USA > Michigan > Genesee County > History of Genesee County, Michigan, Her People, Industries and Institutions, Volume II > Part 41
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battle of Mine Run. On September 19, 1863, he re-enlisted for three years, or during the war, and returned to his home in Michigan on furlough. Returning to his regiment at the expiration of his furlough, lie was engaged in the battle of the Wilderness, May 31, 1864, in which he was again wounded and sent to the hospital in Washington. On account of his dis- ability he was discharged, December 27, 1864, and came to Cleveland, Ohio, where he remained during that winter.
In April, 1865, Mr. Greenfield returned to his former home in Onton- agon, Michigan, where he engaged in the sale of jewelry and Indian relics. He also sailed on boats on Lake Superior for several years and was engaged with Upton & Williams in construction work for some time. In 1872 he went to Buffalo, New York, where he secured a tug and then went to Duluth where he was engaged as superintendent in the work of dredging the harbor at that place. They suffered shipwreck on this trip. Later he was in charge of the lighthouse at that place in 1873 and 1874. He then decided to settle down, and, having married, came to Flushing in 1875 and engaged in farming. He continued in this business until 1885, when he went to Lansing to take a position in the state land department. In 1890 he returned to Flushing, where he remained for two years. Again, in 1893. he took a position in the state land office and continued for some time. Then he came back to Flushing and retired from active work, continuing to make this his home.
Mr. Greenfield's political affiliations are with the Republican party. He is an active member of the Grand Army of the Republic and has served as department commander of that order in Michigan. By virtue of this office he is a member of the national encampment of the Grand Army and is a frequent attendant at the national meetings of the order. He is also a past officer of the state Grand Army Association. He is prominently identified with the various branches of the Masonic order: The blue lodge and chap- ter at Flushing; the commandery of Knights Templar at Flint; the con- sistory of the Scottish Rite at Detroit, and the Shrine at Grand Rapids.
Mr. Greenfield was married, October 10, 1874. to Caroline Packard, who was born in 1850, in Flushing, where she was reared and educated. There were five children born to this union: Mary Elizabeth, born April 16, 1876, died December 27, 1898: Millie, born April 17, 1878, died April 16, 1896; Carrie, born August 29, 1879, died July 29, 1897; Sadie, born Sep- tember 19, 1885, living at Flushing, Michigan; James B., born May 13, 1890, a bank examiner, living in Flushing. Mr. Greenfield is a stockholder and director in the First State and Savings Bank, in Flushing.
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DANIEL BROWN.
Continuous residents of Genesee county since the year 1854, in which year they came here from the neighboring county of Oakland, Daniel Brown and his wife, prominent and well-known residents of Gaines township, are living, in the year of the publication of this volume ( 1916), in the sixty- seventh year of their married life, thus creating a record for continuous marital companionship in this county and perhaps in the entire state of Micigan. Mr. Brown, who now is living in the eighty-eighth year of his life, also holds the record for length of tenure in public service in Genesee county, having held, at one time and another, every township office in Gaines township, save that of supervisor, and for nearly fifty years the important office of justice of the peace in and for that township. Residents of Gaines township since 1854, Mr. and Mrs. Brown have been continuous residents of the farm on which they are still living since 1863 and have for many years held a very firm place in the affections of the people throughout that entire part of the county.
Daniel Brown was born in Monroe county, New York, August 28, 1828, son of Daniel and, Margaret (Kennedy) Brown, both natives of that same state, the latter of Scottish parentage, her parents, Robert Kennedy and wife, having come to this country from Scotland. Last-born of the seven children born to his parents, Mr. Brown is now the sole survivor of that family. Left an orphan at the age of five years, he was reared by his uncle, James Kennedy, until he was about ten years of age, after which he made his home with his eldest brother until he was sixteen years of age, when he struck out for himself and came to Michigan, locating in the south- ern part of Oakland county, where, on March 4, 1850, when he was twenty- one years of age, he was united in marriage to Sarah E. Gage, also a native of the state of New York, born on October 31, 1830, who had come to Michigan at the age of seven years with her widowed mother, her father having died in 1832. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Brown lived on a farm in Oakland county for a year and then moved onto a farm owned by Mrs. Brown in Barry county, where they lived for two years, at the end of which time, in 1854, they sold that farm and came to Genesee county, locating in Gaines township, where they have made their home ever since. In 1863 they moved onto the farm in section 7, where they now live, and have ever since been continuous residents there, having a very pleasant home on their well-kept place of two hundred acres, one and one-half miles from
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the village of Duffield. Mr. Brown is a Republican and ever since becom- ing a resident of this county has taken an active part in local political affairs. For nearly fifty years he served his home township as justice of the peace and has held every other township office save that of supervisor, thus hold- ing the record for length of tenure in the public service in Genesee county. He also is a member of the Grange and was for many years actively inter- ested in the affairs of that useful organization.
To Mr. and Mrs. Brown four children have been born, namely: Will- iam, who was graduated from the Flint high school and for many years has been a successful traveling salesman: Harriet, who married E. J. Post and is living on the old home farm: Carrie, a graduate of the Flint high school. now deceased, and Malinda, wife of E. H. Gilmore, of Vernon township. Mr. and Mrs. Brown have seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchil- dren. They are earnest members of the Methodist Episcopal church and for many years active in the work of the same, Mr. Brown being a steward and a member of the board of trustees of the church.
JAMES W. AVERILL.
The large success which has crowned the life work of James W. Averill, a retired farmer and banker of Otisville, this county, and an hon- ored veteran of the Civil War, has been well deserved in every respect, for he has worked his own way up from an environment none too auspicious, and has been a man of high ideals and exemplary character. He was born at Orange, Vermont, July 7, 1841, a son of Weston H. and Mercy M. (Wilson) Averill, both natives of New Hampshire, in which latter state they were married, soon afterward locating in Vermont. James W. Averill was an infant when his parents settled in the town of Barre, and there he spent his boyhood and was educated. He is a twin brother of John W. Averill, who served in the Union army during the Civil War, in the same company and regiment with the subject of this sketch. There were two other children in this family, Lorteta L., who married George Bradford, and David M., who was a soldier in the Union army during the Civil War and was killed at the battle of Franklin, Tennessee.
James W. Averill enlisted in December, 1863, in Company E, Eighth Regiment Vermont Volunteer Infantry, and was sent to the far South, his regiment. forming a part of the Army of the Gulf, and he took part in
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a number of engagements. He was sent to Washington, D. C., July 5. 1864. He lost his right leg at the battle of Opequon Creek, Virginia. At the close of the war he was honorably discharged and returned to Vermont. where for a time he was employed as a clerk in the postoffice and in a dry goods store.
On March 4, 1867, James W. Averill was married to Emma S. Trow, who also was born in Vermont. In May. 1867, they came to Michigan and located on a farm in Forest township, this county, and there Mr. Averill presently became the owner of two hundred and fifty acres of valuable land. He engaged successfully in general farming until 1903, when he moved to Otisville, where he has since made his home. He was one of the organ- izers of the Otisville State Bank, of which he is a director and second vice- president. He is remembered by the government with a substantial pension.
To Mr. and Mrs. Averill. six children have been born, namely: May M., wife of Charles Barden, of Forest township; Weston H., also of Forest township, who married Susan Stinson; Nellie, wife of Willianı Barden, of Thetford township; Bertha L., wife of Edgar Stinson, of Genesee town- ship; Milton T., who died in infancy; Morton E., married Maude Taylor and lives in Forest township, and Gracie L., at home. The mother of these children was born on September 4. 1846, died on October 14, 1910. Mr. Averill has twenty-eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. His daughter, Gracie L., who was born on September 23, 1885, keeps house for him. Mr. Averill is a Republican. He served his township as treasurer for a period of eleven years, longer than any other man.
THOMAS MARTIN.
Thomas Martin, a well-known and substantial farmer of Gaines town- ship, this county, proprietor of the old Martin homestead two miles south of Swartz Creek, on the Morrish road, rural route No. I, out of Swartz Creek, is a native son of Genesee county and has lived here all his life. He was born on the farm on which he is now living, August 30, 1876, son of Patrick and Elizabeth (Cunningham) Martin, natives of Ireland, who were married after they came to this country and later became substantial resi- dents of Genesee county.
Patrick Martin came to the United States when he was seventeen years
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of age and for a year worked in New York City, later going into the coal mining region of Pennsylvania, where for about fifteen years he was engaged working in the mines. While there, in 1860, he married Elizabeth Cun- ningham, who also was born in Ireland and who had come to this country with her parents in the days of her girlhood. Some time after their mar- riage Patrick Martin and his wife came to Michigan and settled in Genesee county. He bought a farm of eighty acres in Gaines township, a portion of the farm now owned by his son, the subject of this sketch, and there he established his home. He was a good farmer and as he prospered in his farming operations added to his holdings until he became the owner of two hundred and sixty acres. There he spent the remainder of his life, his death occurring in 1906. He and his wife were members of the Catholic church, among the founders of the church of that denomination at Gaines, and their children were reared in that faith. There were eight of these children, all of whom are living and of whom the subject of this sketch was the sixth in order of birth, the others being as follow: James, of Howell, this state ; Anna, wife of James Delaney; Patrick, a farmer of Clayton township; Margaret, wife of Thomas McGrail; Elizabeth, who for sixteen years was a teacher in the schools of Swartz Creek and is now teaching in California ; Mary, also unmarried, who for some years was a school teacher and a stenographer and is now living on the old home farm, and John, a farmer of Gaines township.
Thomas Martin was reared on the old home farm in Gaines township. receiving his schooling in the Swartz Creek schools and supplemented the same by a course in the Fenton Normal School. From the days of his boyhood he was a valued assistant to his father in the work of developing and improving the home place and upon reaching manhood remained on the farm. At the time of his marriage in 1909 hie established his home there and has continued to live there, being very well situated. He is the owner of two hundred acres of excellent land and has done very well in his farm- ing operations. In addition to his general farming he has given consider- able attention to the raising of high-grade cattle and has done quite well in that line. He is a Democrat and has given close attention to the political affairs of the county, but has not been a seeker after office.
It was on October 27, 1909, that Thomas Martin was united in mar- riage to Margaret Ferguson, who was born in Genesee township, this county. May 26, 1885, and who was killed in a railway accident at Mt. Morris, this county, on September 27, 1915. To that union two children were born, one
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who died in infancy and Mary E., born on April 16, 1912. Mr. Martin is a member of the Catholic church, taking a warm interest in parish affairs, and is a member of the Knights of Columbus.
ABNER M. JOHNSON.
Abner M. Johnson, a well-known and substantial farmer living on rural route No. I, out of Flushing, this county, and proprietor of a fine farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Clayton township, is a native of the state of West Virginia, but has been a resident of Michigan since he was a boy. He was born on a farm in Tyler county, West Virginia, June 20, 1864, son of Charles D. and Mary A. (Johnston) Johnson, the former a native of that same county and the latter of the state of Pennsylvania, who were the parents of eight children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the fifth in order of birth, the others being as follow. Jolin, of East Liverpool, Ohio; Cordelia, deceased : William, deceased ; Thomas, deceased; Margaret, wife of J. K. Grundy, of Flint, this county : Mary, deceased, and Ida, deceased. The mother of these children died in the East and Charles D. Johnson later mar- ried Rachael Lemley and in 1877 came to Michigan with his family and located at Osceola, whence, after some years lie moved to Everet, Michigan, where he and his wife spent their last days. To the second marriage of Charles D. Johnson one son was born, Perley Johnson, of Detroit, a tele- graph operator in the employ of the Pere Marquette Railroad.
Abner M. Johnson was about thirteen years old when he came to Mich- igan with his father and he was reared on a farm in the near vicinity of Osceola, where he remained until his marriage, when twenty-three years of age, in 1887, when he began farming for himself, continuing as a tenant farmer until 1906, when he bought a tract of forty acres in Clayton town- ship, this county, later buying an "eighty" over the line in Venice township, in the neighboring county of Shiawassee. In 1912 he sold that place to advantage and bought the tract of one hundred and twenty acres in Clayton township on which he now lives and where he has lived ever since, he and his family being very pleasantly situated. Mr. Johnson is a progressive farmer and has done well in his operations. He is a Republican, but while giving a good citizen's attention to local political affairs has never been an aspirant for public office.
It was in 1887 that Abner M. Johnson was united in marriage to
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Charlotte Grundy, of this county, and to this union four children have been born, namely: Harrison E., a graduate of the common schools, who mar- ried Lelah Bowden and is now engaged in farming; William, also a graduate, who married Nellie Cook and is engaged in farming; Mildred, who married Volney McNall and lives in Detroit, and Violet, who was born in 1906. The Johnsons take a proper interest in the various social activities of their home community and are useful in the work of promoting all good causes thereabout. Mr. Johnson is past noble grand of Rankin Lodge No. 139, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is a member of the Michigan grand lodge of Odd Fellows, for many years having taken an active interest in Odd Fellowship. His wife is past noble grand of the local lodge of the Daughters of Rebekah and a member of the Mystic Workers, and their son, Harrison E. Johnson, is a past noble grand of the local lodge of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows.
W. B. STILES.
Life is pleasant and satisfactory to W. B. Stiles, farmer and miller of Argentine, Genesee county, because he makes the most of it and lives hon- estly. He was born in Monroe county, New York, in the town of East Mendon, December II, 1852. He is a son of Worden B. and Cornelia ( Rumsey) Stiles, the latter a native of Bath, New York. These parents spent their earlier years in the Empire state and were married there. The father owned a large farm at Mendon, where his death occurred. His fam- ily consisted of eight children, only two of whom are living in 1916, W. B. and E. H., the latter an auctioneer living in Fenton, Michigan.
W. B. Stiles grew to manhood on the home farm in New York, where he worked when a boy, and there he received a common school education. He was seventeen years of age when he came with one of his brothers to Genesee county, Michigan, arriving in Gaines township, April 7, 1866. He worked by the month for his brother during two summers, attending school in the winter time. On October 14, 1875, he married Ella K. Whitney, a daughter of B. G. Whitney, a native of the state of New York. She was born at Romeo, Michigan, and came to Genesee county when a girl.
Mr. Stiles started out for himself without capital, going in debt for a forty-acre farm, which he improved and, by hard work, was soon on his feet. In 1883 he bought a saw-mill at Argentine, although he had never had any
W. B. STILES AND SONS.
MRS. W. B. STILES AND DAUGHTERS.
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experience in this line of business, but he hired a good sawyer, learned how to manage his mill successfully and has continued to operate the same ever since. He was in debt five thousand dollars when he bought the mill, but later he purchased a half interest in the flouring-mill at Argentine also, and a year later purchased the other half and installed four thousand dollars' worth of machinery. All this took "nerve," but he managed well and in due course of time paid out of debt. He sold the flour-mill about 1900. He lives on his forty-acre farm, which is well improved, including a modern and well-furnished dwelling, finished in hardwood and walnut. He has been very successful in a business way, having forged to the front over many obstacles without assistance. Politically, he is a Democrat, but has never been very active in public affairs. He and his wife belong to the Methodist church.
To Mr. and Mrs. Stiles five sons and three daughters have been born, namely: Eddie B. owns the elevator at Linden and two hundred and forty acres of good land; E. R. owns a flour-mill and a large elevator at Fostoria, where he makes his home; Ray is now proprietor of the Argentine flour- mill; Floyd is operating an elevator at Davisburg, Michigan; Cornelia is the wife of Eddie Bird and they live in Argentine township, Genesee county; Jennie is the wife of Prof. Edward Lang, of Bedford, Michigan; Mabel is the wife of Eugene Carl, station agent at Vernon, Michigan. Marlin L., a twin to Mabel, died at the age of six months. Mr. Stiles attributes his suc- cess to the help of his wife, who has worked hand in hand with him to over- come all obstacles.
WATSON W. BILLINGS.
For many years the Billings family has been well known and influential in Richfield township, this county, where they have successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits. One of the creditable representatives of the same is Watson W. Billings, son of Joseph F. Billings. The former was born on the farm where he now lives. He attended the district schools and remained at home until his marriage to Mary A. Parker, who also was born in Gene- see county where she grew up and attended school. Four children were born to this union, Lauren, Dwight, Pomeroy and Enos.
Watson W. Billings owns one of the best-kept farms in Genesee county, and is a breeder of a good grade of live stock of all kinds, making a speci-
(27a)
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alty of Guernsey cattle, keeping a large herd at all seasons. He believes in modern methods of agriculture and has all conveniences and devices for successful, scientific farming. He has a good dwelling and many convenient outbuildings.
Politically, Mr. Billings is a Republican, and he has been treasurer of Richfield township. He is a member of Davison Lodge No. 236, Free and Accepted Masons. He is public-spirited and stands ready at all times to support any legitimate measure having for its object the betterment of his locality in any way.
JOHN L. DYNES.
Scientific methods of farming disseminated through the medium of the agricultural schools throughout the country, bulletins from the govern- ment bureaus and farm journals, have come as great blessings to those pursuing agricultural callings. The farmers of the early days had no such advantages, but they did not need them so badly as we of today. John L. Dynes, of Forest township, this county, is one who has adopted many mod- ern methods in his farm work. He was born in Canada, October 27, 1851, and is a son of Joshua and Esther (Lindsay) Dynes. The father was born in County Down, Ireland, August 24, 1821, and there also occurred the birth of the mother, August 7, 1821. His death occurred on December 17, 1892, and she died on January 15, 1894. He was nine years old when he came to Canada and she was seven, each with their parents, and there they grew up and were married and spent the rest of their lives. He was a contractor and carpenter. To Joshua Dynes and wife four daughters and one son were born, namely: Mary A., born on March 18, 1844, is the widow of Thomas McBainey and lives in Toronto, Canada; Elizabeth, February 15, 1846, is the widow of William McEwen, and also lives in Canada; Jane, February 2, 1848, died on March 3. 1857; John L., the sub- ject of this sketch; Sarah J., born on September 19, 1858, is the widow of T. W. McDole, and lives in Tuscola county, Michigan.
John L. Dynes grew to manhood in Canada and received his education in the public schools. He enlisted in the Battalion of Oxford Rifles, May 4, 1866, in which he remained six years, being discharged at the end of his term of service, with the rank of first sergeant.
On September 21, 1875, John L. Dynes was married to Grace Agner,
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who also was born in Canada, April 18, 1853. After their marriage they settled on a farm in their native land and lived there until the fall of 1882. when they came to Michigan, locating on their present farm in Forest town- ship, this county, the same consisting of ninety acres, known as "State Road Farm." The place was in timber, but Mr. Dynes cleared and improved it and during his residence of thirty-four years there has made a good liveli- hood. He is a breeder of Holstein cattle.
To Mr. and Mrs. Dynes have five children been born, namely: Mary J., wife of Carl Dammann, of Flint; Joshua L., who married Emma Smith and also lives in Flint; John W., deceased; Cora M., who was graduated from the local schools, is teaching at Clio, this county, and William A., a graduate of an electrical college, who went as an electrician with the Amer- ican fleet around the world a few years ago, and is now located in Jackson, Michigan.
Mr. and Mrs. Dynes are members of the Baptist church. He is a member of Otisville Lodge No. 401, Free and Accepted Masons, of which he is a charter member and past master. He and his wife are both charter members of the local chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star, and both have held offices in the same. Politically, Mr. Dynes is a Republican. He served with ability as justice of the peace in his township for a period of six years, and has long been active in local politics.
JOSEPH F. BILLINGS.
Among the many enterprising citizens which the old Empire state has sent to Genesee county, the name of Joseph F. Billings, a retired farmer of Richfield township, should be mentioned, for this venerable gentleman has long been well and favorably known in this locality. He was born in Orleans county, New York, November 2, 1838, and is a son of Lauren and Roxanna C. (Rexford) Billings. The father was born in Chenango county, New York, March 25, 1801, and the mother was born on April 12, 1801. They married in 1821, after which they settled in Orleans county, New York, where they spent the rest of their lives on a farm. They were parents of six children, five sons and one daughter, three of whom are living, L. D., of Flint, a retired farmer and well known in Genesee county; Pomeroy, O., a retired farmer of Orleans county, New York, and Joseph F., the subject of this sketch.
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Joseph F. Billings was reared on the farm in his native county and state, and there he attended the district schools. He remained with his par- ents until he was twenty-one years of age. He came to Michigan in 1860 and after teaching several terms of school went back to New York, and resumed work on his father's farm. In 1873 he married Josephine Eldridge. a native of Michigan, and to that union three children were born, namely : Watson W., who married Mary B. Parker and has four sons, Lauren, Dwight, Pomeroy and Enos; Verna, the wife of Frank J. Steinmetz, of Richfield township, this county, and Lauren, who died when five years old. The mother of these children died in 1889.
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