USA > Michigan > Genesee County > Biographical history of Genesee County, Michigan > Part 22
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Mr. Benson was born at Manchester, England, June 5, 1837. His father, Henry Benson, was a native of England, but his mother, Elizabeth (Dooley) Benson, was of Irish birth. She was the daughter of Patrick and Julia (Kennedy) Dooley, devout adherents to the Catholic faith. In 1840, when John was three years of age, his parents emigrated to America, sailing from Liberpool, and after a short stay in New York city and New Jersey, they came on to Genesee county, Michigan. They settled in Mt. Morris township, where Mr. Benson bought a small piece of wild land, which he soon cleared. He made additions to this tract as the years went by and at the time of his death had come into possession of several valuable farms.
For the first few years after his arrival he engaged in teaming, as well as farming. During the Civil war he went to Bay City and conducted there a general merchandise business, both making and losing considerable money. He also branched out into a lake carrying business, purchasing a boat of his own and running it himself, between Bay City, Sandusky and other ports. In the spring of 1874, his wife having died August 23. 1873, he returned to Genesee county and continued here until the close of his life. Some years before his death, in February, 1897, he removed to a farm in the outskirts of Flint. He was a Republican in politics, but was not an aspirant for public
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office, and demonstrated his patriotism by living the life of an exemplary American citizen.
Six children were born of this union, of whom our subject, John R., was the eldest. Henry and Julia died in infancy. The fourth, William Henry, died a prisoner of war in the Confederate prison at Belle Isle. He enlisted in the First Michigan Cavalry and was taken prisoner at Gettysburg. The next in order of birth was Elizabeth, who became a sister of the Sacred Heart, and was called to her reward in 1898. The youngest of the family was Mary Ellen, now the wife of Patrick Lourim, of Banks, Bay county, Michigan.
Mr. Henry Benson was married the second time, joining himself to Mrs. Margaret Robinson, who bore him two children-Emma, who became the wife of Floyd Marsh, a successful farmer of Genesee county, and Fred- erick H., who is also engaged in farming.
John R. has spent almost all of his life in Genesee county. He was reared on the farm and received his early education in the district schools of the neighborhood. When older he attended the Flint public school, and took also a partial normal course at Ypsilanti. In addition to this he has been a most industrious reader, and by means of individual research has ex- tended the scope of his education in a very marked degree.
In the winter of 1858-59 he began teaching, and for several years con- tinued his work, occupying his summers at farming. On March 7, 1862, having gone to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to attend business college, he enlisted in the One Hundred and Fifteenth Pennsylvania Infantry, Company F, which was later-before Petersburg-merged with the One Hundred and Tenth Volunteer Infantry of the same state. He continued his service in this regiment throughout the war. His experiences in the great struggle were not unlike those of others in the field. He underwent the usual hardships and exposures, and participated in such conflicts as the Seven Days' Battles, Second Battle of Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Battle of the Wilder- ness, Petersburg campaign, Appomattox, as well as numerous minor skir- mishes. The mere mention of the above names is sufficient to convey to the reader an idea of what active service in this regiment meant. Yet throughout all these Mr. Benson came out without a wound and without capture.
At the close of this eventful career he returned to Genesee county and purchased the farm in Mt. Morris township, which he still owns. For four winters after the war he resumed teaching, and then discontinued that work,
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devoting himself exclusively to farming. By so doing he has been able to make additions to his original purchase, and has brought what was a wild and uncultivated tract up to a high grade, productive and model farm, hav- ing removed to Mt. Morris village in the spring of 1874.
In early life Mr. Benson was a Republican, but later was affiliated with the People's party, which became fused with the Democratic party. In 1890 Mr. Benson was elected to the state senate by the joint vote of the two above mentioned parties, and served for one term, giving his constituents most loyal and efficient representation. At the next election he was renominated by acclamation by both parties, but the entire ticket was defeated, and this closed Mr. Benson's career in that field. He has also filled the office of supervisor of his own township, and has been president of Mt. Morris village.
On January 7, 1866, Mr. Benson was united in marriage to Miss Mary S. Bresette, of South Bend, St. Joseph county, Indiana. She was born October 2, 1843, and was the daughter of Louis and Mary Louise (Chan- donia) Bresette, both of French extraction, Mr. Bresette being a native of Canada.
Mr. and Mrs. Benson have been blessed with eight children, all but one of whom are living. Mary E. is the wife of George C. Goodyear, of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania ; Edward H., once a naval engineer, is now in the west ; William Arthur follows the meat business at Linden, Michigan; Florence H. is em- ployed as adjuster of claims at a high salary by the Federal Casualty Com- pany of Detroit. E. Louise is the wife of E. Costello, a farmer of Genesee township; John C. is a graduate of the University of Michigan and a suc- cessful practitioner of medicine at Flint; Robert Louis has obtained the de- grees of A. B. and Ph. D. at the University of Michigan and is now at the Chicago University preparing to enter the medical profession; George A. died in infancy.
Mr. Benson is a literary man, having, as before stated, read extensively. He has made a critical study of literature and is fond of the poets. He has written considerable verse, having compiled four volumes of poems and sketches of his own composition, but as yet has published no volume. Many magazines have been favored with contributions from his pen, consisting of both poetry and prose, and he has been fortunate in winning many prizes, both in prose and verse.
In 1890 Mr. Benson was sent to California in the interests of the Murphy
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estate. James Murphy died in San Francisco, California, and Mr. Benson closed up his affairs in El Paso, Texas, and elsewhere and had the remains sent home for re-interment, making also a somewhat extended tour of the west and of Mexico. In 1900 he made a trip abroad, visiting points of interest in Eng- land, Scotland, Ireland, Wales and the Isle of Man. He also attended the world's exposition at Paris. He keeps abreast of the times in all particulars and maintains a lively interest in all matters political, social and religious.
He and his family are members of the Catholic faith. He belongs to the Catholic Mutual Benefit Association, the Knights of Columbus and the Grand Army of the Republic.
CHARLES T. BRIDGMAN.
It is a matter of pride to the citizenship of Flint that there are within its bounds men who are not only individuals of marked success in business, but are also men of wide culture and broad interests. One excellent representative of this type is Charles T. Bridgman, president of the Union Trust and Sav- ings Bank, and secretary and treasurer of Smith-Bridgman & Company, the leading mercantile establishment of the city.
Mr. Bridgman was born at Huntsburg, Grange county, Ohio, December 6, 1845. His parents came from Northampton, Massachusetts, and settled in Ohio in early days. At the age of thirteen Charles went to Chicago and entered the preparatory department of the old Chicago University, making his home with his brother, whose wife was a relative of William L. Smith, of Flint, whither Charles came later. Charles also attended the Russell Military school at New Haven, Connecticut.
On coming to Flint he entered the mercantile establishment with which he is now connected, taking his place at the lower end of the ladder. He climbed up through all the grades of work until he reached the office. For forty years he has had charge of the company's office work, and during these years the business has had a steady growth each year, showing not only some profit but an expansion of scope as well.
A short resume of the life history of the firm of Smith-Bridgman &
2I
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Company may be of interest to our readers. The house was established in 1862 by William L. Smith as William L. Smith & Company. For four years Mr. Fredrick W. Judd was associated with Mr. Smith, at the expira- tion of which time Eli T. Smith became Mr. Judd's successor. In 1871 Charles T. Bridgman, our subject, became a member of the firm, having been in the establishment for six years, and in 1874 the firm name of Smith, Bridgman & Company was adopted, and has so continued since. Eli T. Smith, brother of William L., died in March, 1903. He resigned a clerk- ship at Waterbury, Connecticut, to join his brother at Flint. He was an expert salesman-one of the best ever doing business in the city. William L. hailed from Waterbury, Connecticut, and before coming west was buyer for a large mercantile house. His death took place in March, 1906, and he is succeeded by his son, Walter Q. Smith, as president and general manager. The firm's annual business exceeds $350,000, and three floors and a base- ment do not furnish sufficient room for their stock. Arrangements are being made for enlarging their room space, and over fifty salesmen are constantly employed in taking care of the business.
Other business interests also have occupied some of Mr. Bridgman's attention. He was a charter member of the water works company and he became president of the Union Trust Bank upon its organization, giving it efficient and effective direction. The following figures taken from the books of the Union Trust and Savings Bank June 1, 1907, show the phenomenal growth of this bank during the last ten years, and speak volumes for the conservative and energetic management of the institution.
On September 13, 1870, Mr. Bridgman was married at Caledonia, New York, to Miss Sarah Mckay, of that town. She is a woman of culture and attainments, a member of the Shakespeare Club and a devout worker in the Congregational church. The one son, Lewis H., is assistant cashier of the Union Trust and Savings Bank.
Mr. Bridgman's travels have been quite extensive, embracing not only the new but the old world as well. He has made three trips abroad, includ- ing journeys in Egypt, up the Nile to Luxor, also in Palestine and Turkey. He spent six days in Jerusalem and also visited Balbec and Damascus. He has visited all European countries except Russia and Scandinavia. He spent a great deal of time in the famous art galleries of Europe, including the
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London art galleries, the ones at Berlin, Dresden and Rome, as well as the Louvre of Paris.
In the United States he has visited every state and territory in the Union. While in Mexico he met President Diaz and made a close study of the Aztec antiquities of Mexico and California, summarizing many of his experiences and observations in a course of most interesting and instructive lectures, the hearing of which is indeed a most desirable privilege.
Mr. Bridgman is also a member of the Congregational church, being treasurer of the society and having served for thirty-five years on the board of trustees. He is a member of the Masonic orders of Flint and is a Scottish Rite Mason.
This brief summary of the varied activities of our subject serve but to give a glimpse of his broad personality. His life in the community has been a stimulus to a more definite, energetic and effective citizenship.
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THOMAS D. PARTRIDGE.
Mr. Thomas D. Partridge was born in Devonshire, England, on March 6, 1833. His parents, Thomas and Anna (Dawe) Partridge, were also natives of Devonshire and came to America in 1835, Thomas, Jr., being then but two years old. For about four years they made their home in Genesee county, New York, in the town of Stafford. In September, 1839, they came to Genesee county, Michigan, and settled on a farm in Atlas township. This land was covered with forest and one can readily imagine the formidable work necessary to bring it under cultivation.
Then, also another condition confronted him, and that was that there were no schools at all in this vicinity. He bought one hundred and thirty acres there, and in the following June he returned to New York, coming back with his family in September. He settled upon the land he had pur- chased in Atlas township, remaining there for about two years, at which time he sold that farm and removed to Flint township. The county at that time was being rapidly settled, and more schools were soon established.
He began improving his land in Flint township and getting it into shape, and continued there until January, 1867. He then removed to Flint, where he enjoyed a retired life until his death, May 20, 1880, in his seventy-ninth year. The mother passed away January 12, 1883, also in her seventy- ninth year.
Four children were born to them, consisting of Anna, deceased, who was the wife of W. R. Hubbard, of Flint; Thomas, our subject, was next in order of birth; then we have John F., a retired resident of Port Huron; while the fourth, Charles W., is a prosperous merchant of Flint.
Thomas was reared on the home farm, spending all his early years there except four. In 1867-68 he was engaged in the mercantile business at Byron, Shiawassee county, Michigan. In 1868 he went to southwestern Missouri on a prospecting tour and was gone for several months. He found nothing there that impressed him with any great force, and he consequently returned to Genesee county.
In the autumn of 1868 he joined with his brother in the mercantile busi- ness, but disposed of his interest in the following spring and returned to his farm in Flint township, which he had purchased of his father in 1862. He engaged in farming until 1880, at which time he rented out his farm and
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removed to the city of Flint, continuing there for eight years. In April, 1888, he again returned to the farm in Flint township, where he has since resided. During this time he employed all of his time to the very best pos- sible advantage, and gradually came into possession of several fine pieces of land, many of them being highly improved. He has three hundred and eighty acres in Flint and Burton townships and eighty-six acres near Clio, Michigan. The buildings on his farm are substantial and convenient, and are the result of hard and industrious work, as well as wise and effective management.
In 1870 Mr. Partridge was united in marriage to Miss Naomi Burren, who was born in Wayne county, New York, and was the daughter of James and Hannah Burren, who came to Genesee county, Michigan, in 1859.
They first settled in Mt. Morris township, but later removed to Mundy township, where the father died at the age of sixty-six years. The mother then made her home with her two sons, Charles and Frank, of Grand Blanc township. She departed this life December 4, 1906, having reached her seventy-third year. Six of her children grew to maturity. Besides Naomi these were William, Lillie, Julia, Frank and Charles.
Mr. Partridge has never sought to get before the public, but he has been actively identified with the Republican party and has taken a vital interest in the general local affairs.
FRANK McWETHY.
Among the many attractive features of the city of Flint are its hotel ac- commodations. These are not only ample and commodious, but they are conducted on economic and conservative lines, thus affording the public good entertainment at reasonable figures. In considering these mention must be made of the Sherman Hotel, owned by Frank McWethy, into whose pos- session the hotel passed about three years ago.
Mr. McWethy was born in Wyoming county, New York, November 24, 1862. His parents, Frank and Fanny (McDonnell) McWethy, were both natives of New York. They were devout people and loyal members of the Methodist faith. They came west in 1865 and made their first location
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at Saginaw, Michigan. Here the father entered into the grocery business and continued therein until his death in 1902, having had a successful career not only as a business man, but also as congenial neighbor and upright citizen. The mother is still living at Clare, Michigan, having married again in the meantime. She and Mr. McWethy were the parents of five children, viz .: Eva, Frank, our subject; Fredrick, Walter and Fanny, who is now deceased.
Frank was but four years old when his parents came to Saginaw. He received his early education in the public schools of that city. After reaching maturity he became engaged in contracting and bulding, and followed that line of work for several years.
In about 1887 he entered into the liquor business at Flint and has been engaged in that ever since, purchasing in 1904 the Sherman Hotel, which he has been conducting in a most satisfactory manner up to the present time. He maintains first-class accommodations at reasonable rates.
On July 5, 1883, Mr. McWethy was united in marriage to Miss May McDonnell, who was a native of England, and a daughter of Patrick and May McDonnell, who came from England to America many years ago. Patrick McDonnell was for several years employed by the Pere Marquette Railroad Company. He and his wife, both now deceased, were most estimable people and were members of the Catholic church. Frank McWethy and his wife are the parents of four children, consisting of Frank, Jr .; Eva, Claude and Walter. The mother and children affiliate with the Catholic church.
Mr. McWethy is a member of both the Eagles and the Elks, and takes a lively interest in the current topics of the day.
CHARLES BATES-DURAND.
Charles Bates was born at Shaftsburg, Bennington county, Vermont, September 9, 1809. In 1834 he came to Genesee county, Michigan, from Rushville, Yates county, New York, with his wife, Catherine (Woodworth) Bates, whom he had married at Rushville. They settled on a farm in Grand Blanc township, where they continued to make their home during the re- mainder of their days. They were most splendid neighbors and people that made the warmest of friends. Their industry and thrift resulted in bringing
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their farm up to a very satisfactory state of cultivation. Mr. Bates was not only successful as a farmer, but possessed considerable business and executive ability. He retired from active work early in the '80s.
On September 7, 1890, Mrs. Bates was called to her reward. She was survived by her husband until March 30. 1907. Five children were born to this union. Augustus died in infancy. The other four in order of birth were Augusta, Rachel, Woodworth and Catherine.
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HENRY CLARK WALKER.
Henry Clark Walker, brother of Levi and James B. Walker, was born in Summerhill, Cayuga county, New York, April 26, 1815, and died Feb- ruary 19, 1880. His early life was spent on his father's farm. When yet a young man he came to Flint, Michigan, where he had been preceded by two elder brothers. For a time he engaged in teaching school at Grand Blanc.
After the location of the state capital at Lansing he resided there for a brief period and engaged in mercantile business. Later he returned to Flint and joined his two brothers, James B. and Levi, in general mercantile busi- ness. While unbending integrity was perhaps Mr. Walker's chief character- istic, yet by a continual unostentatious kindly helpfulness he seemed to have won the sincere and affectionate regard of all who knew him. To his imme- diate family and relatives he was the embodiment of all that was truly gentle and noble. During his long residence in Flint he filled many positions of public trust. At the time of his death he was alderman from the third ward, secretary of the board of trustees of Union school district, and deacon of the Presbyterian church, which latter position he had occupied for a long series of years. In 1863 he married Miss A. J. Hammersley, an English woman, who. with two sons, survived him. His sons, Rev. William H. Walker, preaching at South Haven, Michigan, and Rev. Henry H. Walker, of Boulder, Colorado, are doing valiant service in the cause of righteousness.
JOHN HUGHES.
Mr. John Hughes, a highly respected citizen of Mt. Morris, was born in Vienna township, Genesee county, Michigan, November 16, 1842. His father. Christopher Hughes, came to Genesee county, Michigan, in 1836, and settled in Vienna township. He was engaged in construction work for the Perre Marquette Railroad and continued at that for several years. Following this he operated a farm, and continued to do so until his death, which oc- curred when he had reached his ninety-second year. Nine children were born to him, of which our subject, John, was the eighth. He was ten years old when his parents removed to Genesee township, and this was their home when John enlisted in Company C of the Twenty-third Michigan Vol- unteer Infantry, in August, 1862. He remained in the service until the war closed, and became thoroughly familiar through first hand experience with what it meant to contend with a foe upon the field of battle.
After returning from the army he immediately sought employment and ere long became engaged as clerk in a general store at Mt. Morris, con- tinuing at this for several years. He then worked at farming for his father for about one year, and next entered mercantile life by engaging in busi- ness at County Line, in Saginaw county. He continued to follow this work for a number of years, and then turned his attention to carpentry and con-
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tracting, carrying on that work at Evart, Michigan, for about twenty years, or until 1890. He had started the foundry business in 1891 while at Evart. He continued to live there until 1899, at which time he returned to Mt. Morris township, and has there devoted himself largely to farming, after spending about two and one-half years in Mt. Morris. He still owns and carries on the foundry business in conjunction with his other work.
On February II, 1866, Mr. Hughes was married to Miss Emily Mann, who was born in Canada, January 22, 1845. She was the daughter of Wil- liam H. and Laura (Boutwell) Mann, pioneer settlers of Genesee county, having come hither in 1852. He became owner of the land now taken up by the northern part of Mt. Morris. Both parents ended their days in Mt. Morris, the father reaching the age of sixty-five years, while the mother attained the age of over eighty years. Their family was quite large and Emily was one of the older children.
Mr. and Mrs. Hughes are the parents of eight children, only four of whom are living. They are : Laura, Edmund, Christopher C., and Forrest M. The other children died when still at a tender age.
Mr. Hughes has been one of the village trustees for several years. He is a public-spirited citizen, and has done much to promote the general welfare of the community. He has not only led an exemplary life, but has sought both by precept and example to stimulate a spirit of good fellowship and neighborliness in the locality. Mr. and Mrs. Hughes are devout members of the Catholic church.
ISAAC N. WALKER.
Mr. Isaac N. Walker, of 1024 Stockton street, Flint, is the county super- intendent of the poor. His paternal ancestors were from Canada, having emigrated from there to New York state. His father, Walter Walker, was born in Canada, but the family soon removed to New York, and later to Michigan. Isaac's father, Walter, born in 1807, was reared in New York state, but came finally to Genesee county, Michigan, in 1836. He purchased a tract of land in Grand Blanc township, which was then in a wild and un- improved state. He set himself resolutely to the work of reclaiming the land, and his hard and untiring efforts soon brought the soil under subjection. This farm became his permanent home, and he continued thereon until his death in 1886, at the age of eighty-nine. Although he aspired to no political office he was not indifferent to the general interests of the community, and therefore took an active part in the county and township affairs. He was an ardent Republican, having become identified with that party upon its organi- zation. But not only in business and public affairs did he do his part, but he took an active interest also in the religious life of the community, being one of what might be called the Puritan type.
The mother of our subject, Julia ( Remington) Walker, was a native of Connecticut. She was seven years old when her father, Elihew Remington,
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