777A~L 
/~~~~~~O
mmrmmmm~~~~~zv,2- - ~ f




~~~~~Y4> ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ A




)
(                                                  a
r
A
4
(




r
It
I












J












4 -ttrtO




PAST AND PRESENT
OF THE
CITY OF LANSING
AND


INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN
BY
ALBERT E. COWLES


HISTORICALLY
TOGETHER WITH
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES
OF MANr OF ITS LEADING AND PROMINENT CITIZENS AND ILLUSTRIOUS DEAD
I LLUSTRAT ED


THE MICHIGAN HISTORICAL PUBLISHING ASSOCIATION
LANSING, MICH.




PRESS OF
ROBERT SMITH PRINTING CO.
LANSING, MICH.




PREFACE.
The greatest of English historians, (Macaulay) and one of the most
brilliant writers of the present century has said, "The history of a country
is best told in a record of the lives of its people."
In conformity with this idea, the past and present history of Lansing
and Ingham county has been prepared. Through the able assistance of the
Hon. Albert E. Cowles, individually, an extensive review of the county has
been written. We have also been assisted by an able and capable corps of
writers, who have gone personally to the people, the men and wxomen who
have, by their enterprise and industry, brought the county to rank second to
none among those comprising the great and noble State. And from their lips,
has the story of their life struggle been told. No more interesting or instructive a work could be presented to an intelligent public.
In this volume will be found a record of many whose lives are worthy of
emulation and imitation by future generations.
It tells how many, commencing life in poverty, who, by industry and
economy, have accumulated wealth. It tells how others, with limited advantages for securing education, have become learned men and Awomen whose influence has been felt throughout the length and breadth of the land. It tells
of men who have risen from the lower walks of life to eminence as statesmen,
and whose names have become famous. It tells of those in every walk of life,
who have striven to succeed, and records how, that success has usually crowned
their efforts. It also tells of many, very many, who, not seeking the applause
of the world, have pursued the even tenor of their way, content to have said
of them, as Christ said of the women performing a deed of mercy, "They have
done what they could." It tells how, that many, in the pride and strength of
manhood, left the plow and the anvil, the lawyer's office and the counting
room, left every trade and profession, and at their country's call, went forth
bravely to do or die, and how, through their glorious efforts, the Union was
restored and peace once more reigned in the land. In the life of every man




6


PREFACE.


and woman there is a lesson that should not be lost upon those, who follow
after.
Coming generations will appreciate the volume and preserve it as sacred,
from the fact that it contains so much that would never have found its way
into public records, and what would otherwise have been lost to the future
generations. Great care has been taken in the compiling of this work, and
every opportunity possible to those represented to insure correctness in what
has been written, and the publishers flatter themselves that they give to their
readers a work with few errors of consequence.
The biography of some will be missed in the volume. For this the publishers are not to blame. Not having a proper conception of the work, some
refused to give information necessary to complete a sketch, while others have
been indifferent. Occasionally some member of a family would oppose the
enterprise, and on account of that opposition the support of the interested one
would be withheld. In few instances, men could never be found, though repeated calls at their residence or places of business. Taking all well, we feel
assured that our efforts have met with success, and that even the most skeptical will feel well repaid for their co-operation.
THE PUBLISHERS.




PAST AND PRESENT
OF
LANSING AND INGHAM COUNTY,


MICHIGAN.
INTRODUCTORY.


The history of a nation is the story of its
wars, the causes of the wars, if there were
any, and the results of the wars and immediate and after effects of them, together
with the story of its wariors and their deeds
of heroism and valor and victories and defeats.
The history of a subdivision of a nation,
such as a state or county, is the story of the
early struggles of the people who warred with
the elements, the wilderness and, perchance,
with wild beasts, or worse, with wild men,
or both, in its creation as a habitable abode
for civilized people; and the relation of the
results of the labors of these and their descendants.
The object of writing such a history is to
perpetuate the experiences of the past, noble
deeds of men of the past, who made the
history, as the soldiers of the Revolutionary
war, of the war of I812, the Indian wars,
the War of the Rebellion and the Spanish
war made history for the nation. The
names of these men and women and their
work and what they endured and suffered


in preparing a place for themselves and for
future generations, should not be forgotten,
and, "lest we forget," we make a record of
what can be learned from all sources, relating to men and women of Ingham county,
and what they have done for and in behalf
of the county.
Probably no portion of the country has
changed more than Ingham county, since
the commencement of the work of reclaiming the land from the wilderness, the
Indian and the wild beast. Originally the
land of the entire county was covered with
a heavy growth of timber; principally beech,
maple, oak, ash, linden (basswood), elm.
hickory, whitewood, walnut and butternut.
All kinds of this timber at the present time
are valuable and nearly all kinds, very valuable; but then it was not so considered,
nor was it imagined that it would ever bring
nearly so much money as it does, or even
enough to even think of saving it, and, if
they had, it could not have been saved. It
had to be cut down and destroyed in order
to cultivate the land for the raising of the




8


PAST AND PRESENT


absolute necessities for sustaining life. After the trees were "chopped down" they were
cut up into logs ten to twelve feet long and
hauled by a yoke of oxen to places where
they were piled into huge "log heaps" and
the limbs and brush that had been trimmed
from the trees were piled into "brush heaps"
and when, say, ten, fifteen, twenty or even
more of these "log heaps" and "brush heaps"
were finished they would all be fired, and
they burned for many days, the big fire
brands rolled together each day making at
night a sight that was a joy to the children,
and, as well, to the fathers and mothers, for
added to the beauty of the scene, was the
knowledge that it cleared a piece of land for
the plow and seed, and generally for the
seed without the plow; for the soil was so
rich it did net need to be turned over and
the seed was planted in among the stumps,
which, in those cays, were left until they
decayed, or at least, until they seasoned and
dry enough to be burned. Such a thing as
the stump machine was not known. In later
years the stumps were dug around, the roots
chopped off and then hauled off by ox teams
with log chains, but then the roots were left
in the ground and they made it very difficult
and very hard work to cultivate the land,
for the sowing and "dragging in" of seed.
Later, when the farmer could have more
than one yoke of oxen, or had neighbors
with oxen, the "breaking up team" hitched
to a breaking up plow was put into the land
as soon as the roots could be broken. The
writer has seen as many as six yokes of oxen
drawing a big "breaking up plow" and he
used to wonder how the man behind the
plow could manage to hold it.
What Ingham county was can hardly be
imagined from what it is today. The greatness and productiveness of the county is
more the result of what was done by the
pioneer than what is being done today. It


was very necessary that the pioneer should
be a peculiar kind of man, but the circumstances created the man here, as it always
has and always will. It is of these pioneers
and what they did that is the most interesting to the present generation and will be
still more interesting to future generations,
and it is of these men, ague shaken, poorly
clad, big hearted, generous, fearless pioneers,
that we would write. It is chronicle of a
generation that is almost gone; only a few
surviving; and these pages and others like
them will soon be all that will be left to tell
their story. Each of these men was self-contained and, by necessity, independent. Each
was separated by miles of dense forests from
their nearest neighbors, and were compelled
to live, mostly alone, with his brave wife
and small children, for they were mostly
young married people. Imagine the sorrow
and loneliness caused by the loss, by death,
of one of the family. But, better, do not
now think of the sorrow but try to imagine
the great joy when some other family
moved into the woods, one, two or even five
miles away, and built a log house and began
to make a "clearing," thus becoming a near
neighbor and bringing   news from   the
"East," for going to Michigan, then, was
"going West," and "way out West" was
a much greater undertaking than it is now
to go to the Pacific coast, or even to China
or the Philippines. How they ever found
the land they had located or knew whether
it was the right land when they got to it,
having no roads, except as they cut them out
as they went along, is more than I can tell,
though I think they must have found and
followed section and quarter section lines, as
marked by the government surveyor, by
blazing the trees, but who of us of this generation, not versed in woodcraft, as the pioneers are not supposed to have been, would
undertake it without a guide?




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


9


To tell of all the deeds and brave and
heroic acts of these people, many of which
have never been published, would be impossible, but we will endeavor to learn all we can
about them and hope we may give those
who read a slight impression of the early settlers of one of the most valuable agricultural
counties of the State, of the kind of man he
was; and what he did, overcoming obstacles
that would be considered unsurmountable by
the young men of today, or, at least, so much
so that they could not be induced to enlist
in the undertaking.
EARLY SETTLERS.
The writer hoped to be able to give the
name of the very first settler in Ingham
county, but being unable to do so, he must
be content to give the experiences of some
of the early settlers.
WILLIAM A. DRYER.
He has found in the Ingham    County
News of April 5 and 12, I872, a letter written by Honorable \William A. Dryer, under
the title of "A Reminiscence by a Pioneer,"
and as it details many of the experiences of
all of the early pioneers, he will copy nearly
all of the letter for, though quite lengthy,
he thinks it will be very interesting reading for future generations, and for even
present day readers, who know very little of
the trials and experiences of the men and
women who came into the woods and began
to clear up the land which now "blossoms
like the rose," and has fine farm  houses
where there were only rude log cabins. He
omits only the description of his trip across
the lake from Buffalo to Detroit in the old
steamer "Michigan" which he says brought
on that trip over six hundred men and


women, who were to become pioneers in
what was then "the great West." The baby,
Mary, he speaks of, is the present Mrs. J. E.
Warner, now residing in Lansing. He does
not say in his letter where in Ingham county
he settled, but it was in the Township of
White Oak. The writer's excuse for copying so long a letter is that he thinks it very
interesting and that it should be preserved.
The writer is not required to write biographies, but he thinks he may make a brief
statement regarding some of the early settlers, who have passed away, especially, Mr.
Dryer, as a sort of preface to his letter.
Mr. Dryer was born at Cazenovia, N. Y.,
March 9, 18I3. When sixteen years of age
he was apprenticed to learn the wagon maker's trade, and continued in the business until he was twenty-four years of age. October 24, I834, he married Betsey H. Newell.
In October, I836, he moved with his wife
and "baby Mary" to White Oak, Ingham
county, as above stated, and settled on eighty
acres of land, he had previously located. In
1845 he sold his farm and moved to Pinckney and engaged in carriage making until
1848, when he moved to Lansing and made
the first wagon ever made in Lansing. In
I856 he purchased one hundred and twentyfive acres just west of the city, built a large
brick residence and moved into it; he sold
this farm and moved back to the city in
I89I. He was the first Clerk of the Township of White Oak, was Supervisor of White
Oak several years, was Supervisor of Lansing several years, and was once candidate
on the Republican ticket for Representative
in the Legislature, but was defeated by 0.
M. Barnes on the Democrat ticket.
Mrs. Dryer died in March, I86I, and he,
June I, I896.
The following is what Mr. Dryer had
published in the News:
"I wish to tell you of my journey from




10


PAST AND PRESENT


the State of New York to Ingham county,
Michigan, and my first year's experience as
a pioneer. Many of the incidents that transpired in the first settlement of the county
will be remembered as long as any of the
participants live. And the experience of almost any one is similar in a general sense
to the many others, and especially to that
class, and I may say the large majority, that
came with a "good start," as Mr. Parks of
Ingham, said he did. Mr. Parks was a good
manager, and of course was successful, and
he said, well might he be for he had such a
good start. He had everything he needed to
begin with to carry on his farm, and his
wife had a good setting out in her department. On being questioned as to what they
had, he said, "I had a good axe and my wife
had a first rate good straw bed, all but the
tick."
We brought a lumber wagon with us, one
of my own manufacture, of which I shall
have occasion to speak hereafter.  We
bought a noble yoke of oxen in Detroit, and
thus prepared, loaded what little we had in
the way of goods. With a "Haw, Buck, go
along, Bright," we set out westward towards
Ann Arbor, via the Swartzburg woods.
Any attempt for me to describe the travelling, the depth of mud, the almost innumerable host of emigrants that filled the road,
the hotels-every log cabin (there were
none other) had out its sign "Inn"-and
the accommodations they afforded, would be
a perfect failure; it would require a more
graphic pen than mine. But I will undertake to describe the inn at which we brought
up the second night out of Detroit, having
staid at Springwells the first. The main
building, made of logs one story high, was
about 24x36 feet with a small lean-to plt
on one side for a cook room or kitchen. The
main building was divided into two rooms,
the partition being constructed by hanging


to the poles (joists) some blankets which
reached nearly to the floor. These constituted the bar room, dining room, ladies' parlor, gents' parlor, sitting room, reading
rooms, bed rooms, etc. There was what was
called the bar, in one corner of the entrance
room, the furniture of which consisted of a
water pitcher, a few glasses and two bottles,
one of which contained water from a hole tlug
in the ground near a swamp and a little alcohol (whiskey).  The other bottle, the
same with the addition of scoke berry coloring (brandy) judging by the way those that
partook grabbed at the water glasses. Seats
were constructed on either side of the room,
by putting pins into the logs, on which were
planed plank slabs, made of basswood logs,
split through the middle. For portable seats,
holes were bored in the rounding side of the
same kind of slabs, into which legs were
driven. The balance of the furniture corresponded with the seats. About twenty of
us patronized this hotel that night, all emigrants bound westward.  Nearly or quite
all furnished their own provisions. A few
made tea, using water from the kitchen teakettle. The most took their lunch by families or groups in their own way and style.
We hauled the portable seats up in front of
the side seats, so that families could set facing each other, using their laps for tables.
About nine o'clock our host informed us that
the ladies could occupy the back parlor behind the blankets, and the gents the front
or bar-room. The necessity of this arrangement was obvious to all and was soon complied with.  We provided ourselves with
blankets, bed ticks and such other clothing
as we could and laid ourselves down on the
dirty floor for rest. It was interesting to
see those who had been reared in affluent
circumstances, and especially the ladies; to
their credit I can say the large majority of
them made the best of it with laughable




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


11


jokes. Most all had been passengers on the
old steamer "Michigan" and had made more
or less acquaintance with each other. The
evening had been spent in relating the incidents of the day. I will here give you one
specimen. One man in representing how
deep he found the mud, said he saw a gentleman's hat lying on the road. Supposing he
had found a prize, he plunged through the
mud to secure it. In taking up the hat, the
owner under it called out "Hold on there,
that is my hat; I am all right. I have got
a good horse under me." Such was the beginning of Michigan experience.
We had six days of hard labor and harder
fare on the road from Detroit into the east
part of this county. In coming through the
northwest corner of Washtenaw   county,
now called Lyndon, at the junction of the
Cedar and Grand river Indian trails, we took
the wrong trail and did not discover our
mistake until nearly dark. It was three or
four miles back to the first house and how
far forward to a house was of course unknown to us, for we knew not where we
were. After a little consultation, we concluded to move on and take our chances, for
we thought we were traveling about the
right course. It soon became difficult to follow the trail, there being very little timber
and nothing to guide us. It was only by
going before the oxen and feeling for the
trail, sometimes with the foot, and oftentimes with the hand, that we could follow
it.  After traveling this way until about
eight o'clock, to our great joy we discovered
a light ahead. The prospects of a place to rest,
and safety relieved us of no small amount of
anxiety, for surely the situation began to be
exceedingly unpleasant. Arriving at the
house, the good lady was surprised at seeing
travelers at that time of night. She informed
us that it was about three miles over a trackless trail to the Cedar trail. On being in

formed of what we wanted, to-wit: The use
of her fire to warm us, the use of her tea-kettle in which to boil some water for tea, and
her floor to sleep on, she inquired if we had
come through Detroit. I told her we had.
She was alarmed and considerably excited,
said they were all dying off there with smallpox, and we might expose her and her family; that they had but just moved into their
house; that her husband had gone to Ann
Arbor for provisions, and she could not allow us the privilege we desired. I told her
that we had neither seen nor heard of smallpox in Detroit, or on the way; that my wife
and child were suffering with cold and
hunger and that I could not take "No" for
an answer. She knew perfectly well the impossibility of our finding another house that
night.  The nearest one was about four
miles away and no road to that; no, not even
an Indian trail. I stood in the door to secure its being closed against us, and called
to my wife to come in. She was soon seated
by a comfortable fire with a good degree of
cheerfulness. The good lady of the house
had the wisdom to accept the situation, and
was soon pleasant and social, taking care of
little Mary, and helping to prepare a warm
supper.
And none but the Great Searcher of all
hearts can ever know with what thankfulness we partook of that evening's repast.
We were thankful that our hostess was so
much a lady and that in the morning we
were able to relieve the good woman of so
much anxiety for herself and three children
by paying her liberally in provisions for her
trouble and the entertainment of the night.
Her husband had already been gone nearly
two days beyond her expectations, and she
was living on short rations; so she, too, was
thankful, so much so that she kindly offered
us the use of a yoke of oxen to help us across
a marsh near the house, which she said was




12


PAST AND PRESENT


bad crossing, informing us at the time, that
they had a bad trick of turning in their yoke,
but that I could prevent it by tying their
tails together. The trick and all being new
to me, the good lady in the kindness of her
heart went out and showed me how her husband did it, by tying them herself. Everything in readiness, my wife and baby on the
load, with high anticipations of our two
yoke of oxen making a successful passage
across the muddy marsh, orders were given
"forward." No sooner was the order given
and echoed along the line, than the good
lady's oxen tore their tails apart and whipped
around their heads, with their faces toward
my oxen. My wife advised me to sing the
Doxology, "Praise God from whom all blessings flow," in the good old tune, Old Hundred, in the way of a joke. That was not
necessary, for the performance was more a
cause for merriment than anger. Without
trying any further experiment with the
lady's oxen, we let them go, thanking her
kindly, for her good will toward us, feeling
that our highest hopes were sometimes
doomed to disappointment. We then drove
our wagon as far as our oxen could draw
it on the marsh, then unhitched and unyoked
them, and separated from each other, they
succeeded in crossing to hard ground.  I
carried to terra firma, everything I could
from the wagon to lighten the load. The
question now arose, How is the wagon to be
got out of the mud? Necessity again, for
the thousandth time or more, proved the
mother of invention. I cut two long tamarack poles that would reach, with two long
chains from the hard ground to the end of
the wagon tongue. I then cut a notch in
the butt end of one of the poles that would
catch on the ring end of the ox-yoke, chained
the poles together and to the end of the
wagon tongue. My wife was now promoted
from seamstress to teamster, and myself


from a carriage shop in New York to wheel
lifter in Michigan; and now, with a "Haw,
Buck," a long pull, a strong pull, and a pull
all together, out came the wagon. We soon
loaded up again and went on our way rejoicing over another success. Nothing more
of note transpired until we safely arrived at
the promised land in Ingham county, which
I had purchased of the government the July
previous.
It was the custom with the first settlers,
to admit all new-comers under their roof.
It might be a seven by nine log house, or a
small shanty, no matter how inconvenient,
or how many there were in the family or
families, they were bid a hearty welcome to
stay while they could build a place to live
for themselves. There was room enough
out doors to do the cooking and there was
roof enough for as many to sleep as there
were planks in the floor.  The generous
good man that gave myself and family shelter while I was building a house for myself,
had a house twenty by twenty-six feet that
he had just moved into.  There was no
chamber floor, no door, no windows and no
fireplace. Stoves were almost unknown.
Our good women did their cooking out
doors by a fire made against a log.  The
baking was done in a tin oven standing by
the fire. Our host, in his generosity, soon
admitted two more families, that wanted to
build in the neighborhood.   After this,
when we called the roll, we found we could
muster nineteen persons.  Well, we were
pretty thick, especially nights.  But all
passed off pleasantly. There were no bickerings, no jealousies; every one seemed to
spare no pains to make the one that stood
by his elbow comfortable and happy. Notwithstanding time passed pleasantly, we
worked with our might to get our own
shanties ready for occupancy, for it was now
toward the close of October, and there was




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


13


no time to lose in getting ready for winter.
Ve necessarily lost some time, for frequently we were invited to go, sometimes five or
six miles, to help raise a log house for some
one that had got a little start of us, and we
always responded to such calls. But by dint
of hard labor-I mean just what I say,
for from early youth I had been educated a mechanic and practically knew
how to use a chopping axe as well as
a toad knows the use of a hair comb-in
about four weeks my wife pronounced the
house ready to move into. I will just now
take the liberty to tell the reader just how
ready it was. The logs were rolled up and
the three pair of rafters were raised; there
were shingles (shakes) placed on one side
of the roof, a strip up and down the rafters
about eight feet wide. We had seven feet
square of floor, laid in one corner, made of
basswood logs split into slabs; no gable ends,
no windows, but the holes cut out for them.
It had been a bright pleasant day, and to our
inexperienced eyes, the prospect was good
for days to come. Well, move we did. No
great job, however, for our furniture consisted of a small sewing chair and a common
plain bureau. We made a fire by rolling
some large logs together in the middle of
the house, for the double purpose to keep
warm and to scare off the wild beasts. We
placed the box in which we shipped our
bureau on the small piece of floor we had
laid, in which to make our bed. Everything
being in readiness, after imploring the Divine blessing on our enterprise, and protection from the dangers that surrounded us, we
laid ourselves down to sleep-husband, wife
and little daughter, Mary. The wolves entered their protest in decidedly terrific tones
during the night against the encroachment
on their hunting grounds.  I might here
speculate on our dreams, but such a sound
and healthy sleep knows no dreams. But


we were doomed to disappointment in our
anticipation of fair weather, for when we
awoke in the morning, we found it had
snowed about four inches deep and was still
snowing. Of course having nothing to protect us from the storm, our bed and all our
clothes were covered with snow. We had left
our clothes just as we had laid them off on retiring the night before. My pants were right
side up, just as I had stepped out of them,
after slipping my hands down over my heels.
Not having any other clothes unpacked, we
shook the snow off the best we could, and
put them on wet and cold. The fire not having gone out we rolled the smoking brands
together and soon had a rousing good fire.
My wife, whose courage was equal to the
emergency, with a cheerful heart, singing
her favorite hymn, "Am I a soldier of the
cross?" etc., soon had our breakfast in readiness. With thankfulness and appetites only
equaled by our resolution, we ate a good
hearty breakfast. There was no need of any
of the quack medicines of today to aid the
digestion. Plenty of exercise and pure air
was all sufficient.  Under the bright sunshine of the next (lay the snow disappeared,
but the finishing of the house did not progress very rapidly. All the lumber we used
for the purpose, except the few boards of
our goods boxes, which were patched together for a door, was made with the axe,
the beetle and wedges, the froe and the
broad axe. This you may well understand
was no small undertaking. But with the
anticipation of having a home of our own
and a farm-the height of our ambitionwe worked with alacrity on the outside,
days, and hewing plank for a floor and making furniture evenings. A bedstead for instance, was made in one corner of the house,
by boring a hole with a two-inch auger into
the log in the side of the house, the proper
distance from the floor, and from the corner




14


PAST AND PRESENT


for the length and another into the log in
the end of the house, the proper distance
from the corner for the width. Then with
poles inserted in the holes in the logs as
above described, and into one post, formed
the framework for our bedstead; for bedcord, poles were placed, one end on the long
pole and the other end fastened to the house
opposite. A great statesman said that "eternal vigilance was the price of liberty:"
equally so is success to the pioneer the price
of persevering industry. A bountiful Providence blessed our efforts, and in a few
weeks we had our house about finished; and
now, after more than thirty-five years have
passed, sometimes in prosperity, blessed with
all the comforts of life, in good business and
circumstances, surrounded with all the privileges of the best society, I look back to the
building of that house and that winter, as
the happiest days of my life.
About the middle of November there was
a family of about forty Indians went into
winter quarters some forty or fifty rods
from our house, whose acquaintance we
soon made, or rather they made ours. The
reader may say, "Well, I wouldn't have
liked that;" neither did we at first.  But
after a few days, in justice to the red men
of the forest, I must confess, we enjoyed
their company. We swapped our flour for
their venison, of which we had a plentiful
supply all winter. Among them there was
a squaw, old, sick and feeble, the mother
of several generations.  Nearly every day
my wife went to their wigwam and carried
the old grandmother a cup of tea, a piece of
toast or cake, or something of the kind,
which was duly appreciated by the Indians,
from the oldest to the youngest.  As she
would enter their wigwam from day to day,
the tall, stalwart Redmen would gather
about her, straighten themselves up to their
full height, and with much gusto and em

phasis, exhibiting their gratitude, exclaim,
"Nechin squaw" (good woman). I believed
them and the more I learned of the Indian
character, the more I was confirmed in the
conviction that those Indians would have
laid down their lives in defense of that
"Nechin squaw."
After going to Ann Arbor for a store of
provision to last through the winter, a journey of four days with my ox team, the balance of the winter was spent in chopping
down the forest trees. It was interesting
and animating to see the tops of the trees
thrash to the ground and delightftil music
to hear the sound echo through the woods.
The deer, for the country was literally alive
with them, would come into the clearing,
bounding along with their white and gray
flags hoisted, to pick the buds and small
twigs from the tops of the fallen basswoods
and sugar maples. One evening about sundown thirteen in a drove gave me a short
call. During the winter, notwithstanding
my inexperience, I succeeded in getting about
ten acres chopped, and in the spring, about
one-half of it into crops of corn, potatoes
and oats. The potatoes for seed cost one
dollar and seventy-five cents per bushel. I
earned the money by cutting and splitting
rails at fifty cents per hundred. By working fourteen hours very hard, I could make
one hundred rails-three and one-half days
for one bushel of potatoes; I often think of
this when I hear men, about the street corners of our villages, complaining of hard
times; "can't live on such low wages," etc.
As intimated before, the little money we
had brought with us had been expended, and
now, the middle of May, our store of provisions was exhausted, and how the larder
was to be replenished without money, was a
question of the gravest importance, and one
not so easily solved. All had to be transported: flour from Buffalo, potatoes and




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


15


meat from Ohio. Everything was held at
ruinous prices; flour at fifteen dollars per
barrel, pork thirty cents per pound, potatoes
not to be had, or if found at all, at two dollars per bushel, and nothing to be bought
within forty miles, and work for even a day
at any price not to be heard of within thirty
or forty miles, south or east of Ann Arbor.
To leave the wife and baby in the wilderness
from fifteen to twenty miles from a laid out
road (for as yet we had no civic organization) and to go so far way for fifty cents
per (lay (that was the highest price paid for
conmmon labor) in order to pay for enough
provisions at such high prices, to last until
harvest, was enough to try the courage of
even an Ingham county pioneer. We had
earnestly considered several propositions.
One was to take my little family, with a
few of our goods, and start for the southeast part of the State. But how could we
travel? There were no provisions that we
could carry with us, for we had nothing but
small potatoes, on which we had alone subsisted for nearly three weeks. We had been
like Micawber, waiting for "something to
turn up," until we had only little over one
peck left, and too honest to steal and too
proud to beg. However, we claim no credit
for not stealing or begging, for we met with
no temptation. The whole country was
nearly as destitute as ourselves. Again, if
we left the crops we had planted, which had
cost us so much toil, and on which we had
placed so much dependence, they would all
be destroyed and we should have no provision for the coming winter. It seemed like
abandoning all our fondly cherished hopes
of home and farm. With every proposition,
there were found strong objections. But the
time for action had come. We had waited
for "something to turn up" until we could
wait no longer. My wife, whose faith and
courage admitted of no fears or doubts, arose


one bright morning, on which we had
agreed to decide on what course should be
pursued, with a cheerful, hopeful countenance, saying she would stay at home and
take care of the little we had, and I might
take the team and go after some provisions,
for she felt an assurance that all would be
well and turn out for the best, for Providence always favored the brave.
Being thus encouraged by my ever-confident wife, I started with full hopes of success, but how it was to be attained, I had
not the remotest idea. That day I went to
Dexter and put up at the old Washtenaw
House. It was a long day and a longer road
to travel with a yoke of oxen on a hot day.
I arrived there about sundown, having had
only three or four roasted potatoes for dinner, that I had brought from home. To
say that I was hungry was no exaggeration.
I called for supper with as much independence and ate with just as good a relish as
though I had the money to pay for it. After supper I found Mr. Millard, the owner
of the old Dexter mill, who had the only
flour on sale in the village. He had that day
received a few barrels from Detroit. I told
him of my situation-of the wife and baby,
way back in the wilderness, of the few potatoes I had left as their only subsistence, and
offered to give security on my oxen or
wagon or both, until harvest. I could then
get work and pay, but I could not talk
money down. At this he turned upon his
heel, and as he left me said "No flour to sell"
with such emphasis, such a manner and tone
of voice, as chilled and blasted and settled all
hopes of relief from that source.  I then
went to two or three grocery stores in search
of something to sustain nature until harvest.
A little whiskey, some tobacco, and a wheelbarrow load of some other groceries constituted their stock in trade. There was nothing for me, no, not one pound of anything




16


PAST AND PRESENT


I wanted. On my way back to the hotel,
thinking of the situation in which I had left
my little family, and the prospects before
me, of being able to afford them relief, I
must confess the clouds began to gather
around my mind. On arriving at the hotel,
I found a young man there who had built a
shop by the help of a brother, and commenced in the wagon business. He was
quite forward in making my acquaintance,
told me his business, and on being informed
of my former occupation, at once proposed
a co-partnership. He said he had no family,
that mine could live in the shop chamber
and he could board with me and furnish the
provisions; that we could live on the fat of
the land. He was especially anxious after
seeing my wagon, of my own make and finish. I began to feel that this proposition
was the faith of my wife realized, and retired to rest with buoyant hope, yet somewhat exhausted in body and mind. It had
been a day of fatiguing, tiresome labor, and
anxiety, and when I laid down to rest temporarily relieved, Morpheus soon had dominion over me. At another interview in
the morning, arrangements for co-partnership were consummated, and I felt greatly relieved. A great burden of anxiety was removed from my mind-my wife and little
one were provided for, at least for the present. High hopes were revived. Already in
anticipation, I began to see a prosperous
business growing up, but alas! judge of my
dismay, my blasted hopes and prospects
blighted, when my anticipated partner invited me to drink with him. On being refused he walked up to the bar saying he
"believed he would take something." The
bartender seemed to understand his wants
and handed down a bottle containing (judging from his looks and his actions after he
had swallowed a glass full) the same kind
of brandy that I have heretofore described.


He had just poured down the glass of water
to quench the raging fire in his throat, when
I walked over to him and frankly and in
decided tone told him that he could consider
our arrangement ended; that drink had
scared me out. He undertook to explain but
my mind was fixed. It was of no use, I
could never consent to risk my little all with
a man that could stand under as big a drink
as that, or that would drink at all.
By this time the breakfast bell called us
to fat pork and bread, and as they were just
out of butter that morning, we were very
generously and kindly permitted to sop our
bread in the fried pork dish, for which we
of course voted thanks. But the enjoyment
of the breakfast was occasionally interfered
with by the thought trespassing on my
mind, "How is this hotel bill to be paid?"
Notwithstanding such unwholesome and unpleasant questions, I ate a good hearty
breakfast and was the better prepared to
meet the great, the present, ail-absorbing
question of providing for my family.  I
went from one little business shop.to
another, with the vain hope of seeing something by which I might bring about the object of my mission. Mr. Millard had the
flour, but it did me no good. I could not obtain it without the money, and money was as
far out of my reach as the flour. I confess that
my courage began to fail, and perhaps I
should have given up in despair, but for the
encouraging words of my wife, "Providence
always favors the brave." And I knew, too,
that our case was morning and evening presented to the throne of Heavenly grace,
which had its influence in inspiring confidence in ultimate success. It was now about
nine o'clock in the forenoon and still no better prospect than when I first arrived the
night before. My condition was even still
worse, for my hotel bill stared me in the
face. With a feeling of despondency, I went




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


17


out to the open shed of the hotel, in which
stood my wagon and seated myself on the
board across the box. I thought of my family, of the circumstances in which I had left
them, the prospects of relief and the hotel
bill. I had made every effort in Dexter that
gave the least promise of success. Then I
thought whether I should go on east to Ann
Arbor, or go south. All of these subjects
and questions were one by one being turned
over in my mind and mentally discussed
and especially the last two questions. I was
so deeply absorbed in thought that I had become almost unconscious of everything else.
Just at this moment I was aroused by a man
driving under the shed a pair of light, nice
ponies, before a large heavy lumber wagon,
only fit for oxen. It was H. H. Norton,
now a resident of and well-known citizen
in Livingston county, of this State. As he
drove under the shed, he called out, Nortonlike, "Hallo! sir, I want to trade wagons
with you. Is that wagon yours, sir? It
is just such as I want, and mine is better
for you to use oxen with than yours-it's
stouter, will you trade, sir?" Mention has
previously been made of this wagon, finished
up in the best style, nicely ironed, painted,
striped and varnished. It was just what he
wanted for his fine small horses. As I read
in his countentnce that he was in the right
mood to give me a good trade, if I managed
well, my heart fairly leaped with joy at the
prospect of relief. A ray of light had burst
forth. The clouds that had gathered so thick
and almost impenetrable on my mind were
breaking away. My wife's faith was not in
vain; her prayers were about to be answered.
I told him I made the wagon in the State of
New York, of selected timber for my own
use; that I could be induced to part with it
only by the most absolute necessity and a big
price. I asked him thirty dollars to boot. He
laughed at me, claiming that his wagon was
2


worth more to me to use with oxen than my
own. But he offered me ten dollars; I
should, of course,,traded for that, if I could
get no more, but I was determined to make
him pay the last dollar possible for his fancy,
for it was parting with one of my idols.
After considerable bantering and equal dividing on both sides, he paid me twenty dollars and we exchanged wagons. Mr. Norton was just the right man in the right place.
With a thankful, bounding heart, I received
the money and the way I squared myself up
to the bar of the hotel to pay my bill was
a caution to poor folks. The landlord had
been ignorant of my circumstances. I then
went to Mr. Millard and showed him my
money. 0, what a change had come over
the man! How obliging! How anxious to
assist the "pioneer!"  With what tender
sympathy he spoke of the dear wife and
child way back in the woods! 0, how glad
he was to be able to accommodate me with
some flour. But alas, there was no other
way; I was obliged to buy my flour of the
kind, tender-hearted man, which he well
knew. But this radical change in Mr. Millard's deportment was very easily comprehended-he was a merchant and in hopes
of selling me some goods. My feelings
toward him were not of the most friendly
type. He could not have sold me any goods,
neither could he have sold me flour, if any
other man in the village had any flour on
sale.
With some flour, one pound of tea, a few
pounds of pork bought of a farmer, one
bushel of oats for seed at a cost of a dollar
and fifty cents, some heavy cotton sheeting
to make my wife an every day dress (which
she colored with butternut bark) and a piece
of bread for lunch on my way home about
noon, with feelings of inexpressible gratitude and greatly encouraged. I thought I
could see the hand of an overruling Provi



18


PAST AND PRESENT


dence in bringing about the means of relief.
My oxen, too, understood something about
the situation, for they seemed to walk with
more than usual quick and lively step. I
arrived home just at the dawn of day. In
the clear, bright May morning my wife had
heard the sound of the wagon rolling over
the roots of the trees, and in her anxiety to
know the result of my journey, met me
nearly half a mile from the house. Seeing
her some distance off, I cried out "All is well,
we can now have bread." Our meeting was
one of rejoicing. All nature was alive. The
gobbling of hundreds of wild turkeys chimed
in strange chorus with the multitude of
birds of every hue and smaller size. All
were rejoicing, and conspired to enliven and
arouse to renewed hopes of future success in
obtaining a home and farm in Michigan.
I need not say that under such inspiring
circumstances, we enjoyed our breakfast of
bread and meat as we never had before.
Soon after this our cow that I had bought of
Samuel Ives of Unadilla, the winter previous, became a new milch cow. We then
had plenty of milk and butter and were fully
provided for.
Nothing of special interest transpired until near the close of June. We had employed
our time in chopping down and clearing
away the forest, for it was heavy timbered
land. I think, of all the work a man ever
did, chopping and clearing land will give
him the most voracious appetite. It seemed
so at least to me, for our stock of provisions
were nearly exhausted. It had become evident that our supply would not carry us to
harvest. It may be inquired why I did not
kill some of the abundance of deer, turkeys
and other game, with which the woods were
literally alive? Perhaps I can answer this
most satisfactorily by relating an incident.
I generally carried a good rifle with me
when I went into the woods. At one time


when looking for my cattle, I saw a very
fine deer, feeding on some grass near the
edge of an open marsh. By moving a few
steps to the right, I brought a very large
elm tree in range between me and the deer.
I walked carefully up to the tree. The deer
was unconscious of the great danger that
threatened its destruction, and was still
gently picking the heads from the marsh red
tops. With great care I examined the cap
on the tube of my gun lock, and saw there
was powder in the tube. All seemed to be
in readiness and in the best possible order.
The deer was only about four rods off and
standing perfectly still, and with a rifle carrying a one-half ounce ball and as good as
any in the State, I felt sure of some venison
for the first time, of my own killing. I took
deliberate aim at his broad side, resting
against a three and a half foot elm tree.
Bang went the gun and away went the ball,
and the deer, too, at the highest speed, with
his white and gray flag at full mast, leaving me with an empty gun and the full conviction that hunting was not my gift. Notwithstanding, I could not, like the Indian,
support my family with my rifle, yet there
was nothing now very discouraging, for
some of the oldest settlers about Ann Arbor
and Dexter were about to commence their
haying and work could be obtained at some
price. With health and this fact in view
there was no fear of suffering, and it would
require but little to carry us through the
winter.
One bright morning, full of hope I started
to find work, inquiring at every place where
there was any apparent prospect. I found
none that wanted to hire until I arrived at
Henry Warner's in the Township of Dexter,
who is now well known as a successful
breeder of Short-horn stock. He had commenced haying that day and would give me
work at seventy-five cents per day in haying




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


19


and nine shillings per day in harvesting,
and would let me have a hundred pounds
of flour as cheap as I could get it in Dexter
village, which was seven dollars and fifty
cents. Flour had been higher but had fallen
in price, it being just on the eve of harvest.
What do you think of that, you men who
are laying around idle, letting your families
go half fed and half clothed, trying to form
associations to protect labor when you can
obtain the high prices of present day? I
very gladly accepted Mr. Warner's offer,
and next morning went to work with a good
will. But O! The haying tools in my inexperienced hands. The scythe would lop
in and it would point out. But Mr. Warner
was the same high-minded, honorable, jovial
man then that he has been ever since and
has my thanks for his kindness to me. He
laughed at me but showed me how to mow.
He said that if my strength and skill
equalled my will, I would be a good man to
hire. I worked three days in haying and
four and a half days in wheat harvest. Now
let us see how many days' work one hundred
pounds of flour cost. One day's walking
twenty-five miles, seven and a half days'
haying and harvest, one day to go home after my oxen, one day back to Mr. Warner's
and another to go home again-just eleven
and one-half days. My father had been a
pioneer in the State of New York, and I often called to mind the observation he made
after every effort and argument had proved
unavailing to dissuade me from coming
west: "Ah, he has but little conception of
a pioneer's life; of what it is to make the
first break in the wilderness." By this time
I was quite willing to indorse the statement.
We had almost daily visits from the Indians, and often had very laughable plays and
jokes with them. They were always ready for
fun, from the oldest to the youngest, and enjoyed it the best of any class of people I ever


saw. They were ever ready to practice a
joke and just as ready and willing to take
one. I might relate numerous anecdotes of
them but will content myself with but few.
One morning we heard, as we supposed, a
fawn bleat in our fallow that had been
burned over. We ran with all speed to catch
the young deer, but a young Nichee had
played a joke on us. He hid among the
black logs and with a small bone taken from
a deer's leg, made a noise like the bleat of a
young fawn, which they could do to such
perfection as to decoy deer within range of
their rifles. This mode of hunting often
practiced by the Indians in the proper season
of the year. When we were within a few
yards of the young redskin he jumped up,
hooted, hallooed, laughed and bounded into
the woods. The next day some ten or a dozen
Indians and squaws came where I was at
work, full of laugh and play and in derision
would say "gemokman catch fawn." They
stayed an hour or so, perfectly jubilant, joking me about catching the fawn. One day,
twenty or more of them, men, women and
children came into my house. I well knew
by their hilariousness that they had come to
play.  One, a tall athletic young Indian,
came up to me asking me for some tobak,
saying, "Nichee no tobak." I replied, "cowene Nichee penintee tobak." I had seen a
plug of tobacco in the bosom of his blanket.
Whether they had much or little they would
always beg all they could. After disputing
a while, working around near the door, an
opportunity presenting, I snatched his tobacco from his blanket and ran out doors and
round the house, the young Indian after me
at the top of his speed. The rest of them
sallied out of the house and formed a ring,
giving me plenty of room, to witness the
race. They laughed, hooted, skipped, hopped, jumped and did anything that an Indian could do, to express their delight; and




20


PAST AND PRESENT


when the young Indian gave up the race,
they crowded around him and by every
means in their power and in a variety of
ways, ridiculed him. One would go lame,
another would walk, representing an old
man, and so, each in his own way, according to their ingenuity, made fun of his inability to recapture his tobak from the Neechin Gemokeman, and he, too, felt chagrined
at his defeat. Similar sports were of frequent occurrence with the Indians.  Such
were my feelings for the redskins, that I
deeply lamented when the government drove
them off west.
The season of 1837 was a very early one,
and vegetation came forward very rapidly.
We had plenty of potatoes, beans, etc., unusually early, more so than any year since.
It was a blessing most undoubtedly designed
for the special benefit of the pioneer. As
soon as the corn was well glazed, my wife
invented a way of procuring most excellent
food from it in a novel yet a very nice easy
way, by husking the ear and cutting it off
the cob on a jack-plane, by turning the
plane bottom side up on a table, taking the
ear of corn in the hand and shoving it over
the plane against the edge of the iron. It
will make much better samp or hominy
than corn ground in a mill, for in this way
you get only the sweetest part of the kernel.
The nearest mill being at Dexter, new corn
meal would sour before we could get it home.
So, again it will be seen, that necessity is the
mother of invention. We enjoyed life and
health admirably up to October, when I was
taken sick with ague and fever, and before
anything occurred worthy of note, or I recovered, our first year of pioneer life in Ingham county came to a close.
SILAS BEEBE.
In "The Michigan Pioneer Collection" I
find extracts from a diary kept by Silas Bee

be, who finally settled in Stcckbridge. Of
his trip from Utica, N. Y., to Ingham county,
I think that part relating to this county may
be interesting to many. He was leaving
Washtenaw county, where he speaks of seeing men plowing with six yokes of oxen.
Under date of February 24, 1838, he writes:
"Left after breakfast for Ingham county.
We soon struck into timbered lands and saw
less of swamps and marshes. Roads were
less traveled, but we found our way to the
center called "Jefferson City." The first blow
towards this place was struck last September. It now has some ten or fifteen acres
cut down ready to clear, five or six log
houses, peopled, a school house and school.
We went on foot about a mile and found two
huts, a little clearing and a family going in."
(This was probably what became the Strickland Settlement.)  "We had designed to
have continued our journey to Dewitt, Clinton county, but were obliged to forego the
journey for want of roads." He writes:
"Jefferson will undoubtedly be a place of
some importance." He further adds: "Three
and a half miles south of this is a rival place
of equal claim, called Mason. A saw mill
(frozen up), a few houses and surrounding
forests is all it can boast of." Jefferson City
is the place to which the writer was brought
by his parents, who settled there in I843.
EPHRIAM MEECH.
Mr. and Mrs. Ephraim Meech settled on
section I8, in Leroy, in January, I837. The
snow at this time was eighteen inches deep,
and, for a distance of eight miles through
the wilderness, the travelers were obliged
to cut and break their way. The cold was
intense and in crossing a creek the ice broke,
and the stockings of Mrs. Meech were completely frozen to her feet. The first greeting she received the morning after her arrival was from two Indians, who asked for




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


21


whiskey. The only other inhabitants were
wild beasts. Bears were frequent visitors
and made great havoc among the swine.
One was shot, just after he had carried away
a fine hog, and it yielded five gallons of
bear's oil. Wolves were constant disturbers
of the peace, and would frequently surround
the house and begin their dismal howling as
evening approached, which they steadily
maintained until morning dawned.  Mrs.
Meech would spread a blanket on the boards
which served as a floor for the loft of their
dwelling, and would lie down for the night,
in constant fear lest the marauders should
break through the window.
She welcomed with great joy the presence
of the next settler, for she had not seen the
face of a white woman for eight months. Mr.
Meech raised the first crop of corn raised
in the township.  He used frequently to
carry grain to the mill for the neighbors,
which would require a week to go and return, the time having been much lengthened
by the bad roads and swollen streams which
had to be forded.
Many instances of wolf-trapping and bear
hunting might be mentioned in which Mr.
Meech took an active part, the bounty on the
former offered by the State having materially aided the settlers in their early struggles. Mr. Meech died on the land he entered, in I876.
JACOB F. COOLLY.
The time is almost, if not quite, past for
obtaining reminiscences of the first settlers
and, thinking they should be preserved, we
feel justified in taking the following from
Durant's History of Ingham   and Eaton
Counties:
"Jacob Frederick Cooley was born in Germany, February 23, 1807. He came of a
good family, but with true German thrift
and forethought learned the trade of a tailor


in his native country. He lived in one of the
German capitals, possibly Stuttgart, until he
came to America. He settled in the State
of New York. His wife was Lucy Barnes,
who was born in Hartford, Conn., April I,
1804. At the time of her marriage, her parents were living in Oneida county. She was
a woman of the real live Yankee stock, and
well fitted for pioneer life, as subsequent
events proved.
The young couple moved to Leslie, Ingham county, Michigan, arriving there on the
6th of May, 1836. They erected a temporary
shanty in the wilderness, six miles from any
settlers, but being soon after attacked with
sickness, which almost every settler was subject to, they became homesick. Wild beasts
and snakes troubled them, and one day, leaving their two children in their cabin, they
went out to examine their land and got lost
in the woods; but their faithful dog found
them, and they followed him home. The
dog was afterwards killed by wolves.
Mr. Cooley was a stranger to everything
connected to woodcraft or farm labor, and
the prospect of making a comfortable home
in the new country seemed anything but
pleasing. Becoming at length sick and disgusted, he returned with his family to New
York in I837. But there was something enticing in the West after all, and in November
of the same year, leaving his family, he returned to Michigan.  At Jacksonburg he
made the acquaintance of Jerry and William
Ford, or at least one of them. These men
had, in April, I836, laid out a village on section 21, in Lansing township, which they
named "Biddle City." Learning that Mr.
Cooley was looking for a place to settle, and
also that he was a tailor and his wife a weaver, the Fords persuaded him that at or near
their town was the place to settle; that it
was sure to be a great city, and that the
trades of himself and wife would soon make




PAST AND PRESENT


them comfortable, if not absolutely rich. To
this enticing story Mr. Cooley lent a willing
ear, and came down to view the country.
The nearest government land to "Biddle
City," which he could find was on section
30, in the southwest part of the township,
lying on Grand river, and about two miles
southwest of the new city. It proved to be
an excellent piece of land, and the section
now includes some of the best farms in the
township.
One of the Fords came along with Cooley,
but only remained a short time, and then departed and left him alone in the wilderness.
Mr. Cooley knew absolutely nothing of the
labor necessary to hew out a home in the
woods. He had never handled an axe in his
life, and in cutting down a tree he hacked on
all sides of it, and when he thought it about
ready to fall, ran out of its reach. He did
not know how to plant his vegetables after
he had managed to prepare a small plat of
ground, but planted potatoes, corn, beans and
cabbage promiscuously in the same hill.
In building his first cabin he managed it
by felling a tree, letting the butt rest upon a
stump and then covering the trunk with
brush and sods. He did not know where the
lines of his land were, and employed a Mr.
Scott, in Clinton county, to point them out
for him, paying him, according to his son's
account, fifty dollars for his services. A
second time he lost his lines, and had to pay
Mr. Scott once more to establish them for
him. His land was the southwest fractional
quarter of section 30, township 4 north,
range 2 west. He purchased deer-skins from
the Indians and made himself a full border
suit, including a coon-skin cap. His son, J. F.
Cooley, Jr., remembers this suit as a great
curiosity. Soon after completing his shanty,
he followed the river to Jacksonburg, where
he purchased supplies for winter, and then,
procuring lumber, built a boat to transport


them down to his future home. This was in
December, I837.
On his way down the river, not being a
skilled boatman, he came to grief in the swift
water, opposite where now stands the Village
of Diamondale, where night overtook him.
His craft struck a bowlder, and either broke
up or stove a hole, so that his provisions got
into the stream and his flour and salt were
nearly spoiled. He, however, waded around
among the ice and slippery stones and saved
a portion. Having no means of making a
fire, he ran up and down the bank of the
river to keep him from freezing. At length
the barking of a dog attracted his attention,
and following the sound he came to a wigwam, where he found an Indian and his
squaw, who took him in, rubbed his half
frozen limbs, and made him as comfortable
as circumstances permitted. For food they
set before him the best they had, boiled or
roasted hedgehog and muskrat. On the following morning, he paid the Indian two dollars to carry him down to his shanty. The
Indian soon after abandoned his camping
place, and built his wigwam  near Mr.
Cooley's.
The inexperienced settler now began to
clear a spot of ground and build a better cabin
of logs, and here remained until the spring
of 1838, when he wrote his wife to join
him with the remainder of the family. Mrs.
Cooley, accordingly bade good-bye to her
parents, and, taking her two boys, Jacob F.,
Jr., and Lansing J., came to Detroit, where
she arrived in safety, though it was in the
midst of the Canadian "Patriot war." At
Detroit she hired a teamster to take her to
Jackson, but the Sheriff followed him for
some misdemeanor, and he fled to the woods.
leaving Mrs. Cooley with the team, which
she drove to Jackson, where it was taken
from her. Nothing daunted by the terrors
of the road, she started with her bovs on




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


23


foot for Eaton Rapids. After walking several miles she met a man who told her if she
would take a certain trail which he pointed
out, she would save considerable distance;
but the path was so obscure that after a
little time she lost it in the woods. Placing
her children on a log, she bade them stay
right there until she returned, and then proceeded to find her way out. At length she
leard a cock crow, and the sound guided her
to a settler's cabin occupied by one Blakeslee,
who went with her to find her children,
which they succeeded in doing after a long
search. Mr. Blakeslee then took his team
and carried Mrs. Cooley and her children to
Eaton Rapids, where she stopped with a Mr.
Spicer, who procured an Indian to notify her
husband of her arrival. He soon appeared,
and building a boat took his family down the
river. Night overtook them, and they were
obliged to encamp on the bank until morning, when they proceeded on their way, and
before noon on the I5th day of June, 1838,
reached the site of their future home.
They had no team or domestic animals of
any kind, and Mrs. Cooley assisted her husband to clear a small piece of land, which
they sowed with wheat, and planted a few
vegetables. They kept a record of time by
marking it every day on a board or log with
charcoal. Their first "Independence Day,"
July 4, I838, was celebrated on a flat rock
near the river, where Mrs. Cooley sang
songs, to the delight of the Indians, while
her boys played with their dusky friends under the trees along the river banks.
About the middle of July the entire family were taken sick, and were nearly helpless
for several days. A family named Skinner
had settled up the river in the Township of
Windsor, Eaton county, and Mr. Cooley got
an Indian to go and notify them of their
troubles. Mr. Skinner came and took them
to their house, where they remained for sev

eral weeks, and this experience exhausted all
the ready money they possessed. Recovering from their sickness, they returned to their
home in the fall and found their crops all
safe, their old Indian friend having taken
care of them during their absence. They exchanged the products of their land with the
Indians for fish and venison and thus opened
the famous "dicker" trade of the early days.
In the following winter the family were
all again taken sick and lost the day of the
month, but a traveller happened along in
January set them right again. At length
all their provisions were consumed and they
were forced to live on the charity of their
early Indian friend, who managed to procure sufficient food to keep them from starving. At one time Mr. Cooley was so low
that they all expected he would die, and he
finally told his wife to lay his body in a
bark trough, cover it with dirt, and take her
children out of the woods. But at length
he recovered.
In the spring of 1839, Mr. Cooley went to
Jackson and worked at his trade, leaving his
wife alone with her children. For fourteen
months she never saw a white woman. Wild
beasts were plenty and exceedingly troublesome. At one time a gang of wolves followed Mr. Cooley, as he was bringing home
some meat for his family, for a long distance, but he finally reached home in safety.
At another time, when out blackberrying, he
was chased by a bear and escaped with the
loss of his hat.  Occasionally the family
would suffer the fire to go out, and then
some one would have to travel perhaps ten
miles to procure a supply. Some of the Indians were at times insolent, but they were
generally friendly.  Their insolence never
availed them anything, for Mr. Cooley was
resolute and defended his rights.
After they began to raise corn he rigged
a novel contrivance, though a common one




24


PAST AND PRESENT


in those days, to pound it. It consisted of
a mortar made by burning a hollow in a
stump, and rigging a spring-pole, to which
was attached a wooden pestle; and this answered a very good purpose.
On the 6th day of January, I840, Mrs.
Cooley gave birth to a son, who is said
to have been the first male child born in the
township.  He was named     Nathan   L.
Cooley. A friendly squaw performed the offices of physician and midwife, and was the
only woman present.
In the fall of 1838 they heard of neighbors
down the river and to the southeast of them.
These were Coe G. Jones, on section 5, and
Joseph E. North, Jr., on section 32. The
Norths made them a visit. The Fourth of
July, 1839, was celebrated at the house of
Joseph E. North, Jr. His father had recently moved into the settlement, and the
three families celebrated together.
Their first threshing was done on the
ground, and the first wheat-grist was taken
to Eaton Rapids by Mr. Cooley, who was
gone three days. The children could hardly
wait for the first loaf of bread to bake, but
when ready for the table they divided it with
the dusky Indian children, who enjoyed it
as well as they. The earliest mills near them
were at Eaton Rapids and Ingersolls, now
Delta. When they patronized the mill at Ingersoll's, they took the grist down the river
in a log canoe or "dugout," and then went
across the country, through the woods, and
hauled the canoe and ground grist back
along the narrow path, through mud and
water with ox-team. The canoe was not a
first class land carriage, but they managed
to haul it by fastening a log chain around
its nose, though it required great skill and
constant attention to prevent the curious vehicle from overturning in the rough pathway. Sometimes in the winter when they
wanted to cross the river with their oxen,


and the ice was not strong enough to bear
them, Mr. Cooley would cut a channel across
and swim them over.
When at length, they had become the possessors of an ox-team, a cow, a pig, and a
few sheep they congratulated themselves
upon their improved circumstances; but their
joy was short lived, for a great black bear
carried off the pig and the lean, hungry
wolves made short work with the sheep.
The hardships and privations of the early
settlers of Michigan, save only in one respect, that of Indian wars and difficulties,
were certainly as formidable and discouraging as were ever encountered by the people
of any state in the Union. The country was
largely made up of dense and heavy forests,
interpersed with swamps, marshes and lakes;
the earliest roads were more horrible than
can be conceived of by the present generation, and then there was the almost interminable labor of cutting down the timber and
clearing it away before anything could be
grown for the support of man or beast. In
the midst of their labors the deadly malaria
fell upon them, and they froze and burned
alternately for months and years with the
ague and fever. When the first scanty crops
were raised, and there was a small surplus,
it took weeks to carry it to an uncertain market and the cost of transportation ate up all
the proceeds. Wild beasts, dangerous reptiles,
and persecuting insects were plenty as snow
flakes in a January storm, and it was literally
a struggle between life and death with the
chances in favor of the latter alternative.
In many instances the earliest comers lived
for several years without store or school or
church accommodations, and the wonder is
that men and women did not degenerate into
fierce barbarians and abandon all hope of
civilization amid the depressing circumstances which hemmed them in on every side.
Nothing but an indomitable will. and a most




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


25


sanguine looking forward to a better day in
the future, an undying faith in the power of
human intellect over the forces of nature,
ever kept hope alive in the hearts of the pioneers of Michigan, and enabled them to work
out the mighty problem of reclaiming a most
forbidding wilderness and building up a free
and prosperous commonwealth. There were
a few comparatively sunny places among the
"oak-openings" and beautiful miniature
prairies of the southern and western portions
of the peninsula, but they were only exceptions. By far the greater portion of the State
has been won from a state of nature only
through almost unparalleled hardships and
the most unflinching perseverance.
Within a year or two, Mr. Cooley built a
second and improved log house. The first
one stood near the northwest corner of his
quarter section, and a considerable distance
from the river near a copious spring, which
latter item no doubt had considerable weight
in determiining the selection of his land. The
first dwelling was built by the labor of himself and wife, and was a rude affair. The
only windows were small holes left in the
logs, covered with greased paper. The roof
was constructed of troughs, the first course
laid with the convex side down, and the
second enverted and lapping over the edges
of the others. This plan, provided the
troughs were sound, made a very comfortable covering, impervious to water so long as
the material did not warp or crack.
The second house stood about fifteen rods
west of the first, nearer the river. When
it was all ready to be put up, it took all the
able bodied men in five townships to raise
it. It had a roof made of heavy stakes, pinned upon the transverse timbers with threequarter-inch ash pins. The improved building boasted of a better chimney and sash
windows, which latter Mr. Cooley whittled
out with a pocket knife.


Mr. Cooley was probably the first settler
in Lansing township, having arrived, as we
have seen, in the autumn of I837. There
is some uncertainty regarding the arrival of
the first family, but the probabilities point
to Mr. Cooley's family, who reached their
destination on the i5th day of June, I838.
The deed of his land was dated in I837,
and signed by Martin Van Buren.
Mr. Cooley died on his farm, June 9,
I865, at the age of fifty-eight years, two
months, and sixteen days, at a period when
he should have been in the prime of his physical powers. No doubt the hardships of a
pioneer life had much to do with his comparatively early demise. He left a wife and
five children-three sons and two daughters,
to each of whom he gave a farm, and saw
them settled around him. Mrs. Cooley died
February 21, 1870.
REMINISCENCES
BY
A. E. COWLES.
I cannot add anything to what has already
been said of the hardships of the pioneer
settlers, for when my parents brought me to
Ingham county, they located in what was
then considered, a well settled part of the
country; but there are some little things not
usually mentioned in sketches of pioneer life,
that may be interesting to some, that I think
I will jot down.
My father, Joseph P. Cowles, and my
mother came with myself and baby sister,
now Mrs. Carrie C. Bayley, living in St.
Paul, Minn., to this county in October, I843,
from Chardon, Ohio-my parents and we
children, with horse and buggy and the
household furniture and a covered wagon,
drawn by two yokes of oxen, driven by
my two uncles, F. M. Cowles and H. P.




26


PAST AND PRESENT


Cowles. I remember the long journey very
well, especially crossing the Black swamp in
the sea of mud, the fording of the Maumee river at Toledo, the arrival at Mason
and the final arrival at our destination at the
"City of Jefferson," in Alaiedon, spoken of
by Mr. Silas Beebe in that part of his diary,
hereinbefore copied. The city was located
on section 29, at the junction of Mud creek
and the old road that ran from Mason, north
to Delhi and later to Lansing.
My father had purchased from  George
Howe, my mother's brother, one hundred
sixty acres of land, mostly in the city plat,
with a log house upon it; and the water privileges on twenty-five acres more, together
with a sawmill run by the water in Mud
creek. No one crossing the creek at that
point would ever imagine that it could have
furnished power to run an upright saw
through whitewood logs four and five feet
in diameter; but it did for many months at
a time, for five years that I remember; and
I have seen large fish, pickerel, suckers and
mullet speared in its waters.
It has been stated in histories of the county, that there were thirteen log houses in the
city, but there were not-besides the log
school house there were only four. Those
must have been counted that were from one
to two miles away, in the Childs, Pierce,
Strickland and Main neighborhoods. The
log house that we moved into was better than
most log houses, for the logs were hewn flat
on the outside and inside, and there was a
wide covered porch in front of it. It, like all
others, had a big fire place at the base of a
"stick chimney," that was built of stone for
five or six feet up from the bottom and from
that to the top, of sticks split from hardwood
timber about an inch thick and three inches
wide, laid flat in mortar and plastered thickly
on the inside with the same. The fire was
very cheerful, made with a "back log," one


to two feet in diameter and smaller wood
piled on large andirons. All of the cooking
was done there upon the coals and by hanging kettles upon iron hooks, hooked over an
iron crane, hung so as to swing over the fire;
imagine a woman cooking three meals a day
in this way, cooking her face almost as
brown as she did the meat. Potatoes were
baked by covering them with hot ashes and
live coals over the ashes; and no potatoes
baked in any other way ever tasted quite
so good. The baking of bread, pies and
cakes was done in a tin oven, set before the
fire; it was of bright tin, about two and a
half feet long and a foot wide, or deep,
something in the shape of an old fashioned
shaker bonnet, if one can imagine, two and
one-half feet wide. It was set with the open
front before the fire and the heat reflected
from the bright tin sides and flaring top,
baked better bread, pies and cakes than can
come from a stone oven.
Mother made our candle-tallow dips-in
this way: two straight poles, about ten feet
long, were placed, about a foot apart, with
their ends upon chairs; wicks were cut twice
as long as the candle was to be, folded over
little sticks about fourteen inches long, twisted and waxed, so that they would not untwist, six upon each stick and twenty sticks
making ten dozen of the wicks, which were
to become ten dozen candles. These sticks
were placed with their ends resting on the
poles and the wicks hanging down between
the poles. The sticks were taken one at a
time, the wicks immersed in a kettle of melted tallow and placed back upon the poles,
until all had been "dipped;" by that time the
tallow on the first six wicks had cooled, and
commencing again and again at that end,
the process was continued until the candles
were of the required size; mother also had
the candle molds in which she could make
a dozen candles, at a time, that were of more




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


27


perfect shape, by putting the wicks upon the
sticks in the molds and filling with melted
tallow. There were no matches and if the
fire went out, coals for rekindling it had to
be brought from a neighbors-they, who had
no near neighbors, made fire by striking steel
upon a flint so that the spark would catch
in a piece of punk held near. But seldom the
fire was allowed to go out; it was banked
at night, to keep it. Our lanterns were round
in form and made of tin, perforated full of
holes, through which the light came.
Our meat was principally, salt beef and
salt pork. By mutual consent, no two neighbors would butcher at the same time and
when one did, pieces of fresh meat were distributed among the neighbors; and how good
it was. Children do not know how good it
is when it can be had only two or three times
a year.
The best beds were laid on bed cords
(small ropes) strung crosswise through
holes in the sides, and head and front rails
and tightened by a bed wrench.
Wool was carded into small rolls by the
women with two hand cards and these rolls
spun into yarn on the spinning wheel and the
yarn was woven into cloth, also by the
women, home-spun-for clothing for men,
women and children. The music of the spinning wheel, for hours at a time, day in and
day out, will nevermore be heard in the land.
There were, of course, no mowers or reapers or threshing machines. The grass was
cut with a scythe and the music of its swish
all day long was very pleasant for young
ears. Grain was cut with grain cradle and
raked and bound by hand. I wonder if all
the present generation know what a grain
cradle was? Well, it was a scythe upon a
snath; above the scythe was a frame holding
four or five wooden fingers, the same length
as the scythe. Talk of grace in movement;
there isn't much that will compare with an


experienced cradler in a large field of
wheat; the rythmic swing through the standing grain; the regular laying over of the
cradle upon its back by extending the left
hand and drawing in of the right, leaving
the cut grain lying upon the fingers; the
bringing the cradle around to the left side
and drawing it out from under the grain,
which was thus left in a beautiful swath;
the bringing the cradle back, by a raising of
its heel and with an upward curve; two short
steps ahead and repeat for one hour at a
time, was all very pleasant for my young
eyes to behold-it will never be seen again
in these parts. Following the reaper came
a man awhose duty it was, to rake together
just enough grain to a bundle and bind it
with a wisp of straw, and it was a pretty
good man, who could keep up with the man
with the cradle, if he was an expert cradler.
The bundles were stacked or put into the
barn and, when the time came for threshing.
they were opened up and the grain spread
upon the barn floor, where it was generally
threshed by hand, with flails; but sometimes
by driving oxen around upon it, as I have
done, keeping them moving a half a (lay for
a flooring. I felt quite a man, helping in
this way, as I did the winter I was eight
years of age, driving two yokes of oxen, in
drawing whitewood logs to the mill. They
were loaded upon the sled by my father and
a helper in the woods and unloaded by the
mill hands.
The foregoing is pleasant for me to remember and I thought perhaps it might be
so for some to read. Indians, wolves and
deer were as plentiful as told by Mr. Dryer.
Indians came with very dirty maple sugar
in the spring and with berries in the summer; we were not at all afraid of them for
they were quite civil and were well treated.
We moved to Lansing in I848, the next year
after the location of the capitol.




28


PAST AND PRESENT


ORGANIZATION      OF THE COUNTY.
While the State was yet a territory, in
I796, Wayne county was organized and included all of the lower peninsula, as well as
part of what are now the State of Ohio, Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin. Washtenaw
county was taken from Wayne, and organized into a county in 1826 and included Ingham county. By the act of the Legislative
Council of Michigan, passed October 29,
I829, Ingham county was laid out and set
off and declared to be included within the following limits-viz.: north of the base line
and south of the line between townships four
and five, north of the base line and east of
the line between ranges two and three, west
of the principal meridian, and west of the
line between ranges two and three east of the
meridian, and the act stated: "and the name
thereof shall be Ingham," after the date of
being laid out and set off and the date of
the organization of the county. The territory of Michigan was admitted into the
union as a State, by act of congress, passed
on the 26th day of January, I837. By an
act of the Legislature of Michigan, approved
April 5, I838, and to take effect on the first
Monday of June, I838, the County of Ingham was organized. Among other things,
the act provided that the Circuit Court for
the county should be held on the first Tuesdays of June and November in each year,
and until a convenient building should be
erected at the county seat, at such place in
said county, as the Supervisors or Commissioners of the county should direct, also section 4: There shall be elected in the said
County of Ingham, on the first Monday of
June next, all the usual county officers, to
which, by laws, the said County of Ingham
is entitled, and whose terms of office shall
severally expire on the 3Ist day of December, next ensuing, and said election shall in


all respects be conducted and held in the
manner prescribed by law for holding elections for county and State officers."
Prior to the passage of this act, the county
seat had been located by commissioners appointed by Governor Stevens T. Mason.
They were Theophilus Crawford of Livingston county, Washington Wing of Washtenaw county and John Bronson of Detroit.
On the 7th day of April, I836, they reported
to Governor Mason, that they had located
"the seat of justice" in said county at the
quarter section post, between sections one
and twelve, town two north, range one
west," that is three and a half miles due east
of the center of the city of Mason.
Mr. Charles T. Thayer, who owned the
south half of section one, and the north half
of section twelve, laid out a village there and
named it "Ingham," but no county buildings
were ever erected, and no county business
was transacted there. There was much dissatisfaction on account of the location by the
commissioners and petitions were presented
to the Legislature, asking for the removal of
the county seat, and the Legislature passed
an act, approved March 6, 1840, vacating
the location and locating it at the village of
Mason.
On the first M'onday of June, I838, an
election of county officers was held, as required by the act of the Legislature, organizing the county and the following officers
were elected: Sheriff, Richard R. Lome;
Clerk, Valourus Meeker; Treasurer, Hiram
H. Smith; Register of Deeds, Minos McRoberts; Judge of Probate, Peter Linderman;
Circuit Court Commissioner, Griffin Paddock; Surveyor, Anson Jackson; Coroners,
Horatio N. Forbes, James Phillips and
Henry Wood; County Commissioners, who
transacted the county business that is done
now by the Supervisors, Peter Linderman,
Jacob Loomis and Henry Lee. No Prose



INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


29


cuting Attorney was elected at that election,
as prior to I850, that office was filled by
appointment of the Governor.
TOWNSHIP ORGANIZATIONS.
The first township organized in the county
was Stockbridge, in the southeast corner of
the county, on March 26, 1836. The other
townships were organized as follows: Aurelius, including the west half of the county,
March I I, 1837; Ingham, including the present towns of Ingham, White Oak, Wheatfield and Leroy, March I I, 1837; Leslie,
taken from Aurelius, December 30, I837;
Onondaga, from Aurelius, March 6, I838;
Vevay, from Aurelius, March 6, I838; Alaiedon, including the present four northwest
townships, March 15, 1838; Bunkerhill,
March 21, I839; White Oak, from Ingham,
March 21, 1839; Phelpstown, whose name
was changed to Williamston, by act of the
Legislature, February 17, I857, including
the present townships of Williamston and
Locke, March 22, I839; Brutus, name
changed to Wheatfield by act of the Legislature, March 20, I84I, and including the
present townships of Wheatfield and Leroy,
March 22, I839; Leroy, from Brutus, March
I9, I840; Delhi, from Alaiedon, February I6,
I842; Lansing, from Alaiedon, February I6,
1842; Meridian, from Alaiedon, February
16, 1842; Locke, from Phelpstown, February 16, 1842.
The organization of the last four town
ships, fully completed the organization of the
county, with its townships as they have remained ever since.
It will be interesting, as well as useful, to
have a list of the county officers, as perfect
as it can be made from records, from I838
to 1904, inclusive.
List of county officers, I838 to I904.


COURTS.
CIRCUIT COURTS.
Ingham, when a part of Wayne county, was
in the First Judicial Circuit, together with
the counties of Macomb, St. Clair, Mackinaw and Chippewa. By the revised statutes
of I846, page 353, it is enacted that the
State is divided into four judicial circuits
and Ingham is placed in the fourth, together
with Oakland, Livingston, Shiawassee, Clinton, Saginaw, Genesee and Ionia, and it is
provided that the Justices of the Supreme
Court shall twice in each year (certain cases
excepted), hold a circuit court in each of the
counties designated in his appointment and
in the performance of such duties, shall be
denominated "Circuit Judge." "In his appointment" does not mean his appointment
to office but his appointment of counties in
which he shall preside, which he was required to make after his election.
The legislature by an act approved April
8, I85I, divided the State into eight judicial
circuits, placing Ingham in the fourth with
Washtenaw and Jackson.   By an act approved February 12, 189 I, the Thirtieth Judicial circuit was created, constituted of Ingham and Livingston counties and by an act
approved May 30, I897, the State was divided into thirty-five judicial circuits and
made Ingham alone the thirtieth, which it
still remains.
The presiding judges who held courts in
the county were Wm. A. Fletcher, Alpheus
Fitch, Charles.W. Whipple, George Miles,
Edward Mundy and George Martin. The
judges of the several judicial circuits, that
included Ingham county, have been as follows: David Johnson, Edwin Lawrence,
Samuel Higby, Alexander D. Crane, George
M. Huntington, G. T. Gridley, Erastus
Peck, Rollin H. Person and Howard Wiest,
the present judge.




PAST AND PRESENT


Prior to the organization of the county
and after, until the adoption of the constitution of 1850, the laws provided for the
election of two associate judges (sometimes
called side judges) of the Circuit Court for
each organized county, one of whom was to
sit with the presiding judge, presumably for
consultation, but it was said that the presiding judge seldom counselled with his associate. However, it is reported that one of the
associate justices claimed that at one time he
was consulted. It was near the end of a
long term, when the presiding judge turned
to him and asked him if he didn't think their
bench was pretty d-   hard to sit upon so
long, and he said he did, agreeing with his
superior and no dissenting opinion was filed.
The associate judges elected in this county were Amos Steele and E. B. Danforth,
1838-1840, John R. Bowdish and E. B.
Danforth, 1841-1844, Joseph E. North and
Joseph Hunt, elected in 1846.
COUNTY COURT.
In i8I5 County Courts were established,
to be held by a chief and two associate justices appointed by the Governor. In 1833
they were abolished in the organized counties east of Lake Michigan except Wayne,
of which Ingham was then a part. After
the establishment of Circuit Courts the
County Courts began to decline and much of
their jurisdiction was from time to time
transferred to the Circuit Courts and in the
revision of the Statutes of 1846 it was provided that they should be held by two judges,
elected by the people of the county for the
term of four years and called respectively,
County Judge and Second Judge. This court
had original and exclusive jurisdiction of all
claims above a Justice's jurisdiction and
under $500 except actions in ejectment and
proceedings in Probate Court and it had appellate jurisdiction over Justice Court. Cases


determined by it could be removed by it to
the Circuit Court only by certiorari, no appeal being allowed. The court was abolished
by the constitution of I850.
The judges and second judges of the
County Court elected in Ingham county were
County Judge, Benjamin Davis, Second
Judge, Horatio N. Forbes; Davis resigned
and Wm. H. Chapman was elected to fill the
vacancy in I849; County Judge elected in
I850 Mason Branch and Second Judge,
Orrin Sharp.
PROBATE COURT.
In I818 a Court of Probate was established in each county to be held by "some
able and learned person" appointed by the
Governor. The Revised Statutes of I838
made the office of Judge of Probate elective
for the term of four years-that provision is
still in force.
The following are the names of the Judges
of Probate with their terms of service: Valorous Meeker, I839-I842; Henry Fiske,
I843-I845; Amos E. Steele, elected to fill
vacancy; Richard Ferris, I847-I848; Griffin Paddock, 1849-I852; Wm. H. Chapman,
I853-I856; Wm. H. Pinckney, I857-I864;
Horatio Prat, 1865-1872; Mason D. Chatterton, 1873-I880; George F. Gillam, I881 -1884; Quincy A. Smith, I885-June 30,
I89I, resigned, George W. Bristol appointed
by the Governor to fill vacancy, July I, I89II892; Albert E. Cowles, I893-I896; Frank
S. Porter, I897-I900; Jason E. Nichols,
I90I-I904; Henry M. Gardner, I905-Dec.
3I, I908.
COURT HOUSE.
At a meeting of the County Commissioners in December, 1842, $800 was appropriated for the purpose of building a court
house. A building committee was appointed
consisting of Minos McRobert, Peter Linder



INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


31


man, George Mathews, Benjamin Davis and
Samuel Skadan, who were authorized to let
the contract, which they did to William
Hammond & Co., for the sum appropriated,
and the building was erected in I843 on lot


tion to submit to the people a proposition for
building a new court house and to raise for
the purpose $Io,ooo, $5,000 by tax and $5,ooo by loan. The people voted upon it at
the election in April, 1856, the result being


INGHAM'S OLD COURT HOUSE.


four, block seventeen, according to the plat
of the Village of Mason. It was a two-story
frame building, twenty-eight by thirty-four
feet. That building was the Ingham county
court house for fifteen years. But it having
become inadequate to the needs of the rapidly growing county, the Board of Supervisors in December, 1855, passed a resolu

for the tax I,o90 to 665 against it and for
the loan I,o88 to 652 against it.
The Board of Suprvisors appointed a committee consisting of P. R. Peck, Wm. Woodhouse and J. C. Bailey to select a site and
procure plans and specification. Plans and
specifications furnished by Mathew Elder of
Lansing were adopted and the contract for




32


PAST AND PRESENT


building was let to him June 20, 1857, for
the sum of $II,700, Mason having subscribed $I,700. The building was of brick
and erected in the center of the public square,
the site selected by the committee, and was
completed at a cost of $I2,229.I9 and ac

offices, some of which prior to this had been
in a separate building, a frame building
erected in I840 at a cost of $325, on the site
now occupied by the jail.
This court house at the time it was built
was considered quite an imposing structure


NEW COURT HOUSE AT MASON.


cepted by the Board of Supervisors by a
resolution passed April I9, 1858.
With money raised by subscriptions of
Mason people in the fall of 1858, the court
house grounds were graded, walks made and
shade trees set out. This building, besides
the court room, contained all of the county


and answered its purpose for forty-five years,
though very poorly and inadequately. During the last several years of that period it
had also become badly in need of extensive
repairs and the question was should it be
repaired at large expense br should it be
torn down and a new one erected? It de



INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


33


volved upon the Board of Supervisors to decide that question and on the 26th day of
October, I90I, the committee of the Board on
public buildings, reported that in their opinion "some steps should be taken towards
securing plans for remodeling of the present
court house and an estimate of the relative
cost for a new one, for comparison and recommend that a commission be appointed by
the chairman consisting of four members
who shall visit in their discretion, not to exceed three county seats within a reasonable
distance of Ingham county, to assist them in
their deliberations, and to be prepared to
report their findings and to offer such other
suggestions as they would deem profitable
to this board at its next meeting in January,
1902."
At the same meeting the chairman of the
Board appointed as the committee recommended, F. L. Dodge, C. H. Sibley, W. C.
Nichols, A. I. Barber and J. T. Bullen. At
the January, 1902, meeting of the board, the
above named committee reported that they
had visited four county court houses in the
State, naming them, and that in their opinion a new court house should be erected in
this county and that "action be taken to submit the question to the people for expression
by vote at a date hereafter to be decided
upon."
At a meeting of the Board, January 8,
1902, on motion of Supervisor Shank, the
following was adopted:
"WHIEREAS, The present court house of
the County of Ingham has become inadequate to supply the needs of the county, and
WHERE;AS, For numerous reasons a new
court house for said County of Ingham has
become a necessity; therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Board of Supervisors of
the County of Ingham that there be submitted to the qualified electors of said county, at
the annual spring election to be held on the
3


first Monday in April, A. D. 1902, the
proposition to borrow on the faith and credit
of said county, at such times and in such
amounts as the same shall be needed, and to
issue its evidence of indebtedness therefor,
the sum of $40,000, the proceeds to be used
solely for the purpose of erecting a suitable
building for a county court house and county
office building on the site of the present court
house of said county. Said money so borrowed to be paid in five equal annual installments of $8,000 each, the first installment
thereof to be paid in the year I903. Said
sum so borrowed to be repaid by spreading
the same upon the taxable property of Ingham county as follows: $8,ooo in the year
1903: $8,000 in the year I904; $8,000 in the
year I905; $8,ooo in the year I906 and $8,ooo in the year 1907."
The vote at the election in April. 1902.
was as follows:


For
Townships and Wards.                    Loan.
Alaiedon...........................    250
Aurelius...........................   323
Bunkerhill.........................     195
Delhi..............................     3)9
Ingham............................   266
Lansing............................     106
Leroy..............................   228
Leslie.............................     277
Locke...............................    130
Meridian...........................    192
(Onondaga..........................     184
Stockbridge.......................   219
Vevay.............................      252
Wheatfield.........................156
White Oak........................       231
Williamston.......................   202
Mason, 1st ward...................      278
Mason, 2d ward...................       268
Lansing, 1st ward.................       92
Lansing, 2d ward. 1st precinct.....      165
Lansing, 2d ward, 2d precinct......      142
Lansing, 3d ward, 1st precinct.....      131
Lansing, 2d ward, 2d precinct......      137
Lansing, 4th ward, 1st precinct....      205
Lansing, 4th ward, 2d precinct.....       97
Lansing, 5th ward, 1st precinct....      188
Lansing, 5th ward, 2d precinct.....      156
Lansing, 6th ward, 1st precinct....      125
LUnsing, 6th ward, 2d precinct....       87
Total....................... 5,691
Majority for 2,188.


Against.
Loan.
17
18
36
33
40
83
127
200
172
95
104
120
2
40
22
304
166
266
154~
194
134
268
156
287
213
138
115
3,503


Total.
267
341
231
242
306
189
355
477
302
287
288
339
254
196
253
506
281
268
358
431
292
525
271
473
253
475
369
263
202
9,194


At a special session of the Board of Supervisors held in April, after the election, a
building committee of five was appointed
with power to procure estimate of cost and
plans and specifications for a new court




34


PAST AND


PRESENT


house and county office building to be erected
upon the site of the court house in the city of
Mason, to be reported to the Board for approval or objection, and with authority for
awarding and execution of a contract on the
bid to be approved; the committee to continue in authority in the supervision of the
construction of the building until completed
and accepted. The chairman of the Board,
A. I. Barber, was made chairman of the
committee and he appointed as the other
members, Dodge, Bullen, Lathrop and Phillips. At the same session an auditing and
loan committee was appointed to take charge
of the business of negotiating the necessary
loans for money to be used in the construction of the building and given power after
the loan was authorized by the Board, to
audit all bills, which were not to be paid
until approved by the building and auditing
committee. The chairman appointed as such
committee, Lawrence Price, L. C. Webb, W.
A. Steele, L. T. Hemans and W. C. Nichols.
A committee was also appointed to procure accommodations for the county officers
and the board while the old building was being torn down and the new one constructed.
At the same meeting this committee made
report which was adopted, and in accordance with it the woodhouse attached to the
old building was moved to the southeast corner of the court house square, an addition
built to it and fitted up for the offices of the
County Clerk, Register of Deeds and Judge
of Probate, and temporary quarters were
provided for the Circuit Court, Treasurer
and Board of Supervisors. At the adjourned
special session of the Board, June 2, 1902,
the building committee reported that they advertised for plans and specifications and had
received a number which were submitted.
The various architects explained their plans.
The plans were referred to a committee that
reported four of them for the consideration


of the Board. After careful consideration
the Board proceeded to ballot upon the acceptance of a plan and on the one hundred
and eighth ballot the plans of E. A. Bowd
of Lansing were adopted and Mr. Bowd
chosen as the architect to superintend the
construction.
The cornerstone of the new court house
was laid on the fifth day of May, I903, with
imposing ceremonies by the Grand Lodge of
the Masonic fraternity, a large concourse of
the people of the county being present.
The following articles were placed in a
copper box and deposited in a stone, to be
uncovered and displayed to the view of perhaps some generation of the twenty-first or
maybe of the twenty-second century, to-wit:
Programme of the laying of the cornerstone.
Tenth annual announcement of the Mason Tourist Club, 190I-1903.
Manual of the Presbyterian church.
Vandercook's Past and Present Life of
Mason.
Directory of the First Baptist church of
Mason.
Circuit Court Calendar for January term,
1903.
Mason W. C. T. U. programme for I903.
Roster of Steele Bros. Post, G. A. R.
Charter and policy of Farmers' Mutual
Fire Insurance Company of Mason.
List of teachers, school directors and
board of examiners.
Staats Zeitung.
M. A. C. Record.
The State Issue.
The Industrial Enterprise.
History of Mason Lodge, No. 70, Knights
of Pythias.
Early history, charter present membership
of Capitol Grange.
Souvenir of National Grange.
Autograph list of members of Junior




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


35


Christian Endeavor Society of the Presbyterian church of Mason.
Roster of Mason Lodge, No. 70, F. & A.
M., and Ingham Chapter, No. 51, R. A. M.
Roster of Eastern Star Chapter, No. I50
of Mason.
Roster of Loyal Temperance Legion of
Mason.
List of officers and data concerning M. E.
church of Mason.
G. A. R. lodge and roster of Phil McKernan Post, No. 53.
Woman's Relief Corps, No. 131 of Mason.
Ten cents in script.
Sketch of the Village of Stockbridge.
Roster of Rebekah Lodge of Stockbridge.
Roster of Mason Hive, No. I20, L. 0. T.
M. M. of Stockbridge.
Roster of Stockbridge Lodge, No. 130, F.
&A. M.
Roster of Eastern Star Lodge of Stockbridge.
At a further session of the Board, the
building committee reported that they had
advertised for bids for construction, which
were submittted and recommended that the
contract be awarded to the lowest bidder,
George Rickman's Sons, at the sum of $39,879, which was done, and the building committee was authorized to sell the old building or make the best disposition of it.
At a special meeting of the Board of Supervisors on the third day of June, 1903, the
building committee reported that the building could not be completed for the $40,000
voted by the people and recommended that
the question of an additional appropriation
of $36,000 for the completion of the building, be submitted to be voted on by the people of the county, and in compliance with
such report, the following resolution was
adopted by the board:
Resolved, By the Board of Supervisors of


the County of Ingham, that there be submitted to the qualified electors of said county at
a special election to be held on the 20th day
of July, A. D. 1903, the proposition to borrow on the faith and credit of said county at
such times and in such amounts as the same
shall be needed, and to issue the bonds of the
county therefor, the sum of $36,000, the
proceeds to be used solely for the purpose of
erecting and completing the county court
house and county office building now in process of constructiofi; said bonds to be divided into six equal series, and to become
due and be paid in six equal annual installments of $6,ooo each. The first series or installment to become due and be paid December 3Ist in the year 1908; the second series
or installment to become due and be paid
December 31st in the year I909; the third
series or installment to become due and be
paid December 3Ist in the year I9Io; the
fourth series or installment to become due
and be paid December 3 st in the year I9II;
and the fifth series or installment to become
due and be paid December 3ISt in the year
1912; and the sixth and last series or installment to become due and to be paid December 31st in the year 1913, etc., together
with annual interest thereon, not to exceed
the rate of four per cent. per annum. Said
bonds and the money so borrowed, together
with the interest thereon, to be repaid by
spreading the same upon the taxable property of Ingham county, as follows: $6,000
and interest, to be raised by tax in the year
1908; $6,000 and interest, to be raised by
tax in the year 1909; $6,000 and interest, to
be raised by tax in the year 1910; $6,ooo
and interest, to be raised by tax in the year
19I; $6,ooo and interest, to be raised in the
year 19I2; $6,000 and interest, to be raised
by tax in the year 1913.
At the election held July 20, 1903, the
proposition was defeated by a small majority




36


PAST AND PRESENT


with a small vote polled-less than onethird of the registered vote of the county, and
at a special session of the Board on August
17, I903, it was resolved to submit the same
proposition to be voted upon at a special election to be held November 3, I903. At that
election the result was as follows:


For the        Against
Townships and Wards.                   Loan.        the Loan.
Alaiedon.............................   183             8
Aurelius.............................   263             7
Bunkerhill..........................     87            16
Delhi................................   113            44
Ingham.............................  162            33
Lansing.............................     24            36
Leroy................................    72           149
Leslie..............................   215            36
Locke..............................      25            83
Meridian...........................    82            19
Onondaga............................     56            42
Stockbridge.........................   59            90
Vevay................................   278             6
Wheatfield..........................   62            31
White Oak........................       119             7
Williamston..........................    60           223
Mason City, 1st ward................    301             7
Mason City, 2d ward..................   276             2
Lansing City, 1st ward..............     47            46
Lansing City, 2d ward, 1st precinct       44            54
Lansing City, 2d ward, 2d precinct..      43            34
Lansing City, 3d ward, 1st precinct.      40            67
Lansing City, 3d ward, 2d precinct..      17            29
Lansing City, 4th ward, 1st precinct      76            54
Lansing City, 4th ward, 2d precinct       46            41
Lansing City, 5th ward, 1st precinct      45            61
Lansing City, 5th ward, 2d precinct       44            45
Lansing City, 6th ward, 1st precinct      34            34
Lansing City, 6th ward, 2d precinct       12            28
2,885         1,332
The building having been completed, it
was accepted by the Board of Supervisors,
October I5, I904, and Ingham county has as
beautiful, commodious and convenient a
court house and county office building as has
any county in the State.
EARLY ATTORNEYS.
The following are the early attorneys who
were admitted to the bar and those who practiced in the courts of Ingham county prior to
1863, with brief sketches of some of them:
Augustus D. Hawley was the first attorney admitted to the bar in the county.
John W. Burchard was one of the very
earliest attorneys. He was born in Scipio,
Cayuga county, New York, in I814, and was
admitted to the bar in Rochester, N. Y., in
1835. He came to the county in I839 and
settled    in  Mason.        In   1841     he   purchased


land and an interest in the water power at
what is now North Lansing, and in 1843
built a log house and a dam across Grand
river, and April 6, I844, was drowned by
having his boat drawn under the waterfall
while he was trying to ascertain what damage had been done to his dam by high water.
He was probably the first white man
drowned in Ingham county.
Hon. Daniel L. Case settled in Mason in
I843, and was appointed by the Governor
Prosecuting Attorney in I844. In I845, law
practice not being very extensive or remunerative, he engaged in the mercantile
business in Mason and in 1847 removed to
Lansing and gave up the practice of law. In
1850 he was elected a member of the State
Legislature from Ionia county where he was
engaged in the mercantile business for a
short time. In I858 he was elected Auditor
General of the State and in 1864 he was appointed by President Lincoln paymaster in
the army and was commissioned "Major."
He died in Lansing, November 24, 1898.
Hon. John W. Longyear was born in Ulster county, New York, October 20, 1820.
In 1844 he removed to Mason, completed
his law studies, having begun the same in
New York, teaching district schools during
winters, was admitted to the bar in I846 and
removed to Lansing in I847 and formed a
law partnership with his brother, Ephriani
Longyear, which was continued until about
I860. In I862 he was elected to Congress
from the Third Congressional District of
Michigan, composed of Calhoun, Eaton,
Ingham, Jackson and Washtenaw counties,
and was re-elected in I864. In I867 he was
a prominent, capable and worthy member of
the Constitutional Convention. In I870 he
was appointed Judge of the United States
District Court for the Eastern District of
Michigan, which high office he filled with
honor and distinction until his death, on the




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


37


IIth day of March, 1875. Judge Longyear,
when a young man, was considered the
ablest lawyer in Ingham county and later
one of the ablest in the State and was regarded as among the most careful and
learned of the U. S. Judges.
Funny incidents are reported from all new
sections of the country and often as having
taken place in the court room. The writer
remembers one in which the laugh was on
Mr. Longyear: A man was being tried in
justice court before Squire Champlin Havens
in Lansing, for having sheared a neighbor's
horse's tail. George I. Parsons was prosecutor and Mr. Longyear was for the prisoner
at the bar. The principal witness came on to
the stand after having taken several views of
"the wine when it was red," or whiskey
when it was straight. Mr. Parsons finally
got out of him, with many hiccoughs, that
he saw the respondent shear the horse's tail.
Mr. Longyear took the witness and asked
who held the horse's tail while it was being
sheared. The witness gave Mr. Longyear
a look of disgust and contempt, and answered, "I say mister (hic), I would have
you (hic) und'stand (hic) that hoss (hic)
was capable of (hic) holdin' his own tail
(hic)."
W. W. Upton, the writer remembers, as
one of the most prominent attorneys in Lansing in I848-'52. He was admitted to the
bar at DeWitt, Clinton county, in I845, that
being the county seat of Clinton county at
that time. He represented Clinton county
in the last session of the Legislature held in
Detroit and was instrumental in having the
capitol located at Lansing. He removed to
Lansing in 1847 and commenced the practice of law which he continued until 1852,
when he removed to California. In 1856 he
was a member of the California Legislature
and from I86I to I863, District Attorney of
Sacremento county. In 1864 he removed to


Portland, Oregon, practiced law there until
in February, I868, he was appointed a justice of the Supreme Court of the State to
fill vacancy and in June, I869, was elected to
the same office for a term of six years, and
from September I, 1872, to September i,
1874, he was the Chief Justice of the State
of Oregon. On October I, I877, he was
appointed by President Hayes Second Comptroller of the United States Treasury, which
office he held until June i, I885. Nothing
further can be obtained regarding him.
Ephriam Longyear was admitted to the
bar in Ingham county in I847, and located
ill Lansing and forming a partnership with
his brother, practiced law until I860. In
I86I President Lincoln appointed him postmaster at Lansing and he held the office for
five years. Then he engaged in mercantile
business for a short time and after that in
the banking business for the remainder of
his business life. He died in Pasadena, California, January 18, 1889, and his remains
were brought home and lie in Mount Hope
cemetery.
William H. Pinckney was born in New
York, March I8, I824, and was admitted to
the practice of law by the Supreme Court at
Auburn, N. Y. in I848. He removed to
Lansing in I850 and opened a law office and
practiced until about 1857. He was private
secretary of Hon. Jacob M. Howard when
he was Attorney General and was at one
time City Recorder and for many years Justice of Peace in Lansing. He died in Lansing, January 23, 1901.
Orange Butler removed from Ontario
county, N. Y., to Adrian, Michigan, in 1835,
and was a member of the House of Representatives in 1837, removed to Lansing in
I849 and engaged in practice and the Court
Journal shows that he was interested in
many cases. He died in Lansing, June II,
I870.




38


PAST AND PRESENT


David E. Corbin was admitted to practice
in Buffalo, N. Y. He came to Lansing in
I848 and formed a law partnership with W.
W. Upton. He died in New York, August
3, I850.
William H. Chapman was born in Connecticut, January 20, 1820, studied law with
Governor Toucey of Connecticut and was
admitted to practice in Hartford, Connecticut, in 1847. He came to Lansing in I848.
He held the office of County Judge of Ingham county, Judge of Probate and Mayor of
Lansing. He died August 18, 1895.
George I. Parsons was born in New Hartford, N. Y., in 1822, and was admitted to
the bar in Oneida county, N. Y., in I836.
He came to Lansing in 1848 and engaged in the practice of law. He held the
offiie of Prosecuting Attorney of the county
from I857 to I860, inclusive, and City Attorney of Lansing in I86I and I862. He
removed to Winona, Minn., in 1869, and
died there February 27, 1884.
Phillip McKernan studied law in the office
of 0. M. Barnes at Mason and was admitted
to the Ingham county bar in I856. At the
breaking out of the Civil War he was Captain of the Curtenius Guards, a military
company in Mason, and with most of his
men, enlisted and joined the 7th Michigan
Infantry of Volunteers and were assigned to
Co. B of that regiment, he becoming lieutenant. He died of typhoid fever near Poolsville, Md., September 26, I86I. His remains
were brought back to Mason by military escort and were interred in Maple Grove cemetery at Mason.
Orlando M. Barnes was born in Cato, N.
Y., November 21, 1824. In June, 1837, he
came with his parents to Michigan and settled in Aurelius, Ingham county. He entered the literary department in the U. of
M. and graduated in the class of I850,
studied law and was admitted to the bar and


located at Mason and soon secured a large
practice. In 1852 he was appointed Prosecuting Attorney for the county to fill vacancy and was elected and re-elected to the
same office. In 187I he withdrew from
general practice and from then devoted his
attention to the interests of the Jackson,
Lansing and Saginaw Railroad Company,
and from 1872 until his death was its land
commissioner. In 1862 he was elected to
the State Legislature and in I877 to the
office of Mayor of the City of Lansing. In
November of 1876 he ran for governor on
the Democratic ticket but was defeated by
Charles M. Croswell, the Republican nominee. Mr. Barnes died in Lansing, November 11, I899.
George M. Huntington was born at Ludlowville, N. Y., March 20, I836, and removed to Ingham county with his parents,
who located in Mason in the early forties.
He was admitted to the Ingham bar December 15, 1857, and entered into partnership
with 0. M. Barnes with whom he had
studied law. He was elected Circuit Judge
in 1875 and served one term of six years.
He died at Mason, April 2, I889.
Henry L. Henderson located in Mason
about 1857 and was admitted to the Ingham
county bar December 15, I857. He practiced his profession for nine years, when he
abandoned it and engaged in the banking
business in Mason in the name of H. L.
Henderson & Co., which continued until
1871, when the First National Bank was
organized and he became its Cashier and at
the expiration of its charter he established
the State and Savings Bank, of which he
was President at the time of his death, October 9, I897.
John G. Ramsdill was born in Wayne
county, Michigan, January Io, 1830, and
came to Lansing about 1856. He studied
law with John W. Longyear and was ad



INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


39


mitted to the bar October 6, 1858. He was
Deputy Clerk of the Supreme Court at Lansing. He removed to Grand Traverse in
I86I and practiced law until he was elected
Circuit Judge of the thirteenth judicial circuit, which position he held for twenty years.
He died February I6, 1903.
Thomas J. Ramsdell was born in Wayne
county in 1833, and was admitted to the
Ingham bar October 6, I8j8, and practiced
in Lansing until November, I859, when he
removed to Manistee, Michigan, where he
began and still is in practice. He was Deputy
Clerk of the Supreme Court in Lansing in
i86I, was elected member of the legislature
for Manistee and other counties in that legislative district.
Delos C. Wiley came to Lansing from De
Witt, Clinton county, in the year 1857 and
practiced his profession here until a short
time before his death, May 5, I874. He
soon became very prominent and successful
at the bar and for a long time was on one
side of a majority of the cases tried in the
Ingham Circuit Court. He was fluent before a jury, the words coming thick and fast.
He would have been a terror to stenographers, if the court had been favored with their
services in those days and they had been required to take his arguments to court and
jury. He gave and took hard knocks but
did not allow them to break friendships between knocker and knockee. Mr. Kilbourne
gave him one that pleased the bar. Mr.
Wiley often introduced clerks in his office as
witnesses and having done so in a case in
which Mr. Kilbourne was the attorney for
the other side, the latter in opening his argument to the jury, said, "I labor under a disadvantage in trying cases with my brother
Wiley, for I only keep a law office while he
keeps a law and evidence office.' Mr. Wiley
was eleven years in partnership with R. C.
Dart.


Rollin C. Dart was born June 10, 1831, at
Potsdam, N. Y. He entered the University
of Michigan in I854, came to Lansing in
I856 and commenced the study of law in the
office of J. W. and E. Longyear and was admitted to the bar October 6, I858. He practiced in Lansing until he removed to Petoskey in October, 1882, where he is still in
practice. For eleven years of the time he
was in Lansing he was in partnership with
D. C. Wiley under the firm name of "Dart
& Wiley." It was a prominent law firm and
continued until Mr. Wiley's death.  Mr.
Dart, while here, held the office of Justice of
Peace for eight years, Prosecuting Attorney
four years and Alderman of the third ward
for four years.
Seneca N. Taylor studied law with 0. M.
Barnes, was admitted to the bar in Ingham
county, September 4, I86o. He is now living in St. Louis, Mo., where he has an extensive and lucrative practice. He was a
student at the Agricultural College and a
member of the first class at its opening, May
I3, I857.
Mason D. Chatterton was born in Mt.
Holly, Vermont, August 30, 1838, and came
with his parents to Michigan and settled in
Meridian township, June 23, I85I. He was
the first student examined and admitted to
the Agricultural College and was there three
years. He graduated from the law department of the University of Michigan March
27, I86I, and was admitted to the bar of
Washtenaw county, with his law class. He
has held the offices of Circuit Court Commissioner and Probate Judge of this county
and President of the Village of Mason. He
wrote and published "Chatterton's Probate
Law," in two volumes, which is in general
use by attorneys throughout the State and
coming into use in other states. He also
wrote a book which has been published since
his death, the title being, "Immortality of




40


INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


Man from the Standpoint of Reason." He
died in Lansing, October 27, 1903, and was
buried in the Okemos cemetery.
Henry B. Carpenter was born at Gaines,
Orleans county, N. Y., and came to Lansing
in I860, and studied law in the office of John
W. Longyear, and was admitted to practice
in September, I86I. He enlisted in the Civil
War, August 9, 1862, was made third corporal and rose in rank by promotion, and
was made second lieutenant in May, I863,
and captain in October, I864.  He was
wounded in the Battle of Cold Harbor, June
3, 1864, by gun shot in the head. Many
men receiving a similar wound would have
felt called upon to die, but that kind of grit
brought him through that save the lives of
many wounded men. He served through
the war, came home, opened a law office and
is still practicing in Lansing. He has held
the office of Prosecuting Attorney for Ingham county four years, and City Attorney
in Lansing one year.
Samuel L. Kilbourne came from Canada
with his parents to Okemos, Ingham county,
in 1842, and to Lansing in April, 1848. He
was a student at the M. A. C. in the first
class. He was a member of the first law
class at the University, where he graduated
in I86I, and was admitted to practice with
his class at Ann Arbor in I86I. He has
held the office of City Attorney of Lansing,
a member of the Board of Education seven
years, being President of the Board two
years, member of the Lansing Police and
Fire Commission six years, being President
of the Board three years. He was a member
of the State Board of Pardons four years,
President of it two years, and Representative in the State Legislature in 1874 and
I875. He prepared the bill repealing the
prohibitory liquor law and establishing the
tax system. Although the youngest member of the House of Representatives he was


made chairman of the Democratic minority.
He was editor of the Lansing Journal in
I86I and 1862. For nine years he has been
and still is the President of the Ingham
County Bar Association.
Other early attorneys were:
John I. Reddick, who practiced here in
very early days. He is said to be living in
Omaha, Nebraska.
Horatio Pratt was admitted to practice in
this county, December 23, 1858. He was
Judge of Probate of this county in I865 -1872.
E. D. W. Burch, Andrew Sawyer and
James I. Honey were all admitted by the
Ingham Circuit Court, September 4, I860.
Albert E. Cowles was admitted to practice with his University Law Class at Ann
Arbor in March, 1862, now living in Lansing.
Other early attorneys were A. J. Cutler,
George A. Armstrong and John Horner.
LATER ATTORNEYS.
They who have been admitted and they
who have joined the Ingham County Bar
since I862:
Allaben, Fred D.
Allen, Alfred.
Alton, Charles.
Andrews, Floyd E.
Ashley, Edwin H.
Atwood, M. M.
Avery, E. S.
Barker, F. D.
Baird, James J.
Bartholomew, Wm. I.
Barker, Horatio A.
Bergman, A. A.
Black, C. P.
Burnett, J. L. R.
Bristol, George W.
Bolton, Daniel D.




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


41


Bertch, Chas. W.
Butts, Chas. F.
Cahill, Edward.
Cahill, Frank.
Cairns, —.
Calkins, Jay.
Campbell, Job T.
Call, A. T.
Carpenter, John I.
Case, Rex.
Casterlin, C. C.
Chapin, Edward C.
Chapman, Chas. H.
Chase, John H.
Clark, Clarence D.
Clark, Russel A.
Cleveland, R. J.
Colbath, Frank H.
Collingwood, Charles B.
Commons, Samuel.
Cook, John B.
Crane, Isaac M.
Cummins, Alva M.
Cowles, Frank M.
Corcoron, Luke H.
Darling, Frank I.
Davis, Wm. F.
Day, George F.
Dean, Frank.
Densmore, E. A.
Dodge, Frank L.
Dolan, P. H.
Dunnebacke, Joseph.
Fowler, Chas. E.
Finch, Jerry L.
Fogg, F. M.
Forester, G. Edward.
Foster, Charles W.
Foster, Walter S.
Fraser, Wm. A.
Francis, Wm. H.
Gardner, Henry M.
Gardner, L. B.
Garner, Charles E.


Gildart, Wm. B.
Gillam, George F.
Gillespie, George H.
Gogran, J. W.
Green, Champ.
Hawley, Nathan F.
Haines, A. B.
Hammond, Chas. F.
Handy, N. F.
Harmon, Chas. O.
Harris, James.
Heck, George R.
Hemans, Lawton T.
Henderson, H. P.
Higgins, H. F.
Hood, Oscar J.
Hooker, Harry E.
Huntington, Bela S.
Honey, James I.
Jeffries, Henry E.
Johnson, Lucius D.
Jones, Dana T.
Judson, James B.
Johns, Jr., Wm.
Longyear, S. E.
Lowe, Edward H.
Lee, Jay P.
Lewis, E. D.
Lyons, T. Roger.
Lillie, Roswell.
Lapham, George G.
Marble, Ralph N.
McArthur, L. B.
McKenzie, Dugal.
McPherson, Donald.
Marsh, Milo E.
Mead, Eva.
Miller, Lewis M.
Montgomery, Martin V.
Montgomery, Richard.
Montgomery, Stanley D.
Mosher, Adelbert.
Nichols, Chas. W.
Nichols, Jason E.




4'2


PAST AND PRESENT


Newkirk, Chas. F.
Noble, Ralph N.
North, Theron C.
Olds, S. S.
Osborne, Emmet A.
Ostrander, Russel C.
Ottman, G. F.
Ort, Felix J.
Person, Rollin H.
Person, Seymour H.
Peters, William.
Porter, Franklin S.
Prosser, A. D.
Reed, Lucien.
Randall, Ira E.
Raudabaugh, Richard.
Reasoner, James.
Reed, Oswald.
Roe, S. B.
Root, C. W.
Root, Hugh E.
Rouse, Albert F.
Rogers, Clarence D.
Robson, Frank E.
Sackrider, E. B.
Sanders, Gary E.
Seager, S. F.
Sawyer, Andrew J.
Shields, J. C.
Silsbee, Harry A.
Sindlinger, Fred J.
Smith, Quincy.
Smith, Chas. D.
Smith, Stearnes F.
Squires, J. C.
Stewart, R. R.
Stewart, A. F.
Sutphen, John M.
Stevens, Ralph E.
Talmadge, Frank E.
Tefft, V. J.
Tenny, J. E.
Terwilliger, Edwin.
Thomas, Harry E.


Trask, Orr C.
Twaits, James W.
Tufts, Chas. W.
Waldron, Daniel E.
Webb, William T.
Wiest, Howard.
Wheaton, James.
Whallon, John W.
Wiley, Bartlet.
Wood, Charles B.
Wood, Clark E.
Woodhouse, I. B.
Woodworth, F. C.
Wood, Wm. H. S.
York, B. D.
Zimmer, John J.
JAIL AND COUNTY POOR FARM.
The first county jail and Sheriff's residence was a brick building erected on lot
io, block 17, in Mason at a cost of about
two thousand dollars. Previous to that prisoners were sent to Jackson, for confinement
to await their trail and for imprisonment.
In I868 the present county jail and Sheriff's
residence was erected, the Sheriff's residence
being in the front part of the building and
the jail in the rear.
The first land purchased for a county farm,
was eighty acres, described as the east half
of the northwest quarter of section twentyone in town three north of range one west,
Alaiedon; purchased in 1844. It had a small
one-story frame building upon it which was
enlarged in the same year by a one-story
addition, eighteen by twenty-two feet. The
first town meeting the writer ever attended
was held in this building when he, a small
boy, went with his father. Other additions
were made to the building and other adjoining lands were purchased until the farm
comprised about two hundred acres. The
proposition was often considered of build



INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


43


ing extensive permanent buildings upon the
farm, but the site was, of late years, by
many persons, not considered a good one,
and at the same time attempts were made
to purchase other lands and to exchange the
farm for another site and finally in February,
1878, the Board purchased of Orrin J.
Lewis, the east one hundred and twenty
acres of the northeast quarter of section
twenty-four, town four north of range one
west, Meridian, giving in payment the south
eighty acres of the county farm and one
thousand five hundred dollars in money.
The Board of Supervisors immediately
took steps toward the erection of proper
buildings, buying material and entering into
contracts for the work, supposing of course,
the people would endorse their work, but
when they submitted the proposition of raising ten thousand dollars for the buildings,
the people voted "No." Then at the October session of the Board it was decided to
sell the remainder of the old farm and go
ahead with the erection of the buildings, and
plans were procured and the contract let to
Seth A. Paddock and John McRoberts for
the sum of nine thousand seven hundred fifteen dollars and eighty-eight cents and in
part payment they took the remaining one
hundred and twenty acres of the old farm at
three thousand dollars. The total cost of the
building was about ten thousand seven hundred sixty dollars including arrangements
for heating. The remainder of the cost was
paid with orders of the building committee
upon the County Treasurer. This was objected to by some and threats were made of
enjoining the Treasurer from paying the orders and he was so frightened that he finally
stopped paying; but a special meeting of the
Board of Supervisors was called and he received orders to continue payment, which he
did and there was no further trouble, and a
fine building was erected about one and one

half miles southeast of Okemos, that was
worth all it cost and will answer its purposes
for many years yet to come.
COUNTY NORMAL TRAINING
CLASS.
The Legislature of 1903, by Act 241, provided that upon the notification by the Board
of Education of a district in a county not
having a State Normal School within its
borders, the district and Board of Supervisors of the county, having voted to establish a county normal training class, the State
Superintendent of Public Instruction may
grant permission to establish, maintain and
control a county normal training class for
the purpose of giving free instruction and
training in the principles of education and
methods of teaching to residents of the
county: provided that but one such training class shall be established in any county
and provided further, that not more than
ten such classes shall be established in the
State in one year.
The Superintendent of Public Instruction,
together with the County Commissioner of
Schools of the county and the Superintendent of Schools in the district in which a
class has been established were made to constitute the County Normal Board, whose
duties are to determine qualifications for admission to the class, establish course of
study, and to grant certificates of graduation, which shall qualify the holder to teach
in the public schools of the county; one-year
course graduates for three years in any
school employing not more than two teachers and two-year course graduates for five
years below the tenth grade in any school
of the county, except in cities that certificate
their teachers.
The district receiving permission to establish a class must provide teachers and rooms




44


PAST AND PRESENT


with heating and equipments satisfactory to
the County Normal Board. The State pays
two hundred fifty dollars to the district for
each teacher employed, the total not to exceed one thousand dollars in any county during any school year. In this county, on
January 8, 1904, the Board of Supervisors
adopted a resolution establishing a normal
training class. On April 22, 1904, permission was granted by the State Superintendent of Public Instruction and the class was
located at Mason, and the class was opened
at Mason, September 19, I904; rooms having been provided in the new, beautiful, commodious and modern up-to-date high school
building. At the office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, the writer was informed that the application from Ingham
county, prepared by the Hon. Lawton T.
Hemans, was the most complete received
from any county.
PLANK ROAD.
About the years 1846 to I850 several companies, no less than six, were chartered to
build plank roads through or to terminate in
Ingham county, but only one was ever built,
the Lansing and Howell, chartered March
20, I850, by James Seymour, H. H. Smith,
E. B. Danforth, George W. Lee and F. C.
Whipple.
Among the stockholders were Erastus
Corning, Horatio Seymour, John Owen, C.
C. Trowbridge, H. P. Baldwin and Zachariah Chandler. The contractors for the construction were H. H. Smith, James Turner
and Charles Seymour, all of them merchants
of Lansing, who made payment for much of
the labor in store orders. It was finished
and opened for travel in 1853 and connected
at Howell with the Detroit and Howell
plank road, making a through road to Detroit. No one in these days can know or


imagine how much it was appreciated, even
more than was the first paved street in Lansing, for other roads were continuous mud
holes in wet times and almost as bad in dry
times, because of the ruts worn when wet by
wheels of loaded wagons. There were toll
gates at Lansing and Howell and about ten
miles apart between, and it was great fun
for sleighing parties to run through the
gates or get the keepers up in the early
morning hours. It passed through Okemos
and Williamston in this county. In this connection it is pleasant to remember the old
four horse stage coaches on the line between
Detroit and Lansing and the tin horns of
the driver when they were sounded long and
loud on the approach of the stage and the
gathering of men and boys at the tavern
to see the stage come in at a speed greatly
accelerated for their wonder and enjoyment
and the driver's whip with the long lash
artistically wielded and cracked for the same
purpose.
The road was excellent at first and for a
few years, but after that the planks warped
and their ends were drawn up by the heat of
the sun until it became worse than the dirt
roads for travel and they were finally taken
up and the roadway was gravelled.
EARLY PHYSICIANS.
Some of the physicians who practiced in
Ingham county prior to I863-partly revised
from Durant's History of Lansing:
Dr. Solomon D. Newbro was probably the
first physician who settled in Lansing. He
came immediately after the location of the
capitol in 1847 and remained until his death.
He was of the Thompsonian School, relying
almost entirely on the curative properties of
roots and herbs. He first built himself an
office on the south side of Franklin Street,
eighty feet east of Center Street, and after



INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


45


wards the building known as the Newbro
Block on the east side of Center Street between Franklin and Wall Streets. If this
building is ever taken down a novelty will
be disclosed, for the walls were built by
nailing strips of wood, one by four inches in
size, one upon another. It was a long time
building, as one may imagine. The lower
story was fitted for stores and he and his
brother Eugene occupied the north one with
drugs. For a long time he was the favorite
doctor with many families in that part of the
town. He died in Lansing, March 12, I896.
Dr. Hulbert Bartow Shank was born on
the 3Ist of May, I820, in Springport, Cayuga county, N. Y. He came to Michigan and
settled in Lansing in the fall of I848. He
was a particular friend of Dr. David E. McClure, then about giving up the active practice of medicine, and who gave Dr. Shank
the benefit of his experience and assisted him
to practice, From that day until his death
Dr. Shank was a prominent practitioner in
Ingham and the surrounding counties of
Central Michigan. He was first physician
to the State Reform School for Boys, was
a member of the House of Representatives
in the Legislature of I86I-I862, and went
out as surgeon of the Eighth Michigan Infantry in the War of the Rebellion. He was
a member of the old State Medical Society
and served as its president one term. He
died April 23, 1889.
Dr. Hosea Stanton Burr was born in the
town of Darien, Genesee county, N. Y.,
about I820. In August, 1847, he moved
to Lansing, Michigan, where he purchased
property and continued his practice with
great success. He superintended the building of his first dwelling, which was on River
Street and one of the first erected in that
part of town, doing a large amount of the
work with his own hands. For a number
of weeks he and his wife lived in a shanty


hastily constructed on his lot while his
dwelling was in progress. The whole site
of Lansing was then a dense wilderness, excepting a few small clearings here and there,
and Mrs. Burr remembered well of getting
lost in the woods on the west side while
returning from North Lansing. The paths
were almost impassable. But the doctor did
not live long to enjoy and profit by the reputation which he was fast building up. A
destructive epidemic in the nature of a congestive or spinal fever visited the place in
the spring of 1849, and numbered among
its victims Dr. Burr, who died on the I5th
day of April in that year. It was so alarming that the Legislature adjourned on account of it. Many of the people died of the
disease.
Dr. John Goucher came from Ohio to
Lansing about the first of September, I847.
He purchased the lots where the Hotel
Downey now stands and erected a dwelling
and office.  He belonged to the Eclectic
school and built up a considerable practice
in this vicinity. About I865 he sold the
property to LaFayette C. Baker for five
thousand dollars and soon after removed to
Pennsylvania. The property was really purchased by subscriptions among a few prominent citizens of Lansing, who donated it
to Mr. Baker in consideration of his agreement to erect a first-class hotel on the
ground. He then built there, the present
"Hotel Downev" and named it the "Lansing
House."
Dr. James Watts Holmes was born on
Pompey Hill, Onondaga county, N. Y., May
27, i8io. He began practice in Lansing,
Tompkins county, N. Y., removed to Blissfield, Lenawee county, Michigan, in I836
and remained until January, 1848, when on
the removal of the capitol, he settled in Lansing, Michigan, where he continued until his
death, which occurred on the 8th day of




46


PAST AND PRESENT


May, 1872. Dr. Holmes was a member of
the State Medical Society, also of the board
for locating the State Reform School.
Dr. David E. McClure was also an early
settler in Lansing. In August or September, 1848, he removed to Lansing, where
he had purchased property, soon after the
town was laid out.  He erected a frame
store, one of the first in the central part of
the town, on the northwest corner of Washington Avenue and Allegan Street. It was
a wide building and occupied by himselffor a drug and grocery store and a tenant.
He subsequently erected several business
buildings and about I85I built a two-story
frame dwelling on the northeast corner of
Washington Avenue and Ionia Street. His
death occurred November 21, 1858, and his
remains were interred in the old cemetery,
but subsequently reinterred in the new one.
Dr. Daniel Johnson was among the physicians who settled here at an early day
though he never practiced his profession here
and was a native of Canterbury, Conn.,
where he was born October I, I795. In the
fall of 1848 he removed to Lansing, Michigan. Dr. Johnson died in Lansing on the
2d day of December, I865.
Dr. S. WV. Wright was born in Rome,
Oneida county, N. Y., June 22, 1817. He
died in Lansing, March 19, 1884.
Dr. Orange B. Webster was born in
Clarkson, Monroe county, N. Y., September
10, I828. In May, I85I, he settled in Lansing and commenced practice at North Lansing, where he lived until a few years ago,
when he went to South Lyons and is said to
be living there now.
Dr. Ira Hawley Bartholomew was born in
the town of Waddington, St. Lawrence
county, N. Y., in January, 1828. He came
to Michigan and settled in Lansing in the
fall of 1854. For the first three years of his
residence he was in partnership with Dr.


Shank, but after 1857 practiced by himself.
He was for a time engaged in the drug business in Lansing, but continued practicing
during that time. His professional business
soon grew to large proportions and his ride
extended over a wide region in all directions,
he being frequently called as far away as
Jackson or Ionia. His education included a
knowledge of surgery, which he also practiced as circumstances demanded. He had
held many official positions, both professional
and civil; he was a member of the State
Medical Association, of which he was president in 1870-71; and was the second president of the Central Michigan Agricultural
Society, which position he held for two
years. He was principally instrumental in
getting a law passed authorizing the formation of district agricultural societies.  He
also, as chairman of the committee on public health in the House of Representatives.
drew up and introduced in the Legislature
the bill for the organization of the State
Board of Health, an institution which deservedly stands at the head of similar organizations in the union.  He vigorously
supported the measure and urged it upon its
final passage. The doctor was a member of
the American Public Health Association and
was present in I879 at its annual meeting
at Nashville, Tenn. He filled the office of
Mayor of Lansing for three consecutive
terms.  He died in Lansing, October I8,
I889.
Dr. Russel Thayer was born in Lebanon,
Madison county, N. Y., in August, 1822.
He came to Michigan and settled in Lansing
in 1854, where he established himself in the
drug business, giving up active practice except occasionally among his friends and continued in Lansing until the time of his death,
which occurred on the 3Ist of August, I865.
Dr. Joseph B. Hull was born in Vermont,
in 1824, came to Lansing in I856, where he




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


practiced his profession until his death, May
I8, I901, having almost to the last an extensive practice. As Alderman he was the
promoter of many of the public improvements and he also expended large sums in
private improvements, including a fine brick
residence and the, three-story brick building
at No. 219 Washington Avenue, north.
Dr. William H. Haze was born in Coburg, Canada, April I3, I816, and came to
Michigan in April, I838, and settled on a
farm near Howell. He came to Lansing in
1857 and in 1858 was elected Alderman of
the first ward (then including the present
first and fourth wards) and became a member of the first Common Council of the city.
He was Mayor of the city in I866 and was
U. S. Revenue Assessor in I870 and I871.
He practiced his profession until he lost his
eyesight and is still living in Lansing.
The first physician who settled in Ingham
county was Dr. Valorous Meeker, who came
to Leslie township early in 1837. He was
then a young man and most excellent physician for his day. He enjoyed a very large
practice and had an extensive ride and is well
remembered by the pioneers now living. Not
long previous to 1847 his health having failed
as a consequence of his labors, he returned
to the State of Vermont and finally died in
the East.  Dr. Meeker was succeeded by
Drs. M. L. Fiske and John J. Sawyer. The
latter soon after settling here removed to
Eaton Rapids, but afterwards returned and
finally located in Jackson, where he died.
Dr. Fiske was a son of Henry Fiske, a pioneer of Leslie, and studied and grew to manhood in the township.
Dr. J. D. Woodworth came to Michigan
in 1831 from Genesee county, N. Y., with
his father, George W. Woodworth, who settled on a farm in Jackson county. He came
to Leslie in I849 and began active practice
which he has since continued.


Dr. Henry A. Raney, a young physician,
came to Leslie soon after the arrival of Dr.
Woodworth, but remained only a few
months.
The first physician at Mason, and the
second in the county, was Dr. Minos McRoberts, who was born in Springfield, Vermont,
February 14, 1804, and came from Clinton
county, N. Y., in June, 1837, and engaged
in practice at this place. He had previously
practiced four or five years in the East. For
his own convenience he built an office which
was found useful for a variety of purposes —
doctor's office, County Register's office, and
also, as the doctor said, almost a courthouse.
Dr. McRoberts afterwards owned and conducted a drug store, but in I848 sold out to
Dr. D. W. Halstead and ceased practice.
He died in Mason, February 5, 1884.
Dr. J. WV. Phelps was the second physician to locate in Mason, coming in I841
from Plymouth, Wayne county, Michigan.
He died in Mason, August 31, I864.
Dr. Charles H. Sackrider, for many years
a popular and successful physician of Mason,
finally relinquished practice (except consultation) on account of failing health. He
died November 8, I88I.
Dr. Charles H. Darrow, a native of
Schenectady, N. Y., moved to Michigan in
1853, in which year he located at St. Johns,
Clinton county. After practicing one year
at that place-then    entirely  new-he
changed his place of residence to the village
of Okemos, Ingham county, in 1854, and
entered upon a practice which reached extensive proportions. He remained in Okemos until 1867 and during this time achieved
a widespread reputation for the efficiency.
His ride covered a large territory and the
labor incident to his practice finally caused
his health to break down and necessitated his
withdrawal from the field. In 1867, having




48


PAST AND PRESENT


been elected Register of Deeds for Ingham
county, he removed to Mason, where he resided until his death May 28, 1885.
The first resident physician of Aurelius
township was perhaps Dr. Levi Mann, who
lived northeast of Aurelius Center.  The
first at the latter place was Dr. George M;.
Swartout, who came to Michigan in I855
and located in Mason, removing to Aurelius
Center in I860.
Dr. Hiram Frye, from Andover, Mass.,
settled in Onondaga township in 1838, and
a few years later commenced the practice of
medicine, which he continued until about
I877.
The first physician to locate in Dansville
was Dr. Daniel T. Weston, who came in
I847-48, or perhaps earlier. In 1863 there
were located in the village Drs. Thomas J.
Webb and Edgar Hahn.
James Leasia was born in the city of Detroit of French parents, on the I6th of January, I82I. He settled in Williamston in
I844. The early years of his practice were
mostly passed on horseback, excepting occasionally when the roads were impassable
for a horse, and then he performed his journeys on foot, sometimes traveling a distance
of ten miles on a single trip. He had an
extensive ride, including the counties of Ingham and Shiawassee and portions of Clinton. He died October 20, I888.
Among early physicians in the southeastern parts of the county was Dr. Tunnicliff,
who practiced in Stockbridge at a very early
day.
Dr. James Ackley also practiced at Stockbridge previous to I844. He removed soon
after that date to some part of Jackson
county.
Dr. C. A. Jeffries, a homeopath when
homeopathy was young, was born in
Throopsville, Cayuga county, N. Y., in 1811.
He was educated at Auburn, N. Y., and


Pittsfield, Mass. He studied medicine at
Auburn and commenced practice under the
old school at Ann Arbor, Michigan, in I834.
He remained there three or four years when
he removed to a farm in Washtenaw county,
but the business not proving satisfactory or
congenial to his taste, he continued it only
about a year and a half, when he removed to
Howell, in Livingston county, and resumed
the practice of medicine. He remained there
until 1844, when he removed to Dexter, in
Washtenaw county, and continued until the
spring of 1847. While visiting patients in
Livingston county, in April of that year, he
met three men who afterwards became
prominent men of Lansing-Messrs. Bush,
Thomas and Peck. These gentlemen were
then busily interesting themselves in lands
at the new capital, and persuaded Dr. Jeffries to accompany them to the place, which
he did. The spring was late, the streams
had overflowed and ice was everywhere.
The roads were nearly impassable, and in
one place they got the single wagon which
they had along with them into a swampy
place and were obliged to take off the horse
and pull it out backwards.
They came by the old Territorial road.
At the crossing of the Cedar river they
were delayed for some time. Finally a part
of the company went back, and the doctor,
together with Bush and Thomas, took turns
in riding the saddle horse to Lansing, adoptthe the old method of "riding and tying."
when they arrived at North Lansing the
dwelling of Deacon Page, who usually kept
travelers, was full, and they were obliged
to proceed to the house of Justus Gilkey,
nearly two miles farther down the river, to
find accommodations. The doctor remained
a few days, went over the ground where the
new capitol now stands and examined the
lands to the south of section sixteen. The
doctor soon returned to his home in Dexter.




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.       49


Messrs. Bush, Thomas and Peck were anxious to get him to settle in the new town, and
as an inducement offered him lots on the corner south of where the Everett House once
stood.  The offer being a good one, the
doctor concluded to accept it and make
Lansing his home, and accordingly in May,
1847, he came back and commenced to build
his house, which forms a portion of the one
still standing on the lot. He completed it
and moved to Lansing in the fall of the same
year. He continued in practice until I85O,
when he returned to Washtenaw county to
take charge of the farm of his father, who
had died in I849. He remained on the
place until 186I, when he returned to Lansing, principally for the purpose of having
his daughter attend the school for young
ladies then recently opened by Miss Rogers.
Here he remained in the practice of his profession until 1864, when he once more returned to the homestead and remained upon
it until I867, when he sold it and removed
to Ann Arbor, in which place he practiced
until 187I when he removed to East Saginaw and continued until 1876, in which year
he moved to Omaha, Neb. In June, 1877,
he again returned to Lansing, and again in
1879 returned for a short season to Omaha.
In July, I880, he came back to Lansing and
engaged in practice with his daughter, Anna
J. Jeffries, near the corner of.Washington
Avenue and Shiawassee Street. Dr. Jeffries
adopted the practice of homeopathy in 1846
and in I880 was the oldest living practitioner of that school in the State. About I86o
his eyesight began to fail and the infirmity
increased upon him until he became wholly
blind. He still continued his practice, however, considering that he could fully understand disease and prescribe as well as before
the misfortune overtook him. Dr. Jeffries
was surgeon in the Michigan State Troops
during the "Toledo War," on the staff of
4


Gen. Davis. He died a few years ago on
his farm near Omaha, Neb.
Among early physicians of the homeopathic school, who have also practiced in
the city of Lansing, may be named Dr.
Henry Hawley, about I858 to I863, who
was associated with Dr. Jeffries in I86i.
He removed to Midland county, Michigan,
about 1863.
CENSUS OF INGHAM COUNTY
FROM    1840 TO   1904.
Compiled from the official State and United States returns.  Delhi, includes Holt;
Ingham-Dansville; Leroy - Webberville;
Leslie-the village; Vevay-Mason, until
I88o: Stockbridge-the village; Williamston-the Village of Williamston.


I


Alaiedon............
Aurelius...........
Bunkerhill..........
Delhi................
Ingham.............
Lansing.............
Lansing City.......
Le Roy..............
Leslie..............
Locke..............
Mason City.........
Meridian............
Onondaga.........
Stockbridge.......
Vevay..............
Wheatfield.........
White Oak.........
Williamston........


1840.
221
148
93......
273
11ii
281......
276
385
223
270
121


I


I


1850. 1854. 1860. 1864. 1870.


I




I
I
I
I
II
I


370
501
374
402
739
1.216
254
673
321
367
819
657
781
231
508
393


I
I
II
i
I
t
I
iI
r
I




518
773
457
646
861
1,556
415
320
499
582
920
769
919
359
618
510


3
7
3
1
3
'41.1
3


969
1,167
672
928
1.161
496
3,047
621
1.247
863....
825
1,188
875
1,297
572
777
693


806
949
657
919
1.141
471
3.573
647
1,169
827......
915
1.006
715
1.197
630
732
774


1,296
1,506
957
1,259
1,392
823
5,241
859
1,996
1,115
1,374
1,229
892
2,332
781
979
1,237


1874.
1.293
1,330
925
1,357
1.338
871
7.745
1.205
2,615
1.384
1,407
1.252
872
2.597
942
955
1,405


I


I


I


I


Totals.............. 2,401 8,606 10.722 17, 298 17,128 25,268 29,493
1880. 1884. 1890. 1894. 1900. 1904.
Alaiedon.................. 1,474 1,359 1,287 1,266 1,172 1,095
Aurelius.................. 1,478 1,513 1,489 1,505 1,387 1,273
Bunkerhill................1,100 1,068 1,012      924   920    902
Delhi...................... 1,543 1,507 1,504 1,576 1,476 1,433
Ingham..................   1410 1,410 1,232 1,219 1,151 1,032
Lansing..................   1,208 1,261 1,422 1,378 1,353 1,844
Lansing City.............. 8,326 9,774 13,102 15,847 16,485 20,276
Le Roy.................... 1,911 1,723 1,572 1,436 1,441 1,377
Leslie..................    2,511 2,505 2,337 2,111 2,220 2,139
Locke....                    1,466 1,485 1,265 1,282 1,242 1,107
Mason City...............1,929 1,884 1,875 1,761 1,828 1,955
Meridian..................1,532 1,682 1,720 1,730 1,625 2,207
Onondaga................ 1,453 1,383 1,392 1,421 1,264 1,156
Stockbridge..............    993 1,143 1,276 1,296 1,389 1,351
Vevay.....................   1,207 1,118 1,131  955  923  917
Wheatfield................ 1.209 1,166      929   908    882   844
White Oak...............1,038 1,077 1,070         967 1,026    899
Williamston...............1,852 1,881 2,051 2,103 2,033 1,980
Totals..................... 33,64034,93937,66637,685139,808 43,607
I  I           360




50


PAST AND PRESENT


THE PIONEER PRESS.
The first newspaper in the county was
published in Mason and was the "Ingham
Telegraph," as shown by the following,
taken from the documents preserved by the
Ingham County Pioneer Society. It also
tells of other newspapers that followed the
Telegraph.
"The first paper published in Mason, or
in the county, was the Ingham Telegraph
(neutral), by M. A. Childs. The first number appeared in April, 1842. At that day
it was useless to attempt to keep up the publication of newspapers in the new counties
of the State unless they had the advantage
of publishing the tax-lists. At the election
in this county in 1842, Jason B. Packard,
Esq., then late of Jackson, was elected
County Treasurer. There was a delinquent
tax-list to be published in the January following, which Mlr. Packard absolutely refused to publish in the Telegraph, but made
arrangements with G. W. Raney and R. S.
Cheney of Jackson to establish a Democratic paper in Mason, and publish the taxlist; consequently Mr. Childs moved his estalblishment to DeWitt, Clinton county.
In due time the Jackson firm sent material
to Mason and commenced the publication
of a paper. The tax-list was put in form
at Jackson and brought to Mason, and a
boy did all the work of the establishment.
After about ten months this lad committed
an act which rendered him odious to the
community and he returned to Jackson.
Then appeared one James H. Wells, to do
the work on the paper. About the same
time the name of Mr. Cheney was withdrawn as one of the proprietors, and probably the name of Mr. Wells appeared as
editor and publisher. The last number of
the sheet appeared just before the election
in I844.


At the session of the Legislature in I844,
the control of publishing the tax-lists was
given to the County Treasurers each in his
own county.
At the election in I844, that able man
and stanch Whig, the late George Matthews, Esq., universally esteemed for his
noble traits of character and many good
deeds, was elected Treasurer of this county.
The election of Mr. Matthews, it was believed, offered a good opportunity for the
establishing of a Whig paper in the county.
J. H. Child and H. P. Stillman purchased
of Mr. Raney the printing material in
Mason, and in December, 1844, commenced
the publication of the Ingham Herald. In
January following, they entered into a contract with the County Treasurer to do the
tax advertising of the county. At that time
the influence of the Democratic press was
all-powerful in the State. In several counties Whig Treasurers had been elected, and
some of the "spoils" were liable to go to the
enemy. So the Democratic Legislature, on
or about the 2ISt of March, I845, passed
an act restoring to the Auditor General the
entire control of the tax advertising.
Storey and Cheney, of the Jackson Patriot, immediately packed printing materials
for publishing a paper and started the same
for Eaton county. They found the field already occupied by a party from Marshall.
Then 'twas right about face. They made
up from the columns of the Patriot forms
for a newspaper, christened it the Ingham
County Democrat, and took said forms to
the village of Leslie and the office of Hon.
Henry Fiske, then Judge of Probate of this
county and formerly president of the wildcat bank of Kensington, and there with a
brush printed off a few copies of the Democrat. Judge Fiske made affidavit that the
paper was printed in Ingham county, and
with that affidavit and a copy of said paper,




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


51


he posted off to Detroit and placed them
in the hands of the Auditor General, and
that officer, on the first day of April, designated the Ingham Democrat to do the tax
advertising for this county for that year.
Almost the first intimation the people of
Mason had that another paper was about to
be published in the county was a rumor that
a jaded span of horses with a wagon freighted with printing materials was coming
towards town, through the mud and mire,
on the old Columbia road.   After being
dragged through the swamps and sloughs
of Eaton county and part of those of Ingham in search of a tax-list, the material
found a resting place in the village of
Mason.
For several weeks no one appeared to
take charge of the Ingham Democrat. Some
time in May, Mr. Child, of the Herald, entered into articles of agreement with Storey
and Cheney to publish the Democrat in their
name until the conclusion of the advertising
and to purchase the establishment. About
one-third of the purchasing price was paid
down. Whatever amount was realized from
publishing the list was to be placed to the
credit of Mr. Cheney. After the list was
placed in form ready for publication, Storey
and Cheney replevined and removed the
materials. Again appeared the obnoxious
youth before referred to as employed by
another Jackson firm to print their paper in
Mason, and who had suddenly disappeared
from the village.
These proceedings created a good deal of
ill feeling and excitement. But a few days
passed, when one night most of the materials were removed from the Democrat office,
no one knew whither.  After a series of
years some of them were found secreted in
several places about town. The proprietors
of the Democrat sent on other material and
concluded the advertising. Soon after Mr.


Stillman withdrew from the Herald, and,
with the assistance of Judge Danforth and
Dr. McRoberts, purchased the Democrat office and continued the publication of the
paper until October, 1847. The names of
E. B. Danforth and Minos McRoberts appeared as proprietors.
Mr. Child continued the publication of
the Herald for one year or more after the
withdrawal of Mr. Stillman."
It seems the Democrat suspended about
1849, and no Democratic paper was published in Mason until on June 2, I876, the
present Ingham County Democrat was established by J. V. Johnson, who after about
two years sold to David P. Whitmore. Mr.
Whitmore sold a half interest to A. L. Rose
in I885, and his remaining interest to Wm.
L. Clark, September 26, I899. Mr. Clark
had purchased Mr. Rose's interest April 8,
I893.  Since Mr. Clark became sole proprietor, he has also been sole editor and publisher. In I895 he built the present convenient and pleasant Democrat office building. The present Ingham County Democrat cannot be classed as a pioneer, but, as it
seems to have followed the Ingham Telegraph, in succession, rather late, to be sure,
we have given the above mention, and having done so, we will say of the Republican
Ingham county News, not a pioneer, that
it was established in I859, by D. B. Harrington. Mr. Harrington in a series of articles, written for the News, regarding his
experience in starting the paper, says he
reached Mason, June I, 1859, having his
printing materials in a wagon. It consisted
of the debris of the office of what had been
known as "The Public Sentiment," a small
paper that had been printed at Grass Lake,
Jackson county, during the "great conspiracy" troubles.  The type had previously
been used in printing "The Michigan Essay," established in Detroit in 1809. It was




52


PAST AND PRESENT


French type and its age could only be
guessed at. When Mr. Harrington began
to unload his printing office he found his
type in "pi" in the bottom of the wagon.
He took it into the office in pails and occupied ten days in sorting "pi." He said
Mason then had only seventy voters.
Mr. Harrington was succeeded in I866
by Mr. K. Kittredge, in 1875 by W. F. Cornell, in 1877 by Otis Fuller, in I880 by V.
J. Teffts, December I, 1887, by John A. May
and December I, I889, by Job T. Campbell.
Albert L. Rose bought in with Campbell in
December, I893. Mr. Campbell died April
13, I899, after which Mr. Rose continued
the paper under the firm name until February I, I901, when he rented the interest
of Mr. Campbell's estate and has since been
the proprietor, editor and publisher.
OTHER COUNTY NEWSPAPERS.
Sketches of the Lansing Journal and the
State Republican will be found under the
head of "The Pioneer Press in Lansing."
The other county newspapers are:
The Capitol City Democrat, a weekly puBlished in Lansing.
The Industrial Enterprise, a monthly published in Lansing.
The M. A. C. Record, a weekly published
in Lansing.
The Michigan School Moderator, a semimonthly published in Lansing.
Timely Topics, a weekly published in Lansing.
The Local Republican, a weekly published in Leslie.
The Stockbridge Brief, a weekly published in Stockbridge.
The Stockbridge Sun, a weekly published
in Stockbridge.
The Williamston Enterprise, a weekly
published in Williamston.


The Michigan Odd Fellows, a semimonthly published in Williamston.
THE HOGSBACK.
Upon request, Mr. Alfred C. Lane, State
Geologist, has furnished the following. He
evidently will not subscribe to the common,
homely and only name known by most of
the people, "hogsback," but prefers the
scientific "Esker:"
Once upon a time Ingham county was
covered by a sheet of ice which extended far
to the south, even at times crossing the Ohio
river. This ice came from the north and
spread southward, moving at a greater or
less rate and extending to a greater or less
distance according as the climate for the
term of years was more or less favorable to
ice accumulation.  Finally the climate so
changed that the ice gradually retreated, but
this retreat was not steady; sometimes it
would remain at a certain point for a term
of years and at other times the front of the
ice would retreat north quite rapidly. The
ice covering this part of Michigan came
down from the Saginaw valley and spread
out from it in all directions and underneath
and in front of the ice were left deposits of
stony clay known as till. Where the ice tarried for longer time the till was piled up in
ridges which ran more or less around or parallel to Saginaw Bay, known as moraines.
Of course the ice did not melt only at the
margin; it also melted from the surface and
the water was carried off by deep rivers
which ran in, on, or under the ice. Sometimes the deep cracks or tunnels formed by
these streams were filled or choked with
gravel washed down by them. In such cases
when the rest of the ice was melted away
these gravel deposits were left as ridges,
known as eskers, winding back more or less
at right angles to the moraines or ice front.




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


53


A very well marked esker ridge extends
through the county. It is first seen somewhere down at Rives Junction and runs
thence northerly.  It passes up to Mason
where it spreads out into quite a broad
gravel plain, probably indicating that the
ice halted there a while and made more or
less of a delta to the streams which make
the esker, as these ridges are known. Thence
the course of the ridge is northwest and is
followed by the Mason and Lansing road as
far as Holt. From Holt, it runs down, crossing and along the east side of Sycamore
Creek, to Mt. Hope Cemetery near Lansing.
Here it is cut off by the valley of the Cedar,
but the gravel deposits east of Lansing show
that the deposits continue and they have
probably been simply cut away. However,
here we have a curious phenomenon. The
ridge is smoothed down and covered with
two or three feet of stony clay. This may
indicate that after a good part of the gravel
was formed there was a little retreat of the
ice or it may be that this till has merely settled down from  the ice when it melted.
When we go up toward North Lansing,
however, we find in the gravel there that it is
once more a well marked ridge and it passes
north into Clinton county.
COUNTY OFFICERS.
(Circuit and Probate Judges will be fou1nd
under the head of "Courts.")
SHERIFFS.
Richard R. Lowe, elected 1838; Amaziah
Winchell, 1839; Nathaniel R. Hammond,
1842; Joseph Hunt, 1844; Joseph L. Huntington, 1846; Chauncey A. Osborne, I850;
Perry Henderson, 1844; Richard R. Lowe,
1856; Edy Baker, 1858; Truman Spencer,
I860; Frederick P. Moody, 1862; Truman
Spencer, 1866; Horace Angell, I868; Wil

liam  Spears, 1870; Allen R. Burr, 1872;
James R. Dart, I876; Harry 0. Call, 1878;
Thomas McKernan, i880; Harry 0. Call,
I886; Chas. E. Paddock, 1890; Frank C.
McEwen, 1892; J. J. Rehle, I896; William
H. Porter, I898; Shubael Hammond, I900;
William A. Steele, 1904.
CLERKS.
Valorous Meeker, elected 1838; Peter
Lowe, 1839; George W. Shafer, 1841; Anson Jackson, 1841; Peter Lowe, 1842; John
Coatsworth, 1844; Henry P. Atwood, 1848;
Peter Lowe, I850; Philip McKernan, 1852;
A. R. L. Covert, I856; Lucian Reed, I860;
Stephen P. Mead, I862; H. P. Henderson,
I864; Stanley W. Turner, I866; Daniel D.
Bolton, 1870; John C. Squiers, 1874; Claude
C. Walker, 1878; John W. Whallen, I880;
John F. Rouse, I888; James Blackmore,
1892; H. E. Gunn, I896; F. D. Woodworth,
I898; George W. Jewett, 1902 and I904.
REGISTER OF DEEDS.
Dr. Minos McRoberts, elected 1838; Zaccheus Barnes, I840; Thomas North, 1842;
William H. Horton, I844; William Woodhouse, i850; Zaccheus Barnes, I856; Joseph
S. Pierson, I86o; William   Woodhouse,
1862; Charles H. Darrow, I866; Henry J.
Haight, 1870; Milton Ryan, 1872; John C.
Cannon, 1874; Robert G. C. Knight, I880;
Thomas R. Mosher, 1882; Charles C. Fitch,
1884; A. R. Hardy, I888; Bert L. Rosecrance, 1892; Ira J. Kellogg, 1896; Frank
A. Lester, I898; Christian Krentel, 1902
and 1904.
TREASURERS.
Hiram H. Smith, elected 1838; John W.
Burchard, 1840; John B. Packard, 1842;
George Mathews, 1844; Samuel Skadan,
1848; Franklin LaRue, 1852; John H. Mullett, I856; Lemuel Woodhouse,     i858;
Abram Hayner, 1862; John A. Barnes,




PAST AND PRESENT


I866; Thaddeus Densmore, 1870; Lemuel
Woodhouse, 1874; Jackson P. Bond, 1878;
Whitney Jones, I880; William D. Longyear,
I886; Silas H. Phillips, I890; Horatio J.
Bond, I892; Myron H. Daniels, I896; Daniel D. Kingsbury, I898; William C. Nichols,
I902 and I904.
PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS.
Appointed by the Governor previous to
I850, John W. Burchard and Daniel L. Case.
William  W. Upton, elected 1850; O. M.
Barnes, 1852; George I. Parsons, 1856;
Stephen D. Bingham, I860; G. M. Huntington, I862; R. C. Dart, 1864; H. B. Carpenter, I868; Henry P. Henderson, 1874; Edward Cahill, 1876; Russell C. Ostrander,
I880; Jason E. Nichols, 1882; Charles F.
Hammond, 1886; George F. Day, I888; A.
D. Prosser, I890; L. B. Gardner, 1892; A.
M. Cummins, I896; Arthur J. Tuttle,
I898; Louis B. McArthur, I902 and I904.
CIRCUIT COURT COMMISSIONERS.
Griffin Paddock, elected I852; Horace B.
Williams, 1856; Griffin Paddock, 1858;
Horatio Pratt, 1860; Mason D. Chatterton,
I864; John R. VanVelsor, I868; Dougal
McKenzie and Moses A. Hewett, I870;
Dougal McKenzie and William H. Francis,
1872; Edward C. Chapin and George W.
Bristol, 1874; Russell C. Ostrander and
George W. Bristol, 1876; John C. Squiers
and Lucius D. Johnson, I880; John C.
Squiers and Albert F. Rouse, 1884; A. F.
Rouse and P. J. Dolan, 1886; P. J. Dolan
and L. T. Hemans, I888; J. C. Squiers and
H. E. Thomas, I890; W. A. Fraser and H.
E. Thomas, I892; W. A. Fraser and G. E.
Saunders, I894; Frank E. Talmadge and
Hugh E. Root, I896; L. B. McArthur and
C. W. Foster, I898; Harry A. Silsbee and
Orr C. Trask, I902 and I904.


SURVEYORS.
Anson Jackson, elected I838; Lewis D.
Preston, 1848; Anson Jackson, I850;
Thomas J. Brown, 1856; James G. Stafford,
I860; William H. Rayner, 1864; John H.
Mullet, I870; Thomas J. Brown, 1872;
Dwight A. Harrison, 1874; Aaron P. Drake,
1876; Louis D. Preston, 1882; John Mullett, 1884; John McCreary, I888; George E.
States, I890; H. D. Bartholomew, I892;
William A. Rowe, I894; John McCreary,
I896; William A. Rowe, I898; Edwin R.
Meech, I902 and 1904.
THE CITY OF LANSING.
The lands where the City of Lansing now
is were located by entries in the United
States Land Office, in the years 1835,
1836 and 1837, principally by Isaac Townsend, Frederick Bushnell and James Seymour, not jointly, but each locating separate
tracts. They were wild, very wild lands,
heavily timbered, and infested by wolves,
bears, wild cats and many other kinds of
wild animals, and there was not a house
or building of any kind upon any of it, or
within miles of it.
October 13, 1841, John W. Burchard purchased of James Seymour the southeast
fractional quarter of section nine, town four,
north of range two west, including the adjacent water power, and in I843 he built
the first house in what is now the City of
Lansing. It was, of course, a log house, as
all the houses that were built in the woods,
and it stood on the east side of Grand river at
what is North Lansing, a few rods west of
what is now Center Street, and north of
what is now Wall Street. It has been gone
many years, but is well remembered by
many men and women now living. Mr.




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


55


Burchard, with his family, consisting of a
wife and two young children, a boy, John,
and a girl, Louise, moved into the house
and began the erection of a dam across the
river, where the present dam is, and completed it the same year, and was making
preparations to erect a mill, when the spring
rains, in 1844, caused a flood which made
a break in the dam, and, on April 7, he
went out in a canoe to make an examination
and decide how he might repair the damage, when he, with his canoe, was drawn
under the fall of the water and he was
drowned. Soon after this the family moved
away, and the land and water privileges
again became the property of James Seymour.
Mr. Seymour, desirous of continuing the
work of building the mill, induced Joab
Page, then living in Vevay, this county, to
remove to the locality, with his family, and
his sons-in-law, Whitney Smith, George
Pease and Alvin Rolfe, came with him. All
of these men are well remembered, by
many people now living, as men of sterling
character and physically and in every way
very competent men, just the best kind of
men to start and build up a new settlement.
Mr. Page and Mr. Smith were experienced
millwrights, and all of them were first-class
mechanics. Mr. Rolfe remained only a short
time, and moved back to his farm in Vevay,
but the others remained until about 1853;
though when they came it was not their intention to remain longer than they had completed the mill.
These men, with their families, and a few
others, were the only inhabitants, until after
the location of the capitol here in 1847.
After that there was a rush of people to
the capital; and board shanties, put up for
temporary occupancy, and temporary hotels
and business places were constructed. The
Grand River house, quite a respectable


building for those times, had already been
built by Messrs. Page and Smith, at the
northwest corner of Center and     Wall
Streets.
In I847-8, three or four quite respectable
hotels were built; the Seymour House, at
the present southwest corner of Center and
Franklin Street, a two and a half-story
frame, extending on Center Street about
half way to Wall Street, with rooms for
stores south of the hotel office or bar-room,
as it was then called, parlor and sleeping
rooms in the second story and a dance hall
ran the whole length in the upper half or
two-thirds story, for it seemed too high for
a half, and too low for a full story. The
building is now owned by E. S. Porter, and
is remodeled into sixteen apartment houses.
It was the scene, in the early days, of many
pleasant and enjoyable occasions, lasting
from "early candlelight" until daylight.
The Michigan House, a two-story frame,
on the northwest corner of Main and River
Streets, was built in I847. At that time the
most extensive business section was on
Main Street, from the Michigan House
south, principally, on the south side of the
street.
The Benton House, a large brick hotel, on
the northwest corner of Washington Avenue and Main Street, where the palatial residence of Ransom E. Olds was erected in
I903, was commenced in 1847, and completed in I848.
It was the best hotel in the village, and,
winters, was filled with many of the great
men of the State; State officers, Senators,
Representatives,  candidates  for  United
States Senator, lobbyists and politicians, and
it was the scene of many exciting senatorial
campaigns, and very many jovial occasions,
and amusing incidents; one of which the
writer remembers to have been told: Wm.
Hinman was the proprietor. A stuttering




PAST AND PRESENT


character, but a prominent and intelligent
gentleman, in the State, known as "Old Salt
Williams," was a guest. One morning, when
he was at breakfast, he sent for Mr. Hinman, and, when he came and asked what
was wanted, said, "M-M-Mister Hin-Hinman yu-yu-your cow n-needs shingling,
the-there is wa-wa-ter in the m-m-milk."
The Benton House, of late years, has been


The National Hotel, a commodious twostory frame, was built on the northeast corner of Cedar and Main Streets in 1848. At
that time Bush and Thomas (Charles P.
Bush and John Thomas), had a general
store-all stores were general then, and for
many years thereafter, selling dry goods,
groceries, hardware and sometimes drugs
and liquors-on the west side of Cedar


BENTON HOUSE-LATER KNOWN AS THE EVERETT HOUSE. IT STOOD
AT CORNER OF WASHINGTON AVE. AND MAIN ST.


named the Everett House.   It was taken   Street, a few rods south of Main Street, and


down in I902.
The Columbus House, a three-story frame,
was built in 1847 and 1848, by Christopher
Columbus Darling, who came here in 1845,
and built a permanent dam for James Seymour, the one built by Mr. Burchard not being considered sufficiently secure for permanency. The Columbus House was what
is now the Hudson House, a brick front
having been put upon it, and it has been remodeled in other respects.


there were one or two other stores there.
This part of the village, including the business on Main Street, west of the river was
called "Uppertown," that part between Ionia
and Kalamazoo Streets was "Middletown,"
and what is now North Lansing was
"Lowertown."
The first Lansing House was a log tavern,
kept by Henry Jipson, on the southeast corner of Washington Avenue and Washtenaw
Street. It was removed in 1848, and the




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


57


second Lansing House, a large three-story
frame, was   erected on the same site.  It
was destroyed by fire about I859.
The third Lansing House, erected by Col.
Baker, is the present Hotel Downey, directly west across Washington Avenue from
where the others were.
Back of the Hotel Downey, on the south
side of Washtenaw Street, the Ohio House


ceptions, notably three houses built in 1848
and 1849 and still standing. One is that on
the northeast corner of Grand and St.
Joseph Streets, built by a Mr. Sweet; one,
that built by Hiram H. Smith, on the west
side of Washington Avenue between Kilbourne and Maple Streets, now owned by
Mrs. George W. Peck; and the other the
house built by Dr. Daniel Johnson, on the


LANSING HOUSE-ERECTED IN i848 AT SOUTHEAST CORNER OF WASHINGTON
AVE. AND WASHTENAW ST. IT BURNED IN 1859.


was built in 1848.    It was about where
Piatt's Power Plant is. It was afterwards
used by the Misses Rogers for their female
college, and, still later for tenements and
was burned many years ago.
People at once began the erection of better
dwellings, generally small, single-story or
two-story upright and one-story wing,
frame, all of them painted white, that
were painted at all. This was the general
architecture for many years, with a few ex

southeast corner of Washington Avenue and
Hillsdale  Street.  It has been  greatly
changed and modernized, but was always a
fine colonial style mansion.
Not many of the white, upright and wing
style of houses are to be seen in Lansing at
the present time.  They have, generally,
given place to larger, modern houses of
architectural beauty; of which few, if any,
inland cities in the country of the size of
Lansing can boast of more. The change




58


PAST AND PRESENT


seems wonderful, and, almost magical to one
who has known the place from the first to
whom the time seems so short as the memory runs quickly back through the fifty-six
years and sees everything as it was and compares with what is. Then the streets were
long mud holes in wet times and dust heaps
in dry times. Imagine Washington Avenue a newly cut-out country road, the


lengthwise on three cross pieces, 4x4 scantlings, one at each end and one in the center.
After about two years the ends of many of
the planks had got up in the world and became a menace to pedestrians, and often a
plank would be out when the walk was only
a foot wide. The walk was very much appreciated, especially by young couples, who
would not have had it any wider.


~l'^ I1s.:~' |  l
I:m~';:"""* a.-^   ______ ___ ___ _ ___


LANSING'S.FIRST FRAME HOUSE-WHERE JAMES M. TURNER WAS BORNBUILDING, WHICH HAS BEEN REMODELED, STILL STANDS ON TURNER ST.


stumps still standing and the roadway winding around and between them and loaded
wagons frequently stuck in the mud.
There were no sidewalks or crosswalks
until I849, when a two-plank walk was laid
on the west side of Washington Avenue,
from the Benton House, corner of Main
Street, to  Franklin  Street (afterwards
changed to avenue), and on the south side
of Franklin Street to the Seymour House,
corner of Center Street. The planks, about
a foot wide and sixteen feet long, were laid


THE CAPITOL.
The story of the removal of the capitol
from Detroit, and its location here, in the
woods, forty miles from anywhere, has been
told over and over again in histories and
papers. Therefore, the writer will not go
into details, but will give a brief statement
regarding it.
The State Constitution of I835 located
the capitol at Detroit until the year 1847,
and provided that then it should be permanently located by the Legislature. The




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


59


question as to the continued location in Detroit or removal began to be seriously agitated early in 1846. Of course, there were
Legislators who wanted it to remain in Detroit, but a majority thought and argued,
and rightly, as has been proven by subsequent events, that its location in the interior
of the State would tend to and result in
the settlement of the surrounding unsettled
part of the country and the sale of the wild
State lands, thus putting money in the
State's purse.   A   large number of places
sought to secure the location.
On January 6, I847, George B. Throop,
a member of the House from Detroit, introduced in the House, a bill providing for the
location, but with the name of the place of
location left blank, and it was referred to
the committee of the whole January 7; it
was taken from the committee and referred
to  a  select committee    February    4; the
select committee reported it back without amendment, and it was again referred
to the committee of the whole, and by it
reported with blank filled with Saginaw city.
The report was not concurred in, and thirteen votes were taken to fill the blank.   On
the third   vote it was filled with    Lyons,
Tonia county.   But the motion that the bill
lIe engrossed and placed on the order of
third reading was lost by 29 ayes to 32 nays.
Votes on other places were had, and on the
thirteenth, Lansing was chosen by a vote
of 35 ayes to 27 nays, on February I I, 1847.
The following shows the votes in the order in which they were taken:
Ayes. Nays.
Grand  lanc.................................  23  35
Byron................................... 27  31
Lyons.................................. 3  28
Detroit..................................   43
Marshall.................................. 2  32
Jackson....................................  27  31
Ann Arbor..................................18  44
Battle Creek................................23  38
Albion..................................  27  34
Corunna......................................  1  44
Eaton Rapids................................ 27  34
Dexter................................... 17  44
L ansing...................................... 35  27


On the twelfth a motion to reconsider
was lost, and by a vote of 40 to 24 the bill
was ordered engrossed and placed on the
order of third reading, and on the thirteenth
it was passed by a vote of 48 to 17. On
the thirteenth the bill was received in the
Senate and referred to the Committee on
State Affairs. The Senate had a bill of its
own that it tried to agree upon, naming,
on different motions, several of the above
mentioned places and others, among them:
Flint, Owosso, Charlotte, DeWitt, Onondaga and Pontiac.
The House bill had a rough time in the
Senate. Lansing was stricken out, and, on
different votes, Marshall, Jackson  and
Lyons were inserted, but each of these votes
were reconsidered and lost. Finally, Lansing was reinserted, and, on March 9, the
bill was passed as it came from the House,
by a vote of 12 to 8, and it was approved
by Governor Greenly, March I6, 1847.
The following is a copy of the bill:
"Be it enacted by the Senate and House
of Representatives of the State of Michigan:
That the seat of government of this State
shall be in the Township of Lansing in the
County of Ingham. Approved March I6,
1847."
It is evident that the friends of the bill
did not intend that it should be incumbered
or contain anything aside from question of
location, and it was necessary to pass a supplemental bill which provided, that the original should take effect December I, 1847,
and for removing State property, and for
the necessary offices and rooms for the Senate and House. There being no rooms in
the woods, an appropriation of $Io,ooo was
made for the erection of a temporary capitol.
Commissioners were appointed by the Governor, in compliance with an act of the Legislature, to select a suitable site, containing
not less than twenty acres on which to erect




60


PAST AND PRESENT


the capitol and procure a conveyance of the
same. The selection was on section I6, and
the whole of the section was reserved from
sale.
It became necessary to give a name to the
place and many were proposed, and, finally,
the "Town of Michigan" was decided upon,
and it bore that name until by Act. No. 237
of the Laws of 1848, approved April 3,
I848, it was changed to "Lansing." By authority of law, Abel Silver, Commissioner
of the State Land Office, had a plat made
and recorded of the "Town of Michigan"
and had it lithographed. A few of them
have been preserved and are owned by individuals. The lots in the plat were appraised and offered for sale at the appraised
value. Many were sold at once, but many
away from the capitol, were not taken for
years.
The following from the pen of that lovable and universally loved man, Alpheus
Felch, published in the State Republican of
September 26, I873, should be preserved in
all histories of the State or of this city. It
shows how the school section was reserved
from sale and saved to the school fund:
"In the Legislature of 1847 the question
of removing the State capitol from Detroit
was agitated early in the session. Several
towns on the Central Railroad were talked
of for its future location. When it was first
suggested that a location should be selected
father north, and in a portion of the State
then little more than a wilderness, the
proposition struck most persons as almost
ridiculous. But, as the question continued
to be agitated, this proposition continually
gained strength. Some imprudent remarks
of one or more of the Representatives from
Wayne county added to the zeal of those
who desired to remove the seat of government from Detroit, and endedwin effecting it.
"At length Lansing was spoken of as a


central and proper place for the new location. Nobody knew anything of Lansing.
Everybody asked, 'What and where is Lansing?' The answer told little more than
that it boasted of one or two dwellinghouses in the midst of a forest region, and
one saw-mill, propelled by the waters of
Grand river.  The proprietor of the little
hamlet, it was said, was there urging the
claims of his obscure, moline location to the
dignity of the State capital.
"After the project had obtained so much
strength as to render its success quite probable, it was told me that certain persons
who were urging the project had their eyes
upon the school section of land which adjoined the proposed location, and -which still
remained unsold.
"As yet nothing had been publicly said of
the school section in connection with the
project. It now seemed that if the proposed
location of Lansing should be made, the
school section would become very valuable,
and the purchaser of it would secure a fortune. Without this to increase its value it
was not deemed worth the purchase, even
at the low price demanded ($4 per acre),
and on the long credit given upon the sale of
the school lands.
"At length I became satisfied that there
were persons watching the progress of
things in the Legislature, and who now regarded the prospect of success as so favorable that they concluded to make a purchase
of the land.  It was manifest that in all
human probability this portion of the domain given for public schools would eventually become very valuable, and I resolved,
if possible, to secure the benefit of its increased value to our great educational fund.
"The State Land Office was then kept at
Marshall, Judge Silver being Land Commissioner. The school lands were open for
sale at his office, but the Governor had the




I




::
f ff:::t::f
f::::::::::f:::::::
0,Jjg








STATE CAPITOL




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


61


right, in his discretion, to withdraw any
specified portion of the lands from sale. I
thought it my duty to exercise the right in
this instance. Accordingly, I caused an order to that effect to be forwarded to the
Commissioner by mail. The mail train left
Detroit in the morning, and the regular time
of its arrival at Marshall was about the
middle of the afternoon. As I afterwards
learned, the parties above referred to sent an
agent the same morning to make a purchase
of the land. The agent and the mail containing the order withdrawing the land from
sale went by the same train. But it so happened that the train was delayed by an accident at Marengo, and did not arrive at
Marshall until some time in the evening.
The Land Office was of course closed, but
Judge Silver's mail was taken to his residence that evening, and among other letters
was the one inclosing the order.
"In the morning the purchasing agent
was waiting at the office door when the
Commissioner arrived for his daily duties.
The agent entered with him and made immediate application for the purchase of the
land. To his great surprise he was informed
that it was not subject to sale. And his disappointment was not diminished when he
learned that the same train upon which he
came for the purpose of making the purchase
brought the order withdrawing the land
from market.
"If no accident to the train had happened
the agent would have completed his purchase
within the regular office hours, and before
the mail could have been distributed and the
order received by the Commissioner.
"This little accident saved to our noble
common school fund the great benefit which
it has since derived from the section of land
now graced with the capitol of our Peninsular State."
Mr. Felch was Governor at that time, but


resigned before the bill locating the capital
was passed and was made United States
Senator; and Lieutenant Governor Greenly
became Governor, and, as such, approved
the bill.
Also the following by Hon. Alfred Miller of Saginaw, published in the Saginaw
Courier, and included with the above in
Durant's History, will be interesting reading for future generations:
"The writer was a member of the Legislature for Saginaw county for the year 1847,
and, from the beginning, was a strong advocate for the location of the capital at Lansing,-first, because he wished some measure adopted by which the people on the line
and south of the Central Railroad could
come to the knowledge of the fact, that the
country in Michigan north of the tier of
counties through which the road passed was
other than the hyperborean region, unfit for
cultivation, that they at that time believed
it to be; and, secondly, it was believed that
if the capital was located at Lansing a direct communication would be opened to Saginaw, and a large amount of trade brought
to this vicinity from the rich farming country which would speedily be developed by
adopting that measure.
"After the subject had been discussed in
private circles, the location of Lansing had
many advocates. All the northern members,
both east and west of the meridian line, were
in favor it it; and when the matter came
up for discussion in the committee of the
whole, the names of all the places were recited which had been proposed by members
of the committee to fill the blanks till the
name of Lansing was inserted, when, a
majority voting for it, the bill for the location of the capital was reported to the House
by the chairman of the committee, recommending Lansing as the point; and the
House confirmed the action of the commit



62


PAST AND PRESENT


tee. The bill was passed and sent to the
Senate.
"When the bill came up for final action in
the House, the whole of the Wayne county
delegation voted for it, supposing that if the
measure was carried in the House the Senate would reject it, and thereby defeat the
location at that session, and that the capital
would then remain permanently at Detroit.
"No point on the Central Railroad could
get a majority, for the reason that when a
location was proposed all the advocates for
rival locations at other points on the line of
that road would vote against it. But no one
was jealous of Lansing, for, at that time, it
had but two or three log houses and one
saw-mill.
"The advocates of the removal from Detroit believed they had the majority of the
Legislature on their side, and that they
would effect their object; while those opposed to its removal believed that no point
could be selected that would command the
vote of a majority in each House. But after
the bill had passed the House, and was in
the hands of the Senate to confirm or reject,
the excitement became very great. There
was a heavy requisition on livery-stables,
and there were many explorers of the wilderness in the vicinity of the saw-mill at Lansing. There were parties looking after the
interests of the State, as well as private
speculations. The former ascertained that
the most eligible location was on the school
section, which was the property of the State.
"Many applications were made by individuals for the purchase of that school section, but it was withheld from sale, and the
capitol finally located on it, which proved of
great pecuniary advantage to the State."
CAPITOLS AND STATE OFFICE BUILDINGS
IN LANSING.
The first capitol in Lansing was a two

story frame, erected in I847, on block II5,
sixty by one hundred feet, with a small
tinned dome that the writer thought magnificent, as it glistened in the sun's rays. His
father used to tell of, with other men, clearing off the trees and brush and playing a
game of ball on the spot right away after
its selection.
In I865 sixteen feet were built on to the
south end. The total cost, including the addition was $22,952.0I.
This building served for Senate Chamber,
House of Representatives and Executive
Office, until the completion of the new and
present capitol, and for State offices, until
I853, when a two-story brick building
was erected on the ground where the capitol
now stands, for State offices, when all of the
offices were removed to it; the Legislature,
the Governor's office and State Library remaining in the old capitol building. And
after it was provided that two terms of the
Supreme Court should be held in Lansing,
the room previously occupied by the Auditor
General's Office, on the first floor of the old
capitol building, was fitted up for a Supreme
Court room. The office building erected in
I853 was taken down in I871 to make place
for the new capitol which the Legislature
had decided to erect. But before this was
done a building for temporary offices was
provided for and it was erected on the northeast corner of the old capitol square in I87I,
at a cost of $30,693.94, and is still standing
-a three-story brick building. When that
building was completed it was occupied by
all of the State offices in rooms prepared
for them, on the first and second floors, and
by the State Library and Supreme Court on
the third floor, where they all remained until
removal to the new capitol.
The Legislature and Governor remained
in the old capitol until they went "out of the
old house into the new." After the removal




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


the old capitol remained vacant for a long
time and was offered, with a large part of
the grounds, to the city for $i5,ooo, to be
used for city hall and city offices, but the
Common Council would not consider it.
Probably if it had been submitted to a vote
of the people the offer would have been accepted. It was a great mistake that it was
not. The building was rented for a manufactory and was burned on the I6th day of
December, I882.  The burning was wit

stores and the west side with residences, except in the middle of it where stands the
Masonic Temple.
After the removal from the State office
building, on the northeast corner of the
block, the lower floor was remodeled and
fitted for occupancy for stores and were occupied as stores for many years. Now in
the building are the State Armory, the
Labor Bureau, the Food and Dairy Commission and the offices of the State Geolo

THE OLD STATE CAPITOL.


nessed by nearly all of the citizens and was
a magnificent sight but a sad one for the old
residents, some of whom shed tears. Representative hall had been used in early times
for all sorts of entertainments; lectures, concerts, political meetings, war meetings, donation parties, soldiers' aid and societies and
dances, and the Senate chamber for smaller
gatherings and by some of the churches for
their Sunday services.
As everyone knows, the east side of the
block (  5) is now built up solid with brick


gist; the new capitol, already, proving too
small to house all of the State departments,
several of which have been created by the
Legislature since its erection.
The Board of State Building Commissioners provided for by an act of the Legislature to procure designs, estimates and bids,
and to superintendl the erection of the temporary State office and the capitol, advertised for designs for the capitol and, after
careful examination of the many received,
selected those of E. E. Myers, and a con



64


PAST AND PRESENT.


tract was entered into with him to be the
architect and to superintend the work of
construction. July 15, 1872, a contract was
made with Nehemiah Osborn & Co. for the
construction for the sum of $1,i44,057.20.
The Legislature, in March, 1872, had appropriated $I,200,000 for the building to
which sum the cost was limited.
The cornerstone was laid October 2, 1873,


the year 1873, Lansing City Directory, the
pen used in signing the first Constitution of
the State of Michigan in 1835, lithographic
view of the new capitol, gold, silver and
copper coins, specimens of U. S. fractional
currency and a U. S. postal card.
The building was completed and was dedicated January I, I879.
From Durant's History, the following is


OLD STATE OFFICE BLOCK-ERECTED ON SITE OF PRESENT CAPITOL IN I853
AND TORN DOWN IN 1871.


by the Grand Lodge of the Masonic fraternity with the usual impressive ceremony of
that fraternity. Forty-eight articles were deposited in the stone, most of which would
not interest the reader but among them were
the Holy Bible, package containing deposits
in the corner-stone of the Territorial capitol
erected in Detroit in 1823, a silver plate upon
which was inscribed the names of Mayor,
and Aldermen of the City of Lansing for


taken, bodily, it being a minute and correct
description of the building and the style and
manner of its construction, and of its dedication:
MATERIALS.
The concrete upon which all the walls are
laid is composed of limestone* from Bellevue,
Eaton county, Michigan, broken with a
"Blake Crusher" to egg size, and mixed in
*Carboniferous limestone of Michigan.




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


65


proper proportion with Louisville cement,
coarse sand, and water. The footing-stones
are of Lemont, Ill., limestone. The superstructure is of Amherst, Ohio, sandstone;
the first base-course, outside steps, and landings, and steps to boiler-rooms, of Joliet, Ill.,
limestone*; the corner-stone of Massachusetts granitef; and the floors of vaults and
flagging on the grounds, of Euclid, Ohio,
freestone. The bricks for interior walls, floorarches, etc., of which fifteen millions were
used in the building, were manufactured in
Lansing. The corridors of first, second, and
third stories are tiled witli Vermont marble.
All the beams, girders, interior columns, rooftrusses, and stairways are of iron; the covering of (lome. soffits under landings of
grand stairways, and ceilings of Legislative
hall are of galvanized iron; the roof is covered with very superior tin, manufactured
expressly for it in Wales. The windows of
tlhe three principal stories and basement are
glazed with the best quality of English plateglass; the panels in the ceilings of the House
and Senate chambers are of the same quality
of glass, embossed; the skylights over the
Legislative halls are of American hammered
glass, three-fourths of an inch thick.T
Ground was broken for the building in the
summer of I872; the corner-stone was laid
with imposing Masonic ceremonies by the
Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Michigan, October 2, 1872, and the work steadily
progressed to completion, on the 26th of September, I878, when the building was accepted by the commissioners and a final settlement made with the contractors.
In 1875, in addition to the appropriation
made in 1872, the Legislature appropriated
for steam-heating and ventilation, $70,000;
for changes in the construction of the roof,
the steps to porticos, and interior finish, $30,*Sometimes called Illinois or Athens marble.
t.From (ape Ann on Massachusetts Bay.
tFrom Mr. Bours' pamphlet.
5


ooo; for constructing tlhe main cornice and
balustrade of stone, instead of galvanized
iron, as at first intended, $65,000.
In 1877 further appropriations were made
as follows:
For electrician work and other improvements. $25,000; for improvement of ground
and furnishing the legislative halls, library,
etc., $40,000; and for completing the furnishing of the building the additional sum
of $75,000: making the total appropriations
to May 2, 1877, $1,505,000.
DE)SCRIPT'ION Or THII BUILDING.
The new Capitol is located in the center
of block No. 249, or Capitol Square, the
main front facing the east and Michigan
avenue. Tlhe block has a frontage on Capitol
avenue of 66o feet from north to south, and
a lel)th of 742T2 feet fr(om east to west,
giving a suplerficial area of 490,050 square
feet, or exactly eleven and a quarter acres.
DIMENSIONS.
The building, exclusive of porticos, is 345
feet 2 inches in length, and 19I feet 5 inches
in depth, at center. Including porticos and
steps, the length is 420 feet 2 inches, and
the greatest (lepth 273 feet I inches. The
extreme height is 267 feet.
The ground plan is cruciform, and the
structure is surmounted by a lofty and finely
proportioned dome.
HEIGHT OF STORIES.
Basement, I I feet; first, second, and third
stories, each, 20 feet; fourth story, I6 feet.
The east corridor of first floor is 29 feet
wide, the west 19 feet, and the north and
south ones, each, I8 feet. The clear diameter of the rotunda is 44 2 feet, and the
height from floor to diaphragm 150 feet.
The State Library is IOO feet long, 45 feet
wide in the center, and three stories in




66


PAST AND PRESENT


height, containing five galleries or tiers of
cases. Height from main floor to ceiling,
59 feet, with shelf capacity for over 63,00ooo
volumes, which can be easily increased to
100oo,ooo by supplying cases upon the upper
floor. The present number of volumes in
the library is something over 40,000.
The legislative halls are each 70 feet in
width from east to west; the Representative
hall being 75 feet and the Senate chamber 57
feet from  north to south.  The ceiling of
each is 41 2 feet in height.
The building contains, besides corridors,
passages, closets, and wash and cloak-rooms,
139 rooms, as follows: Basenient 38; first
and second stories, each, 33; third story,
28; and fourth story, 7, besides 2 boilerrooms and the necessary room for storage
of fuel, situated under the north and south
porticos, entirely outside of the building.
There are two grand stairways, situated
on either side of the rotunda, and extending
from the basement to the fourth story.
There are also half-flights leading from the
landings of these to the second, third, and
fourth floors. There are also two stairways
leading from the basement to the third floor,
in the rear of the legislative halls, a stairway
from the fourth floor to the highest gallery
in the dome, and from that point to the
lantern. There are also two circular stairways from the lower to the upper floor of
the library, with landings at each gallery,
and two private stairways connecting offices
on the first floor with rooms in the basement.
The distance from Capitol avenue to foot
of steps at east portico is 225 feet 3Y2 inches;
from west steps to Walnut street, 243 feet
312 inches; and from the north and south
steps to street, i 19 feet Io inches.
The Capitol, with the porticos, covers one
and one-sixth acres. The girth of the building is 1520 feet.
The building is lighted by gas supplied by


the Lansing Gaslight Company. There are
27I chandeliers and pendants, besides a large
number of standards and brackets, with a
total of 1702 burners within the building,
besides 36 burners in the lamps to light the
porticos and entrances to the grounds. 371
of the burners are lighted by electricity, distributed as follows: In ceiling of Representative hall, I50; in ceiling of Senate chamber, Ioo; in State library, 75; and in the
dome and lantern, 46.
The style of architecture is classed as Palladian,* and the building, while without the
elaborate ornamentation of the more florid
styles, is very symmetrical and of beautiful
proportions, which are shown to great advantage by the pleasing color of the material
employed    in  the  superstructure.   While
lacking possibly the grandeur of the pure
Grecian, with its massive columns and entablatures, the effect, on the whole. is exceedingly pleasing to the eye, conveying the
idea of grace, beauty, and solidity, and affording a gratifying contrast to many of the
other State capitols of the Union.
The main pediment in the center of the
eastern front is ornamented with a beautiful
allegorical representation of the rise and
progress of the State, carved in bas-relief
from  the sandstone material of the structure.t The grounds have been finely laid out
and improved, and the approaches to the
Capitol in all directions give it a grand and
imposing appearance.
DEDICATION.
The dedication of the new Capitol took
place with imposing ceremonies on the Ist
of January, 1879, in the Hall of Representa*Named from Andrea Palladio, a famous Italian architect, born in 1518, who introduced a new composite order
of architecture into use, and erected many notable building in Vicenza and other cities.
fOur space will not permit of a more particular description of this fine building. For an elaborate description
the reader is referred to the pamphlets by Allen L.
Bours, Esq.




INGHAM COUNTY. MICHIGAN.


67


tives, in the presence of all the surviving
Governors of the State, with one exception
(Governor McClelland), and a large assemblage of the wisdom, beauty, and fashion of
Michigan.
The exercises commenced at 9:30 a. nm.
with music by the Knight Templar Band of
Lansing, followed by prayer by Rev. George
D. Gillespie. The assemblage was called to
order by His Excellency Governor Charles
M. Croswell, after which the constitutional
oath of office was administered to the Governor and Lieutenant-Governor elect, by
Hon. James V. Campbell, chief justice of the
Supreme Court.
Addresses were delivered by Ex-Governors Alpheus Felch, William  L. Greenly,
Austin Blair, Henry P. Baldwin, and John
J. Bagley. The report of the building commissioners was then read by Hon. E. O.
Grosvenor, vice-president of the board, following which came the formal acceptance
of the new Capitol on behalf of the State by
Governor Croswell in a brief and comprehensive speech, in which he thanked the
building committee for the efficient and honorable manner in which they had performed
their duties, and congratulated the State upon the completion of the new edifice. The
exercises were closed by the benediction,
pronounced by Rev. Theodore P. Prudden.
OPENING ODE.
BY REV. GEORGE DUFFIELD.
[Sung at the opening of the House of Representatives at
its first session in the new Capitol, Jan. 1, 1879.]
To Thee we wake our grateful songs,
O Thou to whom all praise belongs;
O God, our fathers' God, to Thee,
Like her who sang beside the sea,
We sing this day; with heart and voice,
We praise and triumph and rejoice.
Within these walls long to remain,
We welcome now a shining train:


Here Justice comes, the first and best,
And walks a queen before the rest;
Here Liberty, and Law, and Peace,
From anarchy boast full release.
Beneath this dome let Truth preside,
Let Wisdom teach, let Conscience guide,
Let love of country all inspire
To keep unquenched the sacred fire;
Till exiles far remote shall come,
Where freedom guards her lasting home.
High noon we meet! The opening year
We welcome as an omen clear
Of brighter, better days in store;
When violence is heard no more,
When the dear Flag, without a stain,
O'er every State supreme shall reign.
BOARD OF STATE BUILDING COMMISSIONERS.
Presidents: Governor Henry P. Baldwin,
from organization of board to December 31,
1872; Governor John J. Bagley, from January i, 1873, to December 31, I876; Governor Charles M. Croswell, from January I,
I877, to completion of work.
Commissioners: Hon. E. O. Grosvenor,
vice-president,  Jonesville;  Hon.  James
Shearer, Bay City; Hon. Alexander Chapoton, Detroit; Allen L. Bours, Secretary.
E. E. Myers, Architect and Superintendent; 0. Marble, Assistant to Superintendent;  Adam    Oliver  Superintendent  of
Grounds.
BOARD FOR FURNISHING THE NEW CAPITOL.
Hon. Charles M. Croswell, Chairman,
Governor; Hon. E. G. D. Holden, Secretary
of State; Hon. William B. McCreery, State
Treasurer; Hon. Benjamin F. Partridge,
Commissioner of State Land Office; Simon
Strahan, Designer and Superintendent of
Furniture; Allen L. Bours, Secretary.




68


PAST AND PRESENT


INCORPORATION.
Lansing was never incorporated as a village but remained a part of the Township of
Lansing, and, together with the rest of the
township, elected the township officers until
it was incorporated as a city, by an act of
the legislature, February 15, I859. It was
at that time divided into three wards. In
I86I the wards were increased to four, in
I87I to five and in 1874 to six. No doubt,
the number will soon be again increased, by
subdivision, on account of the rapidly increasing number of inhabitants.
The following is a list of the names of
men who have held the office of Mayor of
the City of Lansing:
I859, Hiram H. Smith.
I86o, John A. Kerr.
1861-62, Win. H. Chapman.
I863-64-65, Ira H. Bartholomew.
I866, Wm. H. Haze.
I867, Geo. H. Peck.
I868-69, Cyrus Hewitt.
I870, Solomon W. Wright.
187I, John Robson.
1872-73, John S. Tooker.
I874-75, Daniel W. Buck.
1876, John S. Tooker.
I877, Orlando M. Barnes.
1878, Joseph E. Warner.
I879-80, Wm. VanBuren.
I88I, John Robson.
1882-83, Olrando F. Barnes.
1884-85, William Donovan.
I886, Daniel W. Buck.
I887, Jacob F. Shultz.
1888, John Crotty.
I889, James M. Turner.
I890-9I, Frank B. Johnson.
I892, A. O. Bement.
I893, A. O. Bement.
I894, Alroy A. Wilbur.
1895, James M. Turner.


I896, Russell C. Ostrander.
1897-98-99, Charles J. Davis.
1900-01-02-03, James F. Hammell.
1904, Hugh Lyons, term expires in I906.
When the land was cleared all of the forest trees were cut down and for years the
streets were devoid of shade of any kind.
The common council passed an ordinance
requiring owners of lots to set shade trees
in the streets on which their lots abutted,
and provided that if they neglected to do so
within a certain length of time, the city
would cause it to be done and assess the expense to the abutting real estate, and the
result is that Lansing streets are as well
and beautifully shaded as those of any city
in the State, though it required a good deal
of patience to wait for the trees to grow,
which is rewarded by the pride of those who
waited in the present conditions, which no
others can so fully appreciate.
IMPROVrEMENTS AND GROWTH.
The building of the Capitol settled it "for
good and all," that Lansing was to be
permanently the capital of Michigan. The
question of removal had been more or less
agitated up to the time the appropriation was
made and work actually begun, notwithstanding it was located by constitutional provision in I85o, and no one was inclined to
invest much money in permanent improvements, public or private, for fear that threats
of members of the legislature and others
who wallowed through the mud to get here,
might possibly have effect; as well as the
curses aimed at the town and the legislature
that located the capital. But the building of
the Capitol settled it and a new life began
for Lansing. Prior to that, however, some
improvements had been made, such as, presumably, would be made if the town remained only a country village.




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


69


Washington avenue was graded in three
sections. From Main street to Washtenaw
street in 1859; from Washtenaw street to
Ottawa street in I859, and from  Ottawa
street to Franklin street in I86i. This was
the first public or municipal improvement of
any account. Now, the city limits having
been extended, the city is 2'  miles wide,
east andl west, by 34 miles long, north and
south.  There are ninety-three miles of
streets in the city and nearly all of them are
graded, and three miles of them are paved
with brick pavement.
SIDEWALKS.
Before W\ashington avenue was graded,
the old sidewalks were, necessarily, taken up
and after the grade was completed new
plank walks were laid, six feet wide, the
planks laid crosswise on three 4x4 stringers.
Many years these plank walks were the only
kind laid; )but, as they became old and dilapidated, they were the cause of many daniage suits against the city and several large
judlgments were obtained for injuries received by persons from falls, and the common council has prohibited the laying of
plank walks, except by special permit, and
now there are eighty-eight and a half miles
of sidewalks in the city, about one-half of
which are cement (artificial stone), and as
every year many plank walks are being replaced by this material, it will not be long
before the plank walk will be only a nMemory, so far as Lansing is concerned. There
are a few brick walks.
PAVEMtENTS.
The first pavement was on Washington
avenue and was the cedar block pavement,
laid in 1878, and afterwards on Michigan
avenue and on Capitol avenue from Allegan
street to Ottawa street. It was laid two


rods wide in the center of the street and
outside of that, on either side, was cobble
stone pavement to the curb. The block pavement made a good road so long as it was in
good condition, but after a few years, like
the plank road, it became worn and rough
and little better than the corduroy, or log
causeway, so common on country roads in
early (lays.
The cedar block pavement is entirely out
of (late and will never again be laid, anywhere, and as future generations may want
to know what it was, we will say that it was
made of sections, eight inches long, sawed
from cedar trees that were from three to
six or seven inches in diameter, the bark
removed and the blocks set endwise, side by
side, upon a foundation of sand, and the
pavement was covered with sand until the
interstices between the blocks were filled
witli it and travel had pressed it down hard,
even with the surface of the pavement.
The first brick pavement was laid in I893,
on Capitol avenue between Ottawa and
Shiawassee streets, and now Lansing has it
on \Washington avenue, Michigan avenue,
Franklin avenue, Capitol avenue and Turner
street, three miles in all, as heretofore stated.
Lansing also has a good sewage system
with 37 miles of sewers.
BRIDGES.
The first bridge in Lansing was of logs,
across Cedar river on Cedar street, built in
I842. It was carried away by a flood in
I852, and replaced by a frame bridge which
was replaced in I866 by a covered bridge.
The first bridge over Grand river was on
Main street and built in 1847, by private
subscription. It was carried away by flood
and another was erected in the same place
which was also destroyed by flood many
years ago and there has been no bridge there
since, and only by careful inspection can




70


PAST AND PRESENT


any evidences be discovered that there was
ever any bridge there.
The next bridge was built by James Sey

was built there in 1848 which, he thinks, was
about eight or nine years afterwards replaced with another wooden bridge which


WOODEN BRIDGE FRANKLIN AVE., SWEPT AWA\Y BY FLOOD ON
APRIL  i, i875.


mour in 1847 on Franklin street (now avenue). It was a wooden bridge and stood


had several wooden arches over and across
it.
In 1871 an iron, single arch, bowstring
bridge was built on Michigan avenue. It
was taken down in 1894 and placed across
the river on Kalamazoo street and the present one on Michigan avenue was erected. It
is the same width as the avenue, seven rods,
and is said to be the widest bridge in the
world; but that has been questioned.  It
cost $57,932, and is a very fine and substantial bridge. In 1873 the city entered into a
contract with the Wrought Iron Bridge


OLD BRIDGE, FRANKLIN AVE.


until I867 when it was taken away and a
covered wooden bridge was erected in its
place. That was carried away by the flood
in the spring of 1875. An iron bridge was
built in its place, which was replaced in
I893 by the present wrought iron bridge.
The writer is unable to obtain much information regarding the early bridges over
Grand river on Michigan avenue, more than
he remembers, himself, that a wooden bridge


PRESENT BRIDGE, FRANKLIN AVE.




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


l


bridge. The writer saw it as it gave way
and swung into the stream and followed it
to Michigan avenue bridge, which every one
of the many watchers thought surely must
go, but it did not, as has been stated in accounts of the flood, nor was the water so
high that year as has also been stated. It
did not overflow the streets so that "they
were navigated in boats." If the water had
been so high, Michigan avenue bridge would
have surely gone; but, as it was, River
street bridge went under it with a loud
grating noise, springing it upward in the
center, but not damaging it very much.
OLD BRIDGE, MICHIGAN AV;E. 
Company of Canton, Ohio, for the erection
of five iron bridges, on the column and channel arch bridge plan, for the sum of $30,6Io.
They were completed in the spring of i874.
They were on Seymour street, Washington
avenue, Shiawassee street, River street and
Saginaw street.  On the first day of April
of the next year. I875, all of these new iron
bridges, except that on Washington avenue
were swept away by the flood and with them
went, as before stated, that on Franklin avenue. The first to go was the River street
when at last the two bridges parted company.
All of the bridges went, in turn, and Lansing was left with only two. It was a
sad day, never to be forgotten by those who
were then living here. It wvas not so much
the high water but the accumulation of ice
and driftwood which did the damage. The
same year the Canton Bridge Company replaced the four iron bridges for the sum of
$14,653.94, using some of the old material.
~OLD BRIDRE' MTt'T(aN       One of those carried away was recovered in
OLD BRIDGE._,TCMICHIANANT.F-~


- --. -L II %- i  I " - IN  -AN iz,




72


PAST AND PRESENT


so good condition that in I893, it was placed
across Grand river on Logan street.
Other floods have occurred since, but the
greatest was in the spring of 1904, when
the Logan street and Kalamazoo street
bridges were swept away. The Logan street,
luckily, was stranded in two parts, on the
river banks and did no harm to the others,
but it was so broken up it was of no further
use and a new bridge has been erected in its
place at a cost of $9,297. The Kalamazoo
street bridge floated down against the Michigan avenue bridge, its old home, and lodged
there. It was replaced on Kalamazoo street
at an expense of $4,000, after raising the
abutments to save it from disaster in future


PRESENT BRIDGE, WASHINGTON AVE. S.
On February 17, 1902, the city awarded
a contract to Stamsen & Blome of Chicago,
for the construction of the present concrete
steel bridge over Grand river on Washington
avenue, at a cost of $31,500. It was completed and accepted December 22, 1902, and
seems to be very strong and desirable and it
and the Michigan avenue bridge are worthy
of the pride that the people feel in them.
The Franklin avenue bridge is also a good
strong one and stood the flood very well indeed, though it was considerably damaged
by the ice and driftwood that ran against
the girders and broke one of them. It was
a great relief when it became evident that
the bridge was surely going to stay.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
For the first eleven years of its existence
Lansing had no fire protection whatever, and
fires burned themselves out unless taken
before they had obtained much headway and
were extinguished by the "bucket brigade,"
which was formed by citizens in line passing
pails of water from one to another until they
reached the men who poured the water on
the fire when the empty buckets were returned along the line to the well, cistern or


OLD BRIDGE, WASHINGTON AVE. S.
floods. The water was much higher than in
I875. It flooded the low lots and streets and
was from two to five feet deep on River
street, from  Kalamazoo street to Main
street, and on Grand street, north of Shiawassee street, the water was two feet deep
on the floor of the office of the Lansing
Wagon Works. The L. S. & M. S. R. R.
tracks and floors of the station were under
water, and the manufactories and lumber
yards on the flats south of Michigan avenue,
were flooded.




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN


73


reservoir; the men in line passing a pail of
water up with one hand and an empty one
down with the other.
Three brick reservoirs were built on
Washington avenue, at a cost of about $i,ooo each, holding about I,000 barrels each.
They are there yet.
In I857 a fire company, a hose company
and a hook and ladder company was organized, and in I858 a hand fire engine was
purchased with hose, and while the members
of the companies managed the hose and the
chief talked very loud through his trumpet,
and all used many "cuss words," the citizens
and we big boys manned the brakes, fifteen
to twenty on either side of the engine, and
pumped for dear life, while others stood
around and gave advice. A hose cart and
hook and ladder wagon were also purchased.
In I866 another hand engine was purchased. These were the pride of the people
and did good service until I87I, when two
steam fire engines were purchased, a "Silsby" and a "Clapp and Jones," and there was
rivalry between the friends of each and the
companies as to which could do the best
work.
The hand engines were sold, one to Leslie and one to Alpena.
After the water works were established
the Clapp & Jones was sold to Williamston
and the Silsby was sold for old junk.
The first engine house was a frame building at North Lansing.  In I866 the city
purchased a lot on the south side of Allegan
street between Washington   avenue and
Grand street for $1,200 and erected upon it
a brick engine house at a cost of $7,000. In
1903, this building having become inadequate for the requirements of the department, it together with the lot was sold for
$3,000, and the old Universalist church on
the southeast corner of Allegan and Grand
streets, with the lot on which it stood, was


purchased by the city, with the intention
of transforming it into an engine house;
but after the purchase, the common council
became convinced that it could not be done
and decided it best to sell the church property, after having caused Allegan street to
be vacated, between Grand street and Grand
river, and having obtained permission to
build an engine house in the vacated street,
and September 6, I904, the contract was
awarded for the erection of such a building
for the sum of $10,950, not including plumbing an(l arrangements for heating and lighting. This building was completed the fore
part of February, 90o5, and is a fine appearing and substantial engine house.
The common council becoming satisfied
that it was better policy not to sell the church
lot but to remove the old building and to
use the lot in connection with the new engine house, the building was sold for $500,
and has been taken down and removed.
The first fire alarm bell was placed in the
tower of the engine house on Allegan street
in 1877. Until then the cry of "Fire, fire,
fire," was the first alarm, sounding weird,
especially in the night time, and was immediately followed by the vigorous clanging of all the church bells in the city. Now
the cry of fire is seldom heard and the alarm
of the church bells never.  But, on the
breaking out of a fire, any one can go to
the nearest fire alarm box, of which there
are 35 in the city, break a glass in the front
of the box, turn a key to the right, which
will open the outside door, reach in and pull
down a hook once and let go of it, and electricity carries an alarm to the engine house
with information of the locality of the
alarm box. which is transmitted to the water
works station where the steam whistle gives
an unearthly screech and then it gives, first,
as many screeches as indicate the number of
the ward where the fire is, and then, as many




74


PAST AND PRESENT


as will give the number of the box-thus
four and three says box three in the fourth
ward, or box 43. When the fire is extinguished one screech notifies the people of
that fact. The present brick engine house
No. 2, fronting on Washington avenue, near
Franklin avenue was erected in 1890. at a
cost of $4,000, is in good condition and answers its purpose very well indeed. It, also,
has a fire alarm bell.
The present fire-fighting apparatus consists of two hose wagons, nine horses, one
chemical engine, one hook and ladder truck,
with 242 feet of ladders, and about 5,500
feet of 2/2 inch hose.
WATER WORKS.
The city water works were finished at a
cost of $123,750, and began operation in
1885. The total amount invested up to the
present time is about $500,000. The first
pump was a "Worthington," having a capacity of 3,000,000 gallons per day. This
was added to in I894, by the installment of
of a "Holly," with a capacity of 5,000,000
gallons per day, making a total capacity of
8,ooo,ooo gallons per day. It is claimed
that prior to this addition, the works pumped
on an average, 3,000,000 gallons per day,
while since it has been necessary to pump
only 1,500,000 gallons per day. The boiler
capacity is 280 horse power. The standpipe is 152 feet high with a diameter inside,
of I8 feet and has a capacity of about 2,000
gallons per foot. There are about forty-five
miles of water mains connected with the
works with three hundred and fifteen hydrants. The water is obtained from twentyseven artesian wells, most of them extending into the rock and the others down to the
rock and so arranged that surface water is
excluded, with the result that the water is
exceptionally pure. It is furnished the citizens at reasonable rates, with or without a


meter, which is furnished if desired. It is
claimed that it costs less, if measured by a
meter, of which 1200 are in use. The present debt for the works is $Ioo,ooo, at interest, but they more than pay all expense
and interest, and are a paying financial investment for the city, besides being a great
convenience and luxury for the people;
which would be fully appreciated, if it is not
already, by all of the people, if they should
be deprived of the benefits for, say, two or
three days.
LIGHTS.
For sometime after the capitol was located
here the only lights the people had were candles and whale oil lamps. There were tallow
candles, soon improved upon by the sperm,
which was followed by a better one called
the "Star Candle," which seemed to be a sort
of quite hard white wax. With them was the
odorous whale oil lamp, followed and improved upon, about 1856, by the "Burning
Fluid" lamp, which was a fluid, judging
by its odor, the principal ingredient of which
was turpentine; burned in a lamp with two
wicks from the fluid contents up through
tubes equipped with small cap extinguishers
to prevent loss by evaporation. This was
followed by the kerosene oil lamp.
June I9, 1872, "The Lansing Gas Light
Co." was organized and began to furnish
light for individuals and the city, lighting
the streets, in January, 1873, and soon had,
under contract with the city, about a hundred street lights placed and furnishing
light to the theretofore dark streets; the city
having, previously, provided no street lights
except a few oil lamps on Washington Avenue south of Allegan Street.
In I884 a company was organized under
the title of "The Lansing Electric Light and
Power Company." This company had done




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


75


considerable in the line of wiring and furnishing light for streets, hotels and public
halls, with the arc light, the incandescent
light not having been invented at that time,
and had installed 50 arc lights for lighting
the streets, when the company made a proposition to the Lansing Gas Light Company
to sell to it, which proposition was accepted
at a stockholders' meeting held May 22,
i885. The Gas Light Company continued
the wiring and furnishing light until December I, 1892, when it sold the plant, not in

I903 were about $I8,ooo more than the expenses during that year; but much of it had
to be paid for improvements. The bonded
debt is $60,000 and $20,000 is owing to the
water works fund.
CITY HALL.
Prior to I896, the common council, city
offices and jail had occupied rented rooms.
In I893 the city commenced to carry into
effect the project that had been talked for a
long time, of securing a location and build

CITY HALL.


eluding real estate, to the city for $45,000.
Since that date the city has owned and operated the plant furnishing light for itself and
citizens and made a good profit over and
above all expenses, interest on debt, etc.
The power is furnished by its own power
plant in a building adjoining and connected
with the water works plant. At the time of
the purchase there were 134 using the light;
now there are 1,200, not including I68 arc
lights for street lighting. The receipts for


ing a city hall that should furnish quarters
for the council, offices and jail and, in the
fall of that year purchased lots 4 and 5 of
block Ioi, for the sum of $I5,000 and in
June of I894, purchased lot 3, block IOI for
$6,ooo, making $21,000 for the site. Prior
to the burning of the old capitol building,
heretofore mentioned, the city could have
purchased all of the block on which it stood
(block II5), except the two north lots for
$I5,ooo, but declined to do so. In I895 and




76


PAST AND PRESENT


I896, the present city hall was erected upon
the above site. It was planned and built
much   larger than  was or is required
by the necessities of the city; for it not
only contains a court room for the circuit
court, judges' office and jury room, required
to be supplied by the city by the act of the
Legislature providing for the holding in Lansing each year two of the four terms of the


CARNEGIE LIBRARY.
Andrew Carnegie was born in 1837 in
Dumfermline, Fifeshire, Scotland. He came
to the United States in 1848, held the positions of weaver's assistant, telegraph messenger boy, telegraph operator in the service
of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, and
advanced by successive promotions to that of


TIlE CARNEGIE LIBRARY.


circuit court, but it provided offices for all
of the county officers, in the hope that the
county seat might, in the near future, be removed to Lansing, which hope has been dispelled by the erection of the new court house
at Mason.
The contract for building the city hall was
awarded to C. M. Chittenden for the sum of
$Io8,069. I, but its actual cost was $134,838.13.


superintendent of the Pittsburg division of
that railroad system and became interested
in several enterprises and in Pennsylvania
oil lands. During the Civil War he rendered
valuable services to the government as superintendent of military railroads and government lines. After the war he entered actively into the development of iron works of
various kinds and in I868 he introduced into
this country the Bessemer process of making




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


77


steel. As a result of his enterprises he became a multi-millionaire and a philanthropist.
In I9OI, when he retired from business, it
was estimated that his benefactions exceeded
$40,000,000, and, declaring that he did not
wish to die a rich man, he has been giving
large sums, principally in the endowment of
libraries; and a large number of these in the
United States, Canada and England owe
their existence to him.
The Lansing Public School Library was
authorized by amendment of the city charter
in I86I. Until 1883 the annual tax for its
support did not exceed $Ioo. In 1882 the
Young Men's Lecture Association donated
its money, about $, 500, to the public library
and in the same year the Ladies' Library
Association of the city donated their books,
2,000 volumes, to the school library, which
swelled the number to about 3.000 and the
number has increased rapidly until it now
has 14,000 volumes. It was housed in the
high school building until 1897, when it was
removed to rooms on the first floor of the
city hall, but the rapid growth of its patronage soon made larger quarters imperative
and it was removed to rooms on the same
floor in the southwest corner, where it still
remains, but will be removed to the new
library building very soon, the time for
removal having been set for the fore part of
February, I905.
In I901, the library contained about 6,ooo
volumes and it became evident that it would
be but a few years before a school library
building would be a necessity and it was
thought advisable that an application should
be made to Mr. Carnegie to donate a sum
sufficient to erect such a building and, November 21, I9o0, Mrs. Mary C. Spencer.
State Librarian, wrote to him, setting forth
the condition of the school library, the population of the city and its rapid growth, the
liberal patronage the State library, its circu

lating library, and the school library was receiving and the necessity of greater library
privileges, and respectfully requested him to
consider it all and decide if, in his great
liberality, he could not include Lansing as
one of his very numerous beneficiaries. Her
candid and ladylike appeal received Mr.
Carnegie's immediate attention, on his return from abroad, and in January, 1902, she
received his reply, saying he would give the
sum of $35,ooo  for a library building in
Lansing, on condition that the city would
prom1ise to appropriate and spend ten per
cent of that sum, $3,500, each year for its
maintenance.  Mrs. Spencer did not stop
there, but continued to work to have the
proposition accepted, for, strange as it may
seem, there was strenuous opposition to it;
but on February 22, 1902, it was submitted
to a vote of the tax-payers of the city and
carried by a vote of nearly four to one.
Then came the question of a site, which
was a difficult one, for there was opposition
to every one proposed. It was discussed for
some time in the common council where,
at one time, it was voted to locate it upon
lots donated for it by Dr. Ranney on
the east side of the river, on the south
side of Michigan avenue near Cedar street.
That stirred up great commotion in all other
parts of the city and it was ascertained that
it was not at all in the province of the council
but that of the Board of Education, at which
the council heaved thirteen sighs of relief.
The Board of Education, by resolution
passed October 13, I902, accepted Mr.
Carnegie's offer and located it on the south
side of the high school block, whereat many
who favored the acceptance of Mr. Carnegie's gift heartily wished they had not; and
it is difficult to find many who do not say "it
is too bad to spoil the beauty of that block
by placing upon it any building other than
the high school building." It is a good lo



78


PAST AND PRESENT


cation only for the convenience of the high
school students, but there were others, very
convenient, that could have been obtained at
comparatively small expense. But it is there
and there it must stay, and, in the language
of the street, "there is no use of kicking," but
instead, enjoy its great benefits to the fullest
extent, be thankful that the city will not
have to build one, and feel grateful to the
giver, Mr. Carnegie. It is in the middle of
the block fronting on Shiawassee street. The
corner-stone was laid, with appropriate ceremonies, November 7, I903, and the building
was completed and accepted by the board of
education on the 9th day of November, I904.
Its cost was covered by the $35,000, except
for a part of the furniture for which the
board voted to expend not to exceed $523,
from the library fund.
The building is 100X74 feet and is of red
pressed brick with trimmings of Amherst
grey stone and is furnished in red oak.
For a fuller description we will, by permission, append a part of a report made by Miss
Gertrude Humphrey, School Librarian:
There are two stories besides the basement, containing various work rooms, boiler
rooms, a class room, public toilet rooms and
space for a stock of 20,000 volumes capacity
on the first floor, which can be increased to
60,000. The main entrance is reached by a
flight of stone steps 28 feet wide. The vestibule opens into the main hall, I7X29 feet.
This leads directly into a delivery room 2ox
30 feet. At the left of the delivery room is
the general reading room, 30x32 feet, and
back of this a reference room, I6X2I feet.
At the rear of the delivery room is the stack,
I8 feet high. At the right hand rear end of
the library are the librarian's and cataloging
rooms and in front of these opposite the general reading room is the children's room,
30x32 feet. The ceilings are 12 feet high.
There is an entrance on the east side, for the


benefit of the high school pupils. A staircase at the front of the building leads to the
second story, which contains on the left side
an auditorium with a capacity of seating I5o
people, a corridor with space for art exhibits,
on the left side a club room, with study,
cloak and toilet rooms adjoining.
SCHOOLS.
In the spring of 1847, on the day that the
stakes for the capitol were driven, John P.
Powell, with his wife and daughter, Eliza,


MRS. J. N. BUSH, NEE MISS ELIZA POWELL,
LANSING'S FIRS'T SCHOOL TEACHER.
came into the woods at North Lansing and
stayed that night at the home of Zalmon
Holmes (grandfather of C. E. Holmes), a
slab shanty of one room with one bed. A
few others, thirty in all, slept there that
night, one of whom was Isaac Townsend,
who had located large tracts of land here
and for whom Townsend street is named.
Mr. Powell, wife and daughter, were given




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


79,


the bed and the others slept on the floor.
Miss Eliza engaged with Joab Page, school
director of district No. 2, to teach the district
school for two dollars per week and board
herself. Mr. Page had a shed roof board
shanty hastily constructed on the lot where
the first ward school building now stands.
It had a door with leather straps for hinges


Lansing and Miss Powell, now Mrs. John
N. Bush, has the honorable distinction of
being the pioneer teacher in Lansing. She
has been a resident of Lansing from that
day to this. She is a woman of intelligence,
with all of her faculties, mental and physical,
well preserved and would, doubtless, resent
being styled an old lady-and she is not.


NEW TOWNSEND ST. SCHOOL.


and one window, without glass, made by cutting a piece out of one of the boards and
hanging the piece from the upper board with
leather hinges so that it was opened by raising the board and closed by letting it down.
In May, I847, Miss Powell commenced
her school with ten scholars; but settlers
came in so plentifully that, at the end of
her three months' term, she had forty scholars. That was the first school taught in


The next school was a private school
taught by Mrs. Laura A. Burr, lately deceased.  Her reminiscence, published in
I893, in a letter by the late Hon. C. B. Stebbins to the State Republican, is interesting
reading and we insert it here in full.
"I came to Lansing (then called Michigan) in August, 1847. The school section
had been platted only a few weeks before
and the lots appraised. River street was the




80


PAST AND PRESENT


only open street from upper town to the
capitol grounds and on this street my husband and I purchased a lot. It was situated
on the bank of Grand river and covered with
a fine growth of maple trees. We built for
ourselves a pretty little house of clean, frag

I could find, I explored the woods in the
capacity of a botanist and artist. Early in
September I was called upon by some of their
parents, with the request that I should open
a school. Accordingly, after having made
several long benches, under the canopy of


CENTRAL BUILDING AND THREE WARD SCHOOLS.


rant pine boards while the work of building
our permanent home was under way.
"The forest extended all around us, but
as the underbrush had been cleared away, it
afforded delightful rambles, and availing
myself of the company of whatever children


the trees our school was begun. There were
nine pupils on opening day, the Gouchers,
Hunts and the Dearing children. The season was fine, and the weather warm until
late in October. Occasionally we were
obliged to go into our little board house,




INGHA1M COUNTY, MICHIGAN.        81


C:
C
0
41cr?
oc ~
C=
c-1
rJ)c
z




82


PAST AND PRESENT


where we were very closely packed. Before
Christmas day, however, we were nicely settled in a commodious apartment in our new
house.
"On Christmas day my school numbered
eighty pupils. Miss Delia Ward, now Mrs.
Mortimer Cowles, was my assistant, and my
husband coming in at 4 o'clock p. m. to teach
the pupils music and to close the school. Our
pupils were of all ages. I taught A, B, C's
and algebra, English, Latin and French.
The River.Grove School was our name. The
tuition was $3 per quarter of twelve weeksall grades the same.
"In January, I849, my school was brought
to a close by the appearance of the epidemic
to which our physician gave the name of
brain fever. Its visitation was so sudden
and its attacks so fatal that we became a
terror-stricken community. The legislature,
which had just convened, disbanded. Several
of my pupils were among the first victims.
My husband, Dr. H. S. Burr, after a few
weeks of unparalleled effort as a physician to
cope with the disease, was himself stricken
down with it and died on April 15, 1849;
and River Grove School, which, in the confidence of my young years, I had believed to
be enduring, and in time might vie with the
Troy and other institutions of learning, had
only this ephemeral existence."
Besides Mrs. Burr's school, in the summer
of 1848 William Sprague had a school for a
few months, with thirty or forty pupils, in a
log house, a few rods east of Washington
avenue, on Main street. The school was
supported in part by subscription and partly
by tuition.
Later in 1847, Miss Powell's shanty school
house was removed and a respectable frame
school house was built in its place, fronting
on Wall street, and painted white. Elihu
Elwood was the first teacher in that school
house, followed by George and Mary Lath

rop, the writer being one of their pupils. In
I85I this building was removed and a twostory brick was erected, fronting west.
Many competent men and women taught
there, but he who will longest be remembered
was Prof. Taylor. It had two school rooms
below and a large school room and two recitation rooms above. It was then called the
Union School. It was succeeded by the present commodious building. In March, 1848,
school district No. 4 was organized on the
west side of the river and included all of
section I6 and, May 20th, lot 6, block II7,
on the corner of Townsend and Washtenaw
streets was selected for a site for a school
house and in 1849 a frame building, painted
white, was erected. The first teacher was
Ephraim Longyear and the last Rollin C.
Dart. In I856 the building was sold to the
United Brethren for a church and moved to
the corner of Capitol avenue and Kalamazoo
street, and is still there, but as a dwelling.
Two lots adjoining on the north were added
and a brick building was erected. It was
afterwards enlarged and was occupied as
the Townsend street school until I904. Previously, it had been condemned' as unsafe,
closed, repaired, and used again, until it was
considered so unsafe that some of the parents
refused to let their children attend school
there, and the board of education decided to
submit to the taxpayers a proposition for the
erection of a new building and at a school
meeting held on the night of April 28, I904,
it was voted to raise $16,ooo by taxation for
such a building. Some of those present advocated selling the lots of the old site, they
having become valuable, and choosing some
other, several of which were mentioned, but
it was voted to place the new building on the
old site. The old building was taken down
in May, 1904, the lots regraded and the erection of the present building was commenced
in August, I904, and is not yet completed.




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


83


District No. 3 was organized in the spring
of 1851 and embraced all of section I6 that
lies south of Michigan avenue and on the
east side of the river and other sections adjacent; and schools were kept first in a rented
dwelling on the east side of Cedar street a
little south of Main street, and afterwards
in a frame school house farther south on the
same side of the street, until the erection of
the brick building, the sixth ward school.
In I86I the entire city was, by the legislature, made one district, with a board of
education with two members from    each
ward. This board is non-political, one member in each ward having always been a republican and one a democrat, selected in
school caucuses, the one selected being placed
on his party ticket to be voted at the city
elections and a blank left on the opposition
ticket. In I868 the schools were graded by
the board and provisions made for a superintendent and for a high school department,
and a two-story frame, four-room building
for a high school, temporarily, was erected
on thesoutheast corner of block 8I, it having
been platted as a State block and reserved
from sale and the State, by an act of the
legislature in I86I, having virtually donated
it to the city for school purposes, by leasing
it for ninety-nine years for the sum of one
dollar per annum. In I872, an addition of
two rooms was made to the building, at an
expense of about $I.ooo. The original cost
was about $3,000 and in I874 it was sold
for $1,025 and moved away, made over into
a dwelling and now stands on the south side
of Shiawassee street, ten rods west of Washington avenue.
In that year the taxpayers voted to bond
the city for $50,000 with which to build a
high school building.  The building was
completed in 1875 and is the present high
school building, on block 8I, now called the
Central School. It is said to have cost a


great deal more than $50,000. The last $5,ooo of bonds will come due April I, I905,
and will be paid.
Other school buildings have, from time to
time, been erected and besides the Central,
the first ward, now known as the Cedar
street, and the Townsend street schools,
there are the Bingham street, Cherry street,
East Park, Kalamazoo street, Larch street,
Logan street, Michigan avenue, Pine street,
South street and Walnut street; all good
brick buildings, and yet the school accommodations are claimed by the board of education to be inadequate and more buildings
will be required in the near future and will,
doubtless, be voted by the taxpayers who are
very liberal when asked to furnish money
for schools.
The Roman Catholic church, in 1903,
erected a fine large brick school building on
Walnut street, between Ionia and Ottawa
streets at a cost of $24,000.
CHURCHES.
The first church in Lansing was on the
north side of Wall street, between Center
and Cedar streets. It was a barn, built by
James Seymour and in I848 purchased and
fixed over into a church by the Methodist
and Presbyterian societies, and on Sundays
one of them would hold services in it forenoons and the other, afternoons.  It was
sometimes profanely called "God's barn,"
but it was fully appreciated and services in
it were well attended, not only by members
of both of the church denominations, but
also by the citizens generally, who were comparatively more of a church-going people
than are they of today. It also has many
sacred memories for those whose friends
were buried from it. It was not usual in
those days to hold funeral services in the
homes.
In I852 the Presbyterians erected the first




84


PAST AND PRESENT


pretentious church, on lots one and two in
block 82, on the southwest corner of Washington avenue and Genesee street. It was
a frame building with a tall spire and was
the pride, not only of Presbyterians, but of


was the church of the first society until the
new church was completed in I889 on the
southwest corner of Capitol avenue and Allegan street It was dedicated June 9, i889.
The old building and lots were sold to McPherson Bros. of Howell, remained vacant
for a long time and finally used for manufacturing purposes and was burned, in the
forenoon of January 9, 1904. It had become
quite dilapidated, and no doubt many were
glad to see it go, but not so with its old
friends, many of whom still survive.
The Franklin avenue church was erected
in i865. After the withdrawal of the Franklin street society from the first, it held services in the old church on Wall street until
their church was completed.


OLD FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHUITvCIH,
CORNER OF WASHINGTON AVE.
AND GENESEE ST.
the people generally. The first church bell
for Lansing was placed in its belfry in I856.
It cost $450 and was the result of the efforts
of the Presbyterian ladies. It rang cheerily
for church services; riotously for fires and
tolled drearily for deaths and funerals.


OL) CENTRAL M. E. CHURCH, CORNER WASHINGTON AVE. AND
OTTAWA ST.
The First M. E. society occupied the
church on Wall street until I868, when a
very respectable frame church was erected
on the southeast corner of Franklin avenue
and Cedar street which was occupied until
June, I904, when it was taken down for the
purpose of erecting a new church, the present fine structure, upon the site. This new
church has just been completed and was
dedicated January 29, 1905.
The early members of this church society
are entitled to the distinction of having the
first sermon in Lansing, preached by a min

OLD TOWNSEND ST. SCHOOL, USED
YEARS AGO FOR CHURCH
SERVICES.
This church was occupied by all of the
Presbyterians until 1863 when the Franklin
street church society was organized. Then it




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


85


ister of its denomination, Rev. Lewis Coburn, in Joab Page's log cabin in I845. The
M. E. church denomination was also the first
to organize a church society in Lansing;
for in I846, Joab Page, Abigal Page, Orcella Pears and Eliza Lester formed themselves into a M. E. church society.
In I863 the first Universalist church society erected a brick church on the southeast corner of Grand and Allegan streets,
which it occupied for their services, until
they moved into their more pretentious edifice on the northeast corner of Capitol avenue and Ottawa street in 1897. The old


The Plymouth Congregational church, on
the southeast corner of Allegan and Townsend street, was erected in I876 and enlarged
in I89I.


OLD FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, CORNER OF CAPITOL AVE. AND
IONIA ST.
The Baptist church, which is perhaps the
largest in the city, though that honor may
be contested by the Methodists, was built on
the southwest corner of Capitol avenue and
Ionia street in 1892.
Pilgrim Congregational church society
have a fine church on south Pennsylvania


OI) UNIVERSA LIST CHURCH, CORNER OF GRAND AND ALLEGAN STS.
building and lot were sold, used as a manufactory for some time and taken down in
1904, as before stated under the head of
"Fire Department."
In I859, the Roman Catholics built a large
brick church, St. Mary's, on the northwest
corner of Madison and Chestnut streets. It
contained the only chime of bells Lansing
has had.
In I863 the Central Methodist Episcopal
church society completed their brick building
on the northwest corner of Washington avenue and Ottawa street and occupied it until
they moved in the year I890, into their new,
fine, large stone edifice on the northwest corner of Capitol avenue and Ottawa street.


OLD FIFTH WARD SCHOOL, FIRST
HOME OF PILGRIM CHURCH.


avenue. They erected one on the site, of
which they had good reason to be proud, but
it was burned on the day it was to be dedi



86


PAST AND PRESENT


cated. Farewell services were held in their
old church June 8, I899, and the next day,
June 9, it was burned to ground. Immediately preparations were begun for the erection of another and its corner-stone was laid
May 2, I899, and it was dedicated January
28, I900.
There are many other churches in Lansing, but time and space allow mention of
only the fine structures above noted.
For many years Lansing did not have
any very imposing church edifices as compared with other places of like population;
but now she has no cause for shame in that
regard, for she will compare favorably with
cities of even greater population and age.
CEMETERIES.
The first "graveyard" was at North Lansing, north of Franklin avenue and east of
Turner street, on block 6. Many of the remains were not removed and some of them
have recently been exhumed by workmen in
excavating for cellars.
In 1857 James and Horatio Seymour
deeded to the Township of Lansing twenty
acres of land, for a cemetery, on the southeast corner of East and Saginaw streets. It
was a square tract, as shown on the early
maps, extending on East street about twothirds the distance from Saginaw street to
Shiawassee street, and on Saginaw street to
about two-thirds the distance from  East
street to Pennsylvania avenue. It was in
use until the establishment of Mount Hope
cemetery, in 1873, when the removal of the
remains was commenced and no more burials
there were permitted.  Several years were
required for making the removals from
graves that could be identified, and, no doubt,
very many still remain in unknown graves.
When all had been done in the way of removals that could be done, it was determined to make a park of the tract and it is


now the "East Side Park." Not much has
been done towards beautifying it, but it has
the making of a beautiful park.
When it was decided that the city must
have a new cemetery it was found to be a
difficult matter to find a suitable site, and
more difficult, in fact, impossible, to suit all
of the people in a selection from several that
were offered and considered; but the location
must be made and what was known as the
John G. Miller farm, of eighty acres, was
purchased and deeded to the city May 6,
1873, for the sum of $8,000. It was not
a prepossessing piece of land in appearance,
and did not look like a proper place for a
cemetery, and the common council were
roundly abused for purchasing "that sand
hill."  Few, if any, had any idea that it
would or could ever become the beautiful
place that Mount Hope is, and now no one
can doubt the good sense of the council in
making the selection. It was outside of the
city, and in the township of Lansing, but
the city charter was amended so as to extend the city limits around it though it made
an eighty acre niche into the township.
It is managed by a board of cemetery trustees, in the selection of whom the city seems
to have been very fortunate.  They have,
economically and judiciously, expended the
city funds in beautifying it, and have made
it a great pride of the people.
POSTOFFICE.
The first postoffice was, in 1847, in the
store of Bush & Thomas on the east side of
Cedar street, a few rods south of Main street,
and Geo. W. Peck was postmaster, appointed
by President Polk. Later in the same year
it was moved into the Carter Block, which
stood on the northeast corner of Washington
avenue and Washtenaw street. Its location
was changed from time to time, to rented
rooms, always small quarters, until October,




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


87


1879, when it was moved to and occupied
the entire first floor of what is now known
as the Dodge building, on the northeast corner of Washington avenue and Ottawa
street, and fitted up into what was then considered a very respectable and commodious
postoffice, with 1,650 boxes.  For rent of
this room the government paid $I,ooo per
annum. This did very well until I890, when
it was thought Lansing was large enough
and the business of the office had increased
to such an extent that the city was entitled


i890. The government furnished plans and
specifications for a one-story building, and
the construction was commenced and continued until the walls had reached the height
provided for, when it was found that the
building would appear unsightly and
"squatty," and it was so represented to the
authorities at Washington, who stopped the
work, that the citizens might make an attempt to have the plans changed and provision made for a second story. Schuyler S.
Olds, of Lansing, was in Washington, pri

~,


--.,
--
- ---r

---— c
-55L — - — C-C —
- — cS --- —--— I

THE POST OFFICE BUILDING.


to have a Government building, and in that
year, Congress was induced to make an appropriation of $Ioo,ooo for a site and building; the act was approved by the President,
March 19, I890. The present site was selected as the most appropriate one, and the
government endeavored to purchase it, but
the owner, a non-resident, set such an exorbitant price upon it that condemnation proceedings were resorted to, and resulted in a
deed to the United States of America for
the sum of $17,666.66, dated October, 29,


vate secretary to U. S. Senator Stockbridge,
and it was largely through his influence that
by an act approved by the President on the
5th day of August, 1892, another appropriation of $25,000 was obtained, the plans
changed, and the present two-story building
was erected. It was first occupied on the
first day of April, 1894, by Postmaster L.
E. Rowley. Seymour Foster is the present
postmaster. The population of the city and
the business of the office have so increased
that the accommodations have already be



88


PAST AND PRESENT


come inadequate and the building will soon
have to be enlarged. To show the increase
of the business in the office, during the last
twenty years, we have obtained statements
of the gross receipts for the fiscal years ending June 30, 1884, and June 30, 1904, as
follows:
For I884 the receipts were $25,883.61.
For 1904 they were $75.570.18.
THEATERS.
Lansing had no hall fitted for dramatic
performances until 1862, when "Capital
Hall" was opened over the two stores at o09
and I I I South Washington avenue. The
building was erected and the hall provided
by Judge Chapman, who realized the necessity for such a place, and it was highly appreciated by the people. It was supplanted
by "Mead's Hall," over the two middle
stores in the "Mead Block" erected in I865
by James I. Mead, on the southeast corner
of Washington avenue and Ottawa street.
It was fitted up with scenery and chairs, and
was an improvement on the other. Both of
these halls were the scenes of many enjoyable  events-plays, lectures, fairs, and
dances to which men and women who survive-many have crossed the dark riverlook back with a great deal of pleasure and
of which they love to tell. Possibly, some
young men and women owe their existence
to one or the other of these halls, where
their parents met for the first time. One
young man, now a grandpa, the writer remembers to have exclaimed, "By jove, isn't
she pretty?" when he first beheld his present
wife in Mead's Hall. Well, she was and has
not entirely outgrown it.
But halls, like dogs, have their days, and
the sun of Mead's Hall's day set February
29, I872; for the opera house, now known
as Baird's, was opened on the Ist day of
March of that year, on the southwest cor

ner of Washington avenue and Ionia street.
It was built by D. W. Buck, F. M. Cowles
and W. S. Elliott, and was thought to be
a very pretty opera house, and it has been
much improved by remodeling and refurnishing, and is as pleasant and inviting as
is found outside of large cities.
MANUFACTORIES.
As it is not the writer's province to write
for advertising purposes, he will not attempt
to write up each of the numerous factories
in Lansing, but, instead, will give enough
to show the marvelous growth in that line
from the past to the present.
Outside of the saw-mill of James Seymour and the "grist-mill" of Hart, Danforth
& Smith, which were not called or thought
of as manufactories, there were, in 1848,
at "lower town," two potteries: one on the
east side of Center street, about twenty rods
north of Adams street, owned by a Mr.
Lowell, and the other on the west side of
Cedar street, a few rods south of Adams
street, owned by a Mr. Norris, where the
writer saw the clay assume wonderful shapes
in the hands of the potter on his wheel run
by pedal. There was also James Turner's
foundry, where plow points and small castings were manufactured, and where the
writer, in big-eyed wonder, first saw molten
iron run from the stack into vessels and
from them into the moulds. It was on the
west side of Race street, several rods south
of Franklin  avenue, and, about I850,
James Beal had a brick yard on the
east side of Larch street, about thirty rods
north of Sheridan street. In the early fifties there was a carding mill on Race street,
just south of the foundry, where farmers
brought their wool to be carded and prepared for the spinning wheel; which had
before been done by their wives with two
hand cards. So, it seems, most of the manu



INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


89


facturing was done by water power at North
Lansing; though Mr. Quckenbush had a
steam saw-mill on the west side of Cedar
street off Kalamazoo street, about where the
oil tanks now are, and in the early fifties,
Fred Alton had a cooper shop, where he
made pork barrels, on the west bank of
Grand river on the south side of Kalamazoo
street, where the greenhouse now is.
For many years, the business men of Lansing have desired to make it a manufacturing city, and have devoted their energies and
much money to that end, and now feel that
they have succeeded.
The Detroit Free Press of October I9,
1904, contained the following:
REMARKABLE GROWTH.
LANSING SHOWS IT IN ITS MANUFACTURING INTERESTS.
Lansing, Mich., October I8.-In the canvass made by the State and Federal census
authorities the city of Lansing makes the
best showing of any city in the State so
far as the growth of its manufacturing industries is concerned. In g900 there were
seventy-four manufacturing enterprises in
the city; this year the number is ninetyeight. Although there is an increase of only
32 per cent in the number of institutions,
the capital, output, wages, men employed,
etc., has increased over Ioo per cent in four
years. The totals are as follows:


"RECORD BREAKING LANSING.
"That Lansing has surpassed every other
city in the State in its industrial growth during the past four years is indicated by the
figures of the census bureau relative to its
factory statistics in 900o and 1904. While
the number of factories has increased a third,
the amount of capital invested is I9I per
cent greater, the number of men employed
has more than doubled, as has also the
amount of wages paid. The value of products is 134 per cent greater, being now
$6,887,415 annually as compared with $2,942,306 only four years ago.
"Even these figures do not give an adequate idea of Lansing's prosperity and progress, for since they were gathered the big
Olds automobile concern, the new Reo Car
Co. with a capital of $I,ooo,ooo, has been
formed, and a number of other new institutions have been added to the city's list, while
others have increased their capital. It will
not be many weeks before the Reo Car Co.
will begin business with a force of employes
that will add hundreds to the city's growing population. Other factories also want
more men, and on every hand may be seen
evidences that the city's phenomenal growth
during the past four years has by no means
ceased.
"There may be more prosperous cities than
Lansing, but every one of its citizens is like
a man from Missouri in the matter, and
'you've got to show him.'"
Lansing has reason for the pride she feels
because of her success in this line and for
her gratitude to the "Business Men's Association," the active members of which are
entitled to great credit for the energy and
business capacity they have devoted and are
continuously devoting to the interests of the
city towards securing new factories.
The following are the manufactories in


1904.
Capital...............................999.018
Capital.$,999018
Salaried officials, clerks, etc., number       340
Salaries...........$352,360
Average number of wage workers....            2.982
Total wages.......................,28.
Miscelraneous expenses..............       613,661
Cost of materials used............... 3,473.287
Value of products..................... 6,887,415


1900.
$2,05.,113
163
$135,175
1,399
170.588
1.642,121
2.942,306


And the State Republican, of the same
date, contained the following:




90


PAST AND PRESENT


Lansing, at the present time-there may be
others before this is published.
E. Bement's Sons-One of the largest
manufacturers of agricultural implements
and stoves in the U. S., and the largest
manufacturers of bob-sleighs in the world.
Olds Motor Works-The largest manufacturers of automobiles in the world.
Olds Gasoline Engine Works-The largest exclusive gasoline engine factory in the
world.
Lansing Wheelbarrow Co.-The second
largest wheelbarrow and truck factory in the
world.
Hugh Lyons & Co.-The largest manufacturers of store fixtures, show cases and
wax figures in the world.
A. Clark & Co.-Lansing's pioneer carriage manufacturers. One of the largest in
Michigan.
Lansing Wagon Works-Extensive manufacturers of high grade wagons and buggies.
Omega Separator Co.-A large, prosperous company, manufacturing cream separators and creameries.
Brown Lumber Co.-Having an extensive lumber yard and operating a large planing mill.
Hall Lumber Co.-Extensive dealers in
lumber, shingles, etc., with yards at Lansing and North Lansing.
American Cut Glass Co.-The largest
manufacturers of cut glass in Michigan.
Hammell Cracker Co.-Manufacturers of
H. C. crackers and sweet goods. A new
one.
Michigan Knitting Co.-A large and well
equipped factory making a complete line of
knit goods.
J. C. Schneider Carriage Co.-Manufacturers of special carriages and trucks.
Keokuk Canning Co.-A new company
just located in Lansing which adds one more
factory to our diversified list.


Hazelton Furnace Co.-Manufacturing a
splendid line of hot air furnaces.
Murry &    Murry.-Manufacturing the
celebrated Alexander Furnace.
Lansing Foundry Co.-An extensive
job foundry, doing a large business for some
of the best firms in the United States.
Genesee Fruit Co.-The largest manufacturers of cider and cider vinegar in Michigan;
A. Simon Brass Foundry.-Doing an extensive brass foundry business.
Clarkmobile  Co. - Manufacturers   of
Clarkmobiles and gas engines. A new one.
Bates Mobile Co.-Manufacturers of high
grade touring cars. Old firm; new line.
Capital Casting Co.-Who do an extensive job foundry business. Their specialty
is a greatly improved plow point.
Clippert, Spaulding & Co.-Who have
made 25,000,000 brick in the past three years
which have been consumed in Lansing.
Iama Hamper Co.-Manufacturers of
clothes hampers and ventilated barrels.
Jarvis Engine & Machine Co.-Operating
a large and well equipped machine shop,
making a specialty of the Jarvis Low Water
Alarm Columns.
Lawrence & Van Buren-Job printers;
doing an extensive business throughout
Michigan and other states.
Ressler Novelty. Co.-Manufacturers of
kitchen novelties.
Olds Peat Co.-Manufacturers and jobbers of peat.
Capital Chemical Co.-Manufacturers of
boiler compound.
W. S. Olds Engine Co.-Manufacturers
of air-cooled gas engines.
Stone and Buck Fence Post Co.-Manufacturers of cement fence posts.
R.   E.   Brackett - Manufacturer  of
Brackett's Celebrated Razor Hones.




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN


91


Lansing Rug Co.-Manufacturers of
rugs.
Gilkey Tent and Awning Co.-Manufacturers of tens and awnings.
Hammond Publishing Co.-Manufacturers of school books.  Supply trade in 26
states.
Sleight Bros.-Manufacturers of the
Sleight Combined Beet Puller and Topper.
Lansing Artificial Stone Co.-Manufacturers of cement blocks and cement brick.
F. Thoman & Bro., C. Breisch & Co.,
Madison Milling Co.-Grinding out large
quantities of the staff of life.
Maud S Wind Mill & Pump Co.-The
largest manufacturers of wind mills, pumps,
tanks, tank heaters and silos in Michigan.
Bates & Edmonds Motor Co.-One of the
largest and most reliable gas engine manufacturers in the United States.
Michigan  Condensed   Milk  Co.-The
largest condensed milk factory in Michigan;
paying out each year over $275,000.00 to the
farmers in this section.
Lansing Veneered Door Co.-The largest
exclusive manufacturers of veneered doors
in Michigan.
W. K. Prudden & Co.-The largest manufacturers of automobile wheels in the United
States.
Hildreth Motor &   Pump Co.-Large
manufacturers of gas engines and pumps.
Autobody Co.-Manufacturers of high
grade automobile bodies.
Lansing Spoke Co.-Manufacturers of
wagon spokes, bent rims, and all kinds of
hardwood lumber.
Lansing Column Co.-Large manufacturers of colonial porch columns, a new industry
strictly up-to-date.
Peerless Motor Co.-Manufacturers of
high grade gas engines. A new industry.
Beilfus Motor Co.-A prosperous and


growing company, manufacturing gas engines. A new industry.
Lansing Brewing Co.-Who brew       the
best beer in Michigan.
Jas. Rork & Bro.-Extensive manufacturers of wind mills, pumps, tanks and stock
racks.
Lansing Motor & Pump Co.-Manufacturers of gas engines and pumps. A new
one.
Severance Tank Works.-One of the
largest manufacturers of silos and tanks in
the United States.
Rikerd Lumber Co.-Owning and operating one of the largest and best equipped
mills in the State for the manufacturing of
interior finish, also have two large lumber
yards in the city.
Kneeland Gas Engine Co.-Manufacturers of gas engines. A new one.
Lansing Confectionery Co., H. &    B.
Candy Co., Evans Candy Co.
Lansing Cold Storage Co.-Who have
just erected the most complete and substantial plant of its kind in the State.
National  Coil  Co.-Manufacturers of
spark coils for automobiles and gas engines.
Northrop, Robertson & Carrier.-Large
manufacturers and jobbers of drug and
grocery specialties.
Piatt Bros.-Do a large business in furnishing steam heat, electric power and lights.
Queen Bee Cigar Co.
Creole Cigar Co.
C. P. Lesher's Sons-Cigars.
Chas. Loomis-Cigars.
Thos. Paltridge-Cigars.
H. H. Freedman-Cigars.
F. C. Coopes-Cigars.
I. R. Van Fleet-Cigars.
Elite Cigar Co.-Cigars
Buehler & Hill-Cigars.
Capital City Cigar Co.-Cigars.
Otto Perry-Cigars.




92


PAST AND PRESENT


Sullivan & Co.-Bottlers of all kinds of
soft drinks.
Lansing Beet Sugar Co.-Manufacturers
of beet sugar, operating one of the largest
and finest factories in Michigan.
W. A. Depew-Extensive manufacturer
of cigar boxes.
Lansing Folding Seat & Table Co.Manufacturers of a patented folding park
seat and table. New firm and goods.
J. P. Moers Boiler Works-Manufacturers of boilers and stacks, and does a general
repair business.
Townsend Cutlery Co.-Manufacturers of
cutlery and specialties. The latest.
Robert Smith Printing Co.-State binders. Have the largest and most complete
printing, binding and electrotyping plant in
Michigan. Do an extensive catalogue and
edition book business.
Wynkoop, Hallenbeck, Crawford Co.State printers. Also do an extensive printing business for large firms in all parts of
the country.
Reo Car Company.
Walker Tool Co.
Lansing Cooperage Co.
Rice Manufacturing Co.-Asbestos, wood
and metal goods.
Lansing Journal Co.
Frank T. Collver-Shirt manufactory.
Western Tool Co.
Parmalee & Ryan-Flour mill.
William Barrett-Baked goods.
A. C. Bauer & Co.-Chemicals.
A. Simons' Iron Co.
Grand River Electrical Co.
Lansing Gas Light Co.
Hammond Publishing Co.
In response to solicitations, we have received the following which is included to
give credit to whom it is especially due, for
the establishment of so many manufactories
in Lansing:


Lansing, Mich., Dec. I6, 1904.
Mr. A. E. Cowles,
Lansing, Mich.
Dear Sir-In reply to your request regarding the present officers and directors of
the Lansing Business Men's Ass'n, I beg
to say they are as follows:
James J. Baird-President.
A. A. Piatt-Vice President.
J. Edward Roe-Treasurer.
Jas. B. Seager, Lawrence Price, C. E.
Bement, C. S. Smith, A. C. Bird, Chas. P.
Downey, Harry Woodworth, Jacob Stahl,
Chris. Breisch, Edgar S. Porter, Harris E.
Thomas, Chas. W. Foster and 0. A. Jenison, Secretary.
This board of directors, with a few exceptions, has been continuous since the organization of our association in January,
I90o. Perhaps no organization of this kind
ever accomplished so much in so short a
time. Through its efforts, directly or indirectly, as many as 50 industries have been
established in the City of Lansing.  Our
population has increased at the rate of over
I,ooo a year. About io of our large concerns have increased their capital stock. The
bank statements show an immense increase
percentage in deposits, and the healthy condition of all business interests in the city is
the talk of the entire State. Of course the
bulk of all work of this kind usually devolves
upon a few and I am perhaps safe in saying
that Mr. Harris E. Thomas, Mr. James J.
Baird, Mr. J. Edward Roe, Mr. Ed. S. Porter, Mr. Chas. P. Downey, Mr. A. A. Piatt,
and possibly the writer, have given as much
or more time than any one else connected
with our Association. In addition to this,
the Lansing Improvement Co., whose Secretary is Mr. H. H. Lamed, should not be
left out for their share of the wonderful
achievements. Also the Lansing Manufacturers' Club, with A. C. Bird as President




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


93


and Charles S. Smith as Secretary, have
done a good deal to keep matters in good
shape among the different manufacturing institutions. Harmony, as you know, being
of the greatest value possible.
If I have overlooked anything you are desirous of knowing, I will gladly give you
statements and facts upon your request.
Very respectfully,
0. A. JENISON.


Hillsdale county. The road had a very valuable grant of land made by the legislature
but subscriptions of stock was demanded and
in order to secure the road, many business
men subscribed and the city took $25,000
worth of the stock which, after holding it a
number of years it sold for $62.50. The
road connected with the Detroit and Milwaukee Railroad at Owosso, and gave outlets east via. Detroit and west via. Grand


UNION RAILROAD STATION-BEAUTIFUL BUILDING WHICH IS OCCUPIED
JOINTLY BY MICHIGAN CENTRAL AND PERE MARQUETTE.


THE FIRST RAILROAD.
Since Lansing has become a railroad center the present generation cannot quite
understand how the people, for many years,
longed for and strove to obtain railroad connection with the outside world, and with
what joy they welcomed the first prolonged
whistle of the locomotive as it neared North
Lansing, coming from  the north on the
"Ramshorn" railroad, as it was dubbed, because the line provided for in its charter was
so crooked. Its proper name was "The Amboy, Lansing and Traverse Bay Railroad!"
its southern terminus being at Amboy in


Rapids, Grand Haven and Lake Michigan,
but it was necessary to go north to Owosso
to get there from here.
The construction  was commenced    at
Owosso in I858 and the road reached Bath
the next year, where it stopped for a long
time and connection was made with it by
stage coach; then it came to the east side of
the big marsh, now known as "Chandler's
Marsh," and made another halt; then it
crossed the marsh and came half a mile this
side to the deep cut, as it was called, and
stopped again until the fall of 1862 when it
came to North Lansing. The first company




94


PAST AND PRESENT


that left here for the front in the Civil War,
Co. G, 3rd Regiment, Michigan Infantry,
met it in lumber wagons at Bath on the I3th
day of May, I86I.
Under a special land grant it was, in I863,
extended south to Michigan avenue.
The Lansing and Jackson R. R. Co. was
incorporated in I864, finished its road from


important of the several important roads
which make Lansing a railroad center.
RAILROAD PASSENGER STATIONS.
Lansing has four railroad passenger stations.  The Lake Shore and Michigan
Southern, the Michigan Central and Pere
Marquette, one at Lansing and one at North


GRAND TRUNK WESTERN DEPOT-HANDSOIME STRUCTURE WHICH WAS OPENED JANUARY 20, I903.


Jackson to Lansing in I866, purchased the
Amboy, Lansing and Traverse Bay road,
consolidated the two under the name of "The
Jackson, Lansing and Saginaw," extended
to Saginaw in I867 and to the Straits of
Mackinaw in I88I. In I871 the road was
leased by the Michigan Central R. R. Co.
for a term of ninety-nine years and has since
been operated by and under the name of that
company and has become one of the most


Lansing, and the Chicago and Grand Trunk,
but with the exception of the L. S. & M. S.,
they were all, until 1902, wooden buildings,
and of late years were considered out of
date, inadequate and a disgrace to the city
that had made such rapid strides in the line
of improvements, and the people clamored
for new ones until they obtained them-two
of them-even better ones than they had reason to expect. The Michigan Central and




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


95


Pere Marquette companies erected their
magnificent station in the years I901 and
1902 and opened it to the public on the 25th
day of June, I902.
The Chicago and Grand Trunk company
followed closely with one even better, and it
was opened for business January 20, 1903.
The Lake Shore and Michigan Southern
company erected their neat little brick station when the road was completed to Lansing in 1873. It will be remembered as the
first respectable railroad station erected in
Lansing.
STREET AND SUBURBAN RAILWAYS.
Several ordinances passed the common
council granting franchises for constructing
and operating street railways at different
times during a period of twenty years, but,
as no railway was constructed, the ordinances were repealed, from time to time, until January 25, i886, when a franchise was
granted to "The Lansing City Railway Company," to construct, maintain and operate a
street railway on Washington avenue from
the Grand Trunk railway north to Franklin
street, east on Franklin street to East street,
and on Michigan avenue from Washington
avenue to East street. The franchise was accepted by the Messrs. Clark, March i, I886,
and they proceeded to build Lansing's first
street railway, a horse car road, for which
ground was broken April 12, I886; one mile
of track having been completed on April 26,
i886, the council voted to return to the
Clarks the $500 they had been required to
deposit as a forfeit. Workmen had reached
Franklin street by May 8th. The road was
completed that year but we are unable to
learn the exact time. The rights and property of the company were purchased by
Messrs. H. L. Hollister and M. D. Skinner
in 1890, and they, after obtaining from the
city the right so to do, changed to an electric


railway, taking up the old track and laying
a new one of heavier iron. This change was
completed so that a trial trip was made oil
the 26th of August, I890, by a car load of
prominent electricians, newspaper men and
citizens, and in the Labor Day parade, September 2, I890, there was an electric car
with an old horse car, trailing, inside of
which was a mule with his head out of the
door and a placard on one side of the car,
"Electricity vs. Mules," and on the other
side, "No further use for me."  Hollister
and Skinner had floated bonds to the amount
of $I60,ooo, and secured payment by mortgage on the railway and equipments. A
large part of these bonds were purchased by
the Continental Trust Company of New
York, and default in payment having been
made, the trust company, on March I8,
1892, filed a bill in chancery to foreclose the
mortgage and soon, by compromise, became
owners of the railway, and in October, 1892,
organized and incorporated a new company,
"The Lansing City Electric Railway Company," with a capital of $Ioo,ooo. This
company operated the railway for about nine
years without making repairs of much account, and the cars and all of the equipment
became in a run-down and dilapidated condition and the people hailed with delight the
news of the sale and transfer, in October,
I901, to Messrs. Hawks & Angus of Detroit, hoping that now there would be an
improvement and the street railway would
become what it should be. But they were
doomed to disappointment, for it became
worse instead of better, and became a disgrace to the city, which had the reputation of
having the poorest street car service in the
country, and proceedings were commenced
by the city authorities to forfeit the charter,
which probably caused the company to sell
to the present company, which was consummated August 27, I903. The officers of the




96


PAST AND PRESENT


company are: President, Nelson Mills; Vice
President, Geo. L. Moore; Treasurer, Myron
W. Mills; and Secretary, James R. Elliott.
These men have the gratitude of the people
for the improvements they have made, giving Lansing, at last, a respectable street railway.
The city authorities had been deceived so
many times that they did not discontinue
forfeiture proceedings for a long time and
until they became satisfied that the provisions of the charter would be complied with.
The members of the company formed the
Michigan Suburban Railroad Co., and the
Lansing, St. Johns and St. Louis Railway
Company for the construction of suburban
lines with Lansing as one of the termini.
They built the road to St. Johns and ran
steam cars over it until it could be equipped
with electrical appliances and began operating it as an electric line in April, 1904. They
also constructed an electric line to Waverly
Park and opened it for traffic August I,
1904. They also repaired and put in good
condition the line to the Agricultural College, which had been extended there in 1894,
and the Washtenaw street line which was
built in I889. "The Lansing City Electric
Railway Company," and "The Lansing, St.
Johns and St. Louis Railway.Company,"
were consolidated April I, I904, under the
name of the "The Lansing and Suburban
Traction Company."
The Michigan Suburban Company was
organized to operate the road to St. Johns
by steam until it could be run by electricity
and the company ceased to exist when the
change was made.
Several other suburban lines from Lansing have been projected and companies have
been incorporated for constructing them and
undoubtedly in the near future one will be
built from Jackson and one from Battle


Creek to Lansing, and the College line will
be extended to Pine Lake.
STATE INSTITUTIONS.
The State institutions located at Lansing
show for themselves what they are, at the
present time, and it does not seem necessary
to take time and space to go into a particular
description of them, but it may be proper
and interesting to give something of their
early histories and of their growth.
THIE INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL.
The first of the State institutions to be
located here was the "House of Correction
for Juvenile Offenders." The beneficent purpose of it cannot be better told than by copying from the message of Governor Andrew
Parsons to the State legislature of I855, at
the expiration of his term of service, and also
from  the inaugural message of Governor
Kingsley So Bingham in the same year. Gov.
Parsons said:
"I believe it to be the duty of the legislature to establish a House of Correction for
juvenile offenders. There are many children of tender age, when they are easily
tempted and cannot estimate the enormity of
crime, who are induced to commit offenses
which send them to the county jails or State
prison, among hardened offenders, where
they are likely to learn more injury than
good. Many of these, if confined in a proper
place, trained to habits of industry, and properly taught the error of their ways and their
duties, while yet young, would come out prepared to shun temptation and to make good
and useful citizens. It is enjoined upon the
parent that he train up his children in the
way they should go. If the State assumes to
take charge of children away from  their
parents, or to take charge of orphan children,




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


97


it should not treat them as men of understanding and hardened in iniquity, but, as a
parent, train them up in the way they should
go, in the hope and trust that when they become old many of them will not depart from
it."
Governor Kingsley S. Bingham    said:
"The presence of several boys and youth
among the more hardened criminals in the
State prison, induces me to urge upon your
attention the propriety of establishing a


confinement, to become good citizens and
useful members of society, as they return to
its duties and privileges."
These messages seem to have had the desired effect upon the legislature, for an act,
approved February IO, I855, provided for a
"House of Correction for Juvenile Offenders," at or near Lansing, "Provided, a suitable piece of land of not less than twenty
acres shall be donated for that purpose."
Some of the citizens donated the land where


ADMINISTRATION BUILDING OF THE PRESENT  TIME AT INDUSTRIAL SCIOOL.


House of Refuge or Correction, where a
milder course of treatment, more especially
adapted to their reformation, can be employed.  The State has not discharged its
duty to these unfortunate victims of ignorance and temptation until it has made provision, by a proper system of discipline, for
their instruction in useful knowledge,
morals, and piety, taught them some mechanical trade or other proper employment,
and prepared them, upon their release from
7


the buildings stand-twenty-five acres-and
one hundred and ninety-five acres have been
added by purchase by the State. One building, in size about 6ox250 feet was first
erected and opened for the reception of inmates September 2, I856; divided into offices
and living rooms for the superintendent and
his family and his assistant and other subordinate officers and attendants, and dining
room, chapel and dormitories for the inmates. At first boys and girls were admitted,




98


PAST AND PRESENT


at ages from 9 to I8 years, but in 1862 the
girls were sent to other institutions and no
more were admitted. Probably young men
above the age of I8 gained admittance and
some of them hardened criminals who caused
much trouble, at one time attacking the
night watchman and nearly killing him. Now
the ages of admission are io to I6 years.
Since the institution opened 9,120 have been


harsh and in I893, it was changed to the
"Industrial School for Boys," which should
eliminate any disgrace resulting from a
name. There certainly should be no stigma
following young men going out and becoming respectable citizens, remembering
they were mere lads when entering there and
many sent for very trivial offenses, because
they had no homes or because their environ

OLD ADMINISTRATION BUILDING, INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL.


admitted, and at present, January I0, I905,
there are 725 inmates.
It was thought that the name, "House of
Correction," left too much of a stigma upon
young men going out from there, reformed
and prepared for the responsibilities of life
and to become valuable citizens, as many of
them have, and the legislature of I859
changed the name to "Michigan State Reform School." But this was considered too


ments and associates were bad. Some, perhaps many, are incorrigible, and cannot be
reformed and commit crimes and are arrested and the newspapers are in almost
every instance sure to mention the fact that
they are graduates of the Industrial School,
which the writer thinks is unjust to the institution that is doing the most good of any
of the State institutions.
The yard in the rear of the building and




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


99


including the shops and play grounds were
at first, and until 1897, surrounded by a high
board fence which was considered necessary,
and as late as I873, the board of control
recommended that the fence be replaced by
a stone wall, but Superintendent Howe did
not want a wall or even a high fence, and
demanded that the fence should be removed
and replaced by an ordinary picket fence
and that the iron doors and bars should be
removed. The Board, with some hesitancy,
consented to these suggestions and the
changes were made, with the result that
there have been fewer attempts to escape; in
fact they have become exceedingly rare.
There is now very little, if anything, prisonlike about the school. The boys play as
joyfully and with as much freedom as school
boys at recess in the common schools, and
with more decorum. The discipline of the
present superintendent, Mr. J. E. St. John,
is marvelous; it is especially noticeable in
Sunday afternoon chapel exercise; and is
not maintained by punishment. He and his
admirable wife very well fill the places of
father and mother to the boys and are fully
qualified for the positions they hold.
A system of cottages for the boys was inaugurated in 1870 and at present there are
ten of them, each kept by a gentleman and
his wife; the gentleman also having charge
of some department and the lady being a
teacher. The cottages are three-story brick
and of architectural design. Each is occupied by a family of fifty boys.
There are also two fine residences for the
superintendent and the deputy superintendent.
In 1898 a brass band was organized by the
boys and has been kept up, with thirty pieces.
It can compete with most of the bands in the
State. A fine choir is also kept up and both
are always ready to furnish music, the band
for parades and the choir for public gatherings. All are drilled two hours each week in


military tactics, and for that purpose are divided into five battalions of seven companies
each.
Endeavor is made to teach trades to all of
the boys but lack capacity in the shops. As
it is, however, there is taught tailoring,
painting, shoe making, printing, blacksmithing, engineering, baking, carpentry, sloyd,
farming, and care of the greenhouse.
The cooking is done by the boys, all of
them wearing apparel made by them and the
work on the farm is done by them.
The boys are committed between the ages
of 10 and I6 years to remain until they reach
the age of 17, unless sooner discharged.
They are kept on an average of from a year
and a half to two years, when, if they have
fairly good homes, they are released on leave
of absence, conditioned on good behavior,
until the expiration of their terms of commitment.  About one-fourth of the boys
come from Detroit and the superintendent
goes there about once in every two months
and meets those who are out on leave. Usually from 30 to 60 of them meet him at the
truant officer's rooms and report whether
they are attending school or not; if at work
and where; the wages they get, etc., etc.; and
in return, receive kind advice and encouragement. If one is found who is not complying
with the terms of his leave of absence he is
returned to the institution, but it is seldom
that it is necessary to return one. There are
in all between four and five hundred out on
leave throughout the State and being looked
after by county agents and by correspondence. Mr. and Mrs. St. John have very
much to encourage them in this work, with
hundreds of young men who were formerly
inmates of the institution and are free to
say that they received their start in life
there as well as all the education they ever
had, and they are ever ready to express their
gratitude.
The first superintendent of the institu



100


PAST AND PRESENT


tion was Theodore Foster, who was also one
of the first board of commissioners appointed
under the act of I855. He resigned the position on July ist, I860, and was succeeded
by the Rev. Danforth B. Nichols, who held
the office for the term of one year, and was
succeeded by Cephas B. Robinson, who had
previous to his appointment, been the assistant superintendent.
Mr. Robinson retained the position until
his death, which occurred on August 27th,
I866. The institution was then under the
care of assistant superintendent James H.
Baker, until the appointment on November
I6th, I866, of the Rev. O. W. Fay, who soon
after resigned, and the Rev. Charles Johnson, a former teacher and assistant superintendent, was appointed, and cbntinued in
office until April Ist, I875, when he was
succeeded by Mr. Frank M. Howe, then assistant superintendent, who held until I880,
when Mr. C. A. Gower was appointed. He
was succeeded, in I89I, by NV. H. S. Wood,
who held the office until the appointment of
the present superintendent, Mr. J. E. St.
John, in I893.


Alfred G. Gunnison and Albert E. Cowles.
The buildings at that time were two threestory brick buildings, one a college building
-still standing, and called College Hall

BOTANICAL LABORATORY.


containing at that time, on the first floor, a
chapel in the north end, a lecture room in
the south end and a chemical laboratory between the two; on the second floor were
class rooms; and on the third floor were dormitory rooms.  The other building-since
burned-wAas used for dormitory, dining


AGRICULTURAL COLLEGES.
This institution was opened May 13, I857,
with a class of sixty-one students. The fac —
ulty were:
Joseph R. Williams, President.
Calvin Tracy, Professor of Mathematics.
Lewis R. Fiske, Professor of Chemistry.
Robert D. Weeks, Professor or English
Literature.
John C. Holmes, Professor of Horticulture.
Enoch Bancker, Assistant Professor of
Chemistry.
The Steward was James M. Shearer.
Five of the first class of students are now
living in Lansing: Henry B. Carpenter,
Samuel L. Kilbourne, Russell B. Calahan,:::
j


SCENE ON THE CAMPUS.
room, kitchen, and living rooms for the
steward's family and help. There was also
in the basement a large room where the




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


101


students changed their clothing when they
went out to work and when they came in
from work. All of the students boarded in
this building and nearly all roomed there.


Mason D. Chatterton. He lived about a mile
east of the college and was on hand early.
All students were obliged to work three
hours a day on the farm, for which they
were allowed to apply on board from six to
ten cents per hour, graded not by the size,
strength or ability of the student so much as
by the disposition to work and faithfulness;
some small and weakly ones getting more
than some strong lusty fellows who were inclined to shirk.
Work on the farm was not what it is now,
for the farm of nearly 700 acres was, all but
a fewr acres, forest land and the work was
mostly chopping, logging, burning and grubbing out roots, in clearing the land, and digging ditches and laying tile for drainage.
The writer, being rather slight of build, did
not do much of the clearing, except hauling
logs to the piles for burning, grubbing and
ditching, but was put upon lighter jobs, one
of which was with another student helping
Prof. Tracy lay out the orchard east of the
college, carrying the chain and driving stakes
where the trees were to be placed, while the


AGRICULTURAL BUILDING.
This building stood about where Williams
Hall now stands. The college bell was about
half-way between the two buildings, perched
upon a derrick about fifteen feet high. One
night, in some way never ascertained, it got
balanced bottom side up and filled with water
which froze solid. At another time, in some
way never ascertained, it lost its clapper and
did not recover it for a long time.
There were, besides, three cottages in
faculty row for the president and professors.
Professors Tracy and Bancker being single
men, roomed and boarded in the dormitory
building and kept order among the students,
not always an easy or pleasant task. The
students' rooms were fitted up with carpets
and furniture in fine style; better than many
of them were accustomed to.
The examinations for admission. were not
so rigid as at present but were, no doubt,
dreaded more than they are now, for the
facilities for preparation were not then so
ample as at present. Those who passed were
very happy and nearly all passed. The one
first examined and passed was the late Judge


MECHANICAL BUILDING.


professor managed his surveyor's instruments, and the trees were set so as to line
from all points of view.
Any one now visiting the beautiful




102


PAST AND PRESENT


grounds surrounding the more than fifty
fine buildings, cannot easily imagine their
condition in the early days of the college; nor
can they realize the vast amount of labor
that has been done to bring the campus to a


play pranks upon each other, upon the professors, and upon the steward, some of
which the writer is strongly tempted to give,
but this is hardly the place for them.
The dear old Profs.: the fact that they had


WOMEN'S BUILDING.


condition where it is considered among the
finest in the country. The work seemed
pretty strenuous for young fellows not much


pranks played upon them is no evidence that
they were not highly respected and fully appreciated by the young men. They have all


used to work, but those were happy days,
just the same, as viewed from present standpoints.
Notwithstanding the hard work and the
hard study required, the boys found time to


passed away except Professor Bancker who
now is a lawyer in Jackson, Mich.
President Williams died at Constantine,
Mich., June 15, I86I; Prof. Tracy, at North
Lansing, Mich., July 28, I889; Prof. Fiske,




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


103


at Denver, Col., February r4, I90o; Prof.
Weeks, at East Orange, N. J., February 23,
1898; and Prof. Holmes, at Detroit, December 17, I887.
Professor Theophilus C. Abbot came to
the college in its second year, 1858, and took
the place of Prof. Weeks, who then retired
as professor of English and Literature. He
died at Lansing, November 7, 1892. He
was president of the college from December,
i862, to November, 1884.
In 1870 women were admitted to the col

HISTORY OF THE COLLEGE.
Directly east of the main entrance of the
State Capitol is a wide avenue, which terminates three and a half miles distant, at the
entrance of the grounds of the Michigan
State Agricultural College. These grounds
are approximately 684 acres in extent, and
are separated into two large parts by the Red
Cedar river, a small stream whose source is
thirty miles away.  The college farm is
mostly on the south side of this river, and


i
i
i


lege and a class of ten entered that year. No
special plans were made for them until in
the fall of 1896, when a Women's Course
was adopted.
Miss Eva D. Coryell was the first woman
graduate. She entered from Ingham county
in I875, and graduated in I879. There are
at present I95 women students in the college. A fine, large woman's building was
erected in I900.
The subjoined history was written by ExPresident Abbot, about twenty-five years
ago, and has been revised and brought down
to date by Prof. W. J. Beal.


the buildings are all in one large park of
about Ioo acres on the north side. The college park was skillfully laid out in I872 by
Mr. Adam Oliver, a landscape gardener of
Kalamazoo, Mich.   There are in it no
straight rows of buildings or of trees, but its
more than fifty buildings, if barns are included in the number, are separated by undulating lawns, shallow ravines, and groups
of trees and shrubbery. In one place only
the method of grouping trees is departed
from, for along the highway, a mile in extent, a double row of elms, one without the
fence and one within, forms a double walk
along the road.




104


PAST AND PRESENT


There are three entrances to the grounds,
one at the west, one at the north not far
from the town line between Lansing and
Meridian, and a third north of the Woman's
Building. The drive from the west entrance
ascends a hill, and leaving a pear and cherry
orchard on the left, keeps near the steep river
bank on the right. At the top of the hill
the drive divides, the left-hand road passing
by the president's house and down faculty
row, where there are dwellings for ten members of the faculty and some other officers,
while the right-hand drive follows the winding river bank, passes the botanic garden
with the armory and bath house at the left
and still to the north is Abbot Hall. From
this place walks and drives diverge to College Hall, to the greenhouse, physical and
chemical laboratories and other buildings.
Beyond and to the right are the laboratories
and shops for the engineering department,
the veterinary laboratory, the farm buildings
and the old carpenter shop, back of which is
a large new house for a heating and an
electric light plant. Turning to the north,
one passes on his right beyond the old farm
barn, the  agricultural laboratory, dairy
buildings, laboratories for botany, bacteriology and horticulture and the large
building for the accommodation of women
students.  A  considerable number of the
teaching force and other employes of the college live in Collegeville and seven other-village plats north of the college highway.
Many students also, find accommodations in
this neighboring settlement.  The students
number very nearly i,ooo.
The discipline of the male students is partially committed to student officers who live
in the three different dormitories, in which
there are also five boarding clubs, managed
chiefly by students.
The students have formed a dozen or fifteen societies for mutual improvement in


agriculture, horticulture, natural history,
botany, physics, debating, engineering, and
other topics. The Y. M. C. A. employs a
competent man, on salary, who acts as its
secretary. There is also a Y. W. C. A. with
headquarters in the Woman's Building. Religious services and a number of Bible
classes are held every Sunday.
To a great extent Saturday is a holiday,
though a number of classes meet during the
forenoon of this day.
For many years an officer of the United
State army has been detailed to conduct military instruction throughout the year, usually
three days in the week. A cornet band is
maintained as a part of the military instruction.
In each of the four departments, agriculture, mechanical engineering, domestic
economy, and forestry, laboratory instruction is a conspicuous feature, and takes the
place of much of the compulsory manual
labor that was in vogue during the early days
of the college.  The laboratories are well
equipped, though much crowded.
The course of study is four years in
length, and the graduates receive the degree
of Bachelor of Science. Instruction in the
use of language runs through the whole
course, and history, philosophy, political
economy, and constitutional law find their
proper place in the instruction given.  In
early days there was no professor of agriculture; later such a professor taught agriculture, veterinary, drainage, civil engineering, and other topics.  More recently the
work is much divided, a specialist presiding
over each, such as live stock, farm  crops,
dairying, and the veterinary department.
In 1876 the college began holding farmers' institutes, and for several years held six
or eight a year, later increasing the number
to over three hundred a year.
The college has an excellent general




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


105


museum, to which the State Geological Survey and Smithsonian Institution have made
valuable contributions. The herbarium contains plants numbering about 90,000 sheets
of specimens.
The college is supported in part by biennial appropriations of the legislature, and
in part by the interest of a growing fund
arising from the sale of lands given to the
State by the general government. The number of acres received by the State is 235,673.
On January I, I905, the State had sold land
amounting to $950,000, on which the college receives interest at seven per cent. The


a constitution of the State was adopted which
says, Article XIII, Section II: "The legislature shall, as soon as practicable, provide for
the establishment of an agricultural school."
Under this constitutional provision  the
friends of the project secured the passage of
a bill for its organization in I855. Among
the many earnest advocates of the college,
it can hardly be invidious to mention the
Governor of the State at that time, Kingsley
S. Bingham, who heartily worked for it and
gave an address at the time of its opening,
May I3th, I857. The college was then in
the woods, the stumps and underbrush not


United States in I888 began giving the college $i5,000 per year to defray the expenses
of an agricultural experiment station, and in
1890 began giving $15,ooo a year with an
increase of $I,ooo a year until it reached
$25,000 per year toward paying the current
expenses of the college. Four years ago the
legislature passed an act granting the college a mill tax, amounting to $o00,000
yearly.
The college is managed by a State Board
of Agriculture of six appointed and two exofficio members, of whom two are appointed
by the Governor every two years. In 1850


cleared away from  around the two brick
buildings where officers, students, and the
public gathered, on a spot selected for the
college, under narrow restrictions, by the
State Agricultural Society. Photographs of
the place as it then appeared hang in the
library of the college. But the institution
owes more to Mr. J. C. Holmes, of Detroit,
than to any other man for its early organization and success. Mr. Holmes was unwearied in his efforts to secure its establishment. He drew up the bill, without, however, the clause as to its location, and spent
much time in explaining the nature and de



106


PAST AND PRESENT


sign of the proposed institution. He also
had charge of the horticultural department
for three years, and the college enjoyed his
valuable friendship to the end of his life.
The inaugural of Mr. Joseph R. Williams,
the first president, was a production of great
merit.
The State established and maintained an
agricultural college for five years, when the
Nation granted funds for additional support
and the courses of instruction were gradually
increased in number. Although three departments of instruction have been added to the
college, the members of the State Board of
Agriculture have been conservative and have
retained the name "Agricultural College,"
although more than half of the students are
now members of departments not recognized
by the name "agriculture."
The State Board of Education had charge
of the institution until the spring of I86I,
when the legislature created a State Board
of Agriculture, and committed the college to
its care. During the war its fate was debated anew by each successive legislature,
which always made, however, a generous
appropriation.  The Congressional gift of
land in I862 gave courage to its friends, and
the college has gradually grown in influence
until now it is one of the cherished institutions of the State.
From 1875 to the present time the State
Grange rendered valuable services in a number of different projects.  In I885, when
Hon. Edwin Willits left the presidency of
the State Normal School to become president of the Agricultural College, he did so
with the express understanding that the
State Board of Agriculture would establish
a distinct department in Mechanical Engineering, where students should learn to work
in iron and wood, designing, making and
testing engines, and other work of kindred


nature. The department soon won its way
to great popularity and usefulness.
In I894 short special courses during winter were begun, in which farmers' sons received instruction of the most practical kind
in stock judging, making butter, making
cheese, horticulture, and in acquiring knowledge to enable them to work in the laboratories of sugar beet factories.
In I896, when J. L. Snyder, Ph. D., became president, it was expected that he
would take the lead toward establishing a
department for women, where, among other
things, they should be well trained in domestic art and domestic science. The money
was appropriated, a fine building erected,
and the departmet has proved very popular.
In I902 a department of forestry was
established and Professor E. E. Bogue, iM.
A., placed at the head of it.
In early days the mail was carried from
Lansing to the college once a day by a student, later twice a day by an omnibus, and
now four times a day each way. The office
ranks second in the county for the amount of
mail that passes through it.
Since I897 the college population has been
supplied with water derived from artesian
wells 350 feet deep and forced through pipes
to the various buildings.  In 1893 about
three miles of gravelled stone paths were
constructed and found to be a great convenience. Early in I894 the street cars ran
to the west entrance and later they entered
the campus a little west of the town line.
In I898, the campus and buildings began to
be lighted by electricity furnished by a dynamo five miles distant near a dam on Grand
river, and the next year the Pere Marquette
built a spur of their road from Trowbridge
to the boiler house, over which heavy freight
is hauled and large excursions reach the
campus. At this time, January, I905, men




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


107


MICHIGAN
AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE
CAMPUS
Sca/e of feet,:   7 >~~~~~~~~~,


KEY TO THE ABOVE MAP.
Cement walks shown by lighter parallel lines.
Nos.
1-12, 14. Residences of a portion of the Faculty and
Instruc.tors.
13. Building for Women. Living rooms for 120 young
women, parlors, reception rooms. gymnasium. society rooms, kitchen, dining rooms, laboratories for
cooking, sewing, bath rooms. Cost, $95,000.
15. Astronomical Obserratory.
16. College Hospital.
17. Waiting Room. Electric cars leave for Lansing every
twenty minutes from 6:20 a. m. to 10:20 p. m.
18. Abbot Hall. Living rooms and dining room for male
students.
20. Armory. This contains also the offices of the Professor of Military Science, and is used temporarily
as a gymnasium and assembly room for large audiences.
21. Chemical Laboratory.    Containing   offices. lecture
rooms, and cases in which to place apparatus. The
north portion of the building is temporarily occupied by the department of Physics.
22. College Hall. Built in 1857, the first College building
erected on the Campus. It contains rooms for the
chapel, classes in Mathematics, English, Political
Economy, Drawing and office for the Professor of
Mathematics.
23. Williams Hall. Containing three dining rooms, three
literary societies, room for Y. M. C. A., living rooms
for 80 students.
24. Library and Museum, Offices of the President and
Secretary. The second floor contains the office of
the Professor of Zoology, a lecture room, laboratory, and general museum.
25. Horticultural Laboratory. Offices, rooms for lectures,
work of students in designing greenhouses, grafting,
room for tools, and other equipments.
26. Newt Bacteriological Laboratory.
27. Botanical Laboratory. Containing rooms for offices,
class work, apparatus, specimens, herbarium.
28. Greenhouse. Containing five rooms for plants.
29. Forcing Houses. Low houses on the hillside.
30. Building of the Union Literary Society.
31. Wells Hall. Containing two dining rooms, two literary societies, rooms for 125 students.
32. Ice House.
33. Boiler House.   For heating  College buildings and
pumping water.
34. Mechanical Laboratory.    Containing   offices, class
rooms, machine shops, foundry, wood shops, blacksmith shops, apparatus, etc.
35. Veterinary Laboratory.   Containing collections and
offices, lecture-room, and room for clinics on the
first floor. The second and third floors are tem

Nos.


porarily occupied for teaching and experiments by
the Professor of Bacteriology.
36. Carpenter Shop. This building was the first barn.
37. Horse Barn.   38. Cattle Barn.
39. Agricultural Laboratory. Containing rooms for offices, lectures, etc., for the Professor of Agriculture
and his assistants.
40. The Dairy. Containing rooms for teaching students
to make butter and cheese. Here, also, on the second floor are class rooms and also the offices of the
experiment station.
41. Barn.   For the use of the Horticultural department.
42. Fruit House.
43. Barn. For the storing of experimental field crops.
44. Poultry House.   45. Grain Barn.   46. Farm House.
Residence of the foreman of the farm. 47. Barn,
for experimental feeding. 48. Sheep Barn. 49.
Barn for Tools.    50.  Bath House.     51.  Horse
Sheds, for the use of public. 52. Piggery.
53. Dairy Barn.
55. The New Dairy Barn and Silos.
The gardens and orchards are to the right and east of
these buildings. The experiment station plats are east
of the farm lane.
The fields for farm  crops are situated south of the
river.
The parks for elk, deer and goats are back of No. 4.
Note.-The new engineering building will stand between
numbers 31 and 34. The new bath house will stand north
of number 20.




108


PAST AND PRESENT


are installing the new heating and electric
light plant. Four thousand, one hundred
feet of cement tunnel was constructed, most
of which is six feet in diameter and from
three to eighteen feet below ground, passing
from the engine house near the main buildings.
Owing to the beauty and ample size of
the gently undulating campus, the museum,
the large number of laboratories, as well as
the orchards, gardens, fields, cattle, sheep,
swine, the experimental plats, the botanic
garden, and on account of the short distance
from the city by street cars, in summer great
numbers of visitors inspect some portions
of the college once or more each year. From
mild weather in May to October, on any
pleasant day may be seen from one to three
small or large companies taking their lunches
or visiting something of interest.
SCHOOL FOR TIHE BLIND.
Prior to I880 the blind were cared for
and taught by the State at the Institute for
the Deaf, Dumb and Blind at Flint. By Act
250 of the Public Acts of I879, the Legislature provided for a separate school for the
blind and appropriated $30,000 for the construction and erection of buildings. The act
also provided for temporarily renting suitable buildings or rooms for the school, until
permanent buildings should be erected and
ready for pupils, and a commission of three
gentlemen, Townsend North of Vassar, Tom
S. Applegate of Adrian, and John J. Bagley
of Detroit, was appointed by the Governor,
he also, being a member, ex-officio, empowered to rent temporary quarters and to
select a site and erect the permanent buildings. Propositions for the location of the
school were received from various places in
the State, and the commissioners inspected
many, if not all, of the sites tendered, and on
March 9, I880, met in Detroit, carefully ex

amined the proposals received and voted
upon the question of selection, but no decision was reached. A proposition was subsequently made by the Grand Lodge of Odd
Fellows of the State of Michigan, tendering
their buildings and property at Lansing to
the State for the school, for the sum of $IO,ooo. On May I8th the commission met in
Lansing, inspected the buildings and grounds
and began negotiations looking to securing
the property, on lease, for a temporary location, with the result that June 30, 1880, they
rented the property from that date until September I, 1881, at a rental sum of $I,ooo
per annum, with the privilege of purchasing
at any time during the term of the lease, for
the sum of $IO,OOO. The grounds comprised
45 acres. The principal building was erected
about I856, for, and was occupied by, the
Misses Abby and Delia Rogers, with the
Michigan Female College, which was a very
popular educational institution for many
years and educated and graduated many
young ladies.
The grounds and buildings were sold November 8, I87I, to the Grand Lodge of Odd
Fellows for an "Odd Fellows Institute," and
the State purchased them and had them
deeded August 5, 188I, and the commission
immediately set about making necessary improvements, erecting a building for an engine house and laundry and one for shops
and additional dormitory accommodations,
besides fitting up the building purchased,
placing a good system of steam and water
supply throughout all the buildings, constructing a sewer to the river, thoroughly
underdraining and grading the grounds and
laying out and graveling driveways and
walks; any of which improvements the commission did not feel justified in making while
the property was held under the lease.
The school was opened in the leased building, September 29, 1880, with 35 pupils,




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.,


109


which number was rapidly increased until
55 were enrolled, of which 36 had been
pupils at Flint and the other 19 attended for
the first time and the enrollment was six in
excess of the largest number of blind ever enrolled at Flint. On June 30, 1902, the biennial report of the Board of Control shows
the enrollment to have been 130 for the two
years, with an average actual attendance of


members of which board shall hold their
offices for the respective terms of two, four,
and six years, said respective terms of office
to be designated in their several appointments," and that every two years thereafter,
one shall be appointed for a term of six
years.
The Governor seems to have been very
well satisfied with the board of commission-:::;-:::::.::: -: i:-..: -—::::::-:-:-::::""r-l:i:.:1:._:.:I::r:::::::::.::::;i;::::: r —:;; —:: -:i:':- — _: —.:.:::
— ': ~;:~::.::..::i::r::::: —_:::::_::v-_:-i-j':-: —:_ —I:-:::,. _:::::__::_-,::-_:,_-:,_i:::::__ ili:::::::::::::::: ':
r
Irr
_:::
i:
r::::::::.:::::: -:-:::::::::: ir;El~::-:*i-:_:-::-: -._.. ---" i:::-::::::::::
i ~,P:
II 2
/;I
i hll
Q:;::~
I


BUILDINGS OF THE SCHOOL FOR THE BrIND.
Irr. The enrollment for I903-4 was 12I,  ers, for he refused to appoint a board of conwith an average attendance of I8.        trol until in I886, preferring to leave the
The act of the Legislature establishing the  management in the hands of the commission,
school enacts that, "The supervision and  claiming they had not completed their duties
government of said institution shall be vested  as commissioners (to locate and establish).
in a board of control to consist of three mem- The first report of the "Board of Control"
hers who shall be appointed by the Governor, was for the two years ending June 30, I888,
by and with the consent of the Senate, the  and was made by Townsend North, Tom S.




110


PAST AND PRESENT


Applegate and Daniel L. Case; two of them
commissioners from the start.
The act of the Legislature establishing the
school also provided that all blind persons
in the poor houses throughout the State, that
were qualified to be admitted under the requirements of the act as to age (at first io
to 21, now 7 to 17 years), and morally and
mentally, should be transferred to this
school.
In this connection, the writer will take
time and space to copy from the biennial report of the commissioners for I88I and I882,
hoping it may be as much appreciated by the
reader as it is by him.
"In many instances the children have come
to the institution from poor houses, and the
custom was, until the establishment of this
school, to send the scholars home for the
annual vacation, even if their only home was
a county poor house. This has not been
done since the opening of this school. Once
rescued from the poor house, the child has
never been allowed to return to it. We have
endeavored to obtain all possible information
in regard to the antecedents of the child,
and in cases where its natural home did not
seem to be a fit place, we have taken the responsibility of providing suitable accommodations elsewhere during the recess of
school."
In the same report they say: "It has been
the aim of the management of the school to
endeavor to fit its pupils to become useful
and self-supporting members of society. We
have endeavored to eliminate from their
minds the idea that the institution is an
asylum, but have rather endeavored to constantly impress on them that it is a place for
study and work; * * * to be practical
rather than to be theoretical has always been
our aim. * * * The children frequently
come to us with deformed and diseased
bodies, showing a lack of intelligent care,
and with minds in which fixed habits of


thought or application have never existed.
Our system has aimed to educate and
strengthen both body and mind."
We here insert suggestions of the management that should be read and followed by
all parents and guardians of blind children.
"I. Blind children, unless under the most
favorable circumstances at home, should be
in the Institution at eight years of age, or
before.
2. Teach them to take plenty of exercise
in the open air, to run on little errands, to be
as active and helpful as possible.
3. Do not permit the fact of blindness to
make you less strict in securing obedience,
cleanliness and respectfulness on the part of
the child, otherwise you do him a gross
wrong, by permitting him to form unseemly
habits and manners which require years of
teaching to efface. Especially should their
physical growth be guarded so that they may
possess healthy, symmetrical bodies and be
free from any peculiarity of movement, such
as the nervous twitching of arms and fingers,
and turning of head.
4. Permit the blind child to enjoy all the
privileges granted other children. Let him
attend the public school, the Sunday-school
and church, and places of amusement.
5. Teach him the names, forms and uses
of the common objects around him. Teach
him to count, to add, to subtract, multiply,
divide, etc.
6. When pupils enter the school, health
permitting, they should attend punctually
and regularly until the course is completed.
7. Forbid the use of tobacco in any form,
or of strong drink.
8. Do not dwell upon the blind child's
misfortune in his presence nor permit others
to do so. Encourage him to be cheerful,
hopeful and industrious."
Blind persons and those whose defective
sight prevents them from receiving instruction in the public schools are received as




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN..111


pupils but no person of imbecile or unsound
mind or confirmed immoral character will be
knowingly received; nor will those who
prove incapable of being taught be retained,
nor those who are persistently disobedient
and incorrigible.
Residents of this State are admitted without charge for tuition, board, lodging, washing, medicines or medical attendance, and
all expected of the friends of the pupils is
to pay their traveling expenses and furnish
approved and suitable clothing. If they are
unable to do so, the State will furnish the
clothing.
Applicants from other States may be admitted but are required to pay a sum in excess of actual expenses. The school year begins the first Monday in September and continues forty weeks, during which there is a
short holiday vacation.  Nearly all the
branches that are taught in the common
schools are taught in this school and vocal
and instrumental music, as well as several
trades and occupations, including cooking,
sewing, knitting and fancy work for the
girls.
Especial pains are taken that the pupils
have that exercise and physical development
conducive to good health, and to correct the
unnatural pastimes and habits peculiar to the
blind. A trained nurse is constantly employed and in case of any illness, the patient
is immediately removed to the hospital, a
separate building, away from the noise, and
to avoid the possibility of contagion.
The trades taught are broom and brushmaking, piano tuning, hammock making,
carpet weaving, fly net making, rug making,
and book making with the Braille raised
point system of stereotype plates, which are
also made in the institution.
The broom shop is equipped with six
broom and one brush tying machines, five
sewing presses for brooms and one for
brushes. Young men leave the shop able


to take broom corn from the bale, prepare it
and make it into brooms of all kinds, also
brushes, both plain and fancy.
The girls are proficient in sewing and
many are expert operators on the sewing
machine. It is truly wonderful how many
things blind children can be taught by
patient and painstaking teachers whose
hearts are in the work.
The pupils have organized an orchestra
and choirs that furnish good music, not only
for the school but often for entertainments
down town.
In 1883 the Board of Control, having secured appropriations from the Legislature,
erected a north and a south wing to the
main building, a superintendent's residence
and barn; in 1884 established an electric
lighting plant; in I902 erected a hospital
building; in I904 a kitchen, dining room and
chapel, in a west addition to the main building.
The gravel walks have been replaced by
artificial stone and the grounds laid out and
beautified with trees, shrubbery and flowers,
so that they compare favorably with those
of similar institutions in other states.
Lansing is fortunate in that its three State
institutions are, all of them, educational.
THE PIONEER PRESS IN LANSING.
The first newspaper published in Lansing
was the Free Press, by Bagg & Harmon. Its
first issue was on January I I, 1848. It continued only a short time when it was changed
to the Michigan State Journal, edited and
published by John Harmon of Detroit, the
office, which the writer well remembers, was
a two-story frame building standing back of
where the Hudson House now stands. There
was a book bindery in the second story under
the management of a Mr. Gumbert, who
afterwards removed to Detroit and there engaged in the same business. J. P. Thompson edited the paper from 1855 to 1858. In




112


PAST AND PRESENT


that year J. M. Griswold became the editor.
It is recorded in the records of the State
Pioneer Society and in Durant's History of
Ingham County that the Journal suspended
in I862 and so remained until I866. That
is not true, to the writer's personal knowledge. From 1858 to the fore part of 1862
it was edited by Joseph W. Griswold; in the
last part of I862 and all of I863, by Samuel
L. Kilbourne; in I864, 1865, and to June
6, i866, by George W. Peck and Wmn. H.
Chapman; at least, Mr. Chapman had an
interest in the paper, though Mr. Peck was
generally supposed to be the sole editor.
June 6, I866, John W. Higgs became proprietor, editor and publisher, changing the
name to "Lansing State Democrat."   On
July 12, 1872, Mr. Higgs disposed of the
paper to Wmn. H. Haze and George P. Sanford. January I, 1873, Mr. Sanford purchased Dr. Haze's interest, becoming sole
proprietor, editor and publisher, and changed
the name to "Lansing Journal," which it still
remains. In I88I, Mr. Sanford sold to Mr.
L. E. Rowley who, January I, I887, started
the daily and published both weekly and
daily, and in February, I893, incorporated
the Lansing Journal Company. In September, I900, Mr. Rowley sold his stock in the
company to Ira H. Clark who is the owner
of most of the stock, and the paper is published by the Lansing Journal Company and
edited by Mr. O. T. Allen.
James B. TenEyck was the editor for a
short time, I think, between Thompson and
Griswold.
THE PRIMITIVE EXPOUNDER.
This was the first newspaper that the
writer remembers. It was printed in a small
one-story building on the east side of Washington avenue, a few rods north of Kalamazoo street, about where 327 Washington
avenue south now is. Rev. John H. Sanford, a Universalist minister was the editor,


proprietor and publisher.  It was a Universalist weekly paper, printed, of course, on
an old fashioned hand press, the power of
which was worked by Mr. Sanford's son,
Elijah. The paper went out of existence in
1852.
THE STATE REPUBLICAN.
The   Lansing   Republican  was   first
launched as a weekly, April 28, I855, by
Henry Barnes of Detroit, who issued two
numbers when it was taken by Rufus Hosmer as editor, and Geo. A. Fitch as proprietor, and in the fifth number the name of
Herman E. Hascall appears as publisher,
which position he held until August 4, 1857.
Mr. Fitch retired August 11, 1857, and was
succeeded by Hosmer & Kerr, John A. Kerr
& Co., Bingham, George & Co., and W. S.
George & Co. Mr. Hosmer died April 20,
1861, and was succeeded by George Jerome
of Detroit, as a silent partner. Mr. Kerr
died July 30, 1868, and was succeeded by
Wm. S. George. Stephen D. Bingham. who
had been editor of the Republican for several
years, was a partner for one year, from May
I, I868. On June 19, I855, the name of
Dewitt C. Leach appeared as editor, with
Mr. Hosmer. He retired August 26, I856,
to canvass the district as Republican candidate for congress, to which office he was
elected. He returned to the editorial work
November II, I856, and finally retired July
27, 1857.  Mr. C. B. Stebbins succeeded
him and occupied the chair for about a year
and was succeeded by Mr. Hosmer. May
I, 1861, Isaac M. Cravath became editor but
enlisted in the Union army, as captain in
the I2th Michigan Infantry Volunteers, in
October, and Mr. Bingham again became
editor and continued until early in 1862,
when he was succeeded by Geo. I. Parsons,
who was the editor for about a year and was
succeeded by Theodore Foster, who continued to be the editor until his death, De



INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


113


cember 27, I865. He was followed by the
ever ready and capable S. D. Bingham, who,
for the third time, became editor, and so remained until September I, 1873, assisted by
Nelson B. Jones and George P. Sanford, as
local editors, until I868. On the retiring of
Mr. Bingham, W. S. George became the
chief editor with James W. King as city
editor. Mr. King eventually became editorin-chief and so continued until January I,
I886, when Thorp & Godfrey became the
owners and changed the name to the State
Republican, and Mr. Frank Godfrey was the
managing editor until the close of I888,
when he retired from the copartnership, and
Mr. Wm. M. Clark became editor and remained until July I, 1896. Then the ownership passed into the hands of the Robert
Smith Printing Company, where it still remains. Mr. H. S. Hilton was editor from
July I, I896, to September, I901, when he
was succeeded by W. I. Bartholomew, who
held until May 13, I902, when Mr. Roy G.
Jones took the chair and still retains it.
On January 5, 1875, a semi-weekly
edition was commenced and continued until
January, I880, when it was changed to a
tri-weekly; the weekly also being kept up,
with the exception of an interim from January to November, I875, during which the
publication of the weekly edition was suspended. The tri-weekly was discontinued
and the daily started January I, I886, and
the weekly and daily have been continued
to the present time.
BIDDLE CITY.
A paper city, in a part of what is now
Lansing, was platted in 1836 by Jerrie and
William Ford. The plat was recorded April
19, I836, and besides the streets, contained
sixty-three blocks, divided into 4x8 rod lots,
a church square, a public square and an
academy square. It took in all of the S. E.
4 and the south part of the S. W. '4 of
8


Section 21. It was a fine appearing proposition, on paper, calculated to deceive prospective purchasers of the lots who lived so
far away that they could not inspect the
property and could be induced to rely upon
appearances and the statements of the platters and plotters. In this connection, having obtained permission, we will append a
statement of the Hon. D. W. Buck, published in the Lansing Journal of November
24, I904:
Everyone in this city, it is likely, is more
or less familiar with stories that have been
current from time to time of frauds practiced in connection with the opening up and
settlement of the lands of the great west.
Not many, however, who have listened to
or read such stories are aware that there is
in their own city's history as pretty a tale
of deception as adorns the annals of any
town or county. The pioneers of Lansing
were familiar with the story, and from one
of them, Hon. D. W. Buck, whose relatives
were actors in the little comedy to be set
down, the facts in the brief history of Biddle
City were obtained.
In the winter of I836 two young men
traveled through the town of Lansing,
Tompkins county, New York, selling to the
farmers lots in Biddle City, which they represented as already well started in the new
state, and which was located, they said, at
the junction of the Grand and Cedar rivers
in Central Michigan. They told of the great
forests surrounding the village that needed
only to be removed to uncover the richest
farming country in the world, and they assured the men of New York who had sons
old enough to start for themselves that they
need but to send the young men to Biddle
City where fortunes in timber and fortunes
in land would be found for all.
The Tompkins county farmers became
greatly interested; meetings were heldmany of them at the home of Daniel Buck,




114


PAST AND PRESENT


father of D. W. Buck-and finally a stock
company was formied out of which sixteen
men were chosen to go west and make secure the purchases of the rest.
The long trip was made in the usual way,
down the canal, across Lake Huron and so to
Detroit, but when the party reached Detroit,
however, and inquired the way to Biddle
City, no one was found who had ever heard
of such a place. The rivers were known,
of course, but all the country through which
they flowed it was said was a wilderness.
Biddle City didn't exist.
Failing of any information at Detroit the
party traveled to Pontiac. There was the
same ignorance of Biddle City and the same
story of the wilderness told. The men became discouraged; three or four abandoned
their comrades and the search; they bought
land at Pontiac and their descendants are
there to this day.
The remainder of the travelers determined
to push on, however, until the rivers on
which their town was said to be built were
found, so they hired guides and slowly made
their way north and west into Clinton county, and finally when near where DeWitt now
stands they found one settler named Scott,
who gave them the first news they had obtained of the place they sought. He had
heard of Biddle City vaguely, but he told
them that west of him there was the home of
a settler named William Gilkey who lived
near the place where the Cedar empties into
the Grand river and he could tell them all
there was to tell about Biddle City. Starting once more they traveled to the log cabin
of William Gilkey, who was the only settler in all the country round; he lived on
what is now known as the Stambaugh place,
north of Lansing. He told them what they
wished to know.
During the preceding winter, he said, two
young men from their own state had stayed


with him while on a hunting trip in Michigan. At his house they made their plans
to have a town of their own; they platted the
ground, staked the lots, named the streets
and made ready to sell the town, so beautifully done on paper, to the people whom they
expected to interest at home.
Mr. Gilkey promised to show the purchasers of those lots the place they were in
search of and he did so, taking them through
the woods to the point where R. E. Olds'
residence now stands, he pointed across the
Cedar to where on the opposite side of the
river the low land was lying under water,
and he said:
"There, gentlemen, is Biddle City."
The travelers had not even the satisfaction of feeling that the uncleared land was
theirs, for they were told that the site of
the city was a part of the princely tract
owned by William H. Townsend of New
York.
Mr. Gilkey endeavored to prove to them
that they need not be cast down even if the
town of their hopes had vanished.
"He told them that they saw the greatest
country God ever made," said Mr. Buck in
telling the story. He said "land could be
bought at ten shillings an acre; and the timber was of the finest quality in the world;" in
the end two of them were comforted; Joseph
E. North and Daniel Buck elected to invest
their money since they had come west for
that purpose. Each of the gentlemen bought
large tracts of land south of the city; that
purchased by Mr. North being known as the
"North settlement" at the present time.
The hopes of others of the party were too
badly blighted to allow them to remain on
the scene of their disappointment. A Mr.
Atwood went to what is now Dansville,
while Messrs. Townley, Ludlow and others
went to Jackson county and the towns of
Parma and Tompkins Center bear record in




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


115


their names that their founders did not forget the homes from which they came.
At that time neither Jackson nor Ingham
counties were divided into townships, and
when the divisions were finally made the settlers in the former named their township
"Tompkins" after their home county as the
men who elected to remain near Biddle City
called theirs "Lansing," which eventually
gave the name to the city itself.
Biddle City, as platted by the hunters, extended from the junction of the two rivers
beyond where the Hugh Lyons factory is
now situated. The old Christiancy estate,
now owned by Judge R. H. Person, was a
part of it and the deeds that passed with
that place and others in that vicinity constitute almost the only record of that long vanished paper city.
After making the purchase of their lands,
Messrs. Buck and North returned to New
York; in I839 the latter sold his eastern
home and came west with his family, eight
sons and two daughters. Mr. Buck did not
return himself but sent his son Levi, two
nephews, Able Miller and Peter Clark, and
another young man, Monroe Packard. The
three settled upon the lands Mr. Buck had
purchased, but Clark was a cabinet maker
and could not resist the charms of the magnificent timber; he weht to Ionia to settle
and practice his trade and his grandchildren
still live in that locality.
The immense tracts of land north and
south of what is now the city of Lansing
were owned by James and Horatio Seymour
and William H. Townsend, and the names
of Townsend and Seymour streets recall that
fact to memory. But with the visit of the
purchasers of lots in Biddle City ends the
romance connected with the time, and the
history of the location of the capitol and the
gradual settling up of the country round is
familiar to all and needs not to be rehearsed.


THE LAST OF THE FIRST.
There are three persons still living in
Lansing who were among the very first to
settle here, after the location of the capitol;
they are Frederick M. Cowles, Mrs. Marion
Turner and Mrs. John N. Bush, all of whom
came in the spring of I847. There are
others, including the writer, who came soon
after, but cannot be classed with these three.
F. M. Cowles came to stay and become a
resident, April Io, 1847; he had been here,
temporarily, two or three times before. He
says for three weeks he slept in a barn and
took his meals at Mr. Smith Tooker's residence, a slab shanty, in which the dining
table was two slabs running side by side,
through the center of the principal room.
He, being a carpenter and joiner, engaged
in building. He claims, and no doubt justly,
that he is the only one now living in Lansing
who settled here so early as he did. He
will be eighty-one years of age, February
3, 1905.
Mrs. Marion Turner is the widow of Hon.
James Turner, who died in I889, and
mother of the late Hon. James M. Turner.
She came to Lansing in the spring of I847,
but cannot remember the date and neither
she or Mrs. Bush know which of them came
first; it was probably about the same time.
Mr. and Mrs. Turner moved from Mason to
Lansing and were all day on the road, on
account of the mud. They went into the
little frame house still standing on Turner
street, just north of the brewery.  Mr.
Turner had hurriedly built the house and
they moved into it before it was finished.
Mrs. Eliza Bush, the wife of John N.
Bush, came to Lansing in April, 1847, being then Miss Powell. She taught the first
school taught in Lansing.  Some of her
early experiences are related under the head
of "Schools."




116


PAST AND PRESENT


CONCLUSION.
The undersigned, at the request of the
publishers, The Michigan Historical Publishing Association, very reluctantly and
with many misgivings, entered upon the
work of making the foregoing compilation,
knowing that it would be an arduous task
but not fully realizing the vast amount of
work, time and patience that would be required in research of records and files of
papers and the difficulty to be encountered
many times in finding the records and files
desired, and, also in getting facts and dates
from old settlers, in which he was often surprised at the divergency of memories. As
stated in the introductory, he made use of
information collected from all sources, including former publications, after first endeavoring to verify the same; sometimes
correcting errors and sometimes revising by
condensing and abridging, and by eliminating what he considered unnecessary
and uninteresting details in an endeavor to
make a readable and interesting history of
the county from before its organization to
the present time, and of the City of Lansing
from before the location of the capitol; and,
at the same time, to make it valuable as a
record of events; in establishing the dates
he has spent much time and taken
much pains, and he feels confident that they
are correct and can be relied upon.  No
doubt many events have transpired quite as
important as the ones chronicled, but having to depend upon information received, as
above stated, from various sources, it would
be impossible to gather all of the matters
that would be interesting, if they could be
included in a compilation of this kind. Besides, many matters may be interesting to
a few that would not be so to many, and
the reader will realize the difficulty of selecting such as should be included.


A review of this short history of Ingham
county and the City of Lansing, will doubtless impress the reader, that from a small
beginning this county has rapidly advanced,
and is now entitled to be classed among the
leading and best counties of the State of
Michigan. Today, the farmers are, as a
rule, entirely and out of debt; most of them
have money in the banks; nearly all have a
team of horses and a carriage and a spare
horse or team; most of the farmers have
good comfortable houses, many of them fine,
alhost palatial residences, with commodious
barns and stables.
The farms are cultivated by the use of
the best improved machinery, with which,
and the knowledge he has of soils, fertilizers,
drainage, rotation of crops, etc., etc., a
farmer can raise more from a given number of acres than could be raised from three
times as many acres a few years ago. Farming has become an honorable and honored
profession. By the telephone, which reaches
every neighborhood, and, often many individuals in the neighborhood, he can, in a
few minutes, learn the condition of the.
market and can order small packages of
goods to be brought to him by the rural car —
rier, who brings his mail to his door every
day. It will not be long before most of the
farmers will have trolley cars running by
their doors, or within a short distance, connecting them with cities and villages, enabling them to run to town for repairs to
their farm machinery or whatever must be
had in a hurry, and return in a very short
time; and his educational advantages are
such that he can give his children a good
education without sending them out of the
county. Compare all this with half a century ago and realize what was the past and
what is the present of Ingham county and
the changes that have been made.
Fifty-eight years ago the site where Lan



INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


117


sing now is was a dense forest. It shows
for itself, and everybody knows what Lansing is now; with its four lines of railroads; three express companies; two telephone companies; three suburban trolley
lines, and others coming; its miles of pavements, sewers, and stone walks; its gas and
electric lighting; its waterworks; its fire department; its schools and Carnegie library;
its palatial residences, fine public buildings
and churches; its nine bridges, some of them


unsurpassed anywhere; its electric street
railway; its daily newspapers, and its more
than one hundred manufactories. The foregoing pages are intended to show its past,
its progress and its present, of which I have
endeavored to make a fair, impartial and
valuable record, and hope it will meet the
approval of its readers.
ALBERT E. COWLES.
Lansing, January 31, 1905.




BIOGRAPHICAL.


DR. WILLIAM W. ROOT.
History treats of men in the aggregate.
Biography is the story of a single life, and
not necessarily history. Much depends upon
the character and life of the individual. Giving the events of the life of a man of public
affairs, biography merges into history, and
such is the brief outline of the more prominent events of the active and public-spirited
subject of this sketch, Dr. W. WV. Root.
From the many positions of trust, honor and
responsibility held by the genial doctor during the past thirty-nine years residence in
the City of Mason, he may justly and appropriately be called "the man of many
titles."
William Walter Root was born at Cato,
Cayuga county, N. Y., June 28, 1837. His
parents, Harvey and Polly A. (Barnes)
Root, were natives of the Empire State. His
father was born in Cayuga county, N. Y.,
August 13, i8Io, and followed the occupation of a blacksmith through life, and died
July 4, I891. A man of sterling worth and
estimable character, a patriotic public-spirited citizen. The mother was born in Irae,
Cayuga county, N. Y., May 17, I816, was
united in marriage to Mr. Root, September
29, I834. Mrs. Root was the mother of
eight children.  She died September 15,
189I. Both were laid at rest in the village
cemetery in Cato, where they spent their entire lives. Mrs. Root was the daughter of


Deacon John Barnes, one of the first settlers in the southeast part of Aurelius township, having emigrated here in the year
1836, from Cayuga county, N. Y. Three
brothers of Mrs. Root were for upwards of
half a century among the most prominent
citizens of the county: Hon. O. M. Barnes
of Lansing, John A. Barnes and Zaccheus
Barnes of Mason, now all deceased.
William W. Root received his early education at the village school of his native
town, and later had a year of private training under the instruction of Dr. Cooley, now
a resident of Hannibal, Oswego county, N.
Y. After two years at Falley Seminary,
and while yet in his "teens," W. W. Root
engaged in teaching, which occupation he
followed for three years with very gratifying results, and it was during this period
that he took up the study of medicine, which
he found to his liking. In the year I86o
he entered the medical department of the
Michigan university from which he graduated in I862 with honors. He immediately
located in the town of Victory, N. Y., "hung
out his shingle" and entered upon the practice of his chosen profession.
Three short months of practice and he
answered the call of his country, entering
the service August I9, 1862, as assistant surgeon of the 75th N. Y. Volunteers. The
regiment saw much severe service, giving
the doctor an extensive practice in surgery,
an experience which served him a good pur



2%"




0








INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


119


pose in his private practice during the past
forty years. A few months of experience at
the front with his comm  and and he was promoted to surgeon with rank of major. The
doctor has to his credit three years and two
months active service and the proud distinction of not having been off duty a single
day-a most remarkable record. His regiment was first assigned to duty in the department of the gulf under General Benj. F.
Butler, and later under General Banks, and
was finally transferred to the Army of Virginia, where it did duty under "Fighting
Phil Sheridan" in the Shenandoah valley.
Major Root was detailed as executive officer of the I9th Corps Field Hospital Department at Winchester, Va., in September,
I864; the responsible and trying duties of
which office he discharged in a manner to
meet the commendation of his superior officers. The doctor was personally under fire
from the enemy on several occasions. Few
surgeons were more loyally faithful to duty
or more conscientious in its discharge. Many
a brave man of his command owes his life
to the skill and thoughtful care of Major
Root. He was mustered out and honorably
discharged in October, 1865, by reason of
close of war.
Returning to civil life, Dr. Root again
turned his attention to the practice of his
profession, and the better to qualify himself
for its responsible duties, he entered Bellevue
Hospital Medical College, New York City,
from which he received an ad endum degree.
In the spring of I866, he located in Mason,
where he has since resided. He has enjoyed
a large practice both in city and country.
Dr. Root is a busy man always, was so born,
and when nbt engaged in his professional
duties, he is evolving some scheme for the
betterment of society and the elevation of
his fellowmen. Mason has had. few more
generous-hearted or public-spirited citizens


than Dr. Root. His fitness for public place
has often been recognized, and he has been
called to fill many positions of trust and
honor. He was for five years Supervisor
of Vevay at the time Mason village was included with the township. For two years
of this time the doctor was Chairman of the
Board.
Major Root cast his first vote "while on
the tented field" near Winchester in the
Shenandoah valley for Abraham    Lincoln,
the first martyred President of the United
States. For more than a quarter of a century, the doctor affiliated with the Republican party and was true to its principles during all the years of adjusting the important
questions, growing out of the changes effected by the great Civil war. As a Republican, he was a recognized leader and
strong in the local councils of his party. It
was only when he saw it surely drifting under the dominating power of the liquor traffic, that it was made clear to him that it was
his duty to sever his connection therewith,
and, sacrificing all personal ambitions for
place unite with a party of convictions where
the full weight of his influence could be
counted on the side of temperance and morality.  In the year 1883 he received the
unanimous nomination for Congress for the
6th district. In his manly letter of acceptance, among other forceful reasons in defense of his position as a party Prohibitionist, he said: "The success of the cause of
prohibition will effect a revolution in our
country that will compare in magnitude of
results, with the fall of the Roman Empire,
the discovery of a new continent, or the
abolition of American slavery.  The removal of the rum curse from our fair land
would lift more burdens from crushed and
bleeding hearts-dry more tears, and open
up the way to a higher and nobler development in the physical, intellectual, and moral




120


PAST AND PRESENT


world than any one event recorded in human
history since the birth of the Man of Galilee.
The great wars of Alexander, Napoleon and
the Caesars, yes; and the wars of American
Independence were fought upon issues that
sink into insignificance, when compared with
the gigantic wrongs inaugurated by the
legalized liquor power of our country."
William W. Root was united in marriage
January 2, 1867, to Miss Margaret, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Snell of Herkimer county, N. Y.    Mrs. Root's parents
were natives of the Empire State.  Her
father was born August 27, I814, at Manheim, N. Y., and died at Herkimer, aged
82 years. Mrs. Snell was born January 17,
1814; her maiden name was Katherine Timmerman, she married Mr. Snell at Manheim,
N. Y., June 2, I836. She passed away at
the age of 80 years. Their remains rest
side by side in the cemetery at Herkimer.
Mr. Snell was a successful business man,
and a man of affairs and highly respected
citizen of his native county for many years.
His family consisted of two daughters, the
other being Parmelia, who is now a resident of Herkimer, N. Y.
To the doctor and Mrs. Root have been
born three children: Walter Snell, born
August 7, I868, a resident of Mason, married February 15, I893, to Laura E., only
daughter of A. J. Rayner of Leslie. Mrs.
Walter Root was born November 22, 1871.
Mr. Rayner is a son of John Rayner, one of
the early settlers of Vevay township. He is
remembered as a shrewd business man, having a large land estate. A man somewhat
eccentric in manner, but bearing a character
above reproach. To Walter Root and wife
three children have been born, respectively,
as follows: Reno Rayner, July 7, I894;
Ruth, June 14, I896, died July 8, same
year; William Jehial, born September I8,
I897.


Clarence Bert, the second and youngest
son of Dr. and Mrs. Root, was born at
Mason, July 5, I870. After receiving a
good, practical business education, young
Root in August, I89I, engaged in the mercantile business in Herkimer, N. Y., which
he followed until the fall of I9OI, when he
disposed of the same in order to give his
entire attention to the real estate and insurance business in which he had been previously interested. October I8, I895, he was
united in marriage to Miss Ada, the daughter of William Helmer, Esq., for many
years a well known and prominent citizen
of Herkimer, where Mrs. Root was born
February 15, 187I. Mrs. Root has the distinguished honor of being a member of General Nichols Herkimer Chapter, Daughters
of the American Revolution, serving the
chapter as secretary.
The third child, a daughter, Katiee A.,
born December 26, 1872, and died August
7, I873.
The doctor traces his ancestors back eight
generations, to one John Root, who was
born in North Hamptonshire, England,
I608. John Root emigrated to the United
States in the year 1638 and settled in Farmington, Conn., His male ancestors have lived
an average age of 65 years, while the female
ancestors have made an average of 75 years.
Both the parents of Dr. and Mrs. Root lived
together for more than 57 years. The doctor's ancestors on his mother's side trace
back to one John Barnes, who came from
England, 1633, and settled in the Plymouth
colony. The family tradition has it that an
early ancestor on the side of the doctor's
mother was at one time mayor of Londonnamed Abbott.
Since taking up their residence in Mason,
Dr. and Mrs. Root have been among the
most active members of the M. E. church




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


121


in all departments of the society's work. He
has been superintendent of the Mason Sunday school for about a quarter of a century,
and has been officially identified with the
society as steward or trustee almost continuously for the past thirty-nine years. At the
last annual conference, Dr. Root represented
the society in the capacity of lay delegate.
He has always been liberal in his dealings
with the church. Dr. and Mrs. Root recently made the generous gift of $6oo to
Albion college, and the doctor personally
contributed to the superannuated ministers'
fund of the Michigan conference-the sum
of $I00.
Whether as Mayor of his adopted city, a
position he is now filling for the third time,
President of the Ingham County Agricultural Society (which position he held for
four years), Representative in the State
Legislature, or a member of the Board of
Education, which position he served for nine
years, or Secretary of the Board of the
County Superintendents of the Poor. It mattered not whether the position was great or
seemingly of little importance, the doctor always measured up to the most sanguine expectations of his friends. He is methodical
and believes in having a system and living
up to all prescribed rules. He is a man of
most generous impulses. Few worthy petitions are circuited in the city in which Dr.
Root's name may not be found near the head
of the list.
Major Root is past commander of Steele
Bros. Post No. 441, Department of Michigan G. A. R., and has been one of the warm
supporters of the organization since its
birth, joining as a charter member. He is
now serving his fifth term as medical director for the Department of Michigan Grand
Army of the Republic. This office has given
him a conspicuous position at the head of
the Michigan column in the grand reviews


of the national encampment for several
years past.
Mason city has no more patriotic or public-spirited citizen than Major Root, and
none who have touched in a helpful manner more phases of society. Whether his
party was in the majority or minority, it
may be said to his credit, that he never suffered a defeat at the polls. A nomination
has always been equivalent to an election
with him. At the dedication of the new
Ingham county court house, May 9, I905,
Mayor Root gave the welcome address to
the citizens of the county as follows:
"Mr. Chairman, Ladies and GentlemenAs Mayor of the City of Mason it gives me
the greatest of pleasure to welcome you to
our city on this important occasion. When
I look into the faces of this large audience
I see people from all parts of our county
to attend the dedication of our beautiful and
magnificent structure as a temple of justice.
We can congratulate ourselves as having one
of the best court houses in the State and for
the wisdom and economy exercised in its
construction.
"We are all happy today, especially those
of us who live in this immediate vicinity, for
we have lived to realize the accomplishment
of our heart's desire to see a good court
house, a thing of beauty erected in the city.
"In this we will not be selfish, we acknowledge this did not come about by our
efforts alone but by aid from the extreme
portions of the county.
"I take this occasion in behalf of the citizens of Mason, to acknowledge our appreciation and extend to you our heartfelt
thanks for your aid in its accomplishment.
We fully realize that this could not have
been done without your help. We trust you
will never have reason to regret your action.
Another cause for mutual congraulation is
the general good feeling prevailing through



122


PAST AND PRESENT


out the entire county. The vexatious question of the county seat is disposed of at least
for a long term of years.
I am no speech maker and will not occupy
the time that should be used by others who
can better interest and edify you. You are
here as our guests, the use of the entire city
is at your command. We are keeping open
house today.  Our people are anxious to
make it pleasant for you all.
"Once more in behalf of the citizens of
Mason I extend to you the hospitality of the
city and give you a most hearty welcome.
I bespeak for you all the pleasant and good
time and that you may carry home with you
pleasant memories of this occasion.
"We are feeling happy, proud and honored by your presence with us."
Dr. and Mrs. Root are rounding out the
years of their lives of service in the full enjoyment of the love and good will of the
community in which they have lived and
served.
LAWRENCE      PRICE.
The subject of this review has reached a
position in the City of Lansing and Ingham
county, not only on account of his natural
abilities and business successes, but also by
his splendid war record, which has shown
him to be a loyal and worthy son of his
adopted country. A native of the Emerald
Isle, he was born in County Tipperary at
Tempolemore, on May 27, 1843. His father,
Martin Price, was a farmer, and there followed that occupation on the place where
his son was born until I849, when hearing
glowing accounts of the opportunities that
America afforded to an ambitious and energetic man, he decided to emigrate with his
family to the new world. They accordingly
took passage from the town of Waterford
upon the sailing vessel called "The Curi

more." After an uneventful voyage of five
weeks and three days upon the ocean, they
landed at Quebec, and from that point they
proceeded to Lewiston, at Niagara county,
N. Y., which was then the head of navigation, and there made their first home.
Martin Price was a mason by trade, and
at first found work in that capacity, but
finally drifted into agricultural pursuits. In
I867 he emigrated still further westward to
Michigan, and located in Lansing township,
Ingham county, where he bought a farm of
eighty acres of unimproved land, adjoining
the M. A. C. The mother of our subject
was also a native of the same locality, as
was his father, and she bore the maiden
name of Ann Egan, being a daughter of
Lawrence Egan. To the union of Martin
Price and his faithful wife were born nine
children, of whom our subject is the third,
being six years of age upon the family's arrival in America. The early education of
Lawrence Price was acquired in the common school of Niagara county, N. Y., being
later supplemented by a course in the academy at Lewiston. He remained at home,
however, until after the breaking out of
the Civil war, when being imbued with the
patriotic spirit of the times, he enlisted in
August of I862, becoming a member of Battery M, of the First N. Y. Light Artillery.
From Buffalo he proceeded to Albany, and
from there was sent to the South, this battery being assigned to the Army of the Potomac. He was in the memorable battles of
Antietam, Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. At the last named battle, Mr. Price
was wounded by a shell which exploded very
near him. For a short time he was confined
to the field hospital. Finding that he was
improving rapidly, he joined his comrades
in camp, preferring this to the permanent
hospital.  At Gettysburg, he was again
slightly wounded in the arm, and after that




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


123


battle his battery followed the rebels on their
retreat into Virginia, as far as Racoon Ford,
on the Rapadan river.  His battery was
now ordered back to Washington and was
then sent west to reinforce Gen. Rosecrans
at Chattanooga. He, with his battery, saw
active service at Wahatchie valley, and also
at Missionary ridge and wintered at Bridgeport, Alabama. In the spring following they
joined Sherman at Georgia, being with him
at Resaca, Dallas, Ringgold, Pumpkin Vine
creek, Culp's farm and Kenesaw mountain.
He was among the first troops which entered Atlanta, and then went on with Sherman to the sea, entering the Savannah on
the 2ISt day of December, I864. After that
campaign they proceeded northward, passing through the old North State touching
Raleigh, Averysboro and Bentonville. At
this point, Mr. Price was slightly wounded
in the face and had the great misfortune to
be taken prisoner by the rebels and was sent
for confinement to Libby prison. The war
was now nearly to an end. Richmond soon
surrendered, being evacuated by the Confederate forces, and the prisoners were released. Mr. Price then entered the parole
camp in Maryland and was granted a thirty
days' furlough, but his intense desire to be
near at the end prevented him taking advantage of this leave of absence, and after
six days he was again with his regiment
and took part in the grand review. Proceeding to Rochester, N. Y., he was mustered out on the 29th day of June, 1865.
After a short sojourn at home, he desired to
go into the oil regions of Pennsylvania, and
there continued until the spring of I866,
which year witnessed his arrival in Lansing,
reaching this city on the 26th day of April.
He found employment here on a farm within
the city limits, and afterwards purchased the
unimproved property in Bath township,
Clinton county, a tract of one hundred sixty


acres of wild land, which he improved and
placed under cultivation.  Erecting good
buildings upon this place, he gave attention
to general farming, until about I880, when
his attention was attracted to the grocery
and produce business, in which he was identified in the town of Flint. He continued in
this for the following three years, when he
disposed of this business and purchased
property in Lansing. Taking up his residence here, he became interested in the buying and shipping of stock, and also became
identified with the lumber business, coming
into possession of a North Lansing concern, formerly conducted by Mr. F. I.
Moore. He became an important factor in
the lumber business, and a few years later
became the prime factor in the organization
of the Capital Lumber Co., in which he efficiently served as its vice president and
manager. Later, this company was reorganized, and in the spring of I89I, after the
death of J. S. Ayers, he withdrew his stock.
He is also a director of the Rikerd Lumber
Co. The hardware business has also claimed
his attention, having been engaged in this
business under the firm name of Price and
Smith, which interest he disposed of in 1902.
Within the list of his numerous business interests, that of dry goods has claimed his
attention, being extensively interested in the
firm of Rork & Price.
Among the numerous enterprises which
have added to the material development and
growth of Lansing, is that of the Lansing
Brewing Co., which owes organization and
its general prosperous condition to our subject, who has, since its incorporation in
I898, been its efficient president and manager. He is likewise the president of the
Auto Body Works, which is extensively engaged in the manufacture of bodies for automobiles and high grade carriage beds. The
Hildreth Motor & Pump Co., largely owes




124


PAST AND PRESENT


its organization to the energy of Lawrence
Price, and is now serving as president and
general manager. Other extensive interests
have also claimed his time and attention,
as his genius for organizing is in evidence in other important manufacturing interests in Lansing, such as the Peerless
Motor Co., in which he is serving as president, also has interests in the Hammell
Cracker Co., being one of the board of directors, likewise the Transfer Co., of which
J. J. Baird is president. He is also a stockholder in the Reo Automobile Co.
A Democrat in his political views, Mr.
Price has taken an active and helpful interest in the advancement of the party, and in
the spring of I890 he was complimented by
his townsmen by the appointment of Chief
of Police and Marshal of the City of Lansing. He has also been the Superintendent
of Public Works for one term, and has
served four years as a member of the City
Council from the fourth ward, which had
heretofore been given a large Republican
majority.
The office of Chief of Police he entered
with characteristic energy and zeal, which
throughout his incumbency, he conducted
for the good of the law abiding part of the
citizens of the city. He has been a frequent
delegate to county and State conventions and
city committees. He is also a member of
the Charles T. Foster Post No. 42 G. A. R.
of Lansing. He likewise bore the distinction of being the first chairman of the Board
of Supervisors ever elected in Lansing, receiving the cooperation of both Republicans
and Democrats.
In 1867 Mr. Price was united in marriage to Miss Mary Ann Ryan, who departed this life in 1883. He was again married in I888 to Miss Julia Bradford. Lawrence Price is a man endowed by nature
with a vigorous mind, retentive memory and


resistless determination, and would have
succeeded in any walk in life.
Starting out in life empty-handed, our
subject has by perseverance and determination of purpose carved out his own fortune.
Planting his feet firmly at the beginning,
he has succeeded in every successive step,
and while advancing his own interests has
probably done more to advance the commercial and manufacturing interests of Lansing
and Ingham county than any man of his
time. A genius for organization, he may
well and rightfully be termed a captain of
industry. The strong traits of his character
have been the foundation of his successful
career. He has been a man of honor and
integrity in his business and private life,
and also been possessed of broad humanitarian principles. He gives generously for
the public good. Faithful in friendship, devoted to the interests of those with whom
he is associated, he stands as a high type of
our successful American manhood.
F. P. VAN BUREN (MERCHANT).
Michigan is well known among the sisterhood of states as having among her sons
many citizens of noble character and high
repute, whose public spirited services and
aggressive and far seeing enterprise have
raised her to her proud position as one of
the most highly cultivated and prosperous
commonwealths in the Northwest. To such
sons the State owes a debt of gratitude and
all who love her delight in reading the record
of their lives. The man of whom we write
in this sketch has made his mark as a noble
son of Michigan and has helped largely in
the development of this part of the State.
He is a capitalist of no mean standing and
is a power in commercial circles, not only in
the immediate vicinity of Williamston, but
in the whole county.




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


125


F. P. Van Buren was born in St. Joe
county, Michigan, in 1853 and was the son
of Freeman C. Van Buren, a native of Long
Island, N. Y., who came to Michigan with
his parents in 1834, settling in St. Joe county. This county was the home of the Van
Buren family, and only one of them ever
took up their residence in Ingham, this being our honored subject.
Reared a farmer, F. P. Van Buren did
not enjoy many of the benefits of advanced
education. He attended the common schools
and acquired there what was necessary to a
practical business education. He remained
at home assisting the father until about sixteen years age, when he started as a salesman in a dry goods store, working at this
about thirteen years, after which he worked
in a store in Grand Rapids for three years.
In I882 our subject came to Williamston
and having only eight hundred and fifty
dollars, which sum would not allow him to
start in dry goods business, he started in a
grocery store and kept this business until
the year 1897. In the meantime he branched
out into the produce business and was attended by success in this line. His prosperity allowed him to erect a splendid brick
building which he now occupies and in
which he carries on a large department
store, containing about seventy-five thousand dollars worth of stock. This store is
in every way an up-to-date place of business.  It is built after Mr. Van Buren's
own ideas and is one of the best arranged
stores in the' State, the shelves being built
from the floor up, and although every bit
of space is utilized for stock, still the aisles
are wide for the convenience of the clerks
and customers.  In this store are found
fourteen clerks, ready with their willing
hands to show the public their full line of
dress goods, furs, silks, domestic goods of
all kinds and shoes and rubbers, bought in


carload lots from the mill. On the second
floor of this store is a complete line of carpets and surplus stock.
Another place of business demands Mr.
Van Buren's attention, as he also owns and
operates a large warehous filled with sugar,
coffee, tea, etc., and in addition to this the
Cold Storage, plant, where he handles eggs,
butter, cheese, etc.  Mr. Van Buren is a
large operator in produce and the the largest operator in eggs in the State, as he
handles one-half million dozen of eggs every
year, buying them from all over the State.
Our subject believes in employing the best
clerks that can be found and in this Cold
Storage plant also has fourteen people taking care of his business. Mr. Van Buren
does two hundred thousand dollars worth of
business every year and from this income
has erected for the comfort and enjoyment
of his family, a fine residence in Williamston, where he enjoys the luxuries he so
well deserves.  Besides this residence, our
subject owns other property, the care of
which demands a portion of his time, which
is so fully occupied in his business pursuits.
When a child of but nine years, Miss
Mary Kline emigrated from Germany, her
native land, to the new country and located
with her parents in St. Joe county and in
I882 became the wife of Mr. F. P. Van
Buren. This union was blessed by the birth
of five children, four of whom are living:
Martin C., Leona, Frank P. Jr., and Lou,
all of whom are under the parental roof.
In politics our subject is independent and
votes for the best man, irrespective of party.
He is an interested citizen, in the political
welfare of his country, but devotes his time
to his extensive interests. He has been in
business for the last twenty-four years and
for his labors has received his just reward.
Mr. Van Buren is truly the architect of
his own fortunes, and is a self-made man,




126


PAST AND PRESENT


both in education and in financial standing.
Beginning at the foot of the ladder, he is
now the most prominent, popular and enterprising man in Williamston. Mr. Van
Buren is an upright man and a good citizen, who began life with no pecuniary advantages, has had no assistance of any kind,
but with a pair of willing hands and by his
industrious and persevering energy has attained to the possession of a handsome property.
M. L. CAMPBELL.
M. L. Campbell, a prominent pharmacist
of Leslie, was born in 1858 in Onondaga
township, and was the son of Marshal and
Mariah Campbell. The father was born in
eastern Pennsylvania where he spent his
early boyhood and in I825 moved to Erie
county, New York. After the marriage of
our subject's parents they came in I850 to
Ingham  county, Michigan, and settled on
land in Onondaga, where they built a log
house and cleared up a good home. Twelve
children were born to them, whose names in
order of birth, are as follows: Boyer H.,
Catherine, married to H. Gibbs; Sarah, married J. B. Noble; Daniel, Matthew, William,
Homer H., at Albion; Angeline, Charlotte,
Job T., Maria, the deceased wife of B. A.
Davis, and our subject. Eight of this family
are living. After the family came to Michigan they dwelt happily and prosperously at
the homestead until the death of the mother
in October, I862, whose cares, augmented
by the enlistment of her three eldest sons in
the Rebellion, bore her to her grave and deprived the family of her whom they most
needed. He died at the home of his oldest
daughter. Marshall Campbell was a loyal
Republican and at one time served his town
as Justice of Peace.
M. L. Campbell, our subject, was raised in


Onondaga township, living with a sister
after he was five years of age. He acquired
his education in the district schools of the
home locality and when reaching his majority came to Leslie and clerked for a short
time in a dry goods and then in a drug store
for about three years. In 1883 he engaged
in the drug business for himself, but disposed of this property and followed the fortunes of a commercial traveler for a time.
After a time he came back to Leslie and engaged in the clothing business, having
formed a partnership with A. O. DuBois
and here remained until 1897 when he disposed of his interest and again went on the
road as a shoe salesman. In January, I901,
Mr. Campbell returned to Leslie and bought
the drug store owned by R. H. Shotwell in
which business he has since been engaged.
He carries a fine line of drugs, stationery,
etc. In connection with this business, our
subject owns and has under his supervision
two farms in the vicinity of Leslie, consisting of two hundred and twenty acres, and on
one of these places resides, having improved
the premises until he has one of the most
modern country homes of the day. Is also
a director in Peoples' Bank of Leslie, and
in Leslie Telephone Exchange.
In August of the year 1885, M. L. Campbell was united in marriage with Miss Luna
A: Weeks, daughter of Wm. H. and Mary C.
Weeks of Leslie township, old settlers of this
locality. One child has been born to M. L.
Campbell and wife, Catherene, October 12,
I89I.
Our subject is a member, of a number of
social orders, being identified with the Masons, belonging to the Knight Templars of
Jackson, the Mystic Shriners of Detroit, to
the K. of P.'s and Maccabees at Leslie, the
Elks at Jackson and to the Grange.   In
I896 Mr. Campbell ran for sheriff of Ingham county but was defeated in the race.








I::: ~~
I 


HON. CHARLES CARROLL FITCH (Deceased)




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN


127


He is sincerely interested in political matters
and an intelligent observer of the public
movements of the day, being a staunch Republican and warmly devoted to the prosperity of that party. Mr. Campbell is an
"all 'round good man" with whom everybody likes to associate.
HON. CHARLES CARROLL FITCH
(DDECEASED).
In the death of this honorable and upright
citizen, Mason and Ingham county sustained
an irreparable loss. He was a man of the
highest respectability and those who were
most intimately associated with him, speak
in unqualified terms of his sterling integrity,
his honor in business and his fidelity to all
the duties of public and private life.
The father, Hon. Ferris S. Fitch, was a
native of Vermont and was a stone mason by
trade.  Realizing the possibilities in this,
what was then termed the West, he came
with his family from New York to Bunker
Hill township of this county, where he bought
a large tract of land. This was in I849,
when the son, Charles Carroll Fitch, named
after one of the signers of the Declaration of
Independence, was six years of age. The
father became extensively interested in farming property in Bunker Hill township and was
in all probability, the largest land owner of
that locality at the time of his death. He
was a man of more than ordinary capability,
shrewd, yet honest, being possessed of an
abundance of energy and determination. He
was a man of sterling traits of character and
his name is inseparably interwoven with the
pioneer agricultural, social and political history of Ingham county.
The early education of Charles Carroll
Fitch was acquired in the district schools of
Bunker Hill township, which was later sup

plemented by attendance at the Michigan
Agricultural College. After the completion
of his collegiate course, he came to Mason
and was identified for fifteen years with the
abstract office and from 1884 to I888 he
conscientiously and acceptably filled the office
of register of deeds, and as an evidence of
the high estimation in which he was held by
his friends and associates, he was elected a
member of the State Legislature from his
district for two successive terms, beginning
in I889 and continuing until 1893. He was
likewise a prominent and influential member
of the Board of Education for twelve years
and was also the president and one of the
prime promoters of the Water and Electric
Light Company of Mason. He was likewise
successfully engaged in the hardware business in Mason for a number of years, or
until his death, which occurred suddenly
June 28, 1899, of organic heart disease. He
became a member of the Masonic order at
the age of twenty-one years and attained
membership to the Knight Templar degree
of the Lansing Commandery and the K. P.
of Mason, also Moslem Temple Shrine, Detroit.
In I876, Mr. Fitch was united in mariage
to Mary Kate Clark, a daughter of Peter
and Ellen Clark, natives of Ireland and New
York, respectively, and they moved from the
latter place to Michigan when Mrs. Fitch
was four years of age. Settling in Lansing
at that date, they became pioneers of that
city. The father was a machinist by trade
and followed that occupation throughout
life. He eventually moved to Mason where
he died in 1884 and the mother in I903. In
this family were nine children, the eldest,
George, was killed in the battle of Gettysburg. Four are now living: Peter, a resident of the State of Washington; Louis K.,
resides in Detroit; Mrs. G. W. Sackrider of
Owosso, and Mrs. Fitch.




I


128


PAST AND PRESENT


One child was born to Charles C. Fitch
and wife, named Fannie E., who is married
to A. M. Cummins, a prominent attorney of
Lansing. They. have one son, named Charles
Fitch Cummins.
In our subject's political views, he was a
staunch Democrat, and had a wide acquaintance with men of political prominence
throughout the State. In dealing with the
personality and delightful and charming
character of Charles Fitch, we have been requested by his numerous friends to include
the following eulogy, so ably and capably
rendered by the Hon. Lawton T. Hemans
at his funeral:
Friends: A sad service calls us here today.
Our friend has taken his departure; he pursues his journey. To us who knew him his
stay has been a sweet incense; to him it has
not been without profit. I am bidden today
by propriety, by the love I bore our friend
and by his express request, a thing I shall
ever treasure as one of the dearest testimonials of his love, to say a few words simple
and unadorned to the honor of his life and
character and to our good. Man searches
the constellations of the heavens and learns
the story of the stars. The secrets of the
deep and of the furthermost parts of the
earth are unfolded as a scroll before him,
but still he finds that the greatest study of
mankind is man.
From the morning dawn of the world's
consciousness to this hour he has been the
being of special favor; holding the lamp of
history and furnishing the pathos of song.
The elements of nature may crush out his
life but he is greater than they for he knows
whereof he dies. Forces may conspire to
his undoing but in the breast of heroic manhood they wake no responsive fear for he
looks beyond the ills of time to the unspeakable peace to come. Some see in death an
appalling disaster: the end of earthly things.


to others amongst whom was our friend, it
comes as a benediction, the well done of the
Father after many a hard-fought battle, if
not after many victories won.
Our friend could say with the pagan Lucretius long centuries ago: "Life is given
to no one for a lasting possession; to all for
use." If this precept be true, and both philosophy and religion proclaim it so, then of
a verity life not death becomes the problem
of greater concern and a worthy life in closing may well join in the exultation: "Grave,
where is thy victory; death, where is thy
sting?"  In the life of our friend as we
knew him there was much that was worthy.
Shall it not by its helpful influence redound
to our betterment as it did to his greater
joy?
Charles Carrol Fitch was born at Cuylerville, Livingston county, in the State of New
York, on the g9th day of July A. D. I842.
He was born to a goodly heritage, to the
worthy example of a noble father and the
helpful precepts of a likewise noble mother.
With these parents in June, six years later,
he came to the Township of Bunker Hill in
this county, and early knew the life of the
pioneers of advancing civilization. It was
here amid the country scenes and the purity
of rural life that he grew to man's estate.
Here he learned the lesson that has been
the basis of all that he is best in our American life, that labor is honorable to all and
indolence dishonorable to any. From the
common school he entered the Agricultural
College in 1858, and soon thereafter became
a teacher in the country school where so
lately he had been a pupil. Added years
ever widened the horizon of his acquaintances and the sunshine of his nature left
each new found acquaintance his friend. An
experience in the Abstract Office in the early
6o's made him an excellent candidate for
the office of Register of Deeds to which of



INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


129


fice he was elected in 1884, to be re-elected
in I886.  A  reluctant candidate for the
House of Representatives in I889, his services were such as to make certain his reelection to the House of '9 —always elected by majorities whose largeness bespoke
the confidence of the people.
How in later years he has served the people of this city in responsible positions is
a story I will not tell. So read the inscriptions on the milestones of his existence; but
how short and almost heartless reads the
chronicle of any man's life. He was born,
he lived, he died. To all but a coterie of
closer friends, silence alone tells the story
of the grandeur of its hopes, the purity of
its purposes and the mighty struggles of the
soul as it labors toward the attainment of
the ideal.
As one may look upon a wild and rugged
mountain side and know   nothing of the
jewels that lie hidden below; so from the
biography of a human life we may learn
little of the hidden influences that made it
what it was. To outward appearances both
may be rough and forbidding, but we may
always be sure that in the one we shall
find jewels and in the other virtues. There
is an element of hero worship still latent in
the human mind. We love to dilate on the
virtues of men in high places, especially if
his creed and practice fits our own. Let us
never forget that the most of the heroes of
the world are the heroes of obscurity. Such
a hero in some measure was our friend. His
was "the genius of childhood taken up and
matured in the powers of mankind." He
loved young men and the child never went
from him in fear.  His heart and mind
drank in the sunshine of youth, while sorrow and disease silvered the hairs of his
head. Have we not watched his lamp burning until the hours of the morning that
obligations of another's contracting might
9


be paid and no dishonor rest upon his name?
Have we not seen him going with willing
heart and anxious will to dispel a heartache
that some thoughtless word of his had
caused? Have we not seen the unostentatiousness of his charity and the cheerfulness
of his liberality?  Shall we not all attest
that for the years of our friendship from
his lips have come no words of unkind criticism of any man? Has he not been found
in the home of sickness and of suffering?
Has he not given to those who were athirst
and to those who were ahunger? Shall not
a just judge then say: "Inasmuch as ye have
done it to one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." His was
a self depending soul. He took neither the
cut of his coat or the tenets of his religion
from the prevailing fashion; but both fitted
to his personality.
We all knew the sportive playfulness of
his humor, but few knew that deep spirit of
reverence which characterized his sterner
moods, the reflex of profound convictions
upon the great central problems of life and
eternity, of the finite and the infinite. Upon
the lesser controversial questions he spent
little thought. The largeness of his charity
and the greatness of his tolerance told him
that there was unity despite diversity. He
drew the inspiration for his own virtue from
action rather than from beliefs. He lived
for the day he knew and for the future for
which he hoped with the firm belief in that
mighty power whose charity, judgment and
mercy endureth forever and who according
to the wisdom of his plan showeth all things
in the slow history of their ripening.
But think not that our friend lived without fault; yet were they defects rather than
active faults.  He had less aggressiveness
than his merits warranted.  He was led
thereby to presume too little and take even
less than his friends would have gladly




130


PAST AND PRESENT


given, and lest his sorrows should increase
the burdens of another, he cast them back
upon his own heart, there to smolder and
at times to cast a tinge of melancholy over
his usually genial nature; and perhaps a
stranger who did not know may have passed
him by and said: "It is strange!" But they
did not understand. And whatever were his
faults and defects let us throw over them
all the mantle of charity for they were the
badge of his humanity. Would that I could
say some word of perfect consolation to
those he has left behind. To an aged mother
who has gone close to the valley of the
shadow of death that a man may live, what
greater consolation can I bring than the fact
that in living he was an honor and an inspiration to his kind. This and this only is
the consolation I bring likewise, to wife and
daughter, to brother and to sister. A noble
life well-lived upon which one may look and
claim in part. We shall not even wish his
vain return to toil again over life's weary
way.
He sleeps in peace. Let us rather say:
Sleep until the shadows take
Their endless flight.
Until the morning breakGood night! Good night!
For hope asks, and from   the tranquil
depths of the stars, from the immeasurable
past and from the inconceiveable future,
from the mysteries of our own souls an
answer comes: "We shall meet again."
GEORGE S. CHAMBERLAIN.
There are some men, who by their uniform good nature and genial kindly ways,
it is ever a pleasure to meet. Such a man
is George S. Chamberlain of the Township
of Locke. Open hearted frankness is one of
the strong characteristics of the man.


Mr. Chamberlain first opened his eyes to
the light of this old world February 2, I838,
and has had them open at the proper time
ever since. His parents, Orson and Betsey
(Underwood) Chamberlain, were natives of
the Empire State, where the father was born
in the year I807, and the mother in I8II.
They were married at Middlebury, Wyoming county, N. Y. In the the year I843
they moved to Michigan and settled in
Locke township.  Settlements were scarce
in that locality at the time and farm improvements meager indeed. Mr. Chamberlain, however, brought with him into this
wilderness country pluck and energy, and
so each succeeding year saw the forest recede, and in its place the growing crop for
the maintenance of the family and the further development of the premises. In time
the primitive log house gave way to the
more modern and commodious frame structure.
Mrs. Chamberlain died January 20, I850,
while yet under forty years of age, though
the mother of six children. She was the
first white woman to die in Locke township.
The father died February I8, I886. Two
only of the family are now living. Their
names and order of birth is as follows:
George S., Lucy, Edward, Henry, Orson,
Mary.
Our subject, by characteristic perseverance, managed even under the adverse
circumstances of his time, to secure a good
practical education from the district school,
and after the fashion of Abraham Lincoln,
studied before the log fire place. Mr. Chamberlain is blessed with a most excellent
memory, which serves him a good purpose
in reviewing the experiences of the years
agone. He began for himself as a work
hand on the farm in the year 1857 and followed that occupation until after the breaking out of the great Civil war. He enlisted




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


131


August 12, I862, and was mustered in as
a private of Co. H, 26th Mich. Vol. Infantry. His regiment, under command of
Col. Judson S. Farrar, left the city of Jackson for the seat of war December 13, I862,
having upon its muster rolls the names of
nine hundred three officers and men. His
was one of the active Michigan regiments
and saw much service. Private Chamberlain was with his command all during the
year 1863 to August, I864. He participated
in Gen. Grant's grand flanking movement,
upon which line he proposed to fight it out
if it took all summer. In that ever memorable campaign was fought the Battle of the
Wilderness, May 5; Spottsylvania, May 12,
1864, in which the 26th Michigan lost in
killed, wounded and missing nearly half of
its number engaged.
We'll never forget the I2th of May,
That fearful bloody battle day,
When scores of brave men fought and bled,
And fell, the living with the dead,
'Till ranks were thinned to half and more
And all the field was wet with gore,
Then followed in rapid succession: North
Anna, Tolopotomy, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Welden R. R., Deep Bottom, Strawberry Plains, White Oak, Swamp, Reams'
Station and the long weary months in the
trenches before Petersburg. After this date
our subject was detailed on hospital duty at
City Point, Va. Many a sick and wounded
comrade owes much for the alleviation of his
suffering to the thoughtful care of George
S. Chamberlain. lie was mustered out of
service and honorably discharged June 4,
I865, by reason of close of war.
Mr. Chamberlain was united in marriage
February 8, 1862, only a few months prior
to entering the service, to Miss Millicent
Clark, whose parents came to Michigan in
1854 from Yates county, N. Y., and settled


in Locke township. The father died in I856
and the mother in 1874.
To our subject and his devoted wife have
been born nine children, seven of whom are
living. Data respecting them is given as
follows: Edward, born April 2, 1863; Clark
S., born July 28, I867; Zady, born November 2, I869, died December 12, I89I; Lotta
A., born March 24, 1872; Clara L., born
November 9, 1874, died April 22, 1890;
Grace E., born April 21, 1877; Orson, born
February 9, 1879; Archibald, born February 9, I88I; George W., born March 29,
1883.
Mrs. Chamberlain was of a family of six
children, and for convenient reference data
respecting them is here given as follows:
John Henry born 1837, died I846; Jane
Ann, born 1839; Archibald, born 1841;
Alida C., born I846, died 1852; Charlotte
A., born 1849.
Mr. Chamberlain is one of the foremost
and successful farmers in his locality, having in his possession one hundred fifty-six
acres of well-improved land with up-to-date
modern buildings.  He affiliates with the
Republican party-the party with a history,
a history of which he is proud and which he
helped to make.
Mr. Chamberlain is a zealous worker
along the line of experimental religion. The
family are members of the Free Methodist
church and exemplify its teachings by the
uprightness of their lives. A record such
as made George S. Chamberlain during the
dark days of the Rebellion coupled with that
of the intervening years as a citizen, a priceless legacy for the inheritance of his children
and grandchildren, and those who come
after them-a brave conscientious soldier, a
just and upright man.
Among the prized trophies of the war still
in Mr. Chamberlain's possession is the regulation forage cap worn by him at the Battle




132


PAST AND PRESENT


of Spottsylvania, when it was pierced by a
rebel bullet, the ball just grazing the scalp.
Mr. Chamberlain has reason to thank his
stars that he stopped growing in height just
when he did.
One of the regrets of Mr. Chamberlain
connected with his army life is the fact that
at the Battle of Spottsylvania, amid the
booming of cannon, the rattle and roar of
musketry and the confusion of the moment,
he stepped over the flag of the I3th Va.
Infantry, which had been left on the field of
action; a brief moment's thoughtfulness, and
he might have had ever after to his credit
the honor of capturing a rebel flag. However, he consoles himself with the thought
that there is a providence which rules over
the destinies of men, and a moment's delay
might have cost him his life.-The record
is made and he stands by it.
JAMES V. BARRY.
STATE COMMISSIONER OF INSURANCE, LANSING.
Commissioner Barry is of pure Irish
descent, his parents, James Richard and
Elizabeth (Cotter) Barry, both emigrating
from  Ireland and locating at Providence,
Rhode Island, in 1846. His father was a dry
goods merchant and removed to Michigan
about I85o. He first resided in Detroit, afterward locating in Monroe, where he continued the dry goods business until his death
in I869. He left seven children, all of whom
are living: James V., being born in Monroe
in I86I. The latter's brother, David S., for
seventeen years was the Washington correspondent of the New York Sun and is now
editor-in-chief of the Providence Journal.
James V. Barry passed through all the developing stages of boyhood and youth in
Monroe, graduating from its high school and


seeing his first experience there as a newspaper reporter. He removed to Lansing in
1882, serving as chief clerk in the office of
the Secretary of State, and subsequently engaging in newspaper work for eight years
as city editor of the Lansing Journal.
While filling the latter position, he became
the correspondent of several metropolitan
dailies, and is still continued in that capacity
by Chicago, New York, Detroit and Grand
Rapids papers.
Mr. Barry was appointed State Commissioner of Insurance in I90I, and has held the
office continuously, his term expiring July I,
1907. In this capacity he is required to
make frequent examinations of the condition
of insurance companies, to see that they are
legally organized and incorporated, and, in
fact, to keep them within the bounds of the
State laws in every detail. It is a position
which requires broad business judgment,
keen financial ability and no small knowledge
of the law; and that Mr. Barry has so fully
met these requirements indicates the soundness of his mental constitution. He is a Republican.  He is President of the Electric
Light and Water Commissioners, and, all in
all, energetic, able, public-spirited citizen.
The Commissioner is a member of
Capital Lodge No. 66, F. & A. M., Modern
Woodmen and I. O. F. He was married
on January 26, I887, to Miss Gertrude
Beamer of Lansing. The two children resulting from this union are James B. and
Louise Barry.
SHUBAEL HAMMOND.
Shubael Hammond was born in the Township of Junius, Seneca Co., State of New
York, July 29, I85I. He was one of seven
children born to Morris and Lydia (Wadham) Hammond, who were natives of the
Empire State. Morris Hammond was born




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN


133


March I4th, 1821, and grew to manhood
near the town of Geneva, where he received
his early education.  Horse racing was a
popular sport in that locality when he was
a boy, and he used often to ride at races
horses owned by his father. He was brought
up on a farm and when he attained to manhood, took up the occupation, which he followed through life. In the year I849 he
married Miss Lydia, daughter of Joseph
Wadham of Seneca county, N. Y., who was
born in 1826. Her father was a native of
New York and her mother of Rhode Island.
In the year 1856 Mr. Hammond gathered
together his temporal belongings and emigrated to the Wolverine State, locating first
in Grass Lake township, Jackson county,
where he remained for about ten years, when
he removed his family to the Township of
Meridian, near Okemos, where he resided
until his death, which occurred May 28,
1900.
The old Hammond estate, lying just
across the highway from the County Poor
Farm, is one of the well known farms of
the township, now owned by the subject of
this sketch and to which he will return January I, I905, at the close of his official duties
as Sheriff of Ingham county, a position he
has held for the past four years. Mr. Hammond has made a most efficient and painstaking officer, and will retire from public
life with the good will and confidence of all.
Shubael Hammond was united in marriage October 29, I879, to Miss Celia
Smith, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Luther A.
Smith, formerly residents of White Oak
township, where Mrs. Hammond was born
January 3, I858.  Her parents were natives of New York, coming into Ingham
county at an early date. Mr. Smith departed
this life in the year I902, and Mrs. Smith
in 1887.
Two children have been born to the Ham

monds, as follows: Starr, May, I886, Hunter, Sept. I8, I89I. Both are at home with
their parents and attending the Mason High
School. Starr has served as Deputy Sheriff
for the past four years, and is a young man
of good principles and promise.
Mr. Hammond has held several positions
of trust and responsibility prior to his election to the office of Sheriff. He was for
three years Keeper of the County Poor
Farm, a position for which he was well
adapted, being of a kindly and sympathetic
disposition. He was also a member of the
Board of Supervisors for several years. His
good judgment and executive ability were
recognized, and he was given a place upon
several important committees, also Chairman
of the Board for two terms.
Our subject is a member of several fraternal organizations, including the Masons
and I. O. O. F. of Okemos, the K. P. at
Mason and the Elks at Lansing.
Politically Mr. Hammond has always affiliated with the Democracy, however, always conservative, consistent and fair. Mr.
Hammond's warm-hearted, genial manner
makes for him friends among all with whom
he has to do.
ALFRED     BEAMER, LANSING.
Mr. Beamer is a resident of Lansing of
forty years standing, one of its pioneers in
the railroad, express and telephone business,
and has always been a large factor in all its
public enterprises and movements. He was
born in Ontario, Canada, in 1841, being the
son of George and Rebecca Beamer. The
father of our subject was a Canadian farmer, a native of St. Catherine, removing to
Michigan and settling in Lansing in I870.
There he lived until his death.
Alfred passed his boyhood and youthful
days in Canada, receiving his early educa

4




134


PAST AND PRESENT


tion in the Dominion schools, as well as his
first training and experience as a telegraphic
operator in the offices of the Dominion.
Coming to Lansing in 1864 he continued
that line of work in connection with the
railroad and express business.  When he
first became a resident of the place, he and
old Sam Milemore transacted all the railroad business with the utmost ease.  In
those days one or two freights came through
Lansing, constituting what was known as
the Ram's Horn line.
Mr. Beamer continued to be identified
with the railroad and express business until
1878, being connected with the American
and National express companies.  Subsequently, he built the first telephone exchange
in Lansing, and managed that enterprise in
connection with his express business until
1898. Since that year, his service has been
monopolized by the express companies
named, whose office is on the same corner
now that it was when, forty years ago, as a
young telegraphic operator, he joined his
fortunes with the business, then in its weak
infancy.
Mr. Beamer's prominence as a business
man was further emphasized by his conduct
of a prosperous produce trade for a number
of years. His substantial standing in this
regard was not earned at the expense of
neglecting the public affairs of the community; for he has always taken a deep and
active interest in the welfare of Lansing, especially in that which concerns the educa- 
tion of the young. He has served on the
Board of Education, and, unofficially, has
also been of great practical service to that
cause. In politics he is a sound Republican,
his religious affiliations being with the Congregational church.  His connection with
secret societies is confined to his membership
in the Modern Woodmen.


In 1862 Miss Louise J. Adjit of Ontario,
Canada, became Mr. Beamer's first wife.
Five children were born to them, of whom
three are living: Mrs. J. V. Barry of Lansing; Miss Mabel Beamer, San Diego, Cal.,
and H. Bruce Beamer, Los Angeles, Cal.
Mrs. Beamer died in 1894, our subject being
a second time united in marriage to Mrs.
Eliza Bush Hinman in I895.
CHARLES E. LOCKWOOD.
Charles E. Lockwood was born in Orleans
county, New  York, December 15, I838.
His parents, Ebenezer and Eunice Lockwood, were natives of Connecticut, the
"Land of Steady Habits." His father was
a wagon maker by trade.   Being in poor
health he closed his affairs in Connecticut
and went to New York, where he farmed
it for a time. He afterwards came to Michigan and made his home with our subject
until he died in I881. The family consisted
of four children, of which our subject was
the third.
Mr. Charles E. Lockwood enlisted in defense of his country in September, 1862, in
Company D of the 151st N. Y. Infantry.
He was in active service during the entire
term of his enlistment.  He followed the
fortunes of his command, which belonged
to the Army of the Potomac and was with
Grant in his flanking movement in I864,
and participated in the Battle of the Wilderness. He was detailed as orderly at the Brigade Headquarters, 3rd Brigade of the 6th
Army Corps, from   1863 until just before
he was taken prisoner, which was on the
second day of April, i865, in front of
Petersburg. He was with the Confederate
army, they being on the retreat, closely followed by the forces of General Grant and
was kept under guard with the moving col



CHAS.. LE. LOCKWOOD








INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


135


umn. He saw the flag of truce which was
sent out by General Lee to meet General
Grant between the lines of the opposing forces.  The result of this interview meant
much to him and no one without similar
experiences can appreciate his feelings during the last hours of the Confederate Army
of the Potomac. After the surrender of the
forces under General Lee at Appomattox,
he was released, and returned to his regiment, and was mustered out and honorably
discharged on the 25th day of June, I865,
by reason of the close of the war.
Following his discharge from service, he
returned to New York and engaged with
his brother in farming. They also bought
and sold live stock. In I869, Mr. Lockwood
came to Michigan and bought ninety acres
of land 'in the Township of Williamston.
He remained here but a short time, when he
removed to Lansing and was engaged in
buying grain with J. M. Pitts of New York.
After a year and a half in this work, he
returned to Williamston and conducted a
grain elevator for several years, later exchanging it for a stock of hardware in the
village, which he conducted for one and onehalf years. Later, Mr. Lockwood formed a
partnership with his brother, S. B., and engaged in the furniture business, but trade
not being sufficient to warrant a copartnership, Mr. Lockwood retired from the business and bought a general store of Mr. H.
H. Spaulding, which he conducted very successfully for fifteen years, after which he
again engaged in the produce business, which
was always to his liking. He was known
as the "pioneer bean buyer" of Williamston,
giving the village the reputation of being
one of the best markets along the line of the
road. After a time he disposed of the elevator, since which he has been living a retired
life. He owns a farm near the village which


he manages and also assists his son in
the management of the elevator at Laingsburg, which Mr. Lockwood considers one of
the finest elevators in Michigan.
Charles Lockwood was united in marriage
September 19, 1876, to Miss Nettie, daughter of John B. Lobdell, who was a native of
the Empire state and one of the early pioneers of Ingham county, having settled in
Dansville at an early date. It is recorded of
the proceedings of the first town meeting
held in the Township of Ingham in I838,
that among the other officers elected that John
B. Lobdell received fifteen votes for the office of Town Treasurer and was duly elected.  May I, I844, license was granted to
John Lobdell to "keep and entertain travellers, to retail rum, brandy, gin and other
spirituous liquors, also ale, cider, beer and
other fermented liquors and to have and to
use all the privileges granted by the laws
of the State of Michigan to keepers of public houses."
To Mr. and Mrs. Lockwood have been
born five children: Fred S., married Miss
Marie, daughter of Captain S. T. Lyon, deceased, formerly of Howell. He conducts
the elevator at Laingsburg; J. B. owns and
is running a tin and plumbing establishment
at Perry; Oda G. is the wife of Harry H.
Watson, a doctor in Williamston; Effie G.
is a graduate of the Williamston high school
and Neita is a student at the high school.
Mr. and Mrs. Lockwood have for many
years been esteemed members of the M. E.
church; Mr. Lockwood having been a trustee of the society for twenty-five years. He
contributed substantial help in the erection
of the church and has been its warm supporter during the interim. He is a member
of the Alexander Post, G. A. R., of Williamston. He was always a hearty supporter of
the Republican party, having confidence in




136


PAST AND PRESENT


its ability to work out the problems which
are before the American people, and has frequently been elected to office.
Mr. Lockwood's business operations have
been extensive, a hundred thousand dollars
worth of business having been transacted by
him in a single year. For a number of years
he was the leading wool buyer of Williamston. He has property in the village and
a farm outside. His accumulations are sufficient to warrant his retiring from the
sterner activities of life and enjoying his
well-earned competence.
Mr. Lockwood's record and achievements
are such that in contemplating them, the
sense of just pride may well be his to enjoy.
JAMES N. LEASIA.
James N. Leasia was born in the village of
Williamston in I859. He was the son of Dr.
James A. and Martha (Shaft) Leasia, the
father, a Canadian by birth, and when twelve
or fourteen years of age crossed the river
and located in Detroit. He followed various
avocations for a time, attended school and
engaged in teaching for a number of years.
The practice of medicine having for him an
attraction, he began its study with Dr. Shepherd of Grand Rapids and later graduated
with honors from the Oberlin medical college, after which he located at Williamston
about the year 1840 and began the practice
of his profession. He was the first regular
physician to locate here. He built up a large
and lucrative practice and won more than
average success in his chosen profession. He
accumulated a comfortable fortune, erecting
one of the finest residences in the town. He
also invested in lands and at the time of his
death in October of I888, he was one of the
well to do citizens of the town.
Dr. and Mrs. Leasia had born to them four


children, two of whom are living, our subject, James N., and his sister, Mrs. W. T.
Webb of Williamston.
James Leasia acquired his early education
in the Williamston high school and at the
age of fifteen entered his father's drug store
as a clerk and has been continuously engaged
in the drug business since. In I897 Mr.
Leasia erected a fine brick store, which he
now occupies and in I9oI formed a partnership, the firm name being "Leasia &
Headly."
The important event of his life was his
marriage in 1892 to Miss Jennie, daughter
of Mr. and Mrs. James Davis of Leslie. In
politics Mr. Leasia lines up with the Democrats. The firm of "Leasia & Headly"
handle a fine line of drugs, paints, oils and
wall paper. Mr. Leasia being on the sunny
side of life and well established in business,
the outlook for a successful future is firstclass and must indeed be gratifying to him.
A. B. ARMSTRONG.
LANSING.
A. B. Armstrong, one of the organizers
and present manager of the Central Implement Co., Ltd., was born in Genesee county,
Michigan, in 1853, being the son of Addison
and Mary Armstrong. His father is a native of Pennsylvania. In 1844 he located in
Grand Blanc, Michigan, and as an agriculturist commenced life in the Wolverine
State. Later he was married, his father-inlaw, Edmund Perry, having located in Genesee county in 1821. During the last thirty
years of his active life he was a merchant
at Grand Blanc, and now lives a retired life
at Coleman. He was the father of five children, four of whom are living.
Our subject's early days were passed in
Grand Blanc, his schooling being continued




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


137


at Flint, Michigan, and concluding at the
University of Michigan (class of '75). For
the succeeding eleven years he conducted a
general store at Grand Blanc.  Later he
represented D. S. Morgan & Company at
Columbus, Ohio, and at Lansing, Michigan.
He then spent a time in Chicago, and on
October I, I897, became associated with R.
U. Tenny in the organization of the Central Implement Company. Each had started
an independent business, but after an experience of about thirty days sensibly joined
their forces.
The company are wholesale dealers and
manufacturers of farming implements, the
factory at Standish employing eighty men.
The business covers Michigan, Wisconsin,
Pennsylvania, New York and a portion of
Indiana. R. U. Tenney is chairman and
J. P. Thoman is secretary of the company,
which was organized as a stock concern in
I899 and reorganized in I901. The business has increased fully six-fold since its establishment in I897.
Mr. Armstrong is a leader in the Prohibition movement, being at present county
chairman of the party. Both he and Mrs.
Armstrong are identified with the Plymouth
Congregational church. His wife was formerly Miss Emma C. Embury of Grand Blanc,
and to her he was married twenty-six years
ago. Their children are Clara B., teacher of
mathematics at Olivet preparatory department, and Alice, who is living at home.
JUDGE MASON D. CHATTERTON
(DECEASED).
One of the ablest and most beloved citizens of Michigan passed away at the death
of Mason D. Chatterton, for many years a
Circuit Court Commissioner and Judge of
Probate Court of Ingham county. He died
on the 28th of October, 1903, at his home


in Lansing, where he had been an honorable, prominent and honored citizen for
nearly twenty years. Had he been ambitious
politically he might have been a leader of
national influence, but chose to decline the
larger honors which were offered him that
he might live a more retired life in the midst
of those with whom he had intimately cast
his lot. Although a man of great natural
ability, which was strengthened and mellowed by a thorough and broad education,
he was intensely human, as well as humane,
and loved to be in close association with his
fellow creatures. He was warm, wholesouled and genuine, and could never have
adapted himself to the ways of the average
successful politician.
The strong elements of Judge Chatterton's character are well described by that
well known Lansing pioneer, Samuel H.
Row, in the following words: "I looked
upon him somewhat as I did on the large,
wide-spreading, sturdy tree that graces the
lawn in front of his late home in Lansing.
He had but the one shade tree-needed but
the one to cast its grateful shade over the
whole house and lot. I believe it was in
some sense typical of himself; firmly rooted,
strong, independent, and self-confident in his
own truth and modest merit.   Like this
strong tree, too, there seemed to me to be a
restful place beneath the shade of his presence and personality, when the fierce sun of
affliction scorched too hot on the heads of
those he compassioned and loved."
The deceased had an exhaustless fund of
sympathy for the struggling and the suffering, for he himself had passed through that
rigid training in economy, which early conditions in the New England states have left
as a legacy to the people of that region. His
parents, although they economised as all
eastern people did, had an abundance of
everything. Kept a dairy, made butter and




138


PAST AND PRESENT


cheese and two or three thousand pounds of
maple sugar every spring.
The birthplace of our subject was Mount
Holy, Rutland county, Vt., and the date,
August 3, I838. At the time of his death
he was therefore but little more than sixtyfive years of age; but as his taking-off was
the result of an acute disorder (pneumonia)
his general constitution was still sound and
vigorous.
Judge Chatterton's parents were Daniel
and Betsy (Jewett) Chatterton. After the
death of his father, David, the former purchased the old homestead from the other
heirs, and here he lived with his wife and
increasing family until June, I85I. The
family which then started for Michigan consisted of our subject, his parents, two brothers and a sister. While the father was prospecting for a home, the other members of
the family remained with Mr. Wolcott at
North Farmington, Oakland county.   In
three weeks from  the day (June 2) he
reached Michigan he purchased a farm of
Horace Havens, two miles west of Okemos,
Meridian township. On the 7th of July,
1851, the Chatterton family established
themselves in their new home, and became
permanent residents of the Wolverine State.
For a number of years the home of the
newcomers was in a rough log house surrounded by heavy timber.  It was a picturesque spot, indeed, in which Daniel Chatterton, with his good wife and sturdy family,
commenced life anew in what was then a
frontier western state. They were devout
Baptists, and as the years passed the. worthy
couple earned the esteem and love of the entire community for their true Christian spirit
and deeds. Mr. Chatterton died at the old
homestead, April 9, I866; his wife survived
him by eleven years; but they are buried
together at Meridian cemetery.
Besides Mason D., the members of the


family were George A. Chatterton of Mount
Pleasant; Sarah E., who married Augustus
L. Sturges of Okemos, and Jewett E., also
a resident of Mount Pleasant.
When    Mr.  Chatterton  founded  the
Okemos homestead our subject was thirteen
years of age. He assisted his father in all
the wearing labors attendant on the life of
a farmer in a virgin country, he devoted
every moment which he could steal from
necessary labor to the equally difficult task
of cultivating a mind already weary with
intense physical strain. In the winter he attended the district schools of the neighborhood, after which he entered the Agricultural Collge as its first regular student.
Judge Chatterton spent three years in the
institution named, subsequently receiving the
degree of Master of Science. After finishing his course in the Agricultural College
he was a student for one year in the State
Normal School. He graduated from the law
department of the Michigan University,
May 21, I86I, with the degree L. B. Two
days later he was admitted to the bar of the
State of Michigan, and in September, 1874,
to the United States courts.  In his preparatory studies, as well as in the practice
of his profession, the predominating traits
of his character were untiring energy, determination and faithfulness; in his dictionary
there was no such word as shirk. 
In I862-63, the rising young lawyer
served as Town Clerk of Meridian, and as
Circuit Court Commissioner of Ingham
county, from I864 to I869. In the last year
of the civil war he was drafted into the military service and ordered to report for duty
at Jackson, Mich. Upon the day specified,
he reported to the Provost Marshal, but,
as the rebellion was then nearly at an end,
he was given an indefinite furlough. Although not called upon, he was never regularly discharged, and technically was sub







ASA I. BARBER




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


139


ject to service up to the day of his death.
At this period of his life the judge removed to Mason, residing there from 1865
to I886. He was President of the village
board in 1872, and on the ist of January,
of the following year, commenced his eight
years' term of service as Probate Judge of
Ingham county.
This portion of his professional career
cannot better be described than by presenting an extract from the memorial submitted
by the committee representing the bar of
Ingham: "His services as Judge of Probate
demand more than passing mention; he
found the records and files of that court in
utter confusion, and it was his work and
untiring diligence that brought order out of
confusion and placed such records in good
condition.
"Since retiring from active practice he has
written an excellent work on probate law,
and has thought and written profoundly on
the problems of life and death; and in passing from our mortal vision he has gone as a
shock of grain, fully ripe, to the garnerhouse of his God.
"Judge Chatterton was a man of the most
exemplary character. His word was a bond
of honor. He was kind and courteous in
his intercourses with fellow-members of the
bar. His friendships were deep and abiding. In every walk of life he bore a manly
part, and met the night of death as tranquilly as the stars of heaven meet the morning."
In 1884, while yet a resident of Mason,
Judge Chatterton represented the Sixth Congressional district in the National Republican convention which nominated James G.
Blaine to the presidency. During the same
year he declined the honor of the U. S. Consulate to Auckland, New Zealand. He removed to Lansing in I886, and continued
to reside there up to the time of his death,


being for most of that period engaged in
general practice.
While living in Mason, Judge Chatterton was elected President of the Farmers'
Bank. This institution was organized June
7, I886, and he did not remove to Lansing
until the following December. When he
died he was still at its head. He was also a
stockholder in two Lansing banks and in
one bank at Leslie. In Masonry he was
a Knight Templar.
In I888 he began the preparation of the
work on "Law and Practice in Probate
Courts," already referred to in the extract
from the memorial of the Ingham county
bar. Many of his most precious hours during the latter years of his life were devoted
to the writing of a book on "Immortality
from the Standpoint of Reason." Since his
death it has been published by his widow,
and has made a deep impression among the
thoughtful who can now more fully appreciate the fine traits of the author's mind and
soul.
The deceased left a widow and one child
-Floyd M. Chatterton, the son having full
charge of all the business affairs which heretofore devolved upon his father. Mrs. Chatterton was formerly Miss Mary A. Morrison
of Okemos, and her marriage to Judge Chatterton occurred June 2, I864.  She is the
daughter of Norris and Jane Morrison,
Pittsburgh, Pa., who came to the county at
an early day and settled on a farm south of
that place. She is a native of Ohio, born
February 29, I839.
A. I. BARBER.
The subject of this sketch is unquestionably one of the best known farmers and
stock breeders in Ingham county, having
been a resident here since I864 and much
of the time in public life. Mr. Barber was




140


PAST AND PRESENT


the son of Orson and Mary Ann Barber
and was born in Washington county, New
York, January 20, 1839. Two years later
the elder Barber with his family emigrated
to Michigan and settled in the County of
Calhoun upon a farm and remained there
until the year I864, when he sold out and
came with our subject who had bought a
farm in the township of Leslie.
December 25, I860, Mr. Barber married
Miss Martha, daughter of Henry Weldon
of Calhoun county. To them have been
born four children. The first Ella, died at
the age of two years; Ada Adella, born in
Calhoun county, is the wife of W. L. Clark,
editor and publisher of the Ingham County
Democrat; Maud, born in Ingham county,
is a successful teacher, she having been employed as principal for several years in the
Townsend Street school in the City of Lansing; Mabel, is the wife of F. H. Glass, who
resides in Alma, Michigan.
Mr. Barber's school advantages were
those common to young men of his time,
supplemented by a few terms at Olivet College. At the age of nineteen years he went
out from the paternal home to grapple with
the affairs of life and win for himself a
name and place. Entering a general store in
the village of Springport, he remained three
years, receiving a salary of eighteen dollars
per month. This he saved and later invested
it in land, which proved to be the nucleus to
a comfortable competence in later years.
Having an eye to the "main chance" and a
tact for business, sharpened somewhat by
his experience in trade, he bought and sold,
traded and dealt until a few years later he
found himself the happy possessor of the
well-known Barber home, consisting of one
hundred and sixty acres of choice tillable
land, beautifully located within the corporate
limits of the City of Mason.
Independent of his farming operations,


Mr. Barber has figured conspicuously as a
dealer and feeder of live stock and particularly of sheep, a department in which he has
met with profitable and gratifying success,
as he has been one of the largest dealers in
this locality for a number of years, making a
specialty in the feeding of lambs for Eastern
markets.
Being a natural lover of blooded stock,
his successful farming operations, in which
he has'acquired a goodly competence has enabled him to devote considerable time to the
breeding and raising of thoroughbred horses
an enterprise which has not only been profitable, but which has given to Ingham county
a reputation in this particular line which is
almost national. In I884 Mr. Barber purchased in Kentucky the trotting thoroughbred stallion, Greenbacks, then two years
old.  This horse later made a record of
2:234 and has proven to be one of the most
successful sires of racing, speed and highgrade driving horses ever owned in the
State. His produce has gone at high prices
to nearly every state in the Union, while
others have gone to England, Germany and
Austria. The quality of this horse has produced a marked effect on the stock interests
of this section, making for the City of Mason
a name and fame for good horses enjoyed
by few cities. The result has been that hundreds of thousands of dollars have been
turned into the coffers of the local horse
breeders. Mr. Barber developed Greenceps,
2:I5'4.   He also raised   Colored  Girl,
2:25'4; Mary Orr, 2:o094 and Sarah Green,
2:194, for all of which he realized good
figures.
Mr. Barber has held many positions of
trust and responsibility and always to the
entire satisfaction of his friends. In politics
he is a conservative Democrat, and has the
distinguished record of having served his
ward as Supervisor almost continuously for




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


141


the past twenty-two years, and as chairman
of the Board of Supervisors in 1902 and
1903, a compliment few men have to their
credit in the county.
He is at present and has been for several
years past, President and Treasurer of the
Ingham County Mutual Fire Insurance Co.,
one of the most successful organizations of
its kind in the State.
He is also Treasurer of the State Association of Supervisors, and as the Chairman of
the Building Committee of the new court
house, he has performed the arduous and
perplexing duties of that position to the utmost satisfaction of all parties concerned.
Indeed more than to any other man the public
is indebted to A. I. Barber for putting into
operation the influences that have resulted
(against seemingly overwhelming odds) in
the erection of the beautiful new court house
at Mason, the pride of the taxpayers and a
monument to their thrift and enterprise.
Mr. Barber enjoys the distinction of being one of a few men who have left upon the
community the impress of their individuality
and unto such men Ingham county owes its
prosperity.
E. F. COOLEY.
LANSING.
E. F. Cooley is proprietor of the Michigan
Supply Co., and president of the Maud S
Wind-mill and Pump Co. and holds important interests in the Olds Motor Works, the
Olds Gasoline Engine Works and the Lansing Wagon Works. He was also one of the
organizers of the City National Bank and
has been its vice president since it was
founded.
Mr. Cooley was born in Adrian, Mich., in
the year I849, his parents being Judge
Thomas M. and Mary E. Cooley. Our subject passed his earlier years and obtained his


education at his birthplace and Ann Arbor,
Mich. In time he attended the University
of Michigan, graduating in the class of I870
with the degree of B. A.
After leaving college he assisted in erecting the gas works at Port Huron, Mich.,
and was engaged in the gas business at that
city for a year, when he came to Lansing,
built the gas works there and managed them
for a period of twenty years.
In I890 Mr. Cooley organized the Michigan Supply Company, purchasing the mill
supply department of the Lansing Iron
Works and consolidating it with the business in that line which he had already established. At this time he erected the commodious building on the corner of Grand and
Ottawa streets, from which are handled all
kinds of mill supplies, plumbers' and steam
fitters' supplies, tubular well goods, etc.
He is the sole proprietor of this business,
which is of a wholesale character and extends all over Michigan. He was one of the
founders of the Lansing Wagon Works, and
has held the office of secretary and treasurer
from the beginning. He also organized the
Maud S Windmill and Pump Company and
is its president. He was instrumental in establishing the Olds Motor Works and is a
director of that company. His prominent
connection with the Olds Gasoline Engine
Works and the City National Bank has already been mentioned. He also owns large
shares of stock in other companies in Lansing, making him a power in the industries
and finances of the community.
In 1871 Mr. Cooley was married to Miss
Kate Taylor of Ann Arbor. The fruits of
this union have been eight children: Edith
A., now Mrs. A. D. Baker, of Lansing;
Fanny, Mrs. George M. Chandler, Chicago;
Edgar L., in business with his father; Elizabeth; Frank E., with the Maud S Pump
Company, of Lansing; Eva, Adaline, and




142


PAST AND PRESENT


David. Mrs. Cooley is a member of the
Congregational church. Mr. Cooley, it may
be added, is a Mason, an Oddfellow and a
republican, although the manifold activities
of his business life have left him no time to
meddle with politics.
HON. JOB T. CAMPBELL (DECEASED).
Job T. Campbell was born in Onondaga
township, Ingham county, July 9, 1855, and
died at Mason, Michigan, April 13, I899.
His parents, Marshall and Maria Campbell,
came to Michigan from Buffalo, N. Y., and
located in the Township of Onondaga in the
year 1850. His father was a native of Berks
Co., Pa., where he was born Oct. 13, I8o8.
He was for many years a prominent citizen
of the Township of Onondaga, holding the
office of Justice of Peace for a number of
terms, and he was generally spoken of as
"Squire Campbell." The mother died when
Job was but seven years of age, leaving a
family of twelve children, which soon became scattered.
At the age of twelve years Job found employment with a farmer, for whom he
worked as a farm hand during the summer
months, attending district school through
the winter. His first six months' service
netted him forty-two dollars. This practice
was maintained until he had secured an education sufficient to enable him to teach, an
occupation he followed for several winters.
Later he attended the Leslie High School,
from which he graduated with honor in
I879. He soon after received the appointment of Deputy County Clerk of Ingham
county, a position he held for the term of
three years, being for two years in full
charge of the affairs of the office. In the
year 1883 he became editor and proprietor
of the Leslie Local, which he conducted successfully for four years, when he sold out,


making a handsome margin on his investment. Soon after he purchased the Pinckney Dispatch of Livingston county, which
he greatly improved, conducting the same
until Jan., I888, when he sold the plant,
having decided to enter the law department
of the Michigan University. Here he spent
an industrious five months, when he returned to Mason and was admitted to the
bar by Judge Erastus Peck, June I9, the
same year. He at once entered upon the
practice of his profession, meeting with flattering success.  However, the newspaper
work seemed to have a fascination for him,
and the year following he purchased the Ingham County News, which he edited and published during the remainder of his life.
Mr. Campbell was united in marriage,
June Io, 1884, to Miss Eva M., daughter
of Mr. and Mrs. Collins D. Huntington of
this city. Mrs. Campbell was born Oct. 21,
I859, at Mason, Michigan. Mr. and Mrs.
Campbell have one son, Prescott (adopted),
born July 25, i888. He is a nephew of his
foster mother, and to whom Mr. Campbell
was more than most fathers.
Mr. Campbell, at the time of his death,
was easily the most popular orator in Ingham county. The versatility, of his mental
range was remarkable, whether Sunday
school convention, political gathering, memorial address, educational topics, reunions
or otherwise, he was always equal to the
occasion.
The following extract from Mr. Campbell's address before the Legislative Convention, at whose hands he had received for
the second time the unanimous nomination,
as the Republican candidate for the State
Legislature, clearly indicate the candor and
appreciation of the man. He said: "Mr.
Chairman and members of the convention:
I wish each of you might feel at this time
just as I do, then you might pardon my




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


143


shortcomings. I should be dull, indeed, if
I did not heartily thank you for the honor.
I am pleased at the decorations of the hall,
they are after my own heart; you know who
did it, I do not, but they are such as I like.
I yield to no one in admiration of flowers
with their fragrance, but above them we
honor the flags which decorate the room.
They are the flowers of liberty. What a
speech might be gathered and what an inspiration from the fact that the flag of
Washington is the flower of liberty! Oliver
Wendell Holmes in alluding to the old flag
that has been dipped in the blood of heroes
says:
'Thy sacred leaves, fair freedom's flower,
Shall ever float on dome and tower,
To all their heavenly colors true,
In blackening frost and crimson dew,
And God love us as we love thee,
Thrice holy Flower of Liberty!
Then hail the banner of the free,
The starry Flower of Liberty.'
I want to say that to be here takes me
back to other days. Right here in this hall
I received the diploma and honors from one
of the best graded schools of the State. Here
in Leslie I earned my first dollar in a business way and it all comes back to me now.
Here is where I owned my first real estate;
here is where I began life after marriage
and now comes the additional honor and I
accept it to do the best I can."
The following is an extract from the
Michigan Presbyterian of April 20, I899:
"The little City of Mason is mourning for
one of her most loved and honored citizens
and Ingham county has lost one of her ablest
sons in the death of Hon. Job T. Campbell,
which occurred April I3th, after an illness
of only four days.   Mr. Campbell was
stricken with appendicitis in the midst of a
very active and useful career.  He sub

mitted to an operation from which he rallied,
but shortly afterwards began to lose strength
and death came soon to his release. A memorial service was held at the opera house
Sunday afternoon and was thronged with
people who wished to pay the last sad honors
to their dead friend. A special train from
Lansing brought -delegations from the
Knights Templars, Ingham County Bar, the
Legislature and other organizations of
which he had been a member.    *  *   *
Mason feels that her best friend is gone;
one who stood not alone for political and
material advancement, but for the highest
Christian ideals of progress. * * * Believing that the Christian should enter heartily into politics, he proved that the efficient
editor of a county paper and a strong political partisan, could also be an active Christian gentleman. As member of the County
Board of Supervisors, he did a work for the
city, which deserves to long be remembered;
as Director of the Board of Education, he
was indefatigable in his labors for the good
of the public schools, and scarcely a week
passed when he did not visit them.
"He was a very busy man, but he was
never too busy to take a personal interest
in the children and young people, who daily
passed his office on the way to school, and
they are among his sincerest mourners. * *
If true greatness consists in a supreme but
unostentatious devotion to duty, of a spirit
of helpfulness, which goes out to all with
whom one comes in contact, then this man
was great."
His experience, as a progressive newspaper man and a legislator, coupled with his
fine mental equipment had fitted him for any
position within the gift of the people of this
commonwealth.   From  early manhood he
had taken a deep interest in public affairs.
His supreme confidence in his country and
her destiny, and her future possible great



144


PAST AND PRESENT


ness, was both inspiring and sublime. The
conscientious ability with which he discharged every trust, public and private,
made advancement for him easy and natural.
As a legislator he quickly established an
enviable reputation, as a faithful public servant, a man whose integrity or honesty was
never questioned. He became a factor in the
politics of the State. He was growing fast
and the widening scope of his political arena
of action was making new and continued
demands upon him.   Nature was indeed
kind in the gift of Job T. Campbell to the
world, and now that he is gone before reaching the zenith of his fame, and from a human standpoint, when he could illy be
spared, the community in which he lived and
the State at large has lost one of its most
promising sons.
In public or private life he was alike, incorruptible. His career as editor or statesman was successful from the outset, retaining the confidence and growing in the esteem of his fellow citizens. Many of his
friends had predicted for him great achievements in the political field.
He was never extreme or erratic, always
courteous and manly. His sense of honor
and convictions were of the highest order.
He accepted responsibilities with a certain
reserve of modesty that emphasized the
weight and dignity of his opinions.
The play of fine fancy ofttimes fringed his
earnest addresses, but never an unseemly
word or misplaced levity marred or belittled
his utterances. It has been said, "The fame
and honor of no man is safe this side of the
grave." The name and fame of this just
man is secure. His honor will remain forever unsullied and his memory will linger
as a sweet perfume.
A half score of men, the counterpart of
Job T. Campbell, would have made Mason
the most renowned city in this great com

monwealth. He had respect for the honest
opinions of others, but was bound by none.
Nature endowed him with a clear intellect
and good judgment. He possessed a kindly heart and gentle disposition; these coupled
with energy, industry and a lofty purpose
made him the pure, noble, manly man the
people loved and delighted to honor.
His sudden demise at an age in life when
his capabilities and faculties were at their
best; his taking off at such a time is one
of the mysterious workings of Providence,
that must forever remain one of the unanswered "whys" of life. The community
mourns his untimely death and points to his
useful and upright life with feelings of pride
mingled with sorrow.
Human life should not be measured by the
years it has spanned, but rather by its accomplishments. Judged by such a standard,
Job T. Campbell had exceeded the average
limit of life. He is gone, but the rich heritage of his noble example will remain to bless
the world, and his love for the devotion to
the right, be an inspiration to truer manhood.
"I knew Job T. Campbell during the last
few years of his life. With the intimacy
born of true friendship, came also respect,
admiration, love. I shall never forget the
dark cloud of sorrow that spread over the
City of Mason during his last hours. I well
remember the occasion of reading the bulletin which announced the sad news that our
loved and loving citizen and friend was
passing away.
"In all public movements he had been our
recognized leader. His clear conception had
ofttimes settled for us many questions of public and private concern. Like many others,
I had learned to lean upon him, to seek his
advice upon the many perplexing questions
of life. How many times did we hear it
asked: 'Who will take his place?'




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


145


"The true grandeur and nobility of his life
cannot be expressed in words. It can only
be understood by a personal knowledge of
his pure life and magnetic presence. It is
hard to overestimate the debt we owe to this,
our universally beloved citizen. His many
good deeds have become so impressed upon
the public and private life of those around
him that every day in some way yet recalls
the value of his living, the mystery of his
untimely death. Had he lived he doubtless
would have been the modest recipient of
still greater honors than those which he had
achieved. He had not yet reached that place
on life's highway that marked his greatest
usefulness; he had, however, traveled far
enough to have met hosts of friends, who
yet continue to gather inspiration from his
noble manhood and true Christian character."-L. B. McArthur.
"Job Campbell was certainly a Christian
and gave to his fellowmen in his daily intercourse with them, the benefit of his conscientious example. He was an honest man;
one actuated by the principle of right and
possessed of sufficient strength of character
to dare to do right.  As editor and law
maker, and as citizen he gave his very best
efforts for the welfare of his fellows. He
loved his fellowmen and was loved by them.
The Angel of Death appeared and Job T.
Campbell passed beyond this life, yet the
memory of his noble life lives on, to guide
others to noble purposes and conscientious
action."-Howard Wiest.
"To tell of Job T. Campbell, as a Christian man, would take a large space. I will
not attempt it in these few lines. Broadminded and sympathetic, he put the best interpretation on every man's conduct. His
rebuke was like sunlight turned into a dark
corner-it simply revealed the sinner to
himself. With young people he was an inspiration. More than one young man kept
10


his eye on the Prize because of the faith
of that strong, dignified friend, who believed
in him and expected him to be something
and to do something.
"Amongst men he mingled freely with all
the classes, but I never heard it even hinted
that he had ever in political life, or fraternity
life, or club life, or social life, or business
life, denied his Lord or compromised his
cause. He was the Barnabas between Peter
and Paul, the link between the extremes of
the church. Naturally the Lord had given
him more sense than he gives to the average
man, and Job had added to his natural fund,
wisdom and tact.
"I want to add just one illustration of his
genius to do the right thing at the right
time: He was superintendent of the Sabbath
school, and one day he said to me: 'Well,
pastor, does everything suit you in the
church?' I said: 'No, there are too many
independent ends aimed at. Every department of the church, the Sabbath school, the
missionary society, the young peoples' societies and all social life ought to work
towards the pulpit, and they do not do so.
The most of them seem to be ends in themselves.  All the energies of the church
should converge into the pulpit and in the
pastor.' A couple of weeks later, as I was
about to go away on a long journey, at the
close of the Sabbath school, he called the
singers up to the front, then he asked me
to sit in the middle of the Sabbath school,
and he asked the school to sing 'No. 304.'
A hundred voices sang, 'God be With You
'Til We Meet Again.' At the close of the
song, there stood the superintendent, tears
in his eyes, his face livid with emotion, his
body trembling with feeling, then with a
mighty effort at self-control he said, 'Pastor Zimmerman, your Sabbath school, surrounding you, wish you Godspeed on, and
a safe return from, your journey."-Andrew




146


PAST AND PRESENT


S. Zimmerman, Pastor of the Presbyterian
Church of Mason, Michigan,. from Sept. 6,
I897, to Nov. 6, I902.
HORATIO J. BOND.
No history of the County of Ingham during the last half of the nineteenth century
would be complete without a record of the
activities of the noble men and women, who
during those eventful years, wrought with
energy and perseverance to bring about the
wonderful changes that have been affected
along the line of the physical development
of this county. The first settlers, the original pioneers, have passed away, but in their
places have come their worthy sons and
daughters, to build upon the foundations of
their sturdy ancestors. Progress is the law
of the race, and with improved physical
conditions of the county, have come a better
and higher civilization. All honor to those
God-fearing men and women, who braved
the hardships and endured the privations,
incident to the settlement of a new country.
Long may their deeds of valor, their trials
and triumphs be told in story and song, to
the generations that shall come after them.
The subject of this sketch is but a generation removed from the old first settler.
Horatio J. Bond is a product of the Wolverine State, having been born in Rome, Lenawee county, May I, 1842. His parents were
natives of the Empire State and came to
Michigan in the year 1838 and settled in
Lenawee county. His father was a carpenter and followed his trade through life. H.
J. was an only child, and he had the misfortune of having been bereft of his mother
when but a babe of one year-an irreparable
loss. His early education was acquired in
the district schools of his native town.
While yet in his teens, a mere boy, the telegraph flashed the news across the country


that Fort Sumter had been fired upon, and
that civil war had been declared. This portentious news, although apprehended by
many, created the most intense excitement;
business was nearly suspended. President
Lincoln issued a call for seventy-five thousand volunteers for three months. Michigan's quota was one regiment only, which
within a few days, under the leadership of
the gallant Col. O. B. Wilcox, was on its
way to the seat of war.     Everywhere
throughout the north, preparations were being made to loyally support the administration and the cause of the union. The ninety
days for which the first troops were enlisted,
were drawing to a close, only one great battle
had been fought, that of the first Bull Run,
in which the enemy were victorious, hurling the union forces back within the defenses of Washington in a confused mass.
Then came the call for three hundred thousand men for three years, or during the war.
It was under this call that Gov. Blair was
authorized to recruit the third Michigan
cavalry, and it was this call that appealed to
the loyal pride of young Bond, and he
pushed aside all the ambitions of life and
enrolled himself as a private soldier in the
ranks of Co. E of the Third Michigan Cavalry. This regiment was rendezvoused at
Grand Rapids and was mustered into service
November I, I86I, having upon its rolls one
thousand one hundred and sixty-three officers and men, and on the twenty-eighth of
the same month, commanded by Lieut. Col.
R. H. G. Minty of Detroit, left the State
under orders for St. Louis, Mo.  Its first
engagement was New Madrid, March 13,
following.
It is a matter of record that in the first
engagement, the third cavalry "gave the
traitors a lively idea of what Michigan cavalry were composed of, and what they might
expect of them in the future." The siege




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


147


of Island No. Ten followed and was maintained until April, 30 when it surrendered.
The regiment having been assigned to the
command of Gen. Pope, marched to Corinth,
Miss., serving there until its evacuation by
the enemy. It was engaged in the Battle
of Farmington, May 5.
Following the retreat of the rebels from
Corinth, it entered upon the campaign of
Gen. Grant in Mississippi, and served under
Gen. Rosencranz, encountering the enemy at
Spangles Mills, July 26, I862; Bay Springs,
September IO, and at Iuka, September I9.
In this engagement, which was quite spirited, the regiment captured a stand of colors,
belonging to the Third Louisiana Infantry.
Gen. Rosencranz, in his report, speaking of
the third cavalry, said: "For courage, efficiency and for incessant and successful
combats, I do not believe they have any
superiors." Following the engagement of
Iuka, in quick succession, came Corinth,
October 3-4; Hatchie, October 6; Hudsonville, November I4; Holly Springs, November I9; Lampkins Mills, November 30; Oxford, December 2, and Coffee Mills, December 5. At the close of the first year's service, the regiment had to its credit, in prisoners taken, three lieutenant colonels, two
majors, thirteen captains, nineteen lieutenants and twelve hundred and forty-nine privates. Its losses from all causes were two
hundred and fifteen.
January 14, 1863, the regiment met the
rebels at Brownsville, Miss., and at Clifton
on the twentieth. In July, the brigade under command of Col. Hatch, proceeded to
Jackson, Tenn., where the third cavalry
participated in a heavy engagement on the
13th of July and again on the twentieth,
skirmished with the enemy at Panola.
August 14, at Granada, Bayhalia; October
12, Wyatts Ford and at Tallahatchie river
October 13. At Granada the third was in


advance and assisted in destroying a large
amount of rolling stock, after driving the
enemy from the town. Over sixty locomotives and over three hundred cars were destroyed, besides large quantities of commissary and quartermaster stores. During November and December, 1863, the regiment
was almost constantly engaged in scouting
in various expeditions through northern
Mississippi and western Tennessee. It had
frequent encounters with the rebels under
Generals Forest and Chalmers.
Engagements and skirmishes in which the
regiment participated occurred at Ripley,
Miss., November 29, Orizaba, Miss., November 30, Ellistown, December 3, Purdy,
Tenn., December 22; Jacks Creek, Tenn.,
December 24, I863. January I, 1864, the
regiment arrived at LaGrange, Tenn., and
went into winter quarters. This term of
service having nearly expired, opportunity
was given for reenlistment, and within a
few days five hundred and ninety-two of the
command veteranized and a furlough of
thirty days was given.  Rendezvous was
established at Kalamazoo, Michigan, and a
large number of recruits were added to the
reorganized third cavalry, early in March,
1864, when under command of Col. John
K. Mizner of Detroit, the regiment left the
State under orders for St. Louis, Mo., same
point of destination as when first leaving.
Here it remained for two months, awaiting
horses, arms and equipments. In the meantime it performed provost duty in the city.
Although, still dismounted, on the i8th day
of May, the command proceeded to Little
Rock, Ark., where it arrived on the 24th,
reported to Maj. Gen. Steele, and soon after,
was mounted and for some time was engaged in dispersing roving bands of guerillas, under the Rebel Gen. Shelby, driving
them across the Arkansas river, capturing
about eight hundred head of cattle.




148


PAST AND PRESENT


From Nov. I864, to February, I865, the
regiment constituted a garrison at Brownsville station on the Memphis and Little Rock
R. R. Scouting parties from the regiment
were sent out over the country and were enabled to secure cattle in sufficient numbers
to supply the department with fresh beef.
Owing to the neatness of the quarters of the
regiment, the name of the camp was changed
from that of Brownsville Station to Michigan
City. In the spring of I895 the first regiment was assigned to the brigade, first
division, 7th army corps, and moved to
Brownsville, and in March was transferred
to the military division of West Mississippi,
joining the forces under Maj. Gen. Canby.
Following the fall of Mobile, it was employed in outpost duty until the surrender
of the rebel forces, east of the Mississippi
river. Leaving Mobile, May 8, it marched
across the country to Baton Rouge, La.,
where it arrived on the 22d. About this
time, Maj. Gen. Phil Sheridan assumed
command of the forces of the department
and the regiment was selected to join an
expedition  into Texas.  Leaving Baton
Rouge, June Io, they marched to Shreveport, and July 10 started for San Antonio,
where they arrived August 2. Here it remained performing garrison duty, and
scouting the frontier, as far south as the Rio
Grande on the Mexican border. February
15, I866, it was dismounted and mustered
out of service and proceeded via Victoria
to Indianola on foot, where it took shipping
for New Orleans and Cario, from thence by
rail to Jackson, Michigan, where it arrived
March Io, and was paid off on the 15th, and
disbanded.
This brief outline of the arduous service
of this gallant command is sufficient to im.
press the reader with the fact that active
soldiering in a Michigan cavalry regiment
during the Civil war was indeed a strenuous


life. To add that the history of the regiment is but the history of Horatio J. Bond,
is glory sufficient to gratify the ambitions
of any man. To have endured the privations and hardships of the long weary
marches for days, lengthening into weeks,
in an almost tropical climate, with short rations and scant water, must have tested the
powers of endurance to the limit. Mr. Bond
was promoted several times for faithful and
efficient service, and at the time he was
mustered out was orderly sergeant of his
company. Four and a half years' service in
the field, with a Michigan cavalry regiment,
fighting in defense of a nation's flag and
honor, is a record seldom duplicated. The
total loss of the command, including officers
and men, was four hundred and fourteen.
"On Fame's eternal camping ground
Their silent tents are spread,
And glory guards with solemn sound
The bivouac of the dead.'
Returning to civil life, Mr. Bond was engaged with his father in the carpenter trade,
which he continued to follow during his
father's life time. In the meantime he had
located in Holt, and on April 22, I869, was
united in marriage to Miss Julia, daughter
of Mr. and Mrs. John Ferguson, who were
among the first settlers of the place, having
located here in 1837. Mr. Ferguson held a
government claim for eighty acres of land,
which he located on section 13, January,
1841. The Township of Delhi was organized, as such, February I5, 1842, and at the
first town meeting held April 4, following,
twenty votes were cast. Mr. Ferguson was
elected one of the Commissioners of Highways, and the year following was elected
Town Treasurer, and in later years served
the township as Supervisor for twelve years,
and held other township offices.  He was
closely identified with its growth and de



INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


149


velopment for many years. Mr. and Mrs.
Ferguson reared a family of eight children,
five of whom are still living. Data referring
to them is given as follows: Amelia, married Alpha Douglas, now deceased; Mary,
wife of H. J. Aldrich; Julia, born November 7, I843; Adelpha, deceased wife-of S.
H. Phillips; Dr. Augustus F. Furguson, a
practicing physician of Lansing; Dr. J. W.
Ferguson of Okemos; Emma, wife of A. F.
Gunn. The elder Ferguson died February
28, 1898, at the age of eighty-two years
and his devoted wife October 27, I894, at
the age of seventy-six years. Both were
laid at rest in the Holt cemetery.  In life
they were active members of the M. E.
church.
Mr. and Mrs. Bond have had born to
them one son, Harry J., September 9, I874,
who finished his education at the Lansing
high school.  He is at present assistant
cashier in the First State and Savings Bank
at Mason. Harry enlisted as a musician in
Co. F, 3Ist Michigan Volunteers, May 9,: 898, and went with his regiment to Cuba.
He was mustered out and honorably discharged May 17, I899. He was united in
marriage December Io, 1902, to Miss Iva,
the accomplished daughter of Mr. and Mrs.
Chas. J. Rayner of Mason.
Horatio J. Bond, though never a seeker
for place, has often been chosen by his fellowmen to serve in various official capacities.
He has served as Township Clerk, also as
Township Treasurer. He has always taken
an active interest in local affairs and contributed generously of both time and means to
any enterprise looking to the betterment of
society at large. He was elected to the responsible position of County Treasurer in
the year 1892 and reelected in I894, serving
four years, retiring in the fullest confidence
and respect of the public.
Mr. Bond is a Republican of the pro

nounced sort and is in full sympathy with
the avowed principles of the party. Mr.
Bond was for several years engaged in the
mercantile business at Holt, carrying a general stock. The firm name was "Baker and
Bond." By frugality and attention to business, he has been enabled to lay by' a competence sufficient to meet his necessities, having valuable holdings, both personal and
real.
Mr. and Mrs. Bond are living in comparative retirement, surrounded by friends, who
wish for them many years of happiness and
contentment.
GEORGE M. CARR.
George M. Carr, one of the active and enterprising business men of Williamston, was
born il that township, June 26, I85o, he
being the only child. His parents were William M. and Matilda (Moore) Carr, and
were natives of Canada. The father was
born March 3, 1826, in the Province of Quebec, Canada, and died May 30, I899. The
mother was born February 17, 1830, died
July 22, 1850. They came to this locality
when the country was practically in a primitive state and there resided until their death.
George Carr started out for himself on a
tract of sixty acres of land adjacent to the
farm of his father'upon which at one time
there were only five acres improved, but by
perseverance and hard work he improved
that place, erecting new buildings, carving
out for himself and family a comfortable
home upon which they resided tor a space of
thirty-two years.
Our subject was united in marriage June
24, I869, to Miss Ulissa, daughter of Mr.
and Mrs. S. D. Watson of Wheatfield township. The Watsons were natives of New
York and came to Michigan when Mrs. Carr
was but two years old. In the Watson fam



150


PAST AND PRESENT


ily there were seven children, as follows:
Ulissa O., born March 6, 1853; Nancy J.,
born October 23, 1854, died February o0,
I86I; Eliza A., born September I, 1856;
J. W., born May 27, 1863; Elbert, born
June 21, 1865, died December 19, I865;
Andrew J., born June 13, 1867; Belle, born
April 20, I87I, died April 27, 1872.
Mr. Watson purchased a farm in Wheatfield which was their home for many years,
or until the death of the mother, which occurred January 2, I875. She bore the
maiden name of Temperance Welch, and
was born in Arcada, Wayne county, N. Y.,
November 21, 1833. Mr. Watson was born
in the town of Lyons, N. Y. Mr. Watson
at the advanced age of seventy-six is now a
resident of Bath. He has been a teacher of
music since twenty years of age, and taught
altogether for fifty years.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Carr was born one
son, Ellsworth M. He was born June 3,
I870, in Williamston township, this county,
upon the farm where he now resides. He
is a member of the Masonic order, lodge No.
I53, and he and his wife are also members
of the Eastern Star No. 29 of Williamston.
His politics is Republican.
Ellsworth Carr was married on the 4th
day of November, I895, to Miss Jennie
Merritt, and unto them have been born four
children, as follows: Marian, born January
28, I897; Meriel, born April 2, I898; Willis, born January I, 900o, while the last
named is Forrest, born August 14, I901.
Mr. and Mrs. George Carr retired from
the activities of farm life about a year ago,
purchasing a fine residence in the village of
Williamston, where they have since resided.
Mr. Carr, though a Republican, usually
votes for the man he deem best qualified for
the officce. He is a man of good, social
qualities. While he has never been an office
seeker, he has been for three terms Com

missioner of Highways for Williamston
township. Since moving to the village has
been engaged in handling monuments for
the Lansing Granite Co., a business to which
he seems eminently adapted. He still*has a
general oversight of the farm upon which
his son resides.
Mr. Carr is a member of Williamston
Lodge No. 153 F. & A. M., Chapter No.
II7 R. A. M., Council No. 64 R. & S. M.,
and both are members of the Eastern Star,
Williamston, No. 29.
Mr. Carr's father married for his second
wife, Sarah Bethiah Simons.   This ceremony was performed August 17, 185I, and
since the death of his father, Mr. Carr has
kindly given her a home in his family. This
estimable lady was born March 25, I833.
WILLIAM H. COLLINS.
A general farmer on section 26, Mr. Collins has learned the secrets ot nature and
science so thoroughly as to insure success in
his dealings with these fickle deities. His
farm comprises one hundred and seven acres
of good, arable land. Our subject was born
Aug. 8, 1841, and is the son of Selah B. and
Permelia (Green) Collins, natives of New
York. The father was born Nov. I2, I812,
and the mother, Sept. I8, 1817, and their
marriage day was Dec. 24, I834.
Selah Baxter Collins engaged in farming
after coming to Michigan in 1824 with his
parents.  His father first located at Pittsfield township, Washtenaw county, where
he remained several years, his name was
Alpheus Collins.
When Selah Collins started for himself,
he located on fourteen hundred acres of wild
land in Lyndon township, Washtenaw county, and first built a shack by the lake, where
he lived for one year, or until a house was
built. He lost this property through specu



INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


151


lation, and his father sold out at Pittsfield
and bought four hundred acres of this, replacing the frame house with one of brick,
which still stands on the place. Alpheus
Collins resided on this place until his death
in I860.
Selah B. Collins was early a Whig, and
later a Republican. He was a member of the
M. E. church and had four brothers who
were Methodist ministers.  His brother,
Judson, was one of the first seven missionaries to China. Selah B. Collins was the
first of nine children, eight boys and one
girl: Selah B., Josiah, Wellington H., Isaac,
Walter, William W., Judson, Sidney A. and
Esther. All lived to an old age.
William H. Collins was the fourth of ten
children: Edwin O., Dec. I, 1837, died in
1903; Addison C., July 25, I838; Marian S.,
May 24, I839, died in 1852; William H.,
our subject; Esther A., Sept. 6, 1843; Cynthia, April 1, I846; Lucinda, Feb. 28, I849,
died the same year; Josephine, Oct. 22, 185I,
died in 1852; Albert, Aug. 12, I853, died
Aug. 26, 1862, and Betsey, born April 15,
I857.
Our subject was educated in the district
schools of Washtenaw county and started
for himself in I862, when he enlisted in
ISt Mich. Vol. Infantry, and joined the regiment at Antietam. He was in every engagement of the regiment, including Laurel Hill
fight, where he was wounded in the shoulder
by a minnie ball, which went in at the right
shoulder and came out at the point of the left
shoulder blade. After being wounded he
came home on leave of absence for thirty
days, and at the end of that time was transferred to St. Mary's hospital at Detroit and
there put on duty where he acted as hospital
steward until the close of the war. He was
at one time first sergeant of his company.
In the early seventies Mr. Collins settled
in Lyndon township on eighty acres of im

proved land, where he lived until I886, when
he moved to Stockbridge village and engaged in the agricultural implement business
for eight years and then moved onto his
present place, which he had purchased three
years previous to this time.
Nov. 27, I868, Mr. Collins was united
in marriage to Margaret McCall, who was
born July 17, 1844, and is the daughter of
Alexander and Margaret (McIntyre) McCall of Waterloo township, Jackson county.
The father was born June 17, 800oo, and the
mother, July 3, 1804. Mrs. Collins' father
located in Waterloo township, Jackson county, in I835, on four hundred acres of wild
land, all of which he cleared excepting
eighty acres. He was in possession of this
property at the time of his death, Feb. 21,
I8... The mother is also deceased.
Mrs. Collins was the sixth of seven children: Hugh, born May II, I833, died in
I836; Donald, March 13, I835, died in
I836; Alexy, A., Nov. 5, I837, died March
20, I90I; Jane, April I, 1839, died March
II, I904; Hugh A., second, born Nov. 13,
1842; Margaret, July 17, 1844, and Donald,
second, Dec. I8, I846. Mrs. Collins' father
was a Whig, and later a Republican. He
was a member of the Methodist church while
his wife was a Presbyterian.
William Collins and wife are the parents
of two children: the first child born May 3,
1876, died in infancy; Arthur W., born
April 29, 1877, married Annie Grimes, Nov.
25, 1903, to whom one son has been born,
Rodney A., Nov. 14, 1904. They reside on
a farm across the road from the parents.
Our subject held the office of Highway
Commissioner for three terms, being elected by the Republican party.  Fraternally
he is a member of the G. A. R., Masons
and Eastern Star.
Mr. Collins is one of the representative
citizens of Stockbridge township, and al



152


PAST AND PRESENT


though his residence here has not been as
long as that of many, he is as loyally attached to the district as though he were a
native. He has the respect of all who know
him, and in business matters his word is as
good as his bond.
ARCHIBALD CLARK.
Archibald Clark, the prominent events of
whose life this brief biography records, was
born at Penn Yan, in the state of New York,
August 13, 1841. His parents, Samuel and
Charlotte (Hewson) Clark, were natives of
the Empire State, where the father was born
in Yates county, July 4, 1813, and the mother, March I6, I807. In the year 1835 they
were united in marriage and for about 19
years continued to reside in their native
state. In the year I854 they packed their
goods and turned their faces westward. following the star of empire. Locke township,
Ingham county, was the objective point.
Landing in this new and but partially settled
country, they purchased a tract of 40 acres,
but located upon what is known in that section as the "Gamby Lands," from whom Mr.
Clark took a contract to improve a certain
number of acres of land for which he was to
receive a deed to a certain 40 acres. He was
stricken down and died October 9, I856, before fulfilling his contract, leaving the family in moderate circumstances. The mother
survived him about 20 years, passing away
June 14, 1874.
To Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Clark were born
six children, as follows: Jane A., born June
7, 1839; Archibald, born August 13, 1841;
Millicent, born February 7, 1844; Charlotte,
born December 22, 1848; John H., died July
27, 1846; Alida, died June 7, I850.
Archibald remained at home until 19
years of age when he lived out as a month
hand, at which occupation he continued until


February 24, 1864. He answered his country's call for men to fight her battles and enlisted as a volunteer and was assigned to
Co. H, of the 26th Michigan Infantry. He,
with others, joined his regiment at Brandy
Station, Va., where it had spent the winter
of 1863-64 in comfortable quarters. Young
Clark had scarcely become accustomed to
soldier fare or life in camp before Grant began his great flanking movement to the left
-the line upon which he proposed to fight it
out if it took all summer, which it did and
well into the following spring. May 4th
saw the Army of the Potomac on the move
-the mighty army under the leadership of
the silent Grant and the venerable George
G. Mead. The second corps, led by the gallant Hancock, to which the 26th Michigan
was attached, crossed the Rapidan at Ely's
Ford and marched out to the old battle
ground of Chancellorsville, where the loss to
the Union forces the year before footed up
seventeen thousand. Here they camped for
the night. Three days later the awful battle of the Wilderness had been fought. The
loss is given as fifteen thousand on a side.
There followed in close order Corbin's ridge,
Ny River, Hoe River, Spottsylvania, May
I2th, where the 26th Michigan lost nearly
one half of the number engaged, and seven
out of the nine color guards either killed or
wounded. In this engagement private Clark
was wounded and sent to the hospital, Annapolis Junction, where he remained until
the middle of August, when he rejoined his
regiment with which he served until the close
of the war. The losses in this battle footed
up about ten thousand on a side. North
Anna, May 24, here fell the brave young
captain of Co. H, Henry V. Steele; following come Cold Harbor, and the siege of
Petersburg, each and all have their sad memories.
While the main body of the army lay in




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


153


siege before Petersburg, the 26th, with
others, were engaged in several skirmishes
and battles at various points. Deep Bottom,
Welden Railroad, Strawberry Plains, White
Oak, Reames Station, all in I864. April 13,
1865, the army cut loose for the final struggle. The 26th under command of Major L.
N. Traver, met the enemy at Sutherland Station, April 4th; Amelia Springs, April 5th;
Deatonsville and Sailor's Creek, April 6th;
High Ridge, April 7th; Farnville, April 7th;
Appomattox Court House, April 9th.
It was through the lines of this regiment
Grant operated with his flags of truce, capitulating terms of surrender with General Robert E. Lee. Three days after the final surrender the 26th captured unaided a portion
of General Lee's wagons containing baggage, provisions and ammunition. Many a
soldier of that command carried away with
him valuable souvenirs of the event. Following the surrender of Lee's army the regiment
with other troops, was detailed to remain at
Appomattox while the arms, ammunition
and stores of the Confederacy were being invoiced to the Government.
Returning to Washington, the regiment,
still under the command of General Grant,
participated in the grand review of the Army
of the Potomac by President Johnson, Generals Grant, Meade, and hundreds of other
dignitaries, including United States Senators, Governors of states and others. It was
a day never to be forgotten by those who
participated. Archibald Clark was with his
regiment during all these events that have
now passed into history. The regiment returned to Jackson and was paid off and disbanded June I6, since which time soldiering
has been to the veterans of '6I-'65 a living
memory.
August 23, I868, Archibald Clark was
united in marriage to Miss Mary Roberts,
whose parents, William and Elizabeth (Cas

sady) Roberts, were early settlers in the
township of Osceola, Livingston county.
They were both natives of the Empire State,
where the father was born April 28, 182I,
the mother May 8, 1826.
In 1852 Mr. Roberts made the overland
trip to California, where he spent three years.
Returning, he located with his family in
Shiawassee county upon a tract of sixty
acres.  Later he added eighty acres, and
made many improvements upon the place,
and remained there for fifteen years, when
he disposed of his farm and moved to Fowlerville, which was ever after his residence.
He died January 8, I880. Mrs. Roberts
passed away December I, I868. Mrs. Roberts was an exemplary member of the Baptist church. Mr. and Mrs. Roberts were the
parents of six children, two only still living.
Mrs. Clark was the second born, her birth
occurring 1849; Albert, born February 5,
i856; Thaddeus, born August 7, 1846, died
September 2, 1873; Ira, born July 5, I858,
died November 24, I867; Edwin, born February 13, I864, died December 14, 1884;
Willie, born November 17, I86I, died November I I, 862.
Three children have been born to Mr. and
Mrs. Clark: Ira, born April 27, 1872, died
June I6, 1873; Delbert, born May 9, I874,
died April 2I, 1876; La Verne, born March
31, 1878. August 27, 1902, he was united
in marriage to Miss Bessie Hammond.
Their little son, Hollis, was born January
22, I904.
Politically, Mr. Clark votes with the Republican party, and has the utmost confidence in its leaders to guide the ship of state
to safe moorings.
He has twice represented his township on
the board of supervisors and is a member at
the present time. He is also a Grand Army
man and loyal to the principles of the order
-fraternity, charity, and  loyalty.  Mr.




154


PAST AND PRESENT


Clark is recognized as one of the reliable and
trustworthy citizens of his township. His
home surroundings indicate thrift and prosperity. He is justly entitled to as he is receiving the confidence of his fellow townsmen.
JOHN M. BROWN (DECEASED).
John M. Brown was born in Seneca
county, N. Y., May 2, 1825, and lived with
his parents and attended school in his native
town.  At the age of eighteen years he
struck out for himself, came West and for
seven years engaged in stage driving between Milan and Toledo; Ohio.   At this
early day the stage coach was the most convenient mode of travel, as railroads were
few and extended only between the larger
cities and towns. He came with his parents
to Branch county, Michigan, and for several
years conducted farm operations for his
father.
Before leaving Ohio he was married to
Miss Blooma Bemus.     In I866 he came
with his family to Michigan, and bought
eighty acres of land upon section 13 of the
Township of Vevay.   The same year his
wife died, leaving him with a family of five
small children, three sons and two daughters, their names are: Chas. W., Mary L.,
Frank A., George L. and Nettie E.
October I6, I886, he married Nancy Jane
Kent, daughter of Moses and Minerva
Jacobs, natives of Ohio. Mrs. Brown was
born May 29, I84I, in Trumbull county, 0.
Two children have been born to them: Vernor J., March 20, 1874, now married and
the father of four bright little people, resides
in Vevay township, and Jessie M., born June
26, I880, died at the age of six years.
At the time of purchase the land was in
its primitive state, wild and heavily timbered.
By hard work and economy the forests were
cleared away, the debt on the lands paid off


and good substantial farm buildings erected. Mr. Brown was a man of the strictest
integrity, modest and unassuming and a
good neighbor. His word was as good as a
bond. He enjoyed the confidence of all who
knew him. He died May 22, I904, and his
remains were laid at rest in the Hawley
cemetery.
His memory will be honored and revered
by those who knew him to the close of his
life.  Mrs. Brown still lives in the farm
home, which she by frugality helped to attain.
M. R. CARRIER.
M. R. Carrier was born in Calhoun county, Mich., in I866. His parents, Edwin and
Cornelia, were natives of New York state.
His father settled in Calhoun county, Michigan, in 1837.
Mr. M. R. Carrier moved to Lansing in
I88I with his parents, where he attended
the Lansing high school and the Lansing
Business University, after which he attended Albion college for three years. He is
secretary-treasurer of Northrop, Robertson
& Carrier Co., manufacturing pharmacists
an ddealers in druggists' and grocers' specialties, also vice president of the Cuban
Fruit and Sugar Co.
Mr. Carrier is prominently identified with
the Modern Woodmen of America, the great
fraternal society, and is at present chairman
of the board of auditors of that organization, and is also a member of the Elks and
the K. P. lodges. He is a Republican and
prominent in local politics. He has served
the fourth ward as Alderman a number of
terms.
In 1887 he married Miss Jennie Cushman,
daughter of Geo. C. Cushman of Bath,
Mich. They have two children, Reno and
Florence.




M. R. CARRIER








INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


155


CHARLES COGSWELL.
The value of a book is not to be estimated
by the style of binding or the size of the
folio, but rather by the subject matter within. A brief biographical or historical sketch
of an individual or family often becomes a
valued treasure in the hands of the generations that follow.  This short biography
doubtless places 'in form for permanent
preservation the names of individuals that
are no where else to be found in printed
pages. In work of this character the living
meet the obligations they owe the dead.
Charles, son of John and Eunice (Buck)
Cogswell, was born September 27, 1827, in
New York State. His parents were natives
of the East. They came to Michigan in the
early days of its settlement and located upon
a farm in Jackson county, while Charles was
yet a small boy. Here the parents lived for
many years. The elder Cogswell died at
the age of seventy years, highly respected
and beloved. His companion died at an advanced age and they sleep side by side in the
little cemetery at Spring Arbor.
Charles Cogswell was united in marriage
to Miss Sarah U., daughter of Peter and
Elsie (Pitts) Earl, May 8, I86I.   Mrs.
Cogswell was born November 10, 1827, in
Onondaga county, N. Y., of which her parents were natives. Peter Earl settled upon
the farm situated on section 9 of the Township of Onondaga, this county, in I839,
where Mrs. Cogswell now resides.
Mrs. Cogswell was the sixth of a family of ten children, nine of whom lived to
manhood   and womanhood: Hannah      M.
was born December 4, I816, was the wife of
Dr. L. A. Ward and the mother of five children, she died December 3, I890, at Hornellsville, N. Y.; David E., February 27,
1819, was a farmer and died at the age of
seventy-one years; Levi P., February 24,


182I, resided in Michigan and was the
father of one son and died at the age of
thirty-nine years; Alsy A., born May 31,
1823, was the wife of Ephriam Haynes of
Onondaga township and died at the advanced age of seventy-seven years; Samuel
W., born August 15, I825, resides in Jackson county, Michigan, died at the age of
sixty-eight years. He was the father of two
children, Edward H., born November 21,
I829, resided at Washington, was a farmer
by occupation and died at the age of seventythree years. Peter, named for his father,
born February 15, 1838, lived at Leslie,
where he died in 9oo0.
To John and Eunice Cogswell, seven children were born as follows: George, a resident of Jackson county; Marcella Ann, the
wife of Charles Hubbard; Albert, enlisted in
the defense of his country and died from
wounds received while in service; Maria, the
wife of Martin Hockenberry of Charlotte,
Eaton county, Michigan; Mariette, wife of
Leicester Francis; John, husband of Maria
French.
Two lovely daughters came to bless the
lives of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Cogswellthe first born, Carrie, February 3, I862, became the wife of Fred Burke. They lived
on the home farm of her parents and had
three children as follows: Fred. E., born
DIecember 15, 1883, lives with his grandmother on the Cogswell homestead; Charles
C., October 9, I886, at home, and Carrie,
named for her sainted mother, born February 25, I889, passed to the better land
March 2, I889, only a few days after her
birth. Anna M., born March 23, I868, the
light and joy of the home, died at the age of
fourteen years. Mr. and Mrs. Cogswell were
for many years active members of the Baptist Society at Onondaga and by the influence of their lives helped to mould society
to the better way of living.




156


PAST AND PRESENT


Mr. Cogswell is remembered as a man of
sterling worth, always on the right side of
all questions of morality and religion. After
the death of his parents in Jackson county,
Mr. Cogswell bought out the heirs of his
father-in-law, Peter Earl's estate, where he
lived the remainder of his life and where
Mrs. Cogswell still resides.
From the date of the organization of the
republican party "Under the Oaks" at Jackson, Michigan, I854, Mr. Cogswell was in
full sympathy with the principles promulgated. Though in no sense an office seeker
he at various times served his township in
an official capacity. He was Justice of the
Peace for a number of years, also Commissioner of Highways. Always discharging
the duties imposed with conscientious fidelity
-he was warm-hearted, kindly disposed,
genial and friendly. To imitate him is to live
the life of a good citizen.
CLARENCE E. BEMENT,
LANSING.
Clarence E. Bement, of the old and widely
known firm of E. Bement's Sons, was born
in Fostoria, O., in I856, being the son of
Edwin and Louisa Bement. His father, the
founder of the business, was a native of
Westfield, Mass., living there until he was
eight years of age. With the family he then
moved to Ohio, and, until he was twenty-two
years of age followed the profession of a
school teacher. Subsequently he was a millwright and a foundryman, embarking in the
latter business at Fostoria, in I845. He was
thus employed until he came to Lansing, in
I869, with his son, A. OBement, to found
the business which still bears his name.
At that time our subject was thirteen years
of age. He graduated from the Lansing
High School, from the scientific course, in
'74, and from the classical course, in '76, and


attended the University of Michigan (class
of '80), but left before completing his course
to go into business. At that time he became
a partner in the business, being the third son
to be received into the firm. The founder
of the industry died in I880, but the style
of the firm was not changed until 1897,
when it was incorporated as E. Bement's
Sons. The annual output of the manufactory amounts to $iooo,ooo, of which $400,ooo represents cooking and heating stoves
and steel ranges, and $600,000 plows and
riding cultivators, spring tooth and disc harrows, corn and cotton tools and bob sleds.
The factory employs seven hundred men,
and the goods are sold in every state and
territory of the United States and exported
to France, Russia, Africa, British India and
South America. The initial plant employed
about half a dozen men, most of the work
being done by the proprietors themselves. It
is the oldest establishment of the kind in
Michigan, and certainly none is more widely
or favorably known. Of this large and constantly expanding industry Clarence E. Bement has been superintendent since I880,
having had sole charge of the mechanical
branch of the business and being made vicepresident and general superintendent on the
death of G. W. Bement, in 1903.
Mr. Bement is a member of the American
Society of Mechanical Engineers and of the
Michigan Engineers' Society. His identification with secret societies is confined to his
connection with the Modern Woodmen. In
politics he is a Republican. Locally, he is
prominent for the part he has taken in matters of public education and enlightenment.
He is serving his third term as a member of
the Board of Education, of which he has also
been President. He has been connected with
the public library ever since he has been a
member of the Board of Education, having,
as a member of the Carnegie Library Build



Ij




CHARLES COGSWELL (Deceased)




MIRS. SARAH COGSWELL








INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


157


ing Committee, virtually superintended the
erection of the structure.
Married, in I880, to Miss Carrie Roberts
of Lansing, Mr. Bement is the father of three
children: Constance, Helen and Robert S.
Both he and his wife are members of the
Episcopal church.
CHARLES W. BROWNE.
Charles W. Browne was born on a farm in
the township of Quincy, Branch county,
Michigan, August 25, 1855, and with his
parents removed to Ingham county in I866.
His father was a farmer, and Charles followed that avocation until he attained manhood. He enjoyed the somewhat uncertain
advantages of the district school until sixteen years of age, when he began life for
himself. He has had a varied business career, having been for some years a traveling salesman, and for eight years previous
to I89I being continuously in the employ of
the Singer Mfg. Co., of New York, filling
several positions of trust with that company
in Michigan, Nebraska and Utah. June 22,
1887, Mr. Browne was married to Miss Effie,
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Williams of
Ingham Twp. Miss Williams was an accomplished teacher in music, and a lady of
culture. Two children have been born to
them, both boys: Paul W., December 5,
I893, and Charles W., October 12, I896.
Both are pupils in the Mason high school.
It was in the year 189I that Mr. Browne
with his wife took up permanent residence
in Mason, and for nearly seven years successfully conducted a retail wall paper, book
and stationery business.
In February, I898, Mr. Browne was commissioned by President McKinley Postmaster at Mason, a position which he still
retains, having been reappointed at the expiration of his first term. His administra

tion of the affairs of his office have met with
the general approval of its patrons. Several
changes for better service have been inaugurated during his occupancy of the office,
the most important is the R. F. D. system.
No less than ten routes have been established
with headquarters at the Mason office.
In I902 Mr. Browne purchased the building where the postoffice is now located, on
west Ash street, and fitted it with entire new
fixtures, making it one of the best equipped
offices of its class in the State.
Mr. Browne's is one of the many pleasant
homes of Mason, and being yet in the prime
and vigor of manhood, with his little family about him, ought to be reasonably satisfied with the success he has attained in life
and with the pleasures it affords him.
ORANGE BINKLEY.
Prominent among the younger generation
of farmers of Ingham county is the name of
Orange Binkley. Mr. Binkley has been a
resident of this State since I883, as he came
with his parents, Christian and Lovina
(Kesler) Binkley, in that year. Christian
Binkley was a native of Pennsylvania, and
was born in 1824, while the mother, who
was also a native of the same state, was born
in 1826.  After their marriage Christian
Binkley and wife emigrated to Ohio, and
there settled upon a farm in Sandusky
county.  Here they remained until 1883,
when they came to Michigan, and settled on
a farm in Delhi township. Here they lived
until the present time.
Our subject received his early education
in the district schools of his native state, attending during the winter months, and assisting his father on the home farm during
the summer. This experience gave him the
opportunity to acquire practical knowledge
of farm work, a knowledge that has been




158


PAST AND PRESENT


diligently applied, and has made him a successful farmer.
On the 22nd day of February of 1892,
there occurred the marriage of our subject
to Miss Lottie Tilletson, daughter of Milton
and Ella T. Tilletson, who were residents of
Ohio. Her father is a farmer by occupation,
and a native of Ohio, where the mother was
also born.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Binkley have been
born three children, namely: Harrold Dean,
born March Io, I894; Ralph Forclmond,
born October 4, I895, and Ella B., born
September I, I897.
Mr. Binkley casts his vote for the Democracy, and takes an active interest in all that
pertains to the good of his locality. In his
farming operations, he is a painstaking and
methodical man, and has successfully conducted the farm of Mr. George Dell.
Though still a young man, he commands the
respect of his associates and neighbors, and
bids fair to become one of the successful
farmers of his community.
LUCIUS BOWDISH.
The name Bowdish has been intimately
associated with the Township of Stockbridge
from its earliest settlement to the present
time.
In the year of 1836, when the entire country was practically a dense forest, and the
only thoroughfares across the country, Indian trails, Judge John R. Bowdish, a native of Vermont, born January, 1803, with
his family located on I60 acres of wild
land in Stockbridge. A log house was rolled
up and the clearing away of the forest began.
One important event in the life of Judge
Bowdish was his marriage to Miss Emeline
Dewey in New York state in I826. Mrs.
Bowdish was a native of Massachusetts,
born February, I8Io. Of this union were


born nine children, of which our subject was
the fourth in order of birth. Their order
of birth and other data respecting them is
given as follows: Maria, deceased; Ferdinand, enlisted as a soldier in the 27th Mich.
Vol. Infantry, and was mustered into service April I0, 1863. He followed the fortunes of his regiment, participating in nearly
a score of battles, including Knoxville,
Tenn., Siege of Vicksburg, Wilderness,
Spottsylvania, Cold Springs, Petersburg, and
was captured at the Battle of Reames Station, August I9, I864. He was confined in
the prison pen at Belle Isle, Libby, Salisbury,
and Andersonville. No definite date is at
hand as to the length of confinement in these
places of torment and horror.  It is sufficient, however, to know that when exchanged as a prisoner of war, he was so
broken in health, that he was mustered out
of service because of disability. He lingered
for two years and died a martyr to the cause
of civil liberty; Phoebe J., deceased; Wellington W.; Carlton; Corydon, was a member of the 7th Mich. Infantry, enlisting January, I864, and participated in all engagements of the regiment to the Battle of the
Wilderness, where he was mortally wounded
and died a few days later; and a girl who
died in infancy, and Fernando.
Lucius Bowdish was born in the Empire
State, March 21, I835. His early education
was such as afforded by the district schools
of that time.
When a lad of seventeen he began for
himself as a month hand on the farm and
continued at this occupation for nine years
or until the breaking out of the Civil War.He enlisted August 15, I86I, in Co. B, 7th
Mich. Infantry, under command of Capt.
Philip McKernan. He followed the fortunes
of this gallant command at the battles of
Ball's Bluff, Yorktown, Peach Orchard, Savage Station, Bull Run, South Mountain, An



INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


159


tietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Hay
Market, Gettysburg, Falling Waters, Brist's
Station, Robertson's Tavern, Mine Run and
the Wilderness, which is glory enough for
any man.
The Seventh was known as one of the
best fighting regiments of the Army of the
Potomac, and at the last named engagement, our subject, one of the, bravest of the
command, sealed his devotion to country,
leaving his strong right arm on the field of
battle. For over forty years an empty sleeve
has been a constant reminder of that awful
struggle. He was mustered out of service
Aug. 30, I864, by reason of disability.
Mr. Bowdish upon his return to civil life
again resumed the occupation of farming.
Nov. 24, I864 was united in marriage to
Mary J., daughter of William Presley, who
was a highly respected citizen and pioneer
of the township and came from England to
the United States in 1835. Her another,
whose name was Martha Lowe, was born in
Ulster Co., N. Y. They were united in
marriage at Dexter, Washtenaw Co., in
I837. The father died in 1865; the mother
lived to a ripe old age, passing away in
I898, aged ninety-three years.
In addition to carrying on his farm operations was a loyal Methodist preacher, and
in the early days labored during the week,
while his Sabbaths were devoted to preaching the gospel in the country school houses.
Mrs. Bowdish was third of five children
born to her parents, named respectively:
Jane, deceased; Richard was a member
of the 9th Mich. Infantry, he died at West
Point, Ky., Feb. 9, 1862; John, did valiant
service for his country as a member of the
7th Mich. Infantry, enlisting Jan. 2, 1862.
He participated in all engagements in which
his regiment fought; the Battle of Wilderness being his first engagement, including
the Siege of Petersburg, when he was strick

en by disease and taken to the hospital in a
tent under a tree near the James river, where
he had the strange misfortune to be killed
by a stroke of lightning, Aug. 17, 1864.
Mrs. Bowdish's father was twice married,
his first wife bore him three children, all
of whom are deceased.
To our subject and wife have been born
six children, data given respecting them is
as follows: Emeline, born I866, the wife of
August Lisman, they reside in Livingston
Co., Mich., and have one child, Truman;
Clare, born in I896; Martha A., born in
1869, wife of Geo. R. Cooper, resides in
Ann Arbor, Mich.; Leonard C., born in
I87I, was united in marriage to Anna Grosvenor in I893. She died in I898. For his
second wife, Leonard C. married Bertha
Galagher, they live in Kansas; Inez M., born
in 1874, teaching; Mary G., born in 1876,
teaching; Clara M., born I882, died I886.
In the year I869 Mr. Bowdish settled on
the farm where he now resides, about one
mile south of the village of Stockbridge.
His first purchase was forty acres, with but
a small..... and no buildings. Mr. Bowdish, though handicapped by the loss of his
arm, has by perseverance and energy cleared
the land, erected the buildings and added to
his possession until he owns a farm of one
hundred and sixty acres.
Politically he has always been an ardent
supporter of the party that stood by the administration during the dark days of the rebellion, a Lincoln Republican. Mr. and Mrs.
Bowdish have for many years been actively
interested in every good work tending to the
betterment of society. They affiliated with
the M. E. church.
Mr. Bowdish's father received his title of
"Judge" from his service at an early date,
when two associates were chosen to occupy
seats beside the Judge during court sessions.
He was a man of strong character, good




160


PAST AND PRESENT


judgment and highly respected by his neighbors.
Both the Bowdish and the Presley families were among those whose influence
made the county what it is today.
JOEL SMITH.
The subject of this review has resided
continuously in Ingham county since 1848,
excepting two years in California, and is
therefore justly entitled to be classed as one
of its pioneers. A native of New York, he
was born on the i6th day of September of
1827, in Manchester township, Ontario
county. His father, Asa Smith, was a native of the Green Mountain State and born
in I789. The mother, whose maiden name
was Hannah Poor, was of Revolutionary
stock, as a relative of her's took part and
was killed in the Battle of Bunker Hill,
while another was an officer in the Continental Army, who took part in Sullivan's
raid through Central and Western New
York. The father was a farmer by occupation and followed that pursuit throughout
life and died at the age of seventy-nine years,
while his wife and helpmate on life's journey
long survived him, living to the advanced
age of ninety years and both are buried in
Manchester, Port Gibson cemetery. They
became the parents of fourteen children, two
daughters and twelve sons, all of whom lived
to man and womanhood excepting one, an
infant, and of whom seven are now living,
the subject of this sketch being the seventh
son.
Our subject's grandfather, Ezekiel Smith,
was a native of Massachusetts. He moved
from Stonington in 1788 to Lamoll county,
Vt., where Asa Smith was born at the foot
of Mansfield Mountain, April 3, I789.
Some years after the family moved to Malone, Franklin county, N. Y., where our sub

ject's father and mother were married in
i8 I. The mother of our subject was born
at Haverhill, New Hampshire, on the Merrimac river in I795, her parents having
moved to Haverhill, New Hampshire, from
near Boston. In i811 the father moved
from Malone to the vicinity of Palmyra,
Wayne county, N. Y., having purchased
from the government a tract of wild land in
the town of Manchester, Ontario county. In
1813 he moved upon this tract and cleared
a large farm and here he raised a large old
fashioned family. 'Ihe first squatter upon
the place, upon which our subject now resides, was John Pierce, who came about
1840 and built a log house and moved in and
did a small amount of chopping. He stayed
on the place about three months and in the
spring of I848 Truman Rockwell procured
a pre-emption and moved in and did some
chopping and clearing.
Mr. Joel Smith visited Ingham county
and Lansing in August of 1847, before the
old capitol was erected, the cellar walls being all built and the frame nearly ready to
raise. Men at that time were cutting the
timber from the main streets. Mr. Smith
went to the land office at Ionia and got a
plot of the vacant lands of Delhi and hired
one Frederick Luther to help him look over
the lands. Not finding any that suited him,
he returned to New York in about ten days.
In 1848 he again visited the County of Ingham and bought off the above mentioned
Truman Rockwell and went to Ionia and
took up the land from the government.
There were but a few acres cleared on this
tract of one hundred and twelve acres. With
characteristic energy Mr. Smith began clearing and developing this place and as he
prospered in his undertakings, added to the
original purchase eighty acres, until he now
owns one hundred and ninety-two acres of
well improved land. Most of the improve







JOEL SMITH








AW                           -  11::.,I'M  x,
7771


1\tRS. JOEL SMITH




I




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


161


ments upon the place are of his own handiwork, and a good home and commodious
barns now stand as an evidence of the thrift
and progressiveness of the owner.  The
present structure of prepossessing appearance, was built in the year I876 and took the
place of the first primitive home, a log house
of pioneer times, sixteen by twenty feet in
dimensions, with an addition built in 1853.
In this dwelling of pioneer times our subject and his good wife resided from I853 to
1876.
December 20, 1853, Mr. Smith was united
in marriage with Miss Mary Jane McCurdy,
a native of Redstone, Fayette county, Pa.
Her birth occurred April 29, 1833, and she
died July 17, I900. This union was blessed
with eight children, namely, Hannah J.,
born September 27, 1854, died April 7,,1902; Elenore, born July 22, 1856; Harriet
I., born April 21, I858; Florence May, February I2, I86I; Catherine, April 3, I864;
Frederick C., December 21, I866; Alta L.,
May 19, I87I, and Mary J., born August I,
I873.
In the spring of I850 there occurred an
event in the life of Mr. Smith, well worthy
of recounting in his individual history, as it
not only identified him with the progressive
spirit of the age, but showed him to be a
man of pluck and energy. On the first day
of April of the year mentioned, he joined
three of his brothers at Adrian and proceeded by way of Council Bluffs and Salt
Lake to California, arriving on the 2ist day
of August of the same year. This trip was
made in the face of many hardships and
trials, due to the unsettled condition of this
country at that time. Here they engaged in
mining and prospecting and were quite successful. Here they remained amid wild
scenes and incidents until I852, arriving
home by way of the Isthmus of Panama on
the I8th day of January. Returning home,
11


our subject resumed his farming operations
and has here continuously resided since that
time. Mrs. Smith was a devoted wife and
mother. She was a Christian woman and
died in the faith she so long exemplified.
For more than half a century, Mr. Smith
hIas been a resident of Ingham county and
has borne his part in the development. He
has taken an active part in any and all measures that have assisted in the moral and educational development of his adopted county
and is justly entitled to prominent mention
il this history of its worthy pioneer citizens.
JOSEPH STOFFER.
Joseph Stoffer was born in Green township, Mahoning county, Ohio, August 31,
1836. He was the son of Jacob M. and
Catherine (Meese) Stoffer. His father, a
native of Pennsylvania, was born July 21,
810o, in Franklin county, and died November 14, I885. His mother was a native of
the state of Ohio. She was born January 20,
I816, in the Township of Salem, Columbus
county, and died October 22, 1856. Both
rest in the family plat in a little cemetery in
Washingville, Mahoning   county,  Ohio.
The father was twice married, the first time
March 13, 1834, seven children being born
of this marriage, of whom four are still living. Our subject was the second in the family. The elder Stoffer was a man of many
virtues, always found upon the right side of
questions of morality or religion.  The
parents were members of the M. E. church,
to which they generously contributed of
their means for its support. The father was
a Republican in politics and had faith in his
party to administer the affairs of the government in the interest of the people. Farming
was his occupation, to which occupation he
gave the years of his life.
Joseph, our subject, remained at home at



162


PAST AND PRESENT


tending the district schools during the winter, helping about the farm work during the
summer season.   At the age of eighteen
years he started out for himself to learn the
trade of carriage and wagon making.  He
worked for two years, receiving for his services the sum of sixty-five dollars. October
2, 1859, Mr. Stoffer was united in marriage
to Miss Sarah Ann Calvin. To them two
children have been born, Melinda Jane, born
in Ohio, April, I86I, now the wife of Jesse
Cole, a successful and prosperous farmer in
Aurelius township; Emma Irene, born in
Ohio, July 2I, I864, is the wife of James
Cole, a twin brother of her sister's husband.
The Cole brothers have for several years
jointly managed the farm of Mr. Stoffer,
his wife having died April I6, I897, a
woman of many good qualities of heart and
mind. She was buried in Maple Grove
cemetery in Mason.
Mr. Stoffer has been recognized as one of
the trustworthy and reliable men of his
township. His word is always considered as
good as a government bond. Mr. Stoffer
and wife have for many years been honored
and respected members of the M. E. church
and by the uprightness of their lives have
won for themselves the confidence of all who
know them. In politics Mr. Stoffer lines up
with the Republican party.  He came to
Michigan in 1864, and lived for a time in
the Township of Vevay, working land on
shares.  Later he invested his savings in
land and has ever since been a freeholder.
His farm, situated on section 23, Aurelius
township, is one of the well improved farms
of the township. The buildings are modern,
commodious and attractive. The premises
present to the public the appearance of thrift
and enterprise.
After the mariage of their daughters, Mr.
and Mrs. Stoffer retired from active farm
life and for three years prior to her death,


they resided in the city of Mason.  Mr.
Stoffer is what may be properly termed, a
self-made man, starting out in life his only
equipment being a strong constitution and a
determination to win out. The success that
has attended his efforts along this line must
be very gratifying indeed to him, having a
sufficient competency for his declining years
and living with his two dutiful daughters,
the outlook for him is gratifying far beyond
the average lot of mortals.
WILLIAM    L. ROBSON.
Among the successful, well known business men of Williamston is W. L. Robson,
the druggist, who was born at Farmington,
Oakland county, Michigan, September I8,
1841, being the son of Thomas and Rachel
Robson. His father was born in Yorkshire,
England and emigrated to Michigan in I837.
At this time he was but twenty-two years of
age. He had learned the trade of a tailor in
his native country, which he followed for a
time after coming here and later engaged in
the mercantile business. He first located at
Farmington, but about the year I838 moved
with his family to Lansing, where he worked
at his trade until his death, which occurred
in Lansing. The mother was born in New
York state. Unto this couple were born
seven children, of which our subject was next
to the youngest. He lived in Farmington
with the family until about ten years of age
and moved about the State in various places
until he came to Williamston in I877 and
went into the drug business. Since residing
here he has served the government four years
as postmaster, two years under President
Harrison and two under Grover Cleveland.
Mr. Robson was married May 25, 1864
to Miss Esther, daughter of Mr. and Mrs.
William Shaw of Jackson county. Mrs.
Robson was born at Grass Lake. MIr. Shaw




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


163


died at Jackson, Michigan in I850, after
which Mrs. Shaw with her children moved
to Lansing. At this time, Mr. Robson recalls the fact that Washington avenue was
heavily timbered on both sides. Mrs. Shaw
died at Okemos in I895.    She was the
mother of three children: Willis Shaw of
Lansing, Edwin of Ithaca, and Mrs. Robson.
Four children have been born to Mr. and
Mrs. Robson, only one of which is living,
Dr. Thomas W. Robson, a practicing dentist
at Whitehall, Muskegon county, Michigan.
William L. Robson enlisted in Co. F of
the I7th Michigan Infantry August 13,
1862. The gallant charge made by this command on the stone walls behind which the
enemy with its batteries were strongly
posted, gave it the name of the Stone Wall
Regiment by which it was known throughout the war and which has gone with it into
history of the war. It is a matter of history
that this regiment did most valiant service
at the battle of South Mountain before ever
having had a battalion drill. It had been
from the State but two weeks. In his report of the conduct of this command for the
first time under fire, General McClellan said:
"General Wilcox praises very highly the
conduct of the I7th Michigan, in this advance, a regiment which had been organized
scarcely a month but which charged the
enemy's flank in a manner worthy of veteran
troops." A New York paper giving an account of the conduct of this regiment, said at
the time: "The enemy as usual, sought every
advantage, particularly that of stone fences,
behind which they assailed our men fiercely,
but the impetuous charges of some of our
regiments, particularly that of the I7th
Michigan, but two weeks from home, carried
everything before it and the dead bodies of
the enemy on that mountain crest lay thick
enough for stepping stones. The greatest
slaughter at this point was among General


Drayton's brigade, composed mainly of
South Carolinians and some Georgians.
Nearly the whole of this brigade was either
killed, wounded or captured."
The loss of the gallant I7th in this battle
was twenty-seven killed and one hundred
and fourteen wounded out of less than five
hundred men who were actively engaged.
Captain Gabriel Campbell, a member of this
command who participated in the fight, in a
poem delivered class day before the class of
I865 in the department of science and literature of the U. of M., in describing the part
taken by the I7th, among other patriotic
things said:
"At length the voice of Withington
Makes every heart enlarge,
Up springing at the welcome word,
We rally for the "charge."
Sudden from right to left arose,
A wild unearthly yell
As on the foremost rebel line
Like maddened wolves we fell.
Back driven from their firm stockades,
They rushed with hideous groan,
And rally with redoubled strength
Behind a wall of stone,
On comes the line of Michigan,
With bristling bayonets allThree volleys and a charge! Great God!
It clearly scales the wall.
They rally yet-and yet again,
Fiendish 'mid wreaking bloodNor rebel steel-nor walls of stone
Can check the loyal flood;
But just as o'er that mountain top
Reflects the setting sun,
Our victors' shouts sent heavenward,
Proclaim the battle won."
It was amid the awful din and carnage of
this struggle that William L. Robson fell




164


PAST AND PRESENT


severely wounded on September 14th, 1862,
at South Mountain, Maryland.
Having by reason of wounds become disabled for further service in the field, he was
discharged July 22, I863, at Camp Dennison,
Ohio.
A soldier's sacrifice or service for his country is not to be measured by the time given
but rather to the individual.
HIRAM RIX.
The life sketch of Hiram Rix is that of a
man who has made his influence felt, not
only during the quiet days of peace, but
when the dark clouds of war hung over the
land. At that time he joined hand in hand
with his neighbors, and upon the battlefield
stood shoulder to shoulder with his comrades in the defense of the old flag, and now
he feels that the country for which fought is
dearer to him than if he had remained at
home in her hour of distress. This gentleman lives upon a fine farm of one hundred
and sixty acres in Leroy township, and was
born in Washtenaw county in I844. He is
the son of Hiram and Emily (Osborne)
Rix, the father having been born in Canada,
December I6, I8 I, and the mother in the
Empire State, December 15, I8i8.
The parents of our subject were married
in 1836 in Genessee county, New York, and
came to Michigan in 1837, where they engaged in farming first in Livingston county,
where they lived for about three years on
eighty acres of unimproved land. In I842
they sold out and bought eighty acres on
section 8 in Leroy township. This was raw
land, with the exception of a small place
where a log house was built. After this they
moved to Washtenaw county and here lived
until I850 and they moved back to Leroy
township where they lived until their death.
Early in life the father of our subject was a


Democrat, but later affiliated with the Whig
and finally with the Republican party. In
religion, the Rix family are Spiritualists.
Our subject is one of ten children, being
fourth in order of birth. He was educated
in the district schools and this he supplemented by reading and observation.  Mr.
Rix worked with his father until twentyseven years of age, when he settled on eighty
acres of timber land and has increased his
possessions from time to time until he is the
owner of one hundred and sixty acres.
August 27, I87I, Hiram Rix was united
in marriage to Betsy Ann, daughter of Rufus J. and Dorpha (Brownell) Neal, the father being a native of New York state and the
mother of Vermont. Rufus Neal was born
in 1826 and died in I892, while the mother
was born in 1826 and died in I88I. They
came to Michigan and Ingham county in
I850 and settled in Leroy, first working land
on shares until 1862, when the father served
three years in the army and then bought a
farm of eighty acres in Locke township,
which he sold later and bought eighty acres
in Leroy, which he owned at the time of his
death. Mr. Neal was a Republican, while
our subject, although a Republican in earlier
years, is now an active follower of the
Democracy. Our subject served as Township Clerk for two years and as Supervisor
for six years. He is a member of the Grange
and the G. A. R., in both of which he is
much interested.
Mr. and Mrs. Rix are the parents of ten
children, seven boys and three girls: Milton,
George, Walter, Carl, Edith, Floyd, Clifford, Gertrude, Luther, and Mildred.
Hiram Rix enlisted in Co. D, 6th Michigan Cavalry, October 23, 1862, and the
regiment was stationed at Grand Rapids. In
December they went to Washington, arriving there at the same time as the 26th Michigan Infantry, and spent the time drilling




I








00"




L


'N


GEO. b.CARTE~R




:i


AIRS. GEO. L. CARTER




 , I - I I - I I - - I
"I




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


165


until spring when they were assigned to
Custer's Brigade of Kilpatrick's Division of
the cavalry of the Army of the Potomac,
their first active service being at Gettysburg,
where they lost every commissioned officer
in the company to which he belonged. At
Boonsboro, Maryland, July 8, I863, our subject was taken prisoner and kept in Libby
prison until September 30, I863, when he
was paroled and joined his regiment at Cold
Harbor, June I, I864, and from there went
to Travilian Station, then was sent to the
Shenandoah Valley with Sheridan, and was
in all the battles of that valley. The next
spring, in i865, he crossed the country to
Petersburg and joined Grant and fought in
the battle of Five Forks, and from that time
till the close of the war was in pursuit of the
rebels with with Grant, until the final surrender of Lee. Our subject was one of the
faithful soldiers of his regiment. He well
deserved the respect and confidence that his
fellow townsmen accord him, having been
all through life a self-sacrificing, loyal and
patriotic citizen, than which Ingham county
has few better.
GEORGE L. CARTER.
Among the old settlers now become the retired farmers of White Oak township, Ingham county, we find a number of men whose
abilities and character have given them an
exceptional standing in the community.
Their migration to Michigan in the early
days developed through hardship and struggle, all that is best in man, and by their perseverance and sturdy adherence to the principles which are essential to success have
made Ingham county what it is today. Such
a man is George L. Carter, who resides on
section 28 in White Oak township.
George L. Carter was born August 17,
1818, in Genesee county of the State of New


York, and was the son of Brazilla and Polly
(Crary) Carter, the father living to be
eighty years old and the mother but a few
years younger. The parents were natives of
Connecticut and came to New York in I8I 
locating in Genesee county on a farm, where
he spent the remainder of his life.
Eight children came to bless the home of
Mr. and Mrs. Brazilla Carter, our subject
being the youngest and the only living one
today. The brothers and sisters were Norman B., Joseph T., William H., Cinderella,
born in Connecticut, Lorenzo, Russell, Mary
and our subject, born in New York.
Our subject received his education in the
district schools of his locality, this being of
a meager sort. In I839 Mr. Carter came to
Michigan and cleared three acres of land
near Lapeer, Michigan, but went back to
New York, where he stayed until I850,
when he again came to Michigan and bought
one hundred and sixty acres in White Oak,
now owned by his son, Grant. Since that
time he has bought more land, and today is
the owner of several hundred acres of well
improved farming property.
In I85I Mr. Carter was united in marriage to Abigail Harris, born in Pontiac,
September 17, 1831, and died May 3, 1882,
when he was again married, November 29,
I887, to Emeline, daughter of James and
Eliza (Tooker) Smith. Mrs. Carter was
born May I6, 1842, and was one of eleven
children, three of whom are living; Mrs.
Jacob Estey, of Bath, Michigan, deceased;
Stephen, of Bath; Mrs. Robert Rose, of
Bath, Michigan, deceased; James, deceased;
Mrs. A. P. Smith, of Bath, deceased; Hiram,
of Bath; Mrs. George Van Netter, of Hazlett; Mrs. Nancy Pultz, married, in Missouri; Mrs. Caroline Parse, of Lansing, now
deceased; Benzel S. Smith, deceased, and
our subject's wife, a twin sister of Caroline.
To Mr. Carter and his first wife were




166


PAST AND PRESENT


born two children: Ella Adelaide, born April
30, 1857, wife of Thomas J. Gillam, a farmer of White Oak, and they have one daughter, Beryl Abagail, born February 7, I892;
and Grant G., born February 28, 1864, living in Mason.
Our subject's parents were members of the
Baptist church and his wife is an active
member of the M. E. church.
George L. Carter is a staunch Republican
as was also his father, though not an office
seeker. Mr. Carter is a genial and wholesouled man and is well informed on the
events of the day and has many friends in
all classes of society.
Mrs. Carter was first married to William
Hicok, and two children were born to this
union, named Lillie and Steven.
HUGH    LYONS.-MAYOR OF LANSING.
Our subject, the son of John Lyons, is;a
native of Canada, being born in the year
I847. His parents were both born in the
Emerald Isle, coming to this country about
I820 and settling in the Dominion. There
the father, who was a substantial farmer,
lived and died, his death occurring in I852.
Hugh lived in Canada until he was ten
years of age, after which he spent four years
in Western Illinois. Then, on account of an
accident, he was forced to return to Canada,
where he remained two years prior to his
removal to New York. The Civil War was
well under way when he thus became a
permanent resident of the states, and, notwithstanding his youth, he promptly offered
his services to the Government. In I864 he
enlisted in Co. E, goth New Yory Infantry,
participating in the battle of Cedar Creek, as
well as in a number of minor engagements.
He was mustered out of the service in I865.
At the conclusion of the war Mr. Lyons
settled at Howell, Mich., working at the


carpenter's trade for some four years, when
(in I870) he became a resident of Lansing.
He obtained a position as Superintendent of
the Mineral Wells Bath House and Bottle
Works and later was a salesman and commercial traveler.
In I890 our subject established the firm of
Hugh Lyons & Company, manufacturers of
nickel and brass display fixtures, mirrors,
show cases and similar furnishings. Their
present commodious headquarters consist of
the buildings purchased of the Potter Manufacturing Company, with a considerable addition which they themselves erected. The
establishment is a business feature of Lansing, and represents largely the ably directed
energies of the founder, a typical, self-made
man.
Mr. Lyons was elected to the Mayoralty
of Lansing in April, 1904. He is a consistent Republican, and, as would naturally be
inferred from his army record, a member of
the G. A. R. His wife, to whom he was
married in 1879, was formerly Miss Laura
P. Brooks. She was born in Grand Rapids,
but at the time of her marriage was living
in Lansing. They have one child, Arthur,
who is living at home.
LIEUT. STEPHEN P. LEIGHTON.
For more than half a century the name of
Leighton has been prominently associated
with the township and village of Willianston.
Nathan and Abigal (Carl) Leighton were
natives of the Pine Tree State, but in early
life emigrated to Huron, Wayne Co., N. Y.,
where'the subject of this sketch, Stephen P.
Leighton, was born in I837. Nathan Leighton came to Michigan with his family in
1854 and settled upon a farm in Williamston
township, which was his home until the
death of his wife, which occurred March,




: 0


I
j,, I
11
i 
i
1             -
i
E
7::.,, 




MRS. GEO. L. CARTER (Deceased)




I




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


167


I875, when he retired to the Village of Williamston, when he served as Justice of Peace
for several years. He died in August of
I883. There were eleven children in the
family, five of whom are now living.
Stephen always remained at home with his
father upon the farm, with the exception of
three years in the service of his country in
the war of the great rebellion. He enlisted
on the 12th day of August, i862, in Co.
H., 26th Michigan Volunteer Infantry,
Capt. John H. Sayers commanding, was
mustered in as duty sergeant, promoted to
first sergeant, Dec. 7, 1864, and near the
close of his service was commissioned 2nd
Lieutenant. He easily won his "straps" by
meritorious service on several hotly contested fields of battle. Even before being
commissioned, he was the ranking officer in
his company and for several months its commander. The 26th Michigan Volunteers
was recognized as the best drilled skirmish
regiment in the old 2nd (Hancock's) Corps,
and was consequently oftenest in front when
the army was moving in the enemy's country. It was therefore often under fire when
the rest of the command was not.
Gen. Francis C. Barlow, in whose division the regiment served in the campaign of
1864 and I865, subsequently wrote among
other very complimentary things: "I have
the strongest regard and admiration for the
26th Michigan. It is a difficult thing to pick
out one regiment from all those I served
with, as the very best, but I can say this,
that I never saw one superior in the whole
army." Lieut. Leighton was every inch a
soldier-for him to know duty was to do it.
By his untiring efforts in looking after the
interests and comforts of the men of his
company he greatly endeared himself to all.
After having followed the fortunes of his
regiment for nearly two years, he received a
severe gun shot wound through the foot on


May 12, I864, on that awful field of carnage
at Spottsylvania, Va. In this engagement
alone his regiment lost in killed, wounded
and missing, nearly one-half of the number
engaged; seven out of the nine color guards
were killed or wounded. It was directly in
front of this regiment that a tree twentytwo inches in diameter was literally hewn
down by bullets.  A  correspondent later
passing over the field, wrote: "A grasshopper
could not have lived through the pelting of
that leaden storm and but for the fact that
our troops were protected by breastworks,
they would have been swept away, to a
man."   A few months in the hospital at
Baltimore and Lieut. Leighton returned to
his regiment and with it participated in the
closing campaign of the war. Mr. Leighton
takes special pride in the fact that it was
through the lines of the 26th Michigan, that
Grant operated with his flags of truce,
dictating  terms  of  surrender  to  the
conquered leader of the Confederate forces
at Appomattox, April 9, I865. The regiment
returned to the State under command of Col.
L. H. Ives and went into camp at Jackson,
from which city it had left the State for the
seat of war. It was paid off and discharged
June I6, 1865.
Lieut. Leighton is and has been for many
years an enthusiastic member of the Grand
Army of the Republic, his membership with
Eli P. Alexander Post of Williamston,
named in honor of Lieut. Alexander of his
own company.
Returning from the war, Mr. Leighton
took up the occupation he had temporarily
abandoned and energetically set to work to
secure for himself a home. December 30,
I866, he was united in marriage to Rosella,
daughter of Nelson and Mary Loranger of
Williamston.
Mr. Loranger came in an early day and
for many years was engaged in buying fur




168


PAST AND PRESENT


of the Indians, trading notions and such articles as the Indians fancied. Mr. Loranger
later was engaged in business at Williamston
and his was one of the very first places of
business established in the village.  Mrs.
Leighton has in her possession the certificate
made to her grandfather, J. B. Berard, by
the government in 1832.  He had settled
upon the land and when he went for his
deed to the land office, another man was
going for the same tract and in the end it
became simply a question of endurance and
Mr. Berard won out and secured the prize.
Mr. and Mrs. Nelson Loranger were the
parents of eleven children, five of whom are
still living.
To Lieut. and Mrs. Leighton, seven children have been born, three only of whom are
living: Rose L., now the wife of James A.
Dana, residing on and owning the old Leighton homestead in Williamston township;
Anna, a public school teacher, and Isidore
R., at home.
Some years since, Mr. Leighton retired
from the farm to the village and is enjoying the declining years of life in quiet. He
fraternizes with the Masons. Mrs. Leighton
is active in both the Eastern Star organization and the W. R. C.
Politically, Mr. Leighton has always been
an uncompromising Democrat. His friends
are numbered by his acquaintance. Everybody has a good word for "Steve."
CHARLES A. PENDLETON.
Perhaps no man in this locality bears a
wider acquaintance than Charles A Pendleton, the subject of this review.  Born in
I840, on the I2th day of June, near Bangor,
Maine, he is a son of Henry and Mary D.
Pendleton, who were both natives of that
locality and were of that good old New
England stock who gave to the west those


sons and daughters who have been the principal factors in its remarkable growth and
development.
William Henry Pendleton was a man of
considerable business ability, being extensively engaged in the manufacture of
lumber and as a general contractor and
builder, shipping the products of his mills
to both the home and foreign markets. In
1844, however, he removed with his family
to St. Johns, New Brunswick, where he followed the same business and there resided
until his death, which occurred in I85I, at
the age of fifty-one years. The mother long
surviving her husband, departed this life in
Chicago, while residing with their son,
Charles, at the age of seventy-three years.
In this family were twelve children, six sons
and six daughters, of whom five are now
living, namely: John, Israel, Amelia, Elmira
and Charles, the subject of this review.
The early education of Charles A. Pendleton, which was extremely limited, was acquired in the schools of New Brunswick.
The greater portion of his time, however,
was given in assisting his father. He remained at home until I860, when he shipped
aloard a sailing vessel, as ship's carpenter
for a two years' cruise, which in later years
proved of inestimable value, as it enabled
him to acquire an extensive experience in
general commercial conditions of different
parts of the world. Prior to this time, or in
I860, he spent eighteen months mining and
prospecting in the gold fields of Nova Scotia.
Returning home from an extensive cruise of
almost two years, and being imbued with the
patriotic spirit of the times, and believing
his services were needed in behalf of his
native land, he immediately embarked for
Chicago and there enlisted and was detailed
to active service in the engineering corps at
Nashville. His natural ability in that direction soon placed him under the notice of his




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


169


superior officers, who recognized his mechanical ability, placed him in charge of a
body of men, to engage in the construction
of bridges and general engineering work.
With success which entitled him to the
highest commendation of his superiors, he
continued his service until I865, when he
was honorably discharged and returned to
Chicago. Through capable management and
frugality, he was enabled to save his salary,
which means enabled him to engage in the
general contracting and building business in
Chicago, which he successfully followed for
twenty-two consecutive years, and many old
landmarks of that great and growing city
still show an evidence of his handicraft.
Other interests in the meantime also
claimed his attention, as he was engaged in
the manufacture of sash, doors and blinds
and builders' material and likewise efficiently
served as the chief of Hyde Park Fire Department for seven years, being also engaged
in the employ of Cook county for a number
of years.
After twenty-one years of strenuous and
energetic life in two of the busiest cities of
the world, his health began to fail him and
he decided to remove to a locality beyond the
scenes of his activity. Consequently, twenty
years ago, or in I885, he bought eighty acres
of farm land in Leslie township, this county,
where he soon after moved his family. Upon
this property he made many valuable
improvements and has since built upon it a
commodious dwelling, good barns and has
extensively tiled his place until it is now one
of the good properties of this locality. He
has also added an additional tract of fortyfive acres upon which he has also made many
valuable improvements. While Mr. Pendleton moved to this county with the main
object of living in retirement and for the purpose of recuperating his health, the habits of
his lifetime industry were too strongly inter

woven with his nature to permit him to live
a life of idleness, consequently many enterprises of importance have felt the benefit of
his cooperation and owe their success in a
great measure to his individual efforts, as
he now owns a third interest and is serving
as Vice President of the Charlotte Brewing
Co., an enterprise devoted to the brewing of
ale and porter, beverages that have few
equals in either purity or quality. He is
also an extensive stockholder in the Leslie
Electric Light plant and this enterprise probably owes its continued existence to Mr.
Pendleton's moral and financial support. He
is likewise a stockholder and has served as
the President of the Leslie and Onondaga
Telephone Co., and also owns valuable property in the City of Chicago.
On the I2th day of June of 1867 there
occurred an important event in the life of
Mr. Pendleton, as it was upon this date that
he was united in marriage to Miss Mary D.
Appleton, a daughter of Benjamin Appleton,
and unto them have been born seven children, of whom five are now living:  the
eldest Thaddeus A., was born November 6th,
1869; the second, Theo. A., and third,
Frank, are twins, the latter died at the age of
seventeen; the fourth, Percy D., born................., was a volunteer in the recent
Spanish War, having enlisted in.... company; the fifth is George, the sixth Myrtle,
married Oscar Ohlinger, and resides upon
the home farm, while the seventh, Charles
A., died in infancy. In politics, our subject
affiliates with the Republican party, believing that its men and principles are best
adapted for good government, and while not
a politician in the sense of office seeking, he
has taken a citizen's part in the success of
his party.
In 1875 Charles A. Pendleton became a
member of the Masonic order and throughout the intervening years has lived in har



170


PAST AND PRESENT


mony with its beneficent teachings and he
has the distinction of being a Knight Templar of the Jackson Commandry.
It is but just to say that the life history of
Charles A. Pendleton is a review of one who
has been the architect of his own fortunes.
Beginning in life empty-handed, without any
particular pecuniary advantages, he has
arisen from the ranks of the many to a position of success and influence in his community. A genial, kindly man by nature,
many have benefited by his generosity in
their hour of need. A kind husband and
loving father, he is devoted to the welfare of
his family, and there is no one man in this
community that stands higher in the estimation of his acquaintances than Charles A.
Pendleton.
SOLON D. NEELEY.
Solon D. Neeley was the only son of J.
H. Neeley, was born at Naples, Ontario
county, N. Y., November 18, 1839. His
father, born in I826, died at the advanced
age of eighty-two years. His mother passed
away at the age of forty-seven. He had one
sister only, who at the tender age of seven
years, died, and was buried in Belfast, Allegany county, N. Y. In the year 1844 J. H.
Neeley moved from Naples to Belfast, Allegany county, N. Y., where he lived until the
time of his death.
In 1852 Solon D. Neeley came to Grass
Lake, Michigan, where he received his early
education, but while yet a mere lad of fifteen
years he found employment with the Michigan Central R. R. Co., handling freight. He
was afterwards employed as brakeman and
fireman, and also worked in the roundhouse
in Detroit. In the year I858 he came to
Ingham county, purchased eighty acres of
land in the Township of Alaiedon. After
clearing up about fifty acres and making


other improvements, he sold the place, and
moved to Mason, which has been his home
for the past thirty-nine years. Any man
who in the time of his country's need shouldered his musket and went forth to fight her
battles, enduring the hardship and privations
incident to life in the army, is certainly entitled to a place in history. Our subject was
one of the the "brave boys in blue" who
pushed aside the activities of civil life, to do
and dare that the nation might live. His
was one of the best known regiments in the
service of the State of Michigan, and did
valiant service on many hotly contested
fields of battle. August 2, 1862, Solon D.
Neeley enlisted for "three years, or during
the war," and was assigned to Company A,
20th Michigan Infantry, commanded by
Captain Huntington W. Smith, later Lieutenant Colonel, who was killed in action at
Campbell Station, Tenn., November i6,
1863. Mr. Neeley participated in some of
the hardest fought battles of the war, notably
the Wilderness, May 5, 7, 1864, and
Spottsylvania, May I2, the same year. During the latter battle while actively engaged
with his comrades, he received a severe gun
shot through the thigh and groin. He was
taken to Fredericksburg, placed in a temporary hospital, and later sent to Washington,
D. C., and after a time removed to Chestnut
Hill Hospital at Philadelphia, where sufficiently recovered to travel, he was given a
furlough and returned to his home in time
to cast his ballot for Lincoln as president.
At the expiration of his furlough he was
ordered to Detroit, and entered Harper Hospital, where he remained until mustered out
of service, April 7, 1865, being incapacitated
by reason of his wounds from further service
in the field. Mr. Neeley was taken prisoner
several times, but managed to escape each
time. At the time of receiving his wound
he was carried from the field by comrade




. INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


171


Emery Hawn of Leslie, to a place of safety,
an act of comradeship he has never forgotten.
December, I859, Mr. Neeley was married
to Mary E. Templer of Alaiedon. To them
five children have been born, as follows:
Elbert, the eldest, died at the age of six
years, while his parents were upon a visit to
Ohio, and was buried there. Lee, the third
son, died in infancy; Cora, the eldest
daughter, lives with her parents, and is at
present engaged as head trimmer in a milinery establishment in the city. James, the
second son, aged thirty-three years, was
married to Cora Hunter, to them was born
one son, Donald. James was second mate
for Captain Sayers on the "Andasta." He
fell from this boat and was drowned November 17, 1904. Clair, the youngest son, is
twenty-one years of age, unmarried, lives at
home. He is a member of Co. F, M. N. G.,
Captain Frank C. Ives, commanding. He
has the position of bugler.
In politics Mr. Neeley is a Republican,
and has held several positions of trust and responsibility at the hands of his fellow townsmen. For fifteen years he served as Constable, and for twelve years Deputy Sheriff,
was also City Marshal for one year. Mr.
Neeley is an active Grand Army man, being
a member of Steel Bros. Post, and at the
present time Treasurer of that organization.
He is a member of the Royal Arcanum, and
holds the office of Chaplain.
Mr. and Mrs. Neeley are members of the
M. E. church, Mrs. Neeley having been very
active in Sunday School work as a teacher
almost continuously for the past quarter of a
century. She is a most estimable lady, and
has exerted a helpful influence over the
young people who have been under her instruction. For several years she served the
church officially as steward, always faithful
in the discharge of every duty imposed.


This is indeed but a brief outline of the
activities "of these lives. Much that is left
unwritten must be read between the lines.
JUDGE EDWARD CAHILL.
Judge Edward Cahill is one of the prominent and foremost members of Michigan's
bar.  His life has been devoted to labors
wherein wealth and influence availeth little,
the measure of success depending upon mentality, ability, both natural and acquired and
the broad culture of the individual. Possessing the requisite qualities of the able lawyer,
Judge Cahill has advanced to a position of
prominence and his reputation has not been
limited by the confines of this locality, as he
ranks with the ablest lawyers and jurists of
the State.  He was born in Kalamazoo,
Michigan, on the 3rd day of August, 1843,
and is the son of Abraham and Frances
Maria Cahill.
The early education of Judge Cahill was
acquired in the common schools of his native
city, which was later supplemented by a
partial collegiate course in the Kalamazoo
College. At the youthful age of thirteen, he
practically started out in life for himself, becoming a page or messenger boy in the State
legislature during the sessions of 1857, '58
and '59. The intervening vacations found
him employed in various occupations. In
I860 he went into the office of the "Kalamazoo Gazette," where he spent the following
two years, learning the trade of a printer.
In 1862, shortly after the breaking out of
the Civil War, he enlisted in Co. A, 89th
Illinois Volunteer Infantry, but served only
about six months. He was discharged for
disability early in 1863. In the fall of the
same year he reentered-the service as First
Lieutenant in the I02nd U. S. Colored
troops, Co. C, and became Captain of Co.
D. He saw considerable active service and




172


PAST AND PRESENT


made and sustained a reputation as a brave
and efficient officer. After the close of the
war he received an honorable discharge after
a service of more than two years in
this regiment.  He returned to St. Johns,
Michigan, which was then the home of
his mother, and was there admitted to
the bar in I866. In the fall of I866 he
removed to Hubbardston, in Ionia county,
where he remained for four years, but believing that greater possibilities were existing in the rapidly growing city of Chicago,
he removed to that city in June, 1871. Here
he engaged in practice, which was seriously interrupted by the disastrous Chicago
fire, occurring October 9, I871, in which he
lost his entire library. He remained in Chicago until August, 1873, when he removed
to Lansing. He formed a partnership with
Judge Albert E. Cowles in I875, which was
pleasantly and profitably continued until
188I, when our subjct practiced alone for
the following three years, or until January
I, I884, when a partnership was formed
with Russell C. Ostrander and J. J. Baird.
Mr. Baird, however, retired from the firm
after a brief period. The association of Cahill and Ostrander was continued until I898,
when the Judge formed a partnership with
Clark C. Wood, which relationship he still
maintains.
In 1876 Judge Cahill was elected County
Prosecuting Attorney and efficiently served
for two terms. In I887 he was appointed
by Gov. Luce as a member of the State
Board of Pardons, which office he resigned
in I890 to accept the position of Justice of
the Supreme Court. In the fall election of
1890 he was nominated for this office by the
Republican convention, but was defeated,
as was the entire Republican State ticket,
for the first time in thirty-five years.
On the IIth day of June of I867 Judge
Cahill was united in marriage to Miss Lucy


Crawford of Milford, Oakland county, a
native of Wayne county, Michigan. This
union has been blessed with five children, of
whom two are now living, namely, Clara,
who became the wife of Prof. Robert E.
Parks of Harvard College, and Margaret,
who married Henry S. Bartholomew, who is
now identified as sales manager with E. Bement & Sons of Lansing.
To say of Judge Cahill that he is an earnest man, who has made a success in life,
seems trite to those who are familiar with
his history. Beginning at an early age without pecuniary advantages, save that of a
good name established by a worthy father,
Judge Cahill has carefully, studiously and
honorably carved out his own fortune. Beginning at the bottom of the ladder, he has
gradually ascended to the top, step by step,
until he now stands as one of the foremost
men of his time in Michigan. In recognition
of his professional efficiency, he has been retained by the State in a number of important
cases. In I894 he was appointed by Gov.
Rich to assist the Prosecuting Attorney in
the cases of the Secretary of State, State
Treasurer, Commissioner of State Land Office and Attorney General, who were indicted
for offenses against the election laws, and
also in the proceedings brought against them
by the Governor in the Supreme Court
to remove the first three named officers from
office.
Prior to this time, or in I888 and I889, he
was retained by the Attorney General of the
State in the prosecution of the Swamp Land
Cases, by which the State sought to recover
from certain railroads lands claimed under
the Swamp Land Act, and was also retained
as Counsel in I899 in the prosecution of
what was known as the Military Cases.
which resulted in the conviction of the Quartermaster General, and the Inspector General, as well as several other persons who








I
Fl,
11
z
i
I
I




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


173


were implicated. As a jurist and as an attorney, his reputation is unquestioned. He
is able, painstaking and conscientious in his
work. He is a man of many warm friends,
and, it is possible, some enemies. What man
has not, who possesses any force of character? As a citizen, he has been ever ready
to assist in any and everything that would
tend to the advancement of his adopted city
and county. Evidence of that interest has
been shown on every hand.
OLIVER EDWARDS.
Among the residents of Leslie township,
who have by their own force of character and
energy, risen to positions of independence
and influence is Mr. Oliver Edwards, the
subject of this sketch. Mr. Edwards was
born in the old Empire State April 23, I828,
and was one of a family of six children, born
to Calvin (born in 1794) and Phoebe (born
in I795) Edwards, two of whom are now
living, Stephen, born June 12, 182I, and our
subject.
The father, Calvin, was born in New
York, while the mother came from  Newv
Jersey. Calvin Edwards was a mason by
trade and came from Cayuga county, N. Y.
to the Township of Leslie, with his family
in I838 and settled on the farm upon which
our subject has lived since he was eleven
year sold. The father improved the farm
and lived there until the time of his death,
which occurred in I85, the mother having
died in 1848.
Our subject's two brothers, Ogden, who
is dead, and Stephen, now a resident of Jackson county, living at the advanced age of
eighty-four years, chopped the first tree
felled on their father's place, upon which no
improvement had been made.
Oliver Edwards received his education in
an old log school house in his township.


which building he helped to' erect. After attaining to manhood, by his thrift and characteristic energy he added to his possessions
from time to time until he now owns one
hundred and forty acres of well improved
and highly productive land. A modern home
and fine barns are found on the farm, of
which he may justly feel proud.
On March 9, 1854, occurred the marriage
of our subject to Catherine Beech of New
York, whose death occurred April I3, I902.
Unto this union were born six children:
Ettie, born in I856, died at the age of six
years; Cora L., born in I858, died at the age
of two years; Mary A., born June 12, I86o,
died January I6, I861; Ogden D. andtOliver
A., twins, born August, I862, and both are
deceased, and Allen R., born April 30, I869,
who, April 23, I889, married Miss Anna
Sayers of Leslie. Two children have blessed
this union, Ralph Allen, born June I i, I892,
and Roscoe Oliver, born February 5, I897.
Mr. and Mrs. Allen Edwards now run the
farm, allowing the father to live in ease, enjoying the fruits of his former toil, and are
both members of the M. E. church in Leslie,
to which the father also belongs.
Allen Edwards is a very successful farmer
and is making a specialty of thoroughbred
short horn cattle.
Oliver Edwards came here with his' parents in covered wagons and five weeks was
the period of time it took to make the trip.
They travelled through Ohio and could make
about thirty miles in three days. At the time
of our subject's arrival in this country, everything was in the wildest state, forests
abounding on every side and sixty-five years
of residence in a township, where one has
lived a life of thrift and energy, lending his
efforts to the settling and upbuilding of the
country, have brought Mr. Edwards the high
esteem of a large circle of friends, who wish
for him, during the remaining years of his




174


PAST AND PRESENT


life, the comfort and happiness which he has
justly earned.
DANIEL M. COOK.
Germany has given to America many of
its sturdy sons and energetic daughters, who
through their many hard days' labor and interest taken in their adopted country, have
helped to make this new world what it is
today-the most prosperous country in the
world. John and Catherine (Zick) Cook
were among those who came from Germany
to seek their fortune in the wilds of America.
The former's birth occurred April 7, 1832,
and the latter's June io, I837. Mr. Cook
had one brother who came to America with
him. Upon his arrival in America, Mr.
John Cook settled in New York, living there
for two years, when he came to Okemos,
Michigan, where he lived for two years,
when in I859 he bought forty acres of wild
land in Williamston township, which he
cleared and improved and made his home.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. John Cook were born
two children, one, the subject of this sketch,
Daniel M. Cook, whose birth occurred in this
State, April 29, I859, and a sister, now thirty-six years old, who is the widow of Clare
Sullivan, and now resides at home.
Daniel Cook acquired his early education
in the district schools of Williamston and
started out in Ann Arbor, but was called
home at the time of his father's death in
February, I894, to take charge of the farm,
where he has since resided, caring for the
farm and making a home for his mother and
sister.
The father at the time of his death had accumulated a comfortable fortune and a fine
property, consisting of one hundred and sixty acres of highly cultivated land, due to the
characteristic energy and ability of the German farmer. He was a staunch Democrat


and both he and his wife were German Lutherans and lived their lives in harmony with
the teachings of that church.
Mr. Daniel Cook is active in political affairs, casting his vote and exerting his influence for the Democracy. He was honored
by the position of School Inspector at one
time. In fraternal relations he is a member
of the Masonic order, in which he takes an
active interest. In 1904 he ran for Representative against Martin Hanlon, but was
defeated.
Mr. Cook is successfully engaged in general farming and the raising of graded stock
and he and his sister are the owners of one
hundred and twenty acres of improved land.
He lives in the high esteem of his friends.
FRANK E. CHURCH.
Frank E. Church, private secretary to E.
W. Sparrow, and general superintendent of
that gentleman's large property interests in
the United States and Canada, was born in
Lockport, New York, in the year 1864. HeI
is the son of Charles W. and Sarah Church.
His father, a native of the Green Mountain
state, being thrown on his own resources
when only about twelve years of age. Upon
the death of his father (our subject's grandfather) he went to Yates, New York, and
remained there until I854. Having learned
the trade of a merchant tailor he settled at
Lansing and followed that occupation for a
number of years before embarking in the
mercantile business.  In 1873 he became
connected with the State Board of Health
office and continued in that department until 1902. He is now retired from active
work, and has well earned his retirement.
He is a Republican-one of the first in Michigan.
Of Mr. Church's six children, two are
still living: Frank E. and Arthur W., a resi



INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


dent of Caro, Michigan.     Our subject
has passed most of his life in Lansing. He
was educated there, attending its high
school and graduating from its commercial
college in I88I. For a time he worked
upon a farm and applied himself to the carpenter's trade.
In 1883 E. W. Sparrow     secured Mr.
Church's services as bookkeeper and afterwards appointed him his private secretary in
active charge of his large and varied interests. Some idea of the responsibilities thus
assumed may be gained when it is stated
that the former holds large tracts of timber
in the West and South of the United States,
as well as in Canada. He is also the owner
of considerable mineral land and has an extensive real estate business in Lansing. The
thirty houses which are in course of erection
are under the personal supervision of Mr.
Church, who himself buys the material and
hires the workmen, none of the building being done by contract.
Our subject was united in marriage in
I890 to Miss Bertha L. Waterbury of Genesee, New York. They have two children,
Julia and Margaret. Mr. and Mrs. Church
are members of the Central M. E. church.
Mr. Church is a Mason and Forester. He
is a Republican, a good citizen, husband and
father, and a successful and honored business man.
J. S. JENKINS.
J. S. Jenkins, who is now successfully engaged in general farming on section one,
Aurelius township, is a native son of Michigan, his birth having occurred in Livingston county Sept. 2, I855, his parents being
Nelson and Phebe Howard-Jenkins, who
were natives of New York. It was at an
early date that the father and mother emigrated westward to Michigan and bought


eighty acres of the government, where the
town of Grass Lake now stands. This he
sold, however, and took up land in Livingston county, where the Township of Putnam, near Pinckney now stands. Here the
father and mother spent their remaining
days. The mother died Jan. 14, I882, at
the age of sixty-eight, and the father Oct. 6,
1870, aged sixty-three, and both were interred in the cemetery at Pinckney, Livingston county.
J. S. Jenkins was one of a family of four
children, two of whom are living: W. B.,
a resident of Bay View, and our subject,
who acquired his early education in the common schools of Livingston county, where
he attended until at the age of seventeen
years, he found employment with his father
on the farm. In I872, desiring to start out
in life himself, he purchased sixty acres,
where he now resides and afterwards bought
forty additional acres, owning now in all
one hundred acres of land. Mr. Jenkins has
practically made all the improvements on
tlis place and has cleared the greatest portion of it.
Our subject has been twice married, the
first union being with Miss Adelaide Farnum, daughter of Carlton Farnum of Livingston county, and unto this union one child
wvas born, Eugene F., born Sept. 2, I869, in
California. The second wife bore the name
of Mary E. Webb, daughter of Sheldon
Webb of Livingston county, and one child
was born to this second union, Charles S.,
born Dec. 14, 1882, now twenty-two years
of age and a partner with his father in the
f;rming business. In this they engage in
general farming, also giving particular attention to the raising of stock.
Mr. Jenkins is a man who has done considerable traveling, having made two trips
to California, the first being made in I869,
and was one of the passengers on the first




176


PAST AND PRESENT


train, that had a through ticket from the
East to San Francisco, as his ticket read
"From Detroit to San Francisco, Californlia."
Eugene, who is now a resident of Nevada
and the owner of a large stock ranch, was
born in California and is a member of that
organization called "The Native Sons and
Daughters of the Golden West," an organization for those who were natives of that
state only. Eugene is extensively engaged
in stock raising and is a man of considerable
wealth, having come into considerable propertl from his mother's side of the family,
being heir to the Avondale Coal Mines in
Pennsylvania.
Mrs. Jenkins and the son, Charles, are
members of the MI. E. church and have taken
an active interest in the maintenance and
development of it in this locality.  Mr.
Jenkins affiliates with the Republican party,
believing that its men and measures are best
fitted for the government of the people. He
is also a member of the Grange.
Mr. Jenkins is in every way a self-made
man, as he started out in life with little except strong determination, perseverance of
purpose and a pair of willing hands. He
has steadily worked his way upwards until
he has now a desirable property.
ROMAIN CUSHMAN.
Romain Cushman was born March 20,
I853, at Sylvan, Michigan, and was the son
of Consider and Charlotte (Smith) Cushman. His parents were natives of the Empire state, where the mother was born
November I8, I817, and the father, June i,
I818. His father was reared on a farm, and
came to Michigan in 1835 and located in the
Township of Lima, Washtenaw county. After marriage they went to farming for four
years, then ran a hotel for a term of years,


then sold out and purchased a farm of eighty
acres in the Township of Sylvan, stayed
there four years, then sold out for sixteen
hundred dollars and purchased a farm in
Sharon of one hundred and sixty acres.
Here they stayed for six years, when they
rented the farm and again moved back to
Lima and purchased what is known as the
old Cushman homestead of one hundred and
forty-five acres. He kept buying land and
adding to the old homestead until he had
four hundred and forty acres, then he sold
out to his three sons, all but one hundred
acres, then later they all sold out, the father
moving to Chelsea, and the sons came to
Ingham county, where they purchased farms.
Later the father purchased one hundred and
sixty acres in Sylvan, where they both lived
until their death. The father died November 2I, I89I, and the mother three years
later in November, I894, leaving the farm
to the youngest son. Both were members
of the M. E. church. To them were born
nine children, two daughters and seven sons,
four of whom are living: James, Jerome,
Romain and Oliver; Jerome and Remain
being twins. The names of the deceased
are: Byron, Wesley, Louis, Maria and Elizabeth.
The old Cushman homestead was in the
family for over fifty years; was regarded
as headquarters for all the social features
in that section of the country. About twenty couples were married at the Cushman
homestead.  Our subject and wife started
housekeeping here and their daughter, Anna,
was there born.
Our subject was educated in the district
schools in the township where his father
resided, until the years of his majority. In
1879 Mr. Cushman started out for himself
in life, purchasing with his brother a portion of the old homestead, consisting of
eighty acres of choice land, all improved.








ARTHUR J. TUTTLE




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


177


In March, 1882, he sold out and bought his
present farm of one hundred and twenty
acres on section twenty-three in Williamston
township. Since purchasing this place, Mr.
Cushman has built one of the finest residences in the township and two large stock
barns. His farm is under a high state of
cultivation, denoting thrift and enterprise.
Mr. Cushman was united in marriage
June 20, I880, to Miss Minnie, daughter of
Frederick and Frederica Roedel of Sylvan,
Washtenaw county. Mrs. Cushman's parents
were natives of Saxon, Germany, and after
coming to this country first settled at Michigan City; Michigan, afterwards locating in
Washtenaw county.   Mr. Roedel died in
1863 and Mrs. Roedel in 1883. The father
was a blacksmith by trade, which occupation
he followed throughout life. He was also an
active local M. E. minister. To Mr. and
Mrs. Roedel were born seven children, six
of whom are living.
To Mr. and Mrs. Cushman were born two
children: Anna M., born December 31, i88I,
and Ruby E., December 26, I884. Anna
was married December 10, 1902, to Mr.
Alonzo Hill, and they make their home with
her parents. In addition to general farming,
Mr. Cushman has been engaged in buying
stock for the past twenty years. He ships
to Detroit, Buffalo and Chicago. He is also
a heavy feeder for the Eastern market.
The name of Cushman has become a
synonym for successful business enterprise.
ARTHUR J. TUTTLE.
Arthur J. Tuttle was born November 8,
I868, on section six of Leslie township in
this county. He is a son of Ogden Valorous
and Julia Elizabeth Tuttle, of whom mention
is made elsewhere in this work. His mother,
who had been a school teacher, taught him
at home until he had finished Sander's sec12


ond reader. He then attended district school
No. 2 of Leslie until the spring of I885,
when he entered the Leslie high school. He
still continued to live at the home of his
parents, driving to the Village of Leslie, a
distance of four and one-half miles for
school each morning.  In June, I888, he
was graduated from the Leslie high school,
and in the following October entered the
literary department of the University of
Michigan.  He became a member of the
Michigan Iota Beta Chapter of the Sigma
Alpha Epsilon Fraternity; was elected President of Province Delta of that fraternity,
and founded the Landa Pi Chapter at the
University of Nebraska. He was Historian
of the senior literary class of 1892, and Secretary of the 1893 Palladium board. He
was graduated from the literary department
of the University of Michigan in June, I892,
receiving the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy. In the fall of that year he entered the
law department of the University of Michigan. The following year he studied law
with Messrs. Cahill & Ostrander of Lansing,
returning to the University of Michigan for
his senior year. He was graduated with the
law class of I895, receiving the degree of
Bachelor of Laws.
Immediately after leaving the University
he returned to Leslie and opened an office for
the practice of law. In the fall of 1898 he
was elected Prosecuting Attorney of Ingham
county, aid in January, I899, opened a law
office in the City of Lansing. He was reelected in the fall of 900o, and many important criminal cases were tried by him during the four years he held that office. He is
now serving his second term as Chairman of
the Republican County Committee, to which
office he was first elected in I902. He was
elected President of the Village of Leslie in
the spring of I905, and now holds that office.
He has been President of the People's Bank




178


PAST AND PRESENT


of Leslie since JaAuary I, 900o. He is interested in farming and various other business
enterprises, but devotes nearly all of his time
to the legal profession, maintaining his office
at both Leslie and Lansing.
He is President of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Alumni Association of Michigan, a
member of Leslie Lodge No. 212, Free and
Accepted Masons; Leslie Chapter No. Ioo,
Royal Arch Masons; Leslie Council No. 50,
Royal and Select Masters; Leslie Chapter
No. 155, Order of the Eastern Star; Jackson Commandery No. 9, Knights Templar;
Michigan Sovereign Consistory Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite; Moslem Temple Nobles
of the Mystic Shrine; Foster Lodge No. 95,
Independent Order of Odd Fellows; Ingham
Encampment No. 22, I. O. O. F.; Leslie
Rebekah Lodge No. 317, I. O. O. F.; Mason Lodge No. 70, Knights of Pythias;
Mecca Temple No. 56, Dramatic Order
Knights of Khorassan; Jackson Lodge No.
I 3, Benevolent and Protective Order of
Elks; Leonard Art Tent No. 585, Knights
of the Modern Maccabees; Leslie Camp No.
1707, Modern Woodmen of America.
On March II, 1903, he was married to
Jessie B. Stewart, a daughter of William K.
and Amanda (Gaulton) Stewart, of Grande
Pointe, Michigan. Following their marriage they spent the spring and early summer
in Europe, since which time they have lived
at Leslie. Their only child, Ruth Beatrice
Tuttle, was born March 21, 1904.
JOHN J. TUTTLE (DECEASED).
The life of John J. Tuttle is closely interwoven with the pioneer history of Ingham
county. His life was a busy one and from
the year 1837, when he located on section 7
of Leslie township, until the time of his
death on January 20, I903, he was intimately associated with the affairs of this county.


He was the son of Jabez and Bessie (Ayres)
Tuttle, natives of New York and New
Jersey, respectively. Jabez Tuttle was born in
1761 and shortly after his marriage located
at Mentz, New York, where he and his good
wife came as pioneers. He divided his time
between carpenter work, farming and oper-.ating a distillery. He served as a soldier in
the Revolutionary War and also in the War
of I812. They were blessed with four sons
and three daughters, namely: Phoebe, Sallie,
Hannah, Benjamin, James B., John J., and
Samuel. Our subject remained at home until he reached the age of I6 years at which
time he was bound out to learn the blacksmith's trade at Auburn, New York, but not
liking the man to whom he was apprenticed
he ran away and went to Weedsport, New
York, and there served an apprenticeship at
the tanners' and curriers' trade for three
years. He then engaged in the tanning business, using his father's old still-house as a
tannery and for two years conducted that
business.
During the Black Hawk War he took a
contract from the government as butcher to
supply the friendly Indians with meat, and
was located at Chicago, which was then a
village of about I,OOO inhabitants. In the
meantime he was looking for land which
would be suitable for farming purposes. He
was disgusted with the low, marshy lands
about Chicago, and in November, 1834, returned to New York and there followed
farming for two years. It was in the year
I836 that he purchased the east one-half of
the northwest quarter of section 7 in the
Township of Leslie, and in the fall of the
following year he brought his young wife
from the comfortable home of her father,
to their log cabin in the wilderness, without
door, floor or window. His wife's maiden
name was Emma Warren, and they were
married March 12, 1836, at Palmyra, New




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


179


York. She was born at Camden, New Jersey, April 6, I812. She was a daughter of
William  and Mary (Horn) Warren, and
grand-daughter of General Warren of revolutionary fame. They brought with them
from their home in New York a very meager outfit for housekeeping, a good axe and
three dollars in money.  His best assets
were an indomitable will, good sense, and a
robust constitution. It was five years after taking up his abode in this western home
before a team passed his door or before he
was able to see the smoke from any dwelling save his own. His good wife was always ready to help outdoors as well as within and to her good judgment and earnest
efforts he gave much credit for the degree
of success and prosperity which came to
them in later years. In his later years he
enjoyed telling his friends of the difficulties and hardships of that pioneer life, and
his acquaintances never tired of what he
had to say, for he told it well and in an
entertaining manner. He would recall how
in the winter.season with sixteen inches of
snow upon the ground he and his wife
would roll the great logs into heaps, burn
them for the ashes, which they scraped together. The ashes were placed in large
sycamore gums holding thirty bushels or
more. The lye obtained from these was
boiled down in what he called black salts.
This was the only article of commerce they
were able to produce except maple sugar.
The black salts and maple sugar were taken
to Jackson and Detroit, and there exchanged for the necessaries of life. One
of the interesting stories which he used to
tell was that of making and marketing his
first sugar crop. During the winter season
he chopped out the troughs in which to
catch the sap and made the wooden spouts
for carrying the sap from the tree to the
trough. He cut the wood which would be


required for the boiling of the sap and borrowed a five-pail kettle near the City of
Jackson in which to boil the sap. This he
carried home a distance of nearly twenty
miles upon his back. Early in the spring he
tapped the trees and while he gathered and
carried the sap his wife kept the fire. The
sugar thus made he carried across the country into Jackson county, where there were
no maple trees, and there received in exchange articles of food needed for the family. He had only good words for the Indians who were his neighbors in those early
days. For a time old Johnny Okemos and
his tribe encamped upon his land, as did
also the Saint Joe Indians. The real beauty
of these pioneer stories will never be known
again, for he who told them best has left
us to return no more. He is still remembered as one of the best story tellers in
Ingham county. This gift came in good
play during the active years of his life. For
fifty years he was a public auctioner, selling
goods at Lansing, Dexter, Jackson and all
intervening points. In fact, for many years
he was practically the only auctioneer in
this locality. He was always jolly and full
of fun, and did well his part to keep all
who came in contact with him in the same
happy frame of mind. He was successful
in business, and at the time of his death
owned seven hundred sixty acres of the best
farming land in Ingham county. He also
owned property in the village of Leslie, and
was a stockholder in the Peoples' bank in
which he had been a director since its organization. When his estate was probated
no claim was presented against it by any
person. He was a man of very decided convictions in his political views as well as in
all other matters. He attended the meeting "Under the Oaks" at Jackson when the
Republican party was organized, and voted
that ticket at every election and town meet



180


PAST AND PRESENT


ing from that time until his death. During
the days of the civil war he was Supervisor
for Leslie township; later he was Justice
of the Peace for fourteen years, and was
Coroner of Ingham county for something
like twenty years. His wife died September
2, 1887, but he remained upon his farm
and continued his active life until a few
days preceding his death.  He had three
children: the oldest, Sarah Jane, now the
wife of Daniel Frary; Ogden Valorous and
Celestia R., who was born February 15,
1844, and died September 3, 1863. To such
men and women as Mr. and Mrs. John J.
Tuttle, Ingham county owes not only its
pioneer history, but also its present prosperity.
OGDEN VALOROUS TUTTLE.
The gentleman whose name introduces
this biography is a native son of this county,
as his birth occurred at the place where he
now resides, in Leslie township, on the I7th
day of March, I842. He is the son of John
J. Tuttle, one of the early pioneer residents
of this locality, of whom extensive mention
is made elsewhere in this volume.
The early education of Mr. Tuttle was acquired in the district schools of the home locality, attending during the winter months
and assisting his father in the summer. His
association with his father in extensive farming enabled him to acquire a practical knowledge of that work, which he has successfully
followed throughout life. Succeeding his
father in the management of his extensive
land interests he has not only maintained the
reputation so worthily established, but has
by his thorough methods and honorable dealings added a luster to an illustrious name.
Occupying a beautiful residence on the old
home place, he is the owner of one of the
most desirable farming properties in the


State, comprising 960 acres of highly improved and valuable land.
On the 6th day of November, I867, he
was united in marriage to Elizabeth McArthur, at Montezum, Cayuga county, New
York, a daughter of Joseph and Mary Ann
(Jones) McArthur.
This union has been blessed with two children, namely: Arthur J., a prominent attorney of this county, whose sketch appears
elsewhere in this volume; Grace, the daughter, is the wife of Burt A. Annis, a wellknown farmer residing near the Tuttle
home.
Mr. Tuttle, in connection with his farming, makes a specialty of raising stock for
the market, and is a Director of the People's
Bank of Leslie. He is a man of exceptional
worth and character and enjoys the esteem
and regard of his fellow men.
In politics, he affiliates with the Republican party. The name of Tuttle is inseparably
interwoven with the pioneer history of Ingham county and our subject is a worthy successor of a worthy father.
GEORGE CURTIS (DECEASED).
The subject of this sketch whose birth
occurred in New York State on the 2[st
day of October, I841, was the son of Albert
and Phoebe (Smith) Curtis, the former
born May i8, I809, at Marion, N. Y.,
while the mother's birth occurred May 3,
1813, the same state.
It was in the year of I850 that George
Curtis accompanied his parents to Michigan, and with them located at Etchel- Coiners, Ingham township.
In I866 he was united in marriage to
Miss Emily, daughter of Amos and Charlotte Wortman, the father having been born
in New York in I803 and departed this life
I894; the mother was also a native of the




Ml




ALBERT H. LAYCOCK AND FAMILY




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


181


Empire State. Mrs. Curtis was a native of
Leslie township, Ingham county, her birth
having occurred on the 3rd day of March,
1844. She was one of a family of six children of whom five are now living.
Amos Wortman was one of the earliest
settlers of Ingham county, arriving here
from Batavia, N. Y., in I835. He was a man
of more than ordinary calibre, and by
judicious investment became the possessor
of considerable property, owning at one
time about half the land where the Village
of Leslie now stands.
One year after the marriage of our subject, he purchased one hundred and sixty
acres of wild land on section twenty-one,;Wheatfield township, and there resided until his death, which occurred the 2ist day
of February, I89o. This property is now
in possession of the widow, and upon this
place she now resides, but rents the land.
Unto the union of our subject and wife
were born two children: George H., who
married Nettie Steffer, he is a graduate of
Albion and also took a degree at Ann
Arbor, and is now engaged as superintendent of the Gaylord public schools;
Minnie, the daughter died April 14, I890,
at the age of nineteen years.  Mr. Curtis
was one of the most reliable respected farmers of Wheatfield, and enjoyed the esteem
and high regard of his fellowmen.
ALBERT H. LAYCOCK.
This brief biography chronicles but a few
of the more important events in the life of
A. H. Laycock, who was born in Jackson
county in I860, prior to the breaking out
of the Civil War. He was a son of Martin
and Lovisa Laycock; his father was a native,
as was his grandfather, of the Empire State.
When Martin was five years of age, his parents removed to southern Michigan and lo

cated in Jackson county.  They took up
their land from the Government and made
the improvements, which place became their
permanent home.
A. H. was but two years of age when
his father moved to Ingham county, and settled on a farm of eighty acres, where our
subject still resides.  But slight improvement had been made on the premises at that
time, but during years that have intervened,
the forests have been swept away, and in
their places are waving fields of grain. The
erection of buildings and other improvements have kept pace with the development
of the country.
Martin S. Laycock added to the original
purchase, from time to time, until he owned
a quarter section of choice farming land.
He died at the home of his daughter, Mrs.
Rice, at Toledo, Ohio, Jan. 19, 1903. The
older residents of the township remember
him as a man of convictions, always lining
up on the right side of every question of
morality or public good, exceptionally strong
in his advocacy of the principles of temperance. The mother died Nov. 27, I893. For
some eighteen years before his death, Mr.
Laycock had rented his farm. Mr. and Mrs.
Martin S. Laycock were the parents of four
children, all grown to manhood and womanhood, their names and date of birth and
other data of interest are respectively as follows: Albert H., born July 15, I860; Namie
E., born Dec. 4, 1863, now the wife of William Morris of Toledo, Ohio; Ida L., born
July I5, I867, now the wife of Walter Rice
of Toledo, Ohio; Arthur M., born Nov. I5,
1873, now in Toledo, Ohio.
Our subject grew to manhood on the farm
and received his early education in the district schools. In 900o he went to Toledo,
Ohio, and engaged in the machine business
with his brother, in which he still retains an
interest.




182


PAST AND PRESENT


In the spring of I904 he returned to the
farm. In 1882 occurred one of the most important events of his life. He was united
in Marriage to Miss Myrtie B., daughter of
William Wright, who for many years was
a resident and respected citizen of Mason.
Two children have been born to Mr. and
Mrs. Laycock: W. Earl, born Aug.     I,
1885, and Harold J., born Dec. 20, I89I.
In harmony with the customs of the country, Mr. Laycock carries on general farming, growing crops and stock. In politics
he is a Republican, having unbounded faith
in the leadership of his party, to regulate
the affairs, both State and National, and to
guide the ship of state into safe harbor.
Mrs. Laycock's father, Wm. Wright, emigrated from England, when but two years
of age, and settled in the Township of Aurelius, and was for many years engaged in
the wagon making business. He died March
24, I899. The mother was a native of New
York, her maiden name was Susan Rowley,
she died June 28, I894. They were the parents of six children, Mrs. Laycock, being
next to the youngest.
Mr. and Mrs. Laycock are yet on the
sunny side of life, and happily seem so constituted that the friction that comes to many
is a foreign element in their experiences.
JOHN COLE.
All the nearest and dearest associations of
a life time are, for our subject, connected
with the State in which he resides, as his
whole life has been spent in Michigan. He
is now located on eighty acres of improved
land in Locke township.
John Cole was born in Oakland county,
Michigan, March 22, 1841, and was the son
of Dyer and Anna (Hunt) Cole. The father
of our subject was born in Massachusetts.
December 15, 1799 and the mother in Ver6


mont, November 9, 1807. The father was
for a time engaged in the grocery business,
but later, for forty-five years was a minister
of the gospel, being a Wesleyan Methodist.
In his early days he was a Whig but later a
Republican. Dyer Cole died at the age of
eighty-two and the mother lived to the advanced age of ninety-four years. To this
couple were born ten children, four of whom
are living, our subject being the sixth in
order of birth.
John Cole acquired his education in the
district schools and when sixteen years of
age started out for himself by working at
various places and in i866 took charge of
the home place, where he continued until the
father's death. He settled in Locke township
and bought forty additional acres in 1897.
Mr. Cole is a prominent member of the
Democratic party in his community and has
attended every county convention (Democrat) as a delegate since he came here in
I866. He was for twenty-five years pathmaster and socially is connected with the I.
0. O. F., No. 205, at Williamsron. When
he came to Williamston in 1841 there was
but one house in the township.
John Cole is what may be termed a selfmade man, having had but few advantages
and no material pecuniary assistance from
his father. By industry, prudence and good
management of his agricultural and financial
affairs, he has become one of the prominently
successful men of Locke township. He is
highly respected in his township and among
his fellow citizens.
MARTIN LEEMAN.
Martin Leeman was born in Washtenaw
county, April 22, 1856. He was the son of
Adam and Verona Leeman, who were born
in Germany, the father in I803 and the
mother March 27, I8Io.




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


183


When Adam Leeman came to America in
1852 he brought his wife and six children
and first settled in Washtenaw county, where
he worked by the day and month for five
years, and then purchased forty acres of unimproved land. A small home was erected
and the land cleared of the forest and this
was their first home in America. After fifteen years Mr. Leeman sold the place and
purchased forty-five acres where the family
resided until the death of the father which
occurred in I88I. The mother died in I89I.
Both were active members of the German
Lutheran church. Below is given a brief
genealogy of their family history: John M.,
born April 8, 1832, now a retired farmer, residing in Chelsea, Washtenaw county, Christian G., born July Io, 1834, also a retired
farmer living in the Village of Chelsea.
John was born May 6, I838, and enlisted, as a private in Company C of the 7th
Regiment of Michigan Infantry, and followed the fortunes of his command through
many of the hard fought battles of the war.
It was this gallant command that effected the
crossing of the Rappahannock, which made
it one of the most famous regiments in the
Army of the Potomac. Young Leeman was
killed in the Battle of the Wilderness, May
5, I864. To have been a member of this
regiment that met the enemy on so many
hotly contested fields of battle is sufficient
to place the name high on the scroll of American heroes. Fred was born December 22,
I840, and enlisted as private in Company K
of the 20th Michigan Infantry and served
to the close of the war or three years. He
was three times wounded in battle. Among
the battles in which he was personally engaged were Bull Run, Fredericksburg, Cold
Harbor, and Wilderness. The 2oth Infantry
was one of the best regiments that went out
from Michigan to do service in defense of
the glorious old flag and its record stands


undimmed. Mary, born December Io, 1843,
the wife of Henry Rene, residents of Washtenaw county, Veronica, born May 22, I850,
is the widow of William Fletcher, living in
Chelsea. The father of this family was born
March 22, 1803.
Our subject received his early education
in the district schools of Washtenaw county;
however, after reaching the age of seven
years, his opportunities for schooling were
limited to three months out of each winter
term. At the age of nineteen he left home and
started out in life for himself, empty handed.
For eight consecutive years he worked for
one farmer near the Town of Grass Lake.
February 20, 1883, our subject was united
in marriage to Nettie, daughter of Darwin
Warner of Washtenaw county. His wife
was born August 5, I860, in Shiawassee
county. Mrs. Leeman was born the daughter of Alonzo Spaulding, a native of Vermont, and when a little girl went to live with
her uncle and took his name, which was
Warner.
Mr. Leeman purchased the farm   upon
which he now lives in I883. It contains
one hundred and sixty acres of choice land.
There was a little clearing on the place at
the time with an old house and barn. By
dint of hard work and perseverance Mr. Leeman was enabled to make all the improvements and has now a beautiful country home
with fine buildings and all the improved
modern appliances.
Mr. and Mrs. Leeman have been blessed
by the birth of three children: Vernon W.,
born Jan. 8, 1884; Jessie E., born Feb. 3.
1887, who is a graduate of the Williamston
high school; Earl W., born March 2I, 1889,
still in attendance at the Williamston high
school. All are under the parental roof and
all give promise of useful and upright lives.
Politically, Mr. Leeman is in sympathy
with the Republican party to which he gives




184


PAST AND PRESENT


his cheerful support, believing that its principles are best adapted for the government
of the American people.  The family are
among the highly prized citizens of the community. Surrounded as they are with all
the necessary comforts of life, the outlook
for them is all that could be desired.
WILLIAM    CLARK.
William  Clark, whose   well-improved
farm in Bunker Hill township is the indication of the life of thrift and energy which
he has led, was born January 28, 1822, at
Brutus, Cayuga county, N. Y. His parents
were Adam and Elizabeth Clark, both natives of New Hampshire.
At the age of nine years, our subject
moved with his father's family to Sandusky,
Ohio, and then lived in different parts of
Ohio until at the age of twenty he came to
Michigan and worked for some years by
the month in and about the town of Dexter.
During the thirty-first year of Mr. Clark's
life occurred an important event, it being
his marriage to Mary Ann Foot of Dexter,
and this union has been blessed by the birth
of one child, Zachariah, who is forty-nine
years of age and resides one mile north of
the home place. Immediately after the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Clark, they moved
to their present home, built a log house and
started to clear the land. When the farm
came into his possession the land was in
an unimproved condition, but with characteristic energy, he began its development,
and as the years passed, has made his farm
one of the best in the county, and today has
two hundred and ten acres of well-improved
land, upon which this worthy couple will
probably spend the remaining years of their
life.
William Clark has five brothers and two
sisters, all of whom are dead except one


brother, who lives at Dansville, and is eighty-five years of age, being three years older
than our subject.  He casts his vote for
Republican principles and takes a deep interest in local politics, although not an office seeker.
Mr. Clark started out with no family or
pecuniary advantages to aid him and placed
his dependence upon earnest, persistent effort, which is the real foundation of all
prosperity. In this way he has gradually
advanced until now he occupied a creditable and honorable position among the substantial farmers of this county.
CHARLES H. LOWE.
Among the prominent farmers of Stockbridge township we find the name of Charles
H. Lowe, who was born Oct. 29, 1854, and
was the son of Richard R. and Mahala
(Newkirk) Lowe, both natives of New
York, where their births occurred in I8'o8
and 1823, respectively. Our subject's parents were married at Stockbridge in 1839,
the father having come to Michigan in I834.
Richard Lowe built the second house in the
township and located on seven hundred acres
of wild land on sections 2 and 3, which he
purchased from the Government and later
turned over to our subject's grandfather,
Heman Lowe. Richard Lowe came from
Detroit to Stockbridge township on foot, as
did many a pioneer of those days. The land
was greatly improved by the grandfather,
and before his death was divided among
his heirs.
John Newkirk, the father of our subject's
mother, came to Michigan from New York
and drove through with an ox team. He
was the first blacksmith in Stockbridge and
conducted his business under an oak tree,
where the Baptist church now stands.
Richard Lowe was a Republican and the




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


185


first Sheriff elected in Ingham county. In
I856 he was elected for the second term.
He also held several township offices, was a
member of the M. E. church and died in
1890. Richard Lowe was an ambitious and
progressive man and an active promoter of
the interests of his place.  Our subject's
mother is still living and is at present with
a daughter in California.
Charles Lowe is the fifth of eight children: Frances, born in 1842, married Geo.
Proctor, and they had one child, Della, deceased. Mrs. Proctor died in 1864; Cassius,
born in I844, lives at West Cliff, Colo., married Eugenia Chappel, and they had three
boys: Wirt, Robert and Orrie.   Cassius'
first wife died and he has again married;
Josephine, born in 1846, married Albert
Brown, and they reside in Orange, Cal., and
have one boy, Eddie; Adelbert, born in I850,
married Dolly Northrup, and they have two
children: Ivan and Hazel. Adelbert resides
at Corunna and runs the Corunna City
Mills; Annie, born in 1852, died in I878,
married Chas. Chapman, and they have had
one boy who died when a child; our subject; Clarissa, born in I856, married John
Harris, and they had one child, Flossie. Mr.
Harris died in I903; and the eighth, William born in I86o, died in 1874.
Charles H. Lowe was educated in the district schools and in the Dansville High
School. He started out for himself at the
age of twenty-one years by renting the father's farm of one hundred and forty acres
for five years, and at the end of that time
bought the farm, going into debt thirty-two
hundred dollars, which he paid and also interest to the amount of sixteen hundred dollars. At this time there were but eighty
acres of the place improved, but by hard and
strict attention to business he has brought
the place to a high state of cultivation, and


today has one of the best properties in his
community.
April Io, 1879, Mr. Lowe was married to
Miss Addie, daughter of Benjamin and
Emeline (Jacobs) Boyce. Mrs. Lowe was
born Sept. 3, I856, in Lyndon township,
Washtenaw county. Her father born in
New York, Sept. 13, 1824, died Sept. 15,
I896, and the mother born July 22, 183I,
died Jan. I, 190I.
Benjamin Boyce came to Michigan with
his father, Samuel Boyce, and settled in
Washtenaw county, cleared a great deal of
land and at the time of his death owned
about three hundred acres of land. Benjamin Boyce was a Democrat, and his wife
a member of the M. E. church.
To Mr. and Mrs. Boyce were Dorn three
children: Andrew J., born March 20, 1853,
married Sylvia Hadley, and they had three
children: Wort, Myrtle and Vera, and live
in Lyndon township, Washtenaw county;
Benjamin F., married Eliza; Daniels, and
they have two children: Fannie and Fern;
and third, Mrs. Lowe.
Unto our subject and wife have been born
five children, four living: Josie, born Feb.
II, 1880, married Harvey Hayner, Nov. 12,
1902, residents of White Oak; Bonnie D.,
born July I, I884, a stenographer in Detroit; Rosie N., Jan. 9, I886, died July 2,
i888; Floyd B., born Sept. 5, I889, and
Gay C., Jan. o0, I895.
In politics our subject is a Republican.
Mr. Lowe is a member of the I. O. O. F.
and was the first man to be initiated by
Stockbridge lodge. He is also a member of
the Gleaners and of the Rebekah's, Camp,
and the Encampment.
This family is one of the most highly respected and efficient in the township and all
have well fitted themselves for spheres of
usefulness.




186


PAST AND PRESENT


AMOS C. LAWRENCE.
The history of the early settlement,
growth and development of the Township
of Bunker Hill would not be complete without a record of the activities of Amos Lawrence. He was born in the City of New
York, March 17, I830, the son of Thomas
and Phoebe (Clark) Lawrence, the father
a native of New Jersey and the mother of
New York. The father was a carpenter and
learned his trade in the City of Philadelphia.
This he followed during the earlier years of
his life, in several eastern cities. He emigrated to Michigan in 1832 with his family
and settled in the Village of Dexter, where
he followed his trade. The family consisted of three sons and one daughter, our
subject being the eldest. The other members of the family are: Samuel, born in
Dexter, September I, I834, died August,
I894; John, born at Dexter, Michigan, January 2, I837, now resides in California and
Mary, born in Jackson, Michigan, April I,
1839, died July 31, I868.
Amos Lawrence received his early education at Jackson, and later attended school
at Dexter. At the early age of nine years,
he was put to work with a farmer, for
which he received the princely sum of fifty
cents per week, however, the occupation being to his liking, and feeling himself adapted to the work, he kept at it for several
years.
One of the most important events in the
life of our subject occurred April 25, 1852,
when he was united in marriage to Miss
Julia, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jason Walter of Dexter, who was born in Washtenaw
county, April 25, 1834. By dint of economy he had laid by his earnings until he
had a sufficient amount to warrant the purchase of a farm.   He therefore bought
eighty acres of land in the Township of


Bunker Hill, and to this he added from
time to time, until he now owns a fine farm
of two hundred and twelve acres with good
substantial buildings. He has been recognized as one of the leading men of the township for many years.  Public-spirited and
enthusiastic in any enterprise in which he
engages, genial and of a social temperament, Mr. Lawrence numbers his friends by
his acquaintances.  His fund of pioneer
reminiscences is practically inexhaustible.
When he moved into his new possession the
place was practically in a primitive state. He
moved into an unfinished log house and began the improvements, which today rank
well with any in the township. Mr. Lawrence, a few years since retired from the
farm, taking up his residence at Fitchburg,
only a short distance, however, from his
old home. His son, Vernon, is in full
charge of the farm.   Mr. Lawrence has
been a great collector of curios and Indian
relics. He has one of the finest private collections in the State, valued at several hundred dollars. The deer park, which he has
maintained upon his farm for several years,
is always a great attraction to the public.
In early boyhood Mr. Lawrence became
attached to his dog and gun, and during
the earlier days of his married life, he supplied his family and the neighbors with
fresh venison and other wild game by the
use of his trusty rifle, and during the intervening years, every season, he takes a
few days off and enjoys a hunt. It was no
unusual thing for him to come in late at
night with a deer across his shoulders. Mr.
Lawrence recalls having seen the first gang
of prisoners brought to Jackson upon the
completion of the State prison; there were
eight, and they came in a wagon from Detroit. He was present and saw the first
locomotive on the Michigan Central that
entered the City of Jackson; it ran on








MR. AND MRS. WHEELER GAYLORD




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


187


wooden rails from Michigan Center to the
city. He well remembers when the law was
passed and the government moved the Indians out of the State. Mr. Lawrence had
many personal friends among the Indians
and used to deal among them.
To Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence have been
born three children: Alice Marie, December
26, 1853, now the wife of Menzo Conklin,
a farmer residing on section thirty-six,
Bunker Hill township, and they have had
three children, one only living: Eugene, May
20, I863, married Miss Belle Havens. He
is the proprietor of a general store at Fitchburg and is a successful business man; Vernon, born July 23, I869, married Mary
Mackinder and has three children, while
Eugene is the father of two children.
In politics Mr. Lawrence is a conservative Democrat.  He has for many years
been an active member of the Grange, advocating in every way its principles. He
is also a member of the I. O. O. F., Stockbridge Lodge No. 40. Both Mr. and Mrs.
Lawrence, though not members of the M.
E. church, are liberal supporters of the society. Having a comfortable competence
for his declining years and living in the
enjoyment of the consciousness of having
lived a life of good citizenship and uprightness Mr. Lawrence is looking toward the
"setting of the sun" with a goodly hope
of the life beyond.
WHEELER GAYLORD.
There is probably no family in Stockbridge township better known for integrity.
enterprise and intelligence that the one represented by the name at the head of this
sketch and it is one of those, which have
helped to make Ingham county a center for
all good influences and a county which is
known throughout the commonwealth as one


of the most intelligent and enterprising sections of Michigan.
Our subject was born in Plymouth, Pa.,
July 23, 1824, and is the son of Henderson
and Bethier (Nesbitt) Gaylord, natives of
Pennsylvania. The father was born Oct. 9,
I796, and the mother, June 28, I8oo. The
parents were married in January of the year
1819.
Our subject came to Michigan in April,
I85I, and located in Stockbridge township
on one hundred and sixty acres of land,
forty of which were improved. The balance
he cleared, and occupied a log house, which
he lived in four years. Later he built a
frame house, which was burned one year
ago, he is at present engaged in building
a large modern residence, which when finished, with all its modern conveniences and
improvements, will be an ornament to his
fine piece of property.
Henderson Gaylord was a merchant, and
later bought a farm in Pennsylvania, which
was found to contain coal in large quantities, and our subject received a large income
from this property. The father died in 1876,
and the mother in February of I86o. The
father was a Republican, and both he and
his wife were members of the Christian
church.
Wheeler Gaylord was the third of seven
children: Esther, born in I819, died in I877,
married Conrad Miller; Sarah, born in 1821,
married C. L. Farnum, and is deceased; our
subject; Mary, born in I826, married John
W. Danforth, living at Hartford, Conn.;
Lydia, born in I828, died in I90I; Emily,
born in I830, married Rev. John Wilson,
died in 1884 at Philadelphia; Asher, born
in 1833, was killed in I865. The last named
at the commencement of the Civil War
raised a company for the I43d Pennsylvania
Infantry, and was elected captain. He was
killed at Hatchers' Run, while leading a




188


PAST AND PRESENT


charge, and was the only one killed in that
company.   At the battle of Gettysburg
he was wounded in both legs, and at the
Wilderness was shot in the breast. A discharge was offered him, because of his disabilities, after this engagement, but he would
not accept it. The members of his company
were loyal to their captain, and would go
anywhere and into any battle if he might be
their leader. They had unbounded faith in
their captain.
Our subject's education was limited, yet
he has added much to his store of-knowledge
by extensive reading and observation. His
early education was acquired at Plymouth.
In I852 Mr. Gaylord was united in marriage
with Harriet Cool, who was born Jan. 7,
I829. Her parents were John and Margaret
(Sutton) Cool. John Cool came to Michigan in 1836 and located in Unadilla township, Livingston county, on three hundred
acres of wild land, part of which he sold and
improved the balance. At the time of his
death, in 1874, he owned one hundred and
twenty acres of the original three hundred
and eighty acres north of it. The mother
of Mrs. Gaylord died in I862.
Our subject's wife was one of six children: William S., born Jan. I, 1821, died
Oct. 6, I889; Charles, Feb. 17, 1822, died
May 30, I892; Andrew, born June 26, 1826,
died June I8, I890; Harriet, wife of our
subject; Emeline, born April 25, 183I;
Mary Ann, July 27, I833. Mr. John Cool
was a voter for the principles of the Democrat party. He was born Jan. 29, 1797, and
the mother, Nov. 21, 1794.
Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler Gaylord are the
parents of six children, five of whom are
living: Elva, born in 1853, married James
Asquith, and to them have been born four
children: Edna, Mabel, Lawrence    and
Marion; Helen, born in 1855, married Horton Reeves, to whom two children have been


born: Wilmot, and Irma; Charles, born in
1856, single and lives with his parents;
May, I860, married A. A. Hall, to whom
seven children have been born: Hattie,
Grace, Sumner, Hazel, Fern, Glenadine and
Gaylord; Elmer, born in 1862, died in 1898.
He married Ona Collard, to whom three
children were born, one living, named Lloyd;
John, born in I867, married Kittie Watts,
to whom three children were born: Lora,
Lila and Freda I.
Our subject has never been a candidate
for office, though urged at various times to
accept nominations.
Mr. Gaylord in the early cays was a
Whig, but voted for Fremont, and since the
organization of the Republican party, has
been one of its loyal followers. His handsome farm of 180 acres on section I of
Stockbridge township give evidence that
he understands the work of farming and that
he has the enterprise and energy essential to
keeping his estate in good condition, and
making it abundantly productive.
T. H. LYON.
Among the progressive and energetic
farmers of Aurelius township is Theodore
H. Lyon, who is the happy possessor of
eighty-three acres of good land, under a
profitable state of cultivation.  Mr. Lyon
has for many years been an exhibitor of
stock and farm products, both at the local
and State fairs, and always carried away a
fair proportion of blue ribbons. He is one
of those who believe that it pays best to
grow the best, whether of stock or crops.
He keeps a fine herd of registered shorthorn cattle, has a flock of pure bred shropshire sheep; all the stock kept on the premises shows good breeding. He is one of
the oldest growers of light brahma fowls
in the State.




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


189


Mr. Lyon was born in the Township of
Scio, in Washtenaw county, Michigan, May
27, I844. His parents L. M. and Luna
(Lane) Lyon were natives of the Empire
State. His father was born March 4, I804,
and his mother February 6, I812. His
father came to Michigan in an early day,
when the City of Ann Arbor was little more
than a burg. He purchased one hundred
and sixty acres of wild land located in Scio
township while yet a resident of New York
state, and when he came in I830 to settle
upon his possessions he employed a "land
looker" to assist him in locating his land,
and together, after three days work, they
were enabled to find the survey posts. Two
years later he took to himself a life partner.
Before coming to Michigan, Mr. Lyon was
engaged as a bank clerk for a time. He was
a man of more than ordinary ability, he
early acquired a good education, and after
locating in Washtenaw county taught school
for eighteen years. He managed to make
improvements from year to year until he
owned an improved farm of two hundred
and fifty acres with good, substantial buildings. In the year 1876 he sold out his farm,
located in Ann Arbor and lived a retired
life. The old homestead is now in possession of one of the sons.
Theodore H. Lyon was united in marriage to Miss Mary B. Ruckman of Saline,
October 4, I867. Three children have been
born to them, and they also have an adopted
son, all are living upright and useful lives.
They are: Eden R., born February 23, I866,
now a minister of the gospel connected with
the Methodist Episcopal church, is married
to Helen Gibbs, sister of Rev. N. E. Gibbs
of Michigan Conference, and they have two
children; Herbert G., born March I8, I871,
a farmer living near his father's, married
Laura Miles, has two children. He served
one year in Michigan 3Ist regiment in


the Cuban war. Mary Ann, born September
I, I875, now the wife of Fay Pierce. Mr.
Pierce is a farmer and resides in Eaton Co.
They have no children. S. M., born Nov.
5, I877, married Miss Edith Pierce, a sister
of his sister's husband. He is engaged in
the railway mail service and resides at Charlotte, Michigan. Mr. L)on is a thorough
believer in education, and has given to all
his family good educational advantages.
Three of his children graduated from the
Eaton Rapids high school, two later graduated from the State Normal at Ypsilanti.
His son S. M. Lyon passed the highest examination for mail service in the States of
Indiana, Ohio, Illinois and Michigan, and
was awarded the prize for being the best
in his district in the above states for railroad mail clerk.
When twenty-one years of age Mr. Lyon
bought eighty acres of unimproved land in
Ingham county, he immediately set himself
to the task of improving it. As it was not
just to his liking he sold it after a few
years to a good advantage and purchased
eighty acres near Mason.  This was his
home for several years. He sold forty acres
at an advanced price and traded the balance
for his present farm. It was heavily timbered at the time of purchase, but Mr. Lyon
has brought it out of the wilderness and
made it an attractive rural home. By economy, good judgment and perseverance, he
is now in comfortable circumstances, and
he well knows how he came by his worldly
possessions. His wife who during all the
years of their wedded life had been to him
a helpmate, indeed, died August 17, I903,
and was buried in the Eaton Rapids cemetery. She was a woman of strong Christian
character and impressed the virtues of her
life upon her children.  For many years
both Mr. and Mrs. Lyon have been active
exemplary members of the M. E. church so



190


PAST AND PRESENT


ciety. Mr. Lyons was again married September 28, I904, to Mrs. Emily S. Doane,
a lady of good presence and ability, and
possessing a strong Christian character,
who looks well to the affairs of her household.
Politically Mr. Lyon is in principle a
Prohibitionist, though he sometimes affiliates with the Republicans. First of all he
is a staunch temperance man.
Mr. Lyon is the sixth of a family of
eight children, seven of whom are still living, two of whom served in the Civil War.
Any community would be the better by the
introduction of such families as Mr. Lyon's,
all united in a harmonious influence for the
betterment of society. It is well that there
are to be found, even in these days of degeneracy, men who are anchored to the
truth-men the influence of whose lives is
for the moral and spiritual uplifting of those
about him. Like an echo going on and on
until lost in the distance, so the good deeds
that men do go down the ages until they
reach the farthest borders of time.  The
world has always recognized the virtue of
right living, though many forget its practice. Many friends wish for Mr. Lyon that
he will live to enjoy his possessions to a
ripe old age, and bear in mind the words
of Solomon: "A good name is rather to be
chosen than great riches, and loving favor
rather than silver and gold."
GEORGE H. GODFREY, LANSING.
George H. Godfrey, engaged in the general carpet cleaning business, is a native of
Thamesford, Canada. The date of his birth
November 23, I850. He is a son of Joseph
S. and Juliett C. Godfrey; father and son
being born in the same town, the former
December 4, 1828. He died in I902 at the
age of seventy-four, and is buried in Lansing.


The father of our subject came to Ingham
county with his parents when one year old,
the family settling at Cowden Mills, Onondaga township. Here the grandfather took
up one hundred and sixty acres of wood
land and cleared it for a homestead, his wife
(the grandmother of our subject) living to
the venerable age of ninety-six years.
Joseph S. Godfrey, the father, although
the sum total of his book learning was condensed into two winter's of schooling, was
a forceful character and a natural inventor.
He had mastered two trades, those of a
carpenter and cabinet-maker, and was the
inventor of many ingenious devices. He
was the inventor of many ingenious devices. He was the originator of a steam
canal boat, the patent for which he sold for
fifteen thousand dollars. He also invented
a rotary pump, and after manufacturing it
to some extent, sold out his enterprise and
founded the carpet cleaning business, the
basis of that now conducted by George H.
the son.  He also invented a revolving
mouldboard plow, which was manufactured
in Pittsburg, Pa.
Our subject received his early education
in the Leslie district schools, commencing
to learn the carpenter's trade from his father
when he had reached the age of twelve.
This line of handiwork he followed for fifteen years. His next distinct move in life
was to buy fifty acres of land southeast of
Leslie, just across the road from the little
old district school where he received all the
education which he ever derived from
books. This tract he cleared, tilled and
otherwise improved, engaging in mixed
farming until 1892, when he sold his property, came to Lansing and went into the
business with which he is at present connected.  It is very prosperous.  The proprietor also owns considerable town property and is about to build a commodious




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


191


residence, which will be a credit to his taste,
and an ornament to the City of Lansing.
Mr. Godfrey married Christina daughter
of Frederick Leadley of Jackson county,
Michigan. Carl W., their first child, was
born July 28, I875, and is now engaged
in the carpet business at Galesburg, Ill.
The second child, Joseph S., named for
the grandfather, was born April I9, I88o,
and married Miss Grace McKrill, daughter
of Benjamin McKrill, a blacksmith, and a
resident of Lansing. One child has been
born to them, Georgeanna.
Our subject's identification with secret
and benevolent orders is confined to his
membership in the Elks of Lansing, and the
I. O. O. F. Foster Lodge No. 9 of Leslie.
GEORGE W. GULICK.
George W. Gulick was born in Ogden,
Cayuga county, N. Y., April 3, 1826. His
parents were natives of New Jersey, the
father having been born in I786 and died
in 1849 at the age of sixty-three.  His
mother, Mary Van Ortwick, died at the age
of seventy-seven years. When Mr. Gulick
was five years of age, his parents moved to
Independence, Oakland county, Michigan,
and purchased a tract of eighty acres of wild
land, which they cleared and improved,
erecting comfortable farm buildings thereon,
where they resided until their death.
The elder Gulick was the only member
of the father's family who ever came to this
State. In life he supported the Democrat
ticket with his vote, but never aspired to or
held office, except in the township.
Our subject was one of twelve children
born to his parents, only four of whom are
now living. The names and place of residence are as follows: Adelia, wife of Davenport Terry, lives in Oakland county; Sarah,
wife of Daniel Fenkbower of Macomb


county; Mary, the wife of George Porter
of Williamston, and our subject, who received his early education in the district
schools of Oakland county, remaining at
home on the farm with his parents until
twenty-two years of age, after which for
three years he worked out by the month, as
a farm hand.
The important event in life to Mr. Gulick
was his marriage, January I, I852, to Miss
Amanda, daughter of John D. and Fanny
(Holcomb) Capin of Niagara county, N. Y.,
where she was born October 27, I833. Her
father was born October 27, I805, and her
mother, March 28, I815.   Mrs. Gulick's
parents settled in Oakland county in 1836,
where they bought eighty acres of wild land,
which they cleared up and made their home
for several years, when they sold out and
came to Williamston, and purchasing a farm
there, lived on this place until death. Mrs.
Gulick was the oldest of a family of eight
children, six of whom are now living: Almira, wife of Henry Willgus of Williamston; Alzina, now Mrs. J. T. Van Ostron
of Williamston; James and Henry are living on the home farm near the village and
William  is a veterinary surgeon in Williamston.
Soon after marriage Mr. and Mrs. Gulick
moved into a log house, which they had
erected on eighty acres of wild land, purchased a short time before.  There they
have since lived and have met with gratifying success in life, Mr. Gulick having at
one time no less than four hundred acres of
land, which he has very generously parcelled out among his children, retaining for
himself and wife but eighty acres of the old
homestead. They are bountifully blessed in
the gift of eleven children, the first born
were twins, born in 1855 and died in infancy; Perry, born January 26, 1857, a
farmer at Williamston; Anna, died at the




.192


PAST AND PRESENT


age of four years; Nettie, born July 4, 1863;
John, March 9, I864, resides in Illinois;
Bert, March I8, I868, lives in Williamston
and is a farmer; Elmer, born December 2I,
1873, also a farmer; Joe, December 7, I880,
married Nellie Lang of Woodhull, Michigan, and resides with his parents; Grace,
the wife of Stephen Eberley, residing in
Williamston, and the last born died in infancy.
Mr. Gulick, though a man of good social
qualities, has never taken time to associate
himself with fraternal organizations, deeming his interests best served by giving his
attention to his personal matters. He has
carried on general farming and made it
profitable.  Surrounded by children and
grandchildren, Mr. and Mrs. Gulick are going down the shady side of life, enjoying
the confidence of their many friends.
CHARLES S. FOSTER.
Charles S. Foster is the owner of a farm
of one hundred and fifty two acres on Section 3 of Meridian Township, which is a
model of agricultural neatness and productiveness, its good features in this direction
being beautified by the taste and judgment
cf the owner. The improvements on this
place are of a modern nature and speak of
the ability of its owner in the occupation of
farming.
Charles S. Foster was born in Meridian
township July 3, I858, and is the son of
Charles and Christina (Nicholas) S. Foster,
natives of England. The father was born
Oct. 24, 1824, and died May 17, I893, and
the mother, born March 24, 1828, died April
24, I904. Our subject's parents were married in England and came to America on
their wedding trip. They first stopped with
relatives in Pontiac and the father came on
foot to Meridian township and bought


eighty acres of wild land on Section 13.
Here he built a log house and here they spent
their lives. At the time of his death the
father owned two hundred and seventy-five
acres.  He was always a Republican, but
would never consent to hold office.  Mr.
Foster was proud of the fact that he was
never on the witness stand. He retired from
active life and lived in Okemos seven years
previous to his death.
Our subject is one of ten children, seven
living: William, died at the age of thirteen
years; Henry, lives at Hazlett Park, has
three children, Sydna, Nellie and Lena;
Thomas, died at the age of twenty-six years;
Agnes, the wife of E. R. Blair, overseer of
the Agricultural farm, lives at the Agricultural College, and is the mother of three
children, Charles, Ethel and  Benjamin:
John, lived at Okemos, his first wife was
Jennie Cook, three children, one dying in
infancy, Kittie and Ruth, his second wife
was Mila Burger, four children, Mary, Jay,
Vera and Fay. John died April 7, I905.
Walter is a physician at Port Huron. His
first wife was Emma Armstrong and the
second, May Onlay. He has two children,
Walter and Rex; Ella, now Mrs. A. W.
Robey  of Bath, Clinton   county.   She
is the mother of two children, Edith and
Merle, deceased; Clifford is a stock buyer
at Hazlett Park and owns the old homestead; Bertie died at two years of age.
Our subject was educated in the district
schools of Meridian township, and also attended the Williamston High School for one
term. At the age of twenty-two he bought
a farm of eighty acres and from time to
time has added to his possessions. The place
is adorned by a large frame residence and
two immense barns. He was married May
11, I880, to Mary E. Kuhn, born in Livingston county, Oct. 7, I86I. She was the
daughter of Martin and Ellen (Smith)








HIRAM D. LEE


MRS. HIRAM D. LEE




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


193


Kuhn, natives of Livingston county, N. Y.
Her parents first lived in Livingston county,
Michigan, then in Clinton county. After the
death of the father, Mrs. Kuhn married J. F.
Saltmarsh of Okemos. Mrs. Foster had one
own brother who died at the age of three
years. She had one half brother, deceased,
and one half sister, living at Collegeville,
children of J. F. Saltmarsh.
To our subject and wife have been born
fifteen children, three of whom are dead:
Martin Burr, born May 23, i88i, married
Edna Foote, has one child, Gertrude, and
lives in Lansing; William Earl, Aug. 15,
1882, at home; Roy Austin, Jan. 22, 1884;
Ard Raymond, Nov. 18, 1885; George
Edgar, Sept. Io, 1887, died Feb. 2, I903;
Roseltha, May I6, I889; Charles Norman,
Feb. io, I89I; Carl and Clare, twins, born
Aug. 2, 1892, Clare died Sept. 17, I893;
Ethel, Jan. I, 1894; Ferris, Sept. 25, I895;
Russell, died Jan. 21, 900o, two years old;
Walter, July i8, 1898; Olive, March 5,
1900, and Theodore Roosevelt, Sept. i,
1903.
Mr. and Mrs. Foster are members of the
M. E. church, as were both of their parents.
In political views he is a Republican and
fraternally belongs to the Maccabees, M. W.
of A. and Masons, also the Grange.
Mr. Foster is engaged in mixed farming
and is meeting with the success which he
merits.
HIRAM D. LEE.
Hiram D. Lee, one of the honored early
settlers of Bunkerhill township, where he is
now engaged in farming, has been a resident
of this locality since I867, arriving here on
the s5th day of March in that year. Here
he bought forty acres of land, located on section four, which he began to improve; and enlarged his first home, which was a log house,
already built when he bought the place,
13


and there resided until 1894, when he erected
a more commodious dwelling, in which he
now makes his home. Upon the first day of
November, I860, he was united in marriage
to Elizabeth Bell, daughter of Thomas and
Elizabeth (Hudson) Bell. Her parents were
natives of England as was also Mrs. Lee, as
her birth occurred in Lincolnshire in 1842.
The Bell family emigrated to America in
I850, arriving in New York, where they remained for six months and then came to
Michigan and settled in Washtenaw county,
in Dexter township.
The father was a farmer by occupation
and he began improvements upon his land,
upon which he built a pioneer home of logs,
which was afterwards supplemented by a
more modern dwelling. Here he and his
good wife lived until their death, which occurred when he was seventy-five years of
age and she, seventy-nine.
Hiram Lee, the subject of this sketch, is a
native of Washtenaw county, born in Dexter
township on the Ioth day of April, I836.
He is the son of Jonathan and Maria
(Hawkes) Lee, who were natives of Vermont.   The parents were married in that
state, and in I832 decided to east their lot
with the pioneers and emigrated westward
and settled in Washtenaw county, Michigan.
Here he purchased a government claim of
one hundred and sixty acres of unimproved
land, which his father-in-law, Paul Hawkes,
had taken up for him. Upon this place the
father erected a pioneer dwelling of logs and
there resided until the son, Hiram was seven
years of age and then moved to Marion,
Livingston county, where he resided for
about seven years. From there he went to
Jackson county, where he resided for eight
years and then returned to Washtenaw county, where he died at the age of sixty-seven
years while the mother died at the age of
eighty-four.




194


PAST AND PRESENT


Unto Hiram Lee and his wife have been
born nine children, seven of whom are living: Clarissa, born September 17, I86I, now
deceased; Ida M., born October 27, 1863;
Herbert H., born June 19, 1866; Marietta,
born April 2, I868; Henry G., born January
2, I870; William, born July 20, 1871, now
deceased; Frederick T., born October 15,
1873; Katie R., born March 3, I875, and
Nellie E., born April 22, I879.
Mr. Lee enlisted in 1862 on the I5th day
of August in Co. B., 26th Michigan Volunteer Infantry and served three years and
nine months in defense of the Nation's
honor. He was discharged at Alexandria,
May 27, I865, in the hospital.
Mr. Lee affiliates with the Republican party, although he cast his first vote for Stephen
A. Douglas. He has taken an active interest
in local politics and has served as justice of
the peace for eight years and as school director for a number of years. Hiram Lee
has been a prosperous man. At the outset of
his career he had no special advantages to
assist him, but the strength of his character
has been manifest in his determination and
close attention to his business duties. Gradually he has progressed and the prosperity
which he is today enjoying is a just reward
for his honorable efforts.
HENRY L. LEONARD.
Henry L. Leonard was born in Wayne
county, Michigan, May 15, I857.     His
father, Lorenzo D. Leonard, was a native
of the Empire State, born May II, 1827.
Caroline (Dunbar) Leonard was born in
Michigan, December 29, I839.
Mr. Leonard's grandfather came to Michigan in I844.   At the time our subject's
father was about eighteen years of age, he
came with his parents and settled in Wayne
county. His father found employment as


a month farm hand on a farm. After a
time he purchased forty acres of timber
land, making some improvements on same,
when it was sold and he came to White
Oak, Ingham county, and purchased one
hundred acres of land, having upon it minor
improvements, consisting of a small board
house. This land he continued to improve
and placed under a good state of cultivation, erecting fine buildings and ever afterwards made it hishome. His death occurred November 30, 1904. At the time of
his father's first settlement in this State,
Indians roamed through the woods everywhere. A strange white face would have
been almost a greater curiosity in those days
than that of an Indian. Wild game was
plenty, such as deer, bear, wolves and wild
turkeys. Nearly every pioneer kept a trusty
rifle and wild game was a common food.
Mr. Lorenzo Leonard affiliated with the
Democratic party and was a zealous member of the Free Methodist society.  He
never held public office preferring to give
his time to his own personal affairs. The
mother's people were natives of Michigan.
Henry L. Leonard was the eldest of four
children, and while yet in his teens, worked
by the month as a farm hand. His first
purchase of real estate was that of thirty
acres of land in the Township of Leroy, to
this he added forty acres. This land he improved and it was his home for some time.
He sold it in I894 and bought eighty acres
of land on section twenty-seven, about half
of which was cleared and a small house was
on this place.  Since the purchase of this
place, Mr. Leonard has erected new buildings, including a house, barn and other
buildings; giving the place a modern and
up-to-date appearance.  He is counted as
one of the progressive and industrious farmers of his community. He has given considerable study to the political situation and




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


195


his views harmonize with those of the silver
Democracy, lining up with the Bryan faction. In his religious views, he is liberal.
Mr. Leonard was united in marriage
October 12, I879, to Para L., daughter of
Mr. and Mrs. Martin Jones. The father
came to Michigan from Vermont, having
been born there in 1832, and first settled in
the Township of losco, Livingston county.
His first purchase of real estate was forty
acres of land located in Leroy township. He
has cleared this, and upon it made many
improvements and this is today the family
home. Mrs. Jones was a native of New
York, where she was born in I837. She was
the mother of four children. After coming
to Michigan the Jones' experienced all the
hardships common to people of moderate
circumstances in a new country.  Dexter,
Washtenaw county, was the nearest store
and postoffice.  To this place trips were
made with an ox team to procure provisions
and other necessaries of the family. Mrs.
Jones passed away at the ripe old age of
sixty-six years, March i6, I904. Mr. and
Mrs. Jones were for many years highly respected members of the M. E. church.
To Mr. and Mrs. Leonard have been born
five children: Charles, October 20, I880,
is married and lives in the Township of
Wheatfield; Lila, born March 21, 1884, died
October 14, 1898, aged fourteen years;
Wellington R., October 20, I888, at home
with his parents; Ernest L., April Io, 1894,
and Franklin H., October 2, I899. Four
dutiful sons are indeed an inheritance of
which the parents may justly feel proud.
Mr. Leonard's farming operations are
common to those in his locality; stock raising and mixed farming.    He has never
sought office, preferring to devote his time
to his private affairs. His townsmen have
twice elected, him to the position of Commissioner of Highways.


RUDOLPH LOOMIS, LANSING.
Rudolph Loomis, circuit court stenographer for the thirtieth district, was born
in Livonia, Wayne county, Michigan, in the
year I868. His father is a native of western New York, but came to Wayne county,
Michigan, when he was a boy of twelve and
during most of his mature life was a farmer. He is now living a retired life in Lansing.
When Rudolph was two years of age his
parents removed to Delta township, Eaton
county, Michigan, where four years afterward his mother died. He lived with his
father until 1878, since which time, he being then a boy of ten, he has virtually supported himself.  At first he worked on a
farm by the month; then he supported himself by doing odd pieces of work in Grand
Ledge for his board while attending school,
until he reached the age of eighteen. Despite
the responsibilities cast'upon him so young
he had become so proficient in his studies
at this time that he obtained a position as a
country school teacher.
It was during this period that he entered
the home of Hon. Jacob L. McPeek, a
lawyer of Grand Ledge, acting as his office
boy, with the ultimate object of studying
the profession. As a step toward that end
he commenced the study and practice of
stenography and typewriting, it being also
his desire to make himself as useful as possible to his patron and friend, Mr. McPeek.
At length Mr. Loomis became so fascinated
with his work that he abandoned the idea of
studying law and devoted himself entirely
to his stenographic course.
In the spring of I888 Mr. Loomis accepted his first position with R. A. Montgomery of Lansing, at the same time doing
the stenographic work of Hon. Frank L.
Dodge. He was thus employed for a period




196


PAST AND PRESENT


of eighteen months, studying and practicing incessantly, especially in the field of
court reporting. IHis industry and rapidly
acquired proficiency soon drew the attention
of Henry F. Walsh, who for a number of
years had been the official reporter for Kent
county circuit, and who was also proprietor
of a general reporting business in Grand
Rapids.  In September, I889, Mr. Loomis
entered the employ of the gentlemen named,
his time being mostly spent in reporting
cases brought before justice, police and the
United States courts. This experience resulted in thoroughly familiarizing himself
with the most modern methods of reporting,
transcribing and typewriting all classes of
court proceedings. He returned to Lansing
in February, I890, and established an office
of his own, which was crowded with business from the first day of opening.
In February, 1891, Mr. Loomis was appointed to his present official position as circuit court stenographer for the newly erected
thirtieth district, composed of Ingham and
Livingston counties. In the general reporting department of his business he has made
a specialty of reporting conventions, the proceedings of five important gatherings having been recorded by him in I904.
Mrs. Loomis is also a shorthand reporter of acknowledged skill and ability.
She was formerly Miss Mattie Messenger,
daughter of Dr. and Susan Messenger, of
Grand Ledge, their marriage occurring in
December, I89I. Their one child died in
infancy.
Mr. Loomis' standing in the community,
aside from that which he has earned professionally, is illustrated by his election as Alderman from the sixth ward in    90oI and
I903, again in 1905, and his selection in the
latter year as President of the Common
Council. Being a practical, successful man,
who has advanced to the front solely by vir

tue of his own strength and determination,
he has naturally taken an active interest in
local politics. He is also prominently identified with such secret and benevolent orders
as the Masonic, Modern Woodmen, and
Knights of Pythias.
SOLON C. LANE, ONONDAGA TOWNSHIP.
Solon C. Lane is pleasantly located on a
farm on section five of Onondaga township.
He was born May 23, I859, in Broom
county, N. Y., and was the son of Jonathan
D. and Sarah (Conklin) Lane. The father
was born October I8, 1826, in New York
and died June 7, 1889, while the mother
was born in New York, November 13, I827,
and died December I9, I883. The mother's
parents were the founders of Conklin,
N.Y.
Our subject's grandfather settled in Ann
Arbor with his family in I833 and the next
year came to Onondaga township, where he
took up six hundred and forty acres of government land. The father of our subject
was the first boy in Onondaga township,
and his oldest sister, Anna Lane, taught the
first school in the township. He lived with
his parents until he grew to manhood, and
went back to New York and was married
there to Sarah Conklin, November 12, 1850.
They then came to Ingham county and made
a specialty of buying and selling land for a
time. After this he made his home here
until his death. The father was a Republican and fraternally was connected with the
I. O. O. F. and A. O. U. W., while he and
his wife were members of the M. E. church.
Jonathan Lane was the father of three
children: our subject; George, born December I, 1863, scalded to death October.I0,
1864; Oscar, born July 23, I867, married
Ida Canfield and they live in Lansing, and
have three children: Clarence, aged twelve,




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


197


William and Irvin. Our subject's mother
was of a family of nine children.
Our subject received his early education
in the district schools of Onondaga township and later at the Leslie high school. At
the age of twenty-one he went to Iowa and
was employed in the bridge building department for the C. R. I. and P. Railway Co.,
with T. B. Graham as manager of the work.
He came back to Onondaga in 1882 and
spent the winter visiting in New York.
February 14, 1884, Solon Lane was united in marriage to Miss Rilla Blodgett, who
was born October 26, I866, in Hamlin,
Eaton county, Michigan.   She was the
daughter of Isaac and Marie (Meeker)
Blodgett and her father is at present a resident of Eaton Rapids, and is seventy years
of age, as is also her mother a resident of
this place. Mrs. Lane has one brother and
two sisters, all residents of Eaton Rapids
and its vicinity.
Jonathan Lane's brother, David, and also
a nephew, Daniel Woodin, served in the
Third Michigan Cavalry during the civil
war.
To our subject and his wife have been
born two children: Arthur, December I,
1885, attending school in Eaton Rapids, and
Louis T., December 9, 1891, who is at
home.  Our subject is a Republican and
served three terms as Supervisor and was
also Highway Commissioner for two years.
While a member of the Board of Supervisors he served as a member of the Board
of Equalization. Chairman of Poor Committee, and Chairman of Committee of
County Officer's bonds. He is fraternally
allied with the Masons and is financier of
the A. O. U. W. and also a member of the
Knights of Pythias.
Mrs. Lane is a member of the M. E.
church of Eaton Rapids. Both our subject
and wife are highly respected people in the


Township of Onondaga, and are valuable
acquisitions to society in that locality.
For the benefit of posterity, Mr. Lane has
carefully prepared a record dating from
I635, as follows:
GENEALOGICAL RECORD.
The descendants of William Lane, of Dorchester:
I. I. Williamn Lane, camie to Dorchester,
writh his adult family in 1635. He died
1654.
II. Children of William Lane, (I):
2. I. George Lane came to Hingham,
one of its original inhabitants, I635.
3. II. Andrew Lane came with his
father and brother, I635; m. Triphene.
4. III. Elizabeth, m. Thomas Rider,
lived in Boston.
5. IV. Mary, m. -       Long, lived in
Hingham, widow in I690, m. Joseph
Farnsworth.
6. V. A daughter, wife of Thomas
"Linskhorne" (Lincoln) of Hingham.
7. VI. A daughter, wife of Nathaniel
Baker of Hingham.
III. Children of George Lane of Hi-igham,
(2):
8. I. Ebenezer.
9. II. Josiah.: o. III.  Peter.
II. IV. Sarah, m.        Lewis.
12. V. Elizabeth, m. -      Poor.
I3. VI. Mary, m.         Ellis.
I4. VII. Joseph.
III. Children of Andrew Lane of Hingham, (3):
I5. I. Andrew, m. Elizabeth, daughter
of Mark Eames, Dec. 5, 1672.    She
died Nov. 12, 1727.
I6. II. John, baptized June 30, 1648,
died in Norton, November 23, I712.
His first wife, Mehitable Hobart; m.




198


PAST AND PRESENT


in Hingham, June I8, 1614, his second
wife, Sarah
17. III. Ephraim, m. Ruth Stevenson
of Attleboro, Jan. IO, 1716.   Had
seven children in Norton. The family
now in Norton probably his descendants.
I8. IV. Joshua, baptized Aug. 20,
I654.
I9. V. Deborah, baptized    June  20,
I656; m. William  Sprague, Dec. 30,
I674.
20. VI. Hannah, baptized    Oct. 17,
I658.
21. VII. Abigail, m. David Stodder,
27th Dec., I665.
IV. Children of John Lane by Mehitable,
his first wife, ( I6):
22. I. Samuel, b. I6th March, 1718,
in Hingham, d. in Attleboro, 7th Dec.,
1725.
23. II. Priscilla, b. the I5th March,
1720.
24. III. Mary, b. in Hingham, April
23, I862.
25. IV. Asaph, b. in Hingham, July
21, 1685; m. Elizabeth 
Children of second wife:
26. V. John, b. Attleboro, Feb. I8,
1695-6; m. Keziah Tiffany of Attleboro, June 5, I734.
27. VI. Sarah, b. Jan. II, 1698-9;
d. Jan. I8, same year.
28. VII. Benjamin, b. Feb. 13, I700;
m. Hepzebah Moss, Sept. 15, 720. She
died Nov. 28, 1749; had II children
in Norton.
29. VIII. Sarah, b. in Attleboro, June
22, 1701.
30. IX. Meletiah, b. in Attleboro, June
8, 1703.
3I. X. Ebenezer, b. in Norton, April
6, I707; m. Elizabeth Follet of Attle

boro, and was drowned in going over
narrow passage, Dec. 9, 1742, with
Jonathan and Robert Follet.
V. Children of Samuel Lane, (22):
32. I. John.
33. II. Ebenezer, b. 1712; in I735 m.
Bethiah Shaw, who d. Jan. 19, 1787,
aged 9I. He died 1791.
V. Children of Ebenezer Lane, son of John
Lane, (3I):
34. I. Elizabeth, b. Nov. I9, I735.
35. II. Mary, b. June 19, I737.
36. III. Sarah, b. Feb. 26, I739.
37. IV. Priscilla, b. May 15, I74I.
38. V. Susannah, b. March I, 1742-3.
V. Children of John Lane, (26):
39. I. Esther, b. Sept. 20, I735, in Attleboro.
40. II. Amos, b. in Attleboro, Dec. 28,
I738.
4I. Child of Asaph Lane, (25) Elizabeth, b. in Attleboro, Jan. I6, 1713.
VI. Children of Ebenezer Lane, (33):
42. I. Olive, b. Sept. 19, I736.
43. II. Bethiah, b. Sept. 1738; m.
Packwood.
44. III. David, b. April 30, 174I; died
unmarried, wounded in French war.
45. IV. Batsy, b. Aug. 27, 1743; m.
Alvord, afterwards     Smith; d.
at Northfield, between I813 and I820,
childless.
46. V. Keziah, b. Feb. II, I745; m.
Nutting of Thomaston, Maine. I
understood was drowned.
47. VII. Ebenezer, b. Feb. 10, I747;
d. in Northampton, June 6, I8o8; m.
I. Phoebe Parsons, who d. Nov. 12,
1781, no living children.  2, Martha
Phelps, who d. at Northampton, 1785
(?). 3, Marian Chandler, nee Griswold, who d. June, 1829.
49. VIII. Nathan, b. March 20, I750;




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


199


d. March 17, 1817; m. Dorcas Muscroft, b. March I, I8I7. She d. Sept.
8, 1839, aged 9o.
50. IX. Lucia, b. June 9, 1752; d. at
Northampton, about I808, unmarried.
5I. X. George, b. Nov. 29, I754; d.
about I799 at Charlesworth, Mass.
52. XI. Daniel, b. Nov. 29, I756; m.
Abigail Allin of Cumberland, Feb. 28,
1782; d. 1812, childless.
VII. Children of Ebenezer Lane, (47):
By first wife none surviving.
By second wife, Martin and Martha,
b. at Northampton, I78-.
53. Martin Lane of Cambridge, m.
Lucretia Swah, I809.
54. Martha Lane of Worthington, m.
Major William Swan.
55. Ebenezer Lane, by third wife, b.
Sept. 17, I793.
VIII.  Children of Martin Lane, (53):
56. I. Mary Swan.
57. II. Martha, m. Mackintosh.
58. III.  Sarah Swan.
59. IV. Elizabeth Meriot.
60. V. Lavinia.
61. VI. George Martin.
62. VII. Jane Lucretia.
63. VIII.   Susan Minot.
Children of Martha Swan, (54):
64. I. Martha, living.
65. II. William, killed by Indians in
Kansas.
Children of Ebenezer Lane, (55):
66. I. Ebenezer, b. at Elyria, Ohio,
Aug. 6, I819; m. Pallas E. Anderson,
Jan. 21, I845.
67. II. Frances Elizabeth, b. Oct. 12,
1822, at Norwalk, Ohio; m. A. Chesebro.
68. III. William Griswold, b. at Norwalk, Feb. I2, I824; m. Elizabeth
Deodate Griswold, Nov., I85o.


IX. Children of Ebenezer Lane, (66):
69. I. Ebenezer, b. at Sandusky, Aug.
25, I847.
70. II. Frances Griswold, b. at Sandusky, June 21, 1850.
Children of Frances Elizabeth Chesebro (67) and Alfred Chesebro.
71. I. William Lane, b. at Mansfield,
Aug. I, 1846.
72. II. Alfred Ludlow, b. in Springfield, Ohio, Jan. 15, I85o.
73. III. Catherine Griswold, b. at Sandusky, May 22, 1853.
74. IV. Charles Griswold, b. at Sandusky, Dec. I8, I855.
Children of W. G. and Elizabeth D.
Lane, (68):
75. I. Elizabeth Griswold, b. at Sandusky, Oct. 25, 85 I.
VII. Children of Martin Lane, (49):
76. I. Daniel, b. June 15, I773; m.
Deborah Garnsey; lived in Dallastown,
N. Y.
77. II. Irene. b. Nov. 2, I774; m.
David Foot; is dead.
78. III. Betsy L., b. Sept. 2, I777; m.
Elijah Smith; is dead.
79. IV. Nathan, b. July 3, 1779; m.
Clarissa Hyde, lives in Jackson county,
Michigan.
80. V. David, b. Sept. 29, 1781; m.
I, Anne Sage; 2, Sarah Diamond.
Lives in Ingham county, Michigan.
81. VI. George, b. April I3, 1784; m.
I, Sarah Harvey; 2, Lydia Bunting.
Formerly of Methodist Book Concern;
now lives near Brockport, N. Y.
82. VII. Asa, b. Sept. 20, 1786; d.
1793.
83. VIII. Charles, b. Dec. 7, 1738; m.
Cynthia Spier.
84. IX. Dorcas, b. March 14, 1791; m.
--   Sternes; lives in Belvidere, Ill.




200


PAST AND PRESENT


VIII.
85.


Children of George Lane, (81):
I. Harvey, professor in Middle

town.
86. II. George, a    clergyman; now
dead.
87. III. Joseph, a    clergyman; now
dead.
88. IV. Charles, lives in Wilkesbarre.
VII. Children of George Lane, (5I):
89. I. Mary, died unmarried.
90. II. Eliza.
91. II. George, died.
92. IV. William, died.
Other families of that name:
I. Samson    Lane,  agent, of  Mason,
Piscataqua, 1613.
2  Thomas Lane, warned by selectmen of
Dorchester, to remove to Weymouth,
I635.
3. Ambrose Lane, of Strawberry Bank,
(Portsmouth) 1654.
4. Daniel Lane, came to New London,
I652, removed to Brook Haven, Long
Island, 1662.
5. A family in Killingworth, Conn., from
whence came Nathan Lane of New
York.
6. Amos Lane, of Westchester, N. Y.,
removed to Indiana, about I822. He
is father of two generals, Joseph of
Oregon, and James of Kansas.
7. Rebecca Lane, transported to Virginia,
I635.
8. Edward Lane, came later in the same
year. Were they redemptioners?
9. A family of Lane in Georgia, from
whom W. G. Lane of New York.
io. A family of Baltimore.
II. A family in Pennsylvania. from whom
descended W. J. Lane of Erie, and the
late Henry Lane of Warren, Ohio.
26. III. Jabez.


VI. Children of Samuel Lane, (24):
27. I. Ebenezer, lived in Pittsfield,
New Hampshire.
28. II. Samuel, lived in Stratham.
VII. Child of Jabez Lane, (26):
29.    Edmund I. Lane, lived in Dover,
New Hampshire.
VIII. Child of Samutel Lane, (28):
30. Thomas I. Lane, lived in Maumee, Ohio; died Feb. 7, I847, leaving
a son.
IX.    I believe Ebenezer Lane (22) is
grandfather of the founders of the
Lane Seminary, near Cincinnati.  If
so, the son of Ebenezer Lane, (22):
3I. I. Lived in New Gloucester, N. H.
X. Children of Ebenezer, (31):
32. I. Ebenezer, formerly a merchant
in New Orleans, now in Oxford, Ohio.
33. II. Andrew, deceased.
GRANT PUTNAM.
Grant Putnam was born March I, I866,
at Leroy, and is the son of Gilbert and
Helen (Mather) Putnam. The father was
born in Herkimer county, New York, October 8, 1834, and the mother in Scio, Washtenaw  county, Michigan, September 28,
I842. The father was a farmer and came to
Michigan in 1835.
The parents of our subject were married
April 17, I864, at Williamston and continued to live on the home place after buying out the other heirs. The original farm
consisted of one hundred and twenty-seven
acres to which they added ninety-two acres
and cleared and improved this property,
erecting the present house and good outbuildings. Gilbert Putnam was a supporter
of the Democrat party and died May 28,
I872, while the mother is still living. Our
subject is one of two children, being the first
in order of birth. He acquired his education







kV  5 :,
1,






MRS. HELEN CULVER








INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


201


in the district school of his locality and when
reaching the years of his majority, continued
to run the farm, as his father before him
had done, the place never having been out
of the family name.
Grant Putnam was married March 26,
I890, to Ida M. Large, daughter of William
and Josephine (Elliott) Large, who were
early settlers of Michigan. Mrs. Putnam's
father was politically a member of the Republican party, a good Methodist and died
thirty years ago.
To Mr. and Mrs. Putnam have been born
two children: Frances M., born January 3,
I896; Gilbert L., June 23, 1901.
In the year 1876, Mrs. Putnam, the mother of our subject, was married the second
time to Levi Culver, a native of Canada,
who lived in Michigan about thirty years
and died at the home place in I895. To
them were born two children: Cleo, born December 4, I877, married Rev. H. R. Beatty,
and Levi H., born I88I, married Berthy
Osterle and is a farmer in Leroy township.
Mrs. Culver was born in Scio, Washtenaw
Co., Mich., the daughter of Calvin and Marilla Newcomb, natives of New York, who
came here when Michigan was yet a territory, in I83I, and settled at Scio, where they
took up eighty acres of timber land and
cleared it and made many improvements
upon the place. The father died in I886 and
the mother in 1872.
Gilbert Putnam came to Michigan when a
baby, his parents locating in Dearborn,
Wayne county. The family chopped their
way through to their present place and took
the original grant of land from President
Van Buren and the deed of this land they
still have in their possession. The grandfather of our subject, Richard Putnam,
who cleared this land, added forty acres in
Wheatfield, and again forty in Leroy township, died in I856 and his wife in I858.


Our subject, though not enthusiastic in
political questions, is on the side of the
Democracy. Fraternally, Grant Putnam is
allied with the Masons and Modern Woodmen.
THOMAS McEWING.
From an orphan asylum to a position of a
leading man of affairs in a great State indicates the transformation in the life of a selfmade character, and, in a word, is the remarkable contrast between the boyhood and
the manhood of Thomas McEwing of Lansing.  His younger days were passed in
Utica, N. Y., at the orphans' home in that
city. When he was yet in short clothes he
ran away from the asylum, because of a
whipping, which his childish mind considered unjust. The little fellow boldly boarded
a train and was carried to a point near Buffalo. When he alighted, about the first objects he saw were William Savage and his
milk wagon. He was invited to take a ride
and the good man took him home and kept
him as his own son for three years. Mr.
Savage made inquiry and found out who the
lad was, and gave him a home. Here he
became one of the original thirty-two endowed scholars of the DeBeaux College, an
institution endowed by Samuel DeBeaux.
This educational start was supplemented by
the study which he had in the Agricultural
College at Lansing, where he worked his
way, as a janitor, while living with E. H.
Longyear. Later he studied law with Dart
and Wiley and was engaged in the lumber
business at Jacksonville, Fla., for three
years.
Upon Mr. McEwing's return to the North,
he located at Howell, Michigan, and was
in the employ of a hardware house for three
years, teaching school during the winter
months. His next change o.f location was




202


PAST AND PRESENT


to Bancroft, Michigan, where he engaged
in business and also followed the occupation
of a traveling salesman. Subsequently he
was a resident of Elkhart, Indiana, for four
years, but returned to Lansing in I898 and
was appointed manager of the Aultman-Millar Company. This afterward developed
into the Western Wagon and Supply Company, which was organized by Mr. McEwing in I903, and he is still its manager and
active force. The business is incorporated
and covers the handling of agricultural implements and machinery.
Mr. McEwing has not only evinced great
ability in the organization, conduct and development of this company, but has originated a device which promises not only large
financial returns but to establish his reputation as a leading inventor. His invention
is a cultivator, known as the Beet Blocker
and Thinner.   It was patented July 26,
I904, and is being rapidly introduced to the
agricultural community. The farmers of
Michigan and Wisconsin are becoming
familiar with its many excellent qualities
and as a labor saving invention, it will soon
be welcomed by the agriculturists of the
country as a whole. Experts assert that it
can do three times as much work as the old
cultivator. Governor Bliss says that after
giving the new cultivator a trial, he found
that it saved the labor of nineteen men daily.
Others place the figures still higher.
In I878 Mr. McEwing was married to
Miss Ellen Whipple of Howell.    Three
children have been born to them: Foster is
in business with his father; Luther, is on
the Board of Health, and Edith, a graduate
of the Lansing high school in '03, was the
orator of her class.
Our subject is domestic and social in the
best sense of the word. He also takes a
deep interest in several secret and benevolent
orders, being affiliated with the Maccabees,


K. of P., the Elks, and the Masonic fraternity. He is an active Republican. There
is probably no one who has a wider acquaintance in the State of Michigan than he, and he
has a remarkable memory for names, faces
and circumstances and is one of the most approachable, as well as most substantial of
men. His is a character which is particularly
strong and well-rounded.
WILLIAM    C. NICHOLS.
William C. Nichols was born at Ann Arbor, Washtenaw county, Michigan, January
25, I834. He was the eldest son of William
and Mary Steffey Nichols, the mother of
German extraction, while the father was a
native of Massachusetts. The occupation of
the elder Nichols was that of a manufacturer
of sash, doors and blinds. He died in I844,
while yet in the prime of life and was buried
in the family plat at Ann Arbor. Three
other children were born to bless their
union: Mary Cecelia, a twin of William C.;
Jacob, born September 28, 1836, and H.
Walter, born January 2, 1838.
At the tender age of two years Mr. Nichols was taken from the paternal home to
live with his grandparents, Jacob and Mary
Steffey, at Stockbridge of this county, which
has been his home continuously from that
to the present time. After the death of his
grandfather in I858 he inherited a part and
purchased the remainder of the farm where
he was reared, and has since added thereto,
until now he owns one hundred and eighty
acres of fertile land on sections 23 and 24,
Branch Lake. His finely arranged buildings,
fronting Branch Lake and within a few minutes drive from the growing and enterprising village of Stockbridge, make it a most
desirable and pleasant location. With a possible single exception, Mr. Nichols is the
oldest resident of the township.  He has




Il~:


WVILLIAM,\ C. NICHOLS








INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


203


many recollections of frontier life away back
in the forties, when Ingham county was
practically an unbroken forest. Rolling up
log houses, building corduroy roads, logging
bees, "breaking up land" with seven or eight
yoke of oxen, hunting the cows after dark,
the howling of wolves drowning the tinkling of the cow-bell, mowing with a scythe
the native meadow lands (marsh grass) and
killing rattlesnakes, incidents of this character were each in their time familiar to him.
He recalls that at the time he went to live
with his grandparents, though only wvo
years of age and still wearing dresses, that
a blanket served as a door for the shanty
occupied by the family. The wolves made
night hideous by their howling and prowling
about the place. The Indians were quite
numerous during those earlier years and had
a permanent camp on the banks of both the
Lowe and McKenzie lakes.
The impression of the first death occurring in the settlement then known as
"Pekin," later Stockbridge, has never been
forgotten. It was a child belonging to the
family of Ira Wood. This was the first burial in the old Stockbridge cemetery. The
first stock of goods brought to the settlement was by Mr. Silas Beebe and were retailed out from a little room in one end of
his log dwelling. The first school building was of logs, and Mr. Nichols remembers that on a certain occasion he and
"Mack" Beebe were the only pupils present
for one-half day.
January 12, 1858, Mr. Nichols married
Mary Elizabeth, daughter of Jacob Westfall, and for more than forty years they
shared the joys and sorrows common to the
lot of mortals, rearing to useful manhood
and womanhood six dutiful children. Mrs.
Nichols passed away December 3, 1902.
The following genealogy is given as a record
of data for reference:


Alida, born February 24, I859, the wife
of Gay Spery of Ludington.
George Walter, born June 12, I86I, married Mary Brown, is engaged in the lumber
trade at Stockbridge.
Emery and Emma, twins, were born
March 12, 1864.
Emery is in business with his brother
George Walter. Emma is the wife of Albert Kinney, residing at Ludington, Michigan, who is engaged in fruit growing.
William J., born February 12, 1878, is
conducting the home farm during the absence of his father, who is serving as County
Treasurer.
Irene E., the youngest, born October 7,
1879, is at present the homekeeper for her
father. The legacy of six intelligent, industrious children is a rich inheritance to cheer
and bless the declining years of a parent.
Mr. Nichols' educational privileges were
those common to the boys of his time in a
new country, attending district school winters. He later completed la select course in
the Ann Arbor High School.
In politics, Mr. Nichols is a Republican,
believing in and advocating those policies
and principles that tend to the betterment
of the country at large. He has for many
years been a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church society of Stockbridge, and
active in the advancement of its influence
for good.
The Masons, the Odd Fellows and the
Grange are among the more prominent social organizations with which he is identified.
Mr. Nichols' fitness for public service and
integrity of character have been recognized
by his townsmen and he has frequently been
honored by a place on the ticket and has held
nearly every office in the township from
Supervisor to Constable.  He was elected
County Treasurer in I902, has filled the office in a very creditable manner and was rec



204


PAST AND PRESENT


ommended by acclamation for a second
term and reelected by the overwhelming
majority of 1,800.
Mr. Nichols feels a just pride in the
records made by his brothers, H. Walter and
Jacob, and a half-brother, George Gaunt,
during the war of the Rebellion, and only
regrets the lack of data to make the history
of the service rendered by them more complete.
Jacob Nichols was among the very first to
volunteer his services in the defense of his
country's flag and honor. He was a member of the ist Michigan Infantry. At the
organization of his company, he was made
a corporal. Possessing a kindly disposition
and being of a happy, jovial temperament
he easily made friends of all who came under the general influence of his pleasing
ways. He saw much hard service following
the fortunes of the "old fighting first" for
nearly three years. He was killed in action
in one of the many hard fought battles before Petersburg, Virginia, June, 1864.
Whether on the scaffold high
Or in the battle's van,
The fittest place for man to die
Is where he dies a man.
H. Walter Nichols entered the service
October 7, 1861, as sergeant of Company A,
Ioth Michigan Infantry. He was promoted
to second lieutenant May 25, I862, and
again promoted to first lieutenant March 31,
I863. He was mustered out of service and
honorably discharged April I, 1865, having
to his credit three and one-half years of
active service.
Col. Christopher J. Dickinson in his report of an attack by guerillas on a supply
train on the Murfreesboro road in 1863
guarded by a detachment of the Ioth Infantry as given in Michigan in the War, has


this to say with reference to Lieutenant
Nichols:
"The command of the party now devolved
upon Lieut. H. Walter Nichols, who, seeing
there was no possibility as saving the train,
retreated with his men in good order to the
first stockade this side of Lavernge. Here
he was reinforced by about fifteen men who
were stationed at the stockade.  He then
marched his men back to a point where the
train had been thrown from the track. The
rebels had captured the mail and express
matter on board and had set fire to the train
together with the engine and tender. The
fire, however, had done very little damage
to the engine and it was saved.  Lieut.
Nichols gathered up the wounded, who were
taken to some houses near by and made them
as comfortable as possible under the circumstances. Considering all the circumstances
attending the foregoing attack upon said
train, and the large number killed and
wounded, no less than eighteen out of fortysix officers and men inclusive, the conclusion
is irresistible that both officers and men behaved with the utmost bravery."
Lieut. Nichols bears the distinguished
honor of being one of that gallant host that
marched with Sherman from "Atlanta to
the Sea."
A half-brother of our subject, named
George Gaunt, born in Ann Arbor, Mich.,
October I2, 1848, enlisted in Stockbridge,
Mich., in March, I864, went into camp at
St. Johns, Mich., afterward in hospital in
Detroit, entered the 2d Regiment, Michigan
Infantry, Co. I, taken prisoner in August,
died in Danville prison at Danville, Va.,
October 8, 1864.
Enjoying the confidence and esteem of
the public generally with a personal consciousness of having acted well his part in
life, with a goodly competence for his declining years, surrounded by children and grand



INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


205


children, Mr. Nichols ought to be, indeed he
is, a happy man.
JACOB M. NIEBLING.
Jacob M. Niebling was born in Wettenberg, Germany, Nov. 27, I848, and is the
son of John and Dorethea (Brown) Niebling, natives of the German fatherland. The
father's birth occurred Sept. Io, 1812, and
the mother's Aug. I8, 1823. The parents
emigrated to America in I855. The father
was a shoemaker by trade in the old country,
but when coming to America he lived in
Freedom  township, Washtenaw    county,
Michigan, and there engaged in farming for
one and a half years. They then moved to
Lima, bought a farm of sixty acres and here
lived until his death, Aug. 4, I889. The
mother died Feb. Io, I888.   They were
members of the German Lutheran church
and the father was a staunch Democrat. John
Niebling was the only one of four children
who came to America. Mrs. Niebling was
one of seven children.
Our subject was one of nine children,
namely: Mary, born Jan. 21, I834, in Germany, was the wife of George Meyer and
lived in Washtenaw county, and died one
year ago, leaving seven children; John, born
May 14, 1841, enlisted in the 2oth Michigan
Infantry, Co. B, in I862. He was killed at
the Battle of Petersburg, July 30, I864;
Lena, born Dec. 20, I843, is the wife of
Louis Klunsinger of Williamston; George,
born Feb. 23, 1845, died May   4., 1867;
Rachel, born Oct. 3, I846, is the wife of R.
Dick and lives in Saugatuck, Allegan county; our subject; Godlob, born Oct. 28, I850,
and died Oct. 27, 1872; Christina, April 28,
I857, the wife of John Gretsinger of North
Dakota; Caroline, March 5, 1862, married
Alonzo Rogers of Dexter.
Our subject came to America with his par

ents when seven years old and lived with
them until he reached the age of sixteen, attending the district school and also Gellman
school one year, when he went to work on
a farm and worked by the month for eight
years.  He then rented one hundred and
eighty acres of land adjoining the father's
farm and worked it for four years. He was
married Nov. II, 1876, to Lizzie Horning,
who was born in Philadelphia Feb. 26, I858.
Mrs. Niebling was the daughter of Jacob
Horning, born in Germany and who died
Dec. 20, 1903, at the age of seventy-three
years, while the mother, whose maiden name
was Dora Shoemaker, also a native of Germany, was born Sept. 5, I833, and is living
in Manchester. Mr. and Mrs. Horning came
to America in I86o and located at Philadelphia, where they lived for six years and then
moved to Manchester, Washtenaw county,
and bought eighty acres of wild land, upon
which there was a log house and there lived
until sixteen years ago, when they moved to
Grass Lake, where Mr. Horning died.
To the Hornings were born eight children,
Mrs. Niebling being the second: Jacob married Carrie Shaferr, lives in Adrian and has
three children; our subject's wife; Emma,
born Feb. 27, I860, married George Stringham of Lansing and they have three children; Mary, born June 5, 1858, died thirteen years ago. She was the first wife of
George Stringham; Sophia, born Feb. 28,
I870, the wife of Jacob Waltz of Grass
Lake; John, March I2, 1873, married Clara
Rouser and they have two children; William,
Dec. 25, 1871, married Julia Day and lives
in Jackson. They have three children, and
Carrie married Joe Vogelbacher of Manchester and has three children.
The following year after the marriage of
Mr. and Mrs. Niebling, they bought forty
acres where he now lives and upon this
place were a log house and barn. These




206


PAST AND PRESENT


have been replaced by fine buildings and Mr.
Niebling, as he has prospered, has added to
his possessions until he now owns eighty-five
acres of well improved land.
Two children came to bless the lives of
these highly respected people, namely:
Emma C., born Jan. 20, 1877, a teacher in
the village schools of Okemos, where she
has been employed for six years, and William, born Feb. I, I879, married to Stella
Felton of Alaiedon township, who was born
Feb. 8, I877. William is living on the farm
with our subject.
Mr. Niebling was, in his early days, a
Democrat, but today has unbounded faith in
the Republican party and its leaders, though
never a seeker after office. The family are
active members of the German Lutheran
church of North Lansing.
Mr. Niebling is engaged in general farming and the characteristic energy and ability
of the German-American farmer has brought
to him the usual reward, as he is today a
prosperous farmer of his community.
CARLOS P. OSBORN       (DECEASED).
The name Carlos P. Osborn in the neighborhood in which he lived for so many years
stood for geniality, enterprise and progress.
A neighborly regard that was shown him at
interment proved how greatly his loss was
felt in the community. He left a widow,
who now resides in the Village of Dansville.
Mrs. Osborn's mother, Mrs. Jabez Brown,
is still living at the advanced age of eightysix years.
Carlos P. Osborn was born in Genesee
county, N. Y., October 4, I835. He was
the son of Chauncey A. and Zeruah Mathewson Osborn, who came to Michigan in 1837
from the Empire State and located in Mason.
The elder Osborn worked at the trade of carpenter and cabinet maker for over half a


century. He was one of the familiar figures
upon the streets. He was the Sheriff of
Ingham county from I850 to I854. He died
March 31, I885, aged seventy-one years.
Our subject was one of twelve children,
six of whom are now living: Amos, residing in California; Ellen, now the wife of
Mr. Charter of Bay City; Mrs. M. D. True
of Mason; John Osborn, who is located at
Ashland, Mich.; C. H. Osborne of Dansville,
and Mary L. Streeter of Jackson city.
Our subject was educated in Mason, and
at the age of fifteen years began working on
a farm by the month.
In 1858 Mr. Osborn was united in
marriage to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of
Jabez W. Brown, a native of England. Mr.
Brown was born September 19, 1811, and
his wife, Jane Burgess, was born at Steuben
county, N. Y., February 27, 81i8. Mrs.
Osborn was born in Ingham township, January 22, 1838. She was one of five children.
Data respecting the family is given as follows: Ellison S., a successful farmer in the
State of Washington; he was born October
9, 1839; Emily B., born March 25, 1842, is
a member of the family of her brother Ellison; Albert, born March 27, 1844, is engaged in fruit farming in California; Joseph
Edward, born August 24, 1850, resides in
Eldorado county, California.
In January, 1862, Mr. and Mrs. Osborn,
in company with a party of twelve persons,
with six emigrant wagons crossed the plains,
making the overland trip to California.
Four and one-half months were consumed in
the journey. They located in Sierra county
and engaged in the dairy and stock business.
Here they remained for about four years
with very satisfactory results, after which
they returned to Michigan by the way of
the Panama route.   To Carlos and Mrs.
Osborn were born four children, three of
whom are now living: Charles E., born July








JUDGE ROLLIN H. PERSON




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


207


4, 1863, married Miss Etta Coy and lives in
Ingham township; Elbridge F., born December 11, I866, a resident of National City,
California; Jennie, born May 10, I869, died
April 19, I898. She married A. M. Cummins, now an attorney at Lansing; Clara,
born July 9, I87I, the wife of Cort Crossman of Dansville.
Soon after marriage Mr. Osborn bought
eighty acres of wild land in the Township of
Vevay which he cleared, built a log house
and barn. After his return from the west,
he purchased what is known as the Hoffman
home of Ingham township, consisting of one
hundred and sixty acres, a fine farm in a
pleasant location. He erected a substantial
brick house upon the premises, built a barn
and otherwise improved the outbuildings, arranging for himself and family a very conmodious farm home.
In politics, Mr. Osborn was an enthusiastic
Democrat. He served a term of two years
as Drain Commissioner. His mother was a
member of the MI. E. church at Mason. Mrs.
Osborn's people are largely members of the
Baptist church. The Osborn family are well
and favorably known throughout the county.
Mr. Osborn died June 23, 1903, aged sixtyseven years. His remains were laid at rest
in Maple Grove cemetery, at Mason.
HON. ROLLIN H. PERSON, LANSING.
Judge Person, a man of stalwart character
and a prosperous lawyer of fine legal abilities, has already served nearly a decade
upon the Circuit bench, and as he is still in
his prime will doubtless have other laurels
added to his honorable record. The son of
Cornelius and Lucinda (Stafford) Person,
he was born in Livingston county, Mich.,
October I5, I85o. His father, who was a
native of New York, was born in 1822, and
came to Michigan when he was only fifteen


years of age. He combined the teaching
of school with farming, and in his early
manhood was considered not only the most
competent teacher in the county, but the
most thoroughly educated man. But such a
reputation was not obtained without long
and determined self-application, as he was
self-taught in the strictest sense of the word.
Literally his education was acquired in the
fields, while plowing, with a book in one
hand and the handle of his plow in the other.
There were two children in the familyRollin and a younger brother, Omro. Both
parents died in I899, the death of the
mother preceding that of the father by only
a week.
Rollin was of a self-reliant as well as a
studious disposition, a combination of character traits somewhat rare.  At nineteen
years of age, having received a solid education at home through the good offices of
his parents, he ventured to make his way
in the world. Having not only thoroughly
mastered the common and some of the
higher branches, and imbibed from his earliest years the scholarly atmosphere whiich
surrounded his father, he was fitted even at
that age to give a fair account of himself
as a teacher. Before he had reached his
majority he had a first grade certificate,
armed with which he zealously performed
his pedagogical duties for two years.
Judge Person then realized that the promise of a larger future for him lay in more
active channels than these. First he entered
the office of the Register of Deeds, at
Howell, holding the position of deputy. In
1872 he began the study of law with Dennis
Shields.  These preliminary steps in his
legal career were followed, in 1872-73, by
a course in the law department of Michigan University.
Having been admitted to the bar in July,
1873, and married Miss May Ida May Mad



208


PAST AND PRESENT


den, daughter of Judge Madden, of Monmouth, Ill., the young lawyer and husband
started with his wife for the Nebraskan frontier. When the couple disembarked at Republican City (the bride was seventeen), the head
of the future household and future judge had
just five dollars in his pocket. But fortunately the Register of Deeds wanted to go on
a vacation and offered Mr. Person all the
fees that might come into the office during
his absence, if he would look after its affairs while he was away. As it was this
or nothing, the offer was promptly accepted,
and it proved a fortunate venture on the
part of Mr. Person. The Register's vacation
extended over a period of six weeks, and
the fees received by the pro tem. occupant
of the office gave him a fair financial start
in the community, while the acquaintance
which he made was of substantial benefit
to him afterward. While residents of Republican City, Mr. and Mrs. Person passed
through the excitement of the Indian troubles and the County Seat war; but, although
professional prospects were bright, the
grasshopper plague which temporarily blasted the prosperity of all that portion of the
country drove them out of Nebraska and
back to Howell, Mich.
There, in 1875, Judge Person opened a
law office, and within the succeeding fifteen
years established a large, remunerative and
high-grade practice.  In I891 he was appointed Circuit Judge of the new Thirtieth
Judicial Circuit. In the following year he
was elected to a three-years' vacancy, and
in 1893 was nominated by all the parties in
the field, being re-elected, without opposition, for the full term which expired in I899.
Since that year he has been located at Lansing and has extended both his business and
his reputation as a most able and successful
general practitioner. It may also be added
that Judge Person has served for one term


as Cilcuit Court Commissioner, and that he
is a staunch Democrat, as well as a Mason.
The marriage of our subject has already
been recorded. To the young couple, who
so bravely set off for the West, over thirty
years ago, have been born four children:
Harlow S., assistant professor of economics
at Dartmouth College; Harry J., who, as a
member of the First Fighting Scouts, served
with the British army in South Africa for
nearly two years, and had the satisfaction
of being connected with the best regiment
of the Imperial troops; May and Armand,
who are living at home.
PHILIP NICE.
Philip Nice was born in Laudersheim,
Germany, March 3, 1832.     His parents,
Philip and Minnie Nice, were natives of that
country, where they lived and died.
At the age of seventeen years young
Philip turned his back on his mother country, secured a passage on a sailing vessel,
City of New York, and after a voyage of
thirty days landed at Castle Garden, N. Y.,
with just ninety-four cents in his pocket.
But he had reached God's country, "the land
of the free and the home of the brave,"
where there is absolutely no limit placed
upon human possibilities.  He possessed
within himself the elements of success and
he knew it and only asked for opportunity to
practice them. Mr. Nice visited an aunt for
a few days and then decided to locate in
Pennsylvania.  Arriving at the town of
Minersville, he went to work in a general
'store and received nine dollars per week.
With the true German characteristic, he
stuck to his job for seven years.  In the
year 1853 Mr. Nice was married to Miss
Elizabeth, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Caleb
Stiles.  Mrs. Nice was born in Stafford,
Genesee county, N. Y., April 14, I836,




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


209


where she received a good common school
education. Mr. Nice acquired his schooling
in the "Faderland," where education is compulsory.
To Mr. and Mrs. Nice have been born
three children, as follows: Clara Cecelia,
March 4, I856, died October I7, I874, and
was laid to rest in Maple Grove cemetery;
George L., born August I, I859, at Ashland,
Pennsylvania, is a resident of Mason; and
Charles Howard, born December 4, I872,
died December I6, I874. He rests beside
his sister in the family plat. In the year
I86I Mr. Nice came with his family to the
Wolverine State, stopping for a brief period
in Jackson, and finally located at Mason,
which has since been his home town. Residing for a time upon a rented farm, five
years later he purchased two lots in the village, and erected thereon the first brick residence in the city limits, which afterwards
became the second ward.
Mr. Nice was the first Street Commissioner after the formation of the city government for Mason, and as an evidence of
his good judgment and faithfulness he retained the office for the term of ten years.
For some time he was quite extensively engaged in grading contracts, and as he put
it, "did almost anything to make an honest
dollar."
In a single year, during the building of
the Jackson, Lansing and Saginaw Railroad
through this section, he passed to his credit
on the balance sheet, fifteen hundred dollars.
He filled a contract with the City of Saginaw
for loading seven hundred cars with gravel.
He lumbered off eighty acres of heavy timber land and made enough to purchase a
farm of sixty acres within a mile of the
court house and this he still owns and operates. He resides in this city, where he has
recently erected an artificial stone building
for store purposes.
14


It is scarcely necessary to add that Mr.
Nice has made a financial success. He keeps
a good stock of improved breeds upon his
farm and is continually adding improvements. While a record like the foregoing is
complimentary to the man, it is also an argument for a democratic form of government,
making reasonable achievements along this
line more than probable to him "who wills
to do."
Mr. Nice also owns two lots adjoining the
two previously mentioned, also a business
block in the heart of the city on Maple street.
He was of a family of eight children, four
of whom are now living. In politics, Mr.
Nice is a Democrat, and his party takes no
chances banking on his vote, as it may always be found in the box, "straight" when
the votes are counted. Mr. Nice has a membership in the German Lutheran church,
while Mrs. Nice is a Baptist. Both are well
preserved people for their ages, and are in
condition of body to enjoy the good things
of life which have come to them by their industry and frugality. Mr. Nice is of that
sturdy element which Germany has given to
its sons, and they to the United States, and
to this class Ingham county owes its prosperity.
THEODORE BORTLE.
The young man who starts out in life
empty handed, and who by hard knocks and
persistent stick-to-itiveness wins for himself
a name and place in the world ought not to
be considered presumptive if he classes himself among those justly termed self-made
men.
Theodore Bortle was the son of a blacksmith and being to the manor born has followed the occupation continuously for over
forty years, and the music of his hammer
and anvil is still heard daily on the south




210


PAST AND PRESENT


side of the court house square, Mason, where
he conducts a shop for the accommodation of
the general public.
"The smith a mighty man is he
With large and sinewy hands
And the muscles of his brawny arms
Are strong as iron bands."
Theodore was the seventh of a family of
thirteen children born to Philip and Nancy
Bortle, and this to him important event, occurred in 1I844 at Perrinsville, Wayne
county, Michigan, where his parents settled in the year 1842, his father was a native
of Herkimer county, New York; was born
1807, died at the age of seventy-two years
in the City of Mason and sleeps in a soldier
grave in Maple Grove cemetery.
His mother was a native of the Green
Mountain state; died at the age of 40 years
and was buried in Wayne county, Michigan.
Both were members of the M. E. church.
Theodore received his early education in
his native town, and at the age of sixteen
years he placed his name on the muster rolls
of Company A, First Michigan Engineers
and Mechanics, and followed the fortunes of
the regiment during its three years of
service.
Later was in the employ of Uncle Sam for
five months as a blacksmith, was with Sherman in his grand march to the sea, meeting
with experiences that come to a man but
once in a lifetime.
Philip Bortle enlisted as a private in Company B of the 14th Michigan Infantry and
after ten months' service was honorably discharged by reason of rheumatism contracted
in the service while in line of duty.
October 19, I878, Mr. Bortle was united
in marriage to Fannie, daughter of Harvey
Acker of this city. Two children have been
born to them: Harvey T., September 9,
I879, married to Miss Etta, daughter of


Mr. and Mrs. Henry Brown of this city.
Harvey Bortle is a machinist and employed
at the Olds Automobile Works at Lansing;
Fred M., August 10, I88I, unmarried, resides in Lansing, is a barber by profession.
He enlisted in Company B, 3ISt Regiment,
I897, was mustered into service in the 3Ist
Michigan, saw about thirteen months' service
in Cuba, was honorably mustered out at
Savannah, Ga., having to his credit thirteen
months' service in the U. S. army.
After returning to civil life Theodore
Bortle worked by the day in the shop for a
time, was later foreman in the Capital Carriage Works, and for five years was employed by Clark & Co., carriage manufacturers.
Afterward opened up a general blacksmithing shop in Lansing city, which he
conducted with very satisfactory results for
ten years, since which time he has been doing business, and has a comfortable residence
here.
Mr. Bortle since residing in this city has
served his ward as Alderman. In politics he
claims to be independent, voting for men
rather than for party.
Mr. Bortle is a member of I. 0. 0. F.
and has filled every official chair in the order. He is also a staunch Grand Army man,
is Past Commander of Steele Bros. Post
No. 441 of Mason, Dept. of Mich. Both
Mr. and Mrs. Bortle are members of the
M. E. church in this city and contribute
toward its maintenance.
CHESTER D. BARBER.
Not only is our subject a highly respected
citizen and neighbor of his community, but
he is one of the number, who in times of
peril offered themselves upon their country's
altar and faced death on many a bloody battlefield.




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


211


Chester Barber was born in Byron, Genesee county, N. Y., July 12, 1841, and was
the son of William E. and Catherine (McCollum) Barber, the father a native of New
Hampshire, and the mother of New York,
born Dec. 23, I816. William E. Barber,
whose birth occurred Aug. 21, 1812, was a
carpenter in his younger days, but later engaged in the occupation of farming. The
parents were married Sept. 3, 1840, and
came to Michigan in the fall of I843, settling first in Wayne county, and afterward
were located in various places, until in 1873,
when they came to Leroy, Inghamn county,
and the father and son together bought
eighty acres of partly improved land, upon
which was a frame house. William E. Barber is the father of eight children: four by
his first marriage, and four by the second.
Our subject was educated in the common
schools, and has later added to his education
by extensive reading and observation. Mr.
Barber started out for himself, and after the
war located at Tyronne, and worked for various people on the farm. He finally bought
forty acres of land in Leroy, and at present
has a life lease of eighty acres, which has
been divided among his children. He is an
active member of the Methodist church, and
a Republican, though never caring for office.
Jan. 23, 1877, our subject was married
to Gertrude L. Sumner, the marriage taking
place at Fenton, Michigan. They settled in
Leroy, where they bought one hundred and
sixty acres. Mrs. Barber's father died Feb.
I6, 1875, and her mother, Aug. 3, I89I.
Mr. and Mrs. Barber are the parents of
four children; two living: Nellie, born Nov.
5, 1878, married Kendell G. Ide, lives on
the home place, and Dwight, born Jan. 28,
I180, married Nora Boutwell, and lives in
Holt.
Chester Barber enlisted in Co. B, 4th
Michigan Cavalry, at Detroit, July 17, I862,


went to Louisville, Ky., then to Perryville,
Ky., was in the battle with Buell and against
Bragg. He was with Buell all of that fall,
and marched twenty-two hundred miles in
Kentucky, and then went to Nashville and
joined Rosencrans,'when they went south
and fought in that great battle of Stone
River, Dec. 26, 1862, which lasted nine days.
The regiment stayed there until the next
June, when they went to Shelbyville, Tenn.,
on what was then called the Tallahoma Campaign. Shortly after this they went to Chattanooga, and were on the battlefield of
Chickamauga.   Our   subject's regiment
were through the whole campaign to Atlanta
with Sherman, and from Atlanta came back
to Louisville, Ky., to be remounted and
marched from there to Nashville, Tenn.,
thence to Gravel Springs, and to Selma,
Ala., where they had a big cavalry fight.
The cavalry dismounted and fought as infantry, and captured three thousand prisoners. They were under Gen. Wilson at the
time, and stayed there about three days,
when the regiment guarded the prisoners all
the way to Macon, Ga. This was the famous regiment that captured Jefferson Davis
at Irvinsville, Ga. They brought him back
to Macon, where a detail of twenty men were
taken from the regiment to escort him to
Savannah, when he was taken on board ship
and to Fortress Monroe, where he was
turned over to the authorities. Gen. Prichard was the brave man who captured Davis.
Mr. Barber relates that it was after midnight
when they reached Irvinsville, asked a negro
about Davis, who said, he knew where he
was, and conducted them to the place. Gen.
Prichard dismounted twenty-two men and
sent them to surround the camp, which was
of tents in the woods. They took the rest of
the command and charged the camp, which
soon surrendered on account of surprise,
and the men, with the exception of Davis,




212


PAST AND PRESENT


were mounted on their horses, and he put in
an ambulance by himself. At Fortress Monroe he was delivered to Major General Miles.
The balance of the regiment then came back
to Chattanooga, where they delivered up
their horses and took the train to Nashville,
when they were discharged and paid off.
The regiment then went to Cincinnati, thence
to Detroit, where the ladies of the city tendered them a reception in the old Michigan
Central depot, and these heroes are held in
honor today by a grateful nation, for which
they fought.
WILLIS BINDING.
Willis Binding is a progressive farmer,
whose birth took place on-April 2, I848, in
White Oak township. His father, James
Binding, was born in Somersetshire, England, in 1794, and the mother, whose
maiden name was Grace Stevens, was
born in I816.   The parents were married in New York state about the year 1836,
and came to Michigan and located in White
Oak township on wild land. He owned several different farms in White Oak and
cleared considerable land, and at the time
of his death was in possession of one hundred and twenty acres of well improved land.
The father was a Democrat and a member
of the Methodist Protestant church.  He
died in 1878, and the mother in I880.
Mrs. James Binding was the daughter of
an Irish gentleman who owned considerable property in Ireland. The family suffered from persecution, and our subject's
grandmother, three sons and four daughters
came to America, while the grandfather
stayed to settle his business affairs and died
before they were arranged in such a way
that they could be left.
Our subject is the seventh of ten children,
seven are still living.


Our subject was educated in the district
school, and at the age of eighteen started
working for his father, which he did for two
years, and in I868 went into a general store
with J. B. Wilson at Wilson's Corners,
White Oak. In I870 Willis Binding sold
out and went to Abilene, Kan., and worked
in a general store for a short time. After
this for a short time lie herded cattle and
during this time bought some cattle, which
he herded with those of his employer. At
the end of five years he bought a farm in
Kansas and at different times owned several
farms there. At the time of Mr. Binding's
return to Michigan in 1877, he owned eighty
acres of land in Kansas, which he traded for
property in Dansville village. While in
Kansas Mr. Binding saw many shooting
affrays.
Upon returning to Michigan Mr. Binding
bought twenty acres in White Oak, which
was in I878. In 1884 he added twenty acres
to his possessions and in I888 twenty more.
Here he built a frame house and barn and
in I891 traded the three twenties for sixtyseven acres in White Oak township.   In
September of I890 our subject bought one
hundred and forty acres in Stockbridge from
his wife's people, where he has since resided,
and now owns a farm of two hundred acres.
Dec. 30, I879, our subject was married to
Mary Louise Johnson at Stockbridge, who
is of Puritan descent. She is a cousin of
Senator Jason Woodman of VanBuren
county, Michigan. Mrs. Johnson was born
in Kalamazoo county, November I6, I855.
Mrs. Binding's father, Harvey H. Johnson, was born January 27, 1815, in Massachusetts and the mother, whose maiden name
was Mary N. Williams, was born Nov. 13,
1833, at Kalamazoo. The father died June
I, I89o, and Mrs. Johnson lives with our
subject.  Mrs. Binding's paternal grandfather was a soldier of the War of I812.




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


213


At the age of twelve years Mr. Johnson
commenced living with an aunt, and when
seventeen years of age worked twelve
months at twelve dollars per month and
saved one hundred dollars. He was a selfeducated man. He used to carry his book
and study while plowing. He commenced
teaching when a young man and during the
time learned the cooper's trade. While in
New York he saved a thousand dollars, and
then came to Michigan in I837. He followed the trade of coopering at Paw Paw,
Michigan, where he met and married Louisa
Moon in the year 1843, and to them one
child was born, Charlotte. When the child
was four years old both she and the mother
(lied within ten days of each other.  Mr.
Johnson had continued his studies since coming to Michigan, and after the wife's death
entered the Methodist Protestant ministry,
and for several years was president of the
M. P. Conference. His jurisdiction extended from South Bend, Ind., to Owosso,
Mich., over which territory he traveled
every three months on horseback. Oct. I8,
1854, he married Mary N. Williams of Kalamazoo Co., and to them were born four
children, three of whom are living: Mrs.
Binding, Wilber, Malvina (dead) and Frank.
On account of ill health Mr. Johnson left the
ministry, and in 1858 purchased eighty acres
of wild land, and in I866 sold this place and
bought the farm where our subject and wife
now live. Here he built a frame house and
made other improvements. He continued
to preach occasionally. At the time of his
death he was a Democrat, but previous to
this had been a Republican, but changed on
account of the tariff law. He was a very
highly esteemed man and conscientious in
all his doings. He was Supervisor of Stockbridge and a school officer for a great many
years.
Four children, all of whom  are living,


have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Binding:
J. Frank, Oct. 21, I880; Lee R., Feb. 21,
1884; Grace M., Jan. 17, 1887, and Ettie,
Aug. 26, I895. The three oldest children
conduct the home farm. Our subject filled
the office of Drain Commissioner for one
term, also Highway Commissioner, and was
at one time Overseer of the Grange. His
son, Frank, is now Master of the Grange,
and Lee, the second son, is Lecturer.
Mr. Binding's brother, Charles, was a
member of Co. B, 26th Mich. Infantry, and
served from the time the regiment was
formed until it was mustered out.   His
brother, Samuel, being in Texas at the time
of the breaking out of the war, was pressed
into the Confederate army and served until
the close of the war.
In the early days the mother of our subject used to make geese feather beds and
trade them for cows. At one time an Indian came to her house; she being alone
with her children; he caught up the oldest
child in his arms and started off on a run.
She quickly gave pursuit and her cries for
help caused him to drop his prize and make
good his escape.
Mr. Binding has traveled quite extensively and by this means has gained a wide experience. He is counted as one of the reliable men of his community.
GARDNER C. BUCK.
Gardner C. Buck was born in Warren
county N. Y., June 30, 1827. His father,
Sanford R., was a native of Connecticut,
where he was born January 18, 1786, and
died in I872. His mother was born in New
York, July 8, I788, and died at the age of
eighty years.
Our subject was of a family of fourteen
children, four of whom are living: Dewane,
resides in Dakota; Adaline, born July 17,




214


PAST AND PRESENT


I819, at Warren county, N. Y., was the wife
of Augustine Miller of Sandy Hill N. Y.,
at which place her husband died, and lives
at home; Amelia, born August 3, 1829, was
for many years a teacher in the public schools
of Jackson, Michigan, but for the past twenty years has been with her brother on the
farm. This place was settled by the father
in I854, and here he lived until death.
Gardner Buck received his education in
the district schools of New York before
coming west. He remained at home and assisted his father on the farm, after his brothers had gone out in the world for themselves.
When a young man he made a trip to California, also was for a time in Nevada.
Twelve years of his life were spent in the
far west. During this time the Civil War
broke out and in 1864 he joined Co. E., of
the 7th California Regiment of Volunteers
and was mustered into service. His regiment was sent to Arizona where it remained
for twenty-two months, at the close of which
time he was mustered out, or in i866. His
brother, Horace, enlisted from  Onondaga
October 25, I86I, as Sergeant of Co. F., of
the I3th Infantry. He was promoted November 12, I862, to the rank of Second Lieutenant and February, 1863, to First Lieutenant, and to Captain on August 26th,
I864. He was mustered out July 25, I865,
and honorably discharged by reason of the
close of the war. The I3th Regiment was
mustered into service January 17, I862,
having upon its rolls of muster, nine hundred and twenty-five officers and men. It
left the State under command of Colonel
Chas. E. Stewart of Kalamazoo. It was one
of the active regiments and did most of its
work in Mississippi and Tennessee. It has
to its credit more than thirty battles and
skirmishes.  The promotion   of Captain
Buck, running through his years of service,
indicate that he was a brave man and good


soldier.  Charles, another brother, was a
member of the 7th Michigan Cavalry and
fought under the gallant Custer and fell in
battle at the Wilderness, May 5-7, I864.
Gardner C. Buck was united in marriage
December 13, I867, to Miss Hannah, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Duers of New
York. Mrs. Buck was born in 1836. Her
father died at the age of fifty years. Her
mother's maiden name was Matilda Main;
she was an orphan and resided at an aunt's
of Mr. Buck's in New York.     She died
August 29, I875 at the age of thirty-nine
years. But one child was born to our subject and wife, which died in infancy, the
mother passing away at the time of its birth.
Mr. Buck is a warm supporter of the Republican party, to which he has always given
faithful allegiance. He is a pensioner and
living in the confidence and esteem of his
fellowmen.
CHAUNCEY L. BARBER, M. D.,
LANSING.
Dr. Barber, who has a large medical and
surgical practice and is the proprietor of
the only private hospital in Ingham county,
is a native of Berlin township, Ionia county,
Michigan, being born March 5, 1858. His
parents were Grove P. and Mary J. Barber,
the father being Massachusetts-born and a
New York farmer. He came from the latter state to Ionia county and was one of
the pioneers of the locality named.  His
wife, the mother of our subject, was a native of the Empire State. They are both
deceased.
The father of our subject located in Ionia
county in 1840, first buying a partly-cleared
farm of eighty acres. Selling that property,
he bought another tract of sixty acres in
I85I.  This was virgin land, which he
cleared and improved.   Subsequently he




:j:


DR. C. L. BARBER




I
i




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


215


purchased forty acres two miles south of
Ionia county, finally disposing of these
holdings and acquiring the farm at Portland, Michigan, upon which he lived for
the remainder of his life. He was an industrious, practical farmer, and much esteemed
by the community for his practical ability.
He was firm in his Republicanism and held
a number of local offices. For a number
of years he served in lonia county as Drain
Commissioner and was Supervisor of Portland township for one term.
Dr. Barber obtained his early education
in the district schools of Ionia county, afterward graduating from the Portland high
school. In 1878, after he had taught school
for nine years, he was called to Petoskey
Michigan, to establish there a graded system
of public instruction, and when he had accomplished this work pursued a scientific
course at the Albion (Michigan) College.
After remaining at the latter institution
for two years, he began his professional
studies by entering the medical department
of Michigan University. His two years at
Ann Arbor were followed by a course at
the College of Physicians and Surgeons
Chicago, from which he graduated with the
class of 1884. A post-graduate course in
ophthalmology and surgery preceded his establishment as a practitioner at Ithaca,
Michigan, where he remained for ten years.
In I893, like other progressive practitioners,
he again took up post-graduate work pursuing it upon this occasion at the Michigan
University. He removed to Albion, Michigan, in 1894, and practiced at that place,
during the succeeding five years.
With this varied experience and broad
education, both in the theory and practice
of medicine and surgery, Dr. Barber became
a resident of Lansing in 1899. Two years
thereafter he pursued a third post-graduate
course, going to Chicago for advanced work


in surgery and electro-therapeutics. Since
then he has been in constant demand as a
surgeon and physician in the treatment of
chronic diseases, and his private hospital,
has obtained a wide reputation for the completeness of its equipment and the modern
methods of treatment pursued by its proprietor.
Dr. Barber has served on the United
States Pension Board for a period of four
years and is a stockholder and director in the
National Supply Company. He is a Mason
and a member of the Knights of Pythias,
the Maccabees and Foresters.  In politics
he is a Republican and his religious affiliations are with the Presbyterian church.
In I883 our subject married his first wife,
Miss Sabra A. Wyman, a native of Vermont, who died in I899. Their one child.
Jennie May, was born in August, 1887.
She is a graduate of the Lansing high
school (class of 1904) and will enter the
State University in 1906.
In December, I9O1, Dr. Barber was married a second time to Mrs. Martha Stevens,
a talented lady and a worthy assistant in his
prosperous and promising life.
WELLINGTON BEEM\AN.
Leroy township, Ingham county, is purely
an agricultural district and depends for its
prosperity not only upon its soil but upon its
men, and it is rich in both respects, for the
land is arable and productive and its farmers
are thorough-going, industrious and enterprising. To this class of farmers belongs
our subject, Wellington Beeman, who was
born in Leoni township, Jackson county,
May 23, I849, and was the son of David
and Caroline (Cook) Beeman. The father
was born in Connecticut, July 24, I800, and
the mother in Pennsylvania, May 31, 1823.
The parents were married in Brooklyn,




216


PAST AND PRESENT


Jackson county, and first located in Washtenaw county, then moved to Leoni where they
bought one hundred and sixty acres and
from there moved to Leroy in 1855, where
they bought one hundred and sixty acres of
raw timber land, with not even a road in
front of the place. The log house which
was their first home was occupied for some
time before there was a floor in it.
David Beeman and wife were followers
of the Methodist church, and in political
views, the father lined up with the Republican party. He died June 6th, I880, and the
mother passed away November 3, I900.
Wellington Beeman was the first in the
family of five children and acquired his education in the district school. He was one of
five scholars in the first school organized in
the district and the teacher's salary was
seventy-five cents per week. At the age of
twenty-eight Mr. Beeman started out for
himself, taking care of the place and the
father and mother. Our subject and brother
for a time took care of the home place and
then divided the father's land between them.
July I, 1874, Wellington Beeman was
united in marriage to Georgina Harlow,
whose parents were residents of Kentucky
and came to Michigan.    Mrs. Beeman's
father died about fifty years ago and the
mother eight years ago.
Wellington Beeman has made all the improvements on his place and today has one
of the finest farms in Leroy, called "Enterprise Farm." All of the land is in cultivation except about three acres. Our subject's
first school teacher was Nancy Countryman
and she was a pupil of "Aunt Nancy Meech"
and was raised by her. "Aunt Nancy Meech"
was the first school teacher in the township.
Wellington Beeman is engaged in general
farming and the condition of his one hundred acres of land show that its manager
is enterprising, energetic and in every


way a prosperous farmer. In politics, lhe
votes the Republican ticket and gives his
hearty support to the principles of his party.
He has served his town as School Director
and Path Master. Socially, Mr. Beeman is
connected with the order of Modern Woodmen.
GEORGE P. BAILEY.
The subject of this sketch for more than
half a century has been one of the prominent and highly respected citizens of Bunker
Hill township. George Bailey was born in
Orange county, Vermont, January 24, I835,
and was the son of James S. and Betsey
(Bonfield) Bailey. His parents were natives
of England, where the father was born in
I807. Three Bailey brothers came from
England before the Revolutionary War and
settled in the State of Vermont. James S.
Bailey was the son of one of these brothers.
George Bailey was one of a family of
seven children. His parents came to Michigan when he was but three years of age
and settled at Union City. He grew to manhood amidst rural surroundings and early
adopted agriculture as his avocation in life.
Leaving school when but a lad, he found employment as a farm hand and although receiving but nominal wages for his services,
by the practice of economy, he was enabled
each year to lay by something for future investment. It was in I852 that he made his
first purchase of land and this was in the
Township of Bunker Hill. The land was
practically in a state of nature, but upon this
he built a log cabin and for one year lived
alone.
On November 14, 1854 our subject was
united in marriage to Miss Harriet L.,
daughter of Daniel H. and Delia S. Beers of
Bunker Hill. The Beers were natives of the
Empire State. Mr. and Mrs. Bailey im







(JE(). W. ARCHER          MNIRS. GEO. W. ARCHER




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


217


mediately began housekeeping in the log
house, in which they lived for three years,
then sold and bought where they now live,
and in I887 built the residence in which they
now reside. Mr. Bailey being a man of
strong constitution, cleared away with his
own trusty axe the forests, and today his is
one of the pleasant and attractive rural
homes of his township.
To Mr. and Mrs. Bailey have been born
nine children: Lizzie, June I, 1857, married
Alfred Atherton, died February 27, 1884;
Della, March 8, 1859, lives at home; Orris
Alonzo, November 30, I860, died August 23,
I863; Anna Francellia, July 29, 1864, died
March io, i866; Amy Ellen, April 17, I866,
married in i888 to Ethan DeCamp and has
three children, Winnona, Leola and Norris;
George Wesley, April 1, I868, lives at
Battle Creek, where he is taking a thorough
medical course; Hattie Elmina, April 5,
1870, died June 15, I870; Vina Zella, born
August I, I871, married Arthur DeCamp,
who lives three-quarters of a mile away on
the home farm; Elton J., April I I, 1874,
married Lulu Williams and is successfully
engaged in running a store at Bunker Hill
Center.
In the year I864, Mr. Bailey recognizing
the need of religion to a successful and happy
life, joined the Seventh Day Adventists at
Felts school house. Today this church has
on its roll forty members, while at its organization only the following were its followers:
James DuBois, Lovina Fuller, Chauncey
Smith and wife, Sarah Philo, Joshua Philo
and wife, David Hodges (Elder), Oliver
Janes and wife, Welcome Landfair and wife,
Jacob DeCamp, Delia S. Beers, Amy Curry,
Charles Briggs and wife, David Freeland
and wife, Hollis Clark and wife, David
Briggs and Emma Talmadge.
Mr. George Bailey was a leader and the
treasurer for sixteen years and in I883 was


ordained elder of the church, which position
he still holds. Our subject's life has ever
been guided by the teachings of his church
and he lives in the high esteem of his fellow
men.
GEORGE W. ARCHER.
Known throughout the length and breadth
of Ingham county, George W. Archer
stands today for sixty years' residence in
this locality.  He was born on the 25th
day of July, in 1838, in the Empire State
and when three months old, his father,
Bezaleel Archer, emigrated to Michigan, arriving in 1840 in Bunker Hill township.
Bezaleel Archer was a native of New York,
his natal day being April I, I8II, and there
married Ann Grant, also a native of that
state, whose birth occurred on February I,
I8I9. The father here secured a tract of
land, which contained one hundred and forty
acres of timber land, and erecting his pioneer home, a log house, twenty by twentyfour feet in dimensions, he began the development of his property. This was the
seventh house erected in this township. He
was not long permitted to enjoy the fruits
of his labors, as he departed from this life
in 1843, after three years residence. At the
time of his location here, this was indeed a
pioneer settlement; the Indians were still
numerous and wild game were in hbundance;
during his residence here he killed sixtythree deer.  After the father's death, the
mother was again married, the second union
being with Mr. Orson 0. Janes, a native of
New York state, who was born in the year
1822 and emigrated to Michigan in 1836,
being one of the early pioneer settlers of
this locality, dating his residence here from
I840. Upon his arrival here he located in
Bunker Hill township. His father had purchased eighty acres of land and this the son




218


PAST AND PRESENT


took in charge, completing its developments.
In i86I he purchased one hundred and sixty
acres in Leslie, which was entirely devoid of
improvements. This land he developed and
placed under cultivation, erecting thereon a
log house, twelve by eighteen feet in dimension.  Here he lived with his family for
eight or ten years, and then erected a larger
dwelling of planks with board floors and
windows. To this union were born three
children, as follows: Eleanor Marion, now
deceased; Orson N. and Orrin O. Mr. Janes
died in September of 1887, having long survived his wife who died in I86i. In the
year of I86i, our subject began farming on
his own behalf on the old home place, which
now comprises one hundred and ten acres of
well improved productive land. This property has been greatly improved since it came
into his possession, as all of the substantial
buildings upon the place are evidences of his
own efforts.
Great trees now  spread their shading
branches, planted by his own hand years ago.
A commodious dwelling and good barns add
a neat, thrifty appearance, where once stood
the pioneer dwelling of rough logs hewn out
as a shelter from winter storms of pioneer
times.
On the first of June in I865 our subject
was united in the holy bonds of wedlock to
Miss Melvina Peak, daughter of Philander
and Lydia Parmalee Peak, natives of New
York and Connecticut, respectively. The
year of 1843 witnessed their arrival in
Bunker Hill township and they occupied the
first house built in the township. This house
was built by Abraham Bunker, after whom
the town of Bunker Hill was named. The
story of the naming is somewhat interesting: Mr. Bunker, David Hodg and Noah
Clark met one day on a prominent rise of
ground and proceeded to discuss a name for
the town. About this time Mr. Jonathan


Shearrer appeared on the scene and took
part in the discussion. As Mr. Bunker built
the first house and the conference was held
upon the "mountain" of this locality, Mr.
Shearrer suggested the name Bunker Hill,
and from that time it has been a reality.
Here in Bunker Hill township, Philander
Peak purchased one hundred and sixty
acres of wild and unimproved land. Here
he also built his pioneer log house and
opened up his land to cultivation and improvement.
In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Peak were
six children, two of whom are now living:
the eldest, Alfred, is now deceased, also
Phylena, the second in order of birth; Mrs.
Archer is the third; while the fourth, Danforth, met death in the Battle of Bentonville,
having enlisted in the i3th Michigan Volunteer Infantry; Alfreda, now the wife of John
Whallon of Bunker Hill; while Phylena, the
last, is dead.
To our subject and wife have been born
three children: Elma, deceased; Elton P.,
a resident of Bunker Hill, and Erma, deceased. In connection with general farming, our subject has been extensively engaged in buying and selling wool, and has
probably handled more of this commodity
than any other man in this portion of this
State.  Having spent long years in this
capacity his acquaintance has naturally been
extensive and by no means confined to the
borders of his adopted county.
Mr. Archer has shown an independent interest in the advancement of education and
has effectually served his township as School
Director. In politics he is independent, voting for the man and measures best qualified
for good substantial government. Pleasing
in manner, he is well known and well liked,
and no man stands higher in the estimation
of his numerous acquaintances than George
W. Archer.




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


219


FREDERICK M. ALSDORF.
One of the most prominent citizens of
Lansing is Frederick M. Alsdorf, who has
been actively connected with its business affairs for over twenty years.  He belongs
to that class of representative men, who
while promoting individual interests also advanced the general welfare. Energetic and
progressive in business life, he has at
the same time represented activity in public interests and has represented his ward
as Alderman, being elected on the Democratic ticket, in the face of an ordinarily
Republican majority.
Frederick MI. Alsdorf is a native of this
State, his birth having occurred in Pontiac
on the 23d dlay of May, I854. He is a son
of Cyrus and Loretta E. Alsdorf, of whom
extensive mention is made elsewhere in this
volume. Accompanying his parents to Lansing at the early age of five, his education
was acquired at the Townsend Street school
of the capital city. Under the guidance of
his worthy father, he eventually became possessed of a thorough knowledge of the drug
business, becoming identified in this at the
early age of sixteen years.
The firm of Cyrus Alsdorf & Son was too
well known to require any particular mention
in this volume and it is sufficient to say
that Frederick M. is a worthy successor of
a worthy father.
In 1876 our subject was united in marriage to Miss Ella Darrin, a daughter of
Dr. Knapp Darrin. This union has been
blessed with three children, the eldest Grace,
now the wife of H. L. Stanton; the second,
Louise, who became the wife of George
H. Beach of Detroit, died May 24, 1904; the
last, Richard, is at home.
Mr. Alsdorf occupies a prominent position
in Lansing, socially, commercially and politically, and in addition to having served his


city as Alderman he was also a member of
the School Board for two years. He is an
active  and  influential member of the
Masonic order of Lansing, having attained
the Knights Templar degree and is also a
member of the Elks and several other orders.
He is a man possessed of many warm friends
and, it is possible, some enemies, as what
man has not who possesses any force of
character? As a citizen he is ever ready
to assist in any and everything that will tend
to the advancement of his adopted county
and city, and evidence of that interest is
shown on every hand.
CHARLES HENRY CARPENTER.
Charles Henry Carpenter is a prosperous
farmer of White Oak township, and was
born in Herkimer, N. Y., April 8, 1847.
He was the son of Artemus and Hanna
(Monk) Carpenter. The father was born
in New York and the mother June 7, i8i8,
at New York, and died September 24, I886.
Our subject's mother and step-father,
Thomas Gillam, came to Michigan in 1852
and bought eighty acres of land in White
Oak, where our subject now lives. About
thirty acres of this piece of property were
improved and upon it were a log house and
barn.  Here they made their home until
their death. Our subject is one of ten children, seven of whom    are now   living:
Salathiel B. Gillam, born March 6, 1839,
and died at the age of thirty years.  He
served in the Fourth Michigan Cavalry during the latter part of the war, where he contracted a disease which caused his death.
His wife was Sarah Ellen Karney, and both
are deceased; Rebecca Amanda, born December Io, 1841, was the wife of Reuben
French, she now lives in California; Betsey
Amelia, born December 22, I843, the wife
of John Pulling of White Oak; Theresa




220


PAST AND PRESENT


Maria, born April 27, 1845, the wife of
Augustus Jastopher, lives in Unadilla,
Michigan; Charles H. Carpenter, our subject; Malon Van Ransieller, born July I2,
I850, married Lena Austin who is deceased
and he still lives in Grand Ledge; Martha
Ann Gillam, born March 5, 1852; Thomas
J., born February 22, 1854, married to Ella
Carter of White Oak; Wallace Adelbert,
born November 9, I857, died at the age of
two years; Edgar Milton, born September
9, I859, died November 15, I904. His wife
was Ida M. Burgess.
At the age of nineteen years our subject
left home and started our for himself in the
world.  He was educated in the district
schools of White Oak, receiving just what
advantages were to be had in the country schools of those days. He drove a team
and worked by the month on a farm and
also worked in a mill for seven years, and
during this time purchased eighty acres of
wild land in White Oak.
May I8, I875, Mr. Carpenter was united
in marriage to Miss Victoria, daughter of
Daniel and Maria (Bullock) Dutcher, natives of New York. Mrs. Carpenter was
born November 3, I847. The mother was
born January 2, 1809 while the father's
birth occurred September I, I805.  The
parents were married at Yates, New York,
April 13, 1826, and were first settlers of
White Oak.
Mr. and Mrs. Dutcher were the parents
of eleven children: Elizabeth, born January
I5, 1828, died January 15, I892. She was
the wife of Reuben Young of Williamston,
and the mother of four children; Benonia,
born November 22, 1829, dies in infancy;
Daniel T., born October 17, 1831, lives near
the old homestead in White Oak; Joseph
Atwood, born January 3, I834, died September 6, 1902, married Matilda Townsend;
Abagail, born December 19, 1835, the wife


of George Wilson, who died in the civil
war. Her second husband was Elias Clark;
Stephen, born November 8, I837, died
March 23, I866, married Martha Clickner.
Stephen served in the civil war and there
contracted diseases which caused his death;
Israel, born October I9, I839, died December 27, I862, married Cynthia Dix; Mary
Maria, born October 3, I841, married Walter Van Buren, and was the mother of two
children. Her second husband was William
Z. Secord; Patience, born June 2, 1843,
married Edgar Van Buren of White Oak;
Olive born May 30, 1845, was the wife of
Myron Van Buren of Stockbridge; and our
subject's wife.
After the marriage of our subject and
wife they moved on their eighty acre farm
in White Oak, built a frame house and
barn, cleared up the land, and otherwise
improved the farm and lived there until
I889, when they moved to their present
farm of seventy-eight acres, formerly owned
by his parents. Here our subject has built a
large frame house and barns and otherwise
improved the place.  To our subject and
wife were born four children: Abbie Anna,
February 25, 1877, married   to  William
Gauss and they live in White Oak, and are
the parents of two children, Leota Naomi,
October 4, I898, and Charles Cecil, August
17, I902. Lettie Naomi, born August 21,
1879, is the wife of James D. Kitchen of
Stockbridge township; Olive Ida, August
31, I882, the wife of Earle C. Walker, and
they have two children: Clifton H., April
8, I903, and Bernice Mattie, April 23, 1904.
Mattie Victoria, born July 23, I888, at
home.
Our subject is very active in the interests
of the Republican party and for three terms
has served as Justice of the Peace. Mr. and
Mrs. Carpenter attend the M. P. church and
are active in the interests of all work that




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


221


tend to the upbuilding of the community.
Mr. Carpenter is fraternally connected with
the I. O. O. F. and a valued member of
the order.
CYRUS ALSDORF (DECEASED).
The subject of this review was one of the
earlier pioneer settlers of this county, having become a resident here in 1856. He is
a descendant of the Alsdorfs who were
among the original patentees of what was
known as the Holland Land Purchase. He
was a native of the Empire state, being born
in Ulster county on the I4th day of October
of 1825. When at the age of eight years,
his parents, Levi and Mary A. Alsdorf, removed to Genesee county, N. Y., and it was
in this locality that he acquired his early
education and here he attained manhood and
was united in marriage, in Wyoming county, N. Y., to Loretta Melcher, daughter of
Samuel Melcher, who was a pioneer of this
State from Vermont.   Mrs. Alsdorf was
born in 1829, and their marriage was celebrated on the 6th day of June, 1847. In
1853 they emigrated to Michigan and settled in Pontiac. He was there employed
in the freight office of the Detroit and Pontiac railroads. Two years later he came to
Ingham county.
On taking up his residence in Lansing in
I858, he accepted a position as foreman in
the Reform School. In this capacity he continued until the breaking out of the Civil
war, when he became a member of the I4th
Michigan Infantry, as a musician in the
regimental band. After serving two years
in that capacity, he was returned home on
account of disability. Having in a measure
recovered his good health, he re-enlisted in
1864 and served until the close of the war,
being honorably discharged and mustered
out, when he came home and organized a


band in the Reform School, which became
one of the best known in the State. He
was also assistant superintendent of this
school under the Rev. Charles Johnson. The
Board of Control of that time consisted of
George W. Lee, James I. Mead and D. L.
Crossman. Mrs. F. J. Sargent was matron;
Mrs. M. J. Hoag, assistant matron and I.
H. Bartholomew, physician.
In I870 Mr. Alsdorf resigned his position and opened up his drug store. This
business was a success from the start, and
in 1882, Frederick M., the son, was taken
in as an active partner and the firm became
known as "C. Alsdorf and Son."
In February, I885, a disastrous fire consumed this block, but this firm never stopped
business for a moment. On the following
morning they rented another store and before the day was over they were continuing
their business, and on the following July
they were back in the old location, occupying their new headquarters, where the business was carried on under the firm of the
name of "C. Alsdorf and Son" until the
fall of I894, when Cyrus Alsdorf announced
his retirement from the business. He had
felt for some time that his declining years
should be relieved from active cares. For
twenty-two years he had been successfully
engaged in the drug business on the same
site, and through his close application to his
business interests he was able to acquire a
comfortable competence. He was not permitted, however, to long enjoy the fruits
of his former toil, as he departed this life
the loth of May, 1895, his death being the
result of a disease contracted in the army.
The deceased was known to all as an upright man of strict integrity, who had lead
a blameless life. Mr. Alsdorf had always
been deeply interested in the city's growth
and development, and was an open-hearted
citizen and an earnest advocate of the




222


PAST AND PRESENT


county's advancement, and in all the relations of life he was found true and faithful
to every trust imposed in him. He was promoted while at Tuscumbia, Ala. to the
leadership of a band of the First Brigade,
Second Division of the 14th Army Corps,
which was commanded by Gen. James D.
Morgan. He served through the battles of
Corinth and the campaigns of I862 and I863,
while participating in the battles of Stony
River and Chicamaugua. The second enlistment, which occurred in the spring of
I864, was under the command of Gen.
Schofield. He was affiliated with the Republican party, believing its men and measures best adapted for good government. In
local politics he took an active and helpful
part and was a member of the Council for
two years.
Mr. Alsdorf is survived by a widow and
three children, namely: Frank, of Minnesota; Frederick, a resident of Lansing, and
Mrs. Charles L. Seeley, of Lansing.
Cyrus Alsdorf was a public spirited, progressive citizen, and one of the substantial
business men of Lansing. In all the relations of life he was found true to every
trust imposed in him.
JAMES APPLEYARD (DECEASED).
James Appleyard figured so conspicuously
in connection with the public building interests, business activity and substantial development of the capital city for many years,
that no history of the locality would be complete without the record of his career.
To say of him that he arose from comparative obscurity to rank among the most
successful engineers and contractors of the
country, is a statement that seems trite to
those familiar with his life.
Beginning at the bottom of the ladder,
he steadily rose step by step until he occu

pied a position of trust and prominence in
his chosen profession, reached by few.
A native of England, James Appleyard
was born in Yorkshire, February 24, 1834.
At the age of seventeen he accompanied his
parents, George Thomas and Ann Appleyard, on their emigration to America. Their
first location in this country was at Rochester, N. Y., where the son James followed
his business of master builder, which he had
begun in England.
In 1856 he became identified with N.
Osborn & Co. as superintendent of construction of the Milwaukee and Chicago postoffices. Becoming a member of the firm in
I86o, he took charge in the years following
of building the postoffice and custom house
at Baltimore, the city hall in Detroit, and
the State capitol at Lansing. At the completion of the capitol, the firm of Osborn &
Co. was dissolved.
Besides many   smaller enterprises, he
superintended the construction of the Hoyt
library at Saginaw, the library of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, and the
union depot at Detroit.
Mr. Appleyard was married in I856 to
Miss Johanna Lysaght of Canandaigua, N.
Y., who became the mother of three children: William P. Appleyard of Chicago,
George T. Appleyard of Grand Rapids,
Michigan, and Elizabeth, who died at the
age of fifteen.  Mrs. Appleyard died at
Lansing in I873.
Mr. Appleyard's second wife was Miss
Augusta Sanborn, of Appleton, Wis., who
bore him three children: Johanna, Mrs. Edwin Malloy of Lansing, Mich.; Frances,
who died in infancy, and Louis L. Appleyard of Schenectady, N. Y.
The subject of this sketch began life for
himself when but a very young man, and
throughout his business career he was
looked upon as a man of the highest integ







oil


JAMAES APPLEYARD




I




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


223


rity. He stood for all that was fair to his
fellowmen, and faithfully executed every
trust reposed in him.
He was an example of the highest skill
in his profession, combined with the greatest degree of business integrity, capacity and
strength of character. He gave generously
to the public good, was faithful in friendship, devoted to his family, and stood high
as a type of chivalrous American manhood.
After an illness of three years, his death
occurred on the 29th day of June, I896,
and his remains were interred in St. Mary's
cemetery at Lansing.  A man of genuine
worth, he was honored and respected by all
who knew him.
ROBERT BELL (DECEASED).
The quiet, unostentatious work of the
modest citizens and sturdy industrious workers of any community, is more fully prized
no doubt after they have gone hence, and
these very qualities which made them esteemed and beloved should be kept in mind
and presented for the emulation of the
young, for such character is of more worth
than many traits which shine with greater
brilliancy.
Robert Bell was a native of Scotland, having been there born in 1834, and came with
his parents to this country in his third year.
They settled in Ohio, where our subject received his early education in the common
schools. The father was a farmer and this.vocation our subject followed during his lifetime. Robert Bell enlisted in the 2nd Ohio
Regiment for three years and at the expiration of this term, which began in I86I, he
re-enlisted and served until the close of the
war. He saw much hard service and en(lured the hardships common to the soldier's
life and suffered a great deal from exposure
and hard service. The government event

ually recognizing his valiant work granted
him a pension of two dollars per month,
which was afterward raised to twelve dollars a short time before his death, which
occurred April 13, 1894.
Mrs. Bell now receives a pension of eight
dollars per month. Mr. Bell enlisted Aug.
28, I86I, re-enlisted Feb. I3, I864, at Warren, in the 52nd Ohio, and was discharged
and mustered out Sept. 4, I864, at Tod Barracks, Columbus. Mr. Bell bravely followed
the fortunes of his regiment and was engaged in several hard fought battles and
was never in a hospital.
At the close of the war our subject came
to Michigan and in 1866 was married to
Mrs. Frances J. Walker of Jonesville, Michigan, who was born at East Bloomfield, Ontario county, N. Y. She was born in that
county in May, I84I. Five children came
to bless this couple: Myrtie Luella, Oct. I,
1867, married W. H. Taylor of Toledo,
Ohio; Leola M., Feb. 6, 1870, married E. H.
WVinfield, residing on the adjoining farm to
Mrs. Bell; Orrin E., Dec. I, 1874, married
Jennie Harper and resides on a farm in
Delhi; G. Ward, May 7, 1879, manages the
farm at home and is a model young man in
every respect and assisting the mother to
educate the younger brother, Robert Floyd,
who is 22 years of age, now attending the
M. A. C., taking a course in civil engineering. Floyd is improving his opportunities
and making rapid advancement in his chosen
profession. He was elected president of the
class in 1904, is a member of the Y. M. C.
A. and was a delegate to its convention in
1903 at Lake Side, Ohio. He will graduate
in June, 1905. He is also a member of the
Columbian Literary Society at college and
iolds the M. I. A. A. indoor championship
for 1903; also the championship of the college football team for 1903 and 1904, and
has won a medal at an athletic meeting. He




224


PAST AND PRESENT


was captain of the football team two years
at M. A. C.
Mr. and Mrs. Bell first located in Jonesville, Hillsdale county, Michigan, where
they lived for two years, and then came to
Ingham county and bought eighty acres,
their present home. They made a comfortable
home, and a family of dutiful children are
now the comfort of Mrs. Bell's life. After
the father's death, Orrin, the eldest son, took
charge of the farm until his marriage, when
the next son, Ward, came into the management of affairs and is successfully engaged
in mixed farming.
The family are all members of the M. E.
church and the father was a staunch member
of the G. A. R. and a strong Republican,
though never an office holder. More than
ordinary credit is due Mrs. Bell for the management of her property and she has worked hard with her children to show them the
right path in life and has been well rewarded by their uprightness and honesty. Mr.
Robert Bell was a good man and known
throughout his county. The uprightness of
the sons are but the reflections of the father's
life.
D. N. BATEMAN.
Among the old family names in the
Township of Aurelius is that of Bateman.
Our subject was born in Niagara county,
N. Y., in 1837, and was of a family of
eleven children born to Erastus and Louisa
Bateman. The parents were natives of the
Green Mountain State. The names of the
children in order of birth are as follows:
Albert, Myron, Daniel, Ruth, D. N.,
Thomas, Truman, Calvin, William, Chester
and Ella, all living except Myron, who died
while in the service of his country at Baton
Rouge, September 5, I862.
Erastus Bateman came with his family to


Michigan in the spring of 1846 and settled
in Calhoun county. He was a cooper by
trade. The father located upon a farm of
eighty acres and improved the same. D. N.
is proud of the fact that his father served
under Gen. Scott in the War of 1812 and
participated in the Battles of Lundy's Lane.
In the early years of his manhood the elder
Bateman was what was known as a free
soiler, but later cast his vote with the Democrat party, voting first with that party for
Franklin Pierce for President of the U. S.
The father and mother were both identified
with the Baptist church for many years and
reared their family under Christian influences. The father died 1876 and the mother
in I887, and their remains rest side by side
in Greenwood cemetery in Aurelius township, Ingham county.
Our subject acquired his early education
in the district schools and later attended a
select school, taught by Prof. Taylor at
Lansing. Early in the history of the war,
Mr. Bateman made four attempts to enlist
in the defense of his country and was refused three times on account of being light
in weight, but his fourth effort was successful, and he enlisted in the 8th Michigan
Cavalry.
He was mustered out in i865 at Jackson,
Mich., when returning to his home he
worked for his father on the farm until he
was twenty-one years of age, after which
he worked as a farm hand during the summer and taught school in Delhi township in
the winter. This he followed until he had
taught fourteen terms.
In I865 he was united in marriage to
Elizabeth, daughter of Jacob and Mary
Parish of Aurelius township. Mr. and Mrs.
Parish were old residents in the locality and
were highly respected people. Four children
have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Bateman:
Hugh H., born 1867 and died I898; Milton








JOHN FRANKLIN BENNETT




AIRS.. F. B ENNETT








INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


225


R., born I869 and died I89I; Guy C., born
I870, married Nellie Leonard, daughter of
Mr. and Mrs. Humphrey Leonard of Delhi
township.  Guy follows the occupation of
farming. The youngest, Mary, is still at
home with her parents.
Mr. Bateman began his farming operations upon forty acres of land, but added
from time to time until he owned one hundred and twenty acres. He later gave his
son, Guy, forty acres and sold the balance.
Mr. Bateman has travelled quite extensively
in the west and sold nursery stock. At one
time he was quite extensively engaged in
evaporating fruit, employed twenty-five people and in a single season has sold as high
as one hundred tons of dried fruit.  He
claims to own the largest apple orchard in
Ingham county, embracing eighteen acres
of trees. They are of high grade, about fifty
to the acre.
Our subject, though independent in politics at present, has held the office of Town
Clerk, of School Inspector and refused to
allow his name to run for other offices. He
is a member of the G. A. R. Mr. Bateman
had the misfortune to loose his house by fire
in the year I88o. He however built a new
and modern home. He is always interested
in public affairs, looking to the well-being
of society and the development of the country, generally. He was largely instrumental
in putting through the extensive tile drain
which cost in the aggregate about nine
thousand dollars. It was, however, an improvement greatly needed and will result
most beneficially to land owners in that section. Mr. Bateman is a pensioner, receiving
from  the government twelve dollars per
month.
Our subject and wife are members of the
Baptist church at Aurelius and always give
the full weight of their influence on the side
of morality and religion. Mr. Bateman is
15


a man of conviction, has a ready command
of good English and never leaves his hearers in doubt upon which side he is arrayed
in morality. He is a first class citizen.
JOHN FRANKLIN BENNETT.
Mr. John Franklin Bennett is worthy of
great praise for the success that he has made
in life, as what he has, he has earned for himself by hard days' labor and strict attention
to business. Mr. Bennett is a self-made man
and influential in his community. He was
born May 28, I858, and is a native of the
Wolverine State, his birth having occurred
in Meridian township. John Bennett, the
father of our subject, was born July 31,
1820, and Mary (Hahn) Bennett, the mother, was born March 12, 1826, both natives of
Ohio. They came to Michigan in 1852 and
settled on eighty acres of land. John, Sr.,
and his brother purchased one hundred and
sixty acres of land from a party named
Bush. Bush had only ten days previous purchased same from government. They later
divided it.  Our subject's father built a
log house and cleared up the land and made
his home here until his death, Sept. 20, I888.
The mother died April 9, 1884. Both the
father and mother were consistent members
of the German Lutheran church and the
father was a Democrat.
Our subject was one of ten children:
Rachel, born May 14, 1844, the wife of
Richard Teller, living in Tuscola county;
Sarah Ann, born January I, 1846, the
wife of Charles Glosser.  She was the
mother of eight children, five of whom
are now living. Mrs. Glosser died March
20, I895; Mary Ann, born July 12, 1848, is
the wife of J. Burgess of Meridian township, they have six children living and four
dead; Catherine, born Feb. 8, I85I, married
Clinton Ball of Tuscola county and has three




226


PAST AND PRESENT


children; Lydia, Jan. 21, 1853, died March
I, 1876; William  Henry, born Jan. I8,
I856, died March 8, 1856; our subject;
Amos, Sept. 13, I860, died Oct. 14, I86o;
Harvey L., May 9, I862, and lives in Meridian township on the old farm and has four
children; Gertrude, Aug. i, I867, died
April 2, 1887.
John Franklin Bennett spent his boyhood
and youth in Meridian township, where he
acquired his early education and lived with
his parents until their death. He had bought
eighty acres of land near Traverse City,
which he sold and in 1884 bought eighty
acres in Meridian township, where he now
lives.
Mr. Bennett was married Jan. 23, I889,
to Mary Sophia Hahn, born in Steele county,
Minn., June IO, I858. She was the daughter of Elias and Elizabeth Hahn, natives of
Ohio, who settled in Steele county, Minn., in
I854. Mrs. Bennett is one of six children:
Milton, died in infancy; an infant; our subject's wife; Edna lives in Minnesota with her
mother; Howard died in infancy, and Sarah,
an infant.
To Mr. and Mrs. Bennett have been born
two children: Eldon Ray, born Oct. 19,
I889, and died two and one-half years old;
Dell Franklin, born Oct. 24, I89I, in Steele
county, Minn.
Our subject is independent in politics and
has never held office, deeming it to his advantage to give his time to his chosen vocation. He is engaged in general farming and
being quite handy with tools, built for himself the house and barns upon the place
which he now resides. He is also a blacksmith by trade. Mr. Bennett owns his farm
and is proud of the fact that he owes no
man, and besides is in possession of a comfortable competence, all of which are his because he earned them by the energy and
economy which he had practiced during his


earlier days. He is now in a position to enjoy the fruits of his early toil and enjoys the
esteem of his many friends.
DANIEL L. CADY.
Like the forest tree standing alone, its
fellows having gone down amid the onward
march of the passing years, Daniel L. Cady,
a revered pioneer, lives at the age of eightythree.
He was born November 20, 1821, in Columbia county, N. Y. He was the son of
Daniel L. and Lorena Cady, both of Scotch
extraction. The elder came with his family
to the wilds of Michigan in the year 1827,
having subsequently taken up one hundred
and sixty acres of land from the government
and settled in the township of Plymouth,
Wayne county. To this he added from time
to time, as he was prospered, until at the
date of his death, which occurred August
30, I860, he owned three hundred and twenty acres of choice farming land.
Daniel L., Jr., returned to the State of
New York in 1832 and made his home with
relatives for a term of about four years, returning to Michigan in I836. He acquired
a good practical common school education at
Plymouth, and by reading and experience
has kept pace with the times and is known
as a well informed citizen. Intelligence and
veracity are marked characteristics of the
man. His word is as good as a government
bond any where he is known.
In the earlier years his reputation along
this line was a good share of his stock in
trade and helped out wonderfully, in making
purchases in the early forties.
In 1845 he married Miss Harriet E. Taft,
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Pitts Taft of Oakland county, Michigan, and by the timely aid
of his father purchased sixty-five acres of
land and started out to grapple with the




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


227


affairs of life and win for himself and family a name and a place in the world. By
economy and perseverance he, year by year,
added to his estate until he was able, while
still in the prime of life, to put aside manual
labor and enjoy in the quiet of a comfortable city home, his well-earned competence.
Four children were the fruits of these
wedded lives: the first born dying in infancy; the second, Clara, was born May 23,
1848, and died October 2, I863; Menzo C.,
a record of whose birth and life appears in
this volume; Minnie, the wife of Arthur
Pebbles, born November I, I856, and died
April 2, I890.
In March, 1854, Mr. Cady moved with
his family to Vevay, Ingham county, and
settled on section 30, making a purchase of
two hundred and eighty acres. To this he
added later, until he came to be the happy
possessor of a fine farm of three hundred
and sixty acres with good buildings, wellequipped with improved machinery and fine
stock.  The homestead proper has now
passed into the hands of his son, Menzo C.,
with whom Mr. Cady, since the death of his
wife, November 13, I893, has made his
home. Mr. Cady recalls with considerable
vividness hearing his grandfather, David
Cady, relate his experience with the Indians,
during the Revolutionary War, in which he
was a soldier. On awakening in the morning the command found themselves completely surrounded by hostile Indians, who
opened fire upon the troops and closed in
upon them. After a brisk fight in which Mr.
Cady received a severe gun-shot wound
through the left arm, the soldiers clubbed
their muskets and fought their way out.
In politics, Mr. Cady is a Republican, indeed, it is characteristic of the family to
keep pace with the march of the party with
history.  This party in a local way have
honored their ticket by giving him place.


He has served his township as Justice of the
Peace. He was also for some time Deputy
County Treasurer under Thaddeus Densmore. Mr. Cady has been a consistent member of the Presbyterian church for many
years and during the more active years of
his life served the church as its treasurer.
Having performed well his part in life's
activities and in the enjoyment of a consciousness of duties well performed, he is going
toward the setting of the sun with a good
hope of immortality in the bright and the
beautiful beyond. An upright citizen, a kind
neighbor, a just man.
MENZO C. CADY.
Among the successful and prosperous
farmers of Ingham county and recognized
to the limit of his acquaintance as a man
of good judgment and irreproachable character, standing near the head of the column
is Menzo C. Cady of Vevay township. Retiring and unassuming in his disposition, yet
firm in his convictions upon all questions of
morality or religion, make him the ideal citizen, the like of which the county stands in
need.
It is indeed refreshing to grasp the hand
and look into the face of a man and at the
same time feel that he is indeed a man in
the noblest, truest sense of the word. Menzo
Cady, the only son of Daniel L. and Harriet
Taft Cady, was born at Northville, Wayne
county, Michigan, January I, I850, a New
Year's present to his parents, and one destined to be a lifelong blessing.
Mr. Cady acquired his early education at
district schools and later attended the Mason
High School and the graded school at
Northville, Michigan.
November I, 1871, he was united in nmarriage to Miss Helen Miller and launched
out for himself, engaging in farming on a




228


PAST AND PRESENT


part of the "old place," his father having
retired from the farm. The soil being welladapted to stock and grain raising, mixed
farming has been the order.
By the death of his wife, which occurred
in December 5, 1887, Mr. Cady was left
with the care of their four children: the
eldest, Myrtie, is now the wife of F. E. Marshall of Onondaga township. She was born
October 21, 1872; Floyd E., born May 13,
1874, is married and resides in Aurelius
township; Menzo, Jr., born May 28, 1876,
is married and living at Mason; Orlando D.,
born April 27, 1884, is employed by the government as a rural mail carrier.
January 2, I889, Mr. Cady married Edith
L., daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. Fanson
of Mason. To them two children have been
born: Dorr L., December 26, 1892, and
Margaret, October 22, 1898. Both are living with their parents.
In politics Mr. Cady has always been a
consistent Republican and is proud of the
record of his party from the present back
to the dark days of the Rebellion. For him
Republicanism stands for loyalty to country.
Mr. and Mrs. Cady are members of the
Baptist church society at Aurelius, to which
they give liberal support and loyal service.
Mr. Cady's earnest, thoughtful, considerate
manner inspires confidence and easily wins
for him friends. Enjoying still the society
of his father, surrounded by children and
grandchildren, with.a comfortable allowance,
he ought to be, and is, a happy man.
JAMES R. DART.
So many men in these days of large
chances have made more than ordinary competences and begun with nothing on starting out in life, that such cases have ceased
to be remarkable. The qualifications, however, necessary to bring about such success,


can never cease to be worthy of our admiration. He whose name is at the head of our
sketch is one of the army of pushing, aggressive men, who were never satisfied unless they could attain the highest position
that could be aimed for. Mr. Dart started
out in life without money or influence, but
by the exercise of his fine executive and
financial ability, he has attained a position
in the community in which he has cast his
lot, second to none.
James R. Dart was born in St. Lawrence
county, N. Y., March 9, 1835, and was the
son of Alfred and Jane Dart, both natives
of Vermont. The father was engaged in
farming throughout life. In the family of
six children our subject was the fifth. He
acquired his early education in the common
schools of his county and has later supplemented this early training by extensive reading, observation and experience. He began
his business career at the age of eighteen
years, when he went to Alleghany county,
N. Y., and worked for an uncle who was a
cabinet-maker.  After this he worked for
Samuel Moffit, as helper in building mills,
and as a compensation received one dollar
per day for two years and at the beginning
of the third he received two dollars per day.
When with Mr. Moffit our subject was in
the State of Pennsylvania. After this our
subject started out for himself mill-wrighting and was engaged in this work for three
years at Bradford, Pa., after which he went
to work for a coal company, they exchanging the coal for his board. About this time
Mr. Dart took the contract for furnishing
beef for a railroad crew in Pennsylvania,
who were building a road from Bradford to
Alton. He furnished it to them at a certain
price per one hundred pounds, dressed, buying it for what he could and in this adventure met with marked success.
Our subject came to Lansing, Michigan,








ABRAHAM BLACK




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


229


in I869, and bought a lumber business, then
run by Clark and Bird. He owned one-half
interest in this concern, and after running it
one year sold out and bought a half interest
with Verety in manufacturing doors, sash,
etc. Shortly after this he bought his partner's interest and for three years managed
the business alone, selling out in 1872. Mr.
Dart then went to Webberville, Leroy township, and bought a sawmill and remained at
this business for twenty years. In connection with this interest he ran a general store
and elevator, and aside from this did fifty
thousand dollars worth of business in the
cooperage business per year-the entire business here running at about eighty thousand
dollars per year. In the year I880 our subject had the misfortune to lose his sawmill
and in this fire lost fifteen thousand dollars.
This he built up again in I888, but shortly
after, on account of bad health, was forced
to make an assignment, when he came to
Mason in the year I893 where he has since
resided.
August I I, I855, James R. Dart was
married to Orpha P. Fisher, a daughter of
William R. and Briceus Fisher, residents of
Pennsylvania.  To this union were born
four children: Nellie M., deceased; Gertrude
B., now Mrs. Dr. Campbell of Mason; Rollin C. and Alfred R. also residents of Mason. The wife and mother of this family
died I897 at Mason. She was highly respected in the social and church circles of
Mason and her friends were only numbered
by her acquaintance.
On April 3, I899, Mr. Dart was united in
marriage with Mrs. Amorette Smith, and
they are now pleasantly located in the City
of Mason. She was born in Potsdam, St.
Lawrence county, N. Y., where her home
was until married to Mr. Dart.
In the fall of 1877 James R. Dart was
elected Sheriff of Ingham county, and he


filled this office for two terms, with credit
to himself and his constituents. He affiliates with the Republican party and is a
wideawake and public-spirited man.  His
acuaintance with the people of Ingham county is a broad one and he is highly respected
by a large circle of friends.
ABRAHAM      BLACK.
In taking up the life history of Abraham
Black we find many scenes and incidents of
an eventful career, worth recording, that
will be of interest to our readers, as he has
not only been an agriculturist of prominence,
but has seen active service in wars representing two nations. Born in the year 1827 on
the Emerald Isle, he there spent his boyhood
and youth, acquiring his education in the
schools of his native land, until reaching the
age of nineteen he enlisted on the sixth day
of May, 1846, in the British army, and served
five years and three months and took part in
the Irish Rebellion. Upon the expiration of
his service, he emigrated to America and
joined his father, who had come to Elizabethport, New Jersey, in 1851, and there
worked in a foundry for one and a half
years. His father, John Black, was also a
native of the Emerald Isle, being born in the
year 1787, while the mother, who bore the
maiden name of Charlotte Pinkington was
born in 1797. The father did not long survive the emigration to the New VWorld, as
he died the same year at the age of sixtyfive, while the mother departed this life at
the age of fifty-five.
Arriving at Elizabethport, N. J., our subject remained in the employment of a foundryman for a year and a half, and then
moved to the City of Chicago, where he
found employment, and there remained for
two years with the McCormick Harvester
Machinery Company. On the expiration of




230


PAST AND PRESENT


this time, which was in 1854, he came from
Chicago to Delhi township and secured employment as a farm laborer, working by the
month for Messrs. Abraham Smith, Thomas
Mosier and N. B. Watson.   He followed
this ocupation until 1863, when in response
to Lincoln's call for volunteers he joined the
boys in blue by enlisting in Co. L, 4th Michigan Cavalry.  Here he saw twenty-two
months' hard service and was mustered out
on the I9th day of August of 1865. He
was with his company in the hotly contested
engagement of Selma, Alabama, and at
Columbus, Ga., together with numerous
smaller engagements. He cast his first vote
for Gen. George B. McClellan, or "Little
Mac," while in the field, and has ever since
supported the Republican ticket.
In the year 1852, our subject was united
in marriage to Miss Catherine Donahue, a
daughter of Thomas and Ann Donahue,
both natives of Ireland, and unto this union
were born seven children, as follows: Ellen
Jane, who died at the age of thirteen months;
Mary Jane, the wife of James Thorburn,
and she died on the i6th day of May, I882;
A. J., now a merchant of Holt; Catherine,
the wife of James McReady, a resident of
Diamondale, Eaton county; Thomas, a resident of Jackson; Lottie, at home, and Hattie,
the wife of Charles F. Taylor, now living in
Detroit.
Returning from the war, our subject
worked as a farm hand for Mr. John McHugh and then bought forty acres of land
at the Four Corners, east of Holt. This
property he improved and erected thereon a
suitable home and farm buildings and there
resided for eighteen years and then moved
to the Village of Holt, where he has resided
for eighteen years. The wife and mothel
died in 1902, at the age of sixty-six years.
She had been a valuable helpmate on life's
journey.  She was laid to rest in Maple


Ridge Cemetery. She was a member of the
Church of England, to which Mr. Black also
belongs. He is a member of the Charles T.
Foster Post at Lansing. Faithful as a public spirited citizen in time of peace, as he was
as a soldier in the preservation of the Union,
Abraham Black is honored and respected by
all who know him.
WILLIAM    A. DIAMOND.
Among the successful and prosperous
young farmers of this county standing well
up in the front ranks is William A. Diamond, located on section twelve in the
Township of Vevay. Mr. Diamond is a
product of the township in which he resides
and a farmer by birth and education. His
ancestors on both sides were among settlers,
pioneers, indeed, of the county.
William A. was the second son of John L.
and Olive L. (Hawley) Diamond and was
born in I868.   His brother Henry, two
years his senior, met an untimely death at
the age of eighteen years, by the kick of a
horse. His only sister, Lottie, died in I898
at the age of thirty-four years, a young lady
of many graces and virtues. His father and
mother were married December 24, 1863,
the father paying the debt of nature August
Io, I870, while yet in the vigor of young
manhood.
The oldest Diamond was a most genial,
companionable man, was a mechanic by trade
and many substantial structures, houses and
barns in the vicinity are evidences of his
handiwork.  He, after marriage, settled
upon the farm now owned by his son. The
improvements having their beginning with
the father have been carried steadily forward by the son, until today the Diamond
farm consists of one hundred and sixty
broad acres under a fine state of cultivation, with improved breeds of cattle, sheep




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


231


and hogs, with neat and commodious frame
buildings overlooking the entire estate, making it one of the most desirable country
homes of the county. At the age of twenty
years, with his mother and sister as home
keepers, William Diamond started farming
for himself, and being to the manor born,
has made a success of it.
He was married Sept. 25, 1895, to Miss
Selora Dunsmore. To them one child, a
son was born September 29, 1898.
His home is still the home of his mother,
who knows the blessedness of having a dutiful son to lean upon in her declining years.
In politics Mr. Diamond has always been
an enthusiastic Republican, believing in
what his party advocated, having unbounded
faith in it to manage the affairs of the state
and nation for the best interests of the people.
He has served as Town Treasurer most
acceptably, and will doubtless, if he consents, honor the ticket with his name for
more important positions yet many times in
the years to come.
He is identified with the F. & A. M. of
Mason Lodge No. 70. As all intelligent,
progressive farmers should do, he takes
commendable pride in the fact that he is
"lined up" with the organization of the
Grange, believing it to be the one national
order whose fundamental principle is the elevation of the farmer, intellectually, morally
and financially. Although not united with
any church society, Mr. Diamond by the uprightness of his life and character teaches
the lessons of morality and virtue to the
limit of his influence.
This brief outline of the life and character
of William A. Diamond would be incomplete without a record of the fact that he
was the grandson of Henry A. Hawley, one
of the early pioneers of the county.  All
old residents are familiar with the location


of the Hawley farm about three miles east
of the City of Mason. Mr. Hawley was a
man of marked energy, well informed upon
the general topics of the day and bearing always a character above reproach. He cleared
away the forest, improved the land and erected substantial farm buildings.  He kept
"open house" always and many a weary
land looker has found here a comfortable
lodging for the night. He contributed generously, both in money and labor, to any
enterprise that he deemed helpful to the
conmmunity. A brief autobiography of him
published in a History of Ingham County,
a book that also contains a portrait of Mr.
Hawley and a bird's eye view of his farm
and buildings, says of him, "Where the public welfare seemed to demand it, he has consulted neither comfort nor convenience, but
has worked a strong and willing hand.
Since attaining his majority, he has never
failed to present himself at the pools on election day, always casting his vote with the
same party-old line-Whig and Republican. His religious faith has always been of
the truly liberal type. He died some years
since honored and respected by a large circle
of acquaintances."
JOHNSON W. HAGADORN, M. D.
Dr. Johnson W. Hagadorn, a well-known
physician of Lansing, prominent not only
as a private practitioner, but for his long
official connection with the School for the
Blind and the Industrial School, is the
second in a family of five children, his
younger brother being Dr. Alex. D. Hagadorn, whose biography also appears in this
volume. His parents were William and
Nancy Hagadorn, both natives of New
York. His father, who was a farmer, located at South Lyons in 1833, being a young
man of twenty-five, and taking up one hun



232


PAST AND PRESENT


dred acres of Government land, founded the
homestead where he and his wife lived and
died and where our subject himself was
born. The mother died in 1883, November
I5; the father, June 13, I879.
Dr. Hagadorn was born at South Lyons,
Oakland county, Michigan, September 9,
I839. He acquired his early education in
its district schools, afterward taking a three
years' course at the State Normal School at
Ypsilanti. During his senior year at the latter institution he commenced the study of
medicine. His schooling was by no means
continuous, as he lacked the means to pursue uninterrupted courses and was too independent to borrow of relatives or friends.
His plan, which he persistently followed, was
to teach for one year and spend the next as
a student. Even then, he was often obliged
to practice the strictest economy, as well as
take any kind of work which he could find to
do. A portion of the time, while at Ypsilanti,
he sub-rented a room and did his own cooking. Jobs of wood sawing were always welcome at this period of his life.  He has
ever been an enthusiastic friend of athletics
and while at the State Normal, his slender
income was slightly increased by his directorship of the athletic department.
After a three years' course in the medical
department of the State University, Dr.
Hagadorn graduated with the class of I870,
many years afterward taking post-graduate
work at the Eye and Ear Infirmary and
Rush Medical College, Chicago, in I889.
Although he practiced some before graduation, his regular work did not commence until his location, after he had received his degree, at Ovid, Clinton county, Michigan. In
the fall of 1873 he removed to Lansing, and
established in that city a substantial and select practice, having been physician to the
School for the Blind for seven years and


the Industrial School for eleven years.
The doctor is identified with the Masonic
fraternity, Blue Lodge No. 33, and is also
a member of the Elks. He is a Republican
in politics and although he is connected with
no special church, is a Protestant in belief
and an upholder of strict morality. In the
fall of I866 Dr. Hagadorn was married to
Miss Dora Raymond, daughter of Stephen
Raymond of Adrian, Michigan.
ALEXANDER D. HAGADORN, M. D.
Dr. Hagadorn, who enjoys a lucrative
practice among some of the best people of
Lansing, was born in Oakland county, Michigan, on the 28th day of February, I843.
His father, William, was a native of Steuben county, N. Y., the date of his birth being March 4, 1809. In 1833 (he was then
a vigorous young farmer of twenty-four)
he mounted his horse and started from his
New York home for some friends who had
settled at Northville, Oakland county, Michigan. He completed the long, tedious trip
on horseback, remained there with his
friends for a short time and returned to the
East. But, like thousands of others, when
he had once breathed the large freedom of
the West, he was irresistibly attracted to the
country; so, during the following year, he
again started for Oakland county, and finally took up one hundred acres of Government
land at South Lyons. He cleared and improved the tract, continuing to engage in
farming -there until his death, June 13,
I879.
Of the five children in the family, the oldest was Wesley, who was born April 7, 1838,
and died June 9, I888. A sketch of Johnson W. Hagadorn, the second child, appears
elsewhere in this volume. Mary, the third,
was born July I8, 1841, and, as the wife




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


233


of Lucien Lovewell, a stockbuyer, is living at South Lyons. Dr. Hagadorn was the
fourth, and Albert, the fifth child, who was
born July 31, I845, is a farmer in Lansing
township.
The mother of our subject, Nancy, was
born in Cayuga county, N. Y., November
9, I814, and died in South Lyons, Michigan, November 15, I883.     The grandmother of our subject was a cousin of P. T.
Barnum, the showman.
As the name implies, the Hagadorns were
of German extraction, the founders of the
New York branch of the family being three
brothers, who emigrated from the Fatherland in 1700,. and settled in the Empire state.
John Hagadorn, a son of this trio, was born
in 1785, came to Michigan with his son, the
father of our subject, and died in I85I.
Dr. Hagadorn acquired his early education at the district schools of Oakland county, taking a higher course at the State Normal School, Ypsilanti. He entered the institution in i86I, remaining three years.
For two years he was principal of the
schools in Armada, Macomb county, and
also held the same position in the schools of
Algonac, St. Clair county, Michigan.
Having by this means obtained sufficient
means to insure a medical education, he entered Michigan University, and in I871
graduated with his degree, M. D. He began the practice of his profession at Milford, Oakland county, where he remained
busily and profitably engaged for ten years.
In I88I he removed to Lansing and his
practice and his reputation have steadily increased.
Dr. Hagadorn is a Republican, and his
popularity and his skill as a physician are
evidenced by the fact that he has already
served as Health Officer for two years. He
is prominent in the Masonic fraternity, be

ing a Royal Arch, Blue Lodge No. 33 and
Lansing Commandery No. 25. He is also a
leader in the Methodist church, being a trustee in the local organization.
On May 20, 1874, Dr. Hagadorn was united in marriage to Theodosia Rowe of Oakland county, the daughter of Squire and
Dolly Rowe.   The mother, at the age of
eighty-seven, is making her home with the
doctor and his wife. The latter is a native
of Highland, Oakland county, where she
was born in I849.
To Doctor and Mrs. Hagadorn have been
born three children: Grace R., who was
born October 31, 1875, is the wife of Harry
Reed, teacher of chemistry in the State Agricultural College. She is a graduate of Lansing high school, also of Albion College.
The second child, Herbert A. Hagadorn,
was born June 17, I877, graduated from
the Agricultural College, and is an electrical
engineer at the works of the General Electric Company, Schenectady, N. Y. Dana,
born May Io, 1889, is a student at the Lansing high school.
E. F. HOUSE.
The subject of this sketch was born July
I7, 1859, in New York. He was the son of
Jacob and Emma (Gates) House. His parents were natives of the Empire state, where
his father was born December 6, I824, and
the mother, July 26, 182I.  His parents
were married in New York, March 30, I847,
and came to Michigan in I860, settling in
Clinton county, where the father is still living. He bought eighty acres of wild land
which he improved and has since sold and
at present owns no land at all. He later
purchased land in Ingham county, which
is now owned by his son, E. F. House.
There were seven children in this family




234


PAST AND PRESENT


and all but one are living: Wm. Miles, born
February 24, 1848, a resident of North
Dakota; Truman Marian, born May 5,
1849, resides at Avon, N. Y.; Sarah L.,
March 29, I852, died February 24, 1874;
she was the wife of Perry Landon of New
York; Emma B., born November I8, 1853,
lives with her family in Clinton county,
Michigan; Francis Wisner, born March 24,
1856, now a resident of North Dakota;
Mary Elizabeth, born March 24, I86I, married Hugh Moulton of Bannister, Michigan,
and E. F. House, subject of this sketch.
Mr. House was but eighteen years of age
when he started in life for himself. March
5, 1884, he was united in marriage to Miss
Nettie, daughter of G. W. and Mrs. Gulick,
a sketch of whose lives is given elsewhere
in this volume.
Mr. House has greatly improved the
premises where he now resides, having erected buildings, cleared up the land and made
it one of the pleasant homes and productive
farms of the county.  But one child has
come to bless the lives of Mr. and Mrs.
House, Edna, born February Ii, I885, now
a student of the high school at Williamston.
Mr. House makes quite a remarkable statement of fact in asserting that he belongs to
no fraternal or other society, that he never
held any office and is not identified with any
church. He seems to carve out for himself
a path, socially, morally and intellectually
to his own liking.
HON. MARTIN HANLON.
Martin Hanlon was born in the Empire
State, August 7, I853. He was the son of
Felix and Catherine (Blake) Hanlon, both
natives of Ireland. They came to this country and settled first in New York.  The
father was a shoemaker by trade and has followed this occupation through life.


In 1863 Mr. Felix Hanlon moved with
his family to Huron county, Canada, where
he is.still living at the advanced age of seventy-seven years.
Our subject was the oldest of a family of
eleven children. He remained at home witlh
his parents until sixteen years of age, when
he came to Lapeer county, Michigan, his
first occupation being that of night boy in a
livery barn, after which he learned the blacksmith's trade, at which he spent six and a
half years.
At the age of twenty-three our subject
was deeply impressed with the importance
of an education, and while the way seemed
practically hedged up, yet he resolved to
make a start. For seven years he pursued
his studies, working his way through without asking favors of anyone. In this was
clearly manifested the spirit of his ancestry.
Graduating from the Almont high school,
he immediately proceeded to take a course
in the State Normal, from which he graduated with honor in the class of I882. Feeling himself fairly well equipped for teaching, he came to Williamston and was engaged as superintendent of the high school,
which position he occupied with most gratifying results to himself and to the patrons
of the school. Here he remained for three
years.
In I884 our subject was united in marriage to Miss Mary, daughter of W. H.
Webb of Manchester, Washtenaw county.
To them were born four children, only one
of whom is living. Mrs. Hanlon departed
this life in I895. Mr. Hanlon's son, Harold
W., is now taking a literary course at the
U. of M. combined with law, both of which
he completes within six years.
Mr. Hanlon's social standing can be
judged largely by the confidence he has received from his fellow citizens since he became a resident of Williamston. In the year




HON. 7NItARTIN HANLON








INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


235


i886 Mr. Hanlon engaged in the drug trade
and has been in this business ever since.
His stock consists of a complete line of
drugs, wall paper, books and stationery. In
this business he has met with satisfactory
success. He has filled the offices of School
Trustee, Councilman of the Village and Justice of the Peace. He filled the position of
Commissioner of Schools of Ingham county
from I897 to 1901.
Mr. Hanlon is a progressive spirit of the
Republican party and always takes an active
interest in politics. At the last general election he was chosen Representative from the
second district of Ingham county to the
State Legislature, taking his seat January i,
I905.
Mr. Hanlon is in every respect a self
made man, and he may justly be proud of
the fact that he secured a good, classical
education by his own energy and perseverance. He is a member of the fraternal organization of Masons. He is an all round,
first-class citizen-a man whom the people
delight to honor, and one in whom they have
never been disappointed.
CHARLES C. HALE.
Charles C. Hale, who is the fortunate
owner of one hundred and two and a half
acres of fine land ih W\heatfield township,
is actively engaged in the pursuit of the
varied duties which fall to him as an agriculturist. Not only has he been successful fi —
nancially, but in the better sense of that
word, he has been successful in gaining the
esteem of all his acquaintances and it is the
universal testimony that he enjoys the highest respect of his fellow citizens.
Several years ago there resided in the
State of New York, Justice and Miss (Elliott) Hale, the former being born there
March I6, I8i6, and the latter in 1821.


These estimable people were the parents of
three children, the first being Charles C.,
the subject of this sketch, whose birth occurred in 1841 on the 8th day of April; the
second, Smith, born November 12, 1842,
and the third, Luther, born October 2, I847.
\When our subject was but one year old,
the parents moved from New York to Ohio,
where they bought one hundred and twenty
acres of wild land from the government for
ten shillings per acre. Justice L. Hale was
a Whig, but never sought office.
The spirit of patriotism was evident in the
family as our subject's two brothers, Smith
and Luther, enlisted in the Ohio regiment
at the opening of the civil war and died of
sickness before the war was ended.
The early education of our subject was
acquired in the district schools of Ohio, but
was somewhat limited, as he was obliged
to leave school at the age of ten years. He
came to Michigan and settled on the farm
on which he still resides, in the year 1864.
This farm was in a raw state when he came
into possession of it, and he cleared this,
built good buildings and made all the improvements, which now adorn the place.
On the 4th of June, I865, occurred the
marriage of Mr. Hale to Betsey Kent,
daughter of Jeremiah Kent, a native of New
York. Mrs. Hale was born December 22,
I835, and was one of six children, four of
whom are still living. Mrs. Hale's father,
Jeremiah Kent, was born in S8OI and died
in I865, while her mother passed away at
the age of sixty years.
To Mr. and Mrs. Charles Hale were born
two children, but both died while they were
yet infants.
Politically, the origin of this sketch is a
Democrat. Mr. Hale has taken care of himself since a young lad and in his younger
days he was denied educational facilities,
but he has had the pluck to make amends




236


PAST AND PRESENT


for such deficiencies and as a result of his
good business ability has prospered financially. Progressive in every respect, he is
esteemed by all who know him.
DIGBY V. BELL.
The name of Bell is inseparably interwoven with the pioneer history of not only
Ingham county, but also the great State of
Michigan. The father of our subject, Digby
V. Bell, Sr., came to Ingham county at an
early date or about the time that the capitol
was built and served in the official capacity
of Auditor General of the State. He was a
native of the British West Indies, where his
boyhood and youth were spent until he was
twelve years of age. At this time he was apprenticed to a captain of a sailing vessel, and
he followed the sea for the next six years.
He then embarked for New York and was
married to a Miss Sarah Hamm. Unto this
worthy couple were born nine children, six
sons and three daughters.
After the termination of his office as Auditor General he took up his residence in the
city of Detroit and there engaged in the
flour and feed business for two years, at the
expiration of which time he went to Chicago
and established a commercial college for
young men. He continued in the management of this institution for some years, when
he finally sold out and returned to New York
city and there remained until 1867, being engaged with a son in the brokerage business.
It was in this year that he again returned to
Michigan, removing to Battle Creek, where
he was made Postmaster, which office he
held until his death.
The early boyhood and youth of our subject was spent in Michigan and he received
his education in the schools of Detroit. At
a very early age, he became identified in his
father's office at the time he was Auditor


General, as a clerk, and he remained in that
capacity for several years. In I85I he was
united in marriage to Miss Eugenia Thomas,
a daughter of John Thomas, an old pioneer
resident of Lansing. Mrs. Bell was a native
of the Empire State and was a child of but
three years when she accompanied her parents to this State. At the age of fourteen she
became a resident of Lansing and there became a student in the young ladies' school,
an educational institution which was capably
conducted by a Miss Jones.
Unto our subject and his wife were born
three children, all are deceased, the eldest,
Louis E., a young man of more than ordinary accomplishments, possessing a splendid
voice, died in 1884 in Italy; the second, J.
W., died in I900 in the City of Detroit; the
third, Digby V., departed this life in the City
of Lansing, in I896. He had married Miss
Rose K. McKensey, and unto them were
born two children, Louis Eugene and Lawrence V.
At the breaking out of the Civil War Mr.
Bell offered his services to his country, by
enlisting in the 24th Michigan Volunteer Infantry, in which he was made Quartermaster
with the rank of First Lieutenant. He saw
three years' active service, being engaged in
a number of important battles, chief among
them being that of Gettysburg, where he
showed great bravery by carrying provisions
to his comrades in arms during that memorable engagement. Serving three years, he
resigned his commission, was honorably discharged and returned home.
Mr. Bell took an active interest in politics,
using his vote and influence towards the promotion of the Republican party. For four
years he served as Deputy Collector of Customs and then for ten years was at the head
of this office. He was an efficient and faithful officer, both in his civil and soldier duties.
This worthy man departed this life at his




DIOBY VT. B)ELT




I
4




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


237


home in Detroit in I89I, honored and respected by all who knew him. The strong
traits of his character were such as to endear him to all with whom he came in contact. He was a man of broad humanitarian
principles and the deserving poor always
found in him a friend. He gave generously
for the public good, was faithful in friendship, devoted to his family and stood as a
representative of the highest type of American manhood.
EDWIN R. HAWLEY.
A history of Ingham county without the
record of the life of the Hawley family
would be very incomplete, as much of the
improvement and settlement of Bunker Hill
township is due to their energy and activity.
In 1842 Mr. Joseph and Mrs. Elizabeth
(Bracken) Hawley with their family came
from England to Michigan, when the State
was a wilderness. They settled on a farm
of forty acres in Lindon township, Washtenaw county, near Waterloo village.  Four
years later they removed to Waterloo, Jackson county, where they lived until the death
of the mother, thirty-three years later. The
father then lived with his sons until 1887,
when he was married to Mrs. Sarah Adams.
From this time he lived at Stockbridge untill his death, January I8, I890. In his early
life Mr. Hawley was a good Whig, but later
he changed to the Republican party.
Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs.
Joseph Hawley. Three were born in England: Joseph, November I I, 1832; Emanuel,
August 30, 1837, and Mary, December 31,
I840. One child was born at sea. The subject of this sketch, Mr. E. R. Hawley, was
born in Washtenaw   county, October 21,
1845.
The early education of Mr. E. R. Hawley
was received in a district school and com

pleted at the close of the war in I864. He
remained at home helping his father on the
farm until twenty-eight years of age. At
this time he was married to Miss Mary A.,
daughter of Solomon    and   Mary  Ann
(Blake) Dewey of Waterloo, Michigan,
who were both natives of New York. Miss
Mary A. was born September 12, 1848.
After his marriage, Mr. Hawley came to
live at his present home in Bunker Hill, on
section thirty-four, at that time a farm of
two hundred acres to which he has since
added enough from time to time to make
him  a farm of five hundred and twenty
acres. The houses, barns and all the improvements are due to the energy and characteristic ability of our subject. Today he
is the possessor of one of the finest farms
in the county, and one of which he may
justly feel proud.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hawley have been
born two children: Joseph S., February 28,
I874, who is married and lives near the
home place and is the father of one child,
Edna E., born October iI, I904; and Robert J., born November 15, 1877, who is married and lives on section twenty-seven in
Bunker Hill. He is the father of one child.
Mary R., born March 13, I904.
Mr. Hawley, from his earthly possessions,
has provided for his sons, having furnished
them each with land, of which they are now
in possession. The fact that he was able
to start his sons in life and on the road to
success must indeed be a comfort to him.
As an evidence of the high esteem in
which he is held, Mr. Hawley, although affiliated with the political party which is about
fifty voters in the minority in his town, has
served his town seven terms as Supervisor.
His name, with all his fellowmen, is a
synonym for honesty and integrity. Here
in Bunker Hill township his energy and perseverance have made a beautiful home.




238


PAST AND PRESENT


where, surrounded by the comforts and luxuries which their own hands have won, Mr.
and Mrs. Hawley will pass the evening of
their days and live in the high esteem of
their fellowmen.
LEWIS E. IMES, LANSING.
Lewis E. Imes, the Lansing photographer,
has one of the most completely and equipped
and tastefully arranged studios in the State.
He is a native of Illinois, and the son of
William L. and Anna Imes, and was born
in Macomb, McDonough county. There he
acquired his early education, and at the age
of eighteen removed to Chicago. In that
city he mastered his profession under the
well known Edward Hartley, one of the
most artistic photographers of the west. He
remained with him for three years, after
which, working and experimenting as a progressive photographer, he resided in several
western cities within the succeeding few
years. He located for a short time successively in Davenport, Ia., Deadwood, S. Dak.,
Denver, Col., and various places in California.
Mr. Imes returned to Chicago, spent a
season in Omaha, Neb., and then started for
the west. In New York city he entered
the employ of the American Aristotype Co.
During the eight years he was connected
with this company he made his headquarters
in various cities throughout the west, coming to Lansing from Kansas City in November, I899, and establishing the business,
which has since developed so rapidly and
substantially.
Our subject joined the Knights of
Pythias when he was only twenty-one years
of age. He has become a member of the
Elks since coming to Lansing, and has been
identified with the Boat Club for five years.
He is, in fact, one of the most popular of


Lansing's citizens, and his studio is the center of much social and artistic activity.
NATHAN L. COOLEY.
Nathan L. Cooley, one of the most prominent agriculturists of Lansing township was
born January 6, I840, in Lansing township.
He is the son of Jacob F. and Lucy
(Barnes) Cooley, an extensive history of
whose lives is given in connection with the
historical portion of this volume, also with
the sketch of the life of Lansing J. Cooley.
Nathan Cooley was the third in order of
birth in the Cooley family and began attending the district school in Lansing township
when he was fourteen years of age. At that
time there were only two school houses in
four townships. At the age of eighteen he
worked the father's farm on shares, and continued at this until he was twenty-one.
When he was quite young the father gave
him forty acres, and here on section 30 he
built a house and made his first home. The
land was all timber and he cleared it and
added to it, as he prospered, and now owns
seventy acres.
For many years our subject was a Democrat, but four years ago changed to the Republican party, with which he now lines up.
He was married in December, I86o, to Emaline Garber, whose parents came to Michigan about the year 1850 and settled in Eaton
county, south of Charlotte, on eighty acres
of raw land. The father of Mrs. Cooley
died about fifteen years ago, and the mother
about thirty-five. To Mr. and Mrs. Cooley
have been born seven children, of whom five
are living.
Our subject was elected to the office of
Justice of Peace for two terms by the Democratic party and for twenty years was a memler of the School Board. He is a member
of the G. A. R. and Patrons of Industry.




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


239


It is a fact worth noting, that Nathan L.
Cooley was the first white child born in Lansing township and never wore a pair of shoes
until twelve years of age. His uncle Elija
Barnes, who was a shoemaker, made him a
pair of shoes out of the tops of his father's
old ones, and our subject was so proud of
them that whenever he would go across a
creek, where he could not jump, would take
them off and wade across. Once the father
found a bee tree and went with the boys to
cut it down, and, coming to a stream our
subject took off his shoes, as it was warm
and put them on the stump of a tree for
safe keeping and after cutting the tree returned home and forgot the shoes, as he was
not used to wearing them. The next morning it was cold and he wanted the shoes but
had forgotten where he left them. Our subject and his mother hunted all the day for
them, but to no avail, and about a week after, when going through the woods, our subject found the lost shoes and was more
pleased than he would be now with a farm.
Nathan Cooley often accompanied his
father at night deer hunting in a boat on
Grand river. He would put a candle behind
a board and point the gun by it and he could
see the sights on the gun and not be seen by
the deer. He often stayed out until twelve
or one o'clock, steering the boat for the father. The father was obliged to go to Eaton
Rapids for provisions and once upon going
there he had to work after reaching the place
to get the necessary money for the provisions and after they were bought, made a boat
and started down the river with thelm, and
night came on before he reached home and
he ran into a rock which split the boat open
and everything was dumtped into the river.
The father waded in and saved the most of
the provisions, but the weather was so cold
that he was obliged to run up and down the
bank to get warm and keep from freezing.


While doing this he heard the bark of a dog
and following the sound, came to an Indian
camp, when he was invited in and given a
place in front of the fire in order to dry
himself. Here at this camp the father made
warm friends of the Indians and they were
closely associated for many years, as is recorded in the historical part of this volume
in the history of the early pioneers.
Our subject was well acquainted with the
Indian Chief "Okemos," whose history is
given in a pleasing manner elsewhere in the
book.
In 1864 Nathan Cooley enlisted in Co. F,
8th Michigan Cavalry and went into camp
at Jackson, Michigan, and from there to the
front. They were provided with horses and
saddles at Fredericksburg, and from there
went to Franklin, Tenn., thence to Pulaski,
and from there to Shuel Creek and there
engaged in a skirmish with Forest's Cavalry
and Hood's army, then fell back to Mt.
Pleasant and built a barricade across the
road, only parts of three regiments being
there.  They then stampeded them   back
across a bridge in the rear. Here they were
hemmed in by high stone walls and our subject and about twenty-five others were captured. They then were taken to Andersonville Prison, where they were confined from
November, 1864, until the close of the war.
After the hardships of the war, in which
so many brave men suffered and died, our
subject returned to home life.
To our subject and first wife were born
the following children: Allen E., born December 3I, i86i, married and lives in Lansing township; Nathan, died in infancy;
Riland G.. June 5, I866. married and lives in
Lansing; Stella, May 3, I868, widow of Jay
Parker, lives in Lansing; Ruben Lee, born
April 4, 1870, married and lives in Lansing;
Della, February 9, 1872, married and lives
in Lansing township, and Dora Emaline,




240


PAST AND PRESENT


died in infancy. The mother of this family
died March 28, 1875, and July 20, 1876, our
subject married Mrs. Adaliza Cadwell at
Lansing. Her people were natives of Massachusetts where she lived until fifteen years
of age, then with the family moved to Ohio,
then to Michigan about 1854, and settled in
Clinton county. The father of Mrs. Cooley
died in August of I86o and the mother in
I897.
It is undoubtedly a great satisfaction to our
subject, who has reached years of maturity,
that he can look back over a life spent in
struggles to do well for his family and fellowmen and feel that those efforts have been
recognized by his friends and children and
that the world is better for his having lived
in it.
GEORGE WEBB (DECEASED).
George B. Webb, now deceased, was for
fifty-three years a resident of Aurelius township and was at the time of his death the
oldest settler in this locality. He was a native of England, was born at Summerset
Shire on the I4th day of April, 1803, and
at the time of his death, March 7, I890, had
arrived at the advanced aged of eight-six
years. His early education was acquired in
the schools of his native country, but believing that America offered better opportunities for an enterprising and ambitious
young man he emigrated, at the age of
twenty-two, to the new country and landed
in New York, when he proceeded to Syracuse, where he engaged in the butcher and
dairy business.
At the age of twenty-eight years he was
united in marriage to Miss Anna M. Cately
of Syracuse and to this union were born five
children, of whom three are now living,
namely: William M., Lucy M., and Martha
A., the wife of Jacob Nichols, deceased.


The wife and mother of these children died
at the age of forty-two.  It was in 1836
that George B. Webb came to Michigan and
settled in Aurelius township and is therefore
justly entitled to be classed among the earliest of pioneer settlers of the county and
among the earliest in the State. Here he
bought eighty acres of government land and
from time to time added to his possessions,
as he prospered, until he owned three htidred and forty acres of fine farming land.
All this he improved, cleared and placed
under cultivation, built a good home and
comfortable barns and out buildings and became known as one of the land marks of
the county, famous for his hospitality. Indians were plenty, and happily, they were
kindly disposed. For some time they maintained a camp upon Mr. Webb's premises.
In the earlier years they were the nearest
neighbors and most frequent callers.
George B., or "Uncle George," as he was
called, was a man of genial and kind disposition and was known by everybody for
miles around. After the death of the first
wife, he was again united in marriage, the
second union being with Mrs. Lucy Harty
of Bunker Hill township of this county, and
to this marriage was born one child, L. C.
Webb of Mason. Before his death, George
Webb gave to his two boys, J. H. and W.
M., eighty acres of land each and also gave
two grandsons twenty and forty acres respectively and to Lucy, now Mrs. Jennings,
the old homestead of eighty acres. Of this
she later sold forty acres to her brother,
William M. Webb. Mrs. Lucy Webb died
April 5, I882, at the age of sixty-six years.
George B. Webb had lived through many
scenes and incidents of pioneer times, identical to the early history of this State and even
at an early age. While a boy at the time in
England he witnessed scenes of carnage by
the return of the troops from the famous




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


241


Battle of Waterloo, where he, as a boy of
thirteen, was compelled to take his father's
team and convey wounded French prisoners
who had been captured in this battle and
carry them part of the way across England.
An incident worthy of mention, for the
benefit of future generations, occurred to
George Webb shortly after his arrival in
Ingham county. Selecting a tract of land,
upon which he desired to make his home,
he started out on an Indian trail for Ionia.
Reaching Grand river he expected to find
some friendly Indian to carry him across,
but none being in sight, he began building a
raft, doing the work with a pocket knife and
using what flood wood he could reach. Having constructed this frail craft he embarked
upon it for the other side. The water was
very deep and the current swift, consequently the raft fell to pieces, leaving him in deep
water and unable to swim, and his life was
only saved by the timely appearance of a
friendly Indian. This was but one of the
stirring incidents that fell to his lot as a
pioneer and if we were to attempt to give in
detail a history of these scenes and times,
which tell of the lot of these worthy people,
it would fill a volume of itself: however, a
general description of these features have
been arranged to appear in a separate portion of this work.
George B. Webb cast his first vote in
Aurelius township for the Democracy and
continued  to  affiliate  with  that party
throughout his life. The first township election was notable in that fifteen votes were
cast, one of which was for Mr. Webb. He
was a man of exceptional character, strong
in purpose, broad-minded and liberal in
views and had a high sense of honor, and
added to these qualities, he was a loving husband and a kind and indulgent father, generous and hospitable and a liberal supporter
of charitable work. His death occasioned the
16


deepest regret throughout the community of
Ingham county, as it had lost one of its most
valued citizens.
It is to Mrs. Jennings, the daughter, that
the publishers owe these facts pertaining to
the history of Mr. Webb. She now resides
upon the old home farm, where she is assisted by her nephew, Burton E. Webb.
Mrs. Jennings is a member of the M. E.
church and is a woman highly respected for
her many qualities of heart and mind.
MASON J. CARTER.
Many of the native sons of the Wolverine
State are now active enterprising business
men and farmers, and in their various lines
of business have met with success, as has
our subject, Mason J. Carter, who was born
in Stockbridge township, September 24,
I850. His father, Silas Carter, was born
near Summerset, in New York, about July
I, 1820, and his mother, Mary Ann Fitz,
was born November 28, 1826. The parents
of our subject were married in New York
and came to Michigan about the year I846,
and located in Stockbridge on eighty acres
of wild land, which they cleared and later
added one hundred and twenty.      They
cleared nearly all of the two hundred acres.
Silas Carter was killed at Petersburg at
forty years of age. He enlisted in I864 in
the 2d Volunteer Michigan Infantry and
was shot in July, 1864. The father was a
Republican and a member of the M. E.
church.
Mason J. Carter was the third of eleven
children: Jerome (dead), Harrison (dead),
our subject, Martha (dead), George, Silas
(dead) Adelbert, Frank (dead), William,
Herbert, and a child who died in infancy.
Our subject was educated in the district
school and started for himself in 1867 and
worked by the month until I879 when he




242


PAST AND PRESENT


rented a farm and in I88I bought eighty
acres where he now lives. All this was wild
land, with no buildings or fences, but our
subject has brought it to a fine state of improvement, built a frame house and good
barns. In 1894 he bought ten acres more of
timber land, which he has since improved.
He now owns ninety acres, and a half interest in seventy-three acres.
After the death of Silas Carter, the mother was married to Nelson Lewis, and they
had one child, Norman. Nelson Lewis deceased.
January, 1871, Mr. Carter was married
to Emma J. Haughton, and they were the
parents of four children, all living: Silas,
September 7, I872; Sara Jane, September
I8, 1874; Maude, July I6, 1876, and Millie
M., May I9, I88I. The mother of this family died August 20, 1897, and our subject
again married, the woman of his choice being Ella Dewey, who was born December
I6, I860. Our subject's second wife was
the widow of Samuel Dewey, who died July
19, 1897. To the Deweys were born six
children, all living: Solomon T., January
2, 1885; James H., November I8, 1887;
Maggie E., July 30, 1889; Ralph D., September 6, 1891; Ruth E., November 7,
1893; Gladys L., January 20, 1895. Our
subject and wife were married December
25, 1898.
Harrison S., a brother of our subject, enlisted in the 20th Michigan Volunteer Infantry, Co. H, September 7, I864, at Ann
Arbor, and was mustered out June, I865.
January, I867, he reenlisted in the 8th Infantry Regulars, and died of typhoid fever
at Sumner, S. C., in October of I867.
Mrs. Carter's parents were married at
Ypsilanti, Michigan, November 29, I8-,
and the father died April 21, I864, while the
mother, whose maiden name was Margaret
Hooker, born March 6, 1814, lives with


Mrs. Carter and is in her ninety-first year.
The father, Henry Clements, was born at
Steuben county, N. Y., July, 800o. He was
a mason and worked at his trade the most
of the time. He died at Meadville. Mrs.
Carter's mother bought seventy-three acres
of land in Stockbridge township after the
father's death, which she sold in 1901. One
brother of our subject's wife, Clarence, born
May 8, 1859, died August 17, 1902, while a
brother Henry was killed in the civil war.
Mason J. Carter is a Republican, though
he never devoted much time to politics, as
he prefers the quiet avocations of home and
business life to the excitement and uncertainties of the political arena.
JAMES S. COON.
A good citizen is ready to serve his country, both in peace and war, and does serve
it alike whether upon the battlefield or in
pursuing his usual avocation, and by a life
of industry helping to build up the social
and industrial interests of the vicinity in
which he lives. The reflection of a life thus
spent makes the path straighter before the
feet of the young, and in return brings its
reward in every walk of life.  Mr. J. S.
Coon endured the hardships of war in defense of his country, likewise the trials of
the pioneer, in clearing up his new land, and
today is reaping his reward, enjoying the
fruits of his early struggles.
Our subject was born in Genesee county,
Michigan, in 1846, and was the son of Willis S. and Patience (Nichols) Coon. The
father was born in Genesee county, N. Y.,
and in 1845 came to Michigan, first locating
in Genesee county, and in 1847 came to
Jackson county. To the parents eight children were born, four of whom are now living, our subject being the second. Willis
Coon, the father, enlisted in Company E,




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


243


First Regiment of Michigan Sharpshooters,
February I, 1863; was taken prisoner at
Spottsylvania, Va., and was confined in Andersonville prison, where he died in August,
I864. Our subject, with his brother Amasa,
also enlisted with the father in the same
regiment, and served until the close of the
war. This regiment was organized by Col.
C. V. DeLand of Jackson, and rendezvoused
at Dearborn. When only partially organized, having but six companies in camp, the
command was mustered into service July
7, 1863, and immediately ordered to Indianapolis, Ind., and from thence proceeded
by rail to Seymour the same state, and within a week from the date of leaving the State
had met the notorious raider, Morgan. at
North Vernon and Pierceville, capturing a
number of his followers. Morgan had entered Indiana and was creating havoc with
the inhabitants in the smaller towns on his
route. DeLand, with his small, but determined force, headed him off, and by the use
of stategy was enabled to rid the country of
him.
Following the brief service, the regiment
returned to Dearborn, and completed its
organization. August I6 it proceded to Chicago, and went on duty guarding rebel prisoners at Camp Douglass.   February 14,
1864. it was assigned to the 2d Brigade, 3d
Division of (Willcox) G Army Corps, and
joined the command at Annapolis, Md.
A year of service had already passed, but
"trouble" for the regiment had only begun.
The old Army of the Potomac was just
entering upon the ever memorable campaign
of 1864, upon the line on which Gen. Grant
proposed to fight it out if it took all summer. Crossing the Rapidan at Ely's Ford,
May 5,'and two days later came the awful
slaughter of the "Wilderness," the regiment
being engaged on both the 6th and 7th. Its
losses footed up seven killed and fourteen


wounded. Keeping in line May 9, Io, 12,
the regiment did valiant service at Spottsylvania, when thirty-four brave men of this
command yielded up their lives, and one
hundred and seventeen were wounded. The
gallant Major, John Piper, was among the
slain.
Col. DeLand was twice struck during the
fearful, bloody conflict of the I2th, but remained at his post bravely encouraging his
men by his personal heroism, until the close
of the battle.
North Anna, Bethesda Church, Cold Harbor and other engagements followed in rapid
succession, and in each of which the First
Sharpshooters took an active part, depleting their ranks in each engagement. Crossing the James river with the army during the
night of the i5th of June, the morning of
the I6th found the forces in front of Petersburg, the beginning of the seige which lasted till April 2 following. During the term
frequent reconnoitering parties were sent out.
Firing along the line was almost continuous day and night.  On the I6th, the day
of arrival before Petersburg, the regiment,
under command of Major Rhines, became
hotly engaged charging and holding the
enemy's works, repelling frequent and persistent efforts to retake them; two officers
and eighty-six men were captured by the
regiment, also the colors of the 35th North
Carolina. During the conflict the command
became almost, completely surrounded,-but
two alternatives were left-it must surrender or cut its way out. The latter was quickly decided upon. The colors were destroyed
to prevent their falling into the hands of
the enemy. It finally succeeded in rejoining
the army, not however, without severe loss.
Maj. Rhines fell gallantly leading his command. The casualties in this engagement
figured up, killed 31, wounded 46 and 84
missing.




244


PAST AND PRESENT


This was the darkest day in the history
of this regiment, and one never to be forgotten by the subject of this sketch. From this
date to July 30 the regiment lay in the advanced line of entrenchments.
Col. Deland had resumed his command
and led in a gallant charge of the brigade
on the rebel works simultaneously with the
"Mine Explosion." Mr. Coon, with several
comrades, entered the rebel fort and remained nearly all day. The main body of
troops, however, retired. The regiment suffered a loss of three men killed and thirteen
wounded; Col. DeLand being among the
wounded.   Captain Dicey and thirty-two
men were captured. Mr. Coon inclines to
the opinion, that had the advantage gained
been quickly followed up, a decided victory
might have resulted. August 19 the command was at Weldon R. R., and a few days
later at Reams Station, where it remained
until the latter part of September. At Poplar Spring Church the regiment became engaged September 30, losing two men killed
and Col. DeLand, and sixteen men wounded,
all of whom were left on the field, and fell
into the hands of the enemy, including the
wounded and brave DeLand. In this engagement our subject was wounded in the
left hand and back; the shoulder strap of his
knapsack was severed by a minnie ball-he
lost his haversack and cap, and his gun was
put out of commission while in his hands.
The regiment did effective service for
Gen. Hartranfts' brigade, October 2, at Pegram's Farm, and again on the 8th at Boydton Road. October 27 it took part in the
movement at South Side Railroad, it skirmished during the day with the enemy at
Hatcher's Run, losing five men wounded.
Returning to its old camp it remained
quietly in quarters till March 25, 1865,
when a portion of the regiment became engaged in repelling an assault on Fort Stead

man. In this engagement James S. Coon
received a severe shell wound in his right
hand, crippling him for life, and was also
wounded in the head by a small scale off
from an exploded shell. This bit of iron
he carried in his head for something like fifteen years, when it worked out. He was
sent to the hospital, but only remained over
night, when he joined his regiment, and remained with it till the final muster out.
Mr. Coon has to his credit participation
in twenty-one battles and skirmishes in addition to the long, weary months in the
trenches before Petersburg.
The colors of the First Michigan Sharpshooters were the first to flutter from the
court house after the City of Petersburg
fell into the hands of the union forces. By
order of Gen. Ralph Ely, commanding the
brigade, at precisely four o'clock and twenty-eight minutes p. m., April 3, the old banner was thrown to the breeze.
To add that the fortunes of the First
Michigan Sharpshooters were the fortunes
of our subject-that its experiences were
his experiences-that its battles and victories were his, is certainly a record of which
any man might feel a sense of pride, and a
most worthy legacy to hand down to posterity.
Our subject's brother, Amasa, who was a
member of the same company and regiment,
and up to September, I864, had gone
through the same campaigns, received a
severe wound September 30 from a piece of
shell, suffering the dislocation of his knee,
and the same day fell into the 'hands of
the enemy, as a prisoner of war. He was
taken to Saulsbury, where he was confined
for a time; was finally paroled and came
home with his regiment.  He never fully
recovered his health, and died about six
years later.  At the time of enlistment,
Amasa Coon was but fifteen years of age.




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


245


"We give him honor all the same
As those who fell amid the rain
Of shot and shell."
Mr. Coon's brother, Lewis, was a member of the I47th N. Y. Volunteers. His
command was assigned to the fifth corps.
He enlisted in August, 1863, and joined his
regiment at Brandy Station, Va., in the fall
of I863. He was with his regiment at the
"Wilderness" and "Spottsylvania," "Cold
Harbor," and all through the campaign of
i864., until June; he was wounded in the
left side by a minnie ball, near "Cold Harbor;" was sent to the hospital for a month,
when he returned to duty, and from that
date was with his regiment till the close of
the war, when he was honorably discharged
and mustered out with his command.
An uncle, Lewis Coon, enlisted in the
Fourth Michigan Cavalry, and after one and
one-half years' service with this dashing
regiment, fell a victim of disease and was
buried in a soldier's grave in the sunny
south, at Nashville, Tenn. Though it was
not for him to meet death on the field of
battle, amid the booming of cannon and the
rattle of musketry, yet, in the language of
the poet:
"As truly for his country's cause
He sacrificed his early all;
As truly earned her proud applause.
As truly answered duty's call."
Mr. J. S. Coon spent his boyhood days in
Jackson county. It was in the year I868
he came to Leslie, where he engaged in such
employment as he could secure. His ambition was to have a farm of his own, and to
this end he purchased forty acres of land, to
which he added as he prospered, until today, he is the happy possessor of one hundred and ten acres of good, tillable land.
under a profitable state of cultivation. The


buildings are substantial and attractive-a
pleasant country farm home.
August 6, 1865, Mr. Coon was married
to Miss Caroline, daughter of Daniel L.
and Ann McFarland. Mrs. Coon was born
in Laporte, Ind. Her father was a native of
Canada, the mother of New York. She was
the second of four children born to her parents, and was raised in Jackson county,
Michigan.
To Mr. and Mrs. J. S. Coon have been
born children as follows; six of whom are
living. Data respecting them is here given:
Anna B., born January 17, I867, died January 17, I895; Minnie A., born April Io,
I868, married E. D. J. Pixley of Jackson
county, died at the home of her parents
September 27, 1891; Ina P., born February 20, I870, died January 26, 1893; Ida
May, born December-2I, 1871, married Lester Eaton; William H., born September 13,
1873, died September 19, I875; Nellie E.,
born July I9, 1875, died May 30, I878;
Frank E., born December 13, 1877, married
Nellie Hurst; George B., born December 27,
1879, married Emma Mann; Elizabeth M.,
born March 4, I884; Edith A., born December I8, I886; Lala H., born November o0,
I89I.
Mr. Coon is a zealous Grand Army man,
being a member of Dewey Post No. 60 of
Leslie, and has occupied nearly every official
chair in the organization, which speaks volumes for his comradeship, and the fraternal
side of his nature.
Being the happy possessor of a fine farm
in Leslie township with good buildings and
up-to-date improvements, and with a sufficiency for the demands of the declining
years, he is enabled to view the past with a
degree of satisfaction that comes from the
contemplation of "duties met and well performed."
Deprived of the counsel and love of both




246


PAST AND PRESENT


parents while yet a youth, starting in life
handicapped from wounds received in battle,
he has reason for personal congratulation
upon the success that has attended his efforts.
Naturally inclined to the sunny side of
life, he is reaping as he has sown, and finds
pleasure in the harvest.
ARLINGTON A. BERGMAN.
Arlington A. Bergman was born October
3, 1870, in Jay Co., Indiana. His parents,
George and Elinor Bergman, had four children born to them, of which Arlington was
the second son. The names and dates of
birth of the others are as follows: Clement
T., December I2, 1867; Nora A., April 9,
1872, the wife of E. A. Hilliard, a resident
of Delhi township, Ingham   county, and
George C., March I, I875. At the tender
age of five years, Arlington was bereft of
his parents. His father died September I9,
1875, at the age of thirty-five and his
mother in October, I875, only a month later.
Our subject received his early education
in the district school, and having a natural
appetite for books, he made the most of his
opportunities, and at the age of seventeen
secured a certificate and began teaching
school in the country. For the following
eight years teaching was his business, and
after some years in the country he was employed in the graded village schools in Mercer Co., Ohio. This was not to be his life's
work-he had greater ambitions, and teaching to him was a means to a desired end.
He secured books and occupied his spare moments reading law. He placed himself under
the tutorage of Hon. J. J. M. LaFollette,
Dept. U. S. Attorney for the District of Indiana, and in the year I897, on February
22d, was admitted to the bar at Portland,
Ind. Not being satisfied with his equipment,


he entered the Normal University at Eastman, Ind., from which he graduated with
honor, June 27, I899, and was admitted to
practice in the supreme court in that state.
Only a few days later, July I2th of the same
year, he was admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of Michigan, and afterwards
hung out his shingle for business in the City
of Mason.
Mr. Bergman is an impressive speaker,
and when he talks "the people hear him
gladly." He has built up a good practice
and is growing in popular favor.  He is
City Attorney, and his admiring friends
made him the Democratic nominee for the
responsible office of Prosecuting Attorney
in 1904.
Mr. Bergman rather prides himself on the
fact that his athletic sport, while in college,
was largely sawing wood with a buck-saw,
though not entirely from choice.
Mr. Bergman is a member of the fraternal
organization of the K. P. and has occupied
all the chairs in the order officially and is
now past chancellor. He is also an Elk.
His people were members of the Evangelical
church, and while he has no church relations, he is in full sympathy with every
means and effort for a better and higher
Christian civilization.
PHILO L. DANIELS (DECEASED).
Among the earlier settlers of Central
Michigan, it is hardly too much to say that
there are few who exercised throughout life
a stronger influence or have left a more enduring impression upon the minds and
hearts of their associates and acquaintances
than Philo L. Daniels.  He was born in
Berlin township, Erie county, Ohio, December I5, I836. He remained a resident of the
locality of his birth until I86I, which year
witnessd his arrival in Ingham county. His




ARLANGTO)N A. BERGMAAN








INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


247


early education was acquired at the district
schools of his locality and later supplemented
by a course at Oberlin College at Oberlin,
Ohio.
Upon our subject's arrival in Lansing in
the year above mentioned he became identified with the livery business which he successfully continued until I867. Disposing
of this property he engaged in the real estate
and ice business, in which he continued for
forty consecutive years. Various other enterprises demanded Mr. Daniels' attention,
as he also owned and operated a valuable
farming property near the M. A. C., comprising one hundred acres. In the conduct
of this place he took individual pride, as he
was a great lover of fine stock and raised a
great many thoroughbred horses and also
Holstein cattle. In later years he was also
identified with the dairy business and in
1882 embarked in the drug trade in which
he continued until 1903.
In I855 Philo L. Daniels was united in
marriage to Miss Emeline E. Fisher, daughter of John Lewis and Letitia Maria Fisher,
who were both natives of New York. It
was in this state that Mrs. Daniels spent the
first sixteen years of her life and then, accompanying her parents, moved to Ohio.
Her education was principally acquired at
Albany, N. Y., and in Ohio she successfully
taught in the district schools prior to her
marriage.  Mr. Daniels affiliated with the
Republican party, believing its men and
measures best qualified for good government.
Forty-three years have passed since Philo
L. Daniels became a resident of Lansing and
Ingham county. The part which he took in
the struggles and labors and successes of
pioneer times and all the many acts of kindness and little deeds of charity and benevolence, and the temperate and consistent life
he led are matters of history and will be


recognized by all who knew him. Not a
few there are who can say that to his kindness and indulgence they are indebted in a
large degree. Settling here in the early history of his adopted State, he contributed
much to making it what it is, desirable for
situation. He died at his home on the ioth
day of August, 1903, and is interred in Mt.
Hope Cemetery. Mr. Daniels devoted much
of his time to matters connected with the
growth of Lansing and invested his means
in the development of property, having
built four stores in this city. He was one of
the principal promoters of the Central Michigan Agricultural Fair and bought the first
life membership ticket. He was a man of
genuine worth and stood high in the community where he so long made his home and
those who knew him best were numbered
among his warmest friends and no citizen of
Lansing or Inglham county was more highly
respected.
Since the death of her husband, Mrs.
Daniels has successfully superintended the
settlement of the business affairs and in this
has shown herself to be a business woman of
exceptional capability. She was made administratrix of the estate. She still resides
in Lansing in her pleasant home, surrounded
ly hosts of friends, who are coextensive with
her acquaintance.
CHARLES J. DAKIN.
The subject of this sketch, Charles J.
Dakin, was born September 8, 1868, in Ingham township. He is the son of Jacob and
Adelaide (Woods) Dakin, who were natives of Michigan. The father was born
August 3, 1838, and the mother August 6,
I840. In perusing the genealogy of the
Dakin family, we find that their genealogical record dates from 0o66 A. D., and that
persons of that name came over from Nor



248


PAST AND PRESENT


mandy with William the Conqueror, and
from that time until 1875 they figured conspicuously in English history. Sir Thomas
Dakin, being Lord Mayor of London from
I870 to I871. The first Dakins that came
to America, were John Dakin and his wife,
Alice, who sailed on the sailing vessel "Abigail," and settled at Lyon, Mass., in I635.
Elisha and Johnson Dakin, descendants of
John and Alice Dakin, emigrated to Duchess
Co., N. Y., and enlisted from there in the
Continental army in the year I777. Joseph,
Samuel, Thomas, Jonathan and Peter Dakin,
other descendants of John and Alice Dakin,
enlisted from different localities of Massachusetts, at dates ranging from 1775 to
I779. The genealogy of the Dakin family
of Ingham county trace their ancestry from
Elisha Dakin of Duchess county, N. Y.
Jacob Dakin came to Ingham county in
1840 with his father, and engaged in the
business of farming. He later purchased
one hundred and sixty acres of land in Ingham  township, which he improved and
brought to a high state of cultivation. Politically, Mr. Dakin is allied with the Democracy.
Charles J. Dakin is the second of a family
of six children, and was educated in the district schools, at the Dansville high school
and Cleary's Business College at Ypsilanti,
Michigan. At the age of twenty-two years
Charles Dakin purchased seventy-seven
acres of land in Ingham township; he lived
here four years, then sold and bought eighty
acres in Wheatfield township, and later
bought forty acres more, which was partly
improved, and with the characteristic energy
and ambition of the Dakin family soon
brought the place to a high state of cultivation, and now has one hundred and twenty
acres of well improved land.
January 2, 189I, Chas. Dakin was united
in marriage to Luella Benton, daughter of


James and Amelia (Hilton) Benton, the
former being a native of Saratoga, N. Y.,
and the latter of Kent county, Mich. Mr.
Benton came to Michigan in I857, and soon
after married and settled on eighty acres of
unimproved land in Kent county.    Mrs.
Dakin's father died November I, 1872, and
the mother is yet alive.
Our subject has been a member of the
Baptist church for twelve years, to which he
gives his hearty support. Politically, he
is allied with the Democratic party, and has
represented his town as Drain Commissioner for one term, and is serving the fifth term
as Supervisor.
Charles J. Dakin's farm of one hundred
and twenty acres gives abundant evidence
that he understands the business of a farmer, and that he has the enterprise and energy
essential to keeping his estate in good condition, and making it abundantly productive.
CHARLES F. DANA.
Among the prominent and successful
farmers of Leroy township, Ingham county,
is the enterprising man whose name appears
at the head of this sketch. Charles F. Dana
was born in the township in which he now
lives, January I9, I866, and is the son of
Hiram J. and Alice B. Dana, born in I830
and 1845, respectively. The father was engaged in the occupation of a farmer and
came to Michigan in 1837, and first located
in Leroy township in I858 and bought forty
acres of timbered land. From time to time
he added to his possession, until at the time
of his death he owned three hundred and
ninety-seven acres of highly cultivated land.
Hiram  Dana was three times married,
first at the age of twenty years, second he
was thirty years of age, and the last marriage occurred about fourteen years ago.
The parents were members of the Congrega







M. F. BATES




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


249


tional church and the father was a staunch
Democrat. He died Nov. I6, I894.
Charles Dana is one of ten children born
to his parents, and the second in order of
birth. tie acquired his education in the district schools of Leroy township and later attended the Williamston High School. He
started out for himself at the age of twentytwo by buying a farm of forty acres from
his father. The land was in fairly good condition, but he has improved it, and now
owns ninety-five acres of rich farming land.
Charles Dana was united in marriage in
1885 to Ella Rockwell, and one child came
to bless this union, Oswald. The mother
(lied Nov. 9, I888. Our subject was again
married in 1890 to Miss Lillie Geisinger, and
they are the parents of four children: Myra
May, Lelia Bell, and the twins, Vera and
Vernor.
Our subject's grandfather, Alvin Oran,
named Leroy township. In 1837, when the
country was wild, inhabited mostly by Indians and wild game, our subject's grandfather and his wife and his wife's grandfather came to Michigan and located the
farm upon which they now reside.
Charles F. Dana is an active Democrat
and fraternally is allied with the Gleaners
and the Grangers in Leroy. He is a highly
respected man in his community.
M. F. BATES,
LANSING.
M. F. Bates, organizer of the Bates &
Edmonds Motor Company and of the Bates
Automobile Company, as well as an inventor of note in the specialty of gas and gasoline engines, is a native of Calhoun county,
Michigan, and was born in the year I869.
He is the son of B. D. and Betsy A. Bates,
his father being also a Wolverinite, and, by
trade, a blacksmith. He is still living-a


proud witness of his son's marked success
in the industrial field, which he and his boy
commenced to cultivate nearly twenty years
ago.
Our subject was brought up in Calhoun
county, Michigan, where he received his
early education, and, where, while yet a boy,
he was granted a patent on an improved land
roller in 1887, and at once he and his father
began the manufacture of the device, placing several hundred of the machines on the
market. The ambitious boy realized, however, that to make the most of himself and
his inventions, he must obtain a practical
training as a mechanic. He therefore entered the machine shop of the Olds Works,
at Lansing. From the first day of his employment there he was thoroughly in earnest.
He had a definite object in view, and he
never rested, night or day, or holidays, until
he had become a thorough machinist. More
than that, he became an expert draftsman,
making patterns and drawings, especially for
gasoline engines.
Mr. Bates finally invented the first gasoline engine used by the company, trading
his invention for stock in the P. F. Olds &
Son. He is also the inventor of a two-cycle
boat engine, which is manufactured by the
Smalley Motor Company of Bay City, Michigan.
After remaining with the Olds Company
for six years Mr. Bates severed his connection with the firm, and, in April, I899, organized the Bates & Edmonds Motor Company, of which he is the president, and with
Mr. Edmonds is the real power behind the
large and rapidly growing industry. When
the company was first organized it employed
only three men, and the capacity of the
works was only four engines monthly; it
now employs one hundred men and its output is two hundred monthly. To keep up
with orders the factory is in operation night




250


PAST AND PRESENT


and day, turning out the up-to-date gas and
gasoline engines, which are the result of the
president's ingenuity, and upon which he has
been granted patents by the Government.
He is also vice-president of the Bates
Automobile Company, which is in the general manufacturing business in that line.
A consideration of the above bare record
indicates rare executive and inventive ability
on the part of Mr. Bates; a rare genius, in
fact, for realizing financial results from the
products of his thought and mechanical
skill. Little idea, however, can be given of
the grim determination which has accomplished these results, the hours of over-time
which he passed as a machinist; his persistent studies to improve his general education
and business knowledge at the Scranton
Night School, and a hundred other ways by
which he "kept everlastingly at it," and
wrenched success out of a thousand difficulties; little idea can be given of all this, without far overstepping our bounds.
In I896 Mr. Bates was married to Miss
Celesta Thomas of Lansing. They have two
children: Ralph and Louise. Both husband
and wife are members of the Presbyterian
church.
GEORGE DUNCKEL.
When the early settlers of any township
have been men of character and ability, men
who respected themselves and the laws of
God and man, and who were inspired with a
noble ambition to provide for their children
and their children's children, we may be sure
that grand foundation has been laid for the
uplifting of that place. Such a foundation
was given to Locke township by the coming
of men like George Dunckel, who ranks
among the oldest settlers here.
This successful farmer and citizen was
born July 29, I829 in Ontario county, and


was the son of Nicholas F. and Catherine
(Countryman) Dunckel. The father was a
mechanic and farmer and came to Michigan
when it was yet a territory. He first located
in Wayne county in the fall of I834, and then
moved to Livingston county, and in 1842
moved to section 27, Locke township, where
he bought one hundred and sixty acres of
land, but only retained eighty on a contract.
This land he improved, and then lought
forty acres on section 27 and sold it. The
mother being poorly they came to their son's
home and lived with him until their death.
The father and mother are interred in the
Rowley cemetery at Locke.
George Dunckel is one of twelve children and out of the eleven who grew to man
and womanhood only three are living. Our
subject was educated in a little log schoolhouse of his district. When twenty-one
years old he started out for himself by purchasing forty acres of land on section 27 and
eighty on section 25 in Locke township,
where but little improvement had been made.
By reason of strict attention to business and
his ambition to succeed he has prospered and
today is the owner of three hundred and
twenty acres of the best farming land in the
community.
Mr. Dunckel was twice married, first to
Lydia Hill and to this marriage seven children were born, of whom three are dead.
July 21, 1883, he was again married to Henrietta Fairbanks, daughter of Ferris G. and
Marguerite Fairbanks, The father died in
the army and the mother, who was an active
member of the M. E. church, passed away in
the year 1889.
To Mr. and Mrs. George Dunckel were
born two children: Leon Mose, born March
28, I886, and Howard Wiest, born May 23,
I898.
Our subject early in life was a Whig but
joined the Republican party on its organiza



INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN


251


tion. He cast his first vote for General
Scott, the next for John   C. Fremont
and has been a strong Republican since
that time. He has been honored with the
position  of Town   Treasurer for nine
terms, Supervisor for four terms, also was
Superintendent of the Poor for three years.
Mr. Dunckel is active in politics and always
studies the needs of the community and the
characteristics of the men before using his
ballot to place them in office. Mr. Dunckel
is one of the oldest living settlers of Locke
township and his value to the community has
not been measured simply by his activities,
although they have been great, but by his influence for good in moral, social and industrial spheres. He has lived sixty-two years
in this township and has seen the county in
all its stages of advancement and progress.
Mr. and Mrs. Dunckel are highly honored
and respected people of their community.
JAMES E. FERGUSON, ESQ.
Among the citizens of Mason of good repute for uprightness of character and unquestionable integrity, enjoying the respect
and confidence of the public generally is the
time-honored justice of the peace, James E.
Ferguson.
Mr. Ferguson was born in the Empire
State in Galen, Wayne county, June I7th,
I822.
He was the son of Jacob and Fannie Ferguson, the second in a family of eight children, named respectively, John, James E.,
George, Nelson, Amos, Mary, Margaret and
Pamelia.
Mr. Ferguson grew to manhood upon his
father's farm, securing such education as
was afforded in the district schools at that
day. His father being a pioneer settler, Mr.
Ferguson attended school in the first institution of learning erected in that vicinity. The


building was also used for church purposes.
Having always been something of a reader,
his general knowledge coupled with fair discrimination has given him efficiency in his
court practice which has been quite extensive, extending over a period of twelve years.
Self possessed and with quiet, unassuming
dignity, his is an ideal justice court.
As an illustration of the progress in methods of farming within the scope of a single
life, Mr. Ferguson relates with some degree
of pride that he recalls the fact that he
threshed out his father's oat crop with a flail,
this he did nights and mornings, attending
school during the day.
April 7, I843, he was united in marriage
to Elisabeth Vandercook, purchased forty
acres of land and launched out at farming
for himself, settling in Rose township,
W-ayne county, New York. This was but a
few miles from his paternal home.
As the years went by, six children came to
bless their home and lives. Their names are
Josephine, Jacob, Joseph Ene, Barney G.,
Albertine and Fannie.
He added improvements to his little farm
in the way of building, cleaning up and fencing and after six years sold the place and in
1854 took Horace Greeley's advice and came
west to Michigan and settled upon a farm
of 360 acres in Jackson county.
Here he broadened out his farming operations and for twelve years he managed this
estate adding improvements year by year.
The opportunity came and he sold out and
for a time rented a large farm, raising grain
and stock.
In I886 he retired from farming, moved to
Mason and engaged in the grocery trade
which he followed for some years, and upon
his election as justice of the peace, closed out
his business, devoting himself entirely to the
duties of his office for the past twelve years.
Mr. Ferguson affiliates with the Demo



252


PAST AND PRESENT


cratic party, but was never esteemed as an
offensive partisan.
His wife died April 8, I899. His children
long since grown to man and womanhood
have gone into the world to build homes for
themselves.
Regarded with respect, and enjoying the
good will of his townsmen, he is going down
the western slope leaving behind a record for
rectitude and virtue worthy of emulation.
CALVIN FOSTER.
Calvin Foster, whose home is in Williamston township, is one of the representative farmers of Ingham county. Thorough,
systematic and progressive, he has met with
success in his chosen calling and has risen
to a position among the substantial citizens
of his community, being now the owner of
a well improved and valuable farm of one
hundred and eight acres, where he and his
worthy wife now reside.
Our subject was born in Williamston
township, May 21, 1873, the son of John
C. and Eliza (Cumming) Foster, the father
being born in England in November, 1813,
and the mother, also a native of England,
was born in 1829. Thinking that opportunities were better for advancement in the
New World, our subject's father left the
parental roof and came to America. Before
this, however, John C. Foster was united
in marriage to Eliza Cumming, who had
one brother, George Povey, who settled in
Meridian township. Settling in Williamston township on a partly cleared farm, which
by industry and faithfulness, he greatly improved, he and his. wife made this their
home until their death. John C., the father,
was a Democrat in his political convictions,
but never held any office.
Unto this union were born nine children,
two of whom are now living: Esther, the


wife of Isaac Piper of Meridian township,
and our subject, whose early education was
acquired in the district schools of Williamston. Calvin Foster lived on the home farm
with his parents until their death, when he
rented the farm and on May 12, 1904, was
united in marriage to Miss Viola Boam,
born in Meridian township, May 25, I882,
being the daughter of Andrew and Louisa
(Burtraw) Boam, now living in Meridian
township, the former born in Michigan,
October 13, I851, and the latter November
12, 1854. Our subject's wife was one of
seven children, five of whom are living.
The grandparents of Mr. Calvin Foster,
who originally came from England, were
among the pioneer settlers of Ingham
county.
The subject of this review, following in
the footsteps of his father, affiliates with the
Democracy, and is an active member of the
Gleaners..Mr. Calvin Foster, though but
a young man in years, has lived a life of
industry and usefulness and has gained
the confidence and respect of all with whom
he has been brought in contact.
DR. M. COAD.
The subject of this sketch was born in
Eastport, Maine, in 1836. His father, English; his mother, of Scotch ancestry.
Dr. Coad received his education in his
native town, after which he went to Massachusetts, where he took up the study of
medicine, and was a student at the time of
the breaking out of the War of the Rebellion. In I862 he was enrolled as a private
soldier in the 52d Massachusetts Infantry,
Co. F. His abilities being recognized and
the demands for surgeons being great, he
was detailed assistant surgeon for a time;
later he was commissioned by General
Banks as assistant surgeon of the 76th




DR. M. COAD




I




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


253


Colored Troops, acting in this capacity until
some months after the final closing of the
war. He was mustered out of service and
honorably discharged, December 31, I865.
Following the close of the war, he completed his education at Berkshire Medical
College in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, and at
Brooklyn, N. Y.   His experience in the
Brooklyn Hospital in I866 and during his
term of service has been of great advantage
to him in private practice in later years. In
I868 he came to Michigan and settled in
Williamston, where he has since practiced
his profession, in which he has met with
more than average success.
In I870 Dr. Coad was married to Miss
Alice E., daughter of Mr. and Mrs. L. C.
Miles of Fenton, Michigan, and to them have
been born two children: Grace E., the wife
of T. L. Burger of Chicago, and Kate M., a
student at the M. A. C.
Dr. Coad has kept pace with the progress
of his profession, as a member of the County
and State Medical Societies. For some years
he did practically all the surgical work in
his locality. The doctor has always been
identified with the growth and development of the various enterprises of the village, taking a lively interest in educational
matters. He has served as village President
for five years. He was elected to the State
Legislature in I897, as a Democrat, and
served upon various important committees.
Fraternally, Dr. Coad is a Mason, A. O.
U. W. and G. A. R. The confidence and
esteem of his fellow-men in him is verified
in the fact of his election as a member of
the School Board for twenty-seven consecutive years. Dr. Coad has always been strong
in the councils of his party and a trusted
leader. His correctness of deportment and
uprightness of life have won for him many
admiring friends. Mrs. Coad is a lady of
culture and a helper in every good work for


the betterment of society. She is a member
of the Episcopal church.
A. S. BENNETT.
A. S. Bennett, secretary and manager of
the Peerless Motor Works, manufacturers
of gas and gasoline engines, is a native of
Indiana, as he was born at Lake Station,
that state, in 1865.
He is a son of William and Ann Bennett
of New York.    William  Bennett having
been engaged for many years in the insurance business at St. Johns, Clinton county,
Mich., where he located in I854, and died
in I893. The mother now resides at Whitmore Lake.
The early education of our subject was
acquired in the common schools of St.
Johns, and he remained in that city until
sixteen years of age, where he found employment with the Auto-Body Works, then
conducted by W. B. Stone & Co. Here he
remained for the following three years, and
then found a position with the Capitol
Wagon Company, remaining with this concern throughout the remainder of its existence.
He, later, became identified with the Hildreth Motor Company, holding the position
of secretary, and originating the gas engine,
which this concern now manufactures.  It
is especially adapted for electric lighting
purposes. As stated, Mr. Bennett is now
the secretary of the Peerless Motor Works,
incorporated as a stock company August I3.
I903, with the following officers: Lawrence
Price, president; J. Gansley, vice president;
Lewis Sattler, treasurer, and our subject,
secretary and manager. A new plant has
been erected, and the company has become
an important manufacturing factor of Lansing, employing a good force of men, having a capacity of five engines per day.




254


PAST AND PRESENT


Mr. Bennett was married March i.5, 1887,
to Miss Jessie TenEyck of Lansing, a
daughter of C. P. and H. E. TenEyck.
A. S. Bennett affiliates with the Democracy, and is an active member of the Masonic fraternity. He is likewise a member
of the Royal Arcanum and of the Elks.
Viewed from a business standpoint, Mr.
Bennett is considered one of Lansing's enterprising and successful citizens, standing
deservedly high in the estimation of his fellowmen.
GARRETT DUBOIS (DECEASED).
Among the earliest settlers in the Township of Alaiedon was Jacob DuBois. The
impress of the man and his family was such
as to ever after characterize the community
as one of the morality and to this day the
traveler, inquiring for the DuBois settlement, finds no trouble in receiving directions.
Garrett DuBois was the son of Jacob and
Sarah (Buck) DuBois.    He was born in
Marble, Ulster county, New York, February 8, I806. In I8Io they moved from Ulster to Delaware county. The family consisted of twelve children, nine of whom
lived to years of maturity. It was in the
year 1837 that Jacob with two of his sons
came West and settled upon wild lands in
Alaiedon township.
Our subject received his early education
in the common schools in Delaware county,
N. Y., and when old enough assisted his
father in farming and also helped about the
mill, which his father operated, manufacturing lumber. He used also to assist in rafting logs on the river. In 1832 he was united in marriage to Miss Lucy, daughter of
Mr. and Mrs. Israel Chapman of Delaware
county, N. Y. Mrs. DuBois was born January I8, 1807, and the year after their mar

riage they moved to Wayne county, Pa., and
he entered the employment of his fatherin-law in his extensive lumber business.
Hearing from his father and brothers a
glowing account of the future possibilities
of this new country, he decided to join them.
He purchased a team of horses and an outfit, packed in their belongings and made the
journey of seven hundred miles in nineteen
days. Upon his arrival he located six lots
of land, situated on section thirty-five in the
neighborhood where his father had previously located. Upon this he made considerable improvement and resided there until
1855, when he disposed of his holdings and
located on a farm of one hundred and sixty
acres in Bunker Hill township, without improvements which he had bought in 1852.
He put up a frame shanty and began clearing the land; in fact, he had done some
clearing and sold off one crop of forty acres
of wheat before moving onto the land. At
the time of his death he owned one of the attractive farm homes of the township. The
farm is situated upon what is commonly
known as Felts Plains, and the original
shanty is still standing.  He also built a
frame barn in Alaiedon in I842 and a frame
house in I845, which were probably the first
frame buildings in that town.  They are
still standing and in service.
To Mr. and Mrs. DuBois were born seven
children: James, November, I832, is married, a farmer and resides in Eaton county;
Amasa, April, 1835, bereft of his wife, is
now a resident of Traverse City, Michigan;
Jacob C., December, 1837, married, and resides in Kansas; Roswell C., died in infancy;
Adelia, born in 1842, lived on the home
place, also her sister Emily, born in I844;
Ann, born in I846, died in I864. Mr. DuBois passed away in September of the year
1884, at the ripe old age of seventy-eight
and one-half years, loved and respected by








a
d.:S::::::::: 


GARRETT DUB OIS (Deceased)




::~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~~~~~~~~~~l 




\[RS. GARRETT DUBOIS (Deceased)




I




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


255


all who knew him. His wife died in August,
1894, at the age of eighty-seven. They were
buried in the cemetery near the Felts schoolhouse on Felts Plains.
Upon the death of the parents, the old
homestead passed into the hands of two
maiden sisters, Adelia and Emily, who have
since carried on the farming. The family
have always been recognized leaders in the
social and church work, giving to the cause
of religion their first thought and effort.
The M. E. church, to which they belong has
always received from them cheerful and
loyal support.
Few families have exerted a more potent
influence for good. Long years after their
names have ceased to be spoken will the influence of their lives be felt in the community in which they resided.
ELBRIDGE A. DRYER,
LANSING TOWNSHIP.
Elbridge A. Dryer was born in the Township of White Oak, Ingham county, May
18, I84I. He is the son of Hon. William
A. and Betsey H. (Newell) Dryer. Hon.
William A. Dryer was one of the earliest
settlers of Ingham county, and his name is
intimately associated with the growth and
development of the county for more than
half a century after he came here. A very
complete sketch of William A. Dryer's early
pioneer life, written by himself, is found
elsewhere in this voltrme, and after his removal to Lansing from the scenes of his
pioneer struggles, his connection with public affairs is not given, a few incidents of
which follow: He was engaged for a time
in a general store for himself. In 1852 he
exchanged his store and village property for
one hundred and eighty-five acres of land on
section 7 in Lansing township. The land
was but partly cleared with no buildings.


He erected a comfortable farm house and
barns, putting the premises generally in good
condition. He was known as a progressive
and successful farmer for many years, keeping choice herds of cattle and other improved stock. Mr. Dryer, the father of our
subject, was a man of fine social qualities,
bearing a character above reproach, always
enjoying the confidence and respect of the
public. This was manifested by 'the many
positions of trust and responsibility to which
he was elected by his fellow citizens. A few
years prior to his death he disposed of the
homestead and moved to the City of Lansing, where he spent the declining years of
his life in quiet, with the realization of a
life's duty well done. He was a life-long
Republican, and a pillar in the M. E. church,
of which he was a member for many years.
Our subject takes pride in the fact that his
father was present at the birth of the Republican party "Under the Oaks" at Jackson.
He was for twelve years a member of the
Board of Supervisors, most of the time as
Chairman. The longevity of the family was
quite remarkable. William A. Dryer died
at the age of eighty-three years and the
three maiden sisters, who made their home
throughout life with him, lived to a ripe old
age, Margaret died at the age of eightyeight, Mary was seventy-seven and Delia
was ninety-two.
Elbridge A. Dryer was the third in a familv of seven children. He remained at home
with his father until the time of his marriage, which occurred November 25, 1863,
to Eleanor Moon. Her parents were early
settlers in Eaton county, coming there in
1853. Her father died in 1864 and her
mother in I9OI.   After his marriage he
worked on the home farm for seven years.
He then moved to Beechbrook farm, owned
by J. E. Warner, his brother-in-law, which
he worked for five years. He then bought




256


PAST AND PRESENT


forty acres of land on section 7, Lansing
township, this being but slightly improved
at the time.  He has since erected commodious buildings and made all modern improvements and here he resides.
Mr. Dryer styles himself a liberal Republican.  He has never been ambitious for
place or public office, yet his fellow townsmen have honored him by his election to the
office of Commissioner of Highways.
To Mr. and Mrs. Dryer have been born
two children: Howe, born March 7, I866,
is married and lives in Delta township,
Eaton county; Elbridge Adelbert, Jr., born
May 28, I868, is married and resides at
Washington, D. C.
Mr. and Mrs. Dryer are consistent members of the M. E. church, to which they
cheerfully contribute their means to its support. Mr. Dryer is among the most respected citizens of his township, enjoying to a
good degree the confidence of his fellowmen.
LEWIS FOLER.
A progressive farmer in Wheatfield township is the man whose name introduces this
sketch. He was born May 20, 1844, in Prussia, the son of Christian and Marie Foler.
The father and mother were natives of Germany. Our subject is one of ten children
born to his parents and was the next to the
youngest. He acquired his education in the
common schools of Germany, and when seventeen years of age came to Michigan and
worked by the month on a farm for five
years. From his savings he bought seventyfour acres of land, all woods, which he
cleared and improved, and purchased more
land, from time to time, until today owns
one hundred and thirty-seven acres.
Mr. Foler casts his vote with the Republican party and in his religious views is
found active in the Lutheran church.


Our subject was married Jan. 15, I869,
to Kate Liesenfeld, of Lansing, and to this
union were born five children, three of whom
are living: Lillie, born August 13, 1870,
married Charles Darrow, and lives in Alaiedon; Frank, born Sept. 24, 1875, married
Mercie Robinson, and lives in Wheatfield,
and Stella, born Dec. 13, 1879, married
Charles Price, of Vevay township.  The
mother of this family died in I888, and our
subject was again married in I89I to Louise
Sipfley, daughter of Fred Sipfley, who early
settled in Washtenaw county.
Mrs. Foler's father died in I888, and her
mother is still living in Mason, Michigan.
To the second marriage was born one
child, Bertha, June 13, I896.
Mr. Foler is a successful farmer to whom
credit is due for having made his way
through life unaided.
A. L. HARLOW,
LANSING.
A. L. Harlow, the founder of the National
Supply Company and the originator of a
cooperative mail order business, which embraces some most unique features (to be
hereafter described), is a native of Dewitt,
Clinton county, Michigan, and was born in
I868. His parents were Henry and Elizabeth Harlow, his father, a farmer, coming to
Michigan at an early day and settling in that
county, where he died in I888. There were
four children in the family, and the future
prophet of cooperation and cheap prices for
the necessities and comforts of life early
commenced to glean his facts, which were to
be the basis of a great practical system, from
the rugged storehouse of experience.
The boy left Clinton Co. when only nine
years of age and made his home in Shaftsburg, where he was reared and educated.
When a youth he began running an emery




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


257


wheel for E. Bement and then, for a year
and a half, clerked in a general store at
North Lansing. In his young manhood his
prominent connection with Grange stores
opened his eyes to the necessity of dealing
more directly with the people than was possible under the prevailing business methods.
After managing a Grange store for about
three years, at Lansing, he formed a partnership in the business under the firm name of
Harlow  & Peabody.   Their transactions,
which covered a period of two years, were
extensive and profitable.
Mr. Harlow then commenced to branch
out as an independent merchant of large caliber, imbued with original and progressive
ideas and possessed of the practical genius
to carry them into execution. He first established a carriage, harness and implement
business, which he pushed for four years
with such success that he finally owned and
operated establishments in Lansing, North
Lansing and Dewitt. But the panic of I893
caught him with business too greatly expanded and he lost not only his capital, but
became involved $8,000 in debt. His next
experience seemed a necessary step to enable him to evolve from hard facts the system of which he is the acknowledged father.
During the following three years he followed the fortunes of a commercial traveler, being a salesman for E. Bement's Sons.
In association with Mr. Merfield our subject next organized the Michigan Distributing Company, the forerunner of the business
of which he is now the inspiring and developing force. After about a year he sold his
interest to his partner, and, having paid all
the old claims against him resulting from his
failure of I893, he placed before the public
his co-operative plans and organized the
National Supply Company. When he started his present enterprise his capital was only
$1,500. With this sum he erected a large
17


brick store, being obliged to borrow money
to pay his working force. His plans with
direct buyers were, however, presented so
earnestly and forcibly, by means of pamphlets, catalogues and other printed matter,
that the people patronized the store with constantly increasing liberality, and before long
the stanch business men themselves became
his associates and enthusiastic champions.
The business expanded so rapidly as to make
incorporation necessary, this move being effected June Io, 1903. The accommodations
for its transaction have been expanded by
making a large addition to the original building and by erecting another structure equal
in size to this entire establishment. These
two enormous stores are now filled with
goods of every description to the point of
overflowing, and orders by mail from buyers all over the country are increasing at almost a bewildering rate.
The stockholders of the National Supply
Co. met at their office in this city on Monday
Jan. I5, and elected their officers for the
coming year and transacted other business.
After the reading of the financial statement
it was decided to declare a dividend of 6 per
cent, leaving a good surplus in the reserve
fund, on which to conduct the business the
following year.
This company has been organized but a
little over a year and, it is stated, has made a
remarkable showing for so short a time, surpassing all other mail order houses in the
size of its first catalogue and the variety of
goods handled at the commencement. Already its quarters are too small, and plans
are being made for extensive additions to its
building in the city. For this purpose the
stockholders voted to increase the capital
stock by issuing $25,000 of 7 per cent preferred stock, the record of the past year's
business warranting such action.
The directors-A. A. Wilbur of Lansing,




258


PAST AND PRESENT


C. T. Maines of Flint, A. L. Harlow of
Lansing, A. C. Davis of Lansing, C. A.
Lawrence of Owosso, Dr. C. L. Barber of
Lansing, George Hagamier of Lansing, and
J. F. Lewis of Lansing-are all shrewd and
careful business men, and it is believed, with
their management, the company has a very
bright future before it.
At a meeting of the directors A. L. Harlow was elected president, Dr. C. L. Barber
vice president, J. F. Lewis treasurer, A. C.
Davis secretary and C. E. Rogers assistant
secretary.
A new and larger catalogue, with added
departments, is now being prepared, as the
demand for the first issue of Io,ooo was so
great that the supply is entirely exhausted.
This concern was incorporated with a capital of $75,000.  The profit-sharing life
membership bonds of the Co-operative Society are divided into shares of ten dollars
each. They are non-assessable and entitle
their holder to a ten per cent discount on all
goods purchased at the catalogue price,
which is itself usually twenty-five per cent
below the average figure in vogue among
merchants who pay from the profits of their
business. Those salaries of salesmen both
in their establishments and on the road,
which are saved by the co-operative mail
order system. Members who procure from
their relatives, friends and non-members
orders for goods selected from the company's
catalogue are allowed a commission of five
per cent. If a person has not the ready cash
to become a life member he may do so by
clubbing together with his neighbors and
sending in to the company a catalogue order
amounting to $Ioo. Every four months
each member receives a statement showing
the commission discount, etc., which is due
him, with a check for the amount. If goods
purchased are not satisfactory they are returned and money refunded, with all trans

portation charges. The business transacted
is strictly on a cash basis. There are many
interesting details which might be given, explanatory of this successful co-operative enterprise so largely a product of Mr. Harlow's
experience, thought and foresight, but for
the full literature on the subject direct connection should be established with the National Supply Company.
Again reverting to personal matters it may
be added that Mr. Harlow is known politically as a Republican. His wife was formerly Miss Florence Tubbs, a native of Lansing. Their one child, Myrtle, is nine years
old.
J. N. ELLIOTT (DECEASED).
A greater portion of the life of the gentleman whose biography we give below has
been devoted to agricultural calling.  In
1883, however, he retired from the active
pursuits of this class of labor and came to
the Village of Leslie and erected a fine residence, where he lived until his death, July 6,
1898.
J. N. Elliott was born near Rives Township, May 23, I844, and was the son of
Oliver and Rebecca Elliott.  The greater
portion of his boyhood days was spent in
this locality and on the home farm. Starting
out for himself, the first year he bought a
farm of eighty acres in Onondaga township,
Ingham county, and the next year added
forty more, where he lived one year. After
a residence on the farm of ten and one half
years, he moved into Leslie and busied himself with looking after the farming properties of himself and wife.
Our subject was married in February of
the year 1871 to Miss Marcelia, daughter of
Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Parker of Aurelius
Township, who was a farmer, born in New
York. He emigrated to Michigan in I847




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


259


and settled in Aurelius township, when Mrs.
Elliott was but six months old and located
on a farm with but few improvements, their
home being the log cabin of the day. There
were three children in this family: Francis
Mi., married Julius Vaughan, Guy C., lives
near the old homestead, and our subject's
wife.
In political preference, Mr. Elliott was a
Democrat and used his influence and vote in
the service of that party. He was for a time
a member of the village council in Leslie.
Starting out in life with no pecuniary aid,
Mr. Elliott, by his energy, ability and strict
attention to business, amassed a comfortable
competence and was the owner of a fine
farming property of one hundred and forty
acres, which Mrs. Elliott still looks after,
along with the two farms which are numbered among her possessions.
Mrs. Elliott is an active member of the
Congregational church, and socially, is connected with the Eastern Star. Her father
was a Mason and a Republican and was
Justice of the Peace for a good many years.
He accumulated a good deal of property and
at the time of his death owned more than
six hundred acres of land, which he distributed among his children.
Since our subject's death, Mrs. Elliott has
resided in the village where she enjoys the
esteem of a large circle of friends.  Mr.
Elliott was a good man, honest and well
thought of. He was actively interested in
all that pertained to the welfare of the community.
GEORGE TRAVER.
The pioneers of Ingham county are a
class of men, who for sturdy integrity and
undaunted enterprise, will compare favorably with any class of men whom we may
name. They did not come to the west with


the expectations of finding a royal road to
fortune, but they had enough good sense to
know that that road does not exist for the
honorable and upright man. They did hope,
however, and their hopes were realized, to
make a home in the wilderness, which in
time should "Blossom as the rose," and
where they might place thle feet of their children on the right road to independence and
a comfortable competency.
Among the older residents of the county,
we are pleased to name Mr. George Traver,
whose birth occurred in New York City,
July 15, I831, and who accompanied his
parents to Michigan, when but one year of
age. He was the son of Absolom and Charlotte (Miller) Traver, both natives of the
east, the father's birth occurring at Governors Island, and the mother's in Boston,
Mass. To them were born ten children, seven of them are living.
Mr. and Mrs. Absolom Traver were
among the sturdy pioneers of Michigan, and
figured quite prominently in the settlement
of Ann Arbor, where they lived in 1832.
The elder Traver bought one hundred and
sixty acres north of the Huron river and
cleared it with his own hands. In 1835 he
built a saw mill, and had the honor of furnishing all the hardwood lumber for the first
building at the University. During his residence in New York City he followed the
grocery business, but upon coming to Michigan followed the calling of a farmer. He
sold the bulk of his farm in Ann Arbor in
small parcels, keeping a portion for his
home, where he lived until his death, which
occurred August I2, 1868, at the age of
sixty-eight years and eleven months.
Upon the death of the mother of our subject in 1847, Mr. Traver was again married, with this union four children were
born, two of whom   are living.  George
Traver, the sixth from the oldest of ten chil



260


PAST AND PRESENT


dren, received his education in the common
schools of Ann Arbor, and at the age of
twenty-three started out for himself, going
to Minnesota, where he was a teamster for
one year, after which time he came back to
Michigan, and for one year worked on his
father's farm.
Our subject was married to Katherine Ellen Kirk, daughter of John and Sarah
(Howe) Kirk, July 26, I855. Mrs. Traver
was born August 30, 1836, in the Village
of Dexter.  Her parents were natives of
England, and came to Michigan settling in
Dexter in the year 1834, and bought forty
acres of land where the high school now
stands.
Mr. Traver worked for John M. Bour
in a lumber yard for a while, and in the winter of I857 moved from Ann Arbor to Ingham county, buying forty acres of land in
Alaiedon township. In March, I86I, sold
his farm and went to Ann Arbor, staying
until the spring of I862, when he moved
to Leroy township, and on January 4, I864,
when the call came for men to defend the
nation's honor, he enlisted in Co. B, Sixth
Michigan Heavy Artillery; served twenty
months and was mustered out August 20,
I865, never having received a wound.
Returning to civil life, he bought from
the State his present farm of forty acres in
Wheatfield township, of which one-half acre
was cleared, and it boasted of a log house
and no barn. Mr. Traver was obliged to
work by the day to support his family,
wages were very low at that time, receiving
but fifty cents per day, and had to pay three
dollars a bushel for wheat. By the help of
his family he was enabled to clear up the
land, and built the present buildings.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. George Traver were
born five children: John A., born August
22, 1857, died April 17, 1884; Henry A.
and George R., both live in Leroy township;


Nellie I., born December 27, I864, is single
and resides at home; William A., born December 22, I866, died when an infant.
Socially Mr. Traver is a member of the
G. A. R. Post at Williamston, being the
chaplain of that order. He takes a citizen's
interest in political affairs, and votes for
the principles of the Republican party. Mr.
Traver, though not in the best of health,
carries on general farming, and the neat appearance of his property gives abundant evidence that he understands the calling which
he has chosen.
F. E. HOYT.
Frank E. Hoyt is a native of the City of
Mason, having been born there in I875. He is
the son of George and Emma Hoyt. George
Hoyt, the father, was born in 184I in Ingham county, and was the son of E. M. Hoyt.
He lived in his native town until twentyone years of age, when he went west and
worked in a silver mine, when after four
or five years at this work he returned to
Mason and clerked in a store, at the close
of which time he engaged in the clothing
business for himself. Our subject's father
was engaged in this business for fourteen
years, when he sold out and bought a farm
of one hundred and eighty-six acres, which
he improved, and upon which he built a modern house, where he is now living, having
retired from activity. Three children were
born to Mr. and Mrs. George Hoyt, two of
whom are living, our subject and Adah C.,
now the wife of L. B. McArthur. George
Hoyt is a stockholder and director of the
Farmers' Bank of Mason, fraternally is a
Mason, and politically a Democrat.
Frank Hoyt, the subject of this sketch,
received his early education in the Mason
high school, after which he worked in the
store for his father, and in I898 was mar







JAMES H. SHAFER




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


261


ried to Miss Gertrude Eaton, daughter of
Abram Eaton of Ovid, immediately after
which event, he came to the farm where he
now resides.
Abram Eaton, the father of Mrs. Hoyt,
was born in Oakland county, Mich., March
9, I843. When a small boy he went with
his parents to Ovid, settled on a farm there
and sixteen years ago moved into Ovid,
where he engaged in the manufacture of
carriages, until his death, December 17,
i896.  Mrs. Emma J. Eaton, mother of
Mrs. Hoyt, was born March 24, I847, at
Ovid, and died August 4, I890. Mrs. Hoyt
is the youngest of four children. Mr. Eaton
served his country during the whole war
in Co. D of the First Michigan Cavalry.
Our subject is a member of the K. P.
lodge at Mason, and in politics, believes that
the principles of the Democrat party are the
best fitted to govern the people. Mr. Hoyt
though but a young man in years is an
energetic farmer, who by his many good
qualities and industry has won a warm place
in the hearts of his fellow citizens.
George M. Hoyt, our subject's father, is
a member of the Masonic fraternity Blue
Lodge, and enthusiastic in the work of the
order.
Mrs. George M. Hoyt's grandparents on
her father's side were Abigail Smith and
Solomon Vail Frost. On the side of her
mother they were Eliza Hart and Isaac
Merrit.
Frank E. Hoyt's parents were united in
marriage June I8, 1867.   His mother's
maiden name was Emma Beaumont, she was
born in Yorkshire, England, June 12, 1846.
She died in October, i889, aged forty-three
years.
The grandparents of our subject on his
father's side were natives of the Empire
State. His grandfather, E. M. Hoyt, was
born October 14, I819. His grandmother,


Charlotte Losey Hoyt, was born October I9,
1823. They were married November 20,
I839. They were the parents of nine children, named respectively: George M.; Albert D., (deceased); Harriett E., (deceased); Mary E., (deceased); Albert, No.
2; Benjamin, (deceased); Sarah; Chauncy
and Oscar.
Our subject's father, George M. Hoyt,
was married June Io, I89I, to Miss Eliza
Frost. Mrs. Hoyt was a native of Poughkeepsie, N. Y., where she was born April 24,
1844.
Her parents, Charles and Amelia Merrit
Frost were natives of the Empire State,
though of English extraction. They were
for many years highly respected members
of the society of Friends.
JAMES    HENRY     SHAFER.
James Henry Shafer was born July II,
1849, in the Village of Mason, County of
Ingham, State of Michigan. He was the
third of a family of five children born to
Col. George W. and Deborah Horton
Shafer.
Col. Shafer and his most estimable wife
were both natives of Colchester, Delaware
county, New York. The portraits of these
venerable Christian pioneers with a biographical sketch of their lives may be found
upon page 315 in the History of Ingham
and Eaton Counties.
For the benefit of his children and posterity, Mr. James H. Shafer has here recorded
the names of his brothers and sisters with the
date of their birth in chronological order,
with other data which he desires to have
preserved.
Rufus, born September 21, I845, died
February I8, I86I, buried in Mason cemetery where the remains of his parents now
lie; Jane D., born August 4, I847, the




262


PAST AND PRESENT


widow of Delevan C. Smith, and mother
of three children, as follows: Gertrude, Guy
and Allie, all married and living useful, upright lives; Charles M., born July 6, 1851,
married Almyra Gutches, who died June 5,
I875. In 1883 he married Catherine Gansley and owns the old Shafer residence and
a portion of the farm, on North Main Street,
within the city limits; Hannah H., born
January 3, 1855, wife of J. A. Barnes of
Aurelius township.  Mrs. Barnes is the
mother of two children: Mable and Nellie.
Mr. Shafer acquired his early education
in the Mason school, this being prior to the
organization of the high school. Hle, however, completed the course and laid the foundation for a good, practical business education, which has done him a good turn in the
many responsible positions he has been
called to fill. It has been the rule of his
life, to not only occupy, but to fill and dignify the positions of trust and honor, to
which he has been elected by his fellow citizens.
Arriving at the years of his majority, he
hired out to his father to work on the farm
and stayed with him two years.  In the
meantime he made a most important venture, being united in marriage, November
8, I870, to Lucy E., daughter of N. G. and
Eliza Saxton of Somerset, Hillsdale county, Michigan. Mrs. Shafer has demonstrated to her husband the truth of the proverb,
that "Who findeth a wife, findeth a good
thing." She has proven herself a good helpmate and a companion in all the varied experiences 'of their somewhat eventful lives.
Mr. Shafer states with some degree of pride
that upon his wedding day he cast his first
vote and that for General Grant, for President of the United States.
Gathering up his small possessions, in
1872, he took the advice of the old farmer
editor of the New York Tribune, and turned


his face toward the setting sun, locating at
Coffeeville in southern Kansas.  He engaged in freighting goods by team from
Coffeeville to Indian Territory, a distance of
one hundred and fifty miles, principally to
the Osage tribe. The train often met roving bands of Indians, more or less troublesome, and thinking over his experiences in
those years of frontier life, he congratulates
himself on being fortunate enough to leave
the country before receiving an "Indian hair
cut."
Returning to Michigan he purchased a
part of his father's land, ninety-five acres,
practically all unimproved. He built a place
to live and set himself to clearing up the
land. He won out, not as it is sometimes
expressed, "hands down," but by pluck and
energy, hard days' work and lots of them.
Today his one hundred acre farm is one of
the finest within sound of the new court
house bell. Good farm buildings, fine stock,
modern improved farm implements; just outside the city limits, mixed farming has been
his rule. Mr. Shafer has acquired something of a local reputation as a sheep feeder,
wintering for early spring market about
three hundred head.
As a matter of convenience to himself and
the junior members of his family attending
the Mason high school, Mr. Shafer moved
into the city, and erected a fine, modern, city
residence in which he has established his
family "for keeps."
For the past nine years Mr. Shafer has
been the popular, efficient and painstaking
Secretary of the Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company, one of the best organizations of its kind in the State.
By his frankness and cordiality and the
"at home" feeling that comes to all callers
at his office, he has won a strong constituency among the members of the organization. He possesses to a marked degree, ap



INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


263


proachableness, that so often characterizes
the intelligent man reared in primitive rural
life. While a resident of Vevay township,
he was for seven years a member of the
Board of Supervisors. His farm lies within
the limits of the Mason school district, and
Mr. Shafer has several years been a member of the School Board. A few years since
Mr. Shafer received the nomination for
Representative in the State Legislature; he
simply lacked two requisite votes, to win.
Capable and conscientious, he would have
made an honorable record as a legislator.
Four children have been born to Mr. and
Mrs. Shafer: little Deborah, bearing the old
time name of her now sainted grandmother,
was born in Vevay, August i, 1872, and
died August 28, 1874, and buried in the
cemetery at Coffeeville, Kansas. There being no marble works in that section at that
early date, Mr. Shafer secured a native
stone of suitable dimension, and himself cut
the inscription that marks the little mound
containing the sacred dust of their first born;
Lennah P., born June 5, I875, graduated at
the Mason High School, was a successful
teacher for some time and later finished a
course at the Ypsilanti Normal. She is now
the wife of Rev. George L. Sprague, pastor
of the Baptist church at Lowell, Michigan.
Mr. Sprague is a graduate of the Toronto
Theological school and entered the work of
the ministry, equipped for successful gospel
teaching. Mrs. Sprague is the mother of
Marjorie, born February 7, I903. George
N., born November 6, I878, at Mason, received his early education at the Mason High
School, and afterwards attended the State
Normal at Ypsilanti. He has had considerable experience as a teacher in the district
schools of this county, an avocation which
he gave several years of careful preparation.
His parents may well feel proud of his attainments and prospects for a life of useful

ness and correct deportment. Florence, born
April 12, 1887, has finished the course of
the Mason high school, is a most exemplary
young lady and is still under the paternal
roof.
Mr. Shafer is something of a "joiner."
He is a member of the K. P.'s, Royal Arcanum and the Grange, to all of which organizations he gives added strength of dignity and character.
The Shafer family for four generations
have been active and faithful adherents of
the Baptist church society.  Mr. Shafer's
grandfather, Henry Shafer, was a deacon in
the Baptist Church at Colchester, N. Y. His
mantle fell on his worthy son, George W-.,
and he in turn transmitted it to his dutiful
son, James Henry, with more than average
probability that he will hand it down to his
son, George, without spot or wrinkle. The
family are all united in church work, zealously aggressive in every good enterprise.
SILAS E. VANNETER.
Among the prominent men of Williamston township we find the name of Silas E.
Vanneter, who was born February 17, 1838.
The father, John S. Vanneter, was born
February 21, 8I I, and the mother, Katherine (Schermerhorn), February 15, I813.
John S. Vanneter was a farmer, but when
a young man was a wagon maker. He came
to Michigan in September, I846, and located
in Williamston township on forty acres of
land, all wild. There was a log house which
he moved his family into, and there lived
one winter, and the next winter built a larger
one. He cleared off the land and shortly
after he came bought forty acres more which
he cleared. About the year 1857 he bought
the eighty acres on which our subject now
lives. Previous to his death he deeded the
property to his four sons.




264


PAST AND PRESENT


John and Katherine Vanneter were married in Courtland county, N. Y., November
5, I835. Both were born in that county.
The father was a Democrat, and a member
of the M. E. church, and died May 3, I873.
The mother died November 2, i88i.
Silas Vanneter was the second of ten
children: Martin, born November 27, I836,
died October I9, 1867. He married Hattie
Newman, July 4, 1864, and to them one
child, Emma, was born. He was shot while
attempting to arrest a burglar. Silas, our
subject, born in New York; William, born
June 5, 1840, died May 20, 1877, was born
in New York, married Mary L. Harvey to
whom one child was born, Ella; Milo, born
in Ohio, August 30, 1842; Almina and
Alvina, twins, born February 27, I844. Almina died February 14, 1864, and Alvina,
September 7, I864. Alvina married Thos.
Wilson to whom one child was born, Jennie,
June 27, 1863, and died May 29, i865.
Martha, born May 9, 1845, and died February 25, I868; James, born December 17,
1846, died September 18, 1847; Amos, born
March 6, I849, died January 29, I868;
Frank, born January 19, I856, married July
I, I893, to Sadie Renfrew and resides in
California.
Our subject acquired his early education
in a primitive log school house of his district
and started for himself at twenty-one years
of age. He settled in Williamston township, where his father bought him eighty
acres of wild land. He improved the land
and built a frame house and barn. When he
first located upon this place he built a log
house and kept "bachelor's hall" for seven
years. He now owns eighty-eight acres of
land with good buildings upon it. In religious views Mr. Vanneter and his wife are
to be found among the Baptist people.
February I6, i868, Silas Vanneter was
married to Abbie J. Leighton, whose father


was an old settler by the name of Nathan
Leighton. He came to Michigan in 1854
and settled in Williamston township on one
hundred twenty acres of wild land upon
which were a log house and a small orchard,
with twenty acres improved. He cleared the
balance, however, in a short time.  Mr.
Leighton was born February 2, 1804, and
died August 8, 1883, while the mother, Adigail (Carl), was born August 27, I803, and
died March 23, 1875. To Mr. and Mrs.
Leighton were born eleven children, five of
whom are living: Sara L., July 22, 1827,
deceased. Sara married Merrit Chapel, September 21, I857. Susan, born February I9,
I829. She married William H. Shorman,
September 23, 1848. Syrena, born December I, I830, died August 14, 1843; Mary
L., born December 28, 1832, died September
I6, I904.  She married S. D. Watson.
Hiram, born May 9, 1835, and died October
25, 1847; Stephen P., born January I9,
I837, married Rosella Loranger, December
30, I866; Nathan, Jr., born July 26, I839,
married Julia Dancer; Mrs. Vanneter,
born in Huron, Wayne Co., N. Y., Nov. 21,
I841; Jehial, born Aug. 0, 1844, died Aug.
14, I844; Clarissa A., March 2, 1846, married James Apsey, March 23, I866, and he
died July 7, I888; Nancy F., born January
6, 1849, died January 3, I886. She married Frank Carl. Mrs. Vanneter's father
was a Democrat and a member of the Universalist church.
To Silas Vanneter and wife were born
four children: May, August f8, I870, at
Honey Lake Valley, Lassen county, California. She married Herbert Bradley, May
25, I897, and to them was born one child,
Lena Ethelyn, July II, I899, and she died
December 14, 1903.  Merritt C., born in
Williamston township, January 9, 1872,
married Alice Finn, December 22, I896, and
to them one child has been born, James








CAPT. GEO. A. MNUNAR




IRS. GEO. A. M INAR




I




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


265


Clyde, Jan. 24, 1899; Pearl, born in Williamston township, July I, 1875, married
Thomas A. Kelleher, Aug. I6, I904; Chas.
E., born in Wiliamston township, June 6,
i886, is now attending school at the Kalamazoo College.
When our subject's father first came to
Michigan it was necessary to remove six
trees from the road during the last six miles
of the trip.
Our subject remembers having seen, in
the early days, eighteen deer in one drove.
Mr. Vanneter's brother, Milo, was in the
26th Michigan Infantry, and served with
that regiment from the time it was mustered
in until the close of the war.
Mrs. Vanneter's parents were natives of
Maine, and her father was once a teacher in
New York, while she herself was a pioneer
school teacher of Ingham county, having
taught seven and a half years.
Mr. Vanneter has filled several positions
of trust, among them being that of Village
Assessor for Williamston for four terms,
Village Constable eleven years, etc. Fraternally he is an active member of the Masonic order, No. I53, Williamston.  Mrs.
Vanneter has been a member of the Eastern
Star at Williamston since its organization,
having been its first worthy matron.
CAPT. GEORGE A. MINAR.
There are in every community families
that give to it character and dignity. Families of whom  their fellow townsmen are
justly proud, and from whom they would
be loth to part. Culture and refinement are
appreciated in a measure by those who never
attain to them. It is by universal claim and
common consent that Capt. George A. Minar
and his most estimable wife have been given
place in this class.  Cultured, intelligent,
benevolent, they are solving the problems of


life in a manner that brings to them joy,
pleasure and happiness.  Possessing those
qualities of heart and mind that readily
recognize the needs and claims of others,
they have each been the blessing and benediction in many lives.
George A. was the third of eight children,
born to Capt. Lyman and Anstress (Jenkins) Minar, his place of birth being Ellisburg, N. Y. He entered upon the activities
of this life, November 26, 1852. VWhen
George was about twelve years of age, his
father moved with his family to Toledo, O.,
where he remained four years, then came
to Michigan and settled in Mason. George,
while a lad, attended the school of his native
town and later at Toledo, 0., and finished
his schooling at the Mason High School at
the age of nineteen years. The same year
he began sailing with his father, who was
captain of a vessel on the great lakes. At
twenty years of age he was made captain
and given command of the boat known as
the "Montpelier," running between Ogdensburg and Chicago. During all the intervening years, with but an exception or two,
Captain Minar has sailed during the summer months. For the past eight years he
has had command of the "Northwest," one
of the largest passenger boats on the lakes,
employing one hundred and eighty-five men
for her management. Her length is three
hundred and eighty-five  feet, has two
thirty-five hundred horse-power engines
and ten boilers, which consume seven
tons of coal per hour. She is well
equipped with an electric light plant
sufficient for a town of four thousand five
hundred people. The Northwest plies between Buffalo and Duluth, touching at
Houghton, Hancock, and other important
cities on the route. She has ample accommodations for six hundred and fifty passengers. Being exclusively for passenger traf



266


PAST AND PRESENT


fic, she is out only about four months in
the year. The remainder of the time, Capt.
Minar spends with his family at their pleasant farm home one mile south of Mason
city.
The captain and "my wife," as he puts
it, own one hundred acres of choice tillable
land, with fine new farm buildings, to which
they are annually adding improvements.
Among the prized trophies that have come
to Capt. Minar, in his official capacity, is a
copy of engrossed preamble and resolution,
passed by the Buffalo Merchants' Exchange,
while on board the Northwest, September
28, I899. They were accompanied by a
purse of one hundred dollars in gold. So
far as pertained to the captain and his vessel, they read as follows: "The passengers
of the Northwest are nearing the end of
their delightful journey. They have traveled over two thousand miles on this magnificent ship and have had brought to them
in the most vivid and striking way, the
greatness of the lake commerce, the vigor
and vast possibilities of the western lake cities and the intimate dependence of their own
beautiful city at the foot of Lake Erie upon
the growth and prosperity of the younger,
but not less energetic communities, visited.
Not only is it fitting and proper but a great
pleasure to us to make recognition of all the
courtesies which have been showered upon
us since we left home and to express as adequately as our words will permit, the pleasure we have had and our appreciation of the
kindness and hearty good will we have experienced. We desire to extend our thanks
to Mr. W. C. Farington and the other officials of the Northern Steamship Company.
They have responded to our every wish,
have let us make our own schedules and have
shown us in many ways that their only desire has been to minister to our pleasure.


From first to last they have been broad
minded and generous. We congratulate
them on the possession of this magnificent
ship and the success which has attended the
first excursion of the Buffalo Merchant's
Exchange.
To Captain Minar and the officers of the
vessel we cannot express our debt of gratitude. It has been our pleasure to witness
Captain Minar's masterly handling if his
ship and we have had occasion to know how
considerate he has been for our comfort.
He gave a hearty and ready assent to our
proposal to take this great steamer through
the beautiful but narrow and tortuous channels of the Portage Canal, thereby affording
us one of the greatest pleasures of our tripa pleasure we did not expect when we left
Buffalo. While we were in our cabins last
night, his watchful care for our comfort led
him far up into Saginaw Bay, nearly sixty
miles out of his regular course in order that
we might escape the full force of the gale on
Lake Huron. Modest and unassuming, but
past master of his profession, Capt. Minar
deserves and has the hearty good-will of
every passenger on the ship, and one and
all we wish him happiness and prosperity.
We should fail to show to all who have
treated us so kindly and have made our trip
so instructive, as well as agreeable, the sincerity of our gratitude if we permitted their
keen rivalry to go unrecognized. Our words
may be inadequate, but the sincerity that
underlies them is not the less genuine.
Therefore, be it resolved: That the Buffalo Merchants' Exchange cause copies of
this preamble and resolution to be suitably
engrossed and sent to the various organizations herein mentioned; that a vote of thanks
be tendered by the passengers of the Northwest to all those who have thus ministered
to their comfort and happiness.




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


267


Signed, R. R. Hefford, Mathias Rohr,
J. N. Adam, Moses Sheir, John Feist, M. N.
Drake."
George A. Minar was united in marriage
June 24, I88I, to Florence, daughter of
Milton and Elizabeth Perry Ryan. Mrs.
Minar was born in Onondaga township, Ingham county, August Io, I863. She has one
sister, Adella, born October 21, I86o, wife
of Haven S. Fuller, and a brother, Martin,
born May 17, I867. Milton Ryan was for
many years a prominent citizen of Ingham
county. He held respectively the offices of
Register of Deeds, Justice of the Peace and
County Superintendent of the Poor.  He
was also a soldier in the Civil War. He was
born in New York, January I8, I837. He
died at Mason, October 8, I889. Mrs. Ryan
was born in Michigan, August 21, 1844.
She is still living. Two children have been
born to Capt. and Mrs. Minar: John Milton, November 20, 1882. He is attending
the Kalamazoo College and is in his junior
year. He is taking the philosophical course;
Ruth Anstress, born June 2I, I903. Little
Ruth is the light and joy of the Minar
household.
Capt. Minar is a member of the Masonic
fraternity, Chapter Degree, and enthusiastic
in the work of the order. He also belongs
to the Royal Arcanum. Capt. and Mrs.
Minar are both active church workers, identified with the Baptist society. Mrs. Minar
is a lady of rare culture and exceptionally
pleasing presence. She is an accomplished
elocutionist, having graduated from  Mrs.
Chaffee Noble's training school of elocution
and English literature at Detroit. Her public readings have been a source of much
pleasure to those who have been favored
with an opportunity of listening to her.
Politically, Captain Minar's views are
in accordance with the principles of the


Republican party. He is proud of the long
lists of eminent statesmen his party has produced during the past four decades and of
her record of progressive legislation in behalf of political and civil liberty.
Their friends wish for them many years
of pleasure and happiness, the fruits of right
living.
FRANK C. MINAR.
One who has observed the characteristics
of Frank C. Minar of Vevay township remarks of him, "He farms it for a business
and his business is farming." To add that
he has and is still making a success in his
chosen occupation, would almost seem superfluous.  Application coupled with energy
and good judgment are bound to win out.
Mr. Minar first opened his eyes to the wonders of this old world, new to him, at Ellisburg, Jefferson county, N. Y., October I8,
I855. He was the youngest of six children
born to Lyman and Austress (Jenkins)
Minar. When nine years of age his parents
moved to Toledo, Ohio. This was in the
year I865. After four years' residence at
Toledo the family came to Michigan, and
located in Mason, where Frank attended
school, receiving the rudiments of a good
common school education.
In the year I876 Lyman Minar moved his
family upon the farm which has been their
home for the past quarter of a century. The
farm consists of one hundred and two acres
of choice land, under a high state of cultivation, lying one-half miles south of the corporate limits of the City of Mason, and for
several years past our subject has managed
the farm.
June 24, I881, Frank C. Minar was united in marriage to Miss Lillian P., daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Clark. Mrs. Lil



268


PAST AND PRESENT


lian Minar was a lady of culture, a graduate
of the Mason High School, quick of perception, bright and witty, and a general favorite among her acquaintances. One daughter was the fruit of this union, Julia Belle,
born March 31, 1882, now the wife of
Harold W. Freshour of Aurelius township.
After a little more than six years of wedded
life, Mrs. Minar died, December 12, 1887,
at the age of thirty years.
November I8, I903, Mr. Minar married
Jessie DuBois Barr, an estimable lady of refinement, and a member of the M. E. church
of Mason. One daughter, Dorothy Lydia,
was the fruit of this second union, born December 14, 1904. Mr. Minar lines up with
the Republican party.
The farm has been greatly improved by
tile drainage, nice fencing, the erection of
new barns and outdoor buildings, giving the
promise an up-to-date appearance. Thrift
and enterprise are the impressions one receives in passing Maple Grove Farm, the
fine country home of the Minars.
Mrs. Minar's parents, Amassa DuBois
and Lydia C. Lowell, were for many years
among the most highly respected citizens of
Bunker Hill township. Her grandfather,
Garret DuBois, was among the earliest settlers of the county. The family were noted
for their probity of life and character.
Mr. and Mrs. Minar are active members
of the Grange, and in full sympathy with the
principles of the order.
WILLIAM TOBIAS.
William Tobias was born October I6,
I829, and was the son of Henry and Henrietta (Lake) Tobias, both natives of the
Empire State. The father followed the occupation of farming, and came to the wilds
of Michigan when our subject was a lad of
ten years.  They first located in Howell,


where they lived for ten or twelve years,
when they came to Wheatfield and bought
twenty acres of wild land upon which were
no buildings. The timber was cut away and
a log house built, and here they made their
home for some time.
Henry Tobias was a Republican, in which
party he took an active interest. The mother
died at the age of seventy years and the
father died at the home of our subject aged
eighty-five years.
William Tobias is one of eight children,
and received his education in the common
schools of Howell and Wheatfield. When
nineteen years of age he started out for himself, and worked on a farm for eight or
ten years. He finally bought eighty acres
of wild land in Wheatfield, which he
brought to the present state of improvement.
From time to time he has added to his possessions, and now owns one hundred and
forty-two acres of finely cultivated land.
Our subject was married December 31,
to a daughter of Samuel and Rachel
(Drake) Bird, who settled in Washtenaw
county in the year I833. They belong to
that class of hardy pioneers who gave the
best years of their lives to the upbuilding
of the country. Their first purchase of land
was one hundred and sixty acres, mostly
oak timber and no improvements. Mr. and
Mrs. Bird were members of the Presbyterian church, and in political convictions Mr.
Bird lined up with the Democracy. The
father of Mrs. Tobias died at the age of
seventy-one years, and the mother lived to
be eighty-five years old.
Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs.
Tobias: the first child born in I859, died
in infancy; Sarah, born in I860, married
Curtis Beeman of Williamston, and they
have one child; Fred, born in I863, married
Nora Horton, and they have one child and
live in Williamston; Frank, born in I866,








J. F. LEMON, AM. D.




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


269


is married and has two children. He lives
three miles south of the Township of Leroy.  Bird, born in I869, married Ethel
Clark and lives at home.
Mr. Tobias is a Republican in his political
views, and is public-spirited and progressive,
and is ever ready to give a helping hand and
encouraging word to any good cause that
promises to be for the benefit of the people.
DR. J. F. LEMON.
The subject of this sketch, Dr. J. F.
Lemon, was born in Novi, Oakland county,
Michigan, Jan. 28, I854. His father, Rev.
Joseph Lemon, was for many years a wellknown and highly respected minister of the
gospel. Elder Lemon was born in England,
in 1827, and came with his parents to Canada when four years of age. Dr. Lemon's
mother, whose maiden name was Zilpha
Skinner, was born, 1830, in the State of
New York. His parents were married in
1848 and in the year of I854 came to Michigan and settled at Novi in Oakland county.
During the years of his residence in the
State, he followed his calling, that of Baptist
preacher, serving the people of his denomination as pastor and teacher in Dansville,
Perry, Waterloo and Pinckney. He died at
Ann Arbor, Nov. 20, I889.
Dr. Lemon grew to manhood under the
shadow of the great Michigan University.
He received his early education in the public schools of Ann Arbor, and later entered
the medical department of the University,
from which he graduated with honor in the
year 1882. He soon after located in the village of Dansville, and hung out his shingle.
He soon established himself in business, his
practice increased, and he has had a large
ride in the surrounding country. More than
half a score of physicians have opened up


practice in the village since Dr. Lemon located here, and have passed on.
On May I6, i885, Dr. Lemon was united
in marriage with Miss Kittie Hatch of Dansville. The fact that Mrs. Lemon's relatives
resided in the vicinity of Dansville may have
had an influence on their deciding to make
that village their future home. Since Oct.,
I89I, the doctor has had an increasing practice. He has purchased a substantial residence, and other buildings of value.
Being socially inclined, the doctor has associated himself with the I. O. 0. F. and the
Maccabees, to both of which organizations
he is a loyal member. He is also a member
of the Masonic order.
Dr. Lemon is a member of the Ingham
County and also of the State Medical Society. He has been President of the village
for seven years and Secretary of the Board
of Education for twelve years, a position he
still holds.
Politically the doctor lines up with the
G.O. P.
Dr. Lemon is the oldest practicing physician in his locality, and he is a progressive
scholar, he keeps pace with the advancements made in the profession.
Dr. and Mrs. Lemon are both church
workers, being identified with the Baptist
denomination. They are unitedly interested
in every enterprise looking to the betterment of society.
HOMER L. WHITNEY.
Among the intelligent and progressive
young farmers of Vevay township is Homer
L. Whitney of Eden. Mr. Whitney bought
the farm upon which he now resides, consisting of one hundred and twenty acres in
the year I897. It is most conveniently located, being only a half mile from Eden station, on the J. L. & S. division of the M. C.




270


PAST AND PRESENT


R. R., standing on the border of table lands.
The view from the premises is one of the
pleasantest for miles around. In addition to
his farming enterprises Mr. Whitney owns
the grain elevator at Eden, and ships large
quantities of grain and produce.   The
market at this point has had the reputation
for years of being one of the best along the
line.
Mr. Whitney is a Wolverine by birth,
having been born in Leslie township of this
county, April 15, I866. His parents, Lorenzo and Mary Craddock Whitney, were both
of English extraction. His father was born
in 1828 in the state of Connecticut and came
into the County of Jackson, Michigan, in
1845. He located in Leslie township about
I853. He died at Rives in 900o and was
buried in the cemetery at East Rives. His
mother, born in England, died in I890 and
rests beside her husband.
Mr. Whitney was the second of a family
of four children. The names and date of
birth of his brother and sisters were as follows: Frank, August I I, I859; Jennie, September 22, 1869, and May, March 30, I874.
Mr. Whitney's school advantages were better than the average farm boy and he made
the most of his opportunities.  His early
education was secured in the district school
of Jackson county and later he attended the
Leslie High School for three years. He took
up the occupation of pedagogy in the district school, which he followed for five years,
meeting with very satisfactory results. He
afterward spent some time at the State
Normal School at Ypsilanti.
Homer L. Whitney was united in marriage September I6, 189I, to Alice, daughter
of Mr. and Mrs. Miles Snyder of Henrietta,
Jackson county. Mr. Snyder was a successful farmer and a good citizen and died
in I9OI. The mother is living in Jackson.
To Mr. and Mrs. Whitney three children


have been born and their bright faces and
cheery voices are the joy of the home: Lennah C., May 13, I895; Miles R., August 30,
1897, and Alice I., November 22, 1902.
Mr. Whitney began his farming operations upon a rented farm in Jackson county
and followed it up for six years until his
accumulations warranted his purchasing his
present home. In politics he is a Republican
and has held the office of School Inspector
and Township Treasurer. Among the fraternal organizations which he affiliates are
the F. & A. M., Mason Lodge No. 70,
Eastern  Star,  Modern  Woodmen    and
Grange.
Mr. and Mrs. Whitney are members of
the M. E. church, to which they cheerfully
contribute of their substance. Mr. Whitney
is a gentleman of pleasing personal presence
and his intelligence and character make him
a worthy citizen.
EX-MAYOR A. A. WILBUR.
A. A. Wilbur, one of the leading furniture
dealers of Lansing, as well as an alderman
and the coroner of Ingham county, is a native of the Empire State, having been born
in Genesee county in I848. He is the son
of Noah and Rhoda Wilbur, his father being
also a native of New York. The latter married twice, our subject being the only child
by the second marriage.
Mr. Wilbur lived in New York until he
was seven years of age, and when he came to
Lansing with his mother he was in his
fifteenth year. He first learned the cabinetmaker's trade, and worked at it for eight
years, after which for four years, he was associated with J. W. Barker in the manufacturing business. He then fell back to his
trade as joiner and cabinet-maker, continuing in this until he established an independent business.




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


271


In 1878 Mr. Wilbur founded the furniture and undertaking house in which William H. Joy became his partner in I903. The
establishment which is located in North Lansing, consists of eight floors of a large building, filled with stock which is tasteful and
strictly up to date, and constitutes one of
the largest and most complete stores of the
kind in the State.
Our subject is a staunch and popular Republican, having served in the common council for six years and one year as mayor of
Lansing. At present he is Alderman for the
fourth ward and County Coroner. As to his
connection with the secret orders, he is a
member of the I. O. O. F. and the Royal
Arcanum.
Thirty years ago Mr. Wilbur was married
to Miss Elizabeth Yeiter, a native of Ohio.
One child was born to them, Etta, a graduate of the University of Michigan, from
which she has received the degree of A. B.
and A. M. She is now teacher of German
and English in the Lansing high school.
OSCAR S. GREGORY (DECEASED).
Among the early pioneers of the township
of Stockbridge who have left their impress
for good citizenship and for the development of moral and religious sentiment as a
worthy example to those who come after
them, recognition is given to Oscar S. Gregory and family.
Mr. Orrin Gregory emigrated from the
Empire State in the year I830 and located in
the then Village of Jackson, Jackson county.
Michigan. Here he engaged in the business
of milling, making the town his home for
the term of five years, when he decided to
engage in farming. He purchased a tract of
two hundred forty acres of wild land in the
Township of Stockbridge. While the father


was a resident of Jackson village, the subject of this sketch, Oscar S. Gregory, was
born October 28, 1832, and it is recorded of
him that he was the first white male child
born in the settlement.
Orrin Gregory entered upon his possessions in the fall of 1835. It was in a state of
nature.  A log house was built and with
characteristic energy the improvement of the
land was begun, each year adding to the tillable land until one hundred acres was
brought under a state of production. The
elder Gregory being of a religious temperament and impressed with the opportunities
for doing good among his neighbors and
adjacent settlements, entered the ministry in
the Protestant denomination in 1843 and
continued in the work during the remainder
of his life. He died in 1847 respected and
revered by all who knew him.
The year Mr. Gregory came to Michigan,
before leaving his native state, he was united
in marriage to Caroline Durand, a most
estimable woman and one who proved to be
a helpmate indeed during the years of their
married life. She was the mother of five
children and died in the assurance of a living
faith in I883. Our subject was the eldest
of the family, the others were Olive, born
December 28, I834; Amanda, born January
31, 1837; Almon, born May 4, 1840; Francis M., September 17, 1842.
Amanda, at the date of this writing, is
the sole survivor of the family.
Oscar S. Gregory was a man of more than
ordinary ability. A good common school
education was supplemented by the privileges
afforded by the Jackson high school. He
was for many years a successful teacher and
was nearly all his life associated with educational work either as a teacher, school inspector or otherwise. After the death of his
father, the care of the family in a large measure devolved upon Oscar, who remained at




PAST AND PRESENT


home until twenty-seven years of age and in
the meantime, by dint of economy and good
management had laid by means sufficient to
purchase eighty acres of land, which he did.
This was in the year I853. The land was
but partially improved, the balance was
brought under cultivation and as he was
prospered bought on from time to time until
at his death he had two hundred thirty acres
with good buildings, an attractive rural
home.
October 27, I859, Oscar S. Gregory was
united in marriage to Martha E., daughter
of Royal and Sallie Richison Stevens. Mrs.
Gregory was born in the Green Mountain
State at Underhill, March 4, I833. Her
parents were natives of Vermont, where her
father was born in I795, and her mother at
Cornwell August 9, I799. They were married on Thanksgiving Day at Underhill, in
I818.  Royal Stevens came to Michigan,
June, 1836, located in Stockbridge township
upon one hundred and sixty acres of unimproved land which he took up from the government. At an early date there were no
public highways to the premises.  Blazed
trees, section and quarter section lines were
followed in the marking of locations.
Reaching his wilderness possessions, Mr.
Stevens set about erecting a home for his
family. A shanty was first built in which
his family lived for nine months without
windows or floors, but with pioneer pluck
and persistence, Mr. Stevens kept at it. A
large comfortable log house took the place
of the shanty and other improvements were
going on. The land was being made to yield
for the necessities of the family and as the
years passed by a surplus was produced and
in a few years Mr. Stevens was known as
one of the prosperous farmers in his community. In the year I847 he erected a substantial brick residence and also constructed
a horse barn from the same material, making


the brick himself from clay found on his
premises.
He was recognized as a man of sterling
worth, a Christian gentleman. He died April,
I867. The mother lived to a ripe old age
and passed away November, I880, leaving
to her children and grandchildren the rich inheritance of a life of love, devotion and good
deeds. Nine children were born to Mr. and
Mrs. Stevens, as follows:
Melissa, born February, I820, died in
1887; Orange, born April, 1822, died in the
9o's; Edgar, No. I, born in 1824, died the
same year; William M., born 1825, died in
I891; Justin, born in I827, died in 1857;
Edgar, No. 2, born in I830, died in I866;
George E., born in I835, died in I86o, and
Theron A., born in I841, now a resident of
the Village of Stockbridge, engaged in the
hardware trade.
Mr. and Mrs. Stevens were among the
charter members of the North Stockbridge
Methodist Episcopal church and always contributed liberally of their means for its support and were loyal to its teachings to the
close of life.
Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Gregory have had
born to them five children, three of whom
are living: Orrin, born in I860, died in
I868; Metta, born in 1863, now the wife of
Orville Jones. They reside on a farm in
Stockbridge township; Marcus, born in
I868, was united in marriage to Mary
Koons; they have one child, Helen; Marcus
Gregory is engaged in business in a general
store in the Village of Stockbridge. They
make their home with his mother who owns
a residence in the village. Marcus owns the
old homestead in the township where the
father lived and reared his family; Cora,
born 1872, now the wife of Herman Summers, their home is in Detroit; they have
one child, Ruth; Clarence, born in 1874, died
the year following.




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


273


Oscar S. Gregory was an active public
spirited man and always took a lively interest
in matters pertaining to the betterment of
society. In politics he was an enthusiastic
Republican and always loyal to the principles
of his party and strong in its local councils.
He honored his ticket by having been often
given a place for various offices. He served
three terms as Township Treasurer.
He was a member of the fraternal order of
Maccabees, also the Masons. He died November 22, I897, a man of positive character, strong in his convictions and always on
the right side of every moral question.
Mrs. Gregory takes special pride in the
fact that her people are of Scotch descent,
originally coming from Scotland, and she
also takes pleasure in giving place in this
biography in recording the fact that her
father was a soldier in the War of 1812 and
served during the entire war and in recogiiition of his services, received from the general governmnt a land grant for forty acres.
NELSON A. HAZELTON.
There have been no remarkable or striking
events in the life of Nelson A. Hazelton,
who was born June 22, 1862, in the Township of Onondaga, where he grew to manhood. This brief biography is given for the
purpose of preserving the genealogy of the
family.
Nelson A. Hazelton was the son of James
and Sarah (Russell) Hazelton. The father
was born in Canada, and died in the Township of Vevay, aged sixty-six years. The
mother is still living, making her home with
her son William, in Vevay township. The
father was one of a family of eleven children,
four of whom are still living. He always
lived with his parents, caring for them and
assisting in the management of affairs until
the younger children were able to assume the
18


responsibilities. When he was eight years
of age his parents moved from Canada and
settled in Jackson county. Here he received
his early education. When about twenty-five
years of age he was united in marriage to
Sarah Russell, after which he purchased a
farm in the Township of Vevay. The Russells were early settlers of Ingham county.
Our subject was one of seven children
born to his parents: Effie is the wife of James
Hopcraft, a farmer, residing in Jackson
county; Mary, the wife of Norman Wilcox,
a resident of Jackson county; our subject
and his sister Nellie were twins, she being
the wife of George Salmon of Dakota; William, a farmer in the Township of Vevay;
Warren is a resident of Jackson county, and
Frank resides in the Township of Aurelius.
Nelson A. Hazelton was united in marriage August 28, I886, to Miss Belle, daughter of James and Ellen (Burnett) Bell. Mrs.
Hazelton was born June 6, I868. They
have two sons: Walter, born November I6,
1887, in Onondaga, and Floyd, born March
17, I890. The boys are both at home with
their parents.
Mr. Hazelton is a Republican in politics
and is a member of the fraternal organizations of the M. W. A. and K. O. T. M. His
one hundred acre farm is located on section
twenty-four of Onondaga township, and is
one of the well improved and pleasant homes
of that section.
WILBUR McCROSSEN.
Wilbur McCrossen is a well-known and
popular druggist of Mason, and was born in
New York, January 13, 1853. He was the
son of Nixon and Jane (Colgrove) McCrossen. His father was a farmer, and resided
in Ontario county, N. Y. Wilbur received
his early education in the district schools of
his native township, and added to this he has




274


PAST AND PRESENT


had years of wide experience along various
lines. The early years of his life were those
common to boys of his time on the farm.
He assisted with the farm work until the
age of thirteen, when he began as a newsboy
of the M. C. R. R. and also followed the
same occupation on the L. S. R. R. for three
years. Arriving at the age of sixteen years
he entered the employment of the railroad
as brakeman and followed this hazardous
work for a term of three years, after which
he returned to his native town and entered
the employ of a druggist of a neighboring
town, where he remained for several years.
Later he purchased employer's business
and remained in this business for two years,
closing out with profit to himself, when he
located in West Branch county, Ogemaw
county, Michigan, and remained there one
year as clerk, and later engaged in the drug
business, which he conducted successfully
for a term of six years.
Being pronounced in his Republican
views, he entered actively into campaign
work with his party, and was elected County
Treasurer and reelected, holding the office
for four years, or for the limit of the law.
Retiring from office, he went on the road as
traveling salesman for a drug house.
Our subject came to Mason in 1893, and
bought the well-established drug business of
H. M. Williams, which he has since conducted. He has built up a large trade, and
numbers his customers by the score. His
place of business is the headquarters of the
local politicians of the city. He is a member
of the School Board of the Mason High
School, the duties of which office have been
discharged in very satisfactory manner to
its constituents. Mr. McCrossen has taken
six degrees in Masonry, and has filled the
Master's chair in the Blue Lodge for two
years; he also fraternizes with the Elks and
K. P's.


In the year I894 Mr. McCrossen was united in marriage to Miss Emma Bertch, and
unto them has been born one daughter, Murryne, born February I9, I895.
Mr. McCrossen is held in high esteem by
the citizens of his city, and by his characteristic energy and thrift has prospered in his
business affairs, and unto such men who give
their all to the welfare of the people Ingham county owes its present prosperous condition.
SEYMOUR FOSTER.
The gentleman whom the government has
seen fit and proper to place at the head of
postal affairs in the city of Lansing, Ingham county, is he whose name is at the head
of this sketch. Besides being personally a
man whose integrity, intelligence and fitness for the office rendered him eligible to
such a position, he has the additional advantage of having served the country in its hour
of need, and during the late Rebellion hazarded his life in the chances of war.
Seymour Foster was born July I, 1845,
at Ann Arbor, Michigan, the son of Theo.
and  Frances  (Seymour)   Foster.  The
father was born in Foster, Rhode Island,
and came to Michigan in 1833 and became
the editor of the "Signal of Liberty" at Ann
Arbor and the "Free Democrat" at Detroit.
In I855 he moved to Lansing and' accepted
the position of superintendent of what was
then the House of Correction, now known as
the Industrial School for Boys.  Here he
remained in this capacity until I860 and
then became the editor of the "Lansing Republican."  The father of our subject was a
man of progressive ideas, an important factor in the newspaper world and a man of
splendid attainments. He died in I865 and
the mother passed away-in I873.
Seymour Foster was one of three chil



INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


275


dren, the oldest, Charles T., was killed at
the Battle of Fair Oaks. He was the first
man to enlist and the first one killed from
Lansing, having enlisted in Co. G, 3rd
Michigan Volunteer Infantry on April 12,
1862.  The second, Fannie, the deceased
wife of Judge A. E. Cowles; the third member of the family was our subject who acquired a common school education, which
was quite limited, as the father's health
failed him and it was necessary for the son
to assist him and at the age of thirteen years
he started out for himself.
In November of the year 1863, our subject enlisted in Co. B, 2nd U. S. Sharp
Shooters, known as Berdan's Sharp Shooters, and saw considerable service, while following the fortunes of his command. He
was discharged July 15, I865. In I869-'70,
lie was engaged in the feed business with a
Mr. W. C. Kyle and in I878 purchased the
abstract books of the county which he owned
and conducted for four years and then disposed of them.
May 25, 1871, Seymour Foster was
united in marriage to Miss Mary L.,
(laughter of Mr. and Mrs. George R.
Woodworth of Lansing, who was one of the
es.rly pioneer residents, having come here in
1857.  Unto this marriage four children
were born: Charles W., a prominent attorney of Lansing and a graduate of the law
department of the University of Michigan.
HIe is associated with his brother, Walter S.,
also a graduate of the University of Michigan; the third, Miss Gertrude, is a graduate
-f the Lansing High School, also spent a
year at Smith College; Theodore G., is a
student in the High School.
Our subject has filled every chair in the
Chas. T. Foster G. A. R. Post, No. 42, of
which he is an active member. He is also
a member of the Royal Arcanum, Modern
Woodmen and National Union.     He has


taken an active part in political affairs and
in 1873 was elected to the office of City
Clerk, succeeding himself in I874. In 1876
he was elected to the office of City Treasurer
and re-elected in I877. The First District
of Ingham county, recognizing his abilities,
in I895, elected him as their representative
in the State Legislature.
Under the Harrison administration in
1888, Mr. Foster was appointed Postmaster
of the city and served until 1892 and was
reappointed by President McKinley in I897
and again by President Roosevelt,/ in which
position he efficiently serves the people today. At various times he has been Chairman of the County Committees and has
acted as delegate to many conventions.
In I896, on the I3th day of July, our subject was appointed receiver of the Peoples'
Savings Bank of Lansing, which duties he
discharged with credit to himself and all involved.
Seymour Foster has ever been an active
business man, is one of the widely known
men of the State and enjoys the confidence
and esteem of his fellow men.
WILLIAM T. WEBB, WILLIAMSTON.
Among the most prominent and influential
citizens of Williamston, we find the name of
William T. Webb, who was born in Washtenaw county, Michigan, in 1865, and is the
son of an early pioneer of Michigan, Charles
Webb, who was born December I, 1828, in
Kent county, England, and died April 2,
I90I, while the mother whose maiden name
was Marie Margaretha Hochstadt was born
in Windecken, Germany, January 31, 1838,
and came to this country in the year I860.
Charles Webb came with his parents to
this country when but a child, and located
in the State of New York in Seneca county.




276


PAST AND PRESENT


He was the fifth child of a family of fourteen children, of whom four are still living:
Mrs. Susan Winslow, Mrs. Caroline Kinney, James and George E.   He came to
Michigan with his parents when nineteen
years of age, or in the year 1847. From
his boyhood Charles Webb was a hard
worker and gave his earnings to his parents as long as they lived. After this he
worked by the month until he could buy a
forty acre farm, to which after a time, he
added ten acres. Shortly after this he sold
this farm in Washtenaw county, and came
to the Township of Williamston in I866,
where he bought eighty acres, which was
then a solid piece of timber, and it was the
result of his own hands' work and energy
that this farm was cleared up.
The parents of our subject were married
in the year I863, and to them one son, our
subject was born. The father was a member of the order of Masons and was baptised
in the Church of England.    Thirty-five
years' residence in the Township of Williamston gained for Charles Webb the high
esteem of a large circle of friends and acquaintances. He was a man who had the
interests of his place and residence at heart,
and always commanded the respect of every
right-minded person.
William T. Webb was raised in Williamston township, his parents moving here from
Washtenaw county when William was but
one year old. Here he received his early
education, and later was a student at the
Ypsilanti Normal for a short time, and also
at the Cleary Business College. Early in
life the profession of law held a fascination
for him, and in I890 he went to Ann Arbor
and attended the University of Michigan,
where he took up the study of law, graduating in line in 1893, after which he took a
post-graduate course and received a second
diploma in 1894. His first adventure in his


chosen profession was in Detroit, where he
was in partnership with E. A. Fink, but
sickness soon overtook him, and he was obliged to give up his work for about two
years.  Upon locating again, Mr. Webb
chose WVilliamston, and here begun what has
proven a successful practice in I897. He is
a man of fine intellect, keen perceptions and
a facile power in expressing himself-he
seems particularly adapted to legal work.
October 26, I898, our subject was united
in marriage to Miss Mattie B., the daughter
of Mr. and Mrs. James Leasia of Williamston, whose life history may be found elsewhere in this volume. To Mr. and Mrs.
Webb one child has been born, Bernice Catherina, November io, I900.
William Webb has had a membership in
the Grange for over twenty years, and also
belongs to the I. O. O. F. He is a Republican in political affiliations, and has always
been actively identified with the political affairs of his party. During the silver campaign, our subject was one of the prominent
speakers of the county, and visited nearly all
the towns in his locality. Since coming to
Williamston he has met with success on
every hand.
Our subject is very proud of the fact that
he helped to clear up the father's farm and
worked thereon every summer until he was
twenty-six years of age, assisting his father
at this work. He is now the owner of the
place, which comprises one hundred acres, of
which is in every way an up-to-date farm
property.  This, Mr. Webb finds time to
oversee, and takes a great deal of interest
in its management. He also owns some of
the most valuable real estate in the Village
of Williamston.
The Webb family were early settlers in
this part of the county, and have always
been among the highly respected and influential citizens of the community.








CAPT. FRANK C. IVES




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


277


CAPT. FRANK C. IVES.
Capt. Frank C. Ives is a product of Ingham county. The bright light at Sunnyside
first shone on his infant features on the
morning of September 24, I873. There was
nothing remarkable about his birth; he
started in life with an avoirdupois of 12
pounds, and was well born. His early boyhood was spent upon the old home-farm,
Sunnyside, Vevay Twp. In addition to his
primary school advantages, he was for some
time a student at the Mason high school and
later at Albion College; the alma mater of
his mother and from which his father went
to serve his country as an officer in the great
civil war. A course at the Lansing Business
University, and his school days were over.
Always a lover of books, he early acquired
a desire for travel which he was fortunate
in being able to gratify, first by an extended
trip in the West, covering a period of one
and a half years, visiting the states of Kansas, Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Nebraska and the Black Hills, S. D.
During the entire period of the World's
Fair at Chicago in 1893 he found employment on the grounds of the exhibition, giving a most excellent opportunity of studying
the exhibits from all points of the globe;
and by association with the representatives
from the different nations, familiarized himself with their customs and characteristics.
The important thing is not how we came to
obtain knowledge, the important thing is to
obtain it. In 1894 he visited California,
spending some time at Oakland, Riverside,
Lake Elsimore and Los Angeles.
In the winter of I896 he spent five months
in the City of St. Louis, Mo. During his
stay in the city he experienced the most
thrilling event of his life, he was caught in
a cyclone that wrought terrible havoc, over
three hundred people losing their lives and


millions of dollars worth of property having
been destroyed within the space of a few
minutes. This event occurred just prior to
the assembling of the National Republican
Convention in that city, which nominated
Major Wm. McKinley for President of the
United States for the first term.
During the summer of 1896 Mr. Ives,
who had gained quite a local reputation as
a solo singer, engaged with Evangelist H.
O. Wills of Detroit, and made a tour of the
lower peninsula and Canada. He recalls
with pleasure the time spent with "Bro.
Wills."
February 15, I898, occurred the blowing
up of the United Staltes man-of-war, the
"Maine," while lying in the harbor of Havana, in which two hundred and fifty-eight
brave sailors and marines and two officers
lost their lives.  A little more than two
months had passed, when, on April 26,
I898, Pres. McKinley issued a general
order calling out the entire force of the
Michigan National Guard. Mr. Ives had
familiarized himself with the unequal contest that had been waging between the Spanish government and the little band of liberty
loving Cuban patriots, and his patriotism
was at fever heat. On the same day the call
for troops was issued, he enlisted as a private soldier in Co. F, First Regiment Michigan N. G., Capt. John G. Snook, commanding. May 9th following the company was
mustered into the United States service and
designated Co. F, 31st Michigan Volunteer
Infantry. Under the command of Col. Cornelius L. Gardner of the regular army, the
regiment proceeded with little delay to camp
Geo. H. Thomas, Chickamauga Park, Go.,
where a vigorous drill was maintained for
some time. August 2Ist the regiment broke
camp and proceeded by rail to Camp Poland,
Knoxville, Tenn., where regular drill exercises were continued. While at this point the




278


PAST AND PRESENT


regiment was ordered out by Gen'l McKee
to suppress a riot going on in the ranks of
the Sixth Va. Colored Troops. This service
was successfully performed without loss of
life or bloodshed.
January 10, I899, the regiment proceeded
under orders to Camp "Onward,' Savannah,
Ga., where it remained until January 25,
when it boarded the United States Transport
"Chester" and embarked under orders for
Cienfuegos, Cuba. The transport encountered a heavy sea, and in order to lighten the
vessel it became necessary to throw overboard much valuable property, among which
was a full outfit of cots presented the command by Miss Helen Gould. The point of
destination was however safely reached February ist, and the day following the troops
disembarked and were transported by rail to
Rodrigo, a point on the island about sixty
miles inland. A few days later the regiment marched to Amaro, five miles distant,
and went into permanent camp.
March 4th Co. F was detached from the
regiment and ordered to Remedios, Santa
Clara Province, to apprehend Cuban Bandits
who were at the time committing serious
depredations on cane and tobacco plantations in the vicinity. Here the company remained for nearly six weeks. The purpose
of the expedition to the island having been
accomplished, the Secretary of War issued
an order for the return of the regiment to
American soil, and in obedience thereto,
April 12, I899, the command assembled at
Cienfuegos and embarked on the government
transport "Thomas" enroute for the United
States.
After the usual time spent in detention
camp, the regiment was mustered out and
disbanded from their former camp "Onward"
at Savannah, Ga., May 17, I899, having
to their credit nearly thirteen months gov

ernment service, three of which had been
spent in Cuba.
During his term of service Frank C. Ives
had been promoted to Corporal. On the
reverse side of his discharge it reads "Service honest and faithful, character excellent."
As a compliment to his personal appearance and soldierly bearing, Corporal Ives
was regularly detailed as orderly at regimental headquarters. He twice served upon
special detail. He was once sent to Macon,
Georgia, from Knoxville, Tennessee, a distance of several hundred miles, for a
deserter who was held in that city, and
again during the stay of the regiment at
Savannah he enjoyed the distinguished
honor of being the only corporal from his
company detailed for duty at provost headquarters.
Returning home the company was reorganized and designated Co. "B," ist Independent Battalion, M. N. G. Mr. Ives was
made duty sergeant. May 30, 190o, he was
promoted by Capt. E. E. Hartwick, then
commanding the company, to ist sergeant,
in which capacity he served until June 20,
I902j when he was elected by the company
to the rank of first lieutenant, and after passing a satisfactory examination was commissioned by Governor Aaron T. Bliss. He
served faithfully with the rank of first lieutenant to April 26, I904, when he was
elected by the company and commissioned
by Gov. Bliss captain, which rank he still
holds. Physically, Capt. Ives is the type of
the American soldier. Standing a trifle over
six feet and carrying about 200 pounds, well
distributed, on duty, he is every inch a soldier, and exceptionally popular with his
command. At the last State encampment
his company was one of the largest of the
encampment and one of the best disciplined.
Capt. Ives is a member of the Order of




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


279


United Spanish War Veterans, also of the
Knights of Pythias and Sons of Veterans.
He has held the office of Township Clerk.
He also served as assistant Supervisor of
Census for the sixth congressional district
in I900.
He served as deputy sheriff and turnkey
for Ingham county under Sheriff Wm. H.
Porter.  Capt. Ives is justly proud of the
military record of his antecedents.  His
father, Col. L. H. Ives, did valiant service
for his country in the War of the Rebellion,
entering the army with the rank of second
lieutenant, he passed through several grades
of promotion, and during his three years'
service he participated in several of the hardest fought battles of the war, notably the
Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor and
Petersburg, having to his credit, all told,
about thirty battles and skirmishes.
His grandfather, Hon. Samuel G. Ives, in
the early military organizations of Michigan
was commissioned by Governor Epaphroditus Ransom in 1848, "Captain of Livingston
Troops," a horse company. "Training days"
were general holidays for the whole populace. Capt. Ives has in his possession his
grandfather's military coat and captain's
commission.
Two great-grandfathers and one greatgreat-grandfather did service in the war of
1812.  His great-grandfather, Orin Ives,
participated in the battle of Lundy's Lane.
The other great-grandfather, Hon. Josiah
Hedden, data is not given of his special
service. The record states that Capt. Aaron
Hedden, Capt. Ives'    great-great-grandfather, raised a company and took part in
the war of I812.
An uncle (name unknown) of Josiah
Ives,  great-grand-grandfather  of  Capt.
Frank C. Ives, was a captain in the Revolutionary War.  It will thus be seen that


for generations his ancestors have been
noted for their patriotism and public spirit.
Capt. Ives' ancestors, on his father's side,
came from England in the I6th century,
first settling in the Green Mountain State,
and as far as known, were well-to-do, thrifty
and enterprising people.
COL. L. H. IVES.
The cold material facts of a man's life are
not his history, the world cannot know the
master motives which prompt him. A man's
life is what he is, and his biography is the
grouping together the incidents of the spirit
that moved him. Back of that which you
see lies the motive,-and the motive is the
man. A life of activity along the lines of
virtue, morality, religion and public spirit
establishes for the individual a reputation,
and in him a character which always has,
and will continue to develop, the highest
type of American Christian citizenship, than
which there is no better. Such is the reputation and character of Col. L. H. Ives.
For four decades his life has been as an
open book before the people of Ingham county, and it is safe to say that few men enjoy
the respect, confidence and esteem of his
fellowmen in fuller measure than Col. Ives.
His parents and more remote ancestors were
noted for their public spirit. To be well
born one must possess an inbred sense of
honor, justice, right and reverence for the
good, all of which have been marked characteristics of him of whom we write. Col.
Ives was well born. Having been officially
connected with various county and State organizations, almost continuously since his
location in the county in I865, probably no
man of his occupation has enjoyed a wider
acquaintance with men of all avocations and




280


PAST AND PRESENT


profession than Col. Ives. He is what might
correctly be termed an all round man. Fitted by natural and acquired ability, by experience and education, his fellow citizens
have many times honored him   with positions of trust and responsibility. No office
in any organization that is worth maintaining is considered by him as beneath his dignity.  The best there is in him  has all
through the years of his activities been given
for the public good, without hope of compensation other than public approval and a
good conscience. The trend of thought with
him has been along the line of the public
good.
In educational matters he has always
taken an active interest. He has often been
invited to address the children upon occasions of hoisting the flag over the school
buildings, and other public doings, and his
talks to the little people are always of a helpful character. He is well known as a Sunday school worker, having practically been
actively engaged in the work since childhood; and he recalls with pleasure that his
first superintendency was with his little
home society at Unadilla, where he was born
and grew to manhood. There are those living in his community who cheerfully give
credit to his efforts for the complete revolution of the society along the line of temperance and morality resulting in the establishment of the M. E. church society at Eden.
His official connection with the Methodist
Episcopal church society extends from the
years of his majority to the present, having
served in every capacity from steward to
class leader, and on several occasions he has
conducted funeral services for his neighbors
and friends without the assistance of a minister of the gospel. A friend who has been
in close touch with him for several years
wrote of him: "For many years he has never
forgotten the men in prison, and nearly


every Sabbath he has read the scriptures to
them in the county jail, and sung and prayed
with them, and left them with an inspiring
talk to lift them toward a better life. As
a private citizen, Col. Ives excels. He is
public spirited to a fault. Brain, heart, hand
and purse are open to every good cause, and
his voice can be had for the asking, to promote the welfare of any enterprise that has
for its object the uplift of his race.  He
fears nobody, and he never compromises
with a thing he thinks wrong. On the other
hand, a tale of want or suffering, or sorrow
or wrong, will move him to tears and call
forth his immediate help."
In the earlier years, Mr. Ives was an enthusiastic worker and active in the councils
of the Republican party, and was for several
years Supervisor of his township. Active
work along temperance lines led him outside the camp, and he found himself in full
accord with the principles of the Prohibition
party, with which he has been affiliated for
the past fifteen years. He has been recognized as one of the leading factors in the
party in local and State politics, nearly always a delegate to the State conventions.
He has served on the State central committee, and has been several times a delegate
to the national conventions.
In the year I890 he was nominated for
the office of Auditor General, making the
second best run on the ticket, receiving a
total of 28,427 votes.
As a temperance speaker his utterances
are clear, fearless and logical, yet without
offense or vituperation. He firmly believes
that the legalized, licensed saloon is the one
great enemy of the home, the school, and the
church; and as a natural sequence, the
enemy of man. He views the liquor business as conducted in this country, as the
great destroyer of human happiness, and the
greatest curse and danger to the permanence




*hit a 


j,zq /


ab / 16 L        S




I.
0
I




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


281


of our American institutions, and our
Christian civilization.
As a friend of humanity he is a sworn
enemy of this monster vice of the twentieth
century-this father of crime-this engine
of the devil, for the imbruting and destruction of the race. The modern idea of loyalty
to principle or party, "for revenue only"
finds no response in his nature.
As an intelligent and progressive farmer,
enthused with a spirit of public enterprise,
Col. Ives' ability early found recognition
among his fellow farmers. Soon after taking up his residence in the county, he was
elected president of the Ingham  County
Agricultural Society, and reelected the year
following; and later served the organization
at different times as secretary and treasurer,
and was nearly always officially connected
with the society during the years of its existence. He was the prime mover in the organization of the Ingham County Farmers'
Club in 1872, one of the earliest organizations of its kind in the State, and today the
oldest and generally recognized as best. For
nearly a quarter of a century Col. Ives was
its secretary, and the reports of the club as
published in the county papers have had
much to do with formulating the methods
of farming carried on in the county. As
an expression of appreciation for services
rendered the club, Col. Ives a few years
since, was made the recipient of a beautiful
gold watch and chain. Following the retirement of Amos S. Wood from the presi
dency by reason of advanced years, Col. Ives
was elected president, which position he still
holds.  He took a prominent part in the
organization of the State Association of
Farmers' Clubs at Lansing, February I,
1894, and was elected a member of the board
of directors, and in I90I he was chosen
president for the term of one year. He has
several times been honored with a place on


the programs of the annual gatherings of
the association.
The Free Press Farm    and Live Stock
Journal of Detroit, in which appeared several views of "Sunnyside" and a portrait of
Col. Ives, among other complimentary
things said:
"A Mlichigan Farmer and His Record.
"The home of Col. L. H. Ives of Mason,
Ingham county, the Colonel himself, and
scenes at 'Sunnyside' are pictured out on
this page. The Colonel needs no introduction to the farmers' interested in the Farmers' Club organization, or to members of
the G. A. R. in Michigan. He is a son of
Hon. Samuel G. Ives, who came to Michigan while it was yet a territory, settling in
Livingston county. He has had a very active life, starting as a boy in farm work,
getting his education in winter, teaching
district school, attending the Agricultural
College for a time, and finally enlisting in
I862 in a Michigan infantry regiment for
three years, starting out a lieutenant and retiring with the rank of colonel, at the close
of the war.
"He went back to farming, and has made
his home, 'Sunnyside,' one of the pleasantest in the State. Mr. Ives was one of the
leaders in bringing the farmers' clubs of
the State into the State organization, and
has always taken a deep interest in all movements affecting the material interests of the
farming community. Active, patriotic, with
a genuine admiration for his State and county, Col. Ives has been a power for good in
his community.
"Here is a typical American farmer, whose
wide experience in various walks of life fits
him for any station, and enables him to
meet efficiently all requirements."
During the time Col. Ives was president




282


PAST AND PRESENT


of the State Association of Farmers, the
Michigan Farmer, commenting upon the appearance of his portrait, with a brief biography published in the columns, added:
"A pleasant surprise has been prepared
for our readers in this issue. The lateness
of the season at which it has appeared will
not detract in any way from the pleasure
of the glimpse of the face and life of the
worthy president of our State association,
which we are enabled to give our readers
this week. We asked his permission to present these soon after the associational meeting, but with his usual thoughtfulness he
preferred that the limited space of the department be devoted to matter wholly pertinent to the club work and discussions in hand
during the winter months, his interest in the
cause as ever far outweighing any desire for
merited praise or personal adulation; and it
is but fair to state that in the end the brief
but comprehensive biography of Col. Ives
presented in this issue had to be secured
from  a friend who 'knew    him.' Every
reader of the Farmer will be the better for
the careful study and emulation of his character and example."
Twice Gov. Pingree recognized his fitness
and ability in commissioning him a delegate
from Michigan to the Farmers' National
Congress.  In 1904 Gov. Bliss conferred
upon him the same honor, and he is a delegate to the gathering of the congress at
Richmond, Va., September 12 to 22 of the
present year.  A State paper commenting
on the fact of his appointment, said: "His
is a good selection for three reasons. Col.
Ives is a practical and successful farmer, he
is a representative soldier of the war of the
rebellion rising from private to colonel, he
is a practical and consistent Christian gentleman. Added to these qualifications, he
is a man of education, progressive and en

terprising, and has farm interests at heart."
As an illustration of public confidence, fitness and social standing of our subject, reference is made to the organization of the
Mason Free Street Fair Association by the
public-spirited citizens of Mason city. Col
Ives was the only officer connected with the
association outside the corporate limits of
the city.  He was elected secretary, and
given charge of the advertising and lusiness
end of the concern generally. Five annual
exhibitions were given, bringing together
the largest number of people that ever assembled in the city. The enterprise proved
a great success in awakening sentiment in
favor of Mason as a public-spirited city, securing sympathy and influence at a time
greatly need in connection with the erection
of the new court house. The exhibitions
were maintained at a high moral standard,
meeting the approval of the very best citizens of the county.
Other  established  organizations  with
which he has been actively and officially associated are the Ingham County Mutual
Fire Insurance Co., which he served both as
director and secretary at different times. He
was for several years president of the Ingham County Pioneer Society, also served as
secretary.
In connection with the Ingham County
Soldiers and Sailors' Association, his name
appears with marked frequency, stretching
over the entire period of the years of its existence. It has often been remarked of him,
that he has held more positions with less
material compensation than any man in Ingham county.
The following transcript from the official
records of the "Army and Navy Historical
Association," briefly review the admirable
war record made by Col. Ives from I862 to
I865:
"Lucius H. Ives enlisted on the 6th day




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


283


of August I862, at Unadilla, Livingston
county, State of Michigan, to serve three
years, or during the war, and was mustered
into the United States service at Jackson,
Mich., on the I2th day of December, 1862,
as a second lieutenant of Co. B, 26th Regiiment, Michigan Volunteer Infantry, Col.
Judson S. Farrar, commanding.
"With his command, he left Camp Jackson, for Washington, D. C. The day following, and soon after arriving at the capitol city, was ordered on provost duty at
Alexandria, Va., where he remained until
April 20 following, when, with the regiment, he proceeded by boat to Suffolk, Va.,
and for some time occupied the trenches and
assisted in constructing the city's defenses.
He, with the regiment, participated in several expeditions to the Black Water and took
part in the skirmish near Windsor, June
20, I863; he was at Yorktown and formed
a part of the command which marched to
Bottom's bridge on the Chickahominy, returning to Yorktown, July I, and was immediately placed under marching orders for
Washington, where orders were waiting to
hurry the command on to New York City,
where it arrived July I6, on his twenty-third
birthday. A great riot was in progress at
the time, resisting the draft. He was for
some time on duty in the city guarding government store-houses. After quiet was restored, the regiment was ordered on duty at
Staten Island.
"About this time a general court martial
was convened at Fort Hamilton, on the
south bank of East river, and Lieut. Ives was
detailed as a member of the court, which
met daily for six weeks and disposed of
several important cases. At the final disbandment of the court, he rejoined his regiment, and a few days later, October 13, the
regiment was under marching orders for the
Army of the Potomac, where it was as

signed to the first brigade, first division,
second corps; Lieut. Ives was promoted to
the rank of first lieutenant, February 7,
I863; captain, April 26, 1864; major,
March 7, 1865.
"He participated, in command either of
his company or his regiment, in every engagement in which his regiment took part
as follows: Suffolk, Windsor, Mine Run,
Wilderness, Corbin's Bridge, Ny River, Po
River, Spottsylvania, North Anna, Tolopotomoy, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Weldon
Railroad, Deep Bottom, Strawberry Plains,
White   Oak   Swamp,   Ream's   Station,
Peeble's farm, Hatcher's Run, Boydton
Road, White Oak Road, Sutherland's Station, Amelia Springs, Deatonsville, Sailor's
Creek, High Bridge, Farmville, Appomattox
Court House, Siege of Petersburg from
June 17, 1864, to April 3, I865.
"At Spottsylvania, April 12, I864, his
regiment lost in killed, wounded and missing,
one-half of the number engaged. It was a
most remarkable fact that amidst all the
blood and carnage of those eventful years,
so freighted with wounds, death and disaster, the subject of this sketch should have
escaped unharmed.
"These three years of constant and arduous
service evidence a most enviable record, and
Col. Ives justly takes pride in the following
incidents: That for six months he was upon
the staff of Gen. Nelson A. Miles as engineer officer of the division; that he, at one
time, without aid, surprised and captured a
mounted Confederate major and escorted
him to the rear; that among his fine collection of war trophies, he has a sabre and belt
surrendered to him before Petersburg by a
Confederate captain; that it was his command that captured Gen. Lee's train of two
hundred and sixty wagons (three days before the final surrender), containing baggage, provisions, ammunition, and other val



284


PAST AND PRESENT


uables, of which he still retains several treasured reminders; that it was through the lines
of the 26th Michigan, while under his command deployed as advance skirmishers, that
Generals Grant and Lee operated with
their flags of truce for the final surrender
of the Army of Virginia, April 9, I865; that
while as second lieutenant of Co. B (position
on extreme left of regiment), he was the last
officer in line to leave camp for the seat of
war, when the shattered columns of the victorious regiment returned to the State for
muster out, he rode at its head as its commander, a position he had occupied for nearly a year, most of the time with the rank of
captain; that his warmest, most sincere and
cherished friends are among those with
whom he was intimately associated during
those dark days, 'that tried the men's
souls;' that it was his proud distinction to
lead his depleted regiment in the 'Grand
Final Review' of the armies of the United
States by President Johnson, General Grant,
and hundreds of others in high civil and
military circles, which took place in the city
of Washington, D. C., May 24, 1865."
He received his "final discharge" at Jackson, Mich., on the 4th day of June, I865, by
reason of close of war. In "Michigan in
the War," Gen. Francis C. Barlow, in whose
division the regiment served, is recorded as
saying, among other complimentary things,
"I have the strongest regard and admiration
for the 26th Michigan. It is difficult to pick
out one regiment from all those I served with
as the best, but I can say this, that I never
saw one superior ini the whole army."
General Hancock wrote, "I have great respect and esteem for the officers and men
of the regiment so distinguished in the field
as the 26th Michigan Infantry, being bound
to them in ties of friendship, derived through
common service."  An officer familiar with


Col. Ives' military record wrote of him since
the war, "Major Ives was one of the bravest
and best soldiers, deserving well of his Ingham county friends, where he is prominently
associated with every good movement of
society in this region."  An army correspondent of the Detroit Tribune, writing
from the front under date of Sept. Io, 1864,
said: "The commanding officer, Captain L.
H. Ives, though young and fresh from the
honors of late promotion, is thorough, energetic and capable in his regimental administration, and gives the best of satisfaction.
This is saying much for any officer who can
succeed our late excellent commander."
Colonel Ives is a member of Steele Bros.
Post No. 441, Department of Michigan,
Grand Army of the Republic, which he was
instrumental in organizing, and of which he
has been adjutant, and of which he has been
honored as post commander. He is an influential member of many organizations, reaching every avenue of society, and can always
be relied upon for the full measure of his
influence in every enterprise tending in any
manner to the public weal."
In the Department of Michigan, Grand
Army of the Republic, Col. Ives' ability and
loyalty have been recognized on various occasions. He has served upon the staff of the
department commander, also as a member of
the committee for the inspection of the Soldiers' Home at Grand Rapids.
In I902 he was elected a delegate to the
national encampment at Washington, D. C.,
and at the last State encampment was elected a member of the council of administration.
He is a thorough Grand Army man, and
a true friend of the old soldier.
September 25, I865, Colonel L. H. Ives
was united in marriage to Miss Libbie E.
Cowan of Parma, Mich., by his uncle, Rev.




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


285


Dr. B. I. Ives of Auburn, N. Y. The marriage service was performed in the little
brick Methodist church at Williamsville,
Unadilla township. Three covples took their
places before the altar rail and were married in the same service.
Mrs. Ives was born in Eaton county,
Mich., August i, 1841. During the years
of lher young womanhood she taught school,
and at the age of eighteen years graduated
from Albion College in the class of I86I
with the degree of M. S. A. Mrs. Ives was
awarded the highest honors of her class in
her selection as valedictorian.  The first
year after leaving college she taught a government school among the Indians at Pere
Marquette, Mich., and later followed the occupation in Jackson county. She is a lady
of rare culture and fine literary attainments,
possessing a natural gift of poetry. Several
of her productions of both prose and poetry
have found their way into public print. As
a wife, mother, housekeeper and friend, she
is loyal. Her gentle, self-sacrificing manner
make her the ideal wife, mother, homekeeper
and friend. Her charming presence is the light
and joy of Sunnyside. A friend wrote of
her, "when you write the story of Col. Ives
you unconsciously write the story of her
who through life's battle has been his constant support and inspiration, his keenest
critic, his best friend."  And, referring to
"Sunnyside," their rural villa, he added,
"And the home is well named, for nowhere
can a spot be found where cordiality and
hospitality are more freely extended, and
where good cheer and sunny favor more
thoroughly abound."
Colonel and Mrs. Ives are the parents of
four children: Minnie Maud, born Christmas, 1868, died February 6, I870.  Zada
Evespie, born November 26, 1869.    For
several years Miss Zada has devoted her


time largely to the occupation of a nurse.
She is happily possessed of a good business
ability, and has met with more than average
success in her chosen avocation. She was
for four years employed in Chicago. For
the past three years her address has been
St. Louis, Mo. She has also on several occasions been employed as traveling companion, an accomplishment for which she possesses rare adaptation. She has a most admirable poise-self-reliance, and quickness of
perception. Frank C., a brief personal sketch
of whose life follows this biography; Winnifred, born March 6, 1876, graduated from
Mason high school at the age of eighteen
years, was   chosen  class  valedictorian.
Taught one year in the public schools of
Pennsylvania, later took a two-years' literary
course at Albion College, followed with a
course in shorthand and typewriting. Miss
Winnifred was employed as secretary and
bookkeeper at the Michigan Industrial
School for Girls at Adrian for the term of
four years, resigning to accept a position
with the press department of the University
of Chicago. She is at present employed as
stenographer for Pres. Wm. R. Harper of
the Chicago University.  Miss Winnifred
has given considerable attention to painting,
and her pictures in oil, sepia and water colors, which adorn the walls of her Sunnyside
home, have been pronounced works of art
and have been much admired.
Col. Ives has furnished our historian with
the following data referring to himself and
family and also his ancestors:
L. H. Ives was born in the Township of
Unadilla, County of Livingston, Michigan,
July i6, I840. His parents, Mariah Louisa
Hedden and Hon. Samuel G. Ives, were natives of the Empire State, where the father
was born Dec. 21, I812, and the mother
April 6, 1813. They were united in mar



286


PAST AND PRESENT


riage, in their native state, August 30, 1835,
and came west the same year and settled
where our subject was born, while Michigan
was yet a territory, and practically an unbroken forest.
A very comprehensive biographical sketch
of these most worthy and industrious people
is to be found in the History of Livingston
County, published in the year I88o. They
were the parents of eight children, seven of
whom grew to manhood and womanhood.
Five are now living: Edwin, born June 19,
1837, died July 5, 1837; Horatio, born
September 5, 1838, grew to manhood on the
old home farm and went south the year prior
to the breaking out of the War of the Rebellion, and has never been heard of since;
Lucius H., the subject of this sketch, born
July I6, 1840; Frank E., born August 25,
1842, a farmer by occupation residing on the
old home estate, one of the prosperous and
solid men of affairs in Livingston county,
married Mary Bird. They have had two
children, Lute and Mabel. Mabel died July
14, I901.  Maria Louise, born May I5,
1845, married John J. Watson. They had
Josephine, who married Clair Durand, died
a few years later. Mrs. Watson died October, I4, I867. Almira Josephine, born September I8, 1848, married D. E. Watts, they
reside in Mason; Homer G., born November
I8, I850, by occupation a farmer, resides in
Chelsea, Michigan, married Katie Godfrey.
They had six cildren, Wirt, Edna, Jennie,
Roy, Louise and Florence. Jennie D., born
September I7, I853, married Bernard Parker. Their residence is in Lansing, Michigan,
where Mr. Parker has an appointment as
secretary of the State Board of Auditors.
The following genealogical facts referring
to the ancestors and relatives of Mrs. L. H.
Ives are here given place for the benefit of
her descendants: Her parents, Clarissa Mattison and William Cowan, were natives of the


State of New York, where the father was
born at Scipio, July 29, I808, and the mother
April IO, I806. They were united in the
holy bonds of matrimony by the Rev. Seth
Mattison, father of the bride, October 26,
1826.
William Cowan's father, Thomas Cowan,
was born October 28, I777, and emigrated
to America with his parents, William'and
Margarett Cowan of County Downs, Ireland,
in the year I791. The family consisting of
seven children. They left their native land
on account of the persecutions of the Protestants by the Roman Catholic church.
April I8, I806, Mrs. Ives' grandfather,
Thomas Cowan, married Miss Charity Hinman, who was a native of New York, where
she was born March I9, 1786. They had
six children, her father being the eldest of
the family. Thomas Cowan's wife died
March 22, 1817. He later married Sally
Russell, who bore him thirteen children.
Mrs. Ives' parents, William and Clarissa
Cowan, came to Michigan in June, 1837,
and settled in Eaton county, in what was
then known as Tyler township, where she
was born August I, I841. They were the
parents of five children, one son and four
daughters, the four oldest were born in the
State of New York. Data respecting them
and their families is given as follows:
Cyrus H., born August I I, 1827, a farmer
by occupation, married Miss Emily Anderson, daughter of Col. John Anderson. They
had Cora, Effie, William and Minnie. Cyrus
Cowan died March I, I904.
Charity A., born December 23, I828,
taught school, married Rev. Lewis J. Griffin,
September 6, 1857. They had Dr. Wm. L.
Ernest, Clara and Stanley C., a graduate of
Albion College. Rev. Griffin died September, I902.
Fidelia F., born January 4, 1831, graduated from Albion College, taught school,








HON. FRANK L. DODGE




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


287


married July 12, I856 to Wm. B. Burnam.
They had George, Belva, Fred and Clement
L. Mr. Burnam, a soldier in the civil war,
died December, I903.
Clarissa Jane, born March 4, 1836, taught
school, married Jacob C. Haite, November
29, I854. They had Seward, Frank, and
an infant son, and Clara. Mrs. Haite died
May I8, I900.
Mrs. Ives' grandfather, Rev. Seth Mattison was born I789, a Methodist Episcopal
minister, and for many years a member of
the New York Genesee Conference, died in
I843. His wife's maiden name was Lucy
Hoyt, born I788. They had seven children,
five daughters and two sons. Losing his
wife by death in I834, he married a Mrs.
Law. They had one daughter, Anna, who
married Rev. Andrew Bigelow.
Three of Rev. Seth Mattison's daughters
married ministers, all well known pioneers
in Michigan Methodism.   Rev.'s Wm. E.
and Andrew J. Bigelow (brothers) for over
forty years were members of the Detroit
Conference. Melville M., Ph. D., only son
of Rev. Wm. E. Bigelow, is the present dean
of the Boston Law School, and a writer on
law of international reputation. The other,
Rev. Wm. W. Crane of Wesleyan Methodist
church was a pioneer preacher in Eaton
county.  It is recorded of him that he
preached the first sermon in the Township of
Hamlin in the month of February, I837.
It is also written of him in the History of
Eaton county, that "he married all the people and preached all the sermons."  His
name is found among the first Supervisors.
He was later known as a historical writer
and lecturer, and was for many years officially connected with the Wesleyan College
at Leoni, Michigan.
Of the two sons of Rev. Seth Mattison,
Rev. Wm. Mattison, D. D., was a noted
Divine in the state of New York, and Seth


A. accumulated a liberal fortune during his
many years in connection with the N. Y.
Life Insurance Co., a portion of the time as
president of the company, and later was a
well known capitalist in Los Angeles, Cal.
Prof. Hiram Mattison, A. M., of N. Y.,
author of Mattison's Astronomy and other
scientific text books, was a descendant of
the family.
HON. FRANK L. DODGE.
Hon. Frank L. Dodge, who has been attorney in some of the most important litigations in the State, for many years has also
been a prominent Democratic leader in municipal, county and State legislation. He was
born in Oberlin, Ohio, in the year 1853, being a son of Hervey and Angeline (Stevens)
Dodge.   His father, a native of Essex
county, Mass., was born July 20, I806, and
was by trade a cabinet maker. His brother,
the uncle of our subject, was the father of
the manufacturer of shoes so well known
throughout the United States, and he himself was a nephew of Nathan Dane, the
great lawyer.
The mother of Frank L. Dodge -was a
native of Haverhill, N. H., the date of her
birth being July 22, 1812. She was the
daughter of Col. Bradstreet Stevens, whose
brother served in the War of 1812, and her
remote ancestry was of distinguished Revolutionary stock. After passing the years of
her girlhood in New Hampshire, she came
to Ohio, where she met her future husband,
their union going into history as the marriage of the first white couple in Oberlin.
The ceremony was performed by President
Mahan.
Mrs. Dodge's brother, E. L. Stevens, was
for thirty-five years Chief Clerk of the Indian Bureau, and the son of the latter, Durham White Stevens (cousin of our subject),




288


PAST AND PRESENT


has recently been appointed Consul General
of Korea by the Japanese government, with
headquarters at Seoul.
After following his trade as cabinet maker for a number of years, the father of our
subject engaged in the furniture business,
locating for that purpose at Utica, N. Y.
Then he came to Ohio, where he met his
wife, continuing in that line and died in
July, 1884. The mother died in January,
I890.
There were five boys and one girl in the
family, all of whom are alive: John S., William H., Elizabeth, who live in Cleveland;
Charles D., a resident of Lansing; Ezra B.
and Frank L., who was for a time a resident
of Cleveland, although he received his early
education at Oberlin.
Mr. Dodge's experience in the railroad
business at Cleveland, was for several years.
His next venture was in the hotel field with
W. H. Dodge. He began his professional
studies with the late Hon. Isaac M. Crane,
one of the leaders in the profession at that
time, who, after his admission to the bar in
Eaton county, received him into partnership.
In 1879 Mr. Dodge removed to Lansing
from Eaton Rapids, where he has since
been in active practice, when his time has
not been monopolized by his duties as a
legislator. During the most of this period
of twenty-five years, he has been alone, the
Hon. C. P. Black, formerly U. S. Attorney
for Eastern District of Michigan, being his
partner for a number of years.  In 1885
Judge Brown, now of the U. S. Supreme
Court appointed him United States Commissioner and he performed the duties of
that office for ten years with marked ability.
Mr. Dodge has been connected with some
of the most celebrated cases tried in the
State. He represented the defendants in
the conspiracy suits growing out of the great
labor strikes at Saginaw. All were acquit

ted, including Hon. Thomas B. Barry, after one of the most protracted and fiercely
contested suits ever tried in that section of
the State. In 1887, he also made a speech,
which was very highly commended by the
profession, in defense of Milo H. Dakin, before the House of Representatives, the occasion for its delivery being charges made
against him growing out of the so-called conspiracy cases. In the line of damage suits,
Mr. Dodge has attained special prominence
and a high degree of success, never hesitating to act for any worthy person or cause
without regard to the pay for services.
For a period of twelve years our subject
has been a member of the Common Council
of the city and the County Board of Supervisors. He was first elected to the Lower
House of the State Legislature in 1882 and
was returned by a large increased majority
in 1884. He was a member of the Judiciary
State Affairs and other important committees. His course has been most highly
commended by such leading papers as the
Detroit Tribune, News and Free Press and
the Lansing Republican, the latter speaking
of his work during the first session of his
service in the following words: "During the
session just closed, Mr. Dodge introduced
forty-one bills and resolutions; each of these,
in their turn, received his personal care and
attention, and he was absent from his place
during the entire session, but one and onehalf days.  Some of the bills introduced
by Mr. Dodge were among the most important legislation of the session as regards
their direct influence for the correction of
abuses in the execution of the laws."
Of the important legislation which Mr.
Dodge fathered while a member of the
House of Representatives may be instanced,
the bill (which he introduced and had
passed) giving Lansing two terms of the
Circuit Court; also that by which an appro



INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


289


priation was obtained from the State for the
fire and police departments of the city. He
introduced the measure, over which there
was so great a contest, providing fire escapes
for hotels, theaters and other public places.
Thirty other bills which he introduced were
passed, largely through his influence and
constant watchfulness.
In I890 he was a candidate for State Senator on the Democratic ticket, carrying his
ward, city and county against Hon. John
Robson, and running far ahead of his ticket.
He voted with the other Lansing members
in favor of a courthouse at Mason, on the
ground that an agreement had been made
to that effect, when the Governor signed the
bill giving Lansing two terms of court, an
act pre-eminently fair to do. Mr. Dodge
was appointed a member of the building
committee and drafted the resolution including the contract, which made the possibility
of any wrong-doing out of the question.
For his very efficient work in the matter the
citizens of Mason presented him with a
handsome gold-headed cane, together with
numerous other gifts by individuals of
MIason.
On November 20, I888, our subject was
united in marriage to Abby Turner, daughter of the late Hon. James Turner, and
youngest sister of the late Hon. James M.
Turner. Their five children are: Sophie
Dane, Franklin L. Jr., Wyllis Osborne,
Josephine Nicholson and Marion Elizabeth.
All are at home and attending school.
Mr. Dodge was the original promoter and
incorporator and secretary of the Lansing,
St. Johns and St. Louis Railway Company
and worked zealously at the project until
the line was built to St. Johns. Very great
credit is due him for his efforts, which,
more than any other person, resulted in the
building of the railroad which is of great
importance to the interests of Lansing and
19


the people north of this city. He is still
secretary, stockholder and director of the
above company, and the line is now known
as the "Lansing and Suburban Traction
Company."
Mr. Dodge has a wide connection with
secret and benevolent societies, being a menmber of the Masonic fraternity, the Knights
of Pythias, the Maccabees and Foresters.
Outside of his professional and public life
(and always including his domestic sphere)
he is most absorbed in the care of farming
land and at one time owned as high as one
hundred head of beautiful horses, being
closely associated in his livestock enterprise
with his brother-in-law, the late James M.
Turner, under the firm name of Turner and
Dodge.   His prosperity, ceaseless activity
and love for wife and children are evidenced
by the beautiful residence which he has recently completed at io6 North Street, Lansing, which his many friends trust will be
the home of an unbroken family for many
years to come. He is also the owner of
other valuable real estate in the city, which
he has done so much to honor and adorn.
HON. JAMES M. TURNER (DECEASED).
Hon. James M. Turner was born at Cazenovia, N. Y., April i, 1820, and was a lineal
descendant of Humphrey Turner, who emigrated from Devenshire, England, and settled in Plymouth, Mass., in 1628. His father, Francis S. Turner, and his mother, Deborah Morton, were married at Middlebury, Vermont, in 1799. His grandfather,
Jonathan Turner, married Bridget Arthur in
the year of 1772. His great-grandfather,
Paine Turner, was married at New London,
Conn., November 3, I745, to Eleanor
Haines. Samuel Humphrey Turner, of the
seventh generation, now owns and occupies
the old farm in Scituate, Mass., where his




290


PAST AND PRESENT


ancestor, Humphrey Turner, lived and died,
the farm never having passed out of the family.
Mr. Turner's early educational advantages were quite limited; but, having a great
love for books and an ardent desire to obtain such an education as would fit him for
the active duties of business life, he improved
every opportunity that came his way. In
I840 he removed to Leoni, Michigan, where
he became clerk in a store. He afterwards
traveled through the country with a wagon,
selling goods and buying produce. In 1841
he removed to Mason and engaged in the
mercantile business, in which he continued
until I847. When the capital of the State
was located at Lansing, he removed to that
place, and erected the first frame house in
the north part of the city. For sometime
he carried on the mercantile trade, and then
engaged in the construction of the Lansing
and Howell plank-road, of which company
he was treasurer and manager. The building of this road was of vast importance to
this section of the State. Mr. Turner carried it through against many obstacles, securing a large amount of foreign capital to
complete the work. In I86o, upon the election of John Owen as State Treasurer, Mr.
Turner was appointed Deputy State Treasurer, the duties of the office being under his
exclusive supervision for six years. In 1864
he originated the project of a railroad from
Jackson, which was subsequently known as
the Jackson, Lansing and Saginaw Railroad,
and devoted the greater portion of his time
to the successful prosecution of the work.
He was treasurer and land commissioner of
the company from its organization until his
death. Mr. Turner was also interested in
the construction of a railroad from Ionia to
Lansing, of which company he was treasurer, superintendent and a member of the
first board of directors. For a number of


years he was agent of Eastern holders of
Michigan lands, by whom he was intrusted
with large sums of money for investment.
During a period of several years he was
agent for the Society of Shakers in the investment of money. In I866 he was elected
a member of the State Senate from the district embracing Ingham and Clinton counties. He was prominently identified with the
railroad legislation of that session, and was
a member of the finance committee and
chairman of the committee on the Asylum for
the Insane. Mr. Turner was greatly interested in the educational interests of Lansing, having been one of the founders of the
first Union school in the city, and also of the
Michigan Female College. Upon the organization of the Board of Education in 185I
he was elected member, and held the position during life. His business ability, unimpeachable honor, and integrity gave him a
financial power in carrying forward great
public works, which few men in the State
possessed. He was a warm friend of the
temperance cause and an earnest Christian.
He was an active member of the Methodist
Episcopal church, and for nineteen years was
superintendent of the Sabbath school. In
politics he was identified with the Republican
party from its organization.  He married
October I, 1843, Miss Marion Monroe,
daughter of Jesse Monroe of Eagle, Clinton
county, Michigan. Ten children were born
to them. Mr. Turner died at his home in
Lansing, October 10, I869. The board of
directors of the Jackson, Lansing and Saginaw Railroad passed a series of resolutions
expressive of their regret at his death,
among which was the following: "As one
of the originators and managers of the public improvements placed under charge of this
board of directors, this company and the
communities benefited by the construction of
the Jackson, Lansing and Saginaw Railroad




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


291


owe to the deceased a debt of lasting gratitude for his early earnest, unyielding, and
well-directed efforts in behalf of this enterprise, for his persevering industry and sterling integrity; for the wisdom of his counsels and the vigor of his execution.  Mr.
Turner was a man of commanding personal
appearance, being six feet four inches in
height and well-proportioned, weighing two
hundred and forty-five pounds.  He possessed great strength and remarkable powers
of endurance.  He was kind-hearted and
benevolent to a fault, and a real friend and
helper to the poor.
GODFREY FOLER.
It has often been noted that the GermanAmerican citizen has more than ordinary
qualities of industry, enterprise and ability
t) succeed in life. We find in this class
some of our most worthy and desirable citizens. Germany was the birthplace of our
subject, the date being Nov. 2, 1834. He
waas the son  of Christian  and  Marie
Foler, both natives of Germany.    The
father fought under the great Napoleon.
He was engaged in the occupation of a
miller and lived and died in the old fatherland.
Our subject is one of ten children, five of
wvhom came to Michigan. He acquired his
education in the common schools of Germany, where he lived until twenty-one years
of age, when he came to the New World and
coming to Mason, worked for six years on
* farm by the month and in the meantime
bought and paid for a farm of eighty acres
in Wheatfield township. Twenty-five acres
of this land were cleared and upon it was an
orchard and a log house. He has added to
his possessions from time to time and at
present owns one hundred and twenty acres
tf improved land.


Mr. Foler was made a follower of the
Republican party by reading "Uncle Tom's
Cabin" and "Twelve Years a Slave." He
is a member of the Lutheran church.
In 1870 Mr. Foler was united in marriage
to Miss Isabelle Phelps, daughter of Mr.
and Mrs. George Phelps, who came to this
locality in I850. Mr. Phelps served in the
Civil War and was a member of the 7th
Michigan Infantry, having enlisted at Mason on New Year's day of the year 1864,
and he served until the close of the war.
Mrs. Foler has five brothers and sisters in
Ingham county. Her parents died: Mother,
April 6, I869; father, April 25, I888.
To our subject and wife have been born
four children, two deceased, and Percey.
born March IO, 1877, married Edith Shaw,
daughter of William Shaw of Mason, and
they live in Wheatfield township, and Alma,
born Dec. 26, I881, and still lives at home.
Our subject's wife's mother was the first
school teacher in the township. The Foler
family are known throughout the county as
honest and industrious farmers.
IRVING JOHNSON.
Irving Johnson, the subject of this sketch,
resides on the farm where he was born December I, 1853. A half century's continual
residence in one locality is an occurrence
rather unusual among the pushing, progressive Americans. He was the son of Marcus
and Mary (Slatt) Johnson.   The parents
were natives of Canada, where the father
was born in Canada and the mother in York
state. They first came to Michigan in 1835,
purchasing a farm of eighty acres in the
Township of Onondaga. At this time improvements in that locality were of the most
primitive kind, small clearings here and
there, with rude log huts for houses. The
changes that have come to the physical coun



292


PAST AND PRESENT


try during the last half century are most
marked and remarkable.
To Mr. and Mrs. Marcus Johnson were
born twelve children, nine of whom are still
living. For the benefit of posterity, our subject has had recorded here his family genealogy, as follows: H. D. Johnson, born November 30, I843, now resides in Eaton county, married to Miss Jane Michaels and they
have had five children, two of whom are living; Martin, born in I845, now a resident of
California, he married Mrs. Sarah Harlow
and they have one child; Harriet C. Content,
was born in 1846, now the wife of Mr. Nelson Forbes, living in Colorado, Mr. Forbes
is a contractor and builder and they have one
child; George M., born in I848, is married
and lives in Saginaw county; Isaac, born in
1849, married Miss Hattie Wool, also living
in Saginaw county and they have two children; Narcissus, born in 1851, was the wife
of Jefferson Hill of Leslie township, Mrs.
Hill died in I898; Leroy, born in 1852, lives
in Washington; Ella, born in 1855, married
Samuel McIntyre of Crawford, Michigan,
and they have three children. The following: Jessie, Dean and an infant, are the deceased.
Mr. Johnson had the misfortune to lose
his father when he was but nine years of
age. He early assumed the responsibility of
caring for the family and the farm. After
the death of his mother he bought out the
heirs, squared up the debts and has since
owned the place. His opportunities for education were but meager, but being possessed
of good business ability he has been able by
dint of economy and frugality to win for
himself a comfortable competence.
The event in our subject's life was his
marriage April 5, 1877, to Miss Mary,
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Thurlow,
who were natives of England. Mrs. Johnson was born June 22, 1854. Three children


were born to this couple, Marcus Ervin, bearing the name of his grandfather, was born
June 27, I88I, is still at home with his
parents, assisting on the farm; Lillie Mae,
born January 6, I88o, now the wife of Fay
Boody and they reside in Calhoun county
and have one child named Ruby; Jessie
George, born June 22, 1887, lives at home.
Mr. Johnson has always been an energetic
and robust man, having the powers of endurance, enabling him to perform the arduous duties of the farmer. He is now the
happy possessor of two hundred broad acres
of well improved land. He carries on mixed
farming and is recognized as an up-to-date
and prosperous farmer. He cooperates with
the Republican party in the discharge of his
prerogatives as an American citizen. He is
not an office seeker, although always taking
an active interest in the general welfare of
society. He was reared in the Protestant
faith, his parents being members of the Baptist society.
Mr. Johnson belongs to that class of
American agriculturists that are well to do
and have a very clear idea of how it all came
about.
LANSING J. COOLEY.
Among the prominent and industrious
farmers of 'Lansing township we find none
more widely known and more highly respected than Lansing J. Cooley. He was
born in Trenton, Oneida county, N. Y., November 3, I834, and the son of Jacob Frederick and Lucy (Barnes) Cooley.    The
father was born in Germany February 23,
1807, and the mother at Hartford, Connecticut, April I, I804. The father learned the
trade of tailoring in Germany. He came to
Michigan May 6, I836, staying one year.
when he returned to New York, and then in
1837 returned to Michigan. He located in








LANSING J. COOLEY




MRS. LANSING J. COOLEY








INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


293


1836 in Leslie and when again coming to
Michigan in I837, leaving his family in New
York, he stopped in Jackson and finally came
to Lansing township. His first investment
here was in one hundred and twenty acres in
Lansing township, and the City of Lansing
as well as the township was named after our
subject. This land was all timber and no
improvements whatever were upon it. An
extensive history of Jacob F. Cooley, one of
the earliest settlers of this county, is given in
the historical portion of this volume.
The parents were Close Communion Baptists and were devotedly attached to their
church. They lived and died in this faith.
The father died at Lansing June 9, 1865,
and the mother February 21, I870.
Lansing J. Cooley is the third in a family
of six children. His early education covered
a period of three days. In the early days
there was no school in the locality which the
Cooleys occupied and when one was started
our subject was sixteen years old and had
to work to help support the family. At the
age of twenty-four he went to farming on.
the present place which was the original
homestead and all the present modern improvements are due to the energy, ability
and activity of our subject. To start with,
the father of our subject gave him forty
acres and he has added to it from time to
time as he prospered. The Cooley homestead has never been out of the Cooley name.
Our subject's father took it from Martin
Van Buren and handed it down to the son,
our subject. He is pleasantly located upon
eighty acres of good farming land and is
highly respected for his many good qualities
of heart and mind. He is strongly allied
with the Protestant Methodist church and
politically is a member of the Democrat
party.
March I, 1858, our subject was married
to Rebecca Wall, whose father was a native


of England, and never came to America.
She died in I896. November I, 900o, Lansing J. Cooley was married to Mrs. Mary
M. Taylor.
Our subject takes a citizen's interest in
politics, but never cared for office, preferring
to give his time to his personal affairs.
Lansing J. Cooley takes pleasure in recording with his history his experiences
upon coming to this "Western Country"
when its inhabitants were mostly the red
men.   His only playmates when a child
were Indian boys and girls.  In front of
their pioneer home was an Indian trail,
which was sometimes traveled day and night
for weeks at a time. The father was engaged in his trade at Jackson, leaving our
subject and a brother with the mother at
home, with only the trusty axe as protection.
The Indians were generally of a friendly
nature and often walked into the Cooley
home and dined with them at their dinner
of corn-bread, which had been prepared by
pounding up the corn with a wooden mortar
and pestle, leaving in exchange for the meal
wild game which they had shot. The mother
of our subject would often sit with the
squaws, trying to teach them the language
of the white man, while the children played
together. Upon being asked by Mrs. Jacob
Cooley what their religion consisted of, they
would get down and pray to the "Great
Spirit." An Indian funeral covered a period
of three days, as it took that long to reach
the Spirit Land. It was customary for them
to place with a dead person a small kettle of
provisions, tobacco, pipe, tomahawk and
some sugar for it to use on the way, and
they would take a hollow log, cut it crosswise, stretch a deer hide over it, to make a
drum, and then pound on this day and night
for the three days and then the body was
buried wrapped in the bark.
The home of the Cooleys was of the most




294


PAST AND PRESENT


rustic sort, there being cracks in the floors
wide enough for snakes and weasels to crawl
through, and to find them in the beds and
chairs (which were mostly blocks of wood)
was a common occurrence. Wild game on
every hand was in abundance.   A  bear
caught the first hog owned by Jacob F.
Cooley. He drove the bear away, but the
hog died soon after. Our subject distinctly
recalls the event, as he climbed onto a fence
to see the bear with the pig, but happened to
be just over it and will never forget the look
in the bear's eye when he looked up and saw
him. Animals came at a high price in those
days-the first cat cost five dollars; also five
dollars was the price paid for the first rooster
and hen.
When our subject was first married they
were too poor to buy a team and all the tools
they had were an axe and hoe. They soon
possessed an ox team, which was used for
everything, and also owned a cow. In harvest time Lansing Cooley would mow the
hay with a scythe and his wife rake it up and
haul it on a sled to the stack and our subject
would pitch it while his wife stacked it.
When he got a cradle he would cradle and
she would bind the grain. The first threshing was done with a flail on the ground. A
short time after their marriage they bought
a team of colts and gave a note for them.
They could not make money enough here to
pay for them so he went to Saginaw and
boiled salt for a time, then to Thunder Bay
on Lake Huron, and worked at getting out logs in the pine woods and received
in compensation twenty-five dollars per
month, working all winter to pay for the
colts. In the Spring he returned home and
bought forty acres from the father and had
to take a job of clearing timber at five dollars
per acre to pay the interest on that until after
the Civil War, when times were better. During this time it took all the money one could


get to hire substitutes for the war, as it
would take from six to seven hundred dollars. After the war our subject purchased
a box wagon at the cost of one hundred four
dollars and this was more of a curiosity than
an automobile at the present time. Their
modes of conveyance were of the most rustic
sort for many years.  From  the pioneer
times, with all its methods of farming and
the many inconveniences which the farmer
had to put up with, our subject has by perseverance and energy worked up to the top
of the ladder and today is a prosperous
farmer with all modern tools, conveyances,
buildings, including a commodious house,
and owes no man a dollar. The man who
has lived through all the stages of civilization can well appreciate the comforts of the
present prosperous County of Ingham.
Mr. Cooley has adopted Paul Ford Tayler, making him his heir, whose name is now
Lansing Paul Cooley.
DANIEL R. JESSOP.
Daniel R. Jessop was born December 20,
I838, at Genoa, Livingston county, and was
the son of Daniel and Hannah (Tompkins)
Jessop. His father was born September
30, I803, and his mother, November 8, I8o8.
The parents were natives of New York and
came to Michigan in 1833 and settled where
our subject was born.  His parents were
united in marriage February 6, 1827. The
first home in the Michigan wilderness consisted of one hundred and sixty acres of
wild land; a log house was rolled up, improvements began and being a man of
energy and pluck, he soon gathered about
him the necessary comforts of life and after
a time enlarged his possessions by the purchase of eighty acres of land in Shiawassee
county and forty more in Livingston county.
He made substantial improvements in the






X: fff::: art:::!A:
L:   A:    C: 


MRS. LANSING J. COOLEY (Deceased)




i.




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


295


meantime and here reared a family of ten
children. He early allied himself with the
Democratic party, to which he has always
given hearty support. In religious faith he
was a Universalist. He died July 21, I877.
The family genealogy is as follows: Harriet.
born January 7, 1828; Emeline, May 13,
I829; Chauncey, June 30, 183I, died December 26, I862; Martin V., November 9,
I833, died February 15, I9OI; Lucy, October 27, 1836, was the wife of Joshua Doane
and died June 24, I898; Daniel R., our subject; Laura, July 27, I841, the wife of Seymour Alien-her first husband was Lucian
Waldo; Isadore, July 24, 1843, wife of
Dwane Havens; George, July 17, 1845, residing in Ingham county; Charles, August
24, 1848, died November. I, 1855.
Daniel R. Jessop received his early education in the district schools, and started out
for himself at the age of twenty years, being
first employed as a month-hand in a saw
mill for his brother.  At this he worked
two years, and then enlisted in Co. A, Twentieth Regiment, Michigan Volunteer Infantry, being discharged December 17, 1862.
The following spring he went to Saginaw
and engaged in well-boring for one year, after which he engaged in milling lumber with
his brother, M. V., at Dansville; then
working in a salt mill, boring for salt,
for one year.  He was for several years
engaged in this work with his brother,
until the year 1888 when he bought
the plant and conducted the business alone.
In I884 he purchased a portable sawmill,
which he ran in both Leroy and White Oak
townships for several years, and later took
the plant to Missaukee county, Michigan,
where he remained until I89I, when he sold
out and bought a farm of one hundred and
twenty acres on section 23 in Williamston
township, where he has since resided.
Probably the most important event in Mr.


Jessop's life was his marriage, July 3, 1864,
to Martha Jane, daughter of Mr. and Mrs.
Daniel A. Hewes, some of the earliest settlers of Ingham county, having located in
the State as early as I833. Mr. Hewes was
also for some years engaged in the saw-mill
business, up to I845, when the family
moved to Ingham township, upon the place
which has since been their residence, now
occupied by her brother, Darwin. Daniel
Hewes' death occurred April 15, I898, and
his wife passed away January 28, 1901.
Her maiden name was Sarah Ann McChesney and she was born August 31, I812.
Mr. and Mrs. Hewes were married June 19,
183I, in Otsego county, at Springfield, N. Y.
To them wvere born eight children, six of
whom are living: Calista, born August I6,
1832, wife of E. J. Smith; Daniel, born
November 25, 1834; Darwin S., October 9,
1836; Wallace, November 24, 1839; Martha, July 7, 1842, wife of our subject; Adaline, February 9, I843, wife of Charles
Heald; Maryette, July 3, 1845, died October
20, I847; Elner, April 30, 1853, died October 2, I863. Politically Mr. Hewes' views
harmonized  with  the  Democracy, with
which party he always affiliated. The family are Spiritualists.
To Daniel R. Jessop and wife have been
born three children: two of whom are living: Charles E., born March II, I866, died
August 17, i866; Dee A., born Septembet
24, I869, was united in marriage to Ida M.
Reilley, February 22, 1891, and they have
one child, Ellice, born November 20, I902;
Guy M., born June 21, 1879, now resides
with his father. Dee owns eighty acres of
land, where he lives, three-quarters of a mile
north of his father's farm on section four.
During Mr. Jessop's residence in Dansville,
he was for five years a member of the village
council. He was also a member of several
fraternal organizations, namely, Masons at




296


PAST AND PRESENT


Mason, Dansville and Williamston No. I53,
and Eastern Star No. 29 at Williamston.
Mr. Jessop first joined the Masons at Mason,
under John Sayres, master, then was demitted to Dansville and subsequently to Williamston.
Mr. Jessop was enrolled as private in Co.
A of the 20th Michigan Infantry, September 20, I862, and was mustered into service at Jackson, Michigan. He went with
his command to Washington and from there
into Virginia and crossed over into Maryland.  He was taken sick on the march
from Washington and was sent to Carver
barracks hospital, where he remained two
weeks, when he was discharged December
17, 1862, for physical disability. The price
paid by a soldier in defense of the nation's
honor cannot be reckoned by the number of
days or years.  He who gives his life or
health with but a few days' service, has given
much, possibly all, and is entitled to honor,
just the same as he who went down in the
forefront, in the smoke of battle.
Our subject's father, Daniel Jessop, within a few years after coming to Ingham
county, Michigan, lost his health, and being
unable to attend to business, lost his property as well.
Mr. Jessop is manager of the Haslett
Park Spiritualist association, and is a firm
believer in that philosophy.
JOEL V. MURPHY.
Joel V. Murphy was born Dec. 24, 1846,
in Jennings Co., Indiana. He was the son
of William  L. and Caroline (Compton)
Murphy.. The father was born Jan. 21,
I820, in Steuben Co., N. Y., and died
December I6, I88I. The mother also was
born in Steuben county, New York, and
died Sept. 27, 1893. Joel's father came to
Michigan from Indiana in 1852 and settled


in Ingham county, where he bought eighty
acres of land mostly unimproved.     He
cleared away the forests and broke up about
twenty-five acres.  A  few years later he
traded this farm for eighty acres in the
Township of Locke, upon which there was a
clearing of perhaps twenty-five acres. As he
was prospered he improved the premises,
putting up new buildings and otherwise adding to the value of the farm, and resided
there until his death. Their marriage was
consummated Feb. 6, 1842. Mr. and Mrs.
William Murphy were for many years active
members of the M. E. church.   To them
were born four children, two of whom are
still living; Homer M., born July Io, 1851,
now a resident of Perry Michigan, and our
subject. The names of the deceased are:
Ellen, born MIarch I4, 1843, died in March,
1904; Lucretia, Feb. I6, 1853, died July I9,
I899.
Mr. Joel Murphy received his early education in the district schools. Sept. I, 1874,
he settled in Locke township. where he has
since resided.  His farm, comprising one
hundred and seventy acres of land under
state of cultivation, is well stocked and has
a very desirable rural home upon it.
Mr. Murphy is a Democrat of the pronounced sort, having been to the "manor
born."   Joel V.   Murphy   was   united
in marriage January I9, 1875, to Minerva,
daughter  of   Mr.   and  Mrs.   George
D. Carbaugh.   Mrs. Murphy's birth occurred March 6, I858.   Her father was
among the early settlers of Ionia township,
Ionia county, where he located in I855, having emigrated from the Buckeye State. After some years he moved with his family to
the Township of Sebewa, Ionia county,
where he now resides. He was born April
4, 1827, and the mother, February 2, I830,
her maiden name having been Harkins. Mr.
and Mrs. Carbaugh were the parents of six




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


297


children, named respectively: Nancy, Minerva, Alice, Marion, Nora and Cora, the last
being deceased.
As an offset for Mr. Murphy's politics,
Mrs. Murphy records the fact that her father
was a lifelong Republican.
But one child has come to bless the home
of Mr. and Mrs. Murphy, Chester H., born
Dec. Io, I875. He was united in marriage
Feb. I I, I903, to Miss Flora, daughter of
H. A. Harvey. They now reside at Shaftsburg, Shiawassee Co., Michigan, where he is
practicing medicine, having graduated from
the Medical College at Cleveland, Ohio. He
is a young man of progressive ideas, and is
building up a very commendable practice.
Mr. and Mrs. Murphy are highly respected members of the M. E. church, to which
they cheerfully give their support and
loyalty.
This record is but a brief outline of lives
filled with activities, but sufficient to show
the trend of their lives.
JOHN PASSAGE.
John Passage, the successful and well-todo farmer of Williamston township, was
born in New York, August 31, I85I. He
was one of nine children born to John J. and
Elizabeth (House) Passage. His father was
of German extraction, having been born in
Germany, June 3, 1809. The mother was a
native of New York, where she was born
October I, I809. The father lived to the age
of seventy-one years, while the mother
passed away at the age of eighty-four. In
186I Mr. John Passage came with his family
to Michigan, and settled in the Township of
Williamston upon a farm of eighty acres,
partially improved. He made improvements
from time to time, and later purchased an
adjoining eighty acres, erecting comfortable
buildings, and this was the family home

stead during the lifetime of the father. Both
father and mother were active members of
the M. E. church for many years, and died in
the faith with a good hope of immortality in
the life to come. Politically, Mr. Passage
was an old Jacksonian Democrat.
The following brief synopsis of the genealogy of the family is given here for the
benefit of posterity: Catherine, born January
14, 1831, married Merritt Andress, who
died I889, and his widow now resides in the
Village of Williamston; Ellen, the wife of
Robert Campbell, resides at Garwoods, N.
Y.; Christopher, born November 28, 1832,
was a resident of Williamston for many
years and died at the age of sixty years;
Emmett, born March 21, 1839, resides at
Williamston; Mary, the wife of Gilbert
Smith, born November 30, 1841, and they
reside at Williamston; Jacob, born May 17,
1844, died at the age of fifty years, at the
time of his death he was a resident of Gratiot
county, Michigan; Lizzie E. Melissa, wife of
Joseph Burkholder, born September 4, 1848,
died at the age of twenty-six years; Martha,
died in infancy.
Our subject received his early education in
the district schools and later attended the
Lansing high school for a time. He remained at home and worked on the farm,
assisting his father until twenty-eight years
of age, when he married Miss Ella, daughter
of Dr. Oscar and Margaret Colvin.   Dr.
Colvin was born in the Empire State, January 12, I818, graduated from the University
of Michigan, also at the Rush Medical College, Chicago, and practiced medicine at
Waterloo, Ind., for a number of years. Mrs.
Ella Passage was born in Waterloo, Ind.,
July 3I, I859. Her mother's maiden name
was Maragaret King, was born in the State
of New York, July 12, 1828.  Her grandfather's name was George King, and was one
of the early settlers of Salem, Washtenaw




298


PAST AND PRESENT


county, and was well known as a publicspirited and progressive man. Mrs. Passage
was one of five children, three of whom are
living. Mr. and Mrs. Passage cared for his
aged mother in her declining years and now
owns the old homestead of eighty acres.
Mr. Passage is regarded as one of the
successful farmers of his locality, and has a
fine herd of Durham cattle and Duroc Jersey
swine, which are a source of revenue to him.
in addition to these specialties Mr. Passage
carries on general farming.
Our subject takes pleasure in this biography of his family to record here that his
cousin, Hiram Passage, enlisted during the
great Civil War and yielded up his consecrated life in defense of the flag and right.
Another cousin, Jacob Passage, also did valiant service for his country. Jacob H. House,
an uncle of Mr. Passage also has to his
credit the record of having served all
through the war. Gilbert Smith, another
relative was drafted, and afterward sent a
substitute who served in the war.
By industry and frugality Mr. and Mrs.
Passage, while yet in the prime of life have
amassed a comfortable competence, and in
the enjoyment of each other's love and the
good will of their friends and neighbors, the
outlook for them is all that could be desired.
HON. S. W. MAYER.
Hon. S. W. Mayer of Holt is a gentleman
with whom identification with any community would be productive of good; clean of life
and habit, frank, generous and obliging. Mr.
Mayer first saw the light of day May 13,
1858, at Sandusky, Ohio. He was one of
six children born to Andrew and Ann G.
Mayer, who were natives of Germany. The
elder Mayer came with his family to Michigan and settled in Lansing, when our subject was seven years of age.


S. W. Mayer received his early education
in the city schools and at the age of seventeen started out to learn the stone cutter's
trade, but on account of the condition of his
health, changed his plans and followed various occupations for a time, until the year of
1883 he bought out the general store of
James Weigman of Holt, and carried on this
business with marked success for about
twenty-one years, retiring in April, I904.
Mr. Mayer always took a lively interest in
public affairs. He lined up with the Republican party, and was its recognized trusted
local leader. He served as Postmaster of
the village for thirteen years. In the year
I897 Mr. Mayer was elected from the First
Representative District of this county as a
member of the State Legislature. His fitness
and business talent were readily recognized,
and he was given place on the Committee of
General Taxation, also served as Chairman
of the Committee on Public Lands, and as a
member of the Work-House Inspection Committee.
In the year I886 he was united in marriage to Mina L., daughter of Mr. and Mrs.
Edgar W. Clark of Lansing, now deceased.
Mr. Clark was a soldier in the Civil War.
He was a member of the 3rd Michigan Infantry Regiment, and served in the army of
Virginia. He participated in several hard
fought battles, the most pronounced of which
were the ever memorable battle of Gettysburg. He died January 10, 90oI.
Two children have come to bless the lives
of Mr. and Mrs. S. W. Mayer: Rose W.,
born August 13, I889, and Glenn S., born
July I8, I891; both are still under the parental roof, both students in the public schools
at Holt. Mrs. Mayer is a lady of culture
and refinement, a member of the Presbyterian church at Holt and highly respected
for her many graces and virtues.
As a permanent reference for the benefit




I




Jo 14N7 1 -4.  N




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


299


of posterity, Mr. Mayer gives the genealogy
of his father's family, as follows:
Sarah A., born January, I860, the wife of
W. J. Lott of Delhi township, now engaged
in farming.
R. F. Mayer, born March, 1867, a minister of the gospel of the M. E. denomination, now residing in Orville, Ohio.
Louise M., born December, I86I, the wife
of E. C. Ward, a resident of Alexandria,
Indiana.
Emma W., born September, I869, married
W. H. Leipprandt and they reside at Pigeon,
Michigan.
Herman W., born March, I873, is living
at Detroit.
Mr. Mayer is one of those men whom it
is always a pleasure to meet, a man of good
presence, genial ways and impresses those
with whom he comes in contact, with his
sterling worth, his uprightness of character,
and trustworthiness.
JOHN L. DAVIS.
All the nearest and dearest associations of
a lifetime are, for our subject, connected
with the State in which he resides and the
greater portion of his life has been spent
upon the farm of which he was proprietor.
It is located in the Township of Delhi and
comprised eighty acres of fine arable land,
which he cleared and upon which he has
made many fine improvements. Upon this
home farm Mr. Davis resided since the year
of I847 until his death, December 28, I904.
The subject of this review was born in
New York in 1822 and was the son of John
and Betsey (Reynolds) Davis, the father
being born in 1798 in the Empire State and
the mother in I800 in Rhode Island, he being one of a family of ten children, all of
whom are dead except one sister, living in
Kansas.


John Davis came with his family to Michigan in the year 1839 and first settled in
Township of White Oak, when, after a
year's residence in this locality, they moved
to Delhi, where the son bought forty acres of
land from William Dryer, giving him fifty
dollars and one year's work. This land John
L. bought for his father, and not long after
this time it was sold and the father and son
together bought eighty acres of land where
the German M. E church now stands. After
a time this farm was sold and the father
removed to Rockford, Michigan, where he
and his estimable wife spent the remaining
years of their life. John L. Davis, the son,
by his ability and character, won for himself
the high esteem and regard of all who knew
him.
In the year 1847 occurred the important
event in the life of our subject, it being the
marriage of himself and Miss Rebbecca Harrington, daughter of Pardon Harrington.
Unto this worthy couple were born two children: John Pardon, born in 1855, and died
when but one year of age, and Celia Arabelle, who was born in I857, and is married
to Robert Thorburn, an enterprising farmer
of Delhi township.
Politically Mr. Davis was a believer in the
principles of Democracy, and all the principles of that platform had to him a reason
and a right for being.
Mrs. Davis, the wife of our subject, is a
member of the Presbyterian church of Holt,
and is a woman held in high esteem for her
many qualities of heart and mind.
Mr. Davis acquired considerable reputation as a successful keeper of bees, an occupation which he followed profitably for about
35 years. He found a ready market for this
product in Lansing and the near by towns
and in one season sold over $700 worth of
honey. This was soon after the war. He
was known throughout the State in this ca



300


PAST AND PRESENT


pacity, as his wide experience enabled him to
successfully conduct this line of business.
Mr. Davis' hearty good will and neighborly kindness won for him the regard of
those with whom he associated, and they enjoyed the prosperity which he so justly
earned. His life had been one of morality
and uprightness and he enjoyed the high
esteem of his fellowmen until called to his
home beyond.
WILLIAM J. DANCER.
Among the prosperous business men of
Stockbridge, we find the name of William J.
Dancer, who was born in Washtenaw county, January 9, 1857. His father, William G.
Dancer, was born in England in 1826, while
the mother, also a native of England, was
born in 1828.
William G. Dancer came to the United
States with his parents in 1834 and located
near Dexter, Washtenaw county on a farm
of one hundred and sixty unimproved acres
of land, upon which was a log house. The
father started for himself in 1848 on the old
homestead where he lived until his death in
I896. Our subject's parents were married
at Dexter in 1847, and the mother, whose
maiden name was Sarah Coy, still lives at
Chelsea, Washtenaw county. The father
was a Democrat as is the son today.
William J. Dancer is the fourth of a family of seven children, five of whom are living.
Our subject was educated at the district
school and at the Chelsea high school. In
I880 he started for himself and taught
school for three winters. For five years he
worked in the general store of H. S. Holmes
of Chelsea and remained there one year. In
I886, under the name of Holmes & Dancer,
our subject commenced conducting a general
store at Stockbridge and continued in this
business until I904, when he bought the en

tire stock, which is the largest in the Village
of Stockbridge, and here he handles everything except hardware and drugs.
May 12, I885, William J. Dancer was
united in marriage to Jennie, daughter of
Henry and Deborah (Hawley) Hoag, who
came from   New   York about I860 and
located on a partly improved farm in Napoleon township, Jackson county. He has
since sold the farm and both reside with our
subject. Mrs. Dancer was born on Christmas
day of the year 1862. To this worthy couple
were born six children, all living: Dora,
1886; Gurney, I888; Herbert, I89I; Paul,
I893; Robert, I896; and Jeanness, I902.
The beloved wife and mother of this family
died August 15, 1902.
William J. Dancer has been a member of
the village council for six years and is the
present President of the village, which is his
third term. He is fraternally connected with
the Masonic order at Stockbridge.   Mr.
Dancer is a member of the dry goods firm of
Dancer, Brogan & Co., of Lansing, Michigan. He has been widely influential in shaping the social and educational progress of
Stockbridge and his influence is far-reaching
and helpful in every way.
EDGAR S. PORTER, LANSING.
One of the most extensive dealers and
manufacturers of hard wood lumber in the
State, Mr. Porter is a native of Michigan,
being born in Otsego, Allegan county, September 5, I85o. His parents were James B.
and Eunice J. Porter, his father being for
many years prominent both in politics and
business. James B. Porter was a native of
the Empire State, he left New York when
but nine years of age, coming to Michigan
in I834. He served as County Clerk and
Register of Deeds of Allegan county and in
I860 was elected Secretary of State. He was




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


301


an incumbent of that office six years, the only
citizen to be thus honored in the political
history of the State.
E. S. Porter remained in his native county
(Allegan) until he was sixteen years of age,
coming to Lansing in 1866. After graduating from Olivet College in I868, he was
employed for two years as draftsman in the
State Land Office.  It was his industry,
economy and good judgment at this period
of his life, which enabled him to get that all
important start which spells the difference
between success and failure in achieving a
position in the practical and industrial world.
With the two thousand dollars which he had
saved he embarked in the lumber business in
Alpena, Michigan.   He remained at this
point for four years, when he located in Lansing.
With the exception of the first eight years
of his residence here, when he was engaged
in mercantile pursuits, Mr. Porter has devoted himself with marked results to various
lines of the lumber industry.  His initial
plant was small, and, after operating it for
three years, it burned; but with determination and confidence he removed his business
to the present site, building a larger establishment and prospering from the first day
its doors were thrown open for business. In
I892 he associated himself with L. J. Driggs
in the formation of the Lansing Spoke Company and later the Lansing Column Company. The former manufactures hardwood
lumber of all kinds, but makes a specialty of
wagon spokes, disposing of the product of
its factory to many of the largest wagon
manufactories of the country. The Column
Company turns out all the parts of porches,
but principally columns. The firm also sells
lumber to manufacturers of furniture, interior finishers and railroad companies. This
branch of the business has shown a marked
increase.


Mr. Porter is also Secretary and Treasurer of the Rikerd Lumber Co., and Treasurer of the Auto Body Works, besides being
a stockholder in the Reo Motor Car Company. As a leading real estate dealer and
property owner, he platted the Handy Home
Addition to Lansing, which comprises two
hundred and twenty-four lots, over twothirds of which have been sold, and he built
Franklin Terrace, which contains eighteen
flats. His present residence at 215 Capitol
avenue, where his father lived and died, has
been his home for thirty-six years, which
fact alone is an evidence of Mr. Porter's substantial and domestic character.
October I, 1878, he was married to Miss
Marrietta Storey of Lansing. They have
one son and one daughter, Drury L., a shipping clerk connected with his father's business, and Irene.
HENRY KURTZ.
Henry Kurtz of Alaiedon township was
born in the Township of Delhi, Ingham
county, September 15, I856. He was the
second of three sons born to Henry and
Elizabeth Kurtz. Mr. and Mrs. Kurtz came
to this country from Germany in the year
1852, and settled for a time in Rochester,
New York. In the year 1854, the family
came to Michigan and took up their residence in the Township of Delhi, where Mr.
Kurtz died in 1893 and his wife in I9OI.
Always loyal to the cardinal principals of
his adopted country, and highly respected by
the entire community. The names of the
other two sons born to Mr. and Mrs. Kurtz
were, Charles, born February, 1854, in
Rochester, N. Y.; John, born in Delhi township, this county, December 8, 1852. Henry
received his early education in the graded
school at Holt.  Arriving at the years of
his majority he still remained with his father




302


PAST AND PRESENT


on the farm for a time, but later went west
to the State of Iowa, where he remained one
and one-half years.
Mr. Kurtz was united in marriage to
Christina, eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs.
Ernest Dell, a prosperous German farmer of
Alaiedon township. Mr. and Mrs. Kurtz
have had born to them three children, a son
and two daughters. Ernest H., born June
25, I88I; Mabel, born July 21, 1884; Viola,
born November ii, I888. Mr. Kurtz congratulates himself that his little family are
all at home under the family roof. Soon
after his marriage, Mr. Kurtz moved to the
farm in Alaiedon township where he now resides. The improvements have nearly all
been made since his occupancy of the place.
He raises both grain and stock, carrying on
general and mixed farming, in which he has
met with very satisfactory results.
Mr. Kurtz has always given allegiance to
the Democratic party. In addition to his
farm operations, Mr. Kurtz has taken up the
profession of an auctioneer, in which he is
meeting with a satisfactory degree of success
in his own and surrounding counties, among
the farming communities.
Mr. Kurtz and family are loyal to the
teachings of the Methodist Episcopal Church
society, and liberal in its support. Every
community would be improved in many
ways by the addition of worthy citizens of
his character. He is extending his acquaintance and influence and with them good impressions for good to all.
PAUL E. DUNHAM.
Paul E. Dunham, president of the Dunham  Hardware Company, and a business
leader and popular Republican of Lansing, is
a native of Clinton county, Michigan, and
was born in the year 1862. He became a
resident of Lansing before he was of age,


and, after having passed more than half of
his life in the Capitol City, is still strengthening his hold upon the confidence and esteem
of the public and a host of personal friends.
Mr. Dunham is the son of William L. B.
and Margaret R. Dunham, both of whom
are dead. In I862 his father moved from
Rensselaer county, N. Y., and settled on a
farm two miles west of St. Johns, Clinton
county, where Paul was born. In I866, four
years after, he moved on the farm of eighty
acres in DeWitt township, Clinton county,
now called Gunnisonville. There the boy
was raised and educated and when fourteen
years of age became an apprentice in the
tinners' trade. Two years afterward, when
he had mastered it, he opened a shop at his
fathers' farm, running a wagon in connection with his business. He continued this
enterprise for about five years.
Mr. Dunham's residence in Lansing dates
from 1882, when he started a tin shop with
a soldering iron and some lead and resin, as
his sole capital and stock in trade. But he
understood his business, and was industrious
and accommodating, so that one piece of
work led to another, and before long he was
on his feet and his little establishment was a
busy and prosperous place. His tin shop
gradually expanded into a hardware store,
and in I889, his father located in Lansing
and associated himself in the business, which
then assumed the name of "The Dunham
Hardware Company." The senior Dunham
died in I900, and in August, I904, the firm
was incorporated with Paul E. Dunham as
president and manager, M. D. Walker, vice
president, and Alice A. Dunham (Mrs. Dunham), secretary and treasurer. In the transaction of the present extensive business, four
stores are occupied, the stock consisting of
hardware, buggies, farming implements and
harnesses, the last named being manufactured by the company.




PAUL E. DUNHAM








INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


303


Besides being at the head of this important business and industry, Mr. Dunham is
secretary and treasurer of the Michigan Retail Implement and Vehicle Dealers' Association. That organization, which represents one of the leading industries of the
State, holds its next meeting in Jackson,
December, I905.
Like a good American citizen, Mr. Dunham has always taken an interest in affairs
which do not directly concern his individual
welfare; in other words, he is liberal minded,
public spirited and has assumed his full share
of the municipal burdens. Upon the organization of the Board of Public Works he became a member thereof. He also served as
Alderman from the first ward, being the only
representative of the Republican party to be
elected from that section of Lansing for
thirty years.  He was a member of the
School Board for one term; in fact, while
never anxious to assume public office, he has
always felt it his duty to assume it when
such is the expressed wish of his fellow
citizens.
In 1882 our subject was united in marriage to Miss Alice A. Gregory, daughter of
Hiram Gregory of Clinton county. Their
only child, Elton Clare Dunham, is learning
the tinner's trade as the first step toward the
mastery of the hardware business. Outside
his domestic life and the sociability centering
in it, Mr. Dunham devotes a portion of his
time to societies of the Royal Arcanum,
Woodmen, Maccabees and I. O. O. F.
Further, Mr. Dunham takes merit and
pride in the old home farm in Clinton
county, which he has maintained and greatly
improved by adding one hundred and twenty
acres to the old homestead of eighty acres,
now making a total of two hundred acres.
Everything is now conducted upon modern
lines and he has not only brought the land to
a high state of cultivation, but has a fine


collection of Holstein cattle and operates a
dairy which is well conducted and profitable.
Mr. Dunham now contemplates moving out
on the old homestead in the near future and
make it his permanent home, as soon as his
son, Elton Clare, gets the business well
under way so he can handle and continue
the business now at Lansing.
J. E. BANGHART.
Among the influential farmers of Lansing
township, we are pleased to mention the
name of J. E. Banghart, who was born December 14, I855. He is the youngest of five
children born to Jabez G. and Mary (Campbell) Banghart, the father having been born
March 4, I818, and the mother, January 9,
1825. The parents of our subject were married February 20, 1842, at Ann Arbor,
where they located. They had invested their
first savings in sixty acres of land which they
afterward sold, and moved to Iowa for two
years. They came back to Lansing city and
there the father died at the home of our subject, in i884, on the sixth day of January,
the mother having passed away March 15,
I858.
The mother and father of our subject
came to this country when the land was all
new and endured the hardships common to
the pioneer of those days. In politics, the
father was a Democrat.
J. E. Banghart acquired his early education in the common schools and later at
Lansing. At the age of twelve years he
started out for himself and worked on a farm
by the month for eight years, when he went
to Lansing and was engaged in the meat
market business for seven years. During
this time Mr. Banghart bought a farm in
Lansing township, consisting of about forty
acres, about five acres of which was cleared
and upon which was a small house and barn.




304


PAST AND PRESENT


As prosperity attended our subject he added
to his possessions and at present is the owner of one hundred seventeen acres of highly
cultivated land on section four.
November 14, 1877, Mr. Banghart was
united in marriage to Miss Carrie Van Etta,
whose parents were old settlers of Locke
township and afterwards lived in Meridian
township.
Three children have blessed the lives of
Mr. and Mrs. Banghart: Arthur J., born
August 25, 1878, married Maud Housel and
resides at Mason; George E., born October
26, I88o, lives at home; Fred A., born September I I, I882, lives in the old homestead
near the father.
Mr. Banghart is an active Republican and
has held the position of Highway Commissioner for three years. He is socially connected with the Royal Arcanum.
In agricultural circles, Mr. Banghart is regarded as a prominent man, as the fine condition of his farm gives him a prestige which
he richly deserves. His fine modern home,
erected in 1904, and the excellent improvements about the place show to every observer
the hand of a thorough going and systematic
farmer.
LEVI ABBOTT.
Happy is the man who has lived a long
life that has been characterized by uprightness of purpose and whose high moral standing is gratefully recognized by his fellowmen. Those men who came to Ingham
county in the very early days and made the
first settlements here were men of more than
ordinary calibre. Their early work prepared
the way for those who came after them to
build up the institutions of education, business and society which make Ingham county
so desirable a home.
Levi Abbott was born May 14, I8I9, in


Vermont, and was the son of William and
Sally (Woodcock) Abbott, the father a
native of Massachusetts, and the mother of
New Hampshire, the former living to the
age of seventy-two years and the mother
dying in the year I856.
After the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. William Abbott they moved from New Hampshire to New York and when our subject
was nineteen years old they came to Michigan, locating in White Oak, where they
bought eighty acres of wild land for two
hundred dollars. Of the eight children born
to these people, our subject is the only living
member of the family, the deceased being
Lenora Gibbs; William, drowned in Lake
Champlain; Nancy, wife of Dr. McRoberts
of Mason, Arvilla Winchell, Lavina, wife of
John Coatsworth of Mason, Myron, married
Hanna Reeves of Mason, and Juliett, who
died when a young girl.
The opportunities for education in our
subject's boyhood days were quite limited,
but he attended the district schools of New
York for a time and when nineteen came
west with his parents and lived with them
on the farm. After the brothers left home,
the father deeded our subject the farm and
he took care of the parents as long as they
lived.
Levi Abbott was married in I850 to Susan
L. Ambright, who lived to bless his home
but three years. To them were born two
children, Sarah and Linaes, both dying in
infancy. April 29, 1852, Mr. Abbott was
again married to Salome Burgess and to
them two children were born: William, April
10, 1854, married Marcia Ide of Ingham
county and they have three children: Claude,
aged twenty-seven; Guy, twenty-five, and
Leo, who is sixteen, and still at home. The
second, a daughter, Evellyn, was born August I, I857, the wife of Chas. F. LaFleur
of Ingham township and they have two chil



INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


305


dren, Clair, twenty-three years of age and
Ernest, aged fifteen. Clair is married and
resides in Owosso.
The political views of the father and son
have led them to affiliate with the Democratic party. Mr. Abbott attends the Baptist church of which his father and mother
were consistent members.
Living more than sixty-five years in the
Township of White Oak, Mr. Abbott has
many warm friends who wish for him a joyous evening to his active and well spent days.
PETER J. BENNETT, JR.
The name of Bennett is inseparably interwoven with the history of Ingham county.
The father of our subject, Peter Bennett, Sr.,
first settled in Meridian township in the year
of 1851, and there bought eighty acres of
unimproved land. He was a native of Ohio,
and there married Miss Rachel Hahn, a native of the same state. To them were born
twelve children, six of whom are now living.
With characteristic energy, Peter Bennett
began the improvement and cultivation of his
land, and erected thereon a log house of pioneer times, and here he and his good wife
reared their family, while improving their
possessions. Success crowning their united
efforts they added forty acres to the original
purchase, owning at the time of his death
one hundred and twenty acres of mostly improved and productive land. Here he continued to reside for more than twenty years,
reclaiming the land from its primitive condition to the usage of civilization. Few of
this generation can realize the hardships
endured by our early history makers. The
difficulties they encountered, the obstacles
they overcame in laying deep and broad the
foundation of their adopted county's present
prosperous condition.  Peter Bennett, Sr.,
gave his political support to the Democracy,
20


and took an active and helpful interest in
the early pioneer history of this county.
Mrs. Bennett was a woman of estimable
character, devoted to her husband and family, and proved a valuable helpmate on life's
journey.  Peter Bennett departed this life
Sept. I3, I894, his wife having died July
19, I889. Both were laid to rest in the Okemos cemetery.
Peter Bennett, Jr., the subject of this review, was born on the 3d day of October,
1848, in the State of Ohio, arriving here
with his parents when three years of age.
Here he received his early education, attending the common schools of his adopted county, and at the age of twenty-one years taught
for one term in Meridian township; desiring to extend his knowledge, took a course
in the Commercial College at Lansing. It
was at about that time that he resumed his
farming operations. In I880 he purchased
forty acres, and in the following year bought
forty additional acres, now owning a desirable property of eighty acres of good and
productive land.  Our subject has made
many improvements upon that place, clearing much of the land, and placing it under
cultivation.
On Christmas day of I880, Mr. Bennett
was united in marriage to Miss Eliza,
daughter of John H. Groat, a native of the
Empire State, who came to Ingham county
in 1865, settling on a tract of land comprising one hundred acres, which he improved
and placed under cultivation. Here he resided until his death, which occurred in I889.
John H. Groat emigrated from East Florence, Oneida Co., N. Y., in I865. His wife
was Ladesca, daughter of Manford Washburn, and they were united in marriage
March I, I856. Mr. Washburn was a native of the Empire State. Mr. Groat was
quite successful in his farming operations,
and was a man of considerable ingenuity. In




306


PAST AND PRESENT


connection with his farming interests he also
successfully conducted a saw mill for a number of years. His widow still survives him,
making her home with two of her sons, who
are single men. In this family there were
three children: William J., born May 31,
I857; Simon M., born Dec. 23, I859; Eliza
A., born May 23, I862. Mrs. Bennett being the youngest. To our subject and his
wife have been born two children, namely
Ladesca, born Dec. 20, I884, and William,
born Sept. 23, I89I. Almost the entire life
of our subject has been spent in Ingham
county, and he is familiar with its early
history and has energetically assisted in its
development and improvements. Mr. Bennett is a great admirer of fine horses, and
usually owns a good team.
Mr. Bennett supports the men and measure of the Democratic party. Enjoying the
good will and esteem of his neighbors and
associates, residing in his pleasant home,
where once the Indian roamed and wild game
abounded, he can, in the later years of his
life, look back upon the past, and take a pardonable pride in what has been accomplished
by the Bennett family in the making of history for Ingham county.
WILLIAM     C. BARKER.
William C. Barker, the well known tile
and brick manufacturer of Mason city, was
born in the "Blue Grass State," at Winchester, January 3, I862. He was one of
five children born to Robert and Emily Barker. The others are Mary E., wife of B. D.
Northrup of Lansing, Michigan, whose history appears elsewhere in this volume; Sally
M., wife of Edd Hendrick, a prosperous
farmer in the southern part of the State;
Charles S., whose home and business is in
Chicago, and who has a family of three children, all living; Roberta, the youngest, died


in infancy and was buried in the family lot
in Lansing, where the father is also buried.
He was born in Orleans county, N. Y., in
1827, and died at the age of sixty-nine years.
Mr. Barker's mother was born in Wyoming county, N. Y., in the year 1829. She
makes her home among her children, where
she is an ever welcome guest. She is a lady
of refinement and culture and though past
seventy-five years of age, is still able to care
for herself. Robert Barker was for many
years one of Lansing's most respected and
prominent citizens, a man of the strictest
probity of character and universally regarded
with esteem.   He was a member of the
Presbyterian church and a Christian gentleman. He was a graduate of the Wellsville
Academy of New York and after completing
his studies he went to Paducah, Ky., and
started a college for young ladies. A disastrous fire destroyed the building and he
abandoned the enterprise.  He moved his
family to Lansing, Michigan, and during the
war was employed by James M. Turner in
the land office of the Jackson, Lansing &
Saginaw R. R. Co. His interest in educational matters gave him recognition and he
was chosen a member of the school board.
He was also for a period of two years Superintendent of the State School for the Blind,
this institution being located in the City of
Lansing. He carried on for a time a general
insurance business and for twenty-five years
he manufactured brick and tile near the
corporate limits of the city and acquiret a
comfortable competence for himself and
family.
William C. received his education in the
Lansing High School and later completed a
course at Bartlett's Business College.  In
1883 he came to Mason to take charge of the
brick and tile manufacturing plant, located
here and owned as a partnership concern.
This he managed successfully for some








WILLIAM GALBRAITH




ls% 


M~RS. WIjjA       LA.tRAITHI








INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


307


fifteen years, giving employment to as many
as twenty men at some seasons of the year.
His plant has received much patronage from
the farmers for many miles around, both for
building and drainage. Mr. Barker had the
contract for furnishing the brick used in the
erection of the new court house. He purchased the entire outfit in I898 and is now
the sole proprietor of the enterprise.  In
politics, Mr. Barker can always be relied upon to increase the Republican majority by
one vote.
February 4, 1885, Mr. Barker married
Miss Jennie R., daughter of F. M. Lewis of
this city. One daughter, born April i, I887,
is the light of their home and joy of their
lives. She is a pupil in the Mason High
School.
Mr. Barker is an Elk, a member of the
Lansing organization. In addition to his
business interests in the city he has interests
in the Township of Alaiedon. Iaving possibly just passed the meridian of life and
being well established in business, he may
reasonably expect his full share of the good
things of life, as a reward for his industry
and enterprise.
WILLIAM GALBRAITH.
One of the enterprising, progressive farmers of Bunker Hill township is Willliam
Galbraith.  He was born in the Empire
state, September I8, 1842, in the Village of
Randolph,  The father, Henry Galbraith,
and the mother who bore the maiden name
of Fanny Turner, came to America in 1840,
both being natives of Ireland, and settled
in New York, where the father followed the
occupation of farming throughout the remainder of his life.
The subject of this sketch is one of a family of nine children, the oldest, James, was
born in Ireland and there remained; the


second, Thomas, also a native of the Emerald Isle, there remained until about fourteen
years of age, when he joined his father and
mother in New York, he eventually settled
in Minnesota, but is now deceased; the third,
John, is also a native of Ireland, and he accompanied the family on their removal to
America, and is now a resident of Randolph,
N. Y.; William, the fourth, was born September I8, 1842, at Randolph, N. Y.; the
fifth, Mary Ann, born in I845, is married and resides in the city of Buffalo,
N. Y.; Agnes, the sixth, was born in I848,
and is now deceased; the seventh, Fannie,
was born in I85o, and now resides on the
old home place in New York; the eighth,
Jane, born in I853, is deceased, while the
ninth, Henry, was born in 1857, is married
and also resides on the old home place.
Our subject received his early education
in the district schools of New York state,
after which he worked by the month on a
farm for two and one-half years, when in
response to his adopted country's call, he
enlisted in service on the first day of September, I862, in Co. H, I54th N. Y. Volunteer
Infantry, and in this he saw considerable
service. He was sent to Maryland Heights,
Va., in company with his regiment and was
in the Battle of Chancellorsville and Gettysburg, and was one of the four bunk-mates
who escaped death, in his regiment in that
memorable engagement. In I863 his regiment was transferred to a western army and
he was left in hospital at Alexandria seriously ill, but followed his regiment in the
spring of I864 and rejoined his command at
Chattanooga, and took part in the entire campaign, Sherman's March to the Sea and was
in South Carolina when President Lincoln
was shot. The officers called the regiment
up into the public square and there read
them the message of Lincoln's assassination.
He participated in that great Grand Review




308


PAST AND PRESENT


of Veterans atWashington, D. C., and was
there mustered out of regular service. Proceeding then to Elmira, N. Y., he there received his discharge from the state service.
Returning home he worked by the month,
for three years, and then in the fall of I869,
came to Henrietta, Jackson county, of this
State. In the spring of that year he found
employment on a farm at Rives Junction,
where he remained for one and one-half
years. In I87I he worked for James and
John Blackmore, in their mill near Leslie,
and in the following spring found employment on a farm at Layton's Corners.
In 1872 an important event occurred in
Mr. Galbraith's life when he was united in
marriage to Miss Ellen Ripley, who was
born July 5, 1847, at Union City, Branch
county,  Michigan.   They  removed   to
Bunker Hill township and in 1873 purchased a farm of forty acres, section one,
Leslie township, and there they remained two
years and then found employment with Mr.
George Archer for three years, and during
the last year of this employment he traded
his farm for the place where he now resides,
which consisted of one hundred and twenty
acres, to which he has since added forty
acres, owning now, altogether, one hundred
and sixty acres of valuable and productive
land, to which he has added many improvements, until he now has one of the best
farms in that locality. Here he has engaged
in general farming and stock raising, in
which he has met with uniform success. He
casts his vote for the Republican party, and
cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln,
while in the army at Savannah, Ga. Unto
our subject and wife have been born six
children: Arthur, born March 7, 1875; Alden, born March 10, I879; Elva, born December I6, 1876; Grace, born June 17, i88I,
married Theady Hamilton, February 4,
I903; Genevieve, born December 23, 1885,


and the last, born July 19, 1887, is deceased.
Since 1873 has Mr. Galbraith been a resident of this locality, and as the years have
gone by he has prospered until today he is
considered one of the substantial agriculturists of his community.
FRANK M. BOND.
Frank M. Bond was one of three children
born to George and Cornelia Bond, the
others died in youth. His parents, natives of
the old Bay State, emigrated to the wilds of
Michigan in the year 1838, and settled in the
Township of Raisin, Lenawee county. His
father purchased eighty acres of heavy timbered land, built a log house, and with his
own trusty ax felled the forest, and cleared
the land. The experiences common to pioneers in a new country, the lights and shades
of life were theirs to enjoy and endure.
Frank remembers hearing his father remark,
referring to the early days, "we had to look
straight up through the tops of the trees to
see daylight.' After several years spent ill
clearing up, and improving the farm, his
father sold and purchased I60 acres in the
Township of Rome, same county. This was
the family residence for some years afterward, and until the year following the close
of the war, i866. The elder Bond sold his
interests in Lenawee, and purchased 170
acres in the Township of Aurelius, Ingham
county. Frank remained at home assisting
his father upon the farm, an occupation to
which he was always greatly attached. His
health permitting, he would prefer farming
to any other business. His early education
he "picked up" much after the manner of
boys on the farm a half century ago, attending school only until large enough to be of
service about the farm, and from that time
on it was "catch as catch can," a few months
of schooling during the winter with several




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


309


hours of chores to do at the ends of the day.
Returning from the war, he attended college
at Adrian for a year and laid the foundation
of a practical education to which he has
added by experience, as the years have gone
by. August 13, I862, he enlisted in the I8th
Michigan Infantry and followed the fortunes
of his regiment to the close of the war. This
regiment met the enemy at Dansville, Ky.,
February 24, I863, Pond Springs, Ala., June
28, I864, Curtis Wells, Ala., June 24, Courtland, Ala., July 25, I864, Athens, Ala., September 24, I864, Decatur, Ala., October 24,
November 28, I864. The regiment bore upon
its rolls of muster, 1,374 officers and men;
of this numiber, 3Io yielded up their lives,
that the nation might live. The deadly southern climate made fearful havoc in the ranks
of the command. While on the skirmish line,
advancing on the enemy in the face of a
storm of bullets, Mr. Bond was shot in the
mouth by a Minie ball, knocking out two
teeth, was dazed for a time, but kept his
place in line and fought to the close of the
engagement.  He enjoyed good health all
(luring his term of service, was rugged and
ambitious, and rather relished the hardships
incident to the life of a soldier in active service. He was mustered out of service at
Nashville, Tenn., June 26, I865. and on the
dlay following, the regiment under command
of Col. John W. Horner, left for Michigan,
arriving at Jackson, July 2. On the 4th it
was paid off and discharged.
The regiment was frequently compliinented in general orders for discipline and
"soldierly bearing."
For several years past Mr. Bond has been
engaged in the grain elevator business at Mason. He has disposed of his farm, and has a
comfortable residence in the city. He is a
member of Vevay Lodge, I. O. O. F. Is also
a charter member of Steele Bro.'s Post 441,
Dept. of Mich. G. A. R. In politics it has


always been perfectly clear to him that duty
for him was to "line up" with the G. O. P.
A compensation of eight dollars per month
for services long since rendered, is a gentle
reminder that the nation is not unmindful of
the sacrifices of her citizen soldiery. Mr.
Bond has a strong attachment for his
friends, is a genial, cordial gentleman,
whom it is a pleasure to meet.
ELDORUS BYRUM.
The owner of the finely cultivated tract
of land in section 14, Onondaga township,
Ingllam county, is he whose name is at the
head of this sketch. He is a son of George
and Emma (Clark) Byrum, both natives of
the Empire State.
Mr. Byrum is a product of Onondaga
township, as his birth occurred there on the
2ISt day of November, 1855.
The father and mother of our subject
were married in the home state and came to
Michigan and settled on this farm of eighty
acres. The hardships of the pioneer life are
well understood by this worthy couple, as,
at the time of their arrival in the "West,"
the country was all a wilderness. By the
help of his sturdy sons the father was enabled to clear the farm and make it one of
the good farms of today.   The brothers
worked in partnership for some time, and
now own several eighty acre farms. Four
sons of this noble and energetic father now
reside in Ingham township.
Mr. George Byrum died at the age of
sixty years, this being forty years ago, the
mother died six years ago, at the age of seventy-nine years. MIrs. George Byrum was
a member of the M. E. church and she lived
her life in harmony with its teachings.
Eldorus Byrum received his early education in the schools of Onondaga, where he
spent the whole of his life. He was mar



310


PAST AND PRESENT


ried five years ago to Basha (Wilcox)
(Gould), the daughter of Elijah and Lucy
(Delamater) Wilcox, who were natives of
the State of New York.
Mrs. Byrum was born March i.o, I85o,
at Aurelius.  Her father lived until he
reached the age of fifty-two, his death occurring in I86o, and the mother died ten
years later at the age of fifty-nine years.
Ever keenly interested in politics, Mr. Byrum is an ardent Republican, though not a
seeker after office. In his personal life he
is an example of uprightness and straightforward, simple honor. Mr. Byrum is one
of the prominent men of his community.
R. F. GRIFFIN.
Among the names of those who are conspicuous in the early history of Ingham
county, and with the various enterprises connected with its interests, few have to their
credit more vears of consecutive residence
than R. F. Griffin of Mason, Michigan. He
has not only witnessed the transition of the
thin settlement into a busy and prosperous
community, but has been permanently identified with the growth and development of
the county for the past sixty-two years. Mr.
Griffin was born in Washington county,
New York, August 17, I819.
It was in the year I834 that Oliver Griffin, then a resident of Washington county,
New York, loaded his earthly effects, including a family of four boys and four girls,
upon a lumber wagon and with a team of
horses started for the wilds of Michigan.
At Buffalo they took shipping, crossed
Lake Erie, and were landed at Detroitthen a frontier settlement. From Detroit to
Napoleon, Jackson county, where the family first settled, the journey was continued
with team, for the most part through unbroken forests, coming via Ann Arbor. Of


necessity the entire family were obliged to
make the distance on foot. At this time the
subject of this sketch was fifteen years of
age. For seven years the family remained at
Napoleon-the elder Griffin following the
trade of shoemaker. Rosolvo also learned
the trade of his father and worked at it for
several years after the family moved to
Mason, which was in 1841.   Referring to
some of the early privations of these days,
Mr. Griffin recalls the fact that for several
weeks the family subsisted on salt and potatoes alone. At that time Detroit was the
nearest point that flour could be obtained.
A neighbor calling during the meal hour
noticed the scant bill of fare.  The next
morning a sack of flour was found on the
doorstep.
During the winter following the settlement of the family at Mason, ten acres of
what is known as the Frank White farm,
just south of the city limits, were "slashed"
to furnish browse for the cattle. No fodder other than the elm and basswood browse
was fed the cattle the winters of 1842 and
1843, and upon it they seemed to thrive and
contributed their share to the support of the
family. The building first occupied here as
a home was of slabs procured from a mill
erected by Emmons White, located near the
site of the old cheese factory. The house
which was used as a residence and also as a
shoe shop, stood on the first lot north of the
old Isaac Horton residence on Main street
north. Dr. J. D. Phelps was the only resident
physician at the time. Dr. Minos McRoberts
came the following spring.    Both these
names appear often in the transactions of
these early years. Henry H. Smith was
County Treasurer, and his office, with those
of the other county officers, was located in
a small building, standing where the Sheriff's residence and jail now stand.
Although never a seeker for public office,










i  l                                               I      :


Ik


R. F. GRIFFIN




MRS. R. F. GRIFFIN








INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


311


the name of Rosolvo F. Griffin appears frequently among those who carried the responsibilities of public affairs in the years before
blanks were used and almost every document
had to be written out in full. Mr. Griffin
refers with some degree of pride to the fact
that he served as an associate with John W.
Longyear, as school inspector, at the time
when two inspectors and the Township
Clerk formed the Board for the examination
of teachers. Mr. Longyear was at the time
a young law student. This was the year the
capitol was located at Lansing. A candidate for pedagogy was asked to locate the
capital of the State. He named Detroit, and
of course lost one point in the count.
The   first schoolhouse, also used as a
church, in the berg stood   on  the  lot
now occupied by the residence of Albert
Hoyt on North Main street. The prepayment of postage was not required in those
days, and as the postage on a letter was
twenty-five cents, often a trip was made to
the office to find out if the letter was there
and learn if the postage was paid, and if not,
it was not an unusual thing for several days
to elapse before the required amount was
forthcoming to secure the letter.
Mr. Griffin helped to log off the ground
now occupied in the court yard. He and
"Deacon" Osborn have together hunted and
killed wild turkey and deer within the city
limits. For years after their settlement here,
a tribe of Indians, of which old Johnnie Okemos was chief, maintained a camp on a part
of their land. Exchange of "plunder" was
frequent. Later young Johnnie, who succeeded his father as chief, has often visited Mr.
Griffin and talked over the events of days
long gone. The tavern was a log structure,
and stood at the corner of the four sections,
in the center of the street, in front of Mrs.
Dr. Campbell's residence. Cobbling was exchanged for anything the family could use,


and murrain hides and black, salty maple
sugar were also taken and carted to Dexter
with an ox-team  and traded for leather;
six days being required for the round
trip.  Mr. Griffin served the Township
of Vevay as Supervisor, while yet Mason
was included; and he distinctly recalls that
he received for his services in taking the
assessment and spreading the tax, sixtythree dollars. When Mason was given a
city charter, Mr. Griffin was chosen its first
mayor. He established the Mason Carriage
Factory, and was for several years its financial backer. Through the mismanagement
of others, the enterprise cost him many thousands of dollars.
In June, the twenty-second day, 1849, Mr.
Griffin married Miss Cynthia Ann Polar,
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Seneca Polar, and
together for more than a half century they
have shared the fortunes of somewhat eventful lives. Both are still active with the cares
and duties of life. Seven children have been
born to them, a pair of twins dying in infancy. Four sons and a daughter are living: Charles and Oliver have remained at
home, and are interested with their father
in farming operations and dairy interests;
Capt. George P., commanded Co. F, 3Ist
Michigan, and went with his command to
Cuba, he is now engaged in the hardware
trade at Albion; Edwin R., resides at Denver, Col., having advanced through all the
grades from station agent to superintendent
of freight of the great Union Pacific line;
the daughter, Nettie, is the wife of Clinton
Lane of Mason.
From the birth of the Republican party to
the year 1873, when the government demonetized silver, Mr. Griffin wvas an ardent
supporter of its principles.  This act he
deemed an outrage to the common people.
He "lined up" with the Greenback party for
a time, but of late has been a free voter,




312


PAST AND PRESENT


voting independently. In the matter of religion, Mr. Griffin, holds liberal views. Mrs.
Griffin has been for years a member of the
M. E. Church.
Physically, Mr. Griffin is of a strong type
of the Michigan pioneer. Clear in conviction, outspoken in manner, one has only to
ask to learn his sentiments upon any question of policy of public interest.  He has
lived to read the epitaphs on the tombs of
nearly all those who were once active with
him in the affairs of life.
Hosts of friends wish for these well-preserved old pioneers many returns of their
wedding anniversary. Together they have
fairly won the confidence and esteem with
which they are held. In the enjoyment of
a good competence, surrounded by children
and grandchildren, they are going toward
the setting of the sun.
DANIEL F. FOOTE.
Among the many biographies that we append to the history of this county and its
townships, no subject is more worthy than
the one whose name heads this sketch.
Spending his early days in New York, he
came to Michigan and through his energy,
ambition and strength has achieved success
and is today enjoying the reward of a well
spent life.
Daniel Foote was born September 5, I840,
and was the son of George W. and Caroline
(Davis) Foote, both having been natives of
the Empire state, the birth of the former,
February 23, 1815 and the latter, September
29, 1820.
George W. Foote spent his early life on
the Erie canal and after his wife died, came
to Michigan in 1855, settling first at Scio
and later was employed on a farm by the
month in Dexter. The father was again
married to Mrs. Johnson, whose birthplace


was New York. In 1875 they moved to
Ingham county, leased ten acres of land in
Williamston township and there lived for
six years, after which they moved to the
Ferguson farm in Williamston and there Mr.
Foote passed away at the age of eighty-five
years.
Our subject was one of five children, he
being the only one living. His education
was acquired in the common schools of New
York. After coming to Michigan, he lived
with his parents for two years and then
worked for three years in the woolen factory
at Dexter.
April 7, I863, Mr. Daniel Foote was united in marriage to Miss Chloe, daughter of
John and Martha (Stansel) Miller, who
were natives of New York, born August I5,
1821 and August II, 1821, respectively.
Mrs. Foote was one of a family of eight
children, five of whom are now living, and
was born May 3, I846, in Washtenaw
county.
Mr. and Mrs. Miller were among those
honored pioneers who came in the early
(lays to the "far West" and gave their best
years to the upbuilding of the country. In
1839, Mr. Miller bought one hundred and
twenty acres of wild land in Williamston,
which he cleared and improved and made the
family home and there resided until I86o.
His death occurred at Fitchburg, May 23,
I898. He was a loyal Republican and both
he and his estimable wife were active members of the M. E. church, as were also the
father and mother of our subject.
After the marriage of our subject and
wife they came to Williamston and bought
forty acres of the J. I. Miller farm and later
added another forty and have since that time
resided on this place. This union was blessed
with nine children: George S., born January
23, I864, lives in Dakota; Jennie, born May
4, I867, wife of L. A. Lamphear, lives in








Ll.


-.1.
:      I:!                                  -Wm
i Allow
".,:.:. Ilop..",:.


HENRY I. NORTHRUP AND FAMILY




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN


313


Williamston; John, born May 15, I869,
lives in Williamston; Phoebe, born Nov. 27,
1870, now Mrs. Thayer, residing in Williamston township; Cora, now Mrs. Harger of
Oakland county, born May I9, 1874; Ora,
born December 27, I876, lives in Meridian
township; Alta, born February 25, I878,
now Mrs. Rix, living in Monroe county;
Edna, born March 27, I885, married Burr
Foster and resides in Lansing; one child died
in infancy.
Mr. Foote, following in the footsteps of
his father, in his younger days was a Republican in later years, cast his vote for the Democracy. In social matters Mr. Foote belongs to the Masonic order and Grange, in
both of which he takes a deep interest. Mr.
Foote is of the large class of self made men
and is a successful and prosperous agriculturist.
HENRY I. NORTHRUP.
This progressive, intelligent and thrifty
man of affairs, who enjoys the confidence
of the business community, resides on section 13 of Vevay. He is a native of this
township, and was born September 9, I840.
His parents, Enos and Belinda Warner
Northrup, were born, respectively, January
13, I813, and June 24, 1808. In I837 Enos
Northrup emigrated to Michigan and settled on one hundred and sixty acres of wild
land in Kalamazoo county. He remained
there two years, when he removed to Vevay,
where a purchase was made of one hundred
and sixty acres. Here he resided during the
rest of the active years of his life. He spent
the last six years of his life with his daughter, Mrs. Walter Shafer of Pomona, California. He had two brothers, Thomas and
Cornelius.
Mr. Enos Northrup was three times married, the first wife, Belinda Warner, bore


him two sons, Henry I, and Edward. The
latter was born November 29, 1842, and
died January 28, I902. Edward lived at
home until after the death of his father,
when he made his home with our subject.
The father's second marriage was with Lydia Miller of Kalamazoo. Of this union
was born one son, Luke, who died at the age
of twenty-one years near Battle Creek. The
third union was with Julia Monroe, a native
of Vermont. To them were born four children: Enos, September 8, I859, married
Elizabeth Royston, and they had one child,
Elizabeth, born September 10, 1883, now the
wife of Guy   Lawrence of Mason-his
second wife was Emma Shultz of Kankakee,
Ill. To them  were born two children:
Julia, December 8, I894, and Harry Enos,
November 8, 1898. The second son born to
Mr. and Mrs. Enos Northrup, Sr., was William, September 17, I86o, he married Lois
Shattuck and they lived in Vevay township.
The oldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs.
Enos Northrup, Sr., is May, born March
I8, 1864. She is the wife of Walter Shafer
of California, and they have two children:
Winifred, born in 1893, and Mildred, born
in I896. The fourth child born to Mr. and
Mrs. Northrup, Sr., was named Martha,
I865, and died in infancy.
Henry I. Northrup grew to manhood
amid scenes of pioneer surroundings and
early took up the work of the farm. His
early education was of a practical sort and
fitted him for the demands of the times although he did not go beyond the curriculum
of the district schools of his times. He remained at home with his parents until twenty-one years of age, when he learned the
carpenter's and joiner's trade with Morris
Bowdish, which he followed until the breaking out of the Civil War. The call came for
volunteers to defend the nation's honor and
he enlisted August 13, 1862, in Co. H, 26th




314


PAST AND PRESENT


Michigan Volunteers and served nearly three
years. His regiment was assigned to the
First Brigade, First Division of the 2nd
Army Corps, commanded at the time respectively by Lieutenant Colonel Nelson A.
Miles, later Lieutenant General of the U. S.
A., Brigadier General Francis C. Barlow,
Major General Winfield Scott Hancock. Mr.
Northrup participated with his command in
the following engagements: Suffolk, Windsor, Pebbles' Farm, Hatcher's Run, Boydton
Road, White Oak Road, Southerland Station, Amelia Springs, Deatonville, Sailor's
Creek, High Bridge, Farmville and Appomattox. It was through the lines of his regiment, then under command of Colonel L. H.
Ives, that Grant operated with his flags of
truce, capitulating terms of surrender with
Lee. Mr. Northrup was for several months
confined in a hospital, a portion of the time
at Alexandria, Va., and later at Philadelphia. He was promoted to the rank of Corporal, December, I864, for his good soldierly
qualities. He was mustered out and honorably discharged June 4, I865, at Alexandria,
Va.
Returning to civil life, Mr. Northrup
worked on the home farm and at his trade
for a time and later for several years made
his home with Henry A. Hawley, a distant
relative. About the year 1887 Mr. Northrup
bought sixty and one-half acres of land,
where he has since resided. He has recently
disposed of the old homestead of one hundred and sixty acres of which he has been in
possession for several years-a legacy from
his mother and brother.
Mr. Northrup is recognized as one of the
successful and industrious citizens of his
township. He was united in marriage July
3, I883, to Lolah, daughter of James T. and
Amelia (Robinson) Price. The Prices were
natives of England. where Mr. Price was
born in 1841, and Mrs. Price in 1858. Mrs.


Northrup was born July 23, I864, on the
Isle of Wight, England. She was one of a
family of seven children, respectively, Amy,
born November I2, 1862, wife of Percy
Webb of Dakota; Adelle, born I869, wife
of Arthur Day, who resides in Buffalo,
and have one child, Ruth, seven years
of age; Emma, died in infancy; Harry,
born October 26, 1872, married Sadie Richardson, residing in Rochester, N. Y., and
have one child, Charles; John, died in infancy; James, now twelve years old, living
with his parents in Buffalo.
To Mr. and Mrs. Northrup have been
born two children: Belinda, April 2, 1885,
and Charlie, May 31, 1888, both at home
with their parents.
Mr. Northrup is something of a machinist,
runs a grist and sawmill on his premises and
also operates a threshing outfit in season,
aside from managing his own farm. He
casts his vote for the Republican party. He
is a member of the Grange, in which the
family take a lively interest. He also fraternizes with the I. O. O. F. Mr. Northrup
is a member of Steele Brothers Post, No.
441, Mason, Michigan. He has held the
office of Town Treasurer for several years
and in the year I888 was Commissioner of
Highways.   Mr. Northrup and family'are
held in high esteem by all who enjoy their
acquaintance.
JESSE GRAY.
Jesse Gray, who was the son of Manley
and Mary (Holt) Gray, was born in Vevay
township in 1856. His parents were highly
respected pioneers of Ingham county and
gave the best years of their lives to the upbuilding and civilization of their county. To
men and women of the type of Mr. and Mrs.
Manley Gray, any community may pay homage, as they were energetic and honest and




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


315


their friends were only numbered by those
who knew them.
Our subject, Jesse Gray, grew to manhood
on the home farm, where he resided until 20
years ago, when he sold the farm and moved
to Mason where he has since been in business for himself.
In June, 1881, occurred an important event
in the life of our subject, it being that of his
marriage to Miss Nellie Jackson, daughter
of Enos and Catherine Jackson of Lansing.
Unto this union have been born two children,
Mary and Elizabeth.
Mr. Gray is a member of the Elks at Lansing and in political convictions, he affiliates
with the Democracy, believing its principles
the best fitted to govern the people.
Mr. Gray has met with success in his business affairs and his good nature and genial
ways have made many friends for him
among his fellowmen.
EDWARD GRANDY.
One of the representative men of the
Township of Stockbridge is Edward Grandy,
who was born in Washtenaw county, Michigan, June 28, I848. He was the son of
Thomas and Betsey (Warfle) Grandy, the
father having been born in New York in
I805, and the mother in the same state in
I81o.
Thomas Grandy came to Michigan in an
early day and located in Washtenaw county,
where he rented land. He came to Ingham
county in 1854 and bought one hundred and
twenty acres of wild land in Stockbridge
township. He located the land, cleared it
and had considerable difficulty in finding it
afterward, when ready to build, and built a
log house on another man's property by mistake. At the time of his death he owned
one hundred and twenty acres of good farming land.


Our subject's parents were married in the
State of New York, and to them were born
eleven children, our subject being the ninth
in order of birth, and there being four alive:
Jacob, dead; John, dead; George, dead;
Henry, dead; Oscar, dead; a child which
died in infancy; William, living at Bay City;
Anette, living at Stockbridge; Delia Jane, at
Dansville; our subject, and a child which
died in infancy.
Edward Grandy acquired his early education in the district school and lived with his
father until his death, in I886. He now
owns ninety acres of the old farm.  The
mother died, and is buried at Stockbridge.
Our subject was united in marriage in
I88I to Jane, daughter of William and Sara
(Bassett) Barrett. Mrs. Grandy was born
in Stockbridge township, Dec. 9, 1857. Mr.
Barrett was born Nov. 3, 1822, and the
mother, Dec. I6, 1837. Mrs. Grandy is one
of four children, three of whom are living:
Amanda, born Jan. 24, 1854; Perry, Oct.
I8, I855, died March 12, 1897, and Charles
H., July 30, 1864.
William Barrett came to Michigan in the
early days and located in Stockbridge and
worked at his trade of coopering until the
Civil War, when he enlisted in the army
and endured the hardships of war, and when
returned home bought eighty acres of improved land in Waterloo township, Jackson
county, which he later sold and bought forty
acres in Stockbridge township, and sold this
and bought another eighty in Stockbridge,
and again sold and bought forty-six acres,
which he owned at the time of his death.
Mr. Barrett died Jan. Io, I89I, and the
mother, March 22, 1900.
Edward Grandy and wife are the parents
of two children: Mettie, born Oct. 17, 1877,
married to William Quinn, and they reside
on a farm in Stockbridge township, and
have five children: Agnes, Ethel, John, Lu



316


PAST AND PRESENT


cile and Katherine. The second child of the
Grandy family is William  Thomas, born
Nov. 31, I891.
Mr. Grandy is a progressive agriculturist
and commands the respect of the community
in which he lives.
MORRIS HAYNES.
The pioneers who brought their families
to Michigan in the early days, traveling with
ox team and prairie schooner from the East
and settling upon almost unbroken land, with
no prospect of an immediate income, must
have been possessed of brave hearts and a
wonderful capacity for enduring hardships,
and they are worthy of honorable mention.
Such a one was the father of the man whose
name appears at the head of this sketch.
When this pioneer came to Michigan, with
his ox-team hitched to a sled, he reached
Grand river, and it was necessary to unhitch
the oxen and draw the sled across by hand,
and after settling in Williamston township,
when looking for the oxen one night, he was
pursued by wolves and only saved from being eaten by his father's appearance, as he
shot the animals, with the trusty rifle which
was always kept by the pioneer settler of the
wilds of the Wolverine State. The noble
wife of this pioneer, in the early' days fell
heir to two hundred dollars and three of the
neighbors disguised themselves and prepared
to rob her but were frightened away by the
timely appearance of the husband. These
are only a few of the experiences of the family whose history we present.
Morris Haynes was born October 17,
1851, and was the son of Hiram and Sara
(Worden) Haynes, the father having been
born September 27, 1825, and the mother
August i8, 1828. The father came to Michigan in 1838 with his parents from New
York and settled in Locke township,


where he was married December 29, 1850.
Hiram Haynes started for himself before he
was of age, by going first to Wisconsin,
where he stayed one year and earned enough
to buy forty acres of land, which he lost in
speculation. He immediately went to work
again on a farm and earned enough to buy
another forty acres, which he traded toward
seventy acres in Williamston township, section i. He moved on this place where he
lived until his death, August I3, 900o. The
seventy acres were unimproved but the
energy and ambition of this sturdy pioneer
removed the forests and built a log house
and later a frame house and two good barns.
In politics, our subject's father was a Republican, and while not a member of any church,
was a conscientious, honorable man, much
respected by his neighbors. The mother was
a member of the United Brethren church,
and died December 22, 1900.
Morris Haynes was the first of nine children, five of whom  are living: Anthony,
1853, Lida L., 1855; Melvin, born in 1857,
died in 1859; Lucy J., born in I858, died in
1859; Eunice M., I86o; John J., 1863;
James M., 1867, and Anna M., born in I869
and died in I869.
Our subject acquired his education in the
district school and the graded school of
Leoni, and started to work for his father
at the age of twenty-one years, continuing
at this for one summer, when he worked
the place on shares for two years. He settled in Locke township, section 6, where he
bought forty acres and had the use of ninety-four acres of his father's land, which was
half improved. He now owns eighty acres
of the father's estate which has not yet been
divided, but of which he is administrator.
In politics Mr. Haynes is a Republican. He
has never married, but he and his brother,
Anthony, live together.
Once in the early days the father of our




MORRIS HAYNES








INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


317


subject went to take something to eat to the
Indians, who were sleeping on the ground
near his home and they were so covered with
snow, that he supposed they had gone, until
calling them, they made their appearance.
Hiram Haynes used to go to Detroit with
wheat to trade for supplies. He helped to
chop out the trees and built the first roads in
Williamston. In 1849 our subject's father
started for Colorado, at the time of the gold
excitement, but only reached Kansas, when
he became discouraged and returned to
Michigan. He had traveled about the country a great deal, and about thirty-five years
before his death made a trip to California.
Many a time in the early days has our subject seen his father bring in wild deer, which
he shot before breakfast. The father was a
very successful hunter, a veritable nimrod.
Morris Haynes is an intelligent and wellinformed man and his reputation for integrity and honor is known throughQut the
county.
EGBERT HEMANS.
Our subject, who is comparatively a
young man, has been engaged for some time
in farming, in which he has proved very
successful. He is energetic and industrious,
and is counted as one of the representative
men of his community.
Egbert Hemans was born in Onondaga
county, N. Y., Feb. io, I86I, and is the
son of John and Lovina (Sherwood) Hemans, whose history appears elsewhere in
this volume.
Our subject received his education in Mason, attending until about twenty years of
age, when he began farming on the old
homestead, where he still resides. This farm
comprises two hundred and twenty acres of
well improved land, located in Onondaga
township.


Sept. 9, I885, Mr. Hemans was united in
marriage with Miss Minnie, daughter of
William and Susan Sear, who are natives of
England, and now reside in Mason. Unto
our subject and wife were born two children: John, Sept. 19, I887, and Harris, May
26, 1895, both at home with the parents.
Mr. Hemans is active in the political affairs
of his town and county, and has served as
Township Treasurer for two terms, being
elected to the position by the Democrat
party, of which he is a staunch supporter,
believing that its principles are best fitted
to govern the people.   Fraternally, Mr.
Hemans is a member of the Masonic order
at Onondaga, also of the Grange and the
order of Foresters, in all of which he is
deeply interested.
Our subject is engaged in general farming and raising pedigreed Shropshire sheep,
and is counted as one of the progressive men
of today. He is a member of a prominent
pioneer family of the county, which has been
active in promoting any measure which look
to the moral and business upbuilding of
Ingham county.
SAMUEL     AND    BENJAMIN      HART.
(DECEASErD).
During the years I85 I-852 there emigrated from England to the New World, two
sons of Benjamin and Lucy (\Vest) Hart,
bearing the names of Samuel and Benjamin.
The parents of these children were natives
of England and there lived and died. Shortly after the coming of Samuel and Benjamin
to America, James, another brother, followed
them.  Benjamin Hart, whose birth occurred March 9, 1827, was married about a
month before he sailed from England, to
Francis Cornell, who was of English birth,
the date of her nativity being June 19, 1830.
After the arrival of the two brothers in




318


PAST AND PRESENT


America, they worked on a farm in Michigan for one year and then bought two hundred acres of wild land on section I6 of
Williamston township, from  the State of
Michigan, in the year 1853. This land they
began to clear and built a log house, where
they lived and worked in partnership for
three years. They then divided the property,
each taking one hundred acres, and built
homes and lived there until their deaths.
Benjamin Hart became a large land owner and was worth several thousands of dollars at the time of his death in 19oo, the
third day of January. His wife died June
4, 1904. To them seven children were born,
five of whom are now living: Josephine, who
is Mrs. J. E. Frost of Wheatfield; Lucy J.
Torrey, born February 3, I856, lives at
Alba, Michigan; Bertha, March 27, 1858,
now  Mrs. Millman of Bath, Michigan;
George Hart, died March 17, I890, at the
age of twenty-eight years; Frank, lives in
Locke township; the sixth died in infancy,
and Nellie Hart, who owns the home farm
and lives there part of the time, and also
with a minister's family on the Forster place,
in Williamston.
Samuel Hart was born February 5, 1824,
and March 17, 1864, was married to Miss
Esther A. Rinard of South Bend, Indiana,
who is still living. To them three children
were born: Charles F. Hart, born March
4, I872, lives in Williamston township on
the home farm; Urvin S., February 28,
I875, and Rosa May, born February 27,
1877, now. Mrs. Peter Clever of Williamston.
Samuel Hart was a supporter of the
Democracy, though not an office holder. He
was always in good health until the last year
of his life, when he was troubled with heart
disease, which caused his death.
Charles F. Hart, the son of Samuel Hart,
is a member of the Board of Review and is


also secretary of the Grange of Williamston.
He votes for the principles of the Republican
party and is a prosperous farmer located on
one hundred and eighty acres of land in section i6 of Williamston township.
GOTTFRIED HERRE.
Gottfried Herre was born in Badenburg,
Germany, Oct. 23, I824, and is the son of
Andrew Herre, also a native of Germany.
Andrew Herre died at the age of forty-eight
years or in I833, when our subject was but
nine years old, and the mother died at the
age of eighty-five.  Our subject's parents
lived and died in Germany, where the father
was engaged in the occupation of a weaver.
To them were born six children: Henry,
now eighty-four years of age, the only one
besides our subject who is living. He is a
resident of the home country; Henrietta,
married and lived in Germany, now deceased; our subject; Fred, died in Germany
at the age of fifty years; Fredericka, died in
Germany at the age of forty; Frank, came
to America and died about thirteen years
ago.
Andrew Herre was a linen weaver, at
which he always worked, but was the owner
of a small farm.
Gottfried Herre was educated in the village schools of Germany. He learned the
blacksmith's trade, beginning at the age of
fourteen.  When he reached the age of
twenty he went for himself and worked at
the trade wherever he could find work. At
the age of twenty-nine he came to America,
and located in Cleveland, where he worked
one year, then came to Williamston, Michigan, and worked there one year in partnership with John Burklee. He then bought
eighty acres of wild land in Alaiedon township and lived there about one and a half
years, when he sold the farm and settled in








GOTTFRIED HERRE




:: i:  t i: 1I


--i-i-i: —: —:i -li-ii: I::::::-::::

MRS. G(TTFRIED HFRRE








INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


319


Okemos, bought a lot and worked at his
trade. He purchased ten acres of land and
run a wagon shop in connection with blacksmithing. At this he worked for eighteen
years, then traded his business to William
Turner for one hundred acres of land and
moved onto the farm. This was partly improved, with a small, frame house and an old
stable. Our subject rebuilt the house, built
new barns and made of it one of the finest
home farms in the community.   He later
added thirty acres to the farm. Here he
lived until 1894, when he retired and left the
farm in charge of one of the boys.
April 8, I855, Mr. Herre was married to
Louise Tachs, born in Mecklenburg, Germany, Sept. 23, 1834. Her parents lived and
died in Germany, both passing away at the
age of eighty-five. Her father was a farmer
by occupation. Mrs. Herre and a sister,
Mary, were the only ones of the family who
came to this country. Mary was the wife of
Henry Dickman, residents of Alaiedon township, and both are deceased.
Seven children have been born to our subject and wife: Emma, Aug. 25, i856, the
wife of Henry Foster of Haslett Park. They
have three children, Sydna, Nellie and Lena;
Pauline, July Io, I858, was the wife of Fred
Simmons of Montcalm county, and died thirteen years ago; Louise, Feb. 22, I860, the
wife of Elias Spross, living on part of our
subject's old farm. They have three clildren, Nettie, Harold and Otto: Carl, born
Nov. 21, i86I, married Sarah Raby, is employed in the Lansing Wagon Works, and they
have two children, Florence and Eva; E. G.,
born Aug. I I, i862, married Etta Phillips
and lives on the old homestead; Herman,
Aug. 20, 1864, married Belle Swarthouse,
lives on forty acres of the old home and has
two children, Ray and Bernie, and Otto was
born Sept. 23, 1865, and died at the age of
three months.


Our subject has always been a Democrat
and though several times a candidate was
never connected with any office. The family
are members of the German Lutheran church
at North Lansing and are highly respected
people of their locality. The characteristic
German thrift and energy has been prominent throughout their lives and by means of
it they are in possession of a comfortable
competence for the declining years of their
lives.
JAMES W. SHAY.
James W. Shay, a pioneer resident of the
Township of Onondaga, was born May 25,
1833, in the State of New York. His parents, Asel B. and Polly Ambrose Shay, were
natives of the Empire State and emigrated
to the wilds of Michigan in 1833 and settled in the County of Washtenaw.   The
father lived to the advanced age of eightysix and died in Mecosta county, while the
mother died at the age of eighty years in
Augusta, Washtenaw county, Michigan.
James W. was the youngest of four children born to his parents; Mary Ann, born in
1826, was twice married, her first husband,
Judson Anderson, dying, when she married
M'onroe Smith. Mr. Smith was a member
of the 27th Regiment of Michigan Infantry
and followed the fortunes of his regiment
for eighteen months and went down in that
awful storm of leaden hail in the great three
days' struggle between Grant and Lee in
the Wilderness, Va., May 7, I864.
"Rest on, embalmed and sainted dead,
Dear as the blood ye gave;
No impious footprints here shall tread
The herbage of your grave."
Two sons live to enjoy the blessing of a
peace purchased by the sacrifice of a father,
William W., residing at Big Rapids, Mich



320


PAST AND PRESENT


igan, and Joseph Monroe of Mecosta
county; Lucy, born in I82I, was the wife of
Duncan Minzey and they resided upon a
farm in Superior, Washtenaw county. She
(lied at the age of fifty-seven years, leaving
two daughters, named respectively Adeline,
now Mrs. Frank Hamby, and Jane, who
married Charles Switzer, and lives in Superior; John, born in 1829, resided in Wexford county, and died in Lenawee county,
leaving a wife, who resides near Cadillac,
Michigan.
Mr. James W. Shay was educated in the
common schools in Washtenaw county, living at home until he arrived at the age of his
majority.  Starting out for himself at
twenty- one years of age, he purchased forty
acres of land near the old homestead and
lived upon it one year, when he came to
Ingham county in I865 and settled upon the
farm where he has since resided. He was
united in marriage July 4, 1854, to Miss
Phebe Ann, daughter of Oscar and Sarah
Muir McLouth. Oscar McLouth was a native of the State of New York and was born
in I8o5 and died at the untimely age of
thirty-one years.  His wife was born in
Scotland in 181. Her parents emigrated to
this country when she was seventeen years
of age. The family consisted of four children beside the parents: Amanda, born in
I830, the wife of Absalom Warner, who resides in Charlevoix Co.; Margaret, born in
1832, the wife of Geo. Jackson, of Lenawee
county, and they have four children, the
father being dead; Oscar, Jr., born Christmas, 1836, now a resident of Tompkins,
Jackson county, and pensioner of the Civil
War. He enlisted as a private in Company
B, 20th Michigan Volunteer Infantry,
was twice wounded in action and finally discharged at the end of his service.  Mrs.
Shay's great-grandfather, John McLouth,
was a soldier in the Revoluntary War, and


an uncle, Nathan McLouth, served in the
Mexican War under Gen. Winfield Scott in
1848 and there died.
To James W. Shay and wife, a daughter
was born, June 24, 1856, Minerva C., who
was united in marriage to W. K. Haynes,
who was born in New York, June 28, 1848,
and was the son of Camos and Mary Gray
Haynes, natives of the Empire State. He
came to Michigan in the year 1875 and settled in the Township of Onondaga, Ingham
county. They were the parents of four sons,
who became residents of this county: W. K.,
as stated above; Charles, a prosperous farmer
of Aurelius township and a man of irreproachable character; A. B. was a wellknown attorney at law, located at Mason
and died in I892 on the  Ith day of February, and his widow, a lady of refinement,
is a resident of New York City, and Wesley,
w-\ho is a resident of Antrim county. Three
children have been born to W. K. and Mrs.
1Haynes, James B., March 12, I877, married to Nettie Taylor, now a resident of this
township; Arthur K., November 28, I882,
married Blanche Cazier and their home is
in Eaton Rapids; Jessie G., August i, I886,
at home with the parents. Mr. and Mrs.
Haynes have always resided at the Shay
home, Mr. Haynes having had the management of the farm for many years.   The
premises indicate the deft hand of a woman
in the cultivation of plants and flowers.
Mr. Shay came into the township and
purchased the original eighty acres when it
was in its primitive state, heavy timbered.
Forty-one years have brought marvelous
changes to the country. The forests were
felled, good, substantial buildings erected
and few farms in the vicinity present a more
inviting view to the passerby than the Shay
home. Stately forest trees have been preserved, for shade and beautifying the landscape and under this roof, one unconsciously




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


321


experiences that "At home" feeling, which is
a stranger in many homes. Mr. Shay is a
loyal republican, with faith in his party to
keep the ship of state off the breakers. He
has for many years been an honored member
of the I. O. O. F. and in his religious views,
he is liberal.  "With charity for all and
malice toward none" he is going toward the
close of life's eventful day.
BYRON HOLT.
Among the prosperous farmers of Ingham
township, we find the name of Byron Holt,
who came to Michigan from the Empire
State in 1843, his birth having occurred
November I5, 1831, in Orleans county. His
father, Silas Holt, was born in Truxson, N.
Y., February 14, 1802, and the mother,
Emily (Hicks) Holt, also a native of Truxson, was born July 13, 1804.
In August of the year 1835 Silas Holt
came to Michigan and took up one hundred
and sixty acres of land from the government,
which is the farm now owned by William
Howlett, part of it being in Bunkerhill and
the rest in Ingham township. Here he built
a log house and stable and made his home.
Here he lived until the death of his wife in
the early seventies. He then sold the farm
and went to live with his son, John in Bunkerhill township, where he died in I879 in the
month of December.   Although he always
owned and lived upon a farm, he was a carpenter by trade and always worked at it.
He was formerly a Whig but became a Republican when the party was formed out of
the old Whig party. He was active in political interests but would never consent to hold
office. He belonged to no church or fraternal organization. His wife was a member of the Baptist church.
Byron Holt was the fourth child in a family of nine: G. A., born May 17, 1836, a
21


farmer and lives in Locke township.  His
wife was Martha Muscat and they have
three children; Rominer, born November I6,
1827, married Hattie Hopkins, worked in a
foundry in Dansville, became a farmer and
moved to Kansas, then to the state of Washington and finally to Oklahoma, where he
died in September, 1902; Mary Adeline,
born February 2, 1830. She married first
Manley Gray and then John Spencer. She
is a widow and lives with her son in Mason;
Samantha. born December 25, I833, was the
wife of Elam Hopkins and afterwards married Melvin Titus. She is a widow and lives
in Mason; Almira E., born March 7, 1836,
the wife of Hiram Burrell. She is a widow
and lives with a son in Ohio; Squire, born
January 14, 1838, his wife was Hannah
Lord and he is a resident of Munith, Michigan; Harriet Viola, born February I, 1840,
wife of George Lord of Stockbridge, died
January 23, 1905; John Charles, born July
I5, 1842, his first wife was Etta Whipple
and the second, Sarah Bradfield. He lives
in Bunkerhill township.
Our subject was educated in the district
schools of Ingham township, and April i5,
1855, was married to Minerva N. Felton,
who was born in Oneida county, N. Y., September 14, 1833, and was the daughter of
Abner and Elizabeth (Briggs) Felton, natives of New York. The father was born
March 12, 1792, and died March 9,i860,
and the mother, August 28, 1793, and died
March 2, i86o.
Mrs. Holt was the ninth in a family of ten
children, two now living: Manforn, born
February 3, 1817, whose first wife was
Susan Riggs and the second, Jane Herrington, lived in Stockbridge; Daniel, born December 29, 1817, died in I900. His wife
was Margaret Hayes and they lived in California; Hannah, born March 17, 1819, the
wife of Sam Hayes; Susan, born May 24,




322


PAST AND PRESENT


1822, the wife of Rube Smith, formerly lived
in Stockbridge, now lives in Kalamazoo
county; Mercy, born April 26, 1824, died
December I8, I845, the wife of Ira Beebe;
Clarissa, born February 9, 1827, the wife of
Robert Wilson, lives in North Lansing;
Eliza, born May I I, I828, the second wife of
Ira Beebe. Her second husband was Horace
Lyons; Jedson, born July Io, I831, died
December 9, 1893; our subject's wife; Abner, born April 19, 1839, married Nancy
Douglas. He died March 26, 1889.
Byron Holt bought eighty acres of the one
hundred and sixty which his father owned
and after his marriage he built a log house
and stable and made his home here. He has
since added forty acres and built a fine house
and barns. Our subject and his brother,
Squire, enlisted in Co. B., 26th Regiment of
Michigan Infantry in August, 1862, and
served until the close of the war. The
brother Squire had two fingers nearly shot
off one hand but our subject was fortunate
in not being wounded during the whole war.
To Mr. and Mrs. Holt have been born
seven children: Ida, May i8, 1857, married
Sam Miller of Missouri and they have five
children; Samantha, April 28, I859, married
Charles Fortman of White Oak; Lee, June
17, I861, died at the age of three years;
Mina, March 17, 1863, married Frank Pultz
of Missouri; Squire, March 24, i868, married Linnie Eggleston of Ingham township;
Wert B., October 28, 1870, married Lucy
Down, lives in Saginaw, employed in the
Automobile Works, and Chester P., July 2,
1873, married Amelia Bachelor and practises
dentistry in Stockbridge.
Our subject has always given his support
to the Republican party though never an
office seeker. He was formerly a member of
the G. A. R. Mrs. Holt's parents were
formerly the owners of Peal Shanty in Stockbridge township.


Our subject is successfully engaged in
general farming in Ingham township, where
he is well and favorably known.
ROBERT L. HEWITT (DDECEASED).
Robert L. Hewitt was born in Leoni,
Jackson county, Feb. 15, I843, and died
May 26, 1904.
He was the son of Jeptha and Mary
(Fox) Hewitt, the father having been born
in Vermont, Oct. 14, I807, and the mother
in Vermont also, in 1814. A complete record
of the life of Jeptha Hewitt can be found
elsewhere in this volume in the sketch of
Frank Hewitt.
The boyhood days of Robert Hewitt were
spent in Leoni, Jackson county, where he acquired his early education. Here he lived
until I855, when the parents moved to Okemos. Later our subject completed his education at Lansing under the instruction of
Prof. Taylor and Prof. Olds. Not being
strong, physically, Mr. Hewitt devoted himself to teaching, and was employed in Lansing, and later in Minnesota, until I87I,
when he returned to Michigan and accepted
a position in the office of the Secretary of
State. He assisted in the census of 1874
and had charge of the ones taken in 1884
and 1894. He was in the office of Secretary
of State until the year I900, where he gave
the most efficient service.
It had always been the ambition of Robert
L. Hewitt to make a model country home,
and in I902 he returned to the farm to carry
out his plans. The farm consisted of one
hundred and eleven acres, which he bought
from his father some years before, and was
the old homestead of his parents. To which
he soon added forty acres.
Nov. ii, 1875, Mr. Hewitt was united in
marriage with Alice M. North, daughter of
one of the earliest settlers of Ingham county.










CHAS. G. JENKINS. M. D.




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


323


Mrs. Hewitt was born in Delhi township,
April 19, I85I. They were the parents of
three daughters: Harriet, born Jan. 9, i88o,
now teaching in Little Rock, Ark.; Alice,
born May 14, 188I, at home with the mother, and Mary Eliza, born Nov. 4, 1884, at
home. The mother of these girls died Sept.
15, i885, and July 31, 1890, our subject was
married to Lydia, daughter of William Samtel and Christiana (Shipp) Taylor, all natives of England.  Mrs. Hewitt was born
January i, 1850, while the birth of her
father occurred in 1785, and that of her
mother, June i, 1808. William S. Taylor
died Sept. 16, 1851, and his wife May 22,
1901.
Mrs. Hewitt is one of seven children:
Jane, born April 19, 1839, the widow of N.
K. Johnston, in California; Thomas, born
Sept. 18, 1841, deceased; Elizabeth, born
Feb. o1, I848, is the wife of Rev. J. Fletcher
of Allegan county. The other members of
the family are deceased.
Mr. Hewitt was a staunch Republican,
though he never held office except as connected with the Secretary of State. He was
a member of the Central M. E. cihurch of
Lansing  and  was always found active
in its work. He was also connected with tie
fraternal orders of Masons, Royal Arcanum
and the Grange, in all of which he was
counted as a valuable member. iMr. Hewitt
was highly respected in his community, and
the upright life which he led has left its impress upon his family and neighbors.
CHARLES G. JENKINS, M. D.
Dr. Jenkins, one of the leaders in his profession in Lansing, is a native of Woodville,
Jefferson county, N. Y., and was born July
2, I864. His parents were Abiah and Philura P. Jenkins, father and son being born in
the same village, the former, September 10.


I823.  The mother was born August 14,
1824, and died in I890. The head of the
family was a farmner and moved to Ingham
county, Michigan, in April, 1867. There he
purchased another farm and for forty-three
years lived the life of an industrious, hardworking agriculturist, selling his farm in
1900 and retiring in his old age to make his
lhome with his son, then a prominent and
prosperous physician.
Our subject acquired his early education
at the Mason High School, from which he
graduated in I88I. During the following
decade he was engaged in school teaching.
Three years after his marriage he entered the
Medical Department of the Michigan University and completed the full course in tlree
years. During his senior year he was assistant to the professor of eye, ear, nose and
throat diseases, when he acquired a scientific
and practical knowledge, so necessary to the
successful practice of this profession. Dr.
Jenkins spent the first seven years of his professional practice in Mason and there established a good practice.  Desiring a more
thorough knowledge, lie took a post graduate course at his alma mater and tile Chicago
Eye, Ear and Nose Hospital, locating in
Lansing in I9go  to continue his special work
in the lines mentioned. In this he has met
with signal success, nor is his reputation
confined to this immediate locality as he has
gained an extensive and desirable practice in
other localities in the State. Conscientious
and painstaking in his chosen vocation, he
is succeeding in establishing a reputation second to none in the capital city.
Dr. Jenkins was married in I888 to Miss
Jennie A. Noyes, daughter of B. B. Noyes,
whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume.   Three children have been born to
them: Lella Mae, October i, I889, now in
the Lansing High School; Karl Noyes,
March 25, 1895, and Maurice Jerome, June




324


PAST AND PRESENT


14, I902. Both husband and wife are members of the Baptist church, the doctor being
on the Board of Tustees. He is a Mason of
high standing, having served as Worshipful
Master in the Blue Lodge before coming to
Lansing. At the latter city he became identified with Lansing Lodge, No. 33, Capital
Chapter, No. 9, and has held the office of
High Priest; He also belongs to Lansing
Council, No. 29, R. and S. M. Mrs. Jenkins
is affiliated with the Eastern Star and is
Recorder and Collector in the "Court of
Honor."
In politics, Dr. Jenkins is a Democrat, although his time is too fully occupied with
his professional duties to allow him to do
more than falls to the lot of every good citzen. His interest in public education, however, had induced him to serve upon the
Board of School Examiners in I886, he being at that time a resident of Mason.
AARON T. INGALLS.
The greater portion of the life of Aaron
T. Ingalls has been devoted to the agricultural calling. He has, however, made several
speculations in land, engaged in the mercantile business at Leslie and for three years
managed the Leslie hotel. He was born at
Bergen, Genesee county, N. Y., in I830, and
was the son of Benjamin and Malina (Humphrey) Ingalls. Benjamin Ingalls was born
in 1804 in Vermont and the mother was a
native of New York and lived until the year
1855. The father died in February, I894.
Upon the emigration of the Ingalls family
to Michigan in 1844, they settled in Jackson
county, where they lived for eight years and
came to Ingham county in 1852 and bought
forty acres in Leslie township. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin
Ingalls, of which four are living today: Mrs.
Hasbrouck, Mrs. Hull, Mrs. Duncan Cam

eron and our subject. Aaron T. Ingalls was
the third child in the family and was raised
in Genesee county, N. Y., where he lived
until twenty-two years of age. When eleven
years of age he started out in life for himself, working out for wages in the summer
and in the winter working for his board and
attending school.  Our subject came to
Michigan in 1852 and settled in Jackson
county, three miles east of Napoleon and
lived there for one year, when he came to
Ingham county and bought a partially improved farm of eighty acres in Onondaga
township. Here he lived for four or five
years and then sold out and went to Macomb
county for a time and then traded this property for a farm south of Leslie. From this
farm he went into the mercantile business in
Leslie and then bought a farm near Eaton
Rapids, which he disposed of and bought a
hotel in Leslie which he conducted for three
years. This hotel was traded for the farm of
eighty acres where he now lives. He came
to this farm in I868, and since then has purchased seventy acres west of this place.
In I86i Aaron T. Ingalls was united in
marriage to Miss Marietta, daughter of Elon
G. Annis of Ingham county and to them
three children were born: Emma married
Paul Darling, Minnie is at home, and Aaron
married Miss Blanche, daughter of Mr. and
Mrs. George Belcher of Leslie, and now
lives on the home farm.   The wife and
mother of this family (lied at Leslie in I896
and was buried in the Onondaga cemetery.
In fraternal relations our subject is allied
with the Masonic order and has been elected
by the Republican party to the office of Constable and Highway Commissioner.
Mr. Ingalls has been extensively engaged
in farming and in connection with this has
owned many superior grades of horses. He
at one time owned Sir Charles, the finest
horse ever in the county and kept him as




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


325


long as he lived, or until he was thirty-two
years old. Mr. Ingalls used to drive trotting
horses on the old fair grounds at Lansing.
Mr. Ingalls is practically a self-made man,
starting out alone, at the age of eleven years,
with no home until he made one for himself.
When he came to this country everything
was wild. There was no railroad through
Canada and one was built by laying logs
down straight and took all day to make the
trip from Detroit to Jackson. The country
was in a primitive state when he came here,
and like other pioneer settlers, he began at
the bottom of the ladder and is truly the
architect of his own fortune.
S. C. IVES.
Carlyle says "Biography is the most universally pleasant and profitable of all reading." The history of nations and great men
can be written from permanent records, but
the incidents in the life of the average citizen
can only be written from personal knowledge, and if neglected until after death, the
history passes away with the individual and
is lost to the world forever. The preservation in permanent form of one's biography is
simply the payment of a just debt one owes
to posterity.
Simeon C. Ives was born at Lansing,
Tompkins county in the State of New York,
August 13, I835. He was the youngest of
a family of ten children born to Orin and
Mary (Gibbs) Ives, who were natives of the
Empire State and emigrated with their family to the wilds of Michigan in the year of
1837, and settled in the Township of Unadilla, Livingston county, upon an unimproved tract of forty acres of land.  The
father was born May 30, 1791, and the
mother June 20 of the same year.
Orrin Ives was a shoemaker by trade and
followed his occupation through life. In the


early days home made "foot gear" was a
great convenience.  After ten years residence at Unadilla, the elder Ives sold out
and purchased eighty acres of land with
small improvements near the village of
Stockbridge, Ingham Co., where the family
lived until some years after the death of the
father, which occurred April 15, I859. With
the exception of one brother, who died while
a young man, the entire family lived out the
allotted years of life.
Our subject received his early education in
the district schools convenient to the family
home and it was of the quality afforded
country boys of his time. After attaining
to the years where the boy could be made
helpful at home, it became a struggle of
"catch as catch can" for a few months
schooling in the winter season.  However,
observation and experience have proved to be
good teachers and many a man has won out
in the struggle of life, whose early educational advantages were limited. Mr. S. C.
Ives has it to his credit of being one of that
number. Mr. Ives was but I6 years of age
at the time of his father's death; he and his
brother, Wm. Henry, two years his senior,
assumed the responsibility of keeping the
family together and caring for the farm.
The mother passed away and her remains
rest beside those of her husband in the village cemetery at Stockbridge.
Mr. Ives was united in marriage May 26,
I832, to Miss Laura, daughter of Levi and
Lydia Burgess Westfall of Unadilla, in
which township the Westfalls settled in
1837. Mrs. Ives was of a family of eleven
children. Her parents were natives of New
York.
Two children have been born to Mr. and
Mrs. Ives; Melvin B., born December 21,
I860. Melvin has always lived with his
father on the home farm and has now practically assumed the management of affairs,




326


PAST AND PRESENT 


relieving his father from the cares and perplexities of the farming operations.  He was
united in marriage December 21, I881, to
Miss Nora Kellog, who was born in Wheatfield April 15, 1857. They have two children named respectively, Herman S., born
July 12, 1886, and Grace S., born July 24,
I893, both at home with parents. A little
daughter Bernice was born November 4,
I885, died at the age of three months.
Lydia, born May 15, I863, now the wife
of Wells Skinner to whom she was married,
I893. They have no children. Mrs. Melvin Ives is a sister of H. Kellog of Mason,
whose history and other important data of
the family occur elsewhere in this volume.
Mr. S. C. Ives after marriage purchased
an improved farm of eighty acres two miles
east of the village of Stockbridge.and farmed
it successfully for the term of thirty years,
wl en desiring to extend his farming operations, sold out and purchased the splendid
tract of I60 acres in Wheatfield township,
which has since been his home;  His is one
of the attractive rural homes of the township.
the location of the buildings is sightly, and
the surrounding landscape one of attractiveness and beauty. The farm is under a high
state of cultivation and an air of thrift and
progressive enterprise pervades the entire
premises. Mr. Ives and son carry on mixed
farming, stock raising and crop growing
jointly.  Considerable attention has been
given to growing horses-roadsters.
Mr. Ives has never been in the hands of
his friends for public position, though often
urged to accept place, he has declined preferring to give his personal matters undivided
attention. At the last general election, he
was placed upon the Prohibition ticket as
candidate for the office of Judge of Probate
and made a good run, and would have made
an efficient officer if elected. He formerly
affiliated with the Democracy as did his father


before him, but realizing the awful havoc
being wrought upon our christian civilization
by the legalized liquor traffic, as a christian
man duty was made plain to him and he
lined up on the side of God and home and a
better civilization for Americans.
Mr. Ives has been for many years a member of the fraternal organization of the
Masons at Stockbridge, Lodge No. 130
Mrs. Ives died, I898. A woman of many
virtues.
Mr. and Mrs. Ives and the other members
of the family have long had a home in the
Methodist church. While bereft of the companionship of his devoted wife in the declining years of his life, he is greatly blessed in
home surroundings by a most dutiful son and
daughter and grandchildren. Mr. Ives is an
uncle of Col. L. H. Ives of Mason, whose
biography appears elsewhere in this volume,
in connection with which is a more extended
genealogy of the family.
JOHN R. KINGMAN.
John Riley Kingman, a highly respected
and representative farmer of Aurelius township, residing on section six, is a native of
New York, having been born there October
17, 1845. He is a son of William Riley and
Mary Maranda Kingman, who were natives
of Pennsylvania and Ohio respectively. The
early education of the father was of a limited
character and acquired in his native state,
where he early became identified with the
lumber business, as a teamster, which occupation he followed for some years, when, in
I850, with his wife and four children he emigrated westward and arrived at Jackson,
Michigan, from which place he went to Charlotte, arriving there with but fifty cents in his
pocket.
The father purchased eighty acres in Benton township. Here the family began pio



JOHN R. KINGMAN AND FAMILY




I




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


327


neer life in the most primitive manner. A log
house was built and occupied for several
months before the shake roof was completed.
The father split logs for a puncheon floor.
With characteristic pluck and energy the improvements began, and were pushed forward
under adverse circumstances, with persistent
perseverance, and within a single decade he
was "out of the woods" and was recognized
as one of the progressive farmers in his section of the country. Another eighty acres
was added to the farm and improved.
Here the father resided for a number of
years or until his death, which occurred
March 19, I886. He was one of the honored
pioneer residents of that locality, a man of
strong determination of purpose, and he
eventually became the possessor of a very
valuable property.
J. R. Kingman was one, and the oldest of
a family of five children, as follows: The
second. James Oren, born April I, 1847,
married and lives four miles north of Charlotte; he has five children. The third, Frances, born February 12, 1849, married John
W. Myers and resides at Eaton Rapids; they
have two children.  The fourth, Jane R.,
born April 10, 1853, married Seth Robbins,
a farmer residing four miles north of Charlotte, and they have four children; three are
now deceased. The fifth, Benjamin A., born
June 3, 1856, married and resides eight miles
north of Charlotte.
William R. Kingman, our subject's father
was a man of deep religious convictions, and
took a strong and active part in the temperance cause. He died at the age of sixty-four
and was buried in the Potterville Cemetery.
The mother died in I856 and also lies buried
beside him.
The early education of J. R. Kingman was
acquired at Benton, Eaton county, in the district schools, attending until the age of sixteen. On the I8th day of August, 1864, he


enlisted as a private in the 2nd Michigan
Cavalry, and was engaged in several hard
fought battles, among them Franklin and
Nashville. Mr. Kingman was seventeen
years of age when he joined his regiment on
the battlefield of Nashville, Tenn., as a recruit. He went into the fight with his colnmand, his first military order and drill having been received while under fire from the
enemy. A comrade at his side went down
in the conflict.  This was indeed a nerve
racking experience for a youth fresh from
the walks of civil life. He was engaged in
the battles of Cypress River, Tenn., October
7, 1864; Raccoon Ford, Tenn., October 30,
1864:  Shoal Creek, Tenn., November 5,
I864; Lawrenceburg, Tenn., November 21,
I864; Campbellsville, Tenn., November 24,
1864; Columbia, Tenn., November 25, 26
and 27, I864; Springhill, Tenn., November
29, i864; Bethesda Church, Tenn., November 29, I864; Franklin, Tenn., November
30, 1864; Nashville, Tenn., December 15,
i6, I864; Richland Creek, Tenn., December
24, I864; Pulaski, Tenn., December 25,
1864; Sugar Creek, Tenn., December 26,
I864; Princeton Ford, Tenn., January 6,
i865.
By reason of sickness young Kingman
was confined to the hospital at Cairo for a
time, and later transferred to Detroit, Michigan. He was mustered out and honorably
discharged June 26, I865, by reason of close
of war.
Returning to civil life Mr..Kingman was
sick for nearly a year. He was placed upon
the pension rolls at $Io.oo per month.
Until twenty-one years of age Mr. Kingman remained at home assisting his father in
the farm labor. Arriving at the age of his
majority he started out for himself, first receiving employment in a lumber camp near
Saginaw where he remained for five years.
April I8, 1871, he was united in marriage to




328


PAST AND PRESENT


Miss Matilda Hannah Woolfitt of Genesee
county. To this most worthy woman, Mr.
Kingman gives credit for much of the success that has come to them during the years
of their wedded life. She was a daughter of
Jane Marie Allen and John Woolfitt, natives
of Canada and England respectively.  Mr.
Woolfitt came to Michigan directly from
England and settled in Genesee county upon
a farm, which was ever after his home. He
lived to the advanced age of eighty-seven
years. The mother passed away at the age
of eighty-four. They were highly respected
citizens and devoted christian people. They
have left to their descendants the rich legacy
of well spent lives. Their children revere
their memory by imitating their virtues.
The family consisted of nine children, six
daughters and three sons, two only of whom
are deceased. Those alive are all living lives
of uprightness and helpfulness.
To Mr. and Mrs. Kingman have been born
three daughters. Data respecting them and
their families is given here:
Jennie May, born January 26, I876, now
the wife of William Bertrand Bunker, to
whom she was married September 28, I898,
by Rev. W. R. Yonker; they have one child,
*   Helen  Maurine, born January 25, I904.
Mr. and Mrs. Bunker reside with her parents; Mr. Bunker is managing the farm
under contract-a new house is being erected
on the premises for their permanent home.
Bertha Caroline, the second daughter of
Mr. and Mrs. Kingman was born March I8,
1879. Miss Bertha graduated from the
Eaton Rapids high school in the class of '98,
and later attended Olivet College. She was
united in marriage to Howard R. H. Williams, a young attorney, January I, 1902, at
high noon by Rev. Thomas Young. Mr. and
Mrs. Williams are both teaching at Gresham,
Nebraska. Mr. Williams being principal of
the high school at that place.


Mabel Izora, the youngest daughter, was
born March 29, 1884, died at the age of
eight years. Her remains were laid at rest
at Mt. Morris Cemetery, Genesee county,
Michigan.
Mr. Kingman was twenty-four years of
age when he made his first purchase of real
estate. He bought sixty acres of land in
Eaton county, of this, twenty-five acres were
improved. He later added forty acres. On
this forty acres there was a large sugar bush
of six hundred beautiful maple trees. There
Mr. Kingman and his good wife toiled hard,
day after day, and often times all night, caring for the sap, which they made into sugar.
It was by the sale of this sugar and by depriving themselves of many of the luxuries
of life, that they were able to make a payment on their farm every spring, and thus
secure for themselves a home.
In the year I886 he sold this property and
purchased the place where he now resides in
Ingham county, owning at this time two
hundred and fifteen acres of highly improved
land. Everything about these premises is
modern, and it needs but a glance to establish
the fact that its owner is a man of progressiveness and enterprise. The house is modern in every sense of the word, being heated
by furnace and lighted by electric lights.
Large windmills furnish water to all parts of
the farm. Mr. Kingman has taken an individual pride in the construction of such improvements and appliances as act as labor
saving devices and which materially add to
the comforts of the family.
Mr. Kingman affiliates with the Republican
party and is a strong advocate of the temperance cause, and has courage to vote his convictions. He is a man of strong character, a
kind father and loving husband.
Surrounded by all the comforts and many
of the luxuries of life, he and his good wife
are now enabled to enjoy the fruits of their




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


329


former toil, and it is unto such men and
women Ingham county now owes its present
prosperous condition.
WILLIAM HARWOOD.
William Harwood, who is a native of New
York, born in 1834, is a representative of
one of Ingham county's honored pioneer
families. His parents, Thomas and Elizabeth Harwood, were natives of.England and
emigrated to America and settled in New
York, and in I836 became pioneer residents
of Ingham county. Here the father erected
the second log house that was built in Onondaga township. The father was a farmer by
occupation, securing a government claim, he
began to clear it off and make the necessary
improvements for its cultivation.  Eliza
Harwood, the mother, died in I834, and the
father again married and moved to Jackson,
where he resided until his death.
The early education of our subject was received at the primitive log school house of
his township and he remained under the parental roof for a number of years, assisting
his father in the working of the home farm.
The property of his father was willed to our
subject's oldest brother, who was to pay the
father an income of two hundred dollars per
year.  Our subject, however, had a small
interest in the property which he later sold
and bought eighty acres where he now resides. He later added forty more and then
later another forty, and as he prospered, he
again added forty acres until his farm boundaries now comprise two hundred acres of
splendidly improved land. Upon this place
he has erected a good residence and good
substantial barns, making it one of the best
improved properties in that locality.
In I86I, Mr. Harwood was united in marriage with Miss Rachel Baldwin of Onondaga township, and this union was blessed


with seven children, four of whom   are
now living: Mina H, the wife of J.
P. Smith; Eursula, the wife of George
Snyder, and Harry, who resides on the home
farm. Mr. Harwood affiliates with the
Democracy and has long been an ardent and
staunch supporter of that party.  At the
time of his location here there was but little
if any resemblance to the general appearance
of the country where its thriving villages and
fertile fields now abound. This was once
the home of the Red Men, who roamed about
through the forests where these places now
stand.
The primitive log cabin no longer marks
the abodes of our pioneer forefathers, who
were the history makers of this locality.
The name of Harwood has been indelibly engraved upon the pages of the pioneer history
of Ingham county and to the memory of such
men and families are these records recorded.
J. J. KAISER.
Some of the most intelligent and honored
families of Ingham county came from Germany, and have traits of character which
have been of great value, not only to themselves and family, but also to the community
in which they have made their homes.
J. J. Kaiser was born in Wortemburg,
Germany, April 5, 1839, and is the son of
Christopher Kaiser, born in Germany, where
he always lived and died when our subject
was but a small boy.  The father was a
farmer in Germany.
Our subject is one of ten children: John
lived in Germany, now dead; Mary died in
Jackson December 13, I904; Louisa, born in
Germany and died there; she was the wife of
John Phillips; George died in Meridian
township, his wife was Miss Wysinger and
they have seven children, six of whom are
living; Caroline died in Germany; Mike, liv



330


PAST AND PRESENT


ing in Jonesville, Michigan; our subject;
Louise died in infancy, and an infant.
J. J. Kaiser came to America in I855 and
stopped in Pennsylvania a few months, then
came to Jackson county, and was employed
on a farm for two years, went west and
worked on a farm for two more years, then
came back to Michigan and worked for his
brother for seven years.
Our subject was married on Thanksgiving
Day in I868 to Louise Wisnor. She was
born February 5, 1849, and was the daughter
of Jacob Wisnor, who first settled in Washtenaw county and afterwards on a farm in
Meridian township.  Mrs. Kaiser was one
of a family of seven children, the others being
Jacob, who lives in Dakota; John in the Upper Peninsula on Lake Superior; George;
Christina; William lives at Pine Lake, and
Fred lives in the Upper Peninsula.
Mr. Kaiser went to school in Germany
and soon after reaching this country and has
always regretted that he did not get a better
education.  He believes in improving the
educational advantages that are before one,
and has given his children the opportunity to
acquire a good education.
After our subject married he bought forty
acres where he now lives. This was partly
cleared and upon it was a small frame house
and log stable. He has since added forty
acres to the farm and now owns eighty acres,
well improved, with a large frame house and
good barns.
J. J. Kaiser and wife are the parents of
five children: John G., born March 13,
I870, lives on an eighty acre farm near Pine
Lake. His wife was Daisy Towner; Louise,
born November IO, 187I, lives in Jackson,
took care 6f a sister who died recently;
Katie, born December 29, 1873, is single and
lives in Jackson; Fred William, born September 8, I879, bought the Gil Cushman
farm at Pine Lake.   He was married in


1904 to Dora Weaver; Gus, born February
23, I882, is employed at the Gas Works in
Lansing.
Our subject will be found in the ranks of
the Democrat party, yet he is not an office
seeker. He held the position as assessor in
connection with the school for District No. 7.
The Kaiser family are communicants of
the German Lutheran Church and are active
in its field of labor.
J. J. Kaiser is engaged in general farming.
There has never come to this land of ours
from foreign climes, a more reliable and
solid class of emigrants, than those who
were sent us from Germany, and to Germany
we owe a great deal for the energy, ability
and noble traits of its sons and daughters.
DANIEL D. KINGSBURY.
The subject of this brief biography was
born February 14, 1841, and was the fourth
of ten children born to Lemuel H. and
Jerusha M. Durbon Kingsbury who were
natives of the Empire State where the father
was born in I807 and the mother in I813.
In the year 1838 they emigrated west and
settled at Wakeman, Ohio, in the Buckeye
state. The father was a shoemaker by trade
which he carried on in connection with his
limited farming operations.  He made several changes of base in life and though an
industrious, hard working man he was
somewhat handicapped with a large family
and never succeeded in accumulating. any.considerable property. He, however, left to
his children the legacy of an upright christian life, supplemented by kindness and service. Both parents were members of the
Methodist Episcopal church.  The father
died in the year I880 and the mother in
1883. Their remains rest side by side in the
cemetery at Wakeman, Ohio.
The following is the list of names of the




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


331


children in the order of their birth: Mary
A., Daniel D., Martha, Sarah, Ruth, Lemuel
M., John, James M., Romain J., and Alvira
E.
Daniel D. Kingsbury was making the
most of his opportunity for securing an education.  He was a student in Oberlin College, Ohio, at the time of the breaking out of
the War of the Rebellion. In answer to his
country's call for volunteers to defend her
flag and honor, he enlisted September 12,
I861, in the 7th Ohio Infantry, with which
he served for about thirteen months when he
was mustered out to enlist in Co. A, U. S.
Engineers, with which he served until September 28, 1864, when he was honorably discharged at Petersburg, Va. Mr. Kingsbury
participated in the following engagements:
Winchester, Va., Port Republic.  In this
battle his brother Romain J., who was a
member of his company and regiment, was
killed; Cedar Mountain, 2nd Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Cold Harbor, siege
of Petersburg, Wilderness, besides several
skirmishes. Mr. Kingsbury received a gun
shot wound in the left shoulder at the battle
of Winchester.
Following his muster out of service, Mr.
Kingsbury returned to his old home where
he remained until the spring of 1865 when
he came to Michigan, and the following winter taught school at Brighton. He located at
Brighton in Livingston county and purchased a small tract of partially improved
land. This he improved for a time and
finally sold out and built a home at Brighton.
On the 14th of March, I867, he was happily
united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Fillmore, daughter of a Livingston county
pioneer.  Mrs. Kingsbury's father came
from New York state, first settling in Macomb county early in the forties. For several years prior to their death, her parents
resided at Brighton, Mich.  The mother


passed away in 1891, and the father in I896.
She was a member of the Baptist church
society of Brighton.
Mr. Kingsbury's fitness for public positions has frequently been recognized by his
fellow citizens. He was four years Justice
of the Peace in Leroy township and for four
years Postmaster at Webberville, and later
was twice elected Treasurer of Ingham
county and served the people most acceptably during his four years term. He is a
zealous Grand Army man and is Past Commander of Fred Turrell Post, No. 93, Department of Michigan.
He also affiliates with the Ancient Order
of United Workmen. Mr. and Mrs. Kingsbury are earnest workers along religious
lines being especially active in Sunday school
and church work.
Mr. Kingsbury is at present engaged in
trade in a general store located in the village
of Bell Oak, Locke township, and his many
friends wish him well deserved success.
DANIEL JONES.
For more than half a century has Daniel
Jones been a resident of Ingham county.
His father, David Jones, and mother who
bore the maiden name of Almira Frost, were
both natives of New York, and came to
Michigan in I850 and settled in Leslie and
there bought one hundred and sixty acres of
unimproved land. Here he erected a pioneer
home of logs and built barns of the same
material. With characteristic energy he began the development of this place and made
all the improvements and placed the fields
under cultivation, and as he prospered he
added more land until at the time of his
death, September 6, 1884, he owned nearly
three hundred acres of good productive land.
Unto David and Almira Jones were born
nine children of which four are still living,




332


PAST AND PRESENT


Daniel, Emily, Lafayette and Helen. The
early lives of David and Almira Jones, after
their married life began was spent in Massachusetts, where they resided eight years.
The mother died November 16, I899.
Daniel Jones remained under the parental
roof until the death of his father and then
started out in life for himself. He was
united in marriage in I859 to Miss Mary
Ann Hunt of Rochester, N. Y., and unto
this union were born four children, of whom
three are still living; the eldest, Mrs. Alice
M. Austin who resides in Rives, Jackson
county, Michigan; Thomas D., who resides
at the old homestead with his father and
Fred at Traverse City, Michigan. The wife
and mother of these children departed this
life on the 6th day of January, 1902, and her
loss was deeply regretted by her host of
friends and immediate family. She lies interred in the Leslie Cemetery. She was a
devoted wife and loving mother, also a good
christian woman.
Daniel Jones affiliates with the Republican
party and is also a member of the I. O. O. F:
Lodge of Leslie, where he has been a faithful member for nearly forty years.
Although seventy years of age, he is still
of strong and vigorous mind and within his
mind are recollections of many scenes and
incidents of pioneer times. Few of this generation have any idea or direct knowledge of
the hardships and discomforts endured by
our early pioneer settlers, the obstacles which
they overcame and the difficulties which presented themselves on every hand.  With
rare fortitude and courage they cleared away
the forests, built their rude homes and
primitive schools, and by so doing laid broad
and deep the foundation of Ingham county's
prosperity, and unto such men and women,
who gave the best years of their life for such
a purpose, is this volume dedicated, and
these records may be preserved for future


generations, who may, in years to come look
back and read these pages with pride, of the
achievements of their early ancestors.
JAMES P. LAROWE.
Besides being a successful farmer, James
P. LaRowe did valiant service for the cause
of his country in the later strife between the
north and sout He was born February 7,
1843, and is tie son of John B. and Eliza
(Clark) LaRowe. The father was born in
1813, and the mother in I8I6.
John B. LaRowe was a farmer and came
to Michigan in 1836 and first located in Livingston county, where he obtained eighty
acres of land from the government at one
dollar and a quarter per acre. All this was
wild land, but a log house was soon built and
for a long time a carpet was used for a door
to this cabin. This was the family home
and here the father died August 7, I890, at
the age of seventy-seven years. The mother
died January 14, I905. The children in this
family were Liddie, Henry, James, Mary
(dead), Frank, Jerusha, Ida, Nancy (dead),
William and Sophia.
James LaRowe was educated in the district schools where he later taught.  At
twenty-one years of age our subject enlisted
as a recruit in the 9th Michigan Infantry,
February 27, I864, for three years, or during
the war. The 9th Michigan Infantry was
known as Gen'l Thomas' Provost Guard.
They were mustered out at Nashville, Tenn.,
September 25, 1865.
After the war LaRowe bought eighty
acres of wild land in Locke township which
he later cleared up and traded for his present
property, of one hundred and twenty acres.
He is a member of the Church of God, and in
politics votes the Republican ticket.
December 2I, I869, our subject was
united in marriage to Miss Charlotte Faulk








HENRY W. LAWRENCE




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


333


who was born March 21, I846, at Vandilla,
Livingston county, Michigan. Her parents
were early settlers of Livingston county, who
afterwards sold out and moved to White
Oak, to Unidalla and then to Marion, where
her father died September i, I869, owning
at this time eighty-four acres of land. The
mother died November 5, 1862. They were
Methodist Protestant people and active in
their church.
To Mr. LaRowe and wife have been born
eight children: Addie E., born November
8, I870; Eugene, born September 4, I872;
Pina, born April I4, 1878; Ervin H., born
September 15, i88I; Liva, born March 6,
I883; John C., born January 21, I887;
Anna, born October 9, I88I, and Ida May,
who died in infancy.
Mr. LaRowe devotes his time to general
farming.
HENRY W. LAWRENCE.
In writing a historical sketch of the lives
of the active and well-to-do citizens of almost any community, it is noticeable that a
large per cent of those who are making, or
have made, a financial success are men, who
in the formative years of their lives, were
very largely tlrown upon their own resources.
The boy selects the occupation for the
man, and seemingly, by intuition, displays
better judgment than the man of riper years.
Henry W. Lawrence made his debut to the
inhabitants of this old world on December
I8, I85I, "away cown east," in the Pine
Tree  State, Somerset county, Fairfield
township. His parents were natives of the
state in which they spent their lives, and
where his mother still lives. His father,
Henry Lawrence, died in I868, aged fortyseven years. His remains were laid to rest
in the old town cemetery at Fairfield Center.


His memory will long be cherished for the
virtues of an upright life.  His mother,
whose maiden name was Hannah M. Bowman, born August 7, 1833, in Maine, is a
woman of sterling qualities of heart and
mind.   Henry was only ten years of age
when he went out from the paternal home,
to begin the struggle of life-odds seeming
greatly against the boy in his early battles
for a name and place in the world. The
stern realities of life encountered in those
early years of conflict, only served to develop the latent forces within him. He early
learned that in this day of strife and struggle, he who wins must work, not only with
his hands, but with heart and brain. He was
at the foot of the ladder, and he knew others
had climbed, and why not he? He would,
and did, and today his possessions are allsufficient for the needs and comforts of the
years to be added to his active life. Working for one's board and clothes, is not very
stimulating to an ambitious boy, however,
it is an experience that may be helpful in
after years. It was the best he could do and
he did it, and did it well. His early education was largely of the out door order, hard
practical experience, just such as he was to
need in the later years.
At the age of eighteen years, he having
followed the course of progress, found himself in the town of Emporia, Kansas, where
he found employment in a flouring mill for a
time, and later worked at such jobs, as he was
able to secure. His health becoming somewhat impaired, after two years in that vigorous country, he returned to his native town,
and again took up milling. Six years wore
away, but he had secured a "nest egg." Important changes were taking place, life was revealing itself, the somber had given place to
brighter hues, and in 1875 he was married
to Miss Ida C., daughter of William and
Sarah (Pratt) Fish. Mrs. Lawrence's par



334


PAST AND PRESENT


ents were of English extraction. They came
to this country and settled in Somerset
county, Maine, where she was born. Two
children have been the fruit of their wedded
lives, a son and a daughter: Guy, born October 23, I882, now a resident of Mason, engaged in the boot and shoe business. He is
a graduate of the Mason high school in the
class of I9OI, and an exemplary young man
of good business prospects. His name has
recently been added to the list of Benedicts.
He married Miss Lizzie Northrup, a young
lady of estimable character, a former teacher in the public schools of the county and
a graduate of the Mason High School. These
young people launched their craft on the sea
of matrimonial life, under every prospect
for a pleasant voyage. Hattie M., born December 23, 1884, is a pupil in the city
schools, living under the paternal roof.
After his marriage, Mr. Lawrence moved
to California, the Eldorado of the West.
This was to be his field of operation for the
next seventeen years.  He purchased six
hundred sheep and followed the industry of
sheep growing for six years, it proving a
profitable venture. Later he branched out
into fruit growing, and finally became a
speculator in farms of this class. For twelve
years he found it a remunerative employment. In the year I895, he exchanged a
portion of his California interests for valuable property in the city of Mason, which he
has improved until his holdings here include
the most valuable business property in the
city. This property is known as the Lawrence block, located on the corner of Ash
and Main streets, composed of four store
fronts, facing the court house, also four on
Main street. First State and Savings bank
is located in the corner of the block, with offices and living rooms above.  Mr. Lawrence also has a fine residence and other
valuable property here and elsewhere.


Amidst all his hustling, for Mr: Lawrence
is a busy man, he always has time to make
friends of those with whom he comes in contact. Honest and fair in his manner of dealing, plain and simple in manner of life, industrious and frugal, Mason greatly appreciates his citizenship and recognizes in his
liberal expenditures in the improvements of
his property, a public benefactor. In politics
he is a Jacksonian Democrat, which to him,
stands for national simplicity.  He never
held office-he never wants to. He says that
his own affairs absorb his time and he cheerfully concedes the honor to office to others.
Mr. Lawrence is a member of the fraternal
order of the Foresters. He has taken the
Golden Rule as the mainspring of the actions of his life and exemplifies it in his dealings with his fellowmen.
HARVEY     LAMEREAUX.
The name of Lamoreaux has been inseparably interwoven with the pioneer history of
the great State of M4ichigan, and we take
great pleasure in recording in the pages of
this volume the lives and deeds of those
hardy men and women, who giving up the
comforts of the older east, emigrated westward, and by heroic efforts opened up for
civilization what was then a wild and uninhabited wilderness.  Peter Lamereaux, the
father of our subject was a native of New
York state, and there spent his boyhood and
youth. Upon reaching man's estate, he was
there united in marriage to Miss Clarisa
Fresbe, also a native of the Empire State.
Peter Lamereaux was a farmer by occupation, and desiring to better his conditions,
emigrated to Michigan, locating in Lenawee
county in 1835. Here he obtained possession of an eighty acre tract of marsh and
timber land, for four years he devoted his
time and energies to the improvement of




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


335


this property. It was in that year that he
took sick, and died, this was in 1839. At
the father's death the boys took in hand the
task of improvement and development of
this property, and thus remained at home
until the death of the mother in 1844. The
estate being settled, our subject decided to
become a citizen of Ingham county, and accordingly arrived in 1845.
Harvey  Lamereaux   and  his brother,
Franklyn, are the only surviving members
of a family of six children, whose names
are as follows; the oldest Cornelia, died in
Lenawee county, having reached the age of
sixty years; Angeline, the second in order
of birth, died, about twenty-five years of
age; the third is our subject; the fourth
is Edwin, died in Lenawee county, in I9oo;
Franklin, the fifth member of the family is
now a resident of Dallas, Tex., having
reached the good old age of eighty years;
Julia the sixth and last miember of the family
died when a child in Lenawee county.
The early education of Harvey Lamereaux was acquired in the early school of
Lenawee county, and his boyhood and youth
were spent in assisting in the development
of the home farm. He was united in marriage in Lenawee county in 1843 to a Miss
Emma Lucretia Glasbrooke, who was a native of New York. Her birth occurred on
the fifthl day of July of 1825. Her parents
were also natives of the Empire State, and
came to Lenawee county about the same
time as Peter Lamereaux's family.  Mrs.
Lamereaux was one of a family of eight
children. None, however, are residents of
Michigan. George, the youngest member of
the family, became a member of a regiment in the Civil \Var, and was poisoned
while in the service. Unto Mr. and Mrs.
Lamereaux have been born eight children,
as follows: Salem, born Feb., 1844, is now a
resident of Delhi township; Augetine, born


Sept. Io, I847, is the wife of Jerome North,
a resident farmer of Delhi township; Frances, born June 15, I85i, married L. Fergeuson, also a farmer of Delhi township; Eunice, born Oct. I8, I864, became the wife of
John Bates of Kalkaska county, and died in
June of 1902; Alice A., born Nov. 15, 1857,
married William Wilson of Delhi township;
James H., born Dec. 9, I86o, follows carpentering at Holt; Josephine, born Jan. 3I,
I864, is now the wife of Foster Reynolds of
DeWitt, Michigan; Edwin F., the eighth
member of this family, born Jan. 29, I866,
now resides in California, and follows the
occupation of engineer.
Cornelia, the sister of our subject, was the
first white woman to come to Delhi township, and the next white woman did not arrive until six months later. Harvey Lamereaux is now the possessor of eighty acres
of fine farm land in Ingham county, and has
in(dustriously applied himself to the improvements and cultivation of this property. For
almost sixty years he has been a resident of
Ingham county, and can recall with distinctness and interest many scenes and incidents
of pioneer times.  On the first arrival of
the family to Michigan a party of three
camped upon the ground where the Agricultural College now stands, the City of Lansing did not then exist, not even in imagination, as an extensive forest covered the city's
present location, in which not a tree had been
felled. Mrs. Lamereaux has a distinct recollection of Michigan's capital being removed
from Detroit, and helped the teamsters out
of the mire in hauling the furniture for the
new capitol. Many interesting tales of pioneer times can Mr. and Mrs. Lamereaux
relate, and we regret that limited space will
not permit the recording in this volume.
Unto you worthy pioneer men and women,
who have given the best years of their lives
to the opening up to posterity and civiliza



336


PAST AND PRESENT


tion, this great State of Michigan, we dedicate this volume, for unto you Michigan and
Ingham county owes its glorious history.
LORENZO     MAINE (DECEASED).
Lorenzo Maine was born in I8I5 in the
State of New York. He was the son of Mr.
and Mrs. Isaac Maine. His early life was
spent in his native town, where he received a
common school education. At about twentyone years of age he branched out for himself,
coming to White Oak, Ingham county. At
that time the improvements in that section
of the country were crude, indeed. Many
pioneer experiences of those early days were
woven into the life of our subject, who early
learned the carpenters' trade, and followed
it for several years.
Lorenzo Maine was united in marriage to
Miss Hickox, daughter of Lewis Hickox,
December 15, 1850. Mrs. Maine came with
her parents, when but a child, from the Empire state, and settled in Jackson county,
Michigan, this being in the year I838, and
the Hickox family were numbered among
the early settlers.
After his marriage, Mr. Maine settled upon a farm in Ingham township, near Dansville, where lie remained for twenty years.
Three children were born to them, as follows: Eugene, born in 1852, died in I863;
Cassius R., born in 1855, died in 1863, and
Ina J., born in I867, lives with her mother
in a pleasant home on Ash street of Mason
City, where the family have lived since I872,
and where Mr. Maine died in I892.
Ina has been employed as a saleslady in
a dry goods store for several years. Mr.
Maine was a highly respected citizen, quiet
and retiring in manner, with pleasing address, and a genial friend. He belongs to
the grand body of early pioneers, who
carved out for themselves and posterity,


thrifty, productive farms from the primeval
forest.
Mr. Maine was an honored member of the
Masonic fraternity and believed in the cardinal principles of the order. After coming
to Mason, in 1872, he lived a rather retired
life.  Having disposed of his farm, he
was relieved from care and responsibility
and enjoyed the closing years of his life in
repose. In the active years he voted with
the Democratic party, and rejoiced in its victories, and had faith in its principles. He
was buried in Maple Grove cemetery, with
the rites of the Masonic fraternity.  Rest,
old pioneer, rest.
WILLIAMS A. MELTON.
There are few better examples of what
pluck and energy will do for a man, starting
out in life empty handed, with a determination to win out, than is exemplified in the life
of W. A. Melton, of Alaiedon township.
The subject of this sketch was a son of the
Buckeye State where he was born July 2,
1846, County of Geauga. He is the son of
William  and Marcella  (Ferris) Melton.
The father was a native of Maryland, born
in I802, and the mother of Duchess county,
N. Y., in 1812. To them were born eleven
children, seven of whom  are now living.
Data with reference to the living is given as
follows:
Francis, born 1832, is a resident of Clinton county, and widow of A. McEuen; Angeline, born 1836, widow of James Foley,
resides at Lansing; Ann, born 1840, wife of
Alexander Blair, resides at Lansing; Maria,
born 1842, widow of Charles Chapin, a resident of the state of Washington; Elizabeth,
born 1844, wife of William Wright of Moline, Ill.; Florence, born 1848, wife of Z.
Myers of Denver, Col. Those deceased are
Edward, born 1830, died I851; John, born




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


337


1851, died 1855; Susan, born 1838, died
I902; Viola, born 1853 and died I899.
The father emigrated to Ingham county in
1853, settling in the Township of Delhi on a
farm of fifty acres. Farming was his life
occupation and he passed away in 1856. His
wife died at the age of forty-six years.
Both rest in the Holt Cemetery.  In life
they were highly respected members of the
M. E. church.  In politics the father followed the views of the Republican party.
Owing to the death of his father which occurred when our subject was but eleven
years of age, his educational advantages were
limited. While a mere lad of fifteen years
he went out to work for himself at farm
labor. After the death of his father, from his
savings he was enabled to purchase the interests of the other heirs to his father's estate.
This was the nucleus of the prosperity that
attended him in his later years. Mr. Melton, after a time, sold this property and invested in one hundred and sixty acres of
land. This was in the year I869. He now
owns one of the finest farms in Ingham
county, consisting of two hundred and ten
acres of choice arable land under a state of
cultivation that makes farming for Mr. Melton a prosperous business. The place is
known as "Brookside Farm." The improvements in buildings, tiling, fencing, have
all been made by Mr. Melton, and they are
of a character that reflect credit upon his
good judgment and taste. In politics Mr.
Melton is a Prohibitionist, having the courage to vote his convictions upon a question of
the greatest magnitude before the American
people today.
The important event of our subject's life
was solemnized July 3, 1870, in his marriage
to Ann Eliza, daughter of Denselow and
Delilah (Phillips) Aldrich, a well-to-do and
prosperous family of the Township of Delhi.
Mr. Aldrich was a native of Connecticut and
22


Mrs. Aldrich of Rhode Island, the former
being born in 1815, died at the age of sixtythree, and the latter born in I8i8, died I880.
Mr. and Mrs. Aldrich were among the early
pioneers of Michigan. Four children were
born to them: Adelaide, wife of John Jones
of Eaton county; Almond, owns a portion of
the old home in Delhi township, where he
resides; Mrs. Melton, wife of our subject,
and Nathan, who died at the age of twentysix.
It is recorded of Mr. Aldrich that he
helped to clear away the underbrush where
the grand capitol building of Michigan now
stands. During his lifetime he was a recognized leader in local affairs.
Three daughters were born to our subject
and wife:  Myrtle, born I87I, and died at
the age of two and one-half years; Addie,
born September 21, 1873, was a graduate
of the Mason high school, and later attended Hillsdale College from  which she
graduated in Elocution.  In I896 visited
California with her parents, where she met
Mr. Kyle Politte, whom she afterwards married. Mrs. Politte only lived to enjoy a brief
period of her honeymoon. She died March
8, 1902, and was laid to rest in Rosedale
Cemetery in "The El Dorado of the West."
Grace, born June 3, 1878, a graduate of the
Mason high school, also attended the M. A.
C., where she took a special course in Domestic Science. She was united in marriage
June 21, 1899, to Burt Leland Green of Alpena. Mr. Green was a druggist, and for
several years after their marriage they resided at Alpena, where he conducted a drug
store. Two children have been born to Mr.
and Mrs. Green, Leeland Melton, born
August 30, 1900, and Ferris Kyle, born May
24, 1904. In 1903, Mr. Green closed out the
business at Alpena and came with his family
to Mason since which time he has erected a
beautiful and attractive structure for a resi



338


PAST AND PRESENT


dence on the premises opposite the parental
home, and has assumed to a large degree the
management of "Brookside Farm."
Mr. Melton takes pride in the fact that he
is an active member of the Ingham County
Farmer's Club, the oldest and most successful organization of its kind in the State.
Mr. and Mrs. Melton are members of the
Presbyterian church at Mason, to which Mr.
Melton very generously contributed toward
the erection of the new stone edifice. There
are few men in Ingham county today who
have done more hard days of manual labor
on the farm than W. A. Melton, and there
are few men who have more to show for
their efforts.
Many souvenirs from the coast are in evidence in the Melton home, and a visit with
Mr. and Mrs. Melton at "Brookside" is an
inspiration and a benediction.
LOUIS B. McARTHUR.
The profession of the law is one to which
many aspire, but in which few succeed to any
remarkable degree.  The subject of this
sketch is one of the few who have won success and is now recognized as one of the best
attorneys of central Michigan. Hte is a native son of Ingham county, his birth having
occurred on the 7th day of July, I872, three
miles northwest of Leslie in Leslie township.
His father, George McArthur, early became
a resident of Michigan and Ingham county
and settled in Leslie township. Extensive
mention of his history appears elsewhere in
this volume.
The early boyhood and youth of Mr. McArthur was spent, as in common with other
farmer lads at the period, assisting his father
in conducting the home farm during the
summer season and. attending the common
district school in winter. He later attended


the high school in Leslie, where he graduated
in I890. Early in life he developed a liking
for law and entered upon its study in the law
office of Hon. Thomas E. Barkworth of
Jackson, Michigan. During the winter following his graduation he returned home and
in the following spring began teaching
school to obtain money to continue his
studies. He continued this school teaching
for two years and worked on the farm during the summer time. During this time he
carried on a systematic course of study in addition to his law study, which he kept up
during his odd moments in the evenings. He
applied himself to his studies, taking especial
interest in Blackstone, political economy, and
the sciences. In the spring of I895 he resumed his law studies in the law office of
Hon. S. L. Kilbourne of Lansing, where he
remained until admitted to the bar in the fall
of I896. In the winter of I896 he again returned home and taught school to replenish
his resources.  On January Ist, 1897, he
formed a law partnership with Prosecuting
Attorney A. M. Cummins and began the
practice of law at Mason. Upon Mr. Cummins' removal to Lansing, at the conclusion
of his term, he continued in business alone,
and built up a very successful and desirable
practice.
His connection with the office of Prosecuting Attorney has given him a thorough
training in the details of the office. He is
a good trial lawyer and he has conducted
many important cases in the circuit and supreme courts. In the fall of 1902 he became
the popular choice of the people for Prosecuting Attorney of Ingham county and was
elected by a handsome majority, and the people in full appreciation of his excellent services in this capacity, again elected him to
the office in 1904 by a majority of two thousand. Mr. McArthur is in every respect a
self made man and although a young man in




L. B. McARTHUR








INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


339


years has made some remarkable strides towards the top round of the ladder.
On October 21, I900, Mr. McArthur was
united in marriage to Miss Adah C., daughter of George M. Hoyt, a highly respected
and honored citizen of Ingham county, whose
history appears elsewhere in this volume.
Fraternally, Mr. McArthur is a member
of the Elks of Lansing Lodge No. 196. Our
subject stands deservedly high among the
legal fraternity, his ability being recognized
by all. He is able, painstaking and conscientious in his work and has many warm
friends, and it is possible, some enemies;
what man has not who possesses some force
of character? As a citizen, he is every ready
to assist in any and every enterprise that
would tend to the advancement of his native
county.
Mr. McArthur has recently been elected
President of the Farmers' Bank of Mason,
an old established institution. This act on
the part of the bank officials was an expression of confidence most comlplimentary to
MIr. McArthur's executive ability.  While
yet a young man he has good reason for selfcongratulation in the successes already won,
and the promising outlook for the future.
GEORGE McGOWAN.
One of the farmers whose place, by virtue
of its well tilled acres and neat buildings,
proclaims him to be a man who is not satisfied with mere existence, is he whose name is
at the head of this sketch. He is a native of
Wheatfield, Mich., and was there born April
2, 1859, the son of Michael and Susan
(Bird) McGowan, the father being born in
Ohio in I828 and died in Wheatfield in 1863
at the age of thirty-five years. Mrs. McGowan, the mother, was a native of Michigan and died three years ago at the age of
sixty-seven years.


The father of our subject came to the
Wolverine State in the early days and settled
on a farm of one hundred and ten acres,
only a few acres of which were improved.
He completed the clearing of the land, made
all the improvements and erected also all
the present buildings, making it a piece of
property of which he is justly proud.
The union of Michael and Susan McGowan was blessed with three children;
Hattie, nowN Mrs. J. Bowes of Wheatfield:
our subject, and James B., who lives with
WV. B., an uncle, in Wheatfield.
After the death of the father of our subject, lMrs. McGowan was united in marriage
to George H. Rouse, and unto them were
born two children, Nelson Rouse, who lives
in Mason, and Daisy, married to Lewis Austin of Leroy township.
The foundation of our subject's early education was received in the common schools
of the district in which he lived, that being
Wheatfield, and after this time he lived with
his uncle until he reached the age of twentyone years, when he worked on a farm until
he was married, then renting a farm of his
uncle. The marriage of Mr. McGowan to
Miss Carrie Hitchcock occurred December
20, I884. She was the daughter of Chester
Hitchcock of Wheatfield, who was a native
of the Empire State, and died at the age of
thirty-five years in 1873, while the mother
died one year ago, aged 59 years. Mr. and
Mrs. Hitchcock came to Michigan in 1871,
making Wheatfield their home. Unto them
were born five children, Mrs. McGowan being the eldest of the family.
Our subject and wife are the parents of
four children: Velma, born July 28, i886,
is teaching school; W. C., born July Io,
1892, at home; Blanche E., aged nine years,
born July 28, I895, at home; and Roland,
aged three years, having been born on the
i2th day of June, I901.




340


PAST AND PRESENT


The Democratic party commands the vote
and influence of our subject, although he
pays only the ordinary attention to politics.
Mr. McGowan is engaged in general farming on eighty acres of his father's original
farm and the appearance of his property is
credit to him. He has ever been upright in
his dealings with his fellowmen and won the
confidence and respect of the community in
which he resides.
ELISHA D. MILNER.
Among the prominent and progressive
farmers of Stockbridge township, who were
natives of the State of Michigan, we find the
name of Elisha D. Milner. He was born in
\Vashtenaw county, June 15, I839, and is
the son of Jonah and Jane (Peacock) Milner, both natives of Yorkshire, England,
the father's birth having occurred in I8oo,
and the mother's in I801.
Jonah and Jane Milner came to Michigan
before the Michigan Central railroad was
built, and lived on the father Peacock's
farm  in Washtenaw   county for several
years. They moved to Stockbridge township, where they bought eighty acres of the
present farm, about ten of which was cleared
and upon it a log house and no barn. Here
they made their home until death. The
father died in 1854 and the mother ten years
later.
Our subject spent the first fifteen years
of his life in Washtenaw county, where he
was educated and moved with his parents
onto the farm in this township. He attended
the district school winters after coming here,
but that was the extent of his education. He
was one of six children: Ellen, who became
Mrs. James Green, and lived on a farm in
Stockbridge township; John, living at Dundee, Ill. His first wife was Maria Stocking,
who is dead, and the second wife, Miss Wel

ler; our subject; William G., lives in Ingham township; Mary Jane, wife of John
Holmes, a retired farmer of Stockbridge;
Rebecca, the wife of Martin J. Hague, a
farmer of Stockbridge township.
Since coming to Stockbridge, our subject
has always lived upon this farm, and after
the death of the parents bought out the heirs,
and made this his life home. He has made
all the present improvements.
April 17, I865, Elisha Milner was married to Miss Catherine, daughter of Samuel
and Orinda (West) Stocking, the father, a
native of New York, whose birth occurred
in I806, and his death in I888, while the
mother, also a native of New York, was
born in I80o and died in i886. Mrs. Milner was born in Stockbridge township, Sept.
20. 1844.
Mr. and Mrs. Stocking were early settlers
of Stockbridge township, and formerly lived
on whlat is now the Townsend farm, west of
Lowe's Lake. Mrs. Milner is one of seven
children, three of whom  are now  living:
Horatio, drowned after he became a man;
Hiram, died in infancy; Jane, the wife of
Samuel Richardson, died three years ago;
Melissa, the wife of Martin Townsend of
Unadilla township,  Livingston  county;
Maria, dead, was the wife of John Milner,
and Hiram, who lives at Ann Arbor.
Mr. and Mrs. Elisha Milner are the parents of four children: Jennie,' born May 6,
I866, the wife of Carl Stevens, died at the
age of twenty-five years; Louis, born April
17, I869, is engaged in the furniture and
undertaking business at Stockbridge.  He
was married Nov. 28, 1901, to Margaret
McCloy, the daughter of Hugh McCloy, and
whose birth occurred Sept. 25, 1874. Lou
was educated in the district school, attended
the M. A. C. three months, the Stockbridge
High School three months and graduated
from the Michigan State Normal in 1896,








:::_::::::::_:_::_:___::i__::::::i::::::_:: i i-i i:-:-::i-i_:i
---


i- _~_.i: —:i 


E. R. MERRIFIELD (Deceased)




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


341


having had a four-years course, and obtaining thereby a life certificate for teaching. He
taught school for two years. During this
time he taught one year in Holt. He began
the furniture and undertaking business in
1898. Louis Milner and wife have one
child, Hugh McCloy, born June 22, 1904.
This energetic son is a Democrat in his political views and is an active member of the
M. E. church. He is district president of
the Epworth League; Emil, the third child,
was born Sept. 8, 1872, is a partner of his
brother, Louis, and is spending the winter
in California. He married Elsie Skidmore
of Ingham county, Stocklridge townlship,
and they have one child, Doris, born July
21, 1902; Nellie, the fourth, was born Aug.
T0, 1877, and is working for her brothers
in the store.
Elisha Milner was formerly a Democrat,
but now casts his vote for the principles of
the Prohibition party. He never sought for
office, preferring the quiet of home life to the
excitement of the public life. The Milner
family are liberal supporters of the M. E.
church, in which they find a broad field for
their labors.
E. R. MERRIFIELD (DECEASED)).
The present generation owes a debt of
gratitule to the pioneers of the State of
Michigan that can never be repaid.  The
trials and hardships endured by them  to
make this State what it is today, one of
the foremost in all the union, cannot be
realized by those enjoying the present comforts of an advanced civilization.  E. R.
Merrifield was a pioneer of Ingham county
who in early life knew but little of the present day comforts, and who in his boyhood
and youth little dreamed of the advanced
conditions that Inghamn county has attained.
He was born in Green county, N. Y., on


the I3th (lay of December, 1821, and was
the son of John and Rachel Merrifield,
who xwere natives of New York.
The elder Merrifield emigrated westward
to Michigan at a very early day in the history of the State.  He became a pioneer
settler of Macomb county, where he followed the pursuit of the agriculturist for
some years. Our subject was a lad of fourteen years when he came with his parents
to this locality.  His early education was
acquired in the common district schools of
the home community, where he remained
until twenty-one years of age, when he became identified in the dry goods trade, as
clerk. John Merrifield, the father, was a
soldier in the War of 1812.   He was a
man of exceptional capability, determined
and energetic, and invariably brought to a
successful completion whatever he undertook. He early instilled into the Inind of
his son the patriotic duty of citizenship, so
that when the Mexican war broke out, Mr.
Merrifield, the younger, enlisted in the I5th
U. S. Volunteer Infantry, in Twhich he held
the commission of second lieutenant. He
did valiant service throughout the Mexican
war, receiving  his honorable discharge,
when he returned to Michigan, and located
in Lansing in I85i. Here he accepted a
position in the Auditor General's office, in
which he remained for eight years. At the
completion of this time he became identified
with John Thomas and A. F. Weller in the
dry goods business, under the firm name of
Thomas and Co. He was identified in this
concern for fourteen years and then disposed
of his interest and took up fire insurance,
in xwhich he made a reinarkable success, having at that tine charge of the company
now represented by Dyer, Jenison and Barry
Co. He was in all probability the best and
most efficient fire insurance representative of
his time in that city.




342


PAST AND PRESENT


December ii, I85i, Mr. Merrifield was
united in marriage to Miss Sarah Thomas,
daughter of the late John Thomas, who was
one of the old and honored pioneer settlers
of Lansing. John Thomas became a resident of Ingham county in 1847, and established the first dry goods store in the capital
city.  He was a man of unusual activity,
possessing considerable business ability. He
was especially identified with the pioneer
history of Lansing, as he came here with
the company that bought the land for the
capitol. His birth occurred in Alleghany,
Pa., in the year I8IO. He was an old time
Democrat in politics, and took an active
and prominent part in the early political history of this State, having served at one time
as a member of the Legislature. He acquired a position of prominence in Ingham
county and Lansing enjoyed by few men
of his time. His death occurred on the i9th
day of March, I863, and there passed away
one of the substantial pioneer history makers
of this locality.
For thirty years E. R. Merrifield was actively identified with Lansing business interests. He was a man of exceptional personality, and therefore left the impress of
his individuality upon the community in
which he so long resided. He was a member of the Episcopal church, to which Mrs.
Merrifield also belongs, and he contributed
liberally to its support. He was likewise a
Master Mason, living in harmony with the
teachings of its craft. As the years have
gone by he has become possessed of considerable property.
E. R. Merrifield was endowed by nature
with a vigorous mind and a retentive memory. Planting his feet firmly at every successive step, he was led onward and upwAard by a laudable ambition to achieve an
honorable success through his own efforts.
By industry, patience and use of means, fair


and praiseworthy, he not only maintained
and sustained an honorable reputation, but
acquired a comfortable competence. He departed this life September I, I895.  His
death removed a strong, commanding figure
from life, and while he has passed on before,
his memory will be held in lasting remembrance by those who knew him best, as his
life is well worthy of emulation.
DANIEL McKENZIE.
Perhaps there are no more enterprising
and cultured residents of Ingham county,
than those who, like our subject-one of the
first-class farmers of lWhite Oak townshipare natives of Canada. Daniel McKenzie
was born in Canada, November 29, 1837,
and is the son of Duncan, born in New York,
in 1804, and Elizabeth (Burt) McKenzie,
born in Scotland in 1814.
Our subject is one of fourteen children,
seven of whom are living.
Our subject's parents came to Michigan
in 1854 and bought one hundred and sixty
acres west of Stockbridge, known now as the
Springman place. This was partly improved
and our subject's father only lived there a
short time, when he traded it for four hundred acres north of the village, owned by the
father of Chas. Townsend. About the time
of the war, Duncan McKenzie fell heir to a
farm in Canada, from an only brother and
went there to live, where he remained until
death.
Our subject was educated in the district
schools and after coming to Michigan, took
a course at Bryant and Stratton's Business
College at Detroit. He lived with his parents
until the beginning of the war, when he enlisted in Stockbridge in Co. K, 20th Michigan Infantry, for three years and served
through the war. He was mustered out at
Jackson in July, I865. He was in all the en



INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


'43


gagements of the regiment and was thrice
wounded, first at Spottsylvania. A shell exploded killing three and wounding four.
Our subject was wounded in the hips and
had the heel of his boot torn off by a broken
shell, the second time was at the first day's
fight at Petersburg. when he was shot
through the arm, the third time at Fort
Smith, the night before Petersburg was
taken, when he was serving as a private.
December I I, 1867, Daniel McKenzie was
married to Mary Etta, daughter of John and
Abagail (Bullock) DuBois, both natives of
New York. Mrs. McKenzie was born on
the farm upon which she now lives, March
10, 1843, and the father was born August
30, 1804, while the mother was born May
21, i8iI.
Mr. and Mrs. DuBois came to Michigan
in I834, were married here and settled on
this farm  of two hundred acres in 1838,
when the land was all new. They cleared
the place and built a log house and here lived
and died. They helped organize the first M.
E. church of Stockbridge, and Mrs. DuBois
taught the first schools in Unadilla and
Stockbridge. Mrs. McKenzie is the only remaining member of the family, the other two
girls being Hettie, born July 22, 1840, married B. E. Ballard and they lived on this
farm  until Mrs. Ballard died, February,
1869, and had one daughter, who was a
graduate of a school    at Boston, and
died at Colorado Springs, December 2,
1897, at the age of twenty-nine years. The
other sister was Orilla, born July 29, 1848,
and died June 18, 1872.
Mrs. McKenzie was educated in the district schools of White Oak and spent one
year and a half in the High School at Lansing.
When our subject and wife were first married they lived on part of his father's farm,
but after the death of Mrs. McKenzie's


father they moved to this farm and have
here since lived. Her father died in I88o
and the mother in March, 1885.
Three children came to bless the home of
Mr. and Mrs. McKenzie: Rilla May, born
September 7, I868, died when eight months
old; Fannie, born November 29, 1878, and
died December 8, 1893, at the age of fifteen
years, and D. Burt, born March 9, I882,
single and at home with the parents, a graduate of the Stockbridge High School. They
had one adopted daughter who took the
name of McKenzie, born July 23, 1876, and
she died at the age of twenty years. Her
father's name was Christopher Call.
The Republican platform and declarations
embody pretty thoroughly the political ideas
of Mr. McKenzie, who has ever shown an
intelligent interest in the welfare of his party.
He has served his town as Treasurer.
Both Mr. and Mrs. McKenzie are highly
respected members of the M. E. church in
which circle they are always active. They
are deeply interested in every movement that
tends to the best interests of the farming
community and are well and favorably
known both far and near.
JAMES C. MARSHALL.
Among the prominent families which
Scotland has bequeathed to Michigan and
Ingham county, few is more worthy of our
consideration than the one represented by
the name at the head of this sketch. Both
by character and connections, his family is
entitled to rank among the best in Ingham
county, and has for many years been known
by all who have had acquaintance with Ingham township, during the past forty years.
Mr. Marshall's farm is to be found on section twelve where he is living in retirement
from the activities of his vocation, enjoying




344


PAST AND PRESENT


the fruits of his early toil. This gentleman
was born at Unadilla, Livingston county,
Michigan, January 5, 1840, and is the son of
Archibald and Margaret (Craig) Marshall.
Archibald Marshall was born at Bathgate,
Scotland, in I796, and his wife at Airdrie,
Scotland.  She died in her seventy-ninth
year at Unadilla, Michigan. They were married in the old home country, December 7,
1830. The customs of Scotland demand that
an engagement shall be announced three consecutive Sundays before the marriage, and
our subject prizes very highly the certificate
which announces the engagement of his parents, also their marriage certificate.
An incident of their voyage crossing the
ocean is given. They took passage on a sailing vessel which fell into a calm where it lay
for a number of days with scarcely the flutter
of a sail, and were six weeks on the voyage.
Mr. James Marshall's grandmother on his
mother's side came to America with her
brother, James Craig, and Mr. Marshall distinctly remembers to have seen her at one
time-though from dates known, he could
not have been more than three years of age.
Three years after their marriage was
solemnized, Mr. and Mrs. Archibald Marshall emigrated to America in quest of a fortune and settled at Tarifville, Connecticut,
where they lived for five years. One brother,
George, who settled in Unadilla, and a sister,
Margaret Thompson, and her son and
daughter came to America after the father of
our subject. Upon coming to Michigan the
parents of James C. Marshall settled in Unadilla on 66 acres of wild land. As they prospered they added to their possessions until at
the time of their death they owned three
hundred sixty-six acres of highly cultivated
land. The father lived to the age of sixtyseven years, and died May 13, I866, and the
mother seventy-nine years, and died July 30,
1883.


Our subject's grandparents were John and
Margaret Todd Marshall, married July 2,
I796, in East Calder, Edinburgh county,
Scotland, and to them were born nine children: Elizabeth, July 27, 1797; Archibald,
November II, 1798, the father of our subject; Janet, March 25, I8oo; Margaret, September 28, I80o; Mary, June 5, 1803;
George, February 27, I805; James and John,
twins, April 24, i807, and William, January
4, I8Io. In the early days Mr. Archibald
Marshall was a Whig, but later a Republican, and for a number of years served his
township as Supervisor. He and his estimable wife were members of the Presbyterian
church. Six children were born to them, our
subject being the only living member of the
family. The deceased were John, born September I9, 1831, died February 26, 1856;
Robert C., July 28, I883, died February 7,
1892; Archibald T., May 13, I835, died at
Unadilla, December II, 1876; Jean Bell,
August 3, I837, married C. R. Backus, died
October 20, 1882; George T., April 3, 1842,
married Helen Babcock who lived in Unadilla; died September 21, 1872.
James C. Marshall received his primary
education in the district schools of Unadilla,
and later spent one year at the Ypsilanti
Normal. At the age of twenty-one he rented
eighty acres of land of the father and farmed
it for two yars, after which he took one hundred sixty acres for two years, and when he
came to Ingham township invested his savings in one hundred sixty acres, partly
cleared, where he has since made his home.
The first home was the customary log house
of the times. Today in its place stands a
modern brick structure.
Our subject's marriage with Lucia, daughter of Alfred D. and Nancy (Williams)
Wade, took place April 22, I86I. Mrs. Marshall was born in Unadilla, August 22, 1844.
Her parents were natives of New York and




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN


345


Connecticut, respectively.  They came to
Unadilla in 1836, and with the exception of
a few years' residence in Henrietta, Jackson
county, always lived in this section.  To
them were born five children, of which Mrs.
Marshall was the oldest, the others being
Jennie, born September 24, 1846, widow of
James W. Wolcott, now living wvith her
brother in Caledonia, Mich.; Henrietta C.,
born May I2, I849, died September 12,
I850; Isaac, born August 9, I85T, and Cornelius H., born January 20, I854, living at
St. Charles, Mich.
Mrs. Marshall's grandfather, Amos Williams, was among the earliest settlers in
Unadilla township, Livingston county. He
was a millwright by trade and erected the
first saw mill in that section of the country.
A little burg sprung up which was ever after
known as Williamsville. A brother of her
grandmother Williams, whose maiden name
was Marshia Ruggles, Isaac Ruggles, was
the first missionary sent by the Congregational society to the Sandwich Islands. The
natives were cannibals at that date.
A cousin, Mrs. Minerva (Briggs) Densmore was the first white child born in the
township.
To Mr. and Mrs. James Marshall three
children were born: Archie R., October 4,
1862, married Mary Walker and they have
two children, Vancia, born October 27, I888,
Mildred, born July 28, 1894. Archie Marshall resides in Mason where he is engaged
in the hardware trade. Jennie C., July 7,
I873, died June 4, 1892; Henry G., December 9, 1877, is a graduate of the Michigan
Agricultural College, is a chemist now in the
employ of the Bay City Sugar Co.
Mr. and Mrs. Marshall are active members of the M. E. church, and he is a staunch
Republican. They are living in retirement,
enjoying the fruits of their early days of toil,
and highly esteemed by all who know them.


E. P. NEWBROUGH (DECEASED).
LANSING.
E. P. Newbrough, father of W. H. Newbrough, manager of the Clarkmobile Company, of Lansing, was a native of Ohio, being born in Ashland county in 1824, the son
of \Villiam and Elizabeth (Palisley) Newbrough. His father in turn (the grandfather of W. H.) was a Virginian and of
Scotch-Irish decent. After growing to manhood in the Buckeye State, E. P. Newbrough
was absorbed by the stream of overland migration to California, which poured thither
in 1.848. He remained in the gold region
for three years, returning to Michigan and
soon afterward locating in Lanising. At
first, he taught school in Stockbridge, Ingham county, but after the first year associated himself with his brother, S. D. Newbrough, in the drug business. The latter
was a physician, and the two remained in
partnership in Lansing for sixteen years.
He died in 1887.
In March, i858, our subject was married
to Miss Samantha Mun, a native of Ashland
county, Ohio. There she was reared, coming to Michigan after the Civil War. To
them were born four children: J. C., Deputy
Postmaster at Greenville; Mrs. E. R. Goodnow, of Lansing; Mrs. M. C. Knight, and
W\. H. Newbrough, of the Clarkmobile Company.  Mr. Newbrough was a Republican
and a public-spirited citizen, being always
active in all enterprises tending to develop
the city and to improve it morally and spiritually. Both he and his wife were constant
attendants at the Universalist church. Since
the death of her husband Mrs. Newbrough
has lived with her son in Lansing.
The latter, W. H. Newbrough, is a native
of Lansing, where he was born in I867.
Passing through the common schools, he entered the employ of E. Bement's Sons, as a




346


PAST AND PRESENT


clerk, and remained with that firm for twenty years.  In January, 1903, he resigned
and, assumed the management of the Clarkmobile Company, being known officially as
its secretary and treasurer. It was organized as a stock company in April, 1903, the
special manufacturers being a light, graceful, moderate-priced touring runabout and
four-passenger car, with detached tonneau.
The company was reorganized, Jan. 23,
I905, as The New Way Motor Company,
to manufacture both automobiles and gas
and gasoline engines, is incorporated for
$Ioo,ooo, and its officers are A. C. Stebbins, president; W. H. Newbrough, treasurer and manager; E. W\. Goodnow, secretary, and C. H. Way. mechanical engineer.
A. A. NICHOLS.
A. A. Nichols, a prominent business man
and city official of Lansing and for more
than twenty years secretary and treasurer of
the Clark Carriage Company, is a native of
Branch county, Michigan, where he was
born in the year 1844 on the I3th day of
July. His parents were Asahel and Phoebe
Nichols, the father beinig a farmer of the
Green Mountain State, who settled in the
above named county in I838 and subsequently removed to Ionia county, where he
died in I869. There were six children in the
family, four of whom are still living. Our
subject commenced his long and honorable
residence in Lansing, when, as a boy of
nineteen years, he assumed the duties of
clerk in a grocery store.  He performed
them to such good advantage that after an
experience in that line of five years, he was
able to establish a business of his own, which
he successfully conducted for an entire
decade.
In.1882 the Clark Carriage Company
(manufacturers) secured the services of Mr.


Nichols as its secretary and treasurer, Albert Clark, Sr., being manager. This position he has held continuously and the steady
increase of the business is largely due to his
organizing ability and progressive methods.
The works now employ more than one hundred men and their up-to-date vehicles are
shipped throughout the United States.
Although Mr. Nichols' immediate interests lie with the Clark Carriage Company
and the development of their business, to
which he devotes the bulk of his energies and
abilities, his practical influence has been felt
and appreciated in several outside enterprises
of an industrial and financial character. He
was one of the charter members of the City
National Bank of Lansing, and is still serving on its directorate; he is also a director of
the Lansing Cold Storage Company.
Mr. Nichols' attention is by no means, all
concentrated on matters of business and
finance. He is an active citizen, of Democratic proclivities, who takes a deep interest
in public education and the most efficient
conduct of the municipality in general. He
has already served seven terms, or a period of
fourteen years, upon the city Board of Education and for three years was a member of
the Police and Fire Commission. Aside from
his business and financial interests and the
public service, Mr. Nichols, as well as his
wife, is identified with the Central M. E.
church. He is also a Mason in good standing. Taking all into consideration, it is evident that his life is a remarkably busy, useful and satisfactory one; it should be satisfactory to himself, since he has obtained the
substantial honors for which he has striven
and it is eminently satisfactory to the conmmunity in which he has resided for nearly
half a century.
Mr. Nichols' first wife was Miss Mary
True of Western New York, to whom he
was married in I875. She (lied in I89o,




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


347


bearing him two children, of whom one,
Marie, is living. He was again married in
1892 to Miss Ella C. Baker, his present wife.
GEORGE NORTHRUP.
George Northrup is a prosperous farmer
of Meridian township and his farm is located
on sections two and three, and consists of
two hundred acres of highly improved land.
His birthplace was Geauga county, Ohio,
and the date, May 9, 1847. His parents,
James Northrup, born in New York, February  25, I809, and   the mother, Elimy
(Wheeler) Northrup, horn in Ohio, August
3, 1822, moved from Ohio to Meridian township in the year I853. Here they bought one
hundred and sixty acres of wild land, erected
a log shanty and made their home. They
bought more land from time to time, and
once owned five hundred acres. In 187I,
James Northrup sold his farm and spent the
fall and winter visiting in New York. He
then returned to Lansing, where he lived until March 22, 189I. The mother died October, I872. James Northrup was formerly a
Whig and later a Republican. He was Justice of the Peace, also Supervisor for many
years, but held no other office. He was fraternally a member of the Masonic order, and
Mrs. Northrup was a member of the M. E.
church.
Mr. George Northrup was one of eleven
children, four of whom are living: Frank of
Honolulu; Elvira Towar of Meridian;
George W.; Leslie H., of Benzonia. The
deceased are James, Lucinda, Alanson,
Charley, Nellie, Calvin and Rebecca.
His early education was obtained in a little
log school in Meridian township. He always
lived on the farm with his parents until his
marriage in 1872. On February ist, of this
year he married Jennie A. Hardy, who was
born in New Hampshire, December 5. 1847.


She was a daughter of Reuben K., born in
New   Hampshire, October 24, I81i, and
Azilpha (Barden) Hardy, born in New
Hampshire, March 4, 1809. Mr. and Mrs.
Hardy came to Michigan in I856, bought
forty acres of wild land in Meridian township and there lived the remainder of their
lives. The father died May 3, I863, and the
mother December I i, 1870.
Mrs. Northrup is one of eight children,
four of whom are living: Wellman A., an
old teacher and graduate of M. A. C., born
July 21, 1836, died at the age of thirty-two.
he was single and lived at home.  Kate,
October 15, 1839, the wife of James M.
Pulver, attorney-at-law at Laingsburg, and
they have one child living, James M. Pulver,
Jr., of Lansing; Achsah M., May 31, 1841,
died four years ago, was the wife of Henry
Hamilton Pulver, attorney-at-law of Woodhull township, and they had one child, Henry
H. Jr.; Mary M., December o. I1843, the
deceased wife of William Guiles of Lansing;
Stillman B., born May 21, I845, died when
a young man at home; Mrs. Northrup: Origen D., Born December 2, I848; Anson R.,
February 3, I85. The last two are engaged
in the real estate business in Lansing. Mr.
Hardy was always a farmer and supported
the Democracy, though never an office
holder. Both parents were members of the
M. E. church at New Hampshire.
Our subject, when married, engaged in
carpentering and building, and had a force
of men under his supervision for five years.
He then bought twenty-five acres of land at
the north end of Pine Lake, and there engaged in the hotel business.  Later, he
bought two hundred acres of land known as
the Gunderman farm, and has resided there
since. He has added many improvements to
his farm and owns a fine cottage at Pine
Lake. One child came to bless the home of
Mr. and Mrs. Northrup, Nellie, March 22,




348


PAST AND PRESENT


i878, but was only spared to them for a
short time, as her death came in March, on
the 15th day, I879.
Our subject was always a Democrat and
held the office of Highway Commissioner.
Because Mr. Northrup was held in high esteem by all who knew him, and was known
to be a man of sterling character and worth,
he was nominated for State Senator of the
I4th District, on the Populist ticket. He is
a member of the G. A. R., C. T. Foster Post
at Lansing. He enlisted in the 28th Michigan Infantry, Co. F., in I863, and served
his command until the close of the w-ar. His
brother, James, enlisted in the 2nd Michigan Sharpshooters at the beginning of the
war, and was discharged for disability, and a
brother, Alanson, served in the same regiment, and afterwards died at a Philadelphia
hospital.
THOMAS LASENBY (DE1CESASED).
In almost every community there are ever
to be found those who by their personal
characteristics have won for themselves public recognition as good financiers and successful business men. The old adage says,
"It is better to be born lucky than rich."
Luck usually goes with pluck, perseverance
and push. He is indeed a lucky man, who
has born within him the elements of success
and makes the most of his opportunities. In
some countries in the old world, the individual must, through life, remain in the class
in which he was born. In this free land
of ours there are no "metes and bounds"
placed upon individual possibilities.  The
obscure country boy of today is, on the morrow, the captain of finance, the eminent lawyer, the statesman, the divine, the author or
the possible President of the United States.
When but three years of age, a mere child,
Thomas Lasenby, who was born in London,


Canada, July 4, I849, was bereft of his parents. He was brought to Ypsilanti, Michigan, and adopted into the family of Mr. Lyman Graves, with whom lie lived until sixteen years of age, when lie struck out for
himself, his earthly effects consisting of a
cheap wardrobe and empty pocketbook. He
found employment with a farmer, Mr. J. C.
Haines, one and one-half miles south of
Dansville. His first adventure was a fortunate one, and destined to influence the
whole future of his life. He proved to be
a valuable man and soon won the confidence
and esteem of the whole family. He was
industrious, frugal and trustworthy, and
each year laid by something for future investment. He made himself almost indispensable.  He commanded the best wages
for farm help and made good use of his income. After an apprenticeship of nine years
as a farm hand, lie made the most important
transition of his life, being united in marriage to Miss Ella C., daughter of J. C. and
Nancy Haines. This event was celebrated
September 17, 1874.
A few years later he purchased the present Lasenby home, just east of the corporate
limits of Mason city.  His first purchase
was fifty acres, he later addled thirty more.
He immediately began to niake needed improvements, and each year added to the attractiveness and conveniences of the place.
A new house, barns and other buildings
were erected. He seemed just ready to begin to enjoy the fruit of an active life of
toil when he was suddenly stricken down
in death, February 8, 1896.
Being somewhat of a speculative turn of
mind he had branched out in his business
enterprises.  He  purchased  stock  and
shipped to Detroit and Buffalo. He was a
Democrat and when the necessity seemed to
demand it, he worked at it hard. For two
years he was Treasurer of the Township




THOMIAS LASEN BY (De-ceased)




I




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


349


of Vevay. He was a Master Mason in good
standing, and also belonged to the K. O. T.
M. Mr. Lasenby was of a social friendly
temperament, enjoyed society and took a
lively interest in public affairs.
A beautiful granite monulment marks his
final resting place in Maple Grove cemetery,
Mason, Michigan.
Mrs. Lasenby's people were natives of the
State of New York. They came to Michigan in the year 1836 and took two hundred
and forty acres of government land, located
one and one-half miles south of the Village
of Dansville, Township of Ingham, this
county. Mr. Haines was a highly respected
citizen, a man of integrity, upright in life
and character. From a cabin in the wilderness, at the beginning, with the entire country around practically a dense forest, overrun with Indians and wild beasts, he lived
to see the forests swept away and in their
places, waving fields of grain. Poor Lo and
his wigwam gave way to the onward march
of civilization. The wild beasts went down
before the trusty rifle of the pioneer and
served a good purpose, in supplying the
otherwise scanty fares of the early days.
The improvements on the Haines farm
ranked among the best of his time. Mrs.
Lasenby was an only child. Her father died
in 1879 aged seventy-one, and the mother in
I885 aged seventy-five.
The soldier who during his term of army
service, met the enemy on many hotly contested fields of battle, does not care to have
a single engagement or hardship left off the
record, so the pioneer, looking back over the
years of privation and toil, of "trials and
triumphs," cares not to have the cares of a
single day eleminated from the record of the
years.
Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs.
Lasenby: Orlo J., June 15, I875, married
Miss Clara, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Cecil


Sanders, and they reside at Rochester, Michigan, where Mr. Lasenby has built up a fine
dental practice; Lee T., born September 8,
I880, assisting his mother in the management of the farm, and also engages in buying and shipping stock; Gladys M., born,December 4, I895, the light and joy of the
home.
ALMERON NOYES.
Among the prominent and successful farmers of Stockbridge township, Ingham county,
is the enterprising man whose name appears
at the head of this writing. His farm is located on section 29 and his attractive home
is one of the ornaments of the township. He
was born in New York, Essex county, July
19, 1844, and is the son of Stillman and
Alphreda (Richmond) Noyes; the father's
birth occurred October I, I806, and the
mother's April 26, i8 i.
Stillman Noyes followed the tradeofa brick
layer for four years but devoted the most of
his lifetime to farming. He came to Michigan in 1844, having been married in the
State of New York ten years prior to this.
They located first in Stockbridge township,
section 28, on forty-three acres of unimproved land. Here they built a log house
and cleared the land. They next owned forty
acres on section 34 and at one time, twenty
acres of swamp land on section 22. In I859
they traded their first land for one hundred
and sixty acres in Gratiot county, but never
moved there.  For two years the father
worked a farm near Stockbridge on shares.
In I86 hle sold the place in Gratiot Co., and
bought eighty-eight acres on Sec. I7, Stockbridge township, forty acres of which were
improved. Here they moved into a shanty
until the log house could be built in which
they spent the remaining years of their life.
Stillman Noyes was a Republican and a




350


PAST AND PRESENT


member of the Methodist Protestant church.
He died March I7, I869, and the mother
passed away March 2, I871.
Our subject was the fourth of six children,
two of whom are living: Elinor, born in
I835, died in infancy; Andrew, born October
4, I837, died June 8, I870, married Margaret Dougherty, March g9, 1864; Mary E.,
born June 27, 184I, died September 15,
1887, married Edward Clark, April 30,
I866, and to them four children were born:
Edward, Ida May, Aaron, and Louie; our
subject; Almon, born October 2, 1849, died
January 6, 1866; Charlotte, born January
13, 1857, married Charles A. Mirkle, November 14, I88I, to whom three children
were born, Albert A., Mable and Clara.
Almeron Noyes was educated at District
No. 5, Stockbridge township. He started for
himself in I865, took the old farm and commenced paying for it. In I87I he bought
forty acres adjoining the home place and in
I877 bought thirty-two acres, fifteen acres
of this being improved. In I889 he bought
forty acres, all improved, where he now resides and thirteen years after this built the
present commodious residence, which speaks
of the prosperity of its owner. He also built
barns on the other places. Our subject is
politically in line with the Republican party
and his religious views are of the Methodist
Episcopal faith.
October 3, I868, Almeron Noyes was married to Rebecca Pickett, who was born in
New  York, in Niagara county, June 28,
I843. Mrs. Noyes' father, Valson Pickett,
was born August 16, 1814, and the mother,
Eliza Ann Thorn was born April 4, I8i5.
Valson Pickett was the son of David and
Phebe (Townsend) Pickett, who were married December 28, I8I I. David Pickett was
a soldier in the War of I812. Mrs. Noyes'
great grandfather was a soldier in the Revolution.


Valson Pickett was a member of Co. D.,
27th Michigan Infantry and was in most of
the engagements of his regiment, was also in
the commissary department. He contracted
typhoid fever and was in the hospital at
David Island, New York, and from there
sent to Detroit, where he served as nurse in
a hospital until discharged.  Mr. Pickett
came to Michigan in 1857, settled in Plainfield, Livingston county and worked out one
year. In 1858 he commenced working a
farm on shares and continued at this until
I86I when he enlisted, at which time he
moved his family to Stockbridge village.
Mrs. Pickett bought a small piece of ground
and a house before the husband's return
from the war and afterward the family lived
on this place until I872. At this time Mr.
Pickett bought two hundred and forty acres
on section I8, Stockbridge township. He
improved about twenty-five acres and in
1883 traded the farm for village property in
Stockbridge, where he moved and lived until
his death, March 3, I888, while the mother
passed away October 23, I886.
Mrs. Noyes was the fourth of six children,
three of whom are living: Phebe J., October
24, 1836, died February 28, 1847; Betsey
M., born October 28, I838, is single and lives
with our subject and wife; Arvilla, March
31, 184I, married Obadiah Force, May 2,
I866, she died September, I899, they were
the parents of three children: Clara (dead);
William and Frederick (dead).
To Almeron Noyes and wife have been
born five children, two of whom are living:
Eliot, August IO, 1869, died January 3,
1870; William H., January Io, 1871, died
April I8, 1871; Albert, October I6, I873,
died March 16, 1874; Frank, May 2I, I876,
married Myrtie Sharp, September 28, 1899,
to whom was born an infant on Christmas
day, 1904, which lived but a short time.
Frank is on the old homestead, working it on




r


A. lkINfSV (IDcCease(lI








INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


351


shares and has purchased forty acres adjoining the old home. On three acres of the old
farm which the father deeded to his son,
frank has erected a fine frame dwelling. The
old log house which our subject's father
built is still standing. At twenty-two years
of age Frank Noyes was elected to the office
of Justice of the Peace for one term. The
fifth child is Clara M., whose birth occurred
April I7, I880, married to Charles Sharp,
February 5, 1902, and to them one son has
been born, Wilmer Glen, June 8, I903.
Sixty years' residence in the Township of
Stockbridge have won for Mr. Almeron
Noyes many friends throughout the county.
He is a progressive man and ranks among
the foremost citizens of the community.
GEORGE W. PHELPS (DECEASED).
In the death of this honorable and upright citizen, Lansing and Ingham county
sustained an irreparable loss. HIe was a man
of high respectability and those who were
most intimately associated with him speak
in unqualified terms of his sterling integrity,
his honor in business and his fidelity to the
duties of public and private life. Mr. Phelps
was born in Superior township, Wayne Co.,
Mich., on the 28th (lay of November, 1849,
and was the son of Noah and Esther (Turner) Phelps. The father came to Ingham
county when tile son was twro years of age
and settled on a farm ten miles from Lansing, adjoining whlat is now the County Poor
Farm, where ie cleared up a large tract of
land and built the log house of pioneer times,
where he resided continuously until about
1872, when he disposed of this property to
his son George W. With his family, he then
removed to Lansing, in order to give his
daughters better educational advantages.
Here he remained for some years, when he
returned and resided upon one of his smaller


farm  properties, eventually removing to
Okemos where he died.   His earlier residence here entitled him to be classed among
the honored pioneer settlers of Ingham county. He was a man of unusual activity, energetic and determined and his name is inseparably interwoven with the pioneer agricultural history of Ingham county.
The boyhood and youth of George WV.
Phelps was spent as other farmer lads of
that period, acquiring his education in the
district schools near his home and assisting
the father in the cultivation and improvement of the home property. Later he had
a two years' course at the Rork private school
at Lansing and also attended the M. A.
C. His early associations with his father,
from an agricultural standpoint, gave him
many valuable and practical lessons which
proved remarkably beneficial as he approached man's estate and enabled him to
capably manage his own extensive interests.
He was a model agriculturist in every sense
of the word, giving particular attention to
the breeding of fine blooded stock, especially
Shropshire sheep. Few men, if any, were
his superior in judging blooded cattle. He
also took great interest in the raising of fruit
and was awarded several substantial rewards
at the national exhibitions of the east.
In the year 1873 Mr. Phelps was united in
marriage at Sodus, N. Y., to Miss Mary S.
Pullman, daughter of Alonzo and Harriet
Newell (Hopkins) Pullman. Alonzo Hammond Pullman. the father, was born in the
Empire State and her mother was a native
of the same state. She is a lineal descendant
of Stephen Hopkins, who was a signer of
the Declaration of Independence.
Unto George W. Phelps and wife were
born two children, one of whom is living,
namely, G. Howard, who is now a resident
of Detroit, being connected with the Central Drug Co. of that city.




352


PAST AND PRESENT


In I887 the health of Mr. Phelps became
seriously impaired and he decided to sell the
farm interests and remove to Lansing. He
visited Europe and Colorado with the hope
of recovering his physical condition, but
eventually returned to Lansing and built the
residence where his widow  now  resides.
Here he lived continuously until his death
January 31, I902.
Mr. Phelps was rather independent in pol-itics, giving his support to the men and measures best qualified for good government in
home affairs. He took a local interest in
political affairs and for four years represented his ward as Alderman of the City of
Lansing, and it was said of him, that no
man ever gave more of his time to the city
than he. He was manager of the Morgan
& Zabriskie estate, and through his untiring efforts he had finally succeeded in getting Pennsylvania avenue opened south, and
was preparing to build a bridge over the
Cedar river, when he was instantly killed by
a limb from a falling tree, January 31, 1902.
He took an active interest in the Grange
Association and served as master of the
county and home Grange many terms. He
also was president of the Ingham, Eaton and
Clinton County Grange Insurance Company
from the time it was organized until his
death.  Mr. Phelps was a member of
the Masonic fraternity and his life was
in harmony with it beneficient teachings.
He was a man of strong personality
and firm determination, broad minded and
liberal in views and had a high sense of
honor. Added to these qualities he was a
loving husband and a kind and indulgent
father, generous and hospitable and a liberal
supporter of charitable and church work, as
well as a successful man. His death occasioned the deepest regret throughout the community and Ingham county thereby lost one
of its most valued citizens. Almost his en

tire life had been spent in this county and he
is therefore classed among those who gave
the best years of their manhood towards the
improvement and betterment of its conditions, and his name is therefore honorably
inscribed on the roll of honor of Michigan's
history makers.
OSCAR W. PRIEST.
Among the comfortable and tasty farm
homes of Vevay township is that of Oscar
W. Priest.   Mr. Priest was the son of
Thomas and Eliza Priest, residents of the
Empire State, where he was born October
4, 1840. His father was a native of the
Green Mountain State, and at the age of
eight years, came with his parents to New
York state.  He secured his education in
the public school of his native town, which
averaged with the boys of his time and circumstances. His father died, where he had
lived for many years, much respected for his
many virtues in the year I885. His mother
passed away in I859.
December 28, 1865, Mr. Priest married
Evaline, daughter of Daniel Ketchum of
New York state. In the year 1876 Mr. and
Mrs. Priest took the advice of Horace Greely
and came West, settling on the farm where
they now reside. Many improvements have
been made upon the place, new buildings
have been erected, giving the premises an
air of prosperity and thrift. Mr. Priest has
carried on mixed farming, farms for the
profit and is not often disappointed in results.
In politics he is enthusiastically Republican all the year around, and has been recognized by his party in his election as Justice
of Peace. Mr. and Mrs. Priest are active
members of the Grange and the organization
is destined to elevate the business of farming to its rightful place among the avocations of men. They believe it to be a great




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


social and intellectual lever that is calculated
to lift the farming communities to higher
plains along all needed lines of reform.
Mrs. Priest has been for many years a
consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church of Mason. Possessed of a sufficiency of the good things of this life to
keep the wolf from their door, living in the
enjoyment of the esteem and good will of
their neighbors and with love in their hearts
each for the other, together hand in hand
they are walking the pathway of life, having
crossed the meridian, they have turned their
faces toward the golden setting sun.
CHAS. E. PADDOCK.
To have the esteem of one's fellowmen
and especially of those who know you most
intimately in the every-day relation of neighbors is worth much, and to gain it is a
worthy ambition in the breast of any honorable nian. We may truly say, that the gentleman whose name appears at the head of
this sketch has attained this position, as he
is well spoken of by all who know him and
is a man who has honorably attained to a
broad and true friendship with many.
Mr. Paddock first saw the light of day in
1845, in the State of New York, and was
the son of Chas. M. and Sarah Paddock.
The father was also a native of New York
and was raised there. He came to Michigan
in I849, and settled in Livingston county,
and in 1855 came to Ingham county and
settled in Williamston township on a farm,
where lie resided unltil his death, which occurred in 1871 in the month of March. Of
the nine children born to Mr. and Mrs. Pad(lock, the father and mother of our subject,
only three are living: George L., Lucretia
Strong and our subject.
Charles Paddock, the subject of this review, was raised in Williamston township,
23


and remained on the farm with his father
until eighteen years old, when at the breaking out of the Civil war, he left home and
took up arms to maintain the honor of the
old flag. Our young hero enlisted in Co.
H, 26th Michigan Infantry, in I864, and
bravely endured the hardships of war until
in the battle of Deep Bottom, lhe was
wounded and shortly after, in I865, was discharged for disability in Detroit.
After Mr. Paddock's short, but eventful
career in the defense of his country, he
came back to Williamston township and
moved into the village, where he has since
spent the most of his life. For a short time,
however, he lived in Leroy township, where
he now owns a farm of eighty acres of highly cultivated land.
Mr. Paddock has been engaged in various
lines of business, in all of which he has met
with success. He clerked in a grocery store
for a time. ran a sawmill, and worked at
different things until he went into the grocery business for himself for four years.
In I870, in the month of August, occurred the event of Mr. Paddock's life, it
being his marriage to Miss Emily Rouse,
daughter of Lewis S. Rouse, who was born
in Rhode Island. He came to New York
and then to Mlichigan in 1839 and settled
in Leroy township, where Mrs. Paddock was
born. Mr. Rouse lived there until his death,
April 6, 1878. His wife died in February,
I882.  Mr. and Mrs. Rouse were among
the earliest settlers of the county and well
understood the hardships and trials of pioneer life. The country was in the wildest
state and it was a common thing to have to
chop their road through the timber. If they
wished to go to mill, Dexter was the nearest
place and Detroit was the market, and oxteam the means of travel.  Mrs. Paddock
is one of eight children, only five of whom
are living.




354


PAST AND PRESENT


Unto our subject and wife have been born
two children: Allie M., married to T. W.
Herron of Lansing, and Ollie, married to S.
P. Morrison of Lansing.
Mr. and Mrs. Paddock have cultivated
the social side of their lives, the former being a Mason and a member of the I. O.
O. F., and both of the Eastern Star. The
political views of Mr. Paddock have brought
him  into affiliation with the Democratic
party and he takes an intelligent interest in
all that pertains to the welfare of our country. He has served his party in the capacity
of Town Clerk of Leroy and has been Treasurer and Supervisor of Williamston township. In I888, knowing that he would efficiently fill the position and serve the people to the best of his ability, he was elected
to the prominent position of Sheriff of Ingham county, which place he held for four
years or the limit of the law.
Mr. Paddock made a most able and painstaking officer and retired from public life
with the highest esteem of all his fellow
citizens. He is a man to whom right principle is paramount and it is said of him that
his word is as good as his note. He has
hosts of friends who wish him a continuation of the success that has attended him in
this life.
G. S. PENNOCK.
G. S. Pennock, of the leading firm of
"Pennock & Porter" of Williamston, is a
good example of what may be attained by
an industrious young man, thrown upon his
own resources in early life. He was born in
Michigan, at Tecumseh, in I856, his parents
being George and Hepsibiah Pennock. His
father, a native of Vermont, emigrated to
Michigan at an early date, locating at Tecumseh, which was his home at the time of
his death.


When but a lad of twelve years, our subject left the parental home and came to Williamston to live with a sister, Mrs. J. V.
Waldo, who now resides in the Capitol city.
Soon after taking up his residence in Williamston, he began clerking in the general
store, which he followed up for several
years.
In I876, Mr. Pennock was united in marriage to Miss D. M., daughter of Rev. Alfred Allen. Three years later Mr. Pennock
was taken in as a partner with his father-inlaw, under the firm name of Allen & Company. This partnership ran for a term of
sixteen years, when Mr. Allen retired, after
which the firm was known as "Pennock &
Williams."  After a partnership of three
years, Mr. Pennock retired for one year, then
resumed business with Mr. Porter under the
firm name of "Pennock & Porter." This
hardware store is one of the old established
houses of the town.
While Mr. Pennock has given close attention to his personal business affairs, he has
always taken a lively interest in the progress
and development of the village. He has
acted as President of the village council,
Treasurer and Village Clerk and Township
Treasurer. He was also for several years a
member of the common council.
Starting at the foot of the ladder, having
to make his own way in life, Mr. Pennock
may justly be congratulated upon the success with which he has met in a business way
and also in a social line. To our subject and
wife have been born four children: Grace,
aged twenty-seven, the wife of William
Maher; George, twenty-five years of age, a
resident of Chicago; Belle, aged twenty-one,
and Bessie, thirteen, at home with their
parents.
Mrs. Pennock is a consistent member of
the M. E. church, a denomination of which
her father was for many years a successful




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


355


and efficient pastor. He was born in Pennsylvania and educated at the U. of M., coming to Williamston in I873, having a continuous residence until the date of his death
in 1903. Mrs. Pennock was an only child.
GEORGE PORTER.
The ranks of the pioneers of Ingham
county are becomilng smaller with each passing year, for although they have subdued
forests and converted vast tracts of uncultivated land into fields of waving grain and
blushing fruits, yet death is a foe against
whom   they have ll wveapon of defense.
Among the few who still survive to enjoy
the fruits of former years of toil, is the
gentleman  whose name introduces this
sketch. He was born in Macomb county, of
this State, January 14, 1841, the son of
W\alter and Sophia Porter, both natives of
New York, being born in Livingston and
Monroe county, respectively.
The father of our subject went to Macomb county ill 1836 and was chosen by his
fellowmen to represent them in the capacity
of Sheriff of that county. It was in the year
1876 that he emigrated to \illiamston and
lbought a farm, and shortly after moved into
town and was engaged in running a boarding house. There were six children born to
this union, five of whom are now living:
George, our subject; Nelson of Grand Rapids; Caroline Towler of Owosso; Joseph;
Mary Wescott of Monroe, Michigan. The
mother of this family died in I888 and the
father preceded her by four years, having
passed away in 1884.
Our subject, George Porter, is the eldest
living child, and was raised at Utica. Shelby
township, and spent the early part of his life
on the home farm. He came to Ingham county in 1866 and bought eighty acres of wild
land, for which he paid ten dollars per acre.


This he cleared up, built fences and buildings
and( made a good farm of it. After a term of
fourteen years upon this place, he sold it
and bought sixty-six acres, one and one-half
miles east of Williamrston, lwhere his son
now lives. This property, Mr. Porter also
improved, but never lived upon it, as lie
moved to WVilliamstoln twenty-three years
ago, where he has since made his home.
In i86i Mr. Porter was united in marriage with Miss M'ary Gulick, daughter of
Peter Gulick, vwhose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. To this worthy couple
have been born two children: Frank S., born
at Utica, attended school there and then
went to the Ypsilanti Normal for one year,
then taught school for a while, after which
lie wlent to Lansing and was engaged in the
office of Judge Smith, and in I896 was honored by his election to the position of Probate Judge; Edward, born in Utica, where
he was raisel, is on the father's farm.
Mr. Porter is -what may be termed a selfmade man, having had but few advantages
and the characteristic energy with which lie
labored has brought to him his just reward.
He is familiar with the hardships endured
1)y the early pioneers of this county, and well
remnemlbers the time when lle and his estimable wife had to move into a log house
before there was a roof on it.
Politically, Mr. Porter is a Democrat,
and by that party has been elected to most
of the township offices, and served his fellowmen in the capacity of Supervisor in
1879, I880 and i88I. Socially, our subject is identified with the Masonic order.
He is a public spirited man, and has always
taken an active interest in public affairs.
Success has attended Mr. Porter on every
hand, and it is a pleasure to see a hard working, industrious and enterprising man reach
the point where he can lay aside the anxieties
of life, and the arduous details of a farmer's




356


PAST AND PRESENT


career and spend his later years in quiet and
comfort, and such is the fortunate lot of
Mr. George Porter.
GEORGE OHLINGER.
There are few men in the Township of
Aurelius who enjoy the confidence and esteem of their fellow citizens in larger measure, than George Ohlinger. He was born in
Schuylkill county, Pa., July 18, 1832. He
was the son of David and Hannah (Miller)
Ohlinger, both natives of the Keystone
State, where his father was born in the year
I805, and died in 1871. The mother's birth
occurred in I809 and her death August 3I,
1889. They were the parents of 13 children,
five only of.whom are now living. The
father came to Michigan with his family immediately following the close of the great
Civil War, and settled in the Township of
Delhi. Our subject came the same year, but
not with the family.
George Ohlinger received his early education in the district school in Butler county,
Ohio. He early formed studious habits, and
while employed on the farm during the day,
he studied evenings and by dint of perseverance and close application, he fitted himself
for teaching, which occupation he followed
for seventeen terms. He was given his first
school on account of his uprightness of life
and character. He early won and easily retained the confidence of those with whom he
had to do. At the age of twenty-one he invested his savings in real estate.
The important event in the life of our subject was his marriage to Miss Hannah
Bowersox, April 2, 1857.   She was the
daughter of John and Elizabeth Bowersox
of Sandusky Co., Ohio. Mrs. Ohlinger was
born in Pennsylvania, October I9, I831.
Ten children were born to our subject and
wife, six of whom are living. The eldest,


Jefferson, is a physician, he married Miss
Louise Artz, and three children were born to
them, his wife died in I897. His present
wife was Emma Stoddard of Manchester,
Mich. They reside at Toledo, Ohio, where
Dr. Ohlinger has a lucrative practice; Hannah, born July Io, I864, wife of Jacob Birkett of Gratiot county, Mich., they have six
children; Emma L., born February 19, I866,
now the wife of Ananias Hansberger, they
reside with Mr. Ohlinger at the old home,
have no children; Sarah E., born February
5, 1868, is the wife of Julius Matthew of
Detroit, they have four children, three of
whom are living; Hattie, born January 24,
1871, united in marriage to Henry Matthew
of Delhi township, five children having been
born to them; Cora, the youngest living, is
still under the parental roof. The names of
those deceased are, Caroline, who died at
the age of three years; Catherine, in infancy;
Amos died at 13 years of age; Mary Artz
died after marriage and left one child, Ruth
Marie, who now lives with her father at
Marion, Ohio.
After marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Ohlinger
settled on a farm and our subject taught
school for a time during the winter months,
worked the farm in the summer. Imbued
with the spirit of patriotism, under the call
of President Lincoln for men to defend the
nation's honor, George Ohlinger was enrolled as a volunteer soldier of Co. K, I69th
Ohio Regiment, on the second day of May,
I864.  His enlistment was for one hundred
days but he served one hundred twenty-five
days, and was mustered out September 4th
of the same year. During the term of his
enlistment his regiment was on duty at Fort
Ethan Allen, about four miles out from Arlington Heights, the old home of General
Robert E. Lee, now a beautiful national cemetery.
Mr. Ohlinger recalls with pleasure, the




GEO. ()HLINGER


MRS. GE(). OHLINGER








INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


357


fact that he saw President Lincoln and Secy.
Edwin M. Stanton as they passed through
the fort occupied by his regiment, making an
inspection of the defenses of the capital city.
Mr. Ohlinger takes pride in giving space
in this brief biography to record the fact.
that his father at the age of 57 years enlisted to defend the flag and nation's honor,
serving 1 months, when he was honorably
discharged. He was a member of the 57th
Ohio Infantry and participated in the battle
of Shiloh. Benjamin Ohlinger, a brother,
also served in defense of his country. He
was a member of the 72d Ohio Infantry, and
served four years, participating in most of
the great battles in the west under Sherman.
He gets a pension of six dollars per month.
Our subject, returning to his home, resumedl his farming operations, which has
since been the business of his life, and in
which he has met with more than average
success. Mr. Ohlinger was first placed upon
the pension rolls at $4 per month, this
amount has been increased by reason of age
to $12 per month.
The great sorrow of our subject's life
came to him in the loss of his beloved wife
and mother of his children, she passed away
April l I, 1903, at the age of 71 years. Her
remains were laid to rest in the Maple Ridge
Cemetery of Delhi township. Mr. and Mrs.
Ohlinger were for many years highly respected members of the Lutheran church.
Mr. Ohlinger is a member of Steel Bros.
Post, G. A. R., Department of Michigan, at
Mason.   Politically, he affiliates with the
Republican party. He has held several
offices in the township, and was elected to
the responsible position of Treasurer of his
township when his party was largely in the
minority.  This mark of confidence spoke
volumes for the character of the man. Mr.
Ohlinger has made several important shifts
in a business way, first coming to Ingham


county in '65, when he bought 40 acres,
after living upon it four years, he moved
back to Ohio, where he resided for fifteen
years, when he returned and bought the
eighty upon which he still lives. The farm
is under a good state of cultivation, the
buildings are neat, commodious and attractive. Mr. Ohlinger attends to his own affairs in a business-like manner, and it may
be truthfully said of him, that he is a self
made man.
AMOS F. WOOD (DECEASEDI).
For nearly forty years the subject of this
brief biographical sketch was one of the most
conspicuous figures in Ingham county in connection with the breeding of short horn cattle. He was also well known as a grower of
Leicester sheep and Essex swine.
Amos F. Wood was a born farmer and
stock raiser, and seemed always in love with
his avocation. His thought, study and conversation in the main was along the line of
improvement in breeding and better methods
in farming. He was a strong advocate of
a thorough system of tile drainage and
demonstrated the value of his theory by the
laying of several miles upon his own premises, and noting the improvement in the production of crops. From uncertain results
varying with the season, crop growing approximated uniformity and became more
universally profitable.
It was in the month of October in the year
1866, Mr. Wood came with his family from
the Empire State and settled upon the farm
of two hundred and forty acres, one mile
west of the City of Mason on the Columbia
road. Mr. Wood brought with him the
Yankee push and enterprise and he at once
began a general overhauling and reconstruction of the premises. The farm was cleared
of stumps, swamp holes removed by drainage




358


PAST AND PRESENT


and the barns put in shape for the proper
care of stock. The nucleus for a fine herd of
short horn cattle was brought to the farm.
His introduction of a herd of short horns at
that early date was an innovation. The old
pioneer farmer looked askance and shook his
head.  There were, however, progressive
farmers in the county who visited his farm,
looked over the stock and in various ways
gave evidence of their faith in the man and
his business enterprises. Pure bred Leicester
sheep and Essex swine took the place of the
native mongrel so common in this section at
that time. A fine flock of pure bred light
Brahma fowls and bronze turkeys were
always an attractive feature about the premises. With new methods and new and improved machinery and a strong force of men
and teams, object lessons were given daily in
up-to-date farming.  In short, there were
"doings" at "Maple Ridge" right along all
through the years of Mr. Wood's activities.
Mr. Wood was an exceptionally good
herdsman and a liberal advertiser, and within
a few years he was one of the best known
herdsmen in Central Michigan.
The following from the obituary notice of
Mr. Wood, published in the Ingham County
Democrat, gives much data of interest:
Every business transaction being based
upon honor, he soon established a reputation
for fair dealing, that served him a good purpose in the years that followed.
Mr. Wood never united with any society
of any kind whose objective purpose was not
for the improvement and development of
stock and agriculture. For sixteen years he
was a member of the Board of Directors of
the Michigan State Agricultural Society and
a liberal exhibitor at its annual exhibitions.
For twenty-one years he was officially connected with the Central Michigan Agricultural Society, located at Lansing, and for
several years President of the Ingham Coun

ty Agricultural Society and otherwise officially connected with it during the years of its
existence. He was one of the prime movers
in the organization of the Ingham County
Farmers' Club, and for nearly a quarter of a
century served as its President.  To his
judicious counsel and faithful administration
the latter organization owes much of its usefulness and success. For long coiltinued and
meritorious service he was made President
emeritus during his natural life. A few years
since, Mr. Wood, by reason of advancing
years, sold out his stock and farm to his sonin-law, J. E. Tanswell, and retired from
business activities.
In his first auction sale of shorthorn cattle
in the year 1874, in which about fifty head
were disposed of, seventeen brought the snug
sum of $5,000. The sale was an educator for
Central Michigan and an inspiration to the
farmers in this section. Several years later
another sale was held and about the same
number of cattle were sold.
The two prominent characteristics in the
life of Mr. Wood were honesty and cordiality. His word once given was as good as
a bond. Hospitality has always been dispensed with an open hand from Maple Ridge
home. Mr. Wood is among the last of his
generation to pass away. Those active with
him in the development of the country have
largely preceded him to the great beyond.
He is gone, but the fruits of his years of toil
will remain to bless the generations which
follow.
Commenting upon the passing of Mr.
Wood, the Michigan Farm and Live Stock
Journal, said:
It is with sincere regret that we announce
the death of Amos F. Wood, of Maple Ridge
farm, near Mason. To his old friends, and
they are many, it will be a shock to learn that
the veteran breeder and farmer has passed
away. Although his advanved age and in



INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


359


firmities should lead to the supposition that
his days were nearly numbered, his wvonderful vitality, his genial manner, and the interest he took in the discussion of topics, made
one forget his age. He passed away April
8, I905, and lacking only a few weeks of
eighty-one years of age.
Mr. Wood was born in Woodville, Jefferson county, N. Y., May II, I834. His boyhood days were spent among the privations
incident to a pioneer life on the farm when
hard labor was the great motive factor in
accomplishing the various enterprises in
which the people engaged. Clearing land,
breaking steers for farm work, driving oxen
and performing all sorts of mnanual labor
that was the accompaniment of farm life,
developed for him his strong physical system
that stood him in good stead (luring the long
period of active life on the farm. Like many
other successful men, the spirit of enterprise
and rivalry developed early in life, and he
became an exhibitor of the fruits of his efforts at the fairs in his native state.
Desiring a larger field for operation than
the small farm on Awhich he lived afforded.
he sold his belongings in the State of New
York and bought the Maple Ridge farm,
near Mason, Ingham county, Michigan, in
I866. Having formed a love for improved
live stock he brought with him the foundation for a herd of shorthorns, and Maple
Ridge has since been a home of this breed of
cattle. He has been a breeder since I852.
He also bred Leicester sheep and Essex
hogs, and maintained them at a high standard.
He was one of the organizers of the Michigan Shorthorn Breeders' Association, and
also of the State Association of Breeders of
Improved Live Stock.
While his private business was extensive
and the public duties to which he devoted
himself were numerous and constant, his


social affairs at home and in the community
were not neglected.  For twenty-five consecutive years he was president of the Ingham County Farmers' Club, one of the first
organizations of the kind in the State.
In all the relations of life Mr. Wood was
a man to be admired. Honest to the core,
sincere, with a sympathetic nature that made
him a warm friend, he was a man to be respected and liked by all who knew him. He
(lid good, not evil, all the days of his life, and
his memory will long be cherished by a wide
circle of friends. To his family his loss is
irreparable.
One who knew Mr. Wood well in life,
wrote of him: "He was a man who never
wisled harm to any; he always desired and
labored for the betterment of the community.
He was a thorough agriculturist in deep
sympathy with the dumb animals upon his
premises, and the sight of their grazing in
the pastures was always a source of delight
to him. Though denied the advantages of a
higher education, he was always a friend,
and in later years a liberal supporter of the
graded and more advanced schools.
His loyal support of special education for
the farmer is worthy of emulation by his
brother farmers. Through the years of his
life as a pioneer, he always labored with
perennial hopefulness. He never lost faith
in his fellow men, and ever kept an abiding
trust in a beneficent Providence who shapeth
the destinies of men."
Mr. Wood was the son of Amos Eastman
and Hannah (Dean) Wood, natives of Vermont. the former born December, 1787,
while the latter's birth occurred March 26,
1790. The father died February 25, 1863,
while the mother passed away September I I,
I889, lacking only a few months of the century mark.
Amos F. Wood was one of a family of six
children, all of whom grew to man and




360


PAST AND PRESENT


womanhood. His early boyhood days were
spent as other farmer lads of that period, attending school during the winter months and
assisting his father on the farm during the
busy season.
On the sixth day of June of I849, Amos
Wood was united in marriage to a Miss
Eunice E. Brewster, who was born July 26,
1829. She was a daughter of Elisha and
Eunice Brewster, natives of Vermont. She
was the youngest of four sisters. The mother
of Mrs. Wood died when she was but ten
days old. She has the rare distinction of being a direct descendant of Elder William
Brewster, who came over in the "Mayflower."
To Mr. and Mrs. Wood were born five
children, as follows: Flora, April 17, I850,
married George W. Sprout, and they have
two children; George Amos, born January
5, I88I, a bookkeeper by profession, and
Pearl B., born July 3, I886. Miss Pearl developed into a beautiful and talented girl and
died April o1, 19oI.  Flora, the mother,
died February 25, 1898, and is laid to rest in
Maple Grove Cemetery.
Alta E., the next in order of birth, was
born March 16, 1854, married Prof. W. C.
Latta of Purdue University of LaFayette,
Indiana. Their marriage occurred July Io,
1879, and unto this union four children have
been born: Bertha, born July 6, 1884, a student of the University; Robert Wood Latta,
born May 3, I886, graduated at the high
school, and is now taking an agricultural
course at the University; Pauline Eunice,
born August 4, 1890, is a student of the high
school, and Mary, born November 19, 1894,
is also at school.
The third in order of birth is Antoinette,
who was born June 4, I858, married John E.
Tanswell, November 29, I895. Amos F.
Wood, Jr., was born October 5, 1867, and
died December 21, I869.  Myra L., the


youngest member of the family was born
August 25, 1872. Miss Myra is a graduate
of the Mason high school, a young lady highly esteemed for her many good qualities of
heart.
This brief biography records but the outline of a long life of activity and helpfulness. A good neighbor, and indulgent husband and father, an upright citizen, a just
man has gone to his reward.
ELIJAH POTTER.
The subject of this review is one of the
oldest and most highly honored pioneers of
Ingham county, as he dates his residence
here from 1838 and has therefore witnessed
the greater portion of its development and
improvement. A native of the Empire State,
he was born the 23rd day of August, I827,
and was the son of Abner and Nancy (Curtis) Potter, who were also both natives of
the same state and were there married. In
the fall of I836 the father, Abner Potter left
New York state and started westward by the
overland route, eventually arriving in Ingham county where he bought the forty acres
of timber land. There he built a log house
and returned to New York for his family,
which consisted of nine children, six of
whom came with their parents to Michigan
at this time. They were about six weeks
upon the road, the trip being made with
many hardships and trials, as the children
slept under the wagons, while the father and
mother occupied the wagon themselves. The
family arrived here in I838, in the month of
September. The land that Abner Potter had
bought was timber and no improvements had
been made upon it. He at once began the
improvement of this place and partially
cleared it and there resided until 1842, which
was the year of his death, while the mother
passed away in I847.




MRS. AMOS F. \OOD


AMOS F. WOOD








INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


361


The early education of Elijah Potter was
extremely limited, as he was but fifteen years
of age when his father died and what little
he did secure was acquired at the primitive
log school house of pioneer times. In 1850
Mr. Potter bought his first land, which consisted of eighty acres which now forms a
part of the old home place. All of this was
timber and has been cleared by himself and
as he has prospered he has added to his original possession from time to time, until he
now owns six hundred acres in that locality.
On May 3, 1852, Mr. Potter was united in
marriage to Miss Abaigal Dewey, who was a
native of Smithfield, Madison county New
York, her birth having occurred on February
14, 1827. She is the daughter of Thomas
and Dorcas (Austin) Dewey. Her father
and mother were natives of New York and
there the father died when Mrs. Potter was
about three years of age, while the mother
also died in New York state.
Unto this union were born six children,
all of whom are living: the first is Martin
A., born February 3, 1853, and resides at
home; the second, Dorcas, born February 20,
l855, married to D. Holmes and lives in
Wexford county; the third, Nancy, born
April 17, I856, is the wife of Harvey Curry
and lives in Ingham county; the fourth, Albert, born July IO, I865; the fifth, Curtis A.,
born October 23, i866; sixth, Mary, born
August 15, 1871.
Mr. Potter is a man, though well advanced
in years, who is hale and hearty and is in
full possession of his mental faculties. His
mind is richly stored with many scenes and
incidents of pioneer times. He can well remember when the Indians were still numerous and all sorts of game, such as deer, bear
and wolves were in abundance, and has a
thorough knowledge of the settlement and
growth of the county in general. Known
through the entire length and breadth of the


county, not only as one of the oldest pioneer
settlers but as one of its successful and enterprising men, he is highly honored and respected. It is by his close attention to business combined with sound judgment and
good executive ability that he has met with
success that has crowned his efforts and made
him one of the leading agriculturists of his
adopted county and unto such men and families, Ingham county now owes its present
prosperous condition.
JOHN E. TANSWELL.
John E. Tanswell of Vevay township was
horn in Niles, Berrien county, Michigan,
July 12, 1858.   He was the only son
of James and Harriet Tanswell, both
born in England, and who emigrated to this
country about the year i856 and settled upon
a farm near Niles, Michigan. James Tanswell died in I869 and was buried at Niles.
John E. Tanswell attended the district
schools when a lad and later spent some time
at Notre Dame College. In early life he
took up farming, which he followed for a
time, and later went to Grass Lake, Michigan, and engaged in the livery business, in
which he continued for about ten years. It
was during these years that he served in
the capacity of Deputy Sheriff of Jackson
county, and was also City Marshal and Constable for some time.
November 29, 1895, he was united in
marriage to Miss Antoinette, daughter of
Amos F. and Eunice Brewster Wood of
Maple Ridge Farm, located one and one-half
miles west of Mason City. Owing to the
advanced age of Mr. Wood and his physical
inability to look after his extensive stockraising and farming operations, Mr. Tanswell purchased the estate, consisting of two
hundred acres, with all the stock, tools, etc.
on the premises. He has since conducted




362


PAST AND PRESENT


this farm in keeping with the reputation for
fair dealing enjoyed by Mr. Wood in his
extensive sales of registered short-horn
cattle, thoroughbred Essex swine, Leicester
sheep. Mr. Tanswell started in to increase
the farm products along these lines, and in
this has met with very gratifying success.
He has studiously sought to keep pace with
the demands of the times.
There is no farm in this section of the
country under higher or more advanced
state of cultivation. His stock of all kinds
are the pride of the community. His large
stock-barn is one of the finest in Central
Michigan, the arrangements of the buildings on the premises are such that approach
from any direction gives one the impression,
of the thrift and industry of the owner. Mr.
Tanswell keeps on hand about fifty head of
short-horned cattle.  A stroll through the
buildings and about the premises viewing
horses, cattle, sheep, hogs, poultry, tools, etc.
is equal to a day at a county fair. Indeed
more practical suggestions could be gathered in the same space of time upon this farm
than at the ordinary local fair.
Mr. Tanswell is a member of the Shorthorn Breeders' Association of this State. For
many years Mrs. Tanswell was her father's
counsel and private secretary, and locally for
years she has been considered authority on
short-horn breeding.
Mr. Tanswell affiliates with the Republican  party,  and, as he put it, he
used to work at it by the year. Since coming to Ingham county, however, the care
of stock and farm have so absorbed his attention that he has found no time for politics, beyond that of a citizen, interested in
good government and in voting his party
ticket.
Mr. Tanswell is something of a joiner,
having a membership in the Maccabees,
Grange, and in the Ingham County Farm

ers' Club. The latter organization is one
in- which the entire family are much interested and contribute to its maintenance and
growth. The family are attendants of the
Presbyterian church to which they contribute liberally. The community at large have
more than a passing interest in Mr. Tanswell's stock and farming operations, recognizing that an enpterprising undertaking,
such as he is conducting, gives to Ingham
county a name and a reputation in which all
may feel a degree of just pride.
GEORGE TAYLOR.
Among the old and honored residents of
Ingham county none stands higher in public
esteem than the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch.  For over sixty-five
years he has been a resident of this State and
the name is inseparably connected with agricultural interests, as his father and mother,
James and Mary Taylor emigrated westward
from New York to Michigan in 1839 and
settled in Oakland county. He was a lumberman by profession and became one of the
early pioneers of Michigan. After a residence of two years in Oakland county, he
moved to Wayne county of this State, near
Bellville and lived in that vicinity until 1855,
when they moved to Jackson county where
he passed to his reward.
George Taylor was one of a family of nine
children, of whom three are now living, the
other two are Amanda Clark and James Taylor of Jackson county. The birth of Mr.
Taylor occurred in Niagara county, New
York, in I834, and there he lived until two
years of age, when the family moved to Ohio,
residing there five years. His early education was acquired in the common schools of
Wayne county of this State and when twenty-one years of age he started out in life for
himself, working a farm in connection with




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


363


his father. This was the old home place located in Rives, Jackson county. This property he eventually traded in I86I, for the
farm upon which he subsequently resided.
This land was only partially improved, but
with characteristic energy he began its development, placing it under cultivation and
making it one of the model farms of this
county. As the years went by he eventually
added one hundred and twenty acres to the
original purchase and now owns two hundred
acres of as valuable and highly improved
farm property as there is in Ingham county.
Here he is engaged in general farming and
stock raising and the neat and thrifty appearance of the place is an indication of the progressiveness of the owner.
In I86I he was united in marriage to Miss
Celestia Norton, daughter of Nelson Norton.
and this union has been blessed with four
children, of whom three are now living, the
eldest, Flavius, born September io, 1862, resides in Leslie township; another, Homer,
born August I I, 1867, who also resides in
Leslie township; a third, Florence, born October 5, 1865, is now\ the wife of George
Leach. The wife and mother of these children died in 1873 and in 1875 he was again
united in marriage to a Miss Alma Norton,
daughter of Harlow Norton of Leslie township. This union has been blessed with three
children of whom two are now living, Leon,
who now resides at home and Roy, a resident
of Onondaga township.
Both our subject and wife are active members of the M. E. church of Leslie. In politics, Mr. Taylor affiliates with the Prohibition party, having the courage to vote his
convictions. Great changes have taken place
since Mr. Taylor first became a resident of
Ingham county and where dense forests once
grew and wild game abounded may be found
productive fields and thriving farms and villages, and in all this marvelous development


of the last half century Mr. Taylor has borne
his part and is well worthy of representation
in this volume of history of Ingham county's
pioneers, who have given the best years of
their manhood to the opening up of this
which was once a wilderness, for the benefit
of posterity.
DR. GEORGE D. SPENCER.
Dr. George D. Spencer was a lad of but
four years when his father, Truman Spencer,
left the State of New York and came with
his family to Ingham county and located in
the Township of Locke. Truman Spencer
was a man of good presence, genial, cordial
and possessing in more than an average degree the elements that make friends and help
to win success. He was always recognized
as a man of affairs. Soon after locating in
the county, lie built a saw mill which he conducted with very satisfactory results for several years. He represented his township on
the Board of Supervisors. In the year I86o
he was elected Sheriff of the county on the
Republican ticket with which party he always affiliated. In 1862 he ran again and
was defeated and again in 1864. In I866
he was renominated for the fourth time and
was elected; renominated, I868, but two days
prior to the day of election, November 2,
I868, he was suddenly stricken down in
death. At the time of his death Mr. Spencer
owned a farm of one hundred twenty acres
in the Township of Locke.
Truman Spencer was united in marriage
July i i, 1844, to Susan Ann Fisher. Mrs.
Spencer was born in New York state, September 28, 1826. Mr. Spencer was born in
New York state, July 24, 1824. To Truman and Mrs. Spencer three sons were born:
Charles, born I846, died I893; the subject of
this sketch, George D., born February 24,
1852; James H., born



364


PAST AND PRESENT


Mrs. Spencer still lives, at the advanced
age of eighty-two years and makes her home
with her youngest son, James H. Spencer,
in Locke township.
Dr. Spencer was favored with a good common school education and supplemented this
with high school training at Lansing and
also at Howell. Attended the University of
Michigan for a time and later graduated
from the Detroit Medical College, March 4,
I879.
He immediately hung out his shingle and
began the practice of medicine in his home
town, where by his studious habits, attention
to the duties of his profession, he has built
up a good business; and by his conscientious
Christian life has won and enjoys the confidence of his fellow townsmen to a degree
that might be envied.
July I3, I879, Dr. Spencer was united in
marriage to Miss Rose E. Kline, daughter of
a highly respected citizen of the village of
Bell Oak. Mrs. Spencer was born December
II, 1854. Her parents were natives of the
Keystone State and came to Michigan in the
year I855. Her father, Robert Kline, died
September 7, 1885.  Her mother, whose
maiden name was Mariah Morgan, died June
22, 1894. Mrs. Spencer has two brothers
living. Warren Kline married Libbie Brown
and they reside in Mecosta county. Charles
Kline married Carrie Horton; their home is
in California. Her brother, Elisha, died in
1888, at the age of 35.
Two children have come to bless the lives
of Dr. and Mrs. Spencer: Gertrude, born
April 27, 1883, and Charles Truman, bearing
the name of his uncle and grandfather Spencer, was born September 13, 1887. Both
bright, promising children and with the advantages accorded them, they will grow to
lead lives of helpfulness and service.
At the age of twenty-one years Dr. Spencer was elected Township Clerk. For sev

eral years he has been lined up with the Prohibition party-the party that stands for the
home, the church, and the school, believing,
as he does, the legalized saloon of America
is a destroyer of each and all of these. He
believes, as many others are coming to feel,
that this government cannot exist half drunk
and half sober; one must give way to the
other. The one great curse of our Christian
civilization is the legalized liquor traffic of
the country.
Dr. and Mrs. Spencer are active members
of the Methodist Episcopal church to which
the family give loyal support. The doctor
fraternalizes with the Maccabees, No. 791 of
Bell Oak, also the Ancient Order of United
Workmen.
Counting by years, the hand on the dial
plate is only slightly past the meridian with
the doctor. His numerous friends wish for
him and his good wife yet many years of
love and service for his fellow men.
A. C. TITUS.
A. C. Titus is one of the representative
farmers in White Oak township, the tract of
land which he operates being located in sections 21 and i6. He is a native of the Wolverine State, his birth having occurred in
Sharon township, Washtenaw county, August 20, I855. He is the son of M. J. and
Martha (Hopkins) Titus, the former having
been born February 9, 1825, in New York,
and the latter in 1833, in Canada. From
earliest boyhood our subject has been engaged in farming, so that in later years,
Xwhen he was thrown on his own resources
he had but to strike out for himself, the experience being already his. He received the
educational advantages common to boys of
his time, in the rural districts of White Oak,
and at the age of twenty was ready to enter
upon a life of activity for himself.








GEORGE W. JEWETT




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


365


Our subject's father came to Livingston
county, Michigan, with his parents, in I836.
From 1840 until I854 they lived in Washtenaw county and from '54 to '60 they lived in
Unadilla, Livingston county, and finally in
I86o, bought a farm in Stockbridge township and moved onto it. His first wife, the
mother of our subject, died December 21,
I859. The father was again married in I860
to Mrs. Samantha Hopkins, widow of his
first wife's brother. To this second marriage
four children were born: Lina, January 24,
I868, is a dressmaker in Mason; Winnie, a
teacher in the Mason City schools; Clyde M.,
married Ada Clark and lives on a farm in
White Oak; Manley, married May Taylor,
and lives in Mason. M. J. Titus was a Republican, and both he and his wife belonged
to the M. E. church.
April 21, I886, Mr. A. C. Titus was married to Miss Kate, daughter of William and
Sarah (Squires) Lake, both natives of England, born December 24, 1826, and April 3,
I828, respectively. Mrs. Titus was one of
four children, living, one being deceased, her
birth having occurred June 24, i859. The
other members of the family are Elinor, born
April 17, i855, married William Bird, a
resident of Ann Arbor; Mary E., born
March 24, I857, died at the age of six years;
our subject's wife, and William G., were
twins, and William who lives in Henrietta,
Jackson county.
To Mr. and Mrs. A. C. Titus were born
three children: Ethel, Jan. 21, 1888; Ernest, February 27, I892, and Robert, December I6, 1894. After marriage, our subject
and wife lived on his father's place in Stockbridge for four years,- and while living here
bought eighty acres of wild, marshy land,
which he partly cleared. Later he bought
eighty acres, partly improved, being a part
of the farm upon which he now lives. The
buildings were on the place when he came


into possession of it, but he has greatly improved them, and as he prospered added another eighty, and today has a fine piece of
property.
Our subject casts his vote for the principles of the Republican party-is active in
political affairs, but not an office holder. He
is a member of the M. E. church and his
wife of the Episcopal society.
Mr. Titus engages in general farming,
and makes a specialty of high grade Merino
sheep and grade Durham cattle. He has met
with success in his chosen vocation, and is in
a position to enjoy all of the necessities and
many of the luxuries of life, and he and his
good wife dwell at peace with all the world.
GEORGE W. JEWETT.
Prominent among the rising young men
of Ingllam county stands the present efficient
and popular Clerk of Ingham     county,
George W. Jewett. By close application and
perseverance in the early years of life, and
this in the face of privations and adverse
conditions he made the most of his opportunities, indeed making the opportunity, has
won for himself a name and a place to be
attained only by those who possess the staying qualities so essential to success. Many
a young man who fails to measure up to
the possibilities within him defends himself
with a plea that environments were against
him, forgetting that environments are not
conducive to growth and development, as
it is the privilege and the duty of the individual to make them what they should be
to best fit him for life's work. Mr. Jewett
early recognizing the force of this argument
and shaping his environments for the better development of his faculties, has today
by his own efforts found himself well qualified for the satisfactory performance of any
public trust or duty his fellow citizens may




366


PAST AND PRESENT


place upon him. It is an easy thing to attain confidence, but another to maintain it.
Some are so constituted that they readily
secure the confidence of their fellowmen,
but for the lack of the essential element in
character it is soon lost. Mr. Jewett has
found himself possessed of those qualities
of heart and mind all through the years of
his unusually active life, that have held with
increasing force the respect, confidence and
esteem of his fellowmen.
George W. Jewett was born Aug. 30.
I866, at Lima, Washtenawx county, Michigan. His parents, Lester E. and Caroline
Jewett, were natives of New York and England, respectively, and were united in marriage in 1865, and three children were born
to them. When the son, George, was but
one year of age the father moved to Ingham
county and settled in the Township of Aurelius, where they still reside. At the tender
age of nine years it became necessary for
George W. to leave the paternal home. He
went to live with his grandmother, and began working for his board and clothing,
with the privilege of attending school during
the winter months. At the age of fourteen
years he completed the district school coturse.
Most boys who complete a district school
education at the age of fourteen years are
satisfied  with their attainments, young
George, however, was not of that number.
He had gathered up a few crumbs and they
but whetted his appetite for a square meal.
Being without means or influential friends
and desirous of obtaining a better education,
he arranged to work for a farmer at the rate
of about two and one-half days for one dollar. On this limited income and by close
economy he was enable to set aside sufficient
funds to complete a course in the Mason
High School, from which he graduated in
June, I885. Experience is a valuable as
well as a good teacher, and he has had it


good and plenty. Upon the completion of
his schooling he engaged in teaching, and
followed that profession for twelve years
with marked success. At first he taught in
the district schools, later was principal of
the graded schools of Onondaga village and
there remained two years. Energy, thoroughness and progressiveness were the elements that characterized his daily work.
His efficiency was attested by school officers
generally and by the County School Commissioners under whom he served.
He had just retired to his farm il Aurelius,
when he was appointed Deputy County
Clerk at Lansing, and the varied duties of
this position he performed to the entire satisfaction of all those concerned for a term of
four years. Two years later he was elected
to the office of County Clerk by a majority
of eight hundred and sixty, running ahead
of his ticket about one hundred and fifty
votes. He was reelected in 1904 by an overwhelming majority. He has an established
reputation of being faithful in the discharge
of his duties. Courteous, methodical and accurate, have been the characteristics of his
official service.
Mr. Jewett was united in marriage to
Miss Etta, daughter of John and Frances
Eckhart, of Aurelius township, Sept. 22,
I886.  Three children have been born to
this union, their names and ages are respectively as follows: Blanche, age sixteen years,
born May 31, I888, now a student of the
Mason High School; Francis Lester, age
eleven years, born May 29, I893, and Carrie, age ten years, born Dec. 23, I894, all
at home.
Mr. Jewett is a member of Capital
Lodge No. 66 of the Masonic fraternity, and
is the efficient Master of the Mason Grange.
He is a member of the Sons of Veterans,
his father having done valiant service in the
Civil War. Having imbibed somewhat of




I
I




A. 1J -sTFY1iEN S




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


367


the military spirit he united with Co. F, M.
N. G., and has been advanced to the position
of orderly sergeant. Among Mr. Jewett's
savings he has forty acres of land in Aurelius township and a comfortable home in
Mason. Mr. and Mrs. Jewett are members
of the First Congregational church at Lansing, and as such are highly respected.
ANDREW JACKSON STEVENS.
Andrew Jackson Stevens was born in Connecticut, July 20, I827, and the son of Julius
and Mabel (Sottles) Stevens. The father
was a native of Connecticut, and lived to be
eighty-six years old, while the mother, who
was eleven years younger than the husband,
was a native of New York, and died at the
age of seventy years.
When our subject was one year old his
parents moved to Wayne county, Michigan,
where he lived seventeen years. They then
moved to White Oak, where they bought
one hundred and sixty acres, a part of which
our subject now owns, and where the parents died.
To Julius Stevens and wife were born nine
children: Asa, our subject; Julius. who lived
in Dakota; Peter, deceased, lived in Iowa;
Louis, died at the age of forty years; Polly,
the wife of James Clenents, lived in White
Oak and died twelve years ago; Betsy
(Cooper) (Green), widow, lives in Howell;
Sally, Mrs. Dietz of Leroy township, and
Daniel, who lives in White Oak.
July i I, 1858, Andrew Stevens was united
in marriage with Emialine Clark, born June
8, 1831. She died, and our subject married
again in 1869, Miss Cynthia Moon, who
also died. Four children were born to these
people: Eriaaline, April 3, I86I, wife of
Owen Sutton, is deceased; Ada May, August 5, I862, died December 23, 1862; Ambrose Clement, June 23, I864, married Mina


Carter of White Oak and lives in Gratiot
county, Michigan; Mark D., May 30, i866,
married Mary Pulling, who died; he married again and lives in South Dakota and
has five children.
Since the death of our subject's wife, Mrs.
Jennie A. Cottington has kept house for him.
She was born in New York, July, 8, 1846,
and is the daughter of Alex and Samantha
(Cutter) Martin. Her mother is living in
New York at the advanced age of eightyfour years, while the father died in I861.
She was one of five children, two of whom
are living: Mrs. Edna Garnet, a widow, of
Buffalo, N. Y.; Mrs. Cottington, was married in New York.  Her husband was a
painter and cooper and died several years
ago. She is the mother of Mrs. William
H. Patrick of White Oak.
Mr. Stevens has always given his support
and vote to the Democrat party and is active
in politics, though never an office holder.
Mr. Stevens is an honest and industrious
man and a great student of the bible. He is
engaged in general farming on ninety-six
acres of well improved land.
FRANK SKADAN.
Frank Skadan, a son of Samuel and
Mercy C. (Atwood) Skadan, was born on
section 13 of Inghami township, October 26,
1857, and has resided continuously on this
farm to the present time. His father was
born November 28, i808, in Cayuga county,
N. Y. He came to Michigan in the year
1840 and bought one hundred and seventy
acres of unimproved land in Ingham township. During the active years of his life
Samuel Skadan was one of the prominent
figures in public affairs in the county. In
I848-i850 he served as County Treasurer,
residing in Mason at the time. Later he
was for twenty-five years Supervisor of his




368


PAST AND PRESENT


township, a record seldom duplicated. For
him a nomination was equal to an election.
A man of rather retiring disposition, pleasing in manner, seldom engaging in argument. He enjoyed the confidence of his acquaintances to a marked degree. Although
recognized as a strong partisan, Democrat
that he was, he seldom gave offense. For
ten years he was the president and treasurer
of the Ingham County Mutual Fire Insurance Company. He also was Coroner of the
county for a term of four years.
During the years of his activity a Democratic convention without his presence would
have been a misnomer. He died April 3,
I896, and was buried in the cemetery at
Dansville. Mrs. Skadan was born May 3,
1824, and came with her parents, Z. and
Hulda Atwood. into this county, locating in
Ingham township. They were married April
14, 1853.  Mr. Skadan was of Irish and
Mrs. Skadan of English descent.  Frank
was the sixth of seven children born to Mr.
and Mrs. Skadan, their names and date of
birth being respectively as follows: Juliette,
born July 28, I833, died March 17, I867:
Louisa J., December 25, I836; Hiram M.,
May 19, I839; John W., November 14,
1849; Floyd C., April 2, I855; Samuel F.,
October 26, I857; Jennie Irena, December
I0, 1864.
Frank received his early education in the
district schools and later at the Dansville
High School. His father's time being much
employed in public affairs, at the age of
twenty-one Frank was given charge of the
farming operations, which he directed in a
successful manner during the remainder of
his father's life and unto the present time.
He owns the old homestead, having bought
off the other heirs. He has added to the
place, by purchase, until he now owns one
hundred and ninety acres. He carries on
mixed farming, feeds stock for the market,


in which he has a good reputation. This has
been his special line for several years, and
has been the means of liberal acquisitions to
his exchequer. He was united in marriage
October 22, 1890, to Katherine Phillips.
They have five children, three of whom are
now living: Irena M., born July 27, I89I,
died October 20, 1892; Dency, born December 7, 1893; Mabel, born October 12, 1895,
died March 26, 1902; Jennie, born July 12,
1897; George Samuel, born April 22, 1900.
In politics Mr. Skadan is in line with his
father, being a Democrat of the old Jacksonian sort. He has held several positions
of trust and honor at the hands of his fellow citizens, among which is that of Township Treasurer for four years.  He is a
member of the Masonic order, I. O. 0. F.,
Elks, Modern Woodmen and Maccabees.
Mr. Skadan by thrift and energy has secured a competence which will enable him
to enjoy all the comforts and many of the
luxuries of life during his remaining years.
ORLANDO MACK BARNES.
The present generation owes a debt of
gratitude to the pioneers of this great State
that can never be repaid. The trials and
hardships endured by them to make the State
what it is today, one of the foremost in all
the union, cannot be realized by those enjoying the present comforts of advanced
civilization.
Orlando M. Barnes was a pioneer of Ingham county, and was one who in early life,
knew little or nothing of the present day
comforts, and who in his boyhood and youth,
little dreamed that there was much else in
life but hard work and a struggle for existence. He was born in the Empire State
in 1824 and was the son of John and Anna
(Abbott) Barnes, who were both natives of
N. Y. The early boyhood and youth of




ORLANDO M. BARNES.




a~ ~~~ ~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


369


our subject was spent in the state of his
nativity until the age of sixteen years.
In 1840, the father, believing that there
were better opportunities in the growing
\Vest, emigrated to Michigan, and settled
upon a tract of land in Aurelius township.
With characteristic energy he began the
clearing and development of this property
and there built a home and reared his family. The son, however, being ambitious and
desiring to enter upon a broader field of
knowledge, where his energy might find a
wider scope, entered the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, where he graduated
with honor in I850.
On leaving college he chose the law for
his profession, and after devoting one year
to preparatory studies was admitted to the
bar and located in Mason, the county seat
of Ingham county. Here his strict attention
to the duties of his profession, his eminent
ability and profound knowledge of the law
soon secured him a large practice. In the
spring of 1852, on the death of the Prosecuting Attorney, Mr. Barnes was appointed
to fill the vacancy. On the expiration of
the term, in the ensuing autumn, he was
elected to that office, and in 1854 was honored by a reelection. In 1871 he withdrew
from the active practice of his profession,
in order to devote his entire attention to the
interests of the Jackson, Lansing and Saginaw Railroad Company. He was secretary
of the company from its organization, and
served it in the legal capacity of. counselor
and general attorney with marked ability
and to the entire satisfaction of the corporation.  From  1872 until his death he had
been land commissioner. In this position,
which requires the management of vast
tracts of land granted to the company, and
to which labor and responsibility commensurate with its importance are attached, his
performance of duty was above criticism. In
24


political circles Mr. Barnes' talents secured
honorable recognition. In 1862 he was elected to the State Legislature, where he served
one term, and in April, 1877, he was called
to the office of Mayor of Lansing. He was
president of a national bank in Lansing, and
was held in the highest esteem by his fellowcitizens of all classes. He also efficiently
served as president of the Prison Board. In
this he took a particular pride, using the
full force of his energy and intellect toward
tlie improvement of prison management.
Upon this subject he edited several articles,
which were eventually published in book
form and which gave him a national reputation.  Personally Mr. Barnes was of a
fine appearance and commanding presence.
There were few subjects of interest of which
he had not made himself master.
Law with him was a study, a profession
and to that profession he gave the greater
part of his life's energy. There was never
any inducement placed before him    that
would make him swerve from his chosen
work, although he had been associated in
some outside business enterprises. As the
years advanced, he became successful and
accumulated a desirable competence, which
enabled him to gratify his literary tastes,
and he had at the time of his death an extensive library of several thousand volumes.
In the year I852 Mr. Barnes was united
in marriage to Miss Amanda W. Fleming,
who was born in Romulus, Seneca county,
N. Y., a daughter of John Fleming, who
was an early settler of that state. He was
a farmer by occupation and emigrated to
Michigan in 1844 and settled near the town
of Albion. Here he resided until his death.
During the years 1872-73 Mr. Barnes
travelled in Europe, gaining information as
well as enjoyment. His conversational powers were of superior order, and in his hours
of relaxation from the cares of business he




370


PAST AND PRESENT


was a most genial and interesting companion. Mr. Barnes was a member of the
Masonic fraternity and had held various official positions in that body.
Orlando M. Barnes departed this life November I, I899. There passed away a man,
who stood deservedly high among the legal
fraternity, his ability being recognized by
all. He was able, painstaking and conscientious in his work and he also had many
warm friends and possibly some enemies, as
what man has not that possesses any force
of character?  As a citizen, he was ever
ready to assist in any and everything that
would tend to the advancement of Lansing
and Ingham county, and evidence of that
interest is shown on every hand.
Mrs. Barnes, the widow, still resides at
her beautiful home in Lansing, occupying
a prominent social position and also is now
serving in the official capacity as president
of the Women's Hospital Association, and
likewise in the Ladies' Society and the Lansing Woman's Club, of which she has been a
member for twenty years; her influence has
been a helpful factor in their advancement.
She is also a member of the Presbyterian
church and has contributed liberally of her
means towards its support.
ANDREW     J. BARTOW.
Andrew J. Bartow is one of the influential
and progressive citizens of Williamston
township. He was born March 27, 1827,
at Warren county, New Jersey, and is the
son of James and Margaret (Snover) Bartow, both natives of New Jersey. The father
was born in 1787 and the mother in 1788.
James Bartow was a carpenter and joiner
and lived in New Jersey until his death in
1878 and the mother died in I858. They
were married in I8i8. In politics, James
Bartow was a Democrat.


Andrew Bartow is the sixth of eleven
children, two living: our subject and James,
while the names of the deceased are Isaac,
Levi H., Aaron L., Charles R., Jane, John
R., Ruth, David C., and Ellen.
Our subject was educated in the district
schools of New Jersey and has added greatly to his meager early training by extensive
reading. He started for himself at twenty
years of age and lived with his mother's
uncle on a farm for three years and then
went with the brother, Charles, to learn the
carpenter and joiner's trade. In the winter
time he worked on a farm. In 1849 our
subject came to Michigan with his wife and
landed in Detroit the last day of September,
from there went to Clarkston, Oakland county and bought two acres of land upon which
he built a house and worked at his trade
until 1858, when he came to Williamston
township, Ingham county, and bought eighty
acres of wild land on section 15, lived in a
log shanty, and built another log house before he built his present place. He worked
at his trade and cleared the entire eighty
acres, evenings and during spare times. He
now owns one hundred and forty acres and
in 1902 gave his son twenty acres. In politics, the man whom our subject thinks best
fitted to fill the office, gets his support. In
the year i880 our subject gave his oldest
son forty acres and in 1882 his son Frank,
forty acres.
Andrew Bartow was married April 24,
1847, to Ellen Dates, who was born August
14, 1829. She is the daughter of William
and Ann (Smith) Dates, who were married
in I8II and to whom twelve children were
born, five living: Huldah Rounsifer, Mrs.
Bartow, Matilda Davis, William and Nicholas, while the deceased are Elizabeth, Sally,
Ann, Jane, Levinah, Mary and Henry. William Dates was a farmer, born in 1793 and
died in I836. Mrs. Dates died in Oakland




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


371


county, Michigan, in 1854. William Dates
and his family   were members of the
Methodist Episcopal church. Mrs. Bartow
kept a basket until recently, which was made
by the Indians and given her mother by her
father before they were engaged to be married.
Andrew Bartow and wife are the parents
of five children: Seron, born August II,
1848, married Ida Miller and resides in Williamston. They have had five children:
Lulu B., February 3, 1883; Jack, September 17, 1884; Ellen, February 25, 1889, died
August 22, 1901; Hazel, July 21, 189I, and
Irene, January 5, 1902; Frank E., born
March 9, I853, married Clara Cushman and
resides on a farm in Williamston township
and has one child, Jay, September 7, I88I;
Delia A., born April 29, 1856, married
Lorenzo Harmon and resides on a farm in
Williamston township, and they have one
child, Byron, December 27, I886; John W.,
born June I I, i86I, married Florence Dunn,
resides on a farm in Williamston township
and has two children, Earl, November 24,
I890, and Ina, April 8, I896; Dr. Joseph G.,
born October 23, I863, married Emily Murray and is practicing medicine in Williamston and they have three children: Ethel,
June 17, I888; Clarence, October 29, I89I,
and Zarepha, October I8, 1894.
Andrew Bartow served his township as
Treasurer for two terms. He is highly respected in the community in which he lives
and is interested in all movements that tend
to the improvement of his community.
RICHARD T. BRIGGS.
Richard T. Briggs was born April II,
1833, in Canada. He was the son of Stanley and Ann (Dane) Briggs. His parents
were natives of Ireland. The father was
born in Ireland and the mother in Ireland.


They emigrated to Michigan in 1840, first
settling in Dewitt, Clinton county, where
they purchased eighty acres of land. But
small improvements had been made upon the
place and a log house had been erected. The
elder Briggs set about to improve his new
possessions, and in due course of time had
carvld out a comfortable house for himself
and family. He later moved to Lansing,
where he was for some time engaged in conducting a general store. He died at Lansing, June 9, I867. The mother died in
April, I867.
Our subject was one of twelve children
born to his parents, four of whom are still
living: Catherine, James, Elizabeth Whitely
and Richard. During the years when our
subject would ordinarily have been acquiring his education, he was deprived of this
advantage,, because there was no schoolhouse
within five miles of his father's house at
that time. Such knowledge as he acquired
has been gleaned from books, observation
and experience. When seventeen years of
age he began working by the day, and continued to do so until he was twenty-two
years of age.
Richard T. Briggs was married February
21, I854, to Miss Orilla, daughter of Levi
and Anroid (Valentine) Hunt, residents of
Birmingham, Oakland county, Michigan.
Her father was born January I8, I802, and
in early life served as a sailor, but later engaged in the dry goods business also the
grocery trade, which he managed for a time
and later "kept tavern" at Argentine. After
a time he disposed of his property there and
moved to Ionia, here he managed a hotel
for a time. From lonia he moved his family
to Lansing and engaged in the meat market
trade.  After a time Mr. Hunt sold his
market and moved to a farm in Leroy and
from there to Flint, where he engaged in the
hotel business. He was there for four or




372


PAST AND PRESENT


five years when he returned to Leroy, where
he spent the remainder of his life with his
children, and died January 13, 1884. The
mother died October 13, I88I. Mr. Hunt
was an old Jacksonian Democrat. For some
time he anchored his faith to the Universalist doctrine, but later joined the Catholic
church, and was buried in the Catholic cemetery at Williamston.
Mr. and Mrs. Briggs first settled in Locke
township, where he bought fifty acres of
wild land, there never having been an axe
laid to a tree, and but one road, but
Mr. Briggs was equal to the emergency.
He began in earnest to make for himself and
family a home; after years of hard labor,
practising economy and with his frugal helpmate's assistance, they were out of the
woods. Today he is happy in the possession
of ninety-six acres of well improved land.
He is a Democrat all the year around,
never having voted any other ticket. In his
religious views he is liberal, as le terms it,
a free thinker.
Mr. and Mrs. Briggs have had born to
them six children, four of whom are living:
Edwin, married Elva Davis; Minnie. married John Davidson, deceased; Annie, married J. Nowlen, deceased; Nora, married
Frank Maxwell; Richard, married Rose Jasper; Myrtle, married Daniel Rice.
Mr. Briggs has never held office and never
desired to or had ambition in that direction.
He belongs to the Patrons of Industry, in
which he has taken a lively interest, believing in the doctrines of the order.
Our subject's father was the oldest member of the Masonic order at Lansing. He
was an American soldier in the War of
I812.
Mr. Briggs takes a commendable degree
of pride in the fact that a portrait of himself
representing an early Michigan pioneer, has


been on exhibition at the St. Louis Exposition. Subject and his father built the first
frame house ever built in Lansing.  Mrs.
Briggs' father built the first tavern in Lansing.
JOHN REASON (DECFASED).
John Reason was born in England, Feb.
24, 1821, and died Nov. 29, I889. He was
the son of Mr. and Mrs. George Reason,
natives of England. The parents of our
subject came to Michigan about I838 or '40,
and settled on new land near Stockbridge. Our subject was yet a young man,
but helped to clear the land and make a
home. About the same time the family of
Peter and Mary Force came to Michigan
and settled on land west of the village of
Stockbridge.
Dec. 24, 1842, John Reason was united
in marriage to Elizabeth, daughter of Peter
and Mary Force, and was one of eight children. two of whom beside herself are now
living: Newton, in Iowa, and William, in
Minnesota. Mrs. Reason was born Aug. 6,
1826.
To John Reason and wife were born seven
children: Mlary Ann, June 29, 1844, wife
of Benton Force, who is now    deceased.
Their home was in Stockbridge.  Benton
Force served in the war in a Michigan regiment; Elmira, Sept. II, I847, the wife of
Frank Standish, living in Stockbridge township; Harriet, April 24, I850, Mrs. McArthur of Stockbridge; James H., Feb. 15,
I853, died May 13, 1855; William H., Sept.
6, 1855, died March 4, I86i; Horace L.,
Dec. 1, 1858, died Dec. 23, 1862, and Elmer, Jan. 20, 1864, married Nettie Holmes,
in I892, living in Stockbridge.
Two brothers of our subject were among
the number who offered their services, and if








,x


JOHN REASON (Deceased)




:: ~ ~ ~ l~


MRS. JOHN REASON








INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


373


need be their lives, in defense of the country
during the Civil War. These brothers were
Samuel and William.
John Reason was an extensive land owner, having at the time of his death several
hundred acres, which have been divided
among the children. He also owlned a whole
block south of the public square in the village of Stockbridge.  He lived in Stockbridge for many years, but engaged in farming, as his farm was just outside of the corporation. He was an earnest worker in the
M. E. church, and politically was in sympathy with the Republican party, though
never an office holder. He was noted for
his thrift and inldustry and the harmony of
his public life was only a reflection of the
kindness that was found in his family.
EDWIN D. BINDING.
Those men who came to Ingham county
in the very early days and made the first
settlements here were men of more than ordinary calibre, broad in their views, earnest
in their life's aim and full of enterprise.
They "builded better than they knew"' and
laid the foundation for the splendid development which we see today. Our subject, Edwin I). Binding, is descended from one of
these honorable old pioneers. His birth occurred in Wlhite Oak, November 29, 1851,
and he is the son of James and Grace
(Stephens) Binding. The father was born
in Somerset county, England, March I8,
1794, and the mother in Armont county,
Ireland, April 2, I817.  The father died
June 30, 1878, the mother's death following
later.
The marriage of James Binding and wife
took place in New York in I836 and about
1838 they emigrated to Michigan, and when
they came to White Oak there were only


three houses between there and Dexter. Mr.
and Mrs. Binding were the parents of ten
children: Samuel, born in Sullivan county,
N. Y., November 31, 1835, and died November 18, 1898. November 14, I874, he
was married to Lavina Disler, and they were
the parents of one child. Floyd, who died at
the age of one year. Samuel served nearly
four years in the Confederate army, being
in Texas at the time the war broke out,
where he was pressed into the service; Jane,
born at Schungon, Sullivan county, N. Y.,
March I8, I837, died October 5, I888. She
was married to J. B. Wilson in I853 and
they have four children, J. D., Etta., Maude
(dead), and John, who died at five years
of age; William, born in White Oak, January 27, I838, died July 27, I852; Charles,
born in White Oak May IO, 1841, marrie(
Kate Sikenger, April 8. 1874, and they have
three children, Maude, Willis and Ross, and
live in Oklahoma territory. Charles served
in the Civil war; Orpha, born in White Oak,
June 17, 1843, married Benjamin Westfall,
April 3, 1865. wlho is dead, and they had
two children, Daisy and AMay. Daisy is (leceasedl; Richard, horn in Stockbridge township, December 7, 1846, married a Kentucky
girl, and they have two children, Leo and
Jesse, and live in Oklahoma; William, born
in White Oak, April 2, 1848, lives in Stockbridge township; our subject; Clara E., born
in White Oak, July I, I854, married Andrew Hall and they have one child. Mr.
Hall died and Clara married Jacob Westfall,
November 22, 1904; Frederick W., born in
White Oak, August 14, I858, married Cora
VanBuren and lives in White Oak. He and
Edwin own 210 acres of land together; Edwin living on the farm owned by his parents.
Our subject started our for himself in
1877 and travelled nearly all over the Uni



374


PAST AND PRESENT


ted States. November, 1878, he settled on
one hundred and twenty acres of land, where
he now lives. He was united in marriage
February 23, 1892, to Ella Pulling, born
October 4, i859; she is a member of the
M. P. church.    Mrs. Binding's father,
George Pulling, was born September 5,
I832, in Saratoga county, N. Y., and died
March 21, I903.   Her mother, Elizabeth
(Wilson) Pulling, was born in Parma township, Monroe county, N. Y., December I9,
I835, and now lives with her son Cassius on
the old farm in White Oak, which is the
same farm that her father, Lucius Wilson,
settled on in 1837; since that time this farm
has always been owned by a member of the
Pulling family. Mrs. Pulling came to Michigan when two years of age, with her parents, and can well remember how the wolves
howled around the door, and how the Indians in large numbers visited the farm and
bought tobacco from her father.  She recalls how, at one time her father went to
market, and was detained eleven days on
account of the bad roads; during his absence an Indian chief visited them and
stayed all night at the house; they were terribly frightened, but were not harmed.
Mr. and Mrs. Pulling were married October 15, 1854, and this union was blessed
with eight children: Medora, August Io.
I855, died December 3, I862; Burdell, born
August 25, I857, died March 14, I860; our
subject's wife; Fred E., August 20, i86i,
married Emma Blackney, November 21,
1883, and she died May 4, 1904. Fred is a
member of the M. P. church; Cassius M.,
born October 14, I863, married Nina
Wright, May 31, I89I, and they have one
child living, James, one child having died in
infancy; Miles, June I9, I866, married
Della Parks, May 14, I893; Lee, February
I8, I869, died January Io, 1870; L. B.,
October 30, 1873, died January I7, 1874.


George Pulling came to White Oak in
1853, and located where he died. He enlisted in I864 in Co. K, 20th Michigan Infantry, and served until the close of the war.
Mr. Pulling was a staunch Republican, and
his wife a member of the M. E. church. The
mother of Mrs. Binding was one of six children, the others being: Lucius and Andy
Wilson, not married; Emily, (dead) married Henry Atwood, a lawyer, and their children were Theron, at present a railroad commissioner; Martha; Lydia; Myron; Mable
and Nettie. Martha (dead) married John
Pulling and they had three children, William, Porter and Minnie. Charles was killed
in a sawmill. William died at the age of
thirty-seven years.
The father's brothers and sisters were:
John, who lives in White Oak; Harrison,
lives in Bay City, he served in the Civil war;
Fordice, went to Utah, and is supposed to
have been killed by the Indians; Ann, married Isaac Davis, lives in White Oak and
has two children, John and Celestia; Frances, married Asher Spaulding, and lives. in
Charlotte, and has two children, John and
Myrta Elizabeth, married LaFayette Andrews (dead), lives in Williamston with
the only child who conducts the Andrews
House; Caroline, married Warren Harvey
(dead) and they had two children, George
(dead) and Mary.
James Binding the father of our subject
had two brothers and one sister-John, William and Sally-who remained in the home
country.  The experiences of this pioneer
were common to those of the early settler.
In early days he used to plow with an
ox and cow. Experiences of this sort were
continually coming to the early settler, who
endured so much that we might today dwell
in peace and enjoy the prosperity that surrounds us on every side.
Mrs. Binding's grandparents, Wilson,




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


375


came to Michigan in 1837 and settled on
two hundred and forty acres of wild land
and improved all of it, adding to it a frame
house and good barns. He once drove to
California from his home in Michigan.
From here he also went to Ann Arbor to
do his trading. His wife died while he was
in Colorado.
In political views, our subject is a Prohibitionist, and fraternally he is allied with
the Grange, being its overseer. His landed
possessions now consist of one hundred and
thirty acres, well improved and in a high
state of cultivation. By honesty, industry
and perseverance he has accumulated this
property and established a reputation which
entitles him to the distinction of being one
of the representative men in White Oak.
FRANK H. BARRETT.
Frank H. Barrett is a product of Onondaga township, where he was born in June,
1865.  His parents were Samuel J. and
Elizabeth Hall Barrett.
Mr. Barrett received his early education
in the district schools of Winfield, and at
the age of twenty years struck out for himself, empty-handed, and for six years found
employment in a grist mill located at Kinneysville, and for four years was head miller at the Eaton Rapids Mills. This mill
was for many years one of the old landmarks of the place. It was erected by Steven
Van Kinney, who came here in I849 and
laid out the village, naming it after his own
birthplace, "Nova Scotia." The town however, has always borne the name of its
founder. Mr. Van Kinney built both a grist
and saw mill. At the time of Mr. Barrett's
employment in the mill, it was owned by
Samuel Stettler, for many years one of the
representative men of that locality, a man
of public spirit and enterprise. Mr. Stettler


always took a lively interest in everything
pertaining to the welfare of his community.
The important event in the life of Mr.
Barrett was his marriage to Miss Kate,
daughter of Samuel and Kate (Matthew)
Stettler, who were natives of Wayne county,
Michigan. To Mr. and Mrs. Barrett were
born three children: Morton, Oct. 23, I888;
Carl, July 3, I890; Anna, April 6, 1894.
Miss Anna lives with an aunt at Highland
Station, Oakland county. Carl and Morton
are at home with the father. Mrs. Barrett
died at Eaton Rapids, Aug. 19, I894.
Mr. Barrett was again married Sept.
27, 1897, to Miss Winnifred Myers, who
was born in Tompkins, March Io, I87I.
Mr. Barrett is engaged in general farming, which has been his business continuously since leaving the mill. In politics he
is a Republican. He belongs to the fraternal
organization of the K. O. T. M.
Mr. Barrett is regarded by his friends as
a man of upright character, conscientious
scruples and one worthy of confidence.
SAMUEL J. BARRETT, JR.
Samuel J. Barrett, Jr. is the son of Samuel
J., Sr., and Elizabeth (Hall) Barrett, natives of the Emerald Isle. The father was
born February I, I814, and died April II,
1872. He was the son of an English officer,
who was a soldier of considerably reputation. He was a man of remarkable physical
development, tall, straight and broad of
shoulders.  He died at the age of eighty
years.
Mrs. Samuel J. Barrett, Sr., was the
daughter of Hugh Hall, also a native of the
Emerald Isle, who died at the age of eightysix years. The mother of our subject had
two brothers who came to America and
fought for their adopted country in the Civil
war, namely, Samuel J., who enlisted in the




376


PAST AND PRESENT


3d Michigan Cavalry and Frank H., who
enlisted in Co. K, I7th Regular Volunteers'
Infantry, and both were wounded while in
service. They could not have endured more
or fought with more bravery, had they been
natives of the country for which they were
suffering.
The marriage of our subject's father and
mother took place in Ireland, May 24, 185I,
and they soon after embarked for America.
In their family were seven children: Lyman
L., born April 14, 1853; the subject of our
sketch; A. D., born January 23, I857;
Sarah, born March 3, I86o; the fifth and
sixth, Fred and Frank, were twins, and the
seventh, A. T. Barrett, born September 23,
i868.
In politics the Republican party embraced
the principles for which Mr. Samuel J. Barrett, Sr., stood. He was also an Orangeman
and both he and his estimable wife were
members of the Episcopal church.
Our subject is a farmer residing on one
hundred and thirty acres of highly cultivated
land in Onondaga township and makes his
home with his brother. He is counted as
one of the prominent men of his community
and always ready to lend a helping hand
to the welfare of his township. He is progressive and industrious, and his farm and
residence speak in high terms of his abilities
in the art which he has chosen.
MARTIN C. BALDWIN.
Martin C. Baldwin was born November
I5, 1847, on his present home farm. He
was the son of Thomas P. and Ursula
(Coleman) Baldwin. The father was born
in Dorsett, Vermont, in I8IO, and the
mother a native of New York, where they
were married in Genesee county, January,
1836. Thomas P. Baldwin settled in the
Township of Onondaga in 1836, the entire


town at that time being practically in a state
of nature. The father was a man of great
physical endurance and of strong attachment
for home and friends. He first located four
hundred acres of land. He made a trip on
foot to the land office at Ionia at the time of
taking up his land. He used to go from his
primitive home in the wilderness all the way
to Jackson by Indian trail, to get the mail
from his wife who was still in New York.
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Baldwin were the
parents of seven children, four of whom are
still living. Mrs. Baldwin died March 14,
1854, and Mr. Baldwin was again married
to Mary Andrews. The family of Thomas
Baldwin were as follows: James T., now a
resident of Toledo, Ohio, was a soldier in
the Civil War. He enlisted in an Ohio Regiment from   Toledo; Lovan, the wife of
George Harwood of Onondaga, she being
deceased; Rachel, wife of William Harwood,
resides in Leslie; Mary, the second wife of
George Harwood, living in Onondaga; and
our subject, who is the youngest of the family, living.
Martin C. Baldwin received his early education in the common district schools of Onondaga. lie later attended the high school
at Toledo for one year.   At twenty-one
years of age he began farming for himself,
purchasing a small tract of land in Jackson
county, upon which he never built, however.
He was married to Miss Eva Strang, December 24, 1872. Mrs. Baldwin was born
April I8, 1853. Her father, James Strang,
was a native of New York, and died while
Mrs. Baldwin was yet a little girl.  Her
mother, Alvira Field, was a native of Ohio.
Mrs. Baldwin was of a family of four children: Charles married Miss Hattie Wight,
is a printer by trade and resides in Lansing;
Clement is a minister of the Gospel and
lives in Charlotte, Mich. The youngest, C.
J. Grier, was an adopted child of the family,




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


377


and previous to 1903, he was one of the editors of the American Digest.
Mr. and Mrs. Baldwin first took up their
residence on a farm near Leslie, but in the
year 1886 they returned to the old homestead where they have since resided. They
are the parents of three children: Martin J.,
born November 7, I873, married Agnes
Glover and resides in the Village of Onondaga; Jasper A., born January 12, I882, at
home with his parents; Thomas C., July I,
I888, also at home. Mr. Baldwin's father
departed this life April 23, I895, at the advanced age of eighty-four years and ten
months.
Our subject is in sympathy with the principles of the Democrat party. He has served
as a member of the County Committee from
his township. Fraternally he affiliates with
the I. 0. O. F. and A. O. U. W. He has
been a member of the school board for fifteen
years.
Mrs. Baldwin was the originator and the
organizer and first president of the Knowledge Seekers' Club of Onondaga, organized
in September of 1898, and was also chairman of the committee who wrote the constitution.
Mr. Baldwin belongs to one of the oldest
families in the township. They have been
industrious and prosperous people and their
accumulations demonstrate their good judgment and sound business acumen.
CHARLES E. SWIFT.
Charles E. Sxwift first saw the light of day
upon the banks of the far-famed Hudson
river in the Empire State, July I8, I826, of
which state his parents were also natives;
his father having been born Nov. 7, 1803,
and his mother, Feb. 5, I806. Charles was
one of three children born to his parents,
he being the oldest. His brother, Milo, born


Oct. 18, I828, died in infancy; Nelson, born
Sept. o0, 1836, in Monroe county, N. Y.,
and here he followed the pursuit of agriculture through life. He died on Oct. I, I89I,
leaving a widow and seven children.
Edgar Swift, the father came to Michigan in 1837 and settled upon a farm of
eighty acres in Eaton county and lived there
until the time of his death in Feb. 23, I878.
Charles E. Swift was united in marriage,
April 15, 1852, to Jane A., daughter of
Lewis and Fidelia (Williams) Ward. Her
father died May io, 1862, at the age of
sixty-two years. He was a pioneer of Michigan, having settled here in 1838. His nativity was New York. The mother was a
native of Vermont, where she was born May
29, 800oo, and died March 7, I883.
Two children have been born to Mr. and
Mrs. Swift: Fidelia C., July 19, I856, married Robert G. Banks. Mr. Banks was a
native of New York, where he wxas born
June 2, I85o, and died at Onondaga, Michigan, Sept. 2. I877. Mrs. Banks has always made her home with her parents.
Marcus V., the second child, was born Sept.
19, 1858, and died May 17, 1876.
The principles of the Republican party
have guided both Mr. Swift and his father
in the discharge of the functions of American citizens. It is recorded of him that he
is an honorable and upright man, though
not a member of any church organization.
His character and conduct have been such
as to win for him the confidence and esteem
of his fellow citizens.
JAY BALDWIN.
The farm upon which the subject of this
sketch resides in section 32, Onondaga township, was the scene of his birth, Sept. 13,
1846. His parents were Grove and Sarah
(Thatcher) Baldwin. The father was a na



378


PAST AND PRESENT


tive of Vermont and came to Michigan in
its pioneer days, being one of the first settlers, and was also his brothers, Mosely and
Thomas.
Grove Baldwin was married three times,
first, to Sarah Thatcher, a native of New
York; to this marriage two children were
born: our subject, and Addie, who lived to
be nine years old. The second marriage
was to Miss Esther Willis, also a native of
New York, and unto them were born two
children: George, living in Onondaga, and
Beecher, a banker in Omaha, Neb. The
third time Mr. Baldwin was united in marriage to Miss Helen Montgomery, who was
a native of Eaton Rapids, and is still living.
One child was born to this union, Charles, a
doctor in Omaha.
Our subject acquired his early education
in the common schools of Onondaga. July
3, I868, was the important event of his life,
it being his marriage to Martha, daughter
of Henry and Jane (Goodfellow) Willis,
the father being a native of New  York,
where he died June 30, 1904, at the advanced age of eighty-one years. Mrs. Baldwin was born April 21, 1850. She was one
of seven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Willis: Orpha, died at the age of eleven years;
Charles, living in Onondaga; Mrs. Martha
Baldwin; Mary, now Mrs. Nelson of Onondaga; Frank, ticket agent at Onondaga;
Jennie, now Mrs. Boucher of Onondaga; the
seventh, John, died when three weeks old.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Jay Baldwin were
born  five  children:  William, married
Miss Maude Green and lives in Onondaga; Frank, married Emile Rossman, and
they have two children and live in Onondaga; Alice, born 1878, now Mrs. Corwin,
and they have one child and live in Onondaga; Jane, born 1883; Grove, died when
fourteen years old.
Jay Baldwin's grandfather took a piece of


land from the Government, which consisted
of two hundred and twenty-three acres.
Grove Baldwin still holding one hundred
and seventy-seven acres in his own name.
His son, Jay, has always resided on this
farm, working with his father for many
years.
The father of our subject, at the age of
eighty-six, is hale and hearty, and takes
great pride in his knowledge of the Bible.
Jay Baldwin, following in the footsteps of
his father, casts his vote for the principles
of the Democracy. Mr. and Mrs. Baldwin
are highly respected citizens of Onondaga
township, the history of which community
would be incomplete without the life of the
Baldwins.
SOLOMON B. PIKE.
The old adage, that a rolling stone gathers
no moss, has not been verified in the experience of Solomon B. Pike. He has been a
regular "Merry-go-round" from start to finish, engaging in many kinds of business enterprises, which have usually shown profit.
He is what is known as a hustler from way
back. Mr. Pike was a son of a farmer, and
was born the i8th day of June, I838. His
parents, Rudldy and Martha Pike, were of
English extraction, and at the time of his
birth lived in Vermont.
There are those who contend that the physical surroundings of one's birth and early
life have much to do with the character of
the individual. However, much there may
be in this, Mr. Pike is a rugged, frank, firm,
good natured sort of a man, whom it is a
pleasure to meet. His parents removed from
his native town of Whitingham, Windham
county, when their son, Solomon, was but
two years of age, and settled in St. Lawrence county, N. Y.
His school advantages were very limited,




S)LOI ():cN 13. PIKE








INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


379


and as he puts it, "I graduated from the
public schools after six weeks' experience."
Be this, as it may, he has shown keen business perception, good judgment and the
necessary push and energy to win out. Before reaching the years of his majority, Mr.
Pike struck out for himself, hired out to a
farmer for $I50 per year, and as he says,
with an emphatic shake of his head, "I put
in the hardest year's work of my life." Following this he rented a farm in St. Lawrence county, which he conducted for two
and one-half years. He then purchased a
farm of seventy-eight acres, kept this for a
year and a half and sold out, doubling his
investment.  Returning to his native state
he launched out as a contractor and builder,
and for three years followed that enterprise
with success. From this place he transferred
his interests to Shelbourne Falls, Mass., and
took a contract for erecting a block, for
which he was to receive $22,500. The completion of this job occupied one year, and
his health being somewhat impaired he returned to New York. He then continued
his business after he returned for two years,
when he had the misfortune to receive a
severe fall, which incapacitated him for hard
manual labor for a time. Closing up his
business, he went on the road as a traveling salesman for a furniture company, and
remained in their employ for seven years.
Here another accident occurred, and after
being laid up for some months, and upon
his recovery, he was employed by a firm in
Iowa, with whom he remained for seven
years. He was also employed for two years
by a firm of traveling salesmen in Milwaukee.
In the year I883 he drifted into Michigan,
and located in Mason, Ingham county. Two
years later he purchased a farm of ninetytwo acres.  This improved by time and
otherwise until it became a valuable prop

erty. This he later sold, and built a fine
residence in the city of Mason, which he
occupied for some time. He is at present
very pleasantly located on a farm on the
Columbia road, about one mile from the new
court house. He also has a thirty acre tract
in Aurelius township, and owns land in Wisconsin and New York. Mr. Pike is a local
agent for the Page fence, manufactured at
Adrian.
November 28, 1859, he was united in marriage to Miss Nancy, daughter of Josiah and
Lucena Briggs. Three children have been
born to them: Martha, Charles, who died in
infancy and Ada. Mr. Pike is in no sense a
politician, but is a good and strong Republican, and is also a member of the Grange,
which organization has a large active local
lodge.
This brief outline of the life work of Solomon B. Pike has shown him to be a man
of perseverance, pluck and energy.
ANDREW     J. CHAMPION.
In looking over the names of the prosperous and prominent farmers of Lansing
township, we find that of Mr. Andrew Jackson Champion, who resides on and operates
a fruit and stock farm on section twentyfour. He was born in Hamilton county,
Ohio, December I8, 1829, and is the son of
Robert S., born in New Jersey, December,
I8oo, and Sarah (Moore) Champion, born
in Hamilton county, Ohio, in May, I808.
The parents were married in Ohio in November of the year 1828. Robert Champion's father was the owner of vessels on
the Atlantic ocean.  Our subject's father
started for himself at the age of sixteen or
eighteen, but never learned a trade, though
he was a natural mechanic. When Andrew
was five years old the father moved to the
northwestern part of Ohio and took up




380)


PAST AND PRESENT


eighty acres of wild government land in
Paulding county, midway between Ft.
Wayne and Ft. Defiance. They built the
first log house in the community, hewing
the logs and splitting the lumber by hand.
At that time there were only five families
within a radius of twenty-five miles. Our
subject's father was one of eight children,
seven sons and one daughter, and the mother
was one of eight children. The father was
a Jacksonian Democrat, though not an office
seeker. They were members of the M. E.
church. The father died in March of I847
and the mother in 1879. When our subject was five years old, he saw Andrew Jackson on a steamboat on Ohio river, and well
remembers him to the present day.
Andrew J. Champion was the eldest of
eight boys, the second being R. W.. born
February 4, 1833, married first Martha
Clemmer, deceased, to whom were born thirteen children, and afterwards married Elizabeth Smith. They lived in Oklahoma, near
the City of Oklahoma, and have two children, Joseph S., born April 12, 1839, living
in Ohio, married Miss Alzada Pond and
they have four children; John M., born in
1840, died when seven years old; Richard
B., born March, 1842, married Miss Jane
Rogers and lives at Antwerp, Ohio; George
W., born 1843, married Miss Mary Ely,
died at the age of fifty-seven years in Ohio;
Thomas J., born September 24, 1845, married Julia Purdy and lives in Antwerp, Ohio.
Our subject's mother after the death of
his father married William Gordon in 1849,
and to them a son was born, Charles Wesley
Gordon, who holds diplomas from   three
medical colleges and is a practising physician
in Ft. Wayne, Ind. He together with all
the Champion family were teachers in the
public schools in Ohio.
Our subject never went to school until
nine years of age, but' attended until he


reached the age of twenty, during three
months of each winter. At this age he was
forced by his friends to teach the home
school, and continued in this work during
the winters, building up a home and farm
in the summer for twenty-five years.
At the age of twenty-four he was united
in marriage October 2, I853, to Anna N.
Hughes, who was born November 22, 1838,
and was the daughter of Henry Hughes, an
early settler of Ohio and was one of a family
of six children, four of whom are now living.
At the age of twenty-eight Mr. Champion
sold off all of his property, and he and his
wife attended a seminary near Battle Creek.
After this he again engaged in teaching in
the country and city schools in Ohio, during winters and improved and worked the
farm during the summers. This farm he
had purchased while teaching. In this locality he lived until I882, when he moved to
Michigan and bought sixty acres in Alaiedon township, where he lived for two years,
when he bought sixty-six acres in Lansing
township, where he now resides.
To our subject and wife four children
were born: Flora E., born November 2,
i855, married C. M. Schooley, lived at
Paulding, Paulding county, Ohio.   She
died five years ago. They had six children,
three girls and one boy are living; Elmer
E.. born June I, I861, married Elizabeth
Gilroy and they have four children and live
in Wexford, Wexford Co., Mich.; Geo. T.,
born September 17, I864, married Ella Bennett and they have had three children and
were residents of Gratiot county, Michigan.
He died at the age of thirty-four; Daisy E.,
born March 31, I870, is principal of the
Bingham St. School of Lansing, and is a
graduate of the M. A. C. in the class of
I893. She was married to Selby Coffeen,
December 21, 1904. The mother of these




0




MR. AND MRS. W. M. PRATT




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


381


children died February Io, I880. August
7, I88i, Mr. Champion was married to Mrs.
Elizabeth Jane McCurdy, who was born in
Ohio, June 26, I844. She was the daughter
of Henry Cook Ayers, born in New Jersey,
October Io, I812, and Lydia    (Wood)
Ayers, a native of New York, born June 20,
I816. Henry C. Ayers was an early settler of Ohio, where he lived until 1862,
when he moved to Meridian township, Ingham county, where he died April I3, I886.
His wife died July 26, I888. In the Ayers
family were four children: Charles W., born
April 4, 1843, lives in Lansing; Elizabeth
Jane, our subjects's wife, born June 26,
1844; Augustus, born December 21, 1846,
lives in Lansing; William F., born November 7, I856, is a manufacturer of gasoline
engines, of Saginaw.
J. W. McCurdy, our subject's wife's
former husband, was born March 20, 1836,
and was the son of Thomas McCurdy, an
early settler of Meridian township, having
come there in 1846. J. W. McCurdy and
Elizabeth Ayres were married January 7,
i866, and to them were born four children:
Gertrude, died in infancy; Mary Annette,
born August 27, I868, is the wife of G. J.
Hume of Alaiedon township; Thomas H.,
born March 29, 1872, lives in Meridian
township; Katherine Agness, born April 5,
I876, is the wife of Dr. F. A. Booth now of
Seattle. Katherine is a graduate nurse of
Harper's Hospital, Detroit. Dr. Booth is a
graduate of Detroit Medical College.
To our subject and second wife were born
two children: William C., born August 27,
I882, has just finished four years' marine
service as machinist in the Philippines and
in Chinese and Japanese waters, and Ralph
W., born January 20, I886, is at home.
Mr. Champion was formerly a Democrat,
but since 1853 has been a Republican. He
is a firm believer in the philosophy and


phenomena of Spiritualism. He is engaged
in general farming and fruit culture and is
counted as one of the successful men of his
township.
J. WV. McCurdy was a lieutenant in Co.
G of the 12th Michigan Infantry.   Five
brothers of Mr. Champion served in the
Civil war.. R. B., J. S. and George W.
served in Co. I, I4th Ohio Infantry, all were
in active service during the war. None were
seriously wounded in battle, while R. W.
served in the Iooth Ohio Infantry and T.
J. in the Mississippi Marine Brigade.
WALTER M. PRATT,
ALAIEDON TOWNSHIP.
The subject of this brief biography is a
native of Ingham county, having been born
in the Township of Aurelius, January I7,
1857. He was the son of Lemuel and Lucy
Pratt. Lemuel Pratt was a native of the
Empire State and came to Michigan with
his parents when but two years of age. The
family settled in Jackson county and here
young Pratt grew to manhood. At the age
of twenty years he struck out for himself,
came to Aurelius, where he settled and spent
the active years of his life. He died in I898.
He had one brother, Darius, and three
sisters. Walter M. was the oldest of nine
children born to his parents. His early years
and advantages were those common to country lads of his time; but having been born
with a good degree of ambition and push,
he early sought and found employment. His
first business venture was clerking in a general store at Aurelius Center, where he remained for seven years, acquiring in the
meantime an experience in business methods
that was of great value to him in later years.
He afterwards for some time clerked in a
grocery store in Mason, and later embarked
in the trade for himself and continued in the




382


PAST AND PRESENT


business for twelve years, when in the year
I897 he sold out and engaged in farming,
which business he has followed with gratifying results to the present time.
In the year 1887 occurred an important
event in the life of Mr. Pratt, it being his
marriage to Miss Emma B., youngest
daughter of Davis and Harriett (Traver)
Fitzsimmons of Alaiedon township. Mr.
Fitzsimmons was a native of New York
State, his early home being at Elmira. He
came to Michigan more than half a century
ago. He was a man of many good qualities
of heart and mind, and by the uprightness
of his life and character won many warm
friends. At the time of his death he was
the possessor of a fine farm of two hundred
acres of land with good substantial buildings. Soon after the death of his father-inlaw, Mr. Pratt came into possession of one
hundred and twenty acres of the Fitzsimmons homestead, including the buildings.
To Mr. and Mrs. Pratt have been born
three children, two of whom are living: Bernice, born August 20, 1892, died in infancy;
Lucile, born January 3I, 1892, a student in
the Mason high school; Morrice born January 2, 1904.
In fraternal relations Mr. Pratt is a
Mason and a Maccabee. In politics he affiliates with the Republican party, believing its
policy best adapted to the needs of the people and the community.
Twice, while a resident of Mason city,
Mr. Pratt was elected a member of the Common Council and served with general satisfaction. Since his residence of Alaiedon, he
has headed the ticket for the office of Supervisor.
Our subject is engaged in general farming, and stock raising, and by characteristic
pluck and energy is making a success of his
business. The family are held in high esteem by their fellow townsmen.


FRANK T. COLLVER, LANSING.
Frank T. Collver, proprietor of a large
and rapidly expanding industry devoted to
the manufacture of shirts, underwear, collars
and cuffs, and ladies' shirt waists, has
achieved a remarkable success, considering
that he is still comparatively a young man
and that he started in business with no capital, but his own brains, and pluck and determination. He was born in Clyde, Ohio,
on the IIth of February, I869, his parents
being Anthony A. and Mary E. Collver,
both resident natives of that place.  His
father was by occupation a telegraphic
operator.
Our subject graduated from the Clyde
high school; but at the age of fourteen left
home and started to work in a grocery store
in the village, his wages being three dollars
and a half a month. Later he spent a year
and a half in Detroit engaged in the same
line of work, going thence to Kansas City,
where he secured the position of shipping
clerk for the Huston Chemical Works. Returning to Detroit he again became connected with the grocery business for a short
time and then, at the age of eighteen, he began to learn his trade under F. L. Albertson of that city. At first his wages were
five dollars per week, but at the end of five
years, when he felt that he had thoroughly
mastered the business and was justified in
founding an establishment of his own, they
had been advanced to fifteen dollars.
January I, 1892, Mr. Collver came to
Lansing, and soon after formed a copartnership with Mr. T. H. Giardin, under the firm
name of Giardin and Collver, shirt manufacturers.
Mr. Collver started his present manufactory April 15, 1895, he being then twentysix years of age. He commenced business
in a small room about the size of his present




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


383


office, with one foot-power machine; but by
hard work and good management the enterprise soon commenced to grow so rapidly
that he was obliged to secure more commodious accommodations. Accordingly, in
June, I897, the business was transferred to
103 Washtenaw street east, where its prosperity continued, and after about six years
on July 6, 1903, it was moved into the quarters which he now occupies, in dimensions
twenty-two by ninety feet.  At that time
it seemed that he had amply provided for
all contingencies, but his business has again
outgrown his room.
Mr. Collver now has an operating force
of eighteen girls, each of whom has a ma-,
chine run by electricity. All his appliances
are of the latest and his help the most skilled
that can be obtained. Fully $30,000 worth
of goods can be turned out of the factory
annually, the establishment itself being
valued at $ io,ooo.
Our subject enlisted in the Spanish-American war as second lieutenant of the 35th
Michigan Volunteer Infantry. He was absent in the service ten months, being mustered out at Augusta, Ga., on November 31,
1899. The ranking officer of the regiment
was Colonel E. M. Irish. After his return
to Lansing the National Guard was reorganized, and Mr. Collver was appointed battalion adjutant under Major P. L. Abby.
He was commissioned first lieutenant, but
resigned in July, 1902.
Mr. Collver has attained prominence in
the order of Elks, having served as Exalted
Ruler. He is also a member of the Masonic
Lodge No. 66, the Modern Woodmen, the
Maccabees and the Michigan Knights of the
Grip. In politics he is a Republican, but has
had neither time nor the inclination to be
more than a voter.
As to family matters, it may be added that
our subject is the second of four children.


His older brother, Charles, was born in January, I867. Of his two sisters, Grace and
Louella, the former was born in February,
I871.
On July 22, I898, Mr. Collver was married to Miss Agnes M. Gilbert, daughter of
Joseph and Rachael Gilbert. His wife was
the third in a family of four children, her
three brothers being Alonzo, Frank and William.  Her father was a funeral director
and died in 1867, her mother surviving him
twenty-three years.
E. CULVER.
Among the reliable business men of
Mason and having the field practically to
himself in his line of trade is Elias Culver,
the well-known jeweler. His stock of fine
gold jewelry, diamonds, imported cut-glass
ware, china, and endless variety of imported
bric-a-brac is equal in quality to many of the
first-class houses in the larger cities.
Mr. Culver came to Mason in the year
I868, and opened up a place of business as
a jeweler, with his kit of tools and bench
only. By a system of fair dealing and reliable
work, he soon won the public confidence,
and from  the outset his business has increased annually, until "Culver's at the sign
of the big watch" is head-quarters for everything in his line. He has educated his patrons to desire the best, and take no other.
He never deals in shoddy goods of any kind.
Mr. Culver was born in Hamburg, Livingston county, Michigan, Nov. I6, I847.
His parents, Capt. John C. and Lucy Hale
Crowl Culver, were natives of Lennox,
Madison Co., N. Y., and were united in
marriage December 31, I840, and the same
year came west, and located in Hamburg,
Michigan, where he erected a flouring mill,
and milling became the business of his life.




384


PAST AND PRESENT


The old phrase "an honest miller" may well
have been applied to him.
To them were born four children: Marien,
the oldest; Elias, being the youngest, his
mother dying when he was but a mere infant
of a few weeks. 
Capt. Culver was remarried October 7,
1848, to Miss Martha White Hollister, who
bore him  three children.  Mrs. Culver,
widowed by the cruel fate of war, still lives,
and is a cherished inmate of the home of her
son, Dr. Sidney H. Culver, of Mason. Our
subject is justly proud of the record made
by his family during the great Civil War.
His father, John C. Culver, recruited a company during the months of August and September, 1862, and among those whose names
were enrolled were his two sons, Christopher
Lupton and Steven Cogswell Culver. Capt.
Culver was assigned to the 26th Michigan
Volunteer Infantry, Co. E. One familiar
with the record of Capt. Culver as an officer
and a soldier, referring to his social standing among the men of his command, and
their esteem for him said, "He seemed more
a father to those under him than a military
commander." Being the senior in years of
most the officers in line, his counsels were
heeded, and his advice given weight.
Strange, indeed, are the fates of war, Capt.
Culver through his efficiency, and fatherly
care for the young men under his command,
won a place of high esteem by officers and
men throughout the entire regiment. He
followed the fortunes of the 26th, from
the day of muster into service to the
day of his death. He was the first man in
the regiment to fall in battle. The regiment
engaged in a scouting expedition near Windsor, Va., May 23, 1863, his company having been posted along the edge of the woods,
Cdpt. Culver made a personal reconnaissance
in front, and became an easy mark, and fell
mortally wounded and died the day follow

ing. He was buried with military honors
in the old cemetery at Suffolk, Va.
"When the body death hath riven
Grant that to the soul be given
Glories bright of Paradise."
Of the two sons Christopher Lupton was
every inch a soldier, he received several promotions, and at the time of his discharge
January 9, 1864, for disability contracted in
the service, was sergeant major of the regiment.  He died after a lingering illness,
March 22, I865, and was laid at rest in the
village cemetery of his old home town.
Steven Cogswell, familiarly known throughout the command, as "Stevie," was a great
favorite among the officers and men, and
was much of the time detailed about regimental headquarters. Camp life proved too
strenuous for his constitution, and after
some months in the hospital at Washington,
D. C., July 23, I865, only a few days before
the white dove of peace settled down upon
the flag of the nation, his young life went
out; and truly for his country he died:
"As those who fell, amid the rain of shot
and shell."
Of the children by the second marriage:
Lucy A., born August ii, I849, is the wife
of G. F. Barr, and resides in Huntington,
N. Y.; Charles Edward, born November 28,
1852, died September 4, I863. It will be
remembered that the loss of this young son
was but a few months after the death of the
husband, and father. Sidney H., born November 22, I856, a resident of the city, has
enjoyed a large practice in his profession as
physician and surgeon for many years and
ranks among the first of the city's practitioners today.
Capt. Culver and wife were many years
actively engaged in church work, as members of the Episcopal church at Hamburg.




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


385


Elias Culver received his early education in
the village school of his native town, and
later attended college at Ann Arbor for three
years, from which he graduated.  It was
while attending school that he learned his
trade as a jeweler. In I88I he married
Miss Nellie A., daughter of John A. Barnes
of Aurelius township, an estimable young
lady, who has been a helpmate, indeed, during all the intervening years. Two children
have been born to them, both dying in infancy.
In his political affiliations Mr. Culver is
in full sympathy with the party with a
record. Although in no sense a politician,
he has served his ward as Supervisor for
two terms, and later was elected Mayor of
the city by his Republican admirers. He is
identified with the Foresters in which he carries insurance. He has been a Master Mason for thirty-eight years. A charter member of the K. P. Lodge of this city. All of
these fraternal organizations have frequently
honored him  with official positions. Mr.
and Mrs. Culver are in sympathy with the
Presbyterian Society, to the maintainance of
which they contribute their support.
Mr. Culver's home is among the most attractive of Mason's pleasant residences.
With the business affairs well in hand, and
having just passed the meridian of life many
years of business and social pleasures should
yet await him, and his good wife, who is in
full sympathy in all of his activities.
MONMOUTH I. COVERT.
A native of Ingham county, Monmouth I.
Covert was born upon the farm where he
now resides, on the tenth day of January,
1843. His father, Mahlon Covert, who was
born in I808 in Seneca county, New York,
emigrated westward in 1837 and settled in
Leslie township, Ingham county, upon a
25


Government claim comprising two hundred
acres. This land was totally unimproved
and presented but slight indication of its
valued prepossessing appearance of the present day. The children of this generation
can hardly realize the magnitude of the undertaking which confronted them in the
clearing, tiling and opening up to cultivation the then wood and swamp land. Courageous of heart were these hardy pioneers,
who gave up the comforts of the older east,
who left home accompanied by their faithful
wives and plunged into unknown forests to
hew out their own fortunes and prepare a
habitation for posterity. Prior to the emigration here, he was united in marriage in
New York state to a Miss Sallie Chandlers,
who was there born in I8I I. This marriage
took place in I830. Two children had been
born to them ere their removal westward,
Samantha and Ansel. Arriving here after
an eventful overland trip from Detroit, he at
once proceeded to prepare a place of habitation for them by erecting a little log cabin,
the primitive dwelling of pioneer times.
Here he and his good wife moved their
family. Two children were born to them in
this locality, Mary A., and our subject,
Monmouth. With characteristic energy the
father began at once to clear this land and
place it under cultivation. The wooded and
swampy lands, by degrees, gave way to
green fields and profitable harvests, and as
the years went by, accompanied by reasonable prosperity, the little log cabin, which
had been the scene of many joys and sorrows, gave way to a more commodious
dwelling, as a home of more modern times
was erected in I855. This house still stands
and is yet one of the good, substantial homes
of the county. Mahlon Covert was a staunch
Republican, affiliating with the old Whig
party until the Republican party organization. He was public spirited and took a




386


PAST AND PRESENT


helpful and active interest in the moral development of his community. He was one
of the original founders of the First Baptist
church and contributed generously to its
maintenance throughout life. He also served
as Supervisor for two years. He departed
this life at the good old age of eighty years,
honored and respected by all who knew him.
His wife and helpmate on life's journey long
survived him, as she died in I900 at the age
of eighty-nine years.
The subject of this review is the youngest
of the family of four children. He received
his early education in the common schools
of his native county, attending during the
winter months and assisting his father upon
the home farm. At the age of twenty-three
years he took charge of the old home place,
and has here lived his entire life. Early
learning the responsibilities of an agriculturist, he was able and capable to manage
his farm property and is classed today as
one of the enterprising and successful agriculturists of this locality.  An important
event occurred in the life of Mr. Covert on
the I7th day of September, 1865, when he
was united in marriage to Miss Catherine
Root, a native of Wayne county, Michigan,
and a daughter of Stephen Root and Catherine VanLeuven Root. Stephen Root and
his wife were natives of New York state
and emigrated to Michigan at an early day
in its pioneer history. For long years they
resided in Wayne county, until called to
their home beyond.
The union of our subject and wife has
been blessed with a son, Vinton E., born
October 9, I867, now a resident farmer,
owning sixty acres adjoining the old home
place.  He married Eva Hasbrouck, a
daughter of Luther Hasbrouck, one of the
substantial citizens of this community. Our
subject affiliates with the Republican party
and has taken an active interest in local poli

tics, served as Supervisor for ten consecutive years, with the exception of one term
and for four years was Coroner of the county. Both he and his wife are members of
the Baptist church and to the maintenance
of this society they have long given their
moral and financial support. Mr. Covert is
also a member of the I. 0. O. F., Foster
Lodge at Leslie, and has filled all the chairs
of this order.
Honored and respected by all who know
him, Mr. Covert may take a just pride in
what has been accomplished by the Covert
family in the making of the history of Ingham county.
ANDREW RICHMOND.
All honor should be rendered to those
members of society, who, by hard work and
determined activity, coupled with an unfailing energy, have developed the resources of
a new country, and double honor should be
paid them, when to their records of industry
we can add the story of their true integrity,
pure lives and beneficent kindness to others.
Andrew   Richmond was born in New
York, in the Township of Bergan, Genesee
county, September 9, 1826, and is the son
of Morris, who was born in New York,
February 6, I793, and Louisa (Winans)
Richmond, also a native of New York, her
birth having occurred in I808. The father
was a farmer, gunsmith and carpenter, and
worked at the gunsmith and carpenter trade
in New York, and in the spring of 1829
came to Michigan and located on one hundred and sixty acres of wild land in Scio
township, Washtenaw  county.   Here he
built two log houses, one for the brother
who came with him, and worked at the carpenter trade some, and with the help of his
sons cleared the land. Indians inhabited the
forests and plenty of wild game was to be




MR. AND MRS. ANDREW RICHMOND








INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


387


found. He lived on this farm until his death,
when he owned ninety acres. Our subject's
parents were married in 1833 and were members of the Baptist church. The father was
a staunch Democrat.
Andrew Richmond was the second of ten
children, four of whom are living: Ruth,
lorn in 1824, dead; our subject; David,
(lead; Morris, born in I829, died on the old
farm in Washtenaw county in 1887; Delia,
lives in Chicago; Horace, I838, dead; Eliza,
living in Washtenaw   county, Michigan;
Lemuel, died at sixteen years of age; Mary
Ann, (lead; and Mary, born in Detroit.
Our subject was early educated in the district school, but has added to this meager
education by extensive reading. He started
out for himself at the age of twenty-one
years, chopping wood and working by the
month, and lived at home. The father died
when our subject was twenty-one years old,
and he remained with the mother and helped
to pay the debts.  He learned the cooper
trade and worked at it part of the time until
he was twenty-six years old.
In 1855 our subject came to Stockbridge
tolwnship and bought eighty acres of wild
land. He cut away the trees to build their
log houses and improved it generally, and
nineteen years ago built the present frame
house and cleared- seventy acres of the
eighty. Later, he bought eighty acres more,
twenty of which he has cleared.
Andrew Richmond was united in marriage with Mary Warfle, January I, I85I,
and to them two children were born, one living: Wilmot H., Born June 13, 1853,
(lied December 13, I90o. He was married
to Lavina West and they were parents of
five children: Wesley, Nora, Lottie, Andrew and Mary.    The second child was
Mark G., born October 23, I854, who married Martha Jennings, to whom two children have been born: Harry and Ella. The


mother of these children died November 5,
I856, and the father was again married
February I5, I857, to Rosaltha Wilcox, who
was born January 25, 1838, and is the
daughter of Abram Wilcox, born February
5, i807, and Phoebe (Rix) Wilcox, born
July I9, I816. Mrs. Richmond's parents
were married in Canandaigua county, N.
Y., February 6, 1829. They came to Michigan in I843 and settled in Bunker Hill on
eighty acres of wild land, there being not
even a road to the place. Fifteen acres of
this land he soon cleared and built a double
log house, and, while erecting this pioneer
home, death came to him, in 185o. He was
an upright and honest citizen. The mother
died in I866.
Mrs. Richmond was the first of six children. The others being, James, born in
1840; Harriet, 1841; \ilbur, I843; Margaret, 1845 and Louisa, 1847. After the
death of Mrs. Richmond's father, the mother
was married to Orange Pemberton, and they
were the parents of one child, Lucy Ann.
Mr. Pemberton died and she was again married to Wolcott Teachout, and to them was
born one child, Frank.
To Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Richmond have
been born seven children, five of whom are
living: Abram, October 17, I858, married
May Turk; Emogene, April 26, I86o, died
September 3, I866; Edwin B., November
1i8, 1862, died August 27,, I866; Arthur L.,
born July 14, 1867,'married Phila Townsend, to whom two children have been born,
Leslie and Lawrence. Arthur has been
Town Treasurer for two terms; Jay, April
29, I869, married Clara Townsend and they
have two children, Orla and Lyle; Edith,
December 30, 1872, married Benjamin Holland, and they have one child, Vida; Clarence, August 30, I880, married Susie Hague
and lives with the parents and works the
farm. Our subject is not particularly active




388


PAST AND PRESENT


in politics, although he votes the Republican ticket his first vote being cast for Fremont. He was once elected to the office of
Justice of the Peace, but did not qualify.
He is strictly a temperance man, never having used either liquor or tobacco. He is a
member of the G. A. R. and at one time was
connected with the Patrons of Industry.
He is also an active member of the Methodist Protestant church.
In the year I864 Andrew Richmond enlisted in the 8th Michigan Cavalry and
joined the regiment at Lexington, Ky. He
was present at the last siege of Nashville,
was sick with typhoid fever and rheumatism
and was in the hospital at Jeffersonville,
Ind., from December until the following
July. He was discharged and mustered out
from the hospital July 6, I865. The grandfather, Sylvester Richmond and his brother,
Ethan, were soldiers in the French and Indian war. Mrs. Richmond's great grandfather, Rix, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war and was a brother of King George
III. Our subject's grandfather, Demming,
was high sheriff under the King in New
York previous to the Revolutionary war.
Our subject's great grandfather on the
father's side came from England, and on the
mother's side from Germany.
Mr. and Mrs. Richmond are worthy descendants of their illustrious ancestors.
CHARLES H. CHANDLER.
The gentleman whose name is at the head
of this sketch is the proprietor of one hundred and fifty acres of as fine land as there
is in Locke township. This is cultivated to
perfection, and the latest and improved
methods in agriculture are employed. There
is upon it a home, a place of comfort, where
one may live and learn to appreciate how
good it is to be born in the latter part of the


nineteenth century and to be a citizen of the
United States.
Our subject was born in this State, February Io, 1854, being the son of George Byron
and Susan P. Chandler, the latter's birth occurring September 2. 1829, in Grandville,
N. Y., and the father's in the month of
April, 1834. The father when a young man
followed the fortunes of a sailor and also
taught school for a time. The parents of
our subject were married June 30, I853, at
Whitmore Lake and located in Livingston
county. George Chandler first bought land
in Shiawassee county in I857, and upon this
forty acres of wild land, he cleared a spot
for a house and made many improvements.
He later sold this farm and moved into a
rented house where he lived for one year,
and in I859 bought the property where our
subject now resides.
In political relations, the father was a
Democrat.  He belonged to that class of
brave men who offered their lives in defense
of the nation during the late Civil War. His
war record is one of which his ancestors may
well feel proud. He was a member of Co.
D, 6th Michigan Cavalry, and met his death
in I863 from gun-shot wounds at Raccoons
Ford.
Unto this couple were born five children,
three of whom are living. Our subject is
first in order of birth; Ella B. Chandler,
married F. H. Fusher and now resides in
Locke township; Jennie M., married William
H. Smith and resides in Locke township;
Fred, died June, I894; Elmer, died December 31, I899. The mother of these children
died April 5, 1890.
Charles H. Chandler was educated at
Belle Oak and later at Hamburg, Livingston
county. He started out in life for himself
in 1875 buying twenty acres of land from
his mother, half of which was improved, and
immediately set to work to improve the bal



INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


389


ance of it. After this, from time to time
as prosperity attended him, he added to his
possessions and now has a fine and well improved piece of property.
December 25, I877, Mr. Chandler was
united in marriage to Miss Hattie A. Smith,
daughter of D. A. and Lydia (Batchelor)
Smith. Mrs. Chandler's father was born in
Michigan in 1839 and is still living in Belle
Oak. He worked at the mason's trade for a
time and thirty-seven years ago came to
Locke township and bought eighty acres of
land, which he sold to his son.
Mrs. Chandler is the eldest of a family of
four children, the others being Lawrence,
married Emma Kelley; Charles, who married Nettie Riddle and William H. wlio married Jennie Chandler.
Mr. and Mrs. Smith are highly respected
people and are closely identified with the M.
E. church. Mr. Smith casts his vote and
influence for the Republican party.
Mr. and Mrs. Chandler have been blessed
by the birth of four children, three of wthom
are now living: G. D.. born August 31,
1879, deceased; Ruby E., born November
4, 1882, married Ray Cassady, a farmer;
Pearl G., born February 3, 1887, married
Lloyd D. Liverence, an electrician, and they
reside in Lansing; Bertha, born November
II, I897.
Mr. and Mrs. Chandler are members of
the M. E. church and their influence will
always be found on the side of right in
questions of morality and religion. Socially,
Mr. Chandler is a member of the Maccabees,
and politically, casts his vote for Prohibition principles. He has been somewhat active in the political affairs of his locality and
has been Justice of the Peace and also a
candidate for Supervisor twice. Mr. Chandler always takes an interest in the enterprise
of the community and is well and favorably
known both far and near.


WILLIAM L. CLARK.
William L. Clark was born in Wilmington, Will county, Ill., January I, 1859. His
father, Capt. William H. Clark, was born
February 25, 1831, and died at Mason, January 5, 1902. His mother, whose maiden
name was Julia A. Mead, died when William was but four years of age. His only
sister, Lillian P., was about two years his
senior.
Prior to the Civil war his father conducted local papers at Wilmington and Yorkville, Ill. Later, for many years, he conducted a hotel with livery attached. During the War of the Rebellion, Captain Clark
enlisted in the 36th Illinois Regiment of Infantry as second lieutenant and was afterwards made adjutant of the regiment. He
had nearly three years of field service to his
credit. He received a gun-shot wound at
Perryville, Ky., and was honorably discharged from the hospital. During the later
years of life he drew a pension of thirty
dollars per month. His remains were laid
to rest in the Felt cemetery in Bunker Hill.
Mr. Clark received his early education at
Yorkville, Ill., and in the district school in
the Township of Bunker Hill, Ingham county, at that time the residence of his grandparents on his father's side. He finished his
schooling while in the second year's course,
in the Mason high school. At the age of
eleven years he chose his life's work. Occupations or professions chosen in early
years are seldom changed for the better in
the more mature years of life. He started
in as "devil" in the office of the Ingham
County News, under the management of
Kendell Kittredge, where he remained two
years. He was also employed for two years
by Col. Geo. P. Sanford, editor of the Lansing Journal. At Charlotte and Eaton Rapids he was again in the employ of Mr. Kit



390


PAST AND PRESENT


tredge.  After this he returned to Mason
and entered the office where he first began
sticking type, as foreman, retaining the position for nine years.
September 23, I880, Mr. Clark was united in marriage to Miss Millie Brosseau of
Charlotte. One short year and four months
and his young wife passed out of this life
to the realms of the great beyond.  Four
years later, December 3, I885, he married
Miss Della A., eldest daughter of Mr. and
Mrs. A. I. Barber of Mason. Mrs. Clark
is a lady of exceptionally pleasing presence,
of fine social qualities, and mistress of one
of the pleasantest homes in the city of
Mfason.
In the year 1889, Mr. Clark purchased D.
P. Whitmore's interest, and formed a copartnership with A. L. Rose, now of the
Ingham  County News, in the publication
of the Ingham   County Democrat, which
they conducted successfully for nearly four
years, when Mr. Rose retired from the firm.
since which time Mr. Clark has been sole
proprietor. The paper was founded June 2,
1876, by J. V. Jolnson, formerly of Charlotte. The times were ripe for a party organ for the Democracy at the county seat,
and the paper met with good support from
the outset.  When well established, Mr.
Johnson sold out to D. P. Whitmore, who
conducted it for about twelve years, making
it a valuable party organ and a good paying
plant. Mr. Clark is a newspaper man, his
father having been engaged in the business
before him, he seems to have been to the
manor born. The Democrat is counted one
of the solid institutions of the county, and
Mr. Clark is making a success of it.
A few years since he erected the brick
office on Ash street west.  Starting out
empty handed, he has very distinct recollections of how he came in possession of his
valuable holdings. In brief, stick-to-it-ive

ness, frugality and industry have done the
business for him. Mr. Clark is a member
of the Masonic Order and was formerly a
member of the fraternal order of the K. of
P.'s and served the lodge officially in several capacities.
Mr. Clark is not identified with any
church organization, but contributes substantial aid to all good causes when called
upon. He believes in the Golden Rule of
doing unto others as you would that they
should do to you. Any man who in the
transactions of life is actuated by this rule,
will not deviate far from the path of rectitude. His fellow citizens will assign him a
place in this class, without debate.
WILLIAM    B. CRAIG    (DECEASED).
There is always a greater interest in a
history, where one finds written "finis" at
the end, than one in which the reader is left
to wonder what will come next. Our subject has finished the story of life and the
seal of approval of the great librarian has
been set upon it. Belonging to a class of
men, who from earliest youth were breadwinners, our subject faced the problem
sturdily and accepted the result with content.
William B. Craig was born in Unadilla
township, Livingston county, in 1842 and
died October 31, 1885. He was the son of
William, born at Aberdeen, Scotland, in
1803, and Christina (Piper) Craig, also a
native of Scotland, the date of her birth being i8I. The parents were married in
Scotland in I830, and two years later came
to the new world and located in Connecticut,
where the father worked at the trade of a
Weaver, nntil he came to Michigan a few
years later, when he located at Unadilla on a
farm, where he remained a short time, and
then moved to Stockbridge township, Ing



INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


391


ham county, in I849, and settled on one hundred and twenty acres, partly improved. He
moved into a log house and there was a log
stable upon the place. The father cleared
the balance of the land and lived there until
his death in 1875. The mother died in I891.
William Craig was a Republican, and in
religious views was a Presbyterian and
helped to organize the first Presbyterian
church in Stockbridge.
Our subject was the fourth of four children, one of whom is living: Agnes, I831,
dead; Jane, 1833, now deceased; Christina,
I835 and our subject. He was educated in
the district school and also attended school
in Detroit. He lived on the farm until his
death, when he owned one hundred and
sixty acres of land. He bought out the balance of the heirs at the time of the father's
death and before this had purchased forty
acres of the home place. He was a member
of the Baptist church.
October 5, I868, Mr. Craig was united in
marriage with Jane Field, who was born in
New York, November 13, I848. Her parents were married in New York in I840.
The father, Chester Field, was born in I818
and died in 1886, while the mother, whose
maiden name was Martha Clark, was born
in 1823 and died in I892. Mr. and Mrs.
Field came to Michigan in I855 and located
at Waterloo, Jackson county, on forty acres
of unimproved land, which he improved and
sold and moved to Stockbridge, Ingham Co.,
and purchased eighty acres of improved
land, where they lived until their death.
Mrs. Craig was the sixth of ten children:
Loretta, dead; Chester and Chauncey, twins,
died at three months of age; Irwin, dead;
Loretta, dead; Jane; Alice; Delia; Eugene
and Carrie. Mr. Field was a staunch Republican and took an active interest in politics.
Mr. and Mrs. Craig have been blessed by


the birth of six children, three of whom are
living: Lillie J., born February 28, I870,
died in 1896. She was a musician and had
a large class in Stockbridge and the surrounding country. Mattie C., born May 5,
1872, died February I6, 1904; William,
born July 23, 1874; Agnes B., born June
26, 1878, married Willard H. Wing, October 15, 1903, and resides at Saginaw.
Agnes is a fine pianist and taught music in
the Mountain Home College in Arkansas
and also at Houghton, Michigan, for three
years. James A., born March 3, I880, and
Rose, born September I9, 1883, and died
October 6, 1884. William and James reside with the mother and conduct the home
farm.
The many positions of trust which our
deceased subject has held speak of the confidence and esteem which he merited among
his fellowmen. He held some elective office
almost continuously from  the time he
reached his majority. He has been School
Inspector, Justice of the Peace, and at the
time of his death was Supervisor, which
position he had been elected to four times.
He efficiently served his people when given
an office and was highly esteemed by all who
knew him.
JOHN C. CHASE.
John C. Chase, whose home is on section
27, Bunker Hill township, belongs to that
class of men, whom the world terms, selfmade, for, commencing life empty-handed he
has conquered the obstacles in the path to
success. He has not only secured for himself
a good home and competence, but by his efforts has materially advanced the interests
of the community in which he lives.
Mr. Chase was born in New York in January, I824, and was the son of Charles C.
and Eva (Schram) Chase, the former be



392


PAST AND PRESENT


ing a native of New Hampshire, born in
1785 and died in I863, while the latter was
a native of New York, and was born in
1788 and died in I837. Our subject was
one of seven children, only one of whom
is now  living.  He attended school until
fourteen years of age, and in I850 came to
Bunker Hill and took up eighty acres of
Government land, where he now resides.
The same year, he returned to New York,
and was married to Miss Louisa Flander,
who was born at St. Catherine, Canada, in
I832, being the daughter of Jacob Flander,
a native of New York state. After the marriage, they came to Michigan and settled
on their present farm, where they built a
log house, cleared the land, added many improvements from time to time and made the
farm what it is today.
Unto this union were born three children:
Chester, born in Bunker Hill, is now fortyeight years old, and lives one mile west of
home, is married and has four children;
William L., died at the age of four years;
Homer J., born in Bunker Hill, May 2,
1862, is married and lives at Jackson.
Mr. Chase was once a Democrat, but is
now independent in politics, and was Justice
of Peace for one year, during the Civil war.
Our subject had one brother in the war, also
one who served as machinist during the war.
Mr. and Mrs. Chase are widely and favorably known in the county, which has so long
been their home, and those who know them
best are numbered among their warmest
friends.
ELLERY T. ROYSTON.
The written biographies of men may read
much alike, while the characters of the individuals may differ greatly. It is but plain
justice to him, a brief sketch of whose life
this chronicle records, to say that Ellery T.


Royston is a just and upright citizen. Born
and reared to manhood in the primitive surroundings of a newly settled country the simple habits of his early training have clung
to him'through life. Industry, frugality and
temperance are inbred characteristics of the
man.
Ellery T. Royston was born in the Township of Vevay, August 31, 1844, upon the
same farm where he has since had a continuous residence. He was the eldest son of
John W. and Jane E. (Long) Royston, who
were pioneer settlers, coming from Seneca
county, N. Y., in the year I842. Purchasing a tract of one hundred sixty acres of
wild land situated upon section 27, they
carved out for themselves and family a comfortable home upon a part of which is located
the pleasant country residence of our subject. It is recorded of the elder Royston
that he "spotted" the road for some miles
by "blazing" the trees when he first emigrated to this section of the country. John
W. Royston was born November 9, I8I5,
at Elizabethtown, N. J.
He was united in marriage March 24,
I84I, to Jane E. Long. Mrs. Royston died
June 9, I888, aged sixty-six years. Mr.
Royston passed away at the ripe old age of
eighty-two years. Their remains rest side
by side in Maple Grove cemetery at Mason.
Ellery T. Royston received his early education in the district school, later, however,
attending an academy at Lansing for one
term-a private school conducted by Prof.
C. G. Olds. Mr. Royston recalls the fact
that he was among the first pupils who attended the Hubbard school after the completion of the building, which is still doing
service and in good repair. Though never
a seeker of public position, he has at times
been honored with a place on the School
Board, and was for several years Justice of
the Peace.  A widowed sister, Charlotte




MR. AND MRS. ELLERY T. ROYSTON








INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


393


Booth, born 1848, a resident of Jackson,
Michigan, and a brother, Frank L. Royston,
of Vevay, comprise the family.
Mr. Royston was happily married December 23, 1869, to Mary E., daughter of
Joseph and Dorothy Chase, residents of the
same township. Mr. Chase was a highly respected citizen and pioneer; he died January
I, I875, aged 6I years. Mrs. Chase passed
away January 3, I905, aged 75 years.
To Mr. and Mrs. Chase were born six
children; their names and other data with
reference to them is as follows: George, born
October, 1849; Mary E., born November I6,
185I; Elliott S., born December 23, 1853,
died October, I865; Effie J., born December
24, i855, now the wife of A. A. Opdyke,
they were united in marriage July 3, 1875;
Minnie B., born September 27, I862, died
October, I865; Della, born April 13, I868,
married L. E. Olds, November i8, I888,
died June 4, 1892; Myrtie A., born August
15, 1869, married A. T. Smith, February 22,
1888. They have three children named respectively: Leon, Edith and Lester. They
reside in Williamston township.
Mr. Royston remained at home with his
parents until he was twenty-seven years of
age. With his father they were very successful in their farming operations. During
the years of the Civil war they were enabled in a single year to clean up $2,000,
which was wisely invested in government
bonds. In politics, Mr. Royston is lined up
with the Prohibition party, believing as he
does that the liquor traffic is the curse of
our American civilization.
Mr. Royston carries on mixed farming
and succeeds in adding something to his exchequer year by year. Mr. and Mrs. Royston are consistent members of the Baptist
church. By patient toil and frugality Mr.
and Mrs. Royston have secured for themselves a comfortable competence, and though


active in the business affairs of life they are
enjoying the fruits of their mutual efforts.
MYRON F. CHILDS.
Myron F., was the second of a family of
seven children, born to Nahum M. and Marianne (Thomas) Childs. Nahum M. was
born in the Empire State in the town of
Stafford, in the year 1817. His wife was
born in Bethany, N. Y., the same year.
They were united in marriage at Bethany,
N. Y., on the IIth day of September. In
the year 1839 Mr. Childs came to Michigan
with his family and purchased a farm of one
hundred and twenty acres in the township
of Vevay, one mile south of the city limits
of Mason; here the family resided for twenty-three years, when he disposed of his farm
and located upon the farm of one hundred
and sixty acres in the Township of Onondaga, now owned by the son, Myron F. The
father died June 23, 1897. The farm at the
time of the purchase was but partially improved. The land has been cleared of the
stumps, improvements made upon the buildings, so that today it is recognized as one of
the productive farms of the township; and
most pleasantly situated.  Nahum  Childs
was one of a family of fourteen children,
now all deceased.   The family of Mrs.
Childs consisted of ten children, they too
have all passed away. The following are the
names of the children born to them with other
data of interest: Frances Maurian, October
29, 1840, a resident of Vevay township, Ingham county; Myron F., born January 2,
1843, at Bethany, N. Y., Anna Marianne,
born June 8, I845, wife of Eugene Griffith
of Grand Ledge, mother of two children;
Emily Louise, born February I, I847, first
husband George Doan, now the wife of
Theodore H. Lyan of Aurelius township;
Edna Roanne, born January 25, I849, wife




394


PAST AND PRESENT


of George Hulbert, lives on the farm assisting in its management; Alice M., born December 14, 1853, wife of Forester White of
Aurelius township; N. M., Jr., February
19, 1863, a resident of Aurelius township.
Myron F. Childs was united in marriage
May 5, I870, to Mary E., daughter of
Mr. and Mrs. Peter Totter, natives of Germany. Mrs. Childs was born September 25,
1852, in the State of New York. For nearly
nineteen years they had shared together the
joys and sorrows of life. She was a faithful, devoted wife and mother, and departed
from this life January 17 I889. Four children were born to them: Myrtle Anna, the
first, born May 2, 1871, died June 27, 1872,
aged thirteen months; Sadie Joy, born August 14, I875, wife of Frank Bartholf of
Rochester, N. Y.; Earl T., born August 13,
1877, still with his father at home; Walter
Allen, born November 20, I880, resident of
Oceana county, Mich.
Democracy is a birthmark with the Childs
family. They seem to grow up to it naturally as a boy to manhood. They can always
be relied upon for increasing the Democratic
vote to the number of the family names recorded upon the polling list. Mr. Childs was
never an aspirant for office, always having
business of his own to occupy his time and
attention. He has, however, served his township as Drain Commissioner in a manner
creditable to himself. He is a member of
T. N. P. A. Mr. Childs cheerfully accords
to his brother-in-law, Mr. George W. Hulbert, who has since his marriage into the
family, had an interest in operations of the
home farm. Mr. Hulbert was born in the
Wolverine State, February 5, I853. His
parents, Nehemial and Amanda (Bristol)
Hulbert, were natives of the State of New
York.
George W. was united in marriage November 5, 1873, to Edna Roanine Childs.


Three children have been born to them. The
first died in infancy; Edna Alice, born July
27, I879, wife of Homer Stone, a progressive farmer of Onondaga township; Merrick Clarence, June Io, I88I, married Lina
Hull, September 23, I903, their home is
blessed by the advent of a sweet babe born
October 24, 1904. Mr. Hulbert with a regularity that is commendable deposits a Democratic ticket in the ballot box whenever the
opportunity is presented. In brief, he believes in the principles of government as set
forth in the platforms of the Democratic
party. He enjoys a membership in the fraternal organization of the Maccabees and
the Odd Fellows.
Mrs. Hulbert is a member of the Baptist
society to which she contributes toward its
maintenance. The Good Book says: "It is
well for brethren to dwell together in unity."
It is complimentary to both Messrs. Childs
and Hulbert that for more than three decades they have unitedly and successfully
carried forward a copartnership in their
farming operations.
ADDISON DENSMORE (DECEASED).
Among the marked examples of what
strict attention to business coupled with good
judgment and backed up by habits of frugality and economy will do for a man, is the
degree of success met with by Mr. Addison
Densmore of Dansville, in his chosen avocation of farming. Mr. Densmore is an Ingham county product, born January 12, 1846.
His parents, John and Sally Densmore, emigrated from the State of Vermont, where his
father was born in the year I839 and settled
in the Township of Ingham, which, at that
date was practically an unbroken forest. He
bought a claim, cleared up the farm, and
lived here until the date of his death in I853,
at which time his real estate holdings were




ell
V Cif












INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


395


about two hundred acres of good land. His
mother was a native of Connecticut.
Addison Densmore was the youngest of
fourteen children, four of whom are living.
His early education in book knowledge was
somewhat limited, as in a new country with
so many mouths to feed, it became necessary
for him while yet in his teens to work out by
the month as a farm hand. This he did until
he was twenty-one years of age. He was
united in marriage in I866 to Miss Emma
Collar, daughter of Stephen Collar of Alaiedon township. Two children, a son and a
daughter have been born to them, the eldest,
Ernest, born December 15, 1867, who was
given the advantages of the Dansville high
school, which he improved, being from early
childhood a most exemplary youth. He grew
to manhood in the native village, and was
regarded with high esteem by every one. He
was united in marriage to Ella, daughter of
Mr. and Mrs. Egbert Rice, for many years
highly respected people of Dansville, where
Mr. Rice was engaged in the dry goods
trade. Mrs. Densmore graduated from the
Dansville high school, and was later, for
some time, a student of Albion college. After
his marriage and the death of his father-inlaw, Ernest bought out the business and
conducted it successfully for several years.
Having a desire for legal knowledge, he
closed out the store, moved with his family
to Ann Arbor and took a course in the law
department, graduating with honors, after
which he located in Mason. In addition to
this Mr. Ernest Densmore has engaged in
the hardware business with an old-time
friend as a partner. He is a Christian gentleman. His family are members of the M.
E. church and he is superintendent of the
Sunday school. Two children have been
born to Ernest and Mrs. Densmore: Merle,
born September 1, I890, and Gail, born
February I8, I894.


Alma, the second child of our subject, received the advantages of the village school
at Dansville, from which she graduated; she
later graduated from the school of music at
the University at Ann Arbor. She is now
the wife of Eber F. Thompson, who is in
the employ of the United States  as rural
mail carrier. Mrs. Thompson is a member
of the M. E. church at Dansville, and has
been interested in church work from early
childhood.
Our subject, soon after marriage, moved
on a farm and for about fifteen years worked
rented land, after which he expended his accumulations for one hundred and sixty acres
which he farmed for ten years.  Our subject has occupied his present premises foi
about twenty-five years, has made many improvements and kept pace with the development of the country.  Mr. Densmore has
never been a seeker for office, preferring to
give his undivided attention to his private affairs, deeming them to be more profitable
and more in harmony with his feelings. He
has, honwever, served as Supervisor of his
township, and has been Treasurer of the corporation of Dansville, and for many years
a member of the village council. Mr. Densmore has given more attention to stock raising than to farming proper. He has a reputation, second to none in Ingham  county,
as a cattle feeder, and buys and sells stock,
and always at Christmas time has a carload
or two of choice steers for the Christmas
market. He keeps a fine flock of thoroughbred Shropshire sheep.  His present farm
consists of one hundred and forty acres of
valuable lands.
By economy and close application to his
personal affairs, Mr. Densmore has been enabled to lay by a comfortable competence for
his declining years, and his many friends
throughout the country wish for him a pleasant journey down the western slope.




396


PAST AND PRESENT


P. S.-Just before going to press comes
the report that Mr. Densmore passed away
after a painful illness extending over several months.  His bereaved family and
friends are greatly comforted by his perfect
resignation to the Divine will. He was a
just and upright citizen, and will be remembered for his many acts of love and service.
To those akin to him he has left the memory
of a useful and honorable life, to his friends
the memory of a kind-hearted and sympathetic companion and the community the example of a public-spirited citizen. "After
life's fitful fever he sleeps well."
FRED DENSMORE.
Mr. Densmore was an adopted son, and
the only child of his adopted parents. His
father, Ransom Densmore, was a man of
probity of life and much respected for his
amiable qualities of head and heart. He was
one of the most active in the erection of the
Methodist Protestant church building at
Dansville, having always at heart the best
interests of the church and society at large.
In all the activities of life and in every good
enterprise, he had the assistance and sympathy of his devoted wife.
Mr. Ransom Densmore was born March
26, 1829. His wife was born December 29,
1828. They were united in marriage October 25, I847. After their marriage they
settled at Lodi Plains, \Vashtenaw county,
and from there moved to Ingham county,
settling on what was known as the Root
farm, now owned by Wm. Hanna, and settled on the farm now occupied by his son
Fred.
Fred Densmore was united in marriage
December 28, I879, to Miss Mary, daughter
of Mr. and Mrs. William   Hines of the
Township of Bunker Hill. Two children
have been born to them, Mabel, born Janu

ary 25, I888; Berney, born August 7, 1892.
Mr. Densmore conducts his farming operation similar to most farmers in this sectionbeing rotation of crops, mixed farming of
grain and stock. He owns I60 acres of
choice land, with good substantial farm
buildings, located on section 27 in the Township of Ingham. He has a fine apple orchard
on his premises and manufactures cider in
the season. Mr. Densmore and his father
have made all the improvements on the place.
His father purchased the land in the year
I875 in a comparatively wild state. Politically, Mr. Densmore gives his support toward the promulgation of the principles of
the Democratic party. He is a member of
the fraternal organizations of the I. O. O. F.
and the Modern Woodmen.
There are names in every community that
give to it a reputation for virtue, character,
uprightness of life and stability.  In and
about the vicinity of Dansville, the name
Densmore is a synonym for morality, industry and integrity. When Ransom Densmore passed out of this life, Ingham township lost one of its best and most highy respected citizens.
JACOB DAKIN.
Among the early settlers of Ingham township, there are a number of men whose abilities and character have given to them an exceptional standing in the community. Their
pioneer experiences in the early days developed through hardships and struggles all
that is best in man and by their perseverence
and adherence to the principles which are
necessary to success, they have attained a
reputation which is permanent. Such a man
is Jacob Dakin who resides in Dansville.
He was born in Michigan August 3, I838.
His parents, Judson and Polly (Hotlin)
Dakin, were natives of New York.    The




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


397


father died at the age of sixty-five and the
mother at the age of fifty.
Judson Dakin came to Michigan in I841,
and bought one hundred and sixty acres of
wild land in Ingham  township which he
cleared, improved and made his home until
his death.  Twelve children blessed this
union, of whom three are now living: William and Hiram, residents of California, and
the subject of this sketch, who has retired
from the activities of farm life. The father
cast his vote for the Democratic party. He
and his estimable wife are both members of
the M. E. church.
Our subject acquired his early education
in the district schools of his township and
always remained at home with his father on
the farm, assisting in its management and
caring for his parents during the latter years
of their lives. After their death he took
charge of the younger children and came into
possession of the homestead, where he has
lived until about three years since, when he
moved to Dansville. The old homestead,
Mr. Dakin gave to his son Frank, who resides on the place. He has also bought and
distributed among his children about seven
hundred acres of land in the vicinity. At
the age of twenty-two years our subject entered the benedicts' ranks, being united to
Miss Mariette  Payne, who died three
years after their marriage. Mrs. Dakin was
the daughter of Lanson Payne, a native of
New York, where he always lived. One
child was born of this union, Wort, aged
forty years, a farmer of the township. Mr.
Dakin was married to Addie Woods in
I865, and to them were born five children,
as follows: Charles, a farmer of Wheatfield;
Orilla, the wife of Thomas Hanna of Ingham township; Clara, single, at home, and
Maggie, wife of Clyde Otis of this township.
The mother of these children died at the age
of fifty-seven years.


Mr. Dakin was again married October 19,
I904, to Olive, daughter of Richard and
Cynthia Aseltine Bygraves, who settled in
Stockbridge township in 1841, and they are
now residents of the Village of Dansville.
Mrs. Dakin was born September 25, I855.
She has one brother, Alvin, who resides at
Mason and a sister, Mrs. Clarence Frederick of this village. Mrs. Dakin's first marriage was with Robert P. Thompson of this
village. Of this union two sons were born,
Elmer, in 1877, Eber B., 1879. Mr. Thompson died in I882.   She was married to
Chauncey R. Backus in I890. Mr. Backus
died in 1893.
The Democracy has in our subject a
strong advocate. Fraternally he is a member
of the Masonic order, No. I6o, at Dansville.
Mr. Dakin is in prosperous circumstances.
He has been very generous and thoughtful
in his provisions for his children, placing
each in possession of a good farm home. He
has many friends, possessing as he does, a
genial, warm hearted nature. He is recognized as one of the substantial men of the
community.  Mr. and Mrs. Dakin having
at easy command a competence sufficient for
their every need, are enjoying life to a full
measure.
DANIEL T. DUTCHER.
One of the early settlers of White Oak
township and a man of inestimable worth in
his community is Daniel T. Dutcher who
was born in New York, October 17, I83I.
His father, Daniel Dutcher, also a native of
New York, was born in I8o6, while the
mother, Maria Bullock, was born in New
York.
The spring of 1835 witnessed the arrival
of the Dutcher family in Michigan. They
located in White Oak, where they took from
the government two hundred and ninety



398


PAST AND PRESENT


two acres of wild land. Here they built a
log house and cleared two hundred acres. In
I853 they built a frame house, the same roof
being still on the house. He also built a
good barn and at various times has owned
several other pieces of property. At the time
of the father's death he had sold all of his
land and lived with a daughter, Mrs. Charles
H. Carpenter of White Oak. Daniel Dutcher, Sr., died June i6, I89I, and Mrs.
Dutcher, in I873.
Our subject is the third of eleven children, seven of whom are living: Elizabeth,
born in New York, married Reuben Young,
deceased; Ray, born in New York, died at
the age of one year; our subject; Joseph Atwood, born in New York, married Matilda
Townsend,   deceased;  Abigail,  married
George Wilson, who died in the army. Her
second marriage was to Elias Clark, who is
also dead; Stephen died from disease contracted in the army, married Martha Clickner; Mary, married Walter Van Buren; Patience, married Edgar Van Buren; Israel,
married Cyntlhia Palmer; Olive, married
Myron Van Buren, who is dead; and Victoria married Charles Carpenter.
Daniel Dutcher stayed with his father one
year after he became of age and then went
onto a place of forty acres, where he has
since lived. The land was all wild and he
has improved all except four acres. When
he first moved onto the place there was a log
house, but he has since built a frame house,
part of which he moved from another place
he had bought. He is now the owner of
one hundred acres of well improved land.
February i6, I854, Mr. Dutcher was
united in marriage with Abigail Howell,
who was born December I8, 1833, and is the
daughter of John and Marietta (Decker)
Howell, she having been born in the State of
New Jersey. Mrs. Dutcher's father came to
Michigan in 1837 and located in Stockbridge


township on eighty acres of wild land, which
he took up from   the Government.   He
moved into a log house and cleared all the
land. When he moved onto the place he
had to cut down the trees to make a place for
his log cabin. The parents of our subject
and wife used to go to Dexter to trade. Mr.
Howell used to take cranberries and trade
them for provisions. He later bought forty
acres more of wild land in Unadilla township, Livingston county, and this improved.
At the time of his death he owned one hundred and twenty acres.
Mrs. Dutcher was the first in a family of
nine children, the other members of the
family being: Parshall, who married Sara
Torrey; Emily (dead), married Stephen
Hayner, who is also dead; William, single;
Atheline (dead); Sara married Edward
Kitchen; James (dead), married Alice Proctor (dead); Westbrook (dead), married
Allie Laubaugh, and Zella, married William
Ramsdell. The mother of this family died
in 1892 and the father in 900o. Both died
on the place which they early took from the
Government.  Mr. Howell was a staunch
Democrat.
To Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Dutcher have
been born the following: John D., born
July 18, I861, married Ina Soules, January
23, 1886. They live on a farm in Stockbridge, forty acres of which is in White Oak.
He owns one hundred acres of land and is
the father of one child, Myra; Maggie, born
November 30, I865, married Fred Fisher,
lives in Tuscola county and owns a half interest with a brother in a two hundred acre
farm. They have one child, Jessie, born
November, I894.
Our subject's father was Justice of Peace
for years and was also Poormaster. Daniel
T., the son, our subject, is not a member of
any church, yet he is a Christian man and
lives up to his convictions. He is highly








REV. J. A. SLY




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


399


esteemed by his fellowmen.  Mr. Dutcher
and wife celebrated their fiftieth wedding
anniversary February I6, 1904.
REV. JOHN ALBERT SLY.
J. A. Sly is a product of Ingham county,
Michigan, having been born in the Township
of White Oak, October I, I838. He was
the oldest of a family of eleven children born
to George J. and Samantha (Riggs) Sly,
who were both natives of the "Land of Steady
Habits," where the father was born in I8o8.
He died at Elm Hall, Gratiot county, Michigan, in 1882. The mother was born at Hartford in I8 I  and passed away at Elm Hall
in 1892, a womnan of blessed memory, who
was for many years a consistent member of
the M. E. church.
In the year I837 George J. Sly came to
Grass Lake, Michigan, and soon after wtas
married and engaged in "Keeping Tavern,"
and in the meantime entered into land speculations, at which early date Michigan offered
great opportunities. The year following he
purchased a considerable tract of land in the
Township of White Oak and brought his
young wife into the then almost unbroken
forests of that township.  Inquirers were
directed by blazed trees and Indian trails. A
public highway meant little more than the
cutting of the underbrush, making it possible for the ox team to haul the worldly effects of its owner to a quarterpost of a certain section, in some instances the family
occupying the wagon until a log hut or
shanty could be rolled up. The elder Sly,
though enjoying but limited school advantages, was a man of quick wit and a ready
command of common English, and this he
turned to a good account.  His neighbors
appreciating his abilities, secured his services
in adjusting their differences-this was the
beginning of a practice he maintained


through the active years of his life. Many a
motley crowd have been wonderfully entertained by the trial of a case before a Justice
of the Peace in the schoolhouse of blacksmith shop, or other convenient place of
meeting. The writer recalls with considerable distinctness the impressions made upon
his mind when but a mere lad. His father
was Justice of the Peace-the family living
room  was the Court room-Mr. Sly and
Judge Paddock the attorneys. He was much
impressed as the case proceeded with the
repartee and wranglings of the lawyers; it
seemed to him they could never be good
friends again, and he was greatly surprised
when the affair was over, to see the two gentlemen, who lived in the same neighborhood,
get into the same rig and drive away, chatting as easily as though nothing had transpired. He has noticed the same peculiarities
in later years, and as a result his confidence
in the sincerity of the whole fraternity has
been somewhat shaken, and as a result he
has never employed an attorney.
J. A. Sly acquired his. early education in
the common schools and later attended a select school at Lansing for some time. He
has always been a student and a great lover
of history, and by his own efforts has stored
his mind with useful knowledge. The one
purpose of his life has been to make the
world better, and his influence in the communities where he has preached the gospel
has always been of a wholesome and helpful
nature.  He entered the ministry in the
Methodist Protestant church at the age of
eighteen years, and traveled as an itinerant
for several years. On account of the failing
health of his wife he was obliged to retire
from regular work in the ministry. He located upon an eighty acre tract of unimproved land in the Township of Stockbridge.
He built a log house and barn, and with
characteristic industry and perseverance he




400


PAST AND PRESENT


cleared away the forest, improved the land,
and made for himself and family a comfortable living-busy all the week with manual
labor upon the farm, while the Sabbath
usually found him in some back district
preaching the gospel to the poor. His efforts
in the community where he lives resulted in
the erection of a substantial brick church,
he having purchased and given all the brick
in the entire building and the land on which
it stands and money besides. In the year
I868 he again entered regularly into the
work of the ministry, and continued for the
following nine years filling appointments at
Shelby, Monroe, Owosso, West Conway and
Flemings, which pastorate he now holds.
In the year 1884 he exchanged his farm in
Stockbridge township for one hundred and
six acres situated on section four of the
Township of White Oak, which has since
been his residence. A Methodist church building is situated upon the premises, largely
due to his and his devoted wife's timely
zeal in the cause of religion. Although living on the farm, and much of the time involved with business cares, Mr. Sly always
found time to give the full weight of his influence for every enterprise tending to the
betterment of society and the advancement
of the cause of morality, virtue and religion.
His services are still in demand, and he has
supplied several pastorates, and is at the present time serving the people at Fleming, Livingston county, in a very acceptable manner.
Rev. Sly was instrumental in the erection
of Gleaners Hall, which is located upon his
farm. The land was presented by him for
this building, with the condition that the hall
should be devoted to the upbuilding of society. Mrs. Sly organized the first Aid Society in that locality; and in memory of her
zeal and devotion to the Master's cause, the
members of the Ladies' Aid Society, and
church, caused the church, erected on the


corner of the home farm, to be named Memorial, as seen in the stone tablet in the front
of the church, by the passerby, as a tribute to
her memory. She departed this life April 7,
I892, and during all the intervening years
her afflicted companion has not ceased to
"Long for the touch of a vanished hand
And the sound of a voice that is still."
To Mr. and Mrs. Sly have been born
three children: Addie C., born December I5,
1862, in White Oak, now the wife of E. E.
Granger of White Oak, and they have two
sons, Bruce and Raymond. Mr. Granger
is a teacher in the public schools of this
county. William C., born September 22,
1864, married May I. Grimes. William's
farm joins that of his father, and he is
known as one of the prosperous young farmers of his township. Mattie Ursula, born
November 14, I869, now the wife of Jas.
H. Runciman of Wheatfield, and they have
one child, Roy.
Politically, Rev. Sly is a pronounced Prohibitionist, believing that the great enemy of
the school, the home and the church, is the
legalized liquor traffic, and he never fails to
give the monster a thrust whenever opportunity offers. He firmly believes that the
only solution possible of the liquor problem
is the absolute prohibition of the whole nefarious business, and further, he maintains
this an essential to the perpetuation of our
American institutions. The nation cannot
long exist, half drunk and half sober.
Rev. J. A. Sly and Miss Corinna Post
were united in the holy bonds of matrimony
in the year I859. Mrs. Sly was the daughter of William C. and Ursula Post, and was
born October 20, 1841, in Livingston county.
Her father was one of the early settlers in
White Oak township and settled there in
I844. He came to Livingston in about 1839,
and his name appears frequently among the




GEORGE J.SLY










INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


401


early officers of the township. He was foi
several years a Supervisor, and held other
offices of trust and responsibility-a man
of honor.
Rev. J. A. Sly cheerfully awards this space
for the brief outline of deeds of valor and
virtue of his trio of patriotic brothers, who
did meritorious service for their country's
honor in the time of her great peril. Three
brothers (lid valiant service for their country
during the War of the Rebellion; all were
members of Co. B, 26th Michigan Volunteer
Infantry, Captain L. H-. Ives commanding.
The following data with reference to the
service of each is here given place, that at
least a brief record may be preserved to the
honor of these brave men.
Seneca Sly enlisted at the age of twenty
years in the Township of \Vhite Oak, October I8, 1862. It is recorded in the original
company description book, opposite his name,
that "He was a good soldier when able for
duty." His health failed him and for several
months prior to his discharge he was confined to the hospital. He was mustered out
at Carver Hospital, Washington, D. C., and
honorably discharged August 4, I864.
Orlando H. Sly entered the service at the
age of eighteen years, enlisting at White
Oak, October I8, 1862. He was with his
command and participated in several engagements, notably the Siege of Suffolk, Va.,
from April 22 to May 14, 1863; Mine Run,
Va., Nov. 29, I863; Windsor, Va., May
22, 1863; Wilderness, Va., May 5-6-7, I864.
The loss in this battle alone was about fifteen
thousand, in killed, wounded and missing,
on each side. Corbin Ridge, May 8, 1864;
N. Y. River, Va., May 9-10, I864; Po
River, May 11, 1864. While his regiment
was hotly engaged with the enemy, he received a severe gun shot wound from a musket ball, through the left arm, fortunately no
bones were broken, but he was immediately
26


sent to the hospital. He was mustered out
and honorably discharged January 9, I865.
George M. Sly enlisted as a recruit February 13, 1864, at the age of twenty-three
years. He was credited to White Oak township. He has to his credit the active participation in several of the hardest fought battles
of the war, including the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor and Petersburg. He
was wounded by a Minnie ball in the left
arm at Amelia Springs, Va., April 6, I865,
only three days before the final surrender of
the Army of Virginia under Gen. R. E. Lee
to Gen. Grant at Appamattox, Va., a total of
26, I15 men. He was mustered out and honorably discharged  in I865.  The   26th
Michigan was recognized as among the very
best regiments of the old 2d Corps, commanded by the gallant Gen. W. S. Hancock,
who wrote: "I have great respect and esteem
for the officers and men of a regiment as distinguished in the field as the 26th Michigan
Infantry and feel bound to them in ties
of friendship derived from a common service."
The regiment returned to the State under
command of Col. L. H. Ives, and was mustered out by reason of the close of the war,
at Jackson, Michigan, June 17, I865.
In addition to the brief record given
above, Mr. Sly gives space for the genealogy
of his father's family, the names and order
of birth as follows: John Albert; George M.;
Mary A.; Seneca; Orlando; Charles; Morgan; Ruben; Parmer, who died in infancy;
James H., and Losell. Mr. Sly states that
the first Methodist meeting held in his section of the country, was in a shanty on his
farm then owned by Alfred Howard, who
took up the land from the government. He
relates that Mrs. Howard was for two years
deprived of church privileges by reason of
not having any foot gear. A blanket served
as a door for the humble home of the




402


PAST AND PRESENT


Howards, and during the absence of Mr.
Howard one evening, a panther sprang
against the blanket, but seeing the light on
the open hearth, he beat a hasty retreat.
As an evidence of the wanton recklessness
of the early pioneer in the treatment of valuable timber, Mr. Sly has many black walnut
rails upon his farm, that have done continuous service for more than half a century,
and are still in fair condition.
Mr. Sly is a true friend, a genial Christian
gentleman and living with the confidence and
esteem  of his neighbors.  He is going
towards the setting of the sun with the assurance of having acted well his part in life.
S. H. SANFORD.
One of the successful and enterprising
agriculturists of Onondaga township is Mr.
S. H. Sanford, who is a native son of this
State, having been born in Jackson Co. on the
25th day of May, I855. He is the son of T.
M. and Helen (Snyder) Sanford.     The
father was born in Green county, N. Y., in
18I3, and died in 1876 at the age of sixtythree, while the mother is also a native of the
Empire State and was born in New York
City in 1823 and died in I900.
S. H. Sanford was one of a family of nine
children, whose names are as follows: Mary,
born I850, now resides in Chicago; Frank,
born in 1852, resides on the old homestead in
Jackson county; Lyman D., born 1854, is a
resident of Oil City, Pa.; the fourth is our
subject, Nellie, the fifth, became the wife of
Richard Peck and resides in New York;
Truman M., died in Birmingham, Ala., aged
thirty-two years; Edward B., is a resident of
Oil City, Pa., while Harry T., the eighth,
died in Jefferson Barracks, Mo., while in
the regular army. The father of this family
came to Michigan in 1849 and located in


Jackson county and thus became one of the
pioneers of that section of the State. At
this place he made his home for a number
of years and eventually moved to Parma,
Mich., and lived there four years. Moving
back to the farm, where he lived a number
of years before he died.
The early education of S. H. Sanford
was acquired at the district schools, attending until the age of twelve and he then remained under the parental roof until about
the age of twenty-four years of age, going
to Dakota, where he obtained a position as
fireman, where he remained for two years.
Returning to Onondaga, he engaged in the
hardware business for one year.
In I882 occurred an important event in
the life of Mr. Sanford, when he was united
in marriage to Miss Nellie Baldwin, who
was born in I86i and who died in I889.
To this marriage were born two children,
namely: Nellie, now aged seventeen, a student at Ypsilanti, and Fannie, fifteen years
of age, at home attending school. Mr. Sanford was again married, the second union
being with Miss Mattie Gordon of Tompkins Center, Jackson county, which occurred
in 1892, and to this marriage two children
were also born, the eldest, Florence, now
eleven years of age, and the younger, Mabel,
nine years of age.
S. H. Sanford handles a farm of one hundred and sixty-five acres of well improved
and valuable land and upon this he has devoted his energies to general farming and
stock raising. He has taken an active part
in politics, casting his vote for the Democracy; was nominated for Highway Commissioner, and was appointed chief janitor at
the State capitol for two years. He is a
Mason and has lived according to the teachings of this order, honored and respected by
all who know him.




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


403


HIRAM SMITH.
Hiram Smith was born in Bath township,
Steuben county, N. Y., Oct. 22, 1828. He is
the son of James and Betsey (Tooker)
Smith, also natives of New York, the father
leaving been there born Dec. 6, 1796, and the
rother June 8, i799. Mr. and Mrs. James
Smith were married in New York and came
to Michigan in 1835. They stopped at Ann
Arbor for two years, then came to Clinton
county in what was afterwards called Bath
townlship, named such because James Smith,
our subject's father, was its first settler and
lie came from Bath township, N. Y. In
1837 he took up three hundred and twenty
acres of wild land and built a log house and
stables. With the help of his sons he cleared up the land and here made his home until death. He was a Democrat and served
as Highway Commissioner.
Hiram Smith was the sixth of a family of
fourteen children, five now living: Stephen,
born Dec. 2, 18I9, lives with his son in
Meridian township. His deceased wife was
Enmaline Cushman. Nellie, Oct. 10, 1821,
was the wife of Jake Estey and has been
(lead many years; Julia clied when a child;
Jonah, June 14, 1825, died when a child;
James M., August, 1827, died many years
ago; our subject; Martha, the wife of
Robert Rose of Bath township.     They
were the parents of four children and all
are dead. Mary, was the wife of Albert
Smith, lived at Bath and had two children;
Nancy, Mrs. Pultz, lives in Missouri, and
has three children, James, Frank and Rhoda;
Emaline and Caroline, the latter dead, and
Emaline is Mrs. G. L. Carter of White
Oak; Bemsley, died when a child, and the
thirteenth and fourteenth (lied in infancy.
Our subject acquired his early education
in the district schools of Bath township,
lived with his parents until twenty-five years


of age, and July 3, 1863, was married to
Margarette Vanatta, born at Northfield,
Washtenaw county, Aug. 25, I833. She
was the daughter of Aaron and Syntha
(Banghart) Vanatta, both natives of New
Jersey. Aaron Vanatta was born in 1804
and died Dec. 27, I877, while the mother
died at the age of twenty-three of consumption, when our subject's wife was an infant.
M\ r. Vanatta married for his second wife
Nellie Dowers, who was born in New
York.   He settled in Michigan near Ann
Arbor on   three hundred acres of wild
government land and here always lived.
The farm is now owned by a son, James,
who has there a beautiful home. Mr. Vanatta was always a Democrat and usually held
some office. He was also a member of the
Mi. E. church. Mr. Vanatta had three children by the first marriage: William, who
died at the age of nine years; Mrs. Smith
and George B., who live in Meridian township. By the second marriage there were
seven children: Caroline, died when a child;
Ann, the widow of Elam Worden, lives at
South Lyons; Albert, married Mila Walker,
and lives at Salem Station; James lives on
the old farm, and Rosie, the wife of Dwelly
Smith, lives at Salem Station.
After Mr. Smith's marriage he settled on
eighty acres of land near his father, where
he built a frame house and resided for many
years. The farm, upon which he now lives,
our subject gave to his son and upon the
death of the son's wife came there to live.
He, however, lived in Haslett Park three
years previous to coming to this farm. Mr.
Smith has been an extensive land owner and
at one time owned five hundred acres of
land.
To our subject and wife six children have
been born: Aaron J., born in Bath township, March 21, I854. He first married
Mary L. Andress of Williamston and after



404


PAST AND PRESENT


wards Kittie Hobbs, of Lansing. There was
one child by the second marriage, Elsie,
three years old. Aaron lives in Lansing and
is timekeeper for the Olds Automobile
works; George H., born in Bath township,
Aug. 31, I859, married Eva Heath, and they
have two children, Leota, born in 1889, and
Carl, born in 1893; Carrie E., born Dec. 14,
1862, is the wife of Arthur Carl and lives
at Ortonville, Minn. They have four children: Parker, died at the age of three years;
Carlie, at home; Cora, eleven years old, and
Marcie, four years old; Charles H., born
Nov. 18, I865, married Hattie Monroe and
they live in Lansing, and he travels for the
Sugar Beet Factory. They have four children, Monroe, Earl, Chester and William;
Rosie, born June I8, I867, married W. 0.
Buchner, and was the mother of one child,
Irene, twelve years old. The wife died Sept.
21, I904; Cora Virginia was born March
21, 1873, and died June I, I877.
Our subject is an old line Democrat, yet
not an office seeker. Both he and his wife
are members of the Baptist church and both
are enjoying good health, though quite advanced in years, and have the highest respect
of the community in which they reside.
A. C. STEBBINS.
A. C. Stebbins was born in Lansing, July
i6, i86o. His parents were Cortland Bliss
and Eliza (Smith) Stebbins.  His father
was a native of Vermont, and learned in
early life the trade of a cabinet maker. He
worked at this industry after settling in
Adrian, Mich., in I838. After living there
twenty years he removed to Lansing, where
he served twenty years as Deputy Superintendent of Public Instruction.  Here the
subject of this sketch was reared and received his primary education. He became a
student of the M. A. C. during the years


1877 and 1878, and the two years following
was in the University of Michigan. After
completing his education, he worked one
year in a drug store.
In i88I Mr. S. A. Eaton, who at the time
was sole proprietor of the Wheelbarrow
plant, located at Hudson, Mich., moved it
to Lansing and organized a stock company
with a capital of twenty-five thousand dollars. It was at this time that Mr. Stebbins
first became identifiedcwith the company. He
served two years in the shipping room, and
gradually worked his way up until I886 he
became secretary and manager of the plant,
and its recognized head. In I886 the business employed $25,000 capital, which has increased, until in I905 the sum of $800,000
is used.  The company has added other
goods besides the production of wheelbarrows, enlarging, from time to time, until
the plant now covers twelve acres of ground,
producing annually hundreds of thousands
of wheelbarrows, warehouse trucks, express
wagons, hand-carts, sleigh runners, horse
pokes, coal shutes, steel scrapers, coal cars,
rubber tired wheels, etc.
When Mr. Stebbins first entered this factory it only gave employment to twenty-five
men, whereas they now employ about four
hundred. It is probably the largest plant
of its kind in the world. The company has
a large foreign trade.
They also have another plant at Parkin,
Ark., where they own twelve thousand acres
of timbered land. Two hundred men are
employed there. The growth of the business and its success is largely due to the
keen foresight and good judgment of Mr.
Stebbins.
He has other business interests in the city,
being vice president of the W. K. Prudden
Co., and president of the New-Way Motor
Co.; yet his time is chiefly employed at the
Wheelbarrow Works.




'a




G-EG. W. SWARTWOUT, M. D.




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


405


Mr. Stebbins was united in marriage November i8, 1885, to Miss Rena Stowell of
New York City. Five years later Mrs. Stebbins died, leaving two small children, named,
respectively: Stowell C., born July 29, i886,
and Cortland B., born April 23, i888.
Mr. Stebbins was again married in I892
to Miss Anna Burgoyne, a teacher in the
Lansing schools. The present Mrs. Stebbins
is the mother of two children: Francis B.,
born November 9, 1895, and Charles Rowland, born February 6, I903.
Mr. Stebbins is a member of the Royal
Arcanum, and in politics is a Republican.
Mrs. Stebbins is a member of the Congregational church, and has always been interested
in Sunday school work, and is a member of
the Lansing Woman's Club and Lansing
Chapter of the Daughters of the Revolution.
Mr. Stebbins may feel a sense of pride in
the success which he has met in business affairs.  He is counted among the foremost
and progressive citizens of the city; is interested in every enterprise looking for the betterment of the conditions of the laboring
classes, and that of society at large. Foremost among the names that constitute Lansing's prominent list of citizens, we would
place the name of Arthur C. Stebbins. Not
inheriting great wealth, he possessed that
which was far better-the strong will and
determination to make a success of the business in which he engaged.
DR. GEORGE W. SWARTWOUT.
In a profession where advancement depends upon individual merit and skill, Dr.
Swartwout has won a very enviable position.
By his thorough and comprehensive understanding of the principles of medical science
and the adaptability for the needs of suffering humanity, and although living practically retired, his work has in the past received


the endorsement of public opinion and has
therefore been accorded liberal patronage.
Dr. Swartwout is a native of the Empire
State, his birth having occurred in Saratoga
county, Aug. II, I830. The father, whose
name was Samuel, was also a native of the
same county, and there born in I800 and
was there married.
Dr. Swartwout is the oldest of two children, the younger being Elizabeth, who was
the wife of H. L. Henderson, a banker of
Mason. She is now deceased and lies buried
in the Mason cemetery. The mother of these
children died in 1847, and the father was
again married on the I3th day of March,
I850, to Miss Cornelia L. Doolittle of Ontario county, N. Y. The year of 1855 witnessed the arrival of Samuel and Cornelia
Swartwout to Ingham county.   Here the
father bought forty acres in Vevay township
of Minnos McRoberts of well improved
land, for which he paid twelve hundred dollars. He continued residing on this place
until 1873, when he removed to Aurelius,
where he resided until his death, which occurred in I875.
The early education of Dr. Swartwout was
acquired in the common schools of East
Bloomfield, New York, which was later supplemented by a course in Canandaigua and
then in Fairfield Academy of the same state,
attending until about the age of nineteen
years. At the completion of his schooling
he became identified with his father on the
home farm and also taught during the winter
for six terms. At the age of twenty-six he
began the study of medicine and in 1857 returned to New York and began studying
under Drs. Pratt and Smith, who were also
engaged in the drug business, in which our
subject also acquired a practical knowledge
in compounding medicines. This he found
a great deal of help to him in his later years
of practice. After a short time spent in the




406


PAST AND PRESENT


East he returned to Michigan, and entered
the office of Dr. Chas. Sackrider of Mason,
as a student, and from there entered the
Medical department of the University of
Michigan, where he attended the lectures
and made practical dissections on the cadaver
and began practice in Aurelius in the spring
of I86o. By hard study and faithful practice, Dr. Swartwout has kept abreast of the
profession, "and has always maintained ethical relations with his fellow practitioners.
He first "hung out his shingle" at Aurelius
and in I863 moved to Mason and bought a
home and there continued his practice for
seven years; he then moved back to Aurelius
where he has resided until the present.
On Christmas night of I86I, Dr. Swartwout was united in marriage with Caroline
E. Hopkins, daughter of Joseph Hopkins of
Vevay township and three children were
born to that union; Mary Ellen, who became
the wife of Charles Enos, a farmer in Aurelius township, and two children have been
born to them; the second, Jane E., who became the wife of E. H. Freeland, a railroad
carpenter who resides in Detroit, and they
have four children; the next, Joseph Samuel,
named after his two grandfathers, died at the
age of twenty-two years. The wife and
mother of these children died in June, 1904,
at the age of sixty-three years and lies buried
beside her son in Greenwood Cemetery. She
was a Baptist in religious belief and was a
worthy example of that faith, a devoted wife
and mother and her loss was deeply mourned,
not only by her immediate family, but by
an extensive number of old and valued
friends.
For forty years has Dr. Swartwout been
identified in the practice of his profession,
ofttimes contributing his knowledge in the
alleviation of human suffering, where he
knew full well no remuneration need be expected. Few men of this county have so


many warm personal friends as the doctor,
who has by his genial and kindly spirit
brought many a ray of sunshine into bereaved and stricken families. The doctor affiliates with the Democracy and is one of the
old school, believing that "all men are equal
and have equal rights."  He has served his
township'as Clerk and is also a member of
the following societies, in which he has taken
an active part in their maintenance and organization: F. & A. M., I. O. O. F., K. of
H., K. of L., honorary member of the order
of Foresters and he has also been medical
examiner for numerous insurance companies
and societies. Now living in honorable retirement, in the full enjoyment of his mental
capabilities, the doctor is surrounded by hosts
of friends, who in appreciation of his long
years of service hold him in the highest
esteem and wish him mlany long years on
life's downward journey.
He has been a member of the First Baptist
church of Aurelius since 1877.
DELEVAN C. SMITH (DE:CEASEDI).
In this age of books, records, family trees
and genealogical research, those who fail to
place in form for permanent preservation
the biographies of their friends "who have
lived and won," do scant justice to their
memories.  They may not have achieved
greatness as the world counts greatness;
they may have simply met and performed
the duties and carried the burdens of life,
laying them down beside their open grave,
yet in their circumscribed sphere, the elements of true greatness may have shone out
of their lives in rich measure. Let them be
remembered for what they have done.
Delevan C. Smith was born in New York,
July 23, 1827, and died in September of the
year I899 at Mason, Michigan, and his remains repose in Maple Grove Cemetery. In




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


407


the year I848 Mr. Smith married Sarah
Ann, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Clark
Berry, of Fulton, N. Y.  One daughter,
Jennie, came to cheer and brighten their
lives, now the wife of A. L. Vandercook of
Mason, the well known grocer. It was in
the spring of I857 that Mr. Smith decided
to leave his native state in quest of a home
somewhere in the west. For some months
he prospected in Wisconsin and Indiana,
where he had relatives, and finally settled on
the farm where spent more than forty years
of his life, experiencing in turn the joys and
sorrows common to the lot of mortals. September ist, I866, he braved the first great
sorrow of his life in the death of his beloved wife.  She sleeps in Maple Grove
Cemetery.  Although the grass has long
years been green above her lowly bed, an
affectionate and dutiful daughter, who has
grown to noble womanhood, reveres the
memory of her sacred dead.
November 24, 1868, Mr. Smith was
united in marriage to Jane, daughter of Col.
George W. and Deborah Shafer of Mason.
Four children were born to them, as follows: Gertrude, March 14, 1870, widow of
Emmett Bush. Mrs. Bush resides near her
mother and has the comfort and companionship of two dutiful children, Leon and Wendell; Guy is superintendent of the Ludington city schols. Mr. Smith is a graduate of
the Kalamazoo College and is making a
commendable success of his chosen profession; Ray died at the age of five months;
Allie is the wife of Alfred M. Allen, a promising young attorney of the Ingham county
bar and Deputy County Clerk.   Mr. and
Mrs. Allen occupy the Smith home, in which
they are financially interested, Mr. Allen
conducting the farm. From a small beginning on a forty acre farm lying one half
mile south of the city limits, Mr. Smith improved and added to until he was the happy


possessor of one hundred and twenty acres
of choice tillable land with fine buildings,
stock and modern conveniences. Mr. Smith
was of the best type of American citizens.
He was honest and upright in all of his.dealings, conservative in his language,
kindly disposed, an indulgent father and
husband and christian man, whose life was
consistent with his profession.
"How beautiful it is for man to die
Upon the walls of Zion; to be called
Like a watchworn and weary sentinel,
To lay his armor off and rest in heaven."
Politically, Mr. Smith affiliated with the
Republican party, until four years prior to
his death, he lost faith in its moral integrity
and gave hearty support to the principles of
the Prohibition party. He was not only a
temperance man, but more, he believed the
best interests of the sacred institutions of
our country, the schools, the home and the
church demanded the overthrow-the outlawing of the American saloon. To this end
he contributed his vote, his time and means
for the promulgation of the temperance sentiment.
He was interested in every enterprise
looking to the betterment of society, social,
intellectual, moral and financial. To this
end he gave his support to the Grange, the
Farmers' Club, I. I. O. F. and the Royal
Arcanum, in which he carried an insurance
of three thousand dollars. Mr. Smith and
family were all identified with the Baptist
church of their city, to which he gave a
hearty support. A good man has gone.
"After life's fitful fever, he sleeps well."
Mrs. Smith, whose parents were among
the earliest settlers of Ingham county and
who are given recognition in the sketch of
her brother, James H. Shafer, found elsewhere in this volume, gives the following
interesting remembrances: Her mother was




408


PAST AND PRESENT


present at the first funeral held at the little
burg of Mason. Her father owned the first
team of horses ever brought into the county.
He kept a grocery store and his goods were
hauled with ox team all the way from Dexter, Washtenaw county, many times crossing swollen streams with difficulty.
JAMES STOUGHTON.
James Stoughton was born November 25,
1827, at West Bloomfield, in Oakland county, Michigan. His parents, Dillucena and
Sophia (Capin) Stoughton were natives of
New York and Windsor, Vermont, respectively, the father having been born August
Io, 1791, at Cayuga county, and the mother
February I6, I795, at Windsor. The father
came to Michigan in 1822, first settling in
Oakland county on a piece of wild land,
which he finally improved and upon it built
a brick residence, where he lived for about
twenty-four years. For two years he had
a residence at Pontiac and in I840 came
to Ingham  county and located on section
thirteen of Wiiliamston township. He first
built a log house and by the assistance of
his sons improved all the property and at
the time of his death had divided the four
hundred and forty acres of land among the
children. While farming was the business
of his life, he was a shoemaker by trade and
gathered in a considerable income from his
work at the bench at odd times.
Before the organization of the Republican
party, the elder Stoughton was a Whig,
but later a Republican. He died October
31, 1876, and the mother died March 31,
I865. They were buried side by side in the
Branch cemetery.
Our subject was the seventh of twelve
children born to his parents, four of whom
are living: Alfred W., February 3, 1832;
John, July i5, 1834; Dillucena, May 17,


I837, and our subject; the names of the deceased are as follows: Samuel E., April 17,
1814, died March I8, 1872; Earl, April I,
1817, died November 3, 1892; Aaron, June
17, I8I9, died August 25, 1821; Alvira,
September 2, I821, died September 25,
I838; Sophrona, August 28, 1823, died September 5, 1872; Sarah L., September i6,
1825, died February 27, 1899; Alonson,
March I9, I830, died November 14, I862;
Amasiah, June 23, I84I, died June 8, I898.
Mr. Stoughton was educated as were the
boys of large families with parents of moderate circumstances in the new country.
When twenty-one years of age, in 1848, he
started out for himself, his father generously making over to him the deed for seventy acres of land, which he still owns and
upon which he lives.   He has at times
owned considerable land which he has sold
and given to his sons. He now owns one
hundred and ten acres of choice land. When
he started out for himself there was but a
small clearing of twenty acres on the place
given by his father, however, he has improved the premises until it has kept pace
with the progress of the surrounding country.
In politics, Mr. Stoughton is an independent voter, casting his ballot, as he terms
it, for the best man. He was united in
marriage to Catherine, daughter of Seldon
Gillett, July 26, 1857.  Mrs. Stoughton's
father was one of the early settlers of the
Township of Wheatfield, working in an
early day at the trade of a shoemaker. Her
mother's maiden name was Martha Chase.
She was born August 22, 1814, and died
January 19, 1896.   Her father was born
February i, I8io, and died January I8,
I857. There were three children in the
family: Catherine, born May 25, 1836, wife
of our subject; Mary L., born August 5,
1839, wife of Russell Hammond; Abram




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


409


C., born April 13, I841, now a resident of
Williamston.  Her father gave loyal support to the principles of the Republican
party, throughout his life.
Mr. and Mrs. Stoughton are the parents
of five children, three of whom are living:
Elden J., born June 28, I860, married Cora
Smith, in December of 1903, now living at
Whitmore Lake; Martha A., born November 7, I867, is the wife of Lewis Bristow,
living at Williamston; Charley, born October I, I862. The names of the deceased are
Seldon P., born April 5, 1858, died September o1, 1859, and Earl, born January 29,
i865, died May Io, I868.
Mr. and Mrs. Stoughton are among the
highly respected people of their township
and are now living in the full enjoyment of
the comfortable competence which is theirs
by reason of their early activity, ability and
economy.
WILLIAM M. STEPHENS (DECEASED).
When death arrested the pulse of him
whose name is at the head of this sketch,
society lost one of its most genial and wholesouled members, and his home the spirit that
uplifted, encouraged, and advanced the interest of the family. That he was held in
high regard was manifested by the positions
of trust which he filled, and the many friends
who mourned his loss.
William M. Stephens was born in Underbill, Vt., June 27, 1825, and died March 17,
1891. He was the son of Royal and Sally
(Richardson) Stephens, natives of Vermont.
The father was born in 1795 and the mother
in I799. Royal Stephens came to Michigan
in 1836 and bought two hundred and forty
acres of wild land in Stockbridge township
from  the government.  A grandson (by
adoption) who lives on this place has an old
government patent signed by Martin Van


Buren in I837. The first brick made in
Stockbridge township was made by Royal
Stephens on this farm. He here built one
brick house, which has been torn down and
the present brick residence was built by his
son, our subject. Royal Stephens lived and
died on this farm. He was a Republican and
a Methodist and helped to form the first
class in Stockbridge.
William M. Stephens was one of nine children, only two now living: Melissa, born
February, 1820, and died in I897; Orange,
born in 1822, died March 31, 1893; Edgar,
born in 1824 and died the same year; our
subject; Justine, born in 1827 and died in
1857; Edgar, born in I830, died in I866:
Martha E., Mrs. Oscar Gregory of Stockbridge; George E., born in I835 and died in
I860, and Theron A., born in 184I, a hardware merchant of Stockbridge.
Our subject was educated in the district
schools of Stockbridge and stayed at home
and cared for his parents until their death,
the father's occurring in April, 1867, and the
mother's in November, i880. In I85o he
went to California and engaged in mining
for four years, and returned with five thousand dollars, as a result of his labors, and
lived on the home farm.
July 25, I855, Mr. Stevens was united in
marriage with Miss Harriett, daughter of
David and Laura Ormsby of Stockbridge.
Mrs. Stephens was born February 26, 1824,
and her father, a native of Vermont, was
born June 25, 1797, and the birth of her
mother occurred August 19, I797. David
Ormsby moved from Vermont to Illinois and
then to Stockbridge township in 1849, where
he has since resided.
To Mr. and Mrs. William Stephens two
children were born: Ida May, born February
2, I856, died eight years ago, was the wife
of Perry Barrett; Alvin Willis, born June
3, 1859, died at the age of three years. An




410


PAST AND PRESENT


adopted son, Carrol J. Stephens, born in Detroit, January I I, 1862, was married to Miss
Phebe M. Townsend, October io, '888; she
departing this life November I I of the same
year. She was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs.
Robert Townsend of Stockbridge, both now
deceased. On May 27, 189I, he married
Miss Jennie Milner; two children came to
them, both dying in infancy. The mother
going to join them January 23, I896. She
was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Elisha Milner of Stockbridge, both now living. In
June, I897, he married Mary, daughter of
Alba and Charity (Bell) Riggs of Stockbridge. Mrs. Stephens was born July 20,
I868. Her father's birth occurred November 9, I835, and the mother's July 8, 1832.
Mrs. Stephens has four sisters: Sarah, Julia,
Anna and Emma, and one brother, Herman,
all living. Mrs. Carrol J. Stephens prizes
quite highly a picture of the Bell family,
which she possesses, containing seventy-two
persons, or four generations of a family
taken at family reunions.
Mr. and Mrs. C. J. Stephens are the parents of two children: Phoebe May, born
August 29, I898, and Raymond Edwin, born
September 8, I90o. Carrol J. Stephens is
independent in politics, voting every time for
the best man.
Fraternally, Mr. William  M. Stephens
was a member of the Masonic order. Politically, he was a strong Democrat and represented his town and district in the State
Legislature in 1874 and 1875, which position he filled in a manner pleasing to all.
ABRAHAM     SIMON (DECE^ASED).
Few men were more prominent or more
widely known in the enterprising City of
Lansing than Abraham   Simon.  With a
beginning in the humble walks of life, he
ascended the ladder of success, step by step,


until he became an important factor in business circles and his success in all his undertakings were of so marked a degree that his
methods were of interest to the commercial
world. He was energetic, prompt and notably reliable. Tireless in energy, keen in perception, honest of purpose and possessing a
genius for devising and executing the right
thing at the right time, and these joined to
every day common sense, were the chief
characteristics of the man.
Abraham Simon was born in Poland in
I846. At the age of twenty-one years, or
in 1865, he emigrated to America and proceeded to Detroit, where he resided until
I888. That year witnessed his arrival in
Lansing.  Engaging in the iron and steel
business, he also became possessor of other
extensive business interests, becoming prominent as one of the organizers of the Peerless Motor Co. He was also identified in an
official capacity, as its vice president.
Prior to his emigration to America he had
been married to Rachel Simon and unto
them were born five children, as follows:
Lena, married George Polasky; Jacob B.;
Molly, married to Joseph Gersen; Rose J.,
and Mamie. Abraham Simon, the subject
of this review, was a man of exceptional
character and was truly self-made in every
respect.  He began life with practically
nothing but a good stock of determination
and a pair of willing hands. The success
he achieved in the following years he carved
out for himself.  As has been truly remarked, after all that may be done for a man
in the way of giving him early opportunities
for obtaining the requirements which are
sought in the school and in books, or the
advantages of wealth, he must essentially
formulate, determine and give shape to his
own character, and this is what Mr. Simon
did. He was shrewd, yet ruggedly honest,
and in the accumulation of his property,




i:-i ii-i::-- iii
—:::::;:-:-,:-:::_:: -:i:_:-:_::::;_:::::::-::


LZ:
miSS00f
W00;:t:: 


J
I


AIB-RAHAMI SIMON (Deceased)








INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


411


which became extensive, he knew no man
that he could not honestly look in the eye
and shake by the hand. These strong traits
of his character were such as endeared him
to all with whom he came in contact. He
gave generously for the public good, was
faithful in friendship and devoted to his
family.  He was ever ready to assist an
enterprise that would be of benefit to his
adopted city. He departed this life October
14, 1903, honored and respected by all who
knew him. The success which he achieved
embraced several business enterprises, which
have been taken in charge by his son, Jacob
B., who had been identified with his father
for a number of years.
Abraham Simon was a member of the
Masonic Lodge No. 66 of Lansing, also of
the K. of P.. and Elks.
Jacob B. Simon was marred May 7, I90I,
to Miss Fannie Robinson of Ontario. This
union has been blessed with one son, Abraham. Jacob B. Simon is a member of the
Masonic Order and also of the Elks. In his
political views, he is, as his father was, a
Republican. He is in every way a worthy
son of a worthy father and stands deservedly
high in the estimation of his fellow citizens.
DANIEL B. STEVENS.
The ranks of the pioneers of Ingham
county are becoming smaller with each passing year. Among the few who still survive
to enjoy the results of former years of toil
is the gentleman whose name introduces this
sketch. He was born July I6, I834, in the
State of Michigan, and is the son of Jolus
and Mabel (Sottles) Stevens, the father being a native of Connecticut, and the mother
of New York. Mr. Stevens' parents came
to Michigan in 1846 and located on eighty
acres in Wayne county, this being all wild
land, which the father improved.  Later,


Mr. Jolus Stevens sold this land and came
to White Oak, where he bought one hundred
and sixty acres of wild land, twenty-five of
which he improved. At this time there was
no road leading to the property in which he
had invested his savings. This pioneer was
a supporter of the Democrat party, was not
a member of any church, but died a Christian
gentleman in the year I875.
Our subject was the seventh of nine children who came to bless the home of their
parents; the living are: our subject, Andrew,
Julius and Betsey, and the deceased Peter,
Polly, Sally, Asa and Lewis.
Early in life Mr. Daniel B. Stevens was
thrown on his own resources. Shortly after
coming to White Oak and being thoroughly
acquainted with the various details of farming, he worked by the day and month at this
work. When twenty-two years of age, from
his savings he bought eighty acres of land,
forty of which he afterwards sold and
cleared the balance. Later, he bought fortyfour acres more of which twenty acres were
improved.
September i i, I870, Mr. Stevens was united in marriage to Melinda, daughter of Hiel
and Watli (Johnson) Phelps. Mrs. Stevens
was born October 4, 1837, and died October
9, 1892.  Mr. Phelps came to Michigan
about the same time of the arrival of our
subject in this place and located in White
Oak township on one hundred and twenty
acres of land, a part of which was already
improved. To Mr. and Mrs. Phelps were
born six children, all living except our subject's wife: Jasper, George, Ella, Otis and
Philo being the names of the children.
To Mr. and Mrs. Daniel B. Stevens were
born two children: Claud D., July 7, 1871,
and died September  I, 1872, and Vernie
E., September I6, I875, married Myrtle
Jones, June 8, 1904, and they live with our
subject.




412


PAST AND PRESENT


Mr. Stevens is a staunch Prohibitionist,
but prefers domestic quiet to the confusion
of public life. His religious views lead him
into the Methodist Protestant church.
WILLIAM H. POST.
To be a son of a pioneer is considered
an honorable distinction in Ingham county,
and when that pioneer was one who built up
the community and thus did effective work
for all who came in contact with him and
his influence, it is an added cause for congratulation. This pioneer, the father of our
subject, came to Michigan in I838 and located in Iosco, Livingston county, on eighty
acres of wild land, which he improved and
upon it built a frame house. This property
he however sold and bought another eighty
in White Oak township, which he cleared
and built upon, when he again sold out and
bought the place where our subject now
lives. This land was in a wild state, but the
energy and ambition of the sturdy pioneer
soon removed the forests and in their place
erected commodious buildings and to the
present property added twenty more acres.
The careful management of the father paved
the way for a bright and prosperous future
for our subject.
William H. Post was born in White Oak
township, Ingham county, February 23,
I853. His father, William C. Post, was born
in Connecticut, December 5, 181i, and the
mother, whose maiden name was Ursula
Caroline Smith, was born in New York,
October 31, I819. The parents were married in Michigan, October I, 1840. The family were members of the Methodist Protestant church and the father cast his vote and
influence for the principles of the Democracy.  He died June 30, 1875, and the
mother, December I5, I898.
Our subject was the youngest of four chil

dren: Corinna Jewell and Emma Jewell,
twins, born October 23, 184I; Corinna died
about I890. She married John A. Sly and
to them were born three children: Addie,
Mattie and William C. Addie married Edgar Granger and they have two children,
Bruce and Ray; Mattie married James Runciman and they have one child, Roy; William C. married May Grimes; Emma married Chas. Wood and they live in Bunker
Hill township and have five children; Elmer
married Lydia Morse and they have two
children, Irvin and Rayner; Bert married
Myrtle Bushnell, who died, and they had
one child, Lloyd. He married again and they
have one child. Emmett married Ella Robinson; Arthur married Blanche Wilbur and
they have one child; Rena married Ernest
Wright and they    have three children,
Donald, Bethel and Kenneth; Sally was born
October 17, I843, and married James Paddock and they have eight children: Millie,
Alice (dead), Jesse, James, Ford, Kate
(dead), Bert (dead) and Alice, and the
fourth is our subject.
William Post was educated in the common district school and upon the death of
his father started out for himself. He took
the old farm and has always lived there. In
1892 he bought eighty acres more owning at
the present time one hundred and eighty
acres of good farming land.
May 24, I87I, our subject was united in
marriage with Ella Dakin, who was born
May 20, I854. Her father, Michael Dakin
was born in New York, and the mother,
whose maiden name was Eveline Jessop, was
also a native of New York. Michael Dakin
first located in Ingham township, Ingham
county, and lived on several different places
around Dansville. He was a supporter of
the Democrat party. Mr. and Mrs. Dakin
were the parents of nine children: Florine,
who married Charles Osborn, and have two




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


413


children; Fred, who married Reta Dobie,
and Addie married Herbert Sawyer, and
they have one child; Charles; Mrs. Post;
Fred, married Bertha Hyne, and they have
one child, who is dead; Ray; Willis, is married, and they have two children; Nora
(dead), married Abner Whitney; Jennie
(dead), married Frank Teachout, and they
have one child; Bertha, who married Arthut
Miller; Elmer, married Jennie Dunsmore,
and they have one child, Murel; Elpha, married Dell Grimes, who died in the SpanishAmerican war, they had one child.  She
again married Theron Cooper of Detroit,
Mich.
Our subject and wife have one daughter,
Lottie, born June 30, 1876, who married
George Runciman in October, 1897, and they
reside on a farm in Wheatfield and have two
children: Clyde, born in I898, and Wayne,
born in 1903.
William H. Post was elected by the Democrat party to the office of Township Treasurer for two terms. Fraternally he is allied
with the Odd Fellows, Maccabees and the
Grange. He is one of the prominent men of
his locality and is conspicuous for his good
citizenship and energy.
EUGENE D. PICKETT.
The intelligent young farmers of Ingham
county are the bone and sinew of the community, as their strength and vitality, their
enterprise and energy are carrying forward
not only the agricultural interests but the
foundations for commercial success throughout this section of the State. None of them
is more justly appreciated than he whose
name stands at the head of this sketch, and
his fine farm, lying on section II of Stockbridge township, is well adorned and improved, and contains one hundred and fifty
acres of land.


Goodman H. Pickett, the father of our
subject, was born in Wyoming county, N.
Y., as was the son, in the year 1822, and
the mother, who bore the maiden name of
Sarah A. Bennett, was born in Vermont,
Sept. 4, 1826. The father and mother of
our subject came to Michigan in 1873 and
for a few years lived on a rented farm in
White Oak. Mr. Goodman Pickett died at
the home of his son, in Locke township,
Nov. 24, i888, and the mother passed away
May 22, I88i.
Father and son, alike, were supporters of
the Democrat party, but never sought for
office. Goodman Pickett was a member of
the I. O. O. F., and both he and his estimable wife were highly respected Christian
people. To them were born six children,
four of whom are living: Helen J., born
Dec. 17, 1850, wife of James English of
Nebraska; Frank A., born Nov. I, 1853,
was a single man, living in New York and
(lied May 5, 1872; Laura E., born Nov. 2,
1856, and (lied Oct. 7, I873; Henry G., born
Nov. 2, I856, married Sterephene Roy of
Locke; our subject; Eugene D., born Dec.
i6, i86o, in New York, and Nettie P., born
April 5, 1864, the wife of George Crossley
of Stockbridge.
Eugene D. Pickett, the subject of this review, acquired his early education in the district schools of New York and White Oak,
and at the age of fifteen started out for himself by working on a farm by the month.
This he continued until Jan. 7, I886, when
he was united in marriage to Esther H.,
daughter of Benjamin and Eliza (Sharp)
Asquith of Stockbridge. She was born Sept.
21, 1863, a daughter of the Wolverine State.
Mr. Asquith, the father, was born Dec. 2,
1821, and the mother, June 2, 1828. Benjamin Asquith came with his parents and
several brothers to Michigan in the year
I840. They were among the early settlers




414


PAST AND PRESENT


of Stockbridge, coming here when the country was all a wilderness. He worked with
the parents, clearing up the farm, and after
the father's death the land was divided, and
this was the home of the Asquith's, upon
which place our subject, Eugene D. Pickett,
now lives.
Mrs. Pickett was one of six children, the
other members of the family being: Uriah,
born March 2I, I848, died June 4, I848,
Elizabeth, born April 30, 1849, and died
May 9, 1849; Sarah Ann, born March o0,
I850, died May 23, I852; William H., born
Nov. 4, I85I, died May 20, 1852; Joseph
Royal, born May 28, 1855, married first to
Florence Cleveland, and afterwards to Flora
Sanders.
To Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Pickett were
given three children: Mabel, born Sept. 29,
1887, died Sept. I6, I888; Bessie M., born
Nov. I5, I889, and Warner E., born Dec.
I6, I900, both being at home with the parents.
As prosperity attended Mr. Pickett, he
added forty acres to the original farm, and
today is in possession of a fine piece of property, consisting of one hundred and fifty
acres of highly cultivated land.
Mr. and Mrs. Pickett are highly prized
members of the M. E. church of Stockbridge
in which society they find a broad field for
activity and usefulness.
S. J. P. SMEAD (DECEASED).
The ways of Providence are mysterious
and past finding out. Human wisdom fails
to solve the problem connected with life.
One full of vigor and strong manhood, loving and beloved, having made provisionsin abundance for himself, and dependent
to a ripe old age, useful, intelligent, refined, this man's life is suddenly snuffed out
as a candle.


Another has lived out the allotted years
of man, the mind weakens, the body is decrepit, the friends of his early years are gone
his substance is wasted, he becomes a burden, possibly a public charge, he lives on until no one knows his history, and still lives
praying for death to come and relieve. We
ask why, and the answer comes echoing
down the ages, why, why, why? One of
the unsolved problems of life.  The first
descriptive picture was that of S. J. P.
Smead.
Mr. Smead was born at Bethany, N. Y.,
August 5, I817, died at Mason, Michigan,
April 24, I888, and his remains were laid
to rest in Maple Grove cemetery, where loving friends have caused to be erected a beautiful monument to commemorate his memory. Mr. Smead's parents, Charles and Almeda (Howe) Smead were natives of Massachusetts and of New York, respectively,
and died in New York. They were the
parents of nine children and their occupation was farming. Mr. Smead school advantages were better than the average young
man's in the country at that early date, and
he improved his opportunities.  He fitted
himself for teaching, which occupation he
followed for six years, beginning at the age
of nineteen years. His ability was recognized in his election as County Superintendent of Schools; the duties of which position
he discharged with the fidelity which was a
marked characteristic of the man all through
his active life. On the I2th of May, I842,
Mr. Smead was united in marriage to
Pluma, daughter of Amadon and Olive
Kendal Holden then of Bethany, N. Y. To
them were born three children.
Jeannette, the only living heir, has always
remained at home with her parents, and since
the death of her father has been the companion and comfort of her mother. After
marriage, Mr. Smead settled upon a farm




7~~~~~ #~~~l








INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


415


near his old home, and by enterprise and
good management, accumulated a comfortable competence.  He was very successful
as a fruit grower, apples being his speciality.
From an orchard of ten acres, he is said
to have cleared from a single year's crop,
$4,000. He remained upon the farm about
thirty years. In the year of 1871 he came
to Michigan, and settled in Mason, which
has since been the home of the family. Mrs.
Smead's parents, two years after her marriage, in the year of 1844, sold out their
holdings in New York state, came to Michigan and settled upon a new farm in the
Township of Vevay. It was to be near her
father's family and to be with her parents
in their old age, formed their decision to
come West.
After becoming a citizen of the Commonwealth of Michigan, Mr. Smead established himself in business by  forming a co-partnership with  Peter Lowe,
organizing what is now    known as the
Farmers' Bank, under the corporate firm
name of Lowe, Smead & Co., the business was conducted successfully for ten
years. Mr. Smead retired, never afterward
engaging in business. He set himself to the
task of erecting a new home, that when finished was the most attractive and complete
in all its apartments of any in the city. It
was while finishing up the same on the
premises that he accidentally stepped on a
rusty nail which caused the lock-jaw resulting in his death. He was a man of good
presence, possessing a quiet dignity, yet
easy of approach. Having by his integrity
and uprightness of life established himself
in public confidence. He was called upon to
serve as administrator in the settlement of
important estates, which trust he always
performed to the entire satisfaction of all
those interested. In his religious faith he
was an Universalist in belief; in the absence


of the church of his choice he and his family
affiliated with the Presbyterian society of
which he was a liberal supporter, and at the
time of his death was an active member of
the board of trustees.
His death was a great shock to the community, and many a good citizen felt that he
had sustained a personal loss in the death of
this just man. Loving hands bore away his
manly form to the silent city, with a good
hope that his soul
"Passed through Glory's morning gate,
And walked in Paradise."
Mrs. Smead's father, Amadon Holden,
was born June I8, 1795, was a native of
Franklin county, Massachusetts. He possessed a rugged hardy constitution.
"He came from the mountains
Of the old Granite State,
Where the hills were so lofty,
Magnificent and great."
He married Miss Olive Kendall, August
22, 1814.
Mrs. Holden was the mother of four children, all growing to manhood and womanhood. She died January 1o, I874. Mr.
Holden lived to the age of 92 years, dying
at the home of his daughter, Mrs. S. J. P.
Smead, May o0, I887.
He reared his family with pioneer surroundings and pioneer simplicity. All were
numbered among the best citizens in the
community in which they lived.
A. J. RAYNER.
The name of "Rayner" is inseparably interwoven with the pioneer history of Ingham
county, as the father of our subject, John
Rayner, came to Michigan and Ingham
county in an early day, and thus became one
of the factors in its pioneer development.




416


PAST AND PRESENT


He was a farmer by occupation and first
located in Vevay township.
A. J. Rayner is a native son of this county,
his birth having occurred in Vevay township,
July 27, 1841. His early education was acquired, as other farmer lads of his time, in
the common schools of his locality.  His
boyhood and youth was spent on the home
farm, by assisting his father, early becoming
familiar with the duties that fall to the lot
of an agriculturist. Here he remained until
the breaking out of the Civil war, when in
response to his country's call he enlisted on
the 22d day of August, I861, in Co. B,
7th Michigan Regiment, and in the discharge
of his soldier duties he has a record of which
he may well be proud. He saw much active
service, being engaged in a number of important battles, such as Fair Oaks, Antietam,
Fredericksburg  Chancellorsville,  Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, Gettysburg, Petersburg and numerous smaller engagements.  While in the service he had
many close calls, but was never seriously
wounded, although his horse was killed under him at Spottsylvania.
At the siege of Vicksburg, there occurred
an incident in the career of Mr. Rayner, as
a soldier, well worthy of mention: His company had been on picket line by the river,
where they were concealed in the weeds;
there had been no firing when suddenly a
woman appeared near the river, crying for
help. She explained her difficulty, but said
there was no one there to harm them, but a
little later, when the troops were about to
cross the river, the rebels opened a deadly
fire of volley after volley-the woman had
simply been a decoy. Col. Hall returning
from headquarters asked for volunteers to
cross this river; Col. Baxter, who was
wounded just as he entered the river, refused
to go back, the troops followed him, and
entered the boats and wended their way


across. It is a matter of record that A. J.
Rayner and Captain Steel were the first two
men to enter the boat in response to the call
for volunteers. This occurred on the iith
day of December, 1862. After this engagement, Mr. Rayner, in recognition of his services, was promoted to mounted orderly and
was offered a lieutenancy, but declined to
accept. After three years service in behalf
of the preservation of the union he was
honorably discharged on the 2ist day of
August, I864, and returned home to Mason
to resume his duties as private citizen. After
his return home he spent two years at school
at Ypsilanti. On the i9th day of December,
I866, he married Emma Jane Reynolds,
daughter of D. M. and Martha D. Reynolds.
Mrs. Rayner's mother was a native of
New York, born in Sullivan county in 1813
and there resided until her marriage. Her
father then came west and settled in Ingham
county, in Stockbridge, in June, I839. They
made this trip amid the scenes and hardships of pioneer times, coming from Detroit
with a team of oxen, and oftimes found it
necessary to chop their way through underbrush. Arriving here her father took up
forty acres of government land in White
Oak township, and there resided until Mrs.
Rayner was five years of age, when they removed to Washtenaw county. Here he engaged in the lumber business, running a sawmill, until he eventually removed to Bunker
Hill, Ingham county, and there resided until he took up his residence in Leslie in I875,
where he lived continuously until his death,
which occurred August 22, 1892.    The
mother also died at the home of Mrs. Rayner in I894.
To our subject and wife have been born
three children, two of whom are now living:
the eldest, J. B., who is successfully engaged
in real estate business in Lansing, married
Lulu M. Higdon of Jackson; the second,


V




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


417


Laura, is the wife of Walter S. Root of
Mason, and they have two children, Reno
Rayner and William Jehial. After the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Rayner, they removed
to Bunker Hill, and were there engaged in
farming for about twelve years. This property consists of about four hundred acres of
well improved and highly productive land.
At the expiration of this time he removed
to Leslie and became identified with the real
estate business in which he has engaged successfully ever since.
Mr. Rayner has been remarkably successful, and has accumulated valuable property
holdings, as he also owns independent of
this, four hundred acres, three highly improved farms in Jackson county, as well as
six farms in Ingham county, and is in all
probability one of the most extensive land
owners of this locality. Mr. Rayner is a
member of the G. A. R. Post of Leslie. He
affiliates with the Republican party and has
taken a citizen's interest in the success of its
candidates. He has served as a member of
the Council of Leslie for nine years and has
been President of the village for one term.
Having spent his entire life in Ingham
county, he has a wide acquaintance within
its borders, and the strength of his character,
his honorable conduct, and his fidelity to
manly purposes have made him one of the
representative and valued citizens, and unto
such men, who have by their frugality and
thrift, contributed to the commercial prosperity of this county is this volume dedicated.
LEMUEL ALLEN ROYSTON.
The name of "Royston" is inseparably
connected with history in Michigan. for it
was in I835 that James Royston, who was a
native of New Jersey (but who, when sixteen years of age accompanied his parents
to New York state) located land in this state
27


and came to Michigan in June, 1836, and
located upon the place where the son, L. A.
Royston, now resides. Here the father purchased an extensive tract of land, comprised
of fourteen hundred acres, to which place he
removed his family from New York, coming
by the way of Buffalo to Detroit on the
lakes and from Detroit to his farm by ox
teams. This primitive method of travel was
exceedingly slow and on the way they encountered many difficulties, traveling at the
rate of about five or six miles per day. Arriving here, he built a log house, in which
the family resided for one year, which was
later supplemented by a more pretentious
frame dwelling. Little by little the father
cleared and placed under cultivation this
property and there resided until his death,
which occurred in 1884, November 25th, at
the age of seventy-six years, eleven months
and eleven days. Prior to this time he had
deeded away the greater portion of his estate, in fact all but two hundred and eighty
acres. He was a man of more than ordinary
force of character, strong in determination
of purpose and ambitious to surround his
family with all the comforts that this new
country then afforded.
L. A. Royston, the subject of this review,
is a native of the Empire State and was born
in Seneca Falls in 1835, on February I6th.
He is one of a family of six children, of
whom three are now living, namely, our subject, Mrs. Elias Sanders, widow, and Mrs.
James Rappelye, widow. L. A. Royston's
brother, William, was the first white boy
born in this county and died in the war. It
is also interesting to note in this history of
the Royston family, that the father of our
subject, James Royston, as was also the son,
L. A., were at the memorable gathering
which resulted in the formation of the Republican party, "Under the Oaks," at JackSOIn.




418


PAST AND PRESENT


Continuing, however, the individual sketch
of our subject, we would state that
his early education was acquired in a little
log school house in the home locality and
when he first started out in life for himself,
he began by learning the carriage maker's
trade and first found employment with John
Patton of Detroit. In this line he became
quite proficient and has been all over the
United State working on the construction of
hacks, carriages, etc. In this particular line
of business he has been engaged for himself
and has acted in the capacity of foreman in
Ohio, where he remained for two years. He
then returned to Leslie and resumed the sash,
door and blind business again; selling this
out, he removed to Otsego, Michigan, where
he resided for three years. At the expiration of this time he returned to the home
farm to look after his father and his interests
and upon the father's death he purchased the
interests of the other heirs and here has since
resided.
On the I7th day of November, 1858, Mr.
Royston was united in marriage to Miss Ann
Eliza Morehouse, a native of New York,
and unto them have been born six children,
namely: Herbert, married and resides at Leslie; Phebe D., wife of Wm. B. Olin of Detroit; Jesse, resides at home and is engaged
in farming; Luella Ellen, the wife of Homer
Taylor; Mabel, married to Lyman Rumsey
of St. Louis, Michigan; and Vene, married
and lives at Grand Ledge. Vene has acquired considerable reputation as a decorator.
Mr. Royston is a member of the I. O. 0.
F. of Leslie and has been pathmaster for
thirty years and efficiently served on the
school board, while his children were in
school. He affiliates with the Republican
party.
An honored pioneer resident of this locality, he is a man of highest respectability and


those who are most intimately associated
with him speak in unqualified terms of his
integrity and honor in business and fidelity
to all the duties of public and private life,
and unto such ment and families, Ingham
county owes its history.
JAY M. SMITH, LANSING.
Jay M. Smith, a leading hardware merchant of Lansing, was born in Freemont,
Ohio, in the year I86o. being a son of J. M.
and Rachael Smith. His father was a native of the Empire State, coming to Ohio
when a boy and removing to Clinton county,
Michigan, in 1864. There he purchased
three eighty acre tracts of timber land, which
he cleared and added to, from time to time,
until he was the owner of eleven hundred
acres. Most of the land in the vicinity of
his location was of a swampy nature, but,
as he was a firm believer in the efficacy of
tile drainage as a means of bringing it under
cultivation, he set vigorously at work to improve his own and his neighbors properties.
In this work he was eminently successful.
He was elected Drainage Commissionertook a deep interest in the Agricultural College of Lansing, and was one of the most
practically  progressive  men  in  Clinton
county.
Our subject passed most of his boyhood,
and all of his youth and early manhood in
Clinton county, attending the Agricultural
College in I879 and Olivet College in I880 -188I. He then commenced the practical
work of farming, taking active charge of
his father's interests for about three years.
They did not confine themselves to raising
products of the soil, but operated a fine stock
farm, being widely known as the first importers and breeders of Galloway cattle in
Michigan. Their first cows were imported
from Canada, but later the stock came direct




JAY M. SITITH








INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


419


from Scotland, and eventually they owned a
herd of over one hundred fine registered
cattle. As breeders of that variety they stood
as high as any cattlemen in the Middle West,
and for years were prominent exhibitors at
all the State fairs in Illinois, Indiana, Ohio
and adjoining states.
In 1884, the father, Jay and another son,
left Lansing to engage in the cattle business
in the Black Hills. In a terrible blizzard,
which overtook them, the elder Mr. Smith
was frozen to death. His body was not
found until several days afterwards. He was
at first buried in the Black Hills, but afterwards disinterred and laid to rest at Mount
Hope cemetery.
Neither were these the sum total of his
calamities, for nearly all his cattle were
frozen, or lost, and he was obliged to start
back to Michigan, fatherless and almost penniless. On his way he stopped in Chicago,
told of his experience to a capitalist of that
city and was offered a chance to return to
Dakota as a stockman. This opportunity,
however, was not accepted, as Mr. Smith
had decided for more reasons than one that
he preferred Michigan as a home above all
other states.
One of the reasons for his return to Lansing soon developed in his marriage to Miss
Ella Howard.   They have had one child,
who died at the age of five years.
When he first returned from the W\est,
Mr. Smith was employed on his father-inlaw's farm, teaching school during five
months in the winter.   For a number of
years prior to 1891 he worked for P. E.
Dunham, and later was in the wheel works
of which W. K. Prudden was president. In
1892 he bought the hardware business of
Mr. Dunham and the firm of Price & Smith
continued in that line for ten years. The
former then sold his interest to Mr. Barton,
the partnership of Smith & Barton being


thus formed.  The house, which is now
firmly established and prosperous, carries a
complete line of hardware, stove, tinware
and paints.
Mr. Smith has not only a good business,
but he is the owner of considerable village
property, and not only is he substantial in
worldly goods, but he is a man of most enviable public reputation. At present, he is
an Alderman for the First Ward, the third
Republican who has ever been elected from
this stronghold.of the Democracy. He has
also been Township School Inspector, Township Treasurer and a member of the School
Board. He is identified with the Masonic
Fraternity, the I. 0. O. F. and the Royal
Arcanum.
GEORGE A. REID.
George A. Reid was born upon the farm
where he still resides, in Stockbridge township, on section thirteen. May 15, 1877, and
is the son of Robert and Eva (Stevens)
Reid; the father born in New York, March
28, 1840, and the mother in Stockbridge in
1853, and died at the age of twenty-six
years.
Robert Reid was one of five children of
Alexander Reid, who was born in Glasgow,
Scotland, about I794, and died at the age
of fifty-three on his farm, and Ann Cullen
who was born near Glasgow in the year
800o.  Alexander Reid was a tailor by
trade in Scotland and was there married in. 1825 and came to America, settling in Canandaigua county, N. Y., in 1828.
In 1846 they came to Michigan and settled
in Stockbridge township on one hundred
and sixty acres of wild land. They built
a log house and began clearing up the place,
when the father died and left the sons to
finish the work.  After the death of the
mother, Robert, our subject's father, bought




420


PAST AND PRESENT


out the heirs and made this his home.
To Alexander Reid and wife were born
the following children: Alexander, born in
Scotland and died in New York when a
child; Henrietta Catherine, September 27,
1828, the wife of H. F. Lyman living in
Stockbridge township; Alexander, No. 2,
died at the age of forty years, married
Agnes Craig and was a farmer of Stockbridge; John Cullen, died at the age of fifty
years, was single and made his home with
the brothers and sisters; Lucy Ann, died in
900o. Her third husband was A. W. Parkhurst of Mason.
To Robert Reid and wife were three children given: Lucy, April 28, 1875, wife of
Chauncey Doolittle of Delhi township; our
subject, and Edith, August 24, I880, the
wife of Clarence Bullis lives at Howell.
Our subject was educated in the district
schools and afterwards in the village school
of Stockbridge, and has always been on the
father's farm. September 20, I899, he was
married to Vina Howlett, daughter of
Thomas and    Charlotte (Leek) Howlett.
Mrs. Reid was born April 7, 1879, and her
father was a native of England, born September I8, 1838, while her mother was born
July 18, I841. Mrs. Reid's parents were
married about thirty-five years ago and lived
in Livingston county on a farm purchased
in the early days of Robert Howlett, father
of Thomas. Our subject's wife is one of
seven children, all living: Louis, April 24,
I869, married and lives in Howell; Henry,
August 8, 1872, married and lives at Gregory; Fred, August 24, 1874, married and
lives at Gregory; Ed., January 20, 1876,
married May Rockwell, our subject's wife,
Robert, April 18, I884, single and at home,
and Bessie, September 13, I889 at home.
To Mr. and Mrs. George Reid has been
born one child, Robert, October 5, I90o.
Mr. Reid is politically a Democrat and fra

ternally a member of the Odd Fellows and
the Royal Guard. Mrs. Reid is a member
of the Baptist church and connected with the
Rebecca Lodge.
Mr. George Reid is one of the prominent
and rising young men of this locality, and
has before him the promise of a bright
future.
RUSH J. SHANK, M. D.,
LANSING.
Dr. Rush J. Shank is a prominent physician, and widely known in G. A. R. circles,
having for several years held the position of
President of the Board of Managers of the
Michigan Soldiers' Home, at Grand Rapids,
Michigan. Lansing is proud to claim him
as a native, his birth in that city occurring
December 15, 1848. He is the son of H. B.
and Frances P. Shank, and his father was a
prominent member of the profession before
him.
Dr. H. B. Shank obtained his early education at Auburn, N. Y., and at the age of
twenty-one began to his medical studies under Dr. Wertz of Waterloo, N. Y. Soon
after completing a four years' medical course
at the Geneva (N. Y.) Medical College he
came to Lansing, locating there in September. 1848. About three months thereafter
our subject was born. At the time it was
not a very promising locality in which to
commence practice, it being in the thick of
the woods, with a few scattering houses in
the vicinity. But Dr. Shank cleared the land
and erected the building which he used for
years afterward as an office; and upon its
site the boy who had been lately born, was,
in his mature manhood, to also engage in a
prosperous and honorable practice, after the
rugged spot had given place to a large and
flourishing city.
Dr. Shank. the father of our subject en



INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


421


tered the military service during the second
year of the Civil War, being commissioned
by Governor Blair as Surgeon of the Eighth
Michigan Infantry. After one year in the
field, he resigned to accept the appointment
of surgeon of the Third Congressional District, his duties being to examine those who
drafted into the army and who were residents of that district. He remained in this
capacity until the close of the war, when he
returned to Lansing and continued in practice until his death.
The early education of our subject was
acquired in the common schools of Lansing
and at the Oakwood Academy, N. Y. He
took the full four years' course in the medical department of the Michigan State University, graduating with the class of I87I.
During his senior year he was an assistant
in the surgical department. After his graduation he at once located in Lansing, beginning practice where his father commenced
his professional career twenty-three years before. He has never changed his location,
as good fortune seems to have followed him,
or he has brought good fortune by his honorable skill, from the very first.
At the breaking out of the Civil War
Dr. Shank was a lad of thirteen. Notwithstanding his youth he was much interested
in the progress of hostilities, and this feeling
was intensified by his father's connection
with  the surgical branch of the service.
As he was large and strong for his age, his
attempts to enlist were finally successful in
864, and he went to the front with the
i48th N. Y. Infantry, under General Butler.
He was present at the battles of Cold Harbor, Weldon Railroad and the surrender of
Lee, and was mustered out June 25, I865.
Upon his return to Lansing he was elected
commander of the G. A. R. post, and has
ever since been deeply interested in the affairs of that partriotic organization.  For


many years he has also been prominent in
the management of the Soldiers' Home, at
Grand Rapids, serving as President of its
Board of Managers for six years. In the
Masonic fraternity he has attained to the
thirty-third degree. For eight years he filled
the chair of the Blue Lodge (Capital Lodge
No. 66), and is a member of Lansing Chapter.
Dr. Shank was the first-born in a family
of five, the other members being Charles,
Ann, Robert B. and Edward. He was married in the fall of 1876 to Ella W. Williams,
daughter of W. H. and Carrie Williams.
Their one child, Ruth, a graduate of the
Lansing High School, is the wife of Morris Montgomery.
Our subject is a man of domestic tastes
and after he has attended to his professional
duties and given himself to home relaxations,
little time is left to indulge in politics. Despite all. he has also fulfilled his duties as a
citizen by devoting not a little of his really
valuable time to the public service, having
for eight years been a leading Democratic
member of the City Council.
GEORGE A. ROWE, M. D.
The profession which represents the beneficent healing art has many noble members whose lives are filled with acts of
goodness, and whose most strenuous effort
is to attain that skill which is necessary
in saving life and restoring health. Such
a life work raises a man above the sordid
motives which actuate many of mankind,
and gives to life a meaning, which more
mercenary callings cannot grant.  We are
therefore always gratified to be able to introduce to our readers the physicians who have
won for themselves a high place in the profession in Ingham county.
Dr. Rowe of Stockbridge is a prominent




422


PAST AND PRESENT


physician, whose birth occurred Aug. 20,
I859, in Lyndon township, Washtenaw
county. His father, George Rowe, was born
in Lincolnshire, England, in I830, and came
to the United States with his father and
step-mother in 1846 and settled in Livingston county.  The mother of our subject,
Adaline Finch, was born in 1837, and died
in 1876.
George Rowe, Sr., first settled on eighty
acres of partly improved land in Lyndon
township, Washtenaw county, and later added eighty acres more to his possessions. He
has improved most of the land, and is now
on the same farm. He first moved into a
log house, but has since built a frame house
and good barn. Our subject's father is a Republican and cast his first vote for Fremont.
He is a member of the United Brethren
church.
Dr. Rowe is the third in a family of
nine children, eight of whom are living at
the present time: James, born in I856, died
in I890; Clarence, I858, married Clara Croman, resides on the old homestead and has
four children: Susan, George, Mable and
Floyd; our subject; Foster, born in I86I,
married Hattie Finch, and resides in Ingham county on a farm and has one
child, Ethel; Dillon, born in I863, married
Belle Hubbard, and resides at Grass Lake
and they have two children: Everett and
Eleanor; Luella, born in I865, married
Irvin Pickell, and resides on a farm  in
Washtenaw county and has three children:
Emery, Eva and Nellie; Stella, born in
I866, married William Bott, and resides on
a farm in Jackson county, and they have
five children: Walter, Clarence, Addie, Austin and Frederick; Ernest and Emery (twins)
were born May 14, I868, Ernest married Belle West and resides on a farm in
Wastenaw county and they have one child,
Clair. Emory, married Lizzie Hammack,


and has rented the Hugh McCloy farm for
a term of years.
Dr. Rowe acquired his early education in
the district school, and later attended the
State Normal at Ypsilanti, from which he
graduated in I884, and the University of
Michigan. For two years he was principal
of the high school at AuSable, Michigan.
Desiring to enter the medical profession, in
I886 he commenced the study of this art at
the U. of M. and graduated with the degree
of M. D. in I889. Immediately after his
graduation from  the University he commenced the practice of his profession in the
village of Stockbridge, where he has since
been located. He is a member of the Ingham County and State Medical Societies.
Over Dr. Rowe's home presides with gracious dignity, the lady who became his wife
in December of the year I890. Her maiden
name was Nellie Runciman, and she was
born in February, i866. She is the daughter of William and Maggie (Thompson)
Runciman now residents of Williamston.
Mr. Runciman and his father were early settlers in Michigan, coming from Scotland and
locating in Sylvan township, Washtenaw
county, where the father lived until his
death. In i880 Mr. William Runciman purchased three hundred acres of mostly improved land in Wheatfield township, Ingham county. Mr. and Mrs. Runciman are
members of the Methodist church, as also are
Dr. Rowe and his wife. The Republican
party receives the support of these two highly esteemed citizens.
To Dr. Rowe and his esteemed wife have
been born two children, both dying in infancy.
Our subject's father had two brothers, who
fought for the good old flag in the Civil
War. They were James and John Rowe.
One brother of Dr. Rowe's mother was also
in the war.
Dr. Rowe's popularity and skill in his








ORLANDO E. SPAULDING




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


423


chosen profession is marked by many positions of trust which are given him by his
fellowmen.  He has been medical examiner
for the Maccabees twelve out of fourteen
years.  Is examiner for the N. Y. Life,
Equitable Life, N. Y.; Mutual Life, N. Y.;
Northwestern Mutual Life; Manhattan Life,
N. Y.; Michigan Mutual Life; Penn. Mutual
Life, and Mutual Benefit Life Insurance
Company.
Dr. Rowe is identified with the Masons,
Odd Fellows, Maccabees and Eastern Star.
He is a man who is looked up to with all
deference and regard by his associates and
fellow townsmen.
ORLANDO E. SPAULDING.
The business men of Lansing, Ingham
county, are a class of men of whom the city
may well feel proud, as they have added
greatly not only to her financial strength,
but also to her reputation among the cities of
Michigan. Our subject is engaged in the
manufacture of brick in the city, and is a
man of genuine and widespread popularity.
He was born in Chesterfield, New Hampshire, February I I, 184, and was the son of
Sumner and Betsey (Andrews) Spaulding.
New Hampshire was Mr. Spaulding's boyhood home. Here he lived until nineteen
years of age having acquired his education in
Keene, N. H. He lived with Gov. Densmore until he came to Michigan in I859 and
landed in Detroit, accompanied by his mother
and brother, the father having died when
Orlando was but seven years old.
Mr. Spaulding's first labors in Michigan
were performed in the brickyard at Ann Arbor, working for John Vanderhayden and
Chas. A. Wood. He remained here until
he came to Lansing in I86o on the 9th day
of December, where he attended school for
four months, then started out for himself by


working as foreman for John Wood. He
remained with Mr. Wood for about six years
and then went to Fenton and started in business for himself, making brick, three years,
then returned to Lansing and resumed work
for J. Wood and remained with him for
some time. Shortly after his marriage he
went to Pontiac and worked as foreman for
Abail Wood and remained there one year,
thence to Howell and was there four years,
returned to Lansing and was again with
John Wood for three years, after this he
was with William Vanderhayden at Ionia as
foreman for three years, when he returned to
Lansing and worked for one year for Conrad
Clippert of Detroit, and was again in the
employ of John Wood for two years and
finally started for himself in Lansing, and at
the end of two years formed a partnership
with George C. Clippert, which lasted for
sixteen years, when A. C. Bird was taken
into the firmi, which is now  known as
Clippert, Spaulding & Company, of which
Mr. Spaulding is president.
Orlando E. Spaulding was married January I, I867, to Miss Jane Russell of Ypsilanti, Michigan, and this union has been
blessed with seven children, four of whom
are living: Walter S., Charles L., George
O., and Ida G.
In fraternal relations Mr. Spaulding is
allied with the I. O. O. F. and has unfailing
confidence in the principles of the Republican party. He is also an active member of
the order of Masons.
Mr. Spaulding belongs to the class of
self-made men, all that he owns being his
by reason of his activity and intelligence.
Today he possesses a splendid brickyard,
equipped with all the latest machinery, including a new machine, which has a capacity of fifty thousand, a drying room, which
holds ninety thousand brick at a cost of six
thousand dollars-manufactures brick and




424


PAST AND PRESENT


tile, and employs about seventy men when
in full capacity, and is counted as one of
Lansing's influential men.
J. EDGAR ST. JOHN, LANSING.
Mr. and Mrs. St. John are Superintedent
and Matron, respectively, of the Industrial
School at Lansing. As the former quaintly
expressed it, "We have had no children and
so have had to borrow them." The institution shelters 725 boys, a part of their practical education being the cultivation of the
large farm operated in connection with it.
For about a dozen years Mr. St. John has
been the executive head of this important
State institution, and no one could have been
selected who combines in greater perfection
the necessary qualities of practical ability and
human parental kindness. For thirty years
in his work, both at the Reform and the Industrial Schools, his wife has been his faithful, cheerful and invaluable assistant.
J. Edgar St. John was born in Somerset,
Hillsdale county, Michigan, May 30, 1848,
the son of Jason and Lucy Ann St. John.
Three brothers on the paternal side of the
ancestry came to America in the "Mayflower." His father, a native of Ridgebury,
Conn., born in 1804, sailed the ocean as
super cargo. Later in life he engaged in the
flour business in New York City, coming to
Michigan in I840. He seems to have been
a man of versatile parts, being successively
farmer, brick mason and bookkeeper. In
1850, while the gold excitement was still
high, he emigrated to California, and remained in that land of deceptive promise for
about three years. He died in I895 at the
venerable age of ninety-one.
Our subject lost his mother when he was
only three years of age, and as his father was
in very moderate circumstances he became a
wage earner when quite young. He man

aged, however, to secure a high school education, and by self-application in after years
became as thoroughly informed as many a
man who has enjoyed the advantages of a
college training. At fourteen years of age
he was working in a foundry. This was
followed by a mercantile experience of about
ten years, four years of that period being
passed in Dansville, Ingham county. From
the age of eighteen to twenty he spent in
New York, and during the following three
years he was an employee and partner of
D. L. Crossman of Dansville. He finally
bought out his partner and conducted the
business alone. But Mr. St. John was not
destined to be simply a money making merchant; something better was in store for him
and the community at large.
Ill 87I our subject was married to Miss
Addie Bulen, of Dansville, and in I873 the
young couple came to Lansing to accept positions in the Reform School there. At that
time the institution was a prison in every
sense of the word, and had nowhere a touch
of home. Mr. and Mrs. St. John assumed
the positions, respectively, of superintendent
of the cigar shop, and matron of one of the
cottages which housed fifty boys. During
the two years that they remained at their
posts they did much to instill a spirit of good
will while among the inmates, and acquired
themselves a strong liking for the work.
Mr. St. John next engaged in the flouring
business with D. L. Crossman, operating the
Mason City Mills, but at the end of ten
months returned to the Reform School as
cottage manager and teacher. He was successively assistant in the chair shop, teacher,
relief officer, and at different times filled
nearly every position in the institution. His
wife continued to teach in the school, being
connected with one room for sixteen years.
He was finally promoted to the position of
bookkeeper and Superintendent's clerk, re



INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


425


maining thus for eleven years. He severed
his connection with the institution during
the Democratic administration in I892, and
retired to a farm which he owned near the
Agricultural College, Lansing.
But men of such training and temperament as Mr. St. John are not allowed by the
community to withdraw from the field to
which they are so admirably adapted. On
August I, I893, he was appointed Superintendent, and Mrs. St. John, Matron, of the
Industrial School, the positions which they
have filled with unvarying satisfaction to the
present.
A word more regarding the able and beloved Matron, who has been the means of
bringing to so noticeable an extent the home
element into the school.  Her father was
a native of England, marrying her mother
in Auburn, N. Y. The couple were among
the pioneers of Michigan, clearing up a farm
near Dansville, and living many years to
enjoy a well-earned prosperity. It was here
that the daughter met her future husband,
to whom she was married October 2I, I87I.
Mr. St. John has for many years been a
member of the Masonic fraternity, a deacon
in the First Baptist church of Lansing, and
a Republican. He is earnest and stanch in
all his beliefs and has ever proved his faith
by his works.
HARRISON TAYLOR.
Among the successful farmers of Alaiedon township will be found the name of
Harrison Taylor. Mr. Taylor was born in
Grass Lake, Jackson county, Michigan, in
I838, and was the son of William and Mary
Taylor.  Our subject's father and mother
were natives of the Empire State, who, seeking a fortune, emigrated westward to the
Wolverine State and settled in Jackson county, taking up Government land, which farm


the mother still owns, and where the father
died in 1894.
Harrison Taylor received his early education in an old log school house, and afterward attended college at Leoni, Michigan.
He lived on the home farm, assisting the
father in its operations until twenty-nine
years of age, or until I867, when he came
to Alaiedon township, where he now resides
and bought one hundred and sixty acres, afterward adding eighty acres and again increasing his possessions by the addition of
forty-seven acres, making in all two hundred
and eighty-seven acres of well improved and
highly cultivated land. Only sixty acres of
the original purchase was cleared when it
came into possession of Mr. Taylor. He
has since placed it in a high state of cultivation, built a commodious country residence, with all modern improvements, and
made it an up-to-date farm, which will be a
comfort to himself and family during the
remaining years of his life. In 1865 occurred an important event in the life of Mr.
Taylor, it being his marriage to Miss Mary,
daughter of Peter M. Shearer, of Jackson
county.  Mrs. Taylor was born Oct. 15,
1847.
Unto this union have been born four children, two of whom are now living: Million
Lee, born Dec. 7, I866, died Oct. i6, I888,
at' Spokane, Wash.; Herbert, born April 24,
1869, in Alaiedon township. He is one of
the popular young men of his township, as
he has been verified by his election to the
office of Supervisor, annually since 1901.
The duties of which office he has performed
to the entire satisfaction of his constituents;
Mary P., born Nov. 25, 1871, died Aug. 25,
I9oo; Nellie M., born Sept. 30, 1877. Miss
Taylor by her frank and cordial manner
makes many friends. She is still under the
parental roof.
Fraternally our subject is a Mason, in




426


PAST AND PRESENT


which order he takes an active interest. His
political convictions are with the Democracy,
by which party he was chosen as Clerk for
fifteen years. He also filled the office of
Justice of the Peace.
Mr. Taylor engages in general farming,
making a specialty of good horses and dairying. He keeps a fine herd of cows, mostly
of Holsteins. He is a genial and throroughly public-spirited man, a successful and prosperous farmer, and his friends are only numbered by those who know him. If you deserve a good, hearty hand shake, grasp the
hand of Harrison Taylor.
GEORGE M. THOMPSON.
George M. Thompson is probably one of
the best known men in the Township of
White Oak, Ingham county. He is a general farmer and the owner of a fertile and
productive farm of one hundred acres, located on section 28, and a farm of eighty
acres at Dexter, Michigan. He was born in
the Town of Lima, Washtenaw county, September 18, I850. His father, Morris Thompson, a native of New York, was born March
2, I814, and his mother, a native of Connecticut, was born March 14, I830. She was
a daughter of William Turner of Connecticut, whose birth occurred March 20, I799,
and his death in 1890. William Turner came
to Michigan in 1834, when our subject's
mother was but four years old. He first
bought a farm in Livingston county, which
was sold, and they emigrated to White Oak,
where they bought one hundred and twenty
acres. Here they lived for a short time,
but finally went back to Washtenaw county,
where they died.
Morris Thompson was one of twelve children, namely: Hannah, who became Mrs.
John Gifford, lived in Battle Creek, and was


the mother of three children; Daniel, came
to Michigan in the thirties and died in 1841;
Sarah, died in New York; Cynthia, married a Mr. Chamberlain, lived in New York
and they had one child; Lydia, died in New
York; Mary, died when a young woman of
consumption in New York; the seventh died
in infancy; Benjamin, born in I815, lives in
Oregon; our subject's father; John, lives in
New York; Jane; Mrs. Cheeney of South
Haven, Michigan, and Catherine, Mrs.
Sample, lived and died in New York.
Our subject's father was educated in the
district schools of New York, where he
taught ten years and was afterwards principal of a high school in Seneca county, New
York, for one year. He came to Michigan
in I844 and bought a farm formerly owned
by his brother, Daniel. Here he lived for
two years, when he sold and bought another
farm in the same county, where he lived and
died. At the time of his death he owned
two hundred and forty acres.     Morris
Thompson was a Quaker, and in political
convictions was a Republican.  He was
Supervisor for fifteen years, and held the
office as Justice of the Peace and Notary
'Public. Our subject's father was U. S. Enrolling Officer during the war, and also acted
as recruiting officer. He died March 13,
I897, and the mother, January 3, 1903.
Our subject, George M. Thompson, is
one of five children, the other members of
the family being: Henry, who lives in Montana, born June 27, 1852; Frances E., born
March I6, 1854, single and owns the old
homestead in Lima township and lives in
Dexter; Charles, born in 1857, and died
April 11, 1902, and Mary, born in I859,
died in I865.
George Thompson was educated in the
district schools of Washtenaw county, and
spent his boyhood days at home with the




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


427


parents. He taught one term of school and
at the age of twenty-three was married,
October 30, 1873, to Orphia, daughter of
Paul D. and Sally (Adams) Easton. Mrs.
Thompson was born in Washtenaw county,
February io, 1855. Her father, a native of
New York, was born August I2, I80o, and
died in I858, and the mother, also from
New York, was born February I4, I805,
and died December 2, I88I. Paul Easton
was one of the early settlers of Michigan,
as he settled in Washtenaw county in 1836.
He obtained one hundred and twenty acres
of wild land from the government, which
he improved and made his home until his
death. He was a Republican, and Mrs. Easton was an active member of the M. E.
church. To them were born eight children:
Rufus, died at the age of twenty-one; Ambrose J., enlisted in Co. K, 4th Michigan
Infantry, killed at Malvern Hill in the Battle of Richmond; Fernando, lived in California, where he owned an orange grove,
was born December I, 1835, and died in
January, I887; Rhoda, born December I6,
1837, wife of Demetrius Chamberlain of
Iowa; Leander, born June 26, 1840, lives
on the old homestead in Washtenaw county;
Almeda, born September Io, 1853, wife of
John Bradbury of Iowa; our subject's wife;
Mary, born February 22, I85I, died in i886,
the wife of Timothy Fisk of DesMoines, Ia.
After our subject was married he rented
lands for two years, then in I876 bought
a farm of eighty acres where he now lives.
Since that time he has added twenty acres
to his purchase, and when the father's estate
was settled received eighty acres of the old
home, making him a fine piece of property.
One child was born to Mr. and Mrs.
Thompson, Eva, November 2, 1877, the
wife of Thaddeus Clements of White Oak.
Mrs. Thompson is a member of the M. E.


church. In politics Mr. Thompson is an active Republican, serving two terms as Justice of the Peace, and interested in the welfare of the community in which he lives.
S. J. TOMLINSON.
Well known throughout the county as one
of its energetic and enterprising agriculturists is S. J. Tomlinson, the only child of
Samuel Tomlinson, who was born in Eddendary, Kings county, Ireland, and who came
to America at an early day and settled in
Ontario, Canada, in I840, and who took up
his residence in Michigan in 1877. The
mother of our subject bore the maiden name
of Ann Allen and was a native of Trim
county, being born in I808. She departed
this life September 25, 1878.
Samuel J. Tomlinson, the subject of this
review, was a native of Rindvill, Kildare,
Ireland, and accompanied his parents to Ingham county in the year of their removal
here. The father upon his arrival in this
locality purchased one hundred and seventy
acres in Vevay township and at once began
the improvement and cultivation of that
property. He prospered in his undertakings
and afterwards bought an additional tract
of one hundred and fifty acres in Leslie
township. He became one of the substantial
farming citizens of this county and departed
this life on the I th day of June of I888,
his birth having occurred December 12,
1812. Both were members of the Episcopal
church and lived in harmony with its teachings.
Our subject acquired his early education
in the common schools of Toronto, spending his boyhood and youth on the home
farm. As he began to assume man's estate,
he became identified with his father, forming a partnership in their operations, which




428


PAST AND PRESENT


continued until the father's death. Cordial
indeed was the relationship between father
and son, as there existed a harmony which
was rarely, if ever disturbed. On the 28th
day of April, I876, occurred the marriage
of our subject to a Miss Mary Scott, a
daughter of James Scott, also a native of
Canada.
Unto our subject and wife have been born
six children, five of whom are living: Anna,
born June I6, 1879, married Arthur Laxton; Mary, born March 5, I88I; Allen, born
February 26, 1882; Ida, born May 24, 1885;
Carrie, born February 12, 1887; Pearl, born
March I, I890.
Mr. Tomlinson has become one of the
extensive land owners of his adopted county,
as his property interests would comprise five
hundred sixty acres of well improved and
valuable land. He is a man thoroughly
abreast of the times, giving his aid and influence to all measures of importance to all
his community. Mr. Tomlinson exercises
his right of franchise in support of the men
and measures of the Republican party, and
while not a politician in the sense of office
seeking, yet he takes an active interest in
the party's success. He is likewise a member of the Elks at Lansing. A man of strict
integrity, he is universally respected as one
who has left upon his community the impression of his individuality.
DR. FRANK N. TURNER.
Dr. Frank N. Turner was born in Lansing March 13, I855, his parents being natives of the Empire State, where the father
was born January 22, 1818, and the mother
February 20, 1824. The elder Turner was
a mechanic by trade. He came to Lansing
in 1847 and was associated with his brother
for a number of years, but his health failing him he bought a farm, west of the city,


later known as Beechbrook addition.  The
land was in a state of nature at the time.
Our subject's father made the improvements
and in I865 disposed of the property to J. E.
Warner, Michigan's great showman. Mr.
Turner then bought a farm four miles west
of Williamston where he lived until his
death, which occured April 8, I888.  In
politics he was a staunch Republican and it is
recorded of him that whoever was so fortunate as to get his name on the Republican
ticket could count on his vote. The mother
is still living with her son, John M., on the
old homestead. There were eight children
in the family, four of whom are now living,
cur subject being the eldest. The names are
respectively: Emmagene, John, Elizabeth,
William S., Hattie, Catherine and John M.
Dr. Turner always entertained a liking
for books and study. At the age of nineteen he had acquired sufficient education to
enable him to teach school, which he did
winters and helped the father on the farm
through the summer. He graduated from
the State Normal at Ypsilanti with honors
in the class of I88I. Later he served as
principal of the school at Essexville in Bay
county for two years and then in the same
capacity in L'Anse, Baraga county, for two
years. In 1885, having decided to enter the
medical profession for his life's work he
entered the medical department at the University of Michigan, where he remained for
one year and then went to Detroit and was
associated with Dr. H. W. Longyear and
Dr. J. K. Gailey for two years, and in the
interim attended the Detroit Medical College, from which he graduated with distinguished honors in I888, after which he came
t; Webberville and "hung out his shingle."
At this time his cousin, Dr. R. B. Smith,
lIad built up a good practice and on account
of failing health was obliged to give it up.
1)r. Turner filled the opening and has re



INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


429


mained there ever since. He has enjoyed the
liberal patronage and the confidence of the
public to a good degree and his accumulations in a worldly way have been quite sufficient to gratify his ambitions. He is a Republican, has held the office of Treasurer of
the village for three terms and also that of
President for the same length of time. He
has been Health Officer almost continuously
since settling here. He has served one term
as County Coroner and was re-elected at the
recent election by a majority of two thousand. All these positions indicate the personal popularity of Dr. Turner with his fellow townsmen.
Perhaps the most important event in Dr.
T'urner's life was his marriage in September, I89g, to Miss Kate, the accomplished
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. I. H. Brunsdick.
Mrs. Turner was for several years a popular
teacher in the Lansing schools. Her father
was one of the old settlers and also did
valiant service for his country during the
great Civil War. He was confined for six
months in a rebel prison pen at Saulsbury.
By occupation he was a cabinet maker and
now resides at 605 N. Chestnut street, Lansing, Michigan.
Three children have been born to Mr. and
Mrs. Turner:    Bessie, August 7, I893;
Horace Richard, August 24, I896, and
Ralph Paine, March 17, I900.
Dr. Turner is a member of the fraternal
order of Masons, holding his membership in
the Williamston  Chapter.  In 1902 Dr.
Turner took a post graduate course with
Drs. Herdman and Nory. Perhaps no organization to which the doctor belongs gives
him more pleasure than the fact that he is a
member of the Sons of the American Revolution. As a reminiscence of the early days
of Lansing, Dr. Turner's father recalls the
fact that while looking for a stake which
marked the ground where the capitol build

ing was to be erected, he became bewildered
and was lost in the woods. He assisted his
brother James in the erection of the first
frame house in North Lansing, which building stands just north of the site of the present brewery. The frame was made at Mason
and brought to Lansing with teams and set
up. He recalls that at this time there were
not sufficient houses in Lansing to accommodate the working men with lodgings and
he-his father-was obliged to sleep under
his work-bench.
Reminiscences of this character will never
lose the interest of the generations who follow in the footsteps of the old pioneer.
CHARLES CLARK TERRY.
Charles Clark Terry is a native of Batavia, N. Y., where he was born March 2,
1862. He was the son of George W. and
Clarissa (Leach) Terry. His father was a
native of New York. George Terry, the
father, came with his family to Michigan
in I872, and first rented land in Onondaga
township and continued working land on
shares for several years, after which he
moved with his family to Mississippi, where
he engaged for one year in the meat market
business. Twelve months in that climate
seemed to have satisfied his ambitions for
the Sunny South, and he returned to Michigan, and for thirteen years resided on a farm
three miles east of Leslie, after which he
purchased a farm of seventy acres in the
Township of Onondaga, where he now lives.
Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs.
George Terry, of which Charles C. is the
eldest, the others being: George H., born
September 2, I864, married to Adah May
Blackmore. Mrs. George and Mrs. Charles
Terry are sisters.  Walter, born June 22,
I869, married Ida Taylor, is a farmer living near Onondaga; John R., born Novem



430


PAST AND PRESENT


ber 27, 1876, married Jessie Harwood; Norton J., born February 13, 1882.
Mr. Charles Terry received his education
in district schools of various localities, where
his parents resided, during his school age.
The event to him in life was his marriage
February 26, 1887, to Eleanor, daughter of
Mr. and Mrs. John Blackmore of Leslie
township. Mrs. Terry was born in Leslie,
January 7, I868. Mr. and Mrs. Blackmore
were the parents of five children: Ellen;
Willie and Adah, were twins, the former
dying in infancy; Adelbert, who married
Charity Mills and lives in Leslie township;
Blanche, the wife of George Gibbs, a wellto-do farmer of Leslie township.
But one child was born to Mr. and Mrs.
Charles C. Terry, Jasper J., March 28, I890,
and he resides with his parents.
Mr. Terry ranks among the reliable, progressive and well-to-do citizens of Onondaga
township.
JAMES P. TOWNSEND.
Onondaga township has few, if any, more
reliable and trustworthy citizens than J. P.
Townsend. Mr. Townsend is a native of
New York, where he was born in Erie county, July 26, I838. He was the son of Asiel
and Ruth (White) Townsend. His father
was a native of Vermont, where he was born
Jan. 2I, 1792. He died at the age of fortyseven years in Erie Co., N. Y. His mother
was born in the Green Mountain State, Dec.
15, 1798, and lived to the advanced age of
eighty-four years. Thirteen children were
born to them.
Our subject being among the younger, at
the age of eight years went to live with a
sister, and his school advantages were common to the boy of his time. At nineteen
years of age he started out in life for himself, and after a few more years of study


was granted a certificate, and taught school
for one year.
Mr. Townsend was united in marriage
Oct. 31, I858, to Margaret E., daughter of
Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Parsell, natives of Pennsylvania. Mr. Parsell was born November,
I804, and died at the age of fifty-seven years.
His wife, Sophronia (Kendrick), was born
Aug. I4, I8i5, in New York state. She died
at the age of seventy-one years.
Mrs. Townsend was one of a family of
nine children. Her brother, George, died in
Detroit, and Egbert; lives in Flint, Michigan. For six years following their marriage
Mr. and Mrs. Townsend made their home
with her people. His first purchase of real
estate was forty acres of" land near Akron,
N. Y., where they lived for about two years,
and, coming to Michigan, they settled for a
time at Almont, Lapeer county, after which
they moved to Northville in Wayne county,
where Mr. Townsend was engaged for two
years in the lumber trade.
Our subject, feeling himself adapted to
the activities of a farmer's life, decided to
purchase for himself and family a permanent home and it was in the year of I873
that he purchased the eighty acres of land,
adjacent to the village of Onondaga, to
which in later years he added forty acres,
and is now the owner of one hundred and
twenty acres of fine farming land, with good
buildings and well stocked, all the result of
his own efforts.
Mr. and Mrs. Townsend are the parents
of five children: Ullman, born Dec. 17, 1859,
died Nov. 26, I86I; Lucia S., born Oct. I4,
I863, is now the wife of Arthur B. Turner
of South Bend, Ind., employed as commercial
clerk in the Singer Sewing Machine Company employing 2,000 men; George H., born
Aug. I6, I865, a graduate of Olivet College,
Eaton Co., Mich., also a graduate of the
Medical College of Louisville, Ky. He was




I




J. P. TOWNSEND
a&




I  I
X
 -21
0 I- -,


AlIR S 1. P. TO()W NSF2KI )




I




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


431


professor of natural sciences in the Alpena
High School, this State, three years, also one
year in the State Military Academy at
Gainesville, Florida. He was commandant
of the cadets in addition to his other duties.
Afterwards he taught the natural sciences
for three years in Northwestern Military
Academy, located at Highland Park, Chicago, Ill., since which time he has been practicing medicine, and now located at Tompkins Center, Jackson county. He married
Carrie Barber and has three children: Martha E., born March I, 1872, at home with
her parents; Charles E., born Sept. 2, 1873,
graduated from the M. A. C. in I898, and,
fully equipped to enter upon the activities
of a successful and useful life, was suddenly
stricken down and died April 13, I900.
At the breaking out of the Civil War,
there were seven brothers in the Townsend
family, six of them served in the U. S. army,
as follows: Carmel D., enlisted in Iooth
Regiment, N. Y. Infantry, for two years,
served under Gen. McClellan, during that
time, was honorably discharged at the end
of his enlistment, and died on his farm near
Vassar, Tuscola Co., Mich., Oct. 15, 1883;
Lucius, George and Daniel A., also Egbert Parsell, a brother of Mrs. Townsend,
enlisted at Buffalo, in Co. B, II6th Regiment, N. Y. Infantry. The regiment served
under Gen. Banks at the siege and fall of
Port Hudson, La., and in the Red River expedition, after which it was sent to Virginia,
and participated in driving the Confederates
out of the Shenandoah valley, under Sheridan. At the battle of Winchester, Lucius
was killed by a minnie ball through the
breast, was buried on the field; Egbert Parsell, while carrying him from the field received a ball through the calf of his leg, disabling him for some time, he now resides at
Flint; George, color bearer of the regiment,
was struck in the temple with the fragment


of a shell at Cedar Creek, Va., Oct. 13,
1864, was sent to Philadelphia, where he
died in Saterlee hospital, Oct. 30, I864. His
remains were buried at Elma, Erie Co., N.
Y. Several stars were found in his pocket,
that he picked up as they were shot from
the flag he bore; Daniel A., the only survivor of the three brothers who went out
together, now resides in Burnside, Webster
Co., Iowa, a retired farmer. John went to
war with a regiment from Illinois, and
marched with Sherman to the sea.     He
walks on badly crippled feet, smashed while
tearing up a southern railroad. He now has
a home in Gowrie, Webster Co., Iowa.
J. P. Townsend, our subject, was second
sergeant in Co. G, 98th Regiment, N. Y.
State National Guards, and was sworn into
the U. S. service three times during the war.
The regiment was sent to Pennsylvania at
the time of Lee's raid, but did not arrive at
Gettysburg until after the battle.  It was
then sent to New York to quell the draft
riot. In the summer of 1864, the regiment
was stationed at Elmira, N. Y., guarding
Confederate prisoners. At the end of four
months' service, Mr. Townsend carried
home with him a first lieutenant's commission.
W\hile all of these were seeing service,
Winslow A., the eldest of the family was
drafted, but being the only support of an
aged widowed mother, was not required to
serve. All living are on Uncle Sam's pension roll.
Mr. Townsend, while voting with the Republican party, has a strong leaning towards
the principles of Prohibition. On this one
question, he is in advance of his party, believing that the rum power is the great curse
of our American civilization. He has carried on general farming and has made a success of it. Mr. and Mrs. Townsend are
highly respected members of the Congrega



432


PAST AND PRESENT


tional church of Onondaga, and have always
been generous in their contributions to its
support.
J. IT. VANBUREN.
The question is often asked: "What's in
a name?"-Much.     Men are called upon
sometimes to live down a family name,
others live off the family name, individuals
often add dignity and strength to the family
name. He who is able to trace his lineage
back a generation or more to one who has
made his name a national household word
because of his achievements in some honorable calling or profession may justly feel a
sense of pride in the name which he bears.
The subject of this sketch has the proud
distinction of being a descendant of Martin
VanBuren, ex-president of the United
States.
J. H. VanBuren was the son of Cornelius
and Cornelia Parker VanBuren, whose nativity was Wyoming county, N. Y., where
our subject was born July 17, 1847.
The father with his family emigrated to
Michigan in the year I869 and located on
the farm in Vevay township, now owned by
his son, J. H., who by purchase has added
sixty to the original forty owned by his
father. While farming has been the main
business of life with J. H. VanBuren he
has at two different periods in his activities
engaged in mercantile business, three years
in groceries at Eden and one year at Barre
Center, N. Y.
December 27, 1882, Mr. VanBuren was
united in marriage to Miss Mantie, only
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Tallman of
Eden. One child has been born to them,
Paul, September 29, 1884, now with his
parents on the farm. Being a descendant
from illustrious Democratic stock Mr. VanBuren is true to the political principles of


the family name. He is always active and
interested in local politics.  He has often
graced the township ticket with his name
and has served in various official capacities
to the entire satisfaction of his constituents.
He is a member of the fraternal organization of the Maccabees, I. O. O. F., the
Grange, and is a past master of the organization at the Aurelius Grange.
Mr. VanBuren was of a family of six
children: Lucinda, born December 14, 1842;
an infant, November, I851; Elizabeth M.,
February 7, 1855; Josephine Rachel, July
9, I857, and Cora Adelia, September 7,
i86o.
Mr. Cornelius VanBuren died September
7, I875, aged    sixty-four years, three
months and six days. His wife died October 29, I896, aged seventy-eight years, and
both rest in Maple Grove cemetery at
Mason.
Mrs. VanBuren's father, Isaac Tallman,
was the son    of Timothy   and  Mariah
(Dobbs) Tallman, natives of the Empire
State. The family came into Ingham county
and settled on an eighty acre tract of wild
land in the year I844. Two years later
Timothy Tallman died. At the time of the
(eath of his father, Isaac was twenty-two
years of age.  By frugality and perseverance, he paid off the heirs and came into
possession of the farm which he still owns.
Mr. Tallman's country residence, a few rods
west of the Eden station of the J. L. S.
division of the M. C. R. R., is one of the
well known pioneer homes of the township.
Poor Lo and his wigwams were familiar
to the pioneer in those early days. Wild
game in abundance was to be had for the
taking. The trusty rifle was a companion
piece of the axe of the pioneer. He went
to his daily task with one on each shoulder
and returned to his shanty at noon or night
with a fresh supply of meat for the family




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


433


use. Isaac Tallman was united in marriage
February 22, i860, to Miss Mary Ann,
(laughter of Mr. and Mrs. Mahlon Covert,
of Leslie township. Mr. Covert was among
the first settlers of the township, a highly
respected and upright citizen. He was regarded with esteem for the probity of his
life and character. In the year 1837 he began to carve out for himself a family home
on the advanced line of civilization in the
Wolverine State. He won out, securing for
himself a comfortable competence for his
support in the years "when age came on a
pace."  He died January 25, I888, at the
age of seventy-nine and his wife, June 8,
900oo  aged eighty-eight years. Mrs. VanBuren has one brother, Fred D. Tallman.
born January 3, 1864, and he has been engaged in telegraphy and railroad station
agent. He married Ethel Jones of Bunker
Hill, Indiana, in July, 1895, and has one
child, Mary Josephine, September 9, I897.
Mr. and Mrs. VanBuren are liberal supporters of the Methodist church at Eden,
of which Mrs. VanBuren is a member. Both
are actively interested in every interest looking to the betterment of society.  Publicspiriteld, benevolent with well-developed social qualities, their friends are limited only
l:;v their acquaintances. Life still holds much
of happiness in store for them.
FRANCES VAN BUSKIRK.
Those men who came to Ingham county
in the early days and made the first settlements here were men of more than ordinary
calibre, broad in their views, earnest in their
life's aims and full of enterprise.  They
"'builded better than they knew" and laid
the foundation for the splendid development
wihich we see today. Their early work prepared the way for those who came after
tiem to build up the institutions of educa28


tion, business and society which make Ingham county so desirable a home.
Such a man was Abraham Van Buskirk,
the father of our subject. He did not come
\Vest with the expectation of finding a royal
road to fortune, but had enough good sense
to know that such a road did not exist for
the honorable and upright man, but is
reached by means of thrift, energy and business ability.
Frances Van Buskirk was born September
7, 1852, and is the daughter of Abraham
aind Sarah Ann (Buck) Van Buskirk, both
of whom are natives of New York. Abraham
Van Buskirk was born February 4, i8i6,
at Dansville, Livingston county, and was an
only child, left without a father at eighteen
months of age. His father was a soldier in
the War of 1812, and while serving his
country in this war, contracted a cold from
which he died. Our subject's mother was
born June I, 1812, at Bolton, Warren county, New York.
Mr. and Mrs. Abraham    Van Buskirk,
who spent their early days in New York,
there acquired their education. They were
miarried June I, 1845, and in 1853 came
\est and bought their present farm home
of two hundred and forty acres from a man
named Hatfield, who obtained it from the
government. The land was partly cleared
and upon it was a frame house and small
stable. Here they lived for several years
but as they were prospered they added to the
attractiveness and comfort of the place by
erecting their present commodious residence.
To them three children were born: one son,
S. B. Van Buskirk, of Watertown, S. Dak.,
died August 19, 1903; Nina H., now Mrs.
E. R. Hollbrook of Langford, Marshall Co.,
S. Dak., and Frances A., the youngest, who
lives on the old homestead.
In political views Abraham Van Buskirk
was found among the supporters of the re



434


PAST AND PRESENT


publican party. He never held office more
than Highway Commissioner and School
Director. Mr. Van Buskirk never belonged
to any church but was a man of good habits
and sterling qualities, also a great student of
the Bible. He was highly respected in his
community and died September 20, I898,
while the wife passed away May 7, 1895.
GEORGE MORRIS TOWAR.
One of the most entensive land owners of
Meridian township is George Morris Towar,
who is located on a farm in section six and
is the owner of over five hundred acres of
highly improved land, with fine buildings
and all the improvements of the day.
Mr. Towar was born in Sodus township,
Wayne county, N. Y., June I, 1826, and
is the son of John and Ruth (Sumner)
Towar, the father a native of Scotland and
the mother of Massachusetts. John Towar
was born September 8, 1785, and died in
Meridian township, December 30, I860, and
the mother was born April 28, I79I, and
died in Meridian, January 21, I865.
Mr. Towar descended from an old Hugenot family, which, on being driven out of
France, took refuge in Alloway, Scotland,
which is the birth place of the father of the
subject of this sketch.
Our subject's father is one of thirteen
children, and came to American with several
of the children, when he was seven years
old. The father and a number of his broth.
ers and sisters died in Scotland. They settled in Pennsylvania on the Susquehanna
river, and here John Towar lived with his
mother; was educated in the district school
and remained with her until her death. He
then went to New York and settled in the
Township of Sodus, where our subject was
born. John Towar was always a farmer


and twice married, first to Lydia Reynolds,
who died February 3, 1821. To them three
children were born: Charles Towar, April
3, I815, died at the age of sixteen months;
Mary Carl, August 19, 1817, died April 15,
1853; Alexander, June 27, 1820, died December 5, I900. To the second marriage
vere born five children: an infant, who died
March I I, 1823; our subject; Charlotte
Ann, July 4, 1828, the wife of Zina Parker,
died October 12, I855; Emily Jane (Carl)
born June 25, I830, died July 30, 1883, and
Eunice E. (Snyder), January 31, 1834, died
about the year I859.
Our subject's parents sold the farm in
New York and came to Michigan to live a
few years before they died. The father was
one of thirteen children, yet our subject is
the only one living of the first generation
born in America.
George Morris Towar was educated in
the district schools of Sodus township, N.
Y., attending school winters and working
on a farm for the father in the summer.
June I, 1847, at the age of twenty-one he
began business for himself. He hired out
on a farm and worked ten months receiving
a horse worth fifty dollars and twenty dollars in money-seven dollars per month was
his wages.  With the twenty dollars he
bought twenty sheep, and in less than one
year, his horse and flock of sheep, together
with the increase, was worth two hundred
dollars. He then farmed his father's place
with an older brother, one year on the
shares, receiving one-quarter of the crops,
then for three years he farmed it on shares
for himself, and during all this time hired
his board at his father's house.  He then
worked in a sawmill with a man named
Smedley, who lives in Lansing township,
borrowed fifty-five dollars and sent it to
Michigan to buy forty acres of land. This
first forty acres was in Bath township, Clin







G. M. TOWAR




MRS. G. M. TOWAR




I




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


435


ton county. Hearing of more land for sale,
he came to Michigan in the spring of I849
and bought another forty adjoining his first
purchase. In the fall of 1850 he came to
Michigan, spent the winter, and after another
summer in New York state he moved to
Michigan, bringing his bride, and settled on
his farm in Bath township. On this place
he built a log shanty, in which he lived until
the spring of 1852, when he built a frame
house, a part of which is still standing.
In the spring of I853 Mr. Towar made
the original purchase of one hundred and
two acres of the farm where he now lives,
selling his Bath property in August of the
same year, and moved to the new farm the
following December. Mr. Towar claims to
have "worked harder. than any man in the
town."  He "can do more work now than
any man of his age."
Our subject was married September 17,
1851, to Jane Ann Taylor, who was born in
Sodus, N. Y., September 7, 1829. She died
December 22, 1855, and November I5,
I857, Mr. Towar was married to Elvira
Northrop, who was born September 17,
1835. To them three children were born:
Perry George, October 23, I859, married
May Smith, lives at Blissfield, Michigan,
where he is employed in the Beet Sugar
factory. They have three children; Gladys E.,
born February 22, I898; George E., July 7,
901o, and Genevieve E., October, 1903.
James Delos, born September 26, I863, married Hannah Proseus and lives at the Agricultural College. James is a Professor of
Agriculture and has been President of an
Agricultural College in Australia.  They
have one child, James Delos, Jr., born August 5, 1892. Jennie, born December 5,
I865, was married to Charles Whitmore,
who died I899. To them one child was
born, Morris Towar Whitmore, born April
13, I895.  Mrs. Whitmore and her child


have lived until recently with the family of
G. M. Towar.
Our subject, though not an office seeker,
is a Republican. He belongs to no church,
but is an honest man and owes no man a
penny. He is hale and hearty, and manages
the farm, and works by the side of his hired
men. Mr. Towar is a prosperous and highly
esteemed man in the whole community, and
is well known throughout the country.
WILL C. WALTERS.
Will C. Walters had the good fortune of
having been born in the patriotic state of
Massachusetts, up among the Berkshire
hills, on the western border of the old commonwealth. The whole face of the country
is covered with picturesque highlands, having many rare beauties of natural scenery.
Because of this wonderful beauty of scenery,
Berkshire has been called "The Piedmont of
America." It is a most delightful region for
a summer resort. To have lived and grown
to manhood amid such surroundings, one
must have formed lofty conceptions of the
grandeur and stability of this old world.
Mr. Walters was born in Southfield, December 7, 1853, and was the son of Nelson E.
and  Cynthia  (Bograth) Walters.   His
mother died at the age of thirty years, leaving two little boys and a daughter.  His
father married as his second wife, Mrs.
Sarah Barker, who bore him one child, Fred,
now deceased. He died at the age of forty
years.
Mr. Walters' brother Edwin was born at
Southfield, June 23, 1857, and is now a resident of Traverse City, Michigan. He is
married and the father of three children,
named respectively, Mabel, Helen and Nelson. His sister, Elizabeth, is the wife of
Daniel Shaw and they reside in Oneida Co.,
N. Y., and are blessed with two children.




436


PAST AND PRESENT


Nelson E. Walters followed the mercantile business, carrying on a general store for
some years in the town of Southfield in
Massachusetts.  He also engaged in the
manufacture of whips.  He came to Michigan in the year 1880 and located in the
town of Monterey, Allegan county, where he
still resides upon his farm. He is a man of
sterling worth, of good business ability and
much respected by his fellow men for his
many good qualities of heart and mind. He
has for many years been affiliated with the
Baptist church, living and believing its
teachings. In politics his views harmonize
with the G. 0. P., which to him clearly
represent the idea of progress.
September 24, 1876, Will C. Walters was
united in marriage to Miss Helen, daughter
of Mr. and Mrs. Robt. Campbell of Mt.
Washington, Mass. Mr. Walters was engaged in the manufacture of whips for two
years after his marriage and later for five
years was engaged in farming, when he
closed out, and in the year 1885 settled in
Allegan county and was employed as a bookkeeper in a grocery store. He served as
Deputy County Clerk of Allegan county for
the term of six years. In the year 1894 he
came to Mason with his family, opened up
a first class grocery store and by strict attention to business has built up a large trade.
He carries the largest stock in the city, keeps
two clerks and a delivery and is a hustler in
his line. It is a common expression: "If you
can't find it at Walters' there is none in the
city."
Three children have been born to Mr. and
Mrs. Walters, as follows:. Robert N., May
5, 1878, is now in the U. S. Navy on the
battleship Kearsarge and enlisted June 12,
1901. Robert has crossed the ocean four
times and visited many foreign countries.
He is gunner's mate. Robert has a good
business education, supplemented with sev

eral years of experience in his father's store.
He is a graduate of the Allegan Business
College and is therefore well equipped for
successful business enterprise; Theodore C.,
familiarly known as "Teddy," was born
August 17, i886, graduated from the Mason
High School in 1904 and is employed in his
father's store; Grace C., was born July I6,
i888, and is a member of the Mason High
School, being in the tenth grade.
Politically, Mr. Walters adheres to the
faith of his father and votes for the perpetuation and perpetuity of the Republican
party. He is a member of the K. O. T. M.
in which he carries an insurance.
Mr. Walters started out for himself
empty-handed, his fortune consisting of a
good stock of business technic, coupled with
pluck and energy and he has met with more
than average success. He is counted among
the solid business men of the city.
GEORGE WILLIAMS.
The future of our great commonwealth
depends upon the stability and integrity of
the young people of today, and among those
who are contributing to the general progress
is the gentleman whose name introduces this
sketch, and whose life thus far has been
crowned with success. One of the young
and enterprising agriculturists of Locke
Township, his pleasant estate is located on
section i6, where he is the fortunate owner
of two hundred and fifty acres of land and
is also heir to an estate of one hundred and
fifty acres, his father's property.
Mr. Williams is now in the early prime of
life, having been born July 5, 1873. He is
the son of Eliphalet and Mary L. Williams,
the father having been born in i835, and the
mother in I848.
Our subject's father followed the pursuits
of the farmer, and came to Michigan and




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


437


located in Ingham county, where the mother
still resides, in 1865. Mr. and Mrs. Williams were married in Shiawassee county.
Their first investment in this county was in
one hundred and sixty acres of woods, which
they cleared and there built a log cabin. Mr.
Williams (lied here upon the home farm July
23, 1899. He was a supporter of Democracy.
George Williams is the second of five children, two of whom are now living. He acquired his education at Williamston.  In
I896 he bought forty acres, near his father's
estate, and started out for himself. Fortune
smiles upon this young man, and he has
met with success on every hand.
Jan. 9, I895, our subject was married to
Miss Maud, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Richmond Hill, old settlers of Locke. Mrs. Williams' father died Jan. 6, 1903, and the
mother resides on the farm of forty acres in
Locke township.
To Mr. and Mrs. George Williams have
been born three children: Hattie, Jan. 2,
1896; Mary, born May 24, 1897, and Anson
E., born June 26, I900.
Mr. Williams was elected Supervisor of
his town in 1903, and is serving his second
term in this capacity. He is socially a menmher of the Elks at Lansing and of the Bell
Oak Lodge of the Maccabees.
Mr. Williams is engaged in general farming and devotes considerable time to the raising of stock for the markets, and has good
barns and out buildings, which a progressive
farmer deems essential to the proper management of his estate.
ARTHUR T. DAVIS (DECE]ASED).
Arthur T. Davis was one of the most respected and esteemed residents of Lansing
and Ingham county owes much to him for
what he did in behalf of the Michigan Millers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company.


When he became identified with this institution it was but in its infancy, and in a measure in a neglected condition, but with characteristic energy and determined purpose,
he developed it into one of the most prosperous insurance organizations within the
boundaries of the State.
Arthur T. Davis was a native of the Empire State, his birth having occurred in Carlton in 1837. He was the son of Thomas
and Eliza (Waite) Davis. He pursued his
early education in the common schools of
the home district, which was supplemented
by a course at the Ellisberg Academy. In
I855 he emigrated Westward, and first settled in Illinois, but shortly afterward, however, he moved to Minnesota, and there remained until I865, which year witnessed his
arrival in Lansing. Eventually, Mr. Davis
became identified with H. H. Lamed in the
crockery and queensware business. In I882
his attention was called to the possible future of the Michigan Millers' Mutual Fire
Insurance Company, with which he became
identified in the capacity of secretary and
manager.   Beyond the least question of
doubt, this institution owes its flourishing
condition to Mr. Davis' individual efforts.
Mr. Davis married Maria A. Jewell of Oberlin, Ohio. She died in 1873.
In I875 Mr. Davis was united in marriage to Miss Lucy Corbett, a daughter of
Amasa Corbett, a resident of Farmington,
Maine. This union has been blessed with
two children: the eldest Lucy Corbett, received the degree of Ph. B. from the University of Michigan in I900. The second,
Clara M., received the degree of A. B. in
19go, and later graduated from the U. of
M. in the medical class of I904.
In matters pertaining to the public progress and upbuilding, Mr. Davis was very
prominent and influential, a co-operant factor
in many measures for the general good.




438


PAST AND PRESENT


Lansing owes much of its development to
him and his efforts, as he was also for a
number of years a director of the City National Bank. As a member of the Congregational church, he took an active interest
in church work, acting in the official capacity of trustee for a number of years.
Our subject won success in his business
and gained it so honorably that the most envious could not grudge it to him. In speaking of his demise, it is but just that we
quote the words of one of his personal
friends:
"The passing of MIr. Davis removes a
prominent figure from the business, church
and social life of Lansing. He has been
identified with the Capitol City and its best
interests so long, that his departure will be
keenly regretted and his place difficult to
fill. Since coming here more than thirty
years ago, he has been a prominent factor
in nearly every movement that tended toward
the improvement of the city, both commercially and morally. Of excellent judgment,
enterprising, conscientious and charitable,
he proved himself a valuable citizen and
earned the right to be esteemed and respected by all."
Our subject departed this life August 31,
I898, and is interred in Mount Hope cemetery.
W. M. WEBB.
By request of the publishers, Mr. W. M.
Webb very kindly consented to write a few
personal recollections, which he has done in
a very readable manner.   His biography
will be found one of unusual interest, from
the fact of his recollections being for the
most part along the line of pioneer life.
I was born on section nine in the Township of Aurelius on the 2Ist of May, 1838,


under better conditions and with more favorable surroundings than many an Ingham
county pioneer boy who was born about the
same period. They were probably born in
log shanties under a trough roof, while I
was born in a board shanty under a bark
roof. The corners of the house were three
small trees, standing in about the right positions, and at the fourth corner a post was
set. The three trees cut off at the proper
height, boards were nailed around and covered the enclosure, covered with great slabs
lf elm bark laid upon poles.
There were beautiful and very extensive
groves of beech and maple on four sides of
the house and all of the lawns were covered
in the spring with a very luxuriant growth
of verdure known to the early settlers as
leeks.
I was the fourth child born in the township
so that being born in Aurelius had passed
the experimental period and had become an
established industry:
George W. Bullen, born August I8, I837;
Freeman Wilcox, born August 20, 1837;
Charles Ranney, born April 20, I838. We
made a big team to help down the forest in
an early day.
I was not born with an axe in my hands,
but with a disposition to grasp one as soon
as opportunity offered. My life, although
considerably past the three score year mark,
would not vary greatly, on the whole, from
the average man, whose life of the same
number of years has been spent in Ingham
county and who has seen the country grow
from the time of the "blazed" trail that
marked the way in so many directions
through the forest so dense and lone, and
who has listened to the tinkle of cow bell
through the woodland pasture and who in
those early days sat around the cheery fireside within the old log cabin home. Yet a
few experiences of interest may come to




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


439


one varying somewhat from those that have
come to others.
The first thing I remember was the burning of the broom. It was the spring I was
three years old. It had been used to sweep
up the coals on the hearth then stood brush
end up in the corner of the house with a
coal among the splints which soon blazed
and consumed the broom.
Again at five years of age, when I saw a
horse for the first time; a wonderful sight
for a little boy. I also remember the same
year of hearing much talk among my elders
of what was believed by many as the coming
of the end of the world in April by the sect
called the Millerites. My father got one of
the believers, a cooper by'trade, to make him
a pork barrel during the winter previous and
he would take no pay, saying he had plenty
to last him until the great day came. Some
went so far as to make their ascension robes.
The disappointment must have been great.
That spring I remember the snow was
two feet deep at the time of the spring election. The town meeting was held at the
home of Michael Matison on section fifteen;
those going from our neighborhood took the
shortest route, one man going ahead a few
rods to break the way, then falling to the
rear, the next in line leading, until each
had served his time following.
By the next spring the little log cabins
were fast filling up with pioneer boys and
girls and the great question in the community was the one of schooling. A meeting was called at my father's house early in
I844 to consider the matter. It was voted
a school house should be built one hundred
rods east of the northwest corner of section
nine and that $Ioo should be raised by direct
tax for the purpose. After giving the subject more thought another meeting was
called at my father's house to reconsider
the vote on the amount to be raised; several


being of the opinion that the sum was too
burdensome to be borne. After much discussion it was left at the same figure but
agreed that each resident could give lator
toward the erection of the building at fifty
cents a day, no charge to be made for team
work. Logs were cut and hauled by some,
scored and hewed by others. One man got
out material and built a stick chimney, his
share, another got out shakes for the roof,
his part, and so on. The labor amounting
in all to $67, leaving $33 to be raised by tax
which was quite sufficient for sash doors,
glass, nails, lumber and the inside mechanic
work which was hired done. This house
stood directly across the road from where
I now live, and here at the age of six years
I first attended school. The building stood
for many years a monument to the enlightenment and intelligence of the neighborhood.
My mother had taught me my letters, so I
was quite a scholar at the start. I had my
first primer full of pictures with words underneath descriptive of the same. These I
must spell and pronounce. I went at it with
a will. There was the word "gate" beneath
the picture and I spelled g-a-t-e-bars, the
word "spade" s-p-a-d-e-shovel. I had seen
bars and a shovel but never a gate nor a
spade, yet to me they were the same. So
I surprised my teacher by my ability to pronounce such words so readily. She laughs
to this day as she relates the incident. She
still lives in the community at more than
four score years of age.
The summer I was seven there were encamped across the road from my father's for
a short time a small band of Indians. I
remember a little Red who was doing some
quite fine target practice with bows and arrows. I had a penny, no inconsiderable sum
for a small boy at that time. In some way
it was arranged by our elders that I should
put my penny up as a target for the little




440


PAST AND PRESENT


Red to shoot at, and if he hit it the first
trial he won it. The distance as arranged
was so great that my father thought my
money was safe. It was put in a slit in
the top of a stake and the stake set in the
ground. The little Red won with the first
shot hitting the target square. I was sad
for many a day from the loss of my fortune
but in time it became a golden memory. I
remember Chief Okemos well. He visited
my father's home a number of times during
my boyhood. One time offering my father
a pony for me, saying he would teach me to
fish and hunt like Indian.
I was in my teens when the last Indian
located in the forest close by us. Game was
still plenty. His was quite a peaceable family, but some one didn't like him or didn't
want him to be killing off the wild game,
so he with a jack knife carved the portrait
of an Indian in the bark of a tree where
the Indian would be likely to see it, then
he fired two or three bullets into the portrait..This was a suggestion that an Indian always
understood, so he soon left for other parts.
Some of us were sorry to see him go for we
liked him, at least I did.
In the spring that I was eight two neighbors were going through a piece of woods
and came across a bear and three cubs. They
managed to secure two of the cubs. My
father bought one of them, then I had a
playmate, but he played rough and so did I.
He was chained to a post that was about
ten feet in height and wore a light chain
about the same length. He would travel all
day going one way until his chain was
wound up, then the other way until unwound and wound up again. Sometimes he
would climb to the top of the post and remain some little time. He was always ready
for the scrap and many were the cuffs I received when I got near enough to be reached
by him. Although still a little fellow, some

times when he was eating I would grab him
both sides of the neck and shake him thoroughly to get even. We had much respect
for each other. When just out of reach, it
used to please me greatly to induce somne
playmate to go near enough to get him
cuffed over by bruin. Once he got hold of
a little fellow and nearly tore all the clothes
off from  him.  The neighbors found so
much fault because their children got so
roughly treated that father sold him.
I was nine years old the year the capital
was located at Lansing. There was to be a
big Fourth of July celebration in the new
city and everybody from our neighborhood
was going, so father permitted myself and
older brother to go. We went on foot. It
was only twenty-four miles there and back.
I had the time of my life. I listened to an
oration by George W. Peck, a prominent
Democratic politician. The exercises were
held in a grove very near where what was
once known as the Benton House now
stands. My brother and myself had a shilling to spend on that occasion, twelve and
a half cents. There was a coin of that denomination in circulation at that time. It
answered our purpose well. We blowed ourselves and came home financially busted, but
to this day I still feel that it was one of my
big days.
My first hunting was done with a flint
lock gun and my first game secured was a
black squirrel. As soon as I had fired, I
dropped my gun and ran home as fast as I
could to exhibit my game and boast of my
marksmanship. In my enthusiasm the gun
was forgotten for the time and was left fully
a half mile from the house.
In those early times before the days of
lucifer matches the problem that required
constant solving was to keep or to secure a
fire. A big log or a dry stub in the forest
was kept burning. If those failed, we would




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


441


resort to flint, steel and punk- These failing, we would use a gun, putting in a light
charge of powder and a little tow in the
muzzle then fire the gun, which would set
the tow burning, and so with proper material at hand we would soon have a blazing
fire.
One neighbor whittled out brooms for
several families. Another gauged the sap
neckyokes and another made the ox yokes.
There was a good sized mortar made in
some big stump in almost every door yard,
where corn was often pounded into meal
and other things with a pestle.
The Fourth of July when I was six the
whole neighborhood went to Mason to celebrate. A big, long sled, such as was common for both winter and summer use at that
time, had been shod the day before. Four
yoke of oxen were hitched to the sled, and
perhaps a score or more of women and children climbed on while the men walked and
drove the teams. When we had crossed the
stilt bridge, which was near the southeast
corner of Maple Grove cemetery, the road
led directly up to Steel's Tavern. A boy was
put onto each nigh ox and the procession
entered the town with colors flying. Chauncey Osborne was marshal of the day, a
great man in our estimation and the admiration of all boys.
In an early day we sought anything that
would furnish amusement for boys.  My
father had a section cut from a large hollow
tree about five feet in length and with a
hollow perhaps four feet across. This we
often used to roll down hill in when not in
use as a smoke house. We would get inside
and standing, bending the head forward so
the shoulders would brace onto one side and
the feet on the other. Some one would start
the thing rolling and if started rightly would
go flying down grade for twenty or thirty
rods. It was a novel way to ride and pro

duced a novel sensation while riding. One
day a young fellow came along, who after
seeing us perform, wanted to try it. We
wanted he should. So we placed him inside
with proper caution to keep his bracing and
then cut her loose. Three or four stones
got in the way, the log bounding and jumping over them, broke his bracing. His feet
were dangling out of one end, arms out of
the other and he was making two hundred
revolutions a minute when he finally reached
the foot of the hill. He was considerably
dazed, slightly bruised, but not much hurt
If we could have got him to take another
trial trip we would have given him a square
deal. All persuasion, however, failed. The
poor fellow never caught onto the kinks of
the game. For we boys those were happy
days and full of fun.
Those old school days. How many pleasant memories go back to them. \e usually
got three months schooling during the year.
The rest of the time were put on the farm
at hard labor. Valuable lessons were interspersed. I recall at one time an Indian came
into the school room, unannounced, uninvited; squatting down on the hearth he proceeded to sharpen his big hunting knife on
a whetstone.  The teacher, a young lady,
went on with her school duties just as if
nothing was going on. That was pioneer
nerve on her part.
One teacher, I remember, opened the
school each morning with devotional exercises, then carried a ferule or whip in his
hand all day. At the slightest provocation,
he would use them severely. We took delight in keeping him busy in that branch of
his calling. Another teacher, I remember,
who didn't try to govern us, yet we were
thoroughly governed. We obeyed every rule
we had ever heard of and some good ones
that we never heard of. 'We had a practical
demonstration every day in our copy books




442


PAST AND PRESENT


and I have had it in mind ever since. It
ran, "The best government is that which
governs least."
Our school was taught by and we received
instruction from such men as Judge George
M. Huntington, Judge M. V. Montgomery,
Hon. S. L. Kilborne and may others who
later came into prominence in the affairs of
the State.
So many recollections come trooping
along down the lines of the past bringing
happy memories of the long ago. There
were apple paring bees, singing and spelling
schools. The latter, in which we took much
pride to down the best foreign spellers, was
our ambition.
The best year of my life, or the one I look
back to with most satisfaction, was the one
I spent in the Union army during the great
Civil war. I was a member of Co. C, 8th
Michigan. My command was on the move
most of the time, which suited me. We had
an occasional brush with the enemy, which
suited me also. I was on duty every day
during my term of service. I never reported
at sick call, had no occasion to. I did not
see the inside of a hospital, field or elsewhere, while in the army, there being no occasion for that either. I obeyed every order given me, so far as I know, except one.
Condititions at a certain time became very
much mixed, union soldiers and rebels were
everywhere. A confederate colonel rode up
and in a stentorian voice and with an exciting flourish of arms ordered several of us
to surrender. This was a new command
and one in which we had not drilled. We
simply put the spurs to our horses. The
prompt action of a nearby comrade prevented the officer from giving farther orders to union soldiers.
I enlisted the 26th day of August, 1864,
was discharged the 6th of June, 1865. Arriving at home June 13. There were eight


young men from this and nearby neighborhoods who enlisted at the same time. A
short time and two had found resting places
in Southern cemeteries. Most of the duties
I had to perform were pleasant duties, but
when detailed to march with trailing arms
and to fire a volley over the grave of a departed comrade, was to me extremely sad.
W. M. WEVBB, FAMILY.
My father was born near Bristol, England, April 14, 1803. He came to America
in I825, and for some time followed the
butcher's trade at Syracuse, New York.
My mother, Anne Marie (Kelley) Webb,
was born in Vermont in I805, and was married to my father in I832 at Syracuse. They
came to Michigan in March, 1837, and settled in Aurelius township on section nine,
where he lived until his death, which occurred on the 6th of March I90o.   My
mother died the 7th of June, I847. Of this
union there were five children: John H.,
born in Syracuse, May 20, I834. He died
in Aurelius in September, I887. David,
born in I836, died at the age of fourteen
months; William M., born May 21, I838;
Lucy M., born September 8, I840.   She
owns and lives on the old homestead. Martha A., born November 27, 1842, now Mrs.
Nichols, living a mile from her birthplace.
WILLIAM M. WVBB.
Wiilliam M. Webb was married to Miss
Alice R. Brown of Delhi, August 13, I865.
She was born December 15, 1836, and died
June 21, 1882. Of this union three sons
were born: Charles E., born August 26,
I867; Burton E., born April 14, 1871;
Hugh, born February Io, I869, died June
23, I869.
Charles E. is a graduate of the Mason
high school and was employed in the Pull







__:_::::?:::::::::::
I:: i:::-:: _:_.::::::-::(:::::-:-::::;_::::::


JAMES THOR'BURN (Deceasel)




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


443


man Bank, Chicago, for twelve years and is
now similarly employed in New York City.
He was married to Miss May Dotson of
Elkhart, Ind., September 18, I889. They
have one son, Leland, born April 7, 189I,
now in school at Dayton, Ohio.
Burton is a farmer in Aurelius township,
married Miss Grace Holley of Aurelius,
February Io, 1892. They have one son,
Lawrence, born March 29, 1896.
One who has known William M. Webb
from boyhood has this to say of him. Mr.
Webb is a man of sterling worth. Having
lived a strenuous, industrious life, he has
little sympathy  for indolence.  Himself
frugal, he has scant love for the spendthrift.
Being strictly temperate, finds few excuses
for the inebriate. For any measure that is
calculated to advance the social, moral or
intellectual standard of the individual or
community, he is ever ready to help with
voice, hand or purse.  A  man of deep
thought and strong convictions; and while
vigorously maintaining his own, he courteously respects the opinions of others. A
man of the strictest integrity.  His best
friends are those who know him best. These
are a few of the prominent characteristics of
my friend "Mac" Webb.
JAMES THORBURN (DECEASED).
The frequency with which we are called
upon to pay the last sad tribute to the memory of our beloved dead is the most forceful
reminder of the mortality of man. How
truly is it recorded in the "Book of Books"
"He cometh forth as a flower and is cut
down." How better can our reverence for
our departed dead be shown than by gathering up the eventful facts of their active lives
and placing them in permanent form of preservation? Who can estimate the far-reach

ing influence of the truthful record of the
just men upon posterity? "Though dead, he
speaketh."
James Thorburn, late of the township of
Delhi, was born July Ii, 1827, in Scotland.
He was the son of James and Christina
Thorburn, who were natives of the same
place. In I855 he left his native land, Glasgow, taking passage on a sailing vessel,
known as the "Harmonia," and after a somewhat eventful voyage of six weeks, he arrived at Castle Garden in the city of New
York. From there he came direct to Michigan and settled in the Township of Delhi,
in Ingham county.
Ten years prior to his coming to this country, our subject was married to Marion Symington, then a bonnie lass of his native town.
This event took place August 22, I845. Mrs.
Thorburn was born Mlarch 24, 1824, and as
the fruit of their wedded lives nine children
were born to them; seven are living: Jeanette is the wife of Nathan Severance of
Alaiedon township; James S. resides at Mason; A. J., residing on the farm; Robert, a
resident of this township; John N., a stock
dealer and engaged in the meat market business in Mason; Thomas, a resident of Mason
and Anna Christina, the wife of John Bell of
Lansing.
In the year I855 Mr. Thorburn purchased
one hundred and twenty acres of heavy timbered land. This was the nucleus of what
became later the Thorburn home. By the
assistance of his family of growing boys, the
forests were cleared away, buildings erected
and other modern and up-to-date improvements were made. During all the active and
busy years of his life he was engaged in the
routine of farm work. He cast his first vote
for Stephen A. Douglas for president of the
United States.
Mr. and Mrs. Thorburn have been interested helpers in the Presbyterian, church at




444


PAST AND PRESENT


Holt. Our subject helped to organize this
church and contributed liberally of his substance toward the erection of the church and
later to its maintenance. Mrs. Thorburn;
though eighty years of age, is still active in
her domestic duties, cheerful and contented.
abiding her time for the final reunion in the
"Summerland of Song."    Mr. Thorburn
departed this life November 19, 1904. In
his death his neighbors mourn the loss of a
good man. He lived and died a Christian
and the example of his just life still remains
a benediction upon his children and his children's children long years after his manly
form, once so familiar, shall have passed
away from the memory of man.
Our subject has passed from the busy
scenes of this mortal conflict, to repose in
the beautiful and bright beyond, but to such
as live as he lived, even in the hour of death,
in the silent tomb, in the day of judgment, in
the life to come, "All is well-all is well."
How pathetic has the poet sung this sad
truth:
"Never here, forever there,
Where all parting, pain and care,
And death and time shall disappear,
Forever there but never here,
The horologue of eternity
Sayeth this incessantly,
'Forever-never,
Never-forever.'"
A. J. DOOLITTLE.
Almost the entire life of A. J. Doolittle
has been passed within the borders of Ingiam county and he is therefore thoroughly
familiar with its development and growth
in the last half century. His father, James,
and mother, Lucy Doolittle, were natives of
New York, the former born in 1817 and the
latter in 1823. They emigrated westward,


and arriving in Ingham county in 1855, located north of Mason upon the property
where A. I. Barber now resides. Here the
father bought one hundred and sixty acres
of partially improved land. He at once began its development and eventually placed
the greater portion of this under cultivation
and here resided until 1869, when he sold
this property and removed to Aurelius township, on Section eleven, where he purchased
one hundred and seventy acres. This was
also devoid of any particular improvement,
but he began the development of the place,
built upon it, tiled it and fenced it, and as
the years went by added various improvenents, until it eventually became a productive and valuable property. Here he lived
continuously until his death, which occurred
il I896. He was a Republican in politics
and took an active part in the local affairs
and anything that pertained to the general
good of the community. Both he and his
wife were active members of the M. E.
church and liberally contributed towards its
maintenance. The mother died in 1902 and
both were laid to rest side by side in Maple
Grove cemetery. The business career of our
subject began with farming, as his father
gave him a start of one thousand dollars at
the age of twenty-one and he and his brother
in partnership, bought forty acres of land,
which they continued to cultivate jointly until 1872, when Mr. Doolittle purchased the
b-other's interest in this property.
To this tract of land our subject added
forty acres and now owns eighty acres of
well improved and productive land, where
he is engaged in general farming and stock
raising. Upon his place is also a splendid
orchard of four acres, averaging fifty trees
to the acre. He is also an active member of
the M. E. Church and in his political views
affiliates with the Republican party, in which
lie has taken local interest, having held the




4




/


I




JAMAES B. THORBURN




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


445


office of Treasurer of Aurelius township and
also that of Justice of the Peace. He is likewise a member of the K. O. T. M.
Our subject has two brothers, namely:
Reuel R., whose sketch appears elsewhere in
this volume, and Oscar, a twin brother of our
subject. Mr. Doolittle was married April
]6, 1871, to Miss Sally, daughter of Hiram
and Margaret Smith,, natives of New York
and Ireland, respectively. Mrs. Doolittle was
born Jan. 27, I852..Unto them were born
three children: Mittie, Dec. 8, 1873, the
wife of Newton Bateman, and they have two
children, named BlaIlche and Lois; Ettie,
born May 9, 1875, the wife of Bert Rowe,
and they have one child, Paul; Maude, Dec.
I9, I88I, married Austin J. Smith, and they
have two children: Lloyd and Grant.
Emanating from one of the old pioneer
families, our subject, Mr. Doolittle, can look
back upon the last half century with a pardonable pride, in realizing what the Doolittle family has contributed towards the history of Ingham county.
JAMES B. THORBURN.
There are farmers and farmers, but there
are few farmers in Ingham county whose
outfit and farming operations equal in extent
those of James B. Thorburn of Delhi township. His extensive and pleasantly situated
farm buildings, located upon the "Hogsback," about a mile southeast of the enterprising Village of Holt, are among the most
imposing to be seen on the public highway
between the cities of Mason and Lansing.
The farm, consisting of five hundred and
ninety acres of choice land, is under a high
state of cultivation. Mr. Thorburn raises
the crops common in this section of the country and keeps large herds of cattle, with a
*liberal quota of hogs, sheep, horses and other
domestic animals. He keeps a good work

ing force of farm hands, for the most part
occupying tenement houses on the premises.
He is thorough and energetic in his business
enterprises, and the marks of thrift and success are manifest on every hand. He uses
the most improved of modern machinery,
and the cultivation of the crops and care of
the stock and premises, each indicate the
well-read, up-to-date farmer.  Always a
busy man, yet he has time for friendly greetings with stranger or acquaintance. His is
the characteristic cordiality that "never
wears off."
James B. Thorburn was born in the city
of Lansing, September 3, I855. His parents,
John and Hannah Thorburn, were natives of
Lesmahagow, Lannark Shire, Scotland, and
Prattsburg, Steuben Co., N. Y., respectively;
father born  March  29, 1824, and the
mother March 31, 1829. The elder Thorburn came to America in the year 1848, on
a sailing vessel from Glasgow. Two and
one-half months time was occupied with the
voyage, during which time the vessel fell
into a calm and lay for nearly four weeks in
mid ocean. Arriving in New York, he went
to Pittsburg, Pa., where he remained for a
time, and later made the wise choice of coming to Lansing, Michigan, which at that time
was little more than a thriving village. Having equipped himself with a good trade in
his native country, lie at once opened a
blacksmith shop, which he conducted in a
most successful manner for the term of five
years. He was married January 26, 1854, in
Lansing, and three children were the fruit of
their wedded life: James B., the first born;
Dr. W. W. Thorburn, born August I8, I858,
has a well established and extensive practice,
as a veterinary surgeon in Lansing city;
Robert C., born August 14, I865, enlisted in
Co. F, 3Ist Michigan, and went with his
regiment to Cuba, experienced thirteen
months' service and was mustered out as




446


PAST AND PRESENT


Sergeant. He returned' to the avocation of
farming and settled in the township of
Alaiedon. He died while yet a young man,
honored and respected by all who knew him.
James B. was educated at the Mason High
School and at the age of nineteen years
started out for himself upon a farm in Delhi
township. December 23, I874, Mr. Thorburn was united in marriage with Miss
Louisa M., daughter of Casper and Catherine Lott of Delhi. Mr. Lott was for many
years a highly esteemed and successful
farmer of Delhi township. Soon after their
marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Thorburn moved to
the old Thorburn homestead, which has since
been their residence. This farm Mr. John
Thorburn purchased at an early day and still
has in his possession the old patent land
grant issued by the General Government and
signed by President John C. Fremont.
Three children brightened the model
American home of the Thorburns: Rose,
born October 6, I875, still under the parental
roof; Nettie M., born May 22, i880, married
October 6, 1903 to Rev. C. E. Pollok, and
John Royal Emerson, born Dec. 2, 1887. All
have been given good school advantages and
a Christian training to mould their lives for
helpfulness and happiness.
Politically, Mr. Thorburn is a Republican
of the best type, standing only for those principles calculated to develop the best class of
American citizens.
The family are energetic workers and
warm supporters of the Presbyterian church
at Holt. Mr. Thorburn is known throughout Ingham county as an enthusiast in Sunday School work. To him more than to any
other individual the Sunday Schools of
the county are indebted for the advanced
position taken by the worker and for the
thorough organization of the County Association, as he effectually served as Secretary
for the term of five years and as President


for three years. He originated the "Sunday
School Union," since changed to the "Sunday School Worker," published in the interests of the work and conducted this for
three years. It is now the property of the
association and a power for good among the
workers.
The world will never be overstocked with
men possessing the characteristics of Mr.
Thorburn. He is a true home maker, a society builder of the best type, teaching by
example and precept the principles of right
living, equity and justice. There may be
greater men, but there are few better citizens.
JOHN THORBURN.
Among those that are classed as pioneer
settlers of Ingham county, is numbered John
Thorburn, a native of Scotland. He was
born at Lesmahago, Lanarkshire, March 29,
1824. He is a son of James and Christina
(Boe) Thorburn, born at Douglas and Glenbuck, Scotland, respectively.
The early years of Mr. Thorburn's life
were spent in the common schools and herding cattle. At the age of twenty-three he
had served four years as an apprentice to
the blacksmiths trade and worked six years
as a journeyman. He came to America in
1848 in company with his younger brother,
Robert; his father and mother following the
next year. He first worked a short time in
Pittsburg, Pa., coming to Michigan the
same year and located one hundred and
twenty acres of government land on sections
23 and 24, Delhi, which is part of the present farm. He and his brother chopped five
or six acres of wood land the winter of
I848-I849, and built a log house, which his
father and mother occupied the spring following. His father, James Thorburn, was a
Democrat of the old school, believing firmly
in the principles of the party. Both he and






JOHN THORBURN








INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


447


his wife were active, earnest Christians, and
were members of the Free Presbyterian
church, he was also a member of the Masonic order, and lived in harmony with the
beneficent spirit of the craft.  He was a
man of exceptional character, strong in purpose and honest to the heart-core.
Mr. Thorburn spent about four years
working at his trade in Ypsilanti, and working for a short time inl Mason. He located
in Lansing in 1852 and built a brick shop
on the south side of Franklin street, opposite
the Olds Hotel, at the beginning of the old
plank road. He run this shop for five years
and did a successful business. His health
failing, he moved to the farm in Delhi, and
turned his attention to general farming and
stock raising, in which he was unusually
successful.
January 26, 18g54, he was married to Miss
Hannah Jane Olds, daughter of Alanson
Olds. Her mother bore the maiden name
of Jane Lamb. They came to Michigan at
an early day and for years conducted the
Olds Hotel in North Lansing. Mrs. Thorburn was born in Prattsburg, N. Y., March
3I, I829, and came to Michigan with her
parents in I832.  She was the oldest of
eleven children. She died March 6, I889.
It is worthy to note that she was a descendant of the last martyr, who was burned at
the stake in England, Edward Whiteman, a
Baptist of Burton-upon-Trent, who was condemned by the Bishop of Litchfield and
Coventry, and burned at Litchfield, April
I I, 812.
To this union were born three sons:
James Boe, a resident of Delhi, whose history appears elsewhere in this volume; William Warren, a veterinary surgeon of prominence, in Lansing; Robert Clark, now deceased.
Robert C. Thorburn became a member of
Co. F, 3 st Michigan Volunteer Infantry,


rank as sergeant, and served in Cuba during the Spanish-American war.   He unfortunately contracted a fever during his
services, which resulted in his death, which
occurred at his home on the 30th day of
October, 1903. He is survived by his wife
and one child, John Russell Thorburn, born
March 18, 1900.
John Thorburn is a man of more than
ordinary energy and force of character, and
has by frugality and honesty of purpose become the possessor of considerable property.
Now owning nine hundred and forty acres
of the best land in Ingham county. In the
accumulation of this property, he has not
only  displayed  sound judgment, but a
marked degree of energy. He is in every
sense a self-made man. Much of the land
has been cleared and placed under cultivation by his individual effort, and improvements without number have been made, adding to its attractive appearance and valuation.
John Thorburn casts his vote with the
Republican party, believing it best suited to
govern in the interests of the people. He is
a respected member of the Presbyterian
church at Holt. A hale and hearty man of
eighty-one years, he is honored and respected by all who know him, and unto such
men and families Ingham county now owes
its present prosperous condition.
JAMES P. EDMONDS, LANSING.
Mr. Edmonds, who since I899 has been
associated with M. F. Bates in the manufacture of automobiles and gas and gasoline
engines, is a native of Lansing, and both
his father and his father-in-law  were for
many years prominent in its business and
public affairs. Our subject was born in that
city on the I3th day of January, I866, his
parents being John W. and Marilla J. (Pel



448


PAST AND PRESENT


ton) Edmonds. The father's birth occurred
in New York City in 1832, but when he
was one year old the family moved to
Rochester, N. Y., where the boy remained
until he was of age. Until he was twentyone he followed his trade as a harness and
trunk maker, coming to Lansing in I854.
Soon after the elder Mr. Edmonds located
in Lansing, he associated himself with E.
W. Coolidge, and after two years, formed
a partnership with Charles Cannell, which
remained unbroken for a period of thirty-six
years. At the time of Mr. Edmonds' death,
August 15, I894, the business was one of
the largest in the city.
The deceased was very prominent in local
affairs. He and George K. Grove were the
organizers of the first volunteer fire department in Lansing, he himself being its foreman for twenty years, and afterwards chief
of the city fire department.  He served as
Alderman and Supervisor of the Second
Ward during the Civil war, and was Treasurer of the School Board for twelve years.
In a word, both in business and as a public
character, he was one of the prominent men
of Lansing.
James P. Edmonds, the son, has during
his entire life been identified with the business, manufacturing and public interests of
his native city.  He received a common
school, academic and collegiate education,
and served as City Treasurer of Lansing,
I892-93-94-96. He then traveled for one
year as special agent and adjuster for the
American Fire Insurance Company of
Philadelphia. In I899, in association with
M. F. Bates, he organized the Bates & E(dmonds Motor Company, and later the Bates
Automobile Company.    Of the former,
which manufacture gas and gasoline engines, Mr. Edmonds is secretary and manager, also being the secretary for the Bates
Automobile  Company.   The enterprises,


which started five years ago, without an order ahead, now employ one hundred menare working night and day, and manufacture two thousand engines annually and a
large number of first-class family automobiles. This remarkable growth is largely
due to the sound business and executive ability of Mr. Edmonds.
On November 28, I894, our subject was
united in marriage to Miss Neenah E. Jones,
daughter of N. B. Jones, an old and prominent settler of Lansing. It is interesting to
note that in his youth Mr. Jones was a messenger boy in the first Michigan State Legislature, which met in Lansing, and that as a
young man he served as Clerk of the House
for nine sessions. Mr. and Mrs. Edmonds
have one child, Amy. The wife is a member of the First Congregational church.
Politically, Mr. Edmonds is a Republican
and is identified with the Masonic fraternity.
WILLIAM FANSON.
It is refreshing to know that there are
those even in these times of degeneracy who
believe that Old Solomon was right, when
he said, "A good name is rather to be chosen
than great riches." He who by the uprightness of life and character has made his name
a synonym or virtue, sobriety and morality
in the community in which he has lived, has
given to posterity a valued heritage. However good may have been the family name
of Fanson in the mother country, it has lost
no prestige by being Americanized.
William Fanson, a resident of Mason, was
born in Devonshire, England, January 9,
1841. His parents were natives of the
Merry Island. The father, Richard Fanson,
followed the occupation known as carrier in
that country, conveying goods from the sea
shore to inland towns. He died while yet
a young man, aged forty years, leaving a




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


449


widow with a family of six children in moderate circumstances. Two years after the
death of her husband, greatly appreciating
the advantages offered in America for getting on the world, the mother with her six
children, gathered together her worldly possessions and set sail for "the land of the
free and the home of the brave." The family landed in New York in August, I849.
The home was set up at Bergen in Genesee
county, New York, where the mother spent
the last half decade of her active life, passing
to the great beyond in the month of April,
I854.
Mr. Fanson has here recorded for the
benefit of those who come after the names of
his brothers and sisters and other data of
interest: Thomas, born July 3, 1832, a resi(lent of Rochester, N. Y.; Margaret, born
July i, 1834, died in Canada; John, born
February 2, I836, is a successful and prosperous farmer at Assumption, Ill.; Richard,
born July i6, 1837, a resident of Bloomington, Ill.; Mary Ann, born December 9, I843,
widow of Mr. W. Craft, resides in North
Dakota.
Mr. Fanson attended school before leaving
England and later in this country. He has,
however, gleaned much of his practical education by experience. At the age of fifteen
years, he found himself entirely dependent
upon his own resources for a livelihood. Engaging himself to a farmer, he toiled early
and late as a farm hand, the stipulated wages
being ten dollars per month. At the end of
five years, he had his wages advanced to
the munificent sum of fifteen dollars per
month. He had been well schooled in the
important virtues of economy and industry,
so he made good use of his income and kept
busy. An important step in the life of Mr.
Fanson was his early marriage, not having
reached the years of his majority. Jan. 15,
I86i, he was united in marriage to Miss
29


Marietta, daughter of Moses and Jane Barr
Berry of Genesee, N. Y. Mrs. Fanson's
parents were natives of England and America. Six children have been born to Mr. and
Mrs. Fanson, all grown to man and womanhood, and all leading useful and upright lives,
giving cheer and comfort to their parents
in the declining years of life: Frank W.,
born May 20, I862, near Bloomington, Ill.,
now married and a resident of the Empire
State in Genesee county; Mary Jane, born
October 17, I863, the wife of Prof. Glenn
C. Lawrence, now in the employ of the government as a teacher in Utah; Edith L., born
August 5, I865, now the wife of Menzo
Cady of Vevay township; Ollie E., born
April 14, 1871, at Bergen, Genesee county,
N. Y., now in the Harper Hospital, Detroit,
preparing herself for the responsible position
of trained nurse; Frederick R., born March
28, I874, now conducting the farm upon
which he was born in Aurelius township;
and Bertha C., born December 25, 1876, a
graduate of the Mason High School, and the
State Normal at Ypsilanti, formerly a teacher in the public schools of various places.
She was married to George N. Shafer,
March 8, I905, and they are now living on
a farm just north of Mason owned by Mr.
Shafer's father.
For some three years after his marriage,
Mr. Fanson worked a rented farm in Bloomington, Ill., in copartnership with his brother,
Richard. He returned to New York for one
year, then moved with his family to Michigan, bought a tract of forty acres of unimproved land and set himself to work to carve
out for himself and his family an ideal
American home. He was successful beyond
his expectations, bought more land, made
improvements upon the lands and erected
good, commodious farm buildings. This
property is located in Aurelius township. He
kept the debts every good citizen owes to




40


PAST AND PRESENT


society and the community in which he lives
all squared up. In brief the prosperity that
is almost certain to follow intelligent effort
has been theirs to enjoy. Finding himself
in the possession of a competency, sufficient
for the demands of old age, Mr. Fanson retired with his family from the farm to the
city life of Mason, where he is very comfortably located. Here the demands of the
family for intellectual, social and religious
culture are fully met. A Republican in politics, Mr. Fanson has never been an aspirant
for office; he has, however, acceptably served
his township as Drain Commissioner and
also Highway Commissioner and Township
Treasurer.
The whole family are devoted members of
the Baptist Church and allied with the Baptist Society. Mr. Fanson has been a member
of the church choir at Mason for several
years. Mr. Farson may with a sense of just
pride that comes with a consciousness of
having well performed his part in the battle
of life, looking back over the years of his
experience, be cheered with the thought that
by honest toil and industry he has won for
himself a name and a place in this world
of activities.
FRANK E. THOMAS, M. D.
It is said that "circumstances make men
what they are," but unless to be born in
Michigan and to receive that early inspiration for success which our public schools instill in the youth of the State, is a circumstance that makes for success, then the subject of this sketch is no exception.
Frank E. Thomas was born in the Village of Allegan, Allegan Co., Mich., on the
i9th day of Nov., I867, of sturdy pioneer
stock. His father, Samuel Mason Thomas,
being one of the early pioneers who came
to Michigan from Ohio and during the Civil


War was Captain of Co. E., 28th Michigan
Infantry. His mother, Helen F., who now
resides with the doctor, is a native of New
York state. Dr. Thomas comes honestly by
his strong characteristics of tentative perseverance, fighting inch by inch for the goal,
as his maternal grandfather was a soldier in
the War of 1812 and his maternal great
grandfather was a patriot in the Revolutionary army.
The early life of Dr. Thomas was much
the same as thousands of school boys of his
time. He attended the Allegan public
schools and at the age of nineteen he determined on the medical profession for his life's
work, entering the office of the late Dr. F.
M. Calkins where he remained under the
preceptorship of that eminent physician and
surgeon for two years, when he obtained a
position in the drug department of the Michigan Asylum for the Insane at Kalamazoo,
where he remained a little less than two
years, when he entered the Detroit College
of Medicine from  which he graduated in
I894. While attending the college he was
appointed medical interne on the house staff
of Harper Hospital of Detroit, during I891
and 1892. During the summer of I893 he
was appointed under-graduate medical interne on the medical staff at the Michigan
Asylum for the Insane at Kalamazoo. After
completing his studies at the Detroit College
of Medicine in the spring of I894 Dr.
Thomas took up his residence at Mason,
where he has since followed the practice of
his chosen profession.
The first few years of his practice would
have discouraged a less determined character, starting without money or influence,
having to overcome the obstacles so common
to the new practitioner.  His success has
been all that could be desired, as attested by
his large and lucrative practice.
In November, 1894, Dr. Thomas was




,r::


Ai


FRANK E. THOMAS, M. D.




I~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


451


united in marriage to Miss Rose, daughter
of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Allen of Birmingham, Michigan. The union proved to be a
happy one, she presiding over the home,
with that delicate tact so necessary in the
peculiar and ofttimes trying position of a
physician's wife. April 8, I898, a son, Emmett, was born to Dr. and Mrs. Thomas,
who is now starting on his way through the
Mason schools.   He in every way gives
promise of having inherited many of the
characteristics.of his father, short, thick set
and muscular in person and strong in intellect.
Dr. Thomas is a member of the Ingham
County, the Michigan State, and the American Medical Societies, and is also active as a
member of the Foresters, Maccabees and
Knights of Pythias and medical examiner
for a number of fraternal and old line life
insurance companies.
The doctor, while firm in his political beliefs, seldom, even with his closest friends,
discusses any political issue and has never
aspired to any political office, prefering his
family and his home, his books and profession, rather than to feed on the dangerous
fruit of political ambition.
JOHN C. FINGERLE.
John C. Fingerle was born in the Buckeye state, August I, I865.  His parents,
John and Rose Fingerle, were natives of
Germany, emigrated to the United States in
the year of I859, and settled at Perisburg,
in the State of Ohio.  His father was a
tailor by trade, acquiring a knowledge of
the business in his mother country, he followed it through life.  In the year 1867,
when John was but two years of age, his
father moved with his family to Lansing,
and this became the resident city of the family until the death of the father, which oc

curred in the year 1890.  The mother is
still living, and makes her home with friends
in California. Mr. Fingerle grew to manhood
in the capital city, where he learned the
trade of tinner, with W. L. Rice. He received his education in the city schools. He
followed his trade in Lansing for three
years, then for three years at Utica, Michigan, later for six months at Leslie Village,
and finally located in the City of Mason.
For eight years he was in the employ of DuBois and Earl, hardware merchants. For
the past nine years has been in business for
himself. He purchased the foundry plant,
where he moulds castings for local trade.
Manufactures hot air furnaces, known as
the Diamondale Furnace. He has installed
something like four hundred of these furnaces in the homes of this county. Has in
recent years added plumbing to his business;
anything in his line can be had at correct
prices on short notice. Mr. Fingerle is an
exceptionally pleasant gentleman to do business with, courteous and accommodating.
He is building up a fine trade, and his many
friends are pleased to note his prosperity in
business.
February 25, I891, Mr. Fingerle was united in marriage to Miss Dora E., daughter
of Myron A. Randall of this city.   One
beautiful little daughter has come to bless
their lives, and brighten their home: Elaine
R., born August 26, 1893, attending the
city schools.
Politically, Mr. Fingerle lines up with
the Democracy. He has held the office of
City Clerk two years, and served his ward
as Alderman for two years. Is at present a
member of the Electric Light Board. In all
public positions he has discharged the duties
imposed with conscientious fidelity. In consideration of the fact that he started out
empty handed, with his parents, in a measure, dependent upon him, a trade to learn,




452


PAST AND PRESENT


he is to be congratulated upon the measure
of success that has come to him. Yet on
the sunny side of life, and being well established in business, the outlook for him must
be very gratifying indeed.
Mr. Fingerle is a Maccabee, and also a
K. P., and lives the cardinal principle of
both organizations in his daily life.  Mr.
and Mrs. Fingerle are supporters of the
Presbyterian society, of which Mrs. Fingerle
is a respected member. Mr. Fingerle feels
himself entitled to a name and place among
the pioneers of Ingham county, having like
the old Indian "ben here all the time there
was" and in no way censurable for not coming sooner. Mason City has few indeed of
better or more worthy citizens than John
C. Fingerle.
JACKSON K. ELMER.
The history of the past and present of
Ingham county, either military or civil,
would not be complete without the biography of Jackson K. Elmer of Mason. Like a
large per cent of the pioneers of Michigan,
Mr. Elmer's people were natives of New
York, Jackson K., being born in Orleans
county, May 12, 1840. He was the son of
Philo and Susan B. Elmer. His father died
in I842. His family came to Michigan in
1853 and settled in Rome. Jackson received
his early education at the district schools of
Rome. While yet a young man he learned
the carpenter's trade and later was a contractor and builder.
September 7, I86I, he enlisted as sergeant
of Co. M, 3d Michigan Cavalry, and followed the fortunes of his command to the
close of the war. He was promoted to
second lieutenant on February I, I864; to
first lieutenant and adjutant, October 24,
I864. He was mustered out and honorably


discharged June 6, I865.   His regiment
rendezvoused at Grand Rapids and left the
State under command of Col. F. W. Kellogg, having on its rolls of muster, the
names of eleven hundred and sixty-three officers and men. It participated in several
hard fought battles, notably Battles of Island Number Ten, New Madrid, Shiloh,
Corinth, Jackson, Miss., Mobile and many
other lesser engagements.  This regiment
has to its credit in prisoners taken from
November I, 1862 to November i, 1863,
eleven hundred, about fifty of whom were
commissioned officers, making up to this
time, all told in prisoners captured since the
regiment entered service twenty-one hundred taken from the enemy.   It marched
during its term of service, approximately
eleven thousand miles. The total loss of the
regiment during the term  of service was
four hundred and fourteen. The regiment
was reorganized after three years of service,
returned to the State and rendezvoused at
Kalamazoo and at the expiration of its furlough of thirty days was joined by a large
number of recruits. During its entire term
of service, it had borne upon its rolls a muster of twenty-five hundred and sixty officers
and men. To have followed the fortunes of
this command in its marches and fatigues
for three years and eight months is glory
enough for any man. That Mr. Elmer was
a good soldier is testified by the promotions
he received. He never asked for or received
a pension until placed on the rolls by reason
of the age limit in 1904.
Immediately after the war, Mr. Elmer
was engaged in general mercantile trade at
Holt with his half-brother, Mr. L. W.
Baker. This partnership existed for something like nine years, and proved a satisfactory venture to both parties. In the year
1874 they both retired from the business and
Mr. Elmer moved his family to Mason and




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


453


engaged in the coal and produce business,
forming a partnership with Theron Van
Ostrand, which partnership continued until
the winter of I905, when both gentlemen retired. While never having engaged in practical farming, he owns a fine farm of eighty
acres in the Township of Aurelius and is
known as a successful manager and feeder
of stock for the market. He is and has been
for some years a stockholder in the Farmers'
Bank at Mason, and is a director of the organization.
In I866 Mr. Elmer was united in marriage to Mary E. Bond. To them has been
born one daughter, Dora D., who is a lady
of learning and letters. She is a graduate
of the Mason high school and holds the degree of A. B. from the University of Michigan. Miss Elmer is recognized as one of
the best educated ladies of the city.  She
is also one of the charter members of the
Tourist Club, a literary society of several
years' standing. Miss Elmer, when not engaged in teaching, resides at home with her
parents.
Mr. Elmer is a Republican and cast his
first vote for Abraham Lincoln for President in I860. He has served the city as
Alderman and has made the subject of
Masonry something of a study.   He is a
member of the Blue Lodge and Chapter at
Mason, of the Lansing Commandery No.
25, the Mystic Shriners at Grand Rapids and
the Saladian Temple.
Mr. Elmer recalls the fact that when he
first came to Ingham county there was no
railroad to the City of Mason and only one
line to Lansing. At that date Dan Hibbard's stage line was in operation, from
Jackson to Lansing. Mr. Elmer, although
a man of wide and varied experience, is still
active in business affairs, a man of good
judgment, careful, conservative and held in
high esteem by his fellow citizens.


JAY W. FREEMAN.
Foremost among the highly respected men
of real worth of life and character in the
Township of Aurelius stands the name of
Jay W. Freeman, who was born in Bellville,
Jefferson county, N. Y., in 1836. He was
the son of H. H. and Harriet Freeman, his
father being a native of the Empire State,
born in I80I, and the mother in I804 in
Connecticut. Seven children were born to
them, two of whom are now living. Besides
our subject, D. G. Freeman of Oshkosh,
Wis.
Mr. Freeman's father settled with his
family in Jackson county in the year of 1835,
but two years later came to Ingham Co. At
that time there was practically no public
highwNay from Jackson through to his place.
They were obliged to cut the underbrush
and go by blazed trees through the forests
with their teams and goods. The land was
purchased from  the government and was
covered with huge black walnut and maple
trees, which if standing today, would be
worth thousands of dollars more than the
farm, with all its modern improvements.
Our subject's father died in 1859 and the
mother had the misfortune to be bitten by a
poisonous rattle-snake and died when our
subject was but seven years old. Both parents were buried in the Aurelius cemetery.
Following the death of his first wife the
father was married to Hannah Hawkins, and
to them were born four children, only one of
whom is living, Mary, now Mrs. Morrison
of Mason. The second Mrs. Freeman died
and is also buried in the Aurelius cemetery.
J. W. Freeman received his early education in the district schools and in the year of
I842 settled on the farm where he still resides. He was united in marriage in 1854
to Miss Isbella, daughter of L. A. Heath of
Aurelius township. Mrs. Freeman was born




454


PAST AND PRESENT


in Carrolton, N. Y., and came to Michigan
with her parents in I839. Five children
have been born to them. Two boys and one
daughter are living: James died in infancy,
and was buried in the family plat at Aurelius; Nettie A., born in I86i, married
Delmar Crane, and one child was born to
them, Claude L., who owns a half interest
in a general store at Aurelius Center. Mrs.
Crane was remarried, to her present husband, Chas. W. Hyatt, now deceased. One
son, John, has been born to them. J. J.
Freeman married and now lives in Jackson,
Michigan, and is general agent for the Massachusetts Mutual Insurance Co., and two
children have been born to them, one living,
Pauline M.; Leroy D., now deceased. John
C., married Miss Jennie Simpson and he is
a farmer residing in Aurelius and they have
one child, Lulu Belle.
Mr. and Mrs. Freeman are highly respected members of the Baptist church at Aurelius Center. Among the fraternal organizations with which Mr. Freeman has affiliated himself are the Master Masons at
Onondaga, Lodge No. I97. In politics he
is a conservative Democrat; has served his
township as Justice of the Peace for 35 years
and also been Notary Public for nearly the
same length of time. He takes an active
interest in public affairs, giving the weight
of his influence to every enterprise looking
to the social and moral well-being of society.
He takes pleasure in performing the duties
of his chosen vocation and is living in the
enjoyment and confidence of his neighbors.
JESSE HOLDEN.
Jesse Holden, one of the hustling young
men of Vevay township, was born November 24, I876, upon the farm where he still
resides. He is the son of Carlos A. and


Lucy Dresser Holden, who were married
April 23, 1863. His father was born in
Leroy, N. Y., November 21, 1835, and his
mother November 26, 1839, in Cortland,
Co., N. Y.
Carlos Holden died March 14, I899. He
was a man of many good qualities of heart
and mind, and will be remembered as a just
and upright citizen. His widow was united in marriage to Chauncey Breed, a veteran of the Civil War, June 17, 1903. Mr.
and Mrs. Breed are living at the old Holden
homestead, happy in the love of dutiful children and many warm friends and neighbors.
In the year 1844, Amadon Holden, born
June 19, 1795, a native of Northfield, Franklin Co., Mass., with his wife, Olive, who
was born August 27, I8oI, in Thetford.
Orange Co., Vt., emigrated fo Michigan
with his family and settled upon the farm
now occupied by his grandson, Jesse. The
grandfather bought the land from the government, erected a log house, and with his
family occupied the same for several years.
Later he cleared away the forests and erected comfortable farm  buildings.  Jesse's
father was the youngest of four children
and the only son. His sisters' names were:
Pluma A., born July 23, 1824; Jeanette,
August 21, 1826; Mary Jane, January 12,
I833. The grandfather of Jesse Holden on
his mother's side, John Milton Dresser, was
for many years a highly respected citizen of
Vevay township, enjoying the confidence and
esteem of all who knew him. Mr. Dresser
was born August 22, 1807. His wife, Eliza
Mary Hicks, was born February 25, I814.
The names and dates of birth of their children were: Matilda E., August 28, I841,
died in infancy; Orinda Ann, July 14, 1844;
Eliza Mary, March 2, I846; John Milton,
January 24, I85o; Horace M., June 15,
I852: Almeda, December 3, I858; Elmer E.




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


455


May, I86i; Olive Lucy, born November 26.
I839.
John Milton is a successful man of business, and Elmer E., a well-known and highly respected minister of the gospel in the
Baptist church.
Jesse Holden, like his father was an only
son, having been blessed, however, by the
birth of four sisters, three of whom died in
early girlhood: Jennie Grace, born January
30, I864, died May 4, I877; Florrie, born
January 25, I867, died December 7, I88o;
Alice Lenora, born October 8, I869, died
May 5, I877; Nellie Mayford, born November i8, 1878. She is a bright and intelligent young lady, is a graduate of Cleary
College, and is employed as a stenographer
at Lansing. She was united in marriage
December 28, 1904, to Carl Hodges. They
have taken up their residence in the capital
city.
Jesse Holden acquired his education in the
district school, attending the same school
where his father attended in former years,
and where his mother in her young womanhood was a successful teacher.  He was
married January 6, I904, to Miss Blanche
Hockman, who was born June i6, 1884.
daughter of Albert and Emma Hockman.
Mrs. Holden has one brother, Clifford, born
March 28, I891. Her father is a Christian
gentleman, highly respected in life, and died
while yet a young man May 22, 1898, at
the age of forty-two years.
Mr. Holden and his sister Nellie own the
farm, owned successfully by his father and
grandfather. He has followed general farming and stock-growing in the main, however, he has recently been giving some attention to the handling of agricultural implements and indulging in other speculations.
In politics Mr. Holden is in line with his
father and grandfather, and is a Republican all the year around and has unquestioned


faith in the principles of his party. He is
a member of the Gleaners, in which himself
and wife are active. Socially the Holdens
are highly respected members of society.
0. J. HOOD.
CITY ATTORNEY OF LANSING.
O. J. Hood, one of the rising lawyers of
the Wolverine State and City Attorney of
Lansing, since May, 1904, was born in Monroe county, Michigan, in the year I866. He
is the son of George W. and Angeline Hood,
his father being a native of New York state,
where he was born in I829. The elder Mr.
Hood lost his father, when a small boy and
came with his widowed mother to Shiawassee county, Michigan, and after residing
there for a short time, went to Washtenaw
county, where in the midst of elevating surroundings he reached manhood.   Graduating from the University of Michigan in
the class of '58 with the degrees of B.A.
and M.A., he subsequently pursued a course
at Auburn Theological Seminary and was
a school teacher for a number of years. He
now resides with his son, our subject.
In i865 George W. Hood married Mrs.
Angeline Hawks Palmer, a widow, the wife
dying when the present City Attorney was
but fifteen months of age. When but two
years of age, the boy went to live with his
uncle at Corunna, Shiawassee county, passing through the city schools and graduating
from there in 1885. In the fall of the year
named, he entered the law department of the
University of Michigan, graduating therefrom in 1887.  He practiced in Corunna
during the succeeding three years, removing
to Mason, Ingham county, in April, I890.
He there continued professional work with
most gratifying results, and from I893 to
1897, with Judge Cowles, served as Probate
Register.




456


PAST AND PRESENT


Not satisfied with the field of his activities,
in March, I897, Mr. Hood located at Lansing, entering into a co-partnership with Q.
A. Smith, this strong professional combination soon resulting in a well established business. Mr. Hood's professional specialty is
the investigation of legal questions and
briefing cases for the Supreme Court. Mr.
Smith is pre-eminently a trial lawyer and
is perfectly at home in court, or, as the
words run, when "on his feet." This prominent trait of his professional character led
to his appointment as City Attorney in 1904,
and his subsequent record has sustained the
wisdom of the appointment.
In I892 Mr. Hood was married to Miss
Hattie A. Makley, daughter of William J.
Makley of Mason, Michigan. One child has
been born to them, Homer T., now eleven
years of age. Mrs. Hood is identified with
the Presbyterian church, also a member of
the Eastern Star. Mr. Hood is a member
of the Masonic fraternity and is prominent
in Masonic circles. He is also allied with
other fraternal organizations. They are both
recognized leaders in all elevating local enterprises or institutions.
JESSE VAN HORN.
The first authentic record of this family
is found in the Documentary History of
New York, volume Iio, page 6i8, stating
that Jaques Von Home and Albert K.
Burgh, committee of Board of Trade on
resolutions to form a plan to colonize the
Netherlands, sent a report to the West India Company of Amsterdam, in Holland,
against the private complaints of the
patrons. This document was dated June 26,
I834, and thus it may be seen that the subject of this review is a representative.of one
of the oldest and highly respected families
of the United States.


The father, Phillip Van Horn, was born
July 20, 1787, and the dates and records of
the birth of his children were as follows:
Nella, born November 12, I813, is now deceased; Barnet, born August 14, I812, died
August I5, I893; Daniel, born August 12,
1814, died Jan. 21, 1863; David, born February 28, I8I6; Ephraim, born March 29,
I818, died August 21, I893; Aron, born
April 8, 1820, died October 28, 1842; Cornelius, born June I6, 1822, died March 27,
I853; William, born September 15, 1824;
Mariah, born February 21, 1827, died October 24, I88i; Margaret, born May 23,
1829; Jesse, born June 28, 1831 (our subject); Phillip, Jr., born November 25, 1833,
died October 17, I839, and John, born October 23, I836, and settled in Jackson and
there resided until his death, which occurred
December 3I, i841. The mother died in
1859 on the 20th day of January in the same
locality, and they were honored and respected citizens of Michigan.
Jesse Van Horn, a prominent agriculturist of Ingham county, was a native of
the Empire State, his birth having occurred
the 28th day of June of I83I, and was but
five years of age when he accompanied his
parents upon their removal to Michigan.
He was one of a family of thirteen children,
of whom three are now living, namely: William, who lives near Jackson; Margaret
Cole and our subject, Jesse.
The early boyhood and youth of Jesse
Van Horn was spent upon the old home
place near Jackson and in a manner in common with the farmer lads of that period. It
was in this locality that he started out in
life for himself, by purchasing forty acres
of the old place, but later sold this and came
to Leslie, where he resided for one year.
He soon returned, however, to the old home.
He bought one hundred and fifty-nine acres
of land in Leslie township, Ingham county,








JESSE VAN HORN




MRS. JESSE VAN HORN








INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


457


upon which he made many improvements,
having a fine house and splendid barns, and
he and his son now own two hundred and
eighty acres of rich and arable land.
In the year I853, Mr. Vain Horn was
united in marriage to Miss Louisa Slaght,
a native of Canada, and this union has been
blessed with four children, of whom two are
now living, namely, Arthur W., born November 26, 1859, who married Emma Frary
and resides near his father, and is identified
with him in farming; the second, Inez, born
December 14, I868, who became the wife of
Lewis S. Marshall; Arvila A. Van Horn,
born January 20, 1856, died February 6,
I859; Jay F. Van Horn, born September 6,
1862, died September 24, 1893. Mr. Van
Horn is a member of the Masonic fraternity
and has lived in harmony with its beneficent
teachings. He affiliates with the Democracy.
He is in every respect a self made man,
as he practically started out in life empty
handed and has by close application to business and strong determination, acquired a
good property which enables him to enjoy
all the comforts and many of the luxuries of
life.
For more than thirty-six years Mr. Jesse
Van Horn has been a pioneer resident of
this locality, and has therefore witnessed
many of the changes and scenes that have
taken place in the marvelous development of
Ingham county.
W. W. HILDRETH, LANSING.
W. W. Hildreth, the organizer and now
vice president of the Hildreth Motor and
Pump Company, was born in Buffalo, N. Y.,
the son of William B. and Clarissa Hildreth.
His father, a native of New York, was by
trade a moulder and blacksmith; his grandfather, Jonathan Hildreth, was a local
preacher and also served in the Revolution

ary war. As his mother died when he was
only four years old, the boy was placed in
care of an uncle, E. Adams, who, in 1836,
settled in Highland Corners, Oakland
county, Michigan. There he remained on a
farm until he was twelve years of age,
when he removed with his uncle's family to
Genesee county.
When our subject was seventeen years of
age he returned to his father, who was then
a resident of Birmingham, Michigan, working at his trade. For about two years he
attended select school.
His next move was to Farmington, Michigan, following his occupation as a moulder
for a year. Within the succeeding two years
he is found, always hard at work, in Flint,
Michigan, Tompkins county, N. Y. (his
father's old home), Allegany county, N. Y.
(in the employ of his cousin), Genesee
county (where he taught school for one
winter) and Coldwatei, Michigan.
In 1854, being then twenty-two years of
age, Mr. Hildreth became a citizen of Lansing, being first connected with the dry goods
store of Richard Elliot for two years. After
spending a year with F. M. Cowles, the dry
goods merchant, he returned to Mr. Elliot,
and remained with him until he began his
permanent career as an iron worker and
manager.
Mr. Hildreth's first employment in that
line was in the foundry of James Turner,
and after working there for about a year,
spent another year in Appleton, Wis.,
after which  he located  in Kendalville,
Indiana, where he was engaged in the
foundry business for about a decade. In
I871 he returned to Lansing and purchased
the building now known as the Porter Hack
Barn, in which he established a foundry and
machine shop.
Later Mr. Hildreth became one of the
organizers of the Lansing Iron Works. The




458


PAST AND PRESENT


business failed in 1875 and he returned to
Indiana, conducting a foundry until I887,
and continuing in the same line of manufacture at Decatur, Ind. In I890 he went to
Minnesota, but, after spending a year there,
returned to Lansing to found the business in
which he is at present engaged. In 1892 he
purchased the machine business of P. Abfalter, and his son subsequently bought W. E.
Cady's interest in the establishment, which
was afterward conducted as Cady & Hildreth's.
In Nov., 1902, W. W. Hildreth & Son organized the Hildreth Motor and Pump
Works, now incorporated, with Mr. Hildreth as vice president. The business, since
its organization, has shown a steady increase
and the plant is well equipped with modern
machinery. Originally only six men were
employed; now there are about thirty. Ned
E. Hildreth, one of the sons, is superintendent of the works, and a promising young
business man.
Mr. Hildreth was married February 20,
I858, to Mrs. Celestine Welsh. a daughter
of John Laylin, who was a soldier and scout
in the War of 1812 and a pioneer of Huron
county, Ohio. Mrs. Hildreth came to Michigan when the capitol was first located at
Lansing, living with her sister, Mrs.
Richard Elliott, and becoming at that time a
resident of the city. Of the three children
born to them two are still living-Theodore
A., who resides in Boston, and Ned E., mentioned as being connected with his father in
the Hildreth Motor and Pump Company.
Our subject is self-educated, as he is selfmade in every particular. He is a remarkably well informed man and his natural business talents were trained and broadened
quite early by attendance at Gregory's College, at Detroit.
For nearly half a century he has taken an
active and, for much of that period, a promi

nent part in the extension of Free Masonry.
In I856 he joined the old lodge, No. 66, in
Lansing.  He was Deputy Grand Lecturer
of the State of Indiana for one year and
Grand Lecturer for another year. During
his entire mature life he has also been identified with church work-indicating, all in
all, that Mr. Hildreth has an intellectual and
a spiritual side to his nature as fully developed as his practical traits of character.
H. L. HENDERSON (DECEASED).
H. L. Henderson figured so conspicuously
and honorably in connection with the public
interests, business activity, and substantial
development of Ingham county, for many
years that no history of this locality would
be complete without the record of his career.
To say of him that he arose from comparative obscurity to rank among the most successful men of this portion; of the state, is a
statement that seems trite to those familiar
with his life, yet it is but just to say in a
history that will descend to future generations, that his business record was one that
any man might be proud to possess.
Beginning at the bottom round of the ladder, he steadily advanced step by step until he
occupied a position of trust and prominence
reached by few. Throughout his entire business career, he was looked upon as a model
of integrity and honor, never making any
engagement that he did not fulfill, and standing as an example of what determination,
combined with the highest degree of business integrity, can accomplish for a man of
natural ability and strength of character.
He was respected by the community at
large and honored by his business associates.
A native of the Empire State, H. L. Henderson was born in I829 and died in Mason in
1897. The parents of our subject, John and
Mary Henderson, were also natives of New




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


459


York and there lived and died. John Henderson was an agriculturalist and followed
that occupation throughout life.
H. L. Henderson was one of a family of
eight children. He spent his boyhood days
on the home farm, acquiring his education in
the common schools of his native state. At
an early age he started out in life at teaching
school and then began the study of law with
one of the prominent men of New York. It
was in the continuation of this practice that
he became identified in Mason at an early
day.
In I867 he became identified with the
financial interests of Mason, by the establishment of a private bank, which was the
following year made a National bank. In
its organization, as a national bank, he was
made its cashier. This institution successfully continued its financial operations until
its charter expired. With the organization
of the First State and Savings Bank at Mason, he was made its President and so continued until his death. He was the prime
factor in the organization of this institution
and the safe and conservative policy, which
he inaugurated made it one of the substantial and reliable financial institutions of this
part of the State. In banking circles, as in
all other relations of life, Mr. Henderson
sustained an unassailable reputation, because
of his business capacity and unswerving
probity. Intricate business propositions he
seemed to comprehend at a glance and he
mastered everything that he undertook, carrying forward to a successful completion,
every business interest which engaged his
attention. He made judicious investments
in property from time to time until he became
the possessor of valuable interests.
In I868 Mr. Henderson was united in
marriage to Miss Mary E. Robson, who was
born at Farmington of this State. She was
the daughter of Thomas and Rachel Robson,


who were both natives of England. It was
at the age of fourteen years that she first
came to Lansing and Ingham county. Here
she taught school some time and was engaged in this ocupation when she made the
acquaintance of Mr. Henderson. She is a
woman of estimable character and proved a
valuable companion and help mate on life's
journey. This union was blessed with two
children, namely, Charles R., now a resident
of Houston, Texas, and is engaged in the insurance business; the second child, Marion,
is now the wife of M. J. Buck of Lansing.
For many years Mr. Henderson was very
prominent in affairs aside from his business
interests. He served as Alderman and also
on the School Board and the Water Works
Commission. He was one of the principal
promoters of the Mason Electric Light
Plant, in which he was interested prior to its
purchase by the city. Every measure for the
advancement of Mason along the material,
social and intellectual lines received an indorsement and encouragement, and to him
in no little degree, is due the present advantage which the city enjoys in its excellent
system of electric lights, its water works and
general improvement. Prospering to an unusual degree, he became blessed with ample
means, which he liberally devoted to progressive uses. A member of the Presbyterian
church, he was a liberal and ready supporter
of church interests. As a Mason, he was
held in high esteem by his brethren of the
craft. Politically, he was a life long supporter of the Republican party, and while
he took an active part in local and state politics, he was not a politician in the sense of
office seeking, but preferred the activities of
business life to those of the political stage.
The strong traits of his character were
such as endeared him to all with whom he
came in contact. He was the soul of honor
and integrity in business life. was a man of




460


PAST AND PRESENT


broad humanitarian principles and the deserving poor always found in him a friend.
He gave generously for the public good, was
faithful in friendship, devoted to his family
and stood as a high type of our chivalrous
American manhood.
JAMES A. WILCOX (DECEASED).
Although death has laid his chill hands
upon the heart of Mr. James A. Wilcox,
still there is living the spirit which characterized each act of his daily life with nobility
and activity. He was born in Genesee county, New York, February 3, I835, the son of
Noyce and Martha (Pollock) Wilcox. The
father was born December 12, I800, and
died May 5, I884, and the mother, January
2, I814, and died April 5, I892. James A.
Wilcox was the fourth of a family of five
children, two brothers and a sister now living; William P., born April 25, 1828, died
September 7, I899; Mary J., born October
19, I830; Warren P., born February 5,
1833; our subject and Henry J., born November 24, 1842.
Mr. and Mrs. Noyce Wilcox came to
Michigan in the early forties and settled in
White Oak, when the country was covered
with woods and there were no roads. Warren, a brother of our subject, bought one
hundred and sixty acres of land. James
Wilcox emigrated from New York to Michigan, settling in White Oak in I863, when
he bought eighty acres of his brother, Warren. This property was partly improved and
Mr. Wilcox finished clearing it and here resided until his death, March 10, I894. For
a number of years his parents made their
home with him and there died.
James A. Wilcox was united in marriage
September 7, I857, to Polly Ann, daughter
of Andrew and Polly (Watson) Crocker.


Mrs. Wilcox was born December 21, 1837.
Her parents came to Michigan in 1857 from
New York; they were born in Vermont, October 3, I799 and January 6, I804, respectively. They settled on a small farm seven
miles north of Jackson, and here, in connection with the work of the farm, the father
conducted a cooper shop, this being his
trade. To them were born eleven children:
Sophia L., September 5, 1824, wife of Emerson Moore, lived in Jackson; Orlando, December I9, 1825, died in infancy; Amanda
M., January 31, 1828, wife of Lucius Umstead; Alonzo D., died September II, 183I,
was sharpshooter in an Illinois regiment and
died of blood poison from a wound in the
hand received from falling in a trench, while
fighting for his country; James A., August
2, 1835, lives at Stanton, Michigan; Polly
Ann, our subject's wife; Cynthia A., March
29, 1840, wife of George Jackson, White
Oak; William W., born December 27, I842,
served during the war in a Michigan regiment and died of consumption after the close
of the war; Willis W., December 31, 1844;
Agnes, September 15, 1847, died in 1875,
and Orlando, No. 2, enlisted in Co. A, of the
25th Michigan Infantry, and died at Louisville, Ky., November I9, 1862.
Two sons came to bless the home of Mr.
and Mrs. James A. Wilcox, Noyce Andrew,
born in Stafford, N. Y., February I8, I859,
married Carrie, daughter of John W. and
Zelpha Ann (Fish) Gifford, who were early
settlers of White Oak township. Mrs. Wilcox was born August 26, 1846. To Mr.
and Mrs. Noyce Wilcox were born two boys,
James, July 28, I882, and John, August 27,
i884. The second son of our subject, James
A., born July 2, 1874, died February 14,
I877.
Mr. James Wilcox cast his vote and influence with the Democrat party as did also
the father of Mrs. Wilcox.  Her parents








W\ILLTIAMI nW. WILS()N     (lDeceaseld)




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


461


were members of the Christian church. Mrs.
Ann Wilcox, the highly respected widow of
our subject resides on the farm, and the son,
Noyce Andrew, is in charge of the place.
She is a lady of many good qualities of heart
and mind and her friends are only numbered
by her acquaintances.
CHARLES S. WILSON.
If it is a good thing to have been born, it
is vastly better to have been well born.
Charles S. Wilson of Aurelius township may
congratulate himself that both experiences
were his July I, I845. His parents were
natives of Yorkshire, England. Abraham
Wilson, the father, was born in the year
I795 and the mother, Mary (Shaw) Wilson,
September 22, I801. The parents with two
children constituted the family. Wm. V.
Wilson, the eldest son, was born Nov. 24,
1842, the same year that the family located
in Ingham county. He grew to young manhood upon his father's farm, receiving such
advantages for education and social culture
as was common to the boys of his time in a
new country with pioneer surroundings.
Patriotism, love of country, seemed to have
been inbred with him, for at the age of I8
years he answered the call of the immortal
Lincoln for men to defend the nation's honor, and during the summer of '6i he signed
the rolls of muster of Co. I, of the I Ith
Michigan Volunteer Infantry to serve for
three years or during the war. The regiment left the State December 9, I86I, under
command of Colonel Wliliam J. May, with
orders to report at Bardstown, Ky., where it
remained during the winter, suffering severely from disease.
Young Wison followed the fortunes of
his command through the year I862, meeting the enemy at Fort Riley, Nashville, on


the 3ist of December. The command was
also hotly engaged at Murfreesboro. In his
report of the operations of the IIth Michigan, at the last named battle, Colonel
Stoughton wrote, "When near the cleared
fields to the right of Murfreesboro Pike the
regiment was rallied and held the ground
for twenty or thirty minutes, it was then
marched about half way across the open field,
when the orders came to charge back into the
cedars.  My regiment promptly obeyed
orders, rallied on the colors and charged back
into the woods with great gallantry checking
the enemy by the sudden and impetuous attack." January 2, I863, the regiment was
again engaged in battle at Stone River, supporting a battery. Colonel Stoughton's report of this engagement says among other
very complimentary things, "I cannot speak
too highly of the conduct of the troops under
my command. They fought with a coolness
and bravery of veterans and obeyed my commands under the hottest fire with the precision of the parade ground." The loss in
this battle was severe for this command.
This soldier, boy that he was, was with his
regiment at Elk River, Tenn., July 6, at
Davis' Cross Road September II, and was
wounded and captured during the fierce conflict of Chickamauga, Ga., September 19-20.
The loss to the Union army in the two days'
struggle numbered in killed, wounded and
missing, 15,851, while that of the enemy, in
round numbers, was I7,000. Young Wilson
was among the first prisoners confined in
Andersonville prison, that awful hell of horror. His naturally rugged constitution enabled him to endure the privations and torture for nine long weary months, when his
young life went out and he was buried with
I3,000 of his unfortunate comrades in the
long trenches just outside the stockade.
While today he sleeps in the National Cemetery at Andersonville with a little marble




462


PAST AND PRESENT


slab above his pillowless head to mark the
last resting place of a brave boy and a true
soldier, his friends have placed in the family
plat a suitable monument to his memory, appropriately inscribed, "Sleep on, brave boy,
until the dawn of the eternal day strikes
through the rifts of the tent, come forth
clothed in immortality and renown."
By his unselfish devotion to the honor of
the stars and stripes, William Wilson said
with another, "My country, my all, claims
every passion; her liberty henceforth be all
my thought for her, my life I willingly resign, and say with transport that the gain
was mine."
During the months of his confinement in
Dansville prison pen, William Wilson wrote
the following, which he christened the
"Prisoner's Refrain." It got into the mail
and in distribution on board a transport was
thrown out having been written upon a fragment of the fly-leaf of a monthly journal. It
was picked up by a stranger, who mailed it
to a Michigan congressman. It was finally
published in the Detroit Advertiser and
Tribune, and through this medium came
under the eyes of his friends at home. The
pathos is indeed impressive, taken in connection with his lingering death from exposure and starvation. VW. W. Wilson died
June 17, 1864.
I wish that Stanton, Edwin M., and General
Halleck, too,
Were in this place that they might see
how prisoners live and do;
That they might feel the woes of want and
live on prison fare;
That they might eat of prison bread and
breathe the prison air.
That they upon the floor might lie in winter
time so cold;
Without a blanket, bed or fire, their garments thin and old;


No concourse with the world outside, no
word from friends at home,
By pale disease and scanty food, reduced
to skin and bone;
No hopeful ray of liberty, no gleam of Freedom's light,
To penetrate the prison gloom or cheer
the dismal night.
Have we no friends in Northern homes who
pity our sad lot?
Or are all kindly feelings gone and
mercy's claims forgot?
Must we within these prison walls remain
from day to day,
Until we, by relentless death, are called
from earth away?
Where are our many brethren then, are they
all dead and gone?
Are we of all a numerous race left on this
earth alone?
During the fifteen years that Abraham
Wilson lived after coming into Ingham county he was persistent, industrious, and frugal.
He had felled and cleared away the forests
from forty acres of heavily timbered land.
He had bought on until his farm embraced
two hundred broad acres. Charles S. was
but twelve years of age when his father died
in 1857, and he became the main dependence
of his widowed mother. He had always a
liking for books and made the most of his
opportunities for an education. He attended
the district schools until he "mastered the
three R's," afterwards attended the Union
school at Monroe, and later, the Lansing
Academy. He taught for several winters,
carrying on the farm during the summer
months. At one time, in Mr. Wilson's early
life, he had a strong desire to enter the legal
profession, but his environments seemed to
be against such action. He was needed at
home.
Charles S. Wilson was united in mar



INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


463


riage to Miss Jennie A., daughter of Mr.
and Mrs. John Holcomb of Aurelius township, March 4, I869. Mr. Wilson readily
recalls the date of his marriage, it being the
day of General Grant's first inauguration as
President of the United States. Mrs. Wilson's father was a soldier in the War of the
Rebellion and gave his life in defense of his
country's cause.  Two children came to
brighten the lives of Mr. and Mrs. Wilson,
Minnie E., born November 25, I869. Minnie
was an adopted daughter, she married Dean
Matison of Aurelius, and died while in the
prime of young womanhood, August 20,
I894, leaving an infant daughter, Eva, who
lives with her Grandmother Matison; William W., named for his uncle who died in
Andersonville, was born October 24, 1884.
He has completed his schooling and is assisting his father in the management of the
farm. A young man of industrious habits
and good promise, he is a member of the
Gleaners at Aurelius.
Mr. Wilson has made all the modern improvements upon the old homestead, which
he owns. The land has been thoroughly
tiled, has good, tasty farm buildings, and
many modern    appliances for successful
farming  operations.  Mr. Wilson takes
special pride in his fine grove of black walnut trees planted by himself the Centennial
year.
Wherever known, Mr. Wilson is recognized as a public spirited citizen, interested
in every enterprise calculated to develop the
moral and intellectual growth of the coinmunity in which he lives. A man of exceptional social qualities, a true friend and a
good neighbor.
Mr. and Mrs. Wilson are members of the
North Aurelius M. E. church and cheerfully
contribute of their substance for its support
and maintenance.


Mr. Wilson's mother died October 19,
I88o. She was a woman of many virtues
and sterling worth. Fortunate indeed, for
the young man who grew to manhood under
the benign influence of her active Christian
life. Among the pioneer experiences of the
family, Mr. Wilson relates that when they
moved to this county, his mother in company
with a cousin made the journey on foot from
Dexter, Washtenaw county, to their present
home, covering the distance of 48 miles
through the woods, in two days. The cousin
is still living at Corunna at the advanced
age of go years. He also recalls the fact that
"Uncle" George Webb owned the only lumber wagon in the community at the time the
Wilsons located here. Among the district
school teachers, who were an inspiration to
Mr. Wilson in his early school days and who
later came into prominence in State and National affairs, are the Hon. S. L. Kilbourne
and Hon. M. V. Montgomery of Lansing.
Mr. Wilson's early experiences as a farmer
boy in a new country have led him to have a
high regard for the old pioneers who carved
out the way for the coming generation. He
believes a monument should be erected to
perpetuate their names and deeds, and he
would cheerfully contribute to a popular subscription for this purpose.  Mr. Wilson
shows his fraternal nature by the various
organizations of which he is an honored
member, as follows: the Masons, the Chapter, the Council and Commandery, Eastern
Star, the Grangers, the Gleaners, and Knight
Templar. He has the distinction of being
the only member of the order of Knight
Templars in his township. In politics, Mr.
Wilson calls himself an independent voter,
casting his ballot for men and measures
rather than following party lines and party
dictation. He at one time was candidate
for the office of Register of Deeds. Has




464


PAST AND PRESENT


served his school district as Treasurer for
15 years, has often been tendered other positions but declined acceptance. Mr. Wilson
is a farmer, and in love with his avocation,
and, therefore, has made a success of it. His
is one of the pleasant farm homes in that
locality. Mr. Wilson is an entertaining conversationalist, being well read, and having
at his command a ready flow of good English. He enjoys confidence of the public to
a marked degree. His word esteemed as
good as a Government bond. That he, with
his good wife, may live yet many years to
enjoy the fruits of their mutual labors, is
the wish of their many friends.
GEORGE M. WESTFALL.
The narrative that relates the life history
of our subject is chiefly connected with rural
residence and agricultural-occupation. It began in a little pioneer home in Michigan,
which was made by his parents, Jacob and
Eliza (Myers) Westfall, both natives of
New York. Our subject was born May 22,
I84I, in Wayne county, Michigan.
Jacob Westfall was a farmer, and came
to Michigan about I830, and located on
eighty acres of unimproved land at Plymouth, Wayne county. They moved into
the little log house and cleared sixty acres.
Our subject's parents were married at Plymouth, where the father later died.
George M. Westfall is the second of three
children: Mary Elizabeth, born in I839 and
died in 1902, was married to William Nichols; our subject; Jane, born 1843, married
James Ewing, and lives at Jackson.
Mr. Westfall received his education in
the common district school, and started out
for himself in I859, or at the age of eighteen years, when his grandfather willed him
eighty acres of wild land, his present home.
A portion of this he cleared, and in I870


bought forty additional acres of improved
land, now owning one hundred and twenty
acres, where he lives. As was the father,
so is the son, a Democrat.
The marriage of George M. Westfall and
Miss Elvina Whited, who was born in 1849,
took place in June of the year 1873. Mrs.
Westfall's father, Mitchell Whited, and
mother, Emeline (Barnes) Whited, were
married in Ohio. The father came to Michigan and settled on forty acres in losco
township, Livingston county, and later added thirty-five acres to the original purchase.
At the time of his death the father lived in
Mecosta county. This was in February of
the year 1897, and the mother died in I852.
Mrs. Westfall is one of three children.
To Mr. and Mrs. Westfall have been born
two children: Guy, Feb. 7, I874, married
Emma Owen, to whom one child was born,
Wilbur, March I7, I896; Dora E., born
Sept. 6, 1878, married Herman Reithmiller,
who lives on a farm in Stockbridge township. Guy and his wife are at home with
Mr. and Mrs. Westfall, a family of high
character and many friends.
HARVEY H. WHIPPLE.
Harvey H. Whipple was the son of Randolph and Clarimon Whipple, who came
from the State of New York and settled in
the Township of Ingham near Dansville,
when this country was practically an unbroken forest. All the hardships incident to
a pioneer life were woven into the experience
of the Whipple family. The tract book in
the county register's office, shows that Randolp W. Whipple located his land June 25,
1836. He died near where he had lived for
fifty-seven years, February 3, I903, aged
eighty-eight years. His first wife died when
Harvey was but a little boy. Harvey grew to




I










INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


465


manhood under the paternal roof, securing
such education as was to be gleaned from
the district school, which was located on the
corner of his father's farm.
He was united in marriage August 22,
1869, to. Martha, daughter of John A. and
Laura (Carter) Sawyer, and soon after commenced farming upon a farm inherited by
Mrs. Whipple from her father's estate. Here
they remained for twelve years, and were
"prospered in basket and store," when they
sold out and located upon section 2 of Vevay township, erected a substantial brick
house, built barns and made other needed
improvements.  Mr. Whipple was a hard
working man and devoted himself to his
private business, always finding time, however, to do a neighborly act, or helping the
less fortunate. While yet in the prime of
life, with his young family of four sons and
a daughter in his home, he passed away July
3, I899.
The children's names and dates of birth,
are as follows: Arlo C., born December 29,
1874; Cary A., born September 24, 1876;
Earl D., born January 22, I880; Ford G.,
born June 27, 1882, and Iva L., born July
25, I885.
Politically, he was enthusiastically a Republican, and rejoiced in the victories of his
party. Mr. Whipple was known as a public
spirited citizen, favoring every enterprise
looking to the betterment of society.
Mrs. Whipple's father worked by the
month for $I2.00 per month for a time after
coming to Michigan.  Her mother was a
tailoress by trade, and manufactured the
garments worn by the male population for
miles around.
As an evidence of the wild state of the
country, Mrs. Whipple remembers having
heard her mother say that she had seen bear
tracks on her porch in the morning, and that
she made butter and sold it for six cents per
30


pound, to help pay off the indebtedness on
the farm. Their nearest post office was at
Dexter, Washtenaw county, and the postage
was twenty-five cents a letter. When this
had to be paid at this end of the route, it
called for sacrifice. When the family started
in at housekeeping, the dining table was
made of split logs, laid on pins which were
driven in the side of the log house.
It is questionable whether with all the
luxuries and comforts of the well-to-do people in this county today, there is real happiness and contentment to a greater degree,
than there was in the homes of the early
pioneers.
The old pioneer is fast passing away,
another decade and he will live only in history. Farewell, old pioneer, your memory
will live in the hearts of those who reap
where you have sown, long years after the
grass is green upon your final resting place;
farewell!
DR. A. B. CAMPBELL (DECEASED).
"Man is man's best book, the last page
whereof is written in death."
Alexander B. Campbell was born near
Belmont, Ontario, Canada, May 13, I852,
and died at Mason, Michigan, October 29,
1891.  Mr. Campbell's parents, Faquard
and Mary Campbell, were natives of Canada. Their family consisted of eight sons
and four daughters.
From early boyhood Mr. Campbell was
a lover of books, or what might be termed a
natural student. Having a fair opportunity
to satisfy the demands of his nature in this
regard, he early laid the foundation for a
good education. In some respects, his was a
remarkable family. Of the eight brothers,
seven fitted themselves for the successful
practice of medicine and surgery. Our subject entered the medical department of the




466


PAST AND PRESENT


Michigan University, from which he graduated with distinguished honor in the year
1875; the year following he took a course
in the Cincinnati Medical College and the
same year settled in Mason and engaged in
the practice of his chosen profession, succeeding his brother, Dr. W. W. Campbell,
who had built up a splendid practice, but had
decided to go west and locate in Atchison,
Kansas. His genial ways easily won for
him friends. Without any seeming effort
on his part, he built up a large and lucrative
practice. For years he was the recognized
leader of his profession in the city. He was
the friend of the poor and gave to them
without stint the benefit of his learning and
skill, and this, too, many times without hope
of compensation. He was a strong, manly
man,-a true friend, fixed in his ideals and
purposes, yet kind hearted, affable and yielding in his relations with others. To enjoy a
social hour in his presence was invigorating.
His fund of knowledge was large and readily at his command. He had learning not
common with men of his profession-indeed
not common among men. In conversation,
he was sparkling and oftentimes witty and
full of variety. He would often bring out,
in common conversation, bits of history, full
of interest and instruction. He was a student in the broadest sense of the word.
The man who sways the multitude by the
power of his eloquence, or who leads armies
to battle, is not more needful in this world
than the kind and charitable physician, who
feels his neighbor's woes and comes to his
relief.  Few men do so much good and
fewer still carry so much comfort and hope
into the homes of the afflicted-such was
Dr. A. B. Campbell. His physique was the
natural mold for a man of his mental ability.
Strong and robust of form, standing six feet
and two inches and easily carrying two hun

dred and forty pounds, he was a powerful
man.
The added years of his experience served
to extend the knowledge of his skill, until
the demands upon him were too much for
even one of his strong and vigorous constitution. It is only a plain statement of facts
to say that he gave his life for the love he
bore his friends and his profession.
His social nature and love of his fellowmen led him to join several fraternal organizations. He was a Knight Templar, a
Maccabee and K. of P.    He was also a
member of the State Medical Society. In
politics, our subject was a Republican.
Dr. Campbell died in the full equipment
of his mental vigor, his star was yet in the
ascendency. No death occurring in Mason
has ever created more universal and real sorrow-the people mourned-they knew they
had lost a friend.
One has thus apotheosized life and death:
"Life is a complete circle, a continued
sunrise, in which we behold the splendors of
each new day; but finally there comes a time
when man passes to the circumference of the
earth's circles, when a shadow covers him,
and he marches forth into the splendor of an
eternal morning."
DR. GERTRUDE CAMPBELL.
Gertrude, only daughter of James R. and
Orpha P. Dart, was born in Bradford,
Pa., in  i866.  She received her early
school training in the Village of Webberville, Ingham county, where her father located when she was but eight years of age.
Later she attended the St. Mary's Academy
at South Bend, Ind., for the term of one
year, and also the Somerville School at St.
Clair, Michigan, for three years.




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


467


Miss Gertrude was united in marriage to
Dr. A. B. Campbell of Mason, at Webberville, in February, 1887. Mrs. Campbell is
a lady of exceptional character and culture,
of strong and pleasing personal presence,
and in every way a most suitable companion
for a man of Dr. Campbell's intellectuality.
Less than five years of happy wedded
life passed all too soon, a great shadow fell
across the threshold of their beautiful home.
Kind friends came and tenderly bore away
the manly form of her loved and loving husband. She was left with a comfortable competence, sufficient to meet all her necessary
wants in life, and more, she could live. in
ease. The influence of the life gone was
upon her-she resolved to do. Arranging
her business affairs, she entered the medical
department of the Michigan University,
from which her husband had received his
diploma, and for four years diligently pursued her studies, graduating therefrom  in
1896. She was also for a year upon the
house staff of the Woman's Hospital of Detroit. Finding herself well equipped for the
practice of her chosen profession, she opened
the office made vacant by the death of her
husband, and her success was assured from
the first.
Dr. Gertrude Campbell has enjoyed a
very liberal patronage, both in city and
country, and numbers among her patrons
many of the best families in the community,
visiting many homes where Dr. A. B.
Campbell was once a familiar and welcome
guest.
Our subject's father, James R. Dart, is
one of the well-known men of affairs in Ingham county; he was for many years extensively engaged in the manufacture of staves,
stave-bolts and heading at Webberville. He
was for four years Sheriff of the county,
and is at present a resident of Mason, and a


member of the common council. Mr. Dart
is a Republican of the pronounced sort.
Dr. Campbell has two brothers, both residents of Mason: R. C., assistant cashier of
the Farmers' Bank, and A. R., who is engaged in the furniture trade, under the firm
name of "Dart and Field."
Dr. Campbell has a membership in the
Maccabees, Eastern Star and the Grange,
in all of which organizations she takes an
active interest. She is also a member of the
Ingham County and State Medical Societies,
also of the American Medical Association.
She has for many years been a member of
the Mason Tourist Club-the literary organization of the city.  The doctor is a
highly prized member of the Presbyterian
church of Mason and is liberal in her contributions towards its support. While she
is among the busiest of busy women, she
always has time for a pleasant greeting.
Hosts of friends wish for her all the joys
that can come from contributing to the happiness of others.
M. A. DENNIS.
Among the busy business men of the hustling Village of Williamston is M. A. Dennis,
proprietor of the elevator of that place. Mr.
Dennis is a product of the Wolverine state
and was born at Bath, Clinton county, in
1855. He was the son of L. M. and Clarissa
(Horton) Dennis. The father was born and
grew to manhood in New York and coming
to Michigan in 1856, he settled upon a quarter section of land in Wheatfield township.
At this time his available assets consisted of
a team of horses, one of which he exchanged
for the land, going into debt for the balance.
The tract was in the state of nature, heavily
timbered. He was a typical pioneer, making
the most of his circumstances, improving op



468


PAST AND PRESENT


portunities as they came to him, industrious
and frugal and within a quarter of a century
of his first investment he found himself a
well to do citizen. He raised a family of
four boys and two girls, the boys all remaining at home with the father until his death,
which occurred October I, I887. At that
time he was in possession of eight hundred
and fifty acres of land, comprising several
farms with good buildings and modern improvements.
Our subject received his early education in
the district schools and remained on the farm
until I902 when he moved to Williamston.
About the year I895 he became interested in
the elevator business, running this in connection with his farm.
Mr. Dennis was united in marriage December 30, 1878, to Miss Helen, daughter of
James and Eleanor Smith of Wheatfield
township. To them were born two children:
Lilian and Ethel, and both are at home with
the father. In I891 the elevator xwas erected
by Mr. Dennis and business was engaged
therein under the firm name of "Corbin and
Dennis" and continued until I899 when Mr.
Dennis bought out his partner and has since
conducted the business alone. In equipment.
the plant is said to be one of the finest of
its kind in the State. He handles all kinds
of produce.
Mr. Dennis is a director in the State Bank
at Williamston. He is a Democrat of the
pronounced sort. Mr. Dennis belongs to the
Masonic Order, Blue Lodge, Chapter and
Council. He is also a Knight Templar and
Elk, holding his membership in the last two
organizations at Lansing.
The names of his brothers and sisters in
order of birth are: William E., Joseph H.,
Marenus A., Sarah L.. Stephen D., and Corla N. Carl. Mr. Dennis' mother is still living, making her home with her daughter,
Mrs. Frank Swan.


The degree of success that has attended
Mr. Dennis in his business operations has
come by reason of the fact that he has given
strict attention to business and his sound
judgment and foresight have been evident
on every hand.
W. H. COLISTER.
Locke township is made up of industrious
and energetic farmers, who have met with
success by reason of their strict attention to
business and the man of whom we write may
be found among this class of citizens. He
was born December I5, I868, on the place
where he now resides and is the son of
Thomas and Celestine (Freeman) Colister.
The father was born in New York, March
22, 1826, and the mother October 28, 1828.
The father came to Michigan in I836 and
settled on section 28 in Locke township, his
first home in the wilds of Michigan. The
parents were married December 3, 1849 and
came to Locke township and cleared up the
new farm of forty acres. The mother died
January I, 900o. Father and son are both
followers of the Democrat party in which
they have unbounded faith.
W. H. Colister is one of a family of five
children, three of whom are living and also
is the youngest of this family. He was educated in the district schools of the home locality and started out for himself by locating
on and taking charge of the old home place,
consisting of eighty acres, which he held until the year 1905 when he sold out and
bought forty acres in Wheatfield near the
town of Williamston, where he now resides.
February 8, I899, W. H. Colister was
united in marriage to Florence Shay, whose
parents were old settlers of Williamston.
They followed the vocation of farming and
bought forty acres of land, which they later
improved and there lived until their death,




I




:i-i —,
iiiii-iri
Lr
I:


(FOUR GENERATIONS)
JAMES DOOLITTLE                REUEL R. DOOLITTLE
CLARK H. DOOLITTLE
BERTHA MAY DOOLITTLE




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


469


the father's occurring in 1895 and the mother's in 1902. Mrs. Colister's father was also
a Democrat.
To our subject and wife have been born
three children: one died in infancy, Oscar,
aged three, and Cyrus, aged two years. Mr.
Colister belongs to a pioneer family and has
seen many changes take place in the county
and helped to clear a great deal of land. He
is engaged in general farming and stockraising.
LOUIS W. TOLES, M. D.
Dr. Louis WV. Toles, one of Lansing's
most prominent surgeons and professional
citizens, is a native of the Wolverine State,
being born in Aurelius township, Ingham
county on January 6, 1863. He is the son
of Wallace M. and Elizabeth S. Toles,
both his parents now living in the State of
Washington, lwhere his father is engaged in
the lumber business, as a manufacturer and
retail dealer. In 1864 the latter enlisted and
served until until the close of the Civil war,
as private of the loth Michigan Cavalry.
While a resident of this State, he lived most
of the time in Eaton Rapids, Michigan, leaving that place in the spring of 1889, for
the State of Washington, where he has since
resided.
It was in Eaton Rapids that our subject
acquired his early and high school education, assisting his father in the lumber business until he had reached his majority.
Under the firm name of Wilcox and Toles,
he then became partner in a drug store, continuing in this business at Eaton Rapids for
five years.  The venture was financially
profitable, but was but a means toward realizing his ambition of entering a medical and
surgical career.
In 1893 Dr. Toles disposed of his drug
business at Eaton Rapids, and entered Rush


Medical College, from which he graduated
in the class of 1897. While pursuing his
four years' course, he was vice president,
in his senior year, of that class. After his
graduation he located for practice at Bellaire, Michigan, his seven years of professional work there earning for him a fine
reputation as a surgeon.
Dr. Toles located in Lansing in 1904, and,
as his reputation had preceded him, at once
assumed rank with the leaders of his profession in the capital city. As a foundation for
his success, he possessed great natural ability and this has been remarkably developed
by a thorough medical education in one of
the oldest and most noted colleges in the
West, and by two subsequent courses in the
Post-Graduate School of Chicago.   The
substantial position which he has earned is
also largely attributed to the fact that he
has earned every dollar spent on his professional education and has won every advance
in his worldly position by unaided strength
and independence of action. Such success
is founded upon rock and cannot be shaken.
Dr. Toles is a Republican and his popularity as a man is well illustrated by his election as City Recorder of Eaton Rapids. In
Masonry he has attained to the degree of
Mystic Shrine, is a member of Lansing Blue
Lodge No. 33, Lansing Chapter No. 9, and
Lansing Commandery No. 25. He is also
a member of the Elks No. 196. The doctor's wife was formerly Miss Marie S.
Myers, his marriage to her occurring in I890.
REUEL R. DOOLITTLE.
For nearly half a century Mr. Doolittle
has been identified with the growth and development of Ingham county. Born in Ontario county, N. Y., in 1846, he came with
his parents, James and Lucy (Rogers) Doolittle, who were natives of the Empire State,




470


PAST AND PRESENT


to the wilds of Michigan, first settling in the
Township of Vevay, on the farm now owned
by A. I. Barber. At this time Mason was
but little more than a four corners.  He
cleared away the heavy timbered land,
erected substantial buildings and otherwise
improved the premises, remaining there for
a number of years. He afterward sold the
farm and located in the Township of Aurelius, where he resided until the date of his
death, May 30, 1896. Up to the date of the
death of James Doolittle there had not been
a death in the family in four generations.
Mr. Doolittle was a man of recognized ability, prominently identified with local affairs
and active in church work; was a member of
the Methodist Society and for years one of
the pillars of the church.
Reuel remained at home until twenty-one
years of age, assisting his father il the farming operations. His school advantages were
common to the boys of his time, attending
school in the winter season and assisting
about the farm in the summer months. Attaining to the years of his majority he began
for himself upon a farm and has followed
this occupation continuously since. In the
year I870 he took possession of the farm
upon which he still resides, consisting of
one hundred and nine acres of good, tillable
land. He erected all the buildings and practically made all the improvements upon the
place.
In i869 our subject was united in marriage to a Miss Mary Doolittle, a daughter
of C. Doolittle, a resident of New York
State. Two children have been born to
them: Clark H., born July 2, I870, he married Leola M. Bell. To them two children
were born, Bertha M., the oldest of the fourth
generation, and Frona B. Clark, who now resides in Pennsylvania. Bert C., born Dec. I8,
1875, is a farmer by occupation, owns a
well improved farm, with all the up-to-date


improvements, located near his father. He
married Miss S. Edna Cross and they have
three children: E. Ross, Hugh J. and May L.
Mr. and Mrs. Doolittle are members of the
M. E. church at Mason, of which they are
liberal supporters. Politically Mr. Doolittle
is a conservative Republican.  He carries
on general farming and stock raising. Any
community would be better for having within its borders people of the character of Mr.
and Mrs. Doolittle.
HENRY HALE (DECEtASED).
Germany has furnished many worthy citizens to the new world. Its sons are men of
ready adaptability, progressive and versatile
and they have become useful factors in various walks of life. Mr. Hale was a representative of this class. Born in Germany, August 29, 1834, Mr. Hale lived in his native
country until the death of his mother, when
he came with his father to America. The
father and son first stopped in New York
and there lived for two years, when they
came to Williamston township, where they
bought a farm of forty acres, partly cleared,
of a man named Hurd, who took it from the
government.
In June, 1863, Mr. Hale was united in
marriage to Margaret Karn, who was born
in Germany, July I8. 1843, and unto this
union were born eight children: George D.,
Charles Henry, William F., Alfred L., Andrew J., Mae Elizabeth and Mrs. F. H.
Horstmann. all of Williamston township,
and Mrs. G. W. Rodman of Locke. The
wife and mother of this family died February 25, I904.
Our subject was a Democrat, although he
never held any political offices. Both he and
his wife were loyal members of the German
Lutheran church and contributed liberally to
its support.




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN


471


Mr. Hale was a poor boy when he came to
America and almost continually since has
been dependent upon his own labors for what
he had and enjoyed. His force of character
had enabled him to overcome obstacles and
difficulties until at his death, which occurred
August 25, 1896, he worked his way upward
from a humble position to one of affluence.
His friends were only numbered by those
who knew him.
CHARLES A. HAYNER.
Mr. Charles A. Hayner was born, grew to
manhood and still lives in the Township of
White Oak.   His birth occurred April 5,
1853. He is the son of Abram and Julia
(Martin) Hayner, the father born in Grafton, New York, August 23, 1814, and the
mother in Colorain, Massachusetts, March 5,
1817.
In the month of June, in the year 1846,
Abram  Hayner emigrated from   Saratoga
county, New York, with his wife and three
children to Michigan, and settled in White
Oak, where he bought eighty acres on section 34 and made some improvements and
built the pioneer log house.  He taught
school the next winter after coming into the
wilds of Michigan and in payment received
partial pay in cash and the balance in work
from the people of the district, upon his
farm in clearing and logging. His wife
also taught the children of their neighborhood in their own home, receiving as a compensation whatever the neighbors had to
spare in provisions and clothing.
Mr. Abram Hayner has served his town
and county in several capacities; he was
Highway Commissioner, Supervisor, Township Clerk and helped secure the mail route
from Howell to Williamston. He was Postmaster for twenty years and on the board to
secure the appropriation for the court house,


was elected County Treasurer in 1862 and
reelected for the next term and after this returned to the farm. These positions of trust
and responsibility speak volumes of the high
esteem and confidence in which Mr. Abram
Hayner was held by his fellow men. The
two hundred and seventy-five acres of well
improved land of which he was in possession
was his reward for his many hard days of
labor and an example of what agricultural
life mav be in the fertile lands of the Wolverine State.
Mr. and Mrs. Abram Hayner were the
parents of five children: Steven M., born
August I, I837, married to Emily Howell,
a farmer, and lived in Leroy township and
died about fifteen years ago; James H., born
October I6, I838, died April 22, 1867; John
W., born August 3I, 1843, died January i8,
I905, married to Mary J. Oakley; our subject: Walter, born September 20, 1862. The
mother of these children died June 12, 1877.
In November, 1878, Mr. Hayner was again
married to Elizabeth B. Ackerson, and lived
until the year I891, when his death was
mourned by a large circle of friends.
Charles A. Hayner, the subject of this
sketch, acquired his early education in the
district schools of White Oak, and when he
reached his majority, he and his brother
Wesley, worked a part of the father's land
on shares. At twenty-five he bought eighty
acres on section 10 and has since made this
his home, having on his place substantial
and up-to-date buildings.
December I I, I878, Charles Hayner was
united in marriage to Miss Clara, daughter
of Jay Cady, of Leroy township, and September I6, 1892, was again married to Grace
Fernald, who was born July 10, I868, and
was the daughter of Charles F. and Sarah
(Kyte) Fernald, the father having been
born in New Hampshire, March 25, 1836,
and the mother in New Jersey, June 28,




472


PAST AND PRESENT


1839. Mrs. Hayner is one of five children,
two of whom are now living: Udora, born
October 19, I866, died in infancy; Mrs.
Hayner; Frank, born March I, I870, deceased; J. Elmer, born March 14, 1872, lives
in Lansing and is married to a Miss Livermore; the fifth died in infancy.
To our subject and wife have been born
two children: Ralph, who is eleven years old
and Matta, born February I8, I895.
Mr. Hayner is engaged in general farming and makes a specialty of Spanish Merino
Black Top Sheep. As he has prospered he
has added to his possessions, and today owns
one hundred and seventeen acres of land.
Mr. Hayner casts his vote for the men and
measures of the Democrat party, and socially
is a member of the Elks and Masons, in both
of which orders he takes an active interest.
H. N. FELLOWS.
The subject of this interview is one of the
substantial and highly respected citizens of
the thriving Village of Williamston.  He
was born in the State of Ohio in the year
of I840, in Fulton county. He is a son of
Nathan J. and Ann Meach Fellows, both
natives of New York, who moved from that
state to Ohio in 1840. The father was a
farmer by occupation and there resided until his death, after which the mother removed to and departed this life in the County
of Hillsdale. In this family were seven children, of whom five grew to maturity, and
four are now living, but of this number our
subject and N. J. are the only ones who reside in Ingham county. The boyhood and
youth of H. N. Fellows was spent in the
manner of other farm lads of that period,
attending school during the winter months
and assisting his father on the home farm
during the summer season.  Here he remained until the breaking out of the civil


war, when in response to his country's call
he joined the boys in blue by enlisting on the
first day of September of I86I in Company
K, 38th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Here he
saw considerable active service, being in a
number of important engagements, prominent among them were the battles of Mell
Springs, Pittsburgh Landing, Siege of Corinth, Stone River, Chickamauga, Mission
Ridge, and all the engagements during raid
to the Atlantic up to the Battle of Jonesborough. He was always found faithful in
the discharge of his duties, and was honorably discharged on the 5th day of June of
I865. He was severely wounded at Jonesborough in the shoulder. After the close of
the hostilities he returned to the old home in
Ohio, and there remained until I868, when
he emigrated northward to Lenawee county,
Michigan, and there resided until I873,
which year witnessed his arrival in Ingham
county. Locating here he settled in Leroy
township and bought eighty acres of wild
timber land. This land he cleared and placed
under cultivation, and made all the improvements thereon, erecting good buildings,
fences, etc. Here he resided continuously
for 31 years or until 1904 when he rented
this place and took up residence in Williamston. In the year of 1865, during the month
of October, our subject was united in marriage to a Miss Joella Harrow, a native of
Kentucky, but then a resident of Lenawee
county, Michigan. She departed this life in
1887. To this marriage was born one son,
Bert H., who married Hattie B. Bunker,
and now resides at Bay City, Mich., where
he holds the responsible position as manager
in a music store. In I890 Mr. Fellows was
again married, this union being with Helen
M. Austin, wNho was a native of Pennsylvania. One child blessed this union, L. J.
Fellows.
Mr. Fellows is an honored member of the




I










" Wl C #,


,l -          !         F    


n 


jtVf)G'I- RICHARD) FERRIS (Deceasedl)




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


473


G. A. R., also of the I. O. 0. F., of Williamston.  In his political views he is a
staunch Republican. and has served on the
School Board for fifteen years. Honored
and respected by all who know him he -is
now livinlg in retirement enjoying the fruits
of fornier toil.
EDI)\VARD FERRIS.
In the history of the men of the past and
present \xwho have figured prominently in Onondaga township in connection with farming interests, will be found the name of Edward Ferris, who was born May 3, 1847, in
Onondaga township, Ingham county. He
was the son of Richard and Christian
(Cook) Ferris, the father being born in New
York City in I80o, and the mother in the
same place on the 3th day of October, 1816.
Our subject's parents were educated in New
York and were married there July 17, 1843,
after which event they came to Michigan
and bolught a farm, consisting of three hundred and twenty acres, mostly timber land,
located in Onondaga township, section eight,
upon which place they settled, cleared and
improved.
Unto Richard Ferris and wife were bornl
eight children: first, Floyd, born April 9,
1844, died \August 20, 1847; Virginia, born
October 15, 1845, died September 17, 85'8;
E;dward., born May 3, 1847, the subject
of our sketch; Georgette, born March  5,
1849, is the wife of John 1H. Mlagee, a farmer living at )ansv-ille. Livingston Co., N.
Y.; Lilias, born Janu ary, I8 i, ii,  the
wife of George Jones, living at Rochester,
N. Y.; Richard, Jr., born December 15,
1852, (lied )ecember 4, 1862; \Warren, born
May 3, 1854, is the Superintendent of Public VWorks in New York City, and James,
lwho was born October 29, 1856, died November 21, 1862.


IRichard Ferris, the father of our subject,
was recognized as a leader of public affairs,
and his loyalty in citizenship and his progressive ideas well qualified him  to take
prominent places in public life. He cast his
vote for the measures of the Democrat party,
and was the fourth Probate Judge of Ingham county, this being during the time when
the State capitol was located in Detroit. He
also servedl as Judge for a term of two years,
Iduring which time lie resided in the City of
Mlasoni. After successfully serving the people of Ills county for a time, he went back
to the farm and lived there until 1863, when
lie returned to the City of New York, where
lie died November 29, I866. Our subject's
mother passed away May 6, i858, at the age
of forty-one years.
EdwVardl Ferris was educated in the district scllools of his locality and also in the
New York schools. He moved back to New
hYork with his parents in 1863, where he
lived for tlirteen vears, when hle returned to
Inghlam county and resided on the father's
farml.
On the 23(1 day of May in the year 1878
occurred our subject's marriage to Miss
MIarietta, daughter of William and Amanda
( akin) Longlev, bothl natives of New York
state.  M1rs. Ferris' birth occurred on the
14th day of A:ugust in 1854 in Mt. Morris,
N. Y., in which year W\illiam Longlev emigrated to Michiganl witlh his family of four
children and settled in lungham county, near
Leslie.
Un1to Mr. an<d AMrs. Ed(lward Ferris have
been born three children: Harry L., born
p\lril i 1 1879. was married in 1901 to Ora
Sherd of Onondaga township and lives on a
farm in the before mentioned township, and
they have one child Fanny, born January 29,
188, is attending school at Ypsilanti, where
she is engaged in the study of kindergarten;
she llas also attended the U. of M. at Ann




474


PAST AND PRESENT


Arbor; Mollie, b1orn August 6, 1884, also
attended school at kAnn Arbor, but is now
at home.
Our subject, Edward Ferris, following in
the footsteps of his father, is a supporter of
the Democrat party. He takes great pride
in the fact that he can trace the Ferris family back to I68o. At that time three families came over from England, one settling
in New York City, another in Connecticut,
and the third in Renssalear Co., N. Y.
Our subject and wife are widely known
and highly esteemed in the county which
has so long been their homne. Mr. Ferris has
taken an active interest in public advancement along agricultural lines and while winning a success for himself, his efforts have
also been of value in promoting the general
welfare.
VALANCOURT HUDSON.
Many of the native sons of the \olverine
State are now active, enterprising business
men and farmers. This fact coupled with
the wonderful prosperity and advances made
in every department of living, emphasizes
the truth that Michigan is becoming one of
the mature states of the Union, and that it
can no longer be classed with the younger
of the numbers. Among the sons who are
thus honoring the home of their birth, we
are pleased to mention Mr. Hudson, whose
birth occurred in Washtenaw county, July
30, I844.
Alva Hudson, the father, was born in
Canandaigua county, N. Y., in i8io, and
died in 1898, and the mother, whose maiden
name was Harriet Mathewson, was also born
in New York, in I8I8 and died in 1895.
Mr. Alva Hudson came to Ann Arbor
when there were only three houses in the
place, this being in 1836. He was a farmer
and located on forty acres of wild land in


Lyndon township, \Washtenaw county, and
this he improved and sold, after -which he
b)ought forty acres more, partly inmproved,
and in 1854 sold this second purchase, and
bought one hundred and twenty acres, the
most of this being iml)roved, and at the time
of his death was in possession of this property.
Valancourt Hudson was the fifth of nine
children, six of whom are living today:
John L., born September i, 1834, died Septenmber 6, 1904, lived at Unadilla; Diantha
Ann, born in I836, died in 1870, she lived
near Pleasant Lake; Sarah Ann, born in
1839 and lives at Dansville; Mary Jane,
born March 24, 1843, and died January In,
1904; our subject; William, born in 1850,
living  in Dexter township, Washtenaw
county; Henry, born in I855, living in Lima
township, Washtenaw   county; Hermlan,
born in 1857, lives on the old homestead,
and Lottie. born February 3, I864, (-ied in
1882.
Our subject's father affiliated with the
Democratic party and Methodist Episcopal
church. The son started out in life for himself at the age of twenty-six years, and in
I869 bought eighty acres of wild land on
section 22, where he now lives. Mr. Hudson cleared sixty-five acres and built a substantial frame house.
January 18, 1871, Mr. Hudson was united
in marriage to Miss Priscilla, daughter of
William  and Phoebe (Holmes) Ozman.
Mrs. Hudson was born August 24, 1845 and
died June 9, 1903. Her father died March
I7, 1855. The mother was born February
23, 1814. Mr. and Mrs. Ozman were married October I6, 1836, and to them four chil(lren were born, all of whom are dead. Their
names were Arvilla Ann, born May I8,
1848; Cornelia, born November 17, 1851;
Ida L., born June 8, I855, and our subject's
wife. Mr. Ozman was a Democrat.




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


475


To Mr. and Mrs. Valancourt Hudson
were born two children, Anna MNlay lborn
September   i, 1877, dlied May 5, I88.
Alva, 1)orn January 22, 1872, now lives on a
farm adjoining his father. October 5, 1898
Alva Hudsoi was unite(l in marriage to
Editl Lantis. anll tlev have one child, Ulah,
l)orn January 6, 901o.
Alva and hlis father are staunch Republicans, and the soln is 1now servingc his third
termn as Supervisor of \Vhite Oak township.
By habits of inlustrv, energy and strict
attention to business these men are both in
possession of good property, the son of fiftyone acres, and the father, Valancourt Hudson, of one hundred and forty acres. To
tlese good characteristics 1n doubt, is due
the success which has so generonslv rewarded our subject's labors.
GEORGE 1RA- P'P.
The followling blrief story of the life of
George Rapp of Lansing township stamps
him as a man {of generous impulses, filial affection and inbred Christian character. He
was born August 28, 1839, in Darmstadt,
Germany, also the birthplace of the father
and mother, August To, i8o8, and November 2. 18i6, respectively.  The father.
George, and the mother, Elizabeth, were
married in 1836 in tle fatherland.  They
came to \Amnerica in 1845, when George was
but six years of age, and landed in New
York, a brother coming with them. Rochester, N. Y., was their objective point. Having learned the harness-making trade in the
old country he made an effort to obtain employment at the business, but owing to the
fact that he could not speak intelligent English, lie was unable to fiBnd employmen.t. He,
however, succeeded in securing a position of
sewing boot tops, at -whicl lie worked for
two years and then came west to Lockport,


Niagara co(untyt.  Here lie found eniployment as a farm hlandl ly thle nonth. which lhe
followed until the year 1853. Imibued with
an amlbitioni, peculiar to his countrymen,
that of securing( a homlne for himself and family, lie turne(d his face westward to Michigan. They camie on the MI. C. R. R. as far
as Dexter in \Vashtenaw county and then
1v team overlandl to Ingllal county and settled in the Townshiip of \lheatfield.  His
first purchase was eighty acres of heavy timl:ered land, upon which he built a log house
anlld begaln inmprovements. HIere tle family
lived for four years, when lie sold out the
farm ainl moved to Lansing township, where
lie worked land on shares for H. H. Snith, a
\well-to-do pioneer of the county. Here he
remained for about five years, or until three
years before his death. which occurred in the
fall of 186-.
In the ineantiimle our subject had worked
b)y tle nmonth, and with his earnings had
helped to maintain the family. Following
tle death of tle father. George was the
recog-nizedl dlelpenlennce of the family and
paid for the litle hlome, which hiad been contracte(l for bv the father. He sold this after\ards an(d b)ought a farm   of eighty
acres (on section i8, in tlhe year I866. The
land was in a state of nature, and heavily
timblered. He began improvements at once
and soon after built a goo(l frame house, in
which the family have since resided. The
family, including his junior brother and sisters, remaineld with him.
Mr. George Rapp was united in marriage
June 28, I867, to Miss Mary Myers, a native of Germany, wh1) hadl been in this country b)ut one year.  She came here with a
brother and sister. Six children have been
born to them, four of whom are now living.
Two are married, while two are still under
tlhe parental roof.
Mr. Rapp classes himself as a liberal




476


PAST AND PRESENT


l)emocrat.  His al)ilities have been recognize(l by his fellow townsmen, as he has
filled the position of School Director and
that of Commissioner of Highwlays. His
farm operations have been those common to
the community, general or mixed farming.
T'lhe family are members of the Lutheran
church, to whicl they cheerfully contribute
of their substance. At the time of the marriage of his brother, Mr. Rapp very generously deeded to him forty acres of land in
return for services rendered while he remained at home after the years of his majorit),.
It goes without saying that the German
people are the most industrious, self-dependent and successful foreigners that come to
American shores.
ADAM KNIERIM.
Adam   Knierim is one of our GermanAmerican citizens who are a credit alike to
the land of their birth and the country of
their adoption, and his characteristic German
qualities have helped to keel) him in the van
among the leading men of his township.
Our subject was born in Germany in 1827,
where he lived until the age of twenty-seven,
when desiring to seek the fortunes that were
to be found in the New World, he emigrated
from the Fatherland and landed in America
in 1854, first going to Elmore, Ohio, where
he lived for five vears, when he went to
VWoodville, Ohio, and there resided for five
years also. In I864 our subject came to
Michigan, and settled on a farm of sixty
acres in I)elhi, on the state road. By his
sturdy qualities and characteristic energy, so
common to the German, he soon cleared the
farm and made many improvements upon it.
Before coming to America, or in 1848,
Mr. Knierim   was united in marriage to
Christina Bachman, whose birth occurred in


1825. Mr. Knierim has been a hard worker
all his life and beginning without means,
his success is entirely due to the combined
efforts of himself and wife, who have
worked in harmony for the success of every
endeavor. Our subject has mourned the loss
of his helpmate since the year 1890.
A family of seven children were born to
Adam   and Mrs. Knierim: Fred. born in
1848, living in Ohio; Anna, married to
Chas. Levering, living in Lansing; Mary,
married to George Miller, lives on a farm in
Delhi; Kate, married to George Bludeau,
living in Lansing: Lizzie, married George
Albert, born in 185; John, lives on a farm
in Ohio. and the seventh, Louise, the wife of
Clarence E. Holmes. Superintendent of the
School for the Blind, of Lansing.
Our subject lived on his farm until 1902,
when lie sold it and came to live with his sonin-law, George Albert, a native of Germany,
his birth having occurred sixty-two years
ago.  He cane to -America when sixteen
years of age and lived in Ohio until the
Civil \W\tar, when he enlisted and served during the whole war. He experienced many of
the trials of the soldier's life, was iwounded
in battle and was also prisoner for seven
months in Andersonville. His marriage to
our subject's daughter, Lizzie, occurred in
1868, and unto them have been born four
children: Johni, born in I868, lives in Toledo,
Ohio; Edward, born in 1875, lives in Eaton
county; Gusta, aged nineteen lives at home;
Fred, aged seventeen, also resides with his
parents.
Mr. Albert has been an active an(d enterprising farmier all his days and owns a well
cleared and improved farm in Delhi. He is
a valued citizen of the town1ship, is a Repul)lican in his political convictions, and an ardent supporter of the German M. E. church,
to which church our subject and wife also
belonged.








0 






INi,  I










MRS. DANIEL W. FR\ARY








INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


477


The political convictions of Adam Knierim have led him to cast his vote for the principles of the Republican party, and although
never having a desire for office, he was always an interested citizen in the prosperity
of his adopted country. It is the wish of his
many friends that he may be spared for
many years and enjoy a peaceful closing to
his well spent life.
DANIEL W. FRARY.
Daniel W. Frary, the subject of this review, was born on the second day of June
in 1830, in the County of Oswego, State of
New York, and emigrated to Michigan with
his father, David Frary, who arrived in
this state and settled in Washtenaw county
in 1839. Here the father remained until
I844, when he took up his residence in Ingham county, Leslie township. The mother
of our subject bore the maiden name of Ann
Weller and was also a native of New York
state. In the family of David Frary were
four children, two sons and two daughters.
Cloie, the eldest, is now deceased; Warren
T. is also dead. The third in order of birth
is our subject, while Analiza, the last member of the family, has also departed this life.
The mother of our subject died when he was
but two years of age, and the father died
about the year 1852, in the village of Leslie.
Upon the father's location in this county, he
purchased two hundred acres, where he resided for some time. This was principally
timber land, a portion of which he improved
and placed under cultivation.
The early education of our subject was
acquired in the common pioneer schools of
Washtenaw county, attending during the
three winter months and spending the balance of the time in assisting the father upon
the home farm in clearing the land and preparing the fields for cultivation. It was in


the year 1854, that he really started out in
life for himself, when he purchased eighty
acres where he now resides. Here he built
his first home of rough hewn boards with
loose board floors. As the years passed and
he was prospered, he added to his farm until
its boundaries now comprise one hundred
and twenty acres of well improved and valuable land. Mr. Frary has made many valuable improvements upon this place and to
the passerby it needs but a glance to indicate
the progressive and enterprising spirit of the
owner.
For a companion and helpmate on life's
journey, Mr. Frary chose Miss Sarah J.
Tuttle, a daughter of J. J. Tuttle, now deceased, whose life's history appears on another page in this volume. The important
event took place in I856, on the third day of
March. Mrs. Frary was born in this county
on the third day of June, 1840, and her entire life has been spent in this locality. Unto
our subject and wife have been born three
daughters. The eldest, Elizabeth, married
C. J. Clark. the second, Emma, is the wife of
Arthur VanHorn, and Blanche, the third, is
now deceased.
Our subject and wife have resided upon
their home farm since I856, or almost half
a century, and have therefore witnessed the
many changes which have occurred in tle
development of a wild and uninhabited district to its now thriving village and productive farms. Stored within their minds are
many scenes and incidents of pioneer times,
when deer and other wild game were in
abundance, and the red men of the forest
still called Michigan and Ingham  county
a part of their hunting grounds.  Unto
this class of worthy pioneers, who have
given the best years of their lives in laying
broad and deep the foundation of civilization
for the benefit of posterity, is this volume
dedicated, that their life's efforts may not




478


PAST AND PRESENT


have been spent in vain, but that the future
generations may in years to come read with
pardonable pride of the accomplishments
and self-sacrifices of their pioneer forefathers.
J. J. RIDER (DFCEASED).
J. W. Rider, the son, who, out of respect
for the memory of his parents, places in form
for permanent preservation an outline of
their life's work, does a gracious thing, and
confers a favor upon posterity that possibly
may not be fully appreciated until many
long years have intervened. The following
facts relating to the history of the family of
the late J. J. and S. J. (Patterson) Rider
by their son, J. W., of Aurelius, now in possession of the old Rider homestead.
The parents were both natives of the Empire State. The father was born in I820,
and the mother in 1827.   The father received his early education in the state where
he was born and where he lived until he
arrived at his majority. In 1841 he married,
and soon after came to the Wolverine State.
He was reared on a farm, his father following that occupation before him. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Rider, as
follows: Louisa A., now the wife of Charles
Marshall of Vevay township, who is a successful and prosperous farmer; Alma is the
next in order of birth and is now deceased,
and was the wife of Gilbert M. De Camp;
Alice, the third child, the wife of Floyd S.
Rorabeck, a well-to-do farmer residing in
Aurelius township, and they have two children, named Lovisa and Nellie; J. W. was
the fourth child born; Elmore J. the next,
married Alice Rorabeck, one child has been
born to them.
Of the two members of the family deceased William, the first born, died at the age
of six months. Alma married Gilbert De


Camp, was the mother of a young daughter,
at the time of her death at the age of 31
years, whose name is Stella. Stella finished
a course in the Mason high school, and has
been a successful teacher for several years.
Mr. J. J. Rider first settled in Rome, Lenawee county, after coming to Michigan,
bought I6o acres of land, lived upon it for
several years, making quite extensive improvements, after which he sold out and purchased the grist mill at Rome Center. He
operated this for a time and later disposed of
this property and moved with his family to
Alaiedon township, Ingham county, where he
purchased eighty acres of land, which he improved.
He sold this place, where he lived several
years, and purchased one hundred and
twenty acres in the Township of Aurelius,
which he owned at time of his death July I9,
1904. The wife and mother paid the debt of
nature in I897. Both rest in the family plat
in the Plains cemetery, south of Village of
Aurelius. In politics Mr. Rider was an enthusiastic Democrat and  was a zealous
worker in the discussion of the principles of
his party.  He served his township as a
member of the Board of Supervisors. He
has many reminisences of early experience
while engaged in serving his family and accumulated a sufficiency for his later years.
He loved society and was a good entertainer.
He will be remembered as a man of force,
outspoken and earnest in whatever he believed to be right.
J. W. Rider was born in the Township of
Alaiedon, where he has spent nearly his whole
life, Sept. 17, 1859. He attended the district school until 20 years of age, then went
into the lumber woods and worked for three
years.
March 14, I889, Mr. Rider was united in
marriage to Miss Anna Isham of Aurelius
Center. To them have been born five chil



INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


479


dren, all living at home. Five dutiful and
healthy children is a heritage for which the
parents may justly feel a sence of real pride.
Orla, born Feb. 9, [89I; Ellis J., born
Oct. 24, 1893; Nellie J., born July I I, I896;
Agnes, born August I5, 1899. Little Agnes
is the companion and pet of her father. She
seems never to tire while wandering over the
premises with her father. Helen Irene, born
March 29, 1903.
The three eldest are in school, fitting themselves for the cares of life. Mr. Rider is a
Modern Woodman and carries an insurance
in that order. Mr. Rider is carrying on the
homestead farm and hopes to arrange with
the heirs so as to come into possession of
the entire estate. He is in love with his
occupation and having a well equipped, well
stocked farm, he seems easily to be on the
highway to success and a goodly heritage.
0. V. REEVES.
O. V. Reeves, the present popular and efficient Supervisor of the Township of Lansing, is an Ingham county product, having
been born in the Township of Ingham, April
16, 1844. His parents, John D. and Julia
Reeves, were natives of the Empire State.
The father grew up a farm boy, and when
twenty years of age he began clerking in a
store, which he followed up for a few years.
He came West locating on eighty acres of
land, obtained from the Government, and
later bought, as he prospered, until the farm
embraced three hundred acres. It was clduring the Civil War in 1864, that Mr. John D.
Reeves closed out his farming interests and
moved his family to Ypsilanti, where he remained for five years. In I869 he moved
to Lansing city, lived there one year, and the
year following moved on a farm upon which
his son, our subject, now resides. The father lied January 20, 19OI. His wife pre

ceded him two years, having passed away in
I899.
Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs.
Reeves, six of whom are living: Louisa, wife
of Ralph Muscott, resides at Clare, Michigan; Emma L., wife of H. L. Whiting;
Sarah J., deceased; Franc A., wife of H. N.
Stilson, living at Stockbridge, Michigan;
Ella E. and Alta E., both single and residing
with the brother at the old home.
Our subject has followed farming all his
life, and for the past thirty years has had the
management of the farm, which he now
owns, comprising one hundred acres of
choice farming lands. He made all the improvements on the place, which is one of the
substantial farm homes of the community.
Mr. Reeves takes an active part in public affairs, and is in harmony with the Republican party in his political views. He has
held nearly all the offices in the township:
Clerk, Treasurer, Justice of Peace and was
Supervisor for four years.  Mr. Reeves'
father was not only a pioneer, but for many
years was recognized as a man of more than
ordinary ability, a man of genial social qualities, and was always regarded as a firstclass citizen.
GARDNER RICE.
Gardner Rice of Locke township, was born
in Parma township, March 20, I840, and is
the son of Ezekiel W. Rice. His father was
born in Vermont, and his mother in New
York. Ezekiel Rice came to Michigan in
I833.  Shortly after he was married and
located in Parma; he bought one hundred
and sixty acres of government land. To Mr.
and Mrs. Ezekiel Rice were born seven children, all of whom are living; Jasper, Truman, Gardner, Polly, Henry, Lydia and
Albert.
July 20, I86I, at the breaking out of the




480


PAST AND PRESENT


Civil War, our subject enlisted for three
years, or during the war, in Co. H, 42nd
Illinois, which was the first regiment of
Douglas' Brigade. He, with twenty-three
others was detailed from his company with
Captain John A. Hotenstein and Lieutenant
E. A. Montgomery to go on board the U. S.
Gunboat "The Crondalet," to run the, blockade at Island No. io. Afterwards, he returned to his company, and was engaged in
the battles of Farmington, Corinth, Stony
River, and Chickamauga. In the last named,
September 20, 1863, he was wounded three
time, for which wounds he was discharged,
and returned to his home at Parma, February I8, I864. One year later he moved to
Locke township and was married to Mrs.
Lina Rowley, October 6, I867, who was
formerly married to Charles B. Rowley,
August 20, I86I. To Mr. and Mrs. Rowley
was born one child, Charles W. Mr. Rowley
died while serving in the Civil War.
To Mr. and Mrs. Rice were born three
children, all of whom are living:  Josie,
Nancy and James. The last mentioned
served in the Spanish-American War and
camped on the same battlefield that his
father did during the Civil War.
Mr. and Mrs. Rice are members of the
Wesleyan Methodist church at Locke. They
now reside upon the same farm where they
commenced life together.
THE INGHAM      COUNTY NEWS.
The Ingham   County News was established in i858 by D. B. Harrington. He
sold it in I866 to K. Kittredge. In 1875
Mr. Kittredge sold to W. F. Cornell, who
conducted it about one year and sold out to
Otis Fuller & Co. Later Mr. Fuller became
sole proprietor. In I880 it was sold to V.
J. Tefft, who retained control until 1887,
when he sold to J. A. May, who sold to J.


T. Campbell in I889. It was published by
J. T. Campbell and A. L. Rose, under the
firm name of Campbell & Rose, until Mr.
Campbell's death in I899. It has since been
published by A. L. Rose.
D. B. Harrington, while in control, issued
at different times the Western Oddfellow
and the Baptist Tidings.
AUGUST HAWN.
There are few, if any people, who come
to this country from foreign lands, who are
more welcome, or make better citizens than
the Germans. Their energy, coupled with
persistent perseverance, add annually millions to the productive wealth of the nation.
The Irishman takes to office as naturally
as a duck to water. He seems to possess
the inherent desire to govern. The German,
on the other hand, takes to the soil, desiring only to know the laws that govern, that
he may conform to them, and become a loyal
subject of his adopted country.  It goes
without saying, that the German farmer is
a successful farmer.  He often wins out
when others fail. The ease with which a
home is to be acquired in this "land of the
free," is a marvel to the average foreigner,
as well as the "muchness' of the soil. He
no sooner gets his bearings, than he grapples
with the problem of a home for himself,
and long before he is familiar with the language, he is well established in a home of
his own, and his children are in the public
schools. Numbered among the most desirable liberty-loving, law-abiding citizens of
Ingham county, a man respected to the limit
of his acquaintance, is August Hawn. Mr.
Hawn's parents, Henry and Hannah Hawn,
were natives of Erfurth, in Germany, where
August was born October 17, I838. The
elder Hawn was born I806, and died about
thirty years ago. His wife, Hannah, died








AUGUST HAWN




-i:
i

RUTHERFORD B. HAWN (Deceased)




I




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


481


Christmas, I856. Both were buried in western New York near Pekin. It was in the
year 1853, that August Hawn, with his
father, bid adieu to the scenes of their native land, and sailed for America, leaving
wife and mother to follow later, with the
other members of the family. Mr. Hawn
received his schooling for the most part in
his native country, this was supplemented,
however, by two terms in a district school
in the State of New York. When but a
lad of 14, he started out for himself, emptyhanded.  He found employment at farm
work by the month, and kept at it for several years, adding each year from his
monthly wages, to his cash account, until
the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion
in i86i. He was among the first to volunteer his services in defense of his adopted
flag and country. He enlisted in the 28th
New York Infantry, and served with that
command for two years following its fortunes, participating in a number of engagements, enduring the hardships incident to
active service in the field. He was mustered
out of service at Lockport, N. Y., June 22,
1863, by reason of the expiration of his term
of enlistment, bearing the rank of corporal.
The country still needed men, and he patriotically reenlisted on August 23, 1863,
in the 2d New York Mounted Rifles. He
participated in numerous skirmishes, besides
eight hard fought battles, as follows: Winchester, Va., early in 1862, Cedar Mountain,
Va., in August, 1862, in this engagement
the Union forces were under General Banks,
and lost in killed, wounded, and prisoners
were 1,5oo. General Jackson commanded
the Confederates, who sustained a loss of 2,500 and were repulsed.  Antietam, Md.,
fought September 17, 1862, was one of the
fierce conflicts of the war. The Union forces
were commanded by McClellan, and lost in
round numbers I2,500. The Confederates,
31


under Lee, in the aggregate, I5,ooo, and
meeting inglorious defeat at Chancelorsville,
May 2 and 3, I863. Cold Harbor, Va., June
1864; this was a struggle between the great
Captains Grant and Lee; the losses footed up
between eight and nine thousand on a side
without perceptible advantage to either.
Two engagements before Petersburg in
I864, in one of which the Union forces lost
5,000 men, while that of the enemy footed
up I2,000. The last heavy engagement in
which Mr. Hawn took part was on September 30, I864, at what was known as South
Side R. R. The Union forces lost heavily
in prisoners, and he was among the captured. Five months spent in the rebel prison
pen at Salsbury was an experience never to
be forgotten. The stockade contained about
ten acres of land; Mr. Hawn was among the
first prisoners confined there. The numbers
soon increased to nine thousand five hundred. February 22 was fixed as the day for
parole; about three thousand marched out
as being able to reach the nearest railroad
station, fifty miles distant.  Twelve hundred were left sick, diseased, too weak to
make the effort to reach God's country. The
other five thousand three hundred had been
carried out and buried in the long trenches
outside the stockade-starved to death. A
recital of the common every-day experiences
of Mr. Hawn while confined in this awful
place of starvation, misery and death is
something simply appalling. He was mustered out of service June 21, I865, from
Camp Parole, with the rank of Sergeant,
by reason of the close of the war, never
having received a wound.    Considering
the service rendered, his preservation from
wounds and death was little less than a
miracle. The year following he came to
Michigan, purchased a farm of 83 acres in
the Township of Ingham, in this county,
and set himself to clearing and improving




482.


PAST AND PRESENT


his land. This was to be his home, here he
was to experience the joys and sorrows common to the lot of mortals.
Ten years later, in I876, the centennial
year, he was united in marriage to Mary E.,
daughter of Irving Barnhart of the same
township. Mrs. Hawn was born in Wyandotte county, Ohio, January 4, I845. To
them five children have been born. Their
names and ages are as follows: Rutherford
B., born April 15, I877, he died at Cienfuegos, Santa Clara Province, Cuba, February 7, 1899, where he was buried. Later
his remains were brought home by the government. He was a member of Co. F, 3Ist
Michigan Volunteer Infantry. He was one
of two soldiers of his company that gave
their lives to free Cuba from the yoke of
Spanish tyranny. He rests in the family
plot, Maple Grove Cemetery, in Mason. He
(ied as he had lived, with faith in God and
a good hope of the life beyond. William A.,
born September 16, 1879, died at Ann
Arbor, Mich., after undergoing an operation for appendicitis, June 12, 1903. He
was a student at Ypsilanti Business College
at the time of his death. His remains sleep
beside those of his soldier brother. Tedman
G., born July 7, I882; Effie A., born February 19, i886; J. Cordon, born July 27,
1887. The three living are all still under
the paternal roof, well established in Christian living. Exemplary young people, all
are attending the city school. The entire
family are members of the M. E. church and
exemplifying the virtues of right living day
by day. Politically, Mr. Hawn has faith in
the Republican party, believing that the ship
of State can be best managed by her tactful
crew led by great leaders like Mr. Roosevelt
and Fairbanks.  About three years since
Mr. Hawn retired from active life, bought a
comfortable home in Mason city and with


his little family is enjoying the fruits of his
active life. It is well there are those who
appreciate the fact that life is not summed
up by the number of hard days' work one
has performed, but rather by the real enjoyments one is able to get out of it and the
satisfaction that comes to those who have
performed well their part in life's great
struggle.
ORSON D. WRIGHT.
Orson D. Wright, a highly respected and
successful farmer of Delhi township, has
spent almost his entire life in this county,
and has therefore witnessed the many
changes that have taken place, during the
last forty years of its history.
The birth of our subject occurred in the
Empire State, on the 26th day of October,
in the year 1853, and five years later he accompanied his parents to Michigan. He is
one of a family of five children of Lewis and
Eunice (Olmstead) Wright, both were of
New York. The former born in I816, and
the latter in I8I5. The other children were
also born in New York State, and their
names are: Julia Ellen, the eldest, died at
the age of one year; William L. Wright, the
second in order of birth, was born in I850,
and is a resident farmer of Delhi township;
our subject is next in order of birth. The
fourth child of this family was named Mary,
and died at the age of eight years. The last
child of this family is Lucy, who resides in
Delhi township, being born in I859.
In the month of July of i858, Lewis
Wright and his little family, settled in Delhi
township, on a farm of one hundred and
sixty  acres, of which  fifty  acres was
partially cleared and improved. With characteristic energy he began the improvement




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


483


of the property, but was not long permitted
to enjoy his Michigan home, as he departed
from this life in I86o, after two years' residence in the county. He was a man of excellent traits of character, possessed of that
steady determination so characteristically essential to our pioneer settlers.  After the
father's death, the responsibility of the improvement and clearing of the land naturally
fell upon the male members of the family.
With energy and determination, they began
this arduous task, and were thus employed,
until the mother's death, which occurred in
1877. After the mother's death the property
was divided between the children, and still
remains intact in their possession. Our subject now owns forty acres of this land, which
he has improved and developed, until it is
one of the good farms of the county.
In the year of I893, in May, Mr. Wright
was united in marriage to a Miss Mary
Stone, who was born on the 22d day of
March of i868. She is the daughter of Addison and Annie (Slee) Stone, of Delhi
township, who came to this county at an
early date.
Mr. Wright exercises his right of franchise by supporting the Republican party, believing it best adapted to serve the needs of
the country. As an interested citizen he has
taken his part ill all measures pertaining to
the moral and intellectual development of his
townshlip and county, and unto such men
and families Ingham county now owes its
prosperous conditions.
J. E. ROE.
The safe and conservative conduct of a
financial institution plays an important part
in the healthy and substantial development of
a city and the community. The part which
the Lansing State Savings Bank has contributed in this direction has been inestimable


as a financial factor to Lansing's rapid commercial development. The organization of
this institution took place in I892, with a
capitalization of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars and has by the able management
of its executive officers, a surplus and undivided profits of thirty thousand dollars to
its credit. To the development and growth
of this institution, J. E. Roe, its efficient
cashier since its organization, has contributed his best efforts with gratifying success. Born in the Empire State in I862, he
is the son of Nathaniel and Elizabeth
(Green) Roe, both natives of New York.
Nathaniel Roe, a man of eminent respectability, became a resident of Ingham county
in I874 and for twenty years was considered
one of Lansing's substantial merchants. Being a man of more than ordinary ability, he,
by well directed efforts, succeeded in his
undertakings. He became possessed of considerable property, both in farm and real estate, and to the supervision of these interests
he gives his attention, although living practically retired.
The early boyhood and youth of J. E. Roe
was spent, in common with other farm lads
of that period, in his native State. He received his early education in the common
schools of that locality, completing his
studies in Lansing after the family's removal
here. In 1878 he was fortunate enough to
secure a position in the old Lansing National
Bank, remaining until I885, when he embarked in the manufacturing business, in
which he continued until 1892.
In I888 Mr. Roe was united in marriage
to Miss Rosa L. Sage, daughter of Lewis
and Amelia Sage of Ohio, and unto this
union one child, named Clarence, was born.
Mrs. Roe is a woman of culture and refinement, being an active member of the Congregational church, and contributing generously
towards it support.




484


PAST AND PRESENT


J. E. Roe has not only figured as the
capable financier of the Lansing State Savings Bank, but has also been conspicuously
identified in the promotion of the manufacturing and business interests of the Capitol
City, and he is now serving as treasurer of
the Bates & Edmonds Motor Co., also as
treasurer of the Lansing Business Men's Association, and was one of the organizers and
promoters of this institution, which has done
so much for the city, in locating and increasing its manufacturing interests. He is likewise treasurer of the Manufacturer's Club of
Lansing.  In his political views he is a
Democrat and is prominent in Masonic
circles, being a member of the Blue Lodge
and Chapter and Commandery.
Bearing an unassailable reputation, he enjoys the highest confidence and esteem of
not only his associates, but also of the
numerous depositors of this institution.
Modest and unassuming in manner, he is
especially well fitted for the responsible position he now holds and enjoys a reputation
of being one of the conservative, successful
business factors of his adopted city.
CHARLES C. WILLIS.
Charles C. Willis, a resident of the village
of Onondaga, was born December 23, I847,
at Oakfield, in New York, of which state his
parents were also natives.  His father,
Henry S. Willis, was born June 30, 1822,
and died August 31, 1903.   His mother,
Jane Goodfellow, was born May 4, 1820,
and died September 22, i88I. They were
married in New York state and came
to Michigan in i856.    Mr: Willis, the
father, was a carpenter and joiner by trade.
He located in Onondaga and went into the
hotel business, which he continued for about
ten years.  Closing out the business, he
moved his family to Eaton Rapids and was


engaged in the grocery trade for about four
years. Closing out his business there, he
brought his family back to Onondaga. He
went west and spent one year in the State
of Nevada. Returning to his family, he engaged in the lumber trade, and afterwards
bought grain, and also conducted a grocery
store, the latter business, being his work until the year before his death. He was recognized as one of the influential citizens of the
place. Lining up with the Democrat party
he was honored with the office of Justice of
the Peace for seven years. He belonged to
the fraternal organizations of the Masons.
He was not connected with the church, but
lived an upright Christian life. Mrs. Willis, the mother, was one of a family of seven
children born to her parents, who were natives of the Empire State, originally from
the Mohawk Valley. Mr. and Mrs. Henry
Willis were the parents of five children, as
follows: our subject; Martha, wife of Jay
Baldwin of Onondaga township; Frank,
ticket agent at Onondaga; Mary, wife of
George Nelson, proprietor of a hotel in Onondaga and Jennie, the wife of Edward
Boucher of this township.
Charles C. received his early education after coming to Michigan, and for a time attended the Eaton Rapids High School. At
twenty-two years of age he began business
for himself, learning telegraphy, and he was
for two and a half years employed as an
operator at Hastings, Michigan. He later
learned the butcher trade, which he followed
for a time. Two years and a half of his life
were spent in the mountains in the State of
Arkansas, mining and prospecting. Returning to Michigan in I88I he engaged in the
lumber trade and builders' supplies at Onondaga.
August io, 1870, Mr. Willis was united
in marriage to Loretta Wilson (nee Baldwin). Mrs. Willis was a native of New








W. H. HUNTLEY          MRS. W. H. HUNTLEY




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


485


York, where she was born. She was the
daughter of T. K. Baldwin and a sister of
Grove and Mosely Baldwin. Mr. Willis always takes an active interest in political affairs and has served as Deputy Town Clerk
under the Democrat administration. He is
a member of the fraternal order of Masons,
Eastern Star and Jackson order of Elks.
Mr. and Mrs. Willis are highly respected
people of their locality and their friends are
only numbered by those who know them.
W. H. HUNTLEY.
Among   the hustling  and  progressive
farmers of Alaiedon township, the name of
Wilton H. Huntley stands out prominent.
He was born in Onondaga county, New
York, in 1855. His parents, Lee and Martha
Huntley, were natives of the Empire State
and emigrated to Michigan in I864, and
located upon a farm of eighty acres in Alaiedon township. Lee Huntley died Jaly 2,
1904, at the ripe old age of eighty-eight
years. For the last months of his life he
made his home with his son Wilton. The
mother is still living and resides with her
(laughter, Mrs. Post, of Vevay.  She has
attained the age of eighty-three years. They
well earned for themselves the name of pioneers, as by their industry and perseverence
they contributed to the making of the history
of Inglam county. There were seven children in the family, of which Wilton was the
sixth. Date with reference to the others is
as follows: Wellington B.; Willis J.; Sarah
N.; Alice M.; Wandah A., and Wilton H.,
twins; and Nellie M.
Our subject was not yet eleven years of
age when his parents settled in this county.
He lived at home, gathering up such education as was to be obtained at the district
school and at the age of twertty-one started
out for himself. He purchased eighty acres


of timbered land. From this he cut the timber, improved the land and made other improvements, and as he says, "did more hard
days' work of this kind than any other man
of his age in the county." Later, for eight
years he was engaged in trade at St. Johns.
In 1892 he sold out and returned to the old
homestead.
Our subject was united in marriage September 27, I877 to Eliza, eldest daughter of
Davis and Harriett (Traver) Fitzsimmons
of Alaiedon township.  Mr. Fitzsimmons
was a pioneer, a successful farmer and a
man of integrity of life and character. He
died March 12, I899.
Mrs. Huntley was the eldest of three
dautghters born to Mr. and Mrs. Davis Fitzsimmons. The next younger, Jennie L.,
born October 25, I859, now the wife of D.
E. Goodrich of Lansing city. The youngest,
Emma B., born April 27, 1864, wife of Walter M. Pratt of Alaiedon township, whose
biography appears elsewhere in this volume.
Mrs. Fitzsimmons, who was a native of
New York city, was born September 25,
I830. She resides with her daughter, Mrs.
Pratt, on the old homestead. She is still in
the enjoyment of a comfortable degree of
health, and a blessing and a benediction in
the home.
Mrs. Huntley is able to trace her genealogy back to the signing of the Declaration
of Independence by one James Fitzsimmons.
The family had a coat of arms in England.
Her great grandfather, George Fitzsimmons
was a soldier in the War of I812, and was
several times engaged in battle with the
Indians.
In the Civil War, an uncle, Lathrop Fitzsimmons was one of the first volunteers to
enlist in the three months service, and participated in the first battle of Bull Run,
fought July 21, I86I. Three uncles on her
mother's side served three years each in the




486


PAST AND PRESENT


Union army in defense of the flag and the
nation's honor. They were named respectively: George, Alonzo, and Richard Traver.
Her mother is a Quakeress, having been
reared in that faith.
A great uncle of Mrs. Huntley, George
Fitzsimmons, was for many years a prominent politician of Hillsdale county, Michigan, and at one time a member of the State
Legislature.
Mr. and Mrs. Huntley are the parents of
five dutiful children, respectively: Vesta A.,
born April 9, I880, Miss Vesta is a graduate of the Mason High School, finishing the
course in June, 1898, she also graduated
from the Ferris Institute at Big Rapids, in
the Kindergarten Department, in 1904; for
the past year she has been engaged in teaching at Edmore, Mecosta county, where she
is still employed; D. Oakley, born April Io,
1882; Wellington B., born April 29, i886;
Nelson H., born January 23, IS9I; S. Dorothy, born September 14, 1900.
Mr. Huntley has cultivated the social side
of his nature by identifying himself with the
fraternal organization of the F. & A. M..
Masonic lodge, Royal Arcanum and Mason
Chapter, and Mason Chapter Order of the
Eastern Star, and Modern Woodmen.
In politics, Mr. Huntley is an independent
voter, casting his ballot for men and measures, rather than for party. He is a citizen
of the best type, industrious, frugal, persevering. No community has ever been overstocked with men of his class and character.
WILLIAM    O. WILSON.
Prominent among agricultural, social and
political circles is he whose name introduces
this sketch. He is the son of John H. and
Joanna (Lamphere) Wilson and was born
in Cayuga county, New    York, November I8, I850.   John Wilson was born


in New York in 1823, and died in I883.
The birth of the mother occurred in 1827
and her death in I880. In the fall of 1856
our subject's father came to Lansing, Michigan, and was foreman in the first blacksmith
shop  in  Lansing.  Here he    remained
through the winter, and in the spring of
1857 went to Kosciusko county, Indiana,
where he engaged in the wagon manufacturing business with his brother for two and
a half years.  In the fall of I859 he returned to Michigan and located on a farm
of eighty acres, mostly wild, in Meridian
township and moved into' a log house. He
improved half of the eighty acres and added
forty acres to it and before selling the place
cleared six acres of the forest, which was
upon it. In I869 our subject's father bought
one hundred acres, where William 0. now
lives, which was half improved. The son
has cleared sixty-five acres since the death
of his father. John Wilson was a Republican and a member of the Baptist church, to
which our subject and wife give their influence and support.
William  0. Wilson started for himself
when twenty-five years of age. He bought
a house and a half acre of land across the
road from where he now lives. Here he
lived for five years, when his mother died,
and he moved into the father's house. While
living in the first place, our subject bought
forty acres of wild land and has cleared thirty-five of it. He now owns two hundred
and twenty-five acres of well-improved property.
December J, 1875, our subject was united
in marriage with Miss Elsie, daughter of
Daniel and Mary J. (Glassbrook) Felton of
Alaiedon township. Mrs. Wilson was there
born Jan. 22, I853, and her father was born
in Vermont in 1817, while the mother was
a native of New York, and was born in
1828. Mr. Felton came to Lenawee county,








\


LINCOLN MORSE (Deceased)






MRS. HARRIET A. MORSE








INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


487


Michigan, about the year 1844, where he
worked land on shares for about three years,
and was there married.
It was about the year 1847 that the family
of Feltons came to Alaiedon and took up
one hundred and twenty acres from the government, all of which was wild. This land
the father cleared up and there lived until
his death in I88I. Mrs. Felton married the
second time, Thomas Williams, who is now
dead, and she resides whiere our subject and
wife first started housekeeping.
Our subject is the second of three children: Ellen (dead), our subject, and Francis, who married Frank Hewitt. They have
had four children, two of whom are living:
Nina and Margaret.   Mrs. Wilson is the
third of three children, two living: Helen,
born in 1847 (dead)   Adelbert, born in
1849, owns the old farm, lives at Collegeville, married Eva Collins, and they have
four children: Raymond, who married Clara
Pickford, and lives at Collegeville; Alfred
(dead); Floyd, married Jessie \Vilcox, lives
on the old farm, and Winifred, who lives
with her parents.  In political views Mr.
Felton was a Democrat.
Mr. and Mrs. Wilson are the parents of
eight children, seven of whom are living:
Charles, born March I, 1877, married Goldie
Hancock; Don, born June 25, 1879, married Mable Lester, and lives in Oregon; Ila,
born Jan. 24, I88I, died Oct. 14, 1900;
Mary B., born June 17, I882; Clarence, born
July 17, I884; James, born Feb. 27, I887;
Otto, born March 7, I889, and Earl, born
Aug. i8, I893.
Our subject is a Republican, and one of
a very few who have ever been elected to
office from Meridian township.  He was
Supervisor for one term.
A fine grade of dairy cattle, and thoroughbred Chester White hogs and Holstein cattle are to be found on the Wilson farm,


and its proprietor is considered one of the
most prominent and reliable farmers in Ingham county.
LINCOLN    MORSE (DECEASED).
The maintaining of a single home by the
brothers, Lincoln and Lewis Morse, during
all the years of their active life, is a worthy
and commendable example of brotherly love
and affection. The attractive home of the
Morse brothers of Bunker Hill township is
well known for miles around. Only one of
the brothers was ever married, but throughout their lives they held their property in
common, an arrangement that seemed perfectly harmonious and satisfactory. to all
concerned. The kindly regard manifested
by these men one for the other is worthy
of emulation.
Lewis Morse was born August 28, 1831,
and died September i6, 1904. He remained
a single man through life.  Lincoln was
born August 6, 1833, and died August 20,
I90o. Both Lincoln and Lewis were born
in Fitchburg, Mass., and both were buried
in the Bunker Hill cemetery.  They were
the sons of Lewis L. and Mary Morse, who
were natives of Massachusetts, where they
continued to live after marriage for about
twenty-seven years.  The father followed
the occupation of dyeing cloth. It was in
1857 that the parents came to Michigan
with their family, first settling in the Township of Waterloo, Jackson county, where
they purchased forty acres of land, built a
log house and improved the land. Later
ten acres were added to the place, and this
was the family home for about fifteen years,
when the father died October 30, I87I. The
year following the death of Lewis Morse,
Sr., the mother disposed of this place, and
the family moved to their present home,
where the brothers bought one hundred and




488


PAST AND PRESENT


thirty-five acres of land, to which has since
been added eighty acres. Mixed farming
has been the order with the Morse brothers,
in which they have met with reasonable success. They were known as men of upright
character and firm integrity, and always
ranked among the most respected citizens
of the township.  A  sister, Louisa, the
youngest of the family, died at the age of
two and one-half years.
Lincoln Morse was educated in his native
town in Massachusetts, after which he
learned the butcher trade, which occupation
he followed until the family came West, hfter which he remained at home, assisting his
father in the management and care of the
farm. He was united in marriage, April 8,
1863, to Miss Harriet A., daughter of Benjamin and Hannah (Robinson) Stick of
Waterloo.  The Sticks were natives of
Cheshire, N. Y. Mr. Morse brought his
wife to the paternal home, where they resided during the life of the parents. The
mother died in I873, and was buried at
Waterloo.
Since the death of her husband, Mrs. Lincoln Morse has lived at Bunker Hill Center,
her son, Justus L., residing on the farm.
To Mr. and Mrs. Morse were born four
children: Louisa, March 31, I864, now the
wife of Elmer E. Wood, who is managing
a farm of Jehial Rayner's, situated in this
township, and they have two children; Ellen, April 3, I866, is the wife of Clemont
Magoon, who resides in Jackson county, and
they have three children; Abbie Ann, December 19, 1870, the wife of J. E. Blake,
also a resident of Jackson county, and Justus L., December 21, I875, married Miss
Edna Macinder, and they have one child.
Politically the Morse brothers were
stanch Republicans, as were their ancestors.
Lewis was a Royal Arch Mason and firmly
believed in the principles of the order.


Among the heirlooms in the family, which
are greatly prized, is a powder flask, carried
by Mrs. Morse's grandfather, and elaborately engraved by him. She had another, carried by her great grandfather bearing the
date "1797," and still another, carried by her
great great grandfather in the war against
the Indians, on which is inscribed "Lunenburg, Mass., October 27, 1747." They have
also many other relics of an early date.
The influence of the Morse family in the
community in which they have lived has
been for industry, honesty and sobriety.
They were citizens of the class of which no
community can have too many.
FRANK YOUNGLOVE.
This progressive, intelligent and thrifty
agriculturist, who enjoys the confidence of
the business community, resides on section
23, of Onondaga township, Ingham county.
He is a native of Monroe county, Michigan,
and was born Dec. 8, 1853. His parents
were George and Gertrude (Turner) Younglove; the father being born April 9, 1822,
in Massachusetts, and who next April will
be eighty-three years old, now resides in
Monroe, Michigan. The mother was born
in Michigan, and died thirty five years ago
at the age of forty years. George Younglove is one of a family of six children, only
two of whom are living at the present day.
The mother belonged to a family of five children, only one of whom is living.
Frank Younglove grew   up among the
scenes of pioneer life, and early took up the
work of a farm. His early education was
acquired in the common schools of his native
community, Monroe. He began for himself at the age of eighteen by working on
the farm for three years by the month.
The wedding day of Mr. Younglove was
Nov. 3, I875, and he was then married to




_i::r::::::::::: _:: _::_::::- _-::i::_ ----: —: _i -— 'ii:E-li~ i:i- -_-_.i-i::i i:ig-i-iiLi —9i:i:ii Si:i:_i- _-i-i:::::::::::::::::::::j::::::::::::::::::::i::::::i:::::::::: —i::-::::
-:iji-ii
iiii: iiiii iii:_::::::::-:~:::::- -::;-:-:-i;,:-~: —::,_:;::::::::::-:_::::_::- _:::_-~j-:i:i:_:-:::_:_:::-:I-:-::::.-::::::-:-_::::-:: _:::::::::::: -::::::: _:: —:::_::::::::
I
i::::j::::iii:dci:i-i iiiii:iiiiiii.-iii:ii_:i iii i-i:i:l-iiii:_ i_ i::i _::::::::::::r;-::_:::
~::::
j::::::e:::::::::-:
iiiiii;iii-.iiiii: iiis:i:::: ii-_:: - i::_-,:-:_:-:j::l_:-r:ci:::-.::;~~:::::I_:-:i_:- c:::


LEWIS iMORSE (Deceased)








INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


489


Miss Nellie Laycock, who was born in Jackson, Nov. I6, I857. Mrs. Younglove was
the daughter of Christopher Laycock, born
in Seneca, N. Y., April I, 1825, being one of
a family of nine children.
Mr. Laycock was one of the early settlers
of Jackson county and suffered the hardships
common to the life of the pioneer. Moving
to Onondaga in I855, where he resided with
hlis family on the fatm until he died Feb. 23,
190I, at the age of seventy-six years. His
wife was Martha Stone, born in New York,
Nov. 6, I843, and she was spared to aid
him in his life work until three years ago,
when she passed away, one year after her
husband, at the age of 68 years.
Unto  Christopher and  Mrs. Laycock
were born three children: Don Adolphus,
who died when seven months old; Harriet
Elsie, born Dec. 19, 1852, is the wife of H.
D. Baldwin, a farmer of Onondaga, and our
subject's wife, Nellie Augusta.
The political convictions of MTr. Laycock
led him to cast his vote and influence with
the Republican party.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Frank Younglove
have been born two children: George C.,
born June 8, 1884, died when three months
old; Fannie Chase, born Feb. 12, I886, resides at home under the parental roof.
Our subject first bought a farm of sixty-nine acres, one-half mile north and
two and one-half miles east of Onondaga,
and there lived for twenty-four years, moving from this place one year ago to the farm
upon which lhe now resides, formerly owned
by Christopher Laycock. Mr. Younglove
is a Democrat in his political' convictions,
and is earnestly devoted to the progress of
that party, but has never been an office seeker. His popularity among his fellow citizens
won for him the office of Township Clerk
for one term. Socially our subject is a member of the Masonic order at Onondaga No.


197, also with his wife and daughter belong
to the order of Eastern Star of Leslie No.
155, in which organization he takes a great
interest.
Mr. and Mrs. Younglove are highly esteemed among their neighbors, and his reputation for fair dealing and integrity is known
throughout the county.
AUGUSTUS L. STURGES.
In the thriving little village of Okemos
we find many influential men and among
them the name of Augustus L. Sturges, who
was born at Cataraugus county, N. Y., Dec.
3, 829. He was the son of Lewis N. and
Polly (McLeas) Sturges, the father a native
of New York and the mother of New Jersey.
The father died at the age of sixty-three and
the mother three years ago, at the age of
ninety-six.
Our subject's father followed the occupation of farming while in New York. His
parents were married there and came to
Michigan and settled in the city of Decatur
in I854, where the father died. The mother
was living in Dowagiac at the time of her
death.
Augustus L. was one of a family of six
children: Sarepta, was the wife of Eli Rich
of Kansas City. She was the mother of four
children, Ellen, Bessie and Jessie living, and
Fanny, deceased; Mary, born in I826, died
in I89I. She was the wife of Geo. McClelland of Kansas City and the mother of one
child, William; Elmira, born in I828, married Horace Bigelow at Batavia, N. Y., and
came to Meridian township in I849 and settled on a farm. They have four children:
Helen, Jennie, Lewis and James; Eveline,
born in 183I, married a Mr. Cornell, and
they had one child, Frankie; Alonzo died in
900o at La Porte, Ind.
The early education of our subject was




490


PAST AND PRESENT


acquired in the district schools of New York
in Genesee county and later he spent one
term at Bethany Academy. At the age of
nineteen he started out for himself.  He
came to Michigan in I849, bought eighty
acres of land on section 17, Meridian township, and this he cleared and made his home
for ten years. Here he built a small frame
house and a log stable.
Nov. II, 1852, Mr. Sturges joined the
ranks of the Benedicts, as he was at that
time married to Sarah E., daughter of
Daniel and Betsey (Jewett) Chatterton, the
father, born Feb. 12, I809, and the mother
born in Vermont in 1805. Daniel Chatterton was always proud of the fact that he and
the martyred Lincoln were born on the same
day. Mrs. Sturges was born Sept. 4, I833.
Daniel Chatterton came to Michigan in
I85I and settled on a farm one mile east of
the M. A. C., where he lived until death
came to him. There were four children in
the Chatterton family: George, lives at Mt.
Pleasant; Judge Chatterton, of Lansing,
deceased; our subject's wife, and Jewett,
who lives in Mt. Pleasant.
Our subject traded his first farm for four
hundred and twenty acres in Livingston
county, which was partly improved. There
he lived for four years and when his fatherin-law died they moved to Meridian township, bought seventy acres and lived there
sixteen years. About the year I88I they sold
this place and went to Virginia, bought three
hundred and seventy-five acres and lived
there ten years. Since then, about fifteen
years ago, the Sturges family have lived in
the village of Okemos.
Three children blessed the home of Mr.
and Mrs. Augustus Sturges: Eva, born
Nov. 21, I853, married F. E. Watson of
Lansing, and they have one daughter,
Blanche, aged twenty-four; Wallace A.,
born Jan. II, 1855, married Daisy Costin,


and they live in Okemos; Clara died at the
age of twenty-seven, was the wife of Charles
Hewitt and the mother of one daughter,
Mabel.
The principles of the Democrat party receive the support of this public spirited man
and by them he has been elected to the position of Justice of Peace for sixteen years;
Supervisor, two terms, I866 and I868;
Township Treasurer, 'Highway    Commissioner and Drain Commissioner, and these
positions of trust speak well for the man
who was chosen from among his fellow men
to fill them. Mr. and Mrs. Sturges are representative members of the M. E. church.
he holding the office of Sunday School Superintendent for twenty-one years.
At the time of' the war Mr. Sturges was
offered a commission by Governor Blair if
he could raise a company, which he did, comprising fifty men, went to Lansing, but Governor Blair had received orders not to commission any more men, as they needed no
more, so our subject was not called upon to
sacrifice his life upon the altar of our country.
Mr. and Mrs. Sturges are highly respected people of Okemos, both in church and
social circles.
T. ROGERS LYONS.
Mr. Lyons is among the most versatile of
the residents of Lansing.  He is an able
commercial and corporation lawyer and, although a young man, numbers among his
clients not only many of Lansing's largest
corporations, but also is Michigan attorney
for several foreign corporations.
He has also achieved some success as a
literary worker and his promise is even
greater than his performance. His enviable
record in these several departments has been








A. L. STURGES




P::


hL


MRS. A. L. STURGES




I
I




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


491


earned by sheer application and determination, his legal education being obtained entirely by studying alone, at night, and at
the time of the financial depression of '93
to '95, when his earnings as a machinist
were scarcely sufficient to pay expenses, and
each new book in the self-prescribed course
was bought only at the sacrifice of its predecessor.
Our subject was born in Franklin Grove,
Ill., February 15, I875, being the only son
of Daniel 0. and Helen E. (Rogers) Lyons.
His father was by profession a druggist
and physician, and now resides at Montgomery, Ala. The boy received his early
education in Downers Grove, Ill., while living there with his maternal grandmother,
and finished a high school course, graduating with honor. He then commenced his
business career in Chicago; starting in with
the panic of 93, he was batted from pillar
to post in search of a living, having the unpleasant experience of having eleven institutions, where he was at different times employed, fail under him, the most notable
being the Jas. H. Walker Co., then the
second largest dry goods house in Chicago.
He was admitted to the bar, March 8,
1896, the year he reached his majority, and
removed to Lansing in September of the
same year. When he located in the capital
city, he at once commenced his professional
work with Wood & Wood, as manager of
their collection department, and subsequently gave his attention to the business of general collections. He resumed his law practice in January, 1903, making his specialty
commercial and corporation law, and he enjoys the reputation of being a commercial
adjuster of more than average ability.
Mr. Lyons is the author of many poems,
songs, and satires of unusual literary merit.
Among the periodicals to whose columns he
has contributed are the Dramatic News


(N. Y.), Cadenza (N. Y.), Whist (Wis.),
and Columbian   (Chicago).  His satires
have appeared in many of the leading
papers, New York World, Brooklyn Eagle,
Baltimore American, Chicago Herald, Detroit Evening News, and local papers.
In I896 he wrote a poem, "Our Flag,"
which was accepted by the American Flag
Association of Chicago as the association
poem, and was pronounced by Dr. B. J.
Cigrand, LL. D., president of the association, to be equal in merit to Drake's "American Flag.'  This piece has been widely
copied and was published in June, I903, in
the Sunday Record Herald, under head of
"Poems Worth Keeping," and notices of
his work have been of such a flattering
nature that he expects to devote much of
his future to literature.
On September 14, I898, the subject of
this sketch was married to Miss Alice S.
Perry, daughter of Norton M. Perry of
Lansing. To them three children have been
born: Hugh and Theodore (twins now five
years old), and Frank, the baby.
LANSING.
PAST.
What tongue can tell the secrets of the days
agone?
Before thy grandsire's hand hewed out his
home;
Ere falling timber startled wolf and fawn,
When beasts and Red Men held thy lands
alone.
The printed page will tell thy founder's
name,
Who dwelt in thy domains, supreme, content,
Who cut the brush and broke the virgin soil,
To establish here the Sovereign Government.




492


PAST AND PRESENT


PRESENT.
Till now, by steady growth in sons, and
lands, and gain,
Thy fathers view with ever conscious pride
Their handiwork, which shows 'twas not in
vain,
They on the stubborn land their muscles
tried.
They gave their best in muscle, blood and
brain,
Unique invention, and commercial power,
They died that the living might obtain
His sons an heritage, his maids a dower.
FIJTURE.
'Tis withheld from us, the gift of prophecy;
We cannot forward look beyond the veil,
Our heirs will know thy grandeur and thy
strength,
Will wear the sackcloth or the gilded mail;
To us, to do, each day our daily task,
Life is Labor, Luck a fairy wand,
Thus we in passing may have earned "Well
Done,"
From the Master Builder in the Great Beyond.
THEODORE R. LYONS.
February 20, 1905.


of his first wife who was a Miss Walker.
The father was one of six children and the
mother one of a family of eight.
For a time the father of our subject was
located in Dexter, and there worked at the
trade of a miller, afterward moving to Livingston county where he was engaged in
farming.
Our subject was the only child of the father's first marriage, and was educated in the
Village of Dexter, and graduated from the
medical department of the University of
Michigan in I870. To the second marriage
were born five children: Mrs. Walter Nichols
of Stockbridge; Florence Rice of Hamburg,
Michigan; William   E. of Stockbridge;
Charles, on the home farm, and Allie, Mrs.
Schonals of Hamburg, Michigan.
Dr. Brown was united in marriage October I6, 1872, to Augusta, daughter of Isaac
Coleman, and was born in New York, October I6, I847. Her father was born June I,
I805, and died August I7, 1884, while the
mother was born January 3I, I8io, and died
July 7, 1888. Mr. and Mrs. Coleman came
to Michigan in I855 and always lived on a
farm near Pinckney.
Mrs. Brown is one of seven children:
Adelaide, wife of a Mr. Figuet of Alabama;
Fanele, wife of Charles Lowe, living on the
old homestead; Albert, a railroad conductor,
killed in an accident just as he was going
to enlist in the Civil War; Charles, living at
Crestone, Colorado; Isaac N. Jr., dead, was
a doctor at Cadillac; Robert W., a doctor at
Cadillac, and the seventh, Jonathan, died
September, I863, at Nashville, Tenn., in the
employ of the government. Mrs. Brown's
brother, Charles' D., was a member of the
9th Michigan Infantry, Co. H., was its Captain and served throughout the war and sustained wounds which he received in battle.
To Dr. Brown and wife have been born
two sons: H. Dwain, February 9, 1878, a


H. E. BROWN, M. D.
One of the prominent citizens who has
made himself a name in the Village of Stockbridge, where he has practiced his profession for the past thirty-four years is H. E.
Brown, the subject of our sketch. He was
born near Pinckney, Livingston county, June
24, 1845, and is the son of Erasmus and Rebecca (Walker) Brown.    The father was
born in New York in I8I9, and died June
II, 1894, while the mother was a native of
Massachusetts, having been born there in
I82I, and died at the age of thirty-five years.
The father took for his second wife a cousin




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


493


graduate of the Medical College at Detroit,
practicing with his father in Stockbridge.
H. Dwain married Ruth Noyes, born in
Jackson, September 6, 1878, and the second,
Robert C., born June 26, 1884, is still at
home.
Mrs. Brown's father is a very highly
esteemed man of his community and has
held many offices of trust and honor. Dr.
Brown and his father are active members of
the Republican party and to it give their
hearty support.
Dr. and Mrs. Brown are valuable members of the Baptist church and are numbered
among the prominent people of Stockbridge.
Dr. Brown is fraternally connected with the
I. 0. O. F., the Maccabees and the Masons,
and is counted as a reliable member of each
organization.
JOHN B. COOK.
The subject of this review is a native son
of this county, as he was born upon the farm
where he now resides on the 22nd day of
October, I847. His father, William Cook,
was a native of Lannarkshire, Scotland, his
birthday being February 20, I818. In the
country of his nativity the father spent his
boyhood and youth and upon reaching man's
estate was then married to Jeannette King,
a native of Les Magago, Scotland, her birth
occurred in November 28, I814. In the year
1844 they emigrated to the new world, coming direct to Michigan, and located in Delhi
township. Here he made his first purchase
of forty acres of marsh land. Being a man
of more than ordinary capability and energy,
he at once began the improvement of this
property by erecting thereon a log house. In
this home of pioneer times dwelt the family,
meeting with characteristic fortitude the
trials and hardships incident to pioneer life.
As the years passed, he prospered in his


undertakings, adding from time to time to
the original purchase until he owned at the
time of his death three hundred sixty acres
of highly improved and valuable land. He
departed this life on April 12, 900o, honored
and respected by all who knew him. He was
a man of many sterling traits of character,
ruggedly honest and energetic.
Unto William  Cook and his wife were
born nine children, of whom five are now
living, namely: Margaret, now deceased.
wife of C. Newton Smith; Sarah, died at
about seven years of age; John B., the subject of this review; William G., now a resident of Texarkana, Ark., James D., also a
resident of same place; Matthew J., now deceased; Anna, wife of John G. Gunn of
Delhi township; Nettie, who died when a
child, and George W., now a resident of
Michigan.
William Cook was an old time Democrat,
believing firmly in the principles of the
Democratic party. William Cook and his
wife were both active members of the Presbyterian church.
In reviewing the history of the Cook family, we find one pardonable characteristic predomlinating to a degre of prominence, while
bred to the surrounding and influence of
farm life, there has predominated a desire
to the practice of law, as several members
have successfully became identified with the
profession, and are successfully practicing.
Of that number, John B. Cook, the subject
of this review, is an able representative.
Reared upon the old homestead farm and
acquiring his early education in the common
schools of his township, attending during the
winter months, and then through the summer months assisted his father upon the
home farm. Being endowed with a spirit of
independence and a desire to study law, he
became identified with Judge Jason E.
Nichols of Lansing, studying with the judge




494


PAST AND PRESENT


for about two years, and in I888 was admitted to the bar. Opening up his office in
Lansing, he then successfully conducted his
general practice until about three years ago,
when on account of ill health he returned to
his farm, comprising fifty-seven acres, delightfully located about one mile from the
village of Holt, Delhi township. On the 29th
day of February in I869, our subject was
united in marriage to Miss Celestia M. Skinner, a daughter of George W. and Melissa
Skinner, natives of Connecticut and Ohio,
respectively. Mr. Skinner dates his residence
in the county from I860, as it wvas in that
year that he came to Ingham county and
settled in Delhi township, where he purchased a forty acre farm.  This land he
placed under cultivation, living thereon until 1902, when on account of old age, he
rented the property, and now with his good
wife make their home with our subject.
The union of our subject and wife has
been blessed with two children, the eldest
Bernard, was born in this township in I89o,
on July ist, and died at the age of fourteen
years; while the youngest, William C., born
in 1875, April II, now a resident attorney
of prominence of Omer, Mich. Although a
young man in years he has attained a degree
of promise, and is now acting as Prosecuting Attorney for his county. He first began reading law with his father, and was admitted to the bar in 1897. After his admission to the bar he remained with our subject
for a short time, and then located in Arenac
county.
Our subject affiliates with the Democratic
party, but not in the sense of a politician.
He has taken an active interest in politics.
He is also a member of Charles T. Foster
Post, G. A. R., as he, in answer to his country's call, enlisted in I864, on the 28th day
of September, in the 28th Michigan Volunteer Infantry, Co. F., remaining in the ser

vice until July, I865, being honorably discharged at Nashville, Tenn. He saw considerable service and was always found at
his post in the faithful discharge of his duty.
In 1878, he in connection with his brother
Matthew, began farming on his own account
in the operation of the old homestead, and
this partnership was conducted for about
four years. In 1882 he bought eighty acres
in this township, which he later sold, and
now owns a good well improved farm of
fifty-seven acres which is a part of the old
homestead, located in section 23, Delhi township. Here he is engaged in general farming and stockraising in connection with the
practice of law. He effectually served this
township as Supervisor for five years to the
utmost satisfaction of all concerned. Honored and respected by all who knew him,
he can take a just pride in the accomplishments of the Cook family in early pioneer
affairs, because unto such men who have
given the best years of their manhood in the
improvement and development of their community, Ingham county owes not only its
history, but also its present prosperous condition.
PERRY HENDERSON (DECEASED).
For half a century the name of Henderson
has been prominently identified with the
financial and political development of Mason
and Ingham county. Mason city was little
more than a country hamlet when Perry
Henderson first became a factor in the political and business arena of the county, and
during the years of his activities he contributed his full share towards the upbuilding of his adopted county, and especially the
county seat of Mason.
Perry Henderson was born in a rural
home in Tully, Onondaga county, in the
Empire State, October I, 1815. Having the




LNGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


495


misfortune of losing his parents by death
while yet in his infancy, he found a home
through the years of his boyhood with an
elder brother. He was the youngest of a
family of nine children, six sons and three
daughters. His father, Phineas Henderson,
was a man of sterling qualities, and was
known as an industrious and public spirited
citizen.
Our subject was given the advantages of
the district schools of his time, and while yet
a young man had made such use of his
opportunities that he was enabled to pass a
satisfactory examination in the primary
branches, and for several winters taught
school.
The important event in his history was his
marriage in the year 1838 to Miss Hulda
Christian, who, through the sunshine and
shadows of life was a sharer of his joys and
sorrow, his trials and triumphs. To them
were born five children, four sons and a
daughter, all growing to man and woman's
estate. Calvin and Albert died while in the
prime of life. Judge Henry P. Henderson,
an attorney of national reputation, has been
a resident of Salt Lake City, Utah, for several years. He first went to that territory as
Territorial Judge under the administration
of Grover Cleveland, vwhere he has since resided. He has built up a large and lucrative
practice and is a leading factor in the camp
of the Democracy, with which he has always
been aligned.  While yet a young man,
Judge Henderson served Ingham county as
County Clerk, and later represented his district in the State Legislature. For many
years the co-partnership existing between
himself and the late Judge George M.
Huntington, known as Huntington & Henderson, was one of the strong legal firms of
the State. The other two children of Perry
Henderson are Ward J., and Catherine. Miss
Catherine occupies the old home at Mason.


It was in the year 1845 that Perry Henderson came from  New York and settled
with his family in the Township of Leroy.
He was the first postmaster in that section.
His sons, Calvin and Henry carried the mail
on foot from their home to Williamston in
a common grain sack, the mail pouch furnished by the government being too cumbersome for the boys to carry.
Mr. Henderson served as Supervisor of
Leroy for several years. In I856 was elected
Sheriff of Ingham county, when he removed
to Mason, which was ever after his home.
He served for a term as County Superintendent of the poor, and during the following
years as Supervisor, Alderman and Mayor.
In I858 Mr. Henderson erected the old
city flouring mill known as the "Phoenix."
He was also for several years successively
engaged in the hardware trade in the city.
For a quarter of a century he had a "corner" on the auctioneer business in the townships adjoining Mason city, and was much
in demand. He was a busy man, and energetic in any enterprise in which he engaged.
Warm hearted, genial, he early won for himself friends of the helpful sort.
Mr. Henderson and wife were for many
years highly esteemed members of the Baptist church society to which they contributed
liberally of their substance.
He died February 5, I904, his wife preceeding about four years. They have left
their impress for good, and their memory is
revered.
CHARLES L. HULETT.
Among the successful farmers of Meridian township we find the name of Charles L.
Hulett, who was born August 26, I860. His
parents, Jesse, born in England in 1829, and
Harriett (Crossman) Hulett, born in New
York, July 25, 1830, were married in New




496


PAST AND PRESENT


York, October I2, I853, and soon after
their marriage came to Michigan and first
settled in Lansing, where they lived three or
four years and then bought one hundred and
forty acres of wild land on section 31, Meridian township, cleared up the farm and
made their home on this place until death.
The father died June Io, I899, and the
mother, June 14, I870. Jesse Hulett was
one of eight children, four of them living:
James lives in Gratiot county; Carrie, the
wife of Noah Porter; Mrs. G. W. Stevens,
of Greenville, Michigan, and Mrs. Martha
Bailey, also of Greenville.
To Jesse and Harriett Hulett were born
four children: Marian, born in I856, Charles
L., our subject; James, marrier Ethel Demorest and lives on the old farm in Meridian
township, and Alma, married to Ed. Burtraw, also on the old home farm.
Charles L. Hulett acquired a district
school education in Meridian township and
Okemos and lived on the farm   with his
parents until twenty-four years of age.
April I6, I885, our subject was married
to Calista Box, who was born in Ohio, October 5, 1864, and died April 21, I892. To
them were born three children: Heber J.,
born February I8, 1887, at home; Edwin
B., November 12, I887, and Howard, January 27, I890, died March 7, I892.  Mr.
Hulett was again married June 28, I899 to
Carrie Kerton, born in Oakland county,
November,7, I865.   Mrs. Hulett is the
daughter. of Joseph, born in England,
August 2, 1837, and Hanna Urch Kerton,
born July 5, 1841, in England, And is still
living at the age of sixty-three. Mrs. Hulett
is one of six children, all of whom are living.
To our subject and wife have been born
two children: Lloyd, June 28, I900, and
Helen, November 21, I903, died March 12,
I905.
In the year of 1884 our subject bought


eighty acres of land known as the McCurdy
farm.  At that time the place was run
down, buildings were old and now the farm
is in good condition, buildings are all rebuilt and it presents a pleasing appearance
to the passers-by.
In politics, Mr. Hulett has been a Greenbacker, Populist and now is a strong Republican. He has several times been candidate
for township offices, but never elected, and
cares nothing for office. The family are
active members of the Baptist church. Mr.
Hulett is engaged in general farming, making a specialty of sheep raising and dairy
farming. He is a progressive farmer and a
good citizen of Meridian township.
JAMES J. DANA (DECEASED).
Since the first echo of the woodsman's axe
resounded through the dense forests of Leroy township, the name of Dana has been
familiar to the inhabitants of that section of
the country.
The parents of J. J. Dana were both born
at Batavia, N. Y. The father, Orren, in
I807, and the mother, Adaline Goodwill, in
I814. They were married in the year I829,
and emigrated to Michigan in the year I837
and settled on sections 8 and 9 in Leroy
township. The land was all in a state of
nature. One hundred and sixty acres was
taken up from the government. For the first
few years the family not only had to endure
the privations common to the lot of pioneers
in a new country, but at times suffered from
want and hunger. This was not on account
of any lack of industry or energy but rather
from unforseen and unavoidable causes. In
the fall of the year of I838, six acres, the
entire crop of corn was destroyed by forest
fires. The year following, the entire crop of
wheat and corn upon which the family de



rM~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~::


i
i:-::::-:-:::



i:: --:;: ]~  


JAMES J. DANA        (Deceased)








INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


497


pen(led for their winter supply, was trampled
(lown and destroyed by wild deer and black
bears. A log enclosure was a necessity to
keel the cows from being killed by roving
bands of wolves. For the first six months
after locating here, Detroit was the nearest
postoffice. Then one was established at Mason.  In the year 1840, Awhat is now the
towxvnship of Leroy, was set off by itself and
named by Orren Dana after a township in
lIis native state. For over twenty years there
w\as no place of business within the limits of
the township. For thirty-two years Orren
D)ana was Justice of the Peace for Leroy.
L-e (lie( in 1879. Of a family of eight chil(ren, buttone is now living, E. L. Dana, of
Leroy.
J. J. Iana was a lad of but three years
when the family arrived at Detroit, and this
was just before the territory was admitted
into tle Union as a state. The first settlemenlt b1v the family was made on the property no(w (owned b)y the heirs of H. J. Dana,
ellest son of Orren.
J. J. Dana enlisted as private in Co. H, of
the 26th Michigan Volunteer Infantry, August 12, 1862. For nearly two years he follo\we(l the fortunes of his regiment, participating in several of the hardest fought battles of the Civil War, and was severely:woundel in the right arm at Spottsylvania,
lMay 12, 1864. With thousands of others,
Ilore or less seriously wounded, he marched
(during the next few (lays about fifty miles
to a steamboat landing and from there was
taken in a transport to Washington. Arriving at the hospital, amputation was found
necessary and he ever afterward carried an
emlpty sleeve. A few months later he was
mustered out of service with the rank of
Corporal and honorably discharged by reasoln of disability. Mr. Dana has to his credit
il which he took part, the ever memorable
battle of the Wilderness, May 5, I864, where
32


the losses footed up in killed, wounded and
missing, about fifteen thousand on a side.
Other engagements in which he took part
were Suffolk, Va., Windsor, Va., May 22,
Mine Run, Va., November 29, all in '63,
Corbin's Bridge, Va., May 8, Ny River,
May 9, Po River, May II, '64. Returning
to civil life, le a few months later was
united in marriage to Miss Frances Keys.
Of this union two children were born, William J. and James A.
Mrs. Dana died September 5, I869, and
a few weeks later, October 14, the eldest son,
William, died.
Mr. Dana was again married March 3, in
the year 1870, To Mrs. Mary Thurston,
daughter of Lawrence VanAlstyne of Oakland county, a native of New York state.
In the year 1872 Mr. VanAlstyne came to
Williamston, Nwhich was ever after his home.
He (lied in July, 1876.
Mr. Dana was a charter member of Williamston Lodge, I. 0. O. F., and always
loyal to its principles. For several years he
was a member of Eli P. Alexander Post of
the G. A. R., named in honor of a gallant
young lieutenant of his own company.
Mr. Dana by frugality and business tact
secured a comfortable competence for himself and family. He died February i6, 1898,
and is survived by a widow and one son,
James A.
GEORGE HARWOOD.
Among the biographies to be included in
tl;is volume, few subjects are more worthy
tlanl he whose name is at the head of this
sketch.  George Harwood was born February 5, I836, in New York State.   His
parents, Thomas and Elizabeth (French)
Harwood, were natives of England. They
came to this country and settled in New
York, where they remained until I838, when




498


PAST AND PRESENT


they emigrated to Michigan, locating in the
township of Onondaga, where the father
took up one hundred and sixty acres of land
from the government. He was among the
earliest settlers of the township. They were
the parents of ten children, of which the following brief data is given: Cornelius remained in England; Thomas was for many
years a resident of Onondaga, township and
died at Kinneyville; Manuel lived in Onondaga, now deceased and his widow lives in
Eaton Rapids; John is a resident of Onondaga township; William resides in Leslie;
Edward was a resident of Tompkins Center,
Jackson county, now deceased; Becky, the
wife of Levi Chapin, resided in Chicago, deceased; Elizabeth, the wife of J. Joles of this
township, deceased.
Thomas Harwood never became naturalized. He was an upright and honest man
and although never a member of a church,
was a great student of the Bible. Our subject was but fourteen years old when his
father died.  The property was placed in
the hands of the oldest brother, John, until
the youngest came of age. At the time of
the division, George Harwood came into
possession of one hundred and twenty acres
where he now resides. He has since added
ninety acres, across the line in Jackson
county. He was united in marriage in I859
to Miss Lovan, daughter of Mr. and Mrs.
Thomas Baldwin of Onondaga Township.
To this union two children were born:
Clara, now tlle wife of George Strong of
Onondaga and they have one child, Mollie,
w\hile the second, a babe died in infancy.
The wife and mother of these children died
in 1872.
Mr. Harwood was remarried, to Miss
Mary Baldwin, a sister of his first wife and
of M. C. Baldwin. The outcome of this
iunion was three children, as follows:
Beecher, an industrious farmer of Onondaga


township, married a Miss Conklin; Luvan,
now the wife of Melcom Clay, also a resident of Onondaga township and a successful
farmer, and a child named George, that die(l
at the age of eighteen months.
Mr. George Harwood is a representative
citizen of his township. His views harmonize with the principles of the Republican
party to which he gives his loyal support.
He has never been a seeker for office, prefering rather to devote his time to his personal matters.  Mr. Harwood has nmale
good use of the legacy left him by his father.
aldding thereto, until he finds himself, in the
decline of life, in very comfortable circumlstances.
While neither Mr. or Mrs. Harwood arc
n-lembers of a church still they are living exemplary Christian lives.
JOHN R. TERRY.
The subject of this review, John R. Te-rr-\,
is a native of the South, his birth havinlg
occurred in the State of Mississippi on the
27th day of Nov., 1875. He is the Soll (,t
George \V. and Clara (Leech) Terry. ald
both were natives of the Empire State. (,
whom more extensive mention is made in
the sketch of Geo. W. Terry.
The early education of John R. Terry \\w,
acquired in the common schools of \Winfield
Onondaga township, and he was marriedl
May 28, 1900, to Jessie F. Harwood, daughl
ter of John and Emeline (Walworth) -larwood. whose sketches appear elsewhere iil
this work.
Our subject has followed farming co" —
tinuously throughout his active b)usines:
career, having resided one year in Jacks(oi
county upon the Tompkins farm and for tl1i
last two years upon the Harwood place.
Mr. Terry is progressive and industrio(ts
and although a young man, has shown re



"I
I




r.'.  ad s: '':.-a


-1::l


DR. CHARLES H. DARROW)




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN


499


markable adaptability towards the completion of his chosen profession.
Unto our subject and wife have been born
)one child, named Harwood. Mr. Terry affiliates with the Republican party, believing
that its men and measures are best adapted
for the government of the people, and.
though representing a younger generation of
agriculturists, he maintains the high regard
of all who know him.
CHARLES H. DARROW           (DECFIASFED).
Charles H. Darrow was born April i6,
1830, near Schenectady, N. Y., where he
grew to manhood and acquired his education. Desiring to enter upon a professional
career, he entered the A\lbany Medical College, receiving his diploma from this institution at the age of twenty-three years. In
1855 he moved to Okemos, Ingham county,
and( there gave his undivided attention to the
)ractice of his profession for the following
nine years, being the only physician in that
locality. Here he built tip a large andl lucrative practice.
In  1:858, Dr. Darrow     was   united
in  marriage  to  Caroline, daughter of
\Vheeler and Margaret Rose of Bath, Clinton county, and to them were born three
children: Minnie, Mamie and Nettie. The
leath of two lovely little girls occurring near
the same time threw a shadow upon the lives
of I)r. and Mrs. Darrow, which was never
fully lifted during the remaining years of
llis life.
In I866 Dr. 'Darrow was elected Register
o)f Deeds for Ingham county, and moved
\ith his family to Mason, which has since
been the family home. He most acceptably
filled this office for four years. Later on he
was engaged in the mercantile business, and
here he erected a substantial brick block,
standing on the corner of Oak and Main


streets, known as the Darrow Block. He also
purchased a wild section of land, being the
entire body of section 21 of Vevay township,
and here erected a saw mill, and cut the lumler, and today this section embraces several
good farms, well improved, eighty acres of
whicl are among Mrs. I)arrow's holdings.
Dr. Darrow represented the Township of
Meridian on the Board of Supervisors, and
always took an active interest in local politics. For quite a number of years he was the
trusted leader of the Republican party in
this locality, and served as Chairman of the
County Committee. He was a safe counsellor, possessing good judgment, and his
opinion carried great weight. Deliberate in
action, moderate in expression, his conclusions were generally correct. He was one
of the Knights Templars of Lansing. Dr.
Darrow, for many years, was a faithful
member of the Presbyterian church, contributing generously of his means towlards its
maintenance. He served several years as a
member on the Board of Pension Examiners.
Dr. Darrow was an all around useful man.
In matters of business his wordl was as good
as a bond, and the place made vacant by
his death has never been filled.
Mrs. Darrow's parents were pioneers of
Clinton county, and her father is credited
with giving the town of Bath its name. He
also built the first saw-mill in Okemos. He
*died xwhile Mrs. Darrow was a child of three
years.  Her youngest brother the Hon. W.
H. Rose, now owns the old homestead. He
served his district in the State Legislature
some years since, and was for four years
treasurer of Clinton county. In November,
1904, he was elected commissioner of the
State Land Office.
The doctor by frugality and strict attention to business was enabled to accumulate a
comfortable competence so that his widow
is now able to enjoy all the comforts and




500


PAST AND PRESENT


luxuries of life. He lies buried in the family
lot in Maple Grove cemetery, and a beautiful stone marks his last resting place.
"To slumber in that dreamless bed
Freed from all life's toil."
RICHARD B. HUNTOON.
A goodly number of veterans of the late
war that were drawn from Ingham County
still survive and offer a bright example to
the young men who are coming up today,
of the disinterested loyalty that prompted
them to throw all into the balance with the
chances of war, for at that time there was no
assurance or remuneration for services and
it was certain that many would sacrifice
their lives. Our subject was one of the most
valiant and faithful of the regiment that
went out from the State.
Richard B. Huntoon was born in Orleans
County, N. Y., October 20, I826, the son of
Isaac F. and Mary Ann Huntoon, the father
having been born in Vermont and the mother
in New Hampshire. Soon after their marriage Isaac Huntoon and wife went to New
York, where he was for a time captain of a
schooner and later a farmer. Hearing the
glowing accounts of opportunities offered in
the west, they emigrated to Michigan in
1841 and settled in Leslie township, where
Huntoon Lake is situated, the lake having
been named after these early settlers. Mr.
Huntoon with his wife and nine children,
came up Lake Erie, then to Ann Arbor on
the cars, completing their journey to Leslie
township by ox team. The land was completely covered with woods and in a wild
state and by many hard days' labor was
finally cleared up and made ready for use.
Here on this farm the father and mother
lived until their death, which occurred in
1869 and I848 respectively. Isaac Huntoon


was a staunch supporter of the Democracy.
Our subject, R. B. Huntoon, was the seventlh son in succession and so was always
called "Doctor."  He went to school and
acquired his early education in a building
which he helped to construct. At the first
election in which Mr. Huntoon was interested, there were three tickets in the field.
Whig, Democrat and      Abolitionist and
thirty votes were cast, some one from each
ticket being elected.
Richard B. Huntoon started out for himself by working by the month on a farm and
from this enlisted in the service in 1862, in
Co. D, 27th Michigan Volunteer Infantry.
He saw active service at the siege of Vicksburg, Jackson, Miss., siege of Knoxville,
Fort Saunders, Wilderness, Petersburg,
Fort Steadman, Ox Ford and Cold Harbor
were the principal battles in which he was
engaged. Our subject was never wounde(d
but took the typhoid fever and was in the
hospital sixty days at Baltimore, from whicl
sickness he lost his eyesight. He was discharged in 1865 and came home, when lie
worked on a farm four years and then calmet
to Leslie and worked by the day until his
health failed him, since which time he lhabeen unable to work. He at present draws:
as large a pension as any one in his town.
R. B. Huntoon was married July 5, i868.
to Jane M. Jefferds, born April 4, 1840, aln
the daughter of Luther Jefferds of Les
lie. He was born in Monroe county, Ne\\
York, was a farmer, and came to Waslltenaw county at an early day. He came t,
Ingham county in 1865 and (lied at Leslie il
1878. Mrs. Huntoon was the youngest of
four children and she suffered the loss of her
mother when but six years of age.
To our subject and wife were born two
children, Myron J., born December 29, I869.
and died October 2, 1870, and Grace G.,
born July 2I, 187I, died at birth. They have








RICHARD B. HUNTOON




AIRS. RICHARD B. HUNTOON




%.




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


501


an adopted son, Merton J., born February
4, 1872, who was married February 23,
1896, to Miss Mabel A., daughter of George
Laberteaux of Bunker Hill township. and
they have two children: Harold Richard,
born August 26, I899, and Malllon Roosevelt, born April 30 of the year I903.
R. B. Huntoon is a member of the Congregational church and his wife of the Baptist. Our subject is a member of the G. A.
R. of Leslie and since I864 has been a Republican and has always taken an active interest in the political welfare of the community.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Huntoon are very
proud of the record made by their ancestors
in the wars of the country. Mr. Huntoon is
from the Revolutionary stock and had one
brother in the Civil War and his father and
two uncles fought in the War of 1812, as
did also the father and uncles of Mrs. Huntoon.
A long residence in the town of Leslie and
many acts of kindness and charity have wvon
for Mr. and Mrs. Huntoon many warm
friends, Awho wish for them many years of
happiness.
HARLAN P. TOWNER.
Harlan P. Towner was born at Byron,
Michigan, in Shiawassee county, April i,
1841. He is the son of Isaac B., a native of
New   York, and Julia (Epley) Towner,
\whose mother was a native of Germany.
Our subject's father came to Michigan with
his parents in the early (lays, where he
learned the trade of carpenter and millwright. Our subject's grandfather, Daniel
Towner, served in the Revolutionary War.
A brother of Daniel Towner bought Long
Island from the Government and owned it
for several years.
Our subject's parents were married in


Pinckney, and for several years his father
was engaged in his trade at that place. He
built the mill at DeWitt, Clinton county.
Isaac Towner bought forty acres of wild
Government land in Bath township, and afterwards sold this and bought one hundred
and eleven acres near Pine Lake in Meridian
township, where he lived until his death at
the age of sixty-nine years.  He was a
Democrat, though never an office holder.
He was a member of the U. B. church, while
his wife was a Methodist.
Harlan Towner was the second of a family of eleven children: William D., left home
at nineteen and became a minister in the U.
B. church, and died in I862; our subject;
Alonzo, lives in Locke township, Ingham
county. His first wife was Frances Abel,
and the second, Eva Gundman. There was
one child by the first marriage and four by
the second; Frances E., died at the age of
fifteen years; Olive, married first, William
Troop, who was killed in the war, and afterward Richard Reynolds. She has one child
by the first marriage and three by the
second; Etta, the wife of George Bisbee,
a Baptist minister in Georgia; Charles
Towner lives in Bath township, married
Nora Smith, and has four children: Rose,
the wife of Charles Peterson, lives in Meridian on a farm and had eight children;
James I., a Baptist minister at MIayville,
Tuscola county.
Our subject lived with his parents until
twenty-one years old, working on the farm
in the summer and attending school in the
winter. He bought forty acres of wild land
in Bath township, Clinton county. March
28, 1864, he enlisted in Co. D, 4th Michigan
Infantry, and served sixteen months and was
mustered out at Louisville, Ky., discharged
at Detroit, and was in the battles of Jonesboro, seige of Atlanta, Bentonville and
Goldsberg, N. C. After the war he sold the




502


PAST AND PRESENT


fo(rty acres andl lbought (oe hun(lred and
sixty acres of wild land in Meridian townsIlil). Eigihty acres ()f tilis he sold, and with
the n(money lilt an(l imp)rove(l the remaillinug part of llis l)rol)erty. Here lie live(l until three years ago), when he moved t(o tlazlett Park, where lie eand his \vife now\ resi(le.
HI-arlan P. ITowner was married Maya  3,
I8 (6, to:Emelille H-aulman, born in Ohio.
March 27. 1843. Sle was an only child and
her mothler dlie(l when she was nine years
ol(, when she xwent to live with an atunt.
To'I()  r subject an(l wife was 1)orn three
childrell: Jessie L., l)orn Sept. 7, I87i, marriedl I saac Thatcler. and tlhe are the parents
{of nine children, six (of \wvllh  are living;
I)aisy, larrie(l James Kaiser;  Kirk, aged
twentv-seven marrie(l Rubv Calkin. and lives
(n the o:1( homllestead.
()lr sluject was for twelnt years a Re)publican. tlhen becanme a P-r(ohilbitionmist, believilng ill the princilles of that party.  FIe
hlas lmany times beel a can(li(late for office,
but never elected.  Mr. and Mrs. Towner
are mlemlers (of the Btalptist church and are
highly esteemed in their com:lmuniitv. A\s a
rewarll for his services in (lefense (of the!Lnionl, Mr. Toiwner d(raws a gool pensio
from- the Governmlent.
\\as sun struck- July 4, I864, inl CGeorgia, a(l lnlay between life andl dleath for several (lays.  Came near b)eilng- buried alive
when found uinconscious after stroke.
A\L'RT J. HALL.
A.lbert J. Hall has figured conlslicuouslx
anld honorlabl)ly in co()nnectio)n with the publlic
interests and su)stantial (levelol)pment of the
City of Mason and Inglham c(ounty. No history of this locality would be complete without a record of his career. To say of him
that lie arose from comparative obscurity to
rankl among the successful men of this part


of tle state is a statemelit that seems trite to
those familiar with hlis life.  It is but just
to say in a history that woull (lescenl(l to
future generations that his business record( is
one that any man might be pr(oud to possess.
lBeginlling at the bottom round (of the ladder
lie has steadily advace(l stel) by stel) until
lie now  C occupies his present positionl of trust
a:(l cofidlence.  Born inl Mason on tle 8th
lda  o(f Felbruary, 1862, lie is the son (Oi
)lobert I-all, who was a native (of I:'einsvl\valiai, as was also his m(other.  They wee
Ilarrie(l in that state an(l elligrated \\estwardl anid settled in Tnglham county in tlhe
year 1854.   I'le fattier followed the occul)ation of c-arpenter and cabinlet maker and was
the first unldertaker in the village of Mas(on.
The father learnedl his trade inl Georgia.
where lie reside(l for somle years, but was
ollige(l t) leave the state (o  account1t of attempl)tiln  to teach a coloredl )bo  to read, as it
was consi(lere(d a great crime at that timie to
a(lvance the educational interests of the colore(l race, especially so( 1)y the southern 1)eh,pIe.
Rfo()bert Hall (lie(l when his sXOn Albert was
1)ut eighlt lmolnths o((l.  In reslponse to lhis
c(ountry's call lie enlistedl in Co. A, 9tlh Nlicl —
igan Cavalry, in which he saw eight months
of active service lwhen lie was strickenl (dl(w
al.,d (lie(l at the Nashville hospital, anl s(o ii
was that (our sublject foundl it necessary tc
(lel)end(l up)(  his own resources at an early
age of chil(dhoodl.
\Albert J. H-all is the youngest of a famili
(of five children: The oldest, Benjalin
Franklin, (lie(l in   infancy   the  secoinl.
Emmna, dleceased wvife of H. -ff. Terwilliger.
of Montague, Muskegonl county, who l(lie(l
February 2-, g1905   the third, C. H:., born
January 13, T858, and died Sel)teml)er (6,
1901. All the (lecease(l are buried in M alp)l
Grove cemetery, excepting the father, lie is
b)uried in National cemetery at Nashville.




f,


7          f     "I.
t
AL                        4


fI SAC H U NTo( )()












I uo)U S(~-  Td     "IJ FLULI


9  :
r-,., Ole
I
Z., 
I 1:     P.
 Ai


z




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


503


T'ennlessee.  The fourtl, Louisa, lorn I86o,
(lie(l Novemllber 2, 1874, and the fifth,
11ur subject, \-lhose early education was acluire(l at the commollnii schIol(s ill Mas(oi acnd
al!s( tihe I\as(on lli(-  school.  \\When thlirteen years of ag-e lie found emplolyment in a
-rocerlv  sto)re, \where he vorke(l for eleven
cillseicutive years.  On the seventh day of
fule, 188i7   lie found elml)lovmlent in the
aimarulers-  anllk, gainii'g a practical knowle(dlge of general l)o()ikkleepilng and gteneral
busilless. Inl 189  lie l)ecaile its cashier and
S )o)il atfterward(s a sto(ckllol(ler and director
in tilis instituito(n.
()1 tile i 2th (lay of June, 1883. Mr. H1all
was unite(l ill marriage to     Katherine E.
Sllitll. w\1  (lie(l Janluary 23, 1892, anl is
als(o buried ill Maple Grove cemetery. Unto
this iunio(n was born one child(l, Winifred, a
lgraduate of thle Mlason lig'ih lchool. O()  tle
8tl day ovf \pril. 1894. Mr. tall was aainl
l    -arried, to A11-rs. d\(all 1Racklhami Co((ok. T'llis
Inliol lias heen   b)lesse(l witll one child,
I lorace A.. now at home and(l a stud(lent ill the
\lason hig-ll scl()(ool.
1 I r. Hall is a Mlason al(nd belongs to the
Blue I,()lge, No. 70, (f Mason; also of the
Ro(val Arcanulm, Maccabees an(l of the Folresters.  lie affiliates witll the Republ)ican
p)arty a1(nd 1as taken an active interest il
pllitics, and as aii e vidleice ()f thle hlig'l
esteell ill hllich lie is llel(1 1) hlis fellow
citizens lIas leen cllonored \itll tlie office of
City ']lreasurer for two terms. lie lias also
b1een treasurer an(l chai'irmalln of tlle finance
co(,llmittee (of tlhe B;aptist clurch for 1 5 years.
5I1r. I all lias talken a (lee) anl( aictive illterest ill clhurcl andlll sunda  scloo)l work in llis
native cit, llavin l)eenl an active Imemller
(of tlie chllurch for tlhe last twenty-two years,
andl( (luring that tinie has servedl eighteen
years as sul)erintenllent of Sunday school.
Tlie strong traits of his character are such
as have endeared hlim to all with whioml hle


lias colme il contact.  H-e is a soul of honor
aIl(l ilitegrity ill business and private life
ai(l a imall o(f lbroatl humallnitarian principles
an(l gives geller()usly for tie pbl)lic goo)(l.
FIaithful ill friel(ldship atl(l (levoted to his
familv lie staii(ls as a hligll tyl)e of our cllival-rous Americall man1111ood.
MIembl)er of tlie Sciloo(l IB(ardl for past t12
veatrs an(l is lnow all ilicutlim)elt (of tlhat ()fice.
MAJOR JOH N S. - LSTON ( I)iCA.Sv1).
Jo)lll S. HItstoiln was 1)orni in Geileva coulnty, New York, October 19, 1823, a13,d (lied il
Lero(v townlshi:), Ingllla coluiltv, July 30,
1893.   Iajo)rl- olil "-tLuIsto()l \was of ScotclhIrish (lescellt —his father hlaviing elligrated
from  tll e 15mieral Isle whlel a v(young man
ail(l settled in tile State of New York.  Hlis
otlller (lescell(le(l f1rom( Scotcll ailcest(:)rs.
The fattier, Janles   lustol caine to MIiciligail at anl early (da a(l settled upl(n a farm.
'ITlie mlotlher's laidlell 1lalme     as  \lal(l
Sp rinlgstea (.,Botli parenlts have b)een (lea(l
several years ail(l little is knioilvl (f the activities of tlleir lives.
Alajor  o(hll S. I-ust(ol was a    lmail of
striomlg )e-rsonality-was well educated, a-id
for nlearlv half a ceinturyt was associate( witll
scl()()l work as teaclher. officer an(l scl1ol)(
colillmissioner o(f llngham  couity.  IIe was
for a timle engaged in tile (drug tradle in the
Villag e of \\Villiamllstoll al(l also practiced
me(licille for somlle years. I'or eleven years
lie was a mllembl)er of tlie I3Boar(l of Supervis(ors (an(l chairmain of tlie board folr nine years.
HIis very ullusual mllajorities when a cal(li(late for office were very complimenltary to
Ilis al)ilitv and faithfulless as a public servailt.
October 14, 1862, lie was mustered in as
Major of the 7tll MAiclhigan Cavalry and
served under tile gallant Custer in the Michigalln briga(le.  It is recorded of him   thlat




504


PAST AND PRESENT


with his command he participated in twentyone battles and skirmishes. He was for a
time confined to a hospital by reason of sickness and was finally mustered out of service
and honorably discharged February 13,
1864.
Major Huston was twice married-his
first wife, Miss Kate Springstead, lived but
a few years after their marriage and died
May 14, I866. His second marriage occurred
May 14, I866, to Mrs. Martha Putnam of
Leroy township. She was the daughter of
Alden and Penelope Cooper Smith, highly respected pioneers of Ingham county. Of this
union three children were born: Grace E.,
unmarried, born March 21, I867, lives at
Colorado Springs, Colo.; Frederick W.,
born February 6, I870, died January 6,
I893; Frank J., born October 3, I875, now
a resident of New Mexico.
Mrs. Huston's father, Alden Smith, was
born in the State of New York and moved to
Michigan with his family in the year 1836,
and settled in the township of Stockbridge.
He took up one hundred and sixty acres of
wild timbered land-this he improved and
made it the family home for many years.
His health failing, he disposed of his farm
and with his wife spent the declining years
of their life with their daughter, Mrs. Huston. The father died December 24, I895,
and the mother died February II, I885;
both rest in the cemetery at Dansville.
Mrs. Huston recalls the fact that her
father gave the land for the site of the first
school building erected in that neighborhood. Mrs. Putnam grew to womanhood
in Stockbridge township and has a good fund
of genuine pioneer remembrances that came
into her experience in early life. Mrs. Huston was twice married. Her first husband,
William M. Putnam, to whom she was
united in marriage March 12, I854, lived
but ten years after this and died June 30,


1864.  Three children were born of this
union, all living: Alice A., born April i9,
I855, now the wife of Charles A. Smith of
Leroy; Lester R., a successful farmer residing near Pine Lake; Emma J., wife of A.
L. Rose, of Mason, editor and proprietor of
the Ingham county News.
Alden Smith was present at the organization of the Republican party at Jackson, and
was ever after a firm advocate of its principles and always voted the Republican
ticket.
Since I898 Mrs. Huston has made her
home in the Village of Williamston. She is
one of the oldest settlers now living in the
county. She is an interesting conversationalist and a lady of refinement. The Baptist
society is her church home. Ripe in years
and faith she is enjoying to a good measure
the closing years of an active life.
H. D. FELTON.
It is one of the plain duties of the citizen
of today to leave to posterity in as permanent
form as possible his personal biography and
family genealogy.
Fabulous sums are being offered for data
to perfect the family records. In no form
could the same amount of money be invested
so as to give to posterity the pleasure and
satisfaction as that invested in this volume.
Next to the sacred book, it becomes a household treasure. In a volume of this character
are to be found the names and faces of the
men and women who came from comfortable homes in the far east to endure the
hardships and privations incident to a life
on the front line of civilization. Only a little
more than half a century ago Ingham county
was a wilderness, the hardy pioneer occupied
his time for the most part clearing away the
forest, and burning in huge heaps logs,








MAJ. JOHN S. HUSTON






r777:i:
~-:::
-i::::::::::
_i::::: ----;: ----:-: —i -—::r —: - —:-iii: —_: -ii-i-:i ---: —::::
-:::::i-i:i::i::::::::::i-
ii:i_ ii:I:
i: —i::::: -:-::- -:
-i:-:::::


" k. I'M WMEM


MRS. MARTHA F. HUSTON








INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


505


which, if standing today, would exceed in
value the cleared land with all improvements. One unfamiliar with the facts could
scarcely appreciate the transition through
which the county has passed within the last
half century.
H. D. Felton was a pioneer, the son of a
pioneer. Mr. Felton was born in the Township of Stockbridge, Ingham county, July
23, I849. He was one of two children born
to Daniel and Margaret (Hay) Felton. The
parents were natives of the Empire State,
came to Michigan in the early forties and
settled upon a tract of land in the Township
of Stockbridge.
In the year 1850, when the California
gold fever was raging throughout the country, Daniel Felton, with thousands of others,
made the overland trip to that land of promise, where he remained for thirty-seven
years. He returned to his family in the year
I883, he died in the year I899, aged eightythree years.  Chester, the only brother of
our subject, was born June, 1847, at Stockbridge, now a resident of the State of Idaho.
The mother lived to the age of sixty-four
years, died in i896, loved and revered for
her many virtues. Her father, John Hay,
lived to the advanced age of one hundred and
seven years. He was a resident of the State
of Wisconsin at the time of his death. He
lived in Ingham county until after he crossed
the century line. Mr. Felton received his
primary education in Stockbridge, later attended school at Lansing, and wound up
with a course in a commercial college in the
same city.
H. D. Felton enlisted in Co. D, of the
28th Mich. Infantry, Sept. I, 1864, at the
organization of the regiment  While the
28th Infantry was among the later regiments
called into service its experiences under fire
of the enemy was sufficient to "fully establish its reputation as a gallant fighting regi

ment, and reached the uniform high standard of Michigan troops." He was mustered
out with his command at Raleigh, N. C..
June 5, I866, by reason of the close of the
war, and under Col. Shaffer, took up its
march for Detroit, where it was paid off and
disbanded.
Returning to civil life Mr. Felton attended
school, as above stated, after which he was
variously  occupied.  On  the  Ioth   of
October, I873, he was united in marriage
to Miss Sarah, daughter of Mr. and Mrs.
Benjamin Guile of Alaiedon township. In
the year [876 he purchased eighty acres of
unimproved land, section 8, of Alaiedon.
The location is fine, the buildings are neat,
commodious and attractive. He carries on
general and mixed farming, and makes a
success of it.  Seven children have been
born to Mr. and Mrs. Felton, six of whom
are living. Their names and other data of
interest is here given: Orah, born May, 24,
1875, wife of Joseph Beaumont of Alaiedon
township; Stella, born February 8, I877.
the wife of William Neibling; Ariel, born
April I8, 1879, married Chas. Folar, Jr.,
(lied July 13, I899; Effie, born January 22,
i88i, wife of George Beaumont. The Beaumont brothers married Felton sisters. Ben,
the only son, born June 29, I883, now at
home. Goldie, born November 3, 1885, is
the second wife of Chas. Folar, Jr. Hope,
born June 29, I888, the junior member of
the family, is still under the paternal roof
with her parents.  Mr. Felton's first wife
(lied Feb. 17, 1891. She was the mother of
his children. The memory of her unselfish
life and devotion to her family lingers as a
benediction to them all. June 13, I894, Mr.
Felton was married to Miss Frances Yaus,
daughter of Win. Yaus, a native of Wurtemberg, Germany, who emigrated to America when a lad, and was for several years a
respected citizen of Alaiedon township, now




506


PAST AND PRESENT


deceased. The mother was the daughter of
E. D. Colbath.
In politics Mr. Felton is enthusiastically
Republican, takes a lively interest in local
politics, and cheers when his party wins out.
Was at one time elected Supervisor of his
township, as he put it, but "was counted
out by the opposition.'  His friends, the
enemy, will do well to remember that this is
not a "closed issue." He was for five years
an engineer on the railroad. His father was
one of the gang that surveyed the land
where the city of Mason now stands. The
years of the life of H. D. Felton have been
years of activity. His name will be recorded
among the number of those who have given
honest toil to help "to make the wilderness
blossom as the rose," and will go down to
posterity as one who in time of his country's
need stood by her in defense of civil liberty.
HON. JOHN THOMAS         (DDECEASED).
The subject of this review figured conspicuously in the pioneer history' of Lansing
and Ingham county, and also in the early
history of the State. A native of Pennsylvania, he was born in I8Io, and was a son
of Griffith Thomas, who was a farmer by
occupation, which he followed until his
death, which occurred at the age of ninety
years.
When a young man he went to Yates
county, N. Y., where he found employment
as a clerk in a dry goods store owned by
a Mr. Eben Smith- Being ambitious and
showing a marked capability for the business, he was eventually taken into partnership with Mr. Smith, and there remained
for six years. In the meantime he was united in marriage to Miss Ann Lawrence,
daughter of Samuel Lawrence of Yates
county, N. Y. This union was blessed with
ten children.  In I836 they removed to


Michigan and settled twenty miles west of
Detroit in Oakland county.
Our subject was a man of strong personality, kind and hospitable in manner and
made friends readily, and became quite
prominent and successful.
In 1846 he represented his locality in the
Legislature at Detroit. He was one of those
that voted for the removal of the capitol
to Lansing. In later years he became identified in business in the capital city, in which
he continued for six years.  He also became interested in this city in extensive purchases of land, and built one of the earlier
hotels in the capital city, which was called
the Benton House. He died in Lansing, at
the Hudson House, and there passed away
one of the old pioneer citizens, who left the
impress of his individuality upon the community where he resided. Having spent almost his entire life in Michigan, he had a
wide acquaintance within its borders, and
his strength of character, his honorable conduct and his fidelity to manly principles
made him one of the representative and valued citizens.
GILBERT H. GAY.
The gentleman whose name graces the
top of this page is a product of the Wolverine State, having been born at Summerset,
Hillsdale county, September I, I858. 1is
father, Edward A. Gay, was born in the
cultured city of Boston in the old Bay State.
April 19, 1829, and his mother, whose maiden name was Almira I. Root, was born at
Auburn, N. Y., September 29, the same year.
The grandfather of our subject, Timothy
Gay, was a native of Boston, where he was
born October 27, I8o0. He died September
3, 1882.  His wife's maiden name was
Nancy Green. Timothy Gay and his wife
came to Hillsdale county, Michigan, in I833,








JOHN THOMAS (Deceased)




I
I




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


507


and to)ok up land from  the government.
\N\hen the time came to prove up on his land
lie made the trip to the government land
office at Detroit on foot.
IIn an early day our sulject's father engagedl in farming. This did not prove exactly to his liking. He sold out and engaged
in the manufacture of machinery at Hudson,
Michigan. This he continued for a time
wlhen lie disposed of the business and entere(l upon the practice of medicine, having
in the meantime fitted himself for the practice of the profession. About the year 1870
he alandoned his practice and was ordained
as a minister of the gospel in the Baptist
delnomination and entered upon the work of
tlhe ministry. He served several important
charges, among them Bronson, Branch county, Plymouth, Chelsea for ten years, Allegan
and Otsego, where he died in October, I891.
He was a man of fine personal presence, a
good speaker, and by his kindly manner won
many friends and accomplished good work
for Him  whom   he served.  His devoted
wife preceded him to the land beyond, having passed away August 19, I876.
The Rev. Gay was educated in his native
city of Boston. The Rev. and Mrs. Gay were
tle parents of three children, as follows:
Clement A.. born October i6, 1854, he married Alma Haight, they have had three children born to them: Grace, deceased; Gertrude, and John G.; they reside at Zion City.
11. Gilbert H., born September i, 1858,
and Edward M., born January 24, I866.
He married Lulu Cook, they have one child,
Cecil; their home is in Muskegon, Michigan.
Our subject's father was twice married.
the second time to Amy L. Winans.    Of
this union one child, Carroll W., was born
August 17, 1878. Young Carroll Gay met
a premature death at Allegan by the bursting of a grindstone.
Gilbert H. Gay received his education in


the graded schools of Hudson and Chelsea.
He began life for himself at the age of fifteen years. He first found employment as a
farm hand and was later employed in a general store at Chelsea.  For four years he
served as clerk in the postoffice in that village.
February 15, i886, lie went into the employ of George P. Glazier of Chelsea and
took charge of the Commercial Bank of
Stockbridge, since which time he has managed its affairs in a careful and businesslike manner.
In 1891 he was admitted to partnership
in the business, a merited compliment to his
integrity and industry.
Mr. Gay was happily married March 24,
i886, to Miss Helen, daughter of Jay and
Susan Ann (Smith) Everett of Chelsea.
The family were natives of Washtenaw
county, Michigan, and Rochester, N. Y., rerespectively.
Four children have come to bless the lives
of Mr. and Mrs. Gay, and all are still under
the parental roof: Jesse, born at Chelsea,
October 13, 1887; Lindsley, born at Stockbridge, July 6, 1890; Gilbert Maurice, born
at Stockbridge, March 19, 1894; Welland.
born at Stockbridge, January 17, I896.
Mrs. Gay's parents were married in
Washtenaw county, September 25, I850. The
father was born October 2, 1827, and the
mother, November 21, I828.    Mrs. Gay
dates her birth from November 12, 1859.
Mr. Everett was a farmer by occupation.
He began his farming operations on the old
homestead in Washtenaw county. This land
his father, John Everett, took up from the
government. The premises are now in the
possession of Howard Everett, a brother of
Mrs. Gay. Mr. Jay Everett is still a land
holder in Washtenaw county, though he has
made Chelsea the family home for the past
twenty years. Mr. and Mrs. Everett have




508


PAST AND PRESENT


had born to them eight children, seven of
whom are still living. The following data
concerning the family is given:
Howard, born in California, October I,
1854; Carrie, born in California, March 8,
I855, she married Dr. F. H. Coe, who died
in 1904; Henry, born February 28, I857, in
Washtenaw county; John J., died in infancy; Helen, born November 12, 1859;
Jessie, born October 9, I86I, lives with her
parents in Chelsea; Irene, born July 24,
1863, now the wife of Rev. R. C. Fenner,
pastor of the Baptist church at Cadillac,
Mich.; Fred, born December 23, I865, a
resident of Seattle, Wash.
In the year 1900, Mrs. Gay's parents celebrated their golden wedding.  They are
highly respected people, active in religious
work and are connected with the Baptist
church.
In the year 185I Mr. Jay Everett went to
California, making the trip around Cape
Horn. Mrs. Everett followed the next year,
crossing the Isthmus. They remained for
several years when Mr. Everett was employed in mining and fruit growing, making
a success of both.  Since his residence in
Stockbridge, Mr. Gay has steadily grown in
popular favor as a man of affairs and as a
Christian gentleman. For many years he
has been identified with church and Sundav
school work, having been for years officially
connected with both. As a man of business
he is courteous and painstaking. As a citizen his influence is always on the right side
of every moral question. As the years have
gone by he has steadily grown in public confidence and esteem. For four years he was
Township Treasurer; for the past two years
Village President, elected by a popular vote
on the temperance ticket. In the social and
religious circle of Stockbridge, Mr. and Mrs.
Gay are among the most highly appreciated.
Mr. Gay has great reason for personal


congratulation at the success he has attained
in his business affairs, and his many friends
wish for him the realization of his fondest
ambitions.
JOSEPH B. MOORE, M.A.. LL.D.
Joseph B. Moore, M.A.. LL.D., who has
gained a high reputation as a politician,
legislator, and judge, was born in the Village of Commerce, Oakland county, Michigan, November 3, 1845. His father was
Jacob J. Moore, a furniture manufacturer,
farmer, and lumberman, and his mother,
Hapsabeth Gillett Moore. His father's family came from Wales at an early period in the
history of the country and settled in New
Jersey. His grandfather Moore was.a soldier in the War of 1812. His father moved
to Michigan in 1833 and settled near Utica.
in Macomb county, afterward lived in Lapeer county for a short time, and later at
Walled Lake, Oakland county, and was nearly eighty-eight years old when he died. The
son received his education in the district
schools with four terms at Hillsdale College and one year in the Law Department of
Michigan University. From the age of fourteen to nineteen, he worked in his father's
saw mill, doing the work of a mill hand and
in the evenings read a copy of Blackstone.
loaned him by the late James D. Bateman.
a county lawyer, then living at Walled Lake.
For three succeeding winters he taught
district school at Moscow Plains, Hillsdale
county, Rough and Ready Corners, W\ayne
county, and Walled Lake, Oakland county.
attending school at Hillsdale during the
spring and fall terms. The college afterward conferred upon him the honorary degree of M.A. In I903 it conferred upon
him the degree of LL.D.
Mr. Moore tried to be soldier but didn't
succeed. When the war broke out an older




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


509


brother enlisted. The two boys who were
left at home, wanted to go to the front also.
The family could spare but one of them,
however, and Joseph was the one to take the
chance. He went at once to Detroit, where
he enlisted in the 30th Michigan Infantry.
He was in barracks but ten days, when to
his great disappointment, the surgeon refused to accept him and sent him back home.
The next day after the surgeon's edict, the
other brother went to Detroit, enlisted in
the 22nd Michigan Infantry and served
faithfully until the close of the war. Judge
Moore is popular with the old soldiers and
has made many Memorial Day addresses.
Mr. Moore was admitted to the practice
of law at Lapeer in the Fall of I869, and at
once obtained a lucrative business. In 1878
he was elected a member of the State Senate,
and was a colleague of Senators McElroy of
St. Clair, Stephenson of Menominee, Farr of
Ottawa, J. Webster Clilds of Washtenaw,
and T. \V. Palmer of Detroit. He declined,
blecause of professional work, a renomination to the Senate. He was elected Mayor of
Lapeer in the spring of 1874. In the fall of
1872 he was elected Prosecuting Attorney
and was reelected in 1874. In 1884 he was
a Republican. presidential elector-at-large.
Though not an active candidate, he came
within five votes of being nonminated for congress in i886. In the spring of 1887 he was
elected Circuit Judge, and was reelected six
years later. In 1891, lie with Hon. Albert
K. Smiley, of New York, and Prof. C. C.
Painter of Great Barrington, Mass., was appointed a conmmission to select lands for
permanent reservations for the Mission Indians of California. This work had the approval of Congress and of President Harrison. In 1895 he was elected Judge of the
Supreme Court by a very large majority.
Mr. Moore has been a Republican ever
since he became a voter, his first vote being


for General Grant. Until he became a Supreme Court Justice, for more than twenty
years he attended as a delegate, every State
Republican convention. He was an intimate
friend of Hon. John T. Rich and presented
his name in nomination at the Jackson convention in I880, at Detroit iln 890, and
again at Saginaw in i892, when Mr. Rich
was nominated.
Mr. and Mrs. Moore have done considerable traveling, having visited nearly every
city of prominence in the United States and
the Canadas.  In I890 they spent several
nonths in Great Britian and on the continent and repeated the visit in I895.
Mr. Moore is a member of the Michigan
Club, Michigan   State  Bar Association,
American Social Science Association, A. K.
P. Society of Hillsdale College, Grand River
Boat Club of Lansing, and President of the
U. and I. Club -of Lansing. December 3,
1872, he miarriedl Miss Ella L. Bentley, but
has no children.
Although attaining distinction as a politician an(l legislator, Judge Moore's chief
and mnost enduring fame will be upon his
career on the bench. Of his work as a lawyer
and afterwards as Circuit Judge, the leading
paper in his county said in 1895: "le was a
diligent and successful trial lawyer, appearing as the attorney of record in upwards of
six hundred cases in courts of record, and
assisted in the trial of many more, a number of thein of more than local importance.
In his seven years' experience as Judge, he
has heard and disposed of four hundred and
seventy criminal and fifteen hundred civil
cases, among them the Young murder case
and the celebrated election case of Reynolds
vs. May. This work has been so well done
that but two criminal cases and thirteen
civil cases have been reversed by the Supreme Court." Commenting on these facts,
"Bench and Bar" of Michigan, a book which




510


PAST AND PRESENT


has passed discriminating judgment upon
many of the leading attorneys and judges of
the State, said: "It proves that Judge Moore
is possessed of an analytical mind and acute
discrimination; that he is thoroughly versed
in the law and has a keen sense of justice;
that his judicial investigations are pursued
with the purpose of arriving at truth and
justice; that he is guided and determined by
an integrity of mind and character, which
cannot be swerved from a line of rectitude.
His worthiness for promotion, both as to
legal qualifications and personal qualities
caused his nomination in the spring of I895,
as the Republican candidate for Justice of
the Supreme Court, and he was elected by
the largest majority ever given a candidate
for that office. His record as a Judge of the
highest nisi priihs court forms a substantial
basis for the prediction that his career upon
the Supreme Bench will be entirely honorable to himself and useful to the State."
The prediction has been amply fulfilled. His
written opinions while upon the Supreme
Court Bench, have been clear in statement,
and have shown a comprehensive grasp of
legal principles while he has been one of the
most industrious members of the most industrious Supreme Court in the country.
JOHN OKEMOS.
The writer, in his boyhood days often
saw "Old Okenos," as he was always called,
and his two sons, Johnny and Jim. He was
respected and well treated by every one; by
even the boys who did not, as boys sometimes do, sacrifice respectful conduct to curiosity. I will not attempt a description of
him, as it is accurately given in a paper that
I intend to copy in this connection, as I think
it highly proper that as good a history as
can be obtained of him should be perpetuated
in all annals of Ingham county, where he


made his home a great part of the time of
his life after his fighting days were over.
It has been claimed that his name was
"O-ge-mah,'" but he was always known as
and called himself "Okemos," and the village of Okemos in this county was named
for him as he was known, that locality having been his favorite camping ground.
The writer thinks all of the following
worthy of preservation, consisting of a
sketch of 0. A. Jenison, an early settler inl
Lansing, published in the State Republican
in its issue of February I, 1879. and an
account by Freeman Bray, a citizen and early
settler in Okemos, taken from Durant's history. Mr. Jenison secured a picture of the
chief, probably the only one ever taken. He
writes:
"Okemos sat for this picture, to my certain knowledge, in 1857, and it has never
been out of my possession from that day
to this. The date of the birth of Okemos
is shrouded in mystery, but the research discloses the fact that he was born at or near
Knagg's Station, on the Shiawassee river.
whtere the Chicago and Northeastern (now
Chicago and Grand Trunk) railroad crosses
that stream.
"At the time of his death lie was said to
be a centenarian, but that is a period few
persols are permitted to reach. In a sketch
of his life, given in the Lansing Republican
in 1871, it is said lie probably took the warpath in 1796. This is the earliest I find of
him in any written history. Judge Littlejohn, in his 'Legends of the Northwest,
introduces him to the reader in 1803.
"The battle of Sandusky, in which Okemios took an active part, was the great event
of his life; and this it was that gave him
his chieftainship, and caused him to be revered by his tribe. For a detailed description of that memorable and bloody fight I
am indebted to B. O. Williams, of Owosso,




'A


CHIEF JOHN OKEMOS




I




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


511


who was for many years an Indian trader,
spoke the Indian language, and received the
story direct from the lips of the old chief.
In relating the story Okemos said:
"'Myself and cousin, Man-e-to-corb-way,
with sixteen other braves, enlisted under the
British flag, formed a scouting, or warparty, and, leaving the upper Raisin, made
our rendezvous at Sandusky.
"'One morning, while lying in ambush
near a road lately cut for the passage of the
American atrmy and supply wagons, we saw
twenty cavalrymen approaching us.  Our
ambush was located on a slight ridge, with
l)rush directly in our front. We immediately decided to attack the Americans, although
they outnumbered us. Our plan was to first
fire and cripple them, and then make a dash
witl the tomnahawk. \Ve waited until they
approached so near that we could count the
buttons on their coats, when firing comi enced.'
"The cavalrymen, with drawn sabres, immediately charged upon the Indians. Okemos and his cousin fought side by side, loading and firing while dodging from one cover
to another. In less than tenl inutes after
the firing began, the sound of a bugle was
heard, and, casting their eyes in the direction of the sound, they saw the road and
woods filled with cavalry. Okemos, in his
descriptions, says:
"'The plumes on their hats looked like a
flock of a thousand pigeons just hovering
for flight.'
"The sniall party of Indians was immediately surrounded, and every man cut
down. All were left for dead on the field.
Okemos and his cousin each had his skull
cloven, and their bodies were gashed in a
fearful manner.  The cavalrymen, before
leaving the field, in order to be sure life was
extinct, wxould lean forward from  their
horses and pierce the chests of the Indians


even into their lungs. The last Okemos remembers was that after emptying one saddle, and springing towards another soldier
with clubbed rifle raised to strike, his head
felt as if being pierced with a red-hot iron,
and he went down from a heavy sabre-cut.
"All knowledge ceased from this time until
many moons afterwards, when he found
himself being nursed by the squaws of his
friends, who had found him on the battlefield two or three days afterwards.  The
squaws thought all were dead, but, upon being lmoved, signs of life were discovered in
Okemos and his cousin, who were at once
taken on litters to a place of safety, and, by
careful nursing, were finally restored to partial health.
"The cousin always remained a cripple.
The iron constitution of Okemos, with which
he was endowed by nature, enabled him to
regain comparative health; but he never took
an active part in another battle, this last one
having satisfied him that 'white man was a
heap poweerful.'
"Shortly after his recovery lie solicited
Col. Godfroy to intercede with Gen. Cass,
and he and other chiefs made a tready with
the Americans, which was faithfully kept.
"Okemos did not obtain his chieftainship
by hereditary descent, but this honor was
conferred upon him   after having passed
through the battle just described. For his
bravery and endurance his tribe considered
him a favorite with the Great Spirit, who
lad preserved his life through such a terrible and trying ordeal.
"The next we hear of Okemos, he had settled with his tribe on the banks of the Shiaxwassee, near the place of his birth, where,
for many years, up to 1837-38, he was engaged in the peaceful avocations of hunting,
fishing, and trading with the white man.
About this time the smallpox broke out
among his tribe, which, together with the




512


PAST AND PRESENT


influx of white settlers, who destroyed their
hunting-grounds, scattered their bands.
"The plaintive, soft notes of the hunter's
flute, made of the red alder, and the sound
of the tom-tom at council-fires, were heard
no more along the banks of your inland
streams. For many years before the tomahawk had been effectually buried, and upon
the final breaking up of the bands, Okemos
became a mendicant, and many a hearty meal
has the old Indian received from the early
settlers of Lansing.
"In his palmy days I should think his
greatest height never exceeded five feet four
inches. He was lithe, wiry, active, intelligent, and possessed undoubted bravery. He
was not, however, an eloquent speaker,
either in council or private conversation, always mumbling his words and speaking with
some hesitation.
"Previous to the breaking up of his band,
in 1837-38, his usual dress consisted of a
blanket-coat, with belt, steel pipe-hatchet, a
tomahawk, and a heavy, long English hunting-knife, stuck in his belt in front, with a
large bone handle prominent outside the
sheath. He had his face painted with vermilion on his cheeks and forehead and over
his eyes; a shawl wound around his head,
turban fashion, together with the leggins
usually worn by Indians, which, during his
lifetime, he never discarded.
"None of his biographers have ever attempted to fix the date of his birth, contenting themselves with the general conviction
that he was a hundred years old. I differ
from them for these reasons, viz: Physically
endowed with a strong constitution, naturally brave and impetuous, and inured to Indian life, we are led to believe that he took
the war-path early in life, and his first introduction to our notice is in I796. I reason
from this that he was born about I775, in
which case he lived about eighty-three years.


Again, the old settlers of Lansing will remember that, up to the latest period of his
having been seen on our streets, his step was
quick and elastic to a degree that is seldom
enjoyed by men of that age.
"He died at his wigwam, a few miles from
this city, and was buried December 5, I858,
at Shim-ni-con, an Indian settlement in lonia
county. His coffin was rude in the extreme,
and in it were placed a pipe, tobacco, a hunting-knife, birds' wings, provisions, etc.
"He surrendered his chieftainship a few
years previous to his death to his son, John,
but never forgot that he was Okemos, once
the chief of a powerful tribe of the Chippewas, and the nephew of Pontiac."
Mr. Bray says Okemos was either part
Tawas (Ottawa) or closely allied to them
by marriage. He hardly thinks he ever lived
on the Shiawassee river, certainly not after
1840. When Mr. Bray settled where the
village of Okemos now is, the chief had his
principal village there, and was at the head
of a mixed band of Tawas,* Pottawattomies,
and Chippewas. All the Indians who took
part with the British in the War of 1812.
Mr. Bray calls "Canada Indians," The band
had a burial-ground on low land now owned
by Mr. Cook, arid used to caclIc their corn
on the knoll where the school building now
stands. Mr. Bray says the Indians planted
corn for two or three years after he settled
at Okemos, on land which he plowed for
them and allowed them to use.
The band remained in the vicinity until
about I845-46, when they became scattered.
Many of those belonging to the Ottawas and
Pottawattomies were picked up by the United States authorities and transported beyond the Missouri river. On one occasion a
band of some 500 were encamped near Mr.
Bray's place, and had among them a number of sick, including several squaws. Mrs.
*The common rendering of Ottawa.




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


513


Bray assisted to take care of one of these,
a young woman apparently in the last stages
of consumption, and afterwards her mother
visited the old ground and made Mrs. Bray
a present as a recompense for what she did
for the sick one.
While this large band were encamped
near, Mr. Bray says a couple of Indians
wiithout arms of any kind made their appearance suddenly from the south. On the same
day they borrowed a few pounds of nails of
Mr. Bray, and the next day they had all
disappeared. It appeared they had borrowed
the nails to make litters on which to transport their sick and aged. The two men were
fugitives from  a detachment of United
States troops, and came to warn the band
that the soldiers were after them.  They
were exceedingly reluctant to leave the country.
Okemos, or his people, had another village
at Shim-ni-con, in lonia county, but the principal one was where the village of Okemos
now stands. After about the year I845 the
band became so reduced by death and the
scattering of its members that the chief had
a very small following, and became eventually a wandering mendicant, traveling
around the country and living on the charity
of the whites. He had a large family, as
did many of the Indians, but they seemed
to die of disease very rapidly. There are
two of the sons of Okemos still living: John,
who succeeded his father as chief of the
band, and Jim. The latter is now a farmer
located some twenty-five miles from Stanton,
in Montcalm or Gratiot county. John always drank considerable and never was anything but an Indian. Mr. Bray relates that
on one occasion he came to his place and
stayed over night with him. In the morning they had griddle-cakes, and Mrs. Bray
had made a large quantity of nice syrup
from white sugar. This so pleased the In33


dian that he kept the women busy for a long
time making cakes for him. He still visits
his old home about once in two years. His
last visit was in I879. John has a son who
is a successful farmer. His father says he
is no Indian, for he will not hunt.
Old Okemos in his wanderings around the
country was generally accompanied by a
troop of pappooses whom he called his children. He was everywhere well treated by
the whites. Mr. Bray says he would never
say anything about his former life, except
he had been drinking.  He says he was
scarcely ever drunk, but took enough to
loosen his tongue, when he would become
very communicative.
His account of the fight where he was so
severely handled by the American cavalry
near Sandusky differs in many particulars
from  that given by B. O. Williams, of
Owosso. Mr. Bray says he told it to him a
great many times, and always told it the
same.
Mr. Bray's recollection of it is that there
were about 300 Indians together.  They
heard that a strong force of cavalry or
mounted men were coming, and a council
of war was held to determine whether they
should attack it. Okemos was not in favor
of it, but told the assembled chiefs and warriors that if they said fight he would fight.
It was decided to fight.
Okemos, Korbish, and other chiefs led
their men into a marsh where there was high
grass, in which they concealed themselves
and awaited the approach of the Americans.
The chief said there was "a heap of them,"
and he distinctly remembered how the leader
looked with his big epaulets. When the Indians fired Okemos said they seemed to have
shot too high, and he thought they did not
kill a man. He said the commander instantly drew his sabre, and, giving the command to charge, they were among the In



514


PAST AND PRESENT


dians so suddenly that they had no time to
reload, and the sabre speedily did its bloody
work. The chief received a tremendous cut
across his back, which Mr. Bray says remained an open sore all his life. When he
came to himself he looked around and could
see no living being. He made a noise like
an owl, but no one answered. He then
imitated a loon, when some one replied to it,
and he found the chief, Korbish, and one
other alive among the crowd of dead. He
thought they were the only ones who were
not killed out of the 300. They got into a
boat and floated down the Sandusky river,
and finally escaped, though they had to pass
within sight of an American fort, perhaps the
one at Lower Sandusky. It was the only open
fight Okemos ever engaged in, though Mr.
Bray says he would boast often, when in
liquor, of how many Americans he had killed
and scalped. He was accustomed to waylay the
express-riders and bearers of dispatches between Detroit and Toledo. His custom was
to listen, and when he heard one coming to
step in behind a convenient tree, and as he
passed suddenly spring upon him from behind and tomahawk him. Mr. Bray thinks
the chief lived to be over one hundred years
of age, and says when in his prime he was
about five feet six or seven inches high and
straight as an arrow. He was never what
might be called a drunkard, but had a spree
occasionally. He agrees with Mr. Jenison
that he died in I858, near DeWitt, in Clinton county, and was buried at Shim-ni-con,
in Ionia county.
In 1852, Mr. Bray made the overland
trip to California from St. Joseph, on the
Missouri river, taking boat to that place
from St. Louis. When about seventy miles
below St. Joseph he met, at a landing on
the river, a number of the Indians whom
he had formerly known in Michigan. They
recognized him at once, and urged him to


come with them to their reservation and stay
with them a week, saying they had plenty
of corn and provisions and he should be welcome, and also offered to furnish him and his
companions with guides to set them on the
trail when they departed. He says he would
have accepted the offer if he could have got
his wagons, goods and team out of the boat;
but they were mostly in the hold and could
not be got at, and he went on to St. Joseph.
Mr. Bray confirms the universal statement
that the squaws performed all the menial
labor. Large numbers of the Indians were
accustomed to visit Okemos each returning
year for the purpose of feeding their dead
at their village burial-ground; and the last
thing before they were removed from the
county was to come and bid them good-by.
On a bleak sixth day of December, I858,
a small train of Indians entered DeWitt, a
village of Clinton county, Michigan, having
with them, drawn upon a hand-sled, the remains of an old chief of the tribe of the
Ottawas. The corpse was that of Okemos,
and they who accompanied it were his only
kindred. They had brought the body from a
favorite hunting-ground of the deceased, upon the Looking Glass river, five miles northeast from DeWitt, where the chief had died
on the previous day. They bought tobacco
and filled the pouch, powder for the hor-n,
and bullets for the bag. They bought, also,
contrary to the usual custom of their race,
a coffin, in which they placed the remains;
and then, under the winter sky, took up their
silent march toward the Indian village of
Shim-ni-con, on the Grand river, twenty-four
miles below Lansing, the seat of government-which had been in later years the
principal residence of the chief-there to
commit him to his final resting-place, until
he should be called to roam in the happy
hunting-grounds.
Such an occurrence as the foregoing would




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


515


not be noteworthy, except for the history
and character of the deceased, in which connection it seems to impress a recollection of
scenes of life and qualities of nature fit to
be commemorated.
Okemos was Chief of the Ottawas. His
volunteer biographer knew  him  well-as
\well as a white man usually knows an Indian-from the winter of 1848 till his death
on the 5th of December, I858. He would
have attracted any person's attention not
wholly careless of men, or not given up to
the idea that Indians are all alike-either
stately, dignified, taciturn, and impassive, or
drunken, brutal and thievish; for these are the
two prevalent ideas of Indian characterthe one coming from Cooper or Schoolcraft,
the other from any four-corner grocery in
the West where the race is not extinct and
\whisky is sold. One might turn over the
pages of Catlin, exhaust a day upon Stanley's Smithsonian Gallery, read all about
Chincachook, Uncas, and "Tonawand of
many dogs," and bring up with Longfellow,
and still not find an Okemos. The curious in
Indian lore may challenge this spelling of
his name, but Okemos was he called by himself and all who knewv him, and so let it
stand, although the aboriginal savans may
insist upon Oh-ge-mah!
Even the stage has no Okemos, for Forrest and Proctor hold the stage-at least the
Indlian feature of it-in camparison with
whoim, stature and size considered, poor
Okemos "at his best estate was altogether
vanity." Yet one knowing him would opine
that he was just such an Indian as these
gentlemen would not have preferred as a
supernumerary in case of a mock battle, for
fear the old man might have made a mistake, and taken it to be a serious combat.
Okemos divided his life, quite equitably,
between two periods, the former of which
was spent in fighting, and the latter in tell

ing thereof. It would be hard to say which
lie enjoyed most. He boasted-Indians are
given to boasting-first of his prowess, next
of his descent; albeit lhe claimed lineage from
Pontiac, a fact which we leave those to reconcile who are curious in aboriginal tribes,
descents, and biographies.  Okemos-his
own story for it-was not born upon the
Grand river, though for the most part, when
not campaigning or hunting, that was his
home; but upon the Shiawassee, not far from
what in late years has been known as the
Knaggs Reservation. He went early, however, to live upon what was afterwards the
great trail leading from the Rapids of the
Grand river to Detroit.
The events which follow, should they meet
the eye of those who knew the subject of
them in life, might challenge their belief so
far as relates to his participation in the border warfare between the Indians and the
Americans upon the shores of Lake Erie,
in the latter part of the last century. In this
regard, it is no more than fair to state that
all relating thereto is here presented upon
the word of the chief himself, unsupported
by other testimony, while those incidents
which are represented to have occurred in
what is familiarly known as the "Last War
wNith England" are given upon the testimony
and knowledge of gentlemen of this State,
active at the time in, or cognizant of, the
scenes represented.
In justification of the past, as well as in
reply to such as may doubt the authenticity of this account of the early scenes in
the life of this chief, it may well be asked
how it happened that he, unable to read, having no sources of information except by observation, should know anything about St.
Clair's campaign and failure, or that Wayne
succeeded him and did not fail; and, more
especially, how did he learn the different
characteristics of the leaders?  Yet, most




516


PAST AND PRESENT


certainly he did know of these. He knew of
the rout of St. Clair in I79I, and of the
triumph of Wayne three years afterwards,
and of many facts, details, and incidents
now impossible to recall, relating to the successful campaign of the latter. In reference
to the campaign of Gen. Harmar, the scene
of which was farther west, he was in ignorance.
All these facts, it will be said, as Wamba
the Witless remarked of the Saxon treaties,
"made an old man" of Okemos. He was
an old man, and bore every mark and sign of
it. He claimed at his death an hundred
years. Perhaps he exaggerated, as his race
are wont to do, but those who fought
against him in I813 and '14, and who subsequently knew him well as he passed yearly
to and from through Detroit, concur in placing him, forty-seven years ago, in full maturity-say from forty to forty-five years;
which, to be sure, would make him only
seventeen in St. Clair's campaign, and twenty, or therealouts, in that of Wayne. It is
easy for them to have been mistaken a year
or two, as Indians are deceptive in appearance as well as white men. The facts stated
by the chief, and especially the harmony and
unanimity of his story, many times repeated
as to its prominent incidents, lead to belief.
The last interview of the writer with this
old chief was in the fall of I858, a short
time before his death, in the cars on the Detroit & Milwaukee railroad. He had been
upon a visit to a chief living upon the Flint
river, in Northern Michigan, and was returning to his home at Shim-ni-con. The old
man was smoking and talking in the baggage car, when the conductor came up for
tickets. The old man produced a trip pass
which some officer of the road had given
him, upon which the conductor inquired
pleasantly if he was an editor. The chief
did not understand the question, but from


the smile of the bystanders concluded that it
meant something offensive, and starting to
his feet said in answer, "Big Chief, meplenty fight once!"
This answer of the chief, brief as it was,
told the story of his life. His early days
had been eventful, and
"E'en in their ashes glowed their wonted
fires."
His passing anger told the story of his
temper, his conceit, and his passions. An
explanation followed, however, and the old
man laughed heartily with the rest. In truth
no editor could have given the substance of
a life in fewer words.
Okemos, at his death, was a man of great
age. It is a trait of the Indian to exaggerate
in this respect, as all advanced among themn
feel a certain pride in that circumstance.
but extrinsic and direct evidence of persons
now living prove him to have been at least
ninety years old, and he claimed for himself
more than an hundred years.
Aside from the scenes in which Okemos
took an active share, how eventful was the
period in which he lived! The old Frencll
war, the American Revolution, the career
of Napoleon from its opening to its close.
the War of 1812, the war with Mexico, the
war of the Crimea, and the bloody contests
of East India, all occurred within the space
of this Indian's life.
Empires rose and fell, governments were
changed, potentates, princes, and warriors
grew to manhood, achieved fame, and slept
with their fathers, leaving the events of their
lives to become history, while this Indian
ranged the forest, trod the hunting-ground,
and paddled his canoe over the waters of his
remote and squestered home.. But Okemos was not without his share in
some of the active and bloody scenes of the
period of his early life. Indeed, a nature so




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


517


fierce, so restless, so ardent, and so thirsty
for adventure could not have kept quiet within the sphere of the sounds and rumors of
conflict. Boasting of the blood and inheriting no little executive capacity of Pontiac,
early manhood found him eager for the fray;
accordingly he struck the war-path which led
to the Erie frontier, as early as 1791, where
the prowess of his arm, the strength of his
will, and the intuitive sagacity of his mind,
soon made him a leader of braves and a
chief of the Ottawas.
Upon the eastern shore of Lake Erie Okemos fought against St. Clair, whom  he
despised and derided, and against Wayne,
\whom he respected and hated. He would
have feared him also if it had been possible
for him to fear. Many a long winter's evening and many a sultry summer's afternoon
has he beguiled, while those to whom he was
pleased to be communicative-sometimes the
writer was among them-listened to his
broken, but impassioned and forcible descriptions of his skirmishes, ambushes and
attacks; interesting to him in the narration,
bly the zest in which every circumstance of
carnage and ferocity was brought to remembrance, and to his listeners more especially
when the tangent line of his memory would
strike (as it did, time and again) upon some
sailient point in the history of the period,
or in the biography of those leaders against
whom he fought.
Unlike most Indian narratives, his were
not always upon one side.  At times he
wvould recount the manner of his own defeat,
and picture forth his own discomfiture or
repulse.
A rich, quiet, inward drollery was thatnot descending to the undignified demonstration of a laugh, but checked as it reaches
an unctuous chuckle-with which he would
recount the effect upon his command of
braves of Mad Anthony's mounted swivels,


or "cannon on horseback," as the old chief
called them, which that veteran campaigner
procured to be cast, to be handled among
thick woods and underbrush, and to be made
effective in places where more weighty ordnance could not be employed. In an unexpected attack upon flank and rear, these
novel engines were first brought to bear upon
Okemos and his command, and upon the first
discharge away went the Indians, each man
his own file-leader, double-quick for the
marshes, into which they knew horses could
not follow. Okemos never admitted that he
ran, but compromised, like all great political
and military leaders, by saying: "Me hide
up, plenty quick."
The ideal of the Indian character and person in literature-chiefly fiction, sometimes
history-presents a lofty carriage, a dignified deportment, colossal proportions, insensibility to fear, danger, fatigue, or pain; in
short, a condensation of those qualities
which the School of Stoics were wont to inculcate and admire.  Perhaps the Indian
whose name heads this article had as many
of these qualities as ever fell to the lot of
one individual of that race. Yet did these
exist there with certain lights and shades,
certain additions of manner, and certain
quaintness of thought and word, that relieved him essentially from the great, striding, smileless, impassive aboriginal of novels.
Okemos was a little man; ill his prime,
and before age and wounds had doubled him
up, scarcely over five feet in height. He had
little apparent dignity, except wlhen he had
occasion to throw himself upon it to check
undue familiarity, or to impress obedience
or subordination, and then his "austere regard of control" was not, like that of Malvolio, an affectation, but reality,-it was imperative, fierce and effectual. But the natural
mood of the chief was quiet, and his temperament decidedly social. For an Indian he




518


PAST AND PRESENT


might be called talkative, though "a lurking
devil in his eye" seemed to warn even the
most heedless that fun and danger might be
only a step apart.
Okemos was a chief, not only by artificial
rank in his own tribe, but in his instincts,
talents, and courage. No better type could
be imagined of mad insensiblity to danger,
coupled \with coolness and sagacity, than exexisted in this little warrior.
From the outset of his life, as soon as
his foot was upon the war-path, he became
the implacable enemy of Americans. He
first drew his scalping-knife as a young
brave in the frontier campaigns on the eastern shores of Lake Erie, and, as usual with
old men, his clearest recollections were of his
first campaign. He fought then tiger-like,
and held rank from his first battle.
Okemos, the famous chief of the Ottawas,
was the greatest warrior who ever held sway
in  Michigan.  He possessed indomitable
courage, was a born fighter, a natural commander and leader, a strategist in battle, and
had real military genius. In every way lie
was a remarkable man and a typical Indian.
Okemos was born on what was known in
later times as Knaggs' reservation, on the
Shiawassee river, in Michigan. He went
early to live on Grand river, at Shim-ni-con,
twenty-four miles from Lansing, on what
was afterwards the great trail from Detroit
to Grand Rapids. He claimed to be of blood
relationship to Pontiac.
Okemos commanded the war party of Ottawas, who with other Indians defeated Gen.
Arthur St. Clair on the Miami river in 1791.
He was also in the battle on the Maumee
river, August 20, 1794, when the Indians
suffered a severe defeat by Gen. Anthony
Wayne. He was also in the battle of Tippecanoe, November 5, 18II.
In the war with Great Britain in I812,
Okemos fought for the British under a col

onel's commission. Early in 1813 Okemos,
with an Ottawa chief, Caribaick, and Okemos' brother, Standing-up-Devil, commanded a war party who set out to join Gen.
Proctor, who was then on his march toward
Fort Stephenson, on the Sandusky river,
held by Capt. Croghan. When they reached
Seneca Plains, six miles from Fremont, they
met Capt. Ball, with a strong detachment of
dragoons, sent to aid at the defense of the
fort. Okemos saw that the Americans were
too strong for his braves to attack and they
hastily concealed themselves in the brush
and would have been secure had it not been
for a young buck, who could not restrain
himself and fired upon the dragoons as they
had gotten well past where the Indians were
concealed.  The dragoons wheeled and
charged and a desperate hand-to-hand battle
took place, which resulted in every Indian
falling. Okemos fought with his usual reckless courage and was among the last to fall,
witl a sabre cut in his head, his shoulder
blade cut through, and a gunshot in his side.
Okemos did not recover consciousness until
in the night, when he gave the low Ottawa
signal whoop and received an answer. It
was repeated and answered a second time.
when, by creeping and rolling, he succeeded
in reaching the spot from whence the answer
came, and found his brother, Standing-ulpDevil.
In telling the story to the old pioneers.
Okemos used to say: "The devil couldn't
stand up any more." The two found another
wounded warrior, and after a time the three
succeeded in crawling down to the river.
drank their fill of water and washed the
blood out of their wounds. They found an
old canoe and crawling into it floated down
the river until they were found by friendly
Indians and rescued. These three Indians
were the sole survivors of the battle.
As soon as Okemos was able to travel he




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


519


returned to his home on Grand River. The
fight on Seneca Plains was early in I8I3.
He recovered from his wounds so as to take
the warpath in the fall, and was in the battle of the Thames, October 5, I813, when
Gen. \V\. H. Harrison defeated Gen. Proctor
and where Tecumseh was killed. In this
battle he was again severely wounded. This
was his last fight against the Americans.
After the battle of the Thames he returned
to his Grand river home to recover from his
wounds. and was not again seen in Detroit
until the spring of 1814, when he presented
himnself to Col. Godfrey, the interpreter at
the fort, and said: "Now I make peace and
fight no more. Chemokemon too much for
Indians.  Me plenty fight enough."  Col.
Godfrey took the chief to Gen. Cass, and
th(ougll himi upon one side and Okemos upon the other, a formal treaty of peace was
concluded between that band of the tribe of
Ottawas which Okemos commanded and the
United States. lie kept his word and never
fought again.
There was a periodl of time between the
cattle with Gen. \\ayne in 1793 and the
battle of Tippecanloe in 18SI, when Okemos
w\as elngaged in some )bloody Indian wars
of which but little is recorded. Two of the
greatest were the fight of the Ottawas andt
Pottawatomies against the Shawnees, and
the great war repelling the Chippewa invasion of Michigaan from Wisconsin and the
northwest. In both wars the Ottawas and
Pottawatomies won and defeated the invaders. These wars were about or following
the year I8OO.
Elkhart, the famous chief of the Shawnees, who held forth in the territory now
comprising Indiana, had his eye on the rich
hunting grounds of southern Michigan, and
was seized with the desire for "expansion."
He made war on the Pottawatomies, under
Pokagon, who appealed for assistance to


Okemos and Wakazoo, of the Ottawas. The
Indians rendezvoused at the junction of the
Kalamazoo river and Waupakisco creek,
now  the location of Battle Creek, and
marched across Climax and Schoolcraft
prairies and Prairie Ronde, to the vicinity
of the present city of Three Rivers, where
they met and gave battle to Elkhart and
his host of Pawnees. This was the bloodiest battle of all the Indian wars of Michigan, and lasted for four days, resulting in
the complete defeat of Elkhart, who retreated from Michigan and never again attempted its conquest from the Pottawatomies. To the credit of Okemos belongs the
winning of this great fight. In generalship
and strategy lie outranked Elkhart, and administered a crushing and lasting blow to
the great Slawnee warrior.
The little village of Okemos, six miles
east of Lansing, on the Cedar river, bears
his name, and the old chief lived there with
a portion of his band at times, and many of
his tribesmen are buried there.  He died
December 5, I858, in a favorite camp on the
Looking Glass river, five miles northeast of
De Witt, Clinton county, and was buried at
Shinm-ni-con on the Grand river, the next
day. At the time of his death he was over
1oo years old.
AUGUST A. E. HELMKER.
August Helmker is a splendid representative of the sturdy sons whom Germany has
furnished. for the pioneer development of the
United States. Born in the Fatherland in
1837, on the 25th day of December, he came
with his parents to America in 1853, and
has therefore become a citizen of this great
republic for almost half a century.  His
father, William Helmker, was also a native
of Germany, and sailed for America with his
family in 1853, and eventually located at




PAST AND PRESENT


Toledo, Ohio, where he died with the
cholera, after a residence of one year. He
had served in the German army for six years.
In this family were three children, of which
our subject is the only surviving member.
Mr. Helmker acquired his early education in
the common schools of his native country,
and arriving here at the age of sixteen years,
he found employment on the Erie canal for
two years. At the age of twenty-two years,
having a strong and conscientious interest
for all matters of religious interest, he became imbued with the desire to enter the
Master's service by preaching the Gospel,
and was thus engaged for the following four
years, when he decided to come to Michigan.
Thus it was, that in I856 he came to Ingham county, and bought eighty acres of land
in Delhi township.   With characteristic
energy, he began clearing this land, built
upon it and placed it under cultivation.
Upon this place he has made many and all
improvements, and to the passerby it needs
but a glance to indicate the thrift and progressiveness of its owner.
In the month of November, 1862, our subject was united in marriage to a Miss Margaret Rilling, daughter of Valentine and
Margaret (Deihl) Rilling, who were both
natives of Germany. Mrs. Helmker is one
of a family of eight children.
Unto our subject and wife have been born
five children, as follows: Henry W., born in
1864, now resides upon a farm purchased
by the father four miles west of Holt; Emma
C., died when thirteen years of age; James
F. A., born October I8, I868, resides at
home; Bertha M., born in I870, is now
the wife of George Dell, and Minna,
who was born August 29, I874, became the
wife of M. Mohrlock, and lives at Chelsea,
Michigan.
Not only has our subject been faithful in
the discharge of his duty as an upright citi

zen, but being imbued with a spirit of
patriotism for his adopted country, he enlisted in the union army, by joining the
boys in blue in Co. D, 7th Mich. Cavalry,
serving in all for eleven months, being mustered out in I865 at close of war. He has
always voted the Republican ticket, believing in its measures for the best government
of the people. He enjoys the membership
with G. A. R. Chas. T. Foster Post at Lansing, while he and his good wife are members of the Methodist church. For almost
half a century he has been a resident of this
county and has been interested in its improvement and development, and has won in
a straightforward and manly way his share
both as a soldier and a citizen.
H. W. RIKERD.
Foremost among the prominent business
men of Lansing is H. W. Rikerd of this review. He is the son of David fW. and Harriet E. Rikerd. The father was a native of
New York, being born in the village of
Rheinbeck, Duchess Co., where he was reared and educated. In about I832 or I833 he
emigrated to what was then considered the
West and became a pioneer of Oakland
county, this State.  He located in Troy,
where he engaged in farming and then removed to near Birmingham, where he was
afterward engaged in business.  Here he
became one of the pioneer settlers of this
portion of the State. Securing a tract of
land, he built a primitive log house and began the development and improvement of
his property, planting and harvesting, until
he finally had the entire tract in a fine state
of cultivation. He remained in this locality
until I864, having in the intervening years
secured and partially improved several farm
properties.
It was in the year above mentioned that




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


521


he became a resident of Ingham county, settling in Lansing township, he purchased between four and five hundred acres of land.
After a residence of two years upon this
farm he then moved to the City of Lansing,
where he resided until his death, which occurred in 1891. He was a man of many
commendable traits of character, possessed
of a remarkable degree of energy and determination. Starting out in life for himself
with practically little or no assistance, he
prospered as the years went by and eventually became a man of means and prominence.
His widow, who bore the maiden name of
Harriet E. Case and who still survives him,
was born in Birmingham, Oakland county,
of this State. She was a daughter of Lyman
Case, a native of New York, who settled in
Birmingham at an early date and there died.
The early education of H. WV. Rikerd was
acquired in the schools of the capital city,
attending until about the age of seventeen.
In 1878 he first started out in life for himself, as a clerk in Broas clothing store, and
there he remained for five years. In 1885
he was appointed Deputy Revenue Collector
lby John B. Maloney of Detroit for the sixth
division of the First District. On the first
(lay of July of that year he took charge of his
office and efficiently served in this capacity
until June 30, I889.   This division embraced Jackson, Calhoun, Ingham, Genesee,
Clinton, Shiawassee and Gratiot counties.
Mr. Rikerd had the distinction of being the
first Democratic Revenue Collector ever appointed in Michigan. After the completion
of his official service he became identified as
the secretary and treasurer of the Capitol
Lumber Co. This was in the latter part of
1889. This concern continued its trade relations until I895, when it was dissolved. In
I895 Mr. Rikerd was instrumental in organizing the Rikerd Lumber Co., and has served
continuously as its president and manager.


The growth and development of this institution is largely due to the efficient management of H. W. Rikerd, as it is unquestionably by far the largest and best equipped
plant of its kind in Ingham county. Many
contracts of magnitude have been awarded
in recent years as a reward for their efficiency, one of them being the wood work furnishings of the new County Court House of
Mason, which is especially worthy of commendable mention.
Mr. Rikerd is a member of the Masonic
order and has served as Master of Capital Lodge, No. 66, of Lansing. In his political views he is a Democrat and has taken an
active part in politics. He has been a member of the County Democrat Committee and
also a member of the city committee, having
been sent as a delegate to several state and
county conventions. This mammoth institution, of which he is now practically the
head, owes its organization and its prosperous condition to his able and capable management, having a thorough and practical
of all branches of the business and he has
devoted his time and energies to its success.
In all of his business affairs lie has been
straightforward, honorable, prompt and reliable and these characteristics have been the
foundation of a success that has made him
one of the leading business men of Lansing
and Ingham county.
ROBERT THORBURN.
One of the progressive and entertaining
agriculturists of Ingham county, Delhi township, is Robert Thorburn, whose birth occurred near his present farm in the Township of Delhi, in 1858. Mr. Thorburn is a
representative of one of the old pioneer
families, as his father James Thorburn settled in this county in the year I855. A com



522


PAST AND PRESENT


plete history of his life appearing upon other
pages of this volume.  Our subject, like
other farmer lads of his time, acquired his
e.rly education in the little common school
of his locality, supplemented by a later attendance to the high school of Mason. He
remained under the parental roof assisting
his father in the duties of the home farm
until twenty years of age, when he started
out in life for himself. This was in I878.
In 1878 he was united in marriage to a Miss
Arabella Davis, a daughter of John L.
Davis, a native of the Empire State. Her
mother, who bore the maiden name of Rebecca Harrington, was a native of Ohio.
John L. Davis was but eighteen years of age
whein he came to White Oak township, and
was therefore classed among Ingham county's worthy pioneers. Here he began working for a Mr. William Dryer of Lansing,
in whose employ he remained a year and
then moved to Delhi township, where he
bought a farm two miles west of the Village
of Holt, and here resided continuously for
fifty-eight years. He dated his residence in
this township from an early date, as his was
one of the first eight families to locate in
that township.  Here he cleared the land
and placed it under cultivation and moved
his family. He died December 28, 1904,
honored and respected by all who knew him.
Unto our subject and his wife were born
four children: the eldest, Ada B., became
the wife of John R. Bohommon, a resident
farmer, living east of Mason; the second,
Ira Otis, aged nineteen years, now lives at
home; the third, Orla Robert, aged thirteen
years; the fourth, Clarence Vern, now three
years of age, lives at home.
Our subject always affiliated with the
Democratic party, and both he and his wife
are members of the Presbyterian church.
Mr. Thorburn has taken an active interest in
local politics, and has efficiently served his


district as School Treasurer for five years.
He has also been active in church work, doing all in his power to promote its growth
and development. Residing in his pleasant
home upon his valuable farm of eighty acres.
He is engaged in general farming and stock
raising, in which he has met fair success.
Respected by all who know him, he is a
worthy son of a worthy sire, and feels a just
pride in what has been accomplished by the
Thorburn family in the settlement and development of Ingham county.
TIMOTHY L. BALDWIN.
The subject of this review is a native of
New York state, his birth having occurred
February 28, 184t, in Orleans county. His
father, Samuel Baldwin, was a native of
Connecticut, being born in New Haven on
the 22d day of August, 1782, he departed
this life January i5, 1843. The father of
Samuel Baldwin was named Benjamin, who
was a native of Connecticut, and he was a
son of John Baldwin, who was a son of
Mann Baldwin, who emigrated from Scotland. The father's first wife bore the maiden
name of Nancy Robinson and became the
mother of four children all born in Windham, Green county, N. Y., as follows:
Henry D., born August 31, 1809, was a
physician residing in New Orleans, La.;
Fanny Caroline, born August I, I8i, married Joshua Reynolds now deceased formerly
a resident hotel keeper of Albion, N. Y.
Mrs. Reynolds still resides in that city; the
next in order of birth is Emeranda, born
September 13, 1814, in New York state:
Marcus L., was born September 29, I817,
and was a civil engineer of Orangeburg,
South Carolina, and died there in 1902. The
second wife of Samuel Baldwin bore the
maiden name of Abigail Bashford and was
also a native of the Empire State, and was




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


523


there married in 1826 on the 2d day of May.
Unto this union three children were born,
as follows: Artumus, born October 29, I832,
married Julia Kettle, he is a farmer of
\atertown, Clinton county, Michigan, and
unto them one daughter, Jessie, was born in
i866, still living in Chicago.  Artumus
Baldwin was a soldier in the Civil war, enlisting in 186I in the 8th Mich. Volunteer
Infantry.   He saw   considerable  active
service and was taken prisoner at the second
battle of Bull Run, and was paroled on the
field and sent on camp parole to Annapolis,
where he was exchanged in about two
months. After over four years of meritorious
service he was honorably discharged August
19, I865. Artumus was promoted to the
rank of captain and was a man of more than
ordinary capability, was killed by accidental
discharge of a gun, December 28, I867;
Franklin, the next in order of birth, was
b)orn May 20, 1837, he married Cornelia
Kettle, a sister of Artumus' wife, he was
also a farmer of Clinton county. He also
saw service in the war with his brother, and
was a keeper in the Jackson prison for about
twenty vears, he died October 26, 1893 at
Litchfield, Mich.
The mother of our subject (Abigail Bashford) was a sister of James Bashlford, who
came to Michigan at an early day and settled near Dansville, Ingham county.  She
(lied in A\ugust, 1876.
The early education of our subject was
acquired in the common schools of Carlston,
Orleans county, N. Y., attending until about
thirteen years of age, when he started out for
himself and found employment, the summer
following by driving a team, breaking land
at four dollars per month and at this worked
four months receiving sixteen dollars for his
services. He labored along in this capacity
until he came to Michigan in March, I86I,
or until the breaking out of the Civil war,


whten, being imbued with the patriotic spirit
of the times, he became a member of the
8th Michigan Vol. Infantry on the g9th day
of August of that year. He went into camp
at Camp Anderson, Grand Rapids, August 2I, and left there September 16 for
Ft. Wayne, Detroit. September 23 he was
mustered into United States service and on
the 27th day of September he proceeded with
his regiment to Washington, D. C. Three
(lays later they were sent to Annapolis, Md.,
when they became a part of the 3d Brigade
Expedition Army Corps, under command of
Gen. Sherman, and there embarked October
19, for Port Royal, S. C., and landed there
November 8. From this point lie followed
the fortunes of his regiment, participating
in a number of important engagements,
which are matters of history and of which
extensive mention has been made elsewhere
in connection of the brave 8th. For meritorious service, our subject was promoted to
first lieutenant of Co. E, 8th Vol. Mich., and
was honorably discharged August 19, I865.
The military record of Mr. Baldwin is one
which not only was a credit to himself and
his company, but also to the county and community where he enlisted and the writer of
this brief biography regrets that this limited
space will not permit the recording of those
valorous deeds of heroism by officers and
men, of the valiant 8th.
After the close of the war Mr. Baldwin
returned to his home and went into the lumber business; operating a saw mill in Delta
township, Eaton county, for about three
years. In I869 he bought a half interest in
a mill at Watertown, Clinton county, which
he successfully conducted for one year and
then sold. For a time after this venture, he
worked as head sawyer and engineer at
Webberville, Grand Ledge and Paris. He
was also engaged in buying pine lumber and
was mill foreman at Paris for some time.




524


PAST AND PRESENT


In 1874 he purchased a mill a Meridian,
Ingham county, which he conducted for the
following five years, and also conducted a
general store, this he disposed of in I882.
Becoming the possessor of a farm he followed that occupation for the next three
years, and then removed to Shaftsburg,
where he bought a half interest in a saw mill
with a Mr. George Harlow, later he purchased Mr. Harlow's interest and is now the
sole proprietor of this business. Here he is
engaged in the general lumber business and
lumber manufacturing, also managing his
two farms of two hundred and thirty acres
of land.
In I868 Mr. Baldwin was united in marriage to a Miss Lucy M. Huxtable and unto
them have been born three children, namely:
Clara B., born August I8, I870, married
Dr. James Houston of Swartz Creek, Genesee county. He is a graduate of the Detroit
Medical College. They have a daughter,
Helen C., born November 25, I90o; Winfield, the next in order of birth was born
February 28, 1872, and died September I,
1873; Ethel M., born July 12, I876, married
J. G. Marsh and they have one son, Kenneth,
born February 4, 1898. Mr. Marsh is a
telegraph operator and agent for the Grand
Trunk R. R. at Haslett Park.
The father of Mrs. Baldwin, Thomas
Huxtable, by name, who was born in England in I820, came to Michigan in 1853 and
settled in Eaton Co., Delta Twp., on a farm,
he was a contractor and builder and married
Catherine Burgess. Mrs. Baldwin was born
June 24, 1847, in New York state; Lena,
the next child married John Barnard and
she is now deceased; Molly, married Russell
Tinkham, a lawyer of Ann Arbor and they
have two children, Ralph and Leona; the
next, William, first married Betsey Stribbling and she is deceased. He was again
married, the second union being with Hattie


Turner of Williamston. He was a farmer
of Eaton county, died in I900. There were
six children by the second union: Nellie, is a
teacher in the Delta Center schools of Eaton
county; the second is Elsie; the third, Fred
Frank, attended high school at Delta Mills;
Robert is the next, and the last is Ruth;
Susan married Asa Van De Walker, a commercial traveler of Indianapolis, Ind. They
have two children, Genevieve and Neoma.
In taking up the life history of Timothy
L. Baldwin, we write of one who is in every
way a self-made man. He is a member of
the Fred Turrel Post G. A. R. at Webberville. He is also a member of the F. & A.
M. As a citizen he has (as in the dark days
of the Rebellion) taken his part in affairs
and has served his township as Treasurer
two terms, and also was Justice of the Peace
at Meridian.
Honored and respected by all who knowe
him, few if any enjoy a higher regard or
esteem of his associates than Timothy L.
Baldwin.
JOHN C. FRENCH.
As a successful real estate dealer of Lansing, as well as its efficient Superintendent
of Public Works, he stands as one of the
representative self-made men of the middle
west. A native of Canada, he was born on
the first day of October in I856. He was
the son of John and Catherine French, the
father being a native of the Empire State,
while the mother was a daughter of England.   The latter departed this life some
fifteen years ago, while the father is still living at a venerable age in Canada, to which
he emigrated in an early day, and in which
he passed many years engaged in mercantile
pursuits.
The early education of John C. French
was somewhat limited and was acquired in




HDN"MJd 2, NHOf


r~ 




a




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


525


Canada at the common schools of that
period. At an early age he began life for
himself and found employment as a clerk in
Cleveland, Ohio. Drifting thence to Washtenaw county, Michigan, he established himself in the mercantile business. This was in
about I880. After a few years of very successful business experience in this field he
removed to Lansing in I888, where he has
since conducted a prosperous real estate and
building business.
In the spring of I904 John C. French had
the honor of receiving the appointment of
the Superintendent of Public Works, the office coming to him unsolicited-in fact, a
petition being circulated and signed by the
first citizens of the city, asking him to accept
it. In this position he has more than justified the confidence which was reposed in him.
In political views, Mr. French is a Republican of the pronounced type and has taken an
active interest in local politics, as he efficiently represented the second ward as a member of the City Council in I898 and I899.
During his incumbency of office, it is on
record that he took a deep and absorbing interest in any measure that pertained to the
advancement of his adopted city. He was
requested to accept the office of Superintendant' of Public Works for the second term,
but declined, rather desiring to give his attention to his undivided and official interests.
In i88I our subject was united in marriage to Miss Mary L. Calkins, a native of
Chelsea, Michigan. This union has been
blessed with three children, namely: Nellie
M., Charles R. and Ralph K. Mrs. French
is a woman of culture and refinement, and is
a member of the Central M. E. church of
which her husband's brother, the Rev. W.
P. French, is pastor.
John C. French affiliates with the Masonic
fraternity, and is a member of Lodge No.


33 of Lansing. Also a member of Chapter
No. 9.
Although not as old a resident of Lansing
as some, there are few men in.the capital
city who have wielded a greater influence in
its development and advancement, and there
are none who command a wider respect for
their unassuming, but inherent worth than
the subject of this brief review.
JOHN S. COY.
There are few men who enjoy the respect
and confidence of their fellow men to a more
marked degree than John S. Coy of Vevay
township.
Mr. Coy is the happy possessor of one of
the best farms and pleasing, sightly homes in
the township and he knows just how it all
came about. Application, industry, economy
reaching over a term of thirty years have
brought to him a comfortable competence,
while yet in middle life. Mr. Coy was the
son of John S. and Ann Jessop Coy. His
parents were born in England, and came to
this country in I835, and settled in Livingston county, Michigan, where they remained
several years, improving the farm. He later
sold out and removed to Washtenaw county,
and settled on a farm in the Township of
Lima, a few miles from the village of Dexter. Here John was born May 22, 1855,
and was the youngest of a family of ten
children, whose names were respectively as
follows: Sarah, Mariah, Elizabeth, Thomas,
Phebe, Edwin, William, John, Charles and
John S. His parents.died and were buried
at Phelps cemetery, Washtenaw   county,
Michigan. His father's death occurred in
1876, and the mother's, November 14, I888.
Soon after reaching the years of his majority he left the paternal home, with little
else than pluck and ambition. He was, however, "full of days work," and not afraid




526


PAST AND PRESENT


to spend them. He began as a month hand
on a farm, and each year added something
to the value of his worldly effects.
February 22, 1877, he was united in marriage to Sarah Warner, who bore him two
children: Myrtle, born February 23, I88o,
the wife of Win. H. Dunsmore; Charles E.,
born May 27, I884, is still at home with his
father, assisting in the operation of the farm.
Both children received a good practical education and both graduated from the Mason
High School. After his marriage, Mr. Coy
worked a rented farm for several years, until
his accumulations were sufficient to make a
good payment, when in 1889 he purchased
the farm, where he still resides. Upon this
he has made improvements from year to
year, until today the farm is known as one
of the best in the township, ranking in class
A. Mixed farming and high grade stock
have been the order with Mr. Coy.
September 2, 1892, Mr. Coy met with a
great loss in the death of his wife, leaving
him with two children, and at the age when
they greatly needed a mother's care. November 29, 1893, he was married to Mary,
daughter of L. L. and Amy Irish, a neighbor, and well-to-do farmer. This union has
been a happy one, and a son was born to
them, March 17, I900, Howard now the
light and joy of the home. Mr. and Mrs.
Coy are active members of the Baptist church
in the City of Mason, and are interested in
every movement for the good of society in
general.
In politics, Mr. Coy, is an old Jacksonian
Democrat, as was his father before. He is
not a modern politician in acceptance of the
term. He has, however, accepted the office
of Supervisor for several terms, and has
served his township most satisfactorily.
Without a thought or consultation his name
was placed before the county convention for
the office of County Treasurer at the recent


county convention. He had no opportunity
to decline the nomination, which was given
him by acclamation. He made a very commendable showing, but as his party was
greatly in the minority, he failed of an election.
Mr. Coy is a member of several fraternal
organizations, including that of Royal Arch
Masons, Modern Woodmen and the Grange,
in all of which he is held in high esteem.
He has served the Ingham County Mutual
Insurance Company, as a director for several
years, and still holds this position.
A. A. LUMBARD, ESQ.
During the dark days of the Civil War,
Michigan did her full share in supplying
troops to defend the honor of the old flag
and maintain that union of states which has
proved to be the strength and glory of our
nation. The record of those sons whom she
sent forth forms a story of hardships nobly
borne and of battles bravely fought. Amo1ng
these heroes we find the name of our subject,
A. A. Lumbard. He was born in the town
of Stafford, Genesee county, N. Y., December 20, i84i, and was the son of Erastus
and Eliza (Armstrong) Lumbard.     The
father was born in Madison county. New
York, and the mother in Genesee county, in
the years 1821 and 1819 respectively.
Our subject's father was engaged in farming in New York and came to Michigan
when the country was all woods and in June,
I843, settled in Leslie township on a farm
which he obtained from the Government.
The family came from Detroit to Jackson onl
the old strap railway and from there by ox
team. He improved this new land and here
resided until his death July 2, I86o. Seven
children came to bless this home, Orvil.
George and Albert A., being the living and
Elizabeth, Julia, William and Melvina being




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


527


the deceased. The wife and mother of this
family died in I884.
A. A. Lumbard was raised in the town of
Leslie and acquired his education in a log
school house in the woods, which has been
greatly added to by reading and observation
in later years. He started out to work by
the month on a farm and when eighteen
years old enlisted in I86i, in Co. B, 7th
Michigan Infantry, and followed his command through their hardships until at Fair
Oaks under Richmond he was wounded and
was in the hospital at Yorktown. He was
engaged in the siege of Yorktown and many
other skirmishes. He was discharged September 2, 1862, came back to Leslie and
went recruiting soldiers until the war closed,
when he worked in a saw mill for some time.
Our subject is an active Republican and
served as Constable for twenty-one consecutive years and six years of this time was
Marshal of the village, was Deputy Sheriff
twelve years, has been Justice of Peace
twenty-one years and has held office continuously in the town of Leslie since he was
twenty-one years of age.
Mr. Lumbard was admitted to practice in
the Pension Department as an attorney in
I888 and is still interested in this work, having been to Washington a great many times
in the interest of the old soldiers and helped
to push their claims through. He has also
been Notary Public for twenty-one years.
A. A. Lumbard was married March 20,
1872, to Miss Sarah Woodworth, daughter
of Solomon Woodworth. Her grandfather
was the first settler in the township. Fraternally, Mr. Lumbard is connected with
several orders: G. A. R., K. P., I. O. O. F.,
Masons, Blue Lodge at Leslie, Chapter and
Council and Eastern Star. He is at present
the secretary of the Blue Lodge and Chapter
and Council, which position he has held for
fourteen years. Both Mr. and Mrs. Lum

bard are members in good standing of the
First Baptist church.
Our subject well remembers when the
country was all woods and when Martin
Sweet of Mason carried the mail through
Leslie on horseback. Great credit should be
given these early settlers who so well laid
the foundation for the prosperous condition
of Ingham county today.
Solomon Woodworth, the father of Mrs.
Lumbard, was an old settler of the township,
having come here in 1842 and settled on a
farm adjoining our subject's present farm,
where he remained until his death in I888,
the mother having died in the spring before
him.  Solomon Woodworth was born in
Auburn, N. Y., and his wife, Betsey Blake,
in Vermont, and unto this union were born
seven children, of whom five are living:
Louretta, of Eaton Rapids; Esther, deceased; Mrs. Lumbard, Byron, Hattie, deceased; Herman and Burdett. The family
of our subject and wife on both sides were
staunch Republicans and were actively interested in the welfare of that party.
Mr. Lumbard has lived in Leslie since
1872 and in that time has won many friends
who hold him in high esteem.
LOVEWELL L. IRISH.
L. L. Irish is the son of Talcott and
Sarah (Madison) Irish, who were natives
of the Buckeye State, where Lovewell was
born June 9, 1845, in Summit county. His
parents moved to Michigan and located in
Alaiedon township in April, 1852. At that
time wild game was plenty in the forest, and
the Indians were frequent visitors.
Mr. Irish was the fourth in a family of
ten children, seven of whom are living. His
recollections of his early school days were of
a log schoolhouse in Alaiedon township. He
remained at home assisting his father in im



528


PAST AND PRESENT


proving the land, until the breaking out of
the Civil War. He entered the service of his
country on the first day of March, I862, at
Mason, as a private in Co. G, commanded by
Capt. Isaac M. Cravath of Lansing, and assigned to the 12th Michigan Volunteer Infantry, commanded by Col. Francis Quinn.
He participated in the battles of Shiloh,
Vicksburg, Corinth and other important engagements.  He returned home and was
mustered out March 5, I866, having to his
credit four years of active service in the field.
Mr. Irish was taken prisoner at the Battle
of Shiloh, April I6, 1862, and with other
prisoners was in the hospital, and the day
following the rebels were driven back, and
he had the good fortune to be recaptured.
In some respects Mr. Irish's is quite a remarkable family; the patriotic sentiment
seems to have been fully developed. His
father, Talcott B., enlisted in the same company with his son, and served three years.
His brother, Ambrose, was a member of the
U. S. 3d Regular Cavalry in '6i, and killed
in the Battle of New Kent Court House,
Va., during the campaign of '62; his brother,
James H., was a member of the 8th Michigan Cavalry, and participated in several engagements, was captured near Iuka and confined in Andersonville prison for several
months.
Three sons of our subject have also done
valiant service for their country, two of
which, Albert (born Nov. 4, I869) and
Clayton (born Sept. 5, 1874,) served Co. C
in the g9th U. S. Regiment for three years,
and both were sent to Porto Rico, and the
other son, Lorenzo (born June 26, I88o,)
belonged to the I4th U. S. Regulars, and
for nearly a year was on detached service,
guarding the grave of our martyred president, McKinley. Our subject's grandfather,
Abel Irish, who was born in Vermont, was
a soldier in the War of I812. A brother

in-law, Chas. D. Clough, was a member of
Co. B, 7th Michigan Infantry, and was with
his command, when it made the memorable
crossing of Fredericksburg. Few regiments
in the service became better known or made
a better record for valiant service than the
"Fighting 7th of Michigan."
Mr. L. L. Irish was united in marriage
to Amy, daughter of William   and Amy
Hutchinson of Ingham township, March 3,
I867. Mrs. Irish was born in New York
City, July 19, 1849. They began housekeeping in the Township of Wheatfield, upon the
eighty acres of new land, which Mr. Irish
purchased after his return from the war.
This was their home for about twenty years,
When Mr. Irish sold the place and moved
with his family to Arkansas, where he
bought a farm of one hundred and eight
acres.  He remained there, however, but
four months, when he returned to Michigan
and bought the farm of ninety-one acres il
Vevay township, where he has since resided.
The land was partially cleared at the time
of purchase, but Mr. Irish has built a comfortable brick residence, and otherwise improved the land. He follows general farming and stock raising, and the whole place
has the appearance of thrift and prosperity.
Six children have been born to them, Mary,
born January I8, I868, the wife of John S.
Coy, a prominent citizen of Vevay township.
and they have one child, a son, Howard, and
besides those above mentioned are: Stephen
A., born August 13, I87I, and Miles, the
junior member of the family, born July 20,
I886, who is a graduate of the Mason Higl
School, and a young man of promise. He
is still under the parental roof, engaged in
teaching.
Mr. Irish is in full sympathy with the
principles of the Republican party. He is in
no sense a seeker for position, and he has
held the office of Justice of the Peace, while




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


529


a resident of Wheatfield township. He is
a member of the order of the Elks at Lansing, Masonic Order No. I6I of Dansville.
By habits of industry and application to
business, Mr. Irish finds himself today in
comfortable financial circumstances, and
hosts of friends wish for him a full enjoyment of his well-earned rest from the fatiguing cares of life.
FRANK W. HEWITT.
An extensive farmer and stock raiser of
Meridian township is Frank H. Hewitt, who
was born September 28, I850. He is the
son of Jeptha and Mary (Fox) Hewitt, natives of Vermont.  The father was born
October 14, 1807, and the mother in I803.
Jeptha Hewitt was a shoemaker by trade,
and he and his wife were married in New
York, where they lived for a number of
years, and came to Michigan in I840;
bought two hundred acres of wild government land, lived there a short time, sold
the farm and moved to Jackson county,
where they bought one hundred and sixty
acres near Leoni village. Here they lived
for fifteen years, then came to Ingham county and bought one hundred and sixty acres
in Meridian township, two miles southeast
of the M. A. C. Here they lived until the
father died November 24, I893. The mother
died April, I900. About four years before
he died, the father sold all but about forty
acres where he built a beautiful farm home
and lived in retirement. Jeptha Hewitt was
a Republican, took an active part in politics,
was a great reader, well posted on all subjects and possessed a wonderful memory.
He was capable of holding any office, but
would never allow his name to be used as
a candidate. In religious views Mr. Hewitt
was inclined towards the Universalist faith.
Our subject was the sixth in a family of
34


nine children, as follows: Emily, the wife of
Dr. Hull of Lansing, now a widow, resides
in Owosso, but is spending the winter with
a daughter in Hancock in the Upper Peninsula.  She has three children: Harriett,
Jesse, Graduate of U. of M. Medical College, practiced a few years, is a great musician, and now lives in Mississippi, where
he is connected with a large Piano firm.
Laura, lives at Hancock; John, died in
Alaiedon two years ago.   His wife was
Charlotte Boag, and they have three children; Robert, lived in Meridian, died last
spring; Harriett, died in infancy; Harriet,
died at the age of twenty years; our subject;
Lucinda, the wife of Wm. Tinson, lives in
Canada; Martha, the wife of Fred C. Barber, a telegraph operator on the Michigan.Central in Jackson county, and they have
one child, Grace; Charles Hewitt lives in
Williamston, is a rural mail carrier, owns
a farm. He married Mabel Parks and they
have two children, Mary and Levi.
Our subject was educated in the district
schools and at the M. A. C., where he spent
one year, and also graduated from the Lansing Business College.  He taught two
years, and was for eight years associated
with the Iowa Reform School at Eldora,
Iowa. For six years he was principal of
this school and had charge of the music.
He was assistant superintendent of the Minnesota Reform School at St. Paul for eight
years. Mr. Hewitt came to Michigan and
was connected with the Reform School at
Lansing for four years, and during his connection with this school he purchased eighty
acres of land, where he now lives. This
farm was in an improved state and had
nearly all of the present buildings, though
they have been remodelled. Since that time
he has added ninety acres, which at the time
he bought it, was all woods.
November 15, 1876, Mr. Hewitt was uni



530


PAST AND PRESENT


ted in marriage to Frances A., daughter of
John H. and Joanna (Samphare) Wilson,
whose early history is elsewhere in this volume. Mrs. Hewitt was born in New York,
June 8, 1853, while the father's birth occurred March 30, I823, and the mother's, April
29, 1827. John WIilson died April 2, I883,
and his estimable wife, April 28, i88I.
To our subject and wife four children
have been born: Mary, January 26, 1885,
(lied April 8, I885; Ellen Marie, October
i5, I888, died May 28, I889; Nina Dell,
February  I, 1890, at school in Okemos,
and Margarite Mildred, born April 21, 1897.
Mr. Hewitt has always been a supporter
of the Republicans, active in political affairs,
though he would never allow his name to
be used for office. He is extensively engaged in dairy farming, keeps a large number of cows, is an extensive patron of the
Condensed Milk Factory and a breeder and
raiser of Duroc Jersey swine. Mr. Hewitt
has done much for the educational interests
of whatever community he has been a resident, and is a prominent citizen of Meridian
township.
EDWIN C. RUSSELL.
The subject of this sketch is a representative of one of the old pioneer families of
Michigan, as his father, James, and the
mother, Electa, who were both natives of
New York, emigrated westward and settled
in Washtenaw county, Michigan, in 1837,
and thus became one of the early pioneers,
who laid deep and broad the foundation of
Michigan's prosperity.
Arriving in that locality, James Russell
bought a farm of one hundred and sixty
acres, and with characteristic energy and
perseverance at once began its improvement
and development. On coming to Michigan
they traveled the overland route through


Canada and came in covered wagons. The
father by trade was a shoemaker, which occupation he followed for a time after 'his arrival here, making, however, farming his
principal occupation, and upon this old home
place in Washtenaw county, he lived c)ltinuously, until he was called to his final
home beyond, October 17, i856. The mother passed away Feb. 23, I867.
Our subject was but a little lad of five
years when his father emigrated westwardl
as he was born in Seneca county, N. Y..
Jan. 3, 1832. His early education was acquired in the district schools of Washtena\\county.  Here he remained at home until
twenty-six years of age, giving his time anld
energies to his father in the improvement
of the old home place. It was at about this
time that he started out for himself, by farming the old homestead for one year, and then
rented another farm, which he conducted flor
a year, and at the expiration of that tinme
purchased eighty acres near the same locality. Here he remained until he had attained
the age of thirty-seven years, then came to
Ingham  county, and bought one hundred
and ninety-five acres in Vevay townsllip.
He has made most of the improvements on
this place, and now has one of the finest
residences and farming properties in this
section of the country. Here he is engaged(
in general farming and in raising a good
grade of stock. He is in every sense a selfmade man, as it has been by the unite(l efforts of himself and wife, that they have
succeeded in life, and are now able in their
later years to enjoy the fruits of their former toil.
It was in 1857 that our subject was united in marriage to Elizabeth N. Tripp, the
daughter of Thomas and Nancy Tripp, wh(
were natives of New York and Ireland, respectively. They emigrated to Michigan in
1849, and were thus classed among the pio



INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


531


neers of this State. This union has been
1)lessed with two children: Minnie, born Oct.
28, 1857, a graduate of the high school of
Mason, is the wife of D. P. Whitmore; the
second, Anna, born Oct. 18, 1863, died at
the age of six years. Her remains were laid
to rest in Maple Grove cemetery. Mr. Russell is a member of the Grange, and has
taken an active and helpful interest in that
organization. He is one of the substantial
members of the Ingham County Farmers'
Club, and has been treasurer of the organization for a quarter of a century. Mr. Russell greatly appreciates the fact, that he has
always enjoyed the best of health, was never
seriously ill. For several years he was one
of the cemetery trustees.  It was during
these years most of the beautifying the
grounds was accomplished. He is a Republican in his political views, and has been
chosen by his fellow townsmen as Alderman
of the first ward for two terms.
For more than thirty-seven years Mr.
Russell has been a resident of Ingham county, and has therefore witnessed many of its
scenes and changes in its growth and development. He has aided materially in all
and every movement towards the general
good. Honored and respected by all who
knew them, they are now surrounded by
hosts of friends who wish them long continuous years on the downward path of life's
journey.
IADOLPH M. STARMONT.
The subject of this sketch, who is now
serving as the efficient Chief of Police of
Lansing, was born in Chicago, Ill., on Nov.
17, 1858. He is the son of Adolph M. Starmont, a bookkeeper by profession.   The
maiden name of the mother of our subject
was Mary E. Kingsley, who in early childhood was adopted by a family named Blos

som, whose name she bore until her marriage. The father of our subject was of
French and German descent, as his (the
father's) family were for political reasons
banished from France. Leaving their native
country, they crossed into Germany, and located at Hamburg, where a brother of his
still resides. Adolph Starmont was a man
of superior educational advantages, as he
fluently spoke four or five different languages.
The early education of our subject was
somewhat limited, being acquired in the
coimmon schools of Illinois, during the winter months, while he worked on tle farm
during the summer. Tllis continued until
lie was sixteen years of age, when he came
to Michigan, and attended school in the old
frame high school building, and also in the
present building, when it was first opened.
In 1876 he gave up his schooling until I89I,
when, being desirous of extending his knowledge, hle took a complete course, attending
at night.
In reviewing the history of Mr. Starmont,
we find that his life has been comprised of
varied experiences.  His father he never
saw, as he died before the son was born.
His death occurring while on the voyage to
America, as he was lost on the steamer Austria, and was buried at sea, in October of
I858. The father had been a bookkeeper for
a large importing silk firm of Chicago until
the spring of I858, when he was taken into
partnership, and in June of that year, went
to Europe to buy goods and also to visit his
mother, who resides in Germany. After the
father's death the mother returned to Chicago with her two daughters and found
homes for them, where they were educated.
One still resides in that city, while the other
lives in Greater New York.
Our subject resided with his mother until her death, which occurred July 6, I870,




532


PAST AND PRESENT


when he started out for himself, finding
honest employment and a home where best
he could, until having reached more mature
years he found better employment, and in
1882 on the 20th day of March, he was united ir marriage to Miss Irene L. Lewis at
DeWitt, Michigan, and at once went to keeping house.  Various occupations occupied
his time for several years, giving some time
to painting and paper hanging, which in a
measure he found profitable.
In the political campaign of 1884 he took
an active interest, and when the change was
made in 1885 he received the appointment
of Postmaster at DeWitt, which office he
held for four years. In connection with this
office he also became identified with various
business interests which proved successful.
Mr. Starmont has held an important clerkship in the Auditor General's office at Lansing from March I, 1891, to Jan. I, I893,
was also Constable of the fifth and sixth
wards of Lansing from May I, I896, to May
I, I899, also Justice of the Peace from same
wards from May I, I899, to July I, 1902,
when he resigned to accept the position of
Chief of Police of the City of Lansing. The
appointment was made May 8, I902. A
Democrat in politics, Mr. Starmont was
chairman of the city committee in 901o
and 1902, in that capacity successfully carried the party through two campaigns. The
chairmanship he resigned when appointed
Chief of Police.
Our subject is a member of the Masonic
fraternity, being a member of the DeWitt
Lodge No. 272, F. & A. M., and in February
of I890 was elected secretary of the same,
was made member of Lansing Lodge
No. 33 in I897. He was also charter member of the DeWitt Camp of the Modern
Woodmen, and occupied the position of its
first venerable consul and from this lodge
was transferred to the Capitol Camp on its


organization in Lansing in 900o. He also
became a member of the B. P. O. E. of Lansing in July of 1902, and in November of
that year assisted in the organizing of Harmony Circle No. 22 of the Modern Circle
and was elected its first president, which
position he still holds.
To say of Mr. Starmont that he is a selfmade man, seems but trite to those that are
familar with his life, as he stands today, as
a living example of what may be accomplished by honest endeavor and honorable
purpose.
FLOYD G. ANNIS (DE:CEASED).
Floyd G. Annis was a descendant of one
of the pioneer families of Ingham county.
His father, Elon G., and the mother, Angeline (Wisnor) Annis, came to this country and settled on a farm in Onondaga township in 1836, and are thus entitled to be
classed among the history makers of this
section of the State. The father was a native of New York, as was also the mother.
A great deal of credit should be given to
this class of hardy pioneers, who, leaving
the comforts and advantages of the east,
emigrated westward into an almost uncivilized country, and gave the best years of
their lives towards preparing a home for
their prosperity. Few of this present generation can realize the hardships they endured in the development of a wilderness
into a civilized community.  They both
passed away during the winter of I88I, the
mother preceding the father but two days;
they were buried in the same grave.
Floyd G. Annis' mother was the daughter
of an honored pioneer of the State, Mr. Samuel Wisnor, who died some years since. Mr.
and Mrs. Elon G. Annis were the parents
of two children: our subject, and sister,
Marriette, who married Aaron T. Ingalls of




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


533


Leslie. Mrs. Ingalls was a worthy woman
and died in 1897.
Our subject received his early education
in the common schools of his locality, supplemented by attendance at the high school
of Jackson city. At the death of his father
he came into possession of the old home
farm; this he eventually sold and purchased
additional land near where the family haye
since resided, while recognized as one of the
leading farmers in his township. For many
years Mr. Annis has been extensively engaged in purchasing horses for the eastern
market. For the past ten years much of his
time has been employed in this business for
Mr. Edgar Snow of Boston. The classes
handled have been carriage and driving
horses. Twice he visited England in the
employ of Mr. Snow, at one time remaining
for ten months, disposing of shipments of
horses. Upon this occasion Mrs. Annis and
daughter, Lena B., accompanied him and
spent the time in and about London, sightseeing. This was in 1897. It was during
their visit abroad that Mr. Annis' only sister died and was buried.
November II, I866, Mr. Annis was united in marriage to Emma J., daughter of
Adam L. Smith, a native of New York, who
was born in I812 and diied in I880. The
mother of Mrs. Annis departed this life
while the daughter was a child. Mrs. Annis
is one of a family of eight, of whom one
sister, Mrs. Dwight is living at Eden, Ingham county.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Annis were born four
children: Pearl, April 29, 1869, is the wife
of M. R. Layton of Leslie; Merton E., born
February 26, 1873, married Jessie Blackmore and resided in Leslie, having two children, Marshall E., and an infant born May
7, 1905; Burton A., born March I, 1874, is
married to Grace, daughter of Mr. and Mrs.
O. V. Tuttle; he is a farmer of Leslie town

ship. The fourth, Lena B., born March I8,
I879, is the wife of Fred E. Sayers, residing
in Leslie, and they have one child, Garth,
born November 26, 190I.
For fifty-eight years Mr. Annis resided
upon this property, and therefore witnessed
many scenes and changes in the marvelous
growth and development of Ingham county.
On December 29, 1904, Mr. Annis died at
his home in Onondaga township. Two days
later, on December 31, his son, Merton E.,
also died, and father and son were buried in
one grave, January I, I905, in the cemetery
at the Village of Leslie.
ROBERT B. SHANK (DECEASED).
Practical industry, wisely and vigorously
applied, never fails of success. It carries a
man onward and upward, brings out his individual character and acts as a powerful
stimulus to the efforts of others. The greatest results in life are usually obtained by the
simple means and the exercise of the ordinary qualities of common sense and judgment. The every day life and its cares and
necessities and duties afford ample opportunity for acquiring experience of the best
kind and its most beaten paths provide a
true worker with abundant scope for effort
and self-improvement. It was along such
lines that Robert B. Shank won a place,
prominent in business circles in the city of
Lansing.  He was here engaged in merchandizing since the age of sixteen years,
covering a period of over a quarter of a
century.
Our subject was a native son of this
county, his birth having occurred in I856
in the capital city, where he spent his entire life. His parents, Hulbert and Frances
Shank, were natives of the Empire state,
and came to Lansing when the capitol was
first located. He was one of the earliest




534


PAST AND PRESENT


doctors of the city and lived to be seventy
years of age.
The early education of Robert Shank was
acquired in the Townsend Street school of
Lansing, attending until the age of sixteen,
when he embarked in the grocery business.
which he so successfully conducted until
three years prior to his death, which occurred April 17, 900o. In I88I he became
identified with the cold storage business,
which continued for three years, and then
returned to the wholesale and retail grocery
business. He met with splendid success and
added to the general prosperity of the city
by the establishment of a large and thriving
enterprise.
Our subject affiliated with the Republican
party, and although not a politician in the
sense of office seeking, he took an active and
influential interest in local politics, and was
an Alderman at one time for the second
ward.  He was exceedingly prominent in
both social and business circles, and although not a member of any individual
church, he liberally contributed to all of
them towards their maintenance and support. He held a membership in the K. P.
lodge and was first Knight Commander of
the Uniform Rank at Lansing.
In the year I881, on the 25th (lay of January, Mr. Shank was united in marriage
to Miss Ella Edwards, daughter of B. F.
Edwards of Lansing, who was born in
Litchfield, Hillsdale county.  Mrs. Shank
came to Lansing when a young girl and
was here educated and afterward taught for
some time in the Lansing high school. Unto
this union three children were born, of
whom two are living: Eva and Jessie, both
at home; Robert, the third child, died at
the age of one year.
The life of Robert B. Shank has been one
of industry and perseverance and the systematic and honorable business methods he


followed won for him the confidence and(
respect of all. Everything pertaining to the
welfare of his native city and country received his endorsement and co-operation and
he was justly numbered among the leading
citizens of the city where he so long made
his home.
THEODORE WESTON.
Theodore Weston is a progressive, industrious and successful farmer of Leroy
township. His farm of eighty acres is situated on section 32 and is highly improvel,
being brought to this stage from the time it
was covered with stumps, by the hand of
Mr. Weston. He was born August i8th,
i850, at Montezuma, Cayuga county, Nexw
York, and is the son of James M. and Harriett (Dresser) Weston, both natives of
Cayuga county, the father having been born
in August of the year 1824 and the mother
in 1826. The parents were married in April,
I848 in the Empire State and came to Michigan in the year i866. He first located in
Chelsea and afterwards bought a farm in
Henrietta, Jackson county. This land was
partly cleared and had upon it a log house
and log barn. James Weston was rather independent in politics and gave but little time
to it, as he was busily engaged in his
farm work and devoted the most of his time
to its activities. He died March 31, I887.
Theodore Weston is one of four children.
He acquired his education in various places
-in New York until fifteen years of age
and after that at Grass Lake, Michigan. He
worked in the summer and went to school
in the winter until at the age of twenty he
commenced to teach school, which work he
continued until he was twenty-eight years
of age, when he located in Leroy township.
having bought eighty acres of land, with the
money he had saved from his earnings.




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN


535


March 8, I879, our subject was united in
marriage with Miss Mina Wade at Tompkins, Jackson county. She is the daughter
of an old settler, who located at Tompkins,
Jackson county, in 1837, and lived on one
place for fifty-five years. Their first purchase of land in Tompkins was forty acres,
which increased to one hundred and eighty
acres, which he owned at the time of death.
The mother lives with Mrs. Weston, and the
father died December 9, I893. The parents
of Mrs. Weston were members of the M. E.
church and the father was a Whig and later
a Republican.
To Mr. and M/rs. Theodore Weston have
been born four children, three living:
Gertrude. November II, 188I, married True
Martin and lives in Williamston; Hattie,
l)orn July i6th, I885, teaches school in her
home district, and Wade, born November
27, 1887, lives at home.
Our subject has been honored by several
public positions: he was Superintendent of
Schools for two years, a member of the
Board of Review, Justice of Peace two terms,
Notary Public, and still holds the office of
Justice of Peace. Fraternally, Mr. Weston
is allied with the Grange and Modern Woodmen, and is a member of the County Farmers' Institute. He was one of the original
promoters of the Farmers' Telephone Company from Dansville to Williamston, called
the Vantown and Dansville Telephone Company, which was established in I901.
Mrs. Weston has in her possession several
relics which she prizes very highly, among
them being a pillow slip that was made by
her grandmother when she was fourteen
years old; she carded the flax, spun it and
wove the cloth; the relic is over one hundred
years old. She also has an hourglass that
belonged to,her great great grandmother.
She can trace it back over two hundred and
fifty years: a hymnbook of the period of


I809 which her grandfather bought in 1819:
a quilt that her great great grandmother
made; she made all the cloth, colored it from
herbs grown in her garden, and quilted it.
The figures on it are flowers and no two
are alike. She also has a number of Indian
relics, such as skimming stones and Indian
implements which were picked up on the
farm.
OSWALD     C. WILLIAMS (DECEASFDD).
Oswald C. Williams will long be remembered as a genial gentleman with many good
qualities of heart and mind, a man who in
his life-time was held in high esteem and
enjoyed to a marked degree, the confidence
of his fellow citizens. He was born May I,
I864, in Williamston on the old Williams
homestead. He was the son of J. M. Williams, an old, prominent and highly respected settler of the town, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume.
Oswald Williams attended the Williamston high school and then took a business
course at Lansing and soon afterward went
into the bank of D. L. Crossman, as assistant
cashier, and shortly afterwards, as a partner.
The name of this organization was "Crossman & Williams," and the business is still
retained although both men are dead. It
being now carried on, with increased capital,
under the name of "Crossman & Williams
Exchange Bank," by Mrs. Shumway, a
daughter of Mr. Crossman, Mrs. Williams,
Mrs. Crossman, E. N. Crossman and Dr. F.
W. Shumnway wiith E. N. Crossman as
cashier.
Our subject was united in marriage May
2, 1890, to Miss Florence, daughter of J. G.
and E. R. Baldwin, natives of Michigan
and New York, respectively. They were
among the early settlers of Oakland county,
Michigan. where Mrs. Williams was born




536


PAST AND PRESENT


Mr. and Mrs. Baldwin well understood
the hardships of pioneer life and to them
belongs the honor of assisting to build up
the now prosperous condition of their
county.
Mr. Williams was a Republican in his
political views and was a stanch supporter
of his party. During his later years he suffered from consumption and travelled a
great deal in search of relief for his condition.
A man, who grows up in a town, as did
our subject in Williamston, takes an interest in everything that tends to the good of
the community and lends a helping hand to
every one, lives in the confidence and love
of his fellowmen. Mr. Williams settled a
good many large estates around Williamston and was a man of exceptional good business ability, which he no doubt inherited
from his highly respected father.
Respected by all and loved by all-Williamston deeply mourned the loss of Oswald
Williams on January 15, I904, and the impress which his life made upon the community is one which will ever live in the
hearts of his associates.
ALVY H. GRINNELL.
Among the reliable and well-to-do farmers
of Aurelius township stands the name Alvy
H. Grinnell. Mr. Grinnell was born in Lenawee county, Michigan, in I837. He was
the son of Spencer and Charity (Maloney)
Grinnell, who were natives of the Empire
State. Nine children were born to the Grinnells, five of whom are still living; Alvy was
the fifth. His father emigrated to the Wolverine State at an early day and took up
eighty acres of land from the government in
Lenawee county. This he improved and
made one of the productive farms of the
locality. He was a millwright carpenter and


joiner, cabinet maker and machinist, combined, being a ready workman with tools of
this character. After locating upon this farm
he spent the remaining years of his life here
and passed away in I880. His remains were
laid to rest in the Fairfield cemetery, beside
those of his devoted wife, who died in 1876.
They were both members of the Christian
church and emplified the doctrines of that
organization by the uprightness of their lives.
Alvy received his early education in the
district schools in his native county. At the
age of twenty-two years he was united in
marriage to Miss Harriet, daughter of Mr.
and Mrs. Josiah Hedden of Delhi township,
Ingham county. Mr. Hedden was among
the very earliest, if not the earliest, settlers
in the county. During the remaining residence in this county, and while yet active
with the affairs of life, Mr. Hedden was
counted as among the best and up-to-date
farmers of his time, his farm premises were
a model of neatness and order. He was a
man of strong character, living his convictions day by day.
To Mr. and Mrs. Alvy Grinnell were born
two children, Theron L., a successful farmer
residing near the home place, is married and
has two children, Emma, the only daughter,
is a gradute of the Eaton Rapids high school
and lives at home with her parents. The
family are all devoted members of the Baptist church at Aurelius Center, interested in
every enterprise looking to the well being
of society. Mr. Grinnell is a Prohibitionist
all the year around, and votes as he prays.
He is in no sense a seeker of office, preferring to occupy his time with his own private affairs. He is a farmer and is in love
with his calling. His farm is one of the
many substantial, homelike places in the
county.
The farm embraces one hundred acres of
choice land under a high state of cultivation,




f




/ f




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


537


thoroughly tilled and well fenced. Mr. Grinnell follows mixed farming and stock raising. He has resided where he now lives for
the past thirty-eight years.  During that
time he recalls many of the modern improvements that have taken place from the old
time methods. He remembers of having cut
wheat by hand with the old fashioned cradle
and help thrash the same with a flail.
Mr. Grinnell is and always has been as
clean in his personal habits as he is in his
farm  operations.  He never smoked or
drank. He stands for temperance through
and through and has instilled this principle
into his children and grandchildren. Among
the relics which have come down to him from
his father's estate is an old secretary, made
from black walnut stumps.
If it be true that good deeds of men do
live after them, the name of Alvy Grinnell
will be revered in the community in which
he has lived, long years after the grass has
grown green on his grave.
COL. GEORGE W. SHAFER.
Col. George W. Shafer, the pioneer merchant of Mason, and whose name is so
prominently connected with many of the
initial events in its history, was born in the
Township of Colchester, Delaware county,
New York, September I, I816. His father,
Deacon Henry Shafer, was a native of
Duchess county, from whence he removed to
Colchester a short time previous to the birth
of our subject. He was a farmer of some
prominence in- that locality, and wherever
known was highly esteemed for his integrity
of character. He was a Deacon in the Baptist church and an exemplary man in all respects. George remained at home until he
attained his twenty-first year. He received
such advantages of education as were afforded by the primitive schools of that day,


but what he failed to obtain from books was
more than compensated for in the possession
of a robust constitution and a strong pair of
hands inured to habits of industry.
In the spring of I839, in company with
his partner, Freeman Wilson, he came to
Mason and established the first store in that
place. The goods were brought from New
York and were a general assortment of
everything needed in the new country. They
continued in trade about two years; during
this time they built a hotel, which was undoubtedly the first house of entertainment in
the county. They took possession in December 1839 and the opening was celebrated by
a grand New Year's ball, which was the first
event of this kind in the county.  The
Colonel was a success as a landlord and he
continued in the business until about I852,
when he commenced the improvement of his
farm, which was located by his father in
1836. The Colonel always took an interest
in military and political matters, although
he never sought for prominence in either
direction. He was commissioned Colonel of
militia by Governor Barry, and took an
active part in the formation of "Curtenius
Guards."
In July, 1842, he was married to Deborah
Horton, of Colchester, Delaware Co., N. Y.,
where she was born in March, 1813; she
came to Michigan in I837.    Both were
prominent members of the Baptist church
and in every way worthy of the prominent
position they held among the early settlers
of Mason.
JOHN W. EDMONDS (DcE^ASED).
John W. Edmonds was numbered among
the progressive citizens of Lansing and Ingham county, where he was successfully engaged in the saddlery business for fortyfour years. Mr. Edmonds was a native of




PAST AND PRESENT


New York state, his birth having occurred
in New York city in 1833. His boyhood
and youth, however, were spent in Rochester, of that state, where he remained until
the age of twenty, or until 1853, when he
became a resident of Lansing. Here he in
company with a Mr. Cannell engaged in
the saddlery business, which relationship
continued until his death, which occurred the
15th day of August, 1894, his remains being
interred in Mt. Hope Cemetery.
Mr. Edmonds was united in marriage on
the 2nd day of January of 1865 to Miss
Marilla J. Pelton, daughter of Thomas and
Jane Pelton. Mrs. Edmonds was born in
LaGrange county, Indiana. The family
eventually moved to Ohio, where her father,
who was a farmer by occupation, died at the
age of ninety-one years.  Unto Mr. and
Mrs. Edmonds were born four children.
namely: James P., Robert G., Perry H., and
John W., who died in infancy.
John W. Edmonds was a man of great
determination of purpose and took an active
and helpful interest in the commercial, intellectual and moral advancement of his
adopted city.  He was ah important and
active factor in local politics and represented
his ward as Alderman in I86I and '62 and
also served as the efficient Chief of the Fire
Department for nine years and was likewise
the Treasurer of the School Board for several years and at the time of his death was
a member of the Police and Fire Commission. He was an active member of the I. O.
O. F. order and efficiently filled several
chairs in this lodge.
In his business Mr. Edmonds won success,
but he gained it so honorably that the mosf
envious could not grudge it to him. He was
exceedingly kind-hearted and generous and
he used his success worthily so that many
a needy one profited by his benevolent spirit
and kindly sympathy. Of excellent judg

ment, enterprise, conscientious and charitable, he proved himself a valuable citizen
and earned the right to the esteem and respect which has been accorded him.
DAN A. TAYLOR.
Dan A. Taylor is a native of Stockbridge
township, having been born there Jan. I5,
1848. His father, Abram Taylor, was born
in England June 3, I819, and died July 20,
1883, while the mother, Elizabeth Asquith,
also a native of England, died about forty
years ago.
Abram Taylor came to Michigan in an
early day and located on eighteen acres of
land in Unadilla township, Livingston county, all being improved land, and there lived
until his death. The father was an adherent
of the Democrat party.
Our subject started out for himself thirtyone years ago, or in I874, when he bought
forty acres of partly improved land and here
made his first home. He has improved the
balance of the forty acres and added forty
more in the year I887. He was the first of
nine children: Zack, Elizabeth, Harriett,
James, Zylpha, and four others that died in
infancy. Zack and our subject are the only
members of the family living.
Jan. i, 1874, Dan A. Taylor was united
in marriage with Amanda, daughter of William and Sara (Morehouse) Barrett, the
father having been born Nov. 3, 1822, and
the mother, Dec. I6, 1837. Mrs. Taylor was
born Jan. 24, I854. Her parents were married in I853, and to them were born four
children: Mrs. Taylor; Perry, born Oct. I8,
1856 (dead); Jane, Dec. 9, i858, and
Charles, July 30, I860. Mr. Barrett came
to Michigan from New York and worked on
the lakes for a time, and later was a farmer
and owned two or three different places. At
the time of his death in 1885 he owned forty



MR. AND MRS. DAN A. TAYLOR








INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


six acres. The father was a Democrat and
the mother, whose death occurred in  900oo
was an active member of the Baptist church.
Mr. Taylor represented his town as Pathmaster for several terms. He is a prosperous farmer, and his home may be found on
section 17 of Stockbridge township.
E.. A BARNES.
For more than thirty years Mr. Edward
A. Barnes has been one of Mason's reliable
and trustworthy business men. By strict attention to business with judicious and prudlent management, lie has secured a comfortalle competence.  I-e has also made for
himself a name for equity and fair dealing.
Mr. Barnes holdings in and about the city
c(lnsisting of houses, business buildings,
bank, and telephone stock are good paying
property, and evince a business acumen.
Mr. Barnes was born in Chatham, in the
Province of Quebec, Canada, February I6,
1822.   His parents, Avery and Fanny
(Burch) Barnes, were natives of Randolph
county, in the Green Mountain State. Our
subject was the oldest of a family of five
children.  A brief review of his life and
varied experiences clearly indicates the inbred characteristics of the man. He received
his education in the cormmon schools of Quebec.  At the age of eighteen years, he
turned his back upon his paternal home and
found employment in a general store in
Belleville, Canada. His entire wages for the
first year were $28.00. An income of nearly
eight cents per day. The second year he
received the munificent sum of $48.00. He
engaged in various occupations for a time,
and finally went into the lumber regions of
Canada, as clerk, receiving for his first year's
work $I6o.oo. He kept at it for three years,
the last year cleaned up $300.00. Having
established something of a reputation as a


lumberman, he was engaged by a lumber
company, as overseer of a gang of men, getting out logs. The timber was located about
twenty miles west of Montreal; here he remained one year and again embarked in business for himself.  Forming a partnership
with two others, they established a general
store at Ottawa, Canada, and engaged in
rafting logs for the Quebec market. Closing out his interest after one year he boarded
the sailing vessel, the "William Frothingham,'" bound for Australia. and after an
eventful voyage of nine weeks, he landed at
Cape Town in Africa. This was in the fall
of I852. Here the vessel received supplies
of water, meats and other necessaries, and
after four days in port set sail for Melbourne, Australia.  After reaching Melbourne, Mr. Barnes and companions, went
into the diggings and lived in a tent eight
feet square, while prospecting for gold, in
this they were not very successful. There
seemed to be a good opening for a general
store, Mr. Barnes and companions supplied
the need. Their place of business consisted
of a frame work of poles twenty by thirty
feet, covered with canvas; owing to the
unsettled condition of the country it was
necessary for all good law-abiding citizens to
go heavily armed for self-protection. The
enterprise proved a success, and Mr. Barnes
in the space of three years cleaned up several
thousands dollars. Closing out the business
he engaged in farming in Australia, and
continued with varying results until the fall
of I859, when he embarked for London,
England, from there took shipping for New
York, where he arrived in October. That
fall he came to Port Huron, Michigan,
formed a partnership with one John Johnson, and engaged in the lumber business
again.  This proved too tame for restless
nature, and after six months he sold out,
returned to Canada, formed a company,




540


PAST AND PRESENT


leased land and sunk oil wells. They produced the first flowing well in Canada. He
interested Montreal capitalists, secured a
loan of $I5,000 to develop the business. No
market could be found at that time for the
crude oil. Four thousand barrels were sold
for ten cents per barrel. The business was
finally abandoned with considerably financial
loss. November 7, I865, Mr. Barnes was
united in marriage to Miss Ellen Vernon of
'George, a lady of culture and refinement, an ideal home keeper and mother:
Ida L., a sweet faced child, was born September 12, I868, for seventeen years she was
the light and joy of the home, when her
young life so full of hope and promise went
out, she died March 21, 1887. Her sainted
mother preceded her to the better land, having died December 2, I877. The breaking
up of the home was a sad blow to Mr.
Barnes, but business claimed his attention,
and it was well it did. Mr. Barnes was
again married, to Mrs. James Sherman,
who has since shared with himthe fortunes of life. In I866, the year following
the Civil War, when there was a great rearrangement in all departments of business,
Mr. Barnes came to Mason, he at once
plunged into business. He purchased a lot
and built a substantial warehouse, where
now  stands the cold storage plant.  He
handled building material and had the field
practically to himself. He also purchased his
present comfortable residence and later added many needed improvements.   He continued in the business for about twenty-five
years, engaging also in the manufacturing
of staves, both enterprises proved profitable
investments. Mr. Barnes is what might be
termed a conservative Republican.
Mr. Barnes has served the city as
Treasurer in a most acceptable manner. He
united with the I. 0. 0. F. in 1846 in Montreal, after becoming a resident in Mason


was transferred to Mason Lodge.    Mr.
Barnes is an esteemed member of the Presbyterian Church, his membership reaching
back nearly 35 years. He has served the society officially as Trustee and otherwise.
Sincerity, conservatism and honesty are
three prominent traits that have characterized his dealings with his fellows.  Mr.
Barnes may justly be termed a "much
traveled man." He has been around the
world, sailed over the north and south Atlantic, and Pacific and Indian oceans from
50 degrees north latitude to 60 degrees south
latitude.
A man of wide experience and many
virtues.
J. J. BAIRD.
Taking up the life history of this man
who has done so much for Lansing, we present the records of one who has risen from
a position of obscurity to one of wealth and
affluence enjoyed by few men of this State.
A native of the Buckeye State, J. J. Baird
was born in the year of 1852, and is the son
of James and Mary Ann Baird, who were
natives of New York.
The elder Baird was a hotel keeper and
came to Michigan in 1854, settling in Charlotte, where he erected and conducted what
is known as the "Baird House" until his
death. The early boyhood of Mr. Baird
was spent in this locality, and here he received his early education. Having a liking
for the law, he began the study under Mr.
Isaac Hickock, an attorney of prominence,
of Charlotte. He was eventually admitted
to the bar, and there began his practice, remaining for a few years. In I880 be became a citizen of Lansing, forming a partnership with Mr. Dart, under the firm name
of "Dart and Baird," which was continued
with a moderate degree of success, until the








Ace 1


FRANK C. MINAR                     CAPT. LYMAN MINAR
Born October iS, 1855                Born February 19, 1822
MRS. JULIA FRESHOUR
Born March 31, 1882
DOROTHY LYDIA FRESHOUR
Born December 14, 1904




I




A\IRS. LYMAIN I\IINAR








INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


541


formation of the firm of Cahill, Ostrander &
Baird. He continued his association with
these gentlemen for a short time, when his
manufacturing interests, in which he was
identified with Mr. O. F. Barnes, began to
assume such proportions that he found it
necessary to discontinue the practice of law.
In I877 Mr. Baird was united in marriage
to Miss Irene Combs, of Fostoria, Ohio, and
unto this union have been born three children: Mrs. Charles Bradford, Mrs. Dr.
Joseph Foster, and Sue.
Probably no man of his time has exerted
a greater influence towards the development
and growth of Lansing's commercial, manufacturing and real estate interests than our
subject, as he enjoys a reputation of being
the largest individual real estate owner in
the city, paying more real estate taxes than
any one individual of his locality, owning
the Baird Opera House, the Hotel Butler
and the Hotel Hudson buildings, together
with other valuable realty holdings.
The Business Men's Association of Lansing, an organization perfected for the purpose of promotion and the locating of manufacturing concerns, has been an important
factor in the development of Lansing's
manufacturing interests. To the perfection
of this organization, Mr. Baird has given a
great deal of his valuable time and as its efficient president, this organization has been
able to enjoy the results of his influence and
energy, and it has been acceded beyond a
question of doubt that Lansing owes the location of many important enterprises within
its limits to Mr. Baird's efforts.  Careful
and conservative in the exercise of his opinions, Lansing has enjoyed a steady and
healthy growth.
Viewing the personal history of J. J.
Baird, it is safe to say, that he is in every
sense of the word a self-made man. Starting out in life for himself at an early age,


as an office boy, at a dollar and a half a
week, he has steadily advanced to the position of prominence in the community which
he now holds. A Democrat in his political
views, he has taken an active interest in local
politics, and efficiently represented his ward
as Alderman for twelve years. He is also an
Elk and a member of the Masonic fraternity,
and has lived a life in harmony with its beneficent teachings. The success that he today
enjoys is the result of his own well-directed
efforts. Numerous other enterprises of importance owe their growth and development
to his helpful influence and association, and,
while advancing his own interests, he has
materially contributed to Ingham  county's
prosperity, and no man within its borders
enjoys a greater degree of confidence than
J. J. Baird.
CAPT. LYMAN MINAR.
Captain Lyman Minar of Vevay township
was the son of a farmer. He was born near
Schenectady, N. Y., as were his parents before him. They lived, spent their lives, died
and were buried in the Empire State. John
and Catherine (Colon) Minar were the parents of nine children, six boys and three
girls. Lyman, who was born February 19,
1822, SO far as known, is the only living
descendant. He began life for himself, when
only thirteen years of age, as a sailor boy
on the lakes. It is a remarkable fact that
six of the family began life as sailors in the
employ of the same man. Our subject remained with his employer nineteen years and
at the age of nineteen years was captain of
his vessel. He sailed as captain on the lakes
for forty-two years, a record seldom duplicated. A brother, however, sailed the same
number of years.
February 22, 1843, Lyman Minar married Austress Jenkins of Ellisburg, N. Y.,




5.42


PAST AND PRESENT


and eight children were born to them, four
of whom are living, all highly respected, intelligent, enterprising citizens: Capt. Norman L. J., born September 14, 1847, farmer
and sailor; Agnes 0., born November 27,
I850, wife of Edward L. Topliff, residing in
Toledo, Ohio; Captain George A., farmer
and sailor, born November 26, 1852, and
Frank C., born October I8, 1855, a sketch
of whose life appears elsewhere in this
volume.
Mirs. Minar departed from this life March
20, I901. For fifty-eight years, hand in
hand, they walked the path of life.  Together they shared the joys and sorrows of
the passing years. She has gone, but the influence of her life lingers to cheer and comfort him who in the closing years of an
active life is going down the decline toward
the setting of the sun, bearing with him a
good hope of a happy meeting in the bright
and beautiful beyond. Fortunate indeed is
the parent, who, in the decreptitude of old
age, has the assurance that the filial love of
his children will look to it that no wish or
desire will go ungratified.
Captain Minar has for many years been
identified with the fraternal order of Masons.
J. L. TORREY.
The Village of Leslie, Ingham county, can
boast among her citizens a goodly number
of men whose activity, ability and broad experience make them of value to the community and bring to them the respect of their
fellow citizens and perhaps there is none
more deservedly popular and influential than
J. L. Torrey, who was born in the Empire
State in Livingston county, in April, I83I.
He was the son of Miles and Laura Torrey.
The father was born in Massachusetts and
came to New York where he worked at


farming and the trade of a blacksmith. tie
came to Michigan in the spring of I845 and
settled in Washtenaw county, where he lived
for one year and then came to Jackson county, where he lived until his death one and
one-half years later. Our subject was the
third of five children. The wife and mother
of this family died in I86I.
Upon reaching the years of his majority
J. L. Torrey came to Michigan and settled
on a farm in Leslie township and in connection with the farm work helped to run a saw
mill for a time, then   came to Leslie,
where   he  operated  a   saw  mill for
several years.  After this for eight or
ten years our subject was engaged in the
mercantile business, having charge of a general store which he later sold to Mr. Blackmore.   For twenty years after this Mr.
Torrey ran a lumber yard in the village of
Leslie, this being the only place of its kind
in the town. This place of business he later
sold to Mr. Lamb and now lives in retirement enjoying the fruits of his early toil.
J. L. Torrey was united in marriage February 28, I856, to Miss Harriett M., daughter of S. O. Russell, one of the earliest settlers of Leslie, and to this couple have been
born two sons: Linford G., a resident of
Leslie, born December 6, 1864, and Clayton,
born August 21, 1873, living in Dowagiac.
Fraternally, Mr. Torrey is connected with
the Masonic order at Leslie. He is a supporter of the Republican party and has
served as Village Treasurer for two terms
and as Town Clerk and has always taken a
lively interest in local affairs. When our
subject arrived in this county there was only
one horse team in the township and woods
covered a great deal of the land.
Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Torrey are living in
retirement from the activities of life in their
pleasant home in Leslie and are highly esteemed by their many friends. Mr. Torrey




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


543


is a genial, whole-souled man, who is well
informed on the events of the day and who
has many friends in all classes of society.
ALFRED BEAMER.
Mr. Beamer is a resident of Lansing of
forty years standing, one of its pioneers in
the railroad, express and telephone business and has always been a large factor in
all its public enterprises and movements. He
was born in Ontario, Canada, in 1841, being
the son of George and Rebecca Beamer. The
father of our subject was a Canadian farmer,
a native of St. Catherine, removing to Michigan and settling in Lansing in 1870. There
he lived until his death.
Alfred Beamer passed his boyhood days
in Canada, receiving his early education in
the Dominion schools as well as his first experience as a telegraph operator in the service of the Great Western Railway.
He came to Michigan in I86o, locating at
Lowell as railroad agent and operator for the
Detroit and Milwaukee R. R. Coming to
Lansing in 1864, he continued that line of
work in connection with the railroad and
express business. When le first became a
resident of the place, he and Sam Milmore
transacted all the railroad business with the
utmost ease. In those days one mixed train
ran between Lansing and Owosso, constituting what was known as the Ram's Horn
Line and the only railroad to Lansing.
Mr. Beamer continued to be identified
with the telegraph business from I86o until
1878, when he gave up the telegraph work,
but continued, however, as a representative
of the National and American Express Companies. He built the first telephone exchange
in Lansing in I880 and managed that enterprise in connection with his express business until I898. Since that year his services
have been monopolized by the express com

panies named, whose office is on the same
corner now that it was forty years ago, when
as a young telegraph operator, he joined his
fortunes with the business then in its weak
infancy,
Mr. Beamer's prominence as a business
man was further emphasized by his conduct
of a prosperous produce trade for a number
of years. His substantial standing in this regard was not earned at the expense of neglecting the public affairs of the community,
for he has always taken a deep and active
interest in the welfare of Lansing, especially
in that which concerns the education of the
young. He has served on the Board of Education and, unofficially, has also been of great
practical service to that cause. In politics,
he is a sound Republican and his religious
affiliations are with the Congregational
church. His connection with secret societies
is confined to his membership in the Modern
Woodmen.
In 1862, Miss Louise J. Adjit of Ontario.
Canada, became Mr. Beamer's first wife.
Five children were born to them, of wlhom
three are living. Mrs. James V. Barry of
Lansing; Miss Mabel Beamer of San Diego,
Cal., and H. Bruce Beamer of Los Angeles,
California. Mrs. Beamer died in 1894, our
subject being a second time united in marriage to Miss Eliza Bush Hinman, in I895.
FRANK A. MERRIFIELD.
Frank A. Merrifield, of Wheatfield township, was born May 8, i860. He was the
son of Martin Luther and Eliza (Thomas)
Merrifield. The father was a native of Ohio
and the mother of New York. Mr. and Mrs.
Martin Merrifield were married in Rochester and then emigrated to Ohio, where they
spent the remaining years of their married
life. The father was engaged in the carpenter trade for a while and afterwards follow



544


PAST AND PRESENT


ed the calling of farmer. After the death
of the mother Mr. Martin Merrifield went to
Kansas, where he has since resided. Ten
children were born to this couple, our subject
being the sixth in order of birth.
Frank Merrifield acquired his early education in the common schools of Ohio and
when twenty-three years of age started out
in the world for himself. He located in
Wheatfield township, County of Ingham and
State of Michigan, where he came to seek his
fortune.
Our subject was married twenty-one years
ago to Miss.Nettie, daughter of Joseph and
Emily Dennis, early settlers of Wheatfield
township, and unto Mr. and Mrs. Merrifield
has been born one child, Roy J., who is at
home with his parents, attending the common schools of his locality. Roy is sixteen
years old.
The condition of the land upon which our
subject and wife are now located was, when
it came into their possession, in a wild state
and has been greatly improved by them.
Here they are engaged in farming along the
general lines and make a specialty of fancy
Plymouth chickens.
Frank Merrifield is a Republican and has
held the office of Justice of the Peace and
been a member of the Board of Review.
Socially he is a member of the Knights of
Loyal Guard, in which he takes an active
interest.
J. T. BARBER.
Among the early settlers in the Township
of Waterloo, Jackson county, Mich., was
Mr. John Barber and his wife, Caroline. He
came direct from the Emerald Isle. Mrs.
Barber was a native of New York state.
Mr. Barber was born in I8oi. They were
the parents of twelve children, and the subject, Jackson T. Barber, was one of the num

ber. He was born September 7, I848, at
Waterloo, Jackson county, Mich. The elder
Barber was but a young man upon his arrival
to this country, but he brought with him
pluck and stick-to-itiveness, essential elements of success. He began clearing up his
farm, and with but limited means and an increasing family, as the years went by, but
they were hardy pioneers and equal to the
emergency, adapting themselves to existing
circumstances won out, and each year added
to the comforts of living.
Jackson T. Barber started out for himself
at the age of twenty-two years in Henrietta
township, near the place of his birth. Borrowing $I,ooo.oo from his father, he purchased a piece of land, made some improvements, and seven years later sold out, and
bought sixty acres on section thirty-six,
Township of Vevay, which has since been
the home of his family. To this he has added, as he has prospered, until today his farm
embraces one hundred forty acres, well improved and stocked; good farm buildings,
and is financially on "Easy Street."
On November Io, 1872, Mr. Barber was
married to Gustina, daughter of Patrick
Ryan, an old and respected resident of Jackson county. When but a young man, Mrs.
Barber's father, Patrick Ryan came from
Ireland. His wife's maiden name was Catherine Quinn.   They were the parents of
eleven children, three of whom are still living.
When the family are all at home, and
gathered about the frugal board nine pairs
of feet including the parents' are under the
table: Edith, Born October I8, I874, wife of
Thomas Barr; Maud, born September Io,
1875, at home with her parents; Ruby, born
June I6, 1878, a public school teacher, in
Glasston, N. Dak.; Gustina, born September
30, I880, also teaching; William, born July
6, 1882, graduated from Mason high school




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


545


and later spent a year at Olivet College;
Catherine, born November i, I886, graduated from  Mason high school in June,
1904, Caroline, born March 24, 1895.
Mr. Barber has patronized the Mason
high school continuously for the past thirteen years; no less than six children having
at various times been in attendance, and five
have already graduated with honor.  All
seem to have desired to be well educated,
and have been helped and encouraged by
their parents. Mr. Barber, while farming
for a business, has dealt in stock "on the
side" and has annually added to his exchequer by so doing. His dealings in this
line amount to several thousand dollars
yearly. He is known as a good feeder of
both cattle and sheep. As a buyer, he is a
favorite among the farmers for miles
around, and the farmer who has something
good can usually deal with Mr. Barber.
Bearing the sirname of "Old Hickory" and
being "to the manor born" he could not well
be otherwise than a pronounced Democrat.
Mr. Barber has no liking for office, as he is
a busy man with his own personal affairs.
Genial, warm hearted, generous and frank,
make him a most desirable friend and neighbor.
Mr. and Mrs. Barber are members of the
M. E. society, and the family are regular
attendants and supporters of the church. Mr.
Barber is a Master Mason, and also a member of the fraternal order of the Maccabees.
If a man who causes two blades of grass
to grow where but one grew before, is a
benefactor to the race, then Mr. Barber may
rightly line up in this class.
Mr. Barber cheerfully yields space in this
brief biographical sketch to record the
names and date of birth of his four grandchildren-children of his eldest daughter,
Mrs. Thomas Barr, as follows: J. T., born
March I7, I895; Emery D., born October
35


30, I897; L. B., born July 8, I899; Muriel
Evelyn, born December 5, 1903.
DAVID W. AND BEERI B. NOYES.
David W. Noyes was born December 21,
I802, at Landaff, Grafton county, N. H. In
the winter of 1823-4 having just passed his
majority, he taught school in Middlebury,
Vt. In the spring of 1853 he made the trip
entirely on foot to Leroy, Genesee county,
N. Y., where he engaged in farming and
captain of a packet on the Erie canal until
the fall of 1831, when he moved to Michigan territory, and purchased a farm of
eighty acres of land in the town of Washington, Macomb county. In 1842 he purchased from the State of Michigan, eighty
acres of land which had been reserved for
salt springs, for which he paid four dollars
per acre. This, with his original purchase
he highly improved and erected thereon substantial buildings, and it became known as
the Noyes homestead, from which no white,
black or copper colored wayfarer was ever
turned away hungry or needy. During the
trouble with Ohio over its southern boundary, the Territory of Michigan made preparation to fight, and acting Governor Mason
called out the militia, Mr. Noyes was commissioned as first lieutenant and captain in
the militia by Gov. Mason, but happily a
contest was averted, and what is known as
the Toledo war ended without bloodshed.
Mr. Noyes was three times married. In
1827 he married Olive Allen, who was born
in Charleston, N. H. Her father, B. F. Allen, served in the navy in War of I812, under the daring and gallant Blake, whose ship
went down with all on board. The issue of
this union was two sons Albert G. and Kirke
W. The wife and mother died in November, I83I, two weeks after their removal to




546


PAST AND PRESENT


Michigan. In the spring of 1833 Mr. Noyes
married Maria J. Bostwick at Batavia, N.
Y. She was a native of Vermont. The issue of this union was Helen M., Octavia,
Michael J., Beeri B., Carrie T, and Moore
R. and a son and daughter who died in infancy. In 1858 this wife and mother (who
was a noted housekeeper) was taken from
her family by death.
In I858 or 9 Mr. Noyes was again united
in marriage to Mrs. Jerusha McCormick of
Ann Arbor, Mich.
In 1864 Mr. Noyes sold his farm (which
he had made a noted one) and moved to
Ann Arbor, where he died January 13, I888,
aged a little over eighty-six years. His remains were taken by his sons K. W., M. J.
and B. B. to Washington, Macomb county,
and buried by old friends and neighbors beside members of the family who had gone
before, and where, before his death he had
caused to be erected a monument. He was a
noble, kind-hearted man, beloved by all who
knew him.
The subject of this sketch, Beeri B. Noyes,
cheerfully gives space in his history to his
brother, Captain Kirke W. Noyes, a gallant
soldier in the War of the Rebellion, who enlisted December 2, 1862, in Co. D of the
Ist Regiment of Michigan Sharpshooters.
He was mustered as first sergeant, promoted
to first lieutenant, was acting adjutant, and
later commissioner and mustered as captain.
He was wounded in action at Spottsylvania,
May 12, 1864, at Petersburg, July 30, I864,
and was again wounded at Peebles Farm,
September 30, 1864, taken prisoner and confined to Libby, Salisbury and Dansville five
months, was parolled February 22, 1865;
was mustered out of service July 28, 1865,
at close of the war.
Beeri B. Noyes the subject of this historical sketch was born in the Township of
Washington, Macomb county, Mich., No

vember 26, 1841, and as before noted in this
sketch was the second son of David W. and
Maria J. Noyes. He was reared to manhood
on the old farm where he was born and
which he assisted his father to improve and(l
make one of the best and most productive
in that region. He was educated in the district schools of the Township, and later attended a graded school for a time, but owing
to the scarcity of help on the farm during the
years of the Civil war, he was obliged to
lay aside his books and return to the farm
and assist his father in its management, lis
two brothers K. W. and M. J. having enlisted.  At the age of twenty-three in the
year I864, Mr. Noyes came to Ingham
county, first purchasing one hundred and
twenty acres of wild land, later he added
eighty acres nearly all of which has been
cleared of the native forest and put under a
good state of cultivation. He has also erected comfortable farm  buildings and ma(le
other needed improvements devoting himself
to general farming and stock raising and lias
made it remunerative.  By economy an(l
strict attention to business Mr. Noyes lias
succeeded in securing for himself and wife
comfortable heritage. In I864 he was united in marriage to Jerusha, daughter of
George McCormick of Superior, Washtenaw
county. Mrs. Noyes was one of a family of
eight children, named respectively, as follows: William, Jane, Jerusha, Emma, Andrew, Shelson, John, Anna; Weyburn of
these three are living.
Politically, Mr. Noyes is in sympathy
with the principles of the Prohibition party.
and has always taken an active interest in
both local and national politics. For three
years he served the township as Drain Conmmissioner and was for several years Conmissioner of Highways and for four years
Justice of the Peace.
Mr. and Mrs. Noyes have both been ac







A. G. MILLER              MRS. A. G. MILLER


ESTHER GAYLORD MILLER


NELLIE ISABEL MILLER




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


547


tive and honored members of several fraternal organizations. Mr. Noyes is a memler of the order of F. and A. M. of Mason.
He is also a Maccabee in which order he carries an insurance for four thousand dollars,
and also holds a membership in the Eastern
Star and the Grange organization.  The
family have for many years been associated
with the M. E. church at Mason to which
they contribute of their substance for its
maintenance and support.
To Mr. and Mrs. Noyes have been born
four children: Luella, is the wife of Willard
E. Wilcox of Delhi township, engaged in
farming; Allie, born August 8, 1869, now
the wife of Dr. Chas. G. Jenkins of Lansing;
Mary, born April 25, I880, the wife of Earl
fl. Gregg of Toledo, Ohio, and the last born
(lied in infancy.
Following the submission of this sketch
for approval, at which time Mrs. Noyes appeared to be in the enjoyment of her usual
good health, she was suddenly stricken down
and passed away to her home beyond. This
was the great bereavement in the life of Mr.
Noyes and one in which he has the heartfelt
sympathy of the entire community.
If the man who causes two blades of grass
to grow where but one grew before is a benefactor to the race, then Beeri B. Noyes will
be cheerfully given place among that number.
A. G. MILLER.
Ingham county has few, indeed, if any
more patriotic or trustworthy citizens than
Asher G. Miller of Stockbridge. For more
than forty years Mr. Miller has been identified with the moral and financial development of the community in which he has
lived, and is known as a man of probity of
life and character. It is the good fortune
of but few to enjoy public confidence in a


larger measure than has been awarded Mr.
Miller.
Our subject was born in Luzerne county,
Pa., August 27, I847. He was the son of
Esther Gaylord and Conrad C. Miller, who
were united in marriage at Plymouth, Pa.
The father was a native of Otsego county,
N. Y., where he was born January I I, 1821.
The mother was born October I9, I818, at
Plymouth, Pa.
The elder Miller moved with his family to
Michigan in the year i85o and settled upon
a farm in the northeastern part of the Township of Stockbridge. Here the family residel during the remainder of his life. He
was known as a thrifty, enterprising farmer,
and greatly improved the premises, erecting
new buildings and clearing the land. Six
children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Conrad
Miller, two only of whom are living: our
subject and his sister, Mary Louisa, the wife
of Arthur L. Soules. They were united in
marriage on July 4, I882. Mrs. Soules was
born in 1845. Mrs. Soules is a lady of generous impulses, and her contributions to
benevolent, educational and religious purposes have characterized her as a friend of
humanity, and one who esteems it a privilege to bestow upon others as she has been
blessed. Of the others, three died in infancy.
DeWitt C., born November Io, I851, died
April, I884. Mr. and Mrs. Conrad Miller
were exemplary members of the Christian
church society, living and dying in the faith.
Conrad Miller enlisted in August, 1864, as a
member of the ist Michigan Engineers and
Mechanics. He was with General Sherman
in the grand march "Sixty miles in latitude,
three hundred in the main," as the invincible
army swept across the country from "Atlanta to the sea." Soon after reaching Savannah he was taken sick and sent to the
hospital in that city, where he spent the winter, being sent in May to hospital in Phila



548


PAST AND PRESENT


delphia, Pa., where he died June I, 1865, as
truly for his country died as those who fell
amid the rain of shot and shell. His remains were sent home and he sleeps in Oak
Lawn cemetery at Stockbridge. The mother
passed away February, 1857, and rests beside her husband.
At the breaking out of the Civil war in
I86I, Asher G. Miller was too young to pass
muster as a soldier. However, January 4,
I864, at the age of sixteen years, young
Miller enlisted as a recruit in Co. B, 26th
Michigan Vol. Infantry, at which time his
regiment was assigned to the ist Brigade,
Ist Division, 2d Army Corps-Army of
Potomac. In the early spring campaign that
followed began Gen. Grant's grand flanking
movement on which line he proposed to
"fight it out if it took'all summer," which
it did and until the 9th day of April following. Among the severe conflicts in which
young Miller participated were the Wilderness, Coal Harbor, North Anna, Spottsylvania, here his regiment lost in killed,
wounded and missing, nearly one-half the
number engaged. He also was with his
regiment at the siege of Petersburg from
June I6, 1864, to April 4, I865. The last
eight months of young Miller's service he
was confined to the hospital by reason of
sickness; he was mustered out and honorably
discharged June 24, I865, at Mount Pleasant Hospital, Washington, D. C., by reason
of close of war.
Returning to civil life, although but a lad
of seventeen years, he found himself, by the
death of his father, obliged to assume the responsibilities of a large estate, which, with
his brother Dewitt, he successfully managed
for a number of years, his sister caring for
the home. In the meantime, feeling the need
of better educational qualifications, Mr. Miller attended the Howell high school for a
time, and later spent eight months in the


west visiting the coast. August 6, 1877, he
was united in marriage to Miss Janet,
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Duncan McKenzie of St. George, Ontario. Mr. McKenzie
was a native of the Empire State, where he
was born in the year I806. His wife, Elizabeth Burt, was of Scotch descent, having
been born in Glasgow, Scotland, in I820.
She was the mother of fourteen chi'ldren;
she died at the age of fifty-nine years, June,
I879. Mr. McKenzie passed away in the
year I88I. They were most estimable people and highly respected for the uprightness
of their lives. Data given respecting their
family is as follows: Peter, December 25
1831; Elizabeth, May 12, 1833 (dead);
Isabel, December 3, 1834 (dead); John,
July 24, 1836 (dead); Daniel, November 30,
1837  (living); Robert, July   I0, I839,
(dead); Dougal, January Io, 1841 (dead);
Duncan, December 25, 1842 (living); Janet,
June 26, I845 (living); James, July I, 1847
(living); Mary, June 21, I849 (dead);
William Burt, April 9, i85I (dead); Mlalcom K., July 25, I855 (living); George B..
July 23, I857 (living).
To Mr. and Mrs. Miller have been born
two daughters: Nelly Isabel, February 4,
I879. Miss Nelly is a graduate from the
Conservatory of Music at the State Normal
College at Ypsilanti.. She is considered a
fine musician.
Esther Gaylord, July 3, I880.     Miss
Esther is a graduate from the Stenographic
Institute at Ann Arbor, Mich.   Both are
still enjoying the pleasures of the parental
home.   Intellectual, cultured, and having
been favored by travel, make them charming
entertainers.
Mr. Miller has no ambition for local public positions, but has frequently been given
preferment. He was for two years Township Treasurer, and for three terms was
chosen a member of the Board of Review.




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


549


Ile is an enthusiastic Grand Army man, was
a charter member and is Past Commander
of George H. Ewing Post No. 203, of Stocklridge. Mr. Miller is a frequenter of both
the State and National Encampment of the
G. A. R. without regard to locality. He also
affiliates with the I. O. O. F., of which association he is now and was Treasurer for several years. The family are all loyal supporters of the M. E. church.
Mr. Miller retired frrom active farm life
some years since, erecting a large and commodious brick residence in the Village of
Stockbridge, where he is always at home to
his friends. With an assured income sufficient to meet all necessary demands, and
even to gratify the cultured tastes, Mr. Miller and family can well afford to keep their
hearts in tune for the Doxology. A comrade
who fought with Mr. Miller on the front
line, has said of him, "he was indeed a brave
soldier boy; for him to know duty was to
do it." And it can be truthfully added that
hiis private life as a citizen has been above
reproach, candid, conscientious, consistent.
He is patriotically loyal, and loyally patriotic.
Mr. Miller has recently added to his well
established reputation for liberality and
patriotism in the active and prominent part
lie has taken as a member of the committee
in the erection upon the public square in the
beautiful Village of Stockbridge, of a granite
monument to the memory of her loyal sons
who participated in the great struggle for
human freedom and a united country.
To Mr. Miller, in this enterprise, and also
in the placing of a mounted cannon by Geo.
H. Ewing Post of the G. A. R., on the opposite corner of the square from the monument, is due more than to any other, the
planning and carrying to completion these
reminders of the trials and triumphs of the
Union soldiers in the Civil War.


For ages they will remain and speak to
the generations to come of the loyalty and
public spirited patriotism of the citizens of
Stockbridge.
While Mr. Miller has always been aligned
with the Republican party, he is a strong advocate of the principles of temperance, and
he would hail with delight a forward movement of his party along this line. In local
politics he is always lined up with the temperance element, appreciating the fact that
the organized liquor traffic is a menace to
our Christian civilization.
JOHN B. DWINNELL (DEwCEASEDD).
For thirty-seven years John B. Dwinnell
was one of the upright and respected citizens
of Mason city and Vevay township. His
friends were counted by the number of his
acquaintances.
He possessed an exceptionally pleasing
personality, always having a smile and cordial handshake for his many friends. He
was a man of considerable business ability,
and from the various enterprises in which
he was engaged at different times during
his life he acquired a sufficient competence
to satisfy all reasonable demands. He was
the son of Justain and Desire Dwinnell,
born in western New York, January 24,
I836. He grew to manhood in his native
state where he received a liberal common
school education.  His first adventure in
business was in the city of Rochester, N. Y.,
where he established a boot and shoe trade
which he conducted for one year. Selling
this place he came to Michigan and purchased the farm now owned by O. W. Priest,
Vevay township. Prior to this time he took
the important step of his life by being united
in marriage, April 27, I859, to Maranda C.,
daughter of Richard and Laura VanDusen.
Mrs. Dwinnell's father was a merchant of




550


PAST AND PRESENT


the old Granite State, where she was born
September 17, 1838, and there spent the
early years of her liffe.
Mr. Dwinnell remained upon the farm for
fourteen years, but his health gave out and
the opportunity presenting itself, he sold the
place, moved to Mason where he built a
comfortable home. He then purchased a saw
mill located on section 12, Vevay township,
and for several years was extensively engaged in the manufacture of lumber. In this
he continued for some time, but eventually
retired from active business life. In politics
he was a pronounced Democrat and held the
office of Justice of the Peace and was a member of the city Council. His was the temperament to enjoy the friendship which came
from associations of fraternal organizations.
He was a Knight Templar and also a K. of
P. Mr. and Mrs. Dwxinnell never had any
children, and were indeed much to each other
and whenever possible were in each other's
society. Both kept their hearts young and
enjoyed society gatherings. Mr. and Mrs.
Dwinnell were loyal members of the Presbyterian society. He departed from this life
on the first day of January, 1894. He will
long be remembered for his many virtues.
Since the death of her husband, Mrs. Dwinnell sold her large home and built a comfortable and commodious cottage where she
spends her summers, going to California and
Florida during the winter months. She is
also the possessor of a fine farm of 120
acres in Vevay township. This property she
rents, it bringing her a desirable income.
PETER McINTYRE.
There are few residents in the Township
of Stockbridge better or more favorably
known than the subject of this sketch. For
more than half a century his life has been


as an open book before the people of his section of the country-a goodly portion of the
time in public offices-yet few men have received less criticism upon their acts whether
of a public or private character.  He is a
man his fellow townsmen always seem to delight to honor. Modest and unassuming il
manner, careful of the feelings of others,
oftener seeking than giving advice, cordial,
yet rather inclined to reticence, such are soime
of the well known characteristics of Peter
McIntyre.
James McIntyre and his wife, Mary McColl, were both natives of the Empire State,
where the former was born in 1802 and the
latter in i8II. They were married in the
year 1830 and in 1834 came to Michigan,
settling upon a tract of one hundred sixty
acres of unimproved land in the Township
of Unadilla, Livingston county. A log house
\Vas rolled up and the felling of the forest
anl the improvement of the land began.
Very crude and primitive was this first honle
in the wilderness. These thrifty, industrious
people of whom we write, were the pareits
of thirteen children, of whom the subject of
this sketch was the third. The father, a manl
of good report, lived to see the youngest
members of his family grown to manhood.
In his farming operations and business
enterprises he met with average success. Thle
log house in time gave way to a substantial
brick structure, the land was brought under
subjection.  The father died in I87.1 regarded with esteem by his neighbors. The
mother departed this life in 1882, Their remains rest side by side in the cemetery a:lt
North Waterloo Cemetery, Jackson county.
Following is the family genealogy: Dolald, born 183I, married Miss Olive Herrick,
they have five children, four now living, they
reside in Howell; Jane, born 1833, was the
wife of John Rockwell and mother of one
child, Dennis, she died in I900; a pair of




MR. AND MRS. PETER McINTYRE




I ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


551


twins were born in 1839 and died in infancy;
Ann, born in I838, married Peter McKenzie
of Stockbridge, they have three children;
Hugh A., born 1836, resides on the old
homestead in Unadilla; Flora, born in 1841,
now the widow of Edward Bates, one child
was born to them, Mirs. Bates resides in Lansing city; Mary, born in I843, now the wife
of B. W. Sweet of Waterloo, they are the
parents of three children; James D., born in
1847, married Mary Youngs, they moved to
\Visconsin, where he died in I897, leaving a
widow and one son; Nettie, born in I849,
lives with her brother Hugh on the old homesteal; Eliza, born in 1851, died i860; Ruth,
born 1853, died at the age of six months.
Peter McIntyre received his "book learning" in a log school house where he mastered
the three R's. Mr. McIntyre first engaged
in farming for himself on a small tract of
land in Lyndon township, Jackson county,
in 1863. This was during the progress of
the great Civil W\ar. Times were good, pro(luce of all kinds brought a high figure,
farming was then a profitable business. It
was during the years of the war and immediately after that many a Michigan farmer laid the foundation that led to a comfortable competence.
In 1868 Mr. McIntyre sold out and purchased his present home of one hundred
sixty acres in the Township of Stockbridge.
He has since erected a modern house, an
elegant barn and other outbuildings, giving
to the entire premises an air of thrift and
enterprise.
In politics Mr. McIntyre has always been
in harmony with the principles of the Republican party. He cast his first vote for General John C. Fremont for president and has
voted for every Republican presidential
candidate since.
March 3, 1863, Mr. McIntyre was united
in marriage to Miss Mary, daughter of Mr.


McCloy, of Waterloo, Jackson county. Mr.
McCloy was a native of the Emerald Isle,
where he was born in 1814, and her mother,
whose maiden name was Margaret McIntyre, was born in I818. The McCloys were
a highly respected and intelligent family,
industrious and thrifty. The father died in
1878 possessed of a farm of two hundred
eighty acres, well stocked, besides other holdings. The mother was first to pass away.
They were both highly respected members of
the Presbyterian church.
Mrs. McIntyre was the fifth of a family
of seven children, four of whlom are still
living. Their names in order of their birth,
and other data concerning them is givenl as
follows: The first born (lied in infancy;
Mary died at the age of ten months; Joseph,
born in 1833; young McCloy was a practicing attorney at Grass Lake, Jackson county, at the breaking out of the war, when the
I2th Michigan Infantry was being organized. He recruited a number of men and
was commissioned Tst Lieutenant of Co. 1),
October io, 186I, was promoted to the rank
of Captain September i, i862, and remained
in the service and followed the fortunes of
the I2th Michigan Volunteers in the field
until the 25th of February, 1864, when he
resigned and was honorably discharged, he
(lied September, I904; Jane, born 1836;
Hugh, born I840, died November 5, I904;
Abel, born 1842; to Mr. and Mrs. McIntyre
have been born two children: Lizzie, born in
I863, now the wife of Fred Roepkie, they
were married in I898; Jennie was born in
I868, united in marriage 1894 to C. E. De
Puy, a prominent and well to do business
man of Stockbridge village. They have two
children: Harold, born October I I, 1896;
Olive M., born November 26, 1897. Mr.
McIntyre has been a member of the Board
of Supervisors for twelve years, was twice
elected township treasurer and has also been




552


PAST AND PRESENT


elected Commissioner of Highways and
Justice of the Peace.
Two brothers of Mr. McIntyre did valiant
service for their country in the War of the
Rebellion. Donald enlisted in I86I with the
ist Michigan Engineers and served with his
command until the close of the war. Hugh
enlisted in I862 in Co. K, of the 20th Michigan Infantry. He was with his regiment in
several engagements and was wounded in
action before Petersburg, June, I863, and
sent to the hospital, from which he was given
a furlough. He remained in service until
the muster out of his regiment at Jackson,
Michigan, June 9, I865. He participated in
every battle in which his regiment took part
to the date of his receiving his disability.
The facts herein recorded will be carefully preserved by the descendants of the
families herein represented and in later years
will be cherished as a bit of valued family
history.
Fabulous prices are being paid for scraps
of family genealogy and will become more
valuable as the years go by.
R. R. BULLEN (DECEASED).
Among the honored names in the archives
of Aurelius township, none occurs more frequently than that of Bullen, and none is more
closely interwoven into the political and material growth and development of the township.
The subject of this brief memorial biography, during the early history of the country was one of the active factors in its organization. R. R. Bullen was a native of
Worcester in the old Bay State, where he
was born September 14, I806. He bore the
given name of his father, Reuben, who was
born in the town of Pomfret in the Land of
Steady Habits. Reuben Bullen, Sr., mar

ried Miss Tanison Leavens, and to them
were born four children, of which our subject was the eldest son.
In the year of I824 the elder Bullen with
his family took up his residence in Wayne
county, New York, where he lived until the
date of his death in I845, being in his sixtyeighth year. It is recorded of him that he
was a successful farmer and a valuable citizen and identified himself prominently with
Wayne county.
R. R. Bullen, at the age of twenty years
left the parental home to win for himself a
name and a place in the world, having fortified himself with a good common school education. In the year 1838, he found employment at Wilkesbarre, Penn. It was at this
time that the Pennsylvania canal was being
constructed, and he obtained a position as
foreman over a gang of laborers. For years
following, up to 1835, he was variously employed, and it may be inferred from his
subsequent history that he made good use of
his time and by his habits of frugality he laid
by a nucleus to his late holdings.
The important event in his life was
solemnized in his marriage in 1835 to Miss
Elizabeth Vandenburg. In October the year
following, he arrived in Detroit with his
family and temporal belongings. They proceeded as far as Ann Arbor, then little more
than a country village. Leaving the family,
he plunged into the great almost unbroken
forest, he found his way to Ingham county,
and located eighty-three acres of land upon
section 4 and commenced to carve out for
himself and family a home. The following
spring he made a permanent settlement upon
the tract.
But two families had preceded him into
the corporate limits of the township. The
following from the History of Ingham
County, published in I88o, referring to the




11   67/




Al




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


553


experiences of those early years will be read
with interest:The pioneer life of Mr. Bullen was one of
hardship and many privations, but a robust
constitution and resolute will overcame all
obstacles.  Those living at this day may
have a faint conception of what the pioneers
had to contend with, without roads, mills or
bridges, and for supplies were frequently
obliged to go to Ann Arbor, a portion of the
distance through an almost unbroken forest,
with roads that would now be considered
impassable. The following incident is related to show the difference between going to
mill in 1836 and I880. The first grist taken
to mill by Mr. Bullen was thrashed over a
barrel, the bundles being bound small for the
purpose, and as there were no conveniences
for winnowing the wheat, it was taken in the
chaff by a bark canoe to Eaton Rapids where
there was a fanning mill.  It was then
ground, placed in the boat which was poled
down the river to Columbia, from which
place Mr. Bullen carried it on his back to
his home, a distance of some five miles,
through the woods. In the organization of
the town in I838, Mr. Bullen took a prominent part. He was a member of the first
town board, and has since occupied many
positions of trust and responsibility. He has
represented Aurelius upon the Board of Supervisors for a number of terms, and for
many years was Justice of the Peace. To
Mr. and Mrs. Bullen were born eight children: George, Richard J., James T., Phoebe
A., Susan, Joseph, John E., and Samuel.
Of those deceased, George W., the eldest
son, was born August I8, I837, married
Lodema Wright in I867, to this union was
born Frank W., now a practicing physician
at Eveleth, Wisconsin.  Mr. Bullen died
January 23, 1875, and his widow passed
away August 7, I878; Mr. Bullen was the


first white child born in Aurelius township;
Phoebe A., born January 2, I844, followed
the occupation of a teacher, died February
I8, I867; Samuel died in infancy.
Mr. Bullen, while yet in middle life, was
bereft of his wife, leaving him with a large
family of young children, and while he never
again married, he kept the family together
and maintained a home till they were grown
to man and womanhood. He passed away
December 23, I882, leaving to his family
the rich legacy of an upright and useful life.
RICHARD J. BULLEN.
The members of the family of which our
subject is a representative, have, for the most
part, been tillers of the soil, and have made
a success of the branch of the business to
which they have devoted themselves.
R. J. Bullen was born in Aurelius township, May 24, I840.  He was the son of
Reuben R. and Elizaleth Bullen, the father
having been born in Massachusetts. Reuben
R. Bullen moved to New York when eighteen years of age and was married to Elizabeth Vandenberg. They moved to Michigan
in I836 and settled on section 4 in Aurelius
township, having obtained from the government eighty acres of land, which they partly
cleared. They were the parents of five sons
and two daughters. Four of the sons and
one daughter are living today.
R. J. Bullen spent his boyhood days in
Aurelius township, and here acquired his
early education, which was supplemented by
schooling in New York, after which he attended a select school in Lansing under the
supervision of a Mr. Taylor. For a time
Mr. Bullen was engaged in teaching east of
Eaton Rapids, after which he went to Jackson county and rented a farm for two years,
then came back and bought a farm of one




554


PAST AND PRESENT


hundred and sixty acres, where he has since
lived. The splendid appearance of this farm
today is due to the energy, activity and perseverance of Mr. Bullen.
Christmas, I864, R. J. Bullen was united
in marriage to Miss Sarah, daughter of
Spencer Markham of Delhi township. Mrs.
Bullen was born November 22, I845.
To this union have been born five children,
as follows: Susan E., October 7, I869, now
the wife of Frank Lott of Delhi township;
they were married August 25, i89; they
have three children: R. Lucele, born March
21, 1894; Esther C., born June 27, 1897;
Sarah Dorothy, July o0, 1903; Ada M., the
second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bullen,
was born September 12, 1872, married June
2, 1898, to Guy Raymond of Mason. The
Raymond's have two children: Forest M.,
born September 21, 1900; Francis B., born
May 19, 1903; Amy V., born February 14,
1875, at home with her parents; Hubert R.
Bullen was born April 12, 1879, was united
in marriage to Eva Myers. April 20, 1899.
One child has been born to them: Harris R.,
May i, I900, they reside on the old home
farm; Ward R. Bullen, born August 13,
I880, married December II, 190I, to Minnie C. Marshall. One child, bearing the
name of her mother, was born Sept. 24, 1902,
five days prior to the death of her mother.
All the members of the family are active in
church work and associated with the M. E.
church, with the exception of Mr. and Mrs.
Lott, who are members of the Presbyterian
society. All are prominent in social circles,
and may always be relied upon to the extent
of their ability.
Mr. Bullen has been strong in the councils of his party. He was for many years a
member of the Board of Supervisors, and for
a portion of the time Chairman of the Board.
He also served his township as Drain Commissioner. He at one time received the nomi44


nation for Representative in the State Legislature upon the Republican ticket, but lacked the requisite numler of votes for an
election.
Mr. Bullen is a member of the Grange,
the Royal Arcanum, and Ingham County
Farmers' Club, to all of which he gives loyal
support. He takes special pride in the record
made by the Farmers' Club-it being generally recognized as the best organization of
its kind in the State.
For many years Mr. Bullen was officially
connected with the Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company, and he was for nine years
its President and Treasurer. He was a delegate to the Farmers' National Congress at
St. Louis, September 26-30, 1904, commissioned by Governor Bliss.
Beside the one hundred and sixty acres
which Mr. Bullen bought as his first investment in real estate, he has since purchased
one hundred and five acres adjoining this.
and his wife inherited one hundred and ten
acres from the Markham estate.
Mr. Bullen is a self made man in every
sense that the term implies, as he started out
in life with no pecuniary assistance and
nothing but a pair of willing hands to work
his way through the world. As the years
have gone by he has accumulated a handsome
property and by his many acts of kindness
and charity has won many friends among
his neighbors and fellow citizens.
Mr. Bullen and family take an active interest in all matters that pertain to the best
welfare of the township and county, and are
never backward in lending a hand to any
enterprise that will promote the temporal
welfare or spiritual prosperity of their neighbors.
Mr. Bullen and sons have but recently invested $I,ooo in a young Percheron stallion,
"Romulus," bred by Frank A. Rowley of
Lockport, Ill. This horse is considered by




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


555


good judges an almost perfect type of his
breed. He is dark grey in color and at three
years of age tipped the scales at better than
fifteen hundred pounds.
A visit to the Bullen farm, viewing stock.
growing crops, modern labor saving machinery, and premises generally, is an inspiration to any farmer. Mr. Bullen farms it
for the profits and profits by his farming.
Most men might well envy his rating financially, socially, morally and intellectuallyhe ranks Ai.
JAMES T. BULLEN.
Well known in connection with the local
affairs of Ingham county during the past
four decades, having been many times honored by election to positions of trust and responsibility, James T. Bullen is today recognized as among the foremost citizens of
Aurelius township.  He was born in the
to(wnship September 6. 1843. Here he spent
his boyhood and youthful days, his young
manhood and middle life, and now as the
shadows are falling toward the east, standing
on the divide, he is able to look back upon a
life of usefulness and helpfulness. Few men
enjoy in a larger measure the confidence and
good will of their fellow men.
A steel portrait of his father with a brief
outline of his life's activities appears elsewhere in this volume.
In addition to a good common school education, Mr. Bullen attended the Taylor
Academy at Lansing for some time. He remained at home until twenty-one years of
age, and branched out for himself, first finding employment as a month hand on the
farm. Having made good use of his schooling privileges, he was granted a certificate.
and for some time was engaged in teaching
during the winter months.


April 15, I864, Mr. Bullen was united in
marriage to Miss Jane Eliza, daughter of
Mr. and Mrs. James Hulse of Vevay. Mrs.
Bullen was born on March 23, I846. The
Hulse family were pioneers of the county.
To Mr. and Mrs. Bullen were born four sons,
data respecting them is furnished as follows:
Ernest L. B., born March 10, 1868, is a
practicing attorney at Grand Rapids, is married and has two children, Merrie and Lowell; Herbert I)., born March 6, I870, he resides at Lansing, is marrie(l and has three
children; Hermon J., born September 6.
1874, married, is a farmer in Aurelius township, has one child. James C.; Claud C., born
February IO, 1877, resides at Grand Rapids,
is stenographer and clerk, is married, has one
child, Claude C.
Mr. Bullen's entire life has been closely
i(lentified with every enterprise or organizationl having for its purpose the betterment of
society and the material welfare of the townshil).
For twelve years lie has been hlonored by
his election as Supervisor of his township.
For two years he served as chairman of the
board.  In noting the changes that have
come with the passing of the years, Mr. Bullen states that only one man is now living that
is paying taxes on the same description in
his township that did so in 1847, when his
father was supervisor. This distinction falls
to the venerable pioneer, Micajah Vaughan,
now a resident of Mason city. Mr. Bullen
was for several years engaged in manufacturing tile and lumber at North Aurelius at
the same time he was engaged in the grocery
trade, and was the postmaster at that place.
During the Spanish-American War, his
son, Herman J., enlisted in the 32nd Michigan Volunteers, and served for six months,
most of the time at Tampa, Florida.
Mrs. Bullen died in March. 1889, and was
buried at North Aurelius. The family are




556


PAST AND PRESENT


consistent members of the Baptist church society of Mason.
Viewed from the standpoint of uprightness of life and character, Aurelius has no
better citizen than James T. Bullen.
JOHN BULLEN.
To enjoy the confidence of those who
know us best, to have the good will and esteem of our neighbors, is due always to our
personal characteristics, rather than of those
about us. John Bullen is a man who is in
possession of those qualities of head and
heart that insures for him the most kindly
regard of his friends and neighbors. Genial,
cordial, outspoken, one needs but a single
introduction to get at the true inwardness
of the man.
The influence for the upbuilding of society, morally and intellectually of the Bullen family will live and be felt in Aurelius
long years after the forms and features of
each manly man has been forgotten.
John Bullen was a product of the township in which he has held continuous residence for more than half a century. His
history in part may be read in the history
of his father, Reuben R., and his brothers,
R. J., James T., and Joseph, which are given
in this volume.
His birth dates from March 2, I85I. General farming has been the business of his life..though he was for several years engaged
with his brother James T. in the manufacturing of tile and lumber at North Aurelius.
He was united in marriage October 26,
1880, to Miss Ada M. Presley, daughter of
Thomas and Martha Smith Presley of Dexter, Washtenaw county, Michigan.  Mrs.
Presley was the pioneer teacher referred to
in the sketch of Wm. M. Webb. Mrs. Bullen was born December 27, 1858. Two children only, a son and a daughter have been


born to Mr. and Mrs. Bullen: Ray L., April
5, 1883, now engaged as a rural mail carrier,
and Maud, born November 23, 1884. Miss
Maud is with her parents on the home farm.
Mr. Bullen is industriously engaged in his
farming operations, having abandoned all
outside enterprises to which he has formerly
given attention.
The history of the worthy Bullen family
read consecutively, makes a somewhat remarkable record which the numerous descendants may study with a sense of just
pride; few communities comparatively have
been blessed with so rich a heritage.
JOSEPH BULLEN.
The true estimate of the worth and
character of the individual is not to be
reached by the length of his biography, but
rather by the trend of his life. To say that
the subject of this brief memoir is an honored member of the Bullen family of
Aurelius township inspires confidence, and
with this statement much may be read between the lines. Having had a continuous
residence in the township since his birth in
the year I848, Joseph Bullen's experiences
have been those common to his brothers. A
man of unimpeachable character, honest and
upright in all his dealings, just before the
law, living in peace and harmony with his
neighbors, such are some of the well known
characteristics of him of whom we write.
Mr. Bullen is the happy possessor of a
good farm home in Aurelius township, well
stocked and equipped with successful farming apparatus, and better than this he is
happy in his family and domestic relations.
His wife, Adeline, was the daughter of
John S. Holcomb, a volunteer soldier, who
gave his life for his country in the great
Civil War. He enlisted in July, '6I, as a
private in the Ist Michigan Artillery, was




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


557


mortally wounded at the battle of Shiloh,
April 7, '62. He was taken to a hospital at
St. Louis, Mo., where he died. His friends
were never able to learn the nature of his
wounds. A nurse writing from the hospital
to the family, after relating some incidents
with reference to his wounds and condition,
added, "I'have not told you all, he does not
wish me to."   Brave hero, that he was,
wounded to the death, but in his latest moments thoughtful to spare those he loved the
pain that the full knowledge of his wounds
would give. His name will be remembered
by his descendants as one who cheerfully
yielded up his life in defense of civil liberty
and the overthrow of human slavery, in the
"land of the free."
Mrs. Bullen was of a family of five children. Mrs. Charles S. Wilson of Aurelius,
and Mrs. Alex McManamon of Lansing
are her sisters. Her brothers, William E.,
and Edward S., are residents of the township of Aurelius. Four children have been
born to Joseph and Mrs. Bullen. The following data has been furnished respecting
them: Eunice, born 1872, married Arthur
Clark, June 14, I894, they had three children.  Mrs. Clark died Christmas, 190I;
Charles R., born February 25, I876. He
has to his credit 13 months service in the
Spanish-American War, three of which was
spent in Cuba. Sergeant Bullen was a member of Co. F, 3Ist Michigan Volunteers. He
was for several years a member of the Mason company of the Michigan National
Guards. A comrade of his command said of
him, "He was a good soldier, and exceptionally popular with the 'boys.'"  He married
Mary Bell Dillingham; they have one child,
Vance. Floyd S., born August I6, 1884.
He married Nettie Purdy, born August 4,
1883; the date of their wedding was December 7, I904. George W., born October I6,
I886. He is still under the parental roof


and assists his father in the management of
their 120 acre farm. Any community would
welcome families of the character of Joseph
Bullen's.
Mr. and Mrs. Bullen have been for many
years in full sympathy with the cause of religion and give cheerful support to the maintenance of the M. E. church of which they
are members. Mr. Bullen is nearly always
officially connected therewith.
ADDISON C. COLLINS.
The subject of this biography is a Wolverine by birth, having first opened his eyes
to the light of this earth in Washtenaw
county, July 25, I837. His parents, Selah
Baxter and Parmelia (Green) Collins, were
natives of the old Empire State, where his
father was born in the year I812 and his
mother September I8, 1807.
S. B. Collins came to Michigan with his
parents, Alpheus and Betsy Collins, in 1824.
The family located in Pittsfield, Washtenaw
county.
A. C. Collins' parents were married in the
year 1834, December 12. His father secured
about one thousand four hundred acres of
land lying in Lyndon township, Washtenaw county, a level tract that was ever after
known as Collins' plains. At that early date,
Indians were more numerous than the
whites, and wild game was plentiful. S. B.
Collins built a "shack" near Collins Lake,
where he camped for a year until a house
was erected for the family. This in time
gave place to a brick structure built by Alpheus Collins, the grandfather, who had
made a purchase of four hundred acres of
the land formerly in possession of S. B. Collins. The brick house is still in good repair,
though erected nearly sixty years ago.
Our subject came into possession of the
premises in the year I865, and it was for




558


PAST AND PRESENT


many years his home.    About six years
since he moved to his present farm residence,
about a half mile east of the Village of
Stockbridge.  This farm has been greatly
improved under his management, the house
having been thoroughly overhauled, new
barns erected, giving the place an up-to-date
and thrifty appearance.  Mr. Collins has
disposed of the old homestead.
In his early farming operations S. B. Collins broke up three hundred acres, built three
log houses and one log and one frame barn.
He was a man of a good deal of energy and
rather inclined to speculation.  Politically
he sided with the Republican party, was for
many years a member of the Methodist
Episcopal church. He died April 19, 189I.
His wife died June 26, 1883.
Our subject was the second of ten children born to his parents, five of whom are
living. The following facts and figures concerning the family are here recorded for the
information of future generations: Edwin
0,. born December I, 1835, died I903;
Addison C., born July 25, I837; Marian E.,
born May 24, I839, died June 27, 1852;
William H., born August 4, I84I; Esther
A., born September 6, I843; Cyntha, born
April 11, 1846; Lucinda, born February 28,
1849, died April 4, I849; Josephine, born
October 22, 1851, died January 22, 1853;
Albert, born August 12, 1853, died August
26, 1862; Betsy, born April 15, I857.
A. C. Collins' school advantages were
those common to country lads in a newly
settled country; in brief, he finished his book
education in a district school; but his years
of experience and observation have greatly
supplemented his primary school advantages.
After all it is not so important as to how
we came to know a thing-the important
thing is to know it.
Mr. Collins remained at home until twenty-seven years of age. In 1864 he engaged


himself to a farmer for a year, but stayed
fourteen months.  He then purchased one
hundred and thirty-six acres of his grandfather's homestead, partially improved. He
cleared the balance of the land, and as before in(licated, lived there for over thirty
years.
Mr. Collins has met with success, both in
his farming and speculating operations, and
has other valuable holdings besides his farm.
He has real estate in Detroit, New Baltimore and Gregory.
Mr. Collins was united in marriage December 25, 1846, to Jane McColl, a most estimable lady, who proved to be a helpmate
indeed.  She was born April I, 1839.
Through the sunshine and shadow for more
than forty years she was the sharer of his
trials and triumphs. After a lingering illness caused by a runaway horse, she died
March l, 1904.   Mr. Collins was united
in marriage November 9, 1904, to his present wife, whose maidlen name was Gertrulde
Mills.
Alpheus and Betsy Collins were the parents of nine children, eight sons and a
(laughter.  This was in many respects a
remarkable family. Four sons became eminent ministers of the Gospel in the Methodist Episcopal church, to which the parents
were for many years loyal adherents. The
sixth soil, William  W. Collins, studiecd
medicine, graduated from the medical department of the University of Michigan, and
had an extensive practice extending over a
long period of years. He died a few years
since and was buried in Albion, Michigan,
where he had successfully practiced his profession for nearly forty years. Of the four
brothers who entered the ministry, Rev.
Wellington Harrison Collins was a member
of the Michigan Conference, and at the time
of his death was presiding elder of the Detroit district. He died August 8, I858, while




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


559


ill the prime of life, at the age of forty-two
years.  He left a wife and four children,
two sons and two daughters. Rev. Walter
1)., was for fifteen years a missionary among
the Indians in Texas, the Choctaw tribe.
His brother, the Rev. Isaac Collins, was associated with him for a time. Rev. Walter
I). Collins died December I, 1856, aged thirty-eight years.  He left a wife, whom he
married in Texas, and two sons, Alpheus
and Charles. After the death of his brother,
Isaac Collins was transferred to Omaha,
where he died and was buried. Rev. Judson
Collins was the first missionary sent to
Clina by the Methodist Episcopal church,
where, after a few years of faithful service
his health failed, and he died and was buried
in the old family plot. A monument to his
memory and service was erected on the campus of Albion College, appropriately inscribed.
On the old Alpheus Collins homestead is
a family burying ground, where rest the remains of thirty-five of the original family
and descendants.
A list of the names and such other data as
could be obtained is here appended. Mr. Addison C. Collins feels a deep interest in this
sacred spot, where rest the remains of so
many of his kindred, and is desirous of devising ways and means for its perpetual care
during the years to come.
Alpheus Collins, the grandfather, died
May 26, 1862, aged seventy-two years;
Betsy (Hall) Collins, grandmother, died
May   19, I86i, aged seventy-one years;
Selah Baxter Collins, eldest son, born 1812,
died April  9, I89 I; Josiah H. Collins,
second son, born 1819, died I888; Esther
Collins, only daughter, born June I9, 1819,
(lied at the age of twenty-eight years.
With the addition of the name of Sydney
Collins, the youngest of Alpheus Collins'
family and the only one living, the entire


family of eight sons and one daughter are
accounted for in the foregoing record.
Other graves in the family plot are Mariaml Collins, died January 27, 1852, aged
twelve years; Josephine Collins, died January 22, 1853, aged one year; Albert, died
April 26, 1862, aged eleven years; Lucinda,
April 4, 1849, died in infancy.
All children of Selah B. and Parmelia
Green Collins: the mother, Parmelia, died
June 26, I883, aged sixty-five years; Jane
McColl, wife of our subject, born I839, died
1904; Henry, son of Josiah, born 1837, died
1855; Josiah, son of Josiah, born 1852, died
I854:; Alpheus and Alfred, twin sons of
Rev. Wellington N., died June 19, I856,
aged nine months: Mary Ann (Ward)
wife of Rev. Wellington Collins, died September 6, I862, aged forty-six years; an infant of Sidney Collins and Walter D., a son,
(lied May, 1858, aged ten years; Bertrand J.
Harris, grandson of Rev. Wellington Collins, born June 4, 1875, died November 26,
190o; Joseph Elder, son-in-law of Sidney
Collins; Hattie, infant daughter of Dr. W.
W. Collins; an infant son of E. 0. and
grandson of S. B. Collins; Hiram Barton,
son-in-law of S. B. Collins; infant daughter
and son of W. H. Collins; brother of Addison C. Collins.
"What springs from earth dissolves to
earth again, and heaven born things fly to
their native seat."
HARVEY WILSON.
It is recorded of the father of Harvey
Wilson that he was a man of strong common sense, actuated by high moral principles, while industry and economy were the
cardinal principles of his life. These essential elements that enter into the make-up of
the best type of the American citizen have
been transmitted in full measure into the life




560


PAST AND PRESENT


and character of his son Harvey. To the
limit of his acquaintance, Mr. Wilson is
known as a conscientious, Christian gentleman. Industrious, progressive, conservative.
From the date of his birth, which occurred
August 2, 1845, to date, he has gone in and
out among the people, and in all the arenas
of life, whether in public or private, his
record has been that of a just and upright
citizen.
He is a product of the Township of Delhi,
where he still resides, and where his father
settled in the year I837. The land at that
time was in the primitive state of nature,
heavily timbered, as was most of the lands
of Ingham county at that early date. The
real experiences of pioneer life in a new unsettled country remote from most of the
conveniences of civilization came into the
lives of the Wilson family in good measure.
The father, Joseph Wilson, a native of
Yorkshire, England, was born May 30,
I80o, and from early boyhood was thrown
upon his own resources for a livelihood. At
the tender age of thirteen years he left the
parental home and started out in life for
himself, his stock in trade consisting for the
most part of an indomitable perseverance
and a robust constitution. He was thirtyone years of age when he landed at Castle
Garden, New York. He found employment,
and for eight years was a resident of Herkimer and Ontario counties. In the year I840
he was united in marriage to Miss Maria
Skinner, a native of the Green Mountain
State, where she was born June 3, I8o6.
Soon after uniting their fortunes, they
turned their faces toward the setting sun and
located in the then "far west" in the wilds
of Michigan. Three years previous they had
purchased from the government one hundred
and twenty acres.  Here they lived and
loved, and toiled through sunshine and
shadow, through the active years of their


united lives. They were rewarded in their
labors and "blessed in basket and store."
The father died March 26, i888, and the
mother in November of the same year. The
memory of their lives of love and service
linger as a benediction upon their children,
and childrens' children.
The father, while yet a young man in his
native country, united with the M. E.
church; the mother gave her allegiance to
the Baptist society. Both gave their hearts
and lives into the keeping of a loving
Saviour.
Joseph Wilson was one of a family of ten
children, and the last to pass away. His
father's Christian name was John. To Mr.
and Mrs. Joseph Wilson were born four
children.
Harvey Wilson was united in marriage
April I6, 1868, to Susan, daughter of R.
R. and Elizabeth (Vandenberg) Bullen. A
brief sketch of the lives of these venerable
pioneers are to be found in the History of
Ingham County, published in the year I880.
Five children have come to bless and
brighten the lives of Mr. and Mrs. Wilson,
and the following data concerning them is
not only interesting, but complimentary to
their training and intelligence:
Robert H., born February 14, I869, graduated at the Michigan Agricultural College,
also has a life certificate for teaching from
the State Normal College. Had experience
as a teacher.  He married Miss Emma,
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Amos Frink,
worthy pioneer settlers of Delhi township.
Robert and Mrs. Wilson have three children: Agnes, Harold and Louise. Mr. Wilson is engaged in agricultural pursuits.
Asa B., born May 5, I87I, secured a good
common school education, taught for a time,
later attended the Michigan Agricultural
College and State Normal.   He married
Miss Anna, daughter of John Dean and








J(OHN HEMANS          IMRS. J(HN HEMANS




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


561


wife. They are very pleasantly situated in
a country home.
Alice, born July i, 1875, graduated from
the Mason high school and for a time was
engaged in teaching. August 15, I900, she
was united in marriage to Roy J. Robb, a
resident of Vevay township. Mr. Robb is a
graduate from the M. A. C. and a teacher
of experience. Mr. Robb is a product of
Ingham county and one of her most promising young agriculturalists. The Robb's have
two children: Carl O. and Frank W.
Edith S., born April 12, I882, graduated
from the Mason high school, class of I900.
Had about four years experience as a
teacher. May 12, 1904, she was united in
marriage to Grant McCormick. They have
one child, Irma Edith, born April I, I905.
The McCormick's reside in the capital city
and are pleasantly situated.
Oscar J., born May 15, 1889, is at home
with his parents. It is a fact worthy of note
with reference to the four children married;
they had each had experience as teachers in
the public schools, and each married a companion of like experience.
Another fact relating to the home farm of
one hundred and twenty acres of Harvey
Wilson's which he inherited from his father,
is, that the land was never deeded or mortgaged, except the original deed from  the
government.
Surrounded by their children and grandchildren, and in the enjoyment of the filial
affection of each and all, and with a comfortable competence for the declining years,
and bearing with them a consciousness of
lives well lived, they may each well say with
one of old "My cup runneth over."
The family give loyal support to the
Baptist church society of Mason. In politics Mr. Wilson lines up with the Republican party.


JOHN   A. HEMANS AND        FRANCES
L. HEMANS.
John A. Hemans was born on the 28th
day of April, 1830, at the Village of Banwell, Somersetshire, England; a picturesque
village in a valley of the Mendip hills, some
twelve miles southwest of Bristol and six
miles to the east of the Channel. He was the
youngest in a family of five, born to Thomas
and Mary Hemans or Hemens, as the name
was indifferently spelled. His second name
was given in honor of the maiden name of
his mother, who before her marriage was a
Mary Ash of Exeter in the adjoining shire
of Devon.   Before leaving England the
Hemans family had been a race of blacksmiths, at least for many generations one
or more of the family had in each generation plied the trade at the Village of Banwell. They were a family of deep religious
convictions and tablets in the ancient church
of the village still bear testimony of their
piety and philanthropy. Thomas Hemans
being among the younger of his father's
family and therefore kept from the inheritance, with his wife and five children turned
his face towards America as a refuge of
hope and promise. They took passage in the
Causemore, a sailing vessel which after a
weary voyage of nearly twelve weeks landed
them in New York. Two weeks later they
were landed from the Erie canal at Thompson's Landing, near the present City of Syracuse. The father at this time was in his
fortieth year, a numerous family and a
single guinea his worldly possessions.
Thomas Hemans could make claim to being
of a wonderful family, for such was their
vitality that of the four brothers who came
to America and one brother and two sisters
who remained in England, all surpassed
their eightieth year.


36




562


PAST AND PRESENT


For some years following the landing of
the family of Thomas Hemans in New York
they knew the trials of toil and privation.
The children of the family by necessity were
early obliged to relieve the family burden by
seeking employment elsewhere. It was thus
that the subject of this sketch in his thirteenth year found a home with the Hon.
Wm. M. Taylor of Manlius, N. Y., a physician of much prominence, and at the time
the Representative of his district in the National Congress.  Here the lad, John A.,
found a home for the ensuing two years, receiving winter schooling and what was of
greater value, the benefit of a helpful association. He early desired to learn the trade
of a machinist, but lacking the influence to
secure a suitable position, he later, and in
his sixteenth year, took up the calling of
his father's, and began the learning of the
trade of a blacksmith. Good habits were
assured by the fact that for two years in
addition to his board he was to receive the
annual payment of thirty-five dollars. In
1852, his trade mastered and some money
saved from its prosecution, he purchased a
shop and business at the Village of Collimer,
some seven miles from Syracuse. Here he
labored for six years, until he was the owner
of a home and business free from  debt.
While here, and on the 3d of July, 1858,
he was united in marriage with Frances
Lovinia Sherwood, daughter of Wells Sherwood the village carpenter; her father of
English extraction, while her mother was
but one generation from Holland, she having been born at Coeymans, Albany county,
July 12, 1838. While residing at Collimer
three children were born and here the eldest,
Marian A., died. From here the family in
October, I865, removed to Canada Settlement, Eaton county, Michigan, where the
father had purchased a farm, upon which


they continued to reside until I868, when
they removed to Mason, where the father resumed the avocation of a blacksmith, which
he continued for some seven years and until
March, 1875, at which date he moved upon
a large farm, which he had purchased in Onondaga township, one and one quarter miles
south of Aurelius Center.  This continued
to be the family home until I888, when advancing years brought the father and mothel
to Mason, where they still continue to reside.
To Mr. and Mrs. Hemans four children
have been born that are now living: Egbert
W., of Onondaga township; Lawton T., of
Mason; Gertrude May, wife of Alonzo B.
Gretton of Aurelius and Mary Isadore, wife
of Walter Rogers of Lansing.
The lives of John A. Hemans and the
faithful wife and mother have been lives of
unfaltering industry, piety and sacrifice,
sacrifice of that noble order that would nmake
some privilege for their children that had
been denied to them. Their lives have been
lives of modesty, repressing abilities and attainments, suited for higher spheres. Their
application has insured to them a modicum
of comfort for their advancing years. In
the humble walks of life they have earne(l
life's greatest honor, which is the consciousness of lives lived in reverence, rectitude and
integrity.
This just tribute by their son, Lawton T.
Hemans.
ANDREW     BEERS.
The subject of this brief biography was
the son of Marcus and Lucinda (Duell)
Beers. The father was born in the "Land
of steady habits" and came to Michigan il
the year 1836 and took up eighty acres of
land from the government and cleared it and
carved out for himself and family a home.




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


563


Andrew was born in I840, and was the only
son born to his parents. He was blessed
with three sisters, all of whom have passed
out of life.
Our subject's boyhood days in the then
new and undeveloped country were similar
to the boys of his time. Plain fare, scant
clothing, with uncertain schooling in the old
log schoolhouse was the common experience.
Young Beers, however, made the most of
his opportunities, and while yet a minor was
able to pass a satisfactory examination in
the primary branches, and was given a certificate to teach. This was his occupation
during the winter of I860-6I, after which
he went to Ann Arbor and entered school.
He was there but a short time, when Fort
Sumter was fired upon and war was declared. He laid aside his books, abandoned
for a time his ambitions for an education,
and offered his services to his country for
the defence of the flag and her honor. He
enlisted in Co. B of the 2d Michigan Cavalry, under command of Capt. Henry A.
Shaw. Young Beers followed the fortunes
of his regiment through a number of battles and skirmishes. He participated in the
battles of Franklin, Pennville, Chickamauga,
Nashville  and  others less severe.  He
has to his credit four years of faithful service. Three months of the time he was confined in the hospital in the State of Mississippi.
In the campaign of 1864 he served as a
scout for General McCook; this is exceptionally dangerous service and one for which
men are seldom  detailed.  Volunteers are
called for in this branch of special service,
and only good men are available. He was
mustered out at Macon, Ga., by reason of
the close of the war.
Returning to civil life Mr. Beers came
home and assumed the management of the


farm, which he did for about twenty-five
years, or until failing health caused him to
retire from manual labor. About 1890 he
moved to the Village of Dansville, where he
has since resided.
Mr. Beers has cultivated the social side
of his nature by a membership in the Masons, the Maccabees and the G. A. R.
In politics he affiliates with the Republican party, and has often been honored by a
place on his ticket. He served his township as Commissioner of Highways, Justice
of the Peace and Supervisor.  His father
was the first Township Clerk in Ingham
township, and at that time the township embraced what is now the territory of four
townships. At this first election twenty-five
votes were cast. Mr. Beers still has in his
possession the ballot box used on the occasion.
Mr. Beers has given much study and
thought on the subject of nature, and he is
now engaged in re-writing the manuscript
of "Excerpts from Nature." His first manuscript for his work was lost in a fire. Mr.
Beers has a good library and spends much
of his time with his books.  In religious
views, he is what he terms a "free thinker."
Mr. Beers prizes very highly his collection of war and other relics, which he has
been enabled to secure. Though not in rugged health, by thought and study he is getting a good degree of satisfaction out of
life.
BENJAMIN F. DAVIS.
The name of Davis is inseparably interwoven with the history of Lansing and Ingham county, as the father of our subject,
William F., and the mother, Mary M. Davis,
were among those early pioneers, who gave
up the comforts of the older east and emi



564


PAST AND PRESENT


grated to what was then considered, "the
West," and cast their lot with that of the
early hardy pioneers who laid broad and
deep the foundation of Michigan's prosperity.
William T. and Mary M. Davis were natives of New York City, who in their early
married life, moved to Genesee county of
that state. Here the father followed the occupation of farming for a number of years,
thus providing for his family of six children,
who were born in that locality. Believing
in the greater possibility for an ambitious
and enterprising man, in the West, he emigrated to Michigan in the fall of 1853, and
took up his residence in the town of Lansing, awaiting the final construction of the
new family home, which was being built upon a quarter section of land which he had
previously bought, and which is now a part
of the city, being located in the southeast
part. This home is still standing. To the
improvement and development of this property Wm. T. Davis devoted his time and
energies and thereon resided until his death,
which occurred in 1875, his wife having long
survived him, departed this life in I890.
William T. Davis was a man, honored
and respected by all who knew him, possessing many stern traits of character, which endeared him to his numerous friends.
Benjamin F. Davis, the only surviving
member of this family, spent his boyhood
and youth as other lads of the period, attending the Townsend street school, where
he acquired his early preliminary education,
which was later supplemented by a more
thorough course at the Agricultural College.
Leaving this institution in I863, when he
accepted an appointment in the Quartermaster General's office at Washington, D.
C., where he remained for the following
four years or until 1867, when he returned
to Lansing. In I88I Mr. Davis with four


others effected the organization of the Lansing Wheelbarrow Company, in which le
acted in the capacity of manager until I886.
This institution under his personal efforts
became one of the important manufactories
of the city, adding much to its material
growth and development. His capable financiering of this institution had attracted
no little attention and gave him a reputati(ol
which was extremely flattering, consequently
upon the organization of the City National
Bank in I886, he was tendered the management of this institution and his position lhe
has efficiently filled to this time.
On the i8th day of May of 1875, Benjamin F. Davis was united in marriage to
Miss Eva Sparrow, and to this union were
born two daughters, namely, Bessie an(l
Edith Eva. In January, I890, Mr. Davis
was called upon to mourn the loss of his first
wife. In April of 1902 he was again married, this second union to a Miss Sarah Day.
a daughter of the late Dr. Fiske H. Day.
Other business interests of importance antl
which have proved valuable factors, as
manufacturing and commercial interests to
Lansing, have claimed Mr. Davis' time and
attention, as he is now serving as treasurer
of the M. A. C., also the Lansing Wheelbarrow  Works and of the Lansing Cold
Storage Co.   As a public-spirited citizenl
Mr. Davis has taken an active part in politics, casting his vote and influence with the
Republican party. He is likewise an active
member of the Masonic fraternity.
The City National Bank of Lansing.
which stands today as one of the successful,
conservative, financial institutions of the
State, owes much of its growth and development to the capable management of Benjamin F. Davis. The characteristics of thle
man are such that they have well fitted him
for the position of responsibility, which he
now holds. The confidence of the people, in




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


565


the management of an institution of this
character, is an absolute necessity for its
growth and development. That Mr. Davis
has enjoyed this privilege is a statement that
will seem trite to those that are familiar with
his life's history.
REV. EDWIN     H. BROCKWAY
(DECEASED).
Had the life of this devoted pioneer minister of the Gospel been lengthened, but the
short span of five days, he would have
rounded out the full four score years.
E. H. Brockway was born at Sand Hill
near Dansville, N. Y., May II, 1825, and
died at Ann Arbor, Michigan, May 6, I905.
Rev. J. W. Crippen of Ann Arbor wrote of
his death as follows:
"Suddenly, peacefully and painlessly our
dear brother, Rev. E. H. Brockway, passed
away at our University hospital, Saturday
afternoon, the 6th. Through the closing of
the esophagus he had been unable to take
anything into the stomach since about April
20. After coming to the hospital, April 23,
he had   received nourishment by other
means, and did not suffer except from thirst,
and was expecting a surgical operation with
a possible hope of relief on the morrow.
This, however, was not to be. Sitting in a
chair by his bedside he was seen to gasp,
and before medical aid could reach him he
was not."
Edwin H. was the son of Elisha Wade
and Mary (Lemen) Brockway. The father
was a native of Connecticut and the mother
of the Empire State. The family came to
Michigan in the year I829, first locating
near Ann Arbor.    Five years later they
noved a few miles north settling upon a
tract of land near Hamburg. He stayed at
home until twenty-two years of age. Attended district schools in the winter. One


year he carried mail from Howell to Hamburg on horseback, after that he worked on
a farm three and one-half years. Here the
young lad had the advantages of country
life, plain fare and sufficient manual labor.
He attended the rural schools and acquired
most of his education in them, but added to
this schooling two years in Albion College,
after he had become a young man of twentyfive or twenty-six.
He had a strong religious nature, and
very early in life felt the rightness and duty
of putting himself into the care of Jesus
Christ as his Lord and Saviour, but failed
to carry out this impulse. While yet a
young man, however, in I846, he was clearly converted. This occurred under the services of Rev. Calvin S. Kingsley and a local
preacher by the name of Samuel Whiting
in a schoolhouse meeting being held about
a mile north of Whitmore Lake.    He at
once joined the church, and after a few years
following the call of God, came into the ministry, joining the Michigan Conference on
trial at Ann Arbor in 1854 in a class of
twenty-four, none of whoml we think are
still living. His appointments were: Mason,
1854; Chelsea. 1855-6; Blissfield, I857-8;
Rome, I859-60; Medina, 1861-2; Franklin,
1863-4; Milford, I865; Unadilla, I866-7-8;
Fowlerville, 1869-70-7I;  Byron, I872-3;
Swartz Creek, 1874-5; Gaines, I876-7-8.
In I879 he was placed on the supernumerary list and lived during the year at Albion.
In 1880-I-2 he was appointed to Medina for
the second time, and superannuated in 1883,
moving to his old home at Mason, where his
first pastorate was, and where he lived ever
after until his death. His first year of superannuation was not spent in retirement,
however, and he became the pastor of that
church, thus opening and closing his ministry
of thirty years in the same church.  His
strength of mind and usefulness as a pastor




566


PAST AND PRESENT


may be inferred from the fact that in almost
every instance he remained in his charges
the full length of time permitted by the discipline of the church. In every charge of
his ministry he had conversions and in some
of them extensive revivals.
A few years ago writing of himself he
said: "Through the mercy and long suffering of the Lord I have been spared until the
present, being now nearly seventy-one years
of age, and am happy in the enjoyment of
the Saviour's love and my attachment to
him and his cause is strengthened daily."
He was of a retiring nature with a sweet
and calm disposition and a fine Christian
spirit and a simple saving faith.
August 24, I855, he was united in the
holy bonds of matrimony to Miss Fidelia S.
Thompson, a lady of culture, and at the time
of their marriage a teacher in the public
schools at Mason.
Two daughters have been born to them,
Mary and Ida, both are with the mother.
Mrs. Brockway has proven herself a helpmeet, indeed, having during all the years of
their labors of love for the church and society given her best endeavor to promote
the cause so near their hearts.
He leaves a brother, Rev. Nelson L.
Brockway, of Mancelona, and a sister, Mrs.
J. L. Smith.
His funeral obsequies were observed at
Mason upon the 8oth anniversary of his
birth, in the same town where he began his
ministerial labors over a half century before.
At the time of his death, Rev. Brockway
was president of the Ingham County Pioneer Society, an honor conferred upon him
in recognition of his early and earnest endeavor in behalf of morality, virtue and religion.
He has gone to his reward; we shall never
see him again here. Shall not we who read


this brief outline of this just man so order
our lives that when it is said of us, as of
him, "he is dead," the consolation that comes
to his stricken family may come to those
who love us-that he has "gone to be forever with the Locl."
Col. L. H. Ives, who had known Rev. E.
H. Brockway for a half century, having
been invited to take part in his funeral obsequies, spoke of him as a citizen, substantially as follows:
'I esteem it a compliment to have been invited to take part in these memorial exercises, recognizing as I do, that in services of
this character, only friends of the deceased
would be expected to speak, and to have
been counted as a friend of Edwin H. Brockway in his life time, is indeed a compliment.
Others in the church might have been
given my place, who would have spoken
more eloquently; but, perhaps in consideration of the years of our acquaintance and
social relations, none more appropriately. I
distinctly recall, that when a small boy at
home, of two earnest looking young men of
sedate appearance, and plainly clad, coming
to my father's house, the object of their
visit was to secure a loan to purchase a
horse.  They were accommodated, 'broke
bread' with us, and departed. I remember
to have heard my father say: 'Those boys
are brothers and both have entered the ministry.' This was considerably more than
half a century ago, but since that date I have
known of the whereabouts and whatabonlts
of Bros. Edwin and Nelson Brockway.
Some years after the event spoken of, Bro.
Brockway filled the pastorate of my old
home church, the little brick structure at
Williamsville, Unadilla, where I was 'born
again,' and where nearly forty years ago I
was united in the holy bonds of matrimony
to my beloved wife. The memory of asso



INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN


567


ciations reaching so far adown the lines of
the past become wonderfully tender under
the influences of an hour like this.
I am to speak of Mr. Brockway as a citizen.  He is esteemed a good citizen who
obeys the laws of the land, pays his honest
obligations, and externally conforms to the
usages of society. Did it never occur to you,
my friends, that a man might do all these
and be a long way from measuring up to the
best there is in him, or the demands of God
upon him?  There are moral and religious
obligations-debts we owe to society, and
the communities in which we live that are as
binding as an oath; by reason of our form
of government these are upon us, and must
be met, and that too without hope of compensation, except the satisfaction that comes
from the knowledge of having lent a helping
hand to a less fortunate brother. The weight
of these obligations were upon our brother.
he recognized their justice, and they were
cheerfully met and discharged.
Edwin H. Brockway Xwas not only a good
citizen in the broadest acceptation of the
tern —he was more-much more:; he was a
good man. He understood that the Divine
secret of peace in the soul is beiig, not
doing.
I have looked into my own life and into
the lives of others, and speaking now as a
man to his friend, I declare to you my conviction, which I deem well founded, that
perfection of character or Christian citizenship is the highest aim to be sought, and the
only attainment that will fully satisfy the
soul.
Our brother himself would not lay claim
to perfection of character, but those of you
who have known him as I have known him,
will agree with me, that the mainspring of
his life was not only to do right, but to be
right. No more fatal error can be cherished


than that the best type of citizenship can be
attained without the element of religion in
the character.  The essential factor is not
moral integrity, but religion, pure and undefiled. Good citizenship is human nature in
its best form, plus Christianity in the heart
and life.  Such a man was our brother,
whose memory we commemorate today.
Many a man the world calls great, is a
mere pigmy in good deeds before God. Our
brother did not aspire to greatness or great
achievements, but, by the even tenor of his
life, using the talents God gave him, he
earnestly desired to do good and keep right
with God.
His life has been one continual benediction
to those with whom he has associated, and
its influence will linger long years after the
grass has been green above his lowly bed.
It has been said-A man's true worth
hereafter is the good he does in this world
to his fellowmen; when he dies, people will
ask, 'what property has he left behind him?'
But the angels will ask, 'what good deeds
has he sent before him?' We ought to live
in this world as citizens of the world; we
may have preferences as to our associates
and as to location, but we ought always to
possess a generous feeling for the good citizenship of the world. None will question
but our brother entertained this broad feeling of brotherhood of the race.
I am not given to fulsome praise. My
estimate of the life and character of Edwin
H. Brockway today, has not been formed or
changed since his death; it is the same as I
have entertained for many years. I have
long classed him as among the very best
men I have known in life.
No man who ever knew him in life has
paid him a doubtful compliment since his
death. We have sometimes heard the expression-'Oh, there are worse men living




568


PAST AND PRESENT


than he,' a doubtful compliment, indeed.
For him there has been but one verdict, 'He
was a good man.'
He has gone, but he has left to this community, to the church, indeed, to us all, the
priceless legacy of an exemplary Christian
life, well rounded by deeds of love and service, a life around which clusters many helpful and hallowed memories."
"Were a star quenched on high,
For ages would its light
Still travel downward from the skyShine on our mortal sight.
So when a good man dies,
For years beyond our ken,
The light he leaves behind him lies
Upon the paths of men."
EBER F. THOMPSON.
The hope of any people rests with the
character and intelligence of the rising generation. There is everywhere a demand for
young men of integrity and energy. A good
practical education-the fundamental ground
work for success-is within easy reach of all
wiho have sufficient ambition to grasp the
situation.
The subject of this sketch is but entering
upon the threshold of life's activities, and
having wisely secured the foundation for a
prosperous business life, he starts in under
conditions that give promise of good results.
Eber F. Thompson was born in the rural
Village of Dansville, Ingham county, February 28, I879. He was one of two children
born to his parents, Robert A. and Olive
(Byraves) Thompson. Robert Thompson's
parents were natives of England.  Robert
Thompson inherited from his parents habits
of industry and frugality,, and was recognized as a trustworthy citizen, upright and
correct in all his business transactions. He


died while yet in the prime of life, March
5, I88I.
Our subject's brother, Elmer T., was also
a native of Dansville, where he was born
August I2, I877. He is now settled in life,
having married Miss Lydia Dean, and is engaged in farming.
Eber A. married Miss Alma, only daughter of Addison and Emma (Collar) Densmore.   Mrs. Thompson was a graduate
from the Dansville high school. She later
finished a course in music in the Ann Arbor
University.  Mrs. Thompson is a member
of the Methodist Episcopal church at Dansville, with which she has been associated
from early childhood.
For the most part, the active years of Mr.
Thompson's life have been employed in
farming operations. About a year since he
accepted an appointment as rural mail carrier, in which business he is at present engaged. His residence is in Dansville. To
Mr. and Mrs. Thompson has been born one
child.
0. A. JENISON.
O. A. Jenison was born in Watertown,
N. Y., May 22, 1823. His father died ten
weeks before his birth. His mother was left
in the most modest circumstances and with
eight children dependent upon her.  Like
many another American youth, young Jenison found that his own energy and industry
was his main reliance in life. Having einjoyed the advantages of a village school until twelve years of age, he then became a
clerk in a store, a hundred miles from home,
and remained there something over a year,
but it was a trying time for a boy. He had
battled with adversity before, but now worse
than all of his previous trials and sorrows
was his intense longing for home.
At the close of his fifteen months' service




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


569


there, he gladly took a clerkship in his native
town, which occupation he followed at or
near his home for several years. Having
become an expert penman, he became a
teacher of penmanship, which business he
followed in the vicinity of his home till he
was twenty-one years of age. Up to this
time he had given to his widowed mother
every dollar of his earnings above the barest
necessities of living. The next day after he
was of age, with a sixpence in his pocket,
he started on foot for Lenawee county,
teaching penmanship on his way. For two
years he followed this business in his new
home, when he concluded to come West.
On the 28th day of August, I846, he landed
in Detroit with nine silver dollars in his
pocket, one of which still remains in the possession of his son.
September Ist he took a position with
Macy & Driggs, who were conducting a large
private land office business. The capital was
located at Lansing the next year, and Mr.
Jenison was sent by his house to establish a
branch office at the new capital.
On Friday, December 24, I847, Mr. Jenison took the cars for Jackson. The next
morning he took the stage, and, after traveling all day, walking a large part of the distance, and frequently helping to boost his
coach over the corduroys, he arrived in Lansing, Saturaday evening, December 25, 1847.
The capital city was a small hamlet, clustered
upon both banks of the river at Main street,
which was then bridged. A similar hamlet
was located at Center and Franklin streets,
a mile and a half north.
Mr. Jenison lived at the National Hotel
on Main street for three weeks, during which
time he never saw a bed; he sat in a chair
in the bar room every night, catching what
sleep he might under the circumstances. A
Mr. Carter was just completing a wood
building two stories high on the present


site of the Hudson and Baird block. Here
Mr. Jenison secured quarters and moved up
to the center near the capitol.
After getting the business of Macy &
Driggs in good order, he resigned his position with them and accepted a clerkship in
the Auditor General's office, where he remained for about twelve years. Resigning
this position he formed a copartnership with
the late S. S. Coryell and engaged in the
mercantile trade, which he continued until
the spring of I868, when he closed out the
business.  Mr. Jenison then accepted the
position of bookkeeper for John A. Kerr &
Co., State printers and binders. This position he held with the various firms that conducted that business until January I, i886,
making a term of nearly eighteen years that
he filled that responsible position. For the
next four years Mr. Jenison took a rest,
which he much needed and greatly enjoyed
January i, 1890, he again took the position
of bookkeeper for the State printing and
binding establishment conducted by Robert
Smith & Co., a place which he filled with
rare fidelity and efficiency.
Mr. Jenison was City Auditor in 1865 and
I866. He has been a Republican since I856.
Mr. Jenison was an enthusiast in collecting old, rare, and curious coins, medals and
Indian relics, having sold at one time in
New York 3,000 coins and medals, and 700
pieces of Indian stone relics, nearly all collected within a radius of twenty miles of the
City of Lansing. He commenced to make
this collection over thirty years ago; opportunities were then presented that have
now passed away forever, so far as pertains
to this locality. But Mr. Jenison did not
stop here; his historical records of the early
days of Lansing are voluminous as will be
attested by examining the various books,
papers, pamphlets and relics presented by
him to the State Pioneer Society.  Two




570


PAST AND PRESENT


scrap books, newspaper size, presented to
that society by him, contain all the posters
of the merchants and business men generally
in this city; posters of all the public meetings, lectures, speeches, orations, political
notices and names of the qualified electors
of this city for many years; and hundreds
and hundreds of autographs of old citizens,
many of whom now have joined the
great majority.  For a more particular
knowledge of the above, you are referred
to the History of Ingham and Eaton Counties page I6I, and State Pioneer Collections,
Vols. II and III pages 74-5-6-7-8 and 9 and
48, 107 and IIo.
Many fine and rare things collected by
him are still in the possession of his family.
The books, pamphlets, and political speeches,
papers, almanacs, some 50 volumes of political speeches all nicely bound, going back to
Henry Clay's time. Some 30 or 40 volumes
of almanacs, and yet a thousand unbound,
together with many quaint and curious recollections of Lansing costume pictures were
sold to the State Library and given to the
Pioneer Society after the death of Mr. Jenison.
Mr. Jenison procured the only photograph
of old Okemos wherein he sat alone; and
also sent a photographer into the cupola of
the old State capitol to take a photograph of
the old Lansing House, which stood on the
ground now occupied by Christmas & Savage, opposite the Hotel Downey. These two
pictures are now in the possession of the
State Pioneer Society, where Mr. Jenison
considered them secure from fire and thieves.
But what Mr. Jenison thought was his best
effort was his "Capitol Books," which consisted of six large scrap books, I2X16,
wherein is contained a minute description of
the erection of our new and beautiful capitol.
Mr. Jenison commenced with a photograph
of the excavation, and in the photograph


line followed it to the end, making fifty different photographs of the building from excavation to lantern, giving dates and showing its progress from year to year till finished. The book also contains the photograph
and autograph of the three different Governors during the time of its erection, and(
the photographs and autographs of the commissioners, contractors, and every man holding an important office connected with it.
It tells when the first load of sand, lumber,
stone, etc., were drawn on the ground, the
first man who cut the first stone, when every
important stone was laid, even to the minute.
and in fact a complete history from beginning to the end, for seven years, in which is
a mass of matter, such as autographs, photographs, account of laying corner stone, description of capitol, and other valuable
records too numerous to mention. These
books also went into possession of the State.
and together with the others, now occupy a
separate "stack" and are known as the "Jenison Collection."
When we take into consideration that M-r.
Jenison struck this town, a young man with
just a York shilling in his pocket which was
all his wealth, comment on his push and
energy are unnecessary.
Mr. Jenison was a gentleman of a pleasant genial manner, who had hosts of friends,
especially among the older citizens, and always enjoyed the confidence and esteem of
the public.  He was married in Lansing-,
January 20, I851, to Miss Helen Maria Butler, daughter of Orange Butler, an able lawyer and polished gentleman of the old school.
To them were born two sons: Frank I..
who resides in Illinois, and Orrin A., of the
Dyer, Jenison, Barry Co., of this city.
Mr. Jenison died at the family residence
August 6, 1895, and two years later, on
November 5, 1897, his wife passed away.
thus depriving the community of two of its




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


571


most estimable citizens who had long lived
in its midst, and who were loved and honored most by those who knew them best.
ORRIN A. JENISON.
It was during the strenuous and ever
memorable times at the close of the Civil
war, October 2, 1865, that the subject of
this sketch first saw the light of day. Mr.
Jenison, whose father and mother were
among the early settlers of Lansing, was
born and has always lived in the second
ward, where he attended the public schools
till at the age of fifteen he went to Olivet
College for a year. After returning home
he secured a position as messenger in the
Auditor General's department, remaining
there for six years, having in the meantime
been promoted to a clerkship.
In 1887 he resigned and went with the
Lansing Iron and Engine Works as bookkeeper, where he remained till 1893, during
which period he was promoted to the office
of secretary and treasurer. The following
three years he was with E. Bement & Sons
of this city, in charge of their collection department, giving this up to go into business
on his own account, buying out the F. F.
Russell bookstore, which, after a short time
he sold, and together with Mr. Geo. A. Dyer
and Mr. James V. Barry of this city incorporated the Dyer, Jenison, Barry Co., Ltd.,
with offices at present in the Hollister building, where they conduct a large general insurance and real estate and loaning business.
Mr. Jenison always had great faith in the
prospects of Lansing and was one of the
prime movers in the organization of the Lansing Business Men's Association, which was
launched in I9OI, at which time he was
made its secretary, and still gives attention
to the duties of that office. Much credit is


due to that association through its officers
and board for the almost unparalleled
growth and prosperity of Lansing during
the past four years.
Mr. Jenison has always taken an active
interest in local politics, and served the city's
interests for four years as Alderman of the
second ward, he was also honored by being
elected President of the Zach Chandler Republican Club, an organization which has
done much to promote Republicanism in this
county.  Although not a member of any
church, Mr. Jenison has taken an interest
in the welfare of the Episcopal society, of
which his wife is a loyal and active supporter, and has served as a member of its
vestry. He has also been a member of the
Grand River Boat Club for more than twenty years, and acted on its board of directors
for two terms.
Mr. Jenison is a member of Capitol Lodge
No. 66 F. & A. M. and R. A. M. Chapter.
He has assisted in the promotion of the Lansing Manufacturer's railroad, and as its
superintendent has had charge of its construction. This road, when completed, will
add greatly to Lansing's already exceptionally fine shipping facilities.
Mr. Jenison was united in marriage in
June, I892, to Miss Mary M. Hawley,
daughter of Senator Thomas D. Hawley
and wife, formerly of Detroit, Mich. To them
have been born three children: Austin, May
9, I893; Monell, September 17, I895, and
Judith, March 30, 1900.
Mrs. Jenison takes an interest in club
work, being a member of the Lansing
Woman's Club, and vice-regent of the
Daughters of the American Revolution, local
chapter.
Mr. Jenison has met with more than ordinary success in his various business ventures,
and is a stockholder in a number of manufacturing establishments in the city. He is




572


PAST AND PRESENT


today recognized as one of the solid men of
affairs of the capital city.
CORTLAND BLISS STEBBINS,
(DECEASED).
Cortland Bliss Stebbins was for many
years one of Lansing's most prominent and
highly respected citizens. He was a man of
great energy and force of character.  He
was born in I812 at Williamstown, Vt. His
parents being poor, he decided at the age
of fourteen years to strike out for himself,
which he did, going to Montpelier and becoming the apprentice of a cabinet-maker.
For four years he served in this capacity,
receiving $40.00 a year and his board for
his services. In 1838 he left Montpelier for
the west. Going to Syracuse, N. Y., in the
fall of the year, he intended taking a canal
boat for Buffalo, but the canal being frozen
he made his way to Buffalo over the frozen
roads, enduring many hardships. In Buffalo he studied law for two years in the office of an attorney. Afterward, he came to
Michigan, first locating in Palmyra, a small
village near Adrian. A year later he moved
to Adrian and embarked in the furniture
business.  While there he was four years
editor of the "Adrian Times," a weekly
newspaper, and served for several years as
special agent of the Postoffice department,
to which position he was appointed during
President Fillmore's administration.
Credit is given Mr. Stebbins of being the
first newspaper man to suggest in his columns the name of Millard Fillmore as President of the United States. In recognition
of his service he was later appointed under
Mr. Fillmore's administration, special agent
for the Postoffice department; the duties of
his office requiring extended trips through
the states of Michigan, Ohio and elsewhere.


He was also for some time in the secret
service of the Treasury department.
Mr. Stebbins was identified with the Republican party from the date of its organization and was strong in its councils in local
and State affairs.
In the year I856 he was appointed by the
Commissioner of the State Land Office to
investigate depredations on the pine lands
of the State in the western counties of Michigan.
In the year 1857 Mr. Stebbins was engaged by the publishers of the Lansing Republican to edit that paper, when he moved
his family to Lansing, which was ever afterwards his home. About this time he received the distinguished honor of the appointment as private secretary to Governor
Kingsley S. Bingham, Michigan's first
farmer governor. During the management of
the Lansing Republican, the scope of the
paper was greatly enlarged and the circulation more than doubled within the first six
months.
July I, I858, Mr. Stebbins accepted a
position in the office of the Superintendent
of Public Instruction as clerk, and the following winter the Legislature created the office of Deputy Superintendent to which position he was assigned, where he remained
for twenty years. A remarkable record and
a just compliment to his efficiency and faithfulness.
He was for several years vice president
of the Lansing Wheelbarrow   Co., which
position he held up to the time of his demise.
As a member of the local Board of Education he served the city for five years, and
will be remembered by the older residents
as one of the organizers of Plymouth
church.
Mr. Stebbins was married May 29, I837,
to Miss Susan Burley of Salem, Mass. Mrs.
Stebbins died in 1854, and in I855 he was




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


573


married to Miss Eliza Smith of Adrian.
His late wife died in I888. A. C. Stebbins,
Bliss Stebbins and Miss Susan Stebbins, all
of this city, survive.
Mr. Stebbins was a ready writer of both
prose and poetry.  Articles from his pen
all through the years of his activity found
their way into the public press. From early
manhood he was a strong advocate of temperance principles, and was also outspoken
in his convictions against human slavery,
and he wrote and lectured much upon these
great national questions.  He united with
the Congregational church when a young
man, and was active in church work all
through life. He assisted in effecting the
organization of two of the largest churches
of the Congregational denomination in this
State. He died on March 2, 1901, and is
buried in Adrian, Michigan.
WILLIAM H. PORTER.
Among the many names prominently ideintified with the growth and development of
the capital city, standing well up in the
column is that of William H. Porter. For
more than a quarter of a century Mr. Porter has been recognized as one of Lansing's
hustling business men, contributing in many
ways to the city's advancement along the line
of permanent improvement and good government.
William H. Porter was born in Allegan,
Michigan, August 23, I852. His parents,
Hon. James B. and Eunice J. Porter, were
natives of the Empire State.
James B. Porter came to Michigan with
his parents in an early day, the family located at Otsego, Allegan county, which was
ever after the family home.  In the year
1852 James B. was elected Register of Deeds
for Allegan, which office he continued to
hold until I86o, when he received the nomi

nation for the high office of Secretary of
State-was elected and held the position for
three terms, a distinguished honor conferred
upon no other man. His first and second
terms were under the administration of Austin Blair, Michigan's War Governor, whose
monument in bronze graces the capitol
square. Mr. Porter's efficiency as Secretary
of State in the ready adjustment of the many
perplexing questions growing out of the recruiting and equipping of the Michigan soldiery, and the forwarding of troops to the
front was greatly appreciated by her loyal
Governor. At the organization of the Republican party under the oaks at Jackson,
Mr. Porter was a conspicuous figure, and he
was ever afterward true to the principles of
the party.
In I866 he took up his residence in Lansing, where, during the remaining years of
his activity he was engaged in the business
of insurance and real estate.  He passed
away in March, 900o, highly respected as a
man of correct business habits. Mrs. Porter died in I903. A woman of many virtues.
This estimable couple were the parents of
five children-three died in infancy.  A
sketch of E. H. Porter, our subject's brother,
appears elsewhere in this volume.
William H. Porter was fourteen years of
age when his father removed his family to
Lansing. He attended school at Olivet for
a time, and was for three years in Oberlin
College in the class of 1876. He, however,
laid aside his studies and was united in marriage to Miss Elnora L. Morehouse, of
Litchfield, Ohio; located in Lansing, which
has since been his permanent residence. His
first business enterprise was a general commission store; this he managed for two
years, when, under the firm name of Baker
& Porter, the Lansing Chair Factory was
purchased. At that time the business was
located where the Lansing Wagon Works




574


PAST AND PRESENT


now stands. The concern was later merged
into a retail store, and was continued for
four years, or until I880, when Mr. Porter
disposed of his interest, and engaged in
the hack and livery business with J. C.
Adams. Four years later, Mr. Porter bought
Mr. Adams' interest in the firm, and has
since successfully managed the business.
When Mr. Porter first came to Lansing, the
building in which his hack and livery business is located was used as a foundry; it
was here the first iron was cast that was
used in the construction of the "Lansing
House" now known as the "Hotel Downey."
When Mr. Porter engaged in the enterprise,
thirteen horses and four hacks comprised
the outfit; now, he has forty-five horses, fifteen hacks and twenty light surrey rigs,
showing that his business has kept pace with
the growth of the city.
To Mr. and Mrs. William H. Porter have
been born four children, three of whom are
living: Walter F., is engaged in business
with his father, a business with which he is
familiar with every detail, having been to
the manor born; James B. and Dorris
Eunice. Miss Dorris is the light and joy of
the Porter home.
Mr. Porter has held several responsible
positions at the hands of his fellow citizens.
In the year 1893 he was elected Alderman
from his ward, and held the office for six
years, or until he was elected Sheriff of Ingham county in I899, when he resigned to
enter upon the more responsible and arduous
duties of his new position. During his term
of office for two years, Mr. Porter with his
family occupied the county jail residence.
Mr. Porter is always in line with the party
of progress-the party with a record-the
G. O. P.-the Republican party.
Mr. Porter shows his fraternal tendencies
by a membership in the Elks and the K. P.
to both of which organizations he is loyal.


Mrs. Porter is a member of the Congregational church society, to which she pays loyal
tribute.
Geniality, frankness and cordiality are
some of the well-developed characteristics il
the make-up of Mr. Porter.     Althoughl
seemingly just adapted to his chosen occupation he is also well-equipped for anything
that may come his way-whether in public
matters, or private business. Everybody in
Lansing knows "Billy" Porter as a hustler.
IRA J. KELLOGG.
Ira J. Kellogg is a man of business; he is
more; he is a business man, and more, does
business upon business principles, and makes
a success of it. He was born in the Township of  hlieatfield, Ingham county, December 25, I848. He was the son of Benjamin
and Sophronia (Jennings) Kellogg. The
father having been born October 2, 18 1, in
the Green Mountain State, in the town of
Pawlet, Rutland county, and the mother in
"The Land of Steady Habits," June 6,
I818, in the town of Danby. They were
united in marriage February 8, I838, by the
Rev. S. S. Lilly, at Geneva, N. Y.
In the year I846 they emigrated to the
State of Michigan, purchased one hundred
and sixty acres of land in the Township of
Wheatfield. After making considerable improvements in clearing the land, Mr. Kellogg traded for a farm in the Township of
Stockbridge, where the family resided until
the year I86I. Mr. Kellogg disposed of his
farm, and retired to the village of Stockbridge, where he spent the closing years of
his active life. Mrs. Kellogg died May 15,
I86I, aged forty-one years.  Mr. Kellog-'
passed away June 12, I877, at the age of
sixty-five years.  Both rest in the village
cemetery at Stockbridge.  At the time of
their deaths they were highly respected menm



INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


575


bers of the M. E. church. They were the
parents of ten children. Data has been furnished concerning them, as follows: Selecta
Elizabeth, born at Orange, Steuben county,
N. Y., May 8, I840. She married George
Wesley Swigget, August 3, 1856, in the
Township of Wheatfield, Ingham  county.
They reside at Wheeler, Michigan; Frances
Amelia, born September 13, I842, at Greenwood, N. Y., Steuben county; Benjamin Jasper, born February 15, 1845, at Newfield,
Tompkins county, N. Y., died March 27,
1864, at Stockbridge, Mich.; Sarah Sophronia, born at Newfield, February 22, 1847;
Ira Jennings, the subject of this sketch;
Helen, born August 15, I85I, in the Township of Wheatfield, Ingham county, now the
wife of Benjamin Graham. They reside at
Ellendale, Dakota; Mary Amanda, born in
Wheatfield, February  13, 1853, married
Amasa Christian. They reside at Chesaning.
Mich.; Marion LaFayette, born in Wheatfield, March 20, I855, died August I8, I860;
Lenora Augusta, born April I5, 1857, married Melville B. Ives, and they reside in
Wheatfield township, where she was born;
David Alonzo, born in Wheatfield, May i6,
1859, is single and lives in Columbus, Ohio.
Our subject's grandfather, on his father's
side, Joseph Kellogg, was born in Colchester,
Conn., Sept. 17, 1774. He was the son of
Corporal Joseph Kellogg (the military rank
given indicating that he was a soldier in the
Revolutionary War). Joseph Kellogg, the
grandfather, was united in marriage in January, I799, to Elizabeth, daughter of John
Pelton, of Colchester.  She was born in
April, I777. They removed from Pawlet,
Vt., in I812, and settled in Northfield in the
Empire State. where he purchased a farm of
two hundred and thirty-seven acres on which
he resided until the date of his death. It is
recorded of him "that he was an active, public spirited man. That he for a time kept a


public house two miles south of Newfield,
known as the 'Columbian Inn,' a popular resort back in the years from 1822 to '25."
He died March 30, 1842, his wife passing
away October 8, I846.    They were the
parents of ten children.  Data respecting
them is given here: David, born October,
1799; Jerusha, born April, 1803; Polly, born
June, 80oI, died July, 1804; Joseph, born
December 9, I805; Betsey, born January 6,
I808, married A. Waldroff; Mary, born
October 28, I809, married September 21,
1843, to R. McDaniels; Benjamin, our subject's father-see above; Melzar, born November 14, 1813; Jasper, born February 25,
I816; Amanda, born November 7, I819,
(lied March 8, I847.
Ira J. Kellogg's grandfather on his
mother's side, Pliney Jennings, was a native
of Cornwall, Conn., where he was born June
26, 1793. He was united in marriage January 12, 1815, to Mary Marsh, who was
born in Litchfield county, Conn., March 8.
1799.
But two children are recorded as having
been born to them. Ira Jennings, for whom
our subject was named, and his mother,
Sophronia.  Other data concerning her is
given elsewhere.
Ira J. Kellogg received his early education
in the district school, but being dependent
upon his own efforts for a livelihood, at the
age of eighteen years he went to work as a
farm hand; this he followed up summers,
until after the years of his majority. His
first business venture was as a traveling
salesman for sewing machines and organs.
He managed to keep things coming his way
until he accepted a position as a clerk in a
general store of Albert L. Forbes, of Stockbridge. After two years in Mr. Forbes' employment his accumulations were sufficient
to warrant him taking to himself a life partner. January i, 1873, he was united in mar



576


PAST AND PRESENT


riage to Miss Marie, daughter of Mr. and
Mrs. Joshua Whitney of the Township of
Stockbridge. Mr. Whitney was an old resident, a prosperous farmer, and a good citizen.
To Mr. and Mrs. Kellogg have been born
two daughters: Anna L. Miss Anna is at
present a teacher in the Jackson city public
schools, a work for which she is eminently
qualified. She is a member of the alumni of
Alma College, Mich., class of I894; Mabel
W., a graduate of Kalamazoo College, class
of 1904. Miss Mabel was married June 8,
I905, to E. R. Young of Jackson.
Mr. and Mrs. Kellogg and Anna are members of the Baptist church and are among
the aggressive workers in the cause of religion. Mabel cast her lot with the Presbyterian society, and is recognized as one of
the church workers.
After marriage, Mr. Kellogg started out
anew in business for himself, locating in
Owosso. Opening up a place of business he
dealt in sewing machines and organs for
about two years, closed out and moved to
Durand, then little more than a burg, opened
the first general store in the place, and for
six years carried on a successful business in
the town. The opportunity came, and he
disposed of his interests at Durand, returned
to his old home town at Stockbridge, May 3,
1893, bought out his former employer, built
a large brick store and did a thriving business. In addition to his general store, he
bought and sold grain, produce, and wool.
In 1884 he erected a fine dwelling, which he
disposed of recently, the store property he
still owns. His place of business was headquarters for anything in his line, and having
established a reputation for fair dealing, each
year added to his worldly accumulations.
In other words he met with success. In the
fall of I896, as he puts it, he "got mixed up
in politics," was nominated for Register of


Deeds, was elected and held the office for a
term of two years, making a very efficient
and painstaking officer.  Mr. Kellogg has
been a lifelong advocate of the principles of
the Republican party, was proud of its war
record, but when he saw his party bow down
before corporations, trusts and the molne
power of the country, he lined up with the
opposition, and after the smoke of the various political battles that followed had been
cleared away, he found himself in the ranks
of the Democracy, where he stands today.
After retiring from office he purchased a
one-half interest in the Mason City Carriage
Works, and later bought out his partner,
and now owns and controls the entire plant,
which turns out an average of about three
hundred vehicles of various kinds annually.
The following description of the plant will
give the reader something of an idea of the
extent of the business: Office, frame buildling, shingle roof, one story, 14x24 feet;
blacksmith shop, brick building, gravel alnd
tar roof, one story, 40x70 feet; store room,
brick building, gravel and tar roof, two story,
20x50 feet; engine and boiler room, brick
building, gravel and tar roof, one story, 2ox
20 feet; machinery building, brick, tin roof,
two story, 30x58 feet; repository, frame, tin
roof, two story, 20x6o feet; store and crating
room, two story frame, shingle roof, 24x60
feet; dry kiln, two sides brick, two sides
frame, tin roof, I2x20 feet.
The above buildings are in good repair,
and by figuring you will find they contaiil
more than 17,500 feet of floor space. The
property is described as being the entire block
5. Griffin's addition, Mason. The office is
divided into two rooms and provided with
two outside doors and eight windows. There
are desks, chairs, Detroit fire-proof safe.
Shannon file case, etc.  In the smith shop
there are six forges, all connected with
power blower, two hand blowers, flexible




0




I


THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, MASON


OLD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH


THE BAPTIST CHURCH, MASON


THE NEW PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH


SOLDIER'S MONUMENT ON PUBLIC
SQUARE AT STOCKBRIDGE




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


577


boring  machine, boxing   machine, tire
crimper, drills, punches, etc., and line shafting and pulleys for same.  Engine room
contains nothing but boiler and 20 horsepower engine in excellent condition. In the
machine room there are band and circular
saws, shaper, sander and boring machine,
universal saw, tenoning machine, etc., etc.,
together with all necessary line shafting,
pulleys, etc. Dry kiln is piped for steam.
Mr. Kellogg is among Mason's most respected citizens. The uprightness of his life
as exemplified in his daily Christian character has won for him universal regard and
esteem. Financially, he is on "easy street."
The family have a summer cottage at Pleasant Lake, where they spend much of their
time during the summer months, while his
new and commodious dwelling is one of
Mason city's pleasant homes.
HISTORY      OF   THE     METHODIST
EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN
MASON, MICH.
Methodism dates its beginning in Mason
in the year I839.  In that year the first
Methodist sermon in this vicinity was
preached by Rev. Jackson, who visited the
Village of Mason, which at that time consisted of only about five families. Services
were held in the small schoolhouse. Regular preaching services were established for
each two weeks and the Mason appointment
formed a part of what was then known as
the "Dexter Mission."
In the conference year of 1843-4 a small
class was organized with R. Scarrett, as
leader. Mason Methodism was at first of
slow growth, so that when in I853 the class
was re-organized it consisted of only seven
members.
Beginning with about the year 1845, Mason was the head of what was known as the
37


"Ingham Circuit," which then consisted of
the territory embraced now within the limits
of the following pastoral charges, viz.:
Mason, Leslie, Okemos, Dansville, and perhaps Unadilla, and was known as a two
weeks circuit, with two preachers in charge.
In September, 1855, the Michigan Conference was divided; and by such division
the Detroit Conference was formed of such
territory as lay east of the principal meridian
line, thus Dansville and Unadilla were cut
off from the Mason circuit. The "Mason
Circuit" was then known as the appointments at Mason, Leslie and Okemos, and
was still continued as a two weeks circuit,
with Rev. E. Klump as preacher in charge.
There was no house of worship in Mason
prior to the year 1854, when the present
church site was purchased, and plans were
formulated for the erection of a house of
worship, which was completed and dedicated in the summer of I855. This was a
wooden structure, costing the sum of $2,000
and fronted to the south upon the present
church site.
On the evening of July 4, 1865, this edifice was struck by lightning and was burned,
together with organ, books, furniture, etc.
Being somewhat disheartened by such
calamity no effect was put forth for rebuilding, until the winter of I867, when a subscription was raised of about $3,500 for a
new church edifice, and the corner stone of
the new and present brick structure was laid,
with Masonic ceremonies by the Rev. A. P.
Mead of Jackson, in April, I867.
The basement was completed and dedicated March I, I868. The entire building
was completed and dedicated in 1872, at a
cost of about $6,725.
In the year 1892 the Epworth League
room was completed at a cost of about
$1,000.
During the years from I839 to I853 the




578


PAST AND PRESENT


following ministers served as pastors of the
Mason M. E. church, though perhaps not in
order given, viz.: Revs. Jackson, I. Bennett,
E. D. Young, W. E. Bigelow, D. Thomas,
E. Wakelin, W. Fox, S. Bessey, I. Donnelson, J. S. Smart, A. Allen, - Glass, D.
Curtis and S. Calkins.
From the year 1853 to the present year
I905, the following pastors have served the
Mason M. E. church in order of years noted
as follows: E. K. Hascall and J. W. Kellogg, 1853; T. Lyon and E. H. Brockway,
1854; E. Klump, I855; A. L. Crittenden,
1856-7; N. Mount, I858-9; H. P. Barker,
I860; 0. F. Chase, I861-2; H. C. Peck,
1863; I. N. Tomes, i864-5; F. Glass, I866;
L. M. Edmonds, 1867; W. M. Coplin, I868 -9; Richard Pengelly, 1870-I; W. Rice,
1872; F. B. Bangs, 1873-4; A. A. Knappen, 1875-6; W. Reilley, I877-8; G. D. Lee,
1879, his health failing 0. D. Watkins was
appointed to fill out the year; W. Doust,
I880-2; A. M. Fitch, I883 (was appointed,
but congregation refused to receive him and
E. H. Brockway was appointed for the
year). F. L. McCoy, 1884-5; L. DeLamarter, i886-8; A. D. Newton, 1889; C. L.
Barnhart, 1890; W. J. Maybie, I891-2; G.
D. Chase, 1893-4; W. H. B. Urch, I895-6;
J. I. Buell, 1897; W. J. Wilson, I898-I903;
N. F. Jenkins, 1904-5, the last named being
the writer of this sketch.
The present membership of the church
numbers about 300 in all.
A good Sunday school of about 200
scholars, a strong Epworth League, a Junior
League, a Woman's Foreign Missionary Society, A Woman's Home Missionary Society, a Ladies' Aid Society, represent the
different organizations of the church. The
present valuation of the church property is
as follows: church, $6,ooo; parsonage, $2,ooo. The church raised last year (1904)
for the benevolences of the church the sum


of $614. And for all purposes, including
the above amount, the sum of $2,718 was
raised.-N. F. J.
The official board of the church for the
year of I905 consists of the following
named persons.
Trustees-Dr. W. W. Root, Col. L. H.
Ives, L. J. Dudley, F. P. Millbury, R. Raymond, A. G. Ball, Jared Smith.
Stewards-Col. J. G. Snook, A. G. Ball,
E. A. Densmore, D. E. Watts, O. R. Austin, W. S. Root, Mrs. Mary Petty, Miss
Kittie Rice, Miss Mabel Raymond, Joseph
Bullen, R. J. Bullen and Bert True.
Class Leaders-D. P. Whiting and Frank
Fields.
Sunday School Supt.-E. A. Densmore.
Pres. Epworth League-Miss Jean McDonald.
Pres. Ladies' Aid Society-Mrs. H. C.
Freeland.
Pres. Woman's Home Missionary Society
-Mrs. D. E. Watts.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
The Presbyterian church of Mason was
organized January 15, 1859, by a committee
from Marshall Presbytery, and consisted of
seven persons: Hiram Bristol, Nancy Bristol,
Allen Rowe, Elizabeth Rowe, Sally Ann
Rowe, Mary F. Rhea and Amanda Barnes.
Of these seven, only Elizabeth Rowe and
Amanda Barnes are still alive.
For a few months, Rev. Henry Root supplied the pulpit, and in January, I860, Rev.
Hosea Kittredge was called to be the first
pastor. He resigned January, 1867, and in
July, I868, Rev. George Barlow succeeded
him. Service had been held in the old courthouse, the Methodist church and in the
(then) new brick courthouse. Mr. Barlow's
first work was to build a church, and this
was done in the year I868 and I869. It was




INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


579


a wooden building and stood on Oak street,
between B and C streets. It was dedicated
October 3d, I869. Mr. Barlow remained
eleven years, when he resigned and was followed by Rev. Evart Vander Hart, who in
turn was succeeded by Rev. James Barnet.
In 1883 Rev. C. D. Ellis filled the pulpit,
and remained until I886, when Rev. J. D.
Barnes came, and in I892 Rev. J. Clizbe became pastor. He resigned to take a professorship in Alma College, and in September,
1897, Rev. A. S. Zimmerman was installed.
Under his leading, the new stone church
standing on Maple street was built, and
dedicated April 2, I90o. Through the personal popularity, and efforts of Pastor Zimmerman, all the stone was donated, the cost
of the building was greatly reduced, the
actual amount expendle(l 1eing about $i8,000.
The present pastor is Rev. \V. H. Sinmons. The membership of the church is
201. The elders are A. A. Howard, George
W. Bristol, L. W. Mills and Harvey Rowe.
The Sunday school was reorganized in I868
and J. R. Root was the first superintendent,
followed by Kendall Kittredge, Theron Van
Ostrand, S. H. Beecher, J. T. Campbell, L.
W. Mills, George W. Bristol, and the present
Superintendent J. B. Thorburn.
The Sunday school numbers about 200.
There is a very active Ladies' Aid society,
with Mrs. George M. Hoyt as president; a
large Missionary society, with Mrs. F. G.
Ellett for president, and a flourishing Chiistian Endeavor sociey with Mr. E. P. Mills
as president.
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH.
CHURCH OVFICERS.
Pastor-Arthur F. White.
Deacons-Samuel Shaw, Harvey Wilson,
William Fanson, I. J. Kellogg, J. H. Shafer.


Trustees-Wm. Fanson, H. M. Young,
E. A. Tyler, H. B. Longyear, G. A. Minar.
Finance Committee-A. J. Hall, treasurer; J. H. Shafer, Harvey Wilson, board
of trustees.
Clerk-S. Shaw.
Chorister-H. B. Longyear.
Organist-Mrs. Bell.
Ushers-A. J. Hall, Water Severance.
BIBLE SCHOOL.
Superintendent-A. J. Hall.
Assistant Superintendent-Alfred Allen.
Primary Supt.-Mrs. E. A. Tyler.
Ass't. Primary Supt.-W. L. Hall.
Secretary-Edward McBride.
Assistant Secretary-F. L. Shafer.
Treasurer-H. B. Longyear.
Librarian-Mrs. A. J. Hall.
Assistant Organist-Bertha Gunn.
Chorister-William Fanson.
Assistant Chorister-Mrs. A. J. Hall.
HISTORICAL SKETCH.
The First Baptist church of Mason was
organized in 1839 with the following members: Wright Horton and Eliza Ann, his
wife; Miss Yost (afterwards Mrs. Chas.
Gray), Mrs. Dunn and her son, Samuel,
and Mrs. G. W. Shafer.
The church was organized under the direction of Elder David Hendee, of Jackson county, a pioneer minister and prominent organizer.  The first meetings were
held in the old school house; also a short
time in the Methodist church; later the place
of meeting was changed to the court house.
Among the early pastors were Revs. E. K.
Grout, Hiram  Fuller, Wilder, Robertson,
VWm. Putnam, P. P. Farnum, L. E. Spafford, Daniel Baldwin. In 1864 the present
frame church was built, being dedicated in
November of the following year. Extensive
improvements,  however,   have   greatly
changed the appearance and usefulness of




580


PAST AND PRESENT


the building. In I873, under the pastoral
care of P. P. Farnum, the frame building
was raised and a brick basement placed underneath. In the fall of 1875 the present
baptistry was put in the church. In I894,
with Rev. H. W. Powell as pastor, the present covered entrance was added to the
church building.
The church itself has experienced many
gracious revivals; foremost among them was
that of the winter of I875-76, with Rev. J.
L. DeLand as stated supply, when there were
45 additions to the church by baptism. The
following figures, at periods of about five


years, will indicate the steady growth of the
church: Membership in 1867, 87; 1870,
Iio; I875, I44; i88I, 176; I885, 213;
1890, 236; I895, 240; 1900, 253; June i,
1900, 275. The steady growth of the church
has been marked also by a steady growth ill
the Bible school, which for the past eighteen
years has been superintended by Bro. A.
J. Hall.
Under the present pastorate, which covers
a period of nearly seven years, seventy-tw(-)
have been added to the membership of the
church, fifty of these by baptism.


i
1
i




INDEX.


PAGE
Abbott, Levi................ 304
Alsdorf, Cyrus (deceased)... 221
Alsdorf, Frederick M........ 219
Annis, Floyd G............. 532
Appleyard, James (deceased). 222
Archer, George W.......... 217
Armstrong, A. B............ 36
Bailey, George P............ 216
Baird, J. J..................  540
Baldwin, Jay............... 377
Baldwin, Martin C........... 376
Baldwin, Timothy L.........    522
Banghart, J. E.............. 303
Barber, A. I.................   39
Barber, Chauncey L. (M. D.). 214
Barber, Chester D........... 210
Barber, J. T................. 544
Barker, William   C......... 306
Barnes, E. A................ 539
Barnes, Orlando Mack....... 368
Barrett, Frank H.......... 375
Barrett, Samuel J., Jr........ 375
Bartow, Andrew    J.......... 370
Barry, James V.............. 132
Bates, M. F................. 249
Bateman, D. N.............. 224
Beamer, Alfred............. 543
Bell, Digby V............... 236
Bell, Robert (deceased)..... 223
Bement, Clarence E........ I56
Bennett, A. S............... 253
Bennett, John Franklin...... 225
Bennett, Peter J., Jr......... 305
Beers, Andrew.............. 562
Bergman, Arlington A....... 246
Beeman, Wellington......... 373
Binding, Edwin D........... 73
Binding, Willis............. 212
Binkley, Orange............ 157
Black, Abraham........... 229
Bond, Frank M............ 308
Bond, Horatio J............ 146
Bortle, Theodore............ 209
Bowdish, Lucius............     58
Brockway, Rev. Edwin H.
(deceased)................ 565
Brown, Charles W........... 157
Brown, H. E. (M. D.).......    492
Brown, John M..............    154
Briggs, Richard T...........   371
Buck, Gardner C............. 213
Bullen, James T.............   555
Bullen, John................ 556


PAGE
Bullen, Joseph.............  556
Bullen, R. R. (deceased).... 552
Bullen, Richard J........... 553
Byrum, Eldorus............. 309
Cady, Daniel L............... 226
Cady, Menzo C.............. 227
Cahill, Judge Edward....... 171
Campbell, Dr. A. B. (deceased)................... 465
Campbell, Dr. Gertrude......  466
Campbell, Hon. Job T....... 142
Campbell, M. L..............  126
Carpenter, Charles Henry.... 219
Carr, George M..............  149
Carter, George L............  I65
Carter, Mason J............. 241
Carrier, M. R............... 154
Champion, Andrew J........ 379
Chamberlain, George S...... 130
Chandler, Charles H......... 388
Chase, John C............... 391
Chatterton, Judge Mason D.. 137
Childs, Myron F.......... 393
Church, Frank E............. 174
Clark, Archibald............ 152
Clark, William............. I84
Clark, William L............  389
Coad, Dr. M................ 252
Cogswell, Charles........... 155
Cole, John.................  82
Colister, W. H..............  468
Collins, Addison C......... 557
Collins, William  H.......... I50
Collver. Frank T...........   382
Cook, Daniel M..........:... 174
Cook, John B................  493
Cooley, E. F................ 141
Cooley, Lansing J........... 292
Cooley. Nathan L........... 238
Coon, James S.............. 242
Covert. Monmouth I......... 385
Coy, John S................ 525
Craig, William B. (deceased) 390
Culver, E................. 383
Curtis, George (deceased).... I80
Cushman, Romain.......... 176
Dana, Charles F............. 248
Dakin, Charles J...........  247
Dakin, Tacob..............   396
Dana, James J. (deceased).. 496
Dancer, William J........... 300
Daniels, Philo L. (deceased). 246


PAGE
Darrow,    Charles  H.   (deceased)................... 499
Dart, James R.............. 228
Davis, Arthur T. (deceased). 437
Davis, Benjamin F.......... 563
Davis, John L.............. 299
Dennis, M. A............... 467
Densmore, Addison         (deceased)................... 394
Densmore, Fred............. 396
Diamond, William    A........ 230
Dodge, Hon. Frank L........    287
Doolittle, A. J............... 444
Doolittle, Reuel R........... 469
Dryer, Elbridge A.......... 255
Dwinnell, John B. (deceased) 549
Dubois, Garrett (deceased).. 254
Dunckel, George............ 250
Dunham, Paul E............. 302
Dutcher, Daniel T........... 397
Edmonds, James P.......... 447
Edmonds, John W........... 537
Edwards, Oliver............ 173
Elliott, J. N. (deceased).... 258
Elmer, Jackson K........... 452
Fanson, William............ 448
Fellows, H. N............... 472
Felton, H. D................. 504
Ferguson, James E., Esq..... 251
Ferris, Edward............. 473
Fingerle, John C........... 451
Fitch, Hon. Charles Carroll.. 127
Frary, Daniel W............ 477
Freeman, Jay W............. 453
French, John C.............. 524
Foler, Godfrey.............. 291
Foler, Lewis................ 256
Foote, Daniel F............. 312
Foster, Calvin.............. 252
Foster, Charles S............ 192
Foster, Seymour............ 274
Gailbrnith, William......... 307
Gay, Gilbert H.............. 506
Gaylord, Wheeler........... 187
Godfrey, George H.......... I9
Grandy, Edward............ 315
Gray, Jesse................. 314
Gregory. Oscar S. (deceased) 271
Griffin. R. F................. 310
Grinnell, Alvy H............ 536




582


INDEX.


PAGE
Gulick, George W........... 19
1Tagadorn, Alexander D. (M.
D.)..................... 232
Hagadorn, Johnson W. (M.
D.).................. 231
Hale, Chas. C............... 235
Hale, Henry (deceased)..... 470
Hall, Albert J............... 502
Hammond, Shubael......... 132
Hanlon, Hon. Martin........ 234
Harlow, A. L...............   256
Hart, Samuel and Benjamin
(deceased)............... 317
Harwood, George..........    497
Harwood, William.......... 329
Hawn, August.............    480
Hawley, Edwin R............ 237
Hayner, Charles A........... 471
Haynes, Morris............. 316
Hazelton, Nelson A......... 273
Helmker, August A. E...... 519
Hemans, Egbert...........    317
Hemans, John A. and Frances
L....................... 561
Henderson, H. L. (deceased) 458
Henderson, Perry (deceased) 494
Herre, Gottfried...........  318
Hewitt, Frank W............   529
Hewitt, Robert L. (deceased) 322
Hildreth, W. W............. 457
History   of  the   Methodist
Episcopal Church in Mason,
Mich..................... 577
Holt, Byron................ 321
Holden, Jesse............... 454
Hood, O. J.................. 455
House, E. F................. 233
Hoyt, F. E.................. 260
Hudson, Valancourt......... 474
Hulett, Charles L............  495
Huntley, W. H..............485
Huntoon, Richard B......... 500
Huston, Major John S. (deceased).................. 503
Imes, Lewis E............... 238
Ingalls, Aaron T............. 324
Irish, Lovewell L............ 527
Ives, Capt. Frank C......... 277
Ives, Col. L. H.............. 279
Ives, S. C.................. 325
Jenison, O. A................ 568
Jenison, Orrin A............ 571
Jenkins, Charles G. (M. D.). 323
Jenkins, J. S................ 175
Jessop, Daniel R....... 294
Jewett, George W.......... 365
Johnson, Irving............. 291
Jones, Daniel............... 331
Kaiser, J. J................. 329
Kellogg, Ira J............ 574
Kinerim, Adam............. 476
Kingman, John R........... 326
Kingsbury, Daniel D........ 330
Kurtz, Henry............... 301
Lamereaux, Harvey.........   334


PAGE
Lane, Solon C..............    I96
Larowe, James P............ 332
Lasenby, Thomas (deceased) 348
Lawrence, Amos C.......... I86
Lawrence, Henry W......... 333
Laycock, Albert H........... I8I
Leasia, James N............. 136
Lee, Hiram D............... 193
Leeman, Martin............. 182
Leighton, Lieut. Stephen P... I66
Lemon, Dr. J. F............ 269
Leonard, Henry L...........    194
Lockwood, Charles E........ 134
Loomis, Rudolph............    95
Lowe, Charles H............ 184
Lumbard, A. A., Esq........ 526
Lyon, T. H.................. 88
Lyons, Hugh............... I66
Lyons, T. Rogers............ 490
Maine, Lorenzo (deceased).. 336
Marshall, James C........... 343
Mayer, Hon. S. W........... 298
McArthur, Louis B.......... 338
McCrossen, Wilbur.......... 273
McEwing, Thomas.......... 201
McGowan, George.......... 339
McIntyre, Peter...........    550
McKenzie, Daniel........... 342
Melton, Williams A. Melton.. 336
Merrifield, E. R. (deceased).. 341
M\errifield, Frank A.......... 543
Milner, Elisha D............. 340.Miller, A. G................. 547
Minar, Frank C............. 267
Minar, Capt. George A....... 265
Minar, Capt. Lyman......... 541,Moore, Joseph B., M. A., L.L.
D..................... 508
Morse, Lincoln (deceased)... 487
Murphy, Joel V.............. 296
Nice, Philip................. 208
Nicholes, A. A.............. 346
Nichols, William  C......... 202
Nebling, Jacob M........... 205
Neeley, Solon D............. 170
Newbrough, E. P. (deceased) 345
Northrup, George........... 347
Northrup, Henry I.......... 313
Noyes, Almeron.........       349
Noyes, David W. & Beeri B. 545
Okemos, John............. 510
Olinger, George............. 356
Osborn, Carlos P. (deceased) 206
Paddock, Charles E.......... 353
Passage, John.............. 297
Pendleton, Charles A........   68
Pennock, G. S............... 354
Persons, Hon. Rollin H...... 207
Pickett, Eugene D........... 413
Pike, Solomon B............ 378
Phelps, George W. (deceased) 35I
Porter, Edgar S............. 300
Porter, George.............   355
Porter, William H........... 573
Post, William  H.....:...... 412
Potter, Elijah............. 360


PAGE
Pratt, Walter M............. 381
Presbyterian Church........578
Price, Lawrence.............  22
Priest, Oscar W............. 352
Putnam, Grant............. 200
Rapp, George..............475
Rayner, A. J................ 415
Reason, John (deceased)... 372
Reeves, O. V................ 479
Reid, George A.............. 419
Rice, Gardner............... 479
Richmond, Andrew......... 386
Rider. J. J. (deceased)...... 478
Rikerd, H. W................ 520
Rix, Hiram................ I64
Robson, William   L.......... 162
Root, Dr. William W........ II8
Rowe, George A. (M. D.).... 421
Rowe, J. E.................. 483
Royston, Ellery T........... 392
Royston, Lemuel Allen.......   417
Russell, Edwin C............ 530
Sanford, S. H............... 402
Shafer, James Henry........ 26
Shaffer, Col. George W...... 537
Shank, Robert B. (deceased). 533
Shank, Rush J. (M. D.)..... 420
Shay, James W.............. 319
Simon, Abraham    (deceased). 410
Skadan, Frank............. 367
Sly, Rev. John Albert....... 399
Smead, S. J. P. (deceased).. 414
Smith, Delevan C. (deceased) 406
Smith, Hiram.............. 403
Smith, Jay M...............   418
Smith, Joel................. I60
Spaulding, Orlando E........ 423
Spencer, Dr. George D....... 363
Starmont, Adolph M......... 531
Stebbins, A. C............... 404
Stebbins, Cortland Bliss (deceased)................... 572
Stephens, William    M. (deceased)................... 409
Stevens, Andrew Jackson.... 367
Stevens, Daniel B.......... 411
St. John, Edgar J........... 424
Stoffer, Joseph.............. I61
Stoughton, James........... 408
Sturges, Augustus L....... 489
Swartwout, Dr. George W... 405
Swift, Charles E............. 377
Tanswell, John E............ 361
Taylor, Dan A............... 538
Taylor, George............. 362
Taylor, Harrison............ 425
Terry, Charles Clark......... 429
Terry, John R............... 498
The Ingham Co. News....... 480
Thomas, Frank E. (M. D.).. 450
Thomas, Hon. John......... 506
Thompson, Eber F......... 568
Thompson, George M..... 426
Thorburn, James (deceased). 443
Thorburn, James B.......... 445
Thorburn, John............. 446
Thorburn, Robert........... 521




INDEX.


583


PAGE
Titus, A. C.................. 364
Tobias, William.............  268
Toles, Louis W. (M. D.).... 469
Tomlinson, S. J............. 427
Torrey, J. L.................  542
Towar, George Morris....... 434
Towner, Harlan P........... 501
Townsend, James P......... 430
Traver, George............. 259
Turner, Dr. Frank N........ 428
Turner, Hon. James M....... 289
Tuttle, Arthur J............. 177
Tuttle, John J. (deceased)... 178
Tuttle, Ogden Valorous...... 80


PAGE
Van Buren, E. P............ 124
Van Buren, J. H........... 432
Van Buskirk, Frances........  433
Van Horn, Jesse............. 456
Vanneter, Silas E............ 263
Walters, William C.......... 435
Webb, George (deceased).... 240
Webb, W. M................ 438
Webb, William T............   275
Westfall, George M.......... 464
Weston, Theodore..........    534
Whipple, Harvey H.......... 464
Whitney, Homer L..........    269


PAGE
Wilbur, Ex-Mayor A. A..... 270
Wilcox, James A. (deceased) 460
Williams, George...........436
Williams, Oswald C. (deceased)...................535
Wilson, Charles S........... 46
Wilson, Harvey.............559
Wilson, William   0..........486
Willis, Charles C...........   484
Wood, Amos F.............. 357
Wright, Orson D.......   482
Younglove, Frank...........488? ~ ~1 "P~1 ~:"












Y(1l    i4p




4.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
4,
17
I~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~,,r




k