USA > Michigan > Genesee County > Biographical history of Genesee County, Michigan > Part 15
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COLONEL STOCKTON.
Colonel Thomas Baylis Whitmarsh Stockton, of Flint, the youngest of thirteen children born to Charles and Elizabeth ( North) Stockton, was born in Walton, Delaware county, New York, June 18, 1805, and died at his home in Flint December 8, 1890, having attained the age of eighty-five years and six months. A second cousin of his father's was Richard Stockton, who was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Another relative was Commo- dore Stockton, of the United States navy, whose activity on the Pacific re- sulted in events of such vast importance, and whose name has been given to the city of Stockton, California.
Charles Stockton, Thomas' father, settled in 1816 on a large tract of land that he had purchased in Delaware county, New York. The mother died when Thomas was still in infancy, and he was adopted by a married sister, Mrs. Dr. T. B. Whitmarsh, hence the name Whitmarsh. He was graduated from the Military Academy at West Point in the class of 1827, and as brevet second lieutenant was assigned to duty at Jefferson barracks, St. Louis, Mis- souri, and the next year as second lieutenant of the First Infantry United States army. He was sent to Ft. Snelling, near St. Paul, Minnesota, the most north- ern post of the upper Mississippi, under Lieutenant Zachary Taylor. In 1832 he was assigned as assistant quartermaster at Prairie du Chien, where he was promoted to be first lieutenant of the First Infantry. Here he was married. March 3, 1830, to Maria G. Smith, of Detroit. Being an expert topographical
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engineer he was soon detailed to Detroit, being placed in charge of the building of military roads and bridges. While so employed he visited Flint in 1834, having surveyed the turnpike through this place from Detroit to Saginaw. The next year he resigned from the army and was employed for ten years by the government as a civil engineer, surveying and improving most of the principal lake harbors of Ohio, Michigan and Indiana, making Michigan City, Indiana, his home. He was elected mayor of that city in 1838. In 1847 he was appointed colonel of the First Michigan Volunteers, that being the only regiment raised in the state for the Mexican war. He was appointed civil and military governor of the city of Cordova, where part of his regiment was stationed. Coming to Flint in 1839 he made this city his home until 1852, when he removed to California.
Mr. Stockton's wife was the youngest daughter of Jacob Smith, who was doubtless the first white settler of this place, his death occurring here in 1825. He had been a captain at Detroit at the time of Hull's surrender. After the close of the war of 1812 he was employed by the government to visit the Chippewa Indians, and, locating on the Flint river, he soon entered upon intimate terms with this tribe, and his efforts resulted in the treaty made by General Cass at Saginaw in 1819. His log cabin stood on the bank of the river at what is now the corner of Garland and South streets. The In- dians, especially Chief Naomi, had become so attached to him and his family that they insisted on reserving a section of land for each of his four daugh- ters. Harriet, the eldest of these, became the wife of Captain John Garland, whose name was perpetuated in the naming of Garland street, Flint. Louisa, another daughter, married Chauncey Payne, and for many years they made their home in Flint also, Payne street being named in their honor. Maria, the youngest, became the wife of Colonel Stockton, as already noted. Her section of land lay some distance down the Flint river, and Colonel Stockton then purchased another section adjoining the original town plat. In 1845 he laid off Stockton's addition, comprising eighty acres, extending to Church street on the east and bounded by Court street on the south. When the state school for the deaf was located here Colonel Stockton donated twenty acres on condition that the school should be erected upon this tract. The trustees bought an adjoining tract, however, upon which the main building was placed, though the new Brown hall does occupy the site as originally intended.
Returning from California in 1858, where he had been engaged in min-
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ing and in the United States custom service, and in the building of telegraph lines, he tendered his services to the government at the outbreak of the Civil war. His services not being accepted at once by Governor Blair, he appealed directly to the President and was authorized to raise a regiment known as Stockton's Independent Regiment, and which was enrolled finally, at the request of the governor, in the Sixteenth Michigan Volunteers. When re- porting for duty at Washington in September, 1861, Colonel Stockton was assigned to the Third Brigade, First Division, Fifth Army Corps, Army of the Potomac. He was in the peninsular campaign under McClellan, was at the siege of Yorktown and the battles at Hanover Court House, Mechanicsville and Gaines' Mill. At the latter point he was made prisoner and confined in Libby prison until exchanged the following August. He then again assumed command of his regiment just after the second battle of Bull Run, and during the absence of the brigade commander, General Butterworth, he held com- mand during the battles of Antietam, Shepherdstown, Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. He then resigned to accept an offer to raise five regiments which congress had authorized Andrew Johnson to use in eastern Tennessee, but as the authority was revoked before he had made much progress he re- turned to private life in Flint.
He engaged in the commission business in the old warehouse that occu- pied the site of the present city mills. Always a Democrat he was generally found in his party's councils, and was a delegate to the national convention in 1872 that nominated Horace Greeley for the presidency. Of twenty-two children in his father's family, including nine by a second marriage, Colonel Stockton was the last survivor. He was survived, however, by his companion in life until April, 1898, when she, too, passed to rest, aged sixty-one years. Their married life was singularly beautiful in its harmony and marked by a great similarity of taste and the absence of any discordant tones.
Mrs. Stockton was a lady of rare training, and this was so coupled with natural ability that her impress upon the life and society was in many respects most marked.
In 1856 she and several other ladies organized at her home the first ladies' free library in Michigan. She was chosen its first president, and from that time her interest never flagged, although the general interest abated somewhat during the Civil war period. In 1870 she reported the resolutions passing the control over to the city.
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The only child to reach maturity was Baylis Garland Stockton, who was born in Washington, District of Columbia, July 25, 1832, in the house of General McCoombs, who was commander of the army while Colonel Stockton was stationed there. He went to California with his parents and returned to Michigan in 1865, and has since lived in Flint. In 1873 he disposed of the warehouse and built what is now the Putnam elevator. He lost the sight of one eye at that time.
He was married at San Jose, California, to Miss Mary McGreerey. Their only son, Thomas Francis Stockton, is a capable attorney, practicing in Flint.
WILLIAM H. RUSSELL, M. D.
William H. Russell, of Flint, was born at Sligo, Ireland, February 26, 1842. He was the son of John Russell, a miller of Sligo, who located at Romeo, Michigan, about 1850, later becoming a farmer near Almont, Lapeer county, where he died at the age of seventy-three years.
William worked for two years in Romeo as a mechanic and then became assistant engineer on the tug, "R. R. Elliott." He later mastered the carriage maker's trade and was engaged at that for five years at Romeo and Almont.
On August 17, 1861, he enlisted in the union army and became bugler for Company L of the First Michigan Cavalry. His experiences in the service would form a long and interesting story. Mention can be made here of but a few of his adventures. He was in action at Winchester, Middleton, Stras- burg. Harrisburg, Orange Court House. Cedar Mountain, second Bull Run. Aqua, Thorofare Gap and Greenwich. After this the regiment became a part of General Custer's command. They were engaged after that in such con- flicts as those at Hanover, Gettysburg, Monterey. Carleton, Boonsboro, Hagers- town, Williamsport, Falling Waters, Culpepper Court House, Raccoon Ford. Stevensburg, Richmond, the Wilderness and Cold Harbor. With ninety-three men, of whom he had command, he was detached for fighting from Harper's Ferry to Winchester, and here he was surrounded, wounded and captured. He
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was imprisoned at Lynchburg, Pemberton, Libby, Danville and Salisbury, be- ing a prisoner for two hundred and eighty-two days. He, with two others, es- caped twice from Danville, West Virginia, but was recaptured. With twelve companions he again made his escape from Danville, and was twice wounded, ยท once in the face and once in the knee.
After the close of the war he returned to Michigan, and later began reading medicine with Dr. McTaggart at Grand Rapids. He attended Detroit Medical College, at the conclusion of which he began practice in Clio in 1873. In 1901 he removed from Clio to Flint, and has since been there en- gaged in general practice. He has kept in the forefront of his profession. He is a member of both the state and county medical associations. He is an active lodge worker, being an Odd Fellow and also a Mason. In the Masonic fraternity he has held important offices, having been secretary of the Grand Lodge. He is also a member of the chapter and of the commandery. He is an active Republican, and has rendered efficient and earnest service to his party. He was on the village council at Clio for some years. He is a mem- ber also of the Grand Army of the Republic, and is past commander of the post. He is senior vice-commander of the department of Michigan, and vice- president of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Association of Northeast Michigan, and in 1887 was its president. He was United States pension examiner on the pension board for several years while at Clio.
Dr. Russell was married in 1868 to Miss Agnes Mckay, of Almonet, sister of the Hon. William McKay, ex-sheriff of Tuscola county. She was born at Kilmornic. Ayershire, Scotland, and came to America when a girl. Their family consists of Leland H., a teacher and merchant at Montrose. Michigan, and Florence, wife of Charles Donahue, of Flint.
Dr. Russell's interest in his profession and its progress has never abated, and he exerts a potent influence in the community for its general improve- ment and welfare.
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GEORGE LA DUE.
Mr. George La Due, dealer in real estate and insurance, was born at Red- wood, Jefferson county, New York, April, 1845. His grandfather was a native of France, and his father hailed from Vermont. George was reared at Redwood and learned the blacksmith's trade. He had considerable native skill as a mechanic and ere long this led him to engage in work other than that of his trade. Coming west in 1866 he opened up a shop at Farranville, Gene- see county, Michigan, continuing there for five years. Then, in company with his brother, he started a lumber mill at Farranville and engaged in the manufacture of lumber, shingles, staves, etc. Later he started a similar plant at the county line and developed an extensive business. His business methods were both direct and upright, and he easily gained the confidence and esteem of all with whom he held dealings.
In conjunction with the mills he also dealt in merchandise, but in 1889 he closed out his business and removed to Standish, Michigan, and became a stockholder in the Gray Milling Company, makers of flour and cooperage sup- plies. He became manager of the concern, but after eighteen months he re- turned to Flint.
His business sagacity and integrity were now generally recognized and he was made manager of the Pallet table works, with which he had had business relations, and which was in need of a head that could place it on a more de- sirable basis. This undertaking has resulted in the anticipated success.
Mr. La Due then began the manufacture of light high grade vehicles, including bicycles, surreys, etc. This line of work did not develop as success- fully as was desired and was later abandoned, after which Mr. La Due gave his attention to real estate and is still thus engaged.
Mr. La Due was one of the promoters of the Union Trust Company and is one of its leading stockholders. The George La Due addition to Flint was platted in 1901. This is in the fifth ward, south of Wood street, between De- troit and Saginaw streets, and comprises thirty-seven lots. It has been im- proved and lots have been sold without difficulty. In addition to this enter- prise Mr. La Due has built extensively, erecting residences of a high grade, and these have been much in demand in recent years. He conducts also a general agency business, including farm property and insurance. He is one
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of the live real estate hustlers of the city, and has done invaluable service in stimulating and promoting the city's growth and advancement.
He has not aspired to public prominence of any kind, preferring rather to attend to business and has, therefore, refused all offers of public office of any kind. He has been a Mason for thirty-four years. He likes to take his vacations, when the season approaches, and is especially fond of hunting and fishing, entering into the sport as heartily as he does his transactions in business.
In 1874 he was married to Elizabeth Pippin, of Mt. Clemens, and seven children have been born of this union. Evaline M. is a bookkeeper; Willard Robert Melvine lives at Detroit ; the others are Blanche, Georgia A., Ira and Iva (twins), and Josephine.
Thus, with a generous family and a wholesome public spirit, Mr. La Due has contributed in a commendable measure to the welfare and prosperity of his chosen city.
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WILLIAM L. FISHER.
Mr. William L. Fisher, superintendent of the city water works of Flint, was born in Genesee county, Michigan, July 2, 1847. His parents were An- drew and Celina (Spence) Fisher, both natives of New York state. They were pioneers in Genesee county, having settled practically in the forest in Mt. Morris township, and reclaimed some of the land from its original soli- tude. Andrew Fisher died at the old homestead.
William remained on the farm till fourteen years of age, receiving such education as was afforded by the schools of the neighborhood, this being, of course, quite meager. He then went to the Saginaw high school at Saginaw. and later came to Flint. For the last nineteen years he has confined his whole attention to the management of the water works.
The plant is in a measure the product of his hands, as he has been so intimately associated with its growth and development. He was a stock- holder in the original company. There are about thirty miles of water mains, supplying over two hundred hydrants, besides many private hydrants owned by manufacturing concerns. Since the plant was purchased by the city sev- eral miles of mains have been added, and in 1907 many lines are being ex- tended to the newer parts of the city.
During these nineteen years Mr. Fisher has had full charge of the plant. and this tenure of service alone is a most decided testimonial to his efficiency
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and integrity. He drew the plans for and built the present power house, and by such work has made himself an invaluable aid to the city, into whose hands it passed in 1903, the consideration being $262,500. It is governed by a board of water works commissioners, and at the present time represents an invest- ment of $275.413. It is a self-sustaining project, and pays interest on its. own bonds. The board keeps in active service about fifteen employes, and the plant is proving itself a paying investment on the part of the city. The prob- lem of municipal ownership is one that is prominently before the people of the country, and the experiment is being tried in various ways in many American cities. In European cities the practice has been in vogue for some time, and its success is due largely to the efficient and upright management of the utilities. Mr. Fisher has made for himself already a most enviable record for competency, sagacity and executive ability.
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JACOB KURTZ.
Mr. Jacob Kurtz was born in Clarence township, Erie county, New York, July 7, 1843. His parents, Jacob and Anna (Leib) Kurtz, were both natives of Pennsylvania, but emigrated to Clarence township, New York, later on. Here Mr. Kurtz ended his days, departing this life at the age of forty-eight years. Mrs. Kurtz afterward came to Michigan, taking up her location in Genesee county, where she lived out her allotted time, passing away at the age of seventy-three. She was the mother of nine children, of whom Jacob, our subject, was the third.
Jacob was educated and reared in Clarence township, New York, and devoted his early manhood to farming, continuing at this with both success and profit. He was a steady worker, and one that could get things accom- plished without loss of time. In September, 1862, he enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Sixteenth New York Infantry, and served until the close of the war, June 15, 1865. He, of course, had here a varied and interesting experience. In the light of modern conditions we wonder at the self-sacri- ficing spirit that burned in the hearts of the men of the day that took expression in such noble service for the flag of the free.
He saw hard service and took part in many of the fiercely fought battles
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of the war. At the battle of Cedar Creek he was wounded by a spent ball, but soon returned to active service.
At the close of the war he returned to Clarence township, New York, and resumed his work on the farm. He continued at this until 1874, having been married in the meantime to Miss Susannah Diller, November 27, 1866. Miss Diller was a native of the same town as he himself, having been born there September 11, 1845. She was the daughter of Abram and Catherine (Drudge) Diller, both natives of Erie county, New York. The Dillers came to Genesee county, Michigan, in 1874, and settled in Genesee county, where they closed their earthly career. Mr. Diller died at the age of sixty-three, while Mrs. Diller attained the age of seventy-six years. They were blessed with five children, of whom, Mrs. Kurtz was the third.
Mr. and Mrs. Kurtz came to Genesee county, Michigan, in April of 1874, and settled in Thetford township, where Mr. Kurtz purchased a farm and lived upon it for thirty-three years. In the summer of 1907 he removed to Flint. He now owns three hundred and twenty acres of the best-kept land in the vicinity. The improvements are substanial and modern, and the general management of the farm is such as is likely to result in the highest possible productiveness of the land.
Mr. and Mrs. Kurtz are the parents of three children, and the life his- tory of the family give abundant evidence of home influence and training in molding and shaping the growing youth. Frank, the eldest son, is a mission- ary in India, where he has been stationed since 1893. Edith is the wife of Colonel O. Swayzee, and she has taken a very thorough course of training in voice culture and is one of the ablest singers of the city of Flint. She is the present choir director of the First Baptist church. Charles J. is a successful practicing physician of Chicago.
Mr. Kurtz has held the office of supervisor of Thetford township, and for two years was township treasurer. He has served as highway commis- sioner and has taken an active and effective part in the political affairs of the township.
Mr. and Mrs. Kurtz are active members of the Baptist church, having been for twenty-eight years staunch supporters of that denomination at Mt. Morris. Mr. Kurtz has been a most faithful deacon and was chairman of its board of trustees for many years.
The Kurtz home is at 925 Grand Travers street and is a place where
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friend meets friend and where the atmosphere of peace and comfort is never lacking.
SAMUEL B. WICKS.
The late Samuel B. Wicks, of Flint, was born at Carlton, Saratoga county, New York, June 3, 1814. His parents, Luzon and Lucy (Baldwin) Wicks, were both natives of Connecticut. When Samuel was five years old his father died and the mother then removed to Wisconsin, where she ended her days. After the death of his father, Samuel was bound out until he was twenty-one years of age, to Mr. James Templeton. He received his education in the common schools, and during the years preceding his majority he learned the blacksmith's trade. In 1835, having reached his twenty-first year he came to Michigan and spent about two years at Bentville. In 1837 he came to Flint and opened up a blacksmith's shop. continuing in that work more or less regularly until 1860, at which time he was elected probate judge, serving in that capacity for two terms.
Following this he became engaged in the retail milk business, continuing at that until about 1878, when he secured the appointment as first assistant to the sergeant-at-arms at the capitol at Lansing, Michigan. He served each session of the legislature until 1889, when, after years of declining health, he succumbed to the inevitable and was gathered to his fathers on September 28th of that year. As the greater part of his years were spent here he was permitted in his day to see great changes in the life about him. When he ar- rived the county still harbored many Indians. Wild animals were abundant, and Flint itself consisted of only four or five cabins. He became a member of the lodge of Odd Fellows, and was a Republican and a devout Presbyterian. His disposition was most kindly, and this won for him a host of friends.
On August 8, 1839, Mr. Wicks was married to Miss Emily Harrison, who was born at Palmyra, Wayne county, New York. She was the daughter of Rufus and Sara (Sawyer) Harrison, the former a native of Connecticut, and the latter of Vermont. Rufus Harrison was a soldier, doing battle for the flag during the war of 1812. He followed farming near Palmyra, New York, and came in 1835 with his family to Michigan, settling on government land near the town of Flushing, Genesee county. He brought the farm up to
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a splendid state of improvement, and here he ended his days in 1856. His estimable wife survived until October 23, 1894, and passed to rest at the age of ninety-three. Four children were born to them, of whom Emily ( wife of Mr. Wicks), was the eldest, having been born in 1819. The other children were Andrew, Warren, and Harriet, the latter having become the wife of William Schramen, who now occupies the old homestead farm near Flushing.
Mr. and Mrs. Wicks became the parents of two children, Lucy and Ed- mund H. Lucy, who became the wife of William Greenley, now lives in Burton township. Edmund was married to Sarah Barker, and he and his wife have both passed to their rest, leaving a daughter, Lucy, who was placed in charge of her grandmother, Mrs. Wicks, and was brought up by her. Lucy is now the wife of Millard Butterfield. a prosperous and extensive farmer of Genesee county.
Mrs. Wicks is now living at 616 Clifford street, Flint, this having been her home for over fifty years. She has lived in the city of Flint for over seventy years, having now reached the grand old age of eighty-eight years. She was one of the original organizers of the Presbyterian church in Flint in 1837, being the youngest of seventeen charter members. Her life has been a living testimonial for the Master, being characterized by deeds of kindness and charity. She has scattered sunshine and cheer over pathways made dark by misfortune and bereavement, and has brought comfort and encouragement to the depressed and disconsolate. She, too, carries in mind the varied ex- periences of early days, and recalls the time when the family first saw the soil of Michigan. They came to Detroit by boat and there purchased an ox team. Then they drove through woods, still full of Indians and wild beasts, and arrived without mishap at their destination in Genesee county, which since that time has made such marvelous growth and improvement.
RANSOM N. MURRAY, M. D.
Ransom Newell Murray, M. D., of Flint, was born at East Henrietta, Monroe county, New York, September 18, 1830. He was the son of Phil- ander and Harriet ( Maltby) Murray, the former being a native of Con- necticut and the latter of Saratoga county, New York. The parents of our subject came to Monroe county, New York, after their marriage and Mr. Murray devoted himself for a part of the time to farming, and at other times to mechanical work. In 1831, when Ransom was about a year old, his par- ents removed to Westfield, Washtenaw county, Michigan, where they spent the remainder of their years.
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