USA > Michigan > Genesee County > Biographical history of Genesee County, Michigan > Part 16
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 (link on the Part 1 page).
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
Ransom remained on the farm until about eighteen, receiving such train- ing and education as opportunity afforded. He then went to private school at Ann Arbor and became grounded in the necessary fundamentals of English, Latin and Greek. In 1852 he entered the medical department of the State University of Michigan. He read medicine also with Dr. Pray at Salem. and with Dr. Lammond, of Flint, Michigan, joining the latter in taking care of his large and lucrative practice. His next move by way of preparation was at the Jefferson Medical School of Philadelphia, from which he graduated with high honors with the class of 1856. He kept himself well informed in his profession and followed his practice in Grand Blanc, Michigan, and vicinity
233
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
until 1874. At this time he removed to Lake City, Minnesota, where he operated a grist mill in company with his brother, E. H. Murray. Three years later, in 1877, he took up his practice of medicine in Flint. He has not only had an enviable practice, but has also been a busy member of the medical societies of the state, such as the State Medical Society, the American Medical Association and various others. He helped to organize the County Med- ical Society, and has been a constant attendant upon its meet- ings. His work in the various hospitals has been both extensive and of great import, both to himself and to those with whom he was associated. He was enabled in this hospital work to see some of the achievements of many of the most prominent surgeons of the day, and he took no small part in many operations of considerable note. He visited some of the noted hospitals of Chicago, and was with the Mayo's Hospital at Rochester, Minnesota, where the clinics were attended by some of the best surgeons from the United States and Canada. Previous to this he spent three months abroad visiting the leading hospitals and attending clinics at Edinburgh, London and Dublin.
Dr. Murray has given special attention to abdominal surgery, pertaining to tumors, appendicitis, etc. For some years he conducted the affairs of the Flint Hospital, and was for one year connected with the hospital at Boyne City. Michigan, in association with Dr. Charters, and still retains his interest in that institution. His ability as an operator has been recognized by the leading professional men of the community. Dr. Murray has confined himself chiefly to his practice, and has studiously avoided politics or political prefer- ment. For twelve years he has been physician for the Michigan school for the deaf, and local examiner for the leading old-line life insurance companies.
He was married at Atlas, Genesee county, to Miss Emma E. Cady. Their son, Fredrick, died at the age of fourteen. Eleanor, their daughter, became the wife of John Hamaker. She is at present at the home of Dr. Murray with her four children-Francis, John, Ambrose and Lawrence. The doctor and family are substantial supporters of the Baptist church and occupy a high place in the social life of the community.
234
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
THE TORREY FAMILY.
The history of the Torreys forms an interesting and valuable contribution to the present work. They are of English origin and an examination of their genealogy brings to light the fact that members of this family have been emi- nently associated with the growth and development of our commonwealth from its earliest history down to the present time. The earliest ancestor, concerning whom reliable data is available, was Philip Torrey, the father of seven children, all born in England, and having their home in the hamlet of Combe, St. Nicholas, Somersetshire. The four boys of the family came to America and settled at Weymouth, near Boston, Massachusetts, and from two of these, William and James, are descended nearly all the Torreys in America. The descendants of James, however, are now the only ones that bear the family name.
Mention here can be made of only a few of the instances on record pertaining to the association the members of this family have had with the history of the country.
The most remarkable character of the four original famous brothers was William. He was an author, among his works being a book called "A Dis- course upon Futurity or Things to Come." He was skilled in the Latin tongue, a good penman, a member of the "Ancient Honorable Artillery Order" and the early records of all kinds in Boston bear the signature of William Torrel, "clerk of the deputies." He died in 1690.
Rev. Joseph Torrey was president of the University of Vermont, and other Torreys were presidents of this sort.
Again, "Rajah Torrey," so-called, a descendant of William, was for fourteen years absolute monarch of a portion of the Island of Borneo under the title, "Rajah of Amboy andNavoodu." He was born in 1828 at Bath, Maine, and at one time editor of the "Hong Kong Times" at Hong Kong. China ; also consul to Siam; founder of the American Trading Company of Borneo in 1864; in 1879 secretary to the United States legation in Siam ; returned to this country in 1883 ; was appointed by the king of Siam his chief advisor, but died in Boston in 1884. His full name was Joseph William Torrey, and his record seldom equaled.
Charles Turner Torrey, a descendant of James, was commonly known as "Martyr Torrey." A clergyman and anti-slavery advocate, he resigned
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 235
his pastorate and devoted himself to the cause of the negro. In 1844 he was convicted of an attempt to aid the escape of slaves, sentenced to long im- prisonment in the state penitentiary at Baltimore, and died from exposure and ill usage incident to prison life. His funeral was attended from Tremont temple, Boston, by an immense concourse of people. As a result "Torrey's blood crieth out" became the watchword of the Abolition party.
But we can not close this introduction without reference to a historian of our own, of no mean repute among the Flint (Michigan) Torreys, to-wit : Rupert G. Torrey. He frankly admits it to be a conundrum from whence came all of the Torreys-is rather inclined to the opinion that they were of Spanish origin-pays the name a fine tribute when he kneels upon the blood- stained grass on the slopes of Bunker Hill, and, bending over the prostrate form of a wounded soldier, and in response, is faintly whispered the name of "John Torrey." Yes, John Torrey, who afterward became the grandfather of nearly all the Torreys in New York state and Michigan, and whose own family consisted of Polly, Abigail, John, Tryphena, Jesse, William, Asa, Daniel. Orange, Betsey (all deceased), among the descendants of whom are today the members of the Torrey reunion of Flint, Michigan.
JESSE TORREY.
Jesse Torrey was born on the 13th day of February. 1785. in Massa- chusetts, and was one of the ten children of John Torrey and Abigail Rich- ardson.
Jesse's father was born September 5. 1754. in Massachusetts, and died March 9. 1822, in York state, and Abigail Richardson was born July 24. 1755. and died August 8, 1845, in the same state.
While very little is known of the said John Torrey the family Bible containing the above record is still in existence. We learn that he was in the Revolutionary war and fought on Bunker Hill, and, with others, used the butt of his gun after the ammunition was gone. His widow. Abigail. after his death drew a pension. He and his wife and son William are buried in an orchard on the farm of Segar Torrey, two miles south of Stafford village, Genesee county, New York, but no stone marks their resting place.
236
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
Now, returning to Jesse Torrey, his first wife was Sally Annis, to whom he was married in York state in 1806 or 1807. Three children blessed this union-Asenath, Asa and Alonzo-and after his wife's death he was again united in marriage to Amanda Judd, and three children-Aurilla, Albert and Almon-were born to them. After the loss of his second wife he again mar- ried, being united to Melissa Cooley, and they had six children, viz .: Amanda, Andre, Alfred, Allen, Alvin and Adora, Allen dying at the age of five years.
Jesse Torrey and his older children were in every sense typical pioneers of this county, he having, together with his sons, Asa, Hiram, Judd and Roswell Standard, cut a path or road through the woods marked by blazing trees from the old site of the "Thread flouring mills," in the. south part of the city of Flint, to the original Torrey settlement, arriving there October 19, 1835, at which time there were but two log houses in the present city of Flint.
Jesse gave his sons, Asa and Alonzo, eighty acres of land each, located the whole of fractional section twenty-four and a part of twenty-three in township seven north, range six east, for himself. He paid $1.25 per acre to the United States government for said lands, and he had about four thou- sand dollars left, which he invested judiciously. He aided liberally in public improvements of all kinds in the neighborhood.
Being past fifty years of age at this time it was indeed a pioneer life to him, but a brave heart and willing hands soon made a home in this dense forest, and in after years he enjoyed the pleasures that earlier days had earned.
The crude tools and implements with which these sturdy pioneers hewed and wrought for themselves and families homes out of the virgin forests illustrates the primitive method in vogue during the days of our fathers, and their earnestness to do and be.
People often got lost in sight of their own homes. The howl of the wolf was more common than that of dogs now; venison took the place of beefsteak; a man with an ax upon his shoulder was an inevitable suggestion of dinner for the cattle, as they browsed upon the limbs cut from the trees.
Jesse was a man of determined resolutions and strong convictions, a hard worker, temperate, true to his friends, had a true sense of justice, was a Methodist through and through, an abolitionist and anti-slavery advocate in his day, and served twelve days in the United States army in the war of 1812.
Being a musician, when a young man he performed on the bagpipe,
237
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
and often on Boston Commons he attracted a large crowd and would then sell to them his merchandise.
He, together with his sons, Asa, Alonzo, Albert and Almon, Hiram Judd, Jeremiah Kelsey and a few others practically built the old Torrey church, but it required extraordinary courage to begin and genuine pluck to complete.
He was gathered to his fathers on the IIth of November, 1865, aged eighty years and nine months. His wife, Melissa, was born October 26, 1816, and died October 14, 1892.
ASA TORREY.
Asa Torrey, the eldest son of Jesse Torrey and Sally Annis, was born in the town of Bethany, two miles south of Stafford, Genesee county. New York, on the 19th day of February, 1811.
When a boy he had practically no educational advantages; never had a pair of shoes or boots until past eight years old, except those made from the tops of old boots made by the traveling shoemaker ; and, being thus hard- ened by exposure, could and did slide on the ice barefoot as well as a boy with boots, and these privations in no sense crushed his spirits or tended in any way to weaken his character, but on the contrary he grew into sturdy man- hood and developed qualities of character, courage, strength and fortitude and sterling integrity that few men possessed. He became a man with posi- tive convictions, and stood by what he believed to be true and right. Being an abolitionist he was always intensely patriotic and gave two sons, John and George, to his country, together with several hundred dollars in aiding John in recruiting his company during the Civil war. He was earnest in religion and moral matters, giving liberally to the church and for charitable purposes; stood for public and private improvements, and by his great strength and perseverance overcame difficulties and made a success of life. And of him it can be truly said: "He has done his share of the world's work."
He was united in marriage to Miss Orissa White on the 21st day of April, 1833, the ceremony being performed in the old church yet standing in South Bethany, Genesee county, New York. In the fall of 1835 he re- moved with his wife and one child, John, to Flint, Michigan, in company with
238
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
his father, Jesse, and Hiram Judd and Roswell Stanard. He settled on the west half of the northwest quarter of section twenty-five, township of Flint, two miles south of the city, arriving on the 19th day of October, 1835, with a balance of fifty cents in his pocket. He built a log cabin, twelve by eighteen feet, with one roof, one door and one window, and lived in it twelve years. From the door of this cabin he shot many a deer, wolf and other wild animals. He participated in the first election held in the then village of Grand Trav- erse, now the city of Flint, after Michigan had been admitted as a state. It was held in Daniel Freeman's blacksmith shop, the anvil answering for a table and Mr. Judge Stowe's plug hat serving for a box. He was a mechanic and a wood worker and built threshing machines before coming to Michigan.
Asa Torrey was a staunch Methodist ; had taken the New York "Christian Advocate" since 1840, found great comfort in singing the oldest hymns of Methodism, was a teetotaler, of cheerful disposition, lived and died in the firm belief of the inspiration of the Scriptures and a hope bright with immortality. He died of the infirmities of age November 9, 1899. nearly eighty-nine years of age.
His funeral services were held from the Bristol church, Rev. Orlando Sanborn officiating, assisted by Rev. H. E. Wolfe. The remains were buried in the family lot in Bristol cemetery.
The family consisted of John, Clark W., Sally, George D., Ordelia, Mahala, James M. and A. Perry. Mahala died at the age of fourteen years; George D. died at Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee, while a member of Com- pany A, Thirteenth Michigan Volunteer Infantry, in the Civil war, serving his country in the Federal army as a private, at the age of nineteen years and nine months, and sleeps under the sod of a southern battlefield in probably an unknown and unmarked grave. Sally married John Mortimer, but died at the age of twenty-three, leaving one son, George A., father of Brent Mortimer, a bright young boy of eleven summers, who died in 1898.
Orissa White Torrey was a woman of few words, but of strong, clear mentality, quiet piety, correct principles, possessing spiritual life and experi- ence, and being a person who, "with charity for all and malice toward none" in her heart, by kind and courteous treatment through a long life, never had an enemy, and died beloved by all.
Born of New England blood, in Franklin township, Franklin county,
239
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Vermont, on the 26th day of July, 1810, she was married to Asa Torrey and removed to Michigan and was a faithful helpmeet in true pioneer style.
She was a kind and loving mother and a wise counsellor to her chil- diren : and, not finding time sufficient for the study of the Bible through the day. she set apart the hour from four to five in the morning for studying the Scriptures and for prayer, which practice she followed from the log cabin days to the time of her death.
She entered into rest on the 7th day of April. 1897, aged nearly eighty- seven years, and was buried by the side of her husband.
"Thou shalt come to thy grave in a full age like a shock of corn cometh in in his season."
ALONZO TORREY.
Alonzo Torrey first saw the light of day on March 26, 1813. his native town being Bethany, in Genesee county, New York. He was the second son of Jesse Torrey and Sally Annis.
Lydia, his wife, was also a native of New York, from Shelby. Orleans county. Her father's name was Christopher Le Valley.
Uncle Alonzo and Aunt Lydia were so well known, both far and near, during their life time, and so closely connected with the history of the Torrey settlement and adjacent settlements for so many years, and being almost inseparable, some of our references to one will apply equally to both.
They had no family and consequently were free to come and go, and having the means, disposition and leisure time, they devoted themselves for many years to entertaining and visiting their relatives and friends, and the homes were scarce where their greeting of "Good morning" and "Good night" were not familiar.
The early years of Alonzo were similar to those of Asa. they being asso- ciated together at one time in the manufacture of threshing machines at Middleport. New York, and. like him. he was a man of great strength and endurance. He was a person of marked individuality, of positive convictions and relied almost wholly upon his own judgment. He had opinions and when necessary expressed them fearlessly.
240
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
He was a great worker, economical, prudent and an anti-slavery and strict temperance advocate.
He was a local preacher in the Methodist church, a man of much earnest- ness, and was prominent in religious matters in his day. He was also a man of large acquaintance and influence, and highly respected by all who knew him.
Alonzo, on his advent into the Torrey settlement, also built a log house, but, unlike his brother Asa's, which had a single roof of shake, floor of bass- wood logs split lengthwise and planed smooth with an adz in the hands of the workman, his "was quite pretentious in appearance, having two roofs, one on either side, covered with shingles split from white ash, and on its completion he repaired at once to Shelby, New York, and took unto himself a wife, with whom to dwell therein.
In ye good days of raking and binding after the grain cradler, Alonzo could and did, for the truth of which we have ample proof, bind a bundle of wheat, throw it upward into the air and bind another before the first bundle reached the ground.
Lydia Le Valley was a handsome maid in York state, acquired a good education in her youth and in 1836 married Alonzo Torrey and came directly to her cabin in Flint township, Genesee county, Michigan.
She was a person having a very cheerful disposition, amiable character, gentle but convincing manner, sociable, well informed, a good conversational- ist, and the kindest and truest type of a friend and neighbor.
Her religious beliefs were somewhat Puritanic and thoroughly orthodox. She was intensely earnest and active, gave good counsel and was beloved by all who knew her.
Many a lad and lass have gone from her door with a light step and lighter heart, carrying a little basket of red apples and the kind admonition to be good.
The first old log schoolhouse in Torrey settlement was accidentally burned and Aunt Lydia opened her house for three months and taught the scholars, and when the frame schoolhouse on the southwest corner of section twenty-four was built, she taught for four months longer.
Many good things can be said of Alonzo and Lydia Torrey and they might all be summed up in this :
The world was blessed and made better by their lives.
Alonzo passed to his reward on the 18th day of October, 1892, and
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 241
Lydia swept through the gates in triumphant faith on the 18th of January, 1891, the date of her birth being March 23, 1816.
NICHOLAS NELSON TALBOT.
Nicholas Nelson Talbot was born on the Island of Fayal, one of the Azore group, northwest of Africa, June 10, 1821, while his parents were en route to America from Ireland. His parents settled in New York state, and there Nicholas was reared to manhood. He came west to Genesee county in an early day, and was married in Flushing. January 14, 1851, to Mary C. Deland, who was born in Newark, Tioga county, New York, January II, 1832. Facts relative to the history of her parents and ancestry will be found in the sketch of Charles F. Deland, in the present work. After coming to Michigan Mr. Talbot and wife settled in Flushing township, where Mr. Talbot engaged in farming. He later engaged in the mercantile business in Flushing, but on account of ill health was obliged to relinquish active business life sev- eral years before his death, which occurred at Flushing on Christmas day, 1893. One son, Charles, was born of this union. Mr. Talbot held the office of treasurer of Flushing township for one term, and was much interested in school affairs also, doing considerable active work for the promotion of the educational interests of the community. He was a most excellent Chris- tian gentleman, and an active worker in the Baptist church. He will long be remembered for his piety and consecrated service.
16
JAMES M. TORREY.
James McAllister Torrey is a native of Flint township, Genesee county, Michigan, and owns and operates the old farm on section twenty-five, where he was born July 5, 1849. He was a son of Asa and Orrissa ( White) Tor- rey, his father being born in Bethany, Genesee county, New York, February 19, 18II, and his mother in Franklin, Vermont, July 26, 1810. They were married at Bethany, New York, April 21, 1833, and came to Michigan Oc- tober 19. 1835, when there were but two log shanties in the present city of Flint. They endured the hardships and privations incident to pioneer life, lived twelve years in a log shanty, had a family of seven children. Two of them gave their lives to their country in the war of the Rebellion. Captain John Torrey, of the Sixth Michigan Cavalry, died in Cincinnati, Ohio, and his remains were buried in the family lot at Flint. George died at Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee, and was buried in the National cemetery near there. A. Perry, the youngest son, is a railway postoffice clerk, running from Los Angeles to El Paso, Texas, and resides in Los Angeles, California.
James had his early education and training on the farm, attended the district school in the old red schoolhouse, later the Flint high school, taught five years, held the office of town clerk and township superintendent of
243
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
schools, then took up the study of law, entering the office of Long & Gold in Flint, Michigan, and was admitted to the Genesee county bar before Judge Josiah Turner May 29, 1879. He hung out his shingle at Millington, Tuscola county, Michigan, and there practiced nearly three years; then engaged in the mercantile and timber business at Wilmot, in the same county, for one year and then removed to Kingston village and resumed the practice of law for six years, holding the office of justice of the peace, township clerk and postmaster.
Mr. Torrey then returned to the old farm in the spring of 1891, in Flint township, and with his family cared for his aged parents. He remained at this place for eight years, and then removed to the city of Flint in 1899, where he now resides.
For eight years, beginning in 1893, he was on the road as a solicitor for fraternal insurance for the Modern Maccabees, Knights and Ladies of Security and Loyal Guard, working in several states for the latter order.
In 1901 he was elected justice of the peace, being the first police justice of the city of Flint, and re-elected in 1905. He is a member of the Court street Methodist Episcopal church and of the official board, and has been superin- tendent of the Sunday school.
Mr. Torrey is secretary of the Genesee county road committee. He chose the members of the committee and drew the map of the county as. also, of each of the townships, after the roads were named. These maps were ap- proved by the board of supervisors and were filed in the county with each township clerk.
Mr. Torrey married Miss Sarah A. Baxter, a school teacher of Davison, in 1874, whose parents, James Baxter and Thomison Elsom Turner, were born in England in 1819 and 1823, respectively, while Mrs. Torrey was born at Seneca Lake, New York, and to them was born one child, Ina Blanche, who married Mr. Jared C. King.
SAMUEL J. WILSON.
The parents of Samuel J. Wilson were pioneers from New England, being descendants of the hardy forefathers in that rigid clime. His father, Nahum Newton Wilson, was born in New Hampshire January 10, 1805. He was brought up to manhood in the state of Vermont, and was married to Miss Phalle R. Slafter on St. Patrick's day, 1828. Miss Slafter was born in New Year's day, 1806. In 1834 Mr. Wilson with his wife and two eldest children came from Vermont to Genesee county and for about one year lived in Flint and operated a saw mill. He was also engaged in carpentry and as- sisted in building the first frame house in Flint. He then took a contract to clear forty acres of land at Pine Run, in Thetford township, for Judge Hotch- kiss, of New York. With the money thus earned he purchased eighty acres of woodland in Thetford township, which he cleared and operated success- fully. Mr. Wilson was one of the first supervisors of Thetford township and took an active interest in public affairs. The last years of his life were spent in retirement in Flint, where he died May 7, 1887. Mrs. Wilson had passed away on August 13, 1863. This union was blessed with eight children. They were Mercy E., Carlos P., William H., Farwell A., John N., Persis A., Samuel J. and Nahum T. Four of these are now deceased.
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.