USA > Michigan > Genesee County > Biographical history of Genesee County, Michigan > Part 12
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During his period of association in business with Mr. McFarlan their business relationship was exceedingly cordial and mutually satisfactory. Mr. McFarlan had lumber interests at Saginaw, including extensive land posses- sions, as well as several residence properties in and about the city. Mr. Whaley was thoroughly familiar with all the details of Mr. McFarlan's intricate affairs, and at the latter's death was of invaluable assistance in settling up the affairs of the estate, in which he has been given special interest by the terms of the will.
Of late Mr. Whaley has given his entire time and interest to his duties as president of the bank, but he has outside interests as well. His services are continually in demand by the various civic and corporate factors in the com- munity life. He has been made director in various institutions, such as the Gas Company, the Peerless Valve Company, the Egyptian Cement Company of Fenton, etc.
Mr. Whaley's connection with the public interests of the community are also worthy of mention, having been at one time trustee of the state charita- ble schools. In this connection there occurred an event that not only attracted
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considerable comment and notice, but it was an act in itself that was unqiue and unexpected. In 1892 he returned to the state $25,000 of the appropria- tion for the charitable schools. These were the schools for the deaf, the one for the blind at Lansing, and the industrial school at Coldwater. As a result of this action on his part Mr. Whaley was singled out for a target and it affords him considerable merriment to reflect that as a reward for his economy he was legislated out of office.
On general principles Mr. Whaley is a Democrat, although when the free silver whirlwind swept over the country his sound financial ways of thinking led him to ally himself with the gold standard views. This, however, did not turn him into a Republican at all, but led him rather to a conservative attitude in political situations generally.
Mr. and Mrs. Whaley lost their only child, a boy, when he was ten years of age. They are intimately connected with the lodges and kindred societies of the community. Mr. Whaley has been for years the finance keeper for the Knights of the Modern Maccabees, discharging his duties so efficiently that his election to this office consists not of a ballot, but simply by re-appointment without an opposing candidate. All disbursements con- nected with the affairs of this society are made through his office, and the sum total, so far, have exceeded $12,000,000, an unusual record, and one that has furnished data for comment far and wide. In the societies of the Mac- cabees far and wide he has become known as "the man who never talks."
He is thoroughly interested in high-grade stock, especially horses. He has had imported stock in his possession at various times and enjoys a drive behind a spirited team, although his interest does not lead him in the direc- tion of the sporting arena.
Mr. and Mrs. Whaley's co-operation in the affairs of the Episcopal church has also been both varied and freely given, their many-sided activi- ties adding measureably to the sum total of the community's growth and advancement.
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JOHN HAMILTON.
John Hamilton, father of William Hamilton, late of Flint, was a pioneer, whose early life history forms an interesting narrative. The former was born at Berwick, in the state of Maine, on the 28th day of October, 1790. At the age of fourteen he was taken to Conway, New York, and at the breaking out of the "second revolution" in 1812 he enlisted in a New York regiment. Throughout the war he distinguished himself by active and constant service, being a participant in the engagements at Lundy's Lane, Odelltown, and other points. He was later in detached service at Detroit and remained there till discharged from the service in 1817.
In 1819 he came to Birmingham, Oakland county, Michigan, and was the first man to make a land entry in that vicinity. In 1822-23 he visited Saginaw and engaged in the business of carrying provisions to the govern- ment troops at that point, which was then a trading post. Traffic with the Indians had become quite extensive and attracted to this locality many am- bitious and venturesome people. On the route overland from Detroit to Saginaw. Colonel Hamilton found at the point where Flint now stands a white man named Jacob Smith, a half-breed named Edward Campion, and an Indian named Na-a-ke-chick, living in lodges. These lodges overlooked the stream, on whose waters at the time sped many a birch bark canoe.
Colonel Hamilton opened up stage routes from Detroit to Pontiac. and also from Detroit to Chicago. In 1843 he came to Flint and built the saw mill later operated by his son, William. He was a true type of the American pioneer, of a fearless, upright and decisive character. He died January 8, 1869, having previously arranged to have his funeral service taken in charge of by his old pastor. Rev. H. H. Northrop, who had performed a like duty at six different times upon the death of that many of his children. His children that survived him were Rufus, who died later in California; Mrs. Elvira Roosevelt, who died in February, 1907, at Detroit: Mrs. L. H. Childs, of Flint. a well preserved woman of eighty-five years, and Mrs. M. Redman, of Duluth, Minnesota.
WILLIAM HAMILTON.
William Hamilton, late of Flint, was born at Birmingham, Oakland county, Michigan, on January 11, 1824. When a boy he carried the mails from Michigan City to Chicago, the contract for this work having been taken by his father. In 1843 he came with his parents to Flint, where he was des- tined to act a prominent and effective part in shaping the city's future growth and development. He joined his father in operating a flour mill, and in 1848 he, with his brother, Oliver, assumed full control of the mill, continuing to do so until the latter's death in 1856, after which William became the sole owner. Following this he engaged extensively in the lumbering business in company with John Cameron, of the Hudson River Company of New York. Mr. Cameron never lived in Flint, but entrusted his affairs here to the care of Mr. Hamilton. The latter next associated himself with Mr. William Mc- Gregor, and this partnership lasted for over thirty-one years.
Mr. Hamilton became closely identified with the growing interests of the rapidly developing country, especially in matters pertaining to transporta- tion and the development of the natural resources of the state. In the '70s he was one of the directors and secured the land grant for the railroad running from Lansing to Port Huron, which later became the present Grand Trunk Railway. Its track was laid across Saginaw street in Flint on Sunday before
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the new council, which was to come into office on Monday, could take steps to prevent .the work.
Mr. Hamilton was one of the stockholders in the original water com- pany of the city, and also of the gas company, when first organized. He was a prime mover in promoting and setting upon a good business basis these and other public utilities. He built the City Mills in 1856. In company with J. B. Atwood he built the Bryant Hotel block, which at that time figured as the only first-class hotel in Flint. They also built the postoffice building, which is still occupied as such. The armory for the Union Blues was another product of his hands, as was also the erection of the Oak Grove sanitarium, of which he was treasurer until the time of his demise. Furthermore, he was one of the founders of the Citizens' National Bank, which later became the Citizens' Commercial Bank. When establishing the Citizens' National Bank he and Colonel Fenton went to Washington to secure the charter. Colonel Fenton was made the first president of this bank, Mr. Hamilton acting as first vice- president. Later he was made president and held that office for several years. As stated above, he was one of the organizers of the gas company and was its president at the time of his death, and also president of the water works. His services were in constant demand by the public, to which he gave seven- teen years of his time, holding such places of trust as mayor, alderman, etc.
With all these manifold activities it would seem that his time would have been completely monopolized, but his field of operation extended even farther, reaching out also into the agricultural resources of the region. He controlled a two hundred-acre farm in Burton township, and owned the three hundred and forty-acre tract, a part of which became the new sub-division of Flint. When the water works located in this section of the city he foresaw that the town would grow in this direction, and his prediction has since been verified, Hamilton avenue having taken its name from this source. He visited his farms daily, giving his personal attention and supervision. He gave much attention to fine stock and imported the first Hereford cattle brought to Genesee county. He also bred shorthorn stock and exhibited regularly at the local fairs, of which association he was president, which embraced all the northeastern counties of Michigan.
His death was a matter of more than local concern. The funeral was one of the most largely attended of any in the history of the city. Upon Major Gold's proclamation all business in the city was suspended. The post-
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office was closed under orders from Washington. Resolutions poured in upon the relatives from various sources, and the members of the city council at- tended in a body, headed by the mayor. The pallbearers were all directors of his own bank, and consisted of S. C. Randall, B. Frank Cotharine, Frank Dullam, Hon. J. J. Carton, General C. S. Brown and Joseph H. Rankin. Of these six distinguished citizens three have since crossed the border to join their comrade.
Mr. Hamilton was a Republican, but a man of most liberal and sane views, never antagonistic to progress, and one whose influence and counsel were much sought fo rin matters public and private. His business policy was that of a conservative, advocating the maxim of never going into debt. When the matter of public improvements came up he took the stand that only such expenditures should be made as could be paid for. This was the rule laid down for himself and he advocated the same policy for the transaction of public affairs.
Mr. Hamilton was married on September 23, 1850, to Miss Frances Marum, of Flint, who was born in Ireland. She received her education in the Sacred Heart Convent in Killarney county, and came to the United States when twenty-one years of age, and was married the following year. She was a woman of rare musical talent and taught the art with great success. Of the seven children born to this union three died in infancy. Those reaching ma- turity were Mrs. Mary Peltier ; Elizabeth, who died at the age of twenty years of tuberculosis; Oliver J., who died of heart failure six months before the death of his father, aged thirty-nine years, his death being a great blow to his father, with whom he was associated in business; another daughter, Min- nie, is the wife of Arthur Loranger, a lumberman doing a prosperous business in Hammond, Louisiana.
Mrs. Hamilton died July 5, 1904, at the age of seventy-seven years. hav- ing been an active member of the Roman Catholic church, of which her hus- band was also an attendant and communicant.
Mary Frances (Hamilton) Peltier was married to Philip B. Peltier January 28, 1874. Mr. Peltier was born at Monroe, Michigan, in August, 1845, of French ancestry. His father was Ezekiel A. Peltier, and his mother's maiden name was Mary V. La Duc, both of French ancestry, and both born in Detroit, he in 1799, and she in 1804. Mr. Philip Peltier still owns the original farm, which has been in the family since 1842. It is just
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south of Monroe and close to the old battle scene of the war of 1812. Since Mr. Peltier has been associated with the Hamilton and McGregor interests, and since Mr. Hamilton's death, has handled the Burton township farm, spoken of before, and also controlled the Bryant Hotel and other properties belonging to his wife. He settled up the Hamilton estate. In 1890 he en- tered the flouring mills, and in connection with Oliver J. Hamilton operated them until the latter's death.
The Peltier family consisted of five children, three of whom are still living. They are: William H., who is auditor for a manufacturing com- pany in Chicago; Frank M. is with the Concrete Construction Company of Chicago; Adelaide is at home with her parents. She was educated in the Sacred Heart school, where the three generations of this family have received such able training. The Peltier home, recently erectd, is on Detroit street, and here many warm friends find a genuinely social and inviting atmosphere.
ALBERT E. RANSOM.
Albert E. Ransom was born two miles southwest of Flushing April 23, 1858. His parents, Robert C. and Angeline (Smith) Ransom, both hail from New York state, the mother's home having been in Hamilton, New York. The Ransom family has branched out in many states, one of the members serving at one time as governor of Michigan. Another one of the boys, Randolph, as captain of a Michigan company of volunteers, was killed at the second battle of Bull Run in the Civil war. Other members of this family settled in the different parts of Michigan, some coming to this vicinity. Albert's parents when arriving settled on the farm where he was born. Here his father died in 1890, aged sixty-nine years. The mother spent her last years in Flushing, having survived until 1901, aged seventy-seven years.
Other members of the family beside Albert were Ransler B., now in Flushing; William; Simeon M., removed to Rico, Colorado; Marvin P .; John P .; and Charles, who died in childhood. All but Simeon live in this vicinity, and are well-to-do and respected citizens.
Albert spent his boyhood days on the farm, attended high school, from which he was graduated in 1879, and began teaching at the age of seventeen. " He continued teaching in district and village schools until 1882, when he pur- chased the local newspaper, called the "Flushing Patrol." In the meantime he
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was married, on August 19, 1880, to Miss Elizabeth L. Grinnell, who was also a teacher, and was born in Memphis, Michigan. Mr. Ransom now gave his attention to his newspaper, changing the name to the "Flushing Observer." This paper was established by D. C. Ashmun in 1876. In 1892 Mr. Ransom was made county school commissioner, and immediately turned his paper over to others to take care of while he gave his entire time to the school work. His previous experience as a teacher gave him a broad grasp of the school situation, which enabled him to inaugurate and set on foot many needed reforms in the schools of the county. He raised the standard of teaching to a profession, and insisted on better and more systematic grading of the pupils, and demanded a higher professional equipment on the part of the teacher. Fearless of opposi- tion, he succeeded in establishing and maintaining an excellent corps of teach- ers. He succeeded in securing high grade instructors for his institutes and may justly feel proud of his school record. Needless to say that his twenty years' service on the local school board has been not only constant, but char- acteristically effective.
After his six years of service as school commissioner Mr. Ransom again assumed control of the "Observer." This plant is now equipped with mod- ern machinery and is producing first class work, and now has a wide circula- tion, which completely covers the field. Although a Republican, Mr. Ransom makes the "Observer" a newspaper rather than a political organ.
He is a member of the Michigan Press Club, and is one of the directors of the People's State Bank. He shows his spirit by his interest in the ball games of the day.
Their daughter, Agnes, was born September 19, 1884, and adds sunshine to the home by her presence.
JAMES B. FRENCH.
Mr. James B. French, a successful business man of Flushing, was born in Flushing township June 14, 1858. His father, George A. French, was the first male white child born in Flushing township. He was born in September, 1837, and died there in 1898. The grandparents came to Michigan from the state of Vermont and were pioneers in this section. James' mother, Harriet Woodruff French, died in November, 1906.
At the age of twenty years James began work in Hart & Clark's flour mill and was connected therewith for thirteen years. He soon became familiar with all the ins and outs of the business, holding the place of head miller for eleven years. After the death of Mr. Clark he took full charge of the mill, which he conducted on shares.
In 1891 he associated with himself Fredrick W. Glass and set up in busi- ness in an old storage house, with the sign "French & Glass, produce dealers." Their capital was about $5,000, and they began by buying up and shipping butter and eggs from the country merchants. In a short time they began to handle agricultural implements also. In a few years Mrs. French became sole proprietor of the business, taking up his quarters in a building which stood on the site of the old stone house. . This structure, built of brick at con- siderable cost, contains two stories and a basement, measures twenty-four by
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one hundred feet, but in spite of its size, is filled from cellar to garret with a fine stock of goods, made up of hardware, tinware and other general merchan- dise. Other buildings and warehouses have become necessary to furnish room for the agricultural implements, wagons, buggies, etc., which are con- stantly kept in stock. It is needless to say that the property and stock com- bined represent a sum of considerable value. About 7,000 cases of eggs are handled annually. The butter and eggs are shipped only in carload lots, and generally sent to eastern markets. A large force of clerks is constantly em- ployed in handling their goods.
Mr. French also has a branch store at New Lothrop and quite a volume of business is transacted there also. But Mr. French's business ability and ven- tures are not alone confined to the mercantile line. He is a stockholder and director in the People's Bank and also owns stock in the Postoffice block, which was erected in 1903 at a cost of not less than $17.000. Furthermore, Mr. French controls a farm of considerable value in Mt. Morris township, and is getting a good start in the thoroughbred stock line.
Although a life-long Republican and often seen in the convention, Mr. French makes no boast of being a politician. He was married in September, 1881, to Julia Sommer, daughter of James Sommer, machinist and foundry- man of Flushing. She was born at Hazelton, Shiawassee county. Their son, Redford. is employed in his father's business. He received his education at Assumption College. Sandwich, Ontario.
Mr. French is a member of the Masonic order, thus seeming to make his roundup of associations complete. He is a striking example of what pluck and perseverance can accomplish.
EDWARD M. SAIGEON, V. S.
One of the successful and widely experienced veterinary surgeons of Flint is Mr. Edward M. Saigeon, of 610 Pierson street. He was born in Coldwin township, Erie county, New York, June 10, 1874. His father, the Rev. Michael R. Saigeon, was a Canadian and became a clergyman in the Methodist Protestant church. He has been the shepherd of many different folds in eastern Michigan, and has dispensed the word with courage and sin- cerity at all times. His wife, Hattie Murphy Saigeon, is a native of New York state, and has been a most useful and efficient helpmeet to her husband in his chosen calling. Their labors are attended with deserved success, and their life and services in the Master's vineyard bid fair to bear the marks of divine favor and the stamp of divine approval. They are the parents of two children-Nina and our subject, Edward M.
Edward remained under the paternal roof until about nineteen years of age, and was impressed in his growing years with the necessity of a righteous viewpoint as regards the duties and responsibilities of life. Realizing the wisdom and the need of becoming skilled in some occupation he took up and learned the house painter's trade, which occupation he followed for about four years. He then began to realize that he had talent for a broader field, and consequently turned his attention to veterinary surgery. He appreciated the value of a thorough preparation for his work, and was desirous of mak-
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ing himself well acquainted with all the modern and up-to-date knowledge of his work. In pursuance of this view, therefore, he entered the Ontario Vet- erinary College at Toronto. Here he devoted himself vigorously to his duties and left no stone unturned in his efforts for a thorough equipment for his profession. He graduated from the institution in 1899, and began active practice at Williamston, Michigan, continuing there for the term of three years. Opportunity then opened up for a wider experience, and he accepted the position as veterinary to the quartermaster's department stationed in the Philippines. Here he found an ever interesting and helpful field of activity. He carried out his work with pronounced success, devoting himself strictly to his duties, and at the same time gathered up a wide fund of information on themes of general interest to the citizenship of our republic. Thus, not only as a practitioner, but also as a citizen and patriot, he has become a much more valued and useful member of the community. He takes a broad and advanced view on all the questions of the day and has firm convictions on the problems that are confronting the national government at the present time. As a veterinary he spent two years and four months in the Philippine service, and at the expiration of that time he returned and began practice at Plainfield, Michigan. He remained in this vicinity for about one year, and, although possessing a growing patronage, he removed to Flint in 1905, and has since that time devoted himself to the prosecution of his profession.
He was married in Plainfield, Michigan, November 2, 1904, to Miss Flora E. Smith, a native of Livingston county. She is the daughter of Wil- liam M. and Sarah ( Barber) Smith, of that county. Mr. Smith is a successful and efficient farmer in his community.
Dr. and Mrs. Saigeon are the parents or one child, Hazel. Their home is characterized by a generous hospitality and forms one of the bright centers in their quarter of the city's domain.
MR. AND MRS. JAMES P. FRAWLEY.
Among the enterprising business men of Flushing is to be found Mr. James P. Frawley, dealer in coal, hay, straw and fertilizers. He was born in Flushing township February 20, 1872. His parents were among the early settlers of Flushing township. His father was Patrick Frawley and his mother's maiden name was Margaret McMahan. They were active and energetic people, and were engaged principally in farming. Industry and thrift characterized their efforts and they obtained a high standing in their community as people of upright methods and as genial, accommodating neigh- bors. Their eldest son was trained in that degree of application and endurance which has been such a boon to so many American boys in the formative period of their lives. As a boy he was industrious and fully alive to the opportunities that offered themselves in laying the foundation for the structure of life. He remained on the farm, assuming the important responsibilities of its manage- ment until his marriage on October 30, 1895, to Miss Nora Purcell, a resident of Toledo, Ohio.
After his marriage he settled upon his own farm in Flushing township, having obtained the same from his father. Here he continued to practice the methods learned in early life and acquired by diligent and conscientious efforts. Success crowned his efforts and under his direction and supervision he brought the farm up to a high degree of excellency. His wife is a native of Ireland and knew just how to mingle judicious economy with effective work.
After two years on this farm Mr. Frawley decided to exchange life upon . the farm for contract and participation in life in the town, and as a result we find him coming to Flushing and going into the employ of H. M. Ainsworth, in which he remained for about one year.
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Succeeding in this he became engaged in the service of J. E. Ottaway & Company. He remained in the latter's employ for about five years, which were years of close and intelligent application to business. At the close of this period he embraced the opportunity of going into business for himself, and soon became the proprietor of his present business.
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