USA > Michigan > Genesee County > History of Genesee County, Michigan, Her People, Industries and Institutions, Volume II > Part 22
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85
220
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Agricultural College and is now employed by the Lindquist Clothing Com- pany in Grand Rapids.
Politically, Mr. Sutherland is a Prohibitionist, and always supports the men best suited, in his opinion, for the offices sought. He is a member of the Methodist church at Argentine, of which he is a trustee.
LEWIS J. BENJAMIN.
A farmer and stockman of the type of Lewis J. Benjamin, proprietor of "Walnut Stock Farm," in Thetford township does much to encourage better farming and the raising of better live stock in his locality. He was born near Belleville, Ontario, Canada, September 19, 1857, and is a son of Richard L. and Harriet ( Martin) Benjamin. The father was born at Kingston, Ontario, and was a son of Lewis Benjamin, who moved with three brothers, farmers and blacksmiths, to Canada in an early day from New York state. Lewis finally settled at Kingston, where he reared his family of ten children. Like many pioneers he made clothes and shoes for his family. Harriet Martin was born in Tipperary, Ireland, and emigrated to Canada when four- teen years old. She was a daughter of John Martin, who engaged in farm- ing and reared a large family. In 1864 Richard L. Benjamin and family and his four brothers-in-law all came to Michigan. He bought one hundred and twenty acres in Vienna township, this county, which he cleared. There he raised his family and there his wife died. He later moved to Ogemaw county, where he died. He had four children, namely: Lewis J., the sub- ject of this sketch: Sarah A., now deceased, who was the wife of John A. AcCrady. of Clio; Matthew, who lives in Flint. and Eliza J., the wife of Delbert Hoyt, of Ogemaw county.
Lewis J. Benjamin was reared on the home farm and received a com- mon school education. He lived at home until he was twenty-two years old. On March 3, 1880, he married Eva G. Munsell, a daughter of Algernon Sid- ney and Emily (Wright) Munsell. The father was born near Wolcott, where he lived until he was thirty years old, then moved to Livingston county, Michigan, where he bought a farm and where he met and married Emily Wright, who was born in Genesee county, New York, and when six- teen years old came with her parents to Michigan, the family settling at Ypsilanti, where the family lived until 1844, then located in Livingston county, later, when Mrs. Benjamin was six years old, moving to Thetford
221
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
township, Genesee county, where her parents spent the rest of their lives, her father dying on December 10, 1896, at the age of eighty-six years. Her mother died on July 4 of that same year, at the age of seventy-six. They were parents of four children, three of whom grew up, namely: Lucetta. deceased, who was the wife of Lyman Williams; Emina, deceased, who was the wife of Joseph Lewis, and Eva G., wife of Mr. Benjamin.
After his marriage. Mr. Benjamin settled on the old Munsell place and took care of his wife's parents; finally bought the place and lived there until in April, 1915, when he moved to his present farm of eighty acres, which he had purchased in 1912. He also owns another eighty in Thetford town- ship. He carries on general farming and stock raising, specializing in breed- ing registered Holstein cattle, his herd being headed by "King Hengerveld Palmyra Fayne, the Fifth." The herd is now composed of eighteen head.
Mr. Benjamin has five children, namely: Henry G., who lives on the old home place, married Elsie Anderson and has two children, Oliver and Elwin : Emily G., the wife of Roy Grawol, of Flint; Harriet, who married John Moran, of Romeo, and has two children, Leo and Gertrude; Johnnie. who died in infancy, and Nellie Ethyline, who is in school. Politically, Mr. Benjamin is a Republican. He is a member of the Grange.
BERT SKINNER.
As every one knows, methods of farming are changing, and we are learning many things that the husbandman of half a century ago did not know or at least did not attach much importance to. Bert Skinner, of Argentine township, this county, is a farmer who tries to keep abreast of the times in his vocation and is therefore succeeding. He was born in the above-named township and county on February 25, 1877, a son of Jeptha and Caroline ( Wilkinson) Skinner. The father was born in Ontario, Can- ada, May 14, 1840, and when a boy moved with his parents to Oakland county, Michigan, where he lived until he was twenty-six years of age, and there he and Caroline Wilkinson were married in 1862. She was born in Lincolnshire, England, and when about ten years old came to Michigan with her parents, the family settling in Oakland county. The parents of the sub- ject of this sketch lived in Oakland county about five years after their mar- riage, then came to Genesee county and bought two hundred and forty acres in section 33. Argentine township, which place they transformed into a good
222
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
farm and continued to reside there until in 1904, when they retired from active life and located in the village of Byron, where the father's death occurred on March 13, 1913. The mother survives. He was independent in politics and firm in his convictions, always standing up for what he believed to be right, whether political or religious. His widow is a member of the Byron Baptist church. To these parents eight children were born, five of whom are still living, namely: Jeptha, who lives in Argentine town- ship, where also reside Jay D., Bert, Frank W. and George F. Truie, Hattie and Eliza are deceased.
Bert Skinner grew up on the home farm and received his education in the district schools and the Byron public schools. He lived at home until he was twenty-four years of age. On October 23, 1901, he married Mary R. Teller, a daughter of Samuel and Eliza ( Bowers) Teller, natives of Penn- sylvania and the state of New Work, respectively, who came to Michigan and settled in Livingston county, where Mrs. Skinner was born. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Skinner settled on the farm where they still reside in section 17 of Argentine township. The place consists of one hundred and fifty acres, which Mr. Skinner had purchased the year previous. He has a good farm, keeps it well improved and engages in general farming and stock raising. He and his wife have one son, John Jay Skinner, now attending district school.
Politically, Mr. Skinner is a Democrat. He was township treasurer for two years and he has been township supervisor since November, 1913, being elected three different times. He is a member of Byron Lodge No. 80. Free and Accepted Masons and of Durand Chapter No. 139, Royal Arch Masons, and was a master of the Byron lodge from December 27, 1913, to December 27, 1915. He also is a meniber of Byron Chapter No. 212, Order of the Eastern Star.
DENNIS R. STILES.
The true northern spirit of progress and enterprise is strikingly exempli- fied in the lives of such men as Dennis R. Stiles, a leading business man of Argentine, this county. His energetic nature and laudable ambition have enabled him to conquer many adverse circumstances and advance steadily in his chosen lines of endeavor.
Dennis R. Stiles was born on a farm in Livingston county, Michigan, August 15, 1881, a son of W. B. and Ella K. (Whitney) Stiles. The father
223
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
was born in East Mendon, New York, a son of W. B. and Cornelia E. Stiles. The father of the subject of this sketch lived on the home farm in his native state until he was nineteen years old, then came to Michigan, locating in Deer- field township, Livingston county, where he worked out as a farm hand. His mother joined him there a few years later and he made a home for her. Ella K. Whitney was born in Monroe county, Michigan, and when a girl came with her parents to Genesee county, the family locating on a farm in Argentine township, and there she met and married W. B. Stiles. They first settled in Deerfield township on a rented farm, but bought forty acres a few years later in Deerfield township and lived there twenty-two years; then moved to Argentine where Mr. Stiles engaged in the lumber business which he has followed ever since. He had previously purchased a saw-mill there, and later bought a half interest in the flour-mill. which was for a time oper- ated under the firm name of Bishop & Stiles. Finally Mr. Stiles bought his partner out, operating the mill five years alone, then sold out. Four years later, in 1911, W. B. and D. R. Stiles bought it. The following year W. B. Stiles sold his interest to two of his sons, who in turn sold out to D. R. Stiles in 1913, and it has since been owned and operated by the latter.
To W. B. Stiles, Jr. and wife eight children were born, seven of whom are now living, namely: Edward B., who operates the elevator at Linden ; Cornelia, wife of Edward Bird, of Argentine: E. R., who is operating the elevator at Fostoria; D. R., the subject of this sketch; Floyd S., who is connected with the elevator at Davisburg; Jennie B., wife of E. R. Lang, of Redford, Michigan, and Mabel S., wife of Eugene Carl, of Shiawassee county. Marlin L., the deceased child of the family, died at the age of six months.
D. R. Stiles received his education in the public schools of Argentine, then attended the normal school at Fenton, from which institution he was graduated. After leaving school he accepted a position as traveling sales- man for the Russell-Mooney Company, of Chicago, which he represented for eight years, during which time he penetrated to all parts of the United States and gave eminent satisfaction to his firm, greatly increasing the busi- ness and prestige of the same. But finally tiring of the road he returned to Argentine and entered the milling business with his father. He is one of the most progressive business men of the county. He is proprietor of the Argentine Light & Power Company, is also still heavily interested in the milling business and buys and sells grain and beans in large quantities.
On June 12, 1908, D. R. Stiles was married to Clara V. Starring, daugh- ter of John C .. and Lena B. Starring, of Clarkston, Michigan, and to this
221
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
union two children have been born, Emerson J., who is attending school, and Evelyn B., the baby.
Politically, Mr. Stiles is a Democrat. Fraternally, he is a member of Coleburg Lodge No. 112, Knights of Pythias.
JOHN J. SLEEMAN.
It is not the kind of work, but the kind of spirit with which it is done that dignifies and exalts human service. This is a thought that should al- ways put heart into every worker, put glow and cheer into his service and fill him with a large degree of satisfaction in doing the work that nature seems to have, in a way, appointed him. John J. Sleeman, for many years a carriage 'manufacturer, and the present postmaster at Linden, is a man who gets satisfaction out of his daily tasks and therefore his work has not only always been well done, but to him life is worth living.
Mr. Sleeman was born in London, Ontario, October 14, 1845, and is a son of William and Catherine ( Hicks) Sleeman. John Hicks, the maternal grandfather, was born in Devon, England, and married Grace Jolliffe, also a native of England. When twenty-one years old he went into the revenue department of the government, in which he served until superannuated. He removed with his family to London, province of Ontario, Canada, in an early day. He was a member of the Episcopal church. Grandfather John Sleeman was born near Devon, England, and his wife, Mary Watts, was also a native of that country. They devoted their entire lives to farming in their native land. They were members of the Episcopal church. John Sleeman. the great-grandfather, was a son of William Sleeman. The father of the subject came to Canada alone about 1838, settling at London, Ontario, where he spent practically all of the rest of his life on a farm, which he developed from a wild state, through hard work and perseverance. His death occurred in 1873, at the age of sixty-four years. His wife came to Canada with her parents when young in years. Her death occurred in 1900. To William Sleeman and wife eight children were born, named as follow: Mary, Grace, John J. ( the subject ), William, Jr., Thomas, Catherine, Harry (deceased ) and Charles.
John J. Sleeman was educated in the public and high schools of Lon- don, Ontario, and when a young man he learned the carriage-maker's trade, which he followed until appointed postmaster at Linden. July 14, 1913. He
John & Sleeman --
Mr Elland Sleeman
225
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
came to Linden in the year 1870. He became a highly skilled workman and did a good business as carriage maker. As postmaster his services have been entirely satisfactory to the people and the postoffice department. Politically, he is a Democrat. He is a member of the Masonic order, including the chapter, having been a Royal Arch Mason for forty-five years. His wife is a member of the Congregational church. He is a well-informed man, especially in history, being a great reader.
Mr. Sleeman was married, Decmeber 23, 1874, to Ella Tilden, who was born in Saline, Michigan, February 22, 1857, a daughter of Lemuel K. and Lorinda ( Lapham) Tilden, natives of Monroe county, New York, the father's birth occurring there in 1835. They removed to Linden, Genesee county, Michigan, about fifty years ago and here established their future home in Linden, both dying in 1892. They were members of the Baptist church. Two children have been born to the subject and wife, namely: Mary Elizabeth, who married Charles G. Marshall, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, and they have one child, Tilden S. Marshall; Blythe R. Sleeman, who is a practicing physician in Linden, married Rose Dawson, and they have one child, Robert D. Sleeman.
J. D. SKINNER.
While J. D. Skinner, of Argentine township, does not seem to have specialized on any one phase of agriculture, as many are now doing, he has studied all carefully and has made a success as a general farmer. His neighbors might do well to observe his methods in many lines. He was born in the above named township and county, November 1, 1874, and is a son of Jepthae and Caroline (Wilkinson) Skinner, the former of whom was born in Dundas, Ontario, Canada, the son of Jepthae Skinner, also a native of Canada. Caroline Wilkinson was born in Lincolnshire, England, where she spent her early girlhood, being fourteen years of age when she came to America with her parents, who located in Novi township, Oakland county, Michigan, where she grew to young womanhood, met and married Mr. Skinner, who had removed from Ontario to Ashland county, this state, with his father. About three years after their marriage they came to Genesee county, later locating in Argentine township on one hundred and sixty aeres, which was added to until they had an excellent farm of two hundred and
(15a)
226
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
forty acres. The country was wild, wooded and sparsely settled when they settled in that locality and Mr. Skinner had to cut a road through the timber to his land. He worked hard and prospered, continuing to live on his original place until he was sixty-two years old, when he retired from active life and removed to Byron, where his death occurred. His widow returned to the old homestead and is still living. To these parents seven children were born, namely: Trnie, who died when four years of age; Hattie, who died when nineteen years of age; Jeptha, who lives in .Argentine township: J. D., the subject of this sketch, and Bert, Frank and George, who also live in Argentine township.
J. D. Skinner grew up on the home farm and received a common-school education in the district school and in the Byron schools. He lived at home until he was married on November 23, 1896, to Mary E. Kidder, a daughter of Wellington and Elizabeth Kidder. After his marriage he moved to his farm of one hundred and forty-three acres, where he has since resided. By diligence and good management he has increased his holdings until he now owns an excellent farm of two hundred and twenty-four acres and is suc- cessfully carrying on general farming and stock raising. He has a good home and numerous convenient outbuildings. He at one time owned three hundred and four acres.
To Mr. and Mrs. Skinner one child has been born, a son, George Ernest Skinner, who is at home with his parents. Politically, Mr. Skinner is an independent voter. He is a member of the Byron Baptist church, of which he has been a deacon and active worker for the past four years.
WILLIAM J. ERWIN.
In these modern days of worn soils, although we have the most improved labor-saving farm machinery, the business of farming demands brains more than brawn, that our soils may be rescued from the wilderness of wasted fertility that is stifling and depleting them. One of the successful farmers of Genesee county is William J. Erwin, of Mundy township. He was born in Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, August 30, 1861, a son of Kernes and Nancy ( Olinger) Erwin. The father was of Irish descent. The mother was a native of Pennsylvania. Kernes Erwin learned the blacksmith's trade when a young man and worked at the same until about 1883, when he bought a farm on which he spent the rest of his life, dying on July 4, 1899. His
227
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
widow survived until March 8, 1915. reaching an advanced age. To these parents seven children were born, six of whom grew to maturity, namely : William J., the subject of this sketch; John A., a blacksmith, who lives in Pennsylvania; Samuel F., engaged in a rolling-mill at Vandergrift, Penn- sylvania; Margaret, who married Milton St. Clair, a farmer, of Whitesburg, Pennsylvania: A. L., who lives in Pennsylvania, and Frank B., who also lives in Pennsylvania.
William J. Erwin received a common-school education and lived at home until he was twenty-four years of age, then came to Michigan, locating at Grand Blanc, this county, and hired out to David Van Tiflin, for whom he worked six months; then worked for Joseph Eames, in the same locality. for seven years; then worked for David Palmer eight years. Saving his earnings, he purchased the farm he now owns in November, 1899, and has lived there ever since. His place consists of one hundred and twenty acres and is well located in Mundy township. He has made a good living as a general farmer and stock raiser.
On March 8, 1900, William J. Erwin was married to Belinda Wilson. a native of New Jersey, from which state she came to this county when six- teen years of age. Politically. Mr. Erwin is a Republican. Fraternally, he is a member of Mundy Lodge No. 504, Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
SAMUEL EDWARD SMITH.
The wanderlust, like a siren, calls to every youth to forsake his ancestral halls and hills and go out in quest of a better country. Many have heeded the summons to their advantage, but perhaps more have found disappoint- ment and trouble. In such a county as Genesee that young man is fortunate who has the sagacity to remain at home, as did Samuel Edward (known as Ed) Smith, a farmer of Argentine township. He was born near where he now resides on March 2, 1862, and is a son of Samuel and Margaret (Robin- son ) Smith. The father was born in northern Ireland, from which country he came as a young man to America, stopped awhile in New York state, where he worked out on a farm, and there met and married Margaret Robin- son, who also was born in Ireland, but was of Scotch ancestry. When a young girl she came with a sister to America, locating in the state of New York. After their marriage Samuel Smith and wife came to Michigan, locating on a farm in Grand Blanc township, Genesee county, and two years
228
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
later moved to Argentine township, buying a farm of eighty acres, where Albert Smith now lives. There the elder Samuel Smith prospered through good management and, with the help of his sons, increased his holdings to four hundred acres. He was one of the well-to-do farmers of this county in his day and generation. He and his wife were the parents of nine chil- dren, namely : Mary, who is the wife of William Jones, of Tuscola county, Michigan; Philip, a farmer of Genesee county ; Jane, wife of John F. West, of Clayton township; Catherine, who married William Ellison, both now deceased ; James, who lives on the old homestead; Archie, who is in the state of Washington ; Samuel Edward, the subject of this sketch; Eliza, widow of William L. Smith, of Argentine township, and Albert, who lives on the home place. The parents of these children were Episcopalians, and the father was a stanch Democrat.
Samuel Edward Smith received his education in the district schools and worked on the home farm during the summer months. He lived at home until he was thirty-five years of age, then moved to his own farm of ninety- four acres in Argentine township, where he spent four years. On April 9, 1901, when he married Annie Dodder, he moved to his present excellent farm of two hundred acres, where he has since successfully carried on gen- eral farming and stock raising. His wife is a daughter of Jacob S. Dodder, who moved from Oakland county to Argentine township as a pioneer.
Politically, Mr. Smith is a Democrat. He is a past noble grand of Linden Lodge No. 276, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is a mem- ber of the grand lodge of that order. He is active in the work of the lodge and is one of the best known members of that fraternity in Genesee county.
CHARLES E. LILLIE.
One of the farmers of Argentine township who, by proper rotation and fertilization, has been careful to prevent his soil from becoming thin, there- fore causing his productive and well-kept place to yield abundant harvests annually, is Charles E. Lillie, who, like many other citizens of the locality of which this history deals, hails from the Empire state, his birth having occurred in Elbridge, Onondaga county, New York, December 27, 1852. He is a son of E. F. and Sarah (Gale) Lillie, both natives of the state of New York, where they grew up and were married. The father was of Scotch-Irish descent. After his marriage he settled on a farm in his native
229
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
county where he lived until 1860, when he came to Michigan, locating in Argentine township, this county, where he bought a farm of seventy-two acres. Later he bought one hundred and sixty acres, and there he and his wife spent the rest of their lives. Nine children were born to them, all of whom grew to maturity, namely: William, who resides in Argentine township; Pratt, who lives in Detroit; Charles E., the subject of this sketch; James, who lives in Williamston, Michigan; Levi, who lives in Stockbridge, this state; Frances, who married Chester Smith and is now deceased; George, who died unmarried; Andrew, a shoemaker by trade, who is now deceased, and Lucy, who died unmarried. E. F. Lillie was a shoemaker by trade, which vocation he followed for a number of years. He was a Democrat, was active in party affairs and held the office of highway commissioner for several terms.
Charles E. Lillie was about eight years old when his parents moved from New York to this county. He grew up on the home farm and was educated in the district schools. He remained with his parents on the farm, taking care of them in their old age. He bought out the other heirs to the home- stead in Argentine township, which place he still owns. It consists of one hundred and fifty-two acres, a part of which lies across the line in Shiawassee county.
On December 8, 1875. Charles E. Lillie was married to Mary J. Cum- mings, a daughter of Ira and Lydia Cummings. Her death occurred on July 22, 1894. Two children were born to that union, the first of whom died in infancy, unnamed, and Olive, who is now the wife of Charles Bennett.
Politically, Mr. Lillie is a Democrat. He has served as township con- stable, and was deputy sheriff under Ed Russ for four years. He is a mem- ber of Byron Lodge No. 349, Knights of the Maccabees.
HARRY H. BASSETT.
Harry H. Bassett, vice-president and general manager of the Weston- Mott Company at Flint, is a native of the state of New York and has been a resident of Flint since the year 1907. He was born in the city of Utica, New York, September 1I, 1875, son of William L. and Mary (Babcock) Bassett, natives of that same state, the former of whom spent his last days in Flint and the latter of whom is still living there.
William L. Bassett was born on a farmi, son of P. H. Bassett and wife,
230
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
also natives of New York state, who spent all their lives in that state, the former living to be ninety-two years of age and the latter, eighty-six. They were the parents of nine children, George, William, Lucy, John, Dwight, Evelyn, Harriet, Elizabeth and one who died young. William L. Basset married Mary Babcock, who was born at Unadilla Forks, in Otsego county, New York, daughter of Henry H. and Tammison Babcock, natives of that same state, the former of whom was a merchant in that town and who were the parents of six children, Lee, Herbert, Mary, Julia, Ella and Laura. William L. Bassett early turned his attention to the manufacturing business and was engaged as superintendent of plants for the manufacture of agri- cultural implements, at Utica and Ilion, practically all of his active life. In 1910, upon retiring from business, he and his wife located in Flint, where he died in October, 1914. he then being seventy-eight years of age. His widow, who still survives him, continues to make her home in Flint. She is a member of the Universalist church and he was a Baptist. They were the parents of three children, of whom the subject of this biographical sketch was the second in order of birth, the others being Tammison, who married Dr. L. B. Palmiter, of New York City, and Cornelia, who married E. R. Knapp, of Flint.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.