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MICHAEL SHOEMAKER, Chairman, Jackson,

JOHN H. FORSTER, Williamston,

HENRY H. HOLT, Muskegon,
FREDERICK CARLISLE, Detroit.

REPORT OF THE MEMORIAL COMMITTEE.

ALLEGAN COUNTY.

BY DON C. HENDERSON.

JOEL BATCHELOR.-Joel Batchelor died in Gun Plain, July 18, 1892. He was born in Orange, Mass., April 28, 1804, and came to Michigan .in 1837, settling in Gun Plain and engaging in mercantile business until about 1843, when he married Miss Alzina L. Crittenden, February 14 of that year, who survives him. He then turned his attention to farming for a few years. About this period he was elected justice of the peace, and in 1845 or 1846, he had the first contract for carrying the mail from Kalamazoo to Grand Rapids, and carried the first mail through on horseback. In 1849 he went into the cabinetmaking business in Otsego for a short time, but finally went back to Gun Plain in 1853 and again settled on a farm, where he remained until his death. Mr. Batchelor had four children-Irving J., now living near Lowell, Mich.; Alla L., deceased; Frank M., now living in Portland, Oregon; and Edward C., now living on the old homestead.. Mr. Batchelor had a kindly disposition and courteous manner. He was honored and respected by all who knew him. His age was 88 years, 2 months, and 20 days.

MRS. BETSEY FISK.-Mrs Betsey Fisk died at Allegan, July 7, 1892. Betsey Davis was born at Hartford, Washington Co., N. Y., September 22, 1810. The family moved to Williamson, Wayne Co., N. Y., when she was a girl, where she married Joseph Fisk, January 12, 1832. They came

to Michigan in 1834, stopping first at Marengo, Calhoun Co., coming to Allegan in March, 1835. She was the mother of the first white child born in Allegan (William Allegan Fisk), in October, 1835, but who died in infancy. She taught school several terms in New York, previous to her marriage. Allegan was always her home, and she resided here from the time of its first settlement, except nine years, from about 1853 to 1862, when the family lived in Chicago. They lived happily together over 52 years. She was an exemplary member of the Baptist church over 60 years. Aunt Betsey, as she was called by all the old settlers, won and retained the affection and esteem of all with whom she came in contact. She was aunt to everyone and was really the kind friend to everyone whom she met. Her kindly hospitality seemed to know no bounds, and she would not willingly listen to disparaging remarks about anyone, covering the faults of all with the broad mantle of christian charity. Not only her children, but all who knew her, "rise up and call her blessed." Her months, and 15 days.

age was 81

years, 9

ALBY ROSSMAN.-Our community was greatly shocked on May 6, 1893, to learn of the death of our highly respected citizen, Alby Rossman, who departed this life at his residence in Allegan. In business he was a man of the strictest integrity; in politics a stalwart and uncompromising democrat of the school of Cass and Douglas, and in religion, a liberalist. Aurelius, Cayuga county, N. Y., was the place of his birth, June 14, 1812. George Rossman, father of the deceased, was a native of the state of New York, and his wife, Mary Wood Rossman, was of Connecticut origin. Mr. Rossman's father was a soldier of the revolution and by profession both a farmer and mechanic, removing to Ohio where his wife died in Madison county. His father returned to New York state and died at Morris, Otsego county. His son, Alby Rossman, the subject of this sketch, was but eight years old when he made his home with a sister at Springville, N. Y., where he remained but one year. After this he went to Auburn, N. Y., and was there apprenticed to a mechanic's trade where he showed much ingenuity, and worked in a furnace and machine shop for three years. He continued his trade as a journeyman until 1836, when he proceeded to Marshall, Mich., where he remained for about six months, during which time he ran a foundry and cast the first plow made in Michigan. Mr. Rossman in the same year (1836), came to Allegan where he started the first furnace ever erected here and made the first sled in our county. Later Mr. Rossman added a machine shop to his works

and for nearly thirty years successfully operated and carried on these iron works, accumulating a handsome property, giving employment in these years to a large number of first class mechanics. He built in 1838 the boiler and engine for the first steamer built in Allegan and the first that ever run on the Kalamazoo river. This steamer was named after C. C. Trowbridge, of Detroit, who was a large stockholder in the Boston company that founded Allegan village. When he first came to Allegan lumbering was the principal occupation followed here and Mr. Rossman's business prospered with the village's growth. For many years Mr. Rossman's foundry was the only one in our county. In those early days Mr. Rossman was associated with the late Hyman Hoxie who subsequently went to Chicago and died there. Mr. Rossman retired from active business some years ago but continued to improve his property in our village and vicinity, erecting an elegant residence for himself and several stores. He was one of the company who built the beautiful Chaffee block, one of the finest structures in this or any other village of our State. In 1869 he was burned out and suffered a severe loss of property. In the same year he removed to his farm which he had laid out into village lots, known as "Rossman's addition." Mr. Rossman filled with honor several responsible township and village offices such as justice of the peace, village trustee, marshal, and superintendent of the village water works. Mr. Rossman was first married in 1832 to Miss Angeline Dickinson, who died in 1848 leaving two children, William George Rossman, who was married to Miss Elizabeth Newcomb, of Ganges, and died January, 1889, leaving one daughter, Kate E., who has resided with her grandparents ever since. her father's death. Miss Mary A. Rossman, the other child of the deceased, was married to Capt. Frederick Hart, with whom she resided in Adrian till 1877, when he died. Mrs. Hart has lived at her father's mansion ever since. The deceased, Alby Rossman, had a second wife, Mrs. Electa Dickinson, who has one child (now Mrs. Henry C. Smith). Mrs. Rossman has three grandchildren, Dr. Charles H. Smith, of Chattanooga, Tenn., Mrs. G. H. Buchanan, of this village, and Glenn D. Smith, of Springfield, Ohio.

We have thus given a somewhat extended notice of a man who was a walking landmark of our county's history and progress, a pillar of integrity and probity in all the walks of life, one who had contributed liberally for many years past toward churches, school houses, and all other good purposes. This patriarch will be greatly missed by his numerous friends and neighbors to whom he was always ready to

extend a kindly greeting and cheering word. Mr. Rossman was in failing health for five or six months and seldom appeared in public. But his neighbors frequently called upon him and cheered him up. He sat in a chair on the porch of his residence and walked out in his yard two or three times on the day of his death.

MRS. ELIZA WILCOX.-Mrs. Eliza Wilcox died in Trowbridge, June 5, 1892. Miss Eliza McMahon was born in Ireland, May 11, 1826, and came to America with her parents when quite young, settling in Livingston Co., N. Y., where she grew to womanhood. She married a Mr. Reynolds and moved to Ganges in 1855, where he died. Sometime in the 60's she married G. B. Wilcox in Monterey, and they finally settled on the farm in Trowbridge where she died. She was a kind and sympathetic friend and neighbor and her life was above reproach. Her age was 66 years and 24 days.

BARRY COUNTY.

BY DANIEL STRIKER.

MRS. JOHN TINKLER.-Martha Tinkler, wife of John Tinkler, died at Hastings, June 4, 1892, aged 58 years. Resident of Hastings in Barry Co. for 40 years.

MRS. JAMES SWIN.-Mrs. Olive Swin, widow of James Swin, died at Hastings, June 17, 1892, aged 82 years. Resided in Barry county 45 years, and came from Ohio to Johnstown in 1847.

MRS. IRA PENNOCK.-Esther Pennock, widow of Ira Pennock, died at the town of Barry in Barry county, June 19, 1892, aged 62 years. Had resided in Barry county for 56 years.

DAVID M. LAKE.-David M. Lake, died at Hastings July 17, 1892, aged 89 years. Former residence Ohio, resided here 30 years.

MRS. THOMAS HENRY.-Bridget Henry, wife of Thomas Henry, died at Rutland, Barry county, August 8, 1892, a native of Ireland, aged 68 years. Resided in Barry county 38 years.

JAMES N. HAWTHORNE.-James N. Hawthorne died in Orangeville,

Barry county, August 28, 1892, aged 76 years. Resided in Barry county 46 years; a native of the state of Maine.

SEBASTIAN KAISER. Sebastian Kaiser died in Baltimore, this county, August 31, 1892, aged 72 years. Resided in this county 40 years. A German.

MRS. MALVINA P. MCLELLAN.-Malvina P. McLellan, widow, died at Allegan, September 8, 1892 (while visiting her daughter), a resident of Hastings, aged 67 years. One of the earliest pioneers; married here in 1844; resided here 52 years. Her maiden name was Alden.

RICHARD JONES.-Richard Jones, one of the early pioneers of Assyria, died at Battle Creek, where he had resided a short time, September, 1892, aged 87 years. Resident since 1848; was a member of the legislature in 1867,-an able farmer. His remains were buried at Assyria.

HENRY I. BARNUM.-Henry I. Barnum died at Nashville (being injured while attempting to board the train), October, 1892, aged 67 years. Resident of this county for the past 47 years; from New York.

FRANCES PECK. Frances Peck died at Carlton, October 13, 1892. Resident of Barry county for 46 years, and of the State 55 years; aged 84 years.

MRS. DAVID L. HOES.--Mrs. Miranda Hoes, wife of David L., died at Rutland, November 6, 1892. Resident 45 years.

MRS. ALLEN JONES. -Hannah Hastings, November 10, 1892. resident here 46 years.

M. Jones, wife of Allen Jones, died at
Native of Tiffin, Ohio; aged 56 years;

MRS. CHARLOTTE GRAW.-Mrs. Charlotte Graw, died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Richard Murray, at Baltimore, December 1, 1892, aged 92 years; a native of New York. Had resided in Kent and Barry counties for the past 56 years.

MRS. CAROLINE WARNER.-Mrs. Caroline Warner, widow, died January 3, 1893, aged 64 years. A resident of this State 56 years.

MARY J. WILLIAMS.-Mary J. Williams, formerly Sidmore, died January 10, 1893, aged 67 years. Resident of this State and county 41 years.

JOSEPH SHORES.-Joseph Shores (known as uncle), died at Woodland, January 20, 1893, aged 91 years. Béen married 62 years; one of the oldest residents and early marriages.

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