Mecosta County MI Archives Biographies.....Capen, Randall T. June 2, 1823 - 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Jan Cortez http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00020.html#0004939 April 17, 2009, 8:38 pm

Author: Chapman Brothers


RANDALL T. CAPEN, retired farmer, resident at Remus, was born in Tolland Co., 
Conn., June 2, 1823.  His 

parents, Philip R. and Julia A. (Fenton) Capen, were natives of Connecticut 
and of English descent.  During 

the years previous to attaining his majority, Mr. Capen attended school 
winters, and spent alternate 

summers in labor in the cotton factories at Windham and Bozrah.  On reaching 
the age of 21 years he netered 

Swift's cotton mill as overseer, and afterwards occupied the same position in 
Fitch's mill, in the town of 

Bozrah.  He was married June 16, 1844, to Julia A., daughter of Geo. H. and 
Lydia A. (Miller) Armstrong, 

who was born Deec. 1, 1825, and is of English and Scotch descent.  she was 
liberally educated in her native 

State, and in her general deportment gives evidence of her New England 
training.  Mr. and Mrs. Capen worked 

in the cotton mills after their marriage until the fall of 1847, when Mr. 
Capen had a serious attack of 

hemorrhage of the lungs, and was incapacitated for labor three years.  When 
sufficiently recovered he 

engaged in farming, adopting agriculture as a calling in life in 1850, 
pursuing it diligently until the 

last few months, when he retired from active life and fixed his residence at 
Remus.

In 1850 Mr. Capen went to Jefferson Co., Ohio, where he owned a farm, and 
operated until the fall of 1859.  

He then came to Wheatland and bought 120 acres of wild land, built a pioneer's 
shanty and proceeded after 

the most approved pioneer style to clear and improve his farm, putting 45 
acres in first-class farming 

condition.

The first election held in the township of Wheatland occurred at the house of 
Mr. Capen.  It was in the 

fall of 1864, and 14 voters assembled, 13 of them casting their ballots for 
Abraham Lincoln for President.

Mr. and Mrs. Capen have five children, viz:  Cyrus R., born July 5, 1845; 
Charles H., Oct. 15, 1849; Pearl 

L., Feb. 13, 1855; Ellen J., April 19, 1863; Estella R., Sept., 1, 1866.  They 
have received a good 

business as well as common-school education.  Mr. Capen is a radical 
Republican in politics and has held 

various local offices.  He is a member of the I.O. of G.T. at Millbrook.

Additional Comments:
1883 Portrait & Bio Album of Mecosta Co.

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/mi/mecosta/bios/capen584nbs.txt

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