(NO NEWSPAPER SOURCE)

JULY 1977

CLARA ALDRICH

Clara E. ALDRICH,94,of N. 4th Street in Shepherd, died July 10, 1977,

at Pleasant Manor Nursing Home in Mt. Pleasant. Born 28 September 1882,

in Coe township, she resided most of her life in Shepherd.

She was married to William ALDRICH, who preceded her in death in 1964.

She was a life member of the Rebecca Lodge in Shepherd.

she is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Howard (LaVerne) MUNSON of

Shepherd, several grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Her husband, one son, Hubert, three brothers and three sisters all

preceded her in death.

Funeral services will be Wednesday, July 13, 1977

ISABELLA COUNTY REPUBLICAN

5 JUNE 1952

MRS. EMMA L. GRUBAUGH ALLEN

The recent death of Mrs. Emma ALLEN recalls to mind many aspects of the

era in which she and her famous husband, Perry, lived.

The early days of the lumbering era in this part of the state set the stage

for the later days when Mr. Allen, as a member of the Lumberjacks

Orchestra became known from coast to coast, while Mrs. ALLEN remained 

quietly at home keeping the home fires content to bask in the reflected

glory of her mate.

Perry, with his rattling spoons, tambourine, red and green dancing shoes was

a fixture of the late Frank I. WIXON'S famed Lumberjack picnic staged year 

after year at Edenville, where upwards of 30,000 persons gathered.

Nationally acclaimed, the orchestra was recognized at the National

Fold Music Festival in St. Louis some years ago. Perry himself was 

known as that clever little Michigan Lumberjack as he entertained with

music, dancing and stories from coast to coast via stage & radio.

He played stage shows in Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, Philadelphia,

Washington, Chattanooga and New York besides visiting many smaller

cities in Michigan. He swapped yarns with Eddie DOWLING, New York

producer, stomp danced with Benton, Missouri artist and sang for

Allen Lomax of the Library of Congress and Traverse City introduced 

him to the Highway Engineers of America.

Dr. E. C. BECK, head of the English department at Central Michigan

College of Education, ran his picture in his book " Songs of the Michigan

Lumberjacks". Judge George A. BELDING made him the subject of a poem,

"That Little Scotch Lumberjack".

On one occasion, however, his wife shared the limelight equally with him,

and that was on May 6th, 1943, when they celebrated their sixtieth wedding

anniversary at their home in Shepherd.

Friends and relatives from miles around came to help that occasion and

offer congratulations. The Lumberjacks and Dr. BECK made their

appearance to extend their best wishes to the couple and to contribute to

the entertainment of the day.

Thus, today we have only these memories of one who made the name of our

little town known throughout the nation with just the simple repetition of

what was once a part of the every day life of our forefathers.

NEWSPAPER UNKNOWN - CLIPPING - HAND DATED

28 APRIL 1927

ALZINA PRESTON ALLEN

Alzina Preston ALLEN, daughter of Ira & Alcesta PRESTON, was born

in Steuben Co., NY, December 12, 1845, and departed this life on 22 April 1927

at Shepherd, MI, at the age of 81 years,4 months, and 10 days.

She was united in marriage to Sherman J. ALLEN on 19th August, 1866. To

this union were born 9 children, two deceased and seven surviving, all of

whom are married and left to mourn their loss.

At the age of 30,she was converted and joined the Evangelical Church.

She was always an active worker in the church circles. She was also

a devoted wife and loving mother, and will be greatly missed by a

host of friends.

The children are: Della COON of Pleasant Valley, William T. ALLEN of

Detroit, Addie SWIX of Shepherd, Nettie LITTLE of Cottage Grove, OR.,

Hattie YAGER of Midland, and Arthur ALLEN of Ferndale. Mrs. ALLEN

also leaves a sister, Mrs. Lena BAILEY of St. Louis a brother Chauncy 

PRESTON of Saginaw,22 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren.

The funeral was held at the Methodist Church Monday morning at 10:30,

Rev MAYHEW officiating and burial in Salt River Cemetery.

(NO NEWSPAPER OR DATE LISTED)

MARJORIE ABBOTT

Mrs. Marjorie E. ABBOTT, Route 1,Vestaburg, died Sunday morning

August 17th at her home. She was a former resident of Shepherd until

1969.Mrs. ABBOTT was born September 16th, 1911 in Isabella County.

Survivors include her husband, Marshall F. ABBOTT; one son,

Marshall D. ABBOTT of Riverdale; two daughters Mrs. Vera M.

BARNHART of Augusta and Mrs. Lois A. FREEMAN of Vestaburg;

10 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren; three brothers, Ernest

BLACK of Riverdale,Olan BLACK of Middleton and Nathan BLACK of

Dewitt; three sisters, Mrs. Dorothy BUNKER of Wolverine, Mrs.

Carrie May WIEFERICH of Mt. Pleasant, and Mrs. Mary Jean BORTON of

Vestaburg.

Services were held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, August 19, from the Stebbins

Funeral Home, Edmore, James W. LEMMONS, Minister.

Interment was at Mt. Pleasant Memorial Gardens.

SHEPHERD ARGUS

18 DECEMBER 1963

ANNETTE LYNNE HAWKINS

Graveside services were held at the Salt River Cemetery for Annette

Lynne HAWKINS, infant daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Jerry HAWKINS of

Route 4,Mt. Pleasant, on Wednesday, December 11, at 10 a.m.,

with Rev. Newton HUFFINE officiating.

Surviving besides her parents is one brother, Michael the maternal

grandparents, Mr. & Mrs. Roy DENTON of Mt. Pleasant and the

paternal grandmother, Mrs. Nina HAWKINS of Shepherd.

Garber Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

(NO NEWSPAPER SOURCE LISTED-

APRIL 1979

Mary WRIGHT married Frank SANFORD

Frank married Ethel - several children including Esther.

(This must have been the son of Mary WRIGHT and Frank SANFORD, Sr.)

Frank Sr. worked on the Dee SHUMWAY ranch which included Hartwick 

Pines. After his death, Mary married a SHUMWAY. She died in 1949 at

age 99,in Mt. Pleasant.

Frank Jr. lived in Crawford County

Mary is a 3rd generation COHOON - Samuel - Minerva married

Clark WRIGHT -- Mary.

Samuel was a brother to Lidick COHOON, great grandfather to

Leo COHOON

(this is copied just as written)

PORTRAIT - DAVID C. VROMAN

Published 1884

David C. VROMAN, farmer on section 27 of Coe township, is a son of

Tunis & Elizabeth (Craig) VROMAN, natives of the State of New York and

Maine. The parents first settled in Orleans Co., NY, and afterwards removed

to Jackson County, this State, where the mother died. The father yet lives in

that county. Their family numbered eight, and David C. was their second son.

He was born in Jackson County, Mary 24,1836,attended school until

17 years old and remained at home until 23 years old. In February 1859

he came with his wife to Isabella County and bought 120 acres on section

27 of Coe township. He has since disposed of 80 acres and has improved

55 acres.

He was married in Jackson county, this State, July 1,1858, to Julie E.,

daughter of David H. & Chloe (Sanford) GOLDSMITH. Parents

were natives of Tompkins Co., NY and the daughter was born in

Monroe County, NY on September 13, 1841.Florence M., William H.,

Walter L., Zada A., and Raymond W. are the names of their five children.

Zada A. died when a little over one year old.

Mr. and Mrs. V. are members of the Disciples' Church. 

Politically, he is a Democrat.

PORTRAIT - JAMES CAMPBELL

Published 1884

James CAMPBELL, farmer, section 17 of Coe township, is a son of

John & Maria (Tusten) CAMPBELL, the former a native of Ireland and

later of Pennsylvania, who passed their lives in Chester Co., PA., she

dying in 1837 and he in 1859.They had seven children.

The subject of this sketch was born in the above county May 1, 1830, 

was reared on a farm and educated at the common school. When of age he

came to Jackson County, this State, where for two years, he worked on a

farm by the month. In October,1854 he came to this county and entered 240 acres 

of land in Coe township. He has since disposed of all but 110 acres, and

he now has 90 acres in good cultivation, with a good residence and fine

farm buildings. He was a pioneer, commencing with a log cabin in the

wilderness, and has prospered as an industrious, economical husbandman,

having now the essentials of a comfortable home. He has been Pathmaster

for several years, and is at present School Director, which office he has held

for 15 years. In national politics he is a Democrat, and in religion he,

as well as wife, are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

In September of 1864, he enlisted in the 15th Mich. Inf., and served 

about nine months, receiving an honorable discharge at Washington D.C.

During his military experience he received no wound and met with no serious

accident.

Mr. CAMPBELL was married in Jackson County, Michigan January 18, 1855

to Euphemia, daughter of John & Rachel (Sloat) NEELY, who were natives

of New York State. Mrs. C. was born in Manchester, MI on 17 May 1834.

The children born in this family are: Isabella, Rachel A., Nettie, George B.,

Ada and Ella, besides Hattie and Charlie, deceased.

PORTRAIT- THOMAS J. FORDYCE

Published 1884

Thomas J. FORDYCE, resident at Mt. Pleasant, was born in the village

of Clinton, Greene Co., PA on September 4, 1834, and is the son of John W.

& Sally (Bane) FORDYCE. His father is a native of Greene Co., where he was

born February 13, 1813, and in early life was a tailor by profession. He is now

a resident in section 27 of Coe township, this county, where he owns 40 acres

of land. His mother was a native of Washington Co., PA, and died in May

of 1880 in Coe township.

Mr. FORDYCE was reared to the age of 17 years on his father's farm in

PA., and at that age he went to Preston County, W. VA and passed 

between six and seven years in railroading, about two thirds of that time

as superintendent of a construction corps. He was married while there

on August 22, 1856 to Elizabeth TURNER, daughter of Z.C. and

Sarah TURNER. She was born January 7, 1835.After his marriage, Mr.

FORDYCE engaged with James KANE as foreman in the lumber woods of

W. VA, and operated in that capacity until the spring of 1864, when he

engaged as assistant superintendent of the Preston County Candle and

Gas Coal Company.

He remained with them until September 30, 1865, when he came to

Isabella County. He made the route by stage from St. Johns to St. Louis

and thence through the woods to Coe township, where he bought 40 acres

of timber land on section 26.On this he resided about eight years and

cleared nearly 30 acres. He sold the place in 1872 and bought 80 acres

of land on section 11 of Coe township,40 acres of which were improved

and under cultivation. The place was in his possession but one year, as he

sold it in the spring of 1873.

In the fall of 1872, Mr. FORDYCE was nominated on the Republican 

ticket for Sheriff and was elected over Cornelius BOGAN by a majority

of 273 votes. He was re-elected in 1874, and a year after that expiration of his

term of office he moved to a farm of 80 acres in Chippewa, which had 

previously come into his possession by exchange. Sixty acres of the place

was under cultivation and he continued to reside on and manage it until

January 1, 1884.He moved into Mt. Pleasant February 1, following and

has since continued to reside there. He owns two residences and lots in town

situated on Bennett's Addition. He is a member of the Order of Masonry and

belongs to the fraternity of Odd Fellows. he has held numerous township 

offices and school offices and has officiated as constable.

PORTRAIT - JACKSON ALEXANDER

Published in 1884

Jackson ALEXANDER, farmer, section 26, Coldwater township, was

born July 4, 1827 in Washington Co., PA., and is the son of John & Mary

(Harden) ALEXANDER, both of whom were natives of the Keystone State.

The father was born in March1797, and died April 27, 1881.The mother was

born November 30, 1800, and died January 19, 1884.In 1829, the parents

removed to Jefferson County, Ohio, where the father purchased a timbered

track, which he put in fair agricultural condition, with the aid of his son, whose

labors were necessary to that work, and the maintenance of the family

from a very early age.

At 18 years of age, Mr. ALEXANDER became his own master, and he went

to Stark County, Ohio, where he spent three years as a farm laborer.In 1854, he

went to Elkhart County, Indiana, where he engaged in job work, both laborious

and profitable.He was married May 15, 1856, to Louisa, daughter of John T. & 

Nancy (Carpenter) WILSON.Her parents were natives of Ohio, where they

passed their entire lives. Mr. & Mrs. ALEXANDER soon after their marriage

set out for Fillmore County, MINN., with the purpose of establishing a home on

the prairies, but the country not meeting their expectation they returned to

Elkhart, IND., where they passed the ensuing three years in farming.

Mr. ALEXANDER became a soldier in the second year of the

Civil War, enlisting August 10, 1862, in Co. G., 74th IND. Vol. Inf. The

regiment was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland, and was in action

most of the battles and skirmishes from Chattanooga to the surrender

of Joe JOHNSTON.The principal engagements were at Perryville, Tullahoma,

Chickamauga, Peach-tree Creek, Jonesboro and Kenesaw Mountain.

Mr. ALEXANDER received two wounds during the first day's fight at 

Chickamauga, one in the neck from a stray shot in a flank movement by

the rebels, early in the day and a second, about four in the afternoon, in the

right arm above the elbow. He was mustered out of the service June 21, 1865,

and returned home.

He spent a year on a rented farm, and the last days of October, 1866, came to

Isabella County, MI. He at once entered the first papers on the property which

has since been his home, and in May 1867, he returned and built his home.

In September following, he came hither with his wife and three children.

The journey from Elkhart with a team was a memorable one and characteristic

of the variety of incidents in pioneer life. The distance traversed was 200 miles.

They made the route without mishap until near Schafer's tavern, 27 miles

north of Ionia, at the edge of a piece of pine woods,17 miles in extent,

which they reached one day about noon. They cooked their dinner, and hoped

to get through the woods before dark. There was no road, only a blazed tree now 

and then marked the route which wound in every possible direction to avoid

trees. At dark they had traversed but half the distance, and they encamped 

on the bank of the Pine River. After breakfast, they set out, but had gone

only half a mile when one of the hind wheels of the wagon "dished" inwards

and forced five spokes out of the fellow. A man passed them soon after, and 

with his aid Mr. ALEXANDER bound staves on the wheel rim and started on.

The wheel soon gave out again, and Mr. A. cut a sapling and bound

the larger end to the front axle. On this he rested the hind axle while the

bush end of the sapling dragged on the ground. This failed to work well,

and the draught upon his team being too great he concluded to leave his

family and seek assistance. He walked seven miles to the house of a Mr.

GARNETT, where he could obtain a wagon but no team. So he returned for

his team, hoping to be back with the wagon to his family before dark. He

started back, but in the night, which overtook him before he had made much

progress, his team stopped and Mr. ALEXANDER found a fallen pine obstructed

the route. Further progress was impossible and he sat in the wagon all night,

his thoughts busy with his wife and children six miles away, whom he

knew to be mortal terror of bears and Indians. The first streak of light found

him on the way to his family, whom he found in safety and his wife

engaged in cooking the morning meal. The had suffered much from

terror during the early part of the night, but fatigue overruled fear and

commending herself and her sleeping children to Him who was her only

stay, the wife and mother at last fell asleep. The moved forward to Mr. 

GARNETT's, where Mr. ALEXANDER spent two days in labor, to pay

for the use of the wagon to convey them to their destination.

Their claim was located near that of Mr. H. A. BRUBAKER, where they hoped

to obtain shelter, until a roof could be put on their own house. They reached

Mr. BRUBAKER'S about 10 o'clock at night, received a cordial welcome, and

after a substantial supper, retired to the bed of their huts (hosts?).

The kindness and encouragement they met with were a great relief, and

lifted a heavy burden from their hearts. Mr. ALEXANDER returned the rented

wagon and took his own to Millbrook for repairs. He set out for Elkhart for

another load of goods, which he obtained, and when within five miles of his

home, on his return, the other hind wheel gave out. He left his load, obtained a 

wagon from Mr. BRUBAKER, and in the company of his wife, went back for his 

goods, which he found all there save a dish of wagon grease. The loaded up and

started back, but had gone but half a mile when the wagon tipped over. Darkness

set in before they were ready to move on again, and Mr. ALEXANDER took

the lead, while his wife drove the team. Half a mile from home, they were met

by Mr. BRUBAKER with a lantern and a basket of lunch. This permanent

record of kindness received from their friend but poorly expresses their sense of

an indebtedness which was its own reward. In a few days the family of Mr.

ALEXANDER were under the shelter of their own roof and entered upon their

struggle in the wilderness.

During the firs year of his residence in Isabella County, Mr. ALEXANDER

paid $34. 50 a barrel of pork, while the next year he could buy fresh pork for

$11 a hundred, for flour he paid the first year $18 a barrel, for seed potatoes

$1.50 a bushel and for wheat $2.50 a bushel.

Following is the record of the children, eight in number, born to Mr. & Mrs.

ALEXANDER: Mary Ellen - b. 10 August 1857 at Fillmore, MINN; Hattie

Margaretta - b. 10 May 1860;Frances Elizabeth - b. 4 October 1862;

Lulu Lorenia - b. 9 March 1867 (d. the day following); The three last named

children above were born in Elkhart, IND; The four below were born in

Coldwater township: Alice Carrie - b. 6 February 1871;Jessie Blanche - b.

15 June 1874;Amy Adell - b. 22 July 1876 and Harvey Maynard - b. 29 

December 1879.

PORTRAIT - JOHN J. GRIMM

Published 1884

John J. GRIMM, farmer, section 34 of Gilmore township, was born February 13, 1826

in Greene County, PA, and is the son of Christopher & Sarah (Parker) GRIMM.

His father was of German birth and his mother was a native of New Jersey,

both died in Green County, PA

After he was 20 years of age, Mr. GRIMM served an apprenticeship of 18 months,

learning the trade of shoemaking, to which he devoted several years. He

began his work in that line in his native county and pursued the same vocation in

West Va. In the fall of 1865 he purchased 40 acres of land in Coe township,

Isabella County. It was in a wholly wild condition, and he took possession of

it with his family February 28, 1866.In the spring of 1879, he exchanged his

"40" in Coe township for 160 acres in the township of Gilmore, on which he

has since carried on the work of clearing, improving and cultivating.

He was married October 29, 1854, in his native county, to Elizabeth, the

daughter of Martin & Nancy (Martin) FOX. The grandsires of Mrs. GRIMM

were both soldiers of the was of the Revolution. Her parents are living near

Morgantown, W.VA, aged respectively 94 and 88 years. Five of six

children born to Mr. & Mrs. GRIMM are living. Following is the record:

Oscar M., b. 10 August 1855;Martin L, b. 18 March 1860;William S., b.

27 May 1862;Nancy J. b. 11 Mar 1865;Clarence N. b. 14 May 1869 (died

June 23 following); Hiram H. b. 6 April 1872.

The parents are members of the Disciples' Church. Mr. GRIMM is a

Republican in political sentiment.

FROM THERESA HUDDLE - NIECE OF MRS. MOYER

CLARA HITCHCOCK MOYER

Clara Hitchcock MOYER wrote for the Alma Record when she was

92 years old. She was a school teacher at the Howard School, before that.

Later she was elected Justice of the Peace.

She married William MOYER, but they never had any children.

She died at 101 and is buried at Oak Grove Cemetery in St. Louis, MI,

on the west and near the old band stand.

She attended normal school both at Alma and Mt. Pleasant.

Clara MOYER"S parents were Henry and Julia Ann (Howland) HITCHCOCK.

Julia was a daughter of John R. and Betsy HOWLAND; she was born on

11 August 1844 and died October 22, 1926.There were four children

in the HITCHCOCK family - Clara, Ralph (who lived to be 90), Sam and Bert.

On MOTHERS DAY, Mrs. MOYER would cut flowers from her own flower

beds and take them to church and give white ones to the ladies whose

mothers were deceased and colored flowers to those with living mothers.