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the 7th Indiana Cavalry, and Francis in the 19th Illinois Infantry.

Percy Wood was born Sept. 4, 1846. His father, Milton Wood, was a pioneer and a farmer of Columbia tp., and settled on sec. 17. His family consisted of 7 children-Lucretia, Frank, Percy, Alvina, Henry, Abel and Oliver (deceased). Percy received his schooling in Brooklyn and lived 17 years on his father's homestead, now owned and occupied by Daniel Every when he and Mr. Every made an exchange in 1877. He married, Jan. 23, 1872, Miss Hattie Lester, daughter of Herman Lester (deceased), who was a native of Cayuga county, N. Y., born Jan. 12, 1808, and was a son of Ebenezer Lester, a native of New England and a boot and shoe maker by trade. Mrs. Herman Lester was Miss Chloe Clark, daughter of Archibald Clark, a pubiic man of Erie county, having held the positions of Judge in Circuit Court, was member of Congress from his district, and held many other minor offices. Mrs. Wood was born Dec. 16, 1847, and they have 1 child, Effie May, born June 8, 1879.

Hon. Hiel Woodward, of Brooklyn, who has figured quite conspicuously in the public affairs of this county during a greater portion of his life, was born in Windsor county, Vt., in the town of Bridgewater, Feb. 10, 1824. His father, Samuel Woodward, was a mechanic by trade, and a native also of the Green Mountain State. His grandfather, Nehemiah, was a Baptist clergyman, and during the Revolutionary war was an attache to General Washington's staff. His services to his country entitled him to a pension of $96 per year, which he drew until his death, at the age of 92 years. Hiel Woodward came to Michigan in 1836, at the age of 11, with his father. He first settled at Adrian, Mich. His family at that time consisted of 6 sons and 3 daughters. At Adrian he settled on a farm which, with the earnest efforts of his boys, was made to yield a comfortable support, allowing the children such school advantages as could be obtained in those days in a new country, and Hiel was not the slowest to profit by them. In 1845 his father died, which sad event threw the boys practically on their own resources. Hiel, realizing the fact, immediately prepared to fit himself to shoulder his share of the family responsibilities, and learned the mechanics' trade, which for several years he followed. It was in this same year that he first came, where he acquired and followed his trade, and was soon enabled to purchase a farm in Columbia tp. In 1858 was elected Supervisor of his township, which office he held for several successive terms until 1868. In 1864 he was nominated and elected, on the Republican ticket, to represent his district in the Michigan Legislature. The results of his first term of service were strongly endorsed by a re-election in 1866, and he was still further honored by his constituency, and called to the Michigan Senate for two years. In 1870 he was appointed and qualified to take the census in the southern district of Jackson county, and in 1872 was appointed Postmaster of Brooklyn, by General Grant, which

position he has since occupied with satisfaction to all. He was married Nov. 14, 1849, to Miss Louise Culver, daughter of Martin Culver, a farmer of Norvell tp., and they have 3 children-Miss E. Florine, teacher in Brooklyn high schools; Rosa, and Arthur B., a telegraph operator.

Brayton S. Wright was born in Oswego, N. Y., Aug. 23, 1839. He is third son of Joseph S. Wright, a native of Massachusetts, and for 10 years past a retired mechanic of this tp. Brayton's early boyhood was spent at Oswego, where he received an early school training, and at the age of nine years his parents moved to Ohio, and settled at Unionville, Lake Co., where three more years were spent in school. They next removed to McHenry county, Ill., locating in the town of Woodstock, and there remained until they came to Michigan. At the breaking out of the Rebellion he enlisted in the 15th Illinois Infantry, was soon mustered in and sent to the front, and from that time during the three years and three months of his career as a Union soldier, was on active duty. He took part in numerous battles, and among them some of the hottest of the war. Was at the siege of Corinth, and siege and surrender of Vicksburg. During his service he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. He also took part in the battle of Pittsburg, and was with Sherman in Mississippi. Nov. 1, 1865, he was married to Miss Lucy Fitch, daughter of Henry Fitch, a blacksmith by trade, who came to Illinois in 1846. His people were of Connecticut descent, and family resided at Norfolk. He afterward moved from Illinois to Ohio, where Lucy Ann was born May 7, 1838. They have 1 daughter-Carrie May, born Oct. 12, 1867. Mr. Wright is a painter by trade, and divides his attention between that and his farm. He is a member of the Masonic order, of 17 years' standing.

CONCORD TOWNSHIP.

The first settler in the township of Concord was John Acker, who came in November, 1831, with his family. He remained here alone during the succeeding winter, which set in that month. The following May William Van Fossen came and put up his cabin; in June Thomas McGee moved into the settlement thus begun, and put up a home for the accommodation of his family. A colony was formed before the close of 1832, and thus the nucleus of a prosperous community was formed.

Up to 1836 Concord was a part of the town of Spring Arbor, when it was set off into a distinct township, but included at that date all the territory now comprised within the townships of Pulaski and Concord. In 1837, the next year, however, Pulaski was made a distinct town, and the present limits of the township of Concord were established. The first town meeting was held at the store of Ira Jacobs in April, 1836; Thomas McGee was elected supervisor, and Isaac Van Fossen township clerk.

Since that period the township has grown into great importance; from very limited beginnings the people have steadily progressed, until now Concord is one of the richest divisions of a great and prosperous county. The small political efforts of the people in the elections of 1832-34-'36 have been immensely augmented, so that the political contest of 1880 within the township created much interest, and at its termination showed the following results:Electors-Hancock, 73; Garfield, 221; Weaver, 95. GovernorJerome, 216; Holloway, 105; Woodman, 67. Congress--Lacey, 206; Pringle, 61; Hodge, 122. Senator-Goodwin, 246; Wilson, 57; Palmer, 86. Sheriff-Lockwood, 209; Winney, 74; Terry, 106. Judge of Probate--Gould, 210; Powell, 77; Anderson, 102. County Clerk-Van Horn, 220; Covert, 74; Moe, 95. Register of Deeds-Ray, 255; Townley, 65; Henshaw, 67. TreasurerLudlow, 216; Wheeler, 76; Townley, 91. Prosecuting AttorneySharp, 228; Barkworth, 72; Hewlett, 88. Representative-Belden, 214; Chappel, 93; Strong, 71.

The first school was opened in 1835, and taught by Miss Mary McGee. In the fall of 1835, Isaac and William Van Fossen erected and put in operation a saw-mill, and in 1837 started a flouringmill.. Ira Jacobs opened the first store in 1836. In 1838 Andrew Brown erected a flouring-mill on the Kalamazoo river, one mile east of the town. The first tavern was opened by Jerry Reynolds; it was located about one mile east of the present village of Concord.

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