USA > Michigan > Genesee County > History of Genesee County, Michigan, Her People, Industries and Institutions, Volume II > Part 52
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ALEXANDER LOBBAN.
Alexander Lobban, one of the best-known and most progressive farm- ers of Davison township, this county, and the owner of a fine farm of three hundred and twenty acres on rural route No. 10, out of Flint, is a native son of Genesee county and has lived here all his life, being thus one of the oldest continuous residents of this county, although, of course, there are many older persons here than he. In his youth his playmates were Indian boys and he has been a witness to and participant in the development of that part of the county in which he lives, since pioneer days. He was born in a log cabin on a pioneer farm, in the northwest part of Atlas township, this county, about two miles south of his present home, on the Irish road in Davison township, March 31, 1843, son of William and Mary (Jordan) Lobban. The former was a native of Scotland and the latter, of England; they were married after settling in this county and became prominent and influential pioneers of the Davison neighborhood.
William Lobban was born in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, July 20, 1812. and lived there until 1837, in which year he moved to the city of London, whence, in 1839, he came to the United States and proceeded directly to Michigan. Upon his arrival at Detroit he struck out into the wilderness, Genesee county being his objective point, and walked along a "blazed" trail to this section of the state, making inquiries of the Indians along the way regarding his direction, although unable sometimes to understand them.
Aby Lottan
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William Lobban was a baker by trade and had worked at Detroit for the money with which to buy a tract of "Congress land" out here. He bought eighty acres of unbroken forest land in Davison township and rented another "forty" in Atlas township. Shortly after his arrival here he married Mary Jordan, a daughter of one of the pioneer families of this section, and estab- lished his home on the rented tract in Atlas township, where he lived in a three-story, twelve-by-twelve log house, built into a sand bank, a warm and secure structure, and there the subject of this sketch was born. Mary Jor- dan was born in Surrey, England, April 7, 1822, daughter of John and Ann Jordan, and came to the United States with her parents in 1837, celebrating her fifteenth birthday anniversary on the ocean. The Jordans spent one year in New York state and then came out to Michigan territory, settling first in Grand Blanc township, this county, later moving over into Atlas township, and afterward to the township of Davison, where Mr. Jordan spen the rest of his life; his wife died in England. Some years after settling in Atlas township, William Lobban moved over onto his eighty-acre tract of wood- land in Davison township and proceeded to clear and develop the same, and there he spent the rest of his life, his death occurring in 1874. His widow survived him for many years, her death occurring on March 26, 1910.
Alexander Lobban's early childhood was spent on the home farm, where he was born, in Atlas township, he being about four years old when his par- ents moved over into Davison township, where he ever since has lived. The night he was born, there was born, in a wigwam within thirty rods of the Lobban cabin, an Indian boy child. This Indian boy and Alexander Lobban became playmates and remained firm friends until the death of the Indian lad in his sixteenth year. Alexander Lobban grew up on the home farm in Davison township and after his graduation from the high school at Flint, began teaching school and was thus engaged, farming during the summers, until he was twenty-nine years old. In the fall of 1871 he entered the civil engineering department of the University of Michigan. Before he could complete the course upon which he had entered his father was stricken with apoplexy and he was compelled to abandon his studies and return home to take charge of affairs on the home farm. Mr. Lobban has ever since been engaged in farming the old home place and has increased his holdings to three hundred and twenty acres, as well improved and as fine a piece of ground as there is in the whole county.
Mr. Lobban is a Democrat and in 1910 was the nominee of his party for treasurer of Genesee county. He is a wide reader, a close student of affairs, has traveled in various parts of the country and is regarded as one of
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the best-informed men in his part of the county. Having been reared in the section in which he now lives and where he has lived all his life, there is no one thereabout who takes a keener interest in the general affairs of the com- munity than does Mr. Lobban, and his energy and public spirit have been important factors in the development of that region from the primitive state upon which his boyhood gaze rested to its present well-established condition.
.\ forest fire swept over this country in 1856 and burned over a great area, this being the first set-back of the once great forests in this country.
JAMES SHANAHAN.
It is not difficult to determine why those who come from Canada and settle on farms in Michigan and other states always prosper. It is due to many causes, but largely to the fact that they have inherited qualities of grit, determination, industry and economy, and partly because they have been reared under laws similar to our own. One such is James Shanahan, farmer of Montrose township, this county. He was born in Huron county, Ontario, June 18, 1848, and is a son of William Shanahan, who was born in County Limmerick, Ireland, May 24, 1816, and who emigrated to Canada in 1838, settling in the province of Ontario, his parents, Dennis and Kath- erine Shanahan, remaining in the old country, where they died on their farm. William Shanahan located on government land upon settling in Canada, paying ten shillings an acre for one hundred and ten acres. He cleared it all but ten acres and farmed there until 1871, in which year he sold his property there and moved to Michigan, locating on a farm of eighty acres in Montrose township, this county, which place is now owned by his son James. There William Shanahan spent the rest of his life, dying on December 28, 1892. He was a Democrat and a Catholic. On June 3, 1844, he married Ann O'Byrne, who was born in the province of Connaught, Ire- land, February 2, 1818. She came to Canada with a brother, John O'Byrne. who settled on a farm in the eastern part of the Dominion. Her parents, Peter and Abby (Flynn) O'Byrne, remained in Ireland and died there. The death of Mrs. Ann Shanahan occurred on April 16, 1892. William and Ann Shanahan were the parents of four children, namely: James, the subject of this sketch; Mary, born on September 1, 1851, who married James McPhillips, a native of Scottville, New York, who is now a lumber inspector and lives in Detroit; Thomas, December 25, 1854, now engaged
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in farming in Montrose township, and Ann, April 9, 1856, who married James Green, superintendent of the Detroit branch of the firm of Lacy Brothers, of Chicago. These four children were all born in Canada, all received good educational advantages, and are all living at this writing.
James Shanahan walked three miles to attend school when a boy, fol- lowing a blazed trail through the forest. He remained on the home farm in Canada, where he worked hard, until he came to Michigan in 1871, set- tling in Saginaw county, where he worked in the lumber woods and along the river, driving logs. He had already purchased a farm in Montrose township, this county, on which he worked during the summer months dur- ing his logging days. He continued in these lines alternately until his mar- riage, after which he made his home on the farm continuously. After the crop season he got out square timber during the winter months, fol- lowing this occupation in various counties, continuing thus for eighteen years. He also acted as a "timber cruiser" in North Carolina, South Caro- lina, Virginia, Tennessee and Texas, being regarded as one of the best estimators or inspectors of timber in the country. In 1902 he moved to the village of Montrose and in 1906 sold his farm in section 10. He con- tinued to reside in the village until April 3, 1912, when he purchased his present farm in section 8 of Montrose township, where he has since resided. He still owns a part of the old homestead. He is now living practically retired from active farm work. On October 1, 1878, James Shanahan was married to Elizabeth Green, who was born in Flint township, this county, February 25, 1857, a daughter of James Green, who was born in 1823, who was one of the pioneers of Flint township, this county, where he engaged in farming until his death, November 21, 1890. His wife, Ellen Mackin, was born in New York City, from which she came to Michigan when young, her parents settling at Flint, where she met and married Mr. Green. To them were born six children, Thomas, William, James, Elizabeth, Michael and Patrick. The mother of these children died in Saginaw.
To Mr. and Mrs. Shanahan six children have been born, namely : Mary, born on August 23, 1879, who married Edward Lyons and later Roy Moore, a farmer, of Saginaw county; Anna, March 23, 1881, who lives with her parents; Margaret, February 4. 1883, who married Henry Roesseau, a butcher, living in Montrose township; William, May 12, 1885, who served four years in the United States navy, in which service he con- tracted ill health in the Panama district and died on November 24, 1914; Edward, August 24, 1886, a soldier in the United States regular army, who has been with the troops at Manila, Philippine Islands, since 1914, and Gert-
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rude, July 14, 1888, who married Bert Sevener, a contractor, of Seattle, Washington.
Mr. Shanahan is a Republican and was highway commissioner for three years. In 1885 he was elected supervisor, which office he held six years, and in 1893 was re-elected to the same for one year. He was twice a candi- date for sheriff, but failed in the nomination. He is a member of the Roman Catholic church.
FRED M. HOUGHTON.
Fred M. Houghton, head of the firm of F. M. Houghton & Company, general dealers in grain and farm produce at Clio, was born in Capac, St. Clair county, Michigan, February 6, 1880, son of Richard and Anna (Grotke) Houghton, the former of whom was born in Lincolnshire, England.
Fred M. Houghton received his education in the Clio high school and afterward worked for two years as buyer for Fred L. Mark & Company, produce dealers, at Clio. Then he worked for one season, in the same capacity, for Putnam & Mack, in the produce business in Clio, and then went to Detroit, where he worked for eight months in the grocery and meat busi- ness. In 1899 he returned to Clio and was employed by George F. Dimond, of Maysville, to conduct a branch produce store there. For five years he had a joint-account deal with the firm and carried on business in a building east of the bank, handling apples, potatoes, hay and grain. In 1905 he dis- continued that employment and formed a joint-stock company, under the firm name of F. M. Houghton & Company, for the purpose of dealing in produce of all kinds, the officers and directors of the company being as fol- low: A. D. Eddy, president; G. L. Humphrey, vice-president; F. M. Houghton, treasurer ; W. J. Biles, secretary ; F. M. Houghton, manager. In 1906 this company purchased the stock of the Stockbridge Elevator Com- pany, which had been operating there for one year. The elevator had been previously operated for a short time by Joseph Wellman, and for a short time before him by Putnam & Mauk. When F. M. Houghton & Company bought the business they moved the elevator across the railroad tracks and began operating in both buildings, which arrangement continues. In 1907 the entire plant was rebuilt and enlarged, the plant being equipped with the latest machinery and conveniences for handling field and garden seeds of all kinds, and all kinds of farm products. The new elevator has a capacity of twelve thousand bushels of grain or seeds. The business of the company
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has been steadily growing. In the year 1915 they shipped five hundred and forty cars of produce to the various markets. They also do a large business in handling cement, coal, salt, fertilized, tile, posts, dairy feed, meal, cotton seed and the like.
On October 5, 1904, Fred M. Houghton and Blanche Davis were united in marriage. Mrs. Houghton was born in Thetford township, this county. September 6, 1882, a daughter of Lee and Ellen (Scott) Davis, natives of Genesee county and farmers, now retired, living at Pine Run. Mrs. Hough- ton was educated in the Clio high school. To Fred M. and Blanche (Davis) Houghton two children have been born, Mildred, born on September 6, 1905, and Richard, August 29, 1912.
Mr. Houghton is a Republican and has served as village trustee for six years, as township treasurer for one term and as constable for three terms. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, a member of the Elks lodge at Flint, and is senior warden of the Masonic lodge at Clio.
PERRY R. DODGE.
Perry R. Dodge, a well-known and progressive young farmer of Gene- see township, this county, and proprietor of a fine farm of eighty acres on rural route No. 3, out of Flint, is a native son of Genesee county and has lived here all his life with the exception of the time he spent in attendance at the Michigan Agricultural College, where he acquired a thorough school- ing in modern agricultural methods, which he is now turning to excellent advantage in the practical operation of his farm. He was born on a farm in Richfield township, June II, 1892, son of Edwin A. and Lena (Vantine) Dodge, both natives of this state, the former of whom was born on that same farm in Richfield township and the latter in Oakland county, who are now living retired at Flint.
Edwin A. Dodge was born in Ritchfield township, this county, as noted above and grew to manhood on the home farm there. He married Lena Vantine, who was born at Hadley, in Oakland county, on July 5, 1870, and to that union three children were born, of whom the subject of this sketch was the first-born, the others being Lorin A. and Dora. In 1894 Mr. Dodge left the old home farm in Richfield township and bought a farm in Atlas township, where he lived for ten years, at the end of which time he bought a farm of eighty acres in Burton township, where he lived
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until 1913, when he bought a farm of two hundred acres in section 23 of Mt. Morris township and there made his home until 1915, when he retired from the active labors of the farm and moved to Flint, where he and his wife are now living. Mr. Dodge is a Republican and has served in school offices and as highway commissioner and enumerator of the census.
Perry R. Dodge was about two years old when his parents moved to Atlas township and his elementary education was received in the school in the neighborhood of his boyhood home there, being continued in the schools at Wolcott, in Burton township, and in the high school at Flint, after which he entered the Michigan Agricultural College and took a course of two terms of instruction in scientific farming there. He then returned home and on February 9, 1915, was united in marriage to Minnie Mor- rish, who was born in Burton township, this county, March 8, 1893. After his marriage Mr. Dodge established his home on the farm on which he is now living and where he and his wife are very pleasantly situated. In addition to his general farming he makes a specialty of his dairy products. selling direct to the trade, and has a fine herd of grade Holsteins. Mr. Dodge is a Republican. He and his wife take a warm interest in the general social and cultural life of their neighborhood and are helpful in all good works in that community.
JOHN L. TOPHAM.
The attitude of the general public toward the farmer of today is some- what different to that during the century preceding the present. All now realize the fact that the advanced methods of scientific farming require more brains than brawn in order to make a success as an agriculturist and stock raiser. John L. Topham, of Flushing township, this county, has made a success as a husbandman and is now living in retirement, enjoying the fruits of his earlier years of industry. He was born in Geneva, New York, August 12, 1853, and is a son of William H. Topham, who was born in 1824. in Nottingham, England, from which country he came to the United States at the age of seventeen, stopping in New York and later locating in Pennsylvania, where he remained until 1856, when he removed to Detroit, Michigan, where he did teaming for two years; then bought forty acres in Lapeer county, where he followed general farming and raised large numbers of cattle on the free range. He later added to his
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original purchase until he had a farm of two hundred and forty-six acres. His death occurred in April, 1900. He married Nancy E. Long, who was born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1825. She came to America when young and they were married in Pennsylvania. To their union five children were born, namely: John L., the subject of this sketch; Andrew P., born in 1855, who is now engaged in farming in Lapeer township, Lapeer county; William H., October 18, 1857, also farming in Lapeer county: Charles H., April 18, 1859, who died in April, 1887, and Johnston S., born in September, 1866, now farming in Lapeer county. The mother of these children died on April 13, 1877, and William H. Topham later married Rosanna Perkins, who died in 1904, and to this second union two children were born, Isaac, who is farming in Flint township, and Hiram, who is engaged in farming east of the city of Flint.
John L. Topham grew up on the home farm and attended the district schools and the high school, after which he engaged in teaching four years in Lapeer county, and later bought forty acres in Oregon township, that county, on which he spent two years; then rented his father's farm for one year, later worked in the lumber camps for two years; then bought forty acres in section 17 of Flushing township, this county, later adding twenty- one acres to his first purchase, and subsequently added twenty-four acres. He operated his farm of eighty-five acres until 1897, then bought eighty acres in section 8, then traded his entire tract-one hundred and sixty-five acres-for a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in section 5, Flushing township, which place he lived on until February 5, 1916, when he sold out to his two sons and retired from active life, partly on account of fail- ing health.
Mr. Topham was married in 1875 to Lydia A. Beebe, a resident of Lapeer county, and to this union one child was born, Nancy A., whose birth occurred in September, 1876, who married Nelson Goodman, of Bay City, Michigan. Mr. Topham was married a second time to Frances Slaterline, who was born in Pennsylvania, January 4, 1864, a daughter of Andrew Slaterline, who was born in Germany, February 14, 1803, from which coun- try he came to the United States in 1833, taking up a farm in Pennsylvania, where he remained until 1864, in which year he came to Michigan, locating on a farm near Flushing, this county, where he remained until his death, which occurred in November, 1885. He married Harriet Wate, who was born in England in 1820, from which country she came with her adopted parents to America when nine years of age. She was married in 1843 and died in 1873. To Mr. and Mrs. Slaterline ten children were born, six of
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whom grew to maturity, namely: Barbara, born in 1844, who married Sammuel Alexander, a farmer of Ohio; Mary, born in 1846, now deceased; Jolın, born in 1848, who is farming in Flushing township, this county; Joseph, born in August, 1850, who is now a retired farmer, of Brent Creek; Jacob, born in 1857, now living at Indian river, Sheboygan county, and Frances, who married Mr. Topham, the subject of this sketch.
Three children were born to Mr. Topham's second marriage, namely : William, born on September 20, 1883, who now owns half of the home- stead, which he is operating; Charles G., December 28, 1886, who is farming in Flushing township, and Lonson H., April 1, 1890, who owns a half inter- est in the old home place and is there engaged in general farming.
Mr. Topham is a Republican. He served as highway commissioner during 1897 and 1898 and is at present justice of the peace, which office he also filled during the years from 1904 to 1908. He also served as school director in his district for a period of sixteen years. Fraternally, he is a member of the local tent of the Knights of the Maccabees at Flush- ing and he and his wife attend and support the Methodist Episcopal church at Brent Creek.
F. A. CHAPIN.
F. A. Chapin, the present popular and efficient postmaster at Fenton, Genesee county, has always been deeply interested in whatever made for the general improvement of his native locality, having been content to spend his life here, believing that, for him, better opportunities existed here than any- where else. He was born in this county, May 9, 1870, and is a son of Addi- son P. and Mina G. (Hamper) Chapin. The father was born in Genesee county, Michigan, and the mother was a native of England and a daughter of Richard Hamper, who followed the baker's trade in his native land, but finally came to Genesee county, Michigan, and engaged in farming at Grass Lake. Addison P. Chapin was a son of Alonzo J. and Eliza (Gale) Chapin, the latter a daughter of Henry Gale, of Washtenaw county, Michigan, having originally come from the state of New York, being born in Monroe county in 1817. He took up a homestead in Washtenaw county. Alonzo J. Chapin was also a native of New York, from which state he came to Fenton, Michi- gan, being one of the first pioneers, and here he spent the rest of his life. Addison P. Chapin was born in Fenton, Michigan. and received a good edu- cation in the public schools and the State University. He and his wife live
F. G. Chapin
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on a farm west of the village of Fenton, where he is active in the affairs of his community. His family consists of the following children: F. A., of this sketch; J. A. is single and lives at home; H. W. is employed by the Bonner Cigar Company in Detroit.
F. A. Chapin was graduated from the high school of Fenton, then at- tended the State University two years. On October 20, 1907. he married Olive O. Robinson, a native of Oakland county, Michigan. Mr. Chapin was superintendent of the Etna cement plant at Fenton until he was appointed postmaster, February 7. 1914, the duties of which position he has since dis- charged in a manner highly satisfactory. In his earlier career he taught school in Genesee county ten years with much success. He was president of the village in 1913, was a member of the board of trustees in 1912 and 1913, and was supervisor of his township for eight years. Politically, he is a Demo- crat. He belongs to the Masonic order, including the chapter and com- mandery, and has been a member of the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine for ten years. He also belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
GEORGE PACKARD, SR.
George Packard, Sr., deceased, was born in Lebanon, New Hampshire, January II, 1836, and came with his parents to this county in 1841, when five years of age, and was reared and educated here. He assisted his father on the home farm just south of Flushing during his youthful years, after- ward working on the same farm in partnership with his father and brothers. During the winter seasons they engaged in the lumber business, clearing the land and converting the timber into lumber. At the death of his father, Thomas Packard, the estate was divided and George took the old home- stead and operated the farm for about five years. In 1880 he sold the farm and moved to Flushing village, and in 1882, organized the First National Bank of Flushing, becoming its first cashier. In 1890 the name of the bank was changed to the First State and Savings Bank of Flushing, and he con- tinued in service with the new bank, as cashier and director until his death, which occurred on June 14, 1906, at the age of seventy years. In addition to his banking interests Mr. Packard continued to give attention to farming and real estate until his death. His political affiliation was with the Repub- lican party. He was a Mason, a member of the blue lodge at Flushing.
(34a)
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On September 18, 1883, George Packard was married to Ida O'Dell, only child of Charles M. and Jane ( Whitmore) O'Dell. Her father was born in Oakland, Michigan, and came to Genesee county when a young man. He worked on the farm in Mundy township with his father during his early years, and afterward engaged in farming oin his account, follow- ing this occupation during the remainder of his life. In November, 1862, he was married to Jane Whitmore, daughter of Noah and Jane (Nims) Whitmore, who were natives of Jefferson county, New York. They came to Michigan, settling in Oakland county, and later in Genesee county, where Mrs. Whitmore died in young womanhood. Mr. Whitmore went to Ore- gon about 1852, settling in Williamette valley, where he later died. There were five children in this family : James, Margaret, Jane, Juliette and Milton.
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