Isaac Grant

Isaac Grant, liveryman and proprietor of the Upton Avenue Mills, at Reed City, was born Jan. 25, 1846, near St. John's, Clinton Co., Mich., and is the son of Charles and Emmeline (Gillet) Grant. His earliest known paternal ancestor, Ebenezer Grant, was born in Scotland, at an unknown date. Isaac Grant, son of the latter, was born April 4, 1760, in Goshen Conn., and became a soldier in the Continental Army before he was 17 years of age, serving under "Mad" Anthony Wayne, and participating in the bayonet charge at the ford of Stoney Point. His command of 40 men were captured at Fort Washington and placed on the prison ship "Grosvenor" in New York Harbor. The entire number were seized will small-pox. A surgeon visited them and left a dose for each man. All but four took the medicine and died. Isaac Grant was one of the survivors. After the close of the war he went to Lenox, Mass., and studied medicine. He married Hannah Tracy, of that place, and settled at Colerain in the same State, removing later to Whitingham, Vt. He went thence in 1801 to Chenango Co., N.Y., where he practiced his profession and was one of the founders of the first medical society of that county. He continued a practitioner there until compelled by advancing years to withdraw from active life, and removed to Genesee Co., N.Y., and later to Albion, Mich., where he died Nov. 9, 1841. His wife died Oct. 30, 1841, ten days preceding his own demise. They had nine children. charles, fuifth son and child, was born Oct. 2, 1794, in Colerain. He was a drafted man in the war of 1812, and served throughout the contest. He married Peggy Hines, March 26, 1816, and they had three children. The first wife died, and Feb. 1, 1831, he married Matilda Closs. They became the parents of two children. The mother died Aug. 26, 1833. Mr. Grant was a thrid time married June 10, 1838, to Emmeline Gillett, and they had eight children. Mr. Grant was reared on the home farm in Clinton Co., Mich. He was 15 years of age when the Civil War stirred the patriotism of young and old, and he experienced from the first the common enthusiasm. The fault of his youth was one that time was gradually and surely remedying, and he enlisted Oct. 3, 1863, at St. John's, as a private in Co. I, 10th Mich. Cav., Captain Ayres. His command was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland and took part in the Stoneman raids, serving until Nov. 11, 1865. Mr. Grant was a participant in 52 battles, of more or less importance.

On leaving the army he returned to Clinton County for a time, and removed thence to St. Louis, Gratiot Co., Mich., and there engaged in the flour and feed business, operating in that avenue at that point about two years. In 1870 he went to Mount Pleasant, Isabella County, where he established himself in general trade. A year and a half later he transferred his locality to Baldwin, Lake Co., Mich., and there pursued the same vocation for a year. At the end of that time he entered a claim of 160 acres of land near Baldwin, where he located and commenced active operations. In 1874 he was elected Sheriff of Lake County on the Republican ticket and served his term. In 1880 he was re-elected to the same position. He also held other official positions, and officiated as President of the County Agricultural Association two years. In February, 1883, he went to Chase, Lake County, and bought a livery stable, which he continued to manage until Sept. 3, 1883, the date of his sale of the property. Sept 9, he became the proprietor of his livery business. His stables contain about a dozen horses on average, and are fitted with necessary and suitable livery equipments.

He purchased his mills of T.V. Childs, in the fall of 1884 (current year). they include saw, grist and planing mills, and are fitted with the best quality of modern appurtenances. they derive a special value from their central location. Mr. Grant is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, Post Stedman, No. 198, and he belongs to the Sons of Industry.

He was married Oct. 25, 1868, at Salt River, Isabella County, to Daney Clark. She was born Aug. 11, 1850, in St. Lawrence Co., N.Y., and is the daughter of Robert and Martha Clark. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Grant were born as follows: Rena M., May 11, 1870; Alda M., Aug. 29, 1873; Clark D., April 25, 1875; Howard, June 1, 1879; and Annie, May 11, 1881.

The portrait of Mr. Grant is given on a preceding page. He is an active, enterprising man and possesses the quality and degree of business energy which guarantees the future solidity of Osceola County. He is a fine specimen of physical manhood, is six feet one and a half inches in height and weighs 215 pounds.

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