History of Saginaw county, Michigan; together with ... portraits ... and biographies ... History of Michigan ...

BRADY TOWNSHIP.

749

time he cleared 12 acres of land, on which lie raised corn, potatoes,
etc.; his potatoes he dug with a grubbing hoe; his corn yielded
very largely, having 156 bushels of ears per acre. He has 2 children, both born in Brady tp.-John N., born Nov. 11, 1856, and
William Sydney, born Oct. 30, 1859. Mr. Phy also served in the
army of the Cumberland over four years. He enlisted in Chesaning, Saginaw Co., Mich., in October, 1861, in Co. G, 3d Regt. Mich.
Cav., under Capt. T. V. Quackenbush, and was engaged in 42 battles and skirmishes. After serving over two years he re-enlisted
in the Veteran Corps, and served altogether about four and onehalf years. He is a Republican.
Hon. George M. Sackrider, merchant, Oakley, Mich., was born
in Jackson Co., Mich., Sept. 8, 184S, and is a son of Christian
and Jane A. Sackrider. Mr. Sackrider passed his youth on a farm,
receiving his education in the Grass Lake union schools. In 1868
he engaged in the mercantile and lumber trade at Mason, Ingham
Co., Mich., and in 1870 put a saw-mill into operation at Oakley.
In Feb. 1875, he entered into the mercantile trade with S. F. Hoffman. He was married Jan. 26, 1869, to Ellen E. Clark, who was
born at Hamilton, Canada, Nov. 5, 1847, and is a daughter of
Peter S. and Ellen E. Clark. Of the 6 children given them, 5 are
living-Jane E., George P., Emmett, Charles and Louis. Fred is
deceased. Mr. Sackrider has served one term in the Legislature,
and filled various tp. offices. He is a Mason, a Democrat and
a large land-owner.
William Smeaton, one of the most valiant defenders of the Union
during the late unpleasantness, was born in Burthshire, Scotland,
Oct. 5, 1840. His parents, Alexander and Catherine Smeaton, immigrated to America in 1855, and first located in New York city.
After residing at the latter place one year, they removed to Canada,
where William grew to manhood. In 1861 they settled in Saginaw
county, and Sept. 1, 1864, William enlisted in Co. C, 29th Reg.
Mich. Vol. Inf., and at the battle of Decatur, Alabama, on Oct. 26,
1864, he was severely wounded, and was finally discharged June
5, 1865. He has received quite a sum of '" back pay," and draws
a pension of $18 monthly. He was married Oct. 1, 1858, to Sarah
Patterson, who bore him 1 child, Mary A., wife of Henry Griffus.
Mrs. Smeaton died in Oct., 1863, and Mr. Smeaton was again married, Nov. 9, 1867, to Mary E. Lowe, daughter of David and Sarah
J. Lowe, and born at Geneseo, Livingston Co., N. Y., March 23,
1851. This union has been blessed with 6 children, 5 of whom are
living-Robert D., Alexander, Ettie A., Mary E. and David. Sarah
is deceased. Mr. Smneaton is a loyal Republican.
Alonzo Snow, hardware merchant, Oakley, was born in Vermont,
March 18, 1832, and seven years later accompanied his parents to
Chicago, Ill., where he was reared and educated. He was married Feb.
8, 1864, to Loie Peck, who was born at Bologna, N. Y., March 23,
1844. Two children have been given them —Edie, born Aug. 4,
1872, and George (deceased). In 1874 Mr. Snow came to Oakley,