USA > Michigan > Kent County > Grand Rapids > Grand Rapids and Kent County, Michigan: History and Account of Their Progress from First. Vol. II > Part 15
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line from Solon township, a community which has remained as his home to the present time. His property is one which reflects credit upon his ability as a farmer and his good management as a business man, and upon it he carries on general operations, being equally skilled and successful in all departments of his chosen work. He has good buildings, graded livestock and equipment at once complete and modern, and his methods of operations accord with the latest accepted standard. Mr. Farnam has not married and depends upon a house- keeper to manage that end of the farmer's life. While a good citizen, interested in all that pertains to the progress of his township and county, he has preferred to remain merely as a private man and has not desired to enter the public arena as an aspirant for public honors. He is strongly Democratic in his political beliefs and has supported that ticket and its candidates since the attainment of his majority.
Alfred B. Farnsworth .- Among the men who were well known and are still well remembered by many of the older generation of citizens was the late Alfred B. Farnsworth. He had fought as a sol- dier of the Union, and when he returned to civic life it was as a resi- dent of Grand Rapids, where he became the first secretary of the Board of Public Works. He also was identified with other matters here, and while much of his later life was passed in other cities, when he retired he returned to Grand Rapids, and it was here that his death occurred. The late Alfred B. Farnsworth was born in the city of Detroit, Mich., May 30, 1843, son of Dr. James H. and Catherine (Connor) Farnsworth, his father having the distinction of having been the first dental practitioner of Detroit. In that city the youth received his education, and when the Civil war came on demonstrated his patriotic spirit by joining a company of young men recruited in his neighborhood. Its close found him still a youth in years, but a man in experience, discipline and self-reliance, and when he came to Grand Rapids he opened the first city ticket office, this being located in the old Rathbun House. It was while he was thus engaged that he was made the first secretary of the Board of Public Works of Grand Rapids. Later he became traveling passenger agent for the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific railway, with headquarters at De- troit, from which city he subsequently removed to New York as gen- eral Eastern passenger agent of the same road. In 1908 he retired and returned to Grand Rapids, where his death occurred, March 7, 1909. Mr. Farnsworth was widely known among railroad men and numbered among his personal friends some of the most prominent officials of his day. He was a Republican and belonged to St. Mark's Episcopal church. He was married June 3, 1869, to Mary G., daugh- ter of Peter G. and Anna (Nevius) Hodenpyl, of Grand Rapids, and they became the parents of three children: James C., who died in 1906; Anna, whose death occurred in 1881; and Katherine, who re- sides with her mother at Grand Rapids. Mrs. Farnsworth still sur- vives her husband and resides with her daughter at No. 21 Gay ave- nue, S. E. She was born and reared at Grand Rapids and has spent her entire life here, where she has numerous friends and a wide ac- quaintance, having been a member of the first class graduated from the public schools after they were graded.
Fred Farr .- The agricultural recollections of Fred Farr, of So- lon township, extend back to the early days in Kent county, and his memories include the clearing of land of timber for the first steps in
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the planting of a crop and the subsequent use of rude and primitive implements and methods in the cultivation of the land and the gather- ing of the harvest. Practically the whole development of this region and of the agricultural industry here has come under his eye, for he has never lived outside the county nor has he followed any other pur- suit save farming. Today he is one of the substantial men of Solon township and a citizen who has been elected frequently by his fel- lows to positions of responsibility and trust. Mr. Farr was born on a farm in Cannon township, Kent county, Michigan, Aug. 22, 1861, his father being Henry F. Farr, who came from his native place of Watertown, N. Y., in search of better opportunities than he had been able to find in the East, and in the early '50s settled in Michigan. He was a young man whose chief capital was represented by ambition and a willingness to work, and for some time after his arrival he applied himself to well digging and stone-mason work. The Civil war came on to interrupt his operations and he enlisted in the Union army, in the heavy artillery, but his brave and gallant service was suddenly cut short by a fall from his horse, in which he dislocated his hip. When he recovered he again took up well digging and the stone-mason trade, but eventually turned his attention to farming in Cannon township, and during the remaining years of his life was en- gaged in agricultural pursuits, becoming substantial and prominent in his community. Mr. Farr married Miss Jane Clark, daughter of Stephen Clark, of Watertown, N. Y., and they became the parents of the following children: Ophelia, Lucy Ann, Charles, William, Lu- cetta, Frank, Herbert, Fred, Marcus and Ralph L. Fred Farr se- cured his education in the district schools of Kent county and began working as a farmer when still a lad not in his "teens." A goodly share of his boyhood was passed in riding the horses on the home farm, in cultivating the fields, and he watched with interest the evo- lution of equipment from the first crude articles to the perfected im- plements which came on later to lighten the labors of the husband- man. After his marriage he embarked in farming on his own ac- count in section 14, Solon township, where he has achieved a dis- tinct success and where he has developed a valuable and handsome property. Mr. Farr married Miss Jacoba Kass, daughter of Dr. Ja- cob and Gelkie (Miller) Kass, natives of the Netherlands. Dr. Kass, who was a physician, and his wife were the parents of eight chil- dren, of whom Mrs. Farr is the youngest. Mr. and Mrs. Farr have no children. Mr. Farr has never sought public office, but has fre- quently been nominated and elected by the voice and vote of the peo- ple to offices which have come unsolicited. On three occasions he has been elected constable of his township and has filled numerous other township positions, in all of which he has rendered his community excellent service. Mr. Farr is a student of his vocation and an active member of the local Gleaners' organization. Politically he stanchly supports the candidates of the Republican party and believes in its principles.
J. D. Farr .- Like many of his fellow Kent county bankers who are leaving their impress upon the financial development of their sev- eral communities, J. D. Farr has risen to his present position through the ranks, having started to assimilate knowledge in his chosen field at the bottom of the ladder. His career has been one of constant ad-
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vancement, an advancement all the more creditable in that it has been self-secured, and at the present time he is manager of the Division Street branch of the City Trust & Savings Bank. Mr. Farr was born at Grand Rapids, May 5, 1870, being a son of John S. Farr. His edu- cation was secured in the city grammar and high schools and at Alma College, and when he left that institution he found employment as a bookkeeper in the meat market of Fred Pegler. Soon thereafter, he took a like position with the old Grand Rapids National Bank, leav- ing that banking house to enter the executive department of the City Trust & Savings Bank, with which institution he has been connected ever since. Through fidelity and the demonstration of real ability he first won promotion to the position of assistant cashier of the main bank, and subsequently was made manager and put in charge of the Division Street branch. He has proven the wisdom of the choice which put him in this position, for during his management of the branch its deposits have increased greatly and the business which it is doing is of the most, desirable character. Mr. Farr belongs to the Knights of Pythias, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the O-Wash-ta-nong club. Primarily a banker, with his inter- ests wrapped up in the institution which he represents, he has not been negligent in performing the duties of citizenship and gives his support to all measures contributing to the community welfare. Mr. Farr was married June 18, 1896, to Ida May, daughter of Winnifred Pratt, of Grand Rapids.
Ralph L. Farr .- The prosperity of any community rests largely upon its agricultural activity and enterprise and the progress which is evidenced among the agriculturists is the foundation stone upon which is frequently built the welfare of township, county and state. The farmers who evidence progressive spirit and real industry, there- fore, have their important place in conditions as at present existing, and one of these in Kent county is Ralph L. Farr. Mr. Farr is the owner of a well-cultivated farm in the Cedar Springs locality and his not inconsiderable success has been gained through his own efforts. Ralph L. Farr was born on a farm in Cannon township, Kent coun- ty, Michigan, Jan. 31, 1868. His father was Henry F. Farr, who came from his native place of Watertown, N. Y., in search of better opportunities than he had been able to find in the East, and in the early '50s settled in Michigan. He was possessed of little or no cap- ital at the time of his arrival, and for a time was engaged in well dig- ging and stone-mason work, and when the Civil war came on enlisted in the Union army as an artilleryman. After a brave and faithful service he was thrown from his horse, and the resultant dislocation of his hip disabled him for further fighting. Returning to Cannon township, he resumed his former occupations and continued therein engaged for several years, but eventually engaged in farming. He continued as a farmer during the rest of his life and was accounted one of the progressive and industrious men of his community. Mr. Farr married Miss Jane Clark, a daughter of Stephen Clark, of Wa- tertown, N. Y., and they became the parents of the following chil- dren: Ophelia, Charles, Lucetta, William, Lucian, Frank, Herbert, Fred, Marcus and Ralph L. Ralph L. Farr received a district school education in Steele Corner school in Cannon township and was reared in an agricultural family, where the necessity of economy had the ef-
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fect of making him industrious and thrifty, he early learning the val- ue of money and the benefits to be derived from hard and earnest work. When he reached years of maturity he assumed a man's re- sponsibilities and secured employment as a farm hand, being thus engaged for about ten years, or until his marriage. At the time of the latter event he secured a property of his town, located in section 11, Solon township, and here he has since worked his way to a greatly deserved success. He now has a well-improved modern farm, with good buildings and up-to-date equipment, and carries on general op- erations along the most highly approved methods. Mr. Farr was married to Miss Alice Colvin, daughter of James and Helen Colvin, Mr. Colvin having been a farmer and blacksmith at Fallassburg, Mich. There were the following children in the Colvin family: Charlie, Ella, Ross, Alice, Carrie, Fred, Bertrand and Carl. To Mr. and Mrs. Farr there have been born four children: Lewis J. graduated in the Cedar Springs High School, in June, 1917, and was drafted in the second call for the United States National Army in the present great war; Mildred A. is a graduate of the eighth grade; and Bertha A. and Beatrice A. (twins) are attending school. Mr. Farr has not been a seeker for political honors, but in 1912 served in the office of high- way commissioner. He is fraternally affiliated with Cedar Springs Lodge No. 381, Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
Ward S. Ferguson, M. D .- In the medical fraternity of Grand Rapids are found many practitioners who have made rapid progress in their profession, but it is doubtful if any appreciable number can be mentioned who have gone as far in the same length of time as has Dr. Ward S. Ferguson. Coming to this city early in 1911, he engaged in general practice for a brief period, or until December of that year, when he became connected with the Burleson Sanitarium, of which he is a director and member of the medical staff. In this he was enabled to carry out a cherished ambition, as it had long been his desire to specialize in the practice of his profession, and he takes a pardonable pride in contemplating the success which has attended his activities in the short space of seven years. Dr. Ferguson was born at Sparta, Mich., June 2, 1886, son of John Adelbert and Etta P. (Smith) Ferguson, natives of the Empire State. His father has been for many years one of the prominent business men of Sparta, where he is now engaged in large operations as a contractor and builder. Dr. Fergu- son has one brother, Dr. Lynn Adelbert Ferguson, also a physician of Grand Rapids. After attending the public schools of Sparta, where he graduated in the high school, Ward S. Ferguson enrolled as a student at Valparaiso (Indiana) University, being graduated with the class of 1908. He then entered upon his professional studies at the Chicago College of Medicine & Surgery, and after a full course duly received his degree of Doctor of Medicine, in 1910, and com- menced practice at Center Point, Clay county, Indiana. After six months he came to Grand Rapids and was house physician in the Blodgett Memorial Hospital until December, 1911, when he became a member of the medical staff and a director of the Burleson Sanitari- um, where he has since remained. With scientific progress shown on every side, medicine has been making wonderful strides forward, discoveries and inventions almost changing methods of practice and broadening the viewpoint of both physician and patient. The mod-
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ern medical man no longer confines himself to alleviating the tem- porary ailment, but searches for the seat of the trouble, and to prac- tice according to the enlightened idea of the present century requires not only more careful training, but a certain, sure aggressiveness. No physician of Grand Rapids has this and other admirable qualities more fully than has Dr. Ferguson. While he is nominally a strong Democrat, he is convinced that unswerving allegiance to party plat- forms and servile adulation of party leaders are not the paramount issues of existence. His religious connection is with the Fountain Street Baptist church, and, in addition to the organizations of his pro- fession, he belongs to the Masonic order. Personally, he is popular among a wide circle of friends, and professionally his standing and reputation are high. Dr. Ferguson was united in marriage Dec. 11, 1912, with Miss Ethel Ann, daughter of John Frederick and Harriet (Dickinson) Grey, of New Lathrop, Mich., and of this union there have been born two children-Ward G. and James Adelbert.
R. J. Fisher .- Among the farmers who have passed the last quarter of a century in Kent county and have reached the middle pe- riod of ordinary life, and whose persevering and diligent labors have placed them in comfortable circumstances, is the well-known resi- dent on section 30, Solon township, R. J. Fisher. Mr. Fisher came to Kent county at a later time than many of his fellow-citizens, and therefore has not had to pass through the many hardships and priva- tions which the greater number faced and overcame, but he has seen enough of the work of development to realize the great strides that have been made and has accomplished his share in the development of Kent county's fertile resources. R. J. Fisher is a native son of New York and was born Feb. 2, 1865, his father having been James Fisher. The latter was a native of New York and passed his entire life there, being engaged in farming and fruit growing and was an industrious and modestly successful man. The district schools of the agricultural community of Steuben county furnished R. J. Fisher with his boyhood education and as a youth he was trained in the arts and devices that made the successful farmer. When he left school he continued under the parental roof and assisted his father for eight years, at the end of which period he was married and established a home of his own. His bride bore the name of Bertha Jones and was a daughter of Reuben and Mary Jones, and three children were born to them, all of whom passed away before reaching years of maturity. In 1890 Mr. Fisher left his native state and came to Michigan, set- tling in Solon township, where he has since been engaged in farming. He has developed with the community since that time and now is the owner of a valuable and well cultivated property lying on section 30, where he has erected substantial buildings and made many improve- ments. He is a general farmer, conducting his operations in a mod- ern way, and has built up a deserved reputation for honesty and in- tegrity in his business dealings with his associates. His support of public-spirited movements in his community has been noteworthy. He has not been a seeker for public preferment, but is a strong ad- herent of the principles of the Republican party.
Robert J. Flanagan .- During a period of more than twenty years, the late Robert J. Flanagan was prominently identified with the business interests of Lowell, Mich., and while he had retired from
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active business matters and was living at Grand Rapids at the time of his death, was still president of the Lowell Cutter Company, which he had founded in 1882. Mr. Flanagan began his business life as a follower of one of the skilled trades and when he entered business life directed his affairs so ably that he attained a commanding posi- tion and was able to hold it amid the strong competition which in- creasing capital and trade brought. His success was due alone to his energetic character and business capacity, for he began life without pecuniary assistance or the aid of family or other favoring influences. Robert J. Flanagan was born at Wigtown, Scotland, Aug. 22, 1853, a son of James and Janet (Gordon) Flanagan. He was four years of age when brought to America by his parents, who settled in the vi- cinity of Galt, County Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, where both passed the remainder of their lives. It was in that locality that Robert J. Flanagan was reared and received his education in the public schools. When he was nineteen years of age, he left the parental roof and faced life on his own account, starting his career as a follower of the trade of cabinetmaker at Detroit. Subsequently, he went to Ovid, Mich., where he also worked at that vocation, but in 1882 went to Lowell, Mich., where he founded the Lowell Cutter Company, of which he became president. He remained in this capacity, directing the company's operations, establishing its policies, and developing the scope and importance of its business. In 1903 he took up his residence at Grand Rapids, although he retained the title of president of the company which he had developed, giving it his attention until his death, June 23, 1915. Mr. Flanagan was a practical business man and unpretentious, but possessed of strong character and sterling worth. His opinion upon matters connected with the business in which he was engaged was influential with the associated dealers, who regarded him as thoroughly informed and had confidence in the soundness of his judgment. They often sought his advice as a guide to their operations on occasions of doubt and uncertainty. Mr. Flanagan was a man of liberal views and public spirit, and a Repub- lican in his political affiliation. He was devoutly attached to the Park Congregational church. Fraternally, he belonged to the Masons and De Molai Commandery, and was also a member of Saladin Temple of the Mystic Shrine, and held membership in the O-Wash-ta-nong club. Mr. Flanagan was first married in 1874 to Miss Hattie Lasby, a native of Canada, and they had two children: Charles, now de- ceased, and Erma, the wife of Norman H. Hazeltine, of Grand Rap- ids. Mr. Flanagan's second wife, with whom he was united June 17, 1902, was before her marriage Ethel Moore, daughter of John C. and Mary E. Moore, of Lowell, Mich. She survives him and resides at No. 322 Paris avenue, S. E., Grand Rapids.
Barney J. Flynn, Sr .- One of the families which have been con- nected with the agricultural interests of Kent county for a period of sixty years is that bearing the name of Flynn, this family having been founded here in 1857, when the place of settlement, Bowne town- ship, was still in its wild state. The men bearing this name have been contributors to the progress and development of this part of the State of Michigan ever since, and a representative of the family who has contributed his share and at the same time has won individual success as a tiller of the soil is Barney J. Flynn, Sr., who is engaged II-8
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in general farming on a valuable tract of 150 acres of land in section 36, Caledonia township. Mr. Flynn was born at Caledonia, Living- ston county, New York, Dec. 25, 1852, son of Francis and Catherine (Cavanaugh) Flynn. His parents were farming people in New York State, but in spite of their industrious labor did not seem to make much headway in the acquirement of independence, and when their son, Barney J., was five years of age they came to Michigan and lo- cated in Bowne township, Kent county, where Francis Flynn pur- chased 100 acres of uncleared land. His first home in this new coun- try was a log cabin, to build which he was forced to clear a space in the wildwood, but later his industry and good management placed him in possession of a handsome and valuable country place, with good improvements and commodious buildings, where he spent his last years. For two years and four months prior to his death Mr. Flynn was an invalid, under a doctor's care. He was a Democrat and an active worker in the ranks of his party and his religious faith was that of the Roman Catholic church. Mrs. Flynn died May 13, 1918, on the old homestead at the age of eighty-seven years. They were the parents of the following children: Barney J., of this notice; Mary, who died as the wife of Daniel Murray, of Grand Rapids; Michael, who resides on the old home place; Catherine, wife of George Hatten, of Bowne township; Emma, wife of William McVane, who was conductor in the service of the Pere Marquette railroad, now residing in Grand Rapids; James, who died in June, 1915; Frank, a resident of Grand Rapids; Joseph, who owns the old place; Ellen, deceased; Peter C., who went to the West twenty-three years ago and has not been heard from since; and Jennie, wife of Patrick Grant, of Grand Rapids. After attending the district schools of Bowne township, Barney J. Flynn commenced assisting his father in the cul- tivation and development of the home farm and continued to be thus engaged, as were most of the youths of his neighborhood, until he was ready to embark upon his independent career. At that time, when he had just passed his majority, he began renting land from his father and remained as a renter for fourteen years, being unwill- ing to start as a farm proprietor until he could do so in a proper man- ner. In 1900 he bought his present farm, a property of 150 acres, located in section 36, Caledonia township, and here he has continued his general farming operations, his method of conducting his prop- erty having entitled him to rank among the progressive and enlight. ened agriculturists and stock-raisers of his township. A reasonable share of his profits have been invested in improvements, including substantial buildings and labor-saving machinery, and an understand- ing of scientific agriculture has secured the best results from his land, while its disposal is arranged with a view to the greatest econo- my of expenditure, as well as to the largest rewards from such side lines as poultry and gardening. While cherishing no political as- pirations, Mr. Flynn has stanchly supported the Democratic party, and his religious connection has always been with the Roman Catho- lic church. He began to work at farming in this county when he was twelve years old and his sixty-fifth year finds him one of the wealthy, successful and influential agriculturists of Caledonia township. Mr. Flynn was married April 2, 1883, to Ellen, daughter of John and Mary Kelly, both of whom are deceased, early settlers of Barry coun-
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