USA > Michigan > Genesee County > History of Genesee County, Michigan, Her People, Industries and Institutions, Volume II > Part 16
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COL. JAMES S. PARKER.
Col. James S. Parker, former commander of the Third Regiment, Mich- igan National Guard, a veteran of the Spanish-American War, former prosecuting attorney of Genesee county, former city attorney of Flint and former circuit court commissioner, one of the best-known lawyers in this part of the state, member of the law firm of Lee & Parker, with offices in the McDermott block at Flint, is a native son of Michigan and has lived in this state all his life. He was born on a farm near the village of Corunna, in the neighboring county of Shiawasee, January 15, 1872. His parents. Hugh and Janet (Fleming) Parker, the former a native of this state and the latter of Pennsylvania, are both now deceased. They were the parents of five children, of whom the subject of this sketch is the eldest, the others being as follow: Anna M., wife of John Peddlar, of West Terre Haute, Indiana; Ada M., unmarried, of Owosso, this state; Dr. Walter T. Parker. of Corunna, and Edna M., wife of Warner Stoddard, also of Corunna.
Hugh Parker was born on a pioneer farm in the neighborhood of Orchard Lake, Oakland county. He was the son of Thomas and Anna ( Neilson) Parker, natives of Scotland and early settlers in that part of Michigan, who were the parents of seven children, of whom Hugh was the third in order of birth, the others being. John, of Livingston county, this
COL. JAMES S. PARKER.
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state; Mrs. Marion Thompson, of Owosso; William, of Corunna; Mrs. Anna Salmon, of Owosso; Thomas, deceased, and Alexander, living near Owosso. The elder Thomas Parker and his wife emigrated from Scotland to Canada and settled near Chatham, whence they presently moved to Mich- igan, settling in the vicinity of Orchard Lake in Oakland county; they moved thence, after awhile. to Shiawassee county, spending their last days on a farm in the vicinity of Corunna, grandfather Parker being eighty years of age at the time of his death and his wife, seventy. Hugh Parker was fifteen years old when his parents moved to Shiawassee county and he spent the rest of his life there, becoming a well-to-do and influential farmer of the Corunna neighborhood, the owner of a fine farm of two hundred and twenty acres, where he died on Jime 14, 1915, at the age of seventy-five years. His wife had preceded him to the grave the year before, she having been seventy-four years of age at the time of her death, in 1914. She was a daughter of Thomas Fleming and wife, the latter of whom was a Ewing, natives of Scotland, who settled in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, upon coming to this country, and spent the rest of their lives there. Thomas Fleming and wife were the parents of five children, David, Thomas, James, Janet and Margaret. Mrs. Parker was reared in the faith of the Christian church (Disciples). but later in life attended the Methodist church, of which her husband was a nieniber, and their children were reared in that faith.
James S. Parker was reared on the paternal farm near Corunna and three grew to manhood. He obtained his elementary education in the dis- trict schools and the Corunna high school, supplementing the same by a course in Hillsdale College, from which he was graduated in 1892, after which he entered upon the study of the law in the office in which he is now practicing at Flint. He was admitted to the bar on August 1I, 1894, and on January 1, 1899. entered into partnership with Edward S. Lee, which mutually agreeable arrangement continues. Colonel Parker is a Republican and has ever given his earnest attention to local political affairs. He served two terms as city attorney of Flint; was circuit court commissioner, 1896- 1900, and prosecuting attorney, 1909-12. In February, 1894, he enlisted as a private in Company A, Third Regiment, Michigan National Guard, and from the very beginning of that service took such an active interest in militia affairs that he gradually rose from the ranks to the head of the regiment, being mustered out as colonel of the Third Michigan on February 22, 1909. Upon the outbreak of the Spanish-American War, Colonel Parker was mus- tered, April 26, 1898, as first lieutenant of Company A, Thirty-third Reg ..
(IIa)
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ment, Michigan Volunteer Infantry, and was in command of that company during the campaign before Santiago.
On September 9, 1896, James S. Parker was united in marriage to Myrtle A. Young, who was born at Corunna, in the neighboring county of Shiawassee, March 1I, 1872, daughter of Charles B. Young and wife. natives of this state, who are still living on their farm near Corunna and among the best known and influential citizens of that county. They are the parents of three children, Mrs. Parker having a brother, Claude E. Young, of Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, a mechanical engineer (University of Mich- igan), and a sister, Lulu, wife of Sidney W. Shipman, living near Corunna. Mrs. Parker is a graduate of the Corunna high school, class of 1890, and after her graduation was engaged in teaching school until her marriage. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, in the affairs of which she takes an active interest.
To Colonel and Mrs. Parker five children have been born, Allan Lee, Hugh Neilson, Harold Earl, Madeline Louise and James Fleming. Colonel Parker is a thirty-second-degree Mason, affiliated with the consistory of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite. at Detroit. and is a noble of Moslem Teni- ple, Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, in that city. He is a past master of Genesee Lodge No. 174. Free and Accepted Masons, at Flint ; a member of Washington Chapter No. 15, Royal Arch Masons; Flint Council, Royal and Select Masters, and Genesee Valley Commandery No. 15, Knights Templar. He also is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, in the affairs of all of which organizations he takes a warm interest.
SAMUEL MORTON BACON.
The farmer has a much better chance to observe and enjoy art as it is found in nature, and, therefore, ought to be a man of high ideals. Samuel Morton Bacon, of Montrose township. Genesee county, has been content to spend his life amid rural scenes and he has been a close observer of the up- lifting things about him. He is not only a successful agriculturist, but a good citizen in the fullest sense of the term.
Mr. Bacon was born in Hastings county, Ontario, Canada, September 20, 1876, and is a son of Joseph John and Mary Ann ( Morton) Bacon. The
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father was born in the same locality as was the subject of this sketch, the date of his birth being August 29, 1853. His wife was born in Sterling, province of Ontario, February 11, 1856. They grew up in their native country, attended school and were married there in 1871. Joseph J. Bacon remained in Canada until he was about twenty-five years old, and after living on a farm of his uncle near Dresdon, Ontario, for one year, he came to Saginaw, Michigan, in 1881, and worked in a mill three months, then came on to Genesee county, where he bought forty acres, in section 2, Flushing township. The land was timbered, but he cleared it, and after a road was surveyed he found that about one-half of his place was in the road. How- ever, he continued to live there about eight years, then traded his place for ninety-three acres in section 2. Later he bought back his first farm, on which he lived for fifteen years, then sold it to his son, Samuel M., and bought a farm in Mr. Morris township, which he operated a number of years. Then he retired and moved to the village of Clio, where he spent the rest of his life, dying on February 25, 1916, at the age of sixty-three years. Politically, he was a Republican. He belonged to the Gleaners and the Loyal Guards, also to the Methodist Episcopal church. His family consisted of eight children, namely: Samuel M., of this sketch; William J. lives in Montrose township; Mark E. lives in Flushing township; Belle, twin of Mark E., is deceased; Charles H. lives in Flint; Nettie is the wife of William Stout and they live in Clio; Archie L. lives on the old homestead; and Win- nie is deceased. The mother of these children is still living at the family residence in Clio.
Samuel M. Bacon grew up on the home farm and received his educa- tion in the district schools. Remaining with his parents until he reached his majority, he began farming for himself, buying the farm on which he now lives. It was all timbered. He began with very little capital, but with resolution and ambition began clearing his land and in due course of time developed a good farm, which he has placed under a high state of cultiva- tion and improvement. He subsequently bought forty acres of woodland adjoining, cleared that and put it under cultivation : finally bought one hun- dred and sixty acres, partly cleared. in section 36. He also bought the forty acres which his father first settled here and one hundred and seventy-three acres adjoining. He also bought forty acres in section 2, Flushing township, and is now owner of five hundred and thirty-three acres, four hundred and twenty of which are under cultivation. He carries on general farming and stock raising on an extensive scale and by modern methods. He makes a specialty of raising potatoes, averaging three hundred bushels to the acre,
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but he has produced as high as eight hundred bushels per acre. He always keeps a good grade of live stock of all kinds. Most of his land has been tiled, he having laid about thirteen miles of tiling. He farms with tractors and other kinds of twentieth century machinery and owns an automobile of one of the best makes. He has a commodious home, with up-to-date furnishings and fixtures, two large, substantial barns, two new silos, a granary with a capacity of five thousand bushels, a potato cellar with a capacity of four thousand bushels, an engine house and an engine to operate his machinery for many purposes about the place. Most of his outbuildings have cement floors. He keeps a well-stocked trout pond. He is deserving of a great deal of credit for what he has accomplished unaided and through his own industry and good judgment. He is one of the most progressive and successful farmers of Genesee county.
Mr. Bacon was married on February 15, 1902, to Erma L. Ramsey, who was born in Flushing township, Genesee county, and here she was reared and educated. She is a daughter of Frank Jefferson Ramsey and Jennie (Pratt) Ramsey, who live on a farm in Flushing township. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Bacon, namely: Hazel Isabelle, born, March 6, 1903: Glen Ward, born April 14, 1905, and Effie May, born September 30, 1907.
Politically, Mr. Bacon is a Republican, but rather inclined to vote inde- pendently. Fraternally, he belongs to Lodge No. 222, Benevolent and Pro- tective Order of Elks, at Flint; the Masonic order, Orange Lodge No. 352. at Montrose, and is master of the latter.
WARREN J. HINKLEY.
Warren J. Hinkley, a prominent farmer and stockman of Genesee county, was born in Flushing township on November 19, 1870, being the son of John and Althea Elizabeth (French) Hinkley.
John Hinkley was born on November 8, 1835, at North Hector, Schuyler county, New York, where he lived until he was ten years of age. In 1845 he came with his parents, Jeremiah C. and Phoebe Ann (Bond) Hinkley, to Michigan. Jeremiah C. Hinkley was born on November 4, 1801, and was married to Phoebe Ann Bond on December 27, 1825. Mrs. Hink- ley was born on September 22, 1808, To this union were born the follow- ing children: Mary Ann, born on January 30, 1827; Margaret M. and
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Mary Ann, twins, born on March 1, 1829; Olive, born on April 7, 1831; Caroline, born on September 10, 1833; John K., born on November 8, 1835; Jeremiah, born on January 31, 1839; Helen Ann, born on June II, 1841 ; Joseph D., born on July 6, 1843; Eliza W., born on August 7, 1845, and Charles F., born on August 31, 1852. The children are all dead but Helen Hinkley Bowman, of Flushing.
When Jeremiah C. Hinkley came to Michigan he located in Flushing township, where he purchased two hundred and twenty acres of land in sections 25 and 36. It was here that he made his home, until his death on September 7, 1853. His wife survived him until September 16, 1858.
John Hinkley was united in marriage on February 14, 1864, to Althea Elizabeth French, who was born on November 16, 1840. To this union were born the following children: Freddie, who was born on March 16, 1865, and died on September 3, 1868; Bertha P., born on January 17, 1869, became the wife of Elmer Barnhart, on November 21, 1885; Warren J., born November 19, 1870; Myrtle M., born on July 21, 1878, became the wife of Merton D. Phelps, of Flushing, on March 20, 1901; Lula M., born on June 24, 1880, became the wife of Louis E. Hike on February 17, 1903; Mina A., born on July 21, 1883, married Fred J. Hull on July 4, 1905. Althea French Hinkley, the mother, died on the farm, March 29, 1908.
John Hinkley, on the death of his father, Jeremiah Hinkley, operated the home farm for some years, and then he purchased of the heirs one hun- dred and twenty acres in section 25, where he lived until his death, on Sep- tember 1, 19II.
Warren J. Hinkley received his education at the high school at Flush- ing. After completing his education he remained on the home farm until his marriage on November 19, 1889, to Alberta A. Jeffers, who was born in Flushing on July 17, 1872, she being the daughter of George and Elvira E. (Leland) Jeffers. After their marriage, Warren and Alberta Hinkley located in Montrose township, where they purchased forty acres of land and made their home seven years. They then sold the place and came to Flushing, where they lived for six years. At the death of the mother Warren Hinkley returned to the old homestead, and purchased one hundred and twenty acres, which he has since made his home. Here he is interested in general farming and stock raising. For a time he conducted a dairy and drove a milk wagon to Flushing. He now has some fine Shorthorn and Durham cattle as well as some full-blood Poland China hogs.
Mr. Hinkley has a most excellent farm under a high state of cultiva-
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tion, with modern and well-kept buildings. The barn, thirty-six by one hundred feet, was built in 1915. Mr. and Mrs. Hinkley have a most pleas- ant home and are the parents of two children, Gretchen, born on August 15, 1891, and Waynard J., who was born on February 16, 1906. Gretchen is a graduate of the Flushing high school and the Chicago School of Music.
George Jeffers, the father of Alberta Hinkley, was born in Burton town- ship on August 20, 1841, being the son of Daniel and Jane (Taylor) Jeffers, both of whom were natives of England. After their marriage in the state of New York, they settled in Burton township, where they resided for a few years, and then returned to New York state and lived at Niagara Falls for three years. They then returned to Burton township where they lived until their death. Elvira Leland Jeffers was born in Rose township, Oak- land county, on February 13, 1838. She and George Jeffers were the parents of one child, Alberta, the wife of Warren J. Hinkley. Mrs. Jeffers died on February 20, 1902. Mr. Jeffers, who was a soldier of the Civil War, having served in Company F, Thirteenth Regiment, Michigan Volunteer Infantry, is now making his home with Warren J. Hinkley and wife.
Warren J. Hinkley belongs to the Modern Woodmen and Knights of Pythias and is a Free and Accepted Mason, having attained the Royal Arch degree. Politically, he is a Republican and has served as assessor of the village and as superintendent of road building. He is a man of excel- lent judgment and is held in high esteem by those who know him.
J. M. VAN BUSKIRK.
J. M. Van Buskirk, a prominent farmer of Richfield township, whose pleasant home is known as "Maple Hurst," was born on January 18, 1857. in Richfield township, being the son of Abraham and Esther ( Dickinson) Van Buskirk.
Abraham Van Buskirk was born in Genesee county, New York, where he received his education. His parents died when he was but a boy and he went to St. Louis, Missouri, to live with his brother-in-law. As a young man, living on the bank of the Mississippi river, he engaged in operating a ferry boat. He later visited his brother, John Van Buskirk. in Richfield township, and, becoming impressed with the timbered country, he bought one hundred acres in section 18 and just across the road from his brother's home. Here he located and remained until his death in 1904. He had cleared
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and improved his farm until he had one of the best in the community. He was an unassuming and loyal citizen of the township. During the Civil War he enlisted and served during the greater part of that conflict in Company K. Twenty-third Regiment, Michigan Volunteer Infantry.
To Abraham and Esther Van Buskirk were born the following children : Delas, J. M., Mary and Phidelia. Delas is living with J. M .; Mary is the wife of Wilbur Van Dyke, of Columbiaville, Michigan, and Phidelia died at the age of eight years. In 1861 Esther Van Buskirk died when the son, J. M., was but four years of age. In the fall of 1862 Abraham Van Buskirk was married to Jane Caverin, a native of the state of New York, and to this union were born three children: Joel A., of Detroit; Charlotte, the wife of William Ellis, of Genesee township, and Charles, of Richfield township.
J. M. Van Buskirk received his education in the district schools of Rich- field township and remained at home on the farm until he was twenty-one years of age. On November 21, 1878, he was united in marriage to Chloe Meniger, the daughter of William Meniger and wife, who were pioneer set- tlers of Genesee county, having come from the state of New York in 1842. The young married couple located on one hundred and sixty acres of wooded land in section 28 and began to make for themselves a home. It was here that the young wife died in 1847. Some years later Mr. Meniger married Lucy Troop, the daughter of William Troop and wife, and to this union were born three children: Chloe, the wife of J. M. Van Buskirk; Alfonso, who is in New York City, and Mary, who is the wife of .W. H. Booth, of Elba, Lapeer county.
After their marriage, J. M. and Chloe Van Buskirk located on the farm where they now reside, although they have not lived here all the time. At first Mr. Van Buskirk rented two hundred and thirty acres for four years, after which he purchased one hundred acres in sections 28 and 29 in Rich- field township. This he farmed in connection with the one hundred and seventy acres of WV. M. Meniger and one hundred acres of Alfonso Meinger. He remained here for ten years, after which he sold and moved to section 20, where he owned forty acres as well as eighty in section 29. After ten months he sold the forty and moved back to section 19, where he rented for five years, after which he purchased the west sixty acres of the place and fifteen acres in section 28. He later purchased sixty acres of the old home- stead where he now resides and where he has a well improved and highly cultivated farm of one hundred and twenty acres.
To J. M. and Chloe Van Buskirk was born one child, Arthur A., who was born on January 6, 1892, and died on February 18, 1899.
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Politically, Mr. Van Buskirk is a Republican and has served his town- ship as treasurer and as a member of the board of review. He is agent for the Genesee County Farmers Mutual Fire Insurance Company as well as the Michigan Mutual Tornado and Cyclone Insurance Company. He is a director of the Davison State Bank and often acts as administrator of estates.
For the past fourteen years, Mattie Van Dyke, a niece of Mr. Van Bus- kirk, has made her home with Mr. and Mrs. Van Buskirk, her mother, Mary Van Dyke, being deceased. She has always had the same kind attention as though she was their own, and since they lost their only child she seems very near and dear to them.
GEORGE E. MCKINLEY.
George F. McKinley, former alderman and mayor of Flint, for years district organizer for the American Federation of Labor, former state fac- tory inspector and the present superintendent of the Michigan state free employment bureau, is a native of Flint and has lived there practically all his life. He was born on August 12. 1871, son of James and Margaret ( White) McKinley, natives of County Armagh, Ireland, whose last days were spent in Flint and who were the parents of nine children, namely: Alexander. who died in 1876: William, of Detroit: James, of Flint; George E., the subject of this biographical sketch ;; Jennie, wife of A. E. Gladwin, of Boston, Massachusetts; Fannie, wife of Charles Maddern, of Evart, this state; Mary, wife of Willian Wilson, also of Evart; Margaret, wife of Myron D. Smith, also of Evart, and Elizabeth, deceased, who was the wife of Charles Hovey.
James McKinley was reared in Ireland and, after coming to America. married Margaret White, daughter of George and Margaret White, the former of whom died in Ireland. after which his widow joined her daughter in this country and spent her last days in her home. After marriage, James McKinley and his wife for a short time were located at Rahway, New Jer- sey, moving thence to Detroit, where Mr. Mckinley was for a number of years engaged in railroad work. In the early sixtics he and his family came to this county and located at Flint, where Mr. Mckinley continued railroad work and where he also worked in the foundries, and there he spent his last days, living to be seventy-six years of age. His widow survived him until August 3, 1893, having married for her second husband Thomas Cochran,
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and she was eighty-six years of age at the time of her death. Mr. Cochran survived her until 1912. She was a member of the Episcopal church and Mr. Cochran of the Methodist Episcopal. Their children were reared in the Episcopal faith.
George E. Mckinley's schooling was obtained in the public schools at Flint and he early began making his own way, his first employment having been as a "cash boy" in the dry-goods store of F. H. & E. O. Pierce. He later learned cigar making and presently established a cigar factory in Flint, which he operated for about ten years, at the end of which time, his health failing, he spent a year and a half at Evart, returning thence to Flint in 19II, in which year he opened another cigar factory. For years Mr. McKin- ley has taken an active and a prominent part in the affairs of organized labor, not only in Flint, but throughout the state, and for three years served as district organizer for the American Federation of Labor. He also for years has taken an active part in local political affairs and in 1900 was elected alderman from his ward, serving in that capacity until his election, in 1906, to the office of mayor of the city, as the nominee of the Democratic party. So well did he perform his administrative duties that he was re-elected and served two terms as mayor. Under the administration of Governor Ferris he was appointed state factory inspector and in 1914, upon the creation of the state free employment bureau, he was appointed superintendent of that important bureau for this section, with offices in the city building at Flint, and is now thus engaged. In 1912 Mr. McKinley was the candidate of the Democratic party for a seat in the lower house of the Michigan General Assembly, but was unable to overcome the strong Republican majority in his district.
On November 26, 1891, George E. Mckinley was nnited in marriage to Ellen H. Lane, who was born at Auburn, this state, but was reared in Detroit. Mrs. McKinley has a twin sister, Mary, they being the daughters of Henry and Ellen (O'Brien ) Lane. Henry Lane is a native of Germany and his wife was born in Ireland. They were married in Pennsylvania and afterward came to Michigan. Mrs. Lane died in Detroit in 1892 and Mr. Lane is now making his home with his daughter at Flint. Mrs. McKinley is a member of the Catholic church and Mr. Mckinley is a member of St. Paul's Episcopal church. He is a Royal Arch Mason, a Knight of Pythias, an Elk and an Eagle and in the affairs of these several organizations takes a warm interest. Mr. Mckinley still retains his interest in his cigar factory and is recognized as one of Flint's active business men.
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EVERETT LEWIS BRAY.
As a lawyer, Everett Lewis Bray has for many years stood at the front in the ranks of his profession at the Genesee county bar, his career being noted for strength, fidelity and honor. The relations between him and his clients are ever loyal and genuine. He is noted for his thorough knowledge of the law, not only of its great underlying principles, but also for its niceties and its exacting details, and for his faculty of clearly presenting to court and jury the law and facts of the case under consideration.
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