USA > Michigan > Genesee County > History of Genesee County, Michigan, Her People, Industries and Institutions, Volume II > Part 45
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To Alonzo J. and Jennie (Gilbert) Covert one child has been born, a
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daughter, Zadie I., born on September 16, 1897, who was graduated from the high school at Gaines and is at home with her parents. Mr. Covert is a member of the Masonic lodge at Swartz Creek and of the Grange and Gleaners, taking a warm interest in the affairs of these organizations, and he and his family take an earnest interest in the various social activities of their home community.
HON. MERTON W. FAIRBANK.
The Hon. Merton W. Fairbank, former representative in the Legis- lature from the second Genesee district, a former president of the village of Mt. Morris, supervisor of Genesee township, former justice of the peace in and for that township, an honored veteran of the Civil War and one of the best-known and most substantial retired farmers in the northern part of the county, now living at Mt. Morris, where he has made his home since 1903, is a native of the state of New York, but has been a continuous resi- dent of Michigan since shortly after the close of the war. He was born on a farm in the vicinity of Sweden, in Monroe county, New York, Sep- tember 10, 1847, son of Joseph and Sophrona (Coledge) Fairbank, natives of Vermont, whose last days were spent in New York state.
The Fairbank family is one of the old families in America, the founder of the family having settled at Dedham, Massachusetts, in 1634. The brick house he erected in that colony is still standing and is the center of the annual reunions of the Fairbank, or Fairbanks, families of America, these annual affairs being probably the largest and most representative family reunions held in the United States. This is the family from which Charles W. Fairbanks, former Vice-President of the United States, descended and representatives of the family are found in important walks of life all along the line. Joseph Fairbank was the son of Captain Fairbank, an officer in the patriot army during the Revolutionary War. He grew to manhood on a farm in Vermont and there married Sophronia Coledge, immediately thereafter moving into New York state and settling in Monroe county, in the neighborhood of Churchville, later moving to a farm in the vicinity of Sweden, in that same county, and still later to a farm in Wilson township, Niagara county, same state, where his wife died. He then, in 1860, came to Michigan and made his home in Lapeer county for a couple of years, at the end of which time he returned to New York, locating at his old home in Sweden and there he spent the rest of his life, his death occurring in
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1872, he then being seventy-two years of age. He was a Republican and a member of the Congregational church. He and his wife were the parents of eleven children, of whom two now survive, Edwin O. and Merton W.
Merton W. Fairbank was reared on the farm and received his schooling in the schools of his native state and in Michigan, he having been about thirteen years of age when his father came to this state in 1860. Two years later he returned with his father to New York state and began to work for his oldest brother on a farm and was thus engaged, when, on September 7, 1864, he then being a few days under seventeen years of age, he enlisted in the Third New York Cavalry, a member of Company M, and served until the close of the Civil War, being promoted to the rank of corporal. His company was mainly engaged in scout duty, attached to the Army of the James, and was not discharged until some time after the close of the war, Mr. Fairbank's service covering a period of one year and three months. Upon the conclusion of his military service he returned to Monroe county, New York, and for two years thereafter was again engaged in working for his brother on the farm in Sweden township. He then, in the latter part of 1867, came to Michigan, the state in which he had spent a couple of years when a boy, and located at Mt. Morris. Shortly afterward he bought a tract of land not far from the village, in Genesee township, and began to clear the same and bring it under cultivation. The next year he married and established his home on that farm. As his farming operations prospered he gradually added to his holdings until he became recognized as one of the most substantial farmers in that part of the county. In 1907 Mr. Fairbank sold his farm and moved to Mt. Morris, where he built a com- fortable residence and has since then made his home there, being very pleas- antly situated.
Mr. Fairbank is a Republican and for many years has been looked upon as one of the leaders of that party in the northern part of the county. In 1890 he was elected township treasurer and held that office for two terms. Soon afterward he was elected township supervisor and held that office for twelve years, or until his election to a seat in the lower house of the Michi- gan General Assembly in 1904, as a representative from the second Genesee district. He was re-elected representative in 1906 and thus served two terms in the Legislature, during which time he rendered admirable service in behalf of his district and the state at large. During his service in the House Mr. Fairbank was a member of the important committee on state affairs and on Marquette prison and did good work. Soon after returning home from Lansing he again was elected supervisor of his home township
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and has ever since continued to serve in that capacity. Mr. Fairbank also served for two years as justice of the peace in and for his home township, has served as a member of the town board and as president of the village of Mt. Morris and in other ways has contributed of his time and his services to the civic life of his community. He has for years been active as an administrator of estates in the community of which he so long has been a resident and more than fifty estates have been probated in the Genesee court under his careful administration.
Merton W. Fairbank has been twice married. It was in 1868 that he was united in marriage, in Genesee township, this county, to Julia C. Rogers, who was born in the state of New York and who had come to this county with her parents, Don C. and Margaret (Alexander) Rogers, natives of New York state, who came to Michigan in the fifties, settling in Genesee township and becoming prominent pioneers of that part of the county. Mrs. Julia Fairbank died in 1888 and in 1890 Mr. Fairbank married, secondly, Mrs. Lucy (Shaw) Todd, who was born in Oakland county, this state, and who is still living. Mr. Fairbank is an active member of the Grand Army of the Republic and is a member of the Masonic lodge at Clio. He and his wife take a proper interest in the general social activities of their home town and are helpful in the promotion of all movements hav- ing to do with the advancement of the general interests of that commun- ity.
JAMES J. JONES.
James J. Jones, merchant and postmaster at Clio, was born in Arcade, Wyoming county, New York, April 24, 1870, a son of Daniel Frederick and Amanda F. (Gleason) Jones. Daniel F. Jones was born in Arcade, Wyom- ing county, New York, and his wife was born in Rutland, Vermont. Daniel Jones was a son of Josiah and Elanore (Bakeman) Jones, the former a native of Massachusetts, and the latter of the Mohawk Valley, in western New York. Elanore Bakeman was a daughter of David Frederick Bake- man, who was the last Revolutionary soldier to be granted a pension, and this by a special act of Congress. He lived at Freedom, New York, and died there at the age of one hundred and nine years. He never failed to celebrate the Fourth of July even unto the last Independence Day prior to his passing away. Representatives of the United States government, at the solicitation of the Daughters of American Revolution, erected a tablet
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to his memory at Freedom in the fall of 1915. His wife attained the age of one hundred and ten years.
Josiah Jones, grandfather of James J. Jones, followed the occupation of a farmer all his life. He was born in Massachusetts and moved to Arcade. New York, when a child and there he lived until his death at the age of sixty-five years. The children in this family were George, Almira, who married Lyman D. Gleason; Daniel Frederick, Harley, Anson, David, Ida, who married Edward Unverdorber, and William. Two other children died in infancy.
Daniel Frederick Jones, lived in Arcade, New York, until 1881, when he and his family came to Michigan and settled on a farm, in Vienna township, this county, one mile south and a half mile east of Clio. He bought eighty acres of land, built a home, improved the land, and has made that place his home since. He is a Democrat in politics and takes an active interest in the affairs of his party. Amanda F. (Gleason) Jones, mother of James J. Jones, was married at Cold Creek, New York, December 21, 1863, and to that union five children were born, namely: Ithurmur F., who died in November, 1893; Cora, who married Edmund Mercer, a farmer, living at Beavertown, Michigan; James J., the subject of this sketch; Stella A., who married John Herbert Eagen, engaged in the auto business at Flint, and Walter A., who married Clara Mead, living on a farm near the home of his father, and has one son, Bryan. The mother of these children died on March 27, 1908, aged sixty-two years.
James J. Jones began his education while living at Arcade, New York. After coming to Michigan he attended the district schools and the Clio high school. He then taught school for two years, one year at the Diamond school in Vienna township, and one year at the Moran school in Montrose township. He then took a position in the hardware store of C. H. Mann, in Clio, and continued in that position for seven years, at the end of which time, in 1899, he formed a partnership with his brother-in-law, William A. Haven, and engaged in the hardware business. For three years the place of business of this firm was in the Willis block, in Clio, then removed to the Rundlett building, remaining there for four years, and then moved to the present site. Starting with a small stock the business of this firm has grown steadily and it now has a large stock of everything in its line and is doing an extensive business, under the firm name of the Jones & Haven Hardware Company.
James J. Jones and Rose C. Haven were united in marriage on Sep- tember 16, 1896. To this union three children have been born, one of
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whom died in infancy, those living being Ralph, born on August 13, 1899, and Paul, June 14, 1904. Mrs. Jones is a daughter of Ahira and Roseanna (Whitehouse) Haven. Ahira Haven, a native of Ohio, came to Michi- gan when a boy and grew to manhood in his home in Thetford township. Roseanna Whitehouse was born in Thetford township, this county, and was married at her home in that township. To that union five children were born: Latt M., who married William J. Lucas and is now living in New York; Rose, wife of Mr. Jones; William A., Flora E., who is teaching school, and Frank R., a resident of Detroit, Michigan. Mrs. Jones was born on July 28, 1874, in Thetford township. She was educated in the district schools of that township and was graduated from the Clio high school, being a member of the first class to graduate from that school. She then taught school for three years before her marriage.
In 1904 James J. Jones bought a farm near Clio, and has since been giving that place a considerable share of his attention, making a specialty of small fruit cultivation. He has added to his original purchase and now has a fine farm of one hundred and fifty-two acres. He is a Democrat in politics and is an active and influential worker in his party. In 1896 he was elected township clerk, and was re-elected for four consecutive terms. On February 29, 1915, he was appointed postmaster of Clio, and is now giving his attention to the duties of that office. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and a life-long official in that church. He is a member of the Knights of the Maccabees, record-keeper of the local tent of that order, and is also a member of the L. O. L.
FRANK P. SAYRE.
Frank P. Sayre, of Flushing, was born in Schuylkill county, New York, January 5, 1861, and was three years of age when he came with his parents to this county. He was educated in the Flushing schools and upon com- pleting the course there taught school for a time and then attended the University of Michigan. He was educated as a lawyer and for some time practiced that profession, but is now giving his chief attention to farming and fruit growing. For eighteen years Mr. Sayre has been a member of the board of control of the State Industrial School at Lansing, having been appointed successively to that position by Governor Pingree, Governor Warner and Governor Osborn.
In 1886 Mr. Sayre was united in marriage to Hattie M. Cotcher, who
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died in 1903, and in 1908 he married Alfa R. Halliwill. In a biographical sketch relating to Mr. Sayre's elder brother, Ira T. Sayre, presented else- where in this volume, there is set out at some length further details of the history of the Sayre family in this county.
HON. GEORGE C. MYERS.
George C. Myers, a prominent and successful farmer of Burton town- ship and the proprietor of the "Fairview Farm," six miles southeast of Flint, was born in Otsego county, New York, on July 10, 1863, being the son of George L. and Nancy (Somers) Myers.
George L. Myers and wife were natives of the state of New York, he having been born in Otsego county and she in Schoharie county. They grew to manhood and womanhood in their native state and were there educated. They were later married and were the parents of eight children, seven of whom are living: Eliza, the wife of D. D. Pratt, of Flint; Mary J., deceased; Charles H., a farmer in Grand Blanc township; Elizabeth, the widow of Frank Herman, lives in Swartz Creek; Peter S., of Grand Blanc; Abraham A .: Lucy W., the wife of Charles Coats, of Burton township, and George C.
George C. Myers was past three years of age when he came with his parents to Genesee county. The family located on the farm he now owns and here he grew to manhood and was educated in the district schools and the Flint high school. After completing his education, he engaged in farm- ing and lived at home until his marriage.
On March 14, 1884. George C. Myers was united in marriage to Carrie E. Estes, the daughter of Peter D. and Lovina J. Estes, both of whom were natives of the state of New York. After the marriage of Mr. Myers he and his wife took up their residence on the Myers farm of eighty acres, which he now owns, as well as an interest in another eighty which he and his son own together.
George C. Myers and wife became the parents of four children: Ray- mond E., a graduate of the Flint Business College and a prominent farmer. He was united in marriage to Edith I. Lash and they are the parents of one child, Geraldine, born on December 18, 1915; Glenn H., a graduate of the Flint high school and the Michigan Agricultural College and at present a teacher of manual training, at Iron Mountain, was married to Minnie E.
& co. b. Anyers
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C. E. Ampera.
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Baab and they have one child, Robert G., who was born on January 28, 1916; Fern A. is the wife of Edward W. Tomkinson of Grand Blanc, and they are parents of one son, Harold, born on June 17, 1914; Ruth E., who was educated in the Flint high school, married Neal W. Betts, of Flint.
Mrs. George C. Myers died on November 15, 1915. She and Mr. Myers were active members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Myers at present is a member of the official board and one of the stewards and has served as superintendent of the Sunday school.
Politically, Mr. Myers is a Republican and has served two years as township treasurer, is serving his third term as school director, justice of the peace three years and supervisor five years. In 1910 he was elected to represent his county in the Legislature and served in the regular session and two special sessions of 1911. While a member of the Legislature, he had enacted a law establishing the free employment bureau in his district. He is a past master of the Burton Center Grange and is a member of the Ancient Order of Gleaners.
NELSON G. DAKE.
The gentleman whose life history is here briefly delineated is a worthy representative of the great middle class of Americans from which the true noblemen of the republic spring. But Mr. Dake has made no effort to be a leader of men, being contented to lead an honest, industrious and conservative life, desiring no other title than that of good citizen.
Nelson G. Dake, farmer, of Montrose township, Genesee county, was born in Macomb county, Michigan, February 15, 1851, and is a son of Will- iam and Alma (Wells) Dake. The father was born in 1825 in Canada, where he resided until he was twenty-five years of age. Upon coming to Michigan, he settled in Wayne county, and a few years later moved to Ma- comb county, thence to Genesee county, but later moved to Midland county, where he bought a farm of eighty acres on which he spent ten years, then returned to Genesee county. He spent the rest of his life here, dying in 1909 at the advanced age of eighty-four years. He was a Democrat and belonged to the Baptist church. His wife was born in Canada in March, 1836, and her death occurred in March, 1916, at the age of eighty years. To these parents five children were born, namely : Nelson G., of this sketch; Eurena married J. B. Fralich ; Crawley P. is deceased; Cinderella is the wife of James Howett ; Clayton is deceased.
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Nelson G. Dake grew up on the home farm and was educated in the public schools. He was about sixteen years old when he started out in life for himself, working as a farm hand by the year. When about twenty-one years old he began farming for himself, buying forty acres in Thetford township, on which he lived for five years. He then sold out and rented a farm in Montrose township, later buying eighty acres in section 26 of that township, then forty acres in section 35 and forty acres in section 26. He finally sold part of his land to his son and is now operating eighty acres. He has kept his land under a good state of cultivation and improvement. He also owns rental property in the village of Montrose, in which place he lived for four years, then returned to his farm.
Mr. Dake was married in 1872 to Mary Harmon, who was born in Wayne county, Michigan, February 17, 1852. To this union seven children have been born, namely: William is the eldest; Minnie is the wife of J. W. Chase; Cash was next in order of birth; Ina is the wife of Arthur Bailey and they reside at Lockport, New York; Arthur is at home; Earl is also a member of the family circle and Lizzie is the wife of Harley McDowel.
Mr. Dake is a Democrat and has long been active and influential in local public affairs. He has served on the school board and as township assessor in Thetford township, was also a member of the school board in Montrose village and was moderator there. He was elected township supervisor in 1898 and served three terms in succession; after being out one year he was again elected and served three more terms. During his service as supervisor, the village of Montrose was incorporated. Fraternally, he belongs to the Masonic order, the Knights of the Maccabees and the Gleaners. Religious- ly, he belongs to the Baptist church.
EDWARD L. BEEMAN.
Edward L. Beeman, a well-known merchant at Clio, was born on Jan- uary 26, 1868, a son of Isaac M. Beeman, who was born in New York state, September 25, 1837. The elder Beeman came to Michigan in 1858 and was engaged for a time in teaching school in this state. In the year 1858 he taught one term in Oakland county and in 1859 and 1860 he taught in Genesee county. He then engaged in the jobbing business, which he con- tinued until 1863. Following this he was employed by E. A. Huych, of Clio, in the grocery business, remaining thus employed until the fall of 1864.
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when he engaged in the grocery business on his own account, occupying the store room of his former employer. Later he enlarged his business to in- clude a line of general merchandise. In 1889 he took his son, E. L. Beeman, as a partner in the business, this partnership continuing until 1900, when the partnership was dissolved and the senior Beeman turned his attention to farming, which he continued until 1912, in which year he sold his farm and engaged in the real-estate and rental business, with an office in Clio, becom- ing one of the foremost citizens for the promotion of the industrial and business interests of that village. There is probably not a citizen who has donated more for the public improvement and the general welfare of the town than he has done.
The paternal grandfather of Edward L. Beeman was Lexis Beeman, who was born in New York state in 1804. He was a carpenter by trade and came to Michigan in 1848, settling in Oakland county. He died in Febru- ary, 1856. He married Mary Ann Mosler, a native of New York. She died in 1859. She was the mother of eight children: Aisab, born on December 26, 1823; Julia, March 26, 1826; Mary Jane, January 29, 1828; Louisa, June 23, 1829; Sylvia, May 4, 1832; Eliza, November 19, 1835; Isaac, Sep- tember 25, 1839, and Charles, February 6, 1840. The paternal great-grand- father of Edward L. Beeman was Isaac Beeman, born in New York state in 1755.
Isaac M. Beeman, father of the subject of this sketch, was married in August, 1862, to Elizabeth J. Bean, who was born in Ohio, July 13, 1844, and to this union six children were born, namely: Carrie, born on October 31, 1863, who died on January 14, 1867; Orin E., March 1, 1866, who died on January 31, 1867; Nellie, September 19, 1874, who died on February 6, 1875; Edward L., the subject of this sketch; William H., August 11, 1870, and Carlton C., February 28, 1878. William H. Beeman married Lola Park- er and has one child, Eula E. Carlton C. Beeman married Minnie McCann and has one child, Edward.
Edward L. Beeman was educated in the schools at Clio, and after com- pleting his school studies he engaged in business in partnership with his father, at the age of twenty-one years. He succeeded his father in the entire control of the business on the dissolution of the partnership in 1901, and has continued the business in his own name since that time. In his political affiliation, Mr. Beeman is a Republican and gives a good citizen's attention to local civic affairs. He is a thirty-second degree, or Scottish Rite, Mason, a Knight Templar and a noble of the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, a member of the blue lodge at Clio, of the chapter, the
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council and the commandery at Flint and of Moslem Shrine and the Michi- gan sovereign consistory at Detroit. He also is a member of the Flint lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
Edward L. Beeman married Ella La Due, who was born in Bellaire, Ohio, October 13, 1876, a daughter of Joseph A. and Roxanna ( Blackston) La Due, the former born on February 1I, 1839, and the latter, Septeniber 14, 1858.
Mr. Beeman's father, Isaac M. Beeman, is a Republican, and has the proud distinction of having cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln. He has served as justice of the peace, in Clio, for eight years; has served as a member of the village council and has been president of the council at differ- ent times. He has been treasurer of the Clio Woodlawn Cemetery Asso- ciation for the past thirty years. His church affiliation is with the Metho- dist Episcopal church.
MRS. JENNIE E. WILBER SANFORD.
In this day and age women are found successfully competing with men in most all occupations and lines of business, especially the professions. It is not an uncommon thing to find them operating farms in the West and their independence and courage are to be admired and commended. One such is Mrs. Jennie E. Wilber Sanford, proprietress of "The Maples," a small but well regulated farm in Thetford township, Genesee county. She was born on this farm on October 21, 1871, and is a daughter of Ithiel W. and Aurilla M. (Gould) Wilber. The father was born in Newberry, Ohio, May 12, 1829, and the mother was born near Gilford, Vermont, April 7, 1832. The latter came with her parents to Ohio when young and there grew up and was married to Mr. Wilber on July 5, 1853, by her father, Rev. Simon Gould, a minister in the Methodist Episcopal church. Ithiel W. Wilber and wife lived in Ohio some time after their marriage, but sold out in 1855 and came to Tuscola county, Michigan, later to Genesee county, locating on a farm in Thetford township, where they spent the rest of their lives, the father reaching an advanced age, dying in 1903. He was a Republican and a Mason. His family consisted of five children, namely: Fred J. is farm- ing in Thetford township; Leslie died when eleven years old; Belle is the wife of George Geiger; Clara died when seventeen years old; Jennie E., the immediate subject of this sketch.
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