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John
F. McBride
John
F. McBride, a long-time resident and prominent and prosperous business
man of Muskegon, Mich., is the energetic junior partner of the successful
shingle manufacturers, Strong & McBride, whose extensive factories
turn out both pine and cedar shingles of excellent material and make. A
self-made man, rapidly winning winning his upward way, our subject has,
through unremitting attention to business and superior financial ability,
gained a comfortable competence and now ranks among the moneyed men of
the county. Mr. McBride is a native of the Wolverine State and was born
in Grand Rapids, Kent County, Mich., May 23, 1846. His parents, Rowland
and Harriett (Biddulph) McBride, were natives of Ireland and, the descendants
of an industrious and intelligent ancestry, received good common-school
educations in the Old Country. The parents had before their marriage emigrated
to New York, where they became acquainted and were married. The father
and mother located in the State of Michigan when it was yet a comparative
wilderness. At that time Grand Rapids was but a small village of a few
inhabitants, and the parents were eye-witnesses of the wonderful growth
and development of the State of Michigan.
The father of our subject
was by trade a butcher, and, a pioneer of the West, was intimately associated
with the early history of Grand Rapids, but late in life went to Wisconsin,
where he died. He was a man of ability and sterling character, universally
respected, and possessed a valuable store of reminiscences of the primitive
days in the forests and villages of the Wolverine State. Removing to Wisconsin,
he made his home in Fond du Lac, and there in 1858 passed away. The mother,
surviving her husband a number of years, entered into rest in Muskegon,
Mich. John F. is one of four children, two sons and two daughters, who
blessed the home of the parents. Our subject received his education in
Grand Rapids and attended the common schools of his home district. Early
in life beginning his career as a worker, he found employment near Grand
Rapids and for some time prior to attaining his majority labored in the
mills. He later spent some years on a Kent County farm and engaged in the
pursuit of agriculture with excellent results, but finally entered into
other lines of business and was variously engaged for some length of time,
becoming practically acquainted with the handling of lumber from its felling,
sorting and piling, until, entering the mill, it became a staple article
of manufacture, and was distributed again to different markets and
wholesale purchasers.
For some years Mr. McBride
was a lumber inspector in Muskegon. In 1889 he entered into partnership
with Jamaan E. Strong in the manufacture of pine and cedar shingles, and
this partnership, now enduring four years, has been prospered beyond all
expectations. The machinery in use in the factory is the best extant, and
the tenblock rotary machine turns out an immense product annually. In 1878
Mr. McBride married Miss Hannah E. Crane, a most estimable lady and the
second daughter of Curtis Crane, a successful contractor. Four children
have been born to Mr. and Mrs. McBride, one son and three daughters: Jessie
E., Glenn F., Ethelyn F. and one not yet named, promising and attractive
young people, who have a bright future before them. The pleasant family
residence, located at No. 512 Lake Street, is in the Eighth Ward of the
city and is surrounded by handsome homes. Politically a Republican, our
subject is not an office-seeker, but, intelligently interested in the questions
of the day and well posted in the vital issues od local and national government,
is a true citizen, ably assisting in all matters of mutual welfare. He
is highly esteemed by a host of old-time friends, who thoroughly appreciate
the business ability and sterling integrity of character which have distinguished
the career of Mr. McBride from his earliest manhood.
Hobby Brown
Hobby
Brown, the faithful and efficient Sergeant of the night force of police,
Muskegon, Mich., has with ability for several years held his present responsible
position, and, occupying various offices of trust, has long been identified
with the public work of the city. Our subject, a brave veteran of the Civil
War, who entered the service of the Government before attaining his majority,
is a native of the village of Greenwich, Fairfield County, Conn., born
August 9, 1842. His father, Henry H. Brown, also born in Connecticut, in
which State he passed his entire life, was the descendant of a long line
of honored New England ancestry, the paternal grandfather, James Brown,
having likewise been reared, educated and married in Connecticut, where
at a good old age he entered into rest after a long life in usefulness.
The mother, Susan (Rascoe) Brown, was a native of Connecticut, and in her
peaceful New England home trained her children to self-reliant independence
and instilled into them a patriotism true and fervent. Our subject, remaining
with his parents, spent the days of boyhood in Fairfield and enjoyed the
benefit of a good common education in the public schools of his home locality.
At the first rumor of war Mr. Brown resolved to enter the army, and upon
December 29, 1861, enlisted in Company C, Thirteenth Connecticut Infantry,
commanded by Col. Berge, later known as Gen. Berge.
The regiment was assigned to
the Army of the Gulf under Gen. Butler, and participated in the battles
of Irish Bend, Port Hudson, Grand Ecore, Pleasant Hill and Cane River.
Our subject likewise took part under Gen. Sheridan in the engagements in
the Shenandoah Valley, at Winchester, Fisher Hill and Cedar Creek, and
having with faithful courage served bravely four years, five months and
twenty-eight days, was mustered out at Hare Island in May, 1866. Mr. Brown
then returned to Connecticut, but some time later deciding to try his fortune
in the West, in 1868 journeyed to Michigan and settled in South Haven,
Van Buren County, where he industriously engaged in the pursuit of farming
for eleven years. At the expiration of this length of time our subject
removed to Muskegon and began working in the lumber regions. In 1884 he
was appointed a policeman for one year, and afterward served with ability
as Deputy Marshall for a twelvemonth. For the past seven years Mr. Brown
has held his present position to the entire satisfaction of the general
public. Politically an ardent Republican, our subject takes an active interest
in local and national issues, and, a man of observation, is intelligently
versed in the vital questions of the day.
In 1868, Hobby Brown and Miss
Ora J. Swift were united in marriage. The estimable wife of our subject
is a native of New England and was born in Connecticut, a daughter of Reuben
Swift, also born in Connecticut, in which locality the paternal grandparents
settled early in the history of the State. Mr. and Mrs. Brown reside in
a handsome frame residence of modern architecture, containing the latest
improvements, and situated at No. 170 Pine Street, Muskegon. Fraternally,
our subject is connected with the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and
is a member of the Maccabees. He also belongs to the Modern Woodmen, and
affiliates with Phil Kearney Post No. 7, G. A. R. He is a charter member
of Zach Chandler Post of South Haven, and has a host of friends among these
various orders and especially enjoys the re-unions of the Old Veterans,
who recall the experiences of the days when side by side, the tried and
true fought for the preservation of national existence. To-day as then,
Mr. Brown is a loyal citizen, ever ready to do his share in all matters
of general welfare.
Henry B. Smith Henry B. Smith, the enterprising wholesale
and retail grocer, located at No. 146 Ottawa Street, Muskegon, Mich., commands
one of the best lines of custom in his part part of the State, and carrying
a complete stock of choice goods foreign and domestic, is enabled to supply
the demands of his large and rapidly increasing business with prompt service,
appreciated by all who deal with him. Our subject was born in Holland,
Europe, October 14, 1848, and was the son of B. H. Smith, also a native
of Holland and the descendant of honest and hard-working people, who lived
and died in the same province of the Netherlands. The mother, Jane Van
Oosting, also a Hollander by birth, was reared, educated and married in
her native land. In 1853, the father with his family bade adieu to the
to the familiar scenes of the Old Country and sailed for America, where,
arriving safely, he found ready occupation as a shoemaker and also handles
merchandise. Henry B. was a little lad four years of age when he made the
voyage across the Atlantic, and his first home upon our hospitable shores
was in the city of Patterson, N. J., where he attended the district schools
and later began the daily work of life.
Entering in boyhood a cotton factory, Mr. Smith gave
five years to that work, and later spent one year in a woolen factory.
Afterward learning the trade of a painter, he engaged in that occupation
with profit for twelve years. In 1869, our subject journeyed to the West
and, settling in Muskegon, continued in the painting business until 1879,
when he embarked successfully in his present line of trade. Mr. Smith has
a fine store, especially adapted to the needs of his business. The building,
224x70 feet and two stories in height, is well lighted and conveniently
arranged, each department, wholesale and retail, carrying a full line of
fine and staple goods. Financially prospered, our subject has invested
in valuable real estate, and in addition to his other business is engaged
in the handling of both inside and outside properties, being considered
authority in values and possibilities of future advancement. Intimately
associated with the leading interests of his home locality, Mr. Smith has
long been identified with the Chamber of Commerce of Muskegon, and is a
stockholder in the Muskegon Milling Company, of which he was the chief
organizer.
Fraternally, our subject is associated with Muskegon
Lodge No. 22, I. O. O. F., and is a member of Rebecca Lodge No. 124, I.
O. O. F., he is also connected with Muskegon Canton No. 6, I. O. O. F,
Muskegon Tent No. 56, K. O. T. M., and Muskegon Lodge No. 133, A. O. U.
W., and among these various orders has a host of sincere friends. Politically
a Republican, and ever deeply interested in both local and national government,
Mr. Smith is in no sense of the word a politician, but is content to do
his duty as a loyal American citizen at the polls.
In 1869 were united in marriage Henry B. Smith and
Gertrude Wierengo, a native of Holland, who many years ago emigrated to
this country. Five children, four sons and one daughter, have blessed the
pleasant home. William is the eldest-born; then follow Bernard, Marion,
Edward and Henry. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are valued members of the Congregational
Church and liberally aid in religious work. In their pleasant home, No.
188 South Terrace Street, Muskegon, they enjoy the comfort and luxuries
of life and hospitably receive a wide circle of acquaintances, whose high
regard they have long possessed.
Warren F. Odion
Warren F. Odion, a prominent
citizen, leading agriculturist and stock-raiser of Cedar Creek Township,
Muskegon County, Mich., is interested in the handling of blooded Jerseys
and Shropshire sheep, and for many years intimately associated with the
progressive interests of his locality, has held with efficient discharge
of duty many offices of trust. Mr. Odion, one of the early settlers of
the near vicinity of Twin Lake, was born in Genesee County, N. Y., February
21, 1841. His parents, Samuel and Abagail (Peck) Odion, were natives of
New England, the father hailing from Vermont, the birthplace of the mother
being Connecticut. Samuel Odion was a carpenter and joiner by trade, and
located in Michigan in 1866, his wife two years later, in 1868, passing
away in her new home. The father and mother reared a family of eight children.
Darius, the eldest, is now deceased; Emiline, deceased, was the wife of
M. Kelsey; Lorinda is the widow of A. Lounsberry; Abagail married A. Buell;
W. F. is our subject; Robert C. resides in Batavia, N. Y.; Sarah is the
widow of William Peck; and Esther married James Hiscott. Our subject, educated
in the common schools of his native State, at eighteen years of age acquired
the trade of a carpenter and joiner and followed the occupation of a builder
until the breaking out of the Civil War.
In 1862, Mr. Odion enlisted in Company C,
One Hundred and Fifty-first New York Infantry, and, attached to the Army
of Virginia, participated with bravery in the various battles of the long
campaign, taking an active part in the battle of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania
Court House, Cold Harbor, Hanover Court House, North Anna River, Ream's
Station, Frederick City, Md., Snicker's Gap, Va., and siege of Petersburgh.
During the latter siege, which lasted from the fall of 1864 until the 2d
of April, 1865, our subject received a gun-shot wound in the right shoulder
while engaged in one of the most hotly contested charges made by
the rebel forces. Mr. Odion was inside the works when shot, and was at
once conveyed to the hospital at City Point, Va. At the expiration of a
month he was transferred to Lincoln Hospital, Washington, D. C., where
he was obliged to remain until the 1st of June. Mr. Odion then returned
home upon a furlough, and was mustered out of the service of the Government
in Elmira, N. Y., July 5, 1865, having for two years and eleven months
given faithful service. He received only one serious wound, although engaging
at close quarters in ten regular battles and numerous skirmishes. Entering
the army as a private, our subject retired to civil life with a gallant
record as a non-commissioned officer.
After a brief visit to the home of his childhood,
Mr. Odion, in 1866, located on his present homestead of one hundred and
sixty acres, of which sixty acres are now highly improved. On March 20,
1871, Warren F. Odion and Miss Ellie Crocker were married and settled on
the farm where they yet reside, and where they reared their three children,
of whom William, the eldest, is attending school at Big Rapids, Mich.;
Archie B. is at home; and one is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Odion are both
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which our subject is District
Steward, and is likewise is the Superintendent of the Sunday-school. Fraternally,
he is an honored member of Whitehead Post No. 342, G. A. R. Politically
a Republican, he cast his first Presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln,
when the lamented President was making his second race. Active in local
politics and frequently a member of the Republican County Committee, Mr.
Odion has, to the great satisfaction of his fellow-townsmen, held the offices
of Township Supervisor, Township Clerk, School Inspector for ten of fifteen
years, and in 1892 was elected Justice of the Peace, for four years; he
is now one of the County Superintendents of the Poor. In 1883 he secured
the location of the postoffice at Twin Lake and appointed the first post-master,
resigned in 1886 and devoted himself more closely to the demands of his
private business. Our subject is, and has long been, actively interested
in the needed improvements and enterprises of his locality, and, one of
the most influential men in this part of the country, is worthy of the
confidence and esteem rendered him by the entire community among whom he
has passed so many busy years.
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