USA > Michigan > Genesee County > History of Genesee County, Michigan, Her People, Industries and Institutions, Volume II > Part 43
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BERTON J. HAWLEY.
In years gone by farmers were sometimes looked upon as a class of people who were not educated, who could do nothing but farm. Now times lave changed-one cannot make a success as a farmer unless one is educated ; not necessarily in the classics, it is true, but educated in the things he has to employ in his vocation-in the care and management of the place. Such a man is Berton J. Hawley, of Thetford township. He was born in Davison township, this county, December 13, 1867, and is a son of Carlos A. and Samantha A. (Knapp) Hawley, natives of Oakland county, Michigan, and the state of New York, respectively, the mother having been but six years old when her parents settled in Detroit, where she grew up and was married. After their marriage, Carlos A. Hawley and wife located in Davison town- ship, this county, where they lived many years on a farm, being among the early settlers there. Finally selling out they bought a farm in Richfield township and lived there about eleven years, or until his death. She sur- vived until in January, 1915, hier last years being spent in Thetford town- ship. They were members of the Baptist church, and were parents of five children, four of whom survive at this writing, namely: Everett J., who lives in Flint; Isabelle, the wife of Deb Porter, of Davison; Berton J., the subject of this sketch, and Anna M., wife of Charles Holmstead of Flint township.
Berton J. Hawley was reared on the home farm and attended the dis-
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trict schools. In March, 1892, he married Mary E. Crawford, who was born in Pontiac, Michigan, and was educated in the common schools. After marriage they settled on a rented farm in Genesee township. He finally purchased twenty acres in that township, but sold it after living a year on it, then rented his father's farm for five years. He subsequently purchased one hundred and twenty acres in section 16, Thetford township, where he now lives, and where he is successfully engaged in general farming and stock raising, making a specialty of fruit growing, including apples and berries, especially of raspberries.
Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hawley, namely : Carold A., who is farming on the home place; Lawson B., who also is farin- ing; Hazel L., a graduate of the common schools, who is now attending business college, and Leonard, Iva, Roscoe and Alton, who are at home. Politically, Mr. Hawley is a Republican. Fraternally, he is a member of the Gleaners.
JOHN NIMPHIE.
Agriculture is the greatest among all the arts of man, as it is the first in supplying his necessities. It favors and strengthens population; it creates and maintains manufacturers, gives employment to navigation and transportation and furnishes materials for commerce. One of Genesee coun- ty's successful agriculturists is John Nimphie, of Swartz Creek, Clayton township. He was born in Germany, June 18, 1853, and is a son of Henry F. and Mary (Lanshaw) Nimphie, also natives of Germany, where they grew up and were married. They came to the United States in 1863, locat- ing in Lyons township, Oakland county, Michigan, arriving there with but little of this world's goods. Henry F. Nimphie was not long in his adopted country until he enlisted for service in the Civil War, as a private in the Twenty-second Regiment, Michigan Volunteer Infantry, but was later trans- ferred to the Twenty-ninth Regiment of this state, in which he served until the close of the war, making a splendid record as a soldier. He returned home in 1865 and purchased the farm on which his son John now resides, which place he improved and there spent the rest of his life. His family con- sisted of three children, Henry, who lives in Duffield, Michigan; Mary, the wife of Michael Myers, of Shiwassee county, and John, the subject of this sketch. Henry F. Nimphie was a Republican and was an active worker in the Evangelical church.
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John Nimphie was reared on the home farm and worked hard when a boy during the crop seasons, attending the district schools in the winter time. He has always lived on the homestead, which he now owns, the place con- sisting of one hundred acres, which he has kept well tilled and well improved.
On March 7, 1883, John Nimphie was married to Rose Ganssley, who was born in Shiwassee county, this state, January 29, 1864, of German descent. They went to housekeeping in the old log cabin, the first home of the Nimphie family here, and later they built a dwelling of their own. To their union five children have been born, as follow: George, a carpenter by trade, who is married and lives at Lansing; Cora, the wife of Ora Sessions, who was graduated in civil engineering and is now assistant civil engineer on the Grand Trunk railroad, with headquarters at Battle Creek; Jessie, the wife of Ernest Kurtz, a farmer of Ingham county, this state; Lillie, a high school graduate, who taught school six years, and is now the wife of Charles Schuman, and Roy, who married Hazel Curtis and is assisting his father on the home farm, making a specialty of breeding fine Durham cattle.
Mr. Nimphie is a Republican, but has never been active in public affairs. He is a member of the Methodist church at Duffield, and is a member of the official board of the same.
HARRY P. YOUELLS.
Harry P. Youells, a well-known and substantial farmer of Clayton township, this county, highway commissioner of that township and the owner of a fine farm of one hundred and forty acres in sections 26 and 27, of that township, situated on the Bristol road, rural route No. 3, out of Swartz Creek, is a native son of Genesee county and has lived here all his life. He was born on a farm in Clayton township on January 16, 1872, son of Abra- ham V. and Harriet (Eaton) Youells, natives of New York state, who came to Michigan before their marriage, were married here some years later and became substantial and influential residents of Clayton township.
It was in the latter fifties that Abraham V. Youells came to Michigan from his native state of New York. He had been trained to the trade of blacksmith and upon coming to this state located at Three Rivers, where he became employed at that trade and where he was living at the time of the outbreak of the Civil War. He enlisted for service in Company G, Twenty- fifth Regiment, Michigan Volunteer Infantry, and served with that command until it was mustered out at the close of the war, after which he returned to
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Harry' P. Youcells and Family.
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Three Rivers, where he shortly afterward married Harriet Eaton, a school teacher of that place. She was born in New York state and had come to this state with her parents in the early sixties, the family settling at Hadley, in Lapeer county, where for some time she taught school, later becoming en- gaged as a teacher at Three Rivers. The marriage took place at the home of the bride in Hadley and Mr. Youells and his wife took up their home in Three Rivers, where they lived about five years, at the end of which time, in the fall of 1871, they settled on a farm of eighty acres of woodland two miles east of Lennon, for which he had traded a forty-acre tract he previously had acquired in St. Joseph county. He proceeded to clear and improve the same, in the meantime spending his winters working at his trade in Flush- ing. Some years later they moved to the farm of Mrs. Youells' father, which Mr. Youells bought, and there he spent his last days, his death occur- ring on May 22, 1894. A short time afterward his widow moved to Flush- ing and thence to Flint, where she is now making her home. They were the parents of three children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the second in order of birth, the others being Helen May, wife of Eugene Stone, of Flint, and Avy V., who is a bookkeeper and stenographer in the office of the Mason Motor Works at Flint.
Harry P. Youells was reared on the farm and received his schooling in the district schools and in the high school at Flushing, remaining on the farm until his marriage in 1896, after which he bought a farm of forty acres north of Lennon, where he established his home. A year later he sold that place and returned to the old home place, buying forty acres across the road from the same, and there he lived for four years, at the end of which time he sold that place and bought one hundred and twenty acres of his present home place in Clayton township, later buying an adjoining tract of twenty- eight acres, and there has lived ever since, long having been regarded as one of the substantial farmers of that part of the county. Mr. Youells is a Re- publican and, although living in a strongly Democratic township, has been elected to the office of highway commissioner of that township for several consecutive terms and has also been his party's nominee for township super- visor.
On January 13, 1896, Harry P. Youells was united in marriage to Bertha Pixley, who was born in Clayton township, this county, daughter of John and Catherine Pixley, both of New York state stock, and to this union five children have been born, namely: Irene V., who received her schooling in the Flint schools; Helen E., now a student in the Swartz Creek high
(28a)
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school ; Harry A., in the district school; Louise Bertha, also in district school, and Virginia M. Mr. and Mrs. Youells are members of the Methodist Epis- copal church at Swartz Creek and Mr. Youells is a member of the board of trustees of that body. He is past master of the Masonic lodge at Swartz Creek and both he and his wife are members of the Order of the Eastern Star of Flushing. They take a warm interest in the general social activities of their home community and are helpful in all goods works thereabout.
B. J. AUSTIN.
An enterprising merchant at Argentine, this county, who has made a success of his chosen vocation because he has been industrious and honest, is B. J. Austin, who was born at the village of Novall, in Jackson county, Michigan, November 23, 1871, a son of Aaron N. and Emma (Adams) Austin. The father was a native of the state of New York, from which she came with her parents to Michigan when young, the family settling in Jackson county, and there she married Dr. Austin. After their marriage Aaron N. Austin and wife located on a farm in Clinton county, this state, but later moved back to Norvall, thence to near Manchester, then to near Napoleon, Jackson county. His death occurred in Ingham county, May 25. 1903. His widow is still living, making her home in Mason, Michigan. She was born on March 2, 1840, and is therefore seventy-six years old. To these parents five children were born, namely: Etta, who married Alva G. Lyon, of Mason. this state, and has two sons, Harry, who now lives in Idaho, and Lawrence, who lives in Lansing; Fred G., who married Flora Bartlett and lives in Lansing; B. J., the subject of this sketch; Claude C .. now living in Perry, Michigan, who graduated from the high school at Mason and married Jennie Dean of that place, and Elmer, who is agent for the Grand Trunk Railroad at Jackson.
B. J. Austin spent his early boyhood in Jackson county, being sixteen years old when his parents moved from that county. He attended school at Mason and remained at home on the farm until his marriage to Ella Bartlett, March 29. 1893. She was born near Mason, where she attended school, and later taught school for some time. After his marriage B. J. Austin lived on a rented farm for thirteen years, then purchasing eighty acres in Ingham township, Ingham county, where he spent seven years, and during which period he served as supervisor for three years. He moved to
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the village of Argentine, June 29, 1906, and has remained there ever since, successfully engaged in mercantile pursuits, enjoying a good trade with the surrounding country. He owns six acres of land there. He is also post- master of Argentine. Politically, he is a Republican. His family is con- nected with the Methodist church and he is a liberal supporter of the same.
To Mr. and Mrs. Austin three children have been born, Vera, who was graduated from the Fenton high school, taught one year in Argentine township, and is now the wife of Delbert Taylor; Elton B., who was grad- uated from the Fenton high school and the Ferris Institute of Big Rapids, and is assisting his father in the management of the store, and Merle J., who is attending Linden high school.
ROBERT J. CHASE.
Diversified farming in its truest sense calls for a methodical practice of a thorough rotation of crops, and three main points are to be kept in mind, the raising of crops that will of themselves return good revenues to the farmer; crops with which to feed the live stock on the farm, and the necessity of keeping up a rotation of crops. This is the method fol- lowed by Robert J. Chase, of Argentine township, this county, who was bron on the farm he now occupies, May II, 1876. He is a son of George W. and Sarah T. (Parker) Chase. The father was born in Wyoming county, New York, August 12, 1832, and was a son of Joel F. and Harriet (Morehouse) Chase. The wife of Joel F. Chase died in the state of New York, after which he brought his son, George W., to this county, in 1849, locating in Argentine township, where he spent the latter part of his life. He was the father of four children, George W., Permelia, Nancy, and Har- riet, all now deceased. George W. Chase was seventeen years old when he located, in 1864, on the farm in Argentine township, on which Robert J. now lives. During the Civil War he served as a private in Company A, Sixteenth Regiment Michigan Volunteer Infantry. He and Sarah T. Par- ker were married in October, 1857. She was born in Salem, Washtenaw county, Michigan, September 9. 1839, and was a daughter of James E. and Dolly (Chase) Parker, the latter a native of Portland, Maine, who came to Michigan after their marriage. Their family consisted of five children. Ten children, six of whom survive, were born to George W. Chase and wife, namely: Frank, of Grand Rapids, Michigan; Belle, the widow of
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John D. Collins ; George W., Jr., cashier of the bank at Gaines, this county ; John, a retired farmer, who lives in the village of Gaines; Robert J., the subject of this sketch, and Otto R., who lives in Detroit.
Robert J. Chase was reared on the home farm and was educated in the common schools. He has devoted his life to agricultural pursuits, and lives on the farm of eighty acres, known as "Maple Grove Farm," in Argen- tine township, about two miles southeast of the village of Gaines. On Jan- uary I, 1904, he was married to Anna J. Walpole, of Pueblo, Colorado, who died in that city on March 1, 1914, leaving three children, Hazel M., born on November 25, 1904: Nina B., December 27, 1907, and Robert J., Jr., March 25, 191I.
Politically, Mr. Chase is a Republican, althoughi his father was a Dem- ocrat, and, like the latter, is more or less active in public affairs. He is a member of Byron Lodge No. 80, Free and Accepted Masons; of Eastern Lodge No. 387, Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Detroit, and of local tent of the Knights of the Maccabees at Gaines.
ELIAS F. GOOD.
As one reviews the history of Genesee county and looks into the past to see what people were prominent in its early development, it will be found that for the past three-quarters of a century, the period covering its first settlement to the present time, the New Yorkers have been closely connected with the progress and advancement of this section of the state. One of this number is Elias F. Good, a farmer of Richfield township. He was born in Erie county, New York, September 16, 1858, and is a son of John and Esther A. (Hummel) Good, both also natives of New York state. The Goods came to America from Holland many generations ago. The father of the subject of this sketch came from New York to Genesee county. Michigan, in 1874, and located on the farm now owned by his son Elias F., where he spent the rest of his life. His family consisted of ten children, six of whom are still living, namely: Henry W., a carpenter and painter of Davison, this county; Martha, the wife of Andrew Reese, of Rogersville, Michigan; Elias. F., the subject of this sketch; Amanda, wife of Herbert E. Moore, of Flint; Edwin S., a graduate of the Agricultural College of Michigan, who is now superintendent of animal husbandry in the Agri-
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cultural College of Kentucky; and Dr. Clarence A. Good, a practicing physi- cian at St. Joseph, Missouri.
Elias F. Good was fifteen years old when he caine to Genesee county. He grew up on the farm and attended the district schools and the high school at Flint, after which he taught during the winter months for seven years, farming in the summer time. In October, 1880, he married Ada M. Wadsworth, who was born in Lapeer county, Michigan, in December, 1860. She was educated in the district schools, and taught school for some time. To Mr. and Mrs. Good seven children have been born, namely : Jesse C., who was graduated from the Flint Business College and married Nora Langley; Mabel, who is the wife of Frank Cottrell; Agnes, who was graduated from the Davison high school and married C. M. Stoddard, of Richfield Center; Hazel, who is the wife of Alger Traver; Blanche, who is the wife of Ivan Coon; Eunice, unmarried, who lives at home, and Clinton C., also with his parents.
Mr. Good owns an excellent farm of one hundred and eighty acres, in partnership with his son Jesse. It is known as "Maple Ridge Stock Farm." In connection with general farming they are breeders of a good grade of live stock of all kinds. Politically, Mr. Good is a Republican and has served his township as clerk for six years; also has served as treasurer and school inspector. He is a member of the Gleaners.
JOHN F. WIRTH.
John F. Wirth, a well-known merchant at Clio, was born in Germany, April 19, 1873, a son of George and Kunie (Poellott) Wirth. His father was born in Germany, in 1839, and died in 1871. His mother was also a native of Germany, born in 1846, and died in 1874. They were the parents of four children: Kunie, born in 1869, who came to this county, settling in New York in 1885, and who died in 1889; Herman, born on April 22. 1872, who is now living in Portland, Oregon; John F., the subject of this sketch, and one child, who died in infancy.
The paternal grandfather of John F. Wirth was John Wirth, a native of Germany. His occupation was that of a farmer which he followed until his death, which occurred at the age of eighty-seven years. His wife, also a native of Germany, lived to be about eighty-five years of age. Their chil- dren were: John, born in 1844, who died in 1909; John Conrad, born in
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1846, now living in Saginaw, Michigan, and George, the father of the subject of this sketch. The maternal grandfather of John F. Wirth was John Poellott, born in Germany, a contractor and builder, who was the father of twelve children.
John F. Wirth was educated in Germany and came to the United States in 1888, he then being fifteen years of age, living for two years in New York and later coming to Michigan. He located in Clio, in 1894, and there engaged in the tailoring business, a trade he had learned before coming to this county. He followed that business for about fifteen years and in 1906 added a line of men's furnishing goods and carried that on with his tailoring business until 1912. At that time D. M. Weeks, a merchant of Clio, became a partner and the business was enlarged and has continued under the firm name of Weeks & Wirth, dealers in general merchandise.
On October 7, 1897, John F. Wirth was married to Anna M. Loomis, who was born in Clio, July 17, 1878, a daughter of John F. and Anna (Sheldon) Loomis. Her father was a farmer, born on September 18, 1839, who came to this country in 1864, settling at Clio, and was married that same year to Anna Sheldon, who was born in New York state in 1838. They were the parents of six children: Lula, who died in infancy, August 7, 1865; Emma, born in Clio, January 8, 1868, who died in 1912; John Allen, born on January 3, 1871, who died in infancy; James H., May 29, 1873, now living in Clio; Mary L., July 6, 1875, who married James F. Cully and is now living in Detroit, and Anne Marie, July 17, 1878, who married Mr. Wirth. The father died on June 26, 1914; the mother, July 17, 1878.
The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Anna M. (Loomis) Wirth was John O. Loomis, who was born in Connecticut, November 21, 1812. On May 9. 1838, he married Martha M. Gillett, who was born on May 26, 1812, in Connecticut. They had two children, Emma M. Loomis, born on March 15, 1842, who died on November 23, 1867, and John F., father of Mrs. Wirth. The maternal grandparents of Mrs. Wirth were James A. and Lucinda (Little) Sheldon, both of them were born in New York state, where they spent all their lives. Mrs. Wirth's mother was their only child. There are two sisters and one brother of Mr. Wirth's mother living in the United States at present, Conrad Poellott, at River Edge, New York, a contractor and builder; Mrs. Lena Appel, wife of John Appel, a mechanic, living in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Christina, who married Lewis Week- ler, a baker, living in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
John F. Wirth is a Republican. He has served as village treasurer
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for four terms, and also served as township treasurer for four terms. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen and of the Knights of the Macca- bees. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, a member of the official board of that church and superintendent of the Sunday school.
JAMES E. PRICE.
It will always be a mark of distinction to have served the Union during the Civil War. The old soldiers will receive attention no matter where they go if they will but make themselves known, for the present generation is begin- ning fully to realize how much we owe to them. One of this number in Genesee county is James E. Price, retired farmer and merchant of Otisville, Forest township. He was born in Bradford county, Pennsylvania, July 28, 1844, and is a son of Enos and Orvilla (Bacon) Price, both natives of Pennsylvania, where they grew up and were married, and spent their entire lives. Enos Price was a mechanic and upholsterer. His family consisted of eleven children, four of whom survive at this writing, namely: Susan, wife of John Lennox, who lives in Pennsylvania; Catherine, wife of J. D. John- son, who also lives in Pennsylvania; William G., who lives in California; and James, the subject of this sketch.
James E. Price grew to manhood in his native state and was educated in the public schools. In August, 1862, he enlisted at Athens, Pennsylvania, in Company E, One Hundred and Forty-first Regiment, Pennsylvania Vol- unteer Infantry, and served faithfully in the Army of the Potomac until the close of the war. His regiment was engaged in many of the greatest battles of the war, including Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor and the siege of Petersburg, and he was wounded at Spottsylvania. He was honorably discharged in 1865, after which he returned home. In 1867 he went to Seneca Falls, New York, and in 1868 came to Michigan, arriving at Flint with twelve dollars. He went to work at the carpenter's trade. He had married previously, and as soon as practicable sent for his wife and they resided in Flint about four years, then, in 1872, moved to Otisville. Mr. Price found employment there as a salesman, but later engaged in the milling business for nine years. He purchased one hundred and sixty acres in Forest township, which land he cleared and improved and lived there until 1890, engaged in general farm- ing, then moved to Poulan, Georgia, where for two years he operated a
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planing-mill and saw-mill. In 1895 he returned to Otisville and started a lumber yard, which lie operated until 1913 when he sold out.
James E. Price was married on July 3, 1868, to Sarah Morgan, who died in 1895 without issue, and in 1897 he married America Collard, which union also has been without issue.
Mr. Price is a Republican, and in 1897 he was appointed postmaster at Otisville, by President Mckinley, and continued in that office until 1912, or a period of fifteen years, giving eminent satisfaction to the department and the people. He has also served as treasurer of Forest township and has long been more or less active in local politics. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. Mr. Price owns a good farm of one hundred and eleven acres, several houses and lots in Otisville and the building in which the postoffice is now located.
JOHN R. BENDLE.
It is a privilege which we should fully appreciate if we are permitted by fate to spend our later lives in the old home, for it has a peculiar charm that certainly cannot be found elsewhere, as we are told in the famous old song. A certain "atmosphere" pervades the place which hallows it. John R. Bendle, farmer of Burton township, Genesee county, who is living in the house in which he first saw the light of day, fully appreciates this fact. He was born amid pioneer conditions, on December 22, 1838, and here he has lived to see wonderful changes, has seen the vast forests give way to fertile and well-improved farms and towns spring up where there was not a resi- dence when he was a boy.
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