Oceana County MI Archives History - Books .....Hart Biographies 1882
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Book Title: HISTORY OF OCEANA CO., CHICAGO, H.R. PAGE & COMPANY, 1882

Mahar Wigton was born in Sussex County, N. Y., January 25, 1808.  At a very 
early age, in connection with his parents, settled in Columbia County, N.Y., 
where he remained till 1815, when he moved to Tompkins County, and was married 
April 15, 1826, to Amelia Ellis, who was born June 3, 1804, and died April 10, 
1868, at Hart, Mich.  Mr. Wigton commenced in life (having learned the trade 
of miller) as a farmer, miller and lumberman, in Erie County, Penn., in 1826, 
where he remained till 1850, when he moved to Chautauqua County, N.Y., 
remaining till 1866, when he made Hart, Oceana Co., Mich., his home, and is 
the owner, with his son-in-law, Mr. Bosworth, of a large flouring and custom 
mill, saw mill, and much village property.  He has four living children, - 
Mrs. Lydia P. Bosworth, Mrs. Nancy A, Sprigg, Edmund P., and Warren M.



Will H. Wigton was born in Erie County, Penn., November 29, 1858, being 
grandson to Mahar Wigton, and son of John E. Wigton.  Settled in Hart in 1866; 
commenced in the boot and shoe line, March 1881, on State Street, and is doing 
an extensive business in that line.



Andrew D. Vanwickle was born in Wayne County, N.Y., April 12, 1825.  Settled 
in Erie County, Ohio, in 1884, and engaged in manufacturing and selling 
fanning mills for twelve years, when, in 1856, he moved to De Kalb County, 
Ind., and engaged in the same business for six years.  In 1862 he settled in 
Van Buren County, Mich., remaining till 1865, when he made Hart, Ocean County, 
his home, settling on Section 34, and engaging in farming.  Since he has been 
in Hart, he had enjoyed the confidence of his townsmen to a large extent, 
having been supervisor, justice of the peacce, president of the agricultural 
society, etc.,  Besides being engaged in general farming, he is paying 
considerable attention to fruit culture; also breeds the Holstein variety of 
cattle.  Married September 27, 1847, to Sarah B. Morehouse, who was born 
August 1, 1825, and died October 31, 1856; second marriage, March 14, 1857, to 
Helen A. Bishop, born in Wayne County, N.Y., October 10, 1837.

D. T. Demmon was born in Wyoming County, N.Y., Jult 17, 1837.  Settled in 
Hart, Mich., in 1867, and is engaged in farming on Section 33; also owns and 
operates a steam thresher.  In Winters he is largely engaged in getting out 
lumber of various kinds.  He served in the Ninth New York Cavalry during the 
war of the rebellion.  Married, May 2, 1859, to Sarah Ann Loomis, who was born 
in Wyoming County, N. Y., 
April 8, 1840.  Four children - Frank L., Lula A., Norman R., and Hattie A., 
born August 23, 1872, and died February 18, 1873.

Peter Gallien was born in Ohio, July 15, 1837.  Settled in Racine County, 
Wis., in 1848; learned the masons' trade, which he followed for awhile in 
Wisconsin, and still follows, in connection with farming.  Settled in Hart, 
Section 28, in 1864; married December 24, 1861, to Julia Ann Palmiter, who was 
born July 16, 1842.  Three children.

Dr. S. R. Williams was born in Dayton, Ohio, March 3, 1810; moved to Wayne 
County, Ind., in 1815, and thence, in 1843 to Elkhart County, Ind.  Commenced 
the practice of medicine in 1844, which he continued till 1878, when he 
settled on a farm on Section 17, Hart, where he now lives.  He made Hart 
village his home in 1867.  Married, December 25, 1835, to Mary Marine, who was 
born in Wayne County, Ind., June 28, 1820.

George Bate was born in Hamilton, ONtario, June, 1818; moved to Rochester, 
N.Y., in 1822, and to Lenawee County, Mich., in 1848, and engaged in the 
baking business.  In 1865 he moved to St. Joseph County, Mich., and was in the 
fruit culture.  In 1881 made Hart, Oceana County, his home, and is engaged in 
the baking and grocery business.

W. F. Lake was born in Warren County, N.Y., September 6, 1829.  Settled in 
Hillsdale County, Mich., in 1837, and in Hart, Section 32, in 1859.  Married, 
January 1, 1857, to Lucy Warren, who was born in Huron County, Ohio, January 
10, 1837.

F. G. Reading was born at Detroit, Mich., September 14, 1833.  He early 
learned the trade of carpenter and joiner, which he has followed in connection 
with contractor and builder, but at present (1882) he couples farming with his 
trade, living on Section 9, Hart Township.  He has been township treasurer, 
justice of the peace, etc.  Served in the army in the quarter-master's 
department for two years, Army of the Potomac.  Married January 1, 1860, to 
Matilda Baxter, who was born in Charleston, N.Y., July 24, 1837.  Six 
children, all girls.  His father, H. H. Reading, was born in Somerset County, 
England, December 4, 1800.  Settled in Oakland County, Mich., in 1832; lost 
his wife March 4, 1881; now lives with his son in Hart, and is engaged in life 
insurance.

Charles Gurney was born in Grange County, Ohio, June 6, 1853.  His father 
moved to Tuscola County, Mich., the same year.  Mr. Gurney received the degree 
of B. S. at the Tuscola High School, and subsequently studied law, and was 
admitted to the bar in 1881.  For several years Mr. Gurney has been engaged in 
teaching school a portion of the year.



C. C. Newell was born in Geauga County, Ohio, August 23, 1851.  Settled in 
Hart, Section 36, in 1869, occupation, a farmer.



W. H. Waters was born in Broome County, N.Y., May 14, 1842.  Settled in 
Jackson County, Iowa, in 1854, moving to Montcalm County, Mich., in 1855; 
returned to York State in 1858, remaining till the Spring of 1862, when he 
settled in Oceana County, Mich.  Enlisted in 1864, in the Third Michigan 
Infantry; served in the Army of the Cumberland till the close of the war.  
Engaged in farming till 1875; then worked as a carpenter and joiner till 1882, 
when he purchased an interest in a furniture store on State Street, Hart.  
Married, August 28, 1862, to Charlotte Goodenough, who was born in Broome 
County, N.Y., October 20, 1843.



Samuel Yates was born in Wiltshire, England, April 28, 1822.  Settled in Ionia 
County, Mich., in 1857, and in Hart, Oceana County in 1863, on Section 18, 
where he now resides, and is engaged in farming, gardening, and dealing in 
stock.  Married November 14, 1860, to Mrs. Samantha Hatch, who was born in 
Genesee County, N.Y., in 1828, and died October, 1864.



A. C. Randall was born in Yates County, N.Y., February 8, 1818.  Early 
occupation, a farmer and teacher.  Settled in Oceana County, Mich., in 1856, 
in what is now Shelby Township.  In 1869 he settled on Section 14, Hart 
Township, where he now resides.  Since he has lived in the County, he has been 
highway commissioner two years, justice eleven years, township clerk four 
years.  Married February 26, 1840, to Sophronia Anderson, who was born 
September 2, 1822.  Five living children.  One son, Lewis A., born June 27, 
1847, and died August 16, 1864, from disease contracted in the army.



David Benham was born in Onondaga County, N.Y., May 29, 1826.  Early learned 
the trade of carpenter and joiner, at which he worked in Tompkins County till 
1865, when he made Hart, Oceana County, his home, and engaged in building and 
contracting, doing a great portion of the building in Hart for some years.  He 
and partner established the planing mill on Water Street, and at present, 
1882, is president of the Hart Manufacturing Company.  Married May 29, 1849, 
Mary A. Niver, who was born in Tompkins County, N.Y., November 12, 1830.



Dr. L. Stuck was born in Seneca County, N.Y., January 1, 1831.  Moved to 
Steuben County, N. Y., in 1835, and to Adrian, Mich., in 1842.  Dr. Stuck has 
practiced denistry since 1858.  He invented and patented the metallic die for 
artificial teeth, which is being recommended and used by several 
universities.  He located at Hart in 1881.  Married first in 1853, to Sarah 
Barnum, who died in 1854; second marriage - in 1857, to Emma M. Wheeler, of 
Hudson, Mich.



John V. Cahill was born in Erie County, N.Y., May 8, 1840.  Moved to Green 
Lake County, Wis., in 1848.  Enlisted October, 1861, in the Tenth Wisconsin 
Infantry, and served in the Army of the Cumberland for three years;  was 
wounded in the head at Perrysville, Ky., October 8, 186?.  In June, 1872, went 
to Marion County, Kas., where he remained five years; then settled in Hart, 
Ocean Co., Mich., and worked at his trade - carpenter and joiner - till 1880, 
when he established business in the sale of agricultural implements.  Married, 
June 4, 1867, to Lydia E. Miers, who was born in Luzerne County, Penn., March 
3, 1843.



N. Miller was born in Tompkins County, N.Y., August 26, 1833.  Settled in 
Hart, Oceana Co., Mich., in the Spring of 1861; worked in Corbin & Ford's 
gristmill for about three years.  In 1866 he settled on Section 9, where he 
now resides, being a farmer.  Has been justice, constable, deputy sheriff, 
under sheriff, and township treasurer.  Married, December 26, 1860, Amelia E. 
Corbin, who was born in Tompkins County, N.Y., December 31, 1838.  Two living 
children - Mary L. and Le Roy.



Melvin A. Luther was born in Tompkins County, N.Y., October 17, 1841.  Settled 
in Hart, February, 1866, on Section 16, where he now lives.  Enlisted April, 
1861, in the Twenty-third New York Volunteers; served two years; wounded at 
Smith's Mountain, Md.  Married, August 5, 1866, Ida I. Corbin, who was born in 
Tompkins County, N.Y., August 5, 1849.  Three children - Ernest L., Fred. A. 
and Martin E.



Robert McAllister was born in Dumfrieshire, Scotland, February 28, 1817.  
Emigrated to New Brunswick in 1824; thence to Livingston County, N.Y., in 
1838.  In 1856 he settled on Section 5, Hart Township, Oceana County, where he 
now lives.  Married October 12, 1843, Henrietta Rosebrugh, who was born in 
Livingston County, N.Y., September 8, 1823.  Six children.



George B. Rollins was born in Poland, Me., March 11, 1838.  Settled in Oceana 
County in 1855.  Enlisted in 1862 in the One Hundreth Indiana Volunteers; 
served three years as chief regimental musician.  Married March 11, 1866, to 
Mary A. Hitchcock, who was born in Munson, Ohio, January 25, 1845.



T. J. Main was born in Tompkins County, N.Y., May 24, 1829.  Settled in Hart 
in 1866, and worked as a carpenter and joiner.  Established a livery in 1873, 
which he still carries on.  Married December 11, 1856, Soffalia J. Niver who 
was born in Tompkins County, N.Y., August 6, 1833.  Two children.



Isaac D. Reed was born in Trumbull County, Ohio, October 10, 1835.  At the age 
of eighteen learned the trade of carpenter and joiner, which he followed some 
three years.  In 1856 he settled in Barry County, Mich., and engaged in 
farming.  In May, 1861, he enlisted in the Third Michigan Volunteers, serving 
in the Army of the Potomac, and participated in all of the engagements, till 
the Fall of Richmond, as regimental wagon-master.  Settled in Hart in 1877, 
and engaged in mercantile business.  Is the present township treasurer.  
Married, August 24, 1864, to Frances M. Cannon, who was born in Huron County, 
Ohio, March 14, 1847.  Two children.



Enoch T. Mugford was born in Portland< Me., January 14, 1829.  Settled in 
Chicago in 1852, followed the trade of carpenter and joiner.  In 1854 he made 
Oceana County his home, and in 1858 settled in Hart Townsip, Section 30, where 
he now resides.  Has held several township offices, and is now serving his 
seventh term as supervisor.  Married, March 21, 1851, to Martha Jane Nutter, 
who was born in Wolfsboro, N.H., September, 1828.  Five children - William E., 
Joeph B., Menzo E., John P., and Susan M.



Ira C. Ford was born in Seneca County, N.Y., March 30, 1850. Moved to Fulton 
County, Ohio, in 1862, and to Oceana County, Mich., in 1875.  Engaged in 
farming till 1881, since which he has been scaling logs.  Was superintendent 
of chools in Crystal for three years.  Married January 28, 1878, to Clara L. 
Main, who was born in Tompkins County, N.Y., June 20, 1858.  Two children - 
Mary A. and Lloyd A.



Lyman B. Corbin. - Among the many who have contributed their energies toward 
making Hart what it is and what it hopes to be, there is, no one more entitled 
to take a front seat than the subject of this sketch.  He was born in Chenango 
County, N.Y., April 15, 1814.  Early learning every department of the business 
connected with the gristmill, we find him as early as 1845 erecting a large 
stone mill at Dryden, N.Y.  In 1862 he settled in Hart, Ocean County, and the 
same year built the first gristmill in this part of the county.  Later we find 
him exerting a powerful influence toward securing the county seat and railroad 
in Hart.  He was twice married; first, in 1837 to Mary A. DeLong, who died 
September 8, 1852; second, August, 1853, to Sally A. Messinger, who died 
April, 1879.  He died August 22, 1880, leaving six children - Mrs. N. Miller, 
Mrs. M. A. Luther, Mrs. W. Hart, Webb, Fred L. and Frank.  Fred L. Corbin was 
born in Tompkins County, N.Y., February 3, 1858.  Married, February 10, 1881, 
to Laura Collins, who was born in Hart Township, June 2, 1862.



A. S. White was born in St. Lawrence County, N.Y., November 24, 1842.  In 1867 
he settled in clinton County, Mich., and engaged in the mercantile business 
with Mr. Knox, where they remained one year, and then moved their business to 
Hart, Ocean County, where they continued the business until 1874, at which 
time Mr. White retired from the mercantile business, and with others 
established a bank in Hart, since which he has been its cashier.  Married, 
February 24, 1875, Ella H. Alverson, who was born in Jefferson County, N.Y., 
May 5, 1844.  Two children.



Rev. John Bliss was born in Pensylvania, December 9, 1829.  Received a common 
school education.  Settled in Sheboygan County, Wis., in 1846, and engaged in 
farming.  Moved to Lake County, Ill., in 1849.  Commenced preaching in the 
Wesleyan Methodist Church in 1858; ordained in 1861, since which he has ever 
followed his calling in different localities.  Settled in Hart, Oceana Co., 
Mich., in 1866, and for five years acted as missionary to the Indians in that 
county.  Also has a farm on Section 14, Hart Township.  Has been twice 
married; first, March 24, 1851, to Maria Butcher, who died November 9, 1853; 
second marriage, August 14, 1864, to Martha J. Curtis, who was born in 
Onondaga County, N.Y., June, 1834.



Ambrose Mason was born in Washington County, N.Y., October 16, 1830.  Settled 
in Ashtabula County, Ohio, in 1836.  He lived in Lenawee and Hillsdale 
Counties, Mich., from 1860 till 1867, when he settled in Hart, Oceana Co., 
Mich., on Section 28, where he resided till 1882, when he moved to Hart, to 
work at his trade - a builder and contractor.  Is the present county coroner.  
Married February 9, 1860, to Ann G. Burke, who was born in Mahoning County, 
Ohio, May 24, 1833.  Five children - Calvin B., Mary O., Lizzie A., Ina S. and 
Ambrose J.



Jesse Mills was born near Toronto, Canada, October 26, 1847.  Settled in Hart 
in 1860.  Enlisted, in 1863, in the Twenty-sixth Michigan Infantry.  Taken 
prisoner at Appomattox, June 5, 1864.  Now is engaged in farming on Section 
22, Hart Township.  Married, Jult 4, 1870, to Agnes Gratten, who was born in 
County Down, Ireland, July 24, 1851.

Additional Comments:
HISTORY OF OCEANA CO., CHICAGO, H.R. PAGE & COMPANY, 1882


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