USA > Michigan > Genesee County > Biographical history of Genesee County, Michigan > Part 3
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In the year 1906-1907 he was moderator of the Synod of Michigan, ful- filling his duties with his usual integrity and dispatch. Socially, also, he has made his impressions, being made prelate of the Grand Commandery, Knights Templar, of Michigan. At the present time he is president of the board of hospital managers of the city of Flint. He is also a member of the Chicago Literary Club, and in these various ways he has participated in the life and spirit of the community.
On October 8, 1890, he was united in marriage to Anna M. Irwin, of Clarksburg, West Virginia, and their married life has been a continued period
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of domestic felicity and beautiful home life. Their family consists of seven children, as follows: John Irwin, Annabelle, Sarah, Margaret, Elsie, Harlow, Higinbotham and Mary Paterson.
"And he shall be like a tree, planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf, also, shall not wither and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper."-Psalm I :3.
JOHN L. JENNINGS.
The ancestors of John L. Jennings were natives of the east, his father, Abram M. Jennings, having come from New Jersey, and his mother, Emily (Layton) Jennings, having been born in New York state. They were early settlers of Shiawassee county, Michigan, coming hither in about 1833 and set- tling upon a tract of government land. Mr. Abram Jennings was a brick- maker by trade, but also followed farming. He manufactured the brick out of which was built the house that belongs to James Van Akin, near Vernon, Shiawassee county. He died in Michigan in 1847, when forty-three years old, while Mrs. Jennings, mother of our subject, died at the latter's home in Mundy township when seventy-six years of age. Although her days were prolonged to a ripe old age, yet for the last fifty years of her life she was not per- mitted to see the light of day, having become afflicted with total blindness. Yet, though the temporal skies were darkened. her spiritual vision remained clear and peaceful to the end. Their family of seven children consisted of the following: Henry M., Sarah A., Susanah, Amanda, Hiram, Daniel and John L., the subject of this sketch, who was born in Venice, Shiawassee county, Michigan, April 1, 1842. He spent his boyhood life on his father's farm in Shiawassee county up to the age of sixteen years. He was a lively, energetic boy, quick to learn, and of studious habits. At this time he came to Genesee
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county and worked out at farm labor, applying himself diligently to his work, and forming a reliable helper at his chosen occupation. He attended school during the winter months, seizing every available advantage for study and self-improvement.
He possessed considerable business foresight and had a reasonable share of laudable ambition. He purchased forty acres of land in section 9 of Mundy township. This land was for the most part unimproved, but he set to work and applied himself without stint, and as a result he soon had the tract of land under a high state of cultivation, possessing excellent buildings. With the advance of time he was enabled to make additions to his first purchase until he had one hundred and twenty acres of fine land under his control. He continued to live on his farm in Mundy township until 1902, when he removed to Flint, where he has since resided and enjoyed a well earned retirement.
He was married in Mundy township on April 16. 1862, to Miss Harriet E. Dibble, who was a native of the township. She was the daughter of Samuel and Julia (Hill) Dibble, who were among the pioneer settlers of the township, where they both ended their days.
Mr. and Mrs. Jennings are the parents of three living children-Julia D., Henry M., and Emma J. Another son born to them, but now deceased, was John D .. who died in his nineteenth year. He met an untimely fate. He died from injuries received while working at a threshing machine, his arm having been caught in the cylinder was mangled from the body at the shoulder, re- sulting in his death.
Mr. Jennings was supervisor of Mundy township for nine consecutive years, and has also served as township treasurer, school officer, highway commissioner, etc. In all of these duties he has conducted the business in a straightforward and economic manner. He affiliates with the Republican party, but is first of all an honest and broad-minded citizen.
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ENOS D. PIERSON.
Mr. Enos D. Pierson, a son of C. C. Pierson, whose sketch also appears in this volume, was born in Grand Blanc township, Genesee county, Michigan, December 28, 1854. The details concerning the immediate ancestry are given in the article referred to. Enos D. spent the early years of his life with his parents on the farm in Grand Blanc township. He came with his parents to Flint, in 1864, and received his education in the public schools of this city. As a boy he was studious and conscientious in his work. His standing in his class was uniformly good, and he also took a hearty interest in the sports and outdoor activities of the schools. As his period of school time drew near its close, he became conscious of a strong desire to go on and broaden and amplify his educational qualifications. Finally the plan of taking up higher education matured itself in his mind, and in 1871 we find him present- ing himself at the door of the State University of Michigan. He matriculated for the literary course, and here he made the most of the advantages af- forded by the institution. As a student he was upright, industrious and a scholar of no mean ability. He won the confidence of his instructors and the high esteem of his fellow students, and graduated with honors, taking the degree of Ph. D.
Following this he returned from Flint, and in the autumn of the same year he became engaged in the produce business with his father, under the name of C. C. Pierson & Son. He put into practice in business the same principles that had been his guide as a student and pupil, and met with deserved success. With this prosperity the unvarnished respect of business associates soon became his. This association continued until his father's death in 1904, after which he gave the major part of his time to farming, still maintaining a partial interest in the business as well.
He was married in Flint August 25, 1890, to Miss Jennie Kendall, who was the daughter of Jerome B. and Charlotte (Abbott) Kendall, both natives of New York state. They came to Genesee county, Michigan, in 1854, and lived in various places at different times, but spent the greater part of their time in Flint after leaving Thetford township. Here Mrs. Kendall died at the age of forty-four years. Mr. Kendall reached the maximum of years accorded by the Scriptures, having attained the age of four score. Eight children were born to them, of whom Mrs. Pierson was the fifth. The parents were ex-
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN. 49
emplary in their lives and instilled into the minds of their children correct and upright ideas of their duties and relations to their fellowmen.
Mr. and Mrs. Pierson have one living daughter, Rhoda A. They buried one son, Charles H., who died in infancy. They are active workers in the Baptist church of Flint, many offices of which Mr. Pierson has willingly and acceptably filled.
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ORSON MILLARD, M. D.
Orson Millard, one of the oldest practitioners of Flint, was born on the 27th day of October, 1845. in the town of Utica, Macomb county, Michigan. His parents moved to Oakland county when he was quite young and from there he came to Flint in 1866.
Dr. Millard graduated from the University of Michigan in 1870 and returned directly to Flint, where he commenced the practice of medicine. He was surgeon of the Port Huron & Lake Michigan railway in 1872-3-4. This road later was merged into the Grand Trunk system, of which he was surgeon for several years. Dr. Millard was appointed physician in charge for the Michigan state school for the deaf. which position he held for some years. He was also president of the board of United States pension examining surgeons for Genesee county for four years.
The Michigan University Medical Journal. Volume 2, January, 1872, edited by George E. Frothingham, M. D., gives an account of a case treated by Dr. O. Millard, which attracted much attention among medical men at that time, and in the Cyclopedia of the Practice of Medicine, edited by Dr. H. Von Feinssen, of Munich, Bavaria. 16th volume, page 1006, will be found the author's mention of the same. The doctor also received favorable notice in the Chenniker Zeitung, published at Cothen, Prussia. Other articles from Dr.
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Millard's pen, published in the medical journals, have attracted much attention from the medical fraternity of both continents.
Dr. Millard was one of the original founders and incorporators in 1895 of the Knights of the Loyal Guard (now Loyal Guard) and was the first su- preme medical examiner of the order. He has held the position continuously since. He was president this year of the medical section of the National Fra- ternal Congress, which organization represents over six million members. For fourteen years he was chairman of the board of auditors of the Michigan Maccabees.
In the spring of 1905 Dr. Millard was unanimously nominated by the Democratic state convention of Michigan for regent of the Michigan State University. His father was a cousin of Millard Fillmore, the thirteenth President of the United States, and the doctor has in his possession as a treas- ured heirloom the Bible belonging to the President's grandfather.
Dr. Millard was married in 1872 to Miss Sarah A. Gardner, daughter of Rev. Thomas C. Gardner, D. D. They have two children. Doctor and Mrs. Millard have lived continuously in their home for more than thirty-five years. Their daughter is the wife of Mr. Andrew J. Buckham, of Flint, and the son, T. C. Millard, is the sole owner of the Fuss Remedy Company, manufacturer of the Fuss rheumatic cure.
C. H. W. CONOVER.
Charles H. W. Conover, of Flint, Michigan, was born in Monmouth county, New Jersey, on the site of the battle of Monmouth, July 31, 1840. His great-grandfather, Louis Kovenhoven, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and was in active service at the battle of Monmouth, and records show that he rendered distinguished service to General Washington throughout the war. There are many Conovers in that part of the state of New Jersey, and the family name is one of the oldest and most distinguished in that section of the state. The name, Kovenhoven, is the forerunner of the name of Con- over and is traceable to Dutch origin.
Charles enlisted in the regular United States service in 1861. He was with McClellan in his famous campaign, and took part in many of the ex- citing experiences incident to the war. He assisted in the destruction of York- town and helped blow up the bridge at Savige station. He was confined to the hospital for a period and later contracted malaria fever while in the vicinity of the Chickahominy. His health was so impaired that complete re- covery never fully returned to him. After the close of the war he spent two years in New York city and later became engaged in the oil business in Ontario, following this for a while. In 1867 he came to Flint, having heard of it as a place of growth and enterprise. It was then on the "boom" and Gov-
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ernor Crapo had just built his large sawmill. Mr. Conover bought an inter- est in the planing mill, the firm being Beardslee, Gillies & Company, and contin- ued till 1896, at which date the business was discontinued.
Thus for twenty-nine years Mr. Conover had given his attention to the details of the work, turning out lumber, sash, doors, etc. The mills turned out a tremendous quantity of their product, and Mr. Conover's mechanical and practical skill were invaluable to the business. He assumed charge of most of the important departments of the work, which employed from thirty to forty men.
Since 1896 Mr. Conover has operated with other manufacturers, in- cluding other interests. He has been an active participant in the city's growth and development. He served as alderman from the fifth ward, and was a member of the water works commission when the water plant was purchased, and, with others, measured the twenty-eight and a quarter miles of water mains. He has served as supervisor for his ward during 1906-07.
Politically a Republican, his first stand is for clean and upright official service. He is not a political aspirant, but takes a hand in the party's activi- ties, serving as delegate frequently to important conventions. His present neat and attractive residence was erected in 1876, and stands today a favorable illustration of its builder's taste and discretion.
He was married at Monmouth, New Jersey, to Miss Cordelia Vaughn, also a descendant of a worthy line of ancestors. As a result of this union there were born three daughters and one son, as follows: Charlotte, wife of Dr. C. H. Bailey, a dentist of Detroit, and a graduate of the State Univer- sity ; Estella V., at home, and bookkeeper in the employ of Frank Algoe; Charles V., a graduate, also, of the State University, and now a civil engi- neer located at Washington ; and one daughter, Frances, who died in childhood.
Mr. Conover is an enthusiastic member of the Grand Army of the Repub- lic, of course, and also of the National League, and has often visited many of his old comrades. He is a member of the Congregational church, in which he has been a deacon for many years. He rendered much practical help in the build- ing of the new Congregational church, being a member of the building commit- tee. Thus in a varied and manifold manner he has contributed generously to the sum total of the city's progress and development. He was at one time a member of the school board for three years, and was treasurer two years of the three.
JOSEPH BRUSH FENTON.
Joseph Brush Fenton, son of Colonel William M. Fenton, was born in Fenton, Michigan, June 28, 1843. His boyhood days from the age of five years were spent in Flint. He was educated at the Casianonia Seminary of Casianonia, New York, and at the Madison University of Hamilton, New York. He read law with his father, but, although he acquired considerable knowledge of the subject, he never asked for admission to the bar.
When the Civil war was under way he enlisted in his father's regiment, the Eighth Michigan, going in at its organization, being connected with Company G, and in due time was made quartermaster sergeant. Later he became second lieutenant, generally acting as aid to his father, who was in command of the division. He was attached for a time to General Poe's staff, becoming first lieutenant, and continued to serve on staff duty throughout the war. He was severely wounded at Chantilly, Virginia, and lay for nine weeks in the hospital at Washington, being placed in what later became the home of Mrs. Surratt, 541 Eighth street, west, at which place the conspiracy was formed for the assassination of Lincoln. During the war this building was kept as a private boarding house by a Mr. Treadway, from Pontiac, Michigan. On recovering from his wounds he rejoined the Eighth Michigan in the service and accompanied it in its wanderings. He saw much of the warfare
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in South Carolina, was at Port Royal, Hilton Head and James Island, coming later to Virginia. He was holding the rank of first lieutenant when discharged from the service, being disabled by many serious wounds.
An extract from a paper called the Camp Kettle, published at Beaufort, South Carolina, May 1, 1862, gives the following concerning Mr. Fenton at the battle of Chantilly, Virginia :
"Quartermaster-sergeant J. B. Fenton, son of Colonel Fenton, and only about eighteen years of age, was with the troops in citizen's clothes and seized upon the musket and ammunition of one of the slain. He deliberately spotted his man and fired away very cooly, blowing the smoke out of his gun each time she was discharged to keep her cool. This is an old hunter's fashion and young Fenton has reckoned quite a nimrod among the game in the wilds of Michigan. We are told that he would stop his deer at one or two hundred paces every time he drew a bead, and we have no doubt but that 'secesh' to- day mourns the aim of the young hunter by more than one stricken hearth."
Returning to Flint after the close of the war he entered into business with Mr. Caldwell, dealing in groceries and queensware. He then went west, and from 1867 to 1869 was in New Mexico. After his marriage he located at Wichita, Kansas, where he invested in city and country property, buying up government land in the Osage Indian area at $1.25 per acre. He made quite a success in his ventures, and for a time operated a model stock ranch. In 1876 he returned to Flint.
The death of his father took place in 1871, and in 1876 Joseph took charge of his share of the estate. including the present Fenton block, built in the '6os. This is a four-story structure and in it Mr. Fenton has kept his office all these years. He still has control of extensive property interests in the city, and also a fine farm in Mt. Morris township. Mr. Fenton, though first of all a patriot, is a Democrat, and has served efficiently as a member of the state board of land commissioners. Mr. Fenton had a brother, Henry Fenton, an attorney at Bay City, who died three years since. His life was al- most wholly spent there, being engaged chiefly in the mercantile trade. Of the two sisters one, Sarah R., died when still young. She was one of the most popular young ladies of Flint, having received a broad education in the east. She had traveled extensively in Europe. The other sister. Adelaide, was married to Colonel William B. McCreery, whose son, Fenton McCreery, is the present minister and consul-general of the Dominican republic at the city
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
of Santo Domingo. He was secretary of the legation at Santiago, Chili, under Minister Eagan, at the time his father was United States consul at Valparaiso, Chili. He has seen much diplomatic service, being the first secretary of the embassy at the City of Mexico, his last appointment here being given out by President Roosevelt in 1906.
Mr. Fenton's wife was the only daughter of Artimus and Louise Thayer. Mr. Thayer was one of the most prominent builders in Flint, having con- structed such buildings as the Crystal House and the Dayton House; also the Briant block and Armory block. The latter structure was burned to the ground, but before the coals had all died out Mr. Thayer had teams at work clearing away the debris, and his energy and push soon resulted in a new structure where the former one had stood. The Thayers came from New York state and were prominent in the social, industrial and educational life, having made a wide impression in both public and private life. The son, Edward Thayer, was one of the ablest lawyers of Flint, standing high in his profession. He was married to Miss Inogine Stanley, who is now proprietor of the home of Americans in Paris, France. Edward is deceased.
Mrs. Fenton is the only survivor of the Thayer family, as Joseph B. Fenton is of the Fentons. Mrs. Fenton is an active worker in the Presby- terian church. The family is made up of three children and one adopted child. Mamie is the wife of James Martin, assistant cashier of the Genesee County Savings Bank. Mazie is the wife of Dr. Donald McCall, of Muskegon, Michigan. Virginia is still at home. Louise is a graduate in the class of 1907 of the Bradford Academy, of Bradford, Massachusetts, the oldest female academy in the United States.
Mr. Fenton has been a lover of the chase and has secured many trophies in his time. Among these are deer, moose, buffaloes, etc. He enjoys out-of-door life and spends many happy hours living close to the heart of nature.
M. C. BARNEY.
Much of the growth, progress and general tone of the city of Flint is directly traceable to the energy and push of some of its most progressive citizens. One of the men that falls within this list is Marvin C. Barney, of the Barney Granite and Marble Works. He was born in Atlas township, Genesee county, August 14, 1844. His father, Daniel D. Barney, and his mother, whose maiden name was Marietta Cummings, came from the "Empire state," New York, to Michigan in 1836 and 1838, respectively. His father fol- lowed contracting and building in Genesee county from 1836 to 1856, at which time he started a sash and blind factory at Goodrich, and operated this successfully until the coming on of what was called the "wildcat times," when bank notes or paper money could not be considered good over night, and in this period he was compelled to suspend business. He spent his last days in Flint in a repair shop on Saginaw street.
Marvin remained at home until seventeen years of age, and in October of 1861 he enlisted in Company C of the Tenth Michigan Infantry, which was organized at Flint. They went to the front April 22, 1862, and soon became actively engaged in the field. They were sent to St. Louis, Missouri, then to Hamburg Landing, Kentucky, and soon brought up at Corinth, where they were stationed at the time of its evacuation. Following this they were sent
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
into Alabama, and Mr. Barney was detailed as one of the nine charged with the care of the regimental colors, having previously been made corporal at Nash- ville, and was promoted to the rank of sergeant ere the war closed. Skirmishes and battles now followed in quick succession, frightful contests closing at nightfall on scenes of silent wretchedness. But this was war. He was in every battle in which the regiment was engaged, viz., thirty-six. (See Michigan in the War. )
He was at Bentonville, North Carolina, when surrounded, had to about face and charge the enemy when they found themselves surrounded and helped save the day. One of their closest calls was at Buzzard's Roost when 1,700 Federals faced 10,000 Confederates and were forced to retreat up the face of a mountain a full half mile, with shot and shell following every step, camping for the night on the face of the mountain in full sight of the wounded and lying on the field that was being consumed by fire which had started in the leaves. First here and then there the contest raged, sometimes in tumult, and other times in victory. He was one of the many that went with Sherman from "Atlanta to the sea," marched to Washington, and took part in the "grand review," that impressive pageant consisting of 75,000 Union soldiers, including Sherman's veterans, of whom the subject of our sketch was one, and many times without food, and always without shelter only as they erected their small pup tents. He was veteranized at Rossville, Georgia, in the spring of 1864, after serving nearly three years, for three years longer, and was given a veteran's furlough of thirty days.
After the close of the war Mr. Barney returned to his work in mill and factory at Saginaw. continuing. at this for three years, whereupon he came back to the farm in Brandon township. Here he remained until 1879. At one time he sustained a severe loss in the destruction of house, barn and orchard at the hands of a frightful cyclone, which came on May 25. 1896, at 6 o'clock p. m. and destroyed all buildings on two hundred acres of land, an amount equaling $10,000. Nothing daunted, however, he immediately set in to make good his loss, and eventually regained his footing, and has made marked progress ever since.
In politics Mr. Barney has tried to obey the dictates of his conscience, regardless of party lines. He has at different times been identified with either the Democratic or the Prohibition party, being the latter's candidate fre- quently for important offices, twice for mayor of Flint and once for sheriff
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of Genesee county, each time running ahead of his ticket, failing of election on account of the lack of party strength, but running exceptionally well, com- paratively speaking.
He is a charter member of the Governor Crapo Post. Grand Army of the Republic, and has served twice in succession as its commander. He has attended several of the national encampments, and has given himself the pleasure of visiting many of the battlefields in the south at the points where he took personal part in the great struggle. These visits have af- forded him unlimited pleasure and satisfaction, but there also comes with it a melancholy strain when reflecting on the spectacle of thousands of comrades who were laid to rest in untimely graves. He is now colonel of Mckinley Camp. National League of Veterans and Sons, and served as lieu- tenant-general at the head of the order in 1904. This order made the largest growth in its history under his supervision.
Mr. Barney is also a loyal member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, ready at all times to disseminate the principles of brotherhood and fraternity.
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