USA > Michigan > Genesee County > History of Genesee County, Michigan, Her People, Industries and Institutions, Volume II > Part 49
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James Russell was about five years old when his parents came to Michi- gan and he grew to manhood on the home farm in Mt. Morris township and as a young man became a farmer on his own account. He married Mary Loonam, who was born at Adrian, this state, April 5, 1854, daughter of John and Margaret (Murray) Loonanı, natives of Ireland, the former born in Kings county in 1806 and the latter in Queens county in 1817, who were married at Monroe, Michigan, later becoming pioneers of Adrian, where they spent their last days. Jolin Loonam and wife were the parents of six children, of whom Mrs. Russell, the fourth in order of birth, is now the only survivor, the others having been as follows: Bernard, born on July 13. 1848; Peter, December 20, 1850; Thomas, December 30, 1852; Margaret. June 11, 1856, and John, August 17, 1860. After his marriage Mr. Russell established his home on the farm on which he is now living and has lived there ever since, long having been recognized as one of the most substantial farmers in that section. To him and his wife four children have been born. of whom the subject of this sketch is the first-born, the others being as fol-
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lows: Ella, born on May 17, 1887; Zita, December 22, 1891, and Leon T .. January 2, 1895, the latter of whom is now a student in Notre Dame Uni- versity. Mr. and Mrs. Russell are members of the Catholic church and their children have been reared in that faith.
John Bernard Russell received his elementary schooling in the schools of Mt. Morris and then entered the Commercial College at Flint, from which he was graduated, after which he returned to the farm and was an aid to his father until he took service with the electric railway and was thus en- gaged for a couple of years, at the end of which time he returned home and resumed his place on the farm and has since been a partner with his father in the operation of the home place. In addition to their general farming, they give considerable attention to the raising of live stock and have done very well, making a specialty of dairy cattle, Shropshire sheep, Poland China hogs and Percheron horses. J. B. Russell is a Democrat and is now serving as treasurer of his home township, having been re-elected to a second term. He also served as school inspector for two terms and as overseer of high- ways for two terms. He is a member of St. Mary's Catholic church at Mt. Morris and a member of the Knights of Columbus, in the affairs of which order he takes a warm interest.
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LEROY M. JENNINGS.
Those who belong to the respectable middle classes of society, being early taught the necessity of relying upon their own exertions, will be more apt to acquire that information and those business habits which alone can fit them for the discharge of life's duties. Leroy M. Jennings, an imple- ment dealer in the village of Montrose and president of that village, is such a man. He was born in Birch Run township, Saginaw county, Michigan, November 24, 1868, a son of Francis L. and Elizabeth (Murphy) Jennings.
Francis L. Jennings was born in Ohio, in February, 1837, and when fifteen years old came with his parents to Michigan, locating in Arbela town- ship, Tuscola county, about 1852, the family being among the pioneers of that locality, and there Francis L. Jennings lived until reaching his major- ity, having assisted his father develop the home farm. He became a sawyer and worked in the saw-mills the rest of his life, however maintaining a farm a few years in Arbela township, then spent a few months in Birch Run township, Saginaw county, then returned to Arbela township. He pur-
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chased forty acres in Montrose township on which he spent the rest of his active life, moving to the village of Montrose in 1902, where he is still living. He is a Republican, a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of the Methodist Episcopal church. His wife, Elizabeth Mur- phy, was born in the state of New York, in 1847, and when young came to Michigan, locating in Arbela township, Tuscola county, where she was mar- ried. To these parents three children have been born, namely: Leroy M .. the subject of this sketch; Estella, the wife of John Kerr, of Montrose, and Bert E., who is engaged in the real-estate business in Flint.
Leroy M. Jennings received his education in the public schools, includ- ing those of Flint. He engaged in farm work until he was twenty-one years old, working out by the month, and in 1894 bought twenty acres in section II of Montrose township, which he farmed, "batching it" two summers. He then bought ten acres adjoining, later renting additional land, and con- tinued to farm there until in May, 1903, when he moved to the village of Montrose and opened an implement store, in partnership with Albert Hunter, which arrangement continued for three years, at the end of which time Mr. Jennings purchased his partner's interest and has since conducted the busi- ness alone. With the gradual increase of business his original quarters be- came too small and he opened another store in the Egart block and now operates both stores. Mr. Jennings has added harness, oils, separators and all kinds of farm supplies to his stock and he also has a large harness shop and makes harness: He has the exclusive business in his line in Montrose and enjoys a large trade with the town and surrounding country. He car- ries an extensive stock at all times. He owns a number of valuable rental properties in the village of Montrose, and has been very successful in a business way.
On January 20, 1897, Leroy M. Jennings was married to Christie Johnston, who was born in Thetford township, this county, April 28, 1877. and who spent her early girlhood there, her parents moving to Montrose township when she was eleven years old, and in the latter township she re- ceived a common school education. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Jennings, namely : Mabel L., born on June 2, 1898, who died on January 7, 1906; Ruth E., born on April 27, 1902, and Wyman L., August 14, 1908.
Mr. Jennings is a Republican and is now president of the village board. He served on the council for a number of terms. He is a Royal Arch Ma- son, a member of the blue lodge at Montrose, and of the chapter at Flush- ing, and is also a member of the Gleaners. Mrs. Jennings is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
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WILLIAM ROOT.
William Root, justice of the peace and a well-known and substantial farmer of Genesee township, this county, owner of a well-kept farm on rural route No. 7, out of Flint, is a native of the great Empire state, but has lived in Michigan since he was a child and has been a continuous witness to the development made in Genesee county during the past half century and more during which he has resided here. He was born on a farm in Porter township, Niagara county, New York, on March 9, 1853, son of William and Esther (Willie) Root, natives of that same state, who came to Michigan in that same year and spent their last days in this county.
The senior William Root was a farmer in his home county in New York and in 1853, attracted by the promises held out by this section of Michigan came to this state with his family and located on a farm in Mt. Morris township, this county. Two years later, in 1855, his wife died on that homestead farm, leaving three children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the last-born, the others being Anna, who married Bert Hitch- cock, and Eugene, now deceased. Some time later William Root married Harriet Maxwell and to that union three children were born, Charles, now deceased; Hattie, who married Junior Nichols, and Emma, who married Clarence Adams. William Root spent the rest of his life on his homestead farm in Mt. Morris township, his death occurring in July, 1904, and his widow, who still survives, is now making her home in Flint.
After the death of his mother in 1855, the junior William Root, then a little more than two years old, was taken in charge by his grandparents in New York state and was kept there until he was five years of age, or until after the second marriage of his father, when he was returned to this county and grew to manhood on the paternal farm in Mt. Morris township. He received his schooling in the schools of that township and after he became of age began to work on his own account. He was married when 'twenty- five years of age and about a year later bought a farm of forty acres in sec- tion 15 of Genesee township, where he established his home and where he has lived ever since. Some time later he bought an adjoining tract of twenty acres and has a very well-kept and well-cultivated farm of sixty acres. Mr. Root is a Republican and for years has taken an active interest in local political affairs. In 1900 he was elected justice of the peace in and for Genesee township and has been continuously re-elected to that office at each recurring election. now serving his sixteenth year in that important
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public capacity. He is a member of the local Grange and has for years taken an earnest interest in the affairs of that organization.
It was on January 1, 1878, that William Root was united in marriage to Jessie Rumsey, who was born in Chemung county, New York, September 8, 1858, daughter of Stephen and Chloe (Edwards) Rumsey, both natives of that same county, the former born in 1812 and the latter, in 1819, who came to Michigan in 1865 and settled in Mt. Morris township, this county, where Stephen Rumsey died in 1875, at the age of sixty-three years and where his widow died in February, 1899. Stephen Rumsey was a Repub- lican and he and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. They were the parents of six children, of whom Mrs. Root was the last- born, the others being Emma, Rebecca, John, Nelson and Elizabeth. To Mr. and Mrs. Root three children have been born, Maud, who married Everett Goodale and is now living in Iowa; Jennie, who married Bert Pettingill and is now deceased, and John, who is farming in Genesee township. Mr. and Mrs. Root ever have taken an earnest interest in local affairs and have been active promoters of all movements having to do with the advancement of the best interests of their home community.
WILLIAM HENRY GILLETT.
William Henry Gillett, a well-known and well-to-do retired farmer of Genesee county, now and for some years past a resident of the pleasant village of Mt. Morris, is a native of New York state, but has been a resident of Michigan and of Genesee county since he was twelve years old. He was born on a farm in Tompkins county, New York, May 14, 1841, son of Nelson and Marie (Misner) Gillett, both natives of that same state, who came to Michigan in 1853, settling on a homestead farm in Vienna town- ship, this county, where two years later, in 1855, Nelson Gillett was killed by a tree falling on him while clearing woods. . He and his wife were the parents of four children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the second in order of birth, the others being Melissa (deceased), Isaac and Nelson.
William H. Gillett received his schooling in New York state and in the schools of this county, after his arrival here having to walk three miles to school. He was fourteen years old when his father met his untimely death and being the eldest son, much of the responsibility of carrying on the work of the homestead farm for his widowed mother fell upon his shoulders.
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He managed affairs in excellent shape and succeeded admirably, he and his brothers soon getting the home place under cultivation. He was twenty-six years old when he married and soon afterward bought his brothers' interests in the old homestead place of one hundred and sixty acres and there he made his home until he was thirty-seven years old, when he sold that place and bought a farm of one hundred and forty aeres three miles west of Mt. Mor- ris, where he established his home and where he became very successful, gradually adding to his holdings there until he had an admirably improved and profitably cultivated farm of five hundred and eight acres. In addition to his general farming, Mr. Gillett engaged somewhat extensively in the raising of live stock and did very well. . In 1908 he turned the management of the farm over to his son, Harry Gillett, and he and his wife moved to Mt. Morris, where they since have made their home and where they are very pleasantly situated. Mr. Gillett is an independent Republican. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and he is a member of the officiary of the same. He was formerly a member of the board of directors of the Genesee County Mutual Insurance Company and has for inany years taken an active interest in the general development of the sec- tion of the county in which he has lived since pioneer days.
Mr. Gillett has been married twice. His first wife, who was Jennie Woolfut, died ten years after her marriage and he later married Hannah Woolfut, sister of his deceased wife, and to this union one child was born, a son, Harry, who, as noted above, is now managing the home farm west of Mt. Morris and is doing very well in his operations, being recognized as one of the inost substantial and progressive farmers in that neighborhood. During the past five years four new barns have been erected on the Gillett farm and two silos, and on his other farm two barns and silos, while numer- ons modern improvements have been made in other directions.
JAMES H. BAXTER.
James H. Baxter, of Davison, one of the largest landowners in Genesee county, for years a merchant of that place and in other ways actively identi- fied with the rapidly developing interests of his home county, is a native son of Michigan, born at Cassopolis on July 5. 1854. He is a son of Joseph and Mary ( Wilson) Baxter, natives of England, who later became pioneers ot Genesee county, where their last days were spent.
Adalme M. Baxter
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Joseph Baxter was born and reared in Lincolnshire, as was his wife. About three weeks after their marriage, more than sixty years ago, they came to the United States and about a year after their arrival in this coun- try came to Michigan and settled at Cassopolis. Not long afterward they came to Genesee county and located in Davison township, where they spent the rest of their lives. Upon taking up his residence in this county, Joseph Baxter bought a tract of eighty acres of land in section 28, Davison town- ship, about an acre of which tract had been previously tilled and on which stood a log cabin, and in that cahin he established his home. He rapidly brought the place under cultivation and it was not long until he had come to be regarded as one of the most substantial and influential farmers in that neighborhood. Joseph Baxter died in 1882 and his widow survived hin many years, her death occurring in 1904. They were the parents of eight children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the second in order of birth, the others being as follow: George, deceased: James H .; Wilson, of Mundy township, this county; Charles, of Gaines township, this county ; Frank, deceased; Mary, deceased; Fred, of Richfield township, this county, and Mark, of that same township.
James H. Baxter was but a child when his parents moved to this county from Cassopolis and he grew to manhood on the home farm in Davison township, receiving his education in the neighboring school. He remained at home until he was twenty years old, when he bought a tract of eighty acres in Gaines township and straightway began to develop the same. The next year, 1875, he married and established his home on the Gaines town- ship place, where he remained until his father's death, in 1882, after which he bought the interests of the other heirs in the home place and moved back there, remaining there until he moved to Davison and engaged in the mer- cantile business about seven years later. It was a co-operative store with which Mr. Baxter was at first connected at Davison, but he presently bought out the other shareholders in the concern and continued the same alone for about twenty-three years, at the end of which time he sold the store to his son, Arthur L. Baxter. During the period of his mercantile operations at Davison, Mr. Baxter also owned a store at Oxford, in the neighboring county of Oakland, which he sold to his other son, Clarence, and these stores the Baxter Brothers continued to operate until 1915, in which year they sold their stores in order that they might give their undivided attention to the extensive horse-sales business which they in the meantime had been ·developing and in which they have been very successful, now operating
(32a)
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flourishing sales stables at Davison, Flint, Oxford, Pontiac, Rochester and at Highland Park, Detroit, and doing a business of a half million dollars annually.
The Baxter brothers, under the careful direction of their father, re- ceived an excellent business training in their youth and have greatly profited thereby in their later dealings. Even when they were wearing knee pants they were commissioned by their father to go out over the county and buy live stock for him, his part being to check up their purchases and point out to them whatever, if any, errors of judgment on their part as buyers would be noted. After they were fourteen or fifteen years of age they were em- ployed by their father, at good salaries, in the store during school vacations and at the age of fourteen Clarence Baxter was the buyer in the shoe de- partment of the store at Davison, and at the age of twenty was placed in charge of a forty-thousand-dollar stock of goods at Oxford. When Mr. Baxter bought the store at Oxford it had been doing a business of about fifteen thousand dollars a year, but in the third year after Clarence Baxter came into possession of the same he had run the business up to one hundred thousand dollars a year. In addition to his extensive interest in the firm of Baxter Brothers, horse dealers, Clarence Baxter is also a large landowner. the proprietor of about six hundred acres of land. Arthur Baxter is equally prosperous, but his side interests are confined to other lines, principally town property, especially in Highland Park, Detroit, and Flint.
Even while engaged in the mercantile business at Davison, James H. Baxter continued his farming operations and gradually added to his land holdings in that neighborhood until he is now the owner of nine hundred acres of fine land, the direct management of which he retains in his own hands, personally superintending the considerable force of men required to cultivate his farms. For years he also was actively engaged in the business of buying and selling horses and built up a large trade in that line, which he continued until he finally turned it over to his sons, mentioned above, who are very successfully continuing the same, under the firm name of Bax- ter Brothers. Mr. Baxter has been a busy man ever since starting out on his own account when little more than a boy and still keeps busy. Though not greatly interested in politics, he has given a good citizen's attention to local civic affairs and, with the exception of three years, has been a member of the Davison school board since 1889 and was chairman of that board at the time the fine, new school house at that place was erected. He also was chairman of the board of trustees of the Baptist church at Davison when. that congregation erected its new house of worship. He also has had quite
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a bit of experience with other buildings, having done quite a bit of building for himself. The Baxters have a fine, thoroughly modern brick residence at Davison and are very pleasantly situated.
On May 13. 1875, James H. Baxter was united in marriage to Adaline Leach, who was born on a pioneer farm in Atlas township, this county, daughter of George and Anna (Blackmore) Leach, early settlers of that part of the county, a further history of which family is set out in a bio- graphical sketch relating to Mrs. Baxter's brother, William M. Leach, pre- sented elsewhere in this volume. To this union four children have been born, namely: Minnie, who married Thomas Sturgeon, of Davison, and has one child, a daughter, Maxine, living, and two, Howard W. and Shirley, deceased; Arthur L .. of Davison, member of the firm of Baxter Brothers, mentioned above, who married Esther Falkner and has one child, a daugh- ter, Marie; Clarence, of Oxford, of the firm of Baxter Brothers, who mar- ried Anna Wertman, and they had one child, a daughter, Dorothy; he later married Erma Baker, and they have a daughter, Adeline; Marguerite is at home with her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Baxter are members of the Baptist church at Davison and for many years have been regarded as among the leaders in the social and cultural life of the community, in the development of which they have so long been active factors.
DEXTER DOUGLAS.
Dexter Douglas, a retired farmer of Mt. Morris, a veteran of the Civil War, former president of the village and present justice of the peace, was born in Orleans county, New York, April 29, 1842, the son of Wright and Elizabeth ( Bassett) Douglas.
Wright Douglas was born at Riga, New York on May 30, 1809, and died at Mt. Morris on January 12, 1899. While living in New York state, Wright Douglas was engaged in farming, and in this vocation he continued on coming to Genesee county and settling at Fayville, a small town, two miles north of Mt. Morris. In 1865 he moved to Mt. Morris and built and managed the first hotel in that place. In 1867, the village was incorporated, and at an election held in the hotel, Wright Douglas was elected the first president, which position he held for two years. After managing the hotel for three years, Mr. Douglas returned to his farm, on which is now built a part of the town of Mt. Morris. The house in which he lived was the first
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1
frame house to be erected in the town and is now occupied by Dexter Douglas.
Elizabeth ( Bassett ) Douglas was born in the state of New York ou February 23, 1823, and died at her home at Mt. Morris on February 12. 1908. The parents of Elizabeth, soon after her marriage to Wright Doug- las in September, 1840, removed to Utalı, where they died some years later. Mary Douglas was one of two children. She was born on July 14, 1844, and married Henry Tibbets, a lumber inspector of Grand Rapids.
Dexter Douglas was educated in the district schools, of his township and grew to manhood on his father's farm. On March 10, 1862, he enlisted in the Tenth Regiment, Michigan Volunteer Infantry, and served in the army for three years. During his service he was in a number of important engagements and was with Sherman in the march to the sea. After his return home, he managed the hotel at Mt. Morris, as his father's age and health would not permit of further activities in that line. In 1872, Mr. Douglas engaged in engineering, at which he worked for three years. He then clerked in a general store at Mt. Morris until his appointment as post- master, on July 1, 1897, which position he held until March 30, 1915.
Dexter Douglas married Mary Granger, who was born on March 12, 1844, and died in October, 1906. To this union two children were born, Minnie, the wife of Frank Crandall, born in 1867, and Mattie, the wife of N. N. Davison, born in 1872. On February 5, 1907, Dexter Douglas married Mrs. Victoria ( Bartkowiak) Kinney, who was born in Gifford town- ship, Tuscola county, this state, November 25, 1884, daughter of Casper and Valentine Barktowiak, natives of Germany, who came to the United States in 1877 and settled in Bay City, this state, where they lived for three years, at the end of which time they removed to Tuscola county, where they purchased a farm and remained for fourteen years. They later removed to Saginaw and then to Flint where they now reside. To Dexter and Victoria Douglas have been born four children, Dexter, born on March 4, 1908; Mary Victoria, March 2, 1910; Carl, May 18, 1912, and Lynn Mark, January 6, 1915. By her marriage to Patrick Kinney, a farmer of Saginaw county, who died on March 26, 1905, Mrs. Douglas is the mother of two children, Marie Valentine, born on October 21, 1903, and Casper Patrick, on August 2, 1905.
Dexter Douglas is a Republican and was the first village clerk of Mt. Morris. He has served as trustee and as president of the village and for a number of years was a member of the school board. He has also served as clerk of both Genesee and Mt. Morris townships and is at present justice
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of the peace of Mt. Morris township. Mr. Douglas is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of the Grand Army of the Republic. in the affairs of all of which organizations he takes a warm interest.
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