USA > Michigan > Genesee County > Biographical history of Genesee County, Michigan > Part 24
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In connection with this work he also devoted himself to photography, and has acquired considerable skill in this line. He found it convenient also to take part in undertaking work to a limited extent. In 1888 he took charge of the "Enterprise" and conducted it for Mrs. E. F. Lamb. In about a year's time, however, he took complete possession of the paper, and since then has been its editor and proprietor.
The "Enterprise" is having a splendid circulation and is doing excellent work in that part of the county. Mr. Adams has addressed himself resolutely to the task of producing a clean, masterly and popular sheet, and the "end crowns the work." Its columns exert a potent educational influence on the thinking public, and contain able discussions on questions of importance to all. Its years have been years of growth, inasmuch as the progress of human life consists in advancing from the old standards and views to ones that are light and new, and to do this some one must lead the way. It is the privilege of the editors of the day to do much toward stimulating advancement in public affairs.
On January 1, 1865, Mr. Adams was married to Miss Anna Ward. Miss Ward was of English parentage, and was left an orphan early in life. She has proved herself an able and companionable helpmeet, and is the mother of three daughters. Of these Flora is the wife of William Holtslander, of Flint. Maude is ably assisting her father in the office ; the third daughter is Velanche. Taken all in all it would seem that we have here an apt illustration of the ful- filling of the maxim laid down by Thoreau :
"Be not only good; be good for something."
REV. TIMOTHY J. MURPHY.
Reverend Timothy J. Murphy, rector of St. Michael's Roman Catholic church of Flint, Michigan, to which he began to minister in June, 1880, was born in Cork, Ireland, May 4, 1848. He was the son of Jeremiah and Margaret (Dacy) Murphy. He received a collegiate education at All Hal- low's College, Dublin, being there prepared for the ministry, though he was not ordained till reaching America, whither he came in 1870. Four months later he was ordained in the Cathedral of Detroit by Bishop Borgess, and was assigned work in Bay City as assistant rector in St. James's church, but was soon transferred to Grand Haven, where he did most excellent and satisfac- tory work. Upon the division of the state into two dioceses he was asked by his bishop to return to the Detroit diocese. He was then sent to Flint, where the church had already existed for forty years, having been estab- lished in 1840.
The original small frame building was still used, but a more com- modious edifice was demanded, and the bishop seemed to think that Father Murphy was the man to build it. The work was at once begun, resulting in the completion in 1883 of a building suitable to the needs of a growing congregation. Subsequent developments have demonstrated the wisdom and foresight of its founder, for the structure has well served its purpose, and is at the present time a credit to the architectural beauty of Flint. It is fifty by
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one hundred and thirty feet in size, and was erected at a cost of $30,000. The present congregation numbers about four thousand souls.
A parochial school is being conducted by six sisters of the Immaculate Heart. Near the parochial school is the sisters' house, while in the close vicinity of the church the pastor's residence is located, all the buildings being on Saginaw and ยท Fifth and Chippewa streets. The beautiful grounds and fine buildings have been improved and decorated by the present pastor. Father Murphy Hall was erected in 1903 to accommodate the social and business needs of the congregation, as well as the many allied societies, such as the Knights of Columbus, etc. It stands near the church, is forty by one hundred feet in size, and was erected at a cost of $15,0000, of which $10,000 was donated by Protestant friends. Its handsome auditorium will seat seven hundred people and is fitted in modern style, having a stage and the usual accessories. The basement is arranged with a kitchen and a large banquet hall, together with a smoking room. The policy of Father Murphy is to let as large a benefit as possible accrue from the advantages of such an assembly hall, and its use is thrown open to all churches alike-Catholic or Protestant.
Father Murphy is a broad-minded ecclesiastic whose theology has not prevented an enlarged view of living conditions, and who sees in every earnest and honest worker for celestial things a brother man, and one whose argu- ments of the divinity of Christ but strengthen the basic claims of his own mother church. With a warmth of heart for the poor and needy, his earnest effort has been to lighten the heavy burden and dry the tear of misery. No citizen of Flint is held in greater esteem, and none has in his heart greater sympathy than he to heal the pangs of trouble or alleviate the hearts bowed down with sorrow. He is thoroughly American and believes in home rule for Flint, as well as for his fatherland, glorying in the little that has just been granted the land of his birth by the English nation. Like his namesake, late an American priest in Rome, who, upon being told by some Americans that had had an audience with the pope, that they hoped he would sit in the papal chair upon their next visit, responded, "That may be, but if I ever get there I will hang the American flag on the outer walls of the the Vatican."
Father Murphy is a Democrat, but at a late banquet upon his organization of a Jeffersonian Club among his friends, he said that Roosevelt was a good enough Democrat for any man. Father Murphy is also a good mixer, and
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many of his earnest friends are found among his political opponents, or among those whose fraternal ties are antagonistic to Catholic teachings, but the ties of friendship are cemented by those stronger ties that are as broad as humanity itself.
FRANK BOVEE.
Mr. Frank Bovee, township clerk of Burton township, was born in Howard county, Iowa, March 11, 1857. His parents, John C. and Sarah (Bonoy) Bovee, came to Genesee county in the spring of 1892, and made their home in Burton township, where the father died in May, 1895.
Of the four children making up the family Frank is the only surviving member, the others dying when quite young. The parents left the state of Iowa in May, 1857, and removed to the western part of Illinois, where they remained about seven years. They then came on to Oakland county. Michi- gan, where they were living as Frank grew up to manhood. He received his education in the common schools of the district and continued to work on the farm until reaching the age of twenty-five. During one winter he employed himself at school teaching, and then for five years he operated a general store near his home in Oakland county.' Later he became engaged in operating a lumber and shingle mill in Lapeer county, continuing at this for about two years. He then came to Burton township, Genesee county, and here directed his attention to gardening and the raising of small fruit. He made this work quite a study and acquired considerable knowledge and skill in developing the industry. In addition to this he became interested in the bridge business and for two years was a salesman on the road in that connection. In 1900 he directed his attention to the painting trade, and has been engaged in that work up to the present time.
During those years he has adhered steadily to upright and reliable methods of doing business and has won the confidence and esteem of all with whom he has come in contact.
Mr. Bovee was married in Oakland county, Michigan, on July 28, 1886, to Miss Mary E. Strator, who was born in McComb county, Michigan, and the daughter of Charles A. and Martha (West) Strator, people of most excellent standing in that community. Mr. and Mrs. Bovee are the
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parents of two children-Bertha Mae and Charles A .- and they take great pleasure in trying to make for their children a home environment that will develop in them the proper spirit of character and citizenship.
Mr. Bovee has always taken a deep interest in educational affairs, realiz- ing the great need in the present age for a sound foundation upon which to rear the structure of life. He held the office of school treasurer for six years and for several years filled the place of director. He was elected clerk of Burton township for the first time in the spring of 1897, and has served almost continuously ever since, his direct business methods winning the con- fidence and respect of the people. He takes an active interest in all affairs pertaining to the welfare of the public, and does not hesitate to let his con- victions be known. He affiliates with the Republican party and is a mem- ber of the Burton Center (Grange) and of the Independent Order of Gleaners.
MR. AND MRS. FREDERICK J. BURT.
Mr. Fredrick J. Burt, overseer of the Genesee county poor farm, was born in Burton township, Genesee county, Michigan, December 26, 1872. His parents, Fredrick and Margaret (Graham) Burt, were natives of Canada, and came to Genesee county in 1869. They settled in Burton township, where they lived until 1900, at which time they removed to Tuscola county, where they still reside. They are engaged in farming and are the parents of nine children, five sons and four daughters, of which family Fredrick was the second child.
He was brought up on the farm, and thus early in life learned the rugged lessons afforded by that experience. He took advantage of all the education he could obtain in the common schools of the neighborhood, and later took a business course in the city of Flint, continuing there for two years. Sub- sequently he became engineer at the Michigan school for the deaf, continuing in that work for some two years, and during that time he demonstrated his ability to manage the work both economically and effectively. Aside from this he has made farming his chief occupation, finding work in that field best suited to his tastes and desires, preferring the independent atmosphere of the life on the farm to the restrictions of a business career.
On March 12, 1901, he was married at Omer, Arenac county, Michigan, to Miss Rosa Gorrie, born in Detroit, and the daughter of William and Catherine Gorrie.
Mr. and Mrs. Burt are the parents of two children, Clouston A. and Hazen G., and the parents are doing their best to train them up in such a way as to make them useful members of society and state.
Mr. Burt was appointed overseer of the Genesee county poor farm in
23
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April, 1906. This farm consists of one hundred and ten acres, and is equipped with good buildings and modern improvements. It sustains on an average sixty inmates, and these are well taken care of and receive the most thoughtful and kindly attention.
No effort is spared to make the institution a home of the most con- genial sort, and to make its occupants feel the influence of kindness and sympathy. At the same time the management is conducted on a strictly economic and business-like basis.
Mr. Burt takes an active interest in all township and county affairs. He is a Republican in politics, but does not place party above principle, taking at all times a firm stand for just and square dealing in the administration of the people's affairs.
Mrs. Burt has been a most excellent helper to her husband in the man- agement of the home, insisting at all times for a clean and sanitary condition of the institution. They are members of the Presbyterian church and are active workers for the cause. Mr. Burt is a member of the Masonic fraternity and has done much to promote the interests of the order in the county. He still retains considerable property interests in the city of Flint.
REUBEN A. CARMAN.
Mr. Reuben A. Carman, a well-to-do and highly respected farmer of Burton township, Genesee county, was born in Lewiston, Niagara county, New York, July 16, 1825. His parents, Elijah and Jane (Mars) Carman, were natives of New York state. They came from Niagara county, New York, to Oakland county, Michigan, in 1834, but lived there only one year, when they came to Genesee county and purchased eighty acres of wooded land in section twenty-five of Flint township, upon which they settled in the year 1835 and built the first house that was erected in Flint township. Elijah Carman died August 30, 1840, when in his fortieth year, and his wife de- parted this life March 20, 1870, aged sixty-eight years. She was making her home with Reuben at the time of her death. Their family consisted of three children, two sons and one daughter, another daughter having died at the age of four years before the family left New York. The other son, Ira B., died in Flint township in 1845. Reuben was the eldest of the family, and is now the only surviving member.
He was ten years old when his parents settled in Flint township. He remained at home during the lifetime of his father, and up until his marriage, at which time his mother made her home with him, continuing to do so until her death.
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He was married in Flint township on November 23, 1845, to Miss Mary Ann Brew, who was born in St. Lawrence county, New York, August 31, 1826. Her parents were James and Nancy (Frazier) Brew, who died in New York state. They were the parents of four children-Nancy, James, Mary Ann and William.
Mary came to Genesee county, Michigan, in 1844, and was married the following year. She and Mr. Carman made their home in Flint township until 1867. In December of that year they made their home across the road from their former place, this move placing them in Burton township, and here they have since resided. They celebrated their golden wedding in 1895 and their sixtieth anniversary in 1905. Very few of the older people of Genesee county can lay claim to such a long period of domestic union and happiness. Five children were born into the family. Eugene died of small- pox in 1873, aged twenty-six years. Emily A. died in 1877, aged twenty- nine. Ella is the wife of F. W. Eisentrager, of Flint. The next child in the order of birth was Emma and then R. Arthur, who died in 1900, at the age of thirty-four. He was a practicing physician of some note in Saginaw county, having been located there for three years.
Mr. and Mrs. Carman are faithful members of the First Baptist church of Flint, having become so in 1855, and for over forty-five years Mr. Car- man has been a deacon in the church, being an honorary deacon at the present time. He has held the office of justice of the peace for a number of years, and has always been identified with any movement in the community whose purpose was to promote the general welfare. He keeps his fine farm of one hundred and twenty-three acres in excellent repair and in a productive and profitable condition.
SAMUEL R. ATHERTON.
Mr. Charles C. Atherton was born in Burton township May 27, 1863. His father, the late Samuel R. Atherton, was a native of Oakland county, this state, and after coming to Genesee county became a man of considerable prominence in county affairs. Charles's mother was Mary (Lloyd) Atherton, a native of Henderson, Jefferson county, New York. She was married to Samuel R. Atherton at Bradner, Wood county, Ohio, on the 18th day of December, 1855. They came immediately to Genesee county, Michigan, and settled on the farm now owned by the subject of our sketch, who inherited it a short time since.
Mr. Samuel Atherton was a man of considerable energy and firm con- victions. He took an active interest in political affairs and adhered to the tenets of the Republican party. His ability as a financier and his keen busi- ness insight soon attracted the attention of his neighbors, and in due time he became well known all over the county. As a result he was placed on the county ticket for treasurer and was easily elected. He discharged the duties of the office in an efficient and masterly way, giving general satis- faction throughout the term. He also served as president and treasurer for many years of the Farmers' Mutual Insurance Company, besides putting in five years as township supervisor and ten years as township clerk prior to his
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election as treasurer of the county. He also served a total period of six years as superintendent of the poor of Genesee county, but these duties, as well as his farm work, did not deter him from active church work. He was deacon for many years of the First Baptist church of Flint. His death took place April 12, 1900, at the age of sixty-seven years. Charles's mother co-operated actively with her husband, in all his affairs, but was especially interested in church work. She died at the old homestead, April 30, 1887, at the age of fifty-two years. Two children were born of this union, but Charles C. is the only survivor, the other son, Lewis, having died in infancy. Charles was an active and lively boy and showed an interest in books quite early in life. His desire for an education grew stronger as he advanced in boyhood, and he applied himself diligently to his studies. His school career continued until he had completed the high school course at Flint. He has devoted himself to farming, finding in that occupation not only profit and pleasure, but also an opportunity to make scientific study of the problems of the soil. He was married at Portland, Michigan, on March 18, 1885, to Miss Phoebe Tyler Morehouse, of that city. Miss Morehouse was the daughter of Japtha and Phobe (Tyler) Morehouse, who were well known and highly respected citizens of Portland.
Mr. and Mrs. Atherton are the parents of two daughters, Josephine M. and Mary Helen. The members of the family are people that feel their responsibilities as citizens of the community, and are ever willing to con- tribute their share of time and means to those things that make for the general good. They are efficient workers in the First Baptist church of Flint, and Mr. Atherton has for five years been a member of the board of trustees. He has also been identified with township affairs to a limited extent. having served for a term as township treasurer, and one term as justice of the peace. Only a visit to their home is needed to convince one of its spirit of thrift and good fellowship. Samuel R. was superintendent of the poor of Genesee county at one time for two terms, making in all six years.
HON. H. H. PROSSER.
The Honorable H. H. Prosser, of Flushing, Genesee county, Michigan, was born in Lansing, Michigan, March 13, 1870. His father, Edwin A. Prosser, was an active attorney of Lansing. His mother's maiden name was Esther A. Elsworth. These parents both departed this life while living at South Lyons, in Oakland county. Their family consisted of three children, of whom our subject was the youngest. He was educated at Lansing and at Lyons, receiving the best training that was available. He was a boy of studious habits and possessed a liking for chemistry and science. He early studied pharmacy in the State University, and followed that business in differ- ent places for about nine years. In 1893 he came to Flushing, and has since made that place his home. He was engaged in the drug business as clerk for some four years. Then for some time he engaged with J. E. Ottaway & Company in the hay and produce business. He is a man of his word and has the confidence and trust of all who know him. His business methods have always been direct, and his grasp of general affairs have been such as to win the esteem of friends and neighbors, and this friendly relation has never been broken.
In the fall of 1904 he was selected as candidate for the state legislature from his district, and was elected to the office without difficulty. His service
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in that body was eminently satisfactory to his constituents, and in 1906 he was again chosen for the place. His wide experience in political affairs have attracted attention, and the verdict of the people is but an expression of their sanction of his work in the capacity of a legislator. He affiliates with the Republican party, but does not sacrifice principle for party.
In lodge affairs, also, Mr. Prosser has shown a conspicuous interest. He is a member of the Masonic order, the Odd Fellows and other fraternal societies, and has done much to promote the growth and progress of these or- ganizations. He has been a member of the Loyal Guard since its organiza- tion, and has been one of its most earnest champions in the community.
On January 6, 1897, he was united in marriage to Miss Winifred Ottaway, who is a daughter of James E. Ottaway. Their domestic life has been a model of its kind, and their home bears testimony to their industry, care and economy. Mr. Prosser finds in the people an enthusiastic body of friends, all of whom believe in his ability and integrity. In 1905 he was chosen as a deputy of the Loyal Guard and has filled these duties both ex- peditiously and effectively. Recently he has become a thirty-second degree Mason, a member of the Mystic Shrine and the Flint Commandery.
1
HON. FRANCIS H. RANKIN.
One of the most potent agencies in the shaping of public thought and enterprise is the modern newspaper. It is the people's forum and its editorial utterances go far toward cultivating a wholesome spirit in our local and national citizenship. Prominent among the molders of thought in Genesee county is the place that has been filled by the "Wolverine Citizen," a clean, progressive and bright newspaper, published by Hon. Francis H. Rankin. This paper was founded as a weekly in 1850, and was then known as the "Genesee Whig." It was first a six-column folio, but has since been enlarged to a six-column quarto. For eighteen months during the Civil war it was conducted as a daily, and wielded a great influence in behalf of the Federal cause.
Mr. Rankin was born in the city of Flint on December 28, 1854, and has made this city his permanent place of residence. His father, Francis H. Rankin, who departed this life seven years ago, was a native of County Down, Ireland, as was also his grandfather, Joseph Rankin. The father was reared and educated in his native land, but came to America in 1848. He located immediately at Pontiac, Michigan, and there learned the printer's trade.
He came to Flint in 1850 and for the remainder of his days was an active factor in promoting the advancement of the community's interests. He estab-
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lished the above mentioned "Genesee Whig" and at the time of his death was not only the oldest editor in the county, but the one editor in the state vho had longest held control of a single paper. He was city clerk for a number of years, and for some time was a member of the city school board. From 1879 to 1887 he served as postmaster. In state affairs, also, he was called upon to represent the people, having served in the legislature, and from 1877 to 1879 was made a member of the state senate. During that time he was appointed one of three inspectors of the Michigan prisons by Governor Crapo. He was at one time grand master of the Independent Or- der of Odd Fellows and was grand representative to the Sovereign Grand Lodge in 1873. He also attained the Knights Templar degree in the Masonic fraternity.
He was married to Miss Arabella Hearn, who was born in County Log- ford, Ireland, and was a daughter of Rev. Richard T. Hearn, an Episcopal clergyman. She was reared in her native land and acquired a liberal educa- tion. She has been a leader in the social and civic life of Flint, being one of the founders of the Ladies' Library, which was later merged into the "School Library and Scientific Institute." During the Civil war she was one of the delegates to the soldiers' sanitary fair at Chicago as representative from the state of Michigan. Six children were born to this union, of whom our subject, Francis H., was the fourth.
After attending the Flint schools until his fourteenth year Francis en- tered his father's office as a printer's devil. His father was a practical man, and, intending that his son should learn the business in a thorough manner, he forced him to start as he himself had begun-at the bottom of the ladder. He showed him no favoritism and treated him in the same manner that he did his other employes.
It was in 1870 that young Rankin first took his place at one of the cases, and he worked as a compositor in the job room until 1881, when he took a half interest in the business. The "Wolverine Citizen" was run as a daily paper for a period of six years, but as the town was too small to support a daily paper, it was discontinued and published as a weekly.
Mr. Rankin was married to Miss Caroline Pierce October 26, 1881. She was born in Grand Blanc, Genesee county, and is a daughter of Silas Pierce, one of the old New England settlers of this locality. Mr. and Mrs. Rankin have one child, whose name is Caroline Arabella.
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