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Compiled by John H. Wheeler Published in 1903 by B. F. Bowen Biography Page 185 - 186 |
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RICHARD W. MASSEY
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During the progress of the Civil war, 1861-65, it is well known that English sympathy was almost entirely with the Confederacy. Different historians seek to account for this in various ways, but all of them, even those of English origin, admit the fact, while seeking to give excuses for it. The people of English origin residing in America at that time, however, were not controlled in their sympathies by the views entertained by their countrymen across the water. Thousands of them not only advocated the cause of the Union, but entered the service as soldiers and sailors and served their adopted country with distinction until the close of the war. While the subject of this review, Richard W. Massey, is a native-born American, his parents are both natives of England, and his father was one of those Englishmen who heartily endorsed the position taken by the North in that most sanguinary civil conflict. Indeed, he did not confine his endorsement to words, but proved his loyalty by deeds, as a private soldier, on many of the battle fields of the south. He was a member of Company C, Eighth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. Richard W. Massey is a native of Wisconsin, born at Kenosha, November 14, 1851. His parents were John and Emma (Hamer) Massey, both natives of England, who immigrated to America soon after their marriage and located at Kenosha, Wisconsin, where John Massey followed ship building very profitably until the breaking out of the Civil war, when he enlisted in the Eighth Wisconsin Regiment, and served until peace was declared. He was a lover of the country of his adoption and true and loyal to her cause. He died in Racine, Wisconsin, some time after his return from the army, at the age of forty-seven years, his good wife having died three years before in the same city, when she was forty years old. They were the parents of eight children, four sons and four daughters, of whom Richard W., the subject of this article, was the seventh in order of birth The first years of the life of the subject were spent in Kenosha, where he was born, and in Racine, to which place the family moved while the subject was still quite young. He attended school a few years, but, like most boys who are reared near large bodies of water, he yearned for adventure upon the great lakes. When he was eleven years old he secured a position on one of the vessels plying between Racine and other points in the lake region and for the next eight years he saw more of the water than he did of the land. Wearying of the monotony of life on ships, he longed for a little more intimate relation with green woods, verdant pastures and fields of waving grain. Returning to land, he secured a place in a barber shop, became skilled in the trade and followed it much of the time for eighteen years, principally in Chicago, Manistee and Cadillac. In the fall of 1876 he came to Cadillac, was employed as a barber and for the next eleven years followed that vocation. On the 3d day of July, 1877, in Cadillac, Wexford county, Richard W. Massey was united in marriage to Miss Emma Cobbs, a native of Indiana, born in Butlerville, Jennings county, May 3, 1859. Her parents were Jonathan W. and Nancy J. (Preble) Cobbs. He a native of Ohio, born in Columbiana county, July 25, 1828, while she was born in Ripley county, Indiana, March 21, 1833. The father was a skilled mechanic, a cabinet-maker, carpenter and wagon-maker, but devoted the greater portion of his life to the manufacture of lumber, in which he amassed a comfortable fortune. The family moved from Indiana to Michigan in 1874, and he was one of the first persons to engage in the manufacture of lumber in Cadillac. He died in 1898, and a sketch of his interesting career will be found in another part of this volume. Mrs. Cobbs is still living, a genial, matronly lady, who has yet many years of usefulness before her. Mrs. Richard NV. Massey is a lady- of taste, refinement and many accomplishments. To her and her husband four children have been born, viz.: Wynter, Mabel, Dick and a little daughter who died in infancy. In the fall of 1876 Richard W. Massey came to the city of Cadillac, and engaged in his chosen vocation, that of a barber. This he followed for eleven years, when he opened up a wholesale and retail tobacco store. In this business he was quite successful and followed it for six years. He then retired from active business and, being quite comfortably situated financially, has not considered it necessary to pursue any particular business or calling since. Having the time and means to devote to the social side of life, Mr. Massey is interested in many fraternal societies. He is a member of Cadillac Lodge No. 331, Free & Accepted Masons, Cadillac Chapter No. 103, Traverse City Commandery No. 41, and DeWitt Clinton Consistory at Grand Rapids. He is also a member of the Knights of Pythias, with a membership in the local lodge at Cadillac, and is also a member of Cadillac Lodge No. 680, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. The Massey residence is a beautiful, commodious structure, delightfully situated and furnished in palatial style. Its occupants are generous, hospitable people who merit and receive the highest regard of their fellow citizens. |