USA > Michigan > Genesee County > History of Genesee County, Michigan, Her People, Industries and Institutions, Volume II > Part 24
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
WILLIAM VERNON SMITH.
William Vernon Smith, a well-known attorney-at-law at Flint, with offices in the Paterson building, and one of the most competent authorities on the history of the Indians in the state of Michigan, is a native of the Empire state, having been born in Yorkshire, Cattaraugus county, New York, August 6, 1857. He is a son of Buel G. and Lucy E. (Thornton) Smith, both natives of that same state, who were the parents of eight chil- dren who grew to maturity, of whom the subject of this sketch was the
gar-ay-qar-40. Ya-90-sa. Acham V. Smith
241
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
fifth in order of birth, the others being as follow: Emma, wife of Chester C. Pingrey, of Delevan, New York; Lydia H., deceased, who was the wife of Dr. Francis J. Cheney ; Rev. Buel R. Smith, pastor of a Baptist church at Tully, New York: Flora E., wife of Mason C. Langmade, of East Turora, New York; Jasper E., of Olean, New York; Jessie E., wife of Edward Rowland, of Franklinville, New York, and Cora E., widow of Byron C. Pin- grey, of New York City, a teacher of biology.
Buel G. Smith was the son of Reuben and Lydia (Remington ) Smith, the former a native of New Hampshire and the latter of Vermont, who spent their last days in Cattaraugus county, New York. They were the par- ents of four children, Enos, Henrietta, Buel G. and one who died in infancy. and the first two of whom died unmarried. Reuben Smith was one of the eleven children born to Abraham and Delilah (Willey ) Smith, the former a son of Abraham Smith, a soldier of the American Revolution, and the latter a daughter of Barnabus Willey, also a Revolutionary soldier. The younger Abraham Smith also served in the patriot army during the Revolutionary War, he and his father being members of the same company and regiment. Buel G. Smith was reared on the home farm in Cattaraugus county, New York, and during his young manhood was a school teacher. After his mar- riage he engaged in farming in his home county and was thus engaged the rest of his life, his death occurring when he was sixty-two years of age. He was active in public affairs and had held various township offices. He and his wife were active members of the Universalist church. His widow sur- vived him many years, being eighty-four years of age at the time of her death. She was a daughter of Richard and Eleanor (Wood) Thornton, the former a native of Massachusetts and the latter of Vermont, both of whom spent their last days in Cattaraugus county, New York, he dying at the age of seventy-six years and she at the age of ninety-five. They were the par- ents of seven children, namely: Miranda, wife of Stephen Langmade; Phoebe, wife of Ezekiel Pierce ; Richard, Samuel, Lucy E., and Emeline and Adaline, twins, both of whom died in young womanhood. Richard Thorn- ton was a son of Samuel Thornton, a Revolutionary soldier, a native of Massachusetts and a direct descendant of the John Thornton, who was one of the co-laborers with Roger Williams in the founding of the Providence Plantations. His wife's father, Barnard Wood, also was a Revolutionary soldier, the family of Buel G. Smith thus having an unusual number of lines of Revolutionary descent.
William V. Smith was reared .on the paternal farm in Cattaraugus (16a)
242
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
county, New York. He supplemented his schooling in the district schools by a course in Tenbroeck Academy and then taught school for seven terms, after which he entered upon the study of law and on June 17, 1881, at Buffalo, New York, was admitted to the bar. He opened an office for the practice of his profession at Olean, the chief city in his native county, and for twenty-five years was engaged in practice there. In the fall of 1905 Mr. Smith came to Michigan and located at Flint, where he has since been en- gaged in practice. Mr. Smith is an "independent" as to his political views. During his residence at Olean he served as a member of the school board and was also a member of the civil service commission while there.
William V. Smith is the author of the ethnographic chapters of this history. Mr. Smith is a member of the Seneca nation of Indians by adop- tion and his Indian name is Gar-ay-gar-yo. In the illustration accom- panying this sketch he holds a Ga-go-sa, or medicine face of the Senecas. The one illustrated is one of three or four known antiques in existence. A great many traditions and a great many folk tales of the Iroquois refer to these symbols of the "flying faces" that are often seen by the Indians in the sky, and are ominous of good or evil fortune. Those with the red face and regular features are promises of good, and those with black cheeks, irregular features and distorted mouths are ominous of impending evil. It is thought that the chapters of this history relative to aboriginal occu- pancy of Genesee county, and incidentally of eastern Michigan, are the most complete and reliable that have appeared in any history of the region in question.
On November 16, 1881, William V. Smith was united in marriage to Dora E. Allen, who was born in the village of Machias, Cattaraugus county, New York, December 28, 1857, daughter of Andrew and Elvira (Bush) Allen, natives of New York state, both of whom are now deceased, who were the parents of five children, one son and four daughters. Of these children, Mrs. Smith was the second in order of birth, the others being as follow : Richard Allen, who married Minerva Wilder; Rene, wife of George E. Spring; Alta L., wife of Harold S. King, and Lina M., unmarried. Andrew Allen was one of the five children born to his parents, Cheney and Jane (I.ytle) Allen, natives of New York state, and his wife was one of the six children born to her parents, Samuel S. and Maria ( Marvin) Bush. the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of New York.
To William V. and Dora E. (Allen) Smith two children have been born, Elizabeth Allen Smith, a teacher in the Flint high school, who was
243
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
graduated from the Olean high school and Cornell University and is now taking a post-graduate course in the University of California, and Allen T. Smith, a graduate of the Flint high school and of the law department of the University of Michigan, who is now conducting an advertising agency in Flint. Mr. and Mrs. Smith attend the Presbyterian church and take a proper interest in the various social and cultural activities of their home town. Mr. Smith is a member of Genesee Lodge No. 174, Free and Accepted Masons, and takes a warm interest in Masonic affairs.
DELOS ERNEST NEWCOMBE.
Delos Ernest Newcombe, city clerk of Flint, whose popularity in his home community is attested by the fact that he has been successively re-elected to that office since 1902, is a native son of Flint and has lived in that city practically all his life. He was born on July 22, 1872, son of Thomas and Eliza (Gayton) Newcombe, both natives of England, born in Devonshire, who came to this country on their wedding trip in 1849 and settled at Flint, where they spent the remainder of their lives. Not long after locating at Flint Thomas Newcombe was made sexton of Glenwood cemetery, a position he held for some years, at the end of which time he bought a farm of eighty acres in Burton township, which he operated, although continuing to make his home in Flint. He and his wife lived to ripe old ages and died within two days of each other, her death occurring on February 25, 1903, she then being seventy-seven years of age, and his, February 27, of that same year, he then being eighty-two years of age. They were the parents of nine chil- dren, of whom the subject of this sketch is now the only one living in this county, the others being as follow: Henrietta, deceased, who was the wife of C. E. Baldwin; Frederick C., of Ann Arbor, this state; Herbert G., of Shawnee, Oklahoma, and five who died young.
Following his graduation from the Flint high school in 1890 Delos E. Newcombe became employed in the office of the Flint Globe and went on up, through the circulation department, to the position of bookkeeper and then city editor of that paper. From the Globe he went to the Detroit Journal, but presently was called back to Flint to take charge of the circulation depart- ment of the Daily News and was thus connected with that paper until his election to the office of city clerk in April, 1902. In 1903 he was re-elected and since that date Mr. Newcombe has been appointed city clerk each year
244
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
by the common council and during that long period of public service has done much for the advancement of the general interests of his native town. He is a Republican and has given close attention to the political affairs of the city and county.
On November 15, 1899, Delos E. Newcombe was united in marriage to Maud E. Sanders, who was born at Flint in March, 1870, daughter of David H. and Eugenia A. (Farley) Sanders, natives of New York state, who came to Michigan many years ago and are still living at Flint, Mr. Sanders being a retired merchant of that city. Mrs. Newcombe is the only survivor of the four children born to her parents, her sister, Ella, having died at the age of seventeen years and two brothers in infancy. To Mr. and Mrs. Newcombe three children have been born, Gayton, Alletta and Delos Ernest, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Newcombe are members of the Court Street Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Newcombe is a Scottish Rite Mason, affiliated with the con- sistory at Detroit through membership in Genesee Lodge No. 174 at Flint, and is a member of the local lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
GEORGE E. TAYLOR.
Like so many of the representative citizens of Genesee county, George E. Taylor, well known farmer of Argentine, came from the state of New York. He had the sagacity to see in this locality the splendid opportunities for the agriculturist, and by industry and good management he has succeeded admirably in his chosen vocation. He was born in Genesee county, New York, May 16, 1859, and is a son of George and Mary (Altoff) Taylor. The father was born in Lincolnshire, England, and when a young man came with his parents to the United States, the family settling in the state of New York, where the parents spent the rest of their lives. Mary Altoff, also a native of Lincolnshire, England, was a young girl when she came with her parents to the United States, the family also locating in the state of New York, where the parents spent their last days. After their marriage George and Mary Taylor settled in Genesee county, New York, where they remained fifteen years, removing with their family in 1868, to Oakland county, Mich- igan, living at Fenton, but operating a farm just over the line in Oakland county, about nine years ; then moved to Genesee county. Upon moving to this county George Taylor rented the Leonard farm in Argentine township for ten years, then bought a farm of about three hundred acres, on which
245
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
he spent the rest of his life, dying on May 4. 1904. His widow survives and lives in Argentine village. He became prosperous and owned a total of six hundred and twenty acres. He engaged in farming and stock raising on an extensive scale, shipping large numbers of sheep to market annually. His family consisted of six children, namely: Eliza, who makes her home with her mother; Martha, the wife of C. L. Hudson, of Holly; George E., the subject of this sketch; Albert, who died when eighteen months of age; William. who lives in Argentine village, and Alice, the wife of Frank Suther- land, of Flint.
George E. Taylor grew up on the home farm and received his education in the district schools and in Fenton. He lived at home until December 14, 1882, when he married Flora Baxter, who was born in Oakland county, this state. After their marriage they rented the Leonard place in Argentine township, for five years, although Mr. Taylor had purchased one hundred and ninety acres about that time, which place he still owns and on which he resided until 1905, when he moved to Argentine village where he has since resided, owning a fine home there. He has managed well and employed modern methods in his general farming and stock-raising business and now owns three hundred acres in one place on the state road west of Argentine, also another of two hundred and twenty acres near the village.
To Mr. and Mrs. Taylor one child has been born, a son, Adelbert E. Taylor, who received excellent educational advantages, having passed through the grade schools and the Linden high school and then taking a business course at Ypsilanti Normal. He married Vera Austin, a daughter of B. J. Austin, of Argentine, and now lives on one of his father's farms.
Mr. Taylor is a Democrat and has long been active in local politics. He was township treasurer for two years, highway commissioner for two years, justice of the peace one term and has also served on the township board of review. He is a member of the Argentine Gleaners, and of the Knights of the Maccabees.
OSCAR WILLIAM MORRISH.
In connection with general farming, many farmers are now specializing in some one crop or on some specific breed of live stock, and they often become experts in their chosen line. They ought to be made the experts or advisers of their communities, so that their skill can be brought onto all
246
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
the farms of their vicinity. If this plan could be carried out, better and larger crops would be raised, as well as a finer and more profitable grade of live stock. Oscar William Morrish, of Clayton township, this county, makes a specialty of thoroughbred Durham and Jersey cattle and has done much to encourage the breeding of better cattle in this county. He was born on the farm where he still lives on October 29, 1867, and is a son of Thomas and Sarah (Brown) Morrish, and a grandson of Thomas Morrish, Sr., a pioneer of this region, who was a native of Devonshire, England, and who brought his family to the United States when his son, Thomas, was nine years of age, the family locating in Clayton township, this county, when the country roundabout was practically a wilderness. They cleared a farm, erected primitive buildings and there the grandfather spent the rest of his life, becoming well-to-do through his industry and good management. He was something of a financier. He learned the carpenter's trade when a young man, which vocation he followed more or less for many years. Thomas Morrish, Jr., grew up on the home farm in Clayton township and attended the early-day district schools. He began working out as a farm hand during the summer when thirteen years old, but continued in school in winter time. He was a well-read man, having continued practically a student all his life. When a young man he purchased seventy-four acres, which he moved onto at the time of his marriage. His first union was with Dimis Calkins, a sister of Daniel Calkins, her family having come to Genesee county in 1840, settling on what is now the Calkins farm. To Mr. Morrish and his first wife two children were born, Wilbur, who died in Wyoming in 1911, and Eunice, who died in infancy. The second wife of Thomas Morris was Sarah Brown, a native of Genesee county, her par- ents having located here in an early day, coming from the state of New York. Three children were born to the second marriage, namely: Arza, who lives in Portland, Oregon; Oscar W., the subject of this sketch, and Irving, who was killed while working in the woods.
Oscar W. Morrish grew up on the home farm and received a common- school education. When twenty-two years of age he went to Portland, Oregon, and pre-empted one hundred and sixty acres near there and remained on the land until 1901, when he returned to Genesee county. He owns one hundred and twenty acres in section 7, Flint township, and is also looking after seventy-two acres in section 1, Clayton township, which belongs to his brother. He keeps a fine herd of thoroughbred Durham cattle and a high grade of Jersey cattle.
In Oregon, in 1898, Oscar W. Morrish was married to Mrs. Maud
247
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
( Dixon) Bowman, a daughter of Henry Dixon, and to this union five chil- dren have been born, namely: Thomas, who is attending school; Sarah, who died when two years of age; Ruth and Rena, twins, who are attending school, and Wilbur, the baby. By her first marriage Mrs. Morrish is the mother of a son, George H. Bowman, who is at home.
Politically, Mr. Morrish is a Democrat. Fraternally, he is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons at Flushing and of the Maccabees lodge.
J. R. CLARK.
J. R. Clark, commissioner of highways of Argentine township, this county, and one of the best-known and most progressive farmers of that part of the county, owner of a fine farm of ninety acres situated on rural route No. 2, out of Linden, is a native son of Michigan and has lived in this state all his life, a continuous resident of Genesee county since the days of his infancy. He was born on a farm in the neighboring county of Lapeer, October 22, 1877, son of James B. and Lucy (Converse) Clark, the former of whom was born in that same county and the latter at Ashtabula, Ohio, who were married in Michigan and began housekeeping in Lapeer county, where they lived until they came to Genesee county in April, 1878, settling on a farm in Argentine township, where James B. Clark spent the remainder of his life, a useful and influential citizen, his death occurring in 1909, and where his widow is still living. They were the parents of four children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the third in order of birth, the others being Nina M., who was graduated from the Fenton Normal School, then became a graduate nurse and is now pursuing her profession at Benton Har- bor ; Gertrude B., who is at home with her mother, and Vern D., a resident of Byron, in the neighboring county of Shiawassee.
J. R. Clark was but six months old when his parents came to Genesee county from Lapeer county and he grew to manhood on the home farm in Argentine township, receiving his schooling in the district schools in that neighborhood and supplementing the same by a course in the commercial department of the Valparaiso (Indiana) University, following which for three years he was connected with a construction company at Chicago. After his marriage in 1900 he established his home on the farm on which he is now living and has lived there ever since, he and his family being very pleasantly situated. He has done well in his farming operations and his
218
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
farm is well improved and profitably cultivated. Mr. Clark is a Republican and for two years served as treasurer of his home township. In 1913 he was elected highway commissioner for the township and is still serving in that capacity.
Mr. Clark has been married twice. On January 1, 1900, he was united in marriage to Sadie Hatt and to that union two sons were born, J. B. and Ernest. The mother of these children died on May 9, 1904, and on December 23, 1913, Mr. Clark married Elsie Hutchison, to which union one child has been born, a son, Howard .A., born in 1914. The Clarks have a very pleas- ant home and take a proper part in the general social activities of their neigh- borhood, helpful in the work of promoting all agencies for the advancement of the welfare of the community in which they live. Mr. Clark is a Royal Arch Mason and a Knight Templar, a member of the "blue" lodge at Byron and of the chapter and the commandery at Fenton, and takes a warm interest in Masonic affairs.
WILLIAM W. MOUNTAIN.
For many years William W. Mountain, president and general manager of the Flint Varnish Works, has been regarded by the people of Genesee county as one of the most progressive business men of the city of Flint, whose interests he has ever had at heart and sought to promote in every legiti- mateway possible.
Mr. Mountain was born at Howell, Livingston county, Michigan, November 2, 1862. He is a son of Robert S. and Cecelia ( Purden ) Monn- tain, both natives of the state of New York, where they spent their earlier years. They removed to Michigan in an early day, being among the pioneers of Livingston county, where Mr. Mountain engaged in contracting for many years, finally removing to Logansport. Indiana, where his death occurred in 1898, at the age of fifty-five years. During the Civil War he enlisted in a Michigan regiment and saw over three years service in the Union army. His widow died in Indiana in 1903. To these parents three children were born.
William W. Mountain, who was the eldest child, grew to manhood in Livingston county and received a good practical education in the schools of Howell, later entering DePauw University of Indiana, from which he was graduated. Upon leaving college he entered the varnish business as salesman for the Murphy Varnish Company of Cleveland, Ohio, and he has practi-
2.49
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
cally known no other line of business, the various phases of which he mas- tered in a comparatively short time. After remaining with the above-named concern for a period of seven years, as salesman, he accepted a position as manager of the varnish department of the Sherwin-Williams Company, the famous paint and varnish manufacturers of Cleveland, which position he held until his removal to Flint, Michigan, where he found similar employ- ment with the Flint Varnish Works. He gave eminent satisfaction to all three concerns and from salesman he was promoted to various positions until he became president and general manager of a million-dollar corporation, which position he now holds. He has greatly improved the local plant in its various departments and inaugurated new and better systems, vastly increas- ing the business of the concern the past few years.
The Flint Varnish Works is one of the best known manufacturing con- cerns of its kind in the country and is one of the largest industries in south- ern Michigan. Its paid-up capital is one million dollars and the annual value of its products will more than double that amount. The factory is modern in every detail, up-to-date apparatus having been installed in every depart- ment, and every possible attention given to the health and welfare of the one hundred and sixty persons employed in the plant, sixteen in the office staff and eighteen on the sales force. The factory covers several blocks and is composed of substantial, convenient four-story brick and concrete build- ings, supplied with excellent railroad facilities for the distribution of its products, which are of such a superior quality that they find a very ready market over a very extensive territory.
Mr. Mountain was married at Howell, Michigan, April 19, 1892, to Julia Huck, a daughter of Leonard Huck and wife, the father being now (leceased. The family was long prominent at West Howell, where Mrs. Mountain grew to womanhood. She was given excellent educational ad- vantages.
The union of Mr. and Mrs. Mountain has been graced by the birth of two children, namely: Mrs. Maude Edgecomb, who was born in Howell, lives in Flint, and has one child, William B. Edgecomb, and Grace M. Mountain, born at Connersville, Indiana, who was graduated from Akeley Hall, Grand Haven, and later attended Thomas's Training School in De- troit. Both these daughters have received careful home and educational training and are favorites with the circles in which they move.
Politically, Mr. Mountain is a Republican, standing for clean politics and good men in office. He is prominent in the Masonic order, having at- tained the thirty-second degree in the Scottish Rite; he is also a Knight
250
GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Templar, a member of the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine and is exalted ruler of the local lodge of the Benevolent and Pro- tective Order of Elks.
WILBERT E. MORRISH.
One of the successful farmers of Clayton township who adopts twen- tieth-century methods is Wilbert E. Morrish, who, unlike many of his con- temporaries, has been content to remain in his native locality, believing, and rightly, too, that as good opportunities existed at his very door as any- where. He was born on the farm where he still lives, March 6, 1860, and is a son of William and Caroline (Calkins) Morrish. The father was born in Devonshire, England, and when about eight years of age he came with his father, Thomas Morrish, to the United States, proceeding at once to Michigan and locating in Clayton township, Genesee county, one mile north of the present Morrish farm, and there Thomas spent the rest of his days and William grew to manhood. After his marriage William Morrish set- tled on wild land, which he cleared. The farm then consisted of sixty acres, but was later added to until he owned one hundred acres. His wife, Caroline Calkins, was born in the state of New York, and when a girl came with her parents to Michigan, the family settling in Genesee county, where she grew up. William Morrish and wife spent their mar- ried life on the home farm there, his death occurring in 1879. She passed away in 1867. Five children were born to them, namely: Ida A., who is the wife of Doctor Beals, a physician of New Mexico; Wilbert E., the subject of this sketch; Arthur W., who is a large ranchman at Ft. Collins, Colorado; Sydney J., who is engaged in the hardware business in Oberlin, Kansas, and Dimis C., who lives in Deming, New Mexico.
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.