USA > Michigan > Genesee County > History of Genesee County, Michigan, Her People, Industries and Institutions, Volume II > Part 55
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Mr. Whitehead married Emma Hoard, who was born in Michigan, a daughter of George Richmond and Katherine Hoard, who spent nearly their entire lives in this state, both being long since deceased. Politically. Mr. Whitehead is a Republican and, fraternally, a member of the Knights of the Maccabees at Flushing, having been a member of that lodge for the past twenty-two years. He also is a member of the Modern Woodmen and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, both at Flushing. He has held minor offices in all these lodges, and is lieutenant commander of the first- named.
FRED JUDSON.
A large number of natives of Genesee county have remained here. They have been wise in doing so, for excellent advantages of all kinds are to be found in this locality, ranking well with the most thriving sections of this or any other state. Fred Judson, a produce dealer of Linden, is one of this number, having been content to remain at home.
He was born in Genesee county, September 13, 1869, and is a son of David and Marion ( Fletcher) Judson, and a grandson of Ephraim Fletcher, who was born in New York state, from which he came to Genesee county. Michigan, in an early day, locating in Gaines township, taking up govern- ment land, which he developed into a good farm and here spent the rest of his life. Grandfather George Judson and his wife, who was a Miller prior
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to her marriage, were natives of Elmira, New York, where they spent their earlier lives. They finally removed to Genesee county, Michigan, locating near Long Lake, filing on a homestead, which they developed and here owned nearly a section of valuable land, on which they spent the rest of their lives. David Judson, father of the subject, was born in Mundy township, Genesee county, March 29, 1834, was educated in the public schools here, devoted his active life to general farming, and here his death occurred in 1894. His widow is living in Linden. He was a Democrat, and an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church. To these parents four children were born, namely: George lives in Gaines, Michigan; Ephraim was next in order of birth; Fred, of this review; Jennie married Albert Hitchler, of Detroit, and her death occurred in 1897.
Fred Judson received his education in the Linden public and high schools and the Michigan Agricultural College. While a student there he belonged to the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. Returning to Linden, he taught school in this vicinity for some time, then went into the produce business with two brothers, operating large establishments at Linden, Gaines and Durand. He and his brother George devote their attention to the Gaines and Linden branches, which were started in 1902. He has been very suc- cessful in this line of endeavor. He is also actively interested in agricul- tural pursuits, owning an excellent farm of one hundred and seventy-five acres in Argentine township, where he keeps Percheron horses, feeding stock and over one thousand head of sheep each winter. All modern improvements are to be seen on the place, including two silos, and everything indicates thrift and good management. He has done much to encourage a better grade of live stock in Genesee county. He also owns valuable property in Linden.
Mr. Judson was married on April 22, 1891, to Melissa Whitney, who was born in Gaines township, Genesee county, in 1873. She is a daughter of Roswell B. and Bethany (Case) Whitney. The father was a native of New York state. He removed with his family to Oakland county, Michi- gan, where he spent one year, then located in Gaines township, Genesee county, among the early settlers. Daniel Whitney, his father, was a native of New York state and a pioneer settler in Oakland county, Michigan. To the subject and wife two children have been born, namely: Nellie Judson, born August 18, 1892, was educated in music at Albian College, and married in June, 1915, to Rev. Isaac Corn, a minister in the Methodist church, who was graduated from the scientific course in Franklin College, in 1912, and is now (1916) a student at Iliff Seminary, Denver, Colorado; his wife is
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also studying music there and is organist for one of the churches there. Edna Judson, the second of the subject's children, was born on June II, 1900, and died on December 3, 1912.
Mrs. Judson is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, the Ladies' Aid Society and the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, being active in the work of the latter. Politically, Mr. Judson is a Democrat. Fraternally, he belongs to the Masonic blue lodge at Linden, of which he is a past mas- ter. He and his wife are well educated, broad-minded, progressive and in- fluential in the affairs of the community, being highly esteemed by all who know them.
ARTHUR M. FREEMAN.
Arthur M. Freeman, one of the prominent younger farmers of Flushing township, was born in Summit county, Ohio, on December 30, 1872, the son of Milton R. and Ruth (Oviatt ) Freeman.
Milton R. Freeman was born in Medina county, Ohio, in 1835. In 1880 he came to this county, having, six years before, purchased the farm of three hundred and ten acres in sections 29 and 30 of Flushing township, where his son now lives. At the time Mr. Freeman purchased the tract, there were but forty acres cleared. After coming to Genesee county, Mr. Freemant lived in Flushing and assisted the son in clearing and improving the tract. Before his death in February, 1900, Mr. Freeman had a highly- cultivated and well-improved farm, on which he and his son were engaged in general farming, specializing in horses, sheep and Shorthorn cattle, many of the cattle taking prizes at the county fairs.
In 1861 Milton R. Freeman was united in marriage to Ruth Oviatt, who was born in Ohio in 1841 and who died in 1914. To that union were born the following children: Mrs. M. B. Halliwill, of Flushing; Mrs. H. H. Mack, now deceased; Mary E., deceased; Mrs. J. J. Benjamin and Arthur M. Freeman.
Arthur M. Freeman was educated in the schools of Flushing, complet- ing the second year of high school. He later completed a business course at Ypsilanti, after which he returned to his father's farm, where he remained for nine years, at the end of which time he purchased a farm of one hun- dred and ninety-two acres in section 31 of Flushing township and lived there for eleven years, or until the death of his father, when he bought the home farm of the heirs, and has since made that place his home. He
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now owns more than five hundred acres of land, one of the largest and best- equipped farms in the township. He is engaged in general farming and at the same time devotes much time and attention to his thoroughbred horses, cattle, hogs and sheep. At present he has thirty head of horses and sixty head of cattle. He has on the farm a fine maple grove of more than fifteen hundred trees, from which he makes many gallons of syrup and many pounds of sugar.
On March 23, 1892, Arthur M. Freeman married Anna B. Rush, who was born in Germany on August 31, 1870, and who came with her parents to the United States in 1872. The family settled near Farmington, Oak- land county, Michigan, where the father engaged in farming until his death in 1883. The mother died when Anna was seven years old. Mrs. Freeman was one of two children born to her parents. Her brother Harry is a farmer in Farmington township, Oakland county.
Arthur M. Freeman and wife are the parents of the following children : Milton R., born on March 10, 1893; Roy G., May 20, 1900; Ruth, July I. 1904; Mary, August 31, 1911, and Clara, August 29, 1913. Politically, Arthur M. Freeman is an independent and looks to the man rather than to the party. He is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons. Mr. and Mrs. Freeman and their daughter, Ruth, are members of the Flushing Bap- tist church and take much interest in church work.
DAVID M. AVERILL.
David M. Averill, vice-president and general manager of the Dort Motor . Car Company, of Flint, is a native son of Genesee county and has lived here the greater part of his life. He was born on a farm near the village of Otisville, in Forest township, May 6, 1879, son of Thomas W. and Margaret J. (Perry) Averill, the former a native of the state of Vermont and the latter, of the dominion of Canada, whose last days were spent in the city of Saginaw, this state.
Thomas W. Averill was born at Barre, Vermont, youngest of the chil- dren born to his parents, the others having been Loretta, David M. and Samuel and Sophrona (twins). The father of these children died in Ver- mont in the early sixties and the mother later came to Michigan with her children, settling in Genesee county, but presently returned to Vermont, where she spent the rest of her life, living to a good old age. Thomas WV.
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Averill was but a boy when he came to Genesee county and he grew to man- hood on a farm in the vicinity of Otisville, in Forest township. He dis- played exceptional proficiency in his studies and early began teaching in the district schools of his home township, but after awhile became employed as an accountant for a big lumber company and went north in that capacity, making his home at Harrison, Michigan, where he remained in business for several years, or until his appointment as chief accountant in the office of the auditor-general at Lansing, under the administration of Governor Winans, during which period of public service he made his home at the state capital. He then went to Coleman, as accountant and manager of a concern engaged in the cedar telegraph and telegraph pole business, and after some years there was transferred to Saginaw, in the same employ. In that city he spent the rest of his life, his death occurring in January, 1899, he then being forty- eight years of age. His widow survived him some years. Thomas W. Averill was prominent in church work and in the civic life of the several communities in which he lived. He was an excellent musician and an ex- pert choir leader. During his residence in Clare county he served for two or three terms as county treasurer and had also held other offices of public trust and responsibility in the various communities in which he had made his residence. In his political faith he was a Democrat and, fraternally, was affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and with the Knights of the Maccabees. He and his wife were the parents of seven children, namely : Myrtle I., who married George Nollar, now living at Great Falls, Montana; Elizabeth L., wife of W. H. Buck, of Flint; Frank B., of Chat- ham, Ontario; David M., the subject of this biographical sketch; Roy W., of Flint, and two who died in youth.
David M. Averill was about two years old when his parents moved to Harrison and there he received his early schooling, later attending school at Lansing and at Coleman, graduating from the grammar school in the latter city, and was graduated from the high school at Flint in June, 1898, having been president of his class in both his junior and senior years in that school. Upon leaving the high school, he went to work for the Durant-Dort Car- riage Company and has ever since been connected with that concern or affiliated companies, having risen steadily from the ranks to his present re- sponsible position as vice-president of the company. He began his service with that company in the shipping department of the factory, presently being given the general management of the factory. Upon the reorganization of the company and the creation of the Dort Motor Car Company, Mr. Averill was elected vice-president of the latter company, with general executive
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powers, and has since then been the general manager of that concern, in active charge. Mr. Averill is a Democrat and, fraternally, is a Mason, a member of the Knights of the Maccabees and of the Independent Order of Forest- ers. He has been granted all the degrees of Masonry, being a member of Flint Lodge No. 23, Free and Accepted Masons; Washington Chapter No. 15, Royal Arch Masons; Flint Council, Royal and Select Masters; Genesee Valley Commandery No. 15. Knights Templar, and Bay City Consistory, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, and is a noble of Elf Khurafeh Temple, Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, at Saginaw.
On September 24, 1902, David M. Averill was united in marriage to Mabel L. Frise, who was born in Canada, daughter of Jabez B. and Susanna Frise, both natives of the Dominion, who were the parents of four children, of whom Mrs. Averill was the second in order of birth, the others being William, Eva and Pearl, all of whom, with the exception of the latter, are living. Jabez B. Frise, now deceased, was engaged in the music business and was prominently connected with fraternal circles, having held high offices in the Independent Order of Foresters. Mrs. Averill is a member of the Church of Christ (Scientist).
WILLIAM EDWARD BEACRAFT.
William Edward Beacraft, manager of factory No. II of the Buick Motor Company at Flint, is a native of the dominion of Canada, born at Port Dover, in the county of Norfolk, Ontario, August 23, 1865, son of David and Martha (Smith) Beacraft, both natives of Canada, the latter of whom is still living at her old home in Port Dover.
David Beacraft was the eldest of the three children born to his parents, the others having been John and Margaret, and he was trained to the trade of blacksmith, which he followed during the active years of his life. He died at the age of sixty-nine years and his widow still survives him. She is a daughter of James H. and Isabella (Cline) Smith, farmers, both of whom were born in Norfolk county, Ontario, and who were the parents of eleven children, Margaret, Martha, Peter, James, Joseph, Reuben, George, Isabella, Mareda, Christina and William.
Upon completing the course in the public schools at Port Dover, Wil- liam E. Beacraft went into the woolen mills there and learned carding and spinning, remaining in the factories there for about five years. At the end
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of that time he went to Galt and was there connected with the safe and lock works of Goldie & Mccullough for nine years, after which he went to Brant- ford, Ontario, and was there for six years engaged in tool making. He then, in 1901, located at Detroit and was there engaged in motor building for two years, or until December, 1903, when upon the inception of the great Buick industry, he transferred his services to that company and helped in- stall the original plant of the Buick Motor Company at Flint, which ever since has been his home. Mr. Beacraft installed the vises on the first benches set up in that now great plant and was given charge of the assembling de- partment of the works. Ever since locating in Flint he has been connected with the Buick works and since 1912 has been manager of factory No. 11 of the great plant, having about two thousand men under his immediate charge. Mr. Beacraft is a musician and for nearly thirty years has given much attention to band work. He also for years has been actively identified with the work of the Salvation Army, and not long after locating at Flint organized the celebrated Salvation Army band, now and for years regarded as the best Salvation Army band in the United States, and brought it to a point of excellence which gave to the organization an international reputa- tion. Mr. Beacraft also takes considerable interest in fraternal organiza- tion work. He is a Royal Arch Mason and a Knight Templar, associated with Flint Lodge, Washington Chapter and Genesee Valley Commandery. and is also a member of the Equitable Fraternal Union, the Ancient Order of Foresters of Canada and of the Order of Chosen Friends.
On December 25, 1884, at Galt, Ontario, Canada, William E. Beacraft was united in marriage to Minnie Sharp, who was born in Brantford. County Brant, Ontario, daughter of Theodore and Hanna ( Masses) Sharp. who were the parents of four children, Minnie, Frank, May and Nelson. Theodore Sharp was a veteran of the Civil War, serving three years at the front. To Mr. and Mrs. Beacraft four children have been born, Orton Chester, Grace, William and Arthur, the two last-named dying in infancy. Orton Chester, now engaged in the real-estate business at Flint, married Cora Gorbett and has two children, Donald Chester and Gorbett Ross. Orton learned the trade of a toolmaker and for twelve years was engaged in automobile work, his last service before entering the real estate business being as general superintendent of the Mckay Motor Car Company, at Am- herst, Nova Scotia. Grace Beacraft, after completing her education in the public school and Flint-Bliss Business College, learned the trade of dress- maker and ladies' tailor, at which she was engaged for four years. In 1909. feeling called to devote her life to Christian service, she entered the Salva-
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tion Army Training College at New York City and since that time has been actively engaged as an officer in Salvation Army work. Mr. and Mrs. Bea- craft are members of the Salvation Army, in the affairs of which they long have taken a deep and intelligent interest, Mr. Beacraft occupying one of the chief executive positions in the local corps of the army at Flint. The Beacrafts have a very pleasant home at No. 1629 Glenwood avenue.
FRED D. LELAND.
Fred D. Leland, one of the well-known residents of Genesee county, was born on January 2, 1872, in Groveland Center, Oakland county, this state, being the son of Otis C. and Mary E. (Powell) Leland.
Otis C. Leland was born at Greencak, Livingston county, this state, on February 12, 1840. He received his education in the district schools in the neighborhood of his home, and there he lived until he had reached manhood. He then moved to Oakland county, where he managed his uncle's farm for many years. He later bought a farm in Richfield county where he lived for a number of years, before he purchased the farm in Groveland Center. Oakland county, where the children grew to manhood and womanhood. He then moved to a farm in Flushing township, and later to the village of Flushing, where he lived for a few years before he moved to the farm where his death occurred on February 5, 1916.
On July 3. 1863, Otis Leland was married, at Groveland Center, to Mary E. Powell, who was born there on July 3, 1844, and who is now living in Flushing township. To this union five children were born, those besides the subject of this sketch being Enmma, wife of Frank Moyer, of Flushing township; Eva, wife of William Lewis, of Flushing, and two who died in infancy.
Fred D. Leland was educated in the schools of Oakland county and in Flushing township and upon completing his schooling remained at home. He was married on July 31, 1901, to Mae E. Simpson, who was born on June 27, 1878, in the village of Flushing, daughter of DeRoy and Mary M. (Johnson) Simpson. She received her education in the Flushing schools and taught in different schools in the county.
DeRoy and Mary M. Simpson were born in the state of New York, he on March 25, 1848, and she, at Ithaca, on September 21, 1850. They were married at Flushing on March 18, 1876, and that village has been their
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home ever since. Mr. Simpson has been sexton of the Flushing cemetery for thirty-six years. He is also an apiarist of note and has an apiary of over one hundred stands. He and Mrs. Simpson are members of the Bap- tist church and take much interest in church work. Fraternally, Mr. Simp- son is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is a past noble grand. He is also a Mason. Politically, he is a Prohibitionist and active in the affairs of that party. To DeRoy and Mary Simpson have been born the following children : Guy C., of Salt Lake City, Utah; Mae E .. wife of Fred D. Leland; Ola B., wife of George Cuthbertson, of Flint; Nye A., of Flint ; Ida P., wife of Willard Donelson, of Flint, and Eva A., wife of Fay H. Benjamin, of Flushing.
Fred D. Leland is living on his farm in section 23 of Flushing town- ship, which he purchased in 1893, and where he is successfully engaged in truck farming and in the raising of berries. He has an automobile for pleasure and to deliver his produce. Politically, Mr. Leland is a Republican. He is past commander of the Maccabees lodge and is a member of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows.
To Fred D. and Mae E. (Simpson) Leland have been born two chil- dren, Ralph Raymond, born on February 26, 1911, and Marion Lucile, October 29, 1915.
GEORGE C. KELLAR.
George C. Kellar, president of the Flint city council, alderman from the fourth ward and prominently connected with the real-estate interests of that city and a member of the firm of George C. Kellar & Brother, Union Trust and Savings Bank building, is a native of West Virginia, born at Sistersville, that state, July 31, 1879. He is a son of Francis M. and Julia (Glenden- ning) Kellar, both natives of that same state and the parents of six children, those besides the subject of this sketch, who is the eldest, being Pearl, de- ceased; Francis M., Jr., who is associated with his elder brother in the real- estate business at Flint ; Ulysses, of Bartlettsville, Oklahoma; Howard, of Wheeling, West Virginia, and Mary, who is at home with her parents at Hundred, West Virginia.
The senior Francis M. Kellar was born and reared on a farm in Marion county, Virginia, now a part of West Virginia, and was trained for the law. His parents, James and Anne (Taggart) Kellar, both natives of Virginia. were well-to-do farming people in the Farmington neighborhood. James
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Kellar was a soldier in the Civil War and sided with the Union canse during the division which led to the creation of the state of West Virginia. He and his wife were the parents of five children, Francis M., Neal C., Ulysses S., Emma and Benjamin. The mother of these children died in 1906, being then past sixty years of age. Francis M. Kellar married Julia Glendenning, daughter of George W. and Mary (Lauck) Glendenning, farmers of that same neighborhood, the former of whom also served as a Union soldier dur- ing the Civil War. George W. Glendenning died when well along in years and his widow is still living. They were the parents of four children, Julia, James, George and William: Francis M. Kellar for years has made his home at Hundred, West Virginia, where he maintains his law office, his practice chiefly being confined to legal work connected with oil and gas interests. He is a Democrat and is a former member of the West Virginia Legislature.
George C. Kellar was reared in the village of Hundred, in his native county of Wetzel, in the northwestern corner of the state of West Virginia, and upon completing the course in the public schools there, entered West Virginia Wesleyan College, from which he was graduated in 1905. In the meantime he had taught school for four years and during a part of his time in college assisted in Latin and English. He spent 1905 and 1906 in Har- vard University, specializing in English, and then engaged in the real-estate business in Ohio. In 1908 Mr. Kellar came to Michigan and located at Flint, where, in partnership with his brother, Francis M. Kellar, Jr., he opened a real-estate office and has ever since been actively engaged in that business, . under the firm name of George C. Kellar & Brother. Mr. Kellar is a Re- publican and ever since locating at Flint has taken an active interest in local political affairs. He is alderman from the fourth ward and for the past two years has been president of the city council.
On November 17, 1909, George C. Kellar was united in marriage to Elinor Ritzinger, of St. Paul, Minnesota, who was born at Indianapolis, In- diana, November 2, 1881, daughter of August W. and Martha Elizabeth (Ramsay) Ritzinger, the former a native of Germany and the latter of In- dianapolis, both of whom are now deceased. August W. Ritzinger was born at Woerstadt, near Maintz, in the province of Hesse, and came with his parents to America in 1853, the family locating at Indianapolis, where he grew to manhood. He was the youngest child of his parents, Frederick and Marianne (Kamp) Ritzinger, both natives of Hesse and the former of whom was quite a scholar, he having been one of the electors who wrote the new constitution of Hesse. Frederick Ritzinger engaged in the insurance busi- ness at Indianapolis and was quite successful. He died at the age of sixty
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years and his widow, who survived him some years, was past seventy at the time of her death. They were the parents of four children, Baptiste, Marie, Francis and August W. The latter married Martha Elizabeth Ramsay, daughter of John and Leah ( McKeown) Ramsay, natives of Ohio, the for- mer of whom, born at Lebanon, that state, was for more than fifty years a resident of Indianapolis, where he was engaged in the furniture business. John Ramsay died more than thirty years ago, at the age of seventy, and his widow survived him some years, she having been eighty-nine years of age at the time of her death. They were the parents of four children, John, Ellen, Elizabeth and Robert. August W. Ritzinger became engaged in the banking business at Indianapolis, later moving to St. Paul, where he for years was engaged in the wholesale trade. His wife died there in 1908, at the age of fifty-five years, and he later moved to Vancouver, where he died in 1912, at the age of sixty-four. He was reared a Presbyterian and his wife a Methodist, but he attended the latter church with his wife. To theni four children were born, John, Marianne K., wife of Nicholas Bruning ; Eleanor, who married Mr. Kellar, and Frederick.
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