Biographies of Elmwood, Tuscola County, Michigan


Copyright © 1998 by Bonnie Petee. This copy contributed for use in 
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Elmwood Biographies 


Taken from The History of Tuscola County, Biographical Sketches and 
Illustrations, H. R. Page Co., Chicago, 1883. Thanks to Bonnie Petee. 

JAMES BINGHAM was born in Wentworth County, Ontario, Aug. 18, 1821, and 
resided with his parents until twenty-six years of age. April 15, 1847, he 
married Miss Charlotte Gage, of Haldimand, formerly of the vicinity of 
Hamilton, where she was born Dec. 2, 1824. His father gave him fifty acres 
of land in Glanford, upon which he settled, but sold out in 1856, and moved 
to Norfolk County, where he purchased land near the mouth of Clear Creek. In 
the spring of 1866, he come to Elmwood and purchased land on section 13, 
which was entirely new. He moved his family into a house near by and worked 
out for wage that summer, and the next winter worked in the lumber camps for 
Joseph Gage. In the spring of 1867, he moved into a small board house he had 
erected on his place, and commenced clearing the land, but had, previous to 
this, in 1866, cleared eleven acres. In 1871, he bought 100 acres more land 
on section 24, and owns in all, 280 acres. He and his boys have cleared 120 
acres and he has give two of them farms of eighty acres each. He has had six 
children, of whom four are living: Byron, born Nov. 29, 1848; married Miss 
Sarah Cline, of Almer, in December 1871. Augusta, born August 25, 1850; 
married Amasa Coon, of Houghton, Canada, Nov.30, 1871. Jordon, born Dec.15, 
1852; married Miss Chloe Hutchinson, of Ellington, Dec.25, 1872. Collin, 
born April 29, 1856; died Aug. 29, 1861; Henry, born May 12, 1858; died 
Aug 22, 1861.



JOHN CALLEY was born near Smith's Falls, Canada, Jan. 13, 1832, and when 
seven years of age moved, with his parents, to the township of Southwold, 
Elgin County, where he remained until 1858. He then came to Flint, Michigan, 
going from there to Saginaw City, and in 1866 came to Tuscola County and 
took up land in Elmwood, on section 2. Mr. Calley was one of the early 
settlers and found but few roads in going to his land after crossing swamps 
as best he could. He arrived with his goods and family in November, in the 
midst of a rain-storm and everything presented a discouraging aspect. After 
a few months Mr. Calley's health failed and he could do but little work for 
several years, but notwithstanding, adverse circumstances surrounding him, 
has succeeded in making himself and family a good home. He was married in 
July, 1853, to Miss Mary Benson, of Aldborough, Elgin County, Ontario, who 
was born June 10, 1833. They have had eleven children, of whom six are living.



FREDERICK EYRE was born in Derbyshire, England, in 1833, and served an 
apprenticeship at the wagon maker's trade, which he followed four or five 
years afterward. He came to New York in 1856, and worked in that city about 
one year, then went to Hamilton, Ont., and was there about two years. He 
afterward worked in Port Dover, N. Y., and Walsingham ten years, when he 
went to Midland City, Mich., and engaged in business, where he lost 
everything by fire. His next business venture was in West Bay City, where he 
again lost by fire to the extent of $3,000, and then removed to Unionville, 
Tuscola County, where he carried on a shop two years, going from there in 
the fall of 1874 to Gagetown, and two years later to Cass City. In 1876 he 
purchased a farm on section 2 in Elmwood, and in the spring of 1878 moved 
upon it, and has since resided there. He has the confidence of his 
towns-people, and has held many of the township offices. He was married in 
1861 to Miss Mary Mitchell, who was born in Lincolnshire, England in 1841. 
They have had nine children, of whom seven are living.



JOSEPH GAGE, the oldest settler of the village of Gagetown, was born in the 
township of Toronto, Ontario, Jan. 17, 1833. He, in company with a brother, 
came to the township of Elmwood the last day of April, 1860, and took up 120 
acres of land on section 26, built a shanty and commenced to chop twenty 
acres, which they continued until completed. Their bed was composed of 
hemlock boughs, and their nearest neighbors were five miles to the south and 
two and one-half miles to the east, while all about them was an unbroken 
wilderness. In 1869, he built a steam saw-mill in what is now the village of 
Gagetown, and in 1871 he platted the town which was named after him. He was 
married in 1867 to Miss Sarah Bush, of Caro, who was born in Oakland County 
in 1847, and died in 1872, leaving two children. He was again married in 1876, 
to Miss Nelson, of Elmwood, formerly of Brookville, Ontario, and by whom he 
has two children. In 1870, he opened a general store, which he continued 
until 1882. At the present time he is the owner of 1,500 acres of land, and 
runs a saw, shingle and planing-mill. Mr. Gage has held all the offices in 
the gift of the township.



REV. CLEMENT T. B. KREBS, the incumbent of Saint Agatha's Roman Catholic 
Church in Gagetown, was born at Dorsben, province of Westphalia, Germany, 
July 25, 1851. He studied at the College in his native town until 1873, 
beginning his course in 1866. In 1873 he came to America and entered Saint 
Mary'sSeminary at Cincinnati, Ohio, and was ordained a priest in Sandwich, 
Ontario, June 7, 1879. From here he was sent to Gagetown by the Right 
Reverend C. H. Borgess, bishop of Detroit, and was at that time the only 
Catholic priest in Tuscola County. Upon his arrival in Gagetown he purchased 
land of Joseph Gage and gave him a contract to erect thereon a church and 
dwelling, which were completed in 1881. His congregation in 1879 was small, 
but has largely increased, and he intends to build a school-house and open a 
school during the next three years.



HENRY C. LAFLAMBOY was born at Niagara Falls, N. Y., Aug. 27, 1854, and in 
December, 1864, moved, with his parents, to Oakland County, Michigan, where 
they engaged in farming. He worked on the farm summers and attended school 
during the winter months. When twenty-one years of age he went to learn the 
carpenter's trade, which he has since followed the greater part of the time. 
Feb. 21, 1882, he came to Gagetown and opened a furniture store and 
undertaking establishment - the first in the place. He was married in 1877, 
to Miss Elizabeth J. Autin, of Oakland County, Michigan.



TANCREDA C. MAYNARD was born July 30, 1860, in the city of Montreal, Canada, 
and when six years of age commenced attending St. Peter's School, where he 
continued five years and from which he entered the Massan College, of 
Terrebonne, where he remained till January 8, 1874, when the building was 
destroyed by fire. He then returned home, where he remained until the 18th 
of April, 1876, when he went to Bay City where he had a sister, Mrs. Dr. J. P. 
Gariepy, and through the influence of the doctor he secured a position in a 
drug store, and afterwards went to Caro, where he was with Job. F. Street. 
Nov. 25, 1880, he came to Gagetown, and opened a drug store for himself, and 
is having a growing trade. He also repairs clocks, watches, and jewelry -- 
the only place in Gagetown where the above articles are cleaned and repaired.



THOMPSON MCAFEE was born in Solon, Ohio, in 1853, residing there till 
eighteen years of age, when he came to the township of Ellington. In 1876 he 
purchased eighty acres of land on section 12 in Elmwood, upon which he has 
since resided and to which he has since added eighty acres, besides owning 
two 40-acre tracts on section 11 and 12. He was married in 1875, to Miss Ida 
C. White, of Ellington, whose parents were among the first settlers there.



JOSEPH PERRY was born in Walton, Somersetshire, England, July 14, 1844, and 
was on a farm until twelve years of age. He then left home, and went to Wales 
here he worked in the iron mines and coal mines five years, and in 1866 
shipped on board the ship "British Empire" at Liverpool for Bombay. They 
loaded with coal which was discharged at destination, and then sai