in lumbering, buying and selling lumber and
shingles. In 1882 he settled upon the farm he now occupies in Moorland
Township, Muskegon county. November 8, 18887, he and Miss Mary McVaugh
were married. The bride was the daughter of Patrick and Katharine (Cull)
McVaugh, natives of the Emerald Isle who emigrated to America and settled
in Chicago. In politics, Mr. Johnston is identified with the Prohibition
party and takes a prominent part in municipal affairs, giving his influence
and support to all enterprises calculated to promote the material welfare
of the community. in his religious connections, he is a member of the Free
Methodist Church, to the support of which he contributes with liberality.
Frank W. Squier
Frank W. Squier, a progressive citizen of Muskegon
County, residing on section 1, Moorland Township, was born near Rochester,
N. Y., October 17, 1853, and is a son of David W. and Sarah (Dayton) Squier,
natives of the same State. His paternal grandparents, John and Mary (Lampman)
Squier, of English and Dutch descent respectively, were also natives of
New York. The ancestors of this family were a long-lived and sturdy race,
possessing strong physical and mental qualities. The father of our subject,
David W. Squier, a farmer and lumberman, was one ot the most prominent
citizens, first of Muskegon, and later of Newaygo County, being largely
interested in and identified with the lumber business of northern Michigan.
Born at Ft. Edward, Washington County, N. Y., March
10, 1822, David W. Squier grew to manhood on the homestead of his father,
and at the age of eighteen embraced the opportunity of devoting his time
and energy to lumbering, a desire which he had long cherished. The fulfillment
of this ambition decided his life pursuit, and made possible the success
he afterward achieved. One of his favorite recreations during his boyhood
days was to help in rafting logs down the Hudson and Susquehanna Rivers.
In 1844 and 1845 he engaged as a contractor in Monroe County, N. Y., in
getting out timber to construct the schooner "Genesee Chief" and the brig
"Venise," for the Lake Erie service, working in the heavily timbered region
of the Genesee River.
December 18, 1846, Mr. Squier married Miss Sarah,
daughter of Idas and Paulina (French) Dayton. Mrs. Squier was born in Monroe
County, N. Y., January 23, 1829, and was reared and educated in the place
of her birth. After his marriage Mr. Squier changed his plans to some extent
for the time being, and engaged in agricultural pursuits in New York. In
the fall of 1848 he located in the vicinity of Coldwater, Mich., and again
pursued farming operations, interesting himself also in buying horses for
the Eastern markets. In 1856 he settled in Muskegon County, Mich., on the
Muskegon River, where he engaged in the hotel and lumber business.
In 1858 Mr. Squier purchased one hundred and forty
acres of partly improved land in Newaygo County, where he located permanently.
He became one of the most extensive operators of pine and farming lands
in northern Michigan, and the owner of over eight thousand acres, half
of which is improved and under cultivation. He was a man of quick decision,
and gave his personal supervision to all the details of his business affairs.
His management, although skillful, was broad and liberal, and his business
dealings were characterized by strict integrity. His private residence,
built at a cost of $16,000, is reputed to be the finest farmhouse in Newaygo
County. He was a believer in the good old Democratic principles, but was
never an aspirant for political honors. After the death of his wife, October
13, 1889, he never left the old homestead, and seemed to lose all interest
in his business affairs. At the age of sixty-eight, after a long and useful
career, a short illness resulted in his demise February 4, 1890.
Frank W. Squier is one of five children, only two
of whom are now living. His educational advantages included a thorough
course in civil engineering, the knowledge of which is very useful to him
in the management of the estate. He was united in marriage February 19,
1891, with Miss Mary Dickinson, daughter of Frank and Maryett (Kimbell)
Dickinson, natives of Vermont and New York respectively. Mrs. Squier was
born in Michigan March 9, 1865, and received an excellent education in
girlhood in Newaygo County, Mich. Our subject possesses many of the sterling
qualities of his father, and is highly regarded by the people of his community.
He devotes the most os his time and attention to the management of his
extensive interests in lumber and agriculture.
Adam Patterson Adam Patterson was born
in Brock, Canada, March 13, 1840, and died in Muskegon County, Mich., June
17, 1891. The half-century that spanned these dates was filled with deeds
of kindness and generosity, and when the end came it was felt by all with
whom he had business of social relations that the community had suffered
an irreparable loss. This brief record of his life will be perused with
interest by those with whom he was associated in days gone by, and will
also furnish an example for the emulation of the rising generation.
The parents of our subject, Alexander and
Mary Patterson, were natives of Scotland, and in 1837 emigrated to America,
settling in Canada, where they resided about twenty years. They then removed
to Michigan and located in Berlin, Ottawa County. After a residence there
of another twenty years, they sold out their farming interests and removed
to Grand Rapids, where Mr. Patterson resided, practically retired from
active business, until his death. Of ten children, our subject is the fourth
in respect to age. He remained at home until about the age of twenty-two
years old, assisting his father on the farm and at the same time acquiring
a common-school education. He then engaged in farming in Polkton Township,
Ottawa County, and followed this occupation about two years.
Removing from Polkton Township to Ravenna,
Mr. Patterson embarked in the milling and lumber business, and for about
two years had an extensive trade in that line. Then selling out his interests
in that place, he located at Titiute and erected a large mill for the manufacture
of lumber and shingles. He did a thriving business here for about one year,
then sold out and removed to Ravenna, where he remained for one summer.
Thence he went to Casenovia and purchased the Edward Hayward mill, where
his usual success attended him during his two year's stay. His restless
ambition, however, induced him to again dispose of his property, after
which he located in Half Moon Lake. After one year spent at that place,
he went the Bailey and built one of the largest mills in northern Michigan,
which he conducted for two years. Later he resided at Nunica, Ottawa County,
and subsequently engaged in the manufacture of shingles on Rogue River.
After having spent twelve months in the last-named
place, Mr. Patterson disposed of his interests there and removed to Girard,
Kan., where he engaged in farming. Like so many others who settled in the
Sunflower State at that time, he soon discovered that farming operations
there proved very unsuccessful, owing to the hot winds and the destructiveness
of grasshoppers. As a result of these causes, he met with the entire
loss of all of his property, and after a two-years sojourn in Kansas returned
to Michigan. In this State he located on a farm ten miles east of Grand
Rapids, where he remained about one year, going from there to a farm in
Moorland Township. Upon property purchased in this township he conducted
agricultural operations on an extensive scale, and in connection with his
farming interests he built and conducted a large lumber and shingle mill.
Mr. Patterson possessed indomitable pluck
and energy, and we find him in 1877, less than two year after his return
from Kansas, with his fortune so far retrieved that he was the owner of
a fine farm and a large milling interest. His business here proved very
successful and he made this his permanent home. He was married July 19,
1865, to Lovisa, daughter of John W. and Elizabeth Tibbitts, natives of
New York. The marriage resulted in the birth of three children, one of
whom, Ethel May, is deceased. Ella Frances and Elmer Franklin are twins,
the former being the wife of Thomas Workman, of Moorland Township; the
son married Mary McMillan and makes his home in Moorland Township. In the
summer of 1891, Mr. Patterson returned from an extended tour through the
South, where he ahd looked up a new location for milling operations. He
was making arrangements to return to the South, when a brief and unexpected
illness resulted in his death. He possessed many sterling and generous
qualities, and his friendly and social disposition made him quite popular
among his acquaintances.
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