USA > Michigan > Genesee County > History of Genesee County, Michigan, Her People, Industries and Institutions, Volume II > Part 19
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Society and the American Medical Association, while his fraternal relations are with Ortonville Lodge No. 401, Free and Accepted Masons.
Doctor Kurtz was married, in September, 1913, to V. Pearl Stempson, who was graduated from Flint high school in 1908, also was graduated from the Genesee County Normal. She taught in the local schools four years.
GUSTAV F. SHUMAN.
Gustav F. Sherman, a well-known and well-to-do farmer of Clayton township, this county, owner of a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres on the Lennon road, rural route No. 8, out of Flint, is a native son of Michigan and has lived in this state all his life. He was born on a farm in Frankenmuth township, Saginaw county, September 23, 1853, son of George MI. and Margaret (Signor) Shuman, natives of Germany, whose last days were spent at Swartz Creek, in this county.
George M. Shuman was born in the town of Neuenburg and grew to manhood in his native land, becoming a locksmith and key-maker. When twenty-seven years of age, in 1851, he came to the United States and located at Detroit, where he worked at his trade for four years and where he mar- ried Margaret Signor, also a native of Germany. After their marriage George M. Shuman and his wife settled on a farm in Frankenmuth town- ship, Saginaw county, where they lived for four years, at the end of which time they sold their place there and came to Genesee county, settling on a farm in Gaines township, where they lived until the time of their retire- ment from the active labors of the farm, when they moved to the village of Swartz Creek, where they spent their last days. They were the parents of four children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the first-born and all of whom are living, the others being, Christina, who married John Thoma and now lives in Arkansas; Mary, wife of Peter Hens, of Gaines township, this county, and Louise, wife of George Williams, also living in Arkansas.
Gustav Shuman was but a child when he came to Genesee county with his parents and he grew to manhood on the home farm in Gaines township. remaining there after his marriage in 1879 for twelve years, at the end of which time he bought the quarter section on which he is now living in Clay- ton township and where he has lived ever since, he and his family being very pleasantly situated. In addition to his general farming. Mr. Shuman has given considerable attention to the raising of a good grade of live stock
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and has done very well. He is a Democrat, and gives a good citizen's attention to local political affairs, but has never been included in the office- seeking class. He is a member of the Clayton Grange and takes a warm interest in the affairs of that organization.
It was on January 1, 1879, that Gustav F. Shuman was united in mar- riage, by the Rev. J. B. Goss, to Amelia Dieck, of this county, who was born in Germany, daughter of Fred and Louisa ( Ketzler) Dieck, who came to the United States with their family in 1873 and settled in this county, and to that union six children have been born, all of whom are living, namely: Alice, who was graduated from the Normal School at Fenton and later taught school for six years in her home township, then married Karl Shepard, of Clayton township, to which union five children have been born, Opal A., Beatrice M., Paul G. and Robert K. and Roberta A. (twins) ; Otto, who married Viola Rose and is farming in Clayton township, has one child, a daughter, Bernice E .: Albert, who is at Tampico, Mexico; Bertha, who is at home with her parents; Opal, who married John McNally, of Mundy township, this county, and has three children, Bernetia G., Theron R. and Jean A., and Charles, who married Lillie Nimphie and is living on the home place. Mr. and Mrs. Shuman are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Swartz Creek and take a warm interest in the various beneficences of the same, as well as in all local good works.
S. F. BEACH.
It is not everybody that can make a success in the newspaper business. It is a field in which many enter, but in which few remain, the majority being compelled to drop out and turn their attention to something else, finding that they lack the proper initiative, news sense, courage, industry and perseverance to succeed. S. F. Beach, proprietor of the Independent at Fenton, this county, seems to possess the requisite innate qualities to win and retain a foothold in this arena.
S. F. Beach was born in Decatur, Michigan, October 19, 1878, a son of Orange and Florence (Lusk) Beach. The father died in 1902. Our subject was educated in the public schools of Decatur, where he grew to manhood. On June 6, 1901, he was imited in marriage to Florence E. Galbreach, and to their union two children have been born, Ruth and Robert.
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Mr. Beach began his career as newspaper man when but a boy, in the mechanical department of the Decatur Republican and in due course of time became foreman of that paper. On April 1, 1906, he purchased the Fenton Independent, and has made it one of the best weekly newspapers of its type in the state. He has greatly increased its circulation and improved its mechanical appearance. The Independent was established in a very early day by H. N. Jennings, who, with his son, J. H. Jennings, continued to publish it until selling out to Mr. Beach, who is now the sole owner. This paper is issued every Saturday.
Politically, Mr. Beach is a Republican and is active in party affairs. He is a member of the Masonic order and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
JOSEPH BRUSH FENTON.
Joseph Brush Fenton, an honored veteran of the Civil War and for years prominently connected with the real-estate interests of Flint, with offices in the Fenton building, that city, is a native son of Genesee county, born in the town of Fenton, in the southern part of the county. That town took its name in honor of his father, Col. William M. Fenton, for years one of the most prominent residents of Genesee county. The date of the sub- ject's birth was June 28, 1843. His parents, Col. William M. and Adelaide S. (Birdsall ) Fenton, were born at Norwich, in Chenango county, New York, and were the parents of four children, of whom, J. Brush Fenton, the third in order of birth, is now the only survivor, the others having been Ada B., who was the wife of William B. McCreery, of Flint, for years prominent in the United States diplomatic service ; Henry and Sarah R.
Col. William M. Fenton was the son of Joseph S. Fenton, a native of Norwich, New York, whose wife was a Brush. Joseph S. Fenton was a banker in the East and in the early days of the settlement of this section of Michigan came to Genesee connty and settled at Fentonville, which had been Dibbleville, but was changed to Fentonville in honor of his son, who had preceded him to this part of the state. The name of the township in which it is situated was also changed to Fenton. From the very beginning of his residence there Joseph S. Fenton took a leading part in the general affairs of the community and for some time served as a member of the state Senate from this district. He and his wife were the parents of six children, of whom Colonel Fenton was the eldest. the others being as follow: J
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Brush, who died at the age of thirty years; Julia, who married Grant Decker ; Lavinia, who married Benjamin Rockwell; Jennie, who married Samuel Lewis, a prominent citizen of Detroit, and Sarah F., who married Professor Sanborn, of Dartmouth College. Colonel Fenton's education was received in the East. When fourteen years of age he entered Hamilton College, with the class of 1826, and was graduated at the head of his class when eighteen years of age. He then followed the sea for four or five years, at the end of which time he returned home, married and came to this county, where he spent the rest of his life. His wife was a daughter of Judge James Birdsall, a native of New York, a lawyer and one-time member of Congress from his home district in New York, who later became a pioneer of this county and for years served as justice of the peace in Flint. Judge Birdsall and his wife, the latter of whom was a Steer, were the parents of nine children, namely: Adelaide S., wife of Colonel Fenton; Mrs. H. A. Dillaye, of Syracuse, New York: Mrs. Elizabeth Henry, who died in Cali- fornia ; Mrs. Risbah Kellogg, of San Francisco; Mrs. Kate Johnson, of San Francisco; Heury, of New York state; Charles; Benjamin, who lived in Fenton, and Maurice, also of Fenton.
Colonel Fenton did not seriously take up the study of law until after coming to this county, although he had given some attention to that subject in college. Upon coming here he engaged in the mercantile and milling business in the village which afterward was given his name, but presently began the study of law, was admitted to the bar and moved to Flint, where he ever afterward made his home. In 1846 he was elected to the state Senate and in 1848 was elected lieutenant-governor of Michigan, serving four years. When the Civil War broke out he was commissioned major of the Seventh Regiment, Michigan Volunteer Infantry, and later was com- missioned by the governor to raise the Eighth Regiment. Michigan Volun- teer Infantry, of which he was made colonel and at the head of which he went to the front, acting much of the time as brigadier-general and division commander. After about two years of service, during which he participated in a number of important battles, Colonel Fenton resigned his commission, in 1863, and returned to Flint, where he resumed his law practice. In 1864 he was the Democratic party's nominee for governor, but was defeated by Governor Crapo. He was elected mayor of Flint and in that official capacity did much to promote the growing interests of the town. When the fire department was reorganized he was appointed chief engineer to get the new system under way and during the department's first run after his appoint-
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ment met with an accident that resulted in his death two days later, Novem- ber 12, 1871, he then being sixty-three years of age. His wife had died a few years earlier, at the age of fifty-six. They were members of the Epis- copal church and for years were among the leaders in local good works. Colonel Fenton was active in all movements having to do with the upbuilding of his home town and the Fenton building, which he erected in 1865. still stands, a useful monument to his memory. He was prominent in both Masonic and Odd Fellow circles and had served as grand commander of Knights Templar in Michigan.
J. Brush Fenton was about four years old when his parents moved from Fenton to Flint and in the latter city he grew to manhood. At the age of twelve years he entered Professor Nutting's Academy at Lodi Plains, near Ann Arbor, and from there went to Madison University at Hamilton, New York. Upon completing the academic course in the latter institution he entered Cazenovia Seminary, Cazenovia, New York, where he was pur- suing his studies when the Civil War broke out. He hastened home and enlisted in his father's regiment, the Eighth Michigan, with which he served until honorably discharged in 1863 on account of disability due to wounds received in battle. During his service he acted as aide-de-camp under his father, Colonel Fenton, and Gen. O. M. Poe, and rose to the rank of first lieutenant. He participated in numerous important engagements, including the second battle of Bull Run, and it was at the battle of Chantilly, Vir- ginia, that he received the wound which compelled his retirement from the service. After being wounded he was conveyed to Washington, where he was cared for in the house of Mr. Treadway, that afterwards was occupied by Mrs. Surratt. who was connected with the conspiracy to assassinate President Lincoln. So serious was his injjury that for nine weeks he lay there without turning over. After his convalescence he returned to his home in Flint and presently engaged in the grocery and crockery business, his store being situated at the northeast corner of Saginaw and Kearsley streets. In the fall of 1867 Mr. Fenton took a trip through New Mexico and in the Rocky mountains region and finally settled at Wichita, Kansas. becoming one of the earliest settlers of that place, and there he lived until 1875. In the summer of 1874 he returned to Flint and was married there. but straightway returned to Wichita. Upon his return to Flint the next year, however, he made his permanent home there and has lived in that city ever since, his time being devoted to the general real estate business, in which he has been very successful. Mr. Fenton is the owner of a fine farm of two hundred acres in Mt. Morris township, but has always made his home
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in town. He is a Democrat and gives thoughtful attention to local political affairs, but has never been a seeker after public office.
On June 30, 1874, J. Brush Fenton was united in marriage to Mary V. Thayer, who was born at Flint, daughter of Artemas and M. Louise ( Miles) Thayer, natives of New York state, the latter of "Mayflower" descent, and early settlers at Flint, where their last days were spent. Artemas Thayer was a prominent attorney at Flint in his day and was noted as a builder, it being said that he erected more houses during his residence in the town than any other man there during that period. He and his wife were the parents of five children, Floy, Paris, Mary V., Edward M. and Herbert A.
To J. Brush and Mary V. (Thayer) Fenton four children were born, as follow : Adelaide, who died at the age of nine years; Mary L., who mar- ried Donald M. McCall, of Muskegon, this state, and has two children, Donald F. and William T .; Virginia B., who married William H. Davison. of Flint, and died in 1915, leaving two children, daughters, Mary Thayer and Louise Richmond; and Louise T., who married Fritz R. Miller, of Flint, and has two children, William Fenton and Virginia Frances. Mr. and Mrs. Fenton also reared another girl child, Mary Louise, now the wife of James Martin, cashier of the Genesee County Bank at Flint. Mrs. Fenton died in November, 1912, at the age of sixty-one years. She was a member of the Presbyterian church, of which Mr. Fenton is an attendant. Mr. Fenton is a member of the Michigan Commandery of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion and is a member of Governor Crapo Post of the Grand Army of the Republic, in the affairs of both of which patriotic organizations he takes a warm interest.
HON. LEVI WALKER.
Hon. Levi Walker was born in Granville, Washington county, New York, December 28, 1803. His parents were Josiah Walker and Jemima Tanner, his wife. So near was his birthplace to the border line of Vermont that he often playfully said he was partly a Green Mountain boy. While he was but a child, his parents removed to Sumner Hill, Cayuga county, New York. He was partly educated at Homer Academy and finished his course at Fairfield Institute in Herkimer county. Having completed his literary studies, he began reading law with Judge Reid at Homer, and also read with William J. Bacon, of Utica, New York. In early boyhood he exhibited the thirst for knowledge which characterized him through life. For many years
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it was his custom always to have a book with him when riding or walking. from which he was memorizing. He began the practice of law in Genoa. New York, in 1835. He subsequently removed to Auburn, New York, and entered into a law partnership with Hon. George H. Rathbone, then a men- ber of Congress. He was associated with Hon. William H. Seward as counsel in the memorable defense of the insane negro murderer, Freeman, to which Charles Francis Adams made eloquent reference in the Seward memorial services.
Mr. Walker was, while yet a young man, the editor of a paper at Brock- port, New York, where he wielded a trenchant pen in the interest of what was then called the "National Republican party." It was the first anti- slavery paper published in New York.
In 1837 Mr. Walker was married to Louise Bigelow Meech, daughter of Cyperian and Polly (Hanchett) Meech. Mrs. Walker was a niece of Gen. Jonathan Woodbridge. Her grandfather, who was a lieutenant in the French and Indian War, also kept tavern in Worthington, Massachusetts, where General Burgoyne was brought while being taken as a prisoner to Boston.
In 1847 Mr. Walker removed to Flint, where, ten years before, his brothers, Stiles, James B. and Henry C., had preceded him and where he resided until the time of his death. He early became actively identified with all business, educational and social interests of the growing town. For twenty :consecutive years next preceding his death he had been a member of the school board of Flint. In this capacity his sound judgment, his practical sense and his far-seeing wisdom were conspicuous. He looked upon educa- tion for the masses as the bulwark of our political and social institutions and the splendid school system of Flint, with its resulting excellent schools, is, in an important sense, the work of his peculiar genius.
Mr. Walker was a member of the Presbyterian church and for years served as elder and trustee. Thoroughness, exactness and clearness of per- ception were his distinguishing traits. As a lawyer he stood in many respects at the head of his profession. A sensitive conscience and a high sense of personal honor kept him free from that peculiar weakness that sometimes appertains to practitioners. An opinion by Mr. Walker was considered almost conclusive on any law point. He held the office of justice of the peace for many years and in that capacity was conspicuous for his clearness and justice. He drafted the first charter of the city of Flint, as well as the charter in force at the time of his decease, and was the author of the articles of association of the Genesee County Agricultural Society, of the Flint
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Driving Park Association, the Glenwood Cemetery Association and the con- struction of the Flint City Gas Light Company. Indeed, there is scarcely anything in the recorded history of the city which does not bear the impress of his well-disciplined mind.
Mr. Walker and Artemus Thayer were the leading spirits in establishing Glenwood Cemetery as a beautiful burying place. In 1872 he was elected to the state Legislature, where his force of character and superiority were soon manifest. As chairman of the important committee of state affairs, he seems to have given his personal attention to every subject that came before it. He included in committee reports a statement of the bill reported on and the reason for the disposition made of it by the committee. In many cases this entailed considerable labor, yet in almost, if not quite, every instance, it was performed by Mr. Walker himself, in whose handwriting the report appeared. Two of the most frequent applications made to a legislature are for the changing of names and for the appropriation of non-resident high- way taxes for the construction of state roads. Trifling as they may seem to be, they consumed considerable time and upon these subjects, among others, Mr. Walker submitted elaborate reports, which are likely to settle, or at least guide, legislative action upon them for the future. He came to be regarded as, with few if any exceptions, the soundest thinker in the House and was considered the foremost leader of that body. His views upon any subject were carefully and eagerly listened to.
There is no doubt that Mr. Walker's death was the result of the exces- sive labor which he imposed upon himself in his earnest interest for the welfare of the state. He died at Lansing on April 26, 1873, retaining abso- lute reliability of mind until his last moment. His last act was to affix his signature to his will, dictated but a few minutes before his dissolution: Death came unexpectedly, but found his soul ready to test the future life, in which he had implicit faith.
Governor Charles H. Cromwell, the speaker of the House that year, said: "It is no exaggeration to say that in the death of Mr. Walker this House has lost one of its best and ablest members. He was remarkable for those peculiar powers necessary for a thorough and just analysis of all ques- tions submitted to him for consideration. Shrinking from no' labor, with watchful attention to every detail, he was never satisfied until he had thoro- ughly mastered his subject. Then, with clearness of argument and aptness of illustration, he presented his views, almost invariably to receive the sanc- tion and approval of his associates."
Mr. Walker was survived twenty-two years by his widow, who died
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in 1895, aged eighty-four years. She was a woman of remarkable intellec- tual power and achievement and retained her brilliancy of mind until life's close. . She was very patriotic and performed most efficient service in the Soldiers' Aid Societies. Her heart and soul were in the work of sending supplies to the soldiers. The day following the first disaster at Bull Run she called the first meeting of ladies to her house to scrape lint and make bandages to send to the battle lines. Her interest and labor never failed while there was a soldier to care for.
Mrs. Walker's family was an interesting group. One daughter, Flora Louise, died when a small girl. Her son, George Meech, died in 1905. He had succeeded his father as justice of the peace, which office he held con- secutively for more than twenty-five years. Few of his decisions were reversed in higher courts. One daughter, Helen Victoria, remained at the old homestead until her recent death. In the literary and intellectual life of Flint she had much influence. She was the only surviving president of the Ladies' Library Association, being the only young lady who was honored with that position. She had been closely identified with the Columbian Club and was its first president, holding the place for several years. Her church and Sin- day school work was of wide range and deep effectiveness.
So passeth one generation and another cometh that the fulness may remain.
MERRITT A. CROSSMAN.
Genesee county has been a good enough place for Merritt A. Crossman to spend his life, and since he was a boy, more than half a century ago, he has noted many great and important changes take place here. For many years he devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits in Richfield township, but is now engaged in the produce business at Otisville. Merritt A. Cross- man was born in the above-named township and county on October 27, 1851, a son of Aaron and Lydia (Dibble) Crossman, pioneer settlers of this local- ity. The father was born in Vermont, reared on a farm, and there married Lydia Dibble, after which he and his wife came to Michigan, settling in Genesee county when fewer than half a dozen buildings constituted what is now the city of Flint, the country hereabout then being a vast stretch of primeval forest. Aaron Crossman purchased one hundred and twenty acres of timber land-school land, which he cleared by hard work and placed under improvements, building a primitive home. At that time only three
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families lived within the present bounds of Richfield township. He and his wife spent the rest of their lives on that farm. Eleven children were born to them, of whom the subject of this sketch was the youngest.
Merritt A. Crossman grew up amid pioneer surroundings, worked hard on the home farm, and received a limited education in the early-day district schools, and early in life started out for himself as a farmer. He now owns one hundred and thirty-five acres of valuable and well-improved land adjoining Otisville, where he carried on general farming and stock raising until 1905, in which year he turned his attention to the produce business, which has since claimed his attention, and he has enjoyed a large trade at his well-stocked store in Otisville.
Merritt A. Crossman was married, first, to Lydia Matthews, whose death occurred in 1876. He subsequently married Julia Davis, who lived but a few months thereafter. He is now living with his third wife, who was Ellen Wills before her marriage. Four children were born to his first marriage, namely : Blanche, who is the wife of Charles Andrews, of Detroit ; William, who lives on the home place; Aaron W., who lives in Detroit, and Arthur C., of Flint.
After his first marriage Mr. Crossman continued to live on his father's farm and a few years later purchased the same, but later sold it and bought a farm in Forest township on which he lived two years, at the end of which time he bought his present place at Otisville. Like his father before him, Mr. Crossman has been a life-long Democrat and has been more or less active in the councils of his party. He is widely and favorably known throughout the county and has ever given a good citizen's attention to all movements designed to advance the common welfare hereabout.
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