Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2017 All Rights Reserved USGenNet Data Repository Please read USGenNet Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the USGenNet Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ =========================================================================== Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== Memorial Record of the Northern Peninsula of Michigan Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago - 1895 [91-95] HIRAM C. FARRAND, M.D., of Newberry, who for fifty years successfully engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery, was born in Cayuga county, New York, on the 12th of June, 1822, and is a son of MOSES FARRAND, who was born in Vermont in 1773. The grandfather FARRAND also was a native of the Green Mountain State, lived an upright life and followed the occupation of farming. He descended from English ancestry, who located in this country at an early day in the history of the Colonies. He reared a large family, among whom was the Doctor's father. The latter married SARAH HENRY, daughter of JOHN HENRY, of Cayuga county, New York, and to them were born the following children: JOHN S., a farmer, who died in Oakland county, Michigan; WILLIAM H., a farmer, who died in Michigan many years ago; LYMAN G., who died in Mississippi over twenty years ago; DAVID D., a farmer, who died in Lapeer county, this State; MRS. WILLIAM BETTS, who died in Lapeer county, Michigan; BETHUEL, whose death occurred in Indiana; MRS. JAMES LOCKWOOD, who died in Mt. Vernon, Macomb county, Michigan; ChAUNCEY K., who died in Missouri; and the Doctor. DR. FARRAND was a child of only two years when his parents removed to Ohio, becoming a resident of Richland county. There the family remained for twelve years, the father following farming. In 1836, accompanied by his wife and children, he came to Michigan, locating near Mt. Vernon, Macomb county, where he secured a tract of land that was covered with hardwood timber and underbrush. With characteristic energy, he at once began to clear and improve it, and in the course of time it became a pro- ductive place. The Doctor aided in the arduous task of trans- forming the wild land into rich and fertile fields and spent his early life in much the usual manner of farmer lads, but he was not content to make agricultural pursuits his life work and determined to enter the medical profession. His literary educa- tion was not of high character, but of a good deal of reading. He read medicine for three years in the office of DR. ROSE, of Oakland county, and then attended lectures in the Cleveland Medical College, where he received his medical education. DOCTOR FARRAND entered upon the practice of his chosen profession in Rochester, Oakland county, Michigan, where he remained for six years, doing a fair business. He then decided to take up his residence in Michigan City, Indiana, where he continued for about eight years, winning a most liberal patronage and gaining a high reputation for skill and ability. He served there as surgeon for the Michigan Central Railroad from Lake to Niles. On leaving the Hoosier State the Doctor returned to Michigan, and this time opened an office in East Saginaw, then a place of 6,066 inhabitants. The man of merit finds little difficulty in securing patronage, and the Doctor was soon at the head of a large and constantly increasing business. Sixteen years he made his home in that city and was widely known as a leading and able practitioner, standing in the foremost ranks of the medical fraternity. In April, 1850, the Doctor was united in marriage with MISS PHOEBE M. CALKINS, a daughter of DEACON HIRAM CALKINS, of Mt. Vernon, Michigan. The CALKINS family formerly resided in Cayuga county, New York, whence they removed to a farm near Mt. Vernon. The father was a prosperous and enterprising farmer and a most highly respected man, whose upright, honorable career won him the esteem of all with whom he came in contact. In politics he was an Abolitionist and once ran for the Legislature on that ticket, but the party being in the minority he was defeated. He married ABIGAIL LOCKWOOD, and their children were: ELISHA, who married twice, first CAROLINE WALES, and secondly ELIZA WALES, her sister; JULIA A., wife of JOHN BURT; LYDIA A., wife of AUSTIN BURT, both gentle men being sons of JUDGE BURT, the inventor of the solar compass; JAMES; MRS. FARRAND; and LEBBEUS, all deceased but MRS. AUSTIN BURT. After a long residence in East Saginaw the Doctor left that place on account of the ill-health of his wife and went to Imlay, Lapeer county, where he resided for three years. While there he was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died in June, 1879. Their family numbered the following children: ROSA, who died in Michigan City, Ind.; ABBIE F., who died in Saginaw in 1872; and an adopted daughter, GRACE M., who is now the wife of H. E. SMITH, of Newberry, Michigan, with whom the Doctor now finds a pleasant home. DR. FARRAND came to Newberry to accept the position of surgeon with the Vulcan Furnace Company, dating his arrival from 1883. While in Rochester he served as School Inspector, and since his arrival here has been County Poor Commissioner, serv- ing six years, when he resigned. He was also Commissioner of Schools for two years, and resigned that position to accept the office of Judge of Probate, being first appointed to that office and then elected for the succeeding term of four years. He was also County Physician for about six years; this he also resigned. His fellow townsmen, recognizing his trustworthiness, have thus called him frequently to positions of public trust and responsibility. While residing in Saginaw a medical society was formed, which took in members from several adjoining counties, and the Doctor was elected its first president. He was also a charter member of the State Medical Association of Michigan. A progressive and public-spirited citizen, he has manifested a commendable interest in the welfare of the various communities in which he has resided, and has withheld his support from no enterprise which is calculated to promote the public good. During the late war he manifested his loyalty by going to the South in 1864 as a volunteer surgeon, and was sent by the Surgeon-General to Fredericksburg, Virginia, where he did much to relieve the suffering and distress of those who had offered their services, and if need be their lives, in defense of their country. Prior to his joining the army, DR. FARRAND was appointed examining surgeon for those who claimed disabilities, for the district embracing Saginaw, Michigan, and Tuscola, and part of Genesee counties. He was appointed surgeon for the Twenty-ninth Michigan Volunteers with the understanding that after the regi- ment was organized he be permitted to resign, that a young partner of his, who wanted the office, might succeed him. When a young man DR. FARRAND united with the Baptist Church, but upon locating here he found that there was no church or- ganization of that denomination, and he joined the Presbyterian Church, of which he has since been a consistent and faithful member. For some time he served as a member of its Board of Trustees, and is now one of the Elders of the Church. Chari- table and benevolent, his kindly nature and genial disposition wins him the respect of young and old, rich and poor, and in the ranks of his profession he occupies a place which only merit can attain. ===========================================================================