USA > Michigan > Genesee County > Biographical history of Genesee County, Michigan > Part 21
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Mr. Billings' first marriage was to Miss Carrie Gray, and to this union were born two children-Bertha, the wife of Edward D. Black, now living in Flint, Michigan, and William, who is at this date, 1907, cashier of the Davison State Bank at Davison, Michigan. The second marriage was to Miss Nancy Ashley, and to this union was born one child, Carrie E., who is the principal of the oral department of the Michigan school for the deaf at Flint. She is a graduate of the Flint high school, and in 1893 entered the training class taught by Professor Clarke. Her work in the school is of the highest order and her success in that capacity is beyond question or criticism. She is a member of the National Educational Association, and of the National Con-
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vention of Teachers of the Deaf, sessions of which are held every three years. She has written much along the line of her work, displaying many of her father's characteristics of initiative and originality. Her mother before her was also a teacher for several years in the same department before her marriage. Miss Carrie has the work so well in hand that she is enabled to give part of her time to the training of the teachers themselves, thus making practically a normal department of her work. She is a member of the Epis- copal church, is a regular and loyal attendant at all the church services, and is also a member of the Genesee Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the ancestral line running back to Joel Rexford, a revolutionary soldier. Roxanna Clatilda Rexford is another noted branch of the an- cestral tree.
ANDREW. P. BIRDSALL.
Another worthy citizen of Flint and one who has been for many years a resident of this sturdy city, is Mr. Andrew P. Birdsall. He was born in Florence, Oneida county, New York, April 14, 1845, and was the fifth of a family of nine children. His father was Rev. William Birdsall, who was a clergyman of the Methodist Episcopal church, and was a superannuate member of the Detroit conference when he died. He was born in New York state July 3, 1816, and after coming to Michigan was a heroic dispenser of the glad tidings under the trying and difficult conditions that accompanied the itinerary life of the times. Probably no class of public spirited benefactors has done more to make this country of ours the mecca of the world than these noble and self-sacrificing heralds of the Word. For many years the scenes of his labors were in Genesee county, and he was living in Flint when he was gathered to his fathers January 3, 1894. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary Lobdell, was born in Connecticut September 13. 1814, and died in Flint township April 18, 1892.
Andrew was two and one-half years old when his parents came to Michigan. He remained at home until he was about twelve years of age. Possessed of a remarkable ambition and an unusual degree of pluck, he then launched out practically to fight his own battles. He has been a resident
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of Genesee county since 1863. He was married September 28, 1864, to Miss Chloe F. Boomer, who was born in Burton township, Genesee county, December 4, 1844. She was the daughter of Clark and Samantha ( Bristol) Boomer, who were both natives of New York state. They were married in Genesee county, Michigan, and settled upon a farm in Burton township, but later they removed to Flint township. They were exemplary people and were highly respected by all their friends and neighbors. Mrs. Boomer attained the age of seventy-one years. Mr. Boomer died at Pontiac, Michigan, while there on a visit, having reached the age of seventy-eight years. Mr. and Mrs. Boomer were the parents of three children, of whom Mrs. Birdsall was the second, and is now the only surviving member of the family.
Mr. and Mrs. Birdsall have been the parents of two children, one of whom, Minnie F., was called hence at the tender age of ten years. The other daughter, Cora C., is the wife of J. Howard Gotshall. They have one daughter, Minnie B., who is at the present time a student in one of our best business colleges. Mr. Birdsall has devoted the major portion of his time to farming and has made himself master of his craft. His industry and perse- verance have been manifested in the care and oversight that he has given to the details of his occupation, earning for himself a well-deserved reputation as a man upon whom one can safely depend.
Since residing in Flint Mr. Birdsall has been a faithful and efficient overseer of one of the Methodist Episcopal church buildings, and as such has won the love and esteem of all with whom he has become acquainted. He not only takes care of the church property, but in company with his wife is deeply interested in the spiritual activities of the society, and contributes gen- erously in all the ways that he can to the advancement of the Master's king- dom in the hearts of men.
ALBERT H. BUCK.
Early in the last century the farming people in the state of Vermont were thrown into considerable distress on account of the failure of their crops, and many of their numbers left the state, emigrating westward into New York. Among others were the parents of Sally Drury, who was born at Eden, Ver- mont, in 1802, coming to York state with her parents in 1816. Later she met and married Alvin Buck, who was born in New York state in 1798. They made their home at Huron, Wayne county, New York, where Albert, the subject of our biography and the youngest of six children, was born February 14, 1842. In 1844 they came to Fenton township, Genesee county, Michigan, to a farm one-half mile north of Linden, having traded their New York property for the forty-acre farm here without having previously seen it. It had a dwelling on it, however, and the family soon settled down to active life in what was practically a new world to them.
The father of the family lived to be seventy-three years of age, while the mother passed away in October, 1895, attaining the magnificent age of ninety-three years. She was one of the last survivors of the very early set- tlers, having lived for fifty years on the same farm.
The family consisted of five sons and one daughter, Mary Jane, who mar- ried William Gamber and died four years since at the age of seventy-five
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years. The sons were: Walter C., a farmer of Fenton township, who died at the age of seventy-seven years; Lewis, born in 1832 and now living in Linden ; Anson, born in 1834, unmarried, and now lives on the old homestead; Isaac C. is now living at Hale, Iosco county, Michigan.
Our subject, Albert H., grew to manhood on the farm, assuming charge of it as soon as old enough to stand that responsibility. He bought out the interests of the other heirs and assumed the care of his mother. He had an eye for business, however, and for several years he butchered and sold meat of various kinds. An opportunity to run a threshing machine presenting itself, he gave this his attention during seven seasons. While on a trip back to New York state in 1870 he saw a steam thresher for the first time, it being among the first manufactured.
In 1871, in company with Joseph Middleworth, he operated a grain elevator, continuing at this for about six years, and making of it a financial success. In 1877 he bought a good farm about two miles north of Linden, disposing of it three years later and reinvesting in the present homestead of eighty acres adjoining Linden. He purchased it in 1880 and has continued to operate it for twenty-six years. He still owns the old homestead and han- dles wool, beans, etc., in conjunction with his other business. He has given considerable attention to the raising of sheep, and is well versed not only in what constitutes good veal and market stock, but is thoroughly conversant with the subject in general, both as to value and utility.
In the year 1880 Mr. Buck purchased a one-half interest in the Linden elevator, which he and his partner jointly managed until 1886, when Mr. Buck purchased his partner's interest in the elevator and at once assumed the entire control of the business, in which he continued until 1906. He then disposed of the elevator and all that pertained to it, Mr. Fred Welch, of Fen- ton, Michigan, becoming the proprietor and manager.
Mr. Buck was married on December 31, 1863, to Miss Lydia Almira Chapin. Mrs. Chapin, the mother of Mrs. Buck, was born in Vermont and came to Michigan when fourteen years of age. She died when Lydia was about eight years old.
After Mrs. Chapin's death Mr. Chapin remained on the farm in Fen- ton township until the railroad survey cut into the farm, whereupon he dis- posed of it, removing to another tract in Shiawassee county.
Mr. and Mrs. Buck have had two sons, Oliver O., born October 5, 1869,
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and Herman A., born July 13, 1878. The latter is occupying the old home- stead, while the former is on the farm with his father.
Mr. Buck has not narrowed himself down to his neighborhood activities, but has taken time and opportunity to travel about over the country. He has visited some of the notable expositions that have been world-renowned, hav- ing attended the fairs at Philadelphia, Chicago and Buffalo. At all these places Mr. Buck was an interested investigator into those features that not only gave enlightenment of the world generally, but also of all matters that gave him a better outlook on his business life after returning to his home community. He does not believe in speculation, but is not at all afraid of a business venture, as is evidenced by his transaction recently made. In com- pany with another gentleman he purchased one thousand sheep in Idaho and shipped them to Buffalo, New York. At another time he purchased thirty double-decked carloads of lambs, leaving orders for them to be shipped one month later. He has not sought public office, but has rather preferred to de- vote himself unqualifiedly to his business interests.
CLARENCE O. HETCHLER.
The present incumbent of the treasurership of Genesee county is Clarence O. Hetchler, who was born at Linden, Michigan, April 17, 1872. His par- ents were Robert and Jane E. (Stevens) Hetchler. The former was born in New York state, while the latter was born in the "Buckeye state." They were married at Linden and lived upon the farm that had been purchased and cleared by Robert Hetchler's parents, the former coming later to Linden.
Clarence was educated in the Linden schools and completed a course at the Fenton Normal. He became a clerk in the postoffice and was also engaged as drug clerk. Later he entered into partnership with Albert Hetch- ler in the general merchandise business at Linden, which concern still con- tinues and has made a marvelous growth. At the start the capital amounted to about three hundred dollars. The present value of the stock is about $6,000 to $8,000, not including other business interests owned by the firm. Among these outside interests is the Linden wagon works, founded thirty-five years ago by Myron Harris. It passed into the hands of the Hetchler brothers two years ago. It has fine water power and several subsidiary departments. The major part of the business of the firm, however, has remained centered in the store. They carry a full line of dry goods, gents' furnishings, shoes, etc., their annual sales being approximately $15,000. For the past ten years Mr.
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Hetchler's father has also given much attention to high grade stock raising, taking special interest in maintaining fine breeds of horses. He owns a half- brother to Dan Patch, or Star Patchen, a horse of national repute.
Mr. Hetchler has had the knack of handling public affairs so accepta- bly that he has been constantly the recipient of tenders of public office. He has held many village appointments and has served two terms as township treasurer. He is a Republican and was nominated as candidate for the office of treasurer against heavy opposition, the primary law being in effect at the time of his nomination. He was elected by a handsome majority, and was inducted into the office January 1, 1907. He then removed with his family to Flint.
He was married in 1898 to Miss Emily Middlesworth, daughter of Fredrick J. and Carrie Middlesworth, of Linden. After seven years of peace- ful and congenial married life the wife was called hence, no children hav- ing been born of this union. In August, 1906, Mr. Hetchler was married again, this time to Mrs. Nellie Sadler, nec Scranton, at Vernon, Michigan. Her one daughter, Helen, is aged eleven years.
Mr. Hetchler is not only a vigorous business man and an efficient guardian of the county's trusts, but he also takes a deep interest in the prog- ress of the leading secret societies of the city. He is a member of the Ma- sonic fraternity and the Odd Fellows, having been district deputy in the lat- ter order for two years. He is also a member of the Loyal Guards and the Woodmen of America. He assisted in organizing and pushing the work of the Modern Woodmen in the community. It is to the credit of the people of the county that they have called into service a man of such strong traits as are found in the makeup of such an individual as Mr. Hetchler.
JOSEPH WALSH.
Mr. Joseph Walsh, retired resident of Flint, was born in County West Meath, Ireland, March 31, 1845. His father, Michael Walsh, was born in County West Meath, and his mother, Elizabeth (Fox) Walsh, was born in County Meath. These parents came to America when Joseph was three years old, arriving at Detroit in 1848. Mr. Walsh worked at the boiler maker's trade, making a specialty of rebuilding boilers. The family remained in Detroit until 1861, when they came to Lapeer county, Burnside township, and settled upon a tract of wild land, which had upon it a log cabin, but none of the land was under cultivation. Besides farming Mr. Walsh worked quite a bit at his trade, performing opportune service for the millers thereabouts, receiving good wages for his work.
Louis, the youngest of the family, still occupies this old (two hundred and eighty-acre) homestead. Later the parents removed to Flint, where the father died in 1894, aged eighty-two years. He was survived until 1900 by his companion, who went to live with a daughter at Detroit. Of the eight children born to them, all but one are still living.
Joseph attended the Christian Brothers' school in Detroit and then began work in the timber, assisting thus in maintaining and educating the younger members of the family. He was employed in the winter and springtime chiefly
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 3II
in getting out logs and running them down stream, and he soon became an expert at the work, being not only fearless and daring, but active and supple as well.
He commanded the best wages paid to anyone, and was quite expert with tools. He employed himself frequently in carving out ox yokes, ax handles, etc. During the summer seasons he engaged in harvesting, binding wheat or cradling, as occasion offered.
For many winters he was in the employ of S. S. Lee in the lumbering work, and often had exciting experiences in making the river runs. He was frequently kept at Flint to assist in clearing up the shipments. These ex- periences of his younger manhood gave him excellent training in that line of business and laid the foundations for his future success in the capacity of a lumberman. It would form a long story, indeed, to follow him through the various enterprises in which he became engaged. He was frequently offered double salary as a scaler and buyer of logs, and was in the employ of the Crapo Lumber Company for a number of years. Later he became associated with various lumber interests over the state, and especially in the heavy timber tracts near the lakes. In some of these enterprises he was sent by various lumber companies as an expert investigator, being entrusted with the duty of making a personal examination of the timber areas, and reporting his estimates to the company. In all of these cases his reports were accepted and acted upon, the fullest confidence being placed in his sound judgment and accurate conclusions. At various times he became part owner in some of these extensive lumber tracts and many of the milling enterprises represented investments of as much as $100,000 in a single venture. In 1880 he repre- sented the Delto Lumber Company in locating and laying out the site of the present thriving and prosperous village of Thompson, in Schoolcraft county, Michigan. In 1881 he laid out the first logging railroad in the upper penin- sula. He was especially successful in supervising the lumber camps and in handling large companies of men.
On account of failing health he was compelled to abandon active work in the timber and repaired to a farm near Flint, purchased from C. A. Mason. He put on a new stock of tools and rebuilt the farm house, making it one of the best in the county. He developed the drainage of the farm to a high degree of perfection, and was on this farm for eighteen years. In the mean- time, however, he continued his interests in the lumber business, and made
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many prosperous ventures. Some rebuffs were encountered during the panics of 1873 and 1893, and during the latter stress the company with which he was associated consigned its affairs to ex-Governor Rich as trustee, who, after a year or two, sold out its interests at a sacrifice, but met all obligations dollar for dollar. Space will not permit us to rehearse the details of other various and extensive operations, but mention may be made of some invest- ments in the west. In 1904 he secured an option on a tract of timber land in Oregon, and after visiting it made a purchase of sixteen hundred and eighty acres, which was estimated to contain a hundred million feet of lumber. In this R. J. Whaley became a partner with a half interest. Besides this he has mining interests in the northern part of the state and in Ontario, and is a stockholder in the National and the Citizens' Commercial banks, of Flint. He removed to the city in 1905 and keeps direct oversight of his various prop- erty interests here, which consist of numerous store buildings and residences.
He is the owner of Moon island in the Flint river. While still living on the farm in Flint township he was connected with the official affairs of the township, and was made supervisor for several terms.
On May 24. 1870, he was married at Flint to Miss Ellen Donovan, who was born at Landsdowne, Ontario, but who came later to Flint. The family consists of Joseph L., of Flint ; Spiridian F., of Detroit ; Ernest V., a book- keeper at Flint; Agnes, a teacher at home, and Edmund, also at home, and associated with the Michigan Paint Company.
Mr. Walsh is a Democrat in politics and a member of the St. Michael's Catholic church. He takes an active interest in social affairs, being a member of the Knights of Columbus, Loyal Guard, president of local branch of Catholic Mutual Benefit Association, Elks, and the Union Club, thus making the scope of his interest both wide and complete.
O
CHARLES J. LEWIS.
Charles J. Lewis, late of Flint, was the son of Benjamin Lewis, who, in turn, was the son of John and Lucretia ( Barnard) Lewis. The latter's an- cestry is traceable back to Thomas Ford, born in Plymouth, England, and an emigrant to America. He lived at Dorchester, Massachusetts, and later at Madison, Connecticut. Charles' father was a farmer by occupation.
He was born at Fremont. Ohio. August 31, 1850. At an early age, and before he had completed his schooling, he was called upon to face the stern realities of life. His mother died when he was fifteen years old, and, as the eldest of a large family of children. he was confronted by the respon- sibility of assisting his father in taking care of his brothers and sister. He began the activities of life by teaching school, and later was employed for seven years as a clerk in a shoe store in Fremont, meanwhile materially aiding in the care and support of his father's family. In 1877 he accepted a posi- tion as traveling salesman for Charles Groff & Company, a shoe manufac- turing firm of Cleveland, Ohio, and came to Flint to make this his head- quarters. With the retirement of this firm from business in 1882 he trans- ferred his services to the Cady-Ivison Shoe Company, of Cleveland, Ohio, in whose employ he continued up to the time of his death.
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On November 16, 1898, Mr. Lewis was united in marriage to Miss Louise Gage, daughter of Z. A. and E. V. Gage. She was born in Gaines township and was reared in the city of Flint. She proved a most devoted and helpful companion.
Besides his wife he was survived by five brothers and a sister-Chester D. Lewis, of Bellaire, Ohio; Frank B. Lewis, of Lima, Ohio; A. W. Lewis, of Toledo, Ohio; W. E. Lewis, of Mt. Pleasant, Michigan; Mrs. N. C. Sher- wood and W. S. Lewis, of Fremont, Ohio.
He was for two years secretary of the Michigan Knights of the Grip, being first elected to that office at the annual state meeting of the organiza- tion in this city three years ago last fall. He was also affiliated with the United Commercial Travelers, the Cleveland Commercial Travelers, the Na- tional Union and the Loyal Guard. He was a member of Genesee Valley Commandery, No. 15, Knights Templar; Washington Chapter, No. 15, Royal Arch Masons; Flint Council, No. 56, Royal and Select Masons; Michigan Sovereign Consistory and Moslem Temple, Mystic Shrine. Possessed of a genial and companionable disposition and a buoyant nature that radiated sun- shine wherever he went, he passed along the highway of life disseminating good cheer and helpfulness among those with whom he came in contact. Kind, sympathetic, considerate and charitable to a degree he did his part to make others happy, and it will always be remembered of him that he spoke ill of nobody, and ever stood ready to defend or palliate where others showed a disposition to criticise. Thus, in his passing he leaves behind him the mem- ory of a noble character as a heritage to his family and his friends.
The closing ceremonies over his mortal remains were thus described in one of the local papers: "Funeral services for Charles J. Lewis were held at the First Presbyterian church yesterday afternoon at 2:30 in the presence of a gathering of people that completely filled the commodious edifice. The services were in charge of Genesee Valley Commandery, No. 15, Knights Templars, ninety-five sir knights turning out in uniform to pay a last tribute of respect to the memory of their departed brother. A large number of local commercial travelers and others from outside points were in attendance-Bay City, Detroit, Grand Rapids, Lapeer, Port Huron and Saginaw being among the cities of the state to send delegations. The Michigan Sovereign Consistory was represented by Commander-in-chief Fredric B. Stevens and Joseph May- worm of Detroit."
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The following poem is appended as expressing appropriately many of the characteristics of our subject :
A FRIEND TO MAN.
BY SAM WALTER FOSS.
There are hermit souls that live withdrawn In the place of their self-content ; There are souls, like stars, that dwell apart, In a fellowless firmament ; There are pioneer souls that blaze their paths Where highways never ran ; But let me live by the side of the road, And be a friend to man.
Let me live in a house by the side of the road, Where the race of men go by ; The men who are good and the men who are bad, As good, and as bad, as I. I would not sit in the scorner's seat, Or hurl the cynic's ban ; Let me live in a house by the side of the road, And be a friend to man.
I see from my house by the side of the road, By the side of the highway of life, The men who press with the ardor of hope, The men who are faint with the strife. But I turn not away from their smiles nor their tears, Both parts of an infinite plan ; Let me live in my house by the side of the road, And be a friend to man.
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I know there are brook-gladdened meadows ahead, And mountains of wearisome height ; And the road passes on through the long afternoon, And stretches away to the night. But still I rejoice when the travelers rejoice, And weep with the strangers that moan, Nor live in my house by the side of the road Like a man who dwells alone.
Let me live in my house by the side of the road, Where the race of men go by ;
They are good, they are bad, they are weak, they are strong, Wise, foolish, and so am I. Then why should I sit in the scorner's seat, Or hurl the cynic's ban? Let me live in my house by the side of the road, And be a friend to man.
HON. JOHN ROGER BENSON.
It is worth while to note that the citizenship of Genesee county numbers among its members not only people of distinct financial success, of patriotic fervor, and of religious consecration, but also men and women of high literary culture and taste. Our summary of the county's roll would not be complete did it not include the Hon. John Roger Benson, of Mt. Morris.
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