In the books' own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. The later printing (1913) is folded below the first. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1855
From Biographical memoirs of Gratiot County, Michigan : compendium of biography of celebrated Americans (1906), Gratiot County, Michigan. Historical, biographical, statistical. Chronicling the events of the first sixty years of the county's existence as the abode of white men; with county, township, city and vi (1913)
HON. HUGH CHISHOLM, ex-member of the Michigan Legislature, junior member of the well-known firm of Chisholm Brothers, merchants, of Breckenridge, and a substantial citizen and representative farmer of Wheeler township, was born in Ross-shire, Scotland, April 29, 1855.
The late Alexander Chisholm, his father, was a native of Scotland. He married Ann McLennan, who was also from that country, and who died in Canada when about thirty-five years old, Mr. Chisholm surviving until April 1, 1904, when he died in Lafayette township, Gratiot county, Michigan, aged eighty-four years. They had four sons, of which family Hugh was the youngest member.
Hugh Chisholm was brought by his parents from Scotland to Canada when he was about two years old, and one year afterward from there to Ingham county, Michigan. Here the family lived four years, at the end of which time they located in Gratiot county, settling in Lafayette township, on a farm, where our subject grew to manhood. He purchased an eighty-acre farm of wild land on Sections 1 and 12, which he cleared and cultivated, and upon which he resided until about 1884, when he located in Breckenridge and purchased the stock of merchandise of L. Wagner & Company in company with his brother Alexander. Since that time Mr. Chisholm has continued in that line in Breckenridge. In addition to his business interests there he is the owner of a seventy-five-acre farm in Wheeler township, which is finely cultivated and improved with modern, substantial buildings.
Mr. Chisholm was elected to the Michigan Legislature in the fall of 1890, on the P. of I. ticket, being endorsed by the Democrats and Prohibitionists, and served one term. He has been very active in temperance work in this section, and is also an active worker in the church, attending the First Congregational Church at Breckenridge.
Mr. Chisholm was married in Montreal, Canada, September 24, 1884, to Mary Mc- Lennan, who was born in Scotland, daughter of John and Jane (McKenzie) McLennan, both of whom died in Scotland. To Mr. and Mrs. Chisholm the following named children have been born: Ellen A., John A. and William H.
As printed in Biographical memoirs of Gratiot County, Michigan : compendium of biography of celebrated Americans (1906). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Hon. Hugh Chisholm, who represented Gratiot County in the state legislature, session of IS'll. is the youngest of the children of the late Alexander Chisholm who settled on section 6, Lafayette Township in 1861, and who died at the farm home, April 1, 1904; a staunch and sturdy Scotch pioneer of strict integrity. Hugh Chisholm, born in Scotland April 29, 1855, came to American with his parents in 1857. In Lafayette he served as a farmer, mana,ging, however, to acquire a good education. In 1884 he went into mercantile business with his brother, Alexander, continuing in the business until about 1907, when, on account of ill-health, he sold his mercantile interests to his partner and went West. He is now a resident of Twin Falls. Idaho. In the fall of 1890 he was elected to the state legislature by a combination of the Patrons of Industry and Democrats. The first-mentioned party was originally a farmers' and laborers' industrial organization, but at this time it was being hired, or was during itself into politics. Mr. Chisholm served one term, but was defeated for re-election by Silas Moody, of Forest Hill.
Lafayette has always been highly favored in its citizenship. The township stands second to none in this respect. It is, therefore, difficult to give a brief list of her more prominent and influential citizens. However, the following are sorted out roughly, with no claim that the list is anywhere near complete. They are in addition to those more fully mentioned, and quite a large proportion of them are still with us in the flesh: William D, H. Hamill: AVilliam Derry; Dr. Thomas J. Gulick: Alex. Chisholm. Sr.: John and Andrew Mitchell: Thomas Hopkins; W. B. Robertson; Joseph Scudder and his son Fred J.; James H. McNall; George W. Aldrich: Eugene M. Beeker; G. Riley Aldrich; R. Alonzo Peet; John:M. Becker: Asa P. Beam; Edward Schirmer; B. Frank McNall, (representative in legislature. 1894); George Sherman; Frank M. and Rolla I. Peet; William A. Nodding, Henry R. Wilcox, Odell Peet.
Adams, Carlisle. July 19, 1885, aged 7y.
Ancel, Mrs. Margaret, March 13, 1899, aged 79: at the home of her son-inlaw, Nicholas \\wagner.
Aldrich, Geo. W., at the home of his son Charles in Lafayette, February 26, 1913, aged 85 years. He removed to Gratiot County in 1865, settling in Lafayette, and was one of the township's best-known citizens. He was a soldier in the Civil War.
Allen, Alanson, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Homer Chaffin, Ithaca, March 4, 1913, aged 77 years. For several years a resident of Lafayette.
Burgin, Wm., Sept. 6, 1871, aged 77.
Becker, John M., July 21, 1877. Came to Lafayette in 1870. 'as supervisor three years and held other responsible positions.
Burgin, Ebenezer H., April 14. 1892, aged 71. One of the pioneers of 1856.
Beam, Asa P., at his home in Lansing, Colorado, Nov. 9, 1893, aged about 7. Died by the hand of an assassin. A prominent resident of Lafayette many years. Candidate for county clerk in 1878, on the Greenliack ticket.
Bulman Wm., April 2, 1909.
Bliss, Ezra, March 26, 1913, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. John Daily, of Emerson, aged 72 years. He settled in Lafayette in 1878.
Cruson, Garrett K., Sept., 1887. Death was probably hastened by the tragedy through which he passed three years previously, in which lie nearly lost his life b_y robbers, an account of which is given elsewhere.
Cruson, Mrs. Garrett K., Dec, 1892, a few weeks after the death of her oldest son, Clyde, who figured so conspicuously and so bravely in repulsing the villains who attempted to rob his father, tow-ship treasurer of Lafayette, January 16. 1884.
Chisholm, Alex., Sr., April 1, 1904, aged 84. He came to Gratiot in 1861. Idcating in Lafayette. A substantial citizen, and of strict integrity.
Chisholm, Mrs. Mary, wife of Alex. Chisholm. Aug. 25, 1875, at the age of 50 years.
Chisholm, Mrs. Julia Ann (Snook), second wife of Alex. Chisholm, April 8, 1904, one week after Mr. Chisholm's death. She came to Gratiot in 1858, locating in Bethany; daughter of Jacob Burnham.
Crane, Obed F., April 11, 110, aged 65. A respected resident here about 25 years.
Cornwell, Rev. William J., July 30, 1913, aged 74 years: at his home in Lafayette. A citizen greatly respected.
[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]
Derry, Mary A., Aug. 2, 1891, aged 50.
David, Byron C, Dec. 4, 1908, aged nearly 62. A resident 20 years.
Derry, Wm., June 6, 1897, aged 60. Mr. Derry came to Gratiot and to Lafayette in 1866, in company with his brothers, Thomas, John and Alfred, Thomas Dingman, John and George Killeen, pitching their tents in the Lafayette forests.
Edmonds, Mrs., May 1, 1888. aged 7S: at the residence of her daughter, Mrs. P. H. Sisson.
Eastman, James, June 1. 1877, aged 85.
Easlick, Wm., July 4, 1899, aged 70.
Easlick, David" H.', Aug. 11, 1899, aged 72.
Frost, Hattie, January 6, 1878, aged 7.
Frost, Lettie, January 0. 1878, aged 3.
Frost, Walter, January 12, 1878, aged 11. Cliildrcn of James and Harriet Frost.
Federspiel, Balthazer, April 5, 1885, father of John A. and John N. Federspiel, who were prominent officially and otherwise, in the township.
Gulick, Mrs. Mary E., second wife of Dr.Thos. J. Gulick, Nov. 18, 1889, aged 59.
Gulick, Dr. Thomas J., March 11, 1892, aged 71. Respected residents of Lafayette fmm 1874.
Godley, Andrew B., Nov. 17, 1905, at the age of 61 years. A resident 26 years; township treasurer in 1893 and "94.
Coward, Richard, Nov. 12, 1910, aged 7Z. A Civil War soldier and a pioneer.
Gulick, Dewitt C, July 19, 1911, aged 89 years. A pioneer of the county, leaving an aged wife and two sons — Jefferson and George.
Hawkins, John, Aug. 30, 1880, aged 50.
Hopkins, Thomas, January 1, 1889, aged 95. A soldier in the War of 1812.
Hopkins, Thomas, Nov. 7, 1910, aged 81. He had been a resident 44 years. His wile preceded him about four years.
Hoard, Delos, Sept. 25, 1911, aged 78. A man with many friends; came to Gratiot in 1884.
Mead, Mrs. Rachel, Sept. 30, 1870, aged 49.
Maples, Caleb, Dec. 19, 1872, aged 94.
Mitchell, Kenneth, April 24, 1889, aged 55.
McNall, Mrs. Mary B., wife of Hon. B. F. McNall, Nov. 1, 1893, aged 36. A lady who left many friends to regret her death.
McBain, Jerome, Dec. 19, 1898, aged 68.
Mitchell, John, June 24, 1912, aged 91 years. An early settler and an exemplary citizen.
Pitts, Samuel, Nov. 5, 1867, aged 67.
Peet, Mrs. Mary E., Sept. 24, 1881, aged 47. Wife of R. A. Peet.
Peet, Rolla Alonzo, July, 1908, aged 78 years. An old soldier who settled in Lafayette in 1875. He will be long remembered as a man of genial and cordial disposition, with advanced and liberal views, politically, and with very independent opinions on theological questions; and never backward about expressing his beliefs.
Pierce, Wells, Aug., 1908, aged 74. A prominent and active resident of Lafayette 34 years. He and Mrs. Pierce celebrated their golden wedding anniversary May 14, 1905.
Rowell, Mrs., wife of Charles Rowell, March 10, 1883.
Roe, Samuel T., February 5, 1895, aged 88. A pioneer of 1856, prominent ijft'iciallv, being supervisor in 1860 and justice in 1868.
Russell, Geo., Dec. 2, 1891, aged 74.
Rolfe, Henry, Dec. 12, 1900, aged 63.
Rolfe, Geo. W., February 22, 1903, aged 89.
Rowell, Mrs. EUza, March 16, 1907, aged 65; wife of Charles Rowell.
Russell, Mrs. George, Nov. 11, 1909, aged 52.
Robertson, Wm. Bradley, Mav 31, 1909, aged 61. A valued old resident
Russell, David T., Sept. 23, 1907, aged 90."
Smith, Mrs. Robert, February 9, 1887; suddenly, with heart disease.
Sisson, Mrs. Emma, May 1, 1888, aged y-' years.
Snow, Lyman D., July 8, 1889, aged S3.
Schirmer, Edward,"Aug. 13, 1897, aged 74. Settled here in 1860.
Shuman, Geo., Tune 19, 1901, aged 88.
Sutton, Wm. H' Nov. 9, 1905, aged 70. A soldier of the Civil War.
Showerman, Benj., Dec. 29, 1906, aged 83.
Scudder, Elizabeth, wife of Joseph Scudder, Aug. 24, 1910, aged 78, Leading pioneers.
Street, Frank, May 21, 1908. aged 7i.
Sadler, Joseph D., February 20. 1910, aged about 58. An old resident and well till )Ught of. Clerk and treasurer several years.
Scudder, Fred J., son of Joseph Scudder, July 1, 1911, aged 37 years. He was highly esteemed; elected clerk five consecutive terms.
Sisson, Mrs. Lucy, wife of Philander H. Sisson, died at her home in Edgewood, Jan. 2.5. 1913. aged nearly 75 years. An estimable lady whose death was mourned by husband, daughter — Mrs. Chas. A. Tarr — and many friends.
Tillotson, C. M., Aug. 4, 1906, aged 71. Had been in mercantile trade at Ratlibone.
Turner, Wm. H., Sept. 8, 1908, at the home of his son, Joseph, aged 80 years.
Thornton, Hiram, March 11. 1907. aged 76.
Van Epps, Mrs., Dec. 17, 1894, aged 97, at the home of her son, Henrv.
Willard, Samuel, May 30. 1896, aged 65.
Welch, Frank, Oct. 26, 1908, suddenly, when returning home from hauling a load of l)cets to Wheeler.
Welch, Alonzo, April 20. 1910. aged about 60; death following the amputation of a leg for gangrene. A much-respected old soldier.
Wagner, Mrs., respected wife of Nicholas Wagner, Aug. 12. 1910. aged 68. fSee sketch.)
Zimmerman, George, April 22. 1902, aged 85.
Zimmerman, E. M., February 2. 1903, aged 75.
Zimmerman, Jacob, May 15. 1904. aged 53.
Zimmerman, Mrs. Martha G. (Donnan), Feb. 12, 1913, aged 52 years: wife of deiirge A. Zimmerman. A good wagon, leaving a husband, two children and an aged mother.
1883, April ITi — The residence of.mith lurgittroid. with nearly all its contents, burned; no insurance.
1887. March 10 — D. Howell, section 17. lost his house and most of its contents, by fire.
1887, March 17 — A house owned by R. Peet and occur)ied by Lee Russell, was burned, with a loss of $1,000, and no insurance.
1895, Jan. 29 — A house owned by. Gilbert Goodhue, and occu]iied Tames Hakes, section 30, burned with most of the contents.
1892, March 29— The house of Wilson P-roadbeck. of Lafayette, was consumed by fire.
1896. March 26 — P. H. Sisson's store at Edgwood. burned, together with a good share of the stock. Loss, $4,000; insurance, $3,000.
[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]
1898. April 14 — The large farm barn of Dan. Chisholm burned this morning, and five head of cattle, 30 hogs, hay. grain and tools were consumed.
1902. Jan. 10 — Fire destroyed the residence of R. F. Aldrich. together with the contents, while the family was absent from home.
1904. Feb. 15 — John Husted lost his house and its contents liy fire, evening of Feb. 15tii.
1909,.\ug. 31 — The old homestead house of George Aldrich. occupied by his son Charles, was burned to the ground.
1913. Fell. — Geo. L. Lewis lost his barn by fire, together with its valuable contents.
As printed in Gratiot County, Michigan. Historical, biographical, statistical. Chronicling the events of the first sixty years of the county's existence as the above of white men; with county, township, city and vi (1913). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Named in this biography: John N. Federspiel (b. 1840) Nicholas Wagner (b. 1841) Odell Peet (b. 1855)
The printed record stops around 1906. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.