USA > Michigan > Genesee County > Biographical history of Genesee County, Michigan > Part 1
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org.
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27
BEMESED
COUNTY
THEBIGAN
ENESEE COUNT
MICHIGAN
ILLUSTRATED
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
OF-
GENESEE COUNTY MICHIGAN
B. F. BOWEN & CO., Publishers INDIANAPOLIS
PREFACE.
In placing this volume of the "Biographical History" before the people of Genesee County, Michigan, the publishers can conscientiously claim that they have carried out in all respects every promise made in the prospectus. They point with pride to the elegance of the binding of the volume, and to the beauty of the typography, to the superiority of the paper on which the work is printed, and the high class of art in which the portraits are finished. Every biographical sketch in the work has been submitted to the party interested for approval and correction, and therefore any error of fact, if there be any, is solely due to the person for whom the sketch was prepared.
The publishers would here avail themselves of the opportunity to thank the citizens for the uniform kindness with which they have regarded this undertaking and for their many services rendered in the gaining of necessary information. Confident that our efforts to please will fully meet the appro- bation of the public, we are, Respectfully
B. F. BOWEN & COMPANY, Publishers.
INDEX.
A Friend to Man 315
Adams, Albert L
347
Adams, Jay 210
I2I
Adams, Jayno C ..
282
Atherton, Samuel R
357
Atherton, Charles C
357
Austin, James S.
384
Banker, Almeron D
I 50
Bates, William Rufus
86
Bates, Irving B
326
Bates Charles
II5
Beebe, Zala
366
Begole, Gov. J. W
160
Beecher, Elbert L.
317
Burt, Fredrick J.
353
Button, George W
364
Bridgman, Charles T.
321
Billings, Hon. Simeon Rexford.
300
Buck, Albert H. 305
2I
Burroughs, James Polk
212
Burnham, La Forest
303
Bovee, Frank 35I
57
Barney, M. C ..
Bowman, Melvin C. 200
Brown, George F 190
94
Burr, Arthur O.
28
Barker, Abraham
388
Baker, Charles
Carman, R. A.
355
Clarke, F. D
65
Albro, Jarvis E
271
Aitken, Robert P.
85
Becker, John
23
Benson, Hon. John Roger
Birdsall, Andrew P
INDEX.
Conover, C. H. W.
52
Cody, Alvin Nelson
30
Corrigall, James K 198
Curts, Edwin J
206
Cook, George W
193
Collins, John W
I27
Crawford, David
289
Crawford, Joseph H. 289
Crapser, Jonathan
I33 96
Curtis, Hon. George M
Crocker, Stepher
296
Colwell, D. G. .
387
De Land, Charles F
335.
Dunbar, Joseph L.
I37
Dewey, George M.
35
Doyle, Thomas
93
Eddy, Hon. Jerome
267
Flanders, George D
89
Failing, James H.
246
Fenton, Joseph Brush
54
Fenton, Col. William Matthew
18
Farmer, Thomas
123
French, James B.
182
Fisher, William L.
226
Frisbie, Nathaniel H
129
Frawley, James P
186
Freeman, Leonard 387
145
Gilbert, Erastus Derwin
202
Greenfield, James M.
169
Gilbert, Hiram B
I3I
Given, Dr. S. W Gilmore, William
298
Graff, Otto P.
II7
Howe, George R
388
Hall, Frank E.
387
Hamilton, William
176
Hamilton, John
175
Hart, Orrin
125
Holliday, Franklin E
I39
Hall, Frank T
208
Hyatt, Alonzo B
63
Garner, William A.
345
INDEX.
Henderson, James
42
Hilton, George W.
156
Hiller, David W. 143
Hughes, John C. 274
Hurley, James J.
337
Hughes, John
329
Hughes, Charles G.
308
Hetchler, Clarence O
I19
King, William J ..
II3
Knapp, Leonard E
46
Jennings, John L. .
77
Judd, Frederick Welton
188
Kendrick, Augustus K.
228
Kurtz, Jacob
313
Law, William
I54
Lippincott, C. A.
44
Lee, Captain E. S.
342
Love, George E.
25I
La Due, George.
224
Lyons, Abraham M.
214 83
Murray, Ransom N
232
Mundy, George E.
37I
McCall, Alexander
74
Millard, Orson
38
McFarlan, Alexander
294
Marshall, George Gordon
216
McGillivray, Archibald
349
Murphy, Rev. T. J.
382
Myers, George C. .
87
Martin, Charles S., Capt
81
McGregor, William
IO0
Mckinley, George E
325
McWethy, Frank
389
Michigan School for the Deaf.
14I
Newman, Ezra
7I
Newall, Captain George E
269
Newbold, William
276
Ottaway, William J.
248
Owen, Talmon C.
I35
McCall, Arthur C.
50
Lochhead, Colonel O. F
Lewis, C. J.
388
INDEX.
Ottaway, Fred R.
29I
Ottaway, James E
162
Pierson, Charles S. 287
Packard, George
164
Pierson, Enos D
48
Pratt, Daniel D
103
Paine, William
158 152 149
Pierson, George B.
Partridge, Thomas D
324 359
Rutherford, Frank J
204
Russell, William H
222 1 80
Ransom, Albert E
Rust, Edward G.
284 369 361
Rankin, Hon Francis H.
195 184
Saigeon, Edward M
147
Stockton, Colonel
218
Stevenson, William
69
Stone, Oren
339
Stevens, Harvey
273
Shank, John R., M. D.
280
Stephens, John Charles C.
249
Sayre, Ira T.
380
St. Mary's Catholic Church
333
Torrey, James M
242
Torrey, Alonzo
239
Torrey, Asa
237
Torrey, Jesse
235
Talbot, Nelson Nicholas 24I
Taylor, Warren Haven 278
The Torrey Family
234
Tupper, Theodore M.
91
Tock, Orson W., M. D
166
Tupper, Frederick L., M. D 217
Turner, George Henry 105
Turner, Edward C. 26
Thompson, Lafayette
III
Pratt, William R.
Prosser, Hon. H. H.
Randall, Rev. Edgar
Seeley, Marvin L.
Slaght, Dr. Andrew
INDEX.
Thomson, Mrs. Sarah Teresa 378
Thomson, Col. Edward H
376
Vert, Frank
286
Van Tifflin, Reuben
33
WVillet, Thomas A.
292
Willet, Mrs. E. A
292
Whaley, Robert J.
40
Wells, Frank L.
262
Walker, Levi, Hon.
262
Walker, George M
310
Walsh, Joseph
61
Woverton, William C.
230
Wilson, Samuel J
244
Wood, Edwin O.
253
Walker, Henry Clark
328
Wood, Thomas P.
265
Walker, Hon. James Barton
374
Walker, Isaac N.
33I
Zimmerman, John C.
109
Wicks, Samuel B.
172
"Biography is the only true history." -Emerson.
2
+
COLONEL WILLIAM MATTHEW FENTON.
Colonel William M. Fenton, father of Joseph Brush Fenton, was born in Norwich, Chenango county, New York, December 19, 1808. He was graduated from Hamilton College, Clinton, New York state, in 1826, and then spent four years upon the sea. He rose from the rank of common sailor to the office of first mate of a merchantman, and was then proffered the captaincy, but declined. He was married in April, 1835, to the daughter of Judge James Birdsall, of Norwich, New York, and in July of that year settled in Pontiac, Michigan, engaging in the mercantile business with Robert Le Roy.
In April, 1837, he settled in Dibbleville, Genesee county, the village that later changed its name in his honor. He engaged in business as a merchant and real estate broker. He was admitted to the bar in 1842. In 1844 he was defeated as a Democratic candidate for the state legislature, but in 1846 he was elected to the senate of that body from the Genesee district. He took an active part in the state school for the deaf, dumb and blind. In 1848 he was elected lieutenant-governor and re-elected in 1850. Upon re- moving to Flint he was appointed by President Pierce as registrar of the land office there, and continued his official duties in that capacity until the
19
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
removal of the office to Saginaw. In 1856 he visited Europe with his family. In 1858 he was elected mayor of Flint and gave efficient service.
When the war cloud broke over the country there was no more loyal supporter of the Union cause than William M. Fenton. He wired Governor Blair to draw on him for $5,000 to equip the first company of troops called into service. Early in 1861 he was made major of the Seventh Michigan In- fantry, but before mustering he was commissioned by Governor Blair as colonel of the Eighth Michigan Infantry. He saw to it that the regiment was drilled and ready for service in a remarkably short time. After some weeks spent in Camp Anderson at Grand Rapids, the regiment was mustered into the United States service at Ft. Wayne and departed for Washington. This company, with the Seventy-ninth New York, was carried by the ocean steamer "Vanderbilt" on the expedition to Hilton Head, North Carolina, under General Sherman, the brigade commander being Brigadier-General Isaac I. Stevens. The introduction to actual warfare was the attack and capture of the Confederate forts, Walker and Beauregard, in South Carolina, the former being taken possession of by the Eighth Michigan Regiment. The first battle in which the regiment participated was at Coosaw river on New Year's Day, 1862. At the battle of James Island the Eighth lost heavily, being in the advance attack on a formidable fort, and not receiving adequate support. The loss to the regiment in killed, wounded, and missing was one-third of their entire number. One of those killed in the conflict was Captain S. C. Guild, of Flint, commanding Company A. During these opera- tions Colonel Fenton had been in command of the brigade, and upon his own request was released and assumed the direct command of his regiment. Be- ing returned to Fortress Monroe the regiment was attached to the Army of the Potomac and fought at Second Bull Run, Chantilly, South Mountain and Antietam, at the latter place twenty-seven men out of two hundred in actual engagement were lost outright. Colonel Fenton resigned his command while at Newport News, his health being greatly impaired.
Upon his return to Michigan he was Democratic candidate for governor and later devoted his attention to his business, including the buidling of the brick block on Saginaw street, erected in 1865, and which, after forty years of the city's growth and improvement, is a credit to the architecture of Flint. He was made chief of the fire department upon the organization of a city
20
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
government, his death, on May 12, 1871, being the result of his zeal in the performance of his duty. His loss was a blow to the community and was keenly felt throughout the city. At the time of his funeral, business houses closed and many were draped in mourning. He was a ripe scholar and had attained to the fullest confidence of his townsmen. His wife had preceded him three years before, and he was survived by his four children.
JAMES POLK BURROUGHS.
James Polk Burroughs was born at Seneca Falls, Seneca county, New York, September 19, 1844, the only son of Jonathan Edington Burroughs and Eliza (Hood) Burroughs. He had three sisters, Asenath, Mercy, and Ella. He spent his early life upon the home farm, entering the schools at Ovid, New York, completing his education at the State Normal school at Ypsilanti, Michigan. At the age of twenty-three he began his long and successful business career by buying a farm near Waterloo, New York. On the 11th of November, 1868, he was united in marriage with Caroline G. Romig, daughter of Elias and Lucinda Baldwin Romig, at Waterloo, New York, and lived on his farm until 1872, when he moved to Flint, Michigan, where he lived until his death.
On coming to Flint Mr. Burroughs bought the Thread Mills property, which consisted of a flouring mill and sawmill. The business was conducted as a partnership between himself and Herman L. Pierson for many years, with marked success. Their property was completely destroyed by fire, but with undaunted courage the mill was soon rebuilt on a more extensive scale than before. This quality of courage stood him in good stead many times later in his long business career. Later on Mr. C. M. Harris was admitted to the firm, which was then styled Burroughs, Pierson & Harris, and so con-
22
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
ducted for several years, when Mr. Burroughs retired from the firm and purchased the City Mills. He improved this property and operated it until his death.
Mr. Burroughs had three daughters-Ella Louise, Frances Lucinda, and Bessie Baldwin, and one son, J. Edington Burroughs, who, having been a partner in the firm for some time, continued the management of the business after the death of his father.
While Mr. Burroughs directed his attention mainly along the line of flour milling, he engaged at different times in other enterprises, the most important of which were the Burroughs & Carter Company, doing a cold storage business, and the Soper Manufacturing Co., whose line was cooperage, and in which he was the directing spirit.
Mr. Burroughs was notably a man of great public spirit and was fore- most in all movements tending to better the welfare of the city and com- munity. Among his business associates he was known as a man having a keen insight into affairs, and his advice in matters pertaining to business was considered of much value. In politics he was an active Democrat, but never sought or aspired to public preferment, and contributed much to the party harmony in the city. Socially he was a courteous gentleman and possessed an unusual number of friends. He was a member of the congregation of the First Presbyterian church. He was also a member of the following Masonic bodies: Flint Lodge, No. 23, Free and Accepted Masons; Washington Chapter, No. 15, Royal Arch Masons., and Genesee Valley Commandery, No. 15, Knights . Templar, and the Mystic Shrine. He also affiliated with the Royal Arcanum, Tribe of Ben Hur and the Maccabees. Mr. Burroughs was cut off in the midst of a busy and useful career, on July 20, 1902. His death was sudden and wholly unex- pected by his family, and was a great shock to them and his wide circle of friends. He was survived by his wife and children, his mother, and sister, Mrs. Asenath B. Edwards. His funeral was conducted by the Genesee Valley Commandery, Knights Templar, and he was laid to rest in Glenwood Ceme- tery at Flint, Michigan.
GOVERNOR J. W. BEGOLE.
Josiah W. Begole, governor of Michigan, 1883-1884, was born in Liv- ingston county, New York, January 20, 1815. His ancestors were French Huguenots, who were driven from France through religious persecutions and sought liberty of conscience by emigrating to the United States in the last quarter of the eighteenth century. This particular family settled at Hagers- town, Maryland. William, the father of Josiah W., was born there in 1786. In 1802 the family removed to the wilderness of Livingston county, New York, being opposed to the institution of slavery, although they themselves were slave owners. However, they purchase:l slaves solely for the purpose of giving them their freedom.
William Begole was a soldier, serving during the war of 1812. In 1814 he married the daughter of Captain Thomas Boles, a revolutionary soldier who had served under Washington. This family was also from Hagerstown, Maryland, having come north for the same reason as the Begoles. William Regole and wife became the parents of ten children. Of this family three sons came west and settled in Genesee county. William Begole died in 1862, at the age of seventy-six.
Josiah was educated in Temple Hill Academy in Genesee county, New York. Being the eldest of the family and of an ambitious turn of mind, young Begole, in August, 1836, with but $100 in his pocket, resolved to seek better
24
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
opportunities. He came west to the territory of Michigan when this section was still an unbroken wilderness. He taught one or two terms of school later, "boarding around," as it was called, among the patrons. He was clerk of the first election in the place where he was located, there being but four or five shanties in the town. Later he helped to build the land office. In 1839 he was married to Miss Harriet A. Miles, daughter of Manly and Mary Miles, and a native of Connecticut. The groom was attired in a handsome blue suit, ornaments, and large brass buttons, while the bride was arrayed in white. The ceremony was held in the log cabin of his wife's father, located on the Saginaw road, two miles north of Flint. His wife proved to be a most judicious selection, and it was to her constancy, advice, and co-operation in every emergency in life that much of her husband's subsequent social, business, and political success can be attributed. They began housekeeping in a primitive home in the woods in Genesee township. Mr. Begoles' energies were devoted to the development of a farm out of the surrounding wilderness. Eighteen years of arduous labor and sacrifice followed, resulting, however, in the making of a fine 500-acre farm and the placing of them in comfortable. circumstances. He was called upon repeatedly to serve his fellow towns- men in local offices, and in 1856 was elected county treasurer, continuing for eight years, covering much of the period of the rebellion, at which time his services were continually in demand in recruiting and equipping soldiers for the front, and in attending to the needy widows and families at home. The greatest sorrow of his life was brought by the death of his son, William, who died in the Atlanta campaign in 1864. When in congress a few years later, Mr. Begole voted and championed the soldiers' equalization bill, an act purporting to do justice to the soldiers who bore the heat and burden of the day, and who should share equally with him who came in at the eleventh hour. In 1870 he was elected to the state senate, where he served on the committee of finance and railroads, and was chairman of the committee on the institute for the deaf, dumb, and blind. Realizing the need of a new capitol building he assisted in drafting a bill for the same. Being a delegate to the national Republican convention, held at Philadelphia in 1872, he was chosen a member of the delegation to go to Washington to apprise General Grant and Senator Wilson of their nomination.
He was induced to become a candidate for membership in the forty-fifth congress, his election resulting in a handsome majority. He was a valued
25
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
member of the committee on agriculture and public expenditures. Being one ยท of but seventeen farmers in congress, he was chosen to draft the most im- portant report of the agricultural committee covering the only subject men- tioned in the President's message. He voted for the currency bill, the re- monetization of silver, and the financial measures that have since become the settled policy of the government. His position on these questions made him a Greenbacker, and in 1882 he was the gubernatorial candidate for the Green- back and Democratic parties, being elected by a vote of over 154,000, defeat- ing the Republican candidate by over 7,000 votes.
In 1881 a great calamity overtook the people of northwestern Michigan, whole counties being devastated by fires, thousands being left destitute and forlorn. While relief committees were quarreling over the distribution of funds, Governor Begole wrote an agent in the unfortunate district a. letter, from which we make the following extract :
"Until the differences between the two committees are adjusted and you receive regular supplies from them, draw on me. Let no one suffer while I have money."
This incident displays his true character. He made an enviable record as chief executive of the state, leaving the office with hosts of warm friends throughout the state.
Governor Begole took an active part in the various lines of business that have made Flint so well known, notably the Flint Wagon Works as one. Others were the water and gas works, and the Citizens' Commercial and Sav- ings Bank, he being vice-president of the latter. He was an extensive lumber- man for many years, his enterprises affording employment to a host of men.
Their family consisted of five children, four reaching maturity. One of these is Mrs. C. W. Cummings; William died at Lookout mountain and his body was interred at Flint with military honors; another son, Frank, died in Florida in 1877 ; Charles is a resident of Flint.
Full of years and honors, Governor Begole passed peacefully from among the scenes of a busy life on the 5th of June, 1896. The widow survives at the old home on Beach street, which for half a century was the center of the social and intellectual life of Flint.
26
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
EDWARD C. TURNER.
Prominent among the citizens of Flint, who for years were closely iden- tified with its growth and development, was Edward C. Turner, who was born at Owego, New York, February 1, 1830, and died at Flint January 9, 1896. His boyhood days were spent at Owego, where his education included training at Owego Academy. Later he entered Wabash College, at Craw- fordsville, Indiana, being among the earliest students to enroll in this sturdy pioneer college of the middle west. Its first president was an Owego man, and several Owego boys, including Edward Turner, accompanied the new president to his chosen field of labor.
Later Mr. Turner became clerk in a general store at Aurora, New York. He was married at Ithaca, New York, September 4, 1855, to Miss Cornelia Seymour, of Ithaca, which is the seat of the famous Cornell University. After marriage they removed to Flint, Michigan, and Mr. Turner bought what has since become known as the Crapo Lumber Mills. He became associated in its ownership with Mr. Edward McQuigg, also of New York, and this as- sociation was maintained until the mill was sold to Governor Crapo. It was a large plant and its business was transacted on a large scale. After the sale of the mills Mr. Turner became associated with Henry Haynes in the mercantile business and continued at this for several years under the name of Haynes & Turner. After leaving this branch of labor Mr. Turner became a postoffice inspector and engaged in that work for several years. His later life was devoted to the insurance business. In company with Orrin Stone, Mr. Turner laid out Stone & Turner's addition on the north side of the city. He built the present Turner homestead over fifty years ago. It adjoins the Frederick Judd homestead on the east side of Kearsey street, and was one of the finest residences of Flint, in its day, and stands yet a creditable monument to its builder. It has long been a social center in Flint, its mistress being one of the many popular ladies of the city.
Mr. Turner was a Republican, but never aspired for public office. He was a first cousin to the widely known and highly admired Senator Platt of New York. As a family the Turners took an active part in church work, also, Mrs. Turner being of special usefulness in the societies of the Episco- palian church. The family consisted of several children. These are: Mar- garette, who was married to Wilbur F. Davidson, of Port Huron; Anna, who
27
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
became the wife of F. E. Finkenstaedt, of Bay City; Josephine, who is Mrs. John Derby, of New York city; Francis Turner Hiatt, at home. All the children have been active in the life of the town, and Mrs. Turner has proved to be not only a social leader, but also an ideal mother and guardian of the home.
ABRAHAM BARKER.
Mr. Abraham Barker was born in the canton of Argean in Switzerland August 24, 1823. In 1834, at the age of eleven years, he came to America with his parents, Jacob and Barbara Barker, who settled upon a farm near Batavia, New York. Abraham remained there six years and then became an apprentice at the shoemaking trade at Batavia, devoting three years to the work. Having learned the trade he worked at the business in various places, such as Buffalo, Alexandria, Massillon, Ohio, etc. In 1840 he came to Flint with his parents, who took possession of a farm in Genesee township, where the parents spent the remainder of their days. The father died at the age of sixty-six years.
Abraham became employed in Flint and worked for about one year, and opened up a shop of his own in 1841. He remained in this shop until the building burned, and in 1845 bought the property. Here later he erected the three-story structure, corner of Saginaw and Union streets, taking as a partner Mr. William Pattison. He also built other business structures, but devoted the major part of his time to the shoe manufacturing business, carry- ing on this work in partnership with Mr. Pattison and also later with Mr. Ripley, and for fifty years was engaged in the shoe manufacturing and leather business.
29
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
For a few years he operated a tannery and then, in conjunction with Messrs. Ripley and Pattison, he owned and operated a tannery at Vassar, Michigan, and eventually the leather line became the more extensive phase of the business. His executive ability and acute insight into the problems of the business soon placed them on a footing equal to any similar concern in the middle west, and full confidence was commanded from all with whom the firm came in contact.
In 1866 he erected his present residence at 705 North Garland street, this being at that time one of the first homes in the city. He also became the owner of a fine farm three miles from Flint. During his latter years he has withdrawn in a measure from active participation in the leather business, and has given the greater part of his time looking after his property interests.
In 1847 Mr. Barker was married to Miss Hester Eaton, who died five years later, having become the mother of two children. These were Eugene and Wallace, the latter dying at the age of twenty-four. Eugene has his home at Jackson, Michigan. In June, 1856, Mr. Barker was again married, this time to Harriet Townsend. They celebrated their fiftieth wedding anni- versary a year ago. The latter union has resulted in the birth of six children. Carrie is in North Carolina. Hattie, who was a teacher for a time, is now at home, as is also the other daughter, Alice. William is employed in foun- dry work in Flint. Frank is on a farm near Mt. Morris, and the other son, Ralph, is at home.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.